Enjoy over fifteen different art shows featuring work by more than 15 regional artists in Pittsfield's bustling Upstreet Cultural District during the First Fridays Artswalk and all month long!
In most venues, artists will be present from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, October 7.
Enjoy a free guided tour beginning at 5 p.m. at the Intermodal Center at 1 Columbus Ave.
There will be free, live music with John Davidson and Chad Tarves beginning at 6 p.m. at the BOOM Room at 137 North St.
The fun doesn't stop there! A free Afterwalk Party begins at 8 p.m. at the Whitney Center for the Arts at 42 Wendell Ave.
The 12th annual Pittsfield City Jazz Festival kicks off on Oct. 7 with Jazz About Town, comprising a jazz crawl and other events throughout Pittsfield's Upstreet Cultural District. The Festival runs Oct. 7-16, and features local and touring musicians, a jazz prodigy concert, and an exhibit by award-winning photojournalist Ken Franckling - Jazz In The Key Of Light at The Whit. The crawl continues Friday and Saturday evenings, and is capped by a jazz brunch on Sunday, Oct. 9. The full schedule for the festival, including details on the Jazz Prodigy concert (Oct. 13) and the headline weekend that features Scott Robinson (Oct. 14), Karrin Allyson, and the U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors big band (Oct. 15) can be found online.
The Raptor Project is an outstanding array of birds of prey - eagles, hawks, falcons and owls - displayed in a natural habitat. This exciting presentation and exhibit has won the attention and hearts of millions of people throughout the U.S. Showtimes at The Berkshire Carousel are at 1 & 3 p.m. Free.
Join Shiobbean Lemme of the Berkshire Running Center at Berkshire Yoga, Dance & Fitness for an 8-class series held Monday and Friday mornings from 5-6 a.m. from Oct. 7-Oct. 31. $40 for the series or $10 to drop-in.
Plus...
TUEChair Yoga at Berkshire Yoga, Dance & Fitness | THUPrenatal Yoga at Berkshire Yoga, Dance & Fitness
Paint Autumn Leaf Lanterns to raise funds for "Save our Shakespeare at Taconic" with Berkshire Paint & Sip at Tavern at The A from 2-4 p.m. Decorate two Mason jars for $35.
Barrington Stage Company presentsan exploration of friendship, politics and leadership - a comedic and dramatic clash of two great minds and one great heart of the 20th century inspired by an actual event. In 1921, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and President Warren G. Harding took a camping trip together into the Maryland woods to escape civilization; what they couldn't escape was each other. St. Boyd-Quinson Mainstage at 30 Union Street.
Berkshire Museum presents Rachel Fedderly, who will teach the tricks of applying professional-quality spooky makeup, just in time for Halloween. The class is included with regular Museum admission. 10-11 a.m.
Seating is limited, so reservations are requested. Please call (413) 443.7171, ext. 360.
The UMass Arts Extension Service (AES) presents a free Introduction to the Public Art Process workshop. Public Art projects, whether they're free-standing works or community-engagement projects, are opportunities for Western Mass. artists to expand their vision, be paid to make art, build their portfolio, and have their work seen by a diverse audience within our region and beyond.
Open to artists of all mediums interested in creating public art projects, participants will receive an overview of the issues, skills needed, and steps required to create a competitive public art project application at the local and national level. 5:30-8 p.m. at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Ave.
This film documents the life and work of photographer Sebastião Salgado, who has spent forty years documenting deprived societies in hidden corners of the world.
Pittsfield's city-owned community arts center, the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, features nine working artist studios, a ceramics studio, a community room and an art gallery with changing exhibitions, classes, performances + more!
28 Renne Ave. | Wed-Sat, 11-4
The Visual Poetry of Suburban Pittsfield, oil on canvas paintings by artist Morris Bennett, will be on view October 7 through October 29 at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts.
Opening Reception during First Friday Artswalk: October 7 from 5-8 p.m.
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BRPC Votes in New Director, Bids Farewell to Matuszko
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The BRPC board voted Thursday to make Laura Brennan its next executive director.
Brennan is the economic development program manager for the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. She has been in the role since July 2023 but has been with BRPC since 2017, first serving as the senior planner of economic development.
She earned her bachelor's degree from Franklin & Marshall College in Pennsylvania and earned a graduate-level certificate in local government leadership and management from Suffolk University.
Brennan was the preferred candidate the Executive Search Committee, which voted last week to present her and candidate Jason Zogg to the full committee. Zogg withdrew his application on Wednesday.
Board members congratulated Brennan, who was in attendance, with Chair Douglas McNally saying they have her back.
The commission voted to create a three-person negotiation subcommittee with executive committee members Malcolm Fick, Buck Donovan, and Sam Haupt. They will negotiate benefits, compensation, and terms of employment.
Brennan will be taking over for retiring Executive Director Thomas Matuszko. Matuszko was appointed as executive director in 2018, having previously been a principal planner from 1997 to 2000 and then assistant director from 2001. The new director will be the fourth in nearly 60 years.
Matuszko gave his last executive director report, amending the bylaws and changing the wordage to be more inclusive among other notes.
McNally said he was grateful that he made sure to do that before his leave.
Since it was Matuszko's last meeting those in attendance thanked him for his time at the BRPC.
"I had to just say you have had a huge positive impact on the Berkshires and thank you," said McNally.
"Thanks for my internship, Tom, 20-plus years ago, and everything you've done for Berkshire County," said Sarif and Matuszko said he was happy to still see her here after this long.
"I think Laura has learned a lot from you, and so she'll just be able to carry on. And so tonight is a great night for Berkshire County," said Christine Rasmussen.
"It's really, it's been a great ride, and I've enjoyed it almost all the time," said Matuszko. "There have been only very few times that hasn't been extremely enjoyable and satisfying. So I mostly appreciate the support that you all have given me and delegates and alternates over the years have given me and provide our staff."
He urged them to have the same relationship with Brennan, and provide her the help and support to be successful.
"Thank you for all you've provided me with an opportunity, a great opportunity. I couldn't have asked for a better career."
After five meetings, the Planning Board voted to deny Berkshire Concrete's special permit, however, the company can still reapply before its current permit expires. click for more
The City Council has approved a tax agreement to transform a historical downtown property into housing, and an effort to designate a local historical district in that area. click for more
Students at Wahconah Regional High School are urging the state to fully fund Rural School Aid that supports essential services that shape their future.
click for more
The fire station on West Housatonic Street has been temporarily closed after radon levels were found to be more than twice the normal amount. click for more
