WOW encourages city to wake up and do something

Date: 2/10/2010

Feb. 10, 2010.

By Katelyn Gendron

Reminder Assistant Editor



WESTFIELD -- Wake up, Westfield! It's time to get up, get out and do something!

Westfield on Weekends (WOW) has planned weeks of events for this year's WinterGreen Days that are sure to yank those in the Valley out of the winter's melancholy atmosphere.

WinterGreen Days 2010 will kick off on Saturday with a performance by Brass Attack during the Downtown Music Hall Concert Series at School Street Bistro. Other events include a new series titled "From Westfield on Weekends" as well as a motivational speaker and the annual Restaurant/Pub Tour.

Josephine Sarnelli, chair of WinterGreen Days, said WOW members focused on "embellishing" last year's biggest successes such as the Music Hall Series and tour, in addition to experimenting with new events.

"Based on the sellout concert of Seven Nations last March, we have gotten another Celtic rock band for this year," she explained.

"And if you like Seven Nations, you will love Prydein with its bagpipes [in March]," Kevin Mulligan, co-chair of WinterGreen Days, added.

The concert series will include performances by Brass Attack on Feb. 13, followed by Prudein on March 27 and then fiddler Kelli Trottier on April 24. Cost for individual events are between $10 and $15; $35 for all three in advance; or $55 for all three concerts at the door.

Sarnelli said WOW has increased its efforts to make WinterGreen Days events affordable for all.

The calendar continues with a motivational speech titled "Keeping Up in a Down Economy" by Rob Peck on April 7 at the Westfield Athenaeum.

"He will offer comic relief after a long, cold winter and act as a stress reliever as the end of tax season nears," Sarnelli said. She added Peck incorporates humor with motivation to get audiences excited about a new approach to looking at life.

Sarnelli explained the WinterGreen Days committee has chosen to offer a new event, "From Westfield on Weekends," which will take residents from the city to a cultural event. This year's trip will be to Hartford Stage Company's production of "Tom Sawyer" as well as a visit to Mark Twain's House in Connecticut.

WinterGreen Days final event will take place on May 8 with its annual Restaurant/Pub Tour, which features discounted offerings from many of downtown's restaurants.

For more information about the full calendar of WinterGreen Days events or for ticket prices, visit www.westfieldonweekends.org.