Weekend - May 02, 2024

QUARTER HORSE SHOW: Four-day show returns to Eastern States Exposition, D4

BUGS BUNNY AT THE SYMPHONY: SSO to host 2 concerts on Saturday featuring classic Looney Tunes music, D5

SUMMER MOVIE GUIDE 2024

SUMMER MOVIE GUIDE 2024

Movies coming to theaters and streaming through Labor Day

At left, clockwise from bottom left, Kevin Hart, Cate Blanchett, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Munteanu and Jamie Lee Curtis in a scene from “Borderlands.” Below, from left: Martin Lawrence, left, and Will Smith in a scene from “Bad Boys: Ride or Die”; Emily Blunt, left, and Ryan Gosling in a scene from “The Fall Guy”; and Diaana Babnicova in a scene from “Possum Trot.” The Associated Press

Are you ready for some movies this summer? There’s action-adventure, romance, horror, franchises and anniversary re-releases of some of your favorites populating theaters and streaming services from May through Labor Day. You just have to know where to look.

Things kick off in theaters this month with Universal’s Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt action romantic comedy “The Fall Guy” (Friday), a new

installment in the Apes series, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” (May 10), followed by Jane Shoenbrun’s buzzy thriller “I Saw the TV Glow”

(May 17) and closing out with the Mad Max prequel “Furiosa.” June brings “Hit Man” to Netflix and “Bad Boys 4” to theaters, as well as “Inside Out 2,” “The Bikeriders” and the first part of Kevin Costner’s Civil War-era Western epic “Horizon: An American Saga.”

And while July might not have another “Barbenheimer” showdown, there’s plenty to be excited for including the space race rom-com “Fly Me To the Moon,” “Twisters” and, of course, “Deadpool & Wolverine.” August has some gems

Movie

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too, including chapter two of “Horizon,” a new Alien movie (“Alien: Romulus”) and some thrillers like “Cuckoo” and “Trap.”

Here’s your guide to what’s coming to theaters and streaming services this summer.

MAY 3

“The Fall Guy” (Universal, theaters): A love letter to stunt performers (and a funny, slick send-up of the movie industry), Ryan Gosling plays a veteran stunt guy who’s enlisted to find a missing movie star (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) so that his crush (Emily Blunt) can finish her directorial debut.

“The Idea of You” (Amazon, streaming): Anne Hathaway plays a single mother in Los Angeles who begins a relationship with a younger pop star, played by Nicholas Galitzine, in this smart and charming romantic comedy.

“Unfrosted” (Netflix, streaming): Jerry Seinfeld makes his directorial debut with this film about the race between cereal rivals Kellogg’s and Post to create a new pastry. Seinfeld stars alongside Melissa McCarthy, Jim Gaffigan, Amy Schumer, Hugh Grant, Max Greenfield and many more.

“I Saw the TV Glow,” (A24, the-

aters, nationwide on May 17): In Jane Schoenbrun’s second feature, a Sundance breakout, realities blur for two teenagers (Justice Smith and Brigette Lundy-Paine) watching a mysterious late-night television show.

“Wildcat” (Oscilloscope, theaters): Ethan Hawke directs his daughter Maya Hawke in this unconventional, artful portrait of American author Flannery O’Connor.

“Evil Does Not Exist” (Sideshow and Janus Films, theaters):

Ryûsuke Hamaguchi’s follow-up to “Drive My Car” is an unnerving slow burn about a father and daughter and their quiet town in the woods outside Tokyo, whose tranquil way of life is threatened when a company decides to build a glamping retreat nearby.

“Tarot” (Sony, theaters): A horror about what happens when a group of friends uses someone else’s deck (apparently a sacred rule of Tarot).

“Mars Express” (GKIDS, theaters): A future-set animated noir about a private detective and her android partner on the hunt for a hacker, from filmmaker Jérémie Perin. It will be presented in both its original French and an English dub.

“Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace”: Re-release (Disney, theaters).

MAY 5

“Steel Magnolias”: 35th Anniversary re-release (Fathom Events, theaters).

MAY 9

“Mother of the Bride” (Netflix, streaming): Brooke Shields plays mother to Miranda Cosgrove in this romantic comedy about her daughter’s engagement to the son of the man who broke her heart.

MAY 10

“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” (20th Century Studios, theaters): Generations after Caesar, apes have become the dominant species in this new installment directed by “Maze Runner” alum Wes Ball. Owen Teague stars as the young ape Noa whose world us upended when an intelligent human (“The Witcher’s” Freya Allan) arrives.

“Gasoline Rainbow” (MUBI, theaters): Filmmakers Bill and Turner Ross direct this largely improvised road trip film about teenagers in Oregon searching for The Party At The End Of The World.

“Lazareth” (Vertical Entertainment, theaters and VOD): Ashley Judd stars in this thriller about a woman who adopts her nieces and raises them isolated in the woods.

“Poolman” (Vertical Entertainment, VOD): Chris Pine’s directorial debut, in which he plays a normal Los Angeles guy who’s asked to do some sleuthing around a shady business deal, got some scathing reviews out of the Toronto International Film Festival but now’s your chance to judge for yourself. Annette Bening, Danny

Above: Daisy Edgar-Jones, from left, Anthony Ramos and Glen Powell in a scene from “Twisters.” At right, from top: Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool/Wade Wilson and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine/Logan in a scene from “Deadpool & Wolverine”; and Lupita Nyong’o, left, and Djimon Hounsou in a scene from “A Quiet Place: Day One.”

Night clubs

THURSDAY

Theodores’: Rockstar Karaoke. 201 Worthington St., Springfield

FRIDAY

Delaney House: Lisa Martin Band. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke

East Mountain Country Club: Rock 201 Band. 1458 E. Mountain Road, Westfield

The Drake: Les Derailleurs ft. special guest Steve Waksman, Gold Dust and Magick Lantern. 44 N. Pleasant St., Amherst

The Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center: Arukah and Woody Rebel Alliance. 289 Main St., Greenfield

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

Theodores’: Alex Rohan. 201 Worthington St., Springfield

West Springfield’s Irish House

Restaurant & Pub: Brian Walker. 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield

SATURDAY

BOMBYX Center for Arts & Equity: Prayformence Peace Concert with Gabriel Meyer Halvey. 130 Pine St., Florence

Delaney House: Gerry Moss. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke

Theodores’: The Willie J. Laws Band. 201 Worthington St., Springfield

Uno Chicago Grill: The Bromantics. 820 W. Columbus Ave., Springfield

West Springfield’s Irish House Restaurant & Pub: The Blaney Brothers. 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield

SUNDAY

BOMBYX Center for Arts & Equity: Onebeat. 130 Pine St., Florence

Fort Hill Brewery: Tom Savoy. 30 Fort Hill Road, Easthampton

TUESDAY

The Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center: Cristina Vane, ft. Wallace Field. 289 Main St., Greenfield

The Republican is not responsible for unannounced schedule changes. Items should be mailed to Entertainment Guide, The Republican, P.O. Box 1329, Springfield, MA 011021329, emailed to pmastriano@repub. com, or submitted to masslive.com/ myevent

Quarter Horse Show gallops into Eastern States Exposition

By K eith

O ’C onnor

Special to The Republican

You don’t have to be an admirer of only the quarter horse to stop by and grab a free seat to watch all of the action today through Sunday as part of the Massachusetts Quarter Horse Association Spring Show.

“We are an all-breed show,” said show manager Marge Tanner about the annual event held in the Coliseum on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition.

“Many of the barns we work with own quarter horses and other breeds. Our show gives them an opportunity to double register them, and in this economy every little bit helps. And bringing in other breeds helps us to add more stalls to the show, which also serves as a fundraiser for our association,” Tanner said.

The American quarter

horse is one of the oldest recognized breeds of horses in the United States, dating back to Colonial America, where their heavily muscled physique made them perfect for working the land. The horse also excels at sprinting short distances and earned its name because of their ability to run a quarter of a mile, most commonly run in Colonial racing, faster than any other breed in the world.

Tanner, who serves as show manager along with her husband, Andy, said there are other reasons to welcome visitors to their show to enjoy the excitement of watching and cheering on horses and their riders as they compete in a variety of classes such as Western, Trail, Ranch, Halter, English and more.

“We want to introduce the public to the horse industry, so they can learn more about

and at

are

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Above

top

scenes from a past Quarter Horse Show at the Eastern States Exposition. This year’s show runs through Sunday in West Springfield. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

What’s up, Doc?

Bugs Bunny, other favorites from Looney Tunes star in SSO concert

By K eith O ’C onnor

Special to The Republican

Just as the popular original

Looney Tunes animated shorts created from 1930 to 1969 are considered “classics” today, so were the musical scores accompanying them.

The Springfield Symphony Orchestra on Saturday will bring the brilliant music of Looney Tunes to life as 16 hilarious Looney Tunes animated shorts are shown on a big screen above the orchestra as it plays the accompanying iconic classically infused original scores that included music by such greats as Richard Wagner, Franz von Suppe, Bedrich Smetana, Johann Strauss II, Frederic Chopin, Ludwig van Beethoven Johannes Brahms, Franz Liszt, Gioachino Rossini and many others.

Billed as “Bugs Bunny at the Symphony,” showtimes include a special matinee at 2:30 p.m., which allows for a much younger audience, and an evening performance at 7:30 p.m.

Conducted by Emmy Award-winning conductor George Daugherty, “Bugs Bunny at the Symphony” stars Looney Tunes favorites such as Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Wile E. Coyote

Tanglewood packed with popular artists for summer

THE OFFICIAL START of summer might still be more than a month away, but the increasingly warm weather will bring one word to mind for many Western Massachusetts music fans: Tanglewood.

The semi-outdoor venue is practically synonymous with summer music for many people who wouldn’t think of letting the season go by without at least one visit to the Lenox campus. This year, the summer pops series has once again assembled a stellar lineup of acts from all across the popular music spectrum.

and the Road Runner and, of course, Bugs Bunny, who has starred in hundreds of animated shorts, 21 prime time television specials and four films, one of which received an Academy Award.

“I grew up watching Saturday morning cartoons on the television and was drawn to the music. Even back then I knew the music was very special, but I didn’t realize at the time that I was getting a master’s in classical music as a little kid,” said Daugherty, who along with Emmy Award-winning Executive Producer David Ka Lik Wong, first created “Bugs Bunny On Broadway” in 1990, followed by “Bugs Bunny at the Symphony” I and II in 2010 and 2013.

They have been touring for 30 years with the “Bugs Bunny” concerts, playing to millions of concertgoers worldwide with orchestras and venues ranging from 22 performances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, to the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center, to the Sydney Opera

House, to the Boston Pops at Symphony Hall.

“Audiences go nuts in response to what they are seeing and hearing, not only because of their familiarity with a particular cartoon and the music that accompanies it, but the fact there is a live orchestra and a big screen which create a feeling that these characters are live and not projections,” Daugherty said.

“Music is a total partner to the animation and drives the cartoons. They work hand-inhand and one doesn’t make sense without the other,” he added.

Daugherty explained the power of the music for those viewers watching a Looney Tunes cartoon.

“Take the ‘Rabbit of Seville,’ as an example. It was set musically around the overture to Italian composer Gioachino Rossini’s opera ‘The Barber of Seville.’ We play ‘The Barber of Seville’ overture without projection. People still laugh at the exact same time when funny stuff happened

The last 10 days of June start the season with a relentless parade of favorites: John Fogerty plays there June 20, with Roger Daltrey following on June 22. Kool and the Gang take the stage June 23, and Boyz II Men play on June 27. Jon Batiste is next on June 28, with Trey Anastasio on June 29, and Brandi Carlile rounding out the month on June 30.

July is just as stacked, with Jason Mraz playing on July

2. Perennial favorite James Taylor does his usual Independence Day shows on July 3 and 4, respectively. This year also marks his 50th anniversary of playing at the Lenox venue. After a brief break, the pops programming returns on July 16 with The Pretenders, followed by Beck on July 23. The summer winds up with Judy Collins, Rufus Wainwright and Indigo Girls playing Aug. 30, and Dispatch on Aug. 31.

All of the above shows will be at the Koussevitzky Music Shed. Shows start at 7 p.m.,

The Springfield Symphony Orchestra will bring the classic music of the Looney Tunes to life with “Bugs Bunny at the Symphony” in two shows on Saturday.

George Lenker

DeVito and Jennifer Jason Leigh also star.

“The Image of You” (Republic Pictures, theaters and VOD): Based on a bestselling thriller about identical twins pulled apart by a new love, with Sasha Pieterse and Mira Sorvino.

MAY 17

“IF” (Paramount, theaters): This family film about a girl (Cailey Fleming) and her upstairs neighbor (Ryan Reynolds) who can see all the imaginary friends (aka IFs) who have been left behind was written and directed by John Krasinski. IF voices include Steve Carell, Emily Blunt, Maya Rudolph, Matt Damon and the late Louis Gossett Jr.

“Thelma the Unicorn” (Netflix, streaming): This animated film about a pony whose dreams of becoming a pop star come true was written by “Napoleon Dynamite” duo Jared and Jerusha Hess.

“Back to Black” (Focus Features, theaters): Marisa Abela plays Amy Winehouse in this biographical drama about the “Rehab” singer who died at 27 in 2011. Sam Taylor-Johnson (“Fifty Shades of Grey”) directs.

“Babes” (Neon, theaters): “Broad City’s” Ilana Glazer co-wrote and stars in this raucous comedy about an accidental pregnancy (and friendship and growing up and body stuff) that got rave reviews out of SXSW.

“The Strangers: Chapter 1” (Lionsgate, theaters): Masked strangers terrorize a young couple, Madelaine Petsch and Froy Gutierrez, who have to spend a night in a remote cabin after their car breaks down in this horror.

MAY 19-22

“North By Northwest”: 65th Anniversary re-release (Fathom Events, theaters).

“Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind”: 40th Anniversary re-release (Fathom Events, theaters).

“Castle in the Sky”: Re-release (Fathom Events, theaters).

MAY 24

“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” (Warner Bros., theaters): Buckle up, George Miller is back with another high-octane Mad Max tale focusing this time on a young Furiosa, played by Anya Taylor-Joy, and a warlord named Dementus (Chris Hemsworth).

“The Garfield Movie” (Sony, theaters): Chris Pratt voices another classic character in this animated film about the feline lasagna

enthusiast.

“Atlas” (Netflix, streaming): Jennifer Lopez is a skeptical data analyst who must learn to trust artificial intelligence to save humanity in this Brad Peyton-directed flick.

“Sight” (Angel Studios, theaters): From the studio behind “Sound of Freedom,” the inspirational drama

“Sight” is about an eye surgeon who wants to restore a blind child’s vision. It stars Terry Chen and Greg Kinnear.

“Invisible Nation” (Abramorama, theaters): A documentary about Tsai Ing-wen, the first female president of Taiwan.

“The Keeper” (Lama Entertainment, theaters): Based on the true story of Army vet George Eshleman, who endeavors to raise awareness about military suicides by hiking the Appalachian trail.

MAY 31

“Young Woman and the Sea” (Disney, theaters): Daisy Ridley plays the first woman to swim

across the English Channel, Trudy Ederle, who won gold at the Olympics in 1924 and who finished the 21-mile trek in 1926. The inspirational drama arrives just in time for the Summer Olympics.

“Jim Henson: Idea Man” (Disney+, streaming): Ron Howard takes us inside the mind of the man behind “The Muppet Show,” and countless other entertainments, in a new documentary.

“Ezra” (Bleecker Street, theaters): A story about a down on his luck father (Bobby Cannavale) fighting to protect his young autistic son (William A. Fitzgerald). Robert De Niro and Whoopi Goldberg co-star in this drama from Tony Goldwyn.

“The Dead Don’t Hurt” (Shout! Studios, theaters): Vicky Krieps and Viggo Mortensen play star-crossed lovers in the 1860s American West, divided and fractured when he enlists to fight for the Union and she is left behind to defend herself in a corrupt frontier

Martin Lawrence for the fourth installment in the “Bad Boys” franchise, which started in 1995.

“The Crow” (Lionsgate, theaters): Bill Skarsgård, FKA twigs and Danny Huston star in director Rupert Sanders’ reboot of the comic-based series about a dead musician resurrected to avenge his and his fiance’s deaths.

“The Commandant’s Shadow” (Warner Bros., theaters): The son of Nazi commandant Rudolf Höss (also the subject of the Oscar-winning “The Zone of Interest”) reckons with his family’s past in this documentary.

JUNE 9-12

“When Marnie Was There: 10th Anniversary re-release (Fathom Events, theaters).

JUNE 14

Cailee Spaeny, above, appears in a scene from "Alien: Romulus." At left, Joy, voiced by Amy Poehler, left, and Anxiety, voiced by Maya Hawke, appear in a scene from “Inside Out 2.”

town.

“Summer Camp” (Roadside Attractions, theaters): Diane Keaton, Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard are childhood friends who meet again at a camp reunion.

“Backspot” (XYZ Films, theaters): Devery Jacobs is an ambitious cheerleader and Evan Rachel Woods is her demanding head coach.

“PROTOCOL 7” (Abramorama, theaters): A corporate thriller based on real events about a group who goes up against a pharmaceutical company.

“In a Violent Nature” (IFC, theaters): An undead golem pursues teens on vacation in this horror.

JUNE 2

“The Muppet Movie”: 45th Anniversary re-release (Fathom Events, theaters)

JUNE 7

“Hit Man” (Netflix, streaming): Armed with glowing reviews from the fall festivals, Richard Linklater’s “Hit Man” starring Glen Powell is finally coming to Netflix.

“Bad Boys: Ride or Die” (Sony, theaters): Will Smith, in the first major movie he’s made since slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars (“Emancipation” had already been filmed by then), reunites with

“Inside Out 2” (Disney, theaters): Riley is a teenager now and some new emotions are coming onto the scene to join Joy (Amy Poehler) and the gang, including Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos) and Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser).

“The Watchers” (Warner Bros., theaters): Dakota Fanning plays an artist who gets stranded in a forest in western Ireland where mysterious creatures lurk in the night in this film from Ishana Night Shyamalan.

“Treasure” (Bleecker Street, theaters): Stephen Fry and Lena Dunham play father and daughter in this 1990s road-trip movie about a Holocaust survivor on a journey back to his homeland, Poland.

“Tuesday” (A24, theaters): Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays a mother to a teenage daughter who meets death in the form of a talking bird in this fairy tale-esque debut from Daina O. Pusić.

JUNE 21

“The Bikeriders” (Focus Features, theaters): Jeff Nichols captures the spirit of a Midwestern motorcycle club in the 1960s in this exciting drama starring Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, Tom Hardy and Mike Faist. It’s inspired by Danny Lyon’s 1967 photo-book about the Outlaws Motorcycle Club.

“Thelma” (Magnolia, theaters): June Squibb goes on a “Mission: Impossible” style adventure across Los Angeles with Richard Roundtree to try to reclaim her money in this delightful comedy.

“Janet Planet” (A24, theaters, wide on June 28): Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Annie Baker makes her film debut with this dreamy tale of an 11-year-old girl and her mother in Western Massachusetts one summer.

“Kinds of Kindness” (Searchlight Pictures, theaters): Emma Stone’s “Poor Things” Oscar is barely in the rearview mirror and she’s already back with another Yorgos Lanthimos film, described as a triptych fable. Also starring Jesse Plemons, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, Hong Chau, Joe Alwyn, Mamoudou Athie and Hunter Schafer.

“Fancy Dance” (Apple, theaters, streaming on June 28): Lily Gladstone produced and stars in this gem about a woman caring for her niece on the Seneca-Cayuga reservation in Oklahoma, the search for her missing sister and the plight of Indigenous women.

“What Remains” (VMI, theaters and VOD): Andrea Riseborough and Stellan Skarsgård star in this movie about an alleged serial killer, his therapist and a detective attempting to solve a cold case.

“Bread & Roses” (Apple TV+, streaming): This Jennifer Lawrence-produced documentary sheds light on Afghan women since Kabul fell to the Taliban in 2021.

JUNE 25

“I Am Celine Dion” (Amazon/ MGM, streaming): A behind the scenes look at Celine Dion’s life now, living with the rare neurological disorder stiff person syndrome.

JUNE 28

“A Quiet Place: Day One” (Paramount, theaters): “Pig” helmer Michael Sarnoski takes over directing duties for John Krasinski in this prequel about the invasion, set in New York City. It stars Lupita Nyong’o and “Stranger Things’” Joseph Quinn.

“Horizon: An American Saga-Chapter I” (Warner Bros., theaters): Kevin Costner’s two-part Western epic focuses on the westward expansion during the American Civil War. He co-wrote, directed and stars alongside the likes of Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington and Jena Malone.

“A Family Affair” (Netflix, streaming): Nicole Kidman, Joey King and Zac Efron star in this film about a mother and daughter, a movie star boss and an unexpected romance with comic consequences.

“Last Summer” (Sideshow and Janus Films, theaters): Anne and Pierre’s life is lovely in Paris with their daughters, 6 and 8, until her stepson Theo moves in and begins an affair with her in this Catherine Breillat film.

“Daddio” (Sony Pictures Classics, theaters): Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn star in this two-hander

about a woman and her taxi driver one night in New York.

JULY 3-5

“Despicable Me 4” (Universal, theaters): Gru and the minions are back, with a new baby in the mix.

“Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” (Netflix, streaming): Forty years after Axel Foley crossed jurisdictions to investigate a crime, Eddie Murphy is back for a fourth film, alongside Judge Reinhold and Paul Reiser.

“MaXXXine” (A24, theaters): After “X” and “Pearl,” Ti West concludes his unlikely trilogy by bringing Mia Goth’s aspiring star Maxine to Los Angeles in 1985 in this highly stylized slasher.

“Touch” (Focus, theaters): Baltasar Kormákur directs a thrilling romance about a widower’s search for his first love 50 years after she disappeared.

“Kill” (Roadside Attractions, theaters): Set on the Rajdhani Express to New Delhi, this bloody action thriller stars Lakshya as an army commando who takes on a gang of violent thieves terrorizing passengers while on his way to derail his true love’s (Tanya Maniktala) arranged marriage.

“Possum Trot” (Angel Studios, theaters): Based on a true story about 22 families in a small East Texas town who adopt 77 difficult to place children out of the foster system.

“Space Cadet” (Prime Video, streaming): Emma Roberts plays a woman who embellishes an application and lands in NASA’s astronaut training program.

JULY 11

“Tyler Perry’s Divorce in the Black” (Prime Video, streaming): Meagan Good stars in this new Tyler Perry joint about a woman realizing the ugly truth about her husband.

JULY 12

“Fly Me to the Moon” (Sony/ Apple TV+, theaters): Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum star in this romantic comedy from Greg Berlanti about a marketing executive hired by NASA to fake the moon landing … just in case.

“Sing Sing” (A24, theaters): Colman Domingo stars in this movie about a few incarcerated men who begin acting in a theater group. This fall festival breakout is based on “The Sing Sing Follies” by John H. Richardson and “Breakin’ the Mummy’s Code” by Brent Buell and co-stars Paul Raci as well as several former prisoners.

“Longlegs” (Neon, theaters): Nicolas Cage and Maika Monroe lead this thriller about an FBI agent assigned to an unsolved case

involving a serial killer.

JULY 13

“Princess Mononoke”: Re-release (Fathom Events, theaters).

JULY 19

“Twisters” (Universal, theaters): Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell and Anthony Ramos lead a new band of storm chasers in this standalone sequel to the 1996 blockbuster directed by Lee Isaac Chung (“Minari,” “The Mandalorian”) and produced by Steven Spielberg.

JULY 21

“The NeverEnding Story”: 40th Anniversary re-release (Fathom Events, theaters).

JULY 26

“Deadpool & Wolverine” (Disney, theaters): The Merc with a Mouth (Ryan Reynolds) and the previously dead X-Man (Hugh Jackman) find their way to one another at last, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in this Shawn Levy-directed film. There are more rumors than confirmations about what it’s even about, and who will be making a cameo, but two things are certain: It’s rated R and it’s going to be one of the summer’s biggest hits.

“Dìdi” (Focus, theaters): This coming-of-age pic from Sean Wang about a 13-year-old Taiwanese-American kid (Izaac Wang) in the Bay Area on his last summer before high school in 2008 won the audience award at the Sundance Film Festival.

“The Fabulous Four” (Bleecker Street, theaters): Lifelong friends (Susan Sarandon, Megan Mullally and Sheryl Lee Ralph) go to Key West for a wedding (college pal, played by Bette Midler).

AUG. 2

“The Instigators” (Apple TV+, theaters; streaming on Aug. 9): Doug Liman directs this comedic heist movie starring Matt Damon, Casey Affleck and Hong Chau.

“Harold and the Purple Crayon” (Sony, theaters): Many years after

theaters): A 17-year-old (Lily Collias) goes on a backpacking trip in the Catskills with her dad (James Le Gros) and his oldest friend in this poignant coming-of-age drama. India Donaldson’s debut was a Sundance breakout.

AUG. 13

“The Union” (Netflix, streaming): Halle Berry and Mark Wahlberg are former high school sweethearts turned spies in this action-comedy-romance.

AUG. 16

Spike Jonze was supposed to adapt the classic 1955 children’s book, and several delays with this iteration, the family fantasy film is finally making it to theaters. Starring Zachary Levi as Harold and Lil Rel Howery, it blends animation and live action.

“Kneecap” (Sony Pictures Classics, theaters): Naoise Ó Cairealláin aka “Móglaí Bap”, Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh aka “Mo Chara”, JJ Ó Dochartaigh aka “DJ Provaí”, all playing themselves in this film about the titular rap trio from Belfast.

“Cuckoo” (Neon, theaters): Hunter Schaefer stars in this unnerving, blood-soaked thriller set in the German Alps. Dan Stevens plays her father’s creepy boss.

AUG. 3

“Ponyo”: Re-release (Fathom Events, theaters).

AUG. 9

“Trap” (Warner Bros., theaters): Josh Hartnett stars in an original thriller from M. Night Shyamalan about a murderer at large inside a massive arena concert.

“It Ends With Us” (Sony, theaters): Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni star in this adaptation of the Colleen Hoover novel about romantic love and childhood trauma.

“The Fire Inside” (Amazon/MGM, theaters): Ryan Destiny plays professional boxer Claressa “T-Rex” Shields in this biographical sports drama from Oscar-nominated cinematographer Rachel Morrison in her feature debut.

“Borderlands” (Lionsgate, theaters): After a few years of delays, Eli Roth’s colorful action-adventure “Borderlands,” based on the video game, is barreling to theaters starring Cate Blanchett, Ariana Greenblatt and Kevin Hart.

“My Penguin Friend” (Roadside Attractions, theaters): Based on a true story, a fisherman (Jean Reno) finds hope in a penguin rescued from an oil spill.

“Good One” (Metrograph Pictures,

“Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2” (Warner Bros., theaters): Costner continues the story of the American West with this second chapter, exclusively in movie theaters.

“Alien: Romulus” (20th Century Studios, theaters): The director of “Don’t Breathe” helms this terrifying new installment in the “Alien” series, starring Cailee Spaeny, Isabela Merced and David Jonsson.

“Close to You” (Greenwich Entertainment, theaters): Elliot Page plays Sam, who goes to his hometown for the first time since his transition for his father’s birthday.

AUG. 23

“Blink Twice” (Amazon/MGM, theaters): Zoë Kravitz makes her directorial debut, with Channing Tatum starring as a tech billionaire who invites a waitress (Naomi Ackie) to his private island where odd things start happening.

“Slingshot” (Bleecker Street, theaters): Casey Affleck and Laurence Fishburne star in this sci-fi thriller about an astronaut whose grasp on reality starts to dwindle on a dangerous mission.

“Place of Bones” (The Avenue, theaters and VOD): Heather Graham plays a mother who gets an unexpected visitor at her isolated ranch in a bloodied bank robber.

AUG. 25-28

“Rear Window”: 70th Anniversary re-release (Fathom Events, theaters).

“Whisper of the Heart”: Re-release (Fathom Events, theaters).

“The Cat Returns”: Re-release (Fathom Events, theaters).

AUG. 30

“Kraven the Hunter” (Sony, theaters): Deadpool isn’t the only R-rated comic book movie on the block this summer. Aaron Taylor-Johnson stars as the titular Marvel villain in this film from J.C. Chandor, co-starring Ariana DeBose and Russell Crowe.

“Reagan” (ShowBiz Direct, theaters): Dennis Quaid plays Ronald Reagan in this childhood to White House biopic, the first full-length film about the 40th U.S. president.

Bronson Pinchot appears in a scene from "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F."

6 random red wines that taste great

From Oregon to Italy, here are a few suggested wines

MOST WEEKS THIS wine column highlights specific wines that have something particular in common.

Affordable white wines from France’s Rhone region.

Nero D’Avola wines from Sicily for under $25 a bottle.

This week, the focus is a bit broader.

Yes, they all have one thing in common. They’re all red wines.

But beyond that, they cover a wide range from around the world — a cabernet sauvignon from Argentina, pinot noirs from Oregon and Chile.

But all these wines do have one more thing in common — they’re all fantastic. And they all taste great now.

Timing is everything when it comes to wine, music, sports or even comedy. If you’re a split second too late, the song doesn’t sound quite right, your team just missed the game-winning shot or perhaps no one’s laughing at your joke.

The timing isn’t anywhere near that fast when it comes to opening a wine. Instead of a matter of a seconds, we’re usually talking about months or years.

Many times, certain red wines get better with age.

Ken Ross Wine Press

But if you wait too long — or not long enough — some red wines just don’t taste right. In most cases, wines that should have been opened months or years earlier taste flat, dull or sometimes (worst case scenario) even vinegar like.

These six red wines rec ommended this week taste perfect right now. Hope you enjoy.

2022 Domaine Bousquet

Cabernet Sauvignon (Organic Grapes) ($9.99 at Table & Vine in West Springfield) Region: Mendoza, Argen tina

Grape: 100% cabernet sauvignon

Tasting notes: What makes this wine so great right now is how fresh and lively its light, bright fruit flavors taste right now. Sure, you could wait a few months to drink this wine. But the beau ty of this wine made with

The six red wines recommended this week. (KEN ROSS PHOTO)

Kristen B., Age 34 Sono Bello Ambassador

Individual Results May Vary.

Live Wire

except for Brandi Carlile (6 p.m.), Kool and the Gang (2:30 p.m.), and James Taylor (8 p.m.).

Liner notes

• Something close to indie rock heaven will take place at Xfinity Center in Mansfield on June 16 when The Pixies headline a show that also features Modest Mouse and Cat Power.

The Pixies, of course, have Western Massachusetts roots, as singer-songwriter Black Francis and guitarist Joey Santiago met while attending the University of Massachusetts in Amherst in 1984, going on to form the band in Boston in 1986 with drummer David Loverling and bassist Kim

Deal.

While the three men still form the core of the band, bass duties are now handled by Emma Richardson.

• Django in June will celebrate its 20th anniversary in Northampton July 10-16. The annual series honors the musical tradition associated with guitarist Django Reinhardt.

The flagship offering of the week is Django Camp, which gives musicians the opportunity to immerse themselves in the music with world-class artists. Django Camp is held on the campus of Smith College, where participants eat, sleep, study and play.

Locals and visitors can get in on the act by attending the grand finale of weekend concerts at the historic Academy of Music.

Maxine Sexton of Pembroke, N.H., rides

“Found the Invitation” during the 2022 Massachusetts Quarter Horse Show. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

CONTINUES FROM PAGE D4

it with the hope that they find a professional horseman or trainer at the show who will help them to take riding lessons or maybe even purchase a horse,” Tanner said

“But don’t go into stalls where you see people, who are often busy during the heat of the show, unless you ask them first,” she added.

Classes begin at 8 a.m. and have no formal end time.

“We go until the day’s classes are all complete,” Tanner said.

She noted for those interested in purchasing equestrian supplies or new riding apparel, there will be a tack shop on

premises during the show.

The Massachusetts Quarter Horse Association, founded in 1969, was organized for the purpose of educating youths and adults about the horse and to promote performance and competitions involving the quarter horse while encouraging sportsmanship and youth activity.

All are welcome to join the club, whether owning a quarter horse or not at the time, as a way to network with others, find a new barn for lessons, lease a horse and learning how to get into showing.

For more information on joining the club or to learn more about this weekend’s show, visit massqha.com.

New England stands strong in craft beer market

WHEN IT COMES

to craft beer, New England actually compares favorably to California in certain ways.

This might be surprising to some, as California is a renowned craft beer mecca and more than twice the size (both in population and land mass) of all six New England states combined.

The way I’m writing about today is pretty specific but still notable: In a recent report from the Brewers Association, California had 11 of the top 50 producing craft beer companies and New England had eight. I’d say that’s an impressive number for New England, given the size disparity between the regions. Of course, Oregon, which is much, much smaller than both California and New England, had six of the top 50, so that’s even more formidable.

These statistics came from the Brewers Association’s recent annual report on production figures for the American craft brewing industry.

Of the top 50, Massachusetts certainly held its own with three entries: Boston Beer Co. (No. 2), Boston’s Harpoon (No. 18) and Jack’s Abby in Framingham (No. 38). While Connecticut only had one, it was a surprising one to me: Athletic Brewing Co. in Milford, a brewer of nonalcoholic beers, which came in at No. 10. This goes to show how well a good NA beer can do. (I’ll be writing about a few more NA brews in the coming weeks.)

Maine’s Allagash (15) and Shipyard (46) both charted, as did Vermont’s Fiddlehead (28) and Rhode Island’s Narragansett (23). New Hampshire was shut out.

The number of operating craft breweries also kept

climbing in 2023, reaching an all-time high of 9,761. New brewery openings (495) declined from the previous year, and closings (418) went up, but that still yielded an overall gain for the year. Also, craft brewers directly employed 191,421 people in 2023, which meant a 1.1% increase over 2022.

Bart Watson, vice president of strategy and chief economist of the Brewers Association, said 2023 was a “competitive and challenging year for small and independent brewers.”

“Nevertheless, even as growth has downshifted, small brewers have proved quite resilient, as seen in the increase in number of breweries, relatively low closing rates, and gains in onsite sales and jobs,” he said.

And while the overall beer market saw a downturn of 5.1% in terms of volume in 2023, craft beer actually gained market share, as the craft beer volume decline was only 1%. Craft beer now holds a 13.3% market share of the overall U.S. beer world.

“While distribution is as competitive as ever, we continue to see success stories and pockets of growth across the top 50 list,” Watson said. “Even in an era of slow growth, the strongest brands still resonate with beer drinkers, regardless of company size or location.”

TAKING MOM “OUT”

for a meal is an enduring Mother’s Day tradition and the restaurant industry has long capitalized on the near-universal desire to treat Mom on her special day.

Pre-pandemic, Mother’s Day was widely acknowledged as the busiest day on the dining out calendar. Over the last several years, however, data from online reservations services such as Open- Table and others suggests Valentine’s Day may be making a run at that No. 1 spot.

Nonetheless, dining out venues will be busy, busy, busy all day long on the second Sunday in May, with brunch remaining an attractive option for restaurant operators and diners alike. That’s because “brunch” most often translates to “buffet,” a style of service that’s not only popular with the dining out public but, if wellrun, is a highly efficient way to serve large numbers.

Locally, the list of Mother’s Day options is considerable, with hotels and country club facilities offering brunch possibilities that supplement those available at area restaurants.

In Springfield, the Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place is hosting a gala Mother’s Day Brunch on May 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Sheraton’s staff will be preparing a Grand Buf-

Treat mom to dinner out this Mother’s Day

Hugh Robert Off The Menu

fet featuring Carved Prime Rib and Roast Turkey along with a considerable array of breakfast and lunch entrees; chef-made omelets will also be available.

Reservations, which are required, can be made by calling 413-263-2077.

The Chandler Steakhouse at MGM Springfield is also featuring a Mother’s Day brunch buffet. A first course raw bar will be featured along with five brunch entrees and a selection of desserts.

Brunch will be available from noon to 5 p.m., and reservations can be made online.

The East Mountain Country Club is Westfield will be serving a Mother’s Day brunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Prepaid reservations, which are available online, are required.

Two brunch seatings will be available at the Ranch Golf Club in Southwick, one at 10 a.m. and a second at 1:30 p.m. The menu and a link to purchase prepaid reservations are available online. Reserva-

tions must be purchased by May 7.

The Tekoa Country Club in Westfield is offering a brunch buffet for Mother’s Day. With service starting at 11 a.m., the buffet will include morning food favorites, a build-yourown omelet station, three luncheon entrees, and chefcarved prime rib. Contact the Tekoa Country Club at 413-586-1636 for more details or to make brunch reservations.

Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge will be hosting a simple yet elegant way to “treat” mom this year. The Village’s Ox & Yoke Cafe will be serving a Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea with two seatings, one at 11:30 a.m. and a second at 2 p.m. Five elegant tea sandwich variations will be available, as will scones, sweets and a selection of teas.

Prepaid reservations must be made on the Old Sturbridge Village website; no admission fee to the village itself will be required.

The Uno Pizzeria & Grill on Boston Road in Springfield is promoting a unique Mother’s Day-related occasion in the form of a Mother’s Day Kids Craft Event.

Scheduled for Tuesday, May 7, at 4 p.m., the session will give young participants the chance to decorate a bud vase as their gift to Mom. Uno’s kids’ menu will be available, and parents can enjoy a

George Lenker Beer Nut

Calendar

THURSDAY

Chapel Jazz Ensemble Concert: Thu., 7:30 p.m. Bezanson Recital Hall. Free. North Pleasant Street, Amherst. 413-545-2511 or umass. edu.

Complicated Comedies, Easthampton Film Festival: Thu., 7 p.m., Abandoned Building Brewery. This screening will be followed by a talkback with attending filmmakers, and includes the films (not necessarily screening in this order): "'98 Honda," directed by Christian Banda; "The Blank," directed by Peter Sapira; "Call Me Matthew," directed by Remy Cayuela; "The Doer," directed by Richard Williams; "Safety State," directed by Jeanette L. Buck; "Shook," directed by Joel Rosen; "Spooky Crew," directed by Erin Broussard, $10. 142 Pleasant St., Easthampton; "The Play That Goes Wrong": Thu.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2 and 7 p.m. Majestic Theater, through June 2. For tickets, call the box office at 413-747-7797, $33, $35, $37. 131 Elm St., West Springfield. 413-747-7797 or majestictheater.com.

The Ukulele and You — Level Up! with Don Rovero: Thu., 6:30 p.m. Forbes Library, donations towards library programming are encouraged. 20 West Street, Northampton; 413-587-1011 or forbeslibrary.org.

FRIDAY

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Extravaganza: Fri-.Sun., 4:30-10:30 p.m. Outside open until 9:30 p.m. Live music, beer trailer, tequila and beer sampling, mechanical bull, photo

booth, and more. Frontera Grill in Chicopee.

"12 Angry Jurors": Fri, 7:30 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 2:30 p.m. The Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center. $20 general; $18 student, senior, military (ID may be requested). 289 Main St., Greenfield, hawksandreed.com.

Dark & Edgy Shorts, a screening with Easthampton Film Festival: Fri., 7 p.m. Eastworks, featuring films (not necessarily screening in this order):"Clone," directed by Ryan M. Kennedy; "Closing Time," directed by Russell Goldman; "The Fast Track Program," directed by Nick Wilkinson; "Smile," directed by Mike Sills; "You're On Your Own, Kid," directed by Michael Matsui, $10. 116 Pleasant St. Suite 102, Easthampton.

Fiddler on the Roof: Fri., 7 p.m.; Sat., 1 and 7 p.m. Academy of Music Theatre, $14-$22. 274 Main St., Northampton; 413-584-9032 or aomtheatre.com.

Junior Choreography Dance Concerts: Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. University of Massachusetts Amherst, $10. Eastman Lane, Amherst, umass.edu.

Kinky Boots: Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. Enfield Annex, $25. 124 North Maple St., Enfield; Massachusetts Quarter Horse Show: Fri.-Sun., Eastern States Exposition, Coliseum, 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. 413-7372443 or thebige.com.

Music at Amherst presents Samora Pinderhughes: Fri., 7:30 p.m. Buckley Recital Hall. General public $28; seniors 65+ $22; student with ID $12. Intersection of Routes 9 and 116, Amherst; amherst.edu.

"The Play That Goes Wrong": See Thursday listing

Preserving Democracy 2024 Law Day: Fri., 9 a.m. Hampshire Superior Courthouse, featuring Constitutional Law scholar and voting rights advocate John Bonifaz. He will be joined by his daughter, Marisol Bonifaz, an Amherst High School student and founder of Generation Ratify Amherst, now called Amherst Young Feminist Party. The public is invited to attend. 15 Gothic St., Northampton.

Spring into Movement Fitness Fundraiser - Strong as a Mother: Fri., 6 p.m. Paragon Arts and Industry Building, $20 donation. 150 Pleasant St., Easthampton.

SATURDAY

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Extravaganza: See Friday listing "12 Angry Jurors": See Friday listing All-Ages Short film screening, Easthampton Film Festival: Sat, noon Blue Room at CitySpace, featuring the work of three student filmmakers, and includes (not necessarily in this order): "All the Marbles," directed by Melissa McClung; "Bay Creek Tennis Camp," directed by Michele Meek; "Dragon Agent-Wreckers of Boston," directed by Gordon LePage; "Dragon Poets of Boston," directed by Gordon LePage; "Mariposas," directed by Adrian Carey; "The Toad in the Hole," directed by Oliver Brubaker; "Today We Climbed a Hill," directed by Gordon LePage; "Unsorted," directed by Daniel Gonczy; "Waiting for Sea Serpents," directed by Ben Tobin, $10. 43 Main St., Easthampton;

Bing Productions presents Eric Bascom & Friends: Sat., 7:30 p.m. Trinity United Methodist Church, in Asbury Hall. Featuring Ed Brainerd, Mario DeCiutiis, Tido Holtkamp, Ted

Levine, Genevieve Rose, Cicci Santucci. Advance ticket sales through Eventbrite or $20 at the door (cash only), 361 Sumner Ave., Springfield. 413-737-5311.

Local Documentaries, screens with Easthampton Film Festival: Sat, 2 p.m. Blue Room at CitySpace, featuring (not necessarily in this order): "Closing the Gap," directed by Maura Smith & Kate Smith; "Find the Veteran - The Green River Festival 2023," directed by Dave Sondrini; "Finding the Words," directed by Alexandra Wagman; "The North Cascades: An Elevated Journey," directed by Ben Avishai; "Small Lives," directed by Colin Hodgson, 43 Main St., Easthampton.

UMass Symphony Orchestra and Choirs: Sat., 4 p.m. Tillis Concert Hall. $15 general; $5 students, seniors, UMass employees; free for UMass students (tickets required). 151 Presidents Drive, Amherst. 413545-2511 or fineartscenter.com.

Bugs Bunny at the Symphony 30th Anniversary: Sat., 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Springfield Symphony Hall, $25-$55. 34 Court St., Springfield. 413-733-2291 or symphonyhall. com.

Women in Horror film screening with Easthampton Film Festival: Sat, 7 p.m. Blue Room at CitySpace, featuring the films (not necessarily in this order): "Are You Alone in the House," directed by Lindsey DeLand; "Bloodercream," directed by Elise Valderrama; "Don't Fall From Grace," directed by Carley Byers; "Have a Good Day, directed by Lisa Soper; "Not Him," directed by Sarah Young; "Teeth," directed by Rachel Thomas-Medwid; "Women and Elephants," directed by Barbara Stepansky, $10. 43 Main St., Easthampton.

SUNDAY

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Extravaganza: See Friday listing Bone Appetite: Sun., 3 p.m. Holyoke Community College, $5 for under 12; $10 adults. 303 Homestead Avenue, Holyoke; hcc.edu.

Central Berkshire Record Show: Sun, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. The Stationery Factory, thousands of records, CDs and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. general admission $4; 8:30 a.m., VIP admission $10. Tickets available at the door or ahead of time via Eventbrite. 63 Flansburg Ave., Dalton.

An Evening w/ Elliot Page - Fireside Chat & Birthday Benefit for Transhealth: Sun., 7:30-9 p.m. Academy of Music Theatre, $39.99 to $77.98 VIP seating with meet and greet available. 274 Main St., Northampton; 413-584-9032 or aomtheatre.com.

Jack Rome Memorial Walk/Run: Sun., 8:30 a.m. Minnechaug Regional High School, This Walk/Run benefits the animals in need at TJO. Loads of fun activities for the kids, and goodies for the pups. Refreshments served after the race. Goodie bags for all participants. Awards for top dog, top male and top female.621 Main St., Wilbraham; Powerful Dramas, a film screen with Easthampton Film Festival: Sun, 2 p.m. Eastworks, featuring films (not necessarily in this order): "A Momentary Stop," directed by Brittany Severance & Amelia McCarthy; "Nowhere to Go," directed by Aaron Murray Vazquez; "Order My Steps," directed by Augusta Palmer; "Trauma Bond," directed by Jaina Cipriano ; "Will-O-the-Wisp," directed by Emily Gelinas, $10. 116 Pleasant St.Suite 102, Easthampton.

CONTINUES FROM PAGE D8

organic grapes is its youthful energy and flavors, which include hints of fresh raspberry, cherry and blackcurrant.

2019 Ritual Casablanca Valley Pinot Noir ($20 Suggested Retail Price)

Region: Casablanca Valley, Chile

Grape: 100% pinot noir

Tasting notes: Like the Argentinian cabernet sauvignon recommended above, what I love about this pinot noir from neighboring Chile is its light, bright character. Instead of trying to bowl us over with powerful, intense flavors, this

delightful wine has a delicate, lighter-than-air finish with floral hints and raspberry-like flavors and aromas.

2021 Esporao Riserva Red Wine ($23 SRP)

Region: Alentejo, Portugal

Grapes: 25% Alicante bouschet, 25% trincadeira, 20% touriga nacional, 15% aragonez, 15% cabernet sauvignon

Tasting notes: This rich, elegant wine from Portugal’s Alentejo region in the southern central part of the country hits all the right notes – it’s delicate but not too light, fresh but not too fruity. Flavorwise, this understated red wine has hints of wild blackberries and pepper mixed with hints of

toasted almonds and black licorice.

2021 Tapestry Red Blend ($25 SRP)

Region: Paso Robles, California

Grapes: 72% cabernet, 16% syrah, and 12% petite sirah

Tasting notes: Napa and Sonoma Valley often steal the spotlight when to comes to great wine regions in California. But if you look further afield, you can often find great, affordable wines like this one from Paso Robles, which is located further south roughly halfway between San Jose and Los Angeles. This charming wine has many delightful flavors, including subtle hints of cedar, dark chocolate, black-

berry and black pepper.

2020 Tenuta Di Arceno Chianti Classico Riserva ($30 SRP)

Region: Chianti, Tuscany, Italy

Grapes: 90% sangiovese, 10% cabernet sauvignon

Tasting notes: This luxurious red wine from Italy’s Chianti region illustrates why so many of us love red wines from this part of Tuscany. Many great Italian red wines can cost a fair amount of money. That’s what makes many Chianti Classico wines such a great deal. In many cases, you can find rich, voluptuous wines like this one that don’t cost a fortune. In this particular case, the wine’s flavors are soft and

vibrant with hints of cherry, raspberry and dark chocolate.

2019 Appassionata Allegro

Pinot Noir ($95 SRP)

Region: Williamette Valley, Oregon

Grape: 100% pinot noir

Tasting notes: In music, the word “allegro” refers to a piece that’s “bright and lively.” The same description could easily apply to this entertaining pinot noir from Oregon’s outstanding Willamette Valley, which is famous for producing outstanding pinot noirs like this particular gem. Here, the flavors are earthy yet elegant, with hints of cherry, blackberry and plum that last at least half a minute after each sip. Cheers!

Concert

in the cartoon, because they innately know the music so well,” he said.

Hundreds of millions of people, in America and the world over, first experienced classical music and opera, like Daugherty did as a young child on Saturday mornings, at the hands of the seven-minute animated Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies shorts set to the original classically inspired scores of Carl Stalling and Milt Franklyn.

“Stalling was a master who is credited with inventing the language of animation scoring and what became known as the Looney Tunes sound. He is a genius right up there alongside our great composers of the day. He had a real working knowledge of classical music and other genres, adapting these pieces into his own compositions to appropriately accompany the actions in the cartoons,” Daugherty said.

Saturday’s program features fan-favorite vintage animated shorts including “Baton Bunny,” “The Rabbit of Seville,” “What’s Opera, Doc?” “Corny Concerto,” “Long-Haired Hare,” “Zoom and Bored,” and many others, such as five brand new animated shorts from Warner Bros., including “Dynamite Dance,” “Wet Cement,” and a suite of three 3D Road Runner Coyote adventures.

“Cartoons, in particular Looney Tunes, mature with age. As youngsters we may have been attracted to the bright colors on the screen and the slam bam action. As older adults we see a lot of the sophistication and wit in these cartoons, which were filled with double entendres,” Daugherty said.

He noted that he loves all of the cartoons, but admits he as his personal favorites.

“As conductor of the program, you must love all of them, but for me it is “The Rabbit of Seville” and “What’s Opera, Doc?” especially because of the genius and quality of the music attached to each of them,” he said.

“Looney Tunes and Bugs Bunny resonate with all ages, from those who watched the original cartoons on Saturday mornings to younger children who may not have necessarily seen those cartoons.”

Heather Gawron, chief development and operations officer for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra

Daugherty has had a 40year conducting career which has included appearances with the world’s leading orchestras, ballet companies, opera houses and concert artists. He is also an Emmy Award-winning and five-time Emmy nominated creator, whose professional profile includes major credits as director, writer and producer for television, film, innovative and unique concerts and live theater. As a critically acclaimed ballet conductor, Daugherty has conducted for dozens of the world’s greatest ballet stars, including Mikhail Baryshnikov.

“Looney Tunes and Bugs Bunny resonate with all ages, from those who watched the original cartoons on Saturday mornings to younger children who may not have necessarily seen those cartoons, but who are familiar with the “Space Jam” movie or have seen the popular characters during a visit to Six Flags. ‘Bugs Bunny at the Symphony’ allows us to introduce our orchestra to those who might not typically attend one of our concerts,” said Heather Gawron, chief development and operations officer for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.

As a special treat for concertgoers, the infamous Bugs Bunny will be making an appearance in the lobby.

Tickets — ranging in price from $25 to $55 — are available at springfieldsymphony.org or by calling the box office at 413-733-2291.

Menu

CONTINUES FROM PAGE D10

beverage or a meal when they bring their young artisans in to create.

Reservations are required; call Uno’s Haymarket Square location at 413-543-6600.

Side Dishes

• The Boathouse Restaurant in South Hadley will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo with a special “Cinco De Bruncho” on Sunday, May 5, from noon to 3 p.m.

Brunch will feature live music by Lindsey LaBelle. The brunch menu itself will be featuring “Fiesta Food

Specials,” while the bar will be offering flights of Margaritas and Tequila Mimosas.

Reservations can be made by calling 413-536-2342.

• On Saturday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to noon, the Old Creamery Co-op in Cummington will be partnering with Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) to present “Making Food Fun.”

A family-friendly event, Making Food Fun will focus on the start of the local growing season, with gardening tips, tastings of local foods, and more.

The event is free, and more details can be found online at tinyurl.com/MFFMay24. The Old Creamery Co-op picks up at 413-634-5560.

• Dewey’s Jazz Lounge on Worthington Street in Springfield is hosting another of its “Supper Club” events on Wednesday, May 15, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

The evening features a four-course, Mexican-themed dinner, the main course of which is a choice between Tamarind-Glazed Pork or Deep-fried Red Snapper. Three tequila-based cocktails are also included in the Supper Club package. Tickets, which are $75 plus a $6.88 convenience fee, can be purchased at Eventbrite.com.

The telephone number for Dewey’s Jazz Lounge is 413301-8337.

entree options

angus short ribs

roasted salmon

chicken a la vodka

marinated pork loin

eggplant parmesan

baked scrod plus:

children’s station

carving station

omelet station

pasta bar

raw bar

dessert station and bottomless mimosas!

breakfast items

crustless quiche bacon & sausage home fries waffles french toast pancakes danishes sweet breads