August 1 First Fridays at Five, 5 to 8 pm

 

The City of Pittsfield, Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI), and the Downtown Pittsfield Cultural Association (DPCA) have announced details for the August 1 First Fridays at Five sponsored by Guardian. The event will feature live music, art, dance, family fun, shopping, food, two beer gardens, and entertainment throughout downtown Pittsfield. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs so they can sit and enjoy a variety of food, beverages, and entertainment!

 

Be sure to stop by Guardian’s booth who will be offering free snow cones and school supplies!

 

Persip Park, 175 North Street, will feature a live performance by the band Hidden Frequency from 5 to 8 pm. Enjoy a beer garden from Hot Plate Brewing Co. and local food vendors within the vicinity.

 

Hidden Frequency is an alternative rock trio hailing from the heart of the Berkshires in Pittsfield, MA. Fusing raw emotion with heavy riffs and melodic grit, the band channels the energy of classic rock through a modern, alternative lens.

 

Longtime friends, Steven Dubuque on guitar and vocals, Mike Morse on bass, and Mitch Gladu on drums, stay committed to bringing good, original music to Western MA.

 

From stage to studio, Hidden Frequency brings raw presence and passion to a world full of noise and static, they’re the signal you don’t want to miss.

 

In the case of inclement weather, Hidden Frequency will be at Price Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, 27 East Street.

 

Dunham Mall, 100 North Street, will feature line dancing with Berkshire Sole Society at “Dance on Dunham” from 5 to 8 pm.

 

Berkshire Sole Society is a Berkshire-based soul line dancing crew bringing together rhythm, movement, and community one step at a time. Founded by Erica Shrader and powered by Women of the Westside+, their meetups are packed with smooth steps, feel-good music, and unapologetic joy. Whether you’re a seasoned stepper or just learning your first slide, there’s always room for you on the dance floor. Come for the steps, stay for the vibe.

 

Dance on Dunham is presented in partnership with Mill Town Foundation.

 

In the case of inclement weather, Dance on Dunham will be at WANDER Berkshires, 34 Depot Street, Suite 101.

 

Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and First Fridays Artswalk will feature a different “Art in the Park” artist each month of the First Fridays at Five Season. On August 1 from 5 to 8 pm, Ma’leek Adams-Powell will be popped up in Palace Park (near 122 North Street), inviting the community to watch him create live and discussing his process with all who are interested.

 

Ma’leek Adams-Powell is a multidisciplinary artist from Pittsfield, MA, working between the Berkshires and NYC. His work blends graffiti, mixed media, and 3D Elements; often using old spray paint cans, large canvases, and overlooked material to explore memory, decay, and survival. Rooted in hip-hop and childhood nostalgia, Ma’leek paints the beauty in what’s broken or overlooked. His mission is simple: to be seen amongst the rubble when everything else fades. “Art is my record. My resistance. A reminder that I was here.”

 

In the case of inclement weather, “Art in the Park” with Ma’leek Adams-Powell will be inside the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts at 28 Renee Avenue.

 

DJ Champ will be the featured First Fridays at Five DJ for August and will be stationed on North Street closer to Park Square.

 

New Jersey born, DJ Champ has been lighting up the dance floor since 2008. Doing everything from celebrity events to the smallest of venues, there’s nothing DJ Champ hasn’t touched when it comes to entertainment. One thing you’ll be sure of is that when he is around the vibe will be great. He has been featured on MTV, VH1, Sirius XM, and many more major distribution avenues and also featured locally on Star 101.7 FM. Specializing in weddings, nightclubs, concerts, corporate events, birthdays and more, there’s nothing he can’t handle.

 

The Makers Market at First Fridays at Five will be on North Street and will feature over a dozen local vendors selling handmade products such as crafts, clothing and accessories, candles, art, custom gift items, self-care items, and packaged foods and sweets. Makers include ATK Custom, Autumn Phoenix Photography, BerkshireSci Biscuits LLC, Braidy Bunch, Fandom Forge, Home InteriorArt and Design LLC, Just a Knit of Love, Lamaria, Mindset Personalized, Plushy Pals, The Purse Lady, Truffles by Tarah, Widget’s Apparel, Yarn4U, and Yarnablaze.

 

There will be a Beer Garden on School Street hosted by Hot Plate Brewing Co. from 5 to 8 pm. At 7 pm, inside their Taproom, there will be a performance by Blackpool.

 

The Family Fun Zone at First Fridays at Five will be on North Street and will feature free, interactive activities from local non-profit organizations including face-painting, arts & crafts, games, and more.

 

Participating organizations include Barrington Stage Company, BART Charter Public School, Berkshire Athenaeum, Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention, Berkshire Community Action Council, Berkshire County Board of Realtors, Berkshire County Head Start/CFCE, Berkshire County Historical Society, Berkshire County Kids Place, Berkshire District Attorney’s Office, Berkshire Family YMCA, Berkshire Medical Center, Berkshire Museum, Berkshire Music School, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission – SPARK Coalition, Berkshire Thunder & Lightning, Child Care of the Berkshires (ParentChild+ program), CleanSlate Centers, Elizabeth Freeman Center, Foster MA/Adopt MA, Living in Recovery, Mass Audubon, Mental Health Support For Families (MHSFF), Pittsfield Little League, Safe Swim Berkshires, Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum, The Berkshire Eagle, The Great Josh Billings RunAground, United States Air Force & Space Force, and Western Massachusetts Labor Action.

 

The Berkshire County Sheriff’s Office will be offering the Child ID Project at the August 1st First Fridays at Five. This free service creates a digital ID with fingerprints, photo, physical description, and emergency contacts, which is stored in a secure national database. If a child ever goes missing, this information can help law enforcement respond quickly and effectively, nationwide. The process only takes a few minutes and gives families added peace of mind.

 

There will also be lawn games in the center of North Street, and Bowie the Clown will be crafting free balloon creations.

 

Check out a variety of food vendors at the August First Fridays at Five including BB’s Hot Spot, Chill Zone Snow Cone Factory, Cravins Ice Cream, D’S Island Food Truck, Just Kickin’ It Bar-B-Que, La Chalupa Y La Enchilada, UpStreet Smoke, and Patriot Pop who will be serving lemonade!

 

Witch Slapped, 78 North Street, will host “Reading with Rebel” from 5 to 7 pm. Drag queen, Miz Rebel Progress, has teamed up with Witch Slapped to promote literacy at this storytelling event. All children who attend will leave with a free book. The event is free, but donations to the Witch Slapped Community Fund are welcomed.

 

First Fridays Artswalk will showcase artists at venues throughout downtown Pittsfield from 5 to 8 pm including Berkshire Art Center, Clock Tower Artists, Creahub Makerspace by Latinas413, Framework by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., Hotel on North, Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, Living in Recovery, Marketplace Cafe, Ralph Froio Senior Center, Roots and Dreams and Mustard Seeds, Soda Chef, and TKG Real Estate. Follow a virtual walking tour on the free Downtown Pittsfield App and enjoy opening receptions with the artists.

 

A free Art Shuttle provided and operated by RSVP Volunteers will take you to five locations throughout downtown during the First Fridays at Five on August 1. The Art Shuttle will make stops at Persip Park, City Hall, Clock Tower Artists, the Framework by DPI Gallery at the corner of North and Linden Streets, and Hotel on North. The Art Shuttle will depart Persip Park at the corner of North Street and Columbus Avenue every half hour starting at 5 pm with the last ride departing Persip Park at 7:30 pm.

 

The Berkshire Art Center (BAC), 141 North Street, will host a special First Fridays Artswalk activity on Friday, August 1 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

 

Berkshire Art Center is thrilled to be part of “The Berkshires Satellite Reef” — a local contribution to the world-renowned “Crochet Coral Reef Project” by artists Christine and Margaret Wertheim and the Institute for Figuring.

 

This global, community-powered art initiative invites people of all ages and skill levels to crochet pieces that will become part of a stunning, life-sized coral reef installation to be exhibited at Williams College’s ’62 Center for Theatre & Dance in the Spring of 2026.

 

Stop by during the First Friday Artswalk to learn more, get inspired, and maybe even try your hand at crocheting a coral of your own!

 

Peace Train Tees at 2 South Street is celebrating their 15 Anniversary on Friday, August 1, from 5 to 8 pm! There will be live music featuring Mike Sacco and Friends, giveaways, one-day-only deals and discounts, food and drinks, games and more. One lucky attendee will win a $250 gift certificate!

 

After the event, join the First Fridays Afterparty at “Depot After Dark” from 8 to 11 pm!

 

Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., Tito’s Mexican Bar & Grill, and Wander Berkshires will present “Depot After Dark” outside on Liberty Street (the alleyway between Tito’s/Wander and Crawford Square).

 

Beverages including beer, wine, and margaritas will be available from Tito’s, and non-alcoholic “zero proof” cocktails and other specialty drinks will be available from Wander. Attendees are invited to bring their own food or order takeout from Tito’s.

 

The DJ for the evening is Jason Manatee, an electronic music producer, performer, and DJ known for his genre-blending sets and playful, immersive soundscapes. Drawing from a wide spectrum of electronic styles — ranging from house and techno to experimental beats, he brings a vibrant, unpredictable energy to the stage. Whether showcasing his original productions or spinning eclectic DJ sets, he’s all about breaking boundaries and creating a dance floor experience that’s both fun and forward-thinking.

 

First Fridays at Five is led by the City of Pittsfield and Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and will take place in downtown Pittsfield on May 2, June 6, August 1, and September 5. A portion of North Street will be closed during the event.

 

Season partners and sponsors include AccessPlus, MountainOne, and Guardian.

 

Thank you to Brick by Brick Markets for day-of vendor coordination.

 

For more information and a full event listing, visit https://lovepittsfield.com/first-fridays.

 

 

North Street will be closed from Park Square to Columbus Avenue on Friday, August 1 from 3 to 8:30 pm. Drivers are asked to seek alternate routes during this timeframe and follow appropriate detours. In addition, a parking restriction will be in place on North Street between Park Square and Columbus Avenue starting at 2 pm on Friday.