What's Happening in the Berkshires: Music, Burlesque & Local News

Events this week

Looking for a midweek night out? Pretty Smart Burlesque returns to the Buttonball Barn on Wednesday, Sept. 30. The Berkshire Edge’s preview introduces Olivia Sblendorio, the performer behind Ms. Pretty Smart, and explores burlesque and breaking barriers.

• Pretty Smart Burlesque to return to the Buttonball Barn, Wednesday, Sept. 30 · The Berkshire Edge

Arts, music & culture

Round out the week with the Viano Quartet at South Mountain on Sunday, Oct. 4. The program features Haydn, Janáček, Dvořák, and Mendelssohn, offering a musical journey from Classical precision to Romantic lyricism and twentieth-century intensity.

• PREVIEW: Viano Quartet brings Haydn, Janáček, Dvořák, and Mendelssohn to South Mountain Sunday, Oct. 4 · The Berkshire Edge

Food, drink & new businesses

This week’s business reading shines a light on established local names. Berkshire Mountain Inn in Great Barrington is the BerkShares Business of the Month, with a profile exploring the historic building, owners Reilly and Currie DeBow’s plans, and their embrace of BerkShares.

Another spotlight follows Barbato Disposal & Excavating, where Mark and Carmen Jr. Barbato are carrying forward the family business while their dad remains hands-on. And the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce has honored Greenagers founder Will Conklin as its Business Person of the Year.

• BUSINESS MONDAY: Spotlight on Barbato Disposal & Excavating—built on hard work and ingenuity · The Berkshire Edge
• BUSINESS PERSPECTIVES: BerkShares Business of the Month is the Berkshire Mountain Inn in Great Barrington · The Berkshire Edge
• Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce celebrates Greenagers founder Conklin’s career in Business Person of the Year event · The Berkshire Edge

Community news to know

In Lenox, the Select Board has sent the question of becoming a “seasonal community” to a townwide vote. At the state level, a starter-home building rules initiative has Governor Healey’s backing but faces opposition from the municipal association—housing conversations worth following.

Environmental oversight remains in focus, too. Reporting from the EPA’s Sept. 22 office hours in Lee covers GE truck travel violations, Housatonic Rest of River remediation updates, a vernal pool study, and dust-control efforts.

• Should Lenox become a ‘seasonal community’? Select Board sends question for a townwide vote - The Berkshire Eagle · Google News: Berkshire housing
• As Healey backs starter home building rules initiative, municipal association opposed - WAMC · Google News: Berkshire housing
• EPA’s Sept. 22 office hours in Lee reveal GE truck travel violations, updates on status of UDF, Housatonic Rest of River vernal pool study, dust curtailment · The Berkshire Edge

Relocation tip from the team

Moving to or from the Berkshires? Use local real estate sales reports as a starting point for a conversation, not a price estimate for your own move. Ask your agent to compare homes that closely match your property or search, then coordinate financing, closing dates, and moving arrangements across both locations. Our Real Harmony & Associates team recommends planning the sale and purchase together rather than as separate projects.

• Berkshire region real estate sales – September 25, 2026 - The Berkshire Edge · Google News: Berkshire housing