Monday, January 19, 2026

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

BITS & BYTES: Stella Cole at The Linde; Laura Anglade and Ben Rosemblum at Spencertown Academy; Tim Jones at The Colonial; The Met at The Clark and The Mahaiwe; Berkshire Lyric Christmas concerts; Eagle Community Band holiday concert

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

Tanglewood Learning Center presents ‘Christmas Dreaming with Stella Cole,’ a magical holiday jazz concert at the Linde Center

Lenox— On Saturday, December 13th, at 7 p.m., Tanglewood Learning Center presents “Christmas Dreaming with Stella Cole,” a magical holiday jazz concert at the Linde Center.

Stella Cole. Photo by Luke Rogers. Courtesy Tanglewood Learning Center.

With timeless classics and fresh gems reimagined in her unique dazzling style, Stella Cole is one of the most exciting artists of her generation. Get ready for holiday magic as she performs festive favorites from her acclaimed EP “Snow!” along with her brand-new single “Merry Christmas, Darling,” her timeless reimagining of the beloved Carpenter’s classic. Richard Carpenter said “I’ve been waiting fifty-five years for a fresh take on what I consider to be one of my better songs, and Ms. Cole knocks it out of the park.”

With a voice that bridges generations, Stella Cole has cultivated nearly two million social media followers through her fresh interpretations of timeless songs by iconic artists, including Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, and Nat “King” Cole. Often described as a “sensation,” she brings a fresh interpretation of classic repertoire to a new generation.

The concert is on Saturday, December 13th, at 7 p.m. at The Linde Center, located at 3 West Hawthorne Road in Lenox. Tickets and more information can be found online.

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Spencertown Academy presents a vintage jazz concert with award-winning jazz vocalist Laura Anglade and award-winning jazz musician Ben Rosemblum

Spencertown, N.Y.— On Saturday, December 13th at 7:30 p.m., Spencertown Academy, as part of its Roots & Shoots Concerts Series, presents a vintage jazz concert with award-winning jazz vocalist Laura Anglade and the Ben Rosemblum Trio. 


Award-winning jazz vocalist Laura Anglade. Courtesy Spencertown Academy.

With charming fresh takes on the vintage sound of classic jazz in both French and English, Laura Anglade’s refined sensibility and quietly compelling presence give her interpretations a singular charm. Captivating audiences through her innate storytelling. Her conversational style bridges the gap between singer and listener, making each performance intimate and personal.

“We are so pleased that audience favorite Laura Anglade is returning! We’ve watched Laura achieve national acclaim with her recent performance on the ‘Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ and are delighted to have her ‘come home’ and grace our stage once again,” says Wayne Greene, who co-chairs the Academy Music Committee with Michele Quigley.

Award-winning New York City jazz musician Ben Rosenblum has toured extensively throughout the United States and has appeared at prestigious venues throughout the world.

The concert is on Saturday, December 13th at 7:30 p.m. at Spencertown Academy, located at 790 State Route 203 in Spencertown, N.Y. Tickets and more information can be found online.

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Berkshire Theatre Group presents ‘An Evening of Holiday Jazz with Tim Jones’ at The Garage at The Colonial Theatre

Pittsfield— On Saturday, December 13th at 7:30 p.m., Berkshire Theatre Group presents “An Evening of Holiday Jazz with Tim Jones” at The Garage at The Colonial Theatre. 

Courtesy Berkshire Theatre Group.

Celebrate the season with Berkshire Theatre Group at “An Evening of Holiday Jazz with Tim Jones,” an intimate and spirited concert at The Garage. Join Jones and a stellar lineup of the Berkshires’ finest jazz musicians as they bring beloved holiday classics to life in a warm, close-up setting.

In the true spirit of community and the holidays, a portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit BTG PLAYS!, the group’s year-round education program. Guests are also invited to take part in a Toys for Tots drive by bringing a new, unwrapped toy for children ages newborn to 14.

The concert is on Saturday, December 13th at 7:30 p.m. at The Garage at The Colonial Theatre, located at 11 South Street in Pittsfield. Tickets and more information can be found online.

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The Clark and The Mahaiwe present the Met Opera’s production of Giordano’s ‘Andrea Chénier’ live in HD

Williamstown/Great Barrington— On Saturday, December 13th at 1 p.m., the Clark Art Institute and The Mahaiwe present The Met Opera’s production of Giordano’s “Andrea Chénier” live in HD.

Giordano’s passionate tragedy stars tenor Piotr Beczała as the virtuous poet who falls victim to the intrigue and violence of the French Revolution. Beczała reunites with soprano Sonya Yoncheva as Chénier’s aristocratic lover Maddalena di Coigny, with baritone Igor Golovatenko as Carlo Gérard, the agent of the Reign of Terror who seals their fates. Met Principal Guest Conductor Daniele Rustioni takes the podium to lead Nicolas Joël’s gripping staging.

A scene from Giordano’s ‘Andrea Chénier.’ Photo by Marty Sohl. Courtesy Met Opera.

To complement the broadcast, The Clark presents a pre-show pop-up exhibition of prints and drawings depicting the macabre mood and setting of “Andrea Chénier,” the bloody Reign of Terror during the French Revolution.

The broadcasts are on Saturday, December 13th at 1 p.m. at the Clark Art Institute, located at 225 South Street in Williamstown and at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, located at 14 Castle Street in Great Barrington. Tickets and more information can be found online. (The Clark/The Mahaiwe)

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Berkshire Lyric presents Christmas concerts at St. Mark’s Church, Saint James Place, and the First Congregational Church of Stockbridge

Berkshire— On Friday, December 12th at 7:30 p.m., Sunday December, 14th at 3 p.m., and Saturday December 20th at 4 p.m., Berkshire Lyric presents Christmas concerts at St. Mark’s Church, Saint James Place, and the First Congregational Church of Stockbridge, respectively. 

Courtesy Berkshire Lyric.

“In Dulci Jubilo” will take place on Friday, December 12th at 7:30 at St. Mark’s Church, located at 400 West Street in Pittsfield and on Sunday December, 14th at 3 p.m. at Saint James Place, located at 352 Main Street in Great Barrington. This concert features traditional and contemporary a cappella carols, taking advantage of the marvelous acoustics of these large gothic style spaces. The 85-voice chorus will be joined by Berkshire Lyric’s young women’s ensemble Melodious Accord and by soloists Steve Hassmer and John Demler. Jack Brown conducts with Joe Rose at the pipe organ.

Courtesy Berkshire Lyric.

“The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” takes place on Saturday December 20th at 4 p.m. at The First Congregational Church of Stockbridge, located at 4 Main Street in Stockbridge. This concert features traditional and contemporary carols, and well-known standards from the American holiday songbook, providing many opportunities to sing along with the chorus. Santa will make an appearance at this old-fashioned holiday event geared for children of all ages. The 85-voice chorus will be joined by Berkshire Lyric’s ensembles for young singers, Melodious Accord and the Lyric Children’s Chorus. Children under the age of 18 are admitted free. 

Tickets and more information can be found online.

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Eagles Community Band presents free holiday concert at First United Methodist Church

Pittsfield— On Saturday, December 13th at 3 p.m., the Eagles Community Band presents a free holiday concert at First United Methodist Church. 

Courtesy Downtown Pittsfield, Inc.

The program includes “A Christmas Festival” by Leroy Anderson, “Rhapsody for Hanukkah” by Steven Bulla, “Overture to a Winter Festival” by James Curnow, “Christmas on Broadway” by John Higgins, “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson, and more. 

The Eagles Band is celebrating its 89th year of playing music in the Berkshires. The band is devoted to the continued promotion of the community band concept where anyone from any background can come together to make music and have fun.

The concert is on Saturday, December 13th at 3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, located at 55 Fenn Street in Pittsfield. Admission is free. There will be a bake sale and gifts available for purchase. More information can be found online.

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