by Shera Cohen
THIS IS THE THIRD PART OF A SERIES ON SUMMER IN THE BERKSHIRES 2021.
THE FIRST PART CAN BE READ HERE: "WHERE GENRES & GEOGRAPHY MIX"
As much as theatre is my first love in the arts, I believe that the touch of the leaves of the Lamb’s Ear plant is mesmerizing. Berkshire Botanical Garden’s “ears” grow throughout its many acres. www.berkshirebotanical.org
I doubt if most know the story of Mum Bett, aka Elizabeth Freeman, the Black servant of the
Sedgwick family. She was buried in the midst of the circular family plot of the entire clan. She was certainly among her peers at the Stockbridge Cemetery. The year was 1829. www.nrm.org/2013/10/stockbridge_cemetery_tour/
I doubt if most know the story of Mum Bett, aka Elizabeth Freeman, the Black servant of the
Sedgwick family. She was buried in the midst of the circular family plot of the entire clan. She was certainly among her peers at the Stockbridge Cemetery. The year was 1829. www.nrm.org/2013/10/stockbridge_cemetery_tour/
Unicorn Theatre, BTG |
brilliant. Starting with one white building just off the main road in Stockbridge, grew to an additional barn-like theatre called the Unicorn. Plays are performed simultaneously, so any patron has his/her choice. As if there wasn’t enough for staff, crew, and actors to accomplish, but the powers that be decided to collaborate with the Colonial in downtown Pittsfield. As I understand it, once a flourishing theatre venue was eventually abandoned to become an auto-repair store. Decades later, along came Berkshire Theatre, added the word “Group” to its marquee and an art lovers’ dream came to be. Once was one, are now three. www.berkshiretheatregroup.org
Ventfort Hall Mansion, other than the lush hotels in the Berkshires, Ventfort offers a delightful step into old London at its weekly tea parties, complete with scones and cucumber sandwiches. https://gildedage.org
Photo courtesy andrewdevries.com |
One can just walk in to Sculptor Andrew DeVries’ studio in downtown Lenox. but call first for
his hours. DeVries’ works seem to sprout up like dandelions throughout Stockbridge and other towns. All you need to do is turn your head left or right to see his exquisite, accessible, yet unusual pieces. As for Mr. DeVries, in many ways he is not unlike his work; extremely talented, overly friendly, with a contagious laugh to be heard throughout the Berkshires. https://andrewdevries.com/
his hours. DeVries’ works seem to sprout up like dandelions throughout Stockbridge and other towns. All you need to do is turn your head left or right to see his exquisite, accessible, yet unusual pieces. As for Mr. DeVries, in many ways he is not unlike his work; extremely talented, overly friendly, with a contagious laugh to be heard throughout the Berkshires. https://andrewdevries.com/
THE ARTS BY GENRES
Theatre: Shakespeare & Company, Berkshire Theatre Group, Barrington Stage, Williamstown Theatre, Chester Theatre, Great Barrington Theatre
Comedy: Mahaiwe, Berkshire Theatre Group, Whitney Center
Famous Homes: Ashley House, Mission House, Bidwell, Crane Museum, Susan B. Anthony, Arrowhead, Naumkeag, Chesterwood, The Mount, Ventfort Hall, Norman Rockwell
Sculpture: The marriage of The Mount and Sculpture Now has stood the test of several years, Chesterwood, Turn Park, Norman Rockwell Museum
Dance: Jacob’s Pillow, Mahaiwe
Music: Tanglewood, Mahaiwe, Guthrie Center, Closes Encounters with Music, Aston Magna, Berkshire Opera
Museums: Clark Institute, Williams College, Mass MoCa, Berkshire Museum
THIS ARTICLE ON SUMMER IN THE BERKSHIRES CONTINUES AS WE EXPLORE "MAKE YOUR SUMMER JOURNEY EASIER, VISIT BERKSHIRE ARTS TOWN BY TOWN"