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Weekend Outlook: Warblers, Farmers Markets & Hot Rods

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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Check out the events in the Berkshires this weekend, including a school musical, a car show, plant and nature events, and more. 
 
Editor's Pick 
 
 
Ventfort Hall Community Day
104 Walker Street, Lenox
Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
 
Admission into Ventfort Hall is free, giving community members the chance to see inside the mansion and walk its grounds. At noon,  visitors will see the newly unveiled green and white striped awnings. 
 
There will also be hourly presentations on the history of Ventfort Hall in the mansion's library from 10 to 3.
 
More information here. 
 
Multiple Days
 
 
'Hadestown: Teen Edition Performance' 
Taconic High School, Pittsfield 
Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.
 
The high school's theater department will be performing the musical "Hadestown: Teen Edition," which is a family-friendly adaptation of Anaïs Mitchell's Tony-winning Broadway musical "Hadestown."
 
The jazz-inflected folk opera follows Orpheus' mythical quest to overcome Hades and regain the love of his true love, Eurydice.
 
Tickets are $13 for adults and $8 for students. More information here.
 
Friday 
 
Karaoke
VFW Post 996, North Adams
Time: 9 p.m. 
 
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 996 is opening its doors to provide visitors the opportunity to sing. More information here. 
 
 
The Barstools
The Stationery Factory, Dalton 
Time: 7:30 p.m. 
 
Acoustic rock and Americana band The Barstools will be performing. The Stationery Factory's lead sound engineer, Jay Bell, will be hitting the stage with, Drew Lopenzina and Dave Lincoln.
 
Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. More information here. 
 
Misty Blues Benefit Concert 
Williams College '62 Center, Williamstown 
Time: 7:30 p.m. 
 
Berkshire Nursing Families is having a benefit concert in collaboration with local legend Misty Blues. 
 
Misty Blues will perform their Queens of the Blues set to support of BNF's mission of providing free, essential feeding and parenting support for families in the region.
 
More information here. 
 
 
Amy Ryan Band Performance 
Firefly Gastropub, Lenox 
Time: 7 to 10 p.m. 
 
Blues band, Amy Ryan Band, will be performing its combination of soulful originals. More information here. 
 
Dining in the Dark 
400 Columbus Ave. Ext., Pittsfield 
Time: 5:30 p.m. 
 
The Berkshire Benevolent Association for the Blind is having its annual Dining in the Dark event. 
 
There will be live music by the band Red Handed, entertainment by Berkshire B Witches, a bake sale, and a chinese raffle. 
 
Tickets will not be sold at the door so call 413-281-3364 or 413-442-6600 for tickets or ask any of the association's members or volunteers. 
 
More information here. 
 
Saturday 
 
 
Mountain Mindfulness Walk 
Mount Greylock Visitor Center, Lanesborough
Time: 1 p.m. 
 
Sandy Wilson and Vicki Zacharewicz will lead a mindfulness walk to guide visitors on a slow, intentional journey to de-stress while connecting with nature.
 
The walk incorporates elements of mindful breathing, nature connection, and meditation skills culminating in a group session for sharing and reflection.
 
More information here. 
 
The Electric Boom Tour 
Antimony Brewing, Lenox
Time: 7 p.m. 
 
There will be a free performance by soulful singer Lauren Calve and Rachel Ana Dobken which features a fusion of roots rock and an indie vibe. More information here. 
 
 
Birding Workshop: Warblers by Sight and Habitat
Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Lenox
Time: 9 a.m. to Noon 
 
Spring brings the arrival of colorful wood-warblers to the Berkshires, making it an exciting time for birdwatching. There will be a beginner-friendly workshop and bird walk to learn how to identify these birds. 
 
The program includes an indoor introduction to local warbler species and their habitats, followed by an outdoor search for warblers, focusing on identification through appearance, behavior, and song.
 
Tickets are $35 for adult members and $42 for adult nonmembers. More information here. 
 
Pup Daddy Production's Country Spindle
Bluebird & Co., 137 Brodie Mountain Road, Hancock
Time: 8 p.m. 
 
Pup Daddy Productions and Bluebird & Co. restaurant team up to host "Spindle," music bingo. Players can enjoy 75 popular, country classics spun by DJ Pup Daddy. 
 
He will play 1 to 2 minutes of a famous song, and if the song is on your playing card, cross it off for a chance to win prizes. 
 
There is no fee to play, and Bluebird's full menu and bar will be available throughout the event.
 
More information here. 
 
Come As You Are Dance Night
Wander Berkshires, Pittsfield
Time: 8 to 11 p.m. 
 
There will be an all-ages community dance gathering where you can move freely without the pressure to perform — just a space to move, breathe, release, and reconnect.
 
Music will be spun by DJ Jason Manatee, founder of BeatNest. There is a $10 cover charge. More information here. 

Comedy on Tap
Bright Ideas Brewing, North Adams
Time: 7:30 to 9 p.m. 

 
Warm up at Bright Ideas Brewing for a night full of laughter. Stand-up comedians Ben Kirschenbaum and Mike Bramante will be hitting the stage at this event hosted by Charlie Nadler. Tickets are $15. More information here. 
 
AYJ Fund Once Upon a Dream Children's Concert 
Drury High School, North Adams
Time: Noon to 2 p.m. 
 
Children of all ages are invited to join the popular children's concert to support the nonprofit AYJ Fund. 
 
The event features music by Mary Scanlon, and children will have the opportunity to meet the princesses at noon. The concert starts at 1 p.m., and the event features a ticket raffle, bake sale and the funds Bippity Boppity Boo Boutique. Costumes welcome. 
 
More information here. 
 
 
The Refrigerators Performance 
The Stationery Factory, Dalton
Time: 
 
There will be performances by the Refrigerators, a 10-piece horn band from New York's Capital Region, and country and classic rock band Hotshot Hillbillies to support the Dalton Lions Club. 
 
Tickets range from $32.64 to $37.89. More information here. 
 
Plant Sale
Zion Lutheran Church, Pittsfield 
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
 
The church is having its 17th annual Plant Sale featuring perennials, herbs, and houseplants for sale. More information here. 
 
 
Eagles Trombone Ensemble Performance 
Tanglewood, Lenox
Time: 3 p.m. 
 
The Eagles Trombone Ensemble, comprised of 20 members from Western Mass and eastern New York, will be performing in Tanglewood's Studio E, Linde Center for Music and Learning. 
 
More information here. 
 
Footsteps in Time: Meadow Walk
Mount Greylock Visitor Center, Lanesborough
Time: 1 p.m. 
 
As part of the Department of Conservation and Recreation's Preservation Month series, there will be a free meadow walk.
 
During the easy one-mile walk, Mount Greylock's historic landscape will be revealed, going as far back as 12,000 years ago. 
 
Participants will discover the story of Ice Age beasts, primeval forests, Native American Nomads, and 18th-century pioneer settlers like Ephraim Bradley.
 
More information here. 
 
 
 
Car & Truck Show
258 North St, Dalton
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
 
The Dalton American Legion is having its annual car and truck show. The show car entrance fee is $15, but spectators are free. There will be food, awards, and of course, cars and trucks. 
 
More information here. 
 
Spring Plant Swap 
The Village Church, Cummington
Time: 1 p.m. 
 
The Hilltown Seed Saving Network is hosting a plant swap. 
 
Bring plants, cuttings, divisions, seeds, or gardening-related items to share with the community. No plant is necessary to attend. 
 
There will also be a soil blocking demonstration at 2 p.m. Please label your plants and consider bringing containers for transport. 
 
There is a suggested donation of $5 to $10, but all contributions are welcome. More information here. 
 
Farmer's Markets 
 
Great Barrington Farmer's Market
18 Church St.
Time: Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
 
The market is open every Saturday. Every week, locally grown food, flowers, and plants will be available, along with other local vendors. The market accepts and offers doubling SNAP, HIP, WIC, and Senior market coupons. More information is here. 
 
 
New Marlborough Farmer's Market 
Village Green
Time: Sunday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
 
The market has local vendors that offer a variety of goods from produce, eggs, baked goods, jams, hand-knit items, maple syrup, and more. More information here.
 
North Adams Farmer's Market  
Main Street
Time: Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
 
The south side of Main Street from American Legion Drive will be closed to make room for the city's weekly farmers market, which will kick off this Saturday. Explore downtown North Adams and discover local businesses and fresh produce from local farms. More information here. 
 
Pittsfield Farmer's Market
Pittsfield Common
Time: 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
 
Roots Rising, the region's first teen-run market, will hold an indoor farmers market this Saturday. The event will feature live music, chef demos, workshops, children's activities, and more. More information is available here. 
 
Williamstown Farmer's Market 
Spring Street
Time: Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
 
The market focuses on a wide range of local food and artisan vendors, as well as local services and music. More information here. 

 


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Pittsfield Council Revisiting DEI Office Rename

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The conversation about the DEI office renaming that was halted by a charter objection will resume on Tuesday. 

The City Council will discuss a request from Mayor Peter Marchetti to rename the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.  

It proposes to rename the DEI office to the Office of Equity, Access, and Opportunity and merge the Human Rights Commission and Affirmative Action Committee into an Equity, Access and Opportunity Commission.

The Ordinance and Rules Subcommittee supported the changes in August, and in September, Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham delayed the vote with a charter objection. 

Pittsfield's City Code prohibits charter states that "if a single member present objects to the taking of the vote, the vote shall be postponed until the next meeting of the city council." It also stipulates that at least four members must object if it is an emergency measure.

Cunningham also submitted a petition, which was referred to O&R under Rule 27, to replace the DEI Office and the Human Rights Commission with an equity, access, and opportunity coordinator in the Department of Community Development, with formal complaints and Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action functions assigned to Human Resources.

At the last meeting, he spent more than an hour querying the mayor and chief diversity officer about functions and effectiveness of the department, wanting more quantitative data.  Cunningham proposed an ordinance that he says keeps Pittsfield's commitment to equity, access, and opportunity, "refocuses it on measurable results for our residents, and delivers it at a fraction of the current cost." 

Under this petition, the equity, access, and opportunity coordinator would be a $60,000 to $80,000 per year position.

The DEI Office's fiscal year 2027 budget was about $200,000 after cuts during budget season; $106,700 for the chief diversity officer and $58,000 for the administrative assistant. The coordinator would be appointed by the director of community development and the mayor. 

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