Friday, November 14, 2025

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

BITS & BYTES: Portraiture at Sandisfield Arts Center; Masquerade ball at Ventfort Hall; Pittsfield Halloween celebration; Hilda Banks Shapiro Community Day; Mason Library open house; Friends of the New Lebanon Railroad Station presents Ron Gabriele

The exhibition features artists working with portraiture across a range of mediums, considering the idea of the portrait as more than a representation of physical likeness — as a possibility for deeper engagement and vantage into an inner world.

Sandisfield Arts Center presents ‘Unveiling,’ a group portraiture exhibition

Sandisfield— From October 18th through December 7th, the Sandisfield Arts Center presents “Unveiling,” a group portraiture exhibition.

The exhibition features artists working with portraiture across a range of mediums, considering the idea of the portrait as more than a representation of physical likeness — as a possibility for deeper engagement and vantage into an inner world. Each piece, in its own way, reflects on the layered, shifting nature of being. Together, these portraits capture the complexities of identity, memory, and personality.

The exhibit will be on view from October 18th through December 7th at the Sandisfield Arts Center, located at 5 Hammertown Road in Sandisfield. There is an opening reception on Saturday, October 18th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. More information can be found online.

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Ventfort Hall presents second annual Masquerade Macabre, a formal masquerade ball for the living and otherwise

Lenox— On Saturday, October 25th from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Ventfort Hall presents the second annual Masquerade Macabre, a formal masquerade ball for the living and otherwise. 

The Masquerade Macabre is a formal masquerade honoring the spirits of Ventfort Hall. The lore is true…the beloved Ventfort Hall mansion is endearingly haunted. However, instead of sweeping the spirits under the rug, they’d rather throw them a ball!

Courtesy Ventfort Hall.

Come for an evening of music, dancing, drinks, and other dark delights with music provided by Opal Raven Cirque. There will be finger-foods and snacks to revive tired bones and a cash bar featuring thoughtful and themed craft cocktails and spirits. Traditional masquerade attire is encouraged, and best dressed will win a $250 cash prize. 

The ball is on Saturday, October 25th from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Ventfort Hall, located at 104 Walker Street in Lenox. You must be 21+ to attend. Tickets and more information can be found online. 

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Downtown Pittsfield presents ‘It’s Alive!,’ a celebration of the Halloween season

Pittsfield— On Saturday, October 18th, Downtown Pittsfield presents “It’s Alive!,” a celebration of the Halloween season.

The celebration features free events for all ages. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be a Kids Zone on the lawn at St. Joseph’s Church, located at 414 North Street. From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., there will be a Night Circus on Dunham Mall, located at 100 North Street. From 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., there is a teen dance party (Berkshire County high school students only) at Wander, located at 34 Depot Street. 

Courtesy Downtown Pittsfield, Inc.

The celebration is on Saturday, October 18th in downtown Pittsfield. More information can be found online.

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South Egremont Garden Club presents second annual Hilda Banks Shapiro Community Day

North Egremont— On Sunday, October 19th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., the South Egremont Garden Club presents the second annual Hilda Banks Shapiro Community Day at French Park in North Egremont.

A publicity photo for Hilda’s 1949 Carnegie Hall Debut. Berkshire Edge file photo.

Staged in memory of the indomitable pianist and environmentalist Hilda Banks Shapiro , who died in 2022, the afternoon will include a dance created specifically for the occasion by Berkshire Pulse Young Choreographers Initiative and a performance by the Spirit of Isadora Duncan dancers, led by Deborah Harris. Also featured will be the musical duo Barb and Graham Dean and the irrepressible Roger the Jester.  Nathan Smith and Mary Andrejco will preview their upcoming documentary “Hearsay and Heresy,” and Berkshire Pulse artists Angel Lau and Nkoula Badilla will lead the audience in dancing to African-rooted drumming.

“As a classical concert pianist, music teacher and mother of twelve, Hilda was a humble woman who taught us how you can make a difference by being active and making  connections in your community,” says Eleana Peterson, coordinator of the event and a close friend of Shapiro. “We are proud to carry on Hilda’s legacy of free community events during autumn, her favorite season.” 

The free event is on Sunday, October 19th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at French Park, located at 65 Prospect Lake Road in North Egremont.

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Great Barrington Libraries presents ‘Fall Into Your Libraries,’ an open house at Mason Library

Great Barrington— On Sunday, October 19th from noon to 2 p.m., Great Barrington Libraries presents “Fall Into Your Libraries,” a harvest-themed open house at Mason Library. 

The family-friendly event will feature live music by the Berkshire Ukulele Band, fall-themed food and beverages, crafts, and a story hour, featuring guest readers, including Rep Leigh Davis, SoCo Creamery’s Erik Bruun, Julie Erickson, as well as a surprise or two. Celebrate the season with library staff, Trustees, friends, and fellow community members at a special gathering place, the Mason Library. 

Illustration by Ken Otsuka. Courtesy Great Barrington Libraries.

The open house is on Sunday, October 19th from noon to 2 p.m. at the Mason Library, located at 231 Main Street in Great Barrington. More information can be found online. 

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Friends of the New Lebanon Railroad Station present historical interpreter Ron Gabriele for a program about the old days of radio from the 1930s to the1950s

New Lebanon, N.Y.— On Sunday, October 19th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., the Friends of the New Lebanon Railroad Station presents historical interpreter Ron Gabriele for a program about the old days of radio from the 1930s to the1950s.

Courtesy Wiki Commons.

Using samples of the much loved classics, “Only the Shadow Knows”, “The Lone Ranger and Tonto,” and others, Gabriele will bring alive the creative imagination and excitement of listening to stories on the radio. For young and old, don’t miss this wonderful talk and a fun afternoon returning to the old days of entertainment,

The presentation is on Sunday, October 19th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at New Lebanon Town Hall, located at 14755 NY-22 in New Lebanon, N.Y. Light refreshments will be served. Admission is free, but a suggested donation of $10 would be appreciated. Donations support the restoration of New Lebanon’s former train station.

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