Sunday, November 3, 2024

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

BITS & BYTES: Día de Los Muertos offerings at Race Brook Lodge; Fireside chat at Art in the Berkshires and Life House Berkshires; Día De Los Muertos at Hot Plate; Day of The Dead at WANDER Berkshires; Halloween at Witch Slapped; Halloween family fun at Ventfort Hall

Race Brook Lodge presents Fandango de Los Muertos with Pulso de Barro to celebrate the opening of their community offrenda.

Race Brook Lodge presents Fandango de Los Muertos with Pulso de Barro, a community offrenda, community potluck, and open mic

Sheffield— On Friday, November 1st from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., Race Brook Lodge presents Fandango de Los Muertos with Pulso de Barro to celebrate the opening of their community ofrenda. 

Pulso de Barro merges poetry and music as ways of coexisting reciprocally with nature. 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 musicians draw on their varied heritages (Mexican, Cuban, Venezuelan and Puerto Rican) to create a synthesis that rises above the sum of its parts. Members play Jarana and Leona (stringed instruments,) quijada, cajon, maracas, and marimba (percussive instruments,) dance on the Tarima (percussive platform,) and sing folk and original compositions called versadas. Tickets and more information can be found online. 

On Saturday, November 2nd for 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Race Brook Lodge is hosting a Dia de Los Muertes 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, poem, or toast to offer your loved ones in the next world. The mic will be open all night long. This is a free event. More information can be found online. 

The events are on November 1st and 2nd at race Brook Lodge, located at 864 South Undermountain Road in Sheffield. More information can be found online. 

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Art in the Berkshires and Life House Berkshires present ‘Fireside Chats with Berkshire Artists: Mollie Kellogg’

Lenox— On Thursday, October 31st from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Art in the Berkshires and Life House Berkshires begin a series of fireside chats with Berkshire artists, offering a unique opportunity for in-depth discussions between artists and the community. Each session focuses on a specific theme, fostering engaging dialogue and exploration into various art forms.

On Thursday, October 31st from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Mollie Kellogg will discuss her “Incognito Witch” project for a captivating evening exploring the intersections of art, music, playwriting, and performance. This intimate event offers a unique opportunity to dive into Mollie’s multifaceted creative world. Discover how she blends various artistic disciplines to create her distinctive work, and gain insight into her process as a visual artist, musician, playwright, and performer.

Mollie Kellogg. Courtesy Downtown Pittsfield, Inc.

The event is on Thursday, October 31st from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Life House Berkshires, located at 194 Pittsfield Road in Lenox. There will be discounted themes cocktails, tasty snacks, and a  a festive, lively atmosphere. More information can be found online. The next fireside chat features Douglas Gilbert on November 7th.

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Hot Plate Brewing Co. presents a Día de Los Muertos celebration with Clara Guatta

Pittsfield— On Friday, November 1st at 7 p.m., Hot Plate Brewing Co. hosts their second annual Día De Los Muertos Celebration. 

Clara Guatta. Courtesy Downtown Pittsfield, Inc.

Local musician Clara Guatta will perform,Hot Harry’s will have a small pop up in the taproom, and there will be a community ofrenda.

The event is on Friday, November 1st at 7 p.m. at Hot Plate Brewing Co., located at 1 School Street in Pittsfield. More information can be found online. 

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WANDER Berkshires presents Day of The Dead community party and opening night celebration

Pittsfield— On Saturday, November 2nd from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., WANDER Berkshires, a new downtown community hub that integrates art, wellness, and connection, announces a Day of The Dead community party and opening night celebration.

Courtesy Downtown Pittsfield, Inc.

Participate in creating a brave and reflective space where the community is invited to honor grief and celebrate life. Bring a personal token to contribute to the community altar and dress as their favorite departed soul as part of this unique Día De Los Muertos celebration. 

The night will be filled with local food, music, and artistic expression including captivating light projections by local artist Joe Wheaton, a community story hour “Living Memories: Community Tales of Our Dearly Departed Souls” hosted by Casi Kristant, and a food pop-up from Tito’s Mexican Bar & Grill.

The event is on Saturday, November 2nd from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at WANDER Berkshires, located at 34 Depot Street, Suite 101 in Pittsfield. Tickets and more information can be found online.

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Witch Slapped hosts a day of free kids crafts on Halloween

Pittsfield— On Thursday, October 31st from noon to 8 p.m., Witch Slapped will be offering free crafting for kids on Halloween.

The workshop will be set up all day for you to walk in, make, and take. There will be a variety of crafts throughout the day. As the materials for one craft are gone, another one will be introduced. All kids under age 18 are welcome, and grown ups are welcome to help little ones create.

Courtesy Downtown Pittsfield, Inc.

The event is on Thursday, October 31st from noon to 8 p.m., at Witch Slapped, located at 78 North Street in Pittsfield. More information can be found online. 

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Free family Halloween fun at Ventfort Hall 

Lenox— On October 31st and November 1st, Ventfort Hall will be decorated for Halloween open for extended hours. On Thursday, October 31st from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Ventfort Hall will welcome families with children ages 18 and under to visit at no charge. 

The first floor of the house will be open. Enjoy this extra opportunity to wear your Halloween costume and have the perfect photo opportunity to create memories for years to come.

Courtesy Ventfort Hall.

The mansion, which lends itself to the perfect atmosphere for Halloween, will also be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for regular self-guided tour admission, as well as special extended hours for regular self-guided tours from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday November 1st.  Ventfort Hall is located at 104 Walker Street in Lenox. More information can be found online. 

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