Cultural Pittsfield This Week: Aug. 21-27| 10:55AM / Friday, August 21, 2015 | |
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Office of Cultural Development | City of Pittsfield
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Artist Michael Vincent Bushy working his magic with the sidewalk chalk at the Community Art Tent. |
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Travel down the rabbit hole for Alice's madcap musical adventures in Wonderland! Lewis Carroll's famous heroine comes to life in Disney's Alice In Wonderland JR., a delightful adaptation of the classic Disney film. Join Alice as she chases the White Rabbit, races the Dodo Bird, gets tied up with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, raps with a bubble-blowing Caterpillar, and beats the Queen of Hearts at her own game!
Friday & Saturday, August 21 & 22 | 11am & 2pm | Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | $15 adult, $8 child; Museum members $5 adult, $3 child
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This is the last chance to catch Mary Poppins, featuring more than 100 talented Berkshire County actors tap dancing and chimney sweeping their way to your heart! In this beloved musical, written by Julian Fellowes of Downton Abbey fame, a practically perfect nanny teaches us"anything can happen if you let it." For the third time in a BTG community production, actors will fly through The Colonial Theatre, the first two years ago in Peter Pan, the second in last year's community production Seussical.
Friday-Sunday, August 21-23 | Fri 7pm Sat 2pm & 7pm Sun 2pm | Colonial Theatre | 111 South Street | 413-997-4444 | $15-$30
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Storytellers who have survived the semi finals spin their 4-minute stories, competing for the WXW Story Slam title.
Friday, August 21 | 6:30pm-7:30pm | Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | FREE
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Robbie Q Telfer, Franny Choi, Phil Kaye, Fatimah Asghar and Hanif Willis-Abdurraqib present their work in a lively performance.
Friday, August 21 | 8pm | Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | FREE
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It's summer in New England and every weekend is someone else's engagement party. The wildflowers, specialty cocktails and artisanal appetizers are perfectly Instagram-ready. When reality looks this good, who cares if it's all an illusion? Definitely not Lauren, the unforgettable anti-heroine of this pitch-black anti-romantic comedy, a midsummer night's dream about the conflicted Millennial generation.
Through August 30 | Tues- Sat 7:30pm, Thurs/Sat 4pm, Sun 3pm | Barrington Stage Company | St. Germain Stage | 36 Linden Street | 413-236-8888 | $40+
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SpunkNSass for live music at the Whitney Center for the Arts this Friday night. A dynamic duo featuring great harmony and charming wit. Seating begins at 7:15pm.
Friday, August 21 | 8pm | Whitney Center For The Arts | 42 Wendell Ave| 413-443-0289 | $15
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Comedy on the Edge in the Back Lounge of J. Allen's! Last time this show SOLD OUT, so we're giving you two chances to see these guys this time. Friday AND Saturday nights at 8 pm. Frank Vignola from Comedy Central, NBC, CBS. Tony Rogers from Broadway Comedy Club, NYC, "Laugh Til It Hurts" Comedy Tour. Michael Raive from Comedy Time TV, Gotham Comedy, and Stand Up 360 Comedy Festival. Buy tickets at J. Allen's or call J. Allen's at 499-9998 to buy them over the phone using your credit card. They will be waiting for you at the restaurant the night of the show. $12 for advance tickets, $15 at the door.
Friday - Saturday, August 21 & 22 | 8pm | J. Allen's Clubhouse | 41 North Street | 413-499-9998 | $15
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Friday+: His Girl Friday at Barrington Stage
Editor Walter Burns will do anything to find an ace reporter cunning enough to scoop a story in the cutthroat Chicago press world, even if that means turning to his ex-wife, Hildy Johnson, who comes back to the newsroom one last time before leaving the game for good. In Guare's adaptation, the play takes place in 1939, the day before war breaks out in Europe, which adds a political framework to the otherwise antic proceedings.
Through August 30 | Thurs-Sat at 8pm; Sun at 5pm, Wed/Fri 2pm Tues/Wed 7pm | Barrington Stage Company | Boyd-Quinson Mainstage | 30 Union Street | 413-236-8888 | $20+
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Calling all metalheads! Friday night features multiple heavy metal bands.
Saturday night, KLUSTERFUNK takes the stage. This is a new Berkshire based funk band featuring Gina Coleman on vocals; Rev Tor - guitar, Ben Kohn - keys, Dan Esko - bass and Rob Tatten on drums. Old school and original booty shakin' funk! 21+
Friday & Saturday, August 21 & 22 | 9pm | Tavern at the A | 303 Crane Ave | 413-448-9009 | Fri $10 Sat $8
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Meat up at the market this Saturday! From 11am to 1pm live music by Andrew DiMarzo. Shoppers will find pasture-raised meats, eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, breads, baked goods, coffee, wine, cut flowers, and plants, as well as beautiful artisan wares. The Market will run rain or shine. SNAP (EBT/Food Stamps) accepted.
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Soak in the beauty of Onota Lake every second and last Saturday of the month for Yoga and Zumba on Onota Lake at Burbank Park. All levels and ages welcome. Bring a mat if you have one (extras available) and a blanket or towel for underneath if you like, maybe even your bathing suit for a swim after class!
Saturday, August 22 | 9am-11:15am | Burbank Park at Onota Lake | 413-822-2034 | $10
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It's time for the Greek Fest! This year's festival features Greek music and Greek dancers and the biggest attraction: delicious Greek food. The menu will include moussaka, pastichio, souvlaki, gyros, fresh Greek salad, sweet loukoumades (fried dough drizzled with honey), and much more. The Greek bakery will be featuring a huge selection of divine pastries. Also, back by popular demand is the Greek Café, serving Greek coffee, Frappes (a special Greek-style iced frothy drink), and unique coffee cookies, such as our Vegan Moustokouloura. Opa!
Saturday & Sunday, August 22 & 23 | Sat 11am-8pm, Sun 12pm-6pm | St. George Greek Orthodox Church of the Berkshires | 73 Bradford Street | 413-442-8113 | NO COVER
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Back by popular demand, These Mysterious Hills will present a Summer reprisal of October's "Ghosts & Legends of Upstreet Pittsfield" historic downtown walking tour. Hosted by local folklorist and historian Joe Durwin, the tour explores some of the history of downtown Pittsfield through the lens of its folklore, legends, and mysteries. Starting in front of the Pittsfield Common, this 1.5 hour guided walk will delve into ghost stories, oddities, and strange-but-true tales attached to many Upstreet locations, including several of the city's premiere cultural venues. Non-matinee tours will take place primarily after dark and will cover some mature themes, and parental caution is advised. This event may not be suitable for persons under 12.
Saturday & Wednesday, August 22 & 27 | Sat 1pm, Sat & Weds 8pm | Upstreet Cultural District | 413-499-9348 |
$5
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Engage with artist Dennis Maher at this talk in Community Hall (in the Visitor Center) about his art installation, The Living Building: Church-Meeting-House," on view in the Meeting House through November 1.
Saturday, August 22 | 2pm | Hancock Shaker Village | 1843 West Housatonic Street | 413-443-0188 | FREE with general admission
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Learn to paint Wild Mountain Flowers at this fun paint party which also serves as a fundraiser to benefit Pittsfield High School Cheerleaders. All painting materials and light snack included for this two hour painting. BYOB
Saturday, August 22 | 6pm-8pm | Berkshire Paint and Sip | 305 North Street |413-205-8346 | $30
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Four finalists go two rounds to compete for cash prizes and the title of WXW Poetry Slam Champion.
Saturday, August 22 | 6:30pm | Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | FREE
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The culminating event of WXW 2015 will feature work crafted and assembled by Robbie Q Telfer and Franny Choi plus two additional poets-in-residence as well as several of the Berkshire's finest performance poets.
Saturday, August 22 | 8pm | Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | FREE
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In the summer of 1968 television news changed forever. Dead last in the ratings, ABC hired two towering public intellectuals to debate each other during the Democratic and Republican national conventions. William F. Buckley Jr. was a leading light of the new conservative movement. A Democrat and cousin to Jackie Onassis, Gore Vidal was a leftist novelist and polemicist. Armed with deep-seated distrust and enmity, Vidal and Buckley believed each other's political ideologies were dangerous for America. Like rounds in a heavyweight battle, they pummeled out policy and personal insult-their explosive exchanges devolving into vitriolic name-calling. Live and unscripted, they kept viewers riveted. Ratings for ABC News skyrocketed. And a new era in public discourse was born.
Sunday- Tuesday, August 23-25 | 7:30pm, Tues 1:30pm | Berkshire Museum | Little Cinema | 39 South Street |413-443-7171 | $5 Museum Members, $7.50 Museum Non Members
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Tony Award-winner Randy Graff's new show will pull at your heartstrings in a musical celebration of the songwriters and artists who hail from her hometown of Brooklyn, New York. With great wit and poignancy, Randy takes you on a nostalgic journey in story and song with the music of the Gershwins, Comden and Green, Marvin Hamlisch, Carole King, Neil Sedaka and more. With a voice to knock your socks off, she sings her way from the street corners of Brooklyn to her star turn on Broadway.
Sunday - Monday, August 23 -24 | 8pm | Barrington Stage Company | Mr. Finn's Cabaret | 36 Linden Street | 413-236-8888 | $45
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The 48th annual Hilda Vallin Feigenbaum Memorial Foundation Lecture will be held on Sunday. The speaker will be Eugene Robinson, Pulitzer Prize winner, author and contributor to The Washington Post, and the topic will be "Changing Horizons: Living in a Violent World." The lecture, sponsored by the Temple Anshe Amunim Feigenbaum Lecture Endowment, is free and open to the public. Eugene Robinson has won wide acclaim for his story-telling ability during his three-decade career at The Washington Post. He writes a column on politics and culture, contributes to the Post Partisan blog, and is also a regular contributor to MSNBC.
Sunday, August 23| 7:30pm | Temple Anshe Amunim | 26 Broad Street | 413-442-5910 | FREE
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The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires' Connecting with Community series will be joined by musician, singer, and songwriter, JoAnne Spies, as she performs "Elemental Songs and Ecstatic Dances." Spies has been leading songwriting workshops that focus on writing as a conversation or a 'turning with' the elements, inviting the audience to participate in rhythm and sound experiences that build community and empower voices for positive change. Songs from her new CD, Ecstatic Dances, a collaboration with hip hop artist Jackson Whalan and musician producer Robbie Baier, will be featured.
Monday, August 24 | 10:45am-12pm | Temple Anshe Amunim | 26 Broad Street | 413-442-5910 | FREE
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Come join us to learn about one of the OG permaculture masters Masanobu Fukuoka. A light permaculture inspired dinner is available at 6pm, followed by the viewing of One Straw Revolution at 7, followed by a brief discussion with Certified Permaculture Designer Matt Lamb. Bring a friend, and help to grow the monthly permaculture conversation.
Monday, August 24 | 7pm | Dottie's Coffee Lounge | 444 North Street | 413-443-1792 | General Admission
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Alright! This open class is geared towards those who are comfortable with the basic workings of an Android tablet and/or phone. In this class, we will discuss topics like downloading apps, navigating the Google Play Store and other settings/troubleshooting issues that are raised during class. Please bring your questions; we will try and resolve some of them as a group. This class is ideal for people who identify themselves as "beyond the basics" users.
Tuesday, August 25 | 9:30am-10:30am | Berkshire Athenaeum | One Wendell Ave | 413-499-9480 | FREE
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Have a playful morning! A LEGO BRICKUMENTARY is a lively documentary about LEGO brick artists, master builders, and fans of all ages around the globe. Then explore your own creativity and inventiveness throughout the museum and in the hands-on Spark!Lab, where our mobile KaBOOM! Imagination Playground will make a special appearance.
Tuesday & Wednesday, August 25 & 26 | 11am | Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | $7.50 LEGO ticket for movie only; $2 LEGO ticket with Museum Admission; Members $2 LEGO ticket; Children 3 and under FREE admission to LEGO and Museum
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The Berkshire Hills Chorus of Sweet Adeline's International is a 22 member women's barbershop group. They travel around Berkshire County providing musical entertainment for the local community. Their Chorus draws its members from all over Berkshire County; the members range in age from 18 to 70. They sing a cappella in four-part harmony, barbershop style, and their repertoire includes ballads, show tunes, up-tunes, holiday songs, pop songs, and patriotic songs.
Tuesday, August 25 | 7pm | Performance Pavilion | First Street Common | FREE
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This is the final evening for Live on the Lake, brought to you by Live 95.9 and Greylock Federal Credit Union. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy concerts at beautiful Burbank Park on Onota Lake.
Wednesday, August 26 | 6pm-8pm | Lake Onota | FREE
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Spend an evening at Hogwarts at the final night of the Greylock Federal Credit Union FREE movie series at The Beacon. Tickets are FREE and will be issued on a first come first served basis beginning at 6pm, one hour before show time.
Wednesday, August 26 | 7pm | Beacon Cinema | 57 North Street | 413-358-4780 | FREE
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Coffee with a Cop brings police officers and the community members they serve together-over coffee-to discuss issues and learn more about each other.
Thursday, August 27 | 10:15am-11:15am | Juice N' Java Coffee Shop | 2 South Street | 413-236-8200| FREE
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Thursday: Knitting Circle at Dotties
Meet with like-minded knitters at this open circle. All levels are welcome. This group meets every Thursday, from 2pm-4pm.
Thursday, August 27 | 2pm-4pm | Dottie's Coffee Lounge | 444 North Street | 413-443-1792 | NO COVER
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The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires' Connecting with Community series will present "Charlotte Salomon: Painting a Life" with actress and Smith College acting professor Ellen Kaplan. This one-person show about a German Jewish artist who died tragically at Auschwitz at age 26. Kaplan will present this program in a one woman performance and use slides of Salomon's work. In addition to teaching at Smith College, Kaplan is a playwright and director whose work, much of which features Jewish themes, has been performed both nationally and internationally. She has been the recipient of numerous accolades and fellowships.
Thursday, August 27 | 10:45am-12pm | Congregation Knesset Israel | 16 Colt Road | 413-445-4872 | FREE
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It's time for Discover Tyler Streeet! This year, the theme is art, activity and innovation. The evening will feature displays by Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC), BCC, ROBOTS, 3D Printing and more. PLUS the usual assortment of fun, food, drink and entertainment! Zumba, music, car cruise-in, beer tent, the Roaming Railroad, Fiorini Funny Car, Fun Photo Booth, Bead Jewelry, Pallet Painting, Ceramic Crafts, Magician, Face Painting, Child IDs, Lion's Eye Van, Police Hummer, BHS Health Van, Mezzies, Tyler St Pizza, Chuck Wagon food, DARE Fried Dough, Hamburgers, Lion's Popcorn, Grampie's Hot Dogs and more. Join us for a family fun evening, activities for all ages!
Thursday, August 27 | 5pm-8pm | Corner of Tyler Street and Woodlawn Ave| FREE
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The Berkshire History Theatre moves into Arrowhead's big red barn for their new play, "I Am Pittsfield." Written and directed by Sally Filkins. Based on actual historical incidents culled from both written and oral history sources, I Am Pittsfield: The Immigrant Century explores the struggles and triumphs of successive waves of ethnic immigrants - Irish, African-American, French-Canadian, Polish and Italian - who arrived and settled in Pittsfield during the period 1840 - 1940. The play is set in Pittsfield locations ranging from the city's Underground Railroad Network to Pittsfield's burgeoning mid-nineteenth century woolen and cotton mills, to family homes in ethnic Pittsfield neighborhoods. "I Am Pittsfield" honors the achievements of the city's diverse founders, both famous and obscure.
Thursdays- Saturday, through August 29 | 7pm | Arrowhead | 780 Holmes Road | 413-442-1793 | $15-$25
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They Dance for Rain is partnering with artists of all media for "Soft Shoe BOOM!" an evening of art, dance, performance, food, fun and an UnSilent Auction of your artwork inspired by the Tap Shoe at The Whitney Center for the Arts in downtown Pittsfield! Pick up taps shoes to decorate at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts now!
Lichtenstein Center For The Arts| 28 Renne Ave | 413-499-9348 |FREE
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