Berkshires 2008
Hunkered Down with Arts and Culture
By: Charles Giuliano - Dec 26, 2008
More than a geographic location, the Berkshires, in Western Massachusetts is a state of mind. During the season from Memorial Day through Labor Day it is clearly a destination for world class arts and culture. The programming of the Tanglewood Music Festival and Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival attract conductors, choreographers and performers with global reputations. Add to that four superb theatre companies- Barrington Stage Company, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Shakespeare & Company, and Williamstown Theatre Festival- as well as numerous smaller performing arts organizations.
In full swing the pace is intense. This past summer we reveled in the occasional night off but also regretted missing this or that performance or event. Nobody can possibly cover everything. When out and about we much enjoyed intermission chats with our fellow critics and the chance to compare notes. It is always interesting to read other reviews of events we covered. It helps to sort out our own thoughts and opinions. Seeing so much in a densely packed schedule also represents an intensive learning curve. Not that there is a glib rush to judgment but more a confidence in trusting those initial impressions.
Part of that critical process started in the early 1970s when I was the jazz and rock critic for the daily Boston Herald Traveler. There was a midnight deadline so you were composing a lead in your head while beating the crowd to the parking lot or driving to the paper on Harrison Avenue. By that morning the review was published. There was no chance for further reflection. I was always struck by Allen Ginsberg's mantra, based on his understanding of Buddhism "First thought, best thought."
While there is a summer influx to the Berkshires there is also a sense of movement. Typically, Berkshire people are on the go. During the rest of the year they come and go from Boston, New York, and on to global destinations. But what goes with them is that Berkshire sense of seeking out the best of arts and culture. There are always conversations punctuated with "did you see" or "have you been to."
That sensibility gets woven into Berkshire Fine Arts as our contributors report from Boston, New York, London, Peru, Turkey and China. We report on the Venice Biennale or discuss Fallingwater by Wrignt near Pittsburgh. Fallingwater link Another Wright link Or oysters and gumbo in New Orleans. Astrid photographed the Lafayette Cemetery. Link to Lafayette Cemetery The element of surprise is important in this moveable feast. There is no limit to our point of view. Within the mandate of arts and culture we may be anywhere at any time. Our contributors cover what is of interest to them. Admittedly some of this is niche reporting. There may be a small audience for a particular topic. But as mainstream newspapers and magazines get battered there is less of this coverage. With ever shrinking pages and newsholes editors focus only on stories with the broadest outreach. When cuts are made usually it is arts coverage that takes the biggest hit.
We will recall 2008 as a tough year. Most of us suffered terrible losses of net worth and resources. But there were also occasions for grim humor. Tina Fey was just hilarious in her Saturday Night Live sendups of Sarah Palin. The soccer mom from Alaska was really scary. You betcha. Given the age and state of health of John McCain it was all too plausible that she might take over as President. How terrifying to think that she might initiate a foreign policy based on seeing Russia from her front porch. But it was also wiggy to consider the prospect of a Babe in the White House. Just consider the potential for Presidential pinups. But, as a friend pointed out, the really alarming point is that Obama only won by about 2% of the popular vote.
Considering the challenges of a sour economy and $4 a gallon gas overall 2008 was a good year for the Berkshires. Nobody wants to talk about actual numbers which were generally down. Off the record there were discussions of empty seats and how best to fill them. It didn't help for Tanglewood that James Levine, its artistic director, suffered a health emergency after just the first weekend of performances. That might have been a disaster but guest conductors aptly filled the slots in his schedule. He is expected to be back at full strength for 2009. 2009 Tanglewood Season
While there were many Tanglewood moments, for me, the highlights were the Wilco rock performance and celebrations in honor of the 100th birthday of the composer Elliot Carter. Elliot Carter review Neither events were much appreciated by the critics of the Berkshire Eagle. It seems that the good times and rock 'n' roll of Wilco scared the Willies out of the powers that be at the BSO. Wilco review While it brought a whole new audience and blew the lid off of Tanglewood. The performances of Carter's music drew smaller and more sedate audiences but no less enthusiastic. For one performance nature chimed in with thunder and lightning that flashed through Ozawa hall and nature chiming in on percussion. It was truly remarkable.
We were fortunate to hear two performances by the maginficent Renee Fleming. She appeared in a concert version of "Eugene Onegin" at Tanglewood Fleming review And again in "Thais" with the Metropolitan Opera. It was broadcast globally in Hi Definition including the Mahaiwe Theatre in Great Barrington. This review
In terms of brick and mortar there were many expansions and upgrades in the Berkshires. The Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield completed a $9 million renovation. Just before the market fell off a cliff the museum also deaccessioned two vintage Russian paintings for some $7 million. The money will be applied to its acquisition fund and this is an exciting time for the museum to have dry powder in a buyer's market.
In Lenox, Shakespeare & Company unveiled its Evelyn P. Bernstein Theatre. The former sports facility on its campus has been converted to a small theatre, several large rehearsal rooms, and a huge scene shop. For some time the company was a tenant of the nearby Edith Wharton estate "The Mount." While Tina Packer has put the theatre on a firm path the same may not be said for "The Mount" which has been poorly managed and may or not survive. The Mount link
We are approaching the third season for Barrington Stage Company which moved to a permanent home in Pittsfield partly with development money from the city and its GF fund. Last year Barrington upgraded by adding a second small stage in the nearby VFW Hall. The Williamstown Theatre Festival is anticipating its third season in the new 62 Center on the Williams College campus. Berkshire Theatre Festival has posted its 2009 season Link to BTF
There was also expansion in the fine arts. The Clark Art Institute unveiled its Stone Hill Center designed by Tadeo Ando. It is a part of a master plan for the Williamstown campus to be completed in several stages. The Clark also has a long term lease arrangement with Mass MoCA in a building which has yet to be developed. Link to Stone Hill Center
During November Mass MoCA launched a new building with a semi permanent installation on three floors and some 100 wall drawings by Sol LeWitt. It has drawn national media as the fine arts event of the year. During 2009 we will begin to measure its impact on tourism in the Northern Berkshires. LeWitt review
Looking forward to the 2009 season the success of Tanglewood will be key to the Berkshires. It has announced what should be a spectacular season and will even be increased by an extra week of programming. There are many risks and challenges as the BSO has stepped up to the plate and is exerting strong leadership. The theatres and Jacobs Pillow are in the process of revealing their plans and programs. There is every indication that the poor economy will not impact the ambition and quality of the 2009 season.
While Tangelwood has deep pockets to slog through a devastating recession it is touch and go for most arts organizations. In the recent expansions many have assumed debt. There are mortgages to pay. This will mean a keen eye on costs and the bottom line. In the need to fill seats there has to be more aggressive marketing and outreach to the audience. Until now there hasn't been a strong sense of planning, coordination and initiatives up and down the arts food chain. Too often it seems the left hand does not talk to the right hand.
While the completion of the Sol LeWitt project, for example, is great news for Mass MoCA, just how will that impact North Adams and its community of artists and arts organizations? Last summer there was a pilot initiative by MCLA, the City of North Adams, and Mass MoCA to launch Down Street a series of summer venues on Main Street. Down Street 2008 There is now a dialogue on ways to improve its outreach for 2009. Part of this strategy should entail connecting with similar efforts in Pittsfield. Hey folks, we need some help here. Yes, 2009 will be a challenge for all of us. Stay tuned.