Photo: GildedAge.org

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love all things fashion so I am particularly excited to be a part of the up coming fashion show happening March 20th at Ventfort Hall Mansion & Gilded Age Museum! Not only should this be a lot of fun with fashion but it will also help Ventfort Hall’s exhibit “Les Petites Dames de Mode” become a permanent part of the museum! The exhibit features 59 beautiful miniature “fashion models” by John R. Burbidge that portray the history of women’s fashion from 1855 to 1914. I got a chance to see them and I have to say it was like taking a walk through time, the miniature gowns are beautiful and it was beautiful to see fashion evolve!

The exhibit was originally not permanent but the collection was so loved that Ventfort Hall has decided to purchase the exhibit and they have organized a fashion show in collaboration with some local businesses to put on a fund raising fashion show right at Ventfort Hall! I am personally very excited to see so many fashion projects and events hitting the Berkshires this year, it has been a goal of mine for a couple of years to create a fashion scene so we can all experience the awesome designers, boutiques, hair salons, makeup artists and all of the people that connect through fashion!

Where: Ventfort Hall 104 Walker St Lenox, MA

When: Sunday March 20th 4pm

Cost: $16 advanced $20 at-the-door

Purchase Tickets:

• Call 413-637-3206
• E-mail: info@gildedage.org
• Or visit Ventfort Hall 104 Walker Street Lenox, Massachusetts 01240

Check out some more details about the upcoming fashion show happening at Ventfort Hall!

Stores throughout the Berkshires are coming together to present A Taste of Summer Fashion. A Victorian Tea with a wine/beer cash bar prepares you for an evening of fun, fashion and friends. The Les Petites Dames de Mode will be open for viewing, all proceeds will go towards the purchase of the collection as a permanent exhibit for the museum. Does money really grow on trees? We have a tree trimmed with lottery tickets, take a chance to win the tickets – who knows you could be a millionaire!

Hair will be done by Shear Design II and Peter Alvarez;  Jane Iredale Mineral Make-up providing the make-up. Stores include: Purple Plume, Deidre’s, Steilmann European Fashion, Sati Boutique, Weaver’s Fancy and more to be announced soon! State Representative William (Smitty) Pignatelli and Joanne Keator will be our guest MCs. John Burbidge (creator of the Les Petites Dames de Mode) and his beautiful wife Cile will join us, it has been rumored she will be wearing a few original designs by John that evening.
You don’t have to be an aristrocrat to attend, this fashion show is sure to have something for everyone.

A portion of proceeds from this one night event will be donated to Berkshire Women for Women Worldwide. The event takes place on Monday March 14, 2011 at 7 p.m. in the New Stage Performing Arts Center at 55 North Street in Pittsfield, MA. A talkback follows the performance.

“What a great forum to perform our show about young women’s attitudes towards feminism! We’re honored to be part of the Berkshire Festival of Women Writers and look forward to discussing our new work with the audience afterwards,” states WAM Theatre’s co-artistic director Leigh Strimbeck.

Judy Nardacci of Berkshire Women for Women continues, “Since Kristen and Leigh introduced WAM Theatre to BWWW a year or so ago, we’ve looked forward to collaborating on a project. We’re so pleased to be helping to make this event happen in Pittsfield, and very grateful to Leigh, Kristen and Nicki Wilson (of the New Stage Performing Arts Center). It’s gratifying to see how well women can work together on behalf of our local and global mission to advance the welfare and power of women.”

Photo: Wamtheatre.com

The cast used research and conducted interviews to create the work. Some of the questions explored include: Do they identify as feminists? Why or why not? How has feminist history impacted their lives. Song, dance, comedy and monologues are all interwoven in this reflection on feminism past and present.

DETAILS: New Stage Performing Arts Center, 55 North Street, Pittsfield, MA (Above the Beacon Cinema)

Monday, March 14, 2011 at 7:00pm

TICKETS: $10 adults, $5 students

Tickets can be reserved by calling 413.418.0999.

Photo: TheColonialTheatre.org

Pittsfield, MA – The Irish Comedy Tour makes a St. Patrick’s Day stop at the Colonial Friday, March 18 at 8pm. The trio of comedians brings the party atmosphere of a Dublin pub and combines it with a boisterous evening of laughs with Detroit’s Derek Richards, Boston-born Mike McCarthy and Dublin’s own Keith Aherne.

Tickets are $25 for all seats and may be purchased in person at the Colonial Ticket Office at 111 South Street or by calling (413) 997-4444 or online at www.TheColonialTheatre.org. The Ticket Office is open Monday-Friday 10pm-5pm, Saturdays 10pm-2pm or on any performance day from 10am until intermission.

Derek’s act is fast, fresh and, at times, fanatical—often described as a politically incorrect discussion amongst friends at a bar. Derek tells humorous tales about his Detroit, blue-collar upbringing; his mom’s dog; the holidays; living in Florida and dating an exotic dancer. Derek is on the air via the XM Satellite Radio Network and on both the nationally syndicated shows Bob and Tom and Bob and Sheri. He has also appeared on The Weather Channel’s Top 10 series.

Mike honed his craft in the Boston comedy scene, starting his career 20 years ago and climbing the ranks with fellow Bostonians Joe Rogan, Steve Sweeney, Kenny Rogerson, Lenny Clarke and many more. He has been on Showtime’s Comedy Club Network and Comedy Central. This Medford, MA native brings his twisted, high-energy take on family, relationships, kids and growing up the youngest of nine in an Irish-American household.

Keith was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland and has played with many of the Emerald Isle’s favorite acts including Brendan Grace and The Dublin City Ramblers. He has toured the U.S. and Ireland with his band The Lahinch Mob. Now he brings his authentic Irish music to the comedy stage.

What a St. Patrick’s Day treat! I know we can all use a laugh to give us one last push through the cold into the spring! What do you think? Will you be attending this show?

- Kaitlyn

Where: Chocolate Springs
When: Tuesday Feb. 8th 2:00pm-3:30pm

You are invited to our Chocolate Berkshires Kick-Off Party for complimentary hot chocolate to honor the delicious month long chocolate festival happening the entire month of February right here in the Berkshires! Join the participants at Chocolate Springs for an afternoon of indulgence and to learn more about the mouth watering offers we have for you around the county all month long! Enjoy your complimentary hot chocolates and other treats while you mingle with other chocolate lovers and Berkshire County businesses!

The event is for all chocolate lovers and is open to press and the public so we hope that you will join us! For more chocolate offers and information please stop by our website at ChocolateBerkshires.com.

Kristen van Ginhoven and Leigh Strimbeck, co-Artistic Directors of WAM Theatre state, “We are thrilled with the success of our 2010 Season. Thanks to the support of our communities, our donors and our audience members, we successfully implemented our double philanthropic mission; to produce theatrical events for everyone with a focus on women theatre artists and/or the stories of women and girls, and to donate a portion of the proceed from those events to organizations that lift up the lives of women and girls.  WAM Theatre’s donations in 2010 totaled $2500 to two beneficiaries, Women for Women International and Women’s Fund of Western MA. We look forward to more opportunities to use theatre to benefit women and girls in 2011.”

For Spring 2011, WAM Theatre proudly announces the following three events:

First, on March 14, WAM Theatre will present ‘I’m not a Feminist, but…’ with a portion of proceeds being donated to Berkshire Women for Women Worldwide. This event is part of the Berkshire Festival of Women Writers and will take place on Monday, March 14 at 7:00pm at New Stage Performing Arts, 55 North Street, Pittsfield, MA.  ‘I’m not a Feminist, but…’ explores the topic of feminism in the lives of young people today: do they identify as feminists?  Why or why not?  How has feminist history impacted their lives? The performance was written by Russell Sage college women working with director Leigh Strimbeck (co-Artistic Director of WAM Theatre), and looks at the topic of feminism with humor, irreverence, dance, song, and serious real-life monologues.

Second, on the weekend of March 25/26, WAM Theatre teams with MOPCO, the Capital Regions premiere improvisational theatre troupe, and The Arts Center of the Capital Region in Troy, NY to present the first 24hr Capital Region NY/Berkshire MA Theatre Project. The public performance will be Saturday, March 26 at 8:00pm at the Arts Center of the Capital Region, 265 River Street, Troy, NY. The project will team theatre artists from the Berkshires of MA and the Capital Region of NY, all tasked presenting five original works by women playwrights in 24 hours. Theatre artists involved with the event include Capital Region’s Tim Dugan, Yvonne Perry, Tony Rivera and Eileen Schuyler and the Berkshires Catherine Taylor-Williams, Karen Lee, Anne Undeland and Chris Rohman. The playwrights are Kat Koppett, Linda Bidwell Delaney and Nahal Navidar from the Capital Region and Jamuna Yvette Sirker, and Susan Dworkin from the Berkshires. Please see www.wamtheatre.com for updated information about this event and more information about those involved.

The third of WAM Theatre’s Spring 2011 events is the O Solo Mama Mia Festival, presented in collaboration with Storefront Artist Project in Pittsfield, MA. This festival of solo works written and performed by women will benefit the training of at least one community midwife at Edna’s Hospital in Somaliland. The Festival will be presented from May 5-8, 2011 at the James L. Meader Theatre in Troy, NY and from May 12-15, 2011 at the Storefront Artist Project in Pittsfield, MA.  An exhibit of works exploring female empowerment created by artists from both the Capital Region in NY and the Berkshires of MA will be presented from May 1-15, 2011 at Storefront Artist Project.

Featured in the O Solo Mama Mia Festival are the following pieces:

My Salvation has A First Name: A Wienermobile Journey

Based on the true story of an insecure goody-goody who overcomes years of bullying and finds redemption and her true voice behind the windshield of the Wienermobile. Using music, video and photo footage from her life on the hot dog highway, comedian Robin Gelfenbien tells the story of her transformation from underdog to “one of the most notorious Wienermobile drivers of all time.” (Time Out New York). “4 stars” (Time Out New York) “The highlight of next month’s Fringe Festival” (New York Magazine) Written and performed by Robin Gelfenbien. (An excerpt from this show was part of our inaugural event, ‘A WAM Welcome’)

How To Be A Lesbian in 10 Days or Less

Not a coming out story, but not not a coming out story, ‘How To Be A Lesbian in 10 Days or Less’ is a dynamic workshop led by teacher and motivational speaker Butchy McDyke that will help you become the “best lesbian you can be!” Writer and performer Leigh Hendrix links unique characters, personal story, and a Reba McEntire song in a mostly funny and sometimes earnest exploration of how you can learn to con?dently shout, “I?m a big ?ol dyke!”

Performing Therapy

This one-woman, group-therapy comedy about depression is a sideways safari through loss, displacement, dementia, depression and the surprise healing nature of upstate New York.  A ‘depressively experienced’ actress turned therapist leads group therapy in an attempt to provide helpful advice and therapeutic modalities to other ‘stressfully afflicted’. Art Therapy with Balloon Animals, Affirmations on Post-it notes and Primal Humming are some of the hopeful remedies. Written by Camilla Schade and Kira Lallas, and performed by Camilla Schade.

FROM May 5-8 IN TROY, NY ONLY:

Paris 1890-Unlaced!

Join actress Anne Undeland on a quick and saucy romp through Paris in the Belle Epoque — a glittering world of infamous courtesans, imperious grandes dames, and clueless but ambitious cancan dancers.  Costume, accent and character changes keep the pace lively as Paris 1890 – Unlaced! delivers laughs, heart and, of course, a little risqué business. Paris 1890 – Unlaced! was originally commissioned and produced by Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum, Lenox Massachusetts, in collaboration with Shakespeare and Company. Written by Juliane Hiam, directed by Sarah Taylor, performed by Anne Undeland.

WAM Theatre is still in discussion with some artists about possible other shows for the festival. For more information about WAM Theatre’s 2011 season, please go to www.wamtheatre.com

Mayor Ruberto sincerely thanked Pittsfield Cultural Council (PCC) and the  Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) saying “We are so pleased to receive this funding to help us celebrate our great city and teach our citizens of all ages about our rich history, as well as allow residents and visitors alike to experience our cultural diversity. This is especially meaningful during the year that we commemorate our 250^th anniversary.”

MCC Executive Director, Anita Walker, praised the Pittsfield Cultural Council and Pittsfield Panorama saying, “This program is a wonderful example of the way the City of Pittsfield successfully fosters and encourages collaborative arts initiatives that bring the community together.  The Pittsfield Cultural Council has a long history of supporting this kind of work in the community, and the MCC appreciates the time they volunteer to the arts and cultural community.”

Each cultural project under this Pittsfield Panorama umbrella will offer free or easily accessible programs to people of all ages and ethnic and socio-economic groups.  Pittsfield Cultural Council president, Sheila McKenna, noted “We worked diligently reviewing the proposals before us, and felt that funding this project would best serve the people of Pittsfield bringing them an extraordinary abundance of wonderful programs. We were particularly impressed by the great array of collaboration between so many local cultural organizations.”

“At their best, investing in arts and culture brings people together while helping them learn about and from each other,” said State Senator Benjamin B. Downing (D- Pittsfield). “With its diverse make-up and mission I am confident that Pittsfield Panorama will do just that, and I am glad the Pittsfield Cultural Council and the Massachusetts Cultural Council recognized this capacity by making this investment.” Downing serves as the Senate vice chairman of the Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development.

According to Mary Rentz, co-chair of the Pittsfield 250 Committee, Pittsfield Panorama ties in nicely with the anniversary celebration. “We are delighted that the Pittsfield Cultural Council had the vision for this collaborative initiative for 2011. It allowed Pittsfield’s cultural organizations to work together on designing the Pittsfield Panorama and projects that celebrate Pittsfield’s past, present & future. We are extremely grateful to have the chance to bring these projects to fruition for the benefit of the citizens of Pittsfield. ”

The organizations participating this grant initiative include Arrowhead, Artscape, Barrington Stage Company, Berkshire Art Association, Berkshire Athenaeum, Berkshire Carousel, Berkshire Community College, Berkshire Jazz, Berkshire Lyric Theatre, Berkshire Museum, Berkshire Music School, Colonial Theatre, Cultural Development Board, Downtown Pittsfield Cultural Association, Eagles Band, Fourth of July Parade, Friends of Berkshire Athenaeum, Hancock Shaker Village, Here at Home, Lift Ev’ry Voice, local Church choirs, Office of Cultural Development, PCTV, Pittsfield Ethnic Fair, Pittsfield Public Schools, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Samuel Harrison Society, Sister Cities, Storefront Artist Project, 3rd Thursdays, Veterans Services, and Youth Alive.

The Pittsfield Cultural Council, one of over 400 volunteer Local Cultural Council in Massachusetts, regrants state funds to individual artists, agencies, schools, museums and organizations.  Council members are volunteers from the community.   The Council manages the local Cultural grant selection process, a scholarship program, and other programs available and accessible to the Pittsfield Community.  In addition to funding projects, the Pittsfield Cultural Council has collaborated with the Berkshire Museum for the past five years to present the artist lecture series “Eye to Ear” free to the public.

Members of the Pittsfield Cultural Council are Sheila McKenna, President; Suzanne Engels, Secretary; Elizabeth Kassel, Grants Committee Chair; Marsha Rose McDermott, past President; Jennifer Raser, Scholarship Chair; and Sandra Tynan, Treasurer. In addition to the Collaborative Initiative grant, this year the PCC will award 44 grants to local artists and organizations.  The Gold Star Award for Excellence was awarded by the Mass Cultural Council to Pittsfield’s “Focus is Our Children” youth dance group in June 2009.

Each year the Pittsfield Cultural Council invites artists, teachers, arts agencies and those involved in the interpretive sciences to apply for funding through a grant cycle.  A workshop is presented to the community to explain the format and process.   Grants must be received by October 15^th of each year.   Information is available on the web site, www.mass-culture.org/Pittsfield.

After the lecture we hung our coats and headed to the crane room for the opening reception with food, drinks, and gold fish snacks in honor of the fish that make an appearance in many of MC Escher’s works.

The crane room was not just full of people enjoying the reception but it was also full of these large amazing pieces constructed from the patterns of cardboard. There was a giant center piece with tons of different pieces spilling onto the walls and down the staircase of the museum.

After enjoying some food and chatting with some of the greatest people in the Berkshires we made our way to the first exhibit room full of the pieces we had just learned about during the lecture.

Throughout the museum exhibit there were magnifying glasses to offer you a closer look at the remarkable detail of the prints created from carved wooden blocks. On display were also some of the original carved blocks used to create some of his pieces. Also throughout the exhibit were interactive puzzles and other things to stimulate your brain.

Puzzles to challenge your own creativity!

There really is nothing like seeing these pieces in person, lucky for us the museum will have the exhibit on display until May 22! I highly recommend stopping in to check this out, they always have lots of other great things to see and do but I don’t think I have ever loved an exhibit as much as this one. It was beautiful and intellectual all at the same time and it was full of families of all ages, so stop in and stimulate your brain!

Beginning January 14th, the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts hosts Celebrating Pittsfield, a juried exhibition designed to showcase images of Pittsfield in honor of the city’s 250th anniversary in 2011. The city of Pittsfield was formally established in 1761 and the city is celebrating through the year with a wide variety of activities.

Celebrating Pittsfield honors the City’s creative talents and collective works featuring over 25 local Pittsfield photographers: Barbara A. Arpante, Howard Baird, Scott Barrow, Peggy Braun, Nicholas de Candia, Jay Elling, Keith Emerling, Susan Geller, Jennibeth Gomez, Ken Green, Katherine Gundelfinger, Melisa Krzysztof, Sophia Lee, Anna Lotto, Leo Mazzeo, Lisa Merullo, Max Moy-Borgen, Elena Nuciforo, Jennifer Ressler, Charles Shuff, Kaitlyn Squires, Douglass Truth, Karl Volkman, and Brian Walak.

Celebrating Pittsfield kick off with an opening reception at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts on Friday, January 14th from 5 to 7pm. This event is free and open to the public. Come meet the artists and enjoy their new work. The exhibition will run until February 26th and the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts is open Wednesday-Saturday from 12pm-5pm.

For more information about the event, call 413-499-9348 or email mmoyborgen@pittsfieldch.com.

The youth organizers have chosen four local community members who exemplify the spirit and qualities of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and will highlight them throughout the show. ‘Hear Us’ features hip-hop, step, breakdancing, singing, rap, and more and will be MCed by Michelle Atiemo and Jasmine Fluker. ‘Hear Us’ performers include Jose Lu, the Ecstatic Dance Team, the Youth Alive Step team, Mackenzie Buckley, Fresh Trix, drummer Jerome Edgerton, singer Christine Bile, and more.

Following the performance there will be a dance party for high school students from 7pm to 11pm in the Berkshire Community College cafeteria. DJ Everlast will be spinning tracks, and snacks and non-alcoholic drinks will be available for all. High school IDs are required to attend.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 advance/$10 at the door for youth aged 13-18 (includes admission to the dance party for those in high school), and free for youth 12 and under.  Hear Us is geared towards all audiences, and is supported in part by Berkshire Community College, the Pittsfield Youth Commission, and the Pittsfield Prevention Partnership.

For more information about the event or to purchase tickets in advance, please contact Michelle Atiemo at 413-446-6261 or email michelleatiemo@yahoo.com.

New Year’s Eve: Whiskey City & Latin Dancing

It’s another great event at the Crowne Plaza for New Year’s! For $55, ring in the new year in the Crowne Plaza’s ballroom with Whiskey City, an open bar, munchies, party favors, band and DJ, and even a 10-foot screen so you can watch the ball drop! And upstairs at the top of Crowne Plaza, you can ring in the New Year with a Latin flair and a great view! DJ Julio will bring out the salsa, cha cha, merengue, and more!

Friday, December 31: Whiskey City | 9pm – 12am | Crowne Plaza Ball Room | 1 West Street | 553-2180 | $55

Friday, December 31: New Year’s Eve, Latino Style| 10pm – 2am | Crowne Plaza Top Floor | 1 West Street | 553-2180 | $10

New Year’s Eve: Rock out at Mission Bar & Tapas

Pittsfield is popping this New Year’s Eve – there are lots of events to choose from all around town!Mission Bar + Tapas will have live music from Billy Keane and the Misdemeanor Outlaws, plus different dining options to choose from – like a five-course tasting menu to light tapas & bubbly champagne.

Friday, December 31 | 5pm, 6pm, 8pm seating choices | Mission Bar + Tapas | 438 North Street | missionbarandtapas@gmail.com | dinner prices vary

Click here to check out the menu & to find out more about this New Year’s Eve event.

New Year’s Eve: Arthur Holmes Blues Band & Static

Enjoy great Malaysian cuisine and great blues with the Arthur Holmes Blues Band on New Year’s Eve at Flavours in downtown Pittsfield. Special guest Jay Fruet will rip it up on stage.

Friday, December 31 | 9pm – 1am | Flavours | 75 North Street | 443-3188 | $10

New Year’s Eve: Dancing @ Jae’s Spice

Swank it up and have a ball this new Year’s Eve upstairs at Jae’s Spice with the Carlton Maaia Quintet, featuring lovely vocalist Rebecca Leigh and saxophonist Charlie Tokarz performing everything from Motown to jazz for your dancing pleasure. The music begins at 9pm – and you can dance the night away until 1am. The event includes a champagne toast at midnight, hors d’oeuvres, and a cash bar.

Friday, December 31 | 9pm – 1am | Jae’s Spice | 156 North Street | 443-1234 | $20

New Year’s Eve: Prix fixe dinner at Brix

Brix Wine Bar is offering an elegant three course prix fixe menu in addition to their regular menu on New Year’s Eve, with seatings up until 9pm, so you have time to head out or head home afterwards.  The New Year’s Eve prix fixe dinner will run $55 per person, and includes all three courses and wine pairings. Brix will be closed for New Year’s Day and open again on Sunday, January 2nd for their first brunch of the new year!

Friday, December 31 | Brix Wine Bar | 40 West Street | 236.9463 | $55 NYE prix fixe

Click here to visit Brix Wine Bar online.

New Years Eve: Dinner Specials and Dance Party!

On December 31 Taylors will be offering two dinner seatings and hosting a dance party! Look forward to a great prix fixe menu for each seating! Between 5 and 5:30 catch the special early bird pricing: just $25 for all three courses! (Two hour maximum stay.) The second seating, at 8PM, will cost $30 but will also include admission to the all-night dance party afterward! At 10:30 the doors open to the public for the DJ-hosted dance party. Cover is just $5 and includes a midnight champagne toast and party favors!

Friday, December 31 | 5:30pm, 8:30pm, 10:30pm | Taylor’s | 34 Holden Street North Adams, MA | 664-4500 | $25, $5 after party

New Years Eve Party, free cover at Casey’s!

It’s the best of the best, and it’s all free! Free admission, Free pool, free dancing, free karaoke, free snacks and Hors d’oeuvres, we’re doing a toast at midnight! See you don’t have to spend a ton, to have a great night!

Friday, December 31 | 9:00pm | Casey’s | 501 Dalton Ave Pittsfield, MA | 997-2255 | Free

New Years Eve @ Rumpy’s Tavern

NEW YEAR’s Eve Rumpy’s is rockin’ in the new year with the live music of the Aardvarks and late nite dancing w/ DJ Bruno! Mystic Melissa will be here giving you your psychic readings for the new year so plan to be at Rumpy’s for the count down to 2011!

Friday, December 31 | 5:00pm | Rumpy’s Tavern |16 Church St Lenox, MA | 637-0020 ext 385 | Free

New Year’s Eve: Static at the GEAA

Static – the official band of Twisted Tea – plays a New Year’s Eve party featuring Twisted Tea giveaways, champagne toast & midnight snack buffet.

Friday, December 31 | 9pm – 1am | GEAA Back Nine | 303 Crane Avenue | 442-3585 | $10

Friday: New Year’s Eve for the Kids @ Berkshire Museum

Domino the Great will ring in the New Year a little early at the Berkshire Museum for the kids. He’ll bring his family-friendly mix of comedy, magic and storytelling for a fun-filled end to 2010. Be amazed as he levitates a member of the audience three feet in the air. At noon head up to the Crane Room to count down to the New Year and enjoy refreshments. And don’t forget, Sunday, January 2 is the last day for the Festival of Trees: Storybook Forest & Woodland Style!

Friday, December 31 | 11am | Berkshire Museum Little Cinema | 39 South Street | 443-7171 | $20, $10

Have something happening on new years eve? Let us know! – Press@EideticBerkshire.com

Thank you to Cultural Pittsfield’s wonderful newsletter for the info for many of the Pittsfield Events! Hope you have a safe and happy New Year!