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Weekend Outlook: Live Music, a Festival, and More

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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Berkshire county and the surrounding areas are having a variety of events including live musical performances, comedy nights, and more. 
 
*Do you want your market or event included in the outlook? Email info@iberkshires.com.
 
Find Memorial Day events here.

Editor's Pick:

MayFest 2023
Downtown Bennington, Vt.
Time: 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. 
 
Main Street will be closed this Saturday for Bennington's MayFest to celebrate spring.
 
The event features music, food, performances and more. More than 95 vendors will line the street offering a range of products, from handmade jewelry, clothing, sculpture, and more. 
 
There will be many different types of live performances throughout the day on four separate stages. 
 
More information here. 

Friday:

BAAMS Third Anniversary Concert
Adams Theater, Park Street
Time: 7:30 p.m.
 
The Berkshires Academy for Advanced Musical Studies celebrates three years with a night of live musical performances from the school's faculty, students, and special guests. This event will be the first performance in the newly-renovated Adams Theater's 2023 Spring/Summer WIP Series. See less
 
More information and tickets here. 
 
Live Music 
Big Elm Brewing, Sheffield
Time: 5 until 7 p.m.
 
There will be a performance by local musician Lauren Pellegrino. More information here. 
 
Salsa Night
The Stationery Factory, Dalton
Time: 7 p.m. 
 
The Wandering Dance Society is having a Salsa Night as part of its community dance initiative produced by Mill Town Foundation in association with Jacob's Pillow.
 
The night kicks off with lessons with Berkshire Salsa instructor Alan Franco followed by an open dance floor at 8 p.m.
 
Tickets are $10. If ticket price is a barrier to attend this event, contact andy@milltownfoundation.org.
 
More information here. 

Saturday:

Remembrance Ride 2023
Dalton American Legion
Time: 10 a.m. 
 
The Legion is having its annual Memorial Day ceremony with a scenic ride to the Locker Room in Lee.
 
The ceremony is open to the public and you don't have to have a motorcycle to attend. 
Registration for the ride starts at 10  and the Memorial Day ceremony at 11.
 
More information here. 
 
The Brews Cruise
Hot Plate Brewing Co.
Time: 7:30 p.m.
 
Take a social ride in downtown Pittsfield this Memorial Day weekend. 
 
The casual 5-mile loop starts and ends at Hot Plate Brewing Co. Following the ride, their will be an hourlong social featuring a prize giveaway. 
 
More information here. 
 
Canna Provisions Live Music
Locker Room Sports Pub, Lee
Time: 7 p.m. 
 
There will be a live performance by local folk, alternative country, and acoustic rock musician Jack Waldheim. The show is presented by Canna Provisions. 
 
More information here. 

Sunday:

Berkshire Choral International in Concert
Tanglewood, Stockbridge
Time: 2 p.m. 
 
The nonprofit educational institution Berkshire Choral International will perform  works on the theme of home.
 
Tickets are just $15 general admission or $5 for anyone under 18. Tickets here. 
 
Live Musical Performance 
Starving Artist Cafe, Lee 
Time: 11 a.m. 
 
Singer and Songwriter Kenn Morr, of the Kenn Morr Band, will be having a solo performance featuring some of the band's songs. 
 
More information here. 
 
Domingo Brunch Ride
Dottie's Coffee Lounge, Pittsfield
Time: 10 a.m. 
 
Take a social ride in downtown Pittsfield and enjoy brunch at Dottie's with live music until noon. 
More information here. 
 
Comedy Night 
Stationary Factory, Dalton 
Time: 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
 
Comedians Ted Alexandro, Andy Pitz and Shaun Eli will perform. The performances are presented by Liberty Comedy. 
 
More information here.
 
Preservation Month: A Tower of Remembrance
Mount Greylock State Reservation
Time: 1 and 2 on Sunday & Monday
 
Explore the story of Mount Greylock's historic Massachusetts Veterans War Memorial Tower, the commonwealth's tribute to the men and women who gave their lives in the service of their country.
The 93-foot tall monument on the state's highest summit is crowned with a beacon light that can be seen for miles. The 30-minute tour will highlight the recently completed $2 million restoration.
 
This program is free, all ages are welcome and the tour route is wheelchair accessible. Meet at the War Memorial. Children must be accompanied by an adult. A parking fee may apply.
 
More information: 413-499-4262

Multiple Days:

Drury Band Celebrates 100 Years 
 
The Drury Alumni Concert will be held this weekend coinciding with the band's centennial. 
 
This year, the concert will be a little different and will take place over two days.
 
On Friday, May 26, at 7 p.m.
 
The current Drury Jazz/Rock Band will play at the Elks on Friday at 7 and the Alumni Rock Band at 8.
 
The main event is Saturday, when the full alumni band will play a selection of six songs featuring different conductors including Carl Jenkins and Roger LaRocca. The concert will be held in the Drury High School auditorium.
 
More information here. 
 
Roxie's Barkery Retail Anniversary Celebration 
Roxie's Barkery, North Adams 
 
Bring your pups to Roxie's Barkery this Saturday and Sunday to celebrate its one-year anniversary in its Norad Mill location.
 
The weekend features free cakes for your pups, Bingo and raffles. Have your photo taken with your pup so the polaroid picture can be added to their poster.  
 
The festivities will take place on Saturday from 11 until 3 p.m. and Sunday from 11 until 2. Check out our last article on the business here.
 
More information on the event here. 

Farmer's Markets:

Pittsfield Farmers Market

The Common, Pittsfield
Time: 9 to 1. 
 
Powered by Roots Rising, the market is open every Saturday rain or shine. 
 
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. 
 
For more information, visit the website. 
 
Great Barrington Farmers Market
18 Church St., Great Barrington
Time: 9 to 1. 
 
The market is open every Saturday.  
 
Every week there will be locally grown food, flowers, and plants along with other local vendors. 
 
More information here. 

Tags: weekend outlook,   

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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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