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Cultural Pittsfield This Week: Feb. 1-7

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Enjoy 11 different art shows featuring work by more than a dozen accomplished regional artists in Pittsfield's bustling Upstreet Cultural District during the First Friday Artswalk, and all month long! In most venues, artists will be present from 5-8 p.m. A free guided tour begins at 5 p.m. at the Intermodal Center @ BRTA, 1 Columbus Ave.

As part of Pittsfield's 8th Annual 10x10 Upstreet Arts Festival, The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts will feature The Ten Spot Photography Show, an invitational exhibit featuring ten photographers from the Berkshires and beyond. 
The 2019 artists include Melissa Bissell, Lucie Castaldo, Denise B. Chandler, Susan Geller, Colleen Quinn, Emma Rothenberg-Ware, Susan Sabino, Carrie Wright and students from the Miss Hall's School photography class.

  MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE

 
Berkshire Theatre Group presents comedian, actor and writer Michael Cruz Kayne at The Colonial. 
He's appeared in every incarnation of The Chris Gethard Show, stars in the digital series Short Term Rental, can be seen in the upcoming season of HBO's High Maintenanceand more. Phillip Anthony (Borras) opens. 7:30 p.m. $5.
 
Plus...  
FRI Blue Light Trio at Rainbow FRI Randy Cormier at Proprietor's Lodge FRI Karaoke Night at Friends | SAT RadioActive at The A | SAT For Those Who Doubt EP Release Party at The Lichtenstein | SAT Margaritaville Rotary Auction at Crowne Plaza | SAT Melissa Brinton at Rainbow | MON Jazz Night at Mission | SUN Comedy Workshop at The Here & Now | WED Chinese New Year Buffet at Flavours of Malaysia | WED Gruppo Mondo at Rainbow | WED Open Mic at J. Allen's | THU Jazz Vespers at Zion Lutheran Church | THU The Picky B's at Mission
  FAMILY FRIENDLY
Join instructor Kim Waterman from IS183 Art School of the Berkshires at this month's FREE Teen Art Space at the library. Learn how to build and personalize your own wooden memory box. Decoupage using decorative collage papers and embellish with 3D elements including metal, jewels, ribbon and more. Feel free to bring your own photos or decorative items to add to your box! 3-5 p.m.
Plus...
 at Berkshire Museum FRI-THU Parenting Classes & Play Groups at Berkshire Children & Families | SAT Understanding Animal Tracks & Signs at Canoe Meadows | SAT WeeMuse: Art Lab at Berkshire Museum | SAT Chow Time at Berkshire Museum | SAT FREE Public Ice Skating at Boys & Girls Club | SAT After-Hours Scavenger Hunt at Berkshire Museum | SUN Discovery Tank Program at Berkshire Museum MON Tiny Tots Story Time at Berkshire Athenaeum | TUE WeeMuse: Littlest Learners at Berkshire Museum THU Preschool Play & Learn at Berkshire Athenaeum THU Lego Club at Berkshire Athenaeum THU Fandom Thursday at Berkshire Athenaeum
  WELLNESS
SAT Pilates Mindful Mat Class at Berkshire Yoga Dance
Pilates is a full-body fitness method that engages the mind and body to promote vitality and enhance quality of life experience. Strengthen and lengthen all of your muscles. Develop the ability to extend, bend and twist the spine without pain. Liberate stiff hips and shoulders while improving stability and balance. Berkshire Yoga Dance & Fitness, $12 drop-in. 10:15-11:15 a.m.
Plus...
FRI-THU Various Classes at Berkshire Running Center | FRI-THU Various Classes at Berkshire Family YMCA | FRI-THU Various Classes at Berkshire Yoga Dance & Fitness FRI-THU Various Classes at Radiance Yoga FRI-THU Various Classes at Modig Internal Disciplines SAT Restorative Yoga with CBD at Radiance Yoga SUN Super Bowl Sunday Sufferfest at Berkshire Running Center SUN Wild Woman Project New Moon Circle at Berkshire Fitness & Wellness Center MON Understanding Alzheimer's & Dementia at Knesset Israel THU Yoga in the Auditorium at Berkshire Athenaeum THU Body, Mind & Soul Part II at The Berkshire Eagle
  GET CREATIVE
WED Open Studio at Berkshire Paint & Sip
Berkshire Paint & Sip invites you to paint anything you'd like! Walk-ins are welcomed, but reservations are recommended to guarantee your spot. You'll be guided through any painting you wish for $25, all materials included. If you bring your own canvas and paint, the cost is only $15. BYOB drinks and snacks. 6-8 p.m.
Plus...
FRI Tree of Life Pendant Workshop at Funky Phoenix | SUN Make Art for the 10x10 Real Art Party at Funky Phoenix | TUE Valentine's Day Cookie Decorate & Sip at J. Allen's
  COMMUNITY & LEARNING
NEXT THU Annual Cupcake Wars at Berkshire Hills CC
Bakeries from throughout Berkshire County will compete for the best cupcake in the categories of People's Choice, Best Tasting, Best Presentation, and Most Creative. Sample some sweet treats, plus enjoy an Italian dinner provided by Pittsfield Unico. There are also some great raffle prizes from local businesses! All proceeds benefit NAMI Berkshire County. Berkshire Hills Country Club, 5:30-8 p.m.
Plus...
SAT Animal Tracks & Signs at Canoe Meadows | SAT Margaritaville Rotary Auction at Crowne Plaza | SUN Domingo Brunch w/Chris Vecchia & Eamonn Barry at Dottie's | MON West African & Caribbean Drumming Classes at The Lichtenstein | WED Mentor Meetup at Patrick's Pub | WED Chinese New Year Buffet at Flavours | THU Berkshire Hillsmen Chorus at Knesset Israel | THU Urban Trees Workshop at Hotel on North | THU Berkshire Pride Fest 1st Organizers Meeting at Elizabeth Freeman Center | THU Kick the Sugar Habit/Healthy Sweets at Wellness Underground THU Body, Mind & Soul Part II at The Berkshire Eagle
  FILM
FRI-MON The Children Act at The Little Cinema
 
In the midst of a marital crisis, a High Court judge (Emma Thompson) must decide if she should order a life-saving blood transfusion for a teen with cancer despite his family's refusal to accept medical treatment for religious reasons.
 
 
 
Plus...
ONGOING See What's New at The Beacon
What's Showing at The Licht
Pittsfield's city-owned community arts center, 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 and more!   

As part of the 8th Annual 10×10 Upstreet Arts Festival, the gallery will feature The Ten Spot Photography Show, an invitational exhibit featuring ten photographers from the Berkshires and beyond. The show opens on Friday, Feb. 1 from 5-8 p.m. during the First Fridays Artswalk.  
 
A formal artists' reception will take place on Thursday, Feb. 14 from 5-7 p.m., which is the official kickoff of the 10×10 Upstreet Arts Festival. 

 
28 Renne Ave.   (413) 499-9348   Gallery Hours: Wed-Sat 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

 

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

Dalton Man Accused of Kidnapping, Shooting Pittsfield Man

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A Dalton man was arrested on Thursday evening after allegedly kidnapping and shooting another man.

Nicholas Lighten, 35, was arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court on Friday on multiple charges including kidnapping with a firearm and armed assault with intent to murder. He was booked in Dalton around 11:45 p.m. the previous night.

There was heavy police presence Thursday night in the area of Lighten's East Housatonic Street home before his arrest.

Shortly before 7 p.m., Dalton dispatch received a call from the Pittsfield Police Department requesting that an officer respond to Berkshire Medical Center. Adrian Mclaughlin of Pittsfield claimed that he was shot in the leg by Lighten after an altercation at the defendants home. Mclaughlin drove himself to the hospital and was treated and released with non-life-threatening injuries. 

"We were told that Lighten told Adrian to go down to his basement, where he told Adrian to get down on his knees and pulled out a chain," the police report reads.

"We were told that throughout the struggle with Lighten, Adrian recalls three gunshots."

Dalton PD was advised that Pittsfield had swabbed Mclaughlin for DNA because he reported biting Lighten. A bite mark was later found on Lighten's shoulder. 

Later that night, the victim reportedly was "certain, very certain" that Lighten was his assailant when shown a photo array at the hospital.

According to Dalton Police, an officer was stationed near Lighten's house in an unmarked vehicle and instructed to call over the radio if he left the residence. The Berkshire County Special Response Team was also contacted.

Lighten was under surveillance at his home from about 7:50 p.m. to about 8:40 p.m. when he left the property in a vehicle with Massachusetts plates. Another officer initiated a high-risk motor vehicle stop with the sergeant and response team just past Mill Street on West Housatonic Street, police said, and traffic was stopped on both sides of the road.

Lighten and a passenger were removed from the vehicle and detained. Police reported finding items including a brass knuckle knife, three shell casings wrapped in a rubber glove, and a pair of rubber gloves on him.

The response team entered Lighten's home at 43 East Housatonic before 9:30 p.m. for a protective sweep and cleared the residence before 9:50 p.m., police said. The residence was secured for crime scene investigators.

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