Downtown Pittsfield, the Berkshires’ central city has changed vividly in the past 10 years. It was once a mill city and across the generations the community has evolved with the creative energy in the Berkshires. And Downtown Pittsfield Inc. has supported it since the 1980s.
It is now home to Barrington Stage and the Colonial Theatre partnered with Berkshire Theatre Group — all premiering new work, and new versions of classics, that often move on to New York. Within a few blocks, you’ll find the Berkshire Museum and the Beacon Cinema screening classic and new films. Local coffee shops stand alongside restaurants from many countries, and even a local butcher with thick Rueben sandwiches and freshly made sausage.
In the summer you may find Shakespeare in Springside Park. WordxWord brings spoken word and poetry slams to town, and Roots Rising runs the first local teen-led farmers market year-round, and in warm weather it fills the downtown common every Saturday near the bronze sculpture of the dancing woman.
Pittsfield also has a locally made Berkshire Carousel with hand-carved horses and a First Fridays Artswalk bringing new Berkshire artwork to local businesses every month, and a Visitors Center within the Intermodal Center on North Street. The Lictenstein Center for the Arts holds rotating exhibits at 28 Renne Ave., off of Fenn St. with a block-long mural, near the Berkshire Athenaeum (the city library), a block or two from 1Berkshire, the countywide chamber of commerce.
Bluesman John Mayall will perform at the Colonial Theatre. Photo by Arnie Goodman, courtesy of John Mayall.
A planet by Glass artist Josh Simpson ripples in the light at the Berkshire Museum in summer 2018.
Tamara Tunie and Michael Hayden hold onto each other in 'American Son,' which premiered at Barrington Stage Company. Photo by Scott Barrow, courtesy of Barrington Stage Company
Shannon Tyo appears as Afong Moy in The Chinese Lady at Barrington Stage Company.
Jess Lamb, owner of Dottie's Coffee Lounge, enjoys a warm day oby her coffee shop n North Street in Pittsfield.
Zumba livens up a Third Thursday street festival in downtown Pittsfield.
