BASIC Berkshires

BASIC Community Engagement & Call to Action Event
2025-05-23 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Berkshire Innovation Center, 45 Woodlawn Avenue, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Link to register.
Link to event schedule.

This event’s purpose is to inform the public about what immigrants are currently experiencing under our current administration and to provide information on how the public can be proactive. The event will commence with a welcome address from Ilana Steinhauer (Executive Director, Volunteers in Medicine/BASIC Co-founder) and Melissa Canavan (Executive Director, Berkshire Immigrant Center) sharing the history of the founding of BASIC, its current activity, as well as updates on the state of the county.

Several BASIC affiliate organizations that have volunteer needs specifically in support of the immigrant community will be hosting tables at the event where the public can learn more and sign up. Tables with specific volunteer needs will be hosted by the Community Health Partners, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Literacy Network, Railroad Street Youth Project, and Volunteers in Medicine.

Attendees will be invited to attend action-oriented workshops on the following topics:

“Know Your Rights (for Spanish-speaking volunteers)” presented by the Berkshire Immigrant Center
“Becoming a Peer Coach: Supporting Local Businesses and Organizations with ICE Preparedness Plans,” presented by Ana Suffish of Berkshire Community College and Leigh Doherty of LitNet (co-chairs of BASIC’s Institutional Policy Committee)

“Bystanding Training,” presented by Becky Meier of Berkshire Community College and chair of BASIC’s Community Engagement Committee.

“Sabrina” (1954)
2025-05-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
Audrey Hepburn plays the titular role in the romantic comedy-drama “Sabrina,” by celebrated director Billy Wilder. Returning from studying abroad, Sabrina catches the attention of her longtime crush David (William Holden). David’s brother Linus (Humphrey Bogart) worries the romance will interfere with a pre-planned family business-related union. (PG, 1h 53min.)

Shakespeare & Company Free Community Day
2025-05-24 11:00 - 16:00 | Shakespeare & Company, 70 Kemble Street, Lenox, MA, 01240
Shakespeare & Company will hold its second-annual free Community Day on Saturday, May 24 from 11 am – 4 pm, Memorial Day Weekend! This event features live demonstrations and performances, scavenger hunts, film screenings, food trucks with lunches and snacks for purchase, and dozens of other local nonprofits sharing the many ways we all serve the Berkshires – and beyond. For more information, call the Box Office at 413.637.3353 or visit shakespeare.org.

100 Years of Movies: “The Philadelphia Story” (1940)
2025-06-06 19:00 - 21:30 | Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
George Cukor’s classic comedy “The Philadelphia Story” stars Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, and James Stewart in a romantic romp about marriage and high society. The film marked Katharine Hepburn’s box office breakthrough, and earned two Oscars – Best Actor (Stewart) and Best Adapted Screenplay. (Not rated, 1h 52min.)
Following last year’s success, the Mahaiwe will continue its “100 Years of Movies” series with film director and educator Deborah Reinisch. Reinisch will introduce each film with a brief lecture at the top of the screening.

Met Opera Live in HD: Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia”
2025-06-07 13:00 - 15:30 | Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
Russian mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina headlines a winning ensemble as the feisty heroine, Rosina, alongside American tenor Jack Swanson, in his Met debut, as her secret beloved, CountAlmaviva. Moldovan baritone Andrey Zhilikhovsky stars as Figaro, the ingenious barber of Seville, with Hungarian bass-8 baritone Peter Kálmán as Dr. Bartolo and Russian bass Alexander Vinogradov as Don Basilio rounding out the principal cast. Giacomo Sagripanti conducts Bartlett Sher’s madcap production.

London’s National Theatre in HD: “A Streetcar Named Desire”
2025-06-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
Gillian Anderson (“Sex Education”), Vanessa Kirby (“The Crown”), and Ben Foster (“Lone Survivor”) lead the cast in Tennessee Williams’ timeless masterpiece. As Blanche’s fragile world crumbles, she turns to her sister Stella for solace – but her downward spiral brings her face to face with the brutal, unforgiving Stanley Kowalski. From visionary director Benedict Andrews, this acclaimed production was filmed live during a sold-out run at the Young Vic Theatre in 2014.

🌿 BOTANICAL INK MAKING WORKSHOP 🌿
2025-06-14 10:00 - 16:00 | MA
🌿 BOTANICAL INK MAKING WORKSHOP 🌿
Spend the day on-farm: inspired, connected, and grounded
Join us at Farm & Field, a 200 acre working farm in the Hudson Valley for a special one-day workshop on Saturday, June 14th for Botanical Ink Making.
We’ll gather plants and flowers from the fields and garden, learn how to turn them into vibrant botanical inks, and enjoy a farm-to-table lunch together outdoors.
Whether you’re an artist, gardener, or just curious about working with natural color – come join us. No experience needed. Be ready to slow down, explore, and connect with the land.
📅 Saturday, June 14 | 10am – 4pm
Chatham, NY (2.5 hrs from BKN, 25 min from Hudson, NY & Great Barrington, MA)
Details + Registration:
👉 farmandfieldny.com/workshops/botanical-inks-06-14-2025
> Make and take home your own wild inks
> Harvest Walk – foraging in fields & gathering in dye garden
> Learn responsible foraging practices
> Seasonal outdoor farm lunch included

📸 Follow along on Instagram: @farmandfieldny
🖊️ Questions: email Jill at jill@farmandfieldny.com
Please share with anyone who might be interested!

Norman Rockwell Museum: Summer Saturdays for Families
2025-06-14 11:00 - 15:00 | Norman Rockwell Museum, 9 Glendale Road Route 183, Stockbridge, MA, 01262, United States
June 14 @ 11:00 am EDT – 3:00 pm EDT
Join us for fun and interactive programming inspired by the art of Norman Rockwell and Walter Wick, creator of the I Spy books for children. Try your hand at making art inspired by these beloved illustrators. You’ll want to return again and again with a variety of fun and engaging experiences for the whole family; it’s the perfect way to spend some quality time together on your Saturdays this summer!
Free with Admission, Drop-in – no reservation required.
https://www.nrm.org/events/summer-saturdays-for-families/

Visit

Juneteenth Black Music Appreciation Month Free Concert
2025-06-14 12:00 - 15:00 | MA
Tendai Muparutsa
Misty Blues
Sample the Cat
Diego Mongue Band/Chantell
Come and go as you please. All welcome at MCLA Church Street Center 265 Church St, North Adams

Steve Earle: Solo & Acoustic
2025-06-14 20:00 - 22:30 | Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
Steve Earle is one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of his generation. A protege of legendary songwriters and a master storyteller in his own right. Earle’s 1988 hit Copperhead Road was made an official state song of Tennessee in 2023, and in 2024, he was invited to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.

100 Years of Movies: “The Maltese Falcon”
2025-06-19 19:00 - 21:30 | Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
“The Maltese Falcon” stars Humphrey Bogart and Mary Astor in a detective drama centered around a mysterious prized falcon statuette. Highly acclaimed upon its release and since considered a classic, the film noir was one of the first 25 movies selected by the Library of Congress in its National Film Registry. (Not rated, 1h 41min.)
Following last year’s success, the Mahaiwe will continue its “100 Years of Movies” series with film director and educator Deborah Reinisch. Reinisch will introduce each film with a brief lecture at the top of the screening.

World Premiere: Lawrence Goodman’s The Victim
2025-06-19 19:00 - 2025-07-21 21:00 | Shakespeare & Company, 70 Kemble Street, Lenox, MA, 01240
The World Premiere of The Victim by Lawrence Goodman runs through July 21 at Shakespeare & Company. Three women, three interconnected monologues: a successful New York doctor (Stephanie Clayman) whose racial diversity training has gone horribly wrong. A health aide grappling with racism during the COVID-19 pandemic (Yvette King). A Holocaust survivor (Annette Miller), facing her own horror and finding her way back to love and healing. Who gets to call herself a victim? Who is the perpetrator? Staged at Shakespeare & Company in 2024 as a reading in the Plays in Process series, The Victim is about identity, our blindness to others, and the human capacity for cruelty and compassion.

KidNet by LitNet
2025-06-25 10:30 - 12:00 | Stockbridge Library, 46 Main Street, Stockbridge, 01262
LitNet and The Stockbridge Library invite you to KIDNET!
LitNet y la biblioteca de Stockbridge los invitia a KIDNET!

Wednesday, June 25 from 10:30 to 12:30 at the Stockbridge Library
Miercoles, 25 de juno, 10:30 a 12:30 a la biblioteca de Stockbridge

FREE/GRATIS!

Join us for bilingual stories and music (with Natalia Bernal), crafts, book giveaways, and food!
Acompáñenos por cuentos bilingues y musica con (Natalia Bernal), artesanias, libros gratis, y comida!

LINK TO REGISTER:
https://forms.gle/1EbS2jRyohXRhpvE9

BIC Know Your Rights Presentation (in Spanish)
2025-06-25 17:00 - 18:00 | MA
Join us on Zoom to learn about essential legal rights
of immigrants, how to handle interactions
with law enforcement or Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE), and resources
to stay informed and prepared.
These presentations empower immigrants,
service providers, and community members
with practical guidance and support.

BIC Know Your Rights Presentation - English
2025-06-25 19:00 - 20:00 | Unitarian Universalist Meeting of South Berkshire, 1089 Main Street, Housatonic, MA, 01236
Join us in-person in Housatonic to learn about essential legal rights of immigrants, how to handle interactions with law enforcement or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and resources to stay informed and prepared.
These presentations empower immigrants, service providers, and community members with practical guidance and support.

BIC Know Your Rights Presentation - English
2025-06-26 17:00 - 18:00 | MA

Board Game Night / Noche de juegos de mesa
2025-07-07 18:00 - 20:00 | Hot Plate Brewing Co, 1 School St, Pittsfield, 01201
Join the library and our friends from Mana Crypt at Hot Plate Brewing Co. for Board Game Night! Mana Crypt and the Berkshire Athenaeum will provide a curated selection of new and favorite games for attendees to choose from and play (you can also bring your own or select a game from Hot Plate’s ongoing supply). Bring friends along to play, or make new ones at this casual game night!

Romeo & Juliet
2025-07-12 19:00 - 2025-08-10 21:00 | Shakespeare & Company, 70 Kemble Street, Lenox, MA, 01240
Presented under the Berkshires’ summer skies this summer, Romeo and Juliet proves that even the ultimate case of love at first sight can lead to… well, chaos.
Meddling families and murderous duels meld to offer an evening of sword fights, swinging soirees, and secret weddings — but the play is also full of exuberant vulgarity, harsh brutality and above all, the tingling, unbearable delight of young love.

August Wilson's The Piano Lesson
2025-07-25 18:30 - 2025-08-24 16:00 | Shakespeare & Company, 70 Kemble Street, Lenox, MA, 01240
Set against the backdrop of 1936 Pittsburgh during the Great Depression, August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning The Piano Lesson explores the lives of the Charles family, and vividly portrays an enduring conflict between siblings.
The family piano at the heart of the argument is an heirloom intricately carved by an enslaved ancestor. Determined sharecropper Boy Willie is eager to sell the piano to purchase land on which his ancestors endured hardship, while his sister Berniece fiercely maintains that the piano is where their heritage lies.
A testament to the complexities of family, history, and legacy, 2025 Elliot Norton Award-winning The Piano Lesson is an explosive and incisive inquiry into the struggle between what we owe to our past and how we build our future.

Puzzle and Game Swap / Intercambio de puzzles y juegos de mesa
2025-07-26 10:30 - 12:00 | Berkshire Athenaeum, 1 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield, MA, 012201
Bring your gently used puzzles or board games to donate at the door, then choose some that are new-to-you (up to 3 per household). Donations must be new or gently used, with no missing pieces. Presented with support from the Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum.
Have extra time? Stay and connect with your neighbors over a puzzle in our community area.
This event is a part of the Adult Summer Reading Program 2025 and geared toward an adult audience, but families are welcome. To read more about the Berkshire Athenaeum’s Summer Reading Program for adults, click here.
The event will take place on the lower level, in the library’s auditorium.

100 Years of Movies at the Mahaiwe continues with “American Graffiti” (1973) on 8/1!
2025-08-01 19:00 - 21:30 | Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
George Lucas’ directorial debut features an ensemble cast led by Richard Dreyfuss and Ron Howard in a coming-of-age tale set in early ‘60s California. (Rated PG, 1h 50min.)
Following last year’s success, the Mahaiwe will continue its “100 Years of Movies” series with film director and educator Deborah Reinisch. Reinisch will introduce each film with a brief lecture at the top of the screening.

FREE magic show at the Mahaiwe on 8/4!
2025-08-04 17:30 - 19:00 | Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
Join in for an event filled with laughter, wonder and endless surprises as renowned magician Bill Blagg presents Family Magic!
With over 60 minutes of non-stop magical fun, Family Magic is specifically designed to entertain and engage audiences of all ages. Bill Blagg’s unique blend of comedy, audience participation, and mind-bending magic will keep you on the edge of your seat eagerly anticipating what’s coming next. Prepare to be amazed as ordinary objects come to life while others vanish in the blink of an eye, and you could even be chosen to float in mid-air!
Family Magic is a unique blend of interactive entertainment and awe-inspiring magic that guarantees an unforgettable adventure for all ages. Join in for this magical family event which is sure to create unforgettable memories with your loved ones!

Immigration Updates with BIC
2025-08-06 11:00 - 12:00 | MA
Join a Berkshire Immigrant Center (BIC) caseworker to learn about the latest immigration policy changes, legal updates, and government announcements. Whether you’re a community member, service provider, or an immigrant, these sessions are a chance to stay informed and ask questions. These online presentations are offered the first Wednesday of each month at 11am.

100 Years of Movies at the Mahaiwe continues with “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” on 8/8!
2025-08-08 19:00 - 21:30 | Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
Sci-fi family favorite ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ is the story of a boy who befriends a lovable alien he dubs E.T. The Steven Spielberg-helmed film became a cultural phenomenon upon its release and has been cherished since. (Rated PG, 2h.)
Following last year’s success, the Mahaiwe will continue its “100 Years of Movies” series with film director and educator Deborah Reinisch. Reinisch will introduce each film with a brief lecture at the top of the screening.

Community Day at The Mount
2025-08-10 11:00 - 17:00 | The Mount, Edith Wharton’s Home, 2 Plunkett St, Lenox, MA, 01240, United States
Featuring live music, readings and performances, a resource fair, book exchanges, children’s activities, and food trucks, Community Day at The Mount’s celebrates the vibrant, multicultural diversity of the Berkshires.

The Taming of The Shrew
2025-08-14 19:00 - 2025-08-24 21:00 | Shakespeare & Company, 70 Kemble Street, Lenox, MA, 01240
Step into the world of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, with its timeless themes of identity, gender roles, and the clash of wills.
Meet the fiery and fiercely independent Katherine, whose spirited nature meets its match in the cunning Petruchio as they embark on a hilarious and clever exploration of love, power, and transformation.
The Taming of the Shrew offers a compelling – if not at times zany – look at relationships, and social norms, making it a must-see for anyone who loves classic comedy with a bit of bite.

Circus & The Bard
2025-08-21 14:30 - 2025-08-31 16:00 | Shakespeare & Company, 70 Kemble Street, Lenox, MA, 01240
For the kids and the kids in all of us, Shakespeare & Company and Spirit of Circus present an intersection of brilliant, professional circus acts with Shakespeare’s characters. The alchemy of the stunning visual effects of circus and the Bard’s text is an apt and whimsical introduction to both, and when you see them together, something special takes place!
This show is presented in collaboration with Spirit of Circus.

BIC Know Your Rights Presentation - English
2025-08-26 17:00 - 18:00 | MA
Learn about essential legal rights of immigrants, how to handle interactions with law enforcement or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and resources to stay informed and prepared. There will be time for questions after the presentation.
These presentations empower immigrants, service providers, and community members with practical guidance and support.
Registration is required for security reasons. BIC does not share your information.

Plays In Process: The Shallows
2025-08-26 19:00 - 21:00 | Shakespeare & Company, 70 Kemble Street, Lenox, MA, 01240
Experience a play in its early stages when possibilities are endless! Returning for its fourth year, Plays in Process offers a glimpse into the inner workings of play creation as new works are readied for the stage. Many Plays in Process titles have gone on to become fully realized productions; this season, The Victim by Lawrence Goodman – presented as a reading last year – makes its World Premiere.
The Shallows by Jim Frangione, a sequel to his award-winning Flight of the Monarch, presented last season. Directed by Judy Braha.

Plays In Process: Free and Equal
2025-08-27 19:00 - 21:00 | Shakespeare & Company, 70 Kemble Street, Lenox, MA, 01240
Experience a play in its early stages when possibilities are endless! Returning for its fourth year, Plays in Process offers a glimpse into the inner workings of play creation as new works are readied for the stage. Many Plays in Process titles have gone on to become fully realized productions; this season, The Victim by Lawrence Goodman – presented as a reading last year – makes its World Premiere.
Free and Equal by Kaia Calhoun, directed by Kaia Calhoun and Tina Packer.
