Weekend - December 14, 2023 by repubnews

For the latest holiday happenings, visit masslive.com/entertainment

Weekend

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| THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2023

INSIDE CHRISTMAS BY CANDLELIGHT: Holiday celebration at Old Sturbridge Village, E4 MCCRAY’S FARM: Lights display in South Hadley, E5

Gift of

laughs

Phantom Sheep Players to host free comedy show in Springfield, Page E2

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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Laughing through the holidays The Phantom Sheep Players will stage a free holiday comedy show at the Unity House Players in Springfield on Friday. (PHOTO COURTESY ERIC BOUCHER)

Phantom veryone could use a laugh at this point Sheep in the holiday season, when all of the Players to Christmas spending, gift wrapping, and making stage free sure to cross every last family off your list becomes comedy member too much. improv show in Springfield

By Ashley Potter

apotter@repub.com

That’s the hope behind a free comedy improv show to be held Friday at the Unity House Players, located at 245 Porter Lake Drive in Springfield. The Phantom Sheep Players — the driving force behind the show, rightly named “LaughCrafters: Holiday Show” — are Western Massachusetts’

longest-running professional comedy troupe. The group — composed of New England natives Eric Boucher, Tommy Lynch, Jeff Tingley, Aaron Reynolds and Paige Stawasz, with new cast members Stevie Norman and Josh Prouser — has been putting on a free holiday show for the community for decades. Now the show has become just as much a holiday tradition as gift exchanges, family dinners and opening presents on Christmas morning. “We look forward to this show every year as a way to share some laughter with the local community, adding more joy to the season,” Boucher said in a news release. “LaughCrafters: Holiday Show” begins at 7:30 p.m. and is open to everyone. The show will include sketch comedy as well as live unscripted scenes created on the spot, each with a holiday twist.

Boucher sat down with The Republican before Friday’s show to answer a few questions about the group’s Christmas show and the meaning of the holiday.

Q. For starters, how long has your group been putting on a free holiday show in Springfield?

We started the tradition of the “LaughCrafters Holiday Show” around the year 2000. For a few years we performed it in Easthampton, then Westfield, then for many years in Agawam. We even performed a live online version of it during the pandemic. Last year was our first year bringing our Holiday Show to Unity House Players in Springfield, where we’ve enjoyed a partnership teaching and performing since 2019.

SEE COMEDY, PAGE E3

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“It’s an often-chaotic time of year and laughter helps us manage the stress. That is one reason we are proud to offer this show for the community, and one reason we want to make it so that anyone can afford to go. Our aim is to both celebrate and satirize the season for all the joy and craziness it offers.” Eric Boucher, Phantom Sheep Players

Above is a scene enacted by the Phantom Sheep Players during a past holiday improv show. (PHOTO COURTESY ERIC BOUCHER)

Comedy

CONTINUES FROM PAGE E2

Our aim is to both celebrate and satirize the season for all the joy and craziness it offers.

Because it’s an improv show, it’s never the same show twice! Most of the show is filled with “theater games” where we perform scenes based on suggestions from the audience. We have some fan favorite games that are expected to return, but at least 40% will be new games that most of our audience has not seen before. And the ones that return will still be different, because the audience suggestions are different. Plus every year we also write new comedy sketches specifically for this event; and this year we have at least three prerecorded ones that will debut on video screens in the theater throughout the night.

Q. The holiday season

can be stressful for many people. What do you think is the importance of a good laugh, or enjoying a show like this? What do you hope people take away from it?

riences or memories when planning for this show, or is it all based off audience suggestion/on the spot improv?

A. When we write sketch-

es, we definitely draw upon things we love about the season such as family traditions, pop culture characters, and gift giving. When we design the specially themed improv games, we allow the audience to share with us their favorite traditions, relatives, or classic Christmas story characters so the scenes are customized to how they celebrate the season. And sometimes we just ask for a simple word and will turn it into a carol, or a 3 headed snowman may answer surprise questions from the audience. But like all good improv theater, our personal experiences definitely play a role and it’s about sharing those experiences that makes a show like this special.

Q. While this show plans

mean to you personally?

with 20 years under your belt, what do the Phantom Sheep Players hope to do next, looking at 2024 on the horizon? Any projects/ plans in the works for the New Year that you can tease?

Q. What does Christmas Q. Last but not least,

friends, as a community, and sharing joy. This show has actually served as an excuse for many friends and family to get together, some while they’re home visiting for the holidays. It’s always nice to see the people who have made seeing our show one of their holiday traditions.

Q. Are there any major comedy inspirations for your group?

A. A few that we have ad-

We’ll kick off 2024 with our annual New Year Improv Jam on Jan. 8, which is a great opportunity for anyone who always wanted to try improv or just to meet new people and refresh on some skills. And then we’ll start our next weekly series of adult classes shortly after. We also enjoy partnerships working with

many local theater groups, so you’ll likely see many of our troupe members involved in various productions on stage or on creative teams. We just officially announced that we’ll be returning to WNE to direct their spring musical, “The Rocky Horror Show.” And of course we’ll continue offering more workshops, more sketches, and more improv shows to the public throughout the year and beyond. The best way for people to keep up with us is to “like” and follow our Facebook page @ phntmsheep. “LaughCrafters: Holiday Show” will be held on Friday, Dec. 15, at the Unity House Players, located at 245 Porter Lake Drive in Springfield. RSVPs for the show can be done online at Facebook.com/ phntmsheep. For more information on the comedy troupe, visit phantomsheep.com.

Select dates through December 30 Get your tickets at WWW.OSV.ORG

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to poke fun at a number It is very important to of Christmas traditions, take a break from all the shop- what would you say your ping, wrapping, traveling, favorite (and least favorand family gatherings. It’s an ite) are to enact? often-chaotic time of year and laughter helps us manage the We’ve been known to stress. That is one reason we parody office parties, family are proud to offer this show dinners, the North Pole, the for the community, and one Nativity, and more. I personreason we want to make it so ally love pop culture and the that anyone can afford to go. classics, so anytime we can

mired and greatly influenced our sketch comedy include SNL, Kids in the Hall, and “Laugh-In.” We’ve also always been a big fan of the Muppets. Our style seems to be a blend of all that satire and silliness.

A. Christmas is about Q. Do you draw upon any gathering — with family, with

Q. And what do you try to personal Christmas expedo differently each year?

parody something like Frosty or Scrooge, it’s a lot of fun. We also play a game where we turn some of the audience pet peeves of winter into an orchestrated rant that feels therapeutic for everyone.

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MUSIC

STURBRIDGE

Lights out for Christmas by Candlelight celebration Event takes place select nights at Old Sturbridge Village By Keith O’Connor

Special to The Republican

Southside Johnny of Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes performs on stage during Calella Rock Fest at Fabrica Llobet on Oct. 11, 2019, in Calella, Spain. (JORDI VIDAL / REDFERNS)

Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes to ring in New Year early

T MAY NOT TECHNIcally be New Year’s Eve, but if you want to avoid the Dec. 31 crowds and rock in the New Year a few days early, Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes will be playing the Academy of Music Theatre in Northampton on Dec. 28. Southside Johnny & The George Lenker Asbury Jukes have been unLive Wire leashing raucous rock ’n’ roll since 1974, when the group was founded by singer John Lyon and guitarist/songwriter

SEE LIVEWIRE, PAGE E12

Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village reimagines what the holidays might have been like in the 1830s. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

they discovered that boiling the grayish-green berries of bayberry bushes produced a sweet-smelling wax that burned cleanly. Jump ahead to 1879 when the light bulb was introduced and candlemaking began to decline. Christmas by Candlelight is a “romantic” depiction of what the holiday might have been like back in the 1830s, the timeline represented by Old Sturbridge Village. While there would have been no lightbulbs back then, neither were most people celebrating Christmas. “We do see some historical references to ministers making note of it in their sermons,

as well as writings in some people’s diaries about the day. But all that we think of in terms of celebrating Christmas from its big feasts, family gatherings, and many of the popular traditions of today were simply not the norm yet,” said Rhys Simmons, director of interpretation at OSV, about Christmas — which wasn’t an official state holiday in Massachusetts until 1856 and only declared a federal holiday in 1870. The village is also lit up more traditionally along its Christmas Tree Trail with some 50 cut trees delivered to OSV for Christmas by

SEE CHRISTMAS, PAGE E6

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They have turned off the lights at Old Sturbridge Village for the season. But it is for good reason. The popular living history museum in Sturbridge is inviting visitors in December to step into the past and learn more about New England holiday traditions of the 19th century and today during its “Christmas by Candlelight” celebration. Christmas by Candlelight will be held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and again on Dec. 22, 23, 27, 28, 29 and 30 from 2-8 p.m. Visitors can stroll through the decorated village, listen to stories and live music, sample sweet treats, ride the horsedrawn carryall and more. The illuminated evening with its more than 4,000 warm and welcoming candles in tin lanterns comes to life with a lighting ceremony every night at 4:30 p.m. “Christmas by Candlelight has seen several iterations over the course of a decade or more and started as a way to attract visitors at a typically quiet time of the year. Museum staff saw an opportunity to use the space to teach about the historic aspects of Christmas. Recently it has evolved into a campus-wide event that family and friends look forward to as a tradition each year,” said Christine Freitas, director of communications and content for OSV. According to the National Candle Association, candles have been used as a source of light and to illuminate celebrations for more than 5,000 years. Colonial women offered America’s first contribution to candlemaking when

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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: Ember. 44 N. Pleasant St., Amherst The Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center: Drag Bingo. 289 Main St., Greenfield The Still: Drink specials. 63 Springfield St., Agawam

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

FRIDAY Delaney House: John Manzi. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke Doc’s Place: Karaoke. 1264 Granby Road, Chicopee East Mountain Country Club: Rock 201 Band. 1458 E. Mountain Road, Westfield MGM Springfield: MGM Roar Comedy Club: Rich Vos. 1 MGM Way, Springfield The Drake: The Slambovian Circus of Dreams: A Very Slambovian Christmas. 44 N. Pleasant St., Amherst The Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center: Chris Goudreau, Tony Batey, The Maladaptive, The Frost Heaves & Hale’s. 289 Main St., Greenfield The Meeting House: Dave Brinnel. 827 Williams St., Longmeadow Theodores’: Lexi Weeges & the JJ Slater Band. 201 Worthington St., Springfield West Springfield Fish and Game Club: CD jukebox, pool table. 329 Garden St., Feeding Hills West Springfield’s Irish House Restaurant & Pub: Terry Brennan. 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield

SATURDAY Delaney House: Lower Valley Guys. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke Doc’s Place: Karaoke. 1264 Granby Road, Chicopee East Mountain Country Club: 91 South Christmas Show. 1458 East Mountain Rd, Westfield MGM Springfield: MGM Roar Comedy Club: Rich Vos. 1 MGM Way, Springfield

Above and at left are scenes from last year's holiday light walk-

By Keith O’Connor

farmland — anywhere from through at McCray's Farm in South Hadley. (THE REPUBLICAN, FILE) Special to The Republican 30 to 45 minutes depending Who would have thought on how fast you walk and We’re happy to be able to farm in Maine, and that gave that an area farm well-known how many times you stop to provide a place for families to him the inspiration to move for its Monster Mash Scream admire a particular display enjoy and create memories,” forward with the idea,” added Park created back in 1991, and take photographs — all said Matthew Murdza, assis- Steve McCray. and still going strong, would lit up and decorated for the tant organizer of the stroll When asked how many turn its attention to Christholidays. Even Santa is there and longtime friend of Steve people it takes to set up the mas? on weekend nights to add to McCray. holiday attraction, McCray That is exactly what Mcall the fun. “It was an idea that my dad said, “Not enough.” Cray’s Farm in South Hadley “It’s the ‘wow’ factor to had been kicking around for a “We had less than three did last year and it is back actually walk through a win- while. He and my cousin went weeks to get everything ready SEE LIGHTS, PAGE E6 again for a second season, ter wonderland of brightly to see a similar light stroll at a establishing a new tradition shining LED lights, some for families looking for novel 500,000 of them, that ways to celebrate the holiday. contributed to our success Minus the scares of its last year. It was a lot of hard Halloween event, McCray’s work setting it up, but we Holiday Light Stroll provides got good reviews which a spirited walk through the made it all worthwhile. all memberships

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Walk through holiday lights at McCray’s Farm

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

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Christmas Candlelight that encircle the mill pond with their soft lights reflecting off of the water. Dedicated history buffs who want to set the tone for their holiday visit might want to begin their tour by heading to the Salem Towne House, where Christmas traditions of the past can be viewed in its three parlors from the history of Christmas trees, gift giving, celebrations and decorating for the holidays. The sounds of the season can also be heard during your holiday journey through Old Sturbridge Village with historical musical performances, including costumed historians playing various instruments each night in several locations. The OSV singers also perform on Sundays. There will also be readings of “The Nativity Gospel of Saint Luke” and “The Nativity Gospel of Saint Matthew” in the Friends Meetinghouse or hear classic Christmas tales being told including Spanish readings of “Un Cocqui de Boriquen,” a Puerto Rican children’s story. For all good little boys and girls visiting the village, not the modern Coca-Cola inspired Santa but a more Victorian

depiction of the jolly ol’ elf will make an appearance each night at his workshop on Gallery Row. Next door to St. Nicholas in the David Wight Community Gallery, the Worcester Model Rail Roaders has set up a few Holiday Express model train layouts. They will be onsite to talk about their displays and answer questions about their beloved hobby. And for kids and fun-loving adults, “The Magic of Bob Olsen” will be presented in the Dennsion Building. Visitors young and old can make crafts at various stations throughout the village and try candle dipping for an additional fee. While at Christmas by Candlelight, fans of gingerbread houses can catch a glimpse of the many creations entered in OSV’s annual Gingerbread House Contest. If you get hungry while walking throughout the decorated village, a variety of hot foods and beverages will be sold in several locations, even specialty cocktails for those old enough to imbibe. Tickets are $36 online, $40 at the door on Friday or Sunday, and $45 at the door on Saturday. Special pricing is available for OSV members. For more information on Christmas by Candlelight, visit osv.org or call 800-7331830.

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

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CONTINUES FROM PAGE E4

A lighted snowman is seen in the mini-golf section of the holiday light walk-through at McCray’s Farm in South Hadley last year. (DAVE ROBACK PHOTO)

Lights CONTINUES FROM PAGE E5

for our opening on Nov. 24. We lost some extra time because our haunted attraction was extended this year until after Halloween to make up for lost days because of the weather. We have a little over 20 people helping to get everything ready in time,” he said. There is plenty to see and be dazzled by on your stroll at the farm on 55 Alvord St. There are snowmen, a globe with Santa and his sleigh flying over it, reindeer, elves, a motion display of a cow jumping over the moon, interactive pots that change colors when you touch them, a tribute to the movie “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” city scapes, the farm’s mini-golf course strung up in lights, a lover’s lane in honor of Valentine’s Day, tractors bathed in lights because they are a working farm, a tunnel you can walk under with moving smart lights, displays for sports fans including the Red Sox, New England Patriots, Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins, and so much more to ogle. Also, trees and bushes on

the property are lit up, along with the building used as their Halloween haunted house, which you can walk through and is decorated half for Halloween and half for Christmas. McCray’s Farm Country Creamery will be open during the Holiday Light Stroll offering a limited selection of their ice creams as well as hot dogs, hamburgers, hot chocolate and other treats. For those old enough to imbibe, there is a trailer selling beer, wine and sangria, and spiked hot chocolate and cider. The stroll is open through Dec. 31, but closed on Christmas. Tickets are sold in 15-minute time blocks beginning at 5 p.m. and ending at 7:45 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and Sunday, extended on Friday and Saturday until 8:45 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person. Children age 2 and younger are free. McCrays’ website highly recommend placing online ticket orders to guarantee your reservation, but walkins are welcome if there are more tickets available for a particular time block. It also suggests wearing the proper footwear.

“Arriving with your brand-new pair of white Air Jordans is not the way to go. The path can become muddy because of the weather and the fact that most of the path is outdoors,” states the website. For details and to purchase tickets, visit the farm’s website, mccrays-farm.com/ holiday- light-walkthrough.

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DINE & WINE

Your favorite restaurant might be closed on Christmas

NE OF THE MOSToften-asked questions about dining out this time of the year is “Why aren’t restaurants open on Christmas?” The answer is a simple one — restaurant staff (including owners and managers) don’t want to work on the holiday. Over the years, when asking people in the industry about Christmas Day, I’ve been told time and time again that it’s not worth the hassle. Even though a Dec. 25 opening might prove lucrative, the impact of having to work on the holiday takes too high a toll on staff morale. In today’s tight labor market, when unhappy employees can quit and find another job in days (if not hours), getting people to work on Christmas can be an even greater challenge. With Christmas falling on a Monday this year, some area eateries have already announced they will not only be closed on Christmas Day, but on Sunday, Dec. 24, as well. A few operations, such as Mezze Bar + Bistro in Williamstown, have even carved out a weeklong winter hiatus that includes Christmas Day.

Gift ideas for your favorite beer lover Editor’s note: This is part one of a two-part column. A second column will follow next week with more gift ideas.

W The Delaney House in Holyoke is promoting four holiday dinner packages “to-go” with entree options including roast turkey with stuffing, prime rib roast, gorgonzola sirloin, and filet mignon with Madeira wine sauce. Above, a 16-ounce ribeye steak is flipped on the grill at the restaurant. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

• The Federal in Agawam is preparing holiday takeout packages this month. Three options are available — one featuring maple-rosemary roasted pork tenderloin, a second assembled around roasted beef tenderloin, and a third in which honey lavender salmon is the main course selection. Hugh Robert Packages also include Off The Menu mashed potato, two vegetable sides, a salad, Parker House salad, two vegetables, and rolls, and a dessert of sticky Side Dishes potato. toffee pudding cakes. Add-ons such as ham, turEach package is sized to • As is the case with other key, and dessert are available, serve three. major holidays, the Christas are several holiday drink There’s also a list of dishes mas season is a time when available to supplement any area restaurants offer dinners packages. Orders, which can be party menu. and sides “to-go.” placed on the Delaney House Orders must be placed by The Delaney House in website, are due by Dec. 19. Dec. 20; the full menu can be Holyoke, in conjunction viewed online. with its Log Cabin Meeting • The Pretzel Baconator, a The Federal picks up at 413House location, is promoting too-much-is-never-enough 789-1267. four full dinner packages, sandwich creation, is currenteach of which is offered in ly being featured at Wendy’s • Burger King is featuring two sizes — one designed to serve six, the other to serve locations. a limited-time-only menu 10. Built with a half-pound during December. The brand Entree options include of beef patties, six strips of has brought back its BK Melt bacon and American cheese, sandwiches and is also offerroast turkey with stuffing, the Pretzel Baconator comes ing sides of Cheesy Tots. prime rib roast, gorgonzola To build engagement with sirloin, and filet mignon with on a pretzel bun. The sandwich will be Burger King’s Royal Perks Madeira wine sauce. The loyalty program, a whole dinner packages include two available for an unspecified SEE MENU, PAGE E9 limited time. appetizer selections, green

E’RE WELL into the holiday season, so as is my usual practice, I will spend today’s and next week’s columns providing gift ideas for the beer lover among your friends and family. Some of these ideas (or some iteration thereof) might have been mentioned in past columns, but most are new. Let’s get started. First up are a few different gifts from Uncommongoods. com, which had a number of decent gift suggestions. One I found very interesting was the Ultimate At-Home Beer Pint Maker. This kit ($58-$239) gives beer aficionados a way to simply brew 10 pints of beer fairly quickly and easily. The kit includes both the brewing gear and ingredients in freshpress packs. According to the ad, users simply need to combine the prepackaged ingredients in the brewer, let it ferment, refrigerate, and tap in a few days. Also included are two more packages of ingredients. Further packs for more brewing are available for purchase.

George Lenker Beer Nut

I can’t vouch for how good the beer will be, but I think it’s worth taking a shot. Uncommongoods.com also offers a stocking-stuffer type of gift that I, being a huge fan of dogs, just love: the Go Fetch Magnetic Bottle Opener. Made from beechwood and stainless steel, this unique bottle opener has a dog’s head for the prying apparatus, allowing this pooch to use his mighty jaws to open your next brew. The device goes for $15. Next up is a tried-and-true gift that can’t fail to please your beloved beer fan: a subscription to Beer of the Month Club. This provides your beer buddy with a 12-pack of four different types of microbrews once a month. You can choose to make your gift for two, three, four, six or 12 months.

SEE BEER, PAGE E11

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E8 | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2023

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DINE & WINE

Holiday gifts for wine lovers other than wine

OU WOULD THINK it would be easy to buy a gift for someone who really loves wine. All you have to do is buy some wine for them, right? That’s definitely true. As someone who loves wine, I will absolutely say, without reservations, that I love getting wine as a gift. My parents give me and my wife a case of wine every Christmas that my dad spends all year carefully picking out, one bottle at a time. And I always look forward to getting these carefully selected wines. But sometimes it’s nice to shake things up a little. So what should you get the wine lover in your family other than a bottle of wine? Here are a few tried-andtrue holiday gift suggestions that should please anyone you know who appreciates wine.

And if they aren’t happy, just blame me. Journalists have thick skins. Hope you enjoy.

who was the longtime owner and winemaker at Bordeaux’s famed Chateau Lynch-Bages. “On Burgundy” is a collection of articles and essays about Wine books France’s famed Burgundy There are many ways to region by a wide range of learn more about wine — from writers. podcasts to weekly wine Another entertaining wine columns like this one. But book that came out this past there’s also something to be year is “The Wine List” by Ken Ross said for settling in with a good Grant Reynolds ($28 SRP). Wine Press book about wine, especially if This easy-to-read book takes it’s a long winter’s night and an innovative approach. Each you have a glass of wine in the including many off-the-beaten short chapter (most are only patch producers. other hand. one or two pages long) focuses Academie Du Vin consisFortunately, this year was a on a specific wine from a spetently publishes great books great vintage for great books cific vintage. This might sound about wine year in and year about wine. The big one getstuffy. But Reynolds’ approach out. This year’s crop includes is fun, lively and informative. ting all the attention is “The two great offerings — “From New French Wine” by Jon And if you’re looking for refBonne ($100 Suggested Retail Bordeaux To The Stars” by erence books, you can never Price). This massive, two-vol- Jean-Michel Cazes ($48 SRP) go wrong with Hugh Johnson’s and “On Burgundy”($45). The Pocket Wine Book ($18 SRP), ume, bright pink book about wine in France digs deep into first book is a memoir by Cawhich comes out every year different wine regions and the zes, who passed away earlier and includes an amazing people who make these wines, this year at the age of 88 and amount of information about

wine in this truly pocket-sized book.

contact Atkins Farms at 413253-9528.

the establishment’s regular a la carte menu. Contact the Public House at 774-304-1524 to make reservations.

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• With the help of the Hadley Fire Department and the town’s Parks and Recreation staff, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting Flayvors of Cook Farm in Hadley on Saturday. The guests from the North Pole are expected to stop by around 11:30 a.m. Flayvors of Cook Farm will have free hot chocolate for young visitors and Santa alike. Flayvors of Cook Farm, which specializes in home• On Saturday, from 1-3 made ice cream, is currently p.m., Atkins Farms Country featuring a rich cheesecake Market in Amherst will host ice cream with a “ripple” of its monthly “Tastings in the cranberry folded in. Loft” event. Flayvors answers at 413Atkins Farms will be offer584-2224. ing samples of selected beer, wine, and cider products it • McDonald’s Corp. has has for sale in the market; brought back the Adult Happy complimentary light snacks Meal. Available now, the Kerwill also be provided. Those win Frost Box meal includes attending the Tastings are either a Big Mac or a 10-piece also eligible for special pricing Chicken McNuggets, an order on the beverage products of fries, a soft drink and a featured at the event. McNugget Buddy collectible, For more information, This year’s McNugget Budmonth’s worth of deals and discounts is being delivered through the Perks app. The 31 Days of December Deals include free deliveries of orders of $5 or more, and “hump days” during the month have been renamed $3 Whopper Wednesdays. “Merch” such as BK-branded clothing and holiday ornaments are also being offered to Royal Perks members.

dy figure is Kerwin Frost, a New York-based social media influencer, DJ, comedian, and talk show host. In addition to the Frost figurine that’s a part of the Adult Happy Meal, a whole suite of additional figurines will be part of the promotion. The Adult Happy Meal will be available in participating McDonald’s restaurants as long as supplies last.

tie optional, costs $189 plus a convenience fee. Tickets can be ordered at Eventbrite. com; the Inn at Boltwood can provide more details as well as information about a stay-over package. Call 413-256-8200 to reach the Inn’s front desk.

Corkscrews Let me be the first to say you can never have too many corkscrews. They often seem to go missing whenever I’m looking for one to open a bottle, which is why I often have them stashed all over the house. There’s also a great deal of debate about which corkscrews are the best ones. Some people prefer the wingshaped corkscrews. Others like electric-powered ones or lever corkscrews. Personally, though, I’m partial to a double-hinged waiter’s corkscrew. Once you learn how to use one, I find that they’re the best ones for opening a bottle of wine without breaking the cork. SEE WINE, PAGE E11

• The Table 3 Restaurant Group in Sturbridge is offering to help out with holiday celebrations; their • Finding a spot for Christ- Holiday Catering Menu offers mas dinner “out” can be a whole meal options as well as challenge; few restaurants a selection of sides to enhance are open on the holiday or any Christmas-season get-to• This year, the Inn on on Christmas Eve, for that gether. Boltwood in Amherst is matter. Entree suggestions include introducing a new wrinkle into One exception in the Pubstuffed pork loin, holiday New Year’s Eve celebrations. lick House Historic Inn in ham, roasted turkey, and Instead of “dinner and dancSturbridge, which offers its oven-ready prime rib. ing,” the Inn is co-hosting, Christmas Dinner Buffet, with Salads, vegetable sides, and along with Curtain Call Proseatings on Dec. 25 from 11 more complete the catering ductions, a murder mystery a.m. to 5:30 p.m. options. event — “Catch a Shooting Roasted turkey is among Holiday orders can be Star.” the entrees served; a carving placed at 774-241-8450; Scheduled for Dec. 31, the station is stocked with roast deadline for Christmas orders evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. prime rib of beef and Christis Dec. 18. with a buffet dinner followed mas-spiced ham. Hugh Robert is a faculty by Curtain Call’s whodunit A children’s buffet station is member in Holyoke Commuperformance, a murder mysprovided for younger diners. nity College’s hospitality and tery set in 1930s Hollywood. The buffet is priced at $60 culinary arts program and has Dancing until midnight will per person, and reservations nearly 50 years of restaurant follow, with a champagne are required. and educational experience. toast to welcome in 2024. The inn’s dining room is also Robert can be reached online at The event, which is blackopen Christmas Eve, serving OffTheMenuGuy@aol.com.

E10 | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2023

WEEKEND

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

CALENDAR

Quadrangle

THURSDAY Art is a Gift, A Makers Market: Thu., 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m.-noon, Easthampton Main Street, featuring 30-plus artists and craftspeople under one roof. Admission is free. The Elusie Gallery, 43 Main St., Easthampton.

George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum: Permanent exhibit: “Ancient Treasures,” a display of artifacts from ancient China, Greece, Rome and Egypt. For more information, visit springfield museums.org.

Bright Nights at Forest Park: Thu.-Sun., Forest Park, through Jan. 1. Hours: Sun.-Thurs: 5-9 p.m.; Fri., Sat., holidays, 5-10 p.m. Admission: $23 per car; $35 limos; $80 mini buses (seating capacity 17-31); $175 buses (seating capacity 31+); $23 campers with seating capacity of less than 17. Tickets must be purchased in advance, visit brightnights.org. Sumner Avenue, Springfield. The Ice Rink at MGM: Thu.-Sun., MGM Springfield. Hours: Wed.Thu., 4-10 p.m.; Fri. 1-10 p.m.; Sat. 1-10 p.m.; Sun. noon-10 p.m.; Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, noon-10 p.m. Closed Mon.-Tues. Skate rental $7. Visit mgmspring field.mgmresorts.com/en/ entertainment/ice-rink.html for more information. 1 MGM Way, Springfield.

Cars pass through Seuss Land at Bright Nights at Forest Park, open for the holiday season through Jan. 1. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN) The Ice Rink at MGM: See Thursday listing

by local artist and coach Camille Butterfield (they/them) will raise funds for the new running track LAVA’s Saturday Salon: Sat., noon-3 p.m., LAVA Center. A popup at Amherst Regional High School. art salon and marketplace featuring This is a free event but donations Recital Chorus 28th Annual Holare encouraged. More information local vendors, artisans and craftsiday Concert and Benefit: Thu., can be found online at bombyx. people selling locally made wares. Happier Valley Comedy pres7:30 p.m. Trinity Church, donations live/events/camille-butter324 Main St., Greenfield. ents “Not In Charge”: Sat., 7 p.m. (cash or check) will be received at field-open ing-reception, 130 Pine Happier Valley Comedy Theater, Pioneer Valley Symphony Holiday the door to benefit the Hilltown fast-paced improv show inspired by Artisan Market: Sat., noon, Green- St., Florence. Churches and GCC Food Pantries. Christmas Caroling Dinners: Sun., true stories from the cast. For more field High School. Entry is free, 17 Severance St., Shelburne Falls. West Springfield’s Irish House information, visit happiervalley. and all are welcomed. Bring your Wilbraham Women’s Club Dec. Restaurant & Pub. Enjoy a meal in com/notincharge.html, $13 online appetite; treats from Stone Soup Meeting: Thu., 11:30 a.m. St. the decorated pub while listening and at the door. 1 Mill Valley Road Cafe will be sold to support proCecilia Church, takes place in the to the Tavern Carolers perform Suite B, Hadley. viding food and mutual aid to the parish center. Social hour will begin Christmas music. Advance tickets Greenfield area. At 4 p.m., attend Holiday Sing-Along and Open at 11:30 a.m., with the luncheon for a specific date are required. the PVS’ annual singalong Holiday Jam: Sat, 10:30 a.m. Forbes Liat noon. Many hot dishes and brary, hosted by the Ukulele Strum Pops concert, just steps away in the Ticket price includes a full meal desserts will be served; there also with entrée of your choice, soup or GHS auditorium. Concert tickets Group. Seasonal songs selected will be holiday-themed games for salad, and dessert. Purchase tickets are sliding scale $15-35, $5 for from The Daily Ukulele will be prizes. 42 Main St., Wilbraham. online or call the restaurant at 413projected on a screen for easy read- youth and college & trade school students. Learn more and RSVP at 342-4358. $52-$58, 429 Morgan ing. Donations will be gratefully Road, West Springfield, pvsoc.org/tickets. Free. 21 Barr accepted to benefit the Interfaith FRIDAY IrishCenterwne.org. Ave., Greenfield. Winter Shelter. Free. 20 West St., Art is a Gift, A Makers Market: Community Music Concert: Sun., Northampton; 413-587-1011 or Polish Food Sale: Sat., 2-4 p.m., See Thursday listing 2 p.m., The Stone Church presents forbeslibrary.org. Our Lady of the Cross Parish Hall, “Christmastime is Here” by the Bright Nights at Forest Park: See featuring cabbage, apple, and poHome for the Holidays: Holiday Weir River Concert Band. Free and Thursday listing tato/cheese pierogi, as well as kaPops for the Whole Family: Sat., open to the public. 283 Main St., pusta and golumbki. The sale will 4 p.m. Greenfield High School. The Ice Rink at MGM: See ThursGilbertville. take place in the vestibule of the This kid-friendly annual tradition day listing church on Holy Cross Ave. Pierogi The Ice Rink at MGM: See Thursunites the 150+ musicians of the LaughCrafters Holiday Show: Fri., $10 a dozen; quarts of kapusta $5; day listing PVS Orchestra, Chorus, and Youth 7:30 p.m., Unitarian Universalist golumbki are $3.50 each. For more MAD House presents workOrchestra on stage for a holiday Society. Annual free performance concert. Seasonal favorites such as information, call the parish office in-progress: Sun., 2 p.m. Blue full of improv and sketch comedy “Sleigh Ride” and “Jingle Bells”, and at 413-532-5661. 1140 Dwight St., Room at CitySpace, MAD House that celebrates and satirizes the Holyoke. new delights like the music from Plays present a work-in-progress holiday season, free. 245 Porter “Polar Express” and “Home Alone” showing of a new one-person play. Lake Drive, Springfield. will be featured. Plus, the premiere This event is free but registration SUNDAY of a new commissioned work is required. This is a pay-it-forward from local composer, pianist, and SATURDAY Bright Nights at Forest Park: See project. 43 Main St., Easthampton. writer Clifton “Jerry” Noble. Come Thursday listing Art is a Gift, A Makers Market: Nova Cantori of Greater Springearly from noon to 4 p.m. to pick See Thursday listing Camille’s Farewell Art Show field presents “There’s Still My up all your holiday gifts from local and Fundraiser: Sun., 5-8 p.m. Joy”: Sun., 2 p.m., Granville FederBright Nights at Forest Park: See artists and makers at the Artisan BOMBYX Center for Arts & Equity, ated Church. Admission by freewill Thursday listing Holiday Fair, $15-$35. 21 Barr Ave., this running-inspired art show offering. 16 Granby Road, Granville. Greenfield. Free Photos With Santa: Sat., 2 p.m. Heritage Woods Assisted Living, children are welcome to come and take pictures with Santa at no charge. 462 Main St., Agawam; 413-789-8332 or genesishcc. com/heritagewoods.

Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History: “Latinos en Springfield, Presente y Pasado / Latinos in Springfield Past and Present, through March 3. “Grinchmas,” Saturday, Dec. 16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Join in for holiday family fun in the galleries. In addition to the Grinch’s Grotto and gingerbread exhibition “In the Land of Sugar and Seuss,” meet St. Nick and enjoy hands-on activities. Free with museum admission. Takes place throughout the museums. Meet the Grinch: Dec. 16-17, 23, 24 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Step into the Grinch’s Grotto to meet the Grinch. Visit with Mt. Crumpit’s most famous resident, snap a few photos, and explore a winter wonderland of holiday spirit. Free with museum admission. Note: Because he needs his beauty rest, the Grinch will take a short break every 40 minutes. Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts: “A Gathering: Works from Contemporary Black American Ceramic Artists,” through March 31. “Artifice: New Paintings” by Priya N. Green through Dec. 31. “As They Saw It: Women Artists Then & Now,” through Jan. 14. In the Wheeler Gallery. Museum a la Carte. “Gingerbread: The Shape Changer,” Dec. 14, 12:15 p.m.–1:15 p.m. $4, free for members. Presented by Claire Hopley, author and culinary historian. Springfield Science Museum: “Gingerbread: In the Land of Sugar & Seuss,” through Dec. 31. Second Floor, Changing Exhibits Gallery. Step into the pages of a Dr. Seuss book in this whimsical and clever holiday gingerbread exhibit. Classic stories and characters created out of flour, sugar, and colorful candies are set against a backdrop of immersive murals and festive decorations. “Ways of My Ancestors: We are Nipmuc. We are the Freshwater People,” through Feb. 25. Permanent exhibit: State-of-the-art Zeiss Projector and updated International Space Station Exhibit. The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum: Permanent exhibit. Firstfloor exhibition provides opportunities to explore new sounds and vocabulary, play rhyming games, invent stories, and engage in activities that encourage teamwork and

SEE CALENDAR, PAGE E11

WEEKEND

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Calendar CONTINUES FROM PAGE E10 creative thinking, with 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.

Museums 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. Hours: 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. Anchor House of Artists: The New England Visonary Artists Museum; seeking curator projects in the 2024 season. Preferred projects (talk and exhibit) present selftrained New England artists living or deceased who work outside the academic tradition. Visit the website to apply, through Dec. 31, neva-museum.org; email: visoin@ neva-museum.org; 413-588-4337. Rotating art exhibits, self-staged by fine regional talents. The best least-known gallery in the Pioneer Valley. Free public receptions on the second Fri. of the month from 5-8 p.m. For more information, email artists@anchorhouseartists. org, visit anchorhouseartists.org, or call 413-588-4337. 518 Pleasant St., Northampton Children’s Museum at Holyoke: Permanent exhibit: Including the Wiggle and Wash Vet Clinic, a toddler merry-go-round, and a 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 Christmas Eve 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 and members are free. 444 Dwight St., Holyoke or childrensmuseum-

holyoke.org. Connecticut Trolley Museum: Winterfest and the “Tunnel of Lights,” through Dec. 23. Hours: Fri.-Sun., nights, 5-9 p.m. Additionally the museum will be open during school vacation from Dec. 26-30. Be sure to dress warm and bring blankets. Purchase tickets at cttrolley.org; $16-$21 per person and tickets must be purchased in advance.Storytime Trolley with Santa & Elf: Dec. 16, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Visitors will enjoy a ride in a decorated vintage trolley car where Santa will visit with each child. Also, while on board Santa’s elf will read a holiday story and each child will complete a craft. Tickets must be purchased in advance online. $30, museum members receive half-off admission. 58 North Road, East Windsor. East Longmeadow Historical Commission Museum: Permanent exhibit: East Longmeadow artifacts pertaining to the quarries, local Native Americans, period clothing, the railroad system, and more. Open 1-3 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month, Sept.-June, weather permitting. Free admission. Special tours are available upon request by contacting Bruce Moore at 413-525-3072 or searching “East Longmeadow Historical Commission” on Facebook. 87 Maple St., East Longmeadow Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art: 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, 125 West Bay Road, Amherst or carlemuseum.org. Historic Deerfield: Exhibit: “Garden of Hearts: Madeline Yale Wynne & Deerfield’s Arts and Crafts Movement,”through March 3. Winter Frolic at Hall Tavern. For more information, visit historic-deerfield.org. 80 Old Main St., Deerfield. Historic Northampton Museum and Education: Permanent exhibit. Hours: Wed.-Sun. noon-5 p.m. $5 suggested donation. 46 Bridge St., Northampton or historic-northampton.org.

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open house schedule and individual tours. $3, $1 children 6-12, free for members. 70 Park St., West Springfield, 413-734-8322.

Wine

Mead Art Museum: Permanent exhibit: various American and European paintings, Mexican ceramics, Tibetan scroll paintings and more. Museum hours: 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.

Wine glasses Along with the debate about which corkscrew is the best one, another hot topic is wine glasses. Some people go crazy when it comes to which glasses to serve certain wines in depending on the wine. Stemmed glasses or stemless? Special glasses for white wines or red wines, Bordeaux or Burgundy or Champagne? Personally, I think most wine glasses do a great job. I even once wrote about how big a difference different wine glasses make when it comes to how wine tastes. But for gift-giving purposes, I will say that wine glasses are another great gift. And you can never have too many wine glasses. The big reason why? Some of them will eventually get broken. Trust me. I know.

Norman Rockwell Museum: “Norman Rockwell: Winter Wonderland,” through Feb. 25. “Between Worlds: The Art and Design of Leo Lionni,” through May 27. Permanent exhibit: Gallery. Hours: Thu.-Mon., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Tues. and Wed. Advance ticket purchase required; $20 adults, $18 seniors, AAA, retired military, $10 college students, free children ages 18 and under, members and active military. 9 Route 183, Stockbridge or nrm. org. Pan African Historical Museum USA: Permanent exhibit. Hours: Tues.-Fri., noon-4 p.m. Free. 1500 Main St., Springfield, 413-733-1823. Polish Center of Discovery and Learning: Permanent exhibit: Galleries include “Coming to America”; “At Home in America”; “Folk Art”; “History.” The Polish Center is open 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 polishcenter.net. Smith College Museum of Art: “Sum of Its Parts: Multi-Panel Works on Paper,” from the collection, through Jan. 7. Permanent exhibits: “Ancient World Gallery, Beyond the Museum: Art on Smith’s Campus.” Hours: Tues.-Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., closed Mondays and major holidays. Free. Elm Street at Bedford Terrace, Northampton or scma.smith.edu. Springfield Armory National Historic Site: Ranger-led interpretive programs offered in the museum in the afternoon. Wed.-Sun, 9:30 a.m.4 p.m. 1 Armory Square, Springfield or nps.gov/spar.

Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum: Permanent exhibit. Winter hours: Fri.-Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m., through May 26. $10 adults, $8 Holyoke Heritage State Park: Per- seniors, $6 students and children manent exhibit: Featuring a scale 6-17, free for children under 6 and model of Mountain Park. Visitor NARM/NEMA/ROAM members. Center open Tues.-Sun., noon67 East Road, Adams, or susanban4 p.m. Closed Mondays. Check thonybirthplace.com. website for programs and tours at mass.gov/locations/holyoke-her- The Emily Dickinson Museum: Permanent exhibit. Open Wed.itage-state-park. Free. 221 AppleSun. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Admission to ton St., Holyoke, 413-534-1723. the museum is by guided tour, for Josiah Day House: Permanent which advance-purchased timed exhibit: Featuring guided tours, tickets are required. 280 Main St., artifacts, furniture, clothing and Amherst, emilydickinsonsmusedocuments from 1754-1902. Call for um.org.

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Wine decanters A decanter is a glass, vaselike device that you pour wine into before serving the wine. A decanter serves several purposes. First, by pouring the wine into the decanter, you expose the wine to oxygen and allow it to breathe. This is important for certain, bolder red wines in particular. Some wines need to breathe in order to release their flavors and their full potential. But be careful when decanting and buying a decanting. Some wines – es-

Beer

pecially certain, fragile older ones – lose all their flavor when they’re decanted. And while you can easily spend hundreds of dollars on a decanter, my advice would be to spend about $50 on a decanter with a wide bottom and flared spout. These classic decanters perfectly aerate the wine and look great on anyone’s dining room table. Best of all, if the wine lover in your family already has a decanter, they’ll be more than happy to have one more. Other suggestions Still looking for a last-minute wine-related gift idea? A few other suggestions include an ice bucket to chill sparkling wine bottles, a DIY corkboard that someone can make using leftover wine corks, a vintage wine poster (although the prices for these works of art have skyrocketed in recent years) and a Coravin Wine System ($140 to $240 SRP), a needle-like device that allows you to extract a small amount of wine from the bottle without removing the cork. Just be aware that once you do pierce the cork with a Coravin, you should drink the wine within the next month or so, which is plenty of time for someone to enjoy that wine and all the other wine-related gifts they received this holiday season. Cheers!

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

their appreciation of using the right kind of glass for various beers. This gorgeous CONTINUES FROM PAGE E7 set of four glasses includes – The cost runs between depending on which set you $52.95 and $55.95 per month. order – some combination of a Membership also includes tall pilsner glass, a lager glass, a Beer Expeditions monthly an IPA glass, a Hefeweizen newsletter subscription that glass, a stemmed Belgian provides all the information beer glass and a tulip-shaped on that month’s selection of glass. beers and breweries, from fun A set of four costs between facts to tips and tricks. $38-$43. Last but not least for this If none of these grab you week’s suggestions is a very enough, stay tuned. Next classy idea: Spiegelau Craft week I’ll be providing more Beer Tasting Kit Glasses. Beer ideas across an even wider aficionados are renowned for price range. Cheers!

E12 | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2023

Nightclubs CONTINUES FROM PAGE E5 The Drake: Kimaya Diggs & Friends Holiday Show. 44 N. Pleasant St., Amherst Theodores’: Dave Keller Band. 201 Worthington St., Springfield West Springfield’s Irish House Restaurant & Pub: Jimmie McArdle and Jerry Murphy. 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield Whip City Brew: DJ with dance. 287 Elm St., Westfield

SUNDAY BOMBYX Center for Arts & Equity: Lunasa. 130 Pine St., Florence Doc’s Place: Karaoke. 1264 Granby Road, Chicopee The Republican is not responsible for unannounced schedule changes.

LiveWire CONTINUES FROM PAGE E4

Steve Van Zandt (who left for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band in 1975, but who still continued to write and record with the Jukes). Indeed, the band was originally influenced heavily by Springsteen on its first three albums, “I Don’t Want To Go Home,” “This Time It’s for Real,” and “Hearts of Stone,” which were produced by Van Zandt and featured songs written by Van Zandt and Springsteen. But the group soon evolved into an R&B horn band in the Memphis Stax Records tradition. This transformation turned into an engine of soul and roots music reverie that has seen the Jukes tour on an almost nonstop basis for more than 40 years. The band performs regularly all across the U.S., along with live shows in the U.K., France, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Japan, The Netherlands and Denmark. Tickets, ranging in price from $38.50 to $58.50, can be purchased at aomtheatre. com. Liner notes • Local radio personality Joan Holliday is back with her annual Holiday Hootenanny featuring the Sweet-

Kimaya Diggs will play a holiday show at The Drake in Amherst on Saturday. 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

back Sisters for a country Christmas singalong. This year will mark the Sweetback Sisters’ 15th iteration of the popular Christmas show. The duo will bring their cowgirl charm and sweet harmonies to a wide array of holiday classics. The evening will also feature trivia, prizes and, of course, singalongs. Emily Miller and Zara Bode may not be actual sisters, but their precise, family-style harmonies recall the best of country music’s siblings, from the Everly Brothers to The Judds. The show will take place Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Academy of Music in Northampton. Tickets can be purchased at aomtheatre.com. • The Slambovian Circus of Dreams will present “A Very Slambovian Christmas” on Friday at The Drake in Amherst. The Slambovian Circus of Dreams has been expanding the definition of the Americana genre since the late 1990s, when they stormed out of Sleepy Hollow, New York. The group’s sound has been described as a rootsy psychedelica “that hints at Dylan, Bowie, Neil Young, The Beatles, Incredible String Band, The Waterboys, and Jethro Tull.” Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.

WEEKEND

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