Those following news about the Berkshires know that National Geographic Traveler recently rated us one of the Top Ten Destinations in the world!   Of course, having a world-class summer season of theater, dance and music is part of the package.    But if the place completely dried up the rest of the year, I do not believe we would have received this recognition.

Thanks to recent renovations of the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield and the Mahaiwe Theater in Great Barrington, great performances are available to local audiences, and off-season visitors all year.    Just over the next several weeks, the Mahaiwe is featuring a showing of Paul Newman’s Cool Hand Luke, the Metropolitan Opera presents an HD broadcast of "Hamlet," David Bromberg is in town to showcase his folk, blues and bluegrass innovations.   Finally, local favorite Shawn Colvin is here April 16th.

The Colonial Theatre has Roger McGuinn and Tom Rush this weekend, as well as nine other presentations in the next 30 days.    And this is April!   The offerings include speakers, lecturers, music, and even Beatlemania.

Hampton Terrace is located about 15 minutes from each venue.    Let us help you plan a great Berkshire weekend, including an experience at one of our beautifully renovated venues.

Saturday November 1 / 8PM
$40 Golden Circle/ $35/$25 Mahaiwe Members

Of course, Tanglewood created the reason people began coming to the Berkshires annually to hear classical music.   But under the rationale of "critical mass," numerous arts presenters have sprung up over the years to give concert-goers multiple nightly options.

The Berkshire Choral Festival began in 1982 and performs weekends from mid-July to early August at the Berkshire School in Southern Berkshire County.   The Springfield Symphony provides the musical accompaniment.   If you are an experienced choral singer, and you would like to spend a week in the Berkshires, it is possible to sing with the Berkshire Choral Festival.   They also offer opportunities to sing with the Chorus in England, Canada and Austria.

The Berkshire Opera presents fully staged performances, featuring internationally known opera stars, on multiple venues throughout the Berkshires.  

The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield and the Mahaiwe Theater in Great Barrington also present an annual slate of classical music.   Their websites offer calendars and the opportunity to purchase tickets.

Hampton Terrace in Lenox also offers classical music…much more ambiantly.   We have hidden speakers in our common area rooms that play classical background music during the day and jazz at night.   We also have a 1929 Steinway L Grand piano which is in great shape, is always in tune, and is frequently played by guests.   So for a great Berkshire bed and breakfast experience, stay at Hampton Terrace, one of the best reviewed Lenox inns.

In our last entry, I waxed endlessly about the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield.   Not to be overlooked or minimized is an equal accomplishment in South County.   The Mahaiwe Theater in Great Barrington, although not totally abandoned like the Colonial, had for many decades hosted re-run movies and local productions.  Earlier in the decade the Berkshire Opera bought it and enbarked on a campaign to turn it into its full-time permanent home, but in the difficult era of fundraising that followed 9/11, the opera turned its attention to its own needs and turned the Mahaiwe over to a citizens group dedicted purely to its restoration.   And it is now completely done and has become the centerpiece of Great Barrington’s cultural offerings, with programming ranging from HD simulcasts of the Metropolitan Opera to Paul Taylor’s Dance Company, Judy Collins and documentary films.   To see their listings, click on www.mahaiwe.org and stay at Hampton Terrace, www.hamptonterrace.com