Berkshires Jazz Free Event at the Lichtenstein Center

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. - Berkshires Jazz, Inc. (www.BerkshiresJazz.org) will kick-off its 2010 concert series on Feb. 12 with a performance by Turnip Cake, a jazz sextet from Williams College under the direction of Andy Jaffe. The concert, which is free and open to the public, starts at 7:30pm at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 29 Renne Ave. in downtown Pittsfield.

The student group will be performing compositions from various jazz greats including Clifford Brown, Billy Taylor, Randy Newman and Ellis Marsalis. Andy Jaffe, Director of Jazz Activities at Williams College, will be providing direction to this exciting group which includes Rob Pasternak (junior) on piano and arranger, Connor Kamm (senior) on trumpet, Andy Quinn (freshman) on tenor saxophone, Danny Schwartz (freshman) on guitar, John Morgenstern (junior) on bass and Joe Mastracchio (senior) on drums.

This event is the first of the 2010 series of free concerts provided by Berkshires Jazz, Inc., an emerging non-profit organization committed to presenting jazz performances and promoting jazz education in Berkshire County. Berkshires Jazz  is also responsible for sponsoring the annual Pittsfield CityJazz Festival in mid-October.

For further information regarding this event, please visit www.berkshiresjazz.org or contact either Art Niedeck at 413-442-2665 for concert details or visit the Lichtenstein Center website at www.pittsfield-ma.org/contact.asp with further link to the Arts & Culture section.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Kennedy Calls BCC Workforce Graduates Inspiring

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

The programs ranged from emergency medical technician to computers to commercial drivers. See more photos here. 
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College Workforce and Community Education graduates were encouraged to be all they can be on Wednesday.
 
Graduates, families, friends, and staff gathered in Boland Theatre to celebrate around 100 graduates who completed a variety of courses.
 
They included community health worker, emergency medical technician, phlebotomy technician, registered behavior technician, AI fundamentals, Commercial Drivers License Class A and B, CompTIA Tech-plus, para educator, and English for Speakers of Other Languages.
 
College President Ellen Kennedy said it was amazing that this might be her last public speaking event before her tenure comes to an end.
 
She acknowledged the diverse reasons for their studies including career advancement and personal growth, commending their vulnerability and dedication. 
 
"Some of you explored AI, some of you improved your English speaking in really important ways, and the reason that each of you is here is because you decided to put your heart and soul to get vulnerable to do something that might have felt a little bit uncomfortable," she said. "And you did it, and we are so incredibly proud of you, and so happy to be here tonight, celebrating you."
 
Keynote speaker Shirley Edgerton, founder of Rites of Passage and Empowerment (ROPE) encouraged the graduates to reflect on their accomplishments and look forward to the future.
 
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