FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Great Barrington, Mass.—The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center has added two new programs to its year-round schedule: strings duo Black Violin on February 27 on the Mahaiwe’s mainstage and comedian David Drake on January 17 at the Indigo Room.
Black Violin
Classical-meets-hip-hop duo Black Violin will perform on the Mahaiwe’s mainstage on Friday, February 27 at 8 p.m. Step into Black Violin’s Full Circle Tour, where Grammy-nominated duo Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus redefine the possibilities of music by merging classical depth with hip-hop’s pulse. This tour captures the essence of returning to where it all began — transformed and reimagined. Each powerful performance invites audiences to reflect on their own journeys, discovering that even as we evolve, we’re often drawn back to our roots with renewed purpose.
For nearly two decades, Black Violin has been merging string arrangements with modern beats and vocals and building bridges in communities along the way. Members Kev Marcus and Wil Baptiste first met in orchestra class at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, becoming classically trained on the violin and viola through their high school and college careers. Post-college, they reconvened to produce beats for South Florida rappers and began building an audience in local clubs. They later went on to win Showtime at the Apollo in 2005 and eventually sold out headline performances at venues across the country, including a sold-out two-night headline run at The Kennedy Center in 2018. NPR took note and declared, “Their music will keep classical music alive for the next generation.” Black Violin’s 2019 album release, Take the Stairs, earned a Grammy Award nomination for “Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.” The band also recently received their second Grammy Award nomination for the track “The Message” as “Best Americana Performance,” in collaboration with The Blind Boys of Alabama.
Black Violin plays roughly 200 shows a year; many of which are performances for young, low-income students in urban communities. In the last year alone, the group has played for over 100,000 students with the goal of challenging stereotypes and preconceived notions of what a classical musician looks and sounds like. “The stereotypes are always there, embedded so deep in our culture,” says Wil. “Just by nature of our existence, we challenge those ideas. It’s a unique thing that brings people together who aren’t usually in the same room, and in the current climate, it’s good to bring people together.”
Tickets are $39 to $59 with discounts for Mahaiwe Members and individuals ages 30 and under.
David Drake
Comedian David Drake will perform at the Mahaiwe’s Indigo Room on Saturday, January 17 at 8 p.m., as part of the ongoing Indigo Comedy Night series.
David Drake has been featured on Comedy Central, HBO, Sirius XM, Cracked, Don’t Tell, and Fox. He was named one of Complex Magazine’s “Comics to Watch Under 30,” although is now 38, and one of New York Comedy Festival’s “Comics to Watch,” but they did not specify any age boundaries. He is a producer of the long-standing New York showcase Comedians You Should Know NYC and a regular at the world-famous Comedy Cellar. With six stand-up albums and three specials under his belt, including the critically acclaimed Big Break, David delivers comedy that’s “smart and engaging” (The New York Times) and “endlessly watchable” (Humorism). In addition to stand-up, he is a five-time reoccurring guest on the popular storytelling podcast Risk! and a producer of the traveling outdoor storytelling series Campfire.
Indigo Comedy Night shows are hosted by Thomas Attila Lewis and feature supporting comedians before the headliner. This performance is for ages 18 and up.
Tickets are $25 general admission, café table-seating.
Tickets
Tickets to Black Violin go on sale to Mahaiwe Members on Wednesday, November 12 at noon, and to the public on Friday, November 14 at noon.
Tickets to David Drake are on sale now.
Tickets can be purchased online at mahaiwe.org, or by calling or visiting the Box Office, 413-528-0100, on Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.
To learn more about Mahaiwe Membership, contact Brenna Hull at 413-644-9040 x107 or brenna@mahaiwe.org, or visit mahaiwe.org/membership.
Individuals ages 30 and under are eligible for $15 youth tickets for live Mahaiwe Presents events on the mainstage. Visit or call the Box Office to redeem this offer.
About the Mahaiwe
Located in downtown Great Barrington, Mass., the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center is the year-round presenter of world-class music, dance, theater, classic films, Live in HD broadcasts, and arts education programs for the southern Berkshires and neighboring regions. The intimate jewel box of a theater opened in 1905. Since 2005, the performing arts center has hosted over 2,500 events and welcomed over 600,000 people through its doors. More than 28,000 students from 77 different schools have benefited from the Mahaiwe’s school-time performances and residencies. In 2025, the Mahaiwe opened a second performance venue, the Indigo Room. For more information, see mahaiwe.org.
About the Indigo Room
The Indigo Room is a flexible performance venue in the former Great Barrington firehouse building at 20 Castle Street, next door to the historic Mahaiwe theater. Audience capacity ranges between 75 and 150 based on the floor plan for a given performance. Concessions include beer, wine, soft drinks, hot beverages and snacks.
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