C O N T E N T S // F A L L 2 0 2 6
features
14 A Day in the Life of a Vampire Friends since childhood, Berkshire Magazine’ s Nick Burchard spends a day with Broadway’ s Ali Louis Bourzgui. P h o t o s & E s s ay b y N i c k B u r c h a r d
20An Outspoken Voice Iconic Grammy ®-winning Lucinda Williams on her new album, World’ s Gone Wrong, and much more. She will perform at MASS MoCA’ s Hunter Center. B y B e n j a m i n L e r n e r
26 Built To Grind Katerina Economou and the architecture behind the rock powerhouse band Escuela Grind. B y B e n j a m i n L e r n e r
46 At the Helm A“ historic meeting” with the presidents of Williams College, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and Berkshire Community College. B y D r. J o s h u a S h e r m a n
68 stories
COURTESY OF HINATA RETREAT
58 Berkshire 25 Presenting this year’ s Berkshire 25, honoring 25 individuals who make this region a better place to live, to play, and to work. B y L a u r a M a r s
82 Razor’ s Edge The search for traditional barbershops— and a good haircut— in the Berkshires. B y S c o t t E d w a r d A n d e r s o n
2 Scribbled Note 6 Shout Out This, that, and other things
8 10 Minutes With...
Grammy ®-winning singer-songwriter Madison Cunningham, who will be at MASS MoCA
12 Full Circle Singer-songwriter, pianist, and multi-instrumentalist A. J. Croce will perform at the Mahaiwe in October
38 Field Notes This fall’ s world premiere of Fresh Voices in Dance at Jacob’ s Pillow
4 // BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE Fall 2026
40 Media, Medicine & the Masses
A talk with Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel, a speaker at the inaugural field festival
42 Literary Appeal A bountiful selection of authors and ideas events this fall
64 Biz 413: A new chapter in local banking with Beacon Bank
68 The Ultimate Escapes Two unique getaways in Charlemont and Shelburne Falls
76 They Call It Fishing, Not Catching
Where to cast in the Berkshires
86 Eagle Mill Lofts The transformation of Eagle Mill into a residential space
90 Giving Back A screening of the Academy Award ®-winning film Spotlight and talkback with Marty Baron
92 On the Town The Mahaiwe, Tanglewood, Barrington Stage, Hancock Shaker Village, and Fairview Hospital, as well as other happenings
96 The Art of It Marian McEvoy’ s work is on exhibit at Berkshire Botanical Garden
ON THE COVER Ali Louis Bourzgui by Nick Burchard, page 14