Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas
Stockbridge — The town of Stockbridge, made famous by Norman Rockwell’s painting of the village during the holidays, will become a magical New England setting decorated with holiday wreaths and festive lights when the town celebrates the 26th annual Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas Friday, December 4 – Sunday, December 6. The festivities will celebrate Rockwell’s popular depiction of what, for many, is the quintessential small New England town, with all the longing for a simpler time that it represents. Rockwell began painting the popular image in 1956, but did not complete it until December 1967.
Sponsored by the Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce, the holiday celebration offers a full range of activities, with highlights including a holiday house tours, caroling, and a holiday concert. Capping off the weekend will be a recreation on Sunday of the scene depicted in Rockwell’s “Main Street at Christmas,” complete with vintage automobiles parked in the spots occupied in the painting. The day’s activities will include horse drawn rides, a visit from Santa, Roger the Jester, lunch at the Christmas Food Booth, and much more.
Contact the Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce for more information at (413) 298-5200.
–E.E.
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Lutenist Hopkinson Smith at Simon’s Rock
Great Barrington — As part of the Southern Berkshire Concert Series, Bard College at Simon’s Rock will host Hopkinson Smith for a solo lute performance on Sunday, December 6 at 3 p.m. at the Kellogg Music Center. Smith returns to Simon’s Rock to offer an Elizabethan music program for the Renaissance lute. The concert is open to the public with a suggested donation of $10.
Smith’s program will feature masterpieces from the 1580s and ‘90s by composers John Dowland, John Johnson, and Anthony Holborne – all prominent lutenists during the Elizabethan period. Smith teaches at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Switzerland and gives master classes and performances throughout Europe, North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, and Japan. In 2007 and 2009, under the auspices of the Barenboim-Said Foundation and the Swiss Arts Council, Smith gave concerts and workshops in Palestine.
–E.E.
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Temple Anshe Amunim’s annual winter Shabbat dinner
Pittsfield — Temple Anshe Amunim will hold its annual Chanukah Shabbat dinner and Community Crib on Friday, December 11.
The evening will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a Shabbat service led by the Religious School and Youth Group. The uplifting and family-friendly service will celebrate light amongst the darkness and will feature music from the choir under the direction of Dr. Alan Gold. A latke dinner will follow in the Social Hall.
In conjunction with the event, the YACHAD Youth Group will be collecting new clothing, books, toys, baby formula, diapers, and other new items for children ages 6 months through 18 years for donation to local charities. All presents will be labeled and distributed by members of the Temple community and YACHAD to the Christian Center.
Reservations for the dinner are required and should be made before December 7 by calling the Temple Anshe Amunim office at (413) 442-5910 or emailing templeoffice@AnsheAmunim.org. The cost of the dinner is $15 for adults, $6 for children, and a maximum of $35 for families. Those interested in donating items for the Community Crib may contact the office for a list of gift requests.
–E.E.
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Historical Society director to discuss Melville’s legacy
Pittsfield — On Monday, December 7 at 10:45 a.m., the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will present Will Garrison, executive director of the Berkshire County Historical Society, who will offer “Arrowhead: Preserving a National Historic Landmark.” This free program at Congregation Knesset Israel is part of the Federation’s Connecting With Community series.
Melville’s Arrowhead, a National Historic Landmark, is a point of pride for Berkshire County residents. Here, Herman Melville, looking out his study window at Mt. Greylock, wrote the great American novel “Moby-Dick.” Garrison will summarize the changes to the house from 1790 to the present and describe how the Berkshire Historical Society preserves it for the public.
For more information call the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires at (413) 442-4360 x10.
–E.E.
