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Weekend Outlook: Day of the Dead Celebrations and More

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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Berkshire County is hosting a variety of events this weekend including First Friday events, Day of the Dead celebrations, and more.
 
Find all the craft fairs and harvest festivals here.
 
Editor's Pick 
 
Day of the Dead Celebration
Mass MoCA, North Adams 
Time: Thursday at 5 p.m. 
 
Start your weekend early at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art to celebrate Día De Los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. 
 
Remember and celebrate the memories of friends, pets, and family members who have passed. This free event features hot chocolate from Casita, music by Yo Soy Arte, and more. 
 
Participants have the option to either add tokens and photos of loved ones to the Ofrenda or craft a new token using the materials provided.
 
An ofrenda is a traditional offering typically placed in a home altar during the annual Mexican Día de los Muertos celebration. 
 
There will also be an opportunity to visit the R&D Store and meet Sara Bader, the artist-in-residence and author of "The Book of Pet Love & Loss" and Alison Pebworth, who will create spirit drawings of attendees. Register for the artist in residence meet and greet here
 
More information here
 
Friday 
 
First Fridays: Gather
Downtown North Adams
Time: 5 to 9 p.m. 
 
The night will feature a variety of activities at various locations downtown, including face painting, live music, food trucks, gallery openings, s'mores, and more. 
 
There will also be a pumpkin smash opportunity. Attendees are encouraged to bring their unbleached and unpainted Halloween pumpkins downtown to smash into the Second Chance Composting truck. 
 
More information here
 
First Fridays Artswalk
Downtown Pittsfield
Time: 5 to 8 p.m.
 
It's the first Friday of the month, art enthusiasts know what that means — the city's First Friday Artwalk. 
 
The event features a dozen art shows and exhibits on view at venues around downtown Pittsfield. Most of the art is on display throughout Nov.
 
During the event, participants will have the opportunity to meet the artists. Download the Downtown Pittsfield Inc. app from the Google Play or App Store to get a virtual walking tour. 
 
Participating venues include Soma's Aromas, Clock Tower Artists, Marketplace Cafe,
Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, and more. 
 
For a complete list of participating venues and artists visit the Art Walk website
 
Comedy Show
The Foundry, West Stockbridge
Time: 7:30 p.m. 
 
Boston-based comics, Mike Petit and Carolyn Plummer will be performing. Tickets cost $35.
 
Petit is an entertainment professional who launched his career in the Boston radio market over 30 years ago. Since then, he has become a headlining comedian on the national stage.
 
Plummer has been a comedian for more than 25 years and pulls her material from day to day life.  
 
More information here
 
Saturday 
 
Franklin County Cider Days
Berkshire Cider Project, North Adams 
Time: 2 to 5.
 
The North Adams cidery at GreylockWorks is participating in the 29th annual Cider Days community celebration that takes place in various locations throughout Franklin County, featuring tours, cider making and tastings, workshops, and more.
 
The Berkshire County venue also features a chili cookoff co-hosted with the Break Room. More information here
 
Music at the Manton
Clark Art Institute, Williamstown
Time: 7 to 8:45 p.m. 
 
Brooklyn folk singer, composer-improviser, and musicologist Miriam Elhajli and  Williams College artist-in-residence Tendai Muparutsa will perform. Tickets range from $5 to $10. More information here
 
Comedy @ Bright Ideas Brewing
Bright Ideas Brewing, North Adams
Time: 8 p.m. 
 
Laugh over a drink at Bright Ideas located on the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Arts campus. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here.
 
Deadfall II Music & Arts Fest
The Stationery Factory, Dalton
Time: 3 to 11 p.m. 
 
There will be a music and art festival featuring national, regional, and local bands including  Rev Tor's Dead Man's Waltz, Jen Durkin's Steal Your Funk and more. There will be musical performances from five bands in two rooms of the venue. 
 
This family friendly event will also include craft and food vendors. There will also be an opportunity to donate to a community food drive. Tickets are not necessary to visit the craft vendors in the front room. 
 
More information here
 
Sunday 
 
Clark Art Community Day
Clark Art Institute, Williamstown
 
The museum's first Sunday free event features artist and educator Molly Hess with an all-ages workshop at 1 and 2 p.m. (sign up at the welcome table) and a guided soundscape at 3. Plus make miniature instruments and listen to a concert in the auditorium at 3. Special activities in the lower level family room and pavilion from 1 to 4. 
 
More information here.
 
Rees Shad and the Conversations
Bright Ideas Brewing, North Adams
Time: 4 to 8 p.m. 
 
Rees Shad will lead a performance with jazz pop combo the Conversations featuring original music. More information here
 
Musical Brunch
Race Brook Lodge, Sheffield
Time: noon to 3 
 
Yo Soy Arte, a Pittsfield based band, will perform Latin music during the tavern's brunch hours. The band's music originates from the Spanish-speaking Caribbean, Central, and South America. There is a $10 cover charge to attend. No cover to enjoy brunch in a different part of the restaurant. More information here
 
Farmers' Markets 
 
Great Barrington Farmers Market
18 Church St.
Time: 9 to 1. 
 
The market is open every Saturday until Nov. 11. Every week there will be locally grown food, flowers, and plants along with other local vendors. More information here
 
North Adams Winter Farmers Market
85 Main St.
Time: 9 to 1 p.m.
 
The indoor market runs on the first Saturday of each month until April. It sells local goods including eggs, honey, jams, vegetables, maple syrup, and more. They accept cash, cards, and SNAP/EBT, with a Market Match of up to $30 for SNAP/EBT. More information here

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Dalton Elections See High Turn Out; Select Board Incumbent Wins

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — More than 800 residents cast their votes during Monday's town elections, resulting in Select Board incumbent Robert Bishop retaining his seat.
 
"I feel like it was it was a high turnout. We had a lot of mail-in ballots … I think the one contested Select Board race definitely brought people out," Town Clerk Heather Hunt said. 
 
"I think we saw a lot of voters that we haven't seen in a very long time, and I think a lot of them came out specifically to vote for the Select Board." 
 
The town sent out approximately 823 mail-in ballots and received back more than half, Hunt said. 
 
Bishop has served on the Select Board for three terms, and the voters agreed they want him for a fourth three-year term. 
 
In a previous interview with iBerkshires, Bishop emphasized the need for collaboration, obtaining project funding, and keeping taxes down while supporting town departments and employees.  
 
Robert Collins challenged Bishop for the seat, running a campaign focused on the need for a new voice on the board and more discussion.
 
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