For
TOM RUSH: Singer talks ‘63rd annual farewell tour’ before Hatfield concert, D4
BREW AT THE ZOO: Event to benefit animals at Forest Park Zoo in Springfield, D5
LITTLEVILLE FAIR: 102nd fair in Chester opens gates on Friday, D6
John Williams Film Night at Tanglewood to honor composer behind films like ‘Star Wars,’ ‘Harry Potter’, Page D2
By K en Ross Special to
The Republican Lights! Camera! Music!
If you love movies — and who doesn’t? — turn off the TV and race out to Tanglewood, where you can hear music from a galaxy far, far away or a melody sure to launch your bike into the sky or keep you one step ahead
of a boulder racing behind you through the Amazon jungle.
Back by popular demand, John Williams Film Night returns to Tanglewood this weekend. The annual event features music by Williams, performed by the Boston Pops Orchestra. This year’s event will also feature some of the film music by the late Henry Mancini in honor of the composer’s 100th birthday.
Williams practically wrote “the soundtrack to our lives,” according to Tony Fogg, vice president of artistic planning for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, which operates Tanglewood and where the BSO spends the summer performing several concerts most weekends.
And because the annual event often draws one of the largest crowds of the summer — and caused a great deal of traffic last summer — Tanglewood will hold John Williams’ Film Night twice this year, on Friday, Aug. 2, and Saturday, Aug. 3, starting at 8 p.m. both nights.
“John is such a beloved figure,” Fogg said. “Last year, we had such a large audience that it really greatly impacted the traffic in and out of Lenox and Stockbridge to a degree that we had to do something to try and ease the congestion. So John very, very
Williams’ original music has been featured in everything from “Star Wars” to “E.T.” as well as “Jaws,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Superman,” “Home Alone,” “Fiddler on the Roof” and the first three “Harry Potter” movies, to name just a few of the 120 movies Williams has written music for since the 1950s.
liams’ annual film night takes on even greater significance. “It’s a very special event for everyone,” Fogg said.
John Williams Film Night will
graciously agreed to two performances of the program. Typically, we only do one (film night) performance at Tanglewood, but we’re doing both Friday and Saturday night this year.”
Normally, Williams conducts part of the annual film night concert at Tanglewood. However, the 92-year-old composer will not be there this summer “due to a recent health concern, from which he is expected to make a full recovery,” according to a statement from Tanglewood.
And if that’s not enough John Williams music for you, Tanglewood will also screen the 1993 Steven Spielberg blockbuster hit movie “Jurassic Park” on Saturday, Aug. 17, at 8 p.m., featuring Williams’ music performed live by the Boston Pops Orchestra under the direction of conductor Keith Lockhart.
Williams’ original music has been featured in everything from “Star Wars” to “E.T.” as well as “Jaws,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Superman,” “Home Alone,” “Fiddler on the Roof” and the first three “Harry Potter” movies, to name just a few of the 120 movies Williams has written music for since the 1950s.
Why does Tanglewood feature Williams’ music so much each summer? Because even though the composer lives primarily in Los Angeles, Williams often spends much of the summer each year in the Tanglewood area.
Williams also has close ties with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, which has performed Williams’ music on several movie soundtracks, including the Spielberg movie “Schindler’s List,” which won the Oscar for Best Original Score. That Oscar was Williams’ fifth win and the third one Williams won for his music written for a Spielberg movie.
(Williams has been nominated for 54 Oscars, in case you were counting. That’s the second most in history behind Walt Disney, who received 59 Oscar nominations.)
“We’re deeply honored to have a long relationship with him,” Fogg said. “He spends a good part of the summer at Tanglewood. He’s written many of his iconic film scores over the course of the season. He’s seen regularly around the campus; he comes and walks for an hour or so each day.
“He just brings a sort of dignity and real quality to the festival,” Fogg added. “And his music is fabulous. He writes wonderfully for the orchestra. It’s just a terrific event.”
And as the years pass, Wil-
be held Friday, Aug. 2, and Saturday, Aug. 3, starting at 8 p.m. at Tanglewood. The movie “Jurassic Park” will be screened with the Boston Pops Orchestra perform-
ing live on Saturday, Aug. 17, at Tanglewood, which is located at 297 West Street, Lenox. For tickets or for more information, visit bso.org/tanglewood.
By Ashley P otter apotter@repub.com
He’s been making music for more than 60 years and, despite joking that this year is his “63rd annual farewell tour,” Tom Rush has more music — and more stories — to share.
Rush — who was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on Feb. 8, 1941 — stepped on the music scene with his first album, “Got a Mind to Ramble,” in 1963. His newest album, more than six decades later, came out in March: “Gardens Old, Flowers New.”
Rush has been credited with helping to shape the folk music scene in the ’60s, the folkrock movement of the ’70s and the folk renaissance of the ’80s and ’90s. His music has inspired artists like James Taylor, Emmylou Harris, Tom Petty and Garth Brooks.
When he’s not busy performing or recording music, Rush is preparing for his next episode of “Rockport Sundays,” where he records a weekly video from his home in Rockport.
The series, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic when Rush missed performing for a live audience, typically feature Rush with a special guest — oftentimes a musician who is just getting started. “Part of my mission is to introduce people to these youngsters who are extremely talented, and they would be big, big stars if
play
DESPITE WHAT
Thomas Wolfe wrote, Matt Hebert is solid evidence that you can go home again.
this was 50 years ago,” Rush said in an interview with The Republican.
On the heels of his newest album, Rush will be performing at Black Birch Vineyard in Hatfield on Aug. 3 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets, which are $38 for members and $40 for the general public, can be purchased online at parlorroom.org/bbv.
Before his Hatfield concert, Rush took the time to talk about his favorite stories and creating new music in a phone interview with The Republican.
The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Q. First of all, how are you doing today?
A. I’m scrambling around, as usual. I thought things
After a 15-year stay in Austin, Texas, Hebert returned to Western Massachusetts a few years ago and has been thriving. Hebert, of course, was the main man in Ware River Club, a popular Americana band he formed in 1998. Since then, Hebert has recorded under several other names, including Haunt, and his new band, Hidden Skyline, which just released a new album, “Causeways.”
Hebert will be playing with Haunt at Northampton’s Bands on Brewster series on Aug. 8 at 6 p.m.
We chatted with Hebert about what he’s been up to in advance of the show.
Q. When and how did you decide that the people involved with “Causeways” would be an actual
By K eith O ’C onnor
Special to The Republican
Seeing a sign that says “Please don’t feed the animals” is nothing new. But what if you saw one that read “Please don’t give the animals anything to drink?”
You won’t find one at the Zoo at Forest Park on Saturday, but if you did it would be appropriate, since they will be pouring beer for attendees as part of the 6th annual Brew at the Zoo fundraiser.
“This is an important fundraiser for us, which last year raised $42,000 to support the zoo and our more than 225 animals. The funds will go toward our general operating budget to help us with the daily care of our animals throughout the year, especially as we near the end of the summer and go into our off-season,” said Gabry Tyson, assistant executive director of the Zoo at Forest Park.
Open to reserved ticket holders only, the three-andhalf-hour event from 1:30 to 5 p.m. features beer samples from local craft breweries, a home brew competition, food trucks, live music, games, and the opportunity to visit with the animals in the zoo.
Some 25 area breweries, including many new brewers added to the 2024 lineup, and home brewers will be pouring their cooling libations at the event including Loophole Brewing, One Way Brewing, Altruist Brewing Company, Abandoned Building, Vanished Valley Brewing Co, Berkshire Brewing, Rustic Brewing Company, Bright Ideas Brewery, Seven Railroads Brewing Company,
“The funds will go toward our general operating budget to help us with the daily care of our animals throughout the year, especially as we near the end of the summer and go into our offseason.”
Greater Good Imperial Brewing Co., Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling, Deacon Giles Distillery, Leadfoot Brewing, StrongHaus Brewing, SideGig Brewery, Catseyesoup Brewing, SPARGE Homebrew Club, Big Bee Brewing, Matts Brew Research Lab, Inside Joke Brewing Collective, Beerfort Brewing, Fallen Timbers
Brewing Co, Beach Hill Brewery, Forest King Brewing and 4 Walls Brewing.
Loophole Brewing, a supporter of Brew at the Zoo since its earliest beginnings, will be bringing its First Encounter NEIPA, Duryea Way Pale Ale and Munich Style Lager to taste.
By K eith O ’C onnor Special to The Republican
It almost seems self-defeating to have the word “little” in your title.
But the 102nd Littleville Fair in Chester, which opens its gates on Friday for three days, is nothing short of small.
“We had over 3,000
fairgoers come through our gates last year to enjoy three days of jam-packed fun,” said Maurice R. Boisseau Sr., president of the Littleville Fair.
Three things the fair is strong on is agriculture, all kinds of contests, and an emphasis on things to do for kids, Boisseau noted.
“We are very kid oriented and support agriculture 100 percent. Maintaining our agricultural heritage is very important to us and for future generations and there are many 4-H members who
participate at the fair,” he said.
Visitors can experience a number of agriculture-related contests throughout the three-day country fair, including oxen draws, truck pulls, youth dairy and beef cattle shows, ox teamsters challenges, sheep shows, antique tractor pulls, horse pulls, a zucchini contest and more.
The fair’s exhibit hall ties into agriculture, similar to many other fairs across the
band, Hidden Skyline?
Moving back to Massachusetts was part of it. It’s easier to rehearse when you don’t live three days away. Bigger factor is that as the album progressed everyone involved realized there was a chemistry and something exciting about what we got down. It’s really amazing to play with this group. We’re all very close friends, and it’s always fun and a good hang.
Q. How do you distinguish between Haunt and Hidden Skyline in your mind? They’re obviously different projects, but why did you separate them like you did?
Matt Hebert and Haunt is now representing my entire career. We do songs from Ware River Club, Haunt and my solo albums. We will throw a Hidden Skyline song in there from time to time. Why not? Joel Stroetzel on guitar, Miranda Brown on harmonies and Bob Hennessy playing a ton of different instruments is a huge part of why Hidden Skyline sounds the way it does. Joel and I are also writing together now; we are well into the second record.
Q. What surprised you the most from “Causeways” after it was finished?
It was recorded in five studios and sounds live. Testimony to the players! We did three songs live at Spirithouse Studios. The rest were all remote. The title track “Causeways” was the first take of the first time we ever played the song together.
Q. Why are you doing your Aug. 8 gig as Haunt and not Hidden Skyline?
We’ve agreed to not do Hidden Skyline unless everyone in the current lineup is available. If it’s billed as Hidden Skyline, we will do all Hidden Skyline songs and have the current lineup. The Hidden Skyline band is cool with me dropping a few songs in a Haunt set, but we want Hidden Skyline shows to be “Causeways” and the next record.
Q. What did the experience of being in Austin teach you and give to your music?
During COVID, like a lot of folks, my wife Sam and I realized we were too far away from family. We moved to Boston for two years and finally bought a house in Holyoke, getting us back to the valley last year. I loved being able to bounce
around the country and live in different places, but instantly moving back I remembered the loveliness of the valley. Austin bands rehearse seven days a week. There is an industry of rehearsal spaces. You can’t phone it in. Everyone works so hard. It’s so amazing. Seven days a week you can go to 40 different happy hours and see a monster singer-songwriter with an incredible band working it.
Q. You’re also releasing a record with the Lonesome
Brothers. How did that come about and what can fans expect?
Well, the Lonesome Brothers have long been my favorite band. Being gone for 15 years, they have been the constant. They played my wedding, and I love them like I love The Replacements. When we started to prepare for the Hidden Skyline release, (drummer) Don (McAulay) got the gig at the Dome with U2 and was gone for months. I started working on a vocal and acoustic solo album.
A few songs in, I wrote a one called “These Words.” It reminded me of “Lotta Love” by Neil Young. That sparked the idea. Few more songs in, I called Ray and Jim and asked if they wanted to get involved. They said yes. We recorded live for two days at Spirithouse. I’m currently working on vocal tracks and a few overdubs. Release show is booked at The Iron Horse for early November. Sounds like my songs with The Lonesome Brothers. We may play one at the show on Brewster!
TUESDAY
Chicopee Elks #1849
431 Granby Road, Chicopee 413-592-1849
Bingo Tuesday
Doors Open at 4PM
2 Progressive Jackpots 6:15PM Early Bird 6:20PM Start
Min. Entry Package $15 Open Seating
2 Halls for Players Handicap Restroom 1st Floor
WEDNESDAY
Polish American Citizens Club 355 East Street, Ludlow, 583-6385
Bingo Wednesdays 6:30-9:30pm
Doors Open at 4pm. Minimum Admission $50 1 - 1199 Progressive Betty Boop 50/50 Prize $900
2 - $500 Cover Alls
3 - $400 Special Games All regular games $100 with 80 people or More. All Cards are included with Admission. Prizes climb with additional attendence. Full Kitchen 4-6:30pm.
THURSDAY
Fairview Knights of Columbus
1599 Memorial Drive, Chicopee (413) 532-2011
DOORS OPEN 4:30PM
MASKS OPTIONAL Progressive Jackpot 6:15pm Early Bird 6:20pm Start
Electronic Bingo Aval. Snack Bar, Open Seating, Handicap Restrooms
Min. Entry Package $15
were supposed to slow down when you get to a certain age, but I guess I’m not old enough yet.
Q. You’ve been making music for more than 60 years now.
A. (laughs) Yeah. I just figured out that 2024 is my 63rd annual farewell tour.
Q. Wow. What’s your secret? How do you continue to find stories to tell after so many years?
A. I love playing for people and I learned early on that if you tell people a story in-between the songs, it draws them in and makes them connect with you better. The stories are actually one of my favorite parts of the show, and, in fact, I get requests for the stories. It blows my mind. “Tell the one about the guy from New Hampshire.” “Oh, OK.”
Q. So what is the story about the guy from New Hampshire?
A. Well, let’s see. There’s one about how I moved home to New Hampshire from New York City. I walked out of my apartment one morning in the blinding sun, not in the best of condition I will admit, and there in front of my place is this guy who’s got to be 6′8″, without the platform shoes or the afro, wearing nothing but a see-through raincoat and walking on the end of a leash, a horse that was about 18 inches tall. I gazed upon this and I said “no, no, no, no, no,” and I went back inside and packed up and moved home to New Hampshire where it’s normal, not understanding when I made the move that Hillsborough, New Hampshire — the town to which I moved — was in fact the world’s number one location for flying saucer sightings. It took me a little while of living there to realize that it was actually just one of my neighbors, old Cyrus, all about sau-
cers. “Oh Jesus, I see them, up in the sky. I was on the porch taking out some empties and I seen them.” I’d say, “OK, go ahead. Phone it in, Cy, phone it in.” Stories like that.
Q. Your newest album, “Gardens Old, Flowers New,” came out in March. Is that correct?
A. I think it’s my best, actually, and it’s definitely the newest. The first song on the album is called “Sailing” and it’s been the No. 1 tune on Margaritaville radio ever since March — except for a couple of tunes by some guy named Jimmy Buffett.
Q. Can you share more about the album and the inspiration behind it?
A. Well, I have this very brilliant accompanist, who will not be with me when I play on the 3rd in Hatfield, unfortunately. A guy named Matt Nakoa. He’s got his own career going, which is why he’s not going to be with me, but he’s just a brilliant, brilliant musician and songwriter and singer, and he’s good-looking so … (laughs) I hate him. He also turns out to be a really brilliant record producer, which I had no clue, and we’ve been working together about 10 years. I think he got tired
A. It’s called “Siena’s Song,” named after the city in Italy. I wrote that when she was a little baby and I figured that nobody outside of the family would be interested, so I kind of forgot about it. And then when she was turning 19, I found the lyrics in one of my many folders full of odds and ends, and I wrote them out as a poem for her for her 19th birthday. And then when she was turning 21, I figured “I’ll set it to music again,” and I have no idea if it’s the original music or not, but I tried it out on stage and people seemed to love it. It’s been part of the show now for a while.
Q. What can people expect from your Hatfield concert?
of me talking about “Well, maybe some day we’ll make a record,” and he booked a studio in Connecticut and next thing I know I’m sitting around in this old, converted barn having a wonderful time.
A. I will be doing some old favorites, because people come to hear the songs they know, so I will be doing some Joni Mitchell tunes, and some old blues tunes and some of the songs that people have identified with me over the
this year that I’d go back to the starting point — 1963 is when my first album came out, and that’s when my career started.
Q. What do you love most about making music?
A. I love playing for people. The travel is getting harder and harder, and I’m working less because some of the stuff my booking agent comes up with is just ... (laughs) She says “Oh, it’s just a couple of inches on the map,” but it’s a six-hour drive. I don’t like to drive six hours and then have to get on stage; it’s not fair to the audience. I’ve actually been doing this show online recently called “Rockport Sundays.” It started early in the pandemic, I really missed playing for people and the shows were all shut down, so I decided “OK, I’ll do a little video clip online and post it every Sunday.” It’s just me and a guest, usually, and I keep the episodes down to about 15 minutes because I did a little research and I discovered that if you post an hour-long show,
“I love playing for people and I learned early on that if you tell people a story in-between the songs, it draws them in and makes them connect with you better.”
TOM RUSH
I wrote all the songs — there’s actually one where I set new lyrics to an old, traditional blues tune. Most of them are recent, but there’s a couple (that are older). There’s a song that I wrote for my daughter when she was a baby, and she just turned 25. There’s another song where the only recording was a rickety recording of a radio show done in Philadelphia probably over 50 years ago. I played that rickety recording for Matt and he said, “I like that, let’s do that one.” So, there’s a couple of old ones, but most of them are pretty recent, and people seem to like them a lot. It’s interesting to me that everyone seems to have a different favorite song, which I guess is a good thing.
Q. Can you talk more about the song you wrote for your daughter?
years. (laughs) It’s funny, I’ve been doing it long enough that different people have different favorites, depending on how old they are, so I’ve gotta’ cover quite a few bases there. I’ll be trying out some new stuff, I’ve got a brand new song that I’m not even sure I know how to perform yet, but we’ll find out.
Q. Earlier you talked about your “63rd annual farewell tour.” What’s the story behind that?
A. As a joke, a couple of years ago I put out a T-shirt called “My first annual farewell tour,” and then the next year it was “My second annual farewell tour.” The joke was in the word “annual,” because there’s so many bands out there that have been doing their farewell tours for a decade or more. I finally decided
you’ve lost half the crowd at 15 minutes, and 90% of them by 30 minutes. It’s been a lot of fun, and it paid the rent during the shutdown, but I’ve kept doing it because it’s been a lot of fun. A lot of my guests these days are youngsters, and they’re good, and so I’m trying to help people get to know these young folks who are really, talented. It’s so hard to get a start nowadays. If you didn’t have a record deal, you didn’t exist, because it was the record company that got you on the radio and got you written up in the newspapers, maybe got you on TV. Now the record companies don’t really matter that much.
Q. So much has changed in the music scene, with the change from records and physical CDs to online streaming services like
THE LAST SEVERAL years have not been kind to Seattle-based Starbucks. A contentious union organizing effort and, starting in November 2023, a considerable slump in sales have significantly depressed its stock price, which has fallen by about 35% since 2021.
The reasons for the sales decline have not been fully identified, with speculation as to the causes ranging from “too-high” prices to excessively long lines at Starbucks drive-thru windows.
Although the company’s management has taken steps to turn things around, a depressed stock price has left the company vulnerable, and last week the Wall Street Journal revealed that a Wall Street hedge fund has bought up a significant block of Starbucks stock. That hedge fund, it was further reported, is about to pressure the company into making operating changes that will improve short-term earnings and boost the company’s stock price.
This practice, known to the finance world as “activist investing,” is a particular risk to publicly held restaurant chains. Activist investors seek out companies they believe are undervalued by the market, buy up enough shares to gain leverage with management,and try to force changes in the way the restaurant chain is operated. It’s a process those investors cynically refer to as “unlocking value,” and it frequently results in the “bought-into” company being forced to sell assets, lay off staff, and sometimes even dilute the quality of its products and services.
Activist investors generally have little interest in the longterm health of the companies they buy into. Instead, their objective is to “cash out,” either through higher stock dividends or a hefty shortterm uptick in the restaurant chain’s stock price. Too often such a “cash out” process
Hugh Robert Off The Menu
leaves the restaurant company with a diminished capacity to compete going forward.
It will be interesting to see how Starbucks, which already faces challenges domestically and abroad, deals with this activist investor threat.
• The Bean Restaurant Group, which operates two White Hut locations in greater Springfield, has announced that it has added a new item to the menu — a Foot Long Hot Dog — for a limited time only.
The Foot Long Hot Dog is available for dine-in or take-out at both the Memorial Avenue restaurant in West Springfield and the Hampden Street White Hut in Holyoke.
• On Monday, Aug. 5, Champney’s Restaurant & Tavern at the Deerfield Inn will host another of its Fancy Nancy Luncheon events.
Hosted by Mrs. Claus, the luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. and features a reading of Nancy O’Connor’s young person’s classic “Fancy Nancy.” Champney’s full children’s menu as well as its regular luncheon menu, will be available. Those attending are encouraged to dress in their “fancy” best.
Reservations for this event, which are suggested, can be made by calling 413-774-5587.
• The Cedar Street Grille in Sturbridge is holding the first of this year’s Regional Tapas Dinners on Tuesday, Aug. 6. Part of a series of five such dinners, the August
Head brewer
Steven Bilodeau
talks about his brewing philosophy
WITH THE Northampton Brewery set to celebrate its 37th anniversary on Aug. 10, I thought it would be the right time to talk to head brewer Steven Bilodeau.
Bilodeau had been assistant brewer for more than a decade and took over when former head brewer Donald Pacher left to move out west in 2021. Bilodeau started out as a bartender at the brewery but jumped at the chance when a part-time position opened up at the brewhouse in 2007.
“I thought it would be a great opportunity to learn more about the beer I loved and learn a new skill,” he said. “At first my responsibilities mainly consisted of cleaning kegs and filling growlers while I was slowly taught the brewing process.”
Now that he’s been in the captain’s chair for a few years, it seems like as good a time as any to chat with him about his job and the Northampton Brewery in general.
On how he’s tried to put his own stamp on a venue that’s been around for so long:
I think the biggest stamp I have put on the brewery is the creation of our flagship beer Greyhound IPA. In 2014 while I was still the assistant, we had an annual IPA dinner in which we paired six IPA’s with six courses. I was tasked to create a new recipe for one of the courses. Juicier IPA’s were starting to become more popular, and I wanted to create a beer that was intensely grapefruit-forward since that was the flavor profile I preferred. Greyhound became very popular
amongst our guests and became a mainstay on tap. It won a gold medal in 2016 at the Great International Beer Competition and has remained our most popular offering to this day. On his specific goals when making new beers: I usually have two goals in mind when making a new beer. First, I want to create excitement for our guests as well as our staff. Keeping our patrons on their toes keeps them coming back knowing they may try something they’ve never had before. You never know what your next favorite beer might be.
“I make beer for a community. Listening to that community’s voice is essential.”
STEVEN BILODEAU, NORTHAMPTON BREWERY
Second, I want to use my creativity and knowledge to be innovative. Brewpub brewers have always had the luxury to move the industry forward by creating new and unique versions of existing styles. On his overall guiding philosophy for brewing: My brewing philosophy is pretty simple. Listen to your patrons and have integrity in your process. Not everyone will love every beer you make, but everyone’s opinion
WHITE WINES from Spain often get overlooked due to the outstanding red wines from many well-known Spanish wine regions like Rioja and Ribera del Duero.
What a shame.
That’s because there are so many great, affordable Spanish white wines. And one in particular stands out –Albarino.
Naturally, you might think that Albarino is region in Spain like Rioja or Navarra. Guess again.
While most Spanish wines prominently feature the name of the region when the wine is made, Albarino wine labels are often different. That’s because Albarino isn’t a place. It’s the name of the grape used to make these Spanish white wines.
And while you can find Albarino wines from many regions in Spain and other countries, some of the best ones come from Rias-Baixas in northwestern Spain’s Galicia region. This week, you can learn a bit more about Albarino wines, the Rias-Baixas region and find tasting notes for three Albarinos from Rias-Baixas.
I have raved before about these lovely, subtle white wines.
What makes these Albarinos so great? They’re often bright, lively and filled with crisp, refreshing citrus flavors perfect for warm afternoons and cooler summer nights.
Let me add that many Albarinos from Spain cost less than $25 a bottle. And you honestly can’t go wrong with ones from Spain’s Rias-Baixas region. This area in particular consistently produces many crisp, refreshing affordable Alabrinos.
And if you decide to spend a bit more on some Spanish Albarinos, there are many outstanding ones like one of the wines recommended this week.
Hope you enjoy.
Sometimes referred to as “Alvarinho,” Albarino grapes have been used to make white wines for at least 200 to 300 years or perhaps even longer, according to “Wine Grapes” by Jancis Robinson, Julia Harding and Jose Vouillamoz. As for the two different names, Albarino is the word often used to describe this grape in Spain, while Alvarinho is the word often used in Portuguese to describe the grape in Portugal. It’s sort of like the difference between Syrah and Shiraz — same grape, two different names.
Albarino wine growing regions
Albarino grapes are widely used to make wine in northwest Portugal and northwest Spain, particularly in the Galicia region of Spain. Nowadays, winemakers in other regions including California, Uruguay and New Zealand
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event, which begins at 5:30 p.m., will feature the flavors of the Northeastern United States.
Priced at $70 per person, not including tax or tip, the dinner will feature tapasstyle small bites and a special cocktail, wine, or beer. Call the restaurant at 508347-5800 for reservations.
Historic Deerfield’s staff of open-hearth cooks will be preparing recipes from several 19th-century cookbooks, with demonstrations taking place from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost of attending is covered by general admission to Historical Deerfield.
“Cooking by the Book” will be repeated on Aug. 10. For more details, contact Historic Deerfield at 413-774-5581.
What makes these Albarinos so great? They’re often bright, lively and filled with crisp, refreshing citrus flavors perfect for warm afternoons and cooler summer nights.
make wines using Albarino grapes. But in most cases, if you see a wine made with Albarino or Alvarinho grapes, odds are the wine is from Spain or Portugal.
• Rias Baixas region: All three wines recommended this week come from Spain’s Rias Baixas region. Located within Galicia, Rias Baixas is located right near the Atlantic Ocean in Spain just north of the Portuguese border. Nearly all of the wines from Rias Baixas (94%) are made with Albarino grapes. So if you see Rias Baixas on the wine label, odds are the wine is an Albarino. The region’s cool climate and nearby ocean play a huge role in shaping how wines from Rias Baixas taste. Specifically, many Albarino wines from Rias Baixas have a crisp, dry, lemon-like finish with a hint of brine thanks to the fog and cool ocean water nearby.
• Brown’s Harvest in Windsor, Connecticut, will play host to a Blueberry Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, Aug. 4, starting at 9 a.m. and continuing until noon. Priced at $10 for adults and $5 for children, the breakfast includes blueberry pancakes, sausage, and coffee, water, or juice. Tickets for the breakfast may be ordered online.
Brown’s Harvest will have some yard games set up during the breakfast and will be offering pick-your-own sunflowers at $2 a bloom.
Brown’s Harvest, which is located at 1191 Poquonock Ave. in Windsor, answers at 860-607-0356.
• On Saturday, Aug. 3, from noon to 7 p.m., the New England Motel Antiques Show in Brimfield will be hosting “Good Times,” a food and music family event.
The daylong festival will feature food trucks, locally-produced beverages, local bands and musicians, craft displays, and a selection of lawn games, bounce houses, and more.
Admission is $10 per person with children 12 and younger admitted free. The event benefits the Hitchcock Free Academy in Brimfield and the Brimfield Recreation Department. Tickets can be ordered online at Ticketleap. A convenience fee will be added to the price of tickets purchased online.
• As part of its summer’s series of Open-Hearth Cooking Demonstrations, on Saturday, Aug. 3, Historic Deerfield will be presenting “Cooking by the Book,” a program that features recipes garnered from Early American cookbooks.
• On Tuesday, Aug. 6 at 5 p.m., Local Burger at Eastworks in Easthampton will be hosting a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of Beveridges Cocktail Lounge, which is located within Local Burger’s premises at Eastworks.
After the ceremonial formalities are out of the way, there will be ice cream provided by the Ice Cream Emergency truck.
Local Burger at Eastworks, which is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., answers at 413-527-8811.
• Panera Bread has introduced four new sandwich items to its menu.
Made with American and white cheddar cheese, a new Kickin’ Grilled Cheese sandwich gets its taste-bud octane from a creamy salsa verde.
Panera’s Spicy Fiesta Chicken Sandwich features the aforementioned salsa verde along with grilled chicken, white cheddar, sweet peppers, and roasted corn.
Two versions of avocado toast are now part of Panera’s sandwich lineup. The Classic Avo Toast is finished with “everything” bagel seasoning, while a Garden Avo Toast also includes sliced tomatoes and a slather of garlic aioli.
Responding to customer requests, Panera has also brought back its sesame and blueberry bagel varieties.
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.
THURSDAY
Cicci Santucci Jazz Concert: Thu., 7-8:30 p.m. Morgan Road Pavilion. In the event of rain, call 413-7813020 or visit wsparkandrec.com after 3:30 p.m. for alternate venue, Free and open to the public. 459 Morgan Road, West Springfield. Florence Summer Concert Series: Thu., 6:30-8 p.m. Florence Civic Center, Johnny Memphis Band. Food Truck: Crepes Nanou. Bring a lawn chair, Free. 90 Park St., Florence.
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival presents Bindlestiff Family Cirkus: Thu., 6 p.m. Henry J. Leir Stage, choose what you pay. 358 George Carter Road, Becket. 413-243-0745 or jacobspillow.org.
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival presents Camilie A. Brown & Dancers: Thu., 8 p.m.; Fri. and Sun., 2 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m. Ted Shawn Theatre, tickets start at $65. 358 George Carter Road, Becket. 413243-0745 or jacobspillow.org.
Majestic Theater Summer 2024 presents Good Acoustics — Simon & Garfunkel Tribute: Thu., 2 and 7:30 p.m. $28, $26. 131 Elm St., West Springfield. 413-747-7797 or majestictheater.com.
Performing Arts Summer Workshops with Pioneer Valley
Symphony: Thu.-Fri., Episcopal Church of St. James and Andrews Church. Sliding scale $175-$325 per workshop (register for two or more for $25 off each workshop). 71 Federal St., Greenfield.
Real Live Theatre presents "When the Mind's Free": Thu.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. Shea Theater, each performance concludes with a facilitated community conversation. Masks will be required for audiences Aug. 3, and optional at all other shows. Sliding scale, and caregivers of those facing Alzheimer's/dementia or addiction will always be paywhat-you-can. 71 Avenue A, Turners Falls. 413-863-2281 or theshea.org.
Tanglewood presents Recital Series: Thu., 8 p.m. Danish String Quartet in Ozawa Hall. $25-$62. 297 West St., Lenox. 888-266-1200 or tanglewood.org.
Thursday Night Concert: Thu., 6:30 p.m. Chicopee Main Library, King and Kountry, 449 Front St., Chicopee. 413-594-1800.
UPHA CH-14 Summer Classic Horse Show: Thu.-Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Eastern States Exposition free. 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. 413-737-2443 or thebige.com.
FRIDAY
Community Read-Around: "Voices from the Fields": Fri, 6 p.m. LAVA Center. Come to listen or come to read words of agricultural workers
featured in the indiVISIBLE project, 324 Main St., Greenfield.
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival presents Camilie A. Brown & Dancers: See Thursday listing Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival presents House of Jit & A Lady in the House Dance Co: Fri, 6 p.m. Henry J. Leir Stage, Choose What You Pay. 358 George Carter Road, Becket. 413-243-0745 or jacobspillow.org.
Performing Arts Summer Workshops with Pioneer Valley Symphony: See Thursday listing
Rainbow LGBTQIA+ & Allies Coffee Social Hour: Fri., 1 p.m. Northampton Senior Center, Gay Men's Group, every Fri, 1 p.m., 67 Conz St., Northampton. 413-5871228 or northamptonseniors.com.
Real Live Theatre presents "When the Mind's Free": See Thursday listing
Silverthorne Theater presents "Smart People": Fri., 7:30 p.m. The Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center, $5-$40. 289 Main St., Greenfield, hawksandreed.com.
Tanglewood presents John Williams' Film Night: Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m., with Ken David Masur, David Newman conductors. Shed, $33-$209. 297 West St., Lenox. 888-266-1200 or tanglewood.org.
UPHA CH-14 Summer Classic Horse Show: See Thursday listing
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival presents Camilie A. Brown & Dancers: See Thursday listing Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival presents David Dorfman Dance: Sat, 6 p.m.; Sun., noon, Henry J. Leir Stage. Tickets from $40. 358 George Carter Road, Becket. 413-243-0745 or jacobspillow.org.
Massachusetts Renaissance Faire: Sat.-Sun., Cummington Fairgrounds, Join in during the day for family-friendly entertainment then drop the kids off and come for the adults-only "Market After Dark" on Saturday night starting at 7 p.m. $25/Adult, $15/Youth (ages 7-17), Ages 6 and under are free, $20/ Seniors, Students, & Veterans (ID required). 97 Fairground Road, Cummington; cummingtonfair.com.
Pocumtuck Homelands Festival: Sat.-Sun, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Unity Park & Skatepark, 56 1st Street, Turners Falls.
Real Live Theatre presents "When the Mind's Free": See Thursday listing
Tanglewood presents John Williams' Film Night: See Friday listing UPHA CH-14 Summer Classic Horse Show: See Thursday listing
Cello & Chocolate: Sun, 7 p.m.
BOMBYX Center for Arts & Equity, sounds of the Harman/Haughey Cello Duo paired with Ana Bandeira Chocolates of Northampton. $25$30. 130 Pine St., Florence; Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival presents Camilie A. Brown & Dancers: See Thursday listing Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival presents David Dorfman Dance: See Saturday listing
Majestic Theater Summer 2024 presents Running on Jackson — Jackson Browne Tribute: Sun., 2 p.m. $28, $26. 131 Elm St., West Springfield. 413-747-7797 or majestictheater.com.
Massachusetts Renaissance Faire: See Saturday listing Old Deerfield Sunday Afternoon Concert Series: Sun/, 3 p.m. Memorial Hall Museum, Carol Hutter, Viola; Larry Picard, piano, $15 adults, $8 seniors & students, tickets available at the door. 8 Memorial St., Deerfield. 413-774-3768 ext. 10 or deerfield-ma.org.
Pocumtuck Homelands Festival: See Saturday listing Real Live Theatre Presents "When the Mind's Free": See Thursday listing
Sevenars Concerts 2024 present Pianist Junwen Liang: Sun, 4 p.m. Sevenars Academy, $20 suggested donation at the door. Ireland Street at Route 112, Worthington. 413-2385854 or sevenars.org.
has merit. I make beer for a community. Listening to that community’s voice is essential.
On the biggest surprise he’s had since taking over as head brewer:
The biggest surprise since becoming head brewer has been all the non-brewing related tasks that come up. Some days, I’m an amateur electrician, some days a plumber. There is always something that I am troubleshooting to keep the ship on course.
On his collaboration with Meghan Leahy (the assistant brewer and first female brewer at the Northampton Brewery):
Meghan has been with me from when I started as head brewer, and she has been fantastic. Other than her skill as a brewer, which is more than proficient, she keeps the
creativity flowing. Her ideas and love for dark beers keep me from getting complacent. I’m lucky to have her.
On the biggest challenge as a brewer that he faces on an ongoing basis:
One of the biggest challenges as a brewer is to not get complacent. There’s merit to staying true to what you do best, but if you aren’t trying to make new styles and move forward with the industry, then you could get stuck with a stale tap list — no pun intended. The palate of the consumer is always changing. It’s important to keep up with it.
On his recommendation for a customer who is coming to the brewery for first time this summer: This is a tough one. Whenever someone asks what they should have I like to ask what they normally like. Our Greyhound IPA is pretty universally liked even by those who don’t consider themselves IPA drinkers. I think our Daniel Shays Best Bitter is our most
approachable beer we have. I’ve never met a single person who didn’t like it. It helps that is has a handful of gold medals to its credit as well. For something on the lighter side our Deckbier is a delightfully drinkable kolsch style that really hits the spot on a summer day.
On his favorite style of beer to brew and/or drink:
I have been a hop head for as long as I can remember but my palate has started to lean more towards lighter styles. My go-to’s right now at the brewery are the G.F.G.(Guilt Free Golden) and the Shays. As far as what I like to brew, it’s kind of similar. Obviously new hop strains are fun to play with in new IPAs, but I take great pleasure in making a refreshingly clean true to style pilsner. I’ve also come to love the nuance of brewing porters. I find a subtle amount of smoked malt or vanilla beans can really create a porter that feels like putting on a big hoodie on a cool autumn day.
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Wine tasting notes
2022 Terras Gauda Abadia de San Campio Albarino ($19.99 Suggested Retail Price)
Tasting notes: Bright, refreshing, fruit-like flavors abound, including hints of pear, pineapple, lemon and other subtle, citrus flavors. There’s also a hint of sea salt and butter which makes this wonderful wine such an easy-drinking pleasure.
2022 Bodegas La Val Finca Arantei Albarino ($23 SRP)
Tasting notes: This vibrant white wine has a rich, mineral-like finish along with hints of herbs and citrus flavors. In many ways, this wine reminds me of a combination of white wines from two distinct wine regions in the Burgundy region of France — Chablis in the north with
its crisp, mineral-like flavors and Macon in the south with floral, fragrant aromas.
2020 Burgans Val de Burgans Albarino ($60 SRP)
Tasting notes: Aged in a combination of stainless steel tanks and French oak barrels, this complex white wine exhibits a wide range of vibrant flavors, including hints of mineral-like notes, along with citrus-like flavors, including hints of pear, peach and apricot that seem to last nearly half a minute after each sip. There are even toasted butter like notes. A truly delightful, delicate wine that beautifully illustrates why Spain’s Rias Baixas region has become so well known for its superb Albarino wines.
Cheers!
Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republican’s Weekend section every Thursday.
county. The hall features a wide range of categories for youth and adults to display their handiwork not only with vegetables and fruit from the farm, but needlework, embroidery, handmade crafts, photography, artwork and a long list of other entries.
In addition to the farm-oriented contests and exhibits, there is a full array of competitions for everyone from kids to adults.
Saturday has New England Lawn Mower Racing, Kids Blueberry Pie Eating Contest, and Women’s Fry Pan Toss, while Sunday offers a Beard Competition, Kids Mini Horse Pull, Kids Potato Sack Race, Kids Pedal Tractor Pulls, and Jack n’ Jill Cross Cut Saw Competition.
Kids can also delight in many activities planned for them during the fair, including a 4-H petting zoo and pony rides, face painting, carnival games, Ed Popielarczyk’s Magic Show and Balloon Sculpting, and the opportunity to participate in a free “kids under 12″ bicycle raffle each day of the fair. Musical entertainment and other performances include new this year line dancing with the Stompin’ Boots on Friday; the Sidetracked Band, Whiskey Travelers Band and BMX performances on Saturday; and the Pitoniak Brothers Band and Old Country Road Band on Sunday.
Last year, the Littleville Fair introduced a demolition derby
Owner Jeff Goulet is no stranger to the zoo.
“I have a huge background with the Zoo at Forest Park. I made the Republican newspaper when I was about 5 years old — nose to nose with a bunny. My father and I would spend early Saturday mornings at the zoo, and let mom sleep in. Then years later I became a docent there,” Goulet said.
“I love to give back whenever I can ... payback for all of the amazing days I had at the Zoo at Forest Park when I was a young boy. Being able to expose people to the zoo and the animals was a very memorable life experience for me,” he added.
His enthusiasm for the zoo continues today.
“So happy to draw people to the Zoo at Forest Park with a beer fest, hopefully showing some new faces how fantastic and educational this gem of a zoo can be,” Goulet said.
“I love to give back whenever I can ... payback for all of the amazing days I had at the Zoo at Forest Park when I was a young boy.”
JEFF GOULET, LOOPHOLE BREWING
reptile and amphibian residents,” she added.
Games will include a scavenger hunt, among others that will test your zoo knowledge.
into its lineup, which returns again this year.
“We are always looking for different things to bring to our fairgoers and demolition derbies have been very successful at other fairs and was a very popular attraction for us last year,” Boisseau said.
It is well known that people attend fairs for the food.
“We’ve got it all — fried dough, hamburgers, hot dogs, cotton candy, ice cream, apple fritters, sausage grinders and a long list of treats. And so many come for our home cooked meals with a BBQ chicken dinner on Saturday and traditional turkey dinner on Sunday in the dining hall,” Boisseau said.
There is also a special breakfast food both on Saturday and Sunday mornings for early birds.
Vendors also will be selling their goods, products and services, as well as all kinds of craft items throughout the fairgrounds.
Admission to the fair is $10 for adults and free for children 12 and under.
The Littleville Fair is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that plans, manages, and operates a country fair held each August. It hosts family-friendly agricultural, craft, and country events and performances for three days during the fair, and also organizes and runs fundraisers during the rest of the year.
The fair is located on 15 Kinnebrook Road in Chester.
“We’re hoping for good weather because the fair is held rain or shine, and we are looking forward to seeing many fairgoers once again this year,” Boisseau said.
For more information and for a full schedule with days and times, visit littlevillefair.com or call 413-667-3193.
Food trucks, offering taste-tempting treats for an additional price, will include SoulFully Vegan, Souper Sweet Wheels, CremeBru.LA and Elo’s Hibachi.
Live entertainment will feature the Stillwater Band from Belchertown playing hot hits, country, classic rock and pop.
As for the animals, there will be plenty critters to see, including two new bison — Dolly and Reba — named after country stars Dolly Parton and Reba McIntire.
“When entering the zoo, participants will see two fennec foxes named after ‘Star Wars’ characters, Padme and Anakin. They have a new enclosure moved to the front of the zoo giving them more visibility and they have become quite a popular attraction with visitors,” Tyson said.
“We have also reopened our Education Center for our 2024 season, which had been closed since the pandemic. We’ve moved it to the site of our former gift shop, where visitors will see our many
The Forest Park Zoo will be closed to the public during the event and only those with advance tickets will be allowed to enter the zoo. All attendees must be 21 and older to attend Brew at The Zoo, including all designated drivers. Anyone without a valid form of photo ID or anyone under the age of 21 will be denied entry without a refund.
Proper photo identification includes a valid driver’s license, passport or U.S. military card. Pictures of ID will not be accepted.
Those planning on attending the fundraiser can select from four ticket types: general admission is $55 and covers tastings, free glass, and visits with the animals; general admission designated driver is $25 and includes visits with the animals, but no alcoholic drinks; VIP is $75 and includes free glass and an extra 90 minutes of tasting beginning at noon until 1:30 p.m., animal encounters and grain to feed them; and there is a VIP designated driver priced at $35 which includes visits with the animals, but no alcoholic drinks.
To purchase tickets, which are limited, go online to forestparkzoo.org/brew
Spotify. How do you feel about the change?
A. It’s a bit bewildering to me — the online stuff. If you get 1,000 plays on Spotify, how much money do you think you should get paid?
Q. Probably more than folks actually do, that’s for sure.
A . (laughs) Yeah. I think it should be more than a penny, which is pretty close to what it is. It’s hard to make a living with music online, unless you go viral, in which case you can pay the rent, but it gets you out there. The whole rationale from the streaming platform’s perspective is “Hey, it gets people to know your music, and then they’re going to come to your shows.” But what if you’re not a touring musician? What if you’re just a songwriter? You’re going to starve to death pretty quickly.
Q. I recently saw a report about how Generation Z is leading something of a “folk revival,” with several artists making indie-folk and indie-pop music. What do you think about this recent resurgence?
A. I think it’s the kind of thing that goes in cycles. Back when I got into it, it was in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and I was showing up to go to college. There was this exciting folk scene going on and I got sucked right into it. I think it was partly because we were coming out of the rock ’n’ roll period, which was so exciting, but it only lasted about four years. Elvis Presley and the Everly Brothers and Fats Domino and Chuck Berry were blowing our socks off. It was overdone within about four years, and then what radio turned to was not good listening at all from our perspectives.
“It was a little ironic, having a bunch of Harvard students sitting around singing about how rough it was in the coalmines. But we figured we could make up with sincerity what we lacked in authenticity.”
Tom Rush
We discovered this music that had been around for a long time but wasn’t on the radio, and none of us had ever heard any of it before, so we got drawn into it. There were people singing Woody Guthrie songs and Delta blues and Irish-Scottish ballads. It was a little ironic, having a bunch of Harvard students sitting around singing about how rough it was in the coalmines. (laughs) But we figured we could make up with sincerity what we lacked in authenticity.
These things move in cycles. Folk turned into folk-rock and then it was something else and something else and something else, and now it’s back to … I’m not sure about using the term “folk.” To me, as an academic, a folk song is a song where nobody wrote it, it’s been in the culture for generations. You learned it from your grandmother, so if you wrote a song, it’s not a folk song, even if your name’s Woody Guthrie. But the term has come to mean anyone with an acoustic guitar. It’s good music. I’m just being an academic snob with my definition of “folk.” Now there’s as many genres as there are artists. Everybody has their own niche.
Tickets to Tom Rush’s Black Birch Vineyard show can be purchased online, starting at $38.
