Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. has announced the return of Downtown Pittsfield… It’s Alive! to celebrate the Halloween season. This year’s event will be on Saturday, October 19 and will feature 2 parts: a Kids’ Zone on the St. Joseph’s Church lawn from 12 to 3 pm; and a Night Circus from 4 to 7 pm on Dunham Mall, North Street, and School Street.

The It’s Alive! Night Circus (4-7PM) will feature live music by the Housie Shakers, fire dancing with Opal Raven Cirque, belly dancing by Rosebud Red, a beer garden at Hot Plate Brewing Co., food vendors (Marie’s North Street Eatery, Otto’s Kitchen & Comfort, and Cravins Ice Cream), free Tarot and Rune readings, free Caricatures by Matt Bernson, free face-painting for adults, and select vendors including Always Love, Auntie Janet’s Gifts, Fandom Forge, and Truffles by Tarah. Tarot is with A. Whim and Rune readings are by Damon.

Opal Raven Cirque is a circus and sideshow performer based in Western Massachusetts. She’s known across New England and the Tri-State area for her “Danger Dame of the Flame” variety show. Also known as the Sword Queen of Gypsy Layne, Opal showcases masterful sword spinning, daring prop tricks, and some say she can even speak to snakes.

Rosebud Red aka Fiona Slattery is a burlesque and belly dancer in the Berkshires. Fiona uses dance to foster a deep connection to the mind, body, and soul, and to express freedom and femininity through movement. Fiona seeks to inspire others to find joy and empowerment in their own unique ways.

The Housie Shakers are a new band on the Berkshire music scene, but its members have deep local roots and have been playing music in the area for decades. All four members grew up in the Berkshires, and after various adventures living around the country and the world, returned here to raise their families. Having played together informally for various short-term projects in recent years, they decided the time was ripe to solidify the lineup and start playing out more.

The Housie Shakers bring a variety of styles to the mix, with wide-ranging covers and original music spanning rock, blues, pop, bluegrass, reggae, Americana, and improvisational groove. They don’t take themselves too seriously and have no ambitions to go on the road (as if the 12 kids they have collectively would make that possible anyway). They’re just out to play local gigs and give people a chance to hang out, let loose, dance, and have a good time! The band’s name is a nod to their home community and the people and places that have shaped their musical journeys.

The Housie Shakers are Simeon Bittman (drums & vocals), Noah Cook-Dubin (guitar, cavaquinho & vocals), Jonathan Denmark (guitar & vocals), and Colin Ovitsky (bass).

The rain location for the Downtown Pittsfield… It’s Alive! Night Circus will be Hot Plate Brewing Co., 1 School Street.

Downtown Pittsfield… It’s Alive! is presented by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. thanks to support from Mill Town Foundation, MassDevelopment’s TDI (Transformative Development Initiative), The Feigenbaum Foundation, Pittsfield Cultural Council, and the City of Pittsfield.

For more information on Downtown Pittsfield… It’s Alive!, visit downtownpittsfield.com or call Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. at 413-443-6501.