>>> COMING UP TONIGHT, WE'RE CONNECTING YOU WITH THE CITY THAT'S BEEN CALLED THE BROOKLYN OF THE BERKSHIRES, PILOTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE VIBRANT ARTS SCENE.

>> PILOTSFIELD IS THE ONLY PLACE WHERE YOU CAN STAY DOWNTOWN AT A HOTEL AND WITHIN A HALF-MILE OF WHERE YOU'RE STAYING, THERE ARE ART GALLERIES, MUSEUMS, THEATERS, PERFORMING ARTS, WORLD RENOWNED.

>> WE'LL EXPLORE THE CULTURE AND CREATIVE OF THIS COMMUNITY.

>>> MY BOOKS HAVE BEEN ADAPTEDDED TO PLAYS AND MUSICALS.

THAT -- ADAPTED TO PLAYS AND MUSICALS.

>> WE'LL VISIT THE HIS TORE JUAN KONA PARK GRAND SLAM TO CATCH A BALL GAME.

>> WAHCONAH PARK IS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS PARKS IN ALL THE LAND.

MY GRANDMOTHER STARTED TAKING ME UP HERE IN 1951.

THIS IS MY 70ED YEAR.

>> -- 7TH 0 YEAR -- 70TH YEAR.

>> WE'RE TAKING "CONNECTING POINT" ON THE ROAD TONIGHT AND COMING TO YOU TONIGHT FROM THE -- >>> GOOD EVENING ASK THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR CONNECTING POINT.

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

WE'RE TAKING "CONNECTING POINT" ON THE ROAD TONIGHT AND COMING TO YOU TONIGHT FROM THE CITY OF PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, IN THE HEART OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

THE BERKSHIRES ARE A CULTURAL PLAYGROUND, AND FOR MANY THE EPICENTER OF THE ARTS IN WESTERN NEW ENGLAND.

PITTSFIELD, THE LARGEST CITY IN THE COUNTY, LIES AT THE ART OF IT ALL AND IS RICH IN BOTH CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING MUSEUMS, LIVE THEATER, PUBLIC ART, AND GALLERY EXHIBITIONS, MUSIC, AND EVEN SPORTING EVENTS.

THE ISOLATION OF THIS PAST YEAR HAS MADE MANY OF US REALIZE THE THINGS THAT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED, BOTH LARGE AND SMALL.

THE SIMPLE PLEASURE OF ATTENDING A BASEBALL GAME IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS AND FOR A CITY LIKE PITTSFIELD, WHERE THE RESIDENTS LOVE AMERICA'S PASTIME, THE LAST YEAR WAS ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT.

AFTER HAVING THE 2020 SEASON CANCELED, CELGING POINT -- CONNECTING POINT'S BRIAN SULLIVAN GRABBED A SEAT IN THE GRAND STAD OF HISTORIC WAHCONAH PARK FOR THE FITS PLD SUNS HOME OPENER TO FIND OUT JUST HOW MUCH THEY MISSED IT.

>> GOING TO A BASEBALL GAME IS AS U -- UNIQUELY A PART OF THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE AS THE HOT DOGGERS AND HAMBURGERS EATEN THERE.

IT'S JOE RYAN THINKING THIS SONG AT EVERY GAME AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH INNING FOR THE 15th SEASON.

IT'S THE MOM WHO CHEERS A LITTLE LOUDER THAN THE OTHERS WHILE HER SON IS PITCHING WITH A DAD WHO SAYS GOOD EYE, AFTER THE PITCH THAT LEADS TO A BASE ON BALLS.

IT'S A WOODEN GRANDSTAND BUILT IN 1919 THAT'S ONE OF THE LAST OF ITS KIND IN THE UNITED STATES AND AFTER A CANCELED 2020, THE 2021 IT'S SEVEN SIMPLE WORDS ON A MARQUEE.

>> FOR ME, TO BE ABLE TO COME UP TO A BALL GAME, I LOVE IT.

WAHCONAH PARK IS ONE OF THE MOST FAME YOU ON PARKS IN ALL THE LAND.

MY AUNT, MY GOD MOTHER STARTED TAKING ME UP HERE IN 1951.

THIS WAS MY 70TH YEAR.

[LAUGHTER] OF BASEBALL AT WAHCONAH PARK.

>> FOR THE UNINITIATED, IT'S BEEN THE FIELD OF BASEBALL DREAMS FOR THE BLUE COLLAR CITY OF PITTSFIELD BACK TO THE 18 90S.

AA TEAMS TO THE RED SOX, RANGERS, CHICAGO CUBS MADE THIS AIR HOME PARK AND THE SINGING A TEAMS FOR THE METS AND ASTROS.

SINCE 2002 IT'S BEEN THE UNPAID COLLEGE PLAYERS SHOWING OFF THEIR SKILLS HERE.

2012 MARKED THE FIRST YEAR FOR THE SUNS OF THE FUTURE'S COLLEGIATE BASEBALL LEAGUE.

AND UNTIL THE CANCELED 2020 SEASON, IT HAD BEEN A CONTINUATION OF THE DECADES-LONG TRADITION OF SUMMERTIME BASEBALL HERE.

THAT'S WHAT MADE THE '21 SEASON HOME OPENER SUCH A SPECIAL OCCASION FOR SO MANY.

>> I THINK IT WAS REALLY, REALLY HARD ON A LOT OF PEOPLE.

WE'RE HOPING AND PRAYING THAT THEY'RE GONNA COME BACK SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE A GAME TO GO TO.

FOR SOMETHING TO DO IN PITTSFIELD.

IT GIVES A LOT OF PEOPLE TO BE ABLE THE COME OUT AND ENJOY THE WEATHER, THE GAME, THE FOOD, THE BEER.

>> I MEAN, THE FIELD LOOKS GOOD.

REALLY NICE AND GREEN.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY.

GOT A LITTLE BALLPARK FOOD.

DIDN'T COST ME A THOUSAND DOLLARS.

GOT MY SEATS.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS GREAT.

I CAN'T WAIT TO COME BACK FOR SOME MORE GAMES.

>> FOR ME, THIS WAS JUST A LONG AWAITED VISIT TO A PLACE THAT WAS ONLY PART OF A STAT LINE ON THE BACK OF THE BASEBALL CARDS THAT I WAS COLLECTED AS A KID.

>> I'M NOT PLANNING ON WAXING POETIC OR TRYING TO ROW MANTIES -- ROMANTIC BASEBALL.

I AM FASCINATING BY THE HISTORY AND TRADITION OF THESE OLD BALLPLAYERS.

HALL OF FAME CATCHER CARLTON FISK SPENT 1969 PLAYING HERE BEFORE HEADING ACROSS THE STATE AND CALLING FENWAY PARK HIS HOME.

IN THE SUMMER OF 1986, RAFAEL PALMEIRO AND A PITCHER NAMED GREG MADDUX BOTH PLAYED ON THE SAME CUBS TEAM.

PALMEIRO HIT 569 BELOW FREEZING HOME RUNS.

MADDUX -- BIG LEAK HOME RUNS.

THESE GUYS ARE STILL AMATEURS, BUT THE DREAM OF PLAYING BIG LEAGUE BASEBALL IS THE THREAD THAT TIES ALL THE STORIES TONIGHT.

THE UNTOLD STORY IS THAT THESE PLAYERS HAVE TO STAND OUT ON THE COLLEGE SQUADS TO GET PICKED AND WHEN THIS SEASON OVER, IT'S BACK TO COLLEGE AND ON TO BAWL -- FALL BALL, WINTER BALL, AND THEN THE SPRING SEASON, ALL WITHOUT DRAWING A PAYCHECK FOR THEIR DEDICATION.

FOR THE TRUE BELIEVERS, WHICH SEEMS TO BE MOST OF THEM, THAT DREAM IS REREAL AND THEY'LL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GET TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

>> THE SCHEDULE IS PRETTY LONG.

BUT BASEBALL IS THE ONLY THING THAT I'VE KNOWN ALL MY LIFE.

IT'S THE ONLY -- IT'S LIKE THE LANGUAGE OF MY LIFE.

SO AS MANY GAMES AS I CAN GET IN, I'M GONNA PLAY AS MANY GAMES AS I CAN.

>>> OF FREMY NIGHT CONNECTING POINT -- EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT "CONNECTING POINT" EXPLORES THE CREATIVITY, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY THAT MAKES US WESTERN NEW ENGLAND, BUT IT DOESN'T STOP THERE.

YOU CAN FIND US ONLINE ANYTIME FOR EXECUTIVE FEATURES AND CONTENT.

AS BRIAN SHOWED US, PITTSFIELD IS CLEARLY A BASEBALL TOWN, AND IN OUR DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE THIS WEEK, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER TONY DUNN SHOWS THAT TIES TO THE GAME RUN DEEP AND THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT AMERICA'S PASTIME BEGAN RIGHT HERE IN 1791, LONG ABOUT COOPERSTOWN.

>> THERE WERE A BUNCH OF KIDS APPARENTLY PLAYING BALL AND BREAKING WINDOWS ON THE COURTHOUSE.

SO THE COURT ISSUED A DOCUMENT BANNING THE USE OF PLAYING BASEBALL -- BASE BALL IN THAT VICINITY.

IN THE SAME SENTENCE IS THE FIRST MENTION OF THE WORD "BASEBALL."

SO FAR DOCUMENTED AND AUTHENTICATED IN NORTH AMERICA.

>> DON'T MISS THIS DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE, AVAILABLE ONLINE RIGHT NOW AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

>>> THE BERKSHIRES ARE A MECCA FOR WORLD RENOWNED ARTS AND CULTURE WITH DANCE, THEATER, AND MUSEUMS GALORE.

SO IT SHOULD COME AS NO SURPRISE THAT THE LARGEST CITY IN BERKSHIRE COUNTY BOASTS AN EXCITING AND ACTIVE CULTURAL SCENE.

I SAT DOWN WITH JENNIFER GLOCKNER, DIRECTOR OF PITTSFIELD'S OFFICE OF CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT, TO DISCOVER ALL THAT THE CITY HAS TO OFFER.

>> IT'SFIELD -- IT'SFIELD IS THE HART OF THE BERK YEARS.

-- BERKSHIRES.

WE TELL EVERYONE WE'RE ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYTHING.

BUT PITTSFIELD IS THE ONLY PLACE THAT YOU CAN STAY DOWNTOWN AT A HOTEL AND WITHIN A HALF-MILE, THERE ARE ART GALLERIES, THERE ARE MUSEUMS, THERE ARE THEATERS, THERE ARE PERFORMING ARTS -- BOULDER RENOWNED PERFORMING ARTS STATIONS.

SEVERAL FOOTPRINTS IN PITTSFIELD.

>> TELL ME WHERE WE ARE AND WHAT THIS PLACE IS.

>> THIS IS THE LICHTENSTEIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS.

WE'RE SO FORTUNATE THAT IT'S OWNED BY THE CITY OF FITSFIELD.

THERE ARE NINE ARTIST STUDIOS HERE AND THIS IS AN ART GALLERY.

WE ROTATE EVERY MONTH, TYPICALLY OPENING ON THE FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH.

BUT WE HAVE ART IN OUR SCHOOL EVERY MAY OF, WHICH IS ON THE WALL RIGHT NOW.

THESE ARE PITTSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL A.P.

ART STUDENTS.

AND THEN WE HAVE CADA COMMUNITY ACCESS TO THE ARTS EVERY JULY HERE.

SO WE HAVE SHOWS THAT HAPPEN EVERY YEAR BUT THEN WE HAVE UNIQUE SHOWS ALSO.

>> THE CITY IS KNOWN FOR ITS MANY CULTURAL EVENTS, THE 10 BY 10 UPSTRAIT ARTS FESTIVAL.

-- UPSTREET ARTS FESTIVAL.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THOSE EVENTS AND OTHERS THAT YOU OFFER THROUGHOUT THE YEAR?

>> WE LOVE THIRD THURSDAY.

IN THE TYPICAL NORMAL QUOTE/UNQUOTE THIRD THURSDAY, IT'S A BIG STREET FESTIVAL.

THE HALF-MILE DOWNTOWN OF NORTH STREET SHUTS DOWN TO CARS AND THERE'S PEDESTRIANS AND FOOD TRUCKS AND VENDORS AND ENTERTAINMENT.

SO THIS YEAR WE'RE ACTUALLY DOING SOMETHING LIKE THIS ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH, SAVE THE DATE, OVER AT THE COMMON, WHICH IS ANOTHER GEM IN PITTSFIELD, THIS BEAUTIFUL PARK.

AND WE'RE DOING A BLOCK PARTY.

THE 10 BY 10 UPSTREET ARTS FESTIVAL IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH BARRINGTON STAGE.

JULIE BOYD CAME TO THIS OFFICE AND SAID, I WANT TO DO A 10 BY 10 NEW PLAY FESTIVAL EVERY 10 MINUTES A NEW PLAY BEGINS.

IT'S PHENOMENAL.

YOU'RE LAUGHING ONE MINUTE AND CRYING THE NEXT AND YOU CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THERE'S FIVE OR SIX ACTORS DOING THIS WHOLE THING.

>> NOW, A VIBRANT CITY USUALLY HAS AN ACTIVE CULINARY SCENE AND IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT THE CITY OF PITTSFIELD.

WHAT CAN FOODIES EXPECT TO FIND WHEN THEY VISIT?

>> EVERYTHING.

I MEAN, PITTSFIELD AGAIN IS JUST -- IT BLOWS MY MIND ALL OF THE INTERNATIONAL CULINARY EXPERIENCES YOU CAN GET IN PITTSFIELD.

AND RIGHT HERE DOWNTOWN, THERE'S TAPAS, NEXT CAN FOOD, ASIAN -- MEXICAN FOOLED, ASIAN FUSION.

WE REALLY HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT.

[LAUGHTER] IT'S CRAZY TO SAY THAT IN SUCH A SMALL CITY, BUT IT'S TRUE!

THE FOOD HERE, THE FOOD HERE BLOWS MY MIND.

>> THROUGH ARTS SCAPE, THE CITY, EMBRACES PUBLIC ART DISPLAY.

WHAT IS ARTSCAPE AND WHAT NEW PUBLIC ART PROJECTS ARE YOU EBVAIL -- UNVEILING THIS YEAR?

>> ARTSCAPE IS A COMMITTEE THAT MEETS ONCE A MONTH.

THE MISSION IS TO BRING PUBLIC ART TO PITTSFIELD.

DOWNTOWN AND BEYOND.

AND ARTSCAPE HAS DONE SOME GREAT THINGS.

WE DID THE ELECTRICAL LOAD BOXES GOT TRANSFORMED TO WORKS OF ART AND WE GOT A CALL FOR ART.

THERE'S A BEAUTIFUL MURAL ON TOP OF THE LAND TERN BUILDING -- LANTERN BUILDING CALLED THE SUN WILL RISE AND IT'S GORGEOUS.

OVER THE NEXT SIX TO EIGHT MONTHS, THERE WILL BE MORE MURALS POPPING UP IN PITTSFIELD FOR SURE.

SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED THAT BERKSHIRE LIGHTSCAPES IS EXPANDING.

IT'S A GREAT UPLIGHTING THROUGHOUT DOWNTOWN.

SO IF YOU COME DOWN TO PITTSFIELD AT NIGHT, IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

YOU SEE THESE LIGHTS THROUGHOUT DOWNTOWN.

AND WE ARE ANNOUNCING AN EXPANSION OF THIS IN MID JULY WHERE THERE WILL BE AN ACTUAL ART SHOW AND LOOK FOR A CALL FOR ARTISTS IN THE LATE SUMMER FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE A PART OF THAT LIGHT SHOW.

>> HOW IMPORTANT ARE THE ARTS AND THE CREATIVE ECONOMY FOR THE CITY?

>> IT IS THE CITY.

IT SPARKS THE ECONOMY TO THRIVE.

THE ARTS AND THE CREATIVE ECONOMY IS WHAT MAKES PITTSFIELD WHAT IT IS.

AND THEN IT'S THE RIPPLE EFFECT.

THEY GO OUT TO DINNER AND SOME STAY FOR THE WEEKEND.

THEY GO FOR COFFEE AT THE LOCAL SHOP.

I WOULD SAY IT'S A KEY PART TO PITTSFIELD.

>> AND HOW IS PITTSFIELD LEVERAGING ARTS AND CULTURE TO CREATE A HEALTHIER, BETTER REPRESENTED, AND MORE EQUITABLE CITY?

>> THE CREATIVE ECONOMY AND ARTS IN PITTSFIELD IS DIVERSE.

AND IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN.

AND WE STRIVE TO PAY ATTENTION TO THAT IN EVERYTHING THAT WE DO.

AND IT'S JUST -- AN AMAZING THING THAT PITTSFIELD HAS.

>> PITTSFIELD'S OFFICE OF CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IS THE OLDEST OF ITS KIND IN THE COUNTY.

TALK TO ME ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THIS OFFICE AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT FOR MUNICIPALITIES TO HAVE A CULTURAL FACILITATOR ON STAFF.

>> IT IS UNUSUAL AROUND THE COUNTRY TO HAVE A MUNICIPAL OFFICE OF CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT.

AND WE ARE VERY THANKFUL EVERY YEAR THAT THE CITY COMING UPPERS AND THE MAYOR AND THE CITY STAFF CONTINUE TO SAY YES, WE WANT THIS.

AND HERE IN PITTSFIELD THE CITY OF 44,000 IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS, WE HAVE IT.

AND WE'RE THANKFUL.

¶ ¶ .

>>> PITTSFIELD'S COLONIAL THEATER IS AN AKRON IN -- ICON IN THE REGION AND LIKE SO MANY VENUES DURING THE PANDEMIC, IT FACED AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE ON THE PAST YEAR.

BUT ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IT TOOK ITS NEXT STEP TOWARD RECOVERING FROM THE PANDEMIC AS MASS -- MASSACHUSETTS ALLOWED ALL BUSINESSES TO RE-OPEN AT FULL CASTY.

CONNECTING POINT'S ROSS LIPPMAN SHOWS US HOW THE BERKSHIRE THEATRE GROUP IS HANDLING THE CHANGES AND TALKS WITH GRAMMY AWARD WINNER AND FORMER NPR HOST CHRIS THILE WILL WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO PERFORM THE LIVE MUSIC ONCE AGAIN.

>> DRAB, DREARY, AND COLD.

THEY AREN'T WORDS YOU'D NORMALLY USE TO DESCRIBE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IN THE BERKSHIRES.

BUT THE WEATHER WASN'T THE ONLY THING UNIQUE ABOUT SATURDAY, MAY 29TH, IN PITTSFIELD.

>> OKAY, I JUST NEED TO CONFIRM YOUR PHONE NUMBER.

>> AT BERKSHIRE THEATRE GROUP, FANS ARE FILING IN WITH ONE MAJOR DIFFERENCE.

>> WE'RE JUST ASKING PATRONS TONIGHT IF THEY HAVE BEEN FULLY VIEW,ED.

>> WE'RE ALL VACCINATED.

>> GOOD TO HERE.

>> MASKS ARE NOW OPTIONAL.

>> FOR VACCINATED PEOPLE MASKS ARE ENCOURAGED BUT NOT REQUIRED.

FOR NOP VACCINATED PEOPLE, THEY'RE STILL ADVISED AS IS DISPANSING.

>> MAY 29th MARKED THE LARGEST STEP IN MASSACHUSETTS RE-OPENING AFTER 15 MONTHS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

>> ALL THE WAY DOWN THE HALLWAY.

ENJOY THE SHOW.

>> ALL BUSINESSES CAN RE-OPEN AT 100% CAPACITY, INCLUDING THEATERS.

THERE IS ALSO NO LONGER AN ORDER FOR FACE COVERINGS.

INSTEAD, AN ADVISORY.

>> THE ONLY CONSTANT AND CHANGE AND THAT'S VERY TRUE WITH THE COVID AND IT'S ALSO TRUE IN THEATER.

SO LIVE THEATER ESPECIALLY.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN FROM ONE DAY TO THE NEXT.

SO YOU HAVE TO BE READY FOR ANYTHING.

HELLO, HOW ARE YOU?

>> I'M WELL.

>> WELCOME, WELCOME.

>> WHEN THE PANDEMIC WAS SHUTTERING THEATERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, BTG IMPROPRIZED -- IMPROVISED WITH ITS OUTSIDE CONCERTS, PLAYS, AND MUSICALS.

NOW THE TENT FACES ITS BIGGEST LITMUS TEST TO DATE.

FOR THE FIRST TIME WITH FULLY VISIBLE FACES IN THE CROWD.

TONIGHT THEY'RE EAGERLY WAITING TO SEE GRAMMY AWARD WINNER AND FORMER NPR HOST CHRIS THILE.

>> HOW ARE YOU?

I FEEL LIKE WE HAVEN'T SEEN EACH OTHER FOREVER!

ARE YOU DOING ALL RIGHT?

I'M SO, SO GLAD YOU'RE HERE.

[CHEERING] >> I'VE BEEN DOING THIS PROFESSIONALLY SINCE I WAS 7 YEARS OLD.

AND WHILE I -- I IDENTIFY AS SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T TAKE IT FOR GRANTED, BUT SOMEONE WHO STILL LOVES IT AFTER ALL THIS TIME, I KNOW NOW THAT I HAVE ABSOLUTELY BEEN GUILTY OF -- OF UNDERVALUING ANY OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY MUSIC WITH AND FOR PEOPLE.

AND SO IF THERE'S A SILVER LINING TO ALL OF THIS FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, IT'S THAT I WILL NEVER TAKE THE COMPANY OF MY FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS FOR GRANTED, EVER.

¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ [SINGING] ¶ ¶ [SINGING] ¶ >> BERKSHIRE THEATER GROUP SILL HAS A SUMMER'S WORTH OF SHOWS TO GO.

AND AS MASSACHUSETTS CONTINUES TO MOVE FORWARD WITH RE-OPENING, THEIR GOAL IS TO FIND THE RIGHT BALANCE OF PAY -- SO PATRONS CAN FEEL SAFE, AND AS THEY HAVE FOR THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF, THAT THE SHOW GOES ON.

¶ ¶ >> WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE THEATER THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE YEAR, THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE PROCESS OF COVID.

OUR PATRONS HAVE BEEN VERY -- I'M GETTING A LITTLE MISTY -- HAVE BEEN VERY GRATEFUL AS WELL.

SO WE JUST HOPE THAT THEY'LL KEEP COMING BACK AND EXPLORING WITH US AND BEING SAFE AND GIVING US THEIR INPUT SO THAT WE CAN MAKE IT THE BEST EXPERIENCE THAT THEY COULD POSSIBLY HAVE.

¶ [SINGING] ¶ ¶ [SINGING] ¶ QHEER -- [CHEERING] [CHEERING] >>> IF YOU'RE ENJOYING OUR ROAD TRIP TO BERKSHIRE COUNTY THIS EVENING, WE HAVE EVEN MORE STORIES FROM PITTSFIELD AVAILABLE ONLINE, INCLUDING THIS LOOK AT THE FASCINATING HISTORY OF THE BERKSHIRE THEATER GROUP'S ICONIC CONIAL THEATER.

>> IT WAS BUILT IN 1903 AND WAS VERY MUCH A PART OF THE VAUDEVILLE ERA.

SO THEY PERFORMED HERE FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

AND IT SERVED THE COMMUNITY AS A THEATER AND THEN A MOVIE HOUSE FOR MANY YEARS AND IT CLOSED DOWN.

>> YOU CAN FIND THAT STORY AND SO MUCH MORE ONLINE RIGHT NOW AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

>>> PITTSFIELD IS HOST TO A DAZZLING ARRAY OF CREATIVITIES, INCLUDING ARTISTS, ENTREPRENEURS, AND INTERESTING PEOPLE OF ALL STRIPES.

ONE SUCH PERSON IS ACCLAIMED CHILDREN'S AUTHOR, LITERACY AT VO KATE, AND MOST VARIABLE SPEAKER TIE ALLEN JACKSON.

THROUGH HIS BOX AND THE READ OR ELSE MOVEMENT HE COFOUNDED, HE HAS LONG CHAMPIONED READING FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS ALIKE.

HE SAT WITH ME TO DISCUSS HIS WORK, HIS PASSION FOR READING, AND WHY HE CHOOSES TO CALL PITTSFIELD HOME.

>> ALL STARTED FROM MY AT THE TIME 8-YEAR-OLD SON.

HE SAID DAD CAN WE OPEN ALL LEMONADE STAND AND WE DID ON THE CORNER OF OUR HOME IN DEXTER AND ELM STREET.

AND HE MADE $50 IN THREE HOURS SELLING LEM NATE, WHICH YOU KNOW TOTALLY BLEW MY MIND.

AND HAD SAID -- HE SAID DAD WHEN AM I GOING TO DO WITH ALL THIS MONEY.

I DIDN'T KNOW.

I WANTED TO TEACH MY SON ABOUT FINANCE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP BECAUSE HE WAS NOW AN ENTREPRENEUR.

AND I NOTICED THERE WERE SO FEW BOOKS FEATURING CHILDREN OF COLOR IN A POSITIVE, COME 10 PRAYER WAY AND -- CONTEMPORARY WAY AND TEACHING FINANCES AND LITERACY.

THAT BECAME DANNY GLAR AND THE REST IS HISTORY.

>> THE CHARACTER WAS BORN FROM YOUR SON'S EXPERIENCE.

>> IT'S VITAL THAT CHILDREN SEE THEMSELVES DEPICTED IN WAYS.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF BOOKS WITH UNDERGROUND RAILROAD AND SEGREGATION, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR WHITE CHILDREN TO SEE THAT SAME FIGURE IN CHILDREN OF COLLAR.

-- COLOR.

IT REALLY MAKES A TREMENDOUS DIFFERENCE IN THE EYES OF ALL CHILDREN, BUT SPECIFICALLY CHILDREN OF COLOR, BECAUSE IT GIVES THEM A LEVEL OF PRIDE THAT I DON'T THINK EXISTS IN ANY OTHER FORM.

>> NOW, DANNY DOLLAR CAME ABOUT FROM THE VERY REAL NEED FOR YOU TO EDUCATE YOUR SON ON FINANCE AND THE IMPORTANCE THAT WHAT OTHER -- WHAT OTHER KINDS OF STORIES DO YOU LIKE TO TELL AND WHAT THEMES RESONATE WITH YOU?

>> I WANTED CHILDREN JUST TO FEEL LIKE THEY SEE THEMSELVES EXHIBIT -- DEPICTED IN THEM.

REGARDLESS OF RACE OR GENDER OR ANYTHING ELSE.

THAT'S WHY MY STORIES ARE VERY BROAD.

THEY'RE ALWAYS FUN.

TWO OF MY BOOKS ARE ABOUT SUPERHEROES AND THINK WHAT THEY ASSISTANT FOR.

NOBILITY AND COURAGE AND HONOR AND STRENGTH AND WISDOM AND TAKING CARE OF YOUR COMMUNITY.

AND THOSE ARE ALL ATTRIBUTES WE ALL WANT TO HAVE AND CERTAINLY THAT WE ALL WANT TO SEE WITHIN OUR CHILDREN.

SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THAT NOT TO BE COMPARTMENTALIZED TO ONE SPECIFIC GROUP, JUST A LITTLE BLACK BOY.

IT SHOULD BE FOR ALL CHILDREN.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT NOT TO STEREOTYPE MY CHARACTERS.

THEY'RE JUST AMAZING CHILDREN WHO HAPPEN TO BE BLACK.

>> YOU SAID THAT COMIC BOOKS HAVE BEEN VERY INSPIRING FOR YOU AND IT'S OFTEN ONE OF THE FIRST MEDIUM THAT CHILDREN EXPLORE WHEN THEY BEGIN READING.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT COMIC BOOKS THAT REALLY SPEAKS TO YOU AND WHAT ATTRIBUTES DO YOU REALLY ENJOY ABOUT THOSE BOOKS?

>> I THINK IT'S ONE, IT'S A SENSE OF ADVENTURE.

IT'S A SENSE OF SEEING WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE FOR YOURSELF TO BE.

YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU SEE A BATMAN OR A SUPERMAN WHO'S COURAGEOUS AND STRONG AND SMART AND YOU KNOW, JUST REALLY WANTS TO HELP THEIR FELLOW PERSON, LIKE WHO DOESN'T WANT THAT?

WHO DOESN'T WANT TO BE A PART OF MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE?

SO YOU KNOW, THAT'S ONE OF THE ASPECTS OF SUPERHEROES.

I THINK THE OTHER PART IS MOST ARE ALL KIND OF FLAWED AND I THINK THERE'S -- THERE'S GENIUS IN BEING ABLE TO SEE THESE REALLY STRONG-WILLED PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SAVE THE WORLD BUT THEY'RE ALSO KIND OF JUST LIKE US.

THEY BRUSH THEIR TEETH AND YOU KNOW, THEY -- HAVE ISSUES AND PROBLEMS THE SAME WAY THAT WE HAVE.

IT MAKES A BOND AND A CONDUIT FROM READER TO -- TO CHARACTER TO BE ABLE TO SEE THEMSELVES DEPICTED.

>> SO BEING ATTRACTED TO THOSE FLAWED CHARACTERS IN THE COMIC BOOKS, DO YOU TRY TO PUT THOSE CHARACTERISTICS IN YOUR OWN BOOKS WITH YOUR CHARACTERS?

>> OH, 100%.

AND IT'S NOT JUST BEING FLAWED.

IT'S KIND OF NORMALIZED.

I WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE BASIC NORMAL FLAWED CHARACTERISTICS THAT WE ALL HAVE AND POSSESS AND HOW WE OVERCOME THEM AND HOW WE CAN USE THEM AS ASSETS TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.

SO FOR KIDS TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT CONNECTION TO SAY, WOW, THIS PARTICULAR CHARACTER IS JUST LIKE ME AND NOT JUST THE WAYS THAT LOOK LIKE ME BUT IN THE WAYS THAT MAKE ME ME.

>> HOW DID THE READ OR ELSE MOVEMENT COME ABOUT AND WHY USE SUCH A SERIOUS AND DRAMATIC STATEMENT?

>> BECAUSE IT IS SERIOUS AND DRAMATIC.

THE IMPORTANCE AND POWER OF LITERACY IS I THINK IN MY OPINION ONE OF THE UNSPOKEN BUT MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF OUR LIFE AND CULTURE.

THEY DRAMATICALLY ALMOST EVERYTHING THAT AILS OUR COUNTRY, FROM POVERTY, MASS IN-CARRATION, POOR HEALTH, UNEMPLOYMENT.

IT'S DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO ILL LET LAST.

TWO OUT OF THREE CHILDREN WHO CANNOT READ BY THE FOURTH GRADE WILL END UP INCARSATED OR -- INCARCERATED OR ON WELFARE.

IF YOU CAN'T READ BY THE FOURTH GRADE, THE MAJORITY ARE GOING TO END UP INCARCERATED.

JUST THAT PREMISE ALONE CREATED THE WHOLE READ OR ELSE MOVEMENT.

AND IT'S REALLY JUST BEEN PHENOMENAL HOW THE WORLD HAS KIND OF EMBRACED THAT REALLY SIMPLE BUT YET POWERFUL STATEMENT.

>> LITERACY IS MORE THAN JUST A VOCATION FOR YOU AS YOU WERE JUST SPEAKING ABOUT THE INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS.

IT'S A PASSION.

WHAT FUELS THAT PASSION FOR YOU?

>> I THINK IT'S MAYBE NO DIFFERENT THAN THE WHOLE SUPERHERO ASPECT OF WANTING TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.

LEAVING THIS PLACE, YOU KNOW, WHEN MY TIME COMES A LITTLE BETTER THAN WHEN I WAS HERE.

LIKE WHAT BETTER WAY TO DO THAT THAN IMPACT AND EMPOWER OUR MOST BEAUTIFUL AND IMPORTANT ASSETS, OUR CHILDREN.

>> YOU GREW UP IN THE BRONX AND IT'S A HUGE PART OF YOUR IDENTITY.

YOUR WORK TAKES YOU ACROSS THE COUNTRY AS A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER.

HOW DOES A KID FROM THE BRONX END UP HERE IN PITTSFIELD?

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

IT'S MAGICAL FOR SO MANY DIFFERENT REASONS.

AND I THINK -- YOU KNOW, SOME OF THEM ARE TREMENDOUS SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND CAMARADERIE.

EVERYBODY KIND OF KNOWS ONE ANOTHER.

AND THAT KNOWLEDGE OF ONE ANOTHER BRINGS A TREMENDOUS LEVEL OF SUPPORT OF ONE ANOTHER.

AND IT'S THE REASON WHY A GUY WHO'S NOT EVEN FROM HERE CAN COME HERE AND KIND OF MAKE A MARK.

I DON'T THINK THAT THIS OPPORTUNITY HAPPENS IN MOST PLACES.

MY BOOKS HAVE BEEN ADAPTED TO PLAYS AND MUSICALS.

THAT'S NOT HAPPENING IN THE BRONX.

BUT THAT MAGIC CAN HAPPEN HERE BECAUSE IT'S A MAGICAL PLACE.

>> SO BEING A CHILD FOR ANYONE CAN BE REALLY, REALLY DIFFICULT, CONFUSING AND HARD.

HOW DO BOOKS HELP NAVIGATE THE CHILDHOOD?

>> BOOKS JUST BRING A LEVEL OF -- OF UNBRIDLED PASSION AND IMAGINATION THAT YOU CAN'T CAPTURE ANYWHERE ELSE.

STEPHEN KING CALLED BOOKS PORTABLE PIECES OF MAGIC AND I FEEL THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE AND THAT MAGIC TRANSFERS FROM BOOK TO READER WITH EVERY PAGE.

AND I THINK IT'S -- IT'S THE FOUNDATION OF -- OF MAKING YOUR SOUL EVEN MORE MAGICAL THAN IT ALREADY IS.

¶ ¶ .

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR CONNECTING POINT FOR JUNE 25TH, 2021.

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