Rachel Louchen reports from Pittsfield. Hailed by the cognoscenti as one of the most exciting events of the summer, the rooftop kick-off party for WordXWord 2012 on Saturday, August 11 did not disappoint. Sporadic rain showers throughout the evening scratched plans for live music, but celebrants remained up on the roof of the Greystone building, at times huddled under umbrellas, cheerfully discussing the events they were most looking forward to seeing, and participating, in during the weeklong festival. Guests had the opportunity to meet with participating performers such as Taylor Mali, Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz and Derrick Brown, who were not afraid of a little bad weather, as well as event founder Jim Benson (near left with John Bissell). As the night wore on, the rain clouds finally gave way to a pink sunset, casting a golden light on North Street as if in preparation for the week’s events. The WordXWord Festival continues through Saturday, August 18.
Berkshire Bank's Mark Pedrotti and Berkshire Museum's Jennibeth Gomez; Pam Rich and attorney David Cianflone.
Val Whaling, Kelly Dolan, and Alyce Kaplan; Carrie Wright, gallerista Leslie Ferrin, Blue Q co-founder Mitch Nash, and photographer Bill Wright.
Musicians Jack Robinson, Andy Wrba, Katie Pierce, and Ryan Hommel.
Festival poetry coordinator and performer Derrick Brown addresses the rain-soaked crowd; poets and performers at this year's festival Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz and Taylor Mali.
Michael Lipton with wife Christine and Michael Mazzeo; Alex Burnett, musician Justin Hillman and Craig Langlois, and Katherine Casey Lee.
The sunset rewarded party-goers who endured the rain, and may have even inspired a poem or two.
Television producer Andrew Schneider with T Squared Design owners Richard and Abby Tovell; attorney Paul Rapp with WAM Theater's artistic director and co-founder Kristen van Ginhoven.
Jeff St. John, CEO of readMedia Colin Mathews, and Matt Scarafoni; WordXWord board member Brendan Burns and Laurie Gallagher.
Nick Bussett, Jonah Slattery, Howard Marshall, Colin Sykes, and The Arcadian Shop's Andrew Boino.
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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
