Lenox Caroling Festival good for business

LENOX – After the second annual Lenox Caroling Festival, downtown businesses said they felt the crowds that gathered in their wallets.

With nearly 2,500 votes cast, it was easy to see the influx into the village and merchants and restaurateurs noted the increased activity in their establishments. Paul Leney, owner of B Mango and Bird, said business was up about a third over last year.

“More people were from out of-town; it was a good day,” said Mr. Leney. “Last year was good, and I would say this year we’re approaching great.”

Marla Monjardo, owner of Evviva, agreed, “We had a good day, and compared to last year, much better.”

The restaurants in town also claimed to have a good weekend, Matt Tucker, co-owner of Shots Café, reported brisk business during the intermission, as did Aurelien Telle, co-owner of Alta, whose porch also welcomed two large groups of carolers.

“I think it was great, and I liked very much seeing the people enjoying the beautiful music of the carol singers,” said Ms. Telle.

As for the carolers, a local MCLA choral group, The Allegrettos, captured the $2,000 first prize in this year’s event. The Allegrettos combined Christmas favorites with their youthful energy and current radio hits to wow the crowds.

Led by J. Cottle, Brittney Gerber and Benjamin Balon, the group was founded in 2009 as the Hoosings, a 10-person ensemble of MCLA freshmen. Now triple that size, it performs a cappella and gospel music as well as holiday literature.

The Allegrettos also performed at the gala to start the weekend of events held at Ventfort Hall on Friday night.

Second-place went to the Lexington High School Madrigal Singers, while there was a tie for third between the The Cape Chorale, a select choir of Cape Henlopen High School students in Lewes, Del., and the Ridgefield Chorale Touring Ensemble, a Connecticut group.

‘The quality of singing was extremely high at this festival, making decisions very difficult, both for the judges and our audiences,” said Andrea Goodman, the festival director.

Richard Wise, festival founder, said the event attracted more than twice as many spectators than its first edition, with crowds blocking the streets at one point.

More than 350 persons remained following the competitive singing for the awards ceremonies, which took place at a Shakespeare and Company theater in Lenox, where each of the eight ensembles offered brief performances.

State Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli presented the prizes to the winners and expressed how much he thought these events mean to The Berkshires.

“These events are great to see,” he said. “When we start events like this they only grow every year and I am glad I was asked to get involved.”

The chance to compete in the fairly new festival has already shown to be a large draw this year, bringing a choir all the way from Delaware.

The Cape Chorale, under Louise Foster’s direction, includes 24 10th-, 11th- and 12th-grade students who rehearse three times weekly. The Chorale performed last December before the National Christmas Tree and in Leg Hall for the Delaware Legislature.

“When I showed the kids the event, they were so excited, and it is great to be here,” said Ms. Foster. “This event is wonderful and the whole area is just beautiful.”

She also explained how helpful the festival committee was to them being able to come.

“They were just great, from helping plan the travel and finding us the inn, Ann [Goodman] has been right there all the way,” said Ms. Foster.

Posted by Kameron Z. Spaulding on December 13, 2012. Filed under Community Events,News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry