2012 Concerts & Events

January 2012

Friday, January 20 at 7:30pm

RBIT does Improv at the Playhouse! The Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe (RBIT), the funniest thing in the Berkshires, is a comedy improv group that has been delighting audiences with its own brand of non-scripted comedic mayhem since June of 2001. Performing a mix of theater games reminiscent of the TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway? the group models its work on the teachings of renowned theater games/improvisation instructor Keith Johnstone. Through audience participation, RBIT’s mission is to create entertaining scenes which explore the boundaries of theater improvisation.http://www.berkshireimprov.com/ Tickets $12. Call Kristen at 413-394-5023 x 12 for reservations.

Saturday, January 21 at 7-9pm (Doors open at 6:30 pm)

“The Wang Dang Doodle Blues & Gospel Revue Benefit Concert for Raising The Blues, Ltd.” Join Wang Dang Doodles: Vikki True, Robin O’Herin, Joel Schick, Richard Downs and Pete Schneider, as they perform an eclectic mix of blues, country, roots and original music. They will be performing to raise money for Raising the Blues, Ltd, a MA-based 501(c)3 non-profit charitable and educational organization that provides interactive music and instruments to children in hospitals and children with special needs. This all-volunteer organization serves children, families, special-needs programs and hospitals across the Northeast. They provide local programs in Western MA to help emotionally, educationally or physically challenged students learn to play guitar, build instruments and perform music. Tickets available after Nov. 1, 2011 online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/195626 Adults: $19.00 (online) $20 at the door. Children under 12: Free. To learn more, visit www.RaisingTheBlues.org or call 413-243-2271.

February 2012

Saturday, February 4 at 11am

Terry A La Berry and Friends-Come sing, dance, hop and bop with Terry A La Berry and Friends for a fast paced hour of highly interactive musical fun. Terry A La Berry has been singing for and with kids for the past 20 years.  He has appeared several times at the White House and at museums, schools and family festivals all across the country. www.terryalaberry.com Free/Suggested $5 donation.

Thursday, February 16 at 7:30pm

‘Titanic’- Holiday Movie Night at the Spectrum with Cutting Edge Video The Classics are back! Enjoy this great holiday classic movie in downtown Lee once again. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with the Dinner and A Movie package for $20.00 per person with any one of our participating restaurants. Co-presented by SEDF and Cutting Edge Video. Participating Restaurant list coming soon. Movie only price $7.50.

Friday February 17 at 7:30

RBIT does Improv at the Playhouse! The Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe (RBIT), the funniest thing in the Berkshires, is a comedy improv group that has been delighting audiences with its own brand of non-scripted comedic mayhem since June of 2001. Performing a mix of theater games reminiscent of the TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway? the group models its work on the teachings of renowned theater games/improvisation instructor Keith Johnstone. Through audience participation, RBIT’s mission is to create entertaining scenes which explore the boundaries of theater improvisation.http://www.berkshireimprov.com/ Tickets $12. Call Kristen at 413-394-5023 x 12 for reservations.

March 2012

Saturday, March 3 at 11am

Roger the Jester-Join Roger as he delights with his universally accessible silent recreation of the wandering lifestyle of a medieval fool.

Saturday, March 3 at 7:30

Old-time Americana music with Moonshine Holler. Featuring spine-tingling vocal harmonies, spirited banjo/fiddle breakdowns, hillbilly blues, jugband stompers and ballads, with some flatfoot dancing to boot, the husband/wife duet Moonshine Holler (Paula Bradley & Bill Dillof) captures the essence of American southern roots music on fiddle, banjo, guitar, Hawaiian guitar, harmonica and ukulele. Suggested donation – $10. For more information go to http://www.reverbnation.com/moonshineholler.

Wednesdays, March 24 from 10am-1pm

‘The Joy of Watercolor’ Becket Arts Center in Residence at Spectrum Playhouse Fee: $35; includes materials. Please bring spray bottles and water holders as well as any of your favorite watercolor paints, inks, brushes and/or papers to use in addition to those provided. An exploration of the wonderful intersection of conscious intention and happy accident. After a demonstration of a host of wet-in-wet techniques (spraying, tilting, spattering, pouring, blotting) neophytes and experienced painters alike can experience the delight of creating evocative and beautiful watercolors that virtually paint themselves. Instructor Nina Evans has been painting in watercolors since the late 1990’s, with multiple solo shows in Westchester and Berkshire counties including the Becket Arts Center in 2010/2011. Her fascination with transparency and light led her to explore the virtually unknown medium of painted glass collage. To register for a Becket Art Center Workshop, please call 413.623.6635 or email your request to office@becketartscenter.org. Payment accepted by check, visa and mastercard. All levels of experience are encouraged and pre-registration is required no later than 5 days before the workshop date. Workshops may be cancelled when minimum registration is not reached. BAC in residence Button-BAC Logo

April 2012

April is Autism Awareness Month-Stay Tuned for more Sensory-Friendly Events

Saturday, April 7 at 11am

Nutshell Productions Presents ‘Dance with a Clown’ NEW FAMILY FIRST SATURDAYS AT THE SPECTRUM SERIES Clowns, puppets, music and more! Nemone, Mambo and Bowtie visit some pesky puppets, including The Encyclopoodle (the dog who knows everything), the Ductionary (the duck who knows every word in the English language), and Taco Caramba, the most ferocious pirate parrot to fly the seven seas! Join them as they struggle to find out what a compromise is, brave the Big Dark Scary Cave and Dance With a Clown! Free with a suggested $5 donation.

Friday April 20 at 7:30pm

RBIT does Improv at the Playhouse! The Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe (RBIT), the funniest thing in the Berkshires, is a comedy improv group that has been delighting audiences with its own brand of non-scripted comedic mayhem since June of 2001. Performing a mix of theater games reminiscent of the TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway? the group models its work on the teachings of renowned theater games/improvisation instructor Keith Johnstone. Through audience participation, RBIT’s mission is to create entertaining scenes which explore the boundaries of theater improvisation.http://www.berkshireimprov.com/ Tickets $12. Call Kristen at 413-394-5023 x 12 for reservations.

May 2012

The Playhouse will be undergoing renovations in May. We thank our neighbours at the First Congrational Church for hosting our May ‘First Saturday at the Spectrum’ Series event.

Saturday, May 5 at 11am

Puppets, Folktales, And Sing-a-Longs! A Special First Saturday at the Spectrum taking place at the First Congregational Church in Lee, MA. Join Chattie the Rat and all of her puppet friends for this engaging performance of folktales and sing-a-longs with guitarist and vocalist Doug Schmolze. In this unique performance children will see and engage with all kinds of puppets hand made by local artist Janet McKinstry including shadow puppets, hand puppets, and marionettes. Doug Schmolze studied guitar and composition at the Berklee School of Music. His repertoire includes art songs as diverse as those from the Brazilian Portuguese to German Lieder to yes, of course, folk songs!! dougschmolze@scmolze.com Janet McKinstry is the pastor at the Tyringham Union Church and artist in residence at the Lee Congregational Church. Janet has been making puppets for over 15 years and recently began an internship program for local youth to learn the art and craft of puppetry. www.janetmckinstry.com Free with a suggested $5 donation.

Friday May 18 at 7:30pm

RBIT does Improv at the Playhouse! The Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe (RBIT), the funniest thing in the Berkshires, is a comedy improv group that has been delighting audiences with its own brand of non-scripted comedic mayhem since June of 2001. Performing a mix of theater games reminiscent of the TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway? the group models its work on the teachings of renowned theater games/improvisation instructor Keith Johnstone. Through audience participation, RBIT’s mission is to create entertaining scenes which explore the boundaries of theater improvisation.http://www.berkshireimprov.com/ Tickets $12. Call Kristen at 413-394-5023 x 12 for reservations.

June 2012

Saturday, June 2 at 11am

Michael’s Surprise Show! NEW FAMILY FIRST SATURDAYS AT THE SPECTRUM SERIES! Michael’s Surprise Show is an unpredictable and inspiring journey into the world of Puppets. The walls of Michael’s workshop are full of surprises and all things are possible, shoes speak, tennis balls demand their right, even his broom has an attitude. A basket full of discarded junk is a treasure chest in the hands of Michael Wolski. The most inanimate object transforms into something rare and wonderful before your eyes. Throughout Michael’s Surprise show he shares his secrets of creation with his audience, inviting them to explore the world around them with the eyes and hands of a puppeteer. “ .Michael left me speechless…this is truly one of the best performances I have seen to date… Free with a suggested $5 donation

Friday June 15 at 7:30pm

RBIT does Improv at the Playhouse! The Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe (RBIT), the funniest thing in the Berkshires, is a comedy improv group that has been delighting audiences with its own brand of non-scripted comedic mayhem since June of 2001. Performing a mix of theater games reminiscent of the TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway? the group models its work on the teachings of renowned theater games/improvisation instructor Keith Johnstone. Through audience participation, RBIT’s mission is to create entertaining scenes which explore the boundaries of theater improvisation.http://www.berkshireimprov.com/ Tickets $12. Call Kristen at 413-394-5023 x 12 for reservations.