SPARKettes are an opportunity for colleagues in an industry cluster to meet and connect at a scaled down, focused networking event. Whether you are part of one of the clusters, seeking services from them, or are just interested in learning more about a particular group, SPARKettes are here to help you ignite that connection!

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SPARKettes are held once a month, February-November 2010, with a different industry cluster addressed each month!

5:30-7:00pm

Upstairs at Jae’s Spice, North Street, Pittsfield, MA

FREE

Cash Bar

Hors D’ouevres and venue generously provided by Jae’s Spice!

Click here to RSVP to the SPARKettes of your choice!

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MONTH//INDUSTRY

UPCOMING…

JULY//ENTREPRENEURS AND SMALL BUSINESS
JULY 13th, 2010
Small Small Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, Sole Proprietors, Freelance Professionals

AUGUST//YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
AUG. 10th, 2010
Young Professionals working in the creative economy

SEPTEMBER//MUSIC/PERFORMING ARTS
SEPT. 14, 2010
Musicians (beginners, teachers, and professionals), Actors, Theatres, Festivals, Venues, Managers

OCTOBER// EDUCATION
OCT. 12th, 2010
Museum Educators, Public and Private School Teachers, School Administrators

NOVEMBER// HOUSING SUPPORT
NOV. 9th, 2010
Interior Design, Landscape Architects, Architects, Builders, Home Product Designers/Makers, Real Estate Agents

PAST…

FEBRUARY// VISUAL MEDIA
FEB. 9th, 2010
Publishers, Printers, Writers, Photographers, Graphic Designers, Web Designers, Publicists, Marketers

MARCH//CULTURE AND HERITAGE
MAR. 23rd, 2010
Museums, Theatres, Theatre Companies, Garden Museums, Historic Homes, Libraries, Heritage Preservation

APRIL//VISUAL ARTS
APR. 13th, 2010
Artists, Artisans, Galleries, Arts Agents, Collectors, Museums, Art Venues, Crafters, Curators

MAY//COMMUNICATIONS
MAY 11th, 2010
Magazines, Newspapers, Radio, Television, Journalists, Bloggers, Publicists, Marketers

JUNE// FILM AND MEDIA ARTS
JUNE 8th, 2010
Film, Animation, New Media, and Supporting Industries

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SPECIAL THANKS TO SPARK! LEAD SPONSOR

GREYLOCK FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

If you live or work in the Berkshires, you are cordially invited to join Greylock Federal Credit Union.

AND

SPARKette SPONSOR

NETWORKING EVENT FOR BERKSHIRE CREATIVES!

Come and meet your creative economy colleagues! If words like art, culture, design, innovation, and technology are part of your vocabulary chances are you are part of the region’s growing creative economy. Whether you work in industry or the arts, Berkshire Creative invites you to come out to mix and mingle at our signature event!

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Barrington Stage Company

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

5:30 PM-7:00 PM

Click here for a map!

For more information please contact info@berkshirecreative.org or call 413.822.8324.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP!

Would you like to become more involved in the creative community? Volunteer for SPARK! contact info@berkshirecreative.org or call 413.822.8324.

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ABOUT BARRINGTON STAGE COMPANY

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), founded in 1995, is a not-for-profit professional theatre company in the Berkshires (MA), with a three-fold mission: to produce top-notch, compelling work; to develop new plays and musicals; and to find fresh, bold ways of bringing new audiences into the theatre, especially young people.

In July 2005 BSC purchased a 1912 vaudeville theatre in downtown Pittsfield. (In its first 11 years, BSC operated from rented space at the Consolati Performing Arts Center at Mount Everett High School in Sheffield.) In January 2006 BSC began renovations on the theatre and by June 2007, BSC opened its doors to a completely renovated 520-seat state-of-the art theatre

Barrington Stage Company has become the fastest growing arts venue in Berkshire County, attracting some 45,000 patrons each year, and gaining national recognition for its superior quality productions and comprehensive educational programming.

Click here to visit their website and learn more!

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“Our Creative Berkshires”

As usual, all attendees are invited to bring business cards and brochures to leave on a table showcasing “Our Creative Berkshires.”

Let’s talk across industry, talk across sector, talk across town!

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A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR LEAD SPARK! SPONSOR

GREYLOCK FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

Out of 7.794 credit unions, Greylock Federal Credit Union is #1 in the Nation! According to Callahan and Associates, Greylock is number 1 in the country for providing value to our Members. Come in and see what you’re missing. Become a Greylock Member today.

Click here to visit their website and learn more!

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SNEAK PEEK OF SPARK! FEATURED BUSINESSES

Check out the Berkshire Creative Economy businesses that will be featured at the upcoming Wednesday, April 7th SPARK! at The Barrington Stage

ALCHEMY INITIATIVE

al⋅che⋅my: a power or process of transforming something common into something special.
in⋅i⋅ti⋅a⋅tive:  an introductory act or step; leading action.

Alchemy Initiative is an urban model of sustainability and community in the heart of downtown Pittsfield. We work to inspire and empower our community to transform the common into something special.  We are an intentional living laboratory and a catalyst for social change, promoting the principles of holistic living, art-making, and sustainability.  Located in the former Notre Dame church and rectory in downtown Pittsfield, there are eight elements within our initiative: Urban Farm and Farmhouse, Artisan Studios, Workshop Space, and soon an industrial Kitchen, Reading Room, Café, Hostel and Event Space. We are dedicated to leading Pittsfield towards a more sustainable community and invite you to be a part of our intentional living laboratory.

BERKSHIRE ARTS FESTIVAL

Now in its 9^th year, the Berkshires Arts Festival, (July 2-4 at Ski Butternut) will feature more than 175 of the most talented artists and artisans from around the country, offering outstanding works of ceramics, painting, jewelry, glass, wood, mixed media, sculpture, fashion and photography.  This year the festival will be bigger than ever, with more demonstrations, workshops and educational resources, gourmet food, and a variety of live entertainment for adults and children alike.  The Berkshires Arts Festival is sponsored and produced by An American Craftsman Galleries and American Art Marketing.

THE COLONIAL THEATRE

The Colonial Theatre is a year-round performing arts center located in downtown Pittsfield, in the heart of the Berkshires. Programming is varied and includes all genres of live music, touring Broadway musicals, comedy acts, family presentations and community events. The Colonial’s 5th season will be announced April 1st and begins June 3rd. See You There!

DAVID CARRIERE

With almost twenty-five years experience as a publicist, David Carriere began his career in 1986, and honed his professional techniques at numerous publishing houses around the country. In 1997 he launched his own publicity firm, and is now nestled in the Berkshires where he handles the needs of a select few clients across a wide variety of industries. Carriere is the author of PUBLICITY: 7 STEPS TO PUBLICIZE JUST ABOUT ANYTHING, which was published in 2008 by Glitterati Incorporated.

OTHA DAY – DRUM TO THE BEAT

Otha Day is a Drum Circle Facilitator who leads fun and lively Rhythm Events from the deep belief that rhythm has the power to build communities, promote well-being and bring incredible joy.  Using a variety of hand drums, BoomWhackers and many other percussion instruments, Otha leads drum and rhythm circles for corporate functions, conferences, schools, libraries, hospitals, religious and private events.  Some of his many DrumToTheBeat clients have included the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command Leadership Development Program in Washington D.C., the multi-national SABIC Innovative Plastics, Burr and Burton Academy and Williams College where he has also taught courses on “Drum Circles for Conflict Resolution”.

Otha will lead this SPARK gathering in a lively session using both Body Percussion and the percussion instruments  “BOOM-WHACKERS”. Watch the SPARKS fly!!

Would you like to be a featured business at a future SPARK!? Please email info@berkshirecreative.org or call 413.822.8324.

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

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The MBI has asked WesternMA Connect to lead the effort to collect local letters and collaborate with existing broadband committees to assist in the effort.  In order to meet the submission deadline,  WesternMA Connect asks that supporters complete and return letters to them by Wednesday, March 10 in one of three ways:

1) email a word or pdf document with an electronic signature;
2) email a scanned version of a signed letter; or
3) mail the letter by regular mail to:
Sharon Ferry
WesternMA Connect, Inc.
75 South Church Street
Pittsfield, MA  01201
Click here for a sample letter.
PLEASE DO NOT MAIL LETTERS DIRECTLY TO ASSISTANT SECRETARY STRICKLING.

DON’T LET THAT SNOW STOP YOUR SPARK!

JOIN YOUR CREATIVE ECONOMY COLLEAGUES AT SPARK @ THE CLARK!

The Clark

Thursday, March 4, 2010

5:30 PM-7:00 PM

Click here for a map!

For more information please contact info@berkshirecreative.org or call 413.822.8324.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP!

Would you like to become more involved in the creative community? Volunteer for SPARK! contact info@berkshirecreative.org or call 413.822.8324.

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ABOUT THE CLARK

In 1950 Sterling and Francine Clark chartered the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute as a home for their extensive art collection. Opened to public in 1955, the Institute has built upon this extraordinary group of works to become one of the most beloved and respected art museums in the world, known for its intimate galleries and stunning natural environment.

One of the few institutions in the United States that combines a public art museum with a complement of research and academic programs, including a major art history library, the Clark is now a leading international center for research and discussion on the nature of art and art history. Building upon the founders’ legacy, the Institute has recently unveiled its master plan for the twenty-first century, which fosters the Clark’s commitment to providing space for its expanding research and museum programs while maintaining the unique character of its beautiful rural setting.

Click here to visit their website and learn more!

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“Our Creative Berkshires”

As usual, all attendees are invited to bring business cards and brochures to leave on a table showcasing “Our Creative Berkshires.”

Let’s talk across industry, talk across sector, talk across town!

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR LEAD SPARK! SPONSOR

GREYLOCK FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

If you live or work in the Berkshires, you are cordially invited to join Greylock Federal Credit Union.

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SNEAK PEEK OF SPARK! FEATURED BUSINESSES

Check out the Berkshire Creative Economy businesses that will be featured at the upcoming Wednesday, February 24th SPARK! at The Clark

DEVRIES FINE ART INTERNATIONAL, INC.

The Gallery features the figurative bronze sculpture of Andrew DeVries cast by the artist at his studio foundry in Middlefield, Massachusetts in limited editions along with original pastel drawings. Andrew is celebrating his 30th year as a professional sculptor. His works are in private and public collections in 16 countries. The gallery is located in the charming historic district of Lenox.

BERKSHIRECOUPON.COM

Love the Berkshires and love to save? Then you’ll love BerkshireCoupon.com! BerkshireCoupon.com is an online coupon website filled with great coupons to businesses in the Berkshires including restaurants, theaters, shopping, hotels and more! Just go to www.berkshirecoupon.com, Click on the category you’re interested in, Print the coupons you want, and Save right away! It’s quick, convenient, and free. Plus, BerkshireCoupon.com always has great giveaways every month.

Love advertising your business but hate the cost? BerkshireCoupon.com has affordable, effective advertising. Call Dawn Carberry at 413-441-6274 or email save@berkshirecoupon.com.

THE BERKSHIRE REVIEW FOR THE ARTS

The Berkshire Review for the Arts is an online arts magazine based in Williamstown. Launched in 2007 with the mission of providing in-depth, expert articles, reviews, and interviews about classical music, opera, theater, art, photography, dance, books, travel, food and drink, the Review now averages over 100,000 pageviews and 20,000 visits per month, with over 15,000 visitors concentrated in New York, New England, the West Coast, and Europe. In addition to the summer festivals and exhibitions in the Berkshires, we regularly cover events in New York, Boston, Edinburgh, London, and Rome, with occasional reports from wherever one of our more than 25 regular contributors may be. David Porter, President Emeritus, Skidmore College, has said, “The Review is a major cultural resource–and one distinguished by its quality of writing; I’d hate not to receive it.”

BRILLIANT GRAPHICS GROUP

Brilliant Graphics Group is a unique large format solutions provider offering 3D scanning, direct to media printing, photo imaging and digital die cutting. From 1 print to thousands, with the capabilities to produce; trade show display & graphics, backlit images, retail displays, window graphics, banners, box prototypes and Giclée prints.

SHAKESPEARE & COMPANY

Heating up the Berkshires this winter with the wickedly entertaining Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Dangerous Liaisons)—playing the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre through March 21—Shakespeare & Company is in the planning stages for its 33rd hit season in Lenox, with shows including The Winter’s Tale and Richard III (featuring award-winning actor John Douglas Thompson in the title role). Shakespeare & Company is also home to an award-winning Education Program that is deeply rooted in the Berkshire County community, and is internationally renowned for its Center for Actor Training which attracts students, teachers and artists from over 20 countries who participate in its programs year round.

Learn more at Shakespeare.org

TAYLOR’S AND FREIGHT YARD PUB

Sean Taylor and Colleen Taylor Reinhard have owned and operated the Freight Yard Pub in North Adams, Massachusetts for 15 years. In the summer of 2007, they opened Taylor’s in downtown North Adams near MASS MoCA. Taylor’s has quickly become the upscale steak and seafood house of the Northern Berkshires. Both FYP and Taylor’s have strong local support. The owners pride themselves on serving quality food in an elegant atmosphere. The atmosphere at Taylor’s is upscale, yet casual featuring tempting dishes presented by a knowledgeable and friendly staff.

Would you like to be a featured business at a future SPARK!? Please email info@berkshirecreative.org or call 413.822.8324.

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

Everyone from freelance graphic designers and photographers to design studio owners and online magazine publishers gathered Upstairs at Jae’s Spice for scaled down, concentrated networking! To expedite and maximize connections, two break-out sessions were held and each attendee posted their name, business, what they do and what they were looking for at the event (note wall in of papers in below pictures!)!

Overall, it was an outstanding kick-off to what promises to be an amazing series! Next month’s SPARKetteis for those in the Culture and Heritage Field!

Upcoming SPARKettes…..Click here to RSVP!

MARCH//CULTURE AND HERITAGE
MAR. 23rd, 2010
Museums, Theatres, Theatre Companies, Garden Museums, Historic Homes, Libraries, Heritage Preservation

APRIL//VISUAL ARTS
APR. 13th, 2010
Artists, Artisans, Galleries, Arts Agents, Collectors, Museums, Art Venues, Crafters, Curators

MAY//COMMUNICATIONS
MAY 11th, 2010
Magazines, Newspapers, Radio, Television, Journalists, Bloggers, Publicists, Marketers

Click here to see the full list of upcoming SPARKettes!

SPARKettes are held once a month, February-November 2010, with a different industry cluster addressed each month!

5:30-7:00pm

Upstairs at Jae’s Spice, North Street, Pittsfield, MA

FREE

Hors D’ouevres and venue generously provided by Jae’s Spice!

Cash Bar

All SPARKettes are made possible with the generous support of SPARK! lead sponsor Greylock Federal Credit Union!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010 2:30 – 5:00 pm

Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, 75 North Street, Suite 360 in Pittsfield, MA

$20 for Berkshire Chamber members; $30 nonmembers

Pre-registration is required. Visit www.berkshirechamber.com to register.

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence and the Nonprofit Business Council of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce are partnering to offer a workshop to provide nonprofit leaders with advice and guidance on management issues. On January 20, Barbara Krasne, of KrasnePlows consulting firm, will give a seminar entitled “Collaborations to Strategic Alliances:  Strategies to Sustain Nonprofits.” Workshop topics will include: alliances—what they can and cannot do; organizational diagnostics; considerations for any strategic alliance; and case examples regarding how to proceed. In the event of inclement weather, a snow date is scheduled for Thursday, January 21, 2010 2:30 – 5:00 pm  Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Get Found in Social Media”

Wednesday, January 27, 9 am to 12:00 pm

Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, 75 North Street, Suite 360 in Pittsfield, MA

Registration fee: $25. Register online at www.clickbasics.com/workshop, email paulc@clickbasics.com, or call 413-637-2459

ClickBasics, an internet marketing and web analytics company, will present the workshop, “Get Found in Social Media.” Geared for a non-technical business audience, the workshop will be presented by Paul Carter, founder of ClickBasics Internet Marketing, Lenox, MA. Participants will learn basic concepts and receive practical guidance helping business owners and internet marketers tie social media to the bottom line. Seating is limited.

Bi-annual Taste of Philanthropy Conference

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Mass Mutual Center in Springfield, MA

Click here  to register for the conference!

The Taste of Philanthropy 2010 conference is expected to bring together over 300 nonprofit leaders, consultants and foundations. Morning workshops on all aspects of fundraising –from planned giving/major gifts, to corporate/foundation giving, marketing and stewardship — will be available. In the afternoon, after hearing Sheryl WuDunn’s inspirational talk, we’ll all come together to focus on building our skills for making the all important ASK!

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

Jitters about the stock market, the tightening of credit, and concerns about specific business problems voiced by small business owners, resulted in the creation of this first ever Small Business Economic Hotline.

SBA employees will listen to callers’ concerns and respond directly or refer calls to professional business counselors at the Massachusetts Small Business Development Centers, Center for Women and Enterprise or SCORE: Counselors to America’s Small Business, who volunteer to help entrepreneurs start, build and sustain their businesses.  SBA will make every effort to respond to calls within the same business day.   The advice is free and strictly confidential.
“Here in Massachusetts, the SBA is taking this proactive step.  We want small business owners in the state to know that we are a resource for them and we stand ready to field questions and to hear concerns.  In addition to SBA resources and SBA partner resources, the SBA is able to make referrals to other state or community resources around the state to help small businesses navigate and get the answers they need,” said Bob Nelson, Massachusetts District Director.

Click here to learn more about resources from the the Massachusetts branch of Small Business Administration!

Kevin says “Kickstarter was a great tool to put this kind of project together and make it possible.” So what exactly is it? Kickstarter is a web-based ‘crowdfunding’ platform, launched in Spring of 2009, “for artists, writers, designers, filmmakers, musicians, journalists, athletes, adventurers, inventors, bloggers, comic book creators, explorers, curators, promoters, performers, and lots of others.” Kickstarter is part of the growing community of crowdfunding websites, like artistshare.com, kickstart.org, and kiva.org, applying a fresh perspective and web 2.0 technology to age old funding scenarios.   Kickstarter also seems to work best in conjunction with other web 2.0 promotion. “I found twitter and facebook great tools to both get my invitation and promote the project throughout the 90 day cycle” Kevin states, “that being said, it is a new service, and has a few bumps in the system, including an occasionally difficult-to-navigate pledging system.” Currently, creation of a project on Kickstarter is by invitation only, which Kevin indicates “are few and far between and available from people with current, active projects.” Still, Kickstarter may be the resource you are looking for, for your creative, innovative endeavors. Kevin says “It was a lot of work, but very heartening to see people from near and far come out to support my ideas.”

Click here to learn more about Kickstarter, how it works and how to request an invitation!

Click here to see more party pics on ruralintelligence.com!

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SPECIAL THANKS TO EVENT CHAIR, ALLISON CRANE,  ALL THE SPARKLE! ATTENDEES, VOLUNTEERS, SPONSORS, SUPPORTERS, AND DONATING BUSINESSES THAT MADE THE EVENT SUCH AN OUTSTANDING NIGHT!

SPONSORS

SPARK the holidays with savings! Use your Greylock VISA card from November 15, 2009 – January 15, 2010 and pay only 4.99% APR until those balances are paid in full. Valid for purchases, cash advances, balance transfers and letter checks.

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SPARKLE! SUPPORTERS

PRINTING AND DESIGN SUPPORT!

Click to Learn More About Excelsior Printing!

Click to Learn More About Studio Two!

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SPARKLE! HOST

Click here to learn more about the Seven Hills Inn!

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FOR PROVIDING DELECTABLE EATS AND DELICIOUS TREATS!

Click to Learn More About Brix!

Click to Learn More About Haven!

Thursday, December 3, 2009
Seven Hills Inn
40 Plunkett Street, Lenox (map)
6:30PM – 8:30PM
$25 admission ($15 for Friends of Berkshire Creative)

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS!

Berkshire Creative’s Holiday SPARK! Event

Berkshire Creative invites you to come, enjoy delectable eats from Brix and Haven, musical entertainment of Evan Randall and Heather Fisch, and items from some of the Berkshire’s best creative economy businesses in our silent and chance auctions!

Interested in being a SPARKLE! volunteer?
Contact Helena Fruscio at info@berkshirecreative.org or 413.822.8324!

Click here for images from last years SPARKLE!

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Event Sponsored By:

SPARK the holidays with savings! Use your Greylock VISA card from November 15, 2009 – January 15, 2010 and pay only 4.99% APR until those balances are paid in full. Valid for purchases, cash advances, balance transfers and letter checks.

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Food provided by:

Click to Learn More About Brix!

Click to Learn More About Haven!