DON JOVI: Tribute band brings Bon Jovi hits to 52 Sumner in Springfield, D3
BOXING SCENE: Local and international boxers to meet at MassMutual Center, D4
‘REVENGE OF THE SITH’: Greenfield Garden Cinemas celebrates 20th anniversary of ‘Star Wars’ film, D7
Ashley Potter | apotter@repub.com
While you can go to a local home goods store and find a new coffee mug or vase, the potters along the route of this year’s Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail are encouraging you to think deeper about where the pieces in your home come from.
“There can be great designs that comes through at Target but getting to talk to the maker and see their inspiration and see their studio, it’s a totally different experience,” said Tiffany Hilton, the organizer of the 21st annual spring tour and one of the potters along the route.
“When you use that mug, you’re going to remember that little conversation you had with the artist. You’re going to remember that experience, and that’s going to be part of your interaction of having that favorite mug rotate through your dish rack. You’re going to remember your connection to that human being,” she added.
By K eith O ’C onnor
Special to The Republican
Don Chafflin is leading a double life.
Not only is he lead vocalist for Don Jovi, a tribute to the music of Bon Jovi, coming to 52 Sumner in Springfield for a concert tonight, but he is also lead singer for Voices of Extreme.
“I’m an original recording artist and I also run a video company which shoots promos for some of my best friends in tribute bands in the Tri-State area of New York. It is something I never intended on doing until I got a call from a friend of mine who asked me to do some Bon Jovi songs with his band. Before you knew it, we became Don Jovi,” Chaffin said about the band, which has been around for a year and a half.
The 90-mintue show features many Bon Jovi hits, such as “You Give Love a Bad Name,” “Livin’ on a Prayer,” “Wanted Dead or Alive,” “Bad Medicine,” “I’ll Be There for You,” “Living in Sin,” “Bed of Roses” and tons of other favorites.
Bon Jovi has sold more than 130 million records throughout the world since being founded in 1983 by Jon Bon Jovi. The band has released 16 studio albums and several live albums. It has performed more than 2,700 concerts across 50 countries for more than 34 million fans. Their many accolades include being inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2006, followed much later into the US Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.
Chaffin noted that he gained a greater appreciation for Bon Jovi after joining the tribute band.
“I was listening to groups like Van Halen and Led
MUSIC FANS ARE
probably familiar with events such as songwriter circles and song swaps — gatherings where a handful of songwriters get together to play songs with each other and sometimes tell stories about the songs.
But event organizer Mark Sherry, executive director of New Music Alliance, took the concept and supersized it to create the 21 Songwriters — Western New England Music Festival. The daylong showcase will be at De La Luz
Soundstage, 114 Race St. in Holyoke on April 27.
“I wanted to do something that would have a significant impact on the community to bring attention to the incredible wealth of talent we have in local Western New England singer-songwriters,” Sherry said.
Sherry got the idea from Frank Viele, the 2023 New England Music Award winner
for Best Artist.
“Frank had just run an event in Hamden, Connecticut, called ’21 Songwriters,’” Sherry said. “So, we put two and two together and out came with ’21 Songwriters –Western New England.’ And I have to say that Frank has been a joy to work with.”
With so many artists, the musical itinerary for the event should be both
fast-paced and diverse. There will be two stages and seven groupings with three songwriters in each group performing in the round.
“There are two stages that will alternate sets every 30 minutes. There are four groups of three songwriters in the round on the De La Luz Soundstage, and three groups of three songwriters
“I wanted to do something that would have a significant impact on the community to bring attention to the incredible wealth of tal-
By K eith O ’C onnor
Special to The Republican
The chimes of a bell will be heard over and over again on Saturday, April 26, at Springfield’s MassMutual Center as each round begins and ends as part of Down & Dirty Boxing XVI Spring Break Edition.
Presented by Reyes Boxing Inc., the event begins at 6 p.m. with doors opening at 5 p.m.
The main event of Down & Dirty will pit Springfield local, 29-year-old Anthony Velazquez, who is currently the NABF junior super-welterweight champion, against 32-year-old Tanzanian middleweight boxer Yusuph Metu.
“Yusuph boasts an impressive 11-1 record, with 8 wins coming by knockout, showcasing his explosive power in the ring. In February, he challenged for the WBA Asia East middleweight title against Russian knockout artist Rustam Islamov, signaling his ambition on the regional stage. After a
setback in 2024, he made a strong comeback with a second-round TKO victory, proving his resilience and determination,” said Michael Reyes, founder of Reyes Boxing Inc., a boxing training and management company.
The company’s services include not only promoting boxing events, but also running the Reyes Boxing Club in Marblehead, which trains all ages in combat sports.
In another major title match, Emeka Nwokolo of California, originally from Nigeria, who is the current NABA WBA champion, will face off against Nathan McIntosh of the U.K., originally from Poland.
“The winners of these two matches will be in store for a big showdown coming out on stage holding their two belts in another Down & Dirty to be scheduled for some time in September or October,” Reyes said.
Springfield Chamber Players present concert Saturday at 52 Sumner
By K eith O ’C onnor Special to The Republican
The more popular phrase to hear someone say is “no strings attached.”
But when the Springfield Chamber Players premiere “Broadway with Strings Attached” at 52 Sumner on Saturday, April 26, “strings attached” takes on a good meaning.
Showtime is 8 p.m.
“Our premise was ‘Broadway with Strings Attached,’ showcasing musicals that had string players as characters, like ’Fiddler on The Roof,’ ‘A Little Night Music’ — where a central character plays the cello — to ‘Sweeney Todd’ — where the fiddle player gets eaten,” said Mark G. Auerbach, who created the piece, wrote the narration, and is producer.
“We wanted to create a chamber music ‘pops’ program that would celebrate some of the incredible songwriters from Broadway. Film composer Max Mueklkler, who had written a piece for our horn trio, agreed to arrange the music
“Our audience will enjoy brand new arrangements of familiar, and a few less familiar, Broadway classics that mix together the rich tones and breathtaking precision of our professional Springfield-based string quartet with the clever, creative lyrics and expression one expects from a night at the theater.”
for string quartet, narration, and vocalists,” he added. “We included ‘He Plays the Violin’ from ‘1776,’ and a song from Richard Rodgers called ‘No Strings, a musical he wrote with no stringed instruments in the orchestra. The show expanded to include music from musicals produced at area regional theaters ... ‘Goodspeed’ (on) Hartford Stage, and Barrington Stage Company and others.”
The chamber music pops program features the Springfield Chamber Players’ Quartetto Mosso, narrators Auerbach and Marty Kluger, as well as vocalists Sarah Vincelett Dredge and Spencer
Marty Kluger
Reese. Quartetto Mosso features violinists Ronald Gorevic and Beth Welty, violist Delores Thayer, and cellist Yoonhee Ko.
It all began one evening over pizza after a symphony rehearsal.
“I explained that timpani would not fit smoothly into our chamber music programs and since we would been singing musical theatre, suggested that we perform Broadway show music. Mark bought the idea and thought it could work as a concert program for the musicians of
SEE STRINGS, PAGE D11
Hilton, who works out of her studio in the Arts & Industry Building in the Florence section of Northampton, is one of eight host studio locations along the tour. She will open her doors to visitors for the two-day event on April 26 and 27.
“There’s eight studios that are hosted in the space where this work is being made,” Hilton said. “You get to see their bulletin boards. You get to see what’s tacked up on their walls that inspires them. You get to see the little vignettes of rocks and debris on their window that inspire their artwork. And you get to see the view out of their window of their farm and their fields and see what inspires that maker.”
And Hilton, who specializes in dinnerware like plates and mugs and teakettles, is inspired by nature.
“I work in batches of cycles of making and throwing and trimming and firing and stacking up this square so that I have all these blank canvases to decorate with glazes,” she said. “I use a lot of wax resist first — simple but bold brushwork that people will often say, ‘Is this the eclipse?’ or ‘Is this the moon?’ It’ll be inspired by nature and
from left, is
by James
open to guests during this weekend’s free Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail.
it will be an image that they relate to, but it’s simple line work and imagery.”
There are eight host studios on this year’s Pottery Trail, and among them, 28 total artists who will be sharing and selling their work. “The eight hosts are the same, but each of us invite one, two or three guest artists at our studios. There are 20 guest artists this year from as far away as Minnesota and Tennessee,” Hilton said.
Hilton herself will be hosting two guest artists this year — Alison Palmer, of South Kent, Connecticut, and Diane Sullivan, of North Adams.
“When I’m picking guests, I like it to be work that’s very different than my own, but I like the guest artists to relate in some way to each other,” she explained. “So, both Alison and Diane have a more sculptural element to their work. There’s a lot of students and collectors who come on the tour, (and) it’s nice to just see sculptural work.”
Palmer’s online portfolio touts several different ceramic jars topped with animals, like a lion and a turtle, and on Sullivan’s portfolio, sculptural busts depict incredible detail, both distinctly different from Hilton’s own simplistic nature-inspired dinnerware.
“What we hear from our guests is that they love
coming every year, that it’s fun to see the same peoples’ work over time, but it’s also exciting to have the guest artists change every year,” Hilton said.
Potters on this year’s tour and their guests include:
• Donna McGee, 47 East St. in Hadley, with guests Sam Taylor (Westhampton), Tom White (Northfield) and Mucuy Bolles (Brattleboro, Vermont);
• Tiffany Hilton, Arts & Industry Building Studio #336 in Florence, with guests Alison Palmer (South Kent,
TUESDAY
Chicopee Elks #1849
431 Granby Road, Chicopee 413-592-1849
Bingo Tuesday
Doors Open at 4PM
2 Progressive Jackpots 6:15PM Early Bird 6:20PM Start
Min. Entry Package $15 Open Seating
2 Halls for Players Handicap Restroom 1st Floor
WEDNESDAY
Polish American Citizens Club 355 East Street, Ludlow, 583-6385
Bingo Wednesdays 6:30-9:30pm
Doors Open at 4pm. Minimum Admission $50
1 - 1199 Progressive Betty Boop 50/50 Prize $900
2 - $500 Cover Alls
3 - $400 Special Games All regular games $100 with 80 people or More. All Cards are included with Admission. Prizes climb with additional attendence. Full Kitchen 4-6:30pm.
THURSDAY
Fairview Knights of Columbus
1599 Memorial Drive, Chicopee (413) 532-2011
DOORS OPEN 4:30PM
MASKS OPTIONAL Progressive Jackpot 6:15pm Early Bird 6:20pm Start
Electronic Bingo Aval. Snack Bar, Open Seating, Handicap Restrooms
Min. Entry Package $15
BUFFETED BY LOCKdowns, labor shortages, supply chain problems and escalating costs, the past five years have not been particularly kind to major fast-food brands. Many of the quick-service restaurant giants such as McDonald’s, Starbucks and KFC have experienced declines in customer traffic and, especially over the last six months, have watched their profit margins be impacted as a result. Consumers, especially those from lower-income demographics, seem to have lost the sense that fast food represented “good value.”
Apart from cost pressures and value perceptions, the quick service segment of the restaurant industry is also having to cope with quiet competition from another type of business — the convenience store
Of course, convenience stores have long sold readyto-eat foods in the form of packaged sandwiches, soft drinks and roller-grilled hot dogs. But since the pandemic that industry has gotten serious about food service, with modern “C-store” layouts devoting space to a veritable food court of tasty options.
The convenience store industry, faced with declining gasoline sales thanks to the growing popularity of electric vehicles, has latched onto ready-to-eat food as the growth opportunity to pursue. Food service sales convenience stores currently represents about 30% of total stores sales and contribute generously to the bottom line. In contrast, just two decades ago food service sales were only about 12% of the industry’s total take at the cash register.
Unlike the quick service restaurant sector, convenience stores have continued to rack up year-over-year sales and customer count increas-
es, most recently reporting a 2.4% growth in sales for 2024. That’s a result any fastfood eatery would be glad to report.
• In celebration of National Burger Month, on April 28 Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Brews will be introducing several items to its menu.
A new Backyard BBQ Pork Burger will get its flavor profile from a topping of hickory-smoked pulled pork, barbecue sauce and hardwood-smoked bacon. Garnishes for the new burger include cheddar cheese, onion straws and more; a “bottomless” side will also be included.
Backyard BBQ Pork Nachos will feature Red Robin’s signature Yukon Chips topped with hickory-smoked pulled pork, a drizzle of beer cheese-bacon fondue, Whiskey River BBQ sauce and ranch dressing. Sliced jalapenos will serve as garnish.
Three special beverages — a Peach-Berry Freckled Lemonade in both nonalcoholic and vodka-spiked versions and a Peaches & Cream Milkshake — are also making a monthlong appearance.
There are Red Robin locations at Holyoke Crossing in Holyoke, on Hazard Avenue in Enfield, and in Manchester, Connecticut.
• Massachusetts State Sen. Julian Cyr, a Democrat whose district includes part of Cape
ACCORDING TO THE old saying, the quintessential American things are “baseball, mom and apple pie.”
But last week those symbols might have been tweaked a bit for some of us to “baseball, craft beer and the Grateful Dead.”
Last Friday, Greenfield native Sam Calagione — who my readers probably know better as the founder of Delaware’s Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales — threw out the first pitch at the Red Sox game—– which also happened to be Grateful Dead Night at Fenway Park. This all came about when his friend and Grateful Dead archivist David Lemieux learned Calagione would be attending the game and he set things in motion.
Dogfish Head, of course, has long honored various musical acts, including the Dead, and in 2015 brewed a beer called “American Beauty” (after the album of the same name). This developed into a long-term relationship with the band, resulting most recently with this year’s Grateful Dead Juicy Pale Ale. The beer was brewed in honor of the band’s 60th anniversary, which coincided with Dogfish Head’s 30th.
I spoke to Calagione on Saturday about the baseball event and the new beer.
Calagione said being on the mound at Fenway was “slightly surreal, but it also felt like sort of a homecoming.”
“We [Calagione, his father and grandfather] used to go to games and some of my earliest memories are from those games,” he said.
Calagione wore a special T-shirt which had been tiedyed by Dogfish Head public relations coordinator Janelle Miley. But to take it further, Calagione then spent three nights painting the back and adding the number 5 in honor of Boston sports legend (and known Deadhead) Bill Walton.
“He was not only a great person and ambassador for the Celtics, but also for the Grateful Dead,” Calagione said.
As far as the new beer, Calagione said that it has been the fastest-growing beer in Dogfish Head history — an encouraging sign at a time when overall national beer sales seem to be flat.
“I think it also shows that the 21- to 31-year-old demographic that doesn’t seem to be drinking as much beer as previous generations is open to new ideas, but they have to be kind of special, and this beer seems to fit the bill,” he said.
One interesting facet of Grateful Dead Juicy Pale Ale is the use of Kernza in the grain bill. Kernza is a trademarked name for the grain produced by a perennial wheatgrass and hailed as a sustainable and ecologically sound alternative to wheat due to its potential to improve soil health and reduce water pollution.
“It’s closer to rye than barley; it has kind of a dry, peppery
note to it,” Calagione said about Kernza. “The beer is built around Azacca and El Dorado hops, so it has lots of mango, lots of pine and a lot of citrus. There is actually some oat and honey granola in there, too, so there is some sweetness from the hops and the honey, but then with the Kernza, it ends with kind of a dry, bready characteristic.”
Calagione likened his company’s ethos to the way the band worked. He pointed out that the Dogfish Head mantra is “our differences make us stronger” and that fits with the diverse backgrounds that made up the Grateful Dead.
“Jerry Garcia came from a bluegrass background. Phil Lesh was a classically trained jazz musician. Pigpen came from the blues, and Bobby Weir is a straight-up rock ’n’ roller. So they all came from these different musical genres. And when they brought all their different skills together, it was very complementary and sort of created a new genre of music,” Calagione said.
“So when I think of our team at Dogfish Head, with all my coworkers, from the brewers to the distillers to the graphic designers to the chefs, we all have a voice in creating new products. So we’re on a creative journey in the same way the Grateful Dead was.”
Tebo | Special to The Republican
ON MAY 4, THE Greenfield Garden Cinemas will be showcasing a film about a fascist emperor who vanquishes his foes and defies the will of the senate and the judiciary in his megalomaniacal quest for total domination of the entire galaxy. I’m speaking, of course, of “Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith,” the final chapter of George Lucas’s notoriously divisive Star Wars prequel trilogy.
For the film’s 20th anniversary, the theater will host three screenings, host both coloring and cosplay contests, and offer discounted popcorn as well as a special “Darkside cocktail menu” for the thirsty Wookies in the audience.
This reviewer has a bit of a checkered history with the “Star Wars” universe. Despite being born in the late 1970s to parents who made daily visits to the video store, I was somehow never shown a “Star Wars” film as a child. I spent my adolescence in various friends’ bedrooms festooned with every piece of “Star Wars”-adjacent merchandise on the market, listening to them debate the true origins of Boba Fett while I stared blankly at my own sneakers. I held onto my dark secret until well into my teens, by which point I was already a cur-
CONTINUES FROM PAGE D4
Saturday’s other matches include Emeka Nwokolo vs. Nathan McIntosh, Carlos Gonzalez of Springfield vs. Alexander Mejia of Nicaragua, Thomas Blumenfeld vs. Christopher Rodriguez, Ian Garcia of Springfield vs. Jose Angel Roman of Indiana, Denzel Whitley of Holyoke vs. Daniel Sostre of Puerto Rico, Derrick Whitley Jr. of Springfield vs. Thomas Guillemette of Boston (originally of France), Julio Rivera vs. Jose Florentino of Haverhill (originally of the Dominican Republic), Adrian Valdez Reyes of Chicopee vs. Nicholas Monty of New Hampshire, and the debut of Reinaldo Torres of Springfield vs. Izaiah Vargas of Washington.
“Springfield has a rich heritage of embracing sports with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and, in our case for boxing, four boxing gyms in the city.”
Michael Reyes, founder of Reyes Boxing Inc.
with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and, in our case for boxing, four boxing gyms in the city. And, last year we wanted to make sure we were represented in the third largest Puerto Rican parade in the country,” he said.
on the Divine Theater stage,” Sherry said. “Each performer will play two songs: first one song each, and then a second round of one song each.”
Among the performers will be Louise Mosrie Coombe, Peter J. Newland, Jon Carroll, Cliff Eberhardt, and the Boxcar Lilies. The performances will run from 2:30 – 6:30 p.m., but earlier in the day there will
mudgeonly cinephile self-immunized against whatever magic the “Star Wars” films might’ve been able to cast on me as a young moviegoer. Despite my unfamiliarity with the goings on in a galaxy far, far away, I was very much aware that George Lucas’ prequel trilogy that he started to unveil in 1999 was the most highly anticipated event in the history of cinema. I’m also aware these films disappointed the “Star Wars” faithful to the point of nausea. I lined up at my local multiplex to catch the first showing of “Episode 1: The Phantom Menace” in May of ’99. The only thing more deafening than the rap -
turous applause that greeted the opening credits was the stunned silence that hung in the air after the film as the crowd of dispirited Jedi slowly filed out of the theater. The films, of course, were all still blockbusters, because “Star Wars” fans will pay to watch Jar Jar Binks read the dictionary for three hours.
When it was released in 2005, the eerily prescient “Episode III–Revenge of the Sith” was greeted by the strongest reviews of the series and viewed as a course correction.
The film finds Jedi Master ObiWan Kenobi (a bearded Ewan MacGregor) and his
SEE ‘SITH’, PAGE D11
be three workshops from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
These will include an intermediate songwriting workshop run by Coombe and Newland, which talks about different paths to explore when writing; an advanced songwriting workshop run by Carroll and Eberhardt that addresses knowing when a song is finished; and a music business workshop facilitated by Viele, Lee Totten, Tracy Walton and Meredith Tarr that centers on building
a solid business foundation as an independent musician. The event is for all ages and is free, but donations will be accepted as a fundraiser for De La Luz Institute for Technical Arts at the LightHouse School in Holyoke and New Music Alliance. To reserve free tickets, go online to Delaluz. org. The De La Luz cafe will be open throughout the day with a menu of locally-inspired food and beverages, including a full bar.
This isn’t the first time a Down and Dirty event has brought world-class boxing to the MassMutual Center. Down and Dirty made its Springfield debut last September during Puerto Rican Parade weekend in the city with a match filled with Puerto Rican stars and special guest fighters.
Reyes said that he wanted to bring boxing to Springfield for several reasons.
“I represent a fair amount of Puerto Rican boxers such as Ian Garcia, Carlos Castillo, Carlos Gonzalez and others from the Springfield area.
Also, Springfield has a rich heritage of embracing sports,
Reyes knows a thing or two about how boxing can make a difference in someone’s life.
“I was a boxer as a kid, it saved my life, changed my life around. I was an inner-city kid with a young single mother and began causing trouble. My mother got me involved in boxing which led to me to doing better in high school, going on to graduate from college and joining the military. I attribute all of these things to saving my life and now I want to give other kids the same opportunity,” he said. Tickets, available online at massmutualcenter.com, range in price from $93 to $218.
SUNDAY, MAY 11, 2025
Show Mom that you recognize and appreciate all she does throughout the year by celebrating Mother’s Day at her favorite Table 3 restaurant.
CEDAR STREET GRILLE will be offering their unique brunch menu plus some amazing Mother’s Day specials from 10am–2pm, as well as dinner reservations featuring our daily menu from 4–8pm. We always sell out early for Mother’s Day, so make your reservations now.
THE BARN AT WIGHT FARM’S spectacular annual Mother’s Day brunch buffet will be brimming with all mom’s favorites and will be hosted in our beautiful Winthrop Room with seating from 10am to 4pm. The cost is $46.95 for adults and $21.95 for children 5-12 (not including tax and gratuity).
*Reservations require a $25 per guest non-refundable deposit. Tables are reserved for 2 hours per reservation and checks cannot be split.
THE DUCK AND AVELLINO will be serving a pre-fixe menu with all mom’s favorites, fantastic holiday cocktails, and decadent desserts. Pricing is $45.95 for adults and a children’s menu is available for children under 12. Seating is 11am–4pm.
*Reservations require a $25 per guest non-refundable deposit.
Scan QR Code for more information on Mother’s Day with Table 3 and for reservations
Donations Needed for Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum Book Sale Fundraiser: Thu.-Sat., First United Methodist Church. The Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum is seeking donations of gently-used adult and children's books and jigsaw puzzles for their upcoming book sale. Donations will only be accepted by curbside dropoff at the back door of the First United Methodist Church on Thu., from 4-7 p.m., Fri., from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., and Sat., from 9 a.m.-noon. The Friends cannot accept musty or damaged books, encyclopedias, dictionaries, textbooks, Readers Digest books, or outdated manuals, travel books, or self-help books. The book sale will be held at the church on Thursday, May 8, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday, May 9, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. On Thursday only, there will be a $5 discount coupon for educators (bring your ID) and new Friends members joining at the door. For more information, visit friendsofwestath.org. The Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum is an all-volunteer 501(C)3 not-forprofit organization that supports the programs and services of the Westfield Athenaeum, 16 Court St., Westfield;
Mt. Holyoke College Dept. of Film Media Theater Presents "Marie Antoinette" by David Adjmi: Thu.-Sat, 7:30 p.m.; Sun, 2:30 p.m. Rooke Theatre, For more information or to reserve tickets, visit mhc. ludus.com or contact PerformingArts@MtHolyoke.edu, Tickets are $10 general admission; $8 students and senior citizens. Lower Lake Road, South Hadley.
Nejaime's Wine Cellars Bordeaux Wine Seminar: Thu., 5:30-7 p.m. Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum, with Rob Ross, Sommelier, certified wine specialist. The tasting features nine highly-rated Bordeaux wines. Cost is $55 per person. Reserve seats at nejaimeswine.com or call 413637-2221. 104 Walker St., Lenox. 413-637-3206 or gildedage.org.
Stargazing with Your Telescope 2.0: Thu, 4 p.m. Edwards Public Library, with NASA ambassador William Fournier. He will teach you how to use your telescope and tell you what you are looking at. If you don't own a telescope, this event will teach you how to use the new Library of Things Telescope. Registration is required, call 413-5278480, 30 East St., Southampton.
UPHA CH-14 Spring Premier Horse Show: Thu.-Sat., East-
Community Music School of Springfield Spring Gala: Sat., 6:30 p.m. Community Music School of Springfield’s spring gala is the single largest source of funding for the school’s extensive financial aid and scholarship offerings, creates equitable and inclusive access to high quality music education. The gala features live music, live and silent auctions, cocktails and appetizers, and CMSS Excellence Awards, $75. 127 State St., Springfield; 413-782-8428.
Donations Needed for Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum Book Sale Fundraiser: See Thursday listing
Family Fishing Event Cops & Bobbers, Hooks & Ladders: Sat., 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Forest Park, 60th annual Springfield Elks Lodge CoteSullivan Youth Fishing Derby With Cops & Bobbers, Hooks & Ladders Program. Free fishing program for kids up to age 12. Learn the basics of fishing from experienced volunteers, and join in for a fun day of Fishing in Forest Park with the police, fire, other safety officials and members of your community. Takes place at Barney Pond. Fishing equipment will be provided if needed. Basic fishing lessons will be offered. Trophies awarded for catching a tagged trout prizes and raffles given out through the day. For more information, contact Tom Kelly at 413-237-6964 or Bob Wallace at 413-262-2174, Sumner Avenue, Springfield.
SUNDAY
21 of the Best Singer-Songwriters in Western New England: Sun., 2:30-6 p.m. De La Luz Soundstage, presented by The New Music Alliance, Bigger Beast Records, and LightHouse Holyoke. Reserve your free tickets at Delaluz.org. 114 Race St., Holyoke.
Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail 2025: See Saturday listing Mt. Holyoke College Dept. of Film Media Theater Presents "Marie Antoinette" by David Adjmi: See Thursday listing
West Springfield Coin Club
Semi-Annual Coin Show: Sun., 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Dante Club, coin dealers will be exhibiting as well as buying and selling coins and giving free appraisals. Free. For more information, contact Peter Setian at 413-596-9871, 1198 Memorial Ave., West Springfield.
George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum: Spring vacation week, April 21-25, “Art for All,” 10 a.m.-5 p.m. A week of activities inspired by the special exhibition “Van Gogh for All.” Free with museum admission. Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History: Permanent exhibit: Indian motorcycles and related memorabilia.
ern States Exposition, C Barn, Coliseum, E Barn and F Barn, 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. 413-737-2443 or thebige.com.
FRIDAY
Donations Needed for Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum Book Sale Fundraiser: See Thursday listing
A Grotesque Love Story: Fri., 8 p.m. Blue Room at CitySpace, join The Grotesque Burlesque as they return to The Blue Room for a night exploring queer love, magic, and relationship through interactive healing burlesque. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. 18+, $20-$30. 43 Main St., Easthampton;
Mt. Holyoke College Dept. of Dance Presents "Labrnth": Fri.Sat, 7:30 p.m. Kendall Sports and Dance Complex, "Labrnth" will be held at Mount Holyoke College in the Studio Theater in Kendall Sports and Dance Complex. Tickets are $5 general admission and free for students. 50 College St., South Hadley, mtholyoke.edu.
Mt. Holyoke College Dept. of Film Media Theater Presents "Marie Antoinette" by David Adjmi: See
Thursday listing
UPHA CH-14 Spring Premier Horse Show: See Thursday listing
SATURDAY
“Ancient Burlesque” PVS 86th Season Finale: Sat., 7 p.m. Greenfield High School, $15-$35 (youth & students $5). 21 Barr Ave., Greenfield.
Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail 2025: Sat.-Sun, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. This self-guided pottery trail winds along scenic rivers and through historic villages and college towns of Western Mass. Look for the yellow trail signs guiding visitors through Florence/Northampton/Hadley, Greenfield and the Mohawk Trail village of Shelburne Falls. Visit asparagusvalleypotterytrail.com/ map for directions and details, 221 Pine St. Studio 352, Florence. Bing Productions presents “The Boston Camerata”: Sat., 7:30 p.m.
Trinity United Methodist Church, “Trav'ling Home: American Spirituals,” 1770-1870, in Ashbury Hall. Tickets are $25 and available at the door (cash only) or in advance at Eventbrite, 361 Sumner Ave., Springfield. 413-737-5311.
Mt. Holyoke College Dept. of Dance Presents "Labrnth": See Friday listing
Mt. Holyoke College Dept. of Film Media Theater Presents "Marie Antoinette" by David Adjmi: See Thursday listing Poetry and Pie — Brother's Keeper: Sat., 7-10 p.m. Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity, $8 to $20. 130 Pine St., Florence; Rummage Sale: Sat., 9 a.m.-2 p.m. St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 485 Appleton St., Holyoke.
Springfield Unico Craft Beer, Spirits and Wine tasting: Sat, 5-8 p.m. Penthouse 650, sixth floor of Tower Square in Springfield. This event supports scholarships program for graduating High School seniors. Event includes multiple craft breweries, wineries and distilleries and will have served hors d'oeuvres as well as acoustic music by Sean Fazio. Parking is free on level B, take elevator to level CC. 1500 Main St., Springfield; 413-733-2171 or visittowersquare. com.
UPHA CH-14 Spring Premier Horse Show: See Thursday listing
Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts: “Van Gogh for All.” Through Sept. 14. Quadrangle Welcome Center: Earth Day Festival 2025. April 27, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., eco-friendly demonstrations and special exhibits on the Quadrangle Green. Boys of the Landfill Bluegrass Band performs at 11:30 am & 1 pm. Free and open to the public. (Note: The festival will take place in the Science Museum in case of rain; museum admission will apply.)
Springfield Science Museum: “The Robot Zoo.” Through May 4. Discover the magic of nature as a master engineer. Free with museum admission. Permanent exhibit: State-of-the-art Zeiss Projector and updated International Space Station Exhibit.
The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum: Permanent exhibit. First floor features interactive three-dimensional exhibits. Second floor contains Geisel’s personal memorabilia. 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.
Springfield Chamber Players, and then developed a script for string quartet, narration, and vocalists. Beth Welty, a violinist, reached out to her nephew, a composer and arranger, who had previously composed ‘Triptych,’ a commissioned work for the Springfield Chamber Players Horn Trio. Along with Mark, we engaged two more vocalists, and selected the music, which Max arranged for strings and vocalists,” Kluger said.
Kluger is principal timpanist of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, which he joined upon completing percussion and conducting studies at the Yale School of Music. He was also a Yale School of Medicine scientist and researched molecular pathways of disease. After leaving Yale, he turned to singing bel canto and
instrument — and unlike say the audience response at a piano or violin recital, I find that solo timpani recitals are most interesting to other timpanists,” Kluger added.
But research did have its rewards, and Kluger’s work made a difference.
“For me, it was thrilling to visualize the architecture of human cells by microscopy and to follow molecules along their biochemical pathways. It is satisfying that I could train and mentor Yale undergraduates, medical students and postdoctoral fellows, some of whom went on to become clinical scientists. Scientifically, I advanced understanding of how human microvascular endothelial cells regulate adhesion molecules vital for mediating inflammation and interactions in blood with the human immune system that are crucial for fighting disease. More specifically, I published studies on E-selectin and the tumor necrosis factor
available at springfieldsymphonymusicians.com or 52sumner.com, are $30 general admission and $10 for students.
barbershop with the Hartford Chorale and the Hartford Men in Harmony, and later, to singing-acting on stage.
Growing up in his house, Kluger noted he had some unusual living room furniture.
“We had two kettledrums, aka timpani, because my dad was a symphonic percussionist and my first teacher. The joy of performing music has been a constant in my life since age seven. Unraveling the mysteries of biology has a kind of excitement all its own, but I certainly don’t miss the kind of excitement I experienced commuting north from New Haven to Springfield in time for our conductor’s downbeat,” he said.
“In the context of a symphony orchestra, timpani provide a rhythmic foundation, a unique tone color and a powerful instrumental voice that works at times as an assistant conductor. They are less compelling as a solo
Cod and the Islands, has renewed his quest to end the Massachusetts ban on restaurant “happy hours.” As he did during the last Legislative session, Cyr is linking the existing happy hour ban to what he refers to as the Commonwealth’s “fun problem.”
Cyr believes that lifting the ban on discount drinks would not only be good for the restaurant business but would also remedy what he sees as a socializing shortfall in the Bay State. He contends that bringing back happy hours would make life more enjoyable for younger people and could even help keep them from moving out of state.
The current ban on happy hours dates back to 1984. Cyr’s assertion is that things have changed since then, thanks to the deterrent effect of tougher drunk driving laws and the widespread availability of ridefor-hire services.
• All this week (until Sunday, April 27), the Friendly’s Restaurant at 54-56 Main St. in Florence is holding a grand reopening celebration. Newly redecorated and under
receptor (TNFR) and established an experimental model of vascular leak, a deadly pathological process in sepsis that for the first time emphasized the role of endothelial tight junctions,” he said.
Kluger noted that he is excited for audiences to hear what they have created for this weekend’s concert.
“Our audience will enjoy brand new arrangements of familiar, and a few less familiar, Broadway classics that mix together the rich tones and breathtaking precision of our professional Springfield-based string quartet with the clever, creative lyrics and expression one expects from a night at the theater,” he said.
Springfield Chamber Players Chamber Music Series is funded, in part, by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Tickets, available at springfieldsymphonymusicians. com or 52sumner.com, are $30 general admission and $10 for students.
new ownership, the Florence location is marking the change with a full week of deals.
A weekday dine-in special is being offered from Monday, April 21 until Friday, April 25. Diners under the age of 12 can eat free from the kids menu with a qualifying purchase of an adult meal.
Over the weekend of April 26 and 27, there’s a carry-out treat being planned. Buy a single scoop cone or dish for carryout and get a second one free.
The above promotional deals are available at the Main Street, Florence location only. Contact the restaurant at 413584-1772 for more details.
• Eat, Drink & Be Holyoke is being celebrated on May 1 at the Holyoke Senior Center on Pine Street.
Sponsored by the Holyoke Rotary Club, the event, which will run from 5:30-8:30 p.m., will feature food tastings from a number of Holyoke restaurants. Beverage samples will be provided by Quality Beverage of Chicopee; Wine Haus and Vineyard of Granby will conduct tastings.
Live music and a silent auction will also contribute to the evening’s fun.
Tickets for Eat, Drink & Be Holyoke are available at
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young apprentice Anakin Skywalker (a wooden Hayden Christensen) attempting to rescue Supreme Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) from the clutches of General Grievous. That’s all well and good except Palpatine is actually an evil Sith Lord bent on world domination.
Complicating matters is the fact that Anakin’s secret gal pal Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman, the only female character in the film) is pregnant. When Anakin is haunted by dreams that the queen will die in childbirth, Palpatine promises him he’ll make his dreams not come true if he betrays his Jedi brethren and converts to the Dark Side. So that’s what he does. Most of the Jedi are obliterated
Eventbrite.com. Proceeds from the event will support Rotary projects in Holyoke, South Hadley and Granby.
• Abandoned Building Brewery of Easthampton is hosting a Maker’s Market on Sunday, April 27, from noon5 p.m. The market will be bringing together more than 25 local craft vendors while Vegan Pizza and a Provisions pop-up will be offering good things to eat.
To learn more about the Maker’s Market, contact Abandoned Building Brewery at 413-203-2537.
• Tutti Quanti, a Sturbridge-based market specializing in Italian food imports, is hosting a tasting on Tuesday, April 29, from 6:30-8 p.m.
Three new Italian wine varieties will be poured, and samples of cheese, pasta, and charcuterie also will be available. Tickets for the tasying, which can be ordered at Eventbrite.com, are $15 plus a convenience fee.
Tutti Quanti answers at 774241-0476.
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.
during one of the roughly 750 light saber battles. The knowledge-dropping Yoda shows up and acts circles around everyone else, even though he’s an animatronic Muppet. Queen Amidala is so upset by Anakin’s change of political affiliation she drops dead anyway, making Palpatine a lousy keeper of promises. Obi-Wan and Anakin have a climactic battle on a lake of fire, during which neither of them breaks a sweat. Anakin is horrifically burned but quickly undergoes surgery that leaves him with a snazzy black helmet, a new handle (Darth Vader), and the voice of James Earl Jones.
The freshly born, motherless Skywalker twins (Luke and Leia) are secreted away until the year 1977, when they will reunite, accidentally fall in love, and break every box office record known to
humankind. According to Greenfield Garden Cinema co-owner Issac Maas, “Twenty years ago we thought this was going to be the last Star Wars movie ever made and it was the biggest cinematic event.”
Given everything that has happened to the franchise since George Lucas sold it to Disney (a deluge of films, streamers, and spinoffs of spinoffs), it may have been a blessing if the force was retired after “Episode III.” It’s a goofy yet highly entertaining installment that deserves another look. “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” will play at noon, 3 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 4 (Star Wars Day) at the Greenfield Garden Cinemas. Tickets are $10.50 for adults, $8.50 for seniors, college students and veterans and for all matinees.
Zeppelin long before Bon Jovi. I didn’t know all of the band’s material except for the monster hits on radio. When Don Jovi was formed, I had to learn their much bigger catalog of music and it revealed to me just how many great songs they did. I wasn’t familiar with them before that until studying the catalog. It gave me a new perspective and opened my eyes to how really great a
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Connecticut) and Diane Sullivan (North Adams);
• James Guggina, 908 Ryan Road in Florence, with guests Gabrielle Schaffner (Boston), Kristen Kieffer (Otter River), Ellen Grenadier (Monterey) and Emmanual Okechukwu (Rochester, New York);
• Steve Théberge, 319 Rocky Hill Road (Rt. 66) in Florence, with guests Jeremiah Ibarra (Philadelphia) and Ruth Easterbrook (Philadelphia);
• Lucy Fagella, 86 Leyden Road in Greenfield, with guests Ben Carter (Howell, New Jersey) and Ben Krupka (Monterey);
• Molly Cantor, The Handle Factory at 49 Conway St. in Shelburne Falls, with guests Olivia Avery (Memphis), Ben Eberle (Conway) and Laurel MacDuffie (Parsonsfield, Maine);
• Mary Barringer, 5 Cross St. in Shelburne Falls, with guests David Swenson (Clearwater, Maine), Clarice Allgood (Minneapolis) and Kourtenay Plummer (Richmond, Virginia);
• Stephen Earp, 15 Masonic Ave. in Shelburne Falls, with guest Haakon Lenzi (New York City).
There is no admission charge — you can stop by one or two of the studios or all eight.
The Pottery Trail passport
The two-day Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail is self-guid-
songwriter he was,” Chaffin said.
Chaffin, in addition to his lead vocals for Don Jovi and Voices of Extreme, has also stepped up to the mic as lead vocalist for Red Lamb, Ram Jam, Riot Act, Road Crew and American Mafia.
In addition to Chaffin, Don Jovi includes Sean Tarr on lead guitar; Chris Tristram on bass; Nick Troiani on keyboards; and Matt Ricci on drums.
Tickets, priced at $19$45, are available online at 52sumner.com.
ed, and while a printable map is available online at aspara gusvalleypotterytrail.com/ map/, there is no order in which you’re required to visit the studios.
No matter which studio you stop by first on the weekend tour, you’re encouraged to pick up a Pottery Trail passport, which will be available at all eight locations. The goal, Hilton said, is to encourage people to visit all eight studios on tour. For each studio someone visits, they will receive a stamp on their passport.
“We have a different stamp at every studio, and if they go to all eight, they can submit their passport and they fill out the back,” Hilton said. “That’s where we collect their contact info and ask them how they heard about the tour — and then we raffle off a cup from every one of the participating artists.”
Since there are 28 artists on this year’s tour, that means there are 28 opportunities to win a prize.
“It’s a good incentive for people,” Hilton said, adding that the passport can also be printed online from the Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail’s website.
While in between visiting studios, Hilton added that people are encouraged to “make a weekend out of it” and visit one of the tour’s local sponsors — like the Florence Pie Bar at 17 A Main St. in Northampton, Mo’s Fudge Factor at 9 State St. in Shelburne Falls, or The People’s Pint at 24 Federal St. in Greenfield.
