APRIL PULSE MAGAZINE 2022

A variety of fruit and lemonade avors.

PULSE MAGAZINE: APRIL 2022

11 COVER STORY KEEPING FIT IN WORCESTER

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ENTERTAINMENT ARTS • CULTURE

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AMERICAN ROADSIDES

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Arts & Culture Listings

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Now Streaming

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Entertainmant Listings

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PulseShots

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EAT • BREWS COCKTAILS

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Dining Review: OFF THE RAILS

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EAT BEAT

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PULSE BREW

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COCKTAIL CORNER

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STYLE • FASHION BEAUTY FITNESS FASHION

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Style Savvy

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Out and About

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420 in the 508

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CITY LIVING • ARCHITECTURE • DESIGN THE WALKABILITY AND AESTHETICS OF WORCESTER’S CANAL DISTRICT

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SPORT AND FITNESS THE MA PIRATES “KICK OFF” A NEW SEASON

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Shaun Knows

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Sports?

NEW IN THE WOO CASTLE CANTINA

Paul Giorgio, Publisher pgiorgio@pagioinc.com David Simone, Vice President, Sales dsimone@pagioinc.com Jenny Pacillo, Editior jpacillo@pagioinc.com Kevin La, Art Director kla@pagioinc.com Nick Sposato, Graphic Design Intern Michael Brevde, Executive Events Coordinator mbrevde@pagioinc.com

READ PULSE ONLINE: THEPULSEMAG.COM

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: TWITTER @WORCESTERPULSE • INSTAGRAM @WORCESTERPULSE • FACEBOOK.COM/THEPULSEMAGAZINE PULSE Magazine is produced 12 times a year by Pagio Inc., 134 Gold St., Worcester, MA 01608. (508) 756-5006. Copyright 2021 All rights reserved. Pagio, Inc. does not hold itself responsible for statements made by any contributor. Statements or opinions expressed in Pulse reflect the views of the author(s) and not the official policy of the Pagio, Inc., unless so stated. Although all advertising material is expected to conform to ethical standards, acceptance does not imply endorsement

by Pagio, Inc. unless so stated. Material printed in Pulse is covered by copyright. No copyright is claimed to any work of the U.S. government. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission. For information on permissions, reprints and other services, contact Pagio, Inc. Also by Pagio Inc.: Worcester Medicine, Vitality Magazine, Thepulsemag.com, Thevitalitymag.com, & TasteWorcester.com

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Bernie Whitemore, Jennifer Russo, Travis Duda, Jason Savio, Shaun Connolly, Giuliano D’Orazio, Shannon Jutras Rachel Chine, April Goddard, Irena Kaci, Rachel Shuster, Vincent Pacifico, Nick Sposato, and Jenny Pacillo.Writers

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Keeping keeping Fit Jason Savio Chances are you spent the winter huddled up inside, enjoying hot chocolate and comfort foods. But now it’s time to get back out and stretch. If you want to get in shape, feel healthy and look good this summer, there are some fun and interesting offerings in and around Worcester that can help. From hot power yoga to the latest in workout technology, there is something for everyone that will fit any kind of schedule. So, shake off those winter blues and let’s get to it!

Hot Power Yoga Center What better way to loosen those stiff muscles than hot yoga? And how about not just any hot yoga, but hot power yoga that is a whole workout in and of itself. That’s what Kristin Caforio-Marengo, owner of the Hot Yoga Power Center on Grafton Street, is practicing and teaching her students. Since 2014, Caforio-Marengo has been turning up the heat—literally to 99 degrees—in her yoga studio for a Vinyasa-style yoga workout that goes beyond just stretching.

“It does great things for not just flexibility, but it has a lot of strengthening purposes too,” Caforio-Marengo explains, “It’s a perfect blend of relaxation and activation.”

Vinyasa yoga links breath to movement in which you follow particular breathing techniques while hitting poses in a seamless fashion, flowing from one to the other.

“It’s really great for relieving stress, anxiety or any built up energy of any kind,” she says.

The workout includes side-bends, back-bends, arm balances and more in what Caforio-Marengo describes as a “well-rounded practice for the entire body.”

Alana D'Ambrosio is a frequent customer of Hot Power Yoga Center and says there is nothing else like it in Worcester.

“It’s intense,” she says. “It kicks my butt every time I go in but that’s why I like it. You don’t need to know much going into it.”

Not only is the Hot Power Yoga Center welcoming to novices, it also offers different types of classes. An aroma class adds oil diffusers in the room to help lift your spirit, and a night class that Caforio-Marengo calls “super relaxing” creates a nice ambience with candles. An online class is also offered.

Perhaps the most unique workout you can sign up for is based on Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” album, in which the class is taught along to the record playing on a night when there is a full moon. The flow of the workout is synced to the beat of the music for a “moving meditation (that) takes you into a real nice escape.”

For more, visit: http://hotpoweryogacenter.com/

Anytime Fitness So, you’re a gym rat who wants to get to the bread and butter of working out on your own schedule and without the crowd? There’s no better place to do that than at the Anytime Fitness on Shrewsbury Street, says franchise owner Gary Riello.

“I love it,” says Riello. “My whole life I’ve wanted to help people and that’s why I got into this business.”

Like all Anytime Fitnesses, the one on Shrewsbury Street is open 24/7 and has a “more personalized experience” with its smaller size and fewer members.

“We have a smaller gym that is more like between four thousand and six thousand square feet opposed to a ten or fifteen thousand square foot gym,” he says.

Workout classes with a high number of people aren’t offered, but personal and small group training of up to four people is.

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“I like to focus on individuals,” Riello says. “If you have two or three people working out together, you can pay attention to each one as opposed to being just a number in a class.”

While Shrewsbury Street’s Anytime Fitness is “outfitted to cover the whole dynamic of the industry,” there is one part of Reillo’s gym that has become increasingly popular: the “purple turf room.”

“That changed my gym,” Riello says about the room’s popularity after he added it.

The room features material similar to the kind used on a football field and is designed for indoor sport and agility use. HIIT workouts--quick, full-body circuits--are what Riello sees most people doing in the room, plus stretching.

“I think that has become more known as opposed to just coming in and lifting weights,” Riello says.

iLoveKickboxing

We’re going to kick it up another notch now with iLoveKickboxing over in West Boylston, where owner Joe Formosa emphasizes “fun.” Kickboxing can be intimidating, but you don’t have to worry about any Jean-Claude Van Damme wannabes flying through the air here.

“We like to say that you get all the fun of kickboxing but there’s no fight,” says Formosa. “Nobody is here to hurt you.”

Formosa and his instructors focus on helping their clients “build a healthy body” rather than fight with each other. “We don’t engage in any of that, which helps keep it in a lighter spirit,” he says about sparring with each other, “But the moves and the combos are the same.”

There are 29 heavy bags set up at the iLoveKickboxing studio for classes that include eight rounds of bag work that last two-and-half minutes each. You may start with a simple jab and cross combo, and then add more maneuvers like a roundhouse kick with each advancing round.

What makes iLoveKickboxing an even more attractive option is its inclusion of a heart rate monitor for each student that helps them track their progress in real-time via a color-coded system that appears on a screen in the studio. They can also use the monitor to track their progress outside of the gym and add it to their records in the iLoveKickboxing app.

Students can use the iLoveKickboxing’s app to get daily and monthly reports of their progress and compete with others in iLoveKickboxing studios around the country to see who has burned off the most calories through a point system.

“It’s trying to get it so people realize that fitness happens throughout the day,” says Formosa. “The more you’re thinking about healthy choices and fitness, the more successful you’re going to be.”

For more, visit: https://www.ilovekickboxing.com/west-boylston

Workout from home The choices we have for home workout equipment are constantly evolving, but one trend that is here to stay is Peloton.

Not only can you get a good workout on a bike through Peloton, this year the company will be offering a new strength training program called Peloton Guide that includes weights and technology to help you track and improve your form.

Reginald McGee, a mathematics professor at Holy Cross, has a busy schedule that can make going to the gym difficult.

He decided to give the Peloton bike a try in June of 2021, and has been riding ever since. He has also incorporated the program’s yoga workout into his routine.

“I’ve been loving it,” he says.

McGee has noticed a difference since starting, too. He says he started using Peloton because he was looking at something to get his weight down and has since been “feeling a lot better and noticing changes in (his) body.”

“I’ve been more focused on just feeling a lot better and I’m sleeping a lot better,” he says. “I’m definitely noticing gains in the class on personal records.”

And the amount of control you’re given with Peloton’s on-demand library of classes is perfect for someone who doesn’t have the time to sit through exercises that they’re not interested in.

“Knowing that I can search for a ten-minute high intensity interval training ride, a fifteen-minute slow yoga flow, five-minute core workout with a great playlist, ninety-minute power zone ride, et cetera definitely keeps me from falling into the ‘I don't have time’ trap that I've fallen into many times in the past when I've been busy with work,” McGee says.

If you’re concerned about being too isolated and still want human interaction, McGee says the Peloton community is “awesome.”

“I’ve moved around a lot and have friends around the country who have them,” he says. “You hop on the bike and take a class together. If you want, you can video chat with each other during the class.”

For more, visit: https://www.onepeloton.com/

Whether you feel more comfortable working out at home or at a gym, now is the time to invest in your health. Find a workout routine that is best for you and take that first step to improving or maintaining your physical fitness. Excuses not accepted!

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ENTERTAINMENT • ARTS • CULTURE

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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/ April 14 - Jason Fiering: Turned Down April 30 - Tom Grady: 100 Views of Worcester 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 https://www.jmacworcester.org/brickbox. html April 3 - Arts Transcending Borders at Holy Cross presents Cyro Baptista April 14 - Peter Gross presents The Secret Doorway: Magic + Mindreading April 21 & 22 - 4th Wall Stage Company presents More Naughty Bits April 23 - Audioart presents An Evening with Tom Rush accompanied by Matt Nakoa April 24 - Worcester Chamber Music Society presents Looking East Fitchburg Art Museum (978) 345-4207 185 Elm St., Fitchburg https://fitchburgartmuseum.org/ Free First Thursdays April 22 - Looking East Hanover Theatre (877) 571-7469 2 Southbridge St., Worcester https://thehanovertheatre.org/ April 1, 2 & 3 Summer: The Donna Summer Musical April 8 through 10 - Blue Man Group April 14 through 17 - Anastasia April 22 - Ballet Hispanico - Noche de Oro, 50th Anniversary Program April 26 through May 1 - The Prom JMAC Popup (508) 561-0173 20B Franklin St., Worcester www.jmacworcester.org

Mechanics Hall (508) 752-5608 321 Main St., Worcester https://www.mechanicshall.org/ April 2 - Heart and Stroke Ball April 6 - Organ Concert with Dana Robinson April 9 - New England Symphony Orchestra presents “From the New World” April 10 - Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association Honors Concert April 24 - WPI Orchestra and Chorus April 27 - Clark University Music Program Festival Concert

April 9 - Arms and Armor: Roman Soldier April 10 - Highlights of the WAM Collection Docent Tour April 21 - Master Series: Valentin de Boulgone’s Soldiers Playing Cards and Dice April 23 - Arms and Armor: Medieval Men at Arms April 24 - Highlights of the WAM Collection Docent Tour

Old Sturbridge Village (800) 733-1830 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge https://www.osv.org/ Saturdays - Night in the Museum: Evening Investigation April 9 - Joan M. McGrath Memorial Lecture Featuring Richard Norton Smith April 16, 17, & 18 - Patriot’s Day Celebrations April 19 through 24 - Village Earth Week

Worcester Chamber Music Society (508) 926-8624 323 Main St, Worcester https://worcesterchambermusic.org/

Preservation Worcster (508) 754-8760 10 Cedar St., Worcester https://www.preservationworcester.org/

The wonderfully pleasant Patrick Wetzel, who plays Barry Glickman in The Prom, on his own prom experience:

Samuel Slater Experience (508) 461-2955 31 Ray St., Webster https://samuelslaterexperience.org/ Tower Hill Botanical Garden (508) 869-6111 11 French St., Boylston https://www.towerhillbg.org/ Tuesdays - Chair Yoga Wednesdays - Qigong & Tai Chi Movement April 10 - New England Dahlia Society Tuber Sale April 20 - Spring Ephemerals Walk & Talk April 28 - Yoga in the Garden April 29 - Orchard Walk and Talk April 30 - Forest Bathing

Worcester Center for Crafts (508) 753-8103 25 Sagamore Rd., Worcester https://www.worcestercraftcenter.org/

Worcester Historical Museum (508) 753-8278 30 Elm St., Worcester https://www.worcesterhistory.org/

“I went to three of my proms, I did not go when I was a freshman. I was asked but my mom said I was not allowed to go because I was too young. I went to my sophomore junior and senior year proms and it was a lot of fun.”

The Prom will be at the Hanover Theatre April 26th through May 1st.

Read more about Patrick at ThePulseMag.com

Tuckerman Hall (508) 754-1234 10 Tuckerman St., Worcester http://www.tuckermanhall.org/ April 14 - Artists’ Panel for the Exhibition Us Them We: Race Ethnicity Identity Worcester Art Museum (508) 799-4406 55 Salisbury St., Worcester https://www.worcesterart.org/ Free First Sundays April 3 - Celebrate Spring Community Day

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NOW STREAMING. JASON SAVIO If you want mayhem, look no further than Gürschach’s new EP Hypnotic Disasters, a five-song follow-up to 2017’s Dark Matter. This San Francisco based experimental metal band lives up to the moniker with three original songs to pique your curiosity, plus two stellar covers to boot.

An unsettling organ starts “I’m The Grim Reaper,” conjuring a spooky vibe. A barrage of power chords and drums quickly take over, but instead of getting rid of the ear-provoking opening, Gürschach tries to incorporate the two together with mixed results. Although it doesn’t entirely work the way it’s intended, it’s still a cool idea.

It gets real on the dark techno of “Cyberocracy” and “The Incarceration Proclamation.” The former touches on the fear of becoming just another face in a system.

“Cyberocracy” grinds and pummels with a cold, industrial rock edge as singer X warns: “Welcome to the corporate hive/Sell your soul to stay alive.” A distorted synth Get ready to be propelled to worlds unknown with Esprit D'Air’s new album, Oceans. Esprit D'Air is a London-based Japanese electronic metal solo project led by vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Kai. Knowing that Kai has created these songs herself and recorded them at her own home studio is mind blowing when you hear the amount of work that has gone into the finely produced songs on Oceans.

Anchored by a heavy metal foundation of surging, progressive guitars and pounding drums, Oceans is given that extra blast of energy thanks to fast-paced synth melodies. This is a bright and energetic metal album with techno dressing that has 2022 written all over it.

Whereas other metal bands thrive in the dirt and grime of yesterday, Esprit D’Air is living in the shiny and pristine future.

“Ocean’s Call” is one of many adrenaline-pounding songs on Oceans that walks a fine line of frenzy and con-

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solo teleports the listener into a nightmare hive of electric bees, for the best moment on the EP. “The Incarceration of Proclamation” starts out slow and mellow before shifting to a swing beat, making it feel like two songs in one. The lyrics about the greed and sins of our country’s past are eyebrow-raising. It’s hard to tell if they’re being satirical when X sings, “And no we’re not gonna let some commies change the land of the free/‘Cause this is how America’s always been and how it’s always gonna be.”

The covers of Metallica’s “St. Anger” and Slayer’s “Dead Skin Mask'' are both solid, but an extra blast of energy to “St. Anger,” gives the original a run for its money. Hypnotic Disasters is not perfect or without its faults, but it is an interesting and unique listen.

For more, visit: https://www.gurschach.com/

trol as no space is left open. Every nook and cranny is used to its potential, whether it’s a guitar lick, kick drum, or synth keys bouncing every which way. Oceans is like strobe lights for your ears and should come with a warning saying so. “Calling You” is another standout with a trippy opening, while “Nebulae” offers up alien signals.

Kai knows how to slow things down when needed, however, and about halfway through Oceans you’ll notice a change in the current as more traditional pianos are brought in for somber instrumentals “Distant Waves” and “Moonlight Tides.” You can hear waves crashing on the latter.

With its bright and glossy production, pure energy, and mix of metal with techno elements, Esprit D'Air’s Oceans is bound to turn the tide for what metal can sound like moving forward.

For more, visit: https://www.espritdair.com/

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Winner will also receive a $2,000 travel allowance.

Or visit: https://ahmus.me/WWII-fighter-sweeps

EXPLORETHE THECANAL CANALDISTRICT DISTRICT EXPLORE THE CANAL DISTRICT EXPLORE

good luck to the woosox this season

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ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS As COVID restrictions begin to ease and live music returns to the area’s bars and restaurants, we are excited to bring entertainment listings back to Pulse. 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 Wednesday, Friday & Sunday - Live music April 1 - Memphis Sun Mafia April 3 - The Russo Bros.

April 6 - Bring Back Pluto April 8 - The Moore Bros.

April 10 - Big John Short April 13 - Arny Spielberg April 15 - Colt & the Coyotes Black and White Grille 508-885-5018 206 North Spencer Rd., Spencer Blackandwhitegrille.com Blueprint New American Bar & Grille 978-668-5580 10 Village Sq., Westminster Cafe Neo 774-253-6139 97 Millbury St., Worcester Nightly Karaoke Chuck’s Steakhouse 508- 832-2553 10 Prospect Street, Auburn Classic’s Pub 978-227-5258 285 Central St., Leominster Chashu Ramen + Izakaya 508-304-7183 38 Franklin St., Worcester Electric Haze 26 Millbury St., Worcester April 2 - Bella’s Bartok, Leon Trout April 6 -Daniel Van Kirk April 8 - Sgt Scag, Shokazoba, Shape Shifters, Stop Calling me Frank, Uey at the Buoy April 10 - Sensi Trails and Long Are Rex WSG/Ferris Electrik April 16 - Fennario

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April 8 - Deloreans April 9 - Boombox April 15 - Melissa Perkins Band April 16 - Decades by Dezyne April 22 - Rumor Hazit

Elm Draught House 508-865-2850 35 Elm St., Millbury Fidder’s Green Pub 508-792-3700 19 Temple St., Worcester April 9 - Irish Whispa April 10 - Irish Seisiun April 24 - Irish Seisiun Firefly’s BBQ 508-357-8883 350 E. Main St., Marlborough DANTE’S at FIREFLY’S BBQ April 1 - On the Rocks April 2 - Aquanett April 8 - Getaway Rocks April 9 - Whiskey Church April 15 - True North April 16 - Hot Acoustics April 22 - Billy and the Jets April 23 - Synergy April 29 - Caroly Rae & the Rumors April 30 - Moosejuice

Happy Jack’s 978- 466-3433 785 N Main St., Leominster Wednesdays - Team Trivia Thursdays - Slingo Indian Ranch 508-943-3871 200 Gore Rd., Webster Indianranch.com April 23 - Comedy Night with Paul Nardizzi & Guests April 29 - Aquanett Legends Bar and Grille 978- 342-6500 68 Airport Rd, Fitchburg MB Lounge 508-799-4521 40 Grafton St., Worcester Wednesday - Karaoke Thursday - Trivia Night Friday & Saturday - Dance Party Sunday - Game Night April 10 - Drag Queen Bingo April 23 - Purple Party

Flying Rhino 508-757-1450 278 Shrewsbury St., Worcester

One Eyed Jack’s Tiki Bar & Grill 508-459-0089 433 Park Ave., Worcester Park Grille 508-756-7995 257 Park Avenue, Worcester Partner’s Pub 978-345-5051 970 South St., Fitchburg

Peppercorn’s Grille & Tavern 508-752-7711 455 Park Ave., Worcester

Greater Good Imperial Brewing 508-926-8736 55 Millbrook St., Worcester

Halligan’s 508-832-6739 889 Southbridge St., Auburn April 1 - Say Uncle April 2 - Whiskey and Rye

Off the Rails 508-304-6411 90 Commercial St., Worcester Wednesday through Sunday - Live Music

Patsie Duggans 508 755-4155 49 Millbury St, Worcester

Gardner Ale House 978- 669-0122 74 Parker St., Gardner

Greendale’s Pub 508-853-1350 404 W Boylston St. North, Worcester Sundays - Night Jam Wednesdays - Wacky Blues Jam April 1 - Messy Excuses April 2 - Super Chargers April 8 - Blackstone Soul April 9 - The Verge April 15 - Intersteller

Michael’s Cigar Bar 508-459-9035 1 Exchange St, Worcester Movie Mondays April 1 - Los Sugar Kings April 2 & 15 - Hit the Bus April 3 & 24 - Chris Barber April 6, 20, & 29 - Mechanical Rat April 7, 14, 21, & 30 - Dezi Garcia April 8 & 23 - Dan DeCristofaro April 9 - John Trudeau April 10 & 27 - Kevin Shields April 13 & 17 - Frank Foot April 15 - Road Dawgs April 22 - Dan DeCristofaro & Chloe Belsito April 28 - Nathan Ramo

Purgatory Beer Co. 508-596-2194 670 Linwood Ave. Building C, Whitinsville

MCL Club 508-797-0141 181 Lake Ave., Worcester Worcestermcl.org Thursday - Karaoke April 2 - Jesse Garcia and Friends

Ralph’s Diner 508-753-9543 148 Grove St., Worcester Monday - The Dirty Gerund Poetry Open Mic Wednesday - Karaoke with Dj Matt R! April 1 - Hidden Figures, Sleepspirit, Sink With Me April 2 - Westside Rats, Midnight Creeps, Killer Kin, Marianne Toilet and the Runs

April 4 - L.I.B., SINK, Half Mast, Teeth, One By One April 5 - Sounds & Scenarios, We Demand Parachutes, Dead Wait, Couch Sex April 7 - Adamantis, Mourn the Light, Archdruid, Officer X April 8 - The Veldt, New Aura, Trigger Discipline, Stems April 9 - Starbath, Shirley Drive, Sleep Mode, Sourpunch April 10 - Deep Cross, Khost, Pain Chain, Diva Karr April 14 - We Broke the Weather, T& The Wrecks, Bass Sabbath, Allison & Moon April 15 - The Grill-Tones, Comet Pond, Croaks, Dearest Hearts April 16 - The Schizophonics, ZipTie Handcuffs, Sapling April 18 - King Mob, Zigmont, Memory Lane April 21 - Frogmallet, Wretched Inferno, Ancient Death, Boginator April 22 - Randy’s Cheeseburger Picnic April 23 - The Worst, Paper Tigers, The Shirts and Shoes, Lake Over Fire April 28 - The Ritualists, Dust Bowl Faires, April 29 - Illusion’s End Record Release April 30 - Deskpop, Swarm of Eyes

Rascal’s 508-459-0862 70 James St., Worcester Rascalsworcester.com April 1 - John Robinson Line Dance Night Apri 2 - Flock of Assholes

April 9 - Pawsitivley4Pink’s Drag Queen Meat Raffle April 9 - Aquanett April 16 - Iron Tiger 80s Hair Metal Tribute Band April 23 - Eric Martin the Voice of Mr. Big & Trixter April 28 - Headsmack April 30 - Ladies of the Evening Reunion Tap & Table 774-293-5501 198 Worcester St., North Grafton Mondays - Musical Bingo Tuesdays - Karaoke with Steven Jerome Landry Jr. Wednesdays - Trivia with Nate Briggs River Styx 978-696-5176 166 Boulder Dr., Fitchburg Thursdays - Str82hades Trivia Fridays - Work Tavern Poker April 2 - Luke DeRoy April 9 - Jake Hunsinger Southside Grille 978-632-1057 242 West Broadway, Gardner Tuesdays - Slingo Thursdays - Trivia with Kevin Stakes Pub 508-755-2955 1281 Pleasant St., Worcester The Bull Run 978-425-4311 215 Great Road, Shirley April 1 - The Pousette-Dart Band April 2 - Rust Never Sleeps: A Live Neil Young Retrospective April 3 - David Sibley/Guy Davis, Molly Tutlle & Golden Highway April 8 - Blood Brothers: Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia April 9 - Peace Frog: A Live Doors Concert Experience/Toby Walker April 10 - Sonny Landreth April 14 - Journeyman: A Tribute to Eric Clapton April 15 - The Mark Marquis Group April 16 - Women in Blue April 23 - Mike Girard’s Big Swinging Thing April 29 - Sarah Borges & the Broken Singles April 30 - Carol O’Shaughnessy: the Rat Pack & Me

The Comedy Attic Upstairs at Park Grill 508-756-7995 257 Park Ave., Worcseter Thursdays - Open Comedy Night April 1 & 2 - Quentin Davis April 8 & 9 - Dan Crohn April 15 & 16 - Shafi Hossain April 22 & 23 - Mike Dorval April 29 & 30 - Dan Geurin The GazBar 978- 534-6600 1045 Central St, Leominster The Mill at 185 774-261-8585 185 W Boylston St., West Boylston The Palladium 508-797-9696 261 Main St., Worcester April 1 - Jell Roll April 2 - Dragonforce April 6 - The Aminty Affliction April 8 - Rise Against April 10 - Key Glock April 14 - Amorphis April 15 - Emo Night Brooklyn April 16 - Gimme Gimme Disco April 19 - Dayseeker April 23 - Night Lovell April 29 - Whiskey Myers April 30 - Arch Enemy & Behemoth

April 1 - Darren Bessette April 2 - Unsung/Synergy April 3 - Brian Chaffee April 4 - Bridgetstreet April 7 - Blue Collar Ramblers April 8 - A Good Time April 9 - Frank Foot/Mindrift April 10 - Tandem Acoustic April 14 - Fred Ellsworth April 15 - Whiskey Johnson April 16 - Pete Towler/Dazed Till Dawn April 17 - Sean Fullerton/Lizzie Marquis April 21 - Martin & Kelly April 22 - Tim Buono Band April 23 - Southstreet/Go Gadget Go April 28 - Eric Marcs Duo April 30 - Old North/Maddi Ryan Whiskey on Water 774-578-8829 97 Water St., Worcester April 2 - Tequila Bonfire April 9 - Alex Rohan White Eagle 508-753-9612 116-120 Green St., Worcester Whiteeagleworcester.com Thursdays - Slingo Musical Bingo Fridays - Music by Dj Sundays - Wise Guys Trivia April 2 - 19th Nervous Breakdown Woo Bar & Grill 774-243-6130 358 Shrewsbury St., Worcester

Tryst Lounge 978-400-7906 320 Main St, Fitchburg Vincent’s Worcester 508-752-9439 49 Suffolk St., Worcseter Wachusett Brew Yard 978-874-9965 175 State Rd. E, Westminster Tuesdays - Trivia Wednesdays - Line Dancing t h epu ls emag.com

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EAT • BREWS • COCKTAILS

DINING REVIEW OFF THE RAILS BERNIE WHITMORE Dinner at Off the Rails followed by a Railers hockey game: it seemed like a perfect Saturday night in downtown Worcester. As soon as we saw the crowds around the DCU Center, though, the reality of post-pandemic America collided with our plans as we realized thousands of others happened to agree! The restaurant was packed and booked for the night.

We ended up with hotdogs at Coney Island (always a happy event) and delayed dinner at Off The Rails till Sunday.

When you visit their website or take one step through their doorway, it’s immediately obvious that Off The Rails is country-music themed. Not the traditional “I hear a train a-comin’” country music standards – OTR’s soundtrack is shinier pop-country with huge crossover appeal. The cuisine is pure Americana – classic recipes with imaginative variations and roots in the Deep South. It grabbed our attention and didn’t let go till the last bite.

Another major theme is bourbon. The menu offers an extensive list with informative descriptions that will be helpful should you care to assemble your own flight. Beyond that, though, bourbon flavor adds depth to many items in OTR’s meal menu. For refreshment I turned my attention to their list of draft beers.

After trying a sample, I ordered a glass of Left Hand Brewing’s Peanut Butter Milk Stout. Normally I’d be suspicious of such a brew, but I’m fa18 A PRIL 20 22

90 COMMERCIAL STREET, WORCESTER PHONE: (508) 304-6411 OFFTHERAILSWORCESTER.COM miliar with and trust this brewer. Pouring dark as Coca Cola, its thin lacy tan head was creamy-rich; peanut flavor was mildly assertive. Overall, this stout let roasted malts and deep chocolatey flavor dominate. Yeah, it was a bit sweet, but well within my tolerance.

We could have started with any item in OTR’s innovative appetizer list; each of them had promise, though their Gas Station Eggs (pickled eggs with hot sauce) would have required a whopping leap of faith.

Instead, we shared a plate of Texas Lolli-pops; lengths of andouille sausage wrapped in thick meaty bacon and then grilled and drenched in brown sugar bourbon barbeque sauce. Spicy andouille, smokey bacon, sweet bourbon served over creamy coleslaw: a memorable flavor profile that proved, once again: it’s always better with bacon.

My entrée, Shrimp and Grits, is an item I once regarded with skepticism as it gained traction here in New England. OTR made me a true believer with their thick tomatoey sauce rooted in the trinity of Cajun cooking – bell pepper, onion and celery. The chef united these ingredients with a master’s skill in the balancing of flavor and texture to create a delectable sauce worthy of five very large juicy shrimp. What further delighted me was their plating of my meal: the shrimp were served alongside a large portion of creamy cheddar grits – not over them. This allowed me to sample each individually and mix by the forkful. Perfect!

Lovers of fried chicken will take note of OTR’s Buttermilk & Herb Fried Chicken. A full leg quarter and a wing section were coated in a crackly-crunch of tasty breading that kept the meat incredibly moist. The meal was served with more of that crisp coleslaw and a cup of creamed corn.

However, this wasn’t the canned corn you had as a kid – the kernels tasted fresh and looked as if they’d been sliced right off the ear and were cooked in rich truffled cream sauce.

All these robust flavors served as a prelude to dessert. Our serving of Bourbon Caramel Bread Pudding was, hands down, the best. Ever. Sorry New Orleans, Off The Rails’ bread pudding was served in thick slices studded with chunks of honest-pure melty dark chocolate, and topped with bourbon-flavored caramel, all gooey and sweet and dabbed with a big dollop of fresh whipped cream.

What I especially loved was the crust, chewy with nuggets of chocolatey char.

My neighbors don’t hesitate to point out that OTR’s Commercial Street location has bad mojo; many others have tried and failed to succeed here. Yeah, the weight of history could be a challenge. But I suspect the outcome will be different this time: business alliances with the Railers hockey; addition of a music venue, and linkage to the Palladium Theater should keep Off The Rails in focus. Cuisine the likes of which we enjoyed this evening should keep their prospects squarely on track.

what’s happening in the restaurant scene

PAUL GIORGIO NEW NAME, SAME FOOD. West Boylston’s Cheoy Lee II, a fixture near the reservoir since it was Nancy Chang’s, has a new name and a new owner. Sherry Ngan recently purchased the restaurant and has renamed it Bamboo Garden.

MORE ASIAN NEWS. Yong Shing in Auburn Center was recently sold to Min Xia Li, who also owns an Asian restaurant in Stoughton, Mass. The new owners plan on making a few changes including adding sushi to the menu.

AND EVEN MORE. The eastward expansion of Baba Sushi begins, as Wilson Wang, owner of Worcester’s Baba Sushi on Park Ave, recently purchased Fotini’s Restaurant in Bolton. He has named the eatery Baba Sushi and Legacy Kitchen.

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. The Steak Loft in Northborough, Massachusetts closed down for renovations. It was slated to reopen on March 2 after being closed since February 15. There will also be a name change… it will be renamed “The Cellar”. Fitting name seeing that is in the back, corner, basement of a small strip mall.

IT APPEARS THAT LUCKY’S GOT LUCKY. Lucky’s Café applied for common victualler license to operate at 10 Chestnut Street in Downtown Worcester. 10 Chestnut Place is otherwise known as One Chestnut Place, the home of Fallon Health.

AND NOT SO LUCKY. The Wind Tiki in Webster, MA landmark burned to the ground on St Patrick’s Day, thus depriving the residents of South County of one of their few Chinese eateries.

FROM ITALIAN TO MEXICAN. Oli’s Tomato Pie, owned by the Oliveri family, closed during the pandemic. Now a new Mexican restaurant, Cali-Burritos Burrito Grill, will take its place on Worcester’s Belmont Street.

NO WINE ON THE VINE. It looks like the Wine Vine will be no more.

Momo Palace, a Nepalese soup and dumplings eatery, will be opening a 2nd location. The other one is in the Public Market.

MORE WINE NEWS. Bocado Tapas Bar will be hosting a wine dinner on April 5 at their Worcester location on Winter Street in the Canal District.

The next night they will host it at their Leominster spot. The cost is $100.

MOVING DAY. It looks like Bay State Shawarma, located on Worcester’s Water Street, will be moving down the street. They recently purchased a building on Lamartine St. BARRE MILL CLOSING. Owner Nick Coppolino of the Barre Mill Restaurant in Barre, MA recently announced that the historic Barre Mill Restaurant is turning off the range after 35 years in operation.

NOT A FIRESIDE CHAT. The Salem Cross Inn in West Brookfield will be hosting a fireside feast on April 8. The feat is quite popular, so make a reservation. Who doesn’t like beef cooked on a spit in an open fireplace?

GREAT DIVERSITY. A Taste of Monrovia, a Liberian restaurant, opened its doors in the middle of last month. The restaurant is close to city hall in downtown Worcester.

THEY GOT SOUL. Dawu Café, a soul food restaurant, opened recently at 310 Pleasant St. in Leicester. Currently, it is take out only but the owners plan on offering an eat in option soon. t h epu ls emag.com

19

PULSEBREW SHANNON JUTRAS

Dear Drinkers, We have had the opportunity to become better acquainted through this long winter, and I would like to extend my gratitude to you.

Thank you for taking the time to read my musings about beer, whether celebrating an award-winning sour, delighting in cozy stouts, or honoring the glory of a shower brewskies.

Today I want to talk to you about something that means even more to me. Something that motivates me each day I rise at dawn, pull on my waterproof boots and climb the steps to the brewhouse: Leveling the playing field for every person who loves beer.

Craft beer has a diversity problem. According to the Brewer’s Association, 93% of breweries are white-owned. Barely 3% are entirely woman-owned. Percentages are even lower for black and indigenous ownership. Meanwhile, the craft beer consumer represents increasingly diverse demographics and a socially aware customer base.

There are many innovative, courageous people trying to make a difference in this landscape. Fortunately for us, one approach includes making really good beer.

Global collaboration beers are an increasingly popular way to galvanize around an issue. Two or more breweries join forces to develop a beer shared worldwide. Some provide a recipe template for breweries to follow, others, a special ingredient like the Pink Boots hop blend. Proceeds are donated to support the cause.

Recent collaborations include “All Together” IPA, an initiative by Other Half to show solidarity with the hospitality industry in the early days of COVID lockdowns. “Black is Beautiful'', a stout recipe

by Weathered Souls Brewing, raised funds and awareness for racial injustice. The global collabration, “Brave Noise” Pale Ale, emerged right here in Massachusetts to address discrimination and encourage breweries to commit to inclusivity and transparency in their workplaces.

Before all of these, there were Pink Boots collaboration brews, which you can find popping up all over Massachusetts right now, on the heels of International Women’s Day. The Pink Boots Society focuses on education to assist, inspire, and encourage women and non-binary people working in the fermented beverage industry.

Local releases include River Styx’s Chardonnay barrel-aged “Athena”, a 5% sour ale featuring strawberry and champagne available in Fitchburg. Thirsty Robot (also in Fitchburg) and Timberyard Brewing (my stomping grounds) in East Brookfield are slated to release Pink Boots brews this spring. Currently on tap in Worcester is Redemption Rock’s “Spare Us”, a Rye Pale Ale challenging industry professionals to move past empty gestures and address the institutional issues that reinforce patriarchal values in craft beer. Keep an eye out for more Pink Boots releases as the days get warmer.

Finally, even though brewery social media feeds may be temporarily filled with images of women and underrepresented people, please take heed of this solemn reminder. Even when we work in a positive environment with people who champion and support them (and I do), we are never completely insulated from harassment or discrimination, never promised credit for our labor. No matter how experienced, educated, powerful, or renowned an underrepresented person is, there will always be someone - a vendor, customer, associate - questioning our experience, education, power, or worth. Even when we pour our energy and talent into something, even when our contributions are undeniable, someone might deny them.

The real work of dismantling prejudice and harassment is ongoing.

It requires all of our support. Fighting for recognition for underrepresented people’s efforts and worth isn’t a thing we get to do once.

For me personally, it can feel like just another day as a woman in beer. These challenges can be relentless.

But. So. Are. We. 20 A PRIL 20 22

COCKTAIL CORNER

DEREK GRIMM THE PINT

Derek Grimm wants you to know he is a “big fan of trashy 80s drinks”, including but certainly not limited to fuzzy navels and Alabama slamas. “I like taking really crappy drinks like that and making them better,” he explains.

“Daiquiris are a super simple drink, but there are endless possibilities to create your own variation,” he says, as he effortlessly mixes,“a riff on the extremely poorly named drink, the Pearl Harbor.” Grimm’s new take is Plantation Stiggin’s Fancy Pineapple Rum, Plantation O.F.T.D. Rum, Midori, lime, and sugar, and it’s amazing. Refreshing and fun, but also unpretentiously classy.

WHAT’S DEREK’S FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING A BARTENDER? “It's nice to not have to work a 9 to 5 in an office and talk to some guy named Dave about how my weekend was,” he tells me as I laugh. Derek’s not just bartending to avoid watercooler conversations though, he enjoys being creative and connecting with people while he’s behind the bar.

You can visit Derek at the Pint, Valentino’s, or when he feels the need to be creative, one of his pop-ups. “They’re loose and fun,” he says of his events, “they’re meant to showcase the artisan aspect and how different products can play different roles.” Treat yourself to an extremely improved trashy drink from the 80’s, unless your name is Dave and you’re curious about his weekend.

t h epu ls emag.com

21

STYLE • FASHION • BEAUTY

FITNESS FASHION RACHEL CLINE These days, workout clothes and sports apparel probably take up the most room in your closet. Even while we navigate our “new normal”, as people are slowly starting to get back to the office, book vacations and actually leave the house, something that has not wavered is our love for comfortable clothes.

Whether you’re hitting the gym, doing yoga in your living room or heading out for a night of fun, activewear is a staple in our wardrobes and has become a focal point of our fashion.

So what are some of the hot and trendy fitness styles that should be in your closet? There’s a wide variety, with something for everybody. If you’re in search of stylish and functional items that best suit your workouts while adding to your everyday wardrobe, here’s a few that you just can’t go without.

A good fitting and supportive sports bra is a must – and one that you can take from the gym to the street is even better! Wearing a supportive sports bra that doubles as a top is something you’ll see this year and beyond. Lululemon’s longline bra offers great support and shape, while also serving as a very cute top to wear with jeans or a skirt.

Leggings are definitely here to stay. Lululemon’s Align Pant, Athleta’s Salutation Stash Pocket II 7/8 Tight, Nike’s Dri-FIT Swift Men's Running Tights, and Gym Shark’s Element Baselayer Leggings are a few essentials to have in your closet. You’ll also see more leggings with compression technology to help your workout and an array of fabrics and textures like ribbing and bold colors. Dress up your leggings with a cute dress for a comfortable, chic night out.

Massachusetts small business, Booty by Brabants, has been a pioneer of the legging world for several years now, and owner Kelly Brabants is continuing to pave the way. The leggings-focused company features leggings with fun, interesting and practical textures and patterns, bold colors and cute matching sets. Be sure to follow them on social media! Other local, small businesses to check out include Crane and Lion and No Bull.

Speaking of matching sets, be sure to hop on the bandwagon because they are not going anywhere either! Whether it’s a sports bra/legging, sports 22 A PRIL 20 22

bra/bike short or more, this trend is a foundational outfit for all. Wear it at the gym, to yoga, or spin class and then throw a jacket on top with some cute booties for a night out. Matching sets reign!

Bike shorts and joggers are continuing to be trendy into 2022, and if you’re looking for another alternative to leggings, a blast from the past is the answer: yoga pants. If you’ve still got yours from the year 2001, great! If not, Beyond Yoga’s Spacedye High Waisted Practice Pant, Free People’s Rib Studio Flare Pants or Alo’s Airbrush High-Waist Flutter Legging are all great options.

Jumpsuits or onesies are also a great option for workouts and running errands. They are super versatile, comfortable and give you all the great benefits of a sports bra, leggings and shapewear in one. Outdoor Voices has some of the best!

In addition to all the great styles of activewear, you’ll find emerging trends in the material and technology of activewear. Earth-friendly brands like Girlfriend, Everlane and Summersalt offer sustainable activewear that is also ethical and responsible. This means their clothes are made from recycled materials, organic cottons or other plant-based materials. Eco-friendly fashion is paving the way for a new and sustainable way to activewear and fashion.

When it comes to innovation, activewear that integrates technology offers a competitive edge and improved activity. Features like embedded sensors to provide guidance through workouts, built in vibrations for movement cues or health-monitoring properties are just a few of the innovative elements of activewear as trends emerge. Under Armour’s Rush even uses infrared technology to fight fatigue and boost muscle strength. Welcome to the future!

Whether it’s going from the gym to the street, bold colors or sustainable materials, activewear style and fashion remains at the forefront of our lives and society. Keep your eye on the activewear world as these trends continue to emerge!

S Savvy TYLE APRIL GODDARD

Spring is officially in full swing, and nothing says it like a change in accessories. One of my favorite things about spring is the shedding of things like hats, gloves, scarves, and mittens to transition into more carefree, lighter accessories. When I think of the change in seasons, I think of vibrant, whimsical, and lighter ways to dress up (or down!) an outfit. A colorful pair of earrings, a number of stacked handmade bracelets, or even some light, sun-shielding hats are easy ways to complete your outfit. Want to know more ways to keep a traditional spring wardrobe fresh and current?

Read on to discover what’s new and fresh for this spring season!

The Colorful Earrings: Ear jewelry is a great way to make a statement, and these earrings are no exception. I absolutely adore the love and sincerity that the feel of a handmade set of earrings brings to any outfit. Handmade jewelry with a meaning can be so powerful and this set of rainbow earrings is a wonderful example. Buen Camino Jewelry’s travel inspired, bohemian jewelry offers handmade, heirloom quality necklaces, bracelets, and rings.

The “Be a Rainbow” earring collection is a spring fashion must have. The sterling silver accessories are adorable, unique, and are more than just a pretty rainbow. In fact, 10% of all proceeds from them go to the Trevor Project supporting LGTBQ+ youth, giving the wearer more than just the collection’s happy design to smile about.

Handmade Bracelets: Remember the hand-woven string bracelets that we all fondly referred to as “friendship bracelets” in past decades? Well this style is back in a new and refreshed way, appearing in various renditions from multiple notable fashion houses, as well as fast-fashion brands, and small businesses too. Expect these colorful woven bracelets to be huge for this spring and summer. Don’t be afraid to mix, match, and stack. Want a fun activity to try with your friends or even your kids? Take on a little DIY project and make your own.

Hats are Always in: Especially during the spring months as we are all getting used to the sun’s strength again. Be sure to protect your skin with sunscreen and a fabulous floppy sun hat or baseball cap. You can really get creative with the styles, colors, and sizes of your hat, and hats can definitely complete a whole look easily when there is just something missing. Bad hair day? Grab a hat. With so many styles, colors, and brands to choose from, there is something for everyone at every price point.

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23

OUT & ABOUT THREADS BY LOVE YOUR LABELS: BRINGING QUEER AND TRANS YOUTH TOGETHER THROUGH FASHION AND DESIGN

GIULIANO D’OR AZIO If you’ve been paying attention to the news over the last several months, you’ve no doubt heard about the onslaught of restrictive legislation being pushed forward in states like Texas and Florida, aimed at policing and marginalizing the existence of queer and trans youth. In Florida, the “Don’t Say Gay” bill threatens to remove any mention of queerness and homosexuality in the school’s health curriculum. In Texas, conservatives are attempting to pass a law which would criminalize parents of trans children who seek out gender-affirming medical care.

Although these are some of the most recent attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, they confirm the continuation of long-standing hatred and bias against queer youth. This is why affirming and celebrating queer kids continues to be of utmost importance. There continues to be a serious lack of opportunities for these kids to create space and share experiences together. This is one of the motivations behind Threads, a fashion and design program by Love Your Labels.

First launched in 2019, Threads, run by local nonprofit organization Love Your Labels, is an eight-week fashion design and identity development program for highschool-age youth. As stated on the Love Your Labels website, “Students use fashion design as a lens to discuss personal expression, gender, and sexuality with the goal of helping youth on their journey of self-discovery”.

The program is hosted in partnership with Creative Hub Worcester, and takes place at their Youth Arts Space at 653 Main Street in Worcester. Other sponsors include Health Care Advocates International, Brother Sewing, Redemption Rock Brewing Co., Bay State Savings Bank, Webster Five, DCU, and Worcester Arts Council.

Thanks to their sponsorship, this program is free of charge for all students!

Threads runs on Wednesday evenings from 6-8pm starting April 27, and ending on June 15. The program will culminate with a Youth Fashion Show, which is planned for late June. The deadline to apply is April 6, so students should apply ASAP! Instruction will be provided by Sam Donovan, Project Runway all star, alongside the Love Your Labels education team. There is no need for prior sewing or fashion design experience, as each student will learn from the level they’re at. Love Your Labels stresses that although the organization specifically focuses on supporting LGBTQ+ youth, this is a program for all high-school-age students interested in learning more about themselves and how to support each other, and there will be no exclusions based on identity.

In the interest of transparency, I do serve on the board of Love Your Labels, and am personally involved in helping to facilitate Threads. I was a part of the team during the first iteration in 2019, and I can wholeheartedly express that it was a beautiful and joyous experience to see students come together with a shared love of creativity and a focus on identity and self-expression.

I believe in the work being done here, and I recognize the important role programs like this can play in the lives of queer and trans young people. Simply put, I think Threads is one of the coolest and most meaningful things going on in our community this spring, so please encourage any students you may know to apply, and keep an eye out for the Youth Fashion Showcase in June!

Visit loveyourlabels.org/threads-2022 to apply today.

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

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Congratulations to our 2022 People of Courage Awardees!

April 8th, 2022 6-7pm Benefitting LGBTQIA+ Youth in Central Massachusetts.

2022 PEOPLE OF COURAGE AWARDEES: Allyship Award Stacey Sirois

Public Service Award Thu Nguyen

Young Adult Award Lamar Brown-Noguera

Community Champion Award Lynne Dumais

Volunteer Award Connor Hayden

Youth Award Maxwell Farrell

Social Justice Action and Advocacy Award LGBT Asylum Task Force

Tickets now available at safehomesma.org/gala Any questions, please email safehomesgala@openskycs.org

420 50 8 IN THE

TRAVIS DUDA

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Happy April friends! Also, happy 4/20 to those who celebrate. With our holiday upon us, it felt like a good time to go through some great available options for those looking to celebrate correctly. Included in my list are things for the classic smokers, the modern munchies, and even some ideas for those who can’t hang with THC. It’s Better With Buds I’ve said before in this column that smoking sessions are the things that I’ve missed the most since the pandemic. With everything going on, passing a bowl or joint just doesn’t seem like a smart option. Thankfully Bud’s Goods & Provisions released their Lil’ Jays. Each tin is packed with “The People’s Eighth” twisted up into 10 small pre-rolls. They are convenient and perfect for sharing with your buds this celebratory session. They frequently release new strains, so my plan is to stop in a few times before the big day to build up a sampler. The packaging is so well designed, fun to open and interact with. It basically makes you a portable party, just add fire and friends.

Twist Darts from the Heart For my Hip Hop Heads, Worcester’s Resinate is collaborating with Cappadonna from the Wu-Tang Clan to release a series of strains named after the rapper. The first strain, Cappachino, delivers a delicious fruity aroma and flavor that provides a creative, uplifting feeling which reflects Cappadonna’s own musical creative artistry. May I suggest grabbing an eighth, rolling a fat blunt and vibing out to “The Pillage” for the full experience? I dig seeing these celebrity strains, and am excited to see who comes next.

4/20 Light It saddens me, but I understand that not everybody can get down with THC. For those who want to celebrate with their fellow potheads but can’t get in on a full session, crack into a CBD seltzer like Harbor Hemp Seltzer. These little cans of calmness are perfect for shaking off a long workday in a delicious fashion, but without the altering effects of the devil’s lettuce. Fans of the column know that I’m always up for a good Seltzer Time, so it’s rad to see two of my favorite things combined. If seltzer isn’t your thing, Bluebird Botanical has you covered with all things CBD, including gummies, drops, and lotions. Their “Uplift + Downshift” CBD drop bundle will put some pep in your step and help you focus throughout the day with Uplift, while Downshift’s antioxidant formula promotes a restful sleep. Bluebird Botanical is a family owned company you can feel good about supporting too. They’re highly conscious of their impact on the environment, their products are vegan and cruelty free made from local hemp farmers who practice sustainable farming, and never use pesticides.

Ice Cream on a Mission from God Let’s round out this month’s column with my suggestion for the tastiest edible option out there. Plant Jam, the makers of the Cloud Creamery line of ice creams, have partnered with Jim Belushi’s “Belushi’s Farm” to produce a Blues Brothers themed line. Both the Java Chip and Orange Whip are delicious treats that aren’t overloaded with herb. I liked that I could enjoy a full dessert serving but only consumed 5mg of THC. The only way I could be more into infused ice cream is if the local ice cream truck delivered an infused Screwball with a weed gumball directly to my doorstep.

Thanks for reading and happy trails!

-Travis (@hunchbacktravis)

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CITY LIVING • ARCHITECTURE • DESIGN

THE WALKABILITY AND AESTHETICS OF WORCESTER’S CANAL DISTRICT VINCENT PACIFICO The Canal District is what some would say is Worcester’s true “downtown” or its “social realm”. When I think of going somewhere in Worcester to meet for coffee or grab a bite to eat, I typically go to the Canal District to take advantage of the active streets filled with restaurants, coffee counters and boutique shops. This mixed use district truly offers a vibrance in the city that is being quickly redeveloped, renewed and reimagined. Its aesthetic can be looked at as “modern industrial” being that the district has many former factory buildings that have been repurposed and renovated over the past decade.

One of the most successful developments in Worcester is the Crompton Place building for its mixed use nature or ground floor retail and restaurants and upper floor residential. The transformation of this former factory building to what is now one of Worcester’s most popular mixed use buildings in the city has brought many new people to the district and what some would say helped to kick off the redevelopment of the Canal District. When you enter the building on Green Street you can still see much of the industrial presence in the preservation of the building. The interior’s exposed brick work, refinished wood floor board and restored steel beams are still present in the building, giving acknowledgement to Worcester’s manufacturing era.

For a mixed use district to be successful I believe it needs to be walkable, pedestrian oriented and be a safe place that people want to spend time in. The idea of having “eyes on the street” which was talked about by renowned urban activist Jane Jacobs, I think is important in any city to have a safe and enjoyable experience in the urban environment.

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The southern end of Green Street, Harding Street and Water Street seem to be the most walkable, activated street fronts in the District. Packed with restaurants, bars and boutique shops. As you make your way north towards Union station however, the active street front seems to drop off and become a bit more quiet. The northern side of Harding Street still has a few former factory buildings that are sitting and waiting to be reused and reimagined. These buildings, somewhat still sitting untouched, have massive potential to become Worcester’s most popular mixed use development.

The former Heywood Boot and Shoe Factory and the Goldstein Scrap Metal building are two former industrial buildings on Harding Street with great potential to activate the street front with ground floor commercial if done properly. The interiors have beautiful exposed brick, large spanning wood beams holding up its floor plates and wide open spaces making them exceptional buildings to transform. I do not believe having residential on the ground floor in either of these would contribute positively to the walkability of the district and would only make the street front less active. It would be great to see some sort of ground floor restaurant space, cafe to create a popular spot for any boutique vendor. I think with the right ideas, a smart redevelopment scheme and the right anchor tenants, the northern side of the Canal District can flourish and be just as walkable, active and inviting as its southern parts.

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27

SPORTS & FITNESS

THE MA PIRATES “KICK OFF” A NEW SEASON JENNIFER RUSSO Established in 2017, with an inaugural game in 2018, the Massachusetts Pirates are still a fairly new team…however, it would be a grave error to confuse them for football amateurs. These players and coaching staff have a wealth of experience in the sport and have established themselves as the best of the best. The talent across the team is formidable - made up of a collection of players that were Division 1 National college champions, Division 1 FBS All-Americans as well as former NFL draft selections/ players and 2 Super Bowl champion ring holders (among other accomplishments), they are truly set up as a powerful force and positioned for an exciting season.

So what IS Indoor Football? Played in an arena with a field that is half the size of a traditional outdoor field, each team has 8 players on the field instead of 11, and there are four 15 minute quarters. Rules and points are typically the same (6 points for a touchdown, 3 points for a field goal, etc.) Because the field is much smaller, there is more scoring and faster turnaround, making for a really fun and fast-paced game to watch.

“We saw an opportunity to provide a competitive brand of football during the NFL off-season and introduce this region to arena football,” says Pirates owner and Worcester resident Jawad Yatim, who is also the youngest owner and operator of a professional football team, founding the team at only 27 years of age. The Pirates are the only arena football organization in New England so far.

Yatim began playing football when he was 10 years old for Shrewsbury and played the game for 17 years, including 2 years in arena football, where he realized he really wanted his own team.

“After my playing career I wanted to stay involved in the game and being able to bring a professional football organization to my hometown is a blessing. We take a lot of pride in our product and being from here motivates us even more to represent the city of Worcester and state of Massachusetts in a positive light,” he remarks.

Yatim puts an amazing amount of effort in when considering players for the team, working hard to keep current rostered players on the team as well as filling positions with players that meet the needs of the organization with specific talents and depth of experience.

“I research a lot of transactional lists from different leagues including the NFL, CFL, etc. We identify free agents, determine who's interested in playing for us, and then build a smaller list and begin to prioritize that list of players. It's a continuous process of composing players lists and breaking them down until you have the team you are looking for,” says Jawad.

In both 2018 and 2019, the Pirates did especially well and made it to the playoffs, but unfortunately didn’t take home wins in those years. With 2020 being a difficult year for pretty much everyone due to COVID, the AFL cancelled their season and the team turned their attention to reinvigorating their brand, launching a new website, and helping others. Though the Pirates do a lot to help local organizations as a regular part of their mission, they felt it was even more critical during the pandemic.

From providing refreshments to hospital workers on the front line to working in youth football camps, they epitomized the true meaning of community. A year later and they were back in the game, having joined the Indoor Football League as the first East Coast team to do so, and were ready to take their game to a whole new level as well.

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And they certainly did. Not only did they have an incredible season overall, but they won the United Bowl championship in a nail-biter of a game against the Rattlers.

The game was won in overtime with a score of 37-34, with nine of the players being recognized with honors and Quarterback Alejandro Bennifield named as the game’s MVP. Coming off their 2021 championship win, the team is feeling confident and ready to tackle anything (and anyone) that might try to get in their way. Led by 2021 Defensive Coordinator turned 2022 Head Coach Rayshaun Kizer, the team is hopeful that they will get a chance to defend the title.

“Last year’s team was a very special group of guys,” says Kizer. “It’s easy to do my job as a coach when you have such great players…what made us stand out last season was the brotherhood they formed with each other. They really enjoyed being around each other outside of football. When that happens, those teams are hard to beat because it’s a great chemistry and connection there.”

Kizer told us that the Pirates have about half of the team they did last year and many new players, and that he is feeling great about the things they are looking to do this season as well.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing how this team comes together each week and competes to try to get to the championship game again,” he says.

Kizer says his father is his real hero and told us that the game runs deep within his family. Though initially a reluctant child when it came to playing the game, he grew to love football over the years and had a drive to succeed and “be the one that beat the odds” of going into the sport professionally. He said he is really looking forward to seeing how well he leads the team in his first head coaching season.

Owner Jawad Yatim is also looking toward a successful run this year.

“We want a repeat. We want to continue to build our fan base and win another championship,” he says.

And the Pirates are off to a great start, winning their home opener against Frisco with a score of 30-27. Falling behind at halftime, the Pirates pulled up to a tie in the 3rd quarter and gained significant momentum in the final quarter to pull off the win with a 33-yard field goal, and kicker Josh Gable was named IFL Special Teams Player of the Week.

The Pirates play at the DCU Center here in Worcester and tickets are reasonably priced. Tickets are roughly $18-$100 each depending on where you sit, but any seat is a good seat with a field this size. It’s a great game to bring friends or family to and it’s right in our backyard. Scheduled home games are on April 3, April 23, May 1, May 21, May 28, June 11, and July 16.

“We are a family friendly, very competitive entertainment product that you should come check out. The majority of our players have signed NFL contracts in the past we have an exciting group of guys to cheer on,” says Yatim.

Learn more about the Pirates and get your tickets at masspiratesfootball.com and follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/MAPirates

Shaun2 KNOWS SPORTS?

SHAUN CONNOLLY

The Worcester Rugby Football Club is kicking off their 43rd season this year on April 2nd and will be playing every Saturday through the end of May. They are awaiting confirmation from the city as to where their home field is, but truthfully the where is not what matters here. After getting a taste of your new favorite local sports team, you’ll want to join, drink and be merry with the WRFC. I already had a pretty good idea of the hard work and fun this team has in my experiences with them around Worcester. I have seen them singing songs and smelling like mud and body odor post match at the now defunct Greyhound in Kelley Square, celebrating their injuries, flaws and mishaps over pints in the darkened Irish pub. I watched them walking in the Saint Patrick’s Day parade acting like they own Park Ave., shaking hands and high-fiving every other person that lined the street as they tossed the Rugby ball to kids, hoping to recruit a whole new team of psychos. I had seen them more recently at Breen’s Cafe on Cambridge street taking the whole place over and cheering on the Bruins (of course).

After talking with team captain and Vice President of the club, Nick Ducey, I was this close to joining them myself. Then I realized with my doughy, diminutive frame I wouldn’t last 10 seconds out on the pitch, but this all more proof of the intoxicating allure of Worcester Rugby.

The team carries a 23 man playing roster, however they roll way deeper than that.

They don’t make cuts, “we’ll take anyone,” Ducey said with a chuckle. There is an A-Side game (comparable to a Varsity squad) and B-Side game (think JVs). There is even an older gentleman’s league for those who still love playing the game, but realize those hits from 22 year olds sting just a little bit longer.

Ducey himself got into WRFC after watching his older brother play, and was carried off the field with a gash on his forehead. This, Ducey explains, is what inspired him.

Then he learned of the traveling to different tournaments, the sense of competition a 20 something maybe still be yearning for, and that chance, “to meet friends,” says Ducey, “a lot of times when you’re out of college and you have a job and you’re separated from your high school and college friends it’s surprisingly hard to make new friends. This club has definitely been a place for a bunch of guys to get together and create lasting friendships.”

According to Ducey, a lot of the guys who created this club and the years after are not only still involved but closer than ever with each other. If that is what you’re looking for, then that is a big reason to join.

“Something for everyone,” said Ducey, “there’s a level of competition for any type of athlete. If you just want to be a weekend warrior, you can be. There are members of the club who just like to support and hang out, they don’t even play. You don’t even need to be a player to be involved. It’s not a lifelong commitment, but it is a lifelong friendship. People since the beginning are still here and are still friends.”

Ducey says it’s a club where you can “get fit, stay fit and give yourself a nice little social life.” If that isn’t a motto for just living your life I don’t know what is. Why not play some rugby too?

If you are interested in joining or supporting the Worcester Rugby Football Team you can visit their website at www.worcester-rugby.org, visit their Instagram @Worcester_Rugby or go to their Facebook page, Worcester Rugby Community. t h epu ls emag.com

29

NEW IN THE WOO: CASTLE CANTINA IRENA KACI Castle Cantina, a tapas restaurant that opened just in February 2022, has the happy task of living up to its lavish exterior, and owner Suhaily Quiñones is ready for the challenge. Quiñones was born in Puerto Rico, but is no stranger to central Massachusetts. “I grew up moving back and forth between Puerto Rico and Worcester my whole life. I went to school in Worcester and even studied at QCC for a while before dedicating myself to owning my own business.” When I ask her how she got into the food and hospitality industry, I can hear the smile in her voice as she answers she has, “been working in restaurants since I was sixteen years old,” adding, “it’s where I met my husband.” Her husband Jose Flores and Quiñones brother Carlos Quiñones are silent partners in the business. “They support me but I’m definitely the head of the business.”

The Castle Cantina, formerly Castle Restaurant, is a striking building with its own moat, is located at 1230 Main Street in Leicester. It was built out of fieldstone in 1937 to be a replica of 16th century style chateaus reminiscent of Morro Castle in Havana Cuba. In the 1950’s, the Nicas Family took over the building to open their restaurant.

In doing so they struck a deal with the city to use construction materials from former Worcester landmarks to build an addition. That addition is made up of pieces from the old Elks Home of Worcester, the YWCA and the old Worcester Public Library.

This was all a delightful discovery for Quiñones who, after getting a taste of running her own business with her small cafe “Stone and Sparrow” in Sturbridge, was simply looking for a new space for her dream restaurant. When the location she was initially exploring fell through, her realtor 30 A PRIL 20 22

suggested they try a new place that had just gotten on the market, and the rest –as they say –is history.

“I was just taken aback by how much potential I could see with this place. The lake view, and the garden were really big selling points.” The Cantina is currently open for dinner with a full bar/ lounge and a dining room, but so much more is in the works. “We are hoping to get the patio set up by summertime, and I really see the garden and outdoor spaces as a venue for all kinds of events.”

The menu honors what Quiñones describe as her heritage. “The menu plays with authentic Spanish Tapas with a Caribbean twist. I love that Caribbean spice and so I had to include that.”

Some menu favorites so far include the ‘tortilla española’, ‘gambas de ajillo’ and Quiñones' personal favorite “tostones rellenos”. In addition to the tantalizing tapas, Quiñones really leans into Spain’s cocktail strengths with an extensive variety of sangrias, well beyond white and red, which they of course, also have. “My favorite right now is the white lavender sangria, but the hibiscus sangria has also been quite popular. We are really playing with botanical flavors for spring.” The wine list is brimming with big Spanish reds and, although the building makes it impossible to install draught lines for beer, the Cantina offers a good variety of bottled and canned beer as well.

“Learning about the rich and storied history of this building, I really think historical tours of the place would also be fascinating,” Quiñones continues, “but that is what I love best about this place. There is no ceiling to what we can do with it. The sky truly is the limit.”

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