Grammy-Winner Comes to Adams Theater for Piano Solo Show

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ADAMS, Mass.—Three-time GRAMMY-winner Gustavo Casenave will be presenting a concert experience at the Adams Theater at 7:30pm on June 6, featuring a personalized program that offers unexpected turns and merges genres.

Tickets are available at www.adamstheater.org/events

Casenave is a Uruguayan pianist, composer, and producer based in NYC. He is a Steinway Artist, Illustrious Citizen of Montevideo, and designated Cultural Ambassador of Uruguay. Over decades, he has built an international career that encompasses jazz, tango, and classical music, always with a personal stamp that integrates improvisation and composition as fundamental pillars of his artistic language. The New York Times describes him as an "exuberant and virtuosic" performer.

"When I play, I've been preparing for that moment for 50 years," he said. "Sometimes I don't know what will happen. Every concert is unique. My journey is always trying to find that voice."

In his career, Casenave has collaborated with world-renowned figures such as Yo-Yo Ma, John Patitucci, Eddie Gomez, Christian McBride, Paquito D'Rivera, Bette Midler and Deepak Chopra. He was Director of the Jazz Department at the Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts in New York for fifteen years, and has given masterclasses and lectures at institutions including The Juilliard School, Yale University, Eastman School of Music, Oberlin Conservatory, Columbia University, and New York University.

Castenave originally connected to the Adams Theater at a party hosted at Floating Tower Artist Retreat in North Adams, where 2025 Adams Theater artist Olga Rabetskaya was staying during her time presenting and developing work at the theater. 

See a full lineup for 2026 at www.adamstheater.org/events

The Adams Theater participates 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.

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Adams Man Gets 20 Years for Child Sex Assault

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — An Adams man has been sentenced to 15 to 20 years in state prison for sexually assaulting a child. 
 
Michael Hiser, 39, was found guilty by a Superior Court jury on June 11 of single counts of aggravated indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 and indecent exposure; two counts of posing or exhibiting a child in the nude, and three counts of photographing an unsuspecting nude child.
 
He was sentenced on Tuesday to prison for the aggravated indecent assault, with further sentencing of eight to 10 years for the indecent assault, four to five for the photographing and 2 1/2 for indecent exposure, all to be served concurrently. Hiser was also sentenced to five years probation on the posing or exhibiting charge, with conditions not to contact or go near the victim and no unsupervised contact with minors. He will have to register with the Sex Offender Registry Board and take sex offender treatment. 
 
Investigators found that from approximately 2020 to 2022, Hiser would sneak into the victim's room at night to inappropriately photogram and touch them inappropriately. Additionally, he would follow the victim around the house and photograph them with inappropriate intent. An additional incident involved the defendant acting in a sexual manner in the presence of the minor and the investigators found multiple explicit images of the victim on Hiser's phone.
 
"Cases of child abuse and child sexual abuse shake the foundation of our community," said Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue. "Today justice has been served on behalf of a child who survived unimaginable abuse. While the guilty verdict and lengthy sentence do not take away any of the horrific crimes the defendant committed, I hope today provides an opportunity for both the child and their family to move forward."
 
Chief of the Child Abuse Unit Andrew Giarolo represented the commonwealth and Associate Director of Victim Witness Advocates Kristen Rapkowicz served as the victim witness advocate on behalf of the DA's Office. The Adams Police Department with assistance from a Williamstown Police Department's Berkshire Law Enforcement Task Force digital evidence unit officer led the investigation.
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