Springfield Symphony Orchestra, special guests to honor jazz greats, D2
‘Gershwin, Berlin & Friends’
Springfield Symphony Orchestra, special guests honor jazz greats
By K eith O ’C onnor Special to The
Republican
Regarded by some as the “most important and influential American popular songs and jazz standards from the early 20th century,” the Great American Songbook will be the focus of Saturday’s Springfield Symphony Orchestra concert.
Byron Stripling will be guest conductor for “Gershwin, Berlin & Friends” which begins at 7:30 p.m. at Springfield Symphony Hall. He will be accompanied by guest vocalist Sydney McSweeney, Bobby Floyd on piano and Jim Rupp on drums.
The toe-tapping, finger-snapping program shines the spotlight on the music of great early 20th century composers, including George Gershwin’s “Fascinating Rhythm,” Irving Berlin’s “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” and Isham Jones’ “It Had To Be You.”
“Byron Stripling, who was guest conductor with us several years ago, is a remarkable talent and audiences have been wanting us to bring him back. We are lucky
that he was available to come back to lead ‘Gershwin, Berlin & Friends.’ We have put together a remarkable celebration of some of the wonderful upbeat songs and their composers from the Great American Songbook. And I think people are going to want to get out of the house and rid themselves of the winter doldrums while having a great time at the concert,” said Paul Lambert, president and CEO of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.
Stripling explained that the Great American Songbook represents some of the greatest music ever written.
“Contributions from Cole Porter to immigrants like Irving Berlin and George Gershwin gave a new SEE ORCHESTRA, PAGE D3
At top, performer and conductor Byron Stripling will lead the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in “Gershwin, Berlin & Friends” on Saturday, Feb. 1.
Above, guest vocalist Sydney McSweeney will join him.
“This concert is designed pick you up, turn you around and open your heart to the power of music.”
BYRON STRIPLING
musical voice to America. While some immigrants came to America willingly, others were forced onto ships, destined to become slaves. However, rather than becoming consumed with the burden of bitterness… they sang. For indeed, the American Songbook includes inspirations from the spirituals and early gospel songs composed and sung by these oppressed ‘new’ Americans. This is the power of music and no one can deny the continuing influence of their influence on the Great American Songbook. We will demonstrate that during our coming concert in Springfield,” he said.
In 2024, Stripling — who has led countless orchestras throughout the United States and Canada — was named principal pops conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. He also currently serves as artistic director and conductor of the highly acclaimed Columbus Jazz Orchestra.
favorite movies.
It was Stripling who recommended McSweeney as guest vocalist for the concert.
“Sydney McSweeney is a fabulous young singer imbued with a powerful, heartfelt voice that will set your soul on fire. She is filled to the brim with passion and love and continues to ignite audiences around the country,” Stripling said.
recording sessions and performances, as a devoted teacher, she still carves out time to nurture the talents of her many students.
Saturday’s concert is for everyone, added Stripling.
into a voracious listener and made me want to live my life spreading the joy of music,” Stripling said.
Stripling attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, and the Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, Michigan. He earned his stripes as lead trumpeter and soloist with the
“Byron Stripling, who was guest conductor with us several years ago, is a remarkable talent and audiences have been wanting us to bring him back.”
“Jazz is but one of my magnificent obsessions. For me it started with hearing my father perform and listen to great classical music. After work he would put on Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and so many others. Then after a few sips of an after-dinner cocktail, he’d throw on The Temptations, The Supremes and a myriad of Motown records. Hearing all that great music turned me
Count Basie Orchestra, under the direction of Thad Jones and Frank Foster. An accomplished actor and singer, Stripling was chosen following a worldwide search to star in the lead role of the Broadway-bound musical, “Satchmo.” He also had a cameo role in the television movie “The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.” His trumpet and voice can also be heard on television commercials, television
theme songs including 20/20, CNN, and the soundtracks of
McSweeney’s distinctive jazz, gospel, and pop vocal stylings have made her one of the country’s hottest young vocalists. Her dynamic performances with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra have been described as “stunningly beautiful” and her standing room-only nightclub performances have become a favorite of audiences across the country. Although her schedule is jam packed with
“So, if you’re new to the concert hall, and afraid that 50 musicians on stage is too much for you — then this is the concert for you. Why? Because this is ‘pat yo foot’ music, guaranteed to help you ‘forget your troubles and get happy.’ This concert is designed pick you up, turn you around and open your heart to the power of music. That’s why my promise to you is that you won’t leave like you came,” he said.
Tickets are on sale, starting at $35, at springfield symphony.org or by calling the orchestra’s box office at 413-733-2291.
Paul Lambert, president and CEO, Springfield Symphony Orchestra
Springfield Symphony Orchestra president and CEO Paul Lambert speaks with guests during social hour prior to the first show of the season at Springfield Symphony Hall on Oct. 19, 2024. (LEON NGUYEN PHOTO)
Lonesome Brothers set to celebrate 40 years
IT’S A PRETTY SAFE
bet that most local music fans know about Ray Mason. After all, he’s been plying his trade both as a solo act and with the Ray Mason Band for more than four decades.
But what’s just as impressive is that Mason is also celebrating 40 years with another band, Lonesome Brothers, who will play an anniversary show at Northampton’s Iron Horse Music Hall on Feb. 23 at 7 p.m.
“After all these years playing solo, Lonesome Brothers, my band — they all exist in a seamless sort of way. Sometimes hard to explain, but always easy and natural to do,” Mason said in a recent interview.
When asked if he was surprised that Lonesome Brothers have lasted this long, Mason took a pragmatic view.
“Forty years have seemed to go by quick. I don’t think we ever really thought in terms of longevity; we’ve always just written our songs and then went out and played them,”
Barre Hotel in Barre. Mason says he’s pretty sure the band name came from “liking the Everly Brothers and Hank Williams Sr.”
The band soon became a trio, adding drummer Bob Grant. At some point over the years, Tom Shea took over on drums, followed by current drummer Keith Leverault. Those minimal lineup changes have given the band
“Forty years have seemed to go by quick. I don’t think we ever really thought in terms of longevity; we’ve always just written our songs and then went out and played them.”
Ray Mason
he said. “Don’t think we ever approached this with an actual time frame of how long we would stay together. Things happened, and here we are 40 years later with no plans of stopping anytime soon.”
Mason and guitarist Jim Armenti started the band as a duo in 1985, playing some Tuesday evenings at the
CALENDAR
THURSDAY
Kathy Griffin — My Life on the PTSD List: Thu., 8 p.m. Academy of Music Theater. Tickets are $45$85. 274 Main St., Northampton. 413-584-9032 or aomtheatre. com.
Lighting the Way to Joshua's House: Thu., 5:30-9 p.m. White Lion Brewery at Tower Square, Fund The Finish Event for an Emergency Housing Program for Young Adults. The funds raised will directly support closing the funding gap so the construction of Joshua’s House can be completed. To donate or to purchase tickets, visit https://givebutter.com/c/ JH-NNCC, $50. 1500 Main St., Springfield. 413-733-2171 or visittowersquare.com.
Montague Shakespeare Festival 2025 Workshops: Thu.-Sun., online, "The Digital Bard: Live Online Workshops," through Feb. 28, 1-2 p.m. A nine-part Zoom workshop series offering insights into Shakespeare's works. Learn from acclaimed actors and directors from Shakespeare's Globe and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Cost is $25 per workshop. Register at montagueshakespearefestival. com
FRIDAY
LAVA's 5th Birthday Party: Fri.Sun., LAVA Center, throughout the weekend, 324 Main St., Greenfield.
Montague Shakespeare Festival 2025 Workshops: See Thursday listing
SATURDAY
CitySpace Bluegrass — Pickers, Singers, & Strummers: Sat., 4 p.m. Blue Room at CitySpace, free. 43 Main St., Easthampton.
A Day of Mindfulness Practice: Sat., 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Jones Library. The day will consist of teaching and practicing various techniques towards a goal of being a more mindful, calm, grounded, and happy person. Registration is required for this workshop. Visit the library or call the reference desk at 413-259-3096 or send an email to programs@joneslibrary.org to register. 43 Amity St., Amherst. 413-2563090 or joneslibrary.org
Great Barrington Kennel Club Dog Show: Sat.-Sun., 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Eastern States Exposition, Better Living Center, free. 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield, 413-737-2443 or thebige.com.
“In the Dark Times There Will Be Singing”: Sat., 7 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. A.P.E. Gallery, suggested donation $20 at the doo, cash, check and Venmo only — proceeds shared with the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union). No one will be turned away, but seating is limited. Doors open half hour before each presentation. 126 Main St., Northampton. 413-5865553 or apearts.org.
LAVA's 5th Birthday Party: See Friday listing
Montague Shakespeare Festival 2025 Workshops: See Thursday listing
Northampton Kindergarten Registration & Celebration!: Sat., 9:30
continuity, along with a few other aspects.
“I think the fact that we really do get along, play our tunes with conviction and show up on time has something to do with that continuity thing,” Mason said.
The band plays mostly originals along with a good
The Lonesome Brothers are set to celebrate 40 years at Northampton's Iron Horse Music Hall on Feb. 23. (BRANDI EDISS)
George Lenker LIVE WIRE
SPRINGFIELD
Big Yellow Taxi brings music of Joni Mitchell to 52 Sumner
By K eith O ’C onnor
Special to The Republican
There is a reason you don’t hear about many Joni Mitchell tribute bands cropping up.
“Joni’s material is incredibly challenging. She is not a three-chord blues player, and her level of musicianship is a high bar to meet. What she does is intricate and involved... she is a musical genius. And just looking at her lyrics and the way she sings her melodies are very challenging,” said Teresa Lorenco, of Big Yellow Taxi, a tribute band playing at 52 Sumner on Saturday, Feb. 1.
Showtime is 7 p.m.
Lorenco noted the real key to capturing the essence of Mitchell is mastering her emotionality.
“When her album ‘Blue’ was released, no one had done a musical offering bearing their soul like she did, and that got her noticed.
‘Blue’ was a big hit, although she had already been writing hit songs for other artists.
When she put out ‘Blue,’ it blew people away in how willing she was to open herself up to others in an extremely vulnerable way through her music,” she said.
While some tribute bands pride themselves on capturing the looks of the band or singer they are portraying, Lorenco said that Big Yellow Taxi has its own niche.
“I can proudly say that I am able to catch the emotion of her lyrics. We can tell our audiences are moved by not only our musicianship, but the fact I have been blessed with the pipes to sing in a way that gives our audiences that sense of emotion in her music ... that is what they connect with. It’s not just
“We can tell our audiences are moved by not only our musicianship, but the fact I have been blessed with the pipes to sing in a way that gives our audiences that sense of emotion in her music ... that is what they connect with.”
Teresa
singing her songs, but singing her feelings,” she said.
Founded by Lorenco in 2020, Big Yellow Taxi was formed in response to a couple of concerns of the longtime Joni Mitchell fan.
“Joni suffered a brain aneurysm in 2015 and at first there was concern that she might not make it through the health crisis. I was upset and very nervous about her return to performing and of 2020 she still hadn’t performed
on to
live (Mitchell would go
Big Yellow Taxi, a Joni Mitchell tribute band, will play 52 Sumner in Springfield on Saturday.
Lorenco, of Big Yellow Taxi
Singer Joni Mitchell performing on the BBC television show “Sounds for Saturday,” on May 19, 1972. Teresa Lorenco, of Big Yellow Taxi, says the key to capturing the spirit of Joni Mitchell is by mastering her emotionality. (PHOTO BY DON SMITH/ RADIO TIMES VIA GETTY IMAGES)
‘Peter
By Ashley P otter apotter@repub.com
TPan’ flies into The Bushnell
his version of Neverland might look a little different than what you remember from the 1953 film version of Disney’s “Peter Pan.”
Viewers will see some differences in this adaptation of “Peter Pan” — written by Larissa FastHorse and directed by Emmy Award winner Lonny Price — coming to The Bushnell in Hartford Feb. 4-9.
The musical began its national tour in January 2024.
Peter Pan, Tinker Bell and Wendy still fly across the stage — this time to live performances of songs like “I’m Flying” and “Neverland” — and there are still fantastical fight scenes.
This time, however, the women are at the forefront of these fights, and characters like Wendy and Tiger Lily — previously portrayed as helpless damsels in distress — now pick up swords and fend
Same magic, but with new focus on representation
for themselves.
“In the first big fight in Act 1, we have a dual between Peter, Wendy, Tiger Lily and the pirates, and in our fight, it does a really good job of inspiring young kids — especially our female audience — because Tiger Lily has her own sword and she’s fighting Hook and fighting the pirates, and you also see Wendy with the sword,” said Leo Gallegos, who is a swing member of the “Peter Pan” cast, in a phone interview with The Republican. That means he steps into multiple ensemble roles each night, depending on where he is needed. He also plays a Lost Boy each night.
Gallegos is a first-generation American whose parents immigrated from Mexico and moved to Arizona. In light of recent political events, Gallegos is proud to be able to celebrate his heritage on stage.
That was another one of FastHorse’s creative choices. In her version of Neverland, those “Indians” from the original film are now a collec-
tion of different indigenous individuals, each the last of their culture, from tribes all around the world.
“They all go to Neverland to preserve their culture. Neverland is something that’s
helping them and saving them, keeping their culture alive until maybe one day they can find a way to bring it back,” FastHorse explained in a Playbill interview in January 2024.
And the Indigenous people are reflected based on the cultural backgrounds of each cast member. To accomplish that, FastHorse and costume designer Sarafina Bush
TUESDAY
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Bingo Tuesday
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Bingo Wednesdays 6:30-9:30pm
Doors Open at 4pm. Minimum Admission $50
1 - 1199 Progressive Betty Boop 50/50 Prize $900
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HARTFORD
At left, Nolan Almeida as Peter Pan and Hawa Kamara as Wendy in a scene from “Peter Pan,” arriving at The Bushnell on Feb. 4. Above is Cody Garcia as Captain Hook. (MATTHEW MURPHY)
Is wine bad for us?
Ken Ross Wine Press
AS A WINE WRITER,
I feel like it’s my duty to talk about the elephant in the room. Is wine bad for us?
Lately, that’s been all the buzz (pun intended) in the news and among many winemakers and wine lovers around the world due to several high-profile studies.
Incandescent Brewing opens in Bernardston
IT’S BEEN DISMAYING to write about Massachusetts breweries closing one after another at the end of 2024.
So I’m happy to report that 2025 is starting on a much more upbeat note: Incandescent Brewing just opened its doors in Bernardston. The brewery is literally replacing one that closed, as Incandescent has taken over the space formerly occupied by Hitchcock Brewing, which closed last August.
Incandescent Brewing is the new business of brewer Nathan Perry, most recently the head brewer at Northampton’s Building 8, which closed in July. Before that, Perry started as a home brewer then worked at an array of breweries, including Russian River Brewing Co. in Santa Rosa, California, and Twisted Pine Brewing Co. in Boulder, Colorado.
The beer is now available in package stores in Franklin County, but Perry is looking to expand the footprint to
Hampshire County soon. He discussed his new venture last week.
Q.How did Incandescent Brewing come about?
A. It’s been my dream to start my own brewery since the homebrewing days. So the experience was built up for a couple reasons: as means to move around and experience the country, and to learn as much as I could from as many people as I
Personally, I believe that wine and alcohol in general are being singled out as the root of all evil.
And earlier this month, three winemakers on three separate occasions expressed the same thoughts when I saw them in France.
One highly respected winemaker in his 80s made
Taxi
surprise a crowd attending the Newport Folk Festival with her first public performance after the debilitating aneurysm) and I knew that we had to do something at that point. So, I checked the internet to find any tribute bands and noticed there were not many. So, I got a band together and we called ourselves Big Yellow Taxi,” Lorenco said.
“I wanted to call the band The Joni Project, which another tribute band now calls themselves, but it was felt that the name wasn’t that recognizable and we eventually went with something that was. So we chose one of her memorable songs that rolls off the tongue‘Big Yellow Taxi,’” she added.
a great point. He noted that when you raise a glass of wine with friends in France, you say “Sante,” which means “to your health.”
What are people supposed to say now when they toast each other? To your sickness?
I realize that sounds ridiculous and a bit snarky, but you
In addition to Lorenco, Big Yellow Taxi consists of Candy Green on backup vocals and percussion; John Caban on guitar; former Northampton Mayor Richard Cahillane on bass and dulcimer; Joe Fitzpatrick on drums; and Robert Sherwood on keyboards and vocals.
Mitchell, considered one of the most influential female recording artists and composers of the late 20th century, was born Roberta Joan Anderson in Alberta, Canada, on Nov 7, 1943. She began playing piano at a young age and later learned guitar before becoming one of the foremost folk artists of our time. Known for her songs “Both Sides Now,” “Woodstock,” and “Big Yellow Taxi,” among a host of others, Mitchell would eventually explore jazz to great success in the 1970s. Today Mitchell has some 19 studio albums and eight Grammy awards and is the recipient of Billboard’s Century Award for her tremendously popular creative achievements over the years. She has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
52 Sumner — Springfield Performing Arts Ventures, Inc. — is located on 52 Sumner Ave. in Springfield. For more information and tickets, priced at $20, visit 52sumner. com
could to make this dream a reality. Seeing the brewing scene around the country, in some serious beer towns, has been a huge inspiration for us.
My wife Mesi and I are 5050 co-owners, so developing the brand has been a collaboration between us, with a lot of the aesthetic developed by Mesi, and the beer program by me, and working together on the many other facets of starting a brewery.
George Lenker Beer Nut
Incandescent Brewing in Bernardston is the new business of brewer Nathan Perry, pictured above at work. (CHAD CHAMPOUX)
Valentine’s Week
Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Your Favorite Table 3 Restaurant
THE DUCK & AVELLINO’S talented chefs have crafted some fantastic Valentine’s specials sure to make your Valentine’s celebration a memorable one. Valentine’s specials will be available Tuesday through Saturday, February 11–15. To celebrate with that someone special, please visit theducksturbridge.com for on-line reservations or call 508-347-2321. We expect to fill up quickly so don’t delay.
CEDAR STREET GRILLE will be open for some amazing Valentine’s specials Wednesday through Sunday, February 12–16. Along with Valentine’s specials, Cedar Street Grille will also be serving up our signature small plates, entrées, and dessert specials. We’ll also be offering our brunch on Sunday from 10am–2pm. Valentine’s is always busy, so visit cedarstreetgrille.com to make your reservation now or call 508-347-5800.
Duck & Avellino
$20.25 3-Course Lunch or Dinner Specials Tues.–Thurs. Expires 3-27-25. Not Valid Feb. 11-15.
Two Small Plates for $20.25 Wed & Thurs. Expires 3-27-25. Not Valid Feb. 12-16. The Duck & Avellino | 508-347-2321 | theducksturbridge.com | avellinorestaurant.com Cedar Street Grille | 508-347-5800 | cedarstreetgrille.com Cedar Street Café | 508-347-6800 | cedarstreetcafesturbridge.com
sional.
Restaurant chains innovate menus to attract customers
DECEMBER
brought the restaurant industry’s 2024 to a somber close.
Data released last week by the U.S. Census Bureau revealed that retail sales at food service and drinking establishments declined 0.3% in December from the previous month’s levels. Meanwhile, restaurant price inflation was 0.3% last month, bringing the 2024 total of such price hikes to 3.6%.
Since sales did not keep pace with menu price inflation, the inescapable reality is that fewer consumers visited restaurants last month than they had the month before. This reversed a small uptick in customer traffic that had materialized in October and November, a short-lived trend that seemed to signal that a restaurant industry turnaround might be underway.
Against the backdrop of such less-than-stellar numbers, major industry players have remained busy with product innovation, value meal creation and promotion tie-ins, all aimed at bringing customers back into their restaurants. Limited-time-menu offerings and the like are seen as a way to create buzz and drive traffic at a time when the restaurant industry fundamentals remain problematic.
As one example this month, Subway sandwich shops, in addition to their new “Meal
of the Day” promotion, are temporarily expanding their menu with a pair of curated sandwiches they’re calling the
Since sales did not keep pace with menu price inflation, the inescapable reality is that fewer consumers visited restaurants last month than they had the month before.
Baja Collection.
Made with Subway’s Baja Chipotle sauce, the two new offerings in the collection feature either chicken or sliced turkey layered onto the chain’s Artisan Italian Bread.
The sandwiches also include fresh vegetable garnishes and are finished with “SubKrunch” and the aforementioned spicy Baja sauce. Both sandwiches are limited-time-only offerings.
Another aggressive menu innovator, Taco Bell, has once again revved up its product development machine and produced a new limited-time-only offering in the form of Cheesy Dipping Burritos.
Served in portions of two, the mini burritos are filled with cheese and a choice of either roasted chicken or marinated steaks. They come with a three dipping sauce options — reduced-fat sour cream, nacho cheese sauce, or a chipotle cream. The Dipping Burritos will be available for an unspecified but limited time.
Sonic Drive-in locations are promoting several mid-winter menu items. They include the Deluxe Double Sonic Smasher, a two-patty burger build that’s garnished with American cheese, bacon, diced onion and more; the sandwich is finished with a creamy “Smasher Sauce.”
Two beverage options are also being made available at Sonic, a Strawberry Fusion Fizz and a Sour Dragon Fruit Recharger supercharged with Red Bull energy drink.
There’s a Sonic Drive-In location on Boston Road in Springfield across from the Five Mile Pond recreation area.
As its contribution to this winter’s array of limited-time-only restaurant offerings, Olive Garden Italian Kitchen restaurants have brought back two “fan favorite” manicotti entrees.
Four Cheese Manicotti are stuffed with an Italian cheese blend and baked in marinara sauce, while Olive Garden’s baked-in-meat-sauce Three
get my point.
I also noticed something several times in France that I haven’t seen as much in the past — more young people drinking soda.
One night in particular in Paris, my wife and I were the only ones drinking wine with our meal. The other people seated at four different tables near us were all drinking soda and were all on their cellphones throughout the meal.
So romantic.
And so unhealthy, in my opinion.
Long before there were studies about the dangers of alcohol, medical professionals have been warning us about health concerns associated with soft drinks and sugar in general.
But I also don’t want this week’s wine column to turn into a finger-pointing fest.
I realize no one likes it when their favorite food or beverage has a target on its back.
I’m also not naive.
There’s a big difference between alcohol and soda or potato chips or some other potentially unhealthy foods.
I realize that many many people have very complicated relationships with alcohol.
Alcohol in particular has ruined many people’s lives — whether it’s on the road (roughly one third of car accident fatalities in the U.S. are caused by drunk drivers) or in homes across the country.
I just feel like we need to tone things down about the subject.
I’m not a medical profes-
I’m not recommending how much you should or should not drink.
And if you decided to not drink any alcohol this past month as part of Dry January, good for you.
I’m just saying maybe we can stop the saber rattling that some people seem to be engaged in around alcohol the past few months.
One New York Times columnist, for example, who stopped drinking four years ago recently compared the atmosphere in certain bars “as a funeral dressed up as a festival.”
He also complained about drinkers constantly badgering nondrinkers and making nondrinkers feel unwelcome.
That’s just terrible.
If you don’t drink and you’re seated beside me at a bar or at a dinner party, the last thing on earth I would ever do is pick on you because you don’t drink alcohol. And I also wouldn’t subject you to the third degree to find out why you made this very personal choice.
As for the drinkers who quiz or mock nondrinkers, they’re the ones with the problem.
So what’s the solution?
I have no idea.
I just wish we could take things down a notch, put down our phones and our sodas or our glasses of wine and just talk to each other.
That’s what makes socializing with people so much fun, not what’s in our glasses. Cheers!
Wine Press by Ken Ross appears each week online on Monday on MassLive.com and in print in Thursday’s Weekend section.
CONTINUES FROM PAGE D7
Wine writer Ken Ross is shown at left.
Above, from left, Taco Bell’s new Cheesy Dipping Burritos and a Baja Chipotle Turkey sandwich at Subway.
Hugh Robert Off The Menu
Meat Manicotti are filed with chopped meatballs, pepperoni and Italian sausage.
Both entrees include the brand’s traditional breadsticks and “soup-or-salad” accompaniments.
There are Olive Garden Italian Kitchen locations at the Riverdale Shops in West Springfield and on Hazard Avenue in Enfield.
For its part, Panera Bread has added three new Bagel Stack sandwiches to its permanent menu.
These include a Zesty Tuscan Bagel Stack made with chicken, soppressata and provolone as well as garnishes of arugula, red onions and sweet peppers.
A Chicken Roma Asiago Bagel Stack brings together grilled chicken and fresh mozzarella, then tops that combination with arugula, tomatoes, basil, some Green Goddess dressing, and a generous drizzle of garlic aioli.
The build for the new Spicy Steak Bagel Stack begins with marinated steak and provolone cheese. Those fillings are further enhanced with a salsa verde spread, some arugula, red onions and sweet peppers.
All three Bagel Stack Sandwiches are assembled on Panera’s Asiago cheese bagels.
As its contribution to the crowded landscape of mid-winter menu innovations, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen restaurants have added Louisiana Garlic Wings. The wings come six to an order and include a garlic butter sauce for dipping.
There are Popeyes locations on State Street and on Boston Road in Springfield as well as at Holyoke Crossing in Holyoke, on Memorial Drive in Chicopee and at Mountain Farms Mall in Hadley.
Expect to see menu innovation and value promotion continue in the months ahead as restaurant brands strive to cope with a challenging business climate.
Side Dishes
• Flayvors of Cook Farm on South Maple Street in Hadley will be celebrating International Ice Cream for Breakfast
Day on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The farm stand scoop shop will be featuring a special menu of breakfast foods paired with its own homemade ice cream.
Flayvors will be offering advance reservations for the breakfast food being served that day. For more details on what’s planned on Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, contact them at 413-584-2224
• On Feb. 19, Avellino Ristorante in Sturbridge will be hosting a Mardi Gras Dinner. Featuring a menu of Cajun and Creole favorites, the event will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are $75; a $25 deposit is required at the time reservations are made. Contact Avellino at 508-3472321 for more details or to book a table.
• Deep Roots Distillery USA in Sturbridge is presenting a Gourmet Club event on Feb. 6, starting at 6:30 p.m.
The dining that evening will focus on the cuisine of Korea, with Chef Adam Popp collaborating with Guest Cook Zonya from BaanMae Market in Sturbridge to prepare a four-course meal that’s representative of the Land of the Morning Calm.
The dinner will begin with an amuse bouche of Jjajang Tteokbokki, a chewy Korean rice cake in a black bean sauce.
For an appetizer, the culinary team will be preparing Japchae, a dish of sweet potato glass noodles tossed with seasonal vegetables and served chilled in the traditional Korean manner.
The main dish is to be Galbi
Skewers, which are grilled marinated beef skewers served with a spicy dipping sauce, steamed short-grained rice, and banchan, small, condiment-style side dishes.
For dessert, Popp and Zonya have worked together to create a sweet bun filled with Korean peach cream that they will be finishing with a sweet-spicy gochujang glaze.
Tickets for the dinner can be ordered at the Deep Roots Distillery website. Deep Roots answers at 774-241-0045.
• To honor the start of “the Year of the Snake,” Chinese Menu Online has published a list of the most popular Chinese restaurant dishes. A digital platform that supports Asian restaurants with online ordering tools, Chinese Menu Online regularly explores the data shared with it by more than 3,000 client establishments, and in doing so uncovering trends in that particular segment of the restaurant industry.
Leading off the 2024 “Top Ten” among Chinese restaurant dishes was a perennially popular appetizer, the Egg Roll. Close behind in second place was General Tso’s Chicken, which proved to be the most frequently ordered of entrees.
Other chicken-based dishes — Sweet and Sour Chicken, Sesame Chicken, Chicken Lo Mein, and Orange Chicken — dominated the top five entree slots on Chinese Menu Online’s list.
Two top-ranked starter options were Crab Rangoon and Wonton Soup.
FROM PAGE D7
Q. Is there a taproom? Talk a bit about the plans for the physical space.
A. There is a large taproom with a 186-person capacity, as well as a 1,500-squarefoot patio, with a garage door that opens right to it from the taproom. We are in the process of repainting the taproom to really liven up the space, with further redesign down the road as cash allows, since we’re opening on a tight budget. We also have a really nice stage, with great lights and sound that were part of the Hitchcock space. So we’ll be able to swing pretty big with our music program once we open.
Q. What about food?
A. We won’t have food right away, but as soon as permitting allows, we’ll add a small, quality-focused menu with things like soft pretzel, cheese and charcuterie board, local sausage board, etc. We’ll get as many food trucks here as possible in the interim. Down the road, likely a couple years, we’d like to add a small commercial kitchen to further enhance the food program.
Q. What is your guiding philosophy when brewing?
A. Recipes can vary, but if you don’t have clean, efficient fermentation and keep oxygen out of your finished beer, even a great recipe will go bad. So I think that’s an underrated part of the process. And then I’d also say, very close attention to detail is key in every aspect, from brewing to packaging, to ensure quality.
Q. What’s your biggest challenge as a brewer that you face on an ongoing basis?
A. Well, this answer will change as we open and really get running I’m sure. But right now, like everywhere else,
“Finding ways to keep beer affordable and
high-quality is a huge challenge, especially for small breweries like us that don’t have the economy of scale.”
Nathan Perry
the cost of ingredients and materials keeps going up, and the price of a four-pack really can’t go up any more from small breweries before consumers won’t buy it anymore. So finding ways to keep beer affordable and high-quality is a huge challenge, especially for small breweries like us that don’t have the economy of scale.
Q. What’s the hardest part about starting up and running a new brewery these days?
A. We’ve seen a lot of breweries close or be sold, both locally and nationally, in the last year or so. There are many factors to this, but market saturation and declining alcohol sales, combined with high costs are maybe the biggest factors in my mind. And so the financial part of it has been the biggest unknown. Also, it’s so heavily regulated, so getting federal, state, and local approval for everything is tricky. And then finding a way for your brand to stand out among all the options beer lovers have on store shelves.
Q. What’s your favorite style to brew? To drink?
A. I really like to brew lagers, for the attention to detail required and that delayed gratification of waiting for them to finish conditioning. I’m a really equal opportunity beer drinker who loves variety, but a good pilsner or West Coast-style IPA are my go-to’s.
Incandescent Brewing is located at 203 South St. in Bernardston.
Flayvors of Cook Farm in Hadley will be celebrating International Ice Cream for Breakfast Day on Saturday, Feb. 1. Above is a file photo if ice cream being packed at the farm. (THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)
‘Peter’
together reached out to each ensemble cast member and had a one-on-one conversation with them to learn more about each person’s background. They then researched each of the native cultures and tribes.
For Gallegos, his outfit was made to accurately represent the Olmec people, a pre-Columbian civilization that lived in Mexico.
“I think any audience members of any age and of any gender can see themselves in the show and can feel inspired by the characters in our show,” Gallegos said.
Prior to “Peter Pan” arriving at The Bushnell, Gallegos answered questions about the changes on stage and the importance of highlighting cultures like his own.
The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Q. How did you get started doing theater? Have you always had a passion for it?
A. Ever since I was little, I was very into music and into the arts, and my parents sent me to this school that prioritized the arts. So, at a very young age, I was exposed to music and theater and dance, and it just became a part of me. Ever since growing up, that’s something that I’ve always known I wanted to do.
I went to high school and college in Arizona, where I went to Arizona State University and got my degree in musical theater performance.
Q. After college, when did you land your first role?
A. Funny thing. I graduated in May 2023 and I moved to New York the following September, and then I booked “Peter Pan” in October. It was really such a quick turnaround; it was crazy.
Q. What’s it been like since you started, bringing the magic of “Peter Pan” to life on stage?
A. It’s been so, so cool. The coolest thing about our
“Peter Pan” is that it’s an adaptation, so it took all the beauty and the magic from the original “Peter Pan,” but it was tweaked and adapted by (playwright) Larissa FastHorse. She created more prominent female roles, so Wendy is a much more prominent role on the stage. Tiger Lily has more lines. In the original, Tiger Lily was kind of a damsel in distress, having to be saved by Peter Pan, but in our version, she is her own person. She’s the leader of the Indigenous people and quite a force to be reckoned with. It’s been really cool to have these strong female roles in the show and witness the kid audience become inspired by them.
Q. What would you say to people who have seen the original “Peter Pan” to encourage them to come out and see this adaptation?
A. It is very different, but there are some similarities. For one, you see the flying in person — you see Peter Pan flying across the stage, so the magic of the original is really
“When I was a kid, there wasn’t a lot of Mexican representation in the theater world. I didn’t see people that looked like me or sounded like me on stage, so being able to bring bits and pieces of my own culture into the show is so amazing.”
Leo Gallagos
there, but has so much more representation of the female roles, but also, the representation of the Indigenous culture is certainly alive in this adaptation. In the original, the Indigenous people are more of a generalization, creating negativity with such a bad narrative. What Larissa and our team did is they decided to create more individuality, so they took the ensemble cast members, and they took their own cultural backgrounds and made their Indigenous costumes and characters individualized and specialized for each person. For example, if I ever swing on for an Indigenous person, my Indigenous costume would be based off of a native tribe from Mexico, since my cultural background is Mexican. That’s created so much representation on stage.
Q. What is your favorite part from the show?
A. The flight to Neverland. Paul Rubin, our flight choreographer, did an incredible job with all the flying. The flight to Neverland with Peter,
Michael, John and Wendy is so special — jaw-dropping and magical. It is my favorite part of the show.
Q. How does it feel to be able to highlight and celebrate your Mexican culture on stage each night?
A. When I was a kid, there wasn’t a lot of Mexican representation in the theater world. I didn’t see people that looked like me or sounded like me on stage, so being able to bring bits and pieces of my own culture into the show is so amazing. We went to Mexico on tour, so we got to go to Monterrey, and it was so, so nice to go back to Mexico, where my family is from, and to perform and get to talk to people in Spanish and interview in Spanish, and just show that anybody can do this, and that someone who’s Mexican can also do this. Additionally, to see yourself as an actor is so inspiring.
Tickets to “Peter Pan,” which start at $29, can be purchased on The Bushnell’s website, bushnell.org.
Above, from left, Nolan Almeida as Peter Pan, Kenny Ramos as Acoma, Raye Zaragoza as Tiger Lily and the cast of “Peter Pan.”
(MATTHEW MURPHY)
Calendar
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a.m. to 12:30 p.m. JFK Middle School, kindergarten in Northampton, Florence, or Leeds. If your child turns 5 on or before Aug. 31, come with your child to do kindergarten registration paperwork while they play! Then they will be all set to start kindergarten in Sept. To prepare ahead of time, 1) Fill out the registration forms; 2) Bring the needed documents. You will find what you need on the NPS Kindergarten page at northamptonschools.org/88498_2. Snow date Feb 8. Free. 100 Bridge Road, Florence section of Northampton. Springfield Symphony Orchestra: Sat., 7:30 p.m. Springfield
Symphony Hall, Roaring '20s themed “Gershwin, Berlin & Friends” concert, with guest conductor, Byron Stripling, accompanied by guest vocalist, Sydney McSweeney. For tickets visit symphonyhallspringfield.com/ events/detail/gershwin-berlin-friends, $35-$80. 34 Court St., Springfield.
SUNDAY
Great Barrington Kennel Club Dog Show: See Saturday listing “In the Dark Times there will be Singing”: See Saturday listing
LAVA's 5th Birthday Party: See Friday listing Montague Shakespeare Festival 2025 Workshops: See Thursday listing
“To me, bands are magical because it all comes down to the combination of the people involved.”
Ray Mason, Lonesome Brothers
Live Wire
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sample of classic tunes. The songs are written by either Mason of Armenti individually — with one exception.
“Jim and I have written together only once, on a tune called ‘Valley Rock,’ which appeared on one of Signature Sounds’ early compilations,” Mason said. “We usually bring in our tunes fully formed as far as lyrics and chord changes go. Jim, Keith and I then add our own parts.”
While Mason plays guitar in his own band, he plays bass in Lonesome Brothers. He enjoys both, and describes his approach to each.
“I’m only a guitar player when I’m solo or with my band (Frank Marsh, Stephen Desaulniers and Tom Shea). My approach on guitar has always been the same – lay down the chords and rhythm to help make it happen,” he said. “On bass it’s a different story: I always try to know the tune and its form so I can mess with it a little later, if it happens to go in that
direction.”
Since he writes for both bands, how does he decide which band gets certain songs?
“Many years ago, certain songs definitely fit better with one or the other. For a while now, that line has been seriously blurred, as I like to think all the songs I now write would fit either band,” he said.
Mason said that what keeps the band moving forward is the alchemy between the members and their ongoing quest to keep things fun.
“To me, bands are magical because it all comes down to the combination of the people involved. I like to think that both my band and the Lonesomes have our own sounds due to that combination—wouldn’t be the same otherwise,” he said.
“Jim, Keith and I always try to keep things fresh, rarely writing sets, and not being afraid to banter with the audience.”
Tickets to the Lonesome Brothers 40th anniversary celebration, starting at $18, can be purchased online at ironhorse.org.
