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The 50th anniversary of the beloved Dance Theatre of Harlem is being celebrated July 10-14 at the Ted Shawn Theatre.

Harlem Dance, Buddy Guy's Blues, Nat 'King' Cole Stylings Highlight Week

By Grace LichtensteinGuest Column
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Blues, jazz, hip-hop, folk, cabaret — you can catch a bit of everything with the varied pops calendar in our region this week. Big names, too: Dance Theatre of Harlem, Buddy Guy, John Davidson to name a few.

Jacob's Pillow

The 50th anniversary of the beloved Dance Theatre of Harlem is being celebrated July 10-14 at the Ted Shawn Theatre. Co-founded by the late Arthur Mitchell, it is now headed by founding member and former principal dancer Virginia Johnson. This is the troupe's first return to the Pillow in five years.

On the bill are a collection of works from the 21st as well as 20th century: Darrell Grand Moultrie's "Harlem on My Mind," Christopher Wheeldon's "This Bitter Earth," George Balanchine's "Valse Fantaisie" and an expanded version of Annabelle Lopez Ochoa's "Balamouk."

"Harlem on My Mind" traces the history of jazz through five couples, according to the Pillow announcement. The work features musical compositions by Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Rodgers and Hart, Wynton Marsalis, and a contemporary arrangement of "My Funny Valentine" by trumpeter Chris Botti. What makes "Balamouk" special is that it has been expanded since it was originally created by Jacob's Pillow Dance Award winner Ochoa.

At the Pillow's Doris Duke Theatre, come feel the "POWER," a world premiere by the  Reggie Wilson/Fist and Heel Performing Group. This is a full-length work that Wilson calls "post-Africa/Neo-HooDoo Modern dance." "POWER" is a Pillow commission.

Visitors can also catch free Inside/Out performances on Pillow grounds Wednesday, July 10, (Phunk Phenomenon) through Saturday, July 13, at 6:15 p.m. And talk about family fun: Saturday July 13, at 11 a.m., the Pillow has scheduled "Dog Dance" on its Great Lawn. It's described as a "participatory event for beloved canines and their dance-loving companions." No experience is necessary, but advance registration is encouraged online.

Mahaiwe

The word legend has almost lost its meaning in music, but how else can one describe 82-years-young bluesman Buddy Guy? This pioneering Chicago electric guitarist stops at the Mahaiwe on Sunday, July 14, at 7 p.m. for a relaxed evening of great music, with special guest Tom Hambridge as the opening opening act.
More information online.

The Mount

The terrace of Edith Wharton's storied home in Lenox is the setting for "Music After Hours" on Friday and Saturday nights from 5 to 8 p.m. Local favorite Andy Wrba and the Berkshire Jazz Collective are on the bill Friday, while the Bob Meyer Project takes over Saturday. More information can be found online.

Barrington Stage

Las Vegas regular Clint Holmes presents his tribute to Nat "King" Cole on the occasion of the master pianist and singer's centenary, and you probably know all the words to songs like "Unforgettable." He is accompanied by pianist and vibraphonist Christian Tamburr. The venue is Mr. Finn's Cabaret (a presentation of the Barrington Stage Company), located at the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center in Pittsfield, Sunday, July 14, and Monday, July 15, at 8 p.m. Details online.

Guthrie Center

Entertainer John Davidson comes to the Guthrie Center at the Old Trinity Church in Great Barrington Friday, July 12, at 8 p.m. for an evening of songs and perhaps stories about his time as the host of the Hollywood Squares and other events in his music and TV career.

Then, Vance Gilbert, a contemporary singer/songwriter with jazz roots, appears at the Guthrie Center Saturday, July 13, at 8 p.m. More info online.

Williamstown Theatre Festival

The Festival gives stars — artists involved in its plays and up-and-coming non-Equity and apprentice performers — a chance to entertain at its Late-Night Cabaret on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night at  Goodrich Hall in Williamstown. Doors open at 10:30 p.m. Details online.

Want more?

There's live music at numerous Berkshire venues, including:


July 10:
Live on the Lake, free music outdoor evenings at Burbank Park, Lake Onota in Pittsfield.

July 10: Concerts at the Lake, Windsor Lake outside North Adams.

July 11: The Chalet at Mass MoCA

Just 12: Picky B's at the Trailside Music Series, free evenings Mass Audubon’s Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Lenox.

July 14: Sixth annual Mt. Greylock Jazz Festival at the Bascom Lodge atop Mt. Greylock near Adams.

For ongoing music, check out the patio of Mazzeo’s Ristorante in Pittsfield, Race Brook Lodge in Sheffield, Gateways Inn and Restaurant in Lenox, and the Lion’s Den at the Red Lion Inn, Stockbridge.

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Friday Front Porch Feature: This Luxury Home Has Plenty of Amenities

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

LENOX, Mass. — Are you looking for a big house to enjoy your days with a big movie theater, a sauna, and more? Then this is the house for you.

Built in 2004, this seven-bedroom, and nine-bathroom home is 7,073 square feet on more than an acre. The home comes with an elevator to the lower level to access a theater, sauna, gym, wine cellar, massage room, and its very own soda fountain. 

The home also has a guest house with a saltwater pool. A multi-car garage greets you with heated floors.

The this home is listed for $4,950,000 and is located in the 125-acre, gated Pinecroft compound.

We spoke to Leslie Chesloff, the listing agent with William Pitt Sotheby's.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

Chesloff: This gated Berkshire stone estate truly redefines luxury living in the Berkshires. What sets it apart is the rare combination of resort-style amenities and complete privacy. The property offers Canyon Ranch-level wellness living with a full spa experience at home — including a sauna, massage room, and gym — plus an eight-seat hi-def theater with wine cellar for entertaining. The heated, gunite saltwater pool and spa are complemented by a fully equipped pool house with a guest suite and complete kitchen, perfect for extended family or guests.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

The moment you step inside, you're struck by the quality and craftsmanship — those 300-year-old reclaimed timber floors set an immediate tone of authenticity and warmth. The scale is impressive but never overwhelming; this is a home designed for gracious living, not just show. The natural light, cathedral ceilings, and thoughtful flow between spaces create an inviting atmosphere that balances grandeur with genuine comfort.

How would you describe the feel or atmosphere of this home?

This home feels like a private wellness retreat meets sophisticated family estate. There's a serene, spa-like quality throughout — enhanced by features like the sauna, steam shower, and massage room — but it never feels clinical or cold. The Berkshire stone exterior and reclaimed timber floors ground the home in a sense of place and permanence. It's designed for people who appreciate the finer things but want to actually live well — whether that's screening a film in the eight-seat theater with wine from your own cellar, hosting poolside gatherings, or simply unwinding in your own spa sanctuary.

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

This is perfect for the discerning buyer who values wellness, privacy, and culture in equal measure. I envision someone who spends their days hiking or exploring the Berkshires, then comes home to unwind in the sauna or pool. They might entertain guests in the theater wine room, host multi-generational gatherings with family staying in the pool house guest suite (which has a full kitchen), and appreciate being minutes from Tanglewood, world-class dining, and Berkshire arts.

This could be an executive looking for a primary residence with work-from-home flexibility (there's an office/bedroom suite), a wellness-focused family, or empty nesters who want to host adult children and grandchildren in style and comfort.

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

Picture Saturday morning: you're sipping coffee on the terrace overlooking your heated saltwater pool, planning a day at Tanglewood. Your guests are making breakfast in the pool house kitchen — they have their own private retreat but are steps away when you're ready to gather. Evening arrives, and you screen a favorite film in your eight-seat theater, selecting a perfect bottle from your wine cellar. This isn't just a home; it's a lifestyle that brings resort-level wellness, entertainment, and hospitality to your doorstep — all within a secure, maintenance-free compound where nature meets luxury.

Are there any standout design features or recent renovations?

Absolutely. The home includes an elevator for multilevel accessibility, which is both practical and forward-thinking. The lower level is exceptionally well-conceived — a true entertainment and wellness wing featuring the eight-seat hi-def theater, wine cellar, sauna, gym, massage room, and even a charming soda fountain. The gourmet kitchen has been recently updated, customized wet bar, while outdoor living is elevated with the heated gunite saltwater pool/spa, firepit, and that incredible pool house with guest suite and full kitchen. Also, new HVAC system and heated driveway.

Thoughtful details like cedar closets, steam showers, central vacuum, and backup generator show this home was built to the highest standards.

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

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