9 Ways to Cope with the Darkness in Western Massachusetts
Daylight savings has officially ended, it’s true. We know it can be hard to adjust and we could all used a little help making the best of the new long, dark nights. Here's a few ways you can cope with the darkness this time of year in western Massachusetts.
Laugh it off.
Recent scientific studies show that watching cat videos lowers stress and makes you happy. So if you believe this, check out the Internet Cat Video Festival which lands at Amherst Cinema this Friday, November 6 at 10 p.m. and Saturday, November 7 at 1 p.m. The program features approximately 100 cat videos collected by the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis for its annual live outdoor celebration.
Just Dance.
Science also tells us that moving ours bodies makes us happy, too. At Vortex Dance Fitness Studio at Eastworks in Easthampton you can pop in for a signature dance fitness class and really shake away the darkness blues. Classes are structured for drop-in participation but if you want to learn a routine, the Monday evening class focuses on a new 7-week session/routine. Vortex also offers Galates classes and a variety of yoga classes, including the much-buzzed-about Metal Yoga on Friday evenings. Eastworks also hosts Open Studios this weekend, November 7-8.
Embrace it.
Provisions in Northampton is not afraid of the dark. In fact, it loves the dark, especially when it applies to beers! Sample 13 different dark beers with Provisions’ professionally trained brewer, Mike Schilling this Thursday, November 5 for the Embrace the Darkness Tasting Seminar. Tickets required: 413-727-3497. And if the seminar awakens your palate for dark brews, check out the Bière Noire Soirée later this month at The Foundry.
Warm it up.
Get in the kitchen to add a little local flavor and heat to your dark nights. Check out these signature fall recipes from Bistro Les Gras and the Northampton Brewery.
Light it up.
Allow the fireplaces and special events at the Northampton Brewery brighten your dark evenings. Monthly events include the Brewery's Beer, Cheese and Bread Tasting inside the Brewery with the head brewer every first Thursday; live music every second Thursday beginning November 12; and Paint, Social Art Night every third Tuesday. Other weekly special events include Wednesday Movie Nights at 7 p.m. and “Do Nothing Monday,” with specials on the Brewery's wood-fired pizzas and appetizers.
Escape it.
Fend off those cold, dark nights by pretending you’re in a tropical paradise with the help of Tiki Tuesdays at The Green Room in Northampton. Every Tuesday this unassuming bar down Center Street turns up the heat with tiki-themed menu featuring fun glassware and of course drink umbrellas. The Green Room also celebrates its one-year anniversary with themed cocktail lists November 5-7.
Sigh about it.
Whoops, we mean ci[der] about it of course with Franklin County Cider Days this weekend, November 7-8. This annual events features an assortment of free workshops, talks and tastings as well as special ticketed tasting events such as the Cider and Cheese Pairing even Sunday, November 8 led by Provisions cheese mongers.
Dine in it.
Three western Massachusetts chefs join forces next Tuesday, November 10 for special guest chef tasting menu at The Alvah Stone in Montague. The menu features Chef Dino Giordano from 30Boltwood in Amherst and Peter Bunce from Bistro Les Gras in Northampton. Reservations required: 413-367-5345.
Dine in it (literally).
Dining in the Dark returns to the Delaney House, Friday, November 13. Revelers will be blindfolded and led to their seats for a surprising dinner that is sure to tease your senses. Reservations required: 413-532-1800.