Community: 20 Questions for Ella Baff of Jacob’s Pillow
Ever since Ella Baff moved to the Berkshires in 1998 to head Jacob’s Pillow, one of the world’s leading proponents of dance and the oldest dance festival in America, the Becket-based cultural organization has surged forward by leaps and bounds. During her tenure, the Pillow was designated a National Historic Landmark, and Baff’s contributions have been recognized many times over. She was knighted by the French Ministry of Culture as a Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters; named one of “Top 25 Most Influential and Powerful People in the Arts” by Inside Arts Magazine, and last spring, on behalf of the Pillow, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama in a White House ceremony.
As the Pillow begins its 80th anniversary season, presenting more than 350 free and ticketed performances, talks, films, tours, and other events in less than three months, we thought it was high time to put the Rural Intelligence 20 Questions to Jacob's Pillow executive and artistic director Ella Baff.
1. Where do you go when you crave solitude?
Not telling; then I could be found.
2. Where do you go when you crave buzz?
My life is abuzz with buzz. I can’t remember the last time I craved it.
3. What's your favorite library and/or bookstore?
Locally, I like the Lenox Bookstore, The Bookloft, Yellow House Books. I would like to visit the Chapin Library. In New York, it’s the New-York Historical Society, the Westsider Rare and Used Books.
4. What's your favorite place for bargain hunting?
Yard sales, flea markets, consignment shops, roadside stands.
5. What do you buy for yourself when you need a treat and want to splurge, and what's your cheap thrill?
Splurge: shoes I don’t need. Cheap thrill: shoes I don’t need. And mint chocolate chip ice cream from SoCo Creamery. The best.
6. With your busy schedule, do you ever get to go to Tanglewood or a local theater production?
Not enough, but when I do, I enjoy it like a holiday. I studied music, and grew up in theaters in New York; my sister was an actress.
7. What's your favorite way to spend a Sunday morning?
A lot of coffee, The New York Times, and Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me on WAMC.
8. What's your favorite one-hour drive from your house?
That’s approximately Great Barrington and back. It’s a pretty drive both ways – but don’t speed.
9. Where's your favorite place to hear live music?
I don’t have one.
10. Where do you shop for clothes? Do you have a favorite salesperson?
I don’t have much time to shop; I pick things up. Great finds can be had at Fancy Pants and the outlet stores in Lee, to the Church Street Trading Co. in Great Barrington. And Karen Allen’s has beautiful creations; it’s not a clothing store, it’s a clothing culture. Note: the latter two are across the street from that mint chocolate chip ice cream at SoCo Creamery.
And if anyone needs eyeglasses, Cyril & Dane is the place. The best selection, the nicest people, and they have great taste. 11. Where's your favorite place for breakfast? Haven in Lenox. Fresh and delicious. Café Reva in Pittsfield too. 12. What's your favorite hardware store? The one that has the thing I’m looking for so I don’t have to go to the other place. I like that Carr Hardware has been owned by only two families since 1922. 13. Whom do you trust to recommend wines? People who drink a lot more than I do. I could name names, but I’d like to keep working in show business. 14. What three things do you always do with out of town guests? I take them to Jacob’s Pillow, MASS MoCA (full disclosure, I’m on the Board), and tell them to spend as much money as they can in the Berkshires. 15. What newspapers, blogs or websites do you read every day? The New York Times, Huffington Post, Rural Intelligence. 16. Who are your local heroes? Mum Bett (aka Elizabeth Freeman); farmers; people who are involved in hospices; people who work with and protect animals. 17. What traits or characteristics do cultural leaders of the Berkshires have in common? Drive, insight, savvy, strategic thinking, community spirit. 18. How many dance companies, from how many countries, did you look at to make up this season’s festival schedule? I don’t dare count. I probably watch a few hundred links, videos, performances, and rehearsals during a year from all over the world. 19. Is “Dancing with the Stars” good for dance? I don’t think it has much effect. I can only hope it encourages people to attend a dance performance, or take a dance class, or at least not feel embarrassed to dance as soon as they become adults, or least get off the couch. 20. What surprised you about President Obama, when you met him last year to receive the National Medal of Arts award on behalf of Jacob’s Pillow? That he is exactly who he appears to be; he’s authentic. Intelligent, engaged, charismatic, strong, warm, a real person. And Michelle Obama as well. They are remarkable. It was a great honor to meet them.
And if anyone needs eyeglasses, Cyril & Dane is the place. The best selection, the nicest people, and they have great taste. 11. Where's your favorite place for breakfast? Haven in Lenox. Fresh and delicious. Café Reva in Pittsfield too. 12. What's your favorite hardware store? The one that has the thing I’m looking for so I don’t have to go to the other place. I like that Carr Hardware has been owned by only two families since 1922. 13. Whom do you trust to recommend wines? People who drink a lot more than I do. I could name names, but I’d like to keep working in show business. 14. What three things do you always do with out of town guests? I take them to Jacob’s Pillow, MASS MoCA (full disclosure, I’m on the Board), and tell them to spend as much money as they can in the Berkshires. 15. What newspapers, blogs or websites do you read every day? The New York Times, Huffington Post, Rural Intelligence. 16. Who are your local heroes? Mum Bett (aka Elizabeth Freeman); farmers; people who are involved in hospices; people who work with and protect animals. 17. What traits or characteristics do cultural leaders of the Berkshires have in common? Drive, insight, savvy, strategic thinking, community spirit. 18. How many dance companies, from how many countries, did you look at to make up this season’s festival schedule? I don’t dare count. I probably watch a few hundred links, videos, performances, and rehearsals during a year from all over the world. 19. Is “Dancing with the Stars” good for dance? I don’t think it has much effect. I can only hope it encourages people to attend a dance performance, or take a dance class, or at least not feel embarrassed to dance as soon as they become adults, or least get off the couch. 20. What surprised you about President Obama, when you met him last year to receive the National Medal of Arts award on behalf of Jacob’s Pillow? That he is exactly who he appears to be; he’s authentic. Intelligent, engaged, charismatic, strong, warm, a real person. And Michelle Obama as well. They are remarkable. It was a great honor to meet them.
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