This weekend in Berkshire County, MA

Written by Chess Jakobs, The American Five explores key moments in the lives of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King, Bayard Rustin, Stanley Levison, and Clarence B. Jones during the high-stakes Civil Rights Movement. Set in the tense days leading up to the March on Washington, the play looks at the strategy, collaboration, and moral conviction behind this pivotal moment in U.S. history, highlighting the pressure and threats faced by those working for change, including constant surveillance and intimidation.

An eight hour timed event on a certified dirt and cinder loop invites runners and walkers to cover as much distance as they wish. The .355 mile track encircles Clapp Park. Athletes start counter clockwise, switch directions halfway through, may use the full width of the surface, and can step onto the adjacent outer grass. The format is walker friendly, only fully completed laps count, and every participant receives an official marathon split at 74 laps. Chip timing is provided by Mike Melton and MCM Timing with a live, shareable leaderboard for spectators and post race review. Race day only packet pickup is offered. On course support features trackside personal table space with quick bottle refills, packaged snacks, and a no contact water and sports drink setup. Ice pops are served in the morning and pizza in the afternoon as an extra boost, and participants may set up personal areas along the loop. Overall champions are recognized alongside age group awards for 0 to 12, 13 to 19, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, 60 to 69, 70 to 79, and 80 plus, with additional longevity and mileage honors at the finish. A virtual eight hour option is available in support of the AYJ Fund, including a handmade Ragged Cuts medal, an optional shirt for an additional $10, no age group awards, and a requirement to submit distance proof to the race director. Proceeds benefit the AYJ Fund, a northern Berkshire County nonprofit serving children facing a cancer diagnosis. Discounts include half price entry for participants under 20 with code YOUTH50, 10 percent off for those who have completed the race at least three times with code SERIALRUNNER, and 10 percent off for teachers, first responders, and active or retired service members with code SERVICE. If plans change, entries may be deferred for one year when requested in writing by the stated deadline. Volunteers support setup, registration, the start line, event operations, awards, aid stations, and cleanup. This race is part of the BURCS BADASS series, and performances earn points toward series honors.

Makers on Main is a weekly craft and artisan market that also functions as a supportive hub for creativity. It brings work out of the studio and into public view by offering a professional setting where emerging artists and seasoned makers can share their creations, test new ideas, expand passion projects, and strengthen their connection to the local economy.

Explore a weekly market featuring local produce, bakery treats, sweet confections, and handmade items. It happens each Saturday, no matter the weather.

At Benson's Pet Center (Pittsfield), the Pretty Paws Nail Clinic by Pretty Paws Professional Pet Services offers pampering nail care for pets, with services priced from $10 to $15.

This family friendly exploration of a local stream offers a close look at the life thriving in moving water. Using nets and simple observation tools, participants search for aquatic insects, small fish, salamanders, and other stream dwellers. A naturalist guides the experience and connects each discovery to the wider stream ecosystem and the surrounding landscape. The program aims to spark curiosity, build confidence outdoors, and deepen understanding of how clean water supports both wildlife and people.

This interactive workshop blends music, movement, and mindfulness for young learners. Children explore their own sounds and creativity, try gentle yoga-inspired poses to connect with their bodies, and learn songs that encourage heart-centered expression. The group also covers simple ways to steady the nervous system when emotions feel big, followed by breathing practices that serve as a bridge between inner experience and outward expression. Recommended for grades K through 4.

The Great Barrington Farmers Market features performances by buskers.

Included with admission and offered as a drop-in with no reservations needed, this program encourages time in the galleries followed by creative making for all ages, inspired by the American Stories: Revolution to Rockwell exhibition. Museum Educators will be present to support the activities. Open to everyone. Supported in part by The Ruth Krauss Foundation, Inc.

Choreographer Miro Magloire and New Chamber Ballet collaborate with composers and musicians from the Manhattan School of Music to present newly composed music and original choreography for five sculptures in Ground/work 2025. Performances unfold live at each sculpture throughout the day, offering a fresh way to experience the artworks. Participation requires a moderate hike on uneven and occasionally steep terrain.

A series of guided hikes across the Berkshires led by the BYDF Team invites a slower pace and a deeper connection with the natural world. Each outing focuses on mindful movement and sensory awareness, with instructors potentially incorporating breathwork, meditation, journaling, moments of reflection, gentle forest bathing prompts, and opportunities to build community. Participants can expect quiet listening, periods of silent walking beneath the trees, meaningful conversation, and time to simply appreciate the surroundings, all designed to support well-being in body, mind, and spirit. Pre-registration is required. Access is included for Discovery Pass, Silver, Gold, and Unlimited Members. A 3-week Discovery Pass is available for 49 dollars and includes unlimited classes, Mindful Member Hikes, specialty outdoor experiences, a guest pass, and full access to the on-demand video library.

Wrap up the YA Summer Challenge with a make-your-own ice cream sundae bar. This sweet sendoff marks the end of the library’s summer program. For more information, contact the Youth Services Department at 413-499-9480, ext. 203. Support is provided by the Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum.

Nature’s Heritage is making an in-store pop-up appearance at Berkshire Roots in Pittsfield. Stop by during the event window to meet the team, learn about their products, and check out special offers while supplies last.

Catch The Legend of Georgia McBride, a big-hearted comedy from Tony Award-winning playwright Matthew López. Set in a Florida Panhandle bar, the story follows Casey, an Elvis impersonator whose life changes when he’s encouraged to trade rhinestones for wigs and heels and step into the world of drag performance. Expect high-energy musical moments, bold theatrical flair, and plenty of humor and heart as Casey discovers identity, reinvention, and a found-family kind of belonging.

Explore downtown Stockbridge on a guided walk that traces Norman Rockwell’s inspirations and the people who appear in some of his most recognized artworks. Along the way, hear about the community’s long history, including its 1734 beginnings and Mohican roots. Highlights include stops at Rockwell’s home on South Street, his first studio on Main Street, the Old Corner House where the museum originated, Chief John Konkapot’s property, the Red Lion Inn, the former site of Alice’s Restaurant, and more. Tours take place away from the museum, and transportation to Main Street is not provided. Meet in front of The Old Corner House. The route is mostly level and follows sidewalks. Space is limited and advance reservations are required, with each group capped at 24 participants. The tour runs in any weather. Admission is $20 and is separate from museum entry. Public on street parking is available, along with designated spaces at Town Hall.

At Saint James Place, Aston Magna Music Festival presents the fourth program of its 53rd season, highlighting treasures from 17th century Venice with music by Monteverdi, Salamone Rossi, and Barbara Strozzi. The ensemble features mezzo-soprano Sophie Michaux, Catherine Liddell on theorbo, Laura Jeppesen on viola da gamba, and violinists Daniel Stepner and Julie Leven. Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door, with $15 admission for those under 30 with ID. Students and children are admitted free, and Card to Culture tickets are available for $2. The festival is supported in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Wind down summer at a mountainside jazz and blues festival filled with smooth sounds and late-season air. Enjoy an evening of live music with the Richard Boulger Quintet, the Don Braden Quartet, and Misty Blues, all set against mountain views. It is suited to dedicated jazz fans as well as anyone looking for a standout night out in the Berkshires.

Explore Pleasant Valley’s wetlands on a naturalist-led hike of about 1.5 miles and see how generations of beavers have shaped the landscape. Along the way, learn to recognize and interpret the signs they leave behind and what those clues reveal about their behavior and habitat. Hear the story of Pleasant Valley’s part in beaver conservation and their return to Massachusetts. If conditions cooperate, the quieter late afternoon may bring opportunities to observe beavers and other wetland wildlife.

Lala Tamar teams up with master kora player Yacouba Sissoko for an evening that threads North and West African traditions with a contemporary spark. A singer, songwriter, poet, guimbri player and dancer, Lala shapes ritual-infused North African sounds into a distinctly feminine voice, singing in Arabic, Amazigh and Portuguese with music that feels both nostalgic and dreamlike. She broke new ground by recording a contemporary album in Haquetia and, as one of the first women to carry the guimbri into new musical contexts, has shared stages with Karim Ziad, Khadija El Warzazia and Mehdi Nassouly. She also made her Lincoln Center debut in NYC. With a new album of original songs mainly in Darija, she offers an intimate Moroccan tribute to her heritage, welcoming listeners into a space of play, poetry, softness and strength. The ensemble traces the path of a desert caravan, slides into shaabi grooves linked to Agahadir and Algiers, and weaves African string textures with Arabic ornamentation. The program touches ceremonial healing music, trance-like connection and poetry carried across centuries, highlighting friendship, love and a shared humanity that reaches beyond borders. Yacouba Sissoko devotes his artistry to sharing West African history and culture while carrying messages of peace, love and harmony. Born into a renowned Djeli family in Kita, Mali, he began learning the 21-string kora and its oral traditions from his grandfather at age nine and was touring by fifteen. He studied at the National Institute of the Arts in Bamako and performed with Ami Koita, Kandia Kouyate, the Raoul Fulero Ensemble and l'Ensemble National du Mali. Rooted in community, he presents cultural programs and benefit concerts worldwide and blends his virtuosity with styles from Indian ragas to Appalachian tunes. He performs regularly with Regina Carter and with his own band, SIYA. General admission is $43 plus processing fees, and seating is at café tables. Member and public sales are available.

Seth Rudetsky hosts an evening with Norm Lewis that mixes songs from Lewis’s storied career with lively conversation, humor, and behind-the-scenes tales, with Rudetsky at the piano throughout. A nominee for Emmy, Grammy, Tony, and SAG awards, Lewis became the first African American actor to play the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera and earned major recognition for portraying Porgy in The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, including nominations from the Tony Awards, Drama Desk, and Drama League. His Broadway credits span Les Misérables, Chicago, Once on This Island, The Little Mermaid, and Sondheim on Sondheim. On screen, his work includes Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods, Pose, Scandal, The Blacklist, and Blue Bloods, along with appearances in PBS specials such as Live From Lincoln Center. He most recently appeared in the off-Broadway revival of Ceremonies in Dark Old Men and on the national tour of A Soldier’s Play. A 20% discount is available when purchasing tickets to all three events in The Seth Rudetsky Concert Series featuring Bonnie Milligan, Norm Lewis, and Lillias White.

Big Thief comes back to MASS MoCA with a concert in Joe's Field, ten years after their first set there shortly after releasing their 2016 debut album, Masterpiece. Formed in Brooklyn and led by singer, guitarist, and songwriter Adrianne Lenker, the band has become a leading voice in indie folk. An electrifying summer performance awaits.

Settle in for a night of laughs at Door Prize Restaurant in North Adams, MA. Headliner Maximilian Spinelli tops the bill, with Marty Nadler featured and Charlie Nadler hosting. To enjoy the full dinner menu, reservations are recommended for a meal before the show. A bar menu will be available, and the bar will be open throughout. The lineup may change without notice. This show includes adult content.

Barrington Hall transforms into an 80s dance floor as DJ Supavisa and DJ BigLazyB spin a lively mix of beloved hits, forgotten favorites, and singalong anthems through the night. It is all about a great night out with friends, easygoing vibes, and plenty of time on the floor. Dress in retro style if you feel like it or keep it casual. Enjoy a drink, bring your best moves or simply groove at your own pace, and settle in for a celebration of the decade. Tickets are available.

Written by Chess Jakobs, The American Five is a play that looks at pivotal moments in the lives of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King, Bayard Rustin, Stanley Levison, and Clarence B. Jones during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Set in the tense days leading up to the March on Washington, it focuses on the strategy, collaboration, and moral conviction behind one of the most consequential moments in American history, including the pressure they faced from surveillance, intimidation, arrests, and constant threats. Expect themes of nonviolence, leadership, and personal sacrifice as these five figures build a coalition grounded in trust, intellect, and belief in justice.

OPB brings an outdoor barre session to Pontoosuc Lake Park, welcoming participants of every level. Expect intentional, low impact movement that builds strength, improves balance, and engages the core, all while enjoying fresh air, scenic water views, and a supportive OPB community. Bring a mat and water. Suggested donation is $25. Registration is required. The class depends on the weather, and if conditions are poor it will be held in the studio.

Join the opening of Dead Girl’s Quinceañera, a darkly funny, true-crime-inspired story about obsession and teenage bravado. When Maria goes missing during her quinceañera, her three best friends start digging into the mystery by interrogating suspects, coming up with theories, and battling each other with plenty of humor along the way.

Celebrate summer at The Mount with a family day full of creativity, music, and play. Children can dance to live tunes, settle in for engaging storytelling, and dive into hands on arts and crafts. Budding artists can try making a mini comic, while word lovers can jump into a lively, quick poetry challenge. Everything unfolds in the gardens and grounds of The Mount, creating a beautiful setting to explore, imagine, and share a bit of magic together.

Led by Adora Winquist at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, this 4-day retreat invites a return to emotional clarity, sacred purpose, and meaningful transformation through the wisdom of the five elements... air, water, fire, earth, and akasha. Participants take part in aromatic alchemy, somatic healing and sound meditation, a water immersion ritual, a fire ceremony, an Akashic Records healing meditation, and a labyrinth ritual, complemented by heart-centered teachings, reflection, and connection in community. The experience is intended for those ready to let go of old patterns, deepen intuition and emotional clarity, and embody lasting change. Attendees leave with practical alchemical tools for healing and manifestation, a renewed relationship with inner wisdom, and a clearer sense of direction.

A retreat at Kripalu brings together LifeForce Yoga and Internal Family Systems for six rejuvenating days in the Berkshires. The experience focuses on movement, breathwork, and meaningful inner exploration to support a reset and deeper reconnection. Participants leave feeling steady, refreshed, and ready for the season ahead.

Get ready for a high-energy, feel-good night at the theatre with The Legend of Georgia McBride. This funny, big-hearted comedy follows Casey, a young Elvis impersonator whose life is upended when he’s asked to trade rhinestones for wigs and step into the exhilarating world of drag performance. Filled with humor, heart, and crowd-pleasing musical moments, it’s a story about identity, reinvention, and finding family in unexpected places.

A free educational class presented in partnership with Berkshire Humane Society’s Family Dog School and hosted at Roxie’s Barkery offers practical dog education for the community. A certified professional dog trainer leads each session, with rotating topics that help owners build skills, communicate more clearly, and strengthen the bond with their dogs. New and longtime dog owners are welcome. Registration is required and seating is limited. These are people-only sessions, and the instructor may bring a demonstration dog when appropriate. Attendance is free. Participants receive access to exclusive promotions, discounts, and special offers from Roxie’s Barkery and Berkshire Humane Society’s Family Dog School. Attendees may register for multiple classes in this ongoing series to continue learning and accessing resources that support the Northern Berkshire community.

Ellis Paul performs live in concert at Studio9 at Porches. Expect a songwriter set shaped by personal storytelling and social themes, with his guitar-and-voice style that turns real-life observations into memorable songs.

Enjoy a special screening as TLI presents the TMC Silent Film Project. The program takes place in the evening and runs for about two hours, bringing classic silent-film storytelling to the screen with a live performance vibe.