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Berkshire Magazine

Exploring the arts, homes, personalities and allure of the area, Berkshire Magazine is, in print, wh

Berkshire Magazine tells the stories and reflects the natural beauty and the texture of the region - connecting us all a bit more to the place we love so much.

09/16/2026

We fondly think back to the time when Bob Mackie (left) was with Brian Cox, photographed by Julia Kaplan at the 2025 Berkshire International Film Festival. Fans celebrated two different worlds of entertainment—masterclass acting and legendary Hollywood fashion—connecting in the Berkshires. The Succession star was the official festival honoree. BIFF also held a special tribute screening of his 2009 movie, The Escapist. And the festival featured a special screening of Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion, a documentary covering his six decades of designing glittering, historic costumes for stars like Cher and Elton John. RIP Bob Mackie. It was an honor to have you with us here in the Berkshires.

09/10/2026

Known for their explosive energy and deep-rooted mastery of hard bop, The Cookers brings together some of the most influential musicians in jazz history, including two of the original members we spoke to: Dr. Eddie Henderson and George Cables. Here is an excerpt from Dr Henderson:

“When playing with other jazz musicians, you hear them play with their expertise, and it gives you an incentive to practice and come up to the bar of a musicality that they perform. It’s a competition, but out of love and respect for the other musicians. you don’t want to let anybody down, so you keep your skills as sharp as they can be. When everybody comes to the gig, it’s different every night, because we’re improvising. That’s what life is about. So it’s a reflection of life, and you want to put your best foot forward.”

Go to berkshiremag.com to read more of the interviews. For tickets to this and other performances during the three-day Williamstown from September 11 to 13, go to jazzintheberkshires.org. The Cookers play on Saturday, September 13, at 8:00 PM: Performing at the Williamstown Jazz Festival (‘62 Center for Theatre and Dance

Photo: Front row (seated), from left: Billy Hart, drums; Eddie Henderson, trumpet; George Cables, piano; and Cecil McBee, bass. Back row (standing), from left: David Weiss, trumpet and band founder; Donald Harrison, alto saxophone; and Azar Lawrence, tenor saxophone. (Courtesy of The Cookers) Interviews by Jaclynn Kastrinakis.

09/09/2026

Sixty-five years into a career, Arturo Sandoval has earned ten Grammy Awards as well as a Presidential Medal of Freedom. Widely considered one of the greatest and most technically accomplished trumpet players in the world, the Cuban-born trumpeter, pianist, and composer will close out the the three-day Williamtown Jazz Festival this Sunday, September 13, at Williams College’s Chapin Hall. We spoke with Arturo before this historic performance. Here’s an excerpt:

Arturo, you describe Dizzy Gillespie as your mentor and “spiritual father.” What is the most important lesson he taught you that you still carry today?

“I met him in Havana, Cuba in May of ’77, many years ago. When he came back to New York, he started to talk about that band he listened to in Cuba—my band. A few months later, the president of CBS Record came to Havana himself. They listened to my band and signed us for three years. The next month, he brought us to New York and we played at Carnegie Hall for the very first time ever in the U.S. CBS made a recording of that live concert, and that became our first Grammy. Everything happened because of Maestro Gillespie.

“His name was really John Birks Gillespie, and Dizzy was like a nickname. I never called him Dizzy, though, because he was anything but Dizzy. He was extremely smart; he was a genius—a creator of one of the most intricate and profound music styles ever, which is bebop. He’s the father of Bebop. The best lesson and the best example that I got from him was his love and enthusiasm for music.

“The joy he got every time he jumped to the stage to share music with the people was the best lesson, you know? Being in love with music is a gift from God, and when you love what you do, oh my goodness, your life is incredible!”

… Go to berkshiremag.com to read the online exclusive interview with Sandoval, titled “Pure Energy,” written by Jaclynn Kastrinakis, and buy tickets to this three-day festival that kicks off THIS FRIDAY at jazzintheberkshires.org .... !

09/06/2026

We thought you would enjoy a quiet Sunday morning looking at these beautiful images that won first place in Berkshire Magazine’s annual photo contest in the past. AND we are now accepting entries for this year’s photo contest! The theme: “Feeling Free in the Berkshires.” Freedom means something very different to each person. What does feeling free look like to you? Where’s the perfect spot, the perfect activity, the perfect expression that reflects a sense of liberation for you? Share your photos. Entries will be accepted through October 5 at berkshiremag.com/photo-contest

The winners from previous years pictured here, in order as they appear, are as follows:

2018, Dana Goedewaagen, “End of Summer”
2019, Bruce Panock, “Bartholomew’s Cobble”
2020, Margo Neely, “Apple Picking
2021, Kara Thornton,“Catching Some Berkshire Air!” Pontoosuc Lake in Pittsfield
2022, Beth Carroll, “Lone Fisherman”
2023, Anne Marie Lamone, “Lenox Farm”
2024, Dana Goedewaagen, “Solo”
2025, Max Vadakin, for his portfolio of four concert images, one of which is shown here

09/04/2026

Jack Miller Contractors has been honored with two 2026 Chrysalis Awards for Remodeling Excellence. The JMC team secured the National Award for Historic Renovation and the Regional Award for Residential Exterior Renovation, placing the Massachusetts company among the country’s exceptional builders setting new standards in the remodeling industry.

Since 1993, the Chrysalis Awards have recognized outstanding projects that exemplify excellence in design, craftsmanship, creative use of space and overall transformation. Winners are selected out of hundreds of entries from across the United States.

Jack Miller Contractors took home top national honors for its meticulous adaptive reuse of a historic New England service barn, transforming it into a refined, multi-functional family wellness retreat and spa. In collaboration with Noury-Ello Architects and Christine Lane Interiors, the building was structurally overhauled to include high-performance insulation and modern mechanical systems. Original architectural elements were retained and restored where possible, allowing the barn’s heritage character to inform the design while complementing contemporary interventions that accommodate modern living. Pictured here is the New England Barn/Spa project which is not fully furnished and missing a few final touches — we look forward to seeing the final outcome from our project partners.

🏡 For more information about the builder, visit www.jackmillercontractors.com. (Sponsored) Photography for the project was captured by Jonathan Jones of j81 Studios.

09/03/2026

We pause to acknowledge the remarkable life and enduring contributions of Gloria Steinem, who died yesterday at the age of 92. Steinem’s long life was defined by over a half-century of continuous activism. As an author, organizer, and co-founder of Ms. magazine, she spent a lifetime advancing workplace fairness, civil rights, and healthcare independence, leaving an indelible mark on American history.

In March of 2014, Steinem visited MCLA to deliver the college’s annual Spring Public Policy Lecture. She spoke to a capacity crowd on campus. Before her evening lecture, she held an intimate question-and-answer circle with students. Editor-in-Chief Anastasia Stanmeyer asked Steinem some questions prior to her coming to MCLA. Here is on question and her answer, which seems appropriate at this time not only with her passing, but as we welcome students back to MCLA and other colleges throughout the country:

In talking to young women at MCLA, they would like to know this from you this: As 21-year-old women and writers, how can they educate people about what feminism means and what equality is?

Steinem: “Write and behave as your own true, authentic self, and name unfairness and injustice wherever you see it—whether it’s very small or very big. People around you will learn from your words and your example. Support other people working toward equality, and make sure you have some support. We’re communal animals, and we can’t do it for long alone. And remember that the means are the ends—if you want dancing and poetry and laughter and friendship in the future, make sure you have dancing and poetry and laughter and friendship along the way.”

(Photos by Maria Bakkalapulo, watermarked, for Berkshire Magazine at MCLA during Steinem’s visit on March 4, 2014)

09/01/2026

In our latest issue, we featured the article “At Home with Michelle Gomez.” Editor-in-Chief Anastasia Stanmeyer had such a wonderful time with this incredible person! The seasoned actor has happily settled in Great Barrington with her husband (actor Jack Davenport), their 16-year-old son, and two dogs (one with a personality like Bill Murray).

A prolific actor both here and across the pond, Michelle is celebrated for her sharp comedic timing and knack for playing delightfully unhinged, eccentric villains. (“I don’t know why; I’m a pussycat!”) She’s best known for her iconic role as Missy in Doctor Who and as the terrifyingly brilliant Madame Satan in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

Catch Gomez this fall in The Incomer, a Scottish comedy film which opens in the U.S. on September 25. The indie movie, primarily filmed in the Caithness region and other remote parts of the Scottish Highlands, won the coveted NEXT Innovator Award at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. AND, on September 19, Gomez and Davenport are stepping into the famous lead roles originally played by Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell for a staged reading of His Girl Friday (1940) at Barrington Hall. Because of their love of the Triplex, they will share the stage together for the first time EVER. Tickets are on sale to the general public at thetriplex.org. And make sure to grab yourself a copy of the August issue while it’s still around for another week or two and read all about Michelle!

Photos by Gregory Cherin; a still of Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell in His Girl Friday; and photo of Michelle and Jack, courtesy of Michelle Gomez. The chair that Michelle is sitting on was made by Berkshire-based Tommy Sronkoski, .

08/25/2026

We are so very sad to hear about Dolly Parton’s passing. This is a photo taken by Hilary Scott of Dolly’s performance at Tanglewood on June 17, 2016, courtesy of the BSO. 😔 ❤️

08/23/2026

What a treat it was to see Georgia Stitt and Jason Robert Brown in conversation with Elliott Forrest at Tanglewood’s Linde Center yesterday! Thank you, Elliott, for the call out to Berkshire Magazine - and thank you Jason and Georgia for a great afternoon of music and storytelling. If you haven’t read it yet…be sure to check out: “It Takes Two” in the August issue of Berkshire Magazine.

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