Well let’s get to the real reason for this Berkshire visit, Jon Batiste.. As you recall, I met Jon as a Juilliard student when his band visited our psych unit playing for the patients several times. I let this somewhat shorter young man with a large musical instrument on to the unit. As I walked down the hallway briskly, I glanced over my shoulder to see a terrified young man. I slowed my pace, (nurses are always on overdrive and have too much to do), and asked if he was alright. Of course he shook his head. How rude I was!

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It’s not easy visiting a psychiatric unit. I reassured him to just keep walking and deposited him in the day room. He and his band did fine and why I can recall the specifics of this encounter all I can say is when you see those eyes, you’ll never forget him.

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His performance at Tanglewood began at 7:10 and sadly, I did not arrive until 720 due to a Waze disfunction. Jon was already singing and dancing in a sparkly suit with the members of his band and a gal in African garb as his back up.

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The concert lasted 2 1/2 hours with one of the band members being Joe the cowboy from Stephen Colbert. Once again, Stephen the part-time late night host, is on vacation this week. What a gig he has! Wish he had a back up host, perhaps he can take Taylor Tomlinson off that awful late night show she’s currently hosting to do Fridays and let him work four day weeks.

Must write CBS.

I digress..

Jon also had his mentor play the drums during the concert. This man has spent 50 years in the music industry and still could put it all together.. Amazing show, can’t imagine what his Radio City show will include. ? Maybe Stephen with a few jokes?

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What a sublime night. Never saw so many white seniors shaking their booty to this dynamic performer.. They love him! Seems like that is the bulk of his following and it works!

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Rather than encores Jon ended the show walking through the audience playing his xylophone, taking selfies with audience members, hugging and sometimes kissing audience members.

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Quite a love fest, and what a phenomenal conclusion to an amazing night.

And the best part.. am sure Jon got home to Brooklyn in time to kiss his wife goodnight.

😘😘😘😘💋💋💋💋😘😘😘😘

The Divine Mercy area sits immediately above West Stockbridge proper so rolled down the hill to take in the Main Street sites on this glorious day.

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Let’s start with my favorite, the Red Lion Inn. Someday may breakdown and do an overnight here?. In my dreams..my pocketbook will accommodate it….

Rooms in the lobby

On to the shops on Main Street..

Then a visit to the homes around this area.

And as I walked down Main Street found the Congressional Church Cemetery where grave aficionados would go crazy.

Then I came across the church clock tower with an open door.

So, thought it was open for visit. Went inside and surprised the gal who daily plays the musical system at 530 pm. She let me stay through one song then I retreated to the grounds where I heard her amazing work even clearer.

What a phenomenal experience!!

You never know what you’ll find when you travel.