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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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 Zeppieriand 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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