LGBT Youth Photography Art Show

The Live Out Loud Youth Project (LOLYP) will be exhibiting a collection of photography taken by local Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT)Youth and their allies in response to questions of identity, homophobia, relationships, and support. 

The exibit will be at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Avenue, Pittsfield for one week only opening with a community forum on Wednesday, March 2nd from 10am-12pm.  It will be open Wednesday-Saturday 12-5PM and is free to the public.  This event is designed to stimulate an action plan to address the needs of LGBT youth.  The exhibit includes a reception on Friday, March 4th from 6-8pm featuring a fundraiser with musical performances and speeches from youth who participated in this project. 
This project was funded by Berkshire Area Health Education Center, Department of Public Health, Garret Lee Smith Memorial Act, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Click here to read an article by WAMC and listen to a NPR radio interview.

Click here to read the full press release.

OPEN CALL FOR ARTISTS AND ARTWORK

FORTY SHADES OF GREEN GROUP SHOW CELEBRATES IRELAND & IRISH CULTURE

Artists from Berkshire County and beyond are invited to submit original two and three-dimensional artwork for a group exhibit entitled Forty Shades of Green: Celebrating Ireland & Irish Culture to be held March 12-April 9, 2011, at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts in downtown Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Named after a song written by Johnny Cash after a visit to Ireland, Forty Shades of Green is co-sponsored by the City of Pittsfield's Office of Cultural Development and the Pittsfield Irish Sister City Committee. The show is open to everyone who wishes to submit artwork that is ready to hang or display and appropriate for the gallery.

"Forty Shades of Green is a wonderful community show open to everyone who wishes to be a part of it, young and old, professional or amateur, photographers, sculptors, painters and collage artists. The last two Forty Shades of Green featured over a hundred artworks each." noted Pittsfield's Cultural Development Director, Megan Whilden.

She continued, "We are especially excited to be holding it in concert with Pittsfield's 250th anniversary and welcome artwork that celebrates Pittsfield's vibrant Irish-American community."

Both contemporary and traditional artwork on the theme of Ireland & Irish-American culture are encouraged, including photography, painting, sculpture, craft, and video or sound installations. The show is open to all artists, and submissions should be brought to the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts between noon-3pm on Sunday, March 6, and Monday, March 7 in order to be included. Artists planning to submit work are encouraged to contact Max Moy-Borgen, Manager of the Lichtenstein Center, beforehand at 413-499-9348 or mmoyborgen@pittsfieldch.com

All work must be framed where appropriate and ready to hang. A maximum of three pieces may be submitted by any individual. Pasko Frame & Gift Center at 243 North Street in downtown Pittsfield is offering a 20% discount on framing for artwork for Forty Shades of Green. For more information call Judy Gallup at 442-2680.

Forty Shades of Green runs from March 9 through April 9, 2011. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 5pm, and admission is free. A public reception for the show will be held Sunday, March 13 from 1pm to 4pm, featuring live Irish music and refreshments.

The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts is a municipally-owned community arts center in downtown Pittsfield. Located at 28 Renne Avenue, off Fenn Street, it features a gallery with changing exhibits and a variety of performances, nine individual artist studios, and workshop spaces. Classes in ceramics and African drumming are offered. For more information, please call 413-499-9348 or email mmoyborgen@pittsfieldch.com.

Spring Drum Classes with Aimee Gelinas!

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

Mondays 6pm, $10

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.

Valentine's Day Weekend in Pittsfield!

Whether you’re single or taken, you won’t want to miss the big Valentine’s Day weekend we’ve got right here in Pittsfield.

At Barrington Stage Two all weekend, Julianne Boyd directs The Big V-Day Cabaret starring four knockout performers! Make a night of it with a dinner & theatre package to Mission Bar + Tapas or Jae’s Spice. Call the box office for more information and to book your V-Day night out!

Looking to dance the weekend away? Come out to Sex and Candy, upstairs at Jae’s Spice. If you want to see some of Pittsfield’s finest, come out and bid on one of the city’s local celebrities (up for grabs are celebs like Berkshire Beat editor Caleb Hiliadis, City Councilor Pete White, and saucy sommeliers Caitlin + Meghan Harrison) in the Sex & Candy Date Auction. The purpose of this epic 18+ bash is to promote safe and responsible sexuality; proceeds will go to Tapestry Health & Pittsfieldcontemporary.

On Saturday, cabaret performer Lisa Kantor and her five-piece band takes you through the ups and downs of love in a musical evening featuring jazz standards, show tunes and some surprising musical delights, in a cabaret-style setting at NEW Stage Performing Arts Center. Entrance includes complimentary organic, fair trade chocolates by H.R.Zeppelin.  There is also a cash bar offering champagne, wine and beer.

Saturday night, enjoy a candlelight and chocolate tour of Arrowhead thanks to the Berkshire Historical Society. Guests will be given an intimate, guided tour of Melville’s old farmhouse by candlelight, then enjoy a chocolate tasting and chat with the tour guide.

Remember hanging out at the malt shop and cruising the strip? Relive the fifties with Solid Gold Saturday Night at the Colonial Theatre. It’s a special salute to The Drifters and The Platters with special guests The Corvettes Doo Wop Revue. Remember the Fifties is an outstanding show featuring three great acts.

The Berkshire’s first homegrown burlesque girls are throwing a Valentine’s Day bash that you’ll never forget! Gypsy Layne presents Venus in Wonderland upstairs at Jae’s Spice Saturday, February 12 and Monday, Valentine’s Day! Romance, burlesque, and dancing! Who could want more?

For some great music this Valentine’s Day weekend, come out to St Stephen’s Church for “Berkshire Bach: Concertos, Chorales and Chocolates” to listen to some of JS Bach’s great masterpieces. Chocolate Springs couples up with Berkshire Bach to sweeten the event with Valentine’s chocolates for everyone!

And don’t forget, all month long, it’s Chocolate Berkshires month! There are dozens of special chocolate-y deals throughout the Berkshires – just go to www.chocolateberkshires.com for more information!

Friday – Sunday, Feb 11-13: The Big V-Day Cabaret | Fri + Sat 8pm, Sun 3pm | Barrington Stage Two | 36 Linden Street | 236-8888 | Fri + Sun $25, Sat $30

Friday, February 11: Sex and Candy | 8pm – 1am | Jae’s Spice Upstairs | 297 North Street | 443-1234 | $10, 18+ only

Saturday, Feb 12: Lover You’re Killin’ Me | 8pm | New Stage Performing Arts Center | 55 North Street | 418-0999 | $18

Saturday + Sunday, Feb 12 + 13: Chocolate Tours | 6pm | Herman Melville’s Arrowhead | 780 Holmes Road | 442-1793 x 10 | $20

Saturday, February 12: Remembering the 50’s | 7pm | Colonial Theatre | 111 South Street | 997-4444 | $39.50/$29.50

Saturday + Monday, Feb 12 + 14: Venus in Wonderland | 8pm – 11pm | Jae’s Spice Upstairs | 297 North Street | 443-1234 | $20, $5 to party after the show, $18+ only

Sunday, February 13: Berkshire Bach | 4pm | St Stephen’s Church | 67 East Street | $25, $20 for BBS & AGO members, Students free with ID

Spring Pottery classes are starting at the Lichtenstein Center

What:

We are very excited to welcome back Jim Horsford to offer FREE Pottery classes to Pittsfield high school students and only $195 for adults, includes all materials. No experience is necessary.

When:

Classes begin on Wednesday March 2nd and Thursday March 3rd from 2:45pm-4:45pm for high school students, and 6:30-8:30PM for adults. Classes last 6 weeks, so will end Wednesday April 6th and Thursday April 7th, 2011.

Cost:

FREE for Pittsfield High School Students

$195 for adults, includes all materials

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.

To sign-up for classes call Jim at 413-243-3261 or email him at: shorsford@roadrunner.com



Check out some of his students' work below: