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Weekend Outlook: Holiday Festivities

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
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Check out the events happening around the county this weekend including holiday themed parties, and some Christmas tree lightings. Find all the craft fairs and bazaars happening here.
 
Editor's Pick: 
 
Multiple Days
 
Cascade School Supplies Tag Sale
1 Brown St, North Adams
Wednesday-Saturday, Dec. 10 to 13
 
Get school and office supplies, many of which range from $1 and up. Admission is a non-perishable food item to support the local food pantry or $2 at the door. Children admitted free.
 
All food donations go towards the L. Nelson Friendship Center Food Pantry. More information here.
 
Tinseliner Scenic Christmas Train
3 Hoosac St., Adams
Dec, 13 and 14
 
Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus while enjoying a festive ride on the train featuring holiday music and writing letters to Santa. More information and tickets here.
 
Nightwood
The Mount, Lenox
Dec. 12, 13, 18-23, 26-31
 
The Mount has decked out its grounds for the annual Nightwood installation with lights and music to provide an immersive experience to its visitors. More information here.
 
A Christmas Story Screening 
Beacon Cinema, Pittsfield
Dec. 12 through the 18
 
Enjoy the Christmas classic movie for only $1, bring your family and enjoy the holiday classic to get in the Christmas spirit.
More information and tickets here
 
'A Christmas Carol'
North Adams & Dalton
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
An ensemble of five actors will play multiple characters in this traditional story. This touring production was originally adapted by artistic director Gary Meitrott for the Shakespeare on Main company.
 
Performances Friday and Saturday in North Adams at 7 p.m., and Sunday at the Dalton Library with RSVP. Admission is $15 to $18, children 5 and younger free. 
 
Tickets and locations here
 
Festival of Trees
Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield
Every Friday Through Sunday until Dec. 28
 
The historic Hancock Shaker Village will welcome visitors to gaze at more than 75 trees throughout the museum grounds,  culminating in a magical display at the iconic Round Stone Barn.
 
Tickets are $20. Children 12 and younger are always free. Berkshire Museum and Hancock Shaker Village members are free. More information here
 
 
Friday 
 
Ugly Sweater Dance Party
Shire Tavern, Dalton
Time: 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
 
Pick out your ugliest holiday sweater and dance the night away at the Shire Tavern. Enjoy beats from DJ Justin and have a chance to win a gift card if you have the ugliest sweater. 
 
There will be a $5 cash cover at the door and dinner will be served until 8 p.m.
More information here
 
Christmas Glow Night
675 Merrill Road, Pittsfield
Time: 5 to 8 p.m.
 
Visit Ready Set Play for a fun Christmas themed glow night holiday classic songs. There will be raffles and the first 35 kids will receive a free light up necklace. There will also be an opportunity to take pictures with Santa.
 
More information here.
 
Berkshire Lyric Concert 
St. Mark's Church, Pittsfield 
Time: 7:30 p.m. 
 
Traditional and contemporary a cappella carols by Bach, Rachmaninoff, Lauridsen, Randall Thompson, the Berkshire's Charlie Fitzhugh and others will perform in the gothic style church. 
 
Tickets are $20 and will be sold at the door, or tickets can be purchased in advance online. Children and students 18 and under are admitted free.
 
Saturday 
 
Wrathchild - Iron Maiden Tribute
Stationary Factory, Dalton
Time: 7:30 to 10 p.m.
 
Iron Maiden tribute band Wrathchild will be performing some of the heavy metal band's most famous songs. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets range from $27 to $32. More information and tickets here
 
Free Pictures with Santa
Bousquet Mountain, Pittsfield
Time: 5:30 to 8 p.m.
 
Stop by Bousquet to meet the big man himself coming all the way from the North Pole. More information here
 
Free Eagles Band Holiday Concert
First United Methodist Church of Pittsfield
Time: 3 to 5 p.m. 
 
There will be a free concert by the Eagles Band featuring holiday tunes. More information here
 
 
 
Sunday 
 
Holiday Karaoke
Steeple City Social, North Adams
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
 
Sing some of your favorite holiday tunes and wear your special holiday attire at Steeple City Social whole enjoying its regular wines, beers, cocktails, snacks and more. 
 
Nervous about singing? No worries, ask the hosts to sing alongside you for this fun low stakes community event. More information here
 
North County Christmas
134 Main Street, North Adams
Time: 3 p.m.
 
The North County Chorale is hosting a free community event with traditional Christmas songs you can sing along to. There will be special guests including The All Saints Bell Choir and more. 
 
More information here.
 
Great Barrington Christmas Concert
Saint James Place, Great Barrington
Time: 3 p.m. 
 
Berkshire Lyric along with the Melodious Accord ensemble and guest soloists, will perform a concert featuring traditional and contemporary a cappella carols in a former Episcopal church. 
 
The event includes works by renowned composers and is a popular, often sold-out tradition in Great Barrington. Tickets are $35 and available at the door or online
 
Mutts Gone Nuts: Santa Paws
The Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield
Time: 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
 
Watch as cute four legged friends put on tricks and fun for the holiday season. Bring the family and experience the holiday joy from these dogs who were once abandoned.
 
Tickets are $15 and up .More information and tickets here.
 
Christmas Carol Staged Reading
Dalton Free Public Library
Time: 3 to 5 
 
There will be a free staged reading of Charles Dickens' classic tale "A Christmas Carol." An ensemble of five actors, all volleying between multiple characters, gives vibrant, voice and movement to this timeless story.
 
Space is limited so registration is recommended by contacting the library

 


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Hinsdale OKs Police Department Audit After Fatal Shooting

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

HINSDALE, Mass. — The town has approved $25,000 for an administrative review of the police department, more than two months after police fatally shot 27-year-old Biagio Kauvil during a mental health crisis. 

Town Administrator Robert Graves said the shooting on Jan. 7 is not the only focus of the audit, and it will be several months before the Select Board receives a final report. 

During a special town meeting on March 11, an article appropriating $25,000 from free cash for an independent consultant to conduct a professional evaluation and audit of the Town's Police Department was approved. The audit includes a review of the department's policies, protocols, operations, and procedures, and concludes with a written report. 

"The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the shooting, and we await their conclusions.  As we look to move forward, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, our insurance company (MIIA/Cabot Risk), and our legal counsel have recommended that the town hire an independent law enforcement consultant or firm to conduct a comprehensive administrative review of our police operation," Graves wrote in an email to iBerkshires on Friday. 

"This event is not their focus; they will assess the overall operation. We want a written assessment of our police operation's strengths and weaknesses to help Hinsdale make future changes and improvements." 

He said after completing the procurement process and signing a contract with a reputable consultant or business, it will most likely be several months before the Select Board receives the final report. 

"Still, it will help the town and police department move forward," Graves wrote. 

Last weekend, family and friends of Kauvil stood in Park Square asking for justice. A flier for the standout reads "Biagio was killed by police while experiencing a mental health crisis. Now, over seven weeks later, authorities have not yet provided any updates.

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