Last Minute Going-Ons!

We haven’t heard much from The Clark this season since they have begun their renovations, but this week they have a couple events happening that we want you to know about!

Saturday, March 1^st

The Clark will be broadcasting Alexander Borodin’s Prince Igor at 12 pm.  In the words of The New York Times, Dmitri Tcherniakov’s production includes, “dreamlike, wrenchingly human and viscerally theatrical” stage. Ildar Abdrazakov will be singing the title role and Gianandrea Noseda will conduct. Be sure to NOT miss out on this classic, and purchase your tickets while they are available. Tickets are $25 and the approximate running time of the show is 270 minutes. Because of limited parking, The Clark encourages guests to arrive 20 minutes or so before show time.

Thursday, March 13^th

The Clark will be hosting, “Looking at Lunch Time” at 12:30 pm. Join Michael Cassin, director of the Center for Education in the visual Arts, in the intimate galleries of Stone Hill Center for a look at pieces from their permanent collection. Currently on display are three installations: Sacred and Profane: Four Hundred Years of Religious and Mythological Paintings; Face Time: Portraits and Figures in Paintings and Sculpture; and Land, Sea, and Sky: The Natural World in Art 1600-1900. Come take a gander and chat about your favorite pieces!

http://www.clarkart.edu/

For Your February Breaks

It’s still pretty cold here in Williamstown, and snowing as I type, but according to recent weather forecasts, we should be enjoying some balmy weather when we reach the 40s for the rest of the week! I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am pretty excited to see the thermometers read anything over 20 degrees! Heck, this winter I’m excited to see any number without a negative symbol in front of it J The pleasant weather will also be a great addition to those of you enjoying your February school breaks, and if you’re coming to The 1896 House this week, there will be LOTS for you to do while you’re here, so much in fact, that I haven’t even listed here ALL of the things going in the area but rather, listed the most appealing events ;) We’ve got comedians, story-telling and maple syrup season. We’ve got things for old people to do, things for young people to do and we’ve got things for all of those in between to do and then plenty more! All over the Berkshires!

Going on this week in the Berkshires:

February 19

Fact or Fiction? Every picture Tells a Story

Come to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA and explore how the art of Norman Rockwell, Ruth Sanderson, and Wendell Minor tell stories in pictures, and create artworks in mixed media that express your own ideas in these special drop-in workshops for all ages.

February 20

Carnival of the Animals
Berkshire Music School students and faculty members will perform Saint-Saen’s popular tribute to the world of animals! Come to The Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA to enjoy this whimsical and humorous musical suite of fourteen movements. It is sure to delight the whole family! After the  performance, use your program as a guide and see if you can find all fourteen animals in the Museum!

February 21
Weekly on Sun, Fri, Sat until April 16, 2014

Celebrate Maple Syrup Season at Ioka Valley Farm

Come to Ioka Valley Farm in Hancock, MA where Calf-A  is now serving their homemade pancakes, waffles, & French toast with their Pure Maple Syrup! Don’t miss their Weekend Maple Sugaring Activities in the Sugar House!

February 21

10 ComediansThe Laugh Lounge, the Berkshires’ leading comedy presenter, returns to the 10×10 Festival with another terrific weekend of laughter! Each night at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Pitssfield, MA will feature a completely new lineup of comedians with four of the best local/regional comics followed by a national touring comic! Friday, 2/21 at 8pm: Recently heard on Marc Maron’s prestigious WTFpod, is brilliantly funny headliner Mike Vecchione. Saturday, 2/22 at 8pm: Adrienne Iapalucci, who was just featured in November on CBS’ “Late Show With David Letterman” with a critically acclaimed performance.

February 22

Ethan From Marathon Reading

Readers of all ages are invited to The Mount in Lenox, MA to experience this New England classic in a new way at the second annual marathon reading of “Ethan Frome.” Join them in Edith Wharton’s cozy Drawing Room where readers will make Wharton’s story come to life in the very house where she wrote it. Visitors are encouraged to drop by for a chapter or two, or stay for the full reading. Seating is limited and reservations are strongly encouraged.

Matt Cusson in Concert

Berkshire native Matt Cusson brings his unique talent to the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts campus in North Adams, MA with a free concert on Saturday February 22nd hosted by MCLA student club The Society of Music. Ticket reservations are encouraged and limited tickets will be made available at the door on the day of the show. For information or for tickets, please email mclatickets@gmail.com.

February 23

The Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe Presents 10 Musicals: Unscripted

The Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe (RBIT) explores the boundaries of theater improvisation through audience participation and the use of theater games reminiscent of the TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway?  For this special 10X10 performance, RBIT will collaborate with musician Carlton Maaia to perform 10 unscripted short musicals providing the greatest spontaneous musical theatre ever seen! At The Garage, of Berkshire Theatre Group at 2pm in Pittsfield, MA

So hurry, hurry and book your rooms with me at The 1896 House while there are still rooms left to book! Pick a luxury suite or a cozy motel room and enjoy a delightful breakfast no matter which room you pick. For the skiers, I still have discounted Jiminy Peak tickets left! Ask me about them at check in!

Forecast for Williamstown: COLD

Photo courtesy of jzlomek

So that groundhog saw his shadow and to no surprise, Williamstown is about to see more snow. A LOT more snow! To all of our guests who are traveling from near and far, be sure to drive safely and plan accordingly. We are expecting to accumulate anywhere from 6 to 14 inches today! That’s a lot of snow folks, so don’t forget about some of our special ski packages, sleigh ride packages and of course, our discounted Jiminy Peak lift tickets while you are planning your stay with us! Also, we will probably not get any warmer, (Warm? What’s that?), than 30 degrees throughout the week. Despite the cold, we still have things to do and people to see and adventures to keep you busy during your stay at The 1896 House! But I can’t exactly promise that you’ll be able to get out of your rooms to do such things with all of this snow J For those of you who are traveling by sleighs, here are some of the events you can attend ;)

February 7

Model Citizens

The Norman Rockwell Museum of Stockbridge, MA is hosting their “Model Citizens event Tuesday afternoon. Find out what it was like to pose for America’s favorite illustrator from Norman Rockwell’s own models, who share their personal experiences. Free with museum admission. 2:30pm.

Williams College Music

The Williams College Music Department of Williamstown, MA is exceptional among its peer institutions and offers students a wide variety of opportunities to study music both inside and outside the classroom through performance, composition, ethnomusicology, music theory and history. The department presents approximately 125 concerts a year ranging from student recitals and ensembles to visiting artists of national and international stature.

On Tuesday evening, Williams presents the Williams Chamber players at 8:00pm.

February 8

Spank Harder, The Sequel

Berkshire Theatre Group of Pittsfield, MA presents, the original SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody was last year’s #1 show across the country, delivering naughty and hilarious fun to women in over 150 cities. Now, the ALL NEW, SPANK! Harder picks up where the original left off, parodying not only Fifty Shades but taking aim at a variety of issues facing women in today’s pop culture. Gather your girlfriends and buy your tickets now for the funniest show this year! At The Colonial Theatre at 8pm.

Snow Golfing at Cranwell Resort

Berkshire County Hiking Group is hosting a Winter Snow Golfing Event at Cranwell Resort, Spa and Golf Club in Lenox, MA . This event is the first time they have ever had a snow golfing in the Berkshires. There will be 9-holes. Players can bring a club or get one at the Pro Shop. They can bring 2 tennis balls or use the ones supplied. Food served by local restaurants will keep players warm around the course and at the Mansion at 3:30pm they will announce winners while serving Hors d’oeuvres and beverages. Captain & Crew. Click here for more information and tickets. This is a fundraiser for the Lenox Library. 11:30 – 5pm.

February 9

Valentine’s Day Baking Class

Wild Oats Market in Williamstown, MA, which is well-known for its natural remedies, offers a natural anecdote to mid-winter cabin fever – chocolate treats for you and your Valentine. Not just any chocolate either! These treats will be prepared under the direction of their baker, Kristin Kennedy, who is a master at making intricate, delicious baked goods. 2:30-4 pm. Register by calling 413.458.8060.

Eagles at Quabbin Reservoir

Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary of Lenox, MA is hosting their Eagles at Quabbin Reservoir event! Each year up to 30 bald eagles find enough food to winter at Quabbin Reservoir in central Massachusetts. For this trip, they will first stop at the Quabbin Visitor Center to learn a bit about the reservoir’s history and receive an update on the most recent eagle locations. Afterward, they will drive to various lookout points to search for eagles. In addition, they  may take short walks in search of signs of wildlife such as ruffed grouse, wild turkeys, porcupines, and coyotes. If the reservoir is not frozen, they may be able to see waterfowl as well. For those leaving from Berkshire County, space for the first five registrants will be available in the sanctuary van. Register online or call 413-637-0320 to register by phone. 8:30am – 4pm.