GBPT, panel discussions moderated by Braha and Frangione, featuring of-the-moment discussions with theater makers from the Berkshires and beyond. Discussions start at 7 p. m. Chat GBPT reservations and list of panelists can be found at greatbarringtonpublictheater. org.
Jan. 20: Does Art Matter? Feb. 17: Innovative Theater-Making in the
Berkshires Mar. 17: The State of Theater Today
Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge is doubling down on all that jazz, literally, presenting live jazz in the galleries as you explore the Jazz Age exhibition. Buy tickets and make reservations at nrm. org.
Nov. 15, 22, 29; Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27; 1 to 3 p. m: Sounds of Swing at the Norman Rockwell Museum features a live jazz duo who not only play music from the’ 20s to the’ 40s in the galleries of the Jazz Age Illustration exhibition at NRM, but they discuss the rapid social and cultural change in America during this time.
Dec. 13, 11 a. m. to 12:30 p. m.: Art Talk and Workshop with Louis Henry Mitchell. Meet Louis Henry Mitchell, Creative Director of Character Design at Sesame Workshop, for a special artist workshop for all ages. Hear how meeting Jim Henson’ s Muppets on television at age six, along with comic books and the art of Norman Rockwell, set him on his path to becoming an artist. Mitchell will introduce a few of his favorite Sesame Street characters and lead participants through hands-on exercises in designing their own character— no drawing experience required!
The Clark Art Institute in Williamstown spices things up around the holidays, in addition to galleries that showcase masterpieces of European and American painting, sculpture, works on paper, and decorative arts form the Renaissance to the early 20th century. Free admission to the Clark from January to March. For tickets to certain events, go to clarkart. edu / events.
Dec. 5, 6 p. m.: Holiday Walk Weekend Concert, features Jenny Herzog performing a spirited blend of the Great American Songbook, tap dance, and holiday classics at the Manton Research Center. A part-time Berkshire resident, Herzog is joined by longtime collaborator, interdisciplinary pianist Jacob Hiser.
Dec. 6, Jan. 3, and Feb. 7, 10:15 a. m.: New Parents Gallery Tours start in the Clark lobby. A Clark educator leads an informal, thematic tour of the permanent collection, with no worries about short attention spans or fussy babies. Free.
Jan. 10 and Feb. 14, 10 a. m. to 12 p. m.: Start with Art for three to six year olds combines art-making and interactive artwork talks: Jan. 10 with an animal theme; Feb. 14 with a shape and color theme. They take place at the Michael Conforti Pavilion and Permanent Collection Galleries.
The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington offers a place to share your Thanksgiving story— and who doesn’ t have one of those? Tickets may be purchased at mahaiwe. org.
Nov. 23, 4 p. m.: Shire Stories with Sheela Clary: Planes, Trains and Automobiles is an evening of local storytellers sharing light-hearted but conflict-ridden stories in honor of Thanksgiving. Clary, local writer and teacher, workshops stories with storytellers before the event that she emcees.
The Indigo Room is the new performance space in the former Great Barrington firehouse next door to the Mahaiwe. Updates on performances can be found at mahaiwe. org. Two special events are coming up.
Dec. 5, 5:30 and 8:30 p. m.: Jazz pianist Isaiah J. Thompson and quartet perform A Guaraldi Holiday.
Dec. 6, 8 p. m.: Award winning electroacoustic duo ARKAI perform cutting edge string music.
The Foundry in West Stockbridge continues to bring powerful, distinctive international voices to the Berkshires. All shows begin at 7:30 p. m. For tickets, go to thefoundryws. com.
Nov. 29: Klezmer Night with Itay Dayan and his Band features Boston-based Israeli clarinetist and composer Itay Dayan, considered one of today ' s most promising voices in klezmer, a folk music tradition of Eastern European Ashkenazi Jews.
Dec. 11: The MacDonald sisters perform A Very Very Cassie & Maggie Christmas, which is sure to enchant the whole family with lively fiddle, piano, and guitar arrangements and stunning sibling vocal harmonies in both English and Gaelic, complemented by their intricate and percussive step dancing style.
Dec. 12: Jackie Beat: Pretty Lady Christmas is iconic, legendary, and delusional featuring international drag queen superstar Jackie Beat, whose stockings will be stuffed with naughty new numbers and crass classics!
Dec. 17: Kongero, a Swedish female vocal group whose voices and harmonies blend perfectly, perform at folk, a capella, and chamber music festivals around the world and will be at The Foundry.
Berkshire Music School in Pittsfield presents soul-warming music with shows from both acclaimed musical artists and musicians-in-training. From jazzy, soulful sounds to the enthusiasm of music students, it’ s all music to our ears and our heart. Tickets can be purchased at berkshiremusicschool. org.
Dec. 5, 6 p. m: Samirah Evans and the Nate Martel Band will perform at the Adams Theater to benefit Berkshire Music School.
Nov. 15 and Dec. 13, 3 p. m.: Student recitals take place at the school’ s Taft Recital Hall.
The ButtonBall Barn in South Egremont may have a new name but is still the center of live music in South Berkshires, from world renowned acts to local talent. Take a load off at The Barn this winter for a good time and excellent music. Tickets and schedule are at buttonballbarn. com.
Dec. 6, 7:30 p. m., Wanda Houston Project, and Dec. 27, 7:30 p. m. the BTUs, two iconic Berkshire performers, come to the ButtonBall Barn this season, amid a full lineup of nationally acclaimed artists.( See story on page 72.)
Berkshire Theatre Group is the place to go for world-class entertainment and performers in its spectacular venues. For a lineup of holiday shows, see page 13. For tickets and their full schedule go to berkshiretheatergroup. org.
Nov. 22, 7:30 p. m. A special tribute concert, Harvest & Rust: A Neil Young Experience, celebrates Young’ s 80th birthday, will be at The Colonial Theater in Pittsfield, featuring The Barn Burners, local singers Susan Davis and Beth Rose.
16 // BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE Holiday 2025