PULSE MAGAZINE APRIL 2023

Paul Giorgio, Publisher pgiorgio@pagioinc.com

David Simone, Vice President, Sales dsimone@pagioinc.com

Jenny Pacillo, Editor jpacillo@pagioinc.com

Kevin La, Art Director kla@pagioinc.com

Nick Sposato, Executive Events Coordinator nsposato@pagioinc.com

PULSE

Bernie Whitemore, Travis Duda, Jason Savio, Shaun Connolly, Giuliano D’Orazio, Taylor Nunez-Murray, Shannon Jutras, April Goddard, LuAnn Thibodeau, Irena Kaçi, Vincent Pacifico, Nick Sposato, and Jenny Pacillo.Writers

ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOO…

IRENA KACI

Every once in a while you hear a story that’s so quintessentially Worcester, and so deeply embedded in the city’s tapestry that it’s impossible not to tell it. This is the story of two Worcester juggernauts, how they met, how they fell in love, and how their particular blend of talents and passion are helping put Worcester on the map. I am talking about the Dwyers, a mom and pop team now operating out of Paxton, a neighboring town but still every bit the Worcesterites they were born.

Tommy Dwyer and Kerry Dwyer grew up going through the Worcester school system, both public and Catholic. When I ask Kerry how they first met, she laughs and explains the story is entirely ‘unromantic.’ “We’ve known each other basically all of our lives. We met in middle or high school, and so we’ve always been around each other and known of one another. We knew each other through college too, and then after college we would still hang out with mutual friends a lot. One time we all went to The Blarney Stone, and it’s just where things began. At the Blarney Stone. Isn’t that the most Worcester thing you’ve ever heard?”

I agree that it’s certainly up there. Now, ten years of marriage later, the Dwyers have two children Maggie & Maeve ages 5, and 4, both of whom honor their Irish Catholic roots by taking dance lessons at the McInerney School of Irish Dance. And if the tableau isn’t darling enough for you yet, the girls also practice professional wrestling moves in their free time. Kerry shares the story with me: “Tommy and I are downstairs, and we hear a loud crash upstairs. So we quickly ran up stairs and Maggie was crying because she was trying to do a body slam on Maeve and it didn’t work. It made Tommy so proud. He loves sharing his interests with them and he loves professional wrestling.”

But that’s not all he loves. Tommy is a well-established local comedian. In fact he’s been doing standup for nearly a decade now and is currently wrapping up his Worcester based sitcom called “Hollywoo”, ”a moniker that combines Hollywood with the affectionate nickname ‘The Woo”. Still in post-production, Hollywoo is going to do the festival tour, and hopefully will soon find its way to a streaming service near you. But even if no streaming service

comes through, Tommy is determined to make his Worcester themed, Worcester set show available to the world.

“It’s been so much fun filming scenes all over places in Worcester that are such amazing locations; places that I grew up going to with my family and now I get to shoot scenes there. It’s so cool.” One of the show’s scenes takes place in “Coney Island Hot Dogs” on Southbridge Street. “That is one of my favorite moments in the show but I won’t give out any spoilers. No big deal, I just got to go behind the counter at Coney Island Hot Dogs.”

Tommy, not unlike Coney Island, is a bit of a Worcester institution himself. “I’ve lived here my whole life. I know this city inside and out.” Tommy began his love affair with comedy just after college. Initially he was a communications major at Worcester State, though he playfully admits he was mostly in it for the football team. Post college, and while working at the DCU Center, Dwyer repeatedly talked of wanting to do comedy. Finally, a co-worker and friend, one Robert Williams, sort of forced Tommy’s hand. Williams happened to be good friends with the owners of Steel & Wire, then Vincent’s, as well as Lucky Dog’s. “One day he just told me, you talk so much about this you don’t shut up, guess what. I got you a show. Now you have to do it.”

When I asked Tommy how that went, he answers me in what’s almost an haiku, “I opened for a blues guitarist. It was awful but I enjoyed it. It was 2007.” After that, it was harder to let go of the dream of someday becoming a comedian. Once he had a taste, there was no letting go of that ambition. “I started doing open mics and doing little showcases to show people what I could do. I met Frank Foley, who is currently a DJ for XLO radio) who was then the original stand up here in Worcester. He ran a bunch of comedy rooms. He did the Comedy Safari, and a few others. He sat me down and said here’s what you gotta do, here are the people you gotta talk to. Through Frank I met Orlando Baxter, who is my best friend and my partner for the show. He’s a great comedian too; he’s currently on tour, and in the past has toured with well established comedians like Jo Koy and Whitney Cummings.”

The premise of the show is simple, “Entourage”, but set in Worcester. In it the protagonist (played by Dwyer) is a famous actor who has a pretty severe fall from grace, and only has one place he can return, his hometown and all of his past familiars and their foibles. The protagonist is then forced to rely on his old high school friends to try to stage a comeback. The hijinks could practically write themselves, but they don’t have to. Tommy’s spouse Kerry beams with pride when she describes having been a fly in the wall for this process. “I have for ten years watched Tommy and Orlando work on this thing and edit the jokes and rewrite the scenes at my kitchen table. I am so excited for it. Having watched it grow from what it was into what it’s

become, it’s been really special. I even have a small part in it.”

Lest you think lightning only strikes once, think again. Not only is Tommy Dwyer a gifted jack-of-all trades, but his spouse, Kerry Dwyer is also a woman of many talents. If you live in Central MA, you might know her as Char-CUTE-rie Woo. Kerry Dwyer works as an ICU nurse by day, but her spare time is spent on more indulgent pursuits. When Kerry’s unit became the Covid ICU in 2020, selfcare became a priority in their household. “We used to watch the Bachelor on Monday nights, and Kerry would make a charcuterie board for us every Monday. Of course I told the guys it was Monday night football, but really I looked forward to it as much as she did.”

The boards only got more elaborate and impressive. “It was such a creative expression for me, “ says Kerry “ my work was incredibly stressful. We were THE Covid ICU for Worcester, and there was this virus that we were constantly in fear of, and I was an essential worker with small children. I really needed to tap into my own creative side to survive that.” Once Kerry posted some of her boards on Instagram, the feedback was decidedly enthusiastic. “I started taking orders for the boards and then one day Agronomy Wines asked me if I would be willing to teach workshops. I said no, of course, I had enough on my plate and that’s just not my scene. I am not extraverted and was terrified of public speaking.

“When I told Tommy he said, what? Call them back and tell them you’ll do it. Tommy’s so extraverted that his outlet was completely gone. He encouraged me to expand into workshops by offering to handle the running of the workshops. He said, I don’t know anything about charcuterie but you just tell me what to do, and I’ll do all the work.” True to his word, Tommy is the face of the workshops. “I’m just behind the scenes, I set things up, do the demos, but Tommy provides the patter and makes them laugh. I think he uses it to firm up some of his comedy routines.”

CharCUTErie Woo now runs workshops all over central Massachusetts, including Seven Saws Brewing, Broken Creek and Agronomy Wines. “I get up early in the morning and go to work in my little kitchen at the Food Hub. I’m usually there as early as anybody so I run into D’Oh Girl a lot. I’ve scaled back on my nursing hours and work mostly per diem right now, so I can focus on CharCUTErie Woo. It’s what works for us as a family. The girls are used to having us around a lot. Tommy works from home, and now that I have the chance to set my own schedule with the workshops, I’ve got the flexibility that we need for this stage of life.”

While there is no question that so much creative labor is incredibly hard work, talking to Tommy and Kerry it seems refreshingly simple, just two local people doing what they love. And, considering that CharCUTErie Woo emerged out of a pandemic date night ritual, I’d say their love story is actually plenty romantic.

AMERICAN HERITAGE MUSEUM

JENNY PACILLO

The American Heritage Museum in Hudson is a sprawling, interactive experience that allows visitors to experience military conflicts from the Revolutionary War to modern day. I spoke with Hunter Chaney, the Director of Marketing and Communications, about the museum’s mission, exhibits and upcoming events. “The goal of the foundation is that we want to provide a history experience not only as a means to better understand history, but we want to excite people to want to learn more about history, and we do a lot of this through immersive experiences,” Chaney begins.

Visitors to the American Heritage Museum begin at the Revolutionary War and continue chronologically through history with the Civil War, both World Wars, the Korean War, Vietnam, the Gulf Wars and the War on Terror. Chaney pointed out the trench warfare portion of the WWI exhibit. “People go out of the theater and into this immersive World War One trench experience.

So you're in this trench, you know, and it's a kind of an eight minute presentation that plays out what a battle in WWI in a trench would be like. It’s a really compelling, very engaging exhibit.”

“A lot of the exhibits are panoramic exhibits with these environmental backdrops and environmental embellishments to all the exhibits and all of these tanks and equipment things like that, they're all original,” Chaney explains, “So what people are seeing is an exact representation of what you would have seen during that particular era or time in history.” The exhibit that stood out the most to me was the newly opened Hanoi Hilton from the Vietnam War. Visitors can explore two cells from this infamous POW prison that have been reconstructed from the actual bricks, doors, and beds that were shipped from Vietnam as the prison was being demolished.

The American Heritage Museum also hosts events from May through October, beginning with their WWII Tank Demonstration Weekend on May 27th and 28th. The museum hosts “Tanks, Wing & Wheels Featuring American Elegance” in June over Father’s Day weekend. “It's a grandiose classic automobile beauty pageant with a 1920s radio show,” Chaney explains, “We have Al Capone's automobile and some other rare cars and

we do this kind of fun, you know, exhibition of these cars while talking about their history and where they came from. But we also inject historical notes, pop culture, things like that, to give people a reference of the time that the car was made.

“Even for folks that aren't really into military history or history in general, it's always fun when people come visit because you never think that this place is where it is. It's such a jaw dropper when you look at the collection as a whole. You just can't believe that all this stuff is here in New England. It's really extraordinary,” Chaney says, adding, “It's been a lot of fun reaching new audiences and people that haven't visited yet and and we're continuing to expand and improve. We'll keep adding events and things like that. So there's always something neat happening at the museum.”

The American History Museum, located at 568 Main Street in Hudson, is open Wednesday through Sunday. Check out their exhibits, upcoming events and get more information at americanheritagemuseum.org

ARTS & CULTURE LISTINGS

American Heritage Museum

(978) 562-9182

568 Main St., Hudson

https://www.americanheritagemuseum.org/

Arts Worcester

(508) 755-5142

44 Portland St., Worcseter

https://artsworcester.org/

Boulder Art Gallery

(978) 354-7000

960 Main St., Fitchburg

http://theboulderartgallery.com/ Gallery open Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Brick Box Theater

(508) 413-5622

20B Franklin St., Worcester

April 1 & 2 - Experimental Staged Reading of the Crucible by Arthur Miller

April 8 - Ernie Floyd + Pride Productions present Unity in the Community: Unite Through Music

April 15 - Central Mass Jewish Theatre Company presents Survivors

April 21 & 22 - John Tobin presents Orlando Baxter

DCU Center

508-755-6800

50 Foster St., Worcester

April 1 - Jiu Jitsu World League Competition

April 8 - Brew Woo

April 14, 15 & 16 - Jurassic World Live Tour

April 15 - Boston Got Sole: New England’s Greatest Sneaker Convention

April 25 - The CannaFlower Show

April 29 - Big Gig starring Breaking Benjamin

Fitchburg Art Museum

(978) 345-4207

185 Elm St., Fitchburg

https://fitchburgartmuseum.org/ Free First Thursdays

Hanover Theatre

(877) 571-7469

2 Southbridge St., Worcester

https://thehanovertheatre.org/

APRIL 4 - Elvis Costello & the Imposters

APRIL 5 - The Stories of Hansel & Gretel and Peter & the Wolf

April 27 - Jesus Christ Superstar

JMAC Popup

(508) 561-0173

20B Franklin St., Worcester www.jmacworcester.org

Mechanics Hall

(508) 752-5608

321 Main St., Worcester

April 19 - Garden Design Workshop: Creating a Plan

April 22 - Aromatherapy Spring Wreath

April 23 - Forest Bathing

April 28 - Gelli Printing

April 29 - Making May Day Posies

April 29 & 30 - Baystate African Violet Society Exhibit & Sale

April 30 - Needle Felted Bookmarks

Old Sturbridge Village (800) 733-1830

1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge https://www.osv.org/

April 19 through 23 - Village Earth week

April 8 & 9 - Dog Days

April 15 & 16 - Patriots’ Day Weekend

April 22 - Garden Thyme: Earth Friendly Gardening Practices

Preservation Worcster (508) 754-8760

https://www.mechanicshall.org/

April 1 - Umass Memorial Health presents Hope & Healing Celebration

April 2 - Many Voices: Mechanics Hall Youth Singers Spring 2023 Concert

April 6 - Club 321 featuring Will Dailey

April 12 - Out of this World: A Space Themed Musical Experience

April 15 - College of the Holy Cross: Latin American Student Organization Noche Latina

April 16 - Massachusetts Instrumental Choral Conductors Association presents Gold Medal Showcase

April 18 - Richard Jones Tribute Concert

April 28 - Music Worcester presents The Worcester Chorus: Ellington Sacred Concert

New England Botanical Garden

(508) 869-6111

11 French St., Boylston https://www.nebg.org/

Tuesdays - Chair Yoga

Wednesdays - Qigong & Tai Chi Movement

Thursdays - Yoga in the Garden

Fridays - Chill Yoga Flow

April 1 - Square Foot Gardening

April 2 - Eco Art

April 5 - Garden Design Workshop

April 8 - Saturday Morning Yoga Flow

April 13 - Sogetsu Ikebana

April 15 - Neurographic Sketching

April 16 - Composition & Critique for Photographers

10 Cedar St., Worcester https://www.preservationworcester.org/

Samuel Slater Experience (508) 461-2955

31 Ray St., Webster

https://samuelslaterexperience.org/

Tuckerman Hall (508) 754-1234

10 Tuckerman St., Worcester

http://www.tuckermanhall.org/

The Village Worcester thevillageworcester@gmail.com

4 King St., Worcester

Worcester Art Museum (508) 799-4406

55 Salisbury St., Worcester https://www.worcesterart.org/ Free First Sundays

April 1 - Frontiers of Impressionism Opening

April 2, 16, 23 & 30 - Arms and Armor Program: Secrets of Swordplay

April 8 - Zip Tour: Turner, Whistler and Ruskin

April 16 - Spotlight Series: Bringing Arms and Armor to Life

April 22 - Zip Tour: Elizabeth Catlett’s “El Canto”

Worcester Center for Crafts (508) 753-8103

25 Sagamore Rd., Worcester

https://www.worcestercraftcenter.org/

Worcester Chamber Music Society (508) 926-8624

323 Main St, Worcester

https://worcesterchambermusic.org/

Worcester Historical Museum

(508) 753-8278

April 11 - RAIN: A Tribute to The Beatles

April 13 - The Moth Mainstage

April 23 - Neil Berg’s The 60’s Peace, Love and Rock N’ Roll

30 Elm St., Worcester https://www.worcesterhistory.org/

ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS

If you’d like to be included in future listings, please email JPacillo@ pagioinc.com.

BirchTree Bread Company

744-243-6944

138 Green St., Worcester Birchtreebreadcompany.com

April 2 - Morning Son

April 5 - Sarah French

April 7 - Bus 14

April 9 - Big Jon Short

April 12 - B Lit

April 14 - The Moore Brothers Band

April 19 - Giuliano

April 21 - Arny Spielberg

April 26 - Screen Door

April 28 - Brendan Kelly & Cote

Shaw

April 30 - Tony Garcia

Black and White Grille

508-885-5018

206 North Spencer Rd., Spencer Blackandwhitegrille.com

Black Sheep Tavern

978-422-0255

261 Leominster Rd, Sterling Meetmeatthesheep.com

Blueprint New American Bar & Grille

978-668-5580

10 Village Sq., Westminster

Boland's Bar and Patio

508-459-2207

81 Water St, Worcester

Cafe Neo

774-253-6139

97 Millbury St., Worcester Nightly Karaoke

Chuck’s Steakhouse

508-832-2553

10 Prospect Street, Auburn

10 Prospect St, Auburn

April 1 & 6 - Mark Manzella

April 7 - Tequila Bonfire

April 13 - Jason Beaulieu

April 14 - Marshall Morris

April 20 - Kyle Quintadamo

April 21 - Drunkin Uncles

April 22 - Fender Road

April 27 - Old Tom

April 28 - Gerrits & Ryder

April 29 - Miss Maxfield

Classic’s Pub

978-227-5258

285 Central St., Leominster

Chashu Ramen + Izakaya

508-304-7183

38 Franklin St., Worcester

Draught House Bar & Grill

508-835-4722

42 West Boylston St., West Boylston

Electric Haze

26 Millbury St., Worcester

April 2 - Baked Shrimp, Zigmont

April 6, 20 & 27 - Maladies Drag

Karaoke with Mal E. Fishn’t

April 7 - April Art showcase with Eamon Gillen and music from James Keys

Fidder’s Green Pub

508-792-3700

19 Temple St., Worcester

April 9 & 23 - Traditional Irish

Seisiun

April 28 - Viva Las Elvis

Firefly’s BBQ

508-357-8883

350 E. Main St., Marlborough

Dante’s at Firefly BBQ: Indoors

April 1 - Ghost Train

April 7 - Drive South

April 8 - Playing Dead

April 14 - Carolyn Rae & Rumors

April 15 - Way Up South

April 21 - Jared Hanrahan

April 22 - Rumour Hazit

April 28 - Riff Raff

April 29 - Synergy

Flying Rhino

508-757-1450

278 Shrewsbury St., Worcester

Gardner Ale House

978- 669-0122

74 Parker St., Gardner

Greater Good Imperial Brewing

508-926-8736

55 Millbrook St., Worcester

Greendale’s Pub

508-853-1350

404 W Boylston St. North, Worcestr

April 7 - Six on Six

April 8 - The Deloreans

April 13 - Tequila Bonfire

April 14 - Heartland Radio

April 15 - Synergy

April 21 - Whiskey Night

April 22 - She’s Busy

April 29 - Studio 54

Husky’s Pub

508-425-9614

413 Park Ave., Worcester

Mondays - Movie Night

Wednesdays - Acoustic Open Mic

Thursdays - Karaoke

April 14 - Sunset Electric

April 15 - Office Party

April 21 - College Night

April 22 - Futon Lasagna

April 28 - Powerhouse Wrestling

Meet and Greet

April 29 - Machine Gun Mayhem

Indian Ranch

508-943-3871

200 Gore Rd., Webster

Indianranch.com

April 5 - Succulent Planter Pain & Sip

April 21 - Comedy Night with Tony V & Guests

April 29 - Music with Aquanett

Legends Bar and Grille

978- 342-6500

68 Airport Rd, Fitchburg

MB Lounge

508-799-4521

40 Grafton St., Worcester

April 8 - The Lizards: Phish Tribute

Band

April 13 - Mystik Fool, Dirtwire

April 14 - Evanoff, Pi Wrecks, Canopy

April 15 - The Mallett Brothers Band, Will Overman

April 16 - The Polish Ambassador

April 21 - Eastman’s Hail Mary underground Hiphop Showcas

April 23 - Lobsters from Marz, Fiesta

Melon

April 23 & 29 - Battle Roy-Mal: An open state, Rouletteapalooza Lip

Sync Battle

April 25 - Sensi Sessions Cannabis Industry Networking + Live Music ft the Sensi Allstars

Elm Draught House

508-865-2850

35 Elm St., Millbury

Sundays - Night Jam

Wednesdays - Wacky Blues Jam

Halligan’s

508-832-6739

889 Southbridge St., Auburn

April 1 - Yellow Brick Road

Wednesdays - Karaoke

Thursdays - Trivia

Friday & Saturdays - Dance Party

Sundays - Game Night

April 22 - Purple Rain Party

April 23 - Drag Bingo

MCL Club

508-797-0141

181 Lake Ave., Worcester

Worcestermcl.org

Thursdays - Karaoke

April 1 - No Alibi

April 8 - The Whirled

April 15 - Rear View Mirror

April 16 - Billy & the Jets

April 22 - Backyard Swagger

April 23 - Chip Zale & Steve

Hahn Acoustic from Whiskey Church

April 29 - Right Angle Woman

Michael’s Cigar Bar

508-459-9035

1 Exchange St, Worcester

Movie Mondays

Sunday - Video Game Night

April 1 - On the Loose

April 5 & 19 - Mechanical Rat

April 7 - Jim Devlin

April 8 - Diplomats of Funk

April 12 & 26 - Frank Food

April 14 - T.M.I.

April 15 - Hoodoo Revelator

April 21 - Booty and the Jett

April 22 - Melendez Mac Duo

April 28 - On the Rocks

April 29 - Los Sugar Kings

Mint Kitchen + Bar

508-459-1532

79 Maywood St., Worcester

Fridays - Karaoke Night

Off the Rails

508-304-6411

90 Commercial St., Worcester

Music Venue

April 1 - Austin Meade with Dillan

Dostal and Ryan Pinnette

April 7 - Comedy Night with Brieana Woodward, Al Christakis and Jack Hall

April 8 - Whiskey 6 with Houston

Bernard

April 15 - David Ramirez and Anna

Rose

April 20 - Free Line Dancing: 90’s

Throwback

April 21 - Through the Doors

April 22 - Raelyn Nelson & Annie

Brobst

April 23 - Blues Brunch with Mi-

chelle ‘Evil Gal’ Willson

April 28 - Grain Thief with Tim Gearan, Mike Castellana, Jeremy

Moses Curtis and Duncan Arsenault

April 29 - Big Gig Afterparty featuring Sugar

Restaurant Stage

April 1 - Jared Fiske

April 2 & 23 - Darren Bessette

April 7 - Jesse Desorcy

April 8 & 21 - Sean Fullerton

April 13 - Jared Reinert

April 14 & 29 - Kylie Harris

April 15 - Anthony Bisceglia

April 16 & 22 - David Rak

April 20 - Bob Moon

April 27 & 28 - Liam Pendergrass

Partner’s Pub

978-345-5051

970 South St., Fitchburg

Patsie Ducass

508 755-4155

49 Millbury St, Worcester Nightly Entertainment

Peppercorn’s Grille & Tavern

508-752-7711

455 Park Ave., Worcester

Purgatory Beer Co.

508-596-2194

670 Linwood Ave. Building C, Whitinsville

Ralph’s Diner

508-753-9543

148 Grove St., Worcester

Monday - The Dirty Gerund

Poetry Open Mic

Wednesday - Karaoke with Dj Matt R!

Rascal’s

508-459-0862

70 James St., Worcester Rascalsworcester.com

April 1 - LoVeSeXy: Tribute to the Music of Prince

April 2 - Morgan Myles

April 7 - John Robinson Line Dance

Night

April 8 - Aquanett

April 15 - Rubix Kube

April 22 - Ozzmosis: Ozzy Antholo-

gy World Class Tribute Show

April 29 - Whiskey Church

Reunion Tap & Table 774-293-5501

198 Worcester St., North Grafton

Mondays - Musical Bingo

Wednesdays - Trivia with Nate

Briggs

River Styx

978-696-5176

166 Boulder Dr., Fitchburg

Thursdays - World Tavern Poker/ Trivia

Southside Grille

978-632-1057

242 West Broadway, Gardner

Tuesdays - Slingo

Thursdays - Trivia with Kevin

Stakes Pub

508-755-2955

1281 Pleasant St., Worcester

Steel and Wire Cocktail Lounge

508-373-2225

124 Millbury St., Worcester

Tuesdays - Trivia with Lexi Loo

Wednesday Night Mix Tape

Thursdays - Karaoke with DJ Matt R

The Bull Run

978-425-4311

215 Great Road, Shirley

April 1 - The James Montgomery

April Fools Day Show

April 2 - Kofi Baker’s Cream Faith

April 6 - Rick Estrin & the Nightcats

April 8 - Rachael Kilgour

April 14 - Carolyn Wonderland

April 15 - An acoustic evening with Dwayne Haggins/Phriends of Phil: Tribute to Phil Lesh and Friends

April 20 - Blood Brothers: Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia

April 21 - Buskin & Batteau and friends; April Fools!

April 22 - Ray Bonneville, Sarah Borges & the Broken Singles

April 23 - Low Lily CD Release

April 27 - Selwyn Birchwood

April 28 - Richard Lloyd Group

April 29 - Invisible Sun: Police Tribute Band

The GazBar

978- 534-6600

1045 Central St, Leominster

The Mill at 185

774-261-8585

185 W Boylston St., West Boylston Live entertainment Thursday through Saturday

The Muse

508-796-5900

536 Main St., Worcester

The Palladium

508-797-9696

261 Main St., Worcester

April 1 - The Acacia Strain, Fit for an Autopsy and Full of Hell

April 3 - Kankan

April 6 - Strawberry Girls

Both Worlds

April 14 - Carcass

April 15 - Morbid Angel: 40 Year

Anniversary Tour

April 16 - August Burns Red: 20 Year

Anniversary Tour

April 21 - Origami Angel

April 22 - Whitechapel

April 28 - Emo Night Brooklyn, Chelsea Grin with Carnifex

April 29 - Benny the Butcher, Gimme Gimme Disco

Thirsty Robot

265 Summer St., Fitchburg

Thursdays - Trivia Night Rob Boss

Tryst Lounge

978-400-7906

320 Main St, Fitchburg

Vincent’s Worcester

508-752-9439

49 Suffolk St., Worcester

Wachusett Brew Yard

978-874-9965

175 State Rd. E, Westminster

April 1 - Frank Foot, Plead the 5th

April 2 - Booty and the Jett

April 6 - Quincy Lord

April 7 - Darren Bessette

April 8 - Fred Ellsworth, Best Not Broken

April 9 - Dan LeBlanc

April 14 - The Pub Kings

April 15 - Joppa Flatts, Dazed Till Dawn

April 16 - Brew Pub Yoga, Jared Moore

April 20 - Dustin Brideau

Worcester Brew Yard

152 Green St., Worcester

Thursdays - Dan O Bingo

April 1 - Lizzy Marquis, Mike Goulet

April 6 - Dan O Music Bingo

April 7 - Dan Decristofaro

April 8 - Jared Moore, A Good Time

Whiskey on Water

774-578-8829

97 Water St., Worcester

White Eagle

508-753-9612

116-120 Green St., Worcester

Whiteeagleworcester.com

Thursday & Friday - Dj Nights

Woo Bar & Grill

April 7 - Queensryche: The Digital Noise Alliance Tour

April 8 - Nothing More Spirits Tour

April 9 - Free Throw

April 13 - Best Night Ever: Best of

774-243-6130

358 Shrewsbury St., Worcester

PULSE SHOTS

Gardner Ale House - Gardner

Legends Bar & Grille - Fitchburg

Thirsty Robot Brewing Company - Fitchburg

River Styx Brewing - Fitchburg

PHOTOS BY NICK SPOSATO

feel the beat of North County

Partner’s Pub - Fitchburg

Classics Pub - Leominster

The Gazbar - Leominster

Wachusett Brewing Company - Westminster

at the same time.

BRIAN THOMAS ON THE BONE

Longtime Boston-based trombonist Brian Thomas has stepped out on his own for his first solo album On the Bone, a cool collection of six soulful jazz songs that move and groove with a helping of funk. It’s the type of music that really lives up to its name and offers a mix of comfort and energy

Joining Thomas is Darby Wolf on Hammond organ, Johnny Trama on guitar, Tom Arey on drums and Yahubu Garcia-Torres on percussion. L.A.-based saxophonist Scott Mayo contributes an excellent solo to the old school vibes of “Turn On,” and tenor saxophonist Mike Tucker wheels and deals on the extra funky title track, when he and Thomas play together, they make a dynamic duo. All the musicians are at the top of their game and there isn’t a weak link to be heard from beginning to end.

The songs of On the Bone often change tempo and switch up the groove, but one constant is the cool factor; you get the feeling that the musicians are having fun and enjoying themselves. “Just a Glimpse” is laid back and soulful like a Sunday stroll; “Check Your Intentions” is hypnotic and will relax you. The only thing here that some listeners might consider missing is vocals as On the Bone is an instrumental all the way through. But that is merely a point of preference, and with these songs the instruments do the singing so you don’t need any vocals on top of them. Vocals would just get in the way.

For more, visit: brianthomastrombone.com

JASON SAVIO

STEEL PANTHER ON THE PROWLS

If you want music that has over-thetop humor but can still kick butt, then you’ll love Steel Panther’s new album On the Prowl. The L.A.-based comedic band likens itself to a glam metal group from the 80s, all at once poking fun at the genre while paying homage to it. One listen to Steel Panther and you’ll get the joke, and you won’t want to stop listening.

A lot of On the Prowl’s songs deal with the typical drugs, sex, and rock ‘n’ roll you’d expect. A lot of the lyrics might make you wonder what their families think. “Teleporter” will crack you up as singer Ralph "Michael Starr" Saenz recounts a series of embarrassing incidents, and “All That and More” is so absurd you wonder how they got through recording it with a straight face. Their formula of using the verse to help set up the joke in the chorus works more often than not, and usually to hilarious results.

For all of the jokes On The Prowl has, the guys in Steel Panther can seriously tear it up on their instruments. “Friends with Benefits” checks all the boxes for an in-yourface 80s rock band with guitar finger-tapping and high-pitched screams; “Ain’t Dead Yet” covers the flipside of the coin with a well-crafted ballad.

While the sincerity in the songs contributes to the humor as it plays against the zany lyrics, there is also real heartfelt emotion on tracks like the aforementioned “Ain’t Dead Yet”--about aging--and “1987.” In the latter, Saenz laments the loss of a simpler time he once enjoyed and the bands of yesteryear. “And the music that we worshipped will live on/Even after all our heavy metal heroes are gone.” Steel Panther does this in their own weird way with On the Prowl.

For more, visit: steelpantherrocks.com

TAKE A SELFIE, “SAY CHEESE”

We’ve come a long way in the history of selfies, from classic mirror pics to selfie sticks; the selfie has certainly evolved. In the era of perfect Instagram photos capturing the perfect moment is everything.

Capture the Moments Selfie Room is owned by the couple Juan and Carmen Rodriguez. They have been together for 18 years, married for 12 years, with 4 beautiful children. Juan was raised in Great Brook Valley and they are successful business owners, owning a slew of cosmetology businesses including, Headliners Barbershop, Ladies of Headliners, Gossip Girl nail salon and more.

With already being in the business of giving people self confidence the selfie room is right on track for their type of business. Making people feel good, giving them a reason to smile, celebrating each other and more importantly Capture the Moment. The space can be used for birthday parties, creative planning for brands or just a day out with friends and family.

The official ribbon cutting was on Monday, February 6th and the couple had the pleasure of being visited by the Mayors of Auburn and Worcester amongst their many other special guests.

Most selfie rooms have been seen in Boston and other major cities, but Carmen had the idea to bring that joy closer to the residents in Worcester County. “It feels like it happened overnight,” says husband Juan, but in reality it took around three months to execute her vision.

There are five designated rooms and a seasonal area which is currently set up for the lovers of Valentine’s Day. There’s a graffiti room, Celtics room, a Barbie room and more to please visitors' creative senses. The paintings were done by William Santiago known on Instagram as @destroyinglife. Each room comes ready with a ring light for the best possible lighting and props in certain rooms to increase the realness of your picture.

The selfie room is located at 65 Southbridge St, Auburn,Ma. Admission is $20 per adult, $15 per child and free for children two and under. Carmen has plans to change the backdrops as the seasons change, keeping the selfie room fun and exciting.

Carmen’s next project is working on collecting prom dresses for 10 girls for prom season. Two girls will get a chance at winning a full glam for prom including the dress, hair, makeup and nails. This is an exciting project for the couple giving young girls the chance to be princesses for a night.

DINING REVIEW BLACK SHEEP BAH-BAH-Q & KITCHEN

397 CHANDLER ST, WORCESTER (774) 479-1010

BERNIE WHITMORE

Entering Black Sheep Bah-Bah-Q feels like a return to Worcester’s indie restaurant scene, a time when imaginative and entrepreneurial chefs brought new food experiences to a flavor-starved town. BSBBQ began life as a food truck that developed an enthusiastic following. Early this year the owners expanded into the shell of an already existing restaurant. It feels as if the entire dining room had been stripped right down to the bare walls. The new owners have furnished it with the most basic of tables, chairs, and decorative elements. This is a large, mostly empty room interrupted by one high-topped table. Our server explained that all that open space was being reserved for plans to host a live music venue. That seemed to fit with their soundtrack of arena rock anthems.

If their plans involve draft beer, classic BBQ and Memphis Blues – count me in! In the meantime, though, BSBBQ offers bottled beers, barbequed meats, a range of appetizers and American comfort foods. A scan of the menu noted an extraordinary range of gluten free items.

Both my friend and I had a craving for ribs; the only real menu decisions we needed to make were appetizer, combo components and sides. While I was plotting my 3 Ribs and Meat choice, my friend suggested the Smoked Pork Belly appetizer. I eagerly agreed, after all, pork belly is one of those items that challenge chefs to showcase their culinary imagination.

We ordered, and I cracked open my bottle of Breckenridge Vanilla Porter, a smoky chocolaty brew that pairs with BBQ. Those plans soon

changed, though, when our server returned with news that the kitchen was out of ribs. That seemed implausible to us until she explained that bad weather had delayed their meat delivery. Hopes dashed, we made alternative selections.

Our Smoked Pork Belly appetizer was four strips of thick bacon brushed with a sheen of sweet syrup and garnished with three mournful salad leaves. “Looks like bacon. Tastes like bacon. Show me that menu!” I demanded. No deception here; it read: “thick cut slab bacon drizzled with hot honey over a bed of mixed greens.” If three little wilted leaves qualify as a bed of greens, I admitted I was wrong to have been surprised. But really, the striking culinary innovation here was in discovering a way to charge close to four bucks per strip of bacon.

My friend’s entrée alternative was the ‘BahBah-Q’ Brisket Plate. The dry rubbed, smoked brisket was served as one humongous slab o’ beef with a cup of smoky-sweet sauce and a tall cube of cornbread. He raved, “Moist, juicy, delicious!” I could see the deep pink smoke ring penetrating the top of the brisket and the marbling of fat. He was ecstatic!

My favorite BBQ flavor is the crusty surface, where the fatty meat fuses with the dry rub and intensifies flavors. BSBBQ’s didn’t look especially barky, so I sliced a chunk off the fatty end of his brisket, only to find it soft as butter and marginally tastier. His side of Roasted Street Style Corn was niblets trimmed off the cob and served refrigerator-cold; a cup of chunky kernels flavored with mild spices.

My entrée, Chicken & Waffles, is a dish that has become a guilty indulgence; fried + carbs + gloppy curtains of spicy syrup. BSBBQ billed theirs as, fluffy gluten free Belgian waffles, twin fried chicken breast, hot honey, and apple slaw. I was pumped! First, let’s just forget about the sorry waffle. It strived to be Belgian, but this GF formulation must have removed its fluffy soul and the weight of the chicken had smooshed down all but its edges. Instead, I’ll focus on the chicken; two extra-large breasts coated with a batter that packed a resounding crunch when deep-fried to such a rich golden brown. That also sealed in the juices and honest chicken flavor. They were so large I took one breast home for another delicious meal later in the week.

The anticipated slathering of syrup was more like a lick and a promise that barely touched the plate. The coleslaw had razor-thin slices of tart apple and was heaped on top of the chicken. Don’t even ask me what I think of creamy toppings on my fried food (hint: sacrilege).

This was a dining experience I found conflicting. I had high expectations and feel sympathy for the many challenges indie restaurant owners are faced with. On the other hand, it was a meal most people would find financially challenging.

what’s happening in the restaurant scene

PAUL GIORGIO

TURN BACK THE CLOCK: 1885, at 48 Green Street, is currently being renovated into a bar with Cameron Brigham and Nicholas Oliveri listed as owners. The building was used by Westerman’s Restaurant Supply for a very long time and sits directly across the street from Pickett Plaza, one of the main entrances to Polar Park.

AND FURTHER DOWN THE STREET: It appears that the Banner also on Green Street is for sale. According to Loopnet, a real estate website, the price is a cool $2.1 million.

WHO’S TAPPING AT THE WINDOW: Worcester’s Canal District has a new bar, the 107 Tap opened the 3rd week of March at 107 Water Street. It is owned by Jeff Maririan who formerly owned the Blackstone Tap just a few feet away. Word is that a Mexi-Cali restaurant will be opening in the space next door and as the name suggests, it will feature Mexican/Californian cuisine.

ART IS GONE: Art’s Diner has new owners and a new name, the Trackside Tavern. Their official Grand Opening was held the last week of February. Trackside is now open serving lunch and dinner and craft cocktails. No word on if the trains stop there.

LEOMINSTER GETS A NEW DINING ROOM: Luccas American Kitchen recently opened in Leominster. These are temporary quarters as the original site, which formerly housed the Gondola Restaurant for over five decades, is being rebuilt after a fire struck the building in 2021.

WHO LEFT THE BARN DOOR OPEN: Princeton’s The Barn restaurant, which was formerly the Mountain Barn, turned its stoves on the first week of March. Go and check it out on route 31 in Princeton.

IT'S NOT CADDY SHACK: The Shack restaurant on Worcester’s Park Ave at Pleasant Street has reopened. This is the second year for the owners who offer up Indian cuisine.

WHAT WOULD FIDEL SAY? Havana Nights, a Cuban themed restaurant and lounge, will soon take over the space that for eight years formerly housed Sake Bomb on Worcester’s Park Ave. Set to open sometime in May, the new restaurant will feature authentic Cuban cuisine, according to Julio Roque, owner and manager of the restaurant.

NO MORE CHATEAU: The site of the former Chateau restaurant in Westboro has been sold. A new Asian restaurant will soon open at 95 Turnpike Road. The eatery will be about 8,000 square feet with an additional outside patio/dining area.

CAFÉ SOCIETY: The Fidelity Ice rink in Worcester’s Canal District once again has a café on its first floor. Friends Mhaine Riberio and Nathalia Araujo opened Infused Café the first week of March. The two 20 somethings hope to expand the business in the future. The cafe has a decidedly Brazilian flare to it, since their families emigrated from there.

Dearest Drinkers,

PULSEBREW

SHANNON JUTRAS THANK YOU

The time has come for us to say farewell. Like Celine Dion’s heart, this column will go on, but the moment is right for me to pass the torch to a fresh voice in beer. I say this with deep sincerity: It has been a pleasure to share my love of local beer, brewing, and general shenanigans with you.

I considered what I wanted to convey in my final column for a while. We have already sampled many beautiful craft beers together. We have paired local suds with ice cream, road trip playlists, and cozy sweaters. We have celebrated Worcester’s Tricentennial and learned more about the life expectancy of Greenland sharks (you’re welcome). We have explored beer history, including the contributions of women and men in our own backyard. We have embraced the simple joy of shower beers, pumpkin beers, and, never to be forgotten, the best beer pairings for National Cheese Doodle Day. We have repeatedly admonished green beer and gotten PUMPED UP about Pink Boots brews.

While we have covered a wide range of territory in columns of yore, it feels fitting to circle back to where our journey began and reflect on beer’s wide-reaching roots.

The first time I wrote for PULSE, I interviewed Meredith McNamara, then at Greater Good Imperial Brewing Company, who described her experience participating in one of the country’s largest annual hop harvests in Oregon: “It’s really important for us to see how much is going into our beer… It’s not just the people who mill in and brew, and cellar and then pour your beer that get it into your pint glass; it’s hundreds of other people. It’s the people harvesting our raw materials, it’s the people who are crafting our cans, it’s truck drivers.”

I think about this sentiment often. The longer I work in this industry, the more humbled I am by the incredible depth and scope of a product as simple as beer. When you step back from the Untappd ratings and hazy boiis and hype, you can start to appreciate the incredible achievement craft beer represents for humanity. In the 10,000+ years that people have crafted fermented beverages, no other animal has evolved to produce anything so delightful or readily available. (I have personally tried to teach at least four cats and 20 chickens about the brewing process, and their progress has been limited at best.)

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to see the malting process up close, courtesy of Andrea Stanley, co-owner/maltster of Valley Malt in Holyoke. As I stood in their incredible new facility, dwarfed by their enormous steeping tank and the hum of their germinator, I was struck by the realization that the process of malting barley for beer is as complex as the brewing process itself. The process of farming these grains is also as complex as the process of malting them. And the process of manufacturing the equipment that makes any of these steps possible is as complex as every proceeding step, and on, and on. And on. In each step, there is an entire microcosm to explore.

Three years as a commercial brewer and 17 years as a craft beer enthusiast, and every time I think I have a handle on the true heart of beer, I fall even further down the rabbit hole.

If there’s anything you take away from any of the columns I’ve written, I hope it is respect for the people who work tirelessly to transform humble ingredients from their most basic form into a beautiful elixir in your glass. I hope that whenever you raise your next beer in a toast, you can pause for a moment of appreciation of how much had to go right for you to hold this beer in your hands. Your continued support helps keep the wheels spinning.

I closed my first column with these words, and I repeat them today because they communicate the core of everything I ever hoped to convey to you: Every can you crack or glass you clink is a collaborative triumph of hundreds of people in your community, around the country, and around the world, working together to fill your cup. If that’s not worth toasting to, I don’t know what is.

Thank you for taking the time to read and reflect with me. Always tip well, drive safe, and drink local. Cheers to you.

NEADS

LUANN THIBODEAU

Perhaps you have heard of NEADS before, or have driven by their location in Princeton and seen the sign and wondered what NEADS is. Well, this will help you to learn a bit more about NEADS and their mission.

NEADS (originally National Education for Assistance Dog Services and Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans) was started in 1976. They are a 501(C) (3) nonprofit organization that has trained over 1,900 dogs since 1976. They are accredited by Assistance Dogs International.

NEADS dogs are trained to provide independence to individuals who are deaf or have physical disabilities; they provide confidence and socialization for children with autism and other developmental disabilities; and they provide therapeutic assistance in helping professionals in classroom, ministry, therapeutic, hospital, and courthouse settings.

But what’s it really like? What do the folks at NEADS do to train the dogs, what is day to day life like? Well, I got to see it first hand and I am nothing but completely amazed. These folks and the dogs are awesome, delightful, wonderful, and so much more.

I received the grand tour and was able to see where the dogs live and go to classes. From the street the place seems rather small but looks are deceiving. The campus has a small administration area in one of the buildings, with the rest of that building housing the training areas. The day I was there, I started my tour when the training staff was on their lunch break, which is also break time for the dogs. It was so cute to see the dogs laying down and resting, much like kids in preschool at nap time. But as soon as the break was over, it was time to start working again. So upstairs to one of the training areas we went.

A black lab named Bobby, was ready to show me what he knew. First, his trainer told me that whenever any of the dogs has their vest and leash on, they know that they are working. The trainer led Bobby to the refrigerator and told him to open the door and get a bottle of water. Bobby pulled the braided rug rope that was attached to the door, opened the door, put the bottle sideways in his mouth, and brought it to the trainer. I was in awe, and this was just the beginning. Bobby also walks alongside a wheelchair, and when told, opens doors by pressing the automatic door opener button. He offers assistance if the trainer is sitting on the floor and needs to get up, and then also quietly lays down and rests when he is instructed to do so.

To say that I loved watching what Bobby could do is an understatement, to say the least. And although I am generally a cat person, Bobby really struck my heart, not just because of the exceptional things he does, but because there was someone special in my life named Bobby- my dearly departed older brother. So I think Bobby the dog is a special sign to me from my big brother.

There are other parts of the campus, including a residential house where recipients who are matched with a dog live together for a few weeks, as they

become accustomed to each other. The house is completely handicap accessible, and is designed to replicate a home environment. Another building houses a small retail store, where NEADS branded items are available. And there is another that houses the breeding program, but that’s a visit and a story for another time.

NEADS also plans on having veterinary services right on the campus. Currently, plans are being drawn up and discussions about the logistics are taking place.

Of course, you can imagine that the cost of running a program like this is not cheap. As a non-profit organization, fundraising is a very important function. NEADS is having a fun fundraising event on April 23rd, from 11 am to 4 pm. Pulling 4 PawsNEADS Truck Pull 2023, will be held at Polar Park in Worcester. 15 member teams can register for the event in one of the following divisions- Police, Fire, City/Town, Business, School, Corrections Officers, or US Military. One team member must be connected to the division that they are registered in; for example, a Corrections Officers team must have a Corrections Officer on the team.

More information about this event can be found on NEADS website, where you can register a team, or sponsor a team that is already registered. And all are welcome to come to the event to cheer on their favorite team. Make it a fun day for the whole family.

https://neads.org/event/pulling-4-paws-neads-truck-pull-2023/

STYLE Savvy

Hello Pulse readers,

I hope that everyone is enjoying the start of the lovely spring weather! This is such an exciting time of year, because we are officially in the midst of spring and we can all see summer clearly on the horizon. Fashion becomes more free, fun and fabulous this time of year, with light fabrics and colors taking center stage. There are lots of new trends that are emerging this year, so read on to discover what’s new and in style for spring 2023.

WHITE AND BEIGE: The super neutral color palette is having a major moment this spring and trending all over social media and the internet. Neutrals are taking center stage over traditional spring pastels this year, and are not going anywhere anytime soon. Monochromatic outfits are the name of the game, whether it be in the case of a matching set, or a fairly similar color palette of white, neutral, beige, or brown.

LAYERED GOLD JEWELRY: Gold Jewelry has been making a comeback for several years, but especially for the spring and summer, gold layered pieces convery a whimsical fun mood that is perfect for this time of year. Whether it be necklaces, earrings, or bracelets, layered jewelry is quickly going to become your go-to accessory for this spring. My favorite way to wear this trend is by mixing and matching multiple earrings for an effortless look.

GLAZED NAILS: The “Glazed” trend is not going anywhere for this spring. What we are seeing is an emergence from the darker “glazed” nails into the barely-there shades of pink and white. Because the effervescent finish speaks for itself, all you need is a light wash of color in order to be perfectly on-trend this spring.

GLAZED HAIR: Yes, we are further extending the “glazed” trend to hair. Straight, shiny, and healthy hair will be front and center this spring. This trend is versatile, and only requires maintaining your hair health and a straightening iron (but please, don't forget that heat protectant!). This style can be worn on both short and long hair!

Spring and fashion are in the air this month, and you’ll be the talk of the town if you try out any of these trends. So pack those winter clothes up and enjoy the sunshine!

OUT & ABOUT

FEMME-TASTIC: THE BUZZ SURROUNDING WORCESTER'S NEWEST QUEER ESTABLISHMENT

GIULIANO D’ORAZIO

Haaay, Queer Worcester and beyond! You’ve probably heard about the new hot spot in town that nobody wants to miss – Femme, the city's only current lesbian bar, has just opened its doors in the Canal District, and I must say, it's a game changer.

Owned by wives and business partners, Julie and Danielle Spring, this place has been a long time coming. The couple was inspired to open a queer-women centered bar after a trip to New York City, where they visited a lesbian bar and realized that there was nothing like that in New England. So, they took matters into their own hands and created Femme, a space that caters specifically to the lesbian and queer women community.

Located at 62 Green street, in the former location of Buck's Whiskey and Burger Bar, Femme operates as a restaurant from 4-10pm Tuesdays through Saturdays, and Thursdays - Saturdays, it will stay open as a bar from 10pm-2am. On Sundays, they serve up brunch from 10am-2pm. They are closed on Mondays.

At the family and friends soft-opening on Thursday, March 9th, the bar was packed with folks eager to check it out. The staff was attentive and handled

the large and lively crowd with ease. And let me tell you, the cocktails were delicious. They have a wide selection of premium spirits, craft beers, and a wine list centering women-owned wineries and vineyards. All the wines can be purchased at Canal District Wines, another queer-women-owned business located just down the street in the Worcester Public Market.

Not only are the libations impressive, the food menu is concise and well-curated, with a little something for everyone. Whether you're looking to indulge in delicious fried chicken sandwiches and fries, or go for a healthier option like a quinoa bowl or chicken and veggie

stir-fry, they've got you covered. There are also an array of small bites and apps, including a delicious hummus platter. The official bar opening on Friday, March 10th was insane. There was a consistent line of at least 100 people waiting to get in, and some folks even booked hotel rooms just to attend. Other bars in the area saw an influx of queer folks, particularly women, due to the overflow of people who couldn't get into Femme. It's clear that an establishment geared towards queer women has been much-anticipated in this city, as evidenced by the massive outpouring of support and patronage seen on opening weekend.

Now, while Femme was founded primarily with lesbians and queer women in mind, it's certainly a safe and welcome space for all members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies. But, it's important to be respectful of the space and realize that we are guests in a much needed safe space that celebrates lesbians and queer women above all.

I highly recommend checking out Femme for your next night out, brunch date, or after-work cocktails. It's exciting to see a queer-women centered space in Worcester, and I can't wait to see how it grows and evolves. Kudos to Julie and Danielle for creating such an important and much-needed space in our community.

Bio

Giuliano D’Orazio (he/him) is a Worcester native, musician, music educator, member of the queer community, and a board member of Love Your Labels.

Email: giulianodoraz@gmail.com Instagram: @musicbygiuliano

Hello Dear Readers,

I am about to experiment with something that I didn’t think would affect me. I’m on record saying that edibles don’t pack the same punch for me as burning cannabis. To fully test the theory my editor has invited me to take a reasonably high dose while recording my journey. So in honor of our favorite celebration this month, I decided to take 100 mg of THC in a brief amount of time. I started with the standard serving and followed the instructions of eating one serving and waiting two hours for effect. Before I start, my assumption is that I’m going to be fine and then fall asleep. To prevent this, I purposely picked up Kanha Cannabis’ sativa infused, sour cherry limeade flavored belts for the “high-dose consumer”. Join me as I hopefully get stupid high, but not too much...

12:56PM

I started with 2 pieces, (10 mg) which were delicious. My timer has been set for two hours. Let’s see what happens.

1:48 PM

It’s about an hour in and I'm becoming impatient. I started this journey sober and I’m not really feeling anything. Time to take an additional 20 mg (30mg total). Unrelated, I have a chubby Chihuahua near me who is interested in my snacks, but I swear I did not give him any. Now we play the waiting game again.

2:19 PM

I still don’t really feel any effect. A quick Google search showed me there are some theories on how to increase your high and make it hit faster and longer. A lot of it is based on foods which seems counterintuitive to what I’m trying to do. However exercise is supposed to help. It’s still a little cold here in the beautiful city of Worcester, but not cold enough to prevent me from taking a mile walk from my girlfriend's house to mine.

2:43 PM

Got to my studio and moved fast to keep my heart rate up. That said, I still don’t feel any more stoned. It’s been about an hour, and I’m taking another 20 mg (50mg total).

3:04 PM

So it’s been 20 minutes or so and I’m starting to feel a little bit of something. I’m still fairly coherent and I don’t feel overly tired quite yet. But there is the suggestion or hint of a high coming on...maybe?

3:53 PM

Alright friends. I was afraid it was gonna come to this, but it has now been another hour since my last dose and I am just not feeling much of anything. I slowly tipped toed up to this point, but now I am going to take the remaining 50 mg (100mg total) and see how it goes. My girlfriend just let out an exhale of sincere concern. She apparently thinks I’m stoned, but I am I do not. Results inconclusive, more experiments are needed.

5:48PM

It has been two hours since I took 50 mg and I am really not feeling any different than I normally would if I was sober. This is kind of anticlimactic, but it also kind of underlines a suspicion I had. I’ve read some interesting articles about Ediblocking, which is a theory that some people have a variation of a key liver enzyme that is too efficient at processing ingested THC or something else is preventing it from being metabolized. There clearly needs to be more research into this, but I understand if they want to cure cancer first.

So with that bombshell of a conclusion, I would like to say thank you all very much for reading my column for the past couple years. It has been extremely fun to write about the industry and about the culture around it. I like to think we normalized cannabis a little bit and I leave you in the wonderful hands of Eric Casey who will have your monthly pot gossip going forward. This is not the last you’ll hear from me though. I’ll be back with another column soon enough.

Until then, be well and happy trails.

-Travis (@hunchbacktravis)

CITY LIVING • ARCHITECTURE • DESIGN

BOUTIQUE COFFEE SHOPS

VINCENT PACIFICO

A good Sunday morning starts off at the local coffee shop with pastry, a book and a hot cup of coffee. There is something relaxing about going either by yourself or with a few friends and spending some time talking, reading or doing work on your laptop. Coffee shops have become a popular place to hold meetings, get out of the house to do work and focus for a few hours. I mean who doesn’t love free wifi with the purchase of a cup of coffee.

One of my favorite shops to stop by has always been the Birch Tree Bread Company located in Crompton Place on Green Street. The interior has a very unique design and makes for a comfy place to grab a coffee and croissant and read a free publication from the stack outside the door. The interior design really keeps with the industrial look and feel of the old factory space. From the creaking hardwood floors to the industrial pendant lights and the old grain scale on display, the space really provides a warm nostalgic feel and makes for a classic Worcester centerpiece.

If you find yourself downtown near the commons, Brew on the Grid is an excellent choice if you want a quick coffee to go or a place to sit and go through emails. The coffee shop is located on the corner of a beautiful brick commercial building in what is known as the Grid District. The space inside is designed as a contemporary shop with a cozy feel. The warm wood tones along with the flat black painted ceiling gives for an inviting space where you can sit for hours. The large storefront windows bring lots of light into the space and lets you have great views of what’s going on outside.

Fuel America is a popular coffee shop with two very unique Worcester locations. Its downtown location at the corner of Front and Mercantile Street is a great spot where anyone who works downtown can easily stop in and get a hot drink and a tasty bite to eat. The interior is sunken below the street level so its high ceilings give its patrons an extremely spacious feeling. Fuel also has a location on Grove Street which offers its customers a different experience all together. It’s located on the first floor of a former factory building which features an array of industrial styled designs and unique vintage inspired wall graphics. Each location offers a slightly different aesthetic but the same enjoyable coffee and food. Whether you're passing through the city on a road trip or you’re a local just looking to get out on a weekend, Worcester has quite the coffee shop scene. Some days are meant for sitting for hours at the coffee counter on a laptop and some are for grabbing a to-go cup and hitting the streets, but one thing is for sure, you don’t have to look too hard in the city to find a great boutique coffee shop.

As the Woo Sox get ready for opening day, there are a lot of new things on tap from the season. In speaking with the President of The Worcester Red Sox, Dr. Charles Steinberg, he said that the theme of the season is “Woo Sox 23- Even More To Do and See”. And when he excitedly spoke about some of those new things, I too, was very excited. Of course, this lifelong Red Sox fan was also absolutely enthralled to be able to meet Dr. Steinberg and one of the team owners- Larry Lucchino- two of the men who helped engineer the Boston Red Sox 2004 team that broke the curse and made the Impossible Dream of this fan come true!

One new idea this year is Woo Sox Rewards. Fans will earn points for dollars spent at the park that they, in turn, will be able to redeem. Redemption items range from something as cool as an ice cream cone or as sweet as some cotton candy, all the way through to interviewing the player of the game, and traveling to a spring training weekend.

Another new addition is the Fan Deck, an area above the left field wall, where fans will not only see the game, but also be able to participate in things like playing Cornhole and other forms of family fun. And speaking of fun, this year an organ is being added to the park. And with that, there will be an Organist of The Day, who will play Take Me Out To The Ball Game. There will also be ten Heritage Nights, celebrating the heritage and diversity of fans.

Rest assured that the palate of the fan is not forgotten. The ever famous Coney Island Hot Dogs and Polar flavored water are the most popular fan favorites. Added to the menu this season will be lobster rolls and clam chowder. And, what is expected to be a very tasty combination enjoyed by many is Taco and Tequila Tuesdays, where folks can purchase three tacos and a margarita for $12.

There will be a total of five shuttles this year, The Blue Woo Shuttle and four more, to get fans in and out faster. While there are many new things being added, some that are very much liked will continue. There will be twenty three Town Takeover Nights this year where different towns in the area will be recognized. Mark your calendars for Woof Woof Wednesdays when fans can bring their canines to the game, Throwback Thursdays, Kids Take The Field and Fallon Health Future Star Sundays. Fans love these days and they are here to stay for the 2023 season.

WOO SOX ARE BACK!

There is indeed even more to do and see this year, and I for one, can’t wait to experience the magic. How great it is to have professional baseball in Worcester, with so many family friendly events and more, and all at affordable prices. If you want to see the complete season schedule, learn more about the Woo Sox, and even sign up for Woo Sox Rewards, check out the official website at https://www.milb. com/worcester . So let’s play ball and enjoy!

LUANN THIBODEAU

KNOWS SPORTS?

Shaun2

SHAUN CONNOLLY BOO FROM THE WOO

Sneaker culture is alive and well in Worcester. When Kangaroo Crossing closed despite their lines out the door for the new Kobes, EbLens carried the torch. Then Scoop Drip came in with their sneaker consignment shop and design workshops. There are conventions, meetups and now a Worcester resident with their own signature shoe.

Worcesterite and Boston College guard DeMarr Langford, who is averaging 7 points a game on 44% shooting for the Eagles, has teamed up with the Massachusetts based footwear company Endstate to create his own signature shoe. The sneaker release, called Endstate U.: New Heights, teamed up with Langford to create a one-of-a-kind look that tells his story.

Director of Product Creation and Design at Endstate, David Filar is also a Worcester resident and is very excited about their newest project, “With the laws changing around NIL (Names, Image and Likeness) with college athletes we were energized to collaborate with these kids, for them to be able to tell their story on their own shoe.”

Langford, and the rest of the athletes were able to put their own spin on the design of these shoes to tell their community, followers and new fans who they are. For Langford, there is a quote on the ankle panel saying “Boo from the Woo,” which was his nickname growing up in the city before going to Brewster Academy. He also uses Commonwealth Maroon for BC and Reservoir Green, which is his mom’s favorite color. On the heel it says 508 to really tie in the home theme. That green is similar to the colors of the Burncoat High School Patriots, which is a pretty big coincidence, considering his mom is Sacha Langford, a 1,000 point scorer there and in college at Worcester State.

The shoe is sleek, smart and future forward. Each sneaker has a chip and can call up the NFT on the shoe, you can build in different assets into the chip. One of Endstate’s athletes is the Philadelphia Eagle Devonta Smith. Earlier this season there was a promotion with owners of Smith’s shoe that if made a 40 yard catch, they would receive a cheesesteak. Endstate then airdropped a $15 ubereats card. They plan on doing similar things for each of the Endstate U. athletes as well. Where the NFT in the shoe will give the owners of the shoe a chance to have a meet and greet as well as other perks throughout their respective seasons.

“Each of these student-athletes have their own story and they can use their shoe, along with the NFT in it, to tell their ecosystem who they are and what they are about,” says Filar. And they do, Marne Sullivan who is a track star at BC has cochlear implants and on the back of her shoe it says, “I can’t hear you when you’re behind me.” A wonderful piece of trash talking if you ask me.

An additional piece to these shoes is a portion of the proceeds will go to a charity of their choice.

Langford’s is the Yes We Care Foundation. Yes We Care offers food distribution, an after-school homework help program, a teen leadership academy and many other services for the under-served, and BIPOC communities in Central Massachusetts.

For more information on Endstate U., you can visit www.endstate.io to see DeMarr’s sneaker and all of the other BC Eagles creative designs. Pick up a pair, give back to your community, and get ahead of the game for the future of sneakers.

NEW IN THE WOO: WOO JUICE

TAYLOR NUNEZ-MURRAY

Once peers at the Nativity School in Worcester and quickly close friends, Isaiah Tatum and Noel Stemn now boast new titles - business partners. The duo are owners of the newly opened WooJuice, a healthy haven tucked inside 22 Front Street where Worcester folks can sip on fresh pressed juices.

WooJuice seems like an organic fit for Tatum and Stemn. For some time, the pair knew they wanted to establish a business in the city they call home. However, it was not until a fateful trip to Atlanta that Tatum considered the juice business. “We were bouncing ideas for a while. I went down to Atlanta for an acting gig, and I saw there were juice bars everywhere. [I thought] ‘We don’t have this back home, this healthy choice,’” Tatum explains. Once he returned home and proposed the idea to Stemn, the two began to think up names and WooJuice was born. As Stemn put it, “When he mentioned the juice bar, [I said] that’s it, for sure. That’s a hit.”

WooJuice officially began in January of 2021. Tatum, already entrenched in nutritional research, started creating different combinations of fruits and vegetables to figure out beverages while he and Stemn registered their LLC. Before solidifying a brick and mortar location, WooJuice’s beginnings were in Tatum’s basement, providing fresh juice offerings to a loyal fanbase. “When we first started with family and friends, everyone was like ‘This is really good.’ We had no negative feedback. [We said], ‘Alright, the product is good. It’s worth it,’” recalls Tatum.

Both Tatum and Stemn knew in the early days that Worcester would be part of the brand - obvious by their business name. WooJuice is a tribute to the city where Tatum and Stemn were raised. Stemn, now 29-years-old, moved to the U.S. from Liberia at six-years-old, later meeting Tatum at Worcester’s Nativity School. Tatum, a 28-year-old Worcester native, would attend Holy Name Central Catholic High School (now Saint Paul Dioscesan Junior/Senior High School) and later Worcester State University. Even a quick glance at the menu is confirmation of the city’s importance to Tatum and Stemn - with names like “Kelley Splash”, “Green Hill Glow”, and “Crompton Kool Aid”, each item is a reference Worcesterites will immediately recognize.

And the city is responding positively. With the soft opening of the physical

Front Street location, the Worcester community proved their interest in the juice bar. “[Worcester] really loves it. We are glad to know that people are looking for healthy options and glad to know we’re their first option. Who doesn’t like health? It’s healthy and delicious,” Stemn affirms.

As their business takes off, Tatum and Stemn continue to look for ways to give to the Worcester community outside their juices. Acknowledging how influential the Nativity School was in their upbringings, Tatum and Stemn sponsor the basketball team and get involved with the school’s mentorship opportunities. Stemn explains, “We just try to be as involved with Nativity as much as we can. We try to keep them in our story the whole way.” In fact, upon entering WooJuice, customers will see a Nativity School basketball jersey with the WooJuice logo proudly displayed on its brightly colored walls - complete with a mural by local artist Ryan Gardell. While the community can check out the business now, WooJuice’s grand opening will take place April 7.

WooJuice is located inside 22 Front Street in Worcester. Order ahead for pick up at woojuice508.com. Follow @woo_juice508 on Instagram for news and updates.

REAL SPIRITS. REAL COCKTAILS.