Weekend - April 22, 2021

For the most up-to-date listing of events, go online to masslive.com/entertainment

Weekend

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LIVEWIRE: Phoebe Bridgers’ guitar raises $100K for GLAAD, E3 EARTH DAY: Celebrate with a treasure hunt among the trees in Hardwick, E7

| THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

Meet & greet

KEN ROSS: Wine FAQ: What is the most popular wine? E10

with baby animals

Hancock Shaker Village hosts ‘Baby Animals on the Shaker Farm,’ Page E2

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E2 | THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

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Meet and greet with baby animals

Hancock Shaker Village will hold its annual spring ritual, “Baby Animals on the Shaker Farm,” through May 9. Visitors are welcome to visit a variety of animals on the farm and tour the historic 20-building village that dates to 1780. (HANCOCK SHAKER VILLAGE PHOTOS)

Hancock Shaker Village hosts ‘Baby Animals on the Shaker Farm’ through May 9

H

By Anne-Gerard Flynn

Special to The Republican

ancock Shaker Village invites visitors to meet and greet its baby animals as part of its annual spring ritual for the 17th year.

The popular three-week event, “Baby Animals on the Shaker Farm,” runs through Sunday, May 9, and celebrates the opening of the Pittsfield village museum’s 2021 season. The living history museum on 750 acres in the Berkshires was home to the social and religious community known as Shakers, whose celibate lifestyle, furniture and architecture gave them prominence.

A variety of animals born on the farm, which is the oldest working one in the Berkshires, can be observed in and around the Round Stone Barn.

The animals include modern as well as heritage breeds popular in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Visitors can also tour the historic 20-building village that dates to 1780.

“All the animals that are pregnant are here yearround,” said Jennifer Trainer Thompson, village director.

“We have cows, goats, pigs, sheep, chickens, donkeys and ducks.”

She added farming “seven days a week, 365 days a year” means being prepared for the unexpected that can result in

an intimate experience even for the visitor.

“Sometimes an animal goes into labor right in front of people and it can be a difficult delivery — like the time Billy Mangiardi, our head of farm and facilities, was giving a tour during baby animals,” Thompson said.

“A ewe went into labor, with lots of little kids gaping mouths, and it was a breech birth. Billy had to reach in and turn it and then, he had to do it all over again — she was having twins, and they were both breach. He said later that after the first delivery, people were in shock. After the second one, they were all in tears.

And then they cheered.”

Thompson said during

IF YOU GO Event: ‘Baby Animals on the Shaker Farm’ Where: Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield When: Village hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., through May 10. Masks are currently required for all visitors over 5 years old.

For tickets: Tickets can be purchased online at hancockshakervillage.org, or call 413-443-0188 ext.

155 for more information.

A newborn lamb is seen in its pen with its mother at Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield last year. (BEN GARVER / THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE VIA AP)

high season as well as college interns on the farm crew.

The Shakers once had many communities, and Thompson said those in Hancock “were dairy farmers — the design of the Round Stone Barn was to efficiently be able to milk 52 cows” and well-aware that farming was “their main source of money.”

“It was an agricultural vilwinter there is limited staffing lage, and it meant everything on the farm, but there are five to them,” Thompson said. garden staff, including head “But it also indeed became gardener Lauren Piotrowski, a way of raising money — and three farm staff during they not only sold their cow’s

milk, and made cheese, they thrashed grain for other farmers. Plus, the Shakers were the first to package seeds – when the railroad came through Pittsfield, the Shakers built a depot on the edge of their land so they could sell their seed packs far and wide.”

Thompson said the farm continues to “raise the heritage breeds and grow the heirloom vegetables in the same way the Shakers did.”

“We farm everything the way the Shakers did — we SEE ANIMALS, PAGE E3

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WEEKEND

THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021 | E3

MUSIC

Phoebe Bridgers’ guitar raises $100K for GLAAD

S

ongwriter John Hiatt once sang, “Oh, it breaks my heart to see those stars smashing a perfectly good guitar,” but he might make an exception for Phoebe Bridgers.

George Lenker LiveWire

Phoebe Bridgers’ smashed guitar sold for more than $100,000 to benefit GLAAD, an advocacy group for the LGBTQ community. (ILYA S. SAVENOK / GETTY IMAGES FOR TIBET HOUSE / TNS)

Animals

200 years ago.”

“They taught us lessons about being conscientious responsible stewards of the land, and we try hard to do that,” Thompson said.

Other upcoming events include “James Turrell & Nicholas Mosse: Lapsed Quaker Ware,” an exhibit of black basalt tableware ceramics, that opens May 30 through October of next year with a simultaneous exhibit at MassMoCA in North Adams. Turrell is an internationally known artist celebrated for his works with light and space. Mosse is an Irish potter married to an American botanical artist.

The couple operates a pottery studio and shop in Ireland’s County Kilkenny.

Other highlights of the season include Chester@ Hancock, which features three works this summer by the Chester Theatre Company, and Back Porch concerts, beginning with blues-folk musician Sean Rowe on Saturday, June 12.

A new trail will be opened as well in the woods south of the village that leads to addi-

The record will be González’s first new studio album in more than five years.

González previewed what to expect by debuting the album’s first single, “Visions,” which is now available at all DSPs and streaming services. You can watch the video here.

“Local Valley” will be available on both black and colored vinyl, as well as CD and digital platforms. All album pre-orders will include registration for upcoming tour dates currently planned for later this year.

Liner notes • Singer-songwriter-guitarist José González has announced the release of his fourth solo studio album, “Local Valley.” The album will drop on the Mute label on Sept. 17.

• For a guy who is well past normal retirement age, Paul McCartney certainly isn’t spending his twilight years just gardening or whittling on his porch McCartney just released

tional archaeological remains of several Shaker buildings.

The museum operated in accordance with state coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic guidelines through November last year and was open only for special events this winter.

Currently open Tuesdays through Sundays with the wearing of masks required for all those over 5, it will be open seven days starting Monday,

May 10, and state guidelines on capacity and distancing will continue to be observed.

Village hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and expand to those hours for the general public seven-days-a-week on May 10.

Tickets may be purchased online. For more information, call 413-443-0188 ext.155 or visit the village museum’s website.

SEE LIVEWIRE, PAGE E4

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for many it’s their only farm experience.”

Like the Shakers, the village CONTINUED FROM PAGE E2 museum has found ways its practice regenerative farming, agricultural products result all natural,” Thompson said. in a “functioning, profitable “For example, our greenhous- working farm.” es — rather than gas being “We have an active meat pumped in from the City of and vegetable CSA, so peoPittsfield, we heat the green- ple can purchase products houses with natural compost from the farm year-round,” and are able to heat them to Thompson said. “In addition, where they are toasty.” we give about 15% of our vegShe added, “We heat with etables to the local food bank.” natural compost not using She added, “We have an apiary, and our beekeeper bottles any fossil fuels.

“The Shakers did that our honey which is for sale in in raised beds, and we are the store. able to start our seedlings in “Our lavender and other February,” Thompson said. herbs are incorporated into an “Two years ago, we replaced all-natural skin care line called 5 miles of fences with white Lockwood and those soaps are sold in our store,” Thompson oak, rather than pressure said. “Berkshire Cider Project treated wood, because we didn’t want chemicals in the collects heirloom apples from our orchard and makes hard soil.”

She said the farm also wacider in an artisanal cidery ters “crops with water from in North Adams — and gives our Shaker-made reservoir, half the proceeds from the which captures the snow sale of the cider to the village melt from on top of Shaker to maintain the orchard and Mountain, and is fed from gardens. We harvest our own Shaker brook.” hay for our animals.”

She said some “10,000 She noted, “The Shakers bechildren visit each year, and gan farming here more than

Bridgers smashed her Danelectro Dano ’56 guitar onstage during a performance on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” in February, which was later put up for auction. The result was a benefit of more than $100,000 for GLAAD, an advocacy group for the LGBTQ community.

The winning bid was for $101,500 by an anonymous bidder.

“I know she has a loyal fan base,” Anthony Ramos, GLAAD Media Awards’ supervising producer said to Variety magazine. “Saturday night when I went to bed, it was around $18,000, and I was like, ‘That’s a great number!’ I was kind of hoping we would get to 25. Then I woke up and it was 40, then 50, then 80, and finally over 100. Obviously we were very pleasantly surprised.

I’m so thankful someone wanted to support our work and wanted that guitar so badly.”

E4 | THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

WEEKEND

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Dance comes to streaming services

Musician Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones, left, and Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters, right. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

LiveWire

The English National Ballet in Akram Khan’s “Giselle.” (LAURENT LIOTARDO / MARQUEE TV)

M

By Anying Guo

The Washington Post

ost of the performances we’ve seen the past year have existed between the four corners of a laptop or a television screen. Live entertainment has been essentially nonexistent, arts organizations have taken pay cuts, venues are strapped for cash and some underfunded troupes may never recover. Yet somehow, despite the continued strain and strife, many dance companies have successfully adapted to the evolving digital stage — reimagining Nutcracker seasons, digitizing never-before-seen archival videos and launching their own streaming services.

These digital offerings are just a smattering of what’s available online for dance lovers over the next few weeks. Though mostly free, some streaming services require a subscription, but they all aim to re-create the magic of a dance performance across a digital stage.

virtual season features works from such choreographers as Hope Boykin, Gabe Stone Shayer and Sonya Tayeh. The company’s 80year history is represented and matched by its extensive streaming collection of past performances and talks with company members. Current streaming options include “Visceral • Ailey All Access: Harmonies,” a collaboraAlvin Ailey’s rich, colorful tion between ABT’s Studio programming is available Company and the Collecfor streaming, broken down tive Conservatory, and by playlists separating each weekly premieres of works repertory year and excerpts from the 2021 ABT Incubator. from select works. A 2015 recording of Alvin Ailey • Jacob’s Pillow Dance American Dance Theater’s Interactive: The dance hub “Revelations,” “Chroma,” known for its yearly Jacob’s “Grace” and “Takademe” gives audiences a sampling Pillow Dance Festival has of the company’s invigorat- an interactive site that ing and cerebral style. The incorporates dance videos company’s performances from the 1930s to now, with of “Night Creature” and multimedia essays and a “Blues Suite” are the latest podcast. Giving the work works available to stream. that additional context has made the site an exten• American Ballet sive digital resource, with Theatre: ABT’s 2020-2021 photos, programming and

exhibits. Its most recent playlist is “Indigenous Dance of the Americas,” from the 2019 festival that honored Indigenous work and people.

• Joyce’s Stream the Stage: The Joyce Theater Foundation’s Stream the Stage landing page features links to performances and other platforms from notable dance companies and choreographers. The American Dance Festival, Ballet Hispanico and 92Y Harkness Dance Center are just three of the 46 companies on the site.

• Juilliard Live: The performing arts conservatory just introduced a streaming platform that offers digital performances of music, dance and drama. Student recitals have already been streaming on Juilliard’s website, but Juilliard Live also includes live streams and recorded performances

SEE DANCE, PAGE E7

Eazy Sleazy.”

Grohl was clearly thrilled to be part of the track.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE E3 “It’s hard to put into words “McCartney III Imagined,” what recording this song with which features everyone from Sir Mick means to me. It’s beyond a dream come true,” Grohl St. Vincent to Idris Elba.

The erstwhile Beatles singer/ wrote on Twitter. “Just when I songwriter/bassist just released thought life couldn’t get any crazier......and it’s the song of the “McCartney III,” his 18th solo album, in December. This new summer, without a doubt!!” collection features collaboration with other notable names • DMX may be gone but his and reimagines the songs on music lives on. the album. The record includes “Been To War,” a new song covers of the originals, along by the legendary hip-hop artist, with remixes and featured per- has been released, and it feaformances. tures Swizz Beatz and French Montana.

• Mick Jagger and Dave DMX died after suffering Grohl are getting ready to rock a heart attack at his home on everyone out of lockdown, April 2. He spent time in an whenever that happens. intensive care unit to no avail.

The pair teamed up to release He spent his last few days on life a surprise track, “Eazy Sleazy,” support.

In a heartfelt Instagram reel, which was penned by Jagger during the COVID-19 pandem- Swizz reflected on the life and ic. Jagger, writing on Twitter, talent of his friend. said, “It’s a song that I wrote “My brother would take care about coming out of lockdown, of everybody before he would with some much needed optitake care of himself,” Swizz mism. Thanks to Dave Grohl said. “I’ve never seen a human for jumping on drums, bass and like him — the closest thing to guitar, it was a lot of fun worka prophet. ... There’s only one ing with him. Hope you all enjoy DMX.”

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WEEKEND

THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021 | E5

MOVIES

Stellan Skarsgard and Andrea Braein Hovig appear in “Hope.”

(MANUEL CLARO / KIMSTIM FILMS)

mostly atmosphere, not ectoplasm. Those who are used to less restrained American horror might be let down, but fans of such moody fare as “The Little Stranger” — in whose From left, Anya McKenna-Bruce, Jessica Brown Findlay, John Heffernan and Sean Harris appear league “The Banishing” does not quite qualify — will neverin “The Banishing.” (SHUDDER) theless find something chilly NOW STREAMING to savor. Unrated. Available on Shudder. 97 minutes.

— Michael O’Sullivan

Shirley Chen, left, and Jose Angeles in “Beast Beast.” (KRISTIAN ZUNIGA / SUNDANCE INSTITUTE)

material to new places altogether. Based in part on her own life, “Hope” chronicles a tense winter holiday week in Oslo when choreographer Anja (Andrea Braein Hovig) gets bad news about the headaches and blurry vision she’s been experiencing; her comfortable home life with acclaimed theater director Tomas (Stellan Skarsgard) and their blended family is suddenly thrown into muted chaos, made all the more upsetting by so many doctors taking vacation. This sounds like a downer, and “Hope” is exquisitely attuned to the nuances of grief, especially when it’s expressed by way of task-oriented dispassion. But it’s also brimming with human life and feeling, from the distance and low-key competition between lovers who are both artists, to the constantly shifting psycho-tectonics between a mom and her teenage daughter. “Hope” earns its title, in every hard-won, emotionally honest sense of the word. Unrated. Available at afisilver.afi.com, virtualavalon. org, and themiracletheatre.com.

Contains sexuality, nudity, smoking and mature thematic material. In Norwegian, Swedish and English with subtitles.

130 minutes.

— Ann Hornaday

Impossible” franchise, now with a cloud of orange hair).

His character, Harry Price, is based on a real psychic researcher by that name, who investigated what he called the “most haunted house in England”: Borley Rectory.

Also streaming The lives of three attention-seeking teens — a theater geek (Shirley Chen), a skater (Jose Angeles) and a gun nut (Will Madden) - intersect in “Beast Beast,” a character SEE STREAM, PAGE E6

‘The Banishing,’ ‘Hope’ now available online

At first glance, the synopsis of “Hope,” about a longtime couple facing a woman’s cancer diagnosis, might suggest you’ve seen this movie

By Michael O’Sullivan and Ann Hornaday Washington Post

You might call the 1930s-set English horror film “The Banishing” “Poltergeist” with a British accent and pretty period costumes: When a stuffy vicar (John Heffernan) and his wife (Jessica Brown Findlay of “Downton Abbey”) move into a creaky, old manor with a dark past, their young daughter (Anya McKenna-Bruce) starts receiving communications from another dimension.

They’re not coming through a television set this time, but via some dolls — including a set of creepy, hooded monks — left behind by the previous tenants. (A bloody prologue hints at what happened to them.) Marianne, the wife, has her own dark backstory, which explains her cold relationship with her husband. When she starts seeing things, too, she consults the local occultist (Sean Harris, so delightfully villainous in the “Mission

Despite the historical connection, the film’s circumstances and setting, called Morley Hall here, are entirely fictional. There are a couple of nice jump scares, and an overarching mood of mounting dread, but this is a ghost story that’s

before, most recently in the Liam Neeson-Lesley Manville two-hander “Ordinary Love.”

But this finely observed and exquisitely acted drama — Norway’s official Oscar submission, by writer-director Maria Sodahl — takes familiar

WEEKEND

E6 | THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

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MOVIES FILM REVIEW

Lovers face good times, hardships in ‘Monday’

By Adam Graham

Detroit News

Mickey and Chloe have an incredible, immediate connection. Within seconds of meeting each other at a wild party, they’re making out; by the next morning, they’re waking up next to each other naked on a beach. There’s no denying their chemistry. But how long does that last?

That’s the question posed in “Monday,” as in the inevitable mundane Monday that comes after a hedonistic Friday. The movie unfolds over a series of Fridays as Mickey and Chloe attempt to settle into a groove. Is there really something there worth preserving, or are they forever chasing that Friday

of love (or at least lust) at first sight, as well as the hardships of trying to make that feeling last. In “Monday,” there are a Rated: R few too many red flags: Chloe Running time: 1 hour, 56 minutes is seemingly level-headed, Playing: In limited theatriand should be able to see cal release; available online through Mickey’s immaturity, in digital format. especially when it’s revealed he has a son that he never sees because it would interrupt his night high? relatively carefree lifestyle.

As the two lovers, SebasBut then again, love rarely tian Stan and Denise Gough makes a whole lot of sense. make it a question worth Sebastian Stan, left, and Denise Gough appear in a scene from “Monday” does an effective exploring. The two actors job of putting viewers in the “Monday.” (IFC FILMS VIA AP) have a spark between them headspace of two star struck that carries the film even as it 30s, while Gough’s Chloe is com-style display of affection. lovers. Even when your an immigration lawyer who enters bumpy terrain.

It’s cute, but wouldn’t Chloe head knows better, the heart was on her way back to the Stan’s Mickey is a DJ and know better than to fall for it? doesn’t always follow. It’s as U.S. from Greece before Stan a jingle writer, hanging on Co-writer and director Arpredictable as the Monday gyris Papadimitropoulos cap- morning that follows the to the party life and shirking stopped her at the airport tures the intoxicating feeling with an over-the-top, romresponsibility well into his Friday night.

‘MONDAY’ rrss

NEW ON DVD

‘Crisis’ examines opioid epidemic Tribune News Service

“Untitled (Chase Scene),” by folk artist Bill Traylor, whose life and work are the focus of the art documentary “Bill Traylor: Chasing Ghosts.” (KINO LORBER / SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN ART MUSEUM / BILL TRAYLOR FAMILY TRUST)

Stream

probably be interested in “Bill Traylor: Chasing Ghosts,” a documentary about the late, CONTINUED FROM PAGE E5 self-taught artist, born into study by writer-director slavery around 1853, who Danny Madden (Will’s older didn’t start painting until his brother, making only his 80s but became a beloved, second outing at the helm much collected folk artist. of a feature). Despite some Slant magazine calls the film flaws, Variety says the film an “exhilarating” tribute to has enough “promising craft” Traylor: “ ‘Chasing Ghosts’ that Madden “may become somehow feels simultaneously focused, covering nearly 90 an artist himself.” Unrated.

Available at afisilver.afi.com. years of a man’s life in granular detail over the course of a 85 minutes. sprightly 75 minutes, and apAnyone who appreciated pealingly free-associational.” the Smithsonian American Unrated. Available at afisilver.

Art Museum’s 2018 Bill afi.com and themiracletheatre.

Traylor retrospective will com. 75 minutes.

A thriller exploring the nation’s opioid epidemic tops the new DVD releases this week.

“Crisis”: Three separate stories collide in director Nicholas Jarecki’s examination of drug abuse in the United States.

The movie stars Gary Oldman, Evangeline Lilly and Armie Hammer, who has been at the center of multiple sexual misconduct claims and is under investigation by the LAPD. The film misses the mark, said Los Angeles Times critic Michael Ordoña in his review. “The movie is a multiple-narrative look at the misuse of the likes of fentanyl, oxycodone and heroin that, according to HHS, afflicted more than 1.6 million Americans in 2019. It’s a raging epidemic exacting

a dreadful human toll, but ‘Crisis’ doesn’t share it in a meaningful, emotional way; it feels like research dressed as a drama.”

Despite some compelling storylines, Ordoña ultimately found the movie uninspired.

“It’s heavily reliant on cliches, especially in its use of score, the lone-wolf cop and familiar devices to build tension.”

Also new on DVD “The Violent Heart”: A man finds himself falling for a high school senior 15 years after the murder of his older sister overturned his life in this drama starring Grace Van Patten, Jovan Adepo and Lukas Haas.

“Body Brokers”: An Ohio addict accepts a stranger’s offer to pay for his drug treatment at a Los Angeles facility. However the addict discovers the facility is actually defrauding the government out of millions. Written

and directed by John Swab.

“Space Dogs: Tropical Adventure”: This Russian animated feature follows two pooches who are sent to investigate a whirlpool in the Atlantic Ocean, only to discover aliens are trying to steal the planet’s water.

“The Mortuary Collection”: Written and directed

by Ryan Spindell, this fantasy horror film finds an eccentric mortician recounting the history the fictional town of Raven’s End to a young girl.

Out On Demand this week “The Legend of Hei”: This Chinese animated feature follows a cat spirit an a journey of self-discovery in a world where various goblins peacefully co-exist with mankind.

“Vanquish”: Morgan Freeman stars as a retired police officer who kidnaps the daughter of a woman with a dark past, played by Ruby Rose, in this crime thriller.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021 | E7

HARDWICK

Celebrate Earth Day with treasure hunt A celebration of Earth Day and Arbor Day takes the form of a forest treasure hunt for friends and families this weekend.

“Trees Are Treasures” is fun, free way to gain appreciation for the forest environment and the roles it plays for our personal and environmental health.

IF YOU GO Event: Treasure hunt among the trees Purpose: Crowd-free, COVID-free celebration of Earth Day and Arbor Day When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., April 24 and 25 Where: Patrill Hollow, Route 32A, Hardwick

The all-volunteer group Grassroots Central Mass has spread this outdoor event over two days to keep participants COVID-safe.

Visit the trailside treasures and you can go home with a free sugar maple or red bud tree seedling. There will also be an environmental book swap: bring one, take one, or both.

There is no charge for this event, held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days in cooperation with East Quabbin Land Trust at the Patrill Hollow preserve, Route 32A (Hardwick Road) entrance.

Besides trees, larger living objects to greet participants are Rusty Crayfish and the Lady of the Vernal Pool, portrayed by land trust volunteers. Theirs are among many ways the forest environment interconnects with life among plants, on rocks and in the water.

Participants are encouraged to bring a mask to this fresh-air event.

New York City Ballet dancers in “Divertimento No. 15.” (PAUL KOLNIK)

Dance CONTINUED FROM PAGE E4

from all departments and divisions. The “Choreographers and Composers” programs A and B feature work by student choreographers and dancers.

• Marquee TV: This performing arts streaming service, dubbed the “Netflix of the arts,” made its debut in February 2020, just before the pandemic forced shutdowns around the world. In addition to opera and theater, Marquee TV’s classical and contemporary ballet (from “Coppelia” to Akram Khan’s “Giselle”) and dance documentaries are available on-demand. The Washington Ballet’s “Clara’s Christmas Eve Dream” and “Something Human” Andile Ndlovu of the Washington Ballet during the filming are among the streaming of his piece “Something Human,” available on Marquee TV. service’s vast offerings, and (XMBPHOTOGRAPHY) the company will have two digital premieres in June. continues this spring with website has a staggering “L’Allegro Week,” April 19amount of digital content, • Mark Morris Dance 25, honoring one of Morris’s from films of such Cunningham works as “SummerGroup: The modern dance most recognizable works, space” and “Beach Birds” to troupe had to move its 40th and “Live From Brooklyn,” his writings about technique anniversary online, but over a series of live-streamed and choreographic process. the past year, it has launched shows, including new work Viewers are invited to read video performances and

by Morris, on May 6 and 7. about how Cunningham’s an archival series called legacy has been preserved “Dance On! Video Vault.”

• Merce Cunningham: through his digitized work, Its 40th-anniversary season The Merce Cunningham

which includes 180 dances, drawings and writings.

• New York City Ballet: On April 8, choreographer Kyle Abraham premiered his third creation for NYCB, “When We Fell.” The sparse but lush black-and-white work, filmed in 16mm at Lincoln Center, was made during a three-week pandemic-compliant residency at Kaatsbaan Cultural Park, and is available online through April 22. Past performances are featured on the company’s YouTube channel, including last year’s New Works Festival.

The spring digital season continues May 5, with filmmaker Sofia Coppola directing NYCB’s first virtual gala and featuring five works, including a world premiere by resident choreographer Justin Peck.

Springfield Elks Lodge Bingo Nights

REOPENED

Thursdays Doors Open at 4pm Bingo Starts at 6:15pm 440 Tiffany Street, Springfield 413-736-9448 www.springfieldelks.com COVID Restrictions in Place

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E8 | THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

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DINE & WINE

Cleanliness key to customers’ return

J

Independent restaurants are consequently going to have to pay attention to details and deal with the clutter and the “make-do” that has crept into their operations over the past difficult year. The handwritten signs, cobbled-together seating arrangements, and ad-hoc service procedures will need to be replaced and upgraded with an elevated focus on professionalism.

A hands-on experience, the chains begin a return to “nor- charge added to the drink’s mal” operations, some are session will incorporate an price.

Off The Menu overview of succulent care exploring ways to do business When the cup is returned to followed by a guided, step-by- in a more environmentally either a contactless kiosk or risky approach in a post-pan- step planting demonstration. friendly fashion. through a third-party pickup demic restaurant world. service, the customer receives Selecting from a variety of As a major user of disposable cups, Seattle-based Star- a dollar’s worth of Starbucks More information about containers, plants, and top bucks continues to look for credit as well as bonus points Sullivan and his observations dressings, participants will on restaurant service can be create a three-plant succulent strategies to reduce its impact in Starbucks loyalty rewards on the foodservice-generated program. found online at arrangement of their own to MultiunitLeadership.com. take home. waste stream.

The cup itself is cleaned, Earlier this month Starsanitized, and reused.

Tickets for the event are Side dishes bucks started scaled-up testPart of a Starbucks 10-year $35 per person and can be • Among the options the ordered online at Eventbrite. ing of a reuseable cup service effort to reduce by 50% the Irish House Restaurant in it’s dubbed “Borrow a Cup.” waste the chain generates, com or by calling Karen at West Springfield has made Currently available at five Se- the two-month-long Borrow Mario’s Cafe Ambiance. attle stores, the Borrow a Cup a Cup test is an effort to find a available as it returned to full The number for the cafe is gives customers the option of truly workable alternative to operation is a “Appy Hour” 413-455-6119. single-use cups. requesting a reuseable drink half-price deal on all appetizSEE MENU, PAGE E9 ers. The Appy Hour promocup when ordering, with a $1 • As major restaurant tion is available from 4 to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday.

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TABLE 3 RESTAURANT GROUP

• Mario’s Cafe Ambiance in East Longmeadow has teamed with The Flower Shed to host a succulent planting workshop on April 27 at 6:30 p.m.

TABLE 3 RESTAURANT GROUP 3149297-01

IM SULLIVAN, A well-known consultant and service industry guru, has recently been talking and writing about still another pandemic threat to the restaurant industry, one he’s dubbed “COVID-coma.”

As vaccination programs continue to expand and many consumers consequently venture out again, Sullivan warns independent restaurant operators not to be complacent about the experience of fully reopening.

The competition, mostly in the form of the major restaurant brands, has turned the disruption COVID-19 caused into a creative force. They’ve upgraded their menus, sharpened their service game, developed slick digital ordering platforms, and generally positioned themselves to more effectively compete for consumer dining-awayfrom-home dollars.

Independent restaurants are consequently going to have to pay attention to details and deal with the clutter and the “make-do” that has crept into their operations over the past difficult year.

The handwritten signs, cobbled-together seating arrangements, and ad-hoc service procedures will need to be replaced and upgraded with an elevated focus on professionalism.

Most importantly, restaurants will have to be clean — really clean — in order to reassure patrons that may still be a little uneasy about whether or not dining out is really safe.

Being “sharp” and at the top of one’s game isn’t going to be easy, especially given the pressing need to recruit, hire, and properly train the new employees that nearly every reopening restaurant operation finds it needs.

However, allowing an operation to fall victim to “COVID-coma” by simply opening the doors and expecting to “get by” will be a

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

WEEKEND

THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021 | E9

DINE & WINE charged a $35 fee. Seating is socially distanced, party size is limited to no more than six guests, and a 90-minute limit on dining time are also part of the restaurant’s onsite dining policies.

The Blue Heron continues to offer contactless takeout that includes the restaurant’s a la carte menu as well as several family style offerings.

The latter change weekly.

View the restaurant’s complete menu and on-site dining rules online at blueherondining.com.

Max Burger in Longmeadow is presenting a Two Roads Beer Dinner in partnership with Two Roads Brewing Company on Monday at 6 p.m. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

Menu CONTINUED FROM PAGE E8

• Max Burger in Longmeadow is presenting a Two Roads Beer Dinner on Monday at 6 p.m.

The evening will feature the malt beverage creations of Two Roads Brewing Company of Stratford, Connecticut, paired with a menu created by Max Burger’s Jakub Koziara.

Crispy chicken wings with a honey-jalapeno-blackberry sauce will be “first up” at the event, with weisswurst and pretzels to follow.

Koziara and his crew will be creating Korean bulgogi tacos and a Moroccan lamb curry for the next two courses. A peach streusel muffin paired with Two Roads’ Brewing’s “Peach Jam” wheat beer will bring the evening to a close.

The dinner is priced at $65 per person, with tax and gratuity additional.

Reservations may be made by calling Max Burger at 413798-0101.

• Mezze Bar + Bistro in Williamstown has announced a spring schedule of on-premises dining four nights a week, Thursday through Sunday, from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

To oversee that return

to dining, the restaurant has promoted long-term employee Maddy Markland to the position of front-ofhouse manager.

Dine-in at Mezze is by reservation only; the establishment continues to offer “Mezze Market” takeout.

Additionally, on Wednesday evenings Mezze features Burger Night Takeout from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

More details are available at the restaurant’s website, mezzerestaurant.com.

Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community College’s hospitality and culinary arts program and has nearly 45 years of restaurant and educational experience. Robert can be reached online at OffTheMenuGuy@ aol.com

New England TRAVELER CAPE COD

The Blue Heron Restaurant in Sunderland has resumed “onsite” dining Wednesdays through Saturdays from 5 to 7 p.m.

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

com, a charitable effort that has helped small businesses struggling with the impact of COVID-19.

Partners Restaurant answers at 413-786-0975.

• As of April 16, the Blue Heron Restaurant in Sunderland has resumed “on-site” dining Wednesdays through Saturdays from 5 to 7 p.m.

All seating is by reservation, and those reservations must be guaranteed by a credit card number. Reservation “no shows” are

TO ADVERTISE HERE CALL 413-788-1165

3149084-02

the West Springfield breakfast-and-lunch venue they had operated since 2015.

Partners @ the Cup had shut down in March 2020 as part of the first pandemic “lockdown” and had not since reopened.

In a Facebook post announcing their decision, Sue and Mark Tansey invited their loyal customers from “the Cup” to visit Partners • The Tansey family, Feeding Hills location. The which operates Partners Tanseys also asked that doRestaurant in Feeding Hills, nations “memorializing” the has made permanent the clo- Cup be made to The Barstool sure of Partners @ the Cup, Fund at barstoolsports.

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WEEKEND

E10 | THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

DINE & WINE

Do you drink ‘craft’ beer?

D

O YOU DRINK “craft” beer? Does it matter if you do?

The reason I put the word “craft” in quotation marks is that the term craft beer has several definitions, depending on who you ask.

There is the hardline business definition as dictated by the Brewers Association.

George Lenker This one is necessary for Beer Nut legal and other practices. It’s a fair definition and serves a ciation’s criteria, so no big solid purpose.

However, a recent report deal. from the association gave But wait, when we compare the two lists, another me pause. Not because of eyebrow-raiser pops out: anything incorrect in it, Founder’s Brewing comes in but rather the way certain at No. 12 on the overall list, bits of information hit me. but isn’t on the craft beer list The report featured several charts about the best-selling at all.

This is because in 2014, beers in the U.S., one about 30% of Foundthe best-sellYes, the oldest er’s was sold ing overall to Mahou-San breweries and brewery in the a big one specifically country qualifies Miguel, brewery in about craft as a craft brewery Madrid, Spain. breweries.

As usual, under the Brewers This partial in the overall ownership by Association’s chart, the big a non-craft breweries held brewer means rules. the top spots, the Brewers with only Boston Beer (Sam Association no longer considers Founder’s brews as craft Adams), Sierra Nevada and Yuengling making the top 10. beer.

Wait. Yuengling?

Similarly, New Belgium is Yes, the oldest brewery not “craft” anymore. Again, in the country qualifies as this is because of how the a craft brewery under the association defines “craft” Brewers Association’s rules. beer. In late 2019, New Now, most craft beer drinkBelgium was sold to an Australasian subsidiary called ers don’t think of Yuengling Lion Little World Beverages, when they enter a craft and owned by Japan’s Kirin beer bar, but that’s not the brewery’s fault. I would even Holdings. This meant it was no longer independent. hazard a guess few, if any, However, I’d guess that craft drinker’s top-10 list of most craft beer drinkers still craft breweries. Maybe not consider both breweries to even many top-50 lists.

I’ve never even heard it be “craft.” I know that I do. mentioned in discussions Again, it’s semantics, but I I’ve had about people’s favor- bet the people who work at ite beers. (This is not a knock Founder’s and New Belgium on the brewery at all here, still think they brew craft just reporting my experienc- beer. es in how it’s viewed in the What do you think? Let me craft beer community.) know at geolenker@yahoo.

But it does meet the assocom.

FAQ: What is the most popular wine?

Note: This article is part of an ongoing, occasional series about some of the most frequently asked questions about wine. If you have a question about wine, please feel free to contact the author and suggest a question for consideration.

Previous FAQ About Wine articles can be found online at Masslive.com.

VERYONE HAS their favorites.

Whether it’s certain foods or sports teams, ski resorts or family pets, we all like certain ones more than others.

The same is true when it comes to wine. All of us have our favorites.

It just so happens that many people like many of the same wines.

But which wines are the most popular? Which ones

E

favorite family dog or cat a scratch while you settle in for a few minutes to keep reading.

What is the most popular wine?

Despite a worldwide pandemic last year (or perhaps because of it) Americans bought more wine in 2020 compared to 2019. Last year, wine sales topped 329.5 million cases (that’s 3.95 billion bottles of wine) compared to 328.9 million cases (3.94 billion bottles) the year before, according to Impact Databank.

And when it comes to where the wines came from, Americans overwhelmingly love American wines. Of the $67.3 billion worth of wine sold in the United States last year, domestic wine sales account-

are the Prom King and Prom Queen of the wine world?

Depends what you mean by the most popular. But in general, it’s not contest when it comes to which wines rule the roost.

So if you ever wondered which wines are the most popular ones in the world, finish up your bone-in Ribeye steak, turn down the Red Sox game, stop dreaming about skiing at Stowe and give your

Wine Press

vorite is Barefoot, which sold $673 million worth of wine in the United States last year, according to alcohol beverage sales statistics compiled last year. (A standard 750 ml bottle sells for $7 a bottle. That’s 9,6142,857 bottles, but who’s counting?) The next closest is Sutter Home, which sold $397.6 million worth of wine last year.

What is the most popular red wine?

Sticking to just the facts, there’s a clear favorite when it comes to red wine in the United States. Most Americans overwhelmingly love Cabernet Sauvignon. Last year, Cabernet Sauvignon wines were the most popular wine sold by grape type of any wine (red or white) in the United States. Americans spent more than $3.2 billion on Cabernet Sauvignon wines last year. Let me add that last year was the first time Cabernet Sauvignon wines were the best selling wine in the United States. Which wine used to be number one? More on than in a bit.

Where do Cabernet Sauvignon wines come from?

Domestically, California is ed for $51.2 billion worth of king when it comes to Caberwines sold compared to $16.1 net Sauvignon grapes. Napa Valley in particular is world billion worth of imported famous for its Cabernet Sauwines sold in the United vignon wines, from affordable States last year, according to ones that cost less than $10 a statistics compiled for last bottle to so-called “cult cabs” year.

So which wines were people that cost hundreds or somebuying? People might say they times even thousands of dollove certain wines more than lars because they have such a loyal and devoted following. others. But numbers don’t lie. Certain wine brands blow (Screaming Eagle is the king of California cult cabs.) away the competition.

SEE WINE, PAGE E11 The hands-down, clear fa-

One of the Chardonnay wines recommended this week.

(KEN ROSS PHOTO)

Ken Ross

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

WEEKEND

THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021 | E11

DINE & WINE

Wine CONTINUED FROM PAGE E10

But you can also find Cabernet Sauvignon wines made in many other parts of the world.

No discussion about Cabernet Sauvignon would be complete without talking about France’s Bordeaux region.

There, Cabernet Sauvignon is the predominant grape in many blended red wines from the Left Bank of the Bordeaux region. (The Left Bank simply means the wineries are located on the southwest side of the Gironde River.)

Other places that make outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon wines include Chile, Spain, New Zealand, Canada and Australia. If you can think of country that makes wines, odds are there’s probably someone there making wine using Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.

ernet Sauvignon is the 2018 Chateau La Freynelle Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.99 SRP) from France’s Bordeaux region. Austere, reserved, with a wonderful chalky-like finish.

Looking for something even more affordable and easily available?

Try the Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon ($16.99 SRP).

This dark, inky wine hits all the right notes. It has a long, robust aftertaste that reminds me of dried plums, blackcurrants and other powerful-tasting fruits.

What is the most popular white wine?

Here again, there’s no competition when it comes to what’s the most popular white wine. Americans love Chardonnay.

Last year, Americans bought more than $2.8 billion worth of Chardonnay wine. And last year was first year Chardonnay was the second-most popular wine behind Cabernet Sauvignon. As for other white wines, nothing even comes close. Pinot Grigio is a distant second.

One of the Cabernet Sauvignon wines recommended this week. (KEN ROSS PHOTO)

from Chile to Connecticut, South Africa to Australia.

If someone’s making wine somewhere, odds are many of them are making Chardonnay wines.

Why is Chardonnay so popular?

Why is Cabernet SauviFirst, let me just say I think gnon so popular?

Chardonnay wines may be one This is such a subjective of the most divisive and most question. Why is anything misunderstood wines in the popular? Why was BTS the world. most popular musical group in Many people often say they the world in 2020? (You’re not Where do Chardonnay hate Chardonnay wines. But alone. This old geezer had to wines come from? what I think they mean is they Where don’t Chardonnay look up this K-Pop band too.) hate the way certain Chardonwines come from? Nowadays, nays are made and aged.

How on earth was “Bad Boys Chardonnay grapes are very For Life” the number one mov- every wine region in the world ie last year? (It’s the pandemic, seems to grow this wildly pop- versatile. They often take on ular grape. stupid.) the flavors of the soil they’re Don’t get me wrong. There’s Many people think of grown in and the barrels or a lot of out-of-this-world California when they think of tanks they’re stored or aged in.

Cabernet Sauvignon wines out Chardonnay, where the grape This is a good thing and a bad there. is widely grown by many wine thing. Sometimes, some wine Two of my favorite wines producers. makers try to hide imperfeclast year were both California But personally, when I think tions in the field by playing Cabernet Sauvignons - 2016 tricks in the cellar. They age of Chardonnay, my heart Freemark Abbey Napa Valley dreams of France’s Burgundy the wine far too long in oak Cabernet Sauvignon ($50 Sug- region. There, you can find barrels. That’s why some gested Retail Price) and 2016 Chardonnays taste like wood some of the most wonderful Beaulieu Vineyard BV Tapestry and wide-ranging examples or have over-the-top butter ($65 SRP), made with 78% flavors. of Chardonnay wines — from Cabernet Sauvignon and four What a shame. Because crisp, dry, mineral-like wines other grapes. when winemakers make Charfrom Chablis in northern But I will admit I’ve also Burgundy to light, refreshing, donnay right, this wine can be tasted many overpriced, slightly-tart ones from Macon magical. Fortunately, there are underwhelming Cabernet many winemakers in Califorin southern Burgundy to the nia, France and other places Sauvignons. majestic, magical ChardonThat’s why I would caunays from Meursault and around the world who know tion you to be careful when Puligny-Montrachet just south how to make Chardonnay considering which Cabernet of Beaune. right — well-balanced, subtle Sauvignon wines to buy. Some Beyond California and and refreshing.

Cabs can be frankly dull and France, you can find great A great example is the bland. A great example of a Chardonnays made nearly delicious, affordable Cave well-made, affordable Cabevery corner of the world, De Lugny La Cote Blanche

That’s why I would caution you to be careful when considering which Cabernet Sauvignon wines to buy.

Some Cabs can be frankly dull and bland.

Unoaked Chardonnay Macon Villages ($14 SRP). Burgundy bargain hunters know the French village of Macon well.

Like many Chardonnays from Macon, this particular wine has a bright, light, refreshing taste with a hint of citrus.

There’s also a slight hint of butter often associated with Chardonnays. But the butter flavors are much more subtle, much less pronounced.

Want to see just how different Chardonnay wines can taste? You don’t have to go far for a completely different Chardonnay. About 120 miles north of Macon you’ll find Chablis, the Burgundy village famous for its crisp, dry, mineral-rich Chardonnays. (By the way, there’s a lot of confusion when it comes to Chablis.

Some California winemakers used to call some of their white wines Chablis. Now, if you see Chablis on a label, it means

what it’s supposed to mean — the wine is from Chablis in France.)

There are many great Chardonnays from Chablis. One of my favorites is the 2019 Jean Marc Brocard Chablis Sainte Claire ($25 SRP). This understated, crisp, dry wine has a slight hint of butter on top of the wine’s familiar chalky, mineral-like flavors reminiscent of seashells and briny oysters.

But enough about Burgundy for now. Let’s head back to California, which makes some truly great Chardonnays.

In Sonoma County, I highly recommend the 2019 Eric Kent Luke’s Grove Russian RIver Valley Chardonnay ($46 SRP). Like many great wines, this wine has a sense of place.

You can taste that this wine’s from Sonoma County, which is famous for its earthy yet slight robust wines. That describes this delicious, subtle wine to a T. On the other side of the mountain range in Napa Valley, no discussion of California Chardonnay would be complete without mentioning Chateau Montelena, the winery that won a famous blind wine tasting in 1976 between California and French wines that brought worldwide attention to California wines.

The 2018 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay ($60 SRP) hits all the right notes. Its flavors are soft and subtle. Its aroma is flinty yet floral. There are slight tropical notes, a hint of almonds.

This is how a Napa Valley Chardonnay should taste.

If this wine were made in Burgundy or New Zealand, it would taste completely different. That’s what’s so great about Chardonnay wines, their sense of place. That’s probably why Chardonnay is the most popular white wine in the world. Everyone loves discovering something new yet slightly familiar, one glass at a time.

Cheers!

Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republican’s weekend section every Thursday.

WEEKEND

E12 | THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

NEW YORK

‘In The Heights’ to premiere at Tribeca

By Matt Stevens

New York Times

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The Tribeca Festival announced last week that it will open its 2021 edition this summer with the world premiere of “In the Heights,” the eagerly anticipated movie musical conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

The event adds a high-profile piece of arts programming to the statewide effort to bring the arts back after an entire year was upended by the coronavirus pandemic.

The premiere will be held at the United Palace theater in the Washington Heights neighborhood, where Miranda’s New York tale takes place. And for the first time in the festival’s 20-year history, organizers say their opening-night selection will be screened simultaneously across all five boroughs in multiple open-air venues, meaning that New Yorkers in every pocket of the city will be able to enjoy the film in a setting that poses relatively low risk of spreading the virus.

“It is such an honor to open the 20th anniversary Tribeca Festival with ‘In the Heights.’

We’re so excited to welcome them uptown!” Miranda said in a statement. “This will be an unforgettable night at the United Palace. We can’t wait to share this musical love letter to our community, with our community, in our community.”

Organizers say the 2021 Tribeca Festival, running June 9-20 and dropping “film” from its name, will be the first big movie event in North America held in person since the pandemic began. Most of last year’s film festivals, including Tribeca, were delayed, postponed, canceled or reimagined because of concerns about mass gatherings during the public health crisis.

In a news release, organizers called the Tribeca Festival the “culmination” of NY PopsUp, the statewide revitalization initiative seeking to bring back live performances and help the

arts sector in New York.

For much of this past year, Broadway was dark, movie theaters were closed and concert halls were empty. But in recent weeks, some arts institutions have begun holding performances outdoors. At the same time, indoor performances have been allowed to resume in New York City with limited capacity. Earlier this month, a Broadway house opened for the first time.

Still, the pandemic persists.

Although many New Yorkers are getting vaccinated, virus variants have emerged, and the city continues to average more than 3,000 new cases per day.

The premiere of “In the Heights” will probably spark some amount of joy for weary New Yorkers eager for a vibrant celebration of their city.

Adapted from the Broadway show with a book by Quiara Alegría Hudes and music and lyrics by Miranda, the movie stars Anthony Ramos as Usnavi, a bodega owner dealing with the gentrification of his Upper Manhattan neighborhood.

Miranda, who starred onstage, takes on a supporting role as the owner of a shaved-ice dessert stand.

The musical opened on Broadway in 2008 and was a critical success. It preceded Miranda’s “Hamilton,” a smash stage hit that was filmed and released last year on the small screen via Disney+. Several “Hamilton” alumni appear in “In the Heights,” including Miranda and Ramos.

Now “In the Heights” will have its moment away from the stage. “‘In the Heights’ is the quintessential New York story of hard work, resilience, and triumph,” said Jane Rosenthal, co-founder and CEO of the Tribeca Festival. “We are proud to feature this film as opening night,” she added, “where it can debut in its hometown in celebration of its New York roots and the Latinx community.”