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Weekend Outlook: First Friday, Ghost Tours & More

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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There are several events this weekend, including First Friday festivities, live music, a ghost tour, and more. 
 
Editor's Pick 
 
North Adams First Friday 
Downtown North Adams 
Friday, 5 to 8 p.m.
 
It's the first Friday of the month, and North Adams knows what that means – First Friday events. 
 
This month, the activities aim to cure your winter cabin fever with downtown fun. 
 
Businesses will have extended hours, and many galleries will host openings, closings, and other special events, including an artist fundraiser for Gaza humanitarian relief, live music and film, and a "Women Walking to Water" group show. 
 
There will also be a First Friday after-party at Bright Ideas Brewing from 8 to 11 p.m. More information here
 
Friday 
 
Carolyn Beaupre Opening Reception
9 Eagle St., North Adams 
Time: 4 p.m. 
 
Carolyn Beaupre will be showing her work, accompanied by new work by permanent gallery artists Marilyn Cavallari, Ghetta Hirsch, Sean McCusker, Mallory Rich, and Barbara Patton from March 1st to March 31st. 
 
More information here
 
Bonnie & Mark Parsons of Sky Full of Dippers Performance
54 Main St., Lee
Time: 6:30 p.m. 
 
Bonnie and Mark Parsons of Sky Full of Dippers will perform at the Appetito as part of its songwriter series. 
 
They will be playing songs from their CD, new material, and a couple of songs written by Sandy McKnight.
 
Ghost Tours
Ventfort Hall, Lenox
Time: 8 to 10 p.m. 
 
The Gilded Age manage hosts a tour with "Ghosts of the Berkshires" author Robert Oakes.
 
Oakes will lead guests through the rooms and halls of the estate, sharing tales of its hauntings.
 
"Stand in the places where the encounters occurred, listen to the first-hand accounts of those who experienced them, and maybe even experience something unusual yourself. This is not an active investigation," according to the press release.
 
Admission is $30 and the minimum age to attend is age 12. Reservations are required. Purchase tickets here
 
Please note that all tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
 
Saturday 
 
Kids Concerts With Terry A La Berry And Friends
The Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield
Time: Noon
 
Terry A La Berry and Friends will perform a kids concert in the Garage at the Colonial Theatre. Tickets are free. 
 
More information here
 
Clark Art Start With Art Program
The Clark Art Institute, Williamstown
Time: 10 a.m. to Noon 
 
The museum is encouraging visitors to bring their preschoolers to the Clark for a morning of art, play, and exploration in its Michael Conforti Pavilion.
 
This free activity program focuses on "Movement," specially designed for 3- to 6-year-olds and their caregivers.
 
More information here
 
Friends of Berkshire Athenaeum Book Sale
Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
 
The annual spring book sale runs this Friday and Saturday. More information here
 
Spotlight Talk: Original Heroines: Stories of Courageous Women
Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
 
Jennifer Browdy, professor of women's studies, literature, and writing, will discuss the lives of some of the women portrayed in the illustrations by Anita Kunz for the project "Original Sisters." Browdy will also discuss how a heroine's journey differs from the more familiar narrative of a singular male hero. 
 
The event is free with museum admission. More information here
 
Rainbow Seniors Crafting
Wander Cafe, Pittsfield
Time: 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. 
 
Rainbow Seniors are welcoming knitters, crocheters, and other crafters to meet with other LGBTQIA-plus friends old and young for its once-a-month craft and social time. 
 
More information here.
 
Berkshire Destinations With Photographer Chris Butler
Mount Greylock Visitor Center, Lanesborough
Time: 1 to 2:30 p.m. 
 
Photographer and author Christy Butler will present a photographic slide show that explores a vast range of waterfalls, glacial boulders, and points of interest across the region in the Theater Room. 
 
More information here
 
Vyntyge Skynyrd Performance
The Stationery Factory, Dalton 
Time: 7:30 p.m. 
 
Vyntyge Skynyrd tributes and celebrates the 1970s era of the band by replicating its music as it was originally recorded and performed. Opening the show will be Chris Merenda's Chewy Jr. 
 
More information here
 
Winter Wine Fair
The Red Lion Inn, Stockbridge
Time: Session 1: 2 to 3:15 p.m., or Session 2: 3:30 to 5 p.m.
 
Taste wine, have some small bites, and celebrate the local and independent wine stores of Berkshire County. 
 
Participating vendors include Dare Bottleshop & Provisions, Domaney's Liquors and Fine Wines, Nejaime's Wine Cellars, and the South Egremont Spirit Shoppe, as well as wines from the Red Lion wine list.
 
Tickets are $35. More information here
 
Studio 9 presents George
231 River St., North Adams
Time: 7 p.m.
 
The band George is known for blurring "the distinctions between the knotty virtuosity of jazz and the broad appeal of pop." 
 
Tickets and more information here
 
Contra Dance Event
First Congregational Church, Williamstown
Time: 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
 
North Berkshire Community Dance will host a contra dance in the church's community hall for individuals of all experience levels. 
 
Admission is pay-as-you-can, with a suggested range of $12 to $20. Barter is also accepted.
 
More information here
 
'Incognito Witch The Musical'
Becket Arts Center
Time: 2 to 4 p.m.
 
There will be a showing of the new play "Incognito Witch The Musical" by Mollie Kellogg. 
 
It tells the story of G, an artist navigating life after a divorce. The play is a dramedy with elements of magical realism and explores themes of friendship, love, and acceptance.
 
Tickets range from $10 to $20. More information here
 
21st Annual Trivia Fundraiser
Williams Inn, Williamstown 
Time: 6 p.m. 
 
Berkshire Nursing Families is having its annual trivia night featuring dinner, raffles, and of course, trivia. 
 
The event helps BNF provide vital lactation support and parenting resources to families across Berkshire County. Early registration is encouraged as tickets sell out quickly.
 
More information here
 
Sunday
 
Cabin Fever Story Time
Mount Greylock State Reservation Visitor Center, Lanesborough
Time: 1 to 2:30 p.m. 
 
Relax by a hearth fire for an hour of "tales of the natural wonders and unusual people from Mount Greylock's past." The free event will include complimentary hot chocolate. More information here.
 
'The Road' and 'The Bear' Film & Book Discussion
Becket Athenaeum
Time: Film at 1 p.m.; Discussion at 3 p.m.
 
There will be a screening of the 2009 film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's novel "The Road" followed by a discussion led by Becket Athenaeum Director Nicole Schulz. The discussion compares the film to the Becket Athenaeum Big Read title "The Bear" by Andrew Krivak. Having knowledge of "The Bear" for this program is great but not required.
 
There will also be refreshments, including popcorn, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages. More information here
 
Auxiliary Annual Craft Fair
258 North St., Dalton
Time: 10 to 3
 
The annual craft fair for the Dalton American Legion Auxiliary will be held at the post home. Also snack bar, 505/50 raffle and chinese auction. More information here
 
Whispering Worlds 
Tourists Welcome, North Adams
Time: 8 p.m.
 
The Whispering Worlds quartet performs as part of the resort's "Sing for Your Slumber" series in the lodge. Described as "West meets Far East" and "jazz meets electronica," the group offers a distinctive sound. 
 
More information here.

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MCLA Graduates Told to Make the World Worthy of Them

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff

Keynote speaker Michael Bobbitt was awarded an honorary doctor of fine arts. He told the graduates to make the world worthy of them. See more photos here.  
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Amsler Campus Center gym erupted in cheers on Saturday as 193 members of class of 2026 turned their tassels.
 
The graduates of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' 127th commencement were sent off with the charge of "don't stop now" to make the world a better place.  
 
You are Trailblazers, keynote speaker Michael Bobbitt reminded them, and a "trailblazer is not simply someone who walks a path. A trailblazer makes one, but blazing a trail does not happen alone. Every trailblazer is carrying tools made by somebody else. Every trailblazer is guided by stars they did not create. Every trailblazer stands on grounds shaped by ancestors, teachers, workers, neighbors, friends, and strangers."
 
Trailblazing takes communal courage, he said, and they needed to love people, build with people, argue with people, and find the people who make them braver and kinder at the same time.
 
"The future will not be saved by isolated geniuses, it will be saved by networks of people willing to practice courage together. The future belongs not to the loudest, not to the richest, not to the most certain, but to the most adaptive, the most creative, the most courageous, the most willing to learn."
 
Bobbitt was recently named CEO of Opera American after nearly five years leading the Massachusetts Cultural Council. He stressed the importance of art to the graduates, and noted that opera is not the only art form facing challenges in this world. 
 
"Every field is asking, who are we for now? What do we, what value do we create?" he said. "What do we stop pretending is fine. This is not just an arts question, that is a healthcare question, a climate question, a technology question, a community question, a higher education question, a democracy question, a life question. ...
 
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