August 2 First Fridays at Five: Friday, August 2, 5 to 8 pm

The August 2nd First Fridays at Five will feature live music, art, dance, family fun, shopping, food, and entertainment throughout downtown Pittsfield.

The Berkshire United Way (BUW) (August’s Community Partner) and The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (August’s Presenting Sponsor) will be celebrating the BUW’s 100^th Birthday with a Birthday Bash! DJ Pup Daddy (aka Tim Dupree) of Pup Daddy Productions will headline the August 2nd event on the mobile City Stage playing summertime dance classics from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and today – songs fit to celebrate 100 years. DJ Pup Daddy is an avid music fan and has been a vinyl hound since he was a pup – he loves spinning the 45s!

The Berkshire United Way team and partner organizations will be offering family friendly crafts, games, and giveaways. A Berkshire United Way Book House will be on site providing free children’s books. The community is invited to give back during the First Fridays at Five through Berkshire United Way’s annual August School Supply Drive. Help BUW Fill a Ford with supplies to support the Pittsfield Public Schools (Ford is generously donated by Johnson Dealership Inc.). Items and cash donations will be collected on August 2nd, or you can visit BerkshireUnitedWay.org for additional drop off locations and an Amazon wish list.

The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America will also have fun giveaways including snow cones and school supplies.

Persip Park, 175 North Street, will feature interactive performances presented by the Wandering Dance Society as part of the August 2 First Fridays at Five and the free Downtown Pittsfield Summer Music Series. Dancers of all ages and abilities are encouraged to participate throughout the evening.

East Coast Swing Lesson with Rushelle Bowie: 5 to 6:15 pm
Step, Dance, and Drumline with Youth Alive: 6:30 to 8 pm
Featuring guests: R.O.P.E. member Abby Percy and James Ryan

Rushelle Bowie will be teaching a basic lesson in East Coast Swing from 5 to 6:15 pm. East Coast Swing is a fun, upbeat dance guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. The lesson will be followed by a short demo and open dancing.

Rushelle has been sharing her passion for dancing for over 15 years, offering group and private lessons in East Coast Swing, Rumba, Cha-Cha, Foxtrot, and Waltz. She also provides personalized dance instruction for weddings, parties, and other special events. Her dance studio is located in Dalton, MA, where it is always ‘Time to Dance’.

There will be a performance of Step, Dance, and Drumline with Youth Alive from 6:30 to 8 pm. Youth Alive, Inc. (YA) is a multi-cultural, community-based organization founded in 1995 by two teenagers, Akilah Edgerton and Erica Young, in Pittsfield, MA. The purpose of YA is to teach life skills to youth aged six to eighteen using performance arts as the teaching vehicle. YA performs at major cultural institutions such as Jacob’s Pillow, MASS MoCA, and Williams College, and YA has performed and been recognized at the Massachusetts State House for their impact. YA has impacted hundreds of young people’s lives in the Berkshires, who are now contributing adult citizens – some in key leadership positions locally and beyond. The New Era of YA steppers, dancers, and drummers are being coached by YA phenomenal alumnus: Step Coach Chyenne VanBramer, Dance Coach Serina Saunders, and Musical Director, Percussionist and Spoken Word Artist Jerome Edgerton Jr.

In the case of inclement weather, the Wandering Dance Society performances will be at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Avenue.

Sottile Park, at the corner of North and Eagle Street, will feature the Bright Starr 360 Photo Booth from 5 to 8 pm. All are welcome to take a free photo in the booth to celebrate the Berkshire United Way’s 100 Birthday!

In the case of inclement weather, the Photo Booth will be in the covered outdoor area at Hot Harry’s, 37 North Street.

Jim Horsford will be hosting a free live pottery demonstration at Palace Park 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.

Hot Plate Brewing Co. will host 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 Kitchen & Comfort, and play some family-friendly games. There will be live music with local cover band, Mr. Doubtfire, from 7 to 10 pm. This high-energy, five-piece group delivers electrifying performances spanning hits from the ’60s to today. Band members include Alden Grover – guitar and vocals, Brandon Grover – guitar and vocals, Sam Utz – bass and vocals, Justin Rivelli – drums, and Cassandra Redd – lead vocals. Hot Plate Brewing Co. will also be offering a special “Beer for Good” to celebrate the Berkshire United Way’s 100^th Birthday.

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 (100 North Street) and will feature free, interactive activities from local non-profit organizations including face-painting, arts & crafts, games, and more. Participating organizations include the Berkshire Museum, who will be bringing their Mobile Museum Unit, and Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., who will host a Free Kids’ Paint & Sip. “Andrew The Balloonatic” will be offering free balloon creations. Berkshire Bank and NBT Bank will also be providing free kids’ activities along North Street.

First Fridays Artswalk will showcase dozens of artists at venues throughout downtown Pittsfield from 5 to 8 pm including Berkshire Art Center, Berkshire Black Economic Council, Clock Tower Artists, Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., Hotel on North, Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, Living in Recovery, Marie’s North Street Eatery and Gallery, Marketplace Cafe, Methuselah Bar and Lounge, NUarts gallery + studios, Roots and Dreams and Mustard Seeds, Soda Chef, and THECOLLAB. 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 8 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 The Tap at Dottie’s Coffee Lounge/Dorothy’s Estaminet, 438/444 North Street, from 7 to 10 pm. The Tap is a 3-piece band featuring Trey Carter, Al Lucas and Pete Prieto, playing classic and original rock, and some 90’s alternative music. There will be a full cash bar and coffee available for purchase.

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, August 2 from 3 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.