Friday-Sunday: Last Weekend of Baby Animals at Hancock Shaker Village

This spring celebration is one of the most exciting times of the year at Hancock Shaker Village, when scores of baby lambs, piglets, calves, goats, ducklings and chicks arrive at the historic Round Stone Barn. Visitors get to meet and greet the baby animals and also participate in fun, Shaker-themed craft activities in the Discovery Room.

Friday-Sunday, May 2-4 | 10am-4pm | Hancock Shaker Village | 1843 West Housatonic Street | 413-443-0188 | $18 adults, $8 children, children 12 and under and members are FREE

Friday: First Fridays Artswalk! 

Enjoy more than 15 different art shows featuring work by more than 40 accomplished regional artists, including students in grades 6-12 in Pittsfield in Art in Our Schools at the Lichtenstein (pictured left) during the First Fridays Artswalk and all month long!  Join Artswalk Chair Mary McGinnis on a free guided tour beginning at 5pm at Berkshire Community College's Intermodal Gallery @ the BRTA Intermodal Center.  The fun doesn't stop at 8! Join the Artswalk After Party from 8-10 pm at the Whitney Center for the Arts.  Everything is free and open to the public!  Click here for a full schedule.

Friday, May 2 | 5-8pm | upstreet Pittsfield | 413-499-9348 | FREE

Friday: Opening Reception at Guido's

Photographer Bria Arponti will be displaying her collection Water in our Pittsfield Cafe for the months of May and June. Arponti's photography features works inspired by perspective, line, color, and depth of field, as well as Berkshire County's beautiful scenery.  Originally a painter, Arponti received her Bachelors in Art from Barat College in Lake Forest, Illinois.  A Berkshire native, Arponti exhibited at Canyon Ranch, the Wells Gallery, the Housatonic Valley Art League, the Becket Art League, the Lichtenstein Gallery, the Berkshire Museum and Arts Walk. 

Friday, May 2 | 5pm-7pm | Guido's Fresh Marketplace | 1020 South Street | 413-442-4984 | FREE

Friday-Monday: Finding Vivian Maier at Little Cinema

Who is Vivian Maier? Now considered one of the 20th century's greatest street photographers, Vivian Maier was a mysterious nanny who secretly took over 100,000 photographs that went unseen during her lifetime. Since buying her work by chance at auction, amateur historian John Maloof has crusaded to put this prolific photographer in the history books. Maier's strange and riveting life and art are revealed through never-before-seen photographs, films, and interviews with dozens who thought they knew her.

Friday-Monday, May 2-5 | Fri-Mon 7pm Mon 1:30pm | Berkshire Museum | Little Cinema | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | $5 Museum Members $7.50 Museum Non Members

Friday: Encore! An Evening to Celebrate High School Musicals

This special performance features ten-minute encore performances from this year's Berkshire County high school musicals.  Join over 200 students as they perform musical numbers from: Lenox Memorial High School: Pippin directed by Ralph Petillo, Miss Hall's: Oliver! directed by Jennifer Jordan, Monument Mountain Regional High School: Into the Woods directed by Linnea Mace, Mt. Everett Regional High School: Grease directed by Kathy Jo Grover, Mt. Greylock Regional High School: Guys and Dolls directed by Jeffrey Welch, Pittsfield High School: Cats directed by Justina Trova and, Wahconah Regional High School: Dames at Sea directed by Thomas Towne and Pamela Gold.  Ticket proceeds benefit BTG PLAYS!, Berkshire Theatre Group's Year-Round Education Program.

Friday, May 2 | 7pm | Colonial Theatre | 111 South Street | 413-997-4444 | $15 Adults $10 Students

Friday: Live Music at Mission

Celebrate the end of the work week at Mission with Oxen of the Sun.  They play originals and feature Karl Mullen on guitar and vocals, Matt Lamb on drums, Benny Kohn on keyboards, Kira Guidon on vocals and Elizabeth Gray on bass and vocals. 

Friday, May 2 | 8pm | Mission Bar + Tapas | 438 North Street | NO PHONE | NO COVER

Friday: Live Music at Caseys

Don't miss the return of dirty punk reggae heavyweights Danny Pease & the Regulators.  Their style of "Dirty Punk Reggae" continues to morph and take shape, while always staying true to reggae roots and ska rhythms.  Also performing will be local reggae stalwarts Rebel Alliance!  Rock, reggae, and revolution - these are the things that Rebel Alliance, the Berkshires pre-eminent reggae-influenced band, preach to the masses!

Friday, May 2 | 8pm | Casey's | 501 Dalton Avenue | 413-997-2255 | $5 (includes free pool)

Saturday: Berkshire Idol Semi-Finals at Barrington Stage

The Semi-Finals event is Saturday and features several categories.  The Youth Category is ages 7 to 11 and begins at 10am.   The Teen Category is ages 12 to 16 and begins at 11am.  The Adult Category begins at 12:45pm.  New this year, Amanda's on Wheels food truck will be at the venue selling hot dogs, meatball sliders, cucumber carrot salad with cranberries, cookies and drinks available for purchase from 11-3 PM on Saturday.  Online Voting will be available on Saturday at 4pm and can be found at iBerkshires.com/BerkshireIdol.    

Saturday, May 3  | 10am-2pm | Barrington Stage | 30 Union Street | 413-236-8888 | Weekend Pass $30 Adults $25 Students and Seniors

Saturday: Collaged and Painted Flowerpot Workshop at NUarts Studios

Whether it's making, teaching or performing, local artist Diane Firtell is always immersed in some kind of creative activity. We are thrilled to present this popular workshop once again in the intimate setting of Diane's studio at NUarts studios/gallery.  Absolutely no experience or 'artistic talent' is required for this fun, hands on workshop. Diane will share her unique technique of collaging and painting on terra cotta flowerpots. She will discuss alternate image transfer methods and surfaces. Workshop attendees will leave with their own 6-inch collaged and painted flowerpot. Click here for more information and to register.  

Saturday, May 3 | 10am-1pm | NUarts Studios | 311 North Street | 413-841-1659 | $60 

Saturday: Women of Color Giving Circle Graduation Event at Spice Dragon

The Women of Color Giving Circle of Berkshire County will be hosting its annual Graduates Event.  The graduates event, now in its ninth year, celebrates and honors the achievements of African-American high school graduates in Berkshire County. Each graduate will be presented with an award.  The keynote speaker is Barbara Krauthamer (pictured left), an Associate Professor of History at U-Mass Amherst & co-author of Envisioning Emancipation:  Black Americans and the End of Slavery.  The book received the 2013 NAACP Image award for Outstanding Literary Work in non-fiction. 

Saturday, May 3 | 2pm Alumnae Gathering 3pm Graduate Ceremony | Spice Dragon | 297 North Street | 413-442-3078 | FREE

Saturday & Thursday: Student Recital at Berkshire Music School

This student recital is from the studio of Bonnie McCubbin and features voice, piano and violin.

Saturday & Thursday, May 3 & 8 | Sat 2:30pm Thurs 6pm | Berkshire Music School | Taft Recital Hall | 297 North Street | 413-442-1411 | Free will donation

Saturday: Derby Party at Bousquet

Shake off the winter blues with a great party celebrating Spring and the sport of Kings.  Come watch the Kentucky Derby, the most exciting two minutes in sports and cheer on your favorite, while enjoying traditional Southern food and specialty drinks.  Dress to impress in your finest Derby hat for the hat contest. Soak up the sun on the deck, listen to great music and enjoy mint juleps.  It will be a great day of racing, fashion and fun.

Saturday, May 3 | 4pm | Bousquet | 101 Dan Fox Drive | 413-442-8316 | NO COVER

Saturday: Farm to Table Dinner at Dottie's

Here's your chance to experience one of Dottie's amazing dinners!  This Spring they are bringing the farm to you with an authentic menu created and executed by Jaryn Pierson, a brilliant young chef who has worked at Cricket Creek Farm as well as Blue Hill Farm and has firm knowledge of life on the farm into the kitchen.  Join Dottie's for this all organic, farm raised menu.  Please call to reserve your seat.

Saturday, May 3 | 7pm | Dottie's Coffee Lounge | 444 North Street | 413-443-1792 | $30

Saturday: ZipStohr Comedy at Barrington Stage

ZipStohr Comedy is proud to bring the third installment in the incredibly funny Berkshire Comedy Spotlight back to Pittsfield!  This time, they've assembled the six funniest comics who grew up in the Berkshires.  Kevin Bartini, Brian Collins, Rick D'elia, Jay Montepare, Karen Rontowski, Mike Whitman.  Click here to buy tickets and for more information.   

Saturday, May 4 | 7:30pm | Barrington Stage | 30 Union Street | 413-822-2247 | $35

Saturday: Carmina Burana at Colonial

Albany Berkshire Ballet is bringing back its Spring Season featuring Carmina Burana with choreography by Paula Weber. This performance will also include an excerpt from Swan Lake restaged by Darren McIntyre and ABB premiere Sleight with choreography by Rick Kuperman and Jeff Kuperman.

Saturday, May 4 | 7:30pm | Colonial Theatre | 30 Union Street | 413-822-2247 | $13 Students $28 Adults

Saturday: Live Music at Spice Dragon

Greylock is back for another night of classic rock!  The band features Kevin Doolan, Dave Flynn, Bob Jones and Matt McKeever playing great classic rock from the Doobies, Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs, Chicago and  more.

Saturday, May 4 | 8pm | Spice Dragon | 297 North Street | 413-443-1234 | NO COVER

Saturday: Live Music at J. Allen's

Duffy and Erin are an acoustic duo with their own unique rhythm. Michael Duffy plays guitar, and the two harmonize to hits ranging from Journey and the Eagles to Adele and Jason Mraz.

Saturday, May 4 | 8pm | J. Allen's | 41 North Street | 413-499-9998 | NO COVER

Sunday: Brunch with TuTu Much at Dottie's

TuTu Much , the little band with the big sound, hooks up with Dottie for a marvelous May morning brunch.  Come join these spunky lads, semi-fresh from their annual Virgin Island tour, together with Dottie's coffee-fueled crew for a delicious morning of Caribe-vibe folkrockin' reggae, cigar box blues and a whole lotta delightful brunch-time treats. 

Sunday, May 4 | 10am-1pm | Dottie's Coffee Lounge | 444 North Street | 413-443-1792 | NO COVER

Sunday: First Ever Food Truck Rodeo at Palace Park

Five trucks, including Pittsfield's How We Roll, will park their specialty food trucks in the park for this free community event, which will benefit Moments House in Pittsfield, a facility for Berkshire County residents living with cancer, as well as their families and support systems.  Foodies can expect an array of creatively crafted on-the-go dishes, from wood-fired personal pizzas, exotic dishes like elk burgers, to staples like hot dogs, organic salads and paninis. Local brewers Big Elm Brewery and Wandering Star Craft Brewery will also be on tap during the afternoon. Moments House will be on hand with crafty kid activities and face painting, and rodeo patrons can enjoy live music from the Jill Gallagher Band while chowing down.

Sunday, May 4 | 11am-4pm | Palace Park | Corner of North and Fenn Streets | 413-443-6800 | NO COVER

Sunday: Berkshire Idol Finals at Barrington Stage

For the Berkshire Idols Finals, the live audience voting will be tallied and the 2014 winners and highest fundraiser will be awarded. This year's celebrity judges include Alex Lee-Clark, Bernice Lewis and Larry Stevens. A reception with the judges at Spice Dragon located on North Street will follow the Finals performance.  Click here for more information. 

Sunday, May 4 | 2pm | Barrington Stage | 30 Union Street | 413-884-2008 | Weekend Pass $30 Adults $25 Students and Seniors

Sunday: Two Who Dared: The Sharps' War at Little Cinema

A dramatic documentary, Two Who Dared is the untold WWII story of Waitstill and Martha Sharp, a Unitarian minister and his wife, who traveled to Prague and France in 1939 and 1940 to rescue both Christians and Jews fleeing the Nazis. The Sharps played a vital role in enabling hundreds to reach safety, often through clandestine means.  This is presented in partnership with Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, the Unitarian Universalist Churches of Pittsfield and Great Barrington and endorsed by Berkshire interfaith organizations.

Sunday, May 4 | 3pm | Berkshire Museum | Little Cinema | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | $5

Sunday: Live Music at Mission

Come celebrate the new extended Sunday summer hours at Mission with live music.  Live music by Satellite Shine with special guests Wes Buckley, Jason Schultheis, Benny Kohn, Chris Lynch, Andy Wrba, Leia, Chris Vecchia and more!

Sunday, May 4 | 4pm | Mission Bar + Tapas | 39 South Street | NO PHONE | NO COVER

Monday: BMS Teen Voice Performance at Baba Louie's

This will feature performances from the teen singing workshop, Finding Your Voice.  Performers include Kelly Anderson, Sadie Anderson, Julia Drury, Anna Duquette, Olivia Furlong and Keanna Redd.  Sherri James Buxton is the director with Bob Shepherd on piano. 

Monday, May 5 | 6pm | Baba Louie's | 35 Depot Street | 413-442-1411 | Free Will Donation

Tuesday: Chamber Orchestra Concert at Berkshire Music School

This Chamber Orchestra concert features works by Beethoven and C.M. Von Weber, with soloists 16 year old Paul Celebi, piano; and Paul Green, BMS Clarinet Faculty. 

Tuesday, May 6 | 6pm | Berkshire Music School | Taft Recital Hall | 297 North Street | 413-442-1411 | Free will donation

Thursday+: Lunchtime Yoga at Berkshire Music School

Relax and restore your body with Bonnie McCubbin.  Bring  your mat, comfortable clothes, water and an open mind. 

Thursdays in May | 12pm | Berkshire Music School| Taft Recital Hall | 30 Wendell Avenue | 413-442-1411 | $15 

Thursday+: Millie Calesky Journaling Workshop at BCC

The best answers to your life challenges often lie within, according to Millie Calesky, who says that journaling is an effective way to tap into your deepest wisdom. At her workshop, you will learn proven strategies to begin or strengthen your journaling practice, finding her process grounding and energizing; the rewards deeply satisfying.  You'll also have time between classes to experiment with techniques. 

Thursdays, May 8 & 15 | 6pm-8pm | Berkshire Community College |  1350 West Street | 413-236-2122 | $50 for both classes

Thursday: Thursday Live featuring Dan Masterson at Marketplace

Dan Masterson is a Boston-based performing songwriter with dynamic vocal presence, unusual songwriting intuition, and captivating performance energy. While drawing on his country and singer-songwriter roots, Dan seeks to push the boundaries of piano-centric pop and rock. Masterson's debut release, The Father Time EP, led him to a 10-week summer tour in the United Kingdom, where he honed his solo performance in front of fresh audiences, including festival-goers at the famed Edinburgh Fringe.

Thursday, May 8 | 6:30pm-8:30pm | Marketplace Café |  53 North Street | 413-358-4777 | NO COVER  

Thursday:  Film and Panel Discussion at Berkshire Athenaeum

Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare tackles one of the most pressing issues of our time: how can we save our badly broken healthcare system?  American healthcare costs are rising so rapidly that they could reach $4.2 trillion annually, roughly 20% of our gross domestic product, within ten years. We spend $300 billion a year on pharmaceutical drugs––almost as much as the rest of the world combined. We pay more, yet our health outcomes are worse. About 65% of Americans are overweight and almost 75% of healthcare costs are spent on preventable diseases that are the major causes of disability and death in our society.

Thursday, May 8 | 7pm | Berkshire Athenaeum | One Wendell Ave | 413-499-9480 | FREE

Thursday: Advocating for Feral and Community Cats Presentation at Berkshire Humane Society

Berkshire Humane Society (BHS) will host Stacey Carver and Melissa Tharion from Berkshire Animal DREAMS as the next speakers in their popular Coffee Hour Speaking Series.  In their presentation, Advocating for Berkshire County's Feral and Community Cats, Stacey and Melissa will discuss their organization's mission to help these cats and ways the community can assist in ending cat overpopulation in this area.  They will also explain and demonstrate Trap Neuter Return (TNR) practices.  After the presentation, ample time will be provided for discussion.  Refreshments will be served.  

Thursday, May 8 | 7pm | Berkshire Humane Society | 214 Barker Road | 413-447-7878 x 28 | FREE

Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market Opens Next Week!  

Opening day features artisans, live music by Billy Keane, a chef demo by Dottie's Coffee Lounge, DIY non-toxic cleaning products workshop, story time with Parent-Child Home Program and more!  The Market will run rain or shine.  SNAP (EBT/Food Stamps) accepted.

Saturdays May 10 Through October 25 | 9am-1pm | First Street (across from the Common) | info@farmersmarketpittsfield.org | NO COVER

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