The Pulse Magazine

Photograph courtesy of Chelsea Creekmore

june 2016

In this issue

COVER story

FOOD & DRINK

6 summer Fun!

28 get your barbecue ready for spring

entertainment

29 hot & now

10 pinball pandemonium comes to new england 11 Pulsebooks: A book for those who keep their happiness On the Back Burner 12 THE central scene 13 netflixjunkie: Married to Netflix 15 GameOn: Minecraft Story Mode is awkward fun 18 Club, Pub & grub Listings

30 Dining review: British Beer Company brings the flavors of Old England to Worcester 31 Pulsebrew: I just want to order a beer

Art & culture 32 Canal district art walk: the start

32

of a new tradition

Sports & fitness captain has local ties

Lifestyle

read pulse Online @ ThePulseMag.com

34 having a ball: team usa rugby

23 PulseShots

6

Nowstreaming: Daughtry / Iggy Pop / Zayn the five biggest dangers you may face this summer

BEAUTY & sTYLE

24 the luxe list: Father’s Day gifts for the man cave

36 summer festival must-haves

25 OUT+ABOUT: June in national Pride Month!

37 steal the style: Get-Lit June

follow us on social media: Follow us on Twitter @WorcesterPulse Follow us on Instagram @PulseMag_Worc Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/thepulsemagazine

PULSE Magazine is produced 12 times a year by Pagio Inc., 88 Winter St., Worcester, MA 01604. (508) 756-5006. Copyright 2015 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

Paul Giorgio, Publisher Donna Roberson, Editor Vanessa Herbold, Art Director Chris Reddy, Kerry Cyganiewicz, Alex Theisen, Kyle Sullivan Account Executives Mitchell Perry, Event Manager Kim Dunbar, Sports Editor

Jennifer Russo, Lifestyle Editor Kimberly Dunbar, Jennifer Russo, Jason Savio, Bernie Whitmore, Michael Wood, Paul Giorgio, Zac Martucelli, Merilee Kern Kerry Cyganiewicz, John Trobaugh, Sloane Perron, Jamie Burke Writers

JUNE 2016 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 5

cov er s tory

By Zac Martucelli Summer is finally here, and Central Massachusetts is waking up from its long hibernation. There will be plenty of celebrations and festivals happening this summer, so it’s time to get out and experience all the area has to offer.

Whether you’re looking for food, music or a little bit of culture, we’ve got you covered!

June EVENTS: 2016 Grecian Festival (3rd -5th) 5th Annual Worcester Food Truck Festival & Craft Beer Festival (4th) Concert Series at Indian Ranch (all summer MASSive ComicCon (25th – 26th) Taste of Shrewsbury Street Nashua River Brewers’ Festival (27th)

July Events:

Big Dipper Ice Cream Festival (18th) Hot Night in the City (22nd) Beer, Blues & BBQ Cars of Summer Fourth of July? (including Sturbridge Village and Worcester Fireworks)

August Events:

Worcester Latin American Festival (13th) Our Lady of Mount Carmel Italian Festival (18th – 21st) Wachusett Farm Fresh Fest (27th – 28th) Worcester Caribbean American Carnival (28th) Worcester Chili Chowder Festival Photograph courtesy of Chelsea Creekmore

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June

Photograph courtesy of Chelsea Creekmore

2016 Grecian Festival Craving something bigger and even more Grecian than My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2? Well, you’re in luck!

Head on over to Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church for a three-day Greek extravaganza and celebrate the church’s 40th year. Indulge in your favorite traditional dishes while enjoying a multitude of live dance performances alongside a living, breathing museum of Greek history. Leave your cinematic nuances at the door and submerse yourself in this first-hand burst of vibrant Greek culture.

Friday, June 3, from 5:00 p.m.–midnight; Saturday, June 4, from 11 a.m.–midnight; Sunday, June 5, from noon– 10 p.m.; Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 102 Russell St., Worcester; Free; grecianfestival.org.

Worcester Food Truck Festival & Craft Beer Festival Embrace the glory that is food on wheels as you experience the pinnacle of food truck congregations in Central Massachusetts at the fifth annual Worcester Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival. With a whopping 25+ food trucks and popular local craft brewers in attendance, it is safe to say that appetites and thirsts will be more than satisfied as you explore a vast array of fan favorites and exemplary national and regional brews.

Word to the wise: Come hungry.

Saturday, June 4, from noon- 7 p.m.; Elm Park, 284 Highland St., Worcester; $5 in advance, $10 at the gate, free for children 12 and younger; foodtruckfestivalsofamerica.com.

Concert Series at Indian Ranch Are you a music-lover with an affinity for camping and lakes with record-breaking names?Then check out the Yuengling Summer Concert series at Indian Ranch,located on the pristine Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg (Webster Lake). Drift away on this once-in-a-lifetime audio excursion featuring Ziggy Marley, the Beach Boys and Third Eye Blind, just to name a small few. Grab a picnic table, grill some choice barbecue and, most importantly, enjoy the wide range of musical acts.

June 18–Sept. 25; Indian Ranch, 200 Gore Road, Webster; ticket prices vary; indianranch.com.

Taste of Shrewsbury Street Partake in the expansive and diverse tastes of Worcester and explore the exquisite flavors of the 16th annual Taste of Shrewsbury Street.

With more than 40 local restaurants participating, this year’s Taste of Shrewsbury Street promises to satisfy the palate of even the most worldly food critic. Enjoy fantastic food while appreciating live entertainment and supporting local businesses.

Tuesday, June 21, 6-9 p.m.; Shrewsbury Street, Worcester; Admission is $25; shrewsburystreet.org.

MASSive ComicCon Calling all comic enthusiasts and defenders of all things nerd, this year’s MASSive ComicCon promises a day chock-full of entertaining sights – so many that even The Flash would be worried about seeing all this convention has to offer in two short days. Ed Smith, of The Life and Times of the Supertonian!, said, “The comfortable attention to guests, artists and celebrities comes across as an effortless talent for the staff there.”

June 25 and 26 at 10 a.m.; DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester; $30 for Saturday and $25 for Sunday; massivecomicon.com.

Nashua River Brewers’ Festival What better way to educate yourself on a great variety of regional beers and spend time in Fitchburg than by attending the Nashua Rivers Brewers’ Festival sponsored by Beers for Good? High-quality beers and a fun assortment of beer-centric events are in store for those in attendance. Indulge in these craft beverages, brewed with excellence in mind.

Saturday, June 25, from 1-6 p.m.; Riverfront Park, Fitchburg; $15 admission; beersforgood.com.

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July Cars of Summer Start your engines and rev up to this showcase of more than 1,000 classic and custom cars. With a plethora of paint jobs and body styles, this car show and auction promises a spectacle in every lot. For those looking for more hands-on action, monster truck rides and night city cruises will be available. Or would you prefer to see your favorite iconic car? A showcase of various cinematic cars from famous movies will be on display for your viewing pleasure.

July 2-4; Green Hill Park, Worcester; ticket prices and packages vary; carsofsummer.com.

Fourth of July Looking for a way to ring in America’s birthday with a bang? Head over to Old Sturbridge Village for a day packed with historical festivities and parades celebrating patriotism. This living history museum offers a peek into the lives of 1830s Americans, providing food, beverages and even songs for all who attend. Want to stay in this century with your Fourth of July joviality? In that case, Worcester provides a dazzling fireworks display along with a flagraising ceremony July 2. Don’t miss your chance to let your patriotism freely shine with your fellow Americans.

July 2; 3-10 p.m.; East Park on Shrewsbury Street, Worcester; Free; rain date scheduled for July 5; destinationworcester.org/worcesterindependence-day-celebration.

July 2-4 all day; Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge; $28 for adults, $26 for seniors, $14 for children 3-17; osv.org.

Big Dipper Ice Cream Festival Cool down the dog days of summer with some all-you-can-eat ice cream. Bring the whole family and enjoy these specialty icy treats provided by nearly 10 local vendors. But, what is ice cream without the cherry on top? Every penny benefits Children’s Friend, the oldest family and child agency in Central Massachusetts. So entertain your taste buds with this generous selection of low-priced ice cream for a great cause.

Saturday, July 18, from 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Elm Park, Worcester; $5 for ages 10 and older, $2 for ages 4-9, free for ages 3 and younger; childrensfriend.org.

Hot Night in the City This summer just got a whole lot hotter with Worcester Center for Craft’s combustion of music, food, art exhibitions and celebrations around flames as hot as the tradition of craft. Appreciate the processes of art outdoors and inside. Regardless of your preference, there is something for everyone to learn. Come nightfall, the darkness will ignite with the ancient arts of glassblowing, raku-firing, wheelthrowing, flame-working, blacksmithing and more.

Friday, July 22; Worcester Center for Crafts, 25 Sagamore Road, Worcester; worcester.edu/Hot-Night-in-the-City/.

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August Our Lady of Mount Carmel Italian Festival Are you Italian? Do you have an appreciation for Italian heritage? Head to Worcester’s biggest Italian festival and celebrate all Italian lineages with the best Italian food Central Massachusetts has to offer. Plenty of live entertainment is in store to really immerse you in the Italian atmosphere, transforming Worcester’s streets into the countryside of Tuscany.

Aug. 18-21; $2 per person, free for senior citizens and children younger than10; worcesteritalianfestival.com.

Wachusett Farm Fresh Fest The Massachusetts Agricultural and Specialty Food community is celebrating its second annual Farm Fresh Fest. A huge farmers market stocked with the freshest locally grown produce will be open for the public to enjoy.

Additionally, animal products, crafts and even wine tastings will accompany the organic environment of this healthy festival.

Aug. 27-28; Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, 499 Mountain Road, Princeton; free; wachusett.com.

Worcester Caribbean American Carnival From the Caribbean to the Northeast, experience the vibrant joy that is Carnival. Music, dance and traditional Caribbean cuisine will fill Institute Park. But the main event is the parade, which showcases the colorful costumes and customs of Caribbean culture. Let the rhythm of the drums electrify your feet as you march to the beat of these Carnival grooves.

Sunday, Aug. 28, from noon-7 p.m.; Institute Park, Worcester; parade starts at 305 Chandler St.; free; worcestercarib.com.

worcester Chili Chowder Festival Be a part of the second Worcester Chili and Chowder Festival. Enjoy live music and vendors while Worcester’s top restaurants battle it out for the highly coveted titles of Best Chili and Best Chowder. Luckily, you’ll be able to judge these culinary creations for yourself, as free tastings are part of your admission.

Saturday, Aug. 29, from noon- 5 p.m.; 90 Harding St., Worcester; $15 for adults, $10 for children (10 and younger); worcchilichowderfest.com.

JUNE 2016 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 9

en te rta i nm e n t

Pinball pandemonium c om e s to New Eng l an d collection to the expo, including his personal favorite, Wizard of Oz.

By Jason Savio Prepare for a return to retro fun in July with the second annual Pintastic Pinball Expo. A cornucopia of light and sound, Pintastic Pinball is an old-school gamer’s dream come true – minus all the quarters.

For hardcore pinheads, there will be guest speakers and seminars, including “pinball designers, programmers, artists and historians.” A vendor hall will also be a part of the show, offering all kinds of trinkets and tools to purchase for your own pinball machine.

With more than 200 pinball machines on hand, Pintastic Pinball invites people of all ages to come and experience the unique joy of dropping the ball and hitting the levers. With a one-day pass or a three-day “super pass,” you can play all you want and not have to worry about running out of change. To add to the fun, there will also be 40 arcade machines to complete the authentic feel.

But Pintastic Pinball Expo isn’t only for collectors and hobbyists. Not only will there be game tournaments for children and adults, ranging from beginners to pros, you can also expect to see a bounce house, magicians and other festive staples for budding pinheads. It’s the perfect way to pass down the pinball love from one generation to the next.

While a show that focuses on pinball may seem like a left-field outing to some, pinball is actually quite popular across the country, according to D’Annunzio hopes his event will do just that and also For more information, visit Pintastic Pinball founder Gabriel D’Annunzio. bring attention back to pinballing. He emphasized pintasticnewengland.com.

D’Annunzio said that pinball expos in California, that modern-day games on next-gen consoles don’t Texas and Chicago draw about 5,000 to 10,000 embody the same excitement or thrills as pinball people over a three-day weekend. Tired of travelling machines. There’s just something special about the to Pennsylvania to attend the closest event every year, game itself, D’Annunzio said.

D’Annunzio decided to become a pinball wizard and bring some of that magic to New England.

“Playing a game on a TV screen is nothing like playing an actual pinball machine,” added D’Annunzio. “It’s you against the ball. (It’s) so random, and no two games “In New England, there is a very strong collector community – somewhere around you play on any given machine will ever be the same.”

500 people strong,” said D’Annunzio. “We have all wanted a show of our own for many years, and that is why Pintastic was born. I also wanted to raise awareness The Pintastic Pinball Expo will be July 7- 9 at the Sturbridge Host Hotel and of the pinball hobby to the general public and show them that pinball is still alive Conference Center on Route 20. One-day passes are $15 for Thursday and $20 on and growing.”

Friday and Saturday, and three-day passes are $85.

D’Annunzio will bring selections from his own 14-year-old pinball machine

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Photo by: Gabriel D’Annunzio.

pulsebooks: A book for those who keep their happiness On the Back Burner We’ve all said it: “There’s just not enough time in the day!” But have we ever stopped to think about what it is we are actually doing with the time we have? In his recently released book, On the Back Burner, author and financial planner Lee Stoerzinger shows his readers that by figuring out what we want to leave behind, we can enrich the lives we have today. In short, we should all be living a life dedicated to the things we care about most. (Spoiler alert: Most of us aren’t doing that.)

For example, you say your family is a priority.

If your mother was sick, you would drop everything to be with her. Why not re-prioritize now while she is healthy, so you can enjoy the time you have together? When your mother does get sick, do you know how she wants to spend her final days? These are just two examples of how we don’t prioritize the things that are important to us on a daily basis or make the most of the time we have now, rather than waiting until it is too late.

I’ve always been a fan of the saying, “I work to live, not live to work.” However, I do find myself in the company of those who claim, “I’d love to, but I don’t have time for that.” Though we work to live, most of us are not living because we aren’t spending our time on the things we care about most. Imagine: If we didn’t have society telling us we need to make this much money, join this group, do this and that, what would be do with our time? How would our lives be different?

According to Stoerzinger, we live in a society that has us operating on the idea that whatever we do is never enough – not enough time, not enough money, etc. “Hunger and frustration over having more seems to be the acceptable norm, and it’s exhausting,” he writes.

According to Stoerzinger, we have a choice, and each choice affects the way we live our lives.

Stoerzinger offers several topics that we often put on the back burner, including focusing on family, giving back to the community, evaluating our health, engaging in politics and planning for the future. Stoerzinger suggests we take a step back, define what is most important to us and live our lives with dedication to those things.

On the surface, this might seem like a utopian idea, but making small changes can make a difference. We all have to work to pay our bills, but that’s just eight or nine hours out of the 24 hours we are given each day. We so often lose sight of what’s important in life, like watching Chopped reruns rather than going for a run because it’s been a long day (who, me?). Perhaps reading On the Back Burner (it’s a quick 184 pages, you have time) might just help put you on the right track.

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Events happening around Central Mass – June 2016 Worcester Running Festival Lace up your running shoes and make your favorite playlist, the Worcester Running Festival is speeding into the Woo. This is the second race in the New England Half Marathon Grand Prix, offering a challenge for even the most experienced runners. But marathons are not your thing? Sign up for 5k run or walk. There’s also a youth 1k.

7 a.m. June 19; the Common at City Hall in Worcester; prices and registration fees vary; halfgp.com.

Bee-cology Crowdsourcing Project Native bees are under increasing threat and facing extinction unless preventative measures are taken. Be part of the solution by joining Dr. Robert Gegear in his crowdsourcing project. There will be a short presentation on bumblebee behavior and an indentifying segment, when participants will explore the flower gardens, searching for bumblebee patterns.

10 a.m.-noon June 18; Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive, Boylston; free with admission, pre-registration required; towerhillbg.org.

The Ichabod Ball – Wired in Worcester Join Preservation Worcester to celebrate the people and prosperity of the city at the turn of the 20th century with this hidden gem of a fundraiser. Enjoy live music, sculptures, lights, food and much more on the brick and cobblestone alley behind the Washburn and Moen North Works buildings.

7:30-10:30 p.m. June 4; North Works Building Alley, 100-102 Grove St., Worcester; $60 in advance, $80 at the door; preservationworcester.org.

Hanover Theatre Performing Arts Conservatory Celebrate the renovation of 551 Main St., adjacent to the Hanover Theatre, with a ribbon-cutting and tour of the new conservatory, followed by a block party. The Hanover’s new Performing Arts Conservatory will offer educational programs, function facilities – and a new restaurant in the future! The expansion is part of the Theatre District Campaign, which aims to revitalize the city’s Theatre District.

4:30 p.m. June 2; Francis Carroll Plaza, Southbridge Street, Worcester; free; hanovertheatre.org.

Taste of Shrewsbury Street Celebrate the city’s unofficial kickoff to summer! Explore the exquisite flavors of the 16th annual Taste of Shrewsbury Street. With more than 40 local restaurants participating, this year’s Taste of Shrewsbury Street promises to entertain and satisfy.

6-9 p.m. June 21, Shrewsbury Street, Worcester; $25; shrewsburystreet.org.

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netflixjunkiE: Married to Netflix

By Jennifer Russo With the flowers in full bloom and decent weather (usually), 68 percent of people

choose June as their ideal month in which to tie the knot. Whether you are getting

married, know someone who is getting married, just love weddings in general or would prefer that other people say the I dos, there have been tons of shows and movies focusing on the topic, and Netflix has some great ones to choose from.

Let’s start with Jenny’s Wedding, a movie that just came out last year. Although the

ratings weren’t great for this one, I applaud the industry for embracing the idea of gay

marriage. Katherine Heigl puts on a stellar performance here, as she stands up to her old-fashioned family. The Wedding Pact is about two friends who promise to marry each other if neither of them is married by a certain time. As cliché as it is, the movie

was actually decent. Best Night Ever is a little less funny female take on The Hangover, about a Vegas bachelorette party that gets a little crazy. Revenge of the Bridesmaids

is a funny film about a couple of women who decide to ruin the life of the woman marrying their best friend’s ex.

Because I happen to love classic movies and have a slight Marilyn Monroe obsession, I am also including How to Marry a Millionaire in this mix. If you can get over how obviously dated the movie is, this is one of the best romantic comedies by far. Three

beautiful, gold-digging women set out to find wealthy men to marry so they can be set for life, but find love in unexpected places.

I can’t possibly write in this category without including one of my favorite movies of

all time, The Princess Bride. This fairytale parody has turned into a real cult classic, and

if you haven’t seen it yet, make a date with your TV as soon as possible. Hilariously funny and witty, farm boy Westley and soon-to-be Princess Buttercup must overcome

all odds to be together, despite her engagement to a whiny, pompous prince who intends to use the marriage to his advantage.

On the “small screen,” check out Rules of Engagement. This funny and quirky show, featuring the notoriously sarcastic David Spade, looks at relationships from three

perspectives (married for a while, newly engaged and single), and all seven seasons are available to stream.

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gameon: Minecraft Story Mode is awkward fun

By Jason Savio It’s hard nowadays in the world of gaming to find new releases that have a story you can actually follow. Many get swallowed up in the detail of the bells and whistles while the actual narrative – the backbone of the game – gets lost and becomes secondary to visual fireworks. Thankfully, there is Telltale Games, a developer that has brought back the spirit of gaming with its take on titles like The Walking Dead and The Wolf Among Us. The back-to-basics approach has now been added to the world of Minecraft, and the results are fun and heartening. Minecraft is already an established entity in gaming, but with Episode 1 of the Minecraft Story Mode series, titled “The Order of the Stone,” the 8-bit charm of this familiar place gets a new spin.

The core of Minecraft and its building roots are still included in this Telltale take, as well as other staples like crafting. This time, however, there’s a specific story in which you take part and are tasked to follow. Telltale adds its trademark choice-based gameplay, allowing you to decide how your character, Jesse, interacts and talks to other characters. As with other Telltale games, how you decide to have your playable character act influences the rest of the story, potentially making each time playing a unique go-round. As Jesse in “The Order of the Stone,” you’ll find yourself in the midst of something far bigger than you ever expected. Having gone to the Endercon building competition with your friends Olivia and Axel – and your adorably cute pet pig, Reuben – you inadvertently start out on an adventure that harkens back to the mythology of the Minecraft universe and will have you laughing out loud.

What makes this episode (and, potentially, other episodes) relatable for all gamers is its humor. If you’re unfamiliar with Minecraft, you’ll likely begin playing by scratching your head and trying to make sense of it. You may ask yourself why all of the characters look like blocks or why there’s a pig, but you’ll ease right into the story and become comfortable with the awkward humor. When Reuben dresses up like a dragon and gets lost, you might even start to worry about the little fella; he might even become your new favorite pig, after Babe, of course.

There is a level of patience that is tested with “The Order of the Stone.” It gets off to a slow start, but it doesn’t take long before things start to pick up. The off-kilter humor and playfulness definitely saves the episode and helps set up future ones, which will continue to be released throughout this summer. As if Minecraft wasn’t already popular enough, this series of episodes will only add to the buzz by offering fans a new way into a world they already love. If more games had the storytelling chops and positive and upbeat approach as Minecraft: Story Mode, gaming would experience a much needed boost of joy.

For more information, visit: telltalegames.com/minecraftstorymode

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Club, Pub + GRUB Listings

Entertainment at clubs, bars, pubs & other select venues 435 Bar & Grill 435 Lancaster St., Leominster American Graffiti 113 Summer St., Lunenburg 978-345-1010 B-Man’s 140 Tavern 348 Redemption Rock Trail, Sterling 140pub.com The Banner Bar & Grille 112 Green St., Worc. thebannerbar.com Barber’s Crossing Road House 861 Main St., Leicester barberscrossingrestaurant.com Barbers Crossing (North) 175 Leominster Road, Sterling barberscrossingrestaurant.com Thursdays: Open Mic Fridays: Bill McCarthy Beatnik’s 433 Park Ave., Worc. beatniksbeyou.com Tuesdays: Chillin’ Tuesday Wednesdays: Wild Wednesdays June 3: Brian Rigby Band June 4: James Keyes & The Real Samuel James June 9: Ukelele Night June 10: Elemental June 11: Box of Rain June 17: Danceaway Sound & Karen Grenier June 18: Ben Cote Band June 24: Algo Rhythm & Rodney Tries His Hardest June 25: The Rusty Mikes June 30: Alpine Report Billy’s Pub 81 Clinton St., Shrewsbury 508-425-3353 June 3: Jacobs Ladder June 4: Obsession June 11: Flashback June 17: Marshall Morris June 18: R & B Cookbook Black Sheep Tavern 261 Leominster Road, Sterling blacksheeptavernsterline.com Thursdays through June 9: Black Sheep Idol Karaoke Contest June 4: Tony Soul Project June 5: Tony Soul Project Blackstone Tap 81 Water St., Worc. blackstonetap.com Tuesdays through June 14: STUMP! Team Trivia Blue Plate Lounge 661 Main St., Holden 508-829-4566 June 18: The Invaders Blueprint New American Bar & Grill 9 Village Square, Westminster 978-668-5580 June 3: Honky Tonk Hangover June 4: Brother Maynard June 9: Sean Fullerton June 10: MB Padfield June 11: Dave Harrington June 16: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell

June 17: Kelly & Tribe June 18: Brett Casavant June 23: Kendall & Miller Duo June 24: Fred Ellsworth & Haywire June 25: Rob Benton Bolton Street Tavern 587 Bolton St., Marlborough boltonstreettavern.com Boulder Cafe 880 Main St., Fitchburg 978-345-0008 Breakaway Billiards 104 Sterling St., Clinton 978-365-6105 Brew City 104 Shrewsbury St., Worc. brew-city.com Bull Run Restaurant 215 Great Road, Shirley bullrunrestaurant.com June 3: Richard Shindell June 5: Liz Longley June 8: Ana Popovic June 10: Marcia Ball June 11: The Darrell Nulisch Band June 16: Air Traffic Controller June 17: Livingston Taylor June 18: Sugar Blue June 23: Los Lonely Boys June 26: Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek Cafe Destare 320 Main St., Fitchburg destare.com Canal Restaurant & Bar 65 Water St., Worc.

508-926-8353 Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays: DJ (21+) June 3: Lisa Marie June 4: Bob Moon June 10: Round Midnight June 11: Hot Dish June 17: Jim Perry and Amanda Cote June 18: New England Weather June 24: Mychael David June 25: Alias Draleaus Chopstick’s Restaurant & Lounge 21 Commercial Road, Leominster chopsticksleominster.com Christopher’s Pub 7 Pleasant St., Leominster 978-534-8250 Cicero’s Cafe 17 Suffolk St., Worc.

508-767-9728 Classic’s Pub 285 Central St., Leominster classicspub.net Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: Karaoke with Royal Crown June 4: Go Gadget Go June 11: Cross Roads June 18: Dozer & The Home Wreckers June 25: Madison Avenue Club KasBar 234 Southwest Cutoff, Worc.

508-798-8385

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Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays: Karaoke June 10: Khaos Junkies

aohworcester.com June 3: Songs for Ceilidh June 10: Belfast Cowboys

The Columbia Tavern 28 Manning Ave., Leominster 978-751-8962 June 3: Bruce Jacques June 9: Cory Bazillion June 16: Zach Marquis June 23: Dustin Brideau June 30: Dave Gordon

Firefly’s / Dante’s 350 E. Main St., Marlborough fireflysbbq.com

Compass Tavern 90 Harding St., Worc. thecompasstavern.com Wednesdays: Cruise Night Fridays, Saturdays: DJs June 3: Jen Macy June 10: Dezi Garcia June 17: Chad Clements June 24: Brian Richard

Flying Rhino Cafe 278 Shrewsbury St., Worc. flyingrhinocafe.com

Cosmopolitan Club 96 Hamilton St., Worc.

508-752-0482 The Cove Music Hall 89 Green St., Worc.

508-363-1888 June 3: Backyard Swagger June 4: American WHO Sensation (Who tribute) June 9: Bad Men & AD.UL.T at the Cove June 10: BLACKOUT (Sevendust tribute) June 11: Through the Doors (Doors tribute) June 17: The Automatons, Argyle Goolsby & the Roving Midnight, and The Cryptkeeper 5 Wolfman Chuck and the Spookalele of Doom June 18: Wild Heart ( Stevie Nicks & Fleetwood Mac tribute)

Flip Flops 680 Main St., Holden flipflopsma.com June 17: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell

Frank’s 274 Shrewsbury St., Worc.

774-420-2253 June 5: Clamdigger June 12: Hit the Bus June 17: Desi Garcia June 19: Blue Light Bandits Funky Murphy’s Bar & Grill 305 Shrewsbury St., Worc. funkyandjosemurphys.com Gardner Ale House 74 Parker St., Gardner gardnerale.com Sundays: Sunday Brunch with Chet Williamson and Jimmy Morell Mondays: Blue Mondays Thursdays: Audio Wasabi Fridays, Saturdays: Live music June 18: Solstice Party Beer, Breakfast & Birthday Bash

Days End Tavern 287 Main St., Oxford daysendtavern.com

The GazBar Sports Grill 1045 Central St., Leominster thegazbar.com June 3: Ralston & Macey June 4: Scott Babineau June 16: Left Right June 17: Hitchcock Blondes June 18: Brian & Captain June 25: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell

Devens Grill 4 Ryans Way, Devens devensgrill.com

GD Lounge Union Station, 2 Washington Square, Worc. facebook.com/GDloungeandtapas

Electric Haze 26 Millbury St, Worc.

508-799-0629 June 3: TDM Presents R&B June 4: Fennario (Grateful Dead tribute) June 7: 1st Bass June 9: Mizz Kitsune’s Electro Fusion June 14: 1st Bass, featuring Bells and Robes June 15: Tim Haufe June 16: Krewe De Groove June 17: Airspray Queer Dance Party June 18: Magic Island June 21: 1st Bass June 22: Broc Boyz release party June 23: Qwill June 24: El Dub and Jay Metcalf (Marley tribute) June 25: Aldous Collins Band June 26: Desert Rain June 27: Rezno and Nine Millz June 28: 1st Bass June 30: Joe Jack Tatum

Greendale’s Pub 404 W. Boylston St., Worc. greendalespub.com Tuesdays: Open Mic with Bill McCarthy; Local Musicians Showcase June 3: Ed & Da Ve June 4: 9Teen June 5: Mikey Lynch’s Sunday Jam featuring Rosemary’s Baby Blues June 10: Auntie Trainwreck’s Almost Summer Shindig June 11: Hip Swayers June 12: Tony Soul hosts Sunday Jam with Russell Watts June 19: Mikey Lynch’s Sunday Jam with Arthur James!

June 24: Clam Digger June 25: Silverbacks June 26: Mikey Lynch’s Sunday Jam with “Shakey” Steve Prunier and Steve “Wilbur” Going

Dance Ranch & Saloon 70 James St., Worc. danceranchandsaloon.com

Fiddlers’ Green Pub & Restaurant 19 Temple St., Worc.

Halligan’s Sports Bar and More 889 Southbridge St., Auburn halliganssportsbarandmore.com

Continued on Page 21

JUNE 2016 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 19

20 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2016

Continued from Page 18 Happy Jack’s 785 North Main St., Leominster 978-466-3433 June 3: Ross McGinnes June 4: Brother Stereo June 10: Lizzy Marquis June 11: Dave Malouin June 17: Cailte Kelley June 18: Kevin Shields June 24: City Boys Hotel Vernon - The Ship Room/Kelley Square Yacht Club 1 Millbury St., Worc.

Indian Ranch 200 Gore Road, Webster indianranch.com June 3: Mychael David Project June 18: Ziggy Marley June 25: The Mavericks June 26: Josh Turner Industry Bar Room 109 Water St., Worc. industrybarroom.com Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays: Two DJs, two rooms Sundays, starting June 9: Under 21 Ixtapa Cantina 308 Massachusetts Ave., Lunenburg ixtapacantina2.com JC Fenwick’s 37 Mechanic St., Leominster 978-840-4845 Jillian’s - Worcester 315 Grove St., Worc. jilliansworcester.com June 3: Souls on Fire June 4: UFC 199 – Rockhold vs. Weidman June 10: Fellowship of the King (Elvis tribute) June 11: Back in Time June 17: How Bizarre June 18: Squelch June 24: Doctor Robert June 25: Panache JJ’s Sports Bar and Grill 380 Southwest Cutoff, Northborough jbag.biz June 2: Thursday Acoustic with Chris Reddy June 3: Heavy Horses June 4: No Alibi June 10: Frye Street Radio June 11: Flock of Assholes June 17: Petty Larceny June 18: Tequila Bonfire June 24: Groove Street Band June 25: Moonshine Legends Airport Road, Fitchburg 978-342-6500 Leitrim’s Pub 265 Park Ave., Worc. leitrimspub.com Loft 266 Bar & Lounge 266 Park Ave., Worc. loft266.com Thursdays through June 10: Sam James London Billiards / Club Oasis 70 James St., Worc. londonbilliards.com June 18: Altic, Tom Newton, Little Levity Mahoney’s Pub 413 Park Ave., Worc.

508-277-1073 Marty’s Pub 225 Cantebury St., Worc. martyspub.com

MB Lounge 40 Grafton St., Worc. mblounge.com McNally’s Grille & Pub 88 Sargent Road, Westminster mcnallysgrille.com June 3: Dan Cormier June 10: Brett Casavant June 17: Tim Rollo June 24: James Keyes Michael’s Cigar Bar 1 Exchange Place, Worc. michaelscigar.com June 3: Testify June 4: Probable Cause June 8: Brett Brumby June 9: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell June 10: Doctor Robert June 11: Hot Letter June 15: Ricky Duran June 17: Andy Cummings & Swingabilly Lounge June 18: Blue Light Bandits June 22: The Promise is Hope June 23: Allston Police June 24: Hoodoo Revelator

261 Main St., Worc. thepalladium.net Park Grill and Spirits 257 Park Ave., Worc.

Fridays, Saturdays: Dick’s Beantown Comedy Escape June 17: The Drunken Uncles Partner’s Pub 970 South St., Fitchburg partnerspub.com June 4: Sean Daley June 11: Backstreet Zero June 18: Tyrus June 25: The Quarrymen

The Mill 185 185 W. Boylston St., W. Boylston themill185.com June 3: Jay Graham June 4: Belit June 9: Josh Briggs June 10: Chad Clements June 11: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell June 16: Frank & Matt June 17: Jodee & Brian June 18: Ken Macy June 25: James Keyes

Point Breeze On the Lake 114 Point Breeze Road, Webster pointbreezeonwebsterlake.com

Mill Street Brews (@ The Artist Development Complex) 18 Mill St., Southbridge millstreetbrews.com

Stagecoach Inn and Tavern 128 Main St., Groton grotonstagecoachinn.com

Perfect Game Sports Grill and Lounge 64 Water St., Worc. perfectgameworcester.com Wednesdays: Bike Night Fridays: DJs Saturdays: DJ Reckless Pho Dakao 593 Park Ave., Worc.

508-756-7555

Union Tavern 65 Green St., Worc.

The Raven 258 Pleasant St., Worc.

Wednesdays: Open Mic

Vincent’s Bar 49 Suffolk St., Worc.

508-752-9439 Sundays: Big Jon Short June 17: Blueswitch

The Muse 536 Main St., Worc.

508-756-6873

Rumors 371 Park Ave., Worc. clubuniverseworcester.com

Nick’s Bar and Restaurant 124 Millbury St., Worc.

Fridays: Thank Friday It’s Dr. Nat June 5: The Hangover Hour Spoken Word Salon

Rye & Thyme 14 Monument Square, Leominster ryeandthyme.com June 4: Retro Stew June 9: Dan Cormier June 10: Mike Melendez June 11: Andy Cummings & Swingabilly Lounge June 12: Brunch with Zack Slik June 16: Jay Graham June 17: Zack Slik June 23: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell June 24: Brian Chaffee June 25: Brian & Captain June 26: Brunch with Jon Short June 30: Sean Fullerton

On The Rocks Sports Bar & Grill 96 Lakefront Ave., Lunenburg 978-342-6692 Oxford Tavern 314 Main St., Oxford 508-987-5397 Padavano’s Place 358 Shrewsbury St., Worc. padavanosplace.com Thursdays: DJ Bruce and Karaoke Paisanos Pizza & Spirits 450 Lancaster St., Leominster 978-534-7117 The Palladium

The Tavern on Central 3 Central St., Ashburnham thetavernoncentral.com June 3: Neon Alley June 4: Ken Macy June 10: Mychael David Project June 11: Kevin Shields June 17: JCDC June 18: Brian Chaffee June 24: Gale County June 25: Brett Casavant

Ralph’s Chadwick Square Diner 148 Grove St., Worc. ralphsrockdiner.com Mondays: Dirty Gerund Poetry Show June 18: Deceased, Desolate, Sentience, Eaten & Devoured Fate

Rocky’s 139 Water St., Worc.

Olde Post Office Pub 1 Ray St., N. Grafton 508-839-6106 June 24: Josh Briggs & The Cantina Band

Sunset Tiki Bar/The Outlook 79 Powers Road, Westford 978-692-5700

Three G’s Sports Bar 152 Millbury St., Worc.

3gs-sportsbar.com June 11: Toddamy

Press Box 536 Lincoln St., Worc.

508-856-9255

Moynihan’s Pub 897 Main St., Worc.

The Nines Neighborhood Bar 136 Millbury St., Worc.

508-340-0318

Speakers Night Club 19 Weed St., Marlborough speakersnightclub.net Saturdays: Live bands Spruce Street Tavern 68 Spruce St., Clinton sprucestreettavern.com

Patsie Dugan’s 49 Millbury St., Worc. patsiedugans.com

Mickey Sheas 324 Electric Ave., Lunenburg 978-342-5825

June 11: Fabulous Dinosaurs June 17: Dave Andrews June 18: Twin City All-Stars June 24: Mike Livingston June 25: Caves on Mars

Victory Bar & Cigar 56 Shrewsbury St., Worc. victorycigarbar.com

Whiskey Hookah Lounge 316 Main St., Worc.

Sakura Tokyo 640 Park Ave., Worc. sakura-tokyo.com June 3, 4: Doctor Robert Sean Patrick’s Family Restaurant 494 Electric Ave., Lunenburg seanpatricksrestaurant.com South Side Grille & Margarita Factory 242 W. Broadway, Gardner southsidemargaritafactory.com June 3: Carl Ayotte June 4: Kevin Shields June 10: Brett Casavant

Whiskey on Water 97 Water St., Worc.

774-578-8829 whiskeyonwater.com Thursdays: Whiskey Yoga Fridays, Saturdays: Live music June 3: DJ Tec Threat Whistle Stop Bar & Grill 85 Main St., Oxford StopByTheWhistle.com White Eagle Polish Club 112 Green St., Worc.

Wednesdays: Karaoke with DJ M Thursdays: DJ M June 4: Windfall June 5: Hot Dish June 10: Ric Porter Band June 11: Moonshine June 12: Jesse Garcia June 18: Belit June 19: Ricky Duran June 24: Babe Pino Band June 25: Sunlea June 26: Ricky Duran William’s Restaurant & Tavern 184 Pearson Blvd., Gardner williamsrestaurantandtavern.com Wonder Bar Restaurant 121 Shrewsbury St., Worc.

JUNE 2016 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 21

mezé greek tapas – worcester

By Justin Perry

rye & thyme raw bar & grill – leominster

british beer company – worcester

22 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2016

white eagle polish club – worcester

435 bar & grille – leominster

el basha – worcester

park grill & spirits – worcester

JUNE 2016 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 23

li fe s tyl e

The Luxe List:

Father’s Day Gifts for the man cave

By Merilee Kern, The Luxe List Executive Editor It’s said that a man’s home is his castle, which would make his “man cave” his lair, where he can enjoy a reprieve from the pressures of daily life, watch sports and other television or movies in peace and generally relax in a space he can call his very own – and decorate accordingly. Man caves also offer an abundance of gifting opportunities, especially on Father’s Day. From furnishings to technology and gadgetry to interior décor, here are a few great gift ideas that can ensure he’s suitably and stylishly sequestered.

Comfort Products’ Relaxzen Massage Recliner There’s just nothing like a warm and relaxing massage in the comfort of one’s own home. This is made especially easy with Comfort Products’ Relaxzen Deluxe Padded Microfiber Massage Recliner with

3DLightFX 3D Deco Lights A great gift for Star Wars fans of all ages!

3DLightFX has released a line of Star Wars 3D deco lights featuring character favorites from both the original Star Wars series and Episode 7: The Force Awakens.

These lights stay cool to the touch, can be placed anywhere in the room and are battery operated, making them ideal for

matching ottoman. The classic design of

spaces with limited wall outlets. Each light

this eight-motor reclining massage chair,

comes complete with a signature crack

with its ultra-soft suede upholstery and

sticker that makes it look like R2-D2 or

plush padding, is a nice addition to any

Picture Your Street Photo Art Ever drive by a street sign with a name and want to buy it? Now you can! Picture Your Street locates, photographs and creates artwork out of authentic U.S. street signs featuring familiar first names. Each work features a photo of an actual street sign, with each image being unique, since they’re sourced from all over America.

There are more than 1,000 names – from the common to not-so-common. A

BB-8 (or other characters offered by the

handsome addition for any room, the

company) has come crashing through

black-and-white photos are double-matted

your wall. The Star Wars line has 12 light

and framed under glass in black wood. You

designs, including Darth Vader, Yoda and

can pick from one photo, a double, triple,

Kylo Ren. It is an amazing way to add light

quad and quint. Picture Your Street makes

keep on giving.

to any room.

a unique and personalized gift.

$245, Overstock.com

$39.99, 3DLightFX.com

$50, PictureYourStreet.com

study or living area. With nine vibration massage modes, five intensity levels and a heat setting that’s all controlled by an easyto-use remote, this chair will help anyone relax almost instantly. This is a gift that’ll

Hands High

by Jimmy Fallon Sports Team Hoodies The Hands High cotton-based pullover hoodies are extremely comfortable and perfect to wear while cheering on your

favorite pro sports team. They feature a decidedly unique design: NFL, NBA,

MLB and NHL team graphics both on

the chest and under the arms, so everyone can see who you’re cheering for while

your hands are raised in jubilation. Hands High sports apparel is created by Tonight Show host and sports fan, Jimmy Fallon.

Realizing that sports fans spend a great

deal of their time during games cheering

and high-fiving, Fallon decided to turn his idea into reality. Hands High apparel is

designed to provide sports fans with a fun, distinctive and memorable way to show their support for their favorite teams. $69.99, HandsHigh.com

The Luxe List Executive Editor Merilee Kern scours the luxury marketplace for exemplary travel experiences, extraordinary events and notable products and services. Submissions are accepted at TheLuxeList.com. Follow her on Twitter @ LuxeListEditor and Facebook at TheLuxeList.

24 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2016

OUT+ABOUT: June is national Pride Month!

By John Trobaugh In honor of Pride Month, here are the many regional Prides this month. Colleges are on recess after May, so many college students just can’t participate in a June Pride celebration in Worcester. That’s why, for many years, Worcester Pride has chosen to celebrate pride in September – to include all of the many schools (colleges, as well as secondary schools) in the region. Celebrate local Prides:

Boston Pride

June 11, with the festival from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and the parade from noon-2 p.m.; bostonpride.org.

Worcester Gay Professionals Group

June 13; facebook.com/WorcesterGayPro.

Worcester Pride

Rhode Island Pride (Providence)

First Tuesday at 35 Harvard St., Worcester.

Team meetings third Tuesday at Wycked Java, 108 Water St., Worcester; worcesterpride.org or worcesterpride@gmail. com.

Norwalk, Conn. Pride

6-9 p.m. June 21, in conjunction with the Canal District Art Walk, at Wycked Java, 108 Water St., Worcester.

June 18, with the festival from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and the night parade, Illumination, from 8-10 p.m.; prideri.com.

June 5, with Pride in the Park from noon-8 p.m.; ctgay.org.

North Shore Pride (Salem)

June 25, with parade and festival from noon6 p.m.; northshorepride.org.

Airspray!

Queer Dance Party

June 17 at Electric Haze, 26 Millbury St., Worcester; facebook.com/airspraywstr.

Central Mass LGBT and Friends Breakfast Club June 12 and 26, Olde Post Office

in Grafton; facebook.com/groups/ MassLgbtbreakfastclub.

Central Mass LGBTQ MeetUp Social networking with a goal of a vibrant queer community in Central Massachusetts; facebook.com/LGBTMeetupforCentralMA.

LGBT Asylum Task Force Volunteer meeting at 6:30 p.m. June 13; lgbtasylum.org.

MB Lounge (21+) Pajama party with Dance Away Sound at 9 p.m. June 3; DJ Jezz dance party at 9 p.m. June 10; second annual Stonewall party outdoors from 2 p.m.-close June 25; mblounge.com.

New England Pride TV For links to shows, booking and more information, email nepridetv@gmail.com or visit facebook.com/NEPrideTV.

Pride Art Show

AIDS WALK Boston

Join Worcester Pride at 7:30 a.m. June 5; aidswalkboston.org.

Rainbow Readers

Seven Tears at High Tide by C.B. Lee from 7-9 p.m. June 3 (Grades 9 and up); Murder and Mayhem by Rhys Ford from 6-8 p.m.

June 18 (ages 18-80). Both book groups are at Annie’s Book Stop, 65 James St., Worcester; sarahslocum92@gmail.com.

SafeHomes

A peer-led, weekly drop-in night for youth.

At the drop-in center on Mann Street in Worcester, SafeHomes provides a free meal and a combination of structured and unstructured social time Thursday nights for youth 14-22; safehomes@thebridgecm.org.

SWAGLY

Another option for LGBTQ+ youth is SWAGLY. Supporters of Worcester Area GLBT Youth’s (SWAGLY) focus on the prevention of HIV and STDs, drug/alcohol abuse and domestic violence. The group, for youth 12-22, meets every Wednesday night at AIDS Project Worcester. There is a meal, social time and a youth leadership program; swagly@aidsprojectworcester.org.

The Rainbow Lunch Club

This club offers LGBTIQA seniors (60+) a nutritious meal and an opportunity to socialize with friends and enjoy various activities, including programs, entertainment and an educational series.

Meets the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester, 90 Holden St. Advance reservations are required; 508756-1545 x404 or wlen@eswa.org.

JUNE 2016 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 25

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JUNE 2016 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 27

FOO D & DR I N K

Get your barbecue ready for spring It’s June – time to get the grill out and barbecue juicy steaks, delicious hamburgers and seasonal vegetables.

But you want to make sure you can get the most out of your grill. To make it last and improve its performance, take a few minutes to ensure your grill is clean and ready to go. Your taste buds will thank you! “(Summer) is quickly approaching, but there are a few things you will want to do before you take the cover off and get to cooking your favorite cuts of meat,” said Steve Gauci, director of Retail Operations at Napoleon Gourmet Grills. “After a long winter in storage – or a winter where you have been grilling throughout the cold – follow a few simple steps to improve the life and performance of your grill.”

Clean the searing grids Soak the cooking grills in warm water and soap before giving them a good cleaning to get rid of the grease and food crust that has been burnt on. Season them for the coming season and get ready for incredible grilled flavors all summer long.

Clean the grease cup The more you use your grill, the more you will have to clean or replace your grease cup. Before firing up your grill, take out the old and put in the new.

Napoleon is North America’s largest privately owned manufacturer of wood and gas fireplaces (inserts and stoves), gourmet gas and charcoal grills, outdoor living products and a complete line of heating and cooling equipment. Napoleon is located in Ontario, Canada.

28 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2016

Scrape off the grease tray All the grease and food remnants from past meals collect and char on the grease tray. No need to get out the soap and water for this one, but give it a good scrape with a spatula or putty knife to clean off all the bits.

Check for leaks Inspect your hose and fittings to ensure everything is in order and that there are no leaks. Do a soap test to be safe: In a spray bottle or small bowl, mix one part water to one part dish soap. Apply the mixture (spritz it or apply it with a small brush) to all fittings. Make sure your lid is open and all the control knobs are turned off. Turn on your gas – any growing bubbles are a sign of a leak that needs to be addressed.

Clean the igniter and burners While your searing grids are soaking, remove the heat shields (give them a good scrape, as well) so you can run your barbecue brush over the burners. This is also a good time to check your igniter and rear burner to make sure all is in working order.

For more information, visit napoleonproducts.com

hotandnow: What’s hot and what’s happening now in the restaurant scene

By Paul Giorgio More than just fire. Fireflies in Marlboro has received permission to expand its patio seating area and add some fire pits and an outdoor bar that seats eight. Might be a great place to sit and eat on a warm summer night.

So long, farewell. Worcester’s Shiraz restaurant on Park Ave has closed after 22 years of operation. Shiraz was the last Armenian restaurant in Worcester and was owned by Jack Kochian, who runs the restaurant with his wife Koharig “Corina.” Interestingly enough, Worcester has the third-largest Armenian population in the country. Only Waltham and Fresno, Calif., have more Armenian Americans.

Upscale eatery open. The Dead Horse Hill opened the first week of May. Dead Horse is located at 281 Main St., near the Palladium, and is co-owned by Jared Forman (Strip T’s, Gramercy Tavern, Momofuku), Sean Woods (Ribelle, Strip T’s, Craigie on Main) and Albert LaValley. These Boston transplants have opened a restaurant that “features refined American cuisine and impressive craft cocktails in a fun environment,” according to a press release.

Don’t beat a dead horse. Speaking of Dead Horse Hill, Zagat’s, the national bible of good food and restaurants, recently did a piece on Dead Horse Hill. The article discussed Boston restaurateurs discovering Worcester. It’s a good take on the Worcester dining scene, but it is something we have known all along and have tried to keep a secret from the rest of New England. Worcester has a great dining scene with affordable prices.

Pizza pizza. Word is that Dacosta’s Pizza Bakery will open at 44 Millbrook St., near Glennie Street. The owner is importing an authentic oven from Naples, so hopefully, there will be a spot on Worcester’s West Side for authentic Neapolitan thin-crust pies. DeCosta’s is owned by Marc Felicio. Unfortunately, pizza-lovers will have to wait until the August opening to give it a try.

Baba in Sturbridge. Baba Sushi opened second location at 453 Main St. in Sturbridge after being denied in Holden. In addition to the restaurant, there is a private dining area that holds up to 30 people. The sushi restaurant is owned by Wilson Wang, and it is his first restaurant off of Park Avenue in Worcester.

Dianna’s opens. Dianna’s Neighborhood Bistro opened on the corner of June and Chandler streets in Worcester during the first week of May. The place is owned by husband-and-wife team Richard and Dianna George. The BYOB eatery is open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. The spot has been home to a few places. The Struck was located here, and Le Mirage occupied the space for a number of years. The restaurant is offering fresh food grown locally.

New, not vintage. Shrewsbury Street’s Vintage Grille has hired a new chef. John Gremo is a graduate of Newbury College and the University of Nevada. He has worked across the world and alongside celebrity chefs such as Diners, Drive Ins & Dives host Guy Fieri.

JUNE 2016 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 29

british beer company brings the flavors of Old England to Worcester

By Bernie Whitmore As Worcester’s earliest dining district, one can trace an arc of Shrewsbury Street’s progress from inception to maturity.

The earliest pioneers opened restaurants distinguished by cuisines hallmarked by quality, quantity and a blossoming of options hitherto unavailable in town. These were rustic places carved out of old storefronts, factories and garages.

With their success, bolder enterprises followed.

The coming of the British Beer Company signals recognition from beyond Worcester that the “Street” has attained commercial viability. The BBC is a chain of theme restaurants with pockets are deep enough to transform the old Coral Seafood into an American conceit of what a pub in London might feel like. The transformation is profound. BBC has installed an acre of stained glass, plenty of rich wood trim and a central bar that looks like a chunk torn from Westminster Abbey. There’s even an upstairs mezzanine that replicates an intimate corner of an actual London pub.

Joining a friend for dinner, we were seated in a dining area a couple steps up from the main floor, directly below a portrait of Winston Churchill. The British Bulldog seemed to scowl down at me throughout the evening. Could he have been envious of our appetizer, Buffalo Chicken Dip? I daresay his Brit taste might have been offended by the spicy buffalo cheese dip; it kicked in with a tasty low-level afterburn – distinctly American. On the other hand, I’m sure he’d approve of the tender nuggets of boneless chicken we dredged up out of that creamy dip.

And the beer? I spent a week in London last month and sampled some of their tastiest brews. All of it made me long to be back in America, where the brewing rulebooks have been left gathering dust while our brewmasters let their imagination and creativity roam free, sparking a new era of new flavor dimensions. This evening, I had a glass of Wormtown’s Spies Like Us. This Russian Imperial Stout was jet black and had a creamy head that took its time dissipating, a bit of it in each chocolaty-hoppy sip.

This glass of Spies proved to be a perfect match for my entrée, Steak & Ale Pie. The BBC has exactly replicated the proper English pastry crust and packed it with thick stout gravy and tender pieces of beef. Even the crimping of the pastry crust matched what I was served in South Kensington the week before; my only recommendation would be to remove it from the oven a few minutes sooner. My pie had passed the golden brown stage and was well on its descent to black.

On the subject of pastry, the British make their pies with dough that bakes up flaky and crumbly. This is far better than those puff-pastry variants we find closer to home. The BBC manager told me the restaurant’s dough is made by hand.

Perhaps I’m obsessing here, but the effort spent on authenticity is greatly appreciated.

My friend’s entrée decision was based in large part on a very enthusiastic recommendation from a trusted friend who gushed about the BBC’s Shepherd’s Pie. The menu proclaims it “made with beef.” Hmmm, the English would call that Cottage Pie but, in New England we don’t really quibble about beef versus lamb. But really, where would a shepherd find a cow?

On presentation, my friend’s pie appeared quite proper. But then, a couple forkfuls into it, he realized he’d been served a variant; a rogue pie stuffed with turkey and cornbread stuffing. Tasty in its own right, but a disappointment after that breathless recommendation.

Once alerted to the mix-up, the BBC’s response to this error was prompt and flawless. Alyssa, our server, acknowledged that she’d clearly ordered the Shepherd’s Pie, and post haste, the manager arrived at the table with sincere apologies and expedited a replacement meal. The Worcester staff may be recently assembled, but its professionalism was impressive by any standard.

Which leads to these observations: • New England Pie (the turkey version): Worth ordering in the format described in the menu.

• Shepherd’s Pie: After the wait, we found that it was, in fact, brilliant.

• The British Beer Company: Well on its way to perfection.

The British beer taps are installed and flowing. So round up the mates, put on your cockney accent and order a pint. And send Winston a bottle of Johnny Walker; that might satisfy him for a couple hours.

British Beer Company • 225 Shrewsbury St., Worcester • (508) 799-5100 • BritishBeer.com/Worcester 30 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2016

pulsebrew: I just want to order a beer

Last month, I wrote about how a nitro beer differs from a regular beer. I have had a few people

ask me since then about the differences between how beer is packaged and served in other ways.

Some of these are open to interpretation, and even to individual brewery quality standards, but I will give you some general guidelines.

Draught, Draft or On Tap.

This is all the same the same thing. It is a keg that

has been carbonated and is being pressurized by carbon dioxide and fed through a line to a faucet that pours it into your glass. At some point, the beer is cooled before it reaches your glass. It is

important to use a quality system and keep the lines and faucets clean to make sure the quality of the beer shines through. The best part about beer served this way is the fact that you can enjoy it with the glassware that the brewer intended.

Cask.

Cask beer is not force carbonated, but sealed for a period of time to allow the carbon

dioxide that would usually leave the fermenter to dissolve into the beer, allowing the beer to become naturally carbonated. It is served from that container at cellar temperature, about 50 degrees, from a hand pump. This hand pump pushes air into the keg to replace the beer that

leaves the keg. This means that the beer is only good for a short period of time, as air is about 30 percent oxygen. Brewers usually go out of their way to keep their beer away from oxygen. You will

often see bars advertise Cask Nights. They don’t advertise Cask Weeks for a reason. Ever have a beer from a keg in college off of one of those pony hand pumps after a day or two? That’s why.

Bottle.

A bottle, up until recently, was the sole vessel of choice for craft beer. The only option

was how to seal it. There were caps, and then there were caps specifically meant to seal out oxygen

to allow a beer to cellar for longer periods of time. Some brewers sealed their bottles with corks, others with caps on top of the corks, and still others with cages on top of the corks. Brown bottles

were thought to filter out more sunlight, while green and clear glass were thought to allow in light, which would spoil the beer. Personally, I like glass for beers I am going to hang on to for a special occasion, like lambics and stouts. For all others I prefer....

Cans.

Cans might just be the perfect beer-delivery mechanism. Pool and spa owners will

agree they never have to worry about broken glass. Cans are infinitely recyclable. They are super

lightweight and portable. Cleaning up after an event is a lot easier. Some of the best beer – and

best non-beer beverages, for that matter – come in cans. They let no light in. You can get some nitro beer in cans. Cans come in different sizes from 12 ounces to 64 ounces. Cans, when sealed

properly, seal better than bottles. A little known fact is that Wachusett Brewery, right here in Massachusetts, is known for having one of the best canning lines in the business.

Cheers!

JUNE 2016 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 31

art & culture

Canal District Art Walk: the start of a new tradition Story and Photos by Sloane M. Perron Local artists, musicians and authors gathered April 19 for the first Canal District Art Walk. Now, it looks like Worcester has a new tradition – one that features street music, spoken-word poetry and art.

Occurring every third Tuesday of the month from 6-9 p.m. through October, the goal of the event is to promote the arts while highlighting the unique venues located throughout the Canal District. Hosted by the Canal District Alliance, the art walk was organized by volunteers Shaun Cannon, Scott Fair and Jamie Dillion. The idea for this unique festivity came during one of Wycked Java’s Thursday Art Nights. Owner Fair and fellow co-owner, Joetta Ripley, noticed someone playing music on the street, and the idea for the Canal District Art Walk was born.

Cannon and Fair said the concept of art walks is very popular in major cities throughout the United States. According to Fair, the Canal District Art Walk was “really for the local artists,” since there is no charge for the use of venues or displays. In fact, the prospect of having an event that focuses on artistic expression, in all its forms, has already drawn in surrounding art guilds, which are planning to participate in future art walks. Fair said the art walk also brings artists from the Blackstone Valley into the Worcester area. Fair hopes that as this free event grows, it draws crowds from Boston and Providence. He believes that the Canal District Art Walk “has the potential to become the signature event of Worcester.”

The Canal District Art Walk has received an outpouring of support. Even before the event took place, about 51,000 people looked at the group’s Facebook page and local artists eagerly signed up.

“Worcester needs this,” Cannon said.

This sentiment was shared not only by the 24 artists who took part in the art walk, but by attendees who strolled up and down Water Street and entered businesses to look at the fine art.

Aaron Powers, an artist from Fitchburg who specializes in silkscreen illustrations, displayed his work in Blackstone Tap. Powers first heard about the Canal District Art Walk through Facebook and said, “I was interested because I was not aware of anything going on in this part of Worcester.”

Mike Kangas, of Webster, gave a painting demonstration outside the Blackstone Tap. He and his girlfriend, Amy Abbot, run Bizarre Koffin Art and saw this event as a way to directly connect with the public. “I was really excited about the art walk. This is a great opportunity for people to see my work,” he said Artists of all mediums and ages participated in the event, including Darlene Schwartz and her 10-year-old daughter, Samantha Schwartz, who are both painters. She recently moved to Worcester and runs the community studio ArtReach on Boylston Street. She first heard about the art walk through Dillion.

“I feel like there are a lot of artists in Worcester and not a lot of places to display them,” she said. “I think this is going to be huge.”

Owner of Wings Over Worcester, Laurian Banciulescu, attended the art walk and stopped at Lock50, which opened officially in May. Banciulescu described a sense of camaraderie among the local business owners in the Canal District: “We are just here to support local artists and the community.”

Lock50 owner Ed Russo agreed. “I think it is great for the street. I think it is great for the community.”

Sasha Paige, of Worcester, attended the event with her friends Kelsey and Leah Penny. Paige said she particularly enjoyed “the openness and just the general free environment. Everyone was very friendly and talkative about their artwork.”

Joe Ruivo, an attendee and self-proclaimed “instigator” of the event, said he was happy with the success of the art walk. “This has been the whole point, getting people down here.”

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For more information, visit facebook.com/ArtWalkCanalDistrict.

N O R T H C O U N T Y • D I N I N G • E N T E R TA I N M E N T • N I G H T L I F E • S H O P P I N G • N O R T H C O U N T Y • D I N I N G • s h o p p i n g

N O R T H C O U N T Y • D I N I N G • E N T E R TA I N M E N T • N I G H T L I F E • S H O P P I N G • N O R T H C O U N T Y • D I N I N G • E N T E R TA I N M E N T • N I G H T L I F E • S H O P P I N G

N O R T H C O U N T Y • D I N I N G • E N T E R TA I N M E N T • N I G H T L I F E • S H O P P I N G • N O R T H C O U N T Y • D I N I N G • s h o p p i n g

sports & fitness

Having a ball: Team USA rugby captain has local ties

By Kimberly Dunbar Madison Hughes never got to watch his favorite sport in the Olympics growing up. Now, with rugby back in the Olympic lineup for the first time in nearly a century, he’ll get to experience it first-hand as a member of the U.S. Olympic team.

“I always watched the Olympics growing up and dreamed of competing in it,” said Hughes, who as a kid, hoped to become a professional athlete. “The Olympics is the pinnacle of world sport; you have the best athletes in the world coming together, all trying to put in their best performance on the biggest stage. Never having been to an Olympics, I can only imagine the atmosphere this creates, but I can’t wait to experience it.”

Rugby hasn’t been part of the Olympics since 1924.

Though the U.S. won back-to-back gold medals in 1920 and 1924, without the Olympics, the sport lost its luster in America. In the 1960s, rugby experienced a rebirth, leading to the creation of men’s and women’s national teams and a governing body. (The United States of America Rugby Football Union, now known as USA Rugby, was established in 1975.)

The sport has gone through yet another renaissance since the hiring of Coach Mike Friday in July 2014. He has helped take the men’s national team from the bottom to one of the top seeds in the world. One of Friday’s first duties was tapping Hughes as captain, despite his being the team’s youngest rugger.

“I think there were a few factors that caused him to look to me, my inexperience, perhaps, being one of them,” Hughes said. “We were embarking on a new era as a team, and as I’d

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only been on the team for a short period, I could perhaps embody this new spirit more than some of my veteran teammates. I had also been growing into a leadership role, and I think I am quite good at creating an environment where the team must always come first, which helps on a team as diverse as ours.”

Hughes, who grew up in London, began playing rugby at the age of 7. Because it’s one of the biggest sports in England, rugby was something he fell into and immediately fell in love with. Hughes became a high school standout at Wellington College and chose to continue his career and studies at Dartmouth College.

“I knew that my dream college would have high-level academics, as well as high-level rugby, and having spent quite a lot of time in New England, I decided that I wanted to stay in the northeast,” said Hughes, who grew up spending summers at his grandmother’s house in Lancaster, Mass., where his parents recently bought a house.

At Dartmouth, Hughes led the team to a championship in 2012 and was named to the Collegiate Rugby Championship All-Tournament team three times.

Meanwhile, Hughes became a key part of the U.S. agegrade teams, playing in tournaments across the world and commuting between Dartmouth and the Olympic Training Center in California, all while balancing his schoolwork.

For more, visit teamusa.org.

The Olympics begin Aug. 5.

“I had to make sacrifices, and my social life took quite a hit, but I knew that I wanted to finish my degree, as well as pursue my Olympic dream,” Hughes said.

Thanks to his mother’s Leominster upbringing, Hughes has dual citizenship in America and England. “My decision to play for the U.S. was one I took over the course of quite a long time,” he said. “As I got closer to the national team, I knew that I wanted to represent the USA, and I have not regretted my decision for a second.”

Hughes said that winning a medal in Rio will be tough, but it’s a challenge for which the team is ready. “We have shown that when we play up to our potential, we can beat any team in the world,” he explained, adding that the team won its first tournament at the London Sevens last year. “Now, we need to develop a consistent level of performance where we are no longer talking about potential but maintaining our standards game after game.

The Olympics will be the biggest stage a rugby sevens player has ever appeared on, so we need to be ready to play to our peak in every game.”

The fact that Team USA is rugby’s defending gold medalist is something Hughes said the community can take pride in; however, they’re not necessarily using the 1924 victory as motivation. “I would love it if our team could write a successful next chapter for USA rugby in the Olympics,” he added.

In the meantime, Hughes is enjoying the ride. “I don’t think my dreams stretched this high,” he said. “To represent my country with my teammates is an incredible honor, and everything so far has surpassed my wildest expectations.

Now I’m dreaming higher, though, and we’ll work very hard to ensure that the best is yet to come.”

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sty le & b eauty

Summer festival must-haves Whether it’s food festivals, art festivals or music festivals that you’re into, you need to protect yourself – from sweat and sun. Fortunately, there are a ton of products out there to help make you festival-ready. So get ready to enjoy summer!

Bokos These ultra-durable, easy to clean, anti-slip sandals come in a variety of colors and are perfect for wearing at your favorite festival. Bokos are constructed using nonporous rubber material, which helps block out dirt and keeps your sandals clean. This material also helps eliminate odor and keeps your Bokos smelling fresh, even when you’re not! $18; bokosusa.com.

deFUNKit DeFUNKit is a revolutionary new fabric care treatment. It removes strong odor and keeps odor away on synthetic and natural fabrics. It’s even durable enough to keep working through 20 launderings.

DeFUNKit is available in two sizes, a hand-wash size perfect for delicates or a machine-wash size that will treat an entire load. $9.95 or $19.95, defunkit.com.

Myfriendsmells.com If you’re taking a stinky friend with you to your favorite summer festival, check out myfriendsmells.com.

You can anonymously send cologne wipes to friends with an attached note informing the recipient that they smell. Send an individual wipe or a package of four. $1.99 or $4.99, myfriendsmells.com.

COR Pendant Revamp your festival fashion with COR Pendant, the wearable aromatherapy jewelry that can change your mood from blah to beautiful. Try the Energy Cor Wick for an energizing aroma of rosemary, peppermint, green mandarin and lemon. $125, corpendant.com.

Trilipiderm SPF with Vitamin D Keep your skin sun protected and hydrated all day long with Trilipiderm’s Broad Spectrum SPF 30 with Vitamin D. The natural sunscreen comes in a handy 3-ounce tube that’s easy to carry and keeps your skin feeling great, with no weird, greasy sunscreen feel. Added bonus: NO funky sunscreen smell! $17.95, trilipiderm.com.

Wallaroo Hat Company A cute accessory that offers extra sun protection is definitely a must-have for any festival-goer. Wallaroo Hat Company’s UPF 50+ rated hats block out 97.5 percent of the sun’s harmful rays. From cowboy styles to fedoras, large-brimmed hats, visors and more, Wallaroo has a style for every festival outfit.

Prices vary, wallaroohats.com.

Comfortcaine If despite your best efforts, you need some relief, soothe and relieve sunburns, insect bites or even psoriasis with Comfortcaine, made with 94 percent aloe vera and 4 percent lidocaine and designed to cool and comfort irritated skin. $11.50, keywestaloe.com.

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stealthestyle: Get-Lit June

By Jamie Burke Designer candles are so cute – and so expensive. I love the funny sayings, quotes and names on these candles. If you are crafty enough and have something to write or print on your candle, do it! Many of my genius crafts fail while attempting perfection. Most recently, I was trying to recreate a bathing suit, and it all kept going awry. Cue my kick-ass editor, who swooped in with an unassuming email sharing a cool craft using a candle. So here we are. This craft really only takes a few steps, depending on which you route you take. You can physically make the candle from wax, or you can just decorate the outside of a candle for almost the same effect. Either way, you can call it your own style.

MAKE THE CANDLE* Supplies:

Candle glass or vessel Wick end Wax Double boiler Essential oils or fragrance

Steps: • • •

Clean glass that candle will go in. Start double boiling water and measure out, according to directions, how much wax will fit in the container.

Melt the wax, take it off heat, and add your oils or fragrance. This is a tricky process, so you’ll most likely just wing it. Essential oils hold the most fragrance and generally are the best fit to scent a candle.

Pour wax into the container, then drop your wick (end first) to the bottom. Secure it with a wooden skewer on top and let it sit in a cool place to become solid. This takes like six hours!

Do not place in fridge or freezer, or you will have air.

STYLE THE CANDLE Supplies:

Spray paint, acrylic paint Mod Podge Labels of any kind Chalk or markers

Steps: • • •

The decorative part is where the candle really becomes your own. Use a funny quote, a message, a joke, a swear … really anything goes.

If you want to leave your candle in a glass container, skip this step. Otherwise, paint the outside of your candle with either acrylic or spray paint. If you use acrylic paint, give the container a few coats and let it dry between coats.

Print a label, or use a plain label, and stick it on the candle. I used chalk labels and chalk. I loved chalk, which let me change the message.

Burn your candle, sit back, sip your wine and get lit! *Or go to the store and buy the damn candle.

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