Weekend - April 29, 2021

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

Weekend

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LIVEWIRE: Dropkick Murphys ready for new album, release party, E4 OFF THE MENU: Debate over tipping vs. higher meal prices continues, E8 WINE PRESS: One year later, how is the pandemic affecting wineries in France?, E10

| THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2021

Full STEAM ahead

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ON THE COVER

Storrowton Village tours STEAM ahead Tours show history through the lens of science, technology, engineering, art, math

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By Keith O’Connor

Special to The Republican

isitors may find steam coming from the Blacksmith Shop at Storrowton Village Museum, but it isn’t the same as the STEAM tours now being offered.

STEAM — which stands for science, technology, engineering, art and math — is gaining popularity in schools across the country. It is a philosophy of education that that is based on creativity and innovation. An interdisciplinary approach to learning, STEAM education is focused on project-based and problem-based learning designed to prepare students to succeed in today’s world as innovators and leaders contributing to the future.

The special tours will provide an opportunity to share New England history with visitors through the lens of other disciplines and fields that people don’t often connect with history museums. The tours aim to bridge the early days of American industrialization and the fast-paced, tech-heavy world of today. Visitors will learn about innovations used in each of the unique buildings in the museum and engage in three hands-on activities throughout the tour.

“What happens is that we follow the same walking path through our historic buildings similar to our general tours. You will hear about the history of the buildings and our museum but with a spin on science, technology, engi-

IF YOU GO Event: Storrowton Village Museum Tours When: STEAM tours: Tue.Fri., 3 p.m., through May 28.

General museum tours: Tue.Fri., 11 a.m., through May 28.

Where: 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield Admission: General museum tours are $8 per person and STEAM tours are $12 per person with a discounted rate of $6 for parents/chaperones.

Children under 6 are free.

Tickets must be purchased online a day in advance at storrowtonvillage.com/ tickets.

More information: storrowtonvillage.com In the General Store, above, visitors on the STEAM tours will learn what shopping looked like back in the 19th century and how purchases were made, while constructing a toy catapult afterward. Below, Xavier Kenney, 11, gets some help making a catapult from Jane Dugan of Storrowton Village on Feb 16.

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTOS)

As part of the STEAM tours at Storrowton Village Museum participants will learn about innovations used in each of the unique buildings, including the Blacksmith Shop, and engage in three hands-on activities throughout the tour.

neering, art and math,” said Jessica K. Fontaine, director, Storrowton Village.

“In our discussions we will touch upon the industrial revolution and what building to that point looked like in the 19th century. We will also have three hands-on activities that vary during the season and what is available

to us, as well as the weather,” she added.

Fontaine noted that when making beeswax candles, the evolution of lighting and how homes were lit back then will be discussed. In the General Store, visitors will learn what shopping looked like back in the 19th century and how purchases were

made, while constructing a toy catapult afterwards.

The third craft varies from making a sundial, making something out of a nail in the Blacksmith Shop, or making a corn husk doll.

STEAM tours, held Tuesday through Friday at 3 p.m. until May 28, are $12 per person with a discounted rate of

$6 for parents/chaperones, who cannot participate in the craft activities. Children under 6 are free. Due to the pandemic, tickets must be purchased by 4 p.m. the day prior at storrowtonvillage. com/tickets. General museum tours are also offered at $8 per person from Tuesday through Friday at 11 a.m.

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WEEKEND

THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2021 | E3

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Rotary Club raises glass with virtual wine tasting Participants will taste, learn about 3 wines from around the world

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By Keith O’Connor

Special to The Republican

ome say it is not a good idea to drink alone at home, but when it comes to fundraising it’s probably okay for the greater good.

“I have visited each of the regions where the three wines are found. So, I will be bringing my personal knowledge of those areas to the discussion, as well as talking about why these wines taste the way they do, and common food pairings with them.”

Michael Quinlan

and affordable wines we have at Table & Vine ... again, an elegant wine that has a really silky texture,” Quinlan said.

Registration for the event closed Monday. Those who have registered for the Participants will taste and learn about three different wines from event should have received around the world during the the Rotary Club of West Springfield’s an email with a link for the Virtual Wine Tasting tomorrow. (DOUGLAS HOOK / MASSLIVE) Zoom invitation on Tuesday.

Those who are purchasing as a tribute to Rotary’s inter“Tonel is a very good national presence,” she said. winery and a wine critic has The three wines taking cen- given Tonel 22 a 90 out of ter stage at the virtual wine 100 score. It has a little oak, tasting will be Tonel 22, an good tannins, and it is a red Argentinian malbec; Legen- meat wine for sure. Legende de, a Bordeaux from Dois from the Medoc region maines Barons de Rothschild of Bordeaux and in typical (Lafite); and closer to home is Lafite fashion it is an elegant Technique, a pinot noir from wine, a blend that is mostly California’s Russian River cabernet. As for Technique, Valley. it is one of the most exciting

their wine and cheese as part of the program should receive instructions on picking up their wine and cheese at Table & Vine up until 6 p.m. tomorrow.

All profits from the fundraiser will benefit the local community as well as the global causes of Rotary International.

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While COVID-19 has put an end to many gatherings including wine tastings - that hasn’t put an end to raising a glass at home when it comes to events such as the Rotary Club of West Springfield’s Virtual Wine Tasting tomorrow via Zoom at 6:30 p.m.

“I’m looking forward to the day when we can get back to having wine tastings in person like we used to before COVID,” said Michael Quinlan, manager of fine wines at Table & Vine.

Participants will taste and learn about three different wines from around the world in a discussion led online by Quinlan.

“I have visited each of the regions where the three wines are found. So, I will be bringing my personal knowledge of those areas to the discussion, as well as talking about why these wines taste the way they do, and common food pairings with them,” Quinlan said.

Rotarian and event planner Lisa Grenier got the idea for the fundraiser after participating in a similar event involving Table & Vine.

“We wanted to explore the globe with the wine tasting

Michael Quinlan, manager of fine wines at Table & Vine in West Springfield. Quinlan will lead a discussion at the Rotary Club of West Springfield’s Virtual Wine Tasting tomorrow via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. (DOUGLAS HOOK / MASSLIVE)

WEEKEND

E4 | THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2021

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MUSIC

Dropkick Murphys ready for new album, release party

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ROPKICK MURPHYS will return to the virtual stage Saturday to celebrate the band’s new album, “Turn Up That Dial,” with a free livestream.

The show will feature a completely new set with songs from the band’s new album along with a smorgasbord of fan favorites.

The new record, the band’s 10th full-length studio album, will drop tomorrow on the band-owned Born & Bred Records. The show will be simulcast worldwide via DKMstream.com.

Instead of charging for tickets to the album release party, the band will “pass the virtual hat” to take donations to help support their efforts to keep paying their employees, with a portion The Dropkick Murphys will return to the virtual stage Saturday to celebrate the band’s new album, of donations going to charity.

“Turn Up That Dial,” with a free livestream at DKMstream.com. (ARISTIDE ECONOMOPOULOS / NJ ADVANCE MEDIA) Liner notes • Machine Gun Kelly will bring his “Tickets To My Downfall Tour” to the Eastern State Exposition grounds in West Springfield on Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets, which include general admission to The Big E fair, go on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m. online at MachineGunKelly. com or TheBigE.com. Tickets may also be purchased at The Big E Box Office.

Machine Gun Kelly kicked off 2021 with a performance from Times Square at Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, followed by an appearance on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.”

Special guests on the tour include carolesdaughter, jxdn and KennyHoopla.

The Big E, will enforce COVID-19 regulations required by the commonwealth of Massachusetts and town of West Springfield at the time of this engagement, organzers said.

The Big E returns Sept. 17Oct. 3.

• Joe Saimeri will kick off the outdoor summer concert series at the 141 Main Street Restaurant in Agawam on May 15.

Saimeri’s musical renditions

George Lenker LiveWire

will include tributes to Engelbert Humperdinck and Tom Jones, along with a special encore favorite.

The series’ shows run on select Saturdays from 6 to 8 p.m. on the patio. Patrons can sit at tables on the lawn in front of the restaurant where they can order food, and where the performance can be heard and seen easily.

In the event of inclement weather, the May 15 concert will be held on May 16 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Molly Hatchet has posted an Oct. 9 show at at the MassMutual Center on its website. The Southern rockers are readying a new live album, “Battleground.”

Quiet Riot is also listing a March 26, 2022, show at the Springfield arena on its website.

The metal band is hitting the road following the death last year of drummer Frankie Banali.

The concert trade paper Pollstar has logged both Springfield shows in its online database.

Molly Hatchet and Quiet Riot are the first acts linked to the MassMutual Center since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

• The Chemical Brothers have released a new single, “The Darkness That You Fear,” the duo’s first new music since 2019.

In a press release, Tom Rowlands, who formed the band with Ed Simons in 1989, described the positive feeling • Although there has been of the song. no formal announcement from “‘The Darkness That You either MGM Springfield or the Fear’ is a hopeful piece of muMassMutual Center, two classic sic,” he said. “When we found rock bands are planning dates the combination of the differin downtown Springfield. ent voices worked set to the

flow of the music it made us feel optimistic, like it was something we wanted to share.”

The song was released with an animated music video directed

by Ruffmercy. The Chemical Brothers are scheduled to play several music festivals this summer, including Creamfields, Lowlands and TRNSMT. • With DSP Shows entering into an agreement to take over operations for concerts at Gateway City Arts in Holyoke, two shows have now already been

announced.

Lucero will come to Gateway, with special guest Morgan Wade, on Oct. 14, bringing their sounds of early rock and roll, classic punk, country-folk, and Southern soul to the stage there. Then on March 11, 2022, Danish post-punk quartet Iceage will play Gateway.

Tickets for both shows are on sale now.

• Former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon, aka Johnny Rotten, is taking the name of his other band, Public Image Ltd. to heart. At least he is certainly trying to limit his public image in a new TV series.

Lydon is upset about the upcoming FX series, “Pistol,” based on his former bandmate Steve Jones’ memoir, “Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol,” and is threatening legal action.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, Lydon said he was not consulted for the series, and called it a “disgrace.”

“I fronted this band. I’m the man that wrote the words. I supplied the image and direction, and I think the questions hang on their actions here. If they needed to be this secret squirrel about it then they must have something to hide,” he said.

“If you put me in a corner like a rat, I’m going to go for your throat. I’m up against here some corporations that just want to take over,” he added.

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WEEKEND

THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2021 | E5

MOVIES

Where to watch all the 2021 Oscar winners

By Christi Carras

Los Angeles Times

It’s not too late to watch this year’s Oscar-winning films, even if you weren’t able to catch them before Sunday’s ceremony.

The 93rd Academy Awards, broadcast live from Los Angeles’ Union Station and Dolby Theatre, saw several acclaimed projects collect golden trophies across 23 categories.

The big winner of the night was “Nomadland,” which landed best picture and a historic victory for Chloé Zhao, the first woman of color and second woman ever to win the Oscar for director.

The gritty drama, starring lead actress winner Frances McDormand, is available to stream on Hulu. But where can folks watch the rest of 2021’s Academy Award winners?

From “Judas and the Black Messiah” to “Minari,” here’s a breakdown of each winning feature film by category and streaming service.

‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ Where to watch: VOD Won: Supporting actor, song What we said: “’Judas and the Black Messiah’ is too honest to offer reassurances or solutions, but if nothing else, its tribute to Fred Hampton does warrant the final word: ‘America’s on fire right now, and until that fire is extinguished, don’t nothing else mean a damn thing.’”

‘Mank’ Where to watch: Netflix Won: Cinematography, production design What we said: “A basic familiarity with ‘Citizen Kane,’ or at least an ability to tell Orson Welles from H.G. Wells, should suffice, and if that’s asking a lot of an idle Netflix surfer, well, tough: In this dense, luxuriant cinephile swoon of a movie, you either sink or swim.”

‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ Where to watch: Netflix Won: Costume design, makeup and hairstyling What we said: “Most of all, there is the late Chadwick Boseman, giving a furiously inventive screen performance that also happens to be his last. It’s one spellbinding final reminder of what we’ve lost and of how easily God, to invoke one of [August] Wilson’s unseen major characters, can giveth and taketh away.”

‘Another Round’ Where to watch: Hulu Won: International feature What we said: Thomas Vinterberg’s “’Another Round’ itself often moves and swings like a piece of music: Staccato in its rhythms and symphonic in structure, it’s awash in Scarlatti and Schubert, bar tunes and patriotic songs, and climaxes with a jubilant blast of ‘Minari’ Danish pop/R&B.” Where to watch: VOD ‘The Father’ Won: Supporting actress Where to watch: VidWhat we said: “’Minari’ in eo-on-demand (VOD) its entirety feels like a balm Won: Adapted screenplay, right now, a gentle, truthful lead actor and tender story of family What we said: “[T]he filled with kind people trying to rigorous interiority of ‘The love one another the best they Father’ compels your attention: can.”

If narrative cinema is largely ‘My Octopus Teacher’ predicated on the illusion of seamlessness, there’s Where to watch: Netflix something apt about the way Won: Documentary feature [director Florian] Zeller both What we said: “Amid a upholds and shatters that pandemic when many have illusion, bridging the narrative been isolated in their homes, gap across a series of jarring the crowd-pleasing Netflix film discontinuities.”

‘My Octopus Teacher’ offers

Clockwise from top left: Frances McDormand in “Nomadland,” Steven Yeun in “Minari,” Daniel Kaluuya in “Judas and the Black Messiah,” Gary Oldman in “Mank.” (SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES; A24; WARNER BROS. PICTURES; NETFLIX)

viewers eight arms to hold them — and a much-needed hug. The production heightens the familiar tropes of the nature-doc genre with its emotional account of a rare bond made between man and cephalopod.”

‘Nomadland’ Where to watch: Hulu Won: Director, lead actress, best picture What we said: “Fluid, inventive and even playful in ways that belie its generally somber tone, ‘Nomadland’ exists at that blurry juncture where fiction and nonfiction meet — a well-traveled zone that is nonetheless still rife with artistic possibilities.”

all, [Carey] Mulligan herself, with her remarkable ability to project both steeliness and vulnerability.”

‘Soul’ Where to watch: Disney+ Won: Animated feature, score What we said: “Like an ethereal cousin to [codirector Pete Docter’s] triumphant ‘Inside Out,’ ‘Soul’ is another playful exercise in metaphysical world building, a door-slamming farce staged between the portals of consciousness. It reminds us that ordinary lives can be the stuff of extraordinary adventure.”

‘Sound of Metal’ Where to watch: Amazon ‘Promising Young Woman’ Prime Video Where to watch: VOD Won: Sound, film editing Won: Original screenplay What we said: “It’s conWhat we said: “It seeks to ventional, but it also breaks merge Cassie’s pain and our ground: Angsty addiction pleasure, then paper over the dramas may be overrepresentcracks with sharp tonal pivots, ed in the movies, but sensislick globs of style and, most of tive, lived-in portraits of deaf

culture and community have always been in short supply.”

‘Tenet’ Where to watch: VOD Won: Visual effects What we said: “It’s basically espionage adventure, but with a science fiction backbone: [Christopher] Nolan ups the ante on ‘Mission: Impossible’ by making the impossibility not just physical but quantum physical. And he goes about it expertly, bullishly and with giddily perverse intent to bewilder.”

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MOVIES ONLINE STREAMING

‘Stowaway’ features sterling cast Michael O’Sullivan

The Washington Post

Ruby Rose in “Vanquish.” (LIONSGATE)

DVD RELEASES

‘Vanquish’ stands alone among new releases Tribune News Service

The pandemic doldrums can be felt, with just one in DVD release of note for this week.

“Vanquish”: Filmed in 2020 amid the pandemic, Morgan Freeman stars as Damon, a retired police officer who blackmails Victoria (Ruby Rose), his caretaker with a hidden special set of skills, to eliminate the gangsters who have dirt on him.

“Freeman and Rose are fine in the movie, even if the best that can be said about it is that it kept capable actors busy while they waited for something better to come along.”

“Freeman and Rose are fine in the movie, even if the best that can be said about it is that it kept capable actors busy while they waited for something better to come along, and Patrick Muldoon is surprisingly effective as an evil sleaze. But, elsewhere on the cast list, there are hints that adding a COVID-19 safety line-item to the budget resulted in slashing the money available for actors.”

The film is rated R and is also available on Apple TV and other streaming platforms.

Out On Demand “Here Are the Young Men”: Based on the Rob Doyle novel of the same name, the movie follows three Dublin teens celebrating high school graduation with a debauched bender marked by increased violence.

Stars “Queen’s Gambit” breakout star Anya Taylor-Joy, Travis Fimmel and Finn Cole.

“Justice Society: World War II”: The Flash travels back in Chris Hewitt time to join the fight between DC’s superhero team and In his review for the Star Nazis in this animated film, the Tribune, critic Chris Hewitt latest entry in the DC Universe said the crime thriller “is an Movies line. example of the sort of pandem“The Virtuoso”: Anson ic-friendly filmmaking that, Mount plays an assassin sent for a while, it looked like we to a small town on a job by his were going to be stuck with but mentor (Anthony Hopkins). hopefully won’t be.”

The methodical assassin must While praising the film’s decipher a cryptic clue to idenleads, Hewitt notes that tify his target, with an added “Vanquish” suffers from the complication presented by an performance of the actors in alluring woman (Abbie Corsupporting rolls. nish). Available tomorrow.

Joe Penna’s debut feature “Arctic” – a tense survival thriller about a pilot (Mads Mikkelsen) whose plane has crash-landed in a frozen wasteland and the badly injured woman (Maria Thelma Smaradottir) he pulls from a downed rescue helicopter – satisfyingly grappled with themes of altruism and man caught at life’s extremes. The filmmaker’s equally gripping, yet less spartan, sophomore effort “Stowaway” has similar ambitions.

Set on a space ship at the start of a two-year mission to Mars, the film stars Toni Collette as the no-nonsense commander, with Anna Kendrick and Daniel Dae Kim as her capable crew.

When an unconscious and badly injured member of the ground crew (Shamier Anderson) is found on board after liftoff – and one of the ship’s life-support systems broken beyond repair – the presence of an unaccounted-for fourth passenger, who will need more oxygen than the ship can provide,

Barry Pepper in “Trigger Point.” (STRANKS/SCREEN MEDIA FILMS)

sets off a sequence of events that will force everyone to summon their best selves, and confront their fears and weaknesses. This isn’t standard Hollywood storytelling: Although the precise circumstances of the stowaway’s presence are left unclear, there’s no grand conspiracy or mystery to be solved, except as it relates to the film’s subtext of self-sacrifice. How

will each of the four behave when called upon to make the most agonizing decision?

The cast is sterling, and the performances low-key yet moving. It’s a tiny bit like Hitchcock’s “Lifeboat” but set in the submarine-like confines of a space ship, and with the threat of solar storms, not sharks. (The potential soluSEE STREAM, PAGE E12

From left, Shamier Anderson, Anna Kendrick, Daniel Dae Kim and Toni Collette in “Stowaway.” (STOWAWAY PRODUCTIONSLLC/AUGENSCHEIN FILMPRODUKTION GMBH/RISE FILMPRODUKTION GMBH)

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WEEKEND

THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2021 | E7

MOVIES REVIEW

‘There’s nothing for you here. Only death’ ‘Mortal Kombat’ an adaptation of classic video game

By Michael Phillips

Chicago Tribune

There’s nothing immortal about the new “Mortal Kombat,” except for the ninja god who, just before some major kombat, mentions: “I have risen from Hell to kill you.”

But as crud goes, it’s zippy and reasonably entertaining. The movie premiered in theaters the same day it dropped on HBO Max for home gaming. Sorry, streaming. Straming? Geaming?

Something. Something in the middle there.

Speaking of streaming: This thing is a RIVER of blood. The two “Mortal Kombat” movies made in the 1990s, based on the 1992 video game that led to countless recreational spinal column removals worldwide, carried the PG-13 rating.

The new movie, directed by first-time feature filmmaker and “Call of Duty” TV commercial veteran Simon McQuoid, pushes way, way past that, landing in the region of “Mortal Kombat-the-game” grisly. Hearts are yanked and brandished, proudly; the winged adversary Nitara (Mel Jarnson) is vivisected into halvsies, longwise.

My favorite bit? At one point one kombatant stabs another and then freezes the massive blood geyser midair — the character known as Sub-Zero (Joe Taslim) runs around like Elsa’s lost brother in an ultraviolent version of “Frozen” — and then stabs his enemy with that. I admit I rewound that bit, which is equal parts “huh?” “wha?” and “krazy.”

Screenwriters Greg Russell and Dave Callaham take a lot of the Kombat lore seriously, and some of it not, and somehow the percentages work out all right. It starts in 17th-century Japan — the

Above, Hiroyuki Sanada, left, as Scorpion/Hanzo Hasashi and Joe Taslim as Sub-Zero/Bi-Han in New Line Cinema’s action adventure “Mortal Kombat.” At right, Tadanobu Asano, left, as Lord Raiden and Chin Han as Shang Tsung in a scene from the film. (MARK ROGERS/WARNER BROS. PICTURES/TNS)

‘MORTAL KOMBAT’ rrts

Rated: R Running time: 110 min.

Where to watch: Now in theaters at Cinemark at Hampshire Mall and Greenfield Garden Cinemas; and streaming on HBO Max

their jobs well, to the degree you can honestly appreciate what they’re up to. Director McQuoid and his editors make it hard to appreciate the practical wows amid so much conventional camerawork, framing and cutting. An unfashionable complaint, but there it is.

The movie benefits from what few laughs it generates Hiroyuki Sanada in a scene from “Mortal Kombat.” (WARNER BROS. PICTURES VIA AP) in between shameless, rote, bloodthirsty fatalities, chiefly film’s seven-minute prologue united by the rise of Hanzo bit so he can team up with thanks to the scuzzy merceare everywhere online right Hasashi’s blood.”

Sonya Blade (Jessica McNanary Kano (Josh Lawson), full now — and then plops us into Among that group, and mee, flat of vocal affect but a of trash talk and perpetually the present. new to the “Mortal Kombat” stickler for posture); Blade’s deserving of a comeuppance “Earthrealm is on the verge lore: a scrappy but tender fellow special forces veteran or a quick toss headlong into of catastrophe,” begins the mixed martial arts competitor Jax (Mehcad Brooks, outthe nearest slab of concrete. on-screen primer. “Should it named Cole Young (Lewis shining his material); and a At one point I turned on the lose one more tournament” Tan), who bears the tradefew others who go fist to fist, subtitles, just to see how the (the kombat mortal of the marked Mortal Kombat logo blade to blade and splurch to actors’ growls and squeals title), “the savage realm of for a birthmark. He’s plagued “geeehaaah!” against the Out- were being described. “ImOutworld will invade.” But by visions of his ancestral worlders, including a giant pact grunt” came up a lot. there’s a but! “But an ancient past, blood, fire, prologue invisible lizard.

That’s the movie in two little prophecy foretells that a new stuff, everything. Cole leaves The stunt coordinators words, and while it may be group of champions will be wife and child behind for a and fight choreographers do dumb, it’s not stupid.

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DINE & WINE

Few plastic beer can carriers being recycled

E

George Lenker Beer Nut

At least 10 million new plastic beer can carriers are used annually by breweries in Massachusetts.

T

HE EXPERIENCE OF the past year has had multiple impacts on the way restaurant owners and operators do business, and as a result some are once again taking a look at the practice of tipping.

When on-premises dining was shut down last spring, many table service eateries found that their front-ofhouse personnel, who were dependent on tips for the majority of their compensation, could no longer stay on the payroll. Without the supplementary compensation gratuities represented, restaurants were unable to keep people even if their jobs could be otherwise repurposed.

The pandemic experience has rekindled industry discussions of tipping and strategies to eliminate it, with the cost of service somehow becoming

Hugh Robert Off The Menu

part of menu prices rather than a semi-discretionary add-on. The idea is promoted as a rationalization of restaurant operations as well as an equity issue for employees, who no longer have to reply on the whims of guests for a large part of their compensation.

The problem with a no-tipping, “hospitality included” business model is, of course,

the pricing strategy necessary to implement it. In order to shift to a no-tips format, a restaurant would have to increase its menu prices by upwards of 20%, a hefty jump at a time when supply chain disruptions and minimum wage hikes are also driving up operating costs.

Even if a no-tipping model is the right thing to do, what restaurant owner can afford to make the first move in a highly competitive marketplace?

Though the check presented to a guest might have been just as large after a traditional tip was added, the sticker shock of hefty no-tipping menu prices is bound to have an impact on a customer’s perception of value offered.

Prominent restaurateur Danny Meyer of the Union Square Hospitality Group in

Mother’ s sDay Mother’ Day

SEE MENU, PAGE E9

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TABLE 3 RESTAURANT GROUP For more information regarding proper carrier and TABLE 3 RESTAURANT GROUP ring recycling, refer to the wealth of data at EcoFriendlyBeer.com.

Let’s all do our part. We can all say “cheers” to that.

SUNDAY MAY 9, 2021 Mother’ Day Mother’ sssDay Mother’ s Day Mother’ Day

Mother’s Day

Cedar Street Grille, T heCedar DuckStreet & Avellino Grille,

T he Duck & Avellino

Take-Home Mother’ s Day Meals Take-Home

Mother’s Day Meals

3149297-01

ARTH DAY MAY BE in the rear view mirror, but it’s not too late to champion a project I recently learned about from Rob Vandenabeele, founder of EcoFriendlyBeer.com.

Rob’s email was an eye-opener. According to estimates from data collected by the Mass. Brew Bros. in discussions with Massachusetts breweries, officials from recycling groups, and the state’s largest waste management companies, at least 10 million new plastic beer can carriers are used annually by breweries in Massachusetts, with just 10% of them being collected and reused, and less than 2% of them ever getting recycled.

This means that they end up glutting the state’s landfills.

As a craft beer drinker and big fan of the environment, this fact disturbs me.

Although most of these carriers are marked as “100% recyclable,” the state’s RecycleSmart website, an initiative of the Massachusetts department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and its three largest waste disposal companies (Casella, Republic, and Waste Management) say that plastic carriers and six-pack rings pose problems for their sorting equipment.

This means that despite beer drinkers best intentions, these plastic holders still end up in landfills, or worse, incinerated.

The good news is that Rob is launching an initiative to raise awareness about the problem and providing a variety of solutions that consumers and breweries can use to significantly increase the statewide rate of reuse and proper recycling of plastic carriers and rings. As one of the Mass.

Brew Bros., Rob and his Brew Bros. partner, Bob Kelley, will be kicking off a social media campaign to challenge the

Debate over tipping vs. higher meal prices continues

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Menu

WEEKEND

THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2021 | E9

In order to shift to a no-tips format, a restaurant would have to increase its menu prices by upwards of 20%.

For those who’ve ordered in race is concluded. advance using a digital platContact Champney’s form, the restaurant maintains Restaurant at 413-774-5587 for CONTINUES FROM PAGE E8 a wall of heated pick-up boxes. more details.

New York City introduced Upon arrival at the Cantina “hospitality included” pricing Steakhouse Premium bacon Nashville-style hot dry rub. a customer need only enter • Lobster rolls, an iconic back in 2015 but found himmenu specialties will be avail- The breast filet is smeared an order number on a smartwarm weather treat here in self reintroducing tipping as able at participating IHOP with pimento cheese spread phone; the pick-up box where New England, are back on the his restaurants reopened for locations through June 13. and served in a toasted roll. that order is located lights up menu at the Shortstop Bar outdoor dining last summer.

Plan B Burger Bar answers at and unlocks. and Grill in Westfield. The The conflict of tipping • Will the restaurant salad 413-285-8296.

Press materials from Taco lobster sandwich is available versus fair, predictable pay for bar become a victim of the Bell describe the new Cantiin either “hot” or “cold” variaservers, it seems, remains a pandemic?

• Brunch is traditionally na as a way to “simplify and tions and comes with fries and challenge that defies solution.

That’s a question many food a midday day affair, but this modernize the customer coleslaw. service operators in both the year Bill Collins of the Center experience” while the same The restaurant is also Side dishes institutional and commercial Square Grill in East Longtime “optimizing” the use of offering outdoor seating on • With Mother’s Day just a sectors of the industry are meadow is going all-in with restaurant “team members.” its attractive deck, weather few weeks away, the Log Cab- trying to figure out.

Mother’s Day brunch, offering permitting. in Banquet and MeetingSalad bars are popular a breakfast-lunch fusion menu • Champney’s Restaurant For additional information house in Holyoke is preparing options with customers and from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. on at the Deerfield Inn in Deergo to shortstopbarandgrill. to help out those families who dining establishments alike.

May 9. field will be celebrating “the com or call 413-642-6370. prefer to honor Mom at home. Patrons enjoy the customiReservations can be made run for the roses” on Saturday Hugh Robert is a faculty The Log Cabin is offering zation a salad bar offers, and by calling 413-525-0055. from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. member in Holyoke CommuMother’s Day Brunch To-Go, food service managers like Patrons will be able to watch nity College’s hospitality and a heat-and-eat feast for six. the self-service aspect, which • The 350 Grill in downthe Kentucky Derby while culinary arts program and has The menu includes a fresh helps keep labor costs down. town Springfield is launchsipping on Mint Juleps. The nearly 45 years of restaurant fruit salad and blueberry When the pandemic hit last ing its season of live music, restaurant will also sponsor and educational experience. bread as well as a broccoli March, most operators found offering it every Thursday and a “best hat” contest, with the Robert can be reached online at cheese strata, glazed ham, themselves forced to shut Friday evening. On Sundays winner announced after the OffTheMenuGuy@aol.com. and chicken piccata. For those down all sorts of self-serve the venue switches over to who prefer breakfast in their stations, salad bars included. presenting live jazz. brunch, the package also Those salad bars that conThe Grill’s menu is classic features French toast, waffle tinued to operate did so only steakhouse, with a smattering wedges, and home fries. after extensive retrofitting of Italian specialties added to Available as extra cost add- and conversion to a costlier, the repertoire. The full menu ons are the likes of blackened served-by-employee format. can be viewed at the restausalmon, stuffed scrod, and Some in the industry doubt rant’s web site, 350grill.net.

Gorgonzola sirloin. that full self-service will ever Reservations at the 350 Orders must be placed by return, while others suggest Grill can be made through May 5, with pickup available that a year or two down the opentable.com or by calling either May 8 or May 9. road concerns about the prac- 413-439-0666.

Online ordering is available tice will have abated. It will be at either DelaneyHouse.com interesting to see if customer • Taco Bell, a chain with ACROSS FROM THE BEACH - or TheLogCabin.com. preferences and operational a well-earned reputation for THE VILLAGE GREEN. Rates from efficiency will indeed repremenu innovation, has turned $60 - $85 to 5/30/21 (excluding holidays, • With more than half sent the salvation of the salad to re-inventing the quick serof the chain’s customers bar. vice format with the opening some restrictions apply). 3 Night Special ordering bacon with their of a new Taco Bell Cantina in off season starting from $145 all week. meals, IHOP has decided to • Plan B Burger at the New York City.

Ocean views and efficiencies available. capitalize on bacon hunger Naismith Memorial Basketball The Cantina, which is by introducing a new SteakHall of Fame in Springfield located in Times Square, is FREE continental breakfast in season. house Premium bacon. Cut has introduced a new spring one of more than 20 “new All rooms have refrigerators and cable TV. five times thicker than IHOP’s cocktail menu. concept” stores the chain regular bacon, the Steakhouse The new drinks lineup has developed over the past Heated outdoor pool. Take children to the strips are finished with a ma- includes options such as the several years. Taco Bell Canbeachside playground. Close to several ple glaze after being grilled.

“Lawn Boy,” a long and tall tinas differ from their generic golf courses, tennis courts, whale watch In addition to being availthirst quencher made with counterparts in offering alcoable as a side, the premium Four Roses Yellow Label holic beverages and unique cruises, ferries to Nantucket and Martha’s bacon is figuring into a bourbon. menu selections in restaurant Vineyard, restaurants, shops, bike trails and number of limited-time-only Also among the spring bev- settings with a decidedly many more of the Cape’s unique attractions. menu offerings, including a erage offerings is the “Randall funky vibe.

Steakhouse Premium Bacon Porter,” a tequila cocktail The Times Square location 10% Senior Discount. South Burger and a Steakhouse BLT. made with Camarena tequila. is unique, however, thanks to Shore Drive, South Yarmouth, MA 02664.

The bacon plays a further Plan B has also entered its “digital only” approach to 1-800-487-4903. www.vgreenmotel.com. role in breakfast food creinto the chicken sandwich customer service. Ordering ations like Candied Bacon wars with a limited time counters and menu boards Pancakes as well as taking the menu feature it’s dubbed the have been replaced by digital flavor lead in a maple bacon “Southern Belle.” Their entry kiosks; customers can also milkshake and a bacon waffle is a marinated grilled chicken order online using the Taco sundae. breast that’s spiced with a Bell website or app.

New England TRAVELER CAPE COD

3149084-02

TO ADVERTISE HERE CALL 413-788-1165

WEEKEND

E10 | THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2021

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

DINE & WINE

O

One year later, how is the coronavirus pandemic affecting wineries in France?

NE YEAR AGO, THE coronavirus pandemic was in full force throughout the world.

Many businesses temporarily closed or went remote to protect the health and well-being of customers and employees.

But not all businesses can do that. And this includes winemakers.

Every spring, their grapevines blossom. And each year, they only have one opportunity to get that year’s crop just right.

Last April, I checked in with several winemakers in France I have had the good fortune to visit in recent years to see how they were dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

One year later, I contacted the same winemakers in Burgundy, Provence and Chateauneuf Du Pape in France’s Rhone region to see how the past 12 months have been for them. Below, you can find their answers to my questions.

First, let’s start with some good news. In March, the U.S. and the European Union agreed to a four-month-long suspension of 25% tariffs on wines from France, Spain and Germany first imposed in October 2019. Hopefully, the temporary suspension of the 25% tariff becomes permanent.

But there’s also no denying the pandemic remains a serious problem in France and many other parts of the world.

In France, more than 5 million cases and over 102,000 deaths have been caused by the coronavirus outbreak, according to the latest statistics.

But that hasn’t been the only crisis many French winemakers have had to deal with this year. Earlier this month, one of the worst frosts in decades affected many parts of France, threatening to wipe out this year’s crop just as the young grapes were starting to bloom

A.

Following the tax suspension we saw an increase of orders from our importer and its wholesalers. It came at a time where the U.S. has a higher proportion of its population with the vaccination, which allowed restaurants to reopen. Unfortunately containers and boats are not available to ship the wines to the U.S. It takes longer and it is more expensive.

Q. Has your winery had to delay any parts of the wine making process recently due to the coronavirus?

A.

The vineyards or the wine maturing in cask do not care about coronavirus. We still have to do the work and manPhilippe, Veronique and Frederic Drouhin in the Clos De Mouches vineyard in Beaune, France in age both, so again everything April 2020. (SUBMITTED PHOTO) was a question of anticipation, discussion with our employees Maison Joseph Drouhin attitude, which allowed us to to set up a program to allow (Beaune, France) be able to label and ship wines them to work in the safest Questions answered by around the world. conditions possible.

Frederic Drouhin, President Thinking back I believe cusof the Executive Board, tomers worldwide purchased Has the coronavirus Maison Joseph Drouhin in brands they knew and trusted. affected how you are dealFrance’s Burgundy region.

They did not really explore ing with this year’s grapes new wines. just starting to grow in the What was the last year fields? like for your winery?

Is the coronavirus pandemic still affecting your It’s a little early to tell Ken Ross We have been amazed by winery? especially following the very Wine Press the resilience of our partners severe frost episode. I am around the world and cusWe are still implementing not sure we will have grown on the vine. tomers in France. Because of the sanitary conditions. Some vineyards to take care and to To help save this year’s the closure of the restaurants of our employees, especially pick this fall. harvest from the frost, some most of them quickly tried to in the administration, work winemakers spent all night in set up options to keep their from home, but obviously at How do you think the the fields keeping the vines business alive. We have seen the winery or in the vineyards 2020 vintage turned out? warm with candles and fires in a switch of our sales from this is not possible. It takes small barrels. Even so, many the on trade to the off trade, longer to process orders but we 2020 is a good vintage winemakers have reported either with chains or indestill manage to produce. We both for whites and reds. It is losing a significant amount of pendent retailers. We have are seeing some markets rea really small crop for the reds this year’s harvest due to the been surprised by the fact opening and we are confident but normal for the whites. The severe frost. that customers purchased that the activity will quickly wines have an exquisite aroLet me add I sincerely hope more expensive wines than improve and that customers matic expression and despite the rest of this year goes entry level appellations. At will be in a mood to live again, the warm weather, a good smoothly for winemakers in the winery level we had to enjoy life, and drink good balance and complexity.

France and that life returns to adapt with the very strict wines. normal for all of us as soon as sanitary regulations to allow How is this year’s possible wherever you happen our employees to work in the Can your winery growing season going so far? to be reading this article. safest conditions possible and export wines to the United Cheers!

I would like to thank them for States right now?

SEE WINE, PAGE E11 their very good professional

Q.

Q. A.

Q.

A.

A.

Q. A.

Q.

Q.

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

WEEKEND

Wine

A. We have started the

year with a very nice 2019 vintage... Unfortunately, we had the coronavirus crisis in March. We were very disappointed and a bit worry at the beginning but quickly we found new solutions and I have to tell you that 2020 was a finally a pretty good year for sales and our production team was great.

CONTINUES FROM PAGE E10

A.

Can we talk about 2022 instead … ?

Domaine Roger Sabon (Chateauneuf-Du-Pape, France) Questions answered by Didier Negron, head winemaker at Domaine Roger Sabon in France’s Rhone region.

Q. What was the last year like for your winery?

A. Regarding our work in

the vineyard and in the cellars, we were not too affected by this health crisis. Some adaptations were necessary, but as it is most often a work of isolated people and in the open air, it could be done without too many problems.

The impact of the health crisis was more marked on commercial activity, with certain markets at a standstill or in slow motion.

Q. Is the coronavirus Didier Negron, head winemaker at Domaine Roger Sabon, standing near a barrel in the winery in January in Chateauneuf Du Pape, France.

due to the coronavirus?

cause we have lost 15 to 20% on Châteauneuf du Papem With our winery size, the which remains moderate in health crisis did not affect our the context, moreover we winemaking activity. Again, were spared on Roquemaure we had to adapt in particular where our entry level is for the harvest, which is eslocated. sentially done by hand, luckily Despite everything we in the open air; additional remain optimistic and comstress; and the health of our bative because we have the employees. chance to do a job that fascinates us and better days will Has the coronavirus soon be here with the return Is the coronavirus pan- affected how you are deal- of conviviality and sharing. demic still affecting your ing with this year’s grapes winery? just starting to grow in the Clos Mireille (Domaines Ott) fields?

For a company of our (La Londe-les-Maures, size, with modest volumes The pruning of the vines France) sold and many different mar- being completed, the new seaQuestions answered by kets, commercial activity has son starts with almost normal Jean-Francois Ott, co-director become satisfactory again, mechanical soil tillage. of Clos Mireille (Domaines but the consequences of the Ott) near St. Tropez in pandemic are more indirect How do you think the France’s Provence region. with increases in certain dry 2020 vintage turned out? materials: cardboard boxes What was the last year or logistical problems with a In the complicated health like for your winery? shortage of container. context, qualitatively the 2020 vintage is very interestCan your winery ing, but I’m afraid that this export wines to the United vintage will be remembered States right now? for other reasons ...

Q. A.

A.

Q. A.

Q. A.

Q. A.

Exports to the United States are slowly picking up, on this market the health aspect is combined, but also the political dimension with taxes on French wines. The context was not favorable, but we have very good partners in this market and we remain optimistic for the future even if the logistics aspect may disrupt this recovery.

THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2021 | E11

Q. How is this year’s

growing season going so far?

A.

Q.

pandemic still affecting your winery?

A.

Of course it does, but we stay safe and we struggle to get rid of this virus and see restaurants reopening. (one day!!)

Q. Can your winery

A.

Our oustside job has never really been modified.

We are outside and the fields are large and the distance between two lanes is two meters so it works.The main problem has been ... frost (last week) on both Chateau de Selle and Clos Mireille. We pruned late to delay the start of vegetation but despite everything we have damages mainly on grenache and withe grapes.

Hopefully, it should restart but we will know exactly the imapct in about a week. To tell you the truth, we didn’t really need that.

Q. How do you think the 2020 vintage turned out?

A.

2020 is in line of 2019.

Beside the frost on Chateau de Selle (already in 2020!) the climate was pretty nice with Yes. We sent the first rain during winter a dry spring bottles few weeks ago. The sit- and sunny summer. At the uation is still very difficult but end, the quality of the grapes the demand is high and the was very nice and the balance main problem is the shipping of the juice two. The quality due to the lack of maritime of 2020 vintage is really nice, container. well balanced between fruit taste, acidity and sharp taste.

Has your winery had to Hopefully we can bring it to delay any parts of the wine restaurants. making process recently due to the coronavirus?

How is this year’s growing season going so No. We modified our far? organization and we keep working safe.

Again, the season was pretty nice even we were Has the coronavirus waiting for rain. We had only affected how you are deal- 180mm since the end of 2020 ing with this year’s grapes harvests compare to 400mm just starting to grow in the on a normal year. Last week we had frost but compare to some other regions and even some places in Provence, I think we are lucky because we made the choice to delay the prunning. This weekend we had rain (almost 50mm), so it is getting better. So far, even if it is not easy I am confident and as you know, everything is played between May and July. We are going to be careful around the flowering and we will make the best of this vintage.

export wines to the United States right now?

A.

Q. A.

Q.

In certain circumstances you say to yourself nothing worse can happen to me ...

The catastrophic 2021 campaign began with an episode of generalized freezing in France. The preceding week’s heat records gave way to severe frosts throughout the Jean-Francois Ott, co-director of Clos Mireille and Domaines Has your winery had to territory.

Ott, at Clos Mireille in La Londe-les-Maures, France in 2018. delay any parts of the wine In view of the events, we (PHOTO BY KEN ROSS) making process recently cannot complain too much be-

Q.

fields?

Q. A.

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

WEEKEND

E12 | THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2021

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

LET US PREPARE THE PERFECT MEAL FOR YOUR MOTHER’S DAY!

SERVES 5-6 – ADDITIONAL PORTIONS $25

CHOOSE FROM ONE OF THE FOLLOWING ENTREES: ‘ A scene from the documentary “The Great Green Wall.”

(JUNO FILMS) ‘ at Frigos CHOSE FROM ONE OF THE FOLLOWING ENTREES: protest if it falls on deaf served w/ mushrooms in Marsala ears?”sauce.

Unrated. Available at afisilver.afi.com. In Swahili • CONTINUES FROM PAGE E6 and Lingala with subtitles. 89 in our house-made bourbon glaze. tions to the crew’s problem minutes.

• are creative, at one point involvingspinach the cultivation of “The Great Green Wall” w/ prosciutto, & Italian algae. At times, the ingenuity is a documentary about the cheeses,ofserved in lemon beurre blanc. the story, which, like “Arc- ongoing effort to build a SIDES/DESSERT: tic,” was written by Penna 5,000-mile-long “wall” of Ryan Morrison, recalls trees across the width of Afri FRESHand SPRING ASPARGUS & ROASTED “The Martian.”) Sure, there ca, in an effort to counteract TOMATOES are scenes of nail-biting severe land degradation and  LOBSTER MAC N’ CHEESE action and bravery, too, par- accelerating climate change. ticularly in the white-knuckle Unrated. Available at afisilver.  POTATOES AU GRATIN w/ IMPORTED third act. But deep down, afi.com. In English, French, EMMENTAL “Stowaway” is a human Bambara, Tigrinya and Hausa notSALAD one about techwith subtitles. 90 minutes.  FRESHdrama, FRUIT nology and gadgets.TV-MA. without a caption  MARQUISE AU CHOCOLAT –Image LAYERED Available on Netflix. Contains DARK CHOCOLATE MOUSSE coarse language, some bloody CAKE Barry Pepper stars in “Trigimages and disturbing themat- ger Point,” an action thriller .

Stream

ic material. 116 minutes.

Also streaming The documentary “Downstream to Kinshasa” follows a group of wounded survivors of a six-day conflict fought between Uganda and Rwanda in 2000 in Congo as they seek $1 billion in compensation from the government in Kinshasa for their suffering.

The New York Times calls their persistence against long odds and bureaucratic indifference “Sisyphean,” writing that, “watching the subjects of ‘Downstream to Kinshasa’ – whose tenacity the movie honors but never romanticizes – it’s hard not to wonder: What good is the right to

about a retired elite secret operative named Nicolas – once blamed for the exposure and assassination of his former team members – who is coaxed out of hiding by an old colleague (Colm Feore of “The Umbrella Academy”) to restore his reputation and prevent further bloodshed.

The pop culture website cbr. com calls the film “competent, but incomplete,” writing that, “Pepper’s a good actor, but here, he mostly just looks exhausted. He betrays very little as Nicolas, so the movie relies on the other characters to inject some life into the proceedings.” Unrated. Available on demand. 82 minutes.

ORDERS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 5 PM ON THURS, MAY 6TH. DELIVERY AVAILABLE ON SAT, MAY 8TH. ORDERS MUST BE RETRIEVED ON SAT, MAY 8TH, BETWEEN 12-4 PM FOR BOTH LOCATIONS SPRINGFIELD 90 William St. (413) 732-5428

EAST LONGMEADOW 159 Shaker Rd. (413) 525-9400

www.frigofoods.com www.frigofoods/facebook.com