Happening this Week
W.E.B. DU BOIS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: 150 YEARS YOUNG
February 23rd, Friday 7PM
It’s quite a statement about someone’s legacy and impact that their birthday should, indeed, be celebrated 150 years later. W.E.B. Du Bois was a home-grown hero who played an integral role in advancing the civil rights movement in the United States with reverberations that continue around the globe today. So yes, 150 years after his birth, we honor of a man whose own honor brought about remarkable change in the world. The event features a keynote presentation by Du Bois scholar Dr. Reiland Rabaka of the University of Colorado, music and conversation with acclaimed blues musicians Guy Davis and much more. Make sure to RSVP on the Mahaiwe’s website. Free.
Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. 14 Castle Street. Great Barrington MA. 413.528.0100
While in Great Barrington discover our favorite things!
THUNDERFEST 2018: ANTI-CABIN FEVER
February 24th, Saturday, 12-5PM
Did you know that in the 1930s, international attention the Thunderbolt Ski Run of Adams, MA earned it the nickname “Little Switzerland?” Today, Adams celebrates this heritage in the form of an all-day, outdoor, rain or shine annual ThunderFest, where “the hardy come to party.” Enjoy the annual Chowder competition, craft beers from local Bright Ideas Brewing, live music and good old-fashioned bonding around the toasty campfire. While you’re there, relive the special Ski Trains of the 1950s and hop aboard the Hoosac Valley Snow Train! Tickets for the train ride are purchased in person when boarding the train. All other ThunderFest events are free.
Adams Visitor Center. 3 Hoosac Street. Adams MA. 413.743.8358
STORYBOOKS THROUGH THE AGES: A MURAL AND MUCH MAGIC
February 24th, Saturday, 5-7PM
Storybook characters have fared quite well over the ages. In fact, the brand new 397 square foot mural in Torrington Library’s Children’s Room displays famous characters in children’s literature dating back to Aesop’s Fables, and frankly, they’ve never looked better. Forgo all silly notions of “dressing one’s age” and instead dress up as your favorite storybook character for this magical evening. Enjoy refreshments, prizes and more as you mingle among other guests and live storybook characters. Children are absolutely welcome, thought they must be accompanied by an adult! Free.
Torrington Library. 12 Daycoeton Place. Torrington CT. 860.489.6684
A WEEKEND IN NORFOLK: MORE ANTI-CABIN FEVER
February 24th & 25th, Saturday & Sunday, times vary
Two days of delight—indoors, outdoors, cultural, historical, artistic and athletic. Feeling inspired by the US Women’s Curling team’s surprise victory on the final shot of their last match? Go check out the Open House at the Norfolk Curling Center! Have other Winter Olympic dreams in mind? Join in for some ice skating, games and refreshments on the Norfolk town rink. Want to enjoy from the sidelines? Don’t miss the ice carving event at the Norfolk Ambulance headquarters—somebody needs to enjoy the NVFD fried dough they’re offering! While it may be but little, Norfolk has so much to offer so make sure to look at the full schedule online for more information about these and other activities. Did I mention the sledding, sugarhouse tours, porcupine monitoring and a Norfolk restaurant crawl? Seriously…there’s a lot. Free.
Norfolk CT. 44 takes you right into the center of town. Locations throughout Norfolk. 860.542.5679
While in Norfolk discover our favorite things!
TERRARIUM CLASS: BRING A BIOSPHERE HOME
February 26th, Monday 6-7:30PM
March 10th, Saturday 3-4:30PM
Assemble an array of found objects and zero maintenance plants for a stylish display of your naturalist sensibilities. Create a desert oasis with sand, stones and succulents or a lush forest-scape with bark, ferns and moss. These miniature biospheres you create will call classic apothecary jars home, however, during the Saturday session you’ll be building your scene into a glass display that can be also be hung. Make sure to reserve a spot in advance as the space for each class is limited! $40-60
Township Four. 419 North Street. Pittsfield MA. 413.347.3244