June 6 First Fridays at Five
6/6 UPDATE: RAIN LOCATIONS ARE IN EFFECT
The City of Pittsfield, Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI), and the Downtown Pittsfield Cultural Association (DPCA) have announced details for the June 6 First Fridays at Five sponsored by MountainOne. 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!
Persip Park, 175 North Street, will feature a live performance by the Housie Shakers from 5 to 8 pm. Enjoy a beer garden from Hot Plate Brewing Co. and local food vendors within the vicinity.
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).
In the case of inclement weather, the Housie Shakers will be at Price Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, 27 East Street.
Dunham Mall, 100 North Street, will feature Dance on Dunham with Aimée Gelinas, Dan Cohen, Noel Staples-Freeman, and The Berkshire Rhythm Keepers from 5 to 8 pm.
This dynamic performance features stories and the cultural context of the rhythms, audience participation, and guest dancers.
The schedule will be as follows:
5:15 to 6 pm: Berkshire Rhythm Keepers led by Aimee & Dan with Noel as a guest dancer
6:15 to 7 pm: Interactive dance with Noel and audience participation plus live drumming and recorded music
7 to 7:15 pm: Berkshire Rhythm Keepers led by Aimee & Dan with Noel as a guest dancer
7:15 to 8 pm: Interactive dance with Noel and audience participation plus live drumming and recorded music
The Berkshire Rhythm Keepers are an intergenerational, multi-level community drum and song group founded and led by Aimée Gelinas M.Ed, Director of the Tamarack Hollow Nature and Cultural Center and co-founder of Gaia Roots and Trio Candela. The group is assisted by Dan Cohen. BRK participants attend Aimee’s weekly Monday evening drum and song classes at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts in Pittsfield, which is open to beginners, intermediate and advanced drummers. The group performs traditional music on folkloric instruments from West Africa and the Caribbean, as well as original creations. Members of BRK have been studying and performing together for 15+ years.
Noel Staples-Freeman is a lifelong educator, performer, and cultural ambassador based in Pittsfield. A graduate of Emerson College with a B.S. in Children’s Theatre/Performing Arts and Dance, Noel has dedicated over five decades to teaching and the performing arts both locally and internationally. Her formal dance training began at age 11 at The Billie Pope School of Dance in Roxbury, MA, and continued at The Boston Conservatory of Music, The Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts in Dorchester, The Art of Black Dance and Music in Cambridge, and the Koumpo West African Dance Company in Boston. Noel’s distinguished career includes notable performances such as the celebration of Nelson Mandela’s historic visit to Boston in 1990, appearances in DanceAfrica at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and performances at Jacob’s Pillow, where she also served as a teaching artist. Her work at Jacob’s Pillow helped introduce audiences and students to the richness of African and African Diaspora dance traditions. Guided by a deep commitment to being in community and with the people, Noel’s journey has brought her to Jamaica, Antigua, Senegal, Benin, and Ghana. These experiences have deepened her understanding of cultural traditions and reinforced her mission to honor and uplift the voices, movements, and stories of the African Diaspora.
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 June 6 from 5 to 8 pm, Isabel Rosenthal will be popped up in Palace Park (near 122 North Street), inviting the community to watch her paint and alter recycled clothing. She will be discussing her process with all who are interested.
Isabel Rosenthal is 14 years old and grew up in Williamstown and Adams, Massachusetts. Isabel specializes in painting clothing and has a strong interest in fashion. She is inspired by women artists, such as Jenny Saville and Barbara Kruger, who incorporate feminism and female empowerment into their art. Isabel finds that painting, especially on unconventional surfaces, heightens her perspective and makes the world more interesting. “Art in the Park” is supported by the Feigenbaum Foundation.
Jim Horsford will also be in Palace Park hosting a free live pottery demonstration from 5 to 8 pm where he will be inviting individuals to help him make pots on the potter’s wheel. Jim spent 30 years as an art teacher at Herberg Middle School from 1978 to 2008. Currently, he teaches pottery on the wheel at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts where he has been since 2000. His creations will be available for purchase.
In the case of inclement weather, “Art in the Park” with Isabel Rosenthal and Pottery with Jim Horsford will be inside the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts at 28 Renee Avenue.
The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renee Avenue, will present The Three B’s Jazz Combo from 5 to 6:30 pm. The Three B’s Jazz Combo is the top jazz ensemble at Pittsfield High School. They have won three awards at the Clark Terry Jazz Festival, one being an Honorable Mention for overall group. They have performed live at Shire Tavern in Dalton and WANDER in Pittsfield. Members are Aiden Hyatt – keyboard, Anna Newell – tenor sax, Maverick Roberts – guitar, James Smith – alto sax, and Isabella Williams – drums.
The Lichtenstein will also host an opening reception for “Mixed Bag” by JJ Tobin, an abstract art show featuring paintings and sculptures from the past and present, on Friday, June 6, 5 to 8 pm. JJ Tobin will be present.
The Albany Berkshire Ballet will perform at 5:30 pm on the south end of North Street close to Park Square. The ABB Junior Company and Academy dancers of the Cantarella School of Dance, along with the senior dance team of the Cantarella School of Dance, will perform excerpts from the ballet Cinderella and a contemporary piece by ABB dancer Ruslan Sprague. In the case of inclement weather, the performance will be at Price Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, 27 East Street.
Berkshire Theatre Group’s young company of artists will perform a snippet from the Magic Tree House: Pirates Past Noon KIDS at 6:30 pm on the south end of North Street close to Park Square. In the case of inclement weather, the performance will be at Price Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, 27 East Street.
Magic Tree House: Pirates Past Noon KIDS is an adaptation of the fourth of Mary Pope Osborne’s award-winning fantasy adventure books from the Magic Tree House book series, which has sold more than 100 million copies and is available in more than a hundred countries around the world.
This time around, Jack and Annie’s tree house takes them to an exotic island with pirates, where the two discover the power of friendship and the simple pleasures in everyday life.
Magic Tree House: Pirates Past Noon KIDS features a book by Will Osborne and Jenny Laird, lyrics by Will Osborne and Randy Courts, and music by Randy Courts. The musical is co-directed by David Adkins and Kathy Jo Grover with musical direction by Erin M. White and choreography by Kathy Jo Grover.
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, Braidy Bunch, Christina Marie Coastal, Dawn to Dusq, Fandom Forge, Home Interior Art and Design, Just a Knit of Love, Lamaria, Lovey’s Bakery, Mindset Personalized, onpoint grafix, Plushy Pals, Raja Design, The Purse Lady, Truffles by Tarah, Widget’s Apparel, Yarnablaze, and Yarn4U.
There will be a Beer Garden on School Street hosted by Hot Plate Brewing Co.
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 County Board of Realtors, Berkshire County Head Start/CFCE, Berkshire County Historical Society, Berkshire County Kids Place, Berkshire Family YMCA, Berkshire Medical Center, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission – SPARK Coalition, Berkshire Thunder & Lightning, Elizabeth Freeman Center, Foster MA/Adopt MA, Girls Inc. of the Berkshires/Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center, J.S. Bryant School, Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum, The Berkshire Eagle, The Mount – Edith Wharton’s Home, United States Air Force & Space Force, and Western Massachusetts Labor Action.
There will be an ADA and Disability Awareness Celebration presented by the Pittsfield Commission on Disabilities, offering a fun and interactive educational experience. There will be a braille activity, ASL information, and more.
There will also be lawn games in the center of North Street, and Bowie the Clown will be crafting free balloon creations.
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, Berkshire Theatre Group, Clock Tower Artists, Dottie’s Coffee Lounge, 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 June 6. The Art Shuttle will make stops at City Hall, Berkshire Carousel, 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 City Hall every half hour starting at 5 pm with the last ride departing City Hall at 7:30 pm. (This is the updated route as of JUNE 6)
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 by to participate in a free art activity with the guidance and support of a faculty artist.
Hot Plate Brewing Co., 1 School Street, will feature Sing Out Loud: A Berkshire Pride Karaoke Fundraiser starting at 5 pm. Every song submission requires a small donation to Berkshire Pride, and you can raise your voice and your donation by competing to climb higher on the song list. The more you donate, the higher you’ll be on the list to showcase your favorite tunes, and thanks to Temescal Wellness, $1 will be donated to Berkshire Pride for every beer poured at the event.
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 Life Insurance Company of America.
For more information and a full event listing, visit https://lovepittsfield.com/first-fridays.
Thank you to Brick by Brick Markets for day-of vendor coordination.
North Street will be closed from Park Square to Columbus Avenue on Friday, June 6 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.