The Big 5-0 Aston Magna Music Festival will present its 50th season with five weekends of incredible concerts in the Boston area and the Berkshires . Concerts will be held at Saint James Place in Great Barrington and at Slosberg Music Center at Brandeis University in Waltham . A broad spectrum of works by celebrated and lesser-known composers will be performed by gifted musicians who will bring their talents to Saint James Place at 6 p . m . on five consecutive Sundays ( June 24 and July 1 , 8 , 15 , 22 ). In the final weekend , a celebration of Baroque music will be brought to Brandeis and the Berkshires , with a special additional performance at Hudson Hall in Hudson , New York ( July 21 ). astonmagna . org
ShoutOut
This , that , and the other things
B y B e n j a m i n L e r n e r
LIVE AT MASS MOCA : ILANA GLAZER
Get ready to enjoy an evening of sharp and bawdy humor . Ilana Glazer is bringing her hilarious solo comedy act to the Hunter Center Stage at MASS MoCa on August 5 at 8 p . m . Glazer is best known for co-creating and co-starring in the beloved Comedy Central series , Broad City , along with Abbi Jacobson . Recently , she has honed her comedic skillset through well-received specials and shows such as the 2020 Amazon Prime special The Planet Is Burning and the Apple TV + mystery comedy series , The Afterparty . There ’ s no better place to grab a pre-show bite or drink than MASS MoCA ’ s on-site eateries . massmoca . org
THE LINEUP
The events calendar for Williamstown Theatre Festival ( WTF ) is packed with fantastic entertainment . Award-winning comedian Hasan Minhaj of The Daily Show and Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj will grace WTF ’ s Main Stage with his one-man show , “ Experiment Time ” ( July 13 – 15 ). Tony Award ® -winner Laura Benanti will share songs from her illustrious Broadway career on the Main Stage ( July 16 ). The highly anticipated WTF Cabaret will be curated by Christopher Fitzgerald and will take place on the Festival Stage ( July 20 – August 5 ). At the end of July , WTF ’ s Main Stage Reading series presents Hamish Linklater ’ s Paris , ACTORS ( July 22 – 23 ), starring Linklater himself and Lily Rabe ; and Anton Chekhov ’ s Three Sisters , which will feature Louisa Jacobson ( July 29 – 30 ). And there ’ s more ! WTF is co-presenting with Barrington Stage Company ( BSC ) William Finn ’ s 1998 musical , A New
Brain , on BSC ’ s Boyd-Quinson Stage ( August 20 – September 10 ). wtfestival . org
Third Time Around
Berkshire Busk ! is back and better than ever . Lively celebrations of dance , acrobatics , and more will light up the streets of Great Barrington on Fridays and Saturdays starting at 6:30 p . m ., June 30 to September 2 . This year , thematically organized nights will be held in collaboration with organizations such as Jacob ’ s Pillow and Berkshire Pride . First up is “ School ’ s Out at Berkshire Busk !” It will feature local , talented teen residents , as well a performance by the Australian teenage guitarist and singer Noah Robertson ( July 1 ). The Jacob ’ s Pillow collaborative “ Dance Night !” will take place on July 14 , and Pride Night will be held on July 15 . The Berkshire Busk ! night market will also make a triumphant return on Saturdays on Railroad Street . And don ’ t forget to check out other locations curated by Berkshire Busk ! berkshirebusk . com
The Smile of Her
This summer , Berkshire Theatre Group will host the world premiere of a phenomenal new play . The Smile of Her will be staged at The Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge , with preview showings on July 12 and July 13 at 7 p . m . The show will run nightly through July 29 . The Smile of Her is an autobiographical show written and performed by the incomparable Christine Lahti . Set in 1950s America , this intimate and introspective production delves into themes of resilience , personal growth , and the power of self-expression . With each moment on stage , Lahti weaves a tapestry of raw emotions and compelling narratives that leaves an indelible mark on the soul . berkshiretheatregroup . org
The Big 5-0 Aston Magna Music Festival will present its 50th season with five weekends of incredible concerts in the Boston area and the Berkshires . Concerts will be held at Saint James Place in Great Barrington and at Slosberg Music Center at Brandeis University in Waltham . A broad spectrum of works by celebrated and lesser-known composers will be performed by gifted musicians who will bring their talents to Saint James Place at 6 p . m . on five consecutive Sundays ( June 24 and July 1 , 8 , 15 , 22 ). In the final weekend , a celebration of Baroque music will be brought to Brandeis and the Berkshires , with a special additional performance at Hudson Hall in Hudson , New York ( July 21 ). astonmagna . org
Comings and Goings
MASS MoCA ’ s campus has seen several businesses move to greener pastures , with exciting new businesses taking up their spots . ROAM Gallery is now located at 16 Water Street in Williamstown , and Eckert Gallery is now at Hotel Downstreet in North Adams . New tenants at MASS MoCA include Berkshire Innovation Center ’ s BIC Works @ MoCA , the Council on the Uncertain Human Future , and a satellite office of Berkshire Dream Home Real Estate . Owners of Chingón Taco Truck have opened a takeout window in the entrance courtyard . Their new restaurant , Casita , in Building 11 opens this summer , serving upscale traditional Mexican cuisine in a casual and warm ambience . Located in the Guardhouse , the new BIGG Daddy ’ s Philly Steakhouse has given MASS MoCA ’ s dining scene new levels of flavorful fun . BIGG Daddy ’ s was conceived and executed by the team behind the popular Firehouse Café in Adams .
LIAM GORMAN
›› Need a shout out ? Email editorial @ berkshiremag . com
6 // BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE July 2023