Berkshire Festival of Women Writers Announces Third Week

Berkshire Festival of Women Writers has announced the following events.

Friday, March 15
WAM Theatre and Sisters for Peace present: Screening: Half the Sky: turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide
Based on Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn's book, the film portrays women and girls living in, and struggling to change, extreme conditions. After film excerpts, Kristen van Ginhoven, Caroline Wheeler and the audience will explore actions we can take to support positive change for women and girls.
Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, Great Barrington, 7-9:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 16
Writing for Tweens
Reading and discussion led by Lisa Greenwald
Lisa will read from her newest novel for tweens, My Summer of Pink and Green, and discuss her path to publication, the writing process, and why she chose to write for tweens. A Q&A and book signing will follow.
Stockbridge Library, 11 a.m.

Writing Together: Moving out of the Garret
Panel discussion with Patricia Lee Lewis, Ellen Meeropol and Jacqueline Sheehan
The three authors and writing teachers discuss the many ways writers can work with others for mutual benefit.
Lenox Library, 1-3 p.m.

R2W Talks: Interviews with Powerful Women
Hosted by Serene Mastrianni.
Sheila Keator, Joanna L. Krotz, Diane Patrick and Evelyn Resh join radio host Serene Mastrianni for a series of intense interviews, followed by a Q&A session.
Kellogg Music Center, Bard College at Simon's Rock, 1-3 p.m. Admisson $25; free for students. Tickets must be purchased in advance at radio2women.brownpapertickets.com

Sunday, March 17
Film: Water Children presented by The Berkshire International Film Festival (Netherlands, 2011, 75 minutes, Japanese/English with English subtitles)
Director Aliona van der Horst follows pianist Tomoko Mukaiyama's exploration of fertility and the cycle of life through a multimedia art project that elicits unusual responses from visitors.
The Triplex, Great Barrington, 11 a.m

From the Top
Alison Lobron, journalist and founder/director of the Berkshire Writing Workshop at Bard College at Simon's Rock, leads short exercises to help writers craft great beginnings to stories important to them, and introduces them to the Writing Workshop. Bring a pen and notebook.
Blodgett House, Bard College at Simon's Rock, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Writing with Prompts.
Frances Roth leads a workshop for beginners interested in writing but unsure of how to get started. Prompts and practice writing serve both novice and seasoned writer. Everyone is welcome regardless of writing experience.
Bushnell-Sage Library, Sheffield, 2-4 p.m.

Orion Magazine presents: An Orion Reading at the Intersection of Nature and Culture
Hosted by Hannah Fries
Multigenre readings with poet Andrea Cohen and essayists Melissa Holbrook Pierson and Ginger Strand, all contributors to the locally-based magazine with international readership.
Kellogg Music Center, Bard College at Simon's Rock, 3-5 p.m.

Monday, March 18
The Development of the Self
Hosted by Brighde Moffat and Kirsten Peterson
Simon's Rock students Georgia Cate Byler, Eleanor Cardell, Karishma Singh Jani, Jaeme Poncin, Grace Rossman and Alexis Marie Wint discuss the development of the younger female self in relation to forces such as culture, religion, family and geography.
Blodgett House, Bard College of Simon's Rock, 7-9 p.m.

Tuesday, March 19
Writing for the Web
Susanna Opper, a pioneer in online communications, provides guidance in making your story lively, interesting, brief and easy-to-read. Come prepared with thoughts about something you want to promote online in a newsletter, blog or website.
Lenox Library, 6-8 p.m.

The Deb Koffman Gallery presents: IWOWWOW (In Words Out Words Women's Own Words)
An open mic event for storytellers, poets, musicians and performers. Each participant is allotted three minutes (600 words or fewer). Men also welcome to read/perform women's writing. Sign up by email: deb@debkoffman.com. Reservations suggested. Snacks to share welcome.
Deb Koffman Gallery, 137 Front Street, Housatonic 7-9 p.m. $6 suggested donation.

Wednesday, March 20
Writes of Passage and the Final Journey: The End of Fertililty, Aging, and Death
Led by Ann-Elizabeth Barnies and Angela Vuagniaux
Workshop participants will be invited to explore some of the most pivotal moments in their lives, using writing prompts, discussion, freewriting and optional sharing.
Sruti Yoga Center, 33 Railroad Street, Great Barrington, 7-9 p.m.

The Women's Interfaith Institute of the Berkshires presents: Illumination: Memoir Writing as a Path to Peace
Writer and teacher Laura Didyk will lead memoir-writing exercises and give a short reading from her memoir in progress. Potluck at 6 p.m., program at 7 p.m. Bring a dish to share.
Stockbridge Congregational Church, 6-8:30 p.m. Suggested donation, nonmembers, $5-$10.

Thursday, March 21
Kripalu presents: Jump-Start Your Memoir: Write it from the Heart
Nancy Slonim Aronie will help participants take the "marrow" of their lives and transform it onto the page with short, interactive writing exercises.
Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, Lenox 7:30-9:30 p.m. Pre-registration required. Call 800-741-7353.

Garbage into Gold
Workshop led by Laura Didyk
Writing practice, writing exercises, and on-the-spot assignments will help us quiet our inner editors and help us arrive at the "gold" of our own work.
Berkshire South/Jenifer House, Great Barrington, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

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