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

 

Editor's Pick

 

Pittsfield's Inaugural First Friday at Five

Downtown Pittsfield

Time: 5 p.m. 

 

The city has combined Third Thursdays and the First Fridays Artswalks to establish First Fridays at Five. 

 

Downtown Pittsfield will be alive with activities, including a maker's market on North Street, a Pop-Up Dance Zone in Persip Park with fire dancer Opal Raven Cirque, Art in the Park with Mike Carty at Sottile Park, live pottery in Palace Park with Jim Horsford, and a Family Fun Zone at Dunham Mall. 

 

There will also be live entertainment at several eateries and an art walk featuring a shuttle that will take people from City Hall to the Clock Tower Artist Studios.

 

Each month, a community booth will be set up with presenting sponsors. May's sponsor will be the National Alliance on Mental Illness Berkshire County, which will hold a NAMIWalks event to spread awareness about mental health.

 

More information here. 

 

Friday 

 

First Friday 

Downtown North Adams 

Time: 5 to 9 p.m. 

 

Holden Street will be closed to car traffic to make room for a variety of activities, including live music, food trucks, and vendors. This month's theme is Flower Power. 

 

Businesses in downtown North Adams will have extended hours, and many will have galleries or will be hosting openings, closings, and other special events focused on starting fresh. 

 

More information here. 

 

Downtown Bike Around

Downtown North Adams

Time: 6 p.m. 

Join the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition and enjoy the fresh air by biking around Downtown North Adams. The bike around event starts at Holden Street. More information here. 

 

Ghost Tours at Ventfort Hall 

Ventfort Hall, Lenox

Time: 8 to 10 p.m. 

 

There will be a Ghost Tour with "Ghosts of the Berkshires" author Robert Oakes.

 

Oakes will lead guests through the rooms and halls of the estate, sharing tales of its alleged hauntings.

 

"Stand in the places where the encounters occurred, listen to the first-hand accounts of those who experienced them, and maybe even experience something unusual yourself. This is not an active investigation," according to the press release.

 

Admission is $30, and the minimum age to attend is 12. Reservations are required. Purchase tickets here. 

 

Note that all tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. More Information here. 

 

Saturday 

 

First Child in the Woods: Caregiver and Infant/Young Child Walk

Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Lenox

Time: 10 to 11 a.m. 

 

During this hour-long hike, children from birth to 5 years old can discover the natural world around them. Admission is $5. More information here. 

 

Book Signing 

Barnes and Noble, Pittsfield 

Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

 

New England author Arleta Rae is celebrating the release of the final book in her "Children From Sacrifice" series with a book signing. 

 

The magical and suspenseful contemporary dark fantasy series follows newly turned vampire Thea Knight. The newest book portrays her journey of keeping her witch best friend and the vampire who created her safe following the loss of a battle with the Brais. Details on the books here.

 

More information on the book signing here. 

 

Sheep to Shawl Festival

Sheep Hill, Williamstown 

Time: 11 a.m. 

 

Celebrate all things sheep, natural fibers, and rural artisanry with the Sheep to Shawl Festival, where farmers and artisans will share their food and crafts related to rural heritage. The event features games, raffles, and crafts. 

 

Visitors will see sheep herding on the hill, sheep shearing by the barn, and natural fiber spinning and weaving demonstrations in our historic farmhouse.

 

More information here.

 

Art on Main Gallery Opening Reception 

38 Main Street, West Stockbridge 

Time:  3 to 5 p.m. 

 

Meet artists Katherine Borkowski-Byrne and Cindy Mathias, who will be showing off their artwork at the gallery until May 5. Information here.

 

Paranormal Investigation 

Ventfort Hall, Lenox

Time: 7 p.m. 

 

Non-fiction author and "paranormal investigator" David Raby will lead an investigation of the alleged haunted halls of Ventfort Hall. 

 

Before the "investigation," Raby will give a brief history of the lives of those who once lived at the mansion and possibly still do. 

 

He will also share some of his favorite evidence from previous investigations and will answer any questions about paranormal investigations. 

 

Tickets cost $40 per person with a reduced rate of $25 for ages 12 to 18 and 19-23 with student Identification. Space is limited, and tickets sell out quickly, so registration is strongly recommended. 

 

More information here. 

 

Karaoke Night

VFW Post 996, North Adams

Time: 9 p.m. 

 

Sing the night away for a chance to win $30 at the end of the night. Sing at least one solo song and stay till the end of the night for a chance to win. More information here. 

 

Spaghetti Dinner

Richmond Volunteer Fire Dept Inc.

Time: 5 to 7 p.m. 

 

Join the department for its first spaghetti dinner of the year. The dinner is $10 a plate for adults and $5 for children under 12. The even also features a 50/50 raffle and bake sale. Tickets sold at the door. Information here. 

 

Star Wars Day Interactive Movie 

Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield

Time: 1 p.m. 

 

Dress in costume, make crafts, eat snacks, answer trivia, and watch Star Wars for a free screening of the scifi classic. More information here. 

 

Sunday

 

Cinco De Mayo Party 

Drifters Bar & Restaurant, Pittsfield 

Time: 11:30 a.m. 

 

The restaurant and bar, located at Bousquet, will be having a Cinco de Mayo celebration featuring food, drinks, and live music. 

 

A pitcher of Modelo and our hand-crafted margaritas are $10 all day and nachos and tacos are 50 percent off throughout the event. 

 

Information here.

 

Central Berkshire Record Show

The Stationery Factory, Dalton

Time: 10 am to 4 pm

 

The Central Berkshire Record Show is returning this Sunday for the third year in a row. 

 

Hosted by Berkshirecat Productions, it will feature DJ sets, food, drinks, and 1000s of Records, CDs and more from 30 tables of vendors from New England.

 

A line up of DJs will spin music throughout the day.  DJs include Pup Daddy Productions (Tim Dupree), DJ Ketchabone (Michael Keleher),  Wes Nelson of Belltower Records and Ed Pelkey. 

 

Advance tickets can be purchased for $4 (+fee) via Eventbrite or on the day of the event at the door for $4, with VIP entry available for $10.

 

Tickets are available at the door and in advance through Eventbrite.

 

First Sunday Free Clark 

The Clark Art Institute, Williamstown

Time: 1 to 4 p.m. 

 

The Clark Art is offering free admission to the galleries, special exhibitions, and activities. 

 

This month's theme is Giddy Up to play homage to Sterling Clark, one of the founders of the museum. Clark was an art collector and horse breeder

 

Follow an activity guide around the galleries to see which depictions of horses and swiping by the Clark Center lower level create paper horses with joints you can move. 

 

More information here.