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By K EITH O ’C ONNOR Special to The Republican
LIVE MUSIC, COMEdy, fireworks, ceremonial ball “drops” and “raisings” and magic all await New Year’s Eve revelers young and old on Saturday as families and older adults on their own ring in 2023.
“We’re excited to be back live and in-person. There is nothing better than to have a live audience when listening to music, and we are thrilled to have First Night Northampton back the way it is supposed to be and seeing families enjoying themselves,” said Steve Sanderson, events producer for the Northampton Arts Council and First Night Northampton.
Last year’s First Night was canceled a week before the event due to an uptick in the coronavirus variant, leaving organizers scrambling to turn the annual celebration into a virtual livestreamed event.
“This year we are back with everything under the sun — puppets to jazz to rock to folk to much more, over 100 performances at 21 venues, including four new performance sites and the return of Smith College,” Sanderson said, noting the Expandable
Brass Band will kick off First Night at noon with a parade from the Academy of Music on Northampton’s Main Street.
By day, First Night is geared for families, culminating in a colorful display of fireworks
Fireworks are seen from Main Street during Northampton’s First Night festivities on a past New Year’s Eve. (STEVEN E. NANTON PHOTO) Holly Schaff, of Boston, and a member of the Ten31 group, passes out hats and noise makers during a past New Year’s Eve at MGM Springfield. The casino will ring in the New Year on Saturday. (FREDERICK GORE PHOTO)THE BACK PORCH Festival has announced the first slate of artists who will play its 2023 event.
Doc’s Place: Karaoke. 1264 Granby Road, Chicopee
Shadow Lounge: DJ with classics. 278 Worthington St., Springfield
Southwick Inn: Open mic hosted by Steve Piper of Roadhouse Band. 479 College Highway, Southwick
The Drake: Arden Lloyd. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst
The Still: Drink specials. 63 Springfield St., Agawam
West Springfield Fish and Game Club: CD jukebox, pool table. 329 Garden St., Feeding Hills
Whip City Brew: DJ with dance. 287 Elm St., Westfield
Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Watchhouse (formerly Mandolin Orange), Cedric Burnside, Kelly Willis, Brennen Leigh & Melissa Carper, the Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, and a John Prine Tribute Night (with artists to be announced) will all be part of this year’s lineup. Stay tuned for more announcements.
This year’s festival will feature an expanded eight-venue format that will feature dozens of bands playing in eight locations in downtown Northampton over the course of three days, March 3 through 5.
Tickets can be found at www.backporchfest.com.
• It looks as though Pearl Jam fans might have a bit of a wait on their hands.
While the band has recruited producer Andrew Watt to
produce its next album and has plenty of new material, guitarist Stone Gossard told Riff TV, “I bet it’s gonna be 2024 before the record comes out, is my guess.”
Watt, who has worked with everyone from Ozzy Osborne to Justin Bieber, produced frontman Eddie Vedder’s recent solo album, “Earthling.”
“We’ve got demos for days. Everybody writes in the band, so now it’s really just trying to figure out what’s something different for us and what’s something exciting,” Gossard said. “And we’re working on that.
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at 6:15 p.m. from the roof of the city’s downtown parking garage. After the fireworks, the programming changes to a more music-oriented format including rock, funk and jazz bands.
Then, 30 minutes before midnight, First Night Northampton will culminate with a gathering on the street, which is closed outside the Hotel Northampton so everyone can dance and celebrate the official arrival of 2023 as the countdown and unique “ball raising” begins.
Family programming includes performers such as Carrie Fergusen and the Grumpytime Club Band, comedy and magic with Ed Popielarczyk, Henry the Juggler, the Nields for Kids, Mad Science of Western New England, Happier Valley Comedy, Roger Salloom, Show Circus Studio, New Leaf, Tom Knight Puppets, Yo-Yo Guy, Rocking Puppies and more.
“My favorite pick this year for family entertainment is the Rocking Puppies, a kid-fronted punk band whose lead singer is 9 years old,” Sanderson said.
Evening entertainment for grown-ups includes Carinae, Cheap City, the Nields, the Northamptones, Soul Magnets, Klezamir, the Suitcase Junket, Vimana, Pangeans, Love Crumbs, Tony Silva Spanish Guitar, the Valley Jazz Voices, the Fawns, Group Semei, ReBelle, and others.
A single pin opens the doors to every event at every venue. They are on sale at many locations throughout Western Massachusetts listed on the FirstNight Northampton.org website or they can be purchased online, then picked up on Saturday at First Night headquarters at Thornes Marketplace, open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Adult pre-sale pins are $16 good all day and evening until Dec. 30, then available for $20. The price is $10 for seniors age 65 and older with proof of age and are not available online. Pins for kids
at $8 for those ages 2 to 10 can be purchased anytime. Kids under 2 are free. There is also a day-only button for adults priced at $10 which is good until 6 p.m. and can be purchased anytime.
First Night Northampton no longer requires proof of vaccination to attend. Masks are strongly recommended but not required.
Proceeds from First Night Northampton help fund the Arts Council.
There will be free on-street parking during First Night and at all of Northampton’s municipal lots, except at bagged meters and at the downtown parking garage.
In Holyoke, First Night Junior also returns after an absence during COVID at Holyoke Heritage State Park on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Tickets are $10 or $35 for a family pack of four tickets and include unlimited rides on the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round, admission to the Children’s Museum at Holyoke, live entertainment and an early fun “ball drop” at 12:50 p.m.
Tickets are available online only at Holyokemerrygo round.org/tickets.
MGM Springfield is ringing in the New Year on Saturday with what it is calling its “2023 Vision.”
Music lovers can rock in the new year with Foreigners Journey: The Music of Foreigner and Journey with Constantine Maroulis. Showtime is 9 p.m. at Aria Ballroom at the casino. Tickets are available at mgm springfield.com.
After the concert, DJ WhyNot will spin music in the casino’s Bellagio Ballroom from 10:30 p.m. until 1 a.m. The event is free, but only for those 21 and older.
If you are looking for a laugh, Scott Seiss will bring his best to ROAR Comedy Club at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are available on the MGM Springfield website.
Commonwealth Bar and Lounge is throwing a party with a full night of live music featuring the New System, Skyway, & DJ Architect. Table reservation packages include glasses of champagne for the
midnight toast and an assortment of macaroons.
Table reservations begin at 9 p.m. and are $80 for two, $160 for four and $240 for six. Reservations can be made on the MGM Springfield website.
TAP Sports Bar will be open until 2 a.m. but the kitchen will close at 11 p.m. You can add to the night’s fun by making a bowling lane reservation from 9 p.m. through 12:30 a.m. for up to four people per lane. Packages include 3 appetizers from the TAP menu and a champagne toast at midnight. Email tbaron@mgmspringfield. com for booking.
ANEW YEAR IS upon us and I’d like to take this week to reflect on new beer — sort of.
I’m entering my 20th year of writing this column. (My 20th anniversary was Dec. 10 in case you’re keeping track.) Over the years (heck, I can almost say decades!), I’ve seen a lot of changes, met a lot of great folks, and tasted tens of thousands of gallons of beer (if I did the math correctly).
As beer aficionados, we always seem to be chasing the newest, shiniest item on the market. We like to be ahead of the trends and God forbid we are caught unaware of some new popular brew or style. This, of course, is simply human nature, and beer fans are as human as anyone — maybe more so. New things — whether a beer or a home or a relationship — are usually exciting.
But my recent trip to Ireland made me sit back and consider this aspect of our natures. Ireland is littered with pubs, and many are old-school traditional venues that historically have mostly carried taps lined with old guard beers like Guinness and Smithwicks, etc. Although the craft beer movement in Eire has been robust and growing for years, it wasn’t too long ago that certain pubs didn’t carry any craft offerings. Some still don’t.
This was also true here in the U.S. for a while — and of course you can probably still find bars with very little in the way of craft beer on tap. But my experience has been that most places have at least something interesting for craft beer lovers. It’s just good business sense to do so.
Now, I live in the Northeast and do not travel a lot (outside of trips to Ireland). This
George Lenker Beer Nutmeans I’m in an area where craft beer thrives. But if you live in, say, Mississippi, you might not find a lot of choices in certain bars. As of the latest data I could find, there were fewer than 20 breweries in the entire state.
Mississippi isn’t a huge state as far as population (ranks 35th of 50), but there are more than 9,000 breweries in the country, and that roughly averages out to about 180 per state. Now less populous states will average fewer than 180, but 20 is low no matter what.
(For example: Vermont, which ranks 49th in population, still has more than 60 breweries.)
This isn’t meant to pick on Mississippi, but just to point out that some places might not enjoy the choices that I have. And, frankly, no business should feel the need to offer something they don’t want to. If craft beer doesn’t sell well in an area, well, them’s the breaks, as they say.
But as we enter a new year, take a moment to survey your local environs. And if you have steady access to new beer offerings, count your blessings. As we all have learned during the pandemic (and just in life in general): You never know when something might be lost. So appreciate what you have now.
I wish you all a Happy New Year.
dinner-and-dancing affair remains the New Year’s Eve norm, some area establishments are reinventing the way they welcome in the year to come.
New Year’s Eve is traditionally an “adults only” occa-
sion, but two dining spots have organized ways for kids to join the party.
• Champney’s Restaurant & Tavern at the Deerfield Inn is conducting a Kids’ Count Down to Noon. To take
CELEBRATING THE arrival of a new year is always big business for the restaurant industry, with most every white-tablecloth and banquet venue hosting some sort of new year’s eve event. This weekend’s debut of 2023 is no exception.
Even though pandemic concerns linger for some, the dining-out public seems, for the most part, “ready to party.”
Though the iconic
A 50-year retrospective of one of the most innovative glass artists of our time.
WHEN I STARTED writing this wine column 10 years ago, one of my main goals was to prove that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to find great wines.
That’s why my first column in November 2012 was about inexpensive wines from Walmart. The next year, I did my first, annual wines under $10 column.
It was just five wines that year. In 2014, the list was still only five wines. It wasn’t until 2015 that I expanded the list to 10 wines.
Looking back, it’s interesting to see which wines I picked over the years.
Only one of the top wines was a white while the rest were red wines. And of the nine top wines, five came from France and one each from Spain, Portugal, Italy and Argentina.
Finding great wines for under $10 a bottle has definitely gotten more difficult over the years. This is especially true the past two years, when the price of everything seems to have skyrocketed.
Fortunately, there are still bargains to be found, and that includes the wines on this year’s list. Let me add that the price of each wine refers to a standard, 750 ml bottle.
I hope you enjoy these wines as much I did this past year. I
look forward to finding more great bargains for all of us to enjoy next year as well. Thank you.
TOP 10 WINES UNDER $10 FOR 2022
10) 2020 Bonterra Equinox Red Blend ($9.99 at Table & Vine in West Springfield):
This is a California blend of merlot and petit sirah. Bonterra Organic Vineyards consistently makes great, affordable wines, including this outstanding red.
Made with a blend of grapes grown in California’s Mendocino, Lodi and Paso Robles regions, this wine has a plush, powerful finish with a wide range of flavors, including blackberry, dark chocolate, plums and black licorice;
9) 2018 Veramonte Carmenere Reserva ($10 Suggested Retail Price): From the Colchagua Valley
of Chile, this wine is made with 100% carmenere grapes. This subtle red wine made with organic grapes beautifully illustrates why carmenere wines can be such a pleasure.
Like many wines made with carmenere grapes, this wine’s flavors are soft, subtle and understated. Think of a mist or a gentle breeze rather than a strong wind or a heavy rain. This wine’s flavors range from hints of raspberry, blueberry and a dash of apricot;
8) 2015 Le Petit Balthazar Merlot ($8.99 at Yankee Spirits in Sturbridge):
From the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France, this is 100% merlot grapes. One word perfectly describes this red wine: smooth. While there’s definitely something to be said for big, bold, complicated wines, this easy-drinking wine proves there’s also
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Five of the top 10 wines under $10 for 2022 recommended this week. (PHOTO BY KEN ROSS)
a lot to be said for subtle, well-rounded wines that taste great straight out of the bottle. Here, the muted flavors include hints of plum, raspberry and melted chocolate. Truly delightful;
7) Oak Leaf Vineyards Chardonnay ($2.97 at Walmart): This wine is 100% chardonnay grapes from California. I reviewed several wines from Walmart recently in honor of the 10th anniversary of my first Wine Press column, which featured Oak Leaf wine made exclusively for Walmart. While there were several good Oak Leaf wines, this one stood out. There are no over-the-top butter flavors in this wine. Yes, there are definitely some of the butter flavors you sometimes find in many California chardonnays. But they’re subtle and understated and they’re not even the most dominant flavors. In addition, there are hints of apricot, orange zest, lemon and grapefruit. I cannot say enough great things about this delicious, affordable, California chardonnay;
6) 2020 Vignes Des Lumieres Cotes du Rhone Red ($21.98 at Yankee Spirits for 3 liter box): From
do find that most winemakers seem to only put super sweet wines in boxes. If you love dry red wine like me, this particular box wine’s a dream come true.
This wine costs a mere $5.49 a bottle since each 3 liter box contains four standard bottles of wine. Like many red wines from the Rhone region, this wine’s flavors are earthy yet elegant, powerful yet precise. Flavors include dried blackberries, almonds and raspberries;
5) 2016 Les Clos Millesime Sainte-Eugenie ($9.99 at Yankee Spirits):
From the Languedoc region of France, this wine is a blend of 50% merlot grapes, 30% cabernet sauvignon and 20% syrah. This delightful red wine from southern France near Narbonne tastes a bit like the number eight wine. It’s definitely on the softer side, but there’s also a hint of spiciness on the finish. Its flavors and aromas include a wonderful blend of blackberries and raspberries, along with hints of vanilla and cashews;
4) 2021 Ninety Plus Cellars Montepulciano D’Abruzzo ($9.99 at Table & Vine):
This wine is 100% montepulciano grapes from Italy’s Montepulciano D’Abruzzo region. A few weeks ago, I wrote about red wines from this region. This particular wine comes from Ninety Plus Cellars, which does a great job of making consistently good, affordable wines. This dark, dense wine has a plump, robust finish. Flavors include roasted blackberry, blueberry and cherry. In addition, this wine tastes great the second day as well. In fact, it’s even a little livelier and brighter the second day. A delicious wine at a great price;
viewed it in June. Like many Loire Valley sauvignon blancs, this delightful wine has a slightly flinty, crisp taste and finish.
That’s probably due to the rocky limestone soil found throughout much of the Loire Valley. Flavors range from dried lemons and sea salt to melon and apricots. Serve this wine chilled but not too cold — probably somewhere at 40 to 50 degrees. That way, you can taste the subtle, understated flavors of this outstanding bargain perfect for warm afternoons and crisp, chilly evenings;
TIE 2) 2021 Chateau Mourgues Du Gres Galets Dores ($10 suggested retail price):
viognier and 10% clairette. Many readers may already be familiar with Cellier Les Dauphins’ charming, affordable red wines from the Rhone region.
Their white wine is just as enjoyable and entertaining. Its flavors are on the softer side compared to the other two wines recommended this week. Such flavors range from hints of melon and green apple to a dash of sea salt and elderflower. Delightfully delicious; and
1) 2021 Le Salare Montepulciano D’Abruzzo ($10 suggested retail price):
Also from Montepulciano D’Abruzzo in Italy, this wine is 100% montepulciano grapes. It’s another Italian red wine that I recently reviewed. This one absolutely blew me away with its complex flavors, aromas and character. Its intense, fleshy flavors have a wonderful, fruit-like finish (blackberry
and raspberry in particular) without being over the top. Everything about this wine is soft and clean and well-balanced. In addition, the wine tastes great and holds onto its soft, subtle flavors the day after first being opened.
Let me add that the wine cost less than $10 a bottle when I bought it in November, but has since gone up slightly in price in some stores. However, a quick internet search found that this wine’s still available for less than $10 a bottle in many other Massachusetts stores. The bottom line –this magnificent, affordable wine tastes great.
Cheers!
Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republican’s Weekend section every Thursday. Older “Wine Press” articles can be found here. Follow Ken Ross on Twitter and Instagram and Facebook.
France’s Rhone region, this wine is a blend of red grapes. Box wine gets a bad rap, but the reality is it’s just a different way to package the wine. Unfortunately, I
3) 2021 Folium Sauvignon Blanc ($9.99 at Table & Vine):
This is a 100% sauvignon blanc wine from the Loire Valley of France. I raved about this wine when I re -
From the Nimes region of France, this wine is 40% roussanne grapes, 25% white grenache, 25% vermintino, 8% marsanne and 2% viognier. A few months ago, I wrote about several outstanding wines from Nimes in southern France. This particular outstanding, dry white wine has a crisp, dry, flinty finish similar to many white wines from France’s Rhone region. This wine’s flavors include hints of lemon and citrus flavors and floral aromas. An absolutely outstanding wine at an amazing price;
TIE 2) 2016 Cellier des Dauphins Cotes Du Rhone White Wine ($9 suggested retail price):
From the Rhone region of France, this wine is a blend of 65% grenache blanc grapes, 15% marsanne, 10%
place on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., the festivities will include live kids’ music by Tom Carroll and Laurie Davidson. At noon there will also be a cider toast to the soon-toarrive 2023.
Champney’s will have both its children’s menu and its regular lunchtime line-up available. Reservations are suggested, and they can be made by calling 413-774-5587.
• Uno Pizzeria & Grill on Boston Road in Springfield will host a kids’ New Year’s party on Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. Highlights of the Uno celebration are to include party favors and two balloon drops, one at 4 and a second at 7, both of which will be accompanied by a ginger ale toast to the year ahead.
Uno’s regular kids menu will be available.
Call Uno Pizzeria & Grill at 413-543-6600 for more information.
• The Irish House Restaurant at the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England in West Springfield is giving its New Year’s Eve celebration a distinctive Emerald Isle character — it’s a New Year’s Eve from Ireland. The evening will be built around a live stream of the midnight ball drop in Dublin, which will take place at 7 p.m. here.
The celebration will start off at 5 p.m. with a buffet dinner. Live music, courtesy of the Blaney Brothers, will begin at 6 and continue until 9 p.m. A champagne toast will be offered to coincide with the stroke of midnight in Dublin.
Advance tickets are required. They’re $65 and can be ordered by calling 413-3424358.
• Early evening celebrations are gaining in popularity, and establishments like the Yarde Tavern in South Hadley are putting together “early” New Year’s Eve alternatives.
At the Yarde Tavern, dinner on Saturday begins at 4 p.m. and goes until 10 with live entertainment throughout. Both dinner and drink specials enhance the regular menu se-
lections. Contact the Yarde at 413-315-4339 to book a table.
• Brunch is on the agenda at the Boathouse, also in South Hadley. Served from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, the brunch will feature morning food specialties such as an apple french toast bake, steak and eggs quesadilla, a Boathouse breakfast skillet and a special fried egg breakfast sandwich. Call the Boathouse at 413-536-2342 for more details or to make reservations.
The “day after the night before” is also gaining traction as a time to celebrate.
On Sunday, the Steaming Tender restaurant in Palmer will be serving a “Hangover Buffet” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Priced at $29, the buffet is “first come, first served” and features foods that might not fit into “healthy eating” new year’s resolutions.
The menu particulars? BBQ pork sliders, homemade mac and cheese, herb roasted chicken, haddock Hollandaise, baked french toast, and scrambled eggs, along with sausage, home fries, muffins, and a salad bar display will all be part of the spread. To go along with the buffet, the bar will be compounding $10 “Bottomless” mimosas.
Steaming Tender will also be serving their regular menu starting at noon and continuing through 7:30 p.m. The restaurant answers at 413-2832744.
• Mission Cantina in Amherst will start off 2023 by resuming its weekend barbecue brunch, an offering that it launched over the summer but subsequently paused. The brunch will begin at noon on Sunday and go until the kitchen is sold out (most likely around 4 p.m.) The menu will include barbecued and smoked meats, sides to “gowith,” Tex-Mex tacos, brisket eggs Benedict and smokehouse sandwiches.
Bloody Marys and specialty brunch cocktails will also be featured.
Mission Cantina plans to offer brunch on Saturdays and Sundays henceforth and is even flirting with the idea of Friday brunch hours.
Call 413-230-3580 for more details.
5 p.m.
6 and continue until 9 p.m. Advance reservations are required. (THE
• No doubt inspired by the cult popularity status of its Mexican pizza, Taco Bell is reportedly testing two new variations on that item in the company’s Omaha and Oklahoma City markets.
An experimental Triple Crunch Pizza basically doubles down on the chain’s Mexican Pizza by transforming it into a two-layered affair. The version being tested in Oklahoma City goes spicier and cheesier, adding sliced jalapenos and nacho cheese sauce to the build.
No word yet when, if ever, either of these Mexican pizza variants will make it to Taco Bell’s “nationwide” menu.
• The Still Bar & Grill in Agawam is now serving a Mondays only $24 four-course menu. Available every Monday from 4 until 10 p.m., the menu incorporates appetizers such as gorgonzola garlic bread, fried ravioli, or brussels sprouts.
The prix-fixe package include a choice from among three salads or a cup of tortellini soup, and four chicken main-course options are available — chicken parmesan, chicken francaise, chicken and broccoli, and chicken pot pie. Those who prefer seafood can select shrimp scampi, fish and chips or salmon with broccoli for their entree. Meatloaf or penne Bolognese are further expansions on the alternatives the kitchen will prepare.
Dessert options on the four-
course menu are apple crisp, chocolate lava cake, or cheesecake. The Still, which is located at 63 Springfield St., answers at 413-304-2795.
• In response to what it termed contract negotiation “foot dragging” on the part of Starbucks management, Starbucks Workers United, the union representing workers at recently unionized Starbucks locations, staged a job action over the weekend of Dec. 16 through 18.
Labeled as #DoubleDownStrike, the action involved over 1,000 workers at 100-plus Starbucks. SB Workers United asked the public not to cross picket lines and to further support the job action by not buying Starbucks gift cards.
Starbucks has yet to negotiate a contract with any of its stores that have voted to unionize, although corporate spokespersons have told the media that the company has engaged in a number of single-store bargaining sessions.
• The Table 3 Restaurant Group in Sturbridge is hosting a Moondance Van Morrison tribute on Jan. 20 at the Barn at Wight Farm, the group’s events venue.
In addition to a tribute show featuring the works of iconic rocker Van Morrison, the evening will feature a complete buffet dinner; a cash bar and desserts for purchase will also be available. Vegetarian and gluten-free meal options can be requested with advance
notice. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m., with the buffet opening at 6 and the music starting at 7:30.
Tickets range from $55 to $60 (not including tax, gratuity, or broker’s fees) and are available at Eventbrite.com. More information can be had by calling the Barn at Wight Farm at 774-241-8450.
• Further signs of easing supply chain bottlenecks and a consequent lessening of inflation in restaurant commodities prices has shown up in the wholesale poultry market over the past few months.
Since summer production of chicken has increased, with supplies in cold storage up 20% since May. That increase in supply has led to softening wholesale prices, with considerable declines in the cost of boneless breasts and bone-in wings, two poultry items the restaurant industry uses in large quantities.
As of yet no major restaurant brand has cut its regular menu prices in response to more ample supplies of chicken products. Instead, several companies are using the lower wholesale prices to support “deals” on wings and chicken sandwiches.
Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community College’s hospitality and culinary arts program and has nearly 50 years of restaurant and educational experience. Robert can be reached online at OffTheMenuGuy@aol.com.
RIAN JOHNSON IS really getting the hang of this Agatha Christie thing.
The filmmaker’s sequel to his 2019 whodunit hit, “Knives Out,” “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” is an improvement over its solid predecessor in every way.
Of course, some meaningful percentage of you already know this, with Netflix giving “Glass Onion” a one-week theatrical release at Thanksgiving time, during which it is believed to have grossed about $15 million. To many, why the streaming giant decided to give a movie with this much appeal — “Glass Onion” boasts not only name recognition but also a topnotch cast — only a few days at theaters is the real mystery. Regardless, “Glass Onion” finally became available to Netflix subscribers on Christmas weekend. Along with Johnson and several behind-the-scenes collaborators, the connective tissue between “Knives Out” and “Glass Onion” is Benoit Blanc, the master detective portrayed by Daniel Craig — Johnson’s equivalent to the late whodunit master Christie’s Hercule Poirot.
“Glass Onion” is set in May 2020, a few months into the novel coronavirus pandemic, and the lockdown has been tough on poor Benoit. He’s been spending an alarming amount of time in the tub, with a few famous friends — the first of the film’s handful of delightful cameos — trying to lift his spirit by playing mystery games with him over the computer. (As with “Clue,” he is bad at them because they are so simple.)
He admits to his virtual pals he “loses it” between cases.
“My brain is a fueled-up racing car,” he says in that
now-familiar accent, “and I got nowhere to drive it.”
That all changes when he is invited to a murder-mystery game on a remote island in Greece. The elaborate but intimate party is being thrown by a billionaire entrepreneur, Miles Bron (Edward Norton, “Fight Club”), for a few of his longtime friends, whom the detective views more as frenemies, each having reason to wish Miles harm.
One, in fact, now is an outright foe — Miles’ former business partner, Cassandra “Andi” Brand (Janelle Monáe). Miles and Andi had an ugly split, concluding with a court case and Miles seemingly screwing her over with devious paperwork, some of which involves an all-important napkin. The rest, though, are sort-of pals who depend on Miles’ financial backing in one way or another: Lionel Toussaint (Leslie Odom Jr., Broadway’s “Hamilton”), the head scientist for Miles’ company, who laments all of his boss’ crazy ideas, even if some become quite profitable; Birdie Jay (Kate Hudson, “Almost Famous”), a supermodel-turned-fashion designer with a penchant for poorly thought-out social media posts; Claire Debella (Kathryn Hahn, “WandaVision”), the governor of Connecticut and candidate for the U.S. Senate; and Duke Cody (Dave Bautista, “Guardians of the Galaxy”), a meat-headed livestreamer.
In their younger days, they all hung out at a bar called the Glass Onion, the name Miles has given to his huge, swanky and high-tech home on the island. Also along for the ride are Peg (Jessica Henwick, “The Matrix Resurrections”), Birdie’s endlessly frustrated and phone-confiscating assistant; and Whiskey (Madelyn Cline, “Outer Banks”), Dude’s blondand-bubbly girlfriend.
Oh, and we can’t forget about
Derol (Rian Johnson regular Noah Segan), a slacker working some things out on Miles’ island and who, Miles assures everyone, is not a part of any of this. (Hmmmmmm.)
We learn, quickly, that as far as Miles is concerned, Benoit wasn’t intended to be involved with the festivities, either — somebody other than the billionaire apparently having sent him one of Miles’ mind-bendingly intricate puzzle boxes hiding an invitation to the soiree. Nevertheless, Miles is thrilled to have this world-famous detective at the shindig and assures Benoit that he is most welcome to stay and take part in trying to solve the mystery.
We should reveal little more about what happens in and around the Glass Onion, but be assured Johnson’s tale is chock full of twists, turns and revelations. As the screenwriter, he succeeds in peppering the mystery with clues you notice but don’t quite know what to do with, others that seem obvious only in retrospect and still others you kick yourself for completely missing.
He’s also made Benoit an even more enjoyable lead character, an endeavor in which he’s been aided by Craig, the world’s outgoing James Bond. With credits that — along with “Casino Royal,” “Skyfall,” “No Time to Die” and a couple of less engaging 007 adventures — include “Munich” and “Defiance,” comedy isn’t exactly his strong suit, but he gets some laughs here. In fact, Craig’s performance is even more impressive once you’ve been let in a secret in the movie’s middle.
The cast is solid all around, but it is Monáe (“Hidden Figures,” “Antebellum”) who shines second-brightest, thanks in part to a character about whom we want to say little. Just know there are several layers to that particular onion.
Ultimately, Johnson has a blast pulling back the layers of this romp he’s crafted. While many of us aren’t high on his journey through a galaxy far, far away — 2017’s “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” is a little worse upon every revisit — he is a top talent, as evidenced by early efforts “Brick” (2005) and “The Brothers Bloom” (2008). “Glass Onion” is his best film since 2012 time travel-dependent sci-fi thriller “Looper.”
After the success of “Knives Out,” Netflix purchased the rights to two sequels, the first
being “Glass Onion.”
Regardless of what kind of release Netflix ultimately grants a third Benoit Blanc mystery, we can’t wait to see what twists, turns and missed clues Johnson has in store for us. Deep into “Glass Onion,” as the pieces have fallen in place for Benoit, the detective remarks on how dumb so much of what’s transpired is.
“It’s so dumb, it’s brilliant!” adds one of the characters.
“No,” he insists, “it’s just dumb!”
Eh, it’s all pretty smart.
Bright Nights at Forest Park: Thu.-Sun., Forest Park, through Jan. 1. Tickets must be purchased in advance at Big Y or online at brightnights.org. Cars $23; full size bus, 31+ passengers, $175; minibus, 17-30 passengers, $80. Sumner Avenue, Springfield.
MGM Casino: Thu.-Sun., MGM Springfield, featuring retail stores, restaurants, Regal Cinemas and more. For more information, visit mgmspringfield.com, 1 MGM Way, Springfield.
MGM Springfield Ice Skating Rink: Thu.-Sun., MGM Springfield, Closed Mon.-Tues. Hours: Wed.Thu., 4-10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 1-10 p.m.; Sun., noon-10 p.m., $14 adults; $10 children 12 and under, veterans, active duty military, first responders (with ID). Skate rental $6. 1 MGM Way, Springfield.
Bright Nights at Forest Park: See Thursday listing
MGM Casino: See Thursday listing
MGM Springfield Ice Skating Rink: See Thursday listing
Bright Nights at Forest Park: See Thursday listing
First Night Junior: Sat., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Holyoke Heritage State Park, unlimited merry-go-round rides. Children’s Museum admission, live entertainment. Ball drops at 12:50 p.m. Tickets available online only at holyokemerrygoround.org/ tickets. $10 each or $35 for family 4-pack. 221 Appleton St., Holyoke, 413-534-1723.
First Night Northampton 2023: Sat., downtown Northampton, featuring live music, fireworks, ball-raising and more. For more information or to purchase 2023 pins visit firstnightnorthampton. org. Main Street, Northampton.
MGM Casino: See Thursday listing
MGM Springfield Ice Skating Rink: See Thursday listing
New Year’s Eve From Ireland: Sat., 5 p.m. West Springfield’s Irish House Restaurant & Pub, a live stream of the ball drop in Dublin, Ireland, at 7 p.m. Doors open at 4:30 pm. A buffet offering starts at 5 p.m. The Blaney Brothers play from 6 to 9 p.m. Champagne toast at 7 p.m. Tickets are $60 for ICC patrons, $65 for general public, and includes buffet, music and
champagne toast. Advance tickets are required. Call the restaurant at 413-342-4358 to pay with a credit card. Come in to the ICC to pay by card, cash or check. Tickets are nontransferable and nonrefundable. 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield, IrishCenterwne.org
Bright Nights at Forest Park: See Thursday listing
MGM Casino: See Thursday listing
MGM Springfield Ice Skating Rink: See Thursday listing
Polar Plunge for Palestinian House of Friendship: Sun, noon, Musante Beach, Dive into the icy waters of Roberts Meadow Brook at Musante Beach to start your New Year right. Come early ready to plunge at noon. Radio personality Kelsey Flynn will MC and congressman Lindsey Sabadosa will cheer attendees on. Bring blankets and a change of warm clothes. Bathrooms will not be open but parking lots are. Hot chocolate is provided. Register as a plunger for $15 and ask friends to donate in your name any amount. Proceeds benefit Smiling Faces summer camp, SkatePark, music, and tutoring programs for children in refugee camps around Nablus. $15.
85 Reservoir Road, Leeds section of Northampton.
Dr. Seuss Sculpture Garden: 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. Hands-on making activities in the Hasbro Games Art Discovery Center.
Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History: “The Grinch’s Grotto: A Wonderful, Awful Idea,” through Dec. 31. The Grotto is a cave-like structure with a highly decorated chair for the old curmudgeon himself to greet visitors for selfies and portraits. Visitors are invited to bring their cell phones or cameras to take a portrait with the Grinch. Visit the online calendar to see when the Grinch himself will be there. “The Grinch: A Car with a History,” through Nov. 1, 2023. Permanent exhibit: more than two dozen Indian motorcycles and related memorabilia.
Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts: “Josh Simpson: Visionary Explorations in Glass,” through Jan. 15. Springfield Science Museum: “We’re Still Here,” through June 30. Native Voices Initiative begins with contemporary perspectives. Curated by Aprell May Munford. Dec. School Vacation Week: “Explore Planet Earth with the Lorax,” Dec. 27-30, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Visitors can choose from an array of STEM and STEAM-based activities that cel-
ebrate the place we all call home. Takes place through the museums. Included with admission.
The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum: Permanent exhibit. First floor exhibition provides interactive three-dimensional exhibits. Second floor contains Geisel’s personal memorabilia. Timed tickets required. For reservations visit springfieldmuseums.org
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.
Amelia Park Children’s Museum: Permanent exhibit: Hands-on activities and creative exhibits, including the Hurricane Simulator. Sign up online for a play session at ameliaparkmuseum.org. Mon. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Thu.-Sun., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Open for groups Tues. and Wed. $8 adults; $8 children (12 months and older); $4 grandparents/seniors (60+); military personnel and teachers receive a 10% discount off the price of regular admission. Members and infants free, 29 South Broad St., Westfield or ameliaparkmuseum.org
Berkshire Museum: “Winter Festival: Solstice Celebration-Festival of Trees re-imagined,” through Jan. 8. “Magic By George,” Sat.,
11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Boston-based magician George Saterial performs magic and illusions. $17 adults, $10 children (includes museum admission), members $7 adults, $5 children, 39 South St., Pittsfield or berkshiremuseum.org.
Children’s Museum at Holyoke: Permanent exhibit: Amazing world of learning and play, including the Wiggle and Wash/Vet Clinic, a toddler merry-go-round and a STEM-based cash register for kids. Tues.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun., noon-4 p.m. Closed Mondays. In the event of severe weather conditions, check Facebook or Instagram, or local TV Station 22 for closures. Children & adults $8; seniors (62+) $5; children under 1 and members are free. 444 Dwight St., Holyoke or childrensmuseumholyoke.org
Connecticut Trolley Museum: Winterfest and the “Tunnel of Lights.” Additionally the museum will be open through tomorrow during school vacation break. Tickets must be purchased in advance at ct-trolley.org. $15-$20 per person, 58 North Road, East Windsor.
East Longmeadow Historical Commission Museum: Permanent exhibit: Historical artifacts. Featured at the museum are East Longmeadow artifacts pertaining to the quarries, local Native Americans, period clothing, the railroad system, and much more. 1-3 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month, through June, weather permitting. Free. 87 Maple St., East Longmeadow
Edith Wharton: The Mount: “Nightwood,” through Sun., 5 p.m. An innovative outdoor sound and light experience that immerses visitors in a fantastical winter landscape. $22 adults; $10 kids 6-18; free for children 5 and under, 2 Plunkett St., Lenox or edithwharton.org
Eric
Book Art: “Eric Carle’s Book Birthdays,” through March 5. “Celebrating Collage: A 20th Anniversary Celebration,” through Sat. “The Carle Collection: Recent Acquisitions,” through April 9. 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. The museum will be closed Jan. 1-13 for routine maintenance. Museum will be open Dec. 28-31. Wed.-Fri, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m. $6, $9, $22.50 for a family of four. 125 West Bay Road, Amherst or carlemuseum.org
Holyoke Heritage State Park:
Permanent exhibit. Preserving the history and culture of Holyoke through permanent exhibits on the paper and textile industry. Also featuring a new scale model of Mountain Park. Visitor Center open Tues.-Sun., noon to 4 p.m. Closed Mon. Free admission. mass.gov/ locations/holyoke-heritagestate-park. Free, 221 Appleton St., Holyoke, 413-534-1723.
Josiah Day House: Permanent exhibit: Featuring guided tours, artifacts, furniture, clothing and documents from 1754-1902. Call for open house schedule and individual tours. $3, $1 children 6-12, free for members, 70 Park St., West Springfield, 413-734-8322.
Mead Art Museum: Permanent exhibit: Various American and European paintings, Mexican ceramics, Tibetan scroll paintings and more. Tues.-Thu. 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: Permanent exhibit: three floors with dozens of handson exhibits, a regulation sized basketball court and more than 900 artifacts on display. Exhibits include “High Above Center Court,” “Hall of Honor,” “1891 Gallery,” “Players Gallery,” “James Goldstein Superfan gallery,” and “Jerry Colangelo Court of Dreams.” Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $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: “Norman Rockwell Drawings, 1914-1976,” through Jan. 7. “Eloise and More: The Life and Art of Hilary Knight,” through March 12. “Norman Rockwell’s Spirit of the Holidays,” through Feb. 5. Permanent exhibit: Thu.Mon., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Tues. and Wed.; $20 adults; $18 seniors, AAA, retire military; $10 college students, free children ages 18 and under, members and active military. Dec. School Vacation Week, Thu.Fri., Being Bored is Not Allowed Family Activities. Storytime in the Eloise Gallery, 10:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 1:45 p.m.,; Art activity: “Prime Time Me!,” 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Visit nrm.org for more information. 9 Route 183, Stockbridge or nrm.org
Old Sturbridge Village: Permanent exhibit. Through Jan. 1, OSV will only be open during Christmas by Candlelight, Fri.-Sun., 2-8 p.m. $28, $26 seniors, $14 college students with ID & children 4-17, free for children 3 and under, 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. Wed.-Sun, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. 1 Armory Square, Springfield or nps. gov/spar
Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum: Permanent exhibit: Daniel Anthony’s Store, The Legacy Room, The Birthing Room, The Portrait Gallery. Open Fri.-Sun., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $10 adults, $8 seniors, $6 students and children 6-17, free for children under 6 and NARM/NEMA/ROAM members, 67 East Road, Adams or susanbanthonybirthplace.com
The Emily Dickinson Museum: Homestead and Evergreens: Admission to the museum is by guided tour, for which advance-purchased timed tickets are required. Visit EmilyDickinsonMuseum.org/Visit to purchase your tickets and for more information. 280 Main St., Amherst.
Titanic Museum: Permanent exhibit: Exhibits from the collection of the International Titanic Historical Society. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $4, $2 children and students, 208 Main St., Indian Orchard or titanic1.org
University Museum of Contemporary Art - Fine Arts Center: Permanent exhibit. The Fine Arts Center requires patrons to be fully vaccinated to attend performances. Masks are not required, but are welcome and encouraged. The University Museum is open through May 1, Tue.-Fri., 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., noon–4p p.m., and first Thursdays until 8 p.m. Closed Mondays, holidays, and academic breaks. Check for snow days at umass. edu/closing/. 151 Presidents Drive, Amherst
Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum: Permanent exhibit: Guided tours of the first and second floors. Effective New Year’s Day, Ventfort Hall will be open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Self-guided tours are on the hour with the last self-guided tour weekdays at 2 p.m. and weekends at 3 p.m. Masks are required and social distancing will be practiced. Call to reserve at 413-637-3206. $18 adults; $17 for seniors (65+); $10 for students (ages 18 – 23) with student ID; $7 children 5-17; members and children 4 and younger free. Marionette Show Fri., 3:30 p.m., featuring puppeteer Carl Sprague. Reservations are strongly recommended as seating is limited and can be made by calling 413-637-3206. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space allows. Note that all tickets are nonrefundable and non-exchangeable. Payment is required to make a reservation for an event. $15 adults, $7 children 4-17, free for ages 3 and under, 104 Walker St., Lenox or gildedage.org
Wistariahurst Museum: Permanent exhibit: Gardens and grounds open daily from dawn to dusk. Carriage House and gift shop open Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For information about house tours, group tours and upcoming events, visit wistariahurst.org. $7 Holyoke residents; $5 seniors; $5 youth (under 18); free museum members; free active military & family members. 238 Cabot St., Holyoke or wistariahurst.org
Yiddish Book Center: Permanent exhibit, “A Velt mit veltelekh: The Worlds of Jewish Culture.” The center will be open to the public on Thu., Fri., Sun. and Mon., from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Shabbos (Saturday) and Jewish and legal holidays. $8 adults, $6 seniors, free for members, students and children, 1021 West St., Amherst or yiddish bookcenter.org
A.P.E. Gallery: Permanent exhibit. Tues.-Thu., noon-5 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., noon-8 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m. 126 Main St., Northampton or apearts. org
Amy H. Carberry Fine Arts Gallery: Permanent exhibit. 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: Art of Vision Series/25th Anniversary, through Fri. Tues.-Sat., 1-6 p.m. Closed Sun.-Mon. 518 Pleasant St., Northampton, anchorhouseartists. org
Forbes Library: Dec. Gallery Exhibits through today. Metal sculpture by Brian McQuillan; photographs by Dave Medeloni and “Above and Below: Prints and watercolors” by Olwen Dowling. 20 West St., Northampton or forbeslibrary.org Gallery A3 Amherst Art Alliance: “Small Wonders” Holiday Show and Sale, through Fri. Thu.-Sun. 2-7 p.m.; closed New Year’s Eve. 28 Amity St., Amherst, 413-256-4250.
Hope and Feathers Framing and Gallery: The 11th annual Small Works Show, through Jan. 12. Mon.Fri. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thurs. 10 a.m.- 8 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 319 Main St., Amherst or hopeandfeathersframing.com
Indian Orchard Mills Dane Gallery: All new exhibits every month featuring the artists at Indian Orchard Mills. 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. Mon.-Fri., 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thu., 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 86 Elm St., West Springfield, 413-732-9128.
Jasper Rand Art Museum: Perma-
nent exhibit. Mon.-Thu., 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 6 Elm St., Westfield or westath.org.
Sunnyside Road Gallery: Featuring the work of Carolyn Avery. Sat., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or by calling 413-569-0384. 52 Sunnyside Road, Southwick.
Great Falls Discovery Center: School Vacation Week: Mammal Adaptations Investigation Stationm through Jan. 1. Learn about local mammals and their unique winter adaptations. Explore through touchable artifacts, habitat diorama scavenger hunts, and a bingo game at the welcome desk. Great Hall Art Exhibit: “Junior Duck Stamps,” through Jan. 1. Visit the duck investigation station in the Great Hall. Make your own duck stamp. Story Walk Series, through Jan. 1. “Thanks to the Animals,” by Allen Sockabasin. For young readers ages 6-8 and anyone grateful for wildlife. Kidleidoscope Story Hour: Fri., “raccoons,” 10:3011:30 a.m. For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. Program includes a story, activities and a craft. activities are indoors and outdoors, weather permitting. Siblings and friends welcome. Meet in the Great Hall. Free. First Day Hike: Jan. 1, 1-3 p.m. Enjoy a leisurely staff-guided three-mile stroll on the Canalside rail trail. This family-friendly hike follows a gentle, level route. be prepared for cold weather: dress in layers and wear comfortable winter walking boots. Dogs are welcome on leash. Meet at the Great Hall at 1 p.m., hike beings at 1:15 p.m. Visitor Center open Tues., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Wed.-Sun, 10 a.m. -5 p.m. 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls or www.greatfallsma.org.
Mt. Greylock State Reservation: Winter Wonderland Activity Day, Thu., 1-3 p.m. For all ages. This event offers winter crafts, scavenger hunts, board games, and sledding if weather permits. Designed as self-guided activities but may be led by a park Interpreter. Bring your own sled if you have one. “Nice and Easy Trail Hike,” Fri., 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Easy-paced, one to three-mile guided hike geared toward seniors, but open to all ages. Dress appropriately for winter weather, hiking poles and traction devices for boots (or snowshoes) recommended. Trails may be snow-covered, icy, or muddy. bring water and a snack. Inclement weather cancels. “Nature Scavenger Hunt,” Sundays through Jan. 1. For children and families. There are several seek and find scavenger hunts for different age and skill levels. This program is self-guided. Scavenger hunts are available at the Visitor Center. Free. “Animals in Winter,” Sundays through Jan. 1. For all ages. Explore how animals and
birds adapt to the changing season. Discover which animals hibernate, migrate, or change appearance.
Chose a story book, craft activity or a take home project. Designed as a self-guided activity or may be led by a park interpreter. 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough
Natural Bridge State Park: Visitors Center exhibits daily, 9 a.m. to 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 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/myevent
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Delaney House: Frank Manzi. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke
Doc’s Place: Karaoke. 1264 Granby Road, Chicopee
East Mountain Country Club: Dance Night. 1458 East Mountain Rd, Westfield
The Drake: Lux Deluxe & Ruby Lou. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst Theodores’: Blues Chaser. 201 Worthington St., Springfield West Springfield Fish and Game Club: CD jukebox, pool table. 329 Garden St., Feeding Hills
Doc’s Place: Karaoke. 1264 Granby Road, Chicopee
The Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center: New Years Eve featuring Jimmy Just Quit, AfterGlo, The B-52.0s. 289 Main St., Greenfield
The Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center: Brand New Night featuring DJ Venom and Dread. 289 Main St., Greenfield
Whip City Brew: DJ with dance. 287 Elm St., Westfield
Doc’s Place: Karaoke. 1264 Granby Road, Chicopee
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/myevent
• The Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity in Northampton will present an “Evening with George Winston” on April 23.
That clone does all of my music, and I have another clone for acting,” she said.
“I’m not going to tell you if it’s me or not. They’re in the studio right now!”
Monáe then seriously added that she is actually gratified to be working in any manner.
“I just feel so humbled and super, super blessed to be doing anything,” she said.
Winston has entertained fans with his solo acoustic piano songs for 50 years, selling 15 million albums along the way.
His albums, “Autumn” and “December” have been perennial favorites and Winston released his 16th solo piano album, “Night,” last May. The record featured four original Winston compositions, along with versions of Allen Toussaint’s “Freedom For The Stallion,” Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” and more.
This concert is presented in collaboration with DSP Shows, and tickets are $45 at thirdrow.live.
• Janelle Monáe is working on a new album.
Monáe, 37, recently told NME that she will soon have a follow-up to 2018’s “Dirty Computer.”
Although the multitalent has been busy with acting, she joked that she has a secret solution to getting both her music and acting work done.
“You will get new music because I now have a clone.
“Doing
• Outside of both groups having incredible chart success, you wouldn’t think there was much of a connection between ABBA and the Beatles.
But Benny Andersson, who co-wrote the ABBA’s hits with Björn Ulvaeus, told Record Collector magazine that the Fab Four inspired his band in a unique way: making their music diverse.
“They were always with their style in a way, much more than we were, but what they did was, you heard a song with them, then the next single was nothing close to the previous one, or the third, or the fourth, or the fifth,” he said.
Andersson added that having four vocalists, including singers Agnetha Fältskog and Frida Lyngstad, aided the group’s diversity.
“And another great thing, I have to say, that goes for many of the bands that I like, is that you have more than one singer; it helps you,” he said
Serves 8-10 | $349
- Sliced Beef Tenderloin With a Marsala Mushroom Sauce
Roasted
- Two Dozen Shrimp Cocktail - Potato Gratin - Honey Glazed Carrots - String Bean Almondine - Three Layered Chocolate Trilogy Cake
Serves 8-10 | $349
Serves 8-10 | $249
-- Boneless chicken breast in a fresh lemon broth - Two Dozen Shrimp Cocktail - Rice - Honey Glazed Carrots - String Bean Almondine - Three Layered Chocolate Trilogy Cake
- Sliced Beef Tenderloin With a Marsala Mushroom Sauce - Two Dozen Shrimp Cocktail - Potato Gratin - Honey Glazed Carrots - String Bean Almondine - Three Layered Chocolate Trilogy Cake Chicken
Serves 8-10 | $249
-- Boneless chicken breast in a fresh lemon broth - Two Dozen Shrimp Cocktail - Rice - Honey Glazed Carrots - String Bean Almondine - Three Layered Chocolate Trilogy Cake
Serves 8-10 | $279
- 8 ounce Salmon Filet prepared in a Bourbon Sauce -Spinach Filos -String Bean Almondine -Honey Glazed Carrots -Potato Gratin - Three Layered Chocolate Trilogy Cake
Bourbon Salmon
Serves 8-10 | $279
- 8 ounce Salmon Filet prepared in a Bourbon Sauce -Spinach Filos -String Bean Almondine -Honey Glazed Carrots -Potato Gratin - Three Layered Chocolate Trilogy Cake
“I think we’ve got a good start on another record that will be hopefully good.”
something like this, you don’t take it lightly.”