CHRISTA JOY & THE HONEYBEES: Mother of 3 ... and the lead singer of her own band, D4
LIVE WIRE: Northampton’s Concert for Community adds new twists, D4
CUMMINGTON FAIR: Gates open for 4 days of family fun, D6
Day of music to benefit Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary, Page D2
Clockwise from top left: Sarah Jarosz, Amythyst Kiah and Mipso are among the acts for this year’s Arcadia Folk Festival, scheduled for Saturday at the Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in Easthampton. (PHOTO CREDITS, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: JOSH WOOL; KEVIN & KING PHOTOGRAPHY; CHRIS FRISINA
This year's fest kicks off with a show Friday at the Academy of Music
By Ashley P otter apotter@repub.com
Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary is a 734-acre nature preserve that stretches from Easthampton to Northampton. The sanctuary is home to 4 miles of trails that include forest, meadows, grasslands, marsh and wetlands.
This Saturday, it’s also home to the Arcadia Folk Festival, which will welcome a full slate of musicians to the sanctuary grounds from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
“This festival, because it’s in an Audubon Park, just by nature of it, we have a gorgeous setting. We have three stages, including a stage that’s in the woods,” said Jim Olsen, festival organizer and president of Signature Sounds, a recording studio based out of Northampton. “It’s literally in the woods and some performers will perform out in this beautiful clearing.”
The day’s lineup includes, on the Pavilion stage: Little Roots, 11-11:40 a.m.; Mamma’s Marmalade, 12:30-1 p.m.; Alisa Amador, 2-2:45 p.m.; Trey Hensley and Rob Ickes, 3:45-4:30 p.m.; and Amythyst Kiah, 5:30-6:15 p.m.
On the Woods stage is: Deep River Ramblers, 12:40-1:10 p.m.; The Moon Shells, 2:052:40 p.m.; Willi Carlisle, 3:504:25 p.m.; Heather Maloney, 5:35-6:10 p.m.
The Main Stage will see Heather Maloney, from 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Willi Carlisle, 1-1:55 p.m.; Mipso, 2:453:40 p.m.; and The Felice Brothers, 4:30-5:25 p.m.
Closing out the festival and serving as the festival’s headliner is Sarah Jarosz, who will play on the Main Stage from 6:20 to 7:30 p.m. Jarosz is a country/Americana singer from Texas who released her debut album, “Song Up in Her Head,” in 2009. She has won four Grammys to date, including Best Folk Album for “Undercurrent” and Best American Roots Performance for “House of Mercy” in 2017; Best American Roots Song for “Call My Name” in 2019; and Best Americana Album for “World on the Ground” in 2021. Her latest full-length album, “Polaroid Lovers,” was released in January of this year.
New to the festival this year is a pre-show concert on Friday, Aug. 23, at the Academy of Music in Northampton, where the ongoing Back Porch Songwriter Night series will welcome a tribute to Paul Simon.
“Arcadia has always been a one-day fest, but this year, we
“It’s a very local-centric event — other than the musicians. The musicians are coming from all across America.”
JIM OLSEN
have this separate series that we’ve been doing called the Back Porch Songwriter Series, basically paying tribute to great songwriters,” Olsen said, adding that the songwriter series began about seven years ago. “We decided to fold one of those into the festival this year, so we’re kicking things off on Friday night with a tribute to Paul Simon, featuring a bunch of great artists.”
Musicians set to perform include Mark Erelli, Jim Henry & Tracy Grammer, Liz Longley, Heather Maloney, Pamela Means, Peter Mulvey, Winterpills and Deep River Ramblers — and they will all be supported by a house band, “the way we usually do it,” Olsen explained.
Like the festival itself, the Friday concert is a benefit for Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. Tickets to the Paul Simon tribute show must be purchased separately.
‘Extremely green’ festival
While the primary draw of the Arcadia Folk Festival is the music, other offerings of the daylong event include nature programs for both children and adults. Olsen said arts and crafts activities will be offered for children.
And for adults, there will be opportunities to participate in a nature walk or bird identification program.
“The entire festival is extremely green,” Olsen said, and that extends to the festival’s food offerings and vendors.
The festival aims to support regional businesses, while making sure that everything is recyclable and compostable. Vendors are required to use either reusable or compostable utensils and dishware. Prepackaged goods, like bottled water and other prepackaged snacks, will not be available for purchase.
The festival website also notes that there is no ATM on site, so attendees are encouraged to withdraw cash on their way to Arcadia.
All of the food and drink available for purchase at the festival is 100% plant-based — which Olsen said is “very unusual” for a music festival. This year’s vendors include Abandoned Building Brewery, Artifact Cider, Crooked Stick Pops, Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee, Ginger Love Cafe, Holyoke Hummus, Not Ya Mama’s Vegan Cafe, RastaRant, Song Sparrow Farm and Vegan Pizza Land.
with an 850-foot universally accessible trail, Arcadia offers programming for all ages, including nature walks, bird identification walks and a summer camp for children.
“To maintain a park like that costs money, and (Arcadia) produces a number of programs and summer camps for kids. They offer scholarships, too, for low-income kids,” Olsen said. “This (festival) supports their programming so that they can make the park as accessible to as wide a variety of people as possible.”
“It’s a very local-centric event — other than the musicians,” Olsen said with a laugh. “The musicians are coming from all across America.”
Benefit for Arcadia
Saturday’s festival, as well as Friday’s show, both serve as a fundraiser for the Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. Along
Tickets to Saturday’s festival are $70 adults, $40 teens age 11-19 and free for children 10 and under. They can be purchased online at arcadia folkfest.com. Tickets to the Academy of Music show on Friday range from $30 to $40 and can be purchased online at aomtheatre.com. Gates to the festival open at 10:30 a.m. and biking is strongly encouraged. In fact, those who ride their bike in and park in the bike valet at the entrance will be entered to win Arcadia Folk Festival merchandise.
Friday, September 6 presented by the mi museo committee
Closing celebration for Frida Kahlo, Her Photos
Music by The Goza Latino Band & DJ Cowboy
hors d’oeuvres & cash bar Free and open to the public!
THURSDAY
Delaney House: Charlie Appicella. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke
The Drake: Tony McManus. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst
The Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center: Greenfield Funk Night. 289 Main St., Greenfield
Theodores’: Singer/Songwriter Series: Alex Rohan. 201 Worthington St., Springfield
Uno Chicago Grill: Country Music. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield
FRIDAY
Balderdash Cellars Winery: Tom Savoy. 81 State Road, Richmond
Delaney House: Alex Touhey. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke
East Mountain Country Club: Rock 201 Band. 1458 East Mountain Road, Westfield
MGM Springfield: MGM Free Music Fridays: Brass Attack. 1 MGM Way, Springfield
Shaker Farms Country Club: Fuel the Madness. 866 Shaker Road, Westfield
The Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center: An Evening with Drew Angus. 289 Main St., Greenfield
The Meeting House: Dave Brinnel. 827 Williams St., Longmeadow
Theodores’: The Amplifers. 201 Worthington St., Springfield
Uno Chicago Grill: Roots, Blues and Rock. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield West Springfield’s Irish House Restaurant & Pub: Lower Valley Guys. 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield
SATURDAY
Blue Room at CitySpace: Christa Joy and the Honeybees Release Party. 43 Main St., Easthampton
Drawing Board Brewing Company: Music+Puppet
Incubator Experience. 36 Main St., Florence
Les Trois Emme Winery: Tom Savoy. 8 Knight Road, New Marlborough
MGM Springfield: MGM Roar
Comedy Club: Jack Jr. 1 MGM Way, Springfield
Theodores’: Brass Attack. 201 SEE NIGHTCLUBS, PAGE D12
Singer Jamie Kent is the driving force behind this year’s Concert for Community, returning to Northampton’s Look Park on Sunday. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
JAMIE KENT SAID HE learned to dance as a young boy when he’d attend Roger Salloom’s annual summer concert with his family.
Kent has now been playing at the concert for years, and Salloom passed the baton to him last year. Now he’s running the yearly event, which again takes place this year from 1-7 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 25, at the Pines Theater in Northampton’s Look Park. In case of rain, the show will move under a big tent by the Garden House at Look Park.
“I never thought I’d be up on that stage taking the reins, but I certainly dreamed about it,” he said.
Kent said he thinks the transition to put him in charge was a “really natural one.” He and Salloom first got connected through a mutual musical collaborator — and producer
Christa Joy is a mom of 3 ... and the lead singer of her own band
By
Ashley P otter apotter@repub.com
Being a mother is hard work. Being a mother while also writing and recording music might even seem like an impossible feat.
of Kent’s first two records — Wes Talbot. Talbot got Kent into the show’s lineup, and he soon became fast friends with Salloom, who would bring him back for the show each year.
“That eventually led to me producing a record for him, which just came out a couple of weeks ago,” Kent said. “Through that whole process, I think Roger got to know how I operate and the various hats
But that’s just what Christa Joy — lead singer of Christa Joy and the Honeybees and mother of three — is doing. She describes herself on social media, under the Instagram handle @momsongwriter, as: “Band leader for
Christa Joy and the Honeybees. Hard working Mama of three. Twin Mama.”
As a lifelong Bay Stater, Joy was born and raised in the Berkshires, which Joy described as a “very simple but very natural childhood” in a phone interview with The Republican. She now resides in Easthampton with her husband and three children.
Joy and her band will be celebrating their first album,
self-titled “Christa Joy and the Honeybees,” at CitySpace in Easthampton on Saturday, Aug. 24. Joy will be joined by band members Lisa Marie Ellingsen, lead electric guitarist; Timothy Bowles, pedal steel; Jason Smith, drums; and Tom LeBeau, bass.
While this album is the group’s first foray as a five-person set, Joy is no stranger to writing music, having put out three fulllength solo albums prior to the Honeybees’ release. Joy’s previous release — “Get On, Heart!” in 2019 — was played on country radio shows such as Signature Sounds Jim Olsen’s “The Back Porch,” as well as WRSI-The River, Texas Highway Radio Show and Keepin’ It True Country.
Joy brings her style of storytelling to the Honeybees’ inaugural album, with songs like “Omen,” “Don’t Write Me Off” and “North Star.” Joy’s experiences as a mother can be heard through another one of the album’s songs, “God Gave Me Two Babies,” where lyrics like “7,000 diapers every cycle of the moon / 80 pounds of diaper cream, zero silver spoons” and “God gave me two babies / He must be crazy and certainly, Amen,” are backed by a rich country twang.
On a recent Tuesday afternoon — “during nap time,” Joy joked — the singer-songwriter talked about her upbringing in rural Massachusetts and how being a mother has inspired her music in a phone interview with The Republican. The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Q. This is the first album for the whole band, but you have released solo albums as well. Can you share how the Honeybees as a group came together?
A. We recorded my last full-length album, “Get On, Heart!” (in 2019) and when I recorded that, it was the second album I made with
Grant Wicks — his production name is Uncanny Audio. We sat down to form the project and I had this song, but I wanted it to have a feeling of being a live experience, and for the songs to feel more present and not piecemealed together the way a folk album often is. Often, I would put my singer-songwriter parts down, my acoustic guitar, then I would record the vocals separate, and then we would think “OK, maybe a violin for this, or maybe a cello for this.” And this was different. I said, “these are songs that are really inspired by my childhood and the classic country I was listening to a long time ago,” and I wanted to have it feel like those albums. The other thing that’s really important to me is that I want to play with musicians who are really kind and really big-hearted because I’ve had enough projects and experiences and been in the room with enough people to know that, that’s where creativity thrives. Grant said “OK, I know this drummer who’s the nicest guy, and he’s a dad.” And I
coming album?
A. Absolutely. It’s sort of like an A-side, B-side album. The first six songs are really inspired by classic country, so there’s some straight-up honky-tonk songs, and then there’s some more Americana-sounding songs. There’s a lot of vocal harmony. The B-side is more ballads and love songs and is simpler, sparser, but nonetheless thoughtfully put together. It’s all original music, except for our first cover song we’re releasing, which is a Pixies cover, to give a shoutout to the local songwriter Black Francis. So “Here Comes Your Man” is also on it. We countryfied it, so hopefully he’s OK with that. (laughs) It’s really fun to play.
Q. You credit your upbringing in rural Massachusetts with being a major inspiration for your music. Can you elaborate on that?
A. There’s this song, “On The Shunpike,” which is really a biographical sketch of my
upbringing. (That song also appeared in the 2021 independent film, “Sometime Other Than Now.”) When I grew up in the Berkshires, we lived in a little house we rented. My parents never owned a home, but we lived on a little dirt road that even the bus would not drive on. It was this hilly, rocky, one-car lane, you know, if another car was coming, you’d have to pull over into the dirt gutter and let them go. There were very few houses on the road. It’s since been paved and developed, but when we were growing up, “shunpike” means the slow road, or the road around the highway, and we would have to walk a mile after the bus dropped us off to get to our house. We were really outdoors and wild and my mom would just expect us to be outside in the forest that surrounded us. She’d call us in for a meal or yell for us and we would come running. There were three of us, my brother, sister and I. My dad was a truck driver, so he was on the road most of the time, and when he was home, he
did construction. My mom ran a little state-funded preschool day care up in Great Barrington.
We grew up super embedded in the community and in the families and it was such a small town. My high school, for instance, was so small that we didn’t have a football team. (laughs) It was so little, there were like 43 kids in my graduating class. During hunting season, all the boys disappeared. It was very, very close-knit and it’s the country, even though it’s totally in Western Massachusetts. It was just a very simple but very natural childhood.
Q. The Berkshires almost feels like a different world within Massachusetts, especially compared to living in the city.
A . (laughs) It’s so true. In high school, all the kids would go out on the Appalachian Trail and start a campfire and bring guitars. It’s just such a different place to grow up — there’s not much going on
“I want to play with musicians who are really kind and really big-hearted because I’ve had enough projects and experiences and been in the room with enough people to know that, that’s where creativity thrives.”
know this bass player, and she’s just so spectacular. We basically put together a live band that practiced a few times and then produced the live bones of “Get On, Heart!” All of the major parts were recorded live and then we added a few different pieces, but predominantly, it was recorded in a room with a full take. That was really special, and that led into the birth of the Honeybees.
Q. Wow, it seems like all of this really happened organically.
A. It did. It was a beautiful, fluid thing that just sort of happened through creating an album.
Q. Can you share more about the Honeybees’ up -
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
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
CUMMINGTON
‘One of the best little fairs in
By K eith O ’C onnor Special to The Republican
It is all good fun in calling themselves “one of the best little fairs in the country.”
“It is a friendly competition,” said Albert Judd, president of the board of directors of the Hillside Agricultural Society, organizers of the annual Cummington Fair since 1869.
“Every fair has its own unique flavor which makes them different from the rest ... it’s the heart of the fair more than anything else, something you just can’t put into words on your poster,” he added.
This year’s 156th edition of the Cummington Fair
begins today for four days and features everything you would expect from a good old-fashioned fair, including music and entertaining acts, fair food you can’t resist, a midway, demotion derby, and a focus on agriculture.
“One of the big things with
our fair is that once you pass through the gates all shows are free, including the popular demolition derby. There is no extra out-of-pocket expenses other than for midway rides, food and other items you purchase from the many crafters in our craft barn and
vendors selling just about everything on the grounds,” Judd said.
“I don’t think people sometimes realize the agricultural heritage upon which most of today’s country and larger-scale fairs were founded, and we remain true to that mission,” he added about the many livestock competitions scheduled all four days.
Plenty of musical entertainment is planned during the fair, including performances by Shelburne Falls Military Band, Sarah the Fiddler, The 413s, Square Dancing with Doug Wilkens and Fall String
Band, Generation X Rock and Just in Kase.
Other acts for all ages include the Silver Circus, Jolley Interactive Experience and ventriloquist Al Getler.
Many fairgoers will be tempted to put their diets aside to enjoy a full-range of popular fair foods including French fries, hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork sandwiches, fried Oreos, fried Snicker bars, candy apples, cotton candy and much more. Kids have their own Fun Corner where parents can sit and rest while their children
“One of the big things with our fair is that once you pass through the gates all shows are free, including the popular demolition derby. There is no extra out-of-pocket expenses other than for midway rides, food and other items you purchase.”
ALBERT
JUDD, PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE HILLSIDE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
He was a performer who could be recognized just by the sound of his voice.
But prior to reaching iconic fame in talking pictures, comedian W.C. Fields starred successfully in a popular series of silent feature films for Paramount Pictures and other studios in the 1920s.
See the non-talking W.C. Fields for
engage in a various activities, several of which are tied into agricultural education, to keep them amused.
Also on Friday, there will be a bicycle drawing for children under 10 to win one of 20 bicycles donated by local vendors. Raffle tickets, available at 6 p.m., are free and winner must be present at the 6:30 p.m. drawing.
“We have been giving away bikes for as long as I can remember. In fact, I won one as a kid and never thought back then that I would be in my position with the fair today,” Judd said.
And there is so much more including an antique engines and tractor show, exhibit hall, corn hole tournament, Western Mass. Lumberjack Championship, Golden Wedding Contest, “Horses, Horses, Horses” in the outdoor arena.
Hours are Thursday and Friday from 4-9:30 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are available to purchase online before 4 p.m. on Thursday are $12 for adults ages 16-64, $10 for seniors 65 and older and veterans and active military with valid ID. Youth ages 10-15 are $5 and children under 10 are free. There is also an adult 4-pack for $46 and a family 4-pack for $32 good for two adults and two youths. At the gate after 4 p.m., tickets are cash only at $15 for adults, seniors and veterans and active military are $12, youth are $7 and child under 10 are free. There is free admission on Saturday for veterans and active military.
Parking is $10.
For more information, visit cummingtonfair.com.
yourself in 1927’s “Running Wild,” one of Fields’ most highly regarded silent pictures, in a screening on Monday, Sept. 2, at 6:30 p.m. at the Greenfield Garden Cinemas, 361 Main St.
The screening will feature live accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis, a New Hampshire-based composer who specializes in creating music for silent
films.
Admission is $10.50 adults, $8:50 for children, seniors, and students. Tickets are available online at gardencinemas. net or at the door.
“People find it hard to think of W.C. Fields in silent films, but he was actually quite successful in them,” said Rapsis, who will accompany the film
using a digital synthesizer.
In “Running Wild,” Fields plays Elmer Finch, a cowardly and henpecked husband who is disrespected by his stepson, his co-workers, and even the family dog.
For more information, visit the cinemas’ website or call the box office at 413-774-4881.
CONTINUES FROM PAGE D4
I wear, and began plotting the ‘succession plan.’ He joked about passing it on to me one day, and then last year, on stage, actually did.”
One remarkable aspect about this annual concert is its longevity, and Kent feels the weight of continuing the streak.
“There’s plenty of people that put on a concert here or there. There’s no one I’ve ever met, other than Rog, who kept it going for 40-plus years in the name of community and bringing folks together,” Kent said. “It’s inspiring and some big shoes to fill.”
The show usually has run on a Wednesday evening in August, but Kent didn’t waste any time in putting his own stamp on the show: He moved it to a Sunday afternoon.
“As a parent of a 2-year-old, we’re always looking for fun things to do on a weekend with him, whereas weekday nights are a bit tougher,” he said. “And by moving to a Sunday afternoon, we were also able to add more bands, more food trucks, and some fantastic children’s programming.”
Kent said he also wanted to expand the number of bands throughout the day to showcase the vast pool of talent that comes from the local community.
“From the bluegrass barn-burners Poor Monroe to genre-benders The Gaslight Tinkers to Holyoke’s country crooner FrannyOShow, there’s so much, and from such a wide variety of genres,” Kent said. “It was an absolute pleasure curating a diverse lineup that’s
on par with a national lineup, but all homegrown.”
Kent added that the Kids Zone is probably the biggest addition from previous years.
“We’ll kick off the whole day with a kids’ parade through the Pines led by the Expandable Brass Band, then feature performances from Talking Hands Theater, the A2Z Yo-Yo team, as well as face painting, henna, and plenty of bubbles,” he said.
“I never quite understood the power of bubbles until I became a parent. They’re like the Springsteen of kids activities.”
The food truck lineup will feature Thai Place, Local Burger, Maple Valley Creamery and Push for Joy beverages.
“A little something for everyone, and another great sampling of the community’s amazing culinary scene,” Kent said.
Kent also discussed how he made the event a benefit for the Northampton Community Music Center.
“An integral part of community for me is supporting those that are doing the amazing and hard work every day. So we created a benefit element this year as well for our friends at the Northampton Community Music Center,” he said.
Kent said the show’s business sponsors are covering the costs to make the show free for everyone, and his hope is that instead of buying a ticket, attendees can make some sort of donation to NCMC to help support their scholarship fund.
“That fund at NCMC actually made it possible for me to start taking voice lessons when I was in high school, which played an enormous role in sending me down a path that led to a career in music,” he said.
THOUGH LABOR DAY
is still more than a week away, as far as marketing honchos in the restaurant industry are concerned, fall is already here.
They’ve started promoting the now-iconic flavor of fall, pumpkin spice, on menus across a broad spectrum of restaurant concepts. PSL, as the flavor combination is known to industry insiders, this year first showed up at the start of August when 7-Eleven brought back its pumpkin-spice coffee drinks and, in select markets, began testing a new Pumpkin-Spice Slurpee drink.
Both Dunkin’ and Starbucks typically hold back a bit, waiting until late August to launch their own PSL offerings. This year’s pumpkin-inspired beverages naturally include hot and cold coffee creations; Dunkin’ will also bring back its pumpkin donuts and muffins. Starbucks is expected to be introducing a Pumpkin Cream cold brew option as well as a Pumpkin Cream
Cheese Muffin. Predictably, the weeks ahead will see pumpkin spice popping up everywhere, not just on restaurant menus, but on retail store shelves as well in cookies, cereals, coffee creamers, beer, and even toiletries.
Various explanations have
AS LONG TIME readers will know, I have occasionally groused about the lack of women in craft brewing.
George Lenker Beer Nut
For whatever reason, craft brewing has sometimes seemed like a “bro” culture. This has been changing, of course, and there seems to be a lot more women involved in the industry than there were 20 years ago. But more still needs to be done to welcome women into the brewing world. So imagine my surprise and delight when I approached Drawing Board Brewing Co. in Florence about doing a profile of the business, only to learn that the brewing duties are shared equally between a man and a woman: a couple
SEE BEER, PAGE D11
more than a marketing ploy created to fill out product calendars between summer and the holiday season, when gingerbread and peppermint reign supreme.
seems to have real staying power. It’s been more than 20 years since Starbucks first introduced its Pumpkin Spice Latte, which has become the chain’s most popular of seasonal beverage offerings. Moreover, the overall economic impact of PSL is substantial. In 2023, the total value of product sales across the pumpkin-spice spectrum was estimated to top $1.1 billion.
been put forth to explain the appeal of pumpkin spice, typically a combination of warm baking spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and more, further enhanced by pumpkin essence and, in some blends, notes of vanilla.
Some food writers characterize the flavor as nothing
Emily Contois, an academic whose interest is tracking food and the media, postulates a psychological significance to the popularity of pumpkin spice, suggesting that the flavor replaces the actuality of cool, crisp fall days that many parts of the country no longer experience. The flavor blend’s late summer appearance, she asserts, thus serves to trigger nostalgia for fall days of yore.
In any case, pumpkin spice
MANY PEOPLE probably picture Provence when they think of rose wine, but there are so many other countries that produce this perfect summer wine.
And one of them can be found right next door to France in another idyllic wine-producing country –Italy.
Compared to France, Italy only produces a small amount of rose wine: Nearly 30% of all rose wine in the world comes from France compared to 10% from Italy.
Not surprisingly, though, Italy produces many great rose wines.
This week, you can learn more about rose wines from
Italy, as well as find tasting notes for three, great Italian rose wines, including two that cost less than $16 a bottle. Hope you enjoy.
Italian rose wine regions
Due to rose wine’s increased popularity around the world, you can find rose wines from many Italian wine producing regions throughout the country. Such regions include:
• Veneto — Located in northeastern Italy, this region makes rose wines often grown in rocky, volcanic soils that produce distinct rose wines;
• Alto Adige — Also located in northern Italy, this region produces wonderful rose wines thanks to its cooler weather and mountainous
• A sweet and savory end-ofsummer gathering, the annual Look Park Food Truck Festival is scheduled for Saturday from noon until 6 p.m. at Northampton’s Look Park. The festival will be hosting more than 25 different food truck options, ranging from those representing Local Burger and Tito’s Taqueria to Clyde’s Cupcakes and Batch Ice Cream. A beer and wine tent also will be available. Entrance to the event itself is free, but there is a $10 parking fee to bring a vehicle into
terrain;
• Sicily — Warm weather, sea breezes and rocky soil help this Italian island produce outstanding rose wines;
• Puglia — Located in southern Italy, this warmer part of the country produces many distinct rose wines.
Italian rose wine grapes
A wide range of grapes are often used to produce rose wines from Italy. The three wines recommended this
SEE WINE, PAGE D9
week are each made with a different, distinct grape — rondinella, montepulciano and a grape I’m sure few people have ever heard of — susumaniello.
Other, common Italian grapes often used to make rose wines include aglianico (especially in southern Italy), negroamaro (especially in Puglia), Nerello Mascalese (especially in Sicily) and Lagrein (especially in Alto Adige).
Wine tasting notes
2022 Scaia Rosato ($12.99 at Table & Vine in West Springfield)
Region: Veneto, Italy
Grape: 100% Rondinella
Tasting notes: Light, bright, refreshing fruit flavors, especially hints of strawberry and raspberry along with floral notes, especially the aroma of fresh-cut roses. Absolutely delightful.
2022 Komaros Marche
Garofoli Rosato ($16 Suggest Retail Price)
Region: Marche, Italy
Grape: 100% Montepulciano
Tasting notes: Rich,
vibrant, fruit-forward wine with hints of cherry, peach, strawberry and honeydew melon. A slightly denser wine
than the first wine and one that goes great with seafood and grilled fish and meats. Truly charming.
2022 Masseria Li Veli Susumaniello Salento ($27 SRP)
Region: Puglia, Italy
Grape: 100% Susumaniello
Tasting notes: The driest of the three rose wines recommended this week, this distinct, mineral-like wine has many complex, understated flavors, including hints of orange, cherry, peach and a dash of sea salt. Wonderful combination.
Saluti!
Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republican’s Weekend section every Thursday.
Look Park.
More details about the festival, which is a rain-or-shine event, can be found on the Look Park website.
• On Wednesday, Aug. 28, starting at 6:30 p.m. Portobello Restaurant in West Hartford, along with Glastonbury retailer The Best Wine Shop in Town, will be presenting an Italian Wine Dinner.
The five-course experience will feature vegetable ravioli with saffron cream, chicken piccata, and a filet mignon with roasted vegetables.
The Best Wine Shop is contributing its expertise by selecting Italian wines that pair with the menu being served.
Cost to participate in the dinner is $75 per person plus tax and gratuity.
Reservations can be made by calling Portobello Restaurant at 860-519-5232.
• On Saturday, Aug. 24, the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Holyoke will host its annual Greek Festival. The event, which runs from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., will be held rain or shine at the church’s 410 Main St. location.
Greek food specialties such as moussaka, lamb gyros, chicken souvlaki and spanakopita will be featured along
with authentic cookie and pastry favorites.
The event is open to the public with free parking available.
• Serving, perhaps, as the proverbial “canary in the coal mine” for industry trends, Starbucks recently reported disappointing sales and customer count numbers for the company’s third quarter, which ended June 30. The chain recorded a global sales decline of 3% and a 6% decline in store traffic across its U.S. locations.
Like all major chains, Starbucks engages in extensive analysis of its operating data and has concluded that its problem is with those customers who are not part of the chain’s reward program. Representing an estimated 40% of the Starbucks customer base, those not digitally tethered to the brand have been reducing their Starbucks usage.
The question Starbucks management seems to be grappling with is whether price or service is the cause of this persistent sales slump. The company’s leadership is apparently betting on the later. New technology is being introduced into the busiest locations with the objective of improving service speed, while at the same time the Seattle-based coffee giant is planning to ramp up new product introductions in order to draw in more cus-
tomers.
• Stone Soup Cafe in Greenfield will be sponsoring its annual Free Harvest Supper on Saturday, Aug. 24, from 4-6 p.m.
A farm-to-table event in which locally grown food is showcased, the supper brings together area farmers, food crafters and chefs who prepare a meal that’s serve on the Town Common in Greenfield.
The Free Harvest Supper dates back to 2005. Organized by the later Juanita Nelson of Deerfield, an activist and organic farmer, the supper was conceived of as a way to encourage people to grow their own food and support the region’s agricultural economy.
The Free Harvest Supper is open to all on a “pay-whatyou-can” basis. Live music, a local art auction, and a free “Farmers Market” where attendees can share in the donated agricultural bounty are all part of the event. To minimize the environmental impact of the supper, participants asked to bring their own plates, cups, and utensils.
Rain date for the supper is Aug. 25, same time and location. For more details, contact the Stone Soup Cafe at 413-422-0020.
• Sonic Drive-in locations are currently featuring the “Sonic Smasher,” a limited-time-only sandwich creation that features two
“smashed” burger patties, two slices of American cheese, a special “Smasher” sauce, crinkle-cut pickles, and diced onions all layered together on a potato bun. A three-patty upgrade is also available.
There is a Sonic Drive-In location on Boston Road in the Walmart Plaza; it answers at 413-264-6250.
• Increasingly, the sauce is the thing, whether the dining venue is white tablecloth or fast food, and in the latter category, KFC has amped up the flavor versatility of its Saucy Nuggets by introducing three new sauce varieties — honey garlic, chipotle ranch and mango habanero.
The three new sauces join two existing flavors, Korean BBQ and Honey BBQ. KFC has retired three other flavors to make room for the new additions.
Saucy Nuggets are available in packs of 10, while a 40-piece Saucy Nuggets Party Pack is a digital exclusive. KFC has also added two new $5 Meals to its value offerings. These include an eight-piece Chicken Nuggets meal and a “Famous Bowl” with KFC Chicken Nuggets. Famous Bowls additionally feature mashed potato, sweet corn, and toppings of gravy and cheese.
There are KFC locations on Center Street in Ludlow, on Memorial Drive in Chicopee, and on King Street in
Northampton across from the Stop & Shop Plaza.
• The Village Food Mart in Hampden is hosting a Summer Block Party on Saturday, Aug. 24, starting at noon and continuing until 4 p.m.
The event will include beer and wine samples as well as hot dogs and hamburgers. Proceeds from the sale of the latter will benefit the Hampden-Wilbraham Public Schools.
Free activities, crafts and a raffle will also be part of the fun.
More details can be had by calling 413-566-8717.
• The 1761 Old Mill Restaurant in Westminster will once again be hosting Monson-based Brickroad Productions in a dinner-theater evening on Friday, Sept. 6. The Brickroad company will be performing “Trial & Error,” a laugh-filled whodunit written by Steven Henderson. The performance will be preceded by a 7 p.m. buffet dinner; a cash bar will also be available. Tickets for the dinner and show are priced at $50 and can be obtained by calling 978-874-5941.
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
Cummington Fair 2024: Thu.-Fri., 4-9:30 p.m.; Sat., 7 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sun., 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Cummington Fairgrounds, For advance tickets, list of events and more information, visit cummingtonfair.com.
$15 ages 16-64; $12 seniors (65+), veterans and active military with ID; $7 children ages 10-15; free under 10. 97 Fairground Road, Cummington.
Florence Summer Concert Series: Thu., 6:30-8 p.m. Florence Civic Center, Eavesdrop. Food Truck to be The Saucy Mama. Bring a lawn chair. 90 Park St., Florence.
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival
2024 presents Dance Theatre of Harlem: Thu., 8 p.m.; Fri. and Sun., 2 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m. Ted Shawn Theatre, tickets start at $65. For tickets, visit jacobspillow. org. 358 George Carter Road, Becket, 413-243-0745.
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival
2024 presents South Chicago Dance Theatre: Thu., 6 p.m. Henry J. Leir Stage, tickets from $35, choose what you pay. For tickets, visit jacobspillow.org. 358 George Carter Road, Becket. 413-2430745.
Newtown Kennel Club Dog Show: Thu. and Sat., 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Eastern States Exposition, Better Living Center, 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. 413-737-2443 or thebige.com.
FRIDAY
Cummington Fair 2024: See Thursday listing
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival 2024 presents DaEun Jung: Fri., 6 p.m. Henry J. Leir Stage. Tickets from $35, choose what you pay. 358 George Carter Road, Becket. 413-243-0745 or jacobspillow.org.
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival 2024 presents Dance Theatre of Harlem: See Thursday listing
Ox Ridge Kennel Club Dog Show: Fri, 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Eastern States Exposition, Better Living Center, 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. 413-737-2443 or thebige. com.
Rainbow LGBTQIA+ & Allies
Coffee Social Hour: Fri., 1 p.m. Northampton Senior Center, Gay Men's Group, every Fri. at 1 p.m., 67 Conz St., Northampton. 413-5871228 or northamptonseniors.com.
Summer at Buttery Brook Park 2024 Concert: Fri., 5 p.m. Buttery Brook Park, Moose & the High Tops, 123 Williamansett St., South Hadley.
Professional dog handler Arvind DeBragance, of Gainesville, Florida, receives a kiss from Prince, as the two wait for the show class to begin during a past Ox Ridge Kennel Club Show at the Eastern States Exposition. The show returns Friday to the Better Living Center. (FREDERICK GORE PHOTO, FILE)
Arcadia Folk Festival 2024: Sat., 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Mass Audubon-Connecticut River Valley Wildlife Sanctuaries, featuring Sarah Jarosz, The Felice Brothers, Mipso, Amythyst Kiah, Heather Maloney and more. For tickets visit arcadia folkfest.com, $69.99, $39.99, ages 11-19, children 10 and under free. 127 Combs Road, Easthampton. 413-584-3009.
Arts and Brew Festival: Sat., noon5 p.m. Brew Practitioners Brewery and Taproom, featuring local art, music, food trucks and children’s activities. Event is sponsored by the East Longmeadow Cultural Council. 45 Baldwin St., East Longmeadow.
The Care Center's Rowing Strong, Rowing Together Young Parents Regatta: Sat., 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Holyoke Rows, Rain date Sunday, Aug. 25. All are invited and children are welcome to attend. This year participating teams include young mothers from Holyoke, Springfield, Chelsea, New Bedford, Lynn, and Hartford, CT, 25 Jones Ferry Road, Holyoke.
distance is approximately 1/3 mile. You are welcome to bring portable seating. This event is free and open to the public with an optional donation. Rain date: Sunday, Aug. 25 at 4 p.m. Free, donations welcome. 82 Park Hill Road, Easthampton. Newtown Kennel Club Dog Show: See Thursday listing Shade Tobacco in the Connecticut Valley" Presentation: Sat., 2 p.m. Thomas Smith House, by Duane Adams. Both the house and garage will be open for tours from noon-4 p.m., 251 Northwest St., Feeding Hills, thethomassmith house.com.
Summer of Songs: Sat., 6:30-9:30 p.m. Pioneer Valley Brewery, Beer Garden, Outdoor Music and Food Trucks. Featuring Tracy & Company with classic rock and R&B. Craft beer and food by Mohawk Falafel. In case of rain, this event moves inside the brewery. Free. 151 3rd St., Turners Falls.
SUNDAY
Cummington Fair 2024: See Thursday listing Greek Festival: Sat., 11:30 a.m. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, featuring lamb gyros, moussaka, chicken souvlaki, Greek salad, spanakopita, Greek coffee and frappe and assorted Greek pastries, Greek Music, raffle baskets, Greek vendors, unique gifts, and church tour at 1:30 p.m. Open to the public, rain or shine. Free entry and free parking. 410 Main St., Holyoke.
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival 2024 presents Dance Theatre of Harlem: See Thursday listing Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival 2024 presents Princess Lockerooo & The Fabulous Waack Dancers: Sat., 6 p.m. Henry J. Leir Stage. Tickets from $35, choose what you pay. 358 George Carter Road, Becket. 413-243-0745 or jacobspillow.org.
Music in the Orchard: Sat., 4 p.m. Park Hill Orchard. You'll join a small group and be led on a walk through the historic orchard, pausing at musical stations to experience short instrumental and choral interludes along the way. The total walking
free to raise money and awareness about the region's largest homeless shelter, Friends of the Homeless. Concert is free but parking is $10 per car. 757 1/2 Main St., Wilbraham.
Concert for Community: Sun., noon-7 p.m. Look Park. Gates open at noon. Kids parade led by the Expandable Brass Band at 1 p.m.; music all day until 7 p.m. There will be food trucks, a kids zone with face painting and performances by Talking Hands Theater, a beer tent, and a full lineup of music featuring: Jamie Kent; Roger Salloom; The Gaslight Tinkers; Poor Monroe; StompBox Trio; FrannyO Show; and Expandable Brass Band. This event is free and all ages. Look Park parking will cost $10 for non season ticket pass holders. Money will be raised for the Northampton Community Music Center. Free. 300 North Main St., Northampton; 413-584-5457 or lookpark.org
Cummington Fair 2024: See Thursday listing Elm City Kennel Club Dog Show: Sun., 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Eastern States Exposition, Better Living Center, 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. 413-737-2443 or thebige. com.
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival 2024 presents Dance Theatre of Harlem: See Thursday listing Old Deerfield Sunday Afternoon Concert Series: Sun., 3 p.m. Memorial Hall Museum, Three of Cups: Ann-Marie Messbauer, vocals, violin, guitar, recorder; Deborah Claar, vocals, tambourine. $15 adults; $8 seniors & students, tickets available at the door. 8 Memorial St., Deerfield. 413-774-3768 ext. 10 or deerfield-ma.org.
ShelterFest Fundraiser Concert, Blues Edition: Sun., 2-7 p.m. Fern Valley Farms. Local acts play for
George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum: Permanent exhibit: “Ancient Treasures,” a display of artifacts from ancient China, Greece, Rome and Egypt. Through Labor Day, the Springfield Museums will take part in the Blue Star Museum Initiative. During this time, military personal and their families will be admitted to the museums at no charge. The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States Military—Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force, members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and up to five family members. On the first Wed. of every month through the end of 2026, admission to the Springfield Museums is free. For more information, visit springfield museums.org.
Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History: “Designing Downtown,” through Sept. 8. Explore the history of downtown Springfield through centuries of plans that were never brought to fruition. Maps, drawings, blueprints, and more documents created by local citizens and nationally known city planners offer a glimpse into Springfield as it could have been and, at the same time, how the modern city came to be. “The 200th Anniversary of the Springfield Republican,” through Jan. 5. “Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum: The Exhibit,” through Sept. 1. This exhibit brings to life the PBS Kids TV series “Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum.’.
Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts: “Frida Kahlo, Her Photos,” through Sept. 8. On the second floor, Wheeler Gallery. “Look Again: Portraits of Daring Women” by Julie Lapping Rivera, through Feb. 23.
Springfield Science Museum: “Did the Asteroid Really Kill the Dinosaurs?” Sat. through Aug. 31, 2 p.m. This full-dome show uncovers the science behind one of Earth’s greatest mysteries: the fate of dinosaurs. “Tiny Titans: Dinosaur Eggs and Babies,” through Sept. 1. This hands-on exhibition offers and astounding array of authentic dinosaur eggs and nests collected from all over the globe. Permanent
named Corey and Tonka Lynch.
“While recipe development is definitely my strong suit … Tonka has written and executed a few of our recipes. On the flip side, I don’t think I would be able to come up with some of the flavor combinations Tonka pitches me throughout the day,” Corey said. “Most of our odd flavor combinations that just seem to work can almost all be attributed to Tonka, at least in concept.”
However the pair are doing things, I’m here to tell you that it’s working Incredibly well.
The couple jumped into homebrewing after college, and they “were both hooked right from the start,” Corey said. They won some awards in homebrewing contests, and when Corey saw a job opening at Northampton’s Beerology, he jumped at it. Working with the knowledgeable owners, Corey gained priceless experience about using beer ingredients and building recipes. The
couple then went on to work at Holyoke Craft Beer.
“During this time, we were inspired to dig deep and go off to do our own thing where we could execute our own vision for what a brewery could be,” Corey said.
After winning the Taster’s Choice award for their Pumpkin Brown Ale at the Holyoke Canoe Club Brew Fest, they decided to make the leap.
“This was the first time when we were like, ‘wow, people really like what we’re doing,’” Tonka said.
While the phrase “back to the drawing board” might suggest restarting after a failure in some ways, for the Lynches, it almost has the opposite connotation: embracing innovation and maintaining an intrepid spirit.
“While we sort of backed into the name, it really fits our guiding philosophies. Don’t fear reinvention, try new things, and don’t be afraid to go back to the drawing board,” Tonka said. This approach has yielded some really superb beers. The three brews I had over
several recent visits – a West Coast-style pale ale, an Irish stout and a pilsner – were all stylistically great, but each had its own unique personality. Given the small space of the brewery, Drawing Board brews small-batch beers out of necessity, but they also seem to enjoy the challenge.
“In this incredibly crowded space, it’s difficult to come up with flavor combinations that haven’t already been done, but in an industry where innovation is everything, we always try to put our best pint forward. One thing we have excelled in is breathing new life into classic styles,” Corey said.
I couldn’t agree more.
And while brewing high-quality beer is their top priority, the couple also give a lot of weight to the “community” aspect of their taproom.
“Our taproom is a center for the community, by the community. All of the events we hold are hosted by community members. Whenever someone gets to chatting with us, we try to learn what they are passionate about,” Corey said.
For example, one of their customers named Jess Martin had been talking about hosting a group that could be used as an incubator space for women and non-binary singer-songwriters. The brewery gave them a time slot, and the group has been steadily growing since its inception and has become a valuable time of collaboration for all who attend.
“The group meets monthly from 7 to 9 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month. Our goal is to have something going on every night that the community can get excited about,” Tonka said.
This vision dovetails perfectly with a page on the brewery’s website that addresses its beliefs and initiatives. This mission statement originally stemmed from the Brave Noise movement, which is a movement that calls on breweries to speak out about discrimination in the beer industry.
“We took our statement a step further by acknowledging that everyone has
blind spots, and encouraged customers to challenge our statement, and to point out where we can make improvements,” Corey said. “I’m glad we did, as we made a huge omission in our original statement, which has since been corrected. As a company, we believe that words are important, but actions have far greater impact, and I hope our actions show everyone what we are all about.”
The taproom and patio can accommodate 60 patrons, with a variety of seating options from comfortable bar stools to regular tables and chairs that can be reconfigured to suit the needs of any group. The room also has some comfortable couches perfect for listening to live jazz on Saturday afternoons.
“We are also dog- and family-friendly and encourage you to bring a snack or meal along. Seeing people supporting other local businesses always makes our day,” Tonka said.
Drawing Board Brewing is at 36 South Main St. in the Florence section of Northampton
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exhibit: State-of-the-Art Zeiss Projector and updated International Space Station Exhibit.
The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum: Permanent exhibit. Firstfloor exhibition provides opportunities to explore new sounds and vocabulary, play rhyming games, invent stories, and engage in activities that encourage teamwork and creative thinking, with interactive three-dimensional exhibits. Second floor contains Geisel’s personal memorabilia. For more information and to buy tickets, visit springfieldmuseums.org.
Quadrangle admission - $25 for adults, $16.50 for seniors (60+) and college students with ID, $13 for children ages 3-17; free to children under age 3 and members, Springfield residents are free with proof of residency. Welcome Center and Museum store. Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
A.P.E. Gallery: “Shadow and Light:
An Expression of the Cancer Experience,” through Aug. 28. Gallery hours: Wed.-Fri. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat. noon - 7 p.m.;. Permanent exhibit. Hours: Tues.-Thurs. noon-5 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. noon-8 p.m.; Sun. noon-5 p.m. “Surviving Together,” through Sept. 7. Gallery Hours: Wed.-Sun. noon-5 p.m.; Fri. noon-8 p.m.; Closed Mon. and Tue. 126 Main St., Northampton or apearts.org.
Amy H. Carberry Fine Arts Gallery: Permanent exhibit. Hours: Tues.-Fri. 12:30-4:30 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. First floor of building 28. 1 Armory Square, Springfield, 413-755-5258.
Barnes Gallery of Leverett Crafts and Arts: LCA Artists Group Show, through Aug. 31. 13 Montague Road, Leverett, 413-5489070.
Deerfield Community Center: The Old Deerfield Painting Group 33rd exhibition, through Aug. 25. 16 Memorial St., Deerfield Forbes Library: Illustrations and Collage by Chaldea Emerson, Pamela Acosta Hernandez, and Wendy Woodson, through Aug. 31. 20 West St., Northampton or forbeslibrary.org.
Gallery A3 Amherst Art Alliance: Gallery A3 9th Annual Juried
Show: “Impermanence.” Through Aug. 31. 28 Amity St., Amherst, 413-256-4250.
Hope and Feathers Framing and Gallery: Original Mosaics by Isabel Margolin, through Aug. 31. Gallery Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thursday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 238 Bridge St., Northampton or hopeandfeathersframing.com.
Indian Orchard Mills Dane Gallery: All new exhibits every month featuring the artists at Indian Orchard Mills. Hours: Sat. noon-4 p.m. or by appointment. 34 Front St., Indian Orchard, 413-543-3321. Jasper Rand Art Museum: Permanent exhibit. Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 6 Elm St., Westfield or westath.org.
Old Town Hall: “Emotions in Reflections” by Logan Kirkpatrick, through Aug. 31. 43 Main St., Easthampton
Great Falls Discovery Center: Great Hall Exhibit: “Local Birds in Colored Pencil” by Mark Majeski, through Sept. 2. “Made in Mon-
tague?” Through Oct. 27, in the Hallway Gallery. Antenna Cloud Farm presents: Dana Lyn & Kyle Sanna with Special Guest Seamus Egan. Today, 7:30-9 p.m. Doors open 7 p.m. For tickets visit antennacloudfarm.com/2024-concerts. $20 general, $10 Card to Culture, free ages 18 and under. Kidleidoscope Story Hour: Aug. 23, “Bees/Flowers”; Aug. 30, “Butterflies,” 10:30-11:30 a.m. Program includes a story, activities and crafts. activities are indoors and outdoors, weather permitting. For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult, siblings and friends welcome. Meet in the Great Hall. Nice & Easy Walk: Community Gardens. Aug. 24, 10-11 a.m. Easy-paced, 1-2 mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for seniors, but open to all. Inclement weather cancels. Meet at the main entrance. Turtles to Toads: Herps of the North. Aug. 24, 3-4 p.m. Staff from the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum presents an interactive slideshow. Meet in the Great Hall. 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls or greatfallsma.org.
Lupa Zoo: Tues.-Sun. through Sept. 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed most Mondays, except on Labor Day and Columbus Day. $15 adults ages
13+, $12 seniors (62+), $10 children (2-12), infants are free, 62 Nash Hill Road, Ludlow or lupazoo.org.
Mount Tom State Reservation: Open for the season. Stone House Visitor Center: Thurs.-Sun., 10:30 a.m.-noon and 12:30-2 p.m. Free admission. exhibits on local natural and cultural history, park information, trial maps and guides. Visitor Center also open 2-4 p.m. if no afternoon programs. Nice & Easy Hike. Thurs. 9-10:30 a.m. through Aug. For seniors but open to all. Birding for Beginners. Fridays through Aug. 9-10:30 a.m. All ages. Learn birdwatching basics, how to use binoculars, guide books, and get a free bird list. Discovery Table. Sat. through Aug, 2-4 p.m. All ages. take a deeper dive into the unseen nature of the park. A different topic each week. Find the Discovery Table near the playground, or inside the Stone House Visitor Center. Exploring Nature & Art. Aug. 25, 9-11 a.m. For ages 10 and up. Guided hike with local artist Kim Carlino. Mount Tom Rocks! Hike. Sundays through Aug. 9-10:30 a.m. Ages 8 and up., explore the geology of Mount Tom with a guided, moderate hike, just over 1 mile. Wear sturdy footwear. 125 Reservation Road, Holyoke, 413-534-1186.
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Worthington St., Springfield
Uno Chicago Grill: Modern, Contemporary Rock. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield West Springfield’s Irish House Restaurant & Pub: The Blaney Brothers. 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield
SUNDAY
Uno Chicago Grill: Jazz. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield
The Republican is not responsible for unannounced schedule changes. Listings must be received two weeks before the date of the event. Items should be mailed to: Entertainment Guide, The Republican, P.O. Box 1329, Springfield, MA 01102-1329, emailed to pmastriano@repub.com or submitted to masslive.com/ myevent
sacred, so that I’m not trying to do too much all at once.
after a certain time, you know.
Q. And these days, you’re especially busy — you’re a mother of three now.
A. That’s right. I have a 9-year-old and twins that just turned 4.
Q.
How do you balance your musical career with being a mother?
A. I really pared down what I do, and my focus is mainly just songwriting now because I can do it in little spurts of time when I can steal minutes from the day. With the band, I might gig once a month but it’s nothing like a touring schedule anymore. There’s this beautiful podcast that Laura Veirs does — it’s called “Midnight Lightning” — and she interviews Rosanne Cash on it. It really spoke to me because Rosanne Cash talks about how when her kids were little she would be choosy about when she played and how often she played. I felt such a simpatico with that, because I’m really choosy about when I play. You’ll see if I have a tour schedule up, it’s once a month and it’s at a venue that I know is going to be uplifted and I know the audience will enjoy. It’s a real privilege to have worked at it so long to be able to choose like that. I try to find shows that I know will be meaningful, and then I work really hard for those shows. I keep most of my time pretty
Q. Has any of your musical inspiration in recent years come from being a mother?
A. Absolutely. Parenthood is the most joyful and the most trying job one could ever, ever have. I think what my children constantly teach me is to be awake and present and to show up. The way that they experience the world for the first time so much of the time — it sort of just is a gift because it’s constantly bringing my attention to seeing the world with fresh eyes.
My writing’s improved, and I think my writing has also changed. I saw Mike and Ruthy play at the Parlor Room and they’re parents and they tour with their kids, and they were saying “we write the song now, and we don’t have a third edit, we just take it as it comes and we say, ‘that’s good enough.’” (laughs) It’s taught the perfectionist in me to take a back seat so now when I do write, I try to edit but not to the place I used to, and to be a little open to where I am right then and to accept the song as it comes in its first form. I think that parenting has really forced me to do that, and it’s helped me release a lot of tightness and inflexibility in my creativity.
Christa Joy and the Honeybees will perform at CitySpace in Easthampton on Aug. 24 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets, which are $20, can be purchased on CitySpace’s website, city spaceeasthampton.org
