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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Clarksburg Students Write in Support of Rural School Aid
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
Mason Langenback calculated that Clarksburg would get almost $1 million if the $60 million was allocated equally.
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Eighth-graders at Clarksburg School took a lesson in civic advocacy this week, researching school funding and writing letters to Beacon Hill that call for fully funding rural school aid.
The students focused on the hardships for small rural schools and their importance to the community — that they struggle with limited funding and teacher shortages, but offer safe and supportive spaces for learning and are a hub for community connections.
"They all address the main issue, the funding for rural schools, and how there's a gap, and there's the $4 million gap this year, and then it's about the $40 million next year, and that rural schools need that equitable funding," said social studies teacher Mark Karhan.
A rural schools report in 2022 found smaller school districts cost from nearly 17 percent to 23 percent more to operate, and recommended "at least" $60 million be appropriated annually for rural school aid.
Gov. Maura Healey has filed for more Chapter 70 school aid, but that often is little help to small rural schools with declining or static enrollment. For fiscal 2027, she's budgeted $20 million for rural schools, up from around $13 million this year but still far below the hoped for $60 million.
Karhan said the class was broken into four groups and the students were provided a submission letter from Rural Schools Advocacy. The students used the first paragraph, which laid out the funding facts, and then did research and wrote their own letters.
They will submit those with a school picture to the governor.
Qwanell Bradley scored 33 points, and Adan Wicks added 29 as the Hoosac Valley boys basketball team won a Division 5 State Championship on Sunday. click for more
Thirty portraits are on display at Hotel Downstreet, part of an initiative to use the arts and storytelling to humanize substance abuse disorder. click for more
The students focused on the hardships for small rural schools and their importance to the community — that they struggle with limited funding and teacher shortages, but offer safe and supportive spaces for learning and are a hub for community connections.
click for more
The Drury High graduate had great respect for the library and its service to the city, said his good friend Richard Taskin, and had entrusted him with the check before his death on Sunday at the age of 64.
click for more