Fun without Fear

Most of us will breathe a sigh of relief when 2020 limps through the portal of history. Indeed, champagne corks are likely to pop on New Year’s Eve as we say goodbye to a year that brought little save anxiety and fear to so many.

Between now and New Year’s Eve, however, American’s will seek solace by reenacting the comforting traditions of Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanzaa. While many celebrations have been cancelled or reimagined, there is still plenty of opportunity for good cheer. Here is a sampling of events and experiences available during the holiday season.

The David M. Hunt Library in Falls Village will host a culinary Zoom event for children and adults with Toymakers Café’s Ann Bidou Saturday December 19th at 5PM. Participants will learn to make Bidou’s irresistible and delicious no-bake chocolate mice, step-by-step.

Attendees should register a week before the event to receive a Zoom Invitation with a list of ingredients needed. Attendees can register at HuntLibrary.org, on the Library’s Facebook page or by calling the library at 860-824-7424.

Also on December 19th, at 4PM, the award-winning music organization, Crescendo, based in Lakeville, presents its livestreamed celebration of the season—Christmas Music in Three Cultures—with the Crescendo Chorus, soloists and a Period Instrument ensemble. The link for the concert, will be displayed on Crescendo’s redesigned-website, www.worldclassmusic.org.

Entrance to events leading up to the concert can be found easily on Crescendo’s website. The links for the concert and all the events will be available after their broadcast dates.

The program’s centerpiece will be portions of J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with its message of hope, the intricacy and drama of its storytelling and the beauty of its music. Contrasting with Bach’s work are Villancicos, music of the South American Colonial Baroque by composers Juan de Araujo and Matias Durango and excerpts of Navidad Nuestro (Our Christmas) by the Argentinian composer Ariel Ramirez. Crescendo is exploring compositions by Black composers based on Spiritual and Gospel music. The chorus and soloists will perform Nathaniel Dett’s motet, Chariot Jubilee, which premiered in 1921.

Carl Bozenski’s Christmas Village in Torrington has thrilled generations of tristate tots, offering a chance to visit Santa’s chamber, Mrs. Claus’ cottage and the elves workshop. Outside, they can visit with the reindeer as the trusty team rests up for its big night of the year.

The village is opening for its 73rd year on December 13th with limited capacity. Everyone must wear masks and practice social distancing at all times. To guarantee entry, schedule visits in advance by going to www.christmastimeintorrington.org. The village remains open through Christmas Eve.

Kent will once again offer a feast for the eyes with its Gingerbread Festival, one of the largest in Connecticut. Gingerbread houses will be displayed in participating shops, creations that can be viewed from outside to provide safe social distancing.

Visitors can decipher a creative digital scavenger hunt while enjoying the displays. At the end, visitors vote for their favorite creations. For more information, visit the festival’s website or call 860-592-0061.

Christmas is the season of giving and Kent Affordable Housing is hosting live and online sales of handcrafted items made by—and for—Kent citizens and friends to support its mission. On sale are handmade knit items, artwork by local artists, seasonal decorations, wooden creations and the like. Shoppers can visit the Holiday Hut in person at #5 Kent Barns on December 18th-20th, between 11AM and 4PM or visit the online store at kentaffordablehousing through year’s end.

Moving out of Kent, Washington Depot is adapting its Holiday in the Depot and Tour of Lights planned for Friday, December 11th, 6-8PM, to address the realities of 2020. This year the village is offering a drive-through version of its festivities with extra lights and decorations, a special mailbox for letters to Santa and even a chance to see Santa, who wisely has cut down the number of his appearances this year.

The Community Giving Tree/Food Drive will be on the route for those able to make donations from 4-8PM at Bryan Plaza. Monetary donations and grocery store gift cards are welcome. Visitors can also bring their uniquely decorated ornaments to the Judy Black Memorial Park, 6:15-8:30PM where they will be hung on a tree during the holiday season.

Farther north, in Berkshire County, there are a plethora of events planned. Among them is the unique opportunity at The Mount, 2 Plunkett Street in Lenox to participate in Unsilent Night, December 9th, 5–6PM. An original composition by Phil Kline, Unsilent Night was written specifically to be heard outdoors during December. Each participant plays one of four tracks of music and together all four tracks comprise Unsilent Night.

Kline will lead The Mount’s first Unsilent Night promenade which will gather in the parking lot at The Mount, and then proceed on a route through the grounds, passing through the five vignettes of NightWood and ending at The Stable where fires will be lit and warm beverages will be waiting. Participants are encouraged to bring their own boombox or a mobile phone/media player with external speakers (pre-loaded with the Unsilent Night app or one of the four audio tracks).

Masks are required. The total route is approximately three-quarters of a mile through the woods and gardens and includes both paved and unpaved pathways, inclines, and stairs. Trails may be muddy or icy at times and winter boots and mittens are strongly recommended. Register at www.edithwharton.org.

Also at The Mount is NightWood, an ethereal winter landscape. Inspired by The Mount’s architecture, landscape and history, NightWood uses original music, lighting and sculptural elements to create five unique scenes that evoke feelings of wonder, mystery and magic. It is on display through January 3rd. There are timed entries and fees are charged.

For those looking for indoor entertainment, The Mount is offering its annual Holiday House Tours. Festive decorations throughout the mansion, are in keeping with the customs and traditions of the Gilded Age, provided by the Lenox Garden Club. Open weekends through January 5th, 11AM –4PM.

Normally, the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield holds its Festival of Trees in its small galleries at the museum but Covid-19 has changed the tradition. This year, it invites the community to explore takes from the city’s past with a collection of colorful winter displays in shops, restaurants, offices and other locations throughout the city. The exhibits continue through January 10th.

Not only Christians celebrate their heritage in December. A Fire On Ice Chanukah Celebration is set for December 13th at 4PM at the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, 196 South Street, Pittsfield The celebration will be held outdoors and socially distanced. This family-friendly event will feature an ice menorah carving and lighting, live music, latkes, chocolate gelt and more. Call 413-499-9899 or email jewishberkshires@gmail.com for more information.

Weekends through December 20th, train enthusiasts can take a joyful ride of Santa’s Mail Express Train, departing from 3 Hoosac Street, Adams. Tickets are $25 for adults and $22 for children ages 3-13. Families will board the train at the Adams Station and journey to deliver their letters to Santa’s Mail Express Train in North Adams, waiting to depart for the North Pole. Along the way they stop to pick up Mrs. Claus, who will distribute special paper children will use to write their messages. Once the train pulls into North Adams, families will de-board and be greeted by Santa and his waiting train.

In nearby, Columbia County, merry-makers can take part in Hudson’s Winter Walk 2020: The Hudson Safe Edition. Instead of a single night of celebration, the reimagined 24th annual Winter Walk continues for 20 days, until December 24th. Visitors can enjoy brightly lit and decorated shops and homes, shop local for the holidays, check out Santa’s Village at the 7th Street Park and visit with Santa via Zoom at Hudson Hall (by reservation only) - all while maintaining safe physical distances.

Other family friendly events happening during this special edition of Winter Walk include lighting the Menorah and lighting the Christmas tree in the Public Square and a virtual Kwanzaa celebration. For information visit columbiacountytourism.org.

In Dutchess County, enjoy a taste of Victorian England’s Christmas traditions with the Rhinebeck Center for Performing Arts’ presentation of A Christmas Carol 2020, Fridays through Sundays at 7PM until December 20th. Now in its 15th year, the play is a drive-in live theatre experience, presented rain, snow or shine.

Patrons sit in their cars to watch a show presented on a raised outdoor stage. Tickets are $20 per person and are sold through an online vendor. Masks are required when out of the vehicle if patrons cannot maintain six feet between their party and others. Go to www.centerforperformingarts.org.