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| By Erin O'Connor Staff Writer WEST SPRINGFIELD On May 8, members of the West Springfield Rotary club and Taste Committee assembled to discuss changes to this year's Taste. The first area of discussion was changing the name from "West Side's Taste on the Common" to "West Side's Taste of the Valley." "This decision was made to upgrade the Taste this year because the 'Tastes' have been canceled in so many other towns," Shera Cohen, a member of the Committee said. The Tastes have been dropped over the last few years in many cities including Northampton, Springfield and Holyoke for reasons concerning money and attendance. The Westside Taste, however, is still going strong with its seventh annual festival set to begin June 8. "We are going to have the 'Taste's Battle of the Bands' for the first time this year," Cohen said. This segment of the Taste is scheduled on June 10 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It will feature 15 local bands with the members not exceeding 21 years of age battling for first, second and third cash prizes. There are two national performers that will be at the Taste this year Young Neal and the Vipers and Roomful of Blues. Young Neil and the Vipers has a roadhouse rock and blues sound. They won "Best Music" polls for blues, R&B act in the 2003 Providence Pheonix best music poll. The lead singer, Neal Virtullo has shared the stage with music legends such as John Lee Hooker. They are set to perform at the Taste on June 10. Roomful of Blues is famous for their Grammy nominated song, "That's Right" (2003). They will be performing on June 11. New food will be coming to the Taste. Restaurants to include Cracker Barrel, famous for their Southern style comfort food; Take 5 of Feeding Hills, which offers an Italian and American cuisine; and the Munich Haus of Chicopee which features German-Polish cuisine. "Something we're trying new this year is that each day will feature a different theme," Cohen said. Thursday is "Country Da"y featuring entertainment such as the Ronald McDonald Show from 4:30 to 5:00 p.m. and Cottonwood from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday is "Oldies Da" with Union Jack from 4:30 - 7 p.m. and A Ray of Elvis from 9 - 11 p.m. Saturday is "Rockin' Saturday" with the battle of the bands and Young Neal and the Vipers. Sunday is "Blues Day" with Roomful of Blues and a performance by New England Dance & Gymnastics. The Taste of the Valley has attracted over 40,000 people each year according to its website www.westsidetaste.com. "It is located on the town green which keeps it at a cool temperature. The green is pretty and safe," Cohen added. The Committee has been planning the seventh anniversary of the Taste for six months now in monthly meetings that have increased as it gets closer to the event. Any profits made from the Taste go directly in benefitting non-profits of West Springfield to include Little League teams, restorations on churches, cancer society events and health and recreation events for the City. |