The Most Memorable Parties of 2021

It wasn’t even until May that we were able to get out and attend a function, but the fact that there were any gatherings of any kind this year was thrilling enough. Because 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, even this year. 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 2021's parties.

The Proprietor's Gala picknicked along the river to honor the Hudson. A picnic on June 26 provided the perfect form in which to celebrate Hudson Hall’s “reopening,” especially as it was a tribute to its exhibition, “Hudson Talbott: River of Dreams.” The annual fundraiser for Hudson Hall, held on a glorious day at Midwood, the historic estate overlooking the river, featured an appearance by artist Hudson Talbott himself and a performance by a group of students from Harmony Project Hudson.

Fête des Fleurs put its hats on for someone special the Berkshires Botanical Garden. On July 3, one of the Garden’s most beloved traditions caught up on what had been planned for the previous year, then postponed: a tribute to Dorthe Hviid, the BBG’s former director of horticulture for 30 years. Of course, guests did themselves proud with their imaginative hats and fascinators.

Shakespeare & Company inaugurated The New Spruce Theatre. The fundraiser on July 10 introduced benefactors to the outdoor theater, which had been constructed in about 90 days, and to its production of “King Lear,” featuring Christopher Lloyd. Although rainclouds rolled in towards the end of the first act, the show went on inside in the Tina Packer Playhouse. All’s well that ends well.

Volunteers in Medicine held a tea and had us in tears. On July 24, supporters of Volunteers in Medicine gathered at the historic Elm Court in Lenox for a high tea gala. VIM’s executive director, Ilana Steinhauer, related heart-rending instances of how the organization has provided access to free, comprehensive health care for people who don’t have access otherwise. It's not surprising that VIM was a winner in several categories in the Rural Intelligence Readers’ Choice Awards.

PS21’s gala was a star-studded night. There were company directors, choreographers, and the Paul Taylor Dance Company dancers themselves at the performing arts center’s event on Aug. 6. It was a busy evening that included a pre-dinner discussion about the history of the dance company’s work, “The Green Table," a boxed supper in the fields, and a performance of the famous work.

Hotchkiss Library of Sharon got ceremonial with shovels. It wasn’t a fancy gala, but there was a party atmosphere just the same. On Aug. 7, the Hotchkiss Library of Sharon held a groundbreaking for its new addition, the result of a $3 million capital campaign. The well-attended event was proof of how important the library is to the community, and how supportive residents have been in the expansion and renovation of the original 1893 building.

The Shaker Museum touted its emphasis on building. What that meant: the building of community as well as its multimillion-dollar makeover of the Victorian building it inhabited in Chatham. On Aug. 21, patrons meandered around a vast private estate and viewed illustrations of the Museum, which will hold the world’s most comprehensive Shaker collection.    

Equine Advocates: Horses first, Rock ‘n Roll second. The organization has been rescuing, protecting and preventing the abuse of equines for 25 years, and its gala on Oct. 10 celebrated with a huge bash. The birthday party began beside the paddocks at the sanctuary, then patrons enjoyed a spirited benefit concert featuring Max Weinberg’s Jukebox at PS21.