Every Bard Needs A Home

I drove to the Berkshires Saturday to mix and mingle with the New Yorkers who support Shakespeare & Company, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. [pictures] [the column]. It was a busy night up in the hills. More than 20,000 people converged on Tanglewood for a live broadcast of "Prairie Home Companion" with James Taylor. There were many encores, I heard from an educator at Shakespeare & Co. who arrived at the gala just in time to hit the dance floor. Meanwhile, at Bucksteep Manor, the county's next generation of musical geniuses (yes, we are ready), Bobby Sweet and friends, rocked the barn with his blend of folk, country, and Americana on his new CD, "Days Roll By." I'd had the chance to hear some of the songs from the new CD and didn't want to miss the chance to be at the party to celebrate its release. So I cut out of the Shakespeare & Co. gala as the first line conga line was breaking up and headed to the barn, arriving just in time to hear Bobby's last song of the night. I have, however, listened to the CD a few times over by now. I like how Bobby tells it like it is in "Psychology" and "Who Cares." The most beautiful song on the CD is "Johnson Hill," an ode to the place where Bobby grew up. The most fun number is the feel-good sing-along "My Family" although it's more fun to hear it live -- and sing along live -- than on the CD. Now back to Shakespeare & Co.. After I'd filed my column that ran in today's paper, I learned that the Shakespeare & Co. gala raised $100,000 for the company's education programs. That struck me as odd, because the evening felt like a million-dollar night (and that's using my nights out in New York as my standard). There were frolicking fairies who not only danced but directed traffic, and fireworks, and a conga line, and a full open bar during dinner. Most importantly, the bartenders had bug repellant available for the guests who found themselves schmoozing a little bit too close to the mosquitos. It was a great party. Hopefully next year they'll find a way to raise more money: they certainly are offering the quality good-time that deserves it.