Friday, January 16, 2026

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

Monica Bliss

Monica Bliss grew up in the Berkshires and now lives in New Lebanon, N.Y. with her husband, daughters, dog, and cats. She spends her time singing, acting, directing, writing, cooking, baking, and working towards social change.

written articles

BITS & BYTES: Juilliard’s Risk Lab at Kaatsbaan; Jazz Vespers at Zion Lutheran Church; Free admission to The Clark; Free admission to American Mural Project; Yiddish...

You’re invited to an exclusive look at artistic risk-taking in action as Juilliard presents an informal showing of works created during the Juilliard Risk Lab Residency.

BITS & BYTES: Caitlin Canty at Bennington Theater; Member exhibit at Future Lab(s) Gallery; ‘Art of Wintering’ at Great Mountain Forest; Evening story hour at Ventfort Hall;...

Called “Dreamy and daring” by Rolling Stone, Caitlin Canty’s songs harness the grit and spark at the heart of American music, tempered with a voice both haunting and distinct.

BITS & BYTES: R. M. Hungate at Center for Peace through Culture; Berkshire Bach Society at The Mahaiwe; Max Creek at The Colonial; New Year’s Eve at The Red Lion Inn; New Year’s Eve with...

The show features about 300 photos from R. M. Hungate’s five photography expeditions to Churchill Manitoba, which is is located on the edge of the Arctic Tundra and considered as the polar bear capital of the world.

BITS & BYTES: December school break at Ventfort Hall; December school break at Norman Rockwell Museum; December school break at MASS MoCA; December school...

Carl Sprague inherited a collection of 60 antique Czech marionettes, each about eight inches tall, that were assembled by his great-grandfather, Julius Hybler.

BITS & BYTES: ‘What to wear’ at MASS MoCA; ’Shadow Visionaries’ at The Clark; Holiday cabaret at Ventfort Hall; Dan Ringuette at American Mural Project;...

The opera offers a commentary on the superficial pressures of society at a moment when our contemporary culture renders Foreman and Gordon’s critiques more cutting than ever.

A recipe for Sugar Plums from the kitchen of Monica Bliss

Ever since I was a small child, I was tickled by the idea of dancing sugar plums.

BITS & BYTES: Kwanzaa at Hudson Hall; John Pizzarelli at The Mahaiwe; Wizards of Winter at The Colonial; Winter Solstice at Olana; Bonnie Eastwood at Ventfort...

Come celebrate African-American culture and unity with an afternoon of dancing, drumming, a candle-lighting ceremony, and the sharing of Nguzo Saba, the seven principles of Kwanzaa, followed by a community dinner.

BITS & BYTES: The Bang Group at Kaatsbaan; Mollie Kellogg at Marketplace Cafe; Bo Petran and Marjorie Kaye at Hotel Downstreet; Sam & Ron at Meeting...

Kaatsbaan Cultural Park presents “Nut/Cracked” by The Bang Group’s beloved, witty response to “The Nutcracker.”

BUSINESS BRIEFS: CRA welcomes Ariana Massery; MountainOne Bank promotes Peter Duckett and appoints Kevin Carpenter; BCC staffing updates; Berkshire Humane Society welcomes board members;...

The CRA welcomes Ariana Massery as the nonprofit’s new Executive Director, succeeding Alison Peters, who is retiring after 16 years of dedicated leadership and service.

Kay’s Gingersnaps from the kitchen of Monica Bliss

Christmas (cookie) time is here. Happiness and cheer, and joy for all who make and eat Kay’s Gingersnaps, a recipe from my mother-in-law.

BITS & BYTES: Kongero at The Foundry; Hanukkah at Becket Arts Center; ‘Yule for Fuel’ at Zion Lutheran Church; ‘Community Caroling’ at Church on...

Kongero tells tales of life with moving love songs, dramatic medieval ballads, witty ditties, and spirited dances.

BITS & BYTES: Amanda Seyfried at Crandell Theatre; Manos Unidas at the Sanctum Gallery; Jewish Federation at The Mount; OLLI at BCC announces winter courses;...

The Crandell Theatre and Shaker Museum present an exclusive, advance screening screening of “The Testament of Ann Lee” followed by a live in-person discussion with Emmy and Golden Globe winner Amanda Seyfried.

BITS & BYTES: WAM Theatre at Ventfort Hall; ‘Mutts Gone Nuts’ at The Colonial; Aston Magna Music Festival at Saint James Place; Spanish language tour...

With humor, artistic-homage, and grace, “Angry, Raucous, and Shamelessly Gorgeous” packs a punch as it explores artistic ownership, generational identity, and jungle-red nail polish.

BITS & BYTES: Stella Cole at The Linde; Laura Anglade and Ben Rosemblum at Spencertown Academy; Tim Jones at The Colonial; The Met at...

With timeless classics and fresh gems reimagined in her unique dazzling style, Stella Cole is one of the most exciting artists of her generation.
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