Downtown Pittsfield… It’s Alive! Night Circus and Kids’ Zone: Saturday, October 19

Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. has announced the return of Downtown Pittsfield… It’s Alive! to celebrate the Halloween season. This year’s event will be on Saturday, October 19 and will feature 2 parts: a Kids’ Zone on the St. Joseph’s Church lawn from 12 to 3 pm; and a Night Circus from 4 to 7 pm on Dunham Mall, North Street, and School Street.

Downtown Pittsfield… It’s Alive! Kids’ Zone on the St. Joseph’s Church lawn (12-3PM) will feature a bounce house, Halloween-themed arts & crafts, games, face painting, giveaways, live entertainment, free popcorn, and more. Terry A La Berry and Puggy will play a concert for children and families from 1 to 2 pm. There will be live stilt walking (12-12:30 pm) and a hula hoop play area (1:30-2:30 pm) with LaLoopna Hoops, and a Star Wars-themed performance by Opal Raven Cirque at 12:15 and 2:15 pm.

There will be free activities provided by Berkshire Art Center, Berkshire Athenaeum, Berkshire Museum, Berkshire District Attorney’s Office, Child Care of the Berkshires ParentChild+ program, Flying Cloud Institute, Foster MA/Adopt MA, NBT Bank, Pittsfield Cultural Plan, Pittsfield Public Schools, and the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum. Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. will host a Halloween canvas painting activity. All Kids’ Zone activities are free, and costumes are encouraged. There will be a bake sale on site for snacks!

Terry A La Berry, renowned drummer for folk legend Arlo Guthrie, brings his magical tunes to captivate young hearts and create delightful memories for your family. His interactive performances are filled with laughter, joy, and toe-tapping rhythms, making every show an immersive musical journey.

For over four decades, Terry A La Berry has shared stages with icons like Pete Seeger, John Denver, and Bonnie Raitt, and his musical adventures have taken him to Carnegie Hall and even on a tour of Australia. When he isn’t touring with Arlo Guthrie, Terry crafts original songs and interactive experiences that leave kids smiling and grooving, making him a household name recognized by Parents’ Choice Awards.

Lee Nangeroni, also known by her bubbly alter ego LaLoopna Hoops, is a hoop dancer, stilt walker and fire performer from Sunapee, New Hampshire. Ever since childhood Lee has been naturally drawn to all aspects of the performing arts.

As a natural born performer, Lee takes her hoops for a spin anywhere and everywhere she can! Nothing makes her happier than losing herself in her circle and connecting with others who share her passion for all things flow. As a HoopLovers Certified Hoop Coach, her dream is to someday open her own studio so she can share the joy and peace of flow with anyone who is looking to reconnect with the creativity of their inner child, or simply find their own little oasis in the chaos of daily life.

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, there was a young Jedi warrior known for performing and entertaining all across the empire. Through sword, staff, and fan, Opal Raven channels the force through her spinning weapons. But power comes at a cost, and the dark side is strong in this one. Come join Opal as she performs at It’s Alive!, and maybe, you’ll get a chance to test your power with the force too!

The It’s Alive! Night Circus (4-7PM) will feature live music by the Housie Shakers, fire dancing with Opal Raven Cirque, belly dancing by Rosebud Red, live musical performances by H2GO, a beer garden at Hot Plate Brewing Co., food vendors (BB’s Hot Spot, Marie’s North Street Eatery, Otto’s Kitchen & Comfort, and Cravins Ice Cream), free Tarot and Rune readings, free Caricatures by Matt Bernson, free face-painting for adults, and select vendors including Always Love, Auntie Janet’s Gifts, Fandom Forge, and Truffles by Tarah. Tarot is with A. Whim and Rune readings are by Damon.

Opal Raven Cirque is a circus and sideshow performer based in Western Massachusetts. She’s known across New England and the Tri-State area for her “Danger Dame of the Flame” variety show. Also known as the Sword Queen of Gypsy Layne, Opal showcases masterful sword spinning, daring prop tricks, and some say she can even speak to snakes.

Rosebud Red aka Fiona Slattery is a burlesque and belly dancer in the Berkshires. Fiona uses dance to foster a deep connection to the mind, body, and soul, and to express freedom and femininity through movement. Fiona seeks to inspire others to find joy and empowerment in their own unique ways.

The Housie Shakers are a new band on the Berkshire music scene, but its members have deep local roots and have been playing music in the area for decades. All four members grew up in the Berkshires, and after various adventures living around the country and the world, returned here to raise their families. Having played together informally for various short-term projects in recent years, they decided the time was ripe to solidify the lineup and start playing out more.

The Housie Shakers bring a variety of styles to the mix, with wide-ranging covers and original music spanning rock, blues, pop, bluegrass, reggae, Americana, and improvisational groove. They don’t take themselves too seriously and have no ambitions to go on the road (as if the 12 kids they have collectively would make that possible anyway). They’re just out to play local gigs and give people a chance to hang out, let loose, dance, and have a good time! The band’s name is a nod to their home community and the people and places that have shaped their musical journeys.

The Housie Shakers are Simeon Bittman (drums & vocals), Noah Cook-Dubin (guitar, cavaquinho & vocals), Jonathan Denmark (guitar & vocals), and Colin Ovitsky (bass).

The rain location for the Downtown Pittsfield… It’s Alive! Kids’ Zone will be inside the McKay Street Parking Garage; and the rain location for the Night Circus will be Hot Plate Brewing Co.

Downtown Pittsfield… It’s Alive! is presented by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. thanks to support from Mill Town Foundation, MassDevelopment’s TDI (Transformative Development Initiative), The Feigenbaum Foundation, Pittsfield Cultural Council, and the City of Pittsfield.

For more information on Downtown Pittsfield… It’s Alive!, call Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. at 413-443-6501.