Each spring, the reawakening of the region’s maple trees serves as inspiration for an intergenerational “celebration of sap” in Shelburne Falls. The fourth annual Syrup performing arts festival fills this weekend with music, theater, dance and puppetry, along with interactive events, syrup tasting and free pickles. Hosted by Falls-based Piti Theatre Company, the festival includes family-friendly and grownup concerts on Saturday afternoon and evening, plus hands-on workshops on Friday and Sunday.
Headlining the weekend is Larry Hunt, reckoned the nation’s leading mask-theater performer. He’ll perform in both concerts as well as offering a mask-making session for kids and a “mask-movement” workshop for teens and adults. The family matinee features Piti’s ecology-wise clown show To Bee or Not to Bee, plus performances by students of Ballet Renversé dance school and the Wheeler Play Group teen theater ensemble.
The evening show will see Larry Hunt’s Masque Theater in This World, the Next and Then the Peach Orchard (pictured), as well as actor/comedian/juggler extraordinaire Jack Golden, brother-sister acoustic duo June and the Bee, and up-and-coming singer/songwriter Carrie Ferguson. Festivalgoers also get weekend discounts at a number of local shops and restaurants.
March 8-10, most events at Memorial Hall, Shelburne Falls, $5 at 2 p.m., $8-12 at 7 p.m., all-day pass $15. Info at ptco.org.
