Wistariahurst Museum

VISUAL

(Ventures in Science Using Art Laboratory)

February Gallery Exhibition

Opening Reception Thursday, February 2 from 6 to 8pm 

VISUAL is an outreach program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst based on the premise that the visual arts provide an effective means to educate and stimulate the general public as well as students of all ages on the importance of scientific research in our everyday lives. Graduate students from the Materials Research Science and EngineeringCenter have captured fascinating images as a direct experimental result from research conducted on theAmherst campus or at its partner institutions. Accompanying each of the images in the gallery is a description, in non-technical terms, that explains the science behind the picture. This technology has exciting possible applications in medical, pharmaceutical, or biotechnical industries. Works on view through  February.

On Thursday, February 2 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. join us to learn more about the art in our February gallery for the opening reception of VISUAL (Ventures in Science Using Art Laboratory) Admission to gallery $3

CANTABILE 10TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

Sunday, February 5 at 2 p.m.

Cantabile from left to right:David Olsson, James Mead, Diana Brewer, Dorie Goldman, Peter Shea, and Kayla Werlin

Name that tune! The music on Cantabile’s program is a mixture of the sacred and secular, combining mass movements and the secular tunes they were based upon. Composers include Josquin, Ockeghem, Isaac, Palestrina and many other masters of the Renaissance. The members of Cantabile will be joined by special guests playing an array of Renaissance-style string and wind instruments, for a sound and texture treat.

Cantabile is a self-directed vocal ensemble based in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts that specializes in a cappella performances of vocal chamber music from the European Renaissance of the fifteenth through seventeenth centuries.
            Cantabile was founded as an octet in 2001 and made its concert debut in January 2002 at theWistariahurstMuseum inHolyoke,Massachusetts with a program of a cappella Venetian Renaissance works. Since 2005 the group has performed as a sextet. The current members are Diana Brewer, Dorie Goldman, James Mead, David Olsson, Peter Shea, and Kayla Werlin.

Now it's Cantabile’s 10th Anniversary and we want to celebrate with them!  Join us in marking this milestone on Sunday afternoon, February 5 at 2:00 p.m. at Wistariahurst Museumin Holyoke.

Suggested Donation $15

I Love Wine!  

A Wine Tasting to Benefit Wistariahurst

 Friday, February 10 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

 Learn about wine, try new flavors and meet new friends at our annual “I Love Wine Event.” Learning about wine is akin to space travel: once you get started, there's no end in sight! A wine tasting at Wistariahurst gives enthusiasts a chance to sample a range of wines. This annual, festive event takes place in a party atmosphere, with tasters able to mill about, moving from table to table in the elegant atmosphere of the historic house museum. Wines will be available from wine distributors such as Bay State wines, MS Walker, Commonwealth, United and more. Tasters will learn from experienced individuals who will be happy to share their information about the wine they’ll be pouring on February 10. Bring your friends or meet new ones who share your interest in wine! Don’t miss this fun and flavorful evening! Light refreshments will be provided. All proceeds will benefit Wistariahurst Museum. The event is sponsored by Liquors 44 and Historic Holyoke at Wistariahurst.

Reservations are necessary. Please call the Museum at (413)322-5660. Advance tickets $25 each/$40 couple; Door admission $30 each/$50 couple

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

The Chamber Music Society at Wistariahurst Presents:

AVENTURAS LATINAS:

TANGO

Sunday, February 12 at 3 p.m. 

We are excited to present a program of chamber music with live dance--and the combination is natural when it comes to the Tango, the urban folk dance that inspired many of Argentina's finest popular and classical composers.

The Orzuza-Martinez duo are only one highlight of the program, to be performed at Wistariahurst, in Holyoke. Soprano Junko Watanabe and an orchestra of 10 UMASS cellos, led by Astrid Schween, will repeat the Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos' most famous composition, Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5, which they performed with great success last year.

In addition, pianist Estela Olevsky and Astrid Schween, cellist, admired performers with a deep affinity for Latin music, will perform solo and duo works by Piazzolla. We are also eager to welcome the splendid guitar-and-flute partnership, Duo Fusión (Joe Belmont, guitar, and Sarah Swersey, flute), who will perform Mexican composer M. Pujol's delightful "Suite Buenos Aires."

On Feb 12, the Chamber Music Society's musicians will be joined by Armando Orzuza and Nuria Martinez, two internationally known artists who will dance authentic Argentine Tangos, richly improvised, to music by Horacio Salgan and Astor Piazzolla.  

Orzuza was born in La Boca, the Buenos Aires barrio where Tango originated, and was taught by some of its original masters. He danced in the "Tango Pasión" revue on Broadway in 1993, winning praise from the New York Times for "moving with ambling urgency but also silky smoothness." He stayed on in the U.S., to perform in shows and films (he has worked with Madonna and Julio Iglesias, and was the featured dancer in Robert Duvall's 2003 film, "Assassination Tango"). He has also been a force as a teacher and performer in the Tango revivals in the U.S. and Europe.

Nuria Martinez, from Spain, was trained in ballet and modern dance at the National Academy in Madrid before learning Tango and becoming Orzuza's partner. To his suave traditional steps she brings the clean, elegant line of her classical training. The combination sizzles! Don't miss this elegant and exciting program!

Tickets are $20/ students free                         Reservations suggested as seating is limited



 Tango at Wistariahurst

Friday, March 23 from 7 to 11 p.m.

The illustrious tango dance halls of Golden Age Buenos Aires come to life at the Wistariahurst on Friday, March 23. Our evening immersion into this captivating social dance will begin with an introductory tango lesson, taught by local instructor, Veronika Kruta, from 7:00 - 8:00 pm. Following the lesson the floor will be open to dancers of all levels. Dancing will continue until 11:00 pm, with a break for our world-renowned guest performers, Nick Jones and Diana Cruz. Come to learn, dance and enjoy a delightful experience in the setting of Wistariahurst. Golden Age (1930’s and 40’s) costume or elegant attire is encouraged. Light refreshment will be served. Please call in advance to reserve your spot.

Admission as follows: $30 for entire evening/ $20 dancing and performance only/ $12 lesson only 

The Story We Weave
Wistariahurst Museum, originally the home of prominent silk manufacturer, William Skinner and his family, has stood as an example of elegance and fine architecture since 1874. The buildings and grounds were owned continually by the Skinner family until 1959, when Katharine Skinner Kilborne, the youngest child of William and Sarah Skinner, and her heirs gave Wistariahurst to the City of Holyoke for cultural and educational purposes.

Today, Wistariahurst Museum reflects the lives and tastes of both generations of the Skinner family. The museum features original leather wall coverings, columns, elaborate woodwork and an interesting tale of how two generations perceived and used the house very differently. The museum's permanent collection includes decorative arts; paintings and prints, textiles and a rich manuscript collection of family and local papers. Wistariahurst Museum offers a wide variety of programs and events including: workshops, concerts, lectures and demonstrations. The museum is also available for private rental and group tours.

House Tours at Wistariahurst Museum
Wistariahurst Museum is dedicated to preserving Holyoke’s history and inspiring an appreciation of history and culture through educational programs, exhibits and special events.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Wistariahurst is the former home of William Skinner, a prominent silk manufacturer. The Museum is open for guided tours every Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 12-4 p.m. During these hours, the Carriage House & Gift Shop are also open. Hours for Archive Research: Mon. 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. & Thur. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. House Tours are $7 per person, $5 Students & Seniors. For more information, call us at 322-5660.

VISIT CREATING HOLYOKE FOR PHOTOGRAPHS AND OTHER RESOURCES

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