ShoutOut
This , that , and the other things
B y L a u r a M a r s
HOLLY ANDRES , COURTESY MASS MOCA
ON VIEW & ON STAGE
How to Baffle the Wind by Yto Barrada opens Nov . 20 at MASS MoCA . The exhibit slips between language and medium to model , parody , and learn from our attempts to regulate and organize nature . Earlier in November , Iphigenia : A New Opera was performed by Grammy ® Award-winner Esperanza Spalding ( above ) and composer Wayne Shorter , marking the end of a MASS MoCA residency . The opera now travels coast to coast . If old-fashioned holiday stories are your speed , White
Christmas is at the Colonial , Dec . 4 – 23 , and Shakespeare & Co . presents The Wickhams : Christmas at Pemberley , Dec . 16 – 19 .
BEING GRATEFUL
Kristi Nelson ’ s The Gratitude Explorer , from Storey Publishing in North Adams , is a journal and guide designed to see you off on a “ journey to joy .” In three parts –– Become Present , Seek Perspective , Awaken Possibility –– this illustrated book helps you keep your head above today ’ s stormy waters and learn how to throw a life preserver to others in need . Other releases in time for the holidays from Storey , whose mission is to publish “ information that encourages personal independence in harmony with the environment ,” are How to Make a Board Game and The Tiny Kitchen . storey . com
BILL WRIGHT , COURTESY BARRINGTON STAGE COMPANY
Old-Fashioned Fun
If a toy store road trip sounds like fun , start at Norad Toy & Candy Co . in the Norad Mill in North Adams . Think Tonka Trucks , Tinker Toys , and penny candy plucked from big glass jars ! Stop into Where ’ d You Get That ? in Williamstown for gifts for all ages . Next , to The Gifted Child in Lenox — a Berkshire classic with toys and crafts . Take a slight detour to Charles Baldwin & Sons in West Stockbridge for old-fashioned candy , gifts , decor , and its famous vanilla extract . Then to Great Barrington ’ s two long-standing toy stores on Main Street : Tom ’ s Toys and Matrushka . Finish your journey on Main Street at Robyn ’ s Candy Store , with blast-from-the-past goodies .
Soon Retiring
Julianne Boyd , founder and artistic director of Barrington Stage Co ., will retire at the end of 2022 and take on the title of artistic director emeritus . Barrington Stage will conduct a national search for her successor . Boyd , who is looking forward to more family time , recently received the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mass . Nonprofit Network ( MNN ). “ Julianne ’ s examples of service , commitment , and creativity make Massachusetts a better place ,” says MNN CEO Jim Klocke .
Our Happy Place
Dozens of bold , bright posters –– both classic Berkshire and contemporary cool –– cover the walls at HappyPlace- Berkshires studio at 312 Main Street in Great Barrington . In 2017 , artist Judy Bates created her first poster ( for Tanglewood ), and her latest is of a most sophisticated Berkshire Bear . These beauties are screen printed in Bates ’ Happy Place store , along with clothing for all ages , because who doesn ’ t want to be in their happy place , wherever they happen to live ? happyplaceberkshires . com
Buried Treasure
The hunt is on ! From Nov . 27 through the end of the year , CozQuest invites players to hunt for hidden QR codes at Berkshire businesses and cultural institutions throughout the county . Find and scan the code at each location to win something , and compete for a grand prize . The brains behind the year-old online marketing firm is Liam Gorman , who hopes “ to unite the county to shop around the corner instead of on Amazon .” One of the first stops in the holiday hunt is Hotel on North in Pittsfield , complete with 15-plus pop-up vendors . To get in the game , go to cozquest . com and download the app . Scan the QR code on page 2 for more info .
COURTESY NORAD TOY & CANDY CO .
›› Need a shout out ? Email editorial @ berkshiremag . com
6 // BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE Holiday 2021