‘This isn’t a pub crawl, it’s an educational experience.’ D2
‘HOPPY VALLEY’
‘This isn’t a pub crawl, it’s an educational experience’
By K eith O ’C onnor Special to The Republican
If you are thinking about signing up for a Pioneer Valley Brews Cruise, don’t think you are going to go sailing. And don’t think for a minute that you are set for a day of heavy drinking.
“This isn’t a pub crawl, it’s an educational experience,” Scott Beaulieu, owner of Pioneer Valley Brews Cruise, said, putting an emphasis
on “educational.” And as a social studies teacher at Michael E. Smith Middle School in South Hadley — his wife is a reading specialist in Palmer — he knows a thing or two about the value of education.
“This is our second year in business and what we offer are curated tours of breweries, like this Saturday’s Hoppy Valley Tour, that take you behind the scenes, meet the brewers and talk about the brewing process and, of course, sample some of their tasty beers,” he added.
The Hoppy Valley Tour is priced at $97.20 per person for those 21 and older, include cruising to your destination in a decorated van — it holds just 13 tourists — and enjoying
a flight of four beers, equal to about a pint, while spending a little under an hour at each of the breweries.
For extra fun, everyone gets their own signature pretzel bracelet and tourists can elect for add-ons like charcuterie cups. Some locations on the tour also offer food trucks.
This Saturday’s Hoppy Valley Tour includes visits to Fort Hill Brewery and New City Brewery, both in Easthampton, and White Lion Brewing Company in Amherst. The tour leaves at 12:30 p.m. from 30 Crafts Ave. in Northampton.
Other tour options offered by Beaulieu’s organization each month include Hops in Hoop City, with
Above, clockwise from top left: Sam Dibble, the owner of New City Brewery in Easthampton; a sign outside New City Brewery; Alec Rudd, of Somerville, with Lachlin at the Barks & Brews fundraiser at Fort Hill Brewery in Easthampton; and Rustic Brewing Company in the Indian Orchard section of Springfield. These Pioneer Valley breweries, and others, are among educational tours offered by the Pioneer Valley Brews Cruise.
“[Beaulieu] loves the industry and we liked the idea, which would bring us more customers, more foot traffic, because we don’t have a very visual location being in an old mill building over a canal.”
JARED METHE, CO-OWNER OF RUSTIC BREWING COMPANY
IN INDIAN ORCHARD
JOIN
Valley
CONTINUES FROM PAGE D2
stops at Rustic Brewing Company in Indian Orchard, Sole Syndicate Brewing Co. in Ludlow, and Brew Practitioners in East Longmeadow.
There is also a North Beerfield Tour, which is held on Sundays, featuring Berkshire Brewing Company in South Deerfield, the Brewery at Four Star Farms in Northfield, and Element Brewing and Distilling in Millers Falls.
It all began three years ago when Beaulieu’s wife, Sue, took him on a trip to Portland, Maine, for his birthday.
“We checked on what was going on in town while we were there and saw there was something called a ‘Brews Crews.’ We decided to check it out and afterwards we began to think, ‘We have a lot of breweries, wineries and cideries up and down the Valley, and it might be something good for us to start,’” Beaulieu said.
So, Beaulieu did a little re-
search on the web and found Brews Cruise, which licenses its brand and concept and provides consulting and educational training around the United States and Canada.
The goal of Brews Cruise, stated on its national website, is “to create something to enhance the burgeoning craft beer scene and showcase a unique side of each beer community in which we operate.”
It wasn’t long after becoming a licensee that the couple launched Pioneer Valley Brews Cruise in April 2024.
“We found that brewers and brewery owners were excited to have new foot traffic, not only to sample their brews but to learn more about the brewing process and their particular brewery, many of which started out of a garage,” Beaulieu said, noting that they have between 20 to 30 breweries they can choose among depending on the tour.
Rustic Brewing Company has opened its doors to the
Above, ginger beer, one of the varieties available at New City Brewery in Easthampton, is poured for a customer. At right, Jared Methe and Todd Kopiec are co-owners of Rustic Brewing Company in Indian Orchard. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE PHOTOS)
UMass welcomes Pulitzer Prize-winning poet
Poet
a UMass
Carl Phillips, who graduated from UMass, will deliver free lecture on April 7
Carl Phillips, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and alumnus of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, will return to his alma mater to deliver the annual David F. Grose Memorial Lecture in Classics on Tuesday, April 7, at 4:30 p.m. in the Amherst Room on the 10th floor of the Campus Center.
The event is free and open to the public and will be followed by a reception.
Phillips, professor emeritus of English at Washington University in St. Louis, earned
his master of arts in teaching in the Latin and Classical Humanities program at UMass Amherst.
He is the author of 17 books of poetry. His collection, “Then the War: And Selected Poems 2007-2020,” won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 2023.
Phillips has received fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the Library of Congress, among others. His honors also include the 2021 Jackson Prize, the Aiken Taylor Award for Modern American
‘Big Love, Little Performances’
GREAT IDEAS ARE often conjured from a combination of inspiration, dedication and a relentless search for the perfect concept.
But there are also other equally fantastic ideas that spring from people just goofing around.
“Big Love, Little Performances” is proof of the latter category.
The annual karaoke/lipsync contest, which serves as a fundraiser for the Center for Human Development’s Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County, came about from a playful exchange during a radio interview between Monte Belmonte, Tara Brewster and Ann Walsh on WRSI-99.3 The River. Walsh serves as the development and partnerships director for the CHD program.
“We were in the studio and just started being silly, singing and joking about how cool it would be to have a karaoke event. So, when Tara suggested it, I said, ‘Don’t threaten me with a good time!’” Walsh said with a laugh.
Not long afterward, that offhand remark morphed into a real contest in 2023, and will this year mark its fourth anniversary at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton tonight, April 2, at 6:30 p.m.
The show will be emceed by
Brewster, a vice president at Greenfield Savings Bank who also hosts a business show on WRS; Belmonte, who is now host of New England Public Media’s “The Fabulous 413”; and comic Kelsey Flynn. The show will also include local celebrity judges, including former Northampton mayor Claire Higgins.
Belmonte has been with the show since its inception and said that the event always has plenty of twists beyond the karaoke/lip-sync contests themselves.
“There are always some surprises, but the surprises are different every year, and even though I’m the emcee, I don’t even know what they all are,”
he said. “I’ll do a duet with Tara Brewster, and I’m sure Kelsey will do something, but there’s always a few other ringers in the mix.”
Belmonte said one shock to him last year was that the show was won by a contestant doing a lip-sync of the song “Defying Gravity” from the Broadway musical “Wicked.” He assumed that a karaoke performance, which involves actual singing, would win the competition.
“But the lip-sync performance was so off-the-charts good that it was undeniable,” he said.
Belmonte also agreed that the random way the show
Poetry, the Kingsley Tufts Award, a Lambda Literary Award and the PEN/USA Award for Poetry.
“We are thrilled to welcome Carl Phillips back to campus during National Poetry Month,” said Lauren Caldwell, chair of the Department of Classics at UMass Amherst, in a statement. “Carl studied with David Grose, for whom the memorial lecture is named, in the 1980s, which makes his visit very special.” For more information, visit umass.edu.
Monte Belmonte is the co-host of New England Public Media’s “The Fabulous 413” radio show. He is also one of the hosts of the annual “Big Love, Little Performances” fundraiser, being held tonight at the Iron Horse Music Hall. (HOANG ‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE PHOTO)
“There are always some surprises, but the surprises are different every year, and even though I’m the emcee, I don’t even know what they all are.”
Monte Belmonte
Carl Phillips,
Amherst alum, is pictured at right. (PHOTO COURTESY UMASS)
George Lenker LIVE WIRE
‘EGGSTRAVAGANZA’
Forest Park Zoo kicks off 2026 season with Easter event for families
By K eith O ’C onnor Special to The Republican
The Easter Bunny will be hopping into Springfield to visit the Forest Park Zoo on Saturday, one day before the Easter holiday.
“We are so excited to kick off our 2026 season with our most popular event,” said Gabry Tyson, assistant executive director at The Zoo in Forest Park, in an official news release announcing the event. “‘Eggstravaganza’ is the perfect way to shake off the winter blues and welcome back spring.”
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Preregistration, which closes on April 3 at noon or when all tickets are sold, is required to attend the event. Tickets are $13 for adults, $8 for children and $9 for seniors, and are available online at forestparkzoo. org/eggstravaganza. Discounts are available for Zoo members.
“The fluffy, furry Easter
SEE ZOO, PAGE D8
Pioneer Valley Brews Cruise for at least a dozen visits so far, noted co-owner Jared Methe.
“Scott and Sue came to us with their idea before going forward with it. They were already cus tomers of ours. He loves the industry and we liked the idea, which would bring us more customers, more foot traffic, because we don’t have a very visual location being in an old mill building over a canal,” Methe said.
geographical history and about the breweries they will be visiting.
“People have returned to our brewery after attending the tour because they were surprised at the quality of what we brew. They tell us we have some of the best beers in the area,” he added.
Methe said he is looking forward to the April 11 Hops in Hoop City tour, which will feature Rustic Brewery.
“We have a very rustic vibe that goes along with our name, and we are anxious to explain our brewing process and show off our brewery. We’re family friendly, with six pinball machines and board and table games to play. And we serve pizza from Thursday through Saturday,” he said.
Beaulieu and his wife travel on the tours together — she serves as the guide, and he is the educator talking about local, industrial and
Instant Issues
Before teaching, he dabbled in the restaurant business as a bartender and manager in various dining atmospheres. He is also heavily involved in local education organizations. Beaulieu has made it his mission to learn everything he can about craft alcohol production processes. He has visited countless breweries, distilleries and wineries across New England and beyond, attended numerous tastings and classes, soaking up as much knowledge as possible.
The Beaulieus partnerships are not limited to local breweries, and they can craft private and corporate tours to distilleries, cideries and other places beyond the area.
For more information or to book a private tour for your group, go online to brewscruise.com or email pioneervalley@brewscruise. com.
AI and International Security Affairs
Dr. Michael Klare, Adjunct faculty member in the Department of Political Science at UMass-Amherst and the Five College Professor Emeritus of Peace and World Security Studies at Hampshire College
Wednesday, April 15, 2026 noon-1 pm
1350 Main Street, 9th Floor Gallery, downtown Springfield RSVP deadline for lunch provided April 10
COST
(includes
A little girl greets the Easter Bunny upon entrance at the 2025 Eggstravaganza event at the Forest Park Zoo in Springfield. (SOPHIE MARKHAM PHOTO)
Shaneeka Brown, of Springfield, joins her children Nasir, Nia and Naima for a family photo during a past year’s Eggstravaganza event at the Forest Park Zoo. (FREDERICK GORE PHOTO)
Stephen Colbert is writing a new ‘Lord of the Rings’
By A li Watkins
The New York Times
Across decades in show business, Stephen Colbert has been many things. He has rotated across late-night TV stages, adopted a satirical alter ego and partnered with comedy’s biggest names.
Beginning this spring, when the studio lights dim for the last time on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” the comedian will ride off into a different showtime sunset: the Shire.
In a video announcement with “Lord of the Rings” director Peter Jackson, Colbert revealed that he has been developing a new movie based on early chapters of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels that were largely omitted in Jackson’s original trilogy.
“You know what the books mean to me, and what your films mean to me, but the thing I found myself reading over and over again were the six chapters early on in ‘The Fellowship’ that y’all never developed into the first movie back in the day,” Colbert said in the video, referring to the first book in Tolkien’s trilogy. The announcement was published by Warner Bros.
The new project coincides with the final curtain for “The Late Show,” which CBS abruptly announced last summer it would cancel after the 2026 broadcast season, when Colbert’s contract expires.
Along with being a pillar of late-night TV, Colbert is perhaps one of Tolkien’s most dedicated and vocal fans. For decades, he has sprinkled “Lord of the Rings” analysis into guest interviews and spoken often about how the books guide his worldview.
“There are very few fictional works with that depth and background,” he said in a 2019 interview with The New York Times Magazine. He added
‘They Will Kill You’
Stephen Colbert
that he had lost count of how many times he had read and reread the books.
The millennium-era version of the “Lord of the Rings” universe — built on Jackson’s trilogy of movies released in the early 2000s — has ballooned in recent years, with dozens of spinoffs, prequels, sequels and auxiliary content ranging from movies to streaming shows and even anime. A new movie in the franchise — “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum” — is set to be released in 2027.
But Colbert’s project, undertaken alongside Jackson, hews closely to the books, he said in the announcement. He said he has asked himself, “Could we make something that was completely faithful to the books while also being completely faithful to the movies?”
The project started years ago, Colbert said, when he talked over the idea with his son Peter, who works as a screenwriter. About two years ago, he got in touch with Jackson, he said, and the project took off.
“I did not think I would have the time” to write the movie, Colbert joked in the announcement video. “It turns out I’m going to be free starting this summer.”
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Film is failed attempt at satanic, supernatural horror pulp
By M aRk K EnnEDy Associated Press
If you’re looking for some killer real estate, might we suggest The Virgil, an exclusive, well-appointed building in New York City? It’s one of those century-old hotel-condos with great bones and spacious apartments, fully furnished. One drawback they might not mention on Zillow is all the murderous satanists.
The Virgil is the setting for most of the ambitious but ultimately cramped horror-comedy “They Will Kill You,” a wonderful vehicle for its star, Zazie Beetz, while not exactly fulfilling in either
the horror or comedy modes. You might want your security deposit back.
Writer-director Kirill Sokolov borrows elements of Blaxploitation and apes cinematic techniques from Quentin Tarantino’s violent revenge fantasies to come up with a muddled movie that has a patina of satire, a smear of dread, a little camp and some surreal touches, like
SEE MOVIE, PAGE D12
‘THEY WILL KILL YOU’ rtss
Rated: R
Running time: 94 min. Playing at: Regal MGM Springfield; Greenfield Garden Cinemas; Cinemark West Springfield, Hampshire Mall, Buckland Hills
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
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
This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Zazie Beetz in a scene from "They Will Kill You." (WARNER BROS. PICTURES VIA AP)
From ‘Fallout’ to ‘The Pitt’
Some of the newest TV shows & movies to stream right now
By T he Washington P ost
Looking for something to watch tonight? Want to know when the next season of your favorite streaming series hits Apple TV? Keep tabs with our list of some of the newest movies and shows available to stream this month.
STREAMING NOW
‘The Comeback,’ Season 3
Returning more than two decades after it first aired and 12 years since its second season, “The Comeback” follows a former TV sitcom star (played by former TV sitcom star Lisa Kudrow) as she tries to revive her career as the lead of an AI-written show.
Where to watch: HBO
Max
‘Bait’
Given the chance to audition to be the next James Bond, a struggling actor (Riz Ahmed, who also wrote and created the series) spirals. Where to watch: Prime Video
‘Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen’
The Duffer Brothers’ (“Stranger Things”) new horror series follows an engaged couple whose upcoming nuptials are threatened by paranormal events. Where to watch: Netflix
‘The Madison’ In the second of three “Yellowstone” spin-offs this year, Michelle Pfeiffer stars as the matriarch of a New York family that moves to Montana’s Madison River valley. Kurt Russell, Matthew Fox and Patrick J. Adams also head the cast.
Where to watch: Paramount+
‘Imperfect Women’
A trio of long-standing
Johnny Pemberton (Thaddeus) and Aaron Moten (Maximus) appear in a scene from Season 2 of “Fallout.” (LORENZO SISTI / PRIME / AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC)
‘Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man’
Cillian Murphy (“Oppenheimer”) and Barry Keoghan (“Saltburn”) head the cast of this feature film follow-up to the historical crime drama series. The plot picks up nearly a decade after it left off — in the middle of World War II.
Where to watch: Netflix
‘Rooster’
In this series set at a West Coast college, a middle-aged author (Steve Carell) visits his professor daughter (Charly Clive) and is sucked into university life. Carell produces, along with “Scrubs” creator Bill Lawrence.
Where to watch: HBO Max
‘Age of Attraction’
In this reality dating series, singles from 22 to 60 look for relationships without knowing the ages of the other contestants. The reunion special airs this week.
friends is shattered by a crime and its ensuing investigation in this eight-episode limited series adapted from a novel by Araminta Hall. Elisabeth Moss, Kerry Washington and Kate Mara star.
Where to watch: Apple TV
‘Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat’
The “Truman Show”-style mockumentary returns for a second season. This time, a newly hired temp worker — who doesn’t know he’s on a show — attends a corporate off-site retreat with a crew of actors playing his co-workers. Where to watch: Prime Video
Where to watch: Netflix
‘Scarpetta’
A medical examiner (Nicole Kidman) returns to her Virginia hometown to track down a serial killer in this mystery series based on the best-selling Patricia Cornwell novels.
Jamie Lee Curtis, Bobby Cannavale and Simon Baker also star.
Where to watch: Prime Video
‘Sunny Nights’
In this eight-episode dramedy, a pair of American siblings (Will Forte and D’Arcy Carden) attempt to start a spray tan business in Sydney and instead become entangled in the Australian criminal underworld. Where to watch: Hulu
‘Young Sherlock’
More than a decade after Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes films, the director returns to the franchise for
Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton, left, and Yerin Ha as Sophie Baek in Season 4 of “Bridgerton.” (LIAM DANIEL / NETFLIX)
T HURSDAY
Erika Macdonald presents Tea Time: Thu, 7:30 p.m. Blue Room at CitySpace, In this 60-minute one-woman show, Erika MacDonald plugs in her electric kettle and makes cup after cup of tea in a way that will change your relationship with time forever. For ages 18+, 43 Main St., Easthampton.
SATURDAY
CitySpace Bluegrass Pickers, Singers, & Strummers: Sat., Blue Room at CitySpace. Join bluegrass musician David Clark Carroll and CitySpace for a fun, open bluegrass jam from 4 -7 p.m. Bring your instruments and your favorite tunes. Held every first Saturday of the month during Art Walk Easthampton. All are welcome. Free to join. 43 Main St., Easthampton.
CitySpace presents Tiny Pop-Up Market: Sat., Blue Room at CitySpace. CitySpace hosts tiny pop-up markets on the first Saturday of the month from 4-7 p.m. during CitySpace Bluegrass and Art Walk Easthampton. Free. 43 Main St., Easthampton.
Eggstravaganza: Sat., 10 a.m. The Zoo in Forest Park and Education Center. Taking place the Saturday before Easter, this event features a Bunny Trail around the Zoo with goodies for the kids, a visit from the Easter Bunny, face painting, crafts and of course — animal encounters. Tickets are required to attend. No tickets will be sold at the gate. The City of Springfield charges $3 per in-state plate and $5 per out-ofstate plate, cash only, to park. This fee is not imposed or collected by the Zoo. Sumner Avenue, Springfield; 413-733-2251 or www. forestparkzoo.org.
Negative Creep Performing Nirvana Unplugged in New York: Sat., 7-10 p.m. 52 Sumner, For tickets visit 52sumner.com/ events-and-tickets/, $25-$400. 52 Sumner Ave., Springfield.
Tour of Old Town Hall: Sat, 4-7 p.m. Blue Room at CitySpace. Join CitySpace for a tour of the second floor of Old Town Hall. Learn about the history of the historic municipal and learn about its current and upcoming restoration projects. While you are at Old Town Hall, check out the gallery exhibitions at the Elusie and ECA galleries,
CALENDAR
CitySpace Bluegrass and the tiny pop-up market. The tour is free and open to the public, Free. 43 Main St., Easthampton.
Troy Kennel Club Dog Show: Sat., 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Eastern States Exposition, Better Living Center. Admission is free; parking is $5, collected by ESE Fairgrounds. 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. 413-737-2443 or www.thebige. com.
SUNDAY
Easter Brunch: Sun, 10 a.m. and noon, Shaker Farms Country Club, Featuring food stations, salad stations, seafood’s appetizers, desserts, beverage station. Two seating times, 10 a.m. and noon. Reservations required. Tickets are $43.95 adults; $17.95 children (8-13); $13.95 (4-7); and free for children under 3. Tax and gratuity not included. 866 Shaker Road, Westfield. 413-568-4087, ext. 20.
Easter Sunday Brunch: Sun, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Crestview Country Club, Various food stations, coffee & tea stations. Reservations required, call 413-786-2593. Tax & gratuity not included, $48.95 per
person, children 3-10 $19.95, children under 2 free. 281 Shoemaker Lane, Agawam. 413-786-2593 or crestviewcc.org.
Easter Brunch: Celebrate Easter at Wyckoff Country Club, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., in the ballroom. The Easter Bunny will be in attendance for photos and an Easter egg hunt will be held at noon. There also will be balloon animals and face painting. Tickets are $45.99 adults; $19.99 children 4-12; and free for children 3 and under. For reservations, call 413-536-5364. 233 Easthampton Road, Holyoke, or wyckoffcountryclub.com
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 automo-
biles, Indian motorcycles, historic firearms, Hasbro GameLand, and other industrial and cultural artifacts.
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. “Please Touch! A Tactile Exploration of Sante Graziani’s Mural,” through July 26. Museum a la Carte. April 2, 12:15 p.m. “Book of Wonder: Artist Talk with Donna Castellanos.” Cost: $4, free for members. Presented by Donna Castellanos, artist. On the first Wed. of every month through the end of 2026, admission is free for all visitors.
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.
SEE CALENDAR, PAGE D10
Bunny will be hanging out near the front of the Zoo welcoming guests and posing for pictures,” Tyson told The Republican.
The family-friendly event invites children to hop along the “Bunny Trail,” collecting prize-filled Easter eggs and other goodies.
“This is not an Easter Egg hunt but involves stops along the Bunny Trail where everyone will receive prize-filled eggs and every child leaves with something,” Tyson said.
Link To Libraries, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to distribute new books to the school and home libraries of children in need, also will be handing out free books to every child at the event.
There will also be crafts, coloring pages featuring animals in the Zoo, face painting, scavenger hunt as well as animal encounters.
“As part of the scavenger hunt, there will be Easter Eggs hidden inside animal enclo -
event at the Forest Park Zoo in Springfield. (SOPHIE MARKHAM PHOTO)
sures that have an Easter Egg on them. All you need to do is take a picture of the Easter Egg once you locate it from outside the enclosure, then upload it to a link on our website. Usually, you will need to find at least three eggs for a chance to win a prize,” Tyson said.
“Our Education Center is home to many animal
encounters with snakes and lizards and some amphibians who also live there, while outside there might be some bunnies to meet or Dorothy our skunk,” she added.
The Zoo is home to over 200 animal residents, many of which have been deemed non-releasable to the wild by a wildlife rehabilitator due to injury, illness, permanent dis-
“This is not an Easter Egg hunt but involves stops along the Bunny Trail where everyone will receive prize-filled eggs and every child leaves with something.”
Gabry Tyson, Forest Park Zoo
ability or other factors — including a bald eagle, bearded dragon, wallaby, bison, coyote, gray fox, miniature horse, miniature donkey, racoon, deer, screech owl, armadillo, Russian tortoise, reticulated python, North American porcupine, Narragansett turkey and many others both big and small.
Some animals are weather dependent, like the macaw, spider monkey, alligator and lemur, and usually don’t come out until it is warmer.
“Keep your eyes on our website and our social media because we will soon have some news to announce about our animals,” Tyson said. Kids are encouraged to bring a bag to collect prizes. In the event of severe weather, “Eggstravaganza” will be moved to April 5. If the rain
date is not utilized, the Zoo will be open to the public on April 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Zoo in Forest Park officially opened to the public on March 28. The Zoo is open weekends only from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with last admission at 3:30 p.m. The Zoo will be open daily for both Connecticut and Massachusetts spring vacation weeks from April 11-26. After Mother’s Day, The Zoo will move to its full daily operating schedule. Other upcoming events at the zoo include a Wine Safari on May 30, which pairs wines from around the world with animals from the same region; and Brew at the Zoo on Aug. 1, an annual fundraiser that includes craft beer samples and animal encounters. For more information, visit www.forestparkzoo.org.
CONTINUES FROM PAGE D5
Charlie keeps his eyes peeled on the gray wolves exhibit at the 2025 Eggstravaganza
“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. “Music Night: The Metal Planetarium,” April 2, 7 p.m.–8 p.m. Cost: $10, members: $5. Playlist includes Accursed, Annihilus Mundi, Bellower, and Writing in the Skies. Due to the popularity of is program, registration is required. Visit www.springfieldmuseum. org to register. “Stars Over Springfield,” April 3, 7 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Cost: $7, members $5. Join in for a beginner’s astronomy program featuring a short talk by a local expert, hands-on activities or demonstrations, a planetarium show with the museum’s historic Korkosz starball and Zeiss projector and stargazing in the rooftop observatory. Recommended for ages 8 and older. This month’s topic is “Starry Stories.” 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 various 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 for members/ infants. Military personnel and teachers receive a 10% discount off the price of regular admission. 29 South Broad St., Westfield or www.ameliaparkmuseum.org.
Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art: “Cooking with Eric Carle,” through Aug. 23, 2026. 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.
CALENDAR
At the market
Amora Mitchell, of Springfield, shows off a container of strawberries she picked out during a past year’s Farmers Market at Forest Park in Springfield. Forest Park’s 2026-2026 season winters farmers market ends this month. The final dates are April 4 and 18. The market will reopen for its summer dates later this season. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)
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.
New England Air Museum: “Easter Bunny & Egg Hunt,” April 3 from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Meet the Easter Bunny, hunt for eggs around the museum, and enjoy hands-on activities and family fun surrounded by incredible aircraft. Best of all — this event is included with museum admission. Rain or shine. 36 Perimeter Road, Windsor Locks or www.neam.org
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
Rebekah Hughes, Jeff Kasper, and Finnegan Shannon. Curator: Lauren Leving. All exhibits free. Elm Street at Bedford Terrace, Northampton or scma.smith.edu.
The New England Visionary Artists Museum: The New England Visionary Artists Museum 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 Street. There is a $10 suggested day admission donation asked at the door. Pleasant St., Northampton
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 and 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.
Worlds of Jewish Culture.” Open on 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. “You Have to Do Something” visual art exhibition by Phil Lawrence, April 3-26. Arts Night Out/reception on April 10, 5-8 p.m. Gallery hours: Wed.-Sun. 12-5 p.m., Fri. 1-8 p.m., closed Mon. & Tues. Free. 126 Main St., Northampton or www.apearts.org.
Barnes Gallery of Leverett Crafts and Arts: “Art for the Earth Exhibition,” Sat.-Sun. April 4-26, 1-5 p.m. April 11, morning cleanup/afternoon celebration; April 22, Earth Day, documentary film about microplastics at the LCA. Free. 13 Montague Road, Leverett, 413-548-9070. Gallery A3 Amherst Art Alliance: “Flora & Fauna” by Laura Holland and Nancy Meagher. April 2-May 2. Reception on April 10, 5-7 p.m.; Slow Art Day, April 11; Art Forum online on April 16, 7:30 p.m. Gallery hours: Thurs.–Sun. 2–7 p.m. 28 Amity St., Amherst, or 413-256-4250. 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, 413-543-3321.
LAVA Center: Elaine VanGelder Exhibit, April 4 - 24. Reception on April 4, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; closing reception, April 24, 5-8 p.m. 324 Main St., Greenfield
exhibition highlights the important role of Norman Rockwell and other artists in advancing and communicating these ideals, envisioned as core human rights for all people. The fee for accessing “Imagining freedom” is $5 for the general public, available on the museum’s website. 9 Route 183, Stockbridge or www.nrm.org.
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 “Don’t Mind if I Do” exhibit, through June 28. Artists include Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo, Pelenakeke Brown, Sky Cubacub, Emilie L. Gossiaux, Felicia Griffin, Joselia
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. 96 Palisade Ave., Windsor or windsorhistorical society.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.wista riahurst.org. Standard 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 exhibit, “A Velt mit veltelekh: The
Majestic Theater: The Agawam Community Artists and Artisans Exhibition, on display in the 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.
Trinity United Methodist Church: “Just Ink” by Roger Duffy, through April 30. The public is invited to an artist reception on Sunday, April 12 at noon. Gallery hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sun. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 361 Sumner Ave., Springfield 413-737-5311.
SPRINGFIELD
in Las Vegas. Adam Scott (“Severance”), Janelle James (“Abbott Elementary”) and Stephen Root (“Office Space”) voice the main cast.
Where to watch: Netflix
‘Best Medicine’
In an American remake of the long-running British series “Doc Martin,” Josh Charles (“The Good Wife”) stars as a successful surgeon who leaves his career in Boston to become a general practitioner in a small town.
Where to watch: Hulu
COMING SOON
‘Unchosen’
This six-episode British thriller follows Rosie (Molly Windsor), a mother in a conservative Christian cult who journeys toward freedom after she meets an escaped convict.
Where to watch: April 2 on Netflix
up for a new comedy about a pair of siblings who stage a theft to help their terminally ill grandmother - with disastrous results.
Where to watch: April 9 on Netflix
‘Hacks,’ Season 5
The final season of the Emmy-winning series starring Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder picks up shortly after the fourth season finale’s plot twist.
Where to watch: April 9 on HBO Max
‘The Miniature Wife’
In this sci-fi series, Matthew Macfadyen (“Succession”) and Elizabeth Banks (“The Hunger Games”) star as a married couple in crisis after an accident physically shrinks one spouse, forcing the pair to navigate a new power dynamic.
Where to watch: April 9 on Peacock
a prequel series that follows the detective (Hero Fiennes Tiffin) as he solves his first crime.
Where to watch: Prime Video
‘The Pitt,’ Season 2
The real-time medical procedural starring Noah Wyle returns for a second season after dominating the 2025 Emmys.
Where to watch: HBO Max
‘Fallout,’ Season 2
Walton Goggins and Ella Purnell return in the new season of Amazon’s blockbuster adaptation of the video game franchise; Macaulay Culkin and Justin Theroux join the cast of the postapocalyptic drama.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
‘Bridgerton,’ Season 4
Each season of “Bridgerton” follows one child in the titular family as they find love — and drama — in Regency-era London. Luke Thompson’s Benedict is the show’s focus this time around.
Where to watch: Netflix
‘In the Blink of an Eye’ Rashida Jones (“Parks and
Recreation”), Daveed Diggs (“Hamilton”) and Kate McKinnon (“Saturday Night Live”) head the cast of this sci-fi film featuring three interconnected stories that are set in the past, present and future.
Where to watch: Hulu
‘DTF St. Louis’
Characters played by Jason Bateman, Linda Cardellini and David Harbour enter a midlife crisis-fueled love triangle — leaving one of them dead — in this seven-episode miniseries.
Where to watch: HBO Max
‘RJ Decker’
In this series based on Carl Hiaasen’s “Double Whammy,” a disgraced photojournalist starts over as a private investigator in South Florida, accompanied by his journalist ex, her police detective wife and a mysterious new benefactor.
Where to watch: Hulu
‘The Dinosaurs’
Morgan Freeman narrates a four-part natural history series following the rise and fall of the dinosaurs. Steven Spielberg produces. Where to watch: Netflix
‘Scrubs’
The beloved hospital-set sitcom that ran from 2001-2010 returns for a new season with many original cast members (Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke), some notable absences (Neil Flynn, Ken Jenkins) and a few fresh faces.
Where to watch: Hulu
‘The Gray House’
This eight-part Civil War drama, produced by Morgan Freeman and Kevin Costner, follows four female Underground Railroad operatives who became spies for the Union.
Where to watch: Prime Video
‘Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette’
This Ryan Murphy (“All’s Fair,” “The Beauty”) production adapts Elizabeth Beller’s book, “Once Upon a Time,” charting the love story of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.
Where to watch: Hulu
‘Strip Law’
A new adult animated comedy from Cullen Crawford follows a dull lawyer and a hedonistic magician who team up to tackle outlandish cases
‘Star Wars: Maul — Shadow Lord’
In this animated series set one year after the events of “The Clone Wars,” Darth Maul attempts to rebuild his criminal syndicate with aid from a new apprentice.
Where to watch: April 6 on Disney +
‘The Boys,’ Season 5
The final season of the satirical superhero series follows its returning characters - plus a newcomer played by “Hamilton’s” Daveed Diggsas they join the resistance and prepare for a final showdown.
Where to watch: April 8 on Prime Video
‘The Testaments’
“One Battle After Another” breakout actress Chase Infiniti stars in this sequel to “The Handmaid’s Tale,” the six-season hit adapted from Margaret Atwood’s book of the same name. It follows two young women attending prep school in Gilead.
Where to watch: April 8 on Hulu
‘Big Mistakes’
“Schitt’s Creek” co-creator Dan Levy and “I Love LA” creator Rachel Sennott team
‘Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair’
Most of the sitcom’s cast returns for this four-episode follow-up from the original series creator. The sequel is set in the present day, and follows the now-larger family as they gather for Lois (Jane Kaczmarek) and Hal’s (Bryan Cranston) 40th wedding anniversary.
Where to watch: April 10 on Hulu
‘Outcome’
This dark comedy directed by actor Jonah Hill follows a famous leading man (Keanu Reeves) trying to find the source of mysterious extortion threats. Cameron Diaz, Matt Bomer, Martin Scorsese and Laverne Cox also star.
Where to watch: April 10 on Apple TV
‘Euphoria,’ Season 3
Set five years after the events of the show’s second season, these eight episodes follow Zendaya’s Rue, who is living in Mexico in debt, and Sydney Sweeney’s Cassie, who is engaged to Jacob Elordi’s Nate.
Where to watch: April 12 on HBO Max
Above is a scene from “The Pitt.” The second season of the real-time medical procedural is now streaming on HBO Max. (WARRICK PAGE / MAX)
Live Wire
initially came about makes it special to him.
“I like that it started out as kind of a spitball idea while we were recording a radio show,” he said. “It just kind of got spoken into existence, and it’s done such great things for a local organization. I’m a big believer in the power of weirdness.”
Walsh said that the theme for this year’s event is “Only Queen(s)” which is a tip of the hat “to all who are queens and also to the band Queen,” she said.
While the show was held at different places for its first two years, it landed at the Iron Horse last year and will
return there this year.
“I liked switching venues to keep things fresh, but we are returning there because the Iron Horse creates a great atmosphere, which is undeniable. But we’ll still keep the show fresh with plenty of surprises,” Walsh said. “Also, you get dinner, dessert, entertainment — and it’s on the earlier side, which is great if you’re like me and like to get into your pajamas early.”
Tickets to the “Big Love, Little Performances” fundraiser are $55 each, or $100 for a pair. Community equity tickets, for those who would like to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County but can’t afford the regular admission price, are $25. For more information, visit the Iron Horse’s website.
eyeballs that bounce around with agency.
Much of the underwhelming nature of “They Will Kill You” is its lack of ambition. It’s said the filmmakers used Dante’s “Inferno” as an inspiration for a building that would house on its floors each of the vices from the nine circles of hell — lust, gluttony, greed and so forth. They settled on two and so both initially widened the plot idea but then immediately stunted it.
Beetz’s Asia Reaves shows up at The Virgil — named after Dante’s guide — to locate her little sister, who we learn in a prologue got separated 10 years before. The sister may be inside as a maid for a group of satanists and she may have gotten in too deep.
Beetz is a revelation as a cleaver-wielding, close-combat boss lady who slices and dices her way through hordes of blackcloaked baddies, who we learn, unfortunately, don’t stay dead. “I’m sick of you killing me!” one tells her. Sokolov leans into a kind of gimmick in which the victim of a disemboweling
suddenly grows still and silent for a beat until sprays of blood shoot out from their various wounds like a fire hydrant. He’s also got slo-mos of assailants hanging in the air poised for murder, plenty of limbs cut off and shotgun booms.
Costume designer Neil McClean fumbles the satanists’ cloaks, making them fussy and vaguely shiny, like art smocks for kindergarteners.
The cast also includes a great Myha’la as the sister, Tom Felton and Heather Graham as vengeful, evil satanists — are there any other kind? — and Patricia Arquette as the prim building manager with a terribly uneven Irish accent that incorporates everything from Lucky Charms sing-song to Belfast hardman.
There are extended chase scenes in tunnels and an inspired fight scene with a flaming ax but Sokolov can’t pull off the ending, a bizarre and deflating faceoff with Satan himself. The devil himself seems smaller than you’d expect.
“They Will Kill You” may remind you of the marriage between madcap, social satire and bloody mayhem from “Ready or Not” but it’s a warning of how hard that combo is to get correctly.
