if anyone is traveling to james taylor on 7/4...interested in getting a shuttle bus from the southern connecticut area???

He's playing on our system right now. We had front row in Tampa...what a concert. Is he at Tanglewood again?? Gawd how I wish I could see him there just once!!

Yes he is at Tanglewood. I will never forge the July 4 when I was working as a Toll Collector for the Mass Pike and we had a 3 mile backup of people getting off to go to the concert. Many people missed the beginning of the show. We closed the tolls down for 4 hours to try to help.

Thanks for toll backup information! That is whyI posted inquiry about carpool/transportation to show...don't want to miss a minute! We're thinking of taking a limo...???

Wow, yes, great information. Remember too, all the two lane roads leading toward Tanglewood! We started talking about going next year after reading this thread last night. I think we'd need to make our plans now, yes? I wouldn't mind not being in the shed even (providing there was no rain...hardly a given in New England)...fun to sit on the lawn, enjoy the evening and the music in those surroundings. Ah...nostalgia!

The backup was mostly due to the opening of the Fast Lane - the week before. Nobody had transponders so we had 1 exit lane for everybody. Not good. I would just plan to be there a few hours ahead of time for picnic, etc. OO, definitely plan ahead as hotels fill up very early for it. May need to wait until dates are announced.

OO - I got tix for the show very easily, found out when they were going on sale and bought them thru tanglewood web site...back in early march...so excited!! We have never been to tanglewood before...can you bring a cooler in?? Thanks tchoiniere...we plan on leaving for show quite early...

The last time I was there you could bring a cooler in but it has been about 8 years so things may have changed.

you can certainly bring a cooler into Tanglewood for symphony concerts. I would imagine the rules are the same for James Taylor. Coolers, chairs, blankets, tables, candelabra, wine, gourmet goodies...its amazing the stuff people bring in for concerts.

Hi,

Love James Taylor and love Tanglewood. When I lived in CT we went every year about 4 or 5 times during the season and always to see JT. We live in DC and made the trip last year. COuple of points if you have never been.

1. If possible get a hotel room. Most likely there will be a 2 or 3 night minimum or the prices will be extremely high though with him playing a Thursday night you might be able to find a reasonable place for 1 night.

2. If you have never been to Tanglewood you need to experience it and that means picnicing on the grounds. You can bring in just about anything including alchohol etc. I don't think you can bring a grill though. If you don't want to bring a picnic you can buy one at the site and I belive you can go to the website and place an order.

3. IF you are not staying the night come up that a.m./afternoon and spend the day in Stockbridge or Lenox. Tour the Namkeag house....lovely or the botanical gardens.

4. Plan on a lot of traffic in an out of the place.

5. If you don't have tickets there are usually plenty of people selling them at the main gate or call some of the hotels in town.

Oh yes, and the picnics can be very elaborate. Think upscale everything...food, baskets, candles, the works (lawn only obviously)! Looks are high priority.

There are a couple of Guido's, (one in Lenox, the one I'm familiar with, and I believe the other is Great Barrington) a most upscale grocery where you can get the works for a Tnaglewood picnic. That was my Mom's grocery store...she kept raving about it (it came long after I'd left home) and when I finally got to go, I was SO impressed. Better than Whole Foods, better than Trader Joes. You'll love it.

Tanglewood grounds are gorgeous...you can easily spend hours wandering, and by doing so, avoid the traffic going in. It's two lane roads leading there so by all means, go early.

There will be a huge issue getting rooms, and I"m sure there is a minimum stay, yes. Stockbridge is SRO most likely, as will most places near-by be too. I wouldn't hesitate staying as far away as Williamstown even...just so long as I didn't have to hoof it down the Pike or the like late at night to some NoTell Motel.

All who are going...have a wonderful stay and report back. I'll be on a tiny island in the West Indies that day, having different sort of fun, no Fourth of July celebration for sure, but I sure would love to be at Tanglewood that one day!!

Thanks for all the great tips and info! Will post after show - happy summer!

WOW! What a show. We happened to catch a really special concert...a link to the news article is here
http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_9792918
Traffic was not bad getting either in or out - we lucked out. Thanks again for all advice!!

glad you had a great time, sperry. I love James, and have tickets for LA at the end of the month.

wow, just read the review you posted, you really did get a special night! Thanks for posting it.