All about New England
Springfield Symphony Orchestra opens 2024-25 season with ‘New
England Reverie’
By K eith O ’C onnor
Special to The Republican
It’s all about New England when the Springfield Symphony Orchestra opens its 2024-25 concert season on Saturday with “New England Reverie.”
Showtime at Symphony Hall in Springfield is 7:30 p.m.
Opening night will feature the orchestra’s artistic adviser Mei-Ann Chen, at the helm
for her first concert under her new title, and pianist Anne-Marie McDermott performing with the orchestra.
“New England Reverie” will feature works by two of the “Boston Six” and America’s first great composers, Lowell-born George Whitefield Chadwick and Henniker, New Hampshire-born Amy Beach. Beach composed the first-ever piano concerto by an American woman, to be performed by McDermott at the show The performance will close with Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5.”
“I fell in love with the lovely people in the orchestra and with Paul (Paul Lambert,
“One of my absolute passions as a conductor is to not only champion all these wonderful masterworks, but that it is also important to champion hidden gems that are lesser known.”
Mei-Ann Chen, artistic adviser of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, will be at the helm for her first concert under her new title during Saturday’s season-opening “New England Reverie.” (KITO / COURTESY OF MEI-ANN CHEN)
Nightclubs
THURSDAY
The Drake: Jason Robinson-Ancestal Numbers. 44 N. Pleasant St., Amherst
Theodores’: Rockstar Karaoke. 201 Worthington St., Springfield
Uno Chicago Grill: Country Music. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield
White Lion Brewery at Tower Square: Tom Savoy. 1500 Main St., Springfield
FRIDAY
Delaney House: Ron Smith. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke
East Mountain Country Club: Jim Blanch and Boot Hill. 1458 East Mountain Road, Westfield
MGM Springfield: MGM Roar
Comeday Club: Nick Colletti. 1 MGM Way, Springfield
Shaker Farms Country Club: Back Stage Pass. 866 Shaker Road, Westfield
The Drake: Cimafunk with Gentleman Brawlers Trio. 44 N.Pleasant St., Amherst
The Meeting House: Dave Brinnel. 827 Williams St., Longmeadow
Theodores’: Petey Hop. 201 Worthington St., Springfield
Uno Chicago Grill: Roots, Blues and Rock. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield
West Springfield’s Irish House
Restaurant & Pub: Baird Souls. 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield
SATURDAY
Antimony Brewing: Tom Savoy. 55 Pittsfield Road Building 2, Lenox
Delaney House: Michael Madden. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke
MGM Springfield: MGM Roar Comeday Club: Nick Colletti. 1 MGM Way, Springfield
The Drake: Big Yellow Taxi. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst
Theodores’: Neal Vitullo and the Vipers. 201 Worthington St., Springfield
Uno Chicago Grill: Modern, Contemporary Rock. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield
West Springfield’s Irish House
Restaurant & Pub: Dee Reilly. 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield
SUNDAY
Marigold Theater: Butterfly Swing Band, Juke Joint Jazz. 84 Cottage St., Easthampton
The Drake: Trio Oko. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst
SSO
CONTINUES FROM PAGE D2
president and CEO of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra) and the staff. It is amazing to be back so soon, I expected it to be a couple years because that is how it usually works with guest conductors. Springfield is a lovely city. I spent nine years at the New England Conservatory and really wasn’t aware of places outside of Boston. It feels as if I have come full circle, because my first conductor teacher, Mr. Frank Batisti, who is legendary in the wind ensemble world, lives in the area and actually attended my rehearsal here last year,” Chen said.
Chen explained that when putting the opening concert together, one of the players’ wishes was to have a Beethoven symphony on the program.
“Beethoven’s 7th Symphony was chosen. One of my absolute passions as a conductor is to not only champion all these wonderful masterworks, but that it is also important to champion hidden gems that are lesser known. And I found two pieces with direct ties to Massachusetts,” Chen said.
“In fact, it is history making with Amy Beach’s piano concerto, the first written by an American woman. She was a soloist with the Boston Symphony as a teenager, and that wasn’t enough for her, she had to write one for herself to go back to play with them. It’s a piece done so rarely and we have a wonderful soloist, Anne-Marie McDermott who wanted to perform the piece with us. And, I thought, why not? We should be the ones to help revise a wonderful history-making work hidden away since around 1898,” she added.
The opening work by George Whitefield Chadwick, too, has a personal tie for Chen.
“He was director of the New England Conservatory where I spent nine years of my life and I knew the name. There weren’t many
Referred to as one of the most dazzling American pianists of her generation, McDermott has played concertos, recitals and chamber music in hundreds of cities throughout the United States, Europe and Asia.
Pianist Anne-Marie McDermott will perform with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra for its season-opening show, “New England Reverie.” (SUBMITTED)
recordings of his music other than the vinyl albums in the library there which I listened to,” Chen said.
Chadwick’s works include several operas, three symphonies and five string quartets, among other songs.
“Over the last several decades, I have loved being a champion of his works which were very underrated. People would say that his music sounded like Dvorak when he was in America. But the voice
of American music was still being formed and Whitefield’s music really stood out and his symphonic sketches were so well written that I wanted to share them with the Springfield audience,” she added.
Chen, a Taiwanese-American conductor, is an acclaimed, innovative leader both on and off the podium who made her debut with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra at last season’s opening night concert, “A Festive 80th Anniversary Year.”
In addition to serving as SSO’s artistic advisor where she facilitates artistic needs such as curating programs and selecting guest soloists, Chen also serves as music director of Chicago Sinfonietta, a position she has held since 2011. Chen is chief conductor of Austria’s Recreation — Grosses Orchester Graz at Styriarte, and an artistic partner with ROCO (Texas) and Northwest Sinfonietta (Washington).
Highly regarded as a compelling communicator, Chen is a sought-after guest
conductor and has appeared with over 150 distinguished orchestras throughout the Americas, Europe, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and Scandinavia. She was named one of Musical America’s 2015 Top 30 Influencers; is a recipient of a League of American Orchestras Helen M. Thompson Award; a Taki Concordia Fellowship; several ASCAP awards; and is the only woman in the history of the Malko Competition to have been named First Prize Winner.
Referred to as one of the most dazzling American pianists of her generation, McDermott has played concertos, recitals and chamber music in hundreds of cities throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. McDermott’s repertoire ranges from Bach, Haydn, and Beethoven to Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev and Scriabin, also including works by today’s most influential composers. McDermott, who studied at the Manhattan School of Music, serves as music and
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
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
Yo
La Tengo to open for local ‘rock juggernaut’
George Lenker LIVE WIRE
YO LA TENGO BEcame indie rock legends long before most members of The Friendship Band were born, but they will still serve as the opening act for the local group.
The collaboration between the groups will happen at The Bash — a 20th anniversary celebration of Northampton-based Whole Children and Milestones, a recreation center that provides enrichment and lifeskill-building
WESTFIELD
It’s all about fall at PumpkinFest
By K eith O ’C onnor Special to The Republican
While Western Massachusetts has seen the end of its major fairs for the season, October is ushering in a number of fall festivals from apple to pumpkin and all kinds of harvest celebrations.
Among the many events before winter sets in is the seventh annual PumpkinFest, organized by Westfield on Weekends, to be held on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the athletic fields
Candlelight Concerts will perform a Halloween concert under the glow of candlelight at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield this month. (FEVER)
Halloween concert to light up Basketball Hall of Fame
By Ashley P otter apotter@repub.com
Picture yourself listening to songs made famous by movies like “Beetlejuice” and “Ghostbusters” under the glow of a thousand-plus candles.
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield will offer just that when the lights are turned off for a Halloween-themed Candlelight Concert on Oct. 25.
Candlelight Concerts are a phenomenon developed
by Fever, a global live-entertainment platform, that pairs professional musicians with unique venues for a multisensory experience. Working with historic venues across more than 100 cities, Candlelight Concerts have been performed in front of more than 3 million people, from Los Angeles to Singapore, according to candlelight experience.com
In Springfield, Candlelight
behind Amelia Park off South Broad Street.
“I believe this is the best harvest fair in the area.
PumpkinFest is our largest community event in Westfield other than our fire-
SPRINGFIELD
Kadence Wozniak, of Chicopee, left, and her cousin Miranda Wozniak, of Westfield, trace a paper stencil on their pumpkin at the Westfield on Weekends PumpkinFest 2022.
(FREDERICK GORE PHOTO)
Yo La Tengo — James McNew, standing; Ira Kaplan, seated left; and Georgia Hubley — will perform at the 20th anniversary celebration of Northampton’s Whole Children and Milestones. (CHERYL DUNN PHOTO)
Concert
Concerts have brought the music of Coldplay, Queen and Taylor Swift to the Hall of Fame over the past several months. Overhead lights are turned off for each concert, so audiences can enjoy the music under the glow of candlelight.
“Candlelight concerts offer a truly special atmosphere thanks to the unique venues where they take place — ranging from modern rooftops to historical cathedrals and landmarks in each city — and the warm glow of thousands of candles enhances the intimacy of the setting,” said Alexandra Baker, senior project manager for Candlelight, in an email interview with The Republican.
“Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics” will feature plenty of Halloween favorites — including tracks from “The Addams Family” and “Stranger Things,” as well as classics like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”
It’s a classical music concert for all audiences, Baker said.
“Candlelight Concerts allow us to reach audiences that may have never considered attending a classical
music concert before,” she said. “By incorporating songs from Halloween movies and series, we’re creating a more accessible entry point to the world of classical music.”
And when it comes to Halloween, everyone has a favorite song, Baker said, but the songs on the lineup for the Candlelight Concert will appeal to many.
“Many of these pieces are connected to iconic films, linking the music to beloved characters and moments,” Baker said.
“Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics” will be performed at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame at 1000 Hall of Fame Ave. on Oct. 25 at 6 and 8:30 p.m. The show is 60 minutes long, and doors open 45 minutes prior to each start time. Tickets start at $37 and can be purchased on Fever’s website.
“The Candlelight Concert is a great way to celebrate Halloween in a unique setting,” Baker said, adding that the show is appropriate for everyone 8 and older.
Guests 16 and younger must be accompanied by an adult, according to Fever’s website.
Candlelight also will bring a holiday-themed concert to Springfield in December.
DATE: Sunday, October 20
TIME: 10:00am – 2:00pm
LOCATION: Dream Destinations Travel Show MGM Resort • 1 MGM Way • Springfield MA
Visit travel.state.gov/applyinperson for more information.
Bring with you:
• Completed, printed application (DS-11)
• Citizenship evidence and a photocopy (original U.S. birth certificate or Naturalization Certificate)
• Passport photo (2x2, taken in the last 6 months)
• Valid photo ID and photocopy of front & back (Drivers License, State or Military ID card, etc.)
• Payment (check or money order only)
Visit travel.state.gov/passport/children for more information.
Bring with you:
• Completed, printed application (DS-11)
• Citizenship evidence and a photocopy (original birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, previous passport)
• Both parents valid photo IDs and a photocopy of front & back (Drivers License, State or Military ID card, etc.)
• Passport photo (2x2, taken in the last 6 months)
• Payment (check or money order only)
• Parents and child must be present when application accepted
For Twisted Pine, new album is expression of group’s growth over the past decade
By K eith O ’C onnor Special to The Republican
On the heels of the release of its third album, “Love Your Mind,” Twisted Pine will bring new songs as well as fan favorites to a concert tomorrow at Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton.
Released on Signature Sounds, the new album is the band’s first in four years after the release of “Right Now,” which No Depression praised for its “sheer pop glory, funky all-day grooves, and spacecraft sonics.”
What started as a semi-traditional bluegrass band in the trenches of the storied folk, bluegrass, and Americana scene in Boston a decade ago has bloomed into an ensemble of players who shapeshift across genres. They are Kathleen Parks, originally from Newburgh, New York, on fiddle and bass; Dan Bui,
originally from Houston, Texas, on mandolin and vocals; Chris Sartori, originally from Concord, upright bass; and Anh Phung, originally from Chilliwack, British Columbia, on flute and vocals.
Sartori noted he is very happy about returning to the Iron Horse.
“I went to school at UMass
in Amherst where I graduated from the music program. I had a funk band called Bootystank and we played at the Iron Horse many nights. I’m super excited that it has been purchased and revamped because it is such a great venue,” he said.
Following graduation in 2013, Sartori moved to Boston
where his dad was living and found a really flourishing Americana and bluegrass community which he attributed to the presence of Berkley School of Music and the New England Conservatory.
“Twisted Pine had a residency at a lounge in Cambridge and I joined the band in 2015.
“At about that time we started playing bigger fests and gathering a name for ourselves around Boston. We started touring around playing festivals and other dates around the country and got our first record off the ground. But it feels like our current iteration of the band, after Anh joined in 2019, is when we started to find our voice as a collective of songwriters, as a groove unit,” Sartori said,
adding that if you hear Twisted Pine at a show today it is closer to the sound that came to fruition in 2019.
“We have always been a genre bending group, but if you trace us back to our original roots, they were certainly bluegrass So, when I joined in 2015, we were closer to a bluegrass ensemble, but it had drifted by the time we released our first record. If you listen to that first record it is certainly not bluegrass, but you can hear the origins and the roots there. And we have continued since then to expand outward and stay in touch with what we are doing. There are a couple of Americana tracks on the new album, but also we are pushing the boundaries and
Boston-based band Twisted Pine will play the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton on Friday. (JO CHATTMAN PHOTO)
experimenting. You can hear a lot of funk on the new record along with a lot of jamming and improvisation,” he added.
The title of the new album, “Love Your Mind,” represents the quartet landing on a more expansive sound than ever, after years of touring, serious introspection, bouts of self-doubt, glorious bursts of creativity, and many af-
“On this record, a lot of the tracks are co-writes ... literally just sharing ideas in a room together and working them out over a period of months.”
Chris Sartori, Twisted Pine
ter-hour festival jam sessions. Co-produced by the band and longtime-collaborator
Dan Cardinal at his studio, Dimension Sound in Boston, the record is loaded with experimental production, fearless songwriting featuring
input from each member, and finely-crafted collaborative arrangements.
Sartori noted there are a number of “great new grooves” on “Love Your Mind,” and all tracks are originals except for one.
“This new album is especially collaborative in nature, so the writing process is highly variable. Kathleen is definitely our primary songwriter, a very prolific songwriter. So, a lot of times she will bring a song to the group and we will work
out the bridge together or write some of it. But ultimately, we are just arranging it as a group. On this record, a lot of the tracks are co-writes ... literally just sharing ideas in a room together and working them out over a period of months,” Sartori said. Doors open at 18 Center St. at 6 p.m., followed by the show at 7 p.m. Tickets, priced at $30 for reserved mezzanine seating and $20 general admission, are available at ironhorse.org.
works. In fact, it has grown so much that it was moved from downtown to a larger field at Amelia Park. You can’t find better entertainment for young and old than our annual PumpkinFest,” said Bob Plasse, co-chair of PumpkinFest.
“We invite everyone, especially the children, to come decked out in their best Halloween finery,” he added. It wouldn’t be a pumpkin fest, of course, without pumpkins, lots of them.
“We will have nearly 1,500 pumpkins from Calabrese Farm at our Pumpkin Carving Tent that have already been gutted, to save you from the tedious task, that are free for carving or decorating and to take home with you,” Plasse said, adding that volunteers from the Greater Westfield Boys & Girls Club will be on hand in the tent to help.
Delivered overnight, the pumpkins will be protected until the next morning for the fest by Scouting America Troops 124 and 821 and Club Scout Pack 820.
In addition, the able scouts of Scouting America have created an engaging campsite where they will be offering free s’more making sessions around a campfire. They will also have a Haunted Campsite with candy treats, a fishing game, inflatable archery games and a bake sale.
After decorating their pumpkins, children can then deliver them to the fest’s
Pumpkin Patch for safekeeping while they enjoy other PumpkinFest activities. At the center of the Pumpkin Patch will be — what else? — a giant pumpkin sculpture, created by Westfield ironwork sculptors Sebastian and Connor Glebocki.
Throughout PumpkinFest, Cassie Remillard of Rhode Island’s Cass Creative Pumpkin Carving will fashion two fanciful 3D characters from a 50-pound pumpkin and a smaller one that will be raffled off as part of the PumpkinFest raffle. She is a renowned carver whose designs have been seen on the Food Network’s “Outrageous Pumpkins” and at Jack-O-Lantern Festivals in Boston, Governor’s Island in New York City, and at the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence and at Southwick’s Zoo in Mendon.
“We have so much great talent in Westfield and we will
ination of Ann Cubberly, and also costume characters from the “Land of Oz” greeting everyone and posing for photos at the Pumpkin Fest photo booth.
What is Halloween without some sweet treats?
“All-Stars Dance Center will hold a Trunk or Treat and give away thousands of candies and more while supplies last,” Plasse said about the costumed characters, who will distribute the goodies from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. from the trunks of 20 cars.
Kids who like big trucks, flying machines, and service vehicles will want to make their way to Westfield’s G&E’s Big Rig Rally offering youngsters — and big people too — the opportunity to touch the vehicles and meet the men and women who drive them. This year’s Big Rig Rally will feature big rigs from the Westfield Fire and Police Departments,
“We will have nearly 1,500 pumpkins from Calabrese Farm at our Pumpkin Carving Tent that have already been gutted, to save you from the tedious task, that are free for carving or decorating and to take home with you.”
BOB PLASSE, CO-CHAIR OF PUMPKINFEST
be showcasing some of them on our PumpkinFest Main Stage,” Plasse said.
Among the talented performers will be Westfield’s own “superstar,” Madison Curbelo, who recently finished in the Top 9 of Season 20 on NBC’s “The Voice.” Along with her band, Curbelo will headline the stage with two performances beginning at 11 a.m. She will also host
her own costume contest from the stage, awarding a prize for her favorite costume and audience member.
Other main stage performers include the Westfield High School Pep Band, under the direction of Patrick Kennedy; as well as The Attik, a home-grown R&B/rock/pop band with Matthew Bussell on vocals, guitar, keyboards, Camden Bouley on drums,
Ethan Sirard on bass and sax, and David Beattie on rhythm guitar and bass. Dancers from All-Stars Dance Center will also bring their fancy steps to the stage.
“The entertainment isn’t just on the PumpkinFest stage, we are going to have performers strolling throughout the festival,” Plasse said.
There will be 10-foot -tall giant puppets from the imag-
Westfield G&E, Westfield Aviation Museum, 104th Fighting Wing at Barnes Airport, and Massachusetts State Police.
More fun will be provided by some 20 area organizations and businesses — from bankESB and M&T Bank to Interskate 91 and Wagner Rug — who will offer face painting, craft activities and more. Service organizations also will be
CONTINUES FROM PAGE D4
Rory Chisholm-Godshalk, 5, of Westfield, paints her pumpkin at PumpkinFest 2019 in Westfield. (FREDERICK GORE PHOTO)
Leadfoot Brewing brings past into the future
IF YOU ARE FAMILIAR with the history of local brewing, you probably know that long before the craft brewing world existed, my hometown of Chicopee had a brewery.
Hampden Beer was a wellknown business sitting on the edge of the Willimansett section of town on North Chicopee Street, just across the bridge to Holyoke. It produced the popular Hampden Ale and later was home to Piels beer. The brewery closed in 1975. As luck would have it, Chicopee now is home to a craft brewery and taproom in the same spot: Leadfoot Brewing. We talked to owner/brewer Patrick Randall about his journey into the beer universe.
Q. What first got you interested in brewing and how did you end up doing it professionally?
A. I started as a homebrewer and at the time, was working for an engineering firm, The Dennis Group in Springfield. I was contemplating the next step in my career and looking for something to do after I left the engineering field. I considered brewing as a possibility. I built a small pilot brewing system in my garage and started brewing more seriously. After about a year, I decided I would jump into commercial
Halloween’s not just for kids. Restaurants are getting in the spirit, too.
SOME OF US ARE OLD enough to remember when Halloween was primarily an occasion for kids. No self-respecting teenager would be caught in a going around in costume on Halloween night and adults mostly stayed home on Oct. 31 to answer the doorbell and hand out candy.
brewing; this was in 2015.
Q. When did Leadfoot open and how did you end up in Chicopee?
A. I incorporated Leadfoot Brewing in December 2016. After that, the search for a location began. In order to apply for a federal brewer’s permit, which is the first step in licensing, you need to have a location secured. This began in 2016, and after a 10 month search, we found the location we are in now at. Our first lease started in August 2017.
Q. What is your general philosophy when it comes to brewing?
A. With the saturation of IPAs in the market, we decided to focus on traditional beer styles. There was a common misconception in the general public that craft beer only
But over the past 50 years our capitalist economy has seized on the opportunity to remake Halloween into a cash-cow holiday celebration, complete with pop-up costume emporiums, Halloween greeting cards and elaborate lawn decorations.
The restaurant industry has not let itself be left out in the cold when it comes to profiting from Halloween. The second half of October has now become a season of Halloween-themed foods, special menus, and celebratory events, all of which emphasize the chilling and the creepy.
For a major chain like Dunkin’, October is now the “Spooky Season,” with a whole assortment of “hauntingly delicious” treats added to their menu. The brand has, for instance, introduced a Potion Macchiato, an drink that layers espresso and milk with a vibrant purple marshmallow cream.
The chain has reintroduced its Spider Specialty Donut, a purple-iced donut decorated to resemble a giant spider.
Dunkin’ has also released of a line of merch that includes costume accessories and a giant inflatable spider donut for that all-important yard display.
Burger King has gone “Addams Family” for its Halloween menu this year, offering a “Wednesday’s Whopper” served on a purple bun that’s
garnished with black sesame seeds.
“Gomez’s Churro Fries” are also part of the special menu; they come with a chocolate dipping sauce.
Local restaurants are getting in on the action as well. Champney’s Restaurant & Tavern at the Deerfield Inn is holding a Witches’ Ball for the kids on Sunday, Oct. 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event includes a spooky-themed buffet of under-12 favorites; kid’s music and a sing-along will serve as entertainment. Reservations can be made by calling 413-774-5587.
The Uno Pizzeria & Grill on Boston Road in Springfield is offering Pumpkin Decorating event for kids on Tuesday, Oct. 22 and Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 4 to 8 p.m. Kids eat free from the kids’ menu with the purchase of an adult entree.
On Oct. 29, that same Uno location is holding a Halloween Dinner and Dance Costume Party starting at 4 p.m. Reservations for both events can be made by calling 413-543-6600.
In developing its “Sundae of the Month” offering, Friendly Restaurants has decided to “go ghoulish,” creating “Fang the Vampire.” He’s made from a scoop of back raspberry ice cream decorated with a drizzle of hot fudge, peanut butter cup “ears,” and candy corn “fangs.”
Side Dishes
• On Saturday, Oct. 19, from noon to 8 p.m., the Franklin Country Fairgrounds in Greenfield will be the site of a Fall Food Festival. In addition to offering an assortment of seasonal food treats, the festival will feature “haunted” buildings and live music.
There also will be a “Roundhouse Rally” classic car show, with a 3:30 p.m. trophy ceremony. Admission to the festival is free, but there is a $5 per vehicle parking charge. For more details, call 413774-4282 or visit the fairgrounds’ website.
• Vying for its share of the promotional spotlight this
Patrick Randall of Leadfoot Brewing in Chicopee. (GEORGE LENKER)
George Lenker Beer Nut
The Burger King “Addams Family”-themed meal includes Morticia’s Kooky Chocolate Shake, Wednesday’s Whopper and Gomez’s Churro Fries.
Hugh Robert Off The Menu
Overview of wines from Chile and Argentina
CHILE AND ARGENtina share a soaring mountain range.
On the west side of the Andes Mountains, Chile extends more than 2,500 miles along the Pacific Ocean down the southern tip of South America.
On the east side, Argentina covers a huge part of the continent and has a long, winding coastline along the Atlantic Ocean.
The two countries also share something else — a long, fascinating history of making great wines.
Many people know about Argentina’s world-famous, mouthwatering Malbec wines.
As for Chile, it’s best known for its earthy yet elegant Cabernet Sauvignons.
But that’s just the start. There are so many other fantastic red and white wines from both countries.
Recently, I taught a onenight, non-credit wine-tasting class at Holyoke Community College featuring wines from Chile and Argentina. I will be teaching two more wine-tasting classes this fall at HCC. The next one is Nov. 12 and focuses on wines from Spain.
This week, you can learn about the history of winemaking in Chile and Argentina, plus find tasting notes from the class and which wines people liked the most.
Best of all, every wine featured this week costs less than $20 a bottle, including many
wines for under $10 a bottle. Hope you enjoy.
ARGENTINA BY THE NUMBERS
• Fifth largest producer of wine in the world;
• Roughly 538,000 acres of vineyards in the country;
• Nearly 383 million gallons of wine produced each year;
• 87 percent of wines are red wines;
• Roughly 1,250 wineries in Argentina.
MOST POPULAR GRAPES
• Malbec (red wine grape) – 30 percent of Argentinian wines;
• Cabernet Sauvignon (red) – 12 percent;
• Chardonnay (white) – 10 percent;
• Red blend – 9 percent;
• Pinot Noir (red) – 8 percent.
BRIEF TIMELINE HISTORY
• 1556 – Vine cuttings brought from Chile to the Mendoza and San Juan wine regions;
• 1850s – Many European winemakers move to Argentina to escape phylloxera epidemic;
• 1885 – Railroad from Mendoza to Buenos Aires built, making transportation of wine easier;
• 1920s – Wine business expands greatly in Argentina;
• 1930s – Great Depression negatively impacts wine industry in Argentina;
• 1990s – Wine industry takes off again, thanks to focus on quality of wines.
CHILE BY THE NUMBERS
• Fourth largest exporter of wine to the U.S.;
• Roughly 340,000 acres of vineyards in the country;
• Nearly 341 million gallons of wine produced in Chile each year;
• Roughly 1,200 wineries in Chile;
• Majority of wines come from three producers – Concha Y Toro, Santa Rita and San Pedro.
MOST POPULAR GRAPES
Cabernet Sauvignon (red wine grape) – 100,000 acres;
• Chardonnay (white) –32,000 acres;
• Sauvignon Blanc (white) –30,000 acres;
• Merlot (red) – 24,000 acres;
• Carmenere (red) – 21,000 acres
BRIEF TIMELINE HISTORY
• 1554 – First wine vines planted by Spanish missionaries. Wines used for church services;
• 1641 – Importation of wine from Chile to Spain banned. Resulted in surplus and widespread pisco production.;Mid 1800s – Wealthy Chilean landowners begin importing French grape varieties.;1980s –Quality of wines improves dra-
Ken Ross Wine Press
matically, becomes the third largest wine exporter to US.
CHILEAN WINE NOTES
2023 Los Vascos Sauvignon Blanc ($8.99 at Table & Vine in West Springfield) (Tie, Favorite Wine Of Class)
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc Region: Colchagua Valley
Tasting notes: Citrus, fruitlike flavors, including light hints of lemon and grapefruit.
2022 Concha Y Toro Frontera Merlot ($8.99 for 1.5 Liters at Table & Vine) (Tie, Second Favorite Wine)
Grape: Merlot
Region: Central Valley
Tasting notes: Light, fruit-forward wine with cherry notes. Great backyard fire wine.
2021 Root 1 Estate Bottled Cabernet Sauvignon ($10.99 at Table & Vine)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon Region: Maipo Valley
Tasting notes: Earthy, light, fruit-forward wine with peppery hints of cherry and cloves.
2021 Terra Noble Azara Gran Reserva Carmenere
($17.99 at Table & Vine) (Tie, Favorite Wine Of Class)
Grape: Carmenere
Region: Maule Valley
Tasting notes: Dark, bold, tannic wine with hints of blackberry on the front of the tongue.
ARGENTINEAN WINE NOTES
2022 Catena Chardonnay High Mountain Vines ($15.99 at Table & Vine)
Grape: Chardonnay Region: Mendoza
Tasting notes: Buttery, citrus-like wine with hints of bright lemon.
2023 Callia Bella Syrah Malbec ($7.99 at Table & Vine)
Grape: Syrah, Malbec Region: Tulum Valley
Tasting notes: Sweeter, fruitier wine with hints of strawberry and jam.
2022 Zuccardi Serie A Malbec ($14.99 at Table & Vine) (Tie, Second Favorite Wine)
Grape: Malbec
Region: Uco Valley, Mendoza
Tasting notes: Meaty, tannic wine with pepper-like hints of wood.
2021 Domaine Bousquet Gran Cabernet Sauvignon ($19.99 at Table & Vine)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Uco Valley, Mendoza
Tasting notes: Light, smooth, fruity wine with long finish and hints of blackberry, cherry and cinnamon. Cheers!
meant hoppy, high-alcohol beer styles. There are so many beer styles that we could build upon, so we decided to focus on traditional lagers and ales. That is not to say we don’t make IPAs; we do, but it isn’t our primary focus. Some of the most popular beers in the world are lagers and light ales. We currently have 15-20 beer styles that we produce.
Q. What’s the biggest challenge you face as a small brewer?
A. Since our business plan depends heavily on distribution to off-premise (liquor stores) and on-premise (bars/ restaurants) customers, our biggest challenge is to expand our sales in a very competitive market. Secondarily, ingredient, utility, and other operating costs have all risen significantly recently and
managing our cost of goods is a big challenge.
Q. What’s your personal favorite beer that you brew and why?
A. I am a big fan of lagers. While they take three to four times longer than ales to produce, I feel the flavor profile is more three-dimensional than a traditional ale. Right now, I’m a big fan of our Oktoberfest.
Q. What has been the big-
gest surprise either in your business or in the industry in general for you?
A. We didn’t really know how well the tap room business would develop and grow when we first opened. I feel the loyalty of our regulars as well as the interest people have in small craft brewers in general is still much more than I expected.
Q. What’s your favorite thing about being a brewer?
A. Brew days are still my favorite part of the job. There are a lot of technical parameters that go into brewing from recipe development, to ingredient selection, brewing and fermentation quality control and packaging operations that appeal to the engineer in me. Meeting new people, customers as well as other industry professionals is also very enjoyable.
Leadfoot is located at 95 N. Chicopee St. in Chicopee.
Live Wire
programs for children, teens and adults of all abilities. The celebration, which will be held at 33 Hawley St. in Northampton on Oct. 23, kicks off at 6:30 p.m., and includes a silent auction and a raffle, along with plenty of merchandise for sale. There also will be a slide show showcasing 20 years’ worth of imagery about the program.
The Friendship Band is a musical combination made up of teachers and students/participants at Whole Children and Milestones.
“Our mission is focused on inclusivity, and disability awareness through visibility — going into the community, working jobs in the community, and living rich and full lives. We aim to provide folks who are presented with traditionally limited choices, more choice, and more agency over their own lives,” said Eddy Hougen, a teacher who plays bass and helps with vocal arrangements for the band. Hougen answered a few questions about the band and the upcoming gig.
Q. Who’s in The Friendship Band and how many are involved in it?
A. I like to describe The Friendship Band as a “13-piece rock juggernaut.” The lineup rotates some, but
always includes three players/ teachers, Brian Melanson, Chris Harper, and myself, and up to 12 participants/students.
At least two guitarists, two drummers, keys, synths, and about six vocalists. We have a heavy focus on rhythms and percussion, so every band member plays shakers, hand drums, and tambourines on stage in addition to their main instrument, and our live show traditionally includes a drum jam and lots of booty-shaking.
Q. Who is the music director or arranger?
A. The three teachers sort of split responsibility for arranging song parts and guiding the players in the band. Chris is a fantastic, solid drummer, and facilitates the drum parts. Brian plays and creates guitar parts, and is often instructing and conducting the other guitarists on stage. I play bass, and sing, and I was brought on to be a vocal coach of sorts.
Q. How are the songs chosen?
A. We write our own songs mostly; we have seven or eight originals, and we add in covers depending on the venue, or who we are playing with. We have a number of Christmas songs on stand-by, from playing holiday parties past.
We recently learned three Joan Jett and The Blackhearts songs to play “Performance 34″ at The Pines Theater, and we’ve
kept “Crimson and Clover” and “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” in our repertoire. And we’ve been scrambling to learn some Yo La Tengo tunes to perform with them on Oct. 23.
Q. What’s the best thing about the band in your opinion?
A. There are probably too many good things to list, but one of the very best things is the sense of ownership over the music, and the small and large successes that we all experience when we’re really
connecting, listening, and rocking on stage. Music is a universal language, and some of our bandmates who have limited language, or capacity for speech, are very clear in what they communicate through their performances, and what they bring to the stage, and weave into the overall sound. We aim to communicate energetically, and with good vibes.
We are all about visibility and inclusion, so I would say another “best thing” is watching audience members who have intellectual or developmental
“Music is a universal language, and some of our bandmates who have limited language, or capacity for speech, are very clear in what they communicate through their performances, and what they bring to the stage, and weave into the overall sound. We aim to communicate energetically, and with good vibes.”
Eddy Hougen
disabilities watching us. I often sense in moments that people in the crowd are imagining things they want to do and be, that may have felt beyond their scope or means, that some of those fears, or what felt like impossibilities, sort of melt away.
Q. How did Yo La Tengo get involved?
A. My favorite answer, and the simplest answer, is “we asked, and they said ‘yes!’”
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on hand to provide information about area resources for families, including Westfield Homeless Cat Project and White Oak School, as well as Veterans of Foreign War and Massachusetts Mentor Foster Care.
Still more fun, children’s games and activities will be provided by the Greater Westfield YMCA, Greater Westfield Boys & Girls Club, Home Depot, and other area businesses and organizations, while many of the vendor and
community booths will be presenting trinkets, treats and PumpkinFest surprises for youngsters.
The Pumpkin Fest also provides shoppers with a Vendor Marketplace filled with artisans, crafters and vendors along with their crafty creations or services. A list of participating vendors can be found at WOW’s website.
Hungry festivalgoers can choose some good eats from harvest food vendors, including the North Elm Butcher Block, Crave Café, Northside Creamery, Vlad’s Pizza and Angelo’s Fried Dough. For some indoor fun, Ame-
lia Park Ice Arena for the second year will host a Haunted Rink with a free Haunted House from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and a Costumed Skate from 3-5 p.m. There will be a $10 admission fee per skater with skate rentals priced at $4. Prizes will be awarded at 4 p.m. to those with the best costumes.
To help support future community events, WOW will be hosting a PumpkinFest raffle from 11 am. to 2 p.m. Prizes include gift baskets, lottery tickets, bicycles from Walmart and two professionally carved pumpkin people, created during the festival
by artist Cassie Remillard.
Ticket prices are 3 for $5, 10 for $10, 25 for $20, and 75 for $50.
In conjunction with PumpkinFest, WOW will also present its fourth drive-by Tour of Haunted Houses from Oct. 15-31. Residences will be shown and listed on an interactive map at west fieldonweekends.com and on WOW’s Facebook page. WOW’s PumpkinFest is presented this year by its premier sponsor bankESB as well as more than 20 additional sponsors.
Funding has also been provided with grants from the
Westfield Cultural Council, a program of the Massachusetts Cultural Council and Shurtleff Children’s Services, Inc.
“We couldn’t do it without our many sponsors, community partners, volunteers and others who provide their financial assistance, talents, time and in-kind assistance to help make WOW’s Pumpkin Fest a success for everyone,” Plasse said. For information and to receive notice of program changes and cancellations, visit westfieldonweekends. com or search “Westfield on Weekends” on Facebook.
A poster promoting The Bash, the 20th anniversary celebration of Northampton-based Whole Children and Milestones. (SUBMITTED)
artistic director of the Bravo!
Vail music festival in Colorado, and as the artistic director of the Ocean Reef Chamber Music Festival in Florida. She continues to perform with many leading orchestras, among them the New York Philharmonic, Hong Kong Philharmonic and National Symphony Orchestra, and has also toured with the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Moscow Virtuosi.
Ticketholders who arrive early can participate in a “Classical Conversation” with Chen and McDermott at 6:30 p.m.
Following the concert, there will be a “Meet & Greet” held in the Mahogany Room.
“This is going to be an outstanding concert as we welcome Mei-Ann back to the podium after conducting our opening concert last year. She is a dynamic, exciting
conductor to watch. As our new artistic director, she helped to put this season together to help attract new and returning audiences in a challenging time for the industry. Mei-Ann is a wonderful asset and brings a world of experience and passion to the table here at the Springfield Symphony,” said Lambert of the season opener.
Throughout the season’s nine performances, concertgoers will hear American and Latin American compositions, African American popular music, Asian folk, German and French-inspired symphonies, early 20th century jazz and music from “West Side Story.”
Season subscriptions and individual concert tickets are available on the orchestra’s website, SpringfieldSymphony.org, or by calling the box office at 413-733-2291. Individual tickets start at $25, and subscriptions that include the season’s six classical concerts start at $127.50.
month, Wendy’s Co. is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Nickelodeon’s “SpongeBob Squarepants” cartoon character with two limited-time-only menu introductions.
The Krabby Patty Kollab Burger, the name of which references the fictional underseas restaurant at which SpongeBob works, is a fully dressed beef patty burger finished with a proprietary “Krabby Kollab” sauce.
Also making a cameo appearance on the Wendy’s menu is a Pineapple Under the Sea Frosty, made with vanilla frozen dairy dessert swirled with a pineapple and mango-flavored puree. Both items will be available at participating Wendy’s locations for as long as supplies last.
• On Friday, Oct. 18 from 2 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., the Greek Orthodox Church of
St. Luke in East Longmeadow is holding a “Taste of Greece.” The festival will feature an assortment of Greek foods and pastries to eat in or take out. Call 413-525-4551 for more information.
• On Monday, Oct. 28 starting at 5:30 p.m., Bnapoli Italian in West Springfield, in collaboration with the Martignetti Companies, importers of fine wines, will be hosting an Italian wine dinner showcasing wines from the Campania region of Italy.
Tickets for the evening are $100 plus a convenience fee and can be purchased at Eventbrite.com. Gratuity is not included in the ticket price.
For more details, call Bnapoli at 413-240-2106.
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.
