Live pottery demonstration with Jim Horsford
2024-05-03 17:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Palace Park, 116 North Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Jim Horsford will be hosting a free live pottery demonstration at Palace Park from 5 to 8 pm on Friday, May 3rd during the First Fridays at Five!
Jim will be inviting individuals to help him make pots on the potter’s wheel, and his creations will be available for purchase.
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.

Check out all of the May 3rd First Fridays at Five events at lovepittsfield.com/first-fridays
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.

June 7 First Fridays at Five
2024-06-07 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
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.

Family Fun Zone at First Fridays at Five
2024-06-07 17:00 - 20:00 | Dunham Mall, 100 North Street
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. 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.
Participating organizations include Barrington Stage Company, BART Charter Public School, BeatNest, Berkshire County Suicide Prevention, Berkshire Athenaeum, Berkshire County Head Start/Pittsfield CFCE, Berkshire District Attorney’s Office, CleanSlate Centers, Foster MA/Adopt MA, Girls Inc./ Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center, NBT Bank, Pittsfield VFW Post 448, Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum, and the United States Postal Service.

July 5 First Fridays Artswalk
2024-07-05 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
First Fridays Artswalk joins The City of Pittsfield’s First Fridays at Five in 2024! Enjoy a Makers Market, Family Fun Zone, live entertainment, and so much more at this new downtown Festival!

First Fridays Artswalk transforms downtown Pittsfield retailers, restaurants, and organizations into art galleries. Explore art and meet artists during opening receptions on the first Friday of the month, May through September from 5 to 8 pm, with most art on display all month long. Open studios, art making, and live art demonstrations on the first Friday.

Participating venues on Friday, July 5 include Berkshire Art Center, Berkshire Black Economic Council, Clock Tower Artists, Dottie’s Coffee Lounge/Dorothy’s Estaminet, Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., Hotel on North, Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, Living in Recovery, Marie’s North Street Eatery and Gallery, Marketplace Cafe, NUarts gallery + studios, Roots and Dreams and Mustard Seeds, Soda Chef, and THECOLLAB. There will also be Interactive Pottery Demos in Palace Park with Jim Horsford and a Free Kids’ Paint and Sip on Dunham Mall.

Download the Downtown Pittsfield app in the App Store or on Google Play to follow a virtual walking tour of art on your cell phone.

Event Highlights (South to North):

Artists at the Clock Tower, 75 South Church Street, Third Floor
Karen Carmean, Deborah H Carter, Joan Palano Ciolfi, Randy Foulds, Marion Grant, Nava Grunfeld, Caroline Kelley, Bruce Laird, Mark Mellinger, Linda Petrocine, Shany Porras, Sally Tiska Rice, Ilene Richard, Audrey Shachnow, Jordan Stone, Sharon Walthew, Stefanie Weber, and Carmel Wilson
Open Studios: Friday, July 5, 5 to 8 pm

City Stage Entertainment (south end of the road closure on North Street near Park Square)
Amy Ryan Band: Friday, July 5, 5 to 6 pm
Misty Blues: Friday, July 5, 6 to 8 pm

Marketplace Cafe, 53 North Street
“Biosphere” by Lori Bradley
Opening Reception: Friday, July 5, 5 to 7 pm

Living in Recovery, 75 North Street
Artworks by Shane Ott and Jeff Malderez
“The art of poetry” – poems written by Living in Recovery members
On View: Friday, July 5, 5 to 8 pm

Berkshire Black Economic Council, 33 Dunham Mall, Suite 101
“The Creative Journey”
DeSean Scales
Opening Reception: Friday, July 5, 5 to 8 pm

Roots and Dreams and Mustard Seeds, 119 Fenn Street
Rochely Dejesus and Hernan and Jackeline Bonilla
On View: Friday, July 5, 5 to 8 pm ONLY

Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Avenue
“I AM A PART OF ART”
Community Access to the Arts’ Annual Art Show
Celebrating the work of artists with disabilities
On View: Friday, July 5, 5 to 8 pm

Pottery in Palace Park with Jim Horsford
Friday, July 5, 5 to 8 pm

Marie’s North Street Eatery and Gallery, 146 North Street
“Hidden By the Weight of Our Scales”
On View: Friday, July 5, 5 to 8 pm

Berkshire Art Center/Brothership Building, 141 North Street
“All Fired Up Again: Open Call” by the Berkshire Potters Collective (north window)
“Sue Browdy, Potter: The First 65 Years” (south window)
Free All Ages Art Making Drop-In: Friday, July 5, 5:30 to 7:30 pm

Soda Chef, 161 North Street
Nicole March Art – Window Display

THECOLLAB, 163 North Street
Noah Beauregard and Mike Carty
Opening Reception: Friday, July 5, 5 to 8 pm
Free Live Performance by SACR3D from 7 to 8 pm

Sottile Park, corner of North and Eagle Street
Live Art Demo with Mollie Kellogg
Friday, July 5, 5 to 8 pm

Hotel on North, 297 North Street
“Beyond the Surface: The Depth of Identity”
Jody King Camarra
On View: Friday, July 5, 5 to 8 pm

NUarts gallery + studios, 311 North Street
View the Hall Gallery featuring the works of resident artists.
Ma’leek Adams-Powell, Casey Dougherty, Marney Schorr, Elina Estrella, Myk Daigle, Brent Ridge, Julia Britell, Richard Britell, Madeleine Boga, Dawn Meltzer, Laura Thompson, Kathy Gideon, Joan Rooks, and Kate Merlini
On View: Friday, July 5, 5 to 8 pm

Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and Framework, 431 North Street
“Pittsfield Parade Posters Through The Years”
Opening Reception: Friday, July 5, 5 to 8 pm

Dottie’s Coffee Lounge/Dorothy’s Estaminet, 438/444 North Street
“FOR THE LOVE OF: Culture, The Figure, and the Landscape”
On View: Friday, July 5 until 10 pm
Live music with local cover band, Mr. Doubtfire, from 7 to 10 pm

Live Pottery Demonstration with Jim Horsford
2024-07-05 17:00 - 20:00 | Palace Park, 116 North Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Jim Horsford will be hosting a free live pottery demonstration at Palace Park from 5 to 8 pm on Friday, July 5 during the First Fridays at Five!
Jim will be inviting individuals to help him make pots on the potter’s wheel, and his creations will be available for purchase.
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.

July 5 First Fridays at Five!
2024-07-05 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
The City of Pittsfield, Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI), and the Downtown Pittsfield Cultural Association (DPCA) have announced details for the July 5th First Fridays at Five. The event will feature live music, art, dance, family fun, shopping, food, and entertainment throughout downtown Pittsfield.

Berkshire Blues Legends will headline the July 5th event on the mobile City Stage. The Amy Ryan Band will play from 5 to 6 pm, followed by Misty Blues from 6 to 8 pm.

Misty Blues pays homage to the older blues made popular by the bold and brassy women of its time, while still paying respect to classic male artists of the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. The band also performs classic rock and folk tunes infused with a healthy dose of the blues. Over the years, Misty Blues has produced ten albums, and today, the core members include Gina Coleman (band founder and lead singer), Seth Fleischmann, Bill Patriquin, Ben Kohn, Rob Tatten and Aaron Dean.

The Amy Ryan Band has been twice nominated for “Blues Artist of the Year” at the Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Awards (“the Eddies”). With a repertoire that includes band adaptations of Amy’s self-penned solo tunes, newly minted originals and select covers, the Amy Ryan Band rocks the blues.

Persip Park, 175 North Street, will feature a variety of interactive performances presented by the Wandering Dance Society from 5 to 8 pm as part of the free Downtown Pittsfield Summer Music Series. Performances will be 30-45 minutes each. At 5 pm, enjoy an African Dance Lesson with Noel Staples-Freeman. At 5:45 pm, Olawale “Wale” Oladehin will lead a Salsa lesson. From 6:30 to 7:15 pm, the Berkshire Rhythm Keepers will perform led by Aimee Gelinas; and the night will conclude with more Salsa dancing from 7:15 to 8 pm. Dancers of all ages and abilities are encouraged to participate throughout the evening.

Noel Staples-Freeman is a resident of Pittsfield and a graduate of Emerson College, holding 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 training started at age 11 at The Billie Pope School of Dance in Roxbury followed by The Boston Conservatory of Music, The Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts, The Art of Black Dance and Music, and Koumpo West African Dance Company. Noel’s illustrious career includes notable performances such as Nelson Mandela’s visit to Boston in 1990, participation in Dance Africa at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and appearances at Jacob’s Pillow. As the Founder and Director of Uprising Dance Theatre since 1983, Noel leads an intergenerational group celebrating the African Diaspora’s traditional and contemporary dance, music, and theater.

Olawale “Wale” Oladehin trained in Salsa and Afro Cuban dance with several Boston companies, including Salsa Y Control, MetaMovements, and Masacote. After several years of training, Wale joined Masacote as an instructor and performer in their professional Salsa company. Masacote’s emphasis on musicality and culture helped Wale better appreciate the interconnectedness of music and dance. With Masacote, Wale has had the opportunity to perform in Canada, London, Istanbul, and across the US.

The Berkshire Rhythm Keepers are an intergenerational, multi-level community drum and song group founded and led by Aimee Gelinas M.Ed, Director of the Tamarack Hollow Nature and Cultural Center and co-founder of Gaia Roots and Trio Candela. 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 and advanced drummers. The group performs traditional music on folkloric instruments from West Africa and the Caribbean, as well as on original creations. Members of BRK have been studying and performing together for 15+ years.

The BRK performance on July 5th will feature stories and the cultural context of the rhythms, audience participation, and may include guest dancers!

Sottile Park, at the corner of North and Eagle Street, will feature a live painting demo by local artist and Creative Sorceress, Mollie Kellogg, from 5 to 8 pm. Mollie will demonstrate her mixed-media pencil and watercolor technique. Kellogg’s Incognito Witch subjects are magickal beings adorned with jewels/nature elements, messy lipstick, and a signature flash of color under the eyes. Universal connection is symbolized in stars and dream-like metallics. Figures evoke a Mother Nature archetype of power, strength, attraction, empathy, vulnerability.

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.

Opal Raven will host The Hissing Booth on North Street from 5 to 8 pm. The Hissing Booth is your one stop education station to learn about different reptiles and how to care for them, and you can even meet some members of Opal’s scale family. Want to get a closer look? Ask for the VIP experience and get a photo op for you or a loved one holding one of Opal’s friendly ambassadors.

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 at 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 Athenaeum, Jacob’s Pillow, Shakespeare & Company, Barrington Stage Company, and many others. Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. will host a Free Kids’ Paint & Sip and Balloon Ben will be giving away free balloon creations.

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 and play some family-friendly games.

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, 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.

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, July 5 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.

Balloon Ben at First Fridays at Five!
2024-07-05 17:00 - 20:00 | Dunham Mall, 100 North Street
The Family Fun Zone at First Fridays at Five will be on Dunham Mall at 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 Athenaeum, Jacob’s Pillow, Shakespeare & Company, Barrington Stage Company, and many others. Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. will host a Free Kids’ Paint & Sip and Balloon Ben will be giving away free balloon creations.

Free Kids’ Paint & Sip at First Fridays at Five!
2024-07-05 17:00 - 20:00 | Dunham Mall, 100 North Street
Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and First Fridays Artswalk will host a Free Kids’ Paint & Sip on Friday, July 5, 5 to 8 pm, as part of the First Fridays at Five Family Fun Zone on Dunham Mall (100 North Street).
This free Paint & Sip is best suited for ages 5 to 12, although younger and older children are welcome. All materials, instruction, and juice will be provided. Children are welcome to drop in anytime over the course of the event, and all children must be accompanied by an adult.

Opal Raven’s The Hissing Booth
2024-07-05 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Opal Raven will host The Hissing Booth on North Street from 5 to 8 pm during the July 5 First Fridays at Five. The Hissing Booth is your one stop education station to learn about different reptiles and how to care for them, and you can even meet some members of Opal’s scale family. Want to get a closer look? Ask for the VIP experience and get a photo op for you or a loved one holding one of Opal’s friendly ambassadors.

Family Fun Zone at First Fridays at Five
2024-07-05 17:00 - 20:00 | Dunham Mall, 100 North Street
The Family Fun Zone at First Fridays at Five will be on Dunham Mall at 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 Barrington Stage Company, BART Charter Public School, Berkshire Athenaeum, Berkshire County Suicide Prevention, Berkshire County Head Start/Pittsfield CFCE, Child Care of the Berkshires ParentChild+ Program, CleanSlate Centers, Foster MA/Adopt MA, Jacob’s Pillow, Mass Audubon, Pittsfield VFW Post 448, Shakespeare & Company, and the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum. Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. will host a Free Kids’ Paint & Sip and Balloon Ben will be giving away free balloon creations.

Common Ground Festival
2024-07-06 15:00 - 21:00 | The Common, First Street, Pittsfield, MA, 100 First Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
This interdisciplinary festival will feature live music, dance, art-making, and family-friendly activities with performances and participation from organizations such as Tanglewood, Barrington Stage Company, Kripalu, Jacob’s Pillow, along with many others.
Common Ground Festival is a free, family-friendly event produced by Mill Town Foundation.
Rain date: July 7, 2024

Schedule:

3pm – Yoga presented by Kripalu
4pm – Barrington Stage Company presents KidsAct!, Celebration of Black Voices, and Musical Theatre Conservatory
4:45pm – Clara Guatta, live concert
5:15pm – Quarteto de Samba, live concert
6pm – Tanglewood in the City, screened Boston Symphony Orchestra concert
7pm – Community Dance Circle with the Funk Box Dance Studio
7:45pm – Headline concert by The Funky Dawgz Brass Band

Featured Free Activities:

Artmaking
Face Painting
Balloon Twisters
Bicycle Village with mini-bike races and demos
Photo Booth
Bounce Houses
Mini Soccer Games
And More!

Vendors:

413 Cycling
Andrew the Balloonatic
Asia Luna
BB’s Hot Spot
BeatNest
Berkshire Art Center
Berkshire Bike & Board
Berkshire Bike Path
Berkshire Community Diaper Project
Berkshire County Youth Soccer League
Berkshire Humane Society
Berkshire Mountain Bike Training Series
Berkshire Museum
Berkshire Pulse
Berkshire Theatre Group
Bomb Shack Vintage
Charlie’s Bistro Bus
Choices Mentoring Initiative
Clementine’s Vintage
Cravin’s Ice Cream
Downtown Pittsfield Inc.
EforAll Berkshires
Elizabeth Freeman Center
Facepainting with Barbara Arpante
Happy Trails Guiding
Heart & Soil Collective
Jacob’s Pillow
Katunemo Art & Healing
Kripalu
Latinas413
MASS MoCA
Mill Town Foundation
Norman Rockwell Museum
Pittsfield Community Design Center
Roots Rising
Shaker Ridge Trails
Shire Shredders
United Soccer Group
Valerie Fanarjian, Handmade Jewelry
Volunteers in Medicine
Wander Berkshires

St. Joseph 's Polish Picnic
2024-07-21 12:00 - 17:00 | St. Joseph Church Grounds, 414 North Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Sunday, July 21, 12 to 5 pm

Free Admission
Entertainment by The Eddie Forman Orchestra
Outdoor Polka Mass at 11 am

Homemade Polish Food
Pierogi, Kapusta, Golumbki and Kielbasa
American food too!
KiddyLand – Games – Raffles – Adult Beverages

“Andrew The Balloonatic” at First Fridays at Five
2024-08-02 17:00 - 20:00 | Dunham Mall, 100 North Street
“Andrew The Balloonatic” will be offering free balloon creations in the Family Fun Zone at First Fridays at Five on Dunham Mall (100 North Street).
“Andrew The Balloonatic” has been a featured entertainer from BTC entertainment for 15 years. Andrew can be seen performing throughout Berkshire County, MA; New York; and surrounding states. He is known for his creative balloon creations and also for being an all-around funny guy. He really gets the kids laughing, and the grown-ups will appreciate his dad jokes. He can also be seen as alter ego, Kapt Kraw, performing a hilarious pirate themed magic show.

Happy Birthday, Berkshire United Way!
2024-08-02 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Presenting Sponsor of the August 2nd First Fridays at Five, the Berkshire United Way (BUW), will be celebrating the BUW’s 100th 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!

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.

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.

Hot Plate Brewing Co. will also be offering a special “Beer for Good” to celebrate the Berkshire United Way’s 100th Birthday. Stop by the Beer Garden on School Street from 5 to 8 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.

Family Fun Zone at First Fridays at Five
2024-08-02 17:00 - 20:00 | Dunham Mall, 100 North Street
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.

Free Kids’ Paint & Sip!
2024-08-02 17:00 - 20:00 | Dunham Mall, 100 North Street
Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and First Fridays Artswalk will host a Free Kids’ Paint & Sip on Friday, August 2, 5 to 7:45 pm, as part of the First Fridays at Five Family Fun Zone on Dunham Mall (100 North Street).
This free Paint & Sip is best suited for ages 5 to 12, although younger and older children are welcome. All materials, instruction, and juice will be provided. Children are welcome to drop in anytime over the course of the event, and all children must be accompanied by an adult.

Live Pottery Demonstration with Jim Horsford
2024-08-02 17:00 - 20:00 | Palace Park, 116 North Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
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.

BCAC Community Day
2024-08-15 10:00 - 14:00 | The Common, First Street, Pittsfield, MA, 100 First Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Looking for something to entertain the kids? Berkshire Community Action Council invites you to a FREE Community Day full of fun. Let the kids conquer the obstacle course, and enjoy some delicious hamburgers, hot dogs and cotton candy! Officer Derby and Officer Winston the service dog will be there! Enter the free raffle to win a bike! Visit booths from a host of local agencies to find out what programs are available to make your family feel safe and secure and MORE!

September 6 First Fridays Artswalk
2024-09-06 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
The First Fridays Artswalk in downtown Pittsfield returns on Friday, September 6 from 5 to 8 pm as part of the City of Pittsfield’s First Fridays at Five. Participating venues on Friday, September 6 include AdLib, Inc: Center for Independent Living, Berkshire Art Center, Berkshire Black Economic Council, Clock Tower Artists, Dottie’s Coffee Lounge, 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, THECOLLAB, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Pittsfield.

Download the Downtown Pittsfield app in the App Store or on Google Play to follow a virtual walking tour of art on your cell phone.

The Clock Tower Artists at 75 South Church Street will host an open studios event on Friday, September 6, 5 to 8 pm. Clock Tower Artists (CTA) is the largest and most diverse contemporary, working artists’ group in Berkshire County. Now numbering more than a dozen working creatives, the Clock Tower Artists Open Studios will feature original paintings, prints, photographs, and sculptures. Enjoy an insider’s look into the world of working artists. Newly installed gallery areas surrounding the studios also feature new work in the latest CTA group exhibition.

During the First Fridays Artswalk/First Fridays at Five on September 6, 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.

Artists with Open Studios at the Clock Tower on September 6 include Karen Carmean, Deborah H Carter, Joan Palano Ciolfi, Randy Foulds, Marion Grant, Nava Grunfeld, Caroline Kelley, Bruce Laird, Mark Mellinger, Linda Petrocine, Shany Porras, Sally Tiska Rice, Ilene Richard, Audrey Shachnow, Jordan Stone, Sharon Walthew, Stefanie Weber, and Carmel Wilson.

The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Avenue, will present “OUT OF THE STUDIOS: Artists of the Lichtenstein” September 6-27. There will be an opening reception with the artists on Friday, September 6, from 5 to 8 pm.

“Out of the Studios” showcases artists who have studios at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts. These artists – Mario Caluori, Rick Casucci, Maru Dominguez, Peg Dotchin, Jim Horsford, Sean McCusker, Nicole Rizzo, Jesse Tobin McCauley, and Michael Vincent Bushy – will each contribute original artwork to the show. The artwork will span multiple genres – from painting to pottery to photography to bookmaking.

You can catch a few of the artists really getting “Out of the Studios” as they do live demos right in Palace Park (directly in front of The Lichtenstein) from 5 to 8 pm on Friday, September 6!

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pittsfield, 175 Wendell Avenue, will feature “The Art and Soul of Autumn” by Autumn Phoenix Photography for the month of September. There will be an opening reception with the artist on Friday, September 6, from 5 to 8 pm.

Step into the artistic vision of Autumn Phoenix as she showcases some of her most cherished art photography. Autumn pours her heart and soul into every piece, creating an unforgettable experience for all who attend. Prints and postcards are available for purchase.

THECOLLAB, 163 North Street, will feature “Stepping Out” by Sadiya, September 1 -30. The art for ‘Stepping Out’ is original work by Howard University Rising Senior Sadiya Q-G. This marks her first solo show in the Berkshires. By the time the opening arrives, Sadiya will be back at HU, continuing her African American Studies major, concentrating on the African Diaspora.

Sadiya’s original work reflects bold images with bright, captivating color combinations in an ancient, thick-lined style, reminiscent of ancestral and world art. Her work is largely inspired by the Black Arts Movement and centered around portraiture as a way to celebrate individuals in the collective. Her serene and expressive photos show some of her travels to the Dominican Republic and Ghana. They focus on the everyday (that is often overlooked) rituals/routines of people, depicting a depth and poignancy felt as well as seen.

There will be an opening reception on Friday, September 6, from 5 to 8 pm.

Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and Framework, 437 North Street, will feature the “Let It Shine! Emerging Artist Showcase” for the September 6 First Fridays Artswalk.

The Pittsfield Let It Shine! Public Art Partnership recently sought a student artist to co-create a new mural for the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority Intermodal Center. Shelsy Rodriguez was chosen, and she will work alongside a mentor artist (Jesse Tobin McCauley) to develop and execute a 20’w x 6’h transit-themed mural that will debut on Friday, September 6 during the First Fridays Artswalk/First Fridays at Five.

Shelsy Rodriguez will also be the featured artist of the “Let It Shine! Emerging Artist Showcase” held at Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and Framework for the month of September. The Showcase will feature other 2D student artists, currently enrolled or recent graduates of high school or college, living in or going to school in Pittsfield, MA. Artists will include Felipe Romero, Eternity Williams, Holly Dawson, Leora Cook-Dubin, and Arianna Roots.

There will be an opening reception with the artists on Friday, September 6, from 5 to 8 pm, and the show will be on view Monday-Friday through the end of September by visiting the Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. offices during normal business hours.

The Berkshire Art Center (BAC), 141 North Street, will continue to offer Free Artmaking Drop-Ins on the First Friday of the month from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, year-round. For the month of September, The Berkshire Art Center will also feature two window displays: “Mixed Media and Paintings by Diane Firtell” (north window) and “Superheroes of Creativity: The Arts and Assembly Department at Blue Q” (south window).

“Superheroes of Creativity” is a retrospective of work from Blue Q’s classes with Community Access to the Arts. For over twenty years, Community Access to the Arts has been conducting weekly classes with the team of individuals Blue Q employes through its collaboration with Berkshire County ARC. Blue Q’s Arts and Assembly Team does just that: they assemble some of the company’s coolest products in a large, mural-filled room, and they also create huge amounts of art, in a dazzling range of mediums, under the tutelage of CATA’s amazing art educators. This show features some favorite pieces, plus portraits of the artists by Blue Q’s own Bill Wright.

The Marketplace Cafe, 53 North Street, will feature the mixed media works of Gail Gelburd in “Meditations” for the month of September. “Meditations” explores the universality of the human spirit and the environment in which we exist. There will be a reception with the artist during the September 6 First Fridays Artswalk from 5 to 7 pm.

Gail Gelburd has a PhD in Art and Eastern Philosophy. She has been a professor, curator, author, and artist who has exhibited extensively. Most recently she has been shown at the Berkshire Museum, Cape Cod Museum of Art, Berkshire Botanical Gardens, Photoplace Gallery of Middlebury College, Sandisfield Art Center, Becket Art Center, TSL Gallery in Hudson NY, and had a solo exhibition at Art on Main Gallery in West Stockbridge. She was also included in the Designer Showcase at Cassilis Farm in New Marlborough. Her work has been shown and collected in California, Colorado, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, Los Angeles, Goa India, Skopelos Greece, and Melbourne Australia, as well as throughout Massachusetts.

On Friday, September 6, 5 to 8 pm, NUarts gallery + studios, 311 North Street, will open their Hall Gallery to the public featuring the works of resident artists. The artists of NUarts include: Ma’leek Adams-Powell, Casey Dougherty, Marney Schorr, Elina Estrella, Myk Daigle, Brent Ridge, Julia Britell, Richard Britell, Madeleine Boga, Dawn Meltzer, Laura Thompson, Kathy Gideon, Joan Rooks, and Kate Merlini.

Roots and Dreams and Mustard Seeds, 119 Fenn Street, will feature local artist Matthew Brinton during the First Fridays Artswalk on September 6 for one-night only, 5 to 8 pm.

Matthew Brinton’s artwork is strongly influenced by nineteenth-century Russian literature. His drawings are done in a realistic style but often incorporate a painterly and classical linear style. His drawings of landscape and still life are inspired by the sheer beauty of the subjects, and his portraiture mainly consists of historical figures who have impacted his life. Matthew will be signing his book “Tales From A Bygone Era” during the Artswalk event.

Living in Recovery, 75 North Street, will feature artworks by Anika Grey and Stephanie “Sesame” Campbell on Friday, September 6, 5 to 8 pm.

As a digital artist based in Pittsfield, Anika Grey finds inspiration in the modern world, combining elements of electro-music and psychedelic landscapes to create vibrant and colorful designs. The dichotomy between technology and nature is a recurring theme in his work, as he explores the fusion of these two seemingly opposing forces.

Utilizing various mediums, Anika often experiments with bold and bright colors to create a sense of energy and movement within his pieces. From digital canvases to mounted wood blocks, he continuously pushes the boundaries of traditional graphic design to create unique and dynamic pieces that captivate the viewer’s imagination.

Stephanie “Sesame” Campbell went to Bard College on an art scholarship in the nineties based on the strength of her work as a homeless NYC street and graffiti artist. When shamed by a professor’s disdain for her lack of classical training, she put down her brush and pivoted to more academic pursuits. Stephanie eventually earned multiple graduate degrees in philosophy, education, and public health policy. She now works as a national drug policy advisor and consultant for government, health care providers, and nonprofit organizations, informed by her lived experience as a person in sustained recovery. Several years ago, she began her artistic recovery, committing to an art practice after 25 years away from the canvas.

After a series of master studies that built confidence and skill, she embarked on a journey exploring light and color with her application of thousands of tiny dots. Through her evocative works, she has found her voice in creating captivating landscapes and symbolic representations, impressively demonstrating the power of self-taught art.

Dottie’s Coffee Lounge/Dorothy’s Estaminet, 438/444 North Street, will host “Polly, Elano, and Richard, Icons of The Present Day: Jazz, Pittsfield, and Manhattan” at the Dot Gallery through September featuring artists Polly Kurasch, Elano Dallmeyer, and Richard Britell. There will be a reception with the artists on Friday, September 6, from 5 to 7 pm.

Polly Kurasch says of her works “These began as sketches done at live jazz sessions in Pittsfield, Lenox, and Newport, and later enlarged with the addition of collage and paint elements.”

Elano Dallmeyer says of his photographs “This series explores an intimate tour of the now defunct Berkshire Mall. A former place of anxious congregation for the youth of the Berkshires.”

Richard Britell says of his paintings “I paint images that seek to document the realities of the hundred-year-old architectural surfaces in New York City, especially downtown Manhattan.”

Dottie’s Coffee Lounge/Dorothy’s Estaminet, 438/444 North Street, will host a First Fridays After Party featuring DJ BFG on Friday, September 6, from 7 to 10 pm. Doors open at 6 pm.

DJ BFG, aka Gabby Squailia, has been spinning for dance floors in the Berkshires for twenty years. She is known for seamless mixes, musical versatility, and crowd-reading acumen. She is also the author of the novels Dead Boys and Viscera.

There will be a full cash bar and coffee available for purchase at both events.

Hotel on North, 297 North Street, will feature landscape paintings by Marita Glodt through September 30. The show will be on view to the public on Friday, September 6, from 5 to 8 pm.

“When I paint the Berkshire landscape, I am often overcome by its beauty, power and majesty,” says Marita. “Every time I venture into the field to draw or paint, I am hopeful that the Berkshires are seen with new eyes – mine and yours…. I create art to spark joy, conversation and community and to inspire our shared responsibility to preserve our cherished landscape.”

The Tartell Gallery at Methuselah Bar and Lounge, 391 North Street, will feature “Nouvelle Chicane: new paintings by Edward Pelkey”. The show will be on view on Friday, September 6, and when Methuselah is open.

The Berkshire Black Economic Council, 33 Dunham Mall, Suite 101, will feature “The Creative Journey” by DeSean Scales for the September First Fridays Artswalk. There will be a reception with the artist on Friday, September 6 from 5 to 8 pm.

DeSean Scales is a self-taught photographer based in Pittsfield. In every frame, DeSean aims to capture not just an image, but a connection—a shared moment of joy, reflection, or understanding. Whether photographing people, landscapes, or objects, photography is DeSean’s way of bringing light into the world, one frame at a time.

For the month of September, Marie’s North Street Eatery and Gallery, 146 North Street, will feature a multi-media piece entitled TEMPEST containing the exhibit “Hidden By the Weight of Our Scales”. Hidden By the Weight of Our Scales attempts to provide moments to explore the subtlety of the human emotional landscape through illustrations by Antoine Adams. The exhibit will be on view on Friday, September 6 during the First Fridays Artswalk.

Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and First Fridays Artswalk will host a Free Kids’ Paint & Sip on Friday, September 6, 5 to 7:45 pm, as part of the First Fridays at Five Family Fun Zone on Dunham Mall (100 North Street).

This free Paint & Sip is best suited for ages 5 to 12, although younger and older children are welcome. All materials, instruction, and juice will be provided. Children are welcome to drop in anytime over the course of the event, and all children must be accompanied by an adult.

Download the Downtown Pittsfield app in the App Store or on Google Play to follow a virtual walking tour of art on your cell phone.

First Fridays Artswalk is supported in part by a grant from the Mass Cultural Council, and a grant from the Pittsfield Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

This program is also supported in part by The Feigenbaum Foundation.

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

Check out all of the September 6 First Fridays at Five events at lovepittsfield.com/first-fridays.

Event Highlights (South to North):

Artists at the Clock Tower, 75 South Church Street, Third Floor
Karen Carmean, Deborah H Carter, Joan Palano Ciolfi, Randy Foulds, Marion Grant, Nava Grunfeld, Caroline Kelley, Bruce Laird, Mark Mellinger, Linda Petrocine, Shany Porras, Sally Tiska Rice, Ilene Richard, Audrey Shachnow, Jordan Stone, Sharon Walthew, Stefanie Weber and Carmel Wilson
Open Studios: Friday, September 6, 5 to 8 pm

Unitarian Universalist Church of Pittsfield, 175 Wendell Avenue
“The Art and Soul of Autumn” Autumn Phoenix Photography
Opening Reception: Friday, September 6, 5 to 8 pm

City Stage Entertainment (south end of the road closure on North Street near Park Square)
Clara Guatta: 5:30 pm
Luana Dias David: 6:30 pm
Cancioneros: 7:15 pm
Friday, September 6

Marketplace Cafe, 53 North Street
Meditations: Art of Gail Gelburd
Opening Reception: Friday, September 6, 5 to 7 pm

Living in Recovery, 75 North Street
Anika Grey and Stephanie “Sesame” Campbell
Opening Reception: Friday, September 6, 5 to 8 pm

Berkshire Black Economic Council, 33 Dunham Mall, Suite 101
“The Creative Journey”
DeSean Scales
Reception with the Artist: Friday, September 6, 5 to 8 pm

Roots and Dreams and Mustard Seeds, 119 Fenn Street
Matthew Brinton
On View: Friday, September 6, 5 to 8 pm ONLY

Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Avenue
OUT OF THE STUDIOS: Artists of the Lichtenstein
Mario Caluori, Rick Casucci, Maru Dominguez, Peg Dotchin, Jim Horsford, Sean McCusker, Nicole Rizzo, Jesse Tobin McCauley, and Michael Vincent Bushy
Opening Reception: Friday, September 6, 5 to 8 pm

Pottery in Palace Park with Jim Horsford
Live Demos with Artists from the Studios of the Lichtenstein
Live Demos: Friday, September 6, 5 to 8 pm

Marie’s North Street Eatery and Gallery, 146 North Street
“Hidden By the Weight of Our Scales”
On View: Friday, September 6, 5 to 8 pm

Berkshire Art Center/Brothership Building, 141 North Street
Mixed Media and Paintings by Diane Firtell (north window)
Superheroes of Creativity: The Arts and Assembly Department at Blue Q (south window)
A retrospective of work from Blue Q’s classes with Community Access to the Arts
Free All Ages Art Making Drop-In: Friday, September 6, 5:30 to 7:30 pm

Soda Chef, 161 North Street
Nicole March Art – Window Display

THECOLLAB, 163 North Street
“Stepping Out”
Sadiya
Opening Reception: Friday, September 6, 5 to 8 pm

Persip Park, 175 North Street
Downtown Pittsfield Summer Music Series presents
Housie Shakers
Friday, September 6, 5 to 8 pm

AdLib, Inc: Center for Independent Living, 215 North Street
Unity: The Harmony of Differences
Opening Reception: Friday, September 6, 5 to 8 pm

Hotel on North, 297 North Street
Marita Glodt
Landscape Painter
On View: Friday, September 6, 5 to 8 pm

NUarts gallery + studios, 311 North Street
View the Hall Gallery featuring the works of resident artists.
Ma’leek Adams-Powell, Casey Dougherty, Marney Schorr, Elina Estrella, Myk Daigle, Brent Ridge, Julia Britell, Richard Britell, Madeleine Boga, Dawn Meltzer, Laura Thompson, Kathy Gideon, Joan Rooks, and Kate Merlini
On View: Friday, September 6, 5 to 8 pm

Methuselah Bar and Lounge, 391 North Street
“Nouvelle Chicane: new paintings by Edward Pelkey”
On View: Friday, September 6, 5 to 8 pm

Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and Framework, 437 North Street
Let It Shine! Emerging Artist Showcase
Shelsy Rodriguez, Felipe Romero, Eternity Williams, Holly Dawson, Leora Cook-Dubin, and Arianna Roots
Opening Reception: Friday, September 6, 5 to 8 pm

Dottie’s Coffee Lounge/Dorothy’s Estaminet, 438/444 North Street
Polly, Elano, and Richard, Icons of The Present Day: Jazz, Pittsfield, and Manhattan
Polly Kurasch, Elano Dallmeyer, and Richard Britell
Opening Reception: Friday, September 6, 5 to 7 pm
First Fridays After Party featuring DJ BFG
Friday, September 6, 7 to 10 pm

Featured images in header (clockwise left to right): Sean McCusker, Autumn Phoenix, Ilene Richard, Bruce Laird, Shany Porras, Jesse Tobin McCauley

Family Fun Zone at First Fridays at Five
2024-09-06 17:00 - 20:00 | Dunham Mall, 100 North Street
The Family Fun Zone at First Fridays at Five will be on Dunham Mall (100 North Street) and extending onto North Street, and will feature free, interactive activities from local non-profit organizations including face-painting, arts & crafts, games, and more. The Berkshire Museum will be bringing their Mobile Museum Unit. Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. will host a Free Kids’ Paint & Sip on Dunham Mall. The Balloonitik will be offering free balloon creations at Hot Harry’s, 37 North Street.
Participating organizations include Barrington Stage Company, BART, Berkshire Bank, Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention, Berkshire Athenaeum, Berkshire County Head Start/Pittsfield CFCE, Berkshire County Kids Place, Berkshire District Attorney’s Office, Berkshire Theatre Group, Child Care of the Berkshires ParentChild+ program, CleanSlate Centers, Elizabeth Freeman Center, Foster MA/Adopt MA, NAMI Berkshire County, One Water Project, Pittsfield Public Schools, and the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum.

Downtown Pittsfield… It’s Alive! Night Circus and Kids’ Zone: Saturday, October 19
2024-10-19 12:00 - 19:00 | MA
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.

Hot Chocolate & Pictures with the Grinch at Otto’s (Festive Frolic)
2024-12-06 17:00 - 19:00 | Otto’s Kitchen & Comfort, 95 East Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Otto’s Kitchen & Comfort, 95 East Street, will be providing free hot chocolate and photo ops with the Grinch from 5 to 7 pm on Friday, December 6. Stop by before or after The City of Pittsfield’s Park Square Tree Lighting Ceremony which starts at 6 pm.

Free admission to the “Festival of Trees: Aquatica” (Festive Frolic)
2024-12-06 17:30 - 20:00 | Berkshire Museum, 39 South Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
The Berkshire Museum, 39 South Street, will offer free admission to the “Festival of Trees: Aquatica” on Friday, December 6 from 5:30 to 8 pm as part of the Festive Frolic. This year’s theme is all about the sea, river, and wetland critters that we know and love. See trees decorated by community members, businesses, and institutions with ties to the community.

Tree Lighting Ceremony at Park Square (Festive Frolic)
2024-12-06 18:00 - 18:30 | Park Square
The City of Pittsfield’s Park Square Tree Lighting Ceremony will be on Friday, December 6 starting at 6 pm. Join Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the City of Pittsfield’s Recreation Department for this festive holiday tradition. Stick around to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus after the tree is lit.

Play Where’s Winston?
2024-12-07 - 2025-01-03 | Downtown Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Play Where’s Winston? Saturday, December 7, 2024 through Friday, January 3, 2025!
How to play: Go to the Children’s Library at the Berkshire Athenaeum to pick up your Game Card. Then go to the following locations, find the Winston posters, and write down the words. Bring your Game Card back to the Children’s Library to claim your prizes! (Library is closed Sundays)
Children who find any 2 words will win a Winston Sticker.
Children who find any 6 words will win a Winter Winston Pin.
All children who turn in their Game Card to the Children’s Library will be entered to win a Winston plushie! Each word found counts as a chance to win a Winston.
Stickers and pins will be available while supplies last and no purchase is required. Be sure to review the business hours of participating locations before you begin your search!
Game cards will be available starting Saturday, December 7, 2024.
Winston Art by Jay Miller!

Oral History Event at the Berkshire Athenaeum
2024-12-07 10:00 - 14:00 | Berkshire Athenaeum, 1 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield, MA, 01201
The Berkshire Athenaeum in partnership with the Berkshire County Historical Society (BCHS) will present a free Oral History Event on Saturday, December 7 from 10 am to 2 pm.
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the publication of Herman Melville’s Billy Budd, the Berkshire Athenaeum and BCHS will collect and record stories of grandparents and grandchildren. Billy Budd was discovered and published by Herman Melville’s granddaughter, Eleanor, who shared a special relationship with her grandfather. Together with partners from the Housatonic Heritage Oral History Center at Berkshire Community College, the Athenaeum and BCHS will create a story scavenger hunt for children and their families, which will include tasty treats and art projects. All participants will receive a copy of their recorded stories.
Pre-registration is not required. This program is funded in part by Mass Humanities, which receives support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and is an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Free Kids’ Paint & Sip (Festive Frolic Junior)
2024-12-07 12:00 - 14:30 | St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 67 East Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church will host a Free Kids’ Paint & Sip on Saturday, December 7, 12 to 2:30 pm, in the auditorium at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 67 East Street. There will be a bonus painting craft on wooden ornaments sponsored by St. Stephen’s!
This free winter-themed Paint & Sip is best suited for ages 5 to 12, although younger and older children are welcome. All materials, instruction, snacks, and juice will be provided. Children are welcome to drop in anytime over the course of the event, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. The auditorium is on the second floor of the parish house, and the entrance is on Allen Street.
This event is a part of the Festive Frolic Junior which is happening on Saturday, December 7 from 12 to 3 pm. For a full event listing, visit downtownpittsfield.com/2024/11/festive-frolic-in-downtown-pittsfield-dec-6-7

Photo Ops with Santa (Festive Frolic Junior)
2024-12-07 12:00 - 15:00 | The Beacon Cinema, 57 North Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. will host Photo Ops with Santa on Saturday, December 7, 12 to 3 pm, in the Lowest Level of the Beacon Cinema/ Kinnell-Kresge Building. Enter from McKay Street. Free parking in the McKay Street Parking Lots/Garage.
Santa will be welcoming children and families to visit with him and take photos. Please bring your own camera or cell phone to capture your own photos of this special moment. There will not be a photographer on site.

This event is a part of the Festive Frolic Junior which is happening on Saturday, December 7 from 12 to 3 pm. For a full event listing, visit downtownpittsfield.com/2024/11/festive-frolic-in-downtown-pittsfield-dec-6-7

Berkshire Art Center Free Drop-In Art Making (Festive Frolic Junior)
2024-12-07 12:00 - 15:00 | Berkshire Art Center, 141 North Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Join Berkshire Art Center for a Free Drop-In Art Making event at their Brothership Building location, 141 North Street, as part of Downtown Pittsfield’s Festive Frolic Junior on Saturday, December 7, from 12 to 3 pm. A BAC Faculty Artist will be leading a creative snowflake wall hanging project, appropriate for a multigenerational audience — art for all! Attendees can enjoy unguided, drop-in participation. A Faculty Artist will be circulating tables offering encouragement, answering questions, and assisting hands-on. Celebrate the holiday season with BAC!

Holiday Card Making Drop-in at the Berkshire Athenaeum (Festive Frolic Junior)
2024-12-07 12:00 - 15:00 | Berkshire Athenaeum, 1 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield, MA, 01201
The Berkshire Athenaeum, 1 Wendell Avenue, will host a Holiday Card Making Drop-in on Saturday, December 7 from 12 to 3 pm in the Children’s Library. Kids can make holiday cards for nursing home residents as well as holiday cards for them to take home, while supplies last.
