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Weekend Outlook: Menorah Lighting, Discount Shopping, and More

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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North Adams unveils a new menorah at the annual lighting on Sunday.
The holiday season is just around the corner, or upon us for some, celebrate it with one or more of the many events happening this weekend in Berkshire County, including discount shopping, menorah lightings, play readings, and more. 
 
Mingle and Jingle in Downtown Pittsfield 
Downtown Pittsfield 
 
Downtown Pittsfield Inc. will be hosting another discount shopping opportunity this Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. 
 
Prepare for the holidays by shopping at the local businesses and get 10 percent off at participating retailers and restaurants when you pick up a jingle bell bracelet at the Downtown Pittsfield Inc. booth. 
 
The booth will be located on the lower level of the Beacon Cinema. The bracelet is valid until the participating business closes. 
 
More information here
 
Annual Menorah Lighting 
City Hall, North Adams 
 
Mayor Jennifer Macksey is inviting community members to mark the first night of Hanukkah on Sunday at 5 p.m.. The event will take place in the City Hall lobby.
 
Rabbi Rachel Barenblat of Congregation Beth Israel will be speaking at the ceremony. The lights of the menorah represent the miracle of restoring light to the Temple in Jerusalem as it was rededicated during the second century BCE. 
 
More information here
 
Colonial Family Concert 
The Colonial Theatre 
 
Berkshire Theatre Group holds a family concert this Sunday at 2 p.m. 
 
The event will be hosted by BTG Youth Chorus and will feature performances by Berkshire County artists including Gina Coleman, Kathy Jo Grover, Dave Brown, and more. 
 
More information here
 
 
After-School Nutcracker Performance 
Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield
 
The Albany Ballet Junior Company and the Cantarella School of Dance will be performing excerpts from "The Nutcracker" this Friday at 3:30 p.m. 
 
Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. For more information call the Children's Library at 413-499-9480, Ext. 5.
 
More information here
 
 
Winter Craft Making 
Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield
 
The Berkshire Athenaeum will also be hosting an afternoon of winter themed crafting this Saturday at 1 p.m. 
 
Attendees can make holiday gifts, cards for a local nursing home, and more. Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. For more information call the Children's Library at 413-499-9480, Ext. 5.
 
More information here
 
 
Kids Ornament Making 
151 Eagle St., North Adams
 
Artsy Avenue will be having a kids' ornament making night this Saturday at 6 p.m. 
 
The class costs $20 and participants will be able to take home four ornaments. More information here
 
 
Christmas Party Fundraiser 
North Adams American Legion
 
North Adams American Legion Post 125 is hosting a Christmas party fundraiser this Friday at 6 p.m. 
 
All proceeds will go toward the local American Legion family scholarships. More information here
 
 
Pittsfield High School Winter Concert
PHS, Pittsfield
 
The PHS jazz combos, big band, choir, orchestra and concert band will be performing their first concerts of the year this Thursday at 7 p.m. 
 
There will also be two raffle baskets and a bake sale to help support the school's music programs.
 
More information here
 
 
Ugly Sweater Dance Party 
Methuselah Bar and Lounge, Pittsfield 
 
Wear your ugliest sweater and dance to the mixes by DJ Craig at 9 p.m. this Saturday at the Methuselah Bar and Lounge.
 
More information here.
 
 
Miss Bennet: Christmas At Pemberley
Shakespeare & Company, 
 
Shakespeare & Company is holding a costumed staged reading of "Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley" this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 
 
The Jane Austen-inspired play was written by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, and directed by Ariel Bock.
 
The play depicts what Christmas at Pemberley would be like after Elizabeth Bennet marries Mr. Darcy and follows  her younger sister, Mary Bennet, who has grown tired of her role as a middle child, in contrast to her siblings' romantic escapades. 
 
The company says "an unexpected guest sparks her hopes for an intellectual match, independence, and possibly even love.
 
General admission is $28 or $18 for students. More information here
 
 
Weekly Friday Night Jazz 
Methuselah Bar and Lounge, Pittsfield
 
The Methuselah hosts Berkshires Jazz on Friday from 7 to 10 p.m.
 
The event is part of its weekly series that runs until the end of 2022. More information here
 
 
Berkshire Grown North Adams Farmers Market
North Adams and Great Barrington
 
The North Adams market will be open this Sunday, Dec. 18, at Greylock Works, located at 508 State Road, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. 
 
The Great Barrington market will be Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Housy Dome in Housatonic from 10 to 2. 
 
Both market accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Program benefits. They also provide a 100 percent match to the SNAP balance for up to $25.
 
More information on the North Adams market here and the Great Barrington market here.
 
 
A Scenic Christmas Train Ride
Hoosac Valley Train Ride, Adams 
 
Santa will be riding the Tinseliner train this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to spread Christmas cheer. 
 
Boarding will be on Friday at 1, 3:30 and 6 p.m.; Saturday at 1, 3:30 and 6 p.m.; and Sundays at 11:30 and 2.
 
Arrive 30 minutes before departure and check-in with the ticket agent 10 to 20 minutes prior to departure.
 
More information here

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Mass MoCA Commission Approves Mental Health Practices as Tenants

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Mass MoCA Commission on Thursday approved three new tenants for Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. 
 
Kimma Stark, project manager at the museum, gave the commission the rundown on each of the new tenants. 
 
Eric Beeman is a licensed mental health counselor who uses art in his therapy. He holds a master's degree in expressive arts and arts therapy from Lesley University, where he's also taught graduate-level practices and principles of expressive art therapy.
 
He integrates creative arts based interventions into his clinical work including drawing painting, poetry, writing, brief drama and roleplay, movement and sound. Beeman works one-on-one and with small groups and said he mostly works with adults. 
 
He will be operating as Berkshires Expressive Arts Therapy on the third floor of Building 1. 
 
Beeman said Stark has been very helpful. "It's different than just renting a space and she's been very helpful and personable and accessible," he said. 
 
Mary Wilkes, a licensed clinical social worker and therapist, works with individuals with severe mental illness, with attachment and relationship issues and needing support navigating major life transitions. She works with teenagers, college and students and adults. 
 
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