Fiona Breslin reports from Great Barrington.It was not your average Monday night in Great Barrington on July 23, when the Berkshire Fringe kicked off its three-week festival of performing arts with a gala benefit performance and party at Bard College at Simon's Rock's Daniel Arts Center. The whimsical evening, called REMIX in reference to this year's change-up of the Fringe, began with a champagne reception and a silent auction, plus a display of artwork by Fringe artists inspired by the 2012 season’s five original performances. Following the reception, Fringe founders Peter Wise, Sarah Katzoff, and Timothy Ryan Olson, at left, welcomed supporters and introduced the five new works that comprised the evening's program. Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe and The Wardrobe Ensemble, a U.K.-based company that will perform during the festival, had spectators on their feet and laughing out loud. The evening concluded with a live auction and lively dj dance party that made the start of the workweek feel like a continuation of another celebratory summer weekend. The Berkshire Fringe runs through August 13.
Berkshire Fringe co-founder Timothy Ryan Olson sandwiched by his parents Tim Olson and Kay Olson; Simon's Rock librarian Beth Sack with Jessica Hahn and Stephan Green.
Realtor Nancy Kalodner with Peter Schoeffer and Jeannine Schoeffer; stylist Annie Southard and Rudi Bach.
Timothy Ryan Olson with Berkshire Fringe costume designer and gala committee member George Veale; proud mama and Berkshire Fringe advisory board member Terry Wise with her son, Fringe co-founder Peter Wise.
Attorneys David Schecker and Vicki Bonnington with Berkshire Fringe co-founder Sara Katzoff and Keith Emerling.
Kay Olson with Fringe guests Ilana Siegal and baby Reuben Siegal; Kaia Fischer and Fringe DJ Hanuman Goleman share a laugh with Sara Katzoff.
Alan Becker, Jill Fleming, and Loisa Trabka; antiques dealer Elise Abrams and Heather Rose.
Actress Karen Lee backstage before her performance; Hope Smith, Jacob Fossum, and Pooja Roo.
JoAnn Bell, Terry Wise, and Lyn Yonack; Fringe fans Jessica Kaller and Hideki Kikuchi.
Pianist Anna Dagmar and actor Colin Gold, both of whom performed during the gala; Aria Murphy dances with artist Gabrielle Senza.
Actor Mark Kelso, who performed during the gala, and Arti Kelso; Berkshire Fringe advisory board member Karen Beaumont with Carole Schulze and advisory board member Hilary Somers Deely.
The Wardrobe Ensemble's Emily Greenslade, Kerry Lovell, Tom Brennan, and James Newton.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
