I’m still trying to figure out where I’m going to watch election coverage. What are you doing for Election Night?

With a record turnout of voters predicted, I think that young adults will play a key role in how the election turns out.

Which Party Are You?

I’m not a member of any party. In fact, I confused the clerk when I registered to vote. She asked if I wanted to enroll as a Democrat or Republican. “Neither,” I said. Then, she asked if I wanted to enroll as an Independent. “Nope, no party for me,” I replied. I guessed by the look she gave me that it’s odd to not want to be affiliated with a political party.

My thing is that I don’t like to be labeled and I don’t want to feel obligated to vote one way. In fact, my votes were for members in both the Democrat and Republican parties. I just want to see the best person in office.

The Issues

Now that I’ve voted, I feel anxious. Did I vote right? Did I research the topics enough?

I breezed through Questions 1 and 3, both of which I have strong feelings about. Yet, I had trouble with Question 2 (the measure to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana). I can understand both sides – supporters and opponents. I worry about what effect changing the law will have on DUIs. But I also don’t think that a youthful transgression involving a small amount of marijuana should carry heavy penalties that will give a person a permanent criminal record.

As I found out how easy voting was, I wonder why I didn’t vote sooner.

For local election news, check out iBerkshires’ Berkshire County Votes.

iBerkshires will have up to the minute details from polls around the area - the local news site also has a summary of the Ballot Questions along with who is running for state and local offices and for President.

Check back for a new post on my experience as a first-time voter.

Northern Lights Show

Note: If you’re part of a local band or know of a good band playing in the area, hit me up.

Originally I was skeptical about this movie, as the video game had an M (Mature) rating and the movie is PG-13. It wasn’t the best movie I’ve ever seen but, since I was in the mood for an action flick and taking into account the effects, it was worth the $8.75. As always Wahlberg put forth a great performance, and I was pleasantly surprised that Kunis managed to pull off the edgy role that greatly deviates from her part as the airhead on That ’70s Show. Click here for the trailer.

In other gaming news, the highly anticipated Fable II is released today - or for the dedicated few, at 12:00 this morning. I happen to be lucky enough to have a friend who dragged me to the midnight release at the Pittsfield Game Stop to get his copy of the collector’s edition, that features a dungeon not accessible in the normal game and extra weapons and armor.

The action, role-playing game is set 500 years from the original game in the land of Albion. Many gamers are excited that their character gets to have a dog - that will perform tricks, find treasure and help fight enemies - as a companion throughout the game. Another new addition is “Co-op Mode,” a multiplayer function that allows friends to play together.

Fable II offers an interactive experience: every decision the player makes effects the game in how the character is perceived. Gamers may play as a male or female and the character can go down the routes of good, evil or neutral – with each option having a different ending.

If you’re into role-playing games, this seems to be the game to play right now. Personally, I’ve never really been a fan of the straight forward role-playing games. When I play, I prefer fighting games like Tekken or Devil May Cry. The one redeeming moment of the night came when my friend challenged me to a game on the demo set up of Soul Calibur 4. Needless to say, I demolished him.

Pittsfield heavy metal band Sifer did just that – performing acoustic versions of their songs at the Lichtenstein Center in Pittsfield last summer. (See flyer for the band’s upcoming all metal show in Lenox on Saturday!)

“Acoustic heavy metal, you don’t see much of that,” said Sifer Guitarist, Dan Cohen, who also joked that the night wouldn’t see any acoustic mosh pits.

The show wasn’t completely unplugged, as Sifer used some of their sound equipment. During the show, singer Aimee Gelinas said she would be toning it down, allowing for more subtleties in her voice.

The band started with their slower song, “Coma,” and left me eager to hear how their harder, metal songs would sound like acoustically. During the show,  Aimee talked about “Need to Live,” that she wrote when in Africa, and said “The desire of people to live there and survive is beautiful.” Go to Sifer’s Myspace to hear their metal songs – then, you will see what intrigued me about hearing acoustic versions of these songs. Aimee also said, “It’s a nice change,” on her voice being heard more during the songs.

There was a small audience for Sifer’s set, during which the songs kept the same feeling and remained true to the original composition. After the show, one audience member voiced his opinion and told the band to stick to the heavy metal stuff; he wanted to hear the harder music. But most people enjoyed the performance, including Genavieve Quetti and Amanda Douglas, both from NY.

“She’s got a killer voice,” said Quetti.

What also worked well for the acoustic songs was the drumming - Aimee played with guest percussionist Stephanie Weber – that added a new dimension to the songs.

Sifer also debuted a new song at the performance – “Release Me,” that Aimee wrote last winter when she traveled to Arizona. She said the song was inspired from [sounds from] the ocean. People seemed to be digging the song, and I was one of them – It’s one of those songs that, the first time you hear it, you know it has the potential to be a hit. If you’re lucky, maybe Sifer will play the song at their upcoming all metal show:

Shows

“Irish Idol” Liam Geddes and the Pittsfield Sister City Jazz Ambassadors at the Colonial Theatre, Friday, Oct. 10, 8 p.m. ($20 to $35, students $5 discount)

Noah Baerman Trio at Berkshire Athenaeum, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 7:30 p.m. (Free)

“Jazz Meets Symphony,” New Black Eagle Jazz Band and Pittsfield City Jazz Youth Orchestra at the Colonial Theatre, Friday, Oct. 17 at 8 p.m. ($30 to 20, students $15)

“An Evening of Jazz Vocals,” Terry Roiger with the John Menegon Trio, Ron Gill and his quintet at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Saturday, Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m. ($25 general admission)

“Organic Jazz: the two faces of Barbara Dennerlein,” Solo at the piepe organ and Hammond B-3 at First Baptist Church, Sunday, Oct. 19, 4 p.m. ($25; students $15)

“Jazz Around Town”

Friday, Oct. 10
We B 3 at the Lantern Restuarant, located at 445 North St., 9 p.m. to midnight.
John Sauer and Jeanie Laurin at Aster’s Restaurant, located at 1015 South St., 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Allen Livermore Trio at Pittsfield Brew Works, 34 Depot St., 8 to 11 p.m.
Sonny and Perly, Brazilian Jazz favorites, at Brazilian Restaurant and Pub, located on McKay St., 6 to 9 p.m.
Jazz vocalist Vikki True at Bobby Hudpucker’s Restaurant, 41 North St.,  8 to 11 p.m.
Andy Jaffe and Marty Jaffee, piano and bass, at House of India, located at 261 North St., 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Paul DiLego and Jamie Choquette, piano and guitar, at Hot Harry’s Burritos, 37 North St.,  6 to 9 p.m.
Ted Murray Quartet at Patrick’s Pub, in Park Square, 6 to 9 p.m.

Saturday, October 11
Ben Kohn and Friends at Dottie’s Coffee Lounge, 444 North St., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Kathryn Anderson, Jim Agiro, and Wayne Shepard at House of India, 261 North St., 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Berkshire Bateria (Bossa Triba) at Brazilian Restaurant and Pub on McKay St., 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Ben Kohn Trio at Pittsfield Brew Works, 34 Depot St., 8 to 11 p.m.
Gary Miller Trio at Hot Harry’s Burritos, 37 North St., 6 to 9 p.m.
Vocalist Joey Palermo at Aster’s Restaurant, 1015 South St., 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Ted Murray Quartet at Patrick’s Pub, Park Square, 6 to 9 p.m.
Ron Llively, jazz “wind controller,” at O’Laughlin’s Pub, 342 Merrill Road, 7 to 9 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 12
Sister City Jazz Ambassadors Trio at Aster’s Restaurant, 1015 South St., 6 to 9 p.m.

Saturday, October 18
Vocalist Kathryn Anderson at Chapters Bookstore, 78 North St., 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Thursday

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is putting on a New Orleans Funk Show at their Church Street Center at 7:30 p.m. The cost is $12 for general admission, $5 for MCLA staff and faculty, and free to students of the college.  Papa Grows Funk will be performing, and the event will raise money for the New Orleans’ Musicians Clinic.

There will also be a private after party starting at 10 p.m. at The Alley, located on Eagle St. Patrons must show their ticket stub from the event to get in. There will be hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

Friday and Saturday

California-based band The Whooligans will be playing at the American Legion, located at 91 American Legion Dr., at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Whooligans will be playing Irish classics along with contemporary songs; expect the fiddle to make an appearance. The concert will benefit the State Street Tavern Neighborhood Kids and American Legion Post 125 scholarshops. Admission is $20.

Also Saturday

Two bands will be playing at the Eagles Fraternal Order, located at 515 Curran Highway – You know, the one with the Bingo sign out front. There is a $5 cover, and Smartass and Fill In The Blanks, both local bands from North Adams, will be playing starting at 8:30 p.m.

Poster from Pittsfield Brew Works

The $15 ticket will get you a souvenir cup and 5 taster tokens. For those under 21, it’s $5 to get in.

Don’t worry if the forecasted rain decides to crash the party; the food and most importantly the beer will be safe under tents. And make sure you’re smart and get a designated driver.

There will also be hot air balloon rides at the Commons. Unfortunately, I’ve watched one too many of those world’s most dangerous videos, and all I can picture is a flaming ball of doom. But you guys feel free to have fun.

A complete list of events can be found at http://www.pittsfield.com/Detail.asp?sid=331

The city of Pittsfield’s announcements always sound like there’s a lot of fun happening in downtown Pittsfield with shops staying open late, outdoor dining, etc and I wonder if younger people have a good time. Let me know what you think about 3rd Thursdays.