Weekend - September 19, 2024 by repubnews

They’re best friends ... and a rockin’ band

By Ashley P otter apotter@repub.com

The trio behind Kalliope Jones are best friends, and they want everyone to know it.

“We’re big on gabbing at the beginning of rehearsals. We take up so much of our rehearsal time just chatting about our own personal lives and then we’re like, ‘Oh, do you think we should play a song?’” Alouette Batteau joked in an interview with The Republican, as fellow band members Wes Chalfant and Isabella DeHerdt laughed in agreement.

The group got its start in Western Massachusetts in 2012, when they met as students at the Institute for the Musical Arts in Goshen.

But Kalliope Jones wasn’t the group’s original name.

They first began as “Bel Ami,” French for beautiful friend, but that only lasted a year or two before they settled on their current name.

Now, the trio is bringing the energy from their latest EP — “10:37 in Heaven” — to the stage at The Drake in Amherst tonight. The three-track album is Kalliope Jones’ first return to the scene since 2019’s “Bubblegum Heart” and each song is written by a member of the band: Batteau wrote the first track, “Playing The

Field”; DeHerdt wrote “I Love This Mess!”; and Chalfant wrote the final song, “Holy.”

They will be joined at The Drake by opener Kim Chin-Gibbons, who the members of Kalliope Jones also met during their time at the Institute for the Musical Arts.

Before their show at The Drake, the minds behind Kalliope Jones got together for a phone interview with The Republican where they talked how they’ve grown up together, both artistically and as people.

The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Q. It must feel like a lifetime ago since you all first met. Can you share more about those

early years and how you decided to start a band?

Isabella: Wes and I met maybe a year prior (to 2012), and then Wes met Lou that year at camp and I remember them being like, “I found a drummer,” and then we became the creation that we are to this day. But yeah, we met when we were kids. Wes and I both have musical parents, so suddenly we were like “we could be a band, we’ve seen that happen, we know people do that thing, and we enjoy playing music together.” I’m trying to remember what our first ever show as a trio was ...

Lou: I think it was Lady and the Amp Fest at IMA.

Isabella: Yes. So we played a

The members of Kalliope Jones — Isabella DeHerdt, Alouette (“Lou”) Batteau and Wes Chalfant — are pictured with their drummer Dov Plotkin. (DAN LITTLE)

Northampton Jazz Festival embraces ‘Jazz Without Borders’

FOR JAZZ MUSICIAN ANAT

Cohen, headlining the Northampton Jazz Festival this year will be somewhat of a homecoming.

Cohen, who will bring her ensemble Quartetinho to the Academy of Music to finish the festival on Sept. 28, is no stranger to the area, having been the

Billy Taylor Artist in Residence at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst in 2008.

Ruth Griggs, president of the board of the Northampton Jazz Festival, said that Cohen was also the inspiration behind this year’s festival theme, “Jazz Without Borders.”

“She has this blend of different cul-

tures and influences in her music, which is absolutely charming,” Griggs said.

“Jazz is magical in what it embraces and the jazz form eminently flexible to include influences from other cultures.”

Cohen is not only an award-winning clarinetist, she is also an enchanting stage presence, Griggs said.

(Anat) Cohen, who will bring her ensemble Quartetinho to the Academy of Music to finish the festival on Sept. 28, is no stranger to the area.

back on the keys.

Lou: Yeah, now I’ve returned. (laughs)

festival at the Institute of Music Arts, and then we also played random stuff in town and in the area, and that’s kind of how we started this journey.

Lou: And they say that they found me as a drummer for the band, but I had never drummed before. (laughs) I went in as having a few years of piano under my belt and my mom’s a drummer, so I was like “I guess I could try that out.”

Isabella: And now you’re

Wes: It’s really funny to me, because I remember ... like, I went to camp, and in my little 11-year-old brain, I was like “I’m here on business, I’m here to find a drummer.” I was locked in on that and, I don’t know, I think it’s hilarious that Lou is like “I wasn’t a drummer,” because truly, I watched them play and I was like, “I want to play with them. That’s who I want to be in a band with.” It all feels like a chance encounter that ended up being the best thing that’s

ever happened to me, ever.

Q. So when you all started this band, you were really still kids.

Wes: When I met Isabella, I was 9 and she was 11, and then by the time we all were collabing, Lou and I were probably 11 by that point, and Isabella was 13.

Isabella: We were so small

Q. Have you all always wanted to pursue music professionally?

Wes: I’ve tried to run away from it so many times since I was a baby and started doing this, and it’s never worked. I’ve been like “OK, I did the band thing, now it’s time to get a real job or focus on

my academics in college,” and the truth is that I always come back to doing this. And thankfully I’ve stopped denying, and I’ve accepted.

Lou: We all did college successfully, and we took a bit of a hiatus and, as Wes said, we couldn’t help ourselves and we came back. (laughs)

Q. And how did you all come up with your group name?

Isabella: Many iterations of strange French phases first. (laughs) We started as “Bel Ami,” beautiful friend, and the three of us stuck with that for maybe a year or two. We tried adding a “le” at the front or an “s” at the end. We were doing all these weird things.

Lou: We got schooled for our grammar. (laughs)

Isabella: Yeah, people were mad that we — at 12 and 13 years old — were spelling French words wrong and we were like, “that’s not at the top of our list of priorities right now.” But then Kalliope, we came up with that term because it’s an instrument and it’s also like a muse of music.

Lou: Yeah, “Kalliope” with a “C” is actually the Greek muse of epic poetry, so we were like “We write epic poetry.”

Isabella: I don’t remember why we added the last name, why did we do that?

Lou: It’s because Wes was

George Lenker LIVE WIRE

Kalliope Jones are celebrating their latest EP, "10:37 in Heaven," at The Drake in Amherst. (CARLY RAE)

Nightclubs

THURSDAY

Delaney House: Baird Souls. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke

The Drake: Kalliope Jones with Kim Chin-Gibbons. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst

The Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center: Dead Night featuring Dead Collective. 289 Main St., Greenfield

The Ranch Golf Club: Tom Savoy. 65 Sunnyside Road, Southwick

Uno Chicago Grill: Country Music. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield

FRIDAY

Arrigoni Winery: Tom Savoy. 1287 Portland-Cobalt Road, Portland

Delaney House: Myke Ross. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke

East Mountain Country Club:

The Midlife Crisis Band. 1458 East Mountain Rd, Westfield

MGM Springfield: MGM Roar

Comedy Club: Steven Ho. 1 MGM Way, Springfield

The Drake: Divine Sweater-A Time for Everything Tour with Benet. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst

The Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center: Dave Bulley Band Live Record Party. 289 Main St., Greenfield

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

Theodores’: Christopher Dean Band. 201 Worthington St., Springfield

Uno Chicago Grill: Roots, Blues and Rock. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield

West Springfield’s Irish House Restaurant & Pub: County Line. 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield

SATURDAY

Delaney House: The Valley Strummers. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke

High Lawn Farms: Tom Savoy. 535 Summer St., Lee

MGM Springfield: MGM Roar

Comedy Club: Steven Ho. 1 MGM Way, Springfield

The Drake: Club d’Elf. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst

The Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center: Fruition: How to Make Mistakes Tour with Joelton Mayfield and Splended Tourch.

SEE NIGHTCLUBS, PAGE D12

‘This

isn’t child’s play’

AEW Collision to host live TV debut in Springfield

By K eith O ’C onnor

Special to The Republican Get ready to smile for the cameras alongside a motley crew headed to Springfield. Wrestling fans can be a part of history on Saturday, Sept. 21, when the MassMutual Center plays host to an AEW Collision live television debut in Springfield — and it’s going to be nothing like the WWE or any others, noted wrestler Darby Allin.

“This isn’t child’s play. People get messed up. It’s pretty gnarly. You ain’t gonna’ see anything like this elsewhere. We are not the Disney of pro-wrestling. It’s gritty, violent, we are all putting our souls on the line. All of our wrestlers put 100% into everything they do in the ring. No one takes a night off. We have a big chip on our shoulders and we want to show people what we are capable of in the AEW,” Allin said in his best description of what audiences will see on Saturday night.

Showtime is at 7:30 p.m. for the live broadcast, which will run simultaneously on TNT.

Founded in 2019 by Tony

Khan, AEW (All Elite Wrestling) is a relatively new professional wrestling promotion gaining in popularity, featuring a world-class roster that is injecting new energy into the industry.

The historic evening will feature AEW’s top male and female wrestlers showcasing their athleticism, largerthan-life personalities, and captivating storylines that have made AEW a popular sensation.

“We are not the Disney of pro-wrestling. It’s gritty, violent, we are all putting our souls on the line.”

Wrestler Darby Allin

Lucha Bros., Mark Briscoe, Samoa Joe and other contenders at the live wrestling event.

And it is dangerous.

“I broke my foot in Boston when I climbed up on top of the ropes and jumped off. I was supposed to climb Mt. Everest soon after, but that got

Audiences can expect to see Chris Jericho, MJF, Swerve Strickland, The Young Bucks, Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, Hangman Adam Page, Jack Perry, Toni Storm, Mercedes Mone, Dr. Britt Baker, Orange Cassidy, Kazuchicka Okada, The Acclaimed, The

delayed until April next year,” Allin said.

And his signature move, the “Coffin Drop,” doesn’t sound very safe for him or the person on the other end.

“It’s my finishing move when I climb up to the top of

Swerve Strickland holds the AEW title following his win in a match with Samoa Joe, above, and top left, Thunder Rosa battles Deonna Purrazzo during AEW Collision on June 15 at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown, Ohio.

Wrestler Darby Allin. (EDWARD PEVOS / MLIVE PHOTO)

DEERFIELD

Craft fair is a sure sign of fall

By K eith O ’C onnor Special to The Republican

A propane tank painted orange with a cut out jack-o-lantern face is just one of the many unique treasures at this weekend’s Old Deerfield Fall Arts and Crafts Festival, where shoppers can find plenty of decorations to spruce up their home and yard for the season.

“We sold out of our propane tank pumpkins at last year’s show,” said Kimberly Irons of Repurpose Me.

She is one of more than 100 quality craftspeople from all over New England and beyond selling their creations on Sept. 21 and 22 — including jewelry, quilts, handbags, pottery, dolls,

CRAFT, PAGE D7

Live Wire

CONTINUES FROM PAGE D3

“The music is so delightful and she is such an incredible player. She has such a great personality and is so much fun on stage,” Griggs said “We think the audience is going to be completely charmed by the performance even if they don’t know her.”

While Cohen’s concert is ticketed, the rest of the twoday festival is free. It’s starts on Sept. 27 with the “Jazz Strut,” followed by a full day

of free shows on Saturday, concluding with the Academy of Music show. The festivities kick off with two student jazz combos from the University of Connecticut and the University of Massachusetts performing at Pulaski Park on Friday afternoon.

The Jazz Strut on Friday evening will feature the Fred Clayton Blues Band at Northampton Brewery from 6 to 8 p.m.; Haley Isadora at Spoleto from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m.; Steve Bulmer Trio at Wiggins Tavern from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.; Evan Arntzen Trio at GOMBO

“The music is so delightful and she is such an incredible player. She has such a great personality and is

so much fun on stage.”

Ruth

Griggs, board president, Northampton Jazz Festival

from 9 to 11 p.m.; and the Late Night Jam Session at Toasted Owl from 10 p.m. to midnight, led by bassist Fumi Tomita. Saturday’s lineup includes Esteban Castro performing two solo piano concerts at CLICK Workspace at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. “Ask Me About Jazz!,” a new, interactive concert for elementary school children, will take place from 11 a.m. to noon at the Iron Horse Music Hall (preregistration is required).

The Expandable Brass Band will march from CLICK Workspace to Iron Horse and then to Pulaski Park at noon and Julieta Eugenio Trio will perform two sets at 12:30 and 1:45 p.m. at The Parlor Room. Valley Free Radio host Jack Frisch will broadcast a special edition of his “The Downbeat” radio show from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Pulaski Park, while the Ize Trio featuring Naseem Alatrash, Chase Morin and George Lernis will perform at the Unitarian Society of Northampton at 1 p.m. The Jeff Holmes Big Band will play Pulaski Park at

2:15 p.m., with Arun Ramamurthy Trio playing at the Iron Horse at 1:45 p.m. Ekep Nkwelle Quartet will then perform at the Unitarian Society of Northampton at

4 p.m., with Jesus Pagan Y Su Orquestra closing out the day’s free concerts at 5:15 p.m. at Pulaski Park. For more information, visit northamptonjazzfest.org

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3

Kalliope

like “Kalliope is not rock ’n’ roll enough, I think we have to add Jones at the end, and make Kalliope spelled with a ‘K.’” (laughs)

Q. So Wes, why Jones?

Wes: I would also love to know. I would love to talk to 13-year-old Wes and be like “what’s going on?”

Isabella: Part of it was also Facebook. Our parents wouldn’t let us make a Facebook page yet, because we were kids, so we were able to make a personal profile for the band, but you needed a first and last name. I remember it coming in handy for that as well, we were like “Jones! That’s the last name of this band creation we’ve made.”

Wes: The thing we get to say now is “we want to be your cool best friend,” and there’s some article someone wrote about us about five years ago where that’s the headline. I do like the idea that Kalliope Jones is an entity that we’ve all built together. I do feel like there’s the three of us, and we’re very cool individuals by ourselves, but then we come together, and we make this thing. It feels bigger than all three of us.

Q. How has it been to grow not only artistically over the past decade-plus, but also going through those teen years and early 20s together?

Lou: It’s really fluctuated, and I think I probably learned the most about communication in my life through developing our own communication between the three of us. We weren’t necessarily best friends when we started the group. For many years, it was very much like “this is all business, we’re not besties hanging out all the time, this is a job.” I think developing, especially through the teenage years, it was hard, with Isabella being two years above us and starting college above us. Schedules were always very difficult to work out on top of booking and managing and doing everything

ourselves. It was this huge feat. Especially in college, it was difficult with COVID to continue making music and we couldn’t really play shows, but I do think that our communication trajectory has really skyrocketed. We’re able to work as a unit, and now I feel like Isabella and Wes are my best friends in the whole wide world and this is the best thing in my life.

Isabella: As Lou said, you hear about people being like “oh, we’re friends, what if also played music?” We were business partners by 12. And then, as we got older, we almost reset our relationships in a sense, of saying OK friendship, love, communication is first. Not that it ever was not there, but that is the basis of what we do (now), and then creation grows from it. I also personally am the resident only child, because Wes had siblings and Lou — you shared space with other kids growing up - and I was the weird only child that lived in the woods, so I felt like I had siblings with these two, and you learn a lot about partnership and collaboration with siblings. That was part of the relationship for me as well.

Wes: I also think that since leaning into our relationships with each other and being friends and having moments outside of the band has made us better at being in a band together. It has made us better musicians and better collaborators. That’s exciting for me to see. In my mind, in my dreams, the dream is you find people that you love so much and also the thing you make is beautiful, and I think it’s very cool that we prove that to each other all the time.

Q. How do you feel your music has evolved over the years, with this growth that you three have experienced?

Isabella: From just a sonic standpoint, recently we brought on a new drummer, we brought on Dov Plotkin who’s an amazing player and also went to the IMA a little bit before us. We all share those same roots and sonically we’ve gotten bigger and better, in my opinion. Lou has

come to the front, is on keys, on guitar, just wailing and being an incredible frontperson, and we all get to step into our power in different ways now that we have this larger backbone of instrumentation. Lou: I definitely think that we grew up in the Western Mass circle identifying as a folk band for a long time, especially because we had fewer people, a smaller sound. We weren’t as technically proficient as our instruments, so we came up with slightly more simplistic arrangements and songs. Being able to branch out of our initial audience and also play hometown shows when we have been on a longtime hiatus and have those shows almost sell out with people who have been following us for years who not only love our old music but are also extremely excited to hear the new sonic landscape that we have created as a group. I think personally, going through college, my songwriting became a bit more rock. I am a very revolutionary anger in my song type of guy, and I think that’s a really powerful message within music and within resistance in general. I do think our songwriting has hugely progressed and become a lot more intricate. I admire so much, for instance, Isabella’s ability to tell a story, and then Wes — any song Wes writes, I’m going to cry. (laughs) It doesn’t matter what

Q. That brings us to your newest EP, “10:37”, released in March of this year. Can you share more about the songs on it?

Wes: It’s three really different songs, which I think is the truest Kalliope Jones we could be. Three different sonic experiences. It was the first time we recorded with Andrew Oedel, and we just had the best time in the studio. We had arranged the songs already, but still when we got there, we laid down the tracks and we got to add fun sounds where they needed to be and continue the songwriting process all of the way up until we released them into the world.

it’s about, they’re going to make me cry.

Wes: Personally, especially bringing Dov on and being done with college and getting to dive all of the way into this again, I’m loving being in a rock band. I think we had the unique experience of being able to go to the IMA and be told that we’re allowed to take up space, we’re allowed to be loud, we’re allowed to be angry, and I still think it took me years to internalize that and believe it. I think our sound is growing because the actual instrumentation is changing, but I also think, for me, I’m leaning into the fact that I can be loud, I can be angry, I can take up space on stage. What was I doing for so long not being in a rock band?

Isabella: I love that, even with all of our iterations and our changing in writing and presentation of our songs and everything, we’re still a threepart harmony all the way. We love doing these similar things that we’ve loved doing since we were kids, and I like that we still have these very similar tendencies. We’ve also gotten to a point musically where we just know what the other person wants. When someone brings a song to the group, we are able to so quickly play it fully, because I think we just mind-meld. (laughs) And that’s a really, really cool thing to be a part of.

Isabella: I think part of it was that we were like “OK, college is done now, we want to start doing shows again, but we want music that properly demonstrates what our sound is.” We didn’t feel like we had anything out there because we hadn’t released anything for a while, we hadn’t released anything that was multitrack for a long time. So, part of it was us saying “OK, what are the songs we have right now that demonstrate who Kalliope Jones is in 2024 and where do we go from there?”

Lou: I think it was a soft launch into the new era. As Isabella said, we hadn’t been able to release music for a while. With the EP, there are three songs, and they are each respectively written by one of us. We have always equally shared songwriting for the group, and it’s a third Isabella, a third Wes, a third me, and usually we each have a bit of input on each other’s songs. I think this new EP was kind of a teaser trailer for this new set of shows and our new rock sound. It was a bit of check-in to say “hey, we’ve been gone for a while, here’s how each of us is doing, here’s what’s been going on.” (laughs) Interpret how you will, but there’s more to come for sure.

Q. So does that mean there’s a full-length Kalliope Jones album on the way?

Isabella: Who is to say? (laughs)

Wes: Who is ever to say?

Kalliope Jones’ newest EP, “10:37 in Heaven.” (VIA KALLIOPE JONES)

photography, fine arts, furniture and more. The festival will also showcase specialty foods to take home such as fudge, honey teas, gourmet veggie and oil dips, sauces, salsa, jam, mustard, butters, pickles, barrel aged balsamic vinegars and olive oils, fire cider and more.

“We started Repurpose Me about 11 years ago after I told my husband if he taught me how to weld, I could make more money than what he was getting at yards for his scrap metal. Two years later he finally taught me, and we have been repurposing things and making people smile since then,” Irons said.

Many of Irons’ metal sculptures are inspired by animals and people and are as tall as 3 or 4 feet. There are musicians such as a guitarist, fiddle player, and violinist, as well as wild-looking beasts like an oversized bird with a long red beak and a propane tank as its body, red beetle, a box-like dog, and many other absurd-looking creations.

“I have a popular garden girl who is watering the metal flowers at her feet, and another popular Halloween item that always sells out is my Grim Reaper made out of a garden hoe,” Irons said.

There are also smaller creations like her 2-inch-tall boy and girl made from spark plugs. Prices range from $5 to as much as $700.

Kim Palm, of Hudson, will be making her first visit to Old Deerfield as an exhibitor.

“I’ve displayed my rugs at shows in New Hampshire, but this is my first time in Massachusetts where I was looking for a show with a focus on the fine arts,” Palm said.

“I started 10 years ago looking for a craft to keep me busy. I had tried making braided woolen rugs, but it wasn’t for me, too tedious. Then I found rag rugs and taught myself how to make them while watching YouTube. It just sort of evolved from there, at first making them for myself, then for family members and friends and the next thing I knew Rag Rugs by KJP was born,” she added.

Made of a combination of cotton fabrics that Palm buys or finds in a thrift store, the rag rug - also referred to as an Amish rug or toothbrush rug - is made by hand-knotting the fabric strips together. The result is a round or oblong rug of different colors or patterns, some multi-color and others solid blue, pink and more.

Depending on the size of the rug — whether for the den, family room, dining room kitchen, front or back doors ranging from 24 inches to 6 feet — Palm said it can take between 2 and 3 months to finish one rug.

“I don’t consider myself a full-time crafter yet, and basically work on them in the evening,” Palm said. They range in price from about $30 to $300.

Music will fill the air as shoppers move from both to booth, including the sounds of pianist Sergei Novikov and harpist Piper Pichette.

DJ Greg Stewart, located near the Food Tent, will keep the beat going for those stopping by for a bite to eat, including Filipino street food from Ginger Love Café, wraps and bowl with chicken and veggies from Roadhouse Grille, as well as hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and other treats. There also will be children’s craft activities and goats to

free. Hours are Saturday, Sept. 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine.

view up-close from Sage Meadow Farm.

One of three juried craft fairs held throughout the year, it is the only one to take place in Deerfield outdoors on the sprawling grounds surrounding Memorial Hall Museum. The spring and holiday craft fairs are held at The Big E. Admission is $7, with children 12 and under admitted

Tours of Memorial Hall Museum and its three floors of historical exhibits are free with festival admission. Visitors can see “New Roots in River Banks: Contributions of Polish & Other Eastern European Immigrants to the Connecticut River Valley” and “BarbieAll Dolled Up in Deerfield,” featuring a selection of 58 Barbie dolls created by famous fashion designers.

The Old Deerfield Craft

Fairs are organized by the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, which operates Memorial Hall Museum, Indian House Children’s Museum, PVMA Library, and the Deerfield Teachers’ Center. The proceeds from all three yearly craft fairs support the many historical and educational programs of the non-profit association.

Free shuttle buses and parking is provided at marked lots along Routes 5 and 10. For more information and to view the crafter list, visit Deerfield-craft.org.

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

CALL TODAY 413-788-1250 TO LIST HERE

Min. Entry Package $15

Above and at left are scenes from a past Old Deerfield Fall Craft Fair. (STEVE SMITH FILE PHOTOS)

Lobster is not the luxury meal it once was

THERE WAS A TIME not all that many years ago when the restaurant industry marketed lobster as a luxury item. With the exception of shoreside clam shacks and resort eateries, enjoying lobster was mostly a white-tablecloth experience.

These days, however, lobster is seemingly everywhere - in lobster rolls, as part of grilled cheese sandwiches, and as a mac & cheese mix-in.

Restaurants at all price points are featuring lobster: This summer, chains like Friendly’s and 99 Restaurants had lobster rolls on their menus. Even independents are on the lobster bandwagon, as exemplified by Villa Napoletana in East Longmeadow, where a month-long lobster menu promotion is underway.

The industry’s appetite for lobster seems almost limitless. Cousins Maine Lobster, the food truck franchisor whose menu is lobster-dominated, this month announced plans to open another 250 outlets over the next five years. Some industry experts predict future demand for lobster to continue to grow at an 8%-plus rate

Lobster, however, is a wild-harvested food, and there are worrisome constraints on the available supply. Climate change is shifting the lobster’s natural range northward, so commercial lobster fishing in Southern New England, where offshore waters have already warmed, is in a steep decline.

Efforts to commercially farm lobster in the manner that salmon, shrimp and oysters are now raised have run up against an inconvenient truth - lobsters are cannibalistic. Attempt to keep them in a managed setting and the crustaceans end up feeding on each other, a problem that marine biologists have up to now been unable to address.

Commercial lobster har-

Oktoberfest celebrations ring in fall in Pioneer Valley

vesting in the Gulf of Maine remains viable for the time being, thanks to still-cold ocean waters and stringent conservation measures.

Producers in Canada’s Maritime Provinces, from which most of the frozen lobster meat used in the U.S. comes, are currently grappling with fisheries-management measures designed to ensure the on-going viability of their industry.

It’s probably too early to tell, but we may in fact be living in an all-too-brief “golden era” of lobster enjoyment.

Side Dishes

• Figaro Restaurant in Enfield is hosting “A Taste of Italy” Italian night on Wednesday, Sept. 25. The event starts with a cocktail hour at 6 p.m.; dinner begins at 6:45 p.m.

This month’s menu includes

a starter of Fried Potatoes with Sausage and Peppers; an Antipasto Salad also will be offered. Homemade Pasta Fagiole precedes a main course of Beef Bracciole and Pasta with Tomato Sauce. Dessert is also included.

Cost for dinner is $40 plus tax and gratuity.

Reservations for Italian Night can be made by calling 860-745-2414.

• Tin Bridge Brewing in Westfield has scheduled an Oktoberfest Beer Dinner for Wednesday, Sept. 25.

A traditional menu is planned; it will include a Roasted Butternut and Pickled Beet Salad followed by spicy Beef Goulash garnished with a soft pretzel.

The main course is to be braised Pork Shank with red cabbage and German Bread Dumpling; a German Apple Tarte will be served for dessert.

A selected Tin Bridge beer will be paired with each course.

Tickets, which are $65 per person plus a convenience fee, can be ordered on Eventbrite.

Tin Bridge Brewing Company answers at 413-642-6418.

• On Tuesday, Sept. 24, the Cedar Street Grille in Sturbridge will host a West Coast

OKTOBERFEST HAS become a somewhat loose term, especially in the U.S., considering that beers of that style and name start showing up in August these days.

As far as the Oktoberfest celebrations themselves, at least most of those fall within the range of the formula used for the official Oktoberfest in Munich, which says that the festival begins on the first Saturday after Sept. 15 and ends on the first Sunday in October (with a few random exceptions).

The Pioneer Valley certainly has plenty of Oktoberfest parties coming in the next few weeks, so today we’ll look at some notable ones you might want to attend. First up on the calendar is an Oktoberfest celebration at The Brewery at Four Star Farms in Northfield on Sept. 21.

The day will feature a specially brewed Oktoberfest Festbier, a stein-holding contest to test your strength and endurance with a chance to win a year-long membership to the brewery’s Mug Club. The festival will also have an Oktoberfest-inspired menu by Port No. 3, and live music by The Hilltown Hamhocks at 4 p.m. The evening ends

George

Lenker Beer Nut

with a Volkswagen and Audi car cruise at 5 p.m.

Next up is the Oktoberfest beer tasting at Springfield Museums on Oct. 3 from 5–8 p.m. The event will showcase 13 local breweries and nine homebrewers, with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar available for additional beverage options. Music will be provided by the Real DJ TJ Music Entertainment. Cost is $15 for museum members and $25 for nonmembers. Designated drivers get in for $10.

On Oct. 5, several Oktoberfest celebrations will take place across the region. In Charlemont, Dirt Church Brewing will hold its fourth annual Oktoberfest in the new taproom from noon to 9 p.m.

The party will see the

Hugh Robert Off The Menu

Typical Sicilian, which offers takeout only from their East Longmeadow restaurant, is offering a variety of $65 Family Meal packages. (THE REPUBLICAN, FILE PHOTO)

Cindy Bronson, of Westfield, and Vinny Falkowski, of Palmer, enjoy a past Mighty Oktoberfest on Fort Street in Springfield. (FREDERICK GORE PHOTO)

CALENDAR

THURSDAY

2024 Big E: Thu.-Sun., Eastern States Exposition, featuring games, rides, food, live entertainment, vendors and more. For more information, visit thebige.com Admission: At the gate, through Sept. 29, adults $20, children (6-12) $12, children 5 and under free. Eleven-After-Five: $11 after 5 p.m. Sun.–Thurs.; Senior Days: $16 (60 and over) Sun.–Thu. 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. 413-737-2443 or thebige.com.

Powder Hollow Explosion of 1913: Thu., 7:30 p.m. Suffield Ambulance Building, the Suffield Historical Society will host author Peter Sorenson at its first fall meeting. Learn the story of the rise and fall of the Hazard Powder Company, one of the largest manufacturing facilities in the country in the 1800’s. Sorenson’s book on the subject will be available for purchase. The public is welcome, 205 Bridge St., Suffield.

Rainbow LGBTQIA+ & Allies

Coffee Social Hour: Thu., South Hadley Council on Aging-Senior Center, Meets on the 3rd Thurs of the month, 10:30 a.m.-noon, 9 East Parkview Drive, South Hadley.

FRIDAY

2024 Big E: See Thursday listing Berkshire HorseWorks 10th Gala: Fri, 6-9 p.m. HomeFarm at Undermountain, 10th anniversary gala, “Rescues On The Runway: A Walk Of Resiliency on in Lenox.” The evening will fund equine-assisted therapy and educational programs for children, families, veterans first responders, and

active-duty military. Tickets to Berkshire HorseWorks’s Gala are available through Eventbrite, starting at $175. 400 Under Mountain Road, Lenox.

Pay it Forward Series “Tragedy of Maila Kami”: Fri.-Sat., 7 p.m.; Sun, 2 p.m. Blue Room at CitySpace, $10 Student, $10 General Admission, $25 at door. 43 Main St., Easthampton;

Rainbow LGBTQIA+ & Allies Coffee Social Hour: Fri, Bernardston Senior Center, 3rd Fri. 11 a.m., 20 Church St., Bernardston.

Rainbow LGBTQIA+ & Allies

Coffee Social Hour: Fri., 1 p.m.

Northampton Senior Center, Gay Men’s Group meets every Fri, 1 p.m., 67 Conz St., Northampton. (413) 587-1228 or northamptonseniors.com

Roundtable on the Farm Bill: Fri., 6 p.m. The LAVA Center hosts a community roundtable discussion of the Farm Bill and the major ways it impacts our lives in Western Massachusetts. Join humanities staff and guests at The LAVA Center to learn about and discuss the Farm Bill. Reauthorized and revised on average every five years, the Farm Bill has been the law of the land since 1933. If you eat food, it matters to you, 324 Main St., Greenfield.

SATURDAY

2024 Big E: See Thursday listing Bing Productions Presents A New Blue Jazz Ensemble — “A Night at the Movies”: Sat., 7:30 p.m. Trinity United Methodist Church, in the church’s Asbury Hall, $10 at the door (cash only). 361 Sumner

SEE CALENDAR, PAGE D11

Provence rosé wines perfect for end of summer

IDON’T NORMALLY consider myself a summer person.

But even I have to admit the weather the last few weeks in New England has been fantastic.

Warm, sunny days. Cool, crisp nights. It’s hard to imagine anything more ideal.

So in honor of the last official week of an absolutely amazing summer, I thought I would feature one of the best summer wines – Provence rosé

When done right, these French wines often taste dry and refreshing.

Part of it has to do with the weather in this part of southern France. It’s often warm and windy. That wind is called the Mistral. This weather phenomenon often exceeds 40 mph and can last for days. The Mistral helps keep the grapevines and the soil dry.

who made records here include Sting, AC/DC, The Cure, Sade, Bryan Ferry, The Cranberries and Wham, which recorded its album “Make It Big” (featuring “Carless Whisper”) here.

But you don’t have to be a music fan to appreciate this charming rosé that hits all the right notes. The light, dry flavors range from floral and fruit-like hints of peach, melon and lemon. There are also mineral-like notes with a dash of sea salt thanks to the limestone soil in the vineyards.

make these wines are Cinsault, Mourvedre, Syrah and Tibouren.

Best of all, many outstanding Provence rosé wines remain affordable, including these two wines featured this week from Chateau Miraval.

Some of you might have heard of this well-known winery located in the charming, laid-back French village of Correns. Brad Pitt is one of the owners of winery. Angelina Jolie sold her share of the winery to the Russian company that owns Stoli vodka. Pitt remains the majority owner of the winery, which he co-runs with winemaker Marc Perrin.

Hope you enjoy.

Wine tasting notes

release of the brewery’s special Oktoberfest Märzen beer, traditional food, a stein-holding contest, a yodeling contest, as well as music and a costume contest. The $20 admission fee includes a beer.

Also on Oct. 5, Two Weeks Notice Brewing Company in Westfield will hold its Oktoberfest celebration from noon to 10 p.m. German music, food and, of course, beer (and Oktoberfest glassware) will all be on hand, as well as a stein-holding

competition.

One of my favorite places for German beer rounds out today’s list: The Student Prince Café and Fort Restaurant will celebrate with its Mighty Oktoberfest from 5–11 p.m. Oct. 4-5. Oct. 4 features music by Berkshire Mountain Wanderers, The 413′s and Trailer Trash, while Oct. 5 will showcase tunes from the Berkshire Mountain Wanderers, Kiss Forever (a Kiss tribute), Nothin’ But A Good Time (a Poison tribute) and Live Evil (a Black Sabbath tribute). Both nights will feature German beers, brats and burgers.

The soils in which the vines are planted often make a big difference too. In Provence, those soils are mostly limestone or schist, giving many Provence rose wines a crisp, mineral-like flavor.

Sugar levels and alcohol levels are lower in many Provence rosé wines compared to other rosé wines from around the world.

Yet another reason why Provence rosé wines taste so great has to do with blending. By law, Provence rose wines must be made with a blend of at least two grapes. Grenache is the most popular grape used to make Provence rosé wines. The other four grapes often blended with Grenache to

Studio By Miraval ($14.99 at Table & Vine in West Springfield)

Grapes: Blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Rolle and Tibouren.

Tasting notes: Brangelina (the nickname for the former celebrity couple that recently owned the winery) may have put this winery on the map. But the winery has a long, rich celebrity history dating back decades earlier. The name of this particular wine refers to that part of the winery’s history.

French jazz pianist Jacques Loussier bought Chateau Miraval in 1977 and installed a recording studio in the winery. Pink Floyd recorded “The Wall” here. Other musicians

Chateau Miraval Cotes de Provence Rosé ($24.99 at Table & Vine)

Grapes: Blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Rolle and Syrah.

Tasting notes: The winery’s signature wine with its rounded, graceful bottle has become famous around the world in recent years. But elegant labels and celebrity associations can only go so far. The wine has to be great. And Chateau Miraval can thank Marc Perrin for that.

Perrin is the winery’s head winemaker and comes from a revered winemaking family. The Perrin family have been making wine since 1909, when they purchased Chateau de Beaucastel, one of the best wineries in one of the best winemaking villages in France’s Rhone region – Chateauneuf-Du-Pape. The family now owns five other wineries in the Rhone region.

Not surprisingly, this particular rosé wine created by Marc Perrin has everything you would expect from a skilled winemaker from France’s Rhone region. The abounds with dry, vibrant, floral and fruit flavors, including waves of rose petals, strawberry, lemon and raspberry with a crisp, salty finish. A wonderful wine for the final few days of summer.

Cheers!

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

Ken Ross Wine Press

The two Rosé wines from Chateau Miraval in France’s Provence region recommended this week. (KEN ROSS PHOTO)

Calendar

Ave., Springfield, 413-737-5311.

Estate and Barn Sale: Sat, 1-4 p.m. King House Museum, Ephemera, Polish pottery and estate items on sale, 232 South Main St., Suffield.

Old Deerfield 48th Annual Fall Arts & Crafts Festival: Sat, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. White Church Community Center-Deerfield, See over 100 juried artisans selling handcrafted wares, sample delicious specialty foods, create crafts with the family at the free craft table, and enjoy a fun day of shopping with the family. Free shuttle buses and parking are marked along Routes 5 and 10. Children 12 and under are free to enter the fair. Visit deerfield-craft. org for all of the details and a full list of vendors. Proceeds benefit the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association (PVMA), a nonprofit organization. Memorial Street, Old Deerfield.

Pay it Forward Series presents “Tragedy of Maila Kami”: See Friday listing Rave On!: Sat., 7 p.m. Cultural Center at Eagle Hill, Get ready to kick up your heels for a rockin’ good time! Inspired by some of the most influential music ever written, Rave On was formed to keep the music of the ‘50s and ‘60s alive for all to hear. Experience the thrill of

Windsor Freedom Trail Run: Sat., 5:30 a.m. Archer Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, presented by the Windsor Freedom Trail Committee, starting point: Archer Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church. Learn about and celebrate the rich history of the Windsor Freedom Trail with your family and friends by visiting sites that are associated with the Underground Railroad, African American contributions and heritage, and movement towards freedom. The run is approximately 3.9 miles. A bus will follow the runners if rest is needed. Ends at the Riverside cemetery on East Street in Windsor, a site where a number of African American soldiers from the Connecticut 29th and 31st colored regiments and other civil war units are buried. Participants will stop at the other Windsor Freedom Trail Sites including the William Best House, the Joseph Rainey House, and the Nancy Toney grave site. Upon returning to the church, the group will visit the historic Archer Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church and cemetery. A country style breakfast will be provided for event participants after the run. Register at

Eventbrite. When arriving, you are asked to bring a nonperishable food item to be donated to the Windsor Food Bank. This event is free and open to the public, 320 Hayden Station Road, Windsor.

SUNDAY

2024 Big E: See Thursday listing Celebrate Rosh Hashanah: Sun., 10 a.m. Park Hill Orchard, join other young families for a morning full of free outdoor activities. Learn to blow the shofar, enjoy apple picking, holiday-themed crafts, musid and more, free. 82 Park Hill Road, Easthampton;

Fall Folk Traditions at Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum: Sun., 3 p.m. Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum, “Zikina.” For more information, visit pphmuseum.org. 130 River Drive, Hadley, 413-5844699.

International Peace Day presents May Peace Prevail: Sun., 3-5 p.m. Foster Memorial Church, The purpose of this event is to bring together groups and organizations from the greater Springfield and wider region who are involved in addressing issues of peace and justice. All are welcome to this event, to network and learn more about the work and focus on the groups, faith communities and organizations. There will be interactive art projects for all ages and refreshments. This event is co-sponsored by Greater Spring-

field Campaign Nonviolence and the Interfaith Council of Greater Springfield. The church is located at 1791 Wilbraham Road in Springfield. For more information, call 413-782-2112.

Old Deerfield 48th Annual Fall Arts & Crafts Festival: See Saturday listing

Organ Concert featuring Klaus Becker: Sun., 3 p.m. United Congregational Church of Holyoke. Klaus Becker, a renowned organist who has performed in Europe and the United States, will perform. Donations accepted. 300 Appleton St., Holyoke; 413-532-1483 or uccholyoke.org.

Pay it Forward Series presents “Tragedy of Maila Kami”: See Friday listing

Quadrangle

George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum: Permanent exhibit: “Ancient Treasures,” a display of artifacts from ancient China, Greece, Rome and Egypt. On the first Wed. of every month through the end of 2026, admission to the Springfield Museums is free. For more information, visit springfieldmuseums.org.

Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History: “The 200th Anniversary of the Springfield Republican,” through Jan. 5. Permanent exhibit: More than two dozen Indian motorcycles and

related memorabilia.

Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts: “Look Again: Portraits of Daring Women” by Julie Lapping Rivera, through Feb. 23. Museum a la Carte. Sept. 19, 12:15 p.m. “Community Poetry Reading: Portraits of Daring Women.” Cost: $4, free for members. Join artist Julie Rivera and the group of local and international poets who collaborated in “Look Again: Portraits of Daring Women” (currently on view in the D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts) for a community poetry reading.

Springfield Science Museum: Permanent exhibit: State-of-theart Zeiss Projector and updated International Space Station exhibit. The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum: Permanent exhibit. First-floor 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, 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.

priced at $65.

The Family Meal Packages are available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays only.

Typical Sicilian, which was formerly a full-service eatery located at The “X” in Springfield, is now doing takeout only from 192 North Main St. in East Longmeadow. Their full menu can be found online; their telephone number is 413-2242900.

• The Springfield Rocks Radio Group is hosting a Big Bonkin’ Smoke evening on Oct. 2 at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meetinghouse in Holyoke.

A cigar-focused, 21-orover get-together, “the Smoke,” which begins at 6 p.m., will feature cigars, an event T-shirt and a full dinner.

Tickets are being sold on

Eventbrite.com, where they are $85 plus a convenience fee.

• Skyline Beer Company in Westfield is hosting an Autumn Whisk(e)y Dinner on Sunday, Oct. 6, starting at 6 p.m.

Jay Cole, the self-styled “Whiskey Pirate,” will be hosting the evening, which will feature a specially created menu and a selection of spirits pairings to “go-with.”

Cost to attend the event is $76.50 plus a convenience fee, and places can be reserved online at Eventbrite. com.

The Skyline Beer Company answers at 413-378-3333.

• Backwoods Breakfast and BBQ on Main Road in Montgomery is hosting an Appreciation Luncheon on Sept. 21.

Described as a chance to thank regular customers and

get acquainted with newcomers, the luncheon will be held from noon to 2 p.m.

Backwoods will be serving some of their favorite dishes such as mac & cheese and pulled pork as well as other items from their menu. There is no charge to attend.

Backwoods Breakfast and BBQ, which is located in the Montgomery Marketplace, is open Thursday through Monday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. The establishment also serves dinner on Friday and Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m.

Backwoods Breakfast and BBQ answers at 413-3886599.

• Champney’s Restaurant at the Deerfield Inn in Deerfield is offering “Innkeeper’s Fall Cocktail Hours,” a special menu of $7 appetizers paired with featured wine and beer selections.

The savory nibbles on offer include Fried Brussel Sprouts, James Well Wings prepared in four different flavors, Truffle Fries and Maine Mussels steamed in tomato, fennel, garlic and white wine.

Among the drink specials is “Pumking” Imperial Ale by Southern Tier Brewing Company of Lakewood, NY. Southern Tier’s Pumking is made with pumpkin and yam and gently infused with pie spices.

Champney’s can be reached by calling 413-7745587.

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.

Nightclubs

CONTINUES FROM PAGE D4

289 Main St., Greenfield

Theodores’: Frankie Boy & the Blues Xpress. 201 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

BOMBYX Center for Arts & Equity: Peter Blanchette with Eilis Kennedy, Charlotte Collins. 130 Pine St., Florence

The Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center: 413SKA Video Game

SKA Digital Dance Party. 289 Main St., Greenfield

Uno Chicago Grill: Jazz. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield

TUESDAY

The Drake: Bia Ferreira. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst

The Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center: Deerhoof with Ekko Astral. 289 Main St., Greenfield Uno Chicago Grill: Blues Music. 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 or email pmastriano@repub.com or submit it to masslive.com/myevent

the ropes and jump off backwards crashing onto my opponent below,” Allin said about the bone-crushing antic.

The AEW wrestler said he doesn’t know what he will be doing on Saturday at the live Collision broadcast as the matchups had not been decided at the time of his interview with The Republican.

“I’ll be there, for sure, but I’m trying to stay in one piece for my match with Moxley at Dynamite Grand Slam in New York City several days later, where I will be putting my AEW World Title shot on the line. I’m playing with fire, but I’m known to have been playing with fire all of my life. So, I’ll be pretty much getting into something on Saturday, but I don’t know what,” Allin said.

Whoever comes out on top at Grand Slam — whether Allin or Moxley — will go on to challenge AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson for the title at WrestleDream on Oct. 12 in Tacoma, Washington. Both Allin and Danielson are from Washington and Allin is especially “psyched” about the chance to win the AEW

World Champion title in his home state.

Things have changed recently between Allin and Moxley.

“I’ve looked up to Moxley for years and was inspired to be like him. He has been my hero and I admired the way he carries himself in the ring and in real life, that he isn’t going to take crap from anyone. But he has changed, sold his soul, and I haven’t liked his choices lately,” Allin said, likely referring to Moxley’s recent actions resulting in sending Danielson out on a stretcher.

Allin — his real name is Samuel Ratsch — weighs in at 175 pounds and stands at 5′ 8″ tall. He is a former two-time AEW TNT Champion and former one-time AEW World Tag Team Champion.

“AEW: Dynamite” airs every Wednesday from 8-10 p.m. on TBS, “AEW: Rampage” airs every Friday from 10-11 p.m. on TNT, and “AEW: Collision” airs every Saturday from 8-10 p.m. on TNT. AEW’s multiplatform content also includes “AEW Unrestricted,” a weekly podcast series.

For more information, visit allelitewrestling.com. Tickets, available at massmutualcenter.com, range in price from $24 to $207.