Drum beats and improvisation, bonfires, dance, oil paintings and spoken word … the city is getting ready. As I revise the poem I’m working on for the WordxWord Project on Friday, Pittsfield is preparing for its annual (2016) 10 days of performance and art — with tacos. And chocolate.
WordxWord has intived me to be part of an evening of poetry inspired by Norman Rockwell. In January I gathered with poets of all kinds at the Norman Rockwell Museum as we pulled out of a hat the names of three Saturday Evening Post covers each.
I drew a ginger-haired girl winning a marble competition, a 1944 soldier on a train with his girl, and a barber shop closed for the night, with light in the back room where a bass player, a fiddle and a clarinet are playing together. That one brings back nights from my time in New Hampshire. I think of fiddle jams and pot lucks and dances in grange halls.
It’s a good image to bring into 10×10 — musicians playing on a winter night and making their own rocketing energy. I’m looking forward to tomorrow night. And as the festival kicks off tonight, here is a look day-by-day at what we have coming. Thanks, you all, for inviting me in. For more information, visit discoverpittsfield.com/10×10.
Young artists at Morningside Elementary School show their work from IS183 classes. Image courtesy of IS183
Thursday, February 11
IS183 Learning through the Arts — Student art show opening of work from IS183 program, 5 to 7 p.m. at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts. Show through Feb. 27. 28 Renne Ave., Pittsfield. discoverpittsfield.com
10×10 New Play Festival — 10 new plays with Barrington Stage Company, 7:30 p.m. Main Stage, 30 Union St., Pittsfield. discoverpittsfield.com
Friday, February 12
10 Days of Play — Ten Days of Play for Pittsfield’s annual 10×10 Festival, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Imagination Playground, Legos, building and magnetic blocks and more. Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield, Mass. 413-447-7171, berkshiremuseum.org
iMotif art show — Opening reception for iPhone photography exhibit with 75 artists, curated by Sohn Gallery at Hotel on North, 5 to 7 p.m. Show through March 2. 297 North St., Pittsfield. discoverpittsfield.com
10×10 Tacos — Taco night 7 to 10 p.m. with wine and beer for 10×10 Festival. Dottie’s Coffee Lounge, 444 North St., Pittsfield. 413-443-1792, dottiescoffeelounge.com
WordxWord Rockwell Project — 10 performances of poetry inspired by Norman Rockwell paintings: WordxWord partners with Norman Rockwell Museum, 7 p.m. at the Whitney Center for the Arts, 42 Wendell Ave., Pittsfield. wordxwordfestival.com
10×10 New Play Festival — 10 new plays with Barrington Stage Company, 7:30 p.m. Main Stage, 30 Union St., Pittsfield. discoverpittsfield.com
Saturday, February 13
10×10 Farmers Market — Kid-run market highlighting young growers and bakers, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pittsfield Farmers Market partners with Boys & Girls Club at the club Lighthouse, 16 Melville St., Pittsfield. farmersmarketpittsfield.org
10 Days of Play — Junk Music with the Junk Man, percussion with unusual and found materials, interactive concert, making wind chimes and more, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ten Days of Play for Pittsfield’s annual 10×10 Festival, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Imagination Playground, Legos, building and magnetic blocks and more. Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield, Mass. 413-447-7171, berkshiremuseum.org
10×10 Kids Dance Party — Pre-nap jam for pre-schoolers and toddlers with muic from DJ BFG, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Colonial Theatre, 111 South St., Pittsfield. berkshiretheatregroup.org
10 Shaker Songs — Hancock Shaker Village hosts a concert 2 p.m. at South Congregational Church, 110 South St., Pittsfield. hancockshakervillage.org
10×10 New Play Festival — 10 new plays with Barrington Stage Company, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Main Stage, 30 Union St., Pittsfield. discoverpittsfield.com
10×10 Jazz — “Thrush Hour: A Musical Study of 10 Great Ladies of Jazz,” Stephanie Nakasian performs classic vocal works with the Hod O’Brian Trio, 7:30 p.m., Pancho’s Restaurant, 154 North St., Pittsfield.
10×10 Comedy Show — Stand-up with Thomas Lewis 8 to 10:30 p.m. at Dottie’s Coffee Lounge, 444 North St., Pittsfield. 413-443-1792, dottiescoffeelounge.com
10×10 Dance Your Face Off — Dance party 8 to 11:45 p.m. at Shire City Sanctuary, 40 Melville St., Pittsfield. 413-236-9600, shirecitysanctuary.com
Berkshire Museum will offer 10x10-inch artwork by local artists at the Real Art Party. Image courtesy of Cultural Pittsfield
Sunday, February 14
10 Days of Play — Junk Music with the Junk Man, percussion with unusual and found materials, interactive concert, making wind chimes and more, noon to 5 p.m. Ten Days of Play for Pittsfield’s annual 10×10 Festival, noon to 4 p.m. — Imagination Playground, Legos, building and magnetic blocks and more. Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield, Mass. 413-447-7171, berkshiremuseum.org
10×10 Festival 10 Shorts — Berkshire International Film Festival brings short films to Beacon Cinema, 2:30 p.m. Free. 57 North St., Pittsfield. biffma.org
10×10 New Play Festival — 10 new plays with Barrington Stage Company, 3 p.m. Main Stage, 30 Union St., Pittsfield. discoverpittsfield.com
10×10 Valentine Cabaret — “Love me TENder,” 10+ most romantic songs, doors open at 5:30 p.m., concert at 6:30 p.m. and dance party at 8:30. Three-course prix-fixe dinner available. Whitney Center for the Arts, 42 Wendell Ave., Pittsfield. 413-443-0289, thewhit.org
10×10 Valentine’s Soiree— Holiday chocolate-themed dinner 7 p.m. with music by Spnk & Sass at Dottie’s Coffee Lounge for 10×10 Festival. No date needed; singles and couples welcome. 444 North St., Pittsfield. RSVP 413-443-1792, dottiescoffeelounge.com
The Wailers in Concert — Bob Marley’s band with Aston ‘Family Man’ Barnettperforms classic reggae, 8 p.m. Colonial Theatre, 111 South St., Pittsfield. 413-997-4444, berkshiretheatregroup.org
Monday, February 15
10 Days of Play — “Play Ball!” with Berkshire Theatre Group, family theater on the origins of baseball, 11 a.m. Ten Days of Play for Pittsfield’s annual 10×10 Festival, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Imagination Playground, Legos, building and magnetic blocks and more. Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield, Mass. 413-447-7171, berkshiremuseum.org
Tuesday, February 16
10 Days of Play — “Play Ball!” with Berkshire Theatre Group, family theater on the origins of baseball, 11 a.m. Records and Burpee Zoo Show, 1:30 p.m. Ten Days of Play for Pittsfield’s annual 10×10 Festival, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Imagination Playground, Legos, building and magnetic blocks and more. Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield, Mass. 413-447-7171, berkshiremuseum.org
Light Wire Theatre’s Moon Mouse — Join Marvin on a trip to the surface of the moon on his homemade rocket, where he meets misfit creatures, danger and awesome beauty. 2 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 110 South St., Pittsfield. 413-997-4444, berkshiretheatregroup.org
Music by 10 — Berkshire Music School faculty and students, with 10 performances, 4 to 7 p.m. Taft Recital Hall, 30 Wendell Ave., Pittsfield. 413-442-1411, berkshiremusicschool.org
Wednesday, February 17
10 Days of Play — “Play Ball!” with Berkshire Theatre Group, family theater on the origins of baseball, 11 a.m. Ten Days of Play for Pittsfield’s annual 10×10 Festival, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Imagination Playground, Legos, building and magnetic blocks and more. Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield, Mass. 413-447-7171, berkshiremuseum.org
10×10 Moby Dick — Theater Triebwick performs Herman Melville’s classic sea story, family-style, 2 p.m. Colonial Theatre, 110 South St., Pittsfield. 413-997-4444, berkshiretheatregroup.org
10×10 Permaculture — Film and talk on diverse, stable and natural systems for farming and gardening, 7 p.m., BYOB. Dottie’s Coffee Lounge for 10×10 Festival. 444 North St., Pittsfield. RSVP 413-443-1792, dottiescoffeelounge.com
Thursday, February 18
10 Days of Play — “Play Ball!” with Berkshire Theatre Group, family theater on the origins of baseball, 11 a.m. Ten Days of Play for Pittsfield’s annual 10×10 Festival, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Imagination Playground, Legos, building and magnetic blocks and more. Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield, Mass. 413-447-7171, berkshiremuseum.org
Real At Party — Live informal art auction as part of Pittsfield’s Annual 10×10 Festival; party is free, but tickets (for a fee) include 10×10 piece of art to take home, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Benefits Berkshire art students. 39 South St., Pittsfield, Mass. 413-447-7171, berkshiremuseum.org
10-Minute Sketches — Burlesque life drawing with 10×10 Festival, 6 to 7 p.m. Dottie’s Coffee Lounge, 444 North St., Pittsfield. RSVP 413-443-1792, dottiescoffeelounge.com
10×10 New Play Festival — 10 new plays with Barrington Stage Company, 7:30 p.m. Main Stage, 30 Union St., Pittsfield. discoverpittsfield.com
10×10 Festival 10 Shorts — Berkshire International Film Festival brings short films to Beacon Cinema, 8 p.m. Free. 57 North St., Pittsfield. biffma.org
PechaCucha Night — Conversations and presentations 8:20 to 9:20 p.m. Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield, Mass. 413-447-7171, berkshiremuseum.org
Berkshire Museum will offer 10 days of play, imaginative activities for children. Photo courtesy of Berkshire Museum
Friday, February 19
10 Days of Play — Vicanti Ballet from UMASS visits with children’s dance noon to 1 p.m. and 2 to 3 p.m. “Play Ball!” with Berkshire Theatre Group, family theater on the origins of baseball, 11 a.m. Ten Days of Play for Pittsfield’s annual 10×10 Festival, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Imagination Playground, Legos, building and magnetic blocks and more. Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield, Mass. 413-447-7171, berkshiremuseum.org
10×10 In Motion — Literary Party 7 p.m. with performers celebrating historic authors connected to Pittsfield — Kickwheel Ensemble Theater/Berkshire Fringe with Oliver Wendell Holmes, Berkshire Music School with Herman Melville, Pittsfield Shakespeare in the Park with Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Town Players of Pittsfield with Nathaniel Hawthorne and WAM Theatre with Henry David Thoreau. Dottie’s Coffee Lounge for 10×10 Festival. 444 North St., Pittsfield. RSVP 413-443-1792, dottiescoffeelounge.com
10×10 New Play Festival — 10 new plays with Barrington Stage Company, 7:30 p.m. Main Stage, 30 Union St., Pittsfield. discoverpittsfield.com
10 Shorts on Stage — Pittsfield Town Players and the Whitney Center for the Arts stage 10 short plays, 8 p.m. Whitney Center for the Arts, 42 Wendell Ave., Pittsfield. 413-443-0289, thewhit.org
Richard Marx in concert — Performer, songwriter and pop-rock platinum chart-topper performs 8 p.m. during 10×10 Festival. Colonial Theatre, 110 South St., Pittsfield. 413-997-4444, berkshiretheatregroup.org
10×10 Cabaret — Gypsy Lane and Company 8 p.m. at Hotel on North, 297 North St., Pittsfield. discoverpittsfield.com
Saturday, February 20
10 Days of Play —Wintergreen family folk concert 1:30 p.m. Ten Days of Play for Pittsfield’s annual 10×10 Festival, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Imagination Playground, Legos, building and magnetic blocks and more. Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield, Mass. 413-447-7171, berkshiremuseum.org
10×10 Fireworks and Bonfire — Warm up on the Common, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the 10×10 Festival. Fireworks begin at 5:45. First Street, Pittsfield. discoverpittsfield.com
10×10 Cabaret — Gypsy Lane and Company 8 p.m. at Hotel on North, 297 North St., Pittsfield. discoverpittsfield.com
10×10 New Play Festival — 10 new plays with Barrington Stage Company, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Main Stage, 30 Union St., Pittsfield. discoverpittsfield.com
10 Shorts on Stage — Pittsfield Town Players and the Whitney Center for the Arts stage 10 short plays, 8 p.m. Whitney Center for the Arts, 42 Wendell Ave., Pittsfield. 413-443-0289, thewhit.org
Sunday, February 21
10 Days of Play —Ten Days of Play for Pittsfield’s annual 10×10 Festival, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Imagination Playground, Legos, building and magnetic blocks and more. Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield, Mass. 413-447-7171, berkshiremuseum.org
10×10 Dance Ten — Dance performances at Barrington Stage Company, 2 p.m. at the 10×10 Festival. Main Stage, 30 Union St., Pittsfield. discoverpittsfield.com
10 Shorts on Stage — Pittsfield Town Players and the Whitney Center for the Arts stage 10 short plays, 2 p.m. Whitney Center for the Arts, 42 Wendell Ave., Pittsfield. 413-443-0289, thewhit.org
10×10 New Play Festival — 10 new plays with Barrington Stage Company, 3 p.m. Main Stage, 30 Union St., Pittsfield. discoverpittsfield.com
