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Weekend Outlook: Pride Festivals, Carnivals & More

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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There are a variety of events this weekend, including a carnival, Pride celebrations, live music, and more.  
 
Editor’s Pick 
 
Berkshire Pride Festival and Parade
The Common Park, Pittsfield
Time: Saturday, 11 to 4 p.m. 
 
Pittsfield will celebrate Pride with the Berkshire Pride Festival and Parade. 
 
Participants are encouraged to bring their friends and family, that includes pets, to watch Pittsfield’s pride parade, which will start at 11 a.m. from North Street, down Eagle Street, ending at the Common. 
 
The event also includes vendors, drag performers, musical artists, and more. More information here. 
 
Multiple Days 
 
Lenox Art Walks
Downtown Lenox
June 8 and 9
 
The streets will be transformed into an expanded Gallery Style Art-Walk featuring over 50 booths of handmade treasures and unique Gallery exhibits. More information here. 
 
Dalton Carnival 
Dalton American Legion
 
The Dalton Carnival is back this weekend, featuring rides, fireworks, local vendors, and more. It runs from Thursday, June 6 to Sunday, June 9th. 
 
Fireworks will take place on Friday and Saturday around 10 p.m. Wristbands will be on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
 
Hours of Operations–
 
Thursday: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday: 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. 
Saturday: Noon to 11 p.m. 
Sunday: Noon to 6 p.m. 
 
Grief … A Comedy
36 Linden St., Pittsfield
June 6 to 9
 
Berkshire resident, writer/comedian Alison Larkin headlines with five preview performances of “Grief… A Comedy” before embarking on a World Tour, kicking off at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Moore information here. 
 
Weekend Plant Care Festival 
The Plant Connector, North Adams, and Pittsfield
Time: Jun 8 to 9 
 
Tickets are $30. More information here. 
 
On Saturday, starting at 10 a.m.  Plant Care refillery kits will be available equipped with all the essentials to nurture your plants. From noon to 2 p.m., there will be a moss pole-making station so visitors can craft their own moss poles, which are essential for supporting climbing plants. From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., there will be pot painting and dried flower decorating. 
 
On Sunday, there will be a repotting class from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and from noon until 2 p.m., visitors can make small jellyfish terrariums while learning about Air plant Care.
 
Downtown Pittsfield Summer Music Series
Various locations, Pittsfield
Time: Friday, Saturday, Sunday 
 
The Downtown Pittsfield Cultural Association, with partners the City of Pittsfield, MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative (TDI), and Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI), is presenting a free Downtown Pittsfield Summer Music Series on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through September 6. More information here. 
 
Fridays will feature a variety of local musicians and performers live at Persip Park from 5 to 8 p.m. 
 
Saturdays will feature live Jazz in collaboration with Berkshires Jazz from 2 to 5 p.m. at Persip Park. 
 
Sundays will feature Latin Dance Instruction in Dunham Mall, 100 North Street, from 5 to 7 pm.
 
Friday 
 
Entrepreneur Fair
Patterson Field House at Berkshire Community College, Pittsfield 
Time: Noon to 1 p.m. 
 
Pittsfield Public School students participating in the Danny Dollar Entrepreneur financial literacy program will be showing off their businesses. 
 
North Adams First Friday 
Downtown North Adams
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.
 
The city will kick off Pride Month with the painting of a rainbow street mural on Eagle Street. 
 
North Adams Drag Queens Vuronika Baked and Jackie Legs will also reveal their community-based Pride Art Mural, started last fall at the corner of Eagle and Main Street Gallery.
 
Eagle Street will be closed to host live music, food trucks, and vendors. Downtown businesses will have extended hours, and many businesses and galleries will be hosting openings, closings, and other special events focused on starting fresh. 
 
More information here. 
 
Dead Man's Waltz featuring Mark Mercier of Max Creek
The Stationery Factory, Dalton
Time:  7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
 
Dead Man's Waltz (formerly Steal Your Peach) will be performing their spin on a vast catalog of classic songs by The Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers Band, and The Band. Tickets cost $25. More information here. 
 
First Friday at Five
Downtown Pittsfield
Time: 5 p.m. 
 
Downtown Pittsfield will be alive with activities, including a Jacob’s Pillow interactive performance, live music from Happy Together at the City Stage, the Family Fun Zone at Dunham Mall, live art demonstrations, a beer garden at Hot Plate, artisanal vendors, and more. 
 
Each month, a community booth will be set up with presenting sponsors. June’s sponsor is Berkshire Pride.
 
There will also be an art walk featuring a shuttle that will take people from City Hall to the Clock Tower Artist Studios.
 
More information here. 
 
Tiny Glass Tavern Performance 
The Adams Theater
Time: 7 p.m. 
 
Cross-genre music ensemble Tiny Glass Tavern will be performing. Tickets range from $11.99 to $36.99. More information here. 
 
Karaoke Night
Dalton American Legion
Time: 7 to midnight
 
Sing your heart out to your favorite tunes and have a drink. More information here.  
 
Pride Karaoke Fundraiser
Hot Plate Brewing Co., Pittsfield
Time: 5 p.m. 
 
Sing your heart out while showing support for Berkshire Pride. Compete to climb higher on the song list by making a donation. The more you donate, the higher you'll be on the list to showcase your favorite tunes and support LGBTQ+ pride in our community.
 
More information here. 
 
Saturday
 
Yoga
Balderdash Cellars, Richmond
Time: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
 
All-level yoga sessions will be held. A Balderdash instructor will guide you through a series of poses and breathing exercises designed to energize your body and calm your mind. Bring your own matt. Tickets are $25 registration required More information here. 
 
Greylock Photography Group Meet-Up: Berkshire Destinations
30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough
Time: 2 p.m. 
 
Mount Greylock State Reservation will be having local photographer and author Christy Butler for a Photographic Slideshow Presentation in the Theater Room at Mount Greylock Visitor Cent
 
This program is open to all ages and skill levels. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
 
For more information, call 413-499-4262 or visit the Facebook page. More information here. 
 
Pop-up Zumba Class
740 Williams Street, Pittsfield
Time: 10:30 a.m. 
 
Special guest instructor Angel Davila will lead a pop-up Zumba class. All levels are welcome. More information here. 
 
Berkshire Pride 21-Plus After Party
Holiday Inn & Suites, Pittsfield 
Time: 7 to 11:30 p.m.
 
Berkshire Pride is hosting an after-party with beats and entertainment. VIP tickets include a one-hour open bar, hors d'oeuvres, and live entertainment. Tickets range from $25 to $225. More information here. 
 
Make It: Candle and Soap
Hampton Inn & Suites, Lenox
Time: 3 p.m. 
 
Customize your own signature blend of detergent-free coconut milk soap and natural soy wax candles. There are 5 scent options to choose from, with the possibility of more being added. You can combine multiple scents to create your own unique fragrance. Only 12 spots are available, registration is required. 
 
Tickets cost $55. More information here. 
 
Music On The Moltz Terrace: Basic And Erica Dawn Lyle
Clark Art Institute, Williamstown
Time: 5 to 6:30 p.m. 
 
Experimental musician Erica Dawn Lyle will be performing Natural Information Society’s new project, “Basics,” alongside? Philadelphia’s Chris Forsyth, Nick Millevoi, and Mikel Patrick Avery. More information here. 
 
Farmer's Markets 
 
Lenox Farmer's Market
St. Ann's Church, Lenox
Time: 11 to 3. 
 
This market is open every Friday through Sept. 13, and features fresh produce, pastries, cheeses, and more. More information here. 
 
Lee Farmer's Market 
The Town Park in front of First Congregational Church
Time: Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
 
The Lee Farmers Market kicks off this weekend, bringing back locally grown produce, prepared foods, locally created arts and crafts, and herbal products. 
 
The market accepts SNAP, HIP, Senior Coupons, and WIC Coupons and also offers Market Match. 
 
More information here. 
 
Sheffield Farmer's Market
125 Main St.
Time: Saturday, 3 to 6 p.m. 
 
The market will kick off this weekend and will feature healthy food and products from a variety of local vendors in an attempt to nourish the community by protecting "local small farms, land, bees, and economy."
 
More information on the market here. 
 
This market will also feature an exhibit by photographer Dylan W. Kubis. Kubis coined the term "Berkshiregraphs" to represent the photos he has taken of the Berkshires. The prints will be available for purchase.
 
More information on Kubis here. 
 
North Adams Farmer's Market  
Main Street
Time: Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
 
The south side of Main Street from American Legion Drive will be closed to make room for the city's weekly farmers market, which will kick off this Saturday. Explore downtown North Adams and discover local businesses and fresh produce from local farms. Annual Seedling Swap is being held during the market; bring extras to swap or just take some home. More information here. 
 
Williamstown Farmer's Market 
Spring Street
Time: Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
 
The market focuses on a wide range of local food and artisan vendors, as well as local services and music. More information here. 
 
Outdoor Pittsfield Farmer's Market
Pittsfield Common
Time: 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
 
Roots Rising, the region's first teen-run market, will hold an indoor farmers market this Saturday. The event will feature live music, chef demos, workshops, children's activities, and more. More information is available here. 
 
Great Barrington Farmer's Market
18 Church St.
Time: Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
 
The market is open every Saturday. Every week, locally grown food, flowers, and plants will be available, along with other local vendors. The market accepts and offers doubling SNAP, HIP, WIC, and Senior market coupons. More information is here. 
 
New Marlborough Farmer's Market 
Village Green
Time: Sunday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
 
The market has local vendors that offer a variety of goods from produce, eggs, baked goods, jams, hand-knit items, maple syrup, and more. 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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