Weekend - September 26, 2024 by repubnews

Latina pop singer Elle Baez to play Big E closing weekend Page D2

SHE IS THE MAN

She is the Man

Latina pop singer Elle Baez to play Big E closing weekend

By Ashley P otter apotter@repub.com

For Latina pop singer Elle Baez, closing out The Big E this year is a shot at redemption.

“I was supposed to actually perform last year, but then my date got rained out,” she said in a phone interview with The Republican. “I was so sad last year, but then it worked out because they gave me this year!”

Baez has also been to The Big E multiple times for her own personal enjoyment. Her favorite part about the fair? “Probably the different states, going from each building to the next. I thought that was really fun and cool, with all of the different foods and drinks.”

Elle Baez is a Latina singer-songwriter who strives to be “real, authentic and relatable,” according to her website. As a plus-sized singer and model, Baez

hopes to be representation for women who don’t normally see themselves in the spotlight. With more than 100,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram, her song “I Love My Body” has amassed more than 2.5 million hits

across all platforms with lyrics like “I had no pride for you / I was denying who I am / While depriving you of all of your senses” and “I gotta love my body / And all of the life it’s brought me / And I gotta tell it sorry for all the little bits I picked apart.”

In 2023, Baez was recognized by Rolling Stone magazine and had two of her songs — “I Love My Body” and “Fuego” — featured in the “Songs You Need To Know” list. Baez was also named the 2023 Entertainer of the Year at the Full Figured Industry Awards and more recently, walked the runway for Adore Me during this year’s New York Fashion Week.

As a songwriter, Baez has opened for artists like Bea Miller and Leah Kate and her most recent song, “I Am The Man,” was a women-driven project with

lyrics like ““I am the man of my dreams / I am the king to my queen / Goddess of my masculinity” meant to promote self-love. In her website’s own words: “Her ethos is simple: Be you, be sexy and above all, be confident.”

Baez will play The E Stage on Friday at 8:30 p.m. Admission to her concert is free with fair admission. In a phone interview with The Republican, she talked about the message behind her music and the importance of body positivity.

I’m very big on women empowerment with my music and giving other girls that confidence.

ELLE BAEZ “ ”

CONTINUES FROM PAGE D2

Q. I was listening to your latest song, “I Am The Man,” and there’s some really powerful lyrics there. Can you share your inspiration behind this song?

A. That song I wrote with an all-women team, I’m very big on women empowerment with my music and giving other girls that confidence. I had been single for such a long time in my life, and I felt like sometimes we’re made to feel ashamed if we don’t have a man in our life, or a significant other. I wanted to make an anthem for anybody really, saying that they can be the love of their own life. You can be your own man and do things for yourself that typically a lover would do and be your own lover. I kind of wanted it to be an affirmation for people to sing, and if they feel alone to know that they’re not alone in that feeling.

Q. So much of your music really sends these messages for women to love themselves and be true to who they are. Can you share more about the importance of using music to deliver these messages?

A. I’ve been singing since I was a little girl, like 3 years old

“I just feel like so many people are made to feel like they need to quit or give up because of other people’s opinions, and I wanted to be that voice out there in the world to let people be unafraid.”

Elle Baez

and writing little songs. I grew up wanting to be a performer, (but) I was put down by so many people because of who I am and how I look. I have a song called “Stereotype,” where it’s all about breaking those stereotypes, and I was always encouraged by my parents to keep following my dreams and to not let other peoples’ opinions of me stop me from letting my talent shine. I just feel like so many people are made to feel like they need to quit or give up because of other people’s opinions, and I wanted to be that voice out there in the world to let people be unafraid and if they can see me doing what I’m doing and following my dreams, that they can too. Music felt like the perfect thing, because it’s that universal language and I love using my voice to heal. And I do feel like it heals in a way.

Q. Your music really made me think about how harshly celebrities are judged for their appearances. For example, Meghan Trainor and Adele both in recent memory received criticism both before and after they lost weight. What do you think of this pressure that Hollywood and fans put on female celebrities?

A. It is so disheartening to know that women are not only seen for their talent, but

FINAL WEEKEND OF MUSIC AT BIG E

Catch these acts at The Big E Arena, the Court of Honor Stage, The E Stage and Dolly’s Honky Tonk on the fair’s final weekend. Showtimes are subject to cancellations.

Thursday, Sept. 26

Powerhouse: Court of Honor Stage, 12-12:30 p.m. & 5-5:30 p.m.

Femmes of Rock: Court of Honor Stage, 2-3:30 p.m.

Madison Curbelo: The E Stage, 3-4:30 p.m.

Stompin’ Boots: Dolly’s Honky Tonk, 3-4:30 p.m. & 6-7:30 p.m.

Maddi Ryan: The E Stage, 7-8:30 p.m.

Great Southern: Court of Honor Stage, 8-9:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 27

Powerhouse: Court of Honor Stage, 12-12:30 p.m. & 5-5:30 p.m.

they’re also seen for their appearance, and people use that to judge them and almost judge their talent, and it has nothing to do with that. My goal is to strive for there to be more diversity in the industry so that we can stop having those judgments and conversations, and it can just be about the music and the talent. I’m hoping the industry can continue to grow and change, and that I can be that first big — at least for me, I’m Latina and I’m plus-sized, and there just hasn’t been a plus-sized Latina pop star. My mission is to be that for other girls that look like me.

Q. Two of your songs — “Fuego” and “I Love My Body” — were named to Rolling Stone’s “Songs You Need to Know” list in 2023. What’s it like having that honor?

A. I was not expecting it, I didn’t know so it was such a huge surprise. The first one was my song “Fuego,” which is actually about my parents and my dad, because he immigrated here from the Dominican Republic. It was a really personal song for me, and to see it be recognized like that and for that high of a regard was absolutely insane. It meant a lot to me. It meant the world.

Stage, 12-12:30 p.m. & 5-5:30 p.m.

John Spignesi Band: The E Stage, 12:30-2 p.m.

Andy Kim: Court of Honor Stage, 2-3:30 p.m.

Rowe County Band: Dolly’s Honky Tonk, 3-4:30 p.m. & 6-7:30 p.m.

The 413s: The E Stage, 4:30-6 p.m.

Public Enemy: The Big E Arena, 7:30 p.m., $49-$59

Matt Friend: Court of Honor Stage, 8-9:30 p.m.

Noah Richardson: The E Stage, 8:30-10 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 29

Jeaux: The E Stage, 12:30-2 p.m.

Andy Kim: Court of Honor Stage, 2-3:30 p.m.

Livio Gravini & The Free Spirit Society: Dolly’s Honky Tonk, 3-4:30 p.m. & 6-7:30 p.m.

Drop Party: The E Stage, 4:30-6 p.m.

Elle Baez: The E Stage, 8:30-10 p.m.

Lisa Loeb: Court of Honor Stage, 8-9:30 p.m.

Brothers Osborne: The Big E Arena, 7:30 p.m., $49-$59

Saturday, Sept. 28

Powerhouse: Court of Honor

Powerhouse: Court of Honor Stage, 12-12:30 p.m. & 5-5:30 p.m.

Daymen: The E Stage, 12:30-2 p.m.

Andy Kim: Court of Honor Stage, 2-3:30 p.m.

Joe Adee and The Lug Nuts: Dolly’s Honky Tonk, 3-4:30 p.m. & 6-7:30 p.m.

Jelly: The E Stage, 4:30-6 p.m.

Big Time Rush: The Big E Arena, 7:30 p.m., $69

Hinder: Court of Honor Stage, 8-9:30 p.m.

Last Minute: The E Stage, 8:3010 p.m.

Veterans, spouses and survivors

You are Invited to the 1st

HOUR

October 7th, 2024 9-10:30 AM

Come enjoy some coffee, snack and learn about Veterans Benefits information, answer

Pop singer Elle Baez has had two of her songs — “I Love My Body” and “Fuego” — named to Rolling Stones’ 2023 “Songs You Need To Know” list. (SUBMITTED / VIA ELLE BAEZ)

Haunts are back for Fright Fest at Six Flags

For

kids, there is a family-friendly Boo

Fest during daytime hours

By K eith O ’C onnor Special to The Republican

The screams heard around Six Flags New England for the next two months are not just from riders taking a spin on their favorite roller coaster.

The haunts are back for another spooky season at Six Flags in Agawam, where Fright Fest returns with chills and thrills for young and old with a new haunted attraction, Camp Killamore, and a new show, “Love at First Fright.” Fright Fest runs weekends and select days through the park’s “Last Scare Weekend” on Nov. 3.

“Our annual Fright Fest is quite a well-attended event. It is a testament to how popular Halloween is today. People love to be scared. But for

those who might not be so sure, Fright Fest is best undertaken with a group of friends as a shared experience where you can laugh off the scares together,” said Ray Sciaretta, marketing and public relations manager for Six Flags New England.

Preparations for Fright Fest begin in July with hiring a cast and behind-the-scenes folks to bring the unearthly event to life.

“We hire over 220 people for Fright Fest. We hire monsters, make-up artists, dancers, singers, stage techs, and team members to facilitate family friendly Halloween activities during the day for our Kids Boo Fest,” Sciaretta said.

In their own words, park officials claim Fright Fest features “more than 20 gut-wrenching attractions,” including five haunted mazes — Nightmares, Terror Tales, Slasher Circus 3D, Midnight Mansion and the new Camp Killamore.

“Our newest maze, Camp Killamore, is located down near our picnic grove where campers have gone hiking

in Skull Cavern where they were turned into angry, feral campers, intent on exacting revenge on camp counselors and anyone else brave enough to enter the woods,” Sciaretta said about the haunted mazes located throughout the park.

There are also five entertaining shows in different theaters on the park grounds including “Midnight Uprising,” “Mort’s Used Coffins,” “Creepshow Freakshow,” “The Awakening,’ and the new “Love at First Fright” in Rockville Theater. During

“People love to be scared. But for those who might not be so sure, Fright Fest is best undertaken with a group of friends as a shared experience where you can laugh off the scares together.”

Ray Sciaretta, Six Flags New England

Fright Fest is back at Six Flags New England weekends and select days through October, with a "Last Scare Weekend" planned Nov. 3. (PHOTOS COURTESY SIX FLAGS)

George Lenker LIVE WIRE

Poets, musicians join for social change

MUSIC AND LITERary endeavors have long gone hand-inhand.

You need look no further than songwriters Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell all the way up through newer artists like SZA, Billie Eilish and

Northampton streets come alive with jazz festival

By K eith O ’C onnor Special to The Republican

Music is the universal language and jazz, especially, has no boundaries.

While the country and the world are rife with boundaries and division, this weekend’s Northampton Jazz Festival instead focuses on uniting people through the vibrant diversity of jazz.

“We have themed this year’s festival ‘Jazz Without Borders’ in honor of the over 50 musicians from countries around the world who will be performing in Northampton. We are bringing in these jazz musicians to our festival to share their interpretations of jazz and it is going to be a totally unique experience for listeners. They hail from Palestine, Cameroon, India, Pakistan, Cuba, Argentina, Brazil, Cypress and beyond. I have heard the music that they play and it is going to be a very meaningful and satisfying musical experience of our audience,” said Ruth Griggs, president of the board of the Northampton Jazz Festival. It all begins Friday with the free Jazz Strut from 4:30 to midnight starting at Pulaski Park and Jazz Day on Saturday ending with the 2024 headliner Anat Cohen Quartetinho performing at 7:30 p.m. at the Academy of Music.

Kendrick Lamar to see how excellence in the written word has elevated — and been uplifted by — music. Dylan even has won both Grammy awards and the Nobel Prize in Literature.

So it’s fitting that a local arts and literary magazine,

Meat For Tea, always includes music in its quarterly issue launch parties. The celebrations, known as “cirques,” include poets and visual artists, of course. But music is always a big part of the mix.

The upcoming cirque, titled “100,000 Writers, Artists,

and Musicians for Change,” is part of the national “100,000 Poets for Change” (100tpc) global event on Saturday. The local version of the event will be held at Park Hill Orchard in Easthampton.

Meat For Tea founder and

Cohen is a Grammy-nominated, multiyear, award-winning Israeli clarinetist who has created an intimate and joyful sound with her ensemble, Quartetinho. The ensemble of virtuosos includes bassist Tal Mashiach, pianist/ accordionist Vitor Gonçalves and vibraphonist/percussionist James Shipp.

“We have never had a female band leader as our headliner and we are very excited about this wonderful opportunity afforded to us to be bringing her to perform at the Academy of Music,” Griggs said.

“Anat Cohen’s musical influences are very broad and she is a well-known choro player, which is a traditional form of Brazilian music. She also has tremendous influences from her Middle East upbringing and from the roots of American jazz in New Orleans. Her musicians

Jazz musician Anat Cohen will bring her ensemble group, Quartetinho, to the Academy of Music to close out the Northampton Jazz Festival.

On closing weekend, don’t overlook Avenue of States

By Shawn Rychling srychling@repub.com

The Big E is winding down. Only four days remain for you to get your fill of fair food, entertainment and amusement rides. Seemingly lost in all the new culinary options and this year’s record-setting attendance is one of the Big E’s greatest features — the Avenue of States. Here’s a quick look at all six buildings and the

highlights within each. Note this is not a exhaustive list of things to try and is purely subjective.

• Connecticut: I was born and raised in Connecticut and for years I found the state building to be the most disappointing to visit at the Big E. Maybe I just had high expectations. Either way, the state has made efforts to improve its offerings over the last 10-15 years, including an extensive renova-

tion of the building for this year’s fair. A major highlight this year is the beer garden run by CT Craft Beer Works showcasing many of the state’s top breweries. The offerings change daily. Connecticut Valley Brewing Company’s Pickle Sour Ale has been creating a lot of buzz during the fair and I also recommend anything from 5 Churches Brewery out of New Britain.

• Massachusetts: The Massachusetts Association of Dairy Farmers was always a must-stop in the Massachusetts building for some cold chocolate milk. Unfortunately, it no longer has a booth in the building. But another favorite is still going strong. You can still get a Finnish pancake, which is a sweet egg pancake and you can top it with Massachusetts

States.

Q. And your influence extends beyond just music. You were named the 2023 Entertainer of the Year at the Full Figured Industry Awards and walked the runway for Adore Me at this year’s New York Fashion Week. What does it mean to have these opportunities?

A. Oh, they mean the absolute world. That was my first award that I’ve won, and to be honored like that — I got to also perform at the awards show — it was so cool. I have the award in my bedroom. (laughs) And walking for Adore Me, I’ve always loved modeling and representing in that way as well. To be a plussize model on the runway like that in lingerie, representing was something that was so scary in the moment, but afterwards was so rewarding. Everybody just told me how inspired they were by me when they saw me up there, and that was a dream come true.

Q. What would your advice be to the women who might see you on stage, or on social media, and look up to you?

A. I always say to anybody, especially younger girls who

follow me, I always tell them that whatever it is that is that thing that makes you different right now in your lives — for me, I know I had a lot of things growing up that I felt so insecure about (I have a song called “Pretty Insecurities,” that’s kind of about this) — I always tell them that, that is your superpower and that is what’s going to make you stand out in the most beautiful way. And even if at this moment right now you don’t feel that way, trust that you’re going to grow and just see yourself blossom. It’s a journey, though, self-love is a journey, but you will learn to love those things and find that, that is what makes you unique.

Q. Wow. That’s so important, especially in this world we live in now where teenage girls especially will see perfect bodies on TikTok and things like that.

A. The mental health of it all nowadays is so crazy. I know I had it rough being younger, but I can’t even imagine being that young and having TikTok and everything.

Q. Not to ping-pong on you here, but I wanted to know who your own musical inspirations are?

A. Ooh, I love this question! (laughs) My biggest inspira-

tions would be Demi Lovato, Kelly Clarkson, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Adele.

Q. Those are some amazing ladies.

A. Yeah! Big, powerful vocalists — that what I love.

Q. Looking ahead, after The Big E we’ll be heading towards fall, winter, the end of the year. What’s on your agenda musically?

A. I’m so excited because I’m putting out a Christmas

EP for the holiday season — it’s the first Christmas project I’ve ever done and I’ve always dreamed of putting out Christmas music a la Mariah Carey. In 2025, I’ll be dropping my sophomore EP.

Q. Can you tease more about the Christmas EP?

A. I can tease that it’s going to be three original songs — one is actually going to be a Christmas version of one of my hit songs, “I Love My Body” — then two more originals, and one cover.

Q. What can fans expect from your concert at The Big E? Anything you’d like to add to encourage folks to come out?

A. It’s going to be feel-good, self-love vibes topped with some soul. It’s going to be a journey emotionally, we’ll have the dance pops, we’ll have the ballads, and I’ll also be doing covers of Renee Rapp, Adele and Sabrina Carpenter!

More information about Baez’s Sept. 27 concert can be found on The Big E’s website.

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

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

CONTINUES FROM PAGE D5

are from Israel, Brazil and the United States. We recognized this wonderful coming together of nationalities in her band. As a result, we set out successfully to achieve finding all the wonderful musicians from all over the world who will be performing at our Northampton Jazz Festival,” she added.

Her concert is the only ticketed event of the festival. Tickets are $35 to $55 plus ticketing fees and are available at AoMTheatre.com or at the Academy of Music Box Office on Tuesday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. Student tickets are $20 plus fees.

“I’m very excited about a new program we have this year at Iron Horse. They asked to be included in the festival and we were honored by their invitation. So, we have organized Ask Me About Jazz! which is an interactive one-hour jazz concert for elementary school kids to learn the roots and rhythms of jazz. It is going to give them an experience like they never had before,” Griggs said.

Friday night’s free Jazz Strut kicks off the festival

and will run from 4:30 to midnight, starting at Pulaski Park with two student jazz combo performances from UConn and UMass Amherst. Local and regional, regional, musicians will then perform for two hours at each of the following venues: 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 from 9 to 11 p.m.; and the return of last year’s Late Night Jam Session at Toasted Owl from 10 p.m. to midnight, led by bassist Fumi Tomita.

The full lineup of free daytime festival performances on Jazz Fest Day on Saturday include:

• Esteban Castro performing two solo piano concerts at CLICK Workspace at 11 a.m. and noon;

• Ask Me About Jazz!, a new, interactive concert for elementary school children led by drummer Richie Barshay, with clarinetist Evan Arntzen and pianist Zacchai Curtis, will take place from 11 a.m. to noon at Iron Horse (pre-registration required);

• The Expandable Brass

Band will march from CLICK Workspace to Iron Horse at noon, picking up marchers and then marching to Pulaski Park to begin the fest in earnest.

• Julieta Eugenio Trio featuring Matt Dwonszyk on bass and Jonathan Barber on drums 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;

• Ize Trio featuring Naseem Alatrash, Chase Morin and George Lernis will perform at Unitarian Society of Northampton at 1 p.m.;

• Jeff Holmes Big Band featuring Dawning Holmes will play at 2:15 p.m. at Pulaski Park;

• Arun Ramamurthy Trio

featuring Damon Banks and Sameer Gupta will play at Iron Horse at 1:45 p.m.;

• Ekep Nkwelle Quartet will perform at Unitarian Society of Northampton at 4 p.m.;

• Jesus Pagan Y Su Orquestra will close out the day’s free concerts at 5:15 p.m. at Pulaski Park.

Griggs noted she is often asked if there will be food trucks available throughout the event.

“The answer is ‘No’ because we want to encourage them to visit the many wonderful restaurants that surround them in Northampton,” she said.

The Northampton Jazz Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and is funded by local businesses, organizations, foundations and individuals which makes it possible to provide free live music to the general public.

Volunteers are needed to staff the Friday and Saturday events. To take part, visit northamptonjazzfest.org/ volunteer.

For more information about the schedule, musician bios and music samples, visit northamptonjazzfest.org or email info@northamptonjazzfest.org.

Saxophonist Julieta Eugenio, left, and her trio, featuring Matt Dwonszyk and Jonathan Barber, will play this weekend’s Northampton Jazz Festival. Above, the Arun Ramamurthy Trio featuring Damon Banks and Sameer Gupta will also perform.

The Ekep Nkwelle Quartet will perform at this weekend's Northampton Jazz Festival. (CLAIRE MCCONNELL)

What happened to all of the hype surrounding plant-based foods?

JUST A FEW YEARS AGO

plant-based meat and seafood substitutes were looking like the “next big thing” for the restaurant industry.

Plant-based meat startups like California-based Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat had developed substitutes for ground beef and sausage and were signing up brands across the spectrum of fast food and casual dining brands. Menu items made with meat wannabes soon began appearing on menus from coast to coast. Fast forward to 2024 and it’s clear that these engineered meat replacements have yet to live up to the hype that surrounded their introduction. Plant-based items have quietly been dropped from some menus (remember the McPlant burger?) and have been relegated to niche status on others. At the same time major plant-based meat producers are struggling with declining sales numbers.

What explains plant-based meat’s lack of success?

Certainly cost is one factor. Plant-based meat substitutes continue to cost as much as two to three times more than the products they are designed to replace. That cost differential is in part due to the nature of the products themselves and partially due to the lack of economies of scale involved in making them.

And then there is the “ick factor” perception which with plant-based meats and proteins are burdened. Research verifies that there is inherent consumer reluctance to switch from “natural” meat to replacements made in a factory or in a lab. Overcoming such resistance, especially while plant-based

meat substitutes remains premium-priced, constitutes a hefty barrier to widespread acceptance.

Finally, plant-based protein products, which are made in complex manufacturing processes, are seen by some as potentially unhealthy. To combat such criticism, producers like Beyond Meat are reformulating their beef and chicken replacements, swapping out saturated fats and reducing the number of ingredients used overall. By doing so, they hope to avoid being pejoratively labeled as an “over-processed” food.

Faced with problems of cost and consumer acceptance, plant-based meat substitutes seem unlikely to gain widespread acceptance anytime soon.

Side Dishes

• Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Brews has announced a Jalapeno Heatwave Burger as part of its fall cohort of limited-time-only menu choices. The burger is topped with jalapenos, pepper jack cheese and more; a topping of fried jalapeno coins completes the sandwich build. Three new wings flavors — sweet and spicy Scorpion Wings, Garlic and Parmesan Wings, and wings seasoned with sea salt and pepper — are also part of the menu update.

The Bean Restaurant Group is behind many of the creations at this year’s Big E. Clockwise from top left, before the fair ends on Sunday try the General Tso’s Colossal Fried Shrimp at the Harpoon Food and Beer Hall; the Quad-Father burger at the White Hut booth in the Food Court; and the Supreme Schnitzel Sandwich at Bean’s Wurst Haus on Commonwealth Avenue. (MASSLIVE)

Red Robin is offering, on the same LTO basis, a Shortbread Chocolate Souffle Cake and a Lemon Cream Layer Cake for dessert.

There are Red Robin locations at Holyoke Crossing in Holyoke and Hazard Avenue in Enfield.

• Matt Grimes of Northern Soul Cafe and Catering is organizing a pop-up fundraising dinner for the J.C. Williams Community Center in Springfield. To be held on Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. until it’s all gone, the pop-up’s menu will feature fried chicken, fried fish, fried shrimp and fried salmon as well as mac & cheese, candied yams, collard greens and rice ‘n’ gravy.

Northern Soul Cafe, which is located on Main Street in Springfield, answers at 413209-8704.

• On Wednesday, Oct. 2, the Boulevard Tavern & Grill in Springfield will be hosting an Oktoberfest Beer Dinner.

The event will begin at 5 p.m.; for more details, contact the Grill at 413-732-0904.

• The John Boyle O’Reilly Club, in conjunction with Jack’s Abby Brewing of Framingham and Fazio’s Ristorante in East Longmeadow, will be hosting a Wild Game Dinner on Thursday, Oct. 10. Doors will open at 6 p.m.; for additional information, contact the club at 413-788-8603.

• The Dirty Truth Beer Hall in Northampton is running its Oktoberfest celebration through Sept. 28. For this event, Dirty Truth is featuring a menu of German-inspired fare as well as a selection of German wines and hard ciders. German beers are on tap, and the bar staff has also created a number of cocktails made with German spirits. To learn more about the festivities, call 413-585-5599.

• Crediting its $5 Meal Deal for revitalizing sales at the chain, Chicago-based McDonald’s Corp. recently announced that it was extending that value meal bundle through December. The $5 Value Meal, which

Hugh Robert Off The Menu

Taste testing 6 most popular California wine grapes

CALIFORNIA’S FAmous for many things. Endless summers. Ocean sunsets. Making movies and music.

You can add one more thing to the long list of what makes California so special — its wine.

For many people, American wine means California wine. It’s easy to understand why. If California were its own country, it would be the fourth-largest wine producer in the world.

This week, I thought it would be fun to focus on California wines in general, which was also the topic of a recent one-night, non-credit wine tasting class I taught at Holyoke Community College. I will be teaching three more wine tasting classes this fall at HCC. The next one is Oct. 8 and focuses on wines from Chile and Argentina.

There was a lot of discussion at the recent class about wines from California and a brief history of winemaking in the Golden State. The class also touched on California’s wine regions, its most popular wine grapes and the history of these grapes in general.

As part of the class, we tasted six different wines. I picked one wine each for the six most popular California wine grapes.

I realize I’m only skimming the surface here. You could easily taste a dozen different wines focusing on a particular grape from just one wine region in California. But sometimes, it’s good to get a general overview so you can decide where you might want to dig deeper another time.

I also made a point of choosing affordable wines (prices ranged from $10 to $20 each) that are readily available in most stores. What’s the point of recommending expensive wines most people cannot find?

That’s been my philosophy for this wine column in general since I started writing it each week in November 2012 —

wine should be something everyone can enjoy anytime, not just on special occasions. At the end of the class, each person picked their favorite California wine of the night. The results might surprise you and will hopefully encourage you to try something new as well.

Hope you enjoy.

California wine by the numbers

• 81% of all U.S. wine comes from California;

• California produces nearly 600 million gallons of wine each year;

• Roughly 4,200 wineries located in California.

A matter of taste, not intelligence

DOES HAVING AN “educated palate” mean your taste buds are “smarter” than those of others?

Although craft beer has made noticeable gains in market share over the decades, the majority of Americans still seem to favor large industrial brands or imports. At last check, the big corporate beers still had a stranglehold on beer sales, capturing about 13% of the total market.

• Pinot Noir (red): 18 %;

• Merlot (red): 14%;

• Zinfandel (red and white): 9%;

• Sauvignon Blanc (white): 4%

Timeline of Wine

In California

• 1683 – First wine vines were most likely planted in California by Spanish missionaries;

• 1769 – First confirmed vines planted in California at Mission San Diego de Alcala in San Diego;

• 1850s – Grapevines widely planted in Northern California in response to California Gold Rush;

• 1965 – Robert Mondavi establishes Mondavi Estate in Napa Valley;

• 1976 – Several California wines beat French wines in a blind wine tasting in Paris, France;

• 1991 – CBS’s “60 Minutes” airs a story about the health benefits of red wine, boosting sales.

California wines tasted in class

2022 J. Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay ($11.99 at Table & Vine in West Springfield) Region: Monterey, California

It’s a widely held view in the craft beer world that a major stumbling block for speedier growth is that most beer drinkers do not bother to educate their palates about the wonders of craft brews. We talk of using “gateway beers” — beers that don’t stray too far from the standard industrial light lagers — or try to urge resistors to use beer flights — samplers that provide four or five small offerings — to get people to dip their toes into the craft beer river.

The goal, of course, is that once their taste buds experience what they’ve been missing, they will “learn” to

embrace craft beer. The scales will fall away from their eyes, and a new craft beer aficionado will be born. I’ve employed these tactics myself, and frankly, they often work.

So, hallelujah, right? We have saved another soul from bland beer hell!

Well, sure. But it also raises a few questions in my mind. At some point, we craft beer lovers all experienced a conversion of sorts. We realized that beer was an expansive and ever-blossoming universe that wasn’t confined to ones who could afford multiple advertising slots on the Super Bowl. Maybe it was a small,

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3

CALENDAR

THURSDAY

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

FRIDAY

Big E: See Thursday listing

The Lost Weekend — The Photography of May Pang: Fri., noon-8 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., noon-4 p.m. R. Michelson Galleries, few people knew John Lennon as intimately as May Pang. Pang was Lennon's lover during the infamous Lost Weekend which lasted 18 months during late 1973 through 1975. During this highly creative time for Lennon, Pang took candid photos of Lennon in a comfortable, relaxed environment. A collection of these private photographs will be on display and available for purchase at R. Michelson Galleries, 132 Main St., Northampton. 413586-3964 or michelson.com.

Rainbow LGBTQIA+ & Allies Coffee Social Hour: Fri, 1 p.m.

Northampton Senior Center, Gay Men's Group meets every Fri. at 1 p.m., 67 Conz St., Northampton. 413-587-1228 or northampton seniors.com.

SATURDAY

Big E: See Thursday listing 25th Continental Regiment: Sat.-Sun., noon-4 p.m. The Thomas Smith House, presenting facets of civilian and military life during the American Revolutionary War. 251 North West St., Feeding Hills, thethomassmithhouse.com.

Anat Cohen Quartetinho presented by the Northampton Jazz Festival: Sat., 7:30 p.m. Academy of Music Theatre, $20 - $55. 274 Main St., Northampton; 413-5849032 or aomtheatre.com.

Ekep Nkwelle Quartet presented by the Northampton Jazz Festival: Sat., 4 p.m. Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence, $20$55. 220 Main St., Northampton. Esteban Castro presented by the Northampton Jazz Festival: Sat., 11 a.m. Click Workspace, $20 - $55. 9 1/2 Market St., Northampton; clickworkspace.com.

Festival Latino of the Berkshires: Sat., noon, Saint James Place, Free. 352 Main St., Great Barrington; Garlic and Arts Festival: Sat.Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Forster's Farm, featuring more than 100 booths

blackberry. Cabernet Sauvignon (General)

Tasting notes: Floral-like aromas. Tart green apple, peach, honeydew melon and apricot.

Chardonnay (General)

History: First planted in the late 1500s in the southern part of France’s Burgundy region.

Popular regions: France (Burgundy and Champagne), California & Australia.

Common flavors: Neutral grape influenced by soil and how it’s aged, especially in oak barrels.

Suggested food pairings: Chicken, spicy foods and many types of seafood, including salmon.

2021 Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

($12.99 at Table & Vine)

Region: California

Tasting notes: Long, robust, wood-like finish. Dried plums, blackcurrants and

featuring regional artists and farmers, delicious food, and engaging workshops, $10. 60 Chestnut Hill Road, Orange.

Ize Trio presented by the Northampton Jazz Festival: Sat, 1 p.m. Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence, 220 Main St., Northampton.

Jeff Holmes Big Band presented by the Northampton Jazz Festival: Sat., 2:15 p.m. Pulaski Park Northampton, 240 Main St., Northampton.

Jesus Pagan presented by the Northampton Jazz Festival: Sat., 5 p.m. Pulaski Park Northampton, 240 Main St., Northampton; Julieta Eugenio Trio presented by the Northampton Jazz Festival: Sat., 12:30 p.m. The Parlor Room at Signature Sounds, 32 Masonic St., Northampton; 413-665-4046 or signaturesoundspresents.com.

The Lost Weekend — The Photography of May Pang: See Friday listing

Montague Community Fair: Sat, 2 p.m. Unity Park & Skatepark, celebrate Good Neighbor Day with an afternoon of free family activities and learn about local community organizations, 56 1st Street, Turners Falls.

Pioneer Valley Annual Bonsai Show: Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Capt. Charles Leonard House, The show is free to attend.

Zealand.

History: First planted in the 1770s in the Bordeaux region of France.

Popular regions: France (Bordeaux), California (Napa Valley), Chile, Italy (Tuscany) & Australia.

Common flavors: Dense, dark fruit flavors (blackberry) but can be jam-like when young.

Suggested food pairings: Steak, hamburger, lamb, barbecue and roasted meats.

2022 Banshee Pinot Noir ($19.99 at Table & Vine)

Region: Sonoma County, California

Tasting notes: Earthy, aromatic, delicate. Subtle hints of cherry, blackberry and cedar.

Pinot Noir (General)

History: First planted in the first century AD in France’s Burgundy region.

Popular regions: France (Burgundy and Champagne), California, Oregon & New

The show features beautiful bonsai trees cultivated by Pioneer Valley Bonsai Members. Meet the artists who will answer your questions and explain the bonsai process to you. A free drawing also will be held for a real bonsai tree. 663 Main St., Agawam.

Western Mass Pagan Pride Day: Sat., 10 a.m. Kirkland Plaza, people of all faiths (or none) and walks of life are invited. There is no admission fee to the event; however, you are asked to bring a cash donation to benefit the Northampton Survival Center. You can come expecting to find information about paganism in many of its forms, experience an open harvest ritual, musical entertainment, workshops (classes) and vendors. Free. Kirkland Avenue, Northampton.

SUNDAY

Big E: See Thursday listing 25th Continental Regiment: See Saturday listing Downtown Amherst Historic Stained Glass Walking Tour: Sun, 2-4 p.m. Amherst History Museum, registration required as space is limited to 20 people. Meeting location and parking information provided upon registration. In case of heavy rain or severe weather, the tour will be rescheduled. To register, visit amhersthistory.org/events, $10 for Amherst History Museum

members, $15 nonmembers. 67 Amity St., Amherst. Fall Folk Traditions at Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum: Sun, 3 p.m. Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum, Jose Gonzales and Vriollo Clasico perform in the Sunken Gardens, $12, $2 for children 16 years and under. 130 River Drive, Hadley. 413-584-4699 or pphmuseum.org.

The Firebird Project presents "Boy My Greatness": Sun, 2 p.m. Blue Room at CitySpace, For tickets, visit onthestage.tickets/show/ the-firebird-project/66c4abe 385705f0312a863ba, $20 general, $18 students. 43 Main St., Easthampton.

Garlic and Arts Festival: See Saturday listing

The Lost Weekend - The Photography of May Pang: See Friday listing

North Hall Arts Festival 2024: Sun., 2 p.m. North Hall Theatre, Opera Aria/Song and Musical showcase, Free, donations accepted. 40 Searle Road, Huntington. 413-6675543 or northhallhuntington.org.

Pioneer Valley Annual Bonsai Show: See Saturday listing Young@Heart Chorus: Sun., 3 p.m. United Congregational Church of Holyoke, tickets available on EventBrite.com, $7-$15. 300 Appleton St., Holyoke; 413-532-1483 or uccholyoke.org.

Common flavors: Subtle, understated, elegant flavors but can be jam-like when young.

Suggested food pairings: Roasted chicken, duck, salmon, hearty French foods.

2019 90 Plus Cellars Lot

92 Merlot

($9.99 at Table & Vine)

Region: Mendocino, California

Tasting notes: Smooth, subtle, delicate flavors. Blackberry, cherry, pepper and candyapple.

Merlot (General)

History: First planted in the 1780s (or even earlier) in the Bordeaux region of France.

Popular regions: France (Bordeaux’s Right Bank), California & Chile.

Common flavors: Subtle, understated, soft fruit-like flavors.

Suggested food pairings: Mushroom dishes, aged dried meats, roasted chicken and pork.

2021 Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel

($9.99 at Table & Vine)

Region: California

Tasting notes: Smooth, smokey wine. Hints of blackberry, pepper and cranberry.

Zinfandel (General)

History: Origin of grape (also called Primitivo) likely in Croatia several hundred years ago.

Popular regions: California (several locations), Italy (Puglia), Croatia & Australia. Common flavors: Intense, jammy, dark fruit flavors (blackberry).

Suggested food pairings: Barbecue, chili, steak and grilled meats.

2023 Bonterra Sauvignon Blanc

($11.99 at Table & Vine)

Region: California

Tasting notes: Crisp, refreshing, vibrant wine. Soft hints of lemon, grapefruit and sea salt.

Sauvignon Blanc (General)

History: First planted in the 1500s most likely in France’s Bordeaux region.

Popular regions: France (Loire Valley), New Zealand (Marlborough), California & Washington. Common flavors: Crisp, flinty, mineral flavors with hint of lime, especially from New Zealand.

Suggested food pairings: Oysters, lobster, soft cheese, risotto and pasta.

States

maple. Also check out I Love Boston Sports, a company that creates unique art products based on New England favorite teams.

• Rhode Island: Visitors get a sneak preview of the carved pumpkins for this year’s Roger Williams Park Zoo’s Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular. And don’t forget to stop by the Del’s Lemonade stand, which is a delicious Rhode Island original and almost impossible to find outside of the Ocean State.

• New Hampshire: There is something about the New Hampshire state motto, “Live Free or Die,” that makes a visit to this building even more appealing. It’s also a place where I can visit Harvest Thyme Herbs and bring home a dip mix or three — or some tea

scare-free for most kids with special Halloween activities and entertainment including a Trick-or-Treat trail, hay maze, pumpkin patch, crafts, and other not-so-scary experiences. New for this year’s Kids Boo Fest include kids Scary-oke, a Halloween costume showcase, and Boo’s Monster Maze, a cage-style maze.

The Six Flags website claims to show “no mercy” after 6 p.m.

The Six Flags website claims to show “no mercy” after 6 p.m. with the following admonishes: recommended for guests 13 and over, no costumes for guests over 12, no park re-entry after 6 p.m., and no full-face masks or face faint.

Also, running in conjunction with Fright Night on Saturdays and Sundays is the Six Flags Food Festival when visitors can explore German inspired cuisine, brews and desserts.

For more information, ticket prices and bundles, and hours, visit sixflags.com.

— and enjoy memories of the Big E year-round.

• Vermont: This one may be the best building of the six. There’s Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, but can’t you get that anywhere these days. In the back of the building there is a big vendor that offers all kinds of apple products. There’s cider — hot or cold and slushies; cider donuts; and they always had a apple pie. If you can get a piece, skip the ice cream on the side and get a slice of Vermont cheddar cheese with your pie instead.

• Maine: Probably tied with Vermont for the best building. The line for the baked potato is long, but it moves quickly and is delicious. That said, why limit yourself. Why not go for a lobster roll and then a whoopie pie. Those are a pair of uniquely Maine delicacies.