Events in the Berkshires this weekend include community clean-up initiatives, plays, nature activities, and more.
Multiple Days
Roald Dahl's 'Matilda The Musical JR.'
Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield
Select Times Friday through Sunday
There will be a performance of 'Matilda The Musical JR.,' which follows Matilda, a clever girl who stands up against her cruel parents and tyrannical headmistress, Miss Trunchbull.
With her intelligence and bravery, she inspires her classmates and her kindhearted teacher, Miss Honey, to advocate for what’s right.
Naumkeag is kicking off its 6th annual Daffodil and Tulip Festival this weekend.
The event will showcase more than 130,000 daffodils, tulips, and minor bulbs across their 8 acres of land.
The 48-acre estate will be decorated with "a variety of blooms, containers, displays and decorations against the backdrop of stunning views of Monument Mountain and the Berkshire Hills," according to the Trustees of Reservations.
Mixed bouquets, container plants, and a pre-sale of spring bulbs will be sold at a pop-up shop outside the greenhouse. Food and refreshments will be for sale at the outdoor snack shack.
Admittance to the inside of the house will be permitted for self-guided tours of the first floor and to provide access to the museum's gift shop.
For more information on the festival or to purchase tickets visit here.
Baby Animals
Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield
Saturday, April 12, through Sunday, May 4.
The birds are chirping. The grass is getting greener, and signs of spring are showing — what better way to celebrate that than visiting the baby animals at Hancock Shaker Village.
The village's baby animal festival begins this weekend from 11 until 4. Meet the farm's newest editions including lambs, kids, piglets, calves, and chicks.
Festivalgoers can partake in daily events and activities including daily talks about the farm and the Shakers, craft demonstrations, and more.
It's Arbor Day, and to celebrate there will be a free family-friendly hike focused on forest health and tree identification led by Park Interpreter Mike Whalen and Department of Conservation and Recreation Forest Health Director Nicole Keleher along the Bradley Farm Trail.
Participants should wear appropriate clothing and sturdy boots, as trails may be icy or muddy. The program is open to children aged eight and up, with those under 18 requiring adult supervision.
The hike lasts 90 minutes and will meet at the Visitor Center. Inclement weather will cancel the event. For more information, call 413-499-4262.
Shakespeare & Company will stop by the library during its Northeast Regional Tour for a free performance of the Scottish play in the third-floor community room.
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pittsfield and Re-ForMation Academy are hosting a Mad Hatter Tea Party and Craft Faire.
Youth will sell their creative projects, with a suggested $5 donation for setup if others wish to sell. The event includes a tea room with music and mindfulness activities, "Paint & Sip Your Tea," a raffle fundraiser, and dress-up fun.
As part of Pittsfield’s Jazz Festival, there will be a Jazz Crawl anchoring the opening weekend events and features local artists in restaurants and lounges throughout Pittsfield.
Help clean up Mount Greylock State Reservation, Tolland State Forest, and West Region Headquarters to celebrate Earth Week.
The state Department of Conservation and Recreation invites volunteers to help clean up parks or participate in restorative projects in preparation for spring and summer.
Join David Raby for "A Spirited Evening," a paranormal investigation at historic Ventfort Hall. The event includes a brief history of the hall and sharing of evidence from previous investigations.
Tickets are $45 each, with a discounted rate of $25 for ages 12-23 with a student ID. Register here or call 413-637-3206.
Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center, Inc., Pittsfield
Time: 4 to 6 p.m.
There will be a free self-defense class sponsored by the Berkshire County Commission on the Status of Women in light of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Celtic Jam Band from the northeastern U.S. will be celebrating the release of its new album. Its second album was recorded right on the center’s stage.
Tickets are $20 or $10 for members. Information here.
SheJumps – Hiking Meetup
Cheshire Harbor Trailhead Adams
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
There will be a 7-mile round-trip hike for women and girls, including transgender and cisgender, and non-binary individuals.
The hike features a 2100 ft elevation gain and has a moderate to strenuous difficulty. The hike is expected to take approximately 5 hours, depending on conditions and pace.
Join the city's Parks Department in cleaning up the dog park. More information here.
Berkshire Music School Community Celebration
36 Linden St., Pittsfield
Time: 6 p.m.
Celebrate Berkshire Music School's 85th year with a night of music provided by students, faculty, and alumni at Barrington Stage Company's St. Germain Stage.
Tickets range from $25 to $40. More information here.
Sunday
Easter Egg Hunt
Colegrove Park, North Adams
Time: 11:30 to 12:30
First Baptist Church hosts an egg hunt at Colegrove Park on North Church Street featuring crafts, games, and prizes.
The field will be divided into two sections to accommodate age groups, walking to age 5 and ages 6 to 12.
The theater at 331 Main St. will stage a preview of its performance of the classic play "Twelve Angry Jurors," which follows a tense jury room, where 12 jurors must decide if a young man is guilty of murder.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
North Adams Worked the Weekend Fixing Water Line Breaks
Staff Reports iBerkshires
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Water Department and Department of Public Works have been responding since Friday to multiple water line breaks throughout the city that are causing temporary loss of water in some areas.
"Everyone has water or very low pressure," said Mayor Jennifer Macksey, as of Sunday evening. "We're asking people to just conserve as much as they can. Once the system gets in balance, everything will come back, but we've got to fix them."
The first break occurred Friday in the field behind the water filtration plant, which was difficult to access. That repair was completed on Sunday morning.
"Then we started at 3:30 this morning on American Legion Drive," she said. "We dad to wait a few hours for Dig Safe, which slowed us down, and they're still over there, still trying to make the repair.
"Then about, probably, I would say, eight o'clock [Sunday morning]. We were called to Carr Hardware, where we had another bubble, another break. I don't know if we'll get to that break tonight. The guys are very tired, it's cold, it's unsafe."
Crews have been working in frigid temperatures trying to find where the lines are broken and fix them. The loss of the main line caused a drop in pressure, and the pressure changes are causing more breaks.
Commissioner of Public Services Timothy Lescarbeau was able to assess and get the first break fixed, she said, "but now it's regulating the system and that, coupled with the cold weather, is working against us tonight, but the team has been great.
The Water Department has been responding to multiple water line breaks throughout the city since Friday, causing temporary loss of water in some areas. click for more
Nearly a year of study and community input about the deteriorating Veterans Memorial Bridge has resulted in one recommendation: Take it down. click for more
The new thrift and consignment shop on Marshall Street is a little bit "Punky" with an eclectic mix of shiny, vintage and eccentric curated items. click for more
Federal pandemic funds made available during the Biden administration were critical to ensuring the continuation of Berkshire East, a major employer in the hilltowns. click for more