Cultural Pittsfield This Week: April 5-11
 |
||
 |
Friday: First Fridays Artswalk! Step out Friday for the first springtime First Fridays Artswalk of 2013! Pittsfield's Upstreet Cultural District will be abloom with new art for you to enjoy, from free admission to a new art exhibit opening at the Berkshire Museum, to an exhibit by Berkshire college students (including this recycled paper dress) at theLichtenstein Center for the Arts. Click here for your downloadable April First Fridays Artswalk Map & Guide! Bring family and friends and make an evening of it upstreet! Friday, April 5 | 5pm-8pm | Upstreet Cultural District | 413-499-9348 | FREE
|
|
|
|
||
 |
Friday: Spring Luncheons at First Methodist Church Enjoy homemade lunches including sandwiches, soup, a drink and dessert (homemade pies!) for only $7. There will be weekly specials & take out is available. Fridays April 5-May 3 | 11:30am-1:15pm | First United Methodist Church | 55 Fenn Street |413-499-0866 | $7 |
|
|
|
||
 |
Friday: Final Diva Night at Bisque Beads & Beyond Celebrate the last diva night with all of the divas in your life while sharing the fun & freedom of being creative. Paint pottery, try mosaics, create a beaded masterpiece or play in the fused glass center. Stop by during First Fridays Artswalk and enjoy new art, ceramics, jewelry and more! Friday, April 5 | 6pm-9pm | Bisque Beads & Beyond | 141 North Street | 413-442-9300 | $10 cover charge + cost of project
|
|
|
|
||
 |
UNICO of Pittsfield's 6th annual wine tasting will feature wine, beers, and spirits from around the world. There will be a silent auction, food, and dancing too! The wine tasting is from 6pm to 8:30pm followed by DJ dancing 9pm to midnight! Tickets are available at the door. Friday, April 5 | 6pm | Berkshire Hills Country Club | 500 Benedict Road | 413-447-9429 | $25 |
|
|
|
||
 |
Friday: Punk Night at Chameleons Don't miss this first western Mass appearance from New York City punk rockers the Straphangers. The Straphangers were established in 2001 and have shared the stage with many other hardcore, punk, metal, and thrash bands. Also appearing will be locals Amerikan Citizens, The Monkey$, Order of the Circle, and Island Rat. Friday, April 5 | 7:30pm | Chameleons | 1350 East Street | 413-499-2582 | $6 21+ $8 18-20 |
|
|
|
||
 |
Friday: Jeff Holmes Quartet at Baba Louie's Berkshires Jazz hosts a CD release party at Baba Louie's Backroom, featuring Jeff Holmes' latest CD, Of One's Own, a combination of jazz standards and original compositions. Holmes' performing credits include Billy Taylor, the Paul Winter Consort, the New York Latin All-Stars, the New England Jazz Ensemble, Vince Giordano's Nighthawks, and his own Big Band. Friday, April 5 | 8pm | Baba Louies | 34 Depot Street | 413-442-7718 | $20 |
|
|
|
||
 |
Friday-Monday: A Place at the Table 50 million people in the U.S.—one in four children—don't know where their next meal is coming from, despite our having the means to provide nutritious, affordable food for all Americans. In A Place at the Table, directors Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbush examine this issue through the lens of three people who are struggling with food insecurity in Philadelphia, Colorado, and Mississippi. "A beautifully shot, poignant film." - Chicago Tribune.
Friday-Monday, April 5-8 | Fri-Mon 7pm Mon 1:30pm | Little Cinema at the Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | $5
|
|
|
|
||
 |
Friday: BeatleMania Stage Show The Beatlemania Stage Show will be performing the complete Beatles experience from the Ed Sullivan day's right through to the Magical Mystery Tour, Sgt. Pepper and Abbey Road with original costume changes and authentic Beatles instruments. The musicians from Beatlemania have performed professionally alongside the likes of Carly Simon, Hall and Oates, BJ Thomas, Kiss, Todd Rundgren and others. Pittsfield High School music students will also be performing live with the Beatlemania musicians during the concert on some songs. Proceeds help support the Pittsfield High School Band. Friday, April 5 | 7:30pm | Pittsfield High School |300 East Street | 800-316-8559 | $25-$55 |
|
|
|
||
 |
Friday-Sunday: How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying St. Joseph High School presents this classic satire of big business and all it holds sacred. How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying follows the rise of J. Pierrepont Finch, who uses a little handbook called "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying” to climb the corporate ladder from lowly window washer to high-powered executive. Friday-Sunday, April 5-7 | Fri & Sat 7:30pm Sun 3pm | Barrington Stage | 30 Union Street |413-236-8888 | $15 |
|
|
|
||
 |
Friday: Arthur Holmes Blues Band The Arthur Holmes Blues Band is a blues quartet based in Pittsfield with Arthur Holmes on guitar and vocals, John Worth on bass, Gary Smith on Hammond B-3 organ, and Bridget Wnukowski on drums. They perform blues and blues-based music across the tri-state area, bringing smoking hot performances to each stage they step onto. 21+. Friday, April 5 | 9:30pm | Flavours of Malaysia | 75 North Street | 413-443-3188 | $5 |
|
|
|
||
 |
Saturday & Sunday: Music Marathon Weekend at Berkshire Music School The Music Marathon is an annual fundraiser to raise funds for Berkshire Music School education programs. Nearly 200 students perform in five minute increments having obtained pledges for their performances. The weekend includes a bake sale and music shop. Stop by and enjoy! Saturday & Sunday, April 6 & 7 | Sat 9am-6pm Sun 9am-2pm | Berkshire Music School | 30 Wendell Avenue | 413-442-1411 | FREE |
|
|
|
||
 |
Saturday: Free family literacy program by Wee Read at Treehouse Help your child develop early literacy skills, engage in the 5 early literacy practices (talking, singing, reading, writing, playing), learn how to create an early literacy learning home, and learn about your library's resources. Please RSVP by Friday at 4pm with your name & ages of children either via info@treehouse.is or by phone. Each family will receive a FREE children's book! Saturday, April 6 | 10am | Treehouse | 305 North Street | 413-344-4435 | FREE |
|
|
|
||
 |
Saturday: Basic Applique Quilting Workshop Led by master quilters Connie Logan and artist/quilt designer Mary Rentz, each student will start their own Shaker gift drawing block, which may be finished into a wall hanging or be the first block of a larger quilt. The expert instructors will cover fabric and color choice, cutting, placement, applique techniques and simple embroidery, as well as squaring, marking, assembly, quilting and finishing. Saturday, April 6 | 10am-2pm | Hancock Shaker Village | 1843 West Housatonic Street |413-443-0188 | $25, $22 members |
|
|
|
||
 |
Saturday: Chi Gong and Calm Breathing Classes at Berkshire Healing Arts Could you use more vitality, balance, and calmness? Would you like to learn simple and effective exercises to improve your health on all levels? This class will help you. If you would like to guarantee a spot in the class, please call as early as possible to register, as space is limited to 16 people. Saturday, April 6 | 2pm | Sunrise Studio | 42 Summer Street, Suite 202 | 413-446-6231 | $10 |
|
|
|
||
 |
Saturday: Berkshire County Fundraiser for Autism at Crowne Plaza This annual event benefits Community Resources For People With Autism, helping children with autism, their families and citizens of Berkshire County. It includes a buffet dinner, silent auction, teacup raffle, 50/50 raffle, dessert dash, door prizes, and dancing with Rico Traversa. Saturday, April 6 | 6pm | Crowne Plaza | 1 West Street | 413-443-4780 | $40 |
|
|
|
||
 |
Sunday: Gospel Brunch at Mad Jacks Feed your soul at the Sunday Gospel Brunch at Mad Jacks featuring the fabulous award-winning MCLA Allegrettos. There will be a full buffet and a make your own bloody mary bar. Come praise the Lord and pass the biscuits! Click here for details. Sunday, April 7 | 10am-2pm | Mad Jacks BBQ | 295 North Street | 413-442-2290 | $16 Adults $8 Kids 10 and under
|
|
|
|
||
 |
Sunday: Breakdancing Class at Terpsichore This introductory breakdancing course will take participants through the fundamental building blocks of breakdancing. Led by instructor Andres Ramirez, the class will help participants develop coordination and overall confidence. Andres has taught throughout the county and is able to teach a range of levels and abilities. Please call the studio to register as space is limited! Sunday, April 7 | Ages 6-9: 1pm; Ages 10+: 1:45pm | Terpsichore Dance Center | 395 North Street | 413-443-5392 | $10 |
|
|
|
||
 |
Sunday: Jimmy Sturr at The Colonial Theatre! Berkshire Theatre Group presents the King of Polka Jimmy Sturr live at The Colonial Theatre! Recipient of 18 Grammy Awards, Sturr is the hottest musical attraction in the polka field. Sturr has performed with the likes of Willie Nelson and Arlo Guthrie, as well as appeared on Fox News, Saturday Night Live and Grand Ole' Opry's Backstage. When you see Sturr and his orchestra in person, you know why they draw huge crowds, have been voted #1 in the country and are considered the best in polka music. Sunday, April 7 | 2pm | The Colonial Theatre | 111 South Street | 413-997-4444 | VIP $45, $25-$35 |
|
|
|
||
 |
Sunday: Patterns by Susan Merrill at Hancock Shaker Village Join Hancock Shaker Village for the opening reception of Susan Merrill's annual show, celebrating Baby Animals on the Shaker Farm with her paintings and drawings. This year's theme is Patterns, recognizing the distinctive patterns of fur and feathers, as well as groupings of animals in their pastures and pens. RSVP is suggested. Sunday, April 7 | 4pm-6pm | Hancock Shaker Village | 1843 West Housatonic Street | 413-443-0188 | FREE |
|
|
|
||
 |
Sunday: New England Brass Band at Zion Church Berkshire Music School presents the New England Brass Band in Concert. New England Brass Band, a 30-piece brass and percussion ensemble founded in 1988 in the British Brass Band tradition. Based in the Boston area, the band has won several awards, and has produced an acclaimed series of recordings. Sunday, April 7 | 4pm | Zion Lutheran Church | 74 First Street | 413-442-1411 | $20 Adults $5 Students |
|
|
|
||
 |
Tuesday & Wednesday: Playwright Mentoring Project at Barrington Stage You're invited to public performances of Barrington Stage Company's award-winning Playwright Mentoring Project (PMP), where teens create an original performance piece based on their own stories in a safe and confidential environment where they can express themselves, develop conflict resolution skills and together create a supportive community. Tuesday's performance is titled Limping Through Reality and Wednesday is The Robbery. Click here for a full performance list and more on the PMP. Tuesday & Wednesday, April 9 & 10 | 7pm | Barrington Stage Company | St. Germain Stage | 36 Linden Street | 413-236-8888 | FREE |
|
|
|
||
|
|
Thursday: Double Wide, Twice As Big Paul Bonin-Rodriguez returns to BCC (from Texas!) to tell the story of a small town sissy boy named Johnny, a funny, much-bullied gay kid who comes of age slinging fast food at the Dairy Queen, escapes to the big city, and ultimately pursues a high-flying career as a highly decorated flight attendant. Double Wide, Twice as Big attempts to set some very queer tales as straight as they may go. Critics have hailed Johnny as "a gay Huck Finn”. Click here for a list of all of the Free Forums in April at BCC. Thursday, April 11 | 12:15pm | Berkshire Community College | Koussevitzky Arts Center | 413-236-4564 | FREE |
|
|
|
||
 |
Thursday: Berkshires Jazz Student Art Contest at Berkshire Museum More than 100 student art works from Pittsfield, Taconic, St. Joseph's and Miss Hall's High Schools will be on display, and one will be chosen to represent the2013 Pittsfield City Jazz Festival presented byBerkshire Jazz, Inc. The event is free and open to the public: refreshments will be served and the Berkshires Jazz Youth Ensemble will play. Thursday, April 11 | 5pm | Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | FREE |
|
|
|
||
|
|
Thursday: Bunco for Junior League of Berkshire County at Clocktower Building Join the Junior League of Berkshire County for their annual Ladies Night Out event. Bunco is an exciting dice game, not many rules but lots of fun! All are welcome, even if you have never played the game; it's very easy to learn. The ticket includes refreshments and prizes. Come support the Junior League of Berkshire County while having a great time. Thursday, April 11 | 7pm | Clocktower Building | 6th Floor | 75 South Church Street | 413-443-5151 | $20 |
|
|
|
||
 |
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, April 11 | 6:30pm-8:30pm | The Marketplace Cafe | 53 North Street | 413-358-4777 | NO COVER |
|
