Issue #80 | Friday, June 23, 2023

North Adams Pride Night in Courtyard A
Friday, June 23, 5 – 9:30 pm
Feel the love in Courtyard A at North Adams Pride's 3rd Annual Pride Night! The evening kicks off with family-friendly fun, including pop-up drag performances, talks by local LGBTQAI+ leaders, and visual projections. Pack your dancing shoes—later, we're letting loose!

Family Fun Hours: 5-7 p.m.

-Featuring: Drag story time, free face painting by Oh Hello, and informational tables from community groups including ROOTS Teen Center, North Adams Public Library, Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, North Adams HEAL coalition, and lead event sponsor MountainOne. 

-North Adams’ own drag performer Vuronika Baked will emcee the event and will be joined by fellow drag performer Londyn Jae Precise. 

-Every half hour between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm Vuronika and London will read excerpts from LGBTQIA+ books that have been banned in different municipalities around the country to audiences of all ages (child-friendly). 

Lightning Talks: 7 p.m.

Starting at 7:00 pm, we will host a series of transitional lightning talks from local LGBTQIA+ leaders who will speak about the history of Pride, the state of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation and initiatives in America, and what we can all do to help foster a more supportive community at the local level. Our final speaker, professional dancer, and former local dance studio owner Vic Ziter, will help us transition into our dance party with an offer to coach us in singles or partner dance moves, so we can start dancing the night away together, in style. 

Dancing & DJ: 7:15 p.m.

Featuring Berkshire DJ BFG

Projection by Studio HHH

Food & Beverage

Bright Ideas Brewing

Courtyard Cocktail Bar

Bigg Daddy’s Philly Cheesesteak

Chingón Takeout Window

After Party: 9:30 to 11 p.m.

Casita - Chingón’s new mezcal bar

Small plates and limited bar

Should attendees feel they are not finished dancing when 9:30 pm rolls around, they are welcome to help us move the party over to Casita, the new mezcal bar from the Chingon team, 

Key Sponsors and Supporters:

• MountainOne Bank

• MASS MoCA

• Massachusetts Cultural Council 

• Berkshire Stonewall Community Coalition

Recognition:

• Studio HHH

• North Adams Chamber of Commerce

• Bright Ideas Brewing

• Bear & Bee Bookstore

• Savvy Hive

• The Plant Connector 

• Casita Mezcal Bar

• Bigg Daddy’s Philly Cheesesteak

• The City of North Adams

• Casey Albert 

• Tiffany and Dan Weissbrodt

North County Happenings

Upcoming

June 23 | 5-9:30 p.m. | North Adams Pride Celebration | MASS MoCA Courtyard
June 24 | 12-6 p.m. | Third Annual Adams Street Fair | Adams Visitor Center
June 24 | 5-8 p.m. | Future Lab[s] Closing Reception
June 25 | End of “Enmeshed” Gallery at Installation Space
June 25 | 8 p.m. | Live Music at Tourists Welcome
June 26 | 5-7 p.m. | Live Music at The Barn at The Williams Inn
June 26 | 6 p.m. | Plant Bingo at The Plant Connector
June 27 | 8 a.m. | 1Berkshire Entrepreneurial Meetup | Nature’s Closet & The Smoothie Spot
June 27 | 5-7 p.m. | Northern Berkshire Artist Meetup | Norad Mill
June 29 | 8 p.m. | Live Music at Tourists Welcome
June 30 | 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Business Resource Expo | The Stationary Factory

Save the Date

July 1 & 2 | 7 p.m. | Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors | Adams Theater
July 1 & 2 | 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. | Tea Blending Workshop with Boon Botanics | Common Folk 
July 7 | 6-9 p.m. | Berkshire Art Museum Opening Reception
July 7 | 5-9 p.m. | FIRST Fridays North Adams | Play in the Streets
July 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Live Comedy | Bright Ideas Brewing
July 9  | 5 p.m. | Wells Provisions Fried Chicken Pop-Up at The Airport Rooms
July 10 | 10:30 a.m. | Berkshire Regional Economic Development Planning Session | Berkshire Innovation Center
July 11 | 6:30 p.m. | Concerts on the Lawn | Adams Visitor Center
July 13 | 7-9 p.m. | Psychodrama Open Session | Anahata Schoolhouse

Ongoing

Every Saturday | 9-1 | Williamstown and North Adams Farmers Market
Every Friday | 7:30 to 9 a.m. | North Adams Coffee Dates | Eagle Street Parklet
Every 1st & 3rd Thursday | 7:30 to 9 a.m. | Adams Coffee | Armory Court
Every Sunday | 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Mini Maker Market at Greylock Works
Every Friday | 8-close | Karaoke at State Street Tavern
Every 1st & 3rd Sunday | 7 p.m. | Karaoke Night at The Log in Williamstown
Every Friday | 6-8 p.m. | Common Craft Night at Common Folk
Every Friday | 4 p.m. | Bingo at North Adams Elks Lodge
Every 1st & 3rd Thursday | 7 p.m. | Live DJ Lounge at Bright Ideas Brewing
Every 1st & 3rd Friday | 6-8 p.m. | Craft Night at Common Folk
Every 2nd Monday of the Month | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Free Pregnancy Loss Support Group | Movement Matters Healing Arts
Now On View: Megan Karlen/Conscientious Cloth, “Flax is Linen” Window Display | 77 Main St. | First in a series of fiber installations to amuse and educate. Free sidewalk viewing. 

Windsor Lake Concert Series

Weekly June 7 - August 30 | 6:30-8 p.m.
This FREE weekly concert series is hosted by the City and made possible by Adams Community Bank.

These concerts combine great music with the beautiful natural backdrop of Windsor Lake, located at the intersection of Kemp Ave. and Bradley Street. Pack a picnic, bring a chair or blanket, and let the sweet sounds of music and water carry you away on a warm summer night.

Parking is free and the bathrooms will be open at the time of these concerts.
Swimming, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing are allowed at the lake. All cancelations will be called by 3 PM on the day of the concert.
6/28-Pandemic Relief
7/5-Eli Elkus
7/12-Bluesday Night
7/19-BANG ON A CAN
7/26-The Riverbenders
8/2-E.R.I.E.
8/9- No Concert- North Adams Downtown Celebration
8/16-Sky Full of Dippers
8/23-The Eagles Community Stage Band
8/30-Sean Magwire

Want your event listed? Submit the listing here

Opportunities

Biz-M-Power Updates

The program has increased the matching grant from a 1:1 match to a 2:1 match. This means businesses receive $2 from MGCC for every $1 raised in crowdfunding. There is approximately $5.8 million in funding still available. This program is open until June 30, 2023. Monthly reviews will be posted on MGCC Biz-M-Power website.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

• Jul 3 Grant | Prospect Art New Works grant

• Jul 23 Grant | Martha Boschen Porter Fund

• Aug 1 Grant | Berkshire Taconic Artist Resource Trust (for individuals)

• ongoing Grant | MGCC Digital Capabilities Grant

• ongoing Grant | Hilary Teachout Covid-19 Relief Grant

• ongoing Grant | The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant

• ongoing Grant | Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation Grants

• monthly Awesome Foundation Grant

• rolling Intersectional Environmentalist Contributor's Network

• rolling Adobe Creative Residency Community Fund

• rolling Independent Journalism Grant

• rolling Eyebeam Center for the Future of Journalism

• rolling Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grants

• rolling Creative Capital x Skoll x Kickstarter Funds for Asian/Black/Indigenous/Latinx Creators

• rolling A.P.E. Open Call for Project Proposals

• rolling BridgeSong Fund: Emergency Relief for Women, Nonbinary, and Genderqueer Artists of Color

• rolling New England Musicians Relief Fund

• ongoing NEFA Grant Finder List

EVENTS

• monthly Open Studios at Walkaway House

• every 4th Wednesday: Writer's Group at Bear and Bee

• 2nd Tuesday (monthly) Herbalist Meet-Up at Common Folk

• weekly Berkshire Environmental Action Team Volunteer Opportunities

• monthly events at Plant Connector

• monthly events at Savvy Hive

• weekly Common Craft Night at Common Folk

Workshops & Webinars

Power Forward Accelerator Program

Thursdays, September 7 - December 7 l 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

WHERE: Hybrid (3 days in person in Western Mass)

COST: FREE (Thanks to our sponsors at MassMutual)
REGISTER HERE

The 2023 Power Forward Accelerator is a 13-week program that offers a transformative journey for women entrepreneurs seeking to navigate the growth stage of their business and create a strategy for strong profitability. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge, skills, resources, and networks necessary to explore new markets, overcome growth barriers, and achieve long-term success. Through a comprehensive curriculum, we'll help you evolve your business from the start-up stage to growth-ready.

In addition to accessing the Power Forward classes, you will get financial and 1:1 support to obtain your WBENC certification to increase your brand awareness, join a national network of women entrepreneurs, and leverage your certification for procurement or contracting opportunities.

Topics will include:

• Strategic growth planning and business development 

• Access to tools and resources for creating powerful strategy plans 

• Expert guidance and personalized support 

• Networking opportunities with like-minded business owners 

• Exploration of financing and marketing strategies 

• Overcoming post-COVID challenges and identifying new possibilities

Upcoming Workshops & Webinars

Navigating Change and Life Transitions As An Entrepreneur

Tuesday, June 27 from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

As entrepreneurs we are constantly going through transitions. Whether it was transitioning from employee to CEO, a side hustle to a full-time business, and so much more! This workshop is designed to provide participants with the tools and strategies to navigate change and life transitions successfully.

Graphic Design for the Non-Designer
Wednesday, June 28 from 2 to 3:30 PM
One big hurdle for small businesses and entrepreneurs is graphic design. The pressure to create compelling visuals for your websites, social media, and pitches is immense, and the hurdles of technical skill and cost have deterred many. But it doesn’t have to be that way!

Social Media Made Simple
Thursday, June 29 from 12 to 1:30 PM
Are you looking for an introduction into how to use social media for your business? In this workshop you will learn:

• The basics for using social media such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram to help your business thrive

• Ways to decrease time spent on social media with automation

• How to integrate different social media into your marketing strategy to bring in additional revenue

• How you can use social media to target your audience with effective marketing messages
  
  

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Connect with Us!

North Adams Chamber Business Development Team
Marketing: Makayla-Courtney McGeeney
Business: Nico Dery