iBerkshires.com - The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.

TREE IDENTIFICATION HIKE
Lanesborough, 11am-12:30pm

At Mount Greylock Visitor Center, 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough. For ages 8 and up. Learn how to identify trees emerging from their winter slumber. Join DCR Forester, Kevin Podkowka, for a short, easy, walk for families. Dress for weather. Trails may be muddy. Bring water and snack. Inclement weather cancels. Space is limited, pre-register at (413) 499-4262.

MUSICAL BINGO TO BENEFIT AJ RIELLO
Pittsfield, 4pm-10pm

The Berkshire Running Foundation will be hosting a fundraiser to help support the family of AJ Riello, son of Tony and Heidi Riello of Pittsfield. AJ is currently at Boston Children’s Hospital undergoing treatment for end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy, a genetic condition that had only recently shown symptoms. AJ is now awaiting a heart transplant.

The fundraiser will be open to the public in the Tavern at the Berkshire Hills Country Club, Benedict Rd in Pittsfield, MA from 4pm -10pm. The event will have raffles with prizes from local businesses, a 50/50 raffle, and a silent auction; in addition to a sold-out Music Bingo game from 6pm-8pm in the ballroom.

Prizes can be donated for the raffle and donations can be made by contacting Shiobbean Lemme, the executive director of the Berkshire Running Foundation by emailing her at director@berkshirerun.org.

Raffle tickets can also be purchased in person at Berkshire Running Center any time before the event. Ticket holders do not need to be present to win, prizes will be held for 30 days and then donated to the family.

Bracelets to support the family are also available for $5 each at Berkshire Running Center, Rocco’s North End Barber Shop and Kileen, Quinn and Arace PC in Pittsfield.

OPENING RECEPTION FOR GUEST ARTIST SALLY TISKA RICE AT GALLERY NORTH APRIL 4TH

North Adams, 4pm-7pm

Sally Tiska Rice will be showing her wondrous watercolors at Gallery North, 9 Eagle Street. . The exhibit will accompany new work by permanent gallery artists Marilyn Cavallari, Ghetta Hirsch, Sean McCusker, Mallory Rich, and Barbara Patton from April 1st to April 30th; with an opening reception Friday, April 4th from 4-7pm.

Sally Tiska Rice draws inspiration from her rural surroundings and lifelong love of art. A survivor of a spine injury, she finds healing and spiritual fulfillment through painting, focusing on blending, layering, and experimenting with light and color to create depth and dimension. Sally's diverse techniques include acrylics, watercolors, oils, pastels, and mixed media.

Marilyn Cavallari, founder/owner of Gallery North, lives in Williamstown. She is a contemporary landscape and seascape artist. She works on several paintings simultaneously, distributing to each canvas her choice of bright and joyful colors.

Ghetta Hirsch offers a visual conversation on Nature. She composes vivid landscapes, observing the patterns of forms and colors on fields, mountains and water. Her “Abstract Realism” style relates calm and serenity to the meditative viewers.

Sean McCusker has been creating surreal landscapes inspired by the hilly Berkshires for over 20 years. His oil paintings, full of light and color, are built up slowly with an average of 30 thin transparent layers giving the effect of light emitting from the canvas.

Mallory Rich, a resident of Sandgate, VT has paintings in pastels and oils with her focus on rural VT, eastern New York and coastal Maine. She studied for many years with pastel master Albert Handell. She paints small moments in the landscape often unnoticed in our busy days.

Barbara Patton’s alternatively fired ceramic work is fired quickly with a rush of flame, smoke and excitement. The fiery chaos of smoke-firing, using natural and chemical materials combined with elements of form and surface, create both fragile yet hardened objects from the earth.

www.gallerynorthadams.com

SUNSET BEAVER WATCH

Lenox, 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Hike Pleasant Valley's trails in search of beaver families carrying out their early-spring activities. Who: Adults Where: Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 472 West Mt. Road, Lenox, MA 01240 Cost: Members $15, Nonmembers $20 Link to register for APRIL 4: https://www.massaudubon.org/programs/pleasant-valley/96304-sunset-beaver-watch For more info: 413-637-0320 / berkshires@massaudubon.org

SONGWRITER SERIES AT APPETITO RESTAURANT
Lee, 6:30-8pm

Christine Bilé is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, blending acoustic pop and folk influences. Playing instruments like guitar and ukulele, she writes, composes, and arranges songs that explore themes of relationships, self-love, and empowerment. Influenced by artists such as Michael Jackson, John Mayer, and Beyoncé, Christine plays music across Massachusetts and beyond, with notable performances including a set at the Ladybug Music Festival in Wilmington, Delaware.

REV TOR BAND

Dalton, 7 p.m.

THE STATIONERY FACTORY - NORTH ROOM

The Rev Tor Band’s large original repertoire feature funky, bass oriented rhythms and foot stomping percussion. Bouncy guitar lines pull the whole groove together and creates an entrancing state that just makes you want to shake it! Soulful melodies are immediately memorable. Even the occasional cover tune thrown in has a distinctly “Torricized” feel.

https://www.simpletix.com/e/rev-tor-band-tickets-205749

PAQUITO D’RIVERA QUINTET

Great Barrington, 8 p.m.

$43 – $63 Mahaiwe Member & Youth Discount Event

NEA Jazz Master, composer, and reedist Paquito D’Rivera brings to life the eclectic fusion of his extensive travels with unparalleled improvisations, multinational rhythms, and original orchestrations. D’Rivera has won a combined 16 Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards (5 Grammy and 11 Latin Grammys). He is celebrated both for his artistry in Latin jazz and his achievements as a classical composer.

https://mahaiwe.org/event/paquito-drivera-quintet/

RACE BROOK LODGE SPRING FESTIVAL

Sheffield, 8:00pm

Race Brook Lodge presents the Race Brook Spring Festival, a vibrant weekend filled with live music, dance, and community from April 4-6, 2025. Nestled at the foot of the Taconic Range in the southern Berkshires, this immersive festival will feature an eclectic lineup of international and local artists in a unique, intimate setting. Alsarah & The Nubatones, will bring their mesmerizing East African retro-pop sound. Huda Asfour who will appear with Alsarah on Friday.

Guests are invited to stay at Race Brook Lodge for the weekend, where they can immerse themselves in nature and enjoy a peaceful retreat, take time to hike to Race Brook Falls, or simply unwind in a hammock surrounded by the freshness of the early spring. For tickets, full schedule details, and lodging information, visit rblodge.com/springfest.

Don’t miss this unforgettable weekend of music, dance, and connection in the Berkshires!