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 August 18, 2007
North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival Photo:Garlic and Arts Festival August 6, 2007
The highlight of the Classic is The Grand Tasting, which is scheduled for Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. You may want to get there precisely at noon. With over 100 vintners planning to offer sips from vineyards across the nation and around the world, I estimate that you'd have about two-and-a-half minutes per tasting if you spent the entire four hours trying to visit every winery in attendance. That's assuming you sample only one wine from each vintner. But, that wouldn't give you any time to try the food. (Actually, you wouldn't be sober enough to stand erect, much less indulge in any of the Classic's delicacies.) Gourmet goodies from Savenor’s Market, Great Cheeses of New England, and others will be available. And celebrity chefs from restaurants such as Boston's Aujourd’hui and Wheatleigh Restaurant in Lenox will be presenting cooking demos. Tanglewood has arranged round-trip bus service from Boston to Tanglewood for Saturday's event. With all of that wine tasting, it's probably not a bad idea to leave the driving to them. Fifth Annual Tanglewood Wine & Food Classic Grand Tasting Photo: Boston Symphony Orchestra July 24, 2007
Superman: Ride of Steel, a 221-foot, 77-mph, "hypercoaster" at Six Flags New England in Agawam takes my top spot. And the best wood coaster, IMHO, is in Connecticut. You can see my top-10 coaster picks (including an honorable mention for a Massachusetts coaster that many folks probably thought was long gone) plus take virtual rides on a couple of great point-of-view coaster videos at boston.com's Best Roller Coasters feature. I'll be on New England Cable News tomorrow (Wednesday, July 25) at around 12:30 p.m. to discuss my top coaster picks. Photo: ©Arthur Levine, 2006. July 11, 2007
Sing Along Fiddler on the Roof Photo: Mass MoCA June 25, 2007
Hello Arthur. We will be visiting New England the last week in August. We have never been in that area of the US. We will be flying into Chicopee, MA and want to know some of the sights we need to see in Massachusetts for a couple of days. We want to make round trip from the airport throughout some of the adjoining states. Can you give me a list of must-sees in the general area? Two days, eh Bert? I'm not sure that's enough time to visit Chicopee, let alone the rest of the state. Massachusetts may look relatively small on a U.S. map, but there are some distinct, diverse regions here and plenty to see and do in all of them. Narrowing it down to create a two-day itinerary would depend a lot on your interests, the age levels of your traveling party, your budget, and other factors. Do you want to see historic sites? Museums? Nature? Beaches? The list goes on. But, I'll give it a shot and offer some general thoughts. I couldn't imagine visiting Massachusetts for the first time without heading to Boston. The world-class, walking-friendly city offers history, culture, shopping, dining, and more. Among the sites to explore are the history-rich Freedom Trail, the simultaneously upscale and tacky Chntzy, er, Quincy Market (consider dining at the ancient and oh-so-Boston Durgin-Park), and the lovely Boston Public Garden, the first public botanical garden in the U.S., and the home of the quirky Swan Boats. Since you're flying in and out of Chicopee, which is in the central part of the state, you could head west to the breathtaking Berkshires. The mountains are lovely, and there are many sites to visit, including the Norman Rockwell Museum, Mass MoCA (Museum of Contemporary Art), and the verdant Mohawk Trail. That's more than two days worth of fun, and I haven't even touched on Cape Cod (visiting Massachusetts in the summer and not frolicking on the Cape's beaches would be crazy--crazy, I tell you), Salem and the rest of the North Shore, and countless other spots beckoning throughout our fair state. Bert, why not give yourself at least a week in Massachusetts alone or plan on coming back when you can spend more time? Photo: The Swan Boats of Boston May 2, 2007
Set in Stockbridge and featuring many of the real-life locals depicted in the song (including Berkshire dweller Guthrie), Alice's Restaurant has an offbeat style that complements the wacky song about the Vietnam War, littering, and Thanksgiving. Penn, who is also a Berkshire resident, helmed other great films such as Little Big Man and The Miracle Worker. Among the feature films, documentaries, and shorts on the schedule, the Festival will help celebrate the 75th anniversary of Jacob's Pillow by showing some dance-related films. Berkshire International Film Festival Photo: Reel.com March 28, 2007
A sampling of other festival programs include:
April 12 to 22 Various venues. Some programs are free; some require admission. Photo: Williamstown Jazz Festival March 7, 2007
Karin writes: Thanks for writing Karin. Although the "summer" season runs from roughly Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, it's probably not going to feel much like summer in the Berkshires in May--especially during the night outside in a tent. As long as you come prepared for a variety of weather (and be sure to check the weather reports for Western Massachusetts before you pack for your trip), you should be OK. I'm not much of a camper, so I can't personally recommend a campground. However, the Mohawk Trail State Forest appears to fit the bill. Following Route 2 in the northern part of the state to the New York border, the Mohawk Trail is one of the loveliest areas in the Berkshires. The campground does not offer hookups, so that would probably discourage recreational vehicles. Among its 6000 acres, the state forest offers rivers and streams for fishing. And it's described as "rustic" and "a real wilderness setting," so it probably features plenty of privacy. (Although with three young boys, I don't know how much privacy you're going to get anyway!) The state's Department of Conservation and Recreation has listings of other campgrounds for you to peruse. You could also check the private facilities of the Massachusetts Association of Campground Owners. Wherever you end up, have a great vacation--and don't forget to bring some hot chocolate and extra blankets for your sleeping bags. Do you have some questions or tidbits to share about places to go or things to do in Massachusetts? Send 'em along to my mailbag by filling out the info in the "Ask Arthur Here" box on the right. Photo: Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation February 28, 2007
A sampling of St Patrick's Day Parades:
Other Irish activities:
Photo: Boston Irish Tourism Association February 25, 2007
Photo: ©Arthur Levine 2006. Licensed to boston.com. January 23, 2007
The event will include plenty of food, featuring of course, chocolate tastings, chocolate treats, and chocolate beverages. There will be a presentation about the history of chocolate, including a demonstration of the way chocolate makers used to roast and hand-grind cocoa beans. Other activities will include hayrides, arts and crafts, tours of museum houses, and a silversmith demonstration. Historic Deerfield Chocolate Festival Photo: Historic Deerfield December 13, 2006
Semantics aside, First Night, with its family-friendly, non-alcoholic, potpourri of cultural and artistic performances and events is a wonderful concept. While it began in Boston over 30 years ago, and continues to thrive there, over 200 communities around the world also stage First Night events. The number in Massachusetts has dwindled over the past few years, but there are still quite a few cities and towns staging First Night or similar New Year's Eve events. Here are some of the places you can ring in 2007 around the state:
December 4, 2006
Assuming the mercury will drop (and Al Gore notwithstanding, the mercury will drop), you can make your Christmas-season dreams come true by heading to a mountain or hill that messes with Mother Nature and makes its own snow. If you're like me, and never quite got the hang of skiing or snowboarding, you can still soar downhill on a blanket of machine-made snow at a number of snow tube facilities in the state. The wintertime equivalent of water park slides, snow tubing requires virtually no skill and is a load of fun. Unlike informal sledding hills, which require lots of uphill schlepping, you can hitch a ride to a snow tube park's summit on its lift. They're great places to schedule kids' winter birthday parties. Prices vary by location, but generally run about $15 for a two-hour session. Massachusetts snow tube hills:
Photo: Amesbury Sports Park November 27, 2006
Falmouth Holidays-by-the-Sea Weekend 17th annual Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas Festival of Lights at La Salette Shrine in Attleboro Photo: Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce November 20, 2006
If it's over-the-top Christmas lights you're after, forget the homegrown variety and check out some of the state's best holiday displays. Perhaps the biggest and brightest is Springfield's Bright Nights at Forest Park... Starting this Wednesday, November 22, the 11th annual drive-through light display will enchant visitors with a series of tableaus, including Seuss Land (the children's author is a Springfield native), Jurassic World, Victorian Village, and Letters to Santa. For more info, go to Bright Nights at Forest Park. Near Cape Cod, Edaville U.S.A. will be presenting its long-running Christmas Festival of Lights. The park's steam train will take guests on a grand two-mile tour past more than seven million holiday lights. There's also an antique carousel and visits with a certain red-suited, jolly gentleman. The big city of Boston has its bright lights as well. On Wednesday, November 29, Mayor Menino will flip the switch to light the Copley Square holiday tree. The following day, on Thursday, November 30, lights will adorn the city's official Christmas tree, a 42-foot white spruce from Nova Scotia, and eighty other trees throughout Boston Common. There will also be entertainment and fireworks. Admit it, Sparky. No matter how many extension cords you rig together, you can't compete with 80 sparkling trees or 7 million lights. So put away the ladder, and take the family to one of these displays. Photo: Bright Nights at Forest Park November 1, 2006
Other balloons will include one of the Care Bears (it seems the parade organizers don't care enough to reveal which one), a Teletubbie, Alvin the Chipmunk, and Hello Kitty. (Alas, the Garfield balloon pictured here is from a past event. The lasagna-scarfing feline apparently has another engagement that day, so you'll have to settle for Hello Kitty.) There will be a bunch of marching bands, floats, fire apparatus, and other parade perennials. The whole shebang ends with a shout-out from Santa Claus, who will officially kick off the shopping, er, Christmas season. Parade of the Big Balloons Photo: Spirit of Springfield October 25, 2006
On Turkey Day, November 23, the Plantation will offer an all-you-can-eat buffet with the usual modern-day suspects such as turkey, cranberry sauce, and apple pie. Reservations are required, and some of the times are already sold out. There will also be a more modest "Thanksgiving in the Courtyard," which will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, as well as a la carte items sold fast-food style. Starting November 4 and continuing on scheduled days throughout November, Plimoth Plantation will be offering a 1627 Harvest Dinner with the Pilgrims. This meal will forego the modern trappings and dispel some Thanksgiving myths. (Sorry, the pilgrims didn't eat cranberry sauce, much less string beans au jus du Campbell. Heck, they didn't even use forks.) Before or after the meal, you can check out the Mayflower replica and gaze at Plymouth Rock--which, regrettably, is puny and anticlimactic. For another Colonial-era take on Thanksgiving, consider Old Sturbridge Village. The living history museum's Thanksgiving Day feast is already sold out, but you'll still be able to tour the grounds and observe early settlers preparing and partaking in a holiday meal. There will be after-dinner entertainment as well. Put on your buckled hats and party like it's 1799! Plimoth Plantation Old Sturbridge Village Photo: Plimoth Plantation September 20, 2006
Where else could you see Porky the Giant Pig? The facade of his garish exhibit stage/trailer positively screams that he's "ALIVE!" and "THE LARGEST PIG YOU'LL EVER SEE!" (Porky's handlers apparently never went to a Pink Floyd concert.) The sideshows are a tacky, yet somehow endearing piece of Americana that help make the fair both exotic and charming. Other Big E highlights include the desperate salespeople hawking their wares with live infomercials in the Better Living Center, the Big E Cream Puffs and Big E-clairs, the stuffed potatoes in Maine's pavilion, and the shows (Lee Ann Womack performs this Saturday, The Grass Roots will be there next week). If ogling Porky the Giant Pig isn't your thing, you could always mosey over to one of the zillion food stands selling sausage, onion, and pepper subs and order the fair staple...and wonder what happens to the humongous traveling porkers when they're no longer ALIVE! Photo: ©Arthur Levine, 2004. August 28, 2006
Other performers scheduled for the festival are N’awlins boogie king, Dr. John, Wynton Marsalis, the Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band led by trombonist, Slide Hampton, and crossover rocker Elvis Costello. If you’re dubious about his pedigree, Costello is now married to Diana Krall, so it’s likely that his aim is true when it comes to jazz. The Tanglewood Jazz Festival begins Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets are available online for individual performances throughout the weekend event. Photo: AllAboutJazz.com August 3, 2006
Area vintners will include Nantucket Vineyard, but California, European, and international wineries from as far as New Zealand will also be represented. The chefs participating in the cooking demos will hail from Nantucket's Brant Point Grill, Wheatleigh in Lenox, and Great Bay in Boston as well as other posh eateries. Nibbles from the chefs' restaurants along with other purveyors will be offered. You probably wouldn't want to get behind a wheel after all that wine tasting, so you could leave the designated driving to the Tanglewood Bus Service. It will leave Boston's Symphony Hall on Saturday morning and make a stop at the Riverside Station in Newton before continuing on to Lenox. Photo: Tanglewood Wine and Food Classic Web site July 10, 2006
Admission to most of the recitals and concerts will be free with museum admission. Some of the presentations, including the wrap-up Bang on a Can 2006 Summer Marathon scheduled for July 29, require a separate ticket. As part of the museum's Kidspace program, resident composers and musicians from the festival will also present a Bang on a Can Workshop for children ages 8 to 12 from July 17 to July 21. Participants will design and build two hybrid instruments during the five-class workshop. May 17, 2006
As its name suggests, Cakewalk has a scrumptious assortment of fresh baked goodies such as chocolate mousse cake, almond croissants, and chocolate truffle cookies that are to die for. Owner and baker extraordinaire Brian Smith also offers hot-from-the-oven breads, including cranberry walnut, sourdough baguettes, and herbed Kalamata. Order some Barrington Coffee or some loose tea (try the green tea) to go with your bakery treat and you'll have a great breakfast or a midmorning or mid-afternoon pick-me-up. But it's Cakewalk Bakery and Cafe, and the lunch menu here is not an afterthought. Brian's wife, Verena, prepares the meals with doting attention and serves them with a warm smile. The fillings in the sandwiches, such as roasted vegetable or goat cheese, are inspired, but the sandwiches are all the more delectable when paired with Brian's delightful breads. Other choices include salads, quiches, and soups--all obviously made with fresh, in-season ingredients. If there's any downside to Cakewalk, it's that it serves locally made Berkshire Ice Cream. The stuff is so creamy and delicious, you could go mad trying to decide whether to order a cone or go with one of the CHOOSE-ME! CHOOSE-ME! sweets beckoning from the bakery case. Of course, there's always the return trip to sample other Cakewalk fare. Cakewalk Bakery and Cafe Photo: ©Arthur Levine 2006 April 26, 2006
Reid, who formed the groundbreaking and widely acclaimed alternative metal band, Living Colour, will be performing with his latest trio, Masque. The new band features the guitar player's trademark hard rock intensity and also incorporates elements of jazz, funk, and other genres. Reid has been hailed as a new-Millennium Hendrix and has performed with acts as diverse as Mick Jagger, Public Enemy, Jack DeJohnette, B.B. King, and one of his heroes, Carlos Santana. Opening for Vernon Reid and Masque will be the jazz/hip-hop octet, Liquid Soul. Although the show is scheduled more than a month from now, it'd make sense to order tickets ASAP, since it will likely sell out well before the gig date. If you do make the trek to North Adams for the show, consider making a day of it and checking out MASS MoCA's exhibit halls. The museum is featuring House of Oracles: A Huang Yong Ping Retrospective, which includes live insects (yikes!) among its multimedia works, and Amusement Park, a massive installation featuring slow-moving, eerily silent carnival rides. Vernon Reid & Masque / Liquid Soul Photo: Courtesy of Madison House Publicity March 29, 2006
The yin and yang of early spring were on full display. A hint of snow still dusted the Berkshires (it has been a mild winter), and huge flows of ice were frozen along the rock walls that bordered the highway. Scores of tapped sugar maple trees, however, were welcome signs of the impending season. Vermont may have bragging rights as THE maple sugar state, but Massachusetts, particularly in the western region, has plenty of sugarhouses. (You can read more about maple sugar season in the Bay State on Explore New England.) The sweet smell of the boiling sap mixed with the earthy aroma of the roaring wood fire stoking the evaporator at Gould's Maple Sugarhouse made for an intoxicating olfactory treat. Soon, the Berkshires will turn green, flowers will blossom, and folks will seek refuge from the heat in the region's lakes and rivers. For now, however, we'll have to be content with the occasional warm breeze and the promise of things to come. At least we can strip off our jackets, cozy up next to a fire, and indulge in some pancakes slathered with fresh maple syrup. See my mini photo gallery of early spring scenes along The Mohawk Trail.     This blog is a feature of explorenewengland.com. It is not produced by
writers and editors of The Boston Globe. Questions or comments? E-mail us.
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The tiny Western Massachusetts town may be called Orange, but the smell in the air on the weekend of September 15, will be anything but sweet citrus. The North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival, an ode to the stinking rose, will include music, entertainment for children, nature walks, hayrides, artists and craftspeople, and, of course, lots and lots of garlic. Chow down on garlic sausages, corn with garlic butter, and--gag--garlic ice cream. Learn the basics of garlic growing and other agricultural pursuits. And participate in unique events, including a garlic and egg toss, a tug of garlic, and, OMG, a raw garlic eating contest. With healing arts demonstrations, such as Qigong Therapy and Tai Chi, there will be a funky, as well as a stinky, vibe at the festival.
Tanglewood, the bucolic summer performance complex in the Berkshires, generally features concerts by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, an annual show by James Taylor (scheduled for August 24), and other wonderful music. But each August, the culinary and oenology arts take center stage during the Tanglewood Wine and Food Classic. The events takes place this week, from Thursday, August 9 through Saturday, August 11.
Sure, I'm the Massachusetts Blogger for boston.com's Explore New England, but I lead something of a double life. When I'm not traveling up and down the state looking for the best places to go and things to do, I'm an intrepid daredevil riding up and down roller coasters seeking the best thrills. Among my earliest memories, I remember sitting for hours on the sand at Revere Beach watching the rickety Cyclone roller coaster (sadly gone, along with the rest of Revere's seaside amusements) go through its paces--and I've been mesmerized by the thrill machines ever since. Today, I get to ride and write about coasters, as well as theme parks, water parks, and other amusement industry fun as the Theme Parks Guide at 
Have you ever had the urge to break into song, at Ethel Merman-level, along with the characters of your favorite movie musicals? Decorum, the fear of a chorus of shooshes, probable ejection from the theater, and the risk of eternal shame may have prevented you from theater warbling. However, if you join the folks at Mass MoCA for Sing Along Fiddler on the Roof, scheduled for Saturday, August 4, you can cast all sense of etiquette and pride aside and biddy-biddy-bum to your heart's content. The classic, if mawkish, 1971 film, adapted from the hit Broadway play, features Topol (whatever became of him?) as Tevye the singing milkman, Isaac Stern providing the actual violin accompaniment, and maestro John Williams conducting the wonderful music. Among the songs you'll be able to desecrate are "Tradition," "Matchmaker," and "Sunrise, Sunset." The audience's mangling of "If I Were a Rich Man" should be worth the price of admission (a mere $10) alone.
Sometimes the questions sent to my mailbag are quite vague, and I really don't know how to best answer them. For example, Bert writes:
There's no word whether Arlo Guthrie, Officer Obie, or Alice herself will be there, but Arthur Penn, the celebrated director who turned Guthrie's rambling song, "Alice's Restaurant," into an Oscar-nominated film will be the featured guest at the 2007 Berkshire International Film Festival. Scheduled for May 17 to 20 in Great Barrington, the Festival will include about 50 screenings as well as panel discussions and presentations by filmmakers. In addition to Alice's Restaurant, Penn's seminal film, Bonnie and Clyde will be shown at the event. 
We are a family with 3 young boys (ages 5, 3, and 1) and want to start the summer right with a Memorial Day weekend camping trip. We want to meet friends in the Berkshires. Do you have any suggestions for a site that has no RVs and plenty of privacy? The two husbands love to fish, so near a lake would be great.
St. Patty's day is looming, and the state is fairly bursting with Irish-themed events and celebrations. That's no surprise since, according to the Boston Irish Tourism Association, Massachusetts is "America's Most Irish State," the "Capital of Irish America," and "Ireland's Home Away from Home." (Shh, don't tell anybody, but California, New York, and, improbably, Florida all have more Irish-Americans living in their states. Let's keep this Capital of Irish America thing on the QT, OK?) Of course, there will be a slew of St Patrick's Day parades, but there are plenty of other Irish events planned over the next few weeks as well.
Forget the Vermont Maid. Sure, our neighbor to the north produces lots of maple sugar. But there's plenty of tree tapping going on in Massachusetts as well. In fact, when the sap is flowing, it's a welcome sign of spring here in the Bay State. If you want to join the seasonal ritual and learn more about the homegrown sweet stuff, the Department of Conservation and Recreation has some maple sugaring programs around the state. March is prime time for tapping, so you'll want to make your plans now. You may want to bring your own pancakes and French toast, however. Here's where to get in on the maple sugar fun:
Valentine's Day is coming, and chocolate will once again be among the chief ways couples will demonstrate their love for one another. You could purchase some gourmet chocolates for your honey. Or you could make a last-minute dash to the drug store and pick up a box of one of the generic national brands of assorted chocolates. But where's the fun in that? How about surprising your sweetheart with a trip out to Deerfield for the town's annual Chocolate Festival?
I've never quite understood why organizers call the New Year's Eve celebrations, "First Night." Isn't it the last night of the year? Granted, the focus is on the coming year, and technically, some of the events extend beyond midnight into the following day. But, that's the wee small hours of the morning, right Ole Blue Eyes? 
It was beginning to look a lot--OK, a little--like Christmas this morning. But the sun came out, the temperature rose, and any remnants of the white stuff quickly disappeared. If you've been dreaming of a white Christmas, this unusually warm fall has been something of a nightmare. We still have a few weeks to go, but it seems as if Mother Nature may want to mess with Santa Claus this season.
Once the Thanksgiving leftovers have been stored in the refrigerator, it's time to get into the spirit of the next holiday. Grab the ladders, the hammers, and the extension cords: It's holiday lights season! Is it just me, or are lots of folks really going bonkers with their Christmas light displays? There's nothing wrong with some candles in the windows, a wreath on the door, and perhaps a few strings of white bulbs. But more and more homeowners seem to be vying for the tackiest holiday display award with enough lights to make both global warming prognosticator Al Gore and Las Vegas casino owner Steve Wynn cringe. Then they add sleighloads of animated reindeer, inflatable Santas, gargantuan candy canes, and other wacky doodads. Oy vey.
Will your plans for Thanksgiving include the usual this year: too much food, too much football, too much alcohol, and too much heated conversation with your family? Maybe it's time to try something different. How about heading to Plymouth (or "Plimoth" as historical nitpickers like to spell it) for a Thanksgiving celebration with the Colonists? Plimoth Plantation, a re-created pilgrim village, has a series of dinners and celebrations planned on and around Thanksgiving.
It's an amusement park, agricultural showcase, concert, gastronomical feast (if gastrointestinal horror), shopper's paradise, and living history museum all rolled into one. It's The Eastern States Exposition, better known as The Big E, and it's open now in West Springfield through October 1. It's the state's and New England's largest fair, and one of the biggest in the nation. The Big E is an enduring tradition that only seems to grow in popularity, even as the farm life it celebrates slowly fades away. I love a lot of the things about the fair, but its bizarre sideshows especially intrigue me.
The Berkshire Hills will be alive with the sound of…swing, bebop, and other cool finger-snapping sounds when the annual Tanglewood Jazz Festival returns this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, September 1 to 3. The event will feature Dave Brubeck and his quartet. Mixing it up Tanglewood style, the “Take Five” jazz legend will be joined by a string “symphonette.” What a great way to end the summer season.
Instead of music, the rarefied air at Tanglewood will be filled with the distinctive aromas of fine wine and gourmet food at this Saturday's (August 5, 2006) 
MASS MoCA may be best known for its dynamic visual art exhibits, but the acronym for the North Adams facility stands for Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Arts, and the plural "arts" includes an ongoing schedule of dance, theater, music, and other performing arts. Often, the museum offers rare opportunities to hear renowned musicians perform in an intimate setting. Case in point: Guitar virtuoso Vernon Reid will bring his high-energy licks to MASS MoCA's Hunter Center on Sunday, May 28.
