image description

Weekend Outlook: First Fridays, Dancing, and More

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story

There will be a variety of events in the Berkshires this weekend including First Friday Festivities, music, and more. 

Editor's Pick 

Loud Weekend
Mass MoCA, North Adams
Thursday-Saturday

The annual Bang on a Can festival transforms Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art into a genre-bending musical utopia for innovative composers and performers.  

During the event special guests, Bang on a Can faculty and young players will take the Hunter Center stage in a series of heady collisions of jazz, classical, rock, and beyond.

More information here

Multiple Days

Littleville Fair
15 Kinnebrook Road, Chester
Aug. 1, 2 and 3

Although not in Berkshire County, the Littleville Fair featuring two classes of oxen draws, line dancing, youth dairy and beef cattle show, farm olympics, antique tractor pulls, a demolition derby, and more. 

More information here

The Mousetrap Performance
The Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield
Select Times Until Aug. 17

Berkshire Theatre Group stages Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap" is a classic whodunit set in a remote guesthouse where strangers are snowbound, a murder occurs, leading to a race to identify the culprit. 

Each guest has their own secrets, heightening the tension as suspicion grows.

Tickets are $75 and up. More information here

Redcoats & Rebels
Old Sturbridge Village
Saturday & Sunday
 
This Revolutionary War re-enactment encourages hands-on engagement as guests join in on marches, interact with costumed interpreters and participate in period demonstrations. Live cannon fire and battles at 2 p.m. both days. Kid friendly activities. 
 
More information here

Friday 

First Friday at Five
Downtown Pittsfield
Time: 5 p.m.

Downtown Pittsfield will be alive with activities, including a maker's market and family fun zone on North Street, live music at Persip Park, a dance zone at Dunham Mall, an art walk, and more. 

More information here. https://lovepittsfield.com

North Adams First Friday
Downtown North Adams
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.

Music, art, and games will fill downtown North Adams for its First Friday event, themed "Play Downtown." DJ Rebelbeat Soundsystem will perform at the Eagle Street Pocket Park for a dance party with the Hatchlings. 

There will be games, art, special events, and downtown and businesses will have extended hours. More information here

Little Red Riding Hood Marionette
Dottie's Coffee Lounge, Pittsfield
Time: 11 a.m. 

Robbins-Zust Family Marionette Company is bringing its version of Little Red Riding Hood to life in this outdoor performance. More information here

Peace Train Tees Anniversary Celebration
2 South St. Suite 150, Pittsfield
Time: 5 to 8 p.m. 

Peace Train Tees will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in the Berkshires featuring live music by Mike Sacco and Friends, giveaways, one-day-only deals and discounts, food and drinks, games, and more. Attendees will have a chance to win a $250 gift certificate. More information here

Scottish Corelli with Ruckus
Adams Theater, 27 Park St. 
Time: 8 p.m.
 
Ruckus, styled a period instrument rock band, and violinist Keir GoGwilt perform 18-century tunes by Scottish folk master and fiddler Neil Gow. Vocalist Fiona Gillespie joins with a selection of Gaelic songs.
 
More information and tickets here

Pittsfield Library Watch Party Series
Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield
Time: 2 p.m. 

Can't make it to Becket for the festival? Jacob's Pillow has made it more accessible with a community-centered event that channels the spirit and energy of Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. 

The watch party features an optional movement warm-up or community-building activity, a full-length screening of a performance by Sekou McMiller & Friends, filmed live at the Festival, and more. 

More information here

Saturday

AYJ Fund Octopus Garden Concert

Bounti-Fare Restaurant, Adams
Time: 7 p.m. 

There will be a performance of Beatles music played by Octopus Garden to support children with cancer. More information here


'Trees and Seeds of Life'

Ground/work 2025: A Close Look 

Clark Art Institute, Williamstown
Time: 1 p.m.
 
A Clark educator will lead an examination and in-depth discussion around the outdoor sculpture Bana Yiriw ni Shi Folow ("Trees and Seeds of Life") by artist Aboubakar Fofana.
 
This is part of a series on the individual pieces of Ground/work 2025 installed on the museum's grounds. 
 
Free and open to the public; dress appropriately and meet at the Lunder Center. More information here
 

Starting and Maintaining Native Plant Gardens

Springside Park, Pittsfield
Time: 10 a.m. 

There will be a free class on native plant gardening. Diane Van Kempen will provide tips on starting and maintaining a native plant garden for pollinators, utilizing the native plant and pollinator gardens. More information here

Summer Stomp
Bousquet Mountain, Pittsfield
Time: 5 to 11 p.m. 

The festival celebrates country music, mountain views, and summertime fun. 

There will be live performances, cold drinks, and dancing under the open sky. Tickets are $35 for adults and $15 for youth. More information here

 

 

Photo by S.A. Sears Photography. Taken from The Stationery Factory Website

WildHeart Tribute Performance

The Stationery Factory, Dalton
Time: 8 p.m. 

Wildheart Tribute performs hits by Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac. Tickets are $25 to $30.

More information here

Sunday

Freedom Ride
Dalton American Legion, Dalton
Time: 9 to 10:30 a.m. 

Kick up your kickstands and go for a ride with the Dalton American Legion. Registration starts at 9; following the ride, there will be food, drinks, raffles, vendors, and live music by classic rock band The Liquid Courage.

More information here

Farmers Markets
 
Great Barrington Farmers Market
18 Church St.
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 Farmers Market 
The Town Park
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 Farmers Market
St. Ann's Church
Friday: 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 Farmers Market 
Village Green
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 Farmers Market  
Main Street
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 Farmers Market
Pittsfield Common
Saturday, 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 here
 
Sheffield Farmers Market
125 Main St.
Fridays, 3 to 6 p.m. 
 
The market features healthy food and products from a variety of local vendors, aiming to nourish the community by supporting "local small farms, land, bees, and economy."
 
More information here
 
Williamstown Farmers Market 
Spring Street
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
 
The market features a diverse range of local food and artisan vendors, along with local services and live music. More information here.

Tags: weekend outlook,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

The home prior to renovations.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.

The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.

The house is listed for $359,500.

We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieri and Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.

 

Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.)  The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.  

 

 

What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?

 

Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few.  All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.

 

Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house.  New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house.  New paver patio in the back yard.

 

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

 

Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.

 

Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.

 

 

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

 

Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.

 

Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?

Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.

 

Andrews: Built in about 1965.

 

What do the current owners love about this home?

 

Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.

 

Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.

 

 

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

 

Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.  

 

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

 

 

 

 

View Full Story

More North Adams Stories