Winter Shows at Berkshire Area Art Museums

October 12, 2007 - January 13, 2008
Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute
Williamstown, MA

Special Installation: Facing the Lens: Nineteenth-Century Portrait Photographs at the Clark
Facing the Lens, consisting of fifteen works from the collections of the Clark and the Troob Family Foundation, includes photographs by Édouard Baldus, Nadar, David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson, Roger Fenton, and Julia Margaret Cameron.
The photographs’ subjects range from wealthy families at home and celebrated writers posing in commercial studios, to medical patients trapped in an age that offered limited treatments. Facing the Lens also includes two self-portraits, as few photographers could resist the urge to face the lens themselves, staring back into the mechanical eye that provided a source of income and an exciting new means of artistic expression.

October 15, 2007 - January 15, 2008
Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute
Williamstown, MA
Library Installation: Lapp Princess Press: A Small Press and Artists’ Books from the Late 1970s
Writer and art critic Amy Baker founded Lapp Princess Press in 1977. As with other small presses of the period, Lapp Princess’s goal was to create artists’ books that could be purchased by the widest possible audience. Each of the volumes created under Baker’s directorship were issued in editions of 2,000—a very large number for this type of material. They each sold for $3, making them even more accessible.
While the artist was given total freedom concerning the ultimate product, Baker set the format for the Lapp Princess books. Each closed book was to be a uniform six inches square. While some artists maintained a traditional book format of single, uniformly trimmed leaves, others opted to expand the book beyond the six inches, as in Chuck Close’s 64-inch leparello or the even more elaborately folded 18-by-24 inch sheet by David Shapiro and Lucio Pozzi. Monday through Friday, 10AM to 5PM

October 28, 2007 - January 21, 2008
Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute
Williamstown, MA
Printed Love
Eighteenth-century France had a flourishing market in artists’ prints and illustrated books. Printed Love draws from Clark collections to provide a broad picture of the variety of ways in which the theme of love was addressed in print in the eighteenth century during this period. Among the works on display are several masterpieces of French Rococo book illustration, many still in contemporary bindings, by master designers and engravers such as Jean Michel Moreau Le Jeune and Nicolas Delaunay. From the flirtatious to the libertine, from the light-hearted to the moralizing, these works give a sense of the context in which Fragonard’s allegories of love were viewed and appreciated.

November 10, 2007 - May 28, 2008
Norman Rockwell Museum
Stockbridge, MA
LitGraphic: The World of the Graphic Novel
A burgeoning art form with roots planted firmly in history, graphic novels, or long-form comic books, have inspired the interest of the literary establishment and a growing number of readers. For today’s aficionados, graphic novels, with their antiheroes and visual appeal, are positioned to usurp the role that the novel once played. Focused on subjects as diverse as the nature of relationships, the perils of war, and the meaning of life, graphic novels now comprise the fastest-growing sections of many bookstores?an accessible, vernacular art form with mass appeal. This comprehensive exhibition explores the history and diverse artistry of the graphic novel, featuring personal commentary and artworks by celebrated historic and contemporary practitioners. Original book pages and studies, sketchbooks, and video interviews provide insights into an evolving and exciting art form. Artworks by Jessica Abel, Sue Coe, R. Crumb, Howard Cruse, Steve Ditko, Will Eisner, Brian Fies, Gerhard, Milt Gross, Marc Hempel, Niko Henrichon, Mark Kalesniko, Peter Kuper, Harvey Kurtzman, Matt Madden, Frans Masereel, Frank Miller, Terry Moore, Dave Sim, Art Spiegelman, Lynd Ward, Lauren Weinstein, Mark Wheatley, Barron Storey and others will be on view.

November 17 - December 31, 2007
Berkshire Museum
Pittsfield, MA
23rd Annual Festival of Trees “On the Move”
Join us for the 23rd Annual Festival of Trees. We deck the halls with some 200 theme decorated trees and celebrate all things on the move, from trains, planes and automobiles to skis, skates, and sleds. Get a move on as you wander through this enchanted forest, enjoy a model train display, vintage wind-up toys, and antique skis and sleds from the Berkshire Museum’s collection. And the Berkshire Museum is truly “on the move” as renovation has begun. Admission.

December 1 - 31
Red Lion Inn
Stockbridge, MA
Entertainment at the Lion’s Den
Folk, Irish, Rock, Jazz and more at the Lion’s Den every evening. No cover charge. 9PM (9:30 Weekends)

December 1
Berkshire Museum
Pittsfield, MA
Festival of Trees Family Night
Wiggle in for a night of spinning fun for the whole family. Spot the Silver Swimmers—a unique ensemble of movement artists—moving through the galleries to festive holiday music. At 7 p.m., the husband-and-wife duo Yo-Yo People perform their spectacular tricks with yo-yos and hula-hoops; they have been featured on America’s Got Talent, The Late Show with David Letterman, and more. Included with Festival of Trees admission. 5PM - 8PM.

Shakespeare & Co.
Lenox, MA
An Impossible Life
An Impossible Life is a warm, humorous, life-affirming story of a writer searching for the roots of his mother’s insanity. The search takes him on an enchanting journey through his Jewish ancestry, family myths and traditions, resembling an Isaac B. Singer tall tale. It been called a “bobeh myseh”, meaning Yiddish for “grandmother’s tale”, and “the best writing about Jewish gangsters since Isaac Babel.”

Shakespeare & Company invites you to spend a special evening with David Black, Joe Cacaci, Tina Packer, Peter Riegert and other stage and screen celebrities, performing a staged reading of An Impossible Life by David Black, writer-producer of Law & Order, Hill Street Blues and 100 Centre Street (Adapted from his novel). Admission. 7:30PM

The Colonial Theatre
Pittsfield, MA
Revenge of the Reindeer: Chicago City Limits
The holiday season brings wishes of joy and peace on earth, but not necessarily if you’re a reindeer—especially one that has to spend the holiday season flying from rooftop to rooftop lugging a big fat guy in a red suit who keeps trying to squeeze down chimneys! Well, we all have our issues, and Chicago City Limit’s special holiday show, Revenge of the Reindeer, gives us a chance to air them out. Through a combination of comedy sketches and improvisations created on the spot from audience suggestions and song parodies, the Chicago City Limits cast will put its spin on the trials and tribulations of the past year. This special December event is unlike any other holiday show. Yule love it! Admission. 8PM

Norman Rockwell Museum
Stockbridge, MA
A Special Holiday Evening for Families: Music of the Season
Embrace the long nights of winter! Join us for a magical evening of seasonal stories and enjoy art-making, heart-warming treats, songs and tales of holiday celebrations, and the wonder of Norman Rockwell?s artwork. At 5pm, performance artist Roger Tincknell invites you to sing along as he plays favorite songs from Chanukah and Christmas, connecting world cultures through holiday traditions. Free with Museum admission. Children 18 and under free.4PM - 7PM

Stockbridge Main Street
Stockbridge, MA
Holiday House Tour
Visit some of the area’s Historic Homes, B&B’s, and Inns. This self-guided tour is one of our most popular events. Admission. 11AM - 4PM

Stockbridge Main Street
Stockbridge, MA
Caroling Luminaria Walk
Meet in front of The Red Lion Inn, Main Street with your candle or flashlight and join the festive caroling followed by a Luminaria walk to the First Congregational Church. 6PM - 7PM

Stockbridge Main Street
Stockbridge, MA
Holiday Concert
Celebrate the magic of the season with a joyful holiday musical program held at the First Congregational Church. Featuring the Berkshire Lyric Theatre Chorus, the Blafield Children’s Chorus and Gisella Montanez. Admission. 7:30PM

Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
Great Barrington, MA
CEWM: Slavic Wonders - Feasts & Saints in Early Moscow, Krakow & Prague
The superb Rose Ensemble returns by popular demand with a performance featuring choral virtuosity of 17th Century Russia, Poland, and Bohemia. Dazzling Eastern European polyphony highlighting the antiphonal glory of Renaissance and Baroque music. , “The audience was mesmerized.” Cleveland Plain Dealer “A supernatural blend of voices, beauty of tone, and rhythmic acuity.” Early Music America Magazine “…they struck gold…a remarkable evening.” Clarence Fanto, WAMC Northeast Radio. Admission. 6PM

Berkshire Botanical Gardens December 1 - 9
Stockbridge, MA
Holiday Marketplace
Exhibition and sale of handcrafted wreaths and holiday decorations, seasonal blooms and greens, herb products, crafts and gift items. Part of Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas celebration. Admission free. 10AM-5PM

Hancock Shaker Village
Hancock, MA
Member Shopping Days
Shop for ornaments, candles, music, holiday home goods and food. Members will receive special unannounced discounts and extra savings on selected items. Buy a gift membership for a friend presented in an Oval Box!

Stockbridge, MA
Teen Art Workshop Creating Your Own Graphic Novel
Join dynamic, award-winning graphic novelist Lauren Weinstein for this exciting workshop designed to take young artists through the process of creating a graphic novel of their own. Conceptual development, image sequences, dialogue, point of view, and aspects of self-publishing will be explored in this hands-on session that will result in a personal artist?s book to take home.

A successful cartoonist and a teacher at the School of Visual Arts and the 92nd Street Y in New York, Lauren Weinstein is also a singer in a rock band called Flaming Fire. Her graphic novels include Inside Vineyland, Girl Stories, and soon to be released The Goddess of War. Please bring a lunch; well provide beverages and dessert. Admission. 11AM - 4PM

Stockbridge Main Street
Stockbridge, MA
Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas Re-Creation
See Main Street as Norman Rockwell did when he painted the famous Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas. Main Street becomes a magical New England village with over 50 antique cars parked along the street (weather permitting) and a full range of festive activities to delight the child in everyone. Enjoy Holiday Music, Roger the Jester and lunch at the Christmas Food Booth. Children may create ornaments at Santa’s workshop. Complete the day with a visit from Santa & Mrs. Claus. Admission. 12PM - 2PM

December 3
Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
Great Barrington, MA
A Christmas Story (1983)
Admission.

December 7
Berkshire Museum
Pittsfield, MA
Downtown Pittsfield Tree Lighting Celebration
Gather on the front lawn of the Berkshire Museum for holiday fun before the city’s 7 p.m. tree lighting in Park Square. Enjoy hot-spiced cider and donuts and make an ornament for the lobby tree. Visit the holiday shop and receive a coupon for $2 off a future Festival of Trees visit. Cider and donuts generously donated by Bartlett Farms. Free. 5PM - 7PM.

Norman Rockwell Museum
Stockbridge, MA
Model Citizens
Find out what it was like to pose for America?s favorite illustrator from one of Norman Rockwell?s former models. Free with Museum admission. 2:30PM

December 8 - 9
Berkshire Museum
Pittsfield, MA
Members’ Shopping Weekend
The race is on when Berkshire Museum members circle the racks in the Museum Shop, scout out gift items all weekend and enjoy 20% off their entire purchase. Present your current membership card at time of purchase to take advantage of this special 20% discount.

December 13
The Colonial Theatre
Pittsfield, MA
Celtic Yuletide
Michael Londra, the Irish Tenor best known as the vocalist of Riverdance, presents an evening of “Christmas from Ireland,” told in song, dance and the classic stories of his youth. Enjoy traditional, heartwarming Irish carols and Gaelic versions of Christmas songs you know and love. The Irish musical group “An Dochas” joins Londra onstage to perform a blend of age-old Celtic rhythms with pipes and low whistles and frenetic traditional jigs and reels. Rounding out the evening are the breathtaking Haran Irish dancers performing traditional and modern dances that reflect the two worlds in which Ireland lives. This is an evening guaranteed to send you out into the winter’s night warmed by the spirit of a Celtic Christmas. Admission. 8PM

December 15
Lenox Contra Dance
Lenox, MA
Holiday dance and potluck. Early session 5-7pm, Bottom of the Bucket, with Fiona DeRis calling. Potluck from 7 to 8 Evening dance from 8-11:30, Spare Parts with Jim Fownes calling. Admission.

December 16
Berkshire Museum
Pittsfield, MA
All Aboard the Polar Express
At noon, join us for a festive session of engineering a 6 x 21 x 8 inch gingerbread train. Cookies, icing, and candy will be provided for your take-home confection. Reserve your gingerbread train kit and supplies by Monday, December 7 ($25 per complete kit; admission additional). At 2 p.m., see the beloved holiday film The Polar Express. Bring along your favorite teddy bear or doll. After the movie decorate a t-shirt for your toy friend and enjoy Polar Chocolate Nougat Caramel Squares and Hot Chocolate-Bar Cocoa. Movie and activities free with Festival admission. 12PM - 4PM.

December 21 - 22
The Colonial Theatre
Pittsfield, MA
Albany Berkshire Ballet Presents: The Nutcracker
12/21 at 4:30PM & 7:30PM
12/22 at 1:00PM & 4:30PM

December 26
Berkshire Museum
Pittsfield, MA
Vacation Week Art-Making: Rockets in Flight
Build a rocket and learn about the science of space flight. Timed tickets will be available at the front desk beginning at 10 a.m. each day. Space is limited. First come, first served. Free with Festival of Trees admission. 1PM - 3PM.

December 27
Berkshire Museum
Pittsfield, MA
Vacation Week Art-Making: Great Skate Create
Decorate your own skateboard! Your ticket gets you into the skateboard D.I.Y room where you will get a fully made skateboard and a set of paints to design a movin’ board. $40 ($30 members); includes timed-ticket for craft and Festival admission for crafter and one adult chaperone. Reservations required. 11:30AM, 1PM, & 2:30PM.

December 27 - 28
Norman Rockwell Museum
Stockbridge, MA
Linwood Living History Meet Mr. Butler
Spend some time getting to know Charles Butler, New York City attorney and owner of Linwood, our gracious Berkshire Cottage overlooking the Housatonic River. Mr. Butler will greet you in the library to share stories of his life and times and introduce you to the household staff. Find out if he makes the 3:10 train to New York! Participants are invited to join him for refreshments in the parlor after the program, which brings the owner of this 1859 home to life. Space is limited; please call for reservations. $5, members free. Does not include Museum admission. 2:30PM

December 28
Berkshire Museum
Pittsfield, MA
Vacation Week Art-Making: Rockets in Flight!
Build a rocket and learn about the science of space flight. Timed tickets will be available at the front desk beginning at 10 a.m. each day. Space is limited. First come, first served. Free with Festival of Trees admission. 1PM - 3PM.

December 31
Berkshire Museum
Pittsfield, MA
Family New Year’s Celebration
Rocket to 2008 Astronauts, race car drivers, cyclists, and skaters: dress as your favorite mover and shaker to celebrate New Year at the Berkshire Museum. Festivities begin at 11 a.m. Sing, shake, wiggle and giggle with Ben Rudnick and Friends. At noon, we countdown to rocket in to the New Year Then blast off to refreshments. $10 adults, $7 children ages 3-18 ($5/$3 members); includes Festival of trees admission. 11AM - 2PM.

Jiminy Peak is about 3 hours from New York and Boston and about an hour from Albany and Springfield. Access is fairly easy, as Jiminy is located near the Mass Pike extension and the Taconic State Parkway.

Topping out at 2,380 feet and offering 1,140 feet of vertical descent for riders, Jiminy Peak offers slightly more vertical descent than other mountains in the immediate vicinity. However, when the difference is only 100 or 200 vertical feet, I’m not sure I could even notice that difference.

The 40 trails and 156 acres of skiable terrain on the mountain are geared more towards intermediate skiers. However, there is a significant amount of beginning trails and there are only a few double diamond trails on the mountain. The double diamonds, while steep, pale in comparison to double diamonds elsewhere. Night skiing is provided on 18 trails that are well lit.

8 lifts serve the trails and include a 6-person chair, 2 quad chairs, three triple chairs and 1 double chair lift and one tow lift. Only two lifts go from the base area to the summit of Jiminy, otherwise the lifts serve various sections of the mountains.

Snowmaking covers 93% of Jiminy Peak and provides for quality snow throughout the winter season, even when Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate. Grooming and maintenance are excellent at Jiminy and trails are often groomed throughout the day. Should you get there as the place opens, expect to ski down slopes of immaculately groomed snow.

Jiminy also offers a halfpipe and alpine park area for snowboarders looking for more than just the slopes.

Ticket prices are reasonable for all the skiing you can get in and an adult 8-hour weekend ticket will cost you $52, while a weekday ticket for an adult will cost you $39. 4-hour tickets are not half price, a weekend ticket will set you back $48 and a weekday half-ticket will cost you $35. Night tickets on the weekend are $33 and $29 during the week.

For $10 you can purchase a “value card” that provides discounts throughout the year on lift ticket purchases. You can use the card once per day and it will save you $7 on the cost of a lift ticket.

Coupons and special savings deals are also available on Jiminy’s website at www.jiminypeak.com. I also believe that the local Entertainment Book generally has buy one-get one free tickets for Jiminy Peak – I know when I used to ski here often, that’s how we did it – we’d go and collect all the Entertainment Coupons from the non-skiers and use them up.

Jiminy offers lessons for both beginners and more advanced skiers in group and private settings, along with Skiwee programs and multi-week programs. There are various packages that include lift tickets, rentals and lessons and can be anywhere from $30 to over $200.

The base lodge area includes all the amenities you would expect at a mountain lodge including rental shops, ticket sales, a ski shop, restaurant, cafeteria, seating areas, lockers, and restrooms. Lodging on slope is provided in the base area in either rental condominium units or in the Country Inn, which offers various types of rooms and suites. Lodging and dining is also available off-slope in town. Reservations for the on-slope accommodations can be made through Jiminy’s website.

Jiminy Peak is the ying to Catamount’s yang and is worlds apart from the other smaller ski areas scattered throughout the Berkshires. This is a place to be seen and to take part in the “ski scene.” The skiing at Jiminy is top notch. In addition, there are enough coupons and offers out there to make Jiminy affordable to the masses for a trip or two throughout the winter months. It’s just as well, half of the people there are probably in the lodge drinking expensive coffees while you’re out on the slopes enjoying the great skiing that Jiminy Peak has to offer.

Link to Mountain Site

Upcoming Jiminy Peak Events

Potter Brothers Demo Day, Sunday, December 16th
Potter Brothers invites you to come to Jiminy Peak to try new skis, snowboards, and helmets from top manufacturers. Reps from the companies will be on hand to answer your questions, too. When you try before you buy, you get the best gear for your style. Demos are available to all skiers and snowboarders with ID or credit card for deposit.

New Year’s Eve Celebration Monday, December 31
Ring in the New Year at Jiminy Peak! New Year’s Eve will feature the annual torchlight parade down the mountain followed by a spectacular fireworks display lighting up the sky and the snow!

Rail Jam Friday January 4
Get in the spotlight with our Friday night Rail Jams. With great prizes up for grabs there’s no doubt we’ll be seeing some of the sickest tricks on the rails!

Slopestyle Competition Friday, January 25
Take on the rails and hits of Coyote Ridge against some fierce competition!!

Groundhog Day Celebration Saturday, February 2
Join us for Jiminy’s version of Groundhog Day. Will our groundhog see his shadow? You’ll have to be here to find out!

Mardi Gras Celebration Saturday, February 4
Beads, Beads, Beads! Join us for a day of fun and celebration!

St. Jude Ski Express Sunday, February 10
On this special day, a donation to St. Jude’s buys line-cutting privileges for skiers and snowboarders. The guest will receive a wristband that allows them to “cut” the line at the Berkshire Express via a special ‘St Jude Ski Express’ line in the corral, which means no time waiting in line! There will be a raffle with a chance to win great prizes, too. Proceeds from the event will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Leap Year Celebration Friday, February 29
We only get one every 4 years so why not celebrate it?!

Rail Jam Friday, March 7
Get in the spotlight with our Friday night Rail Jams. With great prizes up for grabs there’s no doubt we’ll be seeing some of the sickest tricks on the rails!

Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge Sunday, March 9
The Dew Crew returns to bring skiers and rider the BEST fun race, party, and all-around wild time with Mountain Dew, prizes, samples, music, and more! Not to mention free tee shirts for race participants and a shot at the finals in New Hampshire.

STRIDE Race Saturday, March 15
STRIDE’s Great Adaptive Ski Race. Visit www.stride.org for more information.

Retro Day Sunday, March 16
Have a bunch of clothes from the 70s and 80s that you would never admit to wearing? Sure, we know you do! Now is the day to dig them out and show them off. Come to Jiminy dressed in your best retro garb and receive a retro price to go along with it! “Best” dressed guests win a prize. Please no retro equipment.

Jeep Terrain Park Challenge Sunday March 16
The Jeep Terrain Park Challenge has evolved! They’ll bring their crew of freestyle skiers and riders to Jiminy this winter and stress safe and smart Park riding. The Rossignol Demo team will come with them to demonstrate tricks, and teach responsibility in the park. Come out and participate!

Spring Fling Saturday, March 22
The Spring Fling is Jiminy’s spring welcome party. It’s a great chance to work on the goggle tan while sliding on corn snow. The Annual Card Board Box Derby, Bikini Slalom, Beach Blanket Bingo, and an Outdoor Barbecue - it all adds up to sunshine fun. Plus, there will be a pie eating contest, special events and contests just for kids, and great prizes. In the case of snow, we’ll move it all indoors!

Winter is one of the most beautiful times in the Berkshires during the year. Painted countless time by artists, from Norman Rockwell to Calder, immortalized in James Taylor’s song ‘Sweet Baby James’.

Jericho Valley is the place to be, 5 minutes down the road from Jiminy Peak, 30 minutes from Butternut and Catamount and only a couple hours from Okemo and Killington in Southern Vermont.

HayMan!, Pittsfield MA Now-October: 90+ Scarecrows downtown!
Don’t mis HayMan! in downtown Pittsfield, featuring over 90 one-of-a-kind scarecrows created by the community! Look for a headless horseman, Elvis Presley, Batman, a jazz musician, a leprechaun, the pair from American Gothic by Grant Wood, a hippie, Dorothy & Toto, and many other fun characters! A map and treasure hunt are coming soon.

Now-October | throughout downtown Pittsfield from the Colonial Theatre to Maplewood Condominiums | FREE
Click here to learn more about Mike Melle and his straw projects.

Saturday night: Bach Society at the Colonial

The inimitable Berkshire Bach Society, in collaboration with the Colonial Theatre, presents a night of classical music featuring the prolific violinist Ani Kavafian playing Vivaldi’s “Seasons”. Other virtuoso soloists include Marsha Heller and Gerald Reuter, oboes and Kenneth Cooper, harpsichord. Pieces featured in the concert include JS Bach’s “Cantata 53” and Handel’s “Concerto No. 15 in D minor for Harpsichord & Strings”.

Saturday October 7th | 8 pm | The Colonial Theatre | 111 South Street | 997-4444
Click here for a chance to get the full scoop on Anu Kavafian:
Sat & Sun: 25th Annual Berkshire Quilt Festival

Berkshire Quilt Festival

Quilts, wall quilts, and other quilted items are featured at this year’s Berkshire Quilt Festival this weekend at the Berkshire Community College. Whether you are a beginner to lifelong quilter, come enjoy quilt block contests, gallery talks, storytelling and much more. You can even learn how to make your own quilt and get the supplies to create your first colorful masterpiece!

Saturday October 6th & Sunday October 7th | 10 am- 5 pm | Susan B. Anthony Center @ Berkshire Community College | 443-4397 | $6 per adult and $2 per child (11 and under)
Click here to enter the wonderful world of quilts and get you started on your first quilt!

Saturday October 6th & Sunday October 7th Enjoy a Shaker Supper

For a different kind of flavor, head out to the Hancock Shaker Village and enjoy a real Shaker Supper served by hosts in traditional Shaker dress. The menu varies, making use of fresh, seasonal ingredients and recipes from The Best of Shaker Cooking by Amy Bess Miller. A program of Shaker music completes the evening. And don’t forget to check out the Spinning and Weaving Week at the Shaker Village!

Saturday October 6th & Sunday October 7th | Hancock Shaker Village | Route 20 | 413-443-0188 | pre-registration required ; $50 for members; $60 for non-members
Click here for a full menu and more info about the Shaker Supper!

Sunday October 7, 3 pm South Mountain chamber concert

The last South Mountain Concerts of this year brings together two accomplished names in music: the St. Lawrence String Quartet and pianist Menahem Pressler. With a reputation for imaginative, spontaneous music making, the St. Lawrence String Quartet has established itself as one of today’s leading chamber ensembles. Guest artist Menahem Pressler is a founding member and award-winning pianist of the Beaux Arts Trio.

Sunday October 7th | 3 pm | South Mountain Concerts | Route 7 & 20 (South Street) | 442-2106 | $33 ; $15 for students with a valid ID
Click here and enjoy the musical world of the St. Lawrence String Quartet:

Sunday October 7th The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron

Robert Dubac’s The Male Intellect is a hilarious examination of male-female relationships in which the playwright attempts to answer the impossible question: “What do women want?” taking audiences on a provocative and funny journey through the gender gap.

Sunday October 7th | 4 pm & 8 pm | The Colonial Theatre | 111 South Street | 997-4444 | $22-$40
Click here for an interactive journey through Dubac fs play:

Monday October 8 Happy Birthday Wally!

This Monday, the Berkshire Museum in downtown Pittsfield celebrates the 10th “birthday” of Wally, the stegosaurus on the front lawn, with a free family day! Festivities include roaming magician and balloon artist Mr. Twisty, face painting, and hands-on art-making which include making a headdress inspired by Wally. At 2 p.m. guests will gather to sing “Happy Birthday,” followed by cake.

Monday October 8 th | 1-3 pm | Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 443-7171, ext. 10 | FREE
Click here for more information about this birthday celebration!

Tuesday October 9th & Wednesday October 10th Free Berkshire Days at Arrowhead

The Berkshire Historical Society welcomes Berkshire residents with free admission to the historic home of Herman Melville at Arrowhead. Highlights include tours of the Melville house museum and visits of the special exhibition, Fertile Ground: Berkshire Artists and Writers: 1846-1861, which exhibits personal items of Melville, Hawthorne, William Cullen Bryant, and many other!

Tuesday October 9th & Wednesday October 10th | beginning at 10:30 am | Melville’s Arrowhead | 780 Homes Road | 358-3201 | FREE for Berkshire residents with a VALID ID
Click here to learn more about Melville’s Arrowhead and the Berkshire History Society:

October 9th, 16th and 23rd Digital Photography class at the Lichtenstein

Designed for those somewhat familiar with their cameras who want to move beyond the ‘auto’ setting, this three-day intensive hands-on workshop will focus on learning the essential technology to take control of the digital photography process. Topics include in-depth discussions on basic and advanced settings, digital technology and image capture, and workflow and creativity. Taught by photographer Jason Houston, a contributing photography editor at Berkshire Living.

October 9th, 16th and 23rd | 6-9pm | Lichtenstein Center | 28 Renne Ave | 298-5252 x100 to register | $90 | Offered by IS 183 Art School
Click here to learn more about Jason Houston’s work

Thursday October 11th Drum expo at BCC

For percussionists, drummers & those who love rhythm, the Berkshire Drum Expo features drummers Randy Kaye, Connor Meehan, Kalibaba McConnell, Peter Putnam, Bill Chapman, Fran Curley, Derek Rodgers, Brendan Ryan and G. Winnard, plus the Afro-Cuban ensemble, KDZ. The Drum Expo is a non-profit event and all proceeds will be donated to the Pittsfield High School Music Department.

Thursday October 11th | 7 pm | Robert Boland Theatre @ Berkshire Community College | 413-395-0822 or mack7982@hotmail.com | $10

Berkshire Theater Festival presents a reading of Sharon’s Circle by Diane Pearlman and Jeffrey Diamond
Work-in-progress is a tribute to former Berkshire Museum director Sharon Blume
who died of breast cancer in 2005

Stockbridge, MA—Berkshire Theatre Festival will present a reading of Diane Pearlman and Jeffrey Diamond’s new one-act play, Sharon’s Circle, directed by Marc Geller on Saturday, October 27, 7:30pm at the Unicorn Theatre. A reception with the artists will follow the reading.

Sharon’s Circle is based upon the experiences of Sharon Blume and the community of friends that blossomed in the face of her terminal illness. Blume was a shoot from the hip, creative non-profit director who knew how to get things done with style, knew how to party, and knew how to pick friends. Of all the collections she curated during her museum career, none was done with more finesse or purpose than her selection of friends—she not only chose them carefully, but also grouped them, as one would group an exhibition.

Playwrights Diane Pearlman and Jeffrey Diamond were honored to be part of Blume’s circle, as was BTF Artistic Director Kate Maguire. Pearlman and Diamond interviewed 24 of Blume’s close friends, asking about stories, feelings, and personal thoughts and then set about writing a play that would speak not just to their community, but to everyone who has lost a loved one to cancer.

Diane Pearlman and Jeffrey Diamond are long-time collaborators who have written and produced content for film, television, and theatre. Their current work includes a family comedy genre feature film script, Max Art, several children’s television projects, including Maddie’s World, Franice’s Toy Box Theatre, and Stink Monkeys, an adaptation of James Thurber’s Many Moons, and a science fiction thriller series titled Dreamwatcher.

Marc Geller most recently directed Two-Headed at BTF and the world premiere of the critically-acclaimed play Ascension at the Lion Theatre on Theatre Row in New York. His other New York directing credits include productions at Judith Anderson Theatre, Harold Clurman Theatre, Samuel Beckett Theatre, INTAR, and Hudson Guild Theatre.

Patricia Buckley will play the title character, Sharon. Buckley appeared in The Heidi Chronicles at BTF in 2006. Her Off-Broadway and regional credits include productions at New York Theatre Workshop, Westbeth, Actors Shakespeare Company, Coconut Grove Playhouse, and La Jolla Playhouse.

Runnin’ Round in the Wilderness: Roots Music from Matt Munisteri

For this Alt Cabaret singer, songwriter, and good friend of MASS MoCA Matt Munisteri and his band Brock Mumford will fill an evening with “the lost music of Willard Robison.” Robison composed sophisticated rural/religious-themed tunes in the 1920s, sang, played piano, and conducted a live orchestra - all at once!

This cabaret has been in a long time in the making and is really a labor of love for Matt. The only way for him to collect Robison’s works was through rare 78 RPM records which he sought out through auctions, conventions, ebay, and more.

You can get a preview on WAMC’s Dancing on the Air with Jay Unger and Molly Mason when Matt joins them as a guest on their show on Wednesday, October 11 at 8 PM. Then listen to Matt on the radio again on WAMC on Performance Place, Michael Eck’s wonderful live radio show on Thursday, October 12 from 11:20 - noon.

Join MASS MoCA, Matt Munisteri and Brock Mumford on October 13th at 8 PM in Club B-10.

Kidspace It’s Rude to Stare Now Open

It’s Rude to Stare features sculpture and drawings by English-born, Vermont-based artist Richard Criddle. In a personal ‘archaeological dig’ into his childhood fears and stories, Criddle interprets his memories on a larger-than-life scale presenting his autobiography in the form of oversized sculptures made from wood, bronze, fabricated steel, and found objects including wooden blinds, furniture components, a furnace shovel, and heavy-duty industrial hardware. Kidspace’s public hours are Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 P.M

Architecture Audio Tour

Download your own audio tour of MASS MoCA’s architecture and long term installations. Architects Henry Moss and Simeon Bruner of Bruner/Cott & Associates talk about what they considered as they designed the gallery space you see today. Don’t own an MP3 player, we’ve got the tour on players that you can rent at the box office for just $3.

Prefer a live guide? Visit the galleries and take a free (with admission) tour. Tours given every weekday at 2 PM and every Saturday and Sunday at noon and 3 PM

Art:21 Check out the second installment of Art:21 at the Clark on Monday, October 10 at 7 PM.

This program titled Ecology introduces viewers to four artists whose works pose questions about the relationships between nature and culture. Artists featured in the segment are Ursula von Rydingsvard, Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle, Robert Adams, and Mark Dion.

MASS MoCA curator Denise Markonish will join Clark assistant curator of education Danielle Steinmann and Williams College assistant professor Ondine Chavoya in engaging the audience in a discussion about the episode. Markonish came to MASS MoCA in July from Artspace New Haven an artist- and volunteer-run contemporary arts non-profit where she had been the curator since 2002. Her first major MASS MoCA exhibition Badlands: New Horizons in Landscape will open in May 2008.
Learn more

Green House Tour this weekend

The Center for Ecological Technology has organized a Green Buildings tour for Saturday, October 6 which MASS MoCA is a part of from 10 AM - 1 PM. We’ll be showing off our 228 photovoltaic panels on the roof of Building 5 which produced 1500 kilowatt hours per week in the summer. We’ll also have the first part of a new work by Michael Oatman in our lobby — a work commissioned in conjunction with the solar panels. For more about the tour and the other locations throughout the county, check the CET website.

3rd.Thursdays is this week! 5-8pm & beyond

September’s 3rd.Thursdays is filled with live music from jazz to Brazilian to flamenco and more, arts and arts activities galore, family activities, and much more, stretching from Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream on South Street all the way to Carr Hardware on North Street. There’s a free trolley to whisk you back and forth so you can enjoy as much as possible! A flyer featuring a map and a full listing of performances and special events will be available throughout downtown Pittsfield on 3rd.Thursdays, and is also available online. A collaboration between the City of Pittsfield’s Office of Cultural Development and over forty downtown restaurants, shops, cultural hotspots and businesses, 3rd.Thursdays has brought thousands of people downtown every month since it began in June.

3rd.Thursdays | Thursday, September 20 | 5pm-8pm | Downtown Pittsfield | FREE
Click here to download your own copy of the 3rd.Thursdays flyer!
A big downtown welcome to Dottie’s Coffee Lounge!

3rd.Thursdays is excited to welcome its latest partner, Dottie’s Coffee Lounge, formerly Bellissimo Dolce café at 444 North Street. New owner Jessica Rufo will be hosting their Grand Opening Ragtime Celebration on the September 20th 3rd.Thursdays, featuring music, dancing, hors d’oeuvres, champagne, and many surprises!

Dottie’s Coffee Lounge | 444 North Street | 5-8pm and beyond!
Jazzing it up on South Street!

3rd.Thursdays’ main outdoor stage is on South Street in front of Crowne Plaza’s capacious sidewalk patio, featuring the Pittsfield Sister City Jazz Ambassadors. Crowne Plaza will be serving a jazzy New Orleans-themed spread of food and drink for sale, including one pound-plus lobsters for $10 each, oysters on the half shell, alligator tail kabobs, and jambalaya, as well as beer, wine and more And members of the Pittsfield CityJazz Festicval committee will be on hand selling tix for this year’s Pittsfield CityJazz Festival on Columbus Day weekend (that’s Grace Kelly, who will be performing at the Festival, on your left)!

Live jazz & New Orleans food & drink | Crowne Plaza | South Street at West Street
Click here to check out the lineup for the 3rd annual Pittsfield CityJazz Festival.

Look for video art all around downtown
Storefront Artist Project sponsors an outdoor video projection of the luminous underwater work of video artist Laurie McLeod, who has exhibited at New York’s Lincoln Center, MASS MoCA, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, and on PBS. The video installation will located directly across from City Hall on Allen Street at the corner of Fenn. And look for video art projections by artists David Lachman, Derek Zeitel, and Doug Truth out on the streets as well! Gallery Boreas, returns to its perch at 397 North Street for 3rd.Thursdays to screen another in its series of video art. CPR, a continuous video loop by artist Emmy Mikelson, is a feminine poetic examination of decay, demise, renewal, and revitalization.

Laurie McLeod video installation | Allen Street @ Fenn | 6-8pm | FREE
Gallery Boreas | 397 North Street | 5pm-8pm | FREE
Click here to read more about the fabulous Berkshire video artist Laurie McLeod
Spicing it up on North Street!

Spice Restaurant & Lounge’s outdoor stage features a sneak preview of upcoming songs from Barrington Stage Company’s October production of the World Goes ‘Round at 5pm; Cabaret-to-Go returns with local singers from 5:30-6:30, followed by gong master Ed Mann, who played with Frank Zappa for many years. Berkshire Brazilian rhythm masters, the Berkshire Bateria and Bossa Triba, take over the stage at 8pm, performing until 11pm for your dancing pleasure.

Live music | Spice | 297 North Street | FREE
Art shows from Century 21 to Ferrin Gallery

The Storefront Artist Project’s Mainspace at 124 Fenn Street features work from MCLA’s Gallery 51 in North Adams. The Kinderhook Group at 137 North Street hosts an abstract art show featuring work by Pittsfield artists Morris Bennett and Bob Stone. Century 21 Real Estate on South Street will be showing a different side of Morris Bennett, his painterly Berkshire landscapes, alongside work by Anne Roland. The Ferrin Gallery at 433 North Street features Raymon Aloyzua and Warner Friedman. And it’s the last week for the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts’ retrospective of paintings by Julio Granda. You’ll be serenaded in the gallery by Spanish native Manolo Caballos playing flamenco and Spanish songs on acoustic guitar from 5pm to 8pm at the Licht. ALL FREE!

Gallery 51 Show | Storefront Artist Project | 124 Fenn Street
Morris Bennett & Bob Stone | Kinderhook Group | 137 North Street
Morris Bennett & Anne Roland | Century 21 Real Estate | South Street
Raymon Aloyzua & Werner Friedman | Ferrin Gallery | 433 North Street
Julio Granda+flamenco guitarist Manolo Caballos | Lichtenstein Center for the Arts | 28 Renne Ave

More live music throughout downtown!

Pittsfield Brew Works features singer-songwriter Jack Waldheim, who has one of the deepest songbooks in the county, and a great throaty blues voice. And check out their new Bier Hall, featuring free pool from 4-6pm. Pittsfield’s own Eagles Stage Band will perform on the lawn of St. Joseph’s Church from 6pm to 7pm on North Street. Enjoy orchestral and pops favorites, and bring a lawn chair! And oldies favorite Memory Lane will be performing from 6pm to 8pm at Palace Park on North Street between Fenn and Depot Streets. Plus more surprises up and down the street!

Jack Waldheim | Pittsfield Brew Works | Depot Street | FREE
Eagles Stage Band | St. Joseph’s Lawn | 414 North Street | 6pm-7pm | FREE
Memory Lane oldies band | Palace Park | North Street | 6pm-8pm | FREE
Click here to listen to Jack Waldheim online.
Drum, eat, & enjoy at the Berkshire Museum + behind-the-scenes at the Colonial!

The Berkshire Museum stays open late until 8pm with FREE admission for all Berkshire County residents. Don’t miss their new Native American show! Colombian restaurant, La Fogata, will be offering delicious food and drink for purchase in their front garden. Also out in the garden, join a free guided community drumming circle hosted by professional drummer and drum group facilitator Otha Day from 6pm to 7pm. Chuck the giant tortoise will be checking out 3rd.Thursdays in the front garden from 5pm to 6pm. And the Colonial Theatre will be offering two FREE behind-the-scenes tours at 6pm and 7pm.

Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 5pm-8pm galleries open late/5-6pm Chuck the tortoise/6-7pm drum circle | FREE

Colonial Theatre | 11 South Street | 6pm & 7pm | FREE behind-the-scenes tours
Click here to find out more about Otha Day and the drum circles he leads.
Family-friendly activities up and down the street!

10th Annual Country Fair
September 29&30, 10am-5pm - The Country Fair is fun for the whole family – a Kid’s Tent, a scavenger hunt, wagon rides, and farm activities throughout the Village. Shop i n the Farmer’s Market or the Craft Areas filled with local artisans of traditional crafts and trades. Try your hand as a Shaker baker and enter our 2nd Annual Pie Contest!

Sponsored by Country Curtains, Price Chopper, Sweatland Oil & media sponsor Yankee Magazine.
Join HSV and enjoy the Country Fair for FREE!
Farm & Forest Trail Breakfast and Ribbon Cutting Celebration
Saturday, September 29th - Join us as we begin the Country Fair with a Breakfast and Ribbon Cutting, with Congressman John Olver officiating the opening of our Farm and Forest Trail. Tickets include breakfast, ceremony, and admission to the Country Fair.

HSV Member: $35/non-Member: $40/Children: $15
Call (413) 443-0188 x201 to reserve your ticket.
Revels “Harvest Home” performances at Hancock Shaker Village

Saturday, October 13th - The Revels utilize music, dance & drama at two concerts presented at 1pm and 3pm. “Harvest Home”celebrates the harvest cycle of sowing and reaping and the community that working together creates. Enjoy the Revels as a family!

Members: $20/non-Members: $25/Under 18: $10
Call (413) 443-0188 x201 to reserve your tickets.
Preservation and planning grants received

Hancock Shaker Village is pleased to announce two recent grants that will further bring the Shaker story to life: The 1772 Foundation has awarded the Village $100,000 for repairs to the roof of the famous Round Stone Barn. Hancock Shaker Village also received $37,500 from the Massachusetts Cultural Council for the next phase of our Master Plan project, a fundraising and development planning study leading into our 50th Anniversary in 2010.

Hot Harry’s Burritos features Roger the Jester performing free from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. IS183 Art School brings artist Nancy Magnussen to Palace Park to help you create clay medallion necklaces. First Church of Christ hosts a family square dancing demonstration with renowned square dance caller and instructor Cliff Brodeur from 6:30pm-7:30pm, as well as a chance to ring their church bell up in the historic belfry, for a donation of only $1. Carr Hardware will have a FREE Giraffe themed Bounce Station out front and FREE cotton candy and balloons for the kids, plus great fall specials throughout the store. Crispina Design Workshop sponsors a FREE workshop to learn how to make giant – and we mean REALLY big – fabric flowers with visiting artist Shari Trnka.

Roger the Jester | Hot Harry’s Burritos | 37 North Street |5:30-6:30pm | FREE
Ceramic medallion workshop | Palace Park | North Street | FREE
Square Dance Lessons | First Church Congregational | 28 East Street | 6:30-7:30pm |FREE
Giraffe Bounce Station | Carr Hardware | 537 North Street | FREE
Giant Flower Making | Crispina Design Workshop | 40 Melville St | FREE
Click herer to find out more about the inimitable Roger the Jester!
Get ready for next month with HayMan! scarecrows and Halloween outfits!

Sign up for the very fun (and FREE) HayMan! scarecrow project at 3rd.Thursdays. HayMan! organizers will have a table at Palace Park with information on how you and your friends, family, business or civic group can make your own scarecrow for the downtown display next month. And over at Berkshire Masquerade, they are throwing a Halloween Fashion Show from 5pm to 8pm with cider and snacks, as well as offering 20% off all Halloween costume sales that evening. It’s never too early to dream up your yearly disguise!

HayMan! Signup & Info Table | Palace Park | North Street | 5pm-8pm | FREE
Halloween Fashion Show | Berkshire Masquerade | 431 North Street | 5pm-8pm | FREE

Whether you are going to ski 5 minutes down the road from us at Jiminy Peak, further south at Butternut or Catamount, or if you need a place to crash on the long drive from New York City to the mountains of Southern Vermont, Jericho Valley Inn is here for you.

Winter is Here !

We have been fortunate to have spent more than twenty years in the Berkshire Hospitality business. Our experience has benefited thousands of guests who visit year round.

Each season has it’s own unique appeal. In the days to come we will update this site with new ideas, reviews and recommendations. As an introduction, the following are some tips that we hope will be useful to you whenever you decide to travel … and especially if and when you come to visit us.

* If you’re coming to the Berkshires and plan to stay/eat at places you have enjoyed before, make sure the previous owner/chef is still there. Properties are often sold and chef’s do change jobs. You don’t want to be disappointed.

* Many guests have specific dates when they return to the Berkshires each year. You should consider making a reservation for the coming year before you leave … why not guarantee your accommodations and possibly avoid a rate increase.

*If this is your first visit do some homework to the Berkshires … check out the rest of our website. We have extensive information about cultural attractions, outdoor activities for all seasons, and things to do for the entire family. Take some time to ask your friends who may have travelled here; make calls to some of the possible places you’re interesting in visiting or dining at. If the person you call is rude, or abrupt, or doesn’t understand what you’re looking for or need, why not look elsewhere.

* Try to plan your visit well in advance. Get your tickets and make dinner reservations as early as you can. If you plan to arrive after 9pm, know there that we live the country life in the Berkshires and there are very few restaurants that serve that late. You might consider eating on the way. And on some Mondays or holidays, you could starve to death before you find an open restaurant!

* Remember that if you are attending a performance, everyone else attending will probably also want reservations for dinner at six or six thirty … service will be often poor and your meal will not be enjoyable at some of the better known restaurants. Be flexible. Plan to eat earlier … 5pm perhaps or find a restaurant that serves late; and make sure the restaurant you select is close enough to the venue you are attending so you don’t have to drive too far.

We are sure that that you will have a more enjoyable visit if you follow these simple and time-tested tips.