Cultural Pittsfield This Week: March 8-14
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The Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum Book Sale is back, with thousands of used books, audio and video items, children's books, paperbacks and specialty items for sale. Titles include popular fiction, non-fiction, gardening, travel and art. Best of all, all proceeds go to fund free community programs at the Athenaeum! There's also a preview night Thursday from 5pm to 8pm for Friends members (and it only costs $10 to join!) Friday-Saturday, March 8-9 | Fri-Sat 10am-4pm | Berkshire Athenaeum | 1 Wendell Avenue | 413-499-9480 |
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Friday: International Women's Day Dinner Flavours of Malaysia hosts a special dinner buffet in honor of International Women's Day, featuring great food, great company and plenty of gifts to raffle off. A percentage of the proceeds go to Elizabeth Freeman Center for abused women. A special $10 raffle gives you a chance to win a Canyon Ranch Spa Day or an outfitted picnic basket with two Cranwell Spa Days. Other prizes include a family membership toHancock Shaker Village, passes to the Berkshire Museum, tickets to Barrington Stage Company and Berkshire Theatre Group and much more. Reservations are encouraged. Friday, March 8 | 5:30pm OR 7:30pm | Flavours of Malaysia | 75 North Street | 413-443-3188 | $25 |
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Friday: 7th Annual SoupFest with Civitan
The Civitan Club of Pittsfield hosts this fundraiser for local soup kitchens and food pantries at Berkshire Hills Country Club, where you can sample soups from area restaurants while enjoying other appetizers, a deejay, raffle and cash bar. |
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Friday: Countdown to St. Patrick's Day with Rakish Paddy St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner and you can begin the countdown with a corn beef dinner followed by live music from 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. Friday, March 8 | 6pm dinner, 8pm music | Polish Falcons Nest 580 | Belair Avenue | $15 corned beef dinner, $10 music only |
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Friday & Saturday: Fantasy on Ice Annual Show at Boys & Girls Club! The Pittsfield Figure Skating Club showcases its talent in its annual show Fantasy on Ice at the Boys & Girls Club, featuring special guest skatersGrechen Donlan and Andrew Speroff (pictured left), members of the U.S.A. National Pairs Team. Friday & Saturday, March 8 & 9 | Fri. 6:30pm Sat. 1:30pm & 6:30pm | Boys and Girls Club | 16 Melville Street | 413-448-8258 | $8 |
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Fridays & Saturdays: An Evening with Evaline Kimball at Arrowhead The Berkshire Historical Society at Arrowhead, as part of its exhibit, The Kimball-Salisbury Women: Chicago to Tor Court, 1890-1930 will be hosting a series of candlelight performances. Guests will be guided by "Evaline Kimball” herself, giving a unique perspective on the history of the gowns and the women who wore them. Refreshments will be served. Limited space, so reserve your spot! Fridays & Saturdays Through March 16 | 7pm | Arrowhead| 780 Holmes Road | 413-442-1793 | $20 |
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Friday & Saturday: Master Illusionist Nick Felix at Spice Dragon Be amazed and astounded by Nick Felix when he performs his engaging form of magic at Spice Dragon. The master illusionist has the power to make people believe the unbelievable, telling an impossible story that unfolds before your eyes. Seating is limited. The show is appropriate for all ages but the material is not geared specifically for children. Friday & Saturday, March 8-9 | 8pm | Spice Dragon | 297 North Street | 413-443-1234 | $20 |
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Saturday: Basic Applique Quilting Workshop at Hancock Shaker Village Hancock Shaker Village offers a workshop providing basic skills in quilting for beginners and drop-in sessions for experienced quilters. Led by master quilters Connie Logan and artist/quilt designer Mary Rentz, each student starts their own Shaker gift drawing block, which may be finished into a wall hanging or be the first block of a larger quilt. Expert instructors advise on fabric and color choice, cutting, placement, applique techniques and simple embroidery, as well as squaring, marking, assembly, quilting and finishing. Bring a picnic lunch or enjoy the HSV Café. Saturday, March 9 | 10am-2pm | Hancock Shaker Village | 1843 West Housatonic Street |413-443-0188 | $25, $22 members |
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Saturday: Envisioning Emancipation Lecture Series at Berkshire Museum Presented by author Barbara Krauthamer, theBerkshire Museum hosts a lecture in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. Based on her newly released book entitled Envisioning Emancipation, Krauthamer explores the question "what did freedom look like,” in this two-part series using a visual narrative of more than 150 historical photographs, including theMassachusetts 54th Regiment, abolitionist conventions in upstate New York and Sojourner Truth. Seating is limited. Reservations are requested. Light refreshments served. Saturday, March 9 | 10am | Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171, ext. 10 | $13 adult; $6 child; Museum members & children 3 and under FREE |
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Saturday: How to Access Your Wisdom Through Writing Your genie awaits you at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, as Millie Calesky teaches you how to access your wisdom through writing, as part of the annual Berkshire Festival of Women Writers. The best answers to your life challenges often lie within, according to Calesky, who says that journaling is an effective way to tap into your deepest wisdom. At her workshop, you will learn three proven strategies to begin or strengthen your journaling practice, finding her process grounding and energizing; the rewards deeply satisfying. Saturday, March 9 | 1pm-4pm | Lichtenstein Center for the Arts | 28 Renne Avenue | 413-499-9348 | FREE |
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Friday & Saturday: Live Music at Chameleons Rebel Alliance returns to Chameleons Nightlcubon Friday night and that's just the tip of the live music iceberg. Toronto's Rosedale leads a group of bands on Saturday evening beginning at 5:30pm. Later that night, hip-hop producer Ron Browz takes the stage. Friday & Saturday, March 8-9 | times vary | Chameleons Nightclub | 1350 East Street | 413-499-2582 |
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Saturday: 3rd Annual Slice of Life Contest For the third year, Moments House brings you a friendly competition for the best pizzas around. Categories include Best Pizza, Best Crust, Best Sauce and Most Unique Pizza. Music will be provided by Bob Heck Entertainment, along with raffles, a cash bar and, of course, all the pizza you can eat! This year's participating restaurants include Teddy's; Papa Ginos, Baba Louie's, Betty's Pizza Shack, Arizona Pizza-Lanesboro, Spice Dragon, Milltown Tavern, Papa John's and Papa Joe's. Saturday, March 9 | 6pm | Crowne Plaza Hotel | 1 West Street | 413-443-9030 | adults $20 in advance, $25 at door; children 5-12 years old $5 in advance, $7 at door; 4 year olds and younger FREE |
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Saturday & Sunday: Memory Lane's Musical Memories at Berkshire Community College Memory Lane brings you a live concert event calledMusical Memories with a Doo-wop Beat to benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Tickets are available at Wood Brothers Music in Allendale Shopping Center; Alliance Appliance at 579 Fenn Street; or by calling Elayna Collias at 413-442-3850. Saturday & Sunday, March 9-10 | Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2pm | Berkshire Community College | 1350 West Street | 413-442-3850 | $15, two for $25 |
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Flavours of Malaysia's weekly lineup of live music entertainment continues with The Rev Tor Band.Since its inception in the mid-90s, Rev Tor, led by singer and lead guitarist Tor Krautter, has become one of the most compelling and exciting acts on the blues and jam-band circuit. Pulling inspiration from a variety of influences, Tor and his band have shared the stage with members of The Grateful Dead, Phish,The Allman Brothers and The New Riders of the Purple Sage. Saturday, March 9 | 9pm | Flavours of Malaysia | 75 North Street | 413-443-3188 | $7 |
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Saturday: Dance Party at The Underground Resident Frequency and DJ Endocloudcollaborate to bring you a night of funky, reggae, dubstep, electro and trance music that you can dance to. 21 years and older. Saturday, March 9 | 9pm | Underground Pub | 413-553-2257 | 1 West Street | $5 |
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Sunday: Benefit for Steven Donald at ITAM The ITAM Lodge hosts this benefit event for local resident Steven Donald, featuring plenty of live music, raffles, food and fun. Donald was diagnosed with Stage 3 Testicular Cancer in November 2012. In an effort to ease the financial burden of the mounting medical bills and daily needs, his family and friends are having a benefit in his honor. Live entertainment includes Whiskey City, Red Handed, Smart Ass, Live Wire, Static & DJ Young Champ. There will be Chinese and 50-50 raffles and a food buffet. Sunday, March 10 | 12pm-6pm | ITAM Lodge | 93 Waubeek Road | 413-443-7134 | $20 |
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Sunday: WAMC Interviews Governor Deval & Diane Patrick at The Colonial Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and his wifeDiane Patrick are prominent people in our state and national government. In this talk at The Colonial Theatre, hosted by Alan Chartock, you will find out how they met, what happened next and what the future will look like for them after Governor Patrick's second term. Tickets are free and attendees must callWAMC to reserve tickets. To reserve your seat, call Peter Koniuto at 1-800-323-9262 x171 or e-mailpkoniuto@wamc.org. Sunday, March 10 | 12:30pm | Colonial Theatre | 111 South Street | 800-323-9262, x171 | FREE |
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Sunday & Tuesday: Notre Dame de Paris The Little Cinem screens the La Scala Ballet's Notre Dame de Paris, part of an ongoing series called Ballet in Cinema. Inspired by Victor Hugo'snovel, Notre-Dame de Paris returns to La Scala after more than 10 years since its last performances. Once again, it will be celebrating choreographerRoland Petit and the triumph of his vision of performance as a total creation with two of the international ballet world's brightest stars: Roberto Bolle and Natalia Osipova. Includes one intermission. Sunday & Tuesday, March 10 & 12 | Sun 2pm, Tues 7pm | Little Cinema | Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | $14 Members $12.50 |
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Sunday: Town Players' Otherwordly Conversations at the Lichtenstein Town Players of Pittsfield continues it seriesReadings at the Lichtenstein with a selection of four short, comedic plays with a similar, slightly-supernatural theme, entitled Otherworldly Conversations. This collection includes Steven Somkin's Bliss Eternal; Jami Brandli's Moon Man;Larry Hamm's Do-Overs; and Jack Neary'sFarewell and Adieu. Direction is done by Peter Podol and Karel Fisher. Sunday, March 10 | 3pm | Lichtenstein Center for the Arts | 28 Renne Avenue | 413-499-9348 | $5 |
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Tuesday-Thursday: Spoken Word Poetry Workshop at Berkshire Museum
Multicultural BRIDGE hosts a free, spoken word poetry workshop with local young actor Kori Alstonat the Berkshire Museum. Now is your chance to shine, as you learn skills to perform spoken word poetry with the savoir faire of a professional. This is an intensive workshop focused on writing and performing aspects of this brand of poetry. Each selected participant will be given the opportunity to perform their work at Multicultural BRIDGE Cultural Competency Awards Ceremony in July 2013. To apply for this workshop, craft a paragraph describing your personal identity and send it to Tuesday-Thursday, March 12-14 | 3pm-6pm | Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-274-1001 | FREE |
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Tuesday: Caine Mutiny at Berkshire Athenaeum The Cinema of Law series brings you classic films inspired by and interpreting our legal system. This week, the Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeumbring you The Caine Mutiny, a classic film based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Herman Wouk, and starring Humphrey Bogart in his last great role as the paranoid captain Queeg of the US.S. Caine. As members of the fleet become increasingly worried about the Captain's mental fitness, a crisis emerges; the second-in-command relieves him and is subsequently put on trial for mutiny. Co-sponsored by the Berkshire Law Library and the Berkshire Bar Association. Tuesday, March 12 | 6pm | Berkshire Athenaeum | 1 Wendell Avenue | 413-499-9480 | FREE |
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Tuesday: Story Slam with James Burden at yBar Writers Room rolls out its March Story Slam, a fun night of storytelling with host James Burden. Participants are asked to dig into the recesses of their minds to pull out a story that relate to this month's prompt: food or drink. First 10 people to sign up are assured a spot in the lineup (click HERE). There will be prizes for each person who shares a story. Stories must be true. There is a three-minute time limit. For the rest of the audience? You are guaranteed a good time, including potluck + edible treats from the yBarkitchen. If you have a favorite food-with-a-story item you'd like to share, bring it along. Tuesday, March 12 | 8pm | yBar | 391 North Street | No phone | No cover |
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Thursday: Ladies Auxiliary Ukulele Orchestra at The Marketplace Last time The Marketplace Cafe hosted the Ladies Auxiliary Ukulele Orchestra, there was only standing room available. Now, the group of eclectic music makers with ukuleles, joined by Mariah Colorado Lewis, is back to perform for your enjoyment in the same friendly upstreet atmosphere! Thursday, March 14 | 6:30pm | The Marketplace Café | 53 North Street | 413-358-4777 | No cover |
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Thursday: Celtic Music at Berkshire Athenaeum Get in the spirit of St. Patrick's Day with a Celtic Music Concert featuring Jeff Snow, a talented multi-instrumentalist who tells the stories behind the songs he plays. His instruments of choice include six and twelve string guitar, autoharp, Celtic bouzouki & bodhran. Thursday, March 14 | 7pm | Berkshire Athenaeum | 1 Wendell Avenue | 413-499-9480 | FREE |
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Thursday-Saturday: SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody at The Colonial SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody is the hilarious, unauthorized musical satire that brings the naughty fun of the saucy best-selling book to life in one laugh-filled high-energy show at The Colonial Theatre. Enjoy a Spanktini at intermission and after the show and stay for a photo with the handsome devil himself. SPANK! promises a fun night out for adventurous adults with an appreciation for farce at its best. For mature audiences only. Thursday-Saturday, March 14-16 | 8pm | The Colonial Theatre | 111 South Street | 413-997-4444 | $24.50-$47.50 |
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