Expanded Pittsfield Arts Festival Will Culminate with a Bang
 The 10 Spot Art Show runs at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts weekdays from 11 to 4. Show is one of a number of events during this year's 10x10 Festival. |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Forecast of highs barely above zero. Towering snow piles in every direction.
While some may prefer to hibernate until the daffodils appear, Barrington Stage Company and the city of Pittsfield have again found reason to celebrate despite the bitter cold temperatures.
Berkshire County's only winter arts festival is back and bigger than ever, and this time, with 10 minutes of fireworks and a community bonfire at the newly renovated Common.
The fourth annual 10x10 Upstreet Arts Festival features 10 full days of music, art, theater, dance, comedy, film, and magic, as well as dozens of performers and artists of countless genres.
"This is going to be the biggest and best 10x10 Fest yet," said Jen Glockner, director of Pittsfield's Office of Cultural Development. "We're thrilled to have a winter fireworks display for the first time and look for some surprise pop-up performances along North Street as well."
New programming will be featured in various venues across downtown Pittsfield. The Berkshire International Film Festival will honor the 87th annual Academy Awards with the Festival's closing night Oscar party at the Beacon Cinema next Sunday, Feb. 22.
The festival will celebrated Valentine's Day as Shire City Sanctuary on Melville Street collaborated with Berkshire Historical Society for a historic lingerie fashion show followed by a Valentine-inspired dinner and dance party.
While the festival adds new shows to the calendar, 10x10 also highlights the return of several performances. Barrington Stage Company's 10x10 New Play Festival presents 10 10-minute plays at its St. Germain Stage throughout the festival. Dance Ten showcases the talent of 10 community dance groups and schools throughout the Berkshires at Barrington's Main Stage next Sunday. The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts hosts the Ten Spot Art Show, an exhibit of 10 contemporary artists both in the gallery and across Berkshire County on billboards.
The range in activities and performances stretches from the upcoming two-night run of the popular Gypsy Layne burlesque and cabaret troupe to more family friendly events.
The Colonial Theatre will host "Billy Blagg's 10 Illusions!" on Thursday as well as a 10x10 performance of "Going to the Farm With Spot" on Wednesday. "Wee Muse: Ten Days of Play" is running at the Berkshire Museum for the duration of the festival.
In order to make the events more accessible to the community, several events are free. These include next Saturday's fireworks extravaganza between 4 and 6 p.m., the 10x10 BIFF Best of Fest Shorts at the Beacon on Sunday, Feb. 15, and an evolving installation of a screen-printed poster at Shire City Sanctuary appropriately named "10 Days, 10 Stencils, 10 Colors."
Many community organizations are partners in this year's festival, including Berkshire Art Association, Berkshires Jazz, Berkshire Music School, Berkshire Theatre Group, Crowne Plaza, Whitney Center for the Arts, Laugh Lounge, WAM Theatre and others.
Berkshire Gas is the lead sponsor of the 10x10 Upstreet Winter Arts Festival. More information can be found at www.discoverpittsfield.com/10x10.
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