Many think central Massachusetts is a cultural wasteland, but that is just so not true. They are lots of good things happening — you may just have to search a little harder to find them.
1794 Meeting House in New Salem is a perfect example. They have a wonderful event schedule for this summer starting with Southern Rail on Saturday June 12th.
But if you are a bluegrass fan, you’ve probably missed the best band of the season. Bearfoot played at the new Cultural Center at Eagle Hill last Saturday night and then again in Brattleboro Vermont on Sunday night. We did not get to go hear them, as we were working (of course) but since they stayed at Clamber Hill we got a sampling of their music on Sunday as they practiced and they gave us a couple of their CD’s which we’ve been listening to all week.
Bearfoot enjoys the courtyard at Clamber Hill
Believe me, they will knock your socks off and then you’ll either be barefoot or a Bearfoot fan! If you want to hear a sample of their music just go to their website www.bearfootband.com.
And it’s not just me that thinks they are great–they won the prestigious Telluride Band Contest a few years ago. As the Boston Globe says “Their fresh approach to acoustic music features twin fiddles, fast-picking mandolin and guitar, upright bass, and beautiful harmony vocals.” From their origins as camp counselors at an Alaska music camp they have become a national touring band and will be playing at The Station Inn in Nashville, TN later this month.
But enough about Bearfoot and back to cultural opportunities in Central Massachusetts. One of the best things to happen in the area lately was the completion of the Cultural Center at Eagle Hill. They bring in a combination of local, national and international talent for their state of the art 463 seat proscenium theater, their 80 seat studio theater and their 500 seat dining/function hall. If you have never been, but it on your do to list as it is a truly spectacular venue with a great schedule of events.
As the Bearfoot band members happily told me at breakfast, who would have thought that you would fill a brand new theater with over 350 people in a little town like Hardwick MA with a population of less than 3000 people. But the Cultural Center has had 20 events over this past year, and all of them have been excellent. They are already planning next year’s schedule, so if you have never heard of Hardwick or Eagle Hill check their website out. You can even become a subscriber so that you stay up to date on all the terrific national touring bands that will be coming through this cultural wasteland of central Mass.
And of course, if you need a place to stay while attending either 1794 Meeting House or The Cultural Center at Eagle Hill, Clamber Hill is close to both.
