‘STEEL MAGNOLIAS’
Play starring all-female cast opens at Majestic Theater
Above, cast members, from left, MaConnia Chesser, Raya Malcolm, Elaine Hom and Angela Dias are shown rehearsing a scene from “Steel Magnolias,” which takes the stage at West Springfield’s Majestic Theater today through Nov. 30. At left, Chesser and Angela Dias rehearse a scene. Tickets are $35-$38 and can be purchased by phoning the box office at 413-747-7797 or online at majestictheater. com. (PHOTOS BY KAIT RANKINS)
By K eith O ’C onnor
Special to The Republican WEST SPRINGFIELD — “This play is perfect for us,” Sue Dziura told Majestic Theater founder Danny Eaton about “Steel Magnolias” when discussing potential plays for the current season.
The 1987 play that inspired the 1989 hit film starring Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Dolly Parton, Olympia Dukakis, Daryl Hannah and Julia Roberts, among other big names, opens at The Majestic Theater on Thursday and runs through Nov 30.
“The play is a beautiful character-driven story about people who care about one another and support each other. It is about family, friends and community, all the things we are at The Majestic Theater,” said Dziura, who is the Majestic’s producing director.
Written by Robert Harling, “Steel Magnolias” blends humor with moments of emotional depth. Set in a small Southern beauty salon in the fictional northwestern Louisiana parish of Chinquapin, the play showcases a group of strong-willed women who navigate life’s challenges with sharp humor and unfiltered honesty.
Harling wrote the play as a tribute to his type 1 diabetic sister, who he honors with a character in the play, Shelby, who is afflicted with the same disease.
“Our production is based on the play, not the movie, and features an all-female cast with only one set being the beauty parlor owned by
SEE ‘STEEL’, PAGE D3
“The
play is a beautiful character-driven story about people who care about one another and support each other. It is about family, friends and community, all the things we are at The Majestic Theater.”
Sue Dziura
Night clubs
THURSDAY
Theodores’: Rockstar Karaoke. 201 Worthington St., Springfield
Uno Chicago Grill: Country Music. 820 W. Columbus Ave., Springfield
FRIDAY
East Mountain Country Club: Jim Blanch and Boot Hill. 1458 E. Mountain Road, Westfield
MGM Springfield: MGM Roar Comedy Club: Erin Maguire and Danny Killea. 1 MGM Way, Springfield
Theodores’: The Amplifiers. 201 Worthington St., Springfield
Uno Chicago Grill: Roots, Blues and Rock. 820 W. Columbus Ave., Springfield West Springfield’s Irish House Restaurant & Pub: Piper-Hopkins Band. 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield
SATURDAY
Theodores’: The Racky Thomas Band. 201 Worthington St., Springfield
Uno Chicago Grill: Modern, Contemporary Rock. 820 W. Columbus Ave., Springfield West Springfield’s Irish House Restaurant & Pub: The Healys. 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield
SUNDAY
Uno Chicago Grill: Jazz. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield
MONDAY
Uno Chicago Grill: 50% off individual deep dish pizza (dine in only). 820 W. Columbus Ave., Springfield
TUESDAY
Uno Chicago Grill: Blues Music. 820 W. Columbus Ave., Springfield
The Republican is not responsible for unannounced schedule changes. Listings must be received two weeks before the date of the event. Items should be mailed to: Entertainment Guide, The Republican, P.O. Box 1329, Springfield, MA 011021329, emailed to pmastriano@ repub.com or submitted to www.masslive.com/myevent
“I love Shelby, the character I’m playing. She is very strong and has a big heart and knows clearly what she wants out of life.”
‘Steel’
Truvy Jones. The male characters, who were featured in the movie, are referred to only through dialogue, as was the case in the original Broadway play,” Dziura said about directing the play.
“What I love about the play is that it is really funny, and you don’t often see an all-female cast have the opportunity to be as funny and unabashedly human on stage as this play allows,” she added.
The cast includes MaConnia Chesser as Clairee, Cate Damon as M’Lynn, Kait Rankins as Annelle, Angela Dias as Ouiser, Elaine Hom as Truvy, and Raya Malcolm as Shelby.
“Similar to Sue, our director, I knew the movie first and watched it many times with my mom. It’s a classic,” Malcolm said.
“I love Shelby, the character I’m playing. She is very strong and has a big heart and knows clearly what she wants out of life. From what I observe, Shelby does almost everything out of love in her interaction with everyone around her,” she added.
Living with type 1 diabetes, which typically affects young children throughout their lifetime, can be physically and mentally challenging, yet Shelby seems to take it in stride.
“I don’t believe Shelby is naive about her situation and the health challenges that diabetes presents for her. Despite those challenges, she attempts to live life to the fullest, and says at one point in the play, ‘I would rather have 30 minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special,’” Malcolm said.
Tickets to the show range from $35 to $38 and can be purchased in person at the
SUPPER WITH SANTA
Reserve your table now for Bright Nights’ experience
By Ashley P otter apotter@repub.com
SPRINGFIELD — Christmas may still be more than 60 days away, but if you want to have Supper with Santa at Bright Nights in Forest Park, you’ll have to make your reservations early.
box office, by calling 413747-7797, or by going online to majestictheater.com.
Supper with Santa seats guests at a private table with Old Saint Nick inside of the historic Barney Carriage
RAYA MALCOLM, WHO PLAYS SHELBY IN ‘STEEL MAGNOLIAS’ AT THE MAJESTIC THEATER
Actors, from left, Raya Malcolm and Elaine Hom are part of the cast of "Steel Magnolias," which is onstage at West Springfield’s Majestic Theater today through Nov. 30. (KAIT RANKINS PHOTO)
Santa greets guests at Bright Nights at Forest Park in this 2019 file photo. (HOANG 'LEON' NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)
Grammy winner Jon Carroll to play record release show in Florence
EASTHAMPTON’S JON Carroll might not exactly be a household name, but there’s a good chance you’ve encountered his music at some point.
Along with being a longtime sideman to Mary-Chapin Carpenter and having worked with such artists as Peter Wolf, Rodney Crowell and John Gorka, Carroll also was part of the Grammy-winning Starland Vocal Band, which scored a No. 1 hit with “Afternoon Delight” in 1976. But these days, Carroll mainly focuses on his own music, which has resulted in his latest album, “Can’t Afford Not To.” Carroll will celebrate the release of the record with a show at Studio 30 (upstairs at 30 N. Maple St.) in Florence on Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. Carroll will be backed by a band of local luminaries,
including Dan Thomas, Jim Robitaille, Chris Ball and Tobey Sol LaRoche. Tickets are $20 and can be found online at studio30.org.
Carroll talked about his music in a recent interview with The Republican.
Q. You’re obviously a busy musician, so does it take a long time to finish an album project like this new one, or does it come together quickly once you have what you want to do in mind?
A. Some can take a long time, for all sorts of reasons. I’m one of those lucky persons whose day gig, whether here or elsewhere is musical and/or artistic, whether touring live with someone else or doing studio work,
Fall programming event follows fatal summer accident on festival grounds
JACOB’S PILLOW
By K en Ross Special to The Republican
Jacob’s Pillow will present its first-ever fall performance weekend this month in the new Doris Duke Theatre, which opened this summer after the former theater was destroyed by a fire in 2020.
The historic fall performances come two months after the 93rd annual Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival canceled the remainder of the season in response to a fatal accident on Aug. 1.
Caleb Teicher and Nic Gareiss will perform Oct. 24 to 26 in the Doris Duke Theatre.
The tap-dancing duo will present an evening performance that combines jazz, swing, folk, Lindy Hop, social and solo dance.
“Our show is all singing and
dancing, a meeting of our backgrounds,” Teicher said in a statement released by Jacob’s Pillow. “My background in tap, jazz and swing comes together with Nic’s background in traditional folk music and dance. The show is virtuosic, funny and heartfelt.”
Pamela Tatge, executive and artistic director at Jacob’s Pillow, said the first fall performances are possible due to the opening of the reimag-
ined Doris Duke Theatre. She added that the second theater at Jacob’s Pillow — the larger Ted Shawn Theatre — allows the festival to extend its presenting capabilities to support year-round programing.
“Dance companies and artists from all backgrounds have a home and an audience here,” Tatge said. “While our
Easthampton native Jon Carroll, who was part of the Grammy-winning Starland Vocal Band, will celebrate his latest album, “Can’t Afford Not To,” at Studio 30 in the Florence section of Northampton. (TRACEY ELLER PHOTOGRAPHY)
George Lenker LIVE WIRE
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival in Becket will host its first fall programming performance this weekend. (PHOTO BY DAVID DASHIELL, COURTESY OF JACOB'S PILLOW)
SPOOKY SAFARI
Celebrate Halloween at the Forest Park Zoo in Springfield
By K eith O ’C onnor
Special to The Republican
The sign inside The Zoo at Forest Park for its annual Spooky Safari should read “Don’t spook the animals.”
“As long as they’re getting their food on time, the animals don’t seem to mind how our guests or staff are dressed,” said Gabry Tyson, assistant executive director of The Zoo at Forest Park.
“We encourage everyone to dress up for this event. You will find that almost everyone, including parents and grandparents, come in a costume or festive attire, including our zoo staff,” she added.
Spooky Safari, set to run on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., is a family-friendly Halloween event suitable for all ages. It’s also one of the last chances to visit The Zoo at Forest Park before it closes for the 2025 season.
The event features a trickor-treat trail, face painting and crafts for kids as well as a scavenger hunt, animal encounters and a virtual costume contest that the entire family can participate in together.
Many of the animals at the zoo are native species, familiar with the region’s temperatures and able to stay outside all year. However, some animals, including macaws and cockatoos, which are native to Central and South America, are more likely to be found in their indoor heated enclosures this time of year.
“Although our turtles won’t be in their outdoor pond this time of year, guests can still visit with a plethora of cold-blooded creatures inside The Education Center, which houses many of the
TUESDAY
Chicopee Elks #1849 431 Granby Road, Chicopee 413-592-1849
Bingo Tuesday
Doors Open at 4PM
2 Progressive Jackpots 6:15PM Early Bird
6:20PM Start
Min. Entry Package $15 Open Seating
2 Halls for Players Handicap Restroom 1st Floor
WEDNESDAY
Polish American Citizens Club 355 East Street, Ludlow, 583-6385
Bingo Wednesdays 6:30-9:30pm
Doors Open at 4pm. Minimum Admission $50
1 - 1199 Progressive Betty Boop 50/50 Prize $900 2 - $500 Cover Alls 3 - $400 Special Games All regular games $100 with 80 people or More. All Cards are included with Admission. Prizes climb with additional attendence. Full Kitchen 4-6:30pm.
THURSDAY
Fairview Knights of Columbus 1599 Memorial Drive, Chicopee (413) 532-2011
DOORS OPEN 4:30PM
MASKS OPTIONAL Progressive Jackpot 6:15pm Early Bird 6:20pm Start
Electronic Bingo Aval. Snack Bar, Open Seating, Handicap Restrooms
Min. Entry Package $15
Clockwise from top left are scenes from past Spooky Safari Halloween events at The Zoo at Forest Park in Springfield.
(ED COHEN PHOTOS)
‘SURVIVOR’
He went to a ‘Survivor’ watch party at Boston’s Survivor bar. Here’s what it’s like.
By N ick O ’ M alley nomalley@masslive.com
I’ve been at plenty of restaurants and bars where viewers react in real time to a player making a crucial play or pulling out a big win.
I’d never been at a bar where people groaned at a 52-year-old airport ramp agent stumbling off a balance beam or when Jeff Probst read
names off sheets of paper.
Having been to both, I can confirm that going to the Ultimate Survivor Fan Cafe in Boston for a live watch party is just as much fun as going to a live watch party for a football game.
The cafe is a temporary takeover of the third and fourth floors of The Greatest Bar near TD Garden in
Viewers react as the votes are revealed during an episode of "Survivor" at the Ultimate Survivor Fan Cafe in Boston. (NICK
Boston, offered through Nov. 9. It features elaborate decor, drinks, food, merch and
games inspired by the “Survivor” TV show. You can buy a 90-minute
reservation any time. But I wanted to go all-out. So I went for a longer reservation for the cafe’s Wednesday night watch parties — during Survivor’s normal 8 p.m. runtime on CBS.
Watch party at the Ultimate Survivor Fan Cafe
After buying tickets for a table ahead of time (exclusively sold through Bucket Listers Boston), we got our seats and explored the space setup over the two floors.
I took a picture with the Jeff Probst standee (of course). Later in the night, I joined a crowd in mourning that same standee when it got clobbered and folded in half toward the
The cafe is a temporary takeover of the third and fourth floors of The Greatest Bar near TD Garden in Boston, offered through Nov. 9. It features elaborate decor, drinks, food, merch and games inspired by the “Survivor” TV show.
Live Wire
producing, arranging or composing.
Still, those projects take time away from one’s own most personal creativity, so the calendar can certainly become elasticized. Within that reality, I prefer albums done quickly. Taking a long time to complete anything seems to rob the piece of some of its inherent and immediate vitality. And second-guessing is always a peril as perspectives tend to always shift. It’s a subjective process in the first place.
I can count on two hands the stories of great demos that became adversarial schlock once a deal was in hand. And those wondrous occasions when a budget enables a full concerted week in a good studio with all the same folks hitting material fresh is tantamount to the circus wagon pulling up to the big top and letting all the magical performances tumble in and onto the tape. It’s a creative celebration. But every record is different.
Q. How do you go about writing songs? Does the music usually come first or the words?
A. Again, every writer is different, and every song is different. I’ve heard some really great musicians say things like “I’d like to write songs, but I have trouble with the words part.” I might have thought or said such a thing as a teenager after I’d been playing in R&B bands in Fredericksburg, Virginia, for a couple years at that point.
My mom moved us up to D.C. after the death of our dad, and my friend Mike Cotter and I formed a duo in high school which brought us into the Cellar Door, which was a bit like the Bitter End and Village Vanguard rolled into one club in Georgetown, D.C. That was really the beginning of the songwriting life for me. I sat on the steps and took in great songsters like Nina Simone, Tom Waits, Harry Chapin, Bill Withers, Willis Alan Ramsey, Tom Rush, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot along with blues acts like Muddy Waters, James Cotton, Merle Saunders and, one of my heroic influences, Les Mc-
Cann.
Q. Who were some of your songwriting influences when you started? How did they influence you?
A. Jeez, I gotta’ put Bill Danoff (of Starland Vocal Band) way up there. He was — still is — so enthusiastic and appreciative of what made great songs. I could do a lot worse than look up to and hang out with the guy who wrote “Take Me Home Country Roads,” which at this point is arguably the most famous song ever written (and “Afternoon Delight,” by the way). Our first record was recorded with Phil Ramone in NYC’s A&R studios on the heels of Paul Simon’s “Still Crazy …” The great players of Stuff were playing every Wednesday at Mikell’s in Manhattan. Richard Tee, the keyboardist in that group, was a huge influence. I think he was the first piano player I ever heard that made me want to learn how to do everything he was doing. He was also a really nice cat.
Dr. John, very cool and gave me his number to call. Had a nice chat, and I’ve since worked with him a couple
times. The Band — what songs! What guys! I must mention Laura Nyro, as I was one of those lucky ’60s kids to be playing piano and organ and having an older brother and sister bringing home every cool record and playing them to death. It was their friends that recruited me into my first gigging bands. I was debauched quite early, bless their souls. My sister loved Laura Nyro and I still do. The Rascals. War. Sly. They were all writing songs that said something important but also managed to be fun. And funky. Sly and The Family Stone remain my favorite group of all time.
Q. You’ve been a longtime sideman for Mary-Chapin Carpenter. What do you like about working with her?
A. Well, there’s at least two things. We’re old friends who’ve grown together, weathering many storms, shifts, rifts and drifts. I love her like a sister.
There’s also the fact that she’s one of the all-time greatest songwriters to ever grace this place, y’all. It’s funny — I think I’d already had the whole Starland whirlwind
of a mini-career by the time she came to town right out of college and was playing her songs in pass-the-hat joints on Connecticut Ave. She was so shy, but one could also behold a strong resolve inside her, and I must say I was profoundly impressed by the seriousness with which she approached every song.
I don’t think I really knew the dimension and scope of a great song that was attainable if one really worked hard at it until I witnessed her work ethic. She’s one of the reasons it takes me so long to finish a song — the bar is high and it’s hard. But any songwriters worth their pencil know the difference between a notion and a fully realized and complete lyric.
She’s honestly one of the very best. ... It’s an honor to still have a crucial hand in her bringing the magical songs to her fans who rightly see her as an indispensable spiritual savior of sorts. I can’t do every tour, for so many reasons — my other muses included, but when it works, it’s an earthly joy and a heavenly slice. These last trips were really special, along with wondrous souls up, down and sideways. A real treat.
O’MALLEY PHOTO)
Local cinema screening ‘Frankenstein’
By Ashley P otter apotter@repub.com
Everyone has heard the story of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” — a scientist creates a sentient creature in a disastrous experiment and, upon being abandoned, that creature seeks revenge.
The “Frankenstein” coming out this Friday, directed by Guillermo del Toro, in select theaters is not a scene-byscene retelling of Shelley’s Frankenstein, however.
In an early review of the film posted by the Associated Press, Lindsey Bahr writes: “It is a story about stories, about fathers and sons, innocents and monsters, and the madness of creation. And while del Toro lets both Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac) and the creation (Jacob Elordi ) tell their sides of the tale, this is not exactly neutral.”
The film stars the likes of Mia Goth, Oscar Isaac, Christoph Waltz, Ralph Ineson, Felix Kammerer and Charles Dance. It will only be in theaters for
a short time before it heads to streaming on Netflix on Nov. 7. Among one of the only local
places to catch this retelling of a Halloween classic is Greenfield Garden Cinemas, located
at 361 Main St. “We know audiences are going to love seeing academy
award winning Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein at the Garden,” said Garden Cinemas owner Isaac Mass about the theater’s decision to screen the film. “We believed it deserved to be seen on the big screen with a crowd of equally scared and amazed friends and neighbors.”
In her review with The Associated Press, Bahr writes:
“Everything about ‘Frankenstein’ is larger than life, from the runtime to the emotions on display: The empathy, the anguish, the rage, the regret.”
Mass encourages moviegoers to make the drive to Greenfield for a film experience that might not necessarily get picked up by Cinemark or Regal chains.
“Big chains are beholden to stockholders, we serve our community and that makes all the difference and makes Greenfield worth the drive,” Mass said.
For showtimes of “Frankenstein,” go online to gardencinemas.net.
CONTINUES FROM PAGE D4
newest theater is designed as a space for experimentation and development of new works, it has also been designed as a year-round venue to unite beloved artists with our region’s sizable dance audience outside of the summer months.”
The new Doris Duke Theatre opened over the summer as part of Jacob’s Pillow’s annual summer dance festival, which was slated to run from June 25 to Aug. 24. The new, 20,000-square-foot theater replaced the former, 8,500-square-foot Doris Duke Theatre, which was destroyed by a fire on Nov. 17, 2020.
This past summer’s festival was abruptly canceled on Aug. 5 in response to a fatal accident.
Production manager Kat Sirico died on Aug. 1 on the
festival grounds. Sirico and an intern were moving platforms used for staging performances across the Jacob’s Pillow property on a dolly. While they were rolling the dolly downhill, they lost control.
Sirico tripped and the dolly ran over her, and then the platforms fell on her, according to a statement from the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office. Bystanders attempted lifesaving measures.
The District Attorney’s Office said it would not file criminal charges, as it determined Sirico’s death was a workplace accident.
Caleb Teicher is a Bessie Award-winning dancer, choreographer and director who began their career as a founding member of Dorrance Dance. Nic Gareiss, named one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch,” draws from many percussive dance practices to weave together a technique facilitating his love of improvisation; clog,
flatfoot, and step dance vocabulary; and musical collaboration.
Teicher previously performed at Jacob’s Pillow with Caleb Teicher & Company in appearances on the outdoor Henry J. Leir Stage in 2014, 2016 and 2017. In 2018, Caleb Teicher & Company with Conrad Tao developed work in a Pillow Lab residency, which led to a summer run in the Doris Duke Theatre in 2019. Teicher also appeared in “SW!NG OUT” in the Ted Shawn Theatre in 2022 and performed an excerpt of “Rhapsody in Blue” alongside Conrad Tao at Jacob’s Pillow’s season-opening gala in 2024.
Teicher’s Pillow connections began in 2010 when they were a participant in both the tap and jazz and musical theatre dance programs in The School at Jacob’s Pillow.
Gareiss served as an artistic adviser during Caleb
Teicher & Company’s 2018 Pillow Lab, and as the footwork coach in the company’s 2019 run in the Doris Duke Theatre.
Jacob’s Pillow is located at 358 George Carter Road in Becket. Caleb Teicher & Nic Gareiss perform Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 25 at 2 p.m.
and 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. The performances will take place in the Doris Duke Theatre at Jacob’s Pillow. Seating is general admission, and tickets are priced at $69.50, including fees. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www. jacobspillow.org.
Clockwise from top left: Charles Dance, left, and Christian Conver; Christoph Waltz; and Mia Goth appear in scenes from "Frankenstein." (NETFLIX VIA AP)
Spooky
CONTINUES FROM PAGE D5
zoo’s reptiles and amphibians,” Tyson said.
The trick-or-treat trail is set up around the zoo’s loop, so as guests are venturing through, they will come along various stations to stop for treats. Kids aren’t just trick-ortreating for candy, but they will also find toys, sticker sheets, bubbles, free books from the zoo’s friends at Link to Libraries and more along the trail.
For the scavenger hunt, six paper pumpkins will be hidden inside enclosures around the zoo. A pumpkin on an animal’s sign indicates that one is hidden in their enclosure. To participate, guests must find at least three pumpkins, snap a photo of each and submit their photos via a Google Form. One random winner will be selected for a prize on Oct. 31 and contacted via email.
To inspire the creativity in young guests, there will be a paper bat craft and coloring sheets that feature The Zoo at Forest Park’s own animals available under the blue and white tent located in the center of the zoo.
“By attending this event, guests not only get to participate in a fun and interactive experience, but they help us raise crucial funds as we head into the off-season.”
Gabry Tyson
“Animal ambassadors are always chosen the morning of an event based on various factors including temperature, health, behavior and demeanor. In the past, encounters at Spooky Safari have included our lion head rabbits, leghorn rooster, California king snake, reticulated python, Madagascar hissing cockroaches and green iguana,” Tyson said.
The Virtual Costume Contest will take place simultaneously on the zoo’s Facebook page. Attendees are encouraged to take a photo of their costume inside the zoo on the day of the event and will be able to post it as a comment on the designated Facebook post until Oct. 30. A panel of judges, comprised of zoo staff, will select winners for “funniest,” “most creative” and “best group” costumes, which will then be announced on Halloween.
“We’ve seen a lot of imag-
inative costumes over the years, of course, many are animal-themed costumes, as one would hope and expect at a zoo’s Halloween event. ...
One of my personal favorites from over the years wasn’t an animal, but a child that dressed
up like a garbage truck,” Tyson said.
The Zoo at Forest Park will be open for one more weekend on Nov. 1 and 2. There are also two opportunities to visit the zoo during Bright Nights on Dec. 10 and 17 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Although The Zoo is closed to visitors for a portion of the year, it remains fully staffed and operational every day.
“The animals still need to be fed, watered and cared for even when we are closed to the public. This fundraiser comes at the end of our open season,
right before admission sales stop for the year. By attending this event, guests not only get to participate in a fun and interactive experience, but they help us raise crucial funds as we head into the off-season,” Tyson said.
Preregistration is required to attend Spooky Safari. Registration closes Oct. 24 at noon or when all tickets are sold. The entrance gates close at 1:30 p.m. and the event ends at 2:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit www.forestparkzoo. org/spooky-safari.
Above, Paulette Garcia feeds the goats as Easton Smith looks on, and at right, a young guest adjusts his Halloween costume during past Spooky Safari events at The Zoo at Forest Park. The event returns this weekend, and registration is required. (THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTOS)
The beers that have transformed drinking trends
THERE’S A DIFFERence between style and fashion.
To me, style represents a classic look, while fashion is whatever trend happens to be popular at a given time.
Of course, when we talk about beer styles, the meaning of “style” changes, but in some ways, certain styles can turn into “fashions” for a while. Take the ongoing IPA craze, for example. IPA is a beer style, but it has also partly become a trendy fashion, especially New England IPAs. A similar thing occurred with stouts a while back: High-octane imperial stouts were all the rage for a while (and maybe still are in some circles).
These trends often occur when a certain beer makes a cannonball-type splash in the beer pool. For example, when Tree House Brewing in Deerfield first released Julius, it rocked the craft beer world like an AC/DC power chord. Tree House followed it up with several other delicious juicy IPAs, and before you knew it, the hazy New England IPA rage was born.
Likewise, the fascination with imperial stouts was partially inspired initially by 3 Floyds Dark Lord in 2002, and later the almost mythical Kate The Great from New Hampshire’s Portsmouth Brewery. Kate was the creation of legendary brewer Tod Mott and debuted in 2005. There were others, of course, but those two stick in my mind as the ones that instigated the mania.
Of course, IPAs and certainly imperial stouts were not “new” styles, but the modern-day takes on them certainly made them trendy. But why are some styles more prone to becoming fashionable?
In the case of imperial
stouts, the alcohol content probably played a significant role. Dark Lord kicked down the door with a whopping 15% ABV level, which is basically wine-level territory. Likewise, Kate the Great came in at a muscular 12% ABV, which three times the booze factor of, say, Guinness, but it was also the complexity of malt flavors that drew in beer lovers. Brewers’ creativity was able to shine in these big beers, many of which were almost like desserts.
The immense popularity of Tree House beers slowly grabbed the attention of other brewers, and the hazy New England IPA became a juggernaut that still holds sway on the craft beer market, but I think it all started with Julius back around 2012. (It still makes me smile that a humble brewery started in Brimfield has grown to become one of the top breweries in the country.)
But I don’t think every style is able to become as “fashionable” as others. For example, I doubt my favorite style, bitters, will ever become the Taylor Swift of the craft beer world. Bitters just don’t have the swagger or pizzazz to top the charts.
Likewise, a well-made pilsner might be a thing of beauty and a joy forever (to quote John Keats) but like a stunning poem, it’s not going to have people lining up around the block.
CALENDAR
SPRINGFIELD
Not so spooky Halloween
Baby Murphy dressed as a butterfly stands next to a statue of a butterfly at the Springfield Museums' Halloween at the Museum event, which returns this weekend to the Springfield Quadrangle. (SOPHIE MARKHAM)
THURSDAY
Amherst Women’s Club Thursday Evening Speakers Series: Thu., 6 p.m. Amherst Women’s Club will host author and illustrator Grace Lin. The event is free and open to the public. A wine and cheese reception takes place from 6-6:30 p.m., and the talk follows at 6:30 p.m. This is part of the club’s Thursday Evening Speakers Series, which features remarkable and accomplished local women and their personal journeys of challenges and achievements. Lin is an internationally recognized author and illustrator of children’s books, Free. 35 Triangle St., Amherst.
Storrowton Village Ghost Tours: Thu, Storrowton Village Museum, Do ghosts live at Storrowton? Find out about paranormal investigations in the Village then take a self-guided tour of the museum buildings with Village staff and volunteers hearing stories of unexplained occurrences. Tickets on sale now. This year each Ghost Tour guest will receive an informational booklet to help you on your-self guided tour. Ghost Tours are approximately 90 minutes - 2 hours long and are recommended for ages 12 and up. Photography
will be allowed on certain parts of the tour. No video is allowed. Check in at the Meeting House where the tour will begin. Dress in layers and wear sensible shoes. Ghost Tours are not wheelchair accessible and include walking up and down stairs. Visit www. easternstatesexposition.com for tickets, $30. 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield.
FRIDAY
A Fancy Nancy Party with Robin Preiss Glasser: Fri, 4 p.m. Join R. Michelson Galleries in welcoming Robin Preiss Glasser for a Fancy Nancy Party! Come in your very fanciest to celebrate the release of “Fancy Nancy: Best Friends for Eternity.” You will have the opportunity to meet illustrator Glasser during her East Coast book tour. Brand new artwork from “Fancy Nancy: Besties for Eternity,” along with other Fancy Nancy works will be on the wall to view and purchase. 132 Main St., Northampton; 413-586-3964 or www.michelson. com.
GCC Community Chorus Concert: Fri., 12:15-12:45 p.m. Greenfield Community College, Stinchfield Lecture Hall, Room N335, 1 College
Drive, Greenfield.
Halloween Card & Game Party: Fri, noon-4 p.m. Westfield Women’s Club, Bring a table of friends or grab an empty seat and make new ones; costumes encouraged. Visit www.westfieldwomansclub.com for more information, 28 Court St., Westfield.
HCC’s Annual Trunk or Treat: Fri, 5-7 p.m. Holyoke Community College, Each vehicle will be handing out free Halloween treats and also have non-food items for children with dietary restrictions. The event is free and open to the public and will be held outdoors, rain or shine. Children must be accompanied by an adult, 303 Homestead Avenue, Holyoke, hcc.edu.
Karaoke Night: Fri, 7 p.m. Tangle Chocolate Lounge. Gather your friends for a night of fun. All ages welcome. Laughter and fun guaranteed. You don’t have to be an experienced or even a good singer to have fun with karaoke. Free. 5 Main St. Route 9, Williamsburg. “Literary Monsters”: Fri, 7 p.m. Drawing Board Brewing Company, Part concert, part puppet show, part ghost story. This 50-minute multimedia performance reimagines
George Lenker Beer Nut
The Literacy Project”: Sat, 7:30 p.m.; Sun, 6:30 p.m. Black Birch Vineyards, The evening will showcase staged readings of six new 10-minute plays by playwrights from around the Valley, featuring a company of 20 Valley actors and directors. Half of net proceeds will be donated to The Literacy Project. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and doors open at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Seating is limited, so reservations are strongly encouraged and are on a pay-what-you-can scale starting at $15. In addition to the plays, you can enjoy fine wines, sodas, non-alcoholic beers and mocktails, and artisanal wood-fired pizza, $15-$100. 108 Straits Road, North Hatfield.
SUNDAY
Earth Tones and Layers: Sun, 7 p.m. Blue Room at CitySpace, Ailey Verdelle with special guest Lonnie Plaxico. 6:30 p.m. doors; 7 p.m. showtime. Ailey Verdelle is an accomplished musician, composer, and educator working in the styles of jazz, improvisation and electronic music. 43 Main St., Easthampton.
Calendar
CONTINUES FROM PAGE D9
classic literary monsters through queer, musical shadow theater and video. Join ensemble Shadow, Sound, Spectacle for a fresh perspective on the works of Edgar Allen Poe, Mary Shelley, Emily Dickinson, Anne Rice, and others, told through live music, shadow puppetry, video, and narrative. All are welcome, but recommended for adults and teens. Q&A to follow. Free. 36 Main St., Florence.
LS Camp ft. Edo G & The Free Drinks Band present A Night of Live Hip Hop, Legacy and Lyricism: Fri., 8 p.m. Blue Room at CitySpace, 43 Main St., Easthampton;
Suffield Players presents “A Rock Sails By”: Fri.-Sat, 8 p.m. Mapleton Hall. Reservations can be made online at www.suffieldplayers.org or by calling 860-668-0837. Seating is limited; early reservations are strongly encouraged, Tickets are $22 for general admission, $19 for seniors and students (with ID). 1305 Mapleton Ave., Suffield, or 860-668-0837.
”The Time is Now” Climate Change Play Festival: Fri.-Sun., LAVA Center, Three-day festival of short climate change plays. Anyone may make an additional donation to support LAVA’s fall giving campaign. No one is ever turned away for lack of ability to pay. For more information about the festival, visit https://thelavacenter.org.
Admission is by door donation on a sliding scale of $5-$15, with $1-2 for Card to Culture members. 324 Main St., Greenfield.
SATURDAY
Craft Fair Fundraiser World Language Club: Sat., 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Easthampton High School, 11th annual craft fair fundraiser for Easthampton High School. The event benefits the World Language Club’s spring trip to Germany.
There will be crafts from over 60 local crafters & vendors, live music from local band Acousticca and food. Free admission and parking. Come for some fun and early holiday shopping, 70 Williston Ave., Easthampton; 413-529-1585 or http://www.easthampton.k12. ma.us/EhamptonHigh.cfm.
FAB Passion Fashion Week New England Celebration: Sat.-Sun., Community Music School of Springfield. Show your collection in the Premium Fashion Show on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 6-9 p.m. or the Classic Models Show on Sunday Oct. 26 from 3-6 p.m. Sign up to model: female, male and mature models are all welcome. Produced by international fashion experts Richie Richardson, Richard Young, Jerry Jordan Brown and Stephen Dooba. To register your collection, sign up to model, or get tickets to either fashion show visit www.fpfwne.com, 127 State St., Springfield. 413-782-8428. Forest Park Civic Association Halloween Party and Parade: Sat, 2-4 p.m. Garfield Street
Triangle, Children and adults are encouraged to come dressed for the costume parade that begins at 2:15. For further information, visit www.forestparkcivic.org, www.facebook.com/forestparkcivicassoc, or email ForestParkCivicAssociation@gmail.com, Free. Garfield-Fairfield-Greenleaf Streets, Springfield. Mediums Day & Bake Sale Fundraiser: Sat., 9 a.m. Healing Hands of Light Spiritualist Church, Receive a 15-minute private reading from one of our certified mediums. Payment is required at time of scheduling. Enjoy delicious treats at our bake sale while you’re here, $20. 465 Granby Road, Chicopee. Out of the Darkness Community Walk to Prevent Suicide: Sat, 10 a.m. School Street Park, Registration begins at 9 a.m. This gathering will support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s education, research and support for survivors of suicide loss. In addition to raising awareness and funds to fight suicide, the walks give those who attend a chance to connect with others and know they are not alone, whether they walk in memory or in support of a loved one or in honor of their own mental health journey, 511 School St., Agawam.
Suffield Players Presents “A Rock Sails By”: See Friday listing “The Time is Now” Climate Change Play Festival: See Friday listing Valley Players presents “Take Ten New Play Showcase to Benefit
and parking is free. For further information, contact Peter Setian at 413-596-9871, 1198 Memorial Ave., West Springfield.
Quadrangle
FAB Passion Fashion Week New England Celebration: See Saturday listing
Food Trucks & Family Fun: Sun, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Storrs Library, The Friends of Storrs Library invite the community to celebrate 30 years of service with Food Trucks & Family Fun a free admission outdoor event. Enjoy live music, lawn games, a build-a-scarecrow activity and a lineup of favorite local food trucks and vendors including Cousins Maine Lobster, Fletcher’s BBQ, Latitudes Pizza, One Way Brew beer garden, and more. Admission and entertainment are free, food & beverages available for purchase. 693 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow, or 413-565-4181.
Sunday Live Music: Sun, 2 p.m. Tangle Chocolate Lounge. Every Sunday different artist perform from 2-4pm. The rotating lineup includes Martha Grinnell, Louise Coombe, Matt Emmer, The Lonesome Brothers, Don Chiulli, Stephen Katz, Luke Deroy and many more. Free. 5 Main St. Route 9, Williamsburg;
“The Time is Now” Climate Change Play Festival: See Friday listing
Valley Players presents “Take Ten New Play Showcase to Benefit
The Literacy Project”: See Saturday listing
West Springfield Coin Club
Semi-Annual Coin Show: Sun, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Dante Club. Coin dealers will be exhibiting as well as buying and selling coins and giving free appraisals. Admission
George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum: “Halloween at the Museum,” Oct. 25, 10 a.m.-5p.m. Wear your costume and go trick or treating in the galleries. Free with museum admission. Costume guidelines: Costumes must be family-friendly and may not be obstructive, offensive, objectionable, or violent. No props or accessories that resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon. No long, sharp, or pointed objects or materials that may accidentally strike another visitor or collections object. No costume elements that reach or drag on the ground. No balloons or glitter. No costume masks; headwear may be worn if it does not cover the face. 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.
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: Museum a la Carte. Oct. 23, 12:15 p.m. “Dementia in Springfield: A Community Forum and Quilt Presentation.” Cost $4, free for members. Presented by Zelmon “Zee” Johnson, owner of Olive Tree Books-n-Voices, and chairperson of the Springfield Dementia Friendly Coalition.
Springfield Science Museum: “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 and dazzling effects created by a full-dome projector. Permanent exhibit: State-of-the-art Zeiss Projector and updated International Space Station exhibit.
The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum: Permanent exhibit. First-floor exhibition provides opportunities to explore new sounds and vocabulary, play rhyming games, invent stories, and engage
Shadow, Sound, Spectacle will bring their "Literary Monsters" performance, which reimagines works made famous by the likes of Mary Shelley and Edgar Allen Poe, to the Drawing Board Brewing Company in Northampton.
Film marks Polish Heritage Month
October is celebrated as Polish Heritage Month to honor the rich history, culture, and contributions of Polish Americans and the Polish community worldwide.
To mark this occasion, the Kosciuszko Foundation New England Chapter will host a screening of the Oscar-nominated film “The Peasants (Chłopi).” The film was the official submission from Poland for the Best International Feature Film category of the 96th Academy Awards in 2024.
The screening will take place on Sunday, Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. in the Alumnae Library Theater at Elms College. Admission is free and open to the public.
Comprised of more than 40,000 oil paintings, this awe-inspiring adaptation of Władysław Reymont’s 1924 Nobel Prize-winning novel is the latest animated film from Oscar-nominated directing duo DK and Hugh Welchman (Loving Vincent).
Based on the novel published in parts between 1904 and 1909, the film is divided into four seasons, following the life of Jagna, a peasant girl in a small rural village. Determined to forge her own path in a community bound by tradition and patriarchy, Jagna becomes entangled in a web of desire, gossip, and power struggles that ultimately lead to a tragic confrontation with the world around her.
The film is underwritten by the Polish National Credit Union based in Chicopee, Massachusetts, providing financial service and support to communities and members for over 100 years.
in activities that encourage teamwork and creative thinking, with interactive three-dimensional exhibits. Secod floor contains Geisel’s personal memorabilia. For more information, visit springfieldmuseums.org.
Quadrangle admission: $25 for adults, $16.50 for seniors (60+) and college students with ID, $13 for children ages 3-17; free to children under age 3 and members, Springfield residents are free with proof of residency. Welcome Center and Museum store. Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Museums
Amelia Park Children’s Museum: Hours: Thur.-Tues., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Closed Wed. Admission: $8 adults; $8 children (12 months and older); $4 grandparents/seniors (60+); military personnel and teachers receive a 10% discount off the price of regular admission; members/infants free. 29 S. Broad St., Westfield or ameliapark museum.org
Anchor House of Artists: 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.
Edith Wharton: The Mount: Outdoor Sculpture: “Sculpture at the Mount.” Through Oct. Free and open to the public, 2 Plunkett St., Lenox or www.edithwharton.org.
Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art: 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., free with admission. “The Art of Grace Lin: Meeting A Friend in an Unexpected Place,” through Jan. 4. “Cooking with Eric Carle,” through Aug. 23, 2026. “Open + Shut: Celebrating the art of Endpapers,” through Nov. 9, guest Curated by Bruce Handy. 125 West Bay Road, Amherst or www.carlemuseum.org.
Historic Northampton Museum and Education: Permanent exhibit. Hours: Wed.-Sun. noon-5 p.m. $5 suggested donation, 46 Bridge St., Northampton or www. 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. $3, $1 children 6-12, free for members. 70 Park St.,
Zinno-Hosey from Ledyard, Conn., is shown sitting in the cockpit of an F-100 Super Sabre jet in the Military Hangar at the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks. The museum is hosting a Halloween event this weekend, inviting young guests to come "trick-or-treat" in the hangar. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)
West Springfield, 413-734-8322. Mead Art Museum: Permanent exhibit: Various American and European paintings, Mexican ceramics, Tibetan scroll paintings and more. Hours: Tues.-Thurs. and Sun. 9 a.m.-midnight; Fri. 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 220 South Pleasant St., Amherst or www.amherst.edu.
Mount Holyoke College Art Museum: “Anni’s Orchestra: Theme and Variation in the Prints of Anni Albers.” Through Dec. 9. Lower Lake Road, South Hadley or www. mtholyoke.edu.
New England Air Museum: Trick or Treat in the Hangars. Oct 25, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. it’s time for spooky fun at the museum. Come dressed in your best costume and trickor-treat your way through the hangars. Family-friendly frights & delights await. For the older crowd, step into the past and embark on vintage planes while engaging in conversations with the remarkable folks who have piloted or restored these magnificent aircraft while savoring a few craft brews. Proceeds benefit The New England Air Museum. 36 Perimeter Road, Windsor Locks or www.neam.org.
Norman Rockwell Museum: Online exhibit: “Imagining Freedom.” “Hidden Worlds and Wonders: Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition,” through Oct. 26. “I Spy! Walter Wick’s Hidden Wonders,” through Oct. 26. “Illustrators of Light: Rockwell, Wyeth, and Parrish from the Edison Mazda Collection,” through Jan. 4. “Spooky Tricks Family Day,” Oct. 25, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Explore the playful mysteries and visual tricks hidden in the artwork of Walter Wick and Norman Rockwell on a short, guided gallery walk, then create your own spooky scene using the
Springfield Armory National Historic Site: Ranger-led interpretive programs offered in the museum in the afternoon. Junior Ranger programs conducted frequently each day. Wed.-Sun, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. 1 Armory Square, Springfield or www.nps.gov/spar.
Titanic Museum: Permanent exhibit. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $4, $2 children and students. 208 Main St., Indian Orchard.
University Museum of Contemporary Art - Fine Arts Center: Permanent exhibit. The University Museum is open through May 1; Tue–Fri, 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sat & Sun, noon–4p p.m.; and first Thursdays until 8 p.m. Closed Mondays, holidays, and academic breaks. 151 Presidents Drive, Amherst, or umass.edu
provided materials. Feeling brave? Follow an outdoor trail of curious clues that just might lead you to a surprise treat. Guided Gallery Walks at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. Recommended for ages 5–10. Families are encouraged to wear costumes! Admission: Adult $25 (19-64); Seniors $23 (65+); children 18 and under free. 9 Route 183, Stockbridge or www.nrm.org.
Old Sturbridge Village: Permanent exhibit. Standard daytime admission is $30 for adults, $28 for seniors (55+), $15 for youth (4-17), $15 for college students (with a valid college ID), and free for children 3 and under, Route 20, Sturbridge or www.osv.org.
Pan African Historical Museum USA: Permanent exhibit: exhibitions by local artists. Hours: Tues.Fri. noon-4 p.m. free, 1500 Main St., Springfield, 413-733-1823.
Polish Center of Discovery and Learning: Permanent exhibit: Galleries include “Coming to America”; “At Home in America”; “Folk Art”; “History.” The Polish Center is open to the public daily, Mon.Fri, 1-5 p.m., except for inclement weather and holidays. Other times may be scheduled by appointment. $5 donation. 33 South St., Chicopee or www.polishcenter.net.
Smith College Museum of Art: Permanent exhibits: “Ancient World Gallery, Beyond the Museum: Art on Smith’s Campus.” Hours: Tues.-Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., closed Mondays and major holidays. Smith College Museum of Art (SCMA) is free to all. SCMA Exhibition “A City in Flux: Reflecting on Venice,” through March 22. “Michel Kameni: Portraits of an Independent Africa,” through Jan. 4. Elm Street at Bedford Terrace, Northampton or www.scma. smith.edu.
Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum: Permanent exhibit: guided tours of the first and second floors. Weekdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Self-guided tours are on the hour with the last self-guided tour weekdays at 2 p.m. Call to reserve at 413-637-3206. “2nd Annual Formal Masquerade Ball,” Oct. 25, 6-10 p.m. Reservations are highly encouraged as this event is limited. Walk-ins will not be accommodated for this event. For tickets visit https://gildedage. org/pages/calendar or call 413637-3206. Admission: $95 for a Floating Spectre (individual ticket) and $135 for an Honored Spirit, “Oct. Tours with Robert Oaks,” Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. This is not a active investigation. Reservations are strongly recommended as tickets are limited. Walk-ins accommodated as space allows. Admission is $30 and minimum age to attend is age 12. 104 Walker St., Lenox or www.gildedage.org.
Volleyball Hall of Fame: Permanent exhibit. Volleyball Hall of Fame: Open Tues.-Sun, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Closed Mon. Last admission is 30 minutes prior to close. $8 adults; $5 seniors 65 and older; $5 students, active and retired military; and free for children 12 and under. Group rates also available online. 444 Dwight St., Holyoke or www.volleyhall.org.
Wistariahurst Museum: Permanent exhibit: Gardens and grounds open daily from dawn to dusk. Carriage House and Gift shop open Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For information about house tours, group tours and upcoming events visit www.wistariahurst.org. Standard admission: $7 Holyoke Residents: $5 Seniors: $5 Youth (Under 18): Free Museum Members: Free Active Military & Family Members. 238 Cabot St., Holyoke or www. wistariahurst.org.
Georgie
Santa
CONTINUES FROM PAGE D3
House in Forest Park. Ideal for all ages, the dinner pays special attention to kids’ taste palates, with options such as salad, chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, and pastas. Christmas cookies and brownies will be served for dessert.
Each guest will leave with a souvenir “I Had Supper with Santa” Bright Nights mug. Reservations for Supper with Santa, which are required, are being accepted now online at brightnights. org. Dinner times are available on Dec. 7, Dec. 12 and Dec. 14, with seatings every 30 minutes starting at 5:30 p.m. and ending at 7 p.m.
‘Survivor’
end of the night.
Once you’re seated, you’re free to poke around the space. That includes playing the games, checking out the merch booth and using the “Tribal Council” stand, where you can write someone’s name on rustic parchment like they do on the show.
I’ve always wondered what it was like to use a marker on that brown paper they use on “Survivor.” So on this night, I got to live out my oddly specific dream.
Once the show started at 8 p.m., we joined the rest of the crowd in watching the events unfold while noshing on food and drink.
The “Survivor”-themed menu has some brilliantly named items inspired by the show. My favorite name was the “Got Nothin’ For Ya,” which was just a bowl of white rice. My favorite item overall was the “Entire Chocolate Cake,” which is served with or without utensils. I ultimately opted for the “Double Elimination Burger.” But for dessert, I splurged for the “Auction Covered Item,” a mystery dessert that is revealed after
The cost for Supper with Santa is $30 per person with a discounted price of $15 for children 12 and under. Children under 2 are free. A complimentary Bright Nights car admission ticket to see the holiday lights is included with the cost of reservation.
Bright Nights at Forest Park opens for the season on Nov. 26 and runs through Jan. 4, 2026. The light switch will be turned on nightly from 5-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 5-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Bright Nights is open on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day, and is closed on Dec. 1 and 2.
For more information, visit brightnights.org.
you order — just like the auction.
My prize: A little brownie sundae with ice cream.
What was the watch party like?
As for the watch party, it was a little mild to start. There were some comments throughout the crowd about wanting Wakefield native Shannon Fairweather to do well.
But as the episode got to the immunity challenge, the crowd started getting into it. The challenge got really intense at the end and drew some applause when the winner prevailed.
At Tribal Council, the crowd hooped and hollered as the votes were revealed, before a huge cheer broke out when the tribe had finally spoken. Apparently, that tribe member didn’t have a lot of fans in Boston.
Is it worth it?
I had fun. My plus-one had fun. But we’re both big fans of the show.
It was $90.60 after taxes and fees for two tickets for the watch party. That included $20 in food credits and $5 in merch credits per person. The menu is about on par for a night out in Boston these days.
Orders must be placed by Monday, Novemeber 24th and picked up by Wednesday, November 26 at 4pm. To order stop by the store or call 413-732-5428 (Springfield) or 413-525-9400 (East Longmeadow).
Thanksgiving Boneless Breast Feast
- Stuffed or Unstuffed Boneless Turkey Breast
- Homemade Sausage Stuffing with Herbs, Onions, & Celery
- Cranberry Sauce
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Roasted Butternut Squash with Brown Sugar
- Fresh Turkey Gravy
- Dinner Rolls
Traditional Whole Turkey Feast
- Choice of One Pie: Apple, Pumpkin, Pecan, Chocolate Cream
- Fresh Oven Roasted Turkey
- Homemade Sausage Stuffing with Herbs, Onions, & Celery
- Cranberry Sauce
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Roasted Butternut Squash with Brown Sugar
- Fresh Turkey Gravy
- Dinner Rolls
- Choice of One Pie: Apple, Pumpkin, Pecan, Chocolate Cream - Garlic Mashed Potatoes
$45/pan - String Bean Almondine
$45/pan - Butternut Squash with Brown Sugar ..................... $45/pan - Roasted Potatoes with Rosemary .......................... $40/pan - Homemade Sausage Stuffing ... $45/pan - Turkey Gravy
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Store Baked Pies
$16.99/each (Apple, Pumpkin, Pecan, Chocolate Cream)
Boneless Turkey Breast
