Downtown Pittsfield Announces Free Summer Dance Series

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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.

 

 

 

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Companion Corner: Robert and Marmee at Berkshire Humane Society

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — There is a bonded pair of felines looking for a new home where they can window watch.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.  

Marmee and Robert are two domestic shorthair cats who are about 5 years old and have been at the shelter for a couple of months.

Feline/small animal adoption counselor Alyssa Petell introduced us to them.  

"They were originally strays, and they were found together with their kittens that they had," she said. "We adopted out all of the kittens that they had, and they did end up with a respiratory infection, which we did have to isolate them for a couple months to let them recover from that respiratory infection. They have since recovered from that, and they're doing amazing now."

After recovering, they have shown to be very affectionate. While a little shy at first, they want to know who you are.

"Robert and Marmee are super affectionate. They love to be pet. They just want love all the time. Chin scratches and all," Petell  said.

The two are bonded and would need to go home together. They love to play with string toys and lounge around together.

"Robert and Marmee are super super bonded, as I mentioned earlier. So they definitely need to go home together. They sleep together. They groom each other. They just absolutely love each other, and they are also super playful," she said. "They got lots of toys, and they both have just wonderful personalities." 

The cats can go to a home with children and possibly other cats. They have not been tested with dogs but it may be OK with a cat-friendly dog.

"We don't know about how they would be around dogs because you know we don't have much history since they were strays," Petell said. "But with other cats, they should be fine. They're really good with each other, and they've been really tolerant of other cats in our shelter, so I think they would do great with other cats. Kids should be fine, and I guess we're just not really sure about dogs."

When bringing them into their new home, they will be very curious but will be an amazing addition to a family.

"They are really curious. They definitely are funny. They do like to get into things, so just be careful with what food you have out or items, because they just want to know what's going on and see if they can find a little snack sometimes." she said. "But they are just wonderful, super affectionate, super curious and amazing cats." 

You can visit the two at the Berkshire Humane Society and read more about them on the website.

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