Friday: Acting Up with Melville's Characters

Two VOICES Theater Company actors will be dressed in costumes inspired by Melville's most prominent characters, during a reading from a children's version of Melville's stories. It will finish up with fun, fast-paced theater games, including a specialMoby-Dick-inspired treasure hunt! For ages 5 & up.  Children under 10 must be accompanied  by an adult over the age of 18 at all times.

Friday, August 3 | 2pm | Berkshire Athenaeum | 1 Wendell Avenue | 413-499-9480, ext. 203 | FREE

Friday: First Fridays Artswalk is Back!
First Fridays Artswalk returns to downtown Pittsfield with the most artist exhibitions yet! Over 30 artists and venues participate in this monthly collaboration of artwork, in mediums such as photography and painting, all within a short walking distance in Pittsfield's Upstreet Cultural District. Bringa date or the family to see all of the rich work being created in our city's vibrant art community! Click HERE for a map and description for this month's First Fridays Artswalk.

Friday, August 3 | 5pm-8pm | Upstreet Cultural District | North & South Streets | 413-499-9348 | FREE

Friday: Artswalk Invitational Benefit Show at the Lichtenstein

The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts presents an opening art reception for an exhibit to benefit First Fridays Artswalk. Over 30 local artists are contributing to this show, with all artwork on sale for $500 or less. Half of all proceeds go to the funding of First Fridays Artswalk. There will also be a silent auction, with gifts donated by various downtown businesses. The auction and show continue through Saturday, August 11. Refreshments will be provided bySpice Dragon.

Friday, August 3 | 5pm-8pm | Lichtenstein Center for the Arts | 28 Renne Avenue | 413-499-9348 | FREE

Friday: Berkshires Jazz Double Bill at Baba Louie's

Berkshires Jazz concludes First Fridays Artswalk with a fantastic performance of live jazz music at Baba Louie's Sourdough Pizza, featuring two extraordinary guest artists. This double bill showcases the talents of DownBeat award-winning baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan and pianist/composer/author Noah Baerman. They will be backed by the Berkshires Jazz Duo, featuring bassist Jeff Link and drummer Peter Coombs.

Friday, August 3 | 8pm | Baba Louie's Sourdough Pizza | 34 Depot Street | 413-499-2400 | $25

Friday: Cars 2 at Clapp Park!

The family-friendly Summer Outdoor Movie Series continues Friday night with the hilarious Disney Pixar film Cars 2. Watch as star race car Lightning McQueen travels overseas to compete for the World Grand Prix Race; but not before getting entangled in international espionage. Bring your lawn chairs or picnic blankets. Film screenings begin shortly after dusk (about 8:30pm). Rain cancels. Click HERE to watch a trailer of Cars 2.

Friday, August 3 | Dusk (around 8:30pm) | Clapp Park | West Housatonic Street | FREE

Friday & Saturday: LAST CHANCE to See All My Sons!

This weekend is your last opportunity to seeBarrington Stage Company's amazing production of All My Sons, the searing classic written by Arthur Miller. Set in post-World War II, this landmark American drama examines the relationships between fathers and sons and the price of living the American Dream, with lessons that ring too true today. The Troy Record raved, "the best drama of the summer season…flawlessly performed.”

Friday & Saturday, August 3 & 4 | 8pm | Barrington Stage Company Mainstage | 30 Union Street | 413-236-8888 | $15-$60

Friday+: The North Pool

Barrington Stage Company presents the East Coast premiere of Rajiv Joseph's The North Pool,directed by Giovanna Sardelli. The North Pool is about a high school vice principal and a transfer student from the Middle East. A riveting cat-and-mouse thriller, truth shifts constantly as tensions rise and secrets are revealed. "A tour-de-force” – VARIETY.  The show contains mature language.Click HERE for more details, including performance times.

Friday-Saturday, August 3-11 | dates/times vary | 36 Linden Street | Sydelle & Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center | 413-236-8888 | $15-$39

Friday+: Beauty & the Beast on Stage!

Barrington Stage Company's Youth Theatre performs Beauty & the Beast at the Berkshire Museum. Based on Disney's Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version features favorite film songs and new ones, too. You'll be transported to the heart of French provincial life as you follow the tale of Belle and the Beast in a story of love, courage and transformation.

Friday-Sunday, August 3-12 | Wednesdays–Saturdays 7pm; Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays & Sundays 2pm | Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-236-8888 | $15 adults, $10 youth 18 and younger

Friday-Tuesday: Your Sister's Sister at the Little Cinema

The Little Cinema presents Your Sister's Sister, as part of its regular series of independent and popular film screenings inside the Berkshire Museum. With raw, funny and emotional performances from an all-star cast, Lynn Shelton once again explores honestlythe complexities of interpersonal relationships, while gently poking fun at her characters' predicaments.Click HERE to watch a trailer for Your Sister's Sister.

Friday-Tuesday, August 3-7 | 7pm | Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | $5

Saturday: The Robbins-Zust Marionettes! 

The Robbins-Zust Marionettes continue its summer lineup of fabled and family-fun puppet shows each week at the The Marketplace Cafe. For over 40 years, Robbins-Zust Marionettes have been delighting audiences with their intricate puppets and clever performances. This week, Robbins-Zust depicts the classic fairytale Little Red Riding Hood.

Saturday, August 4 | 11am | The Marketplace Cafe | 53 North Street | 413-358-4777 | FREE

Saturday & Sunday: Age of Iron Weekend 

Hancock Shaker Village ironwork will be highlighted with a special scavenger hunt for children, and interpretive talks pointing out Shaker metal work throughout the Village. Hancock Shaker Village's blacksmith shop, which is staffed by skilled volunteer blacksmiths, will be open for tours and demontrations.

Blacksmiths, representing Berkshire, Connecticut, the Capital District and New England blacksmith guilds will showcase their art with both historical and contemporary demonstrations. Ironwork craftsmanship dating from the 17th to the 21st century, Japanese hardware, tool making, engraving and Viking and Shaker forging are just a few of the techniques and styles that will be showcased. Beautiful handwrought items from the participating blacksmiths will also be available for purchase. 

Saturday & Sunday, August 4-5 | 10am-4pm |Hancock Shaker Village | 1843 West Street |413-443-0188 | Adults $17, youth ages 13-17 $8, children 12 & under FREE, Village members FREE

Saturday: Opening Reception for Maggie Mailer's "The Starry Outpost”

Ferrin Gallery presents Maggie Mailer's The Starry Outpost as a featured artist exhibition within the COVET project. The Starry Outpost, which continues through September 2, is a collection of new paintings and drawings depicting locations, characters, maps and plots presenting a constellation of facts and images which form the foundation for an imaginary novel. Mailer is the daughter of author Norman Mailer and jazz singer Carol Stevens and one of the region's well known contemporary artists.

Saturday, August 4 | 4pm-6pm | Ferrin Gallery | 437 North Street | 413-442-1622 | FREE

Saturday: Beauty & the Beast Tea Party at the Berkshire Museum

Join the characters from Barrington Stage Company's Youth Theatre production of Disney's Beauty & the Beast for tea and scones at theBerkshire Museum.

Satuday, August 4 | 4pm | Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171, ext. 10 | FREE with paid admission to a performance: $15 adults, $5 adult members; $8 children, $3 child members includes Museum admission

Saturday: Wendy Rabinowitz SHALOM: Weaving Threads of Peace at Hancock Shaker Village

Hancock Shaker Village invites you to Wendy A. Rabinowitz's Judaic artwork assemblage exhibit entitled SHALOM: Weaving Threads of Peace at its new gallery in the former Poultry House. This exhibit celebrates the synchronicity between strands of Judaism and Shakerism through shared values, a rich symbolism and iconohraphy, revertance, coonection to the land and community, and a deep mystical tradition. An Artist's Talk will take place on Saturday, August 11 at 2pm. See Rabinowitz's artwork by clicking here. 

Saturday, August 4 | 5pm-7pm | Hancock Shaker Village | 1350 West Street | 413-443-0188, ext. 100

Saturday: Bill Engvall at The Colonial

The Colonial Theatre presents famed comedianBill Engvall, as part of its 2012 summer season of performances. After getting his start on Blue Collar TV and the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, Engvall went on to star in and produce the TBS sitcom The Bill Engvall Show and host Country Fried Home Videos, one of the highest rated shows on CMT. It is his ability to share the humor in everyday situations that has made Engvall one of the top comedians today.

Saturday, August 4 | 7:30pm & 9:30pm | The Colonial Theatre | 111 South Street | 413-997-4444 | $25-$75 (limited balcony seating available)

Sunday: Pittsfield Ethnic Fair

The annual Pittsfield Ethnic Fair is back with its eclectic variety of amazing food, crafts and music from around the world, celebrating the many cultures in this area. From the sounds of The Eagles Band andRakish Paddy to the dance of Bronte Roman and El Grupo Caliente and the Youth Alive Step Team, there will be plenty of entertainment to enjoy. Food will be offered from Flavours of Malaysia,MadJack's BBQ, Shiro Lounge and many more worldly restaurants.

Sunday, August 5 | 12pm-6pm | Downtown Pittsfield | South Street | 413-443-6501 | | FREE

Sunday & Monday: SEASON FINALE for the Pittsfield Suns!

This is your last week to enjoy a great game of baseball at historic Wahconah Park with the mighty Pittsfield Suns! After a long, successful summer of fun and entertainment with our national pastime, the Suns wrap up their regular season home schedule. On Sunday, turn back your clock and celebrate Negro League Night, as the team sports classic jerseys from back in the day. Then, on Monday, you won't want to miss the Suns season finale featuring fireworks! It will certainly be the most important game of the season as the 2012 Bobblection decide who our nation's next president will be. Cast your vote and walk away with a presidential bobblehead. Time to play ball!

Sunday & Monday, August 5-6 | Sunday 4pm, Monday 7pm | Wahconah Park | 105 Wahconah Street | 413-445-7867 | $5-$7

Monday-Thursday: Skate & BMX Camp

The Garden hosts its second Skate and BMX Day Camp of the summer beginning next week. This four-day course teaches budding riders everything they could want to know about shredding a park—from etiquette to taking a fall to technical tricks on different obstacles. It is taught by a staff of counselors seasoned in skating and biking alike. Click HERE to watch veteran riders taking on the Pittsfield Skate Plaza. For ages 8 and up. Helmets are required. There is limited space available. A rain date is scheduled for Friday, August 10.

Monday-Thursday, August 6-9 | 10am-1pm | Pittsfield Skate Plaza | corners of Appleton Ave. and East St. | 413-442-9088 | $149

Monday: Strike up the Band! Benefit Concert

Join Mayor Daniel Bianchi in celebratingBerkshire Children & Families' 125^thanniversary with an evening of jazz from Strike up the Band performing the music of George Gershwin at Barrington Stage Company'sSydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts. Prior to the event, the talented, young musicians of Kids 4 Harmony El Sistema will play with members of Gershwin Constellation at 5:30pm at Spice Dragon.The free concert is open to the public and includes a reception.

Reservations are strongly suggested. Proceeds support BCF's Kids 4 Harmony, an intensive afterschool music program based on classical music education for children with limited access to arts and cultural programs.

Monday, August 6 | 7pm | Sydelle & Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center | 36 Linden Street |413-448-8281, ext. 14 | $25-$35

Tuesday: Melville and Me at the Berkshire Athenaeum

Young audiences will love learning while singing along,when JoAnne Spies and the Berkshire Athenaeum bring you Melville and Me, a musical improv show following the themes of Herman Melville and Moby Dick. Spies is a singer/songwriter from Chicago on the faculty of Community Access to the Arts in Great Barrington, MA.

Tuesday, August 7 | 1pm | Berkshire Athenaeum | 1 Wendell Ave. | 413-499-9480 x203  | FREE

Tuesday: Concerts in the Park

It's time to strike up The Eagles Band once again for this live concert at Springside Park. Open to the public, part of the annual Concerts in the Parkseries, you can enjoy music from the oldest continuing performance ensemble in the Berkshires for free! In the case of inclement weather, the concert will be held in the First United Methodist Church on Fenn Street.

Tuesday, August 7 | 7pm | Springside Park | 874 North Street | 413-499-2071 | FREE

Wednesday: Peter Boie's Magic Show at the Berkshire Athenaeum

Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum presentPeter Boie's Magic Show, an educational hands-on workshop in the Auditorium of the Berkshire Athenaeum. Boie, the self-proclaimed "magician for the non-believers,” had humble beginnings at the age of 11 when he stumbled across a magic book at his local library. Since that time, he has been practicing, creating and honing his craft over thousands of performances, developing his unique style of magic.

For ages 5-92, this family event is free. No registration is required. Children under 10 must be accompanied at all times by an adult over 18 years of age.

Wednesday, August 8 | 1pm | Berkshire Athenaeum | 1 Wendell Ave. | 413-499-9480 |FREE

Wednesday: Live on the Lake with Rev Tor!

Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy live music by Rev Tor at beautiful Burbank Park on Onota Lake.Brought to you by Live 95.9 and Greylock Federal Credit Union, Live on the Lake is intended to be a family friendly, alcohol free event. (Possession and consumption of alcohol in City Parks is prohibited by park regulation). Click HERE to listen to Rev Tor.

Wednesday, August 8 | 6pm-8pm | Burbank Park | Onota Lake | FREE

Thursday: We Are Women: A Bernstein Cabaret

The Colonial Theatre presents We are Women: A Bernstein Cabaret, a musical that features an acclaimed cast of thespians performing the works of Leonard Bernstein. It is a story about a mother and daughter navigating the tricky terrain of their love lives; learning along the way to accept themselves and delight in the love of others. Narrated by Jamie Bernstein, conceived by he and Michael Barrett, We Are Women features an all-Broadway cast performing such Bernstein hits as On the Town, Candide andWest Side Story. This evening of humor, heart and memorable melody brings the glorious sounds of Leonard Bernstein back to his beloved Berkshires.

Thursday-Sunday, August 9-12 | Thursday-Saturday 8pm, Sunday 2pm | The Colonial Theatre | 111 South Street | 413-997-4444 | $20-40 (limited balcony seating available)

Thursday: Open Mic at The Marketplace Café

The Marketplace Cafe presents its monthly Open Mic night, hosted by Katherine Winston. The second Thursday of every month, The Marketplace invites any and all local talent to flaunt their performing skills in its intimate environment for many to listen to and enjoy.

Second Thursday of each month | 6:30pm–8:30pm | The Marketplace Cafe | 53 North St. |413-358-4777

Thursday: Melville's Women at Arrowhead

Performed by VOICES Theatre Company, Sally Filkins' original play Melville's Women is based on the life and works of Herman Melville. The second play in The Melville Trilogy, Melville's Women is presented in part by Berkshire Historical Society; performed at Herman Melville's Pittsfield farm, Arrowhead, in the rooms where the Melville family actually lived, worked and wrote. It explores the entangled relationship between Herman Melville's family of women and his books. It will run Thursday, Friday and Saturday for four weeks, through September 1.

Thursday, August 9 Opening-  and every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday through Sept. 1 | 7:30pm | Arrowhead Museum | 780 Holmes Road | 413-442-1793  | FREE