photo by Keith Katsoulis Photography
COMEDY
JUNE
Bernie Whitemore, Paul Giorgio, Irena Kaçi, Shaun Connolly, Ravon Williams, Julie Walker, Grace Denney Brian Dowd, and Jenny Pacillo.
SWEET WOO MUSIC Summer Outdoor Music
Irena
Summer is almost upon us and the time to outdoor live music is as precious as it is fleeting. The three-to-four months’ worth of sunshine and easy living is best enjoyed while listening to outdoor live music. To that end, we have taken the liberty to curate a wonderful list of options and opportunities all over Central Massachusetts for your auditory delight.
Enter The Downtown BID. The BID, which stands for the Business Improvement District, is a local nonprofit dedicated to a ‘safer and more vibrant’ city center. They have a hand in a number of downtown initiatives. I connected with Program Director Victoria Mariano to learn a bit more. “We have clean and safe-ambassadors, folks who walk around and clean the streets, help with events, and landscape beautification. Our volunteers have put out planters and baskets, they’ve engaged in public art projects, and even helped coordinate the World Cup Watch Party. “ For the past few years, the BID has also been hosting regular ‘Out To Lunch’ food truck Wednesdays intended to give folks who live and work downtown (or who simply want to come out for a stroll in that neighborhood) a summer daytime break complete with delicious food and some form of live entertainment. Mariano took some time to walk me through what’s in store for this summer.
“Our biggest live music program is the out to lunch 10 Wednesdays in a row starting June 24th through August 26th. It is a great time for everyone who’s already downtown on Wednesday afternoon. You can grab some food and listen to live music. If you don’t work or live downtown, recommend taking the day off work and come out. The music line up is incredible. I’ve been doing live music booking in Worcester since 2007, I know a lot about booking
live music from the northeast. I’m super excited about this particular lineup.”
To kick things off on June 24th we have Minka: an ‘up and coming funky 80s style rock band’ from Philadelphia, PA. They play only original music created to sound exactly like it time traveled here from the 1980s, while also being technically current music. ”Think of it as Bowie, mixed with Prince and then sprinkled with some Talking Heads.”
On July 1st we have Gable Johnson III or, as he is better known, Honeycomb. Honeycomb is a performer born and raised in Massachusetts. “He’s worldly and he’s country, he’s gone from local artist to nationally touring artist in a very short window of time. He’s a producer, a beatboxer and rapper. Lately, he’s been mixing rock tones into his music and for this set he will be bringing along some additional guests. It’s going to be super fun. The beat boxing is incredible.”
If you’re a Deadhead, don’t miss out on Brown Eyed Women, an all female Grateful Dead tribute band. They’ll be in Worcester on July 8th. “They are all very talented musicians from all over the country. They do mostly regional tours, but sometimes tour nationally. They are all such impressive musicians in their own right and together they have captured a truly niche vibe. “
July 15th is more than just a regular ‘Out to Lunch’ Wednesday, because it will also be the date of our 3rd annual Disability Pride Theme Day. In honor of that theme, we have invited Flame, a cover band composed of people with disabilities, to play mixed rock covers. “We had them last
year. They are incredible players. They’re based in upstate New York. We like to try to have more high energy, lower tone acoustic stuff,there are a whole bunch of different options, but we gravitate towards them because they bring that energy to an outdoor space.”
Switching gears from pop, July 22nd will welcome Seattle’s own Polyrhythmics- a band that is known for “combining impossibly tight grooves with bold brass and hypnotic percussion that showcased elements of R&B, progressive jazz, and Afrobeat”. Featuring Adryon De Leon, Polyrhythmics will “incorporate huge brass band energy, strings, horns with r & b, and soul sounds. It’s a different style than New Orlean’s. This is a special tour as they don’t typically travel with DeLeon so it’ll be especially unique and cool.”
Bringing it back home to wrap up July, on the 29th the Worcester Common Oval will be hosting Acoustic Winos, a local classic rock tribute band. “At least one player, but probably multiple players are coming from 100 Front Street, that’s how local they are. They work right downtown and they’re super fun. They all have these serious day jobs, but this is their passion. I used to book them all the time for Bull Mansion. It’s guaranteed to be a good time.”
On August 5th Boston- based Salsa tribute band known as “Agua Fresca” will be taking a turn at making the city dance. “It’s a tribute Senora Poncia and they’re a phenomenal and huge band that plays a variety of styles of music. The band’s lead is an award winning drummer, so you know you’re in for a good time. We expect that the entire oval will transform into a dance floor.”
photo by Keith Katsoulis Photography
Kaçi
If you’re a Lana Del Rey fan, you won’t want to miss August 12th’s offering of Nikki Luparelli’s Born To Die Trio. “They’ll be playing a, popular mix. Many iterations of her [Luparelli’s] talent and this is one of them. I’ve been dying to see this band. The show she’s played I haven’t been able to see them, and they don’t typically play free public events. It’s really cool. These all are high quality bands that you’d go see anyway, and you’ll get to see them for free.”
Sampling some funk and jazz is never a bad idea, so on August 19th the Worcester Common Oval will welcome the K Fingers Band, along with Ernie Floyd. “Keith Muhammad AKA K Fingers is a New England based musician, composer, producer, songwriter, and live performer. His blend of R&B, Hip-Hop,Pop, and Jazz-Funk can be heard on his solo projects, as well as collaborations with local recording artists. The band consists of producer K Fingers on keyboards, piano, and drum machines, Bobby J on soprano, and alto saxophone, and Paul Yu on lead and rhythm guitar . Their brilliant contributions can be heard on the latest K Fingers Band EP Up Next. Bass player Duane Rawls, and drummer Ernie Floyd are the newest additions to The K Fingers Band.”
Wrapping up the lineup is a collaboration with Crocodile River Music. “Crocodile River Music is partnering with us and we are bringing a truly
singular sound into the city. The leader of ccr music is a great partner. They are supportive of our mission and connect us to some really unique music With so many of our performers too, there will be intermission performers, including things like poetry, dance. To be fair, it’s mostly dance.”
But if you’re looking to branch out of the city and connect to a more country feel for your music hits, Indian Ranch is always a good option to explore. It just so happens that Indian Ranch will be turning 80 this year, so you know they’re going to do it right. I connected with Suzette Robert, President of Indian Ranch, and she was able to share some of the upcoming shows with us.
For the month of June, the shows to be on the lookout for takes place on the 7th, the 12th, the 13th and the 28th. “This is our 80th anniversary season at Indian Ranch. We will be presenting over 25 shows this summer, and the lineup cuts across all genres. Our season opens on June 7th with Little Feat as part of their “Last Farewell Tour”. Brothers Osborne will make their debut at Indian Ranch on June 12th. They are a great country act that we have been trying to get at Indian Ranch for a very long time. You might not have scored tickets to see Journey’s sold-out show at the DCU Center, but you can see Voyage (for a lot less) on June 28th Same with Rush and their tribute act, Lotus Land, which will make their Indian Ranch
debut on June 13th.”
Later in the summer, there are additional shows waiting for audience participation right on the water. “ We’re also thrilled to host The Mavericks & Friends on August 22nd The Mavericks became a fan favorite here at Indian Ranch because their music is infectious, gets people up and dancing,
and they just bring so much joy. The front man, Raul Malo, passed away last year, and so these are the first shows since his death and will have a rotating cast of singers. I’m sure it will be a great celebration of Raul.”
Not to be outdone, Melissa Etheridge herself will be stepping into Central Massachusetts for a visit. “ We’re also excited to have Melissa Etheridge return to Indian Ranch on August 29th – she’s such a strong and powerful performer, and it’s a real treat to have her on our stage. In addition to those shows, we have a number of nationally touring tribute acts that are popular, from Get The Led Out (Led Zeppelin tribute) to Yachtly Crew (yacht rock music) and The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA. Everyone knows the music and sings along for these shows, plus the tickets are very affordable.”
The options are pretty versatile and endless at Indian Ranch, so the only hurdle is securing those tickets. I asked Robert what she recommends for locking in the best rates. “Easiest way to get tickets is to go to indianranch.com. We always have to remind our attendees that this is the safest way to get the right tickets and at the face value. Our official ticketing partner is Etix. Any other outlet is a reseller so it is buyer beware!”
But once you’re out in the country, the offerings don’t just begin and end with live music. There is still so much to do out in Webster. “In addition to the concert venue, our restaurant Samuel Slater’s will be open Wednesday to Sunday from noon to closing and we are finishing up our seasonal menu. It’s a great place to dine, of course, with waterfront views, and our function hall holds comedy nights and local cover and tribute acts almost every weekend year-round. Our paddlewheel boat, the Indian Princess, is out of the water until the end of June for some routine maintenance, but once we get her back in the water, there will be all sorts of offerings from sunset cruises and the fireworks cruises to themed cruises and more. Plus we offer these great pre-concert cruises. Tour the lake and then go to the show.”
Why does everything seem so much easier and more filled with potential once the temperature rises over 50 and the sun stays out ‘till after 6pm? I don’t know, but I do know that we are on track to have a pretty rocking summer and that winter is over, if you want it.
Melissa Etheridge
photo by Keith Katsoulis Photography
ENTERTAINMENT ARTS • CULTURE
A LIGHT THAT NEVER GOES OUT: A SUPERFAN SHARES HIS SMITH’S COLLECTION AT WPI
For many people, collections function as a form of tangible nostalgia. We fall in love with a particular time and place and want to visit or revisit it through the objects we keep. Some collect old baseball cards, vintage toys, or classic vinyl records. Whatever the item, collections often connect the collector to something larger than themselves. For Dan Savastano, that connection comes through memorabilia from the seminal ’80s rock band The Smiths.
Hailing from Salem, NH, Savastano’s love for The Smiths wasn’t formed in the clubs of 1980s Manchester, but right here at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, the site of his upcoming exhibit, “The Smiths Museum Presents: The Queen Is Dead 40th Anniversary Exhibition.” The one day event will be held at Alden Memorial Hall on June 20th to celebrate the band’s groundbreaking album The Queen Is Dead. The exhibit will feature an array of rare and one-of-a-kind pieces from Savastano’s personal Smiths collection.
When considering a location for the exhibit, Alden Memorial Hall was a natural choice. After all, it was while studying at WPI that a friend first introduced Savastano to the band that would change his life.
“He was like, ‘Hey, I found this band I think you’re really going to like.’ It was The Smiths. So I played them, and from then on it was this massive love affair. He was right, and the ob-
session sort of took over from there.”
Savastano had already been a collector for years, so it didn’t take long for that passion to extend to his new fandom.
“My aunts got me really into sports cards. I played baseball as a kid, so they would always take us to local sports card shows and get us into the idea of collecting. Naturally, when I got into The Smiths, I started collecting right off the bat around 2011. At that point, it was mostly browsing eBay, going to record shops, things like that.”
Through those early eBay purchases, Savastano began building connections with other Smiths devotees, including a fan named Paul who owned an especially impressive collection of rare memorabilia.
“We started talking back and forth, and that’s when I found out he had been a longtime Smiths fan. He discovered them on the John Peel show in 1983 and, like me, he was instantly hooked. Obsessed. He grew up in England and followed them around the world during their short-lived career, so he had seen them 40 or 50 times in concert. He had this massive collection and all these incredible stories about his experiences with the band.”
“For me, as a young fan, that was really intriguing. Seeing what he had and hearing those stories inspired the idea for a museum.” Savastano and Paul would join forces, as well as collections, and The Smith’s Museum was born. What Savastano calls “the Mona Lisa” of his collection, and what is sure to be one of the exhibition’s highlights, is the original stage backdrop from the band’s legendary 1986 album tour.
Fans will be able to take photos in front of the original backdrop and hold a replica The Queen Is Dead placard created by John Featherstone, the lighting director for the tour and the man responsible for both the original placards and the now-iconic backdrop.
“For anyone who was originally on the tour, that’s going to be something instantly recogniz-
able that brings back those memories. It works for both worlds. The people who were there get to relive those moments, and people like myself, who were too young to see them, get to experience it for the first time.”
The exhibit will also feature artifacts tied to the culture surrounding the band and the scene from which they emerged. Original pasted collages from The Smiths Indeed fan zine, along with the typewriter used to create them, will give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the work that went into those early DIY publications in the pre-internet era.
Savastano is also planning to unveil a previously unseen piece of Smiths history that he says will surprise even the band’s most dedicated fans. Whether you’re a lifelong Smiths listener or simply interested in music history, the exhibit promises to be a can’t-miss event.
When asked about The Smiths’ cross-generational appeal and enduring popularity, Savastano believes it ultimately comes down to one thing:
“I think it’s the way that Morrissey speaks and the topics he writes about. Loneliness, life, love, loss. All the things he talks about are universal. They’re part of the human condition. Everybody can relate to them.”
BRIAN DOWD
ARTS & CULTURE LISTINGS
American Heritage Museum (978) 562-9182
568 Main St., Hudson americanheritagemuseum.org
Wednesday - Warrior Yoga
Arts Worcester (508) 755-5142
44 Portland St., Worcester Artsworcester.org
June 6 - June Member Meetup
June 13 - Gallery Tour: Caitlyn Marsh’s Lithological and Bridey McGlynn’s Expanded Bodies
Boulder Art Gallery (978) 354-7000
960 Main St., Fitchburg theboulderartgallery.com
Gallery open Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Brick Box Theater (508) 413-5622
20B Franklin St., Worcester jmacworcester.org/brickbox.
June 6 - Latidos Falmencos 2026
June 9 - An Evening with Marc Shaiman: Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner
June 14 - Divertissements
Creative Hub
2 Ionic Ave, Worcester Creativehubworcester.org
WednesdaysMindfulness Art Expression Fridays - Creative Writing Recovery Workshop
Saturdays - Recovery Workshop: StoryBook ART
June 1 - LEGO Recovery
June 3 & 10Printmaking Recovery Workshop
June 3, 10, 17 & 24Studies in Stillness Workshop Series
June 4, 11, 18 & 25Moving Lines: Figure & Gesture Drawing Workshop
June 6Free Community Salsa Class
June 13 - Xiang Li’s Artist Talk andBook Signing
June 13 - Follow Your Gut: Why Digestion is the Key to Your Health
June 14 - CircleSinging Worcester
June 17 - Work In Progress
Wednesdays
June 28 - Community Plant Swap
If
DCU Center (508) 755-6800
50 Foster St., Worcester dcucenter.com
June 6 - Journey
June 9 - Forrest Frank
Fitchburg Art Museum (978) 345-4207
185 Elm St., Fitchburg fitchburgartmuseum.org
Free First Thursdays
JMAC Popup (508) 561-0173
20B Franklin St., Worcester jmacworcester.org
June 2 - Worcester Writers’ Collective
June 13 - Unity Street Soccer Presents: Goals Beyond the Game
June 14 - Silent Book Club of Worcester
June 26 - The Hidden Census: Using Data as Resistance Opening Reception
Mechanics Hall (508) 752-5608
321 Main St., Worcester mechanicshall.org
June 3 - Portraits Gallery & History of the Hall
June 13 -Chesapeake Silvery Cornet Brass Band & New England Brass Band in Concert
June 20 - 23rd Annual Asian Festival
New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill (508) 869-6111
11 French St., Boylston towerhillbg.org
Tuesdays - Chair Yoga & Yoga in the Garden Thursdays - Yoga at the Garden Fridays - Chair Yoga at the Garden
June 2 - AARP Day
June 3 - Spring Horticulture Walk and Talk
June 4 - Deadline Past: Start
Small Think Big
June 6 - Botanical Still Life: Creative Photography
June 7 - One Plant Many Voices: Learning to Smell Lavender
June 10 - Shinrin-Yoku Forest Bathing
June 14 - The Stillness Within: SPring Meditation Series
June 18 - Botanical Mixology
June 20 - Through the Lens: Capturing the Seasons
June 21 - Summer Solstice: Morning Forest Walk at the Garden
June 24 - Blossoms & BItes
June 25 - Annual Meeting
June 27 - Meditative Mandalas
June 28 - Historical Garden Tour
June 30 - Garden Dining Series
Old Sturbridge Village (800) 733-1830
1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge osv.org
June 6 - Tavern Day
June 13 & 14 - Historical Craft Classes
June 20 - Garden Thyme: The Family Nurse
Preservation Worcster (508) 754-8760
10 Cedar St., Worcester preservationworcester.org
June 13 - Off Limits Tour: Whitcomb
June 18 - Docent Talk: Three Dicker Houses in Worcester A Window in to Urban History
Samuel Slater Museum (508) 461-2955
31 Ray St., Webster samuelslaterexperience.org
Tuckerman Hall (508) 754-1234
10 Tuckerman St., Worcester tuckermanhall.org
The EcoTarium (508) 929-2700
222 Harrington Way, Worcester
June 9 - 2026 Annual Meeting
June 13 - Speaker Series: Astrophysics
The Hanover Theatre & Conservatory for the Performing Arts (877) 571-7469
2 Southbridge St., Worcester thehanovertheatre.org
June 4 - Be Like Blippi Tour
June 11 - Theresa Caputo Live: The Experience
June 13 - Rocky Horror Picture Show with Shadowcasting by Teseracte Players
June 18, 19 & 20 - The 26th Miss Massachusetts Teen Competition
June 26 - Mrs. Doubtfire
WCUW Community Radio 508-753-1012
910 Main St., Worcester wcuw.org
Cinema Worcester films every Thurs & Fri 7pm, and Sat & Sun 1pm
June 6 - Diane Blue All Star Quartet
June 7 - Songwriters in the Round June 13 - Wormtown Rocks Reunion
June 14 - Creativity Over Silence Opening Reception
June 20 - Sugar Ray and the Bluetones
June 21 - The Ed Melikian Ensemble
June 27 - JC Smith
June 28 - RAQS at the Radio Station
Worcester Art Museum (508) 799-4406
55 Salisbury St., Worcester worcesterart.org
Saturdays & SundaysArms and Armor Demonstrations Sundays - Tour of the Galleries
June 7 - Free Day: Pride Celebration
June 19 - Free Day: Juneteenth
June 21 - Curator Talk: Reinterpreting American Art
Worcester Center for Crafts (508) 753-8103
25 Sagamore Rd., Worcester worcestercraftcenter.org
June 19 through 28Clark MFA Show
June 28 - Artwork by Blackstone Valley Art Association and Valleycast
Worcester Chamber Music Society (508) 926-8624
323 Main St, Worcester worcesterchambermusic.org
Museum of Worcester (508) 753-8278
30 Elm St., Worcester worcesterhistory.org
June 12 - REV250: Home Edition
June 13 - The Loyalists of Worcester
June 29 - The Novel Historian: Museum of Worcester Book Club
ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS
107 Tap
107 Water St., Worcester
107tap.com
DJ every Saturday Thursdays & Saturdays - Karaoke
BirchTree Bread Company
744-243-6944
138 Green St., Worcester Birchtreebreadcompany.com Thursdays - Trivia
Black and White Grille
508-885-5018
206 North Spencer Rd., Spencer Blackandwhitegrille.com
Black Sheep Tavern
978-422-0255
261 Leominster Rd, Sterling Meetmeatthesheep.com
Blueprint New American Bar & Grille
978-668-5580
10 Village Sq., Westminster
Boland's Bar and Patio
508-459-2207
81 Water St, Worcester Tuesdays - Stump Trivia
Briggs Stakes Pub
508-755-2955
1281 Pleasant St., Worcester
Cafe Neo
774-253-6139
97 Millbury St., Worcester Nightly Karaoke
Classic’s Pub
978-227-5258
285 Central St., Leominster
Chashu Ramen + Izakaya
508-304-7183
38 Franklin St., Worcester
Draught House Bar & Grill
508-835-4722
42 West Boylston St., West Boylston
Eddy’s Pub
(508) 304-9888
120 Stafford St Suite A, Worcester, Thursday - Trivia Night
Friday - Karaoke Night
Saturday - Live Music Night
Electric Haze
26 Millbury St., Worcester
Wednesdays - Space Jam with Brandon Sunshine Esteves
Wednesdays - Space Jam with Brandon Sunshine Esteves
Thursdays - Maladies Karaoke with Mal E. Fishn’t
June 12 - hISSY fIT: An LGBTQ+
Rager
June 13 - Sewa Side Squad Album
Release Party
June 20 - Party Pong Tournament
June 23 - Hunks the Show
June 26 - Drag Gauntlet: Shaders
Challenge 5
June 28 - The Baby bats Parade
Elm Draught House
508-865-2850
35 Elm St., Millbury
Fidder’s Green Pub
508-792-3700
19 Temple St., Worcester Wednesdays - Queen of Hearts
Firefly’s BBQ
508-357-8883
350 E. Main St., Marlborough Dante’s at Firefly BBQ:
Gambrino’s Cask & Barrel
508-796-5177
266 Park Ave., Worcester Thursday & Saturday - Karaoke
Gardner Ale House
978- 669-0122
74 Parker St., Gardner
Greater Good
Imperial Brewing
508-926-8736
55 Millbrook St., Worcester
Tuesdays - DJ Bingo
WednesdaysGeeks Who Drink Trivia
June 5 - Fred Ellsworth
June 6 - Alex Rohan & Travis Rollo
June 12 - Dave Alves
June 13 - Dustin Brideau & Easy
Season
June 19 - Jay Graham
June 20 - Acoustic Tandem & Jared Moore
Greendale’s Pub
508-853-1350
If you’d like to be included in future listings, please email
404 W Boylston St. North, Worcester
Sundays - Night Jam
Halligan’s
508-832-6739
889 Southbridge St., Auburn Thursdays - Bike Night
Sundays - Karaoke
Husky’s Pub
508-425-9614
413 Park Ave., Worcester Wednesdays - Acoustic Open
Mic
Indian Ranch
508-943-3871
200 Gore Rd., Webster Indianranch.com
June 7 - Little Feat: The Last Farewell Tour
June 12 - Brothers Osborne
June 13 - Lotus Land: The American Rush Tribute
June 19 - Get the Led Out
June 20 - The Pike Rokfest 2026
Legends Bar and Grille
978- 342-6500
68 Airport Rd, Fitchburg
MB Lounge
508-799-4521
40 Grafton St., Worcester themblounge.com
Wednesdays - Karaoke
Thursdays - Trivia
Fridays & Saturdays - Dance Party
June 27 - Pride Block PArty
MCL Club
508-797-0141
181 Lake Ave., Worcester Worcestermcl.org
Mondays - Pitch!
Thursdays - Music Bingo
Fridays - Queen of Hearts
June 6 - The Super Chargers
June 7 - The Ed Sullivan’s
June 13 - Monkey Wrench & Sound Garden
June 14 - Counterfeit Cash
June 20 - ViVi & Da Funk
June 21 - She’s Busy
June 27 - Dr Robert
June 28 - The Silverbacks
Mill City Pub
978-627-3155
488 John Fitch Hwy,, Fitchburg mcpfitchburg.com
Mint Kitchen + Bar
508-459-1532
79 Maywood St., Worcester Fridays - Karaoke Night
Off the Rails
508-304-6411
90 Commercial St., Worcester
June 5 - The Peacheaters & the Pourmen with Finbar Doyle
June 5 - Honky Tonk Night with Kamryn
June 6 - Prince: A Royal Countdown Celebration
June 11 - Line Dancing with Michelle
June 12 - Creed Fisher
June 13 - Luke Combs UK
June 19 - Smells like Nirvana X Foo
June 19 - Vinny Bonina
June 20 - Small Town Titans
June 27 - Emo Night Worcester
Partner's Pub (978) 345-5051
970 South St, Fitchburg partnerspub.net
Patsie Duggans 508 755-4155
49 Millbury St, Worcester Nightly Entertainment
Peppercorn’s Grille & Tavern 508-752-7711
455 Park Ave., Worcester
Ralph’s Diner 508-753-9543
148 Grove St., Worcester
Monday - The Dirty Gerund Poetry Open Mic
Wednesday - Karaoke with Dj Matt R!
Rascal’s
508-459-0862
70 James St., Worcester
Rascalsworcester.com
June 6 - Flock of Assholes
June 13 - Captain Jack & The Strangers: A Tribute to Billy Joel
June 20 - Dueling Pianos
June 27 - Aquanett
Reunion Tap & Table
774-293-5501
198 Worcester St., North Grafton
Mondays - Musical Bingo
Wednesdays - Trivia with Nate
Steel and Wire Cocktail Lounge
508-373-2225
124 Millbury St., Worcester
The Bull Run
978-425-4311
215 Great Road, Shirley
June 5 - Eliza Neals
June 7 - Vintage Vocal Quartet
June 10 - Our House: The Music of CSNY
June 12 - Ellis Paul
June 13 - Rod MacDonald
June 13 - The FOOLS:
50th Anniversary Tour
June 18 - A Night of Sinatra
June 19 - Johnny A. Syndicate
June 21 - Jason Ricci & the Bad Kind
June 25 - Rory Scovel
June 26 - Roomful of Blues
June 27 - Matthew Curry
The GazBar
978- 534-6600
1045 Central St, Leominster
The Mill at 185
774-261-8585
185 W Boylston St., West Boylston
Live entertainment Thursday through Saturday
The Palladium
508-797-9696
261 Main St., Worcester
June 5 - Blade Rave
June 6 - Anberlin
June 12 - Spite
June 13 - Coheed and Cambria
June 16 - I Set My Friends on Fire
June 18 - Worm
June 19 - Midget Mayhem Tour
June 22 - Pup
June 24 - Kittie
June 27 - K-Pop Superstars
The Press Box Sports Bar
508-856-9255
536 Lincoln St., Worcester
Saturdays - Karaoke
Thirsty Robot
265 Summer St., Fitchburg
Thursdays - Trivia Night Rob Boss
Trackside Tavern
774-530-6120
541 West Boylston St., Worcester tracksidetavernworcester.com
Thursdays - Karaoke
Vincent’s Worcester
508-752-9439
49 Suffolk St., Worcester
Wachusett Brew Yard
978-874-9965
175 State Rd. E, Westminster
Monday - Dan O Music Bingo
Tuesday - Team Trivia
Thursday - Line Dancing
June 4 - Fred Ellsworth
June 5 - Maniac Love You
June 6 - Boothill Express & Freddy and the Freeloaders
June 7 - Acoustic Tandem
June 11 - Joe Collard
June 12 - Straight A’s
June 13 - Early August with Special Guests Brian Allison, Brad Stuart and Natalie Booke
June 13 - Disco Lemonade
June 14 - Dustin Brideau
June 18 - DJ Magic Mic Karaoke
June 19 - Sugar Kings
June 20 - Pete and Steve & Space Moose
June 21 - Whitney Doucet Band
June 25 - Jared Moore Open Mic
June 26 - Friends of Coop
June 27 - Heartland Radio & Nate Ramos Band
June 28 - Frank Foot
152 Green St., Worcester
Friday - PubWiser Trivia
June 6 - Pete and Steve & Kylie
Harris
June 7 - Moon Hollow
June 7 - Kids Entrepreneur Market
June 13 - Lizzy Marquis & Mike Melendez
June 14 - Bob Moon
June 20 - Nate Martel & Tyler Levs
June 21 - Dave Harrington
June 27 - Danny Boy & Giuliano
June 28 - Fox and the Dragon
White Eagle
508-753-9612
116-120 Green St., Worcester Whiteeagleworcester.com
Thursday & Friday - Dj Nights
Woo Bar & Grill
774-243-6130
358 Shrewsbury St., Worcester
EATS • BREWS COCKTAILS
Restaurant loyalty can suffer many slights, especially when the proprietors are a local family. But let the kitchen mess too much with the marinara recipe and they’re dead to us. That’s what makes La Cucina such a rarity: over decades and multiple moves, it has remained a place worth following.
The Panarelli family earned that loyalty long ago. They started in the Sixties with The Italian Kitchen on Shrewsbury Street, then moved to Hamilton Street and renamed the restaurant La Cucina in the early Aughts. We loved that location, especially its antique doors hung with vintage photographs of early Worcester family scenes.
From there, they moved to their current location on Grafton Street, bringing the same family recipes and style of Italian home cooking with them. A year ago, the Panarellis sold the restaurant to Fenilkumar Patel, but with the assurance that the food and service would remain just as strong.
So far, that promise has held. Still, each visit to La Cucina comes with a little apprehension about unwelcome change. For my dining companion, that concern would take one specific form: the disappearance of tripe. That’s right, tripe—the inner wall of a cow’s stomach, a honeycombed structure that is labor-intensive to prepare and beloved by a very small but very devoted audience. I am not part of that audience, though I respect it.
Relieved that it still appeared on the menu, he ordered a cup of tripe and, by mistake, was served a bowl. No problem. He greedily plowed into it: small chunks of chewy, spongy protein simmered in tomato marinara. With a few shakes of red pepper flakes and a blizzard
of grated cheese, this was bliss for him. I sampled the sauce and found it tasty and not at all off-putting. The texture and faint offal whiff, however, were another matter.
Eggplant is another dish we prefer to leave to specialists, and La Cucina excels at it. The kitchen serves it in many forms—rollatini, Parmesan, and sandwiches—but the Parmesan remains one of the restaurant’s most dependable strengths.
For his entrée, my friend chose the Eggplant Parmesan. I’ve seen this dish take many forms: little medallions arranged on a plate with dabs of cheese, breaded slices, or stacks of eggplant disks. La Cucina’s version looks almost like lasagna, with layer upon layer of breaded, fried eggplant alternating with Parmesan cheese and marinara sauce. No doubt, it’s the best we’ve had and another reliable favorite. His serving came with cavatelli pasta, all drenched in marinara.
And that brings us back to La Cucina’s marinara: fresh tomato flavor, slight tartness, intense depth, and a rich texture that lavishly coats the pasta. Those qualities may not seem as though they should coexist, yet the Panarelli family recipe and technique still deliver a righteous marinara experience. It remains the main reason we’ve followed this restaurant for decades—and the clearest sign that La Cucina is still worthy of that loyalty.
Blackboard specials may include Lobster Alfredo, Stuffed Squid or New York Sirloin. I usually order with boring consistency; pasta and meatballs or sausage, lasagna, or eggplant rollatinianything featuring La Cucina’s bright-flavored marinara. Tonight, however, I chose one of the
specials: gnocchi with spinach and chicken. Gnocchi, little dumplings most often made from mashed potatoes, flour and eggs, are another dish that is easy to get wrong. At their best, they are soft as clouds and receptive to a startling range of sauces. Too often, though, the dough is overworked, producing dumplings that are dense and tough.
La Cucina’s gnocchi are better than most and, perhaps, the best in town. For this special, they were tossed with tender chicken medallions and draped with spinach leaves simmered in the restaurant’s signature marinara, whose bright flavor had been deeply inflected with sautéed garlic. The pungency landed at first like an assault, but I quickly came to appreciate it.
My bowl of gnocchi proved that La Cucina is much more than a spaghetti-and-meatballs house. Keep an eye on the specials board if you want something a little more inventive. Our only regret that evening was forgetting to bring a bottle of wine. La Cucina remains BYOB, and meals like this deserve a glass of spicy Chianti or vibrant, fruity Brunello.
PAUL GIORGIO
GOODBYE ANNIE: Annie’s Clark Brunch, Main South staple, has a new menu thanks to owner Zaida Melendez. Melendez, who also owns Belén Casa de Pan on Main Street, will be serving a blend of Salvadoran dishes and classic American diner food.
TO MARKET, TO MARKET: It looks like the Boston Market on Worcester’s Park Ave is getting a makeover after closing a few months ago. Word is that they will be a Wonder Restaurant (not to be confused with the Wonder Bar). Wonder eateries feature a food hall concept with menus from famous chefs like Bobby Flay.
IT’S TEQUILA TIME: Via will be hosting a tequila dinner on June 16th, it $135 per guest. This event will celebrate Master Distiller Felipe Camarena, a third generation tequila producer. Chef Mark Hawley, Tim Spinney and Justin Hatstat are preparing a curated, multicourse menu with G4 Tequila cocktails.
THAT’S THE WAY THE COOKIE CRUMBLES: Crumbl Cookies is coming to the Twin City Plaza in Leominster. As the name implies they offer freshly baked cookies and desserts
TOSS IT: The Taste of Shrewsbury Street will take place on Thursday June 18 at 5PM. For a fixed fee you can sample food from the 30 odd restaurants on Worcester’s “Restaurant Row”. The money raised goes toward the Shrewsbury Street Merchants Association for beautification of the street. Come enjoy the food and the fun along with live music.
A GREAT EVENT: The 2026 Black Heritage Juneteenth Festival will take place on Saturday June 20 from 12PM to 8PM at Institute Park in Worcester with food and entertainment. This is a great cultural event commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States in 1865, two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.
BOCADO PICKED AGAIN: Phantom Gourmets Great 8 has included Worcester’s Bocado in the Canal District in its Great 8 Small Plates listing.
LEOMINSTER’S NEWEST EATERY OPENS: Tavern on the Square in Leominster’s Twin City Plaza opened on Monday May 18th.
BY THE YARD: Yard House, a small chain known for its beer offerings and expansive menu, will open in the middle of June at the Shops at Blackstone Valley. Also slated to open this summer at the Shops is Avvio, an Italian restaurant chain with several other Massachusetts locations.
MORE INDIAN: Indian Bites opened at the Worcester Public Market in the Canal District the last week of May. It’s another example of the growth of this delicious cuisine. Worcester was without an Indian restaurant for decades, now one is opening every other week
LIFESTYLE HEALTH LIVING
In the past six years, Burncoat Center for Arts and Wellness co-founders Kim Mowers and Barbara Alteri have created a vibrant, welcoming space at 78 Burncoat Street. From their beginnings as the first refillery in Worcester to a beloved community with events, classes and sustainable products, they’re a neighborhood staple. We caught up with Mowers about their new refillery van (!!!!), weekly farmers markets and upcoming classes.
What’s happening at BCAW right now?
“We are crazy busy! There is so much going on at all times now. Our class instructors this year run the spectrum from gardening specialists, oracle & tarot readers & our foundation of arts and wellness class instructors. Our classroom is now almost always booked, whether it be for a class, a pop up, a birthday party or community event.
We just wrapped up our 5th Annual Bloomfest, with over 700 visitors! Our vendor lineup was stunning, the music was fantastic, food was to die for, and the community was all smiles.
CATCHING UP WITH BURNCOAT CENTER FOR ARTS AND WELLNESS
JENNY PACILLO
“We’ve been bringing in some great new Artists to the shop, we meet so many like minded people in the shop and in our travels, it’s been so fantastic.”
Tell me about the refillery van.
“We’ve just purchased a van! We are in the process of getting her cleaned up and stocked up and ready to roll! This van was previously outfitted to be just this, and she is perfect. There are perfectly fitted bins, jars, cabinets and cupboards. We are so grateful that so much attention to detail was paid by the previous owner, it really allows us to hit the ground running much faster.
The van will have a little bit of just about everything we carry in store! Household cleaning products, personal care products for face, hair, body, teeth and feet, Laundry, Dishes, DIY, and some sustainable alternatives to plastic products. Our van opens us wide up to so much more potential. Not only will it now replace our pop up set up, saving Babs and I so much time packing, unloading, setting up and breaking down when we do markets and festivals, but it’s now also it’s own functioning store. This allows us to map out a route of visits and stops to places for refillery visit days.
To learn more about BCAW visit: bcawworcester.com
The goal is to get more sustainability across more of Worcester. We understand that’s not easy for a lot of people who would like to visit us due to transportation, store hours, etc. So we will bring our refillery out on the road.”
And you just launched a farmers market too?
“We had our very first farmers market last Thursday May 14th in the pouring rain! Despite the weather, we were blown away that people still came to shop in their raincoats, umbrellas and reusable totes! Our bread baker sold out 2.5 hours in! We are so excited for all the upcoming markets, the feedback from the Burncoat neighborhood about bringing in a Farmers Market has been all yes’s all the way, so here we go!
Our farmers markets are on our lawn, every Thursday from 3-7 through October 29th. You can find farm fresh produce from Rock Harvest Farm, harvested that
morning, jellies, jams, honey, tea, chips, cheese, tons of baked goods, ice cream, kombucha, art & creative wares, small business services & our refillery van will be out and open if not in use off site.”
How are you feeling about where BCAW is right now?
“We are growing so quickly and organically. After 6 years of grassroots, hands dirty, all in hard work on a shoestring budget, it’s so rewarding for us to finally see BCAW blossoming, and running more smoothly than we had ever imagined. Our staff and volunteer pool is pretty fine tuned and we couldn’t be more grateful. We truly feel that it’s not just our team’s hard work that got us here, but the unbelievable showing of support from our community as well. We are so grateful to be in the Burncoat neighborhood, we couldn’t have wished for a better place to start a community focused, sustainable and inclusive company.”
HIKING
TRAILS
IN AND AROUND WORCESTER YOU MAY NOT HAVE HEARD OF…
ELLIE MURPHY
Growing up in Worcester, I rarely ventured into its precious green spaces and conservation areas. Aside from the occasional afternoon spent climbing Princeton’s Mount Wachusett as a kid, I don’t recall spending a whole lot of time “hiking.” Yet, I fell in love with the sensation every chance I got. Under the trees with my bare feet in a bed of pine needles, pretending I’m Spiderman while scaling boulders or dancing over rootlaced soil, everything else faded away, all my worries or desires, and suddenly my world became smaller—the sights, sounds, and sensations of that moment on the trail.
When I began driving, I made a point to head to Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire as often as possible (one of my favorite mountains to this day). Every season offered a different experience—the shifting ceiling of electric-green summer leaves, the amber curtain of fall drawing to a close, trudging over ice-capped rocks and snow with microspikes, the hopeful breeze of a budding spring.
You may wish you lived in a mountainous fairyland, but if you’re not quite ready to transplant, you’ll settle for the odd day trip. Even then, you won’t always have the time to drive multiple hours north or west. When you arrive home at 6:00 p.m. on a Wednesday, and all you want to do is heat up dumplings and queue an episode of New Girl, knowing a trail nearby (key word: near) might just get you out the door.
Now, after trying as many local trails as possible, I’d like to share some of my favorites! These should be under 30 minutes from central Worcester. My ideal trail is among the trees, not too crowded, and dog-friendly. Water features are always a huge bonus!
Blackberry Trail to Dresser and Crystal Pond
Loop - Worcester, Holden
Length & Duration: 2.6 miles, 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Parking: Good-sized lot on Fisher Road
Why I Love it: This trail takes you through Holbrook Woods, a 59-acre protected woodland habitat, which merges with Kinney Woods and Cook’s Woods. (You can make it an all-day affair!). You’ll also walk along the edge of Crystal Pond mid-hike and encounter several little streams and glacial erratics. It is rarely crowded.
For Fans of: Pretending you’re in Narnia, not saying “Excuse me” every few minutes, and enjoying a “Walden Pond” moment.
Cascade Falls Loop Trail - Worcester
Length & Duration: 1.5 miles, 45 minutes
Difficulty: Easy (unless you adventure onto other trails or climb up the steep hill by the falls)
Parking: Quiet dead-end Cataract Street brings you to the base of the falls; Olean Street parking lot
Why I Love it: The highlight is the natural, 60-foot waterfall, dubbed Cascading Waters, which is best viewed in the spring after rainfall. This loop winds through conserved woodland in Cascades East, along streams, vernal pools, and glacial erratics. You can extend your hike into Cascades West crossing over into Paxton. Round out your trip by stopping at Howe’s Farm & Gardens for fresh flowers, produce, or baked goods.
Heads Up: If you extend into Cascades West, those trails circle a popular dog park, so you will likely encounter off-leash dogs.
For Fans of: Meditating or journaling at the base of a local waterfall, birdwatching, dogwatching, impromptu roadside farmstand stops.
Stowe Meadows Yellow Trail - Millbury
Length & Duration: 1.8 miles, 0.5-1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Parking: Small lot, trailhead parking off Stowe Road and Carleton Road
Why I Love it: A quick out-and-back, this hike is a pleasant blend of woods, local color (it takes you along the edge of a local orchard, and well-maintained paths. There’s a new high-level bridge that you travel over early on (kudos to the builders), and options to extend your hike onto a few linking trails. I recommend pairing this hike with a movie at Blackstone Valley Cinema and a sweet treat. Heads Up: The orchards are on private land, so don’t take a side trip.
For Fans of: Picturesque farmland, not having to check a map every five minutes, and treat yo’ self days!
I leave you with a challenge to try at least one new-to-you trail this summer. I hope you find a sweet new path that brightens your Sunday afternoon or makes a Wednesday evening feel special. Take your dog, a loved one, or some me-time. Be safe and happy hiking!
OUT & ABOUT
BIG PRIDE ENERGY
JULIE WALKER
June is here, and for the queer community that means one thing: Pride. Whether you celebrate loud and proud or prefer to keep quietly queer, Worcester is packed with opportunities to show up fully and authentically all month long.
Pride Month kicks off Monday, June 1 at 5PM with a Pride Flag Raising at the Central Mass YWCA. In partnership with Mass Equality, Pathways for Change, Pride Worcester, and the Southeast Asian Coalition, this gathering sets the tone for the month with a shared moment of visibility, solidarity, and celebration.
On Saturday, June 7, Love Your Labels brings a full-day Pride celebration to the Worcester Art Museum beginning at 10AM. Guests can design fabric swatches inspired by museum works, enjoy a performance by the New England Pride Colorguard, and participate in drag storytime featuring Russell Sprouts and fashion educator Sam Donovan. The day continues with performances by Dale LePage and Harley Queen, sound wellness exploration, and a guided tour of LGBTQ+ art throughout the museum, wrapping at 4PM.
The Woo Bar & Grill transforms into a Pride Networking Social with Worcester Gay Professionals Wednesday, June 10. Expect music, prizes,
and lively conversation in a space designed for celebration. Guests can enjoy colorful mocktails, signature drinks, refreshing summer beverages, shareable appetizers, and fun at this community gathering.
On June 11, Make. It. Werk. takes over the Cocktail Garden & Kitchen with a high-energy drag competition where performers battle for two coveted spots at Queer AF 2026, Love Your Labels’ signature art and fashion September fundraiser. The night also includes the official Queer AF 2026 theme reveal. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.
June 12 brings Hissy Fit to Electric Haze, an LGBTQ+ rager from Queer the Scene. With JMB spinning disco house and swaggy beats, plus collaborations with Major Bloom, Mayflower, Queer in Cannabis, QIC House, and Space Poppers, the night is guaranteed to heighten your mood and lift spirits from 9PM to close.
On June 13, Femme Bar takes over the street for a Pride celebration starting at 5PM, featuring tastings, raffles, and surprises. Sister Funk performs live from 8–10PM, followed by DJ Gasolina from 10:30PM to close. A $10 cover promises a full night of music and celebration (21+).
The Best Little Drag Brunch in Worcester graces the LGBTQ-owned Cocktail Garden June 14. Hosted by Victoria Obvious, the event features performances by Diva D, Dale LePage, and Chanel Thee Angel, along with DJ sets from DanceAway Sound. Guests enjoy a full brunch buffet alongside a premium drag show. Doors open at 12PM, brunch runs 12:30–1:30PM, and the show begins at 1:30PM (18+).
On June 25, WooPride Sports takes over Freeplay Bar Arcade for Kick N’ Heels, a bold fusion of drag, sports, music, and community celebration. Hosted by Victoria Queen with DJ Lary, the night features Tina Tequila, Robyn Millyonz, Mal E Fisnt, and E’mani Dior performing alongside WooPride league players. Doors open at 7PM, with the show starting at 8PM. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.
Saturday, June 27 MB Lounge’s Annual Stonewall Pride Block Party closes out Pride month in Worcester. A tribute to the legacy of the Stonewall uprising, the night honors history while celebrating today’s community. Hosted by Daishadore Famouz and Big Booty Bootz with music by DJ Kris Kay, the evening delivers a full-scale Pride celebration. Doors open at 7PM, show at 9PM, $20 cover (21+).
This Pride, come out, honor the past, celebrate the present, support, and empower. It’s our month!
June babies Mike Somes and Julie Walker at Worcester Gay Professionals’ Networking at The Woo Bar & Grill, June 2025. Birthday sashes provided by Jon Pittsley.
Author Bio: Julie Walker (she/her), M.Ed., is a parent, school counselor, GSA Ad- visor, board member of Love Your Labels, and the creator and manager of @queerworcester (IG).
Trading Shows
RAVON WILLIAMS
Walking into a cannabis trade show is truly a hilarious experience. Before you even get inside, you have to walk through a giant cloud of weed smoke from the people outside “networking” or just catching a break from the indoor show. Kind of like that perfume scene from that one episode of Spongebob. Then you walk inside and somehow it gets even crazier. Imagine Comic Con, LinkedIn, and a giant smoke session all mixed together.
At NECANN Boston, giant booths from some of the biggest brands in the state covered the convention floor. Some companies had giant flashy displays while others were showing off pre-roll machines that probably cost more than my house. Everywhere you looked was a mix of business casual and loud streetwear, and all these people were rubbing elbows and talking business, myself included.
NECANN was especially chaotic for me since I’m a purchaser and worked in a booth for most of the weekend. I barely left the booth the entire event.
Being a purchaser at a trade show goes something like this: every few minutes someone stops by specifically looking for you. Sometimes it’s a wholesaler who’s been trying to track you down for weeks. Other times it’s someone trying to spark a new connection or pitch why their products or services deserve shelf space in your store. Most conversations revolved around what brands could offer my dis-
pensary through products, pricing and retail support. Pretty much every interaction ended the same way: exchanging business cards and asking “what afterparty are you hitting tonight?”
A couple weeks later I headed to Atlantic City for MJ Unpacked and the experience felt completely different. NECANN felt like organized chaos while MJ Unpacked felt a little more polished and business focused. The giant flashy booths were toned down, the panels felt more structured and instead of the Prudential Center in Boston, this event took place inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino with a boardwalk just steps away that I spent a lot of time smoking on.
I also experienced this event a lot differently because I went alone. At NECANN I was tied to a booth all weekend and constantly talking to people I already knew from the Massachusetts market. At MJ Unpacked I actually got to wander around and take everything in. Ironically, despite being in another state, I kept running into familiar faces from NECANN or meeting people connected to brands and dispensaries back home.
One of the more surreal parts of both events was being asked to speak on panels. Realistically, it was my boss who was invited, but when he couldn’t make the trips, I stepped into his place. The NECANN panel was pretty laid back. Shout out to Chris Farone from Talking Joints Memo for running a fun, gameshow-style panel.
MJ Unpacked felt a little more serious considering I literally flew to Atlantic City just for it. The room was fuller, the stage setup felt more professional, and I even prepped my answers the night before so I wouldn’t look stupid on stage. Shout out to Laurie Parfitt for moderating the panel, along with my fellow panelists, Janice Morrison and Nick Scarpulla. It was great being a part of both discussions, making new connections, and landing a few jokes along the way. Afterwards, people from the crowd actually came up to ask more questions and tell me I did well.
What stood out the most to me between both events was how small the cannabis industry actually feels once you spend enough time around it. I’m about six years deep in this industry now and I kept running into familiar faces everywhere. Even on the ride home from Atlantic City I ended up talking to someone who had also been at NECANN and had connections to dispensaries back in Worcester.
For an industry built around competition, cannabis trade shows weirdly feel more like a traveling community than anything else. Just one where everyone smells like weed and carries 100 business cards.
In photo, left to right, Janice Morrison, Ravon Williams, and Nick Scarpulla
KNOWS SPORTS?
Shaun2
CELTICS REPORT CARD
SHAUN CONNOLLY
Well, we were playing with house money and we finally emptied our pockets. That was wicked fun though wasn’t it? Going into this season I was completely convinced that this would be a season where we would be vying for a lottery pick. I wasn’t upset, because I was still high on a lot of our bench players and was excited to see how they fit into Joe Mazzula’s framework. I was frustrated for Jaylen Brown, that he has to be a superstar on a mid team. And boy was I wrong! These guys could play, and where they lacked in talent they made up for in pure gumption. These guys would run through Korea’s DMZ in just their underwear for Joe. It also seemed like every move that was made was the right one. Whether it was using Jordan Walsh more, or signing Anfernee Simons (remember him?) and then trading him for Nikola Vucevic (!). Jayson Tatum returning?! Going into the playoffs the feeling was: “could we win this?” Vibes were immaculate. Of course that wasn’t the case, but man wasn’t it fun? Isn’t that the fun of being a fan? Here is my report card for this season.
BACKCOURT (A-)
Derrick White’s defense is still elite, more on that later, but he became a streakier shooter towards the end of the season and payoffs. I’m only critiquing because the backcourt was outstanding this season. Payton Pritchard leveled up this year, Walsh clicked with Brown. Simons was a great B-Team scorer for the first half of the season. Hugo Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman were incredible rookies. The fact that Jayson Tatum was even able to play meaningful minutes at all was a miracle.
FRONTCOURT (A)
Neemias Queta is my MVP this year. I was wholly impressed with this man’s game, knowledge and grit. Adding Vucevic was great to give Queta some rest down the line this season, but I would have loved to see him get more minutes in that Sixers series. Sam Hauser is a great 3 and D guy and was still shooting at an elite rate. And Luka Garza showed that he wasn’t just a fluke mid-height center at Purdue and a legitimate scrappy center who boxes out at every shot.
DEFENSE (A)
This is clearly the Mazzula way. Sometimes it feels like he doesn’t even care how points are scored and wants to stop every single shot that goes in the air. These guys play incredible team defense. No matter who was on the court they were able to plug and play any make up at any time and rotate each and every matchup.
COACHING (A+)
This guy, of all the guys, does not care about awards. But he is the coach of the year. He was given a green light to just manage and move an underwhelming roster who lost their 1a Star Player. But instead he pushed his 1b Star in Brown, and lit 15 fires under the ass of a roster of guys the most of the NBA didn’t really even think about. He is the perfect balance of pragmatic Xs and Os coach, with insane motivational stunts. This season will forever be remembered for Mazzula blaring war noises in the gym as the team went through drills. I loved this season, it is completely okay that we didn’t even make the Eastern Conference Finals. Don’t be sad that we lost, be sad that it’s over. Fantastic season guys. Can’t wait for next year.
NEW IN THE WOO
ACE OF BABES
14 PORTLAND STREET, WORCESTER
GRACE DENNEY
Thanks to social media and rising clothing prices, thrifting clothes – new and vintage alike – has officially become mainstream. Right in the middle of it all is Ace of Babes in Worcester, MA. Taylor Ward-Faherty is the mastermind behind it all, tailoring the colorful inventory of the store to radiate good vibes to all of those that visit.
Ward-Faherty didn’t always dream of opening her own store, she started her career doing various different jobs. “I was working at a post office facility. I was burnt out, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I didn’t go to college, and was always an artistic person, and was like, ‘What can I do with that?’”
She started consigning in Vermont after a friend who owned a vintage store asked her to work there after one of her employees, a college student, had to go back to school. Ward-Faherty took the leap of faith and moved to Vermont, starting her vintage journey.
As she began sourcing, she quickly saw results. Payouts were good, she was a natural at it, and she was happy. However, her and her husband wanted to move back to their home state of Massachusetts, but she didn’t want to stop doing what she loved. So, she started saving, and she found a home for her business in Worcester.
But first, she needed a name that would stick. When she was in the process of saving money,
she worked at another vintage store as a consignor saving up money, she got the advice to brand herself.
“I went home, and I asked my husband for some help, and he was not helpful,” she laughs. “He was just throwing out really silly things that didn’t make any sense…then he turned around in his spinny chair, and he’s wearing his Motörhead t-shirt! So, I started playing on words, I was like, ‘Ace of Spades, Ace of…’ Just rambling in my head, and I’m like, ‘Ace of Babes is kind of cute!’ I’m the Ace of all babes! I’m here to find something for all of the babes,” she exclaims.
The store’s start was anything but ordinary. When Ward-Faherty opened her store on December 8, 2025, she would have never thought it would be overshadowed by the zombie apocalypse!
“They were filming The Walking Dead right outside of the store,” she laughs. “The street was entirely blocked off. They were supposed to be done filming three days before, but they weren’t… It looked like a post-apocalyptic street. There were broken down cars, there was trash, there was a smoke machine outside my door. It was, like, literally, the worst-case scenario.”
Despite the unusual setback, Ward-Faherty rolled with the punches, saying every week has been better than the last. The Worcester thrifting community has made her feel so welcomed. “I’ve realized really quickly that Worcester may have 200,000 people, but it doesn’t feel like it, because we’re all these little tiny pockets of subcultures and communities, and I love that. It makes it feel so much more special to make these connections with customers,” she says.
Her goal is to make sure she has something for everyone in her store, making sure everyone
feels comfortable in her space. “I think for the most part, people tell me my prices are really great, which is what you would see in a thrift store. I think they’re a bit higher than that, but still reasonable and accessible, which is a big goal of mine. I want everyone to feel like they can shop here,” she says.
Ace of Babes is a trendy mix of cute, modern, thrifty items with a vintage twist. “I have anything from, like, $12 Y2K sunglasses to a $140 slip from the Edwardian period. Everything is sized to modern sizing, I have things color coded and steamed, and a lot of other vintage stores do that, but I pop in a couple modern pieces here and there, just to make it feel a little more familiar,” she notes.
In three words, Ward Faherty would describe her shop as “colorful, welcoming, and…me!” Even her own mother says coming into the store, “It feels like you in here.” It’s become a whimsical extension of Ward-Faherty that she’s eager to share with the vintage and thrifting communities alike.
With a 5-star rating on Google, it’s easy to see that she is quickly becoming a staple for the vintage community, and rightfully so. You can find her on Instagram @aceofbabesvintage and on Facebook as Ace of Babes Vintage.
INFORMAL | Gallery Exhibit
June 25–August 20, 2026
Michael Bourque, Nathan Bourque, Madeleine Lord, & Derrick Te Paske have exhibited their distinct works together in the past, and in doing so discovered how they share varied degrees of the same intent, rigor and influence. Though completely different results for each, when together they appear to be related.
Join us for an opening reception on June 25 at 5 pm! Viewing hours are 9 am–4 pm, Monday–Friday.
SUMMER MILL at the
In addition to our FREE Summer Concerts and Gallery, we have a variety of workshops, classes, and other activities happening all summer at the Alternatives’ Whitin Mill including:
• Art Cart Workshops
• Weaving Classes
• Card Making Classes
• Drawing classes for teens
Head over to ValleyCAST.org for all the details!
50–60 Douglas Road, Whitinsville, MA
FREE SUMMER CONCERTS
Thursday Nights | June 25: 5 pm | July 2–September 3: 6 pm
JUN 25: KICK-OFF CONCERT
• 5 pm: Ash & Eric
• 6:30 pm: Blackstone Valley Community Concert Band
JUL 2: Chuck & Mud and the Hole in the Dam Band
JUL 9: Far From Eden
JUL 16: Super Chief Trio
JUL 23: Catnip Junkies
JUL 30: Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Wind
AUG 6: Blackstone Valley Bluegrass
AUG 13: Le’Mixx Band
AUG 20: Studio Two Beatles Tribute Band
AUG 27: The Reminisants
SEP 3: The Seven Wonders Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band
ValleyCAST’s mission is to foster a creative and engaged community in the Historic Blackstone Valley that is inclusive and supportive of all people with and without disabilities. ValleyCAST is the arts & culture arm of Open Sky Community Services and together we believe in the Power of Community!