The Colonial presents the Hot 8 Brass Band

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. – The Colonial Theatre will present the Hot 8 Brass Band on February 7th at 8PM. Tickets for the performance range from $25-$35 and can be purchased in person at the Colonial Ticket Office at 111 South Street Monday-Friday 10-5, Saturday 10-2, by calling (413) 997-4444 or 24/7 online at www.TheColonialTheatre.org.

The Hot 8 Brass Band has been central to New Orleans street music for over a decade. Founded by Bennie Pete in 1995, the band has played in traditional Second Line parades, hosted each Sunday afternoon by a Social Aid and Pleasure Club, ever since. The Hot 8 are famous for playing all day in the sun, then hopping to a club gig and playing through the night. But even more than their boundless energy, what makes the Hot 8 special are the sounds they coax from their well-loved, well-worn horns.

The Hot 8 Brass Band has toured in Japan, Italy, France, Spain, Finland, England, and Sardinia. They play regularly at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival ("Jazz Fest") and have played in the Zulu Parade, San Antonio Zulu Association Festival, the City of New Orleans New Year's Celebration and Mo' Fest, the Tom Joyner Morning Show, and the Master P music video "Hootie Hoo".

The Hot 8 have been the featured band in an important relief project following Hurricane Katrina and the devastation wrought upon New Orleans. SAVE OUR BRASS! is a local grass-roots project that has brought music to evacuee shelters, temporary trailer parks, and communities that have reached out to New Orleanians. As a result, the Hot 8 Brass Band has been featured on CNN, Nightline, and WDSU-TV (New Orleans) and in the New York Times.


The Hot 8 played in the Village Halloween Parade and in Central Park in New York and Putumayo World Music's Concert of Thanksgiving in New Orleans. They are currently recording their second album.

To Purchase Tickets for the Hot 8 Brass Band on February 7th at 8PM

Tickets for the performance range from $25-$35 and can be purchased in person at the Colonial Ticket Office at 111 South Street Monday-Friday 10-5, Saturday 10-2, by calling (413) 997-4444 or 24/7 online at www.TheColonialTheatre.org.
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Kennedy Calls BCC Workforce Graduates Inspiring

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

The programs ranged from emergency medical technician to computers to commercial drivers. See more photos here. 
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College Workforce and Community Education graduates were encouraged to be all they can be on Wednesday.
 
Graduates, families, friends, and staff gathered in Boland Theatre to celebrate around 100 graduates who completed a variety of courses.
 
They included community health worker, emergency medical technician, phlebotomy technician, registered behavior technician, AI fundamentals, Commercial Drivers License Class A and B, CompTIA Tech-plus, para educator, and English for Speakers of Other Languages.
 
College President Ellen Kennedy said it was amazing that this might be her last public speaking event before her tenure comes to an end.
 
She acknowledged the diverse reasons for their studies including career advancement and personal growth, commending their vulnerability and dedication. 
 
"Some of you explored AI, some of you improved your English speaking in really important ways, and the reason that each of you is here is because you decided to put your heart and soul to get vulnerable to do something that might have felt a little bit uncomfortable," she said. "And you did it, and we are so incredibly proud of you, and so happy to be here tonight, celebrating you."
 
Keynote speaker Shirley Edgerton, founder of Rites of Passage and Empowerment (ROPE) encouraged the graduates to reflect on their accomplishments and look forward to the future.
 
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