Summer is almost here, which means it’s almost time for our favorite warm-weather activity: concerts! From outdoor performances to classical theater indoors, every music lover can get their fix. Then, you crash at the nearby Porches Inn after a fun night of live music in the Berkshires. 

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Studio 9 at Porches Inn 

Studio 9 is a unique recording studio located on the property of the Porches Inn in North Adams, MA. 100% carbon neutral and sustainably designed, it’s the only professional recording studio of its kind in New England. The unique shape of the hive-like structure has allowed celebrities, award-winning artists, and others to record new songs here. And, it is the perfect venue for live shows. Imagine walking from your room at Porches to a private backyard concert!

Mass MoCA’s Concerts 

The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art is only a short walk from Porches Inn. Every summer, they have an incredible lineup of concerts at Mass MoCa. Enjoy a three-day music Freshgrass Festival outdoors, or live music every Thursday at the Chalet beer garden, or a moving performance by Mexican artist Armando Cortés. Check out their full lineup on their site so you don’t miss a thing!

Barrington Stage Company

This award-winning theater is in Pittsfield, MA, just a short drive from North Adams. The Barrington Stage Co. puts on impressive shows every season that will have you on the edge of your seat. They have theater classics like Waiting For Godot, Broadway shows and legends like Joshua Henry, and even concerts with artists such as Grace McLean. Tickets usually sell out due to the intimate performance setting, so don’t wait to see their schedule!

Tanglewood

This venue is one of Boston Symphony Orchestra’s premiere performance venues. Set in the glorious countryside of the Berkshires, Tanglewood hosts only the best in classical music. The fresh green grass even allows for outdoor concerts during the summer. The Boston Pops hosted their annual Independence Day performance here in 2021. 

This year, you can look forward to Mozart’s Don Giovanni, the Danish String Quartet, and the BU Tanglewood Institute of Young Artists Orchestra and Wind ensemble. You’ll be swept away by the beautiful symphonies and acoustics of Tanglewood!

Other Local Events

North Adams is one of New England’s greatest artistic cultures and musical communities. In addition to the larger establishments, there are always several smaller shows and venues hosting live music in the summertime. Be sure to check out the Wallflowers at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, or stop by a local restaurant to hear a rising young artist perform for you over dinner. There’s something musical happening almost every night in the Berkshires!

Enjoy Music From Porches Inn in North Adams, MA

Make the most out of a wonderful summer season by seeing all of the amazing live music in the Berkshires! Porches Inn is the perfect place to rest and relax after a euphoric musical event. We’re only a close walk or short drive to all the best performance venues around. We can’t wait to have you stay with us and enjoy the music of the hills of the Berkshires. 

Music and the Berkshires go hand and hand. The region is widely known as a haven for artists, where performers gain inspiration from the stunning natural scenery and have developed a music and arts scene that is unique to the Berkshires.

Read on to learn more about the music scene in the area, including some of the venues and live events you shouldn’t miss on your next visit.

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A Brief History of Music in The Berkshires

To say the music scene in the Berkshires runs deep would be an understatement. While many artists have passed through the region, the Berkshires are truly known for a thriving jazz and folk scene. The likes of Louis Armstrong and Janice Joplin have performed at local venues in the past and festivals like FreshGrass and Wilco’s Solid Sound now draw thousands of visitors each year.

Of course, you’ll also find your fair share of classical and contemporary music as well. The Boston Symphony Orchestra has called Tanglewood in Lenox its Summer home since 1937. Whereas MASS MoCA, known for its contemporary art, has also become a destination for seeing live music.  

As you can see, the over the hundred-year history of music in the Berkshires is eclectic and truly one-of-a-kind.

Live Music in The Berkshires

Today, you’ll still find live music in the Berkshires, MA thriving. Here are just a few of the music venues in the Berkshires you can visit and what makes each of them unique:

Tanglewood

Tanglewood in Lenox, MA is, of course, home to the Boston Symphony Orchestra. However, you will also find many award-winning artists, such as James Taylor, performing at this open-air venue in the summer.

MASS MoCA Live Music

You might not think of music when you consider the MASS MoCA museum. But the performing arts are an integral part of the experience. Check out the upcoming MASS MoCA live music performances for yourself. 

Studio 9

Studio 9 is an intimate state-of-the-art recording studio and performance venue located in North Adams, MA. The venue boasts stunning architectural elements that not only look beautiful but also enhance the quality of sound to set an unforgettable vibe for live performances and professional recording. 

And, of course, there are some amazing music festivals in the Berkshires, such as:

FreshGrass Festivals

FreshGrass Festivals that feature a diverse lineup encompassing the best in grassroots music — from traditional masters and iconic trailblazers to musical discoveries.

Solid Sound

Solid Sound at MASS MoCA is a three-day festival of art, music, and comedy that takes over the entire MASS MoCA campus every other summer.

Berkshires Arts Festival

The Berkshires Arts Festival is in its 21st year! At the Butternut Ski Area, you’ll find dozens of local artisans showcasing their artwork (which you can often purchase), along with live musical performances and more.

Check out this complete list for the most up-to-date live music events in the Berkshires.

Whether you’re visiting the Berkshires for a concert or multi-day music festival, make sure to book your stay at Porches Inn. The premier Berkshires inn places you in the heart of North Adam’s music scene and directly across the street from MASS MoCA.

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Book Your Stay with Us Today!

Give us a call at (413) 664-0400 to book your musical escape in The Berkshires.

Photographers have been inspired by the natural beauty and arts scene in North Adams for decades. But even if you’re not a professional photographer, you can take some stunning photos of the region this season with the right tips and tricks.

Read on to learn about our favorite outdoor photography tips and where you can snap some beautiful indoor and outdoor shots this winter no matter if you’re using a professional camera or your smartphone. 

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Outdoor Photography Tips

The North Adams, MA snow makes the perfect backdrop for outdoor photos. However, the white, bright landscape can also be more difficult to capture accurately in a picture than your average portrait. 

Here are some outdoor photography tips that can help you nail your nature shot in North Adams:

• Hiking in North Adams, MA to get a great picture? Plan your excursion around good light, which in photography is often the beginning and end of the day.

 

• With a mostly white backdrop, it can be difficult to find focus for your picture. Some experts recommend switching your camera to single-point AF. Then take your main focus point, and position it over a contrast-heavy area of your snow scene.

 

• Research and choose the right camera settings for snow photography.

 

• Add a filter! Even your smartphone comes with filters that can drastically improve your photography by creating more contrast and depth.

 

• Remember to keep your batteries warm and carry an extra set no matter where you go.

 

• Use the “rule of thirds,” and imagine your photo divided into a three-by-three grid, with the horizon and important elements of the photo found within or along the lines of that grid.

Inspiration Strikes in North Adams

So, where can you take some of the best snow shots in North Adams, MA? These are some of our favorite outdoor areas to capture on film!

Windsor Lake

• Windsor Lake in North Adams, Massachusetts is one of Northern Berkshire County’s premier destinations for outdoor recreation and nature photography that’s open year-round.

Mount Greylock State Reservation

• Mount Greylock State Reservation is the highest point in Massachusetts. Rising above the surrounding Berkshire landscape, beautiful views of up to 90 miles may be seen and captured on your camera.

Natural Bridge State Park

• Natural Bridge State Park is a 48-acre park where you can see the only naturally formed white marble arch and man-made white marble dam in North America, and tour an abandoned marble quarry. The running water and frozen scenery make for a picturesque photo that can’t be missed.

MASS MoCA

• Of course, we can’t forget to mention MASS MoCA. If you want an escape from the cold, a visit to MASS MoCA can help inspire your next artistic pursuit and many of the installations are fascinating to capture on film.

 

No matter why you come to North Adams, consider Porches Inn your home away from home. The premier Berkshires Inn places you in the heart of North Adam’s outdoor attractions and is directly across the street from MASS MoCA.

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Contact Us Today!

Book your stay for your nature photography escape in North Adams today at (413) 664-0400.

 

Of all the things to do in North Adams and the surrounding area, a stop at MASS MoCA is perhaps the most popular among visitors.

The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art is home to some of the world’s liveliest and most evocative art. From intricate indoor installations to large outdoor sculptures, every form of art, from music and dance to film and photography, is welcome at this space where boundary-crossing creativity is encouraged.

Fresh, forward-looking exhibits are always being added to the campus. If you visit North Adams this fall, here are some of the MASS MoCA exhibits you shouldn’t miss.

Get your MASS MoCA tickets today!

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MASS MoCA Exhibits

 

Ceramics in the Expanded Field

On Oct. 16, 2021, MASS MoCA is revealing the new Ceramics in the Expanded Field exhibit that will change the way you think of clay. This display is created by eight artists with different disciplines that have pushed ceramics beyond its traditional function forms.

See for yourself how the artists have connected ceramics with complex materials and modes that often lie outside the typical fine art definition.

Close to You

This year has made a lot of us think about kinship. Close to You is a collection of work from six artists that was organized during the earliest months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now over a year into this new normal, the exhibition continues to invite audiences to reflect upon kinship and intimacy through the visual arts.

Ways to Baffle the Wind

Another exhibit to be introduced this fall is Ways to Baffle the Wind. This installation is a collection of new and recent work by French-Moroccan artist Yto Barrada. Audiences can experience the many modes Yto Barrada uses to attempt to regulate and organize nature.

This display will be open to the public beginning Nov. 20, 2021.

Kissing through a Curtain

Boundaries are all around us, whether we realize it or not. Kissing through a Curtain encompasses the work of 10 contemporary artists coming together to address boundaries and what it takes to communicate across them. From language barriers to individual minds, this exhibit invites the audience to consider moments of mediated contact and uncertain communication in a new way. 

This is Not a Gag 

Back in March 2020, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, artist Richard Nielsen began painting portraits of people wearing face masks. Today, This is Not a Gag at MASS MoCA includes the artist’s first set of 49 paintings. 

This exhibit is on view through 2021 and shows audiences that though the subject’s face may be covered, their masks and individual expressions speak volumes.

MASS MoCA Events

Of course, these are only a handful of the MASS MoCA exhibits on display this fall. The large campus is home to hundreds of displays along with on-site cafés, a full-service restaurant, and even an innovative microbrewery.

There is also a full calendar of MASS MoCA events. From live music to exhibit openings, you’re sure to find an attraction that speaks to you.

Next time you visit MASS MoCA, consider Porches Inn your home base. The premier Berkshires Inn places you in the heart of North Adam’s attractions and directly across the street from MASS MoCA.

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Contact Us Today

Book your stay for your artistic escape in the Berkshires today at (413) 664-0400.