Since The Wine Hub has so many fans, I thought that it would be appropriate to fill our readers in what I believe to be the 'Best Seasonal BYOB in America'.
If you live in the northeast portion of America, have ever heard of the Tanglewood music center?
Tanglewood was once home of famed conductor Leonard Bernstein, and now home of resident hero, James Taylor, and newly appointed conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Andris Nelsons.
Located two hours from Boston and two and a half from New York, Tanglewood has a summer program that includes classical (Joshua Bell, Emanual Ax, Yo-Yo Ma) and contemporary (Train, James Taylor, Josh Grobin & Tony Bennett). Lawn tickets are around $20, close to the price of a corkage fee.
What Tanglewood offers the visitor is a means to bring a picnic lunch or dinner and a cooler full of wine, beer or whatever alcoholic beverage you choose to bring to the grounds. Once in, you can open your bottle and savor the music that Tanglewood is famous for. The season typically lasts to August 31st, enough time to experience, what I believe is the 'Best Seasonal BYOB'event in America.
If there is just one day in the year that to attend a Tanglewood concert, my vote goes for Tanglewood on Parade, which , this year , takes place on Tuesday, August 5th.
There is something magical about sitting on the lawn at Tanglewood, enjoying a picnic and the sun, while being entertained by the crowd and the various entertainers that walk the grounds of Tanglewood on this ‘On Parade’ day.
To top off the evening, fireworks light the sky as the BSO’s finale. Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture fades into the night.
This yearly tradition of mine at Tanglewood begins at 2pm, when the gates are open to welcome the well wishers and fans of Tanglewood. Brass fanfare greets the early crowd, followed by music all day long, featuring members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Tanglewood Music Center and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute.
The time preceding the concert is devoted to families, focusing on the youngsters in the audience. Face painting, an instrumental playground for all ages will be open, a magician roaming the grounds are just a few of the surprised that Tanglewood has up their sleeve.
Several years a go, I remember seeing an organ grinder, who looked like Super Mario, walking the grounds with his clown dressed monkey.
Tanglewood on Parade is a day of surprises.
From 3 to 7pm, complimentary tours of the Tanglewood grounds will take place. Walking the grounds on your own will yield lavish food set-ups by patrons, including candelabras, vases of exotic flowers and drop-dead elaborate table settings.
The evening’s music begins at 8:30pm.
Conductors Stephane Deneve, Keith Lockhart, JohnWilliams and Leopnard Slatkin will lead a program that includes music by Gershwin, Dave Brubeck and Shostakovich. The combined forces will feature performances by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra and the Boston Pops.
If this will be your first visit to Tanglewood, anticipate a short wait to find your complimentary parking space. Bringing food and alcoholic beverages is encouraged. If you sit on the lawn, don’t forget your lawn chairs, small table and a blanket. As the evening winds down, the temperature gradually changes. With a chill in the air, expect temperatures to be in the low 60’s or high 50’s by 11pm, when the firework display over Stockbridge Bowl concludes the days events.
All proceeds form the concert go to support the Tanglewood Music Center.
Ticket prices range from $21 for the lawn to $106 in the Shed.
Use Symphony Charge for tickets by calling (888) 266-1200.
Philip S. Kampe
Maria Reveley
Philip.Kampe@TheWineHub.com
@gotophil
1 comment:
Great insight to the ever lasting issue of BYOB and corkage fees. Tanglewood is a solution, culture included.
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