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Weekend Outlook: Art Openings, Celebrations, and More

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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Berkshire County is hosting a variety of events this chilly weekend including art openings, winter jam celebrations, musical performances, and more. 

Erin Rae performs at Tourists on Sunday. 

Friday, Feb. 3

Rev Tor's 11th Annual Dead of Winter Jam
Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield
 
Berkshire Theatre Group is hosting a mid-winter celebration to honor 58 years of Grateful Dead music beginning at 7:30 at the Colonial Theatre. 
 
Performances include Rev Tor's Dead Man's Waltz (formerly Steal Your Peach), Mark Mericer (Max Creek), Jen Durkin (Deep Banana Blackout), Mark Paradis (The Marks Brothers/Lobsters From Mars), and more. 
 
Tickets for the jam are $25. More information here. 
 
First Friday in North Adams
Downtown North Adams
 
This month's First Friday is themed "I Love North Adams." It features postcards written by residents to the city displayed around the downtown. A number of businesses will be open late and Hearts Pace Tea & Healing Lounge will have live music and mocktails from 6-9 p.m. Free shuttle service from Hoosac Hall downtown for students. 
 
More information at nachamber.org/firstfridays.
 
Brandi Dahari Art Opening
Hotel on North, Pittsfield
 
Get a taste of spring with an art opening at Hotel on North from 5 until 8 p.m. 
 
The event features spring-themed work by local teacher and artist Brandi Dahari. The reception features a meet and greet with the artist along with light refreshments. More information here. 
 
Basil Hayden Tasting & Dinner
Berkshire Palate, Pittsfield
 
Berkshire Palate hosts a tasting of five Basil Hayden whiskeys paired with the restaurant's creative bites beginning at 6 p.m. 
 
More information here. 
 
Jazz Performance
Methuselah Bar and Lounge, Pittsfield 
 
Upstate New York band Chad McLoughlin Trio plays at the lounge from 7 until 10 p.m. 
 
More information here. 
 
Music at The Legion
American Legion Drive North Adams
 
Country folk singer Ray Gifford performs from 7 until 10 p.m. His repertoire features acoustic sets of originals and cover songs.
 
More information here. 

Saturday, Feb. 4

Music at Mass MoCA
Mass MoCA, North Adams 
 
The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art hosts husband and wife duo Jaime Lozano and Florencia Cuenca at 8 p.m. 
 
The couple's "Broadway en Spanglish" interprets iconic Broadway musical songs with new arrangements by Lozano. The performance features a live accompaniment from mariachi ensemble Mariachi Real De Mexico de Ramon Ponce.
 
Tickets range from $22 to $46. More information here. 
 
 
North Adams Farmers Market
The Green, North Adams
 
Monthly winter farmers market at the Green in the Concourse at 85 Main St. Runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Local produce, eggs, meat and  Valentine's Day gifrts and treats. 
 
More information here. 
 
Music at the Methuselah
Methuselah Bar and Lounge, Pittsfield 
 
Pioneer Valley musician Nate Martel performs from 7 to 10 p.m. His set includes music from various genres and decades including classic rock/soul, '90s pop/rock covers, and some of his original music.
 
More information here.
 
Communitywide Hootenanny Havdalah
Knesset Israel Synagogue, Pittsfield
 
The Knesset Israel Synagogue hosts a Hootenanny Havdalah from 7 until 8 p.m. 
 
The ceremony features an evening of singing, jamming and schmoozing with the the Berkshire rabbis, local musicians and Hevreh of Southern Berkshire's artist-in-residence Peri Smilow. 
 
Community members can also livestream the ceremony at Knessetisrael.org/livestream.
 
More information here. 

Sunday, Feb. 5

Interclub GS Race
Bousquet Mountain, Pittsfield 
 
Bousquet Mountain holds Interclub giant slalom races from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. All are welcome to ski, snowboard, and watch the race but some terrain will be closed for racers. 
 
More information here. 
 
Concert at the Clark
Clark Art Institute, Williamstown
 
The Clark Art will be having a performance by experimental sound artists Bill Nace and Matt Krefting from 3 to 4 p.m.
 
Tickets range from $5 to $10. More information here. 
 
Mini Maker Market @ Greylock WORKS
Greylock Works, North Adams 
 
Greylock Works, located at 508 State Road, hosts a mini market from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. The market features food from the Break Room alongside products from local artisan vendors.
 
More information here. 
 
Erin Rae Live At Tourists
Tourists Welcome, North Adams 
 
Tourist resort, 915 State Road, hosts Nashville folk pop band Erin Rae at 8 p.m. 
 
Admission is free but space is limited. Cash tip for the band is encouraged. More information here.
 
Animal Support Project Fantasy Photos 
Benson's Pet Center, Pittsfield
 
Benson's Pet Center's photo op for pets runs from noon until 3. For a $10 donation, pet parents can bring home a 4-by-6 inch framed keepsake. There are two themes to choose from: Valentine's Day and Mardi Gras.  
 
More information here. 
 

Sunday, Feb. 5

 
Full Moon Owl Prowl
Sheep Hill, Williamstown
 
Williamstown Rural Lands hosts an evening of owls at Sheep Hill with  with wildlife biologist and owl expert Katherine Gura. 
 
Activities include a short talk and less  than one-mile walk, story time, snacks, bonfire and crafts. 
 
No registration necessary. For inquiries, email programs@rurallands.org.

Multiple Day: 

Collaborative Performance at Mass MoCA
Mass MoCA, North Adams 
 
Mass MoCA hosts collaborative performances by M. Elijah Sueuga and Armando Guadalupe Cortés this Friday and Saturday.
 
The performance converges on the artists' interest in sound as well as a shared geography. The title  "La Seca" refers to the dry season in a vast region that stretches through Mexico and into the U.S. southwest. 
 
Sueuga responds to Cortés' work with "Castillos," a performance within an installation. The video projection and a sonic composition that frames la(s) Seca(s) as a prelude of change to come.
 
This performance is free with museum admission. More information here. 

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NAHA Board Accepts Director's Resignation, Unlocks Tenants Association Office

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority Board of Commissioners officially accepted the resignation of Executive Director Jennifer Hohn and restored access to the Tenants Association office.

The board held a special meeting Thursday to vote to accept Hohn's resignation and determined that there are currently no plans to replace her.

"We didn't make any final determinations in terms of the executive session so we will schedule another meeting at another time," Chairwoman Leigh Uqdah said after returning from more than an hour session. "Day-to-day operations will continue to be managed as normal by staff."

Per their bylaws, board member Marie Harpin will continue to handle finances, and Uqdah will manage contracts.

Hohn stepped down on Oct. 8 after 24 years leading the agency. Her resignation followed rising tension between her and the NAHA Tenants Association, culminating in the scheduling of a formal grievance hearing between both parties.

The boiling point was the locking of the association's office this summer. Tenants alleged the lockout was retaliation for posting a video on social media depicting improperly functioning door alarms. Hohn claimed the office was locked for tenant safety and to stop the spread of misinformation.

Tenants Association President Corey Fortin asked if Hohn's security access had been removed. Uqdah confirmed her credentials were revoked the day she resigned, meaning she can no longer monitor security cameras remotely.

Jennifer Barbeau, a former city councilor who was liaison to the Housing Authority, asked when the board met to discuss Hohn's severance package. Uqdah stated that Hohn did not have one.

The board also accepted the resignation of Commissioner Richard Lavigne, though they will vote officially on the matter at their next meeting.

The open portion of the meeting was brief, with nearly an hour and a half spent in executive session. Before entering executive session, the board opened the floor to tenants.

"The tenants requested an opportunity to talk to the board," said Uqdah. "It has been quite a while, but we have decided to honor that."

Fortin, who posted the original video to social media, was the first to speak. He was clear in his request: unlock the office door.

"Let's cut straight to the chase tonight. The former resigned Director Jennifer Hohn ordered the office locked," he alleged. "She is gone. The lockout is a direct violation, and the board has a duty to end that tonight."

He cited federal and state laws that mandate the tenants association be provided with office space, including computer and network access.

"We are here with a direct administrative demand. We demand that the board vote tonight to unlock the doors," he said. "Do not let a resigned director's illegal action remain the board's ongoing liability. Open our door tonight, and let us get back to work."

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