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Open for Summer
Like summertime flowers, venues throughout the Berkshires are opening fast and furious, with compelling events at such notables as Tanglewood, The Clark and a host of others. Here’s an overview of the latest news; for a full schedule of upcoming events, see the calendar at berkshires.org.
Tanglewood Season Opens with Les Troyens
 In an unprecedented presentation of opera at Tanglewood, James Levine will open the Boston Symphony’s 2008 Tanglewood season with a concert performance of Berlioz’ monumental opera Les Troyens, featuring the BSO, a stellar cast of internationally acclaimed singers, and the full-complement Tanglewood Festival Chorus. This grand work will be performed in two parts: Saturday, July 5 (Part I) and Sunday, July 6 (Part II). In his fourth summer as BSO music director, Maestro Levine will also lead the BSO in six performances. Click here for the full schedule of events.
Tanglewood Rolls Out the Red Carpet
Tanglewood visitors can take advantage of a variety of amenities for their trip; details are available at the Tanglewood Visitors  Center and at tanglewood.org. The BSO offers coach service that leaves Symphony Hall in Boston at 4:30 p.m. on most Fridays and Saturdays (see tanglewood.org for a complete schedule), stops at the MBTA Green Line Riverside stop at 5 p.m., and arrives at Tanglewood for the evening performance. One round-trip ticket is $30. Patrons can also take advantage of pre-ordered meals, lawn chair rentals, a panel discussion series and free hour-long walking tours of Tanglewood for BSO ticket holders.
Stone Hill Center: Intimately Scaled Galleries Amid Serene Natural Beauty
On June 22, the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute will open the eagerly awaited Stone Hill Center, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Tadao Ando and blending gracefully into the landscape with a network of scenic trails and paths.  The Center houses the Williamstown Art Conservation Center (WACC) and 2,500 square feet of intimate galleries. The inaugural exhibition, Homer and Sargent from the Clark, features iconic paintings from the Clark's collection and complementing Like Breath on Glass: Whistler, Inness, and the Art of Painting Softly on view in the Clark's other galleries. Both exhibitions will be on view June 22 through October 19.
Unbeatable Combo: Chocolate & Wine
 Get yourself to the Lindt Chocolate Shop at Prime Outlets Lee on Sunday June 22 for a chance to partake of chocolate and wine with master chocolatier Ann Czaja. Lindt’s Chocolate & Wine Tasting Event happens 3-7 p.m., and visitors will receive 10% off a purchase of $25 or more. Czaja will sign copies of her book, Lindt Chocolate Passion. This event is free and open to the public; call (413)243-0637 for information.
Berkshire Theatre Festival Celebrates 80th Birthday
 The Berkshire Theatre Festival celebrates the opening of its 80th anniversary season on Saturday, June 21 with special events and the performance of George Bernard Shaw’s Candida. During intermission, BTF will auction a “Best of the Berkshires” package, and afterward the audience can join the cast and company under the tent for specialty cakes and native strawberries. Tickets, including the post-performance reception, are $80. For information call 413-298-5536 ext. 13.
3rd Thursday Puts Pizzazz in Your Week
Live music, contemporary art, great dining and shopping late! Mark your calendar:  Pittsfield will hold 3rd Thursdays downtown celebrations on June 19, July 17, August 21, September 18 and October 16 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (and beyond). On 3rd Thursdays Pittsfield streets come alive with musicians, artists, activities, sidewalk dining, after hours shopping and much more. A flyer guide is available online and downtown.
Women on Display on Display Now
Representation is an increasingly important segment of contemporary art; Women on Display, appearing through June 29 at the Storefront Artist Project, showcases some of the exciting reasons for this resurgence. The works exhibit a breadth of style, artistic approach and subject matter and signifies multiple directions of artistic choice and exploration. Artists include Jessica Michelson Berger, Cynthia Consentino, Samantha Dewitt, Susan Graber, Jeanet T. Ingalls and Rebecca Weinman.
Yoga Walks Get the Weekend Started Right
 Mount Greylock State Reservation has begun an exciting new—and free—program called Yoga Walks, sponsored by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. This Park Interpretive program incorporates breathing exercises, postures, relaxation and a short walk on the aptly named Tranquility Trail to help you relax, stretch and find your center. Yoga Walks run Saturdays through August 30th from 10-11 a.m. and are suitable to all levels of ability. For info call Julia at the Reservation Visitor Center at (413) 499-4262.
Gallery Guide is at Your Fingertips
It’s now easier than ever for contemporary art aficionados to find their way to the Berkshire’s myriad contemporary galleries.  The Berkshire Visitors Bureau, Berkshire Living magazine and Berkshire Creative have produced the first-ever 2008 Gallery Guide to the Berkshires. The Guide features descriptions and contact information for 52 galleries and the five Berkshire museums with art exhibits, plus a handy Berkshires map. Pick one up throughout the Berkshires, order it at berkshires.org or view a Gallery Guide right this very minute. And don’t miss The Red Dot, the monthly gallery column at berkshires.org—check it out!
Piano Trios at Tannery Ponds
On Friday, June 20, in an authentic wood-beamed Shaker built Tannery transformed into an intimate 300 seat theater,  Tannery Pond Concerts will present a group of virtuoso musicians in a program devoted to three Beethoven Piano Trios: the Ghost, the Archduke and his first-ever Piano Trio No. 1. The formidable performers include pianist Wu Han and cellist David Finckel, who co-direct The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, joined by the multi-talented Shanghai born, Curtis trained violinist, Da-Hung Seeto, who is an internationally acclaimed, prize winning recording producer, engineer, electronic consultant and designer. The Tannery is located at Mount Lebanon Shaker Village and Darrow School, New Lebanon, New York.
World Premier Musical at BSC: The Mysteries of Harris Burdick
The Mysteries of Harris Burdick, a new musical inspired by Chris Van Allsburg’s (Jumanji and The Polar Express) illustrative book, opens the 3rd season of Barrington Stage Company’s acclaimed Musical Theatre Lab.  Writer Harris Burdick appears at the publishing offices of Peter Wenders with a series of astonishing drawings for a book he has written, promising to return the next day with the accompanying stories. He never returned. The illustrations are given a musical life by offering one explanation for the man’s mysterious disappearance—taking the audience on a wild ride through wonder, fear and the imagination. Performances: June 18 through July 5 at BSC’s new Stage 2, The VFW Hall, Pittsfield.
Experience the Magic of the World’s Most Famous Opera House
 The Colonial Theatre will present the 2007/2008 La Scala Season on Sundays in June and July, while broadcasts in high-definition will resume in December to coincide with the regular La Scala season. Tristan Und Isolde, on June 22 at 2 p.m., is sung in German with English subtitles. It is largely based on the romance by Gottfried von Strassburg, the timeless medieval portrayal of a tragic love triangle. Tickets are $20 per show.
 An Unbeatable Mix: Shakespeare & Co., Free and Outdoors
The world debut of the rollicking comedy The Mad Pirate and the Mermaid, June 25 to Aug. 30, is the centerpiece of Shakespeare & Company’s free outdoor Bankside Festival—an astonishing annual assemblage of sword-fighting knights, shameless wenches, mischievous servants, singers, musicians and sonneteers. The popular Festival includes the compelling and lively Bankside Humanities Series of talks and demonstrations throughout July, two specially prepared 15-minute Preludes that alternate in performance prior to most evening shows at Founders’ Theatre and more. All Bankside events are free, but tickets are often required as some seating is limited.
Nothing is Impossible for Hercules
 Be there as Hercules battles beastly boars and bulls travels through the Underworld when the Berkshire Museum and the Berkshire Theatre Festival present the Family Performance Hercules at the Museum beginning June 25. Twelve impossible tasks taunt Hercules during performances at 11 a.m. every Wednesday through Saturday (except July 4) until July 26. Tickets include Museum admission and are $11 for adults, $7 for children ages 3-18. For tickets call 413-443-7171, extension 10.
Jacob’s Pillow Opens with Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company
In the first performance of its 2008 season, the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival welcomes Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, presenting Jones’ acclaimed Chapel/Chapter. It will be performed to live, original music on June 26-29 and July 3-6. Jones is often distinguished by his use of powerful and controversial choreography dealing with social issues such as race, sexuality, prejudice and politics. Chapel/Chapter explores society’s negotiation with the news of the world and everyday life. He will be discussing his work at a PillowTalk, A Visit with Bill T. Jones, on June 25.
Enter the Dragon with Karsh Kale
 Described by Billboard Magazine as a "visionary composer and producer", Karsh Kale (pronounced "Kursh Kah-lay") is one of global music's brightest stars. Kale has created a live original score to the classic Kung Fu film Enter the Dragon starring Bruce Lee, which will make its world premier at MASS MoCA on Saturday, June 28, at 9 p.m., screening outside on the Berkshires biggest screen (or inside the Hunter in the event of rain). Kale will be joined by his band and MASS MoCA's galleries will remain open until 8 p.m. with special reduced gallery admission for Enter the Dragon ticket buyers.
Aston Magna Series Comes to the Clark
 Aston Magna, recognized internationally for its contributions to the popularization of early music performed using historically accurate instruments and performance practices, will present a series of three concerts on June 29, July 6, and July 13 at 3 p.m. at The Clark. Tickets for the series of three concerts is $105. Single tickets are $40 ($30 members of The Clark or senior citizens). Up to two children, ages six to twelve, may attend the concerts free with each paid adult ticket. For tickets call 413-528-3595.
Look at Them: Warhol’s Teddy and Rockwell’s Ike
 The Berkshire Museum will accentuate special exhibition galleries, climate controlled for the first summer in the institution’s 105-year history, by showcasing its diverse collection of art with an exhibit of outstanding portraits. The new climate control system allows the museum to exhibit works that have rarely or never been seen. Look at Us, on view July 1-October 26, will feature paintings, drawings, photographs and prints by artists ranging from Ammi Phillips to Erastus Salisbury Field to John Singer Sargent. Highlights include Andy Warhol’s portrait of Edward Kennedy, Norman Rockwell’s portrait of Dwight Eisenhower.
Capitol Steps Return to Cranwell
 The current election year is fodder filled for tuneful teasing by the Capitol Steps, the award-winning musical satire group returning to Cranwell Resort, Spa & Golf Club for another two-month run this summer. Coming off their latest hit album Campaign and Suffering, Capitol Steps will spend another season at this Berkshires Four Diamond Resort from July 4 to August 31 at 8 nightly except Tuesdays. Pre-show dining is offered at Cranwell’s Wyndhurst Restaurant or Sloane’s Tavern. Tickets and dining reservations: 413-881-1636.
Find Your Beat at Kripalu
 The Sacred Pulse Music Festival at Kripalu Center, July 13-18, is your chance to be part of an incredible ecstatic chant, dance and drum community, which includes Krishna Das, Mickey Hart, Wah!, Donna de Lory and Tracy Vernon. Also there will be Shivananda Thomas Amelio, Toni Bergins, KDZ: The Kripalu Drummers, Melina of Daughters of Rhea, John de Kadt and Nanapowe Drum Group. Visit kripalu.org or call (800) 741-7353 for info.
Berkshire Summer Spells Happy Campers
 Many Berkshires visitors received their first introduction to the region as children at one of the many summer camps located here. For decades, children have enriched themselves at Berkshire camps, exploring mountain and forest trails, swimming and kayaking in unspoiled lakes, participating in such traditional pursuits as crafts, archery and storytelling and enjoying myriad sports, music and fine arts and personal improvement activities. Some camps encourage prospective campers to come try them out for a day. Ann Claffie writes about Berkshire camps in her Bring the Kids! column on berkshires.org this month. Click here for a full list of summer camps or here to find activities for kids and families.
 Mac-Haydn’s 40th Season Includes A Chorus Line
Can you believe it? Yes, this is the 40th year since summer musical theatre at the Mac-Haydn Theatre in Chatham, NY, first began. For this special season the Mac-Haydn is offering music, dancing, laughter and romancing in a fantastic mix of shows. A Chorus Line is back on Broadway, but the One Singular Sensation is much more up close, personal and vibrant on Mac-Haydn’s unique theatre-in-the-round stage, June 19 - 29. The record-setting Broadway hit is the ultimate theatre show, filled with the dancer’s emotional and candid stories, exceptional dancing and stunningly personal songs: At The Ballet, Music and the Mirror, Dance 10, Looks 3 and What I Did For Love.
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