Cultural Pittsfield: Dec. 14-20

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Friday: Candlelight Vigil for Newtown, Connecticut

A candlelight vigil will be held tonight in downtown Pittsfield's Park Square in response to the terrible tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut today, where over 25 people, mostly young children, were senselessly murdered. Please bring your own candles or other lights as desired.

"In loving we shall be loved, in comforting we shall be comforted." -Sister Arrabella Shepard, North Union Shaker Village

Friday, December 14 | 7-8pm | Park Square | North, South,east & West Streets | Free & open to all


Happy Holidays  

Friday:  Downtown Pittsfield Holiday Party 

The Downtown Pittsfield Inc Holiday Celebration and Fundraiser at the Festival of Trees features live music from the Andy Wrba Jazz Trio, food from Brenda & Co. and a cash bar.  There will also be a raffle to win tickets to A Christmas Carol at the Colonial Theatre.

Friday, December 14 | 5pm-8pm | Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-6501 | Members $25 or 2 for $40 Non-Members $30 or 2 for $50


Fitzgerald Family Christmas  

Friday-Monday:  The Fitzgerald Family Christmas at Little Cinema

With The Fitzgerald Family Christmas, Burns returns to the working-class, Irish-American roots of The Brothers McMullen. Reuniting with McMullen co-stars Connie Britton, and Mike McGlone, along with Noah Emmerich and Kerry Bishé, Burns seamlessly weaves an ensemble story of adult siblings dealing with the desire of their estranged father to return home for Christmas for the first time since he walked out on his family 20 years ago.

Friday-Monday, December 14-17 | 7pm; Mon 1:30pm | Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | $5


RSR Eagle Santa Toy Fund  

Friday & Saturday: Eagle Santa Toy Fund Shows at Chameleon's Nightclub

Rock out with great indie bands AND support the Eagle Santa Toy Fund to help needy local children have a brighter Christmas. Friday enjoy Pandora's Toybox, regional favorites V.I., local acoustic group Forever Autumn, and the first-ever Berkshire County appearance by Happy Hour Burlesque.  Saturday it's local punk rockers The Damaged, plus Dead Aces, Pruf, Fool Everyone & Brook Pridemore. 18+. 

Friday & Saturday, December 14 & 15 | Fri: 8pm; Sat: 7pm | Chameleon's Nightclub | 1350 East Street | 413-499-2582 | $10


Tony Lee Thomas  

Friday & Saturday:  Live Music at Flavours

Flavours of Malaysia presents live music all weekend long.  Tony Lee Thomas, one of the Berkshires most beloved singer-songwriters will be rocking the house Friday night.  And, get your funk on with Dysfunktion on Saturday night.  For adults 21 and over.

Friday & Saturday, December 14 & 15 | 9:30pm | Flavours of Malaysia | 75 North Street | 413-443-3188 | $5

 


Vincent at BSC  

Friday+:  Vincent opens at Barrington Stage!

This intimate one man play about the legendary artist Vincent Van Gogh comes directly from Vincent's own words and those of his closest ally, his brother Theo. Leonard Nimoy, who wrote and originally performed Vincent, did years of research on the hundreds of letters between Vincent and Theo. This play is not simply a biographical work, but one filled with drama, conflict, humor and beauty.

Friday-Sunday, December 14-30 | Wed & Thurs 7pm; Fri & Sat 8pm; Sun 4pm; Sat 12/22 and 12/29 4pm | Barrington Stage Company St. Germain Stage | 36 Linden Street | 413-236-8888 | $30


Adverse Effect  

Friday:  Adverse Effect at Casey's Holiday Celebration

Adverse Effect is back and ready to rock Casey's Holiday Celebration.  They will be playing tons of new songs along with your favorites from before. Casey's will have giveaways, free pool, and even Santa.  Adults 21 and older.

Friday, December 14 | 9pm | Casey's | 501 Dalton Avenue | 413- 997-2255 | $5


Kitchen KaBoom  

Saturday: Kitchen Ka-Boom at Berkshire Museum

Join Berkshire Museum's mad scientists and perform thrilling – and fun – science experiments! All experiments are kid-safe and can be recreated using items found in almost any kitchen. Adult must accompany child.

Saturday, December 15  | 11am-12pm | Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | FREE with Museum admission


Santa Visit  

Saturday:  Santa & Carolling at the Beacon

Santa Claus will be making a special stop at the Beacon Cinema this Saturday. Parents bring your camera and snap a picture of your children with Santa as they share their holiday wishes.  Also, a group of women from the Riverbrook Residence will be performing a holiday concert outside of the Beacon Cinema.  The residents and staff will be singing both carols and holiday songs.

Saturday, December 15 | Santa 11am-1pm Carolling 11:30am-12:45pm | Beacon Cinema | 57 North Street | 413-443-6501 | FREE


Aida  

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

The Met:  Live in HD season continues with Aida on the big screen.  The Met's unforgettable production of Verdi's ancient Egyptian drama stars Liudmyla Monastyrska as the enslaved Ethiopian princess caught in a love triangle with the heroic Radamès, played by Roberto Alagna, and the proud Egyptian princess Amneris, sung by Olga Borodina. Fabio Luisi conducts.

Saturday, December 15 | 12:55pm | The Beacon Cinema | 57 North Street | 413-358-4780 | $25


Christmas Carol at the Colonial  

Saturday+:  A Christmas Carol at the Colonial!

Revel in the joy and redemptive power of Christmas as told in Charles Dickens' timeless tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, the infamous miser who is reformed and shown the error of his ways by four spirits. Journey back to Victorian England and experience the classic story of A Christmas Carol filled with terrific turns and infused with holiday music. An extraordinary community tradition from Berkshire Theatre Group - bring the family!

Saturday-Sunday, December 15-30 | Thurs-Sat 7:30pm Sat & Sun 2pm | The Colonial Theatre | 111 South Street | 413-997-4444 | $25-$50


Earring Making at BBB  

Saturday+:  Earring Making Made Easy at Bisque, Beads & Beyond!

Create three pairs of stunning earrings to go for gifts or just for you. No prior skills necessary. Pre-registration required. Bisque, Beads & Beyond has a lot going on during the entire month!  Click here for the calendar. 

December 15, 18, 19, 22 | Times Vary | Bisque, Beads & Beyond | 141 North Street | 413-442-9300 | $45 includes materials


 
A Marketplace Christmas  

Saturday:  A Marketplace Christmas at the Marketplace

Join the Marketplace family as they host a special holiday concert featuring Katherine Winston, Blueberry Buckle, and other special guests.  Holiday craft-making begins at 5:30pm and the concert starts at 6pm.

Saturday, December 15 | 5:30pm-8:30pm | Marketplace | 53 North Street | 413-499-2582 | FREE


Holiday Social Dancing  

Saturday:  Holiday Social Ballroom Dance at the Masonic Temple

Berkshire Ballroom Dancers/USA Dance host this holiday night of dancing, featuring ballroom dancing and a free, light refreshments. Music by DJ Bob Englert will kick off the dance party at 7:45pm. Englert will also provide free, basic lessons in the Hustle prior to that at 7pm.

Saturday, December 15 | 7pm–11pm | Masonic Temple | 116 South Street | 413-684-1510 | general admission $13, USA Dance members $9, students $5


David Grover  

Sunday: David Grover Chanukah Concert

Popular family entertainer David Grover performs a free Chanukah concert at Temple Anshe Amunim, co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires.  Grover, a Berkshire native, writes, performs, and records music for children and adults.  

Sunday, December 16 | 2pm | Temple Anshe Amunim | 26 Broad Street | 413-442-5910 | FREE


The Nutcracker at the Berkshire Museum  

Sunday & Tuesday: The Bolshoi Ballet's Nutcracker at the Little Cinema 

From the very first notes of Tchaikovsky's overture to The Nutcracker, a sense of mystery and magic pervades the theater as Herr Drosselmeyer sets in train the events that will see his beloved nephew, Hans Peter, freed from the enchantment of the evil Mouse King by the resourceful Clara. The Nutcracker unfolds over two glorious acts.

Sunday & Tuesday, December 16 & 18 | Sun 2pm; Tues 7pm | Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | $14, members $12.50


Jazz Jam  

Sunday:  Free Jazz Jam at the Lichtenstein

Every month on the third Sunday, you're invited to join the monthly free jazz jam at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts in downtown Pittsfield's Upstreet Cultural District. Sit back and enjoy an afternoon full of great music or bring your instrument and join in!

Every third Sunday | 3pm-5pm | Lichtenstein Center for the Arts | 28 Renne Avenue | 413-499-9348 | FREE


Awake My Soul and Sing  

Sunday:  Awake My Soul and Sing Holiday Concert 

The Berkshire Concert Choir, directed by Carlton E. Maaia II, with organ, brass, and harp presents its Awake My Soul and Sing concert. Featuring American composer Randall Thompson's A Feast of Praise and the world premiere of recently commissioned Allen Pote piece.

Sunday, December 16 | 3pm | First Church of Christ | 27 East Street | 413-442-6120 | $12-$15


A Very Wrba Christmas  

Monday:  Jazz and A Very Wrba Christmas at Mission

Have a very jazzy Christmas at Mission Monday night! First, the Berkshire Music School Student Jazz Ensemble give a free end-of-semester performance at 5pm, followed by A Very Wrba Christmas featuring John Waynelovich, Dan Holmes and other special guests performing live in a special holiday edition of their Monday jazz nights from 7pm to 11pm. Festive and holiday dress encouraged!

Monday, December 17 | Mission Bar + Tapas | 438 North Street | No phone | Toy Drive, Can Drive or $5 donation


Kids 4 Harmony  

Tuesday: Kids 4 Harmony's Holiday Concert

Berkshire Children and Families' Kids 4 Harmony gets you in the holiday spirit with their holiday concert, followed by a reception. Kids 4 Harmony offers free musical education to preschool children and after school music instruction to students in grades K-6 at Morningside Community School.

Tuesday, December 18 | 5:30pm | Morningside Baptist Church | 475 Tyler Street | 413-448-8281 | FREE


Chorus  

Tuesday:  Taconic Chorus Winter Concert!

The annual Taconic Chorus Winter Concert will have performances from Chorus and Honors Chorus and will feature songs from the Beatles, Queen, Home Alone, as well as gospel, madrigals, and holiday tunes.

Tuesday, December 18 | 6pm | St. Mark's Church | 400 West Street | 413-447-7510 | FREE


Lego Club Castle  

Wednesday: Lego Club at the Berkshire Athenaeum

The Berkshire Athenaeum invites any school-aged LEGO enthusiast to share ideas and creative energy during monthly meetings of the new LEGO Club every 3rd Wednesday of the month.  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 theme is castles, knights & princesses.

Wednesday, December 19 | 3:30pm-4:30pm | Berkshire Athenaeum | One Wendell Avenue | 413-499-9480, ext.5 | FREE


Misty Blues  

Thursday: Misty Blues Duet at Marketplace Cafe

The Misty Blues Duet features Gina Coleman, founder and lead singer of Misty Blues, and guitarist Jason Webster. Gina and the band have recently had the pleasure of performing with Charles Neville from the legendary Neville Brothers at several venues in Western, MA. Musical influences include Janis Joplin, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, and Tuck & Patti.

Thursday, December 20 | 6:30pm-8:30pm | The Marketplace Cafe | 53 North Street | 413-358-4777 | NO COVER


Rakish Paddy  

Thursday:  Rakish Paddy at Patrick's

Celebrate the holidays the Celtic way with Rakish Paddy.  From classic-Irish ballads and Celtic-laced Bluegrass, to raging and politically charged rebel tunes, Rakish Paddy takes you on a wild ride of the soul.

Thursday, December 20 | 8pm |  Patrick's Pub | 26 Bank Row | 413-499-1994  | No Cover

 


 

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North Adams Regional Reopens With Ribbon-Cutting Celebration

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

BHS President and CEO Darlene Rodowicz welcomes the gathering to the celebration of the hospital's reopening 10 years to the day it closed. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The joyful celebration on Thursday at North Adams Regional Hospital was a far cry from the scene 10 years ago when protests and tears marked the facility's closing
 
Hospital officials, local leaders, medical staff, residents and elected officials gathered under a tent on the campus to mark the efforts over the past decade to restore NARH and cut the ribbon officially reopening the 136-year-old medical center. 
 
"This hospital under previous ownership closed its doors. It was a day that was full of tears, anger and fear in the Northern Berkshire community about where and how residents would be able to receive what should be a fundamental right for everyone — access to health care," said Darlene Rodowicz, president and CEO of Berkshire Health Systems. 
 
"Today the historic opportunity to enhance the health and wellness of Northern Berkshire community is here. And we've been waiting for this moment for 10 years. It is the key to keeping in line with our strategic plan which is to increase access and support coordinated county wide system of care." 
 
Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, under the BHS umbrella, purchased the campus and affiliated systems when Northern Berkshire Healthcare declared bankruptcy and closed on March 28, 2014. NBH had been beset by falling admissions, reductions in Medicare and Medicaid payments, and investments that had gone sour leaving it more than $30 million in debt. 
 
BMC was able to reopen the ER as an emergency satellite facility and slowly restored and enhanced medical services including outpatient surgery, imaging, dialysis, pharmacy and physician services. 
 
But it would take a slight tweak in the U.S. Health and Human Services' regulations — thank to U.S. Rep. Richie Neal — to bring back inpatient beds and resurrect North Adams Regional Hospital 
 
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