BITS & BYTES: Whiskey City concert; Taconic Music concerts; Berkshire Bach Society New Year’s concert; Noon Year’s Eve celebration; Best of the Fest short films; Norman Rockwell Museum activities

Whiskey City and Friends Perform at Colonial Theater

Pittsfield— Whiskey City to host New Year’s Eve concert From 9:00 p.m. on December 31 at the Colonial Theater in Pittsfield.

Whiskey City is an energetic country rock band with multi-genre songs that appeal to all audiences. 12-year veterans of the Berkshire music scene will round out the night with new originals, new covers and the incredible chemistry you’ve come to expect from this dynamic group. Members include Randy Cormier, Beth Matuavich, Dale Zavatter, Abe Guthrie, Darren Todd and Frank Algerio.

Lindsay Anne Maynard kicks off the night at 9pm with a strong acoustic set and is well known in the area as one of the top vocalists and fan favorites.

Hotshot Hillbillies offers a full band set with energetic musicianship and songs that they continue to write on their own. Members include Wendy Waltz, Jim Dignam, Kevin Holsapple, and Whiskey City’s Dale Zavatter.

General admission is $50 and is available here or at the Box Office at 413-997-4444.

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Taconic Music Celebrates with New Year’s Concert

manchester— Taconic Music invites the community to ring in 2023 with two concerts on Friday, December 30th and Saturday, December 31st.

first family concert December 30 (Friday) 3:00 p.m.The concert, held at the Manchester Community Library, features Taconic Chamber players and students from Taconic Music’s Strings for Kids. They play some popular favorites side by side.

Suggested donations are $10 for adults, children, and free.

Saturday, December 31, 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. The Inn at Manchester’s Celebration Barn continues the festivities with music from around the world, including Cozy Sweet Antiques by John Rutter, Argentine Tango, Irish Dance, ABBA, and Viennese Waltz. Led by Taconic co-director and violinist Joana Genova, the nine-piece string band features guest appearances by fluteist Vanessa Holroyd, keyboardist Jonathan Newell and drummer and percussionist Michael A. Rudiakoff.

The cash bar opens at 5pm. Tickets are $30 for general admission. Seats are limited. Tickets and more information are available at taconicmusic.org or (802) 362-7162.

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Visit the Berkshire Bach Society on New Year’s Eve

Great Barrington— Berkshire Bach Society (BBS) returns with Bach in the New Year Saturday, December 31, 6:00 p.m. At the Mahiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington. Nine-time Grammy Award winner Eugene Drucker leads the Berkshire Bach Ensemble as violinist and musical director.

This year’s program includes works by four great Baroque masters: Bach, Handel, Vivaldi and Telemann, among whom are the authors of nearly 800 concertos. Eugene Drucker highlights the BBS violinists in his double and triple concertos. This included the participation of Boston Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Joseph Silberstein and Drucker as soloists in 2012, and Berkshire Bach’s final performance of his two violins in Bach’s popular D minor in 2012. and a suite from Telemann’s famous Tafelmusik. 1733. Handel became obsessed with Tafelmusik, citing it more than ten times, but most directly in his oratorio His Solomon as a tribute to his friend. The BBS played Arrival of the Queen of Sheba and the audience either Telemann or Handel did it well. The harpsichord shines in Bach’s Concerto in F minor, performed by soloist Kenneth Weiss, Bach, Telemann, Vivaldi’s cello, viola, double reed, trumpet delight, and longtime Berkshire Bach flutist Judith Mendenhall The flute that plays flourishes. Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B Minor.

Members receive ticket discounts for all regular season performances, advance ticket sales opportunities, and exclusive member seating. Tickets are always free for children under 18 and students with valid ID. For more information, please visit www.berkshirebach.org.

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Scoville Library Noon New Year’s Eve Fun

salisbury— The Scoville Library is hosting a New Year’s Eve celebration at noon. December 31 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Celebrate the New Year with dance, music, games, crafts and a countdown to noon.The perfect event for families with children

This free event is open to all ages. The Scoville Library will be closed on December 31st at 2:00 PM for a public holiday.

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Best of the Fest Short Film Showcase at Norfolk Library

Norfolk— The Norfolk Library will host a Best of the Fest showcase on Thursday, December 29th at 4pm. The young people in these films go on their own adventures, discover how to be true to themselves, and learn to face their fears. The program features films from New Zealand, India, Canada, the United States, Mexico and Ireland. The target age is 8 years old and over. 93 minutes. Please visit here to register.

The Best of the Fest is the Children’s Film Festival Seattle’s traveling program that includes award-winning films and audience favorites from the latest festivals. The program aims to help young audiences gain global awareness through the magic of cinema.

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Family Fun with Eloise at the Norman Rockwell Museum

stock bridge— The Norman Rockwell Museum offers family-friendly storytelling and art-making activities. December 29th and 30th at 11am and 2pm Her art-making activities are inspired by Hollywood’s Eloise, Hilary Knight’s Broadway posters, fashion design, and more.

Create your own passport, self-portrait sketch and imagine what your story will look like. Design posters, costumes, and props based on your story. Use colored paper cutouts and glue sticks to design your show, imagine your favorite, favorite, favorite character and say, “I am me! Myself! Myself!” Celebrate with ‘room service’ with delicious treats for everyone to enjoy.

This event is free for children and teens. and members, or included in the admission fee. Please reply here.

Informative guided tours of the life and art of Norman Rockwell through the museum’s galleries are offered daily at 11am and 2pm and last approximately 40 minutes. These docent-led tours provide visitors with a deeper understanding of Norman Rockwell, his career as an illustrator, and influence on American culture.

Tours are $10 per person in addition to general admission. Space is limited, so advance reservations are recommended. You can visit the main gallery of the museum before or after your tour.