It’s a bit frustrating for those of us along the I-91 corridor that one of the area’s best venues for music is an hour or so to the west, out in Great Barrington. Club Helsinki is also pretty hard to find once you’re in town, tucked behind Main Street in something approaching speakeasy fashion.
But being hard to find probably isn’t too bad a thing for a club like Helsinki: it’s a remarkably small place in which to see some pretty big names. You won’t find the Rolling Stones here, but you’ll find plenty of nationally known performers doing their thing on the little stage in the corner.
“Intimate” is certainly the right word for performances here. You’re close to your neighbors and close to the performers, and the homey, packed-in feel makes for the kinds of shows after which you feel like you somehow know the players, like you wouldn’t be surprised if they knocked on your door later for a nightcap.
It’s also worth noting that Helsinki serves plenty of food. Most of us may not be familiar with the delicacies of old Finland, but you’ll find some interesting choices on the menu, from Helsinki borscht to Adriatic calamari.
This weekend, you can catch musical acts Chatham County Line and Fred Eaglesmith up close.