Tanglewood

The Fifth Annual North Adams Open Studios will occur on the weekend of October 17 and 18. During the Columbus Day weekend there was a preview of the anticipated mayhem with opening of the Eclipse Annual and Studio 21 South. Organizer Phil Sellers is upbeat about the city wide event.

Although these opera broadcasts were encores, they seemed very present -- revealing the originals in a new and satisfying experience.

The Sunday program, ending the three day Tanglewood Jazz Festival featured blistering afternoon and evening programs of straight up jazz. It was a take no prisoners conclusion to a fabulous season of music in the Berkshires.

Day two of the Tanglewood Jazz Festival was intense with programming from 2 PM through 11 pm. The afternoon featured a broadcast of John Pizzarelli's Radio Delux. The evening started magnificently with the Regina Carter Quintet. But ended poorly with the enervating "Dreaming the Duke" which combined the singers Nnenna Freelon and Harolyn Blackwell.

The nine time Grammy winner, Paquito d'Rivera, who defected from Cuba in 1981, kicked off the annual Labor Day Jazz Festival. He offered a stunning tribute to the original Mambo King, the bass player Israel "Cahcao" Lopez. It was a blistering evening of Latin Jazz.

For the Sunday afternoon concert at Tanglewood, ending the five day James Taylor marathon the sea of umbrellas out on the lawn offered shade from blazing late summer sun not shelter from the rain as on the previous soggy evenings. It was a glorious concert with JT backed by John Williams conducting the Boston Pops.

It was yet another sloppy evening for the plucky souls hunkered down on the lawn at Tanglewood. But James Taylor, with special guests, Yo Yo Ma and Sheryl Crow, just sizzled. He warmed the hearts of the thousands who braved yet another miserable evening during the Monsoon of 2009.

James Taylor has donated his $500,000 fee for a weekend of concerts at Tanglewood. Some 60,000 tickets have been sold for the unique season ending series. The event was launched last night at Ozawa Hall in a program that featured the band and four backup singers.

Following the performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas on Sunday, August 23, the Boston Symphony Orchestra will end its Tanglewood Season. But next week, August 27-30, James Taylor will be featured in four, sold out performances. Followed by Labor Day weekend's Tanglewood Jazz Festival.

Summer may seem to be drawing to a close, but you can't tell by the busy schedule in the next few weeks. In fact, more new shows are opening, fresh dance companies are unpacking and the jazz musicians are waiting in the wings for a festive climax to Summer in the Berkshires. To make sure you don't miss anything, here is another handy roundup of the best events for late summer through the big Labor Day weekend.

This past weekend at Tanglewood presented an abundance of riches. Pops on Friday night feature guest artist Chris Botti. On Saturday the audience was thrilled by "Carmina Burana." Yo Yo Ma peformed on Sunday afternoon. The Festival continues with Andre Previn, Michael Tilson Thomas and Kurt Masur.

Just up Under Mountain Road from the main gate of Tanglewood is the posh, bed and breakfast Stonover Farm. The stone walled under level of the barn is operated as the Barn Gallery which is open to guests and by appointment. Through October 31 there is a lively and fun exhiition "Farm."

A capacity audience on a lovely summer night delighted in guest artist, trumpet player Chris Botti, appearing with Keith Lockhart. The program also featured a tribute to Benny Goodman, the King of Swing, who was born a hundred years ago. His solos were performed by Thomas Martin.

In what has become an annual visit to Tanglewood the Mark Morris Dance Group presented two world premiers "Visitation" and "Empire Garden." They were accompanies by Yo Yo Ma, cello, and Emanuel Ax on "Visitation." The violinist Colin Jacobsen joined them to play Ives for "Empire Garden."

Sir James Galway, was in a Blarney mood anticipating his 70th birthday, December 8, but actually celebrating his anniversary. He was joined for flute duets by the stunning Lady Bonnie Galway. They made beautiful music. In another mood Rafael Fruhbeck de Burgos conducted an all Stravinsky program.

composers, cutting edge dance or perhaps an absorbing evening of great theatre? Take time to indulge your senses and treat yourself to some of the Berkshire's legendary performing arts attractions. They all have great deals for residents and visitors alike. Use our handy Picks and Previews guide to help decide.

Fireworks blazed in a rousing climax to an epic performance of the "1812 Overture" with a massive orchestra. There was a gorgeous and all too rare summer night for the sold out annual "Tanglewood on Parade."

Despite a truly terrible night with torrential downpours a capacity audience turned out for one of the season's highlights. The maestro, James Levine, conducted a fully staged production in the intimate theatre barn of Mozart's "Don Giovanni." It was directed by Ira Siff with Elliot Madore as Don Giovanni and the magnificent Layla Claire, a rising star, as Donna Anna.

Tony Bennett, now 83 years young, evoked a master's class on jazz and the American songbook at Tanglewood before a damp but delighted audience. It was a family affair with his daughter, Antonia, opening the program with several songs

On Friday, July 17th, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, with Leon Fleisher as piano soloist, performed Mozart's Piano Concerto in A Major and then took on the majestic Mahler Sixth Symphony under James Levine. It was yet another example of the Divine Levine.

Come for lunch, stay for tea. Measure for Measure is brilliantly played by the Apprentice Company as part of the Lunchtime Theatre, and more than a snack, it is the main course.

There was a sold out Shed and a crowded lawn for the annual Film Night conducted by the composer John Williams. He holds the record for Oscar nominations and has taken home five Academy Awards. He was joined by narrator Frank Langella in a tribute to Warner Brothers studio.

Summer's abundance is all around us, and so is the Berkshire's annual bounty of music, theatre and dance choices. Here's another of our detailed guides to help you choose.

With all the cold and wet weather we are still waiting for summer to arrive in the Berkshires. It is amazing to realize that we are sliding into the third weekend at Tanglewood. On Friday night James Levine will conduct Mahler. And on Saturday one of the annual highlights of the season will feature John Williama in a Film Night tribute to Warner Brothers.

Tina Packer, after 32 years as Founding Dirctor of the Lenox based, Shakespeare & Company has stepped down. It was planned that Tony Simotes, now in his first season as Artistic Director, would be handed the reins of debt free company with a $10 million new facility including a second stage, The Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre, and the start on an endowment. Then the economy fell off a cliff.