Berkshire Botanical Garden to hold its annual ‘Holiday Marketplace’ and the ‘Gallery of Wreaths’ preview party
Stockbridge— A holiday tradition continues at Berkshire Botanical Garden with Holiday Marketplace and the Gallery of Wreaths preview party.
The festivities begin on Friday, December 8th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with the Holiday Wreath Preview Party in the Center House. The party includes a preview of 100 unique, one-of-a-kind designer wreaths, early wreath-buying opportunities, live music, hors d’oeuvres, libations, and merriment. Tickets to the preview party are $100 and $75 for members. Pre-register online.
The festivities continue on Saturday and Sunday, December 9th and 10th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the Holiday Marketplace, featuring artisan craft vendors, live music, holiday blooming plants and garlands, and succulent arrangements. Marketplace admission is free.
The events will be held at the Berkshire Botanical Garden on West Stockbridge Road in Stockbridge. More information can be found online or be calling 413-298-3926.
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Upcycled and merry holiday community tradition continues with the 16th Holiday Shindy
Pittsfield— On Saturday, December 9th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the one-and-only Holiday Shindy is back, brimming with local artisans, authentic farms, and magically festive destination shopping.
A Berkshire benchmark of spectacular sustainable craft tradition will again take place in Pittsfield’s Upstreet Cultural District. The Shindy offers the chance to shop directly from local farms and makers, from soaps and tinctures to cookies and calendars. Long-time vendors and emerging talents are set aglow in the warm, inclusive, and accessible setting of the Common Room at Zion Lutheran Church.
The Shindy will be held on Saturday, December 9th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Common Room at Zion Lutheran Church on First Street in Pittsfield. Admission is $3 and free for children under the age of 12. There is a limited ticketed preview hour from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. More information can be found online.
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How The Brunch Stole Christmas, a drag brunch at The Elm
Great Barrington— On Sunday, December 10th at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., drag brunch returns to The Elm.
Fill your heart and tummy with Christmas cheer with local Berkshire County drag queens! The brunch is hosted by local favorite, Bella Santarella and features the winner of ‘The Majesty of The Berkshires’ pageant, Poppy DaBubbly, and Vuronika Baked who received the honor of ‘The Best of the Berkshires’ by the readers of the Berkshire Eagle.
Get ready for a jolly good time celebrating a most wonderful Christmas with a twist. Don’t miss out on this merry event filled with delicious bites and drag numbers that will scream “Merry Christmas, Mary!”
The all-ages brunch is on Sunday, December 10th at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at The Elm on Railroad Street in Great Barrington. Tickets are $12. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Berkshire Theatre Group presents ‘Mutts Gone Nuts: Santa Paws’ at The Colonial Theatre
Pittsfield— On Sunday, December 10th at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., Berkshire Theatre Group presents “Mutts Gone Nuts: Santa Paws” at The Colonial Theatre.
Experience holiday delight with “Mutts Gone Nuts: Santa Paws”, a heartwarming and action-packed dog spectacular featuring eight world class stunt dogs. From humble shelter beginnings to showbiz stardom, these amazing mutts will unleash havoc and hilarity on stage, leaving the audience howling for more. This family-friendly show is a festive frenzy of fur, fun, and fabulous entertainment, complete with classic holiday music and an abundance of good cheer. The all-star lineup includes Kiddo, a two-time world champion disc dog; a hilarious six pound Pomeranian Pikachu mix; and a host of other rescue dogs who will prance, dance, flip and skip their way right into your heart. Deemed an absolute “must-see” by the Washington Post, this show guarantees to be “Best in Show” this holiday season.
The shows are on Sunday, December 10th at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. at The Colonial Theatre on South Street in Pittsfield. Tickets are $15 and up. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Columbia County Chanukah menorah lighting in Hudson Town Square
Hudson— On December 10th at 4:30 p.m., in celebration of Chanukah, the Jewish festival of lights, Rabbi Mendel and Rochie Kremer, founders of the newly established Chabad Jewish Center of Columbia County, invite the community to the menorah lighting at Hudson Town Square.
The celebration will feature a giant Menorah, a fire performer, and a unique “gelt drop” in collaboration with the local Fire Department. Mayor Kamal Johnson and other Hudson public officials will be joining the festivities.
Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated this year from December 7th through the 15th, and recalls the victory of the Jewish people more than 2,100 years ago, who defeated an enemy that had overrun ancient Israel and sought to prohibit religious freedom. During the occupation of Jerusalem and the Temple, the enemies desecrated the oils prepared for the lighting of the Menorah, part of the daily service in the Temple. Upon recapturing the Temple, the Jewish people found only one jar of undefiled oil, enough to last for one day, but it miraculously lasted for eight days.
In commemoration, the Jewish people celebrate Chanukah for eight days by lighting an eight-branched candelabra known as a Menorah. The Menorah is placed in a highly-visible place to publicize the miracle, with its message of hope and religious freedom. Today, people of all faiths consider the holiday as a symbol of the triumph of freedom over oppression, spirit over matter, and light over darkness.
The lighting is on December 10th at 4:30 p.m. at Hudson Town Square on Warren Street in Hudson.
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Stockbridge Festival Chorus presents Benjamin Britten’s ‘A Ceremony of Carols’ at its annual Christmas concert
Stockbridge— On Saturday, December 9th at 3 p.m., Stockbridge Festival Chorus, a 50-voice community-based chorus under the direction of Tracy Wilson, announces its annual Christmas concert, featuring Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols,” accompanied by Teresa Mango on harp. Other anthems by John Rutter, Philip Stopford and Peter Warlock will be accompanied by Bob Logan on piano, and Ed Lawrence on organ.
The hour-long concert is on Saturday, December 9th at 3 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First Congregational Church on Main Street in Stockbridge. Admission is a donation at the door of $20 for adults, $10 for members of local community choirs, and free for youth ages 18 and under. For more information, call 413-298-3137.
