PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city's annual 10x10 Festival celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, continuing its tradition of highlighting the city's vibrant atmosphere with events that have become iconic for many. 

 

Beginning Thursday and running through Sunday, Feb. 22, festivalgoers have the opportunity to choose from more than 50 events to celebrate the winter season. All events can be found here. 

 

Winter in the Berkshires is cold and this festival gives people an excuse to get out of the house in the dead of winter and experience the eclectic things the city has to offer from art, music, and an array of other adventures, said Jennifer Glockner, cultural development director.  

 

"I think that people know a lot about the cool things that happen in Pittsfield year round, but there's a lot of people that think that the ‘season' is in the summer. So, this festival in the winter … shows people that there are things to do all year round in Pittsfield," she said. 

 

"It showcases Pittsfield in a different season than the summer, and some of it embraces the outdoors and so people can really bundle up and get outside [or go to one of the many indoor events.]" 

 

In the past, over the course of the festival, more than 10,000 people have come out, Glockner said. 

 

Berkshire County business and organizations and the city's Office of Cultural Development joined forces to encourage community members to get outside and experience the city, known for being at the heart of the Berkshires. 

 

"The 10x10 Upstreet Arts Festival is the perfect opportunity to bundle up, get outside and enjoy all that winter has to offer," Pittsfield Mayor Peter Marchetti, said in the press release. 

 

"With more than 50 events over the course of the festival, it truly has something for everyone. You won't want to miss it."

 

Approximately 25 venues, organizations, businesses and restaurants are hosting or sponsoring events or participating in Restaurant Week, Glockner said. 

 

"I like winter in the Berkshires because there's lots of outdoor activities going on throughout the winter, but the 10x10 festival has 10 days of multiple activities per day. So the atmosphere is electric, it's fun, it's artistic, it's musical, it's theatrical. There's dancing, there's the 10 by 10 new play festival. There's outdoor fun with the winter Fest on Monday. There's fireworks. So there's something to do every day for people of all ages,

 

Kicking off the series of events is the exhibition at the city's Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, located in the same building as the Office of Cultural Development, on Thursday, Feb. 12, from 5 to 7. 

 

As part of the festival, the center holds a show featuring a theme centered around the number 10. This year's exhibit is called "AbstractTen" and features works from 10 regional abstract artists, Glockner said. 

 

Another event that has become a quintessential part of the festival is the Barrington Stage Company's 10x10 New Play Festival, which has been extended this year because of its success, she said. 

 

"That every year is amazing. One minute you're crying and the next minute you're laughing hysterically, there's 10, 10-minute plays in the 10x10 New Play Festival," Glockner said. 

 

In celebration of the festival's 15th birthday, Hot Plate Brewing Co. has partnered with Barrington Stage to host a Quinceañera Party on Monday, Feb. 16, from 6 to 9 p.m. 

 

During the event, the brewery will be releasing a traditional Mexican lager, have a DJ playing an eclectic, multimedia set, and will have a food pop-up. 

 

A new gallery, Sanctum Gallery, located at 148 North St., is having its grand opening as part of the festival on Saturday, Feb. 14, from 1 to 6 p.m., with an inaugural art exhibit, "When Listening Becomes the Lens" by the center's founder Tracy Squires. 

 

Jacob's Pillow is also continuing its involvement with a Community Shouts event on Friday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church. 

 

Artists Reggie Wilson and Michel Kouakou, of Reggie Wilson/Fist and Heel Performance Group, will lead interactive sing-alongs, inviting people to connect through rhythm and movement to songs and stories from Africa and the Diaspora, including the Caribbean and American South.

 

Every year, the festival features ice sculpting; however, this year the city will be taking a break from the activity because of the Berkshire Museum's construction and scheduling conflicts with one of the artists.  

 

Despite the cancellation of the ice sculpting, the museum is still participating in the event by partnering with Hancock Shaker Village for its Big Chill event. 

 

The Big Chill is a two-day event featuring blacksmithing and woodworking demonstrations, wood carving, a fire pit, sledding and snow activities, and more. 

 

Don't miss out on the maple tree tapping demonstration on Saturday or the ice house talks on Sunday. 

 

The museum is known for its spring baby animals season but in the winter it has a completely different feel, said Caroline Holland, the Village's executive director and CEO, during last year's event. 

 

"The winter is so different. It's beautifully stark, and it kind of has a similar Shaker theme," she said. 

 

"They're very simple, their lines are clean, and I think that in the winter, you can really celebrate the architecture, specifically because you get to really narrow in on the buildings, and they're outlined against the white snow." 

 

During the event, the Berkshire Museum will have an interactive display in the Poultry House. 

 

Check out the photos from last year's event here. 

 

Fireworks will also return to the festival this year on Saturday, Feb. 21, starting at 6 on First Street. The fireworks will be launched at The Common so the park will be closed during this time. Viewing areas will be available in the First Street Municipal Lot.

 

Prior to the event, Berkshire United Way is having a 10x the Fun event, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. featuring children's activities, popcorn, and information/resources from nonprofits. 

 

Participants can also get a chance to see several of the nonprofits making an impact in the area with the 'Reel Good' screening at the Berkshire Athenaeum on Wednesday, Feb. 18, from 3 to 5, showcasing short videos from nonprofit organizations across the county, followed by a brief panel with nonprofit leaders as they share what's ahead for the sector this year. 

 

The festival also provides an opportunity to give back to a local non-profit, Roots Rising, with an Art Switch Benefit at Dottie's Coffee Lounge. 

 

"I cannot actually wait to go to this …They paint, they pass the art, and then the other artist paints, they pass the art and the other artist paints," Glockner said. 

 

"So, there's 10 different artists that are taking part in making these one of a kind art pieces." 

Tickets are $20 online, $25 at the door. 

 

The event also features one on-the-house drink, music, snacks, and a Fresh Art Benefit auction. 

 

The festival coincides with the city's monthlong restaurant promotion, Taste of Downtown Pittsfield.  

 

Until Feb. 28, restaurantgoers can scan a QR code at a participating restaurant to register their visit.

 

Each purchase at a participating restaurant counts as an entry for a chance to win the Taste of Downtown Giveaway for a prize of 18 gift cards, one from each participating restaurant, a more than $400 value.

 

Ask your server for the QR code when you order. There's no limit to the number of entries per location.