Things to do in the Berkshires

The sound of Motown has left an indelible mark on American musical culture, and the group The Temptations have been one of the most successful Motown acts during the label’s five-decade history. On Sunday, December 2, The Temptations bring their classic sounds and stage magic to the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center for a one-night-only event. With a repertoire of funk, disco, soul and doo-wop, these crooners have sold tends of millions of albums and are known as one of the most successful groups ever in music history.

With tracks like “My Girl,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” and “Just My Imagination,” The Temptations’ easy sound and deep grooves took the music world by storm during the 60s and 70s. Formed in Detroit in 160, this five-member vocal group has charted fourteen Billboard R&B #1 singles. Today the group performs with the only living original member, Otis Williams, along with four young upstarts. Expect to hear all the hits, distinct harmonies and maybe even some holiday classics. The show starts at 7PM at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center at 14 Castle Street in Great Barrington, MA; advance tickets are available online and prices range from $50-80.

Head to Castle Street Café to experience casually elegant dining, an easygoing crowd and an extensive pub menu at Great Barrington’s top restaurant. With live jazz music on Friday and Saturday nights, this dining mainstay in the historic downtown area is a smart choice for a delicious evening out on the town.

Ideal for couples, friends and private parties, this unique eating establishment is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. Castle Street Cafe has received rave reviews in Yankee Magazine, The New York Times and The Boston Globe, and for good reason. A dependable American-French bistro, this innovative restaurant blends classic dishes with contemporary preparation, resulting in a lighter meal all around. Chef Ballon serves up fine dishes made with local ingredients along with traditional favorites from around the world. Tantalizing menu items will thrill the taste buds and include dishes such as sautéed wild striped bass, breast of duck with black currant sauce and rack of lamb with fresh rosemary.

Located at 10 Castle Street in downtown Great Barrington, Castle Street Café is open six nights a week for dinner. Don’t miss this lively restaurant on weekend nights, when jazz musicians transform the space into somewhat of a modern speakeasy.

The Housatonic River Walk in Great Barrington is one of Berkshire County’s quintessential natural landmarks.  A National Recreation Trail, the Housatonic River Walk is a scenic greenway trail along the Housatonic River in the downtown area of Great Barrington, Massachusetts. With citizen volunteers working to reclaim the beauty of the river and revitalize the riverbank, the River Walk is a ½-mile walking and hiking trail  that follows the river’s west bank through the heart of Great Barrington.

More than 2,300 volunteers removed tons of rubble and debris to transform the neglected riverbank into a riverside greenway and preserve the native ecology. Along the Great Barrington Housatonic River Walk, you will discover beautiful native plants, shrubs and trees. Enjoy a peaceful afternoon at DUBOIS RIVER GARDEN  PARK with lovely native plantings, a rain garden, outdoor exhibits and a stone sitting area.  Walk over to the  new William Stanley Overlook, with a special native garden, interpretive signage and observation platform with great views of the Housatonic River.

Explore the home and studio of prolific American abstract artists George L.K. Morris and Suzy Frelinghuysen, who pioneered the art scene of the late 1930s. Set on a beautiful 46-acre estate in Lenox, Massachusetts, Frelinghuysen Morris House & Studio displays paintings, frescoes, and sculpture. The Lenox Art Museum reflects the aesthetic world of the artistic couple that was inspired by the Berkshires.

The First Modern structure to be build in New England, the Frelinghuysen Morris House & Studio houses an exquisite collection of American and European cubist art of Morris and as well as some famous contemporaries including Picasso, Braque, Leger, and Gris. Walk through this unique home and art museum in Lenox and see incredible early 20th century art and original furnishings. The Frelinghuysen Morris House & Studio offers guided tours.

For more information, visit http://www.frelinghuysen.org/

Saturday, October 27th, 2012

Get into the spirit of Halloween with your kids at the most fun Halloween event in the South Berkshires of Massachusetts. Head over to the Berkshires Co-op Market in Great Barrington, Massachusetts for a hands-on Halloween event in the South Berkshires. Kids learn how to make Monster Mash Dip in a homemade cheddar cup and take home the delicious recipe for your Halloween party.

This Berkshires Halloween event for kids is fun and totally free. The event will be held at the Berkshires Co-op Market on October 27, from 10 – 11am. Please call (413) 528 – 9697 to sign up for the tastiest Halloween event in the Berkshires! 

Start planning the wedding of your dreams in the beautiful Berkshires of Massachusetts. Hosted by the Berkshire Bridal Board, I Fall For You Bridal Brunch & Show welcomes brides, fiancés, families and friends to The Village Inn in Lenox, Massachusetts. This free bridal show event features a brunch followed by the opportunity to meet local wedding professionals and planners.

An abundance of Berkshire wildlife and hiking trails await you at the beautiful Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Animals range from beavers to salamanders to birds.

Check out the exciting Run For The Hills 5K Run in Great Barrington, Massachusetts on Sunday, September 30, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. All proceeds from the charity event will benefit the Great Barrington Land Conservancy.

A native of Subury, Massachusetts, comedian Paula Poundstone will be regaling audiences with her unique brand of stand-up comedy at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington on Saturday, September 22, 2012, at 8:00 p.m.

Discover a wealth of scenic hiking trails and incredible views of the southern Berkshires at majestic Monument Mountain in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Highlights include Indian Monument Trail and Squaw Peak.