Thursday, January 15, 2026

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

HomeLife In the Berkshires

Life In the Berkshires

BITS & BYTES: Seán Dagher at The Foundry; Tatiana Kalinichenko and Dmytro Tkachenko at Fisher Center; ‘The Testament of Ann Lee’ returns to the Crandell; BIFF...

Sea shanties have been garnering a resurgence in popularity in the last few years with Seán Dagher being one of the most popular artists worldwide in the genre.

New Marlborough audience gathers for ‘Restoring the Promise’ presented by Antonio Massa Viana

Since becoming the first known unauthorized immigrant to earn a law license, Antonio Massa Viana has worked tirelessly to support immigrants, creating a space where they feel “seen, heard, and appreciated” and a firm that provides “guidance with compassion and unmatched immigration legal representation.”

BITS & BYTES: Joe Wheaton and Tomo Sakai at Lauren Clark Fine Art and Childs+Clark Gallery; Zoe Bates at American Mural Project; Klezmer Night at The Foundry; ‘The...

Lauren Clark Fine Art and Childs+Clark Gallery present "Wheaton Swan Song,” a farewell exhibit of work by beloved and renowned sculptor Joe Wheaton.

BITS & BYTES: ‘NightWood’ at The Mount; Berkshire Museum and Hancock Shaker Village present ‘Barn To Be Wild!’; Festival of Lights in Millerton; Grinchmas...

Created in collaboration with award-winning lighting designer Chris Bocchiaro of Clerestory Light, ‘NightWood' transforms The Mount’s historic grounds and gardens into a luminous winter dreamscape.

BITS & BYTES: ‘Sprites, Spells, and Splashes’ at The Carle; Raffaella della Olga at The Clark; ‘Arabella’ at The Mahaiwe; Aba Diop at Race Brook Lodge; BIFF presents Jim...

“Sprites, Spells, and Splashes: Magical Beings in Picture Book Art” is an enchanting exhibition exploring the rich visual traditions of fairies, mermaids, wizards, and other supernatural beings through beloved picture book illustrations.

Notes from Southern Berkshire Ambulance: November 2025

This is going to be an especially challenging budget season for Southern Berkshire Ambulance Squad (SBAS). Here's why.

WHERE WE ARE: Gordy Soule, a true local

Long-time Monument Mountain Regional High School social studies teacher Gordy Soule is one of those locals whose ancestors have been settled in southern Berkshire County so long that no living family member is quite sure which great-great-grandparent came over from where, or when.

BITS & BYTES: Deborah Carter and Aidan Mac at Kimball Farms; The Bookstore presents Alice Brock; Baye & Asa at MOSAIC; ‘Dear Edwina JR.’ at Chatham...

A Lenox resident who shares her work internationally, Deborah Carter creates sophisticated glamour using “upcycled” everyday objects like neckties, plastic bags, and cutlery.

THEN & NOW: The Sandisfield stagecoach

As railroads expanded in much of the Northeast, most long-distance stage lines were out of business by the 1860s. Autos and trucks eventually ended local stage deliveries as well. But a few stages continued to serve rural towns like Sandisfield until about 1920.

NATURE’S TURN: Autumn turns toward winter as winterberry holly blazes in the landscape

Recently, as I walked by my eastern bluestar, its leafy stems softly brushed my hand. A tender moment in the mostly dormant landscape.

BITS & BYTES: Harvest & Rust at The Colonial; Indian Classical Music at Racebrook Lodge; Maddie Wiener at MASS MoCA; Berkshire Art Association seeks...

Known for their authentic renditions, Harvest & Rust captures the essence of Neil Young’s music, delivering both beloved hits and deep cuts with precision and passion.

BITS & BYTES: Third Thursday at Olana; Pilobolust at The Mahaiwe; Warren Zanes at The Crandell; AI for All for BCC; Women of Spirit...

Stop by the Wagon House Education Center for a chance to celebrate Indigenous History Month and learn more about the history, culture, and craft of native peoples throughout the world.

BITS & BYTES: Tarik Shah at Race Brook Lodge; Fall Festival of Shakespeare at Shakespeare & Company; Great Barrington Public Theater 10-Minute Play Festival;...

Legendary bassist Tarik Shah is a remarkable and extraordinary individual who is serious about the music and brings a high level of jazz improvisation with a lot of joy and integrity.

BITS & BYTES: Albert Cummings at The Colonial; Catalyst Quartet at Linde Center; YATTA at ART OMI; Spencertown Academy member exhibit; Edward Pelkey at...

Albert Cummings is a powerhouse blues guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter whose electrifying sound has cemented him as a leading voice in modern blues.

BITS & BYTES: Dan Tyminski at The Mahaiwe; Music Mountain presents Ulysses Quartet at Wethersfield; The Orchestra Now presents ‘Jurassic Park’; Rick McLaughlin Trio...

Tyminski’s voice famously accompanies George Clooney’s performance of the Stanley Brothers’ classic song, “I Am A Man of Constant Sorrow,” in the film, “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?”

BITS & BYTES: inkBoat at Kaatsbaan; Berkshire International Film Festival presents ‘SLAY’; Berkshire County Historical Society at The Beacon; ‘Sno-ciety’ at The Colonial; Samuel...

This choreographic project combines traditional practices of Daoist Internal Arts with inkBoat’s performance-devising practices, rooted in the Japanese avant-garde, delving into the nature and quality of a body nearing the end of its run, and speculating on the afterlife and the tenderness of recognizing fellow travelers.

BITS & BYTES: Stephen Glantz at BIFF; ‘The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne’ at The Crandell; ‘La Bohème’ at The Mahaiwe and The Clark; Ohan Breiding and Lisa E....

‘WUNDERKINDER’ tells a tale of three exceptionally musically talented children who develop a deep and genuine friendship, extending beyond their different religions and nationalities.