Here’s a unique way to celebrate spring’s arrival — the Berkshire Fools Festival, in Pittsfield Massachusetts. (It’s only ten minutes from Brook Farm Inn, in Lenox.) Today through Sunday, April 5th, the festival will make you smile, with theater, music, art exhibits, and activities. The festival was kicked off yesterday with goofy clowns and mimes in the middle of town, to bring attention to the event. See the full schedule  at http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_12053029

We in the Berkshires are blessed with wonderful professional theater companies, including the Barrington Stage. Co. in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. We were lucky enough to attend a recent performance of Noel Coward’s “Private Lives,” and what a treat! First performed in 1930, this play is still witty and entertaining. It centers on a couple who can’t live with each other, and can’t live without each other. The cast was perfect.  We’re sending all our Brook Farm Inn (in Lenox) guests to see it.

Starting tonight, and through June 8, guests of Brook Farm Inn in Lenox, Massachusetts have the opportunity to see “I Am My Own Wife” at Barrington Stage Co. in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.  Vince Gatton is the incredibly talented actor whom we saw last year in “Fully Committed.” In that one-man show, he played more than 30 characters.  In this new play, he’s back with another 3 dozen characters. Barrington Stage has been getting rave reviews for several seasons, and this performance promises to live up to their reputation.

Who would have thought? An exhibit combining Norman Rockwell and Herman Melville!  It’s opening tomorrow night at Arrowhead, Melville’s home in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.  And that’s very close to Brook Farm Inn, in Lenox, Massachusetts.  The exhibit features the original color study of Rockwell’s mural showing Pittsfield in 1854, and includes clothing, tools, and other items found in the buildings in the mural.  Sounds like a great activity for Memorial Day Weekend, or any time this spring and summer.