INSIDE: Taylor Swift tribute show coming to MGM Springfield on Saturday, D4
COWS ON PARADE
Life-sized cow sculptures installed at Old Sturbridge Village, Page
Above, clockwise from top left, “Mootilda” by Sturbridge Town Hall employees; “A Day in the Park Cow” by Howie Green; “Sunflowers Under a Starry Night” by Simone DeLongchamp Germain; and “Salted” by Alice Dillon are among the sculptures on display at Old Sturbridge Village as part of CowParade. The exhibit, which features 25 life-size cow sculptures, can be viewed on Village grounds through September.
Holy cow!
CowParade brings life-sized sculptures, painted by New England artists, to Old Sturbridge Village
Ashley Potter | apotter@repub.com
Things might look a little different at Old Sturbridge Village this summer as lifesize cow sculptures are installed on the historic grounds.
“It’s a summer of cows,” said Jim Donahue, president and CEO of Old Sturbridge Village, in an interview with The Republican.
The sculptures — 25 in total — are on display as part of CowParade, an internationally renowned public art experience that has previously been on display as far away as London, Tokyo and Istanbul.
“It’s an opportunity for us to display public art from the region,” Donahue said. “We reinterpret New England history from the early 1800s, and we’re excited to be able to bring some 21st century artists to the Village.”
CowParade originated out of a workshop in West Hartford, Connecticut, more than 20 years ago — its inaugural event was staged in Chicago in 1999. Since that time, more than 250 million people across six continents and 32 countries have seen CowParade, according to its website. In March, more than 130 artists from New England submitted 261 one-of-a-kind cow designs for
consideration in CowParade. The cows chosen to go “on parade” at Old Sturbridge Village aren’t all necessarily designed by professional artists, but all the artists do come from New England.
“These are folks who might have had other jobs. These are folks who weren’t necessarily always professional artists. I think the opportunity for us has been to have community members — some who are professional artists, some are not — come up with these really interesting designs,” Donahue said.
Some of the cow sculptures are inspired by the Village, Donahue ex-
plained. Jenessa Burks, a mural artist from Worcester, took patterns from the Village’s wallpaper collection and reproduced them onto her cow, “Small House, Big Hooves.” Employees of Sturbridge Town Hall designed another cow, “Mootilda,” that documents the history of Sturbridge.
Peter O. Zierlein, of Northampton, an art professor at Springfield Technical Community College, is bringing his design, “Holy Cow,” to the summerlong parade.
“I named it ‘Holy Cow’ because at first, I was going to have the colors on the cow reversed,” Zierlein said.
“All around Sturbridge Village, there’s fire. Every hearth has fire in it, and the blacksmith shop, so I thought that it would be a good thing. So now the ‘Holy Cow’ is for the fire that is all around Old Sturbridge Village.”
Peter O. Zierlein
“I was going to have the flames be black and the top of the cow be gold to symbolize a biblical story about a golden calf.”
While the organizers liked his design, they asked if he’d be willing to swap the colors — making the cow black and the flames gold.
“All around Sturbridge Village, there’s fire. Every hearth has fire in it, and the blacksmith shop, so I thought that it would be a good thing,” he said. “So now the ‘Holy Cow’ is for the fire that is all around Old Sturbridge Village.”
Zierlein worked on his cow in a studio at STCC, where he was able to get his students involved with the process. “I made an event out of it where students could learn how to score public art projects,” he said. “The cow was a nice prop in the studio there, and they could see every day how progress grows.”
“Holy Cow” is now on display near the blacksmith’s shop, where it will remain for the entirety of the exhibition.
Today, Massachusetts dairy farms maintain 113,600 acres of land in the state and produce 200 million pounds of milk annually, according to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.
“We’ve tried to position each cow in the right location based on the design that the artist chose,” Donahue said.
“And our costumed historians are going to be able to connect for folks why that cow is in that location and what its connection is to the village.”
History of cows in New England
Cows have long played an important role in New England. Back in 1855, more than 148,000 dairy cows called Massachusetts home, according Old Sturbridge Village.
Today, Massachusetts dairy farms maintain 113,600 acres of land in the state and produce 200 million pounds of milk annually, according to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.
Old Sturbridge Village, which aims to educate guests about life in New England in the 1800s, is home to several
heritage breeds of cows and oxen. The CowParade event will provide an additional opportunity for guests to learn more about the role cattle played in early 19th century New England.
“We tell the story of that period in New England history when we were tran sitioning from an agrarian economy to a manufacturing economy,” Donahue said. “The farm program is a centerpiece of the museum, and cows in particular were integral to life in the 1830s.”
artisans about some of the tools necessary for dairying, like buckets and milk pans.
Dairy Discovery Days is included with standard daytime
Old Sturbridge Village will invite guests to “churn back time” this summer on July 19 and 20 for Dairy Discovery Days. There, guests can learn about some of the historical significance behind cattle — including cheese-making and milking demonstrations. Dairy Days will also offer guests the opportunity to visit heritage breed cattle and their calves up close in the barn, and chat with costumed
“Holy Cow,” a sculpture painted by Springfield Technical Community College professor and artist Peter O. Zierlein, will be on display at the blacksmith shop at Old Sturbridge Village for the entirety of CowParade.
SEE COW, PAGE D5
Couldn’t afford Eras Tour?
Taylor Swift tribute comes to MGM Springfield
By K eith O ’C onnor
Special to The Republican
Nothing can compare to the sheer excitement of having seen Taylor Swift on her Eras Tour, but if you couldn’t afford the cost of a ticket or she didn’t visit your city, you might want to consider going to MGM Springfield on Saturday, June 28.
outfits. The hair. The moves. The guitar. And even the voice.
It all began when she was 12 years old.
“I’ve always been a huge fan of Taylor Swift since her first album came out. I remember hearing ‘Tim McGraw,’ her debut single, and I was hooked and never slowed
“She brought country to a younger audience in a big way back in the day before going pop. It was those nostalgic storylines in her songs and the simple, yet very complete and beautiful melodies and notes that really drew me to her.”
Elizabeth Burnett
Cozier than a big stadium, the Aria Ballroom will play host to A Tribute to Taylor Swift Music — Legends Version, featuring Elizabeth Burnett.
Showtime to “shake it off” is 7 p.m. on Saturday.
Burnett embodies Swift in almost every way: The bright red lipstick. The sparkling
down from there. I loved the music, the look, everything that she is about,” Burnett said.
“Looking back, Taylor has been so much a part of my life, over half of my life. She brought country to a younger audience in a big way back in the day before going pop. It was those nostalgic storylines
Little Mazarn brings unique sound to 2 regional shows
MUSICAL ACTS can feature all sorts of instrumental combinations, but it’s a good bet most people haven’t experienced the main instrumental blend offered by Little Mazarn: banjo and musical saw.
The band features singer-songwriter Lindsey Verrill on banjo, Jeff Johnston on saw and other assorted instruments and Carolina Chauffe (who also performs separately under her own moniker, Hemlock). The group will play two shows in Western Massachusetts: on June 27 at Unnamable Books in Turners Falls and June 28 at Tourists in North Adams.
said that the vibe he brings to the project is irreplaceable.
in her songs and the simple, yet very complete and beautiful melodies and notes that really drew me to her,” she added.
Burnett added that she always sang in the choir, but it was Swift’s albums that made her pick up a guitar for the first time. She taught herself to play the instrument after learning a few chords from her brother, who she called “a very talented musician.”
The “informal” tributes began during high school.
“I would do birthday parties and get excited about earning $25. Everyone had so much fun that I began thinking about whom else I could play for, because I just had to continue doing this. So, I began going to nursing homes, too. That was the start of how I really learned to connect with audiences,” Burnett said, noting music “connects all of us” despite any age difference.
She also began playing small festivals, but it was while in college at the University of South Carolina that
Verrill, who has a degree in jazz bass, said that when she decided to start this musical project she chose banjo because she couldn’t imagine fronting the band while playing bass.
“It just seemed too hard, especially with an upright bass. And after years of hauling that thing around, I just wanted to play a small instrument. My bass is just so big and heavy,” she said with a laugh.
As far as Johnston mostly playing saw (he also plays other instruments), Verrill
“Jeff is a well-known saw player. He’s been playing the saw for like 40-something years,” she said. “And he’s in a ton of bands, but he’s always like a side guy. But because our band was generally a duo, he gets to add a lot of atmosphere and be expressive and step out — and not just be a side guy.”
Although she studied jazz in college, Verrill doesn’t feel it influences her music that much.
“Studying jazz in college was just the regional opportunity that was afforded to me. I figured the most interesting and creative music I could study was jazz,” she said. “So I don’t know if it influences me. I mean, I love jazz, but I don’t
Legends in Concert presents A Tribute to Taylor Swift — Legends Version, starring Elizabeth Burnett, at MGM Springfield’s ARIA Ballroom on Saturday, June 28.
George Lenker
LIVE WIRE
View historic city locations and collect 18th-century recipes at city garden tour
By K eith O ’C onnor
Special to The Republican
A house on a hill in the Bemis Heights section of Holyoke that Jeff DiCarlo purchased 35 years ago is among the many natural sites awaiting inquisitive visitors as part of the Holyoke Preservation Trust’s annual Garden Tour on Saturday, June 28.
Guests can wander through beautiful gardens, get tips from the gardeners, enjoy an informative lecture and collect authentic 18th-century recipes at each stop.
“We have been holding our Garden Tour fundraisers for five years and this year there are eight venues to choose from, whether exploring every garden or just some on your travels,” said Olivia Mausel, treasurer of the Holyoke Preservation Trust.
She noted that this year’s tour includes three residential gardens, a community garden, a permaculture farm and blueberry farm, both in West Holyoke, a green space along one of the Holyoke canals unique in its industrial setting, as well as a special look at the many trees in Forestdale Cemetery presented by forester Thomas Kass.
It all begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Masonic Temple at 235 Chestnut St., across from the Holyoke Public Library, where participants can bring their tickets to pick up wristbands and a map with descriptions and location of the gardens. You can travel by car or bicycle to the destinations you choose before the garden “gates” close at 3 p.m.
When visiting DiCarlo’s home, visitors will see and learn what he did after purchasing the quarter-of-
an-acre lot for reasons of practicality and “to make my property look nice.”
“My landscaping started with an attempt to get some privacy so that we were not staring into the neighbor’s house while sitting on our deck. Energy costs were also on my mind, so I planted two big maple trees on the south side of our house, which is the front, to shield it from the sun. And that changes the entire nature of what you can grow there now that it is the very shady side of the house,” DiCarlo said.
“I don’t have a vegetable garden. I just do ornamentals and try to favor perennials, so I don’t have to go out in the spring and buy an entire new crop of plants. They tend to be green and not so colorful, and you need to spike them with dashes of color from annuals, which gives you the option to change your color scheme with the type of plants you choose. And since there is so much shade, I do a lot of hostas and ferns. I like them because you can propagate them easily, so you get a couple and within a year or two you can split them and move them around to fill the place up without incurring
great expense,” he added. DiCarlo also has some Holyoke memorabilia adorning his property.
“As many jewelers once did, Simard Jewelers in downtown Holyoke had a big clock on the sidewalk in front of their store. Eventually the Holyoke Transcript-Telegram purchased it and put it in front
of their building on the north end of downtown. My mom was working at the newspaper back then, when a car went up onto the sidewalk and smashed the clock, but the ornamental cast iron pillar it was atop of survived. The newspaper wanted it gone, so my parents had a
SEE TOUR,
admission or Village membership.
CowParade will wind down in September before officially ending on Sept. 28. As the exhibit nears its end, the cows on display will be put up for auction, with proceeds to benefit Old Sturbridge Village and its educational programming.
“Since the cows started to arrive and some of the designs have gone up, there are people saying, ‘I want that cow.’ And it’s funny that the designs speak to people,” Donahue said.
Donahue has already been asked several times if he has a favorite cow, and the answer, he said, is complicated. “These cows are so unique from one another that it’s hard for me to pick one favorite cow because each of them has characteristics and a flavor and a design that is just so cool,” he said.
CowParade is included with standard daytime admission or OSV membership. One-day tickets start at $30 for adults, $28 for seniors 55 and older, $15 for ages 4 to 17 and college students with valid ID, and free for children 3 and under.
Old Sturbridge Village is open Wednesday through Sunday, plus Labor Day, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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
CALL TODAY 413-788-1250 TO LIST HERE
Min. Entry Package $15
Several historic city locations will be open for tours as part of the Holyoke Preservation Trust’s annual garden tour. A green space along one of Holyoke’s trails is one of the stops on the tour.
(STEVEN E. NANTON PHOTO)
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Turn back time at Majestic Theater
Lisa Carter to play 2 Cher tribute shows on Saturday
By K eith O ’C onnor Special to The Republican
In 1964, Sonny and Cher sang “Baby Don’t Go” together, but in 1975 after a decade of performing, the husbandand-wife pop duo divorced and Cher “left.”
This weekend at the Majestic Theater is all about Cher, as Lisa Carter brings her popular Cher tribute back to West Springfield for two performances.
Showtimes at the West Springfield theater on Saturday are at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Why take on the persona of Cher as a tribute artist?
“Why not?” Carter asked.
“I remember watching her as a teen on television, both the ‘Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour’ and the ‘Cher’ show on CBS after they divorced. It was like a shock when they divorced; they were America’s sweetheart couple. But when she started her own show on television, it was like ‘a star is born.’ Even though Sonny and Cher were great together, it became obvious to the audience that she was the star,” Carter said.
Carter noted Cher “had it all” and still does.
“Cher’s skills were her singing, her comedic abilities — later on would come acting — all wrapped up in theatrics with those iconic fashions, all glamour and glitz and sequins, and some scantily clad outfits, designed for her by Bob Mackie. People would tune into her television show to see what she would be wearing next,” Carter said.
Carter’s ability to become someone else came early in life.
“I had what I call a hobby of impersonating people ... anyone with an accent, my teachers in school, impersonating customers in my mom’s hair salon, doing the ‘Roseanne Roseannadanna’ character from ‘Saturday Night Live.’ The singing came later. I have the same vocal range as Cher. We are both contraltos with distinctly low voices,” Carter said.
“I eventually got into the music scene and was working some gigs with musicians doing non-Cher things. I was doing a show one night and my guitarist, Tony Marvici, who is an incredible guitarist and singer from Agawam, had learned a couple Sonny and Cher tunes and we did them. Afterwards, the owner of the establishment told us that the audience responded really well to those songs and suggested we do a complete Sonny and Cher Show. I put one together, but with someone else playing Sonny because Sonny wasn’t a guitarist. We eventually had a musical breakup as I went on to put my own Cher Tribute together,” she added.
The two-hour show — with a live band and two back-up singers — is a tour de force of Cher’s entire solo career from her early albums to more recent dance hits like “Believe.”
“Think of Cher’s Farewell Tour. I’ve copied my show after that tour with all the schtick, all the hits, and plenty of costume changes, including some of those popular Bob Mackie
(SUBMITTED)
Lisa Carter will bring her Cher tribute show to West Springfield’s Majestic Theater for two shows on Saturday, June 28.
ENTERTAINMENT
At right is a scene from “Grease,” the top summer movie of 1978, and above, a scene from “Barbie,” the top summer movie of 2023.
History of summer blockbusters
A
million
1988: “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” $130.7 million
1989: “Batman,” $239 million
1990: “Ghost,” $125 million
1991: “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” $183.1 million
1992: “Batman Returns,” $159.8 million
1993: “Jurassic Park,” $316.6 million
1994: “The Lion King,” $262.3 million
1995: “Batman Forever,” $181.4 million
1996: “Independence Day,” $282 million
1997: “Men In Black,” $235.1 million
1998: “Armageddon,” $193 million
1999: “Star Wars: Episode I - Phantom Menace,” $421.4 million
2002: “Spider-Man,” $403.7 million
2003: “Finding Nemo,” $332.7 million
2004: “Shrek 2,” $436.7 million
2005: “Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith,” $380 million
2006: “Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,” $414 million
2007: “Spider-Man 3,” $336.5 million
2008: “The Dark Knight,” $504.8 million
2009: “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” $400.6 million
2010: “Toy Story 3,” $409 million
2011: “Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows II,” $375.6 million
2012: “Marvel’s The Avengers,” $620.3 million
2013: “Iron Man 3,” $409 million
“Jaws” turns 50 this week and its legacy of the summer movie blockbuster remains strong.
The titles that have packed the most summer moviegoers into theaters since 1975 represent some of the best-known films of the last half-century, including five “Star Wars” movies, Pixar favorites like “Toy Story 3” and “Finding Nemo,” superheroes galore and both “Top Gun” films. They also include some surprises, and movies both less bombastic and less enduring. Combined, the top-earning summer films between 1975 and 2024 earned more than $15 billion through the summer months, a figure not adjusted for inflation, according to the tracking firm Comscore.
Here’s a list of the top summer mov-
ie each year, along with the film’s gross earnings from its release date through Labor Day, according to Comscore’s data.
1975: “Jaws,” $260 million
1976: “The Omen,” $60.9 million
1977: “Star Wars,” $221.3 million
1978: “Grease,” $132.5 million
1979: “Alien,” $79 million
1980: “Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back,” $222.7 million
1981: “Superman II,” $59.2 million
1982: “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial,” $242 million
1983: “Star Wars: Episode VI - Return Of The Jedi” $222.3 million
1984: “Ghostbusters,” $189.1 million
1985: “Rambo: First Blood Part II,” $139 million
1986: “Top Gun,” $131.3 million
1987: “Beverly Hills Cop II,” $151
2000: “Mission: Impossible II,” $214 million
2001: “Shrek,” $263 million
2014: “Guardians Of The Galaxy,” $281.2 million
2015: “Jurassic World,” $647.4 million
2016: “Finding Dory,” $482.9 million
2017: “Wonder Woman,” $409.5 million
2018: “Incredibles 2,” $602.6 million
2019: “The Lion King,” $523.6 million
2020: “Tenet,” $20 million
2021: “Black Widow,” $182.7 million
2022: “Top Gun Maverick,” $701.3 million
2023: “Barbie,” $612.3 million
2024: “Inside Out 2,” $650.8 million — The Associated Press
This image released by Peacock shows Roy Scheider in a scene from “Jaws.” (PEACOCK / UNIVERSAL PICTURES VIA AP)
A scene from the Walt Disney animated movie "Finding Nemo,” the top summer movie of 2003. (DISNEY VIA AP)
“I give it 110% when on stage. The show is a full production with an incredible live band, dancers and
all those outfits that Taylor wears.”
Elizabeth Burnett
CONTINUES FROM PAGE D4
things really began to fall into place.
“I became more serious about branding and marketing, and when I was a sophomore, Legends in Concert called me to audition for them. I was on spring break at the time and together we created the Taylor Swift character for Legends — brainstorming things like what songs to include in the show and creating what costumes I would wear. Legends was very supportive of my finishing college. I would fly out on spring break and during the summer to do the show. During my senior year, I would fly out for weekend gigs and I remember taking my last college exam and heading to the car, which I had packed and ready to go, to drive to Branson and begin doing the show full time,” Burnett said.
The Legends performer said audience response to the show has been “over the moon.”
“It’s a high-energy show
MOVIE REVIEW
Intergalactic, existential adventure about loneliness in Pixar’s ‘Elio’
Elizabeth Burnett is Taylor Swift for Legends in Concert, coming to the Aria Ballroom at MGM Springfield on Saturday, June 28.
and everyone is loving it. I’m so happy to get to do this and I give it 110% when on stage.
The show is a full production with an incredible live band, dancers, and all those outfits that Taylor wears. And people come dressed up for the show and it is fun for me to see what they are wearing,” she said about her performances, which have taken Burnett across North America from Myrtle Beach in South Carolin, to the entertainment capital of Las Vegas, Nevada.
“Swifties,” as her fans are referred to, can expect to hear all their favorite songs from Swift’s self-titled first album through “Dead Poets Society,” covering her early days as a pop-tinged country singer to full-on pop.
Offstage, Burnett embraces her most important role — being a mom to two young “Swifties.”
“They are almost ages 2 and 3 now, and they have no choice but listening to me sing and play my guitar and hearing Taylor’s music,” she said.
Tickets, starting at $52, are available online at mgmspringfield.com.
By L INDSEy BAHR Associated Press
Elio is a lonely 11-year-old just looking for big answers about life.
He’s recently lost his parents, the only people who understood him and wanted him, and the one thing that seems to give him comfort and hope is the idea that we’re not alone in the universe. So, in Pixar’s latest film, he starts waging a campaign for aliens to abduct him. Mostly, this involves laying down on the beach and waiting, his sand notes getting ever more desperate. Then one day it works.
It’s a solid premise that, viewed one way, has all the makings of a classic Pixar film. It’s existential but cute.
‘ELIO’
rrts
Rated: PG
Running time: 99 min.
Playing at: Regal MGM Springfield; Agawam Cinemas; South Hadley’s Tower Theaters; Cinemark West Springfield, Hampshire Mall
It might make you cry and also want to buy a cuddly Glordon toy. Glordon (Remy Edgerly) is the toothy, sluglike young alien with no eyes who befriends Elio (Yonas Kibreab).
From a more cynical vantage point, however, it also doesn’t stray far from the formula. It’s another kid realizing that the things that
make him different might just be his secret power played out on a heightened, fantastical scale. It’s safe and familiar, but also perhaps getting a little tired. “Elio” might even be the film that will have you wishing that Pixar would tone down the self-help sessions. Dead parents and a kid with a single tear running down his face is a brutal way to start an intergalactic adventure movie for the whole family. We’ve cared about protagonists with far less immediate trauma. Elio and his aunt Olga ( Zoe Saldaña) are barely holding on when we meet them living on an army base. She’s had to abandon her dreams of being an astronaut to be Elio’s
SEE ‘ELIO’, PAGE D11
Elio (voiced by Yonas Kibreab), left, and Glordon (voiced by Remy Edgerly) in Disney and Pixar’s “Elio.” (DISNEY / PIXAR / TNS)
CALENDAR
Events
THURSDAY
The Comedy Project Workshop & Revue Tryout: Thu., 4-6 p.m. LAVA Center. Producer Andrea CK invites you to workshop your material and pitch your best comedy bit for a slot in the revue. For more information, visit lavacenter.org, 324 Main St., Greenfield.
Greenfield Trivia Night: Thu., 5:30 p.m. Greenfield Elks Lodge. Join the Friends of the Greenfield Recreation for a trivia night. Assemble a team of up to six friends to take on questions about music, movies and motoring. Venue is 21+. All proceeds benefit the Greenfield Independence Day fireworks celebration, $20. 3 Church St., Greenfield.
Jacob’s Pillow 93rd Annual Season presents ‘The Center Will Not Hold’: Thu.-Sun, Jacob’s Pillow Dance, with fan favorites Michelle Dorrance and Ephrat Asherie, in their highly anticipated presentation of “The Center Will Not Hold,” in the Ted Shawn Theatre. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit jacobspillow.org/ events/the-center-will-not-holddorrance-dance/. Tickets start at $65. 358 George Carter Road, Becket, 413-243-0745.
‘Prehistoric Body Theater’: Thu., 5:30 p.m. Jacob’s Pillow Dance, “Prehistoric Body Theater” on the Henry J. Leir Stage. Tickets start at $40. 358 George Carter Road, Becket. 413-243-0745 or www. jacobspillow.org.
Steven Carosello’s Campaign Kick-Off Event: Thu., 5:30 p.m. Christopher’s Tavern, Steven Carosello’s is officially on the ballot for Springfield School Committee District 3 (Wards 6 & 7) and would like to meet the residents of the district. This event offers an opportunity to connect with neighbors, enjoy great company, and discuss the future of Springfield schools. Free. 360 Cooley St., Springfield.
Thursday Evening Music Series: Thu., 7 p.m. Peskeomskut Park, Dan Dewalt Sextet (jazz), Green Mountain Mambo, free. Avenue A and 7th Street, Turners Falls.
Thursday Night Live Music Series: Thu., 6:30-8:30 p.m. Liston’s Bar and Grill. Performances will take place outdoors (weather permitting). Guests are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs, but seating will also be provided. While outside food or beverages are not allowed, the event will feature their outdoor bar offering a limited selection of food and beverages. In addition, their regular restaurant
Michelle Dorrance and Ephrat Asherie will team up in “The Center Will Not Hold,” to be performed in the Ted Shawn Theatre as part of the 93rd season of Jacob’s Pillow.
(CHRISTOPHER
DUGGAN PHOTO)
and menu will be open, with indoor and patio seating available. 324 Old North Road, Worthington, 413238-5353.
FRIDAY
Free In-Person Medicare Info Session with Health New England: Fri., 11 a.m. Residence Inn of Chicopee, Health New England Medicare experts will be on hand to answer your Medicare Advantage questions and explain the company’s 2025 Medicare Advantage options. Preregistration available online at healthnewengland.org/ medicare/sessions is recommended. You can also find other community Medicare sessions at the same site. Free. 500 Memorial Drive, Chicopee, 413-331-4440.
“Guys and Dolls”: Fri.-Sat, 7:30 p.m.; Sun, 2 p.m. Williston Theatre at Williston Northampton School, tickets available online at EasthamptonTheater.com. Adult: $23; student/senior/military/group $21. 18 Payson Avenue, Easthampton.
Jacob’s Pillow 93rd Annual Season presents ‘The Center Will Not Hold’: See Thursday listing
Jacob’s Pillow 93rd Annual Season presents ‘Djapo’: Fri., 5:30 p.m. Jacob’s Pillow Dance, Djapo: Marie Basse-Wiles and Omari Wiles, on the Henry J. Leir Stage. Tickets start at $40. 358 George Carter Road, Becket. 413-243-0745 or jacobspillow.org.
On the Boards Play Readings: Fri.-Sat, 7 p.m. LAVA Center, “Jane Austen Ruptured My Spleen” by James Anthony Merolla, directed by Jill Franks. “Glaucman’s Syndrome” by Sam Rahman, directed by Glenda Cresto, 324 Main St.,
Summer craft — Make an Adventure Bag & Leaf Notebook: Fri.-Sat, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. High Five Books, Get set for summer with these essential fantasy-themed accessories, as seen in The Big Book of Fantasy Kid Crafts! Instructor Talia will have all the supplies you need to make both a Burlap Adventure Bag and a Leaf-Bound Notebook. Drop in anytime 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday, June 27, and/ or Saturday, June 28, to come craft. All ages welcome. Grownups are expected to stay and supervise any kids under age 11. (Registration is helpful but feel free to invite friends and just drop in, too!) $20. 141 North Main St., Florence.
Tanglewood 2025 Season: Fri., 7 p.m. Tanglewood, Nas with the Boston Pops. Shed. For tickets, visit tanglewood.org, $48 - $188. 297 West St., Lenox or 888-266-1200.
‘A Walk in the Woods’ — a play by Lee Blessing: Fri.-Sat., 7 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m. First Congregational Church Amherst. Half of net ticket revenue will be donated to the Amherst-based Peace Development Fund. Seating limited, so reservations strongly encouraged, $15 and up. 165 Main St., Amherst.
SATURDAY
Choro Noho 2025: Sat., 7:30 p.m. Helen Hills Hills Chapel, $30 advance or $35 day-of. College Lane, Northampton; smith.edu.
Eric White Memorial 7s Rugby Tournament: Sat., 9 a.m. Blunt Park, The Springfield Rifles Rugby Club, a local organization consisting of both men’s and women’s adult rugby teams, will be hosting their 31st annual Eric White
merly the Fine Arts Center Concert Hall, $10 to $20. 151 Presidents Drive, Amherst; 413-545-2511 or fineartscenter.com
Jacob’s Pillow 93rd Annual Season presents ‘The Center Will Not Hold’: See Thursday listing On the Boards Play Readings: See Friday listing
Summer Craft — Make an Adventure Bag & Leaf Notebook: See Friday listing
Thunder in the Valley Concert & Fireworks: Sat., 11:30 a.m. Millside Park, Everyone is welcome to join in a day filled with incredible music and unforgettable fun. This year’s festival has something for everyone, with a VIP area, vendors, gourmet food trucks, and beer and alcohol. Gates open at 11:30 a.m., $20. 2 Ferry St., Easthampton; 413-529-1440 or easthampton.org.
‘A Walk in the Woods’ — a play by Lee Blessing: See Friday listing
Memorial 7s Rugby Tournament. This is the version of rugby played at the Olympics, where Team USA women took home a bronze medal last summer. Teams are made up of seven players instead of the traditional 15, and matches are shorter with two 7-minute halves. For more information about the tournament or about joining the Springfield Rifles Rugby Club, go online to springfieldrugby.club or email rifleswomensrugby@gmail. com. Free to the public. Roosevelt Avenue, Springfield. Free In-Person Medicare Info Session with Health New England: Sat., 10 a.m. Hotel Downstreet, Health New England Medicare experts will be on hand to answer your Medicare Advantage questions and explain the company’s 2025 Medicare Advantage options. Preregistration at healthnewengland.org/medi care/sessions is recommended. You can also find other community Medicare sessions at the same site, 40 Main St., North Adams.
“Guys and Dolls”: See Friday listing
Holyoke Preservation Trust 5th Annual Garden Tour: Sat., 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Holyoke Preservation Trust. This year’s event will feature new gardens, a photography contest, a tree tour with forester Tom Kass and a lecture from Bernie Conway, assistant gardener at NY Botanical Garden. For more information and to purchase tickets, go onlnie to holyokepreservationtrust. org. Admission is $20 per person; children under 12 free of charge. 235 Chestnut St., Holyoke.
Into The Light — Choral Music of Haydn, Brahms, & Runestad: Sat., 7:30-9 p.m. Tillis Concert Hall: for-
SUNDAY
“Guys and Dolls”: See Friday listing Jacob’s Pillow 93rd Annual Season presents ‘The Center Will Not Hold’: See Thursday listing Tanglewood 2025 Season: Sun., 6 p.m. Tanglewood, John Mulaney: Mister Whatever, in the Shed. Tickets range from $48-$158. 297 West St., Lenox. 888-266-1200 or www. tanglewood.org.
‘A Walk in the Woods’ — a play by Lee Blessing: See Friday listing
Quadrangle
George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum: “The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards” exhibit, through Sept. 14. 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 Museums is free. For more information, visit springfieldmuseums.org.
Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History: “Witch Panic! Massachusetts Before Salem,” through 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. Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts: “Portraits in RED: Missing & Murdered Indigenous Peoples Painting Project,”
Greenfield.
East Village Tavern, businesses team up for July 4th carnival
Eden Karolides-Escobar and Chasyty Escobar, both of Springfield, ride on the MerryGo-Round at the East Longmeadow Rotary Club’s annual Carnival at Center Field. (STEVEN E. NANTON PHOTO)
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,” through 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. Museum a la Carte: June 26, 12:15 p.m., “Meet the Parsons: Witchcraft in Early Springfield.” . Witchcraft was real to Mary and Hugh Parsons. The pair married in 1645 at Springfield’s first Meetinghouse but six years later, they faced the town’s accusations of witchcraft in the same place. Join Springfield Museum’s Curator of History Elizabeth Kapp as she explores the world of witchcraft in early Springfield and the stories featured in the exhibit “Witch Panic! Massachusetts Before Salem.”
Springfield Science Museum: “Here Be Dragons,” through Sept. 14. On the Second Floor Changing Exhibits Gallery. “Reputation: Under the Stars in the Seymour Planetarium.” Fri, Sat, and Sun. at 4 p.m. The show features the original recordings from Taylor Swift’s 2017 album “Rep-
utation,” along with dazzling effects created by a full-dome projector. Permanent exhibit: State-of-the-Art 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 explore new sounds and vocabulary, play rhyming games, invent stories, and engage in activities that encourage teamwork and creative thinking, with interactive three-dimensional exhibits. Second floor contains Geisel’s personal memorabilia. For more information, visit springfieldmuseums.org.
Quadrangle admission: $5 for adults, $6.50 for seniors (60+) and college students with ID, $3 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.
Museums
Amelia Park Children’s Museum: Permanent exhibits include spaceship, construction site, library, grocery store. Hours: Thur.-Tue., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; open for groups Wed. $8 adults; $8 children (12 months and older); $4 grandparents/seniors (60+); military personnel & teachers receive a 10% discount off the price of regular admission; members/ infants free. 29 South Broad St., Westfield or ameliaparkmuseum. org.
Anchor House of Artists: Rotating art exhibits, self-staged by fine regional talents. The best least-
The East Longmeadow Rotary Club’s annual Fourth of July Carnival returns for eight consecutive days, beginning on Friday, June 27 and running through Friday, July 4. East Village Tavern will keep the tradition alive with its beer tent and live music for eight consecutive days. The tent will be open from 5-10 p.m. daily, and from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on July 4th, following the parade.
Live music, in order of appearance, will be The Lindsey Labelle Band, Project 267, Black Cadillac, Flagpole Sitta, Night Moves, The Alex Rohan
known gallery in the Pioneer Valley. Free public receptions on the second Fri. of the month from 5-8 p.m. For more information, email artists@ anchorhouseartists.org, go online to anchorhouseartists.org, or call 413-588-4337. 518 Pleasant St., Northampton. East Longmeadow Historical Commission Museum: Permanent exhibit: Open every third Saturday of the month, 1-3 p.m., with free admission. Featuring displays of local history. Guided tours are available. For more information, search “East Longmeadow Historical Commission” on Facebook. 87 Maple St., East Longmeadow.
Edith Wharton — The Mount: Outdoor Sculpture: “Sculpture at the Mount,” through Oct. Free and open to the public. 2 Plunkett St., Lenox or edithwharton.org.
Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art: “Open + Shut: Celebrating the art of Endpapers,” through Nov. 9. Guest curated by Bruce Handy. “The Art of Grace Lin: Meeting A Friend in an Unexpected Place,” through Jan. 4. Included with general admission. Permanent exhibit: Gabrielle Healy Carroll Storytime Programs are held Tues. and Fri. 10:30 a.m.; Sat. 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Sun. 2 p.m. 125 West Bay Road, Amherst or carlemuseum.org.
Historic Deerfield: “Hearth Cooking Demonstration: Cooking with Herbs,” June 28, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Come and learn about the use of herbs in cooking to add flavor and freshness to seasonal dishes. Visit the Cooks’ Garden, dedicated to the memory of Margaret Quinn Orloske, and see what’s growing. Included with general admission. 80 Old Main St., Deerfield or www. historic-deerfield.org
Band, 7Roads Band and It’s Pat Again (I.P.A.). When asked why they continue to support the Rotary Club and carnival each year, East Village Tavern co-owner John Sullivan said: “This town comes alive during this time of year. We all loved coming out to the carnival as kids and the beer tent when we got older, so it’s only right that we stepped in to keep this amazing tradition alive. We couldn’t do it without the support of our presenting sponsor, Charlie Arment Trucking, and all the amazing businesses that support this
event year-after-year.”
The East Longmeadow Carnival takes place at Center Field and there is no fee to enter the grounds, with plentiful public parking nearby. Food, drinks and amusement ride passes are available for purchase on the grounds.
A laser light show in lieu of fireworks will be held on Thursday, July 3, at Mapleshade Elementary School. Trailer Trash will perform at 7 p.m. and the light show will follow at 9 p.m.
For more information, visit eastlongmeadowma.gov
Historic Northampton Museum and Education: Permanent exhibit. Hours: Wed.-Sun. noon-5 p.m. 46 Bridge St., Northampton or historic-northampton.org.
Josiah Day House: Permanent exhibit: Featuring guided tours, artifacts, furniture, clothing and documents from 1754-1902. Call for open house schedule and individual tours. 70 Park St., West Springfield, 413-734-8322.
Norman Rockwell Museum: “I Spy! Walter Wick’s Hidden Wonders.” through Oct. 26. Permanent exhibit: Gallery. Hours: Thurs.-Mon. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Tues. and Wed. Advance tickets purchase required. “Illustrators of Light: Rockwell, Wyeth, and Parrish from the Edison Mazda Collection,” through Jan. 4. Online exhibit: “Imagining Freedom.” The exhibition highlights the important role of Norman Rockwell and other artists in advancing and communicating these ideals, envisioned as core human rights for all people. “Summer Saturdays for Families,” Sat. through Aug., 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Join for fun and interactive drop-in programs inspired by the art of Norman Rockwell and Walter Wick, creator of the “I Spy” books for children. Try your hand at making art inspired by these beloved illustrators. Drop-in, no reservations required. Free with admission, 9 Route 183, Stockbridge or nrm.org.
Old Sturbridge Village: CowParade, through Sept. 4, features more than a dozen, life-size cow statues that have been transformed into imaginative works of art by a selection of New England artists. CowParade is the largest public art event in the world and has been to more than 100 cities, including
Madrid, London and Tokyo. Village visitors will have the chance to meet these beautiful bovines up close and learn about their unique connections to Old Sturbridge Village and New England. Tickets are available online at osv.org/cowparade. “Hands & Hearts: Courtship and Marriage in 19th Century New England,” through June. Explores marriage and partnership by telling the stories of four couples from the 19th century. “Family Field Days,” June 26, 27, 28, and 29, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Activity times vary and are subject to change. Visitors playing baseball on the Village Common lawn. Families of all ages are welcome to join in a slate of 19th-century-inspired games, competitions, and feats of skill. Included with standard daytime admission or Village membership. Route 20, Sturbridge or osv.org. Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum: “Forty Acres and the American Revolution: Stories of Independence and Servitude,” through Oct. 15. Open for the 2025 season through Oct. A historic house dating to 1752 in Hadley is now open to the public, and offers guided tours Sat.-Wed. from 1-4 p.m. “Forty Acres & the American Revolution: Stories of Independence & Servitude,” June 29, 2 p.m. A public talk with three leading scholars: Friederike Baer, a historian of 18th-century Hessian soldiers, Marge Bruchac, a scholar of local Indigenous histories, and Charmaine Nelson, director of the Slavery North project at the University of Massachusetts.130 River Drive, Hadley or pphmuseum.org. Smith College Museum of Art: “Younes Rahmoun: Here, Now.” Through July 13. Free, Elm Street at Bedford Terrace, Northampton or scma.smith.edu.
outfits that put her on the fashion map. I’ll even be delivering the monologue she used on tour,” Carter said.
As for some of the songs, in addition to “Believe,” there will be “Song for the Lonely,” “Half Breed,” “Dark Lady,” Gypsy, Tramps & Thieves,” “Just Like Jesse James,” “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s In His Kiss),” “Take Me Home,” “Strong Enough,” “If I Could Turn Back Time” and “I Found Someone,” among many other favorites.
If you can’t get enough of Carter, she will be back at The Majestic later in the season on Aug. 14 as part of a show called “Lisa Carter and Dave Brinell: A Couple of Swingers.”
Chanteuse Carter and pianist/vocalist Brinell will perform and evening of swing music from the great vocal duos, including Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, Louis Prima and Keely Smith, Bette Midler and Barry Manilow and more. They will be joined by legendary saxman Bruce Krasin and drummer Joe Fitzpatrick.
Tickets to the Cher Tribute are $30 and available at majestictheater.com.
‘Elio’
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primary caregiver, and he is a tricky subject — consumed with grief that he can’t quite verbalize and channeling all of his energies into a quest to communicate with extraterrestrials. Olga is trying but overwhelmed and Elio feels like a burden. On top of it all, he can’t seem to stay out of trouble, whether it’s his own making or in self-defense against a local bully. It’s no wonder he wants to flee for a world of infinite knowledge, voice powered anti-gravity devices and spectacular colors.
But life in the cosmos is no walk in the park either. Elio gets immediately entangled in a web of lies, in which he convinces the (we’re told) wise aliens of the Communiverse that he is the leader of Earth. Fake it until you make it, Pixar-style? He’s sent to negotiate with Lord Grigon (Brad Garrett), a warmongering leader who wants to lead the Communiverse, and learns techniques like “start from a position of power” and to use a “bargaining chip.” Like most Pixar movies, it’s building towards a message of empathy. But for a good long while it we’re also being
taught something akin to the art of the deal.
“Elio” is the work of many people — there are three credited directors, Adrian Molina ( “Coco” ), who left the project but retains the credit, Madeline Sharafian and Domee Shi (“Turning Red”), and three credited screenwriters involved. And the story stretches in a lot of different directions, making the overall experience a little disjointed and strained. It’s most fun when it lets its kid characters be kids — Elio and his new pal Glordon have a ball just playing around in the Communiverse. But the film just takes so long to
It’s most fun when it lets its kid characters be kids — Elio and his new pal Glordon have a ball just playing around in the Communiverse. But the film just takes so long to get there.
get there. Dazzling visuals will only get you so far. And those are not without their pleasures and irreverent homages to film tropes in various genres. One of the more questionably intense sequences involves a bit of clone body horror, but perhaps that’s an adult projecting a horror element onto something that a kid might just find funny. There’s a nice overriding message about parental acceptance and unconditional love — there always is. But in playing it so safe and so familiar, “Elio” is missing a bit of that Pixar wonder, and mischief.
All proceeds benefit the Holyoke Preservation Trust to support programs, events, and projects that could not otherwise be funded by the Holyoke Preservation Trust.
pickup truck and brought it to their home. My dad ended up making a light post out of it by placing an ornaments globe on top, which came from the days when gas lights were used. Today it is in my yard lighting up the sidewalk leading to the front door,” he said.
In the center of DiCarlo’s yard is a historic piece from the old Immaculate Conception Church, which was an ornate neo-Gothic building near the canals of Holyoke.
“When the church was torn
down, they left many of the spires intact with the intention to sell them. A friend of mine bought one for their yard and when they moved to Hawaii gave it to us,” he said.
As a special treat, Mausel said the trust will be hosting Bernie Conway, assistant gardener at New York Botanical Garden, for a lecture on invasive species and pollinators at noon at the Masonic Temple.
“It’s a nice little respite in the middle of the tour, especially if the weather is hot,” Mausel said.
While on the tour, participants can pick up an 18th century recipe at each
stop and by the end of their journey, they will have a complete menu for a 1775-inspired meal.
“One of our members has been researching old recipes over the years and we will be using some that she found,” Mausel said.
The special project is designed to help bring the flavors of the past into the modern-day kitchen to help celebrate the year of the first battle of the American Revolution and next year’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
And there is still more.
“We are having a photo contest, so you can take a
photo in one of the gardens and submit it to win a prize. And all photos will be posted on our website,” Mausel said.
The event will be held rain or shine, so have your umbrellas ready, just in case.
The Holyoke Preservation Trust website recommends “dressing appropriately and wearing comfortable shoes,” as well as “considering bug spray and sun protection.”
Tickets are $15 plus applicable fees and are available through Eventbrite via a link on the trust’s website. Tickets also can be purchased in person on the day of the event at the temple for $20. Children 12 and under
accompanied by an adult are free.
All proceeds benefit the Holyoke Preservation Trust to support programs, events, and projects that could not otherwise be funded by the Holyoke Preservation Trust. The trust aims to educate, inspire and encourage historic preservation throughout Holyoke by offering programs, information and support. In addition to the Garden Tour, the trust holds workshops, demonstrations, historic tours, and is available for advocacy and consulting. For more information, visit holyokepreservationtrust. org.
Elio, voiced by Yonas Kibreab, center, and OOOOO, voiced by Shirley Henderson, in a scene from "Elio.” (DISNEY / PIXAR VIA AP)
“If you share your music, the people that are meant to find it will find it.”
Lenker
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feel super connected to my collegiate experience,” she said, laughing.
But when asked about Johnston’s approach to his parts, Verrill reconsidered and noted that maybe jazz informed the improvisational aspect of the band’s music.
“I guess that’s one of the things that could be influenced by jazz music: We improvise a lot. We obviously improvise when we play live, but we also improvise in the studio,” she said. “Jeff just has his little toolbox of his little instruments and he always seems to know what to improvise.”
The group’s new album, “Mustang Island,” departs significantly from the sound of its earlier works. This shift resulted from Verrill playing on Will Johnson’s 2023 album “No Ordinary Crown.” Verrill decided it would be interesting to bring in some of the elements of that album into Little Mazarn’s sound.
“We normally sound folky, but when we brought in the drummer from Will’s album (Roberto Sanchez), he added a lot,” she said. “He totally rocked and his aesthetic is so
epic. It definitely changed the sound of the music significantly.”
When asked about the challenges of being a small, indie music act in today’s increasingly crowded and competitive musical landscape, Verrill said playing music as a career could be tremendously frustrating, but she also expressed hope.
“It’s really hard because according to our society, being a musician is not a real job. It’s frustrating for me because I quit my job last year to do music full-time, and frankly, I’m not sold on it,” she said. “I don’t really know the answer, but I do think by just playing and sharing your music — if you share your music, the people that are meant to find it will find it.”
She then laughed and addressed music fans directly.
“But hey fans out there, I just want you to enjoy the music. But I would just like everyone to make an effort to get out and do something in their community. And if my shows make that happen for you, then that’s awesome,” she said. “But get out and get to know your neighbors and enjoy life. This world is hard and crazy but being together is what will sustain us. So yeah, support the arts and go to shows.”
Little Mazarn is set to play two shows in Western Massachusetts this weekend: June 27 at Unnamable Books in Turners Falls and June 28 at Tourists in North Adams.
LINDSEY VERRILL, OF LITTLE MAZARN