SUMMER BEGINS IN THE BERKSHIRES
June 19–25 Event Highlights in and around Stockbridge, MA
Summer officially arrives on June 21, and Stockbridge is ready. From opening nights on legendary stages and Pride celebrations in historic gardens to new exhibitions, author talks, family activities, and live music throughout the county, the week ahead offers countless ways to experience the arts, culture, and beauty of the region.
Tanglewood Kicks Off Summer
The summer season begins in grand style at Tanglewood Music Festival with the Popluar Artist Series. On June 20 at 7 p.m., Jon Stewart takes the stage with special guest Church and State in a phone-free evening of comedy and commentary. The celebration continues on June 21 at 2:30 p.m. when Yacht Rock Revue brings its acclaimed PRIMETIME presented by CANN tour and a nostalgic soundtrack of '70s and '80s favorites.
Powerful Stories Take Center Stage
At Berkshire Theatre Group's Unicorn Theatre, The American Five opens June 18 and runs through July 11, exploring the lives of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King, Bayard Rustin, Stanley Levison, and Clarence B. Jones in the days leading to the March on Washington. In Lenox, MA, Shakespeare & Company opens its 49th season with Fireflies, running June 19–July 19, a touching story of unexpected romance and second chances.
Pride, Gardens and Historic Estates
At Naumkeag , visitors can enjoy Designing for Delight a guided garden tours on June 19, 20, 21 and 25, Behind the Blue Curtain: Backstairs Tours on June 19–21, and Inside Naumkeag: Guided house tours on June 21 and 25. The highlight of the week is the Berkshire Pride Tea Dance on June 21 from 3–7:30 p.m., followed by Sunset Yoga on June 25 from 7–8:30 p.m.. Meanwhile, at Berkshire Botanical Garden, Stephen Procter leads an artist tour of his monumental sculptures on June 19 at 4 p.m., followed by a Rhubarb and Strawberry Cooking Class with Miriam Rubin on June 20, and The Rooted Voyageurs perform "As You Like It" on June 20, summer camp Farm in the Garden begins June 22, and a Summer watercolor workshop on June 24.
Museums, History and Family Fun
The Norman Rockwell Museum celebrates summer with Summer Saturdays at NRM, artmaking activities for all ages inspired by the American Stories: Revolution to Rockwell exhibition on June 20 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m.. Take a guided walking tour on June 20, 1p.m. of downtown Stockbridge and discover how the town and its inhabitants both inspired Norman Rockwell and appeared in some of his most iconic works of art. Explore the history of this 1734 village–including its Mohican origins. The newest exhibition American Stories-Revolution to Rockwell which opened June 6, explores how artists from the Revolutionary era to today have made visible the evolving story of America and is on view through October 26. As communities across the region commemorate America's 250th anniversary, The Red Lion Inn invites visitors to explore its new exhibit, The Red Lion Inn: Three Years Older Than America. Located in the Fitz Gallery on the Inn's second floor, the exhibit showcases 253 years of treasured archives, historic artifacts, photographs, memorabilia, and stories that trace the remarkable history of one of the nation's oldest continuously operating inns. At the Stockbridge Library Museum & Archives, author Kirin Joya Makker discusses Improving the Village/Laurel Hill Association on June 20 from 3–4 p.m., alongside family movies, storytimes, reading programs, and creative activities throughout the week. On June 20 from 11a.m. to 12p.m. the Bidwell House Museum in Tyringham, MA presents “I Have Scarcely a Mouthful of Bread for Myself or My Children”: The Plight of Loyalists on the Eve of Independence. Alexander Cain explores the often-overlooked experiences of Loyalists from New England and New York during the Revolutionary War, offering a fascinating perspective as the nation approaches Independence Day celebrations. This lecture is held in the Meeting House, 449 Main Rd, Monterey. The Clark Art Institute offers several reasons to make the trip north to Williamstown, MA this week. On June 19 from 1–3 p.m., the Clark celebrates Juneteenth with a free afternoon of art-viewing and art-making, including a special pop-up exhibition featuring photographs by and of African Americans spanning centuries of history and culture. On June 21 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., visitors can celebrate Father's Day at the Clark with themed gallery activities, outdoor sculpture experiences, and family-friendly programming. The museum's newest exhibition, An Exquisite Eye: Introducing the Aso O. Tavitian Collection, which opened June 13, showcases remarkable highlights from the Clark's landmark 2024 acquisition and is on view through February 21, 2027. Art and creativity continue at the Frelinghuysen Morris House & Studio, where visitors can enjoy recurring programs throughout the week, including Director's Corner on Thursdays and Saturdays at 11:15 a.m., Artist Demonstrations on Fridays at 11 a.m.—featuring graphic designer and illustrator Haley Tice on June 19—and Exercise Your Creativity on Sundays from 11 a.m.–1 p.m..
Dance, Comedy and Music Across the County
Festival season begins at Jacob's Pillow in Becket, MA with the return of the Paul Taylor Dance Company from June 24–28. Called “one of the most exciting, innovative, and delightful dance companies” by The New York Times, Paul Taylor Dance Company is one of the world’s leading dance organizations, based in New York City and with vast international reach. The company returns to Jacob’s Pillow for the first time in seven years to perform a mixed program in the Ted Shawn Theatre that will include Esplanade (1975), Brandenburgs (1988), and Company B (1991). The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Gt. Barrington, MA welcomes comedian Zarna Garg on June 19 at 8 p.m. and Straight No Chaser: Beach Bash Tour on June 20 at 8 p.m.. Back in Stockbridge, The Lion's Den offers live music throughout the week with performances by Johnny Irion and Friends (June 19, 7pm), Brother Sal Blues Band with Special Guest (June 20, 7pm), Michael Junkins an Friends (June 21, 6:30pm), Jeremy Udden Quintet (June 24, 6:30pm), Bobby Sweet & Lara Tupper (June 25, 7pm)
Explore More This Week
Visitors can also enjoy guided Mohican tours at the Mission House, and Chesterwood's “Arts Alive” Music and the Mind with Mark Shapiro – Part 1 on June 23 at 5:30 p.m., and this year's exhibition The Minute Man: Examining Patriotism, Victory and Loss. In Lenox, MA The Mount | Edith Wharton Cultural Center's popular outdoor and wellness programs include Forest Bathing on June 19, Qigong with Jamie Greene on June 22, and the Lightning Bug Light Show on June 24. Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum's Saturday Salon Series: The Two Wives of George H. Morgan takes place. Bonnie Eastwood, a Ventfort Hall volunteer, will talk about George Morgan’s first wife, Sarah Spencer Morgan, and his second wife, Sarah Learned Mifflin Morgan on June 20, 11:30a.m. & 12:30p.m..
Visit See What's Happening Here for links and details.
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