Cultural Pittsfield This Week: Jan. 18-24

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Sock Hop  

Friday:  Go Girl Sock Hop!

A great night for a great cause! The evening includes live music by the Jeff King Band, hors d'oeuvres from Mazzeo's Ristorante, a live auction, dance and costume contests and more. Raffle prizes include dinner once a month for a year at Mazzeo's, a necklace from Charland Jewelers and a dining and shopping package. All proceeds benefit the Go Girl fund forGirls Inc. of the Berkshires.

Friday, January 18 | 6pm | Gladys AllenBrigham Center | 165 East Street | 413-442-5174 | $50


Late Quartet  

Friday-Monday:  A Late Quartet at the Little Cinema

Set in iconic New York City, this is the story of four musicians bound together by their passion for music and long years of working together. When their patriarch, Peter, is diagnosed with a terminal illness, the repercussions hit the group deeper than they could imagine. Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Friday-Monday, January 18-21 | Fri-Mon 7pm Mon 1:30pm | Little Cinema at the BerkshireMuseum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | $5


Tony Lee Thomas  

Friday:  Tony Lee Thomas Band at Flavours

A student of voice from age 4, Tony Lee Thomas'vocal endeavors have included classical technique, various choral ensembles, even barbershop and doo-wop quartets. His wealth of performance experience lends him the ability to connect with audiences from intimate and poignant solo performances to momentous full-blown commanding vamps with his rock band, the Tony Lee Thomas Band.  For adults 21 and over. Click here to listen.

Friday, January 18 | 9:30pm | Flavours ofMalaysia | 75 North Street | 413-443-3188 | $5


Bats Berkshire Museum  

Saturday:  Opening Day of Bats: Creatures of the Night at Berkshire Museum

Learn the true story of bats during Berkshire Museum's presentation of Bats: Creatures of the Night, from January 19 to May 12, 2013. Some people think of bats as scary, squeaky, night-flying creatures, but these hugely misunderstood flying mammals don't deserve their bad reputation: in reality, bats are gentle animals that play an extremely important role in the environment.  At the opening day of Bats: Creatures of the Night you can enjoy an afternoon of batty activities appropriate for all ages, from experimenting with echolocation to a Museum-wide extinction scavenger hunt.  Click here for a full Opening Day Schedule.  

Saturday, January 19 | 10am-7pm | BerkshireMuseum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | $13 adult; $6 child; Museum members & children 3 and under FREE Admission FREE after 5pm


Potholder Rug Workshop  

Saturday:  Potholder Rug Workshop at ShireCity Sanctuary

There are a few spots open for this weekend's Potholder Rug Workshop with Crispina ffrench!Spend a day in the studio and learn all the details and tricks to making beautiful Potholder Rugs. Each student will end the day with a 30"x40" rug they have made to take home. The use of all tools and materials for the day are included in tuition. Pre-registration required.

Saturday, January 19 | 10am-4:30pm | ShireCity Sanctuary | 40 Melville Street | 413-441-9766 | $175

 


Repair Cafe  

Saturday:  Repair Café at St. Stephen's Church

What do you do with a broken toaster? Or with a bike that needs repair? Or with a pair of pants when a seam rips? Or a partially dysfunctional umbrella? Throw it away? Certainly not!  The Pittsfield Resilience Circle is organizing the Berkshires' first ever Repair Café.  Various repair persons will be available to fix small appliances, clothing and other fabric items, bicycles, toys, small furniture items, computers, and so on.  First come, first served, no charge!

Saturday, January 19 | 1pm-5pm | St. Stephen's Church basement | 67 East Street |413-212-8589 | FREE


Dividing the Skyline  

Saturday:  Dividing the Skyline at Chameleon's 

Dividing the Skyline returns to the Berkshires and they're bringing their modern pop sounds with them. If you like Angels & AirwavesLacerdaRosedaleor Reason 837 definitely check them out! Also appearing will be local rock n' rollers On the Shoulders of Giants and Nice Try Kid.


Saturday, January 19 | 5pm | Chameleon's Nightclub | 1350 East Street | 413-499-2582 | 21+ $5 18-20 $8


Blueberry Buckle  

Saturday: Blueberry Buckle

Blueberry Buckle is a family affair with Cate Byrne on violin, Savannah Byrne on drums, & their father, Tom Byrne, on guitar, bass, & the occasional wind instrument. They embrace a variety of traditions including old time, blues, jazz, Irish, & a little rock & roll.

Saturday, January 19 | 6:30pm–8:30pm | The Marketplace Cafe | 53 North St. | 413-358-4777 | No cover


Open Mic at BSC  

Saturday:  Youth Open Mic Night atBarrington Stage

Come see talented young artists from across the Berkshires show off their skills. There will be singers, poets, bands, and more! Doors are open for entry from 6:30-7pm (doors will be closed during the event from 7-9pm).  Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Saturday, January 19 | 7pm-9pm | Barrington Stage Company Mr. Finn's Cabaret | 36 Linden Street | 413-997-6117 | FREE


TBone Daddy  

Saturday:  T Bone Daddy at Underground Pub

T Bone Daddy is a rockin' blues trio. Influenced by blues legends like Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton, coupled with new flavors of artists like John Mayer and Joe Bonamassa.  ½ price appetizers until 9 pm.

Saturday, January 19 | 9pm | Underground Pub | 1 West Street | 413-553-2257 | $5 


Jazz Jam  

Sunday:  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. Sit back and enjoy an afternoon full of great music or bring your instrument and join in!

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


Martin Luther King Jr  

Sunday:  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration at Second Congregational Church

The annual MLK Celebration and Content of Character Award Ceremony will honor the life and times of Dr. King. As always, this is a free community event, but donations are exceptionally appreciated.

Sunday, January 20 | 4pm | Second Congregational Church | 50 Onota Street | 413-442-4574 | FREE


 
Jon Sands  

Tuesday:  Spoken Word Poet Jon Sands at y Bar

Jon Sands was big at the WordXWord Festival in 2012. He is a teacher and performer who has performed and led workshops at universities and arts organizations both nationally and internationally. He is Director of Poetry Education Programming at the Positive Health Project in Manhattan and a Youth Mentor with Urban Word-NYC. His work has been published in numerous journals and his book "The New Clean” was published by Write Bloody Press in 2011.

Tuesday, January 22 | 8pm | Y Bar | 391 North Street | No Phone | $5

 


Lunchtime Yoga  

Wednesday+:  Lunchtime Yoga at BerkshireMusic School

Give yourself a 45-minute break to release the morning's tensions. Take a few deep breaths, stretch a few muscles, calm a racing mind. Allow the rest of your day to be more enjoyable and easier to manage.  Go back to work feeling refreshed and more productive. Please wear comfortable clothes and bring a mat and water bottle.

Wednesdays through March 20 | 12:15pm-1pm | Berkshire Music School Taft Recital Hall | 30 Wendell Avenue | 413-442-1411 | $80 for 8 weeks; $15 drop in 


Ampersand  

Thursday:  Thursday Live featuring Ampersand at Marketplace Cafe

Ampersand interprets music from the folk and old-tyme American traditions on modern instruments with treasured songs and lively instrumentals. The core ofAmpersand is Beth Lawton and Dick Hogle, whose duo work shines with the spark of vocal harmonies and a shared musical sensibility. They will be joined by bass player and tenor Chuck Irose.

Thursday, January 24 | 6:30pm–8:30pm | The Marketplace Cafe | 53 North St. | 413-358-4777 | No cover

 

 

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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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