Adult and Family Enrichment
OVERVIEW
If you’re passionate about lifelong learning, Berkshire South’s Enrichment programs are sure to interest you. Explore new hobbies, learn practical skills, sharpen your mind, and build friendships with classmates who share your interests – all while having fun! Pre-registration for all classes is required 48 hours in advance.
For all program-related questions, please contact Molly at mamstead@berkshiresouth.org
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ADULT PROGRAMS
Handiwork Hangout
Ages 13+ CANCELED
Mondays, 1:00-3:00pm
September 9th – December 16th
Instructor: Susie Kandt
Free For Everyone
Calling all crochet, knitting, cross stitch, and embroidery enthusiasts! Come work on your current projects while enjoying the company of other handi-workers in our weekly social club. Make new friends, share techniques, and complete your projects. All levels of experience are welcome!
*This program is funded by the Lennox Foundation.
Intro to Improvisational Theater
Ages 18+
Mondays, September 30th – November 18th
6:30 – 8:30pm
Instructor: Darren Blaney
Members: $60.00
Guests: $80.00
Inspired by the work of Viola Spolin, Keith Johnstone, and Sanford Meisner, this 8-week course will focus on freeing our spontaneity, creativity, empathy, and ensemble listening skills. No previous theater experience is necessary. However, the class requires an open mind, a willingness to explore our creative impulses, and most importantly, a desire to laugh, play, and have fun! The class will work towards building the necessary skills to perform “long form” improvised scenes.
Caregiver Support Group
with Cheryl Hutto
Ages 18+
Tuesdays, October 1st – November 5th
1:00 – 2:30pm
Free For Everyone
This 6-week caregiver support group is designed to provide a safe, encouraging environment for caregivers to share their challenges and experiences. The group will be led by Cheryl Hutto, a coach, and mentor who has worked with caregivers for several years. She is well-versed in compassion, fatigue, resilience, and mindfulness. Cheryl will provide guidance and resources to help better manage their caregiving responsibilities.
*This program is funded by the Lennox Foundation.
Introduction to Drawing
with Mike Cohen
January 6th, 13th, & 20th
1:30 – 3:30pm
January 27th, February 3rd, & 17th
10:00am – 12:00pm
Cost for Members: $195
Cost for Guests: $230
Register through the Guild of Berkshire Artists
You will be introduced to drawing using pencil, charcoal, and colored pencils in an interesting and supportive environment. We will start with a simple object and build up to multiple objects while exploring the negative space between objects. Materials will be supplied.
Country Line Dancing
Tuesdays, 4:30 – 5:30pm
October 15th – November 19th
Instructor: Luana Dias David
Members: $40.00
Guests: $52.00
Join Luana Dias David in a 6-week Country Line Dancing class. Learn basic country dance steps and practice the moves. During each class, we will combine the sequences and dance to the most popular hits in Country Music.
There's No Shame In Dying: Open Conversations on End-of-Life Issues with Bess Dillman, a Certified Death Doula
Thursdays, October 17th – November 14th
6:30 – 8:00pm
Free For Everyone
Do you find yourself avoiding thoughts or discussions about death? This class provides an opportunity to explore your feelings and ease your fears in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. Whether you’re coming to terms with your own mortality or coping with the loss of a loved one, you’ll learn how to approach this experience with greater peace. We also honor the grief and sadness that often accompanies this journey.
Holiday Wreath-Making Workshop
Thursday, December 5th
5:00 – 7:00pm
Instructor: Vine Gate Lavender Floral Farm
Members: $50
Guests: $60
Kick off the holiday season with a festive wreath-making class! Attendees will learn how to assemble a mixed evergreen wreath. We will then adorn it with assorted decorations including cones, berries, dried florals, a hand-tied bow, and a little sparkle. All materials and tools will be provided.
Crafting Conversation
with Susie Kandt
Wednesdays, January 8th – April 30th, 2025
3:00 – 5:00pm
Free For Everyone
Bring your current project to Berkshire South and work alongside others in a casual and friendly atmosphere focused on creativity and light conversation. This is a great opportunity for people looking to connect with the creative community!
*This program is funded by the Lee Bank Foundation.
Grief Support Group
with Cheryl Hutto
Ages 18+
Tuesdays, January 14th – February 18th, 2025
1:00 – 2:30pm
Free For Everyone
In this supportive group, we’ll share our stories and struggles while finding reassurance and hope. With patience and care, we’ll gently make room for new meaning while honoring our loss. Along with discussion, we’ll also incorporate somatic movement, breathing exercises, and guided meditations to help release emotions and calm your nervous system.
Country Line Dancing
with Luana Dias David
Ages 13+
Tuesdays, January 14th – February 18th, 2025
6:30 – 7:30pm
Members: $60
Guests: $75
Join Luana Dias David for six weeks of line dancing! You’ll learn basic country dance steps and sequences while dancing to the most popular hits in country music.
Italian Cooking with Hank Ferlauto
Ages 21+
Thursday, November 21st FULL
5:00 – 8:00pm
Thursday, January 16th, 2025
5:00 – 8:00pm
Thursday, April 24th, 2025
5:00 – 8:00pm
Instructor: Hank Ferlauto
Members: $65
Guests: $80
October menu:
- Fresh-made tagliatelle with a mushroom truffle-butter sauce
- Chicken bruschetta
- Italian vegetable medley
- Lemon ricotta cake with almonds
EveryBODY Dance
Ages 18+
Thursday, January 16th, 2025
9:00 – 10:00am
Thursday, January 30th, 2025
9:00 – 10:00am
Instructor: Kristine Waterman
Members: $15
Guests: $20
Get moving, motivated, and dancing! This dance workout class is perfect for adults of all ages and abilities – no dance experience required! We’ll have a fun, energetic class groovin’ and jammin’ to a variety of great music while building stamina, flexibility, focus, and awareness of body and breath in motion.
An Evening with Pam Ellis - The Berkshire Medium
Monday, January 20th, 2025
5:30 – 7:30pm
Members: $55
Guests: $65
Come for an evening with The Berkshire Medium, Pam Ellis! Pam has helped many people connect with loved ones and create special moments. She has performed at local organizations, nonprofits, schools and on TV. You don’t want to miss out! A loved one may have a message waiting for you.
Intermediate Improvisation for Theater
Mondays, January 27th – March 17th, 2025
6:30 – 8:30pm
Instructor: Darren Blaney
Members: $80
Guests: $120
This course focuses on improvising both short and long-form scenes while building ensemble collaboration. Together, we’ll continue to unlock spontaneity, creativity, empathy, and active listening skills. Bring an open mind, a willingness to explore creative impulses, and a desire to have fun!
Prerequisite: This course is open to students who have taken “Intro to Improvisation for Theater” with Darren previously, or anyone with theater training or improv experience.
Meisner Technique & Scene Study
Thursdays, January 30th – March 20th, 2025
6:30 – 8:30pm
Members: $80
Guests: $120
In this acting course, students will explore Sanford Meisner’s groundbreaking techniques to gain more confidence and learn to respond “in the moment” and “work from the truth” when delivering lines. The Meisner Technique lays a solid foundation for acting in the styles of naturalism and realism. After learning this technique, we’ll apply it to a scene for an end-of-session performance.
Advanced Cold Wax
with Carolyn Abrams
February 3rd, 17th, 24th, & March 3rd (No class 2/10)
1:00pm – 4:00pm
OR
March 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31th
1:00pm – 4:00pm
Cost: $150 (for 4 classes in series)
$50 for a Drop-In Class
Register through the Guild of Berkshire Artists by January 10th
This course is designed for those who want to continue developing and honing the skills learned in the Intro to Cold Wax class. To register, you must have completed our Intro to Cold Wax course or have prior experience working with oils and cold wax.
*You must be a current member of the Guild of Berkshire Artists or Berkshire South AND have taken Introduction to Cold Wax Workshop or class equivalent.
Family Winter Wilderness Adventure
Ages 6-12 (with parent or guardian)
Monday, February 17th
10:00am – 2:00pm
Registration is required
Free For Everyone
Bundle up, pack a hearty lunch, and head into the wild winter landscape! Wilderness educator, Tes Reed, will create an outdoor adventure for you and your family that includes wildlife tracking, games, making snow shelters, and building a fire.
*This program is funded by the Lee Bank Foundation
Intermediate Country Line Dancing
with Luana Dias David
Ages 13+
Tuesdays, February 25th – April 1st
6:30 – 7:30pm
Members: $60
Guests: $75
Designed for students already familiar with line dancing steps and patterns, this class will take your moves to the next level.
Grief Support Group
with Cheryl Hutto
Tuesdays, March 18th – April 22nd, 2025
1:00 – 2:30pm
Free For Everyone
In this supportive group, we’ll share our stories and struggles while finding reassurance and hope. With patience and care, we’ll gently make room for new meaning while honoring our loss. Along with discussion, we’ll also incorporate somatic movement, breathing exercises, and guided meditations to help release emotions and calm your nervous system.
*This program is funded by the Lee Bank Foundation.
Steady Mood & Blood Sugar
Ages 18+
Wednesday, March 19th, 2025
5:30 – 7:00pm
Instructor: Thais Harris
Free For Everyone
Learn how to balance carbs, fats, and protein to keep your mind and body happy. This class is part lecture and part hands-on cooking with Thais Harris who is board-certified in holistic nutrition. Registration required.
Family Day in The Wild
Ages: 6-12 with parent/guardian
Monday, April 21st, 2025
10:00am – 2:00pm
Instructor: Tes Reed
Free For Everyone
Pack a hearty lunch and bring your family for a fun day in the woods. Tes Reed will create an outdoor adventure for you and your family that will include an introduction to primitive skills (fire-making, cooking, & shelter building), plant and tree identification, games, and storytelling around the fire. *Parent or guardian required. Please register.
Self-Love-Powered Weight Loss
Ages 18+
Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025
5:30 – 7:00pm
Instructor: Thais Harris
Free For Everyone
Thais Harris, a board-certified holistic nutritionist, will introduce you to an innovative approach toward understanding your body and supporting it in shedding fat. This class is part lecture and part cooking paired with a personal metabolic questionnaire.
*Programs noted with a (*) are part of our Community Vitality programming, which is funded by the Lennox Foundation and the Lee Bank Foundation.
CONTINUOUS PROGRAMS
Free For Everyone
Community Supper
Served Twice Monthly on Mondays
From 5:00-6:00 pm
Upcoming Dates:
Monday, January 6th & 20th
Monday, February 3rd & 17th
Monday, March 3rd, 7th, & 31st
Monday, April 14th & 28th
Funding for these meals is generously provided by Greylock Federal Credit Union, Fallon Health, the Jewish Women’s Foundation of the Berkshires, and the Lennox Foundation.
Call the front desk or check our Facebook page and Instagram for the weekly menu. No reservations are needed.
December 16th, 2024
Menu
Chefs:
Taste of Haiti Chefs
- We strongly encourage calling the Front Desk 413 528 2810 before coming out in case of any program changes.
- First come, first served. Only 125 meals will be prepared
- FREE FOR EVERYONE. ALL ARE WELCOME!
Need A Ride To Community Supper?
The TriTown Connector provides FREE RIDES to Community Supper dinners for all seniors, veterans, and persons with disabilities.
Call 413-591-3826 to arrange a pick-up!
Berkshire Ukulele Band (BUB)
Ages 13+
Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8:00pm
Instructor: Jean Atwater-Willams & Keith Larsen
Starting on Tuesday, January 2nd, meeting time will be: Tuesdays, 6:00 – 7:30pm
Starting January 1, 2025
- $5.00 Drop-In Fee*
- $50.00 10-Pack – Can be used sporadically and does not expire
- $50.00 Flat Rate Season Pass – You can attend any of the sessions for the catalog season (Jan- April)
*Drop-In Passes Must Be Purchased At The Front Desk
Free For Everyone
Our music educators will teach ukulele technique, chord progressions, and songs from many musical genres. Students and music lovers of all levels are welcome, including beginners. The ability to read music is not required. Music and chord charts will be provided. There will be opportunities to perform at community events throughout the year. This is a drop in program but calling ahead is encouraged as the group occasionally performs off site during regular class times.
This program is supported in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the following local cultural councils: Alford-Egremont, Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox, Monterey, New Marlborough, Otis, Sandisfield, Sheffield, and Stockbridge.
Berkshire Sings!
Ages 13+
Wednesdays, 6:45pm – 8:30pm
Instructor: Robert Kelly
Starting January 1, 2025
- $8.00 Drop-In Fee*
- $80.00 10-Pack – can be used sporadically and does not expire
- $80.00 Flat Rate Season Pass – You can attend any of the sessions for the catalog season (Jan- April)
*Drop-In Passes Must Be Purchased At The Front Desk
Free For Everyone
Sing ’till your heart’s content under the guidance and accompaniment of musician and teacher Robert Kelly. Songs include pop, folk, jazz standards, and show tunes. Exercises in breathing, relaxation, and listening will be incorporated, and opportunities to perform at community events will be offered. Everyone is welcome-no prior experience necessary. All you need is the desire to sing! Music will be provided. This is a drop-in program, but calling ahead is encouraged as the group occasionally performs off-site during regular class times.
This program is supported in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the following local cultural councils: Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox, New Marlborough, Otis, Sandisfield, Sheffield, and Stockbridge.
Community Garden
Winter Plot: October 1st – March 31st $25 per plot
Summer Plot: April 1st – September 31st $45 per plot
Year Round Plot: April 1st – March 31st $65 per plot
Want to grow your own vegetables and flowers, but lack the space to do so? Our fenced garden has eight 4′ x 14′ raised beds with access to water. Rent one (or more!) for the next growing season. Fall is the perfect time to plant garlic, carrots, tulip bulbs, spinach greens and more.
Contact rentals@berkshiresouth.org to learn more or reserve your plot.
