Mass Live Arts Karaoke Challenge Set for 7/10

As part of the third annual Mass Live Arts Festival, the Artistic Director Ilan Bachrach hereby challenges all art institutions in the Berkshires to face the staff, artists, and distinguished guests of MLA/15 in a Karaoke Death Match. The duel is to be held late night, beginning 10 pm after the main festivities of the MLA Benefit Party, happening from 9:30 pm on Friday, July 10th at the beautiful campus of Bard College at Simon's Rock.

The benefit party will conclude in a karaoke death match, currently under the working title "MLA //15 vs. The World." The official challenge letter is being sent to all neighboring arts organizations and venues, including Berkshire Playwrights Lab, Barrington Stages, Shakes and Company, MassMOCA, The Mahaiwe Arts Center, Tanglewood Festival, Williamstown Theatre Fest, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, Berkshire International Film Festival, and many others.

Here is the challenge statement by Mr. Bachrach:

"Thou hast been challengeth to show thy skill and endurance in the time honored and ancient art of Karaoke so it can be established for all times, and until next year, and forever, which of the Berkshire Art institutions is to be called the All-County Karaoke Champion. IF YOU HAVE THE F*#ING COHONES, meet us on July 10th at the main stage of the Daniel Arts Center after 10pm so that we can destroy you. Bring your A-game. Bring an army of honorable seconds and be prepared to karaoke until only one of us is left. There will be beer."

The Karaoke Challenge Trophy will be given to the inaugural champion to watch over for the next year.

The festival evening on July 10 will start with a performance of Andrew Schneider's OBIE-winning show YOUARENOWHERE at The McConnell Theater at 8 pm (visit masslivearts.org for details and tickets.) It will continue with a live concert by Doll Parts, a Brooklyn-based Dolly Parton cover band at the outback lawn, followed by a party, barbecue and socializing with MLA's visiting artists, including Andrew Schneider, Faye Driscoll Group, Heather Fisch, The National Theater of the United States of America, Phil Soltanoff, and MLA Institute fellows. The revelers will be fed excellent barbecue dishes, made of the famous Berkshire grass-fed beef, courtesy of The Meat Market; vegetarian options will be available. The beverages generously provided by Domaney's.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

Mass Live Arts is a festival of experimental theater and farm for contemporary performance performance taking place at the Daniel Arts Center at Bard College at Simon's Rock in Great Barrington. MLA is dedicated to presenting and commissioning bold new works of contemporary and experimental performance in the Berkshires involving our neighbors as much as possible, including free community events and educational programs. Since 2013, MLA has brought to the Berkshires acclaimed artists such as Radiohole, Half Straddle, Sibyl Kempson, Faye Driscoll, the New York City Players, and Phil Soltanoff, among others.