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Andrew Garcia at his store Berkshirecat Records. He's organizing his fourth record show at the Stationery Factory on Sunday.

Central Berkshire Record Show Spins Back on May 4

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
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DALTON, Mass. — The Central Berkshire Record Show is returning on Sunday, May 4, for its fourth consecutive year. 

Hours are 10 to 4 at The Stationery Factory with VIP entry beginning at 8:30. 

This popular event has attracted music and vinyl record enthusiasts from all over the Northeast, with previous shows drawing in large crowds of music lovers looking for records, CDs and more. Food and drink including craft beverages will be available on site from Shire Tavern.

"People should think of it like a craft fair except that the vendors are all selling records, CDs, or music paraphernalia," organizer Andrew Garcia said.

Garcia, owner of Berkshirecat Records, is looking forward to this year's event and has been pleased with the growth each year.  

"We're creating a space where vinyl collectors of all ages can connect each year, share their love of music, and potentially discover new music. The vendors and DJs are top-notch and we're grateful that the Shire Tavern led by Matt Mottor and his team will be serving up food and drinks downstairs," he said in a press release.

Garcia modeled the annual event after the Northampton record show.

"It's one of the biggest in the area but it's in Pioneer Valley not in Berkshire County, so there wasn't really anything here in Berkshire County of that scale," he said. "So the goal was to start something and build it over time."

A lineup of DJs will spin music throughout the day. They include Pup Daddy Productions (Tim Dupree), DJ Ketchabone (Michael Keleher), Wes Nelson of Belltower Records, Ed Martuscello, and Ed Pelkey.

"The Central Berkshire Record Show really was an 'if you build it they will come' venture. It's always fun watching the community come together for a common purpose- the pursuit of music," Garcia said in an email. "While I organize and produce the show, it really is a team effort. Without all of the excellent vendors, DJs and the Shire Tavern, the show wouldn't be as successful."

The Stationery Factory is located at 63 Flansburg Ave. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $4, with VIP entry for $10 beginning at 8:30 a.m.

For more information, visit the Central Berkshire Record Show's Facebook page.


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Pittsfield School Committee Votes to Close Morningside

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — There were tears as the School Committee on Wednesday voted to close Morningside Community School at the end of the school year. 

Interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips said the purpose of considering the closure is to fulfill the district's obligation to ensure every student has access to a learning environment that best supports academic growth and achievement, school climate, equitable access to resources, and long-term success. 

"While fiscal implications are included, the7 closure of the school is fundamentally driven by the student performance, their learning conditions, the building inadequacy, and equitable student access, rather than the district's budget," she said. 

"…The goal is not to save money. The goal is to reinvest that money to make change, specifically for our Morningside students, and then for the whole school building, as a whole." 

Over the last month or so, the district has considered whether to retire the open concept, community school at the end of the school year. 

Morningside, built in the 1970s, currently serves 374 students in grades prekindergarten through Grade 5, including a student population with 88.2 percent high-needs, 80.5 percent low-income, and 24.3 percent English learners.  Its students will be reassigned to Allendale, Capeless, Egremont, and Williams elementary schools.

The school is designated as "Requiring Assistance or Intervention," with a 2025 accountability percentile of seventh, despite moderate progress over the past three years, and benchmark data continues to show urgent literacy concerns in several grades. 

School Committee member and former Morningside student Sarah Muil, through tears, made the motion to approve the school's retirement at the end of this school year.  

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