Thursday, April 27, 2017

Media Release. Arts Beat Raio Launches May 26

Dateline: May 2, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ARTS BEAT RADIO LAUNCHES ON 89.5FM/WSKB ON MAY 26

Arts Beat Radio, a new limited-run, hour-long arts and entertainment program launches on Fridays from 8AM-9AM on 89.5FM/WSKB beginning May 26. Produced for 89.5FM/WSKB by Mark G. Auerbach Public Relations, and hosted by Mark G. Auerbach, Arts Beat columnist for The Westfield News Group, Arts Beat Radio will showcase the diverse performing arts scene in Southern New England.

“I want to bring some of our region’s finest talents into the WSKB studios to talk about the state of their arts, and what it’s like to create music, dance, and theatre here in Western New England”, said Auerbach, who announced that the premiere of Arts Beat Radio on May 26 will feature Berkshire Theatre Group’s Kate Maguire and the internationally renowned actor, director, and teacher Eric Hill, former Artistic Director of StageWest. 

Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at Northfield Mount Hermon School, American University and The Yale School of Drama. After working at Wolf Trap outside Washington, DC; Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet, Connecticut Ballet, The Springfield Symphony, Greater Miami Opera, and StageWest, he opened a public relations consultancy. As an arts reporter, he was written extensively for newspapers, magazines, and radio. 
Some of the upcoming guests on Arts Beat Radio include: Shawn Farley from the UMass Fine Arts Center; Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative’s Diane Pearlman; and Maestro Kevin Rhodes. 

89/5FM/WSKB, Radio or The Western Masses, is licensed to serve Westfield State University and the Greater Westfield, MA area. WSKB runs Community Radio programming daily from 6AM-10AM. Arts Beat Radio and other WSKB programming  can be heard at 89.5FM, on Comcast Channel 15 in Westfield, and streamed by www.wskb.org or at www.westfieldtv.org.


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Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Westfield News Group Arts Beat 4/26/17

My Westfield News Group ArtsBeat for 4/26/17. Hartford Symphony, Playhouse on Park and Barrington Stage announce new seasons and series. http://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-170

Media Release: American Conductor Kevin Rhodes Makes Oslo Debut

AMERICAN CONDUCTOR KEVIN RHODES TO MAKE NORWEGIAN DEBUT CONDUCTING NORWEGIAN NATIONAL BALLET PRODUCTION OF DON QUIXOTE MAY 19-JUNE 10

The Massachusetts-based American conductor Kevin Rhodes makes his Norwegian debut, when he conducts the Rudolf Nureyev production of Don Quixote at the Norwegian Opera and Ballet in Oslo on May 19 through June 10. 

Don Quixote is set to the music of Ludwig Minkus, as arranged by John Lanchberry; Rudolf Nureyev choreographed the production after Marius Petipa. .Maestro Rhodes is no stranger to Don Quixote. He first conducted the new Dutch National Ballet production by Alexei Ratmansky, which was recorded live at the Amsterdam Music Theatre, and is available on DVD. Rhodes toured with this production to Beijing. He then conducted the Nureyev version of Don Quixote with the Vienna State Opera Ballet and the Paris Opera Ballet. The Vienna production was filmed for television, and has been aired extensively throughout the European Union. The Paris production, recorded live at the Bastille Opera House, was filmed for TV and cinema, and has been aired worldwide. Rhodes toured with that production to Tokyo.

Maestro Rhodes divides his time between his roles as Music Director for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in Massachusetts, and the Traverse Symphony in Michigan; he is celebrating his 16th season with both ensembles. He conducts Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in Traverse on April 23, and in Springfield, MA on April 29. He has just renewed his contract in Michigan for another four seasons.  He is also Principal Conductor for Boston’s Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra for his 7th season. 

Last fall, Maestro Rhodes conducted an all-Balanchine program as part of the Paris Opera Ballet’s Homage to Violette Verdy. and the Nureyev production of Raymonda at the Vienna State Opera Ballet. A regular guest conductor at Europe’s top opera houses for over 20 years, this season he also returns to the Stuttgart Ballet to conduct Romeo and Juliet, on June 13 and 17, and the annual Nureyev Gala at the Vienna State Opera on June 28.

For details on the Norwegian Opera and Ballet production of Don Quixote:http://operaen.no/en/Performances/don-quixote/#sectionIntro
For Kevin Rhodes’ website: http://kevinrhodesconductor.com/

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Westfield News Group Review: Alvin Ailey

My Westfield News Group Review of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre at the UMass Fine Arts Center. http://thewestfieldnews.com/review-alvin-ailey-american-dance-theatre-fine-arts-center

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Westfield News Group Arts Beat 4/19/17

My Westfield News Group Arts Beat for 4/19/17. Spotlight on Berkshire Theatre Group's Education programs and more. http://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-169

Monday, April 17, 2017

Media Release: WMass Film and Media Exchange. Day 2 Play. May 12

Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative’s 4TH WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS FILM AND MEDIA EXCHANGE: VITEC VIDEOCOM’s “Roadshow” Comes to Springfield 
Friday, May 12, 2017 from 11:30am to 6:30pm Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel, 1 Monarch Place, Springfield, MA

Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative (BFMC) is proud to partner with Vitec Videocom to bring their nationally touring "Roadshow" to the Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place on Friday, May 12th from 11:30 to 6:30pm. This will be BFMC’s 4th Film and Media Exchange - a DAY 2 PLAY - with workshops and an exhibit hall showcasing the latest in production equipment! The event will focus on cost effective production techniques designed for anyone in broadcasting, filmmaking, photography, communications, and marketing. The Exchange also includes lunch, keynote speech, and networking opportunities with others in the industry.

According to Diane Pearlman, Executive Director of BFMC, “Vitec Videocom produces the Roadshow all across the country - we’re thrilled they’re bringing this high-end conference to western MA!”
Seminars at the Exchange include:

Litepanel's co-founder, Pat Grosswendt, revealing some of the subtleties of LED lighting. 20-year Anton/Bauer veteran, Joe Teodosio, explaining the importance of a complete system of
batteries and chargers - with new updates from NAB 2017. 
The latest options for adding teleprompting to your production to keep your cast on script. Find out how
using portable tablets such as the iPad, can move teleprompting from the studio into the field. 
As production moves beyond 4K to 8K and HDR, which tools and technologies should you be focusing your production future on? Join Vitec's resident technologist, Gary Adcock, for a lively discussion on filmmaking's constantly evolving future.

Sponsors of the Exchange (to date) include: Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, Economic Development Council of Western MA, Mark G. Auerbach Public Relations, Massachusetts Cultural Council, New England Public Radio, Take Magazine, Vitec Videocom, The Westfield News Group, WGBY Public Television for Western New England, WRSI/The River and Northampton Radio Group and Talamas.

For more info on programs and tickets contact: BFMC at berkshirefilm.org or call 413.528.4223.
The Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative (BFMC) is a creative economic engine that supports production and workforce development in Western Massachusetts. BFMC develops educational and workforce enrichment courses, offers networking events for industry professionals, acts as a resource for visiting productions, creates jobs within our communities in the film industry and provides an on line production guide and locations database as a resource for filmmakers. BFMC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

There will be a product demo area where attendees can get hands-on time with several Vitec brands such as Sachtler, Vinten and OConnor supports, Litepanels lighting and Anton/Bauer batteries. Talamas will also be there with the latest camera equipment. The Exchange is a unique opportunity for Vitec to educate attendees around workflow solutions and how be most effective with even a small amount of gear.

Thursday, April 13, 2017

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Westfield News Group Arts Beat 4/12/17

My Westfield News Group Arts Beat for 4/12/17. Hartford Stage's new season, Ailey in Amherst, and Bach at UMass. http://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-168

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Westfield News Group Arts Beat 4/5/17

My Westfield News Group Arts Beat 4/5/16. Thoroughly Modern Millie at Goodspeed, Anastasia previews on Broadway, high school jazz at UMass and more. http://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-166

Saturday, April 1, 2017

Review: The Absolute Brilliance of Leonard Pelkey

My Westfield News Group review of James Lecesne in his The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey at Hartford Stage. http://thewestfieldnews.com/review-absolute-brightness-leonard-pelkey-hartford-stage