Downtown Pittsfield Announces Free Summer Dance Series

12:00PM / Saturday, May 31, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. has announced "Rhythmscape," a free outdoor summer dance series. The events will take place on Dunham Mal on select Sunday afternoons from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, beginning June 1 and concluding Aug. 31.

Each "Rhythmscape" session will feature a different rhythm and instructor from the local community, reflecting the diverse identities within Pittsfield. The series aims to activate public spaces in Downtown Pittsfield through inclusive dance and music events that celebrate community, movement, and cultural diversity. No prior dance experience is required to participate.

The schedule of instructors includes:

Sunday, June 1: BSKE Dance Community presents Prashad Abeysinghe with DJ Daniela Sthisel, offering beginner and intermediate level Bachata and Salsa lessons with social dancing.
Sunday, June 8: Tara Borgilt and Bruno Trindade will teach Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art.
Sunday, June 15: Sandra Zarate will teach Zumba.
Sunday, June 22: Luana Dias David will teach Salsa and Samba.
Sunday, June 29: Berkshire Sole Society, founded by Erica Shrader and powered by Women of the Westside+, will lead soul line dancing.
Sunday, July 13: Sandra Zarate will teach Zumba.
Sunday, July 20: Luana Dias David will teach Salsa and Samba.
Sunday, July 27: Luana Dias David will teach Salsa and Samba.
Sunday, August 10: Andres Ramirez from the Funk Box Dance Studio will teach hip-hop.
Sunday, August 17: Andres Ramirez from the Funk Box Dance Studio will teach hip-hop.
Sunday, August 24: Mica Farias and Manu Uriona will present a fusion of Latin rhythms with live percussion.
Sunday, August 31: BSKE Dance Community presents Prashad Abeysinghe with DJ Jeffrey Jay, offering beginner and intermediate level Bachata and Salsa lessons with social dancing.

This series is supported by MassDevelopment's Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) Cohort program in partnership with Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and Mill Town Foundation. For more information, interested individuals can visit downtownpittsfield.com/2025/05/rhythmscape or call Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. at 413-443-6501.

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Pittsfield Cannabis Cultivator Plans Dispensary

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:57PM / Friday, December 26, 2025

PITTSFIELD. Mass. — A cannabis cultivator and manufacturer has opted to sell its products on site in Downing Parkway.

The Zoning Board of Appeals this month approved a special permit for J-B.A.M. Inc. to operate a dispensary out of its existing grow facility. There will only be changes to the interior of 71 Downing Parkway, as there will be less than 500 square feet of retail space in the 20,000-square-foot building.

"My only concern would be the impact, and really would be traffic, which I don't think is excessive, the odor, if there was one, but that doesn't seem to be an issue, and I think it's a good location for a marijuana facility," board member Thomas Goggins said.

The company's indoor cultivation site plan was approved in 2019, an amendment to add manufacturing and processing in 2021, and on the prior day, a new site plan to add a retail dispensary was approved by the Community Development Board.

J-B.A.M. cannabis products are available in local dispensaries.

The interior of the facility will be divided to accommodate an enclosed check-in area, front entrance, retail lobby, secure storage room, offices, and two bathrooms. There are 27 parking spaces for the facility, which is sufficient for the use.

No medical or recreational cannabis uses are permitted within 500 feet of a school or daycare, a setback that is met, and the space is within an industrial park at the end of a cul-de-sac.

"The applicant desires the restructuring of the business to be more competitive in the industry with the ability to grow and sell their own cannabis products so they have more financial stability," Chair Albert Ingegni III, read from the application.

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