James Taylor returns to Tanglewood with his All-Star Band for performances on July 3-4, in the Koussevitzky Music Shed. This summer marks 50 years since Taylor first performed at Tanglewood on July 30, 1974. To celebrate Independence Day, the July 4 concert will be followed by a fireworks display over the Stockbridge Bowl. Proceeds from the July 4 concert will be donated by Kim and James Taylor to support Tanglewood. Tickets go on sale Jan. 29. For details: www.tanglewood.org.
“Enduring Love Stories” brings some classical romance to The Bushnell, Feb. 8-11, courtesy of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. Conducted by Caroilyn Kuan with guests Boyd Meets Girl, the HSO performs works by Tchaikovsky (“Romeo and Juliet”) and Offenbach, along with a world premiere. The HSO returns to The Bushnell March 8-10 to perform Leonard Bernstein’s jazzy ballet score “Fancy Free.” It’s a Valentine to New York City, as three sailors on leave discover the Big Apple. It inspired Bernstein’s Broadway effort “On the Town.” For details: www.hartfordsymphony.org.
“Frozen,” the Disney classic, was turned into a lavish Broadway musical. It’s the story of two sisters, and its.song “Let It Go” sped up the top 40 charts. “Frozen” plays an extended run at The Bushnell, Feb. 8-18. It’s a great introduction to Broadway magic for younger audiences. For details: www.bushnell.org.
“Havana Nights” brings a Caribbean sizzle to Symphony Hall on Feb. 10. Nick Palmer conducts the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in an evening of Cuban music, accompanied by Camille Zamora and the Mambo Kings. If you love the Buena Vista Social Club, Gloria Estafan, and the Miami Sound Machine, you’ll fall for the Latin beat of this jazzy pops. For details: www.springfieldsymphony.org.
Shakespeare & Company will offer a winter session of its Riotous Youth theater program for students ages 7-11 on Feb. 20-25. Riotous Youth introduces students to Shakespeare’s language, stories, characters, and themes using imaginative and playful methods that incorporate voice, movement and acting. This fast-paced, four-day session will focus on Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” culminating with a performance piece shared with family, friends, and Shakespeare & Company staff on the final day of the session. For details: www.shakespeare.org.
The Majestic Theater in West Springfield will offer several concerts in celebration of Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day. The Majesters comedy troupe will take the stage on Feb. 5 and again on March 11. On Feb. 6, the Majestic presents “Freddie Marion & Friends: Love … Yesterday, Today & Always,” with music direction by Dan Kane. Slated to perform on March 12 is Bo Fitzgerald & the Yank Celt Band. Described as the “Irish-American supergroup,” the band will present their unique blend of traditional Irish music. Comedian Dave Kane’s one-man show “Misgivings” will bring the laughs on March 18. Violinist Craig Eastman will appear at the Majestic on March 19. For details: www.majestictheater.com.
Seth Meyers, award-winning performer and host of the Emmy Award-nominated “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” brings his one-man stand-up comedy show to The Bushnell on Feb. 24. He’s the alum of SNL and host of its Weekend Update. For details: www.bushnell.org.
The Merz Trio performs under the Valley Classical Concerts banner on Feb. 4 at Sweeney Concert Hall on the Smith College in Northampton. Their program, “Alma Mahler Goes West,” consists of brief works of composers ranging from Berg and Webern and Britten to Charles Ives and Thelonious Monk, as well as Mahler herself, and concludes with pianist Eduard Steuermann’s excellent transcription for piano trio of Arnold Schoenberg’s “Verklärte Nacht” (“Transfigured Night”). For details: valleyclassicalconcerts.org.
Ebon Moss Bacharach, the Amherst native, won an Emmy Award for his performance in “The Bear.” For details: www.billboard.com/music/awards/2024-primetime-emmy-awards-winners-list-1235580458.
Ali Louis Bourzgui, Pittsfield actor, plays Paul in Stephen Sondheim’s revisionist play “Company” at New Haven’s Shubert Theatre through Feb. 4. For details: www.shubert.com.
Mark G. Auerbach studied theater at American University and the Yale School of Drama. He has worked for arts organizations nationwide and reported on the arts for print and broadcast. Mark produces and hosts “ArtsBeat,” “Athenaeum Spotlight” and “On the Mark” for WCPC, Channel 15 in Westfield, and WSKB 89.5 FM. His “Arts Beat” column appears Mondays in The Westfield News. He’s a regular contributor to Pioneer Valley Radio and a member of the Berkshire Theatre Critics Association.
