“Andrew The Balloonatic” at First Fridays at Five
2024-08-02 17:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

"Create your own star ornament” at Peace Train Tees (Festive Frolic Junior)
2024-12-07 12:00 - 15:00 | Peace Train Tees, 2 South Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Peace Train Tees, 2 South Street, will host a free “Create your own star ornament” event on Saturday, December 7 from 12 to 3 pm. Coloring sheets with special markers will be provided, and finished designs will be used to create a completed ornament. The child’s design will be on the front, with the event name and year on the back to look back on for years to come. This event is free and best suited for ages 4 to 12. Parent participation is encouraged, and refreshments will be provided.

Pittsfield's Bricktacular Weekend!
2024-12-14 - 2024-12-15 | MA
Calling all LEGO® fans, fanatics and families!
The City of Pittsfield’s Office of Cultural Development and Bottomless Bricks have teamed up to create a fun weekend of LEGO® events featuring Dominic Forte (aka @coolguydom02), a Season 3 contestant on LEGO® Masters with Bottomless Bricks’ owner Erin Laundry. Dom gained popularity on TikTok which helped him land his spot on Season 3 of LEGO® Masters. Meet Dom at multiple events in downtown and head out on a scavenger hunt to win prizes and free giveaways all weekend!
Saturday, December 14, 1 to 3 pm
MEET & GREET with Dom at Bottomless Bricks
Open to all, family friendly event
Here is your chance to meet Dominic Forte, also known as “Dom,” a well-known LEGO® builder who gained popularity from the TV show LEGO® Masters. Interact with this skilled LEGO® creator in person – ask questions, take pics, and maybe even find out how to start your journey to becoming the next contestant on LEGO® Masters!
Saturday, December 14, 7 pm
BRICKS & BREWS at Hot Plate Brewing Co.
Only open to adults 21+
Bottomless Bricks along with Dom, a well-known LEGO® Builder from LEGO® Masters, are heading to the taproom for a 21+ LEGO® event! This event will feature a custom LOVE PITTSFIELD set developed just for this weekend. 30 sets are available for free – come early, build your set, chat with DOM & ERIN about LEGO® while sipping some of your favorite Hot Plate Brews. Additional kits from Bottomless Bricks will be available for purchase.
Sunday, December 15, 10 am to 12 pm
BUILD & WATCH at Wander
Open to all, family friendly event
Join in on a free build by Erin Laundry and Dom Forte while watching Dom’s episode of the LEGO® Masters HOLIDAY BRICKTACULAR. A Q&A to follow the viewing will be hosted by Erin Laundry. Get a chance to ask Dom all about his experience on the LEGO® Masters reality TV Show. Pick his brain about building, techniques, and cool tips.
ALL WEEKEND LONG: Head out on a Scavenger Hunt!
Try to find all or some of Dom’s character stickers from LEGO® Masters. Stickers will be in Downtown Pittsfield. Take a pic and tag @LovePittsfield for a chance to win a fun prize! #LovePittsfield
*LEGO® is a trademark of The LEGO Group of companies which do not sponsor or endorse these events. This event is not sponsored by Fox, Endemol Shine or LEGO Masters.

10x The Fun
2025-02-22 15:30 - 17:30 | Zion Lutheran Church, 74 1st Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Join Berkshire United Way in the Common Room at Zion Lutheran Church for this free family festival. Children’s activities include a Paint and Sip with Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., a photo booth hosted by 18 Degrees, free books, crafts, face painting, and more. Community partners will also have information and resources available.

10x10 Fire Dancing with Opal Raven
2025-02-22 17:00 - 18:00 | The Common, First Street, Pittsfield, MA, 100 First Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., in partnership with the 10×10 Upstreet Arts Festival and Mill Town Foundation, will be bringing a special event to the 10×10 lineup on Saturday, February 22! Opal Raven Cirque will perform a Fire Dance routine from 5:15 to 5:45 pm at the First Street Common.
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 and daring prop tricks.
Book-ending the Fire Show will be Berkshire United Way’s 10x the Fun from 3:30 to 5:30 pm at the Zion Lutheran Church and 10 Minutes of Fireworks at 6 pm on the Common. Viewing of the fireworks will only be allowed from the First Street Parking Lot, so please be prepared to stand or bring chairs.
Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. will also present their free Kids’ Paint & Sip at 10x the Fun.
For more information on Pittsfield’s 10×10 Upstreet Arts Festival, visit LovePittsfield.com.
Featured image credits clockwise (top right to bottom left): @leifzurmuhlen, @tylerjamesphoto1, and @sarahmakesitweird

79th Annual Eggstravaganza Egg Scramble at The Common
2025-04-19 10:00 - 11:30 | The Common, First Street, Pittsfield, MA, 100 First Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Join the City of Pittsfield’s Parks & Recreation Department for the 79th Annual Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt happening Saturday, April 19, at The Common!
The event starts at 10 am and will feature balloon twisting with Bowie the Clown, face painting from Magic Brushes of BTC Family Entertainment, as well as a special appearance by Mr. Bunny.
The egg hunt kicks off at 10:30 am and will be divided into five age groups:
10:30 a.m. for 9, 10 & 11 year olds
10:40 a.m. for 7 & 8 year olds
10:55 a.m. for 5 & 6 year olds
11:10 a.m. for 4 year olds
11:25 a.m. for 2 & 3 year olds
Prizes will be awarded to the golden egg finder in each age group. Special thank you to Greylock Federal Credit Union for sponsoring this event.

Celebrate Spring Beach Party
2025-04-23 15:00 - 17:00 | Burbank Park on Onota Lake, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
It’s time to Celebrate Spring with the City of Pittsfield and Downtown Pittsfield, Inc.! Join us for a fun-filled Beach Party at Onota Lake on Wednesday, April 23, from 3 to 5 pm!
This free family-friendly event is the perfect mid-week treat for kids on spring break and will feature a variety of activities including sandcastle building, outdoor lawn games, crafts with the Berkshire Athenaeum, the Berkshire Museum’s Mobile Museum Unit, and more! There’s something for everyone, whether you’re looking to play, create, or simply relax by the lake.

Celebrate Spring at Bottomless Bricks!
2025-04-24 14:00 - 16:00 | Bottomless Bricks, 163 South Street, Suite 4., Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Bring your creativity and join us at Bottomless Bricks during spring break for a fun, free, and kid-friendly event! On Thursday, April 24, from 2 to 4 pm, kids can stop by the store to build their very own flower using LEGO® elements, and add it to our growing Community Garden—a collaborative, in-store display celebrating the colors and creativity of spring.
No registration is needed—just drop in, build, and be part of this blooming project! Let’s make this garden grow, one LEGO® brick at a time.

May 2 First Fridays Artswalk
2025-05-02 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
The First Fridays Artswalk in downtown Pittsfield returns for a 5-month season (May through September) on Friday, May 2 from 5 to 8 pm as part of the City of Pittsfield’s First Fridays at Five.

Participating venues on Friday, May 2 include Berkshire Art Center, Clock Tower Artists, Framework by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., Hotel on North, Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, Living in Recovery, Marie’s North Street Eatery and Gallery, Marketplace Cafe, Ralph Froio Senior Center, Soda Chef, 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.

Direct link: https://downtownpittsfield.stqry.app/list/55197

Event Highlights (South to North):

Artists at the Clock Tower, 75 South Church Street, Third Floor
Karen Carmean, Deborah H Carter, Lucie Castaldo, Joan Palano Ciolfi, Randy Foulds, Marion Grant, Nava Grunfeld, Caroline Kelley, Mollie Kellogg, Eric Korenman, Bruce Laird, Lisa Loustaunau, Mark Mellinger, Linda Petrocine, Shany Porras, Sally Tiska Rice, Ilene Richard, Audrey Shachnow, Stanley Singer, Ariel Smith, Jordan Stone, Sharon Walthew, Stefanie Weber, and Carmel Wilson.
Open Studios: Friday, May 2, 5 to 8 pm

Unitarian Universalist Church of Pittsfield, 175 Wendell Avenue
Fabric art by Kathryn Wedderburn
Opening Reception: Friday, May 2, 5 to 8 pm

Marketplace Cafe, 53 North Street
Hazle Weatherfield (Recent works by Michael McKay)
Opening Reception: Friday, May 2, 5 to 7 pm

Living in Recovery, 75 North Street
Shane Ott
Opening Reception: Friday, May 2, 5 to 8 pm

Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Avenue
Portfolios by Pittsfield High School Art Students
Opening Reception: Friday, May 2, 5 to 7 pm

Palace Park, 122 North Street
Pottery Demo with Jim Horsford
“Art in the Park” with Shelsy Rodriguez
Friday, May 2, 5 to 8 pm

Marie’s North Street Eatery and Gallery, 146 North Street
Hidden by the Weight of Our Scales, 2.0
Opening Reception: Friday, May 2, 5 to 8 pm

Berkshire Art Center/Brothership Building, 141 North Street
The Legacy Exhibition, Honoring the Stories of Latina Women
Free All Ages Art Making Drop-In: Friday, May 2, 5:30 to 7:30 pm

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

Persip Park, 175 North Street
Live Music with Futon Lasagna
Friday, May 2, 5 to 8 pm

Hotel on North, 297 North Street
Photographs by Shaun Harmon
Opening Reception: Friday, May 2, 5 to 8 pm

Ralph Froio Senior Center, 330 North Street
Art of older adults living with dementia and Alzheimer’s
Opening Reception: Friday, May 2, 5 to 8 pm

Framework by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., 437 North Street
Photography exhibition of Southwest America by Allan Seppa
Reception: Friday, May 2, 5 to 8 pm

Featured images in header (clockwise top left to bottom left): Kathryn Wedderburn, Bonnie Lingoski, Ilene Richard, Loic Adendedjan, Hazel Weatherfield (Recent works by Michael McKay), and Shaun Harmon

Family Fun Zone at First Fridays at Five
2025-05-02 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
The Family Fun Zone at First Fridays at Five will expand onto North Street this year and will feature free, interactive activities from local non-profit organizations including face-painting, arts & crafts, games, and more. Participating organizations include the Albany Berkshire Ballet/Cantarella School of Dance, Barrington Stage Company, BART Charter Public School, Berkshire Athenaeum, Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention, Berkshire County Head Start/CFCE, Berkshire County Kids Place, Berkshire Family YMCA, Berkshire Medical Center, Elizabeth Freeman Center, Pittsfield Little League, Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum, The Berkshire Eagle, and Xtreme Wrestling Alliance, Inc.
There will also be a self-guided Animal Scavenger Hunt for families presented by the Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) beginning at Palace Park, and Balloon Ben will be crafting free balloon creations!

May 2 First Fridays at Five!
2025-05-02 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 May 2nd First Fridays at Five sponsored by AccessPlus. The event will feature live music, art, dance, family fun, shopping, food, 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 Futon Lasagna from 5 to 8 pm. Enjoy a beer garden from Hot Plate Brewing, Co. and local food vendors within the vicinity.

Futon Lasagna is ska comfort food made with love since 2021. Hailing from Boston, this high-energy, female-fronted LGBTQ+ band blends the melodic vocals of pop punk with the infectious rhythms of punk ska—think Bouncing Souls meets Less Than Jake, but hold the horns. Their catchy, relatable songs are perfect for dancing your feelings out. What started as four friends jamming at parties quickly turned into a beloved act lighting up stages across New England.

In the case of inclement weather, Futon Lasagna will be at Price Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, 27 East Street.

Dunham Mall, 100 North Street, will feature Dance on Dunham with Latin Dance Lessons from Luana Dias David and Prashad Abeysinghe. Luana and Prashad will host two 30-minute dance lessons at 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm, with open dance space before, between, and after to keep the energy flowing and allow for community interaction. Enjoy a beer garden from Hot Plate Brewing, Co. on Dunham Mall. Dance on Dunham is presented in partnership with Mill Town Foundation.

In the case of inclement weather, Dance on Dunham with Luana and Prashad will be at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Avenue.

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 May 2 from 5 to 8 pm, Shelsy Rodriguez (Stephx) will be popped up in Palace Park (near 122 North Street), inviting the community to join her in creating an original painting. “Art in the Park” is supported by the Feigenbaum Foundation.

Shelsy Rodriguez is a 22-year-old student from Bogota, Colombia. She came to the United States almost four years ago in search of her own well-being and development as a person. She is an environmental science student at BCC and has a creative baking business with her mother. Shelsy’s first mural can be seen on the Intermodal Center in Pittsfield.

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 Shelsy Rodriguez and Pottery with Jim Horsford will be inside the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts at 28 Renee Avenue.

The Big Air Bike Jam hosted by Berkshire Bike and Board and Berkshire Mountain Bike Training Series will be in the Palace Park Parking Lot on May 2 from 5 to 8 pm (weather permitting). Enjoy this freestyle bike demo right in downtown Pittsfield!

DJ Bengey will be the featured First Fridays at Five DJ for May and will be stationed on North Street closer to Park Square along with the Makers Market. (In the case of inclement weather, the DJ will be at the Hot Harry’s pavilion.)

Brooklyn-born and East Coast-based, DJ Bengey brings over two decades of experience creating unforgettable musical moments. A veteran of New York City’s vibrant music scene, Bengey is known for his genre-defying mixes that perfectly match any event’s energy.

The Makers’ Market at First Fridays at Five will feature 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.

The Family Fun Zone at First Fridays at Five will expand onto North Street this year and will feature free, interactive activities from local non-profit organizations including face-painting, arts & crafts, games, and more. Participating organizations include the Albany Berkshire Ballet/Cantarella School of Dance, Barrington Stage Company, BART Charter Public School, Berkshire Athenaeum, Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention, Berkshire County Head Start/CFCE, Berkshire County Kids Place, Berkshire Family YMCA, Berkshire Medical Center, Elizabeth Freeman Center, Pittsfield Little League, Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum, The Berkshire Eagle, and Xtreme Wrestling Alliance, Inc.

There will also be a self-guided Animal Scavenger Hunt for families presented by the Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) beginning at Palace Park, and Balloon Ben will be crafting free balloon creations!

First Fridays Artswalk will showcase artists at venues throughout downtown Pittsfield from 5 to 8 pm including Berkshire Art Center, Clock Tower Artists, Framework by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., Hotel on North, Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, Living in Recovery, Marie’s North Street Eatery and Gallery, Marketplace Cafe, Ralph Froio Senior Center, Soda Chef, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Pittsfield. Follow a virtual walking tour on the free Downtown Pittsfield App and enjoy opening receptions with the artists.

A free ART BUS provided and operated by RSVP Volunteers will take you to a half dozen locations throughout downtown during the First Fridays at Five on May 2nd. The ART BUS will make stops at City Hall, The Berkshire Carousel, Clock Tower Artists, the Framework by DPI Gallery at the corner of North and Linden Streets, Hotel on North, and Persip Park at the corner of North Street and Columbus Avenue. The ART BUS will depart City Hall every half hour starting at 5 pm with the last ride departing City Hall at 7:30 pm. Visit downtownpittsfield.com for the ART BUS schedule.

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 celebrate the return of First Fridays with a two-band lineup featuring two Northampton-based bands: Gentle Hens and The Fawns starting at 7 pm.

WANDER Berkshires, 34 Depot Street, Suite 101, will feature Roadhouse Gospel Revival with Misty Blues from 7 to 9 pm. Misty Blues pays tribute to the bold and brassy women of early blues while honoring the legendary male artists of the 1920s–1940s. Rooted in reverence and joy, this evening promises deep grooves, raw emotion, and pure blues energy. $20 advance tickets or pay at the door.

Berkshire Theatre Group will present “Henry Cho: The Empty Nest Tour 2025” at The Colonial Theatre, 111 South Street, at 7:30 pm. Known for his clean, clever humor and unique comedic style, Henry has been entertaining audiences across the country with his hilarious observations on life, family and culture. With numerous appearances on late-night TV, Comedy Central, and his own Comedy Central special, Henry has established himself as one of the most beloved comedians in the industry.

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.

First Fridays at Five: DJ Bengey
2025-05-02 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
DJ Bengey will be the featured First Fridays at Five DJ for May and will be stationed on North Street closer to Park Square along with the Makers Market. (In the case of inclement weather, the DJ will be at the Hot Harry’s pavilion.)
Brooklyn-born and East Coast-based, DJ Bengey brings over two decades of experience creating unforgettable musical moments. A veteran of New York City’s vibrant music scene, Bengey is known for his genre-defying mixes that perfectly match any event’s energy.

Ribbon-Cutting for “Flying and Flourishing” – A 3-Piece Mural on Burbank Place
2025-05-02 18:00 - 18:30 | Burbank Place, McKay Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
The Pittsfield Let It Shine! Public Art Partnership, under the direction of Artist in Residence Huck Elling, worked with students at Pittsfield High School to paint a mural entitled “Flying and Flourishing.” This vibrant work of art is installed at Burbank Place, joining their previous tile mural, “Shapes of Togetherness.” The public is invited to the unveiling and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new work on Friday, May 2, at 6 pm, as part of First Fridays at Five.
The students chose to continue transforming the previously selected location of Burbank Place, harnessing the artistic momentum to bring meaningful color and vibrancy to a spot they feel is too frequently described as dreary or graffiti-filled.
As part of Let It Shine’s ongoing initiative to connect students with local artists, the group met twice a week to conceptualize and design the mural under the guidance of Artist in Residence Huck Elling and Sophie Possick, a first-year student from Williams College serving as a Public Art Intern.
As a Public Art Intern, Possick listened to the students’ ideas and drew up sketches to bring their plans to life. “The students wanted to keep bringing light to this space and immediately knew they wanted to incorporate flowers and bugs into their designs,” said Possick. “Watching the students go from talking to sketching to a final product was a wonderful experience. I’m so grateful that I got the opportunity to serve as a vehicle for the students to bounce ideas off of and that I got to know and spend time with all of them.”
Many students returned to the project, eager to continue their work with Let It Shine! Among them was Kenny Davis, a 12th-grade student, who shared, “We wanted to concentrate our energy in one space to create a bigger impact. By focusing on this spot, we achieved something truly special.”
Catherine Hennessey, a 9th-grade participant, highlighted the mural’s thematic focus: “By choosing flowers and bugs, we’re literally bringing life to this space. The alleyway is dark, and real flowers can’t grow there—but now they can through our art.”
The mission of Let It Shine! is centered on making art accessible to everyone, fostering confidence in Pittsfield, and strengthening connections between residents and their downtown. The Let It Shine! Public Art Partnership is a collective of Pittsfield-based community members, including Downtown Pittsfield, Inc./Downtown Pittsfield Cultural Association (fiscal agent), the City of Pittsfield’s Office of Cultural Development, Pittsfield Artists in Residence Huck Elling and Jesse Tobin McCauley, and the Mill Town Foundation. Together, they are dedicated to organizing public art initiatives and revitalizing North Street, supported by MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative (TDI). TDI is a program designed to stimulate economic growth in Gateway Cities by focusing on key districts.
Let It Shine! is continuing its mentoring program in Pittsfield Public Schools near downtown this year. The program aims to educate and inspire young artists while strengthening connections between youth and downtown, contributing to economic and community well-being. Local youth participate in public art projects exploring activism, environmentalism, and entrepreneurship.
Let It Shine! expresses gratitude for support from its major sponsors: Mill Town Foundation, Lee Bank, Feigenbaum Foundation, TDI Local funding from MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative, and the Pittsfield Cultural Council.
Special appreciation is given to NBT Bank for their support and to Rich Altman and Adam Hersch of Cavalier Central Block, LLC, for their generous contribution to this project.
For more information on the Pittsfield Let It Shine! Public Art Partnership, email Artist in Residence Huck Elling at huckelling@gmail.com or call the City of Pittsfield’s Office of Cultural Development at 413-499-9348.
