Adams Theater Making Final Preparations for Benefit Concert

The concert is part of a fundraising effort by the theater, which it launched in August. As of Nov. 3, it has raised over $58,000 of its $80,000 goal online and $14,000 more in offline donations.

ADAMS, Mass. — Final preparations are being made inside of Adams Theater as it prepares for an upcoming benefit concert by the piano group Two Piano Journey on Nov. 11. 

The mother and son team, Michelle Chen Kuo and Christopher Kuo, is currently touring to raise money for philanthropic and charitable organizations. The duo has raised $1,456,000 for its partners since 2016.

Once complete, The concert space will have multi-directional seating around the performance, in addition to 20 dining tables with additional seating. 

"I think the biggest surprise is people aren't going to know where they want to sit until the day of," said Yina Moore, founder and director of the Adams Theater. "I think it's part intentional, in a way, that we want to show people the possibility of seating varieties in this space." 

The concert is part of a fundraising effort by the theater, which it launched in August. As of Nov. 3, it has raised over $58,000 of its $80,000 goal online and $14,000 more in offline donations. 

In addition to the concert, the theater will host a community open house from 5 to 7 p.m. on the day, where food and other refreshments will be available. Moore said the open house allows people to learn more about the theater, regardless of their specific artistic interests. 

"That is to make this experience more accessible for everyone, whether they purchased a ticket or did not purchase a ticket," Moore said. "If a piano performance is their thing or is not their thing, it's meant to be inclusive ... I hope to see more people, more young people and people from out of Adams, from other communities, to hear about this and just turn up."  

Last week, the theater received an $800,000 grant from the state's Underutilized Properties Program, which will finance electrical upgrades, HVAC, a new roof and an accessible new floor. Despite renovation work taking up much of next year, Moore said there are still plans for several events and other programming throughout 2023. 

"I don't want to tell too much because it's still in planning right now, but we would love to pause every six months of the way and showcase what has been developed, what has been done and what's next yet to come," she said. "And let the future audience become part of that journey."

To provide direction and insight on future programming as upgrades continue, the theater has established an Artistic Advisory Board. Its members are are Carolyn Brooks; Reggie Carter; Stacy Cochran; George LeMaitre & Pat Fietta; Jodi Joseph; Susan Killam; Matti Kovler; Chris Kuo; Melissa Silverstein; Nana Simopoulous & Caryn Heilman; David Tochterman; and Joe Wheaton.

Friday Afternoon Fire Destroys Cheshire Barn

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
04:40PM / Friday, April 03, 2026

 

CHESHIRE, Mass. — A fire on Friday afternoon destroyed a barn at 920 Sand Mill Road.

 

The building is a total loss but firefighters were able to prevent the flames from reaching another nearby barn and the house at Stoney Brook Farm. 

 

Fire Chief Thomas Francesconi said the fire was called in 12:39 p.m. by the homeowners "but it already had a foothold before they noticed it."

 

Responding firefighters found the L-shaped structure fully involved. Adams, Lanesborough, Savoy and Windsor fire companies responded and Williamstown Fire covered the station.

 

The tankers were used to transport water from a nearby brook until a pool could be set up near the scene and water pumped into it. 

 

Northern Berkshire EMS responded and one firefighter was treated at the scene and then taken to Berkshire Medical Center. 

 

Francesconi said there were no other injuries but the owners told him there were 18 chickens in the barn. The structure also had equipment and other materials in it, including a Jeep.