Friday: First Fridays Artswalk and Third Anniversary Party!

Enjoy a dozen different art shows featuring work by over 15 accomplished regional artists in Pittsfield's bustling Upstreet Cultural District during the First Fridays Artswalk. 
Grier Horner is celebrating his 80th birthday with a solo show at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, Grier Horner Retrospective.  The show features large scale computer-manipulated photography.   

Join Artswalk Chair Mary McGinnis for a free guided tour beginning at 5pm at the Intermodal Center @ BRTA, 1 Columbus Ave.

The fun doesn't stop at 8! The Artswalk Anniversary Party goes from 8-10 pm at the Whitney Center for the Arts with the live music from Leap the Dips! Free and open to the public! Refreshments and Mary's Carrot Cake served!

Friday, June 5 | 5pm-8pm | Upstreet Cultural District | 413-499-9348 | FREE

Friday: Burlesque Life Drawing at Dottie's

Friday, June 5 | 5pm-8pm | Dottie's Coffee Lounge | 444 North Street | 413-443-1792

Friday: Dirty Brush Painting Party

Star Gazer in the downtown studio! Perfect for Father's Day because the painting can be customized as a boy or girl or add more children. The evening includes three hours of individualized instruction, premium acrylic paints and supplies, snacks and BYOB. Call the studio to reserve your canvas.

Friday, June 5 | 6pm-9pm | Dirty Brush Studios | 141 North Street | 413-442-9300 | $35

Friday-Monday: Iris at The Little Cinema

IRIS pairs legendary 87-year-old documentarian Albert Maysles with Iris Apfel, the quick-witted, flamboyantly dressed 93-year-old style maven who has had an outsized presence on the New York fashion scene for decades. More than a fashion film, the documentary is a story about creativity and how a soaring free spirit continues to inspire. IRIS portrays a singular woman whose enthusiasm for fashion, art and people are life's sustenance and reminds us that dressing, and indeed life, is nothing but an experiment. Despite the abundance of glamour in her current life, she continues to embrace the values and work ethic established during a middle-class Queens upbringing during the Great Depression. "I feel lucky to be working. If you're lucky enough to do something you love, everything else follows."

Friday-Monday, June 5 - 8 | Fri-Mon 7pm, & Mon 1:30pm | Berkshire Museum | Little Cinema | 39 South Street |413-443-717| $5 Museum Members, $7.50 Museum Non Members

Friday+: Butler at Barrington Stage 

Berkshire Bright Focus' review says this about Butler - "Imagine yourself enjoying it. You can. You should. You must." Based on actual events that changed the lives of over 10,000 slaves, Butler is set at the beginning of the Civil War and follows Major General Benjamin Butler, who has just been given command of Fort Monroe in Virginia. The inexperienced but shrewd Butler meets his match when an equally shrewd runaway slave enters the fort and asks for asylum. Uproariously funny, witty and very moving, Butler is the recipient of the Edgerton Foundation New American Plays Award.

Through June 13| Tues- Sat 7:30, Sat 4pm, Sun 3pm | Barrington Stage Company | St. Germain Stage at the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center | 36 Linden Street | 413-236-8888 | $40+

Saturday+: The Downtown Pittsfield Farmers

This week at the market, Leanne Yinger, from Kira's Kitchen will join us with a chef demo and tasting and from 11am to 12pm join Dawn Meltzer for a lacto-fermentation workshop. Learn how fermenting your own vegetables can be simple, safe and benefit your health. At noon is the second annual Preserve Swap! Bring your homemade goods to the market for a good old-fashioned preserve swap. No money exchanged- just a chance to expand your pantry offerings! There will be live music by Justin Hillman from 11 am to 1pm. Shoppers will find pasture-raised meats, eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, breads

Saturdays through October 31 | 9am-1pm | Parking Lot on 1st Street Across from the Common | info@farmersmarketpittsfield.org | NO COVER

Saturday: Berkshire Craft Brew Fest!

Saturday, June 6 | 12pm-5pm | The Common | 1st Street and Eagle Street | VIP $50, General admission $30

Saturday: Learn To Row on Lake Onota

Berkshire Rowing and Sculling Society (BRASS) will hold its annual Learn to Row event from 8 am to noon at Burbank Park 's north beach on Lake Onota. The event is free and open to the public. Two sessions are available; the first from 8 to 9:45 a.m. and the second from 10 to 11:45 a.m. Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made by calling (413) 442-7769 and leaving a name, contact information and preferred session time. BRASS is a non-profit rowing club located on Lake Onota . For additional information about the club, visit http://berkshirerowing.com.

Saturday, June 6 | 8am-12pm | Burbank Park | Lake Onota | 413) 442-7769 | FREE

Saturday: WeeMuse: Art Lab at Berkshire Museum

From your toddler's trike to a top-of-the-line rig, a repair expert from Plaine's Bike, Ski & Snowboard will walk you through the tips, tools, and techniques you need to get your ride ready for the summer season and how to properly maintain your bicycle year-round.

Saturday, June 6 | 10:30am-11:30 am |Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | FREE with Museum admission

Saturday: God Mountains and Fengshui Forests: Folk Conservation Systems and Ecological Sustainability in China at Berkshire Museum

Dr. Chris Coggins, a professor of geography and Asian Studies at Bard College at Simon's Rock will discuss his research on village sacred landscapes in the Tibetan and Han culture regions of western and southern China.  The author of The Tiger and the Pangolin: Nature, Culture, and Conservation in China (University of Hawaii, 2003) and co-editor with Emily Yeh of Mapping Shangrila: Contested Landscapes of the Sino-Tibetan Borderlands (University of Washington, 2014), Coggins has been conducting field research in rural China since 1990.

Saturday, June 6 | 10:30am-11:30 am | Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street |413-443-7171 | FREE with Museum Admission

Saturday: Chow Time at Berkshire Museum

Help prepare enticing feasts for the turtles, fish, chameleon, and even the blue-tongue skink in the Aquarium!

Saturday, June 6 | 12:30pm-1:30pm |Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | FREE with Museum admission

Saturday: Backyard Poultry at Hancock Shaker Village

You'll learn everything you need to know to start and maintain your own backyard poultry flock, from buying hatchlings and hens to cleaning the coop! Instructor is farmer Laura Field (a.k.a. the "Chicken Lady"). Our most-popular Workshop! All levels welcome. $50 for non-members; $45 for members.  Call 413-443-0188, x 0, to register.

Saturday, June 6 | 1pm-5pm | Hancock Shaker Village | 1843 West Housatonic Street |413-443-0188 | $45 Members, $50 Non-Members

Saturday: The Malls at Mission

Celebrate the weekend at Mission with The Malls! Rock out with these cool kids on Saturday with no cover.

Saturday, June 6 | 8pm | Mission Bar + Tapas | 438 North Street | NO PHONE | NO COVER

Saturday: McQueen at The Garage at The Colonial Theatre

McQueen has created a mixture of music, comedy and video, which spoofs pop stars, movies and an assortment of celebrities. It's a jamboree of songs, stunts and sketches, and the material's range stretches from subjects as varied as the sounds of Daft Punk to the magic of the wizard Gandalf, with some Jason Statham, Orlando Bloom and Coldplay along the way. Transmitting a hi-tech audio-visual experience, McQueen creates an incredibly unique new universe.

Saturday, June 6 | 8pm | The Colonial Theatre| 111 South Street | 413-997-4444 | $15 advance, $18 day of show

 Saturday: Mister Bone Reunion at Fairways

Mister Bone will be at Tavern At The A this Saturday.

Doors a 9:30 pm, 21+ with ID

Saturday, June 6 | 9:30pm | Fairways at the A | 303 Crane Ave | 413-4423585 | $5

Sunday: Domingo Brunch at Dotties

First Sunday of the month, enjoy Domingo Brunch specials with live music by Long Journey, traditional American folk, Irish, blues. Contemporary and lively sounds with gorgeous harmonies.

Sunday, June 7 | 10am-1pm | Dottie's Coffee Lounge | 444 North Street | 413-443-1792

Sunday: Jazz Night @ The Whit

Jazz Night features a night of top notch jazz from the Jazz Ambassadors. No cover, cash bar, tapas, beer and wine available to purchase at reasonable prices. Doors open at 5pm.

Sunday, June 7 | 6pm-9pm | Whitney Center For The Arts | 42 Wendell Ave | NO COVER

Monday: Federation Program "How to Deter, Detect, & Defend Against Identity Theft" at Congregation Knesset Israel

The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will present "Find Out How to Deter, Detect, and Defend Against Identity Theft" with Berkshire First Assistant District Attorney, Paul J. Caccaviello and Mary Shogry Hayer from the Pittsfield DA office.  Identity theft is a serious issue, especially among senior citizens, a vulnerable population that is often preyed upon. $2 suggested donation for Kosher Lunch following the program.  Advanced lunch reservations are required and can be made up to 9am on the day of the program by calling 413-442-2200. 

Monday, June 8 | 10:45am-12pm | Congregation Knesset Israel | 16 Colt Road | 413-445-4872 | $2

Monday: Town Players of Pittsfield Annual Membership Meeting

Anyone with any interest in theater, whether on stage, behind the scenes or in the audience is welcome to the annual membership meeting for the Town Players of Pittsfield. Members are encouraged to bring friends. The evening will commence with a short business meeting and the election of new members to the Board of Directors. This is the end of their 94th season and they will be reporting on their successes and challenges. Information will be provided about upcoming events, including auditions and shows. Following the meeting there will be entertainment and refreshments.

Monday, June 8 | 7pm | Whitney Center For The Arts | 42 Wendell Ave | NO COVER

Monday: T'Aint Nobody's Bizzness If I Do...And Other Songs In The Key Of Life at Mr. Finn's Cabaret

An evening with Wanda Houston and Friends! Back by popular demand, powerhouse performer Wanda Houston returns to take us on a soulful walk through the blues, jazz and gospel songs that reflect her love affair with life and love. This is a one-night-only performance you won't want to miss.

Monday, June 8 | 8pm | Mr. Finn's Cabaret | Barrington Stage Company | 36 Linden Street | 413-236-8888 | $25

Tuesday: QuickBooks for Experienced Users: A Three-Part Series at Berkshire Athenaeum

A three week class begins with QuickBooks: managing expenses. Learn to set up vendors in the vendor list; understand how to use classes in QuickBooks; use QuickBooks for job costing; enter expense transactions in several different ways; manage Accounts Payable transactions; print checks. An optional guided half hour of practice will be available at the end of the session. Please be aware that your registration will be for all three sessions of this class: June 9, June 16 and June 23rd. 

Tuesday, June 9 | 9:30am-10:30am | Berkshire Athenaeum | One Wendell Ave | 413-499-9480 | FREE

Tuesday: Paint and Sip Berkshire Carousel Fundraiser at H&R Block

Tuesday & Wednesday: Town Players of Pittsfield Auditions at the Whitney

Town Players of Pittsfield will hold auditions for a staged reading of "Proof' directed by Matthew T. Teichner. Sign in will begin at 7pm and auditions will start at 7:30pm. Actors should present a short monologue (drama or comedy). If needed, some monologues will be available. Memorization is not required. Sides from the play will also be provided. Needed for the cast are:

Catherine (Female age 25-30 or one who can play that range)

Claire (Female age 30-35  or one who can play that range)

Hal (Male age 25-30 or one who can play that range)

Robert (Male age 55+ or one who can play that range)

The performance will be on July 26 at 2pm.

Tuesday & Wednesday, June 9 & 10 | 7pm | Whitney Center For The Arts | 42 Wendell Ave| FREE

Wednesday+: Man of La Mancha at Barrington Stage 

One of the world's most popular musicals, Man of La Mancha, the "Impossible Dream" musical, is based on Cervantes' masterpiece Don Quixote, and tells of the adventures of a delusional Spanish knight who sallies forth on a quest to restore chivalry to the world, and to claim his lady love.  Winner of five Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

Previews Wed-Fri, June 10-12 Plays through July 11 | Thurs- Sat 8pm, Wed/Fri 2pm, Sun 5pm, Tues/Weds 7pm | Barrington Stage Company | Boyd-Quinson Mainstage | 30 Union Street | 413-236-8888 | $20+

Wednesday: Wednesday Night Comedy Series at The Garage at The Colonial Theatre

Mike Lawrence is a New York City-based comedian whose sometimes dark, but always unique style of humor fearlessly takes on pop culture and society's foibles while couched in personal stories of growing up as a nerd in Florida. Thomas Attila Lewis has performed in festivals across the country, and Scott Chaplain is a comedian and writer residing in Brooklyn. This is an uncensored adult comedy show. Must be ages 18+.

Wednesday, June 10 | 8pm | The Colonial Theatre | The Garage | 111 South Street | 413-997-4444 | $10 advance, $12 day of show

Thursday: Federation Program With Author Andrew D. Blechmanat Congregation Knesset Israel

The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires presents author, journalist, and editor Andrew Blechman in a talk about his critically acclaimed book Leisureville: Adventures in a World Without Children. Blechman delves into life in the Florida seniors-only community The Villages, and also traces the history of the age-segregated retirement phenomenon.Program is free.  $2 suggested donation for Kosher Lunch following the program.  Advanced lunch reservations are required and can be made up to 9am on the day of the program by calling 413-442-2200. 

Thursday, June 11 | 10:45am-12pm | Congregation Knesset Israel | 16 Colt Road | 413-445-4872 | $2

Thursday: Book Talk with Jeanne Bogino at the Berkshire Athenaeum

Local author Jeanne Bogino will give a talk about her recently published novel, Rock Angel. Free and no registration required.

Thursday, June 11 | 7pm | Berkshire Athenaeum | One Wendell Ave | 413-499-9480 | FREE