Welcome spring with Festival of Flowers

By C ori U rban Special to The Republican

‘Spring is the time of plans and projects,” author Leo Tolstoy once wrote. And now is the time to put some spring projects on hold to make plans to visit the 10th annual Festival of Flowers at the Springfield Museums. The display, which runs today through April 2, will feature more than 40 displays of floral design and botanical whimsy.

“A flower show is always so welcome at this time of year,” said Larissa M. Murray, director of education at the museums. “People are ready for spring and to embrace the beauty of the floral arrangements. While it still may be chilly outside in early April, the warm galleries will be bursting with color and fragrance!”

The interpretive arrangements will be made by local professional florists as well as garden club members and bring new perspectives to the objects and exhibits of the art, history and science museums.

The floral arrangements are placed on pedestals in front of the artwork or museum object.

“We try to select new artwork and objects for each show, making sure to rotate what is interpreted over the years,” Murray said. Museum staff discuss options for interpretation, and a slideshow of available objects is shared with interested participants.

“There is certainly an art to arranging flowers and creating a design,” she said. “It’s not as straightforward as placing a bunch of flowers in a vase.”

Festival of Flowers participants create intricate designs to interpret the objects and express meaning, movement and feeling. “I

SEE FLOWERS, PAGE E4

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 Drake: East Coast Oracles, Hooper James, DJ Lucas. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst

The Parlor Room at Signature

Sounds: Amy Speace with special guest Erin Ash Sullivan. 32 Masonic St., Northampton

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: Jo Sallins. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke

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

East Mountain Country Club: Rock 201. 1458 East Mountain Rd, Westfield

MGM Springfield: MGM Roar

Comedy Club: Shapel Lacey. 1 MGM Way, Springfield

The Drake: Moxie with Cloudbelly and Lux Deluxe. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst

The Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center: Jonathan Scales Fourchestra. 289 Main St., Greenfield

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

Theodores’: Carl Ricci & 706 Union Ave. 201 Worthington St., Springfield

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

SATURDAY

Delaney House: Lisa Martin Band. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke

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

East Mountain Country Club: Looney Tunes Band. 1458 East Mountain Rd, Westfield

MGM Springfield: MGM Roar

Comedy Club: Shapel Lacey. 1

MGM Way, Springfield

The Drake: Baked Shrimp, Shantyman. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst