Race Brook Lodge presents Dia de los Muertos with Calpulli Tletl Papalotzin
Sheffield— On Friday, November 3rd from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., Race Brook Lodge presents Dia de los Muertos with the dance troupe Calpulli Tletl Papalotzin.
Hailing from NYC, the group is dedicated to indigenous Mexika tradition, revitalizing the culture, dances, and ceremonies that are carried out according to the season. Calpulli Tletl Papalotzin strive to continue and share indigenous values, medicine, and traditions to preserve their cultural inheritance.
The celebration is on Friday, November 3rd from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Barnspace at Race Brook Lodge on South Undermountain Road in Sheffield. Tickets are $10. Tickets and more information can be found online.
***
MASS MoCA presents Día de los Muertos activities
North Adams— On Thursday, November 2nd at 5 p.m., MASS MoCA presents Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) activities.
Visit the Research & Development Store and meet Sara Bader, the author of “The Book of Pet Love & Loss”, and artist-in-residence Alison Pebworth, who will create spirit drawings for attendees.
You’re invited for an afternoon of joyful celebration and remembrance of friends, pets, and family members past. Contribute to MASS MoCA’s ofrenda with photos of, and tokens for, your loved ones who are no longer with us – or make something new; materials will be provided. Finally, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate from Casita while you dance to the music of Yo Soy Arte.
The event is on Thursday, November 2nd at 5 p.m. at MASS MoCA on MASS MoCA Way in North Adams. More information can be found online.
***
Día de los Muertos alter-making workshop with Brisa at Race Brook Lodge
Sheffield— On Thursday, November 2nd from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Race Brook Lodge hosts Día de los Muertos alter-making with Brisa.
Brisa will lead a workshop on altar-making as a spiritual practice that connects us to ancestral wisdom. This Indigenous ritual invites us to remember not only who we are, but who we come from. We hope to cultivate sacred space where past, present, and future are held and honored.
Brisa is a somatic grief worker, detribalized Xicana, keeper of Indigenous wisdom, and advocate of decolonial thought. Her background includes leadership roles in care farming communities implementing trauma informed practice, education, and medical advocacy for people with developmental disabilities and mental illnesses. Brisa’s commitment to decolonizing Western care models that are often devoid of culturally relevant, trauma-informed perspective has included consulting for organizations creating functional systems of accountability for anti-racism, and diversity, equity, and inclusion work. She believes that embodied wellness is a birthright.
The workshop is on Thursday, November 2nd from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Barnspace at Race Brook Lodge on South Undermountain Road in Sheffield. Donations will be accepted in lieu of an admission fee. More information can be found online.
***
Día De Los Muertos community ofrenda at Hot Plate Brewing, Co.
Pittsfield— On Wednesday, November 1st from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Hot Plate Brewing Co., in partnership with Latinas413 and the Berkshire County Historical Society, hosts a community ofrenda at Hot Plate Brewing, Co.
In celebration of Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), Hot Plate invites the whole community to take part in the creation of an “ofrenda” which is an altar that provides community members from all backgrounds to celebrate their ancestry and honor the past. A physical ofrenda will be housed at Hot Plate Brewing’s taproom throughout the holiday season.
At the event, there will be music, discussion, and more. Latinas413 will lead Decoraciónde Calaveras, a family-friendly activity of decorating chocolate skulls. Food will be available from Tito’s restaurant – be sure to place your order by phone by October 30th.
The event is on Wednesday, November 1st from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the taproom at Hot Plate Brewing, Co. on School Street in Pittsfield. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. More information can be found online.
***
Día De Los Muertos community potluck and open mic at Race Brook Lodge
Sheffield— On Saturday, November 4th from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Race Brook Lodge hosts a Día De Los Muertos community potluck and open mic.
Bring photos and talismans of ancestors and people who have recently passed away for the ofrenda, and bring a song, a poem, or a toast to offer your loved ones in the next world – the mic will be open all night long
The free event is on Saturday, November 4th from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Stagecoach Tavern on South Undermountain Road in Sheffield. Registration and more information can be found online.
***
Día De Los Muertos brunch with Yo Soy Arte at Race Brook Lodge
Sheffield— On Sunday, November 5th from noon to 3 p.m., Race Brook Lodge presents a Día De Los Muertos brunch with Yo Soy Arte.
Join the Race Brook Lodge for a delicious brunch with Latin music from Yo Soy Arte, the Pittsfield-based duo Clara Guatta Cescuni and Laura Cabrera. The band’s music comes from the Spanish-speaking Caribbean as well as both Central and South America. Because of its Indigenous, European, and African heritage, Latin music is musically rich and has a great variety of sub genres and tonalities. Rhythm, which binds together all the styles of Latin music, inspires the listener to move to its beat.
The brunch is on Sunday, November 5th from noon to 3 p.m. at the Stagecoach Tavern on South Undermountain Road in Sheffield. There is a $10 cover charge for the music. The brunch menu can be found online. Reservations and more information can be found online.
***
Día De Los Muertos fandango de Los Muertos with Pulso de Barro at Race Brook Lodge
Sheffield— On Sunday, November 5th from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Race Brook Lodge presents a Día De Los Muertos fandango with Pulso de Barro.
Led by Mateo Cano and Maria Puente Flores, Pulso brings traditional Son Jarocho from Veracruz, México to the Hudson Valley. Their band’s name, Pulso de Barro translates as “pulse of the clay” referring to a unifying earth pulse that makes the building blocks of story and culture.
The event will be on Sunday, November 5th from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. in Barnspace at Race Brook Lodge on South Undermountain Road in Sheffield. The band will lead a dance class at 4 p.m. and the fandango begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15. Tickets and more information can be found online.
***
BIFF presents a special screening of ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ with James Warwick, who played Brad in the origin production opposite Tim Curry
Lenox— On Saturday, November 4th at 7:30 p.m., Berkshire International Film Festival (BIFF) presents a special screening of the cult classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Lenox Town Hall.
In this 1975 cult film to end all cult films, sweethearts Brad and Janet, stuck with a flat tire during a downpour, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a transvestite scientist. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker and the creepy butler Riff-Raff. Through elaborate dance numbers and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a man named “Rocky.”
James Warwick will kick-off the event. 50 years ago in London, Warwick played Brad Majors in the original production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” opposite Tim Curry as Frank and Richard O’Brian as Rif Raf. Warwick will share some behind-the-scenes stories about that production and working with Tim Curry.
The event is on Saturday, November 4th at 7:30 p.m. at the Lenox Town Hall on Walker Street in Lenox. Tickets are $15. The film is rated R. Appropriate costumes and props are encouraged; however, no liquids or foods are allowed in the Lenox Town Hall. Tickets and more information can be found online.
***
Candlelight tours of the Bidwell House Museum
Monterey— On Thursdays, November 2nd, 16th, and 30th at 4 p.m., the Bidwell House Museum is hosting candlelit tours.
There is something magical about visiting the Bidwell House Museum on an early evening in the fall, when the rooms are filled with flickering candlelight and twilight is visible through the abundant south facing windows.
Led by local antiques experts, Charlie Flint (November 2nd), Sam Herrup (November 16th), and Lorraine German (November 30th), these tours will focus on the furniture, decorative arts, and textiles, with each tour providing a fresh look at the house and the museum’s collection. At the conclusion of each tour, you will be invited to an intimate wine and cheese reception, where you can mix and mingle, and ask questions.
The tours are on Thursdays, November 2nd, 16th, and 30th at 4 p.m. at the Bidwell House Museum on Art School Road in Monterey. Tickets are $50. The event, including the tour and the reception, is 75 minutes long. Tickets and more information can be found online.
