‘HARMONY OF LOVE’: Springfield Symphony Orchestra to celebrate love, culture, D2
CANDLELIGHT: Valentine’s Day concert comes to Basketball Hall of Fame, D4
LIVE WIRE: Red Hot Chili Pipers bring ‘bagrock’ to Northampton, D4
Conductor Mei-Ann Chen, artistic advisor to the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, returns to the Symphony stage for "Harmony of Love.”
(COURTESY SSO)
By K eith O ’C onnor Special to The Republican
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra will keep Valentine’s Weekend alive with a special classical/pops fusion romance concert, “Harmony of Love,” on Saturday at Springfield Symphony Hall. Showtime is 4 p.m.
“The Springfield Symphony Orchestra is part of a wonderful diverse community with numerous cultures all living together. This program, being as close as it is to the Chinese Lunar New Year, focuses on our Springfield Symphony Youth Orchestra member, 15-year-old Emma Carvalho, will be the guest soloist for the "Harmony of Love" concert.
The program — which focuses on Asian-themed works to Tchaikovsky and Bernstein — will feature “Butterfly Lovers’ Violin Concerto” by Chen Gang/He Zhanhao, which tells the story of two young, ill-fated lovers who are reincarnated as butterflies. Additional pieces include “Ali Mountain Evergreen” by Che Chang, arranged by Yuan-kai Bao; the traditional Korean folk melody “Arirang,” arranged by Jisoo Lee; and the traditional Vietnamese folk song “Bèo dạt mây trôi,” arranged by Ngo Hoang Quan.
For the second half of the concert, the soundscape turns to Shakespeare, by way of Russia and America, with Tchaikovsky’s “Fantasy Overture Romeo and Juliet’ and Bernstein’s “Symphonic Dances” from “West Side Story” upping the emotional quotient from passion and conflict to memorable and energetic dance themes.
Conductor Mei-Ann Chen, artistic
adviser to the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, returns to the Symphony stage after opening the current season.
“The Asian culture has unique differences and also similarities that add color to each piece, in the same way that composers from this country, Europe, and elsewhere bring their experiences and their culture’s uniqueness to their work.”
MEI-ANNE CHEN, SPRINGFIELD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Asian community members and celebrates the artistry of their country’s composers as well as works by a wellknown European composer and an American composer. There is also a surprise that will take place at the concert for the audience,” she said.
Chen noted when Springfield Symphony President and CEO Paul Lambert heard her description of the “Butterfly Lovers’ Violin Concerto,” he thought it was a wonderful way to connect with Springfield’s Asian community members.
“The Chinese work is a wonderful compliment to Tchaikovsky’s ‘Fantasy Overture Romeo and Juliet,’ and also a wonderful way to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, which, on December 4, 2024, was added by UNESCO to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. As a Taiwanese American, I have family members overseas, as I’m sure other people in Springfield and throughout the United States do. Our loved ones may not always be close to us, but this music, which has survived the cultural revolution, is a beacon of hope to all. Music has the power to help us overcome challenges in life and pull everyone together,” Chen said.
Chen noted Asian composers have contributed much to the world of classical music.
“Like composers from every culture, Asian composers bring their emotions, experiences and thoughts to their work, where they tell a story musically. The Asian culture has unique differ-
ences and also similarities that add color to each piece, in the same way that composers from this country, Europe, and elsewhere bring their experiences and their culture’s uniqueness to their work. The colors of each piece have a different but at the same time, similar glow, tint, and feel. Each piece of music is a unique story, and that is what makes all music so special. What adds to the specialness of this program is that we have a young violinist, Emma Carvalho, from our youth symphony who is soloing on ‘Butterfly Lovers’ Violin Concerto,’” she said. Carvalho, who is 15 years old, started her journey with the violin 11 years ago when living in Denmark after going to a concert and falling in love with the violin. Since Denmark, she has continued her studies in New Jersey, Utah, and Massachusetts and has practiced the violin every single day without skipping a beat for seven years.
Asked to write some words for the SSO to promote the concert and her appearance as a soloist, Carvalho said, “I think it is an incredible honor and an exciting challenge. Since I was very young, I had always wanted to be a soloist with an orchestra, and I am very happy I achieved my goal. My grandparents have always instilled in me a love of my Asian culture, and to be fiercely proud of my ethnicity. Because of this, I am very happy to be performing one of China’s most famous orchestral works, the ‘Butterfly Lovers’ Violin Concerto.’’
Chen has her own favorite romantic pieces.
“I am a bit of a classical nerd when it comes to favorite works. My favorite
romantic works are those on the second half of this program, which I can’t wait
to share with our phenomenal Springfield community,” she said.
For tickets, ranging in price from $25 to $80, visit springfieldsymphony.org.
By K eith O ’C onnor
Special to The Republican
If you are planning on a dinner date for Valentine’s Day, you might want to make your reservations before or after another romantic experience being held at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday night.
Candlelight, a series of live classical concerts produced by Fever, returns to the Hall of Fame in Springfield with “Candlelight: Valentine’s Day Special,” featuring favorite soundtracks from romantic classics such as “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” “Romeo and Juliet,” and other heartfelt melodies.
“To reach a wider audience that might have never considered a classical music concert SPRINGFIELD
True to its title, the gentle glow of thousands of candles will illuminate the Basketball Hall of Fame Theater during two special performances at 6 and 8:30 p.m.
“Candlelight has been warmly received by audiences in Springfield, especially the tribute programs, which provide a fresh and captivating way to experience familiar tunes. We hope this special seasonal event, centered on Valentine’s Day, offers a memorable and enchanting evening for our audience to enjoy with their loved ones,” said Amanda Boucault, senior PR and communications coordinator for Candlelight Concerts.
Candlelight was designed to bridge the gap between classical music and modern audiences, making the genre more accessible and appealing to diverse demographics.
“To reach a wider audience that might have never considered a classical music concert before, we have reimagined the traditional concert format and implemented changes that proved highly successful.”
AMANDA
E’RE STILL about a month away from St. Patrick’s Day, but for those anxious to get some Gaelic fun in their lives as soon as possible, maybe a band from
and
of The Springfield Kiltie Band and a Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner with Ribs Tickets or table reservations available until February 18, 2025 by calling Joe O’Connor @ 413-627-7148 or Fran Hennessey @ 413-785-5687 or online at Eventbrite.com
Saturday, February 22, 2025 at the Log Cabin, 500 Easthampton Road, Holyoke Doors Open at 5pm ● Dinner 6:30pm $50 per person (advance reservations required) ● Valet Parking
THURSDAY
Drawing Board Brewing Company: Song Share Sessions: Nonbinary, Trans & Women Singer Songwriters. 36 Main St., Florence
The Drake: LOCAL MOJO: Fai Laci - w/ Skruple, Grand View Point. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst
Uno Chicago Grill: Country Music. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield
FRIDAY
East Mountain Country Club: Off the Record. 1458 East Mountain Road, Westfield
MGM Springfield: Free Music
Fridays: Trailer Trash. 1 MGM Way, Springfield
Shaker Farms Country Club: Jay Daly. 866 Shaker Road, Westfield
Tangle Chocolate Lounge: Open Mic. 5 Main St. Route 9, Williamsburg
The Meeting House: Dave Brinnel. 827 Williams St., Longmeadow
Theodores’: Slam Allen Band. 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
MGM Springfield: The Lala’s Burlesque. 1 MGM Way, Springfield
The Drake: OH HE DEAD - w/ ViRG. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst
Theodores’: The Love Dogs. 201 Worthington St., Springfield
Uno Chicago Grill: Modern, Contemporary Rock. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield
West Springfield’s Irish House Restaurant & Pub: The Blaney Brothers. 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield
Uno Chicago Grill: Jazz. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield
Listings must be received two weeks before the date of the event. Items should be mailed to Entertainment Guide, The Republican, P.O. Box 1329, Springfield, MA 01102-1329, emailed to pmastriano@repub.com or submitted to www.masslive.com/myevent
At right, from right, Ariana DeBose and Ke Huy Quan, left, and Lio Tipton appear in scenes from “Love Hurts.”
(ALLEN
By L INDSEy BAHR
Associated Press
Ke Huy Quan plays a happygo-lucky real estate agent named Marvin Gable whose past life as a hitman comes back to haunt him in “Love Hurts.” The action-comedy goes hard on elaborately choreographed fight sequences and violent, bloody deaths. Anything from a boba straw to a cookie cutter is fair game in these gruesome showdowns. But while the derivative and cartoonish spectacle can be fun and impressive at times, “Love Hurts” just doesn’t work in the end, hampered by a lack of directorial vision, comedic pacing and an ensemble of caricatures instead of characters. “Love Hurts” may only run 83 minutes, but if you’ve seen the 2:41 trailer, you’ve kind of seen it all. It had a lot going for it too, including two recent Oscar winners in Quan and “West Side Story’s”Ariana DeBose in the lead roles, a fine premise and a hoard of fun actors in the ensemble. Sean Astin plays Quan’s boss at the real estate agency, a stunty, nostalgia play for “Goonies” fans that actually gives the film a rare, touching, authentic moment, and Marshawn Lynch, who is proving himself to be a comedic gem no matter the material. But there’s something immensely off about the tone, which isn’t clever or silly enough to be funny, and
‘LOVE HURTS’
rtss
Rated: R
Running time: 83 min.
Playing at: Cinemark West Springfield, Hampshire Mall, Buckland Hills (IMAX); Regal MGM Springfield; Greenfield Garden Cinemas
At left, this photo released by Universal Pictures shows Mustafa Shakir in a scene from "Love Hurts." (UNIVERSAL PICTURES VIA AP)
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
Wednesdays 6:30-9:30pm
Open at 4pm.
$50
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 Min. Entry Package $15 Electronic Bingo Aval. Snack Bar, Open Seating, Handicap Restrooms
At right, clockwise from top left: Lori and Scott Cebula, of Enfield, check out an RV; John and Megan Bernies, of Holden, make themselves comfortable in an RV; Vickey Mudgett shows off a small trailer from RV1 of Epson, N.H; and Eliza Gagnon, of West Springfield, tries out an RV from Lee’s Auto RV Ranch during a past Springfield RV, Camping & Outdoor Show. The show returns to the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield this weekend.
(STEVEN E. NANTON PHOTOS)
By K eith O ’C onnor Special to The Republican
Years ago, when someone said they were going camping, it meant heading out to the forest, pitching a tent to sleep in, and starting a campfire to keep you warm or cook something.
Today, things are much different, as you will find with a visit to the four-day Springfield RV, Camping & Outdoor Show beginning Friday, Feb. 14, on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition.
You can still pitch a tent but camping for many now means jumping into a RV, equipped with anything from air conditioning to kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, big screen televisions, WiFi and much more.
While at this weekend’s show, featuring more than 200 exhibitors, you can look for your first RV or upgrade, shop for camping accessories, and check out popular
campgrounds or outdoor experiences.
“Our show is for both the dedicated camper attending to see what is new on the market, as well as for those looking to add more outdoor activities in their life and what is available to them. Pioneer Valley Chapter 8 has a booth in the Young Building where we also welcome anyone interested in learning more about the benefits of camping
and what our club has to offer for them,” said Mile Piela, who is co-chairing the event with his wife Beth for the PVC8 club.
Like many others, the Pielas started their camping adventures first by tent then graduating to a small pop-up and eventually to a bigger camper.
“We all camped together but the family eventually
17-21
Featuring the re-opening of the live animal center Living Waters and the special exhibition
The Robot Zoo
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went in different directions. I was actually working with a member of PVC8 who told me about the benefits of the club. So, while attending their 2016 show, we went to the chapter booth and signed up,” Piela said.
“Now we love camping with friends we’ve met through the club, and there are always new folks to meet as they join PVC8. Throughout the year the club plans different camping trips for members to enjoy together as well as other activities,” he added.
Among the many RV dealers at this year’s event will be Orchard Trailers, of Whately.
“We have been exhibiting at the show, the biggest in New England, for over a decade and the response has been great. It starts off the selling season for us in the cold of February, which is a great time for people to start thinking about buying a trailer so that they will be ready when everyone comes out of hibernation in April for the new camping season,” said Mile Bilodeau, sales manager at Orchard Trailers.
He noted that they will have
about 36 trailers to inspect at the show alongside some golf carts added to the mix. Among the popular lines of travel trailers on display will be Puma, Catalina, and Rockwood with new features such as automatic leveling, construction improvement for longevity, and towing improvements for safe towing which Bilodeau said is “our number one priority.”
“This is a time when you will get the lowest prices of the season,” Bilodeau said about getting a good deal at the show.
Numerous seminars over the four-day show will offer the latest information and tips for new and longtime campers and RV owners. Among those offered include Quick Tips with Randy and Talkin’ RVs presented by Randy from Pete’s RV Center, as well as presentations by Chris Dougherty on RV Waste Management, Expert RV Maintenance Tips, and Connected RV and Mobile Networking WIFi, Cellular, and Satellite Internet.
Since camping is a family activity and many showgoers bring their children, there will be plenty of entertainment to capture their attention.
On Friday from 4-8 p.m., clowns will be walking around
“Our show is for both the dedicated camper attending to see what is new on the market, as well as for those looking to add more outdoor activities in their life and what is available to them.”
Mile Piela,
co-chair of the Springfield RV, Camping & Outdoor Show
and greeting visitors. Saturday’s events will feature a Shriner’s Clowns Stage Show at 12:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., as well as magician and balloon twister Ed Popielarczyk at 3:30 p.m. The Shriner’s Clown Show returns on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. followed at 3 p.m. by yo-yo expert Eric Koloski. Monday’s fun activities include meeting creatures from Forest Park Zoo at 11 a.m. followed at 2 p.m. by yo-yo expert Eric Koloski.
Hours are 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 16; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 17.
Tickets are $10 on Friday and Monday and $12 on Saturday and Sunday for adults. Seniors 60 and older, DAV, and military are $10 all days. Children 12 and under are free. Eastern States Exposition parking is $5.
“We are doing something new this year with ticketing. Tickets are only available for purchase at the Big E ticket booths where you also pay to park,” Piela said.
Pioneer Valley Chapter 8 (PV8) of the North American Family Camper’s Association (NAFCA) is a club of more than 150 families that share
a common interest in camping. In addition to several campouts a year, they also host numerous adult, teen, children and family events throughout the year. Monthly meetings are held at their hall in Granby. For more information on the club, visit the PV8 Chapter Booth in the Young Building. For more information on this year’s show, visit spring fieldrvcampingshow.com.
Best described as a celebration of female friendship, it’s an occasion when women come together and celebrate those of their own gender who are important to them ...
BORN IN 2010 OUT of a television sitcom storyline, Galentine’s Day has, over the last 15 years, become something of a worldwide cultural phenomenon. Best described as a celebration of female friendship, it’s an occasion when women come together and celebrate those of their own gender who are important to them. While originally conceived of as “a poke in the eye” at the romantic expectations that surround Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day has steadily evolved into a serious, albeit unofficial, holiday in its own right. Though Galentine’s Day is most commonly observed on Feb. 13, celebrations can pop up anytime in mid-February. The occasion has even begun to take on a gender-neutral
character, with some promoting a parallel “Palentine’s Day” observance to honor platonic relationships of all sorts.
Not surprisingly, the restaurant industry has started capitalizing on the marketing opportunity Galentine’s Day presents. Each year sees an increasing number of Galentine’s Day events across Western Massachusetts, and 2025 is proving to be no exception. Dewey’s Jazz Lounge in Springfield held a Galentine’s Bracelets and Brunch event on Feb. 9, and The Delaney House in Holyoke has designated their Feb. 16 Sunday brunch as a “Galentine’s Day Brunch.”
Iron Duke Brewing Company in Ludlow has organized a Galentine’s Candle Making
Workshop for Friday, Feb. 21, from 6-8 p.m. Participants in the workshop make two candles “in a jar” while socializing with other like-minded celebrants. Tickets, which are available on Eventbrite.com, are $35 plus a convenience fee.
Of course, not all Galentine’s Day celebrations will be of the type organized as restaurant
special events. In a recent survey of its users, restaurant reservations service OpenTable. com found that 25% of those responding said they planned to celebrate Galentine’s Day this year.
• The Ancient Order of Hibernians of Hampden/Hampshire Counties is once again sponsoring an “Irish Night” celebration.
To be held on Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meetinghouse in Holyoke, Irish Night 2025 will feature the Keohane and Kenneally Irish-American band, along with a traditional dinner of corned beef, ribs and cabbage.
The evening will begin at 5 p.m. Tickets, which are $50
plus a convenience fee, can be ordered at Eventbrite.com.
The Log Cabin Banquet and Meetinghouse answers at 413535-5077.
• Enrico Giovanello will be the guest chef at the Cedar Street Grille in Sturbridge on Feb. 25 for an Italian Small Plates Dinner.
The event, which is slated to begin at 5:30 p.m., will feature a number of Giovanello’s favorite Italian dishes, each of which will emerge from the kitchen as a tapas-style “small plate.”
The price for the dinner is $55 per person, with a special regional cocktail, beer or wine included in that price. Tax and gratuity, however, are additional.
ALTHOUGH I REceive mostly positive regard from people for this column, I realize that it comes from a group of people who are biased toward liking beer in the first place.
I have, of course, been targeted by trolls at times, but that just comes with the territory of being a columnist in a newspaper. But I also suspect there are good people who might look askance at
my weekly scribblings here, and they do so for legitimate reasons: I’m somewhat promoting a product and practice that is not exactly good for one’s health.
In the interest of transparency and giving a voice to those folks — as well as to remind my dear readers of a few things that we might sometimes push off to the back corners of our consciousness, today I will remind readers that alcohol, in general, is not good for you. I have done this every so often over the
Lenker Beer Nut
past two decades but have not done so for a few years.
I’m doing so today because of recent news about younger people shunning beer for health reasons. And if they are totally avoiding alcohol overall, I can’t really argue with them. But we’ll come back to them later in this column.
Before any beer fans get their hackles up and start googling for studies that have shown health benefits
of booze, let me save you some time and tell you that I’m aware of such research. I’ve even mentioned it in this column once or twice over the years. But I always did so alongside the idea that drinking beer isn’t the equivalent of eating a kale salad.
At some point in the 1990s, studies came out showing some health benefits of drinking red wine. The television show “60 Minutes” even did
It wasn’t until a few years ago that research said that alcohol not only wasn’t good for the heart but actually might be bad for it.
Contact the Cedar Street Grille at 508-347-5800 for reservations, which are required for this event.
• Partners Restaurant & Catering in Feeding Hills has arranged for a second seating of its 26th annual Game Dinner on Saturday, March 1.
Tickets for the dinner, which will begin at 5 p.m., are $70, and full payment is due at the time of making a reservation.
Contact Siena at partnersrestaurant@yahoo.com to book a table.
Partners Restaurant answers at 413-786-0975.
• Figaro Ristorante in Enfield is holding another of its Italian Night Dinners on Tuesday, Feb. 25, starting at 6 p.m.
The menu will include appetizer stations serving stuffed zucchini, Eggplant Rollatini, Escarole & Beans, Zuppa di Mussels, an Antipasto Board and more.
After guests enjoy Italian Wedding Soup, the main course of Braised Short Rib, Scrod Livornese and Pasta ala Toscana will be served.
The meal will conclude with dessert.
Tickets are $40 per diner plus tax and gratuity; the restaurant will provide cash bar service separately.
Contact Figaro Ristorante at 860-743-2414 to make reservations or get further information.
• On Friday, February 28, the Ranch Golf Club in Southwick will be hosting a February Wine Dinner. Open to the general public, the fivecourse dinner will begin with a charcuterie board, then proceed on to a second course of Cioppino, the classic seafood soup. A Beet Caprese Salad is planned as the third remove, with a roasted beef Teres Major serving as the centerpiece of the meal. Dessert is to be Fried Cheesecake garnished with fresh fruit.
Each course will be paired with a specially selected wine.
The dinner, which begins at 6 p.m., is priced at $100 per person or $185 per couple. Tickets may be ordered online by going to the “events menu” at theranchgolfclub.com; last day to order tickets is February 24.
The Ranch Golf Club answers at 413-569-9333.
• Fletcher’s BBQ Shop & Steakhouse in Longmeadow is putting on a Bourbon Tasting Dinner later this month. Scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 25, the get-together will feature a five-course menu, each element of which will be paired with a unique Bourbon offering.
The dinner will start at 6 p.m. with a Golden Scallop
• Over the last several years restaurant customers have been hit with various surcharges — for health insurance, to offset vendor delivery fuel costs and to help fund minimum wage hikes, to mention a few. Now another menu price surcharge is popping up across the nation — one triggered by a shortage of fresh eggs.
Waffle House, the Norcross, Georgia family dining chain with 2000-plus locations across the southeastern U.S., has announced a 50-centper-egg surcharge on all menu items that include fresh eggs.
appetizer course, which will be followed shortly thereafter by a Bourbon Wings and Wedge salad.
A second course of pasta Carbonara will be served next, with a Bourbon-laced Bouillabaisse dished up to follow.
A choice of entrees will be offered - either Grilled Ribeye or Seared Ahi Tuna, and a dessert of panna cotta served with Bourbon-poached pears will bring the dinner to a close.
Tickets are $140 plus tax and tip. Contact Fletcher’s at 413-384-2923 to purchase tickets or get more details on the Tasting Dinner.
• Fame Lounge/Eatery in
Holyoke is currently hosting Whiskey Wednesdays every week from 5 p.m. to closing time. On those midweek evenings, Fame prepares special whiskey-based cocktails such as the Irish Sidecar, the Kentucky Mule and the Paper Plane. Whiskey tastings are scheduled some weeks, and Fame organizes live entertainment.
The kitchen is open and serving small plates such as Argentinian Beef Empanadas, Spicy Chicken Tacos, Fried Mac & Cheese and a Vegan Chili.
Fame Lounge/Eatery is located at 386 Dwight St.; their telephone number is 413-3229085.
The surcharge is being imposed, according to a company spokesperson, in lieu of a more general menu price hike and is meant to offset the rapid rise in egg prices caused by the bird flu outbreak. The company says the surcharge will be removed when market conditions improve. It will be interesting to see if other chains that are heavy users of fresh eggs follow Waffle House’s lead with similar surcharges of their own.
Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community College’s hospitality and culinary arts program and has nearly 50 years of restaurant and educational experience. Robert can be reached online at OffTheMenuGuy@aol.com.
THURSDAY
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 online at montagueshakespeare festival.com
Origami Valentines: Thu., 3:304:30 p.m. Edwards Public Library. For more information, visit southamptonlibrary.org or call 413-5279480, 30 East St., Southampton.
FRIDAY
52Sumner presents A.R. Gurney's "Love Letters" and Dinner: Fri., 6 p.m.; Sat., 1 and 6 p.m. Dinner provided by NOSH. Schedule of celebrity actors: Friday evening: Mayor Domenic Sarno and Brenda Garton-Sjoberg; Saturday matinee: Kathy Tobin and Steve Hays; Saturday evening: Kathy Tobin and Steve Hays. For tickets visit https://52sumner.com/#Events, $50-$340. 52 Sumner Ave., Springfield.
Candlelight presents Valentine's Day Special: Fri., 6 and 8:30 p.m. Basketball Hall of Fame. Tickets can be purchased at https://feverup.com/m/259070, $62. 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue, Springfield.
Douglass Day Celebration: Fri., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Windsor Senior Center, Douglass Day is celebrated each year on the birthday Frederick Douglass chose for himself: Feb-
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a segment that pretty much claimed red wine was good for the heart. This led to more claims that alcohol in general (including beer) aided cardiovascular health.
It took another 15 years or so for some scientists to pump the brakes on these claims. But it wasn’t until a few years ago that research said that alcohol not only wasn’t good for the heart but actually might be bad for it. The New York Times published a story in 2022 about a study that showed there was no real cardiovascular benefit from
ruary 14. To honor his life’s work, participants gather to transcribe documents from a Black history collection to help make them more widely accessible to researchers. Windsor Historical Society and Windsor Senior Center will co-host a transcribe-a-thon of Library of Congress’ African American Perspectives Collection for all ages at the Senior Center. Snacks and support provided. Participants must bring their own laptop or tablet. This event is drop in, drop out. Feel free to stay for as long or as short a time as you please, 599 Matianuck Ave., Windsor.
“Love Letters”: Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m. Black Birch Vineyards, The Valley Players present A. R. Gurney's classic play of romance-by-post, "Love Letters." Featuring a rotating cast of different Valley actors each evening. Local fine wine available for purchase and light bites by
pre-order. Seating is limited so reservations are strongly encouraged, $15 and up. 108 Straits Road, North Hatfield.
Montague Shakespeare Festival 2025 Workshops: See Thursday listing
Opera House Players present “A Chorus Line”: Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. Enfield Annex, Visit operahouseplayers.org/tickets or get tickets at the door. Call the Box Office for discounts on groups of 10 or more, 860-498-8899. Performances are at the Enfield Annex, 124 North Maple St. This show contains adult themes and language. Some content may not be suitable for young children, 124 North Maple St., Enfield; Valentine's Day Dinner Special: Fri.-Sat, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Crestview Country Club, four-course meal includes appetizer, starter, entree and
dessert. Enjoy dinner accompanied by live music with performer Josh Rideout. Music from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Call for your dinner reservations at 413-786-2593, $140 per couple. 281 Shoemaker Lane, Agawam, crestviewcc.org.
52Sumner presents A.R. Gurney's "Love Letters" and Dinner: See Friday listing Aging in Community, “Dancing our Joys and Challenges”: Sat., 11 a.m. Zion Lutheran Church, Jacob’s Pillow – America’s longest-running international dance festival, located in Becket – will host a free dance and movement workshop led by artists Michael Richter and Liv Schaffer about community and aging in collaboration with Zion Lutheran Church as part of the 10x10 Upstreet Arts Festival. The workshop will be held at 11 a.m. at the Common Room, Zion Lutheran Church, 74 First St. Open to participants of all abilities, with a special invitation to our senior community, this workshop creates space for connection and expression through movement. Comfortable clothing to move in is recommended. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged online or by calling 413.243.9919, ext. 167. Tickets are available at the door, pending availability. Questions about accessibility accommodations? Please contact community@jacobspillow. org. 74 1st St., Pittsfield.
Bing Productions presents: "Love & Longing": Sat, 7:30 p.m. Trinity United Methodist Church, Charlotte Collins & Sophie Lippert in concert in Trinity United Methodist
Church's Asbury Hall. Tickets are $20, available in advance from Eventbrite or at the door, cash only. 361 Sumner Ave., Springfield, 413737-5311.
Healthier & Happier Relationships through Astrology: Sat., 2:30-4:30 p.m. Forbes Library. In this fun & interactive class, you’ll explore your relationship style through the lens of your astrology chart and gain a deeper understanding of how you love, compromise, relate to others, and attract the things you desire. Topics covered to include the difference between your emotional needs and romantic desires, what makes you attractive, and the types of people who are naturally attracted to you. $15 per person; $25 for couples/ pairs (pay at door). 20 West St., Northampton; 413-587-1011 or forbeslibrary.org.
How To Make Chocolate With What You Have At Home, for couples!: Sat.-Sun., 2 p.m. Tangle Chocolate Lounge. Come with your significant other, your BFF, your kid, or your mom and learn that it is possible to make chocolate from things you most likely have around your house. A fun, possibly messy, and tasty way to spend some time this Valentine's weekend. Call 413-200-8062 or stop by to register, $98/couple. 5 Main St. Route 9, Williamsburg; How to Pair Chocolate and Coffee: Sat., 10 a.m. Tangle Chocolate Lounge, Come join Tangle founder Suzanne Forman and Matt Delaney, OG coffee nerd and former sourcer for the likes of Starbucks and Peets, through pairings of four kinds of top-quality Barrington
drinking alcohol. Since then, more research from the American Heart Association has stated that even small amounts of booze can contribute to hypertension and other problems. Also, there never has been much debate about alcohol’s role in cancer. The National Cancer Institute has long shown that seven types of cancer are related to alcohol.
So, yes, the ingredients in both wine and beer have some nutrients in them. But neither are the best or most effective way to get these nutrients. So, in reality, what these studies are saying is that beer and wine aren’t totally bad for you. In my mind this is a far cry
from saying that they’re good for you.
Of course, there’s always the “quality of life” side of the argument. These claims assert that alcohol provides conviviality and relaxation, etc., which means they add to the overall enjoyment of life. That’s fair. But when you do that, you’re kind of blurring the lines of what “good for you” means.
For me, the bottom line about alcohol’s so-called “health” benefits is the fact that alcohol is mostly empty calories, and also it can lead to a number of health problems. But back to the trend I mentioned earlier: One of the reasons cited for the recent
stagnation of beer sales is that younger people are either not drinking at all (many have switched to weed as their source of a mind-altering substance) or often are drinking hard seltzers and other trendy types of alcohol instead. There is a sense that these newer types of booze are healthier, which seems like nonsense to me. But I guess people believe what they want to believe. However, in the end it’s all still alcohol. I believe one should drink what one likes, but one should be honest about it. Does beer provide some small ancillary health benefits? Sure. Does anyone actually drink beer for that reason? I’m guessing no.
It’s fine to like and drink beer in moderation. If I thought otherwise, I wouldn’t write this column. But let’s be honest about it.
Most of us do things that we know are bad (or at least not good) for us. And that’s OK. No one is perfect, so let’s not worry about proving that our vices are beneficial. Happiness and overall quality of life does matter. But as I always do, I would implore you to please drink in moderation. And if you feel your drinking is getting out of control, please get help. There are plenty of resources out there.
As the Irish toast goes: “sláinte” — which means “health.”
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Roasters coffee with different Tangle slivers. Call 413-200-8062 or stop by to register, $48. 5 Main St. Route 9, Williamsburg;
“Love Letters”: See Friday listing Montague Shakespeare Festival 2025 Workshops: See Thursday listing
Opera House Players present “A Chorus Line”: See Friday listing UMass Amherst Dept. of Music and Dance presents 39th annual High School Honor Band: Sat., 7 p.m. Tillis Concert Hall. The Honor Band schedule for students will also feature masterclasses with UMass
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Ireland’s neighbor across the North Channel might suffice.
The Red Hot Chili Pipers are a Scottish band that blends popular rock tunes with traditional Scottish music, using the instruments of both styles: guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and, yes, bagpipes.
The eight-piece group has been around since 2002 and first rose to prominence in Scotland after winning a television contest. Since then, the band has sold out tours in the U.S., U.K., Australia and China, among other places.
They will bring what they call “bagrock” to the Academy of Music in Northampton on March 4 at 8 p.m. Founding member and bagpiper Willie Armstrong answered some questions about the band in a recent interview.
Q. How do you go about picking which songs to cover by rock bands?
It’s a long process. We have to avoid “karaoke“ bagpipes at all costs. That would alienate the audience, and it’s not particularly clever. What we prefer to do is called a musical segue when the different genres are mixed and integrated. Bear in mind we only have one octave on the pipes, so that narrows the margins further.
Q. You also play traditional Scottish music. What’s the balance between the two types of music?
faculty, a concert with the UMass Wind Ensemble, and a forum to interact with UMass music students. The concert is free and open to the public. 151 Presidents Drive, Amherst. 413-545-2511 or www. fineartscenter.com.
Valentine's Day Dinner Special: See Friday listing
SUNDAY
How To Make Chocolate With What You Have At Home, for couples!: See Saturday listing Montague Shakespeare Festival 2025 Workshops: See Thursday listing
Opera House Players present “A Chorus Line”: See Friday listing West Springfield Coin Club
We tend to make our concerts 50-50, it’s easier to please an international audience that way. Our new album, coming out soon, so please buy it, is called “Back to Roots.” There’s far more traditional Scottish music on that.
Q. Bagpipes are said to be hard to keep in tune. Is it difficult to keep them in tune when you’re traveling, especially through different climates?
Bagpipes are incredibly difficult to keep in tune. If they’re even just a little bit out, then it sounds like the proverbial cat getting strangled. Colder outdoor performances are extremely difficult as the pipes will be flat and if you’re playing with a band in concert pitch then it will sound horrible. We have to have different chanters with different reeds, but yes, we get there, but it’s a constant struggle.
Q. Your website lists a few famous fans that you have. Top of the list, of course, is Paul McCartney. How did you find out that he was a fan and did you ever get to meet him?
We met him at a Charity Burns supper in St Martins Lane Hotel in London. It was hosted by Ewan McGregor and Sharleen Spiteri. We were chilling in the foyer, and I was on the phone to my wife Anna. Paul walked over, I presume because he loves bagpipes [he used them on his song “Mull of Kintyre”] and loves musicians. I had my back to him, and he tapped my shoulder
Meeting: Sun, 7 p.m. Mittineague Congregational Church, a presentation & discussion will include facts about United States Mint Sets. Refreshments will be available. Guests are always welcome. For more information, contact Peter Setian at 413-596-9871, 1840 Westfield St., West Springfield.
George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum: On the first Wed. of every month through the end of 2026, admission to the Springfield Museums is free. For more information, visit springfieldmuseums.org; Feb. 17-21, school break program “Critter Crossing.”
Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History: Permanent
and asked me who I was talking to. I told him it was my wife, and he asked if he could speak to her. Anna was ironing in the kitchen at home at the time. I told her that Sir Paul McCartney wanted a word, and she was like, “yeah, sure!” He then started to talk to her and told her that “Anna” was a lovely name, and he called a Beatles song “Anna.“ My wife still dines out on that story from almost 20 years ago.
Q. Are you surprised at how popular you have become?
Very surprised. We’re very humble, so there isn’t a day that passes when we don’t pinch ourselves. (We attribute it to) our love of music and the instruments we play. To play an instrument to such a high level requires passion, and that definitely brings success.
Q. Do you ever get confused with the Red Hot Chili Peppers by audience members or promoters when they hear you’re coming to town?
Yes, sadly that’s happened. We have to be extremely careful with our advertising, make sure that the word “Pipers” is capitalized and we have pictures of guys in kilts and bagpipes on our tour posters. Tickets to the Red Hot Chili Pipers show at the Academy of Music can be purchased online. You can also call the Academy of Music Box Office at 413584-9032, ext. 105. Box Office hours are 3-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and one hour before showtime.
exhibit: More than two dozen Indian motorcycles and related memorabilia. Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts: “Gilded Echoes: The Tiffany Influence in Josh Simpson’s Glasswork,” through Feb. 25. “Look Again: Portraits of Daring Women” by Julie Lapping Rivera, through Feb. 23. “Tiffany’s Gardens in Glass,” through Feb. 25. Museum a la Carte: Feb. 13, 12:15 p.m. “Women of the Night Sky.” $4, free for members. Presented by Jenny Powers, director, Springfield Science Museum. To register or for more information, visit www.springfieldmuseums.org.
Springfield Science Museum: “The Robot Zoo,” through May 4. Discover the magic of nature as a master engineer. Free with museum admission. “To the Moon and Back,”
its ham-fisted attempts to tie it to Valentine’s Day with various subplots about love, from the jaded assistant who falls for a poetry-writing goon to another hired thug who is trying to get his wife (who we never meet) back.
Poor Quan is the one who must do all the cringey voiceover, though he mostly comes out unscathed. As audiences saw in “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” he’s great at switching believably between debonair fighter and tame nice guy, and he is undeniably compelling as a lead. He just needs a better movie around him.
DeBose, on the other hand, has only a barely-there character to play with. Rose Carlisle is a thinly drawn femme fatale in heels and leopard print coats with a penchant for laughing maniacally and drawing mustaches on Marvin’s real estate billboards. She was supposed to be dead after a deal gone wrong, but Marvin spared her because of love, I guess. Now she wants her life back, and, presumably, Marvin, though their chemistry might suggest otherwise. Basically, she needs to kill his crime lord brother Knuckles (Daniel Wu, whose defining character trait is sinisterly drinking boba) to be free. There’s a lot of talk about “hiding
Feb. 14, 5-8:30 p.m. Attendees will enjoy an original planetarium show created exclusively for this event by museum staff. Tickets for the age 21+ event are $25 for members and $35 for nonmembers with reservations encouraged.
The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum: Permanent exhibit includes interactive three-dimensional exhibits and Geisel’s personal memorabilia. For more information, visit springfieldmuseums.org.
Quadrangle admission — $25 for adults, $16.50 for seniors (60+) and college students with ID, $13 for children ages 3-17; free to children under age 3 and members, Springfield residents are free with proof of residency. Welcome Center and Museum store. Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
ain’t living” which sounds fine in theory but never quite syncs up – Marvin likes his new, non-violent life.
Like “John Wick,” “The Fall Guy” and other less memorable movies, “Love Hurts” is the latest in a string of films directed by guys who cut their teeth as stuntmen. This is a tale as old as cinema, but most recent efforts usually seem to have a common denominator in David Leitch, who has a producer credit on this one. Directing responsibilities on “Love Hurts” went to Jonathan Eusebio, who was a fight coordinator on “John Wick,” and perhaps needed a bit more help here — a better script, sharper editing that could help the comedic moments work better and a coherent vision.
Artificiality as an aesthetic is all fine and good, but “Love Hurts” feels a little too much like the charmless, ripped-from-the-Magnolia-showroom homes that Marvin is hawking to perky yuppies around Milwaukee. It may seem good enough in a Zillow photo or a movie trailer, a facsimile of what we think homes and films of a certain quality should look like. But spend a little time with the plastic-y sliding barn door, or the goon whose only zinger seems to be calling Rose the B-word, and you come to realize that it’s all hollow underneath — a “Truman Show” set without the real world behind it.
“We use flameless LED candles to ensure the safety of our attendees and to protect the unique venues that often form an important part of a city’s cultural heritage.”
before, we have reimagined the traditional concert format and implemented changes that proved highly successful. These changes include condensing the duration from the typical 90 minutes to a more approachable 60 minutes, hosting performances in unique spaces beyond formal concert halls, and diversifying the repertoire to encompass a broad spectrum of themes and genres, including tributes to contemporary artists,” Boucault said about audiences connecting with the masterpieces of composers including Vivaldi, Mozart, and Chopin, while also enjoying fresh interpretations of popular hits from artists like Queen, ABBA, Cold play, and Ed Sheeran.
Fever collaborates with the Listeso String Quartet, showcasing top talent from the area. The Valentine’s Day program will feature musicians Anthony Mo rales, Nina Bishop, Sharon Bielik, and Aron Zelkowicz.
nation of recommendations from our in-house professional Music Curation team and thorough research informed by global metrics and feedback from both audiences and musicians. This ensures that each pro gram resonates deeply with local and global audiences alike,” Boucault said.
Among the songs con sidered for the program are “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” by Elton John, “Out of Africa” by John Barry, “Love Theme for Nata” by Ennio Morricone, “All You Need Is Love” by The Beatles, “Shallow,” by Lady Gaga, “My Heart Will go On” by Celine Dion and other romantic ballads.
It is the setlist that makes the Valentine’s event special from other Fever programs.
“Fever carefully curates Candlelight’s diverse programs through a combi-
creating a warm and intimate atmosphere that enhances the listening experience,” Boucault said.
Tickets, priced from $45.50 to $63, can be purchased online at https://feverup. com/m/259070.
