PRIME Happenings January 08

Through Jan. 30, Art Exhibit: the Art of the Book. This exhibit, located in the Old Courthouse Gallery, 99 Main St. Northampton (enter through15 Gothic St), features the work of five children's book illustrators in watercolor, gouache, and acrylic. Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Info: 413-584-1300 or www.hampshirecog.org/artgallery.html Jan. 5 and 6, Audition Call for Commonwealth Opera of Western Massachusetts, Jan. 5, 11 a.m.-5:45 p.m. and Jan. 6, 1-4:45 p.m. at Falcetti Music (next to Eastfield Mall) in the Organ Classroom, 1755 Boston Road, Springfield. Contact: Artistic Director Ron Luchsinger or check the Web site for more info: www.commonwealthopera.org; www.brundibar.ca. For appt, email: RCloper@aol.com. Production #1: " Brundibar," a Czech folk opera for children and youth; performances March 2008 at Amherst College and Elms College. Casting for principal roles and chorus: Little Joe-male treble (grade five through seven); Annette-young soprano; Brundibar-high school bass/baritone or young college student; Milkman-young (high school) tenor or baritone; Policeman-high school tenor or baritone; Sparrow-young soprano; Cat-young alto; Dog-young male treble; Ice cream man-speaking role (may sing with chorus); Baker-speaking role (may sing with chorus); Town adults-high school chorus; Town school children-youth chorus. Production #2: "Man of La Mancha" Tony Award-winning musical; performances May 9-11, Academy of Music Theatre, Northampton. All roles open. Jan. 6-27, Winter Music Festival. The National Yiddish Book Center, located on the campus of Hampshire College, 1021 West St., Amherst, will present a Winter Music Festival in January. Join us to explore the rhythm and range of Jewish music from traditional klezmer to classical compositions. All concerts are on Sundays at 2 p.m.. Reservations are suggested and all tickets are $8. For more info call 256-4900, email yiddish@bikher.org, or visit our website at www.yiddishbookcenter.org. Jan. 12, Two Man Gentlemen Band. Performing at the Pioneer Arts Center of Eaasthampton, 41 Union St., at 8 p.m. Tickets: $10/advance; $12/day of show. Free kazoos, impeccably tailored outfits, rowdy sing-alongs, furious banjo strumming and quirky, clever, sometimes naughty original tunes. Info: 413-527-3700 or www.pioneerarts.org. Jan 12, Classical folk at the Springfield Symphony. 8 p.m. concert features Michael Sussman on clarinet, and the following works: Copland's rodeo Suite and Clarinet concerto and Dvorak's Symphony No, 7. Op.70 in D minor. Tickets: $18-56, half-price for students and youths; $2 off for seniors Box Office: 733-3391. Info: www.SpringfieldSymphony.org. Jan 17, Ballroom Dancing at the Goodlife Center. Dance the night away from 6:30-9:30 p.m. to the sounds of Richie Mitnick. Tickets: $7/person. singles welcome. Park at the end of Court Street in the GAR parking lot or use street parking. Info: 750-2873. Jan. 18-20, Festival of New Arts at Goodspeed Opera House. The Festival will showcase staged readings of new musicals developed during the New Artists Program. Tickets are $15/adults and $10/students for each show. Weekend package is $75/person for all three shows and a Meet the Writers Dinner and special admission to the Festival of New Arts Cabaret. Info: 1-860-873-8668 or www.goodspeed.org. Jan 18-20 Springfield Motorcycle Show. In the Young and Stroh Buildings, on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition, W4est Springfield. The region's top "all brand" motorcycle show featuring most major brands, custom bikes, notable personalities, fun and excitement. Hours: Jan 18 5-9 p.m; Jan. 19 10 a.m.-7 p.m, Jan 20 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets: $15/adults, children $5 Jan. 21, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at Old Sturbridge Village. Actors portray orator Frederick Douglas, abolitionist and suffragist Abigail Kelly Foster and theologian Wilbur Fisk. Program included with admission. Tickets: $20/adults, $18 seniors, $6 children 3-17, under 3 Free. Infor: www.osv.org or 1-800-SEE-1830. Jan. 24, Josh Simpson and the Contemporary Art Glass Movement. Springfield Quadrangle Museums a la Cart lecture at the Museum of Fine Art, State Street, Downtown springfield. Presenter: Gloria Russell, art historian and reviewer. Event at 12:15 p.m. Admission is $10/adult; free to museum members and residents of springfield. Info: 263-6800 or visit www.springfieldmuseums.org. Jan 25 & 26, Richard Loring's African Footprints. "This performance is to South Africa what Riverdance is to the Irish, and Stop is to the Brits," said the press release from the Bushnell. Performance at 8 p.m. on Jan. 25, 2 p.m on Jan. 26. Tickets are $25-$50. Call (860) 987-5900. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.bushnell.org. The Bushnell is located at at 166 Capitol Avenue in Hartford, Conn. Jan. 28, Introductory Irish - Part 2 at Elms College. Offered by the Continuing Education Department. Class meets once a week from 6:30-8:30. Prerequisite is Introductory Irish Part 1. To register call Elms College Registrar's Office at 265-2314. Cost: $150/$100 for Caidre members of the Irish Cultural Center.