Daryl Hall got his start as a teenager with such artists as Smokey Robinson and the Temptations. In the 1970's, he became half of the legendary Hall & Oates duo that have now sold over 60 million albums.

Daryl Hall and John Oates' #1 hit singles include: "Rich Girl", "Kiss on My List", "Maneater", "Private Eyes", "I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)", "Sara Smile", "She's Gone", and "One on One,".

"Daryl Hall again proved he is one of the great soul singers of his generation." Chis Rizik of Soul Tracks

Woodlands, mountain vistas, and galleries of breathtaking beauty come together at Stone Hill Center, the newest building at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, designed by Tadao Ando.

Join Clark director Michael Conforti for "Art in Nature," a presentation on this signature building. Stone Hill Center's seamless integration into the Berkshire landscape offers an unparalleled experience for viewing art, and as part of this presentation Cody Hartley, assistant curator of American Art at the Clark, will present an overview of the Clark's summer exhibitions, Like Breath on Glass: Whistler, Inness, and the Art of Painting Softly, and Homer and Sargent from the Clark. Admission to the lecture is free.

Like Breath on Glass features forty beautiful paintings by James McNeill Whistler, George Inness, and other American artists working around 1900 in an examination the art of painting softly. As Whistler once stated, "Paint should not be applied thick. It should be like breath on the surface of a pane of glass." The exhibition features contemplative and meditative paintings that, like the mist of breath's condensation on glass, appear on the canvas without evidence of the artist's hand. The bold paintings by American artists Winslow Homer and John Singer Sargent in Homer and Sargent from the Clark complement the softly painted works featured in Like Breath on Glass. Homer and Sargent from the Clark, the inaugural exhibition in Stone Hill Center, features 12 of the Clark's masterpieces capturing sensations ranging from North Atlantic cold to North African heat, shown in contemplative gallery spaces that connect art and nature.

Teeter off balance. Escape with integrity. Act virtuously. Teach with humor. Strive fervently. Crumble in desperation. Emerge victoriously. Flirt with danger. Dance with abandon. Experience some of the finest female characters in theatrical music confronting personal crossroads and grappling with consequences.

Join the Berkshire Opera Orchestra playing for a panorama of passionate prima donnas and simultaneously celebrate the 5th Anniversary of Artistic Director Kathleen Kelly's association with Berkshire Opera.

Maureen O'Flynn, Marie Lenormand, Scott Scully, Patrick Carfizzi, and Kathleen Kelly in a "Best of" evening of song.

This East LA rock band uses music that's a cross-pollination of blues, rockabilly, jazz, Latin, and their own Mexican-American heritage.

For nearly three decades Los Lobos have been exploring the artistic and commercial possibilities of American biculturalism, moving back and forth between their Chicano roots and their love of American rock. Although the band first gained fame as part of the early-80's roots-rock revival, they don't so much strip music down as mix it up, playing norteno, blues, Tex-Mex, ballads, folk, and rock.

"This is what happens when five guys create a magical sound, then stick together for thirty years to see how far it can take them." Jason Fine, Rolling Stone Magazine.

The Berkshire Playwrights Lab, a new theater company in the Berkshires, will kick off its inaugural season of staged readings of new plays. Included in the evening are scripts by Joe Cacaci (Executive Producer The Hoop Life, The Education of Max Bickford) and Berkshire playwright Mike Dowling (Harvest, Tamarack House), and plays written specifically for the evening by Richard Dresser (Rounding Third, Augusta, The Pursuit of Happiness), Cindy Lou Johnson (Brilliant Traces, The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd), and Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Mamet (Glengarry Glen Ross, The Untouchables, November, American Buffalo, Executive Producer of The Unit). Directing two of the plays will be Emmy Award-nominated director Matthew Penn, (Executive Producer, Law & Order 2004-07, NYPD Blue, The Sopranos).

Included in the cast are Oscar and Emmy-nominated actor Peter Riegert (Local Hero, Animal House, Sexual Perversity in Chicago), Dan Lauria ("The Dad" on the Emmy-winning The Wonder Years), Wendie Malick, four time Cable Ace Award-winner for Dream On, three time Emmy nominee as "Nina Van Horn" on Just Shoot Me, for which she also received a Golden Globe nomination, and Michael Rispoli (The Bronx is Burning, The Black Donnelly's and "Jackie Aprile" on The Sopranos), and several others.

Lab co-founder Jim Frangione, a longtime collaborator and actor in Mamet's plays and films, says, "David signed on to help because he believes in what we're doing - starting a developmental forum for new plays here in the Berkshires." Mamet also worked with Berkshire Playwrights Lab co-founder Joe Cacaci, who produced Mamet's Obie-winning play Edmond at the Provincetown Playhouse, in Greenwich Village.

Berkshire Playwrights Lab is the artistic collaboration of founders Jim Frangione, Joe Cacaci, and Bob Jaffe, all established theater professionals, and Managing Director, Claudia Crane.

The Berkshire Playwrights Lab is dedicated to encouraging, developing, and presenting new plays. Through readings, workshops, and fully staged productions,the Lab will provide emerging and established writers with a professional and creative environment, while offering audiences the unique and provocative opportunity to share in the dramatic evolution of premiere works.

Berkshire Playwrights Lab performances are scheduled for Wednesdays at 8:00 pm on June 25, July 16, July 30, August 13, and August 27.

Jane Curtin, James Naughton and Isaiah Sheffer read Funny Fictions for a Summer Afternoon. This event will be recorded for future broadcast on public radio.

Selected Shorts is a unique night of literature in performance. A selection of funny short fiction stories by writers take on a new life with readings by Jane Curtin, James Naughton, and Isaiah Sheffer. Program includes: a story to be announced and read by Jane Curtin; "The Winnowing of Mrs. Schuping" (read by James Naughton) whereby "an Eccentric southern dame cleans up her act and finds love"; and "Jamaica" by David Schickler (read by Isaiah Sheffer) "wild goings-on at a book club". This performance of Selected Shorts will be broadcast on public radio at a later date.

Starring Natalie Wood in Jerome Robbins classic story of insiders and outsiders.

This movie transplants the classic tale of "Romeo and Juliet" to New York City in the 1950s. The two feuding families are replaced by brawling street gangs. The Montagues become the Anglo Jets, led by Riff, and the Capulets become the Puerto Rican Sharks, led by Bernardo. At a dance, Tony, former leader of the Jets and Riff's best friend, and Maria, Bernardo's little sister, see each other across the room and it's love at first sight. With opposition from both sides, they meet secretly and their love grows deeper. However, the gangs are plotting one last rumble, a fight that will finally end the battle for control of the streets. Will Tony and Maria's love carry through a battle that threatens to destroy the people they love around them?

Trace the universal appeal and immediacy of water and the heavens in the works of such composers and lyriscists as Stephen Sondheim, Reynaldo Hahn, and Bill Monroe. With songs that range in style from classical to contemporary, jazz to jive, and musical theater to Motown, six musicians and special guest artists pave the way for an imaginative and entertaining survey of childlike dreams, romantic desires and untold mysteries. Featuring the artistic collaboration of The Clark, Barrington Stage Company, Southeastern Festival of Song, choreographer Kassandra Taylor, and Amherst-based acapella ensemble The Dynamics.

Don't miss these classically trained singers in a true "Artistic Hootenany"!

Count Basie Orchestra: "TIMELESS, PRICELESS & STILL the GENUINE ARTICLE"

The Basie Orchestra is one of the most thriving big bands in history With 17 Grammy awards, Basie musicians have grown up with the Kansas City Swing style of Count Basie and add their own voice to the band. With 19 performers, 17 sidemen, 1 vocalist, and 1 bandleader, Count Basie Orchestra has become the premier jazz band. Check out Kansas City style swing for yourself. Our Orchestra celebrates the big band experience through the completely original and identifiable Count Basie repertoire. Come and experience our musical heritage. Be on the look out for new album wherever the Count Basie Orchestra performs. You can then say, "I came back to Basie. The real Basie!"

Peter O'Toole in David Lean's classic epic film. An inordinately complex man who has been labeled everything from hero, to charlatan, to sadist, Thomas Edward Lawrence blazed his way to glory in the Arabian desert, then sought anonymity as a common soldier under an assumed name.

The story opens with the death of Lawrence in a motorcycle accident in London at the age of 47, then flashbacks to recount his adventures: as a young intelligence officer in Cairo in 1916, he is given leave to investigate the progress of the Arab revolt against the Turks in World War I. In the desert, he organizes a guerrilla army and--for two years--leads the Arabs in harassing the Turks with desert raids, train-wrecking and camel attacks. Eventually, he leads his army northward and helps a British General destroy the power of the Ottoman Empire.

Join food historian Francine Segan to discover chocolate's exciting history. Start with its New World origins and journey through Europe, where it transformed from a grainy bitter brew into the treat we know and love today. Learn how chocolate goes from bean to bar as you are guided through a tasting of various types of fine chocolates.

Chocolat tells the story of a young mother, played by Juliette Binoche, who arrives at a fictional, repressed French village with her six-year-old daughter and opens La Chocolaterie Maya, a small chocolaterie. Her chocolate quickly begins to change the lives of the townspeople.

The Platters, Linwood Peel's Tribute to The Drifters and The Corvettes Doo Wop Revue!

This outstanding concert will take you back to a time when wearing out the jukebox at the malt shop and cruisin' the strip were what it was all about. The Platters, one of rock and roll's greatest vocal groups ever, have sold over 100 million records worldwide. Some of their multi-million sellers include The Great Pretender, Only You, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, You've Got The Magic Touch, and many more.

Linwood Peel has led The Drifters for many years. Their incredible live show features all the group's great hits - Under The Boardwalk, On Broadway, Up On The Roof, This Magic Moment, Save The Last Dance For Me, There Goes My Baby, and more.

The Corvettes Doo Wop Revue have been called a "mini version of ShaNaNa". Their high energy show will have you dancing in your seat!

Steve Earle, known as "the hardcore troubadour" joins the Mahaiwe line-up this August. "One of the most important topical singer-songwriters of his generation", Earle headlines with opener Allison Moorer. Steve Earle is "...downright electrifying" says Harp magazine. The Independent (UK) calls Earle "America's Greatest Songwriter."

The world discovered America in 1972, when a nameless horse began its gallop across the airwaves. America's albums are certified gold and/or platinum, with their first greatest hits collection, "History," reaching the four-million sales mark.

America, featuring Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell will perform all their hits: A Horse With No Name, Ventura Highway, You Can Do Magic, Tin Man, Sister Golden Hair, Sandman... "Still cool after all these years." Spin Magazine

MAKE IT AN ALL-AMERICAN EVENING!!
PERFECT ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WIND-UP OF THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.

A time when both music and words enjoyed equal importance. Music of Rodgers & Hart, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Kander & Ebb, et al.

Conceived by Charlotte Kaufman and Ron Stillman, directed by Charlotte Kaufman. Featured artists Mara Bonde, soprano and David Ripley, bass-baritone are joined by guests Jennifer Sheehan, soprano and Allen Bonde, piano with an outstanding jazz trio: Dan Loschen, piano, Berklee "Profs" Bertam Lehmann, drums, and Rich Appleman, bass.

"LOVE IS SWEEPING THE COUNTRY" "OF THEE WE SING" We've told you "WHERE AND WHEN" so don't be "MEAN TO ME" and come hear us "SING FOR YOUR SUPPER"

"A Sheer Delight" _The Boston Globe

The Bridge on the River Kwai is a 1957 World War II film based on the novel by French writer Pierre Boulle. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), the memorable, epic World War II adventure/action, anti-war drama, was the first of director David Lean's major multi-million dollar, wide-screen super-spectaculars (his later epics included Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and Doctor Zhivago (1965)).
Bridge on the River Kwai deals with the situation of British prisoners of war during World War II who are ordered to build a bridge to accommodate the Burma-Siam railway.

The film's story was loosely based on a true World War II incident, and the real-life character of Lieutenant Colonel Philip Toosey. One of a number of Allied POW's, Toosey was in charge of his men from late 1942 through May 1943 when they were ordered to build two Kwai River bridges in Burma (one of steel, one of wood), to help move Japanese supplies and troops from Bangkok to Rangoon.

Fiarview Hospital is proud to present Paula Poundstone in a special Gala performance. Poundstone's comic stylings will prove that Laughter is the Best Medicine. Enjoy and evening of razor sharp wit and spontaneity while supporting our community hospital. In addition to bringing her standup act across the country, Poundstone is a frequent guest on the popular NPR program "Wait Wait....Don't Tell Me."

Gala Event packages including pre-preformance cocktail reception, dinners at Great Barrington's finest restaurants, and preferred performance seating are available. For Gala information contact Chris McDermott at Fairview Hospital. Email Chris at cmcdermott@bhs1.org

Legendary folk rocker Jonathan Edwards, creator of classic hits such as Sunshine and Shanty, among many others, brings along his band mates for an extremely rare appearance. For many years Jonathan has appeared only as a solo artist - don't miss this chance to see this incredible performer take the stage with some of his longtime fellow musicians.

Opening the show, the incredibly talented Bobby Sweet Trio. Bobby has written and performed songs for many major television shows and movies. His reputation as one of the best singer songwriters in the northeast continues to grow with each performance.

Twenty years after they began, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers have declined to mellow with age. Devoted social justice activists and lifelong music-industry mavericks, the Girls have spent their entire career pushing boundaries on a variety of fronts and are the bar that newcomers aspire to, always pushing to get "Closer to Fine".

Opening Night Gala starring Renee Fleming in fully-staged performances of scenes from three different operas: Verdi's La Traviata (Act II), Massenet's Manaon (Act III), and the final scene from Richard Strauss's Capriccio. Tenor Ramon Vargas and baritones Thomas Hampson and Dwayne Croft co-star. James Levine and Marco Armiliato conduct. (cast subject to change)

One of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of her generation, Dar Williams has been engaging audiences with her musical artistry since the early 1990s when she rose from the Northeast coffeehouse circuit to the national spotlight. A native of New York's Hudson Valley, where she still resides, Williams maintains in her life and music a strong system of values, idealism and community involvement.

Throughout her career, Williams has toured with such as Joan Baez, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Ani DiFranco and Shawn Colvin. Williams' devotion to activism remains as strong as ever. Her causes range from environmental protection to social action; she has helped spearhead grassroots organizations around the country alongside her legions of fans.

"Seasons change, but Williams remains both ambitious and pleasingly plain-spoken....and importantly, she sees more at ease than ever." Rolling Stone Magazine.

A glittering evening of Baroque and Classical works for chamber orchestra and soloists, featuring a royal flush of composer who wrote for Europe's most musically voracious rulers: Haydn's Cello Concerto in D Major; Mozart's "Musical Joke"; the splendor of Bach's Double Concerto for two violins; and Italian gems from Corelli and Vivaldi. With the Camerata San Marco, a virtuosic all-woman string orchestra, and guest soloists. This musical excursion includes the courts of Habsburg and Esterhazy and the palaces of Saxony and Venice. First in a six-concert series, through May 2009. Subscriptions (through www.cewm.org) and best seats available now!

"It was a brilliant way to kick off a season...demonstrating it to be a Chamber Music Series on par with anything heard at Tanglewood at the height of the season. For this, we year-rounders are blessed." _The Rogovoy Report

Berkshire Taconic takes a look at our community's future with a free public conversation about an issue with regional impact. National and local experts will make presentations and answer questions from the audience. An open reception will follow the event.

Berkshire Taconic is the community foundation for Berkshire, Columbia, northeast Dutchess and northwest Litchfield counties. www.berkshiretaconic.org/

Richard Thompson was named by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the Top 20 Guitarists of all-time and the recent recipient of both an Ivor Novello Award for Songwriting and the 2006 BBC Lifetime Achievement Award, the iconic British folk rock legend is one of the world's most critically acclaimed and prolific songwriters. His work is admired and recorded by such artists as Bonnie Raitt, David Byrne and Elvis Costello. From his teenage years as a founding member of the 1960's pioneering group Fairport Convention to duo work with his then-wife, Linda Thompson, and over 20 years as a solo artist, to scoring Werner Hertzog's 2005 documentary 'Grizzly Man', Richard Thompson's astounding body of work includes over 40 albums of lyrical wit anchored by such a singular acoustic and electric guitar delivery.

"Like all genuine art, it satisfies completely." Newsweek

As a guitarist Thompson is notable for the breadth of his influences ? which range from Buddy Holly and James Burton via Les Paul and Django Reinhardt to less likely influences such as pipe player Billy Pigg.

Over a long career, Thompson has received much acclaim from his peers and has consistently been well-regarded by critics. In August 2003, Rolling Stone magazine listed Thompson as #19 on its list of The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.

"In the guitar god firmament, Thompson easily takes a place beside Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page. He has certainly been the most consistently imaginative English plank spanker of modern times." - Daily Mirror

"Thompson's voice has only grown richer and more subtle with age, his legendary soloing still equal parts lyrical and emotionally violent." William Mills

Leo Lionni's exquisite collage works are ideally suited for Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia's unique approach to stage adaptation. The three Caldecott Honor books Mermaid has chosen for its tribute, SWIMMY, INCH BY INCH and FREDERICK, are amoung Lionni's most beloved works. Their images are strikingly beautiful, and their texts are whimsical yet wistful.

Joseph Silverstein, former concertmaster and assistant conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Conductor Laureate, Utah Symphony, invites some of the brightest and best of Berkshire Music School alumni to join him and friends from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center for a dazzling afternoon of chamber music.

Berkshire Music School (BMS) alumni include Juilliard doctoral studend Francesca Anderegg, violin, and Juilliard master's student Kathryn Anderson, violin. Proceeds from the concert go to the education programs at BMS, a non-profit organization located in Pittsfield, which has been providing quality music instruction for nearly 70 years. www.berkshiremusicschool.org

Taj Mahal was born in Harlem, in New York City, but grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts. His father was a jazz pianist/composer/arranger of Jamaican descent, while his mother was an African American schoolteacher from South Carolina who sang gospel.

You could call him a singer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, ethnomusicologist, two-time Grammy-winner, world-class musical collaborator, musicians' advocate, world traveler, fisherman, or cigar aficionado. These titles are all accurate, yet none convey the warmth, humor, and soulfulness of Taj and his music.

Taj has been playing his own distinctive brand of music -- variously described as Afro-Caribbean blues, folk-world-blues, hula blues, folk-funk, and a host of other hyphenations -- for more than 40 years. Caribbean, Hawaiian, African, Latin, and Cuban sounds and rhythms mix with folk, jazz, zydeco, gospel, rock, pop, soul, and R&B, all layered on top of a solid country blues foundation.

David Parsons has enjoyed a remarkable career as a performer, choreographer, teacher, director and producer, choreographer, teacher, director and producer of dance. Since 1985, Parsons Dance has toured an average of 32 weeks per year, to more than 235 cities, 30 countries, six continents and millions of audience members.

Parsons Dance is committed to building new audiences for contemporary dance by creating American works of extraordinary artistry that are engaging and uplifting to audiences throughout the world.

"One of the Great Movers of Modern Dance" - The New York Times

Tony and Grammy Award-winner Duncan Sheik will be joined by original cast members Tony-winner John Gallagher and Lauren Pritchard!

In addition to writing the music for the Broadway musical hit Spring Awakening, singer-songwriter Duncan Sheik is collaborating with playwright Steven Sater on The Nightingale, a musical based on the Hans Christian Anderson classic, which premiered during the 26th annual O'Neill Music Theater Conference. Sheik has composed original music for the Public Theatre's Shakespeare in the Park production of Twelfth Night and for The Golden Rooms of Nero, which opened at the Magic Theater in San Franciso earlier this year. His self-titled debut album on Atlantic Records was an enormous popular and cricital success and spent 30 weeks on the Billboard 200.

"An Unexpected Jolt of Sudden Genius" - New York Post

Follow the yellow brick road right back through the front doors of the Mahaiwe, as Dorothy (and Toto too!) once again fill the screen. Join Dorothy (Judy Garland), and her three companions, the Tin Man (Jack Haley), the Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr), and the Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), as they travel the precarious road to Oz. Join generations of Wizard of Oz fans for this special annual movie presentation.

The Rose Ensemble, purveyors of an exquisite sonic art, represent the synthesis of performance and scholarship. For their third return to Close Encounters, they reincarnate themselves in the 17th and 18th centuries on American shores - in a folkloric tapestry with traditional Acadian and Scottish dance music; Shaker melodies; spirituals, wassail songs, and Colonial Jewish synagogue hymns; and Mexican Baroque and Hawaiian selections. If the Rose Ensemble is back in town, can holiday cheer be far behind?

"A supernatural blend of voices, beauty of tone, and rhythmic activity." _Early Music America Magazine.

Join the Albany Symphony with guest conductor / violin soloist Jamie Laredo for an exciting evening of exceptional classical music.

The centerpiece of the evening's performance is perhaps one of Bach's most famous works, his Concerto for Two Violins in D minor. This piece is considered amoung the best examples of the work of the late Baroque period. The concerto is characterized by the subtle yet expressive relationship between the violins throughout the work, and features Albany Symphony's Concert Master Jill Levy as the second violin soloist.

Mermaid Theare of Nova Scotia presents The Very Hungry Caterpillar and other Eric Carle favorites, adapted, directed and designed by Jim Morrow, music by Steven Naylor, and narrated by Gordon Pinsent.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar follows the wonderful adventures of a very tiny and very hungry caterpillar that progresses through an amazing variety of foods towards his eventual metamorphosis into a beautiful butterfly.

Back by popular request, the virtuosi of the Berkshire Bach Ensemble, directed by harpsichordist Kenneth Cooper, return with their "irrepressible" versions of The Brandenburg Concerti of Johann Sebastian Bach. Known for a zesty and captivating style, the Berkshire Bach Ensemble always delivers these great works with its inimitable passion and vitality. Come and savor this classic concert and join in a festive evening as the Berkshire Bach Society ushers in the New Year in Style!