There’s nothing we at RI love more than covering the region’s galas; it’s the perfect opportunity to visit with wonderful old friends, meet interesting new ones, and taste the delicious food and drink produced right here at home. That’s why picking only a handful of parties for our year-end wrap-up is always so difficult. We’d like to thank the residents of this region for being so generous with their time, talent and funding of organizations that improve the quality of life in our area and make residing here a joy. Below is a sampling of the galas, gallery openings, fetes and festivals that make our jobs so fun. (Click here to relive all of 2015’s parties.)
The School Celebrates Its First Anniversary With An El Anatsui RetrospectiveFood trucks, cotton candy, curated cocktails, music, a photobooth, and art world scholars and celebs — it sounds like a summertime music festival, and it practically was when Jack Shainman Gallery's The School marked its first anniversary. Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market Farm-To-Glass ThrowdownIt was an evening of stiff drinks and even stiffer competition at the first-ever Farm-to-Glass Throwdown, held to support the new Downtown Pittsfield Winter Farmers Market. "Freakshow" Scares Up Funds For Berkshire Theatre Group A dressed-up Bella’s Bartok and a dressed-down Gypsy Layne entertained strongmen, bearded ladies, sword swallowers, ghosts and other ghouls at the "Freakshow" Halloween event. From Dusk To Dark: OMI Lights Up The NightOMI's "Light Into Night" gala offered a full evening's entertainment in the form of live performances, a signature autumn cocktail, a sit-down dinner and dance party, customized on-the-spot poetry, and dessert that doubled as architecture.
Twilight In The Garden At Hollister HouseAn annual cocktail party revealed one of Washington, Connecticut's hidden gems — a multi-tiered take on Sissinghurst, complete with intimate "rooms," a reflecting pool, beautiful borders and frog friends. Slideluck Mixes Art And Community At Stonover FarmThe first-ever Berkshire County Slideluck event, held at Stonover Farm in Lenox, brought friends and food together with art, both live and on film. Struttin' With Some Barbecue at The MountA large crowd gathered on the terrace and lawns of The Mount as the Lift Ev’ry Voice Festival’s “Struttin’ With Some Barbecue" event kicked off the mansion's summertime "Music After Hours" series. IS183's Gala: Versace, Tchotchkes, Mariachi And A HibachiAnyone who's been to one of IS183's big blowouts won't find it surprising that its annual fundraiser made our "most memorable" list. Just like last year. And the year before that.
"Think Like A Farmer, Taste Like A Chef" At Katchkie FarmOn a glorious summer evening, guests roamed the fragrant fields of Katchkie Farm, took photos of the llamas, chickens, sunflowers and sunset and, of course, enjoyed cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a farm-fresh dinner. Chapter 1: Hudson Children’s Book Festival FundraiserThe largest children’s book festival in New York State held a pre-festival cocktail party to ensure every child got to take home a book at this year's annual event. Barrington Stage Celebrates Its Possible DreamsA performance of Man of La Mancha was followed by a celebratory dinner and reception as Barrington Stage Company threw a Fiesta Grande. A Tea Party For Two Hundred Plus"Tea for Two-Hundred" turned into tea for 350, and we're not surprised, with guests of honor like Larry Kramer and Candace Bushnell, and a performance by "The Beehive Queen."
A Gilded Age Summer Soiree At WildersteinGuests enjoyed live jazz, lawn games, outdoor sculpture, gardens and a spectacular Hudson River view as they relaxed with parasols, picnic blankets and pillows on the mansion's lawn. Berkshire Grown Brunchers Talk Food With Ruth ReichlSupporters of Berkshire Grown gathered in a shaded garden in Sheffield to hear the award-winning food writer talk shop with Great Barrington cheesemonger Matt Rubiner. Half Moon at CIA: A Gala Spiced With Songs By Sutton FosterThe very best in food and featured performers marked Half Moon Theatre's benefit on its campus at the Culinary Institute of America. Kaatsbaan Celebrates 25 Years As A Dancer’s Dream RetreatThe international performing arts center at the former Tivoli Farm celebrated its anniversary with performances by stars from American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet and The Martha Graham Dance Company
The Horticultural Event Of The Season Celebrates Its 15th YearFrom famous garden gurus to everyday green thumbs, those who know make sure to get to Sharon, Connecticut each year for the Trade Secrets two-day fundraiser. Berkshire South Shines From The Top Of The Bryant BuildingMakeup demos and hot shaves were provided for guests at Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetic's new Great Barrington headquarters during Berkshire South's "Makeup, Martinis & Moustaches" benefit. White Out On Main StreetGreat Barrington's "Dig and Dine" was so nice, they held it twice, and we were there as white-clad attendees enjoyed a feast on the town's main thoroughfare.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
