Everyone's Invited to Take to the Streets at the June 3rd.Thursdays in Downtown Pittsfield!

Downtown Pittsfield will be celebrating sustainability in more ways than one Thursday, June 17 during its monthly 3rd.Thursdays street fest, held May through October of each year. This month's Green Neighborhoods theme means you can get a solar powered haircut at Shaun's Barbershop, peruse organically grown heirloom seedlings from Hancock Shaker Village, visit the Westside Farm Project and Alchemy Initiative booths and learn more about these urban gardening initiatives, enjoy new music by the Electric Junkyard Gamelan, who build their inventive musical instruments from recycled and discarded objects, or run in the second annual Green Mile Road Race, benefiting local neighborhood initiatives.

But best of all, thanks to overwhelming success of downtown Pittsfield's 3rd.Thursdays which attract between 3,000 and 10,000 attendees each month, North Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from Park Square to Maplewood Avenue. All told, a half mile of the wide boulevard will be pedestrian (and bicycle and skateboard) only from 5pm to 8pm. Click here for a map of the street closure and free parking.

A wide variety of performances are featured at the June 17th 3rd.Thursdays, from the Brazilian rhythms of the Berkshire Bateria and singer-songwriter Brad Byrd, who has written music for televison and film, to R&B from the Floyd Patterson Band (that's Floyd pictured left) and Americana roots music (and clogging!) with Moonshine Holler. Click here for a full schedule.

Shops and restaurants stay open late on 3rd.Thursdays and vendors fill the streets. The fun continues beyond 8pm with the Barrington Stage's first performance of Sweeney Todd, Los Lonely Boys and their Texacan rock at the Colonial Theatre, local bands (and no cover) at Patrick's Pub, Mission Bar & Tapas, and the Press Box, Taylor Mali at the MicroTheatre at Art.On.No, plus late night dancing to local DJs BFG and Jerrid Cody at the Underground Pub.

For more information on 3rd.Thursdays in downtown Pittsfield, Massachusetts, visit http://www.culturalpittsfield.com/, email mwhilden@pittsfieldch.com, or call 413.499.9348.

LORRAINE LAUZON RETROSPECTIVE: One Creative Life

Starting June 5 at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, the Berkshire Art Association (BAA) will present a memorial retrospective, One Creative Life, featuring the work of Pittsfield artist, Lorraine Lauzon. The exhibit will be open through June 19, Wednesday through Saturday, Noon to 5 p.m., in the Lichtenstein Gallery, 28 Renne Avenue, Pittsfield, MA.

On Saturday, June 5, 5 – 7 p.m., the Berkshire Art Association will host an Opening Reception, which will be attended by Lorraine’s family. The reception is free and open to the public. The family hopes that many of the pieces in this exhibit will find permanent homes in Berkshire County after the show ends.

A special event – An Evening of Readings - featuring Lauzon’s written works will be held at the Lichtenstein Center on Wednesday, June 16 at 7 p.m. J.Peter Bergman and friends will read from her stories, essays and poems. The public is invited to participate.

Lauzon’s world travels with her beloved husband Paul, her love of children and music, and most especially, her Berkshires are the frequent subjects of her work. The gallery show will feature a wide range of Lauzon’s paintings done in oil, acrylic, and watercolor. Lorraine particularly loved to work in ink and watercolor wash, often in a playful vein depicting familiar places and situations. Many of her landscapes are punctuated with families and people going about their everyday lives.

Her Tanglewood drawings present the beautiful setting and people leisurely enjoying the ambiance. In depicting the orchestra playing or the maestro conducting (usually Ozawa), Lorraine visually expressed the spirit of music in a joyful and colorful way.

Lorraine often worked in mixed media, and some of her finest pieces include her kimono series collages. The Lichtenstein exhibit will include one – many more are currently being exhibited at The Berkshire Museum’s Berkshire Artists Gallery.

Lorraine spent most of her life as a working artist – painting, writing, exhibiting, and teaching. As a designer, she drafted for GE, designed shoes for a company in Lynn, created needlepoint canvases for area shops, and created business promotional art. She designed a coloring book for the Pittsfield Bicentennial Commission in 1976. Late in life, Lorraine created posters, made costumes, applied makeup and devised props for the Berkshire Community College's Children's Circus Camp.

Throughout her life, Lorraine taught art and writing to children and adults including 30 years of children's art classes at the Berkshire Museum. The Williams College Museum of Art commissioned her to design and present hands-on family projects related to Charles and Maurice Prendergast's work. For fourteen summers after her “retirement,” Lorraine ran away to the BCC circus camp, where she taught another generation of young artists.

Lauzon exhibited her work locally in one-woman shows at the Berkshire Athenaeum, Berkshire Bank, the Berkshire Museum, Dalton Public Library, MCLA and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Pittsfield. She participated in the group exhibits of the Berkshire Art Association, Berkshire Artisans, the Chester Art League, Pittsfield's ArtAbout, the Pittsfield Art League, the Sheffield Art League and with the National League of American Pen Women. Her work is in many local private and business collections including the Red Lion Inn.

Some of her many awards were first prize National League of American Pen Women, first prize Sheffield Art League, a Williams College Museum of Art Purchase Award and a Red Lion Inn Purchase Award.

Lorraine was a high honors graduate of Lynn English High School in 1944. While working during the day, she attended the School of Practical Art in Boston, now the Art Institute of Boston. In 1994 she earned an Honorary Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from The Art Institute of Boston at Lesley College. Lorraine was an active member of the Berkshire Art Association and was its recording secretary for over 40 years. She helped with and often showed in BAA shows for most of those years.

Lorraine Lauzon died unexpectedly last April at 82 – just days before she was to help hang the 2009 BAA Fellowship Show.

The Berkshire Art Association has established a college student fellowship award in Lorraine’s memory. The first award was presented in April to North Adams artist, Merritt Fletcher, a 2010 graduating senior at the Massachusetts College of Art. Donations to the Lorraine Lauzon Fellowship may be sent to the Berkshire Art Association, P.O. Box 385, Pittsfield, MA 01202.

An Evening of Vietnamese Culture in Downtown Pittsfield

Hanoi Vegetable Vendor by Joseph Wheaton from Vietnam Contemporary.

As part of Pittsfield's monthlong Big Read initiative focussing on the Vietnam War, 35 years after the Fall of Saigon, Cultural Pittsfield and the Berkshire Museum present An Evening of Vietnamese Culture this Saturday, April 24, from 6pm to 8pm in the Museum's majestic Crane Room. The evening features a delicious dinner buffet of traditional southeast Asian food prepared by Flavours Restaurant, and Vietnamese lion dancers, musicians and storytellers, as well as afterhours access to the Museum galleries, including the acclaimed exhibition, Armed & Dangerous: The Art of the Armament, and Vietnam Contemporary, a show of photographs by Berkshire artist Joseph Wheaton in the Museum's BerkshireBASE gallery.

Space is limited and advance ticket purchase is recommended. To buy your tickets, call the Berkshire Museum at 413-443-7171 or visit them between 10am-5pm daily. Tickets to An Evening of Vietnamese Culture are $25/$20 Berkshire Museum members, and $15 for veterans, Berkshire Young Professionals members, and youth under 18 years old.

The Big Read Documentary Screenings: The Vietnam War 35 Years Later

Pittsfield's April 2010 Big Read is a citywide bookreading project focusing on the acclaimed Vietnam War novel The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien, a veteran of the war. The Big Read programming includes book discussions, four theatre productions, three art exhibits, and five free documentary screenings, reflecting the many reverberations the war produced at home and abroad.

Two documentaries screening in the next few days vividly tell the stories of Vietnamese who left with the Americans after the Fall of Saigon in April 1975, 35 years ago this month. On Saturday, April 10, at noon the Berkshire International Film Festival and Beacon Cinema are cosponsoring a screening of the award-winning feature documentary, Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam, which recounts the story of the emergency airlifting of over 2,000 Vietnamese and Amerasian orphans at the end of the war. The film was created by many of these now grown children, and raises questions still relevant in light of the recent controversy over Haitian 'rescues' and adoptions post-earthquake.

Tuesday, April 13, at 7pm, the Berkshire Athenaeum hosts a free screening of Oh Saigon, another award-winning feature about a Vietnamese family split apart at the end of the Vietnam War when some flee with the Americans, while other family members stayed in Vietnam, and the bitter legacy that was created.


Whether you're a documentary film lover, a history buff, or participating in The Big Read, these films shed light on the legacy of the Vietnam War 35 years later.

The Big Read: Remembering the Vietnam War

Pittsfield's third communitywide bookreading project, The Big Read, kicks off Wednesday, March 31st at 7pm at the Berkshire Museum, located at 39 South Street in downtown Pittsfield, with an opening ceremony and reception. The book is the acclaimed Vietnam War novel, The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien, and the Big Read takes place during the month of April, the 35th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon, considered the official end of the Vietnam War.

Pittsfield Mayor James. M. Ruberto and State Senator Benjamin Downing will speak, and a panel of Vietnam War veterans, featuring Francis Trembley, Bill Mickle and Tyrone Belenger, will show slides of photographs they took overseas and discuss their experiences in the war. The event is free and open to the public and features a reception afterwards, catered by Joe’s Lunchbox, plus the opportunity to buy copies of The Things They Carried for 20% off (25% for veterans) from Chapters Bookstore.

Big Read programming throughout April 2010 includes four theatre productions, five documentary screenings, three art exhibitions, book discussions, and much more. Click here for a full calendar listing of Big Read events!

Pittsfield Youth Commission Talent Show!

Every year the City of Pittsfield's Youth Commission organizes a community-wide youth talent show that showcases the creative output of middle and high school students. This Friday, March 19, at 7pm expect to see a word class yoyo-er, a ventriloquist and his monkey, pop stars-in-the-making, country singers, a rock band, and dance styles including tutting, pop-locking, and classical pointe! Say that five times fast...!

You'll find all this talent and more at Barrington Stage Company's Main Stage at 30 Union Street in downtown Pittsfield, and tickets are only $3 for students, $5 for adults.

The show is co-hosted by high school senior and Pittsfield Youth Commission member Michelle Atiemo (pictured left) and Carrie Saldo, Director of Communications at Mission Inc., and is cosponsored by the Pittsfield Prevention Partnership and Greylock Federal Credit Union.

Community Kwanzaa Celebration

Sunday, December 27th, the community is invited to The Masonic Temple @ 116 South Street for the fourth annual Community Kwanzaa Celebration. This year, three awards will be given to outstanding women of color who have each greatly helped the community! The dinner features a traditional Kwanzaa ceremony with Youth Alive Step Dance & Drum Line along with last years favorites, The Women of Joy Gospel Quartet. Support the community by attending what promises to be a festive occasion!

For more information please contact Nakeida Bethel-Smith at 413-464-9645 or Shirley Edgerton at (413) 841-8770.

Shop Local & Creative at the Handmade Holiday Festival!

Crispina & Friends
Handmade Holiday Festival!

Friday-Sunday, December 4-6, 2009

The Alchemy Initiative

40 Melville Street, Pittsfield, MA

Portrait of the former Notre Dame Church by Diane Firtell.

Celebrate the holidays and support the creativity of your local community this weekend, December 4-6, 2009 at Crispina & Friends' Handmade Holiday Festival in the beautiful former Notre Dame Church (now home to the groundbreaking Alchemy Initiative) in downtown Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Holiday wreath by Crispina ffrench.

The Handmade Holiday Festival opens with a special preview party on Friday, December 4 to benefit the Alchemy Initiative, dedicated to sustainable arts and community. Tickets are $25 at the door, and the first 50 attendees receive a free goodie bag filled with wonderful handmade gifts, coupons and surprises galore.

The evening preview party runs from 5pm to 8pm and also includes live music, body painting, hula hooping, mulled wine, delicious nibbles, henna tattoos and first dibs on the incredile array of beautiful and unique gifts.

Peace on Earth cut paper design by Noelle Horsfield.

Be the first to shop on Friday evening or come on Saturday, December 5, from 10am to 6pm and Sunday, December 6, from 12 noon to 4pm to enjoy a festive holiday atmosphere and great shopping from a select group of forty of the best local and regional artisans, including locally grown Christmas trees and holiday greenery, beautiful jewelry by Saskia Larraz, Angela Gerhard & Lisa Anderson...

Gold lotus on a chain by Lisa Anderson.

handcrafted knives by John Manikowski, as seen in Berkshire Living,

beautiful pottery by Daniel Bellow, Nancy Magnussen and Lorimer Burns

Teapot by Daniel Bellow.


and much more include Dolphin Studios' legendary hand silkscreened calendars; delicous home goods from Minc House; hula hoops from Hooping Harmony; twig furnishings for indoor and out from Hey Cut it Out; locally designed & made comfy & stylish yoga clothing from Ancient Languages; lovely leather accessories by Liz Olney; strange & wonderful recycled goods by Moe O'Hara and other delights from your friends & neighbors.

Recycled board game notebook by Recycle Moe.

“Wait until you see the unusual, handmade treasures we will be showcasing! From handmade knives to tins of the Berkshire’s tastiest artisan-made holiday cookies… And of course my recycled sweater concoctions will be available for purchase in a setting designed to bring honest to goodness cheer to the season,” says Crispina ffrench. Pittsfield's Youth Alive Step Dance & Drum Line group will be selling handmade wrapping paper and wrapping gifts as a fundraiser for their group as well.

The Handmade Holiday Festival is located at 40 Melville Street in downtown Pittsfield in the beautiful interior of the former Notre Dame Church, now home to the Alchemy Initiative. An donation of $2 is requested on Saturday & Sunday, with all proceeds going to the Alchemy Initiative's programs. There's lots of free parking next to the Church and across the street, and don't forget the horse and wagon rides for the whole family! 12-4pm Saturday & Sunday.

See you there! For more info read the Berkshire Eagle's front page story on the Handmade Holiday Festival here, call 413-236-9600 or visit http://www.alchemyinitiative.org/.

The 65th annual Pittsfield Halloween Parade!

After 65 years, we have a terrific annual tradition and parade that involves hundreds and hundreds of school children decked out in Halloween finery, high school marching bands, fire trucks, terrific floats by the schools, the Sheriff's Department and local businesses, and much more. Highly recommended! The parade is Friday, October 30, at 7pm, kicking off at the corner of North and Fenn Streets and continuing down to historic Wahconah Park, all in downtown Pittsfield in western Massachusetts.

Here's a spooky fun video of the 2007 parade by artist Douglass Truth...

September 17th 3rd Thursday

Pittsfield's second to last 3rd Thursday of the year will be making a splash on North Street as we celebrating water! Events will include live music from Pittsfield natives Hector on Stilts as well as fire dancers, a Brazilian rythym group, and a jazz band called the Unfulfilled Desires. A 5:30 water balloon toss will take place at the Dunham mall while the Berkshire Museum is open late and free for Berkshire residents.
The Ferrin Gallery will be showing a preview of the abstract works of Pittsfield's own Joe Goodman and altered post cards by Lucy Feller. Jae's Spice will host Dj BFG while Club Groove will have Throwback thursday featuring an 80's and 90's inspired lineup.
All attending this month's 3rd Thursday is urged to wear a water inspired costume as there will be a Crowne-Plaza hosted costume contest!
September's 3rd Thursday will be loads of fun and promises to be enjoyable for attendees of all ages.

Lichtenstein Center for the Arts hosts "Jump In!"

"Jump In!", a visual celebration of water in our landscape will open Friday, September 4th in Pittsfield's Lichtenstein Center for the Arts. The event will be free of charge and will boast pieces from over 20 artists including sculptors, painters, photographers, and more. Food will be provided by the nearby Brix Wine Bar.

The show will be on display through October 31 and is a feast for the senses as the gallery will be filled with the sound of Annea Lockwood's A Sound Map of the Housatonic River. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 5pm, and admission is free. The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts is located at 28 Renne Avenue in downtown Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

We encourage all attendees to create an aquatic or otherwise water related haiku as you enter the gallery as a part of a community poetry project. The opening is shaping up to be one of great beauty and is looking more spectacular as we pass through the week. We hope that many arrive on Friday night in order to view the pieces provided and enjoy an evening of sound, taste, and beauty.

Pittsfield's 2009 Ethnic Fair

Bagpiper plays at the opening ceremony.

Ethnic Fair 2009!

On Sunday, August 2nd, people gathered on the first two blocks of North Street to celebrate and recognize the many vibrant cultures that make up our community through music, dance, food, drink and craft from around the world. On the main stage, the Ethnic Fair kicked off with a fantastic welcome and opening ceremony, followed by the Albany Ballet. Check out some pictures below!

Albany Ballet Dancer

Group Shot of some Albany Dancers.

Despite the drizzle, hundreds of people came out to North Street with their umbrellas to enjoy the variety of different music and food. Akwaaba African Drum and Dance Ensemble filled the streets with great beats along with Gaia Roots, a group that combines movement with drumming. Mark IV Polka Orchestra got everyone on to their feet and dancing to the tunes.

Even dogs enjoy the Ethnic Fair.

Crowd favorite, La Fogata had a booth selling their delicious Colombian Food. Even though the Polish Picnic was just a couple of weeks ago, the Polish National Alliance booth always had a line of people anxiously awaiting some more Polish food. Flavours, a Malaysian and Asian restaurant that will soon be located at 75 North Street, sold tasty chicken satay, crispy spring rolls and somosas. Guido's Fresh Marketplace sold delightful fresh fruit, health chilled beverages and healthy frozen fruit. Even the Dancing Vegan came out to celebrate.

Perfomer doing his thing.

The Ethnic Fair would not be possible without the support and hard work of Downtown Inc. and the City of Pittsfield, especially the Office of Cultural Development, the Mayor's Office, and the Police, Fire, Health, Public Works and Building Maintenance Departments. Thanks also to all the businesses who provide in-kind support, including Allied Waste, Tailored Events, Compuworks, the Pittsfield Pipers, Legacy Banks, Scarfoni Associates, and more.

If you are interested in being a vendor or volunteer for next year's Ethnic Fair, send your contact information to:

Pittsfield Ethnic Fair
P.O. Box 725
Pittsfield, MA 01202
or downtown@rnetworx.com and claire@rnetworx.com

Lastly, special thanks to Craig Swinson for providing the photographs for this blog post.

Pittsfield Contemporary Opening!

Pittsfield Contemporary Show Opens!

On Saturday, July 25th, over 150 people gathered to view and celebrate the many talented artists in Pittsfield. Check out some pictures from this event!

Jay Elling and Hucklberry DelSignore discussing their work.

Returning artists, Mike Carty and Jazu Stine admire the show.

People mingling and enjoying that art.

Many many thinks to Brix Wine Bar and Bistro for donating some amazing food platters and wine. Guests enjoyed watermelon and feta skewers, fresh vegetables, shrimp, a variety of different cheeses, a large selection of fine wines and much more.

Click here to visit Brix's website.

This exhibit is on display till August 29th at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts located at 28 Renne Avenue in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday 12-5pm. Come and check it out!

Celebrate summer tomorrow at the July 16th 3rd.Thursdays, Pittsfield’s award-winning free monthly downtown after-hours festival! From 5pm to 8pm and well beyond, downtown Pittsfield’s streets will be filled with performers, vendors, families, and fun. Celebrate Motown's 50th birthday, enjoy delicious treats from around the world, check out new artwork & locally made craft, and shop some GREAT summer sales. There's plenty of parking in garages and parking lots ALL around downtown. And afterwards there's loads of theatre, two film screenings, live music, a dance party, a poetry slam & much more to enjoy into the evening!

The Palace Park Beach returns!

It was such a hit last year, we brought it back! Don't miss the Palace Park Beach on North Street between Fenn & Eagle Street. There's beach toys, plenty of sand to play in, and even a real live lifeguard! The mysterious Silver Swimmers will return and you might even see some pirates walking around downtown...

Magic, Music, Dancing & More for the Whole Family!

Berkshire favorite Terry A La Berry (pictured left) performs family-friendly tropical favorites at the Palace Park Beach. Down the street at Sottile Park, up-and-coming magician John Nesbitt performs tricks to entertain and astonish. Chapters Bookstore offers free face painting and welcomes special bunny guest Max from the Max and Ruby Books. Don’t miss a sneak preview onstage of Barrington Stage Company’s Youth Theatre production of High School Musical 2 at 5pm at Persip Park. Plus you can see the whole production on 3rd.Thursdays at 7:30pm at St. Joseph’s High School gym, at the very special preview price of just $8. The B-Boys from Rhythms Dance Center will be breakdancing at the corner of North and Maplewood Streets.

Colleen Quinn, Teapots, Pittsfield Art Show preview & more!

The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts showcases works by artists in the fifth annual Pittsfield Art Show , downtown Pittsfield's terrific outdoor juried art fair being held this weekend, July 18th & 19th. The Ferrin Gallery exhibits two shows: Teapots: Interpretations, a group show of teapots, objects & still lifes featuring the classic form of the teapot, and (DE)CONSTRUCTIONS, a solo exhibition of new works by Michael Zelehoski. A block away the beautiful new Berkshire Community College Art Gallery in the Intermodal Center hosts an opening for a solo show by Colleen Quinn, while the 429 Gallery within Museum Facsimiles features new work by Berkshire artist Diane Firtell. The art.on.no Gallery hosts an opening reception for new paintings and photography by Ellen Joffe, Matt Tucker & Claudia Schuster.

Music Up & Down the Street

The 3rd.Thursday’s Main Stage will be at Persip Park and features a sneak preview from the cast of Barrington Stage’s High School Musical II. Beginning at 5:30pm enjoy the lively beat of MarkaMusic, a world music group with members from throughout South America, followed by Albany favorites Solid Smoke (they've opened for War, the Spinners, Chick Corea & more) playing the best of Motown in honor of Motown’s 50th anniversary this year! Things get tropical in front of St. Joseph Church with The Berkshire Bateria, a 3rd.Thursday’s crowd favorite. This band will be taking over the lawn with their wild Brazilian drum beats. Unfulfilled Desires can be heard on the street at the Crowne Plaza hotel and the Pittsfield Brew Works is hosting singer-songwriter Jack Waldheim.

Summer Sales Galore!

North Street’s unique locally-owned businesses will be open late for your browsing pleasure, & several are kicking off special summer sales at this week’s 3rd.Thursdays, including Museum Facsimiles, featuring a special summer sale on hand letter-pressed cards, frames and unique gifts; Paul Rich & Sons’ legendary summer tent sale with terrific prices on beautiful home furnishings; and a sidewalk sample sale of the Ancient Languages collection of locally designed and created yoga wear. Also open late for your shopping pleasure are Studio Addict; Berkshire Masquerade; Aerus-Electrolux; and RGile Engravers.

Further down North Street you’ll find Ordinary Cycles; Pasko Frame and Gift; Rebel Sound Records, featuring alternative music on CD and vinyl; RJ Stohr’s Diamonds and Fine Jewelry, which will be offering 50% off almost everything in the store for one day only; and Chapters Bookstore, featuring a live DJ playing lots of Beach Boys and Jimmy Buffett and artwork by Suzanne Goudreau and Dave Sekac.

Great Food at Local Restaurants!

Travel the world in downtown Pittsfield's restaurants including Brix Wine Bar & Bistro; Hot Harry’s, the Highland Restaurant, Pittsfield Brew Works; Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant, Bagels Too, Jae’s Spice, the Press Box, Mary’s Carrot Cake Café; Mission Bar & Tapas, Dottie’s Coffee Lounge & the newly remodeled Lantern Bar & Grill. Enjoy a meal, an appetizer or just a glass of wine in Trattoria Rustica’s secluded outdoor garden patio.

Tasty Treats & Varied Vendors

In addition, street vendors will be selling a wide variety of food & goods to enjoy as you walk around the streets and enjoy all that 3rd.Thursdays has to offer. Corrine’s offers Greek specialties at Palace Park, the Civitan Club will be grilling hotdogs and hamburgs at Persip Park, Brix Wine Bar will be making crepes on the street; and La Fogata, Zucchini’s, Ben & Jerry’s, Krispy Kones, SoCo Creamery, Guido’s Fresh Marketplace, the Dancing Vegan, and more will be selling a variety of delicious treats.

The Berkshire Made Artisan Market features the best Berkshire craft artists around selling locally made jewelry, pottery, handbags and more in front of the YMCA on North Street. Pittsfield Rye and Berkshire Mountain Bakery will also be offering freshly made, locally baked goods to take home and enjoy along with other Farmers Market vendors!

The Fun Continues into the Night

After 3rd.Thursdays, there is plenty to enjoy! Barrington Stage offers three different productions: the thriller, Sleuth, and the musical, High School Musical 2. Dance the night away at a DJ dance party at Jae’s Spice or enjoy live music from pirate descendent Mia Dyson at Mission Bar & Tapas, and more at Rebel Sound Records & Pittsfield Brew Works. Catch the last screening of Jim Jarmusch’s latest film, Loss of Control, at 8pm at the Little Cinema in the Berkshire Museum, or a screening of the award-winning City Farmers documentary at the Alchemy Initiative to benefit their urban farming initiative. And four time national slam poet champion Taylor Mali hosts a poetry slam at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts!

Upcoming 3rd Thursdays

Sponsored by Berkshire Bank, the August 20th’s 3rd.Thursdays celebrates the 40th anniversary of Woodstock and the era of peace and lovebeads. The September 17th 3rd.Thursdays’ theme is Jump In! sponsored by the Housatonic River Museum and brings back 3rd.Thursdays favorites Hector on Stilts, all the way from New York City. Lastly, the Quality Printing Company sponsors the final 3rd.Thursdays of the year on October 15, celebrating the 5th anniversary of the Pittsfield CityJazz Festival with a free performance by the Industrial Jazz Group, all the way from the West Coast.

Click here for more information about 3rd Thursday!

The 2nd Annual Pittsfield Contemporary Group Show

Paul Graubard Mask 1

Beginning July 25^th, 14 of Pittsfield’s finest artists will invade the walls of the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts for the 2^nd annual Pittsfield Contemporary Exhibition, a juried show of artists that live or work in Pittsfield. This year's jurors were Art in America contributing editor Carol Diehl, Kathleen Gilrain, executive director of NYC arts organization Smack-Mellon, and Maria Mingalone, Director of Interpretation at the Berkshire Museum. The show kicks off with an opening reception on July 25^th, from 5 to 7pm and will run until August 29.

Jay Elling & Huckleberry DelSignore Untitled

This year’s show will correspond with the launch of PITTSFIELDCONTEMPORARY.COM, a dynamic arts marketing collaborative effort from Pittsfield’s premier contemporary art venues, including Ferrin Gallery, Berkshire Museum, Storefront Artist Project, the Lichtenstein Center forthe Arts, art.on.no Gallery, Artscape, the Pittsfield Art Show, and the BCC Art Gallery.

Michael McKay Hansaviertel (cyanotype)

This year’s exhibit features twelve new artists, including photographer Nick Atlas; Autumn Doyle, a musician and photographer with striking self-portraits; Sydney Flint, a student at Massachusetts College of Art with wildlife inspired etchings; Eric Korenman, a photographer that specializes in buildings and landscapes; Paul Graubard, who presents colorful paintings inspired from childhood fantasies; Jay Tobin, a painter and retired firefighter; Eduardo Villanes, a native Peruvian with paintings of wild animals, Jay Elling and Huckleberry DelSignore, founders of Pittsfield’s bike church, Copperworks; as well as Colleen Surprise Jones, Michael McKay, and Monika Pizzichemi. Mike Carty, a spray paint graffiti artist, and Jazu Stine, local photographer, sculptor, and chef, both return to the Pittsfield Contemporary line-up this year.

Sydney Flint
The Shortest Distance Between Two Points

This exhibition is sponsored by Brix Wine Bar, which will provide catering and refreshments for the opening reception on July 25^th. For more information about the event, call 413-499-9348 or email rweightman@pittsfieldch.com.