Thursday
May 24
OUTDOORS
Berkshire Botanical Garden
"Plant Obsessions: Berkshire Botanical Garden's Annual Garden Tour," day-long adventure to gardens and nurseries, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; (413) 298-3926.
Hoffmann Bird Club
Hand Hollow Conservation Area and Ooms Pond, East Chatham, N.Y., to look for mourning, bay-breasted, Can ada and blackburnian warblers. Meet at Pittsfield Plaza, West Housatonic Street, Pittsfield, Route 20, to carpool at 6:30 a.m., or at 7 a.m. on Gale Hill Road. (518) 794-9063.
THEATER
Barrington Stage Company
"Lungs," 7:30 p.m., Stage 2, 36 Linden St., Pittsfield.
Mac-Hayden Theatre
"Nunsense," comedy, 2 and 8 p.m., Chatham, N.Y., (518) 392-9292.
Friday
May 25
ART
Becket Arts Center
Students of the Becket Washington Elementary School, reception 3 to 5 p.m. Potato, the BAC Gallery Store, grand opening reception 5 to 7 p.m.: local artists' and artisans' jewelry, cards, prints, ceramics, books and music. Exhibit open Friday to Monday, noon to 4 p.m., to June 11. Becket.
Music & More
"Moments of Focus," juried photography show with opening reception, 5 to 7 p.m.; photos judged by David LaSpina of Bard College at Simon's Rock. Meeting House Gallery, Route 57, New Marlborough.
COMMUNITY
Berkshire
Farmed + Foraged culinary event celebrating a weekend of spring flavors. More than two dozen restaurants offer spring dining specials through Monday. Chefs will cook with wild edible species, locally grown produce, Berk shire artisan cheeses, heritage breed meats, locally made bread and chocolate, and Berkshire-crafted beer and spirits. www.berkshiregrown.org.
World Union Shabbat
Celebration of Liberal Judaism around the world, using a siddur which incorporates prayers in the vernacular from many of the countries where liberal Jews make their homes. Prayers in French, Spanish, Portugese, Dutch and Russian. 7:30 p.m., free, at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, Great Barrington.
FILM
BIKEfest
Film, "With My Own Two Wheels," 5:30 p.m., Images Cinema, Williams town. tinyurl.com/bikefest2012.
MUSIC
Guthrie Center
Johnny Irion and friends with special guest Aaron Andy Wood, downhome blues in the Troubador folk series. Doors open at 6 p.m.; show begins at 8. Great Barrington.
OUTDOORS
Hoffmann Bird Club
Westover to Skinner SP, 3/4 day trip to South Hadley to look for Cerulean warbler and worm-eating warbler, moderate walking, meet at Allendale Shopping Center, Pittsfield; Tom Begley, (413) 655-0112 or Noreen Mole, (413) 442-6327.
Mass Audubon
Bird walk at Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary, 7 to 9 a.m., Pittsfield.
THEATER
Barrington Stage Company
"Lungs," 7:30 p.m., Stage 2; Joe Iconis & Family, 9:30 p.m., Stage 2, and "Conversations With ... The Actor at the Center," with Aaron Posner and the cast of "Lungs," 36 Linden St., Pittsfield.
Shakespeare & Company
"Cassandra Speaks," portrayal of iconic journalist Dorothy Thompson, preview, 8:30
Ghent Playhouse
"The Madwoman of Chaillot," 8 p.m. Jean Giraudoux's final masterpiece, about cafés and oil wells, flower girls and prospectors -- two love stories, young and old. Town Hall Place, off Route 66, Ghent, N.Y., (518) 392-6264.
Mac-Hayden Theatre
"Nunsense," comedy, 8 p.m., Chatham, N.Y., (518) 392-9292.
Pittsfield High School
"Sweet Charity," presented by Proteus, PHS drama society, 7:30 p.m., East Street, Pittsfield.
WRITING
The Mount
"Who wasTeddy Wharton? A Bio grapher's Journey," 5 p.m. Berkshire author Cornelia "Nini" Gilder will discuss the trials and triumphs of biographical research as she shares her efforts to piece together a portrait of Teddy Wharton, his connection to Lenox, his life with Edith, his mental decline, and his life after the divorce. 2 Plunkett St., off Route 7, Lenox; information: www.edithwharton.org or (413) 551-5100.
Steepletop
Official Opening Day at former home of Pulitzer prizewinning poet Edna St. Vincent Millay, with guided house tours and garden tours. Opening of the Renascence Exhibit in the Ellis Studio Gallery. Austerlitz, N.Y.
Saturday
May 26
ART
Chesterwood
House and Studio of Daniel Chester French, scultptor of Lincoln Memorial, opens for the season, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Grounds will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stockbridge.
Clark Art Institute
"Séraphine," 2 p.m. Free film series examines the challenges female artists face. Williamstown.
Lenox Library
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Berkshire Community College's fourth annual Open House and art show, 11 to 5, Welles Gallery, Main Street, Lenox.
Mayfest
Arts and crafts festival, vendors from throughout New England with arts, crafts, activiites, food and entertainment, 10 to 5, downtown Bennington, Vt.
Paradise City Arts Festival
"Wild Things," 260 competitively juried artists from 30 states exhibiting ceramics, painting, fiber art, glass art, furniture, jewelry, leather, wood and more, with live music, craft demonstrations, children's activities, food from local restaurants and humane society benefit auction. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Three County Fairgrounds, Route 9, Northampton. (800) 511-9725, www.
paradisecityarts.com.
COMMUNITY
Berkshire Grown
Farmed + Foraged culinary event, celebrating a weekend of spring flavors . www.berkshiregrown.org.
Call Me Melville Festival
Kick-off to festival through Oct. 8 celebrating Herman Melville, his works and his life in the Berkshires through a wide variety of programming, including an online chapter-a-day read-along of Moby Dick, theater on the grounds of Melville's historic homestead, juried contemporary art inspired by Melville, and music, history and more. (413) 499-9348, www.callmemelville.org.
Mayfest Craft Festival
Crafters and artists -- jewelers, potters and art displays -- entertainment and children's activities, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Main, School, Silver, and Valentine streets, downtown Bennington, Vt.
Otis tag sale
Townwide tag sale, 9 am to 3 pm at the Otis Ridge Ski parking lot, Route. 23. Rain date Sunday, May 27. www.
townofotisma.com/culturalcouncil.
Riverfest
Annual celebration of the Hoosic River hosted with Hoosic River Watershed Association, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lve river animals, crafts and games, pony rides, live music, and a riverside art exhibit. Riverfest bird walk, led by Leslie Reed-Evans of Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation, begins the day of celebration. (Meet at 7:30 at Ephs Pond.) Cole Field, Williams College, Williamstown. (413) 458-2742, hoorwa.org.
MUSIC
Colonial Theatre
Bettye Lavette, sultry soul, 8 p.m., 111 South St., Pittsfield, (413) 997-4444.
Guthrie Center
Kate Taylor, warm folk music. Doors open at 6 p.m.; show begins at 8. Great Barrington.
Mass MoCA
All-vinyl dance party with DJ Brendan Canning of Broken Social Scene, a stalwart on Toronto's DJ circuit: Short sets from two bands featuring artists who have work on display in "Oh, Canada," Mass MoCA's major summer exhibition, which covers the breadth of Canada. Pastoralia from Nova Scotia has Oh Canada artist Mitch Wiebe on vocals, while artist Rita McKeough makes up half of the duo Sleepy Panther from Calgary, Alberta. Party at 9 p.m. North Adams.
OUTDOORS
Hoffmann Bird Club
New Ashford/Mount Greylock, 4-mile walk at birding pace along a marsh and wooded stream and more at base of Mt. Greylock, strenuous terrain, 7 a.m., meet at JW Kelly's Real Estate, Route 7, New Ashford, Mat Kelly, (413) 458-3290; "Birding Beyond Your Backyard at Stockbridge Bowl," for people with limited birding experience, 2-hour walk to look for water and woodland birds, meet at 7:30 a.m. at boat launch on Route 183, Stockbridge, Dave Monk, (413) 655-8594.
THEATER
Barrington Stage Company
"Lungs," 7:30 p.m., Stage 2; Joe Iconis & Family, 9:30 p.m., Stage 2, 36 Linden St., Pittsfield.
Mac-Hayden Theatre
"Nunsense," comedy, 4 and 8 p.m., Chatham, N.Y., (518) 392-9292.
Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe
RBITcomedy improv group performs non-scripted comedic mayhem, a mix of theater games reminiscent of the TV show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" 8 p.m., Mill City Productions space in the Heritage State Park, Building 4, off Route 8, North Adams. (413) 446-8127, berkshireimprov.com
Shakespeare & Company
"Cassandra Speaks," portrayal of iconic journalist Dorothy Thompson, preview, 8:30 p.m. Kemble Street, Lenox.
Ghent Playhouse
"The Madwoman of Chaillot," 8 p.m. Jean Giraudoux's final masterpiece, about cafés and oil wells, flower girls and prospectors -- a juggler, a street singer, a quack, a sewer man, a deaf girl, a busboy, a dishwasher -- two love stories, young and old. Town Hall Place, off Route 66, Ghent, N.Y., (518) 392-6264.
Pittsfield High School
"Sweet Charity," presented by Pro teus, PHS drama society, 7:30 p.m., East Street, Pittsfield.
WRITING
Bloomsday
Weekly readings of chapters from James Joyce's "Ulysses," 7:30 p.m. Details on Facebook at "Bloomsday in Williamstown" and email at Bloomsday
inWilliamstown@gmail.com.
Sunday
May 27
ART
Chesterwood
Antique and classic automobile Show, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vintage vehicles at the house and studio of Daniel Chester French, scultptor of Lincoln Memorial, Stockbridge.
Lenox Library
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Berkshire Community College's fourth annual Open House and art show, 11 to 5, Welles Gallery, Main Street, Lenox.
Mass MoCA
Opening of "Oh, Canada," Mass MoCA's major summer exhibition, which gathers 100 wors by 62 artists from all territories, from Nunavut to Nova Scotia. In her travels (more than 400 studio visits), curator Denise Markonish discovered a world of art rich in craftsmanship with a deep interest in landscape and identity. North Adams.
Paradise City Arts Festival
"Wild Things," 260 competitively juried artists from 30 states, with live music, craft demonstrations, children's activities, food from local restaurants and humane society benefit auction. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Three County Fairgrounds, Route 9, Northampton. (800) 511-9725, www.paradisecityarts.com.
COMMUNITY
Berkshire Grown
Farmed + Foraged culinary event, celebrating a weekend of spring flavors with more than two dozen restaurants. www.berkshiregrown.org.
Memorial Day Observance
Hosted by American Legion Post 160 of Adams, 9 a.m., Massachusetts Veterans War Memorial Tower, summit of Mount Greylock, Adams.
DANCE
Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
Noche Flamenca, Spanish dance company touring worldwide, presents "Mi Generacíon," 8 p.m. 14 Castle St., Great Barrington, (413) 528-0100.
HISTORY
Bidwell House Museum
Concert and Opening Reception. Singer-songwriter Diane Taraz will sing "Songs of Home and Hearth" from her early American repertoire and play her lap dulcimer and guitar to celebrate the opening of the museum for the 2012 season. Refreshments. 3 p.m. 100 Art School Road, Monterey, (413) 528-6888.
OUTDOORS
Hoffmann Bird Club
Hilltown Ramble, search for migrating song birds, start in Windsor, meet at 6:30 a.m. at Moran Wildlife Management Area, Route 8A, Windsor; Bob Wood/Holly Higginbotham, (413) 684-3724.
THEATER
Barrington Stage Company
"Lungs," 3 p.m., Stage 2, 36 Linden St., Pittsfield.
Ghent Playhouse
"The Madwoman of Chaillot," 2 p.m. Jean Giraudoux's final masterpiece, about cafés and oil wells, flower girls and prospectors -- a juggler, a street singer, a quack, a sewer man, a deaf girl, a busboy, a dishwasher -- two love stories, young and old. Town Hall Place, off Route 66, Ghent, N.Y., (518) 392-6264.
Lichtenstein Center for Arts
"Readings at the Lichtenstein," two staged readings by Town Players of Pittsfield, "The Constituent," by Ernest Thompson, and "Hand of God," by Alan Bennett, 5 p.m., 28 Renne Ave., Pittsfield.
Mac-Hayden Theatre
"Nunsense," comedy, 2 and 7 p.m., Chatham, N.Y., (518) 392-9292.
Shakespeare & Company
"Cassandra Speaks," portrayal of iconic journalist Dorothy Thompson, preview, 3 p.m. Kemble Street, Lenox.
Monday
May 28
ART
Paradise City Arts Festival
"Wild Things," 260 competitively juried artists from 30 states. Humane society benefit auction. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Three County Fairgrounds, Route 9, Northampton. (800) 511-9725, www.paradisecityarts.com.
COMMUNITY
Berkshire Grown
Farmed + Foraged culinary event, celebrating a weekend of spring flavors with more than two dozen restaurants. www.berkshiregrown.org.
OUTDOORS
Bartholomew's Cobble
Mem orial Day Canoe Trip," 9 a.m. to noon. Paddle the winding Housatonic through agricultural fields and floodplain forests, and learn about the river's history and efforts to preserve its habitats and wildlife. Paddles, life preservers, and boats are provided. Weatogue Road, Sheffield. (413) 229-8600.
Tuesday
May 29
ART
Berkshire Athenaeum
Photographer Nick DeCandia shares the story behind the museums photo exhibit, "Facing Berkshire Heritage," 7 p.m., 1 Wendell Ave., Pittsfield.
SculptureNow in Lenox
Volunteers sought to assist in the building and installation of a sculpture, "Polis: Biomass" at Kemble Inn with sculptor Matthew Burke from the University of Kansas, continues daily through June 1. (413) 623-2068.
COMMUNITY
Community Conversation
"Safe and Healthy Food Choices: Educating and Empowering Families in an Era of High-Tech Food Production," presented by Hilltown Families, with three local food advocates, 7 to 9 p.m., Hawks-Hayden Community Room, Meekins Library, 2 Williams St., Williamsburg; www.HilltownFamilies.org.
THEATER
Barrington Stage Company
"Lungs," 7:30 p.m., with post-show discussion to follow, St. Germain Stage, (Stage 2), 36 Linden St., Pittsfield.
Wednesday
May 30
COMMUNITY
Berkshire Hills Hadassah
Youth Aliyah/Children at Risk Luncheon. Berkshirehillshadassah@gmail.com
KID STUFF
Norman Rockwell Museum
"Kids Create!" interactive look at the world of art for ages 2 to 5 and a caregiver, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Route 183, Stockbridge, (413) 298-4100.
MUSIC
Celebration of Jewish Music
Lecture: "The Relationship between Jewish and African-American Music," with Charles Neville and festival co-director Paul Green. 7:30 p.m., Taft Recital Hall, Berkshire Music School, 30 Wendell Ave., Pittsfield. Free.
THEATER
Barrington Stage Company
"Lungs," 7:30 p.m., Stage 2, 36 Lin den St., Pittsfield.







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