Weekend - February 16, 2023

For the latest listings of WMass events, go online to masslive.com/entertainment

LIVEWIRE: Gin Blossoms, Sighs to play benefit concert for homeless, E3

WINE PRESS: Wine has a problem, but who’s to blame? E7

CALENDAR: Events at museums, galleries in WMass, E10

PLUS Boyz II Men are back

Return to the great outdoors

Camping and Outdoor Show begins Friday at Eastern States Exposition

By K eith O ’C onnor

Special to The Republican

Outdoor lovers looking forward to their next great adventure can find help putting their plans into motion at this weekend’s Springfield RV, Camping and Outdoor Show.

This weekend’s four-day show opens its doors tomorrow on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition with more than 200 exhibitors, including RV dealers, campgrounds and specialty products spread throughout the Better Living Center, Mallary Complex and Young Building.

“Camping is a great social opportunity, especially for families with kids, to get out

of the house and enjoying something that they all have in common. There is a lot of

camaraderie among campers,” said Debby Boucher, who is chairing this year’s

event along with her husband Jody. Both are members of the Pioneer Valley Chapter 8 family camping club, organizers of the annual event.

Boucher noted that campgrounds aren’t simply a place where you stop with your RV for a break in your travels that offer hookups to maintain your RV. She noted visitors at the show will find every kind of campground from those offering the basics to some with the word “resort” in their name that are the closest thing to spending your time in

a luxury hotel.

Among a few of the many amenities found at campgrounds today include, spas, swimming pools, lakes for fishing, fire pits, children’s playgrounds, basketball courts, fitness rooms,

slides, snack bars, hiking and biking rails, cabins, non-stop activities, and so much more.

Even the RV you may be traveling in can be outfitted with all the comforts of home. Dealers at the show will offer a look at the many ways

water

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Clockwise from top left, Michael Martingano takes the wheel of an RV while his wife, Kristin Martingano, both of Waterford, Conn., looks on during a past Springfield RV, Camping & Outdoor Show; members of the Carzello family, from left, Lily, Keith and Patty, of Somers, check out an RV’s storage compartment; and Randy Furnes and Kathy Erzen, both of Middletown, Conn., appear ready to drive off in a new RV at a past show. The four-day show returns to the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield on Friday. (STEVEN E. NANTON PHOTOS)

Gin Blossoms, Sighs to play benefit concert for homeless

Nightclubs

THURSDAY

Doc’s Place: Karaoke. 1264

Granby Road, Chicopee

Southwick Inn: Open mic hosted by Steve Piper of Roadhouse Band. 479 College Highway, Southwick

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

FRIDAY

Delaney House: Made Men. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke

Doc’s Place: Karaoke. 1264 Granby Road, Chicopee

East Mountain Country Club: Foolish U. 1458 East Mountain Rd, Westfield

Fort Hill Brewery: Tom Savoy. 30 Fort Hill Road, Easthampton

MGM Springfield: MGM Free

Music Fridays: Alex Shilo. 1

MGM Way, Springfield

THE GIN BLOSSOMS will headline a benefit show at the Pines Theater in Northampton’s Look Park on June 17.

The event, a One Rooftop Concert for the Homeless, will also feature Holyoke’s The Sighs and local favorites The Glad Machine and Eavesdrop. Other nationally acclaimed groups include Toad The Wet Sprocket , Juliana Hatfield, Kay Hanley (of Letters To Cleo) and Amy Rigby.

The Gin Blossoms are best known for their string of hits in the 1990s, including “Found Out About You,” “Hey Jealousy” and “Allison Road.”

The show will start at 1 p.m.

Liner notes

• Diana Krall will play the Pines Theater in Look Park in Northampton on Aug. 8 at 7 p.m.

Krall is the only jazz singer to have eight albums debut at

the top of the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. To date, her albums have garnered two Grammys, 10 Juno Awards and have earned nine Gold, three Platinum, and seven multi-Platinum albums.

Her 1999 release of “When I Look in Your Eyes” spent 52 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Jazz chart and won two Grammy Awards.

“The Dark Side of the Moon” just got a little darker.

The Drake: Local Mojo: Upstairs District, Daniel Blair, My Friend

Tony, DJ Number 7. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst

The Meeting House: Dave Brinnel. 827 Williams St., Longmeadow

Theodores’: Brass Attack of Springfield. 201 Worthington St., Springfield

West Springfield Fish and Game Club: CD jukebox, pool table. 329 Garden St., Feeding Hills

SATURDAY

Delaney House: Buddy McEarns. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke

Doc’s Place: Karaoke. 1264 Granby Road, Chicopee

The Drake: Mike Dawes & Gareth Pearson. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst

The Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center: Mardi Gras Get Down Featuring Zydeco Connection & The Bourbon St. Blasters. 289 Main St., Greenfield

Theodores’: Professor Harp. 201 Worthington St., Springfield

SEE NIGHTCLUBS, PAGE E5

Hibernian IRISH NIGHT in HOLYOKE is Back at The Log Cabin for 2023!

Featuring the Four piece Band of KEOHANNE AND KENNEALLYA TOUR DE FORCE OF MUSICAL TALENT (Irish Folk Music, Classical Rock,, and Country).

Also featured, is a TRADITIONAL CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE DINNER AND RIBS prepared by the Log Cabin.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2023

doors open at 5 p, dinner at 6:30p. Tickets are $40.00 per person. Reservations required by February 20, 2023 by calling Joe O’Connor @413-627-7148 or Fran Hennessey @ 413-785-5687 or by going online at Eventbrite.com. Additional entertainment will be by THE CASSIN SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCE AND PIPER MATT O’CONNOR of the Springfield Kiltie Band. Be sure not to miss the Giant Raffle of Baskets! The event will benefit the Maurice A. Donahue Memorial Scholarship and is in honor of the late Hibernian Daniel P. Curran.

An ongoing rift between Pink Floyd bassist

Diana Krall will play the Pines Theater in Look Park in Northampton on Aug. 8.

(MARY MCCARTNEY / GILMORE PIANO FESTIVAL)

The Gin Blossoms will headline the One Rooftop Concert for the Homeless at Pines Theater in Northampton on June 17. Above, the band is pictured performing at Chevy Court at a past New York State Fair. (CHARLIE MILLER PHOTO)

George Lenker LiveWire

Outdoors

you can travel today from high-end luxurious motorhomes to campers, travel trailers and more. Some of the additional features available in RVs now include heating and air conditioning, flat screen televisions, bathrooms, bedrooms, living room, indoor kitchen equipped with literally everything you need to make a gourmet meal and an outdoor kitchen that slides out with burners and grill for cookouts, computer workstations, bunkhouse, slide out patio with an electric awning, and almost anything you could imagine.

New this year, Boucher said some of their dealers will be offering electric bicycles and Mokes, which she described as “electric, open-air vehicles that are a cross between a jeep and a golf cart that are also street legal.”

“We saw electric bicycles everywhere on campgrounds last year,” Boucher said.

To up your game in the RV and camping world, there will be seminars beginning on Friday with Springtime Checklist to help prepare your RV after the long winter at 5:30 p.m. and Quick Tips with Randy on how to maintain your RV at 6:30 p.m. Saturday begins with the Springtime Checklist at 11:30 a.m., Understanding RV Waste Management at 1 p.m., Camping Safety with Your Pets at 2 p.m., Insuring Your Toys at 3 and 5 p.m., and ending with RV Winterization and Storage Tips at 6:30 p.m. Sunday concludes with Understanding RV Waste Management at 11 a.m., Camping Safety with Your Pets at 1 p.m. and Winterization and Storage Tips at 3 p.m.

Also, to keep the kids amused while spending time at the show, the Shriners Clowns will be roaming around every day offering laughs and making balloon sculptures. Additional entertainment on Saturday features a stage show by the clowns at noon and 4 p.m.

and an educational animal show presented by Out of The Ark at 2 and 6 p.m. The animal show is back on Sunday at 10:30 a.m., followed by two Shriners Clowns stage shows at noon and 4 p.m., and Li Lu the Chinese Acrobat at 2:30 p.m. Monday’s fun includes the Sounds of Science presented by Mad Science of Western Mass. at 10:30 a.m. and The Magic World of Michael Wald at noon and 2 p.m.

Admission is $10 general public and $8 for seniors 60 and older, DAV and military members. Children 12 and under are free.

Hours are Friday, 4 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8

p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Monday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Since 1962, the Springfield RV, Camping & Outdoor Show has been produced by the members of Pioneer Valley Chapter 8 (PV8) of NAFCA. Members volunteer their time to set up and create the show. The chapter was organized in 1960 as a way to further family camping in the Springfield, area. PV8 is a volunteer organization in which members take active roles in the operation of the chapter and its year-round activities. Business meetings are held monthly, with the exception of July and August. PV8 or-

Above, members of the Wheeler family, from left, Laura, Scott, Daniel, and Patrick, all of Suffield, try out an RV during a past show. At left, Catherine Deroche tries out the driver’s seat of an RV while Barbara Moulton, both of Southwick, looks on. (STEVEN E.

ganizes at least four camping and outdoor functions each year.

For more information, visit springfieldrvcampingshow.com, or to learn more about the club, visit their booth at the show or call 413467-1466.

“Camping is a great social opportunity, especially for families with kids, to get out of the house and enjoying something that they all have in common.”

DEBBY BOUCHER, CHAIRWOMAN, CAMPING AND OUTDOOR SHOW

NANTON PHOTOS)

Nightclubs

Whip City Brew: DJ with dance. 287 Elm St., Westfield

SUNDAY

Doc’s Place: Karaoke. 1264 Granby Road, Chicopee

TUESDAY

The Drake: Samirah Evans, Haneef Nelson/Mardi Gras Jazz Workshop. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst

Theodores’: Fat Tuesday with Krewe Les Gras. 201 Worthington

LiveWire

CONTINUES FROM PAGE E3

Roger Waters and his former bandmates took a new turn as it was revealed that Waters has been secretly re-recording the band’s classic 1973 album. Waters stated that he has been working on a solo version of the album for months unbeknownst to former bandmates guitarist David Gilmour and drummer Nick Mason. Keyboardist Richard Wright died in 2008. Waters told the Daily Telegraph newspaper, “I wrote ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’. … Of course we were a band; there were four of us; we all contributed – but it’s my project, and I wrote it. So … blah!”

• Celtic music pioneers Clannad will bring its farewell tour to the Academy of Music in Northampton on Sept 21.Formed in Co. Donegal, Ireland by several family members in 1970, the band first came to notice after winning the annual Letterkenny

St., Springfield

WEDNESDAY

Doc’s Place: Karaoke. 1264 Granby Road

The Drake: Alan Doyle with special guest Chris Trapper. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst

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 or email pmastriano@ repub.com or submit it to www. masslive.com/myevent

Folk Festival of that year. The prize was the chance to record an album for Phillips Ireland, the Irish-based division of the U.K. record label. That set the band on a course which has lasted more than 50 years, including collaborations with artists such as Bono, Bruce Hornsby, Paul Young, and Duke Special, culminating with the release of last year’s “In a Lifetime” anthology set. Tickets are $39.50 - $59.50 and available at aomtheatre. com.

• Lizzo and SZA have released a remix of the song “Special.” The stars first debuted the new version of Lizzo’s album title track at the a sold-out show at Los Angeles Kia Forum show last November. SZA announced the release of the remix in a tweet that read, “@lizzo FT ME SPECIAL REMIX OUT NOW ! ! FEEL GOOD CAUSE U DESERVE IT !!!! Love y’all !”

Lizzo also just won Record of the Year at the Grammys for the song “About Damn Time.”

GREAT WHITE, STRYPER AND STEVEN ADLER OF GUNS ’N ROSES

DANE COOK

PRESENTS: THE PERFECTLY SHATTERED TOUR

BARENAKED LADIES LAST SUMMER ON EARTH 2023 WITH SPECIAL GUESTS

Lizzo performs a medley at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 5 in Los Angeles. (CHRIS PIZZELLO / ASSOCIATED PRESS)

‘Magic Mike’s Last Dance’ trips over its own feet

By M ichael O ’ Sullivan The Washington Post

‘MAGIC MIKE’S Last Dance,” a mostly flat, flavorless cocktail of a sequel that tries to replicate the fizz of the 2012 original by stirring together elements of a getting-hergroove-back love story with music-video-style production numbers, lessons in female empowerment delivered with all the subtlety of a TED Talk and the kind of let’s-put-ona-show energy that went out of style in 1940, has — despite those flaws — its moments. One moment, anyway.

Early in the film, the title character, stripper turned furniture designer Mike Lane (Channing Tatum), reduced to pouring drinks at a charity fundraiser in Miami, is invited to perform a lap dance for Maxandra “Max” Mendoza (Salma Hayek Pinault), a wealthy woman who is going through an ugly divorce and needs some cheering up. Mike doesn’t dance anymore, he tells her, cheekily quoting a price of $60,000. To which Max counteroffers $6,000 — and Mike accepts.

What follows could be called, euphemistically, dirty dancing: It looks like it required the services of an intimacy coordinator more than a choreographer. It’s fun, a little bit funny and hot. And for a minute it feels like this third installment — again directed by Stephen Soderbergh, returning to the franchise after handing over the keys to “Magic Mike XXL” to his first assistant director Gregory Jacobs in 2015 — might be a return to form.

No such luck. The only connection to the earlier films is a brief Zoom call Mike has with his Florida stripper pals Ken (Matt Bomer), Tito (Adam Rodriguez), Tarzan (Kevin Nash) and Big Dick Richie (Joe Manganiello) — all uncredited.

If “Last Dance” stirs any old

‘MAGIC MIKE’S LAST DANCE’

rtss

Rated: R

Running time: 115 minutes

Playing at: Regal MGM Springfield; Cinemark West Springfield, Hampshire Mall

memories, they’re likely to be of Tatum in the 2006 danceoff romance “Step Up.”

If you thought “XXL” was disappointingly market-driven — and we did — brace yourself against the back of your chair for this finale, which bumps and grinds and thrusts itself at you like, well, a fake police officer at a bachelorette party. The pandering symptoms of sequelitis are full-blown here. Oh, and it’s also completely bonkers.

One thing leads to another — just because returning screenwriter Reid Carolin says so — and Mike’s performance for Max ends with the two of them in bed, after an apparent act of off-camera coitus. (It’s seems odd to cut away from sensuality when Mike’s dance itself is essentially a pantomime of copulation.) Max is so satisfied that she offers Mike $60,000 on the spot to fly with her to London to direct a dance version of the stuffy drawing-room stage romance currently in production at her estranged husband’s theater,

which Max now controls. Mike accepts (even with Max’s stipulation that there will be

Look: None of the “Magic Mike” films are documentaries. But something about this one suggests that Soderbergh and Carolin know just how full of hooey and problematic sexual politics its story of an erot-

Tatum has laid-back charm in spades, but he works so strenuously to be likable, supportive, nurturing, deferential in this role.

no more sex), and the rest iswell, a rather tedious affair, to be honest.

Tatum has laid-back charm in spades, but he works so strenuously to be likable, supportive, nurturing, deferential in this role — and let’s not forget, an object of sexual desire, flipping the dynamic of the male gaze 180 degrees — that he’s practically overheating. Mike knows nothing about theater or traditional stagecraft, but that doesn’t stop him, in a movie that is tied to plausibility with the flimsiness of a G-string, from re-envisioning the play as a vaudeville version of a Chippendales act, complete with a steamy pas de deux, carried out in artificial stage rain, with the ballerina Kylie Shea. And when a municipal bureaucrat (Vicki Pepperdine) threatens to shut down the show because the stage is three-quarters of an inch too high, Mike is able to get her to change her mind with nothing more than a flesh-mob dance by his all-male revue, staged on a city bus.

icized yet sexless relationship between a middle-aged manchild and an older woman is. Even the screenplay seems to contain efforts to inoculate itself against criticism, with the

film’s narration — courtesy of Max’s teenage daughter (a fine Jemelia George) — referring to how dance need not obey the laws of reason or logic but only liberty. Got it.

Then there’s this rhyming couplet/rap from Mike’s stage play, which features female audience members being — there’s no other way to describe it — dry-humped by shirtless young men: “The sexiest act of submission / is to ask for permission.”

“Magic Mike’s Last Dance” is so commodified, I almost expected to find T-shirts printed with that slogan in the lobby.

WEDNESDAY

Polish American Citizens Club

355 East Street, Ludlow, 583-6385

Bingo Wednesdays 6:30-9:30pm

Doors Open at 4pm.

Minimum Admission $50

1 - 1199 Progressive w/ Climbing Consolation Prize

2 - $500 Cover Alls

3 - $200 Special Games

All Games will be $100

with 90 People or More

All Cards are included with Admission

THURSDAY

Fairview Knights of Columbus

1599 Memorial Drive, Chicopee (413) 532-2011

DOORS OPEN 4:30PM

MASKS OPTIONAL

Progressive Jackpot 6:15pm Early Bird

6:20pm Start

Min. Entry Package $15

Electronic Bingo Aval. Snack Bar, Open Seating, Handicap Restrooms

CALL TODAY 413-788-1250 TO LIST HERE

Jemelia George and Channing Tatum in a scene from “Magic Mike’s Last Dance.” (WARNER BROS. PICTURES)

Channing Tatum and Kylie Shea appear in “Magic Mike’s Last Dance.” (WARNER BROS. PICTURES)

Restaurants focus on cost control efforts

KEEPING COSTS IN line has always been a survival imperative for restaurateurs, but the economic environment of the last several years has made such efforts more critical than ever. Labor shortages have driven up wages, while supply chain disruptions, natural disasters, and war in Europe have led to double-digit upticks in the cost of food and supplies. Dramatic increases in wholesale food prices are particularly troublesome for eating establishments, since the cost of food typically accounts for a third or more of the overall cost of a restaurant meal.

Coping with such unrelenting cost pressures was the topic of a recent webinar presented by Nation’s Restaurant News, a major restaurant-industry media outlet. The session, “Menu Economics: Navigating Food Inflation” focused on managing menu costs, and its central message

was a simple one — restaurant owners need to now, more than ever, be proactive when dealing with costs.

Restaurant owners and executives, the program’s participants agreed, need to start their cost control efforts by paying attention to what’s going on in the world and gauging the likely impact of those developments on food supplies and prices. Waiting until prices have actually gone up is too late.

Simply adjusting menu prices is not the way to deal with cost increases, either, since consumers, hit by similar inflationary pressures and seeing their disposable incomes shrink, are becoming increasingly price sensitive. Instead, those participating in the webinar shared some practical solutions for dealing with food cost pressures. Using frozen foods rather than fresh where possible was recommended, for instance, since the cost of frozen foods

Hugh Robert Off The Menu

tend to be more stable. Reviewing recipes to identify cost-saving ingredient substitutions was another strategy suggested, as was taking a hard look at the number of items on an operation’s menu overall and reducing that number to the extent possible.

Strategic marketing is another piece of effective cost mitigation. Restaurants need to identify menu areas where raw product costs are likely to be an issue and then tweak the operation’s marketing efforts so as to channel demand away from those dishes most impacted by rising wholesale prices.

The webinar “Menu Economics: Navigating Food Inflation” is part of the Emerging Restaurateur Live

Wine has problem, but who’s to

Depends on who you ask

WINE HAS A problem.

Sales are down. It’s not cool anymore. It’s bad for us.

Those are just some of the issues putting a dent in wine’s popularity, according to several recent studies.

So who’s the blame? Depends who you ask.

That seems to be the great debate recently among people whose jobs involve selling or making wine. (Let me add that I do neither. I’m simply here to recommend wines, not sell them to you.)

According to recent studies, wine sales in the United States are down and they’re only getting worse each year.

For the second year in a row last year, wine sales nationwide were down in 2022 compared to 2021, according to one recent, annual nationwide study conducted by Silicon Valley Bank.

The authors of this influential study even think this trend could get worse in future years, going so far as to say that the American wine industry could become

blame?

Ken Ross Wine Press

another business case study in once-successful businesses that are now obsolete.

So why were wine sales down last year?

According to the Silicon Valley Bank study, younger adults are partly to blame. Between 2007 and 2021, wine sales fell in nearly every age group under 60. Sales were down 5.5% for adults 50 to 60, down 7.3% among adults 40 to 50 and 1.2% among adults 30 to 40. As for adults 21 to 30, wine sales were basically the same — up a mere 0.1%.

The only growth in wine sales was among adults over 60, who consistently bought more wine every year between 2007 and 2021.

So why aren’t people under 60 buying wine?

One big elephant in the

Restaurants nationwide have been reviewing recipes and menu offerings to help keep costs under control. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

Menu

CONTINUES FROM PAGE E7

Learning Series and can be downloaded in its entirety from nrn.com, the Nation’s Restaurant News website.

Side dishes

• On Feb. 19, Figaro Ristorante in Enfield is presenting an Elvis Presley tribute show, “Elvis is Back in the Building.” The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with a buffet of classic Italian-American dishes and a cash bar; the show itself will start at 7 p.m.

Tickets for “Elvis is Back in the Building” are $25, not including costs of dinner or drinks. Reservations can be made by calling 860-745-2414.

• Storrowton Tavern in West Springfield, in partnership with the ACME Mystery Company of Connecticut, is hosting a murder mystery dinner on March 3.

The event begins at 6:45 p.m. and is priced at $55. Those attending have a choice of prime rib or stuffed chicken

Inn has organized a cluster of February get-togethers designed to chase away winter doldrums.

On Saturday, Champney’s is hosting Mrs. Claus for a Lunch and Teddy Bear Tea. The event starts at 11:30 a.m.; participants are encouraged to bring their favorite teddy bear as a guest. The restaurant’s regular luncheon menu and kids menu will be available.

Starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, the restaurant will present a Berkshire Brewing Company Beer Dinner. Featuring five courses and five Berkshire brews to “go-with,” the Beer Dinner is priced at $95 per person plus tax and gratuity.

Later in the February vacation week, on Feb. 25, Champney’s will hold another of its Fancy Nancy Luncheons, an event built around Jane O’Connor’s book “Fancy Nancy,” which will be read aloud during the occasion. The lunch begins at 11:30 a.m.

That evening at 6 p.m. the Hitchcock Brewing Company of Bernardston will be pouring a selection of its American ales

Delaney’s Market locations are offering a “Cook Your Own Game Dinner at Home” experience this month. Packages can be ordered at locations in Longmeadow, Wilbraham, and Westfield until Feb. 22.

courses — bison cheeseburger chowder, tomato bruschetta crostini with buffalo mozzarella, venison beef stroganoff, and a pineapple upside down cake with wild board bacon. Individual beer tastings are provided with each course, and full preparation instructions are included. The dinner package, which serves two, is priced at $99 plus applicable taxes. Order the Game Dinner package at the Delaney’s Market location in Longmeadow, Wilbraham, or Westfield by Feb. 22. Pickup dates for the dinners is on Feb. 24 or Feb. 25. More details are available online at DelaneyMarket.com

• KFC has introduced two snack items that feature its Extra Crispy chicken.

The new Classic Chicken Wrap at KFC is made with an Extra Crispy chicken tender, pickles, and a slather of mayonnaise all wrapped in a warm flour tortilla, while a Spicy Slaw Chicken Wrap gets its flavor mojo from coleslaw and a special spicy sauce.

The dinner includes four courses — bison cheeseburger chowder, tomato bruschetta crostini with buffalo mozzarella, venison beef stroganoff, and a pineapple upside down cake with wild board bacon.

dent Prince Cafe and Fort Restaurant in Springfield is scheduled for Feb. 23 at 6 p.m.

A six-course presentation of “wild” edibles, the dinner will include the likes of fried python, oxtail stew, rabbit leg confit, and bison ribeye. For dessert Executive Chef Timothy Saxer will be preparing Duck Eggs S’Mores.

The dinner is priced at $75 per person, with tax and tip included. Tickets may be reserved online at studentprince.com.

tinned fish, sharable dips, and house-made candy bars.

On Feb. 20, a nachos pop-up is planned, with duck nachos the featured selection. The following Monday, Feb. 27, the pop-up focus will be pizza. More details will be forthcoming at the Beer Hall’s social media outposts. The Dirty Truth also answers at 413-585-5999.

• Barstow’s Dairy Store and Bakery in Hadley is promoting its February Winter Dinners, a pick-up meal opportunity available on Feb. 21 from 4 to 7 p.m.

The menu will feature Barstow’s own chicken and biscuits with mashed potatoes and green beans. A cheesecake cup is included for dessert.

Plates are $18 each, with a kid’s sized portion priced at $15. There’s also a plus-sized farmer’s plate for those with hearty appetites.

Advance orders are required by Friday at 3 p.m.

Call Barstow’s at 413-5862142 for more details or to reserve a plate.

• Brignole Vineyards in East Granby is collaborating with Avon Prime Meats of Avon to present a five-course Game Dinner with wine pairings on Feb. 28 starting at 6 p.m.

The dinner is priced at $115; more details can be had by contacting Brignole Vineyards at 860-653-9463.

• Atkins Farm Country Market in Amherst is hosting a “Tastings in The Loft” event on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m.

as their entrée.

ACME Murder Mystery performs their own original material, enhancing the mystery experience by providing each table with a clue that can be shared and compared with others attending.

To make a reservation for the performance call 413-7324188.

• Champney’s Restaurant and Tavern at the Deerfield

as its contribution to a fivecourse beer dinner.

Cost to attend will be $95 plus tax and gratuity.

Information about, and reservations to attend, any of these Champney’s events can be had by calling 413-774-5587.

• Delaney’s Market locations are offering a “Cook Your Own Game Dinner at Home” experience this month.

The dinner includes four

Both new wraps are available for a limited time; they’re priced at two for $5. The wraps are also being offered as part of a KFC Wraps Combo that includes a choice of two chicken wraps, “Secret Recipe” fries, and a medium drink.

KFC fans will recognize the new wraps as an updated version of a previous menu item, KFC Twister Wraps.

• This month’s second Hunter’s Dinner at the Stu-

More information is available by calling the restaurant at 413-734-7475.

• The Dirty Truth Beer Hall in Northampton has announced its “Winter in Northampton” series of Monday Pop Ups.

Each Monday evening from 4 to 10 p.m. throughout the rest of the winter, The Dirty Truth will offer a new theme and a unique menu. The inaugural pop-up event on Feb. 13 was designed around a selection of cheese boards,

The free tasting event will include samples of selected beers, wines, and ciders as well as complimentary light snacks. Special pricing on the beverages sampled will be available to those who attend.

For more details contact Atkins Farm at 413-253-9528.

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.

(DAVE ROBACK / THE REPUBLICAN)

Storrowton Tavern, in partnership with the ACME Mystery Company of Connecticut, will host a murder mystery dinner on March 3. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN)

A decent non-alcoholic beer

AS I HAVE MENtioned occasionally in the past, I sometimes receive emails from folks who don’t drink, but who nonetheless enjoy reading this column.

While such correspondence is flattering, there is always a part of me that worries a bit that if their reason for not drinking is alcoholism, I might be tempting them to fall off the wagon – not because my writing is so compelling, but rather because alcoholism is such an insidious affliction.

But I’m not running a

Wine

CONTINUES FROM PAGE E7

room is several recent scientific studies that alcohol — even small amounts — can be bad for adults. That might explain why more adults are abstaining from drinking, according to the Silicon Valley Bank study.

Such studies run contrary to previous studies, which said that wine consumption — especially regularly drinking red wine — can be good for adults. One of the most famous ones was first publicized in 1991. That’s when the CBS news program “60 Minutes” ran a story about The French Paradox — why do French people have lower rates of heart disease than Americans, even though French people eat fattier foods? The answer, according to some researchers, was red wine. And red wine sales took off in this country.

That study also came out around the same time that wine was “cool,” according to the recent Silicon Valley Bank study.

“Wine was last cool with young consumers 30 years ago,” the authors write, adding, “The category back then spoke of boomer values, conspicuous consumption, outward personal success, short breaks for family gatherings and the imaginary free time that would be taken with the

temperance society here, nor am I responsible for others’ behavior. It would also be silly for each column to start with a trigger warning for those still tempted to excess by Demon Rum. But I am still sometimes troubled by my role in promoting something that can and does cause so much grief in some lives. But I’m only troubled to a small degree. Again, my job isn’t protecting people from their own vices.

However, in the spirit of acknowledging some souls’ struggles with alcohol, I occasionally sample a nonal-

money earned by working.”

The category?

Outward personal success?

Wow, did they get that wrong.

Let me tell you. As someone who was 23 years old 30 years ago in the early ’90s, I wasn’t interested in wine because I was interested in “boomer values” or “conspicuous consumption.” I was staying out all night at clubs in Washington, D.C., on weekends. I was watching foreign films at The Biograph in Georgetown. I was a vegetarian and didn’t own a car. And my friends and I regularly drank wine when we got together.

One big difference back then was price.

Yes, you can still find great affordable wines. And that’s one of the reasons why I started writing this weekly wine column 11 years ago.

But it’s definitely getting harder to find interesting, affordable wines. And by affordable, I mean wines under $10 or $12 a bottle in a store.

And I don’t know who these researchers are talking to, but most people I know don’t want to spend a lot of money (meaning anything over $20) on a bottle of wine, especially with everything costing more in recent months.

Another problem is restaurants. They used to mark up the price of wine by around twice as much. So if a bottle

George Lenker

Beer Nut SEE BEER, PAGE E12

coholic beer to see if those of us who appreciate well-made craft beers would enjoy it. For the most part, they have

of wine cost $10 in a store, it would normally cost $20 in a restaurant. Now, that same $10 bottle will easily go for $30 in many restaurants. I’ve seen it time and time and time again.

And don’t get me started on wine by the glass at restaurants. Here, the wine’s not only more expensive, the glass is even smaller.

The common wisdom used to be that a standard 750 ml bottle of wine contained four glasses of wine. Now, if you ask most restaurants or Google, they’ll tell you that a bottle of wine contains five or sometimes even six glasses of wine. So that $5 glass of wine from years ago is now 20 % smaller and costs $6 a glass or often much more.

And the wines by the glass at most restaurants are boring and predictable. There may be a wine revolution going on around the world — especially when it comes to natural wines, organic wines, independent producers and wines from less well-known wine regions — but you wouldn’t know it if you go to most restaurants that serve the same, overpriced wines.

So no wonder younger people aren’t drinking more wine when they go out to eat or drink. It’s not a paradox. They’re smart.

Instead of ordering an $8 glass of bland wine served in

a thimble, young people are having cocktails or beer, which have both become much better and far more interesting in the past three decades and cost about the same as a glass of wine. And in many cases, especially here in Western Massachusetts, you can find many great craft beers or distinct cocktails in just about any restaurant.

So if the wine industry wants to get younger people more interested in wine, make sure they can get interesting, af-

fordable wines — at stores and in restaurants. And if you want to learn more about these wines, I invite you to keep coming back here every week. I promise I’ll do my best to keep writing about great wines that have nothing to do with categories or outward personal success.

Cheers!

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

Athletic Brewing Co. out of Stratford, Connecticut, offers a line of non-alcoholic brews, writes columnist George Lenker.

(GEORGE LENKER PHOTO)

CALENDAR

Events

THURSDAY

“The Building,” by Betel Arnold: Thu., 7:30 p.m. Gateway City Arts, Silverthorne Theater Company presents a staged reading of Northampton playwright Betel Arnold’s newest play, at the Divine Theater at Gateway City Arts as part of Silverthorne’s free Theater Thursdays reading series, with a talkback to follow. Tickets are free, Silverthorne welcomes donations, Free. 92 Race St., Holyoke; www.gatewaycityarts.com

MGM Casino: Thu.-Sun., MGM Springfield, Featuring retail stores, restaurants, Regal Cinemas and more. For details visit www mgmspringfield.com, 1 MGM Way, Springfield.

Square Dance Classes: Thu., 6:30 p.m. American Legion 0239, $5. For more information, contact Gloria at 413-467-3352 or email ladicaller@ gogtt.ent, 66 State St., Belchertown.

UMass Amherst Dept. of Music and Dance Guest Artist Concert: Thu., 7:30 p.m. Bezanson Recital Hall, Timothy McAllister, saxophone & Liz Ames, piano, Free. North Pleasant St., Amherst. 413-545-2511 or www. umass.edu

FRIDAY

Bordeaux Wine Seminar: Fri., 5:30-7 p.m. Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum, With Rob Ross, guest French Wine Ambassador of The Wine Trust Importing Co. Space is limited. For tickets visit nejaimeswine.com or call 413-6372221, $45 per person. 104 Walker St., Lenox. 413-637-3206 or www. gildedage.org

“The Bridges of Madison County”: Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. Enfield Annex, $25. 124 N. Maple St., Enfield; MGM Casino: See Thursday listing Movie Life Stories Program: Fri., 6-8 p.m. South Berkshire Friends Meetinghouse. This program is created for and geared toward the Berkshire immigrant population and their allies. These workshops provide opportunities to share personal journeys, stories, and connections to places past and present through movement games, exercises, dancing and community building. For more information visit https://berkshirepulse.org/classes-programs/special-programs/, 280 State Road, Great Barrington.

Music at Amherst Series: Fri., 8 p.m. Buckley Recital Hall, Gabriela Montero, piano. For COVID concert protocols or to purchase tickets visit www.amherst.edu, public: $28; senior citizens (65+): $22; students, with valid ID: $12. Intersection Routes 9 and 116,

Amherst. www.amherst.edu

Springfield RV, Camping and Outdoor Show: Fri., 4-9 p.m.; Sat.,

10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Eastern States Exposition, Better Living Center, Mallary Complex, Young Building, Admission: Adult: $10, senior (60+), DAV, military: $8, children 12 and under: Free. Parking: $5 (collected by ESE Fairgrounds). 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. 413737-2443 or www.thebige.com.

Suffield Players Presents “These Shining Lives”: Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. Mapleton Hall, Through Feb. 25. For tickets visit suffield players. org or call 800-289-6148. Performance Feb. 19 will require all audience members to wear masks. Performances Feb. 17, 18, 24, 25 are mask optional, $20 per person ($15 opening night).

1305 Mapleton Ave., Suffield. 860-6680837 or www.suffieldplayers.org.

SATURDAY

“The Bridges of Madison County”: See Friday listing

Close Encounters With Music presents: Town & Country-Mendelssohn and Dvorak: Sat., 6 p.m. Saint James Place, $52. 352 Main St., Great Barrington;

“Crossroads: Franklin County Industrialization”: Sat., 1-2:30 p.m. Museum of Our Industrial Heritage Newell Snow Factory, Feb. 18, 1-2:30 p.m. Presenters: Jim Terapane, president, Museum of Our Industrial Heritage, and a Great Falls Discovery Center park interpreter, 2 Mead St., Greenfield.

MGM Casino: See Thursday listing Springfield RV, Camping and Outdoor Show: See Friday listing

Suffield Players Presents “These Shining Lives”: See Friday listing

SUNDAY

“The Bridges of Madison County”: See Friday listing

MGM Casino: See Thursday listing Springfield RV, Camping and Outdoor Show: See Friday listing

Square Dancing Classes: Sun., 6:30-8 p.m. Union Church of Christ, first two dances are free and then $5 per person. The instructor is Gloria Vivier. For details, call 413-467-3352, 51 Center St. (Route 21), Ludlow. 413-583-5717.

Suffield Players Presents “These Shining Lives”: See Friday listing

UMass Amherst Dept. of Music and Dance Guest Artist Concert: Sun., 7:30 p.m. Bezanson Recital Hall, Fred Sienkiewicz, trumpet & Thomas Weaver, piano, Free. North Pleasant St., Amherst. 413-545-2511 or www. umass.edu

SEE CALENDAR, PAGE E11

SPRINGFIELD

Boyz II Men are returning

By K eith O ’C onnor Special to The Republican

By popular demand, Boyz II Men, who appeared at Springfield Symphony Hall last March, will return to the concert venue on Saturday.

Showtime is 8 p.m. for the MGM Springfield sponsored event.

“We are thrilled to welcome Boyz II Men back to Springfield Symphony Hall. This is the fourth time the best-selling R&B group of all time has graced our stage. They bring an excitement and buzz to downtown Springfield that is unmatched,” said Amanda Croteau, director of entertainment for MGM Springfield.

Currently touring as a trio featuring Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris, and Shawn Stockman, Boyz II Men was founded at Philadelphia’s High School of the Creative Arts in 1987 as a quintet where they often rehearsed in the school auditorium. They later found fame as a quartet (with Michael McCary until 2003) recording with Motown Records during the early 1990s.

Considered one of the most commercially successful R&B groups of all time, the four-time Grammy award winners have penned and performed some of the most celebrated classics of the last three

decades with some 64 million albums sold. Boyz II Men’s hit musical catalog included the hits “End of the Road,” “I’ll Make Love To You,” “One Sweet Day” with Mariah Carey, “Motownphilly” and many others.

Over the past three decades, the group has amassed an endless list of accolades. They have also won nine American Music Awards and nine Soul Train Awards, as well as three Billboard Awards, alongside a 2011 MOBO Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. In 2013, Boyz II Men began an ongoing residency at the Mirage Resort and Casino in Las Vegas for which they have been honored with the Casino Entertainment Award. In 2019 they were nominated for a CMT Award. And, they were also presented with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Today Boyz II Men has a little competition knocking at their door. The sons of Boyz II Men’s Wanya Morris — Big Boy, Chulo, Tyvas and Rocco — have formed their own group called WanMor. They recently gained notoriety as this year’s Grammys by performing alongside music legends Stevie wonder and Smokey Robinson in a special Motown tribute on the show.

Tickets, priced at $49 to $99, can be purchased at ticketmaster.com.

By popular demand, Boyz II Men will return to Springfield to play Symphony Hall on Saturday at 8 p.m. Above, the group is pictured performing in Springfield last March. (ED COHEN PHOTO)

Calendar

CONTINUED FROM PAGE E10

West Springfield Coin Club Meeting: Sun., 7 p.m. Mittineague Congregational Church, A video presentation will be shown on the United States Trade Dollars of 1873-1885. Refreshments will be available. Guests are always welcome. For further information, contact Peter Setian at 413-5969871, 1840 Westfield St., West Springfield.

Quadrangle

Dr. Seuss Sculpture Garden: Dr. Seuss National Memorial. 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. Part of the free family activities. Summer Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History: “The Grinch: A Car with a History.”

Through Nov. 1. Permanent exhibit: more than two dozen Indian motorcycles and related memorabilia.

Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts: “New/Now: Contemporary Art Acquisitions.”

Through July 30. Museum a la Carte. Feb. 16, 12:15 p.m. “Making

Monuments: A Sculptor Speaks for Her Sculptures.” Cost: $4, free for members. Presented by Meredith Bergmann, sculptor.

Springfield Science Museum: “Leonardo’s Lab.” Through April 23. Visitors can recreate Leonardo’s tool-and-hardware-free interlocking bridge and assemble an air powered flying ‘copter, making changes to improve the aerodynamics and more. “We’re Still Here.” Through June 30. Native Voices Initiative begins with contemporary perspectives. Curated by Aprell May Mumford.

The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum: Permanent Exhibit. 1st floor exhibition provides opportunities to explore new sounds and vocabulary, play rhyming games, invent stories, and engage in activities that encourage teamwork and creative thinking, with interactive three-dimensional exhibits. 2nd floor: contains Theodor 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 Geisel’s sitting room and studio, including his drawing board and armchair. 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.

Museums

Amelia Park Children’s Museum: Permanent exhibit: hands-on activities and creative exhibits, the Hurricane Simulator. Sign up online for a play session at ameliaparkmuseum.org.

Hours: Mon. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Thurs.-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 & teachers: Receive a 10% discount off the price of your regular admission. Members and infants free, 29 S. Broad St., Westfield or www. ameliaparkmuseum.org

Berkshire Museum: “The Art of Storytelling: Celebrating Illustration and Literature.” Featuring three exhibitions, “Storyland: A Trip through Childhood Favorites,”

“Childhood Classics — 100 Years of Illustration for the Art Kandy Collection,” and the work of author Ty Allan Jackson. 39 South St., Pittsfield or www.berkshiremuseum.org

Children’s Museum at Holyoke: Permanent Exhibit: Amazing world of learning and play. The newest additions are The Wiggle and Wash/Vet Clinic. A toddler MerryGo-Round and a state of the art, STEM based cash register for kids.

Hours: Tues.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun., noon-4 p.m. closed Mondays, closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve Day, and Christmas Day. In the event of severe weather conditions, check Facebook or Instagram, or local TV Station 22 for closures.

Admission: Children & adults $8; seniors (62+) $5; children under 1 year of age and members are free, 444 Dwight St., Holyoke or www. childrensmuseumholyoke.org

Connecticut Trolley Museum: Kids Arts & Crafts. Feb. 18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Theme: Connecticut Dinosaurs. 58 North Road, East Windsor or www.cttrolley.org

East Longmeadow Historical Commission Museum: Perma-

nent 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. Hours: 1-3 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month, Sept.-June, weather permitting. Free. 87 Maple St., East Longmeadow

Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art: “The Carle Collection: Recent Acquisitions.” Through April 9. “What Might You Do? Christian Robinson.” Through June 4. Bilingual Storytime (English and Spanish), Feb. 26, 2 p.m. “Eric Carle’s Book Birthdays.” Through March 5. 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. Museum hours: Weds.-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, Everyday Art Project. Through March 12. Special Storytime: Hayley and John Rocco. Feb. 18, 2 - 2:30 p.m. Free with Museum Admission. Join the Roccos for a reading of their newest book, “How To Send A Hug,” celebrating the magic of sending and receiving hand-written letters. After storytime, participants will be invited to craft their own special HUGs for family and friends. Book signing to follow program. 125 West Bay Road, Amherst or www.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-heritage-state-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. 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 S. Pleasant St., Amherst or www.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. The museum is now open. In addition to a new

technologically advanced visitor experience including the following: “High Above Center Court,” “Hall of Honor,” “1891 Gallery,” “Players Gallery,” “James Goldstein Superfan gallery,” and “Jerry Colangelo Court of Dreams.”; Hours: 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 W. Columbus Ave., Springfield or www.hoophall.com

Norman Rockwell Museum: Permanent exhibit: Gallery. Hours: Thurs.-Mon. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Advance tickets purchase required; Closed Tues. and Wed.; $20 adults; $18 seniors, AAA, retired military; $10 college students, free children ages 18 and under, members and active military, “Eloise and More: The Life and Art of Hilary Knight.” Through March 12. Online Series: Drawing Life Episode with Victor Juhasz. Feb. 16. To register, visit www.nrm.org. $5, Feb. School Vacation Week. Feb. 18-21, 23-24. Art of Adventure, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. RSVP required, walk-up accommodated as space allows. Visit www.nrm.org; Storytimes, 10:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 1:45 p.m. Free for kids and teens, and members, or included with admission. No reservation required, adult accompaniment required. 9 Route 183, Stockbridge or www.nrm.org

Old Sturbridge Village: Permanent exhibit: visit Kidstory, a new 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: Jan. 13-Feb. 21, Fri.-Sun. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. $28, $26 seniors, $14 college students with ID & children 4-17, free for children 3 and under, Route 20, Sturbridge or www.osv.org

Pan African Historical Museum

USA: Permanent exhibit: exhibitions by local artists. Hours: Tues.Fri. noon-4 p.m. free, 1500 Main St., Springfield 413-733-1823.

Polish Center of Discovery and Learning: Permanent exhibit: a living monument safeguarding historical objects representative of the material culture of the Polish people in America. Galleries include “Coming to America”; “At Home in America”; “Folk Art”; “History.” The Polish Center is open to the public daily, Mon.-Fri., 1-5 p.m., except for inclement weather and holidays. Other times may be scheduled by appointment. $5 donation, 33 South St., Chicopee or www.polishcenter.net

Springfield Armory National Historic Site: Ranger-led interpretive programs offered in the museum in the afternoon. Junior Ranger

programs conducted frequently each day. hours are Wed.-Sun., 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. 1 Armory Square, Springfield or www.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 www.susanb anthonybirthplace.com

The Emily Dickinson Museum: Homestead and Evergreens: Museum Reopened Restoration Project. 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 or www.emilydickinsons museum.org.

Titanic Museum: Permanent exhibit: 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. $4, $2 children and students, 208 Main St., Indian Orchard or www. titanic1.org

University Museum of Contemporary Art - Fine Arts Center: Permanent exhibit. COVID-19 Health and Safety policy: The Fine Arts Center, requires patrons to be fully vaccinated to attend performances. UMass students, staff, and volunteers are required to be fully vaccinated per university policy. Masks are not required, but are welcome and encouraged. Please review our policy before attending an event. 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 here: www.umass.edu/closing/. 151 Presidents Drive, Amherst

Volleyball Hall of Fame: Permanent exhibit. Due to COVID-19, the museum is only open Sat. & Sun. from 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. Our box office staff will provide a mask for any visitor who does not have one. $2.50-$3.50, 444 Dwight St., Holyoke or www. volleyhall.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 www.wistariahurst.org

come up short as far as flavor. Some aren’t bad at all, but I only have 52 of these columns a year, and if I’m going to use one to recommend a certain brew, I want it to rise to the level of other craft beers that I speak highly of here — or at least be in the ballpark.

It seems that recently there are more non-alcoholic brews hitting the shelves, from Guinness’ “0″ brew to even BrewDog’s line of non-alcoholic beers. BrewDog’s entry into the non-alcoholic market is amusing in a way, since the brewery made its name by brewing some of the highest alcohol beers ever made.

But thanks to an inquiry by a friend, I recently discovered a craft beer company that has a whole line of non-alcoholic brews: Athletic Brewing Co. out of Stratford, Connecticut.

Athletic’s lineup includes a lager, a light beer, a golden ale, a dark beer, and several IPAs, as well as some limited runs, such as a witbier and a sour. The lack of specificity about the actual styles of most of the brews made me a bit nervous. (I mean, is the dark a stout, a porter, a dunkel or a generic brown ale?) But that was just a minor quibble.

Three local establishments that I patronize carry Athletic beers (The Dirty Truth, Joe’s Cafe and Ye Ol’ Watering Hole), so I was in luck. I happened to be at the Watering Hole next, so I decided to try one of these brews.

Now, I’m not planning

on drinking a lot of these non-alcoholic beers, so I decided to choose the style that I like best and which would have to be good to impress me, so I ordered the Run Wild IPA.

The beer pours a very pale straw hue without much head. The nose is also faint compared to a lot of IPAs. But we’re here for the taste and while the first sips revealed some mild hops popping up, followed by a cracker malt note, the overall flavor profile was decent if a bit thin.

However, patience is a virtue and as the beer warms, the taste develops and different notes in flavor profile start to mesh better. Please note that my beer was not served too cold, but for some reason, this brew needs to “open up” a bit. I’d suggest letting beer sit for a few minutes after first pouring it to optimize the flavor. (Then again, I’m a fan of drinking beer warmer than a lot of people, as flavors usually are more evident at higher temperatures.)

The verdict?

Look, alcohol doesn’t just add to the “buzz” factor of drinking: It actually has a pretty big effect on the flavor. But I have to say that this was the tastiest non-alcoholic beer I’ve ever had. So kudos to Athletic for making a craft brew for people who enjoy good beer but can’t drink alcohol for whatever reason.

This journey has also inspired me to investigate other non-alcoholic beers further for a future column. I plan on trying Guinness 0 and BrewDog’s offerings when I can find them. Stay tuned.