Cultural Pittsfield This Week: Feb. 6-12

11:22AM / Friday, February 06, 2015Print Story | Email Story

Office of Cultural Development | City of Pittsfield

"The Drake" by Eli Merritt, part of the Ten Spot Art Show at the Lichtenstein

The Upstreet Cultural District downtown will be bustling tonight for the February First Fridays Artswalk. Enjoy nine different art shows featuring work by more than 20 accomplished regional artists. The fun doesn't stop at 8! The Whitney Center for the Arts will host an after party from 8-10 pm. First Fridays Artswalk is free and open to the public.

Click here for a First Fridays Artswalk guide.

Friday, February 6 | 5pm-8pm | Upstreet Cultural District | 413-499-9348 | FREE

Friday: Empty Bowl Fundraiser at First Methodist Church

Berkshire Co-Act will hold Empty Bowl - a fundraising event to benefit "Barbara's Place" First Transitional House in Pittsfield for homeless women. An all-you-can-eat dinner of gourmet soups, crusty breads, and decadent desserts will benefit the residents of Pittsfield's first transitional house for homeless women. Attendees can expect live piano entertainment and chances to win prizes: gift certificate from Catherine's Chocolates and a dinner for two at Trattoria Rustica.

Friday, February 6 | 5pm-7:30 |First Methodist Church | 55 Fenn

Street | $20 Adults; $10 Teens; Free under 1

Friday: Paint Party at The Dirty Paintbrush

Learn to paint "Red Sunflower." Call now to reserve your canvas.

Friday, February 6 | 6pm-9pm | The Dirty Paintbrush | 141 North Street | 413-442-9300

Friday-Monday: Oscar Nominated Animated Shorts at The Little Cinema

This year's nominees for Best Animated Short Film will screen at the Little Cinema. The Bigger Picture: tensions arise between two brothers as their elderly mother requires more care. The Dam Keeper: lonely little pig in charge of maintaining the town dam is cruelly bullied by his classmates. Feast: the story of the relationship between a young man and the stray puppy he takes in is told through the food the dog receives. Me and My Moulton: three sisters growing up in an unconventional Norwegian family ask their parents for a bicycle. A Single Life: a mysterious vinyl single gives a young woman the power to move back and forth through the years of her life.

Friday: 2nd Annual Hot Stove Event: An Evening with Ben Cherington at The Colonial Theatre

Pitchers and catchers report in less than two weeks so the Pittsfield Suns want to get you into the mood for baseball! Their Second Annual Hot Stove will feature Ben Cherington, the Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Boston Red Sox. Hot Stove is a baseball-related term referring to the sport's off-season. The phrase is meant to call up images of baseball fans gathering around a hot stove during the cold winter months, discussing their favorite baseball teams and players.
Click here for more information.

Friday: Music @ The Taft: Robin O'Herin In Concert

Delta and Piedmont Blues artist Robin O'Herin opens Music@TheTaft Series. This will be in a coffee house setting, with coffee and desserts included with ticket purchase. Robin will be giving a masterclass prior to the concert (additional cost).

Friday: Trailer Trash Rocking Road Trip at Fairways

This is a first-time area appearance for a regional country band, who have performed at Mohegan Sun, Foxwoods, and Toby Keith's bar to name a few. If you like country, you'll love Trailer Trash. 21+.

Saturday: Learner's Lab: Hand-dipped Chocolates at Berkshire Museum

What better way to show your Valentine you care than by crafting some of your own special chocolate creations? Kathy Sinico of Catherine's Chocolates will lead a chocolate dipping workshop as part of our on-going Learner's Lab series. Kathy Sinico will demonstrate the making of several types of chocolates featured at Catherine's. Catherine's Chocolates is a family business that started in New York City in the 1920s and expanded to the Berkshires more than 50 years ago.

Saturday: Animal Tracks And Signs at Canoe Meadows

Winter is a great time to look for animal tracks and signs. Join sanctuary naturalists for a 2-hour adventure in search of tracks, scat, and other signs of animals that remain active throughout the winter. You'll discover a whole new window into the lives of animals, simply by looking at their tracks. Open to families with children age 8 and up.

Saturday: WeeMuse: Art Lab at Berkshire Museum

Using the Museum as our inspiration, we will be exploring different art forms and mediums in these monthly sessions. Each project will leave you with something to take home as a memory from your visit. Appropriate for children ages 2-5, accompanied by adult. Space is limited to 10 children with parents; call 413.443.7171 ext. 360 to register.

Saturday: Fire In The Sky at Bousquet

Garden Presents: Fire In The Sky, ski and snowboard big air. You can sign up to participate in this event at Bousquet. You can also go and watch this event from the base of Bousquet. A $10 nonrefundable entry fee and signing of contest waiver

is required for all contestants. Click here for event rules and details.

Saturday, February 7 | 4pm | Bousquet | 101 Dan Fox Drive | 413-442-8316 | $10

Saturday: Jazz Saturday Nights at J.Allen's

This February, J.Allen's is hosting a different Jazz Band every Saturday night from 7 - 10 pm. Come in for dinner and then plan on chilling for a while as Jazz music is played from the bar area. Starting with this Saturday with Dave Bartley's Blue Jazz. Remember, every Saturday in February will be a different Jazz Band.

Saturday, February 7 | 7pm-1opm | J.Allen's Clubhouse Grille | 41 North Street | 413-499-9998

Saturday: Run For Cover at Flavours

Run for Cover is Upstate New York's newest hard rock/metal cover band, bringing you the best music from the 80s, 90s and beyond! They play a great collection of songs from artists like Iron Maiden, Metallica, Judas Priest, Skid Row, Whitesnake, Godsmack, System of a Down, Disturbed, Guns 'N Roses, and more! 21+.

Saturday, February 7 | 9:30pm | Flavours of Malaysia | 75 North Street | 413-443-3188 | $5

Sunday: Berkshire Community College's 14th Annual Not Your Average Dog Show

Are you a dog lover? If so, the Annual Not Your Average Dog Show is for you! This family-oriented event is free for both human and canine spectators. Donations are encouraged and will benefit students through the college's annual fund. Dogs participating in the show must be registered to compete. Click here for more information.

Sunday: Paint Party at The Dirty Paintbrush

Learn to paint "Day At Sea." Call now to reserve your canvas.

Sunday, February 8 | 1pm-4pm | The Dirty Paintbrush | 141 North Street | 413-442-9300

Sunday & Monday: Town Players of Pittsfield Auditions

Town Players of Pittsfield announces auditions for a staged reading of "Southern Exposure", by Valerie Kavanaugh. The auditions will be held in Pittsfield at 27 Alexander Terrace. Sides from the play will be provided for the auditions. Needed for the cast are three women, one approximately 45 and two in their 60's. The play is about three friends who go out to celebrate a birthday and what a time they have. This staged reading will be performed on March 29.

Sunday & Monday, February 8 & 9 | 6pm-8pm | 27 Alexander Terrace| FREE

Monday: Teen Book Giveaway at Berkshire Athenaeum

All Teens are encouraged to stop by the Young Adults' Department and select a free book or magazine while supplies last. Limit of one free item per teen.

Tuesday: Using My Android Device: Basics at Berkshire Athenaeum

This class is for users of Android Devices who are having trouble with the basics. This class will cover common troubleshooting questions like "how do I install an app", "how do I delete an app", "how do I get myself connected to WiFi" and other issues that are raised within class. We ask that our users have gone through the basic set up of their individual devices prior to the start of class. If you are having difficulty in this process, please stop by the Reference Desk before the class starts.

Tuesday: Science and Innovation Fair at Berkshire Museum

Approximately 100 Pittsfield public high school students will exhibit more than 40 projects that demonstrate skills and concepts across a range of engineering and science disciplines; the participating student-scientists and student-engineers have conducted scientific research and completed engineering projects under the guidance of their faculty advisors from Taconic and Pittsfield High Schools. Free public admission to the Museum will be provided courtesy of SABIC; visitors will be able to see the Science Fair projects as well as the Museum's exhibitions and galleries.

Wednesday: Parent/STEM Session at Berkshire Museum

Come explore the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) with your child! Each week we will investigate a different topic through books, hands-on activities, and play. Each family will receive a science exploration packet to take home. Come discover what happens when opposites attract in magnet play! STEM program geared for children ages 2 to 4. Registration is required. Call the Museum at 413-443-7171 x21.

Wednesday: Paint Party at The Dirty Paintbrush

Learn to paint "Summer In The Berkshires." Call now to reserve your canvas.

Wednesday, February 11 | 6pm-9pm | The Dirty Paintbrush | 141 North Street | 413-442-9300

Wednesday: Stephen G. Donaldson: Travel Photography at Berkshire Athenaeum

Stephen Donaldson, a Berkshire based photographer, will give a lecture and power point presentation on travel photography. His program will be based on his experience of 1-1/2 years of travel around the world and his ongoing work as a freelance travel photojournalist since that time. Free and No registration required.

Wednesday: Boyhood at The Little Cinema

Filmed over 12 years with the same cast, Richard Linklater's Boyhood is a groundbreaking story of growing up as seen through the eyes of a child named Mason (a breakthrough performance by Ellar Coltrane), who literally grows up on screen before our eyes. Starring Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette as Mason's parents and newcomer Lorelei Linklater as his sister Samantha, Boyhood charts the rocky terrain of childhood like no other film has before. Snapshots of adolescence from road trips and family dinners to birthdays and graduations and all the moments in between. It's impossible not to watch Mason and his family without thinking about our own journey.

This year's 10x10 Festival features a winter fireworks display on Feb 21 at the Common.

Thursday: 10x10 Upstreet Winter Arts Festival Begins!

It's the 4th Annual 10x10 Upstreet Arts Festival Feb 12-22 in Downtown Pittsfield. This year's Festival promises to be the biggest and best fest yet! The Festival features fireworks, fashion, music, art, theatre, dance, comedy, film, and more. There is something for the entire family from Barrington Stage's 10x10 New Play Festival to 10 days of play at the Berkshire Museum to a bonfire and fireworks extravaganza at the newly renovated Pittsfield Common to a closing Academy Awards party at the Beacon Cinema. Click here for a day by day guide to the festival.

Thursday-Sunday, February 12-22 | Upstreet Cultural District | Times and Performances Vary | 413-499-9348 | Prices Vary

Ten Spot artist Tatiana Klacsman's Pink Parrots

10x10 Event: Thursday: Ten Spot Opening Reception at the Lichtenstein

The Ten Spot Opening Reception kicks off the Fourth Annual 10×10 Upstreet Arts Festival. The 2015 Ten Spot Artists are: Judy Bates; Marge Bride; Debbie Carter; Frank Jackson; Tatiana Klacsmann; Eli Merritt; Melanie Mowinski; Karin Stack; Rebecca Weinman; Bill Wright. This year, the artists were each nominated by former Ten Spot artists. Each artist will have a work featured on a billboard placed somewhere in Berkshire County, bringing the gallery out to the streets.

10x10 Event: Thursday+: 10 days, 10 stencils, 10 colors at Shire City Sanctuary

An evolving demonstration and installation of a screen printed poster. We will be screen printing a ten color poster, adding one color to the poster everyday for the ten days of the festival. Culminating in a limited edition, final, 10 color print on the last day of the 10×10 festival.

10x10 Event: Thursday+: 10x10 New Play Festival at Barrington Stage

Every 10 minutes, a new play begins! Join Barrington Stage Company at the St. Germain Stage for an evening of ten 10-minute plays by 10 playwrights, featuring a dynamite group of actors, as part of the 2015 10×10 Upstreet Arts Festival. Directed by Julianne Boyd and Stephanie Yankwitt. Featuring Matt Neely, Christina Norris, Jessie Shelton, Peggy Pharr Wilson, Zach Wymore, Robert Zukerman. Feb 12 & 13 are preview nights with tickets for only $15!

Thursday: Painting with The Ponies Paint n' Sip Party at First Methodist Church

Spend an evening painting with the ponies to benefit the Berkshire Carousel. Learn with talented Teri Davis Artist & Painter how to paint with acrylics while tasting delightful drinks and decadent chocolates! Go home with a finished painting! There will be two parties: February 12 and 20. Call 413-499-0457 to make your reservation!

Thursday, February 12 | 5:30pm | First United Methodist Church | 55 Fenn Street |413-499-0457 | $35

Thursday: Rev Tor's 4th Annual Dead of Winter Jam at The Colonial Theatre

Since its conception in the mid-90s, The Rev Tor Band, 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. This show will be a mid-winter celebration of the music of The Grateful Dead featuring a multitude of guest artists. 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. The 4th Annual Dead of Winter Jam, will feature the Rev Tor Band celebrating The Music of The Grateful Dead. Special guests include members of: Picky Bastards, Rebel Alliance, Misty Blues, Domino Theory, Whiskey City, Longview Gunslingers and more!

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Dalton Town Hall Lift Solutions in Development

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:32AM / Friday, April 26, 2024

DALTON, Mass. — Solutions are being sought for the lift in Town Hall that has been out of service since December because of safety concerns.

Building Grounds Superintendent Jeff Burch told the Americans with Disabilities Act Committee meeting on Tuesday night that Hill Engineering has been contracted to come up with a potential option.

The lift is in the police station and the only other lift for the town hall is in the library, which is not accessible after library hours.

Previous attempts by Garaventa Lift to repair it have been unsuccessful.

Replacing it in the same location is not an option because the new weight limit requirement went from 400 pounds to 650 pounds. Determining whether the current railings can hold 650 pounds is outside the scope of Garaventa's services to the town.

The first option Hill has proposed is to install a vertical lift in a storage closet to the left of the police entrance, which would go up into the town account's office.

A member of the committee expressed concern that the current office location may not be suitable as it could hinder access to the police station during construction.

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