David Lane puppetry exhibit, a curated coffee tasting, and a fundraiser for childhood cancer coordinated by local high school students
ADAMS, MA—The Adams Theater is opening for three pre-season events in early May ahead of its opening weekend on May 23-24. This is a great opportunity to check out upgrades and improvements made over the last year and support local artists, culinary connoisseurs, and nonprofits.
David Lane Puppetry on Display
On May 10, artist and theater maker David Lane will install a retrospective of his puppet-making, with figures brought to life from carved basswood, cast paper, and twisted reed. This is the theater’s first visual art installation since its opening in 2021, and the exhibit will stay up through the season, ending with Lane’s workshop performance of Emile Zola’s “The Belly of Paris” on Saturday, September 6.
“When a performance is over, what is to become of a once living, breathing, little soul that now lacks the capacity to act and move on its own? What value do they have once the performance has passed?” MCLA wrote about Lane’s work, which appeared at the college’s Mosaic space in downtown North Adams in April. “ Lane prefers to think of the spent-puppets as still housing a potential to spark the imagination — that indeed, the creative impulses of the maker live somewhere in the materials of the puppet. Perhaps even the energy of the performance has somehow embedded itself in some mysterious way just below the surface. Can you sense it?”
Music and Meals for the AYJ Fund
On Friday, May 9, the theater will host “Music and Meals for AYJ to Fight Childhood Cancer,” a fundraiser created by students at Hoosac Valley High School in Adams. The evening will run from 5-10 p.m., with music from Pete Boyd and Hotshot Hillbillies, plus dinner catered by Boston Sea Foods and fun games and activities for the whole family. Admission is $15 and tickets can be reserved in advance.
The AYJ Fund is a local nonprofit created in memory of Anna Yan Ji Arabia, who was diagnosed with Gliomatosis Cerebri, a type of brain cancer, at age 13. The AYJ Fund’s mission is to bring smiles to children with cancer, and holds fundraisers as well as a beloved annual children’s concert.
Around the World in 80 Cups
On Saturday, May 10 from 2-4 p.m., the Adams Theater Kitchen and Lounge will launch a new coffee experience, “Around the World in 80 Cups,” a curated culinary experience that lets the community explore diverse cultures and fascinating flavors behind specialty coffee from around the globe. Led by coffee enthusiast Dea Kourafas and guided by Consulting Curator Aria Corinne Gannon, the adventure begins with Ethiopian coffee culture. Additional pop ups are planned for Saturday, July 19, and Saturday, September 13.
Kourafas’ deep connection to coffee spans four generations, from her great-great-grandfather who helped introduce fine roasted beans to San Francisco in the late 19th century, to her own firsthand experiences working across the coffee industry. “‘Around the World in 80 Cups’ is a way to share my passion and connect the Adams community with the incredible stories and flavors from coffee-growing regions worldwide,” she said.
We continue to add shows to Season 2025! See a lineup of events, with more to be added, at www.adamstheater.org/present.
The Adams Theater is proud to participate in Mass Cultural Council’s Card to Culture program, in collaboration with the Department of Transitional Assistance, the Women, Infants & Children Nutrition Program, and the Mass Health Connector.
EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholders receive free admission to our shows and events by presenting their cards at our Box Office. See the complete list of participating organizations offering EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare discounts.
Season Passes
Season passes are available! Reserve yours now and get free or discounted admission to all Season 2025 shows, plus lend it to a friend for shows you can’t attend. It’s an excellent way to support the theater’s mission and get great seats at the same time!
About The Adams Theater
The Adams Theater’s mission is to create a long-lasting multi media arts institution that fosters community engagement through a diverse range of programming. Collaborating extensively with independent artists and other cultural organizations in the Berkshires, the Adams Theater celebrates creative partnerships and promotes cultural dialogues. Learn more at www.adamstheater.org.