June 7 First Fridays at Five

The City of Pittsfield, Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI), and the Downtown Pittsfield Cultural Association (DPCA) have announced details for the June 7 First Fridays at Five. The event will feature live music, art, dance, family fun, shopping, food, and entertainment throughout downtown Pittsfield.

Headlining the June 7th event is the Happy Together Band on the mobile City Stage from 6 to 8 pm. This group is comprised of 7 members and features keyboard, two guitars, bass, drums, and vocals galore including two female leads with pitch perfect harmonies that will transport you back to the 1960s. Members are Tony Gubelman, Phil Grover, Matt McKeever, Tom Kitterman, Bob Jones, Michele Marano, and Melissa Campbell. The City Stage will be located at the south end of the road closure on North Street near Park Square. City Stage entertainment will move inside in the case of inclement weather.

From 5 to 6 pm, Jacob’s Pillow takes over the City Stage. There will be an all-ages street dance performance by New York City’s KR3T’s Dance Company, and at the end of the hour, they will be joined by the Wandering Dance Society who will lead a dance circle for all who wish to participate.

KR3Ts Dance Company strives to broaden the notion of what a dancer is, and to promote the preservation of ethnic and cultural dances based in Spanish Harlem. The dance company provides a positive alternative to social and street pressures among children and young adults in lower and middle-income families in Latino communities of New York City, mainly by providing dance classes and support programs in a non-discriminating atmosphere.

Persip Park, 175 North Street, will feature The Pug and John Show from 5 to 8 pm as part of the free Downtown Pittsfield Summer Music Series; and Jim Horsford will be hosting a free live pottery demonstration at Palace Park where he will be inviting individuals to help him make pots on the potter’s wheel. Sotille Park, at the corner of North and Eagle Street, will feature Poppy DaBubbly (she/her) & JV (she/they) – two storytellers who will be providing a Pride-themed Drag Story Hour at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 pm.

The Makers’ Market at First Fridays at Five will be on North Street between School Street and Fenn Street and will feature over two dozen local artisanal vendors who make their own, handmade products such as crafts, clothing and accessories, candles, art, custom gift items, self-care items, and packaged foods and sweets.

The Family Fun Zone at First Fridays at Five will be on Dunham Mall and will feature free, interactive activities from local non-profit organizations including face-painting, arts & crafts, games, and more. Participating organizations include the Berkshire Athenaeum, BeatNest, CleanSlate Centers, Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center, Pittsfield Public Schools, the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum, and many others. Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. will host a Free Kids’ Paint & Sip at the top of Dunham Mall at 100 North Street, and there will be Balloon Art on Dunham Mall.

Hot Plate Brewing Co. is teaming up with Berkshire Pride and Otto’s Kitchen & Comfort for a Beer Garden on School Street from 5 to 8 pm. School Street will be closed to traffic so you can take your beers outside, grab some delicious bites from Otto’s, and play some family-friendly games. Inside the taproom, Berkshire Pride and Temescal Wellness will be hosting their second annual Pay to Sing Karaoke Fundraiser supporting Berkshire Pride. With a small donation for each song, you’ll be able to belt out your favorites!

First Fridays Artswalk will showcase dozens of artists at venues throughout downtown Pittsfield from 5 to 8 pm including Berkshire Art Center, Dottie’s Coffee Lounge, Hotel on North, the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, Marie’s North Street Eatery and Gallery, and others. Follow a virtual walking tour on the free Downtown Pittsfield App and enjoy opening receptions with the artists. Visit the free Open Studios event at the Clock Tower from 5 to 8 pm. A free art shuttle to and from the Clock Tower Artist Studios will run from 5 to 7 pm – every 15 minutes from City Hall on Allen Street. The Art Shuttle is provided and operated by RSVP Volunteers.

Berkshire Art Center, 141 North Street, will feature Free Drop-in Art Making from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. All ages are welcome to stop in to participate in a free art activity with the guidance and support of a faculty artist.

There will be many downtown restaurants serving food outside during the event or stick around for a bite after 8. There will be live music with local cover band, Mr. Doubtfire, at Dorothy’s Estaminet, 438 North Street, from 7 to 10 pm, and the North Adams SteepleCats will be playing a home game on the road at Wahconah Park at 6:30 pm!

First Fridays at Five is a brand-new event led by the City of Pittsfield and Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. taking place in downtown Pittsfield from May-September. A portion of North Street and School Street will be closed during the event.

Season partners and sponsors include the Feigenbaum Foundation, Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, Mill Town Foundation, MountainOne, and the Pittsfield Cultural Council.

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

North Street will be closed from Park Square to Depot Street on Friday, June 7 from 3:30 to 8 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 Depot Street starting at 2 pm on Friday.