Almost Spring Weekender Brings Global Dance and Music to Sheffield

SHEFFIELD, Mass. — Northampton-based music promoter Secret Planet is hosting the Almost Spring Weekender, a two-day mini-festival of dance and live music at Race Brook Lodge on March 7-8.

The event features a lineup of international artists and DJs aimed at breaking cabin fever before spring arrives.

The festival kicks off Friday with Congolese electronic dance band KOKOKO! headlining, supported by Deejay Theory and MODRUMS. Saturday offers a mix of contemplative and high-energy performances, including a mountain hike with double bassist Garth Stevenson, a set by pianist BIGYUKI, and evening performances from LA LULU, Underground System, and DJ Busquelo. Tickets are available for the full weekend or individual events.

More details can be found at www.secretplanet.live/weekender2.

Great Barrington Fire, Police Respond to Chimney Fire

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
02:48PM / Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Fire Chief Scott Turner called for mutual aid as soon as he saw flames. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Firefighters made quick work of a chimney fire on Tuesday afternoon and two police officers aided the occupant in escaping the building. 

 

Fire Chief Scott Turner said the blaze at 205 North St. was reported about 12:38 p.m.

 

"When I arrived on scene, we had a small amount of flames coming out of the eaves of the roof over by the chimney for the wood stove, and then we had light smoke conditions on the second floor," he said. 

 

Police Officers Andres Huertas and Elias Casey were first on the scene and immediately entered the single-family home to find the occupant was on the second floor. 

 

They helped her out of the building, Turner said, "they did a great job."

 

The chimney is a metal chimney and burn marks could been seen where it meets the eaves on the side of the building. 

 

North Street is a narrow residential way and firetrucks from Alford, Egremont, Monterey, Richmond, Stockbridge and West Stockbridge were parked along nearby streets. Scene support was provided by police, Southern Berkshire Ambulance, and National Grid.