Berkshire County Historical Society presents ‘A Whale Ship was My Yale College and My Harvard: Herman Melville’s Whaling Years,’ a lecture by Arrowhead docent and researcher Peter Hacunda
Pittsfield— On Wednesday, October 8th at 5:30 p.m., Berkshire County Historical Society presents “A Whale Ship was My Yale College and My Harvard: Herman Melville’s Whaling Years,” a talk by Arrowhead docent and researcher Peter Hacunda.
In late December 1840, 21-year-old Herman Melville arrived in Massachusetts preparing to embark on a South Seas whaling voyage. His diverse experiences and adventures in the course of the ensuing nearly four years would profoundly shape him and his writings. During this time, he toiled as a foremast hand in the uniquely demanding and colorful social world of a whale ship on three different vessels and served for more than a year as a seaman aboard a United States Navy frigate.
Melville’s odyssey took him to far-flung South American ports, the Galapagos Islands, Tahiti, and the Sandwich Islands. He lived among the indigenous people in the Marquesas Islands and witnessed the early impacts of colonialism and Christian missionary work in the Pacific world.
The lecture is on Wednesday, October 8th at 5:30 p.m. at Arrowhead, located at 780 Holmes Road in Pittsfield. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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OLLI presents Berkshire Theatre Critics Panel for an in-depth discussion and review of the 2025 theatre season in the Berkshires
Pittsfield— On Tuesday, October 7th at 1:30 p.m., OLLI presents the Berkshire Theatre Critics Panel for an in-depth virtual discussion and review of the 2025 theatre season in the Berkshires.
Moderated by Naomi Spatz and featuring theater critics of The Berkshire Edge, The Berkshire Eagle, Berkshire Bright Focus, and Berkshire On Stage, the discussion includes:
- Peter Bergman, The Berkshire Edge and Berkshire Bright Focus
- Jeff Borak, Berkshire Eagle
- Macey Levin, Berkshire On Stage
- Paula Kaplan-Reiss , Berkshire On Stage
- Jeannie Woods, Berkshire On Stage
Hear their thoughts on the hits and misses of the 2025 season and add your two cents.
The virtual discussion is on Tuesday, October 7th at 1:30 p.m. on Zoom. It is free and open to all. Registration and more information can be found online.
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Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts presents a screening and round table discussion of the unreleased Bigfoot documentary ‘Hidden Creek’
North Adams— On Friday, October 3rd at 4 p.m., Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) presents a screening and round table discussion of the unreleased Bigfoot documentary “Hidden Creek.”
Created by professional filmographer Terry Holland, “Hidden Creek” delves into one man’s story about his run-in with Bigfoot in the 1970s. A crew of friends and researchers travel to the Colorado wilderness to retrace his steps, all to uncover whether the mysterious creature really exists.
Holland has years of experience in the film industry, including his work on the 2022 film “Bodies, Bodies, Bodies” alongside A-list actor Pete Davidson.
The event is on Friday, October 3rd at 4 p.m., at MCLA’s Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation, located at 47 Blackinton Street in North Adams. Admission is free, Registration and more information can be found online.
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Becket Arts Center presents weekly drop-in community sing-a-long with certified Linklater Voice teacher Paula Langton
Becket— On Tuesdays, October 7, 14th, 21st, and 28th from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Becket Arts Center presents weekly drop-in community sing-a-long with certified Linklater Voice teacher Paula Langton.
The low-pressure gatherings are open to everyone, regardless of experience or confidence level. All that is required is a love of singing. The sing-alongs are on Tuesdays, October 7, 14th, 21st, and 28th from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Becket Arts Center, located at 7 Brooker Hill in Becket. More information can be found online.
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WordXWord presents ‘Poets Creating Conversation: RED HERRING’ at The Mount
Lenox— On Sunday, October 5th at 4 p.m., WordXWord presents “Poets Creating Conversation: RED HERRING” at The Mount.
WordXWord’s ‘Poets Creating Conversation’ throws out a word or phrase (RED HERRING) and asks poets to respond. We long ago learned that there is no predicting how the outside world and/or which life experiences and challenges will insert themselves into the conversation. That’s the magic sauce that makes it work.
The outdoor event is on Sunday, October 5th at 4 p.m. at The Mount, located at 2 Plunkett Street in Lenox. Admissions is free. All are welcome, but some poems may contain content or language best suited for teens and adults. Registration for poets and more information can be found online.
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BFAIR presents “Fall In Love with BFAIR – One Sip at a Time,” a fundraiser at Balderdash Cellars
Richmond— On Wednesday, October 22nd from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Berkshire Family & Individual Resources (BFAIR) presents “Fall In Love with BFAIR – One Sip at a Time,” a fundraiser at Balderdash Cellars.
The evening will feature delicious wines paired with appetizers, charcuterie, desserts, silent auction, raffles, and live music performed by Brian Benlien. The evening’s proceeds will support BFAIR’s mission of providing quality, individualized services to people with developmental disabilities and acquired brain injury.
“This event is a wonderful way for the community to come together, enjoy a beautiful setting, and support BFAIR’s mission,” said Ethel Altiery, Interim CEO. “Every ticket sold directly supports the people we serve and helps us continue building inclusive opportunities for individuals of all abilities.”
The event is on Wednesday, October 22nd from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Balderdash Cellars, located at 81 State Road in Richmond. Tickets are $100 per person and must be reserved by October 8th. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Lenox Library to host ‘Banned Book-athon’ during Banned Books Week
Lenox— On Wednesday, October 8th, in celebration of Banned Books Week, the Lenox Library will host an all-day “Banned Bookathon.”
Established in 1982, Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community in shared support of the freedom to read. This year’s theme is “Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights.” With the escalation in attempts to ban books in libraries, schools, and bookstores around the country, George Orwell’s cautionary tale 1984 serves a prescient warning about the dangers of censorship. This year’s theme reminds the public that the right to read belongs to all of us, that censorship has no place in contemporary society, and that we must defend our rights.
The Library hopes to fill the day with diverse readers and stories celebrating the right to read. Community members are invited to sign up for a 15-minute time slot(s) to read from their favorite banned book.
The all-day event is on Wednesday, October 8th at the Lenox Library, located at 18 Main Street in Lenox.Time slot sign-up and more information can be found online.
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St. Paul’s Episcopal Church presents a celebration of the Feast of St. Francis with a blessing of animals
Stockbridge— On Sunday, October 5th at 4 p.m., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church presents a celebration of the Feast of St. Francis with a blessing of the animals.
In honor of the Feast Day of St. Francis, patron saint of animals and ecology, St. Paul’s will be blessing lovable creatures on the church lawn. This service acknowledges their belief that the “loving Creator fashioned not just human beings, but also the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, and the creatures of the forests and fields.” It also acknowledges a calling to be stewards and caretakers of all God’s creatures.
Leashed, or otherwise restrained, cats, dogs, and other pets are welcome. You may also bring a photo of your pet or a stuffed animal to be blessed. The blessing is on Sunday, October 5th at 4 p.m. on the front lawn at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, located at 29 Main Street in Stockbridge. Refreshments and blessings will be provided. Pet food donations for the Lee Food Pantry are encouraged. All are welcome. More information can be found online.
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Elizabeth Freeman Center presents three volunteer orientation sessions
Pittsfield— On October 7th, 15th, and 18th, Elizabeth Freeman Center presents three volunteer orientation sessions.
Learn about what the Elizabeth Freeman Center does and how you can be a part of their work. The sessions are scheduled as follows:
- Tuesday, October 7th, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 15th, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Saturday, October 18th, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
All sessions will take place at theElizabeth Freeman Center headquarters, located at 66 Allen Street in Pittsfield. Register by emailing Volunteer@ElizabethFreemanCenter.org. More information can be found online.
