ning begins at 5 p . m . and includes drinks and heavy hors d ’ oeuvres , followed by a performance from the enchanting Natalia Bernal and the Endiablada Quintet . berkshireic . org
June continues with the Berkshire Dream Center ' s Night of Dreams Gala on Friday , June 14 , 6 to 9 p . m . in Pittsfield . Guests are invited to take a walk down the red carpet at Berkshire Hills Country Club , enjoy hors d ' oeuvres and dinner , and revel in a performance by Grammy ® nominated artist Matt Cusson . The curated mocktail bar promises an evening of both hope and inspiration . berkshiredreamcenter . org
On Saturday , June 15 , Berkshire Museum ’ s annual gala coincides with the exhibition The Wild Indoors : The Animal Art of Julie Bell , whose breathtaking paintings inspired the gala ’ s theme . The gala will feature a cocktail hour with raffle prizes and a live auction with unique experiences , including a surprise item that attendees of the 2023 Festival of Trees opening may recall . The night will be a chance to drink , dine , and be merry . berkshiremuseum . org
Kick up your heels at Jacob ’ s Pillow Season Opening Gala on Saturday , June 22 , in Becket . Known as the ultimate summer kickoff , the evening features The School at Jacob ’ s Pillow Contemporary Ballet Performance Ensemble performing a world premiere by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa . Additionally , in honor of the 100th Anniversary of George Gershwin ' s iconic Rhapsody in Blue , the Gala will feature tap dancer and choreographer Caleb Teicher and pianist Conrad Tao in their highly acclaimed interpretation . And American choreographer Pam Tanowitz will receive the 2024 Jacob ’ s Pillow Dance Award at the gala . jacobspillow . org
As June wraps up , organizations steeped in music , theatre , and nature make moves to toast . Shakespeare & Company ’ s 2024 Annual Gala celebrating the Education Program and its director — founding company member Kevin G . Coleman — will take place on Saturday , June 29 . Gala proceeds will benefit the award-winning education programs that touch so many lives in the Berkshires and worldwide . shakespeare . org
Berkshire Opera Festival ( BOF ) will present A Faustian Fête on Sunday , June 30 , to commemorate the main stage production , Gounod ' s Faust , along with the entire 2024 season . Executive Director Abigail Rollins says , “ This celebration and fundraiser has quickly evolved into one of the highlights of BOF ' s summer season . This year , we are thrilled to welcome baritone Darron Drone as our Gala special guest artist .” berkshireoperafestival . org
Another milestone is Flying Cloud Institute ’ s 40th Anniversary , with a handful of activities and celebrations through the fall . Flying Cloud ’ s mission is to inspire young people and educators through dynamic science and art experiences that ignite their creativity . Its summer fundraiser , The S • M • Arty Party , will be on Monday , July 15 , at Race Brook Lodge in Sheffield , featuring dinner , drinks , and live music . flyingcloudinstitute . org
As summer peaks , The Trustees of Reservations will hold its annual Garden Party on the historic grounds at Naumkeag on Saturday , July 20 . “ The Naumkeag Garden Party is one of my favorite events of the year because it gives us the opportunity to bring our friends , community partners , and supporters together in one place to celebrate the work that The Trustees has accomplished across the region ,” says Brian Cruey , the Trustees Regional Vice President for the Western Hills and Berkshires looks forward to the event every season . “ From land conservation at Bartholomew ' s Cobble , trail maintenance at Monument Mountain , the family traditions we build at Naumkeag , to our forest management at Notchview , this team provides countless services and a variety of expertise to over 20 sites that aim to engage our community and advocate for the environment here in the Berkshires .” thetrustees . org / place / naumkeag
In another picturesque locale , Volunteers in Medicine ( VIM ) observes its 20th Birthday Party on Thursday , July 25 , at the idyllic Cottage Farm of the Berkshires in Pittsfield , celebrating two decades of compassionate healthcare . The culinary experience is curated by The Swell Party , whose open fire cooking is a spectacle in itself , adding an extra layer of excitement to this special occasion . vimberkshires . org
More milestones await : Berkshire Botanical Garden ' s 90th Birthday Celebration : Fête des Fleurs on Saturday , July 27 , in Stockbridge , will be an homage to the garden ' s legacy . The celebration may go on all night , with a delightful tent dinner catered by Kate Baldwin , music under the stars with the Beantown Swing Orchestra , and an after party beginning at 9 p . m . for regular and sponsor level ticket holders . berkshirebotanical . org
Barrington Stage Company ( BSC ) invites guests to the Stationery Factory in Dalton on Monday , July 29 , for its 30th Annual Gala honoring Marita Glodt , BSC ’ s Board President from 2012 to 2023 . The big night raises support for BSC ' s Education Fund , which positively impacts the lives of more than 4,000 young people across Berkshire County each year . barringtonstageco . org
August heralds The Mahaiwe Gala featuring jazz sensation Samara Joy on Thursday , August 1 , at the Mahaiwe Performing Art Center in Great Barrington . " Samara Joy has been on our wish list for a few years now ,” says Executive Director Janis Martinson shares her anticipation . “ Over that time , her trajectory has been meteoric , and with good reason . Her ability to interpret a song with the range of her voice is once-in-a-generation . I ' m so pleased that Mahaiwe audiences will finally get to hear her live ." ( See page 20 .) Join the gala for an enchanting night of celebration , culinary delights , and the spellbinding vocals of Joy at 8 p . m . mahaiwe . org
Hancock Shaker Village will hold a very special gala on Saturday , August 3 . Director Caroline Holland notes , “ Not only will this event serve as a perfect summer evening to gather amidst the beauty of the historic village , but we are also excited to share some special elements with our guests connecting the gala celebration to the anniversary of the Shakers ' arrival in America , led by Mother Ann Lee , 250 years ago in 1774 .” hancockshakervillage . org
WAM Theatre celebrates its 15th Anniversary on Sunday , August 18 , at The Mount ,