Tavern on the Hill property for sale, remains open
Although Tavern on the Hill was listed on the market this past fall, owners Amy and Larry Guyette want the public to know they are still open and operating per usual.
Page 4
Polar Plunge returns to support Nashawannuck Pond
As part of the city’s annual WinterFest event and fundraiser for Nashawannuck Pond, the Easthampton Fire Department will host its Polar Plunge for the third straight year on Feb. 14 from 3-4 p.m.
Page 4
NORTHAMPTON
KidsBestFest returns for annual celebration of film for youth
KidsBestFest, a week-long celebration of cinema for kids and their caretakers, will return this February break at the Academy of Music for five days of “heartwarming stories, wild adventures and stunning animation.”
Page 5
HAMPSHIRE COUNTY
One-woman show comes to Northampton
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
NORTHAMPTON — “MOM,”
a unique one-woman circus show about motherhood, is making a weekend stop in Northampton in February after the show’s creator, Shir Livne, said she hopes her distinct piece can connect with mothers and daughters everywhere.
Through the one-woman circus show, Livne asks audiences, “what makes a good mom?” while shining a light on the inner thoughts that those have as potential mothers, stepmothers, biomoms and daughters. Looking at how mothers and daughters expect things to feel versus how they actually feel, Livne presents her absurdist take on motherhood through circus, storytelling and pages upon pages of fiery teenage journals.
“I think the heart of the story is really that motherhood is complicated, and that there is no one right way it looks or how to do it and that you’re going to mess up. Things will be difficult, but you can still look at things in a really full way,” said Livne.
“MOM” will be performed in Northampton on Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. and Feb. 14 at 8 p.m. at The Workroom inside the Northampton Center for the Arts. Tickets are $20 plus an online booking fee. Tickets can be purchased at ticketleap.events/tickets/ shir-wonder/northampton-mom.
Livne is based out of Boston and has been a circus artist for about eight years after attending professional circus school at the New England Center for Circus Arts in Vermont. Before becoming a circus performer, Livne worked as a robotics process engineer for companies such as Amazone Robotics and
Berkshire Grey.
“I guess I’m pretty interested in learning how things work, which the circus is filled with, so it was a good fit,” added Livne. “I think what I love about circus and what got me into it is it’s the combination of athletics and art together. Particularly that you can pursue this athletic passion, but also there is no right or wrong way to do it inherently. It’s not like gymnastics, where you’re trying to get a specific trick and be graded for it; there’s a lot of room for making it what you want it to be, and I think that’s what drew me to it at first and what I enjoy about it the most now.”
As a movement artist, Livne creates pieces that combine theater, dance and circus. She said she walks the line between comedy and tragedy, and creating ab-
surd imagery, using clown, aerial rope and tightwire. Knowing she wanted to create her own show, Livne began brainstorming what story to tell after she moved back to Boston post circus school.
“It was actually kind of backwards. I feel like usually people have an idea and then they’re like, ‘oh I think it needs to be done in a solo show.’ For me, it was kind of the opposite. I was like, I want more time on stage to tell a more complete story. What that story is, I’m not sure yet,” said Livne.
During the period between 2022 and 2024, Livne continued gathering ideas and brainstorming which of those ideas had the most crossover. Soon, she realized the heart of this story was clear.
“I realized that everything was kind of centering around this
question of motherhood, both my relationship with my mom, my role as a stepmother — my step-daughter was 16 at the time — and then the question of like, ‘do I want to be a biological mom?’ There was just a lot coalescing around that. So, I was like, ‘well, I guess my show is about motherhood,’” said Livne. She added that once she nailed down the main focus of her show, she further decided what she really wanted to say through the show. She studied the places where those past, present and future thoughts about motherhood had crossed over.
“I think for me individually, it was also just a unique time in my life when I was making the show because I think most people can
“MOM,” a one-woman circus show created and performed by Shir Livne comes to Northampton on Feb. 13 and 14.
Photo credit: Beren Jones
See CIRCUS on page 3
STRM: Highlighting local wings and game day bites
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
Whether you like to watch football or not, the 2026 Super Bowl arrives on Feb. 8, which means watch parties will be filled with a plethora of food and drinks.
As the big game approaches, the Reminder Publishing news team visited some local restaurants to try an iconic Super Bowl delectable; chicken wings.
On the Jan. 30 episode of “So That Reminds Me,” Dennis Hackett, Chris Maza and Ryan Feyre sat down to discuss the results and share some recommendations.
Brickhouse Tavern, Indian
Orchard – Dennis Hackett
Dennis prefaced that Brickhouse Tavern is one of his parents’ favorite restaurants, so there have been plenty of occasions when they have ordered buffalo and garlic wings for takeout.
For the review, he ordered 10 wings, half coated with a Cajun rub, which Dennis said was “pretty good,” and the other half with Carolina Tangy Gold, which is a sweet and tangy mustard base barbecue sauce.
Dennis said the Carolina Tangy Gold is “by far” his favorite due to the combination of honey mustard and barbecue sauce.
Although Dennis mentioned he sometimes enjoys wings with a little heat, he prefers the Carolina Tangy Gold because of the uniqueness.
Other flavors that Brickhouse Tavern has for their wings include ranch, lemon pepper, buffalo, old bay, teriyaki, sweet chile, mango habanero, buffayaki and General Tso’s.
In case you are not a fan of wings, Dennis also tried the Tavern’s cheesy tots, which were seasoned with black truffle sea salt, garlic and parmesan cheese and served with hot fon-
due cheese sauce. He dipped the tater tots in the cheese sauce like it was beer cheese and said it was pretty good.
Rail Trail Ale House, Southwick – Ryan Feyre
Ryan said he could not wait to talk about Rail Trail because it is his favorite restaurant in the area. The wings reflect the overall ambience and quality of the place, according to Ryan, and he said the wings are some of the best in the area because they “hit on all cylinders” in terms of proportion of meat, the amount of sauce and flavor of the wing.
Ryan stayed classic and got the buffalo wings. He also mentioned that the chicken tenders at Rail Trail are marinated overnight in their “everyday dressing,” dredged in eggs and breadcrumbs then fired to a golden brown.
Although Ryan mentioned he is unsure if the Rail Trail does the same with its “Wicked Wings,” he believes they do because the flavor of the wings seep into the entire wing, yielding a burst of flavor.
Ryan also said that Rail Trail offers a great atmosphere to watch this year’s Super Bowl.
The Hangar Pub and Grill, multiple locations – Chris Maza
Chris checked out The Hangar Pub and Grill in West Springfield. Although the restaurant has gone through changes over the years and is now a local chain, he said they still have “good quality wings.”
Hangar Pub and Grill, which offers 26 flavors and features a list of “Best Of” awards, proclaims to be the “King of Wings.”
On Chris’s family’s recent trip to the restuarant, they ordered four different wing flavors to try, including Cruisin’ Altitude — which is essentially the restau-
rant’s standard buffalo — mango habanero, garlic parmesan and cajun teriyaki.
Chris shared that he is a big fan of their mango habanero due to the sweet and spicy combination that “hits the spot every time.”
The Cruisin’ Altitude is a safe option for a Super Bowl party because it is the restaurant’s standard buffalo with a little bit of a kick.
Chris, who mentioned he is a big fan of garlic, would have liked a little more garlic taste to the garlic parmesan wing. He described the dry rub as more of a garlic salt as opposed to minced garlic.
Initially, Chris also was not sold on the idea of a cajun teriyaki wing, but said he was “pleasantly surprised” when he tried it thanks to the wing’s richer and more complex flavor.
Besides the flavor of the wings, Chris also commended Hangar for the size of their wings.
He said the restaurants pump out a lot of volume in terms of the takeout business, so they are primed for a watch party. He recommends them because of how many locations encompass the region.
Grapevine Pizzeria and Restaurant, Longmeadow –Tyler Garnet
I ordered 10 hot honey barbecue wings from Grapevine Pizzeria and Restaurant in Longmeadow. As soon as I picked up my online order, I was excited to try these wings because I could smell the flavor from outside the container and the bag they came in. The wings were sizable, and the order included a nice mix of drums and flats. I really enjoyed the flavor and was happy with the amount of sauce on the wings. The sweetness of the barbecue and hot honey element went good together, as neither of the flavor profiles outshine the other; the wings weren’t too hot or too sweet.
I would have liked the wings to be a little crispier, but I also had to wait 30 minutes after picking them up to eat them due to my commute, so I would be
open to trying them again in the restaurant.
I liked that you could ask for them well done, which is how I prefer to have them cooked. Other flavors at Grapevine include buffalo, barbecue, honey barbecue or plain. You unfortunately could not mix or match, so I decided to go with honey hot barbecue, and I was happy with my choice.
Pizza Shoppe, East Longmeadow – Peter Tuohy
Peter tried the mild wings at The Pizza Shoppe and said it was one of the best wings he had in a long time. This was his first time at The Pizza Shoppe, so he said he was excited to see that the wings were “hefty and were filling, making a real bang for your buck.” Peter said he is usually an “as spicy as possible” person, but he settled for mild so he could get the best judge of flavor.
The meat fell right off the bone and there was not a bone in the batch left unfinished. The blue cheese also added a deli-
cious extra touch to complete. He mentioned that The Pizza Shoppe’s mild wings included a minimal mess and a delicious and tender flavor.
Peter said he will be back to try out the hot and barbecue wings soon.
Other places that the news staff shared as honorable mentions included La Cucina di Hampden House in Hampden, E.B’s in Agawam, Theodore’s Blues, Booze and BBQ in Springfield, White Lion Brewing Company in Springfield, Nadim’s Downtown Mediterranean Grill in Springfield and Vanished Valley Brewing in Ludlow.
This list from the news staff is not definitive. If you have your favorites, be sure to let us know by emailing news@ thereminder.com.
To hear the full episode , visit thereminder.com/our-podcast or search “So That Reminds Me” on your favorite podcasting platform.
done within the context of an Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) program consisting of mechanical, chemical, natural, and cultural components. In right-of-way vegetation management the pest or target is vegetation (primarily tall growing) that will cause outages and safety issues. National Grid’s IVM program encourages natural controls by promoting low growing plant communities that resist invasion by target vegetation. The selective use of herbicides and mechanical controls are the direct techniques used to control target vegetation and help establish and maintain natural controls. National Grid may utilize any of the herbicides noted the MA Sensitive Materials list. Rodeo, and possibly one of the following herbicides, Arsenal or Arsenal Powerline, will be applied directly to the surface of stumps immediately after target vegetation is cut (Cut Stump Treatment). Garlon 4 or Garlon 4 Ultra will be applied selectively to the stems of target vegetation using hand-held equipment (Basal Treatment and Dormant stem treatment). Krenite S or Rodeo, mixed with Escort XP, and one of the following herbicides, Arsenal or Arsenal Powerline, or Milestone will be applied selectively to the foliage of target vegetation using hand-held equipment (Foliar Treatment). Cambistat as a tree growth regulator. Applications shall not commence more than ten days before nor conclude more than ten days after the following treatment periods. The herbicide mixes and additional information about rights of way management in Massachusetts can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/rights-of-way-vegetation-management Municipalities that have
The hot honey barbecue wings from Grapevine Pizzeria and Restaurant.
Reminder Publishing photo by Tyler Garnet
recall that when they’re about 16, that’s a time where you have a maybe difficult relationship with your parents. I was also a stepparent of someone that age and I was in my early 30s, a time when a lot of people suddenly think like, maybe I do want to have a kid, what does that feel like? So, it was kind of a perfect storm of all these times coalescing as well,” she added.
The 75-minute one-woman circus show about motherhood debuted in Somerville in September 2024 and has since toured in Boston, Philadelphia, NYC, Chicago and Connecticut.
Livne further explained that she uses real journal entries from her 16-year-old self as comedy ,but also as a throughline to the different perspectives between mothers and daughters.
“You can really feel this roller coaster of emotions I was feeling at the time, and it’s wild reading them now as a 35-year-old woman and just trying to remember, what did it actually feel like to be that age. It’s wild,” said Livne.
She added, “I think one of my big goals with the show was to not have myself or my mom or anyone be one-sided, like someone messed up or someone was perfect. I feel like I tried to make sure the viewer would see you can have a lot of empathy for an angry teenager, but you can also have a lot of empathy for the parent dealing with that. I think that my main goal is to just have a really full view of all the challenges of being a parent. Being a parent who may not be what we see in our minds, like being a stepparent, is really difficult sometimes and different depending on each families’ situation, so how that relationship looks can potentially be complicated.”
Livne explained that for example, she spends one part of the show using journal entries from 16-year-olds to bring that perspective front and center and reflect on her own relationship with
her stepdaughter.
“I’m jumping between [perspectives] in that sometimes reading through my perspective as a 16-year-old when I’m reading the journal entries will make me realize, well, is this how my stepdaughter feels about something? Specifically, when I’m reading, thinking about my stepdaughter being 16 and me as her parent wanting to put a lot of emphasis on school and studying, and then reading through my journal entry from when I was 16 and being very frustrated at the time on the emphasis around grades. I’m like, ‘wow, I guess I forgot how that felt.’ So, there’s that kind of reflection and jumping back and forth between roles as we go.”
Now Livne brings “MOM” to Northampton, a place where she used to visit regularly for the local arts scene while she was attending circus school in Brattleboro. Livne also visited the city last August to perform as a member of local circus group, Suspended Play and Educational Circus.
“I knew Northampton was just a great place for the arts in general,” she added. “I was able to perform with them [SPEC] in the space where I will now be performing ‘MOM,’ and it’s just such a wonderful space that, once I did that show there, I was like, I need to bring my show here. It’s just a really well-run facility. The circus community in Northampton is very wonderful and supportive, so I just knew it was the right fit.”
Livne said the reason she is passionate about creating art is her belief that it can open people up to accessing parts of themselves that are often hard to access, either due to trauma or just not having the time during the chaos of day-to-day of life. She said she is thankful to already see so many people use the show as a protected moment of accessing these thoughts through their own journey.
“My ultimate goal with the show was to use my particular story as the through line that would pull people through, but my main goal was really for
people to think about their own childhoods, their own relationship with their mothers, and their own relationship to the idea of having kids, or, if they already have kids, their own relationship to the idea of parenting and what it feels like,” Livne said. “And I was really happy that after every show, people came up to me, and they tell me the show made them think about their mom, that it made them think about how hard it is to be a parent, that they don’t know if they want to have kids either.”
She continued, “Or, that they have decided not to have kids, but they feel really seen by the way that I expressed my hesitation to have kids that isn’t just, ‘I don’t like children,’ but that it’s a big decision, and there’s a lot of factors involved. So, I think the reactions have been less about my particular story, but people thinking about themselves and their stories, and that was my goal, so I’m really happy how that has landed.” Livne encourages the public to attend one of her two shows and
embrace the unique performance that was described by a former attendee as, “like being in an intimate conversation with your best friend in her living room, if her living room were also a carnival funhouse full of teen angst and too many plastic baby dolls.”
“I welcome people to come. I feel like I talk a lot about the big feelings involved with the show, but also it is very hilarious, I can attest to the laughter,” Livne said. “I invite people to come and enjoy the comedy and also enjoy the reflection together.”
Operations Director: Curtis Panlilio
Executive Editor: Chris Maza
Managing Editors: Dennis Hackett, Ryan Feyre
Staff Writers: Sarah Heinonen, Deb Gardner, Amy Porter, Trent Levakis, Cliff Clark, Tyler Garnet, Peter Tuohy
Graphic Design Manager: Beth Thurber
Graphic Design Department: Leigh Catchepaugh, Lorie Perry, Sophia McClellan, Susan Bartlett, Jim Johnson-Corwin, Molly Arnio
Sales Manager: Scott Greene
Account Executives: Matt Mahaney, Paula Dimauro, Lisa Nolan, Jeanette Grenier, Paul Poutre, Andy Shaw, Laura Tassistro
Classified Account Managers: Roxanne Miller-Longtin, Evan Marcyoniak, Shannon Spada
Sales Support: Carolyn Napolitan
Financial Department: Nancy Banning
Circulation Department: Nate Halla
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
EASTHAMPTON — Although
Tavern on the Hill was listed on the market this past fall, owners Amy and Larry Guyette want the public to know they are still open and operating as usual.
“So the word is out, yes, after 21 years, Larry and Amy have made the difficult decision to place the Tavern on the market. This does not mean we are closed,” the restaurant announced via its Facebook page on Jan. 21.
“We are still here, we are still open, and we will continue to be open until a new owner is found and a deal is made,” the announcement said. “We are so very grateful for the continued support from our community. One of the best ways you can help us is by stopping in for dinner, or grabbing takeout from us.”
The building was Purchased by the Guyettes in 2005. Larry, who has been in the restaurant industry since he was 15, has led the restaurant as the chef. Now coming up on 21 years of ownership, Amy explained to Reminder Publishing that Larry has been dealing with severe osteoporosis, causing him much pain. This has led to the decision to sell.
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
EASTHAMPTON — As part of the city’s annual WinterFest event and fundraiser for Nashawannuck Pond, the Easthampton Fire Department will host its Polar Plunge for the third straight year on Feb. 14 from 3-4 p.m.
Easthampton Fire Department Chief Christopher Norris told Reminder Publishing that the department is happy to play a role in WinterFest’s culminating day, which is jam-packed with events and celebrations around the city in support of the pond.
“Going into our third year, we’re building off the first two successful years. We’ve had great participation and great community engagement. Each year, we have around 100 participants who take the plunge,” said Norris. “I think it does a couple of things; it helps add an attraction to the overall WinterFest activities and helps draw people to
“He’s not able to stand really long or really do what he has always done in the past, and we just decided it was time for us to pass the torch on to somebody else,” said Amy. “It’s a gorgeous location. We have thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of owning the restaurant. I work out front, so I’ve gotten to know people, and I know their families and I’ve seen them come in dating, then married, then with kids — 20 years is a long time. The decision was essentially just, we’ve kind of aged out of it. It’s a young man’s job, and it’s not something that we’re really able to give as much as the restaurant deserves.”
The Tavern is currently listed on the market with a $975,000 asking price. Amy said she hopes whoever ends up purchasing the restaurant will have a similar use in mind. She added they have a photo of the property from 1927, before it was a restaurant. At that time, it was a sandwich shop where people would stop in and grab something on their way up the mountain. According to Amy, the photo showcases the property’s long legacy in the community.
“It’s set up as a restaurant. I guess somebody could come in and change it up, but ideally, we would love somebody to just come in and take over as Tavern on the
the community for those days’ events. It also acts as a fundraiser.”
For this year’s plunge, the Fire Department will sell specially-made T-shirts that cost $30. All proceeds will go to the Nashawannuck Pond Committee to help their efforts in upkeep and maintenance of the pond area.
A donation of $5 per participant is also suggested.
“We want people to come and just engage in the community activity, but certainly as an indirect benefit, if we can raise even a little bit of money to help with the upkeep and maintenance of the pond, that’s certainly an added benefit,” said Norris. “We’re hoping we can get another 100 participants this year. I think it’s a great activity in community spirit and community engagement.”
There is no formal online registration for the event. Interested participants can sign up and sign a waiver form for the event on the day of WinterFest. Norris said the turnout has increased over
Hill, but I don’t know that that will happen,” said Amy. “The location’s always been sort of a spot to stop and enjoy the view and such. So, we’d love to see hopefully somebody continue that tradition.”
In reflecting on the legacy of their ownership, Amy said it has been a whole family affair. From the time her father served as an initial partner when she and Larry purchased the Tavern, to her son and nephew growing up around it and working in the restaurant still
to this day, to even seeing local families grow over the years, the Guyettes said they are thankful to be a part of the local community. Amy and Larry grew up in Southampton and Easthampton, respectively, and as a high schooler, Amy worked at Harvest Valley, the previous name of the Tavern on the Hill. The day Amy and Larry got married, Larry and his wedding party marched up the moun-
the event’s first two years, and he hopes to see that growth continue.
The plunge takes place near the Winterfest’s bonfire. The Fire Department will have staff guiding participants in the water and a heating tent organized by the city’s Community Emergency Response Team as safety precautions for participants.
Mayor Salem Derby is expected to take the plunge at the event. He shared that he looks forward to another successful Polar Plunge on the final day of WinterFest.
“The Community Emergency Response Team is a great asset, and they are a key resource to pull this event off,” said Norris, who added that they have had zero injuries during the event’s first two years.
Norris said he has yet to take the plunge on event day, but noted that he could be persuaded this year. He also mentioned that
“I think in terms of the activity itself, it gives people something to look forward to during the winter months, and again, with the Fire Department getting out there and collaborating with those activities and other events, I think it’s a great overall event for everyone in the community,” said Norris. “We encourage people, whether you do it by yourself or with a group of people; it’s great seeing people’s energy and excitement. Kickoff is at 3 p.m., and we basically keep it open for an hour … come one come all.”
Particpants of WinterFest’s polar plunge in 2025 brave the icy waters of Nashawannuck Pond in Easthampton. Reminder Publishing file photo
The Tavern on the Hill — located at 100 Mouintain Road — is up for sale, but owners say the business will stay open in the meantime. Reminder Publishing photo by Trent Levakis
KidsBestFest returns for annual celebration of film for youth
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
NORTHAMPTON — KidsBestFest, a week-long celebration of cinema for kids and their caretakers, will return this February break at the Academy of Music for five days of “heartwarming stories, wild adventures and stunning animation.”
The series of movies for children and families will run Feb. 16-20, with doors opening at 10:30 a.m. and showtimes at 11 a.m. each day. Admission is free, but donations are accepted at the door to help keep the tradition running.
Co-producing the event with the academy is the Northampton Arts Council. Director of the Arts Council Brian Foote told Reminder Publishing that Kids-
BestFest annually highlights the city’s youth by transforming the Academy into a vibrant, high-energy space for families during winter break.
“KidsBestFest has its roots in our long-standing ‘Four Sundays’ series, which the Northampton Arts Council has produced for decades to brighten up the winter months. The idea was simple: winter break can be a long week for parents and kids, and we wanted to provide a high-quality, accessible and completely free cultural resource,” said Foote.
“We’ve been co-producing this with the Academy of Music for years now, and it has evolved into a beloved tradition where the community can gather in a worldclass historic theater without the barrier of ticket prices.”
Foote said this year’s lineup is a mix of classic tales, international gems and “stunning” restorations of older films. He shared that the movie selection process aims for a balance of pure entertainment and films that push the boundaries of visual storytelling.
Here is this year’s lineup of movies:
• Monday, Feb. 16; “Lilo & Stitch (2025),” the brand-new live-action reimaging of the Disney classic.
• Tuesday, Feb. 17; “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain,” a poetic, animated tale set in post-war Japan about curiosity and connection.
• Wednesday, Feb. 18; “Flow,” described as a thrilling, wordless animated spectacle that’s a feast for the senses.
• Thursday, Feb. 19; “Grow,” a quirky story about family and perseverance set in the “Pumpkin Capital of the World.”
• Friday, Feb. 20; KidsBestFest closes out the week of cinema with The “Time Masters (Les Maîtres du Temps),” a 4K restoration of the 1982 French scifi film by Mœbius.
“We look for films that aren’t necessarily what kids are seeing every day on streaming services,” Foote said. “We want to expose them to different animation styles and international perspectives — like the wordless storytelling in ‘Flow,’ or the surreal artistry of “The Time Masters,” Film is a uniquely engaging art form because it combines visual art, music, and narrative in a way that is immediately accessible, regard-
less of age or reading level. For children, seeing these stories on the ‘big screen’ at the Academy ... adds a sense of magic and scale that you just don’t get at home. It turns ‘watching a movie’ into a communal event where they can react, laugh and experience the story alongside hundreds of other kids.”
Foote added he hopes to see another great turnout for the week of film at the Academy, and reiterated the event is free for those who are interested in attending.
“We are proud to keep this event free for everyone. While we do accept donations at the door to help keep the tradition running, the goal is to ensure that every family in the valley has a warm, welcoming place to go during the February break,” said Foote.
Youth Performance Festival highlights young artists in the area
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
NORTHAMPTON — The city’s Youth Performance Festival, which returns on Feb. 7 and 8, is gearing up for another year of showcasing some of the best and brightest young performing artists the region has to offer.
The Youth Performance Festival is a collaborative program courtesy of Play Incubation Collective and the Northampton Center for the Arts at 33 Hawley. Holyoke Media will also partner with them for the event.
Now in its seventh year, the YPF is a free opportunity for youth ages 8-18 to create original performance pieces with the guidance of mentor artists in the fields of music, dance, theater, poetry and spoken word, video and animation and more. YPF centers the creative agency of young artists, and is committed to supporting them as they discover their own creative processes, according to organizers.
“The foundational value is, kids are creative. They can make art, [and] we can support them making their own art instead of telling them what art they should be making,” said Center for the Arts Co-Director Kelly Silliman. “I was really fortunate in my own childhood to have a lot of adults who supported me in that way. I was the kind of kid who would say, ‘hey I want to put on a play,’ and the principal would let me practice at recess and then put on a play for the school. And so I’ve always wanted to create spaces for young people that had
from page 4
tain for lunch at Harvest Valley.
“That location’s just always been part of our DNA. We’ve just always known about it. It was funny, years ago before we bought it, he [Larry] said, ‘If I ever struck out on my own, the only place I’d want to own is Harvest Valley,’ and now we do,” Amy said. “I’m a strong believer in, our commu-
a ‘yes’ mentality, so when Sarah approached me with this idea, I said yes.”
The festival starts on Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. with performances by Cast A. Cast B will perform later in the evening at 6 p.m. Cast B will perform at 1 p.m. on Feb. 8 and Cast A will close out the festival at 4 p.m. The event is free but tickets are sliding scale: $5-$15 for kids and $10-$25 for adults.
Sarah Marcus of Play Incubation Collective co-directs the festival with Silliman. Silliman explained to Reminder Publishing that the festival was born after Marcus approached her in early 2019 with the idea, which was loosely based on a program she had done when previously living in Brooklyn. Play Incubation Collective is an organization devoted primarily to supporting new and emerging theater works and is directed by Marcus and Rachel Hirsch, who also serve as a mentors through the YPF program.
The work toward the festival begins each December with a trial session where kids meet with their mentors and learn what to expect over the course of the program. During the initial meeting, participants play games that encourage improvisation and thinking outside the box, which allows them to move past what they already know about performance.
The following week, the rehearsal process begins. Each child meets with their mentor once a week for a seven-week stretch to begin work on an original piece of art. All performances are original pieces of work, Silliman said.
“What I think is so important
nity supports us, so we need to support our community. We have sponsored Little League teams, I was the president of youth football in Easthampton for 12 years, and we supported them in any way that we possibly could. Whatever we could do to support our community, we did. We just felt very strongly in that connection, having grown up here. These are our people. This is where we grew up, so that’s always been nice.”
is that we live in an ageists society where kids are not listened to, and it’s really powerful and meaningful for us to create a platform where their voice is at the center and is the most important part of creative process. That’s my belief and philosophy, but the feedback that we’ve gotten has been really incredible, even beyond that,” said Silliman.
She added that parents have said the program is beneficial because it addresses the youth mental health crisis.
“I think particularly post-pandemic, there are a lot of kids who are experiencing dysregulation, mental health issues. We have a greater understanding of neurodivergence now than we ever have, and this is a base where all of that is OK,” Silliman said.
Each year, the festival sees a mix of experiences from children in terms of live performances. Some children come in with a lot of experience, some with little to none. As long as they have a performance idea in mind, the mentors with the YPF are ready to guide them through their artistic expressions.
“We do not provide instruction. So, if somebody comes in and they say they want to write a song, but they’ve never written a song and they don’t play any instruments, we can’t teach them guitar. But we can help them to write a song one way or another,” explained Silliman. “Something else I think is really important and exciting about it is we have a lot of returning artists. And we have some kids who come in and they’re just really into song writ-
ing, so every year, they write a song ... but then we have other kids who come in doing one thing, but in the next year, they’re looking for something new to try.”
Silliman said that through collaboration with the Play Incubation Collective, the event has taken off and is doing exactly what both organizations are aiming to do for youth artists in the area.
“What we’re doing is we’re really building an intergenerational creative community,” said Silliman. “All of the programming that we run for youth, both YPF itself — which we share — and also the things that we do separately as organizations, are all kind of coming from the same ethos of, kids are fundamentally creative, and all we want to do is get out of the way for that. Provide a container so that they can fly.”
For YPF 2026, the collaboration extends further with the inclusion of Holyoke Media, which will offer a Holyoke-based youth cohort in addition to the Northampton cohort as part of an ongoing commitment to expand the festival in Western Massachusetts.
“Sarah and I have always imagined that there would be smaller cohorts in other cities and towns around the valley. We always wanted to grow it really sustainably so we’re not rushing out to start them everywhere,” said Silliman.
Silliman credited Holyoke Media Director of Media Engagement Iohann Vega for his role as not only a mentor artist through the program, but also for his leadership with Holyoke
Media and making this collaboration a reality.
“Iohann Vega, who works at Holyoke Media, has been a mentor artist for us for a number of years now and he has been a really wonderful artist to work with because he comes with all of this media experience, but he’s also a musician and has a lot of tech knowledge,” said Silliman. “Iohann was really excited to invite the Hampden Country cohort to Holyoke Media this year, and it’s been absolutely amazing. We love being there. That space is really beautiful, and they have a black box theater, and that allows the youth artist to be able to kind of perform big right away, which is really helpful in developing work.”
Silliman shouted out all the additional mentor artists on the ground supporting youth directly through this program. She added that this experience for youth helps them grow as aritsts.
“I think that it’s fair to say that we are planting some really important seeds. One of the things that we always tell them is, we are sharing ways of working,” Sillima said. “All of us are working artists, and we all have creative process practices, and when we share ideas with them, that’s what we’re sharing, is the stuff that really works for us. We really see them as almost equal creative beings, and I don’t think we can underestimate how powerful that is.”
To learn more about this festival, visit nohoarts.org/youth-performance-festival.
Amy reiterated that while they are looking to sell Tavern on the Hill, they are still open for business and encourage those who share the mutual love for the restaurant to still come in and grab a meal in what will be the home stretch of this ownership’s run.
of hunkering down,” Amy said. “But we wanted to get the word out there that ‘hey, we’re still here. We still need your support. We still have bills to pay. We still have staff
“We’re not sold. We’re not closed. We have seen a dip in busi ness a little bit this winter. I don’t know if there’s correlation to that. I think the economy is kind of in the toilet. Our world is sort of bonkers right now. I think people are sort
Every week we will provide you with a complete listings of deaths from the preceding week from throughout Greater Springfield. We are doing this as a convenience to our readers in case you miss an obit in the daily paper. We hope you find this useful and that you will refer to it weekly.
EASTHAMPTON
Shirley R. Cohen
David Francis O’Brien
GOSHEN
Carl Eldred
HATFIELD
Timothy Carroll
NORTHAMPTON
Katt Alonzo Bodziak
Louis Gingras
Ellen L. LaFlèche
Harry McColgan
SOUTH HADLEY
Stephen A. Bernier
Joan P. Duffy
I. Richard Johnson
SOUTHAMPTON
Mary Balfour
ness, and we
munity-driven.”
HAMPSHIRE REGIONAL VS PALMER
BASKETBALL
Palmer ran away with the win, defeating Hampshire Regional 72-30 in a matchup on Jan. 24. REMINDER
Isaiah Isa battles for the offensive rebound and wins it.
Isaiah Isa gets the shot off while two defenders are guarding him.
Vynce Carr launches a three pointer with no one guarding him.
Joe Moro gets around the defender in the paint.
Braylon Jarrett gets ready to shoot a free throw.
Vynce Carr makes an easy layup.
Joe Moro hits a fade away two pointer while the defender was in front of him.
Braylon Jarrett saves the ball from going out of bounds.
The Majestic to offer free program for aspiring performers
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Becoming a professional actor is usually a long process that can involve expensive classes and endless auditions. However, half a dozen aspiring thespians will have the opportunity to learn from industry professionals and gain some acting credits this summer at The Majestic Theater in West Springfield. “I’m thrilled to be creating this program,” said Apprentice Program Director Chelsie Nectow. “We’re seeking to provide
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Symphony Orchestra will present “Planet Earth: A Symphonic Journey,” a family-friendly matinée on Valentine’s Day, Saturday, Feb. 14 at 3 p.m. at Springfield Symphony Hall.
The afternoon performance will feature a Planet Earth film over the orchestra, and pre-concert activities for all ages hosted by the Springfield Museums, the SSO’s community partner for this concert.
The concert will have the Springfield Symphony Orchestra performing both U.S. and world premieres of compositions by renowned guest conductor and composer Johan de Meij.; Tickets for “Planet Earth” are now on sale, starting at $25, online at SpringfieldSymphony.org, or
emerging artists in the Pioneer Valley with hands-on training and professional credits,” said Nectow. She said there is no other program like this in the region. Not only is the program not tuition-based like those in Boston and Lennox, but it also provides a $250 per week stipend.
The program, which will run from late June through mid-August, will include several workshops taught by members of the Majestic, as well as outside experts. Topics will vary from resume building to audition tips and intimacy coordination.
by calling the SSO Box Office at 413-733-2291.
The 3 p.m. concert is envisioned to be a family-friendly Valentine’s Day experience, with a multimedia performance and pre-concert activities for adults and children alike.
According to Heather Caisse-Roberts, president and CEO of the SSO, “This concert is about opening the doors wider at Symphony Hall and reimagining what a symphony experience can be for families today.
From Holst’s ‘Jupiter’ to Johan de Meij’s ‘Planet Earth’ and the world premiere of his T-Bone Concerto, this program blends big orchestral sound with film, storytelling and a sense of discovery.
“Our partnership with the Springfield Museums adds hands-
Nectow said, “It’s part of our job to have an understanding and respect for all the different parts of running a theater.” As such, the program will also provide experience working in the box office, concessions, the marketing department and with the technical aspects of production. The apprentices will be cast in one or both Majestic Children’s Theater’s productions. This season, the shows staged for younger audiences are “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!: The Musical!” and “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical.”
on fun before the music even begins, giving families a chance to explore, ask questions and connect science and art in real time. It’s immersive, it’s accessible, and yes, you’ll still be out in time for Valentine’s Day dinner.”
De Meij’s “Symphony No. 3 Planet Earth” is an ode to “Mother Earth,” performed for the first time in the U.S. on the Springfield Symphony Hall stage. The film, created by de Meij’s wife, Dyan Machan, and directed by Jed Parker, will accompany the music on a big screen over the orchestra, making for a multi-dimensional experience for concertgoers. Also of note is the world premiere of de Meij’s “T-Bone Concerto,” consisting of three movements: Rare, Medium and Well Done. This piece will be highlighted by legendary trombonist Joseph Alessi, principal trombone of the New York Philharmonic, performing with the orchestra. The concert will
The ideal candidate pool is college-aged — higher education is not necessary — with “relevant theatrical experience,” Nectow said. She added that performance experience can include community theater, and candidates should have pursued some voice, dance or acting classes. Artists of all genders, races, ethnicities and backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Nectow said the Children’s Theater seemed like a good fit for the Apprentice Program because the Majestic already pays young performers for the two
also feature Gustav Holst’s famous Jupiter.
Concertgoers of all ages are encouraged to arrive early to take part in activities hosted by various science clubs affiliated with the Springfield Museums. Featured clubs will include the STARS Club, the Connecticut Valley Mineral Club and Naturalists Club, among others, and the Springfield Museums will also have a table with activities and information.
De Meij has garnered international acclaim for his compositions. He has written five symphonies including “Symphony No. 2 The Big Apple” and “Symphony No. 3 Planet Earth,” and 10 solo concertos, including “T-Bone Concerto” (trombone) and Casanova (cello). His “Symphony No. 1 The Lord of the Rings” was awarded the Sudler Composition Prize in Chicago and has been recorded by myriad ensembles including The London
summertime shows. Nectow is excited that the theater is offering the program. She began her theater career through a similar apprentice program at a different theater company. Nectow joined the Majestic Theater as an actor in 2022, eventually becoming more involved in the behindthe-scenes work.
Video applications open Feb. 2 at majestictheater.com/apprentice. The submission should include information about the candidate’s background, theatrical goals, a dance reel and two songs. A callback process will follow.
Symphony Orchestra and The North Netherlands Orchestra.
De Meij has conducted in prestigious venues and has received 31 awards and nominations, including first prize at the International Composition Competition of Corciano, Italy for Casanova, the Dutch Wind Music Award, the Buma Classical Award and the Buma Wind Music Award. De Meij received his musical training at the Royal Conservatory of Music in The Hague.
Before devoting his time exclusively to composing and conducting, de Meij enjoyed a successful professional career as a trombone and euphonium player, performing with the major orchestras and ensembles in The Netherlands.
Trombonist Joseph Alessi was appointed Principal Trombone of the New York Philharmonic in the spring of 1985. He is an active soloist, recitalist, and chamber music performer and has also participated in numerous festivals. In 2002, Alessi was awarded an International Trombone Association Award for his contributions to the world of trombone music and trombone playing, and in 2014, was elected president of that association.
Alessi is currently on the faculty of The Juilliard School; his students now occupy posts with many major symphony orchestras in the U.S. and internationally. MassMutual and Massachusetts Cultural Council are season sponsors for the 2025-26 season. For more information and to purchase tickets for the 2025-26 season’s concerts, visit springfieldsymphony.org.
