Life in the Berkshires | Early Summer 2024
From the
Berkshires to Broadway Pittsfield’s Ali Louis Bourzgui in his star turn in NYC’s “Tommy”
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+MUST-SEE
CONCERTS
Our Critic’s Top Theater Picks Shows that Kids (and Parents!) Will Love
Plus:
THE SEASON’S BEST PARTIES! The B’s Gala Guide
HISTORIC HILLSDALE NY k i t c h e n w a r e s | cooking classes
hgshomechef.com | @hgshomechef | 518-325-7000
cookandlarder.com | @cookandlarder | 518-325-0220
roejanbrewing.com @roejanbrewingco 518-303-8080
WHERE THE HUDSON VALLEY MEETS THE BERKSHIRES
INTERIORS - HOME DECOR - FINE ART
tinyheatsfarm.com | @tinyheartsfarm | 914-236-0760
hillsdalegeneralstore.com @hillsdalegeneralstore 518-325-3310
irwinfelddesign.com | @irwinfelddesign1 | 917-699-6024
from the publisher “ENJOY TODAY” was stitched on Yulia Bougouin’s shirt cuff. She is a licensed pilot and flight instructor, and we took this sentiment to heart as we boarded the Cessna Skyhawk II at the Pittsfield Airport on a perfect day in May. Yulia had invited Berkshire Eagle photographer Stephanie Zollshan and me to see our community from the skies and learn a bit about flying. Any fear I had on this windy day—and I had plenty— disappeared as I marveled at our glorious region from above. When Yulia and her husband, Jean Yves, aren’t flying (yes, they are both pilots), they share their culinary talents in their Patisserie Lenox cafés in Great Barrington and Lenox. “A third of our cafés’ business comes over the summer,” said Yulia, “and I know just how important the season is to the cultural scene.” There is no reason for me to fly outside of the Berkshires this summer. Why would I miss a minute here? The B’s Early Summer issue has everything you need to enjoy today, tomorrow, and the whole summer. In our “Off Duty” story on page 77, some notable locals share how they plan to spend their rare free time this summer. You’ll find my own list here.
TAKING OFF! I experienced the “Discovery Flight: Intro to Flying” session with Lyon Aviation, Pittsfield, $140; info@lyonaviation.com
SIGN UP FOR MICHELLE THORPE PETRICCA mpetricca@berkshireeagle.com
our complimentary digital newlsetter
When I’m Off Duty this Summer:
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Cassilis Farm: Construct Designer Show House
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New Marlborough
P H OTO S : S T E P H A N I E Z O L L S H A N
Local designers reinvented this Gilded Age estate with the theme “Nature in the Berkshires.” Ticket prices benefit Construct—and their mission to provide affordable housing. (Weekends through June 30) constructberkshires.org
Heirloom Lodge West Stockbridge Chef Matt Straus’ highly anticipated restaurant is devoted to serving locally sourced ingredients with brilliant wines from the world’s greatest family-run wineries. heirloomlodge.com
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Baker’s Golf, Glow Ball Mini Golf Lanesborough For several evenings over the summer, this miniature golf course lights up in neon— and July 27 is a Jimmy Fund benefit. bakers-golf.square.site
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Julie Benko at Barrington Stage Company Pittsfield Broadway’s breakout star (“Funny Girl,” “Harmony”) and Barrington Stage alum Julie Benko shares songs and behind-the-scenes stories in “Standby, Me,” at Mr. Finn’s Cabaret on August 30. barringtonstageco.org/mrfinns
Early Summer 2024 • THE B
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from the editor THERE ARE 98 DAYS between Memorial Day and
Recognize this red door? It’s the Artist Studio at the Norman Rockwell Museum. One thing I’m looking forward to this summer: the exhibit opening there on June 8, “What, Me Worry? The Art and Humor of MAD magazine.”
AMY CONWAY
SUBSCRIBE TO THE B! berkshireeagle.com/theb or scan the QR code.
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THE B • Early Summer 2024
AMY PORTRAIT & TICKETS: STEPHANIE ZOLLSHAN
Labor Day this summer—not nearly enough to take in all of the culture, food, nature, and beauty we have in the Berkshires and neighboring counties. Not even close! That’s where this issue of The B comes in: You’ll find curated takes on music, theater, and family-friendly fun as well as dozens of other “only in the Berkshires” activities to help you make the most of every moment this season. One very special thing that was on my mustdo list this spring: See our cover star Ali Louis Bourzgui’s electric performance in the lead role in “Tommy” at Broadway’s Nederlander Theatre. Ali grew up in Pittsfield and many of you have likely seen him perform before, at Berkshire Theatre Group, Barrington Stage Company—or Pittsfield High School (class of 2017). It’s no surprise that he’s gone on to star on an even bigger stage, or that he’s still so connected to his roots in the Berkshires. Ali told our writer, Felix Carroll, that when he was growing up, he and his family took advantage of our rich cultural offerings—and that this was crucial to his success. What’s more, he was able to see so much world-class programming thanks to the discounted pricing that many organizations offer—there may be deals for locals, students, young adults, members of the military, and seniors; there are free open days, season passes, public performances, and more. The people who run the organizations are generally dedicated to the arts and know their work can enrich, even change, lives. They want to Julie Hammill, The B’s design make theater, music, dance, and other arts accessible to all. director, and I went to see Spread the word—and raise a glass to those who make this “Tommy” on Broadway. creative community so inspiring for all of us. Happy summer!
Early Summer 2024
Features
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From the Berkshires to Broadway
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Pittsfield’s Ali Louis Bourzgui takes Broadway by storm.
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Dressing the Part Tour the costume shop at Barrington Stage Company.
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Moments in Time The BSO takes us backstage at Tanglewood.
72 HATS: STEPHANIE ZOLLS HAN; TOMMY: MATTHEW MU RP HY & EVAN ZI MMERMAN; FOOD: LI NDA CAMPOS; COSTUME: ERIC KORENMAN: BERNSTEI N: COU RTESY OF TH E BOSTON SYMPHONY ORC HESTRA
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Plus! SUMMER HAPPENINGS
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Music, Galas, and Family Fun! See page 97
In every issue: The Local Life 15 | Voices & Views 33 | Last Look 112
The Alt of It All Wilco bassist John Stirratt on his Berkshires-based passion projects.
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Off Duty Back by popular demand! Our talented local leaders share their summer to-do lists.
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Taking Center Stage Get a taste of chef Stephen Browning’s new restaurant.
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Show and Tell Learn how a Gilded Age estate in New Marlborough is being transformed.
On the cover: Ali Louis Bourzgui photographed by Jesse Wendelken Early Summer 2024 • THE B
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Jenifer House Commons, Great Barrington, MA • wingateltd.com • 413-644-9960 Open Monday - Saturday, 10 - 5 • Sunday by appointment only
413-717-7159 ROCKYRIDGE413.COM ROCKYRIDGEEXCAVATION@GMAIL.COM
VOL. 2, ISSUE 2 Early Summer 2024 PUBLISHER
EDITOR IN CHIEF
mpetricca@berkshireeagle.com
aconway@berkshireeagle.com
Michelle Thorpe Petricca DESIGN DIRECTOR
Julie Hammill
julie@hammilldesign.com COPY EDITOR
Amy Krzanik CONTRIBUTING COLUMNISTS
Jane Larkworthy Pops Peterson
Amy Conway
EDITOR-AT-LARGE
William Li
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ben Garver Gillian Jones-Heck Stephanie Zollshan
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Kate Abbott
INTERN
Thailia Chee
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contributors: The B's Saints & Eccentrics
SETH ROGOVOY (“Summer Music Preview”) has been reporting on the music and cultural scene in the greater region for nearly four decade. He is the author of The Essential Klezmer, Bob Dylan: Prophet Mystic Poet, and the forthcoming Within You Without You: Listening to George Harrison, due from Oxford University Press on October 1, 2024. FELIX CARROLL (“From the Berkshires to Broadway”) has twice been named Writer of the Year by the New York Press Association, and has received other journalism awards, as well. He has been a staff writer for The Berkshire Eagle, Cape Cod Times, and Albany Times Union. He lives in Housatonic. He’s a South County firefighter, and he plays a gold sparkle drum kit. JESSE WENDELKEN (“From the Berkshires to Broadway”) is a photographer based in NYC and Portland, ME. He received a BFA in film and photography from Ithaca College and is currently pursuing an MFA from the Pratt Institute. His work deals largely in portraiture and narrative tableau and has appeared in magazines and galleries in New York and New England. ANN VOLKWEIN (“Taking Center Stage”) is a bestselling cookbook author and recipe developer based in Stockbridge. She is author of the Arthur Avenue Cookbook and Chinatown New York. Her most recent collaborations include Tasting History with Max Miller, My Mexican Mesa with Jenny Martinez, and the upcoming Salt Hank with Henry LaPorte. LINDA CAMPOS (“Taking Center Stage”) is a Boston and Berkshires based food and lifestyle photographer. Her work has been featured by the New York Times, Bon Appetit, Boston Magazine, and Edible Boston. When not behind the camera, you will often find her tending the dahlias and veggies in her West Stockbridge garden or cruising the GB Farmer’s Market. lindarcampos.com
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NEIL TURITZ (“Off Duty”) moved to the Berkshires from New York City, along with his wife. They have since welcomed a son. Turitz is a screenwriter, author, filmmaker, journalist, and creator of “6 Word Reviews” (@6wordreviews) on Instagram. FRANCESCA OLSEN (“Dressing the Part”) is a writer and consultant with more than a decade of experience in marketing and communications, from branding to digital strategy. In addition to her professional work, she is a textile artist and has recently produced a series of quilts about surviving cancer. francescaolsen.com ERIC KORENMAN (“Dressing the Part”) balances two professional lives in imaging. After completing his training in radiology at Thomas Jefferson University, he and his wife decided to move to the Berkshires, her hometown. When not in front of a radiology workstation, Eric is a professional portrait photographer and has a studio in nearby New Lebanon, New York. He also enjoys repairing his vintage Synclavier music synthesizer, tending to his wildflower field, and heartily enjoying a good glass of bourbon, a roaring fire and his beloved dogs. korenman.com AVI DRESNER is a writer, journalist and documentary filmmaker. He is a two-time winner of the Rockower Award (aka “the Jewlitzer”) from the American Jewish Press Association. He is Executive Producer of the documentaryin-progress, “The Rabbi & The Reverend” and co-screenwriter of the feature film script “King’s Rabbi”, both of which tell the story of his father, Rabbi Israel Dresner, the most arrested and jailed rabbi during the Civil Rights Movement and an ally and friend of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. KATE ABBOTT (Writer) Kate explores the Berkshires as a freelance writer, editor, and oral historian. A longtime former editor of Berkshires Week and Shires of Vermont, she now writes for regional publications from the Boston Globe to the Eagle and the Hill Country Observer, and she runs the website By the Way Berkshires, btwberkshires.com.
S E T H R O G O V OY: F R A N C O V O G T; F R A N C E S C A O L S E N : E R I C KO R E N M A N ; A L L OT H E R P H OTO S : C O U R T E SY O F T H E C O N T R I B U TO R S
TONY GERVINO (“The Alt of it All”) is the editor-in-chief of the music streaming service TIDAL, managing the creation and programming of all content. Prior to TIDAL, he was editor-in-chief of Billboard, and has written for the New York Times and New York Times magazine, as well as Rolling Stone, GQ, and Business Week. He and his wife, Gina, split their time between Greenwich Village and South Egremont.
CREATING SPACES WITH JOY FOR MORE THAN 35 YEARS ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN SERVICES FOR CLIENTS IN THE BERKSHIRES, HUDSON VALLEY, AND LITCHFIELD COUNTY
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The
Local Life Exploring Our Towns for the Best of the Berkshires
Karema Deodato Millinery
P H OTO : S T E P H A N I E Z O L L S H A N
Our local hatmaker uses old-fashioned techniques for her collection of chic chapeaus. For more, turn the page. karemadeodato.com
Early Summer 2024 • THE B
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the local life: Around Town
Karema and her dog Moose in her Sandisfield studio
Head of the Class Hats off to Karema Almeida of Karema Deodato Millinery— or, rather, hats on. She combines old-world craftsmanship with a modern sensibility for handmade hats that are effortlessly wearable. By Amy Conway • Photographs by Stephanie Zollshan Karema Almeida made her first hat when she was 14 (a velvet fez), studied fashion design at New York City’s FIT, and worked in the millinery department at the Metropolitan Opera. She is an expert at her craft. And here’s what she wants to tell you: Don’t be afraid of hats. “So many people come in and say, ‘I don’t look good in hats.’ Or, ‘I can’t wear hats,’” she said. “But they’ve just got to give it a try.” Indeed, her wide-brimmed sun hat and her waxed cotton rain (or shine) hat—two
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bestsellers—are easy and versatile, minimalist but with attention to detail. Put one on, flip the brim up or down as desired, and you may just realize you are a hat person after all. Almeida makes hats the old-fashioned way: cutting the fabric herself, handblocking the hats on antique blocks, knitting winter hats, and even making her own trims. The work is done in her home studio in Sandisfield—often with Moose, her Havapoo, on her lap. She and her husband, who have a 12-year-old daughter, bought
the house in 2015, but moved up full time during the pandemic. And it’s benefitted her process: “the mental space, the physical space, just the quiet.” While she used to chase down materials in New York, now she’s “working with less and it’s been great. I’m getting creative with what I have access to, rather than spending a lot of time on the subway or in the garment center.” That might mean hand-painting trim for hat bands, for example—for results that are truly one of a kind.
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at The Red Lion Inn Open 7 Days A Week
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“So many people come in and say, ‘I don’t look good in hats.’ Or, ‘I can’t wear hats,’ but they’ve just got to give it a try.” Karema Deodato hats are sold at Railroad St. Collective in Great Barrington and North Adams, at karemadeodato.com, and at area makers’ markets.
summer socks at
the local life: The Great Outdoors From the Ground Up
A Foray into Foraging
St. John’s wort can be found growing wild and is valued for its medicinal properties (never consume anything that you cannot identify with 100% certainty).
P H OTO : S H U T T E R S TO C K
It’s not uncommon for Arianna Alexsandra Collins and Justin Adkins to be found along a stream bank, heads down. They are looking for plants that grow naturally (native or not) and are good and safe to eat. They love sharing their knowledge with people who can not only see but touch, smell, taste, and get a feel for where a plant grows. From April through October, they lead wild edibles walks through the Hoosic River Watershed; Collins also takes foraging groups into the woods and fields of the Clark Art Institute. Collins is an educator and naturalist in Ashfield, and the executive director of the Hoosic River Watershed Association (HooRWA), a citizens group that looks after the river. Adkins is president of the Berkshire chapter of Trout Unlimited and co-owner of Wild Soul River in Williamstown. (Both Wild Soul River and the Clark give half of the proceeds from the walks to benefit HooRWA.) Collins revels in teaching and learning about every being that lives in the river and along the banks, in the floodplain, and the waterside ecosystems. To care for the river, people have to get to know the richness of life in and around the water, she said.
To identify plants, she does use field guides and apps, but with care, and with cross checking multiple sources. Her favorite way to learn is to walk in the woods with someone she can ask. “It’s important to learn kinetically, with a guide,” she said. As she explains how to recognize a plant, a leaf, or a berry, she also can discuss how to prepare the harvest. Safety is obviously paramount, but she and Adkins also caution people to forage where foraging is allowed and welcome. Look around to see that more of the plant is growing around you before you harvest any, taking only a small amount of the whole. It is important to make sure the plants will survive and take care of themselves, she said, and feed and interact with other plants, birds, insects, animals, and people, too. —Kate Abbott
T W McClell and & Daughter s Fine Jewelry •
For foraging walks, visit hoorwa.org. Want to know what’s growing wild in your own backyard? Collins also offers individual wild plant inventories through her own organization, Offerings for Community Building, offeringsforcommunitybuilding.com.
597 South Main Street, Great Barrington MA t wmcclell and.com 413-645-3399
PH OTO: JESSE WENDELK EN
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Ali Louis Bourzgui:
From the
BERKSHIRES to BROADWAY BY F E LIX CA R RO LL
Back on March 28, Ali Louis Bourzgui, a shy, heart-throbby, 24-year-old crowned with a whirlwind of dark, curly locks, stepped out from the subway and onto one of the world’s most iconic crossroads—42nd and Broadway, in Manhattan. Within a few hours, he would yield to the inevitable: his dreams coming true. That evening, he debuted in the title role in “The Who’s Tommy,” at the Nederlander Theatre in the heart of the Times Square theater district.
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THE ALT OF IT ALL With Solid Sound, TOURISTS, and, of course, Wilco, John Stirratt—the band’s bassist—has embraced the art of the unexpected. He gave us the scoop on his Berkshires-based passion projects.
PHOTO: MIK AEL JORGENSE
By Tony Gervino
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