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Weekend Outlook: Mass MoCA Free Day, Live Music, and More

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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Berkshire County is hosting a variety of events this weekend including live music, free museum admission, workshops, and more. 
 
Editor's Pick 
 
Mass MoCA Free Day
Mass MoCA, North Adams 
 
The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Arts is opening its doors for free this Saturday. Participate in some of the day's activities including thematic museum tours, art-making in Kidspace, "Firebird" installation viewings, and more. 
 
More information here
 
Friday 
 
New Beginnings Stories 
Dottie's Coffee Lounge, Pittsfield
Time: 7 p.m. 
 
Local nonprofit WordXWord is holding a story sharing event centered around the theme "New Beginnings." 
 
This free event will feature a range of true, first-person stories that are told, not read. 
 
Tell your story by registering here. Spots are limited. 
 
Disco Night at the Stationery Factory
63 Flansburg Ave., Dalton
Time: 8 to 11 p.m. 
 
There will be drinks, a large dance floor, funky/fun seating, and DJ BFG so that attendees can dance, relax, connect, and enjoy with friends and family. 
 
Tickets are $10. More information here
 
Saturday 
 
Berkshire Opera Festival Chorus Community Sing-Along
Zion Lutheran Church, Pittsfield 
Time: 12:15 to 4 p.m. 
 
Singers of all ages and experiences are welcome to sing their heart out to some opera choral classics alongside Berkshire Opera Festival chorus and larger Berkshire singing community, including the Berkshire Concert Choir.
 
This is free event but registration is required. Singers will be sent music and more information closer to the event, but no preparation is required. Schedule and details here
 
Live Pro Wrestling
Masonic Temple, Pittsfield 
Time: 5 p.m. 
 
The Xtreme Wrestling Alliance will be having a live pro wrestling event to give community members the opportunity to cheer on their favorite wrestlers. Tickets cost $15. More information here
 
Public Ice Skating 
Boys and Girls Club, Pittsfield 
Time: 3 to 4:30 p.m. 
 
The first 100 people through the door during the public skate at the Boys & Girls Club will receive free admission for skating as well as free skate rentals. More information here
 
The Juckets Performance
Methuselah Bar and Lounge, Pittsfield 
Time: 7 p.m. 
 
Berkshire-based, acoustic Americana-bluegrass band, The Juckets will be performing. Information here
 
The Just-N-Kace Band Performance 
Dalton American Legion
Time: 7 p.m. 
 
Dance music, rock 'n' roll and country band Just-N-Kace will be performing. There is a $10 cover charge. Information here
 
Full Burn 
Bounti-Fare, Adams
Time: 8 to 11
 
Classic rock and dance band Full Burn performs at the Bounti-Fare for the first time. Free cover. 
 
Mini Cinema: 'Social Life of Small Urban Spaces'
Pittsfield Community Design Center
Time: 8 to 9:30
 
The design center at 429 North St. is launching a free monthly movie night of city, transportation, sociological and ethnographic videos, films, and clips. This month's choice is a work by William Holly Whyte on a sociological study of the use of public spaces made in the 1980s.
 
Free and open to the public; more information here
 
Sunday 
 
Vertical Challenge
Jiminy Peak, Hancock
Time: 8:30 a.m. 
 
One of the resort's biggest events of the season is back this Sunday. It features free races for all ages and abilities, free product samples on the Crane patio, and a DJ spinning tunes all day. 
 
The Vertical Victory Party will be held at 1 p.m. in Crane East Lodge to announce the race winners. 
 
More information here
 
Print Room Pop-Up: Carmen
The Clark Art Institute, Williamstown 
Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
 
There will be a pop-up of sampling of prints, drawings, and photographs in the museum’s Manton Study Center For Works On Paper. More information here
 
The pop-up sets the stage for the reimagined setting of an industrial American town and themes of the femme fatale, lust, and the dark sides of love as portrayed in the screening of "The Met: Live in HD Carmen."
 
The screening takes place at 12:55. More information here
 
Cork Mushroom Workshop
Savvy Hive, North Adams
Time: 1 p.m. 
 
Artists of all experience levels and ages are welcome to join Savvy Hive for a Cork Mushroom Workshop. Participants will learn to shape, paint, and assemble nature-inspired accessories from corks. 
 
Tickets cost $20. More information here
 
Wassail 
Tourists, North Adams
Time: 4 to 7
 
The second annual wassail celebration to bless the 2024 apple harvest is hosted by the Berkshire Cider Project at Tourists resort. A hard cider bar will feature guest ciders, crafts, live music, and wassail rituals. 
 
RSVP requested; more information here
 
Multiple Days 
 
Railroad Hobby Show
Eastern States Exposition Fairgrounds, Springfield 
Time: Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 
The largest railroad-themed trade show in America will be near the Berkshires this weekend. The show covers all facets of railroad hobbies including model railroads, railroad art and photography, railroad history, and more. 
 
Information here
 
PHS Proteus Theatre Performance of 'Lost Girl'
Pittsfield High School Theatre
Time: Friday & Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 p.m. 
 
The high school's theater department will be performing "Lost Girl," which follows Wendy Darling's years following her adventures with Peter Pan. Tickets cost $5 for students and $10 for adults. Information here

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District Moving On From Allegations Against PHS Administrator

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The district is "moving on" from unsubstantiated allegations against two Pittsfield High School administrators, saying there is no threat.

Dean of Students Molly West returned to work last week after being put on leave in December. The Department of Children and Families has cleared West and Vice Principal Alison Shepard of misconduct claims that surfaced after another PHS dean was arrested and charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for allegedly conspiring to traffic large quantities of cocaine.

School Committee Chair William Cameron on Wednesday emphasized that when such an investigation finds no evidence of wrongdoing, fundamental fairness and due process prohibits taking punitive action simply because of allegations. Reportedly, West was also investigated and cleared in the past.

"The circumstances of Mrs. West being placed on administrative leave don't need to be recited here," he said.

"Social media allegations made against her in December, which then regrettably were widely publicized, were not new. They had been heard, investigated, and found meritless by other school districts many years ago, nevertheless, they were disinterred recently by someone providing neither evidence nor a credible source and then reinvestigated twice in the last three months."

Senior Emma Goetze said she was "appalled, deeply disappointed, and frustrated that an administrator who has been placed on leave, someone who has caused significant discomfort and distress to so many students, has been allowed to return to our building."

"I understand that there is an investigation and acknowledge that this individual was cleared but it feels incredibly unjust to me and to many of my peers that despite everything, this person is being given the opportunity to come back," she said. "It's important to recognize that even though an investigation may have found no wrongdoing, that doesn't change the reality of how this individual's presence makes many students feel."

Investigations led by DCF and retired Superior Court Judge Mary-Lou Rup concluded that there is no evidence to substantiate the accusations.

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