Fiddler Matt Cranitch from County Cork, accordionist Dónal Murphy from Limerick and guitarist and vocalist Tommy O’Sullivan from County Kerry perform live as Sliabh Notes.
Read articleEarly spring explorations near Stockbridge
Mill Brook Sugarhouse is boiling sap in a spring day around the corner from the Roaring Brook Trail, and Irish musicians are tuning up as I explore the Southern Berkshires.
Read articleSuzi Stern celebrates women’s voices in jazz
As a vocalist, Suzi Stern has a long inside view of a rich and intense jazz scene in Austin, Texas — and from her new home in Lenox she is planning to bring her music to the Berkshires.
Read articleClay from an outdoor fire-pit carries ‘Volumes’
Wood-firing ceramics in an open-face pit is a volatile craft — Karlene Kantner can spend 12 hours and more stoking the fire when she makes the clay vessels she has shown at Berkshire Botanical Garden.
Read articleSunny Banks Ranch keeps visions alive
Bill Robinson and his son, Steve, work a 200-acre ranch in Becket. Clad in thick rubber boots, jeans and a plaid shirt, Steve was outside working near the stables and looked every bit the part of a cowboy.
Read articleQ-Mob affirms queer community and connection
In a new year and an emergence of social activity after the peak of fear and isolation in Covid, a new community is taking root in Great Barrington — Q-Mob, Queer Men of the Berkshires.
Read articleHands-on celebrations for Valentine week
Imagine sitting side by side with a quiet man in a slip-spattered t-shirt, in front of an electric pottery wheel. He is teaching you to center a lump of clay.
Read articleBut soft, what light through yonder window breaks? — #Berkshireweekend
In the middle of February, a new friend is leaning on the counter and talking about theater games. We’re thinking about building trust and how to make something vast and wild out of almost nothing …
Read articleKarlene Kantner shapes wood-fired vessels
On a slope in West Stockbridge, the air smells of wood smoke and frost and the unmistakable, clean sour scent of reduction — fire pulling oxygen from clay.
Read articleSourdough rises at Berkshire Mountain Bakery
Loaves of white bread are entering and leaving the oven on a long wooden paddle. Rounded boules cooling, rich with chunks of dark Belgian chocolate — and ciabatta, seven grain bread, potato and onion …
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