On Saturday, September 26^th at 2pm, don’t miss a very unique matinee at Rebel Sound Records! The Trans Fusions National Tour comes to Pittsfield, featuring performances by Modern Day Pinnochio, Geppetta, Jamez Terry and Kian Xie.

Fueled by the belief that the power of Performance, Art, and Music can surpass the boundaries of language and culture, Modern Day Pinnochio (a.k.a. A.J. Bryce) looks forward to hitting the road with the Trans-Genre Project and sharing the beautiful stories, struggles, and dreams that the Transgender Community brings to the surface with their powerful works of art.

Transgender artists/ activists, Modern Day Pinnochio and Geppetta have connections that run far deeper than an appreciation for the old fairy tale that inspired both their stage names.

After meeting in 2008 on the Tranny Roadshow, the two began collaborating on projects to promote the transgender arts community. This has included expanding the Trans-Genre Project, a website for trans artists that Bryce founded in 2006, and has culminated in several cross country tours and the formation of a non-profit organization.

Both Bryce and Geppetta share a fierce passion for multimedia performance that includes original music, video, puppet theater, story telling, and visual art. Through their individual styles, Bryce and Geppetta share unique and poignant music, performance, and interactive workshops that entertain, educate, and expand views on transgender experience.

 Since 2006, the Trans-Genre Project has been promoting and building community for transgender artists, musicians, and performers from around the world. Over the past few years, the website has expanded tremendously to include more than 40+ different artists and has hosted events from Los Angeles to Philadelphia.

In addition,  The Trans-Genre Project is proud to release its second compilation featuring music, spoken word, and visual artwork from the diverse collection of artists on the site and on the tour. Trans-Fusions II features some of the trans community’s favorite artists, including Josh Klipp, Shawna Virago, Dylan Scholinski, and Athens Boys Choir to name a few, as well as emerging artists that Trans Genre is confident will leave you craving for more.

Veteran acoustic performer Catie Curtis has toured extensively in North America, including playing at several festivals, such as the Newport Folk Festival. She has also supported, among others, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Dar Williams, Girlyman and Bonnie Raitt. She also played on the final Lilith Fair tour. This Saturday see her right here in the Berkshires at the Colonial Theater in Pittsfield supported by Jonatha Brooke.

Curtis was raised in the small city of Saco, Maine. She originally played drums, but later changed to acoustic guitar. While attending Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, she started playing on the local coffeehouse circuit while also working as a waitress and social worker. She moved to Boston, Massachusetts, in the early 1990s, after deciding to make a career out of music.

Since then Curtis has recorded and released 11 albums and her songs have been featured on a variety of tv shows such as Alias, Dawson’s Creek, Felicity and Chicago Hope along with some independent films. She won the Best Album Award from the Gay and Lesbian American Music Awards for her self-titled 1997 album. In 2005, she and Mark Erelli won the Grand Prize in the International Songwriting Competition for their song People Look Around, a song written in response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster.

When she’s off the road, Catie Curtis resides in Newton, MA with her partner of 10 years and their two children.

Read more on Catie Curtis and Jonatha Brooke from Berkshire On Stage.

Purchase tickets from the Colonial Theater online or call (413) 977 – 4444.

Showing at Beacon Cinema July 30^th – August 5^th at 12:10, 2:35, 5:00, 7:20 and 9:45 pm.

Lisa Cholodenko’s latest film and winner of the Teddy Award for Best Feature Film at the 2010 Berlin International Film Festival, The Kids Are All Right makes its debut in Pittsfield this weekend. Directed by Cholodenko (High Art, Laurel Canyon), The Kids Are All Right is based on an original screen play written by her in part with Stuart Blumberg.

The film captures the dynamic of Nic and Jules (three-time Academy Award nominee Annette Bening and four-time Academy Award nominee Julianne Moore) and their family. They are married and share a cozy suburban Southern California home with their teenage children, Joni and Laser (Mia Wasikowska and Josh Hutcherson). Nic and Jules – sometimes referred to as the “Momses” – gave birth to and raised their children, and built a family life for the four of them. As Joni prepares to leave for college, 15-year-old Laser presses her for a big favor. He wants Joni, now 18, to help him find their biological father; the two teenagers were conceived by donor insemination. Joni makes the call and as their donor father, Paul (Mark Ruffalo), comes into the lives of the forthright four, an unexpected new chapter begins for them as family ties are defined, re-defined, and then re-re-defined.

Read more from Focus Feature’s website or check out this sparkling review from the Boston Globe.

Purchase your tickets online or call 413.358.4780.

This Sunday, August 1^st, don’t miss a free performance of Diana Yanez one-woman show, Viva La Evolucion, at 7pm at Williams’ College ’62 Center.  The performance is one night only and then moves on to SoHo Playhouse where it will run from August 19^th-29^th.

Viva La Evolucion, written and performed by Diana Yanez and directed by Marjorie Duffield, is Yanez story of growing up Queer and Cuban in America, more specifically, Miami Beach.

So, dress your imagination in your best guayabera shirt as first generation Cuban-American performer/writer Diana Yanez makes mojitos out of the limones of her life. The mint is fresh, the sugar cane sweet, and the rum packs a punch in these hilarious tales of chaos, love, and evolution in Miami. Diana Yanez, winner of the 1st Annual Drama Queen one-woman show competition, presents her full show—life, café con leche, and all.

Many of Yanez’s characters sing. She studied piano as a child, taught herself guitar and stuided voice with acclaimed opera singer, Gail Gordon. In Germany, she was a DJ in clubs and on the radio. A digital wizard – Yanez still DJ’s and produces most of her own remixes (i.e. “Zapatos” and “Hotel Discotheque”).

Besides Yanez participation in viral videos such as Let Me Borrow That Top and My Puss, she starred in Margaret Cho’s the Sensuous Woman the Off-Broadway hit Comedy-Burlesque-Variety Show. She is a core member of queer comedy group sensation, The Gay Mafia and now the all girl off-shoot – Aunt Flo. In 2007 she toured America on Cyndi Lauper’s The True Colors Tour and appeared as well as produced Outlaugh on Wisecrack on MTV’s LOGO network.

Read more about Yanez, Duffield and the show here.

See it again at The Berkshire Fringe!

The Kolok Gallery, cordially invites you to attend their opening reception with the artist this Saturday, July 31^st, from 5:30 – 8 pm. Kolok Gallery is the only gay-owned gallery in Berkshire County and would like encourage more participation from the queer community here in the hills.

 The gallery represents and exhibits artwork by emerging and mid-career, nationally and internationally-based artists. The current exhibition on view at Kolok, titled “home•less•bound•ness; (hom´lis´bound´nis´) –noun, 1. and other transient ideas”, is composed of new sculpture and installation work by artist Robert Mateo Diago.

 Diago is a gay artist based in Dallas, TX. He created this body of work over the last seven months based on visions he received in the early morning hours over a two week period. It’s purpose was to combine words, images, and objects which often play a role in the everyday lives of the homeless or which have a direct or indirect correlation with the idea of homelessness as many people understand it.

Unlikely materials and clever wordplay raise questions and stimulate dialogue about homelessness, community, indifference and over-consumption. Limited edition prints and original paintings by the artist will also be available.

 *10% of sales from this exhibit will be donated to Soldier On; a non-profit organization dedicated to housing homeless veterans.

 home•less•bound•ness (hom’lis’bound’nis’)-noun.
Installation and sculptures by Robert Mateo Diago
July 29th through September 20th
Opening Reception with the artist: Saturday, July 31 from 5:30 to 8pm

 The goal of Kolok Gallery is to form global relationships and collaborations with both local and international artists, art collectors and arts organizations. Kolok Gallery is located on the first floor of the Windsor Mill on Route 2, four blocks east of Mass MoCA and downtown North Adams. Limited parking is available in front of the main Windsor Mill entrance with additional parking available in the rear of the building (use Cliff Street for access).

 Visit Robert Mateo Diago’s website and blog or the Kolok Gallery website for more information

OUT@BSC returns for its second installment of the summer on July 29 at 8pm with a performance of ART and a post-show party at One West Restaurant and Lounge at the Crowne Plaza, where  both drinks and appetizers are just $5.

Barrington Stage Company describes Yasmina Reza’s Art as “A thought provoking, deliciously witty, Tony Award-winning comedy” about the extraordinary and hilarious tests on three men’s friendships when one of them buys a white on white painting for a colossal amount of money.

Showtime is at 8pm. Those who call for tickets at 413-236-8888 can get 10% discount by mentioning OUT@BSC.

For more information about OUT night at Barrington Stage, visit this delightful entry from Berkshire on Stage.

Berkshire Stonewall will be hosting a spring dance at the Elk’s Club in Pittsfield on Saturday, April 17th, from 8:30pm – 12:30am!
$5 members/$10 non-members
FREE ADMISSION if you Join/Renew your membership at the door!The event will have a cash bar (with cheap drinks!) , DJ, and appetizers, and a 50/50 raffle to benefit the Live Out Loud Youth Project: youth dance on May 14th at Jae’s Spice Upstairs.

LIVE OUT LOUD’s mission is to empower, energize and enable Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth to live the life of their dreams through the celebration of the richness and diversity of our shared experience, the visibility of role models and the dissemination of information. For more information visit the group’s FACEBOOK page here.

Also…

Namoli Brennet, singer/songwriter performs live
Stone Soup at Topia Arts Center in Adams, MA
Friday, April 23, 2010 7:30 PM
Admission: $10

Namoli Brennet, a singer/songwriter from Tucson, is returning to the Berkshires and will perform Friday, April 23 at the Stone Soup Café at Topia Arts Center, 27 Park Street, at 7:30 PM.
Presented by the Topia Arts Center and Berkshire Stonewall Community Coalition, the performance will begin at 7:30 PM, with a cover charge of $10.

Namoli has just released a new CD “Black Crow.” She has played hundreds of performances and independently produced and released eight CDs on her own label since 2002. Listening to Brennet, you realize she is not just another acoustic singer/songwriter with a guitar. Her technique draws on a wide range of influences, everyone from Shawn Colvin and Jonatha Brooke to Patty Griffin and Joni Mitchell. Her achingly wistful arrangements include guitar, mandolin, harmonica and even trumpets, all self-played and complemented by her personal, heartfelt, lyrics.In addition to her songwriting, Brennet has also written several commissions for Chorus & Piano as well as scoring 2 plays: Boy (2008), and an adaptation of The Odyssey written by Pulitzer-Prize winner Derek Walcott. Her music has also been featured in the upcoming documentary Out in the Silence. She is an Out Music Award nominee.

Her website is www.namolibrennet.com

Don’t miss out on these great local events hosted by Berkshire Stonewall Community Coalition

This Saturday night, February 13^th, the upstairs of Jae’s Spice will host the second Quite Queer event titled “Heart On”. The party has a high fashion theme and prizes will be given out to the top three most interesting and unique outfits. There also will be a “prom-style” photo booth with on-site printing, wild Valentine-inspired decorations, and specialty cocktails served.

The event is $5 for ages 21+ and $8 for 18+ with a full cash bar for legal drinkers. This event follows the first successful Quite Queer event that took place October 10^th, 2009 at the Elks Club in Pittsfield.

The party gets started at 8pm and will feature live music from Jen Urban & the Box, a fresh, sassy, and sexy electro-rock group that has been taking hold of the NYC electro and queercore scene. On guitar, lead vocals & programming, Jen Urban growls out well-crafted, fiercely emotional lyrics with her trademark powerful vocals & provocative stylings. Alan D’s bass, synth-bass, keyboards & harmonies provide an intoxicating texture that fleshes out the songs’ drive & presence. “Heart On” will also feature music from Minneapolis’s DJ PB&J and other special guest DJs and will keep rocking until 1am.

Quite Queer is a not-for-profit event planning committee whose mission is to throw great parties that are open to people of all lifestyles and backgrounds while showcasing queer musical talent.

QQ’s “Heart On”

Saturday, February 13^th 8pm-1am

$5 (21+) / $8 (18+)

Jae’s Spice Upstairs

297 North Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201

413.997.5237

Here is a synopsis developed by the BVB of the LGBT Tourism Forum that was held last week in Adams. Below is a list of links that can serve as resources for local businesses to that are interested in targeting the LGBT market.

I would like to see a targeted and collaborative effort come out of this region to focus on the LGBT population, both locally and for tourists and second home owners.

Many ideas came up about how to encourage local businesses to become more pro-active on hosting events/entertainment that appeals to this niche market (ex. Gay Ski Weekend at one of our fabulous local resorts, etc.)

Last October, Pittsfield hosted the first Out in the Berkshires Weekend, which had a very positive response and strong attendance to each event in the collaboration.

The City will once again serve as a lead collaborator on this event, which will occur over Columbus Day Weekend, which coincides with National Coming Out Day. We would like to make this year’s event larger and more dynamic.

The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts will be hosting the Out in the Berkshires Invitational Art Show, which will feature local LGBT artists, as one of our many events. If you are interested in joining the effort for this year’s event, please contact outintheberkshires@gmail.com

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Thank you for contributing to our open forum on LGBT travel last week. All attendees are included in this email and will be added to our LGBT email list serve so we can continue to share LGBT resources, events and information with each other. Feel free to forward this to others who you think should be part of the dialogue and we will add them to the list.

Below are links to some of the resources discussed:

· Submit LGBT friendly events to massvacation.com micro site
http://www.lgbtmassvacation.com/lgbt.php

· Get listed in MOTT’s LGBT micro site and in their iphone application
http://lgbtmassvacation.com/business_listings.php

· TAGAppproved.com: Designated LGBT welcoming hotels & attractions worldwide
http://www.tagapproved.com/

· IGLTA.org: International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association
http://www.iglta.org/

· LGBT media and website resources
http://www.berkshires.org/Niche%20markets/GLBT%20Ressources.pdf

We’ve reached out to MOTT to see if there are any other LGBT media resources available and will be looking at how we incorporate LGBT message into our website and PR outreach over the next few months. We’ll keep you posted.

Best,

Dara Kaufman
Director of Member Services

Berkshire Visitors Bureau
3 Hoosac Street, Adams MA 01220
(413) 743-4500
dkaufman@berkshires.org

Visit us online at www.berkshires.org

Club Groove in downtown Pittsfield will host its first LGBT club night on Thursday, December 3rd. The cover will be $5 and the event is 21+.  Dj Phanatik will be throwing down the beats starting at 9pm and the party will run until 2am. 

This is the first LGBT night hosted at this venue since the days of Club Red and its “alternative nights.”

If you have not had the chance to discover the Berkshires newest, hottest, wildest, and (only) club, come to downtown Pittsfield and check out this great new establishment! 

Club Groove is at 17 Wendell Avenue Extension, which is off of East St., one block past First St. on the right. There is free parking at the First and Fenn St. parking lot behind City Hall and across from the Common.

 For directions, please click here.

This event depends on YOU to be successful and to become a regular LGBT party in the Berkshires.  Please come out and show your support, and take part in Club Groove’s first OUT Thursday event in downtown Pittsfield.