The Tanglewood on Labor Day Weekend always rocks! This popular and long-celebrated tradition sends summer off on a high note and welcomes that most vibrant time of year, autumn in the Berkshires!

This year’s festival opens on Friday, September 4, with An Evening with Paquito d’Rivera.

Radio Deluxe with John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molskey sets the tone for Saturday afternoon, September 5. With special guests Bucky Pizzarelli, Aaron Weinstein, and Harry Allen, this event will be taped live for a national radio broadcast.

The evening features Reverse Thread with the Regina Carter Quartet as well as Dreaming the Duke with Nnenna Freelon, Harolyn Blackwell and, and Mike Garson.

Swing and sway on Sunday afternoon with A Piano Duet with Kenny Barron, Mulgrew Miller, and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.

The Jazz Festival concludes on Sunday evening with A Triumph of Trumpets with the Jon Faddis Quartet and The Dave Holland Octet.

And back by popular demand, the Tanglewood Jazz Cafe features exciting new artists performing prior to each show in a relaxed cabaret-style setting, free with a ticket to the mainstage performance.

You can purchase tickets by phone, 888-266-1200, online at tanglewood.org, or in person at the Tanglewood Box Office.

And Birchwood still has good availability!

[I love to wag my tail in time with the music at the Jazz Festival! Quinn]

Stunning Shakespeare. Bold Voices. Fantastic fun. This is what Shakespeare & Company has planned for it’s 2009-2010 line up.

In May, there is a limited run of Shirley Valentine, part of the Diva Series, featuring Shakespeare & Company’s own Tina Packer. (May 27-31). The popular Golda’s Balcony is back, another part of the Diva Series (June 17-Sept. 13).

This season’s play bill includes Hamlet, Othello, Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet, and Measure for Measure. The summer schedule also includes Pinter’s Mirror (3 of Pinter’s best one-act plays), The Devil’s Advocate, White People, The Hound of the Baskervilles, and the world premiere of The Actors Rehearse the Story of Charlotte Salomon. And more!

The Hound of the Baskervilles runs through October and November while December features Cindy Bella. The new year features Les Liaisons Dangereuses from Jan. 29-March 21.

Shakespeare & Company is just a mile from Birchwood Inn! [I know because that is one of my favorite walks! Quinn]