January 2008

Here in the Berkshires, the New Year began with a double dose of snow storms, cheering skiers without deterring revelers, who were out in force. K & I found ourselves in Pittsfield on New Year’s Eve, having dinner with a group of celebrants at ceramics diva Leslie Ferrin’s new condo, conveniently situated right above her Ferrin Gallery on North Street, before the big bash down the street at Spice. Gathered there was a cadre of Pittsfield art scene movers and shakers, including Hope Sullivan, director of IS183 Art School of the Berkshires; Storefront Artist Project founder Maggie Mailer; and Cultural Pittsfield czarina Megan Whilden.
 
For me, 2008 began with an early morning yoga class in Great Barrington, and an invitation from a friend to go cross-country skiing at Notchview. Since then we have done lots of snowy hiking with Duffy and Hobbes and other dog-hiking friends at Kennedy Park in Lenox. We tend to park at the Arcadian Shop, which usually results in a quick post-hike shopping spree; Arcadian has a great café with wireless Internet service and warming coffees and hot chocolate, and it always seems like there’s something I need to buy – last time it was a new winter jacket; before that, some dog toys.

This is the time of year when people look back and do their top ten lists for the year gone by. I’m going to indulge in my contrarian nature with a list of the top ten happenings I’m looking forward to in early 2008, in order not of preference, but timing:

1. Jhumpa Lahiri reading from her new collection of short stories at the Williams College ’62 Center for Theatre and Dance, January 12, at 8 pm. Lahiri’s first collection, Interpreter of Maladies, is one of my favorite books, and it went on to win a Pulitzer Prize. Her novel, The Namesake, was made into a movie. It’s free, and I recommend reserving tickets right away. Last fall, when we went to see Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma and the just-released In Defense of Food, the theater was packed, not seat to be had. Political junkies won’t want to miss the next week’s talk by Markos Moulitsas, author of Crashing the Gate and founder of the hot political blog, Daily Kos.
 
2. Paco Peña Flamenco at The Mahaiwe on January 26, heating up the Berkshire winter with this hot traditional Spanish dance form. I’m also looking forward to catching one of the live in high-definition broadcasts of The Metropolitan Opera, which my friends tell me is better than having the best seat in the house at the Met itself. Upcoming broadcasts include Verdi’s Macbeth, Puccini’s Manon Lescaut, and Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde. In addition, The Mahaiwe has announced its programming through the beginning of June; tickets just went on sale this week, and they will go fast for performances by the likes of Robert Cray Band, Momix, The Flying Karamazov Brothers, The Capitol Steps, and Judy Collins.

3. Ladysmith Black Mambazo at The Colonial on January 16. This a capella ensemble from South Africa came to the attention of U.S. audiences when they appeared on Paul Simon’s breakthrough album, Graceland. They’re touring to promote their new album, Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu, a tribute to the first king of the Zulu nation.
 
4. Barrington Stage Company’s 2008 ‘Homecoming’ Summer Season announcement on January 17, when the upcoming summer schedule will be unveiled. This is sort of a meta-event, as I’m already looking forward to Barrington Stage’s presentations of Trumbo in February and I Am My Own Wife in May, as well as the reprise of the company’s award-winning production of the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee this summer.

5. The Sultan’s Palace on January 25, and other ‘final Fridays’ in the Clark After Dark series of themed parties. Seems like everyone is trying to liven up the winter; this event will let you greet midnight at the oasis of art. The Sultan’s Palace guarantees an exotic evening of belly dancing and baklava; whirling dervishes and Silk Road stylings. Other Clark After Dark final Friday parties include The British Invasion in February and The Roaring ’20s in March.

6. Danny May’s First Annual Super Bowl Eve Charity Wine Tasting at Aster’s Restaurant. Danny’s the wine guru at Guido’s Fresh Marketplace, which is co-sponsoring the event with Asters. I’m no football fan (we won’t even watch the big game) but I am a fan of Danny’s somewhat acerbic views on wine – he’s opinionated, but he calls ’em like he sees ’em – and I know the wines will be great. May will be joined by Williams College football coach Mike Whalen for a “Halftime Chalk Talk.” This combination of wine, food, and entertainment on February 2 from 5-7 pm, is a great deal for $50, and all proceeds benefit the Cardinal Hayes Home for Children in Millbrook, NY. And Aster’s is offering a 15% discount on entrees for participants who stay for dinner after the tasting.

7. Bollywood Disco Dance Party at MASS MoCA on February 9. I’m always looking for a great place to go out dancing, but I’m picky about the music. One rhythm that is sure to set me in motion is bhangra, a fusion of traditional drum-based beats with elements of reggae, raga, hip-hop, rock, and soul. MoCA’s bringing in acclaimed, inventive DJ Rekha from NYC for the event. I may even book a room at Porches or Jae’s Inn so I don’t have to worry about the long drive home!

8. Rock the Opera masquerade ball, a gala benefit for IS183 Art School of the Berkshires on March 1. While the event raises money for art classes for kids and adults, IS183’s fundraisers are among the best parties in the Berkshires, largely due to partygoers’ creative costumes. This year’s theme lends itself to new flights of fancy. I envision Valkyries and Rolling Stones; punk rock Pavarotti; Madam Iron Butterfly; Cosi Fan Tutti Frutti; and Little Richard Wagner. Rock the Opera takes place in Pittsfield’s Masonic Temple – appropriate since the school has begun offering classes at the city’s Lichtenstein Center for the Arts. Pre-party dinners are being held at private homes and venues across Pittsfield and South County, including Allium, Burger, Stonover Farm, Ferrin Gallery, and Prime Italian Steakhouse & Bar.

9. The Third Annual Berkshire International Film Festival (BIFF) May 15-18. Yes, it’s a long way off, but I was out of town on assignment during last year’s festival and I don’t want to miss this one. I can’t wait to find out who will be the guest of honor. Legendary director Arthur Penn was honored last year; that’s one high-caliber pair of shoes to fill. I’m sure founder Kelley Vickery is hard at work selecting great films for the program, which will feature screenings at The Triplex, The Mahaiwe, and other venues. BIFF has been sponsoring free screenings of community-oriented documentaries at The Triplex throughout the year, which has only whet our appetites for the big event.

10. More summer season announcements from the cultural organizations yet to chime in. From the already released rosters of Tanglewood and Shakespeare & Company, this is shaping up to be one fantastic summer. But there are plenty more good things in store, and soon enough we will know what splendors will come to the Berkshires from Berkshire Theatre Festival, Jacob’s Pillow, Williamstown Theatre Festival, and Berkshire Opera, as well as from other presenters such as the Chester Theatre Company, Berkshire Fringe, Tannery Pond Concerts, The Tent at PS/21, Music Mountain, Berkshire Choral Festival, and the South Mountain Concerts. Yes, there’s still plenty of snow on the ground, but it’s fun to start thinking ahead toward my soon-to-be overbooked summer of 2008.

About Bess Hochstein

Bess J.M. Hochstein came to the Berkshires as a second-homeowner before deciding to move here full time. Previously a communications executive, she's now a freelance writer living in Tyringham with her corgis Duffy and Hobbs and K. She writes for several publications, including Berkshire Living, the Boston Globe, New England Wine Gazette, and Healing Lifestyles & Spas magazine.