Berkshire OLLI upcoming events

End of Fall Term Social Gatherings (Monday, November 02, 2026)

Mon, 02 Nov 2026 16:00:00 GMT

End of Fall Term Social Gatherings

Monday, November 2 - 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 3 - 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 4 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 5 - 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

in-person at Berkshire Community College

As our fall term wraps up, come spend some time with your OLLI friends, and see the new OLLI offices. No need to register, just come by!

We will have apple cider, snacks, coffee and tea available. We will also have a puzzle going and some crafty projects in case you prefer an activity while you chat!

Meet at the OLLI office at Berkshire Community College, off the SBA lounge, and down the hall from the One Stop. Watch this video to see the path from the visitor lot:

Call 413-236-2190 or email olli@berkshirecc.edu with any questions.

OLLI at BCC and BNRC Joint Hike - Mahanna Cobble, Pittsfield (Wednesday, November 04, 2026)

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 14:30:00 GMT

OLLI at BCC and Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) Joint Hike

Wednesday, November 4 at 9:30 a.m.
Mahanna Cobble, Pittsfield

Mahanna Cobble is the northern anchor of The High Road, a trail which will eventually become a series of connected trails that will run the length of Berkshire County.

The trail begins in the Bosquet Mountain parking lot. Beginning with a steep climb, it winds through the eastern side of Lenox Mountain to the top of the cobble. A bench honoring founding BNRC Executive Director, George Wislocki and the typical boulders of the Berkshires five cobbles, offer places to rest at the cobble while enjoying the unbroken view to the south.

This trail is moderate to difficult due to the elevation gain. Please consider this before signing up for the hike.

Visit the BNRC website for directions and more information: https://www.bnrc.org/reserves/mahanna-cobble

OLLI at BCC and the BNRC are offering joint hikes this fall. These hikes are free for OLLI at BCC and BNRC members. You must register in advance and space is limited.

All hikes begin at 9:30. We strongly recommend using hiking poles. If you don’t have them, we can provide poles for the hike. Good hiking shoes are essential. If we need to cancel the hike due to rain, we will notify participants by email by 7:00 AM the day of the hike.

Registration will open on Monday, October 19 at 9 a.m.

Ukraine-Russia War Update, and the US Midterms Impact with James Brooke (Wednesday, November 04, 2026)

Thu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT

OLLI at BCC Distinguished Speakers Series
Sponsored by Kimball Farms Life Care

Ukraine-Russia War Update and the U.S. Midterms Impact
with James Brooke

An informative update and lively discussion on the Russia-Ukraine war with former New York Times foreign correspondent and former Ukraine reporter James Brooke

Wednesday, November 4 at 7 p.m. ET

Online via Zoom
Free & open to all

Veteran foreign correspondent James Brooke is back to give OLLI another in-depth analysis of the war in Ukraine. Jim draws on a total of 14 years living and working Kyiv and Moscow -- as bureau chief for Bloomberg and then Voice of America. Previously, he made numerous reporting trips to Russia with The New York Times.

This event will be recorded and posted to our YouTube channel: OLLI: The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Berkshire Community College

See past updates from James Brooke on Ukraine in a YouTube playlist.

OLLI at BCC is also sponsored by Berkshire Health Systems

Living After Loss: Poetry for Holiday Time (Thursday, November 05, 2026)

Thu, 05 Nov 2026 18:30:00 GMT

Living After Loss:
Poetry for Holiday Time

Thursdays, November 5, 12, and December 3
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
at Berkshire Community College
In-person only

Holidays and anniversaries ask much of a grieving heart. In this series draw on poetry as a stepping stone, a language, giving a place to land in honoring grief as you gently open to life is being lived in new ways after loss. Each session includes a time of centering, a check in, reading poetry, reflecting and writing and sharing your insights, learnings, vulnerabilities. Everything offered is optional.

Charlotte Nuessle, BSc, is a certified grief educator with David Kessler. She has led grief groups for 3 years. For the past 11 years she facilitated groups in exploring death and dying, as well as groups focused on strengthening resilience and personal development. She retired from a 25-year career in adaptive yoga and developing self-awareness for seniors and elders. Reading and writing poetry has given her a perspective on grief that opened creativity and possibility in the midst of loss.

Cost: $35 for OLLI at BCC members
$45 for non-members

Sign up today!

Register online or call 413.236.2190 (M-F 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) to register by phone with a credit card.

Private screening of the 2026 documentary film The Fight to Fight (Saturday, November 07, 2026)

Sat, 07 Nov 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Private Screening and Discussion of the 2026 Documentary Film The Fight to Fight

Saturday, November 7, 2026
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
at Berkshire Community College

The Fight to Fight is the extraordinary true story of the women who fought for equality in America's combat forces and now must fight to hold their ground.

The film will be followed by a discussion with co-producer Dr. Ellen Haring, a West Point graduate and retired Army Colonel who sued the Secretary of Defense in 2012 to open ground combat jobs to women.

For a preview of the film watch the trailer at THE FIGHT TO FIGHT.

This is an in-person only, private screening, and free for members and guests of:

OLLI at Berkshire Community College
Soldier On
Local VFW Posts
Zonta International
Berkshire Veterans for Peace

If you would like to learn more or to support this project, go to thefighttofight.com.

Designing a Life at Any Age (Thursday, November 12, 2026)

Thu, 12 Nov 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Designing a Life at Any Age with Mary B. O'Neill, Ph.D.

Two week series:
Thursdays:
November 12
November 19
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

In-person only at BCC

We can’t chuck it all and abandon our present lives. We’re embedded in relationships and situations. We live in the real world. Yet, we have the opportunity at any time to bring creativity into our lives, take more control, and move incrementally into a better place. And have fun doing it!

This dynamic, interactive two-session workshop provides tools to help you (re)connect with your values, purpose, skills, and talents, and to discern paths forward at any stage in life, whether you're facing retirement or a career pivot, immersed in caregiving, or simply want more coherence in your days.

Drawing on Stanford's Designing Your Life and Life Design Catalyst methodologies, this hands-on, collaborative workshop blends self-reflection exercises with authentic, supportive conversations among fellow participants. You'll explore possibilities and create concrete steps to move you toward a life of alignment and clarity.

Our time together will cut through abstract overthinking about your future, increase efficacy and joy, and foster connections with fellow participants. You'll leave the workshop feeling unstuck, more compassionate toward yourself, and with real momentum toward a life that feels right for you.

Mary B. O'Neill, Ph.D., CCSP, has reinvented herself more times than Madonna — and has used every tool she teaches in this workshop to do it. She is the founder of You Doing You Life Design and Career Coaching and the Director of Life Design at Boston Global Communications and Performance. Mary holds a Ph.D. in philosophy and is a Stanford University-Certified Designing Your Life Educator and a Life Design Catalyst facilitator. She is an NCDA Certified Career Services Provider and has served as interim Career Services Coordinator at CT State: Northwestern.

Mary is a college instructor with extensive experience designing creative programs and curricula that foster personal reflection and growth. She created a popular Philosophy of Happiness course that integrates philosophy, neuroscience, psychology, and mindfulness, which she infuses into her life design work. In 2014, Mary earned the Systemwide Adjunct Award for Excellence in Teaching from the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU).

Cost: $35 for OLLI at BCC members
$45 for non-members

Sign up today!

Register online or call 413.236.2190 (M-F 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) to register by phone with a credit card.

Creativity and Artistic Expression Workshop (Thursday, November 12, 2026)

Thu, 12 Nov 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Creativity and Artistic Expression

Thursday, November 12
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
at Berkshire Community College

In-person only.

This workshop will focus on working with and decoupaging colorful, ceramic tile coasters, or glass plates, which can be used in a variety of ways for entertaining and for gifts.

Try something new or continue on the next step if you’ve attended workshops with Marsha in the past.

Marsha Edell is a licensed clinical social worker, and a long time crafts person. A firm believer in the positive energy which connecting to one’s creativity brings, she is looking forward to helping people enjoy the process and the results.

Cost: $25 for OLLI at BCC members,
$35 for non-members

Price includes materials cost.

Sign up today!

Register online or call 413.236.2190 (M-F 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) to register by phone with a credit card.

Living After Loss: Poetry for Holiday Time (Thursday, November 12, 2026)

Thu, 12 Nov 2026 18:30:00 GMT

Living After Loss:
Poetry for Holiday Time

Thursdays, November 5, 12, and December 3
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
at Berkshire Community College
In-person only

Cost: $35 for OLLI at BCC members
$45 for non-members

Sign up today!

Register online or call 413.236.2190 (M-F 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) to register by phone with a credit card.

Open Studios at the Clock Tower Artists (Saturday, November 14, 2026)

Sat, 14 Nov 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Open Studios and Reception at the Clock Tower Artists

Discover this historic former mill building now host to artist studios, including many OLLI members. Enjoy tours, refreshments, and a wine tasting. Open to all!

Saturday, November 14, 2026

2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Clock Tower Artists, 75 South Church St, Pittsfield, MA 01201

$20 OLLI members and guests (open to all)

Join us for an afternoon inside the working studios of Clock Tower Artists: Pittsfield's creative hub housed in the historic Clock Tower building. The afternoon features guided studio tours, light refreshments, and a wine tasting by Nejaime’s. Whether you're a longtime arts supporter or just curious about what goes on behind those studio doors, this evening is designed for you.

Art by OLLI member Clock Tower artists (l-r):

Marion Grant, Audrey Shachnow, & Deborah Carter

This is not a gallery opening or a typical art show. It's a chance to step inside the actual spaces where local artists paint, sculpt, build, and create and hear from the people doing the work.

About the guided tours: Two tour slots are available at 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Sign up for your preferred time at checkout. Space in each tour group is limited.

Thank you to Nejaime's Wine Cellars for your support and sponsorship for this event!

Lecture and Tasting - Tales from the Grove: A Chemist’s View of Olive Oil (Tuesday, November 17, 2026)

Tue, 17 Nov 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Lecture and Tasting -
Tales from the Grove: A Chemist’s View of Olive Oil with Prof. Patricia O'Hara

Tuesday, November 17
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
In-person only
at Berkshire Community College

Lecture and olive oil tasting with Patricia B. O'Hara, Amanda and Lisa Cross Professor of Chemistry, Emerita, Amherst College.

Join us for an exploration of the history, cultivation, harvesting and processing of olives and olive oil. What can we learn about the freshness and authenticity of oils based on some simple chemical tests that can protect us from rancid or fraudulent oils? How do we train our senses to appreciate some of the world’s finest extra virgin olive oils and what is the difference between cold press or first press? What are scientists learning about the health benefits of this “liquid gold”? Learn some tips about cooking with olive oil and hear of some of the non‐traditional and surprising uses of this vital substance.

Lecture will be followed by a guided tasting, and then some social time with cheese, bread, and more olive oil following the formal program.

Cost: $35 for OLLI at BCC members,
$45 for non-members

Patricia O’Hara is the Lisa and Amanda Cross Professor of Chemistry, Emerita, at Amherst College, where she taught for 42 years. While there, she helped to found two interdisciplinary majors: the Biochemistry and Biophysics Program and the Education Studies Major. She served as Dean of New Students from 2010-2014 and Chair of the Chemistry Department for many years. She was awarded the Ferguson Teaching Award upon her retirement in 2025.

Professor O’Hara did her undergraduate studies at Adelphi University in Garden City, NY and her doctoral work at Columbia University. After a post-doctoral appointment at Stanford University, she came to Amherst College in 1983. Her research interest is biophysics; her lab uses fluorescence spectroscopy and single-molecule microscopy to study protein homeostasis. Her more than two dozen scientific publications appear in journals such as Biochemistry, Molecular Immunology, and the Journal of Physical Chemistry and Nature Chemistry. Her research students have presented and published over thirty Conference Proceedings in the Biophysical Journal. She is most proud of the many honors research students she has supervised and the hundreds of students who have learned to do research in her lab.

She has also contributed to the literature on curriculum development and pedagogy in chemistry and biochemistry. Her 2005 article “Turning on the Light: Lessons from Luminescence” in J. Chem Ed. was featured in a retrospective by the journal and has had more than 3000 downloads.

More recently, she expanded her interest in food science, developing a course in Molecular Gastronomy and writing and teaching about Olive Oil Chemistry. Her belief that food science can be used to motivate the teaching of science is the basis of her textbook on Food Chemistry in Small Bites, published in 2025, and a chapter titled "Molecular Gastronomy: A Universal Portal to the Molecular Sciences" in the Handbook of Molecular Chemistry (2021). With collaborator Zeynep Delen and her late husband Richard Blatchly, she published The Chemical Story of Olive Oil: from Grove to Table in 2017 (translated into Turkish in 2020 and Spanish in 2022) and Learning Design from the Olive in 2022. She has been invited to present talks on olive oil chemistry in venues ranging from a town hall in Belianes, Spain (2014), to an assembly of Senators, Congressional Representatives, and Mediterranean Diplomats at the U.S Capitol (2023), to an auditorium in Beirut, Lebanon (2023).

Sign up today!

Register online or call 413.236.2190 (M-F 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) to register by phone with a credit card.

OLLI at BCC and BNRC Joint Hike - Old Mill Trail, Hinsdale (Wednesday, November 18, 2026)

Wed, 18 Nov 2026 14:30:00 GMT

OLLI at BCC and Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) Joint Hike

Wednesday, November 18 at 9:30 a.m.
Old Mill Trail, Hinsdale

The Old Mill Trail parallels the Housatonic River east of Pittsfield. The first section of the trail is fully accessible and hikers using motorized scooters, wheelchairs, and walkers will enjoy the first mile long section of the trail. For accessible trail hikers, a hike leader will return with you to cars at the end of the accessible trail.

When the accessible trail ends, some hikers will continue along the Housatonic to view the aqueduct built to power textile mills in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Fly fisher people will enjoy this trail which has many access points for fishing in this unpolluted section of the Housatonic.

Visit the BNRC website for directions and more information: https://www.bnrc.org/reserves/old-mill-trail

OLLI at BCC and the BNRC are offering joint hikes this fall. These hikes are free for OLLI at BCC and BNRC members. You must register in advance and space is limited.

Registration will open on Monday, November 2 at 9 a.m.

Designing a Life at Any Age (Thursday, November 19, 2026)

Thu, 19 Nov 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Designing a Life at Any Age with Mary B. O'Neill, Ph.D.

Two week series:
Thursdays:
November 12
November 19
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

In-person only at BCC

Cost: $35 for OLLI at BCC members
$45 for non-members

Sign up today!

Register online or call 413.236.2190 (M-F 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) to register by phone with a credit card.

A Tale of Two Startles: Examining Escape Responses in Zebrafish with Josef Trapani, Ph.D (Thursday, November 19, 2026)

Fri, 20 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The OLLI Distinguished Speakers Series presents:

A Tale of Two Startles: Examining Escape Responses in Zebrafish

with Josef Trapani, Ph.D

November 19 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Online via Zoom

Ohm for the Holidays Vocal Breath Energy Clinic with Michelle Oram (Tuesday, December 01, 2026)

Tue, 01 Dec 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Ohm for the Holidays: De-Stress Vocal Breath Energy Clinic

Learn about the Healing Powers of the Voice and its ability to melt away physical and mental tension this holiday season.

Three sessions:
Tuesdays, December 1, 8, and 15

1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
at Berkshire Community College

In-person only.

A healthy approach to FREE YOUR VOICE

Learn:

Yogi Complete Breath
Alternate Nostril Breathing
Vocal Breath
Breath and Meditation
Breath and Vibration
Rhythmic Breathing
Learn to integrate Eastern & Western approaches to singing.
Learn vocal exercises to help you improve your range.
Learn how to actively listen.
Learn how to “center yourself” and be in the NOW.
Learn how to be comfortable with Vocal Improvisation.
Most importantly –learn to sing for your health.

This class can be done fully in a chair. All classes end in a sing a-long.

This mini-clinic will help you break free from whatever makes you stop by silencing the restrictions of the mind.

The class is taught by Michelle Oram, who has been teaching Voice for over 40 years. Michelle uses Alexander, Tai-Chi, Yoga and the Voice and Bel Canto techniques to enable the voice to soar. Combining Eastern and Western approaches allows students to get out of their heads and into their hearts so that the art of singing and performance feels like a meditation.

After graduating from the Boston Conservatory of Music in Berklee, Michelle Oram explored breath-body mastery and integrated Eastern and Western approaches of Yoga, Tai-Chi, Alexander, and Bel-Canto techniques to help her get out of her head, into her heart and connect with the divine teacher within.

Michelle founded Stagestruck Performing Arts Center with numerous locations in NJ. She developed art, dance, drama, musical theater, and vocal programs for thousands of students from ages three to adult. Because of the diversity in programs students were able to explore all their artistic possibilities. Many of her students have performed and directed on and off Broadway. Some are composers, vocal coaches, songwriters, artists, dancers, teachers, music therapists and yoga instructors, but all share one thing in common—the importance of music in their daily lives.

Because of her love of music Michelle has blessed to sing with some amazing big bands and jazz ensembles over the past 45 years and has also acted and directed in theaters throughout the East Coast. Her jazz band ...and All That Jazz pays tribute to numerous styles of music—jazz, cabaret, blues, Broadway and pop —all with a unique twist.

Cost: $35 for OLLI at BCC members
$45 for non-members

Sign up today!

Register online or call 413.236.2190 (M-F 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) to register by phone with a credit card.

Improv Workshop with Michelle Oram (Tuesday, December 01, 2026)

Tue, 01 Dec 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Improvisation Mind Games Workshop with Michelle Oram

(Photo from the 2026 Summer One Semester's "Just Improvise!" course taught by Michelle.)

Three sessions:
Tuesdays, December 1, 8, and 15
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
at Berkshire Community College

In-person only.

This workshop is designed to make you laugh and have fun. Through a series of active mind games students will:

Boost confidence and self-acceptance
Reduce fear of failure
Improve communication and active listening
Enhance creativity and quick thinking
Build teamwork and empathy
Provide stress release and joy
Learn to focus and concentrate
Adapt to ever-changing circumstances
Be courageous and vulnerable
Build awareness of how one thinks
Believe in the quality of one’s inner voice
Express one’s emotions

Students will learn the basic skills of improvisation: the concepts of give & take, justification, spontaneity, listening and most of all—PLAY.

The supportive, nurturing environment will help you practice the craft of creating scenes, building characters and taking risks that may surprise you.

A fun way to learn acting and the creative process—based on a lot of the games played on the TV show Whose line is it Anyway.

If you are a writer, actor or just want to have a good laugh and unleash your creativity, this class is for you. No experience necessary.

Michelle Oram is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory of Music at Berklee. She was the founder of Stagestruck Performing Arts Center in NJ with three locations where she developed art, dance, drama, musical theatre and vocal programs for thousands of students from age 3-to adult and arts and education programs for over 25 schools and senior centers. Michelle loves using improvisation techniques in her acting classes and while directing. She studied with Chicago City Limits in NYC and developed the first Theater Sports Olympics in NJ in the late 80’s.

In 2017, she had the honor to direct Tony and Emmy award winner Len Cariou at the Milford Theatre in “Love Letters” launching the Milford Readers and Writers Festival 2017.

Many of her students are famous composers, vocal coaches, songwriters, dancers, teachers, music therapists and yoga instructors, but all share one thing in common--the importance of the arts in their daily lives.

Cost: $35 for OLLI at BCC members
$45 for non-members

Sign up today!

Register online or call 413.236.2190 (M-F 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) to register by phone with a credit card.

OLLI at BCC and BNRC Joint Hike - Tom Ball Mountain, Alford (Wednesday, December 02, 2026)

Wed, 02 Dec 2026 14:30:00 GMT

OLLI at BCC and Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) Joint Hike

Wednesday, December 2 at 9:30 a.m.
Tom Ball Mountain, Alford

Tom Ball Mountain is one of BNRC’s newest trail which opened in summer 2025. The trail includes views of Long Pond and Round Pond to the east. The trail is moderate with both up and downhill stretches. Hikers can see the amazing trail-building skills of the BNRC and Greenager crews who helped build this wonderful new trail that will eventually become part of the High Road.

Visit the BNRC website for directions and more information: www.bnrc.org/reserves/tom-ball-mountain

OLLI at BCC and the BNRC are offering joint hikes this fall. These hikes are free for OLLI at BCC and BNRC members. You must register in advance and space is limited.

Registration will open on Monday, November 16 at 9 a.m.

Living After Loss: Poetry for Holiday Time (Thursday, December 03, 2026)

Thu, 03 Dec 2026 18:30:00 GMT

Living After Loss:
Poetry for Holiday Time

Thursdays, November 5, 12, and December 3
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
at Berkshire Community College
In-person only

Cost: $35 for OLLI at BCC members
$45 for non-members

Sign up today!

Register online or call 413.236.2190 (M-F 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) to register by phone with a credit card.

Ohm for the Holidays Vocal Breath Energy Clinic with Michelle Oram (Tuesday, December 08, 2026)

Tue, 08 Dec 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Ohm for the Holidays: De-Stress Vocal Breath Energy Clinic

Learn about the Healing Powers of the Voice and its ability to melt away physical and mental tension this holiday season.

Three sessions:
Tuesdays, December 1, 8, and 15

1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
at Berkshire Community College

In-person only.

A healthy approach to FREE YOUR VOICE

Learn:

Yogi Complete Breath
Alternate Nostril Breathing
Vocal Breath
Breath and Meditation
Breath and Vibration
Rhythmic Breathing
Learn to integrate Eastern & Western approaches to singing.
Learn vocal exercises to help you improve your range.
Learn how to actively listen.
Learn how to “center yourself” and be in the NOW.
Learn how to be comfortable with Vocal Improvisation.
Most importantly –learn to sing for your health.

This class can be done fully in a chair. All classes end in a sing a-long.

This mini-clinic will help you break free from whatever makes you stop by silencing the restrictions of the mind.

Cost: $35 for OLLI at BCC members
$45 for non-members

Sign up today!

Register online or call 413.236.2190 (M-F 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) to register by phone with a credit card.

Improv Workshop with Michelle Oram (Tuesday, December 08, 2026)

Tue, 08 Dec 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Improvisation Mind Games Workshop with Michelle Oram

(Photo from the 2026 Summer One Semester's "Just Improvise!" course taught by Michelle.)

Three sessions:
Tuesdays, December 1, 8, and 15
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
at Berkshire Community College

In-person only.

This workshop is designed to make you laugh and have fun. Through a series of active mind games students will:

Boost confidence and self-acceptance
Reduce fear of failure
Improve communication and active listening
Enhance creativity and quick thinking
Build teamwork and empathy
Provide stress release and joy
Learn to focus and concentrate
Adapt to ever-changing circumstances
Be courageous and vulnerable
Build awareness of how one thinks
Believe in the quality of one’s inner voice
Express one’s emotions

Students will learn the basic skills of improvisation: the concepts of give & take, justification, spontaneity, listening and most of all—PLAY.

The supportive, nurturing environment will help you practice the craft of creating scenes, building characters and taking risks that may surprise you.

A fun way to learn acting and the creative process—based on a lot of the games played on the TV show Whose line is it Anyway.

If you are a writer, actor or just want to have a good laugh and unleash your creativity, this class is for you. No experience necessary.

In 2017, she had the honor to direct Tony and Emmy award winner Len Cariou at the Milford Theatre in “Love Letters” launching the Milford Readers and Writers Festival 2017.

Cost: $35 for OLLI at BCC members
$45 for non-members

Sign up today!

Register online or call 413.236.2190 (M-F 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) to register by phone with a credit card.

Ohm for the Holidays Vocal Breath Energy Clinic with Michelle Oram (Tuesday, December 15, 2026)

Tue, 15 Dec 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Ohm for the Holidays: De-Stress Vocal Breath Energy Clinic

Learn about the Healing Powers of the Voice and its ability to melt away physical and mental tension this holiday season.

Three sessions:
Tuesdays, December 1, 8, and 15

1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
at Berkshire Community College

In-person only.

A healthy approach to FREE YOUR VOICE

Learn:

Yogi Complete Breath
Alternate Nostril Breathing
Vocal Breath
Breath and Meditation
Breath and Vibration
Rhythmic Breathing
Learn to integrate Eastern & Western approaches to singing.
Learn vocal exercises to help you improve your range.
Learn how to actively listen.
Learn how to “center yourself” and be in the NOW.
Learn how to be comfortable with Vocal Improvisation.
Most importantly –learn to sing for your health.

This class can be done fully in a chair. All classes end in a sing a-long.

This mini-clinic will help you break free from whatever makes you stop by silencing the restrictions of the mind.

Cost: $35 for OLLI at BCC members
$45 for non-members

Sign up today!

Register online or call 413.236.2190 (M-F 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) to register by phone with a credit card.

Improv Workshop with Michelle Oram (Tuesday, December 15, 2026)

Tue, 15 Dec 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Improvisation Mind Games Workshop with Michelle Oram

(Photo from the 2026 Summer One Semester's "Just Improvise!" course taught by Michelle.)

Three sessions:
Tuesdays, December 1, 8, and 15
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
at Berkshire Community College

In-person only.

This workshop is designed to make you laugh and have fun. Through a series of active mind games students will:

Boost confidence and self-acceptance
Reduce fear of failure
Improve communication and active listening
Enhance creativity and quick thinking
Build teamwork and empathy
Provide stress release and joy
Learn to focus and concentrate
Adapt to ever-changing circumstances
Be courageous and vulnerable
Build awareness of how one thinks
Believe in the quality of one’s inner voice
Express one’s emotions

Students will learn the basic skills of improvisation: the concepts of give & take, justification, spontaneity, listening and most of all—PLAY.

The supportive, nurturing environment will help you practice the craft of creating scenes, building characters and taking risks that may surprise you.

A fun way to learn acting and the creative process—based on a lot of the games played on the TV show Whose line is it Anyway.

If you are a writer, actor or just want to have a good laugh and unleash your creativity, this class is for you. No experience necessary.

In 2017, she had the honor to direct Tony and Emmy award winner Len Cariou at the Milford Theatre in “Love Letters” launching the Milford Readers and Writers Festival 2017.

Cost: $35 for OLLI at BCC members
$45 for non-members

Sign up today!

Register online or call 413.236.2190 (M-F 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) to register by phone with a credit card.

OLLI at BCC and BNRC Joint Hike - Basin Pond, Lee (Wednesday, December 16, 2026)

Wed, 16 Dec 2026 14:30:00 GMT

OLLI at BCC and Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) Joint Hike

Wednesday, December 16 at 9:30 a.m.
Basin Pond, Lee

Join us for this loop hike in Lee. Rated moderate, this trail crosses several streams, has many dramatic glacial erratics, and a vista over a beaver pond often frequented by moose. A section of the trail runs along the top of the 19th dam that powered mills in Lee in the 19th century before its catastrophic collapse in 1886. The property which was then slated in the mid-1960s to be a wealthy second home community with a golf course, offers glimpses into the variety of land uses typical to the Berkshires in the 19th and 20th centuries. The hike is approximately 2.5 hours.

Visit the BNRC website for directions https://www.bnrc.org/reserves/basin-pond

OLLI at BCC and the BNRC are offering joint hikes this fall. These hikes are free for OLLI at BCC and BNRC members. You must register in advance and space is limited.

Registration will open on Monday, November 30 at 9 a.m.

BCC and OLLI Update with our new BCC President: Dr. Hara Charlier (Wednesday, January 13, 2027)

Wed, 13 Jan 2027 19:00:00 GMT

The OLLI Distinguished Speakers Series presents:

BCC and OLLI Update with our new BCC President: Dr. Hara Charlier

Wednesday, January 13 at 2 p.m.

In-person and online at Berkshire Community College