Courier October Courier | Page 39

New England COMPILED BY PAT HENDERSON All about the arts in the Berkshires “Less than three hours from New York City and Boston, the Berkshires offer culture and adventure year-round,” says Lindsey Schmid, director of marketing for 1Berkshire. “If you are a lover of theater, music, dance, fine arts and more, the Berkshires should be on your vacation bucket list.” She highlights the following five cultural attractions across the region in western Massachusetts: Tanglewood One of the world’s premier summer music fes- tivals, Tanglewood also has been the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 1937. The typical season, which goes from mid- June to early September, includes dozens of performances by the famous orchestra, chamber ensembles and the Tanglewood Festival Choir, as well as concerts by top rock and folk artists. Plans are in the works for a new four-building complex that is slated to open in the summer of 2019. Norman Rockwell Museum Founded in 1969, this Stockbridge attraction con- tains the largest and most significant collection of original art from its eponymous artist, includ- ing his enduringly popular Saturday Evening Post covers. Groups can explore 10 galleries, a gift shop and the beautiful 36-acre campus that fea- tures Rockwell’s original studio and sculptures by his son Peter. Located in Williamstown, the museum is home to an expansive collection of European and American paintings, sculpture, prints, drawings, and decorative arts from the Renaissance to the early 20th century. Groups can take guided tours, enjoy gallery talks, see traveling exhibits and take part in special