Pittsfield, Mass.

Downtown Pittsfield’s popular 3rd Thursdays returns even more live music, art activities, free behind the scenes tours and much more. Special highlights include Dub Jazz Unit playing on the Artabout Stage on the lawn of St. Joseph’s Church ; two new art openings at Ferrin Gallery; the current retrospective exhibits of artist Julio Granda at Storefront Artist Project and the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts; puppet shows by the Robbin-Zust Family Marionette Company, inside the Blue Iguana Room; a Harry Potter Costume Party and contest at Crowne Plaza sponsored by Word Street and Carr Hardware goes Hawaiian with free leis, a limbo contest, and much more!
Thursday August 16 ^th - 5-8 pm and beyond - Downtown Pittsfield - 499-9348 - FREE

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The city of Pittsfield boasts both the infrastructure required of a major industrial center as well as sufficient natural attractions to sustain a substantial tourism-based economy. The 250 acre GE complex, where employment once exceeded 13,000, is being reclaimed to join such natural assets as Onota and Pontoosuc Lakes, Pittsfield State Forest and Bosquet Ski Area as the city transitions to become the capital city of “America’s Cultural Destination.”

Pittsfield and U.S. history

Pittsfield has contributed much to the history of the United States. Pittsfield’s “Fighting Parson”, Rev. Thomas Allen, brother of Ethan Allen, rallied local Minutemen for the Battle of Bennington in 1777. In the mid-1800s, Herman Melville (photo courtesy Cormier Art) found refuge from city life at his family’s Pittsfield farm where he wrote Moby Dick, drawing inspiration from nearby Mt. Greylock. And throughout the 20th century, GE’s local manufacturing has included critical national defense operations.

Pittsfield, MA facts:

• Town Hall: 70 Allen St.
• Phone: (413) 499-9321
• Population: 45,793
• Settled/Inc’d: 1752
• Named for: William Pitt
• Elevation: 1,038′
• Demographic data: state.ma.us/cc/pittsfield.html
• Town website: pittsfield-ma.org/
• Pittsfield Police Dept.: pittsfieldpolice.com/

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To reflect the political nature of their performances, THE NEWS IN REVUE, the Emmy Award-winning musical political satire troupe, is currently showing selected works of Connecticut- based artists Bernard Re, Jr. and Adam Polsz, in their new venue.

(On our sister-site, NewBerkshire.com:Review of The News in Revue..)

In late June, five paintings were mounted at The Mountainside Playhouse in a ten-week exhibition. The works are political in nature executed in high-gloss enamel and acrylic paint.

Bernard Re, Jr.’s works include two abstract portraits, one melding Barack Obama and Oprah entitled ‘Obama-O-Free’ and ‘Hill-Bill-ery,’ which combines the many faces of Hillary and Bill Clinton. Adam Polsz’s graffiti-like work includes the ‘GOP, Grand Oil Profiteers,’ ‘Chinese Democracy’ and ‘Weapons of Mass Instruction.’

In a region that appreciates good political humor, Re and Polsz’s art offers the perfect complement to a live performance experience. “We’re excited to feature the works of Bernie and Adam,” said Nancy Holson, creator/writer of THE NEWS IN REVUE. “Our show focuses on the politics of our nation and it’s great to have another political art form occupying the same space and adding deep-seated ambience to The Mountainside Playhouse this summer,” she added.

On our Pittsfield map:directions to The News in Revue at Bousquet Mtn.’s Playhouse.

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Funked Up Fairy Tales, the new hip musical by Kirsten Childs at Barrington Stage Company’s Musical Theatre Lab, has been extended through August 18, due to popular demand. Featuring book, music and lyrics by Kirsten Childs and directed by Kevin Del Aguila, Funked Up Fairy Tales began performances July 31, at BSC’s Stage II space, The Berkshire Athenaeum, 1 Wendell Avenue in Pittsfield.

Get directions on our map page: Barrington Stage Co., Berkshire Athenaeum.

Please note the new performance schedule for Barrington Stage Company’s Musical Theatre Lab: Tuesday through Friday evening at 7:30 pm, Saturday at 4 pm and 8pm, at The Berkshire Athenaeum, 1 Wendell Avenue in Pittsfield. Tickets are $25-$30 and are on sale now. NOTE: There are now special youth tickets (up to age 21) available for the Musical Theatre Lab for $15 for Saturday performances at 4 pm. For tickets and information on the Musical Theatre Lab, call 413-236-8888, from South County call 413-528-8888 or go online to www.barringtonstageco.org.

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