Spontaneous jigs in the lobby

Western Massachusetts Update: The weather is ridiculous, and for once, I mean that in a good way. We are in the seventies and predicted to remain there through the week — break out the spring dresses! (Actually I already did, and a few of them are too tight. But that’s a post for another day…ooh look, Cadbury Mini-eggs.)

On Sunday, my friend Leslie and I spent the afternoon at Shakespeare & Co.’s Founder’s Theatre in Lenox, at an event for which I did some pro bono PR:  Ireland in Song: Music from the Emerald Isle, a hybrid concert, silent auction, and reception. The great weather allowed for mingling outside, great light in the window-lined lobby, and a nice contrast in the theater, which has cushy seats on the balcony level. Just FYI.

The weird but cool sculptures at Shake & Co.

Berkshire Lyricis a multi-generational choral performance and education organization with a 49-year history, and the event is its only annual fundraiser, collecting monies for concerts, a Young Musician’s Scholarship Program, the Berkshire Lyric Choral Scholars Program, and a tuition-free summer Choral Camp for children.

Light fare, refreshments, and passed hors d’ouevres will also be provided by Chef Rene Champoux and Events by Michelle, and the silent auction items ranged from a flight over the county for two to some more irreverent items:

Whatever I wanna do, GAWD!

Painting by Claudia Shuster

The food was diverse and family-friendly; my favorite nosh which I plan on trying to duplicate, were the tomato, basil, mushroom, and cheese skewers in balsamic vinaigrette:

For the kids: Green Whatever

The concert itself featured the Blafield Children’s Chorus, the Berkshire Singers (teens), and the Berkshire Lyric Chorus. All three performed their own sets, speckled with a few solo moments, then joined together at the close of the program.

The Berkshire Lyric choruses

Bass soloist John Demler with a few old-fashioned comic solos

To finish, here was one of my favorite moments — the Blafield Children’s Chorus, resplendent in their green berets (ha) and bow ties, sing Too-ra-loo-ra: