RESTLESS LEG TOUR: Tina Fey and Amy Poehler bring comedy tour to Mohegan Sun Arena, D5
World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast
Bringing the community together with 500 gallons of batter & 1,050 pounds of bacon
By K eith O ’C onnor Special to The Republican
Attending the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast is a family affair for Cheryl Stone and her two daughters Cera and Haley Fortin. But they won’t be the first in line to eat breakfast at the 200 tables that will be lined up along Main Street from State to Bridge streets in Springfield this Saturday, May 17. They will be the last to eat after helping to serve up those fluffy pancakes until the last one is flipped.
“I started helping out at the breakfast about 10 years ago with a group of
Above, from left, Journey Roberson,of West Springfield; Max Rodriguez, of Westfield; and Owen Calderon, of Chicopee, enjoy their plates of pancakes during a past World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast in Springfield. Below is a scene from last year’s event. The World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast, a Springfield tradition dating back to 1986, returns downtown on Saturday. (STEVEN E. NANTON PHOTOS)
“The breakfast is not city centric to Springfield, which celebrates its 389th birthday as part of the event, but attracts people from all over to share breakfast, exchange ideas, and engage in friendly conversation.”
Springfield Fire Commissioner B.J. Calvi, honorary chair of this year’s Pancake Breakfast
500 gallons of batter, donated by Performance Foodservice and MGM Springfield. The Hampden County Sheriff’s Department will have cooked 1,050 pounds of bacon and loaded and placed it into 100 foil pans donated by Mansfield Paper Company. Michael’s Party Rentals will have set up three cooking tents, more than 200 tables and just over 1,000 chairs. The Springfield Department of Public Works will have picked up paper supplies donated by Baystate Health and Mansfield Paper Company and delivered the bacon to MGM Springfield.
Pancake
postal employees while serving as postmaster in East Longmeadow. Then last year as postmaster in Springfield, I was asked to serve as pancake chair for all of our area offices by organizing volunteers for the breakfast,” Stone said.
“When I was asked to chair the committee, my daughters told me I had to accept it because they have loved helping me over the past years at the breakfast,” she added.
Cera, 27, is a cook in the tents and Haley, 25, helps by serving breakfast to those waiting for their hearty meals.
“I especially love the fact that it is the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast. It brings people together in the community and puts smiles on their faces. Judy (Matt) and her Spirit of Springfield crew are amazing ... it’s a lot of hard work,” Stone said Matt is president of the Spirit of Springfield, organizers of the event, which began in 1986.
“It’s a good thing that we don’t have eggs on the menu,”
Matt joked, “but don’t worry because we have plenty of batter for the pancakes and tons of bacon to go around for everyone.”
MGM Springfield has been leading sponsor of the breakfast since 2013, with additional support this year from Monson Savings Bank and TD Bank.
In addition to the pancakes, which will be topped with butter donated by Cabot Creamery, there will be bacon donated by Smithfield, coffee donated and brewed by the Sheraton Springfield, H.P. Hood milk and orange juice, Springfield water right from the tap, and Little Bites donated by Bimbo Bakeries USA.
Breakfast begins at 8 a.m. and will continue until 11 a.m. or until everyone in line has been served a plate of pancakes.
Tickets are $3 for adults and $1 for children under 12. Admission, beverages and Little Bites are free.
“We don’t want anyone to miss out on breakfast. For years, we have been making sure that everyone has an opportunity to have a place at the breakfast table by distrib -
uting 67,000 free tickets to area students with the help of American Medical Response who travels from city to town with them,” Matt said.
This year’s honorary chair is Springfield Fire Commissioner B.J. Calvi.
“It is a great honor to be selected as honorary chair of the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast. It gives me the opportunity to represent the men and women of the Springfield Fire Department and all they do to protect the community,” Calvi said.
“I will be arriving early to greet everyone and to walk around and visit our vendors and the many volunteers in the cooking tents. I’ve flipped pancakes in the tents before and let me tell you it can get pretty hot in there,” he added.
Calvi added that the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast is a “true community event.”
“It is great to get people together. The breakfast is not city centric to Springfield, which celebrates its 389th birthday as part of the event, but attracts people from all over to share breakfast,
exchange ideas, and engage in friendly conversation,” he said.
It is quite an operation to get the breakfast to the tables, Matt noted.
Before Saturday arrives, Mercy Medical Center will have already mixed more than
On Saturday morning, before the sun rises, H.P. Hood will have delivered hundreds of gallons of milk, juice, and cream that Yellowstone Landscape will have transferred to refrigerated trucks provided by Quality Beverage, Performance Foodservice, and Home Grown Springfield – Sodexo. Soon after, Sheraton
Above, volunteer Venus Roman prepares plates of pancakes during a past World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast in downtown Springfield. At right, Yukina Cintron shares a laugh with her mother, Talia Cintron, both of Springfield, during a past year’s event. (STEVEN E. NANTON PHOTOS)
PANCAKE, PAGE D6
Sponsored
Gentle Hen releases new album ‘The Wrong Record’
BANDS OFTEN break up, but it also seems that these days, more and more of them stay together for many
years in one way or another. Take Gentle Hen, for example. The Northampton-based quartet started off under the name School for the Dead in 2001, later switching its name in 2014. The only lineup change over the past 24 years was the departure of the group’s original fifth member, Anthony Westcott. The remaining members are singer-songwriter Henning Ohlenbusch on guitar, Max Germer on bass, Brian Marchese on drums, and Ken Maiuri on keyboards and guitar. The band plays out less these days (like many bands since the pandemic) but still chugs along and just released a new album, “The Wrong Record.” The album is a collection of songs that were left off previous albums. Ohlenbusch talked about the record in a recent interview.
Q. Your new album is a collection of older songs that for one reason or another, didn’t make it onto previous albums. Were these songs you had recorded previously or just ones you had written, and the band had to learn or maybe knew them from playing out?
A. This new album, “The Wrong Record,” is a collection of songs that we had record-
“Usually, I think of a record album as sort of like a photo album. A book full of snapshots from a certain period of time.”
Henning Ohlenbusch, Gentle Hen
ed over the years for three different albums, but we then discovered they didn’t quite fit in on those records. So, we put them aside, like photographs in a shoebox. And they sat there, and the collection grew until the shoebox lid wouldn’t fit anymore, and it was time to put them into their own album. That’s why it’s called “The Wrong Record.” Because the songs were right, but they were written for the wrong record. And now this is that record.
Q. When you put together an album, does it usually have a theme or a feel where you can
ENTERTAINMENT
Blake Shelton returns to his roots with ‘For Recreational Use Only’
tell where certain songs don’t fit? And how do you determine that in general?
A. This is hard to put in words and is usually just an abstract “feeling.” For most of the albums, there’s an undefinable mood that dictates which songs belong. I’m not sure I even know exactly myself; it’s just a sort of gut feeling. That is, except for our more recent release “The Whole Point of the Trip” — that one did have a consistent theme throughout. Usually, I think of a record album as sort of like a photo album. A book full of snapshots from a certain period of time. I’ve been pretty consistently writing songs since I was a teenager, so you can also think of each album as a chapter in a long book. And when enough songs have been written that define that period of time, they become an album.
Q. It seems that most artists and songwriters are always excited to do the latest stuff they’ve written. Why did you decide to dig through these old songs and put
By M ARIA SHERMAN Associated Press
Blake Shelton’s 13th studio album opens with a fitting declaration for both his latest project and the current state of his career: “Stay Country or Die Tryin’.”
It would be more accurately phrased like a question.
At this stage, Shelton is a longtime veteran of Hollywood on “The Voice” stage with a pop superstar wife in Gwen Stefani, far removed from his Nashville roots, all while maintaining the position of one of the most high-profile country stars of the current moment. But if country is a lifestyle and an image beyond its musical forms — saying nothing of the opening track’s arena-sized rock elements — is he staying true to some ethos?
Is Shelton speaking diaristically when he sings “Boots ain’t never seen easy street” in the album’s opening verse? Perhaps not. In 2025, he performs between worlds, but no matter. He’s long dedicated himself to big country radio hits and returns to those roots
across “For Recreational Use Only.” The songs here concern themselves with lived-in bars (“Cold Can”) and backroad acuity (“Some things we all gotta get through/‘Til it’s goin’, goin’, gone in the big rear view,” Shelton sings on “Life’s Been Comin’ Too Fast.”)
“The Keys” is haunted by past lives, or at least achingly sentimental, in his jukebox country style; “Don’t Mississippi” offers whiskey wisdom: “You might die from a broken heart,” he sings. “But you ain’t gonna die of thirst.”
Charms are found across the release, like in the honky-tonk happy “Texas,” and its cheerful reference to George Strait’s classic “All My Ex’s Live In Texas,” or the big-hearted and big-voiced ballad on God and grief, “Let Him In Anyway.”
Shelton might live a very different life than the characters found in his songs, as is often true of any larger-than-life celebrity performer. But make no mistake, this is a giant pop country record, with limitless potential for radio ubiquity.
The album cover for “For Recreational Use Only” by Blake Shelton. (BBR MUSIC GROUP/BMG NASHVILLE VIA AP)
Gentle Hen, a Northampton-based band, has released a new album of previously unreleased music titled “The Wrong Record.”
G E o R g E L EN k ER LIVE WIRE
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler bring Restless Leg Tour to Mohegan Sun Arena
By K eith O ’C onnor
Special to The Republican
She is a multi-talented actress, comedian, writer, producer and author. And she is also a multi-talented comedian, actress, writer, producer and author. She is well-known from her comedy stints on “Saturday Night Live.” And she is equally well-known for her own comedy stints on “Saturday Night Live.”
They are Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, who have extended their Restless Leg Tour with new dates for the spring, including a stop at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. on Friday, May 16.
Showtime is 7 p.m.
“Tina and Amy round out our salute to celebrate ‘Saturday Night Live’’s 50th anniversary, having just hosted Colin Jost, Marcello Hernandez, and others from the cast of SNL. They complement our reputation for hosting the biggest names in comedy today,” said Tom Cantone, president of Sports & Entertainment for Mohegan.
Before their tour began in 2023, the comedy duo was quoted as saying: “If this tour goes right, we can finally end this friendship.”
“It’s going to be an evening of comedy, conversation, improv, and maybe a little slow dancing between us. We don’t know yet, but it is going to be awesome,” Fey said in a promotional video for the tour.
After a successful opening leg of the tour, which included the MassMutual Center in Springfield, they expanded the run into 2024, then this year announced even more dates.
“We’re going on the next leg of the tour so you’re going to get to see the other restless leg,” Fey told “The Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon in a
her role as Ms. Norbury in Paramount Pictures’ “Mean Girls” musical film adaptation of the Broadway musical. Fey also served as screenwriter and producer.
TV broadcast.
It was some 20 years ago that Fey and Poehler hosted “Saturday Night Live”’s Weekend Update segment, later continuing their comedy together as four-time hosts of the Golden Globes. The duo went on to make films together,including “Mean Girls,” “Baby Mama,” “Sisters,” and “Wine Country.”
Fey is celebrated for creating and inhabiting the iconic Liz Lemon character from “30 Rock,” which she also cowrote and co-executive produced. The series earned 16 Emmy Awards and received a total of 103 Emmy nominations over seven seasons on NBC. Prior to creating “30 Rock,” Fey completed nine seasons as a writer and cast member on “Saturday Night Live.”
In 2018, “Mean Girls: the Musical,” the Broadway adaptation of Fey’s cult-classic 2024 film “Mean Girls,” opened at the August Wilson Theater. The book was written by Fey, with music by her husband Jeff Richmon. The show received 12 Tony Award nominations.
Fey has continued to co-create and executive produce critically acclaimed series such as “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” “Great News,” “Mr. Mayor,” “Mulligan” and “Girls5eva.” Film credits include “A Haunting in Venice,”
“Mean Girls,” “Baby Mama,” “Date Night,” “Sisters,” “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot,” “Wine Country,” “Admission,” “Date Night” as well as the Oscar-winning animated film “Soul.”
Most recently, Fey reprised
Fey has also had memorable roles in Prime Video’s “Modern Love” and Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building.” In 2011, Fey published her first book, “Bossypants,” which topped the New York Times best seller list. The book also received a Grammy nomination for Best Spoken Word Album.
She is currently starring in Netflix’s eight-episode com-
TUESDAY
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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
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
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will bring their Restless Leg Tour to the Mohegan Sun Arena on Friday, May 16. The two are seen here at the 2015 Golden Globe Awards.
Above, Tina Fey plays Ms. Norbury in “Mean Girls” from Paramount Pictures. At right, Amy Poehler, wearing Max Mara, attends the 2019 Women In Film annual gala in Beverly Hills, California.
SEE ARENA, PAGE D11
Pancake
Springfield will be brewing hundreds of gallons of coffee, and MGM Springfield will start warming the bacon.
Volunteer cooks, servers, ticket sellers and cleaners then arrive to lend a helping hand.
Volunteers come from 94.7 WMAS, Baystate Academy Charter School, Bethel Child Care Services, Jack and Jill of Western Massachusetts, John Boyle O’Reilly Club, Law Office of Maurice Powe, MacDuffie School, Metro Center Association, Monson Savings Bank, Q 99.7, RFK Academy, Rock 102, SATCO (PVTA), Sigma Gama Rho Sorority, Springfield Code Enforcement/Building Division, Springfield Department of Health and Human Services, Springfield Thunderbirds, Springfield UNICO, TD Bank, UMass Five Federal Credit Union, United Way of Pioneer Valley, U.S. Postal Service, Western Mass News, Western Mass Square Round Dance Association and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.
While enjoying a hearty breakfast, diners will be entertained by the Sci-Tech Jazz Band, Springfield Prep Charter School and Mary Anne’s Studio of Dance at the Bruce Landon Way Stage. At the Harrison Avenue Stage, there will be Red Grass Ministries - BRKN Music,
during the program. Also, a garrison American flag will be strung high across the street attached to two ladder trucks from the Springfield Fire Department.
Additional displays can be found along Court Street, where Monson Savings Bank and the Springfield Police and Fire Departments will have booths set up. At the TD Bank Plaza, the bank’s mascot, TD, will be greeting folks, and there will be a prize wheel with giveaways courtesy of WWLPTV22News.
En Motion Dance Theater, Malik James, and Libertas Academy Charter School. Also, kids and adults alike can grab a photo with Boomer from the Springfield Thunderbirds.
While entertainment begins at 8 a.m., there will be a short break at the Bruce Landon Way Stage at 9:30 a.m. for a speaking program that will
include a show of patriotism. Vanessa Ford, with the assistance of the St. Michael’s Academy Choir will sing a rousing rendition of “God Bless America” along with the Pledge of Allegiance, led by State Rep. Carlos Gonzalez of Springfield. Free U.S. flags will be distributed to the first 500 people attending the breakfast to wave in unison
Area community service organizations and businesses also will staff tables at the event to provide information about their services, including All in Energy, Alzheimer’s Association, Behavioral Health Network, City of Springfield - Human Resources Department, Community Autism Services, Community Bank, N.A., Department Of Children and Families-FOSTER MA, Eastern States Exposition, Farmers Market at Forest Park, Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts, GoNetSpeed, Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity, Green Energy Consumers, Hampden County Bar Association, HCS Head Start, Home Grown Springfield - Sodexo, Juan F. Latorre
III for Springfield City Council, Libertas Academy Charter School, Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School, Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, Massachusetts Air National Guard, Massachusetts Army National Guard, Monson Savings Bank, New Growth Recovery, Scouting America, Springfield Armory National Historical Site, Springfield City Library, Springfield Museums, Springfield School Volunteers, Springfield Water and Sewer Commission, Square One, Stavros Center for Independent Living, TD Bank, Western Mass News, and WWLP-TV22News.
Additional support is provided by Costco, Elegant Affairs, MassMutual Center, Springfield Parking Authority and Springfield Police Department. Parking is available at the I-91 North and South garages, Convention Center Carpark, Columbus Center garage and Union Station garage.
The daylong event is finally complete when everyone has gone home and the Springfield Business Improvement District makes certain that Main Street is clean and ready to reopen for traffic around 3 p.m.
For more information about the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast, visit spiritof springfield.org.
CONTINUES FROM PAGE D3
Flapjacks get flipped on the griddle during a past World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast in downtown Springfield. (STEVEN E. NANTON PHOTO)
Isabel Willey, of Chicopee, eats a plateful of pancakes and bacon during a past World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast in downtown Springfield. (STEVEN E. NANTON PHOTO)
Issac Bernice plays a euphonium with the Springfield High School of Science and Technology band during a past year’s World's Largest Pancake Breakfast. (STEVEN E. NANTON PHOTO)
National Restaurant Show to highlight latest industry trends
FOR MANY IN THE restaurant industry, it’s an event that qualifies as “the greatest show on Earth,” offering a mind-boggling array of products, services and ideas on which to build a food business. To be held this weekend in Chicago, the 2025 edition of the National Restaurant Association Show is predicted to attract more than 60,000 suppliers, industry executives, restaurant owners, and media representatives from across the globe
The largest such show in the Western Hampshire, the National Restaurant Association Show will host some 2,200 exhibitors representing food service suppliers and equipment manufacturers during its four-day run, from May 17-20.
The show’s Tech Pavilion will showcase the increasing influence of technology on the industry, and a new, extra-cost Expo + Education badge “upgrade” will give attendees access to a range of seminars, demonstrations, and panel discussions dealing with trends and techniques.
One of many hot new products expected to make a splash at the show are “cobots” — robots designed to work alongside humans. Cobots, however, are likely to be only one of many labor-saving innovations vendors at the show will be promoting.
The impact of current government policy is also expected to play a big role at the show as restaurant companies rethink supply chains to mitigate tariffs-related costs.
Cost to register onsite for the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show is $250; the upcharge for the Expo + Education Badge is $125. For more information, go online to nationalrestaurantshow. com.
Side Dishes
• As part of the restaurant’s annual Maifest celebration, the Student Prince Cafe and Fort Restaurant in Springfield is dishing up a selection of Maifest menu specials. These include Scotch broth soup, a lamb burger finished with goat cheese and garlic sauce, lamb schnitzel sauced with lemon-rosemary cream and a spring duck & sausage plate.
Maifest menu specials will be available throughout the month of May.
restaurants.
Citing slow sales and profitability shortfalls, Krispy Kreme, which currently sells its donuts in some 2,400 McDonald’s locations, announced it was temporarily suspending expansion of that program. McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme had previously announced that Krispy Kreme
Reservations for the Student Prince can be made by calling 413-734-7475.
• A brand-name partnership from which both parties expected to benefit hit a bump in the road last week as Krispy Kreme announced it would tap the brakes on selling donuts in McDonald’s
donuts would be in every McD’s by the end of 2026.
Citing a need to “improve sales and simplify operations,” Krispy Kreme’s management reported that no additional units would be added to the program in the near future. Krispy Kreme has been experiencing softness in con-
sumer demand for its product throughout the first quarter of 2025.
• Chubby’s in Belchertown has created a “Fish Friday” lineup for seafood lovers. Menu selections include Fish Tacos in three different variations - plain, chipotle avocado, or zesty cilantro. A fish & chips platter is also featured on Friday, as is a fish sandwich offering.
Chubby’s, which is located on Route 21 at Stadler Street, answers at 413-323-6861.
• Through the month of June, Arby’s locations will be featuring two limited-time-only barbecue-inspired sandwiches.
A Quarter Pound Brisket Sandwich will incorporate seasoned, smoked brisket topped with sweet and garlicky dill pickles on a toasted bun. A similarly-constructed Quarter Pound Pulled Pork Sandwich is also being featured.
Arby’s has created two special sauces to go with the sandwiches. Anthony’s Spicy Chipotle Smoke Sauce get sassy heat from chipotle peppers, while Cedric’s Sweet Bussin Brown Sugar Sauce is a sweet and tangy affair. Both sauces are available at no additional charge.
There are Arby’s restau-
rants on Granby Road in Chicopee and on Southbridge Street in Auburn.
• The Tribeca Gastro Bar & Grille in Westfield has become signed up to the Taco Tuesday trend, offering a pair of taco creations every Tuesday.
Recent examples include a Baja Shrimp Taco accented with Chipotle Aioli and Pineapple Salsa and a Churrasco Taco garnished with fresh avocado.
The Tuesday menu also offers a mac and cheese creation, while the resident mixologists are putting together specialty cocktails to “go with.”
Tribeca Gastro Bar & Grille picks up at 413-579-5055.
• As a limited-time-only celebration of the coming of summer, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store locations are bringing back an updated menu of Campfire Meals.
Last offered more than seven years ago, Campfire Meals are distinctively presented in aluminum foil wrap and served in a small cast iron skillet.
Three Campfire entree options are available. An updated Campfire Chicken Meal features a marinated smoked half chicken, red skin
The 2025 National Restaurant Association Show will be held May 17-20 in Chicago. Above is a scene from the 2024 show.
Hugh Robert Off The Menu
Krispy Kreme has halted its partnership with McDonald’s, citing slow sales. (ASSOCIATED PRESS, FILE PHOTO)
7 white wines under $15 perfect for spring
Editor’s note: The “Wine Press” column will now be published once a month.
SPRING HAS DEFInitely sprung in New England.
All I have to do is look outside at our lawn — and the pollen on our cars — to see that everything’s alive and well and growing like crazy.
With all that energy in the air, I thought this week would be a great time to dive into white wines perfect for this time of year, when the days are gradually growing warmer but there’s still a chill in the air at night.
Like the weather, many of these wines have a crisp, refreshing finish.
One grape in particular perfectly fits this description — Sauvignon Blanc.
In general, most Sauvignon Blancs have a dry taste. And if you’re wondering how something wet can taste dry, it simply means these wines aren’t sweet.
Instead, most Sauvignon Blancs have a mineral-like finish with hints of sea salt. That’s what makes these wines taste terrific with fresh, raw oysters.
However, certain parts of the world produce distinct Sauvignon Blanc wines with very specific flavors. (I’m thinking of New Zealand’s Marlborough region in particular.)
You’ll find four Sauvignon Blancs from around the world featured in this week’s wine column.
But I didn’t want to just focus on Sauvignon Blancs just in case you already know about these wines or you’re not a big fan of them.
That’s why you’ll find three other kinds of white wines ideal for this time of year.
I also purposely picked wines that won’t break the bank. All seven wines featured this week cost less than $15 a bottle.
Two of the wines are from France. The other five wines come from around the world, including one each from Portugal, Italy, New
Zealand, Chile and California.
Hope you enjoy.
Casal Garcia Vinho Verde
Non Vintage ($7.99 at Table & Vine in West Springfield)
Grapes: Trajadura, Loureiro, Pederna and Azal Region: Minho, Portugal
Tasting notes: I’m featuring this wine as a spring wine. But it’s also long been one of my favorite summer white wines. This bright, refreshing wine has a slight sparkling quality with a splash of lemon and sea salt. And if we suddenly get one of those hot spring days, don’t be afraid to toss an ice cube in this wine, which tastes great on hot, dry
days.
Fun facts: Vinho Verde isn’t a grape or a place. Instead, it’s a type of wine that’s only produced in a particular part of Portugal. Vinho Verde means “green wine” in Portuguese. That’s because the grapes used to make these wines
are quite young. Vinho Verde wines can be any color (red, white or rose) but I personally prefer the white wine version of these light, refreshing wines. Let me add that all Vinho Verde wines come from the Minho region, which is located near the northern tip of Portugal near the Atlantic Ocean.
2018 Ninety Plus Cellars
Pinot Grigio Lot 42 ($9.99 at Table & Vine)
Grape: Pinot Grigio
Region: Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
Tasting notes: This delightful, refreshing Pinot Grigio comes from Italy’s Trentino-Alto Adige region located near the border of Switzerland and Austria. Its crisp, citrus-like flavors include hints of orange, apricot and lemon. Let me add that Ninety Plus Cellars in general are great at producing affordable, easy-drinking wines.
Fun facts: If you see Pinot Gris on a wine label, it’s the same wine grape as Pinot Grigio. Pinot Gris is simply what the French call wines made with Pinot Grigio grapes, which have been around since the 1200s starting in various parts of France, especially in the Alsace region.
2022 Les Deux Moulins
Sauvignon Blanc ($9.99 at Table & Vine)
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Loire Valley, France
Tasting notes: Many people often associate fresh-cut, grass-like flavors with Sauvignon Blanc. That description only really applies to New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs. Loire Valley Sauvignon Blancs are often more subtle, more understated. This delightful wine has bright, light, refreshing flavors with hints of green apple, lemon and sea salt.
Fun facts: France’s Loire Valley is likely the birthplace of the Sauvignon Blanc grape. (France’s Bordeaux region sometimes tries to take credit.) But don’t be surprised if you don’t see the words “Sauvignon Blanc” or “Loire Valley” on the bottle. Instead, some French winemakers get even more specific on the label. In France’s Loire Valley, the wine label might feature one of the region’s famous Sauvignon Blanc subregions Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume or Touraine. So if you see Sancerre on the label, that simply means the wine comes from the Sancerre region, which is part of the larger Loire Valley. And it probably means it’s a great Sauvignon Blanc.
2024 Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc ($10.99 at Table & Vine)
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Tasting notes: New Zealand’s Marlborough region
Learn more about affordable white wines perfect for spring.
(KEN ROSS PHOTO)
Ken Ross Wine Press
What is the optimal number of beers to drink in one sitting?
Editor’s note: The “Beer Nut” column will now be published once a month.
AN OLD SCHAEFER
Beer advertisement song had the line, “Schaefer is the one beer to have when you’re having more than one.”
The ad never said how many beers you should have, and most beer drinkers I know rarely stop at just one these days. But how many beers should a person have (in one sitting, that is)?
There are too many variables for there to be any universal yardstick for everyone. Your size, metabolism, how much you’ve had to eat, and your experience with drinking alcohol are just a few aspects that can influence how much you should imbibe. It frankly also depends on whether you want to just get slightly buzzed or pretty drunk. I’m certainly not recommending the latter, but let’s face it: Sometimes people intentionally pursue getting blotto.
I’m also certainly not one to ever tell anyone how much they should drink. Just as I never tell people what they should drink — I always say to drink what you like — I am in no position to lecture anyone on what limits they should set on their alcohol intake. Everyone is different and has different tolerances (and
goals).
But recently I’ve been trying to figure out what the optimum number of beers is for me personally. I try to be conscious of as many of my life choices as possible, and frankly my beer intake often has escaped any real scrutiny. I can honestly say that I’ve never felt I’ve had a “problem” with alcohol, so although I’ve definitely “overserved” myself sometimes, I’ve never really even gone on what people call “a bender.” My metabolism is such that drinking even a little too much for even two consecutive days has made me want to take a break. But with every passing year, I’ve also noticed that my tolerance has gone down. I’ve never really drank enough to get serious hangovers, but when I used to drink even a little too much, I simply would feel tired the following day. As time goes by, I’ve noticed that the amount of beer to cause this next-day fatigue has gone down. And since I don’t want to throw away good chunks of two consecutive days due to drinking, I started noticing the thresholds that trigger the tiredness. While standard guidelines say people should only consume one beer per hour, those guidelines are speaking of 12-ounce beers. Most people I know drink pints, so you have
to adjust for that — if you’re going by those guidelines. But I am a pretty big guy and I’ve been drinking long enough to make my own set of rules.
But what I have noticed is that once I hit that third beer these days, that’s when a (barely perceptible) threshold seems to have been crossed. Of course, how quickly I consume those three beers matters, but I think I drink at a fairly regular pace most of the time — not too fast and not too slow. And I also think that the third beer is where anyone’s judgment starts getting a little hazy. You may not be drunk, but your perceptions are certainly significantly altered. This means that a third beer can more easily lead to a fourth, and so on. We have the best
intentions, but those often go out the window when you get a little buzz and are having a good time.
That’s why I’ve recently settled on two beers as a good amount. I’d have to drink very quickly or be drinking really high-octane beer for two beers to get me even close to being actually drunk, some-
thing I try to avoid. So now when I’ve been going out for a few beers, I’ve decided to pace myself, and if I want to stay at a bar for longer than two beers will take to drink, I’ll have a glass of water or soda in between.
So far, it’s worked just fine. I sometimes get the urge to have a third beer, and I’m sure sometimes I will have one. But I’ve noticed that I have not had any fatigue the following day anymore.
A little while back, I was talking to a bartender about the optimum number of beers to have, and he actually agreed that two was optimum. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t ever go over it, just that we agreed that two beers was kind of a sweet spot.
A book I often return to,
“The Sayings of the Desert Fathers,” is a compendium of wisdom of the early-day monks who lived alone in the desert. Monks, who have been known to brew and drink beer, are certainly no strangers to tippling, but the consensus among these early monks was that two cups was sufficient.
Maybe those monastic guys were on to something.
Do you have a personal limit/ guideline/sweet spot for your beer consumption? Let me know at geolenker@yahoo.com.
potatoes, grape tomatoes, carrots and onions, while Campfire Beef is all about slow-braised beef served with the same vegetable setup.
New to the lineup is a Campfire Shrimp Skillet which brings together shrimp and andouille sausage with sides of corn and potatoes.
Cracker Barrel has also developed two new Campfire Meal desserts: a S’mores Brownie Skillet and a Cinnamon Roll Skillet, the latter a cluster of cinnamon roll minis finished with cream cheese
icing.
There are Cracker Barrel Old Country Store restaurants in Holyoke, Sturbridge and East Windsor, Conn.
• For its May Sundae of the Month, Friendly’s is bringing back Ollie the Octopus.
Ollie is made with a scoop of strawberry ice cream surrounded by “waves” of blue marshmallow; cherry “eyes” and gummy warm “legs” complete the presentation.
Ollie will be available at participating Friendly’s locations through the rest of May.
• The Delaney House in Holyoke has just announced a series of “weekly indulgences” — three menu promotions
available on a day-of-the-week basis.
“3 for 30 Tuesday” is a Tuesday-only, three-course menu deal that includes a house salad, a homestyle entree, and a chef’s choice dessert for $30.
“Date Night Thursdays,” which is priced at $79 per couple, includes a starter to share, two small salads or soup, two entrees, a shared dessert and a bottle of the day’s featured wine.
Prime rib is being featured on Fridays and Saturdays, to be served with garlic green beans and red bliss mashed potatoes. It is priced at $45.
The Delaney House can be reached at 413-532-1800.
• On Sunday, May 18 from 3:30-5 p.m., the Cafe de Flore in Stafford Springs will be holding a High Tea.
The Cafe will be offering samples of its different teas as well as tea sandwiches, pastries, and assorted tea cookies.
Cost to attend is $5.
The Cafe’s telephone number is 860-508-6081.
• Starbucks has strategically “leaked” its summer menu drop to selected influencers and media outlets; May 20 is the rumored release date for the new items.
An Iced Horchata Oatmilk Shaken Espresso will headline the limited-time-only beverage lineup. Starbuck’s took its
inspiration for this summer offering from Mexican horchata, a creamy, spicy drink made with rice and cinnamon.
Summer Berry Refreshers will be returning for the season ahead as well. They will incorporate flavored popping pearls at the bottom of each cup.
A brand new Strawberries & Cream Cake Pop is also forthcoming.
Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community College’s hospitality and culinary arts program and has nearly 50 years of restaurant and educational experience. Robert can be reached online at OffTheMenuGuy@aol.com.
(ADOBE STOCK PHOTO)
George Lenker Beer Nut
THURSDAY
Agawam Historical Association's May Meeting: Thu., 6 p.m. Capt. Charles Leonard House, featured speaker Rita Parisi presents "Women of 76'," her portrayal of women-patriot and loyalist, American and foreign who witnessed the American Revolution firsthand, and in some cases, changed the course of it. Registration is required. Send the names of those attending to 1855@agawamhistory. org with “ANNUAL MEETING” in the subject line. Due to limited seating, preference will be given to Agawam Historical Association members. Free and open to the public. 663 Main St., Agawam.
Friends of the Edwards Public Library Book and Bake Sale: Thu.Sat., Edwards Public Library, FEPL members only sneak preview on May 15, 5-7 p.m. and May 16, noon2 p.m. General public: May 16, 2-4 p.m. and May 17, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Bake sale: May 16, noon-4 p.m. and May 17, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 30 East St., Southampton. 413-527-9480.
FRIDAY
Holy Smokes Theatre presents "Dandy in the Underworld": Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. Blue Room at CitySpace. To purchase tickets in advance visit cityspaceeasthampton.org. Recommended for people 15+, $15 tickets at the door or in advance. 43 Main St., Easthampton. Opera House Players presents “Anastasia”: Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. Enfield Annex. Visit operahouseplayers.org/tickets or get tickets at the door, $25 regular; $21 seniors 60+, children, and students. 124 North Maple St., Enfield.
Suffield Players presents "Becky's New Car": Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. Mapleton Hall, $15 on opening night, $19-$22 remaining performances. 1305 Mapleton Ave., Suffield. 860-668-0837 or www. suffieldplayers.org.
SATURDAY
The Brick House Community Resource Center 5K Fundraiser: Sat, 10 a.m. Unity Park & Skatepark, takes place on the DCR Canalside Rail Trail bike path, in Unity Park. Children 18 and younger can register for free and there are pay what you can, donation, and fundraising options on the online registration page. Walkers, rollers, and skaters are welcome to sign up for a one-mile, noncompetitive course. There will be prizes from local vendors. Preregister at brickhousecommunity.org/5k/ Proceeds will benefit The Brick
CALENDAR
Cultural performance
John Hughes, an internationally-renowned composer, kora player, percussionist and vocalist will be performing live in-person on Saturday, May 17, at 7:30 p.m. at All Saints’ Church, 7 Woodbridge St. Hughes has studied the song and dance of West Africa for over 28 years, training with numerous master drummers and dancers from Guinea and Mali, including Mamady Keita and Famoudou Konate. The concert will take place in the church Sanctuary. Tickets are $12-35 in advance or $15-$40 on the day of the concert. For tickets or more information, visit hartsne.org or call 413-345-2917.
House. Preregistration $40, day of registration $45. 56 1st Street, Turners Falls.
Friends of the Edwards Public Library Book and Bake Sale: See Thursday listing Holy Smokes Theatre presents "Dandy in the Underworld": See Friday listing
Just Roots Spring Festival and Seedling Sale: Sat.-Sun., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Just Roots Greenfield Community Farm. The celebration will host an abundant selection of plants for sale, grown by nearly a dozen local farms and nurseries.
The Just Roots Spring Festival and Seedling Sale is free and open to the public. Visitors will find a wide selection of vegetable starts, fruiting plants, culinary and medicinal herbs, vibrant flowers and native pollinators. The event will also feature local craft vendors as well as food for purchase from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. from Mohawk Grill and Cocina Lupita.
Sumner Ave., Springfield. Just Roots Spring Festival and Seedling Sale: See Saturday listing
NAMI Western Massachusetts 25th annual Walkathon Celebration: Sun., Stanley Park: The Beveridge Pavilion Annex, NAMI Western Massachusetts (The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Western Mass) will be holding its 25th annual Walkathon Anniversary Celebration, “A Journey of Hope and Recovery,” at Stanley Park’s Beveridge Pavilion Annex in Westfield, beginning at 11 a.m. with registration starting at 10 a.m. The event is suitable for all ages and abilities and will directly benefit NAMI Western Massachusetts’ continuing efforts to help improve the lives of all those affected by mental health conditions and their families. Among the festivities will be guest speakers, including Ms. US 2025; activities, face painting, raffles and much more. Free. Western Avenue, Westfield; www. stanleypark.org.
Opera House Players presents “Anastasia”: See Friday listing Signature Sounds and Northampton Jazz Festival presents Sun Ra Arkestra: Sun., 8 p.m. Academy of Music Theatre. Tickets are available at the Box Office Tues.-Fri. from 3-6 p.m., one hour before the concert, or at aomtheatre.com. For more information visit northamptonjazzfest.org/sun-ra-arkestra. Tickets are $44.99 and $34.99 (plus fees). 274 Main St., Northampton, 413-584-9032.
Museums is free. For more information, visit springfieldmuseums.org
Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History: “Witch Panic! Massachusetts Before Salem,” May 17-Nov. 2 The exhibition explores how the first instance witchcraft hysteria in the American colonies influenced the early history of the city and how the conversation continues today. Permanent exhibit: More than two dozen Indian motorcycles and related memorabilia.
More information can be found at https://justroots.org/event/ spring-festival-seedling-sale-2/. New this year, a bonus seedling sale will run on Sunday, May 18 featuring additional plants grown by Just Roots. This event is held in the midst of the Just Roots’ Spring Appeal fundraising campaign. The organization aims to raise $35,000 by the end of May. 34 Glenbrook Drive, Greenfield.
Opera House Players presents “Anastasia”: See Friday listing Suffield Players presents "Becky's New Car": See Friday listing
SUNDAY
The Champlain Trio: Sun, 3 p.m. 52 Sumner, Featuring Letitia Quante, Violin; Emily Taubl, Cello: Hiromi Fukuda, Piano. For tickets visit https://52sumner.com/ event-listings/, tickets $30 general admission; $10 students. 52
West Springfield Coin Club Meeting: Sun., 7 p.m. Mittineague Congregational Church. Refreshments will be available. Guests are always welcome. For further information, contact Peter Setian at 413-596-9871, 1840 Westfield St., West Springfield.
Wheeling for Healing Ride, Walk, Run: Sun., 8 a.m. Yankee Candle Village, Wheeling for Healing is fundraising event where participants can cycle their choice of a 10, 25, or 50 mile route, or walk/run the 5K route. All funds raised support cancer care and services at Baystate Health, $10-$40. 25 Greenfield Road, South Deerfield. 413-6651277 or yankeecandle.com.
Quadrangle
George Walter Vincent Smith
Art Museum: Permanent exhibit: “Ancient Treasures,” a display of artifacts from ancient China, Greece, Rome and Egypt. On the first Wed. of every month through the end of 2026, admission to the Springfield
Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts: “Portraits in RED: Missing & Murdered Indigenous Peoples Painting Project,” through Sept. 7. In this striking series of portraits, artist and activist Nayana LaFond sheds light on the crisis affecting Indigenous peoples, particularly women, who are eleven times more likely to go missing than the national average. The exhibition is the last time the works will be on view together: at its close, the portraits will be returned to living family members. “Van Gogh for All,” through Sept. 14. “YoKai: Japanese Ghosts, Demons and Monsters,” May 17-July 20. In the Starr Gallery of Watercolors. On view for a limited-time only. Showcasing a stunning collection of Japanese woodblock prints and decorative arts, this exhibition features the diverse forms and stories of supernatural entities known as yokai. From vengeful ghosts to enigmatic sea monsters. “Museum a la Carte,” May 15, 12:15 p.m. “Nayana LaFond and Portraits in RED.” Cost: $4, free for members. Join LaFond for a Q&A session with a member of the Springfield Museums curatorial staff to discuss “Portraits in RED,” her artistic process, and the humanitarian cause behind the series. Presented by Nayana LaFond, multi-disciplinary artist and human rights advocate.
Springfield Science Museum: Permanent exhibit: State-of-theart Zeiss Projector and updated International Space Station Exhibit. The live animal center has been reopened as “Living Waters: From Oceans to Valleys”. The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum: Permanent exhibit. Firstfloor exhibition provides opportunities to 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.
SOUTH HADLEY
Pick up the shield with ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ on DVD
Tribune News Service
The fourth Marvel film centered on Captain America tops the DVD release this week.
“Captain America: Brave New World”: The first Black Captain America, Sam Wilson, gets his own movie, a paranoid political thriller about deep-state mind control. Starring Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez and Harrison Ford.
“Take it from a casual at best Marvel viewer who has never seen a single second of a Disney+ Marvel show: ‘Brave New World’ is completely legible, and even
Wine
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on the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island consistently produces refreshing, affordable Sauvignon Blancs. This particular gem remains a classic example of the region’s distinct, delicious style. And that style starts with hints of fresh-cut grass flavors along with a dash of green apple. There’s also citrus-like notes with a hint of sea salt, all of which taste great on crisp, cool nights or warm, spring afternoons.
Fun facts: New Zealand’s Marlborough region produces most of the country’s wine. About two-thirds of all wines created in New Zealand come from the Marlborough region. And all that work falls on the shoulders of roughly 150 wineries in Marlborough.
2022 Cave De Lugny La Cote Blanche Unoaked Chardonnay Macon Villages ($13.99 at Table & Vine)
Grape: Chardonnay Region: Macon, Burgundy, France
Tasting notes: The village of Macon remains one of the few places where you can still find affordable Chardonnays from France’s famed Burgun-
enjoyable, as a stand-alone film (though it helps to know some of the major players and overall arcs),” writes Tribune News Service critic Katie Walsh in her review.
“Don’t sweat the small stuff (or even the Marvel brand) and ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ proves itself to be a decent political thriller with something culturally resonant to say that exceeds mere comic book particulars.”
Also New on DVD
“Mickey 17”: Seeking to escape his problems on Earth, Mickey (Robert Pattinson) joins an expedition to anoth-
dy region. Just keep in mind that Macon Chardonnays taste very different than Chardonnays from other parts of Burgundy. Lemon and sea salt flavors are often the telltale sign of a Macon Chardonnay. This particular wine also has hints of citrus with dashes of butter and toasted almonds.
Fun facts: Chardonnay is the most popular white wine grape in the world. In the United States alone, consumers spend roughly $2.8 billion each year on Chardonnay wines. And what’s the second most popular white wine? In the US, it’s Pinot Grigio. In the rest of the world, it’s Sauvignon Blanc.
2023 Bonterra Sauvignon Blanc ($11.99 at Table & Vine)
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc Region: Mendocino County, California
Tasting notes: Another outstanding Sauvignon Blanc, this time from California’s Mendocino County north of San Francisco. Its subtle, crisp, refreshing flavors include hints of sea salt, lemon and grapefruit.
Fun facts: Sauvignon Blanc is extremely popular throughout most of the world but it’s still only accounts for a small amount of the wine produced
er planet where he becomes an “expendable” — his body reprinted again and again when he dies — in the latest film from “Parasite” director Bong Joon Ho.
“Black Bag”: A pair of married spies (Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett) spy on each other in this sexy espionage thriller from director Steven Soderbergh.
“Better Man”: Unusual biopic about British pop star Robbie Williams, who is portrayed as a CGI chimpanzee, with the musician voicing the film’s less-evolved version of himself.
“The End”: A gloomy musi-
in California. Roughly 4% of all wines from California are Sauvignon Blanc wines. In comparison, the state’s most popular wine grape – Chardonnay – accounts for 29 percent of all California wines.
2023 Los Vascos Sauvignon Blanc ($9.99 at Table & Vine)
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc Region: Colchagua Valley, Chile
Tasting notes: The fourth and final Sauvignon Blanc comes from Chile’s Colchagua Valley located just south of Santiago. This particular wine was the most popular one in a wine class I taught last fall about wines from Chile and Argentina. Here, the flavors are citrusy with hints of lemon, grapefruit and other fruit-like flavors.
Fun facts: Like the rest of the world, Sauvignon Blanc plays second fiddle to Chardonnay in Chile, but not by much. Chile’s vineyards contain 32,000 acres of Chardonnay followed closely by Sauvignon Blanc with 30,000 acres. However, both pale in comparison to Chile’s most popular wine grape – Cabernet Sauvignon, which takes up 100,000 acres of vineyards in the country. Cheers!
cal about six people living in an underground bunker at the end of the world from director Joshua Oppenheimer. Featuring Michael Shannon, Tilda Swinton and George MacKay.
“Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy”: Renée Zellweger returns for the fourth film in the rom-com franchise (it debuted on Peacock), with Hugh Grant, Colin Firth and Emma Thompson returning to their roles.
Arena
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-edy series, “The Four Seasons,” based on the 1981 feature film of the same name.
Poehler’s work has earned widespread recognition, including multiple Emmy, Golden Globe, and Peabody honors.
She founded Paper Kite Productions, which has produced numerous hits across television, film, and podcasting. Producing credits include the Emmy-winning Netflix series “Russian Doll,” Comedy Central’s hit series “Broad City,” Amazon’s “Harlem,” and Amazon’s Peabody-nominated documentary “Lucy & Desi,” which she also directed.
Poehler made her feature directorial debut with Netflix’s “Wine Country”, which she also starred in and produced, followed by “Moxie,” another Netflix project she directed, produced, and acted in.
She made a significant impact during her eight seasons on “Saturday Night Live,” becoming the first performer in the show’s history to receive an Emmy nomination for Outstand-
ing Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and later, winning an Emmy for her co-hosting appearance alongside Tina Fey. She starred for seven seasons as the beloved character Leslie Knope in the Emmy-nominated NBC comedy “Parks and Recreation,” a role that earned her a Golden Globe Award, six Emmy nominations, and multiple SAG and American Comedy Awards. Additional acting credits include “Wet Hot American Summer,” “Sisters,” “They Came Together,” “Baby Mama,” “Blades of Glory,” and “Mean Girls.”
Beyond her acting and producing success, Poehler is a New York Times bestselling author of “Yes Please” and co-founded the influential Upright Citizens Brigade comedy troupe. With Paper Kite Podcasts, she continues to expand her creative reach, producing original comedy series that have garnered critical acclaim, such as “Say More with Dr? Sheila,” which made The New York Times’ Best Podcasts of 2023. Tickets, available online at mohegansun.com, range in price from $114 to $484.95 for a VIP package.
The Falcon/Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez), left, and Captain America/Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) in Marvel Studios’ “Captain America: Brave New World.” (ELI ADÉ / MARVEL / TNS)
“When playing shows, though, I really enjoy when we are just balancing on the edge of crashing. I have so much utter faith in the band that it’s a pleasure to stay on our toes like that and play things that we are kind of rediscovering on the spot.”
Henning Ohlenbusch, Gentle Hen
Live Wire
them together? Have you not written much lately, or were there other factors in play?
A. I’m always writing, we have a pretty good-sized collection of new songs for whatever our next release will be, so it wasn’t due to a lack of material. We just felt that these beloved misfit songs of ours deserved their time to shine after being cooped up for so long. It’s our seventh album, so we figured it was time for an oddball collection. I’ve always liked those collections like R.E.M.’s “Dead Letter Office” or the Who’s “Odds and Sods” or XTC’s “Rag and Bone Buffet,” to name a few. You get a nice glimpse into the workings of a band in a way.
Q. Does the new album have a certain feel or mood — the way other older ones might? Or is just more of a hodgepodge collection of songs you liked but never got to put out?
A. It does! It’s kind of magic though, because I can’t really figure out why they fit, but they really do flow very naturally into each other. Music is magic. That’s good enough for me.
Q. Now that you’re playing a few shows this year, did the band have to learn all these new songs for the purposes of playing out? You have quite a back catalog already.
A. When you’ve got Max Germer, Brian Marchese, and Ken Maiuri as your band you don’t really have to worry too much about that. Those guys know the songs better than I
do. We do have a large catalog at this point now so yeah, we do have to sometimes run a song now and again to be reminded how it goes exactly. When playing shows, though, I really enjoy when we are just balancing on the edge of crashing. I have so much utter faith in the band that it’s a pleasure to stay on our toes like that and play things that we are kind of rediscovering on the spot.
Q. Since you have such a large repertoire, how hard is it to put together a set list? What goes into it as far as your thought process?
A. Before a show, if we are able to have a practice, we get together in the studio where there is a blackboard that has all our songs listed and everybody just calls out ones they might feel like playing. There are definitely a core bunch that we generally play because they are consistently fun or moving, and they work well live, and people seem to dig them. There are some others that never get played live. I hope they don’t mind. We also, of course, try to consider the venue and the crowd of whatever show the setlist is for.
Q. You also put out albums as a solo artist. Does the band ever play those?
A. No, never. Not that the band wouldn’t want to. We just haven’t ever done that. I guess it’s kind of nice to have them separate. That being said, when I play solo shows, I do pick and choose from both collections. So, I don’t know what that means. We never made a specific rule about it. We don’t really make any rules. Except no shorts on stage.
