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Weekend Outlook: Fundraisers, Live Music, and More

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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There are several events this weekend to help you recharge from your week, including fundraisers, live music, and more. 
 
Editor's Pick 
 
FIRST Friday: Clean and Green 
Downtown North Adams 
Friday 5 to 9 p.m. 
 
It's the first Friday of the month, and North Adams knows what that means — First Friday events. 
 
This month, the activities welcome spring with a downtown community clean-up and learning to do more green initiatives. 
 
Bring your household compost downtown to learn from Second Chance Composting about the benefits of composting. The youth from the First Baptist Church will lead a downtown clean up.
 
Businesses will have extended hours, and many galleries will host openings, closings, and other special events, including a First Friday After Party. 
 
More information here
 
Multiple Days
 
Easter Bunny Hop Train Ride
Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, Adams 
April 5 and 6: Departure Times: 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m.
 
The Easter Bunny will hop onto the Hoosac Valley Train to greet families and give out colored eggs. 
 
Tickets in coach range from $3 to $21; first class ranges from $3 to $35. A first-class table, which includes seats for four, is $180. 
 
More information here
 
'South Pacific'
MAC Center, Bennington, Vt.
Time: Friday & Saturday at 7; Saturday & Sunday at 2
 
The Monument Arts & Cultural Center presents Rogers and Hammerstein's prize-winning musical classic "South Pacific," a story of romance and prejudice set against the background of World War II. 
 
Tickets are $25-$45; more information here
 
Friday 
 
Sunset Beaver Watch
472 West Mountain Rd, Lenox
Time: 6 p.m. 
 
Mass Audubon will lead a hike at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary to observe beaver families and learn about their activity and impact on the landscape. 
 
The hike covers up to two miles on uneven, potentially muddy trails and may involve navigating seasonally flooded areas and fallen tree trunks. Participants should bring a flashlight as the program ends at dusk.
 
More information here
 
Gallery North Guest Artist Exhibit 
9 Eagle St., North Adams 
Time: 7 p.m. 
 
There will be an opening reception to kick off the gallery's guest artist exhibit featuring watercolors by local artist Sally Tiska Rice. 
 
The show features watercolor works, including four new pieces of art that have been therapeutic during her chemotherapy treatment. 
 
"Art heals," Tiska Rice said. 
 
The exhibit is on display until April 30th, alongside works by permanent gallery artists. More information here.
 
Fundraiser for the Riello Family
Berkshire Hills Country Club, Pittsfield
Time: 4 p.m.
 
Fundraiser for AJ Riello, who is at Boston Children's Hospital and is awaiting a heart transplant. Tavern open for dinner beginning at 4; dance party starts at 8. Bingo is sold out but raffle offers lots of prizes. 
 
More information here.
 
 
Saturday 
 
Ultimate Dance Party 
Methuselah Bar and Lounge, Pittsfield 
TIme: 9 p.m. 
 
There will be a dance party featuring a DJ Craig Hopkins. There will be drinks and snacks, and photo opportunities. Information here
 
Core Kitchen Dinner
Dottie's Coffee Lounge, Pittsfield 
Time: 5 p.m. 
 
There will be live music from Susan Davis, who will be performing a mix of folk, jazz, and blues. The night also features a special guest performance by Johnny P. Anthony. 
 
More information here
 
North Adams Farmers' Market
Downstreet Hotel, North Adams
Time: 9 to 1
 
Indoor farmers market with fresh produces, baked goods and other vendors. Summer market begins May 17. 
 
More information here

 

HYPROV: Starring Colin Mochrie & Asad Mecci
The Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield 
Time 7:30 p.m. 
 
The interactive comedy show that combines hypnosis and improvisation is back featuring hypnotist Asad Mecci and improv legend Colin Mochrie. 
 
The show will invite 20 audience volunteers to be hypnotized, with the most receptive joining Mochrie to create unscripted comedy.
 
Tickets are $60. More information here
 
Back In Black
The Stationery Factory, Dalton
Time: 7:30 p.m. 
 
AC/DC tribute band Back In Black will be performing a setlist of over 80 songs by the high-energy rock band. Full Burn will be opening the show. 
 
Tickets range from $27.38 to $32.64. More information here
 
'Boot Skate Boogie'
Veterans Memorial Rink, North Adams
Time: 3 to 5 p.m.
 
The Christmas Brook Figure Skating Club presents "Boot Skate Boogie," its annual skating show and fundraiser at Peter W. Foote Vietnam Veterans Memorial Rink. Tickets available at the door are $10 adult and $5 for children 12 and under.
 
More information here
 
'Duende's Daughters'
Eclipse Mill Gallery, North Adams
Time: 6 to 8 p.m.
 
Opening reception for "Duende's Daughters" featuring works by 11 women artists who have been gathering for an art camp for nearly 25 years. 
 
More information here.
 
 
Sunday 
 
Photography Exhibit Opening Reception 
437 North St., Pittsfield
Time: 10 a.m. 
 
Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and Framework are hosting a photography exhibition by Allan Seppa from April 6 to May 22. 
 
The exhibit showcases images of Southwest America, particularly Arizona, Utah, and Colorado.
 
There will be an opening reception with the artist on April 6 from 10 a.m. to noon and a second reception on May 2 during the First Fridays Artswalk from 5 to 8 p.m.
 
The exhibition will be viewable Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. offices.
 
Cantoni/Lacosse Family Benefit Dinner 
Bounti Fare, Adams 
Time: Noon 
 
There will be a spaghetti dinner featuring music and raffles to raise funds for the Cantoni/Lacosse Family, who has experienced a tragic loss due to a house fire, including the passing of their 4-year-old daughter, Ensley. 
 
More information here
 
Smoothie and Movie Night
Living In Recovery, Pittsfield
Time: 6:30 p.m. 
 
Have a smoothie while watching the film "Warrior." 
 
The film is about an estranged family's redemption through mixed martial arts and centers around a recovering alcoholic's journey in sobriety.
 
More information here
 
Sea Glass Windows Fundraiser
Pittsfield-Adams Elks Lodge 272
Time: 2 p.m. 
 
There will be a guided class to create custom prepared window, shells, sand, ocean themed accessories, colored glass, and more. 
 
Registration is required to ensure a custom-made frame in the size of your choosing is ready. Tickets are $35 for a 5x7 frame or $55 for an 8x10 frame. 
 
More information here

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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

The home prior to renovations.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.

The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.

The house is listed for $359,500.

We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieri and Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.

 

Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.)  The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.  

 

 

What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?

 

Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few.  All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.

 

Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house.  New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house.  New paver patio in the back yard.

 

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

 

Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.

 

Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.

 

 

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

 

Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.

 

Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?

Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.

 

Andrews: Built in about 1965.

 

What do the current owners love about this home?

 

Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.

 

Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.

 

 

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

 

Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.  

 

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

 

 

 

 

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