Ten Things To Do Before Summer Ends

September 2007

I was reading the New York Times the other day and came upon an engaging story about “life list” books, such as “1000 Places to See Before You Die.” (Incidentally, one of those places is in the Berkshires…) Coinciding with the approach of Labor Day, this article prompted me to create my own list of “Ten things to do before summer ends.”

1) Get thee to Shakespeare & Company… The Bard’s Berkshire home is still presenting several productions every day through September 2, including “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Antony and Cleopatra,” “Blue/Orange,” and “Rough Crossing,” as well as free performances of “Scapin” in two parts. On September 3, the Studio Festival of Plays takes over, with five plays running, starting at 11:30 am, including “a number” by Caryl Churchill and the classic “Island of Slaves” by Pierre Marivaux. It’s a one-day event, so tickets are going fast. Some make a day-long theater marathon of this annual festival.

2) … and to Berkshire Theatre Festival, where two great plays, “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” and “Educating Rita” are in production. If you must choose, see Mrs. Warren right away – not only because it is an excellent staging, but because its' run ends September 1. After an extension to September 1, due to popular demand, Rita takes a break, then stages a comeback on select dates from late September through October. Kids get into the act, too, when the BTF Plays! production of “Alice in Wonderland” hits the Main Stage September 7 & 8.

3) Take a hike. This is a perfect time to hit the trails for a good long hike. It’s not too hot, there’s usually a nice breeze, and the vigilant are rewarded with treats along the way such as wild raspberries and blackberries. Plus there are hints of the coming season – patches of fiery-color in the trees and even places where leaves have fallen to the ground. My favorites include the two Cobbles – Bartholomew’s and Tyringham, but Mount Greylock and Monument Mountain are always appealing when I’m up for a climb.

4) Go jump in a lake. Conditions at my local swimming hole (the location of which I will not divulge) are perfect just about now. The water is not too hot, not too cold – just right for the few remaining searing days of summer. Other popular places for a cool dip should be equally inviting, if not as secluded as my Tyringham haunt. Try Lake Mansfield in Great Barrington, Laurel Lake in Lee, the Stockbridge Bowl (otherwise known as Lake Mah-Kee-Nak),  Onota Lake in Pittsfield, or Benedict Pond at Beartown State Forest.

5) Shake your booty MASS MoCA is marking Labor Day weekend with an African Dance Party featuring D. Kanza & African Rhythm Machine on Sunday evening, September 2, in the outdoor courtyard, weather permitting. The Friday before, August 31, catch the beats of Taylor McFerrin (son of Bobby) in the Courtyard Café. Otherwise, let the music of Tanglewood’s Jazz Festival move you over Labor Day weekend. Or choose blues, as the Berkshires BluesFest takes the stage at The Mahaiwe on Saturday, September 1, featuring Chicago Blues Reunion. Stick around Saturday, September 2, for Linda Lavin’s “Songs and Confessions of a One-Time Waitress.” And if Sinatra’s more your style, get to the Mahaiwe this Thursday, August 30, for “Fly Me to the Moon,” Boston Musical Theater’s tribute to American vocal legends. Don’t forget about The Colonial’s gala event, featuring Marvin Hamlisch, on September 8!

6) Have a flashback. Sticking with the musical theme, audiences of a certain generation (can you say “baby boomer?”) will be drawn to tribute band performances. First comes “Hotel Calinfornia: A Salute to the Eagles,” at The Colonial on Sunday September 2. The next week “Beatlemania Again” takes over The Mahaiwe on Saturday, September 8.

7) Don’t forget Fido. In the dog days of summer, while the kids are heading back to school, why not take your most loyal companion to camp? The YMCA camp in Becket goes to the dogs, literally, when Camp Unleashed takes over the property. Pooches and their people engage in fun activities together, such as hiking, agility training, swimming, and even yoga and arts & crafts. Camp Unleashed also has classes on canine nutrition and doggie massage.

8) Eat local. This is an easy one for me, as my garden has exploded with tomatoes, peppers, beans, greens, the ubiquitous zucchini and even corn, while the wild blackberries are growing rampant on our hillside. But you don’t need a garden to enjoy locally grown fruits and vegetables. The tables at our local Farmer’s Markets, most of which are organized by Berkshire Grown, are overflowing with all manner of fresh-picked produce as well as flowers to fill your vases and plants to enhance your landscape. Just about every town has a Farmer’s Market, though perhaps not in the most obvious places. Look for the markets at Aspinwell in Lenox and at the Berkshire Mall in Pittsfield. If you don’t want to cook, dine at restaurants that belong to Berkshire Grown and are committed to the locally grown, farm-to-table ethos, such as the Stagecoach Tavern, The Red Lion Inn, Castle Street Café, Old Inn on the Green, Mezze Bistro & Bar and Spice Restaurant.

9) Go Dutch. This is your last chance to see the “Dutch Dialogues” exhibition at The Clark. This examination of classic and contemporary works by Dutch artists closes on September 3, though “The Unknown Monet” exhibition continues through the 16th. At MASS MoCA, also participating in NL: A Season of Dutch Arts in the Berkshires, an exhibition of work by Erik van Lieshout -- one of Holland's most prominent artists – continues through October.

10) Sit back and relax. For a few days more, at least, it’s summertime, and the living is easy. Now’s when you can turn off the cell phone, shut off the laptop, and get in some quality hammock time, fire up the grill for a carefree dinner, or curl up on the lounge chair with a good read from the Bookloft or Stockbridge Booksellers, and nothing to distract you but the beautiful Berkshire landscape and the late summer birdsongs. That sounds like a fine idea to me right now. Goodbye list and laptop; hello hammock.