Cultural Pittsfield This Week: Oct. 23-29| 10:45AM / Friday, October 23, 2015 | |
|
Office of Cultural Development | City of Pittsfield
|
|
 |
Celebrate #ArtsMatter Day with Mass Creative, a statewide creative advocacy organization. Share your #ArtsMatter story by showing and telling the world why arts matter to you. Share it on social media with the hashtag #ArtsMatterDay.
Click here for some examples.
|
 |
A special day for families who homeschool their children! Explore the Village at your own pace and learn about the Shakers' use of water and solar power, enjoy demonstrations of woodworking and blacksmithing, sing Shaker songs, visit the animals on the farm, learn more about bees, have a lesson in the schoolhouse, and take part in hands-on activities.
Friday, October 23 | 10:30am | Hancock Shaker Village | 1843 West Housatonic Street | 413-443-0188
|
 |
Little ones can explore the Aquarium and three Museum galleries! Each week features songs, stories, scavenger hunts, play time, and more. Check our weekly e-news for each week's theme. This program is geared towards children 18 months to 3 years. Older and younger siblings are always welcome.
Friday, October 23 | 11am-11:30am | Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | FREE
|
 |
Movie night featuring The Neverending Story. Cost of ticket includes pizza, craft and movie. Bring your own bean bag and snuggie. Please bring a pet food donation.
Friday, October 23 | 5pm-9pm | 214 Barker Road | 413-447-7878x129 | $20
|
 |
The Chicken Barbecue Dinner, served with beans, cole slaw and corn bread with apple crisp for dessert will be served at 6pm followed by the Tommy T Concert. Proceeds will go to the Thanksgiving Angels, the 14 faith-based groups in the City that provide Thanksgiving meals for an estimated 1,400 families, roughly between 5,000 and 6,000 men, women and children in our community.
Friday, October 23 | 5pm-7pm | South Congregational Church
| 110 South Street | 413-442-7357 | $15
|
 |
Friday and Saturday night are canvas and cocktail parties at the Dirty Brush Studios. On Friday is Fall Tree; paint with your choice of colors, add more leaves or change the tree. Saturday is Whimsy Tree, an all time favorite. The class includes three hours of individualized instruction, premium acrylic paints and supplies, snacks and BYOB. Call the studio to reserve your canvas.
Friday & Saturday, October 23 & 24 | 6pm-9pm | Dirty Brush Studios | 141 North Street | 413-442-9300 | $30
|
 |
In time for the Halloween season, These Mysterious Hills is presenting another series of the "Ghosts & Legends of Upstreet Pittsfield" historic downtown walking tour. Hosted by local folklorist and historian Joe Durwin, the tour explores some of the rich history of downtown Pittsfield through the lens of its folklore, legends, and mysteries. Beginning in front of the Pittsfield Common, this approximately 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 premier cultural venues.
Friday, Monday & Thursday, October 23, 26 & 29 | 7pm | Upstreet Cultural District | 413-499-9348 | $5
|
 |
Slow West : A Sundance-award-winning film about a 16-year-old boy who traverses 19th-century America in search of the girl he loves. Resilient: Within the context of historic drought and increasing urban demand, Resilient highlights the work of innovative farmers and ranchers across western Colorado who are adapting to a drier climate. Part of FILMS ON EXHIBIT, this series complements the American West exhibition with not-your-average cowboy films, taking viewers through the world of wild horses and the changing meaning of "frontier."
Friday, October 23| 7pm-9pm | Berkshire Museum | Little Cinema | 39 South Street |413-443-7171 | $7.50 Museum Members, $10 Museum Non Members
|
 |
Kicking off the Halloween festivities at the Tavern this Friday with 10 bands for $10! The night includes a Metal/Core Halloween costume party! There will be a cash prize for the best costume and there will be some consolation prizes as well! Get your tickets ahead of time from the bands that will be featured.
Friday, October 23 | 7pm | Tavern at the A | 303 Crane Ave | 413-448-9009 | $10 advance, $12 door
|
 |
Made in the Berkshires is a locally-grown festival of new works including theatre, film, dance, poetry, music, short stories, performance and visual art. The 5th annual festival features cutting-edge theatrical works performed as staged readings, live music, film, short stories and dance in a festival atmosphere like no other. New and innovative pieces as well as established work will be presented by local Berkshire County playwrights, actors, directors, musicians and performers. The Opening Night Celebration includes a reception for the Drawn art exhibit co-curated by Carrie Wright and Rebecca Weinman and a performance including Joe Wheaton, Nico Wohl and Andy Wrba with Darrow School Music Students, the Albany Berkshire Ballet, the Funk Box Dance Studio and so much more.
Events continue all weekend, culminating on Sunday night at Meet the Film makers Reception and Closing Festival Party: for passholders and invited guests. Click here for more information.
October 23-25 | Times Vary | Colonial Theatre | 111 South Street | 413-997-4444 | Prices Vary
|
 |
Immediately following the group lesson, please join us for two hours of social dancing! A great opportunity to practice your newly learned steps or dance to a great selection of specially selected music -- all in a very friendly environment. A Latin Line Dance will be taught. Lots of fun and light refreshments will be served!
Friday, October 23 | 8:15pm-10:15pm | Berkshire Yoga Dance and Fitness | Suite 201 | 55 North Street | 518-567-5394 | $10
|
 |
Come get fresh with us! Get your weekly fill of pasture-raised meats, eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, breads, baked goods, coffee, wine, cut flowers, plants and more. We want to thank YOU, our shoppers, for supporting the market all season long! Join us this Saturday for a very special day of thanks. Two words. Bouncy. House. Yes, we will have a free bouncy house, face painting and other family-fun activities. This is our second to last market day for the season, so don't miss out! From 11am to 1pm live music. The Market will run rain or shine. SNAP (EBT/Food Stamps) accepted.
Saturdays through October 31 | 9am-1pm | The Common | 1st Street and Eagle Street | info@farmersmarketpittsfield.org | NO COVER
|
 |
Zion Lutheran Church of Pittsfield will host its annual Tag Sale on Saturday. Parking is available in the public lot across the street. Tag sale includes household goods, holiday items, books, clothes and accessories. There will be raffles, baked goods and a cookie walk. Lunch is served from 11am until 2pm. Take out will be available!
Saturday, October 24 | 9am-3pm | Zion Lutheran Church | 74 First Street | 413-442-3525 | Free Will Donation
|
 |
In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and fellow yoga instructor Kala Gresser, this event will be filled with light and love with a full day of yoga, dance, music, cocktails and more! Classes are 9am-5pm, a free talk by Sudha Carolyn Lundeen at 5pm, cocktail party at 6pm and dance party at 8pm. Refreshments throughout the day. All proceeds from the event go towards Kala Gresser and her fight against breast cancer. For more information, to purchase tickets or to make a donation online please visit www.OneLoveBenefit.com.
Saturday, October 24 | 9am-10pm | Berkshire Yoga Dance and Fitness | Suite 201 | 55 North Street | 518-567-5394 | $10 donation per class
|
 |
Imagination Playground in a Cart™ is an innovative design in play equipment that encourages creativity, communication, and collaboration. Unstructured,
child-directed play has proven to help kids develop physically, emotionally, socially and intellectually and Imagination Playground™ provides a changing array of elements that allow children to turn their playground into a space constantly built and re-built by their imagination.
Saturday, October 24 | 10am-12pm |Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | FREE with museum admission
|
 |
Just in time for Halloween, director Kara Demler and makeup artist Rachel Fedderley of Spectrum Playhouse will share their tips and techniques for creating fabulous FX makeup.
Saturday, October 24 | 10am-11am |Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | FREE with museum admission
|
 |
For the second year, rows of American flags will line Park Square in recognition of veterans from Oct. 24 through Nov. 22. An opening ceremony for the Kiwanis Park of Honor will be held noon-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. The project is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Pittsfield, and is a tribute to those who have served or are currently serving. Each 3 foot by 5 foot flag will be tied with a yellow ribbon and will either represent a veteran or be dedicated to a group of veterans who served in one of the United States Armed Forces.
Saturday, October 24 | 12pm-1pm | Park Square| FREE
|
 |
Help prepare enticing feasts for the turtles, fish, chameleon, and even the blue-tongue skink in the Aquarium!
Saturday, October 24 | 12:30pm-1:30pm |Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | FREE with museum admission
|
 |
Come view Mass Audubon's annual statewide photo contest winners exhibit, Picture This: Your Great Outdoors along with pop-up gallery installations by Tribe Collective's Edward Moran and Candice Cimini-Farrell, and local artists John Houseman, Karen Karlberg, Susan Metcalfe LaRock, and Betsy Baczek. Closing Reception: Acoustic music by the fire, light refreshments, and silent auction of works donated by the artists. Admission to the closing reception includes access to trail system.
Saturday, October 24 | 6pm-8pm | Canoe Meadows | Holmes Road | 413-637-0320 | FREE
|
 |
The Berkshire Branch of the NAACP will be hosting its Freedom Fund Dinner 6:30-midnight, Saturday, Oct. 24 at the ITAM Lodge in Pittsfield. Tickets for the semi-formal event is $40 per couple; $20 per person. There will be a silent auction and 50/50 raffle. For tickets or more information, call Marlena Willis 413.841.6383 or Will Singleton at 413.445.5159.
Saturday, October 24 | 6:30pm-12am | Italian Itam Lodge | 93 Waubeek Road | $40 per couple; $20 per person
|
 |
The Gunfighter: A narrator (Nick Offerman, Parks and Recreation) sets up the story of a lone gunslinger who walks into a saloon. It's the narrator who turns out to be the bloodthirsty one in this short comedy. Cartel Land: A Sundance-award-winning work of adrenaline fuelled reportage, Cartel Land explores two different frontiers of the unsettled relationship between Mexico and the U.S. Part of FILMS ON EXHIBIT, this series complements the American West exhibition with not-your-average cowboy films, taking viewers through the world of wild horses and the changing meaning of "frontier."
Saturday, October 24 | 7pm-9pm | Berkshire Museum | Little Cinema | 39 South Street |413-443-7171 | $7.50 Museum Members, $10 Museum Non Members
|
 |
This special event benefits They Dance For Rain's programs in Nairobi, Kenya. This unusual evening begins with an "unsilent" auction of original visual artwork and sonic performances inspired by the sole tool of Tap Dance, the Tap Shoe. Included are Kenyan tastes for your palette, a cash bar and an Afro-pop, dance and projection party. Come for the whole event beginning at 7p for $50 or just for the Dance Projection Party at 9p for $25.
Saturday, October 24 | 7pm | Whitney Center For The Arts | 42 Wendell Ave | Dinner $50, Dance $25
|
 |
Bringing More Funny to the 413! Only $10 (in advance) to see 5 of the Funniest Nationally Touring Comedians! Hosted by Artie Rob, featuring Jess Miller, Kristine Blinn, Eryca Nolan, Marcellino Moose Hill and starring Danny Williams
Saturday, October 24 | 7:30pm | J. Allen's Clubhouse Grille | 41 North Street | 413-499-9998 | $10
|
 |
Tavern at the A has Mr. Doubtfire music this Saturday. Come jam out and dance! $5 cover and 21+ with ID.
Saturday, October 24 | 9pm | Tavern at the A | 303 Crane Ave | 413-448-9009 | $5
|
 |
Town Players of Pittsfield presents a staged reading of "Professor Roth's Will." The playwright directing this staged reading, is Joe Starzyk, who has been writing plays for over 30 years. This is a drama about four siblings who gather together for the reading of their father's will. The dysfunctional group gathers on the campus where their emotionally disconnected father was a long-time professor. All the family, and the siblings' personal trials and life long baggage come out as they begin to clean out his office. They realize that their father is still with them as they discover the real cost of being the child of the infamous Raymond H. Roth.
Sunday, October 25 | 2pm | Whitney Center For The Arts | 42 Wendell Ave| $5
|
 |
$40 per person includes glass of wine, a light nibble, and materials. Cash bar with beer and wine will be open. Sign up at Saucypalette.com
Sunday, October 25 | 2pm-5pm | Mission Bar + Tapas | 438 North Street | $40
|
 |
The Gunfighter: A narrator sets up the story of a lone gunslinger who walks into a saloon. It's the narrator who turns out to be the bloodthirsty one in this short comedy. Unbranded: Four Texas A&M University graduates adopt a small herd of wild mustangs, train them, and make a 3,000-mile journey from the Arizona-Mexican border up through the former "wild west" to the Canadian border. Part of FILMS ON EXHIBIT, this series complements the American West exhibition with not-your-average cowboy films, taking viewers through the world of wild horses and the changing meaning of "frontier."
Sunday, October 25 | 7pm-9pm | Berkshire Museum | Little Cinema | 39 South Street |413-443-7171 | $7.50 Museum Members, $10 Museum Non Members
|
 |
Negura Bunget (Transylvania) and Dynfari (Iceland) come to Pittsfield for their last night of their U.S. Tour! With Wandering Oak, Insension and Demonic Reign. $10 advance tickets available, $12 at door - or $10 with Halloween costume - or only $8 with a ticket stub from Friday's Halloween event.
Sunday, October 25 | 7pm | Tavern at the A | 303 Crane Ave | 413-448-9009 | $10 advance, $12 door
|
 |
The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires' Connecting with Community series will be joined by genealogist, Keren Weiner with "Finding Your Ancestors in Immigration & Naturalization Documents. Weiner conducts genealogy research for individuals seeking to learn more about their family origins. Travel back in time and learn how to find illuminating documents that chronicle your ancestors' migration to the United States.
Monday, October 26 | 10:45am-12pm | Congregation Knesset Israel | 16 Colt Road | 413-445-4872 | FREE
|
 |
Resilient: Within the context of historic drought and increasing urban demand, Resilient highlights the work of innovative farmers and ranchers across western Colorado who are adapting to a drier climate. Buck: Buck Brannaman, a true American cowboy and sage on horseback, travels the country for nine grueling months a year helping horses with people problems. Part of FILMS ON EXHIBIT, this series complements the American West exhibition with not-your-average cowboy films, taking viewers through the world of wild horses and the changing meaning of "frontier."
Monday, October 26 | 7pm-8:45pm | Berkshire Museum | Little Cinema | 39 South Street |413-443-7171 | $7.50 Museum Members, $10 Museum Non Members
|
 |
Join us in the Children's Library for StoryTime! For ages 1 1/2 - 5. No registration required. Children under age 10 must be accompanied by an adult, age 18 or older, at all times.
Tuesday, October 27 | 10am | Berkshire Athenaeum | One Wendell Ave | 413-499-9480 | FREE
|
 |
The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts hosts a new series of pottery classes led by Jim Horsford. This 6-week program will take people of any experience level through a step-by-step process on how to create pots, mugs and bowls using clay. Choose from either Tuesdays beginning October 27 or Thursdays beginning October 29.
Tuesdays or Thursdays, beginning October 27 or 29 | Tues 6:30-9pm Thurs 3:30-5pm | Lichtenstein Center for the Arts | 28 Renee Avenue | 413-243-3261 | $240
|
 |
BYP presents, Halloween Trivia Night at J.Allen's! Reserve your team's space now, as this popular event fills up fast! We will be accepting up to 10 teams with 5 people each. The cost per team is $15 (which works out to $3 per person!) There will be complimentary hors' douevres and a cash bar. The winning team will receive a $50 gift card to J. Allen's. To reserve your team's place, please email Jonah at Jonah.Sykes@berkshireunitedway.org
Tuesday, October 27 | 7pm-10pm | J. Allen's Clubhouse Grille | 41 North Street | 413-499-9998 | $15 per team
|
 |
Join us for STEM as we explore indoor and outdoor Science, Technology, Engineering and Math concepts. This program is designed for children ages 2 to 4 to teach concepts at a level where sensory exploration rules their world. Older and younger siblings are always welcome. Free, but reservations are required. Call 413-443-7171 x 334 or email
Wednesday, October 28 | 10:30-11am | Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street |413-443-7171 | FREE with Museum admission
|
 |
Join other artists, writers, designers, photographers, creative entrepreneurs, cultural employees, and more Berkshire creatives for this FREE networking event! This fall SPARK! will provide tons of opportunities to get to know other folks working in the creative economy in Berkshire County, as well as items in the outlet store at Pine Cone Hill and other companies/products by Annie Selke. It all kicks off with TOURS of Annie Selke Companies' facility at 4:45. Then come on back to the outlet store for some nibbles and drinks (shopping encouraged!!). A short speaking program will follow, then break out groups will meet in the corners of the store for intimate networking and idea-exchanging. There will be a final post-SPARK! tour of the facility at 7:30.
Wednesday, October 28 | 5:30pm | Pine Cone Hill | 125 Pecks Road | FREE
|
 |
Birds of a Different Feather Painting Workshops with Artist Jean O'Hearn. Six Sessions with a different feathered friend each time... Call to register and make a reservation today 413-499-0457.
Wednesday, October 28 | 6pm | The Berkshire Carousel Studio | 1440 East Street Suite #2 | 413-499-0457 | $35
|
 |
Celebrate Halloween with your neighbors and friends with crafts, games and trick or treating where kids go from car to car collecting treats after they help their families decorate their trunks! Your family is sure to have a haunted good time together in a safe environment. Parents! Please register your Trunk by Mon., Oct. 26 at the Y. In lieu of candy, please include healthier alternatives with your decorated trunks such as: Bubbles, Play-Doh, pretzels, stickers, pencils, granola bars, tattoos, flashlights, glow sticks, stamps, erasers, popcorn balls, raisins, fruit snacks, fruit roll-ups or crayons.
Wednesday, October 28 | 6:30pm | YMCA |
St. Joseph's Parking Lot
| 413-499-7650 x33 | $0.25/ticket or $5/35 tickets. At the event: $0.50/ticket or $5/30 tickets
|
 |
Brooke Van Poppelen is a NYC based comic, actress and writer, who has been seen on @Midnight, John Oliver's New York Stand Up Show, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, IFC's Comedy Drop, and currently hosts Hack My Life on truTV. Brooke has been a writer and producer for MTV's Girl Code, and recently released her own web series, Seeing Other People, to much critical acclaim.
Wednesday, October 28 | 8pm | Colonial Theatre | 111 South Street | 413-997-4444 | $10 advanced, $12 door
|
 |
An introduction to using a laptop computer, which will cover the following topics: What's on a computer keyboard; how to use the mouse and touchpad.
Thursday, October 29 | 9:30am-10:30am | Berkshire Athenaeum | One Wendell Ave | 413-499-9480 | FREE
|
 |
The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires' Connecting with Community series will be joined by Pittsfield Police Chief, Michael Wynn, for"Israel: Yesterday and Today." Chief Wynn was in the Northeast Counter Terrorism Seminar in January, 2013 and it was a life and career changing experience. He will share some of his observations and lessons learned as well as photos taken by members of the American contingent.
Thursday, October 29 | 10:45am-12pm | Congregation Knesset Israel | 16 Colt Road | 413-445-4872 | FREE
|
 |
Six sex trafficking survivors from around the country, who are leaders in their communities and beyond, will join us to share their stories and provide a lasting impression on our community.
Thursday, October 29 | 12:15pm | Koussevitsky Arts Center | Berkshire Community College | 1350 West Stret | 413-499-4660 | FREE
|
 |
Meet with like-minded knitters at this open circle. All levels are welcome. This group meets every Thursday, from 2pm-4pm.
Thursday, October 29 | 3pm-5pm | Dottie's Coffee Lounge | 444 North Street | 413-443-1792 | NO COVER
|
 |
Halloween Tap Take Over & Costume Party! Free Prizes, lots of brews! Join us for a night of fun!
Thursday, October 29 | 7pm-10pm | J. Allen's Clubhouse Grille | 41 North Street | 413-499-9998 | $15 per team
|
 |
Holy Laughter follows an Episcopal priest who finds that the reality of leading a church is radically and hilariously different than what she learned in seminary. As she wrestles with church finances, eccentric parishioners, changing sexual mores and her own doubting human heart, Abigail struggles to make peace with the realities of contemporary church life. Hymns, liturgical dance and a wicked tongue life Catherine Trieschmann's portrait of a small, struggling congregation to comic heights.
25% of the box office proceeds will be donated to the beneficiary chosen for this production, Berkshire based Hands in Outreach and Sisters for Peace and their girls education projects in Nepal.
Through November 22 | 7:30pm | Barrington Stage Company | 30 Union Street | 413-236-8888 | $15-$40
|
 |
Get creative this Holiday season for a great cause. This call for art is a chance to decorate a blank wreath that will be auctioned off during a live auction on December 4 (First Fridays Artswalk) at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts. There are only 50 wreaths available. $10 entry fee. First come, first served. Register today by sending your name and phone number to cultural@pittsfieldch.com. All proceeds will benefit the Pittsfield Food Pantries.
Please help us spread the word.
|
|
MEMBER SIGN IN
