As its name implies, Agawam’s Crestview Country Club (crestviewcc.com) has always boasted visual appeal. Perched on a panoramic seat overlooking the Pioneer Valley, the 400-acre estate has offered breathtaking views to its golfers and diners at its restaurant since it opened in 1921.
While new owner David Fleury certainly cites said vista as the property’s most valuable asset, he is also trying to round out the sensory experience since taking the reins in April of last year.
For the Club’s built-in clientele, Fleury says, he’s already tried a couple of lighter fare dinner concerts with the Neil Diamond Collection and a Beatles tribute, as well as some comedy nights that all met with unqualified success. This Saturday, Nov. 23, he’s looking to expand the scope of the venture by luring the public in for an evening of American Led Zeppelin—with edibles.
“This will definitely be a test in that regard, but I really want people to know there is new ownership and a new energy around here,” he explains. “It isn’t stuffy, stodgy or restricted, but rather a place to be enjoyed by all.”
A lifelong fan of the original wielders of the Hammer of the Gods, Fleury says it has been a dream of his to put something like this together for years. With the busy summer season over, he even began scouting for Zeplicas the region over before realizing that the connection to the sonic sugarplums that had been dancing in his head was planted right under his nose.
“We’ve had Livio Gravini performing here solo every couple of weeks at the bar, and when I was telling him about it, he said, ‘Man, I have a Led Zep band ready to go!’” he recalls. “I had actually been speaking with another band, but when I went to American Led Zep’s rehearsal, I had to call them and say, I’m all set, I found my Zeppelin right here.”
Prior to the performance, Nov. 23 attendees will be treated to a Zep-friendly buffet that includes Tangerine Salad, Down By The Seaside Fish and Chips, Moby Dick Drumsticks and, of course, a nice piece of Custard Pie, to name a choice few.
“I had to admit, I had a lot of fun with that,” Fleury laughs. “But we have this great chef here in-house and the possibilities were just endless—so why not do it right, right?”
Tix are $45 per person plus tax, and include buffet and performance. Dinner runs 5:30 to 7 p.m.; the band kicks off at 8 p.m.
In other news, George Thorogood famously howled “Who Do You Love?” in the late ’70s. Now Connecticut native/Grammy-winning artist John Mayer has shortened the oft-asked query to “Who You Love,” the latest single off his recently released sixth studio effort, Paradise Valley. And as a means of promoting it, he is asking fans to upload images of the people they love to Instagram with the hashtag #BKLovesMayer. The contest runs through Nov. 26, and if he likes yours best, you’ll be attending his Dec. 17 engagement at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.For more info, kindly point your browser at billboard.com/bklovesmayer.
Last up, speaking of Brooklyn, some of the borough’s favorite sons and daughters—Rubblebucket—come to Noho’s Pearl Street (iheg.com) this Saturday, Nov. 23.
According to band publicist Scott Pollack, the seven-piece electro-popsters will arrive armed with both a new EP (Save Charlie, released Oct. 1) and a back story that is equal parts inspirational and bold.
“Kalmia [Traver, lead singer] was diagnosed and battled ovarian cancer this year,” he explains. “The EP was written and recorded throughout the process, and the band hit the road only a mere week after her last chemo session.”•
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. Box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 394-4262 or email garycarra@aol.com.
