Friday:  Opening Reception for Without a Map

Join us for the opening reception of Without a Mapfeaturing new work by Carol Beth Icard, Rosemary Starace and Anna Rowinski.  A gorgeous new show (and eligible for the OctoberArtswalk $100 Artsbucks rebate too!) Meet the artists, enjoy refreshments, and perhaps acquire a great new piece of art!

Friday, October 12 | 5pm-7pm | Lichtenstein Center for the Arts | 28 Renne Avenue | 413-499-9348 | FREE

Friday:  3rd Annual Zombie Pub Crawl

Upstreet Pittsfield will once more swell with the ranks of the decomposing for the Zombie Pub Crawl.  As in years past, Zombies may congregate and seek libations in any combination of upstreet venues in any order they chose. Makeup stations will be available to serve the growing demand for walking dead salon services atBeacon Cinema and Bespoke Costuming on First Street 4:30pm to 7:30pm for a suggested donation of $4 or 4 nonperishable food items.

Friday, October 12 | 5pm-1am | Upstreet Pittsfield | 413-358-5782| NO COVER

Friday-Sunday:  The Old Mezzo World Premiere!

WAM Theatre presents the world premiere of The Old Mezzo, about the political awakening of a great opera singer, Alyssa, who is driven by the recent death of a famous conductor to teach a master class concerning the Politics of Singing. The class becomes a play within a play where we revisit important scenes from Alyssa's past. Through a surprising connection to recent events, the importance of politics in art is revealed. Best of all, a portion of the proceeds go to support the local organization Shout Out Loud, which fights child sex slavery and trafficking.

Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays thru October 28  | 8pm | Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 1-800-838-3006 | $12-$25

Friday & Saturday:  Joe Iconis & Family Cabaret!

Joe Iconis and his merry band return to Barrington Stage following a sold-out cabaret Memorial Day weekend. Join them for an intimate evening of Iconis tunes, both classic and brand spankin' new. Featuring singalongs, three hanky ballads, persnickety character pieces, exhilarating stompers and more. Fire up your washboard and polish your whiskey glass – this is new musical theater at its best!

Friday & Saturday, October 12-13 |  Fri 10pm Sat 8pm | Barrington Stage Company Mr. Finn's Cabaret (lower level) | 36 Linden Street | 413-236-8888 | $15

Friday & Saturday:  Zombify Pittsfield Films at the Beacon!

Zombify Pittsfield attacks the Beacon with a showing ofShaun of the Dead on Friday and Corpse Bride on Saturday.  In Shaun of the Dead, a man decides to turn his moribund life around by winning back his ex-girlfriend, reconciling his relationship with his mother, and dealing with an entire community that has returned from the dead to eat the living.  In Corpse Bride, a shy groom practices his wedding vows in the inadvertent presence of a deceased young woman, who rises from the grave assuming he has married her. 

Friday & Saturday, October 12-13 | Fri 7:30pm Sat 3pm | The Beacon Cinema | 57 North Street | 413-358-4780 | $5

Friday:  The Jazz Arts Trio Live!

Part of the last weekend of the Pittsfield City Jazz Festival, The Jazz Arts Trio, headed by the remarkable concert pianist Frederick Moyer, is the only jazz group of its kind. The Jazz Arts Trio, through note–for–note transcriptions of historic moments in piano jazz, is keeping alive music that otherwise would live on only in recordings. 

Friday, October 12 | 7:30pm | Barrington Stage St. Germain Stage | 36 Linden Street | 413-236-8888 | $20

Friday:  Barefoot Truth at the Colonial Theatre 

Barefoot Truth will be celebrating a fun-filled, independent music career as they make their last swing through some of their favorite music venues in New England, including the Colonial Theatre. Celebrate nearly a decade of music and love with Barefoot Truth's farewell tour.

Friday, October 12 | 8pm | The Colonial Theatre | 111 South Street | 413-997-4444 | $17.50-$27.50

Saturday:  The New England Jazz Ensemble 

In collaboration with the Pittsfield City Jazz Festival, the New England Jazz Ensemble returns with a new program, taken from their latest CD, It's a Grand Night for Swinging. This big-band performance features two guest artists, jazz/blues vocalist, Giacomo Gates, and remarkable flutist, Ali Ryerson.

Saturday, October 13 | 8pm | The Colonial Theatre | 111 South Street | 413-997-4444  | $15-$25 

Friday+:  Lord of the Flies at Barrington Stage

Barrington Stage Company presents its production of William Golding's Lord of the Flies, a must-see adventure story.  The story begins with a group of English schoolboys who are stranded on an island. It ends with a group of savages playing life-and-death games. "a theatrical triumph that we will be referring to for years to come. …it is simply brilliant." - Berkshire On Stage.

Through Sunday, October 21 | Wednesdays & Thursdays 7pm; Fridays & Saturdays 8pm; Sundays 3pm; Sunday, October 14 3pm; Wednesdays, October 17 2pm | Barrington Stage Company | 30 Union Street | 413-236-8888 | $15 and up

Friday:  Deafened By Love at Chameleons Nightclub

Deafened By Love, one of the top vote getting bands in the Berkshire Eagle Guitar Jam 2012 campaign will be performing a very special set in Pittsfield at Chameleon's Nightclub.  Joining Deafened By Love in the Long Bar will be Albany's ReaLation and Montreal's We Are Monroe.

Friday, October 12 | 8pm | Chameleons | 1350 East Street | 413-499-2582 | $5 over 21 $8 18-20 years old

Saturday:  Bizarre Bazaar

More than 70 vendors from all over New England and beyond will be at the Bazaar selling their wares.  Unique handcrafts, specialty gifts, photography, art prints and more will be available. There will also be raffles, book and bake sales and much more, all to benefit the Gladys Allen Brigham Center.

Saturday, October 13 | 9am-4pm | Gladys Allen Brigham Center | 165 East  Street | 413-442-5174 | $2/Children FREE 

Saturday & Sunday:  Historic Colonial Theatre Tours

Take a rare behind-the-scenes tour of one of Pittsfield's treasures! Journey through the history of the gilded age Colonial Theatre as historians, Bob Boland and Bill Munn, share the story of the 1903 world-class theatre, movie house, and National Historic Treasure. Wear sensible shoes for standing, walking, and stair climbing through 3 levels and backstage areas. There is elevator access. Part of the Housatonic Heritage Walks weekend.

Saturday & Sunday, October 13-14 | 10am-11am | The Colonial Theatre | 111 South Street | 413-448-8084 x 31 (Pre-registration requested) | FREE

Saturday:  HDR Photography Workshop at Hancock Shaker Village

Visit Hancock Shaker Village to learn the ins and outs of digital photography. HDR (High Dynamic Range) allows for a greater range of exposures using digital imaging techniques. Work with instructor Fred LeBlanc of South Hadley, Mass., a professional photographer for over thirty years specializing in landscape and nautical photography, whose photographs have been published on calendars, posters, in books and in regional and national publications.

Saturday, October 13 | 10am-4pm | Hancock Shaker Village | 1843 West Housatonic Street |413-443-0188 | $90

Saturday:  Family Fun Extravaganza at the Berkshire Athenaeum

There will be Autumn inspired stories and a jack-o-lantern craft.  After the readings, stick around for a short film of Teeny-Tiny and the Witch Woman.  Snacks will also be available.  No registration is required.  For ages toddlers and preschool. 

Saturday, October 13 | 10:30am | Berkshire Athenaeum | One Wendell Avenue | 413-499-9480 | FREE

Saturday-Monday: Stars in Shorts at The Little Cinema

Stars in Shorts is an incredible collection of short films featuring some of the world's biggest actors.Dame Judi Dench is a neophyte in the complicated landscape of internet dating in Friend Request Pending. Colin Firth is an unusually needy neighbor to Keira Knightley in Steve. Also including short films starring Kenneth Branagh, Julia Stiles, Lily Tomlin, Jason Alexander, and others.  

Saturday-Monday, October 13-15 |  Sat 12pm Sun 8pm Mon 2pm & 7pm| Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171  | $5

Saturday:  The Metropolitan Opera Returns to the Big Screen at the Beacon Cinema

The Met: Live in HD season kicks off with L'Elisir d'Amore.  Anna Netrebko and Matthew Polenzani star in Bartlett Sher's new production of one of the greatest comic gems in opera, as the fickle Adina and her besotted Nemorino. Mariusz Kwiecien is the blustery sergeant Belcore and Ambrogio Maestri is Dulcamara, the loveable quack and dispenser of the elixir. Maurizio Benini conducts.

Saturday, October 13 | 12:55pm | The Beacon Cinema | 57 North Street | 413-358-4780 | $25

Saturday:  Open Mic at BCC

Berkshire Community College Performing Arts, PARTBEATS, is hosting an Open Mic called Mr. Halloween MIC. Everyone is encouraged to dress in costume; a costume contest will be held for prizes. All proceeds go towards upgrading audio equipment, instruments, and scholarships for performing arts students.  Walk-in performers are welcome but preregistration is strongly suggested.

Saturday, October 13 | 7pm-10pm | Berkshire Community College Cafeteria | 1350 West Street | 413-236-1660 | $3/Performers FREE

Saturday:  Zombie Prom at Spice Dragon  

The last event of this year's Zombify Pittsfieldweekend, the Zombie Prom will feature Berkshire County's most popular mixmaster, DJ BFG.  Joining him will be the acclaimed VJ B-17 Bomber, projecting a barrage of disturbing zombierrific visual imagery throughout the room.  With a cash bar, glamour zombie photography, and plenty of blood-stained, tarnished high school ambiance, this event is not to be missed!  

Saturday, October 13 | 8:30pm | Spice Dragon | 297 North Street | 413-358-5782 | $8 or $5 with donation of two more nonperishable foods

Sunday:  Fall Foliage Festival at EPOCH Assisted Living at Melbourne

The Annual Fall Foliage Festival will feature a variety of activities, including seasonal crafts and straw sculptures with renowned artist Michael Melle, known for his whimsical, life-like scarecrows. There will also be contests and prizes, fall refreshments and musical entertainment by The Wintergreen Trio.

Sunday, October 14 | 2pm | EPOCH Assisted Living at Melbourne | 140 Melbourne Road | 413-499-1992 | FREE

Wednesday: LEGO Club at the Berkshire Athenaeum

Enjoy an hour of socializing with other LEGO fanatics, listening to music, using your imagination and sharing your ideas with your peers. This month's Lego theme:Trains, Planes & Automobiles.  No registration is required.

3rd Wednesdays of month | 3:30pm-4:30pm | Berkshire Athenaeum | One Wendell Avenue | 413-499-9480, ext.5 | FREE

Thursday: The Story of Film at the Little Cinema

The Story of Film: An Odyssey is an unprecedented cinematic event, an epic journey through the history of world cinema that is a treat for movie lovers around the globe. Guided by film historian Mark Cousins, this bold 15-part love letter to the movies begins with the invention of motion pictures at the end of the 19th century and concludes with the multi-billion dollar globalized digital industry of the 21st. Little Cinema will show two parts of the documentary at each screening.

Every Thursday through December 13 (except 11/22) | 7pm |  Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171  | $5/$25 pass for all 8

Thursday: Benito Gonzalez at the Garage

The fusion of world rhythms and straight-ahead jazz make this passionate performer an audience favorite all over the world. Benito Gonzalez is recognized as an exciting pianist and composer for his well-received debut album, Starting Point (featuring Christian McBride, Antonio Sanchez, Rene McLean, and Ron Blake) and as winner of the 2005 Great American Jazz Piano Competition.

Thursday, October 18 | 8pm | The Garage at The Colonial Theatre | 111 South Street | 413-997-4444 | $25

Thursday: The last 3rd.Thursdays of 2012! 

The last 3^rd Thursdays of 2012 celebratesHometown Heroes and Superheroes with achildren's' costume contest and paradesponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union,great live music by HuDost, David Grover & Friends, the Latin rock sounds of Lobo Loco, the young talent of Berkshire Rocks and Rock On, and much more! Watch for your full 3rd.Thursdays preview plus downloadable map and guide coming out early next week!

Thursday, October 18 | 5-8 pm | Upstreet Cultural District | Downtown Pittsfield | 413-499-9348 |FREE