Weekend Outlook: First Friday, Fundraisers and 'Billy Budd'
Several events will take place in the Berkshires this weekend, including First Friday festivities, spring walks, comedy, and more.
Editor's Pick
First Friday
Downtown North Adams
Time: 5 to 11 p.m.
It's mud season (somewhere under this snow!), and this month's first Friday is themed "Down & Dirty." The event will feature exhibits, mud thumb wrestling, downtown cleanup, films, dancing, and more.
Information here.
Friday
'Jazz Visions II' Opening Reception
Hotel on North, Pittsfield
Time: 5 p.m.
In celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month, the hotel will kick off its new display, "Jazz Visions ll," with an open reception. The art within the display is by local artist Marguerite Bride
The work will by on display in the Lobby Gallery during the months of April and May. More information here.
Marathon Reading
Hot Plate Brewing Co., Pittsfield
Time: Noon
The Berkshire County Historical Society will have a marathon read of Herman Melville's book "Billy Budd, Sailor" to kick off its monthlong celebration of the centennial of the novella's publication.
To commemorate the occasion, Hot Plate Brewing's created an English IPA, appropriately named "Handsome Sailor."
The event is free but a $5 donation is appreciated. Information here.
Research and Academic Program Lecture
The Clark Art Institute, Williamstown
Time: 5:30 p.m.
University of Michigan Associate professor Anna Watkins Fisher will examine how artistic resistance in the twenty-first-century common period disrupts and transforms opinions in ways that reinforce powerful systems. More information here.
Beer & Wine Tasting
Bounti-Fare, Adams
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Enjoy craft beers and wines paired with food that complements the beverages. Proceeds benefit the Adams Lions Club community service initiatives.
Tickets $25 in advance; $30 at the door. Available from Adams Lions members or here.
Saturday
Spring Fling Craft Fair
Hoosac Valley High School, Cheshire
Time: 9 to 3 p.m.
Hoosac Valley Middle School Parent Teacher Group is having a craft fair. Information here.
Berkshire Art Center's Annual Fundraiser
The Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield
Time: 5:30 p.m.
There will be a fundraiser to benefit Berkshire Art Center, formerly IS183 Art School. The event will feature a dance party from 7 to 11 p.m. and a cocktail party and silent auction starting at 5:30 p.m.
For $35, participants get general admission to the dance party, which will feature performances by local drag queen, Bella Santarella, and music by DJ BFG.
For $125, participants will have access to the dance party and cocktail party, which will include a first look at the Berkshire Theater Group's silent auction.
Costumes are encouraged. Berkshire Art Center's website has costume ideas, updates, and more. More information here.
'Eclipses: What Are They?'
Milne Public Library, Williamstown
Time: 11 a.m.
Williams College astronomy students will give a slideshow about eclipses for a general audience in advance of Monday's eclipse. A limited number of eclipse glasses will be available for attendees.
Free and open to the public. More information here.
Spring Fling Decades Night
North Adams Elks 487
Time: 8 to 11 p.m.
The event will feature music from the 1970s to the early 2000s, a finger food buffet, a dance contest, and decade-themed outfit contests, both of which have prizes.
There is a $10.00 cover at the door. More information here.
Karaoke at the VFW Post 996
VFW Post 996 North Adams
Time: 9 p.m. until midnight
Sing your heart out with the V.F.W. for a chance to win $30. More information here.
Trivia Night
BArT Charter Public School, Adams
Time: 6 p.m.
Support the school's college preparatory program with a trivia night, BART's largest fundraising event of the year.
Teams of one to six players gather to compete in classrooms in subjects such as science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics, and BArThropology. More information here.
Beer and Doughnut Pairing
Shire Donuts, Dalton
Time: 11 a.m.
Shire Beer Co. will be at Shire Donuts to pair their craft beer with the donuts. More information here.
Comedy @ Bright Ideas Brewing
Bright Ideas Brewing, North Adams
Laugh over a drink at Bright Ideas, located on the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Arts campus.
Comedian Matt Vita will headline the event, which will also feature an act by Bri Morrison.
The last three shows sold out. Tickets cost $15. More information here.
Opening Up with Spring Walk
Mount Greylock Visitors Center, Lanesborough
Time: 1 to 3 p.m.
Join Jean Beebe for a moderate one- to two-mile walk. The walk will feature mindful breathing, nature connection, and meditation skills. Space is limited. Call 413-499-4262 to register. More information here.
Annual Live Out Loud Conference
MCLA campus, North Adams
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The annual conference is now in its 10th year and is designed to build community in the Berkshires and strengthen understanding and advocacy of the LGBTQIA-plus population.
Includes panel discussions, resource fair, clothing exchange and lunch. Attendance is free. Register here.
Sunday
First Sunday Free Clark
The Clark Art Institute, Williamstown
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
The Clark Art offers free admission to the galleries, special exhibitions, and activities. This First Friday theme is "Paper Play."
The event will feature tours of the museum's permanent and temporary exhibits. Visitors will also have a chance to make a pop-up book or a decorative object to take home and take on woven paper activities.
Throughout the afternoon, multidisciplinary artist Sunny Allis welcomes visitors to co-create an immersive, large-scale paper city installation in the lower level of the Clark Center.
More information here.
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