HAPPENINGS

HAPPENINGS

JANUARY 2024

JANUARY 9 – IT’S OPENING NIGHT FOR THE MAJESTIC’S LATEST PLAY!

Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Majestic Theater, 131 Elm St., West Springfield, MA., the curtian goes up on a tender comedy set in 1973, about the cash-strapped O’Shay family, a talk about the birds and the bees and the insuing “Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help.” Tickets start at $35.
Info: majestictheater.com/incident-at-our-lady-of-perpetual-help

JANUARY 11 – THE BUSHNELL PRESENTS YO YO MA: ‘REFLECTIONS IN WORDS & MUSIC’

Jan 11 at 7:30 p.m. in Mortensen Hall at the Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT. This special performance pairs Ma’s musical repertoire with his reflections on how music shaped his views on art, human nature and our search for meaning. This is a 90 minute performance with no intermission.
Tickets: tinyurl.com/5c4e8b35

JANUARY 16 – ANNUAL HOOPHALL CLASSIC SLATED FOR SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE

Jan. 16 beginning at 1 p.m. with a game between Newton North High and Albany High of California, the four-day Army National Guard Hoophall Classic high school tourney returns to Blake Arena at Springfield College!.Games continue daily through Jan. 20.
Info/tickets: hoophall.com/events/hoophall-classic

JANUARY 18 – MONTHLY WINTER FARMERS MARKET AT FOREST PARK TODAY

Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the historic Monkey House at Forest Park, Sumner Avenue, Springfield MA. Free admission to park for market attendees through Sumner Avenue or 200 Trafton Rd. gates. Shop fresh and local and support community agriculture! Vendors vary by date.
Info: facebook.com/farmersmarketatforestpark

JANUARY 25 – ALL ABOARD! RAILROAD HOBBY SHOW PULLS INTO BIG E GROUNDS

Jan. 25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Jan. 26 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition, Memorial Drive , West Springfield, MA., explore the largest model railroad show in the Northeast! Clinics, vendors and plenty of model railroads to see! Tickets $18/adults, free for children under age 15.
Info: railroadhobbyshow.com

JANUARY 25 – THE WOLF PACK TAKES ON THE THUNDERBIRDS TONIGHT!

Jan. 26 at 3:05 p.m. at the Mass Mutual Center, downtown Springfield, MA. The classic rivalry takes the ice for a Sunday afternoon game that promises plenty of excitement! Doors open at 2 p.m., ticket prices start at $15. A great way to entertain the grandkids!
Info/tickets: tinyurl.com/msk5jzcf

FEBRUARY 1 – 52 SUMNER TO PRESENT A TRIBUTE TO JONI MITCHELL TONIGHT

Feb. 1 at 6:30 p.m. at 52 Sumner, the new event venue on Sumner Avenue in Springfield, MA., will host a Joni Mitchell tribute concert by the band Big Yellow Taxi. Food and drink available before concert begins, Box office opens two hours before the concert. Free parking in old Friendly’s parking lot across the street. Tickets $20 plus $3.18 online fee.
Info: 52sumner.com

FEBRUARY 2 – BREAK OUT THE SKIS - BERKSHIRE EAST HOSTS VERTICAL CHALLENGE!

Feb. 7 at 8 p.m. at Springfield Symphony Hall, 34 Court St., downtown Springfield, MA., the “incomparable force known as Patti LaBelle” takes the stage for one night only! Catch the Grammy-winning performer as she performs songs from her decades-long career.
Info: tinyurl.com/2wfexw7t

FEBRUARY 7 – PATTI LABELLE PERFORMS TONIGHT AT SPRINGFIELD SYMPHONY HALL

FEBRUARY 14 – IT’S AN ARTS LOVEFEST! “SMALL WORKS” OPENS WITH CHOCOLATE RECEPTION

Feb. 14 at 5 p.m. at the Hope and Feathers Gallery, 238 Bridge St., Northampton, MA., the 12th annual Small Works exhibition - featuring art by local artists - opens with a Valentine’s Day themed chocolate reception! Exhibit continues through March 31 during gallery hours. All works for sale.
https://hopeandfeathersframing.com

FEBRUARY 15 – SHOW A LITTLE MORE, SHOW A LITTLE LESS.. WELCOME TO BURLESQUE

Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. the Lalas Burlesque show returns to the Aria Ballroom at the MGM Casino, downtown Springfield, MA., for one show only! The Lalas signature shows are always a blend of humor, sexiness and powerhouse performances. Celebrating empowered women on stage, it’s the perfect girls night out!
tinyurl.com/3244n2mv

FEBRUARY 27 – SPRINGFIELD CHAMBER PLAYERS AT WESTFIELD ATHENAEUM TONIGHT

Nov. 29 beginning at 5 p.m., over4,000 hand-strung bulbs illuminate an enchanting walk through this all-outdoor venue, 55 Alvord St., South Hadley, Massachusetts. Wear appropriate footwear. Tickets online only. Pre-order adult tickets at $15, price is $18 starting opening night.
westath.org

MARCH 1 – THESE DOGS WORK IT! CT RIVER WORKING GROUP DOG SHOW

March 1-2 in the Mallory Complex on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition. Memorial Drive, West Springfield, MA., this dog show highlighting working breeds is free and open to the public! Come see e dogs who earn their keep every day. There is a charge to park on the Big E grounds.
Info: tinyurl.com/22w3trx2

MARCH 2 – LAST DAY TO CATCH MICKEY AND FRIENDS AT MASSMUTUAL CENTER

Nov. 29 beginning at 5 p.m., over4,000 hand-strung bulbs March 2 at noon atd 4 p.m. on the ice at the MassMutual Center, 1277 Main STt, downtown Springfield, MA., Mickey’s Search Party brings your grandkid’s favorite Disney characters to life with world-class skating, high-flying acrobatics and unexpected stunts! Tickets start at $29.99 for upper side seating, plus service fee.
Info/tickets: tinyurl.com/6bheautk

MARCH 7 – SIGNATURE SOUNDS ANNUAL ‘BACK PORCH FESTIVAL OPENS TONIGHT

March 7- continuing through March 9 - at10 venues throughout Northampton, MA.., Signature Sounds and The Parlor Room warm up the music scene with the annual Back Porch Festival. Opening night features songs of Neil Young, March 8 is the Bluegrass Festival, March 9 Lucinda Williams headlines. Total of 60 bands will perform!
Info/tickets: backporchfest.com

MARCH 23 – EVERYBODY’S IRISH TODAY! 72ND HOLYOKE ST PATRICK’S PARADE!

March 23 beginning at approximately 10 a.m. Get there early for a place! Traditional route follows Northampton Street to Beech Street to Appleton Street to High Street to Hampden Street. Bands, floats, colleens and their courts, and merriment are always part of the celebration.
Info: holyokestpatricksparade.com

MARCH 27 – 70TH WESTERN MASS HOME AND GARDEN SHOW OPENS TODAY!

March 27 noon -8 p.m., this annual showcase brings the latest in home design, remodeling ideas, decorating trends and landscape inspiration to the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition, Memorial Drive, West Springfield, MA. Also March 28, noon- 8 p.m., March 29, 10 a.m.- 8 p.m., March 30, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.. Tickets 10, parking $5.
Info: westernmasshomeshow.com

6 things... you need to know

1. ICE CASTLES RETURN TO NEW HAMPSHIRE THIS JANUARY!

It’s a fairytale world of ice, and a beautiful trip for a winter weekend –or a romantic proposal come February (weather permitting). Enjoy a drink at the Polar Bar, take a walk through the Mystic Forest, enjoy an adventurous snow tube or sedate sleigh ride, and much more. Pre-purchase tickets. Attraction open weather permitting; check website before driving to North Woodstock, N. H.
Info: icecastles.com/new-hampshire

2. LITTLE BOOK IS A GREAT VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT IDEA FOR THE GRANDKIDS

“Springtime Storks - A Migration Love Story” is the first children’s picture book by East Longmeadow MA. author Carol Munroe. Based on the true story of a wounded stork healed by kind villagers – and the life-long mate she finds – the book is a tale of the power of devotion. For readers and budding ornithologists 4 to 8 years of age. Available at Barnes & Noble or Amazon.
Info: publishersweekly.com/9781662651212

3. CRIOLLO CLASSICO OFFERS PUERTO RICAN MUSIC TO WARM COLD WINTER NIGHTS

Puerto Rico’s number one independent music label is offering its entire catalog of CDs for order online. Choose from “CriolloClassico1,” “Criollo Clásico 2 / Sueño en el Yunque,” “Criollo Clásico 3 / Fantasia Caribena, ““Fiesta en San Juan” – José González and Banda Criolla, “Bomba Le Le” – José González and Banda Criolla, “Feliz Navidad Boricua” – José González and Banda Criolla, “Caribbean Fiesta for Kids” – José González and Banda Criolla and more. CDs are $20. Get a sample of “Festival” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYbTSFVHA7A
Info/Order: criolloclasico@gmail.com

4. REENTERING THE WORKFORCE? THIS BLOG HAS TIPS ON COMBATING AGE BIAS

There’s many reasons to think about going back to work – to help stretch the budget, to pad your retirement savings, or maybe just to have a social outlet. But getting a foot in the door gets harder as a prospective job applicant ages. Age bias is real, and the newer application screening processes are often harder to get past. The website, jobleads.com has a blog dedicated to helping older jobseekers overcome some of the obstacles to being hired. Check out the valuable Info!
Blog: www.jobleads.com/career-advice/here-is-how-to-fight-age-bias-against-your-job-application

5. LOOKING TO CURL UP WITH A GOOD BOOK? THESE SITES OFFER FREE EBOOK TITLES!

Buying books is an expense. Yes, you can get them free from your local public library, but sometimes you just want a new book NOW. These sites curated by the Facebook page, Show Your Home Library, offer free downloads! Check out: PlaneteBook; Free-eBook.net; ManyBooks; Librivox; Internet Archive; BookBub; Open Library; Feedbooks; Smashwords; Project Gutenberg; Google Books; PDFBooksWorld; FreeTechBooks; Bookyards; GetFreeBooks; eBookLobby; FreeComputerBooks, LibriVox and ManyBooks.
Info: tinyurl.com/bdzb2u8x

6. THIS APP CELEBRATES THE POSITIVE IN LIFE

Applaudable is a new social media app designed to celebrate “our positive and meaningful experiences in life.” The app allows users to post about important life moments and encourages uses to share the positive aspects of their life journey. Available to download to your smartphone from the Apple Store or on Google Play.
Info: www.applaudable.com/about-us