Community Contra Dance in North Adams

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NORTH ADAMS — North Berkshire Community Dance has announced it is relocating to North Adams for its summer 2026 season, beginning with an event on Saturday, June 13.
 
The traditional contra dance will take place from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. in the Community Hall of the All Saints Episcopal Church, located at 59 Summer Street.
 
Caller Seamus Connor will lead the evening, providing instruction for all dances. Live traditional fiddle music will be performed by an open band led by George Wilson on fiddle and Becky Hollingsworth on keyboard. Organizers welcome all acoustic musicians to join the ensemble.
 
A 15-minute introductory lesson for new dancers and families will begin at 7:15 p.m. Attendance does not require a partner, as participants typically switch partners throughout the event. Additionally, a pre-dance calling playgroup will run from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the same location for individuals interested in practicing dance calling.
 
Admission is structured on a pay-as-you-can basis, with a suggested donation of $12 to $20. Barter arrangements, particularly for cleanup assistance, are also accepted.
 
According to the organization's respiratory health policy, masks are optional, and the venue's windows will remain open. Attendees are asked to stay home if they feel ill.

 

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North Adams Police Block Houghton Street for Crisis Intervention

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Houghton was blocked off between North and School streets, frustrating neighbors trying to get home. 

Update: Early this morning, the Police Department posted that the situation "has been resolved" and the road reopened. Officers may still be in the area to complete their investigation.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The upper section of Houghton Street was blocked off for hours on Wednesday night as authorities sought to deal with an individual reportedly having a mental health issue. 

 
In a Facebook post, police described it as a "critical incident" unfolding in the area and alerted people to avoid the upper Houghton "and allow first responders the space they need to safely manage the situation."
 
It started at about 9 p.m., said Police Chief Mark Bailey, speaking at about 12:30 a.m. He said no neighbors were evacuated and that mediators had been conversing with the individual. He declined to go into detail. 
 
He said further information would be provided either through him or through the mayor's office later in the morning. 
 
Members of the Berkshire County Special Response Team, including officers from Lenox and Pittsfield, were staged along the top of Brooklyn Street and Houghton was closed between School Street and North Street. 
 
Two ambulances were staged at the intersection with Brooklyn and Houghton, though one left before midnight. State Police stepped in to help patrol the city. 
 
Drones could be seen hovering over; Bailey said, "everything in the sky is ours at this time." 
 
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