‘Jingle Jangle’ winter celebration at Olana
Hudson, N.Y. — The second “Jingle Jangle: A Winter Celebration” will take place at the Olana State Historic Site on Saturday, December 26, from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. The Farm Complex and the Museum Shop and Visitor Center will be bustling with a range of 19th-century activities with a 21st-century twist.
The offerings for the festive day include wagon rides, ice carving, card-making and seasonal crafts, picture tableaus, a snow sculpture contest (weather permitting and participants must bring their own supplies), dessert-making with Holly Shelowitz, acoustic music by Kevin McKrell, and horse-drawn carriage rides around the Main House.
The cost of the event is $25 per carload or $10 per individual, and free for those who become members of the Olana Partnership that day. Pre-registration is encouraged but walk-ins are welcome. See the Berkshire Edge calendar for tickets and more information.
–E.E.
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Berkshire Festival of Women Writers retreat
Lenox — The Berkshire Festival of Women Writers (BFWW) will present a writing retreat for women called “Writing the Journey of Your Life: Focus on People” Friday, January 29 – Sunday, January 31, 2016 at the Rookwood Inn.
Led by BFWW founding director, Bard College at Simon’s Rock literature professor, and the Berkshire Edge contributor Jennifer Browdy, Ph.D., the retreat will provide structure and support for woman memoirists in any stage of their writing journeys, from working with the initial concept to fine-tuning the details and narrative arc. There will be opportunities for both individual work and group interactions.
The tuition and facility fee of $425 per person includes the Friday evening welcome, Saturday lunch and mid afternoon snacks, and Sunday breakfast. Workshop sessions will begin on Friday evening at 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. and run from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. – noon on Sunday. Rooms at Rookwood Inn are not included in the tuition fee but are available at discounted rates for workshop participants. Commuters are also welcome. Workshop space is limited. Call the Rookwood Inn for more information (413) 637-9750.
–E.E.
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WordXWord holiday story slam
Pittsfield — WordXWord will wrap up 2015 with a story slam at the Whitney Center for the Arts on Sunday, December 20 at 3 p.m. Storytellers are invited to share their five-minute true stories related to the theme “strange holiday.”
Anyone with a “strange holiday” story is invited and encouraged to pre-register at for one of the limited number of storytelling spots. The stories will scored by volunteer judges from the audience.
In addition to storytelling there will be coffee, tea, and a selection of seasonal sweets. Admission is free and the event open to all. Parents of younger children should be aware that some stories may include content more appropriate for mature audiences.
–E.E.
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Second party bus added from Great Barrington to UNLOCK
Pittsfield – On Thursday, December 31, Greylock WORKS, the first phase of the Greylock Mill redevelopment project in North Adams, will present an UNLOCK, a public New Year’s Eve event featuring a late-night dance party and optional festive dinner to ring in 2016. To encourage safe driving to and from UNLOCK on New Year’s Eve, Berkshire Shenanigans is coordinating two party buses to and from the event.
The party buses will pick up partygoers from Guido’s Fresh Marketplace in Great Barrington at 7 p.m. and Dottie’s Coffee Lounge in Pittsfield at 8 p.m. Free parking will be available in both locations. Planned arrival time at the New Year’s Eve event will be 8:45 p.m. The cost for round-trip bus fare from Guido’s is $15 and $12 from Dottie’s. All riders must have positive ID (21+) and must present an UNLOCK dance party ticket when boarding the bus. Bus tickets are available online.
Passengers who purchase party bus tickets will enjoy entertainment along the way and dramatic VIP access to the party via a private entrance. Prior to bus departure, Dottie’s Coffee Lounge will host a prix fixe New Year’s Eve dinner at 6 p.m. for UNLOCK guests for $20.16 per person.
–E.E.
