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Cultural Pittsfield This Week: Aug. 23-29

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This weekend is your last chance to see the 2019 Pittsfield Shakespeare in the Park production of Much Ado About Nothing. Performances are held on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 8 p.m. on the First Street Common. Featuring the witty on-again, off-again lovers Beatrice and Benedick, Much Ado is the story of the trials of love in a society dominated by patriarchal traditions. Beatrice's cousin Hero and the soldier Claudio meet and fall in love, but when a man spreads nasty rumors about her, Hero's voice is silenced and their relationship torn apart. Loyalties are tested as the community responds, including a ragtag group of officers who just might save the day. FREE, donations suggested.
  MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE
 
 
The Shaker Barn Music Series presents singer-songwriter Nellie McKay. The deep, and deeply funny, McKay has paid tribute to the disparate likes of Doris Day, transgender jazz pianist Billy Tipton, environmentalist Rachel Carson and comedian Joan Rivers. Wallace Field opens. 7:30 p.m.
Plus...  
FRI Blue Light Trio at Rainbow | FRI Karaoke Night at Friends | FRI Dan Gingras at Proprietor's Lodge | FRI Todd McLeod at Rusty Anchor | FRI Mr. Doubtfire at Mission | FRI-SAT Wine, Cheese & Trees at Bousquet | SAT Latin Night at The A | SAT Pete Boyd at Proprietor's Lodge | SAT The Damaged & More at Crossroads | SAT Acoustic Gravel & Jessica Wilson at Rusty Anchor | SUN-MON Karen Mason at Barrington Stage | MON Jazz Night at Mission | TUE Entrepreneurial Meet-up at Thistle & Mirth | WED Melissa Massery at Methuselah | WED Gruppo Mondo at Rainbow | THU The Picky B's at Mission | THU Jessica Wilson at Proprietor's Lodge
  FAMILY FRIENDLY


Children ages 6 and older are invited to learn to paint a sparkly unicorn on a 16x20 canvas at Berkshire Paint & Sip. All painting materials, instruction, light snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are included in the $25 fee. 1-3 p.m. at 305 North Street.
Plus...
FRI FREE Fun Friday at Berkshire Museum FRI WeeMuse: Adventures at Berkshire Museum FRI Designing with da Vinci at Berkshire Museum FRI-THU Parenting Classes & Play Groups at 18 Degrees (formerly Berkshire Children & Families) SAT Chow Time at Berkshire Museum SAT Kitchen Ka-Boom! at Berkshire Museum SAT Back to School Event at Berkshire Dream Center SAT Designing with da Vinci at Berkshire Museum SAT Robbins Zust Marionette Show at Dottie's SAT da Vinci After Hours at Berkshire Museum SUN Discovery Tank Program at Berkshire Museum | MON Exploring Our World at Berkshire Museum TUE WeeMuse: Littlest Learners at Berkshire Museum TUE Designing with da Vinci at Berkshire Museum WED Gallery Scavenger Hunts at Berkshire Museum THU Farm Friends at Hancock Shaker Village | THU Exploring Our World at Berkshire Museum THU Designing with da Vinci at Berkshire Museum 
  WELLNESS
SUN Restorative Yoga w/CBD Massage at Radiance
 
Indulge in the ultimate self-care experience, combining restorative yoga with CBD massage, at Radiance Yoga. Shannon will lead you through comfortable yoga postures and licensed massage therapists will guide you deeper into relaxation with massage using Vermont Farmacy's Herbal CBD Salve. 6 p.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 Berkshire Salsa FRI-THU Various Classes at Pilates Fit | SAT Sunrise Yoga on the Deck at Rusty Anchor | SUN Goat Yoga at Hancock Shaker Village SUN Yoga Class at Tyler Street Lab MON Zumba Class at Tyler Street Lab THU Outdoor Yoga at Onota Lake
  PERFORMANCE
SAT+ George Gershwin Alone at The Colonial
Berkshire Theatre Group presents George Gershwin Alone, beginning on Saturday and running through August 31 at The Colonial Theatre. The celebrated one-man play features acclaimed actor, playwright and pianist Hershey Felder rendering an intimate portrait of George Gershwin's personal life and artistic genius. Widely regarded as the man who brought jazz into the concert hall, Gershwin changed the musical landscape forever. The play features the Gershwin favorites "I Got Rhythm," "Someone to Watch Over Me," songs from Porgy and Bess and An American in Paris, and a complete performance of "Rhapsody in Blue." 
Plus...
ONGOING If I Forget at Barrington Stage | ONGOING Fall Springs at Barrington Stage | FRI-SUN discontent w/Ghostlit Repertory at The Whit | FRI-SUN And The Winner Is w/Town Players at BCC
  COMMUNITY
FRI-SAT Tag Sale at South Congregational Church

Shop the Annual Summer Tag Sale at South Congregational Church UCC for gently used clothing, household items, toys, tools, furniture and more. The sale, located at 110 South Street, will run Friday from 3-6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Plus...
SAT Pittsfield Farmers Market on The Common | SUN Calf Cuddling at Hancock Shaker Village | SUN Sunday Brunch at Mission | SUN Brunch w/Redshift at Dottie's | TUE Entrepreneurial Meet-up at Thistle & Mirth
  LEARNING
TUE OLLI's Fall Open House at BCC
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)'s free Fall Open House at Berkshire Community College is your chance to meet the fall instructors, learn more about the classes, and enjoy refreshments in BCC's Connector Lounge. If you are not yet a member of OLLI at BCC, attend the Open House and your first year's membership will be 50% off - a savings of $30! 10-11:30 a.m.
Plus...
SUN Build a Wren House Fundraiser at Funky Phoenix SUN Paint & Sip Benefit at Hotel on North SUN Dr. Deborah Lipstadt Lecture at Temple Anshe Amunim | MON West African & Caribbean Drumming Classes at The Lichtenstein TUE J. Peter Bergman Book Release at Arrowhead WED Birds & Trees Walk and Talk at Springside Park THU Annual Play Readings at Knesset Israel
  FILM
FRI-MON Mike Wallace Is Here at The Little Cinema
Mike Wallace Is Here offers an unflinching look at the legendary reporter, who interrogated the 20th century's biggest figures during his more than 50 years on air. Wallace had an aggressive reporting style and showmanship that redefined what America came to expect from broadcasters. Unearthing decades of never-before-seen footage from the 60 Minutes vault, this film explores what drove and plagued Wallace, a man whose storied career was entwined with the evolution of journalism itself.
Plus...
ONGOING See What's New at The Beacon MON Schindler's List at Knesset Israel
 
CALLING ALL ARTISTS!
 
Let's Go Pink is a cancer awareness exhibit that will be on view at the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield throughout October, 2019. The opening reception will be Friday, Oct. 4 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. as part of that month's First Friday Artswalk. Twenty percent of sales will go to BTG PLAYS!, 15% to BMC Integrative Health Program's intuitive painting class for cancer patients, and the other 65% to the artist. Submissions accepted until Friday, Sept. 6.Artists will be notified of acceptance on or before Sept. 9. For more info, email the Let's Go Pink team: auntsessy1@gmail.com

 

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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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