It's going to be a hot and steamy weekend in the Berkshires but there's plenty of cool things to do.
First Friday Block Party
Eagle Street, North Adams
North Adams will be closing Eagle Street to turn this First Friday into a block party from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The monthly downtown event will feature music, street games, activities and gallery openings. Mayor Jennifer Macksey will host a downtown gathering and Desperados Mexican Restaurant on Eagle Street will offer beer and wine for sale.
It's the First Friday of the month! Artists and artlovers know what that means, Pittsfield's First Friday Artswalk is here starting at 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Art exhibits will be on view at a variety of venues in downtown Pittsfield with most of the art being on display all month long.
During the event, participants will have the opportunity to meet the artists. Participants can download the Downtown Pittsfield Inc. app from the Google Play or App Store to get a virtual walking tour.
Participating venues include, Hotel on North, Barrington Stage Company's Wolfson Theatre Center, Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, The Marketplace Cafe, Indoors Out! Free Kids' Paint & Sip, and more
For a complete list of participating venues and artist visit the Art Walk website.
BCHS Contemporary Artist Exhibit
Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, Pittsfield
Berkshire County Historical Society launches its contemporary artist exhibit at Lichtenstein Center for the Arts this weekend starting on Aug. 5.
Participants will explore several different themes including the effect of industrialization on the natural world, ethnic stereotypes, queerness and disability through contemporary artists Jim Jasper and Christopher Volpe's work.
The exhibition runs through August 26. More information here.
Movies Under The Stars
The Adams Visitor Center, Adams
The Adams Visitor Center will be showing the Walt Disney Animation Studios' film "Encanto" this Friday, Aug. 5, starting at 7:30 p.m.
Families can bring their blankets and lawn chairs to watch the majestic Madrigals as family member Mirabel attempts to save the magic that was gifted to her family.
Comedy Night at TurnPark
TurnPark Art Space, West Stockbridge
TurnPark, located at 2 Moscow Road, will be hosting a stand-up comedy night this Friday, Aug. 5, featuring comedian, actress and writer Kate Willet.
The venue will start to serve drinks and snacks starting at 7 p.m. and the show will begin at 8 p.m.
The Pittsfield Suns will be concluding their season with three games this weekend.
On Friday, they will face off against the Westfield Starfires at Bullens Field in Westfield starting at 6:30 p.m.
On Saturday, they return to Wahconah Park to play against the Nashua Silver Knights starting at 6:05 p.m.
They will finish off their season on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. when they will be up against the Norwich Sea Unicorns.
Band Jam 2022 to benefit PopCares
Greylock Community Club, North Adams
Local non-profit PopCares is hosting its annual Band Jam this Saturday at Greylock Community Club, located at 548 State Road, from 2 until 10 p.m.
The event will feature auctions, live music, food, raffles, and more. This fundraising event costs $10 for entry and all proceeds will go to Berkshire County residents struggling with cancer. Tickets are available with the bartender at Greylock Community Club.
WAM Theatre will be presenting a play reading of "Escaped Alone" by Caryl Churchill this Sunday, starting at 2 p.m. in the The Mount's Stable auditorium.
The play follows the visions of apocalyptic horror that play out inside their minds of three old friends and a neighbor who chat during a series of summer afternoons.
Tickets cost $25 for in-person and $15 for virtual. Tickets can be purchased on the WAM Theater website.
The Sheffield Farmers' Market is open this Friday from 3 until 6 p.m. at First Congregational Church located at 125 Main St.
The market will feature healthy food and products from a variety of local vendors in an attempt to nourish the community by protecting "local small farms, land, bees, and economy."
Powered by Roots Rising, the market is open every Saturday rain or shine from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. through Oct. 8.
Each week the market will have fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables, along with meat, eggs, cheese, baked goods by local vendors. Participants can shop for flowers, and artisan goods while listening to music and participate in family activities.
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North Adams Jewelry Store Has New Owner
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
Cheryl Coppens put out a call for someone to take over the jewelry business she began last spring — jewelry maker Alexandra Padilla answered the call.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Artful Jeweler has a new owner who is looking to expand its offerings.
Cheryl Coppens opened the jewelry store in May, showcasing local artists, offering fine jewelry, and jewelry repair.
But a new grandson in Texas, and the difficulties in flying back and forth to see him, had her looking to move closer to him.
Last month, she posted on the business's Facebook that she wanted someone to take over the space and continue the venture. Alexandra Padilla reached out to her and Coppens said she met all her criteria she was looking for in anew owner.
"You have to really want to be in retail. You have to want to be in this community, priced where people can afford it. Alex is native to North Adams. Her husband, she's got two great kids, so it just felt like they would be able to continue the store," Coppens said. "So the criteria really was somebody that would work the store, not somebody that would just come in and hire employees. I didn't want that."
Padilla started taking over the store in the beginning of December. She has been selling jewelry for about three years, and has an online shop, and has worked in wholesale jewelry for about 15 years.
"I always wanted to have my own thing on it, and I wanted to bring something new, and I want to involve my family, my kids do something, and I want to be independent," she said.
Now Padilla showcases her jewelry in the Ashland Street store and plans to keep some of the local artists' items, like stained glass made by Coppens' mother.
Padilla customizes jewelry and tailors pieces to her customers.
She plans to work around her job at Berkshire County Head Start so she can open store for more hours.
She also plans to redesign the store a little bit and bring in a couple more lines, like more rings and pearls.
The store is open on Saturdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays 9 to 2, Fridays 9 to 6, and Sundays 9 to 3. The store has also been open on Mondays 10 to 5 and Tuesdays 10 to 3 for the holidays.
Padilla thanks Coppens for trusting her and hopes customers continue to support the Artful Jeweler.
"Thank you for trusting me. I'm going to try and do my best and work hard to make it happen," she said. "This is our first time selling retail, so we hope the community supports us in here."
Coppens will be helping Padilla until she is comfortable operating the store on her own. She said it will continue to be a space of community support.
The city has lifted a boil water order — with several exceptions — that was issued late Monday morning following several water line breaks over the weekend. click for more
The bridge had been closed to all vehicle traffic since March 2023 after being deemed structurally deficient by the state Department of Transportation. click for more
The Water Department has been responding to multiple water line breaks throughout the city since Friday, causing temporary loss of water in some areas. click for more
