12th BACK PORCH FESTIVAL
Meet the Grateful Dead ‘Drag’ tribute headlining this year’s festival. Page D2
12th annual
BACK PORCH FESTIVAL
60 bands — including Grateful Dead ‘Drag’ tribute and WMass own Winterpills — to play
By K eith O ’C onnor Special to The Republican
They are a Grateful Dead tribute band. They dress like drag queens and describe themselves as an “all-star collective of queer and allied East Nashville talent.” They are Bertha: Grateful Drag, one of three headliners appearing at the Academy of Music as part of the 12th annual Back Porch Festival this weekend.
“We’ve known about the festival and are looking forward to checking it out. I have
Clockwise from top left: Bertha: Grateful Drag, a collective of queer and allied performers playing the music of Grateful Dead; Western Massachusetts-based Winterpills; James McMurtry, and I’m With Her are among the acts playing the 12th annual Back Porch Festival in Northampton this weekend.
King Radio to play Back Porch Festival for first time
WHEN KING RAdio’s Frank Padellaro got an invitation to have his band play this year’s Back Porch Festival, he was both surprised and thrilled.
The Northampton-based group doesn’t exactly play the type of singer-songwriter/ Americana style of music that the festival was built on, so he never expected to be included in the mix.
“I’ve always wanted to be part of that Signature Sounds family, so I’m just really honored that they asked,” he said.
Of course, the festival has grown and expanded over the years, and King Radio will join 60 acts that will fill a dozen venues in Northampton with music over three days, March 27-29.
Porch
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been to the Academy of Music before. It’s an incredible place, and we are excited to bring our show into that venue,” said Jacob Groopman, one of Bertha’s founding members.
This year’s Back Porch Festival — organized by Signature Presents and The Parlor Room Collective — runs Friday through Sunday and features over 60 artists in 12 venues in downtown Northampton.
The Back Porch Festival was founded in 2014 as a one-day event at the Academy of Music theater. It has since grown to a multivenue event featuring the best in American roots music.
“There are plenty of festivals to enjoy in the summer when it is warm, but none in the winter. We thought it would be fun to try and change that with the Back Porch Festival in Northampton.”
“There are plenty of festivals to enjoy in the summer when it is warm, but none in the winter. We thought it would be fun to try and change that with the Back Porch Festival in Northampton and the many walkable venues that are part of the festival,” Festival Director Jim Olsen said, noting that last year, 3,800 tickets were sold.
Jim Olsen, director, Back Porch Festival
Among the many venues opening their doors to music are 33 Hawley, 33 Hawley
The festival will be headlined by national acts such as Bertha: Grateful Drag, I’m With Her, and Peter Rowan with Sam Grisman Project playing music from Old & In The Way, but will also feature numerous local acts like Winterpills, Lonesome Brothers and Cloudbelly.
King Radio is certainly well-known to local music
fans, although the band has not played out a lot and hasn’t released an album in the past 18 years. The lack of gigs happens to plenty of bands as they get older, and for King Radio, it was especially difficult since the live version of the band has grown to nine members.
But the long wait for a new album is nearly over for fans, as King Radio is currently recording its next album, due out sometime later this year. The band will debut some of the album’s new songs at the festival.
While the group started decades ago with a standard rock lineup of four or five members, the growing complexity of the music that Padellaro and his bandmates
Frank Padellaro of King Radio performs at Transperformance 25 in this 2019 file photo. (DAVE ROBACK / THE REPUBLICAN)
George Lenker LIVE WIRE
Above, a salesman holds a mirror so Linda Tenkate of South Hadley can see the results of an eye lift cream she was sampling and at right, John Martino from Northfield tries out the AquaBlade (an advanced squeegee) at the company’s booth during the 2025 Western Mass Home & Garden Show on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield. (DON
!
Welcome home
71 years later, Western Mass. Home
& Garden Show is still going strong
By Keith O’Connor
Special to The Republican
Not everyone is a do-it-yourselfer or handy around the house, and some jobs are just too big or technical to try to do on your own.
That is why there are events like this weekend’s Original Western Mass. Home & Garden Show in the Better Living Center on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield where you can get help.
Some home shows across the country are on the decline and closing their doors, partly because more people are shopping online.
“After 71 years we are still going strong and our exhibitor space is sold out,” said Andrew Crane, executive director of the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Western Mass, which organizes the annual event.
“I know there are companies selling cars online now,
but do you really want to buy one before seeing it in person or driving it?” he asked. “In the same way, I want to be able to meet my remodelers before they show up at my house. The value of the home show is that you can meet and get to know them beforehand, look at photographs of some
of their work, and if it applies, even see and touch some of the latest products on the market.”
More than 300 vendors will have booths at this year’s show, offering products and services in some 100 categories such as roofing, siding, windows and doors, lawn
services, masonry, lawn and garden equipment, plumbing and heating, remodeling, painting, modular homes, patio furniture, gutters, kitchens and baths, flooring, and much more.
And, if you are in the planning stages of a new home, there will be banks on hand to provide financial services, home loans and mortgages. Among the many categories, roofing (21 vendors), remodelers (20 vendors), windows (18 vendors) and bathrooms (15 vendors) are the four biggest categories represented in the show.
Expect to see many people huddled around the roofer booths at this year’s show.
“The value of the home show is that you can meet and get to know them beforehand, look at photographs of some of their work, and if it applies, even see and touch some of the latest products on the market.”
Andrew Crane, executive director of the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Western Mass. SEE HOME, PAGE D5
Nightclubs
THURSDAY
The Drake: Kaleb Cohen with Lucia Dostal. 44 N. Pleasant St., Amherst
Theodores': Alex Rohan. 201 Worthington St., Springfield
Uno Chicago Grill: Country Music. 820 W. Columbus Ave., Springfield
FRIDAY
MGM Springfield: MGM Roar
Comedy Club: Matthew Broussard. 1 MGM Way, Springfield
Theodores': Christopher Dean Band. 201 Worthington St., Springfield
Wyckoff Country Club: Lark
Jazz Trio. 233 Easthampton Road, Holyoke
Uno Chicago Grill: Roots, Blues and Rock. 820 W. Columbus Ave., Springfield
West Springfield's Irish House Restaurant & Pub: Built for Comfort. 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield
SATURDAY
MGM Springfield: MGM Roar
Comedy Club: Matthew Broussard. 1 MGM Way, Springfield Wyckoff Country Club: OBQ. 233 Easthampton Road, Holyoke
The Drake: Battle of the Bands by WMUA 91.1. 44 N. Pleasant St., Amherst
Theodores': 7 Roads 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
Delaney House: Trivia with Bobby Roast Beef in the Mick. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke
Wyckoff Country Club: Sunday Brunch with DJ Boogy & MALADO! 233 Easthampton Road, Holyoke
Theodores': Annual Mummers Aquastring Band Pub Crawl. 201 Worthington St., Springfield
Uno Chicago Grill: Jazz. 820 W. Columbus Ave., Springfield
Items should be mailed to Entertainment Guide, The Republican, P.O. Box 1329, Springfield, MA 01102-1329, emailed to pmastriano@repub.com, or submitted to www.masslive.com/myevent
Home
CONTINUES FROM PAGE D4
“I haven’t seen ice damming like this in a good 15 to 20 years,” said Ken Pooler of Home City Roofing in Springfield.
This year’s significant snow and ice storms have caused ice dams to form at the edge of roofs, which prevents melting snow from draining properly, sending water underneath roof shingles and resulting in water damage inside homes, he explained.
“We’ve been getting many calls to repair damage caused by ice dams, which begin by making sure there is adequate attic insulation and ventilation, which is important to stop heat loss which leads to thawing and freezing,” he added.
Pool also addressed the fact that roofers have the most booths at the show.
“The roofing market is saturated in Western Massachusetts and that brings out a lot of competition. Stop by our booth and learn what separates us from the rest by talking with us, looking at some of the materials we use, and photographs of past jobs,” Pool said.
N. Riley Construction/ General Contractor in Chicopee is one of the many remodelers exhibiting at the show.
“We concentrate on new construction, renovations and home additions. We have been exhibiting at the Home Show for quite a long time and get a lot of business as a result of our presence there,” said owner Nick Riley.
He added that remodeling is “very popular now” because of the high cost of new construction, high interest rates, and simply finding available land on which to build.
“We have a lot of additions on our books right now and a lot of remodeling of kitchens and bathrooms which are our bread and butter,” Riley said.
“You will see me at the show meeting with people and answering their ques-
Stephen Libby of Contemporary Structures is seen through a railing during a past year’s Western Mass Home & Garden Show at the Eastern States Exposition. (STEVEN
tions, and we will have a slideshow of past and present projects and some of the materials we use on display,” he added.
Once again, in conjunction with 94.7 WMAS, the Western Mass. Home & Garden Show Sweepstakes will be giving away more than $8,500 in prizes in what is themed “Win Your Seat at the Table.”
“In the name of workforce development, this year we have reached out to two groups who teach trades to young people — the Home
Builders Institute and Westover Job Corps. They teach them how to work on their cars, they teach them how to do carpentry, plumbing, electrical, all those things. And we have engaged them to build for us 20 picnic tables and 20 garden benches to be given away,” Crane said.
In addition to the tables and benches, there will be prizes from Rocky’s Ace Hardware, as well as concert tickets and other surprises.
To enter the sweepstakes, fill out the entry form online
at westernmasshomeshow. com and return it to the 94.7 booth at the Home Show, booth #48, or bring it to the radio’s studio inside of the Basketball Hall of Fame. You can also fill out a form in-person at the booth during the show.
Showtimes at the Eastern States Exposition are Thursday from noon to 7 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 10 am. to 5 p.m.
Admission is $10 and free to children under 12, or $7 with a coupon printable from the show’s website at westernmasshomeshow.com. On Thursday only, veterans and active military are admitted free to the show.
The Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Western Massachusetts is a trade association representing more than 350 companies. Association members will be handing out their Membership Directory at the door filled with helpful consumer information, as well as a list of their reputable members by category.
The Eastern States Exposition charges $5 to park, cash only.
For more information, visit westernmasshomeshow. com
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
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
E. NANTON PHOTO)
‘Books of Wonder’
The Springfield Mueums is presenting a new exhibit, “Books of Wonder, Cover to Cover: A Hands-on Journey with Donna Castellanos,” on view Saturday, March 28, through Sept. 6 at the Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts. The immersive exhibit transforms once-cherished books into vibrant and immersive works of art, like the one pictured at right titled “House Mouse.”
A celebrated mixed-media artist, curator, and educator, Donna Castellanos works across sculpture, jewelry, and textiles, often giving overlooked materials new life, using salvaged books, found objects, and personal keepsakes to bring her creations to life.
“We are thrilled to showcase Donna Castellanos’ visually captivating and engaging work to our guests,” said Curator of Art Kris Ludwig in a statement. “Visitors will be amazed by the creativity behind each piece, but perhaps even more impressive is the artist’s talent for inspiring viewers while also providing moments that encourage them to discover their own creative voices.”
For more information, visit springfield museums.org.
created made it necessary to expand the live band. The sound of the band also changed as Padellaro, while still being the main creative engine of the group, has collaborated more on the actual compositions with other members, such as multi-instrumentalists Dave Tremholm and Ken Maiuri.
For those who aren’t familiar with the band, it can be difficult to describe, but the group mines a lot of sounds and motifs from 1960s pop and chamber pop. Padellaro said the upcoming record will employ a lot of those sounds.
“We’re doing the King Radio thing, which is a mix of different textures,” he said. “It’s somehow both lush and sparse at the same time: Leaving a ton of space but having a tone of instruments.”
One new twist is that the upcoming record will be punctuated by a half-dozen instrumentals, including a bossa nova piece that expands King Radio’s eclecticism even further.
“I wanted to write a bossa nova song, but I don’t really know how to do that because I’m not a bossa nova arranger, so I listened to a ton of bossa nova records and tried to write a melody that sounded like it could be on a bossa nova record,” Padellaro said.
While the live band is huge, Padellaro now views King Radio as mostly a studio group, like Steely Dan or the post-1966 Beatles. This makes it easier for the live players to learn their parts of the sometimes-complex songs and arrangements. Padellaro, Trenhom and Maiuri, along with drummer Paul Pelis and keyboardist/ vocalist Brandi Ediss (and sometimes other featured guests), lay down most the tracks for the record. The
players in the live band then learn those parts.
“Being mainly a studio band, the parts are kind of laid out for them to learn, but then they might apply their own professional skill to them, maybe to improve them or make them groovier or change them up a little,” Padellaro said.
What allows for this configuration is the live band members’ willingness to not be busy playing all the time.
“I really didn’t want to have a band where everybody plays through every song,” Padellaro said.
“There may be a place where Kay McKinstry is singing backup and just sings one note at the end of a four-minute song. Or there could be a place where there just is no guitar for Greg (Saulmon) to play for great swaths of time. And that’s OK. I’ve been really lucky to play with people who understand that sort of thing.”
King Radio will perform
at Lyman Hall in the First Churches of Northampton (129 Main St.) at 6 p.m. on Friday. For more informa-
tion on King Radio’s performance and the Back Porch Festival, go online to backporchfest.com.
Delvon Lamarr of the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, set to play the Back Porch Festival.
Flex, Academy of Music, Ana Bandeira, Haze, Hotel Northampton Ballroom, Iron Horse, Lyman Hall, Progression Brewery, The Parlor Room and Unitarian Society.
They will play host to the many artists performing including Big Richard, Cloudbelly, Cailin Costello, Fiddle Orchestra of Western MA, Gold Dust, Johnny Memphis, Kathleen Parks Band, Lucia Dostal, Misty Blues, Signature Dish, Zandi Holup, Starbody, Shelby Means, SoulKeys, Old Hat Stringband, Pointe Noir Cajun Band, Los Trio Gigantico, Miss Tess & friends, Spouse, Mark Erelli, Low Cut Connie, Samirah Evans & Her Handsome Devils, The Winterpills, among many others.
“I’ve performed alongside other artists at the festival over the years, but this is the first time Winterpills is performing as a full band. It’s nice to be back at the Iron Horse where we often perform. Audiences will hear songs from our new album that came out in November and our usual mix of rock and fragile folk,” said Philip Price, a member of the Winterpills.
“I always get [inspired] by
the diversity of the lineup and discovering new bands that the Back Porch Festival presents, many of whom are a reflection of what goes on here in the Valley,” he added.
Headlining the Academy of Music will be the Back Porch Festival Bluegrass Spectacular
“I always get [inspired] by the diversity of the lineup and discovering new bands that the Back Porch Festival presents, many of whom are a reflection of what goes on here in the Valley.”
PHILIP
PRICE, WINTERPILLS
featuring Peter Rowan with the Sam Grisman Project playing music from “Old & In The Way” and more on Saturday. They will be joined by openers Trey Hensley and Big Richard.
Sunday features I’m with Her with special guest Olive Klug, and it all begins on Friday night with Bertha: Grateful Drag.
The idea for Bertha began back in early 2023 when Melody Walker and Caitlin Doyle were kicking around an idea for an all-female Grateful Dead project as something new and exciting to do coming out of the pandemic.
“A few of us got wind of what they were thinking of doing and told them we wanted to be part of the project, too. Of
course, we were all guys for what was to be an all-female group. So, we joked that if everyone dressed in drag, then we could do it as a way to be all females,” said Jacob Groopman.
At about the same time, Tennessee, where they all live and work as professional musicians, began passing what Groopman termed a “slate of hate” — a series of bills targeting drag queens, trans people and LGBTQ people.
“It was a great opportunity for us to actually see if we could make the group happen as something fun and as a protest. We threw a benefit concert at our favorite little bar, Dee’s Country Cocktail
Clockwise, from top left: Christa Joy, of Christa Joy & The Honeybees, singer-songwriter Margaret Glaspy; and Shelby Means are among the musicians playing the Back Porch Festival in Northampton this weekend.
Philp Price of the Western Massachusetts band Winterpills, pictured here in 2021. (SIGNATURE SOUNDS)
Wine basics about Tuscany, plus tasting notes
WHEN PEOPLE dream about Italy, those dreams often take place in Tuscany.
Sun-drenched, rolling hills and winding roads lined with cypress trees.
Ancient, hilltop villages with small, stone buildings that look like something straight out of a fairytale.
But there’s another, important reason why so many people love and respect this part of central Italy — Tuscany’s world-class wines.
For thousands of years, people have been making great wine in Tuscany.
Known in Italian as “Toscana,” some of these wines remain some of the most revered — and most expensive — wines in the world.
But there are also many outstanding bargains to be found in Tuscany.
The hard part is making sense of them all since Tuscany (and frankly Italy in general) can seem overwhelming when it comes to wine.
That’s why I’m here to help. Recently, I taught a noncredit wine tasting class at Holyoke Community College about wines from Tuscany. This week, you can learn more about this fantastic Italian wine region, as well as read the tasting notes from the Tuscany wine class.
Let me add that I will be teaching three more non-credit wine classes this spring at HCC — wines from New Zealand on March 26, Rose wines on April 23 and summer white wines on May 14.
Hope you enjoy.
Tuscany by the Numbers
• 148,000 acres of vineyards in Tuscany;
• 12,500 wine producers in Tuscany;
• 85 percent of Tuscany wine is red wine;
• 5 percent of Italian wine comes from Tuscany
History of winemaking in Tuscany
• 7th Century BC – Wine-
making begins in region. Made wine throughout the Roman Empire;
• 1,200 AD – Florence (the capital of Tuscany) filled with wine merchants. Wine guild in city begins creating regulations governing the production of wine;
• 1700s – Chianti region within Tuscany is defined for wine production;
• 1963 – DOC system created in Italy. DOC stands for “Denominazione di Origine Controllata.” This system classifies wines based on location and places restrictions on production methods and grape varieties.
Different wine classifications in Tuscany
There are four wine classifications in Tuscany.
• VDT – “Vino da Tavola” which means Italian table wine. This wine can be from anywhere in Italy.
• IGT – “Indicazione Geografica Tipica.” Created in 1992, this designation
Known in Italian as “Toscana,” some of these wines remain some of the most revered — and most expensive — wines in the world. But there are also many outstanding bargains to be found in Tuscany.
refers to a specific wide region where the wines are from Italy. An example would Toscana IGT of Tuscany.
• DOC – There are 41 DOCs in Tuscany. As explained above, DOC wines must come from specific places and adhere to specific production methods. Examples of DOC wines in Tuscany include Bolgheri DOC and Rosso di Montalcino DOC.
• DOCG – “Denominazione di Origine Controllata Garanita.” Wines classified as DOCG are considered the highest quality wines in Italy. There are 11 types of DOCG wines in Tuscany, including Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti Classico.
Wine subregions in Tuscany
There are many subregions located within Tuscany, but some of the best-known wine subregions include:
• Chianti – Famous red wine subregion known for its high-quality, affordable wines.
• Chianti Classico – Smaller subregion located between Florence and Siena within Chianti. Has strict production guidelines resulting in out-
standing, mid-priced wines.
• Vino Nobile di Montepulciano – Not to be confused with the grape “Montepulciano,” which is mainly grown in the Abruzzo region, this DOCG produces outstanding, affordable blended red wines.
• Brunello di Montalcino –One of the best wine subregions in the world famous for elegant, powerful red wines.
• Bolgheri – Coastal subregion famous for “Super Tuscan” red wines often made with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grapes.
• Maremma – Another coastal subregion that makes mineral-like, delicate red wines.
Popular wine grapes in Tuscany
Roughly 500 different grape varieties are used to make wine in Tuscany.
The most popular wine grape is Sangiovese. Nearly half (44 percent) of wines in Tuscany are made using Sangiovese grapes. Other popular red wine grapes in Tuscany include: Merlot (often blended with Sangiovese), Cabernet Sauvignon (especially in Bolgheri), and Canaiolo (lighter grape often used when blend-
ing some Chianti wines). White wine grapes are also present in Tuscany wines, including Trebbiano Toscano, the most popular white grape in Tuscany, often used for blending; Vermentino, often used to make light, citrus-like wines; Malvasia Bianca Lunga, which is often blended with Trebbiano grapes, especially when making white wines in Chianti.
Chianti Vs. Chianti
Classico Vs. Chianti Classico Reserva
So what’s the difference between these three types of wine? Chianti wines must be made with at least 70 percent Sangiovese grapes from Chianti. These wines must be aged for 3 to 6 months in oak barrels.
Chianti Classico wines come from Chianti Classico, a small subregion within the larger Chianti region in Italy. They must be made with at least 80 percent Sangiovese grapes from Chianti Classico. These wines must be aged for a minimum of 12 months in oak barrels.
Chianti Classico Reserva wines are Chianti Classico
Some of the Tuscany red wines featured in this week’s Wine Press wine column. (KEN ROSS PHOTOS)
Ken Ross Wine Press
CALENDAR
THURSDAY
2026 Miller Lecture in Art with Finnegan Shannon by SCMA: Thu., 5 p.m. Alumnae House Gallery, SCMA presents the annual Miller Lecture with artist Finnegan Shannon at the Smith College Alumnae House. Rooted in SCMA’s exhibition of “Don’t mind if I do,” Shannon will give a talk titled “Learning How to Desire.” Conversation to follow with curator Lauren Leving, moderated by SCMA Curator of Contemporary Art Emma Chubb, followed by a public reception at the Smith College Museum of Art. This event is free and open to all. Reserved seating available for SCMA Friends. Get more details and information on accommodation requests online. Free admission. 33 Elm St., Northampton; www.smith.edu.
March Concert Series: Thu., 5:30 p.m. Berkshire Hills Music Academy, BHMA presents the second installment of its monthly concert series featuring the BHMA Classical Ensemble and the “Idle Hands” piano duo. Music performed by talented BHMA students and instructors. Free entry, suggested donation at the door. 48 Woodbridge St., South Hadley.
The Original Western Mass. Home Show: Thu., noon-7 p.m.; Fri., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Eastern States Exposition, Better Living Center. Today only, veterans and active military are admitted to the show free of charge. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit westernmasshomeshow. com. 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. 413-737-2443 or www. thebige.com.
FRIDAY
Karaoke!: 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.
Mt. Holyoke Dance Dept. presents the 2026 Capstone Dance Concert “A Place to Land”: Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m. Kendall Sports and Dance Complex, This concert is a culmination of a yearlong research and choreographic process conducted by junior and senior dance majors. Through an array of vocabularies and styles, these pieces explore human connections, building and rebuilding, and the act of returning — both intentionally and unknowingly. For more information or to reserve tickets, go online to mhc.ludus.com
Chelsea Handler
Comedian, TV host and seven-time New York Times bestselling author Chelsea Handler will bring her High and Mighty Tour to Springfield Symphony Hall on Sunday, March 29, at 7:30 p.m. Handler had a successful seven-year run as the host of E!’s top-rated “Chelsea Lately” in addition to launching her own documentary series “Chelsea Does,” followed by her talk show “Chelsea” on Netflix in 2016. Her most recent book is “I’ll Have What She’s Having,” published February 2025. Tickets to the show, presented by MGM Springfield, begin at $47.99. For more information and to purchase tickets, go online to symphonyhall springfield.com.
Tickets: $8 general admission; $5 students & seniors. 50 College St., South Hadley.
The Original Western Mass. Home Show: See Thursday listing Salar Nader-the Afghan Music Project: Fri., 7:30 p.m. The Drake, Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Part of the Music at Amherst Subscription Series sold through amherst. universitytickets.com. Tickets:
General public: $28; senior citizens (65+) $22; students with valid ID and children $12, or free with valid Amherst College ID. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst.
Signature Sounds Presents & The Parlor Room Collective
present Back Porch Festival: Fri.-Sun., Academy of Music Theatre, takes place at 10+ diverse venues in downtown Northampton. For shows at the AOM, visit the theater’s website for times and artists scheduled at aomtheatre. com; For more information about the festival, including a complete schedule, visit www.backporch fest.com, 274 Main St., Northampton.
SATURDAY
Local Vocal Chord Bowl: Sat., 7 p.m. Northampton High School. The Local Vocal Chord Bowl, now celebrating its 15th year, is
to Support Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club: Sat., 6 p.m. 52 Sumner, Get your tickets for “Revelry,” a fundraiser to support Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club, featuring The Majesters this year. Doors open at 6 p.m. followed by the show at 8 p.m. Age 21+, raffles, bar, 50-50, bring your own snacks. Potential to win 4 tickets to 2026 Patriots home game, $40. 52 Sumner Ave., Springfield.
Signature Sounds Presents & The Parlor Room Collective present Back Porch Festival: See Friday listing
SUNDAY
Live Music featuring Rick Murnane: Sun, 2 p.m. Tangle Chocolate Lounge. Free. 5 Main St. Route 9, Williamsburg.
MGM Springfield presents Chelsea Handler — The High and Mighty Tour: Sun., 7:30 p.m. Springfield Symphony Hall. Tickets start at $47.99. 34 Court St., Springfield. 413-733-2291 or www. symphonyhall.com.
The Original Western Mass Home Show: See Thursday listing Signature Sounds Presents & The Parlor Room Collective present Back Porch Festival: See Friday listing
Quadrangle
George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum: Currently closed for renovations. Permanent exhibitions include Asian decorative arts, Japanese arms and armor, Chinese cloisonné, American and European paintings, antiquities, and rare decorative objects.
Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History: Permanent exhibits include vintage automobiles, Indian motorcycles, historic firearms, Hasbro GameLand, and other industrial and cultural artifacts.
a community fundraiser concert produced by the Green Street Brew featuring contemporary a cappella groups from a variety of age groups. All proceeds will be divided between the music programs at Northampton High School and Amherst Regional High School. Suggested donation $10-$15. 380 Elm St., Northampton; 413-5871344 ext. 3020.
Mt. Holyoke Dance Dept. presents the 2026 Capstone Dance Concert “A Place to Land”: See Friday listing
The Original Western Mass Home Show: See Thursday listing ‘Revelry’ — A Comedy Fundraiser
Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts: “One Foot in Two Places” by Olwen O’Herlihy Dowling, through Oct. 4. “Markets, Foodways, and the Essence of Place: Works from the Museo de Arte de Ponce,” through Sept. 6, on the first floor of the Alpert Gallery. Museum a la Carte March 26, 12:15 p.m., “Johnny Appleseed’s Revolutionary Childhood in Massachusetts.” Cost $4, free for members. Presented by Melissa M. Cybulski, local historian, museum guide, and author. Permanent exhibitions include American and European prints, paintings, drawings, and
AMHERST
Very Hungry Caterpillar Day
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art will celebrate Carle’s beloved children’s book, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” with a special day for families on March 29, from noon to 4:30 p.m. The day will include special activities, a museum-wide scavenger hunt, and creative play and artmaking inspired by Carle’s work. For more information, visit carle museum.org. Above, guests take a picture with a “Very Hungry Caterpillar” display at the Eric Carle Museum in 2024. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN FILE)
exhibit, “A Velt mit veltelekh: The Worlds of Jewish Culture.” Open Thu., Fri., Sun. and Mon. from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Shabbos (Saturday) and Jewish and legal holidays. $8 adults; $6 seniors; free for members, students and children. 1021 West St., Amherst or www.yiddishbookcenter.org.
Galleries
A.P.E. Gallery: Permanent exhibit. Hours: Tues.-Thurs. noon-5 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. noon-8 p.m.; Sun. noon-5 p.m. “Intuition Exchange” group exhibition, through March 29. Gallery hours: Wed.-Sun., noon- 5 p.m.; Fri., 1-8 p.m.; closed Mon. & Tues. Free. 126 Main St., Northampton or www.apearts.org.
sculpture. On the first Wed. of every month through the end of 2026, admission is free for all visitors.
“Please Touch! A Tactile Exploration of Sante Graziani’s Mural,” through July 26.
Springfield Science Museum: “Dinosaurs Still Live: The Story of Archosaurs.” This dynamic, 1,400-square-foot gallery in the Springfield Science Museum invites visitors of all ages to uncover the surprising connections between dinosaurs, birds, crocodilians, and pterosaurs. “Dinosaurs Still Live” blends hands-on discovery, immersive environments, and engaging storytelling to spark curiosity and inspire learning across generations.
“Math Alive! Exhibition,” through May 3. This special exhibit reveals how real math powers sports, nature, robotics, music, dance, movie-making, and more. Free with museum admission. Permanent exhibits include dinosaurs, African wildlife, interactive STEM labs, Earth’s ecosystems, and immersive planetarium shows.
Quadrangle admission - $25 for adults, $17.50 for seniors (60+), $16.50 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. Special exhibit fees may apply to all visitors. Welcome Center and Museum store. Closed Mon, Tues.-Sat. 11 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, and weekday activities. Visit ameliaparkmuseum.org for information. Hours: Tue.-Tue, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Open for groups Wed. Admission is $8 adults; $8 children (12 months and older); $4 grandparents/seniors (60+); and free members/infants. Military personnel and teachers receive a 10% discount off the price of regular admission. 29 South Broad St., Westfield or www.amelia parkmuseum.org.
Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art: “Cooking with Eric Carle,” through Aug. 23, 2026. “Very Hungry Caterpillar Day for Families,” March 29, noon-4:30 p.m. Families are invited to spend the day exploring the Museum through special activities, including a museum-wide scavenger hunt, screenings of animated films, and a storytime that brings the book to life. Little ones can follow clues throughout the Museum, discover Caterpillar-themed surprises along the way, and enjoy creative play and art-making inspired by Carle’s iconic artwork. Free with museum admission; free for Members. 125 West Bay Road, Amherst or www. carlemuseum.org.
Mead Art Museum: Permanent exhibit: Various American and European paintings, Mexican ceramics, Tibetan scroll paintings and more. Museum 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.
Norman Rockwell Museum: “A Brief History of Illustration: The Abyss,” through May 31. “Norman Rockwell: The Human Touch,” through May 25. “Shine A Light: The Art and Life of Deb Koffman.,” through June 7. “Jazz Age Illustration,” through April 6. Online
exhibit: “Imagining Freedom.” The fee for accessing “Imagining freedom” is $5 for the general public, available on the museum’s website at NRM.org. 9 Route 183, Stockbridge.
Smith College Museum of Art: SCMA Exhibition “Crafting Worlds,” through Aug. 23. This installation explores how artisans in Japan utilized materials and handcrafted techniques to forge social relationships and engage with the world around them. It features lacquerware, ceramics, bamboo baskets, and metalwork. “Don’t Mind if I Do,” through June 28. Artists include: Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo, Pelenakeke Brown, Sky Cubacub, Emilie L. Gossiaux, Felicia Griffin, Joselia Rebekah Hughes, Jeff Kasper, and Finnegan Shannon. Free. Elm Street at Bedford Terrace, Northampton or www.scma. smith.edu.
The New England Visionary Artists Museum: The New England Visionary Artists Museum in Northampton has five exhibition showrooms hosting N.E. artists’ work in all media and is home to Anchor House of Artists, the region’s subsidized studio and representation support to artists living with neurodiverse conditions. Hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 2-6 p.m., with regular free public receptions on the second Friday of the month, from 5-8 p.m. Find them at 518 Pleasant St. For more information, go online to NEVA-museum.org or call 413588-4337. There is a $10 suggested day admission donation asked at the door.
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. Admission is $18 adults; $17 seniors (65+); $10 students with ID; $7 children 5-17; and free for children 4 or younger. 104 Walker St., Lenox or www. gildedage.org.
Volleyball Hall of Fame: Permanent exhibit: Open Tues.-Sun., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Closed Mon. Last admission is 30 minutes prior to close. Admission is $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.
Windsor Historical Society: Permanent exhibit: Explore the people, places and events that have shaped Windsor for over four centuries.
Hours: Wed.-Sat., 11 a.m.-4 p.m., with house tours at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. General admission to the library and historic houses is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 for students and free to children under 12 and WHS members. Visitors are free to browse the museum store and exhibit galleries at no charge. 96 Palisade Ave., Windsor or www. windsorhistoricalsociety.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
Admission is $7 Holyoke residents; $5 seniors; $5 youth (under 18); and free museum members, active military and family members. 238 Cabot St., Holyoke. Yiddish Book Center: Permanent
Center for the Arts Trust Building: “Dissolving Thoughts: Oil Paintings on Canvas” by Karen Iglehart, through March 28, in the Split-Level Gallery. Gallery hours: Wed.-Sat. 12-7 p.m., closed Mon. & Tues. 33 Hawley St., Northampton Gallery A3 Amherst Art Alliance: “Romanum,” through March 28. Mixed media works in “Romanum” by Ron Maggio are inspired by the wall paintings (or frescos) from houses and villas of Rome, Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Boscoreale, dating from the second century B.C. and the first century A.D. Free. 28 Amity St., Amherst or 413-2564250.
Indian Orchard Mills Dane Gallery: All new exhibits every month featuring the artists at Indian Orchard Mills. Hours: Sat. noon-4 p.m. or by appointment. 34 Front St., Indian Orchard, or 413-5433321.
LAVA Center: “Find Your Voice, Speak Your Mind,” studen artists exhibit, through March 31, featuring artwork by students from the Academy at Charlemont. 324 Main St., Greenfield
Majestic Theater: “The Agawam Community Artists and Artisans Exhibition,” with art representing the collective talents of many local artists, including ACAA artists from Connecticut. The display showcases original art in mediums such as watercolor, acrylic, colored pencil and oil. The art is on display in the Majestic Theater café. All of the art is for sale by contacting the staff of the Majestic, who will hold your piece until the close of the show, on Sunday, April 5. Art lovers may peruse the collection during the hours that the Majestic is open, or while attending a show at the Majestic.For further information, contact Ceil Rossi at tocarefree2@ hotmail.com. 131 Elm St., West Springfield or www.majestic theater.com.
SPRINGFIELD Zoo set to open
Felix, a 7-yearold bobcat, is pictured at the Zoo in Forest Park in Springfield. The zoo is set to open for the 2026 season on Saturday, March 28, followed by its annual Easter-themed event “Eggstravaganza” the following weekend on Saturday, April 4. For more information on zoo hours and programming, go online to forestparkzoo.
org. (DOUGLAS HOOK / THE REPUBLICAN)
wines aged for a minimum of 24 months in oak barrels.
Montalcino vs. Montepulciano
Montepulciano and Montalcino are both places. They’re villages located in the famous Italian wine region of Tuscany about halfway in between Florence and Rome.
Along with being a town in Italy and a type of grape, Montepulciano is also a type of wine. Specifically, Montepulciano often refers to two types of Italian red wines — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wines come from the Montepulciano region of Italy in Tuscany but they at not made with Montepulciano grapes. Instead, they’re made with a minimum of 70% Sangiovese grapes, along with a blend of other grapes,
including with 10% to 20% of Canaiolo Nero and other local grapes, including Mammolo. As for Montalcino wines, they’re made entirely with Sangiovese grapes from the Montalcino region aged for a minimum of 3 years in oak barrels.
Wine tasting notes
(All six wines below are red wines from Tuscany, Italy. Tasting notes are from the columnist’s recent wine tasting class.)
2024 Ferrari Corbelli
Tenuta Di Gracciano Della Seta Rosso Di Montepulciano Toscana ($14.99 at Table & Vine in West Springfield) Grape: Blend of Montepulciano, Prugnolo Gentile and Merlot Region: Montepulciano, Tuscany
Tasting notes: Spicy, crisp, tart, pomegranate, black currant.
2022 Banfi Chianti Superiore ($13.99 at Table &
Vine)
Grapes: Blend of Sangiovese and Canaiolo Nero Region: Chianti, Tuscany
Tasting notes: Smooth, rich flavors with hints of strawberry and citrus.
2023 Banfi Chianti Classico ($17.99 at Table & Vine)
(Favorite wine of the class)
Grapes: Blend of Sangiovese and Canaiolo Nero
Region: Chianti Classico, Tuscany
Tasting notes: Smooth, more depth, fuller red wine with more body and hints of cherry and oak.
2021 Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva ($22.99 at Table & Vine)
Grapes: Blend of Sangiovese and Canaiolo Nero Region: Chianti Classico, Tuscany
Tasting notes: Smooth red wine with oaky notes and hints of dark chocolate. Takes more time to open than many of the other wines.
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Northampton Center for the Arts: “we were always beautiful - Artwork by Rebecca Alexandra Herskovitz,” through March 28, in the Hawley Split Level Gallery: Couryard Level. 33 Hawley St., Northampton or www.nohoarts. org.
Trinity United Methodist Church: Exhibit by Nicole Baker, Lynette Varnon, Lorrin Baker, through March 31. Nicole Baker, mixed media; Lynette Varnon, poetry; Lorrin Baker, photography. Hours: Mon.Fri, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sun. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 361 Sumner Ave., Springfield, or 413-737-5311.
Outdoors
2023 Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Rosso Di Montalcino ($24.99 at Table & Vine)
Grape: Sangiovese Region: Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany
Tasting notes: Rich, luxurious, spicy wine with hints of vanilla, chocolate and cinnamon flavors.
2020 Il Valentiano Campo Di Marzo Brunello Di Montalcino ($39.99 at Table & Vine)
Grape: Sangiovese Region: Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany
Tasting notes: Aged for three years in French oak barrels, this robust, well-balanced wine has a full aroma and flavors, including hints of tobacco, oak, cherry and pomegranate. Cheers!
Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com and in The Republican’s Weekend section.
Great Falls Discovery Center: Great Hall Exhibit: Maps of River History by Joe Kopera, through March 28. “Nice and Easy Walks,” March 26, 1-2 p.m. Easy-paced, 1 to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for older adults, but open to all. “Montague Public Libraries Presents Favorite Storybook Character Day,” March 28, 1–3 p.m. Take home themed art inspired by classic and contemporary storybook characters. Costumes are highly encouraged but not required. Sponsored by Montague Public Libraries. Free. 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls or www. greatfallsma.org.
Mt. Greylock State Reservation:
“Discover Greylock Hike,” Fridays through April. Locations vary, call ahead for more information, 1-3 p.m. For ages 8 and older. Explore seasonal changes in the forest and look for signs of wildlife and unique features along an easy to moderate trail. Dress appropriately for winter weather. Trails may be snowy or icy. Hiking poles and traction devices (or snowshoes) recommended “Winter Wildlife Tracking,” March 28, two options each day: 9 a.m.12:30 p.m. and 12:30-3:30 p.m. For ages 8 and up. Dress for winter weather. Hiking poles, traction devices for boots (or snowshoes) recommended. Bring water and a snack. Space is limited, pre-registration required at 413-499-4262.
“Nature Scavenger Hunt,” ongoing, Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For children and families. Self-guided adventurous quests invited you to search for natural treasures along part trails and inside the Visitor Center. There are several seek and find scavenger hunts for different age and skill levels. Scavenger hunts are available at the Visitor Center. 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough
DOWNLOAD THE APP
Want to know when and where your favorite band is playing this weekend? Download the mobile app on backporchfest. com. It is free and available on both Android and Apple devices.
Lounge, and it was great fun and people loved it. We did it again six months later and we raised a bunch of money for organizations who support these kinds of rights. It was supposed to be a one-time thing, but here we are still today,” Groopman said.
While the dress is for fun, the music is serious.
“Bertha: Grateful Drag is far from a gimmick. These musicians are the real deal and have some of the best harmonies and vocals of any Grateful Dead tribute act,” wrote Jambase, an online news portal for live music. In addition to vocalists Walker and Doyle with bassist Groopman, the band consists of Thomas Bryan Eaton on guitar, Mike Wheeler on vocals and guitar, Justin Vorp on drums and Alex Jordan on keyboards.
Groopman said for the most part, the reception Grateful Drag have been receiving is positive.
“We’ve only been going outside of Nashville to play for less than two years. It’s amazing how people are coming to see us and the types of crowds we are getting. It has been really inspiring. We do get a fair amount of pushback and hate online, which is to be expected. But, you know, most of the time, it’s really been very positive. We have pretty big
crowds wherever we go for a new band,” he said.
Every year, the Back Porch Festival includes a live edition of Back Porch Radio, which will be broadcast this year on Sunday from the Iron Horse Music Hall from 9 a.m. to noon.
Hosted by Olsen on 93.9
The River for 30 years, the program includes an eclectic mix of new and classic country, bluegrass, folk, blues and all forms of American roots music. Admission is free but is on a first-come, first served-basis.
The Back Porch Festival Ramble Pass grants access to every show at the festival, except for the three evening shows presented at the Academy of Music. Advance Ramble Passes priced at $85 are available online at backporchfest. com or at the Iron Horse Box Office. Children under 10 are admitted free.
Prices vary for the three Academy of Music headliners and are available at aomtheatre.com.
Last year, organizers created a Back Porch Fest App with can be downloaded on the festival website to help you coordinate and schedule the shows you want to see.
For complete ticket information, prices, times and schedules, visit backporch fest.com.
