The Parties Of 2020: On Site And Virtual, We Loved Them All

Ah, parties. Remember them? Seems like forever since we were able to cover real, live, galas and other noteworthy celebrations in the region. Little did we know that one of our (and your) favorite parts of Rural Intelligence would come to a crashing halt. Still, we were able to get in a surprising number of parties before COVID arrived. So, while in other years we’ve called this “The Most Memorable Parties of the Year,” it’s no contest at this year’s end: We loved them all. And, as always, 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 leave us with a handful of good memories of 2020. (Click here to relive all of 2020's parties we covered.) We can't wait to photograph your smiling faces again.

The year started with a "Winter Noctourne" at Carrie Haddad Gallery.  The group show of contemporary painting, photography and sculpture opened with a lively reception on Jan. 11, with several of the artists on site at the Hudson gallery. Guests had the opportunity to study winter nature — transformed — in the warmth of Carrie Haddad’s bright space. The “Winter Nocturne” exhibit and reception drew the inimitable Parker Posey, who allowed “the media” to take her picture.

The Mount kicked off an expected centennial year of celebration. On Jan. 24, Edith Wharton was feted on what would have been her 158th birthday. The Mount, former estate of the writer, was planning to celebrate the 100th anniversary of The Age of Innocence, the novel that garnered Wharton the title of “first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.” Close to 100 guests toasted to Wharton amid holiday decorations still twinkling in the mansion.

"Chase the Chill" brought warmth and funds to North Chatham Library. North Chatham Free Library board members put on a benefit to raise funds for the Library’s programming. On Jan. 31, more than 70 people packed the hosts’ inviting open-plan home, a repurposed former creamery, making it the library's most successful annual fundraiser yet.

Susan B. Anthony's 200th and the 19th Amendment's 100th in black and red. Adams, Mass. is the town where famous suffragette Susan B. Anthony was born, so the centennial of the amendment that guaranteed women the right to vote was especially significant. The town’s planned year-long celebration of suffrage, to raise funds for the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum, kicked off on Feb. 15 with the Black & Red Gala at the Berkshire Hills Country Club in Pittsfield.

The Berkshire Art Associations Real Art Party drew the customary crowd, even in its eighth year. At the Berkshire Art Association’s annual 10x10 Real Art Party Fundraiser, more than 100 pieces created by local artists were raffled off to benefit BAA college fellowships and art field trips for local high schoolers. As usual, the event, part of the City of Pittsfield’s 10x10 Upstreet Arts Festival, was sold out, and all the artwork found new homes.

Autism Connections put on a red-hot gala. There were red dresses, red shoes, red ties and lots of ruby sparkles at the Red Hot Dinner Dance Party for Autism at the Berkshire Hills Country Club in Pittsfield on Feb. 29. The host organization, Autism Connections, is committed to raising money and community awareness in support of local individuals and their families affected by autism. After the dinner, the spacious dance floor was packed with swirling red figures rocking out to the sounds of a 12-piece dance band.

Lightforms Art Center was the place to be, and Hilma Af Klint the artist to see. On March 6, Lightforms Art Center in Hudson opened its exhibition of af Klint’s later series of paintings, plus prints of her beautifully illustrated notebooks. They were accompanied by botanical illustrations from contemporary female artists. Also on exhibit were works reflecting “the infinite and the divine” by four female artists who have been influenced by af Klint. Though we didn't know it, this was the last of the “live” events we covered, and there was a large, vibrant crowd enjoying the reception in the spacious galleries.

CATA went virtual but the feels were real. Community Access to the Arts (CATA) introduced the first of the virtual galas in 2020. On May 9, the nonprofit, which makes art accessible to more than 800 people with disabilities in Berkshires and Columbia counties, made the event accessible to even more supporters with a 25-minute pre-recorded performance piece featuring CATA artists dancing, singing, drumming and acting. It was beautifully produced and every bit as moving as its typical annual galas held at Shakespeare & Company

Jacob's Pillow said "Dance We Must," and that they did. Virtually. This event is truly one of the highlights of the summer social season, but a gathering on the Jacob’s Pillow campus was not to be this year. Still, the longest-running dance festival in the United States was undeterred, because, “Dance We Must.”  The gala on June 20 featured a host of dancers, remarks and recognition of the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Award Winner.

Barrington Stage Company promised to go "on with the show," and delivered. Barrington Stage Company joined the virtual gala parade, and "The BSC Bash: On With The Show” on June 27 still served up plenty of entertainment provided by performances by past and present BSC artists. There was even a pre-show: 15 minutes of video highlights from some of the musicals produced over the years.

The Sylvia Center gala was a real picnic. Remember that slight lull in COVID infections in the summer? The Sylvia Center took advantage of it...and a whole farm to spread out, in a redesigned annual farm-to-table dinner. On Aug. 8, organizers converted the usual seated dinner model to a socially-distanced, farm-to-picnic blanket event beside the fields of Katchkie Farm in Kinderhook. Upon arriving, guests' temperatures were checked and health surveys completed, and then each group received a tote bag filled with the always-superb delicacies prepared by Great Performances.