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Weekend Outlook: Memorial Day Weekend

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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Check out the events in the Berkshires this weekend, including a school musical, Memorial Day events, live music, a car show, and more. Farmers' markets are open for the season and can be found here.
 
Editor's Picks 
 
Shakespeare & Company Community Day 
70 Kemble St, Lenox
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
 
The theater company is hosting a free community day. The event features live demonstrations and performances, scavenger hunts, film screenings, food trucks, and dozens of other local nonprofits sharing the ways they serve the Berkshires — and beyond.
 
More information here
 
Multiple Days 
 
Memorial Day Events
 
Several towns and organizations are holding events throughout the weekend and Monday in recognition of Memorial Day. A list of ceremonies and parades can be found here
 
Mass MoCA Celebration
Marshall Street, North Adams
 
The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art is holding events over the weekend to cap off the museum's 25th anniversary.
 
More information here
 
Friday
 
Karaoke Night
Dalton American Legion
Time: 7 to midnight
 
Sing your heart out to your favorite tunes and have a drink. More information here.  
 
Ghost Funk Orchestra Concert 
Park Street, Adams 
Time: 7:30 p.m. 
 
The Ghost Funk Orchestra, known for its blending of soul, psych rock, salsa, and more, takes the state at the Adams Theater.
 
Tickets range from $27.99 to $35, including fees. More information here
 
Foundations of Drawing for Teens and Tweens
Lee Congregational Church
Time: 4 p.m. 
 
There will be a class focusing on drawing from observation, starting with still life and progressing to figure drawing from a live model. 
 
Students will construct three-dimensional objects, understand proportion and perspective, and explore dramatic shading techniques using both pencils and charcoal.
 
The event sponsored by the Lee Youth Commission is open to students in Grades 5 through 12 who live in Lee or go to school in Lee. 
 
More information here
 
Susan Lockwood Benefit Concert 
Hot Plate Brewing Co., Pittsfield 
Time: 7 p.m. 
 
There will be a benefit concert with a performance by the soul, rock, funk, hip hop, and pop band Beast Mode. 
 
The performance is in honor of Susan Lockwood, a member of the Richmond community who passed away in 2023. 
 
A group of her lifelong friends, known as "The Richmond Girls," is partnering with Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary to establish a lasting endowment in her name. 
 
The endowment will support trail maintenance, conserve the natural beauty of the area, and provide scholarships for educational programs. A bench with a view will be placed at Yokun Seat on Lenox Mountain as a tribute to her legacy.
 
More information here
 
Saturday
 
 
Remembrance Run 
Dalton American Legion 258
Time: Registration 10 a.m. 
 
The Legion is hosting its annual remembrance run. Grab your motorcycle and register starting at 10 a.m. There will also be a Memorial Day ceremony starting at 11 a.m. with guest speaker Dan Sargent, Wahconah Regional High School class president. 
 
More information here
 
Fireside Book Discussion with Matthew Camp
Becket Athenaeum
Time: 6 p.m. 
 
Matthew Camp will lead an interactive book discussion and workshop based on his book "Tend," focusing on mindful-driven advocacy. 
 
Participants will assist in building a fire on the library lawn, integrating mindfulness and political advocacy concepts.
 
More information here.
 
 
Ghost Tours
Ventfort Hall, Lenox
Time: 8 to 10 p.m. 
 
The Gilded Age manage hosts a tour with "Ghosts of the Berkshires" author Robert Oakes.
 
Oakes will lead guests through the rooms and halls of the estate, sharing tales of its hauntings.
 
"Stand in the places where the encounters occurred, listen to the first-hand accounts of those who experienced them, and maybe even experience something unusual yourself. This is not an active investigation," according to the press release.
 
Admission is $30 and the minimum age to attend is age 12. Reservations are required. Purchase tickets here
 
Please note that all tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. 
 
Hoosac Valley Explorer
3 Hoosac St., Adams
Departure: 1:30 and 3 p.m.
 
The Berkshire Scenic Railway opens for the season this weekend, offering a 60-minute round-trip train excursion to North Adams and back. Riders will listen to a narrated history of the rail line and local area on board while honoring fallen heroes.
 
More information here

Introduction to Birding by Ear

Greylock Glen, Adams
Time: 10 a.m. 
 
There will be a workshop and bird walk to explore bird vocalizations. Participants will learn about the differences between songs and calls, and focus on recognizing key local bird sounds. 
 
The outdoor portion involves less than 0.5 miles of largely stationary listening, with a wide, level gravel trail. 
 
Tickets are $20 for adult members and $25 for adult nonmembers. Registration is recommended. More information here
 
Shafi Hossain Comedy
Adams Theater, Park Street 
Time: 7:30 p.m. 
 
Comedian and writer Shafi Hossain brings his standup to the Adams Theater. Note comedy shows often contain adult themes, so audience discretion is advised.
 
Tickets range from $26.99 to $35.00, including fees. More information here

Hoosac Harvest Annual Seedling Swap
Main Street, North Adams
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 
The Seedling Swap is happening in downtown North Adams, offering free vegetable and flower seedlings to help kickstart your garden.
 
You can take seedlings without bringing any, but donations of extras are welcome. More information here
 
Rees Shad and The Conversations
Studio 9, North Adams 
Time: 7 p.m. 
 
There will be a performance by the swinging quartet Rees Shad and the Conversations. 
 
The band relies on the narrative songwriting of singer/guitarist Shad, while maintaining a foundation of collaborative improvisation. 
 
More information here
 
Mayfest Arts and Crafts Festival 
Downtown Bennington Historic District
Time: 10 a.m. 
 
The 38th annual Mayfest Arts and Crafts Festival takes over downtown Bennington.
 
The free festival transforms Main Street into a hub featuring a variety of craft and food vendors, music, entertainment, a kids' zone, and more. 
 
More information here

Berkshire Carousel Preview Party 

50 Center St., Pittsfield
Time: 6 p.m. 
 
There will be a preview of the carousel before opening day. The event features light appetizers by Zucchini's and a cash bar, along with a silent auction. 
 
Tickets are $20 each and those interested in attending should contact coordinator Janet Crawford at equineartwork2@gmail.com.
 
More information here
 
Sunday
 
 
Classic Car Show and Vendor Fair 
179 Peru Road, Windsor
Time: 9 a.m. 
 
The second annual Windsor car show at Windsor Town Park. 
 
This year, there will be 31 trophies, including a 50-inch-tall best of show trophy 31 trophies. Dash plaques will be handed out to the first 100 cars. 
 
The Windsor Volunteer Fire Department will cook breakfast and lunch, and there will be about 30 vendors at the show.
 
More information here
 
 
 

Next Gen Youth Pride
Burbank Park, Pittsfield
Time: Noon

Celebrate who you are, make new connections, and help us build a more inclusive future together with this free, family-friendly event. 
 
There will be lawn games, outdoor activities, Prizes, giveaways, crafts, community booths and more. Kids also eat free. 
 
More information here

A Tower of Remembrance
Mount Greylock State Reservation, Lanesborough Time: 1 p.m.

This Memorial Day Weekend, visit Mount Greylock's Veterans War Memorial Tower to honor those who served.
 
Explore the 93-foot monument, featuring a beacon light. The tour also highlights previously completed $2 million restoration efforts, featuring upgrades, energy conservation, and new visitor amenities. 
 
The free tour is suitable for all ages, wheelchair accessible, and takes about 30 minutes. Meet at the summit by the War Memorial Tower.
 
Bascom Lodge at the summit also opens for the season this weekend.
 
More information here
 
Community Bike Ride 
886 Crane Ave., Pittsfield
Time: 10 a.m. 
 
Join the city of Pittsfield, Berkshire Pike Path Council, and Berkshire Bike & Board for a Community Bike Ride on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail.
 
The ride departs from the Crane trailhead at 10 a.m., with early arrival at 9:30 a.m. for bike decoration and safety checks. 
 
More information here
 
Berkshire Choral Performance 
Tanglewood, Lenox
Time: 2 p.m. 
 
Anthony Trecek-King will lead the 140-voice festival chorus in music of love songs for piano 4-hands, including Brahms' Neue Liebeslieder Waltzes and Copland's "The Promise of Living" in Seiji Ozawa Hall.
 
More information here
 
 
Great Barrington Farmer's Market
18 Church St.
Time: Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
 
The market is open every Saturday. Every week, locally grown food, flowers, and plants will be available, along with other local vendors. The market accepts and offers doubling SNAP, HIP, WIC, and Senior market coupons. More information is here
 
Lee Farmer's Market 
The Town Park
Time: Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
 
The market offers locally grown produce, prepared foods, locally created arts and crafts, and herbal products. YogaLee offers free community yoga from 9:30 to 10:30 on the first Saturday of each month.
 
The market accepts SNAP, HIP, Senior Coupons, and WIC Coupons and also offers Market Match. 
 
More information here
 
Lenox Farmer's Market
St. Ann's Church
Time: 11 to 3. 
 
This market is open every Friday through Sept. 12, and features fresh produce, pastries, cheeses, and more.
 
More information here
 
New Marlborough Farmer's Market 
Village Green
Time: Sunday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
 
The market has local vendors that offer a variety of goods from produce, eggs, baked goods, jams, hand-knit items, maple syrup, and more. More information here.
 
North Adams Farmer's Market  
Main Street
Time: Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
 
The south side of Main Street from American Legion Drive will be closed to make room for the city's weekly farmers market, which will kick off this Saturday. Explore downtown North Adams and discover local businesses and fresh produce from local farms. More information here
 
Pittsfield Farmer's Market
Pittsfield Common
Time: 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
 
Roots Rising, the region's first teen-run market, will hold an indoor farmers market this Saturday. The event will feature live music, chef demos, workshops, children's activities, and more. More information is available here
 
Sheffield Farmer's Market
125 Main St.
Time: Fridays, 3 to 6 p.m. 
 
The market features healthy food and products from a variety of local vendors in an attempt to nourish the community by protecting "local small farms, land, bees, and economy."
 
More information on the market here
 
Williamstown Farmer's Market 
Spring Street
Time: Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
 
The market focuses on a wide range of local food and artisan vendors, as well as local services and music. More information here

 


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Main & Mill: A Vibrant New Restaurant on Main Street

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — You can now enjoy another eatery on Main Street by well-known restaurant siblings Colleen and Sean Taylor.

Their restaurant Main & Mill opened for the first time Tuesday, bringing their vision of creating something vibrant and new to downtown North Adams.

"We have created Main & Mill to be part of our day. It's very seasonal ingredients, thoughtful cooking, beauty, beautiful presentation and dishes. And we really wanted to be part of the community, the downtown area, and start a vibrant area on this end, which has been shuttered for a while," said Colleen.

The building is owned by Ginko on Main Street LLC, which has granted 20 years exclusive possession of the property to Latent Builds as the developer. Jack and Suzy Wadsworth, behind Ginko, are development partners with Karla Rothstein and Salvatore Perry of Latent.

The bank closed in early 2021 and was purchased by Ginko late that year. Plans for the property unveiled three years ago envisioned a restaurant, retail, a park and rooftop bar. 

Colleen saw potential and said she initially wanted the building when it first went up for sale. Being good friends with Rothstein and Perry, she helped them design the kitchen and the bar before learning in March that she could lease it as a restaurant space, something she told them would be a great idea.

She said one of the most important things about the restaurant was the collaboration between Rothstein, Perry, and the Wadsworths, who put a lot of time and energy into the building.

"If Sean and I had done it, we would not be able to do what the collaboration supported. The collaboration of the three of us being able to really have that kind of money to put in down here. The design that the architecture firm that Carla and Sal own is stunning," she said. "The time and effort, everyone came together to do this in a really trusting manner."

The two wanted the restaurant to be an all-day venture, so people could eat at any point throughout the day, all week long.

"We wanted it to be open for coffee and socialization in the morning where people can meet, have their cup of coffee, have a quiche, a vegetarian quiche, or croissant or yogurt. Something intentional with their coffee," she said. "Then move into a lunchtime for the downtown business or anybody, and then go into supper, dinner, with drinks later into the evening. So have it really be open all day long, so that there wasn't a void on any particular day."

They also wanted to do something different than the other restaurants they owned.

"We didn't want to mimic any other restaurant in town. We wanted to bring something that was inspiring, something that had some familiar things that people would see, and other things that we would bring to them for them to experience," she said.

As a woman business owner, Colleen said she wanted to bring a female chef into the kitchen. 

Colleen brought on Chef Anna DeRose, who she said puts twists on a lot of her dishes.

"So we have a creme brulee, but our creme brulee is topped with marshmallow," she said. "Our creme brulee is like almost two desserts in one. It's a s'mores creme brulee. So you could have a s'mores, and you could have a creme brulee - but when you put both of them together, fireworks go off."

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