Panopoly Party At The Berwick

It’s a fact that artists throw the best parties. If you want to experience a happening, an event, something that will make you feel as glamorous as an Andy Warhol hanger-on, then find an artist. This weekend, the Berwick Research Institute threw a fundraiser party in a Waltham loft. Bostonist had the pleasure of attending and it was a fantastic time; from the dancing of Black Cat Burlesque, Joanna and Maria Nassen who both did poi dancing, the music of Noah Britton, the fun klezmer of Boston Bandemonium, and a ton of fantastic acts. Bostonist with an origami swan at the door. There was a vague circus theme (no clowns) and it was brought to its apex with the holy shit acrobatics of Firefly Dance. Firefly Dance was fantastic—a circus group based in NYC, the members did aerial work, climbing and flipping on a long strong skein of fabric and amazing the crowd. (Think the very end of Wings of Desire, where the trapeze artist is hanging off the side of a rope.) It was ballsy and jaw-dropping and awesome to see.
The Berwick is one of the city’s treasures. While achieving some notoriety for throwing some rock shows that quickly got shut down, the Berwick is a thriving institute that runs on a volunteer basis, commissioning ideas and art from around the area. According to Director of Administration, Mary Fuller, the Berwick is thriving, with interesting programs such as their Artist In Residency Series featuring Eugene Tan's performance garments that "wear the wearer" and the Satellite Projects, which will feature the debut of a buscycle. It's gratifying to see how the Berwick supports art. It’s never too early to make a donation (you want a tax deduction, right?) or to get on a mailing list, and poking around the Berwick site will get you in touch with some of the city’s most dazzling minds. Artists throw the best parties, after all, and they could use the support.