Black + red everything, faces half-hidden, spirits fully seen.
We moved as one, joy glowing in the dark.
Midnight Rocky Horror — the Time Warp taking us home.
To DJ BFG for holding the pulse,
@lunafirefaun for the fire + serpent magic, @xtwii for the tarot — guiding the night with intuition, intention, and just the right amount of mischief.
and to Madison for capturing the night in motion —thank you.
And to everyone who danced, dressed, screamed, sang,
who came as they are and made the room feel alive —
this place is made by you.
Not a bad first annual WANDER all hallows eve 🖤🎃🔥🐍✨
🎥 & Edited by @wrightworksagency@madisonwrighthere
Next up:
Mon, Nov 11 · 7pm —
STRANGE JOURNEY
the official Rocky Horror documentary,one night only at WANDER in collaboration with @imagescinema & @berkshirepride
Don’t miss it — reserve your seat 🎟️✨ (link in bio)
Yesterday morning, I stood in a room full of community and received the Robert K. Quattrochi Downtown Person of the Year Award from @downtownpittsfield inc. — and honestly, I’m still trying to take it all in.
Deep gratitude to Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and Rebecca for the incredibly thoughtful words, and for reflecting back a journey that began with wild ideas… and a wall that may or may not have ever really existed.
Isn’t that life?
How often are we all creating imagined barriers — stories about who we are allowed to be, how visible we can become, or whether we truly belong?
Two years ago, when I signed the lease for WANDER Berkshires, almost nobody here knew who Jay was.
Truthfully… I barely knew who Jay was either.
I was still learning how to come out from behind walls built from grief, fear, survival, and protection.
In these last two years, WANDER has become more than a café or event space.
It became the kind of place I always needed.
For the little kid who never felt like they fit in.
For the awkward teenager searching for belonging.
For the lost versions of ourselves still trying to figure it all out.
And I know I’m not alone in that.
Every day, I hear how WANDER is the only place some people have ever truly felt like they belonged.
Because the truth is — I think we all need spaces where we can exhale a little. Places where we don’t have to perform. Places where we can slowly become ourselves alongside other people doing the same.
This recognition does not belong to me alone. It belongs to every person who walked through the doors of WANDER looking for connection, creativity, safety, joy, or simply a place to exist exactly as they are.
Thank you for believing in this wild dream.
Thank you for helping tear down walls.
And somehow… this still feels like only the beginning. ❤️
FINAL FEATURED PERFORMER: The Berkshires own Gemini DaBarbay began her drag journey at 13, honing in on her makeup, fashion design, and hair styling skills preparing for her later debut in 2012 in Albany, NY. Pulling major influence for her look from pop-culture and fashion figures shes always dreamed of living out on the stage laid in glamorous hair and rhinestones, which soon became reality. From pop to rap to power ballads she’s sure to make you FEEL. Aside from entertaining audiences she spends most of her time on her wig styling business, Wig On My Head that has been featured on local stages all the way to MTV’s Rupaul’s Drag Race.
#drag #dragqueen #bug #goth #yas
Today at our Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. Annual Meeting, the 2026 Robert K. Quattrochi Downtown Person of the Year award was presented to Jay Santangelo, founder of WANDER.
This award recognizes individuals whose entrepreneurial spirit, dedication, and investment in Downtown Pittsfield reflect the very best of our business community. Through Wander, Jay’s vision and commitment have contributed to the energy and continued evolution of our district, specifically by welcoming people, businesses, and events to join our diverse, vibrant, and bustling district.
#heartoftheberkshires #intheberkshires #pittsfieldma #pittsfieldproud
MAY 22 @wanderberkshires - MOXXXIE a glamorous monster who will leave you in shock from Berkshire county, you will never know what she’s going to give but it will always be captivating and horrific 🖤🪳 don't miss her at SANCTUM.
Hello ✨ I’d like to invite you to my upcoming tattoo events in May!
📍 Great Barrington @patisseriegb May 17 313 main St
📍 Pittsfield – @wanderberkshires May 23 34 Depot St
This time I’m inviting you to come with your mom (or someone special) to get matching flash tattoos together 💕 Or if you prefer, you’re also very welcome to come and explore my flash designs and this spaces.
These are my events for this month ✨ Flash tattoos start at $80.
If you’d like to reserve a spot, feel free to send me a DM 📩
Or you can also walk in on the day of the event and I’ll be taking clients on a first-come, first-served basis.
#flashtattooart #berkshires #massachusetts
I am honored to be the recipient of the @downtownpittsfield Robert K. Quattrochi Downtown Person of the Year Award.
Although I am the person receiving this award, this isn’t for me alone, this is an award for the entire @wanderberkshires team, community and all those who have wandered in day after day! Thank you for showing up.
If you are in the Berkshires, join us on 5/14 info and registration link below
The Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI) Annual Meeting will be held Thursday, May 14 at The Common Room at the Zion Lutheran Church at 74 First Street in Pittsfield.
There will be registration and networking starting at 8:30 am, and the Annual Meeting program and awards will begin promptly at 9 am and will run no longer than 10 am.
This event is free and open to DPI members and the public.
Complimentary coffee and light breakfast items will be provided. There will be a drawing for a door prize from Truffles by Tarah (a $100 value).
Simply drop your business card into the bucket to be entered to win! Tours of The First will be available directly after the meeting.
For more information and to register, visit downtownpittsfield.com or call 413-443-6501.
Registration deadline is Monday, May 11 at 5 pm.
Direct registration link: https://forms.gle/uwo6gCwfpfBXxafHA
I spent an evening photographing @dshberkshires at @wanderberkshires two weeks ago as part of an ongoing project capturing life and events in and around our area. It’s always an honor to be included in events like this. Deep admiration and gratitude to everyone involved for having me along for the ride. The community in the room and around these events is beautiful, Every little thing is love 🙏🏼.
It’s May 1st — and we’re stepping into a full, alive month at WANDER.
A few gatherings to put on your radar now — the ones you’ll want to sign up for before they fill:
SUN 5/3 | 2–3:30P
Somatic Breathwork for Resilience with Ciana Marie
An invitation to come as you are, release what no longer serves, and reconnect to your body.
MON 5/4 | 6–8P
The Berkshires ONLY Open Mic Night
A spoken word–focused open mic — your stage to try, refine, and be heard. Sign-ups at the door.
THURS 5/14 | 7–9P (18+)
LEGO Brick & Sip x Bottomless Bricks
This month’s build: Turtle with Water Lily
$26 includes set + beverage. Always sells out.
SAT 5/16 | 12–2P
Spring Tea Cleansing: Sip & Learn with Hannah Morano
If you’ve had tea here, you know. Learn, blend, and take home your own custom mix.
SUN 5/17 | 3–6P
Community Clothing Swap x Mending Workshop x Skill-Share
Bring what you can, take what you need. Learn to repair and rework with HART.
TUES 5/19 | 6–7:30P
Urgent Soul Care: A Sanctuary for Grief
with author, speaker, coach Jenny Baltazar
A 90-minute workshop offering a soft landing for your grieving heart — with tools to stabilize, process, and move with grief at your own pace.
Workshop + Book: $35
Workshop Only: $15
Book signing to follow — free + open to the public
FRI 5/22 | 9P ‘til late
SANCTUM: bUgZ Goth Night
Drag performances, vendors, and a full bug-themed night of getting weird.
Featuring Moxxie, Gemini Dabarbay, and Andramada.
Dress code: all black, bug-inspired looks encouraged.
SAT 5/23
Monthly Tattoo Residency with Laura Barrios
Flash or custom work available — reach out to book. Spots always go quickly.
Also back this month:
WED 5/20 6-8P
PUZ DUZ Trivia — Pride Kickoff Edition
$5 per person • teams up to 4
Prizes, laughs, and bragging rights.
And in between and all around these — there are so many more events, pop-ups, and unexpected moments unfolding.
Check the website for the full lineup.
Come as you are.
Stay as long as you need.
Wander in.
bUgz are BACK. we're gonna celebrate them + world goth day with this BUG theme goth event. with DRAG performances by the EPIC + FIERCE Gemini Dabarbay (@th0taissance ) Andramada (@_.andramada._ ) + MOXXXIE (@m1ssmoxxie ) and vendors selling themed wares + more - DJ Dentalwork is our swarm curator 🦟bring your dollar$ to show the queens some love. after this event we go BI MONTHLY to give more time to curate + promote. so get your buggy butts down to @wanderberkshires MAY 22. ALL WELCOME 18+, $15 9pm-LATE. creative attire encouraged. dance, get weird, make friends. muah. see you then.
#goth #bugs #worldgothday #drag #queens
