Friday: Christmas Tree Lighting at Park Square

It's a Pittsfield tradition.  Bring the family out and enjoy the lighting of the Pittsfield tree on Park Square.  The Taconic High School Chorus will perform a variety of carols, Santa Claus will arrive following the tree lighting, and free hot chocolate will be available, courtesy of Patrick's Pub.  Those planning to attend the ceremony are asked to bring non-perishable food items that will be donated to the Christian Center's food pantry.

Friday, November 30 | 6pm-7pm | Park Square | 413-443-7171 | FREE

Friday-Sunday: Hancock Shaker Village Pop-Up Shop at Berkshire Common

During Hancock Shaker Village's pop-up shop, shoppers will score great deals on unique gifts, such as Shaker oval boxes and carriers, books, food items (soup mixes, jams and jellies, honey), children's gifts, and holiday ornaments. Hancock Shaker Village Members will receive extra discounts.  

Friday-Sunday, November 30-December 2 | Fri 5pm-8pm Sat & Sun 10am-5pm | Berkshire Common | 2 South Street | 413-443-0188 | No cover

Friday: Ornament Painting Party At Bisque, Beads & Beyond!

This is the third year that Bisque, Beads & Beyond is hosting its family Ornament Painting Party following the lighting of the city's Christmas Tree in Park Square. Meet and mingle with friends and neighbors old and new and glaze holiday ornaments. All ornaments are hand crafted and are just $5 each including glaze & firing. Best of all, all proceeds go to local charities! No reservations needed.

Friday, November 30 | 6:30pm-8:30pm | Bisque, Beads & Beyond | 141 North Street |413-442-9300 | $5 per ornament 

Friday-Monday: A Royal Affair at Little Cinema 

A Royal Affair is the true story of an ordinary man who wins the queen's heart and starts a revolution. Centering on the intriguing love triangle between the ever more insane Danish King Christian VII, the royal physician who is a man of enlightenment and idealism, and the young Queen Caroline Mathilda,A Royal Affair is the story of a passionate and forbidden romance that changed an entire nation.

Friday-Monday, November 30-December 2 | Fri-Mon 7pm Mon 1:30pm & 7pm | Little Cinema at the Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | $5

Friday & Saturday:  Cartoon at BCC

The Berkshire Community College Playerspresent Cartoon, a dark comedy by Steve Yockey. Cartoon showcases the exploits of a mismatched band of cartoon stereotypes on a wild ride through an animated world presented in the style of a Commedia dell'Arte scenario gone berserk. 

Friday-Saturday, November 30-December 1 | 8pm | Berkshire Community College | 1350 West Street | 413-236-4713 | $10 general $5 BCC students, faculty, staff, seniors 

Friday & Saturday:  Live Music at Flavours

Flavours of Malaysia presents Legacy Friday night and Summit Hill Saturday night.  The heavy metal cover band Legacy performs songs from Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Judas Priest and Metallicaamong other classic metal bands. On Saturday,Summit Hill belts out live classic rock dance music. You'll hear covers from CCR, Eric Clapton, The Stones, Bonnie Raitt, The Beatles, LeAnn Rimes and much much more. 21+

Friday & Saturday, November 30 & December 1 | 9:30pm | Flavours of Malaysia | 75 North Street | 413-443-3188 | $5

Friday+:  Rumors at Pittsfield High School

Pittsfield High School's drama society, Proteus,will produce the hilarious Neil Simoncomedy, Rumors under the direction of Jonathan Slocum. Buckle up and enjoy the ride, which involves a dinner party celebrating the hosts' tenth anniversary. However, they discover there are no servants, the hostess is missing, and the host – the deputy mayor of New York City - has shot himself through the earlobe. Comic complications arise when, given everyone's upper-class status, they decide they need to do everything possible to conceal the evening's events!

Friday-Sunday & Friday-Saturday, November 30-December 2 & December 7-8 | Fri & Sat 7:30pm Sun Dec 2 1:30pm | Pittsfield High School | 300 East Street | 413-499-9535 x 1102 | $10 Adults/$8 Students

Saturday:  Free Family Holiday Program at Berkshire Athenaeum

Enjoy songs by the preschool Sunshine Singers who are a part of  Kids 4 Harmony, followed by Bing's Strings; two string groups comprised of both youths and adults.  The groups will perform classical and holiday music.  Closing the show will be an audience sing-a-long joined by the voices of the Sunshine Singers to sing some favorite holiday songs.

Saturday, December 1 | 1pm | Berkshire Athenaeum | One Wendell Avenue | 413-442-1411 | FREE

Saturday & Sunday: The Handmade Holiday Festival!

This year's Handmade Holiday Festival, described as "a country farmers market meets whimsical artists bazaar,” features over 30 juried artists and designers from greater New England. From traditional to cutting edge, shoppers can expect an exceptional array of handmade wares ranging from jewelry, ceramics, and stationery, to silk-screened t-shirts, wreaths and more!  

Saturday & Sunday, December 1-2 | 10am-5pm | Masonic Temple | 116 South Street | 413-443-5151 | $4 adults; children under 12 FREE

Saturday: Paint & Read with Tyrone Jackson

Join local author Tyrone Jackson for a reading of his book When I Close My Eyes, a tale about a very imaginative little girl named Dot. Afterwards, kids will paint a magical gingerbread boy. Designed for ages 3 to 6 and their families. No reservations needed.

Saturday, December 1 | 10:30am-12pm | Bisque, Beads & Beyond | 141 North Street |413-442-9300 | $10 children 3-6;  $15 children over 6 & adults 

Saturday:  Santa Visits Upstreet Pittsfield

Santa Claus makes special stops all along the Upstreet District throughout December.  Parents, bring your camera and snap a picture of your children with Santa as they share their holiday wishes.  Santa stops this weekend include Carr Hardware and the Berkshire Museum (cost of admission).  And, plan ahead for future Santa stops on Saturdays throughout December at the Senior Center, Beacon Cinema and the Colonial Theatre. 

Saturdays in December | 11am-1pm | Upstreet Pittsfield | 413-443-6501 | FREE

Saturday:  Met Opera: Live in HD at the Beacon Cinema

The Met: Live in HD season continues with La Clemenza di Tito. The virtuosic Elīna Garančasings Sesto in Mozart's drama set in ancient Rome.Giuseppe Filianoti is the noble Tito and Barbara Frittoli is Vitellia, in this handsome revival of one of the composer's final masterpieces. Harry Bicket conducts.

Saturday, December 1 | 1pm | The Beacon Cinema | 57 North Street | 413-358-4780 | $25

Saturday:  Christmas at the Colonial with Mary Verdi

Christmas at the Colonial with Mary Verdi is a beloved holiday show that will have you and your family singing along to all of the wonderful Christmas songs! Mary Verdi, a local singer/songwriter, who recently sang at the Pentagon, takes the stage with her seven piece band, a bell choir, dancers, children singers, and of course, Santa Claus.

Saturday, December 1 | 2pm & 7pm | The Colonial Theatre | 111 South Street | 413-997-4444 | $10-$20

Saturday:  Sandy Benefit at Barrington Stage

Berkshire-based Katrina survivor and playwrightJamuna Yvette Sirker, directs a reading of her award winning play, Hell and High Water Or Lessons for When the Sky Falls to benefit the Actors Fund, a nationwide human services organization that provides emergency relief for performing arts and entertainment professionals in crisis, and in particular to support theater artists impacted by Hurricane Sandy. A stellar cast of actors, from New York City and throughout New England will perform. 

Saturday, December 1 | 7:30pm | Barrington Stage Sydelle and Lee Blatt Center | 36 Linden Street | 413-236-8888 | Suggested donation $10+

Sunday:  Brunch with Santa at Dakota

Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, bring a camera for photo ops, and enjoy goodie bags, giveaways, raffles, and caroling during brunch.  Reservations required, limited seating.  All proceeds go to the Pediatric Development Center, a nonprofit early intervention program that provides therapeutic services for children between birth and three years of age.

Sunday, December 2 | 10am or 12pm seating | Dakota Restaurant | 1035 South Street | 413-499-4537 | $25 adults $10 Children 3-10 FREE Children under 3

Sunday: Fused Glass Ornament Making Class at Bisque, Beads & Beyond!

Create two magical glass ornaments with the help of aBisque, Beads & Beyond! expert.  Must be 8 years or older. Pre-registration required.

Sunday, December 2 | 1pm| Bisque, Beads & Beyond | 141 North Street | 413-442-9300 | $21 includes materials

Sunday:  All Ages Ska/Punk/Alt Matinee at Chameleon's

NJ ska/punks Survay Says return to Pittsfield for an unprecedented third time and the second this year. Also appearing are Magnetic Knives from nearby Saratoga NY, locals On The Shoulders of Giants as well as a W!nslow from Canada.  This is going to be a great show!

Sunday, December 2 | 2pm | Chameleon's Nightclub | 1350 East Street | 413-499-2582 | All Ages $5

Sunday:  Nutcracker Tea Party at First Christ Church

Enjoy tea and sweet treats with your favorite Nutcracker characters.  There will be a silent auction, Nutcracker excerpts and more.  All proceeds benefit the Albany Berkshire Ballet Nutcracker 2012 tour.

Sunday, December 2 | 2:30pm | First Church of Christ | 27 East Street | 413-445-5382 | $15 adult; $10 child

Sunday:  Bell Engine at Mission

WXW Songwriters Room continues featuring members of Bell Engine in the window.  Bell Engine's music covers a wide range of sounds and emotions: sometimes heavy, other times ethereal, always musical. Songwriters John Clarke, Lisa Andersonand Miles Lally each bring their distinct signatures, and the combined result rolls like a train bringing the audience along for the ride while they sit back and dig the view.

Sunday, December 2 | 9pm | Mission Bar + Tapas | 438 North Street | No phone | No cover

Monday:  Melville, Haunted at Knesset Israel

The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires presentsMelville, Haunted with director and playwright Sally Filkins.  Filkins, the artistic director of VOICES, the resident theatre company at Herman Melville's Arrowhead in Pittsfield, is the author of The Melville Trilogy,  three original plays about Melville.  Based on the life and works of Melville, the trilogy, Melvilles and Morewoods, Melville's Women, andMelville, Haunted, explores the torturously entangled relationships among Herman Melville's family of women, his circle of intimates, including Nathanial Hawthorne, and the characters in his books.

Monday, December 3 | 1pm | Congregation Knesset Israel | 16 Colt Road | 413-442-4360 x 15 | $3

Tuesday:  Gabriel Squailia at Y Bar

The Writers Room this week features Gabriel Squailia reading from his novel Dead Boys. Join Jacob Campbell and his band of misfit corpses each month as they search the Lands Below for the legendary Living Man in a storytelling experience that combines lively theatrics with vivid prose.  New to the tale? Click here to catch up.  

Tuesday, December 4 | 8pm | Y Bar | 391 North Street | No phone | No cover

Thursday:  Tea Time at Berkshire Athenaeum

Danielle Beaudrette of the Cosy Tea Cart takes the audience on a journey through the tea lands of India and Sri Lanka. Three teas will be sampled. Sponsored by the Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum.

Thursday, December 6 | 2pm | Berkshire Athenaeum | One Wendell Avenue | 413-499-9480 | FREE

Thursday:  Sparkle! at the Masonic Temple

Sparkle! 2012 is sure to get you into the Holiday spirit with live music, a silent auction, bid on over 50 auction items from the Berkshires' creative economy businesses, and more.  Savory Delights from Firefly, Mezze Catering, Deborah Gallagher Catering and Bee Hill Catering.  Sweet Treats from Becket Bakehouse and Sarah's Cheesecake.  Sparkle! is Berkshire Creative's annual fundraiser, the proceeds of which benefit of our almost-always-free programs.  Festive Attire Encouraged.

Thursday, December 6 | 6:30pm | Masonic Temple | 116 South Street | 413- 822-8324 | $40

Thursday:  Create a Snowman Votive Holder at Bisque, Beads & Beyond!

Create A Pottery Snowman Votive Holder with the help of the experts at Bisque, Beads & Beyond!  A blend of special glazes and techniques help you create a one-of-a-kind votive holder.

Thursday, December 6 | 6:30pm-8:30pm | Bisque, Beads & Beyond | 141 North Street | 413-442-9300 | $40 includes materials

Thursday: Leap the Dips at Marketplace Café

Leap The Dips is an all-original indie/alternative band from formerly known as Deafened By Love.  Performing new songs as well as tunes originally written for Deafened By Love, Leap The Dips is embarking on a new journey of musical creativity.  Band members include: John Prusinski (Guitar and vocals), Scott Marks (Bass and vocals), and Dave Serafini (Drums).

Thursday, December 6 | 6:30pm-8:30pm | The Marketplace Cafe | 53 North Street | 413-358-4777 | NO COVER

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