Find the latest WMass happenings at masslive.com/entertainment
Weekend E
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MODELING: Plastic modelers to flock to Valleycon 31, E2 ALPACA SHOW: Event to draw animal lovers to Big E grounds, E3 LIVEWIRE: Green River Festival adds 6 more acts to June lineup, E4
| THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022
KEM, ‘Babyface’ Edmonds bringing ‘Full Circle Tour’ to Springfield, E2
R&B powerhouses FRIDAY, APRIL 1
SATURDAY, APRIL 2
Vibez for the Tribe II AN ARTS FESTIVAL IN NORTHAMPTON
ALSO THIS MONTH!
A Celebration of Jazz, Hip Hop, and A Tribe Called Quest.
Michelle BrooksThompson
KidsBestFest: A Movie Festival for Kids and Adults
Presented with Genuine Culture LLC. 7:00 PM @ 33 Hawley Workroom Theater
Live in Concert
38th Annual Silver Chord Bowl 2022
EXCHANGE: A Distributed Curation Performance Event
7:00 PM @ Academy of Music Theatre
SUNDAY 4/24
SATURDAY 4/30
Presented by N O R T H A M P T O N A R T S
•
MONDAY 4/18– THURSDAY 4/21
J Scott Brandon Grant Fund Benefit Concert FRIDAY 4/29
For more information, visit N O R T H A M P T O N A R T S C O U N C I L . O R G
E2 | THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022
WEEKEND
The 26-date tour is KEM’s biggest North American tour to date and marks Edmonds’ highly anticipated return to the road.
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
CHICOPEE
Plastic modelers to flock to Valleycon 31 By Cori Urban
Special to The Republican
Valleycon 31 will be rolling into the Knights of Columbus Hall on Sunday, bringing with it 50 vendor tables, a raffle, contests and camaraderie.
KEM, left, and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds will perform tomorrow at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield. (ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTOS)
ON THE COVER
R&B powerhouses ready for Springfield concert KEM, ‘Babyface’ Edmonds bringing ‘Full Circle Tour’ to the MassMutual Center
T
By Keith O’Connor
Special to The Republican
wo R&B powerhouses are bringing their nationwide “Full Circle Tour” to the MassMutual Center in Springfield tomorrow. Three-time Grammy Award-nominated KEM and 12-time Grammy Award winner Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds will take the stage at 8 p.m. Tickets, priced between $49 and $99, are available at massmutualcenter. com. The appearance is sponsored by MGM Springfield and Emmy Award-winning host and television personality Sherri Shepherd will host the musical festivities. The 26-date tour is KEM’s biggest North American tour to date and marks Edmonds’ highly anticipated return to the road.
The tour is hot on the heels of KEM’s current chart-topping single, “Stuck on You” and his newest EP, “Full Circle.” The EP’s next single, “Right On Time,” is a collaboration between KEM, Edmonds and hip-hop boss Rick Ross. The tour will wrap up May 15 in Oakland, California. KEM’s first album, “Kemistry,” was released on Motown in 2002, with his first hit, “Love Calls,” reaching No. 1 on the Urban Adult Contemporary charts. His fourth album in 2012, “What Christmas Means To Me,” was the No. 3 highest-selling Urban Christmas album in one season behind Whitney Houston and Cee-Lo Green. His most recent album, “Love Always Wins,” was released in 2020, marking his first full-length effort in six years. Over the past five decades, Edmonds has released three consecutive multiplatinum albums: “Tender Lover” in 1989, “For the Cool in You” in 1983 and “The Day” in 1996. In 2014, he released the Grammy-winning album “Love, Marriage & Divorce” with Toni Braxton. The recording artist and songwriter is the only producer to have ever won the Grammy’s “Producer of the Year” award four times. In addition, Edmonds co-founded the record label LaFace that has launched artists such as Usher, Toni Braxton, TLC, Outkast and Pink.
Wings & Wheels Modelers, an International Plastic Modelers’ Society-affiliated scale modeling club that meets in West Springfield, sponsors the event at the Knights of Columbus Hall at 460 Granby Road. Doors open to the public at 9 a.m. “The contest room is somewhat more social. People who only see each other at these shows have a chance to get caught up with each other, admire each other’s work and share techniques,” said Alfred J. LaFleche, Valleycon 31 president. “The contest has some newcomers but draws many seasoned modelers, some of whom have been competing since the 1970s and who make the rounds of the contest circuit. The vendor room tends to draw a lot of newcomers to the hobby who are still building their collections of unbuilt models.” The event features traditional International Plastic Modelers’ Society-style judging for the automotive and aircraft categories; the best three models in each class take an award. All other
IF YOU GO Event: Valleycon 31 When: Sunday, doors open at 9 a.m. Where: Knights of Columbus Hall, 460 Granby Road, Chicopee For more info: Call 413-306-1270 or email ajlafleche@comcast.net; for contest forms, visit wwmodelclub.org/show_ pages/forms.htm
categories are judged in an open system; each entry is judged on its own merits with no predetermined number of awards for each class. The 31 classes include military vehicles, aircraft, automotive subjects, figures, ships, science fiction and diorama. Two classes are reserved for juniors under age 16. This event will bring back the popular Gundam class. Gundams are based on Japanese animation featuring giant robots and mobile suits. “These models appeal to both young and old. They SEE VALLEYCON, PAGE E3
Valleycon 31 will take place Sunday at the Knights of Columbus Hall at 460 Granby Road in Chicopee. (AL LAFLECHE PHOTO)
WEEKEND
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022 | E3
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Alpaca show to draw animal lovers to Big E grounds Free show returns after 2-year absence due to pandemic By Keith O’Connor
J
Special to The Republican
ust hearing the word alpaca conjures up warm and fuzzy feelings when thinking of their soft fleece.
Valleycon CONTINUES FROM PAGE E2
come in pre-colored plastic so painting is not necessary to have a good display piece. They don’t require glue and parts are engineered to fit very well, leaving no gaps,” LaFleche said. “The skills to assemble them range from very easy to quite complex. They can be posed in various positions as well. Some builders make extensive modifications and paint them in very colorful schemes.” He said the event usually
Above, a competition is underway at a past North American Alpaca Show on the Big E grounds. The show features many varieties of alpacas, judging, and retail vendors. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTOS)
The North American Alpaca Show will feature more than 100 alpacas on the grounds of the Big E in West Springfield Saturday. (THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)
The combined livestock and sale of alpaca products of all kinds is a “perfect event for the whole family” noted organizer Scott Young, of Hilltop Alpacas in Hancock, New York. The popular livestock show, with 135 alpacas and 30 farms represented, features two competitions to watch — full fleece halter confirmation and the walking fleece show. “Confirmation is like seeing a dog show where they walk in
is based on confirmation and the other 50% on the alpaca’s fleece, while in the walking circles in the ring,” Young said. fleece show they are only Confirmation is a term used judged only on their fleece,” to describe the correctness Young said. in the body of the alpaca, While attending the show, such as their ears and teeth, visitors can stop by the New and whether or not they have England Alpaca Fiber Pool, straight legs. which produces a wide variety “Fifty percent of the judging of clothing and accessories
draws 125 entrants and about 200 people who shop and enjoy seeing the models on display. “We have built a reputation of having a well-stocked raffle with good quality items, our judging is considered to be very fair, and we have a good venue,” he said. “Our vendor room has pretty much the largest number of tables of any show in New England.” Proceeds of the event are used to defray the costs of the show, to support several organizations including the Artists’ Preservation Group whose goal is preservation and restoration
of American historical artifacts and sites and to fund a couple food-based club meetings. Admission is $5 for the first three entries. Additional entries are $2 each to a maximum of $15. Children under 17 get in for free and may enter up to three models at no cost. Parking is free, and lunch is available for purchase from the Knights of Columbus. For more information contact Al LaFleche at 413-306-1270 or ajlafleche@comcast.net. Contest forms can be found at wwmodelclub.org/show_ pages/forms.htm.
made in Massachusetts including hats, scarves, blankets, bags, innersoles for shoes and more. Young noted that some of the farms at the show will also be offering items for sale such as knitted rugs, yarns, and other items for knitters and spinners to purchase. “Everyone is welcome to attend the show, and breeders love to talk to visitors about their alpacas and why they are good to farm, and maybe even try to sell you one or two of them if you have land to farm them,” Young said.
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Visitors to the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield on Saturday can view these slender-bodied, long-legged and -necked animals at the North American Alpaca Show from 9 a.m. to 4 pm. in Mallary Complex. The free show returns to West Springfield after a two-year absence due to the coronavirus pandemic. The combined livestock and sale of alpaca products of all kinds is a “perfect event for the whole family” said organizer Scott Young, of Hilltop Alpacas in Hancock, New York. “We see a lot of kids at our shows and it’s a great way for youngsters to get exposed to animals. People are curious about alpacas and love to spend time seeing them,” Young said.
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WEEKEND
E4 | THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
MUSIC | CLUBBING
Green River Festival adds 6 more acts to June lineup
T
HE GREEN RIVER Festival has added six more acts to this year’s concert lineup. StompBoxTrio, Love Crumbs, The Gaslight Tinkers, Jake Manzi, The Green Sisters, and Poor Monroe will all be performing in Greenfield, according to festival organizers. Lake Street Dive and Father John Misty will be the headliners, and will be joined by a host of other acts such as Guster, Galactic, and Allison Russell, among many others. The festival is celebrating 35 years and will be held June 24-26 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds. Ticket information can be found online at greenriver Longmeadow native Jake Manzi will perform at the Green River festival.com. Festival in June. (THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO) Liner notes • Lewis Black will play the Academy of Music in Northampton on Sept. 15. Black, the longest-running contributor to “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central, has had comedy specials on HBO, Comedy Central, Showtime and Epix. Tickets, priced between $49.50 and $75, are available at aomtheatre.com/eventticket-buy/11001. In 2001, Black won Best Male Stand-Up at the American Comedy Awards. He also won Grammy Awards in 2007 and 2011. He is one of a few performers to sell out multiple renowned theaters, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Brooks Atkinson Theatre, New York City Center, the Main Stage at the Mirage in Las Vegas and a sold-out Broadway run at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City.
• Bonnie Raitt will bring her “Just Like That...” tour to Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut, on April 22 at 8 p.m. Her new record, “Just Like
George Lenker LiveWire
That…,” is due out the same day from Redwing Records. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer will be joined at Foxwoods by NRBQ. Tickets, priced between $55 and $85, are available online through foxwoods.com. The blues singer-guitarist has won 10 competitive Grammy Awards, as well as the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. • The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will perform at the University of Massachusetts Fine Arts Center on April 26. The show will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the com-
pany’s artistic director, Robert Battle, and marks the first appearance by the dance company on the UMass campus since 2017. The evening will feature a 6:30 p.m. talk before the 7:30 p.m. performance. The troupe currently features Lawrence native Belen Indhira Pereyra. Tickets start at $30, with tickets for patrons under 17 starting at $20. They can be purchased online at fac. umass.edu. • Harry Styles has announced he will drop a new album, “Harry’s House,” on May 20. Styles, 28, posted a picture of the album cover on Twitter along with the announcement. The former One Direction singer had been hinting at a new release for a few days on a new Instagram account that just displayed pictures of arched doors. Styles has had two No. 1 albums since going solo. The new record will have 13 tracks and be released just a month before Styles heads back on the road.
NIGHTCLUBS THURSDAY Buccaneer Lounge: DJ with rock and Top 40. 86 Maple St., Agawam
Club: CD jukebox, pool table. 329 Garden St., Feeding Hills
SATURDAY
Doc’s Place: Karaoke. 1264 Granby Road, Chicopee
BOMBYX Center for Arts & Equity: The Wildmans with Chatham Mardi Gras: Nude female dancing. Rabbits. 130 Pine St., Florence 91 Taylor St., Springfield Delaney House: Steve Piper and Shadow Lounge: DJ with classics. Friends. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke 278 Worthington St., Springfield Southwick Inn: Open mic hosted by Steve Piper of Roadhouse Band. 479 College Highway, Southwick
Doc’s Place: Karaoke. 1264 Granby Road, Chicopee
The Magic Lantern: Nude female dancers. 399 Wilbraham St., Palmer
Tavern Restaurant: Built for Comfort. 2 Broad St., Westfield
Mardi Gras: Nude female dancing. 91 Taylor St., Springfield
The Still: Drink specials. 63 Springfield St., Agawam
The Magic Lantern: Nude female dancers. 399 Wilbraham St., Palmer
West Springfield Fish and Game Club: CD jukebox, pool table. 329 Garden St., Feeding Hills
The O’s Music Bar: Daniel Reed Trio. 330 Amherst Road, Sunderland
Whip City Brew: DJ with dance. 287 Elm St., Westfield
The Parlor Room at Signature Sounds: Signature Sounds Presents: Taylor Ashton and Rachel Baiman. 32 Masonic St., Northampton
FRIDAY
Delaney House: The New System. Theodores’: The Racky Thom3 Country Club Road, Holyoke as Band. 201 Worthington St., Doc’s Place: Karaoke. 1264 Gran- Springfield by Road, Chicopee
East Mountain Country Club: Gerry Moss. 1458 East Mountain Road, Westfield
Whip City Brew: DJ with dance. 287 Elm St., Westfield
SUNDAY
Mardi Gras: Nude female dancing. Doc’s Place: Karaoke. 1264 Gran91 Taylor St., Springfield by Road, Chicopee Northampton Center for the Mardi Gras: Nude female dancing. Arts: Vibez for the Tribe II: A 91 Taylor St., Springfield Celebration of Jazz, Hip Hop, and A Tribe Called Quest. Presented with Genuine Culture LLC. 33 Hawley St., Northampton
The Magic Lantern: Nude female dancers. 399 Wilbraham St., Palmer The O’s Music Bar: Original Music Showcase. 330 Amherst Road, Sunderland Theodores’: Jeff Tuohy. 201 Worthington St., Springfield West Springfield Fish and Game
The Magic Lantern: Nude female dancers. 399 Wilbraham St., Palmer
The Republican is not responsible for unannounced schedule changes. Listings must be received two weeks before the date of the event. Items should be mailed to Entertainment Guide, The Republican, P.O. Box 1329, Springfield, MA 01102-1329; emailed to pmastriano@repub.com or submitted it to masslive.com/myevent
American Legion Post 266
74 Pleasant Street, Granby • 413-467-9545 www.granbylegionpost266.com Open 7 days a week noon to 1am
Friday Night Friday... 4/1 Tommy Whalen Food Truck Sta rting @ 4pm Friday... 4/8 Midlife Crisis Friday... 4/15 Moose & The High Tops Friday... 4/22 Union Jack POOL & DARTS
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WEEKEND
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022 | E5
MOVIES Jennifer Lopez, left, and Owen Wilson in “Marry Me.” (BARRY WETCHER / UNIVERSAL PICTURES / TNS)
DVD RELEASES
Lopez, Wilson make for unlikely couple Tribune News Service A rom-com featuring Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson tops the DVD releases for this week. “Marry Me”: A pop superstar, planning a public wedding, spontaneously marries a milquetoast math teacher when she discovers her fiance’s infidelity. “In the past, rom-coms starring Jennifer Lopez often saddled her with professions that are just too unbelievable,” writes Tribune News Service critic Katie Walsh in her review. “So it’s refreshing to see J.Lo, in a much-heralded return to the romantic comedy fold, playing a character who just makes sense for her: a global pop superstar.”
NBC sitcom about Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, focusing on several periods of his life, with different actors portraying the star in the various timelines. “Jump, Darling”: Thomas Duplessie stars as an aspiring drag queen who heads to the country following a bad breakup, where he discovers his grandmother, played by Cloris Leachman in one of her final roles, is in steep decline yet desperate to avoid going to a nursing home. “Ordinary People”: Robert Redford’s award-winning directorial debut starring Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore and Timothy Hutton, about a family being torn apart by tragedy, arrives on Blu-ray Also new on DVD boasting a new 4K film transfer “Sing 2”: Sequel to the 2016 and collectible packaging with animated musical comedy about a foldout image of the film’s assorted animals vying in a sing- theatrical poster and an interior ing competition, featuring voices spread of key movie moments. of Matthew McConaughey, Also includes new interviews Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett with Hutton and Judith Guest, Johansson, Taron Egerton, Bob- who wrote the novel upon which by Cannavale, Halsey, Pharrell the movie was based. Williams and Bono. Out on Digital Hd “Pursuit”: Action-thriller starring John Cusack as a police “Jockey”: A veteran jockey officer who crosses paths with aims to win one more title a criminal hacker, played by before getting out of the horse Emile Hirsch, trying to rescue racing game in this drama starhis kidnapped wife. ring Clifton Collins Jr., Moises “The Requin”: A couple go on Arias and Molly Parker. a romantic getaway to Vietnam, “Royalty Free: The Music only for the vacation to turn into of Kevin MacLeod”: Docua nightmare when a storm sends mentary about the composer them out to sea, where sharks who released thousands of wait. Starring Alicia Silverstone songs for free and saw his muand James Tupper. sic become the soundtrack of “Young Rock: Season 1”: the digital world.
ONLINE STREAMING
‘Writing With Fire,’ ‘Not My Mother’ lead new films By Michael O’Sullivan and Ann Hornaday
The Washington Post
The Oscar-nominated documentary “Writing With Fire” follows the courageous band of journalists who established Khabar Lahariya, the first newspaper in India to be run entirely by women, then proceeds to challenge some of the most fundamental cultural norms of the country, including rape culture, environmental and economic exploitation, and the caste system itself. Reporters Meera Devi, left, and Shyamkali Devi in “Writing Filmmakers Sushmit Ghosh With Fire.” (MUSIC BOX FILM) and Rintu Thomas follow chief reporter Meera Devi as in this case, whether India Irish folklore around the ancient harvest festival of Samshe takes the newspaper into can fairly continue to be called the world’s largest hain — when the veil between the digital age, introducing democracy. Meanwhile, this world and the spirit her staff to iPhone video through perseverance and realm is said to be thinnest — reporting (landscape-mode focus, Khabar Lahariya has to create a hybrid coming-ofonly, please!) and battling sexism, inertia and the rise become an online sensation. age/horror story that is one of of Narendra Modi’s conserAs one of its intrepid subjects the most artfully creepy films vative Bharatiya Janata party. says, “We didn’t let the fourth in recent memory. Centering pillar fall.” Unrated. Available on Char (a marvelous Hazel (Khabar Lahariya’s staff has Doupe), a bullied teenager since taken issue with “Writ- on demand. Contains mature whose mother (Carolyn ing With Fire’s” depiction of thematic elements. In Hindi with subtitles. 92 minutes. Bracken) appears to suffer its coverage of Modi’s 2017 reelection campaign, insist— A.H. from a mood disorder, the ing that it represents a wide story takes place in the days The impressively assured leading up to Halloween in range of ideologies.) Devi feature debut of Irish writNorth Dublin, as it becomes and her protegee Suneeta er-director Kate Dolan, “You clear that Mom’s condition Prajapati pursue sensitive SEE STREAM, PAGE E10 stories about sexual violence Are Not My Mother” mines and illegal mining, all while enduring condescension and outright hostility from their male sources and colleagues. Ghosh and Thomas do an outstanding job of immersing viewers into the women’s milieu, one moment conveying the camaraderie and pure joy of getting a big scoop, the next capturing a tense moment when Devi confronts a recalcitrant police officer. Similar to 2020’s “A Thousand Cuts,” which profiled Philippine journalist Maria Ressa, “Writing With Fire” Pleasure, Adventure, & Fun AdamEveGreenfieldMA presents an inspiring 18 Main St., Greenfield, MA • 413-774-9800 portrait that illuminates www.Greenfield.AdamEveStores.com Everyone Welcome myriad larger questions — AEStoresGreenfield Mon-Thurs 10am-9pm, Fri. & Sat. 10am-10pm, Sun. 12pm-7pm
All Eyes On You
Turn Heads This Spring
WEEKEND
E6 | THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
MOVIES REVIEW
‘The Lost City’ fails to live up to goofy premise
I
By Ann Hornaday
‘THE LOST CITY’
The Washington Post
s there anything Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum can’t do?
The two actors have charisma to burn, finely tuned comic chops and the kind of smoldering physical star power that manages to look effortless and superhuman at the same time. But even gifts as prodigious as Bullock’s and Tatum’s can’t keep “The Lost City” afloat. That’s not for lack of trying, or for a tantalizingly goofy premise. Bullock plays Loretta Sage, a romance novelist and frustrated academic who has become borderline agoraphobic after the death of her husband. Tatum plays Alan, the Fabio-loso male model who graces the covers of her books. The two are classically mismatched: Loretta is a booksmart nerd, more interested in hieroglyphics than hooking up on Hinge; Alan is a sweetnatured lunkhead, whose main role is to show up at fan conventions in a wig worthy of “Legends of the Fall”-era Brad Pitt, do a few karate kicks and rip his shirt off. All is going according to plan at their latest public appearance — although Loretta’s publisher Beth (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) has inexplicably styled her best-selling author in a spangly fuschia-colored jumpsuit — when Loretta is kidnapped by a petulant tycoon named Abigail Fairfax (Daniel Radcliffe). Soon she’s being whisked away to a remote island where Fairfax enlists her to translate an ancient map and track down a valuable buried artifact — if they’re not buried by an erupting volcano first. Viewers old enough to remember “Romancing the Stone” and the Indiana Jones movies — heck, anyone with passing familiarity with screwball rom-coms a la “It
rrss
Rated: PG-13 Running time: 112 min. Playing at: Agawam Cinemas; Cinemark Enfield, Hadley, West Springfield; Regal MGM Springfield; South Hadley’s Tower Theaters
Above, Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum appear in a scene from “The Lost City.” At left are Bullock and Tatum. (KIMBERLEY FRENCH / PARAMOUNT PICTURES)
a-fireball cliche that is played for maximum awkwardness. Best of all, “The Lost City” confects a reason for Tatum
Happened One Night” — will recognize the broad contours of “The Lost City,” which spoofs and pays homage to its predecessors with equally playful enthusiasm. The first 45 minutes possess the referential zip of Austin Powers at his most cheekily irreverent, especially when Pitt himself shows up in a hilarious cameo. Watching Alan — who could be channeling Pitt’s character in “Burn After Reading” — swoon over Pitt’s hyper-macho Mr. Fix-It takes on a meta, through-the-looking-glass quality that gains in giddy mutual-referential weirdness as their bromance blooms. But that piquant diversion turns out to be a tease, and when “The Lost City” gets
down to executing its plot, it grows creakier with every painfully familiar twist. Bullock’s ridiculous get-up gets predictably more skimpy as Loretta and Alan make their way through the jungle. In a hat-tip to “The African Queen,” there’s an improbable “Wow, you’re actually quite sexy” scene involving leeches and Tatum’s (or his body double’s) tush. OK, the tush is adorable. As are both Bullock and Tatum, who dive into “The Lost City” with the game, up-for-anything brio of seasoned professionals. And there are some admittedly amusing verbal and sight gags, including a parody of the slow-motion-run-from-
to lead Bullock in a sinuous, sexy dance, reminding us of why we all need “Magic Mike 3,” stat. Such bright spots aside, “The Lost City” ultimately can’t keep the balloon entirely afloat — even as it clocks in at a relatively brisk 112 minutes. There’s nothing objectionable about “The Lost City,” nor is there much that is memorable. It’s a throwback to a time when these kinds of one-off comedies weren’t rare artifacts, or in danger of being buried under the volcanic ash of Hollywood’s bygone business models. It’s fine. And sometimes fine is good enough.
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
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WEEKEND
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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022 | E7
CALENDAR
Events
new sounds and vocabulary, play rhyming games, invent stories, and engage in activities that encourage teamwork and creative thinking, with interactive three-dimensional exhibits. The second floor contains Geisel’s personal memorabilia, including never before publicly displayed art, the original Geisel Grove sign which used to hang in Forest Park, and furniture from Ted’s sitting room and studio, including his drawing board and armchair. Timed tickets required, for reservations visit springfield museums.org.
THURSDAY 2022 Writer-In-Residence Public Lecture: “What’s the Meaning of Work?”: Thu, 6 p.m. University of Massachusetts Amherst; Free. Route 116, Amherst, umass.edu. “Blithe Spirit”: Thu, 7:30 p.m.; Fri, 8 p.m.; Sat, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sun, 2 p.m. Majestic Theater; through April 3. Tickets start at $29. 131 Elm St., West Springfield; 413-7477797 or majestictheater.com.
Quadrangle admission: $25 for adults, $16.50 for seniors (60+) and college students with ID, $13 for children ages 3-17; free to children under age 3 and members, Springfield residents are free with proof of residency. Welcome Center and Museum store. Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
FRIDAY “Blithe Spirit”: See Thursday listing
SATURDAY “Blithe Spirit”: See Thursday listing Empty Bowls to-go: Sat, noon-3 p.m., Amherst Survival Center. Event will be outside, to-go style. All the funds raised from Empty Bowls will support food and nutrition programs. Tickets are $40 each. For each ticket you reserve, you will receive a handcrafted bowl of your choice and delicious soup and a roll. 138 Sunderland Rd, Amherst. 413-549-3968 or amherstsurvival.org.
Museums
Stuart Gamble (of Westfield), Fleece (of New York City), Russell Garrett (of Boston), Christine Voytko (of East Windsor, Conn.) and Jeannine Haas (of Goshen), from left, appear in a scene from Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit,” which runs at West Springfield’s Majestic Theater through Sunday. (LEE CHAMBERS PHOTO)
“Every Moment of Every Day”: Sat, 1 and 7 p.m., LAVA Center, by Lindy Whiton, part of Lava’s Social Justice in the Arts and media series. Tickets available at thelavacenter.eventbrite.com/; also available online. Attendees must show proof of COVID vaccination upon entry. $5-$10 suggested donation, $1 minimum. Seating will be limited. 324 Main St., Greenfield.
to fundraising enough money to properly bury 52 recently departed sisters. Tickets: $12, $14, $16. 242 Old Petersham Road, Hardwick; 413-477-6746 or thecenterateaglehill.org.
First-time Homebuyers’ Workshop: Sat, 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., Springfield Partners for Community Action. Workshop educates prospective home buyers on the home buying process and gives them the resources they need to succeed. Two-part workshop will be held April 2 and April 9, from 9:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. Participants must attend both parts of the workshop to receive a certificate of completion. To register, contact: Augustus Erskine- HUD Housing Counselor at AugustusE@SpringfieldPartnersInc.com or 413-263-6500 ext. 6545, 721 State St., Springfield, springfieldpartnersinc.com.
Michelle Brooks-Thompson Live in Concert: Sat, 6:30 p.m., Academy of Music Theatre. Michelle is a NBC’s the Voice finalist and the 2017 Amateur Night at the Apollo winner. For more info, visit michellebrooksthompsonmusic. com. Sponsored by Lathrop Community. Tickets: $20. 274 Main St., Northampton; 413-584-9032 or aomtheatre.com.
The Gilbert Players present: “Nunsense A-Men!”: Sat, 7 p.m.; Sun, 2 p.m., Cultural Center at Eagle Hill. Musical comedy features five valiant nuns belting, twirling, and tap dancing their way
HVC’s Fun Fridays: Game Night: Sat, 5:30 p.m. Happier Valley Comedy Theater; enjoy a night of board and card games in Happier Valley Comedy’s Next Door Lounge; free. 1 Mill Valley Road Suite B, Hadley.
North American Alpaca Show: Sat, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Eastern States Exposition, Mallary Complex, 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. 413-737-2443 or thebige.com. UMass Amherst Music & Dance April Faculty Concerts: Sat, 7:30 p.m., Bezanson Recital Hall; All attendees must be prepared to present either proof of full vaccination of COVID-10 or proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours
of the event. For UMass faculty, students and staff, a valid UCard is sufficient to verify full vaccination. Free and open to the public. North Pleasant St., Amherst. 413-5452511 or umass.edu.
SUNDAY “Blithe Spirit”: See Thursday listing The Gilbert Players present: “Nunsense A-Men!”: See Saturday listing
Quadrangle Dr. Seuss Sculpture Garden: Dr. Seuss National Memorial, an outdoor sculpture garden of larger-than-life bronze statues of Springfield native Dr. Seuss at his drawing board surrounded by some of his most beloved characters including Horton the Elephant, the Grinch, the Lorax and others, free on the green. George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum: Permanent exhibit: “Ancient Treasures,” a display of artifacts from ancient China, Greece, Rome and Egypt. Handson making activities in the Hasbro Games Art Discovery Center.
Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History: “A Legacy of Campus Activism: The Springfield College Protests of 1969-1970.” March 29-June 26. Permanent exhibit: more than two dozen Indian motorcycles and related memorabilia. Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts: “Capturing Our Worlds” works by the Springfield Photographic Society, through June 26. “Front Row Center: Icons of Rock, Blues, and Soul.” Through May 1. Museum a la Carte, today, 12:15 p.m.: “In his name: An Artist Talk on New Work by Dr. Imo Nse Imeh.” This takes place in person or online on Zoom. To register for Zoom, visit springfieldmuseums. org; $4, free for members. Springfield Science Museum: “Cut ‘N’ Rough Collection,” through June in Mineral Hall. “Under the Arctic: Digging into Permafrost,” through May 1. Stars Over Springfield, tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. Join members of the Springfield Stars Club for skygazing in the Science Museum’s observatory. If overcast, attendees will be offered a tour of the observatory. $3 adults, $2 children 3-17. The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum: The first floor exhibition provides opportunities to explore
Amelia Park Children’s Museum: Sign up online for a play session at ameliaparkmuseum.org. Hours: Thurs-Mon., 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. Open for groups Tues.-Wed. Admission: Children and adults $8; Seniors (62+) $5; Children under 1 year of age and members are free. 29 South Broad St., Westfield or ameliaparkmuseum. org. Children’s Museum at Holyoke: Hours: Tues-Fri. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m.; closed 12-1 p.m. for cleaning each day; Sat. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m. Sun.- 12-4 p.m. Admission: Children, adults $8; $5 seniors (62+); children under 1 year of age and members are free; 444 Dwight St., Holyoke or childrens museumholyoke.org. Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art: “I Could Do That!” The Picture Book Art of Ed Emberley. Through June 12. “The Undefeated: An Exhibition of Original Paintings” by Kadir Nelson. Through April 3. Purchasing museum admission in advance on Eventbrite is highly recommended, as visitor capacity is reduced. Permanent exhibit: Gabrielle Healy Carroll Storytime Programs are held Tues. and Fri. 10:30 a.m.; Sat. 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Sun. 2 p.m., free with admission. Hours: Thurs.-Fri. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun. noon-4 p.m. Admission: $6, $9, $22.50 for a family of four, 125 West Bay Road, Amherst or carle museum.org. Holyoke Merry-Go-Round: Open for Rides Sat.-Sun. from noon-4 p.m. $3.50 ride or 4/$10, 221
SEE CALENDAR, PAGE E11
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DINE & WINE
Banyuls a delicious, affordable French dessert wine
P The calendar is full of beer holidays and an excuse to enjoy a good brew. (ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO)
Beer ‘holiday’ season is upon us
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QUICK LOOK AT A certain type of calendar reveals that the beer holiday season is almost upon us. And by “beer holiday season” I mean basically the rest of the year — or at least the rest of the spring and summer. Of course these “holidays” mostly aren’t recognized by the government and are more of the whimsical type. For whatever reason, we humans love to make up these sort of silly “days” in honor of whatever particular passion or cause tickles our fancy. You can find everything from National Lemonade Day to National Nail Polish Day to even National Wrong Trousers Day on these types of calendars. But since our business here is beer, I’ll focus on those. Some of these holidays are more legitimate than others, but they’re mostly all at least in good fun, and fun is the point of today’s column. Although there are a few scattered beer holidays in the early months of the year, things really get rolling in April, where we have New Beer’s Eve (April 6) right before National Beer Day (April 7). The former is a bit silly, but the latter one is a legiti-
George Lenker Beer Nut
mate way for beer drinkers to celebrate the date when the Cullen-Harrison act was signed into law in 1933, ending the national nightmare known as Prohibition in the United States. In 2009, Justin Smith, a Virginia native, decided to commemorate this historic day, and created his own unofficial National Beer Day. It was later recognized by the state of Virginia. Just a month later, May 7 doubles down on the revelry, being the date of both National Homebrew Day (yay!) and Beer Pong Day (umm…). I’ve never played beer pong and I also am a failed homebrewer, but I wish homebrewing had its own separate day. Homebrewing is a respected avocation, but beer pong is, well, just goofy. SEE BEER, PAGE E9
ORT, SHERRY AND Sauterne often steal the spotlight when it comes to dessert
wines. But they’re just the tip of the iceberg — or should I say, ice wine. There are many other, lesser-known, outstanding wines perfect for having after a meal. And right near the top of the list of obscure dessert wines that deserve more attention is Banyuls. Never heard of it? You’re not alone. I didn’t know what it was until I tried this terrific wine last week. Let me add that dessert wines in general seem to have gone out of fashion. Most people rarely order them in restaurants anymore. You often cannot find them in many liquor stores as well. What a shame. There’s nothing quite like having a small glass of dessert wine with cheese or cake or even on its own while you linger at the table and continue talking with your dining companion(s) late into the afternoon or evening. (Personally, I prefer dessert wines after a big, weekend meal, followed by a long, leisurely walk.) Best of all, since dessert wines aren’t on the cool wine kids’ radar, you can find many affordable wines like this week’s wine, the 2017 Domaine De La Rectorie Banyuls Cuvee Therese Reig ($24.99 for 500 ml bottle at Provisions in Northampton and Amherst). But before I write more about Banyuls wine, I thought I would briefly talk about dessert wine in general. Hope you enjoy.
Columnist Ken Ross recommends the 2017 Domaine De La Rectorie Banyuls Cuvee Therese Reig. (KEN ROSS PHOTO)
Ken Ross Wine Press
Often, when people say dessert wine, they mean sweet wine. But not all dessert wines are sweet. And, in theory, any wine can be a dessert wine, meaning it’s a wine that you have after a meal.
dessert wines are sweet. And, in theory, any wine can be a dessert wine, meaning it’s a wine that you have after a meal. What is dessert wine? But as briefly explained in the introduction, certain Certain wines are called dessert wines. But what does wines are primarily considit actually mean? Often, when ered dessert wines. And in people say dessert wine, they many cases these wines are fortified wines. That simply mean sweet wine. But not all
means that a small amount of grape brandy has been added to the wine to give it a distinct flavor. Some of the best known fortified dessert wines include: • Port (distinct, dark, intense fortified dessert wine from Portugal) • Sherry (fortified dessert wine from Spain that can range from very light, dry, Fino sherry to dark, intense, sweet Pedro Ximenez sherry) Other dessert wines are made completely differently. Ice wine involves winemakers harvesting frozen grapes and turning them into wine. Sauterne involves slightly rotting grapes (yum) from Sauterne, France, transformed into a magical, delicious, golden dessert wine. But enough about them. Let’s get to Banyuls. What is Banyuls? Like many French wines, Banyuls refers to where the wine comes from in this part of the country. Banyuls is a small French subregion (commune) located on the Mediterranean Ocean right near the border of France and Spain. Banyuls is part of the larger, Languedoc-Roussillon winemaking region in France. Like other French wines like Champagne or Sauterne, SEE WINE, PAGE E9
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DINE & WINE
Aging population means labor shortage for restaurants
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HOUGH THE LAbor shortage that has dogged the restaurant business (and other industries) is usually blamed on the pandemic, that analysis doesn’t tell the whole story. COVID-related restrictions and shutdowns might have created highly visible labor market dislocations over the past two years, but the real reason for the lingering shortage of workers in the American economy is a simple one — people are getting older. A recent white paper by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston identified the central challenge facing the labor market in 2022 is the reality of baby boomers aging out of the workforce. A generation that represents one-fifth of the U.S. population (and a third of those of working age) is steadily leaving gainful employment as its members reach retirement. The average age of today’s baby boomer has already crept up to 66. As baby boomers retire they create vacancies throughout the labor market, and the
Wine CONTINUES FROM PAGE E8
Banyuls also refers to a particular type of wine. In this case, Banyuls is a fortified wine. In terms of color and appearance, Banyuls fortified wines look similar to port. But they have their own delightful, distinct taste. And to make matters even more confusing, winemakers in Banyuls also produce a small amount of white wine and rose wine. There are also Banyuls Grand Cru fortified dessert wines, which must be aged a minimum of 30 months in French oak barrels. History of Banyuls People have been growing grapes and making wine in the Banyuls region reportedly
ham, chicken piccata, pancakes, waffle wedges, and fresh fruit salad. A selection of extra-charge “add-ons” like blackened salmon, Gorgonzola sirloin, and stuffed scrod will also be available. Orders must be placed online at delaneyhouse.com/ easter-to-go by April 14 at 4 p.m. Pickup will be at the Log Cabin on April 16 between noon and 4 p.m. or on April 17 between 8 and 10 a.m. The Delaney House answers at 413-532-1800.
Hugh Robert Off The Menu
smaller cohort of younger workers get spread thin filling those vacated job slots. The result is a staffing problem that is cascading throughout the economy. Thus the pandemic didn’t create the current labor crisis. Instead, it is just taking the blame for demographic realities that would have become obvious over the last several years, COVID or no COVID. That portion of the hospitality workforce that “vanished” during the pandemic isn’t coming back; the numbers just aren’t there for that to happen.
Specific flavors associated with this Banyuls include ripe cherry and red licorice, plum and pomegranate. since the 1200s. Around this time, winemakers there started making fortified dessert wines. Actually, we can thank professor, doctor and alchemist Arnaud de Villeneuve, who came up with this unique way to make fortified dessert wine in Banyuls. Banyuls wine grapes Grenache serves as the main grape in red Banyuls fortified wines. At least 50% of the grapes used to make red Banyuls fortified wines must
• Panera Bread, the bakery/cafe chain, has announced the addition of a new chicken sandwich to its menu. The challenge, then, for the worker” to “gold watch recipi- Available in either a regular or restaurant industry when it ent” status. spicy version, Panera’s chickcomes to labor and staffing is en breast cutlet is neither Side dishes to learn to do more with less. breaded nor deep-fried, creMake jobs more efficient, • For those who want to ating a finished product with automate work when possible, apply “grab and go” convea lighter nutritional footprint and stop doing things that nience to their Easter Sunday and flavor profile. Cutlets are don’t need to be done. celebration, the Log Cabin marinated in chicken broth Society may also have to Banquet and Meetinghouse and a signature spice blend do its part, recognizing that in Holyoke is featuring Easter before cooking, a process retirement need not be an all- Feast curbside pickup. Panera claim maximizes taste, or-nothing proposition, but The menu for the brunchtexture, and juiciness. instead a gradual, multiyear style experience includes Served on a brioche bun, SEE MENU, PAGE E10 transition from “full-time broccoli cheese strata, glazed Panera Bread has announced the addition of a new chicken sandwich to its menu, which is available in either a regular or spicy version. (PANERA BREAD)
be grenache grapes. (That percentage is even higher for Grand Cru Banyuls — 75% grenache). Other grapes blended together to make Banyuls fortified wines include carignan and mourvedre.
and subtle. This particular Banyuls also tastes like wine as opposed to port or sherry, which often taste more like liquor. Specific flavors associated with this Banyuls include ripe cherry and red licorice, plum and pomegranate. Most Tasting notes important, all these flavors are 2017 Domaine De La light and subtle, understated Rectorie Banyuls Cuvee and refreshing. Therese Reig I think part of the reason Grapes: 90% grenache, why some people don’t like 10% carignan dessert wines is because some Tasting notes: The reason I of them are heavy and powdecided to write about Banyuls erful. This wonderful dessert wines this week is because I wine proves you don’t have to found this particular one to be be over the top to be someabsolutely delightful. Sweet thing special. wines can often be far too Cheers! sweet for my personal taste. This particular wine strikes Wine Press by Ken Ross just the right balance. appears on Masslive.com every Yes, it’s definitely slightly Monday and in The Repubsweet like a non-vintage port. lican’s weekend section every But it’s more floral, fragrant Thursday.
Beer CONTINUES FROM PAGE E8
May 10 sees beer lovers starting to celebrate National American Craft Beer Week, while June 15 sees our friends across the pond toasting Beer Day Britain. Aug. 5 brings the entire beer world together for International Beer Day, while the summer winds down on Sept. 7 with National Beer Lovers Day. That one seems a little flimsy, but hey, at least it’s inclusive. In the end, any day that celebrates beer is a good day. There probably should be an International Beer Writers Day. Maybe I will start lobbying for it, and perhaps we can celebrate it on legendary English beer scribe Michael Jackson’s birthday, March 27.
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Stream
Also streaming What began with the random discovery, in a Dallas antique shop, CONTINUES FROM PAGE E5 of an old photograph of two men in involves something that pills can’t love eventually grew to a collection treat. Grounded in believable adoof 2,800 similar vernacular images of lescent angst, and informed by what male couples, found in flea markets, Dolan has described as her own fami- shoe boxes, family archives, estate ly’s history of mental illness, “You Are sales and old suitcases by Hugh Nini Not My Mother” works on multiple and Neal Treadwell. Nini and Treadlevels: family drama; the story of a well published a book, curated from teen loner’s budding friendship with that “accidental” collection: “Loving: one of the girls who used to bully her; A Photographic History of Men in and supernatural horror that relies Love 1850s-1950s.” Based on that on subtlety, not gimmicks. It’s smart, book, the documentary “100 Years of beautifully filmed and truest to life Men in Love: The Accidental Collecwhen Char’s schoolmate and former tion” includes many of those images, tormentor Suzanne (Jordanne Jones) along with commentary by Nini and observes that, “Family is the scariest Treadwell. Unrated. Available on Here f—-ing thing on the planet.” Unrated. TV. 57 minutes. Available on demand; also available in theaters. 120 minutes. “The Spine of Night” is a violent, - M.O. hand-drawn animated fantasy about
Menu
A Mozza Meat Sub option incorporates capicola, Black Forest ham, fresh mozzarella, CONTINUES FROM PAGE E9 and various garnishes; the each 4-ounce cutlet is garsandwich is assembled on nished with aioli, parmesan artisan Italian bread. crisps, and greens. The spicy Similarly constructed, a version is finished with aioli, Supreme Meats sub includes pickle chips, and a spicy Buffa- pepperoni, Genoa salami, lo sauce. capicola, ham, and provolone Marketing executives at cheese. Panera describe the chicken Both new sandwiches have sandwich as part of a corbeen afforded “permanent” porate strategy to make the status on Subway’s menu. brand a leader in the “hot and craveable” menu space. • Richard Rosenthal, the In addition to the sandwich founder of the Max Restauitself Panera has developed rant Group and one of New special packaging for it — a England’s most respected perforated box and a thermal restaurateurs, has announced paper wrap. Both are designed his retirement after 35 years to help the product maintain of service to the dining-out just-prepared freshness. public in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. • Meat-free burgers have To continue the tradition definitely become a mainof excellence that has distinstream menu phenomenon guished Rosenthal’s restauwhen they start showing up in rants, his former partners in the beside the roller grill hot dogs Max Restaurant Group have in convenience stores. formed Max Hospitality LLC, Participating 7-Eleven which will continue to operate stores are currently offering a all the establishments that are black bean burger topped with part of the Max brand portfolio. American cheese and served Scott Smith will be serving on a brioche bun; the bean as president and CEO of Max burgers, which are a limited Hospitality; Steven Abrams time offering, are priced at will supervise operations as two for $5. vice president and chief operating officer. • As part of its ongoing “Eat Fresh Refresh,” Subway • Chicago-based McDonsandwich shops have reforald’s Corp. is bringing back a mulated two Italian-style sub condiment that’s a cult classic. sandwiches. Its Szechuan sauce, originally
Tzod (voice of Lucy Lawless, left) and Lord Pyrantin (Patton Oswalt) in “The Spine of Night.” (SHUDDER)
a group of heroes who come together to fight an ancient dark magic that has unleased ages of suffering on mankind. It features the voice talent of Richard E. Grant, Lucy Lawless,
created for a 1998 promotional tie-in with a Walt Disney Studios film, has been reintroduced with considerable buzz several times since. Formulated with soy, garlic, ginger and vinegar flavors, the Szechuan sauce is being offered as an option with orders of Chicken McNuggets. This time around, however, Szechuan sauce is being used as part of the brand’s efforts to drive customers to its digital channel. It is only available with orders placed through the McDonald’s app.
Patton Oswalt and Joe Manganiello. IndieWire calls it a “gnarly throwback to the Ralph Bakshi glory days of adult animation.” Unrated. Available on Shudder. 93 minutes.
at youtube/D6GPSJ8ksU0.
• The Table 3 Restaurant Group in Sturbridge has announced its lineup of Easter Sunday dining options. The Duck and Avellino will be serving a traditional a la carte menu from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; reservations can be made by calling 508-3472321. Cedar Street Grille will be offering brunch all day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They can be reached at 508-347-5800. Table 3′s function venue, The Barn at Wight Farm, • Flippy, the fry-cook robot, will be present an Easter has now been cloned to create brunch buffet from 10 a.m. to “Chippy,” a piece of autono4 p.m. More information on mous technology that Miso the brunch is available at 774Robotics, Flippy’s developer, 241-8450. is working on for Chipotle Mexican Grill. • Irvine, California-based Chippy is being tasked with Taco Bell is kicking off a making Chipotle’s tortilla year-long celebration of the chips, which each restaurant chain’s 60th anniversary by prepares fresh daily. The reoutfitting its team members development effort is being in new, “streetwear-inspired” described by Chipotle execgarb. The employee “gear” utives as an effort to “drive was designed by the Los Anefficiencies” and “enable geles-based streetwear maker Chipotle’s crew members to Born X Raised. focus on other tasks in the The chain has also introrestaurant.” duced a limited-time vegeChippy is being trained, tarian combo meal. Available however, to produce tortilla with a choice of meat-free chips with the variations in entree selections, the meal doneness and seasoning that deal also includes Cinnamon would be typical of those Twists and unsweetened iced made by a human chip maker. tea. A short YouTube video of This limited-time-only deal Chippy at work can be viewed is exclusively available through
the brand’s website and app. • The silliness surrounding making daylight saving time a year-round thing — those who say it will give us all an “extra hour” of daylight evidently weren’t paying attention in junior high school science class — obscures a darker reality the change may represent for the restaurant industry. Shifting clock time so it stays light later in the evening year-round could have a negative impact on restaurant traffic, some observers suggest. That extra after-work daylight might encourage at-home food preparation (think backyard cookouts) to the detriment of going out for a meal. Much as candy manufacturers pushed previous extensions of daylight saving time to include Halloween (extra daylight equals more trick-ortreating), groups as disparate as the beef industry and manufacturers of barbecue paraphernalia are lobbying for the Sunshine Bill making its way through Congress. Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community College’s hospitality and culinary arts program and has more than 45 years of restaurant and educational experience. Robert can be reached online at OffTheMenuGuy@ aol.com.
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Calendar
William Baczek Fine Arts: “Animal Kingdom.” Through April 9. wbfinearts.com/index.php. 36 Main St., Northampton or wbfine arts.com.
CONTINUES FROM PAGE E7 Appleton St., Holyoke or holyokemerrygoround.org.
Outdoors
Mead Art Museum: Permanent exhibit: various American and European paintings, Mexican ceramics, Tibetan scroll paintings and more. Museum hours: Tues.-Thurs. and Sun. 9 a.m.-midnight; Fri. 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. free, 220 South Pleasant St., Amherst or amherst.edu. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: Three floors with dozens of hands-on exhibits, a regulation sized basketball court and more than 900 artifacts on display. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: $28 adults (16-24); $23 seniors (63+); $19 youth (5-15); $23 students with valid high school or college ID. free for ages under 5, 1000 West Columbus Ave., Springfield or hoophall.com. Norman Rockwell Museum: Hours: Thurs.-Mon. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Advance tickets purchase required. Admission: $20 adults; $18 seniors, AAA, retire military; $10 college students, free children ages 18 and under, members and active military. “Bascove: The Time We Spend with Words” exhibit, through June 5. 9 Route 183, Stockbridge or nrm. org. Old Sturbridge Village: “New England on Parade” exhibit, through July 2023, examines parades and parade traditions in New England from 1776 to 1940 and is included with general admission. Permanent exhibit: visit Kidstory, a indoor learning gallery in the Visitor’s Center where kids ages 3-10 can try on period costumes and imagine life in the 1830’s; “Neat and Tasty: Getting Dressed in Early New England”; apparel in portraiture. Hours: Wed.-Sun. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: $24, $22 seniors, $8 children 3-17, free for children under 3, Route 20, Sturbridge or osv.org. Springfield Armory National Historic Site: Ranger-led interpretive programs offered in the museum in the afternoon. Junior Ranger programs conducted frequently each day. Hours: Wed.-Sun, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. 1 Armory Square, Springfield or nps.gov/spar. Titanic Museum: Exhibits from the collection of the International Titanic Historical Society. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission: $4, $2 children and students, 208 Main St., Indian Orchard or titanic1.org. University Museum of Contemporary Art - Fine Arts Center: Nicole Eisenman: “Prince,” through
Berkshire Botanical Garden: “Backyard Chickens 101” - online, April 2, 10 a.m. Learn the basics of backyard chicken care. Taught by BBG director of education Bridgette Stone. Cost: $20; $15 members; berkshirebotanical.org. 5 West Stockbridge Road, Stockbridge or berkshirebotanical.org. Great Falls Discovery Center: Great Hall Exhibit: “Watershed Moments” by Joanne Belair. April 2 – 29; reception Saturday, 1-3 p.m. 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls or greatfallsma.org.
The Forest Park Zoo and Education Center in Forest Park is open weekends through May 9, except spring vacation weeks, April 11-15 and April 18-22, when it will be open 7 days. (ED COHEN PHOTO) May 1. “We Gotta Get Out of This Place - Transportive Art.” Through May 1; artist talk with Sue de Beer on April 20 at 5:30 PM over Zoom. fac.umass.edu/UMCA/Online/ default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=Curatorial22&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::context_id=. T Patrons must be fully vaccinated to attend performances. Museum is open through May 1; Tue–Fri, 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sat-Sun, noon–4 p.m.; and first Thursdays until 8 p.m. “Sideshow: Nicole Eisenman’s Modernist Inspirations,” through May 1. 151 Presidents Drive, Amherst. Volleyball Hall of Fame: Hours; Sat.-Sun.,10 a.m.-3 p.m. Docent-led tours are not available; a maximum of 50 visitors will be permitted inside at a time. Online ticket purchasing strongly recommended. Visitors are required to wear masks. Admission: $2.50-$3.50. 444 Dwight St., Holyoke or volleyhall.org. Wistariahurst Museum: “Wisteria Vines in Full Bloom,” Carriage House and Gift shop open Sat.Sun, Mon. noon-4 p.m. Historic house tours are $7, and $5 for students and seniors. 238 Cabot St., Holyoke or wistariahurst.org. Yiddish Book Center: Permanent exhibit, “A Velt mit veltelekh: The Worlds of Jewish Culture.” Hours: Thurs, Fri, Sun, and Mon. from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: $8 adults, $6 seniors, free for members, students and children, 1021 West St., Amherst or yiddishbook center.org.
Galleries Agawam Public Library: Online: Friends of the Agawam Public Library 2nd Open Juried Virtual Photography Show. Through April 30. Visit agawamlibrary.org/ about-2/friends/#Friends2ndPhotoShow. A.P.E. Gallery: Permanent exhibit hours: Tues.-Thurs. noon-5 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. noon-8 p.m.; Sun. noon-5 p.m. “Crossing Cultures: Family, Memory and Displacement,” through April 1. Gallery Hours: Wed.-Sun. noon-5 p.m.; Fri. noon-8 p.m. 126 Main St., Northampton or apearts.org. Amy H. Carberry Fine Arts Gallery: Hours: Tues.-Fri. 12:30-4:30 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. First floor of building 28. 1 Armory Square, Springfield 413-755-5258. Anchor House of Artists: “Healing Awakening Resolution: Reawakening of Peter Knapp,” through today. $10 suggested admission fee, http://anchorhouseartists. org. Charles Miller: “SUNSPOTS, through today. $10 suggested admission fee, http://anchorhouseartists.org. “Lives Well-Lived: Ben Westbrock,” through today, Tues.Sat. $10 suggested admission fee, http://anchorhouseartists.org. 518 Pleasant St., Northampton. Chicopee Main Library: NAMI Western Massachusetts 11th annual Art & Poetry Show: April 1-30. Opening Reception on April 5, 6-8 p.m.; free, namiwm.org/events. 449 Front Street, Chicopee 413-
594-1800. Christ Church Cathedral: “God in Art” paintings by Tannie Faye Swent-Redfearin, through today. 35 Chestnut St.,Springfield. Forbes Library: “Home,” a virtual exhibit by Western Mass. artists and writers, through April 30. Visit https://forbeslibrary.org/ exhbiit2022. “Rubber Stamp Portraits” by Alison Johnson; “Thread” by Jen Dieringer; “The Bay State: A Multicultural Landscape, Photographs of New Americans” by Mark Chester. April 2-29. 20 West St., Northampton or forbeslibrary.org. Gallery A3 Amherst Art Alliance: “Interwoven: Words & Images,” through Saturday. Works by Marianne Connolly, Laura Holland, Sue Katz, Nancy Meagher, Rochelle Shicoff, Janet W. Winston. 28 Amity St., Amherst, 413-256-4250. Hope and Feathers Framing and Gallery: “Close to Home” original oil paintings by Maggie Hodges. Through April 28; reception, April 7, 5-8 p.m. Gallery hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Thurs. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 319 Main St., Amherst or hopeandfeathers framing.com. Indian Orchard Mills Dane Gallery: All new exhibits every month featuring the artists at Indian Orchard Mills. Hours: Sat. noon-4 p.m. or by appointment. 34 Front St., Indian Orchard, 413-543-3321. J. H. Miller Custom Framing and Gallery: Featuring the works of local artists. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Thurs. 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 86 Elm St., West Springfield, 413-732-9128.
Natural Bridge State Park: Visitors Center Exhibits. Hours: daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., year round; explore the park story through displays, artifacts and scavenger hunts. $2 parking fee; programs are free, 107 McAuley Road, North Adams. The Zoo in Forest Park and Education Center: Hours: weekends only, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. They will open 7 days a week on May 9 and during spring vation weeks: April 11-15 and April 18-22. The City of Springfield charges a daily parking fee of $3 per in-state and $5 per out-of-state passenger car; cash only. All buses and larger vehicles are charged $15 per vehicle. Please note that these prices are subject to change. The Zoo is open on the following holidays: Easter, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Father’s Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and Columbus Day. Admission: adult: $10; military & seniors: $7; children (Ages 1 12): $5; children under 1 are free; Sumner Avenue, Springfield or forestparkzoo.org.
Markets Winters Farmers Market at Hampshire Mall: In the Target hallway, Saturdays, through April 2, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 367 Russell St., Hadley. Northampton Winter Farmers Market: Saturdays through April 2, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m, at Northampton Senior Center, 67 Conz St., Northampton or northamptonseniors.com. The Republican is not responsible for unannounced schedule changes. Listings must be received two weeks before the date of the event. Items should be mailed to: Entertainment Guide, The Republican, P.O. Box 1329, Springfield, MA 01102-1329; emailed to pmastriano@repub.com; or submitted to masslive.com/myevents
WEEKEND
E12 | THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
VIDEO GAME REVIEW
‘FAR: Changing Tides’ is gorgeous adventure By Christopher Byrd
The Washington Post
One thing that has always impressed me about filmmakers like Andrei Tarkovsky and Béla Tarr — known for using slow moving, wide-angle shots — is the trust they place in their audience. To linger on a landscape or fixate on slowly unfolding action is to welcome the viewer into a meditative space. A creator must have exceptional faith in their material to embrace such an approach because it carries the risk of boring an audience accustomed to the frequent scene shifting that’s the basis for so much popular movie making. The same holds true for video games. In a medium, more often than not, associated with histrionic action, games like “FAR: Changing Tides” tend to stand out. Like its predecessor “FAR: Lone Sail,” the new game makes a virtue of quietude.
‘FAR: CHANGING TIDES’ Developed by: Okomotive Published by: Frontier Developments Available on: Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X
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“FAR: Changing Tides” follows the journey of Toe, a young adventurer. Avoiding any kind of stodgy setup, it opens simply, with the boy plunging into water and swimming through a partially submerged city. The zoomed-out camera recalls the work of Danish development studio Playdead, whose “Inside” seems like an obvious influence. Beautiful lighting and water effects, coupled with a subdued, rusty color palette, imbue the game with a lovely aesthetic that’s enriched by composer Joel Schoch’s restrained, melancholic soundtrack. In short order, Toe makes his way into a building and acquires
an astronaut-like suit with a retractable propeller around its neck which helps him to navigate deep water. Later, he comes upon a ship with a mast that folds down with the push of a button. A lever next to the mast allows Toe to trim the sails. It’s not long, however, before the boy must contend with one of the many obstacles that interrupt his voyage. To get his ship moving, Toe will have to fiddle with all sorts of machinery in and out of water, as well as make upgrades and repairs to the ship. Eventually, Toe acquires a steam engine that he must feed with a steady supply of fuel to keep it chugging. Further down the line his ship gains the ability to transform into a submarine. The game skips between puzzle sections in which players have to work out how to get the ship from one point to another and stretches where there is little to do but bask in the splendor of traveling through an alluring, post-apocalyptic landscape bereft of other people. Those serene moments are your reward for going about the painstaking work of getting the ship over, under and through an escalating series of obstructions. As I fell into the rhythm of darting about adjusting the sail, stoking the furnace and hosing down the engine when it threatened to overheat, I noted how my focus narrowed and these tasks became quite consuming. “FAR: Changing Tides” effectively makes the ship feel like its own little world. Keeping the vessel moving often comes down to executing out-of-the-boat tasks. The clever puzzles spun around these satisfyingly lowkey activities made me soak in the relaxing sight of watching the ship cutting through the water, unimpeded. “FAR: Changing Tides” ably evokes the blissful passion of travel. It is the perfect antidote to overly stuffed, bloated video games.