D-Cup Diatribes!

The Colonial Theatre

Sat 10/9/10 8pm • A: $35 B: $15 

The Cleavage Culture Explored...

A “Breastcentric” Comedy for All Ages, Shapes and Sizes, Men too!

Poignant, intimate, triumphant—this breast-conscious comedy examines the lives of 8 feisty females, and how each character internally struggles and externally compensates or copes with her relationship with her body… in a Cleavage Culture Society.

The D-Cup Diatribes is in partnership with The American Cancer Society raising funds for breast cancer awareness and breast cancer prevention. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month—stay tuned for D-Cups events, the Breast Cancer Walk and more. Bring a new bra (D and plus sizes) to the show and help Support... UPLIFT women in need. Bras will be distributed to womens shelters across the country and in your community. A hilarious, comedy night out for everyone!

Artscape: Call for Artists

ARTSCAPE

Public Art in Downtown Pittsfield

2010 Exhibition

Artscape is a volunteer-led committee in the city of Pittsfield that sponsors an annual outdoor juried exhibition of public art. Artscape’s mission is to enhance the downtown’s character and attract visitors by installing and promoting works of art in various outdoor locations throughout the downtown.

Artscape was also a lead organizer of the 2004 Sheeptacular public art project, as well as the 2006-2007 Art Of The Game public art project that brings art and baseball together in unexpected ways.

 

Call to Artists for Work

Public art can be monumental and powerful, or diminutive and subtle; it can be painted, assembled, constructed, synthesized or sculpted. Public art is any work created with the specific intent to be placed in a public space; they can be magnets for attention, raise questions, bend our perceptions of a space and place, and alter how we experience our cities.

With this spirit, Pittsfield’s Artscape invites artists to submit proposals for new work in the 2010-2011 exhibition season. Deadline for submission is October 31, 2010. Artists will receive a $1000 honorarium. For more information on how to apply please call 413-499-9348. Click HERE to download a copy of the Proposal Guidelines.

Artscape Art Walk This Saturday!

Thanks to Ed Bride for taking this short video of docent Craig Langlois leading a group of people on the Pittsfield Artscape Art Walk! You have two more chances to explore the great public art all over downtown Pittsfield -- don't miss out!

This Saturday -- October 9 (rain date October 10)
October 23 (rain date October 24)

All tours begin at 1 pm. The tours will start and end at the Pittsfield Visitors’ Center on South Street (Route 7) in Pittsfield, next to Ben and Jerry’s. Each tour will last approximately 90 minutes.
For more details or weather concerns, contact the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts at 413-499-9348.

Dreaming Hope

A workshop for breast cancer survivors and those dealing with breast cancer will be held on Saturday, October 16, 2010, from 1:00-5:30, at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Avenue, in Pittsfield. Kellie Meisl will present Dreaming Hope, a free event made available by funds from the Think Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Art Show. The event is sponsored by the Breast Health Team of the Berkshires.

The participants of this workshop will have a chance to work with their dreams and create their own dream journal. There will be an abundance of sharing and a series of simple exercises designed to help participants to learn how to work with their dreams and draw meaning from them. No artistic experience is necessary. Participants should feel free to bring pillows, blankets, eye covers, drums, rattles and any personal objects they would like to place in the circle. A break and snack will be provided.

Seating is limited and pre-registration is required. To register, contact Kathy Hart, RN, the Women’s Imaging Center at BMC, (413) 395-7965 or go online to the Calendar section of the Berkshire Health Systems website, www.berkshirehealthsystems.org


Artist Kellie Meisl, who relies on dreams as a springboard for her work, has created most of her artwork over the past decade for community causes. She is an annual contributor to the Think Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Art Exhibit in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and has shown her work at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, where she teaches DreamArt classes in her native Berkshires. In 2009, she published her first book, "Dream Stories: Recovering the Inner Mystic," the cover of which features her first painting for Think Pink, entitled, “Hummingbird Medicine.” Kellie can be reached through her website:www.kelliemeisldreamart.com
You can read more about her newest piece, Awareness, here: http://www.mystorylives.blogspot.com/

Drumming with Aimee Gelinas

Caribbean & West African Hand Drum Class w/ Aimee Gelinas of Gaia Roots & Tamarack Hollow

Mondays 6pm

The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts
28 Renne Avenue, Pittsfield, MA


Experience Afro-Caribbean and West African hand drumming with cultural educator Aimee Gelinas M.Ed. Traditional instruments such as the Conga, Djembe, Djun Djun, Clave, Kata, Bell and Shekere provided for student use.  Class is for adults and mature teens.  All levels welcome.  Class is drop in and costs $10 each.  Please email aimee@gaiaroots.com or visitwww.tamarackhollow.com for more info.

*Please note: All dance &  Capoeria classes at the Lichtenstein Center have been cancelled until further notice

Mackenzie Buckley will be offering Popping and Hip-Hop dance classes

Bio:
MacKenzie Buckley is a senior at Pittsfield High School and she started dancing with the Youth Alive step team 2 years ago in 2008.  This is her fifth year doing step.  She taught herself how to dance the way she does.  She would sit in front of the mirror for hours everyday dancing trying to perfect everything.  She has performed at Colonial Theatre, Barrington Stage, Third Thursdays, and at many other Pittsfield Community events.  She previously led a step dance workshop at Camp Romaca together with Michelle Atiemo for 60 girls. She also will be teaching dance after-school at the Boys and Girls Club in Downtown Pittsfield.

About Popping:
Popping was created by Sam Solomon in Fresno, California and performed by his crew the Electric Boogaloos. It is based on the technique of quickly contracting and relaxing muscles to cause a jerk in the dancer's body, referred to as a pop or a hit. Each hit should be synchronized to the rhythm and beats of the music. Popping is also used as an umbrella term to refer to a wide range of 10+ other closely related illusionary dance styles such as strobing, liquid, animation, and waving that are often integrated with standard popping to create a more varied performance. In all of these sub-genres it appears to the spectator that the body is popping hence the name. The difference between each sub-genre is how exaggerated the popping is. In liquid the body movements look like water. The popping is so smooth that the movements do not look like popping at all; they look fluid. The opposite of this is ticking in which the movements are static, sudden, and jerky.

She will begin with a beginner group of Popping, Waving, Tutting, Gliding, and Hip-hop, if the group is more advanced she will begin to offer Intermediate classes as well.  All ages are welcome. 

When: Beginning Tuesday October 12th from 4-5pm and Friday October 15th 4-5pm.
Tuesdays and Friday 4-5pm at the Lichtenstein Center located at 28 Renne Avenue, Pittsfield, MA 01201

Cost: $5/class


Check out videos of Mackenzie dancing

Jim Horsford teaches Pottery at the Lichtenstein!

We are very excited to welcome back Jim Horsford to offer FREE Pottery classes to Pittsfield high school students.  No experience is necessary.

When:
Classes begin on Wednesday October 27th and Thursday October 28th from 6:30pm-8:30pm. Classes last 6 weeks, so will end Wednesday December 1st and Thursday December 2nd, 2010.

Cost:
FREE for Pittsfield High School Students

Where:
28 Renne Avenue, Pittsfield, MA 01201
Course Description:


The course is 12 hours of instruction on the potter’s wheel. No experience is needed. Beginners are welcome.


1. First class:

Students wedge two pieces of clay and step by step we throw two small pots: a mug and a bowl.



2. Second class:

We continue throwing and make three more pots.



3. Third class:

Now that we have five pots that have been kept moist in plastic and we trim the bottoms of the pieces.



4. Fourth Week:

Its back to throwing, and we make three larger pots.



5. Week five:

Work from week four is trimmed, handles are made for mugs and pitchers, clay can be added to the exterior of work or textures can be carved into the surface of work.



6. Week six:

Each student will have six to eight pots that they will glaze.

About a week after glazing, students from all classes will return for a pick-up celebration.

For more information check out his website.

Check out some of his students' work below:

Hip Hop Block Party

WHO: The Pittsfield Youth Commission (PYC) hosts Problemaddicts Rap Group, MC Motav8, DJs Quikmonee and SWAN, B-Boy Crew Fresh Trix, and HI-DEF (J-Soul)

WHAT: Hip Hop Presents! Back to School Block Party

WHEN: Sunday October 10th, 2010 from 1:00 pm-6:00 pm

WHERE: Renne Avenue, Pittsfield, MA 01201

The Hip Hop Presents! Back to School Block Party sponsored by the Pittsfield Youth Commission (PYC) of the City of Pittsfield’s Office of Cultural Development will display the 4 elements of real Hip Hop created in the 70’s and early 80’s which include: B-boying, M.C.ing, D.J.ing, and graffiti art. Fresh Trix crew will do a showcase of B-boying. D.J. Quikmonee and Swan will be the D.J. of the evening. Various local M.C.s such as Motav8 and J-Soul will perform some of their newest songs. Meanwhile, there will be a live Grafitti expo as well as a Break dance battle, so if you can dance come bust a move on the dance floor. Finally, Problemaddicts Rap group out of North Hampton/Springfield Massachusetts will close out the evening with some of their best hits.

Enhance Pittsfield's Cultural Life!

The Pittsfield Cultural Council is providing applications for those interested in applying to the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Local Cultural Council program, a grassroots component to the MCC’s centralized grant initiatives.

The council will also hold a grant-writing workshop on Wednesday, Sept. 29 upstairs at Jae’s Spice Restaurant, 297 North St. The session takes place at 5: 30 p. m. For information, e- mail pittsfieldculture@yahoo.com, or visit www.mass-culture.org/Pittsfield.

Individual artists, organizations, and first-time applicants are eligible to apply to the initiative to support projects that contribute to the vitality of Pittsfield’s cultural life. Applications are available on the Pittsfield page of the MCC’s website at www.mass-culture.org/Pittsfield. They can also be obtained at the Berkshire Athenaeum’s reference desk, the volunteers desk at City Hall, and at the Lichtenstein Center at 28 Renne Ave.

The deadline for grant applications is Friday, Oct. 15.

Storytelling & Book Swap

This Sunday, October 3, the young leadership division of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will hold a community literacy event, from 3pm - 5pm at Chapters Bookstore, 78 North Street, in Pittsfield.

Storyteller Heather Heim will recount the magical tale “Living in a Fragile World” and children can make a book related craft. Attendees are encourage to bring gently used children’s books, classics or pop fiction to swap. Participants will receive a 15% discount on all new books purchased during the event.

The event is free and suitable for young families. Refreshments will be served.

Breast Cancer Awareness

“7th Annual Think Pink” Uplifting Advocacy begins October 1st at Colonial Theatre

Beginning Friday, October 1st through Sunday, October 10th, The Colonial Theatre will host the 7th Annual “Think Pink”, a breast cancer awareness art exhibit. The public is invited to attend along with breast cancer survivors, their family, friends and community advocates.

The Colonial Theatre has joined with the positive forces of the Berkshire Health Systems Breast Health Team and the Storefront Artist Project to help advocate for breast cancer awareness and to honor breast cancer survivors throughout Berkshire County.

The opening reception for “Think Pink” is Friday, October 1st from 5:30pm -7:30pm. Over 60 local artists’ artwork will be displayed in the theatre lobby all created with the theme “Uplifting Rhythms”. At 8pm, there will be a spectacular and breathtaking musical production “Rhythm of the Dance” starring The National Dance Company of Ireland. This performance is a true celebration of Ireland. Presented through song, dance and storytelling, the show features a wealth of talent from all four corners of the Emerald Isle. To order tickets contact the Colonial Theatre ticket office at 413-997-4444.

The community is encouraged to participate in this upbeat, positive event. The art exhibit is open to the public at no charge.

Tap Your Feet with Stefanie Weber

Dance artist Stefanie Weber announces the first in a series of Jazz and Rhythm Tap Dance workshops to be held at Jae’s Spice upstairs in the ballroom at 297 North St in Pittsfield beginning with Wednesday October 13 and 27 from 6 to 7:30pm.

In October the theme will be “Variations on the Shim Sham” and will include instruction and creative renditions on the historical and worldwide celebrated Shim Sham Shimmy dance originally crafted by the late Leonard Reed.

Weber is a graduate of the Jazz Tap Residency under the direction of masters Jimmy Slyde and Dianne Walker. She is an accomplished improviser and avid dance educator and choreographer as well as community developer through dance.

Tap dance experience is helpful. Shoes can be rented for a small fee.

Classes are $15. Work-study is available for students in need.

For more information or to register contact Stefanie@fertileuniverse.com or 413.281.6734

Artscape Art Walk!

Thanks to Ed Bride for taking this short video of docent Craig Langlois leading a group of people on the Pittsfield Artscape Art Walk! You have two more chances to explore the great public art all over downtown Pittsfield -- don't miss out!

October 9 (rain date October 10)
October 23 (rain date October 30)

All tours begin at 1 pm. The tours will start and end at the Pittsfield Visitors’ Center on South Street (Route 7) in Pittsfield, next to Ben and Jerry’s. Each tour will last approximately 90 minutes.

For more details or weather concerns, contact the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts at 413-499-9348.

Paper Work @ the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts

You only have two more weeks to check out the newest exhibit at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts!

Lauren Clark, a paper artist herself and the owner of the gallery Lauren Clark Fine Art in Housatonic, MA, curated the show Paper Work, which showcases almost two dozen regional artists who work with, or on, paper. The show is a survey of the use of paper in art including three dimensional work such as Eric Drury’s intricately geometric cut paper to Lisa Griffith’s paper mache dresses. Other works incorporate recycled paper of all sorts, from intricately folded magazine pages to post-oven parchment baking paper from Berkshire Mountain Bakery that still shows traces of the goods baked on it, overlaid with delicate pencil drawings, watercolor and gold leaf by Julia Erickson. Player piano paper, old books, and sheet music are also incorporated into work, along with more traditional charcoal, pastel, painting and collage on paper.
In addition, two video screens shows a short animated history of paper mills in the region and an excerpt from an upcoming documentary on the same subject.

Other participating artists include John Stritch, Ivor Parry, Terry Wise, Fabio Pellegrino, Peggy Reeves, Peter Dellert, Robin Brickman, Richard Britell, Abby DuBow, Julia Granda, Anna Kronick, Debra Squire, Irmari Nacht, Marie-Claude Giroux, Joel Curran, Geoffrey Moss and others.

While you're there, don't forget to sign the awesome guestbook, on loan from Crane & Co for the exhibit!

Paper Work is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday, October 2, 2010, from noon to 5pm at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, located at 28 Renne Avenue in downtown Pittsfield, MA.

For more information call 413.499.9348, email mwhilden@pittsfieldch.com or visit www.culturalpittsfield.com

Berkshire Music School Programs

Have you ever found yourself wondering where to go if you:

• Are interested in studying music?
• Want to learn how to become a better singer?
• Are looking for music classes for your kids?
• Want a private lesson?
• Are interested in joining an ensemble or choir?
• Want to join a singing caberat class?
• Need an affordable price on instrument rental for the year?

If so then look no further, simply go to the:

Berkshire Music School
Music and arts education in Pittsfield, MA

Located at:

30 Wendell Ave.,
Pittsfield, MA 01201
413.442.1411
Fax: 413.442.4471

Teaching hours are from:

Mon.-Fri., 9:45 am – 8:00 pm;
Sat. 9:15 am – 12:45 pm

Berkshire Music School Announces Play Dates
New and returning classes and ensembles start up at the Berkshire MusicSchool in the next several weeks. All classes, ensembles and private teaching take place at the Music School, 30 Wendell Avenue, downtown Pittsfield.

Saturday, September 25, running for 15 weeks, from 9:15 am - 10 am.Introduction to Suzuki, a class designed for those considering a Suzukiinstrumental program. A parent must attend all classes. Ages 4 to 7 year;fee is $120 plus $25 for materials. Tari Wheeler Roosa, instructor.

Saturday, September 25, running for 15 weeks, from 10:15 am - 11 am. Musicfor Infants and Toddlers, a class designed to increase awareness of rhythmand their ability to sing and move creatively to music. A parent mustattend all classes. Ages three months to two years; fee is $90. TariWheeler Roosa, instructor.

Saturday, September 25, running for 15 weeks, from 11:15 am to 12 noon.Music for Preschoolers, a class designed to follow the Infants and Toddlersprogram. A parent must attend all classes. Ages two to four years; fee is$90. Tari Wheeler Roosa, instructor.

Monday, September 27, running for 10 weeks, from 4:30 pm to 5:45 pm. JazzEnsemble, designed for beginning to mid-level musicians on guitar, reeds,piano, drums, etc. to learn jazz, theory, ear training, solo improvisationand ensemble playing. Fee is $200. Bill Chapman, instructor.

Thursday, September 30, running for 25 weeks, from 4:30 pm - 5:15 pm.KinderChoir I/II, designed as a preparatory choir class to develop singingskills, sense of rhythm and general musicality through songs, dances andmusical activities. Kindergarten and First Class. Fee is $175. ChrisOberfield, instructor.

Thursday, September 30, running for 25 weeks, from 5:15 pm - 6:15 pm.Kindred Spirits, designed to expand young singers' repertoire and teachharmony. Open to girls from second grade through high school. Fee is $285.Carolina Carry, instructor.

Monday, October 4, running for ten weeks, from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm. CabaretWorkshop for Adults, designed to teach adult students phrasing, style,technique, stage presence and performance skills. A public performancefollows the ten week sessions. Fee is $300. Sherri James Buxton and BobShepherd, instructors.

Tuesday, October 5, running for ten weeks from 5:15 pm - 6:45 pm. BMSOrchestra, open to amateur musicians on strings and winds. Members ofStockbridge Sinfonia serve as section mentors. A public performance followsthe ten week sessions. Fee is $60 for BMS students; $100 for non-BMSstudents; free for Sinfonia members. Norman Thibodeau, conductor.

There is a $30 registration fee for all classes and ensembles. For moreinformation, call 413-442-1411 or visit berkshiremusicschool.org.

ENSEMBLES at BMS To register, call 413.442.1411

BMS Orchestra with Norman Thibodeau, coach/conductor –

Community musicians are invited to join BMS students to perform expanded chamber repertoire. Members of the Stockbridge Sinfonia who participate for free serve as section mentors. Students are encouraged to consult their teachers to determine their readiness for this ensemble. Ages 10 – adult.

Tuesdays, 5:15 – 6:45 pm;Fee: $60 BMS students; $100 Non BMS students/10 weeks.

1st term: starting October 5, 2010

2nd term: starting February 1, 2011

Mayors' Arts Project!

We need your help! The Office of Cultural Development is putting together a short video about the abundant art and culture that can be found in Pittsfield and we need YOUR home videos to make it work! We’re entering Mayor James Ruberto in the Mayors’ Arts Challenge sponsored by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and we’re in it to win it! We’re looking for clips of past events in Pittsfield – from Third Thursdays to the Ethnic Fair, from gallery openings to stage performances – we need it all! Email it to cpontv@gmail.com with a short description and date of the event. And after the video’s all done – we need your help again to help the Mayor win! More details on that coming up!

Cultural Pittsfield Season 2!

Just in time for September’s Third Thursday – Cultural Pittsfield is back on TV!

Season Two, a Third Thursday Special Edition premieres tonight at 8:45 on CityLink Channel 18 – or you can watch it right here!

If you want to be a part of Cultural Pittsfield TV – shoot us an email at cpontv@gmail.com

And don't forget to check out this Third Thursday, September 16th, for great food, fun, and art in Downtown Pittsfield! There's only ONE more left after this one -- so don't miss out on all the fun!

City of Pittsfield's Paper Airplane Contest - Join us for 3rd Thursdays

Join us for 3rd Thursdays and the Inaugural City of Pittsfield's Paper Airplane Contest!

This event is not to be missed, come join us for another spectacular Third Thursdays with the Office of Cultural Development. Come with your own paper airplanes or learn how to make one with us, please arrive earlier if you are not bringing your own paper airplane or would like to make more with us. Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to participate.

What: City of Pittsfield’s First Annual Paper Airplane Contest
When: Thursday, September 16th, 6-7pm
Where: Dunham Mall on North Street
Who: YOU, your friends, your family, and residents of Pittsfield

Make a Paper Airplane with us from 5-6pm, Paper Airplane Contest is from 6-7pm.

Come and learn from an expert in the field

Howard Fink has been designing, creating, and flying paper airplanes for over 40 years. He is also the winner of the award for most time aloft at the New Millennium Paper Airplane Contest, held at the New York Hall of Science November, 2008.

Win a prize for one of the following categories, we will have youth and adult divisions:

1. Best Design
2. Most Unique Design
3. Longest Duration Aloft
4. Longest Distance
5. Hulla-Hoop Off
6. Spectacular Failure

Please note that you may use only the following materials to build your paper airplane:

1. Paper
2. Paper clips
3. Tape
4. Glue
5. Staples

Judges will review paper airplanes to ensure that all participants have equal opportunities for success.

Don’t miss out on this once in a life-time opportunity to participate in the Inaugural City of Pittsfield’s Paper Airplane Contest!

To learn how to make some paper airplanes check out Howard Fink's website or 10paperairplanes.com.

Still not sure what to expect for the Inaugural City of Pittsfield's Paper Airplane Contest? Check out the New Millenium Paper Airplane Contest below to get an idea of what to expect.

Thanks for reading and we look forward to seeing you all on Thursday!

Bucket Drumming Class

Chris Hairston Bio
Chris Hairston started drumming over 8 years ago in middle school concert bands, he later joined marching bands, and has since performed a variety of styles including: jazz, funk, reggae, Latin styles, and West African. He has also been teaching percussion for over two years. In addition, he performed with the Vision Trio, and currently performs with the Blue Light Trio throughout Western Massachusetts.

When Chris is not performing or teaching bucket drumming classes, he works as a staff member at the Pittsfield Red Knights teaching drums and helping lead the first drum corps Pittsfield has had in years. There his students ages range from 10-30 and they perform monthly. He also has recently returned to the Excelsior Drum Corps to teach drumming as a Drumtech in New York and Western Massachusetts.

Come learn bucket drumming with Chris!
His class consists of learning how to drum on 5 gallon buckets with drumsticks.

What Experience Do I Need?
Drop-in is welcome and any people of all ages can learn how to bucket drum, don’t be afraid to come out and try it Chris will provide you with a bucket drum and sticks.

How Much?
Classes are very affordable, at only $5 per class.

Where?
At the Lichtenstein Center of the Arts, located at 28 Renne Avenue.

When?
Every Thursdays from 7-8pm, except 3rd Thursdays when he performs with the Blue Light Trio.

Artscape Art Walk!

In the next few weeks -- Artist & Educator Craig Langlois from the Berkshire Museum will be leading free 90-minute tours, showing off some of the nearly 50 pieces of public art along the streets of Pittsfield. Some of the works included in the tour are selections from this year’s Artscape, including sculptures, mixed media installations, murals, and more!

If you've ever wanted to know more about a piece of art you've seen while walking Downtown Pittsfield, then come out and walk with us! It's a chance to check out all the great art Downtown Pittsfield has to offer!

Artscape’s Walking Tours are:
Saturday, September 18 (rain date Sun Sept 19)
October 9 (rain date October 10) and Columbus day weekend
October 23 (rain date October 30).

All tours begin at 1 pm. The tours will start and end at the Pittsfield Visitors’ Center on South Street (Route 7) in Pittsfield, next to Ben and Jerry’s. Each tour will last approximately 90 minutes.

For more details or weather concerns, contact the Pittsfield Visitor’s Center at 413-443-9186 or the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts at 413-499-9348.

Click here to get your very own Artscape Map!