Lucinda Williams kind of epitomizes what we think of as American country music: Sassy, twangy and a little weary.
Like many performers, Williams has had some time on her hands because of COVID-19 and like many performers she is trying to find ways to support the concert and show venues across the country and around the world where she has performed during her long career (she recorded her first album in 1978 and is now 67; she is, in case you’re wondering about her thick molasses accent, from Louisiana).
She’s come up with a six-part fundraising series of shows that will begin on Thursday, Oct. 29, with streaming in our area at the Mahaiwe Theater in Great Barrington, Mass., and the Bardavon in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
The shows promise to be in-depth and unexpected, with great singing.
For those who are unfamiliar with Lucinda Williams: Even music fans of a certain age who don’t consider themselves country music fans are devoted to her, and especially her album “Car Wheels on a Gravel Road,” which won a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album when it came out in 1998. My personal favorite song on that album (since you asked) is the title song; I also particularly like the title song from her next album, called “Essence.”
She also wrote the song “Passionate Kisses,” which was a hit for singer Mary Chapin Carpenter — and was the title song for Carpenter’s 1993 album (seeing a title-song trend here). Carpenter’s version is wonderful, too, but Williams’ version is more raw and raucous and gravelly.
The first four shows in the series have been announced already, and now that you know a little about her own work you won’t be enormously surprised by the singer/songwriters she’s chosen to honor in her series, which is called Lu’s Jukebox.
First up, at 8 p.m. on Oct. 29, is, “Running Down a Dream: A Tribute to Tom Petty,” in celebration of what would have been his 70th birthday.
Next will be “Southern Soul: From Memphis to Muscle Shoals,” at 8 p.m. on Nov 12; “Bob’s Back Pages: A Night of Bob Dylan Songs,” at 8 p.m. on Nov. 19; and “Funny How Time Slips Away: A Night of ’60s Country Classics,” at 8 p.m. on Dec. 3. There will also be shows on Dec. 17 and 31 (what better way to spend a quarantined New Year’s Eve than cozy at home with Lucinda Williams?).
All the shows are ticketed, and are meant to raise revenue for the performance halls that have been pretty much shut down for months by the pandemic. The two local theaters that are participating are the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington, Mass., and the Bardavon Opera House in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
In the press materials for the show, Williams says that, “We’ve actually wanted to do a cover series for a long time now, but never had the time with my touring schedule.
“I guess the silver lining in all of this has been to be able to really get inside the songs of some of my favorite artists — see what makes them tick. My hope for this project is that we’ll be able to help as many venues as we can. They’re our homes, as artists. We have to take care of them, for the sake of live music to come.”
Williams will also sneak in a few original songs or favorites from her catalog, when appropriate.
The basic ticket information is that you can buy one show for $20 (which is available to stream for 48 hours after the live stream). For $25 you can get the digital access plus an audio download of the show. For $30 you also get a physical CD of the show and for $35 you get a vinyl LP.
To stream the shows, beginning with “Running Down a Dream: A Tribute to Tom Petty” at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29, you have to download a program called Mandolin. There are step-by-step instructions at the Lu’s Jukebox website, https://boxoffice.mandolin.com/pages/lucinda-williams-livestream-series?....
To order tickets and have them benefit the performance venue of your choice, go to the organization’s website, click on “tickets” and you will be linked to the box office website; then your theater will get the credit for your ticket purchase.
WOODBURY — Nonnewaug High School claimed twin titles in the Berkshire League soccer tournament finals.
The school's girls and boys teams were named league champions after finishing the regular season with the best win/loss records. Winning the tournaments earned each team a plaque and added to the program's success in 2025.
Both of Nonnewaug's varsity teams faced off against their counterparts from Housatonic Valley Regional High School in the tournament finals in Woodbury Tuesday, Oct. 28.
The boys game was played first. Housatonic took a quick 2-0 lead with goals from Gustavo Portillo and Jackson McAvoy. Nonnewaug responded in the second half with three consecutive goals: first from Cash Medonis then two from Vincenzo Rose. The Nonnewaug boys won 3-2.
The Nonnewaug girls team celebrates as victors in the Berkshire League tournament final Oct. 28.Photo by Riley Klein
The girls game followed. Nonnewaug and Housatonic traded goals early on and the score was tied 2-2 at halftime. Nonnewaug scored twice more in the second half to win 4-2. Housatonic's goals were scored by Ava Segalla. Rosie Makarewicz scored twice for Nonnewaug and Hailey Goldman and Aubrey Doran scored once.
Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference soccer tournaments begin Oct. 31. Both Housatonic teams qualified for the Class S tournament and both Nonnewaug teams qualified for the Class M tournament.
TORRINGTON — Joan Jardine, 90, of Mill Lane, passed away at home on Oct. 23, 2025. She was the loving wife of David Jardine.
Joan was born Aug. 9, 1935, in Throop, Pennsylvania, daughter of the late Joseph and Vera (Ezepchick) Zigmont.
Joan graduated from Harding High School.
She was a working artist for much of her adult life, starting her career studying plein air impressionist oil painting at the Cape Cod School of Art. Her work evolved to include a more representational style, and eventually a large body of abstract pieces. Her award-winning work has been shown in galleries and juried art shows throughout southern New England.
She is survived by her daughter Leslie and her husband George, brothers Joseph, Victor, and their families, nephews Gregory, Christopher, and their families, daughter-in- law Huong, and the extended Jardine family. She was predeceased by her son Douglas, and brother Michael.
A memorial service will be held at All Saints of America Orthodox Church, 313 Twin Lakes Road, Salisbury, Connecticut on Thursday, Oct. 30, at 10 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the All Saints of America Orthodox Church, PO Box 45, Salisbury, CT 06068.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
The ofrenda at Race Brook Lodge.
On Saturday, Nov. 1, the Race Brook Lodge in Sheffield will celebrate the Mexican Day of the Dead: El Día de los Muertos.
Mexican Day of the Dead takes place the first weekend of November and honors los difuntos (the deceased) with ofrendas (offerings) on an altar featuring photos of loved ones who have passed on. Elements of earth, wind, fire and water are represented with food, papel picada (colorful decorative paper), candles and tequila left for the beloved deceased. The departed are believed to travel from the spirit world and briefly join the living for a night of remembrance and revelry.
Music and events programmer Alex Harvey has been producing Día de los Muertos at Race Brook for the past three years, and with the closing of the venue looming, the festival takes on a deep and personal meaning.
“The anchoring gesture of Race Brook, long before I arrived on the scene, has always been to cultivate a space that thins the veil between the worlds. Something otherworldly is hiding in the mountain’s towering shadow: the whispering spring-fed stream, the dense lineage that founder Dave Rothstein brings, the woodsmoke that rises every night of the year from the firepits. This space communes with the spirits,” said Harvey.
“And so we cradle a special ache in our hearts as the leaves turn and the beautiful dance of Race Brook’s project of cultural pollination draws to a close. Fitting, then, to return for one last activation — Día de Los Muertos — a celebration of the end of things. A remembrance of those who’ve made the transition we are all destined for, but also a time when we honor many types of loss. And while we will all mourn those who aren’t there in the flesh, we will also, with humility, come as mourners for the space itself,” Harvey continued.
The event will be a night to remember, to celebrate and to release with ritual, music, and communal remembrance. Participants are invited to bring photos, talismans and offerings for the ofrenda (offering), as well as songs, poems or toasts to share in tribute to loved ones who have passed.
Mexican American musicians Maria Puente Flores, Mateo Cano, Víctor Lizabeth, Oviedo Horta Jr. and Andrea from Pulso de Barro, an ensemble rooted in the Veracruz tradition of son jarocho, will be performing.
Translating to “Pulse of the Clay,” their name reflects a deep connection to the earth and to the living heartbeat of culture itself. Through a synthesis of Mexican, Cuban, Venezuelan and Puerto Rican traditions, Pulso de Barro merges poetry, rhythm and communal song as pathways to coexistence with nature. Their performances feature the jarana and leona (stringed instruments), quijada, cajón, maracas, and marimba (percussion), the tarima (percussive dance platform) and a call-and-response of folk and original versadas.
The evening begins at 6 p.m. in the Barn Space with a Fandango de los Muertos featuring Pulso de Barro, a Race Brook favorite. At 8 p.m., the Open Mic for the Dead invites guests to speak directly into the spirit world — through word, music or memory. The night culminates at 10:30 p.m. with a Fandango for the Dead, a participatory music and dance celebration. Bring your instruments, your voices and your dancing shoes.
Race Brook Lodge is a unique rustic getaway destination for relaxation, hiking, live music, workshops, weddings and more. Sadly, it will be closing for good later in 2026, ending a storied chapter of Berkshire music, art, culture and well-being.
Come experience an evening that honors lost loved ones and the end of a Berkshire institution. The cycle of life endures. Surely, resurrection is in the cards for Race Brook Lodge.
For Tickets and info, visit: rblodge.com
