Talented artisans and craftspeople from around the region attend the Stockbridge Arts & Crafts Show. Look for original jewelry by Emily Hirsch, and folk art paintings by Suzanne Goudreau. This is a wonderful place to get a head start on holiday shopping, or to pick up a unique piece of art for your home.

The Berkshire Botanical Garden is among the oldest of its kind. Established in 1934, it features wooded walking trails, a traditional herb garden, and a lovely rose garden on its fifteen acres. Take a break from looking at the artisans and vendors and stroll through the grounds. Light refreshments will be available at the show, to enjoy as you explore.

Norman Rockwell called Stockbridge “the best of New England”, and it is indeed a picturesque town. After visiting the Arts and Crafts Show, take some time to explore Stockbridge itself. We’d be happy to recommend restaurants that guests of our bed and breakfast Berkshires have enjoyed in the past.

Pictured: earrings by Emily Hirsch.

Crosby, Stills and Nash to play at Tanglewood.

Crosby, Stills and Nash are coming to Tanglewood on Wednesday, September  1, 2010, at 7:30pm. Forty years of creative partnership, and still going strong.

Book a room at our Lenox bed and breakfast early for this big event.

Bill T. Jones and Arnie Zane Dance Company at Jacob's Pillow.

One need only look at Choreographer Bill T. Jones’ long career to recognize his brilliance. He won a Tony Award for Spring Awakening, he was awarded the MacArthur Genius Award in 1994, and he won the 2010 Tony Award for Best Choreography for his Broadway hit FELA. Take this opportunity to see his work live at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival.

Serenade/The Proposition was created to celebrate the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. According to the Jacob’s Pillow website, Jones expertly intertwines video, costume, and sets in this feast for the senses set to a score of American folk music, excerpts from famous Civil War-era speeches and spoken word ranging from personal anecdotes to lyrics from “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” We can’t wait.

Take advantage of all the amenities while staying at our bed and breakfast Lenox MA. Stroll through our six acres of gardens and woods, or walk into charming Lee for dinner. Swim in our pool, or simply lounge by it. Sleep in and indulge in a sumptuous breakfast in the morning, and relax over wine and cheese in the evening. When you return to the city, you’ll take a little cool country relaxation with you.

When will you attend Jacob's Pillow?

This is no mere spectator event – it’s a evening of fantastic entertainment, a sumptuous dinner, auctions, and dancing (yes, guests may dance, too). Many talented performers are scheduled to take the stage, including: ballet star Nina Ananiashvili, who will dance The Dying Swan; a “whirlwind solo” by Kyle Abraham; and a duet by Camille A. Brown. You’ll watch the world premiere of Karole Armitage’s new work, and a new film from the Jacob’s Pillow Archives. After feasting and bidding at the live and silent auctions (to support Jacob’s Pillow), you’ll rub elbows with the performers while dancing to live music on the Great Lawn. Expect to return late to our Berkshires bed and breakfast.

This is a truly special event, and we hope you can attend it. If not, there will be other opportunities to enjoy great programming during the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, which runs through August, 2010.

Sit by the roaring fire, enjoy a glass of wine and tasty cheese, and talk about old times. Then get out there and create some new memories together. We’ll give you coupons for some of the shops at the nearby Prime outlet stores, just two miles away. We will also happily arrange a luxurious spa day for you all.

Celebrate the women of history with a concert at The Mount

Are you up for a bit of spontaneity?

Edith Wharton’s Estate The Mount is presenting a special performance of Edith Wharton’s Parisian Salons, featuring the Cantilena Chamber Choir, on March 13, 2010, at 4pm. The Cantilena Chamber Choir is the leading a cappella choir in the Berkshires; they will sing French music that was performed in one of Wharton’s Parisian Salons, such as Sept Chansons by Francis Poulenc, the Trois Chansons by Maurice Ravel.

Many of Wharton’s Salons were fundraisers for the Belgium War Relief Effort in World War I. She worked tirelessly for the relief effort, and for this she was recognized by the French and Belgian governments. The concert in the drawing room of The Mount is a fitting event during Women’s History Month.

The concert begins at 4pm on March 13, and is followed by a reception. Space is limited, so advance tickets are strongly recommended. Call (413) 551-5111.

We hope to see you and your girlfriends this weekend at our bed and breakfast Lenox.

Our Lenox inn is nestled in the heart of the Western Massachusetts Berkshires. In addition to the peaceful woods and fields inherent in such a location, we are surrounded by a vibrant arts community that thrives year round. We feel we have the best of both worlds: plenty of tranquility, fresh air and open space, and outstanding arts.

Many people are aware that Tanglewood and Jacob’s Pillow Dance bring world-renowned artists to the region during the summer. Do you also know that the arts flourish at alternate venues throughout the year?

Ailey II comes to the Berkshires

In the coming months, The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in nearby Great Barrington, MA, will present a variety of superb performers. I’ll rattle off a few of the highlights. If you can be spontaneous, you can make it to jazz pianist McCoy Tyner on February 21, and enjoy dinner before the show at the Castle Street Cafe. The Irish Band Cherish the Ladies promises toe-tapping fun on February 27. If you prefer to plan ahead, look forward to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Ailey II on March 21, 2010. This is one of the most popular dance troupes in the country, merging youthful energy and talent with some of the most creative young choreographers in the field.

Or head south to the restored Colonial Theater in Pittsfield. Its calendar boasts everything from a production of “The Wedding Singer” on March 2 and 3, to the Susan B. Anthony Dance Theatre Troupe’s presentation of “Back on Broadway” on April 9. 2010. In between, take in The Irish Rovers, Roger McGuin and Tom Rush, and have a taste of Broadway in the Berkshires.

So don’t despair; it is possible to visit the country without forsaking the great entertainment you’ve come to expect in the city. Our Lenox lodging is about an hour from Hartford, CT, two hours from Boston, MA, and three hours from New York City. You’ll have everything you need once you arrive, so plan to stay awhile.

Norman Rockwell’s famous painting of Stockbridge Main Street will be recreated on the streets of the town. You’ll feel as if you stepped into the painting as you walk by dozens of antique cars and pass by carolers dressed in historic garb.

There will be a Holiday Play Performance and a Holiday Concert, along with a Stockbridge House Tour. The Berkshire Botanical Gardens join in the celebration with their annual Holiday Marketplace, where you can view and purchase lovely holiday wreaths, decorations and plants. IS183 Art School of the Berkshires will host its Holiday Art Sale, and there will be an Old fashioned Church Fair.

Stockbridge is close to our Lenox MA bed and breakfast, making it a great day trip from the inn. You may well take care of all of your holiday shopping at this festive event – and if you do, you are guaranteed to offer some of the most unique gifts of the season.

Our Berkshires inn will be decorated for Christmas and Hanukkah come November 27. We spend Thanksgiving with friends and family, and are refreshed and ready to celebrate the holidays again and again with our guests throughout the month of December.

The Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield is one such place, not far north of our Lee MA lodging. Freud’s Last Session is running through October 4, 2009. Don’t miss this fascinating, imagined conversation between atheist Dr. Freud and devout Christian C.S. Lewis, as they discuss God, sex, and the meaning of life. Their exchange is thought provoking as well as deeply humorous. This play is followed by a favorite musical; The Fantasticks is “a captivating romantic comedy about a boy, a girl, two fathers and a wall.”

If you happen to be staying with us on the third Thursday of a month, you may enjoy a trip up to Pittsfield for 3rd Thursdays. From 5 – 8pm, the downtown area of Pittsfield is full of music, art and great food. Art Galleries and museums stay open late, and art and music take over the town. The next two 3rd Thursdays are September 17 and October 15. Why not check out our specials – you may find temptation to cancel everything and head to the Southern Berkshires in time for 3rd Thursday on September 17.

Why not go to the theatre?

The theater is alive and well in the Berkshires. The Berkshire Theatre Festival produces outstanding productions close to our bed and breakfast in the Berkshires. An evening at the theatre is a perfect way to round out your summer.

The Main Stage is the Berkshire Theatre Festival’s largest venue, and hosts shows from June 19th through August 29, 2009. This Nationally Historic building (1888) has been at the heart of the BTF since 1928. The Unicorn Stage is the ideal setting for small, intimate productions. With just 122 seats, spectators often feel a part of what is on stage. This theatre runs shows from May 23 to December 30, 2009. The festival also runs a fine family theater program in a variety of locations throughout the Berkshires.

As summer draws to a close, plan a trip to our Berkshires lodging and take in a show at the theater. Ghosts is running through August 29 at the Main Stage, and Sick is at the Unicorn Theatre until early September, when Red Remembers takes over for the fall. Superb scripts and excellent acting will make greet you no matter which show you select.

Doug Varone at Jacob's Pillow

Wednesday August 12 and Sunday August 16 Doug Varone and Dancers bring their “Uninhibited kinetic brilliance” (The New York Observer) to the Ted Shawn Theatre. A writer for The Washington Post once described their movement as “the kind of dancing I might dream about, loose and sweeping in a spirit of exultation.”

The Doris Duke Theatre will present Rubberbandance, the newest work from dancer/choreographer Victor Quijada. According to the Boston Globe, this performance demonstrates an “expansive, sophisticated approach to physicality.” Rubberbandance combines ballet, ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, spoken word and video, and draws the audience into their world. There will be a performance Wednesday, August 12, two performances Saturday, August 15, and one on Sunday, August 16.

Our lodging in the Berkshires is conveniently situated; it is close to Jacob’s Pillow, close to Tanglewood, close to hiking trails and close to fine dining in quaint towns. When you have a little down time, laze with a book by the pool or sip tea on the porch. Be sure you take time to relax during your Berkshires getaway.