Mahaiwe Announces Pink Martini, Spanish-language movies, and more fall programs

Print Story | Email Story
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center has added new live shows, Spanish-language film screenings, and other events this September and October to its year-round performing arts schedule. 
 
“The Mahaiwe never stops rolling and these additions to our fall calendar speak to the widely varied program typical of this theater,” says Mahaiwe Executive Director Janis Martinson. “From the stylish world music of Pink Martini with China Forbes to the Ronnie Marmo performance directed by Joe Mantegna depicting Lenny Bruce, we swing from musical richness to theatrical depth. With the free Corey Zink concert and Spanish-language movies, we reach into our community. And with the ongoing National Theatre of London HD broadcasts, we bring one of the great performing arts houses of the world to our neighborhood.” 
 
Pink Martini 
 
Mahaiwe favorite Pink Martini, featuring singer China Forbes, will return to the theater on Friday, October 28 at 8 p.m. Featuring a dozen musicians, with songs in 25 languages, Pink Martini performs its multilingual repertoire on concert stages on six continents. After making its European debut at the Cannes Film Festival in 1997 and its orchestral debut with the Oregon Symphony in 1998, the band has gone on to play with more than 50 orchestras around the world. The band has released 11 studio albums, selling over 3 million albums worldwide. Tickets range from $37 to $117, with discounts for Mahaiwe Members and ages 30 and under. 
 
I’m Not a Comedian... I’m Lenny Bruce 
 
Critically-acclaimed actor Ronnie Marmo, with the blessings of Kitty Bruce (daughter of the late Lenny Bruce), along with the Lenny Bruce Foundation, present I’m Not a Comedian... I’m Lenny Bruce, directed by Joe Mantegna, on Friday, October 14 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, October 15 at 8 p.m. I'm Not a Comedian... I’m Lenny Bruce chronicles the life and death of the most controversial comedian and undisputed legend of all time, Lenny Bruce. His personal pain, sharply funny social commentary and completely original, freestyle comedy left a lasting impact on today’s poetry, politics, music, film — and of course — comedy.  
 
Ronnie Marmo has starred in more than 60 feature films and television shows, most recently guest starring on Criminal Minds and Lethal Weapon. He also starred in Ammore E Malavita (Love and Bullets), an Italian musical film which won the David di Donatello for best picture (the Italian equivalent to an Academy Award). On stage, he has starred in more than 40 plays. 
 
Tickets range from $25 to $60, with discounts for Mahaiwe Members and ages 30 and under.  
 
Free Community Concert 
 
Corey Zink and Company will return to Great Barrington on Monday, October 10 at 4 p.m., for a free, outdoor country music concert behind Town Hall, across from the theater. A Berkshire native, Zink formed his band in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, with classic country and bluegrass influences. This marks the second year in a row of collaboration between the Mahaiwe and Zink for a community concert. Blankets and lawn chairs are recommended.  
 
Spanish-language Community Advisory Network Movies 
 
The Mahaiwe’s Spanish-language Community Advisory Network (SCAN) continues its work in programming free, Spanish-language film screenings (with English subtitles) for the community.  
 
First, the Mahaiwe will present Disney’s Encanto (2021) outside at the park behind Town Hall, across the theater, on Sunday, September 4 at 7:30 p.m. In this beautifully animated movie, Colombian teenager Mirabel navigates her world as the only child in her family without magical powers. Blankets and lawn chairs are recommended.  
Then, on Saturday, October 29 at 7 p.m., the Mahaiwe will screen McFarland, USA (2015) inside the theater. McFarland, USA follows Jim White (Kevin Costner) in his new role as a running coach at a predominantly Latino high school in Southern California. While the coach and boys learn about each other, the team gets stronger and stronger, contending for the state championship. See mahaiwe.org/update for current safety protocols inside the theater.  
Reservations are required for both events. Register at mahaiwe.org or via the Box Office, open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., 413-528-0100. 
 
London’s National Theatre in HD 
 
The Mahaiwe will screen Jack Absolute Flies Again from London’s National Theatre in HD on Friday, October 7 at 7 p.m. After an aerial dog fight, Pilot Officer Jack Absolute flies home to win the heart of his old flame, Lydia Languish. Back on British soil, Jack’s advances soon turn to anarchy when the young heiress demands to be loved on her own, very particular, terms. Emily Burns directs this spectacularly entertaining new version of Sheridan’s The Rivals. Featuring a cast including Caroline Quentin, Laurie Davidson, Natalie Simpson and Kelvin Fletcher. Called "a knock-out new comedy by the writer of 'One Man, Two Guvnors'" by Variety, its ending shows "true heart." Tickets are $17 or $10 for ages 21 and under.  
 
On Sale Dates 
 
Tickets go on sale to Mahaiwe Members on Tuesday, July 26 at noon, and to the public on Thursday, July 28 at noon. See mahaiwe.org or call or visit the Box Office, open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., 413-528-0100.  
See mahaiwe.org/update for current safety protocols.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

North Street Parking Study Favors Parallel Parking

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A parking study of North Street will be presented at Tuesday's City Council meeting. The design maintains parallel parking while expanding pedestrian zones and adding protected bike lanes.

The city, by request, has studied parking and bike lane opportunities for North Street and come up with the proposal staged for implementation next year. 

While the request was to evaluate angle parking configurations, it was determined that it would present too many trade-offs such as impacts on emergency services, bike lanes, and pedestrian spaces.

"The commissioner has been working with Downtown Pittsfield Inc. and my office to come up with this plan," Mayor Peter Marchetti said during his biweekly television show "One Pittsfield."

"We will probably take this plan on the road to have many public input sessions and hopefully break ground sometime in the summer of 2025."

Working with Kittleson & Associates, the city evaluated existing typical sections, potential parking
configurations, and a review of parking standards. It compared front-in and back-in angle parking and explored parking-space count alterations, emergency routing, and alternate routes for passing through traffic within the framework of current infrastructure constraints.

The chosen option is said to align with the commitment to safety, inclusivity, and aesthetic appeal and offer a solution that enhances the streetscape for pedestrians, businesses, cyclists, and drivers without compromising the functionality of the corridor.

"The potential for increasing parking space is considerable; however, the implications on safety and the overall streetscape call for a balanced approach," Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales wrote.

Bike lanes and parking have been a hot topic over the last few years since North Street was redesigned.

In September 2020, the city received around $239,000 in a state Shared Streets and Spaces grant to support new bike lanes, curb extensions, vehicle lane reductions, and outdoor seating areas, and enhanced intersections for better pedestrian safety and comfort.

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories