Summer 2016 Season Announce

For Immediate Release
13 April 2016
Contact: Jodi Joseph
Director of Communications
413.664.4481 x8113
jjoseph@massmoca.org

The National, Luna, Charles Bradley, Rubblebucket, FreshGrass Festival, and Bang on a Can to Headline Summer Season Bursting with Music, Film, and Comedy

Twenty-three international artists probe the concept of wonder.

Classic animated films come alive with live music under the stars, a capella super group Roomful of Teeth returns, deadpan darling Joe Pera brings the laughs, and preview FreshGrass with The Suitcase Junket.

Courtyard C transforms into a Jamaican dance hall, and the museum moves to the North Adams airport for outdoor screening of old-school classic.

NORTH ADAMS, MASSACHUSETTS — The National in concert under the stars on Joe’s Field on June 11, and the much-anticipated return of rock quartet Luna on May 28, mark the beginning of a huge summer season at MASS MoCA complete with concerts, film with live music, comedy, a dance party, and two sprawling music festivals. Bang on a Can’s rollicking stay in July brings 60 vibrant musicians to downtown North Adams for almost three weeks. On September 16‒18, MASS MoCA celebrates the dog days of summer with the FreshGrass Festival, a three-day exploration of roots and bluegrass music that includes family programming, workshops, contests, and local food and drinks. As always in the summer, the galleries teem with new art.

In the Galleries
Of Explode Every Day: An Inquiry into the Phenomena of Wonder, curator Denise Markonish has this to say about her 23-artist show: “A true state of wonder agitates, mesmerizes, and shocks. It is a sudden intake of breath, a gaping mouth, a surrender. Viewers should expect to experience something truly new.” The exhibition opens with a reception for the artists on May 28. On June 18, Kidspace opens Here Comes the Sun, the works of Colombian-born, Miami-based artist Federico Uribe, whose magical, colorful sculptural menagerie of animals can raise one’s spirits, even though some of the imagery is fierce. Anticipating his massive Building 5 exhibition opening in October, Until, artist Nick Cave converts the Kidspace ArtBar into a veritable Kaleidoscopic Playground — a participatory art-making lab that invites visitors to explore their senses, emotions, and self. An opening celebration, free to the public, takes place with the artists on Saturday, June 18, from 11am to 1pm (followed by a performance by Dan Zanes).

Live Music
On June 11, The National takes Joe’s Field for the band’s only 2016 headline concert in the Northeast (outside of festival appearances). Lauded for its “perfect track record” (The Independent) of acclaimed albums and live performances, The National brings over 15 years of music to MASS MoCA’s largest venue, just days after its much-anticipated May 20 release of a 59-track Grateful Dead tribute album, Day of the Dead. A Lot of Sorrow, Icelandic artist Ragnar Kjartansson’s 6-hour video collaboration with the band, will be on view in the Hunter Center to coincide with the concert.

Beloved indie-rock quartet Luna opens the season on Memorial Day weekend in the Hunter Center. The Guardian raves, “At their best, it’s hard to believe there is any other kind of music besides this simple, graceful, chiming chug.”

Unstoppable indie dance masterminds Rubblebucket light up the night on August 27. One of the most downright fun dance bands of the past decade, the band’s electronica flourishes, irresistible grooves, and unexpected arrangements make Rubblebucket concerts feel like parties. Not since James Brown has the world seen the likes of Charles Bradley, who has earned widespread recognition as a riveting performer of authentic soul music. This old-school revivalist leaves every ounce on stage on August 13. Local favorites and now Grammy-celebrated Roomful of Teeth return home to MASS MoCA on August 19, pushing the boundaries of the human voice in their captivating and deeply researched exploration of global vocal traditions. Kiss the summer goodbye on September 3 with the cool, steady, and easy grooves of reggae dancehall legend Everton Blender.

Get Close
On June 25, artist, tinkerer, tunesmith, and Swamp Yankee The Suitcase Junket takes to the alt-cab stage to belt out mountain ballads till the house sings back. MASS MoCA extends its stand-up comedy streak with off-kilter artist Joe Pera performing on July 9. Ghost Train Orchestra swings by the museum on July 2 to reimagine the wild jazz that poured out of speakeasies in the 1920s. Hip-hop, soul, jazz, and salsa infuse classic ranchero on August 6 with Latin Grammy nominee Mariachi Flor de Toloache’s 11-piece band.

Film with Live Music
On July 16, fantastical Oscar-nominated film The Triplets of Belleville becomes an outrageous live event for the whole family featuring dancing, singing, Foley sound effects, and the original hot swing score performed live by its composer Benoît Charest and his 9-piece Le Terrible Orchestre de Belleville band. Audiences will remember the spectacular BQE Project from its dazzling rendition of Frankenstein at MASS MoCA over a decade ago; the group returns on August 20 to present its original live score to the 1924 Buster Keaton film Sherlock Jr.

Festivals
The Bang on a Can Summer Music Festival spans three weeks that include daily gallery recitals, late-night, anything goes Chalet appearances, Kids Can Too! on July 16, the annual Bang on a Can All-Stars concert on July 23, and the Bang on a Can Marathon on July 30 for a 6-hour genre-busting festival finale. The FreshGrass Festival, MASS MoCA’s annual festival of bluegrass and roots music, takes place on September 16–18 with headliners Old Crow Medicine Show, Glen Hansard, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, The Devil Makes Three, Rosanne Cash, The Infamous Stringdusters, and many more. Over 50 bands in all!

For Families
MASS MoCA takes over the North Adams airport on July 1, when Around the World in 80 Days screens on the largest movie screen in New England — the door of an airplane hangar! Dan Zanes’ Lead Belly Project is in town on June 18 (following the opening reception for Kidspace’s Here Comes the Sun) to dive headlong into the music of iconic American folk and blues legend Lead Belly in a concert for kids that parents will also love.

Beer Garden & Bright Ideas
Throughout the summer join us on Thursday evenings starting at 5:30pm for drinks and conversation in artist Dean Baldwin’s The Chalet, our art-installation-cum-outdoor-beer-garden. On Friday evenings, the talking and drinking (and music) continue at the new Bright Ideas Brewery in MASS MoCA’s Courtyard A.

Buy Now, Save Money
MASS MoCA discounts tickets 25% for summer 2016 performances when purchased by May 4. Discounts do not include festivals, camps, tickets to The National, or $5 member tickets. Discounts do not combine, and discounted tickets are non-refundable and non-transferrable.

Tickets for all events are available through the MASS MoCA box office located on Marshall Street in North Adams, open 11am to 5pm every day except Tuesdays through June 24, 2016. Beginning June 25, the box office will be open 10am to 6pm every day, with extended evening hours to 7pm on Thursdays through Saturdays. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling 413.662.2111 x1 during box office hours or purchased online at massmoca.org. All events are held rain or shine.

Season at a Glance, by Date

Images
High-resolution images of MASS MoCA’s summer 2016 events are available through this link: bit.ly/1WpMVOd.

About MASS MoCA
MASS MoCA is one of the world’s liveliest (and largest) centers for making and enjoying today’s most important art, music, dance, theater, film, and video. Hundreds of works of visual and performing art have been created on its 19^th-century factory campus during fabrication and rehearsal residencies, making MASS MoCA among the most productive sites in the country for the creation and presentation of new art. More platform than box, MASS MoCA strives to bring to its audiences art experiences that are fresh, engaging, and transformative.

MASS MoCA’s galleries are open from 11am to 5pm every day except Tuesdays through June 24, 2016. Beginning June 25, the galleries will be open 10am to 6pm every day, with extended evening hours to 7pm on Thursdays through Saturdays. The Hall Art Foundation’s Anselm Kiefer exhibition is seasonal and reopens April 30, 2016. Gallery admission is $18 for adults, $16 for veterans and seniors, $12 for students, $8 for children 6 to 16, and free for children 5 and under. Members are admitted free year-round. For additional information, call 413.662.2111 x1 or visit massmoca.org.

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