FilmColumbia Returns

October 5, 2021 | TheBerkshireEdge

FilmColumbia will return, October 22–31, after last year’s hiatus due to the pandemic. The 10-day festival in Chatham, New York, will present world-class independent and international features and documentaries, along with post-screening Q&As with directors, and special tributes, all presented by The Crandell Theatre.

The number of films, nearly 40 this year, is slightly reduced from previous years to accommodate added health and safety measures, including proof of vaccination for all attendees and staff, required mask-wearing indoors at all times, reduced seating capacity at the Crandell, and the use of only one primary venue for festival events. Additionally, the festival will implement an individual ticketing system and, therefore, no festival passes will be offered this year. The annual pre-festival benefit reception has been cancelled, as well.

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One Wonderful Weekend in Chatham

September 2, 2021 | Capital Region Living

Searching for a late-summer or early fall jaunt? Look no further than Chatham, NY—not to be confused with the same-named town on the southeastern tip of Cape Cod—a Lilliputian Columbia County wonderland that boasts nothing but Brobdingnagian fun.

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‘Exiled’ at the Mac-Haydn is a tour through Kurt Weill’s finest music

September 2, 2021 | TheBerkshireEdge.com

The first thing you need to know is this: Kurt Weill is my very favorite composer. Whether it is music for the German stage or the French stage or the American stage, he is my favorite. Whether it is song, show, opera, orchestral, or concert piece, it is my favorite. This is just something you need to know. The second thing you need to know is I am a perfectionist and I cannot abide, nor will I accept, a slapdash or in any way inferior presentation of his music. There is one more thing you have to understand about me and Kurt Weill: I will travel just about anywhere to hear his work performed; I have traveled to Washington, D.C., London, Germany, Italy, and South Carolina so far and who knows where my obsession may take me next. Last night I traveled through the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, all the way to Chatham, New York to hear a concert/lecture recital of Weill’s work on stage at the Mac-Haydn Theatre, performed by James Benjamin Rodgers. The New Zealand native has me beat. He traveled all the way here to sing Kurt Weill.

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Columbia County Fair returns with 6 days of fun for the whole family

The Berkshire Eagle | August 28, 2021

CHATHAM, N.Y. — After a year’s absence, the 180th Columbia County Fair comes roaring, oinking and mooing back to life.

The fair, in nearby Chatham, N.Y., runs Wednesday, Sept. 1, through Monday, Sept. 6.

“It’s the end of summer, the last big hurrah,” said Angelo Nero, longtime manager of the Columbia County Fair. ”We’ve got something for everybody, it’s a lot of fun for the whole family.”

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REVIEW: Mac-Haydn Theatre’s ‘Pippin’ a ‘robust and spirited’ production

Berkshire Eagle | August 24, 2021

CHATHAM, N.Y. — Pippin, the eponymous “hero” of Stephen Schwartz’ bouncy 1972 musical, is a young man on a mission. The eldest son of King Charlemagne, Pippin is after nothing less than an “extraordinary” life. He tries to find it on the battlefield — without success; in orgiastic sex; as a usurping monarch who assassinates his father, assumes his throne only to find that ruling a kingdom is much, much easier said than done. So, since there is theater magic to do, Pippin manages to reverse course. His father comes alive and all proceeds as if nothing had happened.

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