Weekend - May 16, 2024

BIG breakfast

World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast returns to downtown Springfield to celebrate city’s 388th birthday, Page D2

BIG breakfast for a BIG celebration

By K eith O ’C onnor Special to The Republican

For nearly 20 years, Steve Desilets has been hopping on his motorcycle and driving to the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast, arriving with spatula in hand to help make those fluffy orbs that diners have been waiting for all year long.

On Saturday, Desilets — who serves as building commissioner in the Department of Code Enforcement for the City of Springfield — will continue his tradition of making the pancakes, egged on by his young son back then, as this year’s breakfast sets up shop with more than 200 tables lined up along Main Street as Springfield celebrates it 388th birthday.

“One day while at the breakfast my son said to me, ‘You should do this.’ The next year I

ran into Judy Matt and told her I would like to help make the pancakes and I’ve been doing

it ever since,” Desilets said.

“It’s pretty easy. You must make sure they are cooked through and not burnt with a nice brown color,” he added.

Matt is president of the Spirit of Springfield, organizers of the event that began in 1987.

MGM Springfield has been lead sponsor of the breakfast since 2013.

In addition to the pancakes, which will be topped with butter donated by Cabot Creamery, there will be bacon, coffee, milk, juice and water. Breakfast begins at 8 a.m. and will continue until 11 a.m. or until everyone in line has been served a plate of pancakes.

Tickets for pancakes with bacon are $3 and $1 for children under 12. Beverages and

Above, from left: Teddy Szulak, of Longmeadow; Alaia Cabrera, of Springfield; and R.J. Moulten-Keyes, of Springfield, enjoy their breakfasts at a past event. The World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast, this year celebrating Springfield’s 388th birthday, will return downtown on Saturday. (STEVEN E. NANTON / FILE PHOTOS)

Pancake batter is poured on the griddle during a past World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast in downtown Springfield. (STEVEN E. NANTON / FILE PHOTO)

WORLD’S LARGEST BREAKFAST CHALLENGE!

For many years, Springfield went spatula to spoon against Battle Creek, Michigan, the self-proclaimed cereal capital. It started with the challenge to have the World’s Longest Breakfast table and then to have the World’s Largest Breakfast. Over the years, the title exchanged hands with Springfield’s celebration held in May to celebrate Springfield’s founding on May 14, 1636, and Battle Creek’s Cereal Festival being held in June.

“Those that remember the competition still ask, ‘Did we beat Battle Creek?” said Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt. “I always said ‘yes’ even when we were not sparing for the title. It is a pride thing, and we have pride in our city.”

Springfield will be the first to have bragging rights after the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast is held on Saturday. According to Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, “There is nothing like some warm fluffy pancakes drizzled with butter and maple syrup, a couple pieces of nice crispy bacon and a cold fresh glass of OJ to wash it down with. As the birthplace of the cereal industry, I understand why Battle Creek sticks to what they know with their Cereal Fest. But here in the City of Firsts, our beloved Springfield, we are always ready for a challenge and are proud to work together to serve tens of thousands of attendees a nice hot breakfast of pancakes and bacon to celebrate our World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast each year along with Springfield’s birthday.”

As the history states, it was in 1987 that Springfield set up the longest table and switched to cereal. The table was 3,700 feet long and stretched from Union Street to Gridiron Street. That year, Battle Creek’s table was the same length, but Springfield called a foul since the table was not in a straight line. To bring the community closer together, Springfield’s table was shortened.

Pancake

admission are free.

“We want to welcome the community,” said Matt. “We do this by distributing 67,000 free tickets to area student with the help of American Medical Response that goes to each city and town.”

John Doleva, president, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, is serving as the breakfast’s honorary chair.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be named honorary chair and to represent the Basketball Hall of Fame at an event that is so important to the community. Think about what is going on in the world today. At this largest breakfast assembly in the world, people are united sitting at a breakfast table together, where for a couple of hours we can all celebrate the arrival of spring, the wonderful community in which we live, and share an appreciation for the good things all around us,” Doleva said.

“I am practicing my pancake flipping and trying to be quite ambidextrous at it. But I know I can handle it with

the goal of being king flipper. I will also be helping to make the bacon ahead of time at the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department,” he added about the popular breakfast item from Smithfield Packaged Meats.

Similar to preparing the bacon days before the breakfast, there is plenty that goes on leading up to when the first pour of batter hits the griddle, Matt noted.

“From the initial prep work days ahead of time to setting everything up early breakfast morning to even after the last pancake is served, there is a never-ending timetable of things that must be done involving hundreds of volunteers,” Matt said.

Before Saturday arrives, Mercy Medical Center will have already mixed more than 500 gallons of batter donated by Performance Foodservice. Michael’s Party Rentals will have set up three cooking tents, more than 200 tables and thousands of chairs. Also, Springfield Department of Public Works will have picked up paper supplies donated by Baystate Health

and Mansfield Paper Co.

On Saturday morning before the sun rises, H. P. Hood will have delivered hundreds of gallons of milk, juice, and cream that Gleason Johndrow Landscaping will have transferred to awaiting refrigerated trucks provided by Quality Beverage, Per-

formance Foodservice, and Home Grown Springfield –Sodexo. Soon after, Sheraton Springfield will be brewing hundreds of gallons of coffee and MGM Springfield will start warming the bacon. Volunteer cooks, servers,

SATURDAY, MAY 18

Above is a scene from a past pancake breakfast in downtown Springfield. (STEVEN E. NANTON / FILE PHOTO)

SPRINGFIELD

Women take center stage for SSO’s season-ending show

‘Magic

and Glory’ to be held Saturday at Symphony Hall

By K eith O ’C onnor

Special to The Republican Women will take center stage at the Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s final concert of the season, “Magic and Glory,” on Saturday featuring guest conductor Tania Miller and violin soloist Rachel Barton Pine.

As part of the season finale, the SSO will present its second annual Fearless Women awards, honoring extraordinary women who embody courage, resilience and empowerment across five categories — bravery, advocacy, passion, perseverance and authenticity.

Showtime is 7:30 p.m. at Springfield Symphony Hall.

“There is so much sadness today with everything that is going on in the world. People are anxious, depressed and worried, and our hope is to bring the joy and beauty of music to our audiences, who come to sit back and relax for a couple of hours,” said Paul Lambert, president and CEO of the SSO.

He noted as the SSO approaches its final concert of the season that it has been “an outstanding year for the Symphony Orchestra.”

“Attendance is up, everything is up. We have had one beautiful concert after another with a variety of guest conductors and all forms of music designed to appeal to a diverse audience, or course, with classical music still the core genre. The response has been tremendous. The hope is that our efforts will bring in new audiences who hopefully will discover the great gift of this orchestra and come back for many

years,” Lambert added.

Filled with magic and glory, Saturday’s program will feature Mozart’s Overture to his opera “The Magic Flute,” which will transport audiences into a magical world filled with hidden meaning, symbols and trials. The concert will also showcase the magic of nature and glorious romanticism of Sibelius and his unique connection to the vastness and beauty of his homeland. And the glory of music will be celebrated with Shostakovich’s “Symphony No. 5,” one of the great symphonic scores of the 20th century. The music of Shostakovich was also featured in the SSO’s season opener.

“I’m always moved by the music of Shostakovich’s ‘Symphony No. 5,’ and the enigma behind what he was communicating in this piece. He wrote it at a time when Stalin and his regime had silenced him and denounced him as ‘an enemy of the people’ in 1936 due to an opera that he had written called Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk. Living in fear for himself and his family, and struggling to live and compose, this fifth symphony was his way out. It met with triumphant critical success when it was premiered, even from the regime, and seemed to pull Shostakovich out of his forced silence and once again back into his position of importance as a Soviet composer,” Miller said.

She noted, however, that the work seems to be a paradox.

“There is a celebratory ending, but it can be read the opposite way, as an ending of either mockery or tragedy. The third movement is achingly expressive and melancholic. It moved the Soviet public to tears when it was performed. Perhaps they saw their situation and themselves in the music,” Miller added.

Pine will perform Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D minor. She tours worldwide as a soloist with prestigious orchestras, has an active recording career, and has run the Rachel Barton Pine Foundation since 2001, which provides services and funding to promote classical music education and performances.

“I am excited to be working with such an internationally renowned soloist who has such an incredible career. Rachel is committed to not only performing music, but in supporting other classical musicians through her foundation. She performs on an extraordinary 1742 “del Gesu” violin, and it will be incredible for the audience to experience her artistry and the sound of this special instrument. I’m looking forward to working with Rachel,” Miller said. Canadian conductor Miller has distinguished herself as a dynamic interpreter, musician and innovator. Interim principal conductor of the Rhode Island Philharmonic through the 2022-2023 season, she has conducted the Virtuoso Chamber Orchestra at the World Orchestra Festival in Daegu, South Korea with concerts in Daegu, Hwaseong, and Seoul and the KBS Symphony Orchestra in Seoul. Maestra Miller has appeared as a

Guest conductor

Tania Miller will lead the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in its final show of the season, “Magic and Glory.” (TODD ROSENBERG)

guest conductor in Canada, the United States and Europe with such orchestras as the Bern Symphony Orchestra, NFM Wroclåw Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Toronto Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Oregon Symphony, Ottawa’s National Arts Centre Orchestra and many others. She was music director of Canada’s Victoria Symphony for 14 years, and was named music director emerita for her commitment to the orchestra and community.

Miller, who will now serve as advisor to the SSO helping to guide their future, noted she remembered having a “truly inspired performance” with the Springfield Sympho -

ny last season conducting Brahms Symphony No. 3.

“What stood out to me was the utter dedication that the musicians gave to that performance, to every detail and most especially to the expression and beauty of it. I won’t forget that performance. I immediately felt a rapport with these musicians when we worked together towards that concert, and it’s this attitude that the musicians of the Springfield Symphony have in loving of what they do, and in their recognition that it’s a privilege to perform such incredible music together that I felt from them, and this inspired me as well,” she said.

SEE ‘MAGIC’, PAGE D10

ticket sellers and cleaners then arrive to lend a helping hand from Armoury Quadrangle Civic Association, Audacy Springfield–94.7 WMAS, Baystate Charter Academy, Bethel Child Care Services, Central High School Key Club, iHeart Media, Jack and Jill of Western Massachusetts, MacDuffie School, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, SATCO (PVTA), Springfield Code Enforcement/Building Division, Springfield Department of Health and Human Services, Springfield Rotary, Springfield Thunderbirds,

Springfield UNICO, The Q 99.7FM, U. S. Postal Service, UMass Five Federal Credit Union, United Way of Pioneer Valley, Western Mass. Square Round Dance Association, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.

Additional support is provided by Costco, Elegant Affairs, MassMutual Center and the Springfield Parking Authority.

“The work is never done,” Matt said.

When everyone has gone home, the Springfield Business Improvement District makes certain that Main Street is clean and ready to reopen for traffic.

While enjoying a hearty breakfast, diners will be entertained by the Sci-Tech

Band, Libertas Academy Charter School, Springfield Prep Charter School, Mary Anne’s Studio of Dance, Red Grass Ministries, Martin Luther King Charter School, Malik James, and Master Lee Taekwondo.

During the speaking program at 9:30 a.m., St. Michael’s Academy, under the direction of Vanessa Ford, will serenade Doleva with Springfield’s “Pancake Song.”

Additional activities and displays can be found along Court Street, including Monson Savings Bank, Springfield Police and Fire Departments. MGM Springfield and WWLP22News will have prize wheels. TD Bank, Western Mass News and several others

will have giveaways.

Also, area community service organizations and businesses will staff tables at the event and provide information about their services, including All Energy Solar, Behavioral Health Network, Boy Scouts of America, Center for School Crisis Intervention & Assessment, Center of Social Justice-Western New England University, City of Springfield-Human Resources Department, Department Of Children and FamiliesFOSTER MA, Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity, Hampden County Bar Association, HCS Head Start, Libertas Academy Charter School, Martin Luther King,

Jr. Charter School, Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, Massachusetts MENTOR Foster Care, Master Lee’s Taekwondo, Home Grown Springfield-Sodexo, Springfield Armory National Historical Site, Springfield City Library, Springfield Museums, Springfield Public Schools Family & Community Engagement, Springfield School Volunteers, Springfield Water and Sewer Commission, Square One, The Farmers Market at Forest Park, Way Finders, and Western Mass MOMS Partnership. For more information about the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast, visit spiritofspringfield.org.

Impressed, but not transported, by ‘Spirited Away’ THEATER

By M att Wolf New York Times

LONDON — There’s big, and then there’s “Spirited Away,” a show on a scale that few theater productions attempt.

Adapted from the venerated Studio Ghibli film by Hayao Miyazaki, British director John Caird’s stage iteration was first seen in Miyazaki’s native Japan in 2022 and has now traveled to the London Coliseum — the West End’s largest theater — where it runs through Aug. 24.

Performed in Japanese, with many of the original cast members along for its British premiere, the production has size, sweep and opulence to spare. Length, too: At just over three hours, the stage version runs nearly an hour

and his hardworking team. Others may struggle to work out a decidedly bizarre narrative, adapted for the stage by Caird and his wife, Maoko Imai. The positioning of the English-language surtitles doesn’t help: Those are placed on either side of the Coliseum’s vast stage and high above the proscenium arch, which, unless you speak Japanese, means shifting your head throughout to absorb the onstage action and its meaning.

Our through line to the strange events is 10-year-old Chihiro (a surpassingly sweet Mone Kamishiraishi), who takes an inadvertent turn into a spirit world on a bumpy car ride with her parents to a new home. Finding herself in what seems like a disused theme park, but in fact turns out to be a supernatural realm, Chihiro gets separated from her greedy parents, who morph into pigs.

longer than the film. I can’t remember a foreign-language production given such a long run on a London stage — which itself speaks to the international cachet of this title.

What’s missing, though, is human connection. The story of “Spirited Away” gets lost amid the spectacle, and, exciting though it is to watch, the show rarely grabs the heart.

Both the stage and screen versions introduce so many characters that you sometimes need a road map to keep track. Aficionados of the material will note the brilliance with which characters are brought to three-dimensional life by the genius puppet designer, Toby Olié,

The enchanted, sometimes dangerous, world is well conjured by designer Jon Bausor, who fills every inch of the set with something to engage the eye, including an elegant wooden structure at the center of the stage — the story’s all-important bathhouse — that revolves throughout. Chihiro encounters a cavalcade of creatures, and there’s delicious fun to be had from seeing iconic figures from the movie created anew. You thrill to the first sight of the mysterious No-Face (Hikaru Yamano), Chihiro’s lonely companion, and the creepy boiler-room employee, Kamaji (Tomorowo Taguchi), with tentacles that seem to extend for miles.

The Stink Spirit so foully memorable on-screen here appears as an oddly irresistible mound of sludge. And the range of puppets is simply astonishing, from flying dragons to soot sprites and characters, like the sorceress Yubaba (Mari Natsuki, an alumna of the film), who appear in recognizably human

Above, Mone Kamishiraishi as Chihiro and Romi Park as Yubaba in “Spirited Away,” directed by John Caird, at the London Coliseum. At left, Kamishiraishi as Chihiro and Hikaru Yamano as No-Face. A stage production of the beloved Studio Ghibli movie is big on spectacle, but rarely grabs the heart. (JOHAN PERSSON VIA THE NEW YORK TIMES)

How are restaurants competing for ‘value’?

‘VALUE” IS A catchword among restaurant people these days, with everyone from major chains to mom-and-pops using the word to sum up the challenges their businesses face.

Wearied by inflation across the economy, the dining-out public seems to be showing resistance to price hikes in restaurants, and that collective unhappiness is being felt on restaurant bottom lines. Brands like McDonald’s that have traditionally been value-focused are finding themselves, as one McDonald’s executive put it, in a “street fight” for consumers. After experiencing disappointing sales in the first quarter of 2024, with reported sales gains coming exclusively from price hikes, McDonald’s has announced it will be shifting back to a focus on value. Chain executives have promised to be “more prudent” and “thoughtful about any further price hikes” during the balance of 2024.

Attempting to exploit McDonald’s value “problem,” Chili’s Grill & Bar last month introduced a new burger, the Big Smasher, that seems designed to compete head-tohead with the iconic Big Mac. Chili’s Big Smasher offers twice the beef and comes similarly dressed with red onions, lettuce, pickles, American cheese, and Thousand Island dressing. Temporarily part of Chili’s current “3 for Me” value menu, in many markets the Big Smasher’s $10.99 price point compares favorably with the cost of a Big Mac combo meal.

Starbucks, another restaurant industry major-leaguer, also seems to be experiencing “value” issues. Citing “a highly challenged environment” as well as “more cautious” consumers, the chain reported a 3% drop in sales and a 7% decline in traffic during the first quarter of 2024.

In order to bring back customers, Starbucks is planning “operational improvements,” including soon making mobile

ordering available to all, not just loyalty program members.

Side Dishes

• A save-the-date note for the upcoming Dine Springfield Restaurant Week, which will be taking place June 7 through 16.

Organized by Springfield Downtown — the Springfield Business Improvement District, Dine Springfield Restaurant Week already has over 20 eateries signed up, with more to come.

The Springfield Business District Improvement District continues to look for restaurants interested in participating. Its telephone number is 413-781-1591; Springfield Downtown’s website can be found at springfield downtown.com.

• This weekend is commencement weekend in Northampton and Amherst, with UMass, Smith College, Hampshire College, and Mount Holyoke College in

South Hadley all holding exercises bringing their respective academic years to an end.

This convergence of ceremony is good news for restaurants across central Hampshire County. Reservations books will be full and walk-ins will be lined up to snag a table last-minute.

However, for those not celebrating academic achievements, it might be wise to rethink dining out intentions that involve the affected communities.

Better during this upcoming weekend to explore some of the equally interesting restaurant venues that can be found in Greater Springfield, where the pace is likely to be less frenetic.

• Friendly’s Restaurants, now an Addison, Texas-based brand, recently introduced a late-night “value menu” designed to appeal to customers with “nighttime munchies.”

Participating locations are now offering special value pricing on some of the chain’s snack items. Examples include a double cone for $4, a Fribble for $6, and selected appetizer offerings for $7.

The late-night value menu, available Sunday through Thursday evenings, is being adopted as an on-going operating strategy.

Friendly’s is also promoting its special sundae of the month. The “Rockin’ Rockstar” is assembled from a scoop of chocolate chip cookie

dough ice cream; cookie and candy garnishes are applied to create a Mohawk-wearing “rocker.”

• Two helpings of menu news from IHOP, the family dining chain.

IHOP’s pancake flavor of the month during May is White Chocolate Raspberry. The buttermilk hotcakes, which are made with white chocolate chips, feature raspberry topping, cream cheese icing, and whipped topping as part of their presentation. The White Chocolate Raspberry Pancakes can be enjoyed as an a la carte “full stack” or ordered as a side accompanying various breakfast plates.

The brand is additionally promoting a limited-time-only menu (available through June 16) that’s a tie-in with Paramount Pictures’ animated feature film “IF,” the U.S. release of which takes place Friday.

The IF-themed menu includes two pancake specialties, Blue’s Dazzleberry and Lewis’ Cinna-a-Bear; a MagnIFicent French Toast Sandwich that’s layered with a folded omelet, hash browns, a sausage patty, and American cheese; and several beverage creations.

There are IHOP locations on Riverdale Street in West Springfield and in the Five Town Plaza in Sixteen Acres.

Above, from left, are an order of Pork Belly Ramen at BarKaya, a sushi and noodle bar, and an order of Garlic Naan from Panjabi Tadka. Both restaurants are among the eateries signed up to participate in this year’s Dine Springfield Restaurant Week, scheduled for June 7 to 16.

(THE REPUBLICAN, FILE PHOTOS)

Hugh Robert Off The Menu

Starbucks is now serving a trio of Summer-Berry Starbucks Refreshers Beverages. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

A starting lineup of beers

BASEBALL SEASON IS IN FULL swing, and America’s favorite pastime has always gone handin-hand with beer.

But what if beer actually played baseball?

Before you call someone to have me committed, hear me out: Beer styles have various aspects which make them suitable for different purposes — just like ball players. So I thought it would be fun to imagine which styles would play various positions on the diamond.

While I had to limit the number of styles to a starting nine, I tried to choose a wide breadth of styles, just like a good baseball team would have a lineup that showcased an array of talents needed to win.

So let’s start with the catcher position: I think a stout would be the perfect fit for the backstop position. Stouts are one of the most classic styles in beer history, and there’s a certain solidity to them that often makes for slower drinking. And just like some catchers have some pop in

Interview, tasting at Domaine Jean Fournier in Marsannay, France

MARSANNAY, FRANCE — The streetcar glides south on the tracks built in the grass-covered median just outside Dijon’s city center.

Five- to eight-story high modern apartments and other large commercial buildings line most of the route near Dijon.

After the last streetcar stop in Carraz, the buildings gradually get smaller and spaced further apart along Avenue Roland Carraz.

Soon after, the buildings give way to neatly arranged rows of grapevines alongside the road. Patches of snow from a storm a few days earlier remain in between the vines and wooden stakes in the fields.

A short while later, just past the sign for ‘Marsannay’ leading into the town, buildings begin to reappear, only they’re older, shorter and hidden behind tall stone walls close to the roads and narrow sidewalks.

Like many charming winemaking villages in Burgundy, there’s an old stone church and a few businesses (bakery, pharmacy, two restaurants) located near a small square in the center of Marsannay.

Just off the town square, down a narrow, stonewall-lined road named Rue De Chateau stands a winery with a distinct, round, stone tower located next to a short gravel road.

Fans of Marsannay wines will recognize the round tower from the labels on the wine bottles produced by Domaine Jean Fournier.

Nowadays, the winery is run by Laurent Fournier, the third generation in his family to produce wines in Marsannay. Judging by the 15 wines I tasted with Fournier earlier this year, he’s doing an outstanding job creating distinct wines that vividly bring to life the wide range of grapes and vineyards that Domaine Jean Fournier owns in Marsannay and several nearby villages. This week, you can learn more about the wines of Domaine Jean Fournier as well as about Marsannay wines in general, which are consistently some of the best, affordable red wines from France’s revered Burgundy region.

About Marsannay Wines

Marsannay is one of the northern most villages in Cote De Nuits, the revered wine

region in Northern Burgundy famous for its world-class red wines made with pinot noir grapes. Many Cote De Nuits wines from nearby villages like Gevrey-Chambertin and Chambolle-Musigny cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars a bottle. That’s what makes Marsannay wines such a great deal. Like many other pinot noirs from Cote De Nuits, many reds from Marsannay have unique, austere flavors that capture the character of the rocky soil buried beneath the vineyards.

What makes Marsannay different

When most people think of wine from Burgundy, they think of two grapes — pinot noir and chardonnay. Marsannay is different. The 940

their bats, stouts (the imperial kind) can sometimes be power hitters. Porters are my choice for first base. Just as some catchers move to first base later in their careers, porters are historically linked to stouts. But in this thought experiment, I switched the order, because stouts grew out of the porter style. But just as a catcher and first baseman both have to be good with their gloves, both stouts and porters have to have good roasted malt backbones, which keep

acres of vineyards in Marsannay definitely have a lot of both grapes, especially pinot noir. But many winemakers, including Domaine Jean Fournier, create wines using a variety of other grapes, including pinot blanc, pinot gris and aligote. In addition, many winemakers in Marsannay produce outstanding rose wines, something you won’t find in practically any other village in Burgundy.

“Marsannay is not a very large appellation,” Laurent said, referring to the technical term used to describe a specific geographic wine-growing area. “But we have complexity and a big difference of soil, of slope and the wind” that often blows in certain vineyards in Marsannay. Add in rain, cold weather and you have a recipe for creating magnificent wines.

History of Domaine Jean Fournier

While the Fournier family has lived in Marsannay since the 1600s, Domaine Jean Fournier is relatively young by Burgundy standards. The winery was founded in 1960 by Henri Fournier. His son, Jean, began working at the winery in the 1960s at the age of 17. Jean’s son, Laurent, began working at the winery in 2001 and now oversees the winemaking at Domaine Jean Fournier. Even so, you can still sometimes find Jean working in the vineyards or cellars at the winery.

Their specific wines

Domaine Jean Fournier produces 25 different wines from 54 acres of vineyards

George Lenker

Beer Nut

Laurent Fournier of Domaine Jean Fournier winery in Marsannay, France. (PHOTO BY KEN ROSS)

Ken Ross Wine Press

THURSDAY

”The Play That Goes Wrong”: Thu.-Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. Majestic Theater, through June 2. For tickets, call the box office, 413-747-7797, $33, $35, $37. 131 Elm St., West Springfield. 413-747-7797 or majestictheater. com.

The Ukulele and You — Level Up! with Don Rovero: Thu, 6:30 p.m. Forbes Library, this workshop is aimed at the player who knows at least a few chords, and has started learning songs. Donations towards Forbes Library programming are encouraged. 80 minutes, free. 20 West Street, Northampton; 413-587-1011 or forbeslibrary.org.

FRIDAY

“Kinky Boots”: Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. Enfield Annex, $25. 124 North Maple St., Enfield.

M/Others Institute for Collaboration and Art: Fri, 7 p.m. Anchor House of Artists, “Momologues Unfiltered.” For more information and tickets, visit experiencemica. org/, $25 individual tickets, $100$150 month passes. 518 Pleasant St., Northampton.

“The Play That Goes Wrong”: See Thursday listing Spring into Movement Fitness Fundraiser - Nia in Berkshire County: Fri., 5:30 p.m. On Pointe Barre & Fitness, local Nia White Belt Instructor and owner of Intrinsic Movement Laurel Lenski to lead this Nia Fitness Fundraiser event. All proceeds for this event will go directly to It Takes a Village, the local nonprofit that provides free support for postpartum families and those with young children. $20 per person. On Pointe Barre & Fitness, 740 Williams St., Suite D, Pittsfield, MA, $20 Donation. 740 Williams St. Suite D, Pittsfield.

SATURDAY

2024 World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast: Sat., 8-11 a.m., Downtown

Springfield. There will be pancakes, bacon, coffee, milk, juice, and water. Breakfast starts at 8 a.m. and will continue until 11 a.m., or until everyone in line has been served a plate of pancakes. There will also be live entertainment by the Sci-Tech Band, Libertas Academy Charter School, Springfield Prep Charter School, Mary Annes Studio of Dance, Red Grass Ministries, Martin Luther King Charter School, Malik James and Master Lee Taekwondo. For more information, visit spiritofspringfield. org. Tickets for pancakes with bacon are $3 and $1 for children under 12. Main Street from State Street to Bridge Street, Springfield. Brookfield Farm Seedling Sale: Sat.-Sun., 9 a.m. Brookfield Farm, 2024 annual seedling sale. See varieties available for sale online at brookfieldfarm.org/annual-seedling-sale, free admission. 24 Hulst Road, Amherst; 413-253-7991.

Just Roots Spring Festival and Seedling Sale: Sat, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Just Roots Greenfield Community Farm, free and open to the public. Features live music, cooking demonstrations and samples, farm tours, a free seed swap, a raffle with prizes from local businesses, children’s activities, and free ice cream from Ice Cream Emergency. Seedlings for sale will include vegetables, flowers, culinary and medicinal herbs, native pollinators, and more from Just Roots, MXED GREENS, Turtle Bend Farm, Checkerspot Farm, Sage Green Botanicals, People’s Medicine Project, Sawmill Herb Farm, Foxtrot Farm, and A Wing and A Prayer Nursery. More information can be found at justroots.org/event/ spring-festival-seedling-sale/, 34 Glenbrook Drive, Greenfield.

Kids Makers Mart: Sat., 2-5 p.m. BOMBYX Center for Arts & Equity, Young crafters, makers, cooks, and creatives will be selling their handmade wares. Area arts businesses will round out the afternoon Kids Makers Mart on-site, and up the street at the Florence Civic Center will be a consecutive craft experience, Yet Another Queer Pop-Up Market also will be underway, 130

CALENDAR

Pine St., Florence; “Kinky Boots”: See Friday listing Pamela Means — The Power of the Protest Song present “Our Shared History & Present Day”: Sat., 4-6 p.m. Peskeomskut Park, part performance, part mini presentation, this program explores the origin of protest songs and how they inspired shifts within the realms of racial and social justice. Free and family friendly. Rain date, May 19, 2-4 p.m., Avenue A and 7th Street, Turners Falls.

”The Play That Goes Wrong”: See Thursday listing Recital Chorus 28th Annual Spring Concert and Benefit: Sat., 7:30 p.m. Greenfield Community College, donations (cash or check) will be received at the door to defray concert expenses and to benefit the GCC Food Pantry. Takes place at Sloan Theater. Free, donations graciously accepted. 1 College Drive, Greenfield.

Southwick Spiff Up: Sat., 9 a.m. Christ Lutheran Church. Start at the Daily Grind a side of free coffee and Mrs. Murphy’s doughnuts. Volunteers will receive brightly-colored garbage bags, and from there head over to one of the targeted areas to get busy spiffing up our magnificent town, 568 College Highway, Southwick.

Springfield Garden Club to host Magical Fairy Garden Tour: Sat.Sun., 1-5 p.m. Yard of Al & Vana Whitehouse, 30 magical habitats will be on display. In addition, two evening tours on May 21 and 22, 7-9 p.m., will be offered. Tickets are available at the gate but advance tickets are recommended. Tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite. com. During the show, each design will have its own special story page. A full color version of the book and/ or a coloring book of the story featuring photographs of each creation can be ordered during the tour, $10 adults, $5 children, $20 for a family (up to 6 people). 48 Park Edge Ave., Springfield.

Springfield Symphony Orchestra Season Finale: Sat., 7:30 p.m. Springfield Symphony Hall, “Magic

& Glory,” with guest conductor Tania Miller. $25-$75. 34 Court St., Springfield. 413-733-2291 or symphonyhall.com.

Valley Jazz Voices Spring Concert: Sat., 7 p.m. Blue Room at CitySpace, to be followed by an open mic at 8:15 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Tickets are on sale on Eventbrite, children under 12 are free. $20. 43 Main St., Easthampton; Will Run For Cookies! 5k and Cookie Crumble 2k: Sat, 8:30 a.m. Stanley Park. Will Run for Cookies features a 5k run/walk and 2k walk option. Participants (furry companions included), run or walk, enjoy a delicious cookie, and most importantly, support Dakin Humane Society and their critical programs to keep people and pets together, $20$40. 400 Western Ave., Westfield. 413-568-9312 or stanleypark.org.

SUNDAY

Brookfield Farm Seedling Sale: See Saturday listing

Close Encounters with Music Concert: Sun., 4-6 p.m. Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, Cafe Vienna-”Nervous Splendor.” For tickets visit https://cewm.org/event/cafe-vienna/, $28-$52. 14 Castle St., Great Barrington. 413-528-0100 or mahaiwe.org.

Connections Concert — Thresholds - ft. James Bird, Charlotte Malin & Sophie Lippert: Sun., 7 p.m. Northampton Center for the Arts, Join Charlotte Malin (violin and viola), Sophie Lippert (piano and cello), and special guest James Bird (bardic songwriter) at Northampton Center for the Arts for multigenre music, soulful collaborations, and connective interactions, $7-$45. 33 Hawley St., Northampton; 413-584-7327 or nohoarts.org.

Cry Out for Peace Concert: Sun., 3 p.m. Our Lady of Peace Church, featuring music with the Our Lady of Peace singers and Eventide signers with motivational readings from Champions of Peace and Justice, Free. 90 Seventh St., Turners Falls. Friends of Storrs Library High Tea

Fundraiser Event: Sun., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Storrs Library, each seating will accomodate a maximum of 100 people. Guests will have the opportunity to choose from a selection of seven teas, accompanied by finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, and an array of desserts. For tickets visit friendsofstorrslibrary. org, $50. 693 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow, 413-565-4181.

“Kinky Boots”: See Friday listing Outrun Hunger 2024: Sun, 9 a.m. Forest Park. Funds go directly to programs that feed people in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin Counties. Sumner Avenue, Springfield.

”The Play That Goes Wrong”: See Thursday listing Quabbin Valley Twirlers Square Dance Club: Sun., First Church in Ludlow, The Quabbin Valley Twirlers square dance club offers beginner dancing at 6:30 p.m. Sun. and the plus classes for advanced dancers is from 6-8 p.m. on Mon.The donation is $6 for each class per person, 859 Center St., Ludlow.

Springfield Garden Club hosts Magical Fairy Garden Tour: See Saturday listing

Swing Spring Fling: Sun., noon and 3 p.m. Blue Room at CitySpace, join Annie & the Fur Trappers. Bee & Sean will teach a free intro lesson before the band gets jumpin’. Charleston Workshops, $20 - noon (pre-register); intro lesson, free, 3 p.m.; live hot swing, $20, 4-6 p.m; intro Lesson, free, 3pm. Tickets and information at bit.ly/SwingfieldMA, $20. 43 Main St., Easthampton; West Springfield Coin Club Meeting: Sun, 7 p.m. Mittineague Congregational Church, a video presentation will be given on the Winged Liberty Head Dime series. Refreshments will be available. For further information, contact Peter Setian at 413-596-9871, 1840 Westfield St., West Springfield.

Western Mass. Comic Book Show: Sun, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center, $5, children 12 and under free with paid adult admission. 289 Main St., Greenfield, hawksandreed.com.

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Among the women to be honored during the concert as part of the second annual Fearless Women awards will be Dr. Edna Rodriguez, director of Behavioral Health for Trinity Health of New England; Shalimar Colon, senior administrator of Curriculum and Instruction at Springfield Public Schools; Jessica Roncarati-Howe, executive director, Dress for Success; Kate Cardoso, founder, Travel with a Purpose Pact, and director, Event Logistics, HIMSS; Dr. Gloria Caballero Roca, professor at Bard Micro College; Dr. Kristen Lech, director of Graduate Programs

in Special Education and English as a Second Language, Bay Path University; Rachel Isbell Branch, creator and producer of Solutions Rising at Northern Berkshire Community Television Corporation (NBCTC); and Zyiasia Knighton, emergency medical technician (EMT) at American Medical Response.

“At the SSO, we believe in

the collective power of women to shape the future, elevate underrepresented industries, and enrich our communities. Each fearless woman honored reminds us that every success is a victory for all women, paving the way for future leaders and fostering a culture of authenticity where everyone can thrive. This celebration of our local women and the

incredible women conducting, playing and composing is a tribute to their strength and accomplishments, this concert is a celebration of their invaluable contributions,” said Heather Gawron, chief development and operations officer for the SSO. Tickets range in price from $25-$75 and are available at springfieldsymphony.org.

located mostly in Marsannay. The wines include:

• 17 red wines from Marsannay and several nearby villages, including Gevrey-Chambertin and Fixin.

• 7 white wines from Marsannay and Burgundy in general.

• 1 rose wine.

Their winemaking philosophy

Jean Fournier decided early on to focus his efforts on producing high-quality wines from particular vineyards in Marsannay. “My father had a good feeling and decided to develop the better places in Northern Marsannay,” Laurent said.

The vineyards in Northern Marsannay in particular, Laurent added, produce “more layered, more powerful wines.” As for vineyards in Southern Marsannay, they produce great wines as well that are “more wild, more rustic which is nice,” Laurent said.

Either way, the winery strives to produce wines that express each vineyard with the least amount of intervention. That means using organic farming methods and adding as little sulfur as possible to the wines, Laurent explained. (Many winemakers add sulfur during the vinification process.) “Respect for the expression of the terroir, the vintage, the grape variety and the touch of the domain,” Laurent said.

Wine tasting notes

(Wines tasted at the winery in Marsannay earlier this year with the winemaker, Laurent Fournier.)

White wines

2021 Domaine Jean Fournier Aligote Saint Urban

Grapes: 100% aligote

Tasting notes: The first of three outstanding aligote wines tasted day, this delightful white wine has a tart, crisp, chalky taste with hints of green apple, lime and melon.

2021 Domaine Jean Fournier Champ Forey

Grapes: 100% aligote

Tasting notes: My favorite aligote of the tasting, this soft, subtle, flinty wine has mineral-like hints of peach, lemon and green apple. Everything about this wine is subtle and understated with a focused and finessed finish. Outstanding.

2021 Domaine Jean Fournier Aux Boutieres

Grapes: 100% aligote

Tasting notes: Another outstanding aligote, this particular wine has bright, lively hints of pear, peach, lemon and green apple flavors. The gentle finish is light, crisp, clean and floral-like.

2021 Domaine Jean Fournier Origines

Grapes: 65% pinot blanc, 35% pinot gris

Tasting notes: The name of the wine refers to how pinot blanc and pinot gris were originally traditionally planted in this part of Burgundy centuries ago. It’s easy to see why. This elegant wine has a soft, subtle

finish with hints of peach and melon. Light golden in color, there’s also a depth and complexity to this wonderful wine.

2021 Domaine Jean Fournier Cuvee Saint Urban

Grapes: 70% chardonnay blanc, 10% chardonnay rose, 10% pinot blanc, 10% pinot beurot

Tasting notes: Another great blended white wine, this particular gem has a soft yet dense mineral-like finish with subtle hints of sea salt, lemon, peach and lime. A beautiful, fascinating wine.

2021 Domaine Jean Fournier Marsannay Clos

Du Roy

Grapes: 100% chardonnay

Tasting notes: An outstanding chardonnay made with grapes from 25-year-old vines, this dense, delightful white wine reminds me of chardonnays from revered villages like Puligny-Montrachet while also bringing to life the distinct, austere characteristics of red wines from Northern Burgundy. The flavors here cover a huge range – from sea salt and lemon to dense fog and limestone. Absolutely amazing.

2021 Domaine Jean Fournier Les Longeroies

Grapes: 100% chardonnay

Tasting notes: Another outstanding chardonnay, this distinct, subtle wine has a soft yet muscular finish. Its flavors are flinty and mineral-like with hints of sea salt, lemon, peach and floral-like aromas and flavors.

Red wines

(All red wines tasted below are made with 100% pinot noir

grapes)

2021 Domaine Jean Fournier Bourgogne Cote D’Or

Tasting notes: Bright, fresh, vibrant fruit flavors abound in this subtle red wine from several different vineyards in Burgundy (Bourgogne). Flavors include hints of cherry, raspberry and blackberry.

2021 Domaine Jean Fournier Marsannay Cuvee Saint Urbain

Tasting notes: Darker in color than the first red wine, this complex wine has dense, intense fruit flavors, including cherry and blackberry with additional dark chocolate-like notes.

2021 Domaine Jean Fournier Marsannay Le Chapitre

Tasting notes: Lighter and brighter than the first two red wines, here the flavors are softer and more refined, with elegant hints of plum, cherry and black licorice.

2021 Domaine Jean Fournier Marsannay Clos Du Roy

Tasting notes: One of the largest (61 acres) and bestknown vineyards in Marsannay, Clos Du Roy earned its name as the king’s vineyard (Clos Du Roy) based on outstanding wines like this one. This wine’s soft, subtle flavors have no edge or sharpness. Simply subtle, graceful hints of cherry, blackcurrant and blackberries. Truly magnificent.

2021 Domaine Jean Fournier Marsannay Les Longeroies

Tasting notes: Another

outstanding vineyard that produces high-quality red wines, Les Longeroies might not officially be a ‘premier cru’ vineyard but it deserves to be, judging from dense, elegant wines like this one. Its powerful, precise flavors hit the bullseye and range from blackberry to toasted almonds and cherry.

2021 Domaine Jean Fournier Marsannay Es Chezots

Tasting notes: Cool temperatures frequently fill the vineyard named ‘Es Chezots,’ which produces bright, playful red wines like this beautiful example from Domaine Jean Fournier. Flavors include fresh cherry and raspberry with a long, subtle finish.

2021 Domaine Jean Fournier Croix Violette

Tasting notes: Made with grapes grown on vines at least 60 years old, this beautiful, well-rounded wine has a soft, subtle, long finish with hints of blackberry and cherry. Its flavors and aromas are bright, lively and refreshing.

2021 Domaine Jean Fournier Trois Terres

Tasting notes: Big, dark, dense fruit flavors give this breathtaking wine a bold yet elegant finish. Full throttled without being too heavy, its complex flavors are dense and intense but not overpowering. Such flavors include floral notes as well as hints of roasted cherries, black pepper and blackberries. A great finish to an outstanding tasting.

Cheers!

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them sturdy and well-grounded. And these days, some porters can be as powerful as stouts.

Second base belongs to a wheat beer. There are different types of wheat beers, but I think they all fit at second base. They’re mostly light-hitting and sweet and usually not in the spotlight. But no team is complete without one.

Pilsners get my nod for shortstop. It’s a crucial position and a great one can make all the difference in the world. You’re not looking for a lot power from the slot, but it needs to be sleek and smooth (either in fielding or flavor).

Third base is held down by an Oktoberfest. The hot corner is a position that anchors the infield at one end, just like Oktoberfest beers anchor the autumn season of the beer calendar. The style is another’s type of fall

classic.

Left field goes to a barleywine. It had plenty of wallop in its swing (or swig) and doesn’t have to be fleet of foot or necessarily play great defense. And after a couple of barleywines, most of us would find ourselves moving more slowly and less able to defend ourselves, either physically or intellectually. A saison is a definite pick for center field. It’s light, turbo-charged (or at least highly carbonated), and often provides a bit of spice

to the lineup. Saisons make for great leadoff hitters, especially when they’ve been augmented with a bit of (orange or lemon) zest. They’re also usually just pretty to look at — just like a great catch by a starting centerfielder.

Right field is secured by a bock beer. There are various types of both right-fielders and bocks, but they both usually need a decent amount of strength. Right-fielders can have great arms and/or big bats, and

bocks can be powerful both in flavor and alcohol content.

On the mound, of course, is our pitcher, the IPA. Along with its battery-mate the stout, the IPA is the most important position (at least these days when looking at popularity) on the diamond. And IPAs have an arsenal of pitches, just like an ace: fastballs (double IPAs), changeups (session IPAs), curve balls (black IPAs), and knuckleballs (New England IPAs). Which beers make your starting lineup?

• An early wave of summer menu item releases hit Starbucks locations last week. Cold drink introductions dominated the limited-time-only beverage offerings. These included three flavors of Summer-Berry Refreshers, a non-dairy Summer Skies drink made with coconut milk and flavored with berry essence, a return of the White Chocolate Macadamia Cream Cold Brew, and a new iced coffee blend that’s flavor-optimized for drink customization.

As beverage go-withs Starbuck has come up with an Orange Cream Cake Pop and a Pineapple Cloud Cake — the latter is layered with pineapple cream and pineapple fruit spread.

The early summer menu additions will be available for an unspecified limited time.

• Last month Subway brought back two flavor favorites — its honey-oat bread and its creamy sriracha sauce. Honey oat bread was dropped from the sandwich chain’s menu four years ago and had since been the subject of fan petitions for its return.

‘Spirited’

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form one minute and then as forbidding outsized versions of themselves.

At times the stage is so packed with activity that you lose the narrative thread and yearn for quieter moments amid the clamor. But the film’s sizable fan base will thrill to its renewed life onstage, and reactions to the show might depend on how invested you are in the material. Joe Hisaishi’s film score, played live throughout, offers an immediately nostalgic link to the celluloid source.

Comparisons are tricky, but it’s impossible not to set “Spirited Away” against “My Neighbor Totoro,” an earlier,

The creamy sriracha sauce, previously in limited release, is now available chain-wide. Both items are expected to remain on the menu for the indefinite future.

• Lovers of the food truck experience might want to take note of the upcoming Food Truck Battles 2024, to be held Friday through Sunday at the Wolcott Festival Park in Wolcott, Connecticut.

The organizers of the event, CT Food Trucks, is promising 50-plus food trucks will be at the three-day event, along with games, amusements, and over 100 vendors of “merch” and packaged foods.

Three stages at the Food Truck Battles will provide live entertainment in the form of both bands and stand-up comedians.

Food eating contests will also be part of the fun.

Admission to the CT Food Truck Battles Festival is free; more information is available at the event’s website, ctfoodtruckbattles.com

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.

much-loved Miyazaki title that reached the London stage in 2022, performed in English, and went on to win six Olivier Awards. That production gets a further London run starting next March.

But the comparatively streamlined “Totoro” maintains a domestic focus on a father and his two daughters throughout, and its nonhuman characters — of which there are many fewer — are easier to track. “Spirited Away,” by contrast, keeps the visuals coming until you are full to bursting, much like Chihiro’s gluttonous parents. Was I emotionally transported, or spirited away? Alas not.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.