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Weekend Outlook: Spring Celebrations, Clean-ups, and More

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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This spring weekend, there are a variety of events in and around the Berkshires, including Spring Celebrations, music, cleanups, and more.  
 
Editor's Pick
 
Downtown Celebrates Spring Week
Downtown Pittsfield
Saturday & Sunday
 
There will be various events to celebrate spring, including a beach and tea party, and a free Kids' Paint & Sip event.  
 
The featured event is "Where's Winston?" a spring scavenger hunt for images of the Pittsfield Police Department's comfort dog, Officer Winston, at a dozen downtown locations. More information here
 
Friday 
 
Tattoo Body Art Show
Bennington (Vt.) Museum
Time: 6 to 9 p.m. 
During the show, models will share their tattoo stories, and tattoo artists show off their work. There is a $10 cover charge. There will be prizes awarded to models with the audience's favorite body art.
 
More information here
 
Bring Your Own Vinyl Night 
Hot Plate Brewing Co., Pittsfield
Time: 7 p.m.
 
DJ Pup Daddy will be performing some of his favorite albums and encourages the community to bring their own. More information here
 
Rock and Roll Performance 
Zinky's Pub, Dalton
Time: 8 to 11 p.m.
Western Mass rock 'n' roll band The 413s will perform. Food and drinks are available for purchase, and there is no cover charge. Information is here
 
Free Swimming
Berkshire Family YMCA
Time: noon and 3 p.m.
 
The pool is open to families looking to dive into some fun and quality time together. This event is open to swimmers of all ages and abilities.
 
Free Family Movie 
North Adams Public Library
Time: 2 p.m. 
Families can enjoy a screening of the movie "Wish" with free popcorn and drinks in the third-floor community room. Youth under the age of 10 must have an adult present at all times.
 
School Break Kidspace Workshops
Mass MoCA, North Adams
Time: 11 a.m. 
 
The final workshop of the Spring Break workshop series will introduce participants to the creative process behind Sol LeWitt's wall drawings
 
Kids will explore conceptual art, color theory, lines, geometric shapes, and follow instructions to re-create LeWitt's wall drawings.
 
More information here
 
Saturday
 
Williamstown Farmer's Market
First Congregational Church
Time: 9 to noon. 
 
This will be the last indoor market of the season and features local dairy, meats, produce and foods as well as artisan vendors and music. The market returns for the summer season on May 18 on Spring Street. 
 
420 Hoopla
Himalayan High, Becket
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. 
 
This free event is an opportunity for 21-plus cannabis enthusiasts to connect with Massachusetts craft cultivators and enjoy ice cream and pop-ups. More information here
 
Annual 420 Festival
Little City Cider Co., Bennington, Vt.
Time: doors open at 4; music starts at 7
 
People 21 and up are invited to the 2nd annual 420 festival, which features live music, food, beverages, and an opportunity to connect with Vermont's cannabis growers. No cannabis sales onsite.
 
More information here.
 
Hoosic River Cleanup 
Noel Field, North Adams
Time: 9 to 3 p.m.
 
Celebrate Earth Day and the Great Global Cleanup by helping Hoosic River Revival clean up various sites along our Hoosic River within North Adams city limits. More information here
 
Pittsfield Dog Park Spring Cleanup 
Pittsfield Dog Park
Time: 10 to noon 
 
The Pittsfield Parks Department and current volunteers will be cleaning up the park. The event features free food for humans and dogs. More information here
 
Open Farm Day
Second Chance Stables & Draft Rescue
Time: 2 to 4. 
 
The farm at 262 Loop Road in Savoy will be open to meet the rescue animals and learn about its operations. Complimentary tea, coffee and cookies will be available and a belated Easter egg hunt will be held. 
 
There is no charge to visit but if you choose to make a donation you will be entered for a door prize. A waiver is required to enter the property and will be available at the door. This is a working farm so dress appropriately.
 
More information here
 
Back In Black: The True AC/DC Experience
The Stationery Factory, Dalton
Time: 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
 
AC/DC tribute band Back In Black will perform some of the rock band's old and new music. Tickets cost $25. More information here
 
Sunday
 
Gentle Yoga Class
Berkshire Community College, Pittsfield
Time: 11:45 a.m. 
 
Hang with My Soul will lead a beginner-level, gentle yoga class in the Patterson Field House. Tickets cost $7 or free for students and faculty. More information here
 
The Exchange
The Stationery Factory, Dalton
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
 
There will be a farmer's and flea market where people can buy, sell, or trade art, collectibles, antiques, vintage clothing, jewelry, and more. 
 
The event also features baked pastries, Charlie's Bistro Box food truck, and live music. More information here
 
Multiple Days
 
Baby Animals at Hancock Shaker Village
Through Sunday, May 5
 
The museum is concluding its baby animals festival this weekend. Visitors can meet the farm's newest editions, including lambs, kids, piglets, calves, and chicks. 
 
Festival goers can participate in daily events and activities, including talks about the farm and the Shakers, craft demonstrations, and more. More information here. 
 
General admission is $20 for adults, $8 for youths ages 13-17, and children 12 and under are free. More information here
 
Disney's 'Frozen JR.'
The Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield
Friday through Sunday 
 
The students from Berkshire County and beyond will take center stage to perform this condensed version of the popular "Frozen."
 
The production is based on the 2018 Broadway musical, which features beloved songs from the film, such as "Let It Go" and "Do You Want to Build a Snowman," in addition to five new songs created for the Broadway production.
 
It expands upon the journey from the original film and "explores the depth of the sisters' relationship when faced with danger, revealing their hidden potential and the unbreakable bond of sisterhood." 
 
Tickets here

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North Adams Schools Talk Final Budget Numbers for Public Hearing

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

The elementary schools will be phasing in a new math curriculum over the next two years. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The School Committee received the presentation given last week to the Finance & Facilities committee for the fiscal 2025 spending plan.
 
The subcommittee is recommending the budget of $20,357,096, up $302,744 or 1.51 percent over this year. This was expected to be funded by $16,418,826 in state Chapter 70 education funds, local funding of $3,938,270 (up $100,000 over this year) and a drawdown of school funds of $575,237. This will also include the closure of Greylock School at the end of this year and the reduction of 26 full-time positions. 
 
A hybrid public hearing on the budget will be held on Thursday, May 23, at 5:30 at Brayton School, with a vote by the School Committee to immediately follow. 
 
The extra $100,000 from the city will likely not be part of this funding package, warned Mayor Jennifer Macksey, chair of the School Committee. 
 
"Going through all my process on the city side, so to say, with the rest of my departments, it's going to be really hard for me to squeak out the additional $100,000," said the mayor, alluding to a budget gap of $600,000 to $800,000 for fiscal 2025 she's trying to close. 
 
"I just want to be fully transparent with everyone sitting here, and as your School Committee chair, I don't know if the city budget is going to be able to squeak out that $100,000. That number will most likely change."
 
Director of School Finance and Operations Nancy Rauscher said the $100,000 had been a placeholder with administration understanding that it could change.  
 
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