Visit Ventfort Hall decked out in holiday splendor
Lenox— The holiday season is upon us and Ventfort Hall’s dedicated staff and volunteers have decked the halls with boughs of jolly! Come visit and enjoy the lavish holiday decorations throughout the mansion.
The elegant Jacobean-Revival Berkshire “cottage” is open daily 10 am to 4 pm (except Christmas Day) and is located at 104 Walker Street in Lenox. More information can be found online.
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The Plant Connector + Foraged & Found to host artist reception for Michael Carty
Pittsfield— On Thursday, December 19th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., The Plant Connector + Foraged & Found present artist reception for Michael Carty, an evening of celebration, community, and creativity.
Mike Carty’s vibrant spirit has been a cornerstone of Downtown Pittsfield, and The Plant Connector + Foraged & Found is beyond thrilled to feature his incredible work. This event is free and open to all, so come raise a glass to Mike, his art, and the joy of connection.
The reception is on Thursday, December 19th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Plant Connector + Foraged & Found, located at 46 West Street in Pittsfield. More information can be found online.
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Berkshire Theatre Group presents a special holiday reading of ‘Santaland Diaries’
Pittsfield— On Friday, December 20th at 7:30 p.m., Berkshire Theatre Group presents a special holiday reading of “Santaland Diaries,” directed by Greg Santos and featuring Ron Bagden.
Get ready to laugh at the holiday season like never before. Award-winning David Sedaris’ darkly comedic account of his stint as a Christmas elf named Crumpet at Macy’s, presented in its original version as published in The New Yorker. This one-night-only reading features Ron Bagden, a longtime Macy’s employee who has seen his fair share of wild holiday seasons, bringing a unique and personal touch to this delightfully irreverent monologue.
Through Crumpet’s sharp and sardonic lens, Sedaris reveals the chaotic, hilarious and sometimes bittersweet realities of holiday retail, complete with demanding shoppers, bewildered children, and the eccentric personalities of his fellow elves, pulling back the curtain on the commercial madness of Christmas, blending satire with unexpectedly heartwarming moments to offer both humor and a touch of holiday truth.
The performance is on Friday, December 20th at 7:30 p.m. at The Colonial Theatre, located at 111 South Street in Pittsfield. It is recommended for mature audiences. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Becket Arts Center to present special holiday readings
Becket— On Friday, December 20th at 5 p.m., the Becket Arts Center will present an evening of special holiday readings of two treasured American stories.
Three professional actors, Paula Langton, Jim Petosa, and Ryan Winkles, will present Truman Capote’s “The Thanksgiving Visitor” and “A Christmas Memory.” Though the author is not known for lyrical and heartfelt writing, these tales, recalling the deep connection between the young Capote and his spinster aunt, make for a perfect evening of storytelling.
The readings are on Friday, December 20th at 5 p.m. at Becket Arts Center, located at 7 Brooker Hill Road in Becket. Tickets are $10 and free for members. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Scoville Memorial Library presents ‘Hidden Treasures,’ a storytelling tour extravaganza
Salisbury, Conn.— On Friday, December 20th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Scoville Memorial Library presents “Hidden Treasures,” a storytelling tour extravaganza.
Join Karin Goodell, Karen Vrotsos, Kyla DeRisi, the new Children’s Programs Coordinator, and fabulous Friends of the Library volunteers Macey Levin and Gloria Miller for a magical evening tour of the library. On this one night of the year, you’ll be taken behind the scenes, shown hidden gems, and be told little-known tales of the library’s treasures. You’ll get to explore secret staircases and see what lurks in the concealed chambers of the iconic 130-year-old building.
The all-ages event is on Friday, December 20th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Scoville Memorial Library, located at 38 Main Street in Salisbury, Conn. After the tour there will be refreshments and a game. Registration is required. More information can be found online.
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Great Barrington Cultural Council announces FY25 grant awards
Great Barrington— The Great Barrington Cultural Council is pleased to announce that it has awarded 13 grants out of 57 applications received to support a wide range of exceptional arts and cultural programs/events totaling $6496.
Grants were awarded to the following organizations:
- Experimental Music Festival, Berkshire Community Radio Alliance, $500
- Inspired by Melville, Berkshire County Historical Society, $500
- Berkshire Hills Regional School District Programming, Berkshire Garden Center, $250
- Berkshire Ukulele Band and Berkshire Sings, Berkshire South, $300
- Peacebirds, Center for Peace Through Culture, $600
- Berkshire Voices 2025 Reading Series, Great Barrington Public Theater, $500
- The Future of Climate Change in the Berkshires, David Guenette, $250
- Song and Inspiration, Bruce Mandel, $425
- Hip Hop Chair Dance for Seniors!, Music Dance.edu, $300
- SELMA, Triplex Cinema, Inc., $1,071
- Vocalis Youth Choir Scholarship Fund, Vocalis Youth Choir, $400
- W.E.B. DuBois Legacy Festival 2025, W.E.B. DuBois Legacy Committee, $1,000
- Live Music Making History Live, Jon Waterman, $400
Applications for the 2026 grant cycle will be available in the Fall. More information can be found online.
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BRTA announces new pilot Pittsfield paratransit evening service
Pittsfield— Beginning on December 18th, the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA) received funding from Massachusetts Department of Transportation for pilot evening Paratransit service through June 30th in 2025, aiming to enhance and expand the ability for eligible BRTA Paratransit customers who require an accessible vehicle for travel in the evenings to destinations within these communities.
This pilot evening service is for BRTA Paratransit customers travelling to or from Adams, North Adams, Williamstown, Cheshire, Lanesborough, New Ashford, Pittsfield, Dalton, Hinsdale, Lenox, Lee, Stockbridge, and Great Barrington, Monday through Saturday, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
To book transportation, call 413-499-2782 extension 3. If you need additional information about this program or any other program, email BRTA at info@berkshirerta.com.
