Struttin' With Some Barbecue at The Mount
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Amy Krzanik reports from Lenox. It was the first day without rain in what felt like weeks, and people wasted no time breaking out the lawn chairs and picnic blankets for an evening of live music at The Mount. The Mansion’s first Music After Hours event of the summer drew a huge crowd to its terrace and expansive lawns on Friday, July 3 thanks to the dual occasion of the Lift Ev’ry Voice Festival’s (LEV) “Struttin’ With Some Barbecue" biennial event. Happy visitors enjoyed the inimitable pipes of Wanda Houston and her talented band, munched on kebabs, fried rice, plantains and empanadas from Lucia’s Latin Kitchen, and took the opportunity to tour the site’s 2015 SculptureNow exhibit. Representative Smitty Pignatelli and Senator Ben Downing were on hand to present musician and educator Craig S. Harris with citations for his work with the community, and LEV co-chair Don Quinn Kelley bestowed on him the group's Golden Trombone Award. After Hours events will be held Fridays and Saturdays throughout the summer from 5-8 p.m. Lift Ev’ry Voice (LEV) -- a celebration of African-American culture and heritage in the Berkshires -- has a full roster of events for the entire family through the end of August. Pictured above, LEV co-chair Don Quinn Kelley and MA State Senator Ben Downing.
Artist Robert Henriquez and Lisa Avery with executive director of The Mount, Susan Wissler; LEV committee members, professor Sandra Burton and Project eLEVate manager Marla Robertson.
Alison Whyte and Jason Barcus enjoy some barbecue; Vytas and Doris Barsauskas, of MacKimmie Co. in Lenox, with Carter Wentworth and David Charlton.
Proud members of The Mount, Tim and Niti Martin, revel in the lovely weather; Walter and Kelly Davis pose in front of the fountain.
Dejona Mallory, Kiana Morales, Tangie Mendez and Sara Peck from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA).
The Abel family visits regularly from New York City.
Rachel Eskin and Emily Wagner; Adam Schwartz and Eloise.
Janet and John Egelhofer; Norma Seigal and Elaine S. Gunn.
The crowd of picnickers spilled over from the terrace onto the grounds, where guests could enjoy the music and the sunshine at the same time.
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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
