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Weekend Outlook: Bazaars, First Friday and Day of the Dead

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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There are several events this weekend, including first friday activities, live music, and more. See trick-or-treating times for Thursday here.
 
Editor's Pick
 
First Sunday Free: Frame and Reframe
The Clark Art Institute, Williamstown 
Time: 1 to 4 p.m. 
The museum is hosting a First Sunday Free event focused on the role of frames in art. 
 
Participants can explore the galleries with a viewfinder, decorate a frame, and join discussions led by Hugh Glover, former conservator at the Williamstown and Atlanta Art Conservation Center. 
 
The discussions will cover various styles and materials of select French frames from the Clark's collection, spanning 150 years, aiming to change perceptions of art.
 
More information here. 
 
North Adams Elks Holiday Craft Show
Elks Lodge, North Adams
Time: Saturday & Sunday, 9 to 2
 
The show is at capacity for crafters, artists and other vendors. This is free for attendees to enter, and they can also enjoy raffles, a ticket auction, concessions, and a Sunday morning breakfast provided by the Elks starting at 8 a.m. with proceeds benefiting local charities. Hosted by Berkshire Emporium & Antiques. 
 
 
Friday 
 
North Adams First Friday
Downtown North Adams
Time: 5 to 8 p.m.
 
First Friday celebrates Dia de los Muertos, the day of remembrance for the dead. Downtown businesses will have specials and extended hours and gallery will be open. Look for a projection on the Flat Iron Building, hot chocolate and cookie giveaways at 5 Eagle, live music at Heart's Pace and a party following at Bright Ideas.
 
Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art is holding its annual celebration -- bring photos or tokens of loved ones to contribute to the altar. Mexican foods will be available, student musicians will perform in the lobby and art-marking activities will be held. Special storytime at 5:15 and a talk on Southwest photographer Louis Carlos Bernal will be held in R&D store at 6. Free with registration here. 
 
More information here.
 
Celtic Session and Concert
Dewey Hall, Sheffield
Time: Workshop at 5:30 p.m.; Concert at 8 p.m.
 
This Celtic Harvest Festival will celebrate music and honoring ancestors. 
 
The event features a workshop for acoustic instrument players of all skill levels and performances by David Paton, Claudine Langille, Joseph Sobol, and the headlining act Hildaland, comprising fiddler Louise Bichan and mandolinist Ethan Setiawan.
 
Tickets are $30. More information here.
 
Karaoke 
VFW Post 996, North Adams
Time: 9 p.m. 
 
Sing the night away for a chance to win $30 at the end of the night. Sing at least one solo song and stay till the end of the night for a chance to win. More information here. 
 
Vabbe Exhibit 
Future Lab[s], North Adams 
Time: 6 to 8 p.m. 
 
The gallery is opening its newest exhibit by n. massari and Sergio Demo. More information here. 
 
Halloween Dance Party 
63 Flansburg Ave., Dalton
Time: 9 to midnight
 
The annual Halloween Bash will feature Mr. Doubtfire, drink specials, and gelatin shots. There is a $5 cover. More information here. 
 
First Friday Halloween Hangover Party 
Bright Ideas Brewing, North Adams
Time: 7 p.m.
 
There will be music, craft beer, and spooky costumes. Prizes will be awarded to the best dressed. More information here. 
 
Art of Food Opening Reception 
431 North St., Pittsfield 
Time: 5 to 8 p.m. 
 
Downtown Pittsfield Inc. and Framework will feature the exhibit "Art of Food" from Nov. 1 thru 27 to benefit its Thankful Food Drive. 
 
It features paintings, mixed media, photography, and a Lego sculpture that fits the theme of "food."
 
More information here. 
 
Zinky's Halloween Party 
Zinky's Pub, Dalton
Time: 8 to 11:55 p.m. 
 
There will be live music, spooky cocktails, a costume contest, prize giveaways, and more. More information here. 
 
Saturday 
 
Becket Day
Various locations
Time: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. 
 
The Becket Athenaeum and partners celebrate the town of Becket with an emphasis on local creativity and supporting small businesses. 
 
The event is organized by local businesses and organizations such as the Becket Arts Center and Dream Away Lodge. 
 
Attendees can explore various local spots, including the Dream Away Lodge, Route 8 Pub, and the newly opened Becket Country Store. 
 
More information here. 
 
Exhibit Interactive Tour
Williams College Museum of Art, Williamstown
Time: 2 p.m. 
 
There will be a student-led tour of the "Teddy Sandoval and the Butch Gardens School of Art" exhibition, which is on view through Dec 22. 
 
Visitors will learn about the Butch Gardens bar that inspired Teddy's School of Art and how artists like Sandoval created spaces celebrating queer Latinx bodies during the Chicano/a/x activism and peak of the AIDS pandemic in California.
 
More information here. 
 
Free Family Theater
Adams Free Libary
Time: 5 p.m.
 
The Adams Free Library hosts the Nutshell Playhouse production of "Saving Jazzy" in the annex. Features masks, movement, live music and puppetry, this original performance is about a global search for special ingredients to save an endangered flower. 
 
Space is limited so registration is requested by calling 413-743-8345.
 
The Humble Pie Hullabaloo
Dewey Memorial Hall, Sheffield 
Time: 1 p.m. 
 
There will be pie tasting, recipe share, soup, hot cider, live music, a raffle and a 
optional hike. Tickets range from $10 to $25. More information here. 
 
Haddad Helps Soldier On
130 Pittsfield-Lenox Road, Pittsfield 
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
 
There will be a kickoff event marking the start of the dealership's initiative to support Soldier On. The event will feature food, goodie bags for the kids, a live broadcast by WBEC Live 95.9 FM, and more. 
 
Throughout November, Haddad will help support Soldier On, a Pittsfield organization that provides transitional housing and supportive services to veterans experiencing homelessness. 
 
For every car sold during the month of November, Haddad Toyota donates $200 to the organization. 
 
More information here. 
 
Pumpkin Smash Bash 
Whitney's Farm Market & Garden Center 
Time: 11 to 4 p.m. 
 
The garden center has partnered with Second Chance Composting with a Pumpkin Smash Bash. Bring your Halloween pumpkins and smash them. 
 
Pumpkins must be unpainted, unbleached, and any non-organic materials removed. Once smashed, the pumpkins will be turned into compost by Second Chance Composting.
 
More information here. 
 
Holiday Craft Market
Mount Anthony Union High, Bennington, Vt.
Time: 9 a.m.
 
Second annual craft market at the high school; high school groups will be fundraising during the market. 
 
Arts and Crafts Festival
Berkshire South Regional Community Center
Time: 11 to 3 p.m. 
 
The center is holding its 9th annual Arts and Crafts Festival, but this year, it is indoors. More than 25 local vendors will be lined up selling goods perfect for holiday gifts. 
 
The event will also feature music and food trucks. More information here. 
 
Annual Harvest Bazaar
238 Main Street, Bennington, Vt.
Time: 8 to 3 p.m. 
 
The bazaar will benefit the School of Sacred Heart St. Francis de Sales. It will feature vendors, a 50/50 raffle, and more. 
 
More information here. 
 
Sunday
 
Pancake Breakfasts 
Holiday Brook Farm, Dalton
Time: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
 
Enjoy pancakes, eggs, hash browns, sausage, and more at the farm's all-you-can-eat buffet. The event includes free kids crafts and wagon rides, weather permitting.
 
Tickets are $16.95 for adults, and kids between 2 and 12 pay their age. More information here.
 
Project HERlarious
The Foundry, West Stockbridge
Time: 7:30 p.m.
 
Produced by Berkshire native Eryca Nolan, this comedy series brings together some of the funniest female comedians from across the country. Stephanie K., who's headlined at comedy clubs in New York and the Apollo Theater, and host Kim DeShields of Amherst, a semifinalist on Nick at Nite's Funniest Mom and contestant on Last Comic Standing, will take the stage. 
 
Tickets are $20 and available 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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