On Saturday, March 7th, at 7:15 p.m., Great Barrington’s Triplex Cinema will host a special screening of the award-winning drama The President’s Cake, followed by a talkback and Q&A session with Executive Producer Marielle Heller. This event offers attendees an opportunity to engage directly with the creative mind behind the production and to discuss the collaboration involved in bringing the film to audiences.
The President’s Cake is a powerful portrayal of childhood under Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq. The storyline follows 9-year-old Lamia, who is tasked with baking a cake to celebrate the president’s birthday. As she searches for scarce ingredients like eggs, flour, and sugar in a fraught, oppressive environment, the film unfolds as a compelling coming-of-age narrative against the backdrop of political repression.
Marielle Heller’s Esteemed Career in Film
Marielle Heller is widely recognized as a multifaceted filmmaker, having directed, written, acted in, and produced several critically acclaimed films. Her debut feature,
The Diary of a Teenage Girl,
received the Independent Spirit Award for best first feature. She later helmed Can You Ever Forgive Me? and
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,
both earning Academy Award nominations for their lead actors—Melissa McCarthy and Richard E. Grant in the former, Tom Hanks in the latter. More recently, Heller wrote and directed Nightbitch, starring Amy Adams. Beyond directing, she has also been seen acting, notably as Alma Wheatley in the Emmy-winning series The Queen’s Gambit.
Ben Elliott, creative director of The Triplex Cinema, praised her influence:
Marielle has been the creative force behind some of the most moving films of the last decade,
and added,
We’re thrilled to welcome her to discuss her work on ‘The President’s Cake’ and the collaboration behind bringing the film to audiences.
Additional Cultural Events Highlighting the Region’s Vibrant Arts Scene
Alongside Heller’s event, several other arts and cultural happenings will take place on the weekend of March 6-7 across the Berkshires and surrounding communities, showcasing a wide range of artistic disciplines and creative experiences.
MASS MoCA and Jacob’s Pillow Preview New Work by Shamel Pitts
On Saturday, March 7th at 7 p.m., MASS MoCA will present a work-in-progress showing of Marks of RED, the latest performance piece by award-winning choreographer Shamel Pitts. This multidisciplinary production, the fourth chapter in Pitts’ RED series, centers on Black embodiment, aliveness, and human connection through a narrative shaped by six women’s perspectives.
The performance takes the form of magical realism with an Afrofuturistic focus on the womb space, exploring how memory influences experience, perception, and imaginative reality. Scenic design by Mimi Lien, video mapping by Lucca Del Carlo, lighting by Sarai Frazier, and production by the TRIBE arts collective contribute to this complex, visually immersive work. The event will be held at MASS MoCA, located at 1040 MASS MoCA Way in North Adams.
Berkshire International Film Festival Celebrates The Big Lebowski Anniversary
The Berkshire International Film Festival (BIFF) Social Club commemorates the 28th anniversary of The Big Lebowski on Friday, March 6th, at 7 p.m. at Cove Bowling and Entertainment in Great Barrington. Fans of the cult classic are invited to enjoy bowling, themed drinks like White Russians, and specially curated music.
The film’s unforgettable character, Jeffrey ‘The Dude’ Lebowski, becomes embroiled in a bizarre adventure after being mistaken for a wealthy namesake. Directed by the Coen Brothers, the film draws inspiration from Bard College and the local Great Barrington venue The Cove.
The celebration includes bowling, pizza, prizes, a cash bar, and encourages participants to dress in costumes. Cove Bowling is located at 109 Stockbridge Road.
Interactive Screening and Dance Party Bring Purple Rain to Life
In Chatham, N.Y., the Crandell Theatre hosts an interactive screening and dance party for the film Purple Rain on Saturday, March 7th at 7 p.m. This event is a tribute to Minneapolis’s thriving 1980s music scene, which launched Prince Rogers Nelson’s career.
Viewers will experience iconic locations like the First Avenue club alongside Prince’s magical performances. Attendees will be encouraged to raise flameless candles during the film’s titular song and enjoy an energetic dance party featuring Prince’s electrifying closing medley.
Copies of Hilton Als’ memoir My Pinup, detailing Prince’s life and legacy, will be available for purchase. The Crandell Theatre is situated at 48 Main Street.
Valley Classical Concerts Showcase Renowned Cellist and Pianist
On Saturday, March 7th at 3 p.m., Valley Classical Concerts will present cellist Camille Thomas and pianist Julien Brocal in Northampton at Sage Hall on Smith College’s campus. The program includes sonatas by J.S. Bach and Edvard Grieg, complemented by shorter pieces from Eric Satie, Camille Saint-Saëns, Radiohead, and original compositions.
Camille Thomas, celebrated for balancing technical brilliance with a humanistic approach, plays a 1730 Stradivarius cello connected to a lineage of legendary performers. Julien Brocal, also an award-winning musician, integrates a philosophy emphasizing emotional connection over mere technique.
Guests are invited to arrive at 2 p.m. for a pre-concert conversation with the artists and long-time NEPM host John Montanari. Free admission is extended for students under 18. Sage Hall is located at 144 Green Street in Northampton.
Clark Art Institute’s Closing Concert Illuminates Romantic and Surrealist Themes
The Clark Art Institute in Williamstown offers a concert on Saturday, March 7th at 2 p.m. featuring pianist David Kaplan and soprano Ariadne Greif. This program marks the closing of the institute’s “Shadow Visionaries” exhibition, connecting Romanticism with Surrealism through works by Hector Berlioz, Franz Liszt, and Francis Poulenc.
The centerpiece is Berlioz’s Nuits d’été (Summer Nights), a series of six songs based on selections from Théophile Gautier’s poetry collection La Comédie de la Mort (“The Comedy of Death”). This thematic link also ties to Rodolphe Bresdin’s print “The Comedy of Death,” which is displayed in the exhibition.
David Kaplan has been praised as “excellent and adventurous” by The New York Times, while Ariadne Greif’s voice has been described as “luminous” and “expressive.” The concert takes place at 225 South Street.
The Foundry Hosts a Celtic Roots Music Performance by Kalos
On Saturday, March 7th at 7:30 p.m. in Pittsfield, The Foundry presents a concert by Kalos, a trio of inventive musicians performing Celtic roots music. Eric McDonald, Ryan McKasson, and Jeremiah McLane combine mastery of traditional influences and exploratory phrasing to create a dynamic sound that balances intensity with joyous spontaneity.
Their live shows engage audiences through organic banter and humor, crafting a unique atmosphere interspersed with moments of mystery and musical complexity. The Foundry is located at 2 Harris Street in Pittsfield.
Exploring Non-Legible Spaces in Conversation at Schumacher Center
Great Barrington’s Schumacher Center for a New Economics presents
Unnamed: A Conversation at the Edge of Sense
on Saturday, March 7th from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The session features filmmaker, writer, and educator Nora Bateson alongside Dr. Bayo Akomolafe, with facilitation by board member Alex Forrester.
The conversation will examine the tension between the overwhelming demand for sense-making through systems and algorithms, and the simultaneous feeling that traditional frameworks no longer adequately explain our reality. Participants will explore the cracks where conventional understanding falters and new forms of aliveness and thought may emerge, moving beyond typical approaches to healing, justice, and progress.
The gathering takes place at Saint James Place, 352 Main Street.
Berkshire Botanical Garden Offers Workshop on Japanese Kokedama Art
On Saturday, March 7th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., the Berkshire Botanical Garden in Stockbridge hosts a kokedama workshop led by artist and horticultural therapist Brian Mikesell. This hands-on session introduces participants to kokedama, a centuries-old Japanese horticultural technique involving plants displayed within moss-and-soil spheres.
The workshop emphasizes a natural, meditative experience, requiring no ceramic pots or special tools. Attendees will learn to craft, display, and care for kokedama plants such as anthurium, orchid, and peperomia while fostering mindfulness through plant nurturing. All materials are provided for participants to take home their creations.
The Botanical Garden is located at 5 West Stockbridge Road.
Federation for Children with Special Needs Hosts Annual Conference Watch Party
Also on March 7th, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Pittsfield will host a local watch party for the 27th Annual Visions of Community conference, organized by the Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) at St. Stephen’s Church, 67 East Street.
This statewide conference has been a pivotal event since 1974, empowering families, educators, caregivers, and professionals engaged in supporting children and youth with disabilities. The day includes live workshops, expert keynote speakers, and interactive sessions designated by registrants.
Featured speakers include Christina Cipriano, a Yale professor and author of Be Unapologetically Impatient, and David Hirsch, founder of the 21st Century Dads Foundation and host of the SFN Dad To Dad Podcast. The event offers free admission, materials, meals, and bilingual support in English and Spanish.
Significance of These Events in Celebrating Art, Culture, and Community
This weekend’s array of multidisciplinary gatherings highlights the rich cultural fabric of the Berkshires and surrounding regions, showcasing diverse voices in film, music, dance, literature, and community dialogue. The presence of influential figures like Marielle Heller and celebrated musicians and thinkers emphasizes ongoing commitments to creative expression and social reflection.
Events such as the screening and discussion hosted by Heller deepen understanding of historical and political realities through cinematic storytelling, while community festivals, classical concerts, and interactive workshops foster engagement across generations. These opportunities contribute to a lively cultural ecosystem, encouraging audiences to explore innovative art forms and thought-provoking conversations.
Looking ahead, these programs not only spotlight current achievements but also build momentum for future collaborations, creative growth, and expanded access to meaningful cultural experiences within the region.
