Join us at the October 5th First Fridays Artswalkin upstreet Pittsfield, kicking off a Columbus Day weekend filled with jazz, theatre, music and more. Pick up a $100 Artsbucks generously underwritten by Berkshire Money Management and save money while buying art! Artsbucks are available at participating Artswalk venues. Click here for map and guide to the October 5th First Fridays Artswalk.

Friday, October 5 | 5-8pm | upstreet Pittsfield |413-499-9348 | FREE

You’re invited to celebrate Herman Melville and his famous short story Bartleby the Scrivener (the office worker who said “I prefer not to”) by participating in the creation of a one-of-a-kind Call Me Melville hand-scribed edition of the book. Stop by during First Fridays Artswalk and add a few handwritten lines. First 100 participants will receive a free copy of this Melville classic! Another Call Me Melville event.

Friday, October 5 | 5pm-7pm | Lichtenstein Center for the Arts | 28 Renne Avenue | 413-499-9348 | FREE

You can read the whole story online here.

Still haven’t gotten around to reading Moby Dick? Never fear! Experience this classic tale in one powerful evening thanks to the amazing acting ofConor Lovett. The grand finale weekend of Call Me Melville features a one man performance of Moby Dick by world renowned actor Conor Lovett of theGare St. Lazare Players of Ireland. Click here to read more about this extraordinary performance.

Friday, October 5 | 8pm | Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | $10, Berkshire Museum members $5

The eighth annual Pittsfield City Jazz Festivaltakes place in various venues around upstreet Pittsfield. The music spans the spectrum of jazz, and includes the New England Jazz Ensemble with guest soloists Giacomo Gates and Ali Ryerson;The Jazz Arts Trio; Jazz About Town, local musicians performing in Pittsfield restaurants and lounges during Columbus Day weekend, and a new entry in the Jazz Prodigy series, Adam O’Farrill, a trumpet player who is garnering accolades across the northeast.  Click here for the full schedule.

Through Saturday, October 13 |  Upstreet Pittsfield | www. BerkshiresJazz.org

Join Governor Deval Patrick and a host of local performers, artists, writers and more at the kickoff performance of the Made in the Berkshires Festival  Friday night, and performances Saturday and Sunday evening at The Colonial Theatre andThe Garage.  This weekend long festival includes film, music, dance, poetry, wine and Berkshire food tastings, poetry slams, short stories, improv and more!  Click here for the full schedule.

Friday-Sunday, October 5-7 | The Colonial Theatre | 111 South Street | 413-997-4444 | $15-$100

Everyone knows the pioneering radio and television sex therapist Dr. Ruth but few know the incredible journey that preceded her fame. Starring Debra Jo Rump, Dr. Ruth, All the Way is filled with the humor, honesty and life-affirming spirit of Karola Ruth Siegel, the girl who became Dr. Ruth, the internationally known radio and TV sexpert. Berkshire On Stage says “Dr. Ruth 2.0 Outdoes the Original Hit… tighter, funnier and more inspirational than the Dr. Ruth we saw in June.”

Friday-Sunday | Fri 7:30pm, Sat 4pm & 8pm Sun 3pm  | Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center | 36 Linden Street | 413-236-8888  | $40-$49

Barrington Stage Company presents its production of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, a must-see adventure story. The story begins with a group of English schoolboys who are stranded on an island. It ends with a group of savages playing life-and-death games. This mesmerizing and brilliant performance, adapted by Nigel Williams, is one you won’t want to miss.

Through Sunday, October 21 | Wednesdays & Thursdays 7pm; Fridays & Saturdays 8pm; Sundays 3pm; Sunday, October 14 3pm; Wednesday, October 17 2pm | Barrington Stage Company | 30 Union Street | 413-236-8888 | $15 & up

VOICES Theatre Company presents Melville, Haunted at Herman Melville’s home and museum at Arrowhead. A historic play, Melville, Hauntedis the third in the Melville trilogy written by Sally Filkins for Call Me Melville. Melville, Haunted features both historic & literary ghosts from Melville’s life and writings, and is performed within the context of a candlelight tour of Arrowhead. A dessert buffet, presided over by the ghost ofNathaniel Hawthorne, follows the play.

Friday-Sunday, October 5-7 | 7:30pm | Arrowhead | 780 Holmes Road | 413-442-1793 | $25

The 5th annual Berktoberfest returns to Pittsfield’sUpstreet Cultural District featuring great food, great beer and great music! Participating restaurants include Flavours, Baba Louie’s, Mad Jack’s and more. Participating local breweries includeWandering Star, Big Elm and Barrington Brewery. Bands this year are Jill Gallagher and Hi8us. Proceeds benefit Berkshire Brewing Heritage, an educational organization preserving the craft of brewing and real beer in the Berkshires and beyond. Click here for more information.

Saturday, October 6 | 12pm-6pm | McKay Street Garage (behind North Street) | 27 McKay Street |  $20-35

Saturday: Acting up with Melville’s Characters at the Berkshire Athenaeum

Kids are invited to this free Call Me Melville event! Through various games, the audience will learn the skills of acting while getting to know Herman Melville and some of his famous characters.  VOICES Theatre Company was founded in 1991 with a focus on educational productions.

Saturday, October 6 | 2pm | Berkshire Athenaeum | One Wendell Ave. | 413-499-9480 x203  | FREE

Saturday: Young Artist Open Mic at The Marketplace Cafe

The Marketplace Cafe hosts young artist open mic nights each month, inviting 21 and under singers, musicians, spoken word artists and more to share their performing skills in its intimate environment for many to listen to and enjoy. For performers 21 years old and younger and audience members of all ages! Be sure to enjoy their sandwiches, hot drinks, soup, cupcakes and more while you’re there.

Saturday, October 6 | 6:30pm–8:30pm | The Marketplace Cafe | 53 North St. | 413-358-4777 | No cover

Winner of a 2012 Audience Award at Sundance, comedian Mike Birbiglia wrote, directed and stars in this sincere and hilarious film, based on his off-Broadway show and bestselling book. The story: when an aspiring stand-up comedian fails to express his true feelings about his girlfriend and his stalled career, his anxiety comes out in increasingly funny and dangerous sleepwalking incidents.

Saturday-Monday, October 6-8 | Sat-Mon 7pm, Mon 2pm | Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | $5

Renowned pop-punkers the Dollyrots return to the Berkshires in support of their new self-titled album.  This is the band’s fourth full-length release and features an album full of their signature pop-punk sounds. (Songs by the Dollyrots have been used in films, TV shows, commercials, and more!)  Supporting the Dollyrots will be locals SufferDie,Declarations, Amerikan Citizens and the debut ofBe the Seen. All ages welcome!

Saturday, October 6 | Doors open at 6pm, show begins at 7pm  | Chameleons | 1350 East Street |413-499-2582 | $12 in advance $15 at the door

The National Give Back for Kids Campaign is a grassroots movement which recognizes that positive and substantial change can and will come about through the power of love and sacrifice.  The annual fundraiser features appetizers, a silent auction, dancing & entertainment by the funky Brownskinband.

Saturday, October 6 | 7pm | Spice Dragon |  297 North Street | 413-655-8577  | $55

The St. Lawrence Quartet is a Canadian string quartet, and one of Canada’s premiere chamber ensembles. It was founded in 1989 and has served residencies at the Juilliard School, Yale University, the University of Toronto, the Hartt School, and Stanford University. In 1992 they won first prize in the Fourth Banff International String Quartet Competition and the Young Concert Artists International Auditions.

Sunday, October 7 | 3pm | South Mountain Concerts | 870 South Street | 413-442-2106 | $35

There are no classes Monday for Columbus Day so why not dance the night away on Sunday?  Music by DJ Young Champ.  For ages 15-19. And mark your calendars for the next teen dance on Thursday, October 25th at Chameleons, just in time for a Halloween costume contest!

Sunday, October 7 | 7pm-10pm | Chameleons | 1350 East Street | 413-499-2582 | $10

Join beloved local troubadour David Grover in a family-friendly concert of songs, old and new. The sing-along is free with Museum admission; Greylock Youth Members plus two accompanying adults receive free admission. The event is sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union.

Monday, October 8 | 11am |  Berkshire Museum | 39 South Street | 413-443-7171 | FREE with Museum admission

Thursday:  Visual Dead Art Opening

Visual Dead is a show that explores the social and symbolic themes of life, death, and undeath.  The show, sponsored by the Berkshire County-based Zombie Action Committee, kicks off Zombify Pittsfield, a weekend of events held in conjunction with World Zombie Day. (Painting at left by Michael Rousseau.)

Thursday, October 11 | 6:30pm-8:30pm | Shawn’s Barber Shop | 442 North Street | FREE

Thursday+:  Joe Iconis & Family Cabaret

Joe Iconis, creator of The Black Suits, and his merry band return to Barrington Stage this October following a sold-out cabaret Memorial Day weekend. Join them for an intimate evening of Iconis tunes, both classic and brand spankin’ new. Featuring singalongs, three hanky ballads, persnickety character pieces, exhilarating stompers and more. Fire up your washboard and polish your whiskey glass – this is new musical theater at its best!

Thursday-Saturday, October 11-13 | Thurs & Sat 8pm Fri 10pm | Barrington Stage Company Mr. Finn’s Cabaret (lower level) | 36 Linden Street | 413-236-8888 | $15