Saturday, March 14, 2026

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

HomeLife In the Berkshires

Life In the Berkshires

EYES TO THE SKY: Here comes the sun

Astronomically, the Vernal Equinox, the first day of spring, occurs on March 20, 2026, when sunrise is 6:57 a.m. and sunset 7:05 p.m. In our locale, close to equal day and night also occurs on the 18th and 19th.

BITS & BYTES: WAM Theatre at Ventfort Hall; ‘Mutts Gone Nuts’ at The Colonial; Aston Magna Music Festival at Saint James Place; Spanish language tour...

With humor, artistic-homage, and grace, “Angry, Raucous, and Shamelessly Gorgeous” packs a punch as it explores artistic ownership, generational identity, and jungle-red nail polish.

Notes from Southern Berkshire Ambulance: December 2025

2025 marks my 50th year as a volunteer with Southern Berkshire Ambulance. My good friend, Ken Schumacher, is celebrating his 49th. Together, we've seen a lot of change. But one thing hasn't: We are there when you need us—24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

BITS & BYTES: Stella Cole at The Linde; Laura Anglade and Ben Rosemblum at Spencertown Academy; Tim Jones at The Colonial; The Met at...

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

NATURE’S TURN: Native flora and fauna of the Southern Taconic Range

Native flora and fauna engage and delight explorers of all ages along Mt. Washington’s scenic trails.

NICK DILLER: November 2025 weather

Looking at the month, cloudy and cool. There were only two completely fair days.

BITS & BYTES: Everett Bradley at Kaatsbaan; Jackie Beat at The Foundry; ‘Sense & Sensibility’ at Shakespeare & Company; Indigo Comedy Night with Ariel Elias; Ventfort Hall has...

In “HOLIDELIC,” Everett Bradley assumes the role of Papadelic, funk’s Father Christmas and larger-than-life fusion of George Clinton and Santa Claus.

BITS & BYTES: Berkshire Children’s Chorus holiday concert; Jacob’s Pillow at MASS MoCA; George H. Tucker at Lenox Library; WordXWord presents Poets Creating Conversation; Sheffield...

Berkshire Children’s Chorus will perform a holiday concert at Chatham Public Library, as part of the library’s “Music in the Library” concert series.

BITS & BYTES: Bard Graduate Vocal Arts Program recitals at PS21; Kate McLeod at Spencertown Academy; Jim Petosa at Becket Arts Center; X SXR GRIPP...

The Bard Graduate Vocal Arts Program presents “The Heart of a Woman” and “American Tapestry,” two recitals at PS21 exploring the American experience through art song and American music.

BITS & BYTES: ARKAI at the Indigo Room; Berkshire Playwrights Lab at Symphony Space; BIFF presents ‘The Nutcracker at Wethersfield’; BCC Players presents ‘The...

ARKAI has captivated audiences around the world with their creative imagination and cutting-edge string music, transforming the beautiful tones of the violin and cello into epic soundscapes that resemble a rock band backed by a cinematic orchestra.

THEN & NOW: The historic Berkshire Courier newspaper building

Enterprising editor/publisher Marcus Rogers had the structure built, and he lived on the upper floors with his family for a time.

NICK DILLER: 60 years of Thanksgiving weather

How did yesterday compare to Thanksgivings past?

BITS & BYTES: Cassie and Maggie Christmas at The Foundry; Berkshire Botanical Garden Holiday Marketplace and Gallery of Wreaths; Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas; Downtown Pittsfield Festive Frolic; Berkshire Art Center...

Named Live Ireland Radio’s “Vocalists of the Year,” the Nova Scotian sisters have enchanted audiences far and wide with lively fiddle, piano and guitar arrangements, stunning sibling vocal harmonies in both English and Gaelic, all complemented by their intricate and percussive step-dancing style.

BITS & BYTES: Alec Mapa at The Foundry; ‘A Christmas Carol’ at the Unicorn Theatre; Jenny Herzog at The Clark; Cantilena Chamber Choir presents...

Alec Mapa is an actor and comedian with 40 years of credits from Broadway (“M.Butterfly,”) Television (“Desperate Housewives,” “Ugly Betty,” “Doom Patrol,” “RuPaul's Drag Race”) and Film (“Connie and Carla,” "Queen Bees.”)

BITS & BYTES: Aimée Allen at Kaatsbaan; Close Encounters With Music presents the Vivace Chamber Orchestra; Berkshire Music School and Adams Theater present Samirah...

Kaatsbaan Cultural Park and Chamber Music America presents an evening of jazz with the Aimée Allen Jazz Quartet.

EYES TO THE SKY: Summer stars west, winter stars east, planets Saturn and Jupiter evening sky

As twilight deepens during the evenings of November 24 to 28, a waxing crescent moon appears in the south to southwest, above the setting Teapot asterism.