HOWL March | April 2016

VOL. 3, NO. 2 MARCH | APRIL 2016

FREE

SPRING AWAKENING Yoga for your happiness inside & out at Sutra

SECRET CITY

Our favorite hidden gems revealed

DELI-LICIOUS!

Sandwiches to die for

ROCK THIS WAY

NEMA salutes New England’s best bands

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: Know the Health Risks Arthur Lauretano, MD, FACS

How does vaping work?

Vaping is the practice of using a device like an electronic cigarette, “pen” or “hookah pipe” to turn flavored, nicotine-laced e-liquid, or “juice,” into a vapor. A battery-powered atomizer turns the liquid into a vapor to be inhaled by the user. Users can select different flavors and nicotine levels.

Is it less harmful than smoking cigarettes?

Because it is new, research on the impacts of inhaling these substances is limited. Currently, vaping of nicotine-containing substances is considered “less harmful” than smoking of tobacco. Both vaping and smoking provide nicotine, a chemical with addictive qualities that has adverse effects on the blood supply to the heart, brain and extremities. Users are not exposed to the smoke – and the carcinogenic byproducts of combustion – associated with smoking tobacco products.

What chemicals are in the vaping products?

The concern with vaping lies in the contents of the e-liquid that is ingested.

This liquid contains nicotine, water, optional flavorings and a base. In many cases, the base is propylene glycol, which is used to create theatrical smoke and can cause eye irritation and respiratory infections. Another common base is diacetyl, a chemical that has been known to cause a debilitating disease known as bronchiolitis obliterans, or “popcorn lung.” E-cigarettes with blueberry or grape flavoring have also been linked to illnesses.

Is nicotine bad for me?

We know that nicotine constricts blood vessels. This leads to damage to coronary vessels, the vessels that that supply blood to heart muscle. In turn, this leads to angina, heart attack and cardiac rhythm problems, which can be fatal. The blood flow to the brain can be affected, leading to strokes. Similarly, blood flow to the extremities, particularly the legs, can be compromised, leading to pain with walking and even amputation. And nicotine is addictive, causing the user to crave more when the effect wears off, leading to increased exposure to the effects of nicotine.

Are there other concerns with vaping?

Concerns have arisen regarding increased use by preteens and teenagers and the issue of it acting as a “gateway drug.” Also, it turns out that vaping produces “ultrafine particles” that have been linked to lung problems and therefore pose a “second hand vape” exposure. We also have the concern that people will say, “I know smoking is bad for me, but vaping is very safe.”

This is most certainly not the case. The best approach to this health risk is cessation, even if you need help quitting.

Dr. Arthur Lauretano, a Lowell/Chelmsford otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose, Throat physician), is the former president of the medical staff and current Medical Director of Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Program at Lowell General Hospital.

Interested in learning more?

Lowell General Hospital’s Center for Community Health and Wellness offers a wide array of wellness classes and support groups, from smoking cessation to fitness classes, at affordable prices and in convenient locations.

To learn more, call 1-877-LGH-WELL (1-877-544-9355) or visit www.lowellgeneral.org/health.

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FEATURES 7 THE BEERHUNTER Navigation Brewing Co. opens new taproom.

9 DELI-LICIOUS! Sandwiches to die for.

13 ROCK THIS WAY New England Music Awards salutes the region’s best bands and solo artists.

23 SPRING AWAKENING Happiness therapy at Sutra Studio.

30 SECRET CITY Local hidden gems revealed.

GOING OUT 6 SHAMROCK Our list of watering holes to get your Irish on this St. Paddy’s Day. 26 BUSTING OUT OF THE ‘BURBS The Realness hits the MRT stage.

MUSIC & MORE 4 SOUND & SCENE Hot shows and fun events for March and April.

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16 CATCHING UP WITH A KING Kaki King shows off her fret work in Lowell.

20 MAKING A MARK Designer Warlene Rene on the art of the dress.

28 HOMEGROWN Power up with 10 superfoods from Dracut’s Brox Farm.

On the cover: Jennifer Howell of Sutra Studio.

Photo by Allegra Boverman.

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HOWL www.howlmag.com

EDITOR & PUBLISHER Rita Savard PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Jim Lichoulas III

SOUND THE HOT LIST MARCH

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MANAGING EDITOR Sarah Hand

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Terry Badman PHOTOGRAPHY Allegra Boverman Tory Germann Lindsay Nolin DESIGNERS Carl Johnson Amelia Tucker STAFF WRITERS Nick Tsui Victoria Wasylak Chris Flisher EDITORIAL INTERNS Richard Budd Jennifer Desrosiers Marian Siljeholm EVENT DIRECTOR Heather Barker heather@howlmag.com

MARCH

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March 5 at The Olympia’s Zorba Room, Lowell. Funk, blues, rock and a whole lotta booty shakin’.

7pm, $17 adv./$22 door.

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PETER LAVENDER & THE LIMBO SOULS

MARCH

March 5 at The Chelmsford Center for The Arts. Rock, soul and funk.

7:30pm, $15 adults/$10 students.

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TODD WOLFE

The Back Page, Lowell. Blues rock with Sheryl Crowe’s former guitarist.

9pm, no cover. backpagelowell.com

chelmsfordarts.org

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LOS LOBOS

March 10 at The Bull Run, Shirley.

Rock, Tex-Mex, folk and blues.

7:30pm, $75. bullrunrestaurant.com

STATE OF THE UNION

Thirsty First, Lowell. Indie rock.

9pm. No cover.

978.454.7600 CELEBRATING JIMI HENDRIX

Hampton Beach Casino. Featuring Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Zakk Wylde, Kenny Wayne Shephaerd, Johnny Lang, Dweezil Zappa and more.

6pm doors open.

8pm. $36 general admission.

casinoballroom.com MARCH

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ERIN HARPE

March 12 at The Back Page, Lowell.

Rock and blues.

9pm. No cover.

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backpagelowell.com

DAEMON CHILI

Dudley’s, Lowell. Foot-stompin’ bluegrass and rock.

9pm, no cover. dudleysoflowell.com

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TAP INTO OUR AUDIENCE ads@howlmag.com HEADQUARTERS Mill No. 5 250 Jackson Street, No. 404 Lowell, MA 01852

BOOTY VORTEX + BEN KNIGHT

zorbamusichall.com

MULTIMEDIA ART DIRECTOR Richard Francey DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR Mark Coletti

& SCENE

ANGELSBREATH + LEAN + PHURNNE

March 16 at UnchARTed, Lowell.

Indie rock.

9pm. All ages.

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unchartedstudios.tumblr.com

MARCH APRIL

CONNECT WITH US hello@howlmag.com

JEFFREY LEWIS & LOS BOLTS

UnchARTed, Lowell. Genre-bending singer/songwriter.

8pm, $7-$10.

unchartedstudios.tumblr.com

THE REALNESS

March 16-April 10 at MRT, Lowell.

Live theater. mrt.org

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CHRIS FITZ

The Back Page, Lowell. Blues rock.

9pm, no cover. backpagelowell.com

Proudly Published in Lowell, Mass. by King Printing

Learn more about all local upcoming events at howlmag.com

FEATURED EVENT NEW ENGLAND MUSIC AWARDS

NEMA returns April 9 at Blue Ocean Music Hall in Salisbury with a dizzying lineup of New England’s best bands under one roof including Gretchen & The Pickpockets (right), As The Sparrow, Chris Roth and The North, Daphne Lee Martin w/Suave Ski and more. 7:30pm, $25. nemusicawards.com

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FEATURED EVENT BEARDS & BREWS MARCH 19 | MILL NO. 5 madeinlowell.org

Beardos and bears, waxed-up wonders and fantastical fakes, starter ‘staches and full-on-fur bombs will all be part of the public spectacle on display at the second annual Beards and Brews bash.

and executive director of Made In Lowell.

“We’re gonna have all these breweries, many of which haven’t been packaged or sold in the area.”

Besides a bevy of facial hair fanatics, all attendees — even the clean shaven — can enjoy samplings from around 20 breweries setting up shop inside Mill No. 5 on March 19 including Navigation Brewing Company, Merrimack Ales, Bad Martha, Flying Dog, Woodstock Inn, Cape Ann, Tuckerman, Worm Town and many more.

For $25 admission, participants receive a tasting glass and are turned loose to browse, with about three to four different breweries per station. Among the breweries making their area premieres exclusively at B&B are Champlain Ciders and Von Trapp (yes, those Von Trapps), providing a first look at the most exciting new craft selections.

“This year is going to be ridiculously amazing,” said Tobis Marx, event organizer

Expect things to get hairy, says Marx, adding that this year’s event should draw

around 800 guests from Greater Lowell and Boston, especially a shaggy set of competitors putting their best (unshaven) faces forward to win the title of best beard around.

“Who doesn’t like to look at cute guys with big beards?” Marx said. “Or cute girls who come to look at the guys with great beards!”

By Richard Budd

THE FUN LIST MARCH

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JACK KEROUAC BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Lowell Celebrates Kerouac presents a day of all-things Jack in honor of The Beat writer’s 94th birthday. Don’t miss The Moody Street Sound, 8pm at UnchARTed with special guest David Amram. $5 donation suggested. lowellcelebrateskerouac.org

MARCH

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HYNES ROAD RACE

Hynes Tavern. 465 Gorham St., Lowell. Join hundreds who run their hearts out in this annual 5 mile race, or just chill on the sidelines and cheer with a cold brew and some live music in the background by Big Trouble. hynesroadrace.com

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THREAD & GROOVE

Mill No. 5, 250 Jackson St., Lowell. Rock ‘n’ shop at this annual spring marketplace jam-packed with retro threads and vinyl vendors from all around New England. Sift through the prime loot and fulfill all your vintage dreams. millno5.com

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FIRST THURSDAY

Downtown Lowell. On the first Thursday of every month, the city buzzes with an eclectic mix of artists, musicians, local dining and retail deals. Explore, shop and play. This is a perfect time to find that one-of-a-kind treasure. cultureiscool.org/downtown-lowell-first-thursdays

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ShamRock

BEST BARS TO GET YOUR IRISH ON THURSDAY, MARCH 17TH

THE OLD COURT

GARCIA BROGAN’S

THE EMERALD ROSE

An authentic Irish pub that actually lives up to the overused adjective.

Here, you’ll find a few bartenders who are transplants from Ireland, live music all day by Chuck Campbell, Irish step dancers, bag pipers and plenty of corned beef and fish and chips on hand. No green beer here, this is strictly Guinness territory.

Start the day with a traditional Irish breakfast at 8am, and follow it up with corned beef and cabbage. After that, the place turns all Guinness and Jameson. Live music by Tom Courtney 12-3:30pm, Sweep the Leg 4-7pm, and Beneath the Sheets cap off the night with original indie rock starting 9pm.

A formidable lineup of live talent including Songs for Ceilieh, Brian Corchran, Joe Leary, The Julie Dougherty Duo, and Eamon Coyne & Peter Pehle. While you’re there, try some holiday pork shoulder.

29 CENTRAL ST, LOWELL.

THIRSTY FIRST

280 CENTRAL ST, LOWELL Corned beef and cabbage grilled cheese. Need we say more? Open from noon to 1am, Thirsty First will host the rockin’ band 11 Bravo.

THE WORTHEN

141 WORTHEN ST, LOWELL Downtown’s historic tavern opens at 8am and the first 500 patrons will receive the annual commemorative Worthen button. Corned beef and cabbage dinner served all day. Music by the Dromlins 7-10pm.

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131 MIDDLESEX ST, LOWELL

WICKED IRISH

197 MARKET ST, LOWELL Irish buffet from 4-11pm, $3 Guinness, $5 specialty cocktails and live music on tap.

THE PEDDLER’S DAUGHTER 48 MAIN ST, NASHUA

Specializing in friendly barkeeps, frothy pints, and hangover cures.

Open at 8am to serve traditional Irish breakfast all day, as well as the staple corned beef and cabbage dinner. Live acts will include Pop Farmers from 12-5pm and the Chris Hughes Band from 7-10pm, in addition to authentic bagpipe players.

785 BOSTON RD, BILLERICA

KILKENNY’S PUB

660 ROGERS ST, LOWELL Get your fill of live music with For Pete’s Sake and plenty of corned beef and cabbage.

THE BEERHUNTER NAVIGATION’S NEW TAPROOM TO OPEN AT WESTERN AVENUE STUDIOS

By Terry Badman | Photos by Marian Siljeholm

To some, a garage is a place to park

your car.

It’s where we store Christmas decorations, cardboard boxes full of audio cables, or toys our kids have long since outgrown. It’s where we hang our power tools for the next big home project. It’s where our lawn mowers hide each winter, and where our snow blowers vacation every summer.

But for others, a garage is more than storage space that reeks of motor oil and gasoline. It’s a place to start.

Apple, Google, and Disney all started in someone’s garage. Nirvana, The Ramones, and The Runaways played some of their first gigs in a dusty garage.

Isaac Newton spent time unraveling the complexities of existence in his small garage.

For Lowell’s Navigation Brewing Co., it’s where it first started crafting and selling fresh, local beer. And like other garage success stories, it was soon time for a bigger and better space.

Once confined to the cramped quarters of a repurposed garage bay on Meadowcroft Street in Lowell, Navigation has now taken up residence in the city’s Western Avenue Studios at 122 Western Avenue. The renovated brick mill building complex currently houses more than 250 artist studios.

It will also soon be home to Navigation’s first taproom.

“Our new tap space is bigger than our whole old brewery,” said PJ Mercier, co-founder/owner of Navigation. “But we have a conservative approach to it.” howlmag.com | HOWL Magazine | 7

HOWL | Eat & Drink

Mercier and co-owner/ founder/head brewer Bob Johnson note the initial plans are to maintain Navigation’s current 3-barrel system. But when the time is right, the brewery now has the extra space to increase output.

“We like to keep it small,” Mercier said, adding Navigation likely wouldn’t expand beyond a 10-barrel operation. “A big part of it is having the tap room.

We’re hoping to sell a lot of the beer out of here, but we’ll still keep distributing to the local bars that we’ve been working with.”

Friday, and Saturday. Designs call for a wooden bar, possibly made from repurposed pallets.

Seating area tables will be crafted from old oak barrels, and there are plans for an outdoor beer garden with picnic tables.

The taproom will boast at least a half-dozen tap lines featuring various Navigation brews on opening day.

Mercier hopes that partnering up with the local artist community will help further drive people to the city for fresh, local brews.

Construction of the new taproom is under way. The brewery is currently open to the public Thursday evenings from 4 to 9 p.m. for bottle sales and growler fills. It is also open during the monthly Open Studios event, which is held the first Saturday of each month at Western Avenue Studios.

“We want to work with the artists as much as we can. That’s a lot of the reason we moved here. To be able to work with them right here in their home,” he said. “We don’t decorate, so a lot of these artists are going to come down and decorate the walls for us and everything else.

We’ll put price tags on their stuff. So it’s almost like another gallery for them.”

Navigation plans to open the full taproom this month, and expand hours to Thursday,

The local artisans will play a large role in shaping the new location’s identity,

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Mercier said. Glassblowers will create glassware for mug club members; woodworkers will craft tasting flight paddles, while other artists will design growler carriers from spent grain bags.

Mercier hopes to work with local food truck vendors, as well, who will provide a quality noshing experience during the taproom’s open hours.

“We don’t want to be just another bar,” he said. “We want to be a taproom. Think pregame hours. You come in here, have a few drinks, and move into downtown Lowell.”

“We want to make Lowell a beer destination. To make it a home for more breweries,” he said.

Learn more about Navigation Brewing Co. at navigationbrewing.com.

Eat & Drink | HOWL

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DELI-LICIOUS! SANDWICHES TO DIE FOR

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By Richard Budd | Photos by Jennifer Desrosiers LIFE IS TOO SHORT FOR ANYTHING LESS THAN THE BEST. THAT’S WHY WE TOOK ON THE TOUGH JOB OF EATING OUR WAY THROUGH THE AREA’S LUNCH OFFERINGS TO BRING YOU THE FINEST MEALS ON BREAD. NO BURGERS ALLOWED.

1 | THANKSGIVING TURKEY BIG CHRIS’ BROWN BAG CAFE

Who says you have to wait until the day after Thanksgiving to enjoy a home cooked dinner on two slices of bread? The line often snakes out the door at Big Chris’ Brown Bag Café for this perfect combo of sweet and savory featuring slow roasted turkey cooked fresh daily, sliced thin and piled high with house made stuffing, cranberry sauce, mayo, and gravy. Served on your choice of wheat, white, marble rye, bulky roll, sub roll, or wrap — all breads are baked fresh daily too — this one is rich, hearty and super satisfying.

2 | CUBAN SANDWICH DELICIAS PAISAS

A perfect execution of the Cuban served on griddle-baked bread with a combination of turkey and marinated pork, slathered with melted cheese, tomato, lettuce and garlicky mayo for a great kick of flavor. Served hot, this sandwich has the perfect amount of crunch and simply melts in your mouth.

Put this one on your lunchtime bucket list.

392 Bridge St., Lowell 978-970-5555

144 Merrimack St., Lowell 978-441-4200 howlmag.com | HOWL Magazine | 9

HOWL | Eat & Drink

3 | FALAFEL SANDWICH MARKO’S MEDITERRANEAN GRILL

5 | HOT ‘N’ HEALTHY BACHELOR LIFE ALIVE

4 | CHICKEN SHAWARMA MOONSTONES

Tastebuds bored? Throw ‘em a party with this Mediterranean falafel masterpiece. The humble chickpea may achieve no higher station in legume life than as a Markos falafel — herb-dappled, fried to order, topped with tzatziki and stuffed into a puffy grilled, original-recipe pita. Mild or spicy (add the house made hot sauce), this sandwich is a food truck favorite.

Marinated chicken served in a perfectly grilled naan wrap with baby arugula, baby tomato, harissa (a Middle Eastern hot chili pepper paste), and raita — an Indian dressing made with yogurt, spices and vegetables that has the power to transform all it touches.

In this case, the shawarma walks a perfect tightrope between the zing of harissa and the cool smattering of raita. Game on.

90 Thorndike St., Lowell 603- 557-0048

185 Chelmsford St., Chelmsford 978-256-7777

6 | MUFFALETTA UNCHARTED

7 | BBQ BEEF BANH-MI HONG CUC DELI

The great New Orleans sandwich done to a tee, with capicola, salami, mortadella and provolone all melding harmoniously with olive relish and extra virgin olive oil on grilled ciabatta bread. It’s the mixed olive relish that really makes this sandwich special, lending an unmistakable flavor.

Pair it with one of UnchARTed’s excellent draft beers, ‘cause hey, it’s 5 o’clock somewhere.

103 Market St., Lowell 978-996-2886

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194 Middle St., Lowell 978-453-1311

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Barbecued beef with cucumber, onion, cilantro, pickled carrot and daikon raddish served with sweet sauce on a baked Vietnamese baguette. The perfect pairing of BBQ and “secret sauce” gives this sandwich a nice kick without being too hot to handle. At only $4.50, it’s as economical as it is tasty.

11 Grand St., Lowell 978-441-0110

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You don’t need meat for a sandwich that’s hearty, zesty and satisfying in equally mouthwatering measure. With a Hard-boiled egg, broccoli, kale, and cheddar grilled and tucked into a whole wheat tortilla, this is the ultimate comfort food to go.

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GOT A LIFE-CHANGING SANDWICH THAT WE SHOULD ADD TO THE LIST? Send us your recommendations to hello@howlmag.com with “Sandwich” in the subject line.

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Roasted by us. For you.

Coffee.

Art. Community. www.brewdawakening.com

61 Market St Lowell, MA 978.454.2739

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MUSIC

LIVE & LOCAL NEW ENGLAND MUSIC AWARDS PRESENTS: THE BEST NEW MUSIC YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

it a Cinderella story. Because for the creative minds C allbehind The New England Music Awards, what started out

as a niche industry event has transformed into one of fastest growing annual celebrations packing in the best live music from across six states.

Photo by Lindsay Nolin

In its fifth year, NEMA will spotlight more than 100 bands up for awards in two dozen categories. From rock, punk, rap and blues to hip-hop, jazz, country and everything in between, count on discovering several homegrown artists worthy of your playlist.

The awards ceremony was born in 2011, when local music promoter Joe Graham and Sugarpop Records label-exec Dennis Hennessey shared a conversation about their love of rock ‘n’ roll over a couple of beers. That night at the bar resulted in a bona fide tribute to New England’s best bands and solo artists.

The inaugural show at Boston’s Hard Rock Cafe in 2012 honored dozens of up-and-comers like The Suicide Dolls, Darlingside, Frank Viele, and Mission Hill, as well as some seasoned players who are no strangers to radio airplay including Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, and the Ryan Montbleau Band. howlmag.com | HOWL Magazine | 13

HOWL | Music

Since then, artist submissions have skyrocketed going from 800 to more than 5,000 for the current year.

In need of a larger venue that could accommodate an all-ages crowd, NEMA moved the show to Lowell Memorial Auditorium and Patriots’ Place at Foxboro before landing its current venue, Blue Ocean Music Hall at Salisbury Beach.

“When you take New England as a whole and look at all the amazing music and talent that’s out there, it’s mind blowing,” said NEMA event coordinator Mike Flynn. “Putting that talent together under one roof also helps some artists get recognition that they might not have had before.”

But NEMA weekend really belongs to the fans, who, in the

event’s fifth year, have come to view the show as a link to music that matters.

The awards show helps roll in a thoroughly overwhelming onslaught of up and comers, unknowns, fresh sounds and new obsessions. Check out all the nominees and get your tickets to the April 9 main event at nemusicawards.com.

REASONS TO ROCK PERFORMING LIVE AT NEMA

ANNA MADSEN

Moody and ethereal, Anna layers her sweet vocals over ambient soundscapes that alternate between bouncy and melancholic.

FRANK VIELE

Soulful, gravely-voiced sincerity that will rattle your bones and penetrate to the core.

frankvielemusic.com

soundcloud.com/annamadsen

ALEX PRESTON

Indie rock with soaring melodies and clever song writing. alexpreston.org

DAPHNE LEE MARTIN WITH SUAVE SKI

Pop-funk featuring Suave Ski’s smooth flow, guaranteed to move you to the dance floor.

daphneleemartin.com

AS THE SPARROW HUNTER

Fun and fierce, this indie band is a shot of adrenaline on stage. hunterstamas.bandcamp.com

Thoughtful and groovy alt rock that can elevate your neighborhood speakeasy from simmer to boil in under 60 seconds. asthesparrow.com

GRETCHEN & THE PICKPOCKETS

CHRIS ROSS & THE NORTH

gretchenandthepickpockets.com

chrisrossandthenorth.com

An epic groove fest rolled into an offbeat mash-up of jazz, soul and swirling guitar rock.

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Alt-country rock that will make you want to drink moonshine and dance with strangers.

For showers, rehearsal dinners, private functions … celebrate in one of our award winning restaurants!

Either Way, You’ll Look Fabulous!

8 private rooms, 25 years of exceeding your guests’ expectations!

Book Your Party! Rooms available for parties from 10 - 200 people Ask for Peggy at moonstones, 978-256-7777 or info@moonstones110.com

• Ask for Kelli at Cobblestones, 978-970-2282 or info@cobblestonesoflowell.com

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HOWL | Music

CATCHING UP WITH A KING

By Victoria Wasylak

“OH BOY,”

murmurs Kaki King upon entering a back room at Mill No. 5. She strides through the crowd gathered for her Root Note Studio workshop and guitar necks simultaneously move out of the way like a makeshift musician’s curtsy.

She begins by playing her sixstring like an alien instrument, tapping the neck like a keyboard and slapping the body like a conga drum. When it’s over, the room buzzes in awe. Then she proposes the impossible.

“So we’re going to learn how to play that song,” King tells her students.

The room hums with the din of thirty musicians tuning their guitars.

King is amused by the dissonance.

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“This is a crazy ass sound!” she says.

While somewhat intimidating at first, King’s downhome nature reveals itself through gestures as quick, sharp and whole hearted as her picking.

She winks at someone who stands up to catch a better glimpse of her fretwork, and offers her sunglasses to another who’s seated in the glaring sunshine.

Kaki sits, slightly elevated, her white Ovation in hand and a landscape of Lowell mills behind her. She demonstrates what to do with the right hand, then the left and then alternates hands with each step, stringing all the motions together. Her right hand is artfully tipped with four – not five – acrylic nails to help her play properly.

“I wasn’t a protégé, I wasn’t brilliant,” King says, recalling her childhood music lessons.

She started learning how to work a guitar at age four but it was her drum training that pushed her guitar techniques to new levels.

“Putting the two together is what makes the song sound speedy and fast,” she says of

Music | HOWL

the techniques she teaches for each hand, from muting strings to tapping the body of the guitar and properly plucking for the heartiest sound.

“You can never repeat too many times,” she advises as the group rhythmically practiced mini-sections of the song. “I’m a real firm believer that you don’t have to practice eight hours a day — you have to practice smart.”

Within the hour and a half course, students learned the foundation of the song and a handful of King’s legendary techniques, just enough information to take home and toy with.

Following the workshop, at her live performance in the Hi Hat lounge, King moved with the same precision and fluidity, finessing the strings with her nails, scratching the body of the guitar, totally experimenting with her sound. She has the power to command a single note to bellow, and silence it just as quick with the slightest touch of a finger. When she wasn’t slapping her strings she was tapping the floor with her feet, not to keep time but for sound effects.

King reached back in her catalogue for the Lowell show, rewinding the clock ten years to play songs like “Goby,” as well as songs from her latest

album The Neck is the Bridge to the Body including “Trying to Speak” (parts one and two) and “Anthropomorph.”

After a near two-hour instrumental outpouring, King flees the stage — sans encore, per her request — to sign merchandise for fans in the Vinyl Destination record shop.

“Kaki was so gracious to include us on the tail end of her tour,” says Liz Lawrence, founder of Root Note Studio.

“She is a true master of her own style on the guitar. That is a statement that very few musicians are able to live up to.”

Get drowned in sound at kakiking.com

SOUNDS OF SUMMER WARM WEATHER GIGS ARE ON THE HORIZON AND LOWELL SUMMER MUSIC SERIES IS ROLLING OUT A TASTE OF WHAT’S TO COME.

ALL SHOWS BEGIN AT 7:30PM LOWELLSUMMERMUSIC.ORG

COLIN HAY FROM MEN AT WORK

“WEIRD AL” YANKOVIC

Sat. July 6 $37 adv./ $40 day of

$58 adv./$65 day of

DR. DOG

THE B-52’S

Sat. August 13 $34 adv./ $40 day of

$52 adv./ $60 day of

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HOWL | Music

SOUND BITES

By Victoria Wasylak

LOCAL BANDS TAPPED FOR INDIE FILM SOUNDTRACK When it comes to making a soundtrack for an indie flick called Granite Orpheus, you’ve gotta summon the New Hampshire music A-Team — that is, resident crooner Patrick Gochez of Pat and the Hats, American Idol alum Alex Preston and award-winning producer Brian Coombes of Rocking Horse Studios. The movie, which adapts the tale of Greek prophet Orpheus to modern-day life in New Hampshire, initially recruited Coombes and Gochez to pen a swoonsome swan song for the film. In the end, Gochez and Coombes ended up writing for Preston’s voice in a track called “I Would Save You.” From there, the trio wrapped up the song in roughly a day at Rocking Horse Studios.

“Without the constraints of an actual band having a predefined genre or sound, it allows the musicians to experiment and try new things you wouldn’t expect from them,” Fitzpatrick said.

That variety and unpredictable element is exactly what gives the project a fiery spark. The only thing that the Cabinet’s songs will ever really have in common is Fitzpatrick on bass, and their constant craving for inspiration from freaky flicks. Misfits fans, this is the new bandwagon you need to hop on.

The first episode of “The Cabinet of Dr. Reverend” and first release “Somnambulist” are both available for free on soundcloud and Podomatic.

“The melody, chord changes, and structure were mostly in place as I had been toying with them for a while before the co-writing session,” Gochez said.

“Brian fit words to the melody which Alex really personalized in addition to closing the harmony in the bridge beautifully.”

Gochez describes the song’s mood as “fairly sentimental,” an understatement considering the masterful gentleness of the entire song’s composition.

You can stream “I Would Save You” on Apple Music.

OH THE HORROR! DR. REVEREND’S CREEPY COLLECTIVE

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STUDIOS one location

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The fairly predictable genre of horror-rock now gets monthly facelifts in Medford, where Christopher “Rev” Fitzpatrick collects a motley crew of different New England musicians to create some utterly foul tunes.

Aptly named “The Cabinet of Dr. Reverend,” the project is a quirky combination of local music and podcasts that allows local musicians to collaborate and experiment outside of their usual bands. Fitzpatrick gathers a new group of local rockers to watch a horror movie, pen a song based on it, and collect comments about the song in a podcast – every single month.

Fitzpatrick, the bassist for horror-garage rock band The Evil Streaks and former bassist for Massachusetts punk mongers Mongrel, started the project as a way to collaborate with the array of musicians he met in his fifteen-plus years in the New England Music scene.

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HOWL | Arts

MAKING A MARK: WARLENE RENE

AN ONGOING SERIES INTRODUCING GREATER LOWELL’S CREATIVE MINDS

“Fashion is the way you talk without words,” says Warlene Rene.

And the local designer, originally from Palm Beach, Fla., who’s an expert in formal wear, is all about keeping the conversation going. Her signature designs are beautiful, comfortable and made to be versatile, so the amazing dress that carries you through a special occasion lives more than just one life.

WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU WANTED TO BE A FASHION DESIGNER?

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Photo by Tory Germann

I realized I wanted to be a fashion designer at the age of 5. I went on a trip to my parents’ native country, Haiti, and remember just clinging to my aunts and grandmother. They had this fancy vintage machine and not to mention they were dressed beautifully. My father is also a tailor. I come from three generations of seamstresses. My mother was great at finding vintage gems at antique and thrift shops and she would always resell to the ladies in our community. So I was always around style and beautiful things.

Arts | Arts YOU SPECIALIZE IN CUSTOM FITTING AND DESIGNING FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS, INCLUDING WEDDINGS. CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE WARLENE RENE BRIDE IN THREE WORDS?

She’s vibrant, she’s creative, she’s playful.

HOW DO YOU FEEL YOU ARE UNIQUE TO OTHER DESIGNERS?

WHO IS YOUR STYLE ICON?

Donna Karan for her art. She has brilliantly made collection after collection easy on the eyes, practical and again, every piece compatible in so many ways. If you need to go to the office, a wedding, or just hang out, she’s got you covered.

I don’t dwell too much on the future or create things my ladies cannot actually envision themselves in. I love history and I love the now. I like practical items that will work over and over again. A lot of what I do can literally work for many type of events. I like the idea that a bride can use her dress for maybe a dinner date later on because it was created to be convertible. Or after a dress is worn to prom it’s history, but it can actually become something totally different afterwards.

WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION?

I find inspiration from nature.

I am big on the environment.

It has so much to offer and it’s nice to slow down and appreciate it. So many ideas flow from paying attention to my surroundings.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR YOU WHEN DESIGNING A DRESS?

WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?

That it will be comfortable on the body and that it makes sense.

The best thing about my job is that I’m styling people. To me, it’s another art form. It takes confidence to help others look their best.

ARE THERE ANY TRENDS YOU’RE LOVING FOR 2016 PROM AND WEDDING?

For Bridal I am loving the illusion look. Sheer bodices with intricate beading. For prom it would definitely be the two pieces, again the creative thinker in me. I would switch the long skirt for a pair of nice dressy jeans when its party time, after I’ve got all my pictures taken.

PERSONAL STYLE IS ALWAYS EVOLVING AND CHANGES WITH THE TIMES, THE MOVEMENT OF POP CULTURE, MUSIC AND MEDIA. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE DECADE FOR STYLE THAT YOU LIKE TO INCORPORATE INTO YOUR DESIGNS?

The ‘20s and ‘60s are my absolute favorites. In the ‘20s women were in more forgiving fashions. The fashion was free form, unique, and the detail and cut was amazing. The ‘60s represented a fun free spirit as well and it was evident in the cut of the fit and flare dresses, and also the refined glam look will continue to influence fashion.

My pieces reflect both in one way or another.

revolution and the seamstresses who were a part of that. Learning about Lowell alone inspired me in the very beginning. I toured the mills in Lowell and heard the stories of the seamstresses and their life in the factories. It made me appreciate sewing as a real art and the city I was living in. I also like how fast paced it is here. In Florida, I feel like you’re on this constant vacation. Here it’s down to business and timelines, which I love. So when I design I’m always keeping these things in mind.

WHAT’S THE MOST CHALLENGING THING?

QUICK —THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE AND YOU ONLY HAVE TIME TO SAVE ONE ITEM FROM YOUR CLOSET. WHAT DO YOU TAKE WITH YOU?

Purse, scarf, cardigan.

WHAT SONG BEST REPRESENTS YOUR DRESS COLLECTION?

Beyonce’s “Get me bodied.” Seriously I put that on when I have a special event to dress for or a special occasion underway. It puts my closet into perspective!

YOU LIVED IN LOWELL, MOVED TO FLORIDA FOR A BIT BUT THEN CAME BACK TO THE AREA. DOES LIVING IN NEW ENGLAND INFLUENCE YOUR DESIGNS?

The challenge is when a girl or guy is happy with a selection but the ones who tag along with them convince them otherwise.

So then they are dressing up someone other than themselves. It’s the worst.

WHAT’S YOUR GOLDEN RULE OF DRESS SHOPPING THAT EVERY GAL SHOULD KNOW?

Do not let numbers or letters determine purchases. Each company has their own measurements. So you may be a size 2 at Banana Republic, but in a size 10 at H&M. Know your circumference measurements: bust, waist and hips.

Then wherever you are shopping find out where you fall in that company’s measurement chart. So may people are stuck on a number and make the wrong purchases.

Yes. There is a lot of history here in New England, especially the industrial howlmag.com | HOWL Magazine | 21

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Arts | Arts

HAPPINESS THERAPY FOR MIND & BODY

I

t’s a little past 5pm and a steady flow of people stream into Sutra Studio with mats in hand. Some are in the prime of youth, others, much older. Then there are the in-betweens, male and female. All are welcome.

They find a spot on the hardwood floor and lay their mats down. Then it’s time to get to the business of relaxing.

Calm your mind. Drop your gaze. Breathe deeply and evenly. You feel the warmth of the room. Standing on one leg, you bend your knee and wrap your right leg around your left. You stretch your arms up above your head, place your palms together, and wonder — can standing on one leg really improve your life?

“Absolutely,” says Jennifer Howell, founder and owner of Sutra. “Yoga helps you block out competing thoughts — your to-do-lists, that big work presentation or college paper that’s due — and allows you to focus on your breathing.

That helps achieve an internal steadiness between fear of the unknown and faith that we can face that fear. ”

Back then, Howell worked in the entertainment industry.

Clad in all black and smoking two packs of cigarettes a day, she was a corporate events director, organizing everything from concert tours and music festivals to high-end weddings and big-scale private parties.

“It was a 24-7 job that was great in my 20s but I started to feel burnt out,” she says.

Photo by Allegra Boverman

Then Howell laughs and admits that if you showed her a glimpse of her future in 2006, she would have laughed hysterically at the sight of her in pink dreadlocks and owning a yoga studio.

howlmag.com howlmag.com| |HOWL HOWLMagazine Magazine| |23 23

HOWL | Arts Howell took a year off to figure out where to go next. She also quit smoking. That’s when she discovered yoga.

“Quitting smoking turned me into a monster for a while. I tried everything to keep the monster at bay, including yoga.”

But in order for her to really embrace the practice, she had to shed her own insecurities about stretching and working out in front of a group of strangers. A great teacher helped.

“In a beginner’s class, everybody is in the same boat,” Howell was told. “Remember that and try not to take yourself too seriously — something we tend to do for most of the day. Being on your mat is about letting yourself go, slowing down your breathing, and, laughing too. There is a lot of silliness in the picture of a bunch of people in spandex writhing around on the floor together. Everyone is there to get better physically, emotionally or spiritually and at some point, you come across all three.”

She eventually took a teaching course to further her own abilities and the a-ha moment hit. By the end of classes, life’s stresses melted away and people had a sense of lightness about them. Howell noticed a similarity to the best parts of her job in entertainment.

“I always loved helping people find their happiness, whether it was a great music festival or a couple’s wedding day, that sense of a single moment in time that people are sharing together is really powerful,” she explains. “ The truest

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dharma (or basic principles of existence), I think are subjects that transcend all different kinds of religions — like being happier, finding more love, finding less jealousy, being less angry and being more patient. Yoga plugs us into all of that by bringing us closer to our own sense of self.”

Sound a little like new age hooey? Think again. Yoga, like any strength training for the body and mind, can also humble you.

Two years ago, Howell was in a major car accident. Sidelined by injury, she needed to heal and found herself taking her yoga training back to the beginning.

“I could no longer move my body in the same way and I gained a ton of weight,” she says. “Practicing in this different body, I was really judging myself and wondering what people would think of me being a bigger yoga teacher and not a size zero.”

This is where the art of laughter comes in, and letting go of the things that don’t really matter. Laughing with others relieves anxiety.

These are tools that people can use off the mat.

“Yoga can be brought into the workplace, into the bar, into your relation-

ships, basically anywhere you need it,” Howell says. “We get into these complicated postures or physically challenging postures and we breathe in them. We can use that same kind of determination and patience when we’re faced with a real crisis in our lives. You go out into the world and your significant other or your boss says something irritating to you.

Instead of snapping back, you can remember to breath and smile and say ‘I’m going to recognize that they’re a person that is complicated too.’ You’re navigating challenges in a more graceful way because you’ve been working on it in your little laboratory on your mat.”

Yoga, Howell adds, isn’t for the flexible. People who are super flexible have the hardest time, she says, because they’ve been depending on their flexibility instead of strength and “yoga is about balance, not how long your hamstrings are.”

Her rules for class: Be patient.

Don’t push too hard. It’s not a competition. Only go as far as your body allows. Have fun. Have an open mind.

“The first time you try anything can be awkward, but the ratio of awkward to awesome shifts the more you practice,” Howell says.

She remembers the first time she was actually able to balance on her hands.

“I just couldn’t believe my body was strong enough or even able to do that,” she says. “ It made no sense to me but at the same time it was super freeing. We spend so much time setting boundaries for ourselves and putting things in ‘the never column’ — I’ll never be president, I’ll never run a marathon, I’ll never be rich, I’ll never do a handstand. It’s amazing when you realize how capable you are of doing the things you think you can’t when you just try.”

No worries. No stress. Only breathing.

Sutra Studio is located at Mill No. 5, 250 Jackson St., 4th flr., Lowell.

Learn more at sutrastudio.com

Photo by Allegra Boverman

By the time the class at Sutra is nearly over, there is a lot of smiling going around the room. More life lessons acquired from the mat.

art . antiques . collectables .

found uncommon objects, new and old At the Moller’s Lofts Building 33a middle st, lowell, ma 01852 978.654.5059 | foundlowell.com

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HOWL | Arts

BUSTING OUT OF T AND FALLING INTO THE BEAT WITH ‘THE REALNESS’

By Richard Budd

It’s 1996, and T.O. has finally

arrived in the city at the heart of the hip hop culture he’s only ever observed from afar in the upper-middle class suburbs. He quickly falls hard for a young MC named Prima, but is he attracted to her as a person or for the lifestyle she represents?

thetics into the style of storytelling for the stage,” says Idris Goodwin, the playwright behind The Realness who has worn many hats over the course of his career including hip hop artist and professor of hip hop studies.

A “love story set to some dope beats,” The Realness premieres at MRT on March 16 and runs through April 10.

Part of Goodwin’s incorporation of hip hop with the stage involves the beats themselves, though the production, he says, isn’t a “rap musical.”

“It explores hip hop as a movement and as a cultural phenomenon, but also incorporates hip hop aes-

“This play really draws from the sound of the voice accentuated by the beat and the idea of talking

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over a beat, the polyrhythmic quality that’s created,” Goodwin explains. “Almost all of the play is entirely underscored by an evolving soundtrack of beats, so scenes, monologues, all of that, all have beats under them, so it all kind of has this boom-bap quality going through.”

Born in 1977, that “boom-bap” has been a backbeat in Goodwin’s own life.

“I’ve sort of been growing up as hip hop as a genre has been growing up as well, and devoured

THE ‘BURBS furiously all of the cultural product that’s come out of that” explains the playwright, who started writing rhymes as a kid before embarking on a career as a hip hop artist after moving to Chicago in the mid‘90s. “I put out albums, started doing spoken word, was on HBO and Sesame Street, and so worked in a semi-professional way as a hip hop artist, vocalist, and writer, and now seek to incorporate that into the realm of theater.”

Director Wendy Goldberg has been a long-time fan of hip hop as well. Having grown up in the same Detroit suburb area as Goodwin, she has always been excited by his explorations of race and class.

“My own experience with hip hop came originally as a fan of the music but has morphed into working with hip hop artists who have taken the tropes and conceits of hip hop and theatricalized them,” she says. “I’ve worked with a number of significant hip hop theater artists in this capacity, which even led to a meeting with Russell Simmons where I told him the title and story of this play, and he smiled.”

Goodwin found a natural connection between his love of music and the theater scene.

“There was this huge storefront theater scene in Chicago, so if you wrote a play and knew some actors, you could get it up and get it reviewed, so I kind of learned that way, trial-by-fire,” he says. “The practice of writing a rhyme — you’re thinking about structure, you’re thinking about rhythm, you’re thinking about the voice. Hip hop is really about your character, so it didn’t seem that different to me. It was different sets of norms and mores and history but at the end of the day, it’s words in the air so I just kind of fell into it.”

The fusion of two different art forms by an artist well versed in both, pulls the lens in on relationships, culture and authenticity.

“The tension in the play between being authentic or real and being inauthentic — a brand, a corporate entity — is something that will always flow through hip hop, I’m certain,” Goldberg says.

“But more importantly, this play is about being true to yourself, being real and is a huge story of learning and discovery for our main character, our narrator T.O.”

Purchase tickets for The Realness at mrt.org.

Arts | Arts ART MONGERS

GALLERY Z Now open The former Zeitgeist gallery has a new look and new owner. Patricia DiStefano Donahue has given the Lowell gallery a facelift, complete with revolving art exhibits, handmade goods and in-house coffee shop.

167 Market St., Lowell.

SEEING AND MAKING March 12-13 A workshop all about capturing, taking and making photographs by Adrien Bisson at the Arts League of Lowell, 397 Market St. 10-noon and 1-3 each day, tuition $96. artsleagueoflowell.org

13 WAYS TO LOOK AT A BLACKBIRD Through March 27 A three-woman show with paintings and sculpture

by Gayle Caruso, Nan Hockenbury and Robin Levandov at Loading Dock Gallery, 133 Western Ave., Lowell.

PEACE OF THE SEA March 16-April 29 A collection of pastels, oils and mixed media at the Whistler House museum.

243 Worthen St., Lowell

BAD MOON CONSIGNMENT April 2 Boutique grand opening featuring handmade jewelry, gifts, taxidermy and other oddities at Mill No. 5. 250 Jackson St., Lowell. 12-7pm.

FEM NOIR April 8-9 The annual festival of women playwrights at Whistler House, 243 Worthen St., Lowell. Wine and cheese reception at 7:15pm, 8pm showtime.

Tix $25 at imagetheater.com.

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HOWL | Homegrown

10 SUPERFOODS

YOU CAN BUY THIS SPRING AT BROX FARM

S

pring is in the air when farms start beefing up their bounty at roadside stands and on farmers’ market tables. And we’re looking forward to the fresh flavors popping through greenhouse-grown veggies from Brox Farm in March and April — the perfect harbinger of longer days and warmer weather. Not only will you notice the difference in taste, these locally grown fruits and veggies are also full of nutrients to keep you healthy and strong.

1 | KALE: This nutrient dense food packs a serious punch. It is loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients that build up the immune system and lower cancer risk.

2 | SPINACH: Another super nutrient-dense food, spinach is low in calories yet very high in vitamins, minerals and other phytonutrients.

3 | BEETS: An all-star veggie, beets contain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that help fight disease and strengthen vital organs.

4 | WATERMELON RADISH: Sharp and crunchy, radishes are a refreshing bite of spring. A rich source of folate and vitamins C and A, watermelon radishes have a green to white exterior, a bright pink interior and are much sweeter than the common red globe variety.

5 | APPLES: An apple a day is the most delicious prescription. Full of fiber and potassium, the skins alone provide two to six times more antioxidants than the fruit inside.

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Homegrown | HOWL

POWER PUNCH KALE-APPLE SMOOTHIE The apple juice and bananas mask the vegetable flavors so well, you’ll barely taste the kale. ¾ cup chopped kale. Ribs and thick stems removed 6. CARROTS: Containing beta carotene, carrots help convert vitamin A in the body and improve vision. They also deliver sleep promoting nutrients like potassium and vitamin B6, as well as biotin.

7. TOMATOES: A powerhouse source of lycopene, a potent antioxidant associated with heart and bone health.

8. TATSOI: Besides good taste, this dark leafy green packs a powerful nutrition punch with beta-carotene, vitamins C, K, and A, as well as iron, calcium, potassium and phosphorus.

9. POTATOES: The spud often gets a bad rap for being fattening.

But if kale were deep fried you probably wouldn’t consider that healthy either. Potatoes are actually a super healthy root in many ways including loads of fiber, potassium, immune-boosting quercetin and vitamin B6, so eat up friends.

10. MUSHROOMS: Packed with vitamin D and immune-boosting antioxidants, if fungi aren’t already a part of your diet, they should be.

This year, Brox is partnering with Fat Moon Farm of Westford to bring you delicious fresh shrooms.

Visit Brox Farm at 1276 Broadway Rd., Dracut 978-454-3434 | farmerdaves.net

1 small stalk celery, chopped ½ banana ½ cup apple juice ½ cup ice 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice Place kale, celery, banana, apple juice, ice and lemon juice in a blender and blend until smooth and frothy. Enjoy.

TAPPING IN TO SPRING March is maple month and the sugar house at Parker’s Maple Barn, 1316 Brookline Road in Mason, N.H. is in full swing now through mid-April. Parker’s makes syrup the old fashioned way, with a wood fire. Purchase the sweet stuff on site at the country store or stop in for breakfast where you can experience all of that fresh maple flavor in everything from pancakes and sausages to coffee.

FARM TO FACE Founded by Amy Adams, Old Orchard is a natural and organic skin care line handcrafted in Mont Vernon, N.H. Praised by one reviewer as “Photoshop in a jar,” the No. 25 treatment balm with organic prickly pear seed oil, cupuacu butter and organic castor oil can heal, hydrate and restore skin ravaged by winter.

Oldorchard.co howlmag.com | HOWL Magazine | 29

THINGS TO DO

SECRET CITY OUR FAVORITE UNUSUAL ATTRACTIONS AND HIDDEN GEMS REVEALED

By The HOWL Street Team

30 | HOWL Magazine | howlmag.com

Things to Do | HOWL

BODEGA HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT 232 HIGH ST., LOWELL Step inside the no-frills Los Amigo Market and beyond the convenience store you’ll discover a back kitchen that serves heaping plates of Spanish food including mouth- watering friend chicken, rice and beans for around $6.

SECRET SPEAKEASY 1 ELM ST., NASHUA The storefront of Codex Bar looks like a bookstore. A secret panel — you have to find it first — opens to a retro glam bar circa 1920s with creative cocktails and vintage décor. Sorry, we won’t tell you where the secret panel is because half the fun of Codex is in finding out how to get in. Hint: Peruse the bookcase on your quest for great cocktails and beer.

BEST FRESH SEAFOOD NOWHERE NEAR A BEACH 333 WESTFORD ST., LOWELL Captain John’s is a lower Highlands dive bar that was spotlighted by Hollywood in The Fighter, the 2010 blockbuster about Lowell boxer Micky Ward’s epic rise to fame. But besides being the spot where Ward met his wife, Charlene, this unlikely workingclass hero’s joint has been long known to have the best fried seafood plate north of Boston. Owners Nick and Maria Kozombolis keep a clean kitchen and have seafood arrive fresh from Gloucester & Ipswitch every few days.

HONEY SRIRACHA WINGS AND MACARONS 478 MERRIMACK ST., LOWELL While Sizzling Kitchen serves a world-class mix of Asian-fusion, Italian with a twist and house baked pastries, the chef knocks it out of the park with his sweet and savory honey-sriracha wings drizzled in sesame seeds. Follow up with the handcrafted macarons — we highly recommend the pistachio but there’s around 20 tasty flavors to choose from.

RIVERWALK & NORTH CANALWAY BEHIND BOARDING HOUSE PARK (40 FRENCH ST.), LOWELL Beyond Boarding House Park, slip through the iron gate and you’ll meet the river and a long, snaking pathway that stretches a few miles past scenic bridges and canalways. A cool urban path for jogging, biking or walking.

A GARDEN OASIS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY 243 WORTHEN ST., LOWELL The historic birthplace of painter James McNeil Whistler, The Whistler House Museum also happens to have a beautifully landscaped park. Many may not know this Lowell landmark also offers a variety of super affordable wedding and private function packages ranging from about $600 to $1,200 for use of the grounds.

BEST BURGER AFTER MIDNIGHT 145 DUTTON ST., LOWELL If you’ve found yourself at the bar until the bitter end, the historic Club Diner is most likely your next stop to refuel. From homecooked meals like meatloaf and mashed potatoes to juicy burgers and of course, breakfast, this is the place for late night food action and people watching.

OLDEST WORKING PHONE BOOTH IN LOWELL 245 Central St., Lowell When was the last time you used a public phone booth to make a call or change into your superhero clothes? You can still find one of the nearextinct four-walled variety soldiering on inside Cappy’s Copper Kettle.

GULP WINE FIRESIDE 160 PAWTUCKET BLVD., TYNGSBORO Close to everything yet worlds away, the Left Bank lounge inside Stonehedge Inn has an impressive four sided stone fireplace surrounded by leather couches — a great place to bring a friend or significant other and test drive the bar’s extensive wine and cocktail selection.

A KILLER CUP AND CANNOLI 1300 MAIN ST., TEWKSBURY Café Sicilia is small in size but big on charm. You can grab a cappuccino and a deliciously crispy ricotta stuffed shell, close your eyes and pretend you’re in Italy. Their Italian subs, big bowls of pasta with meatball and gelato are also worth your time.

howlmag.com | HOWL Magazine | 31

MILL NO. 5 & MILL CITY GROWs PRESENT

The Farm

MARKET 10 to 2

days Sun

fresh produce KIDS STORYTIME at 11AM

live music INDOORS

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Lowell, mass farmlowell farmlowell thefarmmarket

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Things to Do | HOWL CHICKEN BARB 510 LOWELL ST., METHUEN The Chicken “Bahb” is a Northeast classic. And if you want the best, head down to Norm’s White Horse. A bit suspicious looking on the outside, the inside of the building is your typical neighborhood bar with comfortstyle pub food including homemade scotch eggs, seafood chowder and burgers. Although it isn’t barbecued, the chicken is simmered in a pressure cooker with seasonings then pulled off the bone, shredded and simmered again in the broth from the pressure cooker. The tender meat is served on a toasted role with lettuce and a smattering of mayo.

THE GROTTO 357 PAWTUCKET ST. (REAR), LOWELL Tucked behind the Franco American school, this hidden gem is mentioned in Kerouac’s Dr. Sax and was also paid a visit by Beat poet Allen Ginsberg and Bob Dylan in the 1975 documentary Renaldo and Clara. The 108-year-old school is closing its doors in June 2016 and the fate of the property is still up in the air so you may want to check out this unique landmark while you can.

DONUTS FROM HEAVEN 487 WESTFORD ST., LOWELL We’ve mentioned the Donut Shack many times, but we’re still surprised by how many people we meet who have yet to discover this small bakery with the most amazing marshmallow-filled doughnuts.

DRAGON FRUIT, JACKFRUIT AND DUCK HEADS 179 CHELMSFORD ST., LOWELL If it’s exotic fruit you’re looking for, you can’t beat the selection at Bangkok Market. But if you’re a bit squeamish, you may want to avoid the packaged duck heads on display.

WINES FROM AROUND THE WORLD 58 PRESCOTT ST. (REAR), LOWELL Off the beaten path, Tutto Bene is a wine and cheese cellar accessed through a Prescott Street alleyway and has an impressive selection of wine and beer.

THE LEW HOUSE 89 MOUNT HOPE ST., LOWELL The former home of Adrastus and Elizabeth Lew (married in 1844) was a stop on the Underground Railroad for escaped slaves making their way to Canada. The Lew’s grandson, Harry “Bucky” Lew became the first black professional basketball player in 1902.

JANE TOPPAN’S HOUSE 182 THIRD ST., LOWELL In 1902, nurse Jane Toppan (aka Jolly Jane), confessed to killing 31 people with poison, some of whom she crawled into bed with and held while they died. She also killed her foster sister with a cocktail of mineral water and strychnine. It is believed that over 10 years, Toppan killed as many as 100 people. The house on Third is where she grew up.

ED MCMAHON’S BENCH 33 KEARNEY SQUARE, LOWELL “Heeeeeeeeeer’s Johnny.” Lowell native and comedian Ed McMahon is most famous for the line he used to intro Johnny Carson for years on the Tonight Show. In 1996, he was honored with a bench in front of Middlesex Community College, marked with a star.

FAMOUS HOT DOGS SPELLED TWO DIFFERENT WAYS 37 ELLIOTT ST., LOWELL Speaking of Ed McMahon, the snappy Kayem dogs at Elliot’s were his favorite. Pay a visit and you’ll notice the name is spelled both with one “T” and two in various spots around the lunch cart.

DRINK WITH GHOSTS 141 WORTHEN ST., LOWELL Built in 1834, The Worthen House is the city’s oldest tavern and is rumored to have more than patrons walking about in the attic during the wee hours of the morning. It’s also said that Edgar Allen Poe liked to have a cold one here when he visited Lowell (the macabre author allegedly had an affair with a married Lowell woman). Whether you believe in the supernatural or not, you will catch a glimpse of one of the last antique belt-driven ceiling fan systems in the country at this neighborhood watering hole.

DRINK AT AN ART GALLERY 103 MARKET ST., LOWELL You can’t beat the craft beers on tap or the tasty pizza, sandwich and soup menu at UnchARTed. Did we mention the great live music on weekends?

MOST ARTISTIC WASH CLOSET 61 MARKET ST., LOWELL The loo inside Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus is covered floor to ceiling in original artwork by Michael Dailey Jr. and Rick Stec. howlmag.com | HOWL Magazine | 33

HOWL |Things to Do SEE ‘DUCKS’ FLY 22 VINAL SQUARE, NORTH CHELMSFORD One of the last remaining duckpin bowling lanes in the country, the underground alley known as North Chelmsford lanes is a cool step backward in time.

GREAT DATE SPOT MILL NO. 5, 250 JACKSON ST., 4TH FLR., LOWELL Step inside this indoor streetscape lined with boutique shops including a record store, café, and indie theater that sells beer and wine. The red velvet couches by the fireplace in the Victorian Lounge (next door to the café) is a cozy space for conversation over coffee.

BRITISH CANDY AND USED BOOKS MILL NO. 5, 250 JACKSON ST., 4TH FLR., LOWELL Speaking of Mill No. 5, you’ll find a multitude of treats to satisfy every expat and Anglophile’s sweet tooth at Serpentine Books, where shop owner Ken Welch visits the U.K. to pile up on confections like Lion, Crunchie, Yorkie bars, Smarties and more.

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A LION AND A ‘WITCH’ 77 KNAPP AVE., LOWELL More than a Century old, the gardenstyle Lowell Cemetery has rows of elaborate monuments, like the 25-ton Italian marble carved Ayer lion, and the legendary “Witch Bonney.” Despite supernatural rumors, the statue is actually in memory of Clara Bonney Lilley who died in the 19th Century.

This is a tranquil spot to walk and explore.

OBSCURE ANTIQUES AND ODDITIES 297-321 EAST ST., TEWKSBURY Tucked inside the Tewksbury State Hospital, you’ll find the Public Health Museum filled with some interesting artifacts documenting medical history in the U.S. Open Wed. and Thurs. 10am-2pm, and the first Saturday of every month, 10am-2pm. $5 admission.

VINTAGE TURNTABLES, VIDEO GAMES AND RECORDS 54 MIDDLESEX ST., LOWELL A cool throwback to the days of jukeboxes and classic turntables, Garnick’s is one of the oldest businesses still standing in downtown and has a great garage sale vibe.

OLD-SCHOOL TOYS 150 MIDDLE ST., LOWELL During the holidays, toys are front and center but for the rest of the year, they take a back seat to Rogers Pool & Patio business. But make no mistake, this is one of the best places (dare we say, on earth) for finding nostalgic and classic toys and board games.

MERRIMACK REPERTORY THEATRE

THE REALNESS: A BREAK BEAT PLAY

WORLD PREMIERE

A MO DERN LOVE STO RY

WRITTEN BY

Idris Goodwin

DIRECTED BY

Wendy Goldberg

MARCH 16 – APRIL 10

MRT.ORG | 978-654-4678 | 50 E. MERRIMACK ST., LOWELL howlmag.com || HOWL HOWL Magazine Magazine || 35 35 howlmag.com

THE

LUNALOWELL.COM 36 | HOWL Magazine | howlmag.com