The story of Henri Toulouse -Lautrec and the Paris nightlife he mined for his art will be on view at the Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, MA, beginning this Sunday.  The exhibition is open until April 26, and at Brook Farm Inn, we can’t wait to go to the opening.  The Clark offers free admission this time of year, and it’s really worth the visit. The artist’s life reads like a movie script, and the works are arranged loosely by themes including early work, nightlife, celebrities, street life, and others. When you stay at Brook Farm Inn, we’ll give you directions to this and other Berkshires attractions, and make some restaurant suggestions as well. 

The Barrington Stage Company has announced an exciting ‘09 program.  On the mainstage, in June and July, the season opens with “Carousel,” followed by “Sleuth,” and “A Streetcar Named Desire.”  Stage 2 begins the season in May, with excellent offerings including “Freud’s Last Session,” “Songs By Ridiculously Talented Composers and Lyricists You Probably Don’t Know But Should,” and others.  You can link from Brook Farm Inn’s website to BSC and all the theaters in the Berkshires.

This Saturday, January 24th, visitors to Brook Farm Inn in Lenox Massachusetts will have the opportunity to attend the opening of “Race To the Top: Arctic Inspiration 1909 & Today.”  At this most unusual and exciting exhibit at the Berkshire Museum, you can learn what it was like to be the first to reach the top of the world. 2009 is the 100th anniversary of the expedition of Adm. Robert Peary & Matthew Henson. Special opening day events include ice carving, sled dogs, igloo making and a party.

The Berkshires is a destination for every season.  In winter, not only can you enjoy wonderful outdoors recreation, but the arts are alive and well!  Next weekend there are two live theater performances that we at Brook Farm Inn (Lenox, Massachusetts) can recommend.  First, at Shakespeare & Co. is “Bad Dates,” which we’ve seen and enjoyed.  “Bad Dates” is good theater, very entertaining. Then there’s the Ghent Playhouse which is also offering a comedy, “The Boys Next Door.”

There are lots of things to do in the Berkshires when you stay at Brook Farm Inn in Lenox Massachusetts.  After a day of snowshoeing, skiing, or snow tubing you can enjoy good theater, restaurants, museums or just sit by one of our 11 fireplaces and sip wine.

Here is the latest performance from the BSC:

Living With It, written and performed by Frank La Frazia, is an autobiographical account of life as a teenager with a parent suffering from bipolar disorder. It portrays a young man who is coming of age, seeking independence and having to deal with the responsibility of caring for a sick parent.   In the tradition of Spalding Grey, John Leguizamo, and Eric Bogosian, this poignant and humorous piece features Mr. La Frazia portraying several characters.

Show Times: Friday, February 6 and Saturday, February 7 @ 8pm.
Sunday, February 8 @ 3pm. All Tickets are $15.

BSC’s Stage 2 – VFW Hall, 36 Linden Street, Pittsfield

Call the Box Office (413) 236-8888

We’ve had a lovely snowfall, and Brook Farm Inn looks like a Currier & Ives winter scene.  There’s just enough snow to rest on tree branches and look beautiful, also to provide perfect cross country skiing and snowshoeing — without jeopardizing travel.  The scene from our dining room is spectacular, especially since the bird feeder is visible there.  This morning there were a red-bellied woodpecker, a hairy woodpecker, and a pair of cardinals all at the same time.  The red, black and white of their plumage against the white snow scene was unforgettable.  Snowshoeing is terrifict at Pleasant Valley and cross country skiing is recommended at Kennedy Park or Canterbury Farm.  Come and enjoy it with us!