BCC Annual Spring Concert Returns

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The annual Berkshire Community College Spring Concert will feature music from the Broadway stage. The concert, which takes place on Friday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. in BCC’s Robert Boland Theatre, is free and open to the public.

The concert will feature the BCC Chorale, directed by BCC instructor Kathleen McDonald, performing music from West Side Story, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Camelot, Little Johnny Jones, and a selection from Golden Apple arranged and conducted by BCC instructor Steve Murray. Featured student soloists for the evening are Deb Asch, Sareda Hagenah, Peter Loboda, Robin MacDonald, and Judy McNutt. The Chorale and vocal soloists will be accompanied by BCC instructor M. Rahima Hohlstein.

Students in Dance I, Dance II and Choreography classes will present a dance piece entitled, "Feeling Good," from "The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd." The presentation will also feature Dance I student Theresa Lemon signing the piece.

The evening will also include the announcement of the 2012 departmental award recipients for music and theatre. The recipients of the music and theatre Falconer awards, which recognize the achievements of first-year students, the BCC Players award, which is given to the outstanding theatre student, and the Koussevitzky award, which is presented to the outstanding music student, will be introduced during the concert. These recipients have been chosen by faculty in their respective programs of study for outstanding performance as well as academic achievement.

For further information, contact Ellen Shanahan at eshanaha@berkshirecc.edu or 413-236-4703. There will be no advance ticket sales and admission is free.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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