Carnivale Comes to Town

Submitted by Amanda Rae Busch on February 4, 2010 - 1:32pm

Apparently Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow a few days ago, and we all know what that means. (Well, you should.)

Wop wop wop.

But not to fear! The theatrical folks over at Barrington Stage Company are throwing a fiesty midwinter fundraiser on Saturday evening upstairs at Jae's Spice in Pittsfield: CARNIVALE, a Latin dance party inspired by the raucous celebrations happening in nearly every town in Brazil starting next weekend.

Lured from Boston will be Los Sugar Kings, a multi-instrumental sextet whose Afro-Cuban, salsa, and rumba-flamenca flavored jams have been known to draw even the shyest of wallflowers to the dance floor for good, old-fashioned booty shaking. Paired with a spread of spicy finger foods, unlimited refills of a South American cocktail, costumed dancers, and an anything-goes dress code--the perfect opportunity to don a festive/freaktastic mask and get anonymous for the free dance lesson that kicks off the revelry at 8 p.m.--the bash hopes to be a bracing elixir for the February doldrums.

(There's also a pre-party, three-course dinner at 6 p.m., featuring a seafood and skewered meats studded menu, capped with chocolate Brazilian truffles, for those with deep(er) pockets.)

A limited supply of masks will be available at the event, but why risk facial nudity? Berkshire Masquerade is offering discounts on costume rentals and retail purchases for partygoers. (The North Street storefront is temporarily out of commission, though, so call Kara at 413.442.6063 for the hook up.)