The Mahaiwe And GB Fire Department: A Match Made For Celebrating
At its annual gala, supporters celebrated The Mahaiwe's new connection with the Great Barrington Fire Department.
Mahawie Board Member Maggie Buchwald and Board Chair Margaret Deustch
In a tent tucked behind the train tracks of Great Barrington’s former freight yard, friends and supporters of the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center gathered on Thursday, August 1 to celebrate another successful season. The gala was held in honor of the Great Barrington Fire Department’s 170th anniversary and to celebrate a new shared history between the two community partners. During dinner, it was announced that the Mahaiwe will expand its operations into the historic firehouse located next to the current mainstage. The planned performance space will include a new stage to host smaller productions and concessions.
After dinner, guests moved into the Mahawie for the centerpiece of the evening: a performance by Grammy Award-winning jazz artist Samara Joy. In a 90-minute performance, Joy performed her own compositions along with works by Billie Holiday and Thelonious Monk. After leading the crowd in an impromptu dance party, Joy received an enthusiastic standing ovation.
The Mahawie’s summer programming continues on August 9 with a performance by South African choral group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
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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
