Live Music at the American Mural Project

The New Mosaic performing at the Live @AMP music series.
Judy Griesedieck
The New Mosaic performing at the Live @AMP music series.
Known for its stunning 120-foot wide, five-story tall “Mural to the American Worker” by artist Ellen Griesedieck, the American Mural Project, also known as AMP, is located next to Whiting Mills in Winsted, Conn. AMP also offers educational programs for youth, summer camps, book talks, and has recently added musical programming.
After formally opening the main gallery to the public in the summer of 2022, the music series “Live @AMP” began in 2023 with the intention of expanding AMP’s scope and demographic through both visitation and event attendees.
Director Michelle Begley explained AMP’s goals. “We wanted to establish AMP as a high quality event space by bringing in dynamic, professional artists to create a synergy of music, performance and art.”
Asked how she finds talent, Begley said, “My colleague Mimi Madden and I work closely with our artistic and executive directors to invite established and innovative Connecticut performing artists complemented by national and internationally recognized musicians, poets and speakers. It’s fun to both support local musicians, think big, and reach out beyond Connecticut!”
AMP’s “Happy Hour Piano Series” has become a monthly anchor event that features solo pianists who play a multitude of styles. Recent performances by Jen Allen, TJ Thompson, Isabella Mendes and Warren Byrd drew great crowds of jazz lovers. Jeff Bortako and Dan Ringuette had people singing along with their pop and holiday tunes while the passion and technique of classical pianists Maria Centola and Heather Reichgott moved audiences.
“We were gifted a beautiful baby grand piano by a steadfast supporter, the Greenberg family, who also support the series,” Begley explained.
AMP has hosted a wide variety of musicians including full bands performing soul, jazz, R&B, gospel, latin jazz, funk, swing and rock. The room has hosted Connecticut bands like West End Blend, Eight to the Bar, Theresa Thomason with the KC Sisters, Nikita, Ed Fast, and One Time Weekend, and there’s more in store.
“In 2025, we’re bringing in our first Grammy nominee, Eric Bibb, for what promises to be an incredible blues performance in April; the grunge band Gryme to connect to our community college population in September, and our first A Cappella Showcase that will feature student singers from colleges across New England,” Begley said.
Audiences can experience the excitement and energy of listening to great music, surrounded by incredible art with a big dance floor and great sound.
“We’ve been incredibly fortunate to work closely with John Fiorello of The John Samuel Group to help us invest in our sound and address the challenges of working in such a vast space. John’s skill has been critical to our success as he is adept at optimizing every musician and vocalists’ performance, no matter the challenge,” Begley said.
As an active professional musician, teaching artist and voice teacher working in Connecticut for the last 30 years, Begley has worked in communities from Hartford to Torrington to the Northwest Corner.
“I’ve connected with an inspiring array of the wonderful and committed musicians who are perpetually digging deep to give of themselves to the vibrant and growing arts scene in Connecticut,” she said.
Cultivating a spirit of collaboration and community in all its events and programs, AMP is committed to creative partnerships. Local restaurants provide food and local bookstores have sponsored author based “AMPTalks.”
“The string quartet performance this past October, in partnership with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, highlighted the ‘industrial cathedral’ acoustics of the AMP space. We’ll be doing that and more in 2025 and 2026!” Begley said.
For audiences, the combination of exploring the mural’s massive art installation and inherent storytelling along with each performance makes every AMP event a remarkable experience.
Upcoming shows for 2025 include the New Haven based singer/songwriter Natalie Hamilton for the Friday, Jan. 25 Happy Hour Piano Series and the electric neo-soul vibe of The New Mosaic on Saturday, Feb. 1.
For more information, visit: www.americanmuralproject.org/all-events
Jonathan Walker as “Greg” and Jen Cody as “Sylvia”in rehearsal at The Sharon Playhouse.
What if the dog onstage was played by a person? That’s the delightful twist in A.R. Gurney’s “Sylvia,” opening at the Sharon Playhouse on Aug. 29. In this clever and heartfelt comedy, the title character — a stray pup who disrupts the lives of a married couple — is portrayed not in costume but by an actor who brings insight, charm, and chaos to the role.
Stepping into Sylvia’s paws is Jen Cody, who is returning to the Sharon Playhouse in a starring role for her third year in a row, ready to bring this spirited dog to life. She’s joined by Jonathan Walker as Greg, the middle-aged man smitten with his new four-legged friend, and Jennifer Van Dyck as Kate, his wife, whose patience and identity are tested by Sylvia’s sudden presence in their home.
Directed by Colin Hanlon, this production balances elements of comedy and emotional depth. Gurney’s script may be filled with laughs but at its core, “Sylvia” explores loyalty, companionship, and how love sometimes arrives in unexpected forms. The play premiered Off-Broadway in 1995 and has since become an audience favorite for its wit, warmth, and originality.
Rounding out the cast is Sienna Brann, taking on a trio of roles that highlight the play’s comic versatility. The design team includes Christopher and Justin Swader (scenic), Kathleen DeAngelis (costumes), Bobbie Zlotnik (wigs), Wheeler Moon (lighting), and Graham Stone (sound), ensuring the story is grounded in a fully realized world, albeit one occasionally seen from a dog’s point of view.
Performances run through Sept. 7 at the Sharon Playhouse. For tickets and more information, visit sharonplayhouse.org.
Paul Chaleff’s exhibit at Mad Rose Gallery in Millerton.
The unofficial end of summer is here, and while some of us may mourn the shortening days and cooler nights, the culturally-inclined denizens of the Litchfield Hills, Berkshires and Taconics have plenty to look forward to.
During Labor Day weekend, visit one of the offerings below, and maybe even take home a watercolor, rug, or locally-crafted wooden bowl to ready your home for the indoor season ahead.
Kick off the weekend with libations and bites from legendary New York City importer Rosenthal Wine Merchant at Mad Rose Gallery (5916 North Elm Ave., Millerton). The evening will mark the end of Paul Chaleff’s ceramics exhibition, which closes at the end of the weekend. Ashley Gilbertson and Franco Pagetti’s photography exhibition “Fragments in Time,” which has been extended through Sept. 21, will also be on display.RSVP by emailing info@madrosegallery.com.
Head to the Cornwall Library (30 Pine St., Cornwall) for its seventh annual weekend-long Art Sale, and peruse an endless supply of prints, posters, watercolors, photos, paintings and more, with price tags ranging from a very reasonable $20 to much greater sums.
The Library has announced that this year’s selection will “run the gamut from the antique to the contemporary, from the jazzy and colorful to the classic black and white, from realistic to abstract.” Thanks to generous donors, the sale will feature works from notable artists such as Amedeo Modigliani, Enrique Chagoya, Marc Simont, Leonard Baskin, Ruth Gannett, Robert Andrew Parker, Nicole Eisenman, R. H. Quaytman, and others, as well as a special exhibition of vintage photos, paintings and posters from late artist Duncan Hannah.
For more information and hours, visit cornwalllibrary.org/labor-day-art-sale/.
Visit the Barn at the Pine Plains location of beloved antiques and décor purveyor Hammertown (3201 NY-199, Pine Plains) and find the coffee table of your vintage dreams this weekend. Up to 75% off home goods and furniture of all kinds will be available.
This year’s iteration of the biannual tent sale features a “Makers Market” with local artisans, craftspeople and food vendors.
Visit https://shop.hammertown.com/blogs/journal/hammertown-labor-day-tent-sale for additional details and hours.
The Berkshire Woodworkers Guild, a coalition of local woodworkers that supports the local industry and its craftspeople, is hosting its 25th Fine Woodwork Show at the Berkshire Botanical Garden (5 West Stockbridge Rd., Stockbridge) this weekend. Attendees will have the chance to watch 32 masters from around the Tri-Corner region demonstrate their trades, from woodturning and Chinese joinery to boat building and French polishing.
The event will also announce the allocation of $32,000 from its scholarship fund to support 9 aspiring woodworkers, and host a silent auction of guild member-crafted pieces to support next year’s fund. Works from the artisans will also be available for viewing and sale.
Pittsfield, Massachusetts’ Hot Plate Brewing will provide frothy, local ales for swilling, while SoCo Creamery of Great Barrington will be pedaling its handcrafted ice cream for sweeter options for the whole family. Great Cape Baking Co., from Dover Plains will offer a full breakfast and lunch menu, including donuts, while Pleasant & Main from Housatonic will be providing the caffeine and crepes.Further details can be found at berkshirewoodworkers.org.
Artists across Cornwall will fling open their studio and gallery doors to welcome Labor Day culture ramblers on Saturday afternoon. An eclectic lineup of ten participating artists will show their work, ranging from pottery to sculpture paths, allowing participants a chance to enjoy the fresh late-summer weather as they meander through Cornwall’s green valleys from studio to studio.For a list of the artists, a map, and directions to each studio, visit ornwallct.org/event/cornwall-open-studio-2025/.
Elias Weiss Friedman, acclaimed canine photographer and creator of "The Dogist," brought heart and humor to Troutbeck's Luminary Series in Amenia, sharing stories that celebrated the enduring bond between humans and their dogs.
The event, held Sunday, Aug. 24, was paired with The Little Guild of Cornwall, giving attendees the chance to meet and greet a small selection of dogs available for adoption. Friedman is passionate about organizations that advocate for canine welfare and service training, making The Little Guild a natural partner for the event.
A best-selling author, Friedman brought along his latest book, “This Dog Will Change Your Life,” that was greeted with brisk sales and the chance to obtain a signed copy. His Instagram postings have amassed a loyal following of more than 11 million and growing. To date, he has photographed more than 50,000 dogs.
“Dogs complete every aspect of human life,” said Charlie Champalimaud, Troutbeck owner, who served as interviewer for the event. “I just love dogs, and I’m very excited to see people come together,” she added. Her own family dog, Rocky, accompanied her and charmed the audience with exemplary behavior.
“I’ve been following you for years,” said Priscilla McCord of Lakeville, speaking with Friedman before the event began. McCord also serves as a board member at The Little Guild.
“You are an artist and storyteller,” said Champalimaud, introducing Friedman to the audience of more than 100 dog lovers gathered in Troutbeck’s pole barn.
Elias Weiss Friedman signing books after his talk.Leila Hawken
Friedman said he has been developing The Dogist concept and brand for the past 11 years.
“I had an understanding of the cultural phenomenon of dogs,” he said. “Dogs are a source of joy. I wanted to write about that,” he added, noting that dogs are also hilarious.
“I was a shy kid with a dog,” Friedman recalled. “Dogs are generous with their eye contact.”
“I’ve moved the needle a bit in how we appreciate our dogs,” he said of his role as The Dogist. Over the years, his work has included helping dogs find homes or receive service dog training.
Asked about recent advances in artificial intelligence in learning to communicate with animals — particularly current research into communicating with whales — Friedman noted that we already communicate with dogs, though often through our own ego. “There is no shortage of communication,” he said.
He added that some dog owners might not want to know their dogs’ honest opinions about their circumstances or lifestyles.
Looking ahead, Friedman will be international in scope, exploring how different cultures view their relationships with dogs. He expects to find meaningful differences and insights across borders.
Next in the Luminary series at Troutbeck will be a talk by Mark Ronson on Sunday, Sept. 7. He will speak about his book, “Night People,” pairing the talk with a DJ session. For more information, go to www.troutbeck.com.
Maddie Sartori of Millerton and her dog, Millie, competing in the Dock Dogs canine aquatic contest at the Dutchess County Fair in Rhinebeck, New York, on Sunday, Aug. 24.
This year’s county fair welcomed visitors for six days of livestock shows, fried food and carnival rides from Tuesday, Aug. 19 to Sunday, Aug. 24.Photo by Olivia Valentine