Spring Classes Are Here!

Let’s dance all this winter cold away! Our community classes and upper level PAP classes are officially back in full swing—and our younger students will return to start the spring session on January 29th. (You can review the limited changes we’ve made to the PAP schedule here.)

Haven’t signed up for a class yet? Don’t forget—for the month of January, try any of our community classes, including one of our 6 brand new community classes, for FREE!


Two New Community Classes to Try!

Brazilian Percussion Ensemble

with Tarcísio Ramos Dos Santos

Ages 11+, Thursdays 5:45-6:45pm

In this class we will learn several iconic Brazilian rhythms. We will learn Samba, Samba Reguea, Baião, Xaxado and Maracatu. All these rhythms have an African influence and they are the back bone of the Brazilian musical soul. We will learn to play traditional Brazilian instruments that compose the Brazilian percussive ensemble called Bateria! It will be fun and we will learn together one beat at the time!

Intro to Brazilian Samba Dance

with Tarcísio Ramos Dos Santos

Ages 16+, Thursdays 7-8pm

Samba is the most popular Afrobrazilian dance known and practiced in Brazil and around the world. The peculiar and fun samba dance steps is a fun workout and a way to express yourself. The meter is a simple 2/4 but its syncopation brings an authentic energy where the dancer will play, dance, create and the most important, have fun. This is an introductory Samba class and no dance experience is required.


BODYSONNET presents: Art Tonic

January 30- February 1

Art Tonic is a virtual celebration and a platform to premiere new work developed and produced by BODYSONNET, a collective of contemporary dance artists. As a collective committed to innovative and accessible art, BODYSONNET will be hosting Art Tonic on bodysonnet.org as a private website open for 72 hours to audience members who make a tax-deductible donation of ten dollars or more to receive a ticket.

Included in the virtual space is a talkback hosted by creative consultant, and educational developer Antonio Viva, the world premiere of BODYSONNET’s new film The Mount: a visually captivating short set at the historic home of Edith Wharton, and exclusive season previews.

Go to bodysonnet.org for tickets or contact collective@bodysonnet.org.

Our Program Won a National Award!

The National Endowment for the Arts awards $10k to Moving Life Stories!

Berkshire Pulse has been approved for a $10,000 Challenge America Award from the National Endowment for the Arts! This award will support our program, Moving Life Stories—which offers movement and community-building activities to people of diverse ages, cultures, and communities, including recent immigrant families to the Berkshires.

To receive the Challenge America Award, we must raise matching funds. Please consider supporting this incredible program and help us meet our $10,000 goal!

HELP US MEET THE MATCH

Spotlight: Moving Life Stories

Moving Life Stories is a free workshop series led by teaching artist Tom Truss, held both in Pittsfield and at our studios here in Housatonic. Through partner organizations including Berkshire Immigrant Center, LitNet, and Volunteers in Medicine, Moving Life Stories serves recent immigrants and refugees—with Spanish translation provided—but is also open to residents of all ages and backgrounds. The workshops introduce participants to modern dance techniques, improvisation, storytelling, and dance-making. Through the process, participants find connections to one another and learn about the diverse cultures that make up our community.

SUPPORT MOVING LIFE STORIES

Berkshire Pulse