A Note From Christine:

Hello!! Two things I didn't expect to be writing about this week: a $93 million makeover coming to downtown Springfield, and Nashville hot chicken finally crossing the state line. Grab a coffee and let's get into it.

Located in East Longmeadow. Trusted tax, accounting, and business consulting services for individuals and businesses throughout Western MA.

This caught my attention because it’s a pretty big investment in downtown Springfield.

The MassMutual Center is getting $93 million in improvements over the next five years, including upgrades to seating, concessions, lighting, accessibility and other parts of the arena and convention center experience. The goal is to bring more concerts, shows and events to Springfield and make the venue more competitive with arenas in Hartford, Worcester and Providence.

I’m curious to see what this place looks like when it’s finished!

Okay, this one got my attention. If you’ve ever made the drive into Connecticut for Haven Hot Chicken, you may soon have a much shorter trip. A Longmeadow couple, Nate and Whitney Tupper, are bringing three Haven locations to Springfield, West Springfield and Chicopee. They were customers first and loved the concept enough to bring it home! They already know the restaurant business from operating Jersey Mike’s in Longmeadow.

Hot chicken, three Western Mass locations, and a local couple behind it? The first Western Mass location is expected later this year, and I’ll definitely be watching for that opening date!

Saturday, Sept. 26 | 11 AM–5 PM | Abandoned Building Brewery, Easthampton

Bashista Orchards has been part of Southampton since 1926, with four generations of family history behind it. And here’s the wild part: in 1964, Senator Ted Kennedy’s plane crash-landed in the Bashista orchard just a few miles from the runway. The orchard has seen a lot in 100 years.

This weekend, they’re celebrating the milestone with cider, beer, food and live music from The Hellcats.

I love an event that gives you a reason to slow down, and this one is built for it. ARToberFEST turns the Downtown Westfield Cultural District into an open-air gallery for the day. Fine artists and artisans set up alongside authors signing books, musicians playing, street performers doing their thing, and food trucks parked where you'll inevitably end up.

It spreads across Elm Street Plaza, the Church Street pedestrian walkway and the area around the Westfield Athenaeum, so the whole downtown becomes the venue rather than one roped-off corner of it.

The best way to do this one is with no plan at all. Park once, get a coffee, and just drift. You'll find the good stuff by accident, which is sort of the point. And if Saturday turns ugly, don't write it off: the rain date is Saturday, Oct. 3, same hours.

Friday, Sept. 25 | 4pm–midnight | Downtown Northampton | FREE

This sounds like such a fun night. The Jazz Strut turns downtown Northampton into one big choose-your-own-adventure. Ten-plus bands playing breweries, bars and restaurants across downtown — walk from Progression to Eastside Grill and never pay a cover. The night finishes with a jam session at Toasted Owl from 10 PM to midnight.

What I love about this is that there’s no strict schedule to follow. Grab dinner, stop somewhere for a drink, hear a set, wander to the next place and keep the night going at your own pace. This feels like one of those nights where downtown itself becomes the event!

Southern Rain
Friday, Sept. 25 | 7–10 PM
The Boathouse at Brunelle’s Marina, South Hadley

Palmieri, Sasser & Carubba
Saturday, Sept. 26 | 8–11 PM
Bright Ideas Brewing, Westfield

All Time Low
Sunday, Sept. 27 | 7:30 PM
The Big E Arena, West Springfield

Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26 and 27 | 10 AM to 5 PM | Pittsfield

This is the kind of fall day trip that feels like you’ve stepped into another time.

Hancock Shaker Village is a living-history museum with 20 historic Shaker buildings, a working farm and gardens, heritage-breed animals, and one of the most recognizable pieces of Shaker architecture anywhere, the 1826 Round Stone Barn, which celebrates its 200th anniversary this year. The property once belonged to a thriving Shaker community that grew to more than 300 members and 3,000 acres. Today, it preserves that story across 750 acres in the Berkshires.

This weekend makes it even more fun. The 28th Annual Country Fair adds live music, artisan vendors, antique tractors, a quilt show, farm animals, craft beer, demonstrations and a farmers market. Saturday brings an antique car show, while Sunday includes a back-porch concert with The Housie Shakers.

Come for the fair, but give yourself time to wander the Village too. This is one of those places where the setting is every bit as interesting as the event.

There’s a big difference between getting a group together and actually giving everyone an experience to share. Paint Social Art brings the entire painting experience to private parties, fundraisers, corporate events and group celebrations. Everything is supplied, everyone is guided step-by-step, and beginners are welcome. You bring the people. We’ll bring the party.

This is my kind of date night place because you can keep going back and have a completely different night each time.

Great Awakening Brewing Company is tucked inside the historic Mill at Crane Pond in Westfield, with a huge taproom, craft food, rotating beers and views of the Little River dam. Their calendar regularly mixes in live music, trivia, workshops, game nights and other events.

Friday, September 25th - 6pm-9pm - this happens to be one of their most fun nights: Stompin’ Boots line dancing. Beginners start at 6 PM, followed by more lessons and open dancing. It’s exactly the kind of night that gives you something to do together besides sit across a dinner table!!

This is what’s hiding at the end of a Wilbraham cul-de-sac

This one required a little snooping. Sitting on more than four acres is a 7,230-square-foot custom home with six bedrooms, an in-ground heated pool, four-car garage and one of those dramatic staircases that immediately tells you this is not an ordinary house.

There are 20-foot ceilings in the great room, extensive millwork, a mahogany study and enough space to make entertaining here feel like its own event.

Go ahead. Look through the photos.

Western Mass Insider reaches engaged readers who love connecting with and discovering local businesses, events, experiences, and things to do throughout the region.

If your business feels like a natural fit for our readers, I’d love to find a way to work together.

Until next time … keep exploring Western Mass

Curated with care by Christine Carbonaro-Freda westernmassinsider.com