For the most up-to-date listing of events, go online to masslive.com/entertainment
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LIVEWIRE: Suzanne Vega to headline annual Arcadia Folk Festival, E4 ONLINE STREAMING: Mary J. Blige documentary leads new releases, E6 OFF THE MENU: Labor crunch impacting restaurant operations, E8
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Fourth of July Fireworks planned in Springfield, East Longmeadow, Greenfield, Page E2
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Fireworks by Grucci will light the sky during the Star Spangled Springfield celebration on Sunday at 9:30 p.m., following a day of festivities. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)
Fourth of July
East Longmeadow’s annual Fourth of July parade kicks off Sunday at 10 a.m., following a carnival at Center Field every night this week. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)
Fireworks planned in Springfield, East Longmeadow and Greenfield
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By Keith O’Connor
Special to The Republican
atriotism never stopped last year but the fireworks in many cities and towns across the country did for the Fourth of July. Crowds could not gather due to the coronavirus pandemic, but as the country has begun to open up again and cases of COVID-19 are on the decline, some cities and town are returning to their cherished celebrations of liberty with fun, food, music and those “oh so loud” and colorful fireworks making a statement of the freedom we enjoy as Americans.
Daniel Roman and Ziva, both of Springfield, enjoy a past Star Spangled Springfield celebration. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)
Fireworks displays are planned this weekend in Springfield, Greenfield and East Longmeadow. Springfield, founded by William Pynchon and established in 1636, celebrates its early colonial beginnings and its role in America’s history with its annual Star Spangled Springfield celebration — a tradition since 1991 — sponsored by MassMutual since 2006, on Sunday. “The Fourth of July has always been my favorite holiday because of the feel-good, patriotic spirit it evokes among adults and kids alike. And, if there was ever a time we need to celebrate, it’s right now,” said Judith A. Matt, president
Avery and Sophia, both of Longmeadow, enjoy a past Star Spangled Springfield. The festivities return this Sunday in celebration of the Fourth of July. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)
of the Spirit of Springfield, organizer of the event. Simply because Gov. Charlie Baker lifted COVID restrictions in May, especially in terms of large gatherings, and Springfield city officials gave their approval for Star Spangled Springfield, that wasn’t a guarantee that pyrotechnic companies such as Fireworks by Grucci could turn around a full-fledged display of national pride in time for July 4 for
Springfield or other locations. “You can’t just call a fireworks company and have them pick shells off of their shelves to put together a dazzling display. There is the music to consider, choreography and the types of shells to match both. There is a real process that takes time,” Matt said. But, Springfield is lucky, noted Matt, because the Gruccis are like family to the Spirit SEE FOURTH, PAGE E3
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“The Fourth of July has always been my favorite holiday because of the feel-good, patriotic spirit it evokes among adults and kids alike. And, if there was ever a time we need to celebrate, it’s right now.” JUDITH A. MATT, PRESIDENT OF THE SPIRIT OF SPRINGFIELD
Fourth CONTINUES FROM PAGE E2
Ed Liversidge, Amber Liversidge, Courtney Wenlider and Ashley Leigh prepare to watch the fireworks during a past Star Spangled Springfield. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)
Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa. As rockets burst in the air, watchers on the ground will see the handiwork of shells spelling out U-S-A and others creating smiley faces. There will also be glittering waterfalls, chrysanthemums, as well as special ground effects. While at the park, visitors can extend their patriotic fervor by stopping by Springfield’s Sept. 11th monument, which stands at the park in remembrance of the 498 first responders who lost their lives on that fateful day of terrorist attacks on our country. Matt said she encourages people to bring along a blanket to picnic on the grass; no alcohol, however, is allowed. Also, no hoverboards, bicycles, frisbees, drones, or skateboards are allowed on the property. In addition to MassMutual, Star Spangled Springfield is
also made possible with support from iHeart Radio (Mix 93.1 FM), MassLive, The Republican, and WWLP-22News. In-kind donors include 90 Meat Outlet/Armata’s, Charlie Arment Trucking, Elegant Affairs, H. P. Hood, Michael’s Party Rentals, Republic Services, Springfield Water and Sewer Commission, United Tractor Trailer School, City of Springfield, and many others. “Many surrounding communities have still elected to postpone their fireworks this year so we are expecting a larger crowed than ever before….that combined with the fact that Monday is a holiday and more families can stay out later than usual,” Matt said. Other area Fourth of July celebrations include: Greenfield has set its fireworks display from Beacon Field on Friday at 9:35 p.m. preceded by an afternoon of
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A member of Melha Shrine Circus greets spectators along the route during a past Fourth of July parade in East Longmeadow. The parade returns this Sunday. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)
music beginning at 4 p.m. The rain date is Monday, July 5.; East Longmeadow, which offer s a carnival at Center Field on evenings this week, will set off
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of Springfield, and just hours later after putting in a request just over a month before the display would be needed on July 4, Matt received the following email: “You will be happy to know that we’re a GO for July 4th!! Thank you for your patience today while we sorted this out for you. Phil Grucci mentioned that we’d be honored to perform for our loyal “A-list” friends in Springfield.” The Independence Day festivities will begin at 6 p.m. with face painters, balloon artists, a splash pad to keep the kids cool, and food vendors with all kinds of treats to savor. The Army National Guard will also be on site with a big inflatable ball toss, other games and giveaways. Also at 6 p.m., there will be a musical performance by Spiral Logic from Falcetti Music in Springfield to add to all the patriotic spirit. Springfield-based Maxxtone will perform an array of contemporary songs at 7 p.m., followed by the pyrotechnic wizardry of Fireworks by Grucci at 9:30 p.m. The fireworks, launched from the Memorial Bridge, will dance to music broadcast in Riverfront Park and on Mix 93.1FM for all to hear. The 20-minute fireworks display will be matched to such patriotic and fun tunes as an Armed Services Medley by the St. Louis Orchestra, “Born in the USA” by Bruce Springsteen, “We Are the Champions” by Queen, “Rock in the USA” by John Mellencamp, “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood, “Think Freedom” by Aretha Franklin, “America” by Neil Diamond, “God Bless America” by Celine Dion, “Surfin’ USA” by The Beach Boys, “Boogie Woggie Bugle Boy” by Bette Midler, “America the Beautiful” by Ray Charles and “The
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MUSIC / MOVIES
Suzanne Vega to headline annual Arcadia Folk Festival
S
ignature Sounds Presents and Mass Audubon have announced the return of the third annual Arcadia Folk Festival.
• Squeeze is set to begin the U.S. leg of its 24-date
‘The Watch’ captures fantasy author’s world Tribune News Service
The outdoor fall musical event will celebrate 75-plus years of Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary on Sept. 19 at the Easthampton sanctuary. The festival will feature Suzanne Vega, Lori McKenna, Chris Smith, and Ladama, among others. The day will also include local food vendors and craft vendors making work inspired by nature or environmentally Suzanne Vega will headline the third annual Arcadia Folk Fesfriendly art. Early bird tickets are $49.99 tival at the Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in Easthampton on Sept. 19. (PHOTO COURTESY AMANUENSIS / COOKING VINYL) and can be purchased online at signaturesounds presents.com/shows. Liner notes • Elton John will bring his farewell tour to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on July 28, 2022. The Massachusetts show is among the final dates for the “Elton John Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour.” “Hello, all you wonderful fans out there. I’m coming to you today with an announcement I’ve been working towards for, well, all my life: the shows that I announce today will be my final tour dates ever in North America and Europe,” he said in a statement. “I’m going to go out in the biggest possible way, performing at my very best, with the most spectacular production I’ve ever had, playing in places that have meant so much to me throughout my career. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster.
DVD RELEASES
George Lenker
A TV show inspired by the characters that populated the works of a beloved fantasy author tops the DVD releases this week. “The Watch: Season One”: “The setting for 41 novels, Terry Pratchett’s Discworld, a flat Earth balanced on four elephants standing on the back of a turtle, where physics are powered by magic and collective imagination, goes the comic route,” writes Los Angeles Times critic Robert Lloyd in his review. “Unlike the magisterial Middle-earth of ‘Lord of the Rings,’ and its many imitators, everything here is a little shopworn, in various stages of decay and improvised repair — the characters as much as the world they inhabit.” In “The Watch,” a group of these characters come together to help save their city. The show “is a mystery story that involves dragons, a missing library book, and the administration of justice (or lack thereof) in the city of Ankh-Morpork, where thieves and assassins have trade guilds and immunity from prosecution, as long as they stay within their quotas
LiveWire
Elton John will bring his farewell tour to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on July 28, 2022. (MARK GRAVES PHOTO)
Nomadband tour, a schedule that includes both headlining shows as well as 18 support dates for Daryl Hall & John Oates. Squeeze kicks off the tour at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium before joining Hall & Oates for their first date on
Aug. 5 at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield. KT Tunstall is also on the bill. “I’m so excited to be back on stage and in the thick of our wonderful set list of songs,” said founding member Chris Difford. “Seeing an audience again will be inspiring and emotional; it’s been too long.” • Kenny Chesney is restarting his postponed stadium tour from last year and will be bringing it to Gillette Stadium in 2022.
SEE LIVEWIRE, PAGE E5
and leave a receipt,” Lloyd writes. “Led, sort of, by an often inebriated Capt. Sam Vimes (Richard Dormer), the Watch, whose ranks never swell here to more than five, has become largely irrelevant. ... But, as happens in detective fiction, a seemingly mundane assignment will expose deeper fissures, just as the sudden reappearance of an old friend turned enemy — Samuel Adewumni’s Carcer Dun — will set Vimes on a new trajectory.” Also new on DVD this week “Percy Vs Goliath”: Christopher Walken stars as a Canadian farmer who takes on Monsanto, with Christina Ricci as the lawyer helping him fight the corporate giant. “His Dark Materials: The Complete Second Season”: HBO’s adaptation of “The Subtle Knife,” the second book in Philip Pullman’s award-winning fantasy series, continues the story of Lyra and Will as they travel between worlds and work to uncover the secrets of Dust. “Wildcat”: A reporter in the Middle East is taken captive and tortured by her SEE DVD, PAGE E5
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Lorde will play the Boch Center Wang Theatre in Boston and the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., next year. (MATT SMITH / NJ ADVANCE MEDIA)
LiveWire
the Connecticut casino three days later on April 15. Tickets for the Wang CONTINUES FROM PAGE E4 Theatre are on sale now and “When we hit pause on our tickets for Mohegan Sun 2020 tour, I never thought go on sale tomorrow. Both we would go much past the shows are being handled by fall, let alone into 2021,” Ticketmaster. Chesney said in a press Lorde described her latest release. “The idea that it album, “Solar Power,” as a would be three years before I “celebration of the natural would stand in the end zone world, an attempt at immorof Gillette Stadium, where talizing the deep, transcen‘No Shoes Nation’ was born, dent feelings I have when wasn’t something any of us I’m outdoors. In times of could conceive.” heartache, grief, deep love, or The tour will kick off April confusion, I look to the nat23 in Tampa, Florida, at ural world for answers. I’ve Raymond James Stadium, learned to breathe out, and and Chesney will play 19 tune in. This is what came stadium concerts, closing the through.” “Here And Now 2022” down with two shows — Aug 26 and • Comedian and former 27 — at Gillette Stadium in U.S. Sen. Al Franken will Foxborough. bring his “The Only Former All current ticketholders Senator on Tour” to the remain in the seats they’ve Academy of Music Theatre in already purchased for the Northampton on Sept. 18. paused tour. Franken, who got his big break as a comedy writer on • Grammy Award winner “Saturday Night Live,” later Lorde will bring her “Solar became a best-selling author Power” tour to the Boch with politically charged Center Wang Theatre in humor books such as 1996′s Boston and Mohegan Sun “Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Arena in Uncasville, Conn., Idiot and Other Observanext year. tions.” The New Zealand singTickets range from $45 er-songwriter will perform in to $100 and are available Boston on April 12, 2022, and through eventbrite.com.
DVD CONTINUES FROM PAGE E4
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Out on Digital HD “A Cinderella Story: Starstruck”: This sixth installment in the “Cinderalla Story” series centers on a
farm girl determined to land a role in Hollywood move filming in her small town. And of course, she must outsmart her evil stepmother and step-siblings along the way. “The Perfect Candidate”: A young female doctor in Saudi Arabia inadvertently registers as a candidate in the upcoming local election, becoming the first woman to run for office in the town.
SUMMER IS BACK
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MOVIES ONLINE STREAMING
Mary J. Blige documentary ‘My Life’ leads new releases
Mary J. Blige is the subject of the documentary “Mary J. Blige’s My Life.” (AMAZON STUDIOS)
From left, Iliza Shlesinger, Margaret Cho and Ryan Hansen appear in a scene from “Good on Paper.” (ALEX LOMBARDI / NETFLIX)
By Michael O’Sullivan
that have been made about The Washington Post the singer, from how she grew Originally conceived to up in a violent environment mark 2019’s 25th anniver— the Schlobohm housing sary of the release of the projects in Yonkers, called song and album that lends “Slow Bomb” in the film — to this documentary its title, her discovery, at 19, by the “Mary J. Blige’s My Life” is music impresario Andre Hara standard-issue portrait — rell, who died last year, and to complete with teary, sit-down whom the film is dedicated. interview footage and comIt doesn’t reinvent the wheel, mentary by friends and fam- but who expected it to? “My ily — of an artistic survivor Life” arrives as advertised; a who has overcome adversity story of a beloved performto become a role model for er who has triumphed over women. (An unseen announc- childhood molestation, abuse er is heard at the start of the by her longtime partner K-Ci hagiographic film referring of the band Jodeci, and other to the 1994 song “My Life” as trauma. The only thing a a “new national anthem for Mary J. Blige fan might ask women,” though that deof “My Life” is for director scription could apply just as Vanessa Roth to have thrown easily to any of Blige’s songs in some discussion of Blige’s about female empowerment fine work as an actress, in and the gospel of self-love.) such films as “Mudbound” The film, which was execu(for which she got an Oscar tive-produced by Blige, Sean nomination) and several TV “Diddy” Combs and others, shows. R. Available on Amazon follows the expected trajecPrime. Contains coarse lantory of other documentaries guage. 82 minutes.
Also streaming Stand-up comedian Iliza Shlesinger wrote the screenplay to “Good on Paper,” a comedy about a single standup comedian named Andrea (Shlesinger) who meets a guy named Dennis (Ryan Hansen) who says he works in high finance. Dennis seems to be the man of her dreams until Andrea’s best friend Margot (Margaret Cho) convinces her he’s too good to be true. High jinks ensue when Margot and Andrea try to loosen Dennis’s tongue with alcohol, only to have him pass out. TV-MA. Available on Netflix. 94 minutes.
In the true-crime drama “Lansky,” a journalist (Sam Worthington) jumps at the chance to interview the elderly gangster Meyer Lansky (Harvey Keitel), in a story that flashes back to Lansky’s teen years and follows his life and career over several decades (and actors including
From left, sibling track stars Brooke, Rainn and Tai Sheppard are featured in the documentary “Sisters on Track.” (DEREK HOWARD / NETFLIX)
John Magaro). According to Flickering Myth, the ground covered is “all too much for one movie, and none of it ever comes across as engaging.” R. Available on demand. Contains strong bloody violence, coarse language and some sexual references. 119 minutes.
on Netflix. Contains mature thematic elements, brief sex-ed discussion and some strong language. 96 minutes.
Here’s a synopsis you don’t see every day: “Too Late” is a horror comedy set in the milieu of the Los Angeles stand-up scene. Alyssa LimpThe documentary “Siseris plays the assistant to the ters on Track” follows three host of a live late-night variety unhoused sibling track stars show (Ron Lynch) who turns from Brooklyn who are invited out to be a monster — literally onto “The View” to receive an and figuratively. Fred Armisen award from Sports Illustrated and Mary Lynn Rajskub play Kids — only to learn that they supporting roles. According to have been given a furnished Cinemacy, first-time direcapartment to live in for two tor D.W. Thomas “takes on years, courtesy of Tyler Perry. this fraught subject matter IndieWire calls “Sisters” a by running the genre gamut “powerfully intimate movie from romantic comedy to that’s varnished with the gloss body horror to social satire.” of a puff piece, albeit one filled Unrated. Available on iTunes, with such extraordinary peoGoogle Play, Fandango Now ple that it still makes a lasting and all major cable and satellite impression.” PG. Available platforms. 80 minutes.
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VIDEO GAMES REVIEW
‘Sumire’ proves simplicity can be deceiving By Christopher Byrd
“SUMIRE”
The Washington Post
When I first fired up “Sumire,” a game about a lonely little girl living in a small Japanese town who promises to show a talking flower a beautiful day, I was lessthan-enthused to see where their adventure might lead. The setup seemed so childishly unpromising that I was unwilling to spend more than 20 minutes with the game. However, when I returned to it a few days later I found that I’d misjudged it. “Sumire” is undoubtedly a kid-friendly game, but it is not childish. The feelings it touches on suggest the sort of wisdom an adult might look to pass on to a child to prepare her for a world that is vertiginously beautiful as well as disappointing. The game opens with a gentle paradox: a dream that hints at fulfillment and longing.
Developed by: GameTomo Published by: GameTomo Available on: PC, Nintendo Switch
The idea of eternal return wends through the story. On different occasions Sumire is reminded of patterns of life that snare people, young and old, and prevent them from being able to communicate with each other. She comes to realize that everyone, includA scene from the video game “Sumire.” (GAMETOMO) ing herself and her fondly remembered grandmother, she hears the crashing sound goes to fetch her backpack and by a soft-colored, storybook has a shadow side that causes of breaking glass, and when notebook and sets out to try to aesthetic whose standout problems for those nearest to she returns to her room she have a “perfect day.” feature is the curvature of the them. Themes of broken comdiscovers a broken window Over the length of day, ground that Sumire walks on, munication, missed opportupane and a seed on the floor. Sumire will have the occasion giving the impression that she nities and unrealized wishes Picking up the seed, she takes to assist people and critters, is traversing a sphere where all are planted throughout her it into the living room and e.g., a letter carrier who hasn’t points lead back to each other. “special day.” plants it in a pot on a table, spoken with his daughter for then falls asleep. 20 years, a lovelorn snake,
“Sumire” is undoubtedly a kid-friendly game, but it is not childish. The feelings it touches on suggest the sort of wisdom an adult might look to pass on to a child to prepare her for a world that is vertiginously beautiful as well as disappointing. Upon awakening, she is startled to discover that the seed has grown into a talking flower. The flower asks her to show it a beautiful day since it will only live until sunset. At first, Sumire is reluctant to do it any favors. Lost in her melancholy, she tells the flower that all she wants to do is go back to sleep and stay inside the house because her mother needs her. But the flower is persistent. “Please. Don’t just leave me here to die inside,” it says before suggesting that by acceding to its request it might be possible for Sumire to see her grandmother again. Banking on that hope, Sumire snips off the head of the flower, which then floats in the air. The floating flower head will accompany her throughout her journey. Sumire then
etc. She’ll also be forced to confront her former best friend, who dropped her to hang out with more popular girls, and to spend time in a house shunned by most of the townspeople on account of a grisly murder that took place there. “Sumire” is a simple game that mostly involves walking to different places, speaking to various individuals and delivering items from one to another. The game is punctuated with a few minigames: a fantasy card game, a board game and another one which I won’t go into detail about since it turns around one of the major plot points of the story — it involves Sumire being given the chance to heal or poison the hearts of her rivals. These basic gameplay mechanics are enlivened
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Lying asleep, Sumire, the little girl at the center of the story, envisions sheltering in her grandmother’s arms beneath a wisteria tree. In the dream, she watches the happy scene as if she were an observer. Reaching out a hand as if to physically grab the moment in front of her, she wakes up and is unsettled by the thought that her recently deceased grandmother was trying to communicate something important to her which she was unable to understand. Walking through her one-story house, she stops by the portrait of her grandmother that hangs in a cabinet near the front door. Addressing her grandmother’s spirit, Sumire speaks of her mother’s depression over her father’s absence from their lives and asks for help. Seconds later,
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DINE & WINE
Labor crunch impacting restaurant operations
A
S THE PANDEMic-impacted American economy moves further into a partially vaccinated, mostly reopened phase, the restaurant industry continues to struggle with a hiring crisis of near epic proportions. While simplistic explanations for this worker shortfall tend to focus on generous unemployment benefits, the reality of the situation is likely more complex. Snagajob.com, an online marketplace for hourly job postings, recently released its Summer Hiring Report 2021, an overview of the labor market the company serves. Part of that report dealt with a survey of hourly job candidates Snagajob.com serves, and the results of that survey show that the “hiring crisis” is more than a matter of extra benefit dollars. When questioned about what was preventing them from reentering the hourly workforce, only 4% of those polled admitted that they were waiting for their unemployment compensation to end. Many more respondents — more than a third — claimed they wanted to work but couldn’t because of family or schedule problems due to the pandemic. An abundance of caution was also cited as an additional reason for not wanting to go back to work. Some of the currently unemployed say they want to see higher rates of vaccination before they go back to jobs involving lots of contact with the public. Another factor that tends to get overlooked in analyzing the current labor shortage is demographics. Even before COVID-19, the total number of 18-to 29-year-olds, an age group from which the restaurant industry customarily had drawn the bulk of its employees, was in decline, and that demographic trend is projected to continue for at
sheets that enable them to cook along with chef Benton during the 90-minute Zoom session. Tickets for the event are $49 and can be purchased online at hcc.3dcartstores.com/ Chocolate-StrawberryTrifle_p_17821.html. Additional virtual baking classes are planned for Aug. 6 (cream puffs and eclairs) and Aug. 13 (flourless chocolate cake). More information can be had by calling Valentyna Semyrog at 413-552-2123.
Hugh Robert Off The Menu
Even before COVID-19, the total number of 18-to 29-yearolds, an age group from which the restaurant industry customarily had drawn the bulk of its employees, was in decline, and that demographic trend is projected to continue for at least a decade or more into the future.
The MGM-HCC Culinary Arts Institute in Holyoke is presenting virtual baking classes this summer. Classes will be learning how to make a chocolate strawberry trifle on July 9, cream puffs and eclairs on Aug. 6, and flourless chocolate cake on Aug. 13. Above, a student works in the Culinary Arts Institute kitchen. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)
is holding another “Cooking with Rico” evening on July 15 at 6:30 p.m. Table 3 Restaurant Group Executive Chef Enrico Giovanello will be showcasing the traditional foods of Puglia in southern Italy. Puglia’s food traditions draw from an assortment of ingredients least a decade or more into — seafood, olives, tomatoes, the future. and chickpeas — to create a Other solutions to the hiring simple yet delicious interplay crisis, such as paying a “living of flavor experiences. wage” and providing permaThe evening includes nent work schedules, also samplings of each dish pose significant challenges to Giovanello prepares as well as the restaurant industry. Doing wine selections chosen to go either or both will increase with each recipe. The event payroll expenses; when couis priced at $57 per person or pled with the current surge $47 without wine. Tax and in food prices, the resultant gratuity are additional. upward cost pressure will Reservations can be made place a serious financial strain by calling Avellino at 508for restaurants. 347-2321. For the time being, at least, expect the restaurant labor • In conjunction with the crunch to have predictable Holyoke Community Colconsequences for the dining lege’s Business and Workout public — higher menu force Development Program, prices, shorter operating the MGM-HCC Culinary hours, and, in some instancArts Institute in Holyoke is es, less attentive service as presenting a series of virtual unavoidably understaffed op- baking classes this summer. erations struggle to keep up. Designed to be family participation activities, each Side dishes baking class focuses on the • Avellino in Sturbridge preparation of a fancy (yet
easy to do) dessert specialty. The next session, which is planned for July 9 at 4 p.m., will feature a chocolate strawberry trifle. The trifle is an Americanized version of a classic English dessert, with
• This summer, Denny’s locations have brought back two favorites from the brand’s roster of past limited-time-only menu selections. “Cinnamon Sugar Pancake Puppies” are bite-sized pancake fritters rolled in cinnamon sugar and served with cream cheese icing. They’re being offered in portions of six or 10. A patriotically themed “Red, White, and Blue Pancake
Avellino Restaurant in Sturbridge is hosting a “Cooking with Rico” event July 15. Table 3 Restaurant Group Executive Chef Enrico Giovanello will be showcasing traditional foods from Puglia in southern Italy. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)
layers of brownie, chocolate mousse, fresh strawberries and whipped cream. The classes are taught virtually by Chef Maureen Benton, the head pastry chef at Wilbraham-Monson Academy in Wilbraham. At-home participants receive recipes, shopping lists, and instruction
Breakfast” is also on the summer season agenda at Denny’s. It features buttermilk-blueberry pancakes topped with sliced strawberries; whipped cream and cream cheese icing garnish the short stack. Two eggs, bacon or sausage,
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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
WEEKEND
THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021 | E9
DINE & WINE
Bidding farewell to Northampton brewer
The Northampton Brewery is bidding farewell to its head brewer Boog Pacher, who is moving to Canada. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)
T
While Boog tweaked the original lineup at the brewery over the years, it was the string of new brews he created that showcased his artistry. His Blue Boots IPA has been the flagship beer there for years now. Liverpool fan and he is an Arsenal rooter. He didn’t convince me to go to the Dark Side.) But more than that, he also taught me a lot about beer. I obviously had a decent amount of knowledge before I ever met him, but I would always pick up bits and bobs in casual chats with him, and those little nuggets turned out to be quite an impressive collection over the years. His
expertise has been wonderful for me to have around. And while I’ll miss all that, most of all I’ll miss just having a beer with him — usually one of his own glorious creations. While Boog tweaked the original lineup at the brewery over the years, it was the string of new brews he created that showcased his artistry. His Blue Boots IPA has been the flagship beer there for years now. And while I love that beer, I like some of his others even more (some of which only show up occasionally): Lobsterback, Contract Killer, and Summer (or Spring) Fling. My favorite, however, is Mean Green Double IPA. Double IPAs can be tricky, and frankly I don’t love most of them. But Boog got it right. He also contributed to the community in a massive way, such as making all the hot chocolate for the annual Hot Chocolate Run (to benefit Safe Passages) and doing “Donald’s Dash” in conjunction with “Monte’s March” to raise money for the Food Bank. (His given name is Donald, and he is
George Lenker Beer Nut
first woman brewer at the Northampton Brewery. I love that owner Janet Egelston-Cichy is giving Meghan the opportunity. I spoke briefly with Meghan a few weeks back, and her enthusiasm alone indicates she is a good choice. So it’s farewell to Boog and Danielle, with a big barrel of gratitude for all the great beer and memories. Slainte!
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HE PAST YEAR HAS certainly been a time of change, and this summer is providing another seismic shift in the local beer world. After 13 years of serving as head brewer at the Northampton Brewery, Boog Pacher is pulling up his New England roots and transplanting them in Vancouver, Canada. His wife, Danielle Ignace, got a job offer that was too good to refuse, and so westward they will go. “It’s basically like she got picked No. 1 in the draft,” Boog said with a smile about his wife’s career. While that is great news for the couple, the collateral damage is that we lose a brilliant brewer, hilarious mind and all-around great guy. Given that the Northampton Brewery is my local, I got to know Boog fairly well over the years and have had many great chats with him about beer, politics, music, baseball and sports in general. And with sports, he also taught me how to love soccer. For that, I will be forever grateful. He made the game make sense to me and now I’m a fan. (Although I am a
also a triathlete.) Fortunately, the brewery will still be in great hands, as assistant brewer Steve Bilodeau — another great guy and brewer — will take the reins. He has been Boog’s wingman since he took over, so the transition should be smooth. I’m also not worried about Steve’s creativity with brewing, as he is responsible for one of my other favorites, Greyhound IPA — not to mention that he had input on most other new creations over the past 13 years. And a little icing on the cake is that Steve will be assisted by Meghan Leahy, who will become the
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E10 | THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
DINE & WINE
Grenache Blanc wine worth getting to know
C
ERTAIN WINE grapes get all the attention. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon — they’re the Justin Bieber and Leonardo DiCaprios of the wine world. But if you dig a little deeper, there are many other wonderful wines out there. Malbec and Carmenere come to mind when you think of great, lesser-known red wine grapes. Gewurztraminer and Gruner Veltliner are great examples when it comes to under-the-radar white wine grapes. You can another one to the list — Grenache Blanc. I recently had an outstanding one from California’s Napa Valley. And for fans of dry, understated white wines, you’re in for a real treat if don’t already know about this white wine grape that tastes like the love child of a Sauvignon Blanc and a Pinot Grigio. You can read more about this grape and the wine that sparked this column below. Hope you enjoy. Wine recommended this week: 2019 Priest Ranch Grenache Blanc (Suggested Retail Price $22, available for sale directly from the winery) More about Grenache Blanc: Grenache Blanc is the white wine version of the wildly popular Grenache grape. Blanc means “white” in French. And to make things even slightly more confusing, Grenache is called Garnacha in Spain, but it’s the exact same grape. Winemakers have been making wine using Grenache, or rather Garnacha grapes in this particular case, in Spain for hundreds of years. Nowadays, you can find Grenache Blanc wines made throughout the world. In many cases, many winemakers blend Grenache Blanc with other grapes to make a wide range of wines. Howev-
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Ken Ross Wine Press
This week’s recommended wine is a delightful Grenache Blanc from California’s Napa Valley. (KEN ROSS PHOTO)
There’s a slight tartness to the wine, along with a dash of crisp, grassy undertones. The wine also has a subtle green apple and minerallike taste and aroma, but nothing overpowering, nothing in your face.
several other wine growing regions in Spain. Other countries where you can find Grenache Blanc wines include the United States (especially in California’s Santa Ynez Valley), Croatia (where the wine is called Belan) and the Republic of Macedonia, according to the outstanding book, “Wine Grapes,” by Jancis Robinson, Julia Harding and Jose Vouillamoz.
Wine tasting notes • 2019 Priest Ranch Grenache Blanc • Region: Napa Valley, California • Tasting notes: One of the great joys of drinking wine from around the world is discovering something different and exciting. But it’s rare to find something new from one of the most recognizable wine growing regions in the world. That’s why I was so pleased to taste this delightful Grenache Blanc from California’s Napa er, this versatile grape tastes Valley. great all on its own, judging As I explained above, this from this week’s outstanding dry, refreshing wine tastes like white wine. the perfect blend of Sauvignon Grenache Blanc wine Blanc and Pinot Grigio grapes. growing regions: The two There’s a slight tartness to most common places where the wine, along with a dash you will find wines made with of crisp, grassy undertones. Grenache Blanc grapes are The wine also has a subtle Spain and France. In particgreen apple and mineral-like ular, these white wine grapes taste and aroma, but nothing are often found in France’s overpowering, nothing in your Roussillion region (more than face. Just a welcome, inviting 12,000 acres of Grenache change to California’s wonderBlanc grapes grow there) along ful white wines. It’s also a great with the Southern Rhone introduction to the amazing region, where Grenache Blanc possibilities for this versatile, grapes are often blended to lesser-known grape. make white Chateauneuf-DuCheers! Pape wines. Wine Press by Ken Ross In Spain, the most popular appears on Masslive.com every Grenache Blanc growing areas Monday and in The Repubinclude Catalunya and Aragon, lican’s weekend section every along with Priorat, Rioja and Thursday.
and hash browns are also included in the breakfast. There are Denny’s locations in Holyoke at the Holyoke Shopping Center on Route 5, in Springfield on Route 20, and in Enfield across from Enfield Square.
several independent restaurateurs who schedule their vacations during what is locally a slow week in the restaurant business.
• Delaney’s Market locations are offering time- and labor-saving suggestions for upcoming summer weekend cookouts. They are providing readyto-cook selections like teri• “Restaurant Hospitality,” yaki-marinated steak strips, the industry trade publication dry-rub salmon, and Italian that focuses on independent herb chicken breast, all sold restaurant operations, is now by the pound and ready for accepting entrees into its the grill. “Best Sandwiches in America Add-on sides such as baked 2021” competition. beans, antipasto tortellini Sandwiches submitted salad, chilled strawberry soup, for consideration must be grilled veggie kits, and an currently on the menu of an assortment of freshly baked independent restaurant; hot pies and desserts are also dog and hamburger variations available. are not eligible. The deadline Items must be ordered by for submissions is July 9, and 7 p.m. on Wednesdays for no prizes beyond bragging pickup on either Friday or rights are awarded. Winners Saturday of that week. will be announced in August. Complete menu and orderFor more details and an en- ing information is available try form, go to restaurant online at delaneysmarket. -hospitality.com/ com. best-sandwiches/ best-sandwiches-america • The Blue Heron Restau-2021-contest-entry. rant in Sunderland has been updating its menu, adding • Wendy’s, the quick serseveral new summer season vice restaurant chain, has also dishes. reached back into its “vault” One is sea scallops crudo, a of past menu creations and “small plate” that features sea rereleased the “Summer scallops, red grapefruit, thinly Strawberry Chicken Salad,” sliced cucumber, and seaan entree-sized greens-fest soning, which executive chef built on a spring lettuce mix Justin Mosher tweaks from and topped with chopped week to week. strawberries and diced grilled “Crudo” is a term used to chicken. designate raw seafood marGarnishes on the salad inated in a seasoned liquid, include bacon, a “Tuscan” typically citrus juice. The acid cheese blend, and candied in the juice slightly “cooks” almonds; a champagne and flavors the seafood withvinaigrette dressing is also out obscuring its delicacy with provided. heavier flavors. The strawberry chicken More information about the salad will be available at parBlue Heron’s menu can be ticipating Wendy’s locations found at its website, blue through the summer season. herondining.com. • Michael Anderson, the chef-owner of Tucker’s Restaurant in Southwick, has announced that he and the restaurant’s staff will be taking a summer break from Saturday until July 12. Anderson is one among
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.
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
WEEKEND
THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021 | E11
THEATER NEW YORK
Theater festivals return to New York, Berkshires The New York Times
Most summers, as tourists pour into New York City to see theater, New Yorkers pour out to see theater elsewhere. This summer, though, they may do so with extra ardor. As the pandemic lifts, the pent-up demand for live, in-person theater is first being met in the Berkshires and in the mid-Hudson region, where companies are putting up tents, arranging outdoor immersive experiences and welcoming audiences to buildings that have been empty for too long. Some of those companies are old and some new: The Williamstown Theater Festival has been at it since 1955, but Great Barrington Public Theater just started in 2019. Shakespeare & Company, as its name implies, goes heavy on classics — starting Friday, Christopher Lloyd plays King Lear — while Barrington Stage Company focuses on musicals and new plays. For mainstream fare (if “The Importance of Being Earnest,” opening next week, counts as mainstream), look to the Berkshire Theater Group. For something more experimental, try Bard SummerScape or New York Stage and Film. Wherever you go — below, our critics highlight a variety of possibilities — you will still find pandemic precautions in place. (Check each theater’s website for specific safety policies.) Even so, after a dark time, these summer shows and festivals truly offer something to celebrate.
Above, from left, Mitch Tebo, James Patrick Davis, Mallory Portnoy, John Carlin, Benj Mirman and Mary Testa during a rehearsal of “Oklahoma,” at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y., June 10, 2015. Testa is collaborating on Daniel Fish’s upcoming “Most Happy in Concert” at Bard SummerScape. (LAUREN LANCASTER / THE NEW YORK TIMES)
the premiere production. The show went on to win the Tony The Clark Art Institute in Williamstown will become the stage for the musical “Row,” starring Award for best revival four singer-songwriter Grace McLean, from July 13 through Aug. 8. (TONY CENICOLA / THE NEW YORK TIMES) years later. Tucked amid the Berkshires part of the original Broadway back again. Now Fish is teaming up on the campus of Williams cast of “Natasha, Pierre & the Yet “The Most Happy again with his “Oklahoma!” College, in a corner of WestGreat Comet of 1812.” Direct- Fella” is less famous than, musical collaborators, Daniel ern Massachusetts that’s just a ed by Tyne Rafaeli, “Row” say, Loesser’s “Guys and Kluger and Nathan Koci, and meander away from Vermont, is inspired by Tori Murden Dolls,” and that might have actress Mary Testa (Aunt it seems like the kind of spot McClure’s memoir, “A Pearl in something to do with what Eller), who will sing alongside that would have an open-air the Storm,” about rowing solo some might generously call the likes of the “Toni Stone” stage or two. across the Atlantic Ocean. its baggage. The middle-aged, star April Matthis and the proIn an ordinary summer, no And from July 20 to Aug. 8 homely title character, Tony, tean performer Erin Markey. such luck. But this year Wilaround the town of Williaman Italian immigrant prone Whether a full production liamstown is taking its slate of stown, audiences can expeto mangling English, falls for, ever happens remains a mysworld premieres outside. rience the immersive perfordeceives and eventually wins tery for now, but the prospect The first stop is the front mance “Alien/Nation” on foot over a younger waitress. This of this director with this cast lawn, where the season or by car. Director Michael plot has not aged well. and this score is enough to starts with “Celebrating the Arden and his company, the This makes the prospect light up August. Black Radical Imagination: Forest of Arden, who made of the director Daniel Fish’s — Elisabeth Vincentelli Nine Solo Plays.” Curated last summer’s immersive “Most Happy in Concert” Barrington Stage Company by Robert O’Hara, a current “American Dream Study” in (Aug. 5-7) even more in(barringtonstageco.org) Tony Award nominee for his the Hudson Valley, teamed up triguing — especially since direction of “Slave Play,” the with playwrights Jen Silverhis ensemble is made up of Last year, this regional production offers three sepman and Eric Berryman for seven female and nonbinary theater in the Berkshires, a arate programs, each made this one, which uses local performers. (While Summer- proving ground for new muup of three 30-minute plays: history from 1969 as a starting Scape events usually take sicals, announced a truncated by Guadalís Del Carmen, point. place on the Bard campus, in summer season. But state diFrance‑Luce Benson and — Laura Collins Hughes Annandale-on-Hudson, New rectives meant that its artistic NSangou Njikam (July 6-10); York, this year’s productions director, Julianne Boyd, had J. Nicole Brooks, Terry Guest Bard SummerScape will be performed outdoors to constrict it even further, (fishercenter.bard.edu) and Ike Holter (July 13-18); on the Stage at Montgomery moving an indoor show, and Charly Evon Simpson, The Frank Loesser musiPlace.) “Harry Clarke,” outdoors. But Ngozi Anyanwu and Zora cal “The Most Happy FelOf course, the experimental- summer 2021 promises more Howard (July 20-25). la” boasts one of the most ly minded director has been shows in more venues, inside Down the road at the Clark wondrous scores of the there and successfully done and out. Williamstown Theater Art Institute, from July 13 to 1950s — a decade filled with that already: In 2015, also at This season begins, in a Festival (wtfestival.org) Aug. 8, the museum’s vast stiff competition. The show Bard, he took “Oklahoma!,” tent on the Barrington Stage Audiences have always been reflecting pool will become is packed with songs whose long associated with a certain Campus, with a celebration of drawn to the Williamstown the stage for “Row,” Daniel styles are mixed and matched aw-shucks all-Americanness, the songs of George Gershwin Theater Festival for its artGoldstein and Dawn Landes’ with formidable agility, going and pulled off a “vibrant, (through July 3). Directed by istry, which is strong, and its musical, starring the singfrom operatic arias to dance essential excavation,” as Ben Boyd, it stars Allison BlackSEE THEATER, PAGE E12 Brantley put it in his review of geography, which is sublime. er-songwriter Grace McLean, romps to jazzy croons and
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well, Alan H. Green, Britney Coleman, Jacob Tischler and Alysha Umphress. The tent will also host “Boca” (July 30-Aug. 22), an evening of Jessica Provenz’s short comedies about Florida seniors; as well as concert evenings featuring Broadway stars Jeff McCarthy (July 24) Joshua Henry (Aug. 16), and husband-and-wife pair Orfeh and Andy Karl (Aug. 23). The couple, who met in the Broadway adaptation of “Saturday Night Fever” and later appeared together in “Legally Blonde,” call the show “Legally Bound.” Aaron Tveit, a current Tony nominee for “Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” will perform at the theater’s gala. Indoors, the father-and-son Reed and Ephraim Birney star in the lachrymose two-hander “Chester Bailey,” starting Friday. Harriet Harris then appears in “Eleanor” (July 16-Aug. 1), Mark St. Germain’s one-woman play about Eleanor Roosevelt. And New Yorker writer Alec Wilkinson adapts his article about the conceptual art project, the Apology Line, into a new play, “Sister Sorry” (Aug. 13-29), directed by Richard Hamburger. — Alexis Soloski New York Stage and Film (newyorkstageand film.org) Theater is not just what you see when it’s finished, it’s what goes on beforehand. New York Stage and Film, an incubator of works in development, provides that “beforehand;” something called “The Hamilton Mixtape” showed up there in 2013, two years before it opened as “Hamilton” on Broadway. Usually held on the campus of Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, the festival looks a little different this year. The pandemic has pushed its events into various venues around town, and the Black Lives Matter movement has pushed it, like all arts organizations, to rethink programming. The new artistic
New York Stage and Film is for artists, yes, but since artists need feedback, it’s for audiences as well. (Most events are “pay what you can.”) director, Chris Burney, has responded with a promising slate of work from Black, Latinx and Asian American artists. The big draw, on July 31 and Aug. 1, is Michael R. Jackson’s “White Girls in Danger,” a follow-up to his 2020 Pulitzer Prize winner, “A Strange Loop.” Directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz, “White Girls” is a satire of Lifetime Original-style movies as seen from a Black woman’s perspective, but Jackson’s radically sympathetic worldview suggests more than a little love in the critique. Jackson is not the only theater artist exploring race and danger in Poughkeepsie this summer. “Mexodus,” a “concept album” created and performed by Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson, is about the thousands of enslaved people who instead of heading north on the Underground Railroad went south to Mexico (July 17 and 24). “South,” by Florencia Iriondo and Luis D’Elias, is a one-woman musical inspired by Iriondo’s experiences as a Latina in the United States (July 23 and 24). And “Interstate,” by Melissa Li and Kit Yan, follows a transgender slam poet and a lesbian singer-songwriter on an eventful cross-country journey (July 25). New York Stage and Film is for artists, yes, but since artists need feedback, it’s for audiences as well. (Most events are “pay what you can.”) Who isn’t it for? Critics. We can go, but can’t review, which makes it a real vacation for everyone. — Jesse Green This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
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