Downtown Pittsfield Announces Free Summer Dance Series

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. has announced "Rhythmscape," a free outdoor summer dance series. The events will take place on Dunham Mal  on select Sunday afternoons from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, beginning June 1 and concluding Aug. 31.

Each "Rhythmscape" session will feature a different rhythm and instructor from the local community, reflecting the diverse identities within Pittsfield. The series aims to activate public spaces in Downtown Pittsfield through inclusive dance and music events that celebrate community, movement, and cultural diversity. No prior dance experience is required to participate.

The schedule of instructors includes:

• Sunday, June 1: BSKE Dance Community presents Prashad Abeysinghe with DJ Daniela Sthisel, offering beginner and intermediate level Bachata and Salsa lessons with social dancing.
• Sunday, June 8: Tara Borgilt and Bruno Trindade will teach Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art.
• Sunday, June 15: Sandra Zarate will teach Zumba.
• Sunday, June 22: Luana Dias David will teach Salsa and Samba.
• Sunday, June 29: Berkshire Sole Society, founded by Erica Shrader and powered by Women of the Westside+, will lead soul line dancing.
• Sunday, July 13: Sandra Zarate will teach Zumba.
• Sunday, July 20: Luana Dias David will teach Salsa and Samba.
• Sunday, July 27: Luana Dias David will teach Salsa and Samba.
• Sunday, August 10: Andres Ramirez from the Funk Box Dance Studio will teach hip-hop.
• Sunday, August 17: Andres Ramirez from the Funk Box Dance Studio will teach hip-hop.
• Sunday, August 24: Mica Farias and Manu Uriona will present a fusion of Latin rhythms with live percussion.
• Sunday, August 31: BSKE Dance Community presents Prashad Abeysinghe with DJ Jeffrey Jay, offering beginner and intermediate level Bachata and Salsa lessons with social dancing.

This series is supported by MassDevelopment's Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) Cohort program in partnership with Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and Mill Town Foundation. For more information, interested individuals can visit downtownpittsfield.com/2025/05/rhythmscape or call Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. at 413-443-6501.

Suspect Arraigned in 'Horrific' Dragging Case

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:56PM / Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Complete write-thru 3 p.m., Feb. 18.

District Attorney TimothyShugrue says the community has been 'really upset' by this case. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A Hancock man has been charged in last week's gruesome dragging that killed 69-year-old William Colbert. 

 

William Gross, 65, was arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court on Wednesday for negligent motor vehicle homicide and leaving the scene. He was arrested Monday after police investigators narrowed down the type of car seen on video at the accident scene. 

 

Police say Colbert had fallen in the road at the Francis Avenue and Linden Street intersection on Feb. 10 before he was struck and dragged nearly four miles. His body was found on West Housatonic Street.

 

Gross is being held on $250,000 cash bail in the Berkshire County House of Corrections. District Attorney Timothy Shugrue said the case will go to a grand jury and foresees additional charges being placed. 

 

"I think this community was really upset by this case," Shugrue said while being interviewed by the press after the morning arraignment.  

 

"It's a horrific case, and the fact that someone was fleeing, and there was someone that was stuck there that could have been treated, and potentially in the initial stages, could have been potentially saved." 

 

Colbert was coming from a house on Francis Avenue about 11:30 on Feb. 10 when fell in the road and had trouble getting up, according to Shugrue.