Opening Night of the Berkshire International Film Festival
As some 500 people streamed into the Mahaiwe Theater on May 15 to see Man on Wire, the award-winning documentary about tightrope walker Philippe Petit, which opened the Third Annual Berkshire International Film Festival (BIFF), Chatham artist Roger Mason (left) was standing across the street, painting the marquee of the restored theater. "It's beautiful, isn't it? said Mason, who was painting alla prima."There are only about 100 marquees like this left in this country." Around the corner at Pearl's on Railroad Street, BIFF supporters were sipping cocktails made with gin, vodka and rum from the fledgling Berkshire Mountain Distillers and gorging on sushi, mini salmon BLTs, and raw oysters. "We need more nights like this!" said Karen Lee of Lenox.
Publicist Sylvia Cancela with actress and pilates instructor Karen Lee; the Red Lion Inn's Nancy Fitzpatrick, Berkshire Creative Economy Council's Liz Thompson and interior designer William Caligari
Berkshire Living editor-in-chief Seth Rogovoy and BIFF board member Gary Hill; charity consultant and blogger Philip Deely with his wife, actress Hilary Deely.
Philippe Petit, the tightrope walker and subject of the opening night film, Man on Wire , with BIFF founder Kelley Vickery.
Margery Steinberg with Chris Weld of Berkshire Mountain Distillers; Roberto Flores and screenwriter Maria Nation.
Volunteers Sarah Patrick and Carolyn Wells; BIFF executive assistant Lauren Ferin with volunteer coordinator Erica Heinlein of Guido's
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