Cultural Pittsfield This Week: Nov. 26-Dec. 4

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First Church  

Wednesday: Thanksgiving Eve Concert at First Church

This year's festival brings together a number of local jazz, folk and blues artists – including Carlton Maaia II, Linda Worster, Charlie Tokarz, Jon Hadad, Andy Kelly, Between the Banks and Hal Lefferts– who will share their musical talents. The proceeds benefit the Pittsfield Area Council of Congregation's Fuel Assistance Fund. PACC is Pittsfield's oldest Inter-Faith organization bringing Christian, Jewish and Muslim congregations together to cooperate for the common good. This year special guests will include the Gospel Gang who will share acoustic songs from the country gospel tradition, too.

Wednesday, November 26 | 7pm | First Church of Christ | 27 East Street | 413-447-7351 | Free Will Donation


Dave Davies  

Wednesday: Dave Davies at The Colonial

Dave Davies founded the Kinks in the early 1960s and forever changed music after he sliced up the speaker cone of a little green amp and created a revolutionary, distorted guitar tone and frenetic solo on the song You Really Got Me. Davies is one of the most unpredictable and original forces in rock, without whom guitar-rock styles including heavy metal and punk would have been inconceivable. A member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Dave's massive guitar sounds have inspired bands from Van Halen to Green Day. Dave's new album I Will Be Me is a return to his groundbreaking guitar sound and innovative songwriting.

Wednesday, November 26 | 7:30pm | Colonial Theatre | 111 South Street | 413-997-4444 | $30-$70


Happy Thanksgiving  

Thursday:  Happy Thanksgiving!

All of us here at the City of Pittsfield's Office of Cultural Development wish you and yours a peaceful day of thanks. We are grateful to live in a community of so many creative, talented, generous, hard-working, kind and giving people. Thank you to everyone who makes our lives brighter and more vibrant through their creative efforts, from pre-school musicians to elder craftspeople, and everyone in between. Happy Thanksgiving!


 

Thursday: The Annual Mike MacDonald Thanksgiving Day Home Run Derby 

This is the 8th annual fundraiser to raise money for the Mike MacDonald baseball scholarship which has awarded over $12,000 to candidates who were members of the Pittsfield baseball team. This event has become a tradition for many on Thanksgiving morning.

Thursday, November 27 | 9am-12pm | Deming Park | 413-441-8206


 

Friday-Saturday: Chocolate and Candlelight Tours at Arrowhead

For two special nights this month, enjoy the Candlelight and Chocolate tours of Arrowhead. During the tour, you can see the house and hear Melville's story in a very different way. After the tour, enjoy a chocolate dessert buffet. Program begins at 7pm each evening, and space is limited, reservations are required. 

Friday-Saturday, November 28-29| 7pm | Arrowhead | 780 Holmes Road | 413-442-1793 | $25


 

Friday-Monday: Laggies at The Little Cinema

Over-educated and underemployed, 28 year old Megan (Keira Knightley) is in the throes of a quarter-life crisis. Squarely into adulthood with no career prospects, no particular motivation to think about her future and no one to relate to, Megan is comfortable lagging a few steps behind – while her friends check off milestones and celebrate their grown-up status. When her high-school sweetheart proposes, Megan panics and hides out in the home of her new friend, 16-year old Annika (Chloë Grace Moretz) and Annika's world-weary single dad Craig (Sam Rockwell). 

Friday-Monday, November 28-December 1 | Fri-Mon 7pm Mon 3pm | Berkshire Museum | Little Cinema | 39 South Street |413-443-7171 | $5 Museum Members $7.50 Museum Non Members


 

Friday: Black Friday at Casey's

The event brings the return of the mechanical bull by request on Black Friday so you can ride and dance off all that turkey! As you know, at Casey's the bull nights are OUT OF THIS WORLD epic so get there early! $5 cover gets you free pool, bull rides and dancing all night long. 21+

Friday, November 28 | 9pm | Casey's | 501 Dalton Ave | 413-997-2255 | $5


 

Friday: Whiskey City at the Italian Itam Lodge

Come dance off Thanksgiving with Whiskey City this Friday at the Italian Itam Lodge! It's been a while since they've been back here, so come and enjoy the spacious dance floor and great views of the lake! Just a great night of music with a great bunch of people!

Friday, November 28 | 9:30pm-12:30am| Italian Itam Lodge | 93 Waubeek Road | 413-822-7338 |


 

Saturday- Sunday: Holiday Sales at Hancock Shaker Village

The Hancock Shaker Village store will offer the shopping public a cup of hot cider and 20-percent off on purchases of oval boxes and other wood items, including seed carriers and trays. (Members of Hancock Shaker Village get even deeper discounts.) All of the Store's specialty food items and children's toys are also 10-percent off. Many of the oval boxes on sale are the product of expert staff and volunteer box-makers at Hancock Shaker Village who crafted them during  demonstrations for the general public.

Saturday-Sunday, November 29-30 | 10am-5pm | Hancock Shaker Village | 1843 West Housatonic Street | 413-443-0188 | NO COVER


 

Saturday: Pop Up Art Show at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts

Give the gift of art this Holiday Season!  Start your shopping at the The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts'  Pop Up Art Show, taking place during two weekends this month.  Featured artists include:  Michael Boroniec; Mario Caluori;  ‎Lucie Castaldo; Tom Ciaburri; Joanie Ciolfi; Peg Dotchin; Crispina Ffrench; John Houseman;Michelle Iglesias; Ellie Kreisher; Edward J. Moran; Stephanie Quetti; Allan Seppa; Scott Taylor; Donna Tukel; Warren Vienneau; Nicole Webster.  Click here for more information.

Saturday, November 29 | 11am-4pm | Lichtenstein Center for the Arts | 28 Renne Avenue | 413-499-9348 | NO COVER


 

Saturday: Kitchen Ka-Boom! At Berkshire Museum

Sign up for Kitchen Ka-Boom and perform thrilling and fun science experiments in the Sabic Innovation Lab! All experiments are kid-safe and can be recreated using items found in almost any kitchen.  Each session features a different experiment.

Saturday, November 29 | 11am-12pm |Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-236-8888 | FREE with Museum admission


 

Saturday: Christmas at the Colonial with Mary Verdi

Come and enjoy the 5th annual Christmas at the Colonial with Mary Verdi. This high energy, fun show will have you singing along to your favorite Christmas Carols while your entire family shares in 90 minutes of holiday joy! Mary Verdi, Berkshire's premiere female singer/songwriter has created an evening of celebration that spotlights her Band with Rev Tor as special guest, The Dalton Ballet Troupe, a local Children's Choir, Berkshire Music School Violinists and of course Santa. 

Saturday, November 29 | 2pm & 7pm| The Colonial Theatre| 111 South Street | 413-448-8084 | $25 adults, $10 children


 

Saturday: Shaker Supper at Hancock Shaker Village

Join interpreters in period attire on a guided tour of select buildings in the Village to see Shaker furniture and artifacts, and learn a bit about Shaker life.  Then, head to the historic 1830s Brick Dwelling for a cider and cheese reception (beer and wine are available for purchase), followed by dinner, served by candlelight in the Believers' Dining Room, of delicious soup, entrees, side dishes and desserts selected from The Best of Shaker Cooking by Amy Bess Miller.

Saturday, November 29 | 4pm-7:30pm | Hancock Shaker Village | 1843 West Housatonic Street | 413-443-0188 | $65


 

Monday+: Berkshire Holiday Auction

Don't miss the Berkshire Visitors Bureau's first ever Holiday Auction!  Let the bidding begin!  The 2014 Berkshire Holiday Auction includes certificates for dinners out, theater and attraction tickets and shopping at your favorite Berkshire businesses.  Proceeds support marketing of the Berkshires as a premier travel destination.  Grab up a great deal before bidding ends on December 11Click here to bid beginning December 1

December 1-11 


 
 

Tuesday: Business Coaching Event at Crowne Plaza

The event will follow a "speed coaching” format where entrepreneurs and business owners can meet up to six lenders and/or business services providers for 12 minutes each. Traditional and non-traditional SBA lenders and other funding sources as well as business advising providers will be present.

Tuesday, December 2 | 1pm-4pm | Crowne Plaza | 1 West Street | 413-499-2000 |


 

Tuesday: Sublime Sunflowers: Pastel Paint Like the Masters at Berkshire Athenaeum

Gregory Maichack, a national award-winning pastelist and talented instructor, returns to the Berkshire Athenaeum to present a workshop entitled: "Sublime Sunflowers: Pastel Paint Like the Masters". Participants using van Gogh's, Georgia O'Keeffe's and Monet's famous "Sunflowers” artwork, and also Maichack's reference photos, create their unique sunflower pastel painting. All required materials will be provided. Preregistration is required and participants must be at least 17 years old.

Tuesday, December 2 | 6pm | Berkshire Athenaeum | One Wendell Ave | 413-499-9480 | FREE


 

Wednesday: Free Blood Pressure Screening At Berkshire Athenaeum

The Berkshire Health Systems Community Outreach Van visits at the library's Wendell Avenue entrance and professional staff on the van offer free Blood Pressure Screenings. No appointment necessary.

Wednesday, December 3 | 10am-11:30am | Berkshire Athenaeum | One Wendell Ave | 413-499-9480 |FREE


Holiday Celebration at Crowne Plaza  

Wednesday: Eat, Drink & Be Merry Holiday Gathering at the Crowne Plaza

Want to forego the stress of planning your company party? Bring your party to our Holiday Celebration!
Be part of the Berkshire's Best Holiday Celebration - Join Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., Berkshire Chamber of Commerce and the Crowne Plaza as they come together to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year!  The event includes a holiday buffet, passed hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar.

 

Wednesday, December 3 | 5pm-8pm | Crowne Plaza | One West Street | 413-443-6501 | $20


 

Wednesday: The Wailers at The Colonial

On the 30th anniversary of its release in 1984, The Wailers will be touring the US in 2014, performing the iconic album Legend in its entirety. Named by Time Magazine as the "Best Album of the 20th Century" and #46 on Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, Legend is also the best-selling reggae album of all-time, with over 30 million copies sold worldwide. 

Wednesday, December 3 | 7:30pm| The Colonial Theatre| 111 South Street | 413-448-8084 | $30-$50


 

Thursday: Cloud Computing Concepts at Berkshire Athenaeum

You've probably heard the term "Cloud Computing" but  perhaps you're foggy on its meaning. This conceptual class will cover: How is computer data stored? What is Cloud Computing? Why do people use it? What are its limits? How can I use it in my life (Do I want to?) The instructor will be happy to field questions on this vast topic; but she  may not be able to address personal troubleshooting issues. Those who are new to these concepts may benefit from attending Today's Technology, also offered in this round.

Thursday, December 4 | 9:30am-11am | Berkshire Athenaeum | One Wendell Ave | 413-499-9480 | FREE

 

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

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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