Cultural Pittsfield: Sept. 18-24, 2009

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Saturday: Artist Reception AND Storefront Salon!

Saturday, there's two great contemporary art events downtown.  Ferrin Gallery hosts a reception for Pittsfield artist Joe Goodwin: A Recent Epoch, a solo exhibition of large scale acrylic paintings and small scale intimate monotypes. Later in the evening, the Storefront Artist Project hosts an Artist Salon with the Northampton-based emerging artists in the exhibit RANGE, which will be broadcast LIVE in Northampton; then made downloadable via the iTunes music store. Organized in conjunction with the A.P.E. at Window gallery, this artists’ exchange calls across the geographic divide between Pittsfield and Northampton – cultivating a new communication for each of the towns’ emerging art communities.

Joe Goodwin: A Recent Epoch
| Saturday, Sept 19 | 4-6pm | Ferrin Gallery | 437 North Street | FREE
 


Storefront Artist Salon
| Saturday, Sept 19 | 6-8pm | Storefront Artist Project | 124 Fenn Street | 442-7201 | FREE

Click here to see more of Joe Goodwin's work at Ferrin Gallery (pictured above).

Sat & Sun: Ballroom Dance & Jazz Jam

Saturday night, Berkshire Ballroom Dancers and USA Dance present a night of ballroom dancing, with a free basic West Coast Swing Lesson taught by Ron Tritto. Refreshments will be served.  Sunday afternoon, come to the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts for the monthly FREE Jazz Jam & play with with local musicians or just come to listen in!

Ballroom Dance
| Saturday, Sept 19 | 7pm | Masonic Temple | 116 South Street | 684-1510 | $13/$10-USA Dance members/$5-students
 


Jazz Jam
| Sunday, Sept 20| 3pm| Lichtenstein Center for the Arts | 28 Renne Ave | 499-9348 | FREE

Click here to find out more about the Berkshire Ballroom Dancers!

Sun & Tues: Book Release Party & Photography Workshop!

Berkshire jewelry artist Linda Kaye-Moses celebrates her new book Pure Silver Metal Clay Beads, with a party benefiting the Craft Emergency Relief Fund at Ferrin Gallery.
Tuesday Chapters Bookstore and Kay Canavino Photography present a two-session Street Photography Workshop. Street photography, a style adopted by such important photographers as Diane Arbus, Robert Frank, and Cartier-Bresson, is a spontaneous, candid and intuitive way to shoot. Join photographer Kay Canavino as you explore the streets of Pittsfield!

Book Release Party | Sunday, Sept 20 | 2-5pm | Ferrin Gallery | 437 North St | 442-1622 | FREE 


Street Photography Workshop | Tuesdays, Sept 22 & 29 | 6-8pm | Chapters Bookstore | 78 North St | 743-4844 | $60

Click here to visit photographer Kay Canavino's website.

Monday: Youth Brigade punk show!

If you're kicking yourself for missing the legendary Agent Orange last year in Pittsfield, don't miss this show! Youth Brigade (BYO Records/Los Angeles) and Off With Their Heads (No Idea Records/Minneapolis) are joined by Public Serpents (featuring Skwert! ex-Choking Victim), The Prozacs, The Damaged and a very special appearance by western MA's favorite hardcore band THREE FIFTEEN, featuring members of The Inheritance, Cynthia Fargus, Helping Hand and Big D. All ages, 21 & over with ID get to drink.

Monday, September 21 | 6pm-10:30 pm | Itam Lodge | 96 Waubeek Road |  | $12 advance tickets @ Rebel Sound Records-146 A North St./$15 at the door
Click here to read the Wikipedia entry on punk rock legends Youth Brigade.


Tuesday: Berkshire Tweetup

If you live in or near Berkshire County and you have a Twitter account, come meet your fellow twitterers face-to-face at the Berkshire Tweetup on Tuesday at Mission Bar + Tapas. There's no set agenda for this meetup, it's just a chance to meet and mingle with fellow Twitterers from the area. You can talk business, arts, etc. while enjoying some excellent tapas or a drink! The meetup will last until 8pm at the latest. Tell your friends! And if you are a Pittsfield resident, don't forget to vote Tuesday! 


Tuesday, Sept 22 | 5:30-8pm | Mission Bar & Tapas | 438 North St | FREE

If you're on Twitter, click here to follow our Twitter account, ArtsPittsfield!

Wed-Sun: Old School Timber Framing Workshop

Hancock Shaker Village hosts a workshop on the craft of timber frame construction using 18th and 19th century tools and techniques. Instructional demonstrations and discussions supplement the hands-on learning activities. Tools and materials provided. And don’t miss the annual Harvest Fair at Hancock Shaker Village next weekend, on Saturday & Sunday, Sept 26 & 27!  More in next week's newsletter!


Wed-Sun, Sept 23-27 | Hancock Shaker Village | 1843 W Housatonic St| 684-3224 | $475/$430-members

Click here to find out what else is happening at the Hancock Shaker Village.

Wednesday: Grant info session @ the Lichtenstein

The Pittsfield Cultural Council will hold a grant information session on Wednesday at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts. The PCC invites applications to the Local Cultural Grant program.  Individual artists, organizations, and first-time applicants are welcome to apply to support projects contributing to the vitality of Pittsfield's cultural life.  Grant application packages are available at the Berkshire Athenaeum's Reference Desk; the volunteers desk at Pittsfield City Hall ; the Christian Center at 193 Robbins Avenue; the Lichtenstein Center at 28 Renne Avenue; and the Storefront Artists Project office at 124 Fenn Street, or click on the link below to download one.  Deadline for grant applications is October 15.  


Wednesday, Sept 23 | 7pm | Lichtenstein Center for the Arts | 28 Renne Ave | 499-9348 | FREE

Application materials & more info available on the Pittsfield page of the Mass Cultural Council website!

Wed: Freud returns to Barrington Stage!

Were you one of the more than 5,000 people who attended the two sold-out runs of Freud’s Last Session this summer? Now is your last chance to see the world premiere production of this  wildly popular play prior to the New York run! Come see the longest-running production in BSC's history! Plus, come to the sost-Show discussions with playwright Mark St. Germain following the Wednesday opening performance as well as both Friday performances. 


Sept 23-Oct 4 | Tuesday-Friday 7:30pm, Saturday 4pm and 8pm, Sunday 7:30pm | Barrington Stage 2 | 36 Linden St | 236-8888 | $25, $30-Sat evening/$45 ticket includes priority reserved seating and a signed copy of Freud’s Last Session (limited tickets available)

Click here to read the Hollywood Reporter's review of Freud's Last Session at Barrington Stage!

Thursday: Folk Music with Linda Worster

On Thursday, the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires sponsors "The Music of Linda Worster," featuring the well known area folk singer-songwriter. Performing her own compositions – that proclaim joy, explore inner discovery, and express deep concern for the environment --and those of others, Worster has toured as a solo musician throughout New England, New York, and New Jersey, entertaining at clubs, coffeehouses, colleges, and houses of worship. Recognized as an engaging musician, Worster has been chosen to open for many popular artists, including Joan Baez, Harry Chapin, and Richie Havens. 
           

Thursday, Sept 24 | 1pm | Congregation Knesset Israel | 16 Colt Rd | 442-4360, ext. 15| FREE

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Thursday: Gallery Opening @ the Lichtenstein

Thursday night, come to the Lichtenstein for an opening reception for a show of work by the artists who create art here in our studios.  Renne AvenueStudio Artists @ the Lichtenstein Center For the Arts features paintings, ceramics, photography and mixed media pieces by Diane Cournoyer, Julio Granda, Mario Calouri, Michael Rousseau, Peg Dotchin, Eduardo Villanes, Stefanie Weber, Sean McCusker, David Scribner and John Stritch, as well as Lichtenstein class instructors Aimee Gelinas and Jim Horsford.  Come see what is happening in your community arts center!


Thursday, Sept 24 | 5-7pm | Lichtenstein Center for the Arts | 28 Renne Ave | 499-9348 | FREE

Click here to visit the website of Lichtenstein artist Sean McCusker.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Lanesborough Passes FY 2027 Budget, Warrant Articles

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Town meeting on Tuesday approved an almost $14 million fiscal 2027 budget, and approved bylaws for short-term rentals and signage, and for public safety vehicles. 
 
Of the 20 warrant articles, one, Article 7, to use free cash to pay prior fiscal year bills of $941.27 was indefinitely postponed by Moderator David Rolle because the bills were for the fire association.
 
Some 247 of the town's more than 2,600 registered voters filled Lanesborough Elementary School, debating articles during a meeting that lasted more than three hours. 
 
The town's 2027 spending plan is up more than 10 percent, with the main increases from higher enrollment in the regional schools and the McCann Technical School renovation project.
 
Voters approved the assessment of $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School. They also approved Article 11, which was the use of $16,298.48 in free cash for the McCann's roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. 
 
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. Article 5 asked the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses, which passed.
 
Fire Chief Jeff DeChaine spoke to the audience on his articles and the need for a new truck to replace the 1996 fire truck, listed on the warrant articles for a total $813,366, which includes a $100,000 contingency cost on whether a 2026 model-year chassis can be secured before new emissions standards in 2027. If they get the 2026 chassis, that contingency likely won't be needed.
 
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