Great Barrington
A grand downtown cinema, the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle St. (tel. 413/644-9040; www.mahaiwe.org), has been restored to some of its century-old glory, and it stages a surprising variety of music, dance, and drama. The Aston Magna Festival features classical music performed on period instruments. Concerts are held at irregular intervals throughout the year at St. James Church, Main Street and Taconic Avenue (tel. 800/875-7156 or 413/528-3595; www.astonmagna.org).
Live jazz is often presented at the Castle Street Cafe, and the Union Bar & Grill brings in DJs weekends. Club Helsinki, 284 Main St. (tel. 413/528-3394; www.clubhelsinkiweb.com), is a more regular music venue, with as many as 6 nights a week of rock, pop, bluegrass, reggae, and other forms throughout the year; Norah Jones has played there several times. The Triplex Cinema, 70 Railroad St. (tel. 413/528-8886), shows a mixed bag of independent and foreign flicks as well as major studio releases.
Pittsfield
Pittsfield on Stage -- The Berkshire Opera Company, 297 North St. (tel. 413/442-9955; www.berkshireopera.org), stages its June productions at the Mahaiwe Theatre in Great Barrington, and its July and August productions of both established and new operas at the Koussevitzky Arts Center of Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield. That venue is also employed by the Albany Berkshire Ballet, 116 Fenn St. (tel. 413/445-5382; www.berkshireballet.org), with up to 14 performances of two ballets from early July to mid-August.
Williamstown
The Williams College Department of Music sponsors diverse concerts and recitals. Call its Concertline (tel. 413/597-3146) for information on upcoming events. In addition, the Clark Art Institute hosts frequent classical-music events.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
