wknd-20251120

Also inside: A.J. Croce to play concert at MGM Springfield. D6

10-ALARM FIRE

The Young@ Heart Chorus will present a protest concert, “10-Alarm Fire: We Won’t Shut Up!!” at the Academy of Music in Northampton on Nov. 23. (PHOTOS

Young@Heart Chorus to tackle political unrest in concert

By K eith O ’C onnor Special to The Republican

Young@Heart Chorus is set to take the Academy of Music Stage in Northampton with what executive director Bob Cilman calls “our most urgent show yet.”

The show, “10-Alarm Fire: We Won’t Shut Up!!”, promises performances filled with defiance by people who have lived long enough to know what is at stake.

“They’ve seen changes that they never thought they would see in this country.”

BOB CILMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, YOUNG@HEART CHORUS

He brings his own personal life experience to Sunday’s performance.

“What I have as personal experience is being Black, being gay, and my family is one that was part of the migration from the South in the 1950s. I was born in the South and brought here to Western Massachusetts with those things already being a part of my life,” Ranney-Blake said.

are putting them together in one performance to honor those who have gone before us. And I know how relevant it is to look back and stand on the shoulders of the ones who have gone before us,” he added.

Showtime is Sunday, Nov. 23, at 3 p.m.

“The chorus will be singing songs that really underline the fact we are not living in normal times, especially for our members, who have been around for a long time. They’ve seen changes that they never thought they would see in this country. I think that is a concern, not just for us, but for the many people in our community, and we didn’t want to ignore it,” Cilman said.

Cilman added that chorus members “talk about many things and concerns often come up” and that they have been feeling angrier and more helpless about the direction the country is going in, as well as other world matters.

So, instead of speaking out or holding signs on street corners, the chorus is not simply speaking out, but having their voices heard by singing out.

“I was very impressed to learn that many of our members have a history of activism in their lives. They realize that now is not the time to ‘shut up.’ They are the elders of the community and they have an important voice,” Cilman said.

Cilman is always secretive about releasing a set list for Young@Heart concerts, preferring the element of surprise. But audiences can expect to hear songs by Woodie Guthrie, Marvin Gaye, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Mercedes Rosa, Rage Against the Machine, Radiohead, Edwin Starr and others.

“These are artists who at one point in their lives felt the need to write a song that said, ‘Enough is enough and this isn’t going in the right direction.’ So many musicians have had that experience in their lives, where they’ve had to come to terms with the world round them in a political way,” Cilman said.

“We’re not doing the obvious protest songs that people might sing at a rally or singing songs that are deep in the lexicon of protest songs. For example, no one would think of Radiohead as writing protest songs, but they wrote songs that really hit the moment,” he added.

Chorus member Rosie Caine of Greenfield just turned 80 and laughed that “I used to be young.”

She emigrated to the United States in 1972 and saw America as prosperous with a good opportunity to continue to sing professionally after the trio she belonged to had

toured with Liam Clancy of the Clancy Brothers.

Caine is no stranger to political unrest, having left Ireland during a time of great political violence in Northern Ireland.

Now an American citizen, she says she can barely listen to the news these days.

“As we started to rehearse these songs, I was very happy with what we were doing because there really wasn’t a counter Kumbaya movement. I wanted to be sure that we could try to counter what is going on. Suddenly I found myself in the midst of all these very potent and beautiful songs and that we would actually be doing something very constructive at the concert,” Caine said. Her hope, along with other chorus members who come from all different sides of politics, is that they can help turn the tide at the concert.

“What we are seeing is this culture and all the systems in place evaporating, all the safety nets, and it is very wor rying. We feel very confident in the repertoire that Bob has chosen for us,” Caine said.

Tim Ranney-Blake, of South Deerfield, joined Young@Heart Chorus nearly two years ago after being encouraged by his uncle, who was a member, to become a part of the group.

“What excites me about this concert is my outlook about what can be done, what we can do, what anybody can do in light of feeling hopeless or even helpless. There is joy in singing with people and part of being able to endure is to find joy in our own lives and singing together does that. The songs come from all kinds of spaces from our culture and history, and we

The chorus will be accompanied by what Cilman referred to as “one of the greatest bands in Western Massachusetts,” including Mark Gionfriddo on keyboards, Joe Boyle on guitar, Jim Armenti on bass and clarinet, Ron Smith on saxophone, Angie Shyr on violin, and J.J. O’Connell on drums.

Tickets to Sunday’s concert are available on the Academy of Music website or by calling the Academy of Music box office at 413-584-9032, ext. 1, Tuesday through Friday from 3-6 p.m.

Pioneer Consort ‘Noel’ concert returns after 11 years

IT’S JUST ABOUT THAT time of year when mentions of anything to do with Christmas or holiday music can elicit either joy or agitation from various people.

And while our intent here at Live Wire is never to annoy any reader, the fact is that some Christmas/holiday musical events are already gearing up, with many occurring in the very early parts of December.

One of them is the “Noel” holiday concert by the Pioneer Consort on Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Second Congregational Church of Greenfield.

The Pioneer Consort features Michael Nix (guitars, banjar, mandolin); Chris Devine (violin, viola, mandolin, recorders, flute); and Mark Fraser, (cello). Joining the Pioneer Consort for this performance will be the Twice as Smart children’s choir under the direction of Gloria Matlock.

The Pioneer Consort didn’t start out playing holiday music, however. The group has its roots in a longtime collaboration between Nix and Devine, dating back to the 1990s. Then in 2006, Nix organized a concert of his own compositions at First Church of Deerfield and invited Devine and cellist Greg Snedeker.

“We all created music in that concert that seemed to be bigger than the notes on the page, and really enjoyed rehearsing and playing together,” Nix said in a recent interview with The Republican. “We agreed to play some concerts locally and then became more formally organized as the Pioneer Consort.”

The consort’s first album, “World View,” was released in 2008. “Noel” was released in December 2009, and the group performed several holiday concerts that year. In December 2010 the Pioneer Consort was invited for a

holiday concert at the Second Congregational Church of Greenfield next month. (KIM

three-day residency at the First Church of Naples, Florida, for a Noel Concert, school performances, workshops and services.

That year also saw the start of the annual holiday “Noel” concerts in the Pioneer Valley at the historic Brick Church, the First Church of Deerfield, which ran annually until 2014.

After Nix’s mother was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2015, the concerts were put on pause as he spent the next few years dealing with the end-of-life care of two parents and their estates. By 2019, Nix was back to making music regularly and released a solo album of his New Classic Banjo Project music for the seven-string classic banjo which he called

NIGHTCLUBS

THURSDAY

The Drake: Florry with John Andrews & The Yawns. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst

Theodores’: HCC Jazz Night. 201 Worthington St., Springfield

Uno Chicago Grill: Country Music. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield

FRIDAY

East Mountain Country Club: Foolish U Band. 1458 East Mountain Rd, Westfield

MGM Springfield: MGM Roar

Comedy Club: Lachlan Patterson. 1 MGM Way, Springfield

Shaker Farms Country Club: Brass Attack. 866 Shaker Road, Westfield

Tangle Chocolate Lounge: Trivia Night. 5 Main St. Route 9, Williamsburg

The Drake: Eric Hutchinson. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst

Theodores’: Darrell Nulisch. 201 Worthington St., Springfield

The consort’s first album, “World View,” was released in 2008. “Noel” was released in December 2009, and the group performed several holiday concerts that year.

the Banjar — an instrument he invented. COVID then shut down live music in 2020, so the Pioneer Consort never had a chance to get up and running again.

“With all of that behind, Chris and I thought it was time to set up the annual Noel concert,” Nix said. “Greg was unavailable to perform this year, so we asked our friend Mark Fraser, a member of the Adaskin Trio and director of Mohawk Trail Concerts, to play cello, and we are looking forward to having him on the program.”

The show itself will feature a wide variety of instrumentation and a smorgasbord of arrangements celebrating the winter holidays. The evening

Comedy Club: Lachlan Patterson. 1 MGM Way, Springfield

The Drake: Jake Minch: George on Tour with Darryl Rahn. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst

Theodores’: The Love Dogs. 201 Worthington St., Springfield

Uno Chicago Grill: Modern, Contemporary Rock. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield

West Springfield’s Irish House Restaurant & Pub: Billy Eagan. 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield

SUNDAY

The Drake: Apple Hill String Quartet. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst Uno Chicago Grill: Jazz. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield

MONDAY

Uno Chicago Grill: 50% off individual deep dish pizza (dine in only). 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield

Uno Chicago Grill: Roots, Blues and Rock. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield

West Springfield’s Irish House Restaurant & Pub: Brothers By Law. 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield

SATURDAY

East Mountain Country Club: Moose & The Hightops. 1458 East Mountain Rd, Westfield

MGM Springfield: MGM Roar

TUESDAY

Uno Chicago Grill: Blues Music. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield

The Republican is not responsible for unannounced schedule changes. Listings must be received two weeks before the date of the event. Items should be mailed to Entertainment Guide, The Republican, P.O. Box 1329, Springfield, MA 01102-1329, emailed to pmastriano@repub.com or submitted to www.masslive.com/myevent

and the Lighting of the Quadrangle Friday, November 28 • 10 am-7 pm

‘WICKEDLY GOOD’ EXPERIENCE

Pete's Sweets in East Longmeadow is offering a limited-time "Wickedly Good" experience through Nov. 26. The bakery is decorated in pink and green and is offering a limited-time variety of magical "Oz" treats. (PETE'S SWEETS)

By Ashley P otter apotter@repub.com

EAST LONGMEADOW — It might not be the yellow brick road, but if you follow Shaker Road up to Pete’s Sweets, you’ll be in for a one-of-akind Oz experience.

To celebrate this week’s release of “Wicked: For Good,” the sequel to the 2024 film co-starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, Peter Gray has transformed his bakery into a pink-and-green wonderland.

“I am a diehard decorator at heart. My grandmother was a big holiday person, the kind of person that has every little flag out for the holidays and dressed windows and all of that, which then transferred to my mother, who loves decorating as well,”

Ariana Grande still has surprises in store

By Kyle Buchanan The New York Times

“Would you like a lozenge?” Ariana Grande asked, trilling her question as though it were the opening salvo to a song.

It was a rainy October afternoon in New York, and I had met Grande in The New York Times offices just after a photo shoot but before the overbooked star joined her family to celebrate her late grandmother’s birthday. “My nonna would have been 100, so we’re going to FaceTime her best friends,” she explained. “We’re all having dinner together, so I’m basically going to be a basket case all night.”

Big things can come in small packages, as Grande has now amply proved. Like her musical-comedy forebear Kristin Chenoweth, who originated the role of Glinda on Broadway before Grande brought her to the screen in last year’s “Wicked,” the 5-foot-2 star is a petite powerhouse. And the sequel “Wicked: For Good,” in theaters this week, will showcase Grande’s dramatic chops in a whole new way.

At 32, Grande has already lived through several eras in the public eye — first as a teenager starring in Nickelodeon sitcoms, then as a pop princess with a string of chart-topping hits, and finally as a big-screen ingénue whose first major film role earned her an Oscar nomination. Still, we’ve never seen her go to the places she does in the second “Wicked” film, which brings Grande’s character to

the fore in a much more significant way than audiences might have anticipated.

“Being able to share it with people and talk about it is strange because it’s been a secret for such a long time,” she said.

When “For Good” begins, the budding friendship between Glinda and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) has been severed, as the conniving

Gray said in an interview with The Republican. “And then I inherited that same gene.”

The bakery is decorated in equal parts green and pink to honor the film’s two main characters, Elphaba and Glinda. In one corner of the shop, visitors will find pink flowers and balloons, and a pink ball gown hung up on the wall — in another area of the shop, vines and branches surround a sign that reads, “Beware the Wicked Witch.”

At the front of the bakery is a glowing wizard head that was made out of literal trash, including an Omaha Steaks cooler that Gray said was left in his front yard. “I like taking unconventional materials and recreating cool

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

Polish American Citizens Club 355 East Street, Ludlow, 583-6385

Bingo Wednesdays 6:30-9:30pm

Doors Open at 4pm. Minimum Admission $50

1 - 1199 Progressive Betty Boop 50/50 Prize $900

2 - $500 Cover Alls

3 - $400 Special Games All regular games $100 with 80 people or More. All Cards are included with Admission. Prizes climb with additional attendence. Full Kitchen 4-6:30pm.

WEDNESDAY CALL TODAY 413-788-1250 TO LIST HERE

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

Min. Entry Package $15 Electronic Bingo Aval. Snack Bar, Open Seating, Handicap Restrooms

‘CROCE PLAYS CROCE’

Jim Croce’s son A.J. brings tour to MGM Springfield

By K eith O ’C onnor

Special to The Republican

SPRINGFIELD — Known as a fabulous storyteller and singer/songwriter whose life was cut short in a plane crash after the release of just two albums, Jim Croce’s legacy and songs live on in a special show, Croce Plays Croce, now on tour and starring his son A.J. Croce.

“Croce Plays Croce — Where the Songbook Ends, The Story Begins” tour will come to the Aria Ballroom at MGM Springfield on Friday.

Showtime is 8 p.m.

Despite his death in 1973, Croce has enjoyed decades of

posthumous fame with sales surpassing 50 million records, including three No. 1 songs and 10 Top 10 hits.

“Croce performs Croce” is a special night of music featuring a complete set of classics by A.J.’s late father, some of his own tunes, and songs that influenced both him and his father. Songs to be performed will include “Operator,” “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim,” “Time in a Bottle” (a song written for A.J.), “Rapid Roy (The Stock Car Boy),” “Lovers Cross” and many others.

A successful musician in his own right, it took Croce 30 years before performing

“After all the years of coming to my concerts, nobody expected me to play one of my father’s songs. It became fun to just throw some of his songs in here and there. When I did, the joy and love that I felt from the audience in those moments was profound.”

A.J. Croce on his Croce plays Croce tour

any of his father’s songs in concert. But, looking ahead to the 50th anniversary of his father’s breakthrough album, “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim,” he began thinking about putting a show together to honor his father.

“I began playing some of my father’s songs in shows back in 2019 to see what a show might look like, sound like,

feel like and what was working and what wasn’t working. I knew that I would be opening a Pandora’s Box once I started playing my father’s music after 30 years of not playing a single song,” Croce said, adding that he wanted to do it “on his own terms” and make sure that it would be a really “solid show” for audiences.

“The response was insane. After all the years of coming to my concerts, nobody expected me to play one of my father’s songs. It became fun to just throw some of his songs in here and there. When I did, the joy and love that I felt from the audience in those moments was profound,” he added.

In 2022, on the 50th anniversary of his father’s album,

“You Don’t Mess Around with Jim,” he put a fall tour together featuring a seven-piece ensemble and a multimedia production. The group played the record in its entirety, and then played a second set that had some of Jim’s other hits, some of A.J.’s own music, and some of the roots music where it all came from.

“There was this beautiful thing that happened when I started playing a whole show of my father’s music, which can’t happen with just a song or two in a show. It was that people came to the show looking for this nostalgia. They were embracing that. And they were coming to hear the hits and all of them are present. But what they were not expecting was for this kind of nostalgia to come alive,” Croce said.

Croce added that he does not consider himself to be a traditional cover band.

“You’re going to hear the hits, some that I play just like you hear on the record and some that I don’t. I’m a stylist, if anything, when it comes to performing someone else’s music. I’m going to perform it like myself. But I also recognize that there are certain songs that are precious to the audience and I want to be respectful of that,” he added.

His “Croce Plays Croce” tour is a celebration of two of his father’s legendary albums, 1973’s “Life and Times,” and his final release, “I Got A Name,” in addition to songs from “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim.” This year’s tour commenced with

Champagne & other holiday wines worth splurging on

THE HOLIDAY SEAson is right around the corner. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, there are so many reasons to get together with family and friends.

That’s why it’s such a great time to open great wines — whether it’s a special red wine you’ve been saving for just the right occasion or a bottle of Champagne, which turns any gathering into a celebration.

This week, you can read all about these wonderful wines in an annual column I like to call “wines worth splurging on.”

These are special wines that cost a bit more than everyday wines, which generally cost less than $20 a bottle.

Let me add that you can read more about so-called ev-

eryday wines in my next Wine Press wine column about the top 10 wines under $10 for 2025.

But it’s not just the higher price that makes these splurge-worthy wines special.

They’re special because they’re often different than many other wines.

Maybe it’s the way they’re made.

Maybe it’s where they from.

The bottom line is they all have one thing in common — they all taste great.

Hope you agree and hope you enjoy.

Champagne

(Sparkling wine from France’s Champagne region)

Taittinger Brut La Francaise Champagne ($65 Suggested Retail Price) — One of my favorite Champagnes, its crisp, dry, toasty, refreshing flavors always taste great.

Laurent Perrier La Cuvee Brut Champagne ($65 SRP) — Light, dry, clean, crisp flavors make this Champagne a holiday favorite any time of year.

Piper Heidsieck Brut Champagne ($55 SRP)

— Creamy, buttery flavors with hints of blackberry and almonds make this delightful

Champagne another crowd favorite.

Other sparkling wines

Mumm Napa Brut Prestige NV ($20 SRP) — Crisp, clean, bright, refreshing sparkling wine made by a French Champagne producer that’s been making sparkling wine in California since the late 1970s.

2023 VARA New Mexico Sparkling Brut ($27 SRP) — New Mexico winemaker

Laurent Gruet has been producing outstanding sparkling wines in the traditional Champagne style for years. This refreshing, dry wine hits all the right notes.

J Vineyards Cuvée 20 ($40 SRP) — Another outstanding California sparkling wine made in the same traditional method as

Champagne with grapes from the cool-climate vineyard in Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley. Flavors include subtle hints of apple, lemon and ginger.

2020 Etude Winery Grace Benoist Ranch Blanc de Noirs ($60 SRP) — Superb sparkling wine from California’s Carneros region in the Sonoma County section. Cool climate plays a big role in producing the wine’s fragrant flavors, including hints of strawberry, lemon and buttered toast.

White wines

2022 Albert Bichot Domaine Long Depaquit Chablis ($25 SRP) — Crisp, bright, mineral-like Chardonnay from Burgundy’s Chablis region produced by one of

“I give people their training wand, a little stir stick that has a wand on the end, and they pop the bubble and make a wish.”

through Nov. 26. (PETE'S SWEETS)

stuff out of them,” he said.

But the real treat is, of course, the treats. On Facebook, the bakery has touted the likes of a “Pop”ular Strawberry Pink Lemonade — complete with a wand to “pop” the drink’s bubble with.

“I give people their training wand, a little stir stick that has a wand on the end, and they pop the bubble and make a wish,” Gray said of the “Pop”ular drink. “I blow the bubble up and inflate it right in front of everybody every time, and I don’t get sick of it. I love it.”

If you’re feeling more green than pink, there’s a Melting Witch Grape Limeade that comes complete with a cotton candy tablet that transforms the drink from green to black. Other offerings include Emerald City Cupcakes,

Wicked Witch Hats, Better Together Funfetti Mini Cakes, and Caged Animal Cookiesanimal crackers with Dunkaroo for dipping.

“I’m a sucker for coming up with a punny name,” Gray said.

The “Wickedly Good” expe-

rience runs Nov. 19 to 22 and Nov. 24 to 26. The bakery is normally closed on Mondays and Tuesdays but will make an exception for Thanksgiving week. For more information, visit Pete’s Sweets on Facebook or call the bakery at 413-525-6062.

Events

THURSDAY

Mt. Holyoke College Dept. of Film Media Theater presents “Antigone”: Thu.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m. Rooke Theatre. For more information or to reserve tickets, visit mhc.ludus.com or email PerformingArts@MtHolyoke.edu, Tickets are $10 general admission or $5 students and senior citizens. Lower Lake Road, South Hadley. Sparking the American Revolution History Conference: Thu.-Fri., Springfield Armory National Historic Site. The University of Wyoming College of Law’s Firearms Research Center and Springfield Armory National Historic Site invite you to a two-day gathering of legal and historical experts, exploring the pivotal themes of the American Revolution and their enduring legal and historical relevance. Panels will examine colonial disarmament, the role of militias, and the development of the early arms and munitions industries, while scholars of material culture and technology will discuss Revolutionary firearms, early ballistics, and the founding of the Springfield Armory. The conference will be available in person and virtually. Free. 1 Armory Square, Springfield; 413-734-8551 or www. nps.gov/spar.

Thanksgiving Classic Cluster Dog Show: Thu.-Sun., 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Eastern States Exposition, Better Living Center, Mallary Complex, 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. 413-737-2443 or www. thebige.com.

FRIDAY

Leap Agility Trial: Fri.-Sat., Fri.Sat. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Mallory Complex, Eastern States Exposition. Free. 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. 413-737-2443 or www. thebige.com.

MGM Springfield presents AJ Croce plays Croce: Fri., MGM Springfield, in the Aria Ballroom. 8 p.m. For tickets, visit mgmspringfield.mgmresorts.com, Tickets start at $73. 1 MGM Way, Springfield.

Mt. Holyoke College Dept. of Film Media Theater presents “Antigone”: See Thursday listing “the night we rode”: Fri.-Sat., 7 p.m. Blue Room at CitySpace, a staged-reading of an original play by Mercedes Loving-Manley. After the performance, there will be a community Q&A/talkback. Get the details at cityspaceeasthampton. org, 43 Main St., Easthampton; Opera House Players presents

CALENDAR

'To Have and To Hold'

Addi Hufnagle, of Southampton (as Angel Mouth) and Casey Castenir, of East Brookfield (as Wallace) play villains sent to disrupt the main character's quest to find "The Last Living Gun" in Holyoke Community College's production of "To Have and To Hold." Set in a dystopian future where metal has all but rusted into extinction, this play within a play follows a mercenary across a post-apocalyptic landscape, a la Mad Max. The play will be staged today through Saturday in the college's Leslie Phillips Theater. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. each night with an additional matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22. The Friday, Nov. 21, show will be ASL-interpreted. Tickets are $10 and are available one hour before each show at the Leslie Phillips Box Office, by calling 413-552-2528 or by going online to hcctheater.ludus.com. (PHOTO COURTESY HOLYOKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE)

“Little Shop of Horrors”: Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun, 2 p.m. Enfield Annex, Visit operahouseplayers.org/ tickets or get tickets at the door. Call the Box Office for discounts on groups of 10 or more at 860-4988899, $25 regular; $21 senior 60+, children, students. 124 North Maple St., Enfield.

Pioneer Valley Cappella present “Love is Here to Stay”: Fri., 7:30 p.m. All Saints Episcopal Church, Free-will donation. 7 Woodbridge St., South Hadley.

Sparking the American Revolution History Conference: Fri, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Springfield Technical Community College, “Sparking the Revolution: Flintlocks, Gunpowder, and Policy in America’s War for Independence.” Panels and presentations will examine colonial disarmament, militias, and early arms production, combining scholarship and interactive engagement to connect history, law, and policy in America’s fight for independence. The event is free and open to the public, both in person and online, 1 Armory Square, Springfield.

Thanksgiving Classic Cluster Dog Show: See Thursday listing

SATURDAY

Agawam Historical Association

Museum Shop Bazaar: Sat., 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Agawam Historical and Firehouse Museum. Among items

on sale will be the Agawam Historical Association’s new Images of America title “Around Agawam and Feeding Hills,” which features more than 200 historical photos depicting the town’s past. Bazaar special: Author David Cecchi has donated a limited number of copies of his book “The Big E - Eastern

States Exposition” to be given as a free gift ($25 value) with the purchase of all three “Agawam and Feeding Hills” titles. The author will be available to sign copies during this event. Copies of Edith LaFrancis’ town history book will also be available. All books are $25 each. 35 Elm St., Agawam.

Art & Craft Fair: Sat., 9 a.m.-3 p.m. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Art & Craft Fair will feature more than 50 artisans and craftspeople along with a giant raffle, homemade food and a cookie walk. Plenty of free parking, something for everyone, 1 Porter Road, East Longmeadow.

Art For Food Silent Auction Fundraiser: Sat, 1 p.m. First Congregational Church of Southampton, presented by Robert Floyd Photography. Thousands of dollars of fine art prints from Madeline Catania, Pierre Charrier, Vincent Dusovic, Robert Floyd, Newell Green, Julius Lester, Arthur Mange, Mark Picard, Marc St. Onge, Barry Wentzell, Diane Savioli-Chase, Stan Scarpati and more up for auction with proceeds to benefit the Southampton Community Cupboard, 212 College Highway, Southampton; Artisan Craft Fair: Sat, 10 a.m. The Reserve at East Longmeadow. Browse handmade jewelry, hand poured candles, knitted and crocheted items, seasonal decor, and so much more! Proceeds to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. Pastries and coffee will be served, Free. 741 Park St., East Longmeadow. Leap Agility Trial: See Friday listing

Mt. Holyoke College Dept. of Film Media Theater presents “Antigone”: See Thursday listing “the night we rode”: See Friday listing

Northampton Bag Day at the SCMA Shop: Visit the Smith

Wilbraham native skates into ‘Disney on Ice’

Shows planned in Boston, Springfield

By Ashley P otter apotter@repub.com

BOSTON — As a child, Sarah Lachenmeyer saw her first production of Disney on Ice at the MassMutual Center in Springfield.

Now, she’ll be the one awing the audience when she joins the cast of “Disney on Ice” at the Agganis Arena at Boston University in December.

“My dad took me to see ‘Disney on Ice,’ and it was just a very magical experience,” Lachenmeyer said in a recent interview with The Republican. “And I was like, ‘OK, that’s what I want to do when I grow up,’ and now I get to do that.”

Lachenmeyer joins the show “Frozen & Encanto,” which

Wine

CONTINUES FROM PAGE D7

the best Burgundy producers. (Reminder: Chablis is a subregion in Northern Burgundy, not a grape or style of wine.)

2023 Willamette Valley Vineyards White Pinot Noir ($30 SRP) — A truly distinct wine from Oregon’s Willamette Valley, this white wine made with Pinot Noir grapes (yes, you read that right) has subtle pear flavors, along with hints of peach and orange.

2022 Louis Pommery Carneros Chardonnay ($30 SRP) — Smooth yet spicy Chardonnay from California’s Carneros region with subtle hints of almond, vanilla and blackberry flavors.

2023 Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay ($50 SRP) — Zesty, bright, citrus flavors and aromas abound (especially lemon, pear and tangerine) in this delightful California Chardonnay.

2023 Flowers Sonoma Coast Chardonnay ($55 SRP) — Beautiful, delightful California Sonoma County Chardonnay with delicate, floral-like aromas and flavors,

takes guests on an ice-skating journey through the winter kingdom of Arendelle all of the way to the mountains of Colombia. Audience members will meet princesses Elsa and Anna, the snowman Olaf, and members of the Madrigal family, including Mirabel, Isabela and Bruno, and of course — Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

Lachenmeyer has been a part of the show for two years.

She’s an ensemble skater, which means she gets to play different roles each night. Those roles include being a flower in Isabela’s big number and a citizen of Arendelle in another segment.

Lachenmeyer has been skating for as long as she can remember. She started in Springfield and later began honing her craft in Simsbury and Cromwell, Connecticut. After high school, she attend-

including lemon, green apple and peach.

2024 Gamble Estates Yountville Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley ($60 SRP) — Bright, delicate, mineral-like flavors with hints of grapefruit, peach and lime characterize this charming Sauvignon Blanc from California’s Napa Valley.

2022 Nicolas-Jay Chardonnay Affinities Willamette Valley ($60 SRP)

Outstanding, flinty, soft, buttery, mineral-like Chardonnay from Oregon. Slightly oaky but not overwhelming. A truly delightful, delicious white wine.

Red wines

2020 E. Guigal Gigondas ($32 SRP) — One of the best wineries in France’s Rhone region, Guigal consistently makes great wines. This gem from Gigondas has earthy, round, soft fruit flavors, including hints of plum and cherry.

2019 Dutcher Crossing Proprietor’s Reserve Dry Creek Valley Syrah ($39 SRP) — Dense, ripe fruit flavors along with hints of vanilla make this Syrah from

Sarah Lachenmeyer is part of the cast of “Disney on Ice,” skating into the Agganis Arena in Boston next month and Springfield’s MassMutual Center in 2026. (PROVIDED BY FELD ENTERTAINMENT)

ed the University of Delaware, a school known for its competitive figure skating club. She is a six-time gold medal-

California’s Sonoma County a wine worth enjoying.

2022 Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($40 SRP) — Superb California Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon has a wide range of flavors, including hints of plum, blackberry and dark chocolate.

2022 Domaine Des Grands Chemins Crozes Hermitage ($49 SRP) — France’s Northern Rhone region is famous for its understated wines made with Syrah grapes. This delightful wine from the village of Crozes Hermitage has subtle fruit flavors, including blackberry and pepper.

2022 Bouchaine Estate Pinot Noir ($50 SRP) — This charming California Pinot Noir from an outstanding producer in Napa Valley has bright, light, delicate flavors and aromas, including hints of cherry and red licorice.

2020 Castello Del Trebbio Vigneto Lastricato Chianti Rufina Riserva ($50 SRP) Italy’s Chianti region has many amazing red wines. This particular gem made with Sangiovese grapes has subtle, earthy flavors, including hints

ist in Moves in the Field, a series of figure-skating tests that evaluate a skater’s mastery of different skating elements. Being named a gold medalist in the test means that a skater has mastered their skills at a top level.

But you don’t need to be a professional figure skater, or have any knowledge of skating yourself, to enjoy the magic of the show, Lachenmeyer said.

“I think that’s kind of the magical thing about the sport is that it looks beautiful, and you can tell when someone does something that has you like, ‘Wow, how did they even do that on little, tiny ice skates on their little blades?’” she said.

The skaters in the “Disney on Ice” show incorporate their characters’ personalities into their routines. Princess Anna,

of blackberry, cherry and toasted almonds.

2019 Famiglia Pasqua Amarone Della Valpolicella ($60 SRP) — One of my favorite Amarone wines, this earthy yet elegant Italian wine exudes elegance with hints of black licorice, cherry and tobacco flavors.

2021 Chateau De Pez Saint Estephe ($60 SRP) — Beautiful, blended red wine (Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon) from France’s Bordeaux region, the flavors here are subtle, understated and include hints of soft raspberry, blackberry and dark chocolate.

2022 Priest Ranch Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($60 SRP) — Smooth, elegant, California Cabernet Sauvignon with dense, intense flavors, including blackberry and tobacco.

2022 Andre Brunel Chateaneuf Du Pape Les Cailloux ($63 SRP) — Bright, vibrant, lively fruit flavors make this delightful wine from Chateauneuf Du Pape in France’s Southern Rhone region an ideal addition to any holiday feast.

2022 Amelia Quebra-

for example, has her bubbly personality translated into jumps and twirls on the ice.

The “Frozen & Encanto” show also will skate into the MassMutual Center in Springfield in March. For Lachenmeyer, that show will be a full-circle moment.

“I’m excited to be able to perform in front of all of my friends and family. When you’re on tour, probably the hardest thing is missing home,” she said. “So, the fact that I get to go home and be there with all those people and show them everything I’ve learned and can do, it’s a really amazing thing to do.”

Tickets to the “Disney on Ice” show at Boston University can be purchased on the Agganis Arena website, while tickets to Springfield’s show can be found on the MassMutual Center’s website.

da Seca Valle Del Limari Pinot Noir ($65 SRP) — This delicate, delicious Pinot Noir from Chile has subtle, understated flavors, including hints of cherry and white chocolate.

2020 Castiglion Del Bosco Brunello Di Montalcino ($75 SRP) — Dry, understated red wine from Brunello Di Montalcino, one of the most respected wine regions in Italy’s Tuscany region. Flavors here are dense, intense and earthy yet elegant.

2020 Pio Cesare Barolo ($80 SRP) — Outstanding Italian red wine made with Nebbiolo grapes from the Barolo region. Flavors include bold yet elegant hints of blackberry, black licorice and orange.

2021 Domaine Serene Grand Cheval Oregon Red Wine ($85 SRP) — Made with a blend of Syrah and Pinot Noir grapes, this Oregon red wine has velvet-like, fruit flavors, including hints of blackberry, plum and roasted coffee.

Cheers!

Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com and in The Republican’s Weekend section.

College Museum Shop from Nov. 22-23 for Northampton’s Bag Day at SCMA and get 20% off your entire purchase, both in-store and online. Find creative holiday gifts for everyone on your list. Use code “Holidays20” online at checkout. Elm Street at Bedford Terrace, Northampton; 413-585-2760 or www.scma.smith.edu.

Opera House Players presents “Little Shop of Horrors”: See Friday listing Pioneer Valley Cappella, “Love is Here to Stay”: Sat, 7:30 p.m. Edwards Church of Northampton, Free-will donation. 297 Main St., Northampton.

St. Christopher’s Craft Fair: Sat., 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sun., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. St. Christopher’s Parish. The kitchen is open throughout the day and will offer a breakfast menu and a variety of sandwiches, soups, chili, chowder, meat pies, and desserts. Whole meat pies can be purchased to take home. There will also be raffles. Admission is free. 16 Sturbridge Road, Road 20, Brimfield.

Thanksgiving Classic Cluster Dog Show: See Thursday listing

SUNDAY

Girls on the Run Western Mass 5k: Sun., Western New England University, Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based, positive youth development program that uses fun running games and dynamic discussions to teach life skills to girls in 3rd to 8th grade. During the eight-week program, girls participate in lessons that foster confidence, build peer connections and encourage community service while they prepare for an end-of-season celebratory 5K event. The run starts at 10:30 a.m. but the group warm up will begin at 10 a.m., with participants arriving for fun events at 9:30 a.m. Participation in the 5K event is open to the public and all proceeds from the event will benefit Girls on the Run Western MA. Early arrival is suggested. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. Participants can bring a nonperishable food item for a local food pantry, Registration cost is $25 for adults and $10 for youth under 12, and includes a 5K shirt for the first 1,000 registered. 1215 Wilbraham Road, Springfield.

Mt. Holyoke College Dept. of Film Media Theater presents “Antigone”: See Thursday listing Northampton Bag Day at the SCMA Shop: Nov 22–23: See

Saturday listing

Opera House Players presents “Little Shop of Horrors”: See Friday listing

St. Christopher’s Craft Fair: See Saturday listing

Sunday Live Music: Sun., 2 p.m. Tangle Chocolate Lounge, Come and enjoy the local musicians as they serenade you for two hours every Sunday at Tangle Chocolate. The line-up includes Martha Grinnell, Louise Coombe, Matt Emmer, The Lonesome Brothers, Don Chiulli, Stephen Katz, Luke Deroy and more. Free. 5 Main St. Route 9, Williamsburg.

Talcott Mountain Agility Show: Sun., 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Eastern States Exposition. 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. 413-737-2443 or www.thebige.com.

Thanksgiving Classic Cluster Dog Show: See Thursday listing Young@Heart Presents “10-Alarm Fire: We Will Not Shut Up!!”: Sun, 3 p.m. Academy of Music Theatre. Expect to hear Woodie Guthrie, Marvin Gaye, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Mercedes Sosa, Rage Against the Machine and more. Buy tickets at https://aomtheatre.com/aom_ event/10-alarm-fire-we-wontshut-up/ or call the Box Office at 413-584-9032, ext. 1, through Fri.

SPRINGFIELD

Jon Irabagon Quintet

Pioneer Valley Jazz Shares will present the Jon Irabagon Quintet — featuring Irabagon on saxophones, Peter Evans on trumpet, Matt Mitchell on piano, Chris Lightcap on bass, and Dan Weiss on drums — at the Community Music School of Springfield on Sunday, Nov. 23, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for the general public and can be purchased online at jazzshares.org.

museums.org.

Springfield Science Museum: Permanent exhibit: State-of-theart Zeiss Projector and updated International Space Station exhibit.

on Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m., register at www.gallerya3.com. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. 30 Locust Street, Northampton.

Gallery A3 Amherst Art Alliance: John Krifka and Larry Rankin Exhibit. Through Nov. 29. 28 Amity St., Amherst, 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.

Jasper Rand Art Museum: Permanent exhibit. Hours: Mon.Thurs. 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 6 Elm St., Westfield or www.westath.org.

LAVA Center: LAVA’S 6th annual community art show, through Dec. 31. LAVA Silent Art Auction: Andy Rothschild featured artist, through Dec. 20. 324 Main St., Greenfield Old Town Hall: “Reclaimed & Reimagined” by Kathy Kemp, through Nov. 30. 43 Main St., Easthampton

Tickets $20-$50. 274 Main St., Northampton.

Quadrangle

George Walter Vincent Smith

Art Museum: Permanent exhibit: “Ancient Treasures,” a display of artifacts from ancient China, Greece, Rome and Egypt. On the first Wed. of every month through the end of 2026, admission to the Springfield Museums is free. For more information, visit www. springfieldmuseums.org.

Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History: Meet the Grinch in the Grinch’s Grotto: Nov. 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, 11:30 a.m–3:30 p.m. Visit with Mt. Crumpit’s most famous resident, snap a few photos, and explore a winter wonderland of holiday spirit! Please note: the Grinch will take a short break every 40 minutes.

Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts: Musuem a la Carte: Nov. 20, 12:15 p.m.

“From Tradition to Table: Japanese Pottery and its Living Echoes in the United States.” Cost: $4, free for members. Presented by Hitomi Sovjani, founder and curator, Hashi Pottery Plus; Yago Colas, writer, teacher, and artist. To register, visit www.springfield-

The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum: Permanent exhibit. First-floor exhibition provides opportunities to explore new sounds and vocabulary, play rhyming games, invent stories, and engage in activities that encourage teamwork and creative thinking, with interactive three-dimensional exhibits. Second floor contains Geisel’s personal memorabilia. Quadrangle admission — $25 for adults, $16.50 for seniors (60+) and college students with ID, $13 for children ages 3-17; free to children under age 3 and members, Springfield residents are free with proof of residency. Welcome Center and Museum store. Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

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.; 126 Main St., Northampton or www.apearts.org.

Amy H. Carberry Fine Arts Gallery: Permanent exhibit. Hours: Tues.-Fri. 12:30-4:30 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. First floor of building 28. 1 Armory Square, Springfield, 413-755-5258.

Barnes Gallery of Leverett Crafts and Arts: “Oh Beautiful Glass” Group Show and Paintings by Susan Mulholland, through Nov 30. Reception: Nov. 23, noon-6 p.m. Hours: Fri, Sat, Sun, & Mon. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 13 Montague Road, Leverett, 413-548-9070.

Cooley Dickinson Hospital: A3 at North Gallery, through Dec. 27. Art forum, “Art and Healing,” online

Oxbow Gallery: “Caren Hyde: The Long Twilight - Paintings and Drawings Inspired by Iceland,” through Nov. 30. Hours: Thurs. 12-5 p.m., Fri, 2-7 p.m., Sat.-Sun, 12 - 5 p.m. Free. 40 Cottage St., Easthampton or oxbowartgallery. com.

Southwick Public Library: “Golden Rain: A Feminist Sensibility in an Atemporal Age,” through Dec. 31. Free. 95 Feeding Hills Road, Southwick, 413-569-1221.

Taber Art Gallery: “HyperColor.” Through Dec. 18. The show features the work by Andrae Green, Donnabelle Casis, Kim Carlino, Sharon Leshner, and Sunny Allis. 303 Homestead Ave., Holyoke. 413- 552-2614.

Trinity United Methodist Church: Scantic River Artisans exhibit, through Nov. 30. Open Mon.-Fri, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sun. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Call 413-218-7391 for more information. 361 Sumner Ave., Springfield.

Markets

Winter Farmers Market at Forest Park: Nov. 22; Dec. 6 & 20; Jan. 3 & 17; Feb. 7 & 21; March 7 & 21; April 4 & 18. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., in the Monkey House, 200 Trafton Road. Sumner Avenue, Springfield

The Republican is not responsible for unannounced schedule changes. Listings must be received two weeks before the date of the event. Items should be mailed to: Entertainment Guide, The Republican, P.O. Box 1329, Springfield, MA 01102-1329, emailed to pmastriano@repub.com or submitted to www.masslive. com/myevent

Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) and his second-in-command Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) have unfairly branded the green-skinned Elphaba a wicked witch hellbent on the destruction of Oz. Though Glinda knows the truth, she still plays along with their propaganda campaign and embraces her new role as a celebrity “good witch,” carefully crafted to be Elphaba’s opposite, that people can look up to and adore.

But all that flattery and frippery can only go so far, and the lies Glinda must cheerfully repeat begin to weigh on her. Her arranged engagement to Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) proves to be an especially miserable union, since the heartsick prince still longs for Elphaba. With her only real friend in exile, Glinda has no one left to confide in as her carefully constructed fairytale world falls apart.

In the film’s extensive reimagining of the Broadway musical’s second act, Glinda gets a brand-new solo number, flashbacks to her complicated childhood and some emotionally raw scenes that pushed Grande to her limits. “I have been quietly very eager this whole time for people to see the rest of her journey because she has a big arc in the first movie, and it’s just that much bigger in the second one,” Grande said.

In truth, the entire project hinged far more on Glinda’s second-film story line than anyone involved let on: Even before production began, when director Jon M. Chu decided to split “Wicked” into two movies, he gave the first screenplay a green cover and the second a pink one. But expanding the material also made Grande’s casting a considerable risk.

Though he initially worried his head would be on the line if Grande wasn’t up to the task, Chu found her so compelling as a dramatic actress that he began reshaping the second film around her, even adding back story scenes for Glinda in reshoots earlier this

year. “In a weird way, she took the reins and I had to follow her and just capture it as much as I could,” he said.

Some of the parallels between Grande and her character were undeniable, especially as Glinda grapples with the unexpected downsides of becoming a public figure.

“When we began this journey,” Chu said, “she said to me, ‘I feel closer to Galinda’” — the character’s name in the first movie — “‘than maybe even Ariana Grande. I understand that struggle between trying to give people light and trying to understand where my light comes from myself.’”

In “For Good,” Glinda is so preoccupied with the magical power she lacks that she hardly realizes there’s an innate power within her to lead. Though the Wizard and Morrible recognize her charisma early on and exploit it for their own purposes, it takes Glinda two films to learn how to wield that gift for herself.

“I’m sort of working through that as well, the permission to step into your own magic,” Grande said.

“It’s so funny because in my work, I’ve always given myself that permission to kindly and lovingly ask for what I need. But when it comes to my real life, that is where I don’t know how. It’s been a work in progress for years.”

The emotional overlap between Grande and her character gave Chu the confidence that she could sustain some of the movie’s darkest moments, even as she wrestled with tumult in her personal life during the production, including a divorce and a subsequent relationship.

“I got to watch her on days be upset in her real life and have to open up even more to deliver Galinda for us,” Chu said. “She was not hiding anything from this camera.”

Though Grande’s big moment as a musical-comedy performer comes in the first film with the effervescent number “Popular,” her greatest challenge as a dramatic actress happens midway through the second film, when a demoralized Glinda turns the Wizard and Morrible against Elphaba’s sister. For Grande, who is so protective of how her character is seen, this moment had to be handled with the utmost care.

“This sounds so silly,” she said, “but it feels personal when people accuse her of being the bad one.”

On the day that moment was shot, she kept to herself, creating a map of causality to chart what had led Glinda to this breaking point. “It’s OK that she has a worst self and that she does a thing that is not great,” she said. “That’s

Grande has always found touring to be one of the most challenging parts of the popstar grind and she had long assumed the grueling 100show world tour she mounted in 2019 would be her last. But working on “Wicked” changed that.

“There was something broken about my relationship to pop music that was healed recently through the time away,” she said.

The pressures of superstardom came to define most of her adult life as Grande navigated accelerated album cycles as well as public scrutiny of her body image and the men she dated, including the late rapper Mac Miller, comedian Pete Davidson, and actor Ethan Slater, who plays Boq in “Wicked.”

“When we began this journey, she said to me, ‘I feel closer to Galinda [the character’s name in the first movie] than maybe even Ariana Grande.’”

JON M. CHU, DIRECTOR OF ‘WICKED: FOR GOOD,” ON GRANDE

real.” What is the pain that pushed Glinda there, and how would she atone for it? Those were the things that most compelled Grande.

Next summer, once the Oz dust has settled, Grande will embark on something she never thought she would do again: an arena tour. Meant to promote last year’s pop album “Eternal Sunshine,” the 41show engagement will be her first such venture in seven years.

Of that level of fame, Grande shook her head and said, “Nothing prepares you for what comes with it. Until quite recently, it was really hard for me to navigate and I think it stripped a lot of joy out of this for me.”

Occasionally, Grande managed to wriggle out of the pop-superstar machinery, as in 2016, when she paused promotion of her hit album “Dangerous Woman” to play Penny in NBC’s live adaptation of “Hairspray.”

Why would a famous pop star be so eager to take on that second-banana role? Because it offered Grande something her high-flying music career couldn’t sate.

So what’s next? Grande has spent the fall shooting “Focker In-Law,” a “Meet the Parents” sequel in which she plays a driven, competitive woman who clashes with Ben Stiller’s Greg after she dates his son. She’ll also be appearing on the next season of “American Horror Story” and teased something stage-related coming up soon. Grande isn’t walking away from the career that made her a megastar. “Of course, music will be in my life forever,” she said. “I have to say that for my fans who are reading this who are going to have a heart attack.”

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

Croce

the Oct. 13 release of “The Definitive Croce” collection. The tour will continue over the next year from coast to coast.

Over the past three decades, A.J. Croce has established a reputation as a piano player and vocal stylist influenced by a host of musical traditions and anti-heroes — part New Orleans, part juke joint, part soul. His 10 studio albums show a respect for all musical genres including blues, soul, pop, jazz, and rock ‘n’ roll. He toured with B.B. King and Ray Charles before the age of 21. He has also performed with a wide range of musicians from Willie Nelson to the Neville Brothers

to Bela Fleck and Ry Cooder. His albums have all charted on a wide array of charts: Top 40, blues, Americana, jazz, college and Radio 1 and the Nashville-based singer/songwriter has landed 22 singles on a variety to Top 20 charts. Accompanying him on the tour will be drummer Gary Mallaber, who has worked with Van Morrison and the Steve Miller Band; bassist/ singer David Barard, who has worked with Dr. John; and guitarist/violinist James Pennebaker, who has worked with Delbert McClinton. The shows will also feature background singers Jackie Wilson and Katrice Donaldson. Tickets, available online at mgmspringfield.com, range in price from $73.84 to $256.64 for A.J.’s Premium Seat VIP Package.

will include a mix of both familiar and esoteric holiday music from the consort’s holiday disc “Noel,” and African-American Christmas music with the Twice as Smart Chorus.

The addition of the children’s choir adds an extra layer of interest for both the audience and the players, Nix said.

“I love to collaborate with musicians of other genres,” Nix said. “I have been working with Gloria Matlock since 2016, playing music for social justice concerts, and exploring the ways that my research into early Black banjo can interface with African-American spirituals and other forms of music.”

Nix noted that the Twice as Smart choir has a repertoire of Christmas music, both traditional and Afro-American which they have performed in concerts, churches, and for Yankee Candle holiday events.

“I invited them to sing to bring the special flavor of their music to the concert,” Nix said. “Pianist Adam Matlock will accompany some of their music.”

For Nix, the collaborative work of bringing musicians together to make an evening of art and performance is fun, gratifying, and a good challenge. He added that the concert is also “a trip down memory lane, resurrecting the many good arrangements, and tickling my memories of concerts past.”

“From my perspective, more than being a concert for my personal gratification, I view this concert as a gift to the community of the Pioneer Valley,” he said. “Over the years I have had great support for my career, based here in the Pioneer Valley, from local venues, audiences, newspapers, reviewers, students, and good people not involved in music, and in some ways this concert is about saying thank you.”

The Second Congregational Church of Greenfield is located at 16 Court Square. For more information, send an email to info@nixworks. com. The suggested donation for the show is $20, but Nix made it clear that that amount is truly a suggestion.

“I am asking for donations to support the musicians, rental and production fees, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds,” he said. “Everyone is welcome.”

- Stuffed or Unstuffed Boneless Turkey Breast

- Homemade Sausage Stuffing with Herbs, Onions, & Celery

- Cranberry Sauce

- Garlic Mashed Potatoes

- Roasted Butternut Squash with Brown Sugar

- Fresh Turkey Gravy

- Dinner Rolls

- Choice of One Pie: Apple, Pumpkin, Pecan, Chocolate Cream

Turkey

- Fresh Oven Roasted Turkey - Homemade Sausage Stuffing with Herbs, Onions, & Celery

- Cranberry Sauce

- Garlic Mashed Potatoes - Roasted Butternut Squash with Brown Sugar - Fresh Turkey Gravy - Dinner Rolls - Choice of One Pie: Apple, Pumpkin, Pecan, Chocolate Cream

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

String Bean Almondine

- Butternut Squash with Brown Sugar

- Roasted Potatoes with Rosemary

- Homemade Sausage Stuffing

Turkey Gravy

- Roasted Brussels