PULSE: AUGUST 2026

the

from the EDITOR

PULSE PULSE Magazine is produced 12 times a year by Merit House Media, Worcester, MA. Copyright 2026 All rights reserved. Merit House Media 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 Merit House Media, unless so stated. Although all advertising material is expected to conform to ethical standards, acceptance does not imply endorsement by Merit House Media, 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 Merit House Media, info@merithousemedia.com

staff: Kate McEvoy, President & Publisher kate.mcevoy@ merithousemedia.com

It’s my job to keep up with all things Worcester, but if there’s one thing I love, it’s wearing sweatpants and watching professional wrestling with my children on my couch. I mostly exist within a two mile radius of my house, but it’s getting increasingly difficult to stay in because there is so much going on.

There’s the Live Forever comedy open mic at Ralphs every Tuesday with everybody’s favorite host Shaun Connolly. You can listen to live music at Vincents or find a place to sing karaoke every night of the week. Obviously, Beyond Wrestling at the White Eagle every Thursday forever. From the concerts and Broadway in Worcester shows at the JMAC to Alien Ant Farm playing at Off the Rails this October, there’s literally something for everybody.

I could hear Breakaway Mass last year from my house and had no idea what it was, but the amazing Kevin La filled me in. Basically, Breakaway is the largest touring festival in the country, combining globally recognized artists with local DJs from the world of electronic dance music, bringing in thousands of people from all over New England to the Palladium.

Jenny Pacillo, Editor editor@merithousemedia.com

Two things here:

Kevin La, Art Director design@merithousemedia.com

1. If it weren’t for Kevin La, I would still assume EDM shows mostly happened either at Burning Man or raves in abandoned factories.

David Simone, Senior Account Executive david.simone@merithousemedia.com

2. This massive festival moved out of Boston to come to Worcester because we’re a better fit for the event.

Elizabeth Beard, Office Manager elizabeth.beard@ merithousemedia.com

The whole point of this is to say, there’s a lot going on in Worcester, and Pulse is here to deliver all of it directly to you through print or online. I prefer print because I’m taking a more analog route, but whatever works best for you. So stay in your sweatpants while you read our weekly curated event emails and map out your weekend, because there really is something for everybody.

CONTRIBUTORS: Julie Bowditch, Shaun Connolly, Melissa Cutler, Brian Dowd, Jason Homer, Irena Kaçi, Kevin La, Joshua Lyford, Ellie Murphy, Jenny Pacillo, Hank Stolz, Julie Walker, Bernie Whitmore, Ravon Williams, and Dianne Williamson.

READ PULSE ONLINE: THEPULSEMAG.COM FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: INSTAGRAM @WORCESTERPULSE FACEBOOK.COM/THEPULSEMAGAZINE

Jenny Pacillo, Editor editor@merithousemedia.com

PULSE Magazine: AUGUST 2026

TABLE OF CONTENTS COVER STORY BREAKAWAY MASS 2

Contributors:

IRENA KACI & KEVIN LA

FEATURE STORY BURNIN’ DOWN THE HOUSE 6

BY BRIAN DOWD

MUSIC, ART, & CULTURE IN THE FRONT ROW 7 CENTRAL MA THEATER PREVIEW

BY ERIC BUTLER

ARTS & CULTURE LISTINGS 8 WORMHOLE 9 THE OTHER SIDE OF MUSIC, ARTS & CULTURE

BY JOSH LYFORD

ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS

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Hank Stolz has been waking up Worcester for almost thirty years.

With more than two decades’ experience in talk radio and news reporting, Hank launched RADIO WORCESTER the Talk of the Commonwealth program as a way to keep a locally-focused media in the Central Massachusetts market.

You can listen to Hank every morning through www.radioworcester.com

WHAT I’M READING NOW 11 VIEWS FROM ANOTHER PERSON’S BOOKMARK

BY JASON HOMER

PLATE & POUR TABLE FOR WOO 12 YOUR LOCAL MONTHLY DINING REVIEW

BY BERNARD WHITMORE

(SPILLING) THE TEA 13 WHAT IS BREWING IN HOSPITALITY

DINNER WITH FRIENDS 14 OBSERVATIONS OVER BITES AND BEVERAGES

BY DIANNE WILLIAMSON

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TRENDING, LEARNING & LIVING WELL

Julie Bowditch is Executive Director at CASA Project Worcester County and pet-mom to 1.5-year-old Mini Goldendoodle, Brinkley.

TAILS OF THE CITY 16 PERTAINING TO PETS AND THEIR PEOPLE

BY JULIE BOWDITCH

SHAUN KNOWS SPORTS? 17 MUSINGS ON LIFE AND SPORTS

BY SHAUN CONNOLLY

NEW IN THE WOO 18 IN THE WEEDS 22 A MONTHLY PUFF PIECE ABOUT CANNABIS

BY RAYVON WILLIAMS

OUT AND ABOUT 23 A VIEW THROUGH RAINBOW GLASSES

BY JULIE WALKER

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Kevin La, Art Director at The Pulse Magazine, has been hailed as one of Worcester’s greatest promoters and publicists. Whether on scene at a mural project, food truck, music festival or behind the scenes with the Woo Sox, Kevin’s celebration of the cultures and communities in our city make everyone feel at home.

1:1 WITH HANK STOLZ 26 EXCERPTS FROM TALK OF THE COMMONWEALTH

BY HANK STOLZ

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IRENCA KACI

KEVIN LA

Breakaway Music Festival returns to Worcester’s Palladium (261 Main St.) on August 21 and 22 bringing a weekend filled with house, dubstep and everything in between. Launched in 2013, Breakaway is the largest touring music festival in North America, with tour stops from Las Vegas to New York City, and many more throughout the country. Whether you’re totally new to the world of electronic music or a lifelong raver, Breakaway will welcome you in, and this year’s lineup is on track to be the best yet.

BREAKAWAY 101 Breakaway’s mission has always been to make electronic music accessible and live music an immersive experience. The festival is centered around two genres: house music, which is what you’d expect to hear in a club, and dubstep, think heavy sounds and bass. Breakaway will bring a number of international stars to Worcester. Gryffin is well known for his melodic take on dubstep, and has even collaborated with Noah Kahan on “Need Your Love”. Fans always turn out for dubstep artist Excision’s wild laser shows and consider his Lost Lands Festival to be the Disney World of Electronic Festivals. The biggest artist performing is German DJ, Zedd, who will be fresh off his own festival in NYC, Zedd in the Park. Zedd has worked with Ariana Grande on “Break Free” and Selena Gomez.

Breakaway’s three stages will offer nonstop performances throughout the weekend. The main stage will be in the back of the Palladium, and the space will also include sponsors and local vendors selling everything from rave ware to Breakaway merch. The Silent Disco stage is also outside, across from the venue’s entrace while the Launch Pad stage will be indoors.

Breakaway will run giveaways throughout the weekend, and past years harm reduction group, EndOverdose, has offered free Narcan with a brief training on how to use it, as part of the festival’s effort to lookout for everyone’s well being.

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Breakaway provides headphone while three DJs play various genres at the same time for the Silent Disco. Each DJ has their own color, and the headphones will display the color showing everyone around you who you’re listening to. The Silent Disco is packed with impressive local and national DJs, including local talent Matt Cross AKA Phantasm and Matt Chelon.

Phantasm will be with the festival for the third year in a row and has histrocially performed all original music during his Silent Disco set.

“Worcester is my hometown. I think getting a major festival in the heart of the city, as well as one of the most historic venues in MA, is amazing. Honored to be a part of it in any way I can. The lineup is amazing, the Silent Disco local talent is stacked and the vibes are always immaculate.”

WORCESTER IS THE PERFECT FIT Initially held in Boston for its Massachusetts stop, Breakaway moved to Worcester as its city of choice in 2024. Worcester’s accessibility from all points in New England made it a more attractive choice for travelers and allowed Breakaway to rebrand itself as Breakaway Mass instead of Breakaway Boston. President of Breakaway Jarrod Fucci explains, “Worcester was a natural choice because it’s centrally located and easily accessible for fans traveling from across New England. It’s also home to a vibrant college community, with several universities nearby that help create an energetic atmosphere and make it a great destination for a music festival. Combined with our strong partnership with our host venue, The Palladium, it was the ideal place to bring the Breakaway Music Festival to life.”

LOCAL ARTISTS SHINE Local act Carson “COWSON” Borr, who will be opening the mainstage this year, agrees that Worcester is the right fit. “The Palladium is a great venue for this music festival especially because of its distinct indoor and outdoor spaces. From my personal experience, the city has been welcoming and accommodating for this event. I am very thankful to the city of Worcester and its residents to be willing to host this festival for the past few years.”

Chelon also appreciates the change: “One of the great things about having this in Worcester is it is a shorter drive for many people coming from New York and Connecticut! With two stages, more big-name artists were able to play and the crowd felt much more energetic!”

Past DJs include Pulse Magazine’s 2025 ‘Person To Watch’ Ryan Borbone AKA K1N. Borbone is a former headliner for Silent Disco at Breakaway.

“I think the Silent Disco is a wicked addition that Breakaway includes in their event, and not just in Massachusetts. Silent Disco showcases a ton of raw, underground talent in the space COWSON

it’s a great place to build your reputation and have people dance to your music. My personal approach to this set was to simply have fun. I’m mainly a Dubstep DJ and music producer, but that night I played drum and bass and a bunch of other genres.” He also shared some advice for any future DJs. “If you want to play your music, do it. If you want to play your favorite remix of a song nobody knows, do it. Surprise people, keep it fresh, and be yourself.”

Opening Mainstage and local act, COWSON has been with Breakaway since 2023, where he DJ’d for the Silent Disco during the festival’s last year in Boston. He followed the festival to Worcester in 2024 playing on the main stage. In 2025, his set was cut out due to weather condi-

PHANTASM

K1N

tions, and he only participated in the Palladium after party. Because of this, he views this upcoming show as his ‘redemption set’ so he intends to ‘pull out all the stops’. Pulse caught up with Borr to learn a bit about his plan of attack.

“I have a lot of new original music that I am really excited to premiere. I really want to treat those that show up to the festival early to support the local artists. I plan to play some high energy music and to get silly with people to loosen things up. My shows typically include a lot of different sub-genres of electronic music - typically leaning dubstep and drum and bass.

I like to include elements of internet meme culture and some funny pop culture references in some of the songs that I play, which usually make for some ridiculous moments too.”

CHELON

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Chelon has been a fixture at Breakaway since the start, but this year will be his second year as a performer. To keep things unique, Chelon will focus on K-pop tracks and remixes as a counterpoint to the EDM that dominates the scene. He names Johnny Chay and IZNYRS as some of his inspirations. “I’m super excited to be playing my second year here, and even more excited that Massachusetts has gotten, what I believe to be, the best of all Breakaway lineups, both past and present! The EDM scene in the Greater Boston area is growing rapidly and I’m very happy that I get to be a part of it.”

WORCESTER LOVE With music lovers descending upon Worcester in droves, the local economy is seeing the impact. Breakaway Public Relations Manager Ashlee Wingate shares the ways in which the Festival has an impact on the community.

“We use Off the Rails Restaurant for catering to provide meals for all staff, artists, and their teams from Wednesday through Sunday. We reserve approximately 90–100 hotel rooms for staff, vendors, and key personnel at hotels throughout the surrounding area.

Our concessionaire employs around 200 local food and beverage staff each day of the event.

Through our labor provider, we hire around 60 local laborers to support the event load-in and load-out across multiple days.”

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That lineup doesn’t even cover the impact that Breakaway will have on our local restaurants. Deadhorse Hill, Chashu Ramen, and Armsby Abbey are just a few places that will host out of town guests and local music enthusiasts during the festival.

Armsby Abbey (144 Main Street) has been operational for nearly two decades, and is conveniently located located just three minutes away from The Palladium. Famous for its craft beer selection and charcuterie options, Armsby Abbey offers decadence and convenience at the same time. Chashu Ramen + Izakaya (38 Franklin Street) has a comprehensive menu of options from ramen to sushi.

Lastly, deadhorse hill (281 Main Street) is The Palladium’s neighbor and one of Worcester’s hidden gems where you are guarenteed a truly special experience. Reservations in advance are recommended for any of the three.

Breakaway Music Fest is a harbinger of Worcester’s climb into the national stage.

With each passing year, Breakaway draws more and more music lovers to the scene, elevating the Palladium as well as our local businesses. But perhaps the most important contribution is the incredible boost afforded to our local musicians and DJ’s. As headliner COWSON puts it, “I am really grateful to the Breakaway Music Festival team for giving local artists opportunities like this to play on bigger stages and platforms to grow. Personally, I never thought I’d have opportunities like this when I was first starting to DJ.”

KEEP THE PARTY GOING WHEN BREAKAWAY ENDS AND EXPLORE WORCESTER! GET YOUR STEPS IN: Cocktail Garden & Kitchen - 64 Franklin St Femme Bar - 16 Green St Free Play Arcade Bar - 25 Union St Mercantile - 2 Mercantile St Moynaghs - 25 Exchange CALL AN UBER: Bolands - 81 Water St Hotel Vernon - 16 Kelley Sq MB Lounge - 40 Grafton St Ralph’s Tavern - 117 Shrewsbury St Raven - 258 Pleasant St The Pint - 58 Shrewsbury St

George's Coney Island since 1918 Worcester, Mass.

ConeyIslandLunch.com

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BURNIN’ DOWN THE HOUSE

BY BRIAN DOWD An Interview with Tommy Jay Dwyer In a world that is increasingly more polarized, it feels as though there are fewer things on which everyone can agree: Pizza, sure; Dolly Parton, of course. But maybe another area of common ground is the respect and admiration we all have for our local Fire Departments and the men and women who choose to serve our communities as firefighters.

“It’s without a doubt that the public loves the fire department, right? I saw it myself when we rode along with these men and women. When you’re riding down the street on a fire truck everybody looks at you. Everybody smiles, wants you to blow the air horn, waves, gives you the fist bump,” recollects Tommy Jay Dwyer, director of the new documentary “Burning Down The House” premiering this month at the Hanover Theatre & Conservatory for the Performing Arts.

Dwyer is a Worcester kid through and through.

A proud product of Webster Square, he attended St. Peter-Marian, followed by Worcester State University, before heading to New York City to pursue his filmmaking dreams. “I joined the Screen Actors Guild in 2006, so I’ve been in it for a long time. Around COVID is when I started trying to make stuff myself. I came back to Worcester and realized that maybe I can start 6 AU GU ST 2 0 2 6

doing this right here and try and create a sustainable economy in Central Mass to do this.”

Dwyer hit the ground running, and after writing and directing a couple of very well-received short films right here in Worcester, he was approached with an opportunity that would prove a no-brainer for him. “‘Burnin’ Down the House’ came about when the Last Call Foundation reached out to me because they found out there was a local director that had family on the fire department.” His father, uncles, and cousins all have or currently work as firefighters so they had called the right man for the job.

“I’m basically one of two male Dwyers that aren’t firefighters.” Here was Dwyer’s chance to use his talents to spread awareness of an overlooked epidemic in the occupation his family members have committed their lives to.

“Burnin’ Down the House” documents conditions in three fire stations in three very different parts of Massachusetts, Worcester, Fall River, and Westwood, dealing with the same shocking problem. “Two thirds of the firefighters’ line of duty deaths in 2025 (according to the International Association of Fire Fighters) came from occupational cancer. A lot of that comes from the gear they wear, which they hang up and sit next to all day long… I saw mold, mildew, asbestos… exhaust from the trucks pulling in and out of the stations. A lot of that is very prevent-

able stuff that we’re just turning a blind eye to.”

We show our appreciation and respect to these heroes for the dangers they face in our streets but, as Dwyer and his crew uncovered, the true danger is often behind closed doors; in the stations and the very gear that these men and women rely on to keep them safe. A bit of sad, dark irony. Our firefighters deserve better and, though funding has increased and science is working to develop new, safer gear, these challenges remain.

“What I’m trying to do is bring this out into the light for people to say, ‘wow, something really needs to change here.’ We could prevent a lot of sickness and death in these first responders that shouldn’t be happening. We know they have a dangerous job. Why make it unnecessarily dangerous?”

“Burnin’ Down the House” Premieres at the Hanover Theatre & Conservatory for the Performing Arts, Thursday, August 6 at 7:30pm.

The premiere itself plays a heroic role, as 50 percent of ticket sales proceeds will be donated to The Last Call Foundation, which provides to provide funding, education and research to advance the safety needs of the firefighting community.

MUSIC, ARTS & CULTURE LIVE MUSIC BY THE LAKE • 200 GORE ROAD, WEBSTER, MA

OUT TO LUNCH WORCESTER COMMONS

BY ERIC BUTLER

SCHISM (TOOL TRIBUTE)

BROADWAY IS BACK IN A BIG WORCESTER

ROTTEN APPLE (ALICE IN CHAINS TRIBUTE) LOUNGE FLY (STONE TEMPLE PILOTS TRIBUTE) DROWN (SMASHING PUMPKINS TRIBUTE)

AUGUST 1 • 12PM

AUGUST 14 • 7PM

AUGUST 15 • 1PM

AUGUST 22 • 1PM

AUGUST 23 • 1PM

AUGUST 28 • 7PM

OZZMOSIS (OZZY OSBOURNE TRIBUTE)

VAN HAGAR (VAN HALEN TRIBUTE) SHOT OF POISON (POISON TRIBUTE) CRÜECIFIED (MOTLËY CRÜE TRIBUTE) THE PRIEST (JUDAS PRIEST TRIBUTE)

AUGUST 29 • 7:30PM

SEPTEMBER 13 • 12PM

AUGUST 30 • 1PM

SEPTEMBER 20 • 1PM

SEPTEMBER 6 • 12PM

OCTOBER 3 • 1PM

For tickets and more information, visit www.IndianRanch.com

AFTER WORK

PARTY

EVERY WEDNESDAY • 5:30PM TO 7:30PM Great music, fun games, giveaways and prizes

LAKESIDE DINING • 200 GORE ROAD, WEBSTER, MA

WEEKLY SPECIALS

HAPPY HOUR

UPCOMING EVENTS AT SAMUEL SLATER’S HALL

EVERY WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY

2PM TO 5PM

THURSDAYS | 5:30PM - 8:30PM | FREE ENTRY!

AUGUST 6 - TONY GARCIA AUGUST 13 - JEDIAH AUGUST 20 - STEPHEN GEORGE AUGUST 27 - INTERSTELLAR SEPTEMBER 3 - TONY GARCIA SEPTEMBER 10 - JEDIAH SEPTEMBER 17 - MISSY MAXFIELD SEPTEMBER 24 - STEFAN COUTURE OCTOBER 1 - TONY GARCIA Samuel Slater’s Restaurant is open Wednesday-Saturday (12-9pm) and Sunday (12-8pm) for lunch and dinner

AUGUST 8

Since 2022, Broadway in Worcester has brought the Great White Way’s most acclaimed stars to the city for unforgettable performances and oncein-a-lifetime free master classes for students and arts educators. Past performers in Broadway in Worcester’s line-up have included Tony Award winners: Laura Benanti, Kelli O’Hara, Jessie Mueller, and the late Broadway legend Chita Rivera.

In a few short years, Worcester has become a premier destination for Broadway royalty to perform - right up there with such cabaret hotspots as New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Provincetown during the summer.

Broadway in Worcester’s 2026-2027 season, in residence at the JMAC’s Brick Box Theater, will not disappoint with: An Evening with Victoria Clark: | October 16, 2026: In an intimate, entertaining evening, Grammy nominee and two-time Tony Award winner Victoria Clark (The Light in the Piazza, 2005, and Kimberly Akimbo, 2023) recounts her unlikely path to Broadway success, sharing songs, backstage stories and inviting audience participation along the way.

Stephanie J. Block: Merry Christmas, Darling | December 9, 2026: Tony Award winner Stephanie J. Block (Best Actress in a Musical, The Cher Show) shares her lifelong love of the holiday season in a celebration of storytelling, heartwarming holiday tunes, and Broadway favorites.

CYPRIAN 1/4

Tituss Burgess in Concert | March 12, 2027: Known for his Emmy-nominated role as Titus Andromedon on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, his appearance in Season 2 of Schmigadoon!, and his Broadway performances in Oh, Mary!, Moulin Rouge, Guys and Dolls, The Little Mermaid, and Jersey Boys, Tituss Burgess is one of entertainment’s most versatile and dynamic performers. He brings a special one-night-only concert to Worcester, performing a wide-ranging epertoire from classic and modern musical theater to pop hits.

More information can be found at www.broadwayinworcester.com.

SEPTEMBER 18

FOR RESERVATIONS, EVENT TICKETS, AND MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.SAMUELSLATERS.COM

Eric Butler is the founder of the Broadway in Worcester, a program that brings celebrated Broadway artists to Central MA. A graduate of The College of the Holy Cross and Boston College, Eric is the Executive Director of the Museum of Worcester.

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MUSIC, ARTS & CULTURE

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

American Heritage Museum (978) 562-9182 568 Main St., Hudson americanheritagemuseum.org August 6 - History After Hours: Evolution of the Main Battle Tank with Gregg Pomerleau August 8 - Heritage & Horsepower Fundraiser Car Show August 22 & 23 - WWII in the Pacific Re-Enactment Weekend Arts Worcester (508) 755-5142 44 Portland St., Worcester Artsworcester.org Brick Box Theater (508) 413-5622 20B Franklin St., Worcester jmacworcester.org/brickbox Creative Hub 2 Ionic Ave, Worcester Creativehubworcester.org August 3 & 17 - Crochet Club August 8 & 29 - Yoga with Rosie August 15 - Free Community Salsa Class August 16 - Community Plant Swap August 22 - ART Inc Cornhole Classic Tournament & Family Day August 26 -Live Model Figure Drawing Workshop DCU Center (508) 755-6800 50 Foster St., Worcester dcucenter.com August 8 - India Day

Fitchburg Art Museum (978) 345-4207 185 Elm St., Fitchburg fitchburgartmuseum.org August 6 - Outdoor Fitchburg Farmers’ Market August 20 - Hidden Treasuresr JMAC Popup (508) 561-0173 20B Franklin St., Worcester jmacworcester.org August 2 - The Hidden Census August 4 - Worcester Writers’ Collective August 5 & 11 The Power of the Practice August 9 - Silent Book Club August 16 - Staged reading of POTUS Selina Fillinger Mechanics Hall (508) 752-5608 321 Main St., Worcester mechanicshall.org August 12 - The Worcester Organ Performance Series Featuring George Davey August 19 - The Worcester Organ Performance Series Featuring Raymond Nagem August 20 - Club 321 featuring Carlos Odria & Rioflow August 26 - The Worcester Organ Performance Series Featuring Brody Bett August 28 - A Spectacular Night of Blues New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill (508) 869-6111 11 French St., Boylston towerhillbg.org

August 4 - Swing Night Dance Concert on the Lawn August 9 - Shinrin Yoku Forest Bathing August 13 - Botanical Prints with Gelli Plates August 16 - Natural Dyeing: Marigolds August 20 - Botanical Mixology Summer Series August 22 - Lampwork Acorn Necklace Workshop August 29 - Chinese Brush Painting: Lotus Flowers Old Sturbridge Village (800) 733-1830 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge osv.org August 1 & 2 - Redcoats and Rebels August 8 & 9 - Music and Art Weekend August 22 - Garden Thyme: Goods from the Woods Preservation Worcster (508) 754-8760 10 Cedar St., Worcester preservationworcester.org The EcoTarium (508) 929-2700 222 Harrington Way, Worcester August 15 - Feather Fest The Hanover Theatre & Conservatory for the Performing Arts (877) 571-7469 2 Southbridge St., Worcester thehanovertheatre.org August 2 - Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass August 6 - Burnin’ Down the House World Premiere

August 21 - The 9th Annual Jazz+Live featuring the Love Dogs August 28 - The Sixties Show August 29 - Killers of Kill Tony WCUW Community Radio 508-753-1012 910 Main St., Worcester wcuw.org Cinema Worcester films every Thurs & Fri 7pm, and Sat & Sun 1pm August 15 - Troy Mercy August 16 - The Russo Brothers Jazz Quintet August 22 - The Metrons August 30 - 2 Slick Jazz Worcester Art Museum (508) 799-4406 55 Salisbury St., Worcester worcesterart.org August 14 - Cooling the Fever: Sound Bathing Inspired by “Fever Dreams of a Cool-Breathed Earth” August 16 - Free Day: A World of Arms and Armor featuring Tree House Brewing Company August 23 - Arms and Armor Demonstration: Secrets of Swordplay Worcester Youth Orchestra 79th Season Auditions Orchestra(s), Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble Tuesday, August 25 Wednesday, August 26 Register at www.worcesteryouthorchestras. org/auditions Museum of Worcester (508) 753-8278 30 Elm St., Worcester worcesterhistory.org Worcester Book Club

SCAN HERE AND VISIT

EXPLORE THE THE EXPLORE THE NATIONAL NATIONAL THE PHENOMEN PHENOMEN

HELP THE THE WORCESTER WORCESTER HELP COUNTRY FOOD FOOD BANK BANK COUNTRY

BY EATING EATING HOT HOT DOGS DOGS BY @WORCESTER HOTDOGSAFARI ON INSTAGRAM

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MUSIC, ARTS & CULTURE

of messing around is banging your head off of your neck while housing a half dozen PBRs, in Mardi Gras, Oktoberfest, Krampuslauf, Carni- which case, mess about, friend, mess about. A val; cities the world over celebrate their indi- few highlights include Norwegian black metal vidual beauty in culturally unique ways and legends Dimmu Borgir alongside New York’s Worcester is no different. But the Heart of the Suffocation and Hulder on the Grand Serpent Commonwealth has something even more Rising tour on Aug. 8 and New Orleans’ Down, beautiful than those other bums: the Worcester supported by Helmet. In a completely difHot Dog Safari. For the uninitiated (or those ferent direction, Anthony Green’s “This Tour that missed last month’s cover story): the Safari Won’t Save You” likely won’t result in any rock has been a mainstay since 2011. Hot dog enthu- neck-related injuries, but does hit the Palladium siasts grab scorecards and head out across the on Aug. 28. city sampling the wares of the area’s finest hot dog curators. The adventure ends in a highly Serious question: what was your first thought competitive voting bloodbath to determine the when you watched the opening moments of year’s best hot dog. While the Safari has be- American cinema classic “Blade”? As the blood gun to spread to other cities across the country, rained down upon the rave attendees reveling Worcester remains the big dog. The Hot Dog in hedonism, did you think to yourself, “I CAN Safari returns on Aug. 15 and while you stuff DANCE TO THIS; I CAN FALL IN LOVE IN yourself in ways that would make Joey Chest- A SHOWER OF BLOOD; I CAN EXCEL AS A nut recoil, remember: money raised in score- HOT VAMPIRE?” If you did, or honestly, even card sales benefit the Worcester County Food if you didn’t, some fantastic news for you: Blood Rave returns to Ralph’s Diner on Aug. Bank. Go on, eat another one.

8. To describe it in square terms, this is a goth The Palladium isn’t messing around this sum- dance party that makes sure you leave having mer, and neither should you, unless your idea experienced the full width and breadth of what

BY JOSHUA LYFORD

you were always a bit too afraid to admit you wanted. It’s 2026 baby, if you can’t explore your fishnet vampire dance fantasy now, when?

While dogs across the community band together in anger for last month’s fireworks display, Indian Ranch in Webster takes a breather from this summer’s slate of cover bands to bring back a true legend. Melissa Etheridge brings her Rise tour to Central Massachusetts on Aug. 29 and if you can’t enjoy listening to “Yes I Am”, “I’m the only One” and “Come to my Window” while drinking a margarita on a boat, then it may be time to consider the problem might actually be you.

Did you know you could rip roller skates on the Worcester Common Oval? You could – in theory – wear a leather jacket, slick back a greaser’s pompadour, and don some black sunglasses. At the time of this writing, there is no reason to believe you couldn’t snap your fingers and dance menacingly like a sexy alley cat, you saucy little minx.

All this to say that every Friday this summer The Oval has skating and music from 6-9 p.m. Fear not, you can rent skates when you arrive.

Josh Lyford is an award-winning reporter, editor and musician. Josh has spent nearly two decades covering (as well as contributing to) arts, culture, music and entertainment across Central Massachusetts.

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MUSIC, ARTS & CULTURE

107 Tap 107 Water St., Worcester 107tap.com Thursdays & Saturdays - Karaoke

August 23 - Pure Prairie League August 28 - Get the Led Out August 29 - Melissa Etheridge August 30 - Chris Janson

BirchTree Bread Company 744-243-6944 138 Green St., Worcester Birchtreebreadcompany.com Thursdays - Trivia

Legends Bar and Grille 978- 342-6500 68 Airport Rd, Fitchburg

Black and White Grille 508-885-5018 206 North Spencer Rd., Spencer Blackandwhitegrille.com Blueprint New American Bar & Grille 978-668-5580 10 Village Sq., Westminster Boland’s Bar and Patio 81 Water St., Worcester Tuesdays - Stump Trivia Classic’s Pub 978-227-5258 285 Central St., Leominster 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 August 1 - Jerry’s Birthday Celebration with Sasser, Andrews, Spignesi and Hannah’s Field Gambrino’s Cask & Barrel 508-796-5177 266 Park Ave., Worcester Thursday & Saturday - Karaoke Greater Good Imperial Brewing 508-926-8736 55 Millbrook St., Worcester Tuesdays - DJ Bingo Wednesdays - Geeks Who Drink Trivia August 8 - Greater Good Goodstock Music Fest Indian Ranch 508-943-3871 200 Gore Rd., Webster Indianranch.com August 8 - Aquanett August 14 - Face 2 Face: Tribute to Elton John & Billy Joel August 22 - The Mavericks & Friends

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MB Lounge (508) 799-4521 40 Grafton St., Worcester themblounge.com Wednesdays - Karaoke Thursdays - Trivia Fridays & Saturdays - Dance Party August 6 - Latinx Drag Show Latin Night August 22 - Glow Party MCL Club 508-797-0141 181 Lake Ave., Worcester Worcestermcl.org August 1 - Burning Sky August 2 - Riff Raff Returns August 8 - The Pounders August 9 - The Island Castaways Band August 15 - All She Wrote August 16 - Red Solo Cup August 22 - A Night of Zeppelin Off the Rails 508-304-6411 90 Commercial St., Worcester offtherailsworcester.com Wednesday - Karaoke August 1 - Open Mic Night August 2 - Mama Mania Outdoors August 8 - Aurorawave August 15 - Pull the Covers Off August 26 - Elle King August 29 - The Matt Swanton Band 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 August 1 - Rukkus with The Ben Cote Band and Pink!

August 8 - Feud Gone WIld August 15 - Saturday Night Line Dancing for Goodney’s Birthday August 22 - Wildside August 29 - Motley 2: Touring Tribute to Motley Crue

Reunion Tap & Table 774-293-5501 198 Worcester St., North Grafton Mondays - Musical Bingo Wednesdays - Trivia with Nate Briggs Stakes Pub 508-755-2955 1281 Pleasant St., Worcester Steel and Wire Cocktail Lounge 508-373-2225 124 Millbury St., Worcester The Bull Run 978-425-4311 215 Great Rd., Shirley August 7 - Matt Schofield August 8 & 9 - Best of the 70s with DizzyFish & The Uptown Horns August 14 - John Barleycorn Must Live August 16 - For the Love of Music: Tribute to Dave Gaudet August 19 - Elvis Bishop Trio August 21 - The Shaelyn Band August 27 - Rodney Crowell August 28 - Monster Mike Welch The Palladium 508-797-9696 261 Main St., Worcester thepalladium.net August 1 - EKOH August 2 - The Word Alive August 7 - House of Heavy August 8 - Dimmu Borgir August 9 - Luh Tyler August 14 - Savage Hands August 15 - Zillakami August 21 & 22 - Breakaway Mass August 26 - Helmet August 28 - Anthony Green August 30 - Suicidal Tendencies Vincent’s Worcester 508-752-9439 49 Suffolk St., Worcester Wachusett Brew Yard 978-874-9965 175 State Rd. E, Westminster 152 Green St., Worcester White Eagle 508-753-9612 116-120 Green St., Worcester Whiteeagleworcester.com Thursday - Wrestling Open Thursday & Friday - Dj Nights Woo Bar & Grill 774-243-6130 358 Shrewsbury St., Worcester Wednesdays - Space Jam with Brandon Sunshine Esteves Thursdays - Maladies Karaoke with Mal E. Fishn’t

BURNCOAT FARMER’S MARKET WORCESTER PHOTO CREDIT: MISSY CUTLER

MUSIC, ARTS & CULTURE

BY JASON HOMER To celebrate Disability Pride Month in July, I decided to pick up the 2020 memoir by disability advocate Judith Heumann, “Being Heumann”. I will admit that I knew very little about Judy prior to reading her memoir, but her life of advocacy has fundamentally changed the lives of millions of Americans. This memoir left me wondering how a woman who was so influential in advancing the civil rights of people with disabilities remains relatively unknown. Luckily, a film about her 28-day occupation of San Francisco’s Federal Building will premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in 2026, starring Ruth Madeley, Mark Ruffalo, and Dylan O’Brien and shine a light on her accomplishments.

Inside the pages of “Being Heumann” What struck me most about “Being Heumann” wasn’t just the history, it was Judy’s voice. She recounts a life filled with barriers with remarkable candor, humor, and resilience. After being paralyzed by polio as a toddler, she was denied entry to a New York public school because officials considered her “a fire hazard.” Thanks to her mother’s persistence, she eventually attended school, but it was clear from an early age that Judy’s life would require fighting for opportunities others took for granted.

As a young adult in the 1970s, Heumann turned that determination into activism. When the New York Board of Education refused to grant her a teaching license, she sued and won, becoming the first teacher in New York State to use a wheelchair. She went on to help lead the historic 28-day sit-in in San Francisco, forcing the federal government to enforce disability rights protections. Her work helped lay the foundation for the Americans with Disabilities Act, legislation that has transformed everyday life for our entire country.

A moment worth mentioning One of the memoir’s most memorable sections recounts her summers at Camp Jened, where, for the first time, she experienced life without constantly being defined by her disability. Combined with parents who encouraged her to advocate for herself, that experience helped shape someone unwilling to accept society’s assumptions about what disabled people could or couldn’t do.

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Throughout the memoir, she’s funny, self-deprecating and refreshingly honest. Rather than feeling like a history lesson, the memoir reads like a conversation with someone whose company you’d genuinely enjoy.

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If you’re looking for a memoir that will educate you, challenge your assumptions, and leave you with a renewed appreciation for the power of persistence, humor, and humanity, “Being Heumann” deserves a place on your reading list. Judy Heumann was, in every sense of the word, wonderfully “Heumann.”

Jason Homer is the Executive Director of the Worcester Public Library, a seven-branch library system. Jason hails from Brockton, MA, and holds degrees from Stonehill College and Simmons University. And, of course, he is an avid reader.

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PLATE & POUR

BY BERNARD WHITMORE Bolton. It’s like a step into another world.

In the scant half-hour it takes to drive there, the weird traffic habits, gnarly roads and commercial free-for-all of Worcester yields to a quieter kingdom of suburban affluence, spacious colonial-revival estates with lots of white clapboard and acreage of perfectly manicured lawn.

Just minutes from I-495, Out of the Woods is located at the very back end of a commercial development, far enough back to achieve a feeling of quiet tranquility, with patio seating that faces across a parking lot onto a wall of verdant woodland. The dining room is devised for pure functionality. The rear wall is papered with images of woodland creatures; the rest of the walls are plain wallboard with simple hooks for hanging coats during the winter months. Overhead, chandeliers are embedded in large twiggy eagle nests. A just-audible soundtrack of jazzy psychedelic surf rock completed the relaxed vibe.

Out of the Woods’ menu is concise: a front page of small and large plates of decidedly American cuisine; on the back, beer and wine.

No mixed drinks, no endless variety of multiple cuisines. Each meal’s featured protein is supported by an imaginative cast of vegetables and internationally inspired sauces.

That restraint made meal selection a tidy affair. Appetizers such as Fried Brassicas, Ginger Parsnip Soup, and a board of three local cheeses, however compelling, were immediately set aside for OOTW’s Duck Fat Biscuits.

Biscuits? Let me set the table: we love biscuits.

Our travel in America, particularly through the South is in large part a quest for the perfect biscuit. Call it Biscuit Tourism. And who knew what existed right here in Bolton, Massachusetts?

It’s brilliant. Substitute butter or lard for the rich fat rendered from roasting a duck. That’s just the start, though. The baker also has the classic skills required to make puffy golden brown, perfectly formed biscuits that cracked open steamy and fresh. We spread them with honey butter and figgy jam. Their flaky crumble and buttery mouthfeel were perfection.

Matching my biscuit with a glass of Nightshift Brewing’s Fluffy, a silky-smooth hazy IPA that glowed deep orange in its tulip glass.

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The biscuits could have hijacked the whole meal, but they also established the kitchen’s central strength: familiar food handled with precision, confidence, and just enough surprise. To atone for their luxurious extravagance, we shared a Woods Salad of mixed greens, cucumber, carrot and radish slices tossed in a light vinaigrette and strewn with feta and pistachio crumbles.

The entrées continued that pattern without trying to outshine the opening act.

From there, my friend moved onto his entrée, OOTW’s Pan Seared Duck Breast. Six or eight thick slices of duck meat seared to a pinkish-red interior were strewn with chopped tart strawberries and dangly sprouts. The duck was impeccably lean and rubbed with a sublime mix of herbs.

It came served over a mix of snap peas, roasted cauliflower, fava beans and pillowy-soft confit fingerling potatoes.

I’d narrowed my entrée choice to the Rhubarb Ginger Glazed Chicken or the Pistachio Crusted Halibut, each compelling for its featured flavor profile. I chose the halibut: a thick filet coated with crushed pistachios and served over a bed of couscous, with tender asparagus and carrots beside a pool of orange vinaigrette bordered by a stripe of charred fennel purée.

The halibut was flaky and dense, tender and moist under its ruddy coating of pistachio dust.

It’s worth noting OOTW’s treatment of vegetables; they arrive perfectly fresh and firm, cut into bite-sized lengths.

Out of the Woods is everything I love in a restaurant: thoughtfully crafted meals of honest ingredients, dining elegance in a sophisticated adult setting, and the confidence to make even a biscuit feel destination-worthy. It is just a half hour from Worcester, but for those biscuits I’d journey anywhere.

Bernard Whitmore is a retired Data Analyst and an amateur Gourmand.

Scan here to go our website and the extended version of our story!

OUT OF THE WOODS 626 MAIN STREET, BOLTON OUTOFTHEWOODSMA.COM

PLATE & POUR

coffee and community, with a goal of making a space that is ripe for meeting and collaborating.

VARIOUS CONTRIBUTORS BREADS AND COFFEES Pickle Bread You’ll Relish Yes, that was Marvin’s Corner Lunch diner you saw featured on Chronicle last month! Chef and owner Joshua Plahm has been known for his scratch-made breads since they took over the diner in 2021, but his tangy sourdough PICKLE BREAD made Chronicle’s feature of a handful of pickle-perfect bites across the state.

It’s a definite must-have, though when lined up next to those home-made English muffins, it’s one hard decision to make.

A New Identity Worcester. Featuring handcrafted breads, a full espresso bar, seasonal menus, salads and baked goods (tartines!), Golden Grain has been a popup hit around the city for some time now. You can check them out Monday through Friday between 7am and 3pm.

The Boulder the Bagels, The Better Fitchburg based Boulder Bagels has developed a cult following at The Market on Exchange Street. Check out their weekly specials every Sunday, just make sure to be there early, they’ve been selling out within the first two hours.

Also coming soon to Shrewsbury Street is the latest location for Identity Coffee, a regional chain that you will find in Fitchburg, at Wachusett Mountain and in New Hampshire. Rumor has it that Worcester will have a second Identity in the near future, this time located around Polar Park.

RIDING THAT WAVE Last Call at Halligans No, the Silver Tsunami isn’t one of the acts you might go to see at Halligan’s Bar in Auburn, or the recently closed Greendale’s Pub in Worcester. It’s the phenomenon of the wave of retirements, and the sheer number of businesses that sign off in lieu of changing hands.

Golden Grain Artisanal Bread

Red Cup Coffee is Coming Soon

From a small shed (the Bread Shed) on Rt 62 in Princeton to a brick-and-mortar that is actually made of brick… Golden Grain Artisanal Bread has opened up shop at 250 Commercial Street in

Before the summer is out, Red Cup Coffee should be hot and ready at 304 Shrewsbury In December, Halligan’s Bar in Auburn will Street. Taking the long-held spot of retailer join that trend as owners Gus Bertel and Paul Central Mass Scuba, the cafe will celebrate both Brosnihan retire after more than a decade.

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PLATE & POUR

DINNER

with

FRIENDS

OBSERVATIONS OVER BITES AND BEVERAGES

BY DIANNE WILLIAMSON My oldest friend, who I’ve known since pre-kingergarten, appeared skeptical when I invited her to dinner.

“All I’d have to do is eat?” she asked.

“Well, you’d also have to be entertaining,” I noted.

If you knew Moira, you’d realize that wouldn’t be a problem. She’s the sort of girl defined by the motto: “late, but worth the wait.” When it comes to punctuality, or lack thereof, suffice to say she takes full advantage.

Cathy drove in from Marshfield, where she owns a small summer cottage. Cathy has three grown children; she lost her husband to cancer seven years ago, but she’s never lost her quick wit and the sort of indefigable energy that would impress a charm of hummingbirds.

The occasion? Not that we needed one, but I was recently ordered invited to pen a monthly column for Pulse by its new publisher, Kate McEvoy (see hummingbird), who made an offer uniquely designed to seduce my inner sloth: take a few friends to dinner and write about it.

“You’d have an open canvas,” she promised, and said I could take my time, unaware that it’s the meanest thing you can tell a columnist, accustomed as I was to blaming tight deadlines for the sort of off-the-cuff opinions that often inspired readers to conclude, en masse, that I’m an idiot.

I haven’t written much since retiring several years ago, but was drawn to this offer for two reasons:

I mean, let’s face it. Restaurants have become so expensive that diners are often forced to seek pre-approved financing before making reservations.

And with Kate’s offer, I envisioned penning a random mix of “Sex and the City,” “The View” and perhaps “Golden Girls,” with a dash of that “Seinfeld” episode when Kramer installed the old Merv Griffin set in his living room. In other words, let’s see what happens.

So I summoned my two friends and we met at Bocado, a lovely local eatery that specializes in “tapas” and “small plates,” trendy terms for what the cretins once called appetizers. Restaurants have learned that you can use such terms to increase the price of potato skins by 17%, on average, and even more if the dish is served with “red-veined sorrel” and other mystery garnishes you’ve never heard of but typically involves lettuce.

Bocado is operated by the ubiquitous Michael Covino (see hummingbird), who, at last count, owns approximately 250,000 restaurants in the downtown area and has been frequently spotted at all of them simultaneously. No one ever asks Michael Covino if he’s “keeping busy,” because he strides around the city with vigor and purpose, whereas if retirees don’t keep busy there’s apparently a real concern that we’ll wander into oncoming traffic.

We started off with the Kobe burgers, which were delicious, and I promptly showed off my new pink leather slingback shoes because I’m superficial but also vain. I splurged on these shoes and they cost so much (for me) that I secretly believe they make me a better person.

“How much did you pay for those?” Cathy

1. It would give me something to do besides asked. I told her. She raised an eyebrow, a vague snapping at people who feel compelled to ask if I’m “keeping busy,” even when I’ve already discussed my Netflix binge schedule.

2. It involves free food, which happens to be my favorite kind.

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gesture I chose to accept as approval, because friends can denounce your politics but it’s paramount they support your footwear.

Meanwhile, our personable waiter was schooled in the latest serving speak designed to make diners feel special.

“Perfect!” waiters tell us now, after each menu selection, even if we ordered a Hot Pocket.

Maybe it’s because we baby boomers need constant reassurance that we’re wonderful at everything, to compensate for the fact that we used to look cute in a mirror but now apply makeup with Spackle.

I should note, however, that my two friends— both 60-something women—remain lovely and vibrant and busy to the point of utter obnoxiousness, but I still like them anyway.

“This is my favorite decade,” Moira announced, as we dug into the fried goat cheese. “I have so much freedom now to do what I want and go where I want.”

We talked about whether we’re happy or simply content. We exchanged juicy secrets that are, quite frankly, none of your business. We laughed about the long-ago rager we hosted at the home of my aunt, who entrusted me to feed her cats while she traveled, despite clear evidence I was an actual teenager. She won’t make that mistake again, primarily because she is deceased.

Not once did anyone refer to their cholesterol levels. Instead, three women who accumulated enough shared memories to fill a library reveled in one of the few things that improve with age: the easy company of old friends.

(Note to young people: libraries are buildings that contain books. Books are antiquated written devices that never ask for passwords, personal data or whether you’d care to enable “cookies,” whatever those are).

Speaking of cookies, nobody needed dessert but we ordered it anyway. Then we settled up and said our goodbyes, with warm hugs and assurances to meet again soon, and it struck me as we left Bocado that our waiter turned out to be right: dinner was perfect.

Dianne Williamson is an award-winning retired Journalist, who is best known as one of the region’s most celebrated media personalities. A native of Worcester, Dianne’s regular column in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette is the stuff of legend.

480 Shrewsbury St, Worcester, MA 508-304-1334 Open 7 Days of the Week tropeirosgrill.com

Worcester’s New Authentic Brazilian Steakhouse All-You-Can-Eat Churrasco & Salad Bar

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TRENDING, LEARNING & LIVING WELL

BY JULIE DOWBITCH THE PRIVILEGE OF PET OWNERSHIP I remember when my brother heard I was thinking about getting a puppy.

“Don’t do it.”

Coming from anyone else, I would have laughed it off. But this was a man who absolutely adores his dog. A devoted dog dad. If anyone was going to encourage me, it should have been him.

At the time, I assumed he meant the obvious things: the sleepless nights, the potty training, the chewed shoes, the midnight zoomies.

Looking back, I realize he meant something much bigger.

No one tells you that you will become an amateur nutritionist comparing ingredient labels in the pet food aisle. Or that you’ll know your veterinarian’s emergency line by heart. Or that you’ll spend more time researching the best flea preventative than you did choosing your own health insurance.

hard way)?

Then, one day, you realize this little creature has somehow become part of nearly every decision you make.

I have shamelessly canceled plans because my dog wasn’t acting normal (or simply looked sad). I’ve rearranged meetings around training classes. I’ve spent more money than I care to calculate on grooming, insurance, enrichment toys, daycare, and the stuffed animal that either gets abandoned (or shredded) forever or becomes a beloved family member—there is absolutely no in-between.

If you’re a pet parent reading this, you’re probably smiling…or rolling your eyes. Either way, you get it.

We often laugh about how expensive our pets are. We swap stories about outrageous vet bills and joke that our dogs eat better than we do.

But lately I’ve been wondering if we have been framing the conversation all wrong.

No one mentions the mental checklist that quietly follows you everywhere.

Maybe pet ownership isn’t a burden. Maybe it’s a privilege to live with these furry little menaces.

Did the dog eat? Did she poop? Does someone need to let her out if dinner runs long? Is it too hot for a walk? Too cold? Too loud? Will this restaurant allow dogs on the patio? How many treats is too many treats (I learned that one the

Not everyone has the financial means to care for an animal. Not everyone has a home that allows pets, a schedule with flexibility, reliable transportation, or the physical ability to manage daily walks and care. Even time itself is

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a privilege, and our pets ask for a lot of it.

Choosing to welcome an animal into your life is choosing to become responsible for a heart that beats outside your own. You say yes before you know exactly what that will require. You say yes to the muddy paw prints, emergency vet visits, pills hidden in cheese, annual checkups, vacations planned around sitters, daily routines that quietly become second nature— and eventually, the impossible responsibility of loving them enough to let them go.

And somehow, we almost never resent it.

Because love has a funny way of transforming obligation into devotion.

The things that might seem inconvenient to someone else become the rituals that shape our days. The early morning walks. The furcovered clothes. The toys scattered across the house. The excitement of coming home to someone who acts like you’ve been gone for years, even if it was only twenty minutes.

None of those things are the price we pay for having a pet. They are the privilege of being trusted and loved by one.

Once you start thinking about pet ownership as a privilege instead of an expense, you realize it changes other parts of your thinking too— including where you spend your pet dollars and how you can support the local people and businesses that care for the animals we love.

We will expand on that another day.

Being a pet parent is expensive. Being able to be a good one is a privilege.

And despite my brother’s warning…

I’d still say yes every single time.

Julie Bowditch is Executive Director at CASA Project Worcester County and pet-mom to 1.5-year-old Mini Goldendoodle, Brinkley.

TRENDING, LEARNING & LIVING WELL

BY SHAUN CONNOLLY

First off, it’s not you, it’s Brad. This is not going to be a business take on your trade. Trades are inherently business first. But, then the heart comes into play. With every transaction there is the aftermath of the emotional toll of these decisions. That’s what I am going to talk about here. Not Brad’s “optionality” or draft picks or even using off-court and on-court usage stats. I am going to talk about how much you mean to me, to New England, to basketball.

I know that this kind of reads like I am honoring someone who passed away and not someone who is still healthy, competitive and very much alive. But it feels like we’ve all truly lost something special. It wasn’t just the points scored or the defensive stops made. It was way more than that.

It was how Boston was your home. We drafted you over Markelle Fultz and the entire region scratched our heads. We didn’t realize that the Gumby-haired forward would teach at MIT, donate millions into neighborhoods that need it most and offer $100,000 grants to underrepresented entrepreneurs.

Philadelphia is a great sports city, trash people, but an unbelievable sports city. You’re going to play great alongside Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.

Personally, you’ve been my favorite player since Kevin Garnett. While not as explosive, your heart and grit match his. You won one championship with us and I am forever grateful for that. The only Sixers jersey I ever thought I would wear is an Iverson one when I was 11 years old, but my Brown is already in the mail. Miss you dog.

Shaun Connolly is a comedic entertainer from Worcester. He is an artist Fellow of both the Worcester Arts Council and Massachusetts Cultural Council. He also swears he also knows a lot about sports.

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NEW IN THE

August Coffee

Owned by: Allison Moss and Madison Martin Location: 548 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608 Phone: 774-319-1204 Web: www.august-coffee.com Instagram: @augustcoffee_ Tell us about August Coffee: August Coffee is a new independent café in downtown Worcester, located across from The Hanover Theatre. The café focuses on specialty coffee, house-made syrups, quality breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and seasonal offerings served in a warm, thoughtfully designed space. Inspired by neighborhood cafés in New York City’s West Village, August Coffee was created to be more than a place to grab coffee — it’s intended to be a gathering place for Worcester residents, students, professionals and visitors alike.

Cosmic Unicornz

Owned by: Melissa Mattson Location: 160 Green St, Worcester, MA 01604 Phone: 508-277-0015 Web: www.cosmicunicornz.com Instagram: cosmic_unicornz Facebook: cosmic.unicornz TikTok: cosmicunicornz Tell us about Cosmic Unicornz: Cosmic Unicornz is a fun, colorful handmade gift shop and clothing boutique located in the heart of the Canal District, on the outside corner of the Worcester Public Market and Kelley Square. We feature handmade goods by over 20 local artists.

The Cosmic Unicornz aesthetic is fun, whimsical, colorful and silly, it’s the perfect shop to bring a smile to your face! We also offer sewing lessons and art workshops to ages 7 and up. The back of the store doubles as an art workshop/sewing studio!

The typical August Coffee experience is?

What was your journey to this venture?

Seasonal menus, house-made syrups, good music, and a crowd that’s usually a mix of students, professionals, theatergoers, and people pretending they aren’t there for their second latte of the day.

I grew up in Sutton, Massachusetts, and learned to sew at age 8. I was taught by my Vernon Hill, Worcester Grandma and then attended a summer sewing camp in Auburn in 1995. Throughout my school years, I was in love with sewing on my sewing machine. In college, I attended Umass Dartmouth for illustration and art history, as I am also a passionate artist. In 2012 I started my brand Cosmic Unicornz.

Cosmic Unicornz began as a small Etsy shop featuring hand-painted shoes and small sewn accessories. From 2018 to 2025, we had pop-up shops in Boston, Ptown and vended countless other events. In 2025, we were finally ready to settle down in a permanent home, and the Cosmic Unicornz Boutique in Worcester, Mass was born.

In five years, August Coffee will…

In five years, we hope August Coffee has become a staple of downtown Worcester and a brand people associate with great coffee, great food and a great experience.

We would love to expand to additional locations throughout Central Massachusetts while continuing to create spaces that bring people together. Hosting community events, collaborations, and creating gathering spaces beyond just coffee are all part of the long-term vision.

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Scan here to go our website and the extended version of our story!

Venus Nails & Spa

Owned by: Lois Nguyen Location: 346 W Boylston St, West Boylston, MA 01583 Phone: 508-762-9135 Web: venusnailspama.com Social Media: @venuswboylston346 Tell us about Venus Nails & Spa: Venus Nail & Spa is a family owned business. We love to work on clients with comfort, care and the best quality that we can offer.

What was your journey to this venture?

We all immigrated from Vietnam, this is our American dream. It started with my older sister-in-law coming from Vietnam and learning how to be a nail tech. Her parents, my husband and his brother also immigrated and became nail techs. It was tough because my husband and I just got married in Vietnam, but he came to America right after to raise money for me to come over and start our new chapter. Two years later, I was able to move with my two sisters-in-law and another brother-in-law.

I had an idea of opening a family-owned store, something to bring us together, pride our journey and work together. It is a good living, an honest one that we can be proud of, and live our American Dream as a reality. We’ve achieved our dream of having our whole family together.

You’re giving a TEDTalk about building your business, what advice or insight would be most important to share?

Anything is possible. It will come with patience, but trust yourself because your American Dream can be anything if you invest in yourself. When you try to start a family business, trust one another and build a place where you can enjoy each other no matter what. t h epu ls emag.com

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183 Shrewsbury Street Worcester, MA 508-735-9912

Always Fresh, Never Frozen

SUMMER EDITION

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www.lascalaworcester.com FRI, OCT. 2, 2026

Honoring Black Excellence

Black Excellence Awards.

Sean Harris

Dr. Crista Johnson-Agbakwu

William Mosley

Director of Community Engagement, Quinsigamond Community College

Executive Director, Collaborative in Health Equity, UMass Chan Medical School & UMass Memorial Health

Deputy Fire Chief, City of Worcester

To honor extraordinary leaders dedicated to community, equity, and storytelling

Fri, Oct. 2, 2026 | Doors Open at 6:00 PM | Program Starts at 6:30 PM AC Hotel Worcester FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE TICKETS tinyurl.com/wooblackexcel Questions? Email blacklegacyalliance@gmail.com 20 AU GU ST 2 0 2 6

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21

TRENDING, LEARNING & LIVING WELL

in the

WEEDS

A MONTHLY PUFF PIECE ABOUT CANNABIS

BY RAVON WILLIAMS

THC SELTZERS: THE DRINK OF THE SUMMER?

Weed beverages have been on dispensary menus for years now. Like most cannabis products, they started with just a handful of options before expanding into an established category. Today, it’s common to find a variety of choices, including seltzers, sodas, lemonades, and other infused drinks.

So, what exactly is a THC seltzer?

Simply put, it’s a sparkling beverage infused with THC. They’re popular among people looking for a smoke-free way to enjoy weed or an alternative to alcohol, making them a great fit for cookouts, parties, and other social gatherings.

If you’re trying one for the first time, keep in mind that most contain around 5 milligrams of THC per drink—about the same as a standard gummy. If you have a higher tolerance, liquid tinctures or powdered drink mixes offer more flexibility to customize your dosage.

Whether you’re sunbathing by the pool, hosting a cookout, or just winding down after work, weed beverages offer another refreshing way to enjoy the summer!

Ravon Williams is a Massachusetts-based cannabis industry professional, enthusiast and journalist who covers culture, market trends, retail experience and consumer education.

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C O L L E C T I O N

E - L I Q U I D S • M O D S D I S P O S A B L E V A P E S C B D • D E L T A 8 / 9 T H C - A • T H C - O G L A S S W R A P S • P A P E R S N I C O T I N E S A L T B A S E D P O D S Y S T E M S 652C PARK AVE, WORCESTER MA

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120 STAFFORD ST. SUITE A, WORCESTER | (508) 304-6888

WATCH LIVE GAMES, WHILE ENJOYING GREAT FOOD, COCKTAILS, AND ICE COLD BEER! $5 MARGARITAS FOR THE SUMMER AND .75 WINGS/$3 PIZZAS AFTER 7PM EVERY DAY

BUSINESS HOURS: KITCHEN MON: 11AM-9PM TUE: CLOSED WED: 11AM - 9PM THURS-SAT: 11AM-10PM SUN: 11AM-9PM BAR OPEN UNTIL: 1:30AM

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Another reason these drinks have become so popular is that many of them are designed to work faster than traditional edibles. Many use a process called nano-emulsification, which breaks THC into tiny particles your body can absorb more efficiently. That’s why many weed drinks begin working within 15 to 30 minutes, compared to traditional edibles that usually take much longer.

A L T E R N A T I V E

SUBMIT YOUR VOTE BEFORE VOTING CLOSES ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 9TH!

It’s the middle of summer. The grill is going, the sun is beaming, and everyone seems to have a refreshing drink in their hand. That drink used to almost always be a beer, but these days, it could just as easily be a THC seltzer.

TRENDING, LEARNING & LIVING WELL

BY JULIE WALKER While Worcester’s annual Pride Festival is still a month away, the city’s LGBTQ+ community is beginning to set the stage for an unforgettable celebration.

Worcester Draglesque Festival kicks off the excitement with a threepart drag intensive led by King of Kings Darren Tashine. Hosted at the queer-welcoming Worcester Dance studio, the workshop guides participants through every step of creating a drag persona—from makeup techniques and character development to building a debut mini-act. The experience culminates with participants joining Tashine in a group performance during the Worcester Draglesque Festival showcase September 19 at Mechanics Hall.

No Evil Project, a nonprofit dedicated to breaking down stereotypes through art, humor, and conversation, will invite visitors to become part of its interactive exhibit. Participants can be photographed posing as the Three Wise Monkeys: See No Evil, Hear No Evil, and Speak No Evil; choosing three labels such as race, religion, politics, sexuality, mental and physical health, or hobbies; and share a positive action they’ve taken to demonstrate they’re “Not Evil.” Learn more about the project at www.noevilproject.org.

From the stage to the sky, these events celebrate the inclusive spirit that defines Worcester all year long.

Julie Walker (she/her), M.Ed., is a parent, school counselor, Board member of Love Your Labels,

2026 KATHARINE F. ERSKINE AWARD RECIPIENTS Robyn Kennedy MA State Senator, 1st Worcester District Elizabeth Cruz President Latin American Business Organization

Tuesday, September 29, 2026 5:00 to 7:30 PM AC Hotel Worcester

LEARN MORE & PURCHASE TICKETS: YWCACM.ORG/EVENT/TRIBUTE

Rubby Wuabu, Esq. Policy and Cabinet Affairs Liaison Office of Governor Maura Healey Toby Sisson Professor of Visual Art Clark University Roberta Brien Executive Vice President Worcester Business Development Corporation Shiko Gathuo, Ph.D. Professor of Urban Studies and Graduate Program Director Worcester State University

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38 FRANKLIN ST, WORCESTER, MA 508.304.7183 SUN 12PM TO 9PM MON 4PM TO 9PM TUE CLOSED WED 4PM TO 9PM THU 4PM TO 9PM FRI 12PM TO 10 PM SAT 12PM TO 10 PM

24 AU GU ST 2 0 2 6

2026

VOTING NOW OPEN

FOLLOW PULSE MAGAZINE FOR INFO

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VOTING CLOSES ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 9TH

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SAVE THE DATE LOCATION: SEPTEMBER 3RD OFF THE RAILS

with

HANK STOLZ

EXCERPTS FROM TALK OF THE COMMONWEALTH AS EDITED BY JENNY PACILLO and MELISSA J. CUTLER

HOSTED BY: HANK STOLZ | FEATURING: ANDY DAVIS This month, Hank Stoltz had the opportunity to speak with Andrew Davis on his last day of work after a 17 year career as the Worcester Regional Airport Director.

pened or did the growth here at Worcester Airport come from different factors?

Hank Stolz:

Well, it’s a combination. You know, there’s still room for growth for Logan Airport, but Worcester is considered a reliever airport because of its proximity to a major gateway airport such as Boston. But in addition to Worcester gaining flights since 2008, you know, you had Manchester and Providence all sharing in the increase in flight activity.

They’re also reliever airports for Boston.

All right. Take us back to 17 years ago.

Andy Davis comes to Worcester. You come from where? You decide on your course of action and what that was to be.

Andy Davis: Well, in 2008, I started at the end of the year, December 29. And not many people realize it, but Massport was actually operating the airport for the city of Worcester since 2000. So I came in as a Massport employee.

I can thank the city leadership and the state leadership for understanding that the second-largest city in New England needs and deserves an airport.

Hank Stolz: At the time also, I think that part of the argument started to be that Logan was going to outgrow itself. And so that was part of the reason why Worcester Airport was going to grow. Has that ever actually hap-

Andy Davis:

Andy Davis: The vast majority, I would say approximately 80% of our customers are leisure travelers.

We do have a core base of business travelers. I see a number of people coming in on Monday and leaving on Friday. So they’re living in Florida, but they’re coming up to do work. Our millionth passenger back a few years ago is a Shrewsbury resident and he flies to Washington on Delta through LaGuardia every Tuesday and comes back every Friday.

Andy Davis: I set two personal goals before I would retire, one of which was to run out of parking spaces. And we achieved that when JetBlue started seasonal service to Fort Myers, especially during school vacation. We’re breaking ground within a month on a new parking lot to relieve that.

But the other goal was to have every ticket counter filled. I didn’t achieve that goal, but one of the things I’m going to continue to do in retirement is advocate for the airport, support Massport, support the community, and see what I can’t do to help that occur even after my retirement.

I truly appreciate the support.

You know, the flying community, the business community, the elected officials, it’s unanimous. You guys have been fantastic since day one back in the Peter Blute days.

So it doesn’t take a village. It takes a city and it takes a region, and everybody has contributed to the success of Worcester.

Hank Stolz has been waking up Worcester for almost thirty years. With more than two decades’ experience in talk radio and news reporting, Hank launched Radio Worcester the Talk of the Commonwealth program as a way to keep a locally-focused media in the Central Massachusetts market.

You can listen to Hank every morning through www.radioworcester.com.

STARTING SEPTEMBER 1ST: CATCH HANK'S SHOW EVERY MORNING ON OUR WEBSITE! STREAMING LIVE ON www.thepulsemag.com 26 AU GU ST 2 0 2 6

INFORMAL | Gallery Exhibit Heritage Gallery | 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.

Viewing hours are Monday–Friday 9 am–4 pm, and Thursdays until 8 pm.

SUMMER MILL

at the

In addition to our FREE Summer Concerts and Gallery, ValleyCAST offers a variety of workshops, classes, and other activities happening all summer at the Alternatives’ Whitin Mill including: • Art Cart Workshops • Freestyle Weaving Courses • Card Making Classes

Visit ValleyCAST.org for details.

 50 Douglas Road, Whitinsville, MA

PERFORMANCES

Rice Community Plaza (rain/heat location: Singh Theater)

FREE SUMMER CONCERTS

AUG O6 Blackstone Valley Bluegrass • traditional & contemporary bluegrass AUG 13 Le’Mixx Band • classic R&B, funk, & reggae AUG 2O Studio Two Beatles Tribute Band • rock/blues AUG 27 The Reminisants • ‘50s–’70s rock/golden oldies SEP O3 The Seven Wonders Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band • rock & pop

TWELFTH NIGHT August 14–16, 2026

Infinity Performing Arts presents Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, a fast-paced romantic comedy with several interwoven plots of romance, mistaken identities, and practical jokes. Tickets are available online.

ValleyCAST is the arts & culture arm of Open Sky Community Services. Our 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.

50 Douglas Road, Whitinsville, MA | ValleyCAST.org | 508-234-6232 | @ValleyCAST

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