Alki, The Old Tavern at Grafton, Dec 23

The Old Tavern is pleased to re-ignite it’s concert series with a fantastic concert featuring Alki Steriopoulos on December 23.

There is quite the description of Alki on the Old Tavern web site:

Imagine this: combine the pianistic pyrotechnics of Chick Corea with the vocal playfulness of Bobby McFerrin. Now stir in the sardonic humor and hipness of Randy Newman, Tom Waits and Frank Zappa and you’ll begin to have an inkling of what a performance by Alki is like!

FREE! Sunday, December 23, 3 pm, Phelps Barn at The Old Tavern. Phelps Barn is part of The Old Tavern, which is located on Main Street in Grafton Village. Parking is available at the Inn for concert. There is also a brunch available with the concert. Call for information 800-843-1801 or 802-843-2231.

Day Ten: Green Mountain Oasis

As a perfect gift for the hard to buy, we suggest a gift certificate (a first for us) to Green Mountain Oasis. Assure your loved one they are treated like royalty. It’s a great way to start the year of right.

There are various massages to choose from such as deep tissue, head neck ad back, biofreeze pain management, and aromatherapy massage. If you know someone who is on their feet all day try foot reflexology which massages all the pressure point areas on your feet. A couple’s suite is also available where two therapists perform a synchronized Swedish massage (um, is it getting warm in here?). If you still can’t decide, consider one of their package treatments.

Green Mountain Oasis is located at 532 Main St, suite 2 (above Panache), Bennington. For more information check out what they offer online or call 802-447-2900.

Community Sing, N. Benn. RR Station, Dec 22

The Bennington Cultural and Arts Council is sponsoring an evening of holiday carols and seasonal songs from 7 to 8:30 pm at the North Bennington Railroad Station on rt 67A. Anyone wanting to participate is asked to meet at the porch of Pangaea Lounge at 6:30 pm. I’d like to request a group try of the Kinks’ “Father Christmas,” please.

The event is part of the Arts at the Station series and is open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Weekday Review: Spice Root (MA)

Our treat to ourselves this past Wednesday to the buffet lunch at Spice Root in neighboring Williamstown. We were delighted to be out of the cold, and by the warm atmosphere of the friendly staff. Although we are long time Indian food fanatics, we still cannot tell you aloo gobi from chana masala in a blind taste test. And it seems that wherever in the world we have tried it, it’s always been pretty good (except for that one place on NYC’s fabled 6th Ave…).

Spice Root had been recommended to us a number of times and it did not disappoint. We had several helpings of entrées, each of which rotated as our “favorite” of the meal. We got our son a kid’s meal of chicken nuggets (which saved us a whole dollar off the buffet), and it was delivered in what was possibly the finest arrangement we’ve ever seen a child’s meal. One of the staff also brought him a complimentary bowl of rice pudding (it was so good we had a few helpings of ourselves). The buffet being more than satisfactory, we agreed we will definitely be going back. If you’re on the run there are also box lunches available, vegetarian or chicken, and they have an awesome exotic drink menu (maybe next time). Running discount specials are available on their web site.

Dinner Every Day 5:00 – 10 pm , lunch Tuesday – Sunday 11:30 am – 2:30 pm.

Spice Root is located at 23 Spring Street, Williamstown, MA 01267. For information call 413-458-5200, www.spiceroot.net