I Am Afro Street Fair Comes To North Adams

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  — The Berkshire Black Economic Council Inc. partners with First Congregational Church of North Adams to host "I Am Afro: A Street Fair for All the People." 
 
This free Juneteenth celebration takes place on Saturday, June 17, featuring performances, pop-up booths, food, and family-friendly activities. No registration is required and anyone is welcome. Free buses will be running between Pittsfield and North Adams, with stops in Adams.
 
The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the lawn of the church at 134 Main St. there will be dance, music, visual and theater arts, and spoken word by local Black residents. The celebration continues at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art where soul-pop star and Berkshire County native Raiche will perform. 
 
Tickets are $20 to $26 for Raiche's performance and can be purchased online on the Mass MoCA's website
 
"I Am Afro" is supported by the BBEC's Black Arts Council, an intergenerational cohort dedicated to fostering an inclusive and trustworthy arts sector that responds to the needs of the Black community. By partnering with First Congregational on this inaugural event, the council continues to advance local efforts to promote black artists, entrepreneurship, and culture in the Berkshires. Sponsors include the Northern Berkshire United Way, the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire, the Pittsfield Cultural Council, a Festivals grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and an Arts Build Community grant from the Taconic Community Foundation, with funding from the Barr Foundation.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Weekend Outlook: SuperBowl With Love

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

Check out the events happening in the Berkshires this weekend, including Super Bowl parties, plays, Valentine's themed events and more.

Editor's Pick

Father-Daughter Valentine's Dances

Cheshire Community House
Time: Friday, 6 to 9 p.m.
 
Cost is $10, advance only; includes snacks and beverages. More information: Corey McGrath at 413-841-5057 or Tim Garner at 413-822-5671.

St. Mary's School, Lee
Time: Saturday, 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Cost: $12 per person, including snacks, a photo booth, and more. More information here.

Multiple Days

'Dinner at 8, Dead by 9'
Shire Tavern, Dalton
Friday and Saturday

Enjoy dinner and a show put on by the Taconic High School Theater Department. You'll encounter surprises and suspense while enjoying food from the Tavern.

More information and tickets here.

Some Valentine's Specials

Love Yourself Herbal Workshop
46 West St., Pittsfield
Time: Friday, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Create four different herbal body products for yourself or as a Valentine's gift at the Solarium Plant Shop

More information here.

Bloom Lab Perfumerie Workshop
35 Walker St,. Lenox
Time: Friday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Create a perfume for yourself or another. This two-hour session will cover basic perfumery and include charcuterie and socializing. Tickets are $125.

More information and tickets here.

Friday

 

First Friday
Downtown North Adams
Time: 5 to 9
 
This monthly First Friday event is themed "I Love North Adams." Businesses will have extended hours and many galleries will be hosting openings, closings, and other special events. 
 
Future Lab[s] hosts its closing reception for the exhibit featuring the work of more than 40 member; Steeple City Social will have special cocktails and a performance by Five Pound Horse; Installation Space will be projecting on the Flatiron Building; Gallery North opens with works by Isabel Rosenthal and permanent gallery artists; Common Folk Artist Collective has its weekly Common Craft Night; Savvy Hive has a fill-a-bag sale for $25; Alison Pebworth has open studios.

Spindle (music bingo) w/ DJ Pup Daddy
137 Brodie Mountain Road, Hancock
Time: 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Bring your friends and family and play musical bingo with DJ Pup Daddy at Bluebird and Co. Restaurant. Get a chance to win gift cards and be sure to reserve food when making your reservation.

More information here.

Saturday

Bousquet Mountain Grommie Jam
Bousquet, Pittsfield
Time: 11 a.m.

Grommie Jam is a community get-together where skiers and riders ages 16 and younger come together. Open to all with a valid lift ticket or season pass; prizes from Berkshire Bike & Board.

More information here.

Love you to Pizzas! UNO Neighborhood Party
157 River St., North Adams
Time: noon to 2 p.m.

Enjoy games, crafts, pizza, and drinks and socialize with the neighborhood with this free event by Northern Berkshire Community Coalition.

More information here.

Farmer's Market
Hotel Downstreet, North Adams
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