Saturday, June 21, 2025

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HomeLife In the BerkshiresA Pittsfield Fourth...

A Pittsfield Fourth of July Parade

We were part of a parade that seemed to stretch for miles, embracing Pittsfield leaders, programs, and players large and small.

I was in the catbird seat, in the flatbed of the pickup truck towing float number 137 in the Pittsfield Parade. Playing their hearts out on old jazz standards, were cornetist Paul Monat and his band, Jailhouse Five Plus 2.  The float was a riot of July 4 regalia:  flags large and small, sparkly garlands, and red, white and blue bunting.  Full disclosure, on the tuba sat my husband, Eli Newberger, also, of course, playing his heart out, and delighted to be playing with splendid musicians, some of whom he’s known for decades, including Tim Coakley on drums, Ronny Bill and Don Monat on banjos, and Skip Parsons on clarinet.

Nestled between the Mountain 1 Banner and the Salvation Army, we were part of a parade that seemed to stretch for miles, embracing Pittsfield leaders, programs, and players large and small.  North Street was filled with cheering citizens, babies asleep on shoulders, and children of all colors of the human rainbow waving American flags on a gorgeous summer day.

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NATURE’S TURN: Timeless sense of wonder. Urgency to act to protect public lands

If stalk-eyed flies thrive along with skunk cabbage in the Berkshires, we might see them feeding on the remains of skunk cabbage blossoms, fungi and unseen bacteria which they scavenge from decaying vegetation.

BITS & BYTES: ‘Guys and Dolls’ at The Mac-Haydn; WAM Theatre presents ‘Where We Stand’; Happenstance Theater at The Foundry; Chelsea Gaia at Ventfort...

“We’re thrilled to bring Guys and Dolls back to the Mac-Haydn stage, it was our most requested show. It’s a perfect summer musical—full of heart, humor, and some of the best songs ever written for the American stage,” said Mac-Haydn Artistic Director John Saunders.

BITS & BYTES: Marmen Quartet at Music Mountain; ‘HOMOS! A Solo Disaster Musical, bitch’ at The Foundry; Ariel Klein and Emilee Yawn at Eclipse...

Recent first prize winners at the prestigious Bordeaux and Banff International String Quartet competitions, the Marmen Quartet will perform quartets by Haydn and Grosshandler, as well as the Brahms Piano Quintet with pianist Victoria Schwartzman.

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But Not To Produce.