Events

CTSB 35th Annual Fall Festival of Shakespeare November 16 - 18

The annual Fall Festival of Shakespeare is a residency program at 10 high schools in Massachusetts and neighboring New York. Shakespeare & Company directing teams lead students at each school through a language-based exploration of different Shakespeare plays, culminating in full-scale productions at their own schools and then on the main stage at the Tina Packer Playhouse.

Providing videos of The Fall Festival has become a tradition, and for decades has been one of CTSB's primary fundraising activities. For the last two years, CTSB streamed the entire festival live on Channel 1302 and on our website and reached viewers all over the world. We are excited to once again broadcast each performance live. Tune in during the festival to ctsbtv.org/fallfest to watch live!

Thursday, November 16 – 8:30 pm – Berkshire Waldorf High School’s Henry IV, Part 1
Saturday, November 18 - 6:15pm Monument Mountain Regional High School - A Midsummer Night's Dream

Berkshire Botanical Garden Holiday Marketplace and the Gallery of Wreaths Preview Party.

The festivities begin Friday evening, Dec. 8, with the Holiday Wreath Preview Party from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Center House. The party includes early wreath-buying opportunities, live music, hors d'oeuvres, libations, and merriment. This is a pre-registered event.

The Marketplace runs Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 9-10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will feature artisan craft vendors, live music, holiday blooming plants and garlands, and succulent arrangements. Marketplace admission is free.

Norman Rockwell Museum November 18, 2023, the first major retrospective dedicated to Leo Lionni; Curators in Conversation 4 — 5:30pm — a panel chaired by NRM Chief Curator, Sephanie Haboush. Tickets $25.

From the Chamber of Commerce: STOCKBRIDGE MAIN STREET AT CHRISTMAS

The 34th annual Norman Rockwell Holiday Celebration will be December 1 — 3, 2023

The town becomes a magical New England village decorated with holiday wreaths and festive lights for the season. There is no shortage of holiday activities for the entire family to enjoy. Live Performances, Historic Property Tours, Holiday Markets, Winterlights, Rockwell Holidays at the Museum, Unique Shops, Restaurants and Santa show off the New England town.

On December 1 and 3, Friday and Saturday, the Olga Dunn Dance Company returns for the second year with "The Nutcracker Seedling" at the Stockbridge Library. (These performances are sold out)

On Saturday, December 2, the self-guided, house tour features this year features Merwin House with special treats, Ventfort Hall Museum of the Gilded Age with holiday music, Devonfield Inn, and The Mount, Edith Wharton Home. (This Tour is sold out)

On Saturday evening December 2, at the First Congregational Church, celebrate the magic of the season with a classical lite musical program and group sing-along featuring The Berkshire Bach Players with Roberta Cooper, Cello; Eugene Drucker, Viola & Violin; Laura Hamilton, Violin and Mariken Palmboom, Harpsichord & Organ.

On Sunday, December 3, the town reenacts Norman Rockwell's famous holiday scene Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas. The original painting hangs in the Norman Rockwell Museum located just a few miles outside of town. What happens on Main Street isn't an exact reenactment of the painting as there were only 16 cars in the painting and the street, which is closed to traffic, features over 50 vintage automobiles (weather permitting). Near the center of the block a Christmas tree fills the oversized window of what was once Rockwell's second-floor studio. Roger the Jester, the Victorian Carolers and Monument Mountain Regional High School perform on one end of the street while, horse drawn rides, a Makers Market, Children's crafts and visits with Santa take place on the other end. The street is lined with quaint shops, restaurants and pop-up cafes.

The 34th annual Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas weekend takes place December 1-3, 2023. For more information and tickets visit StockbridgeChamber.org. Advance orders are recommended as tickets to all events are limited and NO tickets will be sold on site of events.

Companion events:

Winterlights at Naumkeag — Friday, Saturday & Sunday This holiday season the beautiful garden property sparkle with thousands of shimmering, artfully designed holiday lights. Bring the whole family for a magical, fun, outdoor experience — with food, refreshments, and more. This year Winterlights will be exclusive on December 1, 2 & 3 for Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas patrons. Tickets are purchased directly through the Trustees. Rockwell Holidays at Norman Rockwell Museum — See Rockwell's original panorama painting of Main Street Stockbridge at Christmas, plus special exhibitions, and weekend activities to complete your Rockwellian experience in Stockbridge, 9 Glendale Rd/Rte 183, Stockbridge, MA (413) 298-4100. Tickets are purchased directly through the museum.

Saturday and Sunday, 11:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm, Norman Rockwell's Life and Holiday Art Guided Tours Tour and talk with a Museum docent; 30 min.

Saturday and Sunday, 11:00am, 2:00pm, Kids & Families Programs — A World of Celebrations! Art-making and storytelling, inspired by Between Worlds: The Art and Design of Leo Lionni.

Winter Family Fun Day and Nutcracker Collection Display — Saturday, 10:00am-3:00pm presented by the Stockbridge Library, Museum & Archives held at the library, 46 Main Street, Stockbridge, (413) 298-5501 . Free Admission. All day long they will have a craft table available where children can decorate a snowflake, indoor winter games and a scavenger hunt, and an outdoor StoryWalk© and decorated gardens that you can walk through. At 10:45 a.m. there will be a winter-themed storytime with the youth librarian.

Winter Wonderland Walkway — Saturday & Sunday All are invited to take a stroll through the Winter Wonderland Walkway of 16 lit and decorated trees at the Stockbridge Library free of charge, 46 Main Street, Stockbridge

The Women's Service League of the First Congregational Church Holly Fair — Saturday, 10:00am-1:00pm, 4 Main Street, (413) 298-3137, Featuring hand-made crafts and decorations, Christmas wreaths and greenery, baked goods, Grandma's Attic, Santa Claus, and more. All proceeds to charity. Free Admission.

The Mount will present the fourth year of NightWood, — Saturday & Sunday, Timed entries start at 5:00pm, 2 Plunkett St, Lenox, MA (413) 551-5111. Tickets are purchased directly through the Mount. An innovative sound and light experience that immerses visitors in a fantastical winter landscape. Inspired by The Mount's unique setting, NightWood combines scenic elements, theatrical lighting, and a dramatic score to create eight unique scenes that evoke wonder and awaken the imagination.

The 50-voice Stockbridge Festival Chorus is presenting its annual Christmas concert on Saturday, December 9, 3 pm at The First Congregational Church of Stockbridge located at 4 Main Street. The main selection is Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols, accompanied by Teresa Mango on harp. Other anthems of the season include compositions by John Rutter, Philip Stopford and Peter Warlock, accompanied by Bob Logan on piano and Ed Lawrence on organ. SFC is conducted by Tracy Wilson. Admission is a donation at the door; $20 for adults, $10 for members of local community choruses and free for individuals 18 and under. The church is fully handicap accessible and a section in the sanctuary will be reserved for mask-wearing audience members. For more information, call 413-298-3137.

Stockbridge Library November Artist of the Month — Sarah Horne - Wednesday, November 1 @ 8:00 am - Thursday, November 30 @ 5:00 pm

Berkshire Chamber Players Concert (WAITLIST ONLY, email info@stockbridgelibrary.org)

Sunday, November 19 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Play With Clay (Age 3+)

Wednesday, November 22 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 am

Library Closes November 22 at 12pm and November 23 for Thanksgiving

Artwork: Sarah Horne

Playa Coco lll

23x17

Acrylic, pen and graphite.

This drawing was made when I was staying alongside the Pacific beach, in Playa Coco, Costa Rica. Playa Coco is a world away from the Berkshires.

I hope these drawings capture the jangle, the jazz, and the playful spirit of Playa Coco and that they bring you some of the liveliness and joy that I find there. Sarah Horne