Events

Bascom Lodge
atop Mount Greylock
Adams, Massachusetts

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All Events are Free and Open to the Public

Talk & Dine Schedule:

Cultural Presentations are provided in collaboration with the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area:
http://www.upperhousatonicheritage.org/

Talks on Nature and Culture,
every Wednesday night,
often related to the mountain and the Berkshires.

Events are free and open to the public.
Dinner served at 7, after the talk (reservations required for dinner: Call: 413-743-1591, or email: mail@bascomlodge.net.
Check menu page for the evenings offering.

Schedule 2013:

Each year the Lodge presents a variety of free talks, demonstrations and music programmed around the history, nature and culture of the region. And each year there is a special focus, this year it's Bascom Lodge's 75th Anniversary. Periodically throughout the season special events will cover topics related to the lodge, the mountain and related history & folklore. Asterisks mark the events.
Listings and descriptions are below.

Wednesday, June 5:Beekeeping Demo. Lobby, 6pm. Free.

Beekeepers from the Northern Berkshire Beekeeping Association (http://nbba.wordpress.com/) will explain how to start your own collection of hives and speak to the joys of beekeeping and raw honey!

*Wednesday, June 12: In the Footsteps of the Leather Man. Lobby, 6pm. Free.
During the 1800's there was a mysterious wanderer who hiked Westchester County, New York, western Connecticut, and the Berkshires. Speaking very little, he communicated his needs primarily with hand gestures. Dressed in his leather "suit" he became known as “the Leather Man”. An illustrated lecture by Shirley Sutton will explore the history of this legendary loner.

Wednesday, June 19: The Berkshire Highlanders. Outdoors on the summit. 6pm. Free.

The Highlanders return to the summit for this popular annual event. Bagpipes! Bagpipes! Bagpipes! Need we say more?

Wednesday, June 26: Innovation in Wind Power Discussion. Lobby, 6pm. Free.

Wind power is a big topic in the Berkshires today. And the above image is not of your typical looking windmill. Stanley Kowalski from FloDesign will present recent innovations in this rapidly evolving “green” technology.

Wednesday, July 3: Barrington Brewery.
Lobby, 6pm. Free.

The local brewers from Barrington visit the lodge for a talk about their sun-powered brews. Come learn about the process and sample a few beverages.

*Wednesday, July 10: John Bascom and the Naming of Bascom Lodge. Lobby, 6pm. Free.

Presented by Lauren Stevens. This talk addresses who John Bascom was and why the Lodge was named after him.
Lauren Stevens is co-author of Most Excellent Majesty, a history of Mount Greylock.

Wednesday, July 17: Mushroom Talk.
Lobby, 6pm. Free.

John Wheeler, local wild mushroom enthusiast and founding member of the Berkshire Mycological Society will host a mushroom workshop focusing on identification, seasons, and typical habitats of our local fungal treasures.

*Wednesday, July 24: The Civilian Conservation Corps and Bascom Lodge.
Lobby, 6pm. Free.

Alec Gillman, presents an illustrated talk about the CCC on Mount Greylock and the building of Bascom Lodge.

Wednesday, July 31: Landscaping for birds and other wildlife. Lobby, 6pm. Free.

Plant the easy-to grow Purple Coneflower to attract butterflies, such as the Silver-spotted Skipper, to your backyard. And attracting birds to your yard and garden is as simple as providing the correct food, clean water, nest sites and shelter.
Leslie Reed-Evans, naturalist and director of the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation, will discuss ways to make your property wildlife friendly with a focus on birds and butterflies.

*Wednesday, August 7: The WPA and CCC in Massachusetts. Lobby, 6pm. Free.
Max Grinell presents information about projects throughout Massachusetts performed by the WPA & CCC during the 1930s.

Wednesday, August 14: The Berkshire Highlanders. Outdoors on the summit, 6pm. Free.

The Highlanders return for their second performance of the season! All Bagpipes, all the time!

Wednesday, August 21: Music with Mike Martin & Friends. Lobby, 6pm. Free.

Mike plays his ukulele, he sings, and his friends join in for an evening of original tunes, covers and a lot of improvisation.

*August 28: Greylock in Time and Space.
Lobby, 6pm. Free.
Alec Gillman, DCR Interpretive Ranger at Mount Greylock State Reservation, presents an exploration of the mountain's history and nature with a PowerPoint slide show. Discover connections between man's desire to shape the mountain at the same time protect it's wildness. Fun facts about and visions of the mountain shall be revealed on your way to becoming a true "Greylockophile."

*Wednesday, September 4: A Brief History of the Charcoal Industry. Lobby, 6pm. Free.

Charcoal production on Mount Greylock, its history and impact. Shirley Sutton’s presentation will explore the history of charcoal, the process of wood distillation, the influence on ecology and industry, and what charcoal is used for today. You may even discover that you have, unknowingly, walked by a charcoal hearth deep in the forest.

Wednesday, September 11: Tap Dance.
Lobby, 6pm. Free.

Referred to by the New York Times as the "Pied Piper of Tap Dance” and the "Mayor of Tap City” (the annual New York City Tap Festival), performer, choreographer, teacher, director and producer Tony Waag takes his audience through a rhythmic romp that represents 30 years of pursuing a career in the American art form known as Tap Dance.

Wednesday, September 18: Music by Bruce Mandel. Lobby, 6pm. Free.

Bruce Mandel’s acoustic guitar, keen lyrical ear, and intimate and honest voice have traveled with him across the country and through musical territory both new and familiar. Lyrically driven, his songwriting straddles and expands the Contemporary Folk, Americana, Singer/Songwriter genres reflecting the
breadth of Mandel’s experience.
Come join Bruce for an intimate solo set of original music and stories high atop Mt. Greylock.

Wednesday, September 25: WAM Theater. Lobby, 6pm. Free.

Details to be announced.

Wednesday, October 2: Virtual Tour of the New England Sky and an introduction to amateur astronomy groups. Lobby, 6pm. Free.

Kevin Collins of the Amherst Astronomy Association presents a guide to understanding the stars up above and how to participate in local astronomy groups.
His talk will include information on the much anticipated Comet Ison, whose appearance in the northern hemisphere in late November and December coould rival that of Hale-Bopp and Hyakutake.
If the sky is clear there will be a short observing session outside the lodge after dinner, dress warm.

Wednesday, October 9:

Boreal Forest Ecology Slideshow & Walk with Aimee Gelinas

Bunchberry

Learn about the ecology of high elevation Boreal forests of Western MA found only at elevations over 2000ft such as Mt Greylock Summit and Tamarack Hollow in Windsor, MA. After a short, easy plant/tree ID walk, learn more about the indicator species of this forest type such as Balsam Fir, Red Spruce, Clintonia Borealis, Bunchberry and more in an informative slideshow narration led by naturalist and cultural educator Aimee Gelinas M.Ed, founder and director of Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center. Email aimee@gaiaroots.com to register. Program is free, donations accepted.
Meet in Lobby, 6pm.

Visit www.tamarackhollow.com for additional nature programs.

Saturdays, Sundays & Mondays at Bascom Lodge

These events are similar to the Talk & Dine series but often include demos and can happen at different times as well.

Asterisks mark 75th anniversary events.

Events are free and open to the public.

Schedule 2013:

Sunday, May 19: DUE TO TRAVEL ABROAD The Return of Johnny Salsa HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED to Sunday, October 20!

Sunday, June 2: Music by Dublin Porter.

Lobby, 6pm. Free.

Dublin Porter is a Berkshire trio that plays traditional Irish music. The majority of their repertoire is the dance music and airs of Ireland.

Monday, June 10: Artist Talk. Details TBA. Lobby, 6pm. Free.
Presented as part of DownStreet Art's 2012 kick off celebration. More information at downstreetart.org

Monday, June 17: Artist Talk & Reading with Jill Gilbreth. Lobby, 6pm. Free.
Jill, a writer, was the first Creative Resident this year. She will give a reading from recent work.
This program was supported in part by a grant from the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Wednesday, June 23: Royal Hartigan with the Kekeli African Drum and Dance Ensemble. Lobby, 6pm. Free.

Royal Hartigan returns to lead this group in an evening of World Music and Dancing.

Sunday, June 30: Rakish Paddy.
Lobby, 6pm. Free.

Foot stomping Celtic music with this local group.

Monday, July 1: Conversation with Jennifer Pharr Davis. Lobby, 6pm. Free.

In 2011, Jennifer became the overall record holder on the Appalachian Trail. By hiking 2,181 miles in 46 days, an average of 47 miles per day, she became the first female to ever set that mark. Jennifer will speak about the many challenges and lessons that present themselves along the trail, and will be signing her new book: Called Again.

Monday, July 8: Paul Graubard and Karen Chase. Lobby, 6pm. Free.

Paul and Karen were Creative Residents this year. He will present his paintings. She will give a reading from recent work.
This program was supported in part by a grant from the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Saturday, July 13 - Sunday, July14,
Anniversary Weekend Celebration:

Saturday, July 13: Native American tepee raising drumming and mountain blessing.
12 - 4pm. Free.

Saturday, July 13: Fly-casting Workshop.
Outdoors, 3-5pm. Meet in Lobby at 3. Free.

Fred Moran demonstrates the forward cast and the roll cast for accuracy.

Saturday, July 13: The 7 Summits with Mike Matty. Lobby, 6pm. Free.

The fabled “7 summits - climbing the highest peak on every continent - has only been completed by a few hundred people. In fact, there have been more people in space than climbers of the 7 summits. Michael Matty of Western Massachusetts is among them, and did some of his training right here on Greylock!

Join us for a presentation on climbing mountains such as Kilimanjaro, McKinley and Everest. In addition, Mike will bring along some of the gear that accompanied him. We’ll find out what drives people to do this, the training needed, and hear some of the fun inside facts on what it’s really like to be on one of these expeditions.

Sunday, July 14: Jazz Festival

Outdoors (in lobby, if it rains). Hours: TBA. Free.
The festivities continue with a selection of musicians playing throughout the afternoon (participants to be announced).

Sunday, July 28: Bugs, Bones and Birds.
Outdoors, 1-3pm. Meet in lobby at 1pm. Free.

Appropriate for families and kids of all ages. Take a walk with local naturalist Lisa Provencher, of Dr. Augie's Science and Art Programs, and explore the flora and fauna of the summit at Mt. Greylock. Get up close and personal with plants and fungi.

Sunday, July 28: Sounds of Argentina.

Lobby, 6pm. Free.

Tomás Murmis and friends return to enchant with their musical journey through the folk landscapes of South
America.

Saturday, August 3: Fly-casting Workshop.
Outdoors, 3-5pm. Meet in lobby at 1pm. Free.

Fred Moran demonstrates the forward cast and the roll cast for accuracy.

Sunday, August 4:

Blues & Tap: A Cultural Intersection with Robin O'Herin and Stefanie Weber. Lobby, 6pm. Free.

Come enjoy great delta blues music and Tap dance as these two Berkshire Artists explore the intersection of these two seminal American Art Forms.
This program was supported in part by a grant from the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Sunday, August 11: The Nutshellapalooza 2013 Summer Tour. Outdoors, 1pm. Free.

Theater Performance with the Nutshell Playhouse. A scrumptious mix of original music, puppets and clownerie, with special guests Taco Caramba (the fiercest pirate parrot ever to fly the seven seas), the Ductionary (the duck who knows every word in the English language) and the Snoof (the detective who can find anything, even if it isn’t there!) Enjoy your favorite Nutshell songs and characters. Unearth your
imagination!

*Sunday, August 11: America Eats! On the Road with the WPA - the Fish Fries, Box Supper Socials, and Chittlin' Feasts That Define Real American Food. Lobby, 6pm, Free.

Pat Willard takes the audience on a journey into the regional nooks and crannies of American cuisine where WPA writers-including Eudora Welty, Saul Bellow, Ralph Ellison, and Nelson Algren, among countless others, were dispatched in 1935 to document the roots of our diverse culinary cuisine.

Monday, August 12: Legal Basics For Artists and Writers. Lobby, 6pm. Free.

Paul Rapp provides an entertaining walk through the legal fundamentals every artist or writer should know about including basics of copyright law, issues arising from the internet, and particular concerns for self-publishing authors. Unlimited Q&A.

*Sunday, August 18: Project Pangaea and the Extension of the Appalachian Trail.
Lobby, 6pm. Free.

Ralph Brill will detail plans for extending the Appalachian Trail from the United States through Canada, Iceland, Western Europe and other countries, including islands, for approximately 20,000 miles and ending in Morocco!

Sunday, August 25: Music by Wintergreen. Lobby, 6pm. Free.

Wintergreen, a folk trio, performs a mixture of traditional and contemporary music from the British Isles and America.

Monday, August 26: Artist Talk. Details TBA. Lobby, 6pm. Free.

Presented as part of DownStreet Art's 2012 kick off celebration. More information at downstreetart.org

Sunday, September 8: Orion Magazine, book signing. Lobby, 6pm. Free.

Sunday, September 15: A Day of Children’s Poetry. Hours: TBA. Free.
Presented by the Free Poets Collective. Lobby.

Sunday, September 29: All Day Poetry Festival. Hours: TBA. Free.
Presented by the Free Poets Collective. Lobby.

Sunday, October 6: Historic Preservation Presentation. Lobby, 6pm. Free.
Come hear about the Historic Curatorship Program and how it maintains and restores buildings (like Bascom Lodge) throughout Massachusetts.

Sunday, October 20: The Return of Johnny Salsa! Lobby, 6pm. Free.

Johnny reappears to spin his disks and turn the lobby into a whirling Salsa paradise!