NORTHFIELD — The Trinitarian Congregational Church was decked out in the theme of love Saturday.
A giant stuffed bear, red and pink roses, a garland of hearts, heart-shaped cut-outs and even a tree decorated with hearts indicated that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, as did the sea of community members dressed in red and pink outfits who had gathered for the annual Love and Chocolate concert.
The concert got its start three years ago, when the Rev. Julie Olmsted had just arrived as the church’s new pastor. The members of her congregation quickly learned Olmsted, along with her husband Jeff and daughter Grace, all had impressive musical talent that the congregation hoped to share with the community through a concert.
“It seemed like a natural fit,” said church member and Warwick resident Martha Morse. “This is a very musical family … So now it’s our Valentine’s tradition.”
All songs were in the theme of love, with everything from “Build Me Up Buttercup” by The Foundations, to “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” by Meghan Trainor and John Legend. The concert featured performances by the Olmsted family, Patter Field and Ted Thornton of Northfield, and the nine-member a cappella group On That Note, as well as community sing-a-longs. About 70 people attended the sweet and soulful celebration.
“This one was by far the best,” said Randy Foster, who has attended the church for over four decades, and said there has been an increase in attendance at the celebration. “Our minister is so enthusiastic.”
Olmsted introduced each of the musical performers and, like Foster said, did so with enthusiasm, becoming a singer and dancer herself later in the program.
“Love and chocolate, they just go together,” Olmsted said. “I love love songs, and I love pure love songs.”
The first performers to croon to the crowd were Field and Thornton, of Northfield. They warmed up the onlookers with a guitar, a ukulele and a collection of songs about eternal love.
On That Note, of Northampton, gave the crowd a selection of a cappella covers, from the Beatles’ “In My Life,” to the Foundations’ “Build Me Up Buttercup.”
“These performers are so filled with love and light you might need to put your shades on,” said Olmsted, whose husband performed in the group.
Performances by Olmsted and her daughter, Grace, rounded out the night, with the crowd singing along at times, and granting the family thunderous applause after their songs.
The younger Olmsted and her father, still on the piano, also teased a couple of songs from Jeff Olmsted’s upcoming production of Molière’s “Tartuffe,” which will run from April 12 to April 21 at the Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center in Greenfield.
“I’m a big, big fan,” Julie Olmsted said of her husband.
In good spirits, the entire room boomed “I just called to say I love you,” before heading to the back of the church for brownies, cookies, hot cocoa, and a smorgasbord of sweets that put the “chocolate” in Love and Chocolate.
“I think it brings a sense of community as much as anything,” said Northfield resident and church member Patricia Shearer. “It’s just fun to do something different.”
“It’s another way to bring people into the church and enjoy each other’s company,” Morse added. “Churches are often the communal life of a town.”