ArtWeek Berkshires is a county-wide celebration of the arts in all disciplines from September 16-26. ArtWeek is a collaboration of the five Cultural Districts in Berkshire County: Downtown Great Barrington, Lenox, North Adams, Pittsfield, and Williamstown. Pittsfield events include dance, visual art, history, and theatre!
Ongoing
Check out visual art shows and public art in downtown locations as part of First Fridays Artswalk. For more information and a link to the virtual walking tour, visit firstfridaysartswalk.com. FREE
Barrington Stage Company presents the world-premiere dance musical “A Crossing”, September 23 through October 17 on the Boyd-Quinson Stage, 30 Union Street. “Pulsing with energy and emotional intensity, this story about a group of migrants crossing the southern border is raw, visceral and electrifying — demonstrating the personal impact of crossing an ‘invisible line.’ This new dance musical ingeniously combines compelling lyrics, athletic choreography and elements of Mexican folk music to tell a remarkable tale of courage, fear and struggle.” To purchase tickets, click here.
Friday, September 17
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pittsfield, 175 Wendell Avenue, will host an artist reception for “Number One Job” with live performance poetry on Friday, September 17 at 7 pm. In “Number One Job”, artists Erica Manville (visual artist) and Melissa Quirk (poet) explore early days of motherhood through dimensions of poetry and visual art. FREE
Saturday, September 18
The Berkshire Museum, 39 South Street, will host the first installment of their all-new Art Chat program at 11 am on September 18. Enjoy a closer look at the art in their galleries and engage in conversations led by a museum educator, followed by a chance to do your own drawing and sketching. All ages are welcome, but the program is best enjoyed by visitors ages 6+. This program is included with regular museum admission.
Meet at the Hancock Shaker Village Visitor Center on September 18 at 1 pm for a free History Walk/Hike with Hancock Shaker Village staff. The moderate to strenuous hike of the Shaker Trail will include stops at remains of mill sites, the North Family dwelling site (active from 1821-1867), and the summit of the mountain, where the Shakers held special celebratory services twice a year in the mid-19th century. To register, call 413-443-0188 ext. 0 or email [email protected]. FREE
Friday, September 24
The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Avenue, will host Collaboration: A Conversation with Karen and Paul moderated by Jayne Benjulian on September 24 at 5:30 pm. The conversation will take place amongst THE CHASE / GRAUBARD SHOW, a visual arts exhibit featuring works by Karen Chase and Paul Graubard, on view at the gallery through September 25. FREE
Saturday, September 25
Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. will present Indoors Out! Dance on North on September 25, 5-7 pm, at Persip Park, 175 North Street, and Sotille Park, 200 North Street. The two downtown parks will host free outdoor dance performances by local (and nearby) performers. Performances include works by RawDance, Fiona Scruggs, Fern Katz, Danielle Galietti, and Molly Hess. Performances will loop over the course of the two-hour event, so there is time to catch the action at both locations. FREE (Rain date: Sunday, Sept. 26, 5 pm)
Tour the Historic Colonial Theatre at 111 South Street on September 25 at 10 am. Bill Munn will be your guide through the history of the gilded age Colonial Theatre owned by Berkshire Theatre Group. Hear the story of the 1903 world-class theatre, movie house, National Historic Treasure appointment by Hillary Clinton, restoration, and 2006 grand re-opening. To register, email [email protected] or call 413- 448-8084 ext. 18. FREE
The 2nd Annual Drive Walk Bike by Art Show will pop up in Pittsfield neighborhoods on September 25 from 2-6 pm. Participating artists will display visual art on their porches, trees, lawns, driveways, garages, etc. for one afternoon only. The rain date is Sunday, September 26, 2–6 pm. For a map of participating locations, stay tuned to the Facebook event. FREE
Also on September 25, visit the Open Studios of painter Dr. Mark Mellinger at 100 North Street, the Agricultural Bank Building, rooms 303 and 332. You can also make an appointment to tour his studios by phone reservation at 914-260-7413. FREE
Michael Coyne will be in front of Hotel on North, 297 North Street, displaying paintings and canvas prints of his acrylics and watercolors on September 25 at 2 pm. FREE
You can view all ArtWeek events in Berkshire County by clicking here!
Header Image: then + now by Ellie Spangler on view September-October at Hotel on North, 297 North Street