Firedancer Opal Raven will light up Railroad Street this weekend. The Berkshire-based performer is one of many coming to the seventh consecutive week of Berkshire Busk! this Friday, August 8, and Saturday, August 9.
Friday Highlights: Sample The Cat, The Acoustic Medicine Show, More
Sample The Cat’s brand of soulful jazz can be knock-your-socks-off powerful, but in trio form, the band invites you to lean in. The group has been playing together since 2019 and just released their first full-length album, titled “From Scratch,” earlier this year. Fans can find Kendrah, Steve, and Dylan on the Haddad Subaru Stage.
Joseph Tobin comes to Berkshire Busk! by way of the Hudson Valley. His band, The Acoustic Medicine Show, has recorded eight albums of original Americana music. Attendees can listen in on some of those original creations at the Warrior Trading Stage.
Between the two shows on Railroad Street, Balloon Ben will be twisting up his inflatable creations for kids. Elsewhere in downtown, a variety of musicians can be found, including: singer/guitarist Natalie Lewis, multi-instrumentalist Emma Kales, folk musician Kristoffer Andrew Ross, and more.
Saturday Highlights: Country Music, Fire Dance, Close Up Magic, and More
Opal Raven previously shared the stage with Berkshire Pride’s fabulous drag performers, but on Saturday, she will make the Warrior Trading Stage her own. While Opal is most famous for her daring work with fire, her expertise spans to swords, fans, and more. Fans might also recognize Opal from her “Hissing Booth,” which she has featured around the county to show curious minds how loveable snakes can be and educate the public about reptile care.
Not to be confused with the literal fire of Opal’s show, the country-rock band Firetown Road will play on the Haddad Subaru Stage on the lower end of Railroad Street. The group has been making the journey to Great Barringoton from Simsbury, Conn., since 2022.
Buskers of a variety of genres will populate the rest of Main Street, including: magician Just Felice at the Berkshire Money Management Stage, poet Jacqueline Farrara, blues artist Robin OHerin, and more.
Extended Schedule on Saturdays
Saturday begins with a performance by singer-songwriter Michael Aaron at the Great Barrington Farmers’ Market from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Then, Balloons by Bowey and face painting by Magic Brushes come courtesy of BTC Entertainment to Robin’s Candy from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Fans of Firetown Road can start the festivities early alongside their whiskey flight at Berkshire Mountain Distillers from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Berkshire Busk! is free to attend and takes place in downtown Great Barrington every Friday and Saturday evening, from June 27 to August 30. Primary festival programming begins at 6:30 p.m. Visit the Berkshire Busk! website for information on parking, free transportation options, and the full schedule of events.
