School Closing Conte Middle School in North Adams will be closed Thursday, December 4, & Friday, December 5, as the investigation into a mercury spill continues.
Light'em Up! North Adams kicks off the holiday season with its annual treelighting on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 5:30 p.m.
Pittsfield lights its tree on Friday, Dec. 5, at 6 at Park Square.
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By Tammy Daniels - March 09, 2008 iBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS - Their fans packed the seats at the Church Street Center on Saturday to cheer their efforts but it was heartbreak for all but 16 of the nearly 70 Berkshire Idol contestants.
Sixty-eight adults and children from around the region had won a coveted golden ticket at last month's audition, moving them into the semi-finalist round on Saturday. Eight contestants were selected from two age groups - those under age 16 and 16 and older - to head to the finals on March 29.
Cindy Legge and Nicki Skipper, friends from Bennington, Vt., had qualified in the last round and were eagerly awaiting the results for the adult competition on Saturday afternoon.
Legge, 54, of the band Invisible George, had sung Melissa Etheridge's "Come to My Window."
The competition had "moved very quickly," she said. "They seemed to be really well organized.
"Everybody was really good. We encouraged each other while we were waiting."
The younger contestants had sung first, then the adults in the afternoon, although some had spent the entire day at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Art's center. By 3:30, Skipper, 43, was ready to find out the results and get something to eat. "It's been a long day."
The adult finalists.
Clegge was more philosophical: "It's been a good experience, a really good time. ... Onward and upward."
Paul Hopkins was waiting to see how his 16-year-old daughter Rebecca had done. The Drury High School junior had hit a bump when they couldn't find a karaoke version of the song she'd chosen, "Hold Me Tight" by the Beatles. The song was recently featured in the film "Across the Universe."
"She had to sing a capella. We couldn't find a version anywhere," said Hopkins.
The singers had to perform without music in the first round of auditions. In the semi-finals, they were allowed to use a background mix on a CD. Skyboro Sound of North Adams, which is offering the winners studio time, operated the sound equipment on Saturday.
Finally, the long wait was over as Alex Daugherty appeared on stage to announce the winners to the screams of family and friends.
Skipper, of the band Bitch Kitty, was called to the stage, but not Clegge. "I'm still tired and hungry ... but excited to be in the finals," said Skipper.
Michael Wood of Adams, who tried out because of his father's encouragement, also was selected to compete in the finals.
The finalists rehearse positions for a performance of 'Can't Stop the Beat.'
"It was my birthday the other day, so this is really awesome," said the now 21-year-old reggae fan. "I can't wait for the finals."
The biggest applause (and screams) by far was for Kristina Clark of Adams and Stephanie Shurtleff of North Adams.
Clark had received a standing ovation, although she said she didn't notice.
"This is so exciting. I just moved to Adams six months ago," she said. Clark had been in a band in her former hometown of Auburn, and the members had been upset when she left, she said.
Once a year, she competes in a national singing contest in Nevada, so when Berkshire Idol came up she couldn't resist. "It was an opportunity to sing ... it makes me feel good."
The finalists in the children's division are: Mary Alice Wieland, 10; Noelle Walser, 14; Abigail Tague, 11; Tyra Nurmi, 12; Kristina Miller, 14; Noel Lugo, 4; Emily Lipinski, 13, and Rebecca Daniels, 14.
Adult finalists are Clark, Skipper, Shurtleff, Wood, Rosemary Blessing, Teddy Bourgeois, Shannon Lemieux and Joseph Sicotte.
The finalists will perform at Drury High School on Saturday, March 29, at 6:30 p.m. Residents will get to vote on their favorites, as well. Northern Berkshire Community Television Corp., which taped the event, will show all of the singers in the coming weeks and the finalists in the week leading up the final performance.
The finalists' performances will also be available on the Berkshire Idol Web site in the coming days.
The winners will receive a $1,000 savings bond and four hours of professional studio time at Skyboro Sound toward a demo CD. Along with singing prizes, those raising the most for charity will receive one week at Vacation Village, a $1,400 value; second prize is an iPod and third is a karaoke machine.
The competition raises funds for local charities; this year, it's the Family Life Support Center's Louison House, a local shelter for women and families.
From the Editor: For those wondering about the song selection, the contestants were allowed to sing the same song as they did in the semifinals, according to the organizers. The rules state they can't use the audition song again; it doesn't state that the semifinal and finals tunes have to be different.
from:
on: 03-31-2008
I agree. I watched all of the contestants on line from the semi-finals, and I attended the performance on Saturday night. There were quite a few contestants that sang the same songs, and of the repeats, there were winners. Hmmm? What of the rules?
from:
on: 03-31-2008
I was at the finals last night and was perplexed as to why most of the younger group sang songs that they performed at the semi finals, where it states in the rules that they must sing a different song. This would also help show their diversity in singing different pieces of music. Was this an oversight on the judges part? Did they know of this rule, they created it!! Great job to all who participated, it was a most enjoyable night. We have many talented people in the Berkshires. GOOOO Kristina
from:
on: 03-30-2008
The finals are just around the corner! God Bless ALL OF YOU! Each of you has an amazing talent; ALL OF YOU are "winners" in the sense that you can make that...music come out!! Truly amazing!
from:
on: 03-27-2008
Congratulations to all the Idol finalists. Best of luck to you on Saturday. I am looking forward to a great performance....Just remember one thing....have LOTS OF FUN!!!!!
from: Diane
on: 03-26-2008
I cannot thank everyone enough for all the sweet comments you have posted not only about myself, but everyone else in the finals!!! God has blessed all of us with an amazing gift, and each day he gives a chance to sing is also a gift! Agin, thank you, and GOOD LUCK to all fellow competetors....LETS HAVE SOME FUN!!!!!!
from: Kristina Clark
on: 03-21-2008
TO ALL FINALISTS: Wow. If I could sing HALF as good as ANY of you, I would be proud!!! Best of luck to ALL OF YOU! And, after watching live and then again online, KRISTINA CLARK, you make me cry, get goosebumps, and...wow. You are pure talent. I am sure everyone agrees that you are amazing, whether they are competing or not. Bless you *ALL*
from: Audience
on: 03-20-2008
"K-DOO" (& all the other silly names I call you...!!) Yay, babe--can't stop listening to you! You amaze me...and continue to, each and every day! Congratulations & I love you!!
from: Jamie
on: 03-19-2008
Well I have read all of your comments, now it's time to VOTE...I hope all of you will click and vote.
from: gottavote
on: 03-19-2008
Kristina has an absolutely phenomenal voice! She blew me away! Best of luck!!
from: Michael Henry
on: 03-18-2008
To quote an 11 year old semi finalist that did not make it....."I had fun, its for a great cause, there is always next year!" My suggestion for the adults who have sour grapes about this event would be..... support this great community fundraiser, go to the show and watch the finalist, get an idea of why maybe they were chosen.....and have fun there is always next year!! Just don't lose sight that this is all in great spirit and for an important cause.
from:
on: 03-17-2008
What happened to the Semi-Finals on Channel 15 last night???? It started, she got thru a quarter of the song, then...gone. ???? Also, when are they going to post the videos online/update the website for the 2008 finalists? I didn't even make it in, and I am anxious for this to be posted!!!!
from: angererd!
on: 03-17-2008
I was also disappointed with the outcome of the Berkshire Idol finalists chosen in the 10-16 year old category. I was there to support my daughter who did not make it; however, being a parent of one of the performers does not sway my opinion that at least three of the individuals chosen should not have advanced. I can think of three other girls that I was shocked did not make it. We were told stage performance will also be taken into consideration; I do not define stage performance as walking in circles as some of the performers did compared to others that had the audience involved in their performance. Also, we were told to pick an upbeat song; many did not do so and it didn't seem to affect the judging.
from:
on: 03-16-2008
Mike: I am so proud!
from: Mike's Dad
on: 03-14-2008
That competition was superb. The girl who sang "Broken Wing" (Kristina?) WAS A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!
There were some folks I felt should have made it thru and didn't (and others who DID make it thru, and I am not certain why...) but overall, great job to everyone!
from: Smitty
on: 03-14-2008
No one can belt out I'm All Right like Emily Lipinski. Watch her rock the stage!
from: Polly Crosby
on: 03-13-2008
While I myself did advance to the finals, I really want to give a huge CONGRATS to every single person who was on that stage saturday. Getting up infront of people and doing your thing is not easy, so again, congrats to all 60 something semi finalists!!!!! To those of you that did not make it...listen to a voice of experience...NEVER GIVE UP.....If you have the passion and the drive to do well in this kind of competition, that is 90% of the battle right there.....Keep smiling and KEEP SINGING!!!
from: KMARIE
on: 03-12-2008
Well, I didn't make it to the next round. Yeah, my ego was bruised but I got over it. My reason for participating was, 1, it is a good cause, 2, I wanted the studio time and the money for more studio time. Is it selfish? It's human! Number 3 reason is to prove that being 54 is not a reason not to do it.
When I was waiting to go on to sing my song I met some really good young people. I found myself giving pointers and support (even though I shut my mic off in the middle of the song LOL!). I am in a band. I do have lots of experience in front of people, although, I admit I have my guitar in hand when I sing. I'm like a fish out of water without it. It was a challange for me. It really was fun! So in the end or "at the end of the day" just do it for fun and if you get picked to move on enjoy the ride. If you don't make it to round 2 then go home and get over it. The biggie is to keep going. Don't get discouraged. And above all don't whine! Nobody likes a whiner!!
from: Cindy Legge
on: 03-12-2008
MY GIRL SHANNON "ROCKED IT" YOU GO MAMA
from: stefanie b
on: 03-12-2008
I attended the competition on Saturday, and while I did enjoy myself for the most part, I was highly disappointed with the outcome. Although the individual whom I was there to support did not make the finals, my disappointment stemmed not from that, but from the individuals who *did* make the finals. I will not name names because I don't wish I put any one individual down, but I did not agree with several of the singers who were chosen to advance. I understand that that is the nature of the beast and that not everyone will agree with the judges' choices... however, in other competitions, although one may not agree with who is chosen, one can usually understand WHY they were chosen. On Saturday, I was completely baffled. Not only were some of the finalists weaker singers than some who did not make it, but some of them had poor performances as well. A strong performance without a voice should not advance, just as a strong voice without a solid performance should not either. I believe the finalists should have been individuals who were, at the very least, solid in both areas. I think there were at least 8 that fit this category, and yet a few of the 8 who were actually chosen did not, in fact, meet that criteria. I do not know what criteria was used for the judging process, but talent and performance skills were certainly not the primary points of interest for some.
from:
on: 03-11-2008
To the first, long post, I offer a word of advice. You will be taken more seriously if you use spell check...wow...you even made some decent points but I cringed while reading your very poorly written post. I am glad this contest keeps growing. I really enjoyed being a spectator.
from: Anon
on: 03-10-2008
I feel that this and last years compation was not fair i understand that u want people to have an interaction with the crowd and have good stage presence but anyone can get up there and jump around and clap there hands. There was only 2 finalists that hade True voice talent this year this should be a all around contest and i could see u only picked people who interacted i feel that was descrimanating.I also feel that who wins the finals should not judge its clear that one finalist made because they were friends i mean she sang the song 3 years in a row if u have talent you dont sing the same song that many times.There also should be 3 catagories beacause the teens and early 20s are most likely going to sing recent r&b pop and rock from the early 30s and up are going to sing classics and oldies nothing wrong with that but to pick from all different music its hard and unfair i noticed as well there were alot of older people this year i think because jill won last year. she sings in bands shes recorded before this show should be for people who are trying to get out there not people who have been out there and want to hog attention.There are alot hurt even in the younger group.There were people with great voices that didint get picked not all musicans have outgoin personallitys.I can already say who i think should win and i hope she does.........
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North Adams kicks off the holiday season with its annual treelighting on 
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