Would you like to see some of the most beautiful places in the Berkshire communities of Lee and Becket? Join us for a very special tour called “Gardens, Grounds and Properties of Lee.” Taking place on Sunday, June 23rd from noon to 4 p.m. this tour will lead you to six unique Lee and Becket properties. You will be provided with a map which directs you to delightful surprises: music, literature, family farms and even a former brothel. A dairy farm with frozen yogurt will be a refreshing treat and beautiful gardens are certainly on the itinerary.
Tickets are $15 per person or $25 per couple. Get yours at Karen Keenan Gifts on Main Street in Lee or at the Lee Chamber of Commerce booth on Park Place. You can also call 413.243.0852 for more information and to purchase tickets.
Other Special Places to Visit near the B&B
There are so many unique and beautiful attractions in the Berkshires, they are much too numerous for one blog post. However, we will give you a run down of some of the most popular sites in our area:
Norman Rockwell Museum
Tanglewood Jazz Festival, summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Jacob’ Pillow Dance Studio and Festival
Clark Institute
Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art
Greenock Country Club for golf and tennis (across the street from our Inn)
You don’t have to leave our grounds to have a great day. Well, you will need to get dinner…but other than that, Applegate Inn has park-like grounds with a heated pool, lounge furniture and even hammocks. We provide an excellent environment for rest and relaxation.
While you may feel like it is still winter, the Spring has arrived and summer will be just around the corner!
One of the biggest events of the Berkshire summer is the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. This is the longest-running dance festival in the nation; Jacob’s Pillow plays host to more than 50 dance companies. There will be over 350 free and ticketed performances, talks, exhibits, films, classes, tours, and community events. The festival takes place over 10 weeks (mostly weekends) of the summer, starting with the Opening Gala on Saturday June 15th and ending the last weekend of August.
Pre-Season Tickets
Jacob’s Pillow is offering a variety of different ways to get to the front of the line when ordering tickets for the performances you want to see the most.
By becoming a member (minimum $60 donation) a subscriber (purchase tickets to 5 or more events) you can purchase your tickets before April 8, when they go on sale to the public. Click to view a PDF with the ordering calendar and more information about tickets.
Subscriber Packages
If you are unsure which performances you would like to attend when becoming a subscriber, Jacob’s Pillow has grouped shows together based on themes: Around the World, Ballet Lovers, Music Lovers, American Artists and the Variety Package.
2103 Festival Highlights
Here are a couple of the performances already slated for early this summer:
DANCE THEATER OF HARLEM (June 19-23) The preeminent American dance company opens the Festival with The Lark Ascending by Alvin Ailey, George Balanchine’s masterwork Agon, and more.
COMPAGNIE KÄFIG (June 26-30) The sold-out hip-hop show of 2012 returns! Experience the virtuosity, humor, and irresistible energy of this unique production from Brazil and France.
Lodging in Lee, MA
Our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast is located in the quaint town of Lee, about 20 minutes away from Jacob’s Pillow. We are business partners with the dance company and one of the most convenient accommodations to the festival.
One of America’s consummate satirists is coming to the Berkshires! It is not too early to buy your ticket for David Sedaris’ show in Great Barrington on April 6. A quick 20 minute drive from our Berkshires bed and breakfast in Lee brings you to the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, at 14 Castle St. where Sedaris will be speaking.
With sardonic wit and incisive social critiques, David Sedaris is established as one of America’s dominant humor writers. With great skill, Sedaris cuts through through cultural euphemisms and political correctness, showing Sedaris as master of satire and one of the most observant writers addressing the human condition today.
“Mr. Sedaris tells the first fable from the point of view of a curious owl that asks questions of the more interesting prey. This owl is on a quest to be more than just his appetites and drive to hunt. If the prey has an interesting story, the owl releases it only to watch his parasitic (and hilariously stupid) family show up to eat the poor creatures anyway. The tales are told in a matter of fact style that is both absurd and surreal. I have yet to shake the image of the owl’s passive aggressive mother arriving as he is about to snack on an unfortunate rabbit.
Good storytellers reveal the world more than tell the listener or reader something new. There are a multitude of facts on this planet but Sedaris crafts the story behind them and puts a kaleidoscope spin on even scientific facts. As part of the owl fable, there is something revealed about leeches and hippos that could have been a gross out moment. I took away a new attitude about leeches and a new respect for gerbils.”
If you are a Sedaris fan, this is a night well worth the $45 – $65 ticket price.
The Berkshires is known as an artful place – whether it’s the Tanglewood Music Festival, charming art galleries in town or performances, we have a rich cultural tradition here.
10×10 New Play Festival at Barrington Stage Company
Running through March 3rd at the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center. 36 Linden Street, Pittsfield MA.
Thurs-Fri-Sat at 7:30 p.m.; Sat-Sun at 3 p.m.
$20 Thursday evenings and Sat-Sun matinees; $25 Friday and Saturday evenings
Head to Pittsfield, about 20 minutes north of our Berkshire Inn, to the St. Germain Stage for an evening of ten 10-minute plays by 10 different playwrights, featuring seven talented actors as part of the 2013 10×10 Upstreet Arts Festival. Fortunately for you, the show is running for an extended three week period!
The Lair by Shakespeare & Company in Lenox
The Liar by Shakespeare & Company in Lenox MA.
Running through March 24th at the Elayne P. Bernstein Theater. 70 Kemble Street, Lenox MA.
Fri-Sat at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.
$22-$42 for Friday and Saturdays; $15-$25 for Sunday matinees
A tangled web of lies, misdirected advances and the unmistakable confusion of love, The Liar has all of the ingredients that make for a great French farce.
The truth will set most people free, but for Dorante, the disingenuous hero, a sequence of fibs may pave a convoluted road to happiness. A hilarious farce about mistaken identity, The Liar was originally penned by the classic 17th-century French playwright Pierre Corneille, in 1664. This adaptation by award-winning American playwright David Ives merges the iambic humor of classic verse with a contemporary twist.
Let Us Be Your Berkshires Lodging!
Whatever brings you to the Berkshires, theater or Tanglewood, Skiing or sketching, we would love to host you in our elegant and spacious inn, located in Lee, MA.
Are you a fan of Downton Abbey? Does the phrase “Call me Ishmael” have a special meaning for you? If you said “yes” to either of these statements, we have some upcoming Berkshire events that might peak your interest.
Herman Melville’s home, named Arrowhead, is the site where Moby Dick was written. The home will be open during the holiday season on weekends through January 13 for public tours. Hours are 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. with tours on the hour at 11,12,1 and 2. The shop is open with gifts for all the history and literature buffs in your life.
Also recently opened is The Melville Trail. The intent of the Trail is to deepen the public’s understanding of Herman Melville’s connection to and love of many places in Berkshire County. Four of his most beloved locales now have permanent interpretive panels. Find them at Arrowhead, Pontoosuc Lake, Berkshire Athenaeum and Monument Mountain.
Arrowhead – the home of Herman Melville in Pittsfield MA
Also included on the trail are eight more places that Melville loved. Park Square, Hancock Shaker Village, Crane Museum of Paper Making, Balance Rock, Lenox Court House, Tanglewood/Hawthorne Cottage, October Mountain and of course Mount Greylock.
Although Melville’s work belongs to the world, it was the Berkshires that inspired him.
Ventfort Hall Mansion
On Saturday January 12 at 3 p.m. the Gilded Age Museum at Ventfort Hall presents a Tea and Talk. “Lords, Ladies & Mummies: The Story of Highclere Castle, the Real Downton Abbey” will be the subject with Curt DiCamillo as the speaker. DiCamillo is an architectural historian and a recognized authority on the British country house. The lecture coincides with the third season of the highly popular fictional television series Downton Abbey returning to American television. A snow date has been scheduled for Saturday, January 19, at 3:00 pm. A Victorian High Tea will follow the program.
Looking for a Massachusetts Getaway? We hope you will consider staying at our romantic Berkshire bed and breakfast – we would love to be your hosts!
As the weather gets cold and the night sets in early, a great way to spend the evening out is at a concert. Forget about the cold and the wet outside while enjoying the pulse of the beat and the warmth you feel while dancing or hearing your favorite song.
Upcoming Concerts in the Berkshires Area
Gaia Roots: The Colonial Theatre (111 South Street, Pittsfield, MA ) Gaia Roots World Music and Dance Ensemble is an all-female performance troupe that blends drumming, dance and vocal harmonies into a unique enactment of traditional music and original creations. They draw inspiration from the roots music of West Africa, the Caribbean and many other traditions from around the world. November 24th. Performance & Workshop: $15 at 7pm; Workshop only: $10 at 7pm; Performance only: $10 at 8pm.
Mary Verdi and Tony Lee Thomas host Christmas at The Colonial Theater (111 South Street, Pittsfield, MA): This lively show begins the holiday season with all your favorite Christmas songs! Mary Verdi is a local singer and songwriter who takes the stage with her seven piece band, bell choir, dancers, children singers and of course Santa Claus! Don’t miss this family-friendly Christmas show! December 1 at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
The Temptations: Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center (14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA):The Temptations are known as one of the most acclaimed and successful acts to record for Motown records. December 2at7pm. Tickets $80-$50.
Arlo Guthrie: The Colonial Theater (111 South Street, Pittsfield, MA): With Woody’s 100th birthday approaching, Arlo’s new solo tour is a celebration of Woody Guthrie’s immeasurable contributions to the landscape of American folk music. Best known for his song “This Land is Our Land,” Woody was a giant in the folk movement, inspiring a generation of new folk musicians, including Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Bob Dylan and of course his son, Arlo. December 6 at 8pm.
If any of these artists or shows peak your interest, consider making a real event out of it with a stay at our fine Lenox, MA bed and breakfast. We have several specials you might want to take advantage of – including a romance package, mid-week specials (some of the concerts are mid-week) and more.
The 78th Annual Harvest Festival in Stockbridge, MA will have a farmer’s market, children’s activities, live music, vendors selling fine crafts and much more!
Saturday & Sunday ~ 10 am to 5 pm
The annual Harvest Festival in Stockbridge, MA is a long-standing Berkshires tradition. Locals and visitors gather every year in the beautiful setting of the Berkshire Botanical Garden to celebrate community and the harvest season.
This family friendly Berkshires event has plenty of opportunities to shop and to learn. Vendors will be selling handcrafted jewelry, ceramics, textile arts and more. There will also be a silent auction and plant sales. The farmer’s market will feature fresh locally grown produce. A food court and bakery will give visitors a wonderful chance to taste the work of local food artisans’ baked delights, burgers, sausages, chocolates and other fine foods. Learning opportunities include workshops and demonstrations–watch a blacksmith at work and see thread spun before your very eyes.
The Harvest Festival in the Berkshires is a favorite for children of all ages. Hay rides, face painting, balloon animals, a hay maze, crafting and kid-friendly farm animals are just a few of the fun activities kids love at the festival. This year, there are a few new additions too: horseback riding, an obstacle course by the Southern Berkshire Community Center and a monster photo booth will be sure to entertain everyone in the family!
Live music will set the mood with a swing jazz quartet and a banjo and fiddle duo. Buskers will also be out and about to keep the music going throughout the garden. It’s an altogether lovely celebration during a gorgeous time of year in the botanical garden.
Come to the festival at 5 West Stockbridge Road in Stockbridge on the Berkshire Botanical Garden grounds. Parking is free. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children under 12. It’s all for a good cause; proceeds support Berkshire Botanical Garden education programs. For more information, please visit BerkshireBotanical.org/Harvest_Festival.
If you love jazz, the Berkshires delivers! Jazz has long been an important part of Berkshires culture. In the 50s and 60s, the Music Inn, the Music Barn and the Lenox School of Jazz were important venues for both jazz concerts and education. This great American musical tradition continues with Berkshires jazz festivals and individual performances throughout the year. There are two festivals to look forward to as fall approaches. Both are conveniently close to our Berkshires B&B. You can book your luxurious Berkshires accommodations at Applegate Inn in time for these jazz festivals and the display of spectacular fall color!
Vocalist and pianist Karrin Allyson, Saxophonist Charles Neville and the Sonny & Perley jazz duo are the three headlining acts of the 2012 Berkshire Gateway Jazz Weekend. Flickr photo by Tom Beetz.
Berkshire Gateway Jazz Weekend 2012
The first of the two festivals, the 2012 Berkshire Gateway Jazz Weekend is September 14-16. In addition to performances by various local and regional musicians, there will be three headline acts that weekend:
Friday, September 14, 2012 ~ 8-10 pm: Sonny & Perley, the husband and wife jazz duo, will play their distinctive blend of jazz, Brazilian and International Cabaret styles. @ The Spectrum Theatre ~ 20 Franklin Street in Lee, MA
Two concerts are on Saturday, September 15, 2012 @ the First Congregational Church ~ 25 Park Place in Lee, MA
2-4pm: Charles Neville of the Neville Brothers is a master of the saxophone, with over 50 years playing R&B, funk, jazz and pop music.
8-11 pm: Karrin Allyson, Grammy nominated vocalist and pianist, will perform with the Amherst Jazz Orchestra, thrilling you with the heart and virtuosity of their music.
The second festival is the 8th Annual Pittsfield City Jazz Festival, October 5-13. For over a week, various venues around downtown Pittsfield will feature jazz music of incredible variety and depth.
October 5-7, 2012 Jazz About Town: Local jazz musicians will be playing in various restaurants, bars and cafes throughout Pittsfield.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012: Adam O’Farrill and his quartet will play their Berkshires debut at the Berkshire Athenaeum ~ 1 Wendell Avenue in Pittsfield, MA. Note: The time is yet to be announced.
Friday, October 12, 2012: The Jazz Arts Trio headed by concert pianist Frederick Moyer.
8 pm at the Sydelle & Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center ~ 36 Linden Street in Pittsfield, MA (413) 236-8888
Saturday, October 13, 2012: The New England Jazz Ensemble, a 16-piece big band, will perform with jazz/blues vocalist Giacomo Gates and flutist Ali Ryerson. The Berkshires Jazz Youth Ensemble will also play. 8 pm at the Colonial Theatre ~ 111 South Street in Pittsfield, MA (413) 997-4444
For more information about the 2012 Pittsfield Jazz Festival, please visit BerkshiresJazz.org. For ticket sales, please call each venue for details.
Don’t miss these exciting opportunities to experience jazz in the Berkshires!
In addition to balmy days and lush gardens, summer in the Berkshires brings the return of some of our favorite cultural events of the year. Berkshire-area festivals offer the unique opportunity not only to enjoy fantastic performances, but also to learn from these nationally and internationally famous actors, dancers and musicians. Aspiring artists of all disciplines can visit the Berkshires to hone their own crafts and be inspired by the very best.
Tanglewood 2012
This summer is a very special one for Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO). 2012 marks the 75th anniversary of Tanglewood and the world-renown concert series is pulling out all the stops.The season officially opens on July 6, 2012 and will continue all summer with a wonderful variety of musical performances by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, famous guest conductors and musicians. The highlight event will be on July 14th: The Tanglewood 75th Anniversary Gala. It’ll be a night to remember with dazzling performances by BSO, Boston Pops, Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, John Williams, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Yo-Yo Ma, James Taylor and other celebrated musicians at Tanglewood. For tickets, scheduling and additional information, visit BSO.org.
Jacob’s Pillow 2012
One of our favorite Berkshire summer events is already underway. This summer is the 80th Anniversary of the Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival. In July, you won’t want to miss Vertigo Dance Company from Israel (July 4-8) and the return of Tero Saarinen’s very popular, Shaker-inspired Borrowed Light. The Hong Kong ballet will debut at Jacob’s Pillow July 18-22, 2012. These are just a few of the great dance performances offered in July. For a full schedule, tickets and more information, visit jacobspillow.org.
Professional Theater and Performances
Live performances and summer theater in the Berkshires are also heating up. The five theaters of the Berkshire Theater Group have a great summer season of premier live entertainment, from Hip Hop to cabaret. You can learn more and get your tickets at berkshiretheatregroup.org. Other great resources for professional summer theater and performances include:
Coming up on Father’s day weekend, the second annual Berkshire British Motorcar Festival will be held in once again in downtown Lenox! First presented as the Tanglewood British Motorcar Festival and held on the same weekend last year, and with nearly 350 British Motorcars in attendance, the event was a big success!
This year the event will be based on the property of Shakespeare & Company, conveniently located within walking distance of downtown Lenox. Friday afternoon will kick off with the Fun Rally, the Registrant’s Reception at the Gateways Inn, and the evening Street Party showing off the participating British Motorcars parked on the diagonal downtown, with live band and street vendors providing food and entertainment.
Friday through Sunday, the British Car Corral and British Market Place & Auto Jumble will be held. The British Car Coral is a special location on the show grounds to sell or buy British Cars. The British Market Place & Auto Jumble is a collection of British Companies and vendors selling British or British like products and services. Hard-to-find motorcar spares, motoring accessories, picnicking accessories, motoring regalia, restoration service providers, fashion items, and more.
Saturday the judged competition “Concours d’Elegance” will be held, cars will be judge based on criteria including mechanical operation, paint, interior, woodworking, undercarriage, chrome, engine compartment, and authenticity, and of course must be British, over 15 years old, and may not be replicas.
Sunday a second driving tour takes off in the morning, exploring the scenic back roads of the Berkshires, and culminating back at Shakespeare & Company. The Tailgate Picnic Competition has become a “Classic” and perhaps one of the best Tailgate Competitions on the East Coast! A jolly good display of creativity, good food, and things British, awards will be given including: Most Elegant, Most Creative, Most British, Best Costume, Best Tasting, Most Humorous, and Most Shakespearean.
If you are celebrating Father’s Day in the Berkshires, this is an event you won’t want to miss! Applegate Inn is located just a ten minute drive from Main Street Lenox, visit our website or check our room availability, and contact us if you are looking for a last minute room!
One of the best parts of summer at our Bed and Breakfast Berkshires is the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. If you hope to witness it in 2012–the 80th anniversary of the festival–it’s time to start making plans.
The line-up at Jacob’s Pillow is always superlative. Highlights in 2012 include:
Opening Dance Party, with performances by CIRCA, Mimulus, David Halberg, and others, and dancing by all.
Morphoses World Premier. Arresting visuals, gorgeous dancing, and a new score. Fabulous.
Mimulus. An exciting blend of samba, contemporary dance, and imaginative visuals design.
Leesaar The Company. A “gutsy, brainy modern-dance troupe” (from The New York Times).
The Men Dancers: From the Horse’s Mouth. A unique, extraordinary event.
Jonah Bokaer x David Hallberg. A rare opportunity to see some of today’s most extraordinary artists in an intimate setting.
Doug Elkins and Friends’ Fräulein Maria. An uproarious deconstruction of Rodgers and Hammersteins musical The Sound of Music.
As always, there will be free outdoor performances by the dancers of The School at Jacob’s Pillow every Wednesday through Saturday at 6:25 p.m.
It’s impossible to go wrong at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, for every performance is worth seeing. The setting is beautiful, the art extraordinary. It’s the perfect place to spend a summer evening.
The 80th Anniversary Festival runs June 16 – August 26, 2012. Visit Jacob’s Pillow for more information and tickets, then book your room at our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast.
Ventfort Hall, Mansion and Gilded Age Museum, in Lenox.
Celebrate Mother’s Day Weekend this year at our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast, and take mom to the Pre-Mother’s Day Pink Tea and Ballet at Ventfort Hall.
The Pre-Mother’s Day Pink Tea and Ballet begins on Saturday, May 12, 2012, at 3:30 p.m. Entertainment is by the American Dance Insitute Ensemble, the Albany Berkshire Ballet Junior Company, and the Catarella School of Dance. A special pink tea and refreshments will be served after the ballet.
Ventfort Hall is a historic mansion and Gilded Age Museum in Lenox, Massachusetts, not far from our Berkshires Inn. Built in 1893 for Sarah Morgan (sister to J.P.), this Jacobean Revival-style mansion is being restored to its former glory.
The first floor of Ventfort Hall is home to The Museum of the Gilded Age. As the name suggests, exhibits focus of the life and times of the Gilded Age, which lasted from the late 1860s to the end of the century.
Currently on exhibit is “Les Petites Dames de Mode”, 59 exquisite miniature fashion models that portray the history of women’s fashion from 1855 to 1914. The ladies and their fabulous costumes were lovingly created by John R. Burbidge, who was Senior Designer for the famous bridal house, Priscilla of Boston prior to his retirement. This was a labor of love.
Bring Mom–either your mother or the mother of your children–to our Bed and Breakfast Berkshires for Mother’s Day this year. Spend the weekend exploring the area, and enjoy a special Pre-Mother’s Day Pink Tea and Ballet at Ventfort Hall. Moms deserve to be treated well.
Additional information is available at Ventfort Hall.
Many of the people who travel to Berkshires Bed and Breakfasts come from the large metropolitan areas of New York, Boston, and Hartford. Others come from smaller cities in and around the Northeast: Albany, NY; Manchester, NH; Worcester, MA. We have many guests from Canada and many from the Midwest. New England draws people from everywhere.
Experience The Ring Cycle at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington.
Spending an evening at one of our local theaters is a favorite activity for guests of Berkshire Inns, no matter where they call home.
The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington offers sensational programming year-round. Dance, music, theater, opera, and film are all showcased in this restored, historic theater. In the next two months alone, guests of Applegate Inn may:
Watch the 1953 film Titanic (April 15)
Hear China’s “Empress of Pipa”, soloist Liu Fang and CEWM–Trade Winds–From China with Love (April 21)
Laugh with Comedian Bobby Collins (May 5)
Experience The Met Opera Ring Cycle (May 7-20)
The newly restored Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield also offers year-round programming. On April 17, 2012, our guests may see The Magic of Bill Blagg Live, a show that has been called “The Second City meets David Copperfield.” Bon Journey, a Bon Jovi and Journey tribute band, performs on April 20; and the Bronx Wanderers take the stage on the 27th to share their love of doo-wop and rock n’ roll.
Adding theater to a Berkshires Bed and Breakfast getaway makes time here that much more memorable. So go ahead, have a night out on the town in Pittsfield or Great Barrington.
Did you know that there is music at The Clark Art Institute?
If you time your stay at our Berkshire Inn right, you’ll be able to enjoy the ongoing music series offered at The Clark. In the coming weeks, the Clark will play host to a varied lineup.
Arron and Park perform at The Clark on March 4.
Victor Hill Concert, Sunday, February 26, 2102. If you’ve never heard Victor Hill make music on his harpsichord, don’t miss this free solo recital. Bach’s “Chromatic Fantasy and Fuge” and selected sonatas by Giuseppe Domenico Scarlatti will be featured, along with a suite by François Couperin. 3:00 p.m.
Dual Recital by Edward Arron (Cello) and Jeewon Park (Piano), Sunday, March 4, 2012. Chopin, Debussy, Beach, and Mendelssohn will be well treated by Arron and Park. Meet the artists at a reception immediately following the concert. 3:00 p.m.
John Pizzarelli, Friday, April 6, 2012. This world-renowned jazz guitarist and singer is praised for “reinvigorating the Great American Songbook and re-popularizing jazz” (The Boston Globe). It is sure to be a fun evening. 8:00 p.m.
The Clark will broadcast two Met “live in HD” operas in the coming weeks: Verdi’s Emani on Saturday, February 25 at 1:00 p.m. and Massenet’s Manon on Saturday, April 7 at noon.
Come to the Festival of Trees at The Berkshire Museum.
It’s hard not like Christmas trees. They’re pretty. They sparkle. They smell good. Christmas trees evoke the best of the holidays.
Surround yourself with Christmas trees the next time you come to our luxury Berkshires Bed and Breakfast this winter. “Under the Big Top: Festival of Trees 2011” runs at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield from November 18 to January 2, 2012. The more than 100 decorated Christmas are just part of the extravaganza.
The circus theme conveyed with “Under the Big Top” is underscored on November 18, during the Opening Night Party. As guests enjoy drinks and tasty appetizers, atmospheric aerialists, towering stilt walkers, and a nimble contortionist will move among them. Circus workshops take place the following day for children aged 8 to 16. Walls will be lined with circus posters, circus memorabilia, and circus photographs throughout the duration of the exhibition.
The circus comes to town again on December 31st for a Circus Spectacular at the Berkshire Museum. Acrobats, jugglers, and contortionists will take the stage at 11 a.m. What a cheerful way to bid 2011 farewell.
The Berkshire Museum has several interesting permanent exhibits as well. See toys created by Alexander Calder in 1927, walk through the Feigenbaum Hall of Innovation, and gaze at the wondrous underwater world of the Aquarium, on the museum’s lowest level.
Plan an enchanting getaway at our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast sometime between November 18, 2011 and January 2, 2012, and stop by the “Under the Big Top: Festival of Trees.”
Soon Stockbridge will recreate the Norman Rockwell painting, "Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas."
Each December for the past 21 years, the town of Stockbridge has recreated the famous Norman Rockwell Christmas painting done of its main street. December 3 and 4, 2011 will be the 22nd year of this tradition. As in past years, guests of our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast will arrive from various cities to experience a Norman Rockwell Christmas.
Norman Rockwell lived and worked in Stockbridge for the last 25 years of his life. His painting, “Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas,” took more than ten years for him to complete. Year after year, he visited Main Street in the weeks before Christmas and photographed what he saw. The resulting painting captured the essence of an American small town during the Christmas holiday.
In just a few weeks, classic automobiles will take their spots in front of festively decorated shops on Main Street. They’ll reflect the decade it took Rockwell to complete his painting, just as they do in the painting itself. Look for the 1955 red Mercury with a Christmas tree tied to its roof, and the wagon with the spare tire on it’s rear door.
While much has remained the same in Stockbridge since the sixties, there are a few differences between today’s reality and the canvas. The streets will undoubtedly be more crowded on December 3rd and 4th than they are in the painting. People will not be dressed the same. The historic Red Lion Inn will be well lit and cheerfully decorated for the holidays, not dark and closed for the season, as it is in the painting.
Yet these differences are insignificant. The essence of this historic town in the Berkshires is the same, just as the essence of Christmas is the same.
Spend the weekend of December 3, 2011 at our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast, and step into a Norman Rockwell painting.
Each summer we look forward to a new season of Concerts at Tannery Pond. Held in an 1834 Shaker Tannery on the grounds of the Darrow School in New Lebanon, NY, the Concerts at Tannery Pond offer stellar performances in a low-key, uncrowded setting. If you love Tanglewood but sometimes find yourselves overwhelmed by crowds, consider a concert at Tannery Pond. Tannery Pond is approximately 20 miles from our Bed and Breakfast Berkshires.
Attend a Concert at Tannery Pond while staying at our Lee MA Bed and Breakfast.
Concerts at Tannery Pond run from the end of May to mid September. Only 2 performances remain in 2011:
the Arabella Ensemble on September 3 at 8 p.m., and the Harlem String Quartet on September 17 at 6 p.m. Both promise to be outstanding.
The 25th annual Berkshire Jewish Film Festival is currently underway in Lenox, just minutes away from our luxury Berkshires Bed and Breakfast. Both cinephiles and people interested in the Jewish culture and religion should take note.
The Berkshire Jewish Film Festival runs Mondays July 11 through August 22, 2011. Read on for a list of remaining films:
Brothers examines the debate of separation of state and religion through the relationship of two brothers, a secular kibbutz Israeli and an orthodox Torah scholar living in the U.S. August 1 at 4 p.m.
Barney’s Version is based on Mordecai Richler’s comic novel of the same name. It follows Barney Panofsky – politically incorrect, irascible, impulsive, and blunt. Starring Paul Giamatti, Dustin Hoffman, and Minnie Driver. August 1 at 8 p.m.
Mahler on the Couch and Making Music is a behind the scenes look at Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Swedish Radio Symphonic Orchestra. August 8 at 4 p.m.
In Miral, audiences follow a Palestinian girl in the wake of Arab-Israeli war. August 15 at 4 p.m.
Anita follows a young woman with Down Syndrome lost in Buenos Aires after the 1994 attack on the Jewish Community Center. August 15, 8 p.m.
Women Unchained documents the struggles of several women to obtain a “get” or Jewish divorce, and move on with their lives. “According to traditional Jewish law, a woman who is an “augur” (from the Hebrew word meaning “chained”) cannot remarry.” August 22 at 4 p.m.
Following Women Unchained, there will a closing reception and a concert by Joshua Nelson and his Kosher Gospel.
All screenings take place at the Duffin Theater at the Lenox Memorial High School, 197 East Street, Lenox. It is approximately five miles from our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast. Seating is general admission.
Extend your weekend getaway into a long weekend. Stay at our Lenox Bed and Breakfast some Monday night this August, and see a wonderful film or two at the Berkshire Jewish Film Festival. You’ll have that much longer to experience the natural beauty and cultural offerings of the Massachusetts Berkshires.
Planning a long weekend at our luxury Bed and Breakfast Berkshires? Consider spending an evening at The Theater Barn, in nearby New Lebanon, NY.
The Theater Barn specializes in making audiences smile. This is entertainment at its finest: talented performers tackle everything from musical theater to classic whodunits and romantic comedies. The theater is air conditioned (a perfect spot on a hot Sunday afternoon) and the snack bar full of tasty treats.
The Theater Barn’s 2011 Season began July 1 and concludes September 25:
Spend an evening at The Theater Barn when staying at our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast.
The Hollow: a classic Agatha Christie murder mystery. 7.14 – 7.24.
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change: it played Off-Broadway for 12 years, wowing audiences. 7.28 – 8.7.
The Andrews Brothers: this “swinging tribute to the music of World War II” runs 8.11 – 8.22.
The Drowsy Chaperone: a 1920s Broadway show comes to life in the apartment of a modern-day fan. 8.25 – 9.4.
Stones in His Pockets: a quirky, unexpected Irish comedy. 9.9 – 9.25
Performances at The Theater Barn take place Thursday through Sunday. Any of the upcoming shows would be a delightful addition to a long weekend at our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast near Lenox, MA.
Many folks who stay at our Lenox Massachusetts Bed and Breakfast arrive in the Berkshires expecting to find relief from the stifling summer heat of Boston or New York City, and they do. They arrive expecting to find unparalleled art and cultural offerings, and they’re not disappointed.
Some guests arrive at our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast with tickets in hand to see performances at Tanglewood or Jacob’s Pillow. They come ready to see the latest exhibit at The Clark or the Norman Rockwell Museum. Some come with a plan to visit Hancock Shaker Village.
A delightful surprise for many of our midweek guests are the free concerts in Lilac Park on Wednesday nights.
See the Sister City Jazz Ambassadors at the Lenox Concerts in the Park.
Lilac Park is on Main Street in Lenox – a very charming place to enjoy live music. Some listeners bring picnics, while others dine early or late at one of the restaurants within walking distance of the park:
Rumpy’s Tavern: a great spot for drinks.
Rumplestiltzkin’s Restaurant: enjoy a meal full of seasonal offerings.
Frankie’s Ristorante Italiano: hearty, tasty Italian fare.
Lilac Park Concert Schedule for July, 2011:
7.6: The Berkshire Highlanders
7.13: JoAnne Redding and her Band
7.20 Sister City Jazz Ambassadors
7.27 Jazz Tuber Trio
Back in 1981, a group of Senate staffers thought it would be fun to publicly satirize the very people who employed them. Actually, a few of Senator Charles Percy’s staffers tried to put together a nativity play for a Christmas party, but were unable to find three wise men or a virgin on Capitol Hill; instead, they created some satirical skits and songs based on the headlines of the day. They had a great time and they were well received – thirty years later, they’re still doing it.
See the Capitol Steps this summer while vacationing at our Lenox Bed and Breakfast.
Most of the current members of the Capitol Steps have, at one time or another, worked on Capitol Hill. In the end, they found it was more fun to gently mock and satirize current events than to be actively involved in them.
Capitol Steps celebrates their 30th Anniversary this year with a summer in the Massachusetts Berkshires. Capitol Steps will perform nightly (except Tuesdays) from July 2 to September 3, 2011, at Cranwell Resort, which is just a few miles from our Lenox MA Bed and Breakfast.
The show starts at 8 p.m. and lasts 90 minutes. Enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants at the resort before the show, or linger for a late night meal and drinks after the show. We look forward to hearing about your favorite bits sometime back at our Berkshires lodging.
For tickets or more information about these summer performances, please visit Capitol Steps.
New England is a wonderful place to spend the 4th of July. After all, some of the first stirrings of revolution took place in Massachusetts back in the 18th century. The 4th of July is always festive here at our Bed and Breakfast Lenox MA.
Guests of our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast are welcome to swim and lounge by the pool all day on the 4th. Yet those who want to get out and about may enjoy the following activities:
Shakespeare & Co. in Lenox puts on a free but heart-felt reading of the Declaration of Independence each July 4th. This year, the reading will be preceded by Revolutionary Moments, a collection of vignettes that divulge Shakespeare’s influence “on some of history’s most fascinating figures.” The afternoon concludes with a community barbecue. More information is available at Shakespeare & Co.
Learn the Samba at Jacob's Pillow on July 2, 2011.
There will be many free events and classes offered at Jacob’s Pillow throughout the weekend. More information is available at Jacob’s Pillow.
The 2011 4th of July Pittsfield Parade will feature almost 140 marching units. It feels historically significant. More information is available at Pittsfield Parade.
We look forward to welcoming guests to our Berkshires lodging for the 4th of July, 2011.
The Massachusetts Berkshires is truly a unique environment. The setting is pastoral, with rolling farmland, mature forests, and some of the oldest mountains in the country. The Appalachian Trail passes close to our Berkshires Lodging – evidence of the remarkable opportunities for outdoor recreation that exist in the region. Yet unlike many areas where nature looms large and beautiful, culture thrives here as well.
Blake Barn, at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival.
Internationally renowned dancers and musicians travel to the region to perform in several different venues. Tanglewood, summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, also showcases such artists as the Mark O’Connor String Quartet and master story-teller Garrison Keillor. MASS MoCA (the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art) sponsors Bartleby’s Pen, a Friday night series of lively discussions lead by prominent literary figures, and The Clark Art Institute periodically screens Broadway performances.
One of the most thrilling opportunities for both residents and travelers to our Berkshires Inn is Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, which takes place each summer. Many of the artists featured at Jacob’s Pillow make only a handful of appearances in the United States, and most of those performances take place in large metropolitan areas. Yet they travel to the Massachusetts Berkshires to participate in Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, which The New York Times has called “the dance center of the nation and possibly the world.”
Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival 2011 runs June 18 through August 28. During the course of the festival, there will be performances by more than 50 dance companies and more than 200 free performances, talks, and special events. Spectators will be treated to:
the U.S. debut of 3e Etage: Soloists and Dancers of the Paris Opera.
a 30th anniversary performance by the Mark Morris Dance Group
the U.S. premiere of Supernatural Wife by Big Dance Theater
Argentinean tango by dancers and musicians of Tangueros del Sol
The list goes on and on, for Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival is all about bringing world-class dance performances to viewers.
When sweltering summer days cause residents of Boston, New York, and Hartford to head for the hills, take heart. There is no need to sacrifice the arts just because you’ve escaped from the city. It is simple to experience great theatre, dance, and music during a summer getaway at our Lenox MA Bed and Breakfast.
The Williamstown Theatre Festival, founded in 1955, is just one example of the superlative arts found in the Massachusetts Berkshires. The festival runs from June 22 to August 28, 2011.
Three Hotels, by Jon Robin Baitz (June 19 – July 24)
A Streetcar Named Desire, by Tennesee Williams (June 22 – July 3)
She Stoops to Conquer, by Oliver Goldsmith (July 27 – August 7)
One Slight Hitch, by Lewis Black (July 6 – 17)
Ten Cents a Dance, by John Doyle (August 11 – 28)
A Doll’s House, by Henrik Ibsen (July 20 – 31)
Touch(ed), by Bess Wohl (August 3 – 14)
You Better Sit Down: tales from my parents’ divorce, directed by Anne Kauffman (August 16 – 21)
The Williamstown Theatre Festival is located in Williamstown, approximately one hour from our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast. Spend the afternoon lounging by the pool before your night at the theatre.
Jacob’s Pillow and MASS MoCA are collaborating to bring Los Muñequitos de Matanzas to Hunter Center at MASS MoCA on April 30 and May 1, 2011. Spend that weekend at our luxury Berkshires Bed and Breakfast, enjoying the beautiful outdoors and a fantastic performance.
Los Muñequitos de Matanzas is one of the most popular bands in Cuba. The 16 drummers, vocalists and dancers fill the stage with movement and music. It is difficult to remain still while watching and listening to them. People of all ages will enjoy this show – not surprising, since the performers include three generations from one family.
Los Muñequitos de Matanzas has not been in the United States since they were nominated for a Grammy Award in 2001. We are lucky to have them perform so close to our Lee MA Bed and Breakfast.
Los Muñequitos de Matanzas at MASS MoCA, April 30 and May 1, 2011.
For additional information, please visit MASS MoCA.
Berkshire Special Places Tour
Berkshire Art Galleries in Lee
Things to do in the Berkshires: Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Lee