There are a variety of events this weekend in or near the Berkshires including an old toy show, a Queering Perspective Festival, Valentine's Day themed events, and more.
Editor's Pick
Queering Perspectives Festival
'62 Center for Theatre and Dance, Williamstown
Dates: Feb. 9, 10, 22-24
Williams College's theater and dance center is hosting the festival to promote dialogue on sexualities, genders, bodies, races, ethnicities, abilities, and desires. It will interrogate conventional, culturally normative performance.
The goal is to establish a platform dedicated to supporting individuals who are often marginalized or "othered," providing a space for experimental and subversive content. This platform intends to challenge conventional forms in order to foster innovative research and artistic production.
The new moon is believed by many to be a time of rebirth. On each day of the new moon the museum invites visitors to use the "In a new light (Healing Dirt)" as part of the "Like Magic" exhibit.
With the new moon upon us this Friday, visitors have access to the chapel-like space to utilize charcoal earth on parts of their body that need healing. More information and all the activation dates here.
Bring Your Own Vinyl Night
Hot Plate Brewing Co., Pittsfield
Time: 7 p.m.
DJ Pup Daddy will be performing some of his favorite albums and encourages the community to bring their own.
Indulge in a combination of gooey marshmallow, graham cracker, and chocolate as you and your family hike and watch the local wildlife. Participants will learn about animal tracks
Tickets range from $10 to $18. Registration is required. Information here.
Four Sticks Performance
The Egremont Barn, Great Barrington
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Led Zeppelin Tribute band Four Sticks will be performing some of the rock and roll band's hits. Information here.
Saturday
AJY Fund 10-Year Anniversary Celebration
3 West Events at Norad Mill, North Adams
Time: 6 to 10 p.m.
The non-profit, AYJ Fund, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary of helping children with cancer. The free celebration features appetizers, desserts, wine pull, and a silent auction. Space is limited; registration is required. Information here.
Spaghetti Dinner
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish, North Adams
Time: 4 to 7 p.m.
The community is welcome to join St. Stanislaus Kostka School's eighth grade families for a spaghetti dinner to raise funds for the students' trip to Washington, D.C.
Dinner will also includes meatballs, salad and a garlic knot. Takeout is available. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $9 for children 12 and under.
The event features raffles, 50/50 raffle and a bake sale. Drinks are available by donation. Information here.
Old Toy Show
238 West Main St., Bennington, Vt.
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Vendors across six states will be selling collectable toys including trains, matchbox, hot wheels, model kits, action figures, Barbies, and more filling more than 70 tables at Sacred Heart St. Francis de Sales Church.
Admission is $4. There will be a 50/50 raffle and food available. Information here.
Ghost Tours with Robert Oakes
Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum, Lenox
Time: 8 to 10 p.m.
Author of "Ghosts of the Berkshires" Robert Oakes is leading a tour through the historic estate while sharing stories of the hauntings. Participants must be 12 years or older.
Reservations are strongly suggested; walk-ins accommodated if space allows. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by calling 413-637-3206. More information here.
Public Ice Skating
Boys and Girls Club, Pittsfield
Time: 3 to 4:30 p.m.
The first 100 people through the door during the public skate at the Boys & Girls Club will receive free admission for skating as well as free skate rentals. More information here.
February Contra Dance
First Congregational Church, Williamstown
Time: 7:30 p.m.
North Berkshire Community Dance is hosting a dance in the church's community hall on Main Street with caller Liz Nelson. No experience necessary but arrive by 7:30 for an introductory lesson. Live music by Cider Mountain.
Admission is pay-what-you-can, $12-$20 suggested. More information here.
Sunday
Cabin Fever Stories
Mount Greylock State Reservation, Lanesborough,
Time: 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Sit by a cozy hearth fire at the Visitors Center for 90 minutes of Mount Greylock tales like "The Wild Man of the Hills," "The Mysterious Spirit Woman of Pratt Hill," "The Wayard Moose Named Bill," and the legendary ghost of Old Coot. The free event includes complementary hot cocoa. More information here.
Valentine's Day At The Clark
Clark Art Institute, Williamstown
Time: 2 to 4 p.m.
During this free event, craft a Valentine's Day card for a loved one while incorporating captivating visuals from the Clark's collection. The crafting station is on the lower level of the Clark Center. Information here.
Animal Support Projects: Valentine's Day and Mardi Gras
Benson's Pet Center, Pittsfield
Time: noon to 3 p.m.
Benson's Pet Center will be providing people a photo op with their furry babies this Sunday from noon until 3 p.m.
For a $10 donation, pet parents can bring home a 4-by-6 inch framed keepsake. This month's participants can choose between a Valentine's Day and Mardi Gras theme. More information here.
Valentine Concert & Tea
Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum, Lenox
Time: 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Visit the museum for an afternoon of music and tea. Singer Sherri James Buxton and pianist Bob Shepherd will perform American songbook, Broadway and cabaret hits. Tea will follow. Tickets range from $35 to $45. More information here.
Big Game Sunday Pancake Breakfast
Lanesborough Fire Department
Time: 8 to 11 p.m.
The Lanesborough Firemens Association will be having a pancake breakfast including sausage, juice, coffee, and tea.
Tickets cost $12 for ages 12 and older, children between the age of 6 and 11 are $8, ages 5 and under eat free. Information here.
Multiple Days
Mill City Productions 'Fight or Flight'
Studio 9, the Porches, North Adams
Time: Friday, Saturday, 7 to 9; Sunday, 2 p.m.
MCP's cabaret returns for a new season at Studio 9 with pop, rock, folk, country, showtunes and more with 16 performers from around the Northeast. The theme of the songs are about standing our ground and fighting, or flying off to something better.
Tickets are $15 for adults & $10 for students/seniors, and are available for purchase at the door. More information here.
Ej Hill's Brake Run Helix Concludes
Mass MoCA, North Adams
The contemporary museum's "Brake Run Helix" exhibit concludes on Feb. 11. The installation is a rideable sculpture in the museum's 100-yard-long Building 5 gallery which examines "how those from marginalized backgrounds explore joy and play."
More information on the exhibit here. Check out our video here.
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Newly elected Moderator Seth Alexander kept the meeting moving.
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The annual town meeting sped through most of the warrant on Wednesday night, swiftly passing a total budget of $5.1 million for fiscal 2025 with no comments.
Close to 70 voters at Clarksburg School also moved adoption of the state's Community Preservation Act to the November ballot after a lot of questions in trying to understand the scope of the act.
The town operating budget is $1,767,759, down $113,995 largely because of debt falling off. Major increases include insurance, utilities and supplies; the addition of a full-time laborer in the Department of Public Works and an additional eight hours a week for the accountant.
The school budget is at $2,967,609, up $129,192 or 4 percent over this year. Clarksburg's assessment to the Northern Berkshire Vocational School District is $363,220.
Approved was delaying the swearing in of new officers until after town meeting; extending the one-year terms of moderator and tree warden to three years beginning with the 2025 election; switching the licensing of dogs beginning in January and enacting a bylaw ordering dog owners to pick up after their pets. This last was amended to include the words "and wheelchair-bound" after the exemption for owners who are blind.
The town more recently established an Agricultural Committee and on Wednesday approved a right-to-farm bylaw to protect agriculture.
Larry Beach of River Road asked why anyone would be against and what the downside would be. Select Board Chair Robert Norcross said neighbors of farmers can complain about smells and livestock like chickens.
Amanda Pou was named the most valuable player of the regional final after striking out four and walking none in a complete-game effort in the circle. She also ripped a two-run double in Pittsfield’s four-run fourth-inning rally to break open a scoreless game. click for more
The annual town meeting sped through the questions on Wednesday night, swiftly passing a total budget of $5.1 million for fiscal 2025 with no comments. click for more
Dylan Turner went 2-for-3 with an RBI to give his team a 3-0 lead in the fourth, and then he left the bases loaded in the sixth and seventh innings to secure a 3-2 win over rival Drury in front of a big crowd at Joe Wolfe Field in the Class C Championship Game. click for more
Jonathan Howard and Jacob Thomas scored in a low-scoring second half Tuesday to secure a 9-8 win over Wahconah in the Western Massachusetts Class B Championship Game at BCC. click for more
Jason Codey struck out nine, and Morrie Fried went 2-for-3 with a triple Tuesday to lead the Pittsfield High baseball team to a 6-1 win over Wahconah at Wahconah Park in the Western Massachusetts Class B title game. click for more