5.0% ABV
AVAILABLE LATE JANUARY! Complex yet well balanced. Sweet Maltiness slightly dominating clean hop bitterness. 5.3% ABV
“FLAT-OUT ELECTRIFYING!” - Boston Globe
February 1-3
DATE | VENUE
TheHanoverTheatre.org • 877.571.SHOW (7469) 2 Southbridge Street • Worcester, MA 01608 Discounts available for members, groups, kids, students, and WOO card holders
Worcester Center for the Performing Arts, a registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, owns and operates The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts.
(Photos by Turner Rouse, Jr., John Daughtry, Litwin)
AY musical W D A O R B g in k a re b d the groun
Jan. 2013
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On the Cover: 13 to Watch in 2013
Dining REVIEW: Jimmy’s Tavern & Grill
Photo (left to right, back to front): Patrick Carroll, Jon Dooley, Brad McNamara, J. Parker Eldridge, Kathleen Wanat, Alex Madrigal, Amanda Casale, Rahm Klampert, Nicholas Carbone and Che Anderson. 13 to Watch ~ not pictured: Eric Dittleman, Sam James, Jeff Gracia and Victoria Hall Photo by Justin Mayotte of Flash House Studios
Online @ thepulsemag.com ENTERTAINMENt
IN THIS ISSUE tHE COVER story 6 13 to Watch in 2013 ENTERTAINMENt 14
Mike Birbiglia: Local comic and social media savant, brings show to Worcester
16
Before Turning the Gun on Himself ~ funnier than it sounds
17
Joe’s Albums: Who says you can’t look good in vinyl?
17
Group plans new theater for Worcester
18
ON CD Saul Conrad’s Poison Packets: On being human Sister Sin’s Now and Forever: Bring on the Apocalypse
19
UP AND COMERS Band: Ghost Ocean BAND: The Issues
20
Revelation: Lucifer’s Legionnaire by Nathaniel Connors
DINING & ENTERTAINING 30 REVIEW: Jimmy’s Tavern & Grill 31
HOT AND NOW
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NOW SERVING: Vintage Grille
32 Who says you can’t play with your food? 32 Introducing the high-tech ice cube 33
PULSEBREW Hopheads, Samuel Adams has heard your call!
SPORTS & FITNESS 34
Second chance of a lifetime: Former Shrewsbury High star gets his shot in the NFL
college 38
MUSIC: DJ Muggs releases Bass for Your Face MUSIC: Josh Groban releases new album MUSIC: See what Beth Hart is up to now HOT SHOTS: Check out the local concert scene LIFESTYLE
PULSETECH: Headphones you’re guaranteed to love DECOR: redecorate on the cheap with ideas from Ikea Put a Hobbit everywhere FUN:
DINING & ENTERTAINING
PULSEBREW: Merry Mischief brings new flavors to your palate ART & CULTURE
Group plans new theater for Worcester
ART: Worcester Art Museum offers materials grants CULTURE: Let There Be Light photography exhibit ART: Who’s calling for artists?
Making Good: Former Quabbin star hoops locally for Nichols College
style & Beauty
CULTURE: Have a great date night with art classes style & Beauty
STYLE: Go outside the box
22
Club, Pub & Bar Listings
42
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Pulse Shots
43
Diamond (shapes) are a girl’s best friend
STYLE: Bad hair day? Gina Made It has you covered
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Ladies-only Verge culture and fashion site leaves boys in the dust
MORE ONLINE!
LIFESTYLE 28
Cool Careers: Southbridge native lives the sweet life in LA
29
PULSETECH Eton Microlink PowerFilm Rollable Solar Charger Philips Hue Wireless LED System Pulpop Speaker
Painting the Wootown red (and blue and purple …)
ART & CULTURE 44
Limitless: Local artist Tonya Grifkin brings the magic with Make Me A Dragon
45
Just let your inner artist out
29 New site makes vacation planning easy Looking to plan a vacation with just a few clicks?
BEAUTY: Cutex can offer stronger nails for the new year
Pulse Magazine has new content on its website daily! Check us out throughout the month for the latest CD reviews, interviews, concerts and other Wootown happenings. Follow us on Twitter @WorcesterPulse and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/thepulsemagazine.
PULSE Magazine is produced 12 times a year by Pagio Inc., 88 Winter St., Worcester, MA 01604. (508) 756-5006. Copyright 2012 All rights reserved. Pagio, Inc. does not hold itself responsible for statements made by any contributor. Statements or opinions expressed in Pulse reflect the views of the author(s) and not the official policy of the Pagio, Inc., unless so stated. Although all advertising material is expected to conform to ethical standards, acceptance does not imply endorsement by Pagio, Inc. unless so stated. Material printed in Pulse is covered by copyright. No copyright is claimed to any work of the U.S. government. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission. For information on permissions, reprints and other services, contact Pagio, Inc.
Paul Giorgio, Publisher Donna Roberson, Editor Justin Perry, Art Director, Photographer Katelyn Putelis, Graphics & New Media Designer Chris Reddy, Erik Carlson, Kerry Cyganiewicz, Account Executives
Kim Dunbar, Sports Editor Alex Kantarelis, Music Editor Tine Roycroft, Lifestyle Editor Frank Poulin, Senior Concert/Event Photographer Tine Roycroft, Kimberly Dunbar, Alex
Kantarelis, Jennifer Russo, Jason Savio, Katey Khaos, Bernie Whitmore, Mike Walsh, Steph Moore, Cristal Steuer, P. Giorgio, Rachel Shuster, Dorit Slotow, Ben McNeil, Alyssa LaManna, Writers
Jan. 2013 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 5
COVER STORY
The new year is always full of possibility ~ and we think these 13 are, too. Get to know the people who will be doing great things in 2013! Photo by Justin Mayotte of Flash House Studios (left to right, back to front): Patrick Carroll, Jon Dooley, Brad McNamara, J. Parker Eldridge, Kathleen Wanat, Alex Madrigal, Amanda Casale, Rahm Klampert, Nicholas Carbone and Che Anderson. 13 to Watch ~ not pictured: Eric Dittleman, Sam James, Jeff Gracia and Victoria Hall
Che Anderson
Brad McNamara and Jon Friedman
By Tine Roycroft
By Tine Roycroft
Che Anderson, assistant director of student activities at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, keeps his schedule packed. When he’s not organizing fun opportunities for the students, he oversees the student government association and the many organizations that fall beneath that umbrella.
Brad McNamara (left) and Jon Friedman (right), co-founders of Freight Farms, are on a mission to make fresh, local produce available to everyone.
Works with underprivileged children
And even after one of his typically long days, you can find Anderson, 23, coaching basketball at the Nativity School of Worcester. “Through team sports, you can learn social skills and build bonds that can last a really long time,” Anderson says. “I think it’s a great way to get everyone together and playing a game, but there’s so much else going on.” Basketball has played a huge role in Anderson’s life. His mother, who is his inspiration, raised him alone. Exhausted after long days at work, she would summon the energy to take him to the park at night so he could shoot some hoops. It meant the world to him, and now, he passes that magic to others. A true thrill-seeker, this former New Yorker intends to take a huge leap in 2013 ~ right out of a plane. “I want to go sky diving. I’m dying to go,” Anderson says. “Hopefully I won’t actually die!”
Co-founders of Freight Farms
“The goal is grow food anywhere,” McNamara, 33, says. “We use hydroponics to replace water in traditional agriculture, and using our design allows people to grow food at commercial levels in any environment.” Their modular, stackable units are made from upcycled shipping containers and contain the latest harvest technology. “We want to take the business national and international,” says McNamara, who lives in Worcester “We want to help people in environments that are dealing with climate, disaster or contamination issues.” Both McNamara and Friedman have incredibly supportive families and girlfriends who are always willing to help with the business. But because these two ambitious entrepreneurs are constantly working on their products, marketing and customer service, it’s easy to take the important things for granted from time to time. According to McNamara, their New Year’s resolution is get back to basics. “We’re always focused on clients and technology,” he said. “This year, we’re really going to make an effort to remember food awareness and that it’s all about the food.”
Jan. 2013 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 7
Alex Madrigal
Nicholas Carbone
Volunteer
Fitchburg city councilor
By Tine Roycroft
Tine Roycroft
Tennis has always played a huge role in Alex Madrigal’s life. His natural talent became apparent when he picked up a racket at 10, and eventually, he competed professionally in Costa Rica.
Known to many as “Mr. Fitchburg,” City Councilor Nicholas Carbone, 25, is a personable newcomer to politics. He’ll give you the shirt off his back, then find others who are happy to do the same. He graduated from Fitchburg State University before earning his J.D. at the Massachusetts School of Law.
Madrigal, 30, remembers the positive influence the game had on his life, which is why during his undergrad years at Assumption College, he gave free tennis lessons to underprivileged children.
But even with the bar exam looming on his horizon in February, Carbone still finds time to give back to a community he loves. “I always wanted to work for Fitchburg,” Carbone says. “The incumbent in the seat ran for mayor, leaving the seat open. I figured now or never!” One of Carbone’s goals is to encourage others to embrace diversity of all kinds, from cultural differences to differences in ability. The mission is a personal one; Carbone has Friedreich’s Ataxia, which he describes as a neuromuscular disability. It’s the biggest obstacle he’s faced, he says, but he overcomes it each day with the solid support of his parents and siblings. “Ideally, I want to be in Washington, D.C., teaching people on a larger scale about celebrating differences and advocating for other people with disabilities,” Carbone says. Carbone has an incredible past behind him and a bright future, but he admits it can be lonely at the top. This year, he’ll be focusing more attention on his personal life. “My resolution is to find a girlfriend,” Carbone says with a chuckle.
“Tennis is something that will improve their health,” Madrigal says. “Sports in general have so many benefits. Kids learn to play with other people and it’s a great way of de-stressing.” This go-getter keeps busy with his job at Oracle and his volunteer work at St. John’s Church, where he has helped start a youth group. He also hopes to return to the Worcester nightlife scene in the near future and get back into event management. This tennis star gives so much of himself to others that he can forget about his own needs from time to time. But 2013 is the year that he intends to turn that trend around. “I played tennis professionally, but I haven’t seen the inside of a gym in over two years,” he laughs. “I want to get back into a healthy exercise regime!”
Ladies, start lining up!
Jeff Gracia Creator of Zpocalypse By Alex Kantarelis In the world of social media, everyone’s nose is down to their iPhones and “being social” means keeping headphones on and reading about everyone else’s life on Facebook and Twitter. Indeed, it seems that society has become content with texting instead of talking. Local software engineer Jeff Gracia decided to design something that could keep his friends interacting the way they used to ~ face to face. So, Gracia, a self proclaimed game fanatic, set about finding a more wholesome way to help people interact; he created a board game about flesh-eating zombies taking over a post-apocalyptic world.
8 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Jan. 2013
“There truly is a board game renaissance going on, and it’s becoming a big thing,” Gracia said. Zpocalypse is all about survival, and the winner gets the most points by gathering supplies, killing zombies and building defenses. Gracia, motivated simply by making a game that he wanted to play, assembled a team around him to make this project happen. A year-and-a-half later, Zpocalypse has sold more than 200,000 copies and has become so popular that the team has had to design a second expansion. With the new board game renaissance, perhaps people will ditch the social media for a while and instead spend some good quality time with their friends, as Gracia hopes. “When I sit down with friends to play a board game, they see the quality of the interaction that can go with it,” he said.
J. Parker Eldridge & Amanda Casale Co-founders of Flyleaf Theater By Tine Roycroft Three years ago, J. Parker Eldridge and Amanda Casale made their dream of starting a theater company come true with the creation of Flyleaf Theater. They have a successful first season behind them, and they’re just warming up. “There’s so much theater in the area, so finding our niche was one of the hurdles we had to face,” Eldridge, 31, explains. “It took two years of paperwork before even considering a show. And we really wanted to put together a great advisory board with people from all walks of theater.” Flyleaf Theater’s home is the 1870 Town Hall in Berlin, and Eldridge has been stunned by the supportive community and immense amount of theatrical talent. No matter how big their successes, Eldridge and Casale are determined to keep the company small. Upcoming seasons might include more shows, Eldridge says, but Flyleaf will maintain its intimate size and feel.
Eric Dittleman
Mindreader
By Jason Savio Dittleman. If you’re not already familiar with this name, you soon will be. At 27, Westborough native Eric Dittleman is quickly making a name for himself with his unique mind-reading and stand-up routine. Currently riding a wave of popularity, thanks to his successful stint on the television show America’s Got Talent, Dittleman has captured the imagination of a national audience with his mystifying and entertaining ability to read people’s minds. Dubbed an “exceptional talent” by the king of media himself, Howard Stern, Dittleman was a fan favorite on the show, leaving people to wonder: “How’d he do that?” Ditttleman always had an affinity for performing, starting when he was young and taking advantage of open-mic nights. He performed in several improv troupes in high school and college. “Ever since I was little, I was fascinated by magic,” says Dittleman. “It was a natural progression to combine improv and stand-up into my mindreading show because it’s part of who I am.” Now Dittleman is in demand, traveling the country and performing at colleges; plus, he’s slated to join the America’s Got Talent live tour. But still, everyone wants to know, how does he do it?
The theater has a great second season planned with shows like Falsettos and Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. But there’s another big event coming up for the theatrical power couple ~ they’re getting married!
Sam James Musician
By Jason Savio The music biz can be extremely hard to break into, but at 26, goaloriented singer/songwriter from Sam James, of Worcester, is well on his way. Always a music lover at heart, James’s father first introduced him to artists such as Bob Dylan and Neil Young when he was still a child. As he got older, James began playing at local coffeehouses.
“I’ve never claimed to have supernatural or psychic abilities,” explains Dittleman. “What I do is purely for entertainment value and to provide a sense of wonder and mystery that is often lost as we grow older.”
“The stories those records told always impressed me,” says James. “It’s nice to be able to take what I learned from those old records and put a more modern pop twist on the term ‘singer/songwriter.’” James’s approach could be heard when he performed on the NBC television show The Voice. Although he didn’t take home top honors ~ a recording contract ~ James didn’t leave empty-handed. “The Voice really taught me a lot about myself as an artist and a person,” James explains. “I know now that I can handle a great deal of stress and perform under pressure.” With what he learned on The Voice, James is continuing to work hard on his career, including a new album which will be available Valentine’s Day 2013 and an upcoming tour. “A lot of times artists disappear after they do these reality music shows,” says James. “The key for me is to stay relevant and keep working.”
Jan. 2013 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 9
Victoria Hall
Kathleen Wanat
By Tine Roycroft
By Kimberly Dunbar
Project manager for economic and cultural development for Worcester
Victoria Hall, 28, is the project manager for economic and cultural development for Worcester ~ a position that requires this multi-talented maven to multitask. “Seventy percent of my time is spent working on special events and cultural development initiatives,” Hall says. “And 30 percent is focused on community development initiatives.” Hall completed her undergraduate work at Fitchburg State University and her graduate work at Boston University, where she earned her master’s in arts administration. She interned at the Worcester Cultural Development Office and helped coordinate the Out to Lunch concert series. After spending a year in San Francisco with AmeriCorps, Hall returned to Worcester to find her current position. “Arts and culture creates a vibrant, well-rounded community. Yes, we need food, we need shelter and education,” she says. “But I think arts and culture add great value to a city. “ Hall spends her downtime seeing great musicals at the Hanover Theatre or listening to live music and enjoying a well-deserved brew. But 2013 might be the year that Hall kisses the beer calories goodbye. “I’m really going to focus on my diet this year and be fit,” she says. “Of course, I say this every year, and it lasts four months. But maybe this is the year it will work!”
Patrick Carroll
Chef at Gumbo By Jenn Russo
Patrick Carroll, 35, strives to bring the south to your city plate. Offering temptations such as jambalaya, apricotglazed chicken, fried catfish and shrimp and grits, Gumbo is the go-to spot for an authentic taste of the New Orleans bayou. The restaurant has had a fantastic response since it opened in early May. “I have been most surprised by how many people in this area have ties down in that part of the country, whether it be that they went to school there, lived there or maybe were displaced and came up north after Katrina,” Carroll says. Carroll, who began his culinary journey as many a chef does, in the dish room, was fortunate to work under two classically- trained chefs who took him under their wings. He fell in love with cooking and has climbed his way up the food pyramid, learning at Johnson & Wales on the way and opening his first restaurant at 18. He also took part in the Worcester’s Best Chef competition in 2012 at Mechanics Hall. 10 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Jan. 2013
Ironwoman
Kathleen Wanat just might be Superwoman. Not only does the mom of three have a job, she is part owner of Precision Endurance Coaching (www. precisionendurancecoaching. com) and manages to find time to train for Ironman triathlons. “Six years ago, a girlfriend asked me to try a sprint triathlon with her,” says the 38-year-old Worcester resident. “I fell in love with it.” Wanat continued racing and has since completed more than 100 races of various distances, even winning her age group a few times. In order to take her hobby to the next level, Wanat relied on customized training plans that capitalized on her strengths. Two years ago, she and her coach, Mike Roberts, started their own business. “I feel so lucky to be able to work in a field I love,” says Wanat, who is a USA Triathlon Level I certified coach. “I think people can do more than they think they can. I like to make them see that.” Wanat, who often trains at 4 a.m. so it doesn’t interfere with family time, likes serving as a positive role model for her children. “It’s important for kids to see their parents being active, especially in this day and age,” she says.
“What is great about this business is that an aspiring chef can try it out to be sure it’s what they want. Any chef will let you try to make a burger for them, but you can’t try to set a bone for a doctor,” says Carroll. Carroll’s philosophy about cooking is simple. First, when you have good ingredients, don’t ruin them. Every food has its own unique thing, which makes it wonderful. Accent that flavor, pair it with complementary tastes, and let it be the star. Second, do something different. “I like to do things in cooking that people may not be able to execute on their own. Taking something ordinary and making it out of the ordinary. I love cooking with seafood most, because there are so many different types, flavors and techniques to use. People get it and sometimes aren’t sure what to do with it. I like to make something extraordinary out of it for people to enjoy.” In 2013, Carroll wants to stay focused on the important things and continue to work towards bring the Canal District to life.
Jon Dooley Founder of Greendale Physical Therapy By Jason Savio
Rahm Klampert
Founder of Revolution Functional Fitness Training
If you are in need of physical therapy, Jon Dooley’s Greendale Physical Therapy is the place to go. With locations in Worcester, Shrewsbury, and downtown Clinton, Greendale is just around the corner.
By Kimberly Dunbar
Dooley, 36, is the founder and director of operations for Greendale and is also a physical therapist himself, having received his bachelor’s in health studies and his master’s in physical therapy from Boston University.
Rahm Klampert knows fitness. The 32-year-old Webster resident was a professional snowboarder for 12 years, winning the World Championship Big Air title, the U.S. Open twice, and was a Top 10 competitor in the X Games for more than five years.
Dooley got his start practicing in outpatient orthopedic and sports rehabilitation clinics on the South Shore before starting his own practice with Greendale.
“After years of competing and having lots of injuries, I had one that finally took me out for good,” he said of a shattered ankle. At 27, Klampert decided to move on. “Spending years cross-training in a functional style, I knew that I had a love for fitness and would truly enjoy helping others reach their goals.”
Going strong in its 10th year, Greendale is a testament to Dooley’s dedication to his patients and determination to supply “Olympic athletelevel treatment” after having served as physical therapist for members of the U.S. Olympic gymnastics team in the 2004 Rock and Roll Gymnastics Championships. Greendale isn’t only a good place to be treated, it is a good place to work.
After moving back to New England (Klampert is from Vermont, his wife is from Brimfield), he decided to open Revolution Functional Fitness Training (www.revolutionauburn.com) in Auburn, a facility that will provide members with workouts and nutritional guidance to make a difference in their lives.
“We have instituted Greendale Physical Therapy U., which is a series of clinical courses and certifications that gives our therapists a framework to advance their career,” explains Dooley, “something not offered anywhere else.”
”We use a variety of training methods, including strength, core and overall conditioning to speed along the fitness curve,” he says.
With an educated and motivated staff, patients know they are in good hands at Greendale.
But he’ll never forget his roots: Klampert plans on hitting the slopes this winter ~ and he’s bringing a buddy. “My son is turning 3 … I plan on getting him out on a snowboard this winter,” he says.
“(We) subscribe to the belief that physical therapy is an individual service, not a commodity,” says Dooley.
Jan. 2013 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 11
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independence and dignity Through work
Smashin’-Fashion! Shop Goodwill for that one-of-a-kind look! When you shop at The Goodwill SToreS you support Goodwill’s job training, career services, and youth programs. The Goodwill Store 25 Park Avenue • Worcester, MA Tel: (508) 752-4042 Store hours: Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. donation door hours: Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
www.goodwillmass.org
ENTERTAINMENT
Mike Birbiglia:
Local comic and social media savant brings show to Worcester By Mike Walsh
If you are experiencing severe impatience in waiting for Mike Birbiglia’s Feb. 8 show at Worcester’s Hanover Theatre, rest assured, you can get plenty of the Shrewsbury-born comic online. In person, Mike Birbiglia isn’t a very imposing guy. However, on stage his presence is undeniable, and on the Internet, it is downright powerful. With more than 200,000 Twitter followers, @Birbigs is a major force in social media. While you can get 140-character-or-less snippets of his humor online, his stand-up routine is definitely worth the winter trek to Southbridge Street. The show Birbiglia is bringing to the Hanover Theatre, My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend, won the 2011 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Solo Show. In it, Birbiglia introduces us to his romantic side. Unfortunately for the performer, that romantic side is riddled with sexual stumbles and hysterical mishaps. A large chunk of these true stories are set in nearby Shrewsbury, where Birbiglia grew up. He attended St. John’s High School before finishing at St. Mark’s School in Southborough. A lot of his act is kept to the area you know best, even down to playing Little League ball for Economy Paint Supply, a Benjamin Moore store on Route 9 in Shrewsbury. Birbiglia waxes ~ hardly poetically ~ about his time spent at Old Mill Pond and meeting his first girlfriend at St. Mark’s. With many callbacks to his days as a young man in central Massachusetts, struggling to figure out the females in his life, Birbiglia has endeared himself to the masses. 14 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Jan. 2013
Birbiglia has used social media to advance his career incredibly well. From his Twitter account to “thank you” video chats with fans who have bought his Sleepwalk With Me book, he can be found almost anywhere on the Web. In January, 2011, the well-known sleepwalker was sought out by Downy and Macy’s to live in a Macy’s store window for one week. The stunt was part of the campaign advertising Ultra Downy Fresh and Downy’s Clean Sheet Week. For one full week, pedestrians could interact with Birbiglia while he lived in plain sight by using social media or just hollering through the glass window. In January, 2012, Birbiglia’s independent film Sleepwalk With Me debuted. The film was based on Birbiglia’s 2008 off-Broadway comedy show of the same name. He wrote, directed and starred in the film, which won the Best of NEXT Audience Award at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. In late September, Sleepwalk With Me made it’s central Massachusetts debut at the Strand Theatre in Clinton. While the film does not directly relate to the show coming to the Hanover Theatre, it gives us a look at how Birbiglia, cleverly disguised as the character Matt Pandamiglio, interacts with members of the opposite sex. On Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m., Mike Birbiglia once again returns to the area of his youth. Or, as @Birbigs puts it: “February 8th I’m performing in Worcester ~ just miles from where I was attacked by my childhood bullies.” For more information, visit birbigs.com.
One on one with Mike Birbiglia Since performing your routine, have you been back to any of the places you mention in the central Massachusetts area: Economy Paint Supply, St. Mark’s School, Old Mill Pond? Well, yeah, I did the commencement speech at St. Mark’s this past spring and that was fun. I have not been to Economy Paint Supply, however, I did get a MySpace message from the owner of Economy Paint Supply, who was very glad that they have that recognition. That seems to be the best bang for your buck that a Little League sponsorship has ever gotten. Oh, and last time I was in town, I was on a show, Chronicle, and they took me back to St Mary’s School, my grade school. And I participated in gym class and I did that multicolored parachute game. What was your favorite spot to hangout in the Worcester area? My favorite restaurant growing up was Dino’s Restaurant. It’s where I went for my First Communion. I had a Junior Cheese Pizza and a First Communion Cake. And I remember going to the Worcester Centrum and seeing the Red Hot Chili Peppers and this band opened for them called the Rentals. Yeah, many great memories from Worcester and Shrewsbury. Have you ever been to the Hanover Theatre or performed there before? No, I’ve never been there, but I’ve heard it’s gorgeous, and I’m really looking forward to it! In a recent Huffington Post story, you said that a Doug Stanhope set was one of the best things you had ever seen. Doug is another local guy from Worcester. Did you know of him when you were starting out and when did you first meet him? Did you talk at all about the area, etc.? No; actually, to this day, I’ve never talked to him about the fact that we’re both from Worcester. I just got to know him shortly after (comedian) Mitch Hedberg’s death because he was friends with Mitch and I was friends with Mitch, and I think a lot of people were kind of reaching out to each other that normally wouldn’t reach out to each other during that time. So that’s how I started emailing with him a little bit. But I don’t stay in close touch with him; I just go to his shows sometimes. What is the No. 1 item on your Christmas list this year? I guess I’m just excited to visit my parents. The last year has been such a whirlwind that I haven’t been home much. And Christmas was always the most fun holiday growing up. It might sound corny to say that the only thing I want for Christmas is to spend time with my family, but it’s true. What is your favorite brand of hot chocolate and pizza? Hot chocolate: Just homemade hot chocolate with real chocolate and real milk.
And pizza: My answer is twofold because I’ll always have strong associations with Shrewsbury Pizza, Dean Park Pizza and Village Pizza, all within a 1-mile radius of my home growing up on Westwood Road. But then in New York, there are incredible pizzerias as well ~ Lucali’s is in my neighborhood, Arturo’s in the West Village, and Patsy’s, which was Frank Sinatra’s hangout. I’m trying to follow in Frank’s footsteps.
Jan. 2013 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 15
Before Turning the Gun on Himself ~ funnier than it sounds By Mike Moore
Doug Stanhope has released his ninth comedy CD and fourth DVD, Before Turning the Gun on Himself. Stanhope, who grew up in the West Side neighborhood of Worcester, has been involved in comedy since the early ’90s but got a name for himself after hosting The Man Show with Joe Rogan in 2004. For those who know him, he needs no introduction. For those who don’t, this stand-up is not for the squeamish. His comedy style is dark. His mouth is dirty. And his views on everything from the toll the economic crisis has taken on hookers to the death of his friend and fellow comedian Mitch Hedburg are rude and hilarious. With drink in hand, Stanhope likens AA to a cult in what was one of my favorite bits on the DVD. While some of the topics he covers may seem controversial, listen ~ really listen ~ and you’ll find he actually makes some valid points. One of his funnier bits involves Dr. Drew, best known for his work on Celebrity Rehab. Stanhope wonders about the day in medical school, when the professors decided that Drew Pinske was not going to be a pediatrician or a podiatrist, but a celebrity doctor, the top of the medical mountain. While most of what Stanhope talks about is a dark view on the social landscape of our world, he is spot on in his observations. After listening to this, I was ready to vote Stanhope for president. He isn’t afraid to say pulse magazine what people are thinking. While some comics choose safer topics for commercial success, Stanhope gets on stage with a view of our world that nobody in pop culture dares to speak of, and the outcome is an hour of laughs.
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16 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Jan. 2013
184 W. Boylston Street West Boylston, MA
Group plans new theater for Worcester Looks like Worcester may be getting a professional theater company back in the city. Determined to continue the revitalization of the city, a group of civic, cultural, business, educational, foundation and community leaders have met over the past few years to discuss how to bring live, professional theater back to the city.
Joe’s Albums:
Who says you can’t look good in vinyl? By Katey Khaos “A few years ago, I pulled out all my old records, hooked up my turntable and instantly fell in love with vinyl again. It had probably been 15 years or more since I last listened to them,” said Joe Demers, founder and owner of Joe’s Albums. “I started to look for places to purchase good, listening copies of records at a reasonable price and couldn’t find much out there, locally or online. At that time, I built my website and started selling online. It has grown into the brick-and-mortar store, recently opened.” Joe’s Albums is your one-stop shop for vinyl records. “Vinyl is our business, and therefore our only focus,” Demers explained. What’s great about Joe’s Albums is its unique customer interaction ~ offering up things many record stores don’t. Customers can listen to vinyls before purchasing them, and the store accepts custom orders for any piece still available in distribution. Joe’s will also enter customers into a database with a list of what they’re looking for, and they’ll be notified if and when the item becomes available. In addition to a huge collection of vinyl records, Joe’s offers music-related T-shirts, books, posters, magazines, record players and mugs, making Joe’s Albums a music haven. “We aren’t looking to offer any additional products any time soon. High-quality new and used vinyl is what we are known for and don’t want to water that down with other things,” Demers said. You can check out what Joe’s has in stock by visiting the store at 1124 Pleasant St., Worcester. Currently only open on weekends, Demers is considering the idea additional hours. Or, if you’d rather skim through some vinyl on the Web, you can view Joe’s entire inventory at joesalbums.com.
Since building a resident professional theater from scratch would be a long and financially risky venture, the group plans to use Troy Siebels collaboration and civic cooperation to reinvent and transform an existing professional theater company into one that serves two home cities ~ Worcester and Lowell. This initiative, MRT Worcester, is a producing partnership that includes the MRT Worcester Committee (an organization of community volunteers), Troy Siebels (executive director of the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts), Merrimack Repertory Theatre (also known as MRT) and the community leaders. When the initiative is complete, MRT will come to stand for Massachusetts Repertory Theatre, celebrating its loyalty and connection to two metropolitan areas. With a cultural presence and performance venue in each city, it will serve a region of 1.3 million from its two urban hubs, guided by a single staff and a governing board comprised of representatives from throughout the region. Siebels said, “A city the size of Worcester needs a resident theater company. We’re proud of what we do at The Hanover, but it should be just one piece of a broad and diverse theatrical scene. I believe that the partnership idea is a brilliant solution for providing excellent regional theatre to smaller cities, and that MRT is the best possible partner for success.” An effort is already under way involving public and private urban developers to identify potential sites in downtown Worcester for the construction of a 300-seat multi-use theater, of which MRT would be the anchor tenant. Area colleges and other nonprofits would have access to the facility as well. Simultaneously, the MRT Worcester Committee is actively seeking inaugural donors to contribute the funds necessary to build the Worcester audience and donor base for this new professional theater company. It plans to do this by sponsoring a number of productions to be presented in a temporary theater structure specially built for each production on the stage of the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts. This “theater within a theater” will allow patrons to experience firsthand the intimacy and theatrical charge that occurs between an audience and professional New York actors, which has been one of the hallmarks of MRT’s success. The first planned production is John Logan’s RED, winner of the 2012 Tony Award for Best Play, to be presented March 14-17. A three-play “sampler season” will be presented in the same temporary on-stage theater at the Hanover while the permanent facility is under construction.
joesalbums.com Jan. 2013 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 17
ON CD Saul Conrad’s Poison Packets: On being human By Benjamin McNeil A track-by-track knitting of folk Americana and country, a vibrant marriage of lyrical prowess and soothing melodies; Saul Conrad’s Poison Packets encourages a fresh appreciation of down-to-earth music. Poison Packets, the 24-year-old Bostonian’s first album, was co-released by Cavity Search Records and Mountain of Leopards Records, two labels that aren’t oblivious to the singer-songwriter’s intense passion for music as art. “Saul has a very natural ability to connect to his audience emotionally. His lyrics are relatable while still being inventive,” said Rachel Lament, Conrad’s publicist. Conrad, throughout the album, centralizes the heart ~ love and love lost, lust, yearning. He employs rich imagery and naked honesty. “Bonfire Blues,” the first of Poison Packet’s 10 tracks, opens: “Me and my baby
Sister Sin’s Now and Forever: Bring on the Apocalypse By Benjamin McNeil Since 2002, Sister Sin has asserted itself as the modern-day master of “old-school” metal; Now and Forever, the female-fronted band’s fourth album, continues its reign of head-banging dominance. Sister Sin, founded in Gothenburg, Sweden, features Jimmy Hiltula on guitar, Dave Sunderberg on drums, Strandh as bassist, and Liv Jagrell, the vocalist of whom Sunderberg remarked, “It turned out she could sing better and had more balls than any of the other guys who tried out for the gig.” Sister Sin, signed by the independent label Victory Records, released Now and Forever worldwide Oct. 23 and, barring an apocalypse, will tour throughout North America from January to March. But these Swedes are no strangers to bright lights; they’ve played with Motorhead, OTEP and Alice Cooper, among others.
18 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Jan. 2013
/ We had a bonfire / We were just lying down / Belching smoke and blowing fire / Her legs are closed to me / Guarding something I admire.” Conrad draws comparisons to Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan; his acoustic guitar soulful, his lyrics crafted with precision, dancing from track to track, telling the truths that bond all listeners. But Conrad never forces his songs’ meanings, saying, “I hope I made something that is in a sense halfway finished ... an order, a system of structured but empty capsules that the listener can creatively fill in and interpret and make whole with the stuff of their lives and feelings….” Surely, a multitude of meanings can be derived from tracks like “Whiskey Eggs” and “The Engines,” each track open to philosophical dissection, as Conrad intended. “I was hoping to write a psychologically personal and honest, open account of situations in my life and feelings ~ some beautiful and really wonderful, some more along the lines of things that have been haunting me and plaguing me for much of my life,” Conrad explains. Poison Packets truly captures the essence of life, of emotion, of being human.
Now and Forever reasserts Sister Sin’s jagged edge, the marriage between hard and heavy guitar riffs and Jagrell’s no-nonsense deliverance of lyrics, along with an onslaught of head-banging drums. “MMXII,” track one, is a 1-minute instrumental, pregnant with suspense, which builds to the intense battle waged throughout the album. “End of the Line” encapsulates the raw emotion fostered by this immensely talented group, as Jagrell yells: “I am the plague incoming / End of the line, I see the world uncoming / Vanished in the blink of an eye….” This track belongs in Terminator, or another action film. Society might crumble, starring death, danger and destruction, but Jagrel welcomes it. Sister Sin’s Now and Forever beckons all challengers; you can’t resist this well-oiled, heavy metal machine.
Ghost Ocean
The Issues
By Alex Kantarelis
By Jennifer Russo
Worcester’s indie/posthardcore, five-piece Ghost Ocean is poised to make 2013 its year. The band recently released its second album, The Places We Know, and ended 2012 in style, with a record release show at Ralph’s Diner.
When it comes to seeking out live entertainment to enjoy while you’re out with friends, you really just can’t go wrong with a good cover band. You know the songs already, and after a few beers, you’re not shy about singing along. After a few more, you may even try to share the microphone to do your very own drunken rendition of I Will Survive. The Issues play live all around the area, including Jillian’s in Worcester, Olde Post Office Pub in North Grafton and JJ’s Sports Bar in Northborough.
The band got its start a few years ago, releasing a demo at the end of 2009, which was recorded in a basement. The next year saw the band playing all over Worcester and Massachusetts before eventually releasing their its first record, Transparent Lines, in 2011. The demo has a very ’90s emo sound. Think Texas is the Reason meets Braid, mixed with Sunny Day Real Estate ~ three bands that everyone should draw influences from. That sound was exemplified with the release of Transparent Lines, and the band’s members found themselves playing shows with Jonah Matranga (from Far, Onelinedrawing and New End Original) and hardcore legend Walter Schreifels (from Rival Schools, Quicksand and Gorilla Biscuits). “Both are huge musical influences for some of us, so that was rad,” said guitarist Matt Killoran. As 2012 rolled in, the band made its way into one of the best local studios in the area, The Echoroom, with engineer Ian Van Opijnen to lay down the tracks for its follow-up, The Places We Know. Van Opijnen’s polished recording gives the band new depth and officially drops it into the “‘next level”’ category of musicians. Jake Pagoaga’s vocals are more mature and fit perfectly on top of the guitar harmonies brought out by Killoran and guitarist Tom Lavergne. “We’re all happy with how it came out. The songs are similar to Transparent Lines, but more refined. We don’t want to make the same record twice, so we like to switch things up,” Killoran said. The band shows no signs of slowing down and is hoping to release more music in 2013. To get a copy of The Places We Know, check Ghost Ocean out at a show or head over to its Bandcamp page, where you can hear previous releases, as well. For fans of The Get Up Kids, Texas is the Reason, The Stryder and Four Year Strong. ghostocean.bandcamp.com
The short version of the fairytale begins with old college buds, Peter and Craig, having some jam sessions, discovering the lovely femme fatale, Roberta (nominated for best female singer in the 2011 Worcester Music Awards) in a karaoke bar, adding in an old childhood pal, Jason, to pound on the drums (also the bassist in Rhode Island band Blueshift Signal, releasing a CD in early 2013) and snagging lead guitarist, Tom (who also happens to be a chiropractor). Craig moved away, and Chris (an avid Batman fan who welcomes gifts) took over, adding keyboards to the mix. After blowing off some steam at practices, there was an “a-ha” moment … hey, the band is good, so why not share some tunes with the masses of people also trying to blow off some weekday steam. A-la-peanut butter sandwiches and… POOF ~ cover band! The Issues love their fans and were also nominated for a Worcester Music Awards for Best Groupies and are conscientious about keeping their fan base eager to see them by typically only playing one show a month in the Worcester area. “Being comfortable with each other is a big part of why we put on a good show,” says Roberta, who also hosts a local talk show on Charter TV3, referred to as “WooTube” by Worcester residents. “We have great chemistry between us, and it’s apparent when you see us live. We offer both female and male vocals and are often complimented on our varied set lists.” In 2013, the band hopes to expand their fan base by branching out. Chris said, “I want to push us past our comfort zone. We all have talents outside of music, and we can use them to bring something new to the table that maybe hasn’t been done before. With hard work and imagination, I think we can do it.” The Issues will be at The Olde Post Office Pub in North Grafton on Jan. 4 and at the Krazy Horse in Worcester on Feb. 9. Check out The Issues’ official website at theissuesband.com Jan. 2013 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 19
PULSEBooks
Revelation:
Lucifer’s Legionnaire by Nathaniel Connors By Shelly Aucoin
The first book in Nathaniel Connors’ Revelations trilogy, Revelation: Creatures Rule the Night (March, 2012) focused on Jonathan Armand as he tried to break the curse on his bloodline. Armand was the last and the strongest of a long line of warriors. The story was originally a poem that morphed into a short story for Connors’ high school English class. Lucifer’s Legionnaire is the second book in the trilogy and follows Armand’s children as they fight to survive. The story is written in third person omnipotent point of view, which is somewhat of a rarity these days and offers a unique treat. It is difficult to describe this book because it is truly unique and incorporates so many science fiction elements. Fans of the genre will perceive the influence of authors like Orson Scott Card, Ray Bradbury and Stanislaw Lem. This future world feels apocalyptic, there are mentions of wars on Mars, and the characters drive hover cars. While this sounds outlandish, Connors makes it work. “It’s funny because the science fiction in Creatures Rule the Night is very predominant. Lucifer’s Legionnaire is more occult horror in a futuristic setting. I did this in order to expand on the mythology and the background of the Armand family through historical accounts of Roman occupancy in ancient Britannia,” Connors said. As the Armand family fights to escape the void, the never-ending battle between good and evil looks hopeless. How can they possibly win? When asked where Connors draws inspiration for his characters, he said, “Whether intended to or through our subconscious, characters are reflections of life experiences. They are our every emotion. Without them, there is no story to tell and the genre simply becomes nothing more than a category.” Lucifer’s Legionnaire is available in paperback through Amazon. com and as an e-book from GoodReads.com. Nathaniel plans to release six short stories to accompany the series over the next few months prior to publishing the final book of the trilogy in 2013. The first of these stories, The Seer, is now available for free download through a link on his website at www. nathanielconnors.com. Connors is a resident of Fitchburg. He won several writing contests in high school and published several poems but didn’t begin his professional writing career until college. A husband and father of five, Connors studied history and politics at Roger Williams University with a core concentration in writing. 20 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Jan. 2013
You can follow him on Twitter @NCRevelation and stalk him on Facebook at facebook.com/RevelationCRN. Connors has held several book signings in Massachusetts, so be sure to check his website for upcoming dates.
Jan. 2013 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 21
Club & Pub Listings Entertainment at clubs, bars, pubs, & other select venues ATTENTION CLUB OWNERS!!
All listings MUST be entered into Social Web (socialweb.net) NO LATER than JAN. 15th to be included in our Feb. print issue. 3-G’s Sports Bar 152 Millbury St., Worc. 508-754-3516 American Graffiti 113 Summer St., Lunenburg 978-345-1010 Banner Pub, The 112 Green St., Worc. 508-755-0879 Tuesdays through Jan. 29: Terry Brennan Wednesdays through Jan. 30: Sam James Thursdays through Jan 31: Ricky Duran Barber’s Crossing Road House 861 Main St., Leicester 508-892-7575 Barbers Crossing (North) 175 Leominster Road, Sterling 978-422-8438 www.barberscrossing.com Thursdays: Karaoke Beatnik’s 433 Park Ave., Worc. 508-926-8877 www.beatniksbeyou.com Jan. 4: 5 On Friday Jan. 5: Green Tea, Keri & Craig Jan 8: Indie Art Market Jan. 10: Ukulele January Edition Jan. 11: The Phreaks Jan. 12: Outer Stylie Jan. 17: The Not So Late Show with Shaun Connolly and The Over Qualified Band Jan. 18: The Delta Generators Jan. 19: Bob Kendall Band Jan. 25: Rising Tribe, The Freedom Project Jan. 26: The Great Whiskey Rebellion, The Wolf Hongos Jan. 31: Zack Slik Feb. 1: Orange Television Feb. 2: Rocky & The Pressers, Satellite Rockers Beemer’s Pub 114 River St., Fitchburg 978-343-3148 Black Sheep Tavern 261 Leominster Road, Sterling 978-422-8484 Fridays and Saturdays, Jan. 4-26: Live bands Sundays, Jan. 6-27: Bah Jam with Ton of Blues Tuesdays, Jan 8-29: Team Trivia Thursdays, Jan 10-31: Acoustic Thursdays. Jan 31: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell. Blackstone Tap 81 Water St., Worc. 508-797-4827 www.blackstonetap.com BLU Ultralounge & Nightclub 105 Water St., Worc. 508-756-2227 www.blu-nightclub.com Blue Plate Lounge 661 Main St., Holden 508-829-4566 hometown.aol.com/blueplatelounge Thursdays: Open mic with Ed Sheridan Jan. 4: Cosmic Slim & His Intergalactic Plowboys Jan. 12: The Deborah McDonnell Band Feb. 1: Moonshine Boiler Room 70 Winter St., Worc.
Bolton Roadhouse Bar & Grille 544 Wattaquodock Road, Bolton 978-365-5757, 978-365-3036
PULSE Pick
Boulder Cafe 880 Main St., Fitchburg 978-345-0008
Jan. 19 at Ralph’s Chadwick Square Diner on Grove Street.
Breakaway Billiards 104 Sterling St., Clinton 978-365-6105 www.myspace.com/breakawaybilliardsclinton Brew City 104 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-752-3862 www.brew-city.com Bull Run Restaurant 215 Great Road, Shirley 978-425-4311, 877-536-7190 www.bullrunrestaurant.com Jan. 6: Johnny Winter Jan. 10: NRBQ Jan. 11: GrooveLily with Valerie Vigoda Jan. 1:2 Nick Moss & the Flip Tops Jan. 13: Cherry Poppin’ Daddies Jan. 19: Paula Cole Jan. 25: Chris Smither ~ Hundred Dollar Valentine Cafe Destare 320 Main St., Fitchburg 978-345-5734 www.destare.com Thursdays: Teacher Thursdays Cantina Bar & Grill 385 Main St., Worc. 508-459-5325 www.cantinaworcester.com Thursdays: Havana Night, live Latin jazz and salsa with Joselito y su Combo Celtic Tavern 45 Belmont St., Northborough 508-366-6277 celtictav.com Center Bar & Grill 102 Green St., Worc. 508-438-0597 www.thecenterbar.com Centerfolds 2000 139 Southbridge St., North Oxford 508-987-5222 www.centerfolds2000.com Chooch’s Food & Spirits 31 East Brookfield Road, North Brookfield 508-867-2494 www.sitewizzer.com/choochs Fridays: Karaoke Chopstick’s Restaurant & Lounge Commercial Road, Leominster Jan. 25: Windfall Classic Rock Cover Band Jan. 26: Windfall Classic Rock Cover Band Christopher’s Pub 7 Pleasant St., Leominster 978-534-8250 Cicero’s Cafe 17 Suffolk St., Worc. - 508-767-9728 Cigar Masters 1 Exchange Place, Worc. 508-459-9035 Jan 18: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Classic’s Pub 285 Central St., Leominster 978-537-7750 www.classicspub.net Club Caliente 816 Main St., Worc. 508-826-9305
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Rock the Cure
The proceeds will benefit Pink Revolutions and the lineup of bands promises a great night. Check out A King in Wait, Silent Season, Fathom A.D., Still Well Angel and MayBrick, while doing your part to fight breast cancer!
Club Instyle 41 Pleasant St., Worc. www.theclubinstyle.com Club KasBar 234 Southwest Cutoff, Worc. 508-798-8385 Cornerstone’s Restaurant 616 Central St., Leominster 978-537-1991 www.cornerstonesrestaurant.com Cosmopolitan Club 96 Hamilton St., Worc. 508-752-0482 Creegan’s Pub 65 Green St., Worc. 508-754-3550 www.creeganspub.com Dance Ranch & Saloon 70 James St., Worc. 508-757-6977 www.danceranchandsaloon.com Dar Bah 29 Canal St., Millbury 508-865-8441 Days End Tavern 287 Main St., Oxford 508-987-1006 www.daysendtavern.com Devens Grill 4 Ryans Way, Devens 978-862-0060 www.devensgrill.com Dugan’s 49 Millbury St., Worc. 508-755-4155 Dunnys Tavern 291 East Main St., East Brookfield Fat Tony’s Pub 1102 Main St., Worc. 508-798-8908 Fiddlers’ Green Pub & Restaurant 19 Temple St., Worc. 508-792-3700 www.aohworcester.com Thursdays: Pitch League Thursdays: Trivia Night Saturdays: Karaoke with Greg Jan. 11: Live music in the pub ~ Tom Lanigan Band Jan. 25: Live music in the pub ~ Blackstone Cuil Firefly’s / Dante’s 350 E. Main St., Marlborough 508-357-8883 www.fireflysbbq.com Flip Flops 680 Main St., Holden
Flying Rhino Cafe 278 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-757-1450 www.flyingrhinocafe.com Funky Murphy’s Bar & Grill 305 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-753-2995 Fusion 109 Water St., Worc. 508-756-2100 www.fusionworcester.com Galway Bay Irish Pub 186 Stafford St., Worc. 508-753-8909 Gardner Ale House 74 Parker St., Gardner 978-669-0122 www.gardnerale.com Thursdays through Jan. 31: Audio Wasabi with host Brian Chaffee Fridays and Saturdays through Jan. 26: Live music Sundays through Jan. 27: Jazz brunch with Chet Williamson Mondays through Jan. 28: Blue Mondays ~ live blues Gilrein’s 802 Main St., Worc. 508-791-2583 www.gilreins.net Greendale’s Pub 404 W. Boylston St., Worc. 508-853-1350 www.myspace.com/greendalespub Tuesdays: Open Mic Night with Bill McCarthy; Local Musicians Showcase Wednesdays: Open jam with Sean Ryan Sundays: Blues jam with Jim Perry; meat raffle Gumbo 65 Water St., Worc. 508-926-8353 www.gumboworcester.com Halligan’s Sports Bar and More 889 Southbridge St., Auburn 508-832-6793 www.halliganssportsbarandmore.com Hotel Vernon - The Ship Room/Kelley Square Yacht Club 1 Millbury St., Worc. Indian Ranch 200 Gore Rd., Webster 508-943-3871 www.indianranch.com Ixtapa Cantina 308 Massachusetts Ave., Lunenburg 978-582-9701 www.ixtapacantina2.com Jak’s Pub 536 Main St., Worc. www.jakspubworcester.com JC Fenwick’s 37 Mechanic St., Leominster 978-840-4845 Jillian’s - Worcester 315 Grove St., Worc. 508-793-0900 www.jilliansworcester.com Jan. 4: DJ Bobby J and karaoke Jan. 12: Doctor Robert JJ’s Sports Bar and Grill 380 Southwest Cutoff, Northborough 508-842-8420 www.jbag.biz
Continued on pg.27
Jan. 2013 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 23
Pulse
Shots
FEel the beat of the City!
Photos by Justin Perry
Bar FX - Grand Opening - Worcester
Cigarmasters - Worcester
Corapi Lounge - Worcester
Park Grill - Grand Opening - Worcester
Gaz Bar - Leominster
Mezcal - Leominster
Ritual - Worcester
Victory Bar - Worcester
Continued from pg. 22 LaScala Restaurant 183 Sshrewsbury St., Worc. 508-753-9912 Legends Airport Road, Fitchburg 978-342-6500 www.facebook.com/centericebar Leitrim’s Pub 265 Park Ave., Worc. 508-798-2447 www.leitrimspub.com Loft 266 Bar & Lounge 266 Park Ave., Worc. 508-796-5177 www.loft266.com Tuesdays: Game Show Live Trivia London Billiards/Club Oasis 70 James St., Worc. 508-799-7655 www.londonbilliards.com Mondays: Karaoke Lucky Dog Music Hall 89 Green St., Worc. 508-363-1888 www.luckydogmusic.com Sundays: The new ‘90s party band, How Bizarre, featuring members of The Flock, Squeezer, The Vig and Neon Alley Jan. 4: Rock-on concerts presents An Evening with Playin’ Dead, New England’s premier Grateful Dead tribute band Jan. 5: The ‘70s band The Afternoon Delight, featuring members of The Flock and more; other guests TBA Jan. 9: Woo Town Wednesdays; free show with OurSelves and more Jan. 10: The awesome ‘80’s party band The Flock Of A-Holes with Shane Palko and friends Jan. 11: Tribute night with Electric Funeral, the Sabbath Band and more Jan. 12: Fear Nuttin Band, Eight Ft Tall Band, Frank White & Bangfield, Klokwize Jan. 17: The awesome ‘80’s party band The Flock Of A-Holes with Laura Tenney and the Terribles Jan. 18: The ultimate Guns-N-Roses tribute band, Appetite For Destruction, with Poison tribute band, Poison’d, and Rare Breed. Jan. 19: The area’s best Soundgarden tribute band, Jesus Christ Pose, with Opening Night and Red Hot Rush Mahoney’s Pub 413 Park Ave., Worc. 508-277-1073 www.facebook.com/mahoneyspub.ma Marty’s Pub 225 Cantebury St., Worc. 508-754-0033 www.martyspub.com MB Lounge 40 Grafton St., Worc. 508-799-4521 www.mblounge.com McNally’s Grille & Pub 88 Sargent Road, Westminster 978-874-1444 Mickey Sheas 324 Electric Ave., Lunenburg 978-342-5825 Mill Street Brews (@ The Artist Development Complex) 18 Mill St., Southbridge 508-764-6900 www.millstreetbrews.com Moonstruck Café 19 Worcester Road, Charlton 508-248-4558 Moynihan’s Pub 897 Main St., Worc. Nick’s Bar and Restaurant 124 Millbury St., Worc. 508-753-4030 www.myspace.com/NicksWorcester Jan. 25: Keri Anderson & The Big Lonesome
Olde Post Office Pub 1 Ray St., North Grafton 508-839-6106 Jan. 3: 2nd Degree Jan. 5: Three of a Kind Jan. 11: DJ Roberta Jan. 17: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Jan. 18: Drama Jan. 19: Crow Hop Blues Band Jan. 24: Joe Macey Jan. 25: DJ Roberta On The Rocks Sports Bar & Grill 96 Lakefront Ave., Lunenburg 978-342-6692 Oxford Tavern 314 Main St., Oxford 508-987-5397 Paisanos Pizza & Spirits 450 Lancaster St., Leominster 978-534-7117 The Palladium 261 Main St., Worc. 508-797-9696 www.thepalladium.net Pampas Churrascaria Restaurant 145 E Central St., Worc. 508-757-1070 www.pampas-restaurant.com Partner’s Pub 970 South St., Fitchburg 978-345-5051 www.partnerspub.com Perfect Game Sports Grill and Lounge 64 Water St., Worc. 508-792-4263 www.perfectgameworcester.com Wednesdays through Jan. 30: Game Show Live Trivia with DJ Curtis Thursdays through Jan. 31: Karaoke Fridays through Jan. 25: DJ One-3 Saturdays through Jan. 26: DJ Reckless Jan. 4: Tom Revane Jan. 5: Dan Kirouac solo/acoustic Jan. 11: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Jan. 12: Jay Graham Jan. 19: Tom Ravane Jan. 25: Brian Kendall & Dave Miller Point Breeze On the Lake 114 Point Breeze Road, Webster 508-943-0404 www.pointbreezeonwebsterlake.com Tuesdays: Open mic Ralph’s Chadwick Square Diner 148 Grove St., Worc. 508-753-9543 www.ralphsrockdiner.com Sundays: Sunday Night Cinemageddon! Movies every Sunday night! Wednesdays: Big Game Karaoke! Every Wednesday downstairs, and Big Game Trivia every other Wednesday before Karaoke. Music, singing, games, contests, prizes and more! Jan. 3: Metal Thursday Jan. 4: Nemes, Dressed for the Occation, Farmers Union Duo and Hard No. 9 Jan. 11: Hot Letter, Burning Heat and Lesser Known Contender Jan. 12: Skull Hammer, Seax, Lore, The Fateful Hour and Triforium Dawn Jan. 18: Dysfunctional Advocate, Mucklers Circle, Polluted Remains and Backroom Blackout Jan. 19: Rock the Cure ~ proceeds to benefit Pink Revolution! Bands: A King in Wait, Silent Season, Fathom A.D., Still Well Angel and MayBrick! Jan. 24: Phantasm Jan. 25: Birch Hill Dam, Gozu, Lord Fowl, Orange Diesel and Second Grave Jan. 26: Kung Fu Grip, Opening Night and Day One! Jan. 31: Metal Thursday Feb. 1: Hey Now Morris Fader! Feb. 2: Fuggit! Red Onion ~ Otter River Hotel 29 Main St., Baldwinville 978-939-7373, 978-939-8321 www.myspace.com/theredonion
Rivalry’s Sports Bar 274 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 774-243-1100 www.rivalrysworcester.com
The Lazy Dog 31 Main St., Marlborough 508-229-2264 www.doggonelazy.com
Rose Garden Restaurant and Pub 16 Milford St., Upton 508-529-7776 www.uptonrosegarden.com
The Mill 185 W. Boylston St., West Boylston Wednesdays through Jan. 30: Karaoke Jan. 4: Jay Graham Jan. 5: Erin Ollis Jan. 11: Steve Foley Jan. 12: Mike Brennan Jan. 18: Joe Macey Jan. 25: Tom Revane Jan. 26: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell
Rye & Thyme 14 Monument Square, Leominster 978-534-5900 www.ryeandthyme.com Wednesdays through Jan. 30: Karaoke Jan. 3: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Jan. 5: Scott Babineau Jan. 8-29: Open Mic Night Jan. 11: Brian & Captain Jan. 18: Scott Babineau Jan. 24: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Jan. 26: Now and Then Sakura Tokyo 640 Park Ave., Worc. 508-792-1078, 508-792-1068 www.sakura-tokyo.com Salty Dog Saloon 1 Kelley Square, Worc. 508-752-6600 www.saltydogsaloon.net Sean Patrick’s Family Restaurant 494 Electric Ave., Lunenburg 888-824-3924, 978-345-2000
The Nines Neighborhood Bar 136 Millbury St., Worc. 508-340-0318 The Outlook Restaurant 79 Powers Road, Westford The Pumphouse 340 Main St., Southbridge 508-765-5473 www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-PumpHouse/374917818127?sk=info The Raven 258 Pleasant St., Worc. 508-304-8133 www.facebook.com/people/RavenWorcester/100001022046717
Smoky Joe’s and Rumors 371 Park Ave., Worc. 508-755-5542 www.clubuniverseworcester.com Fridays: Paint Party @ Throwed (18+); weekly Friday debut South Side Grille & Margarita Factory 242 W. Broadway, Gardner 978-632-1057 www.southsidemargaritafactory.com
Tino’s Pub Main Street, Winchendon 760-880-1438 Trumbull Bar & Grill 117 Main St., Spencer 508-885-6901 Tweed’s 231 Grove St., Worc. 508-755-8047 www.tweedspub.com Union Music 142 Southbridge St., Worc. 508-753-3702 www.unionmusic.com
Speakers Night Club 19 Weed St., Marlborough 508-480-8222 www.speakersnightclub.net Thursdays: DJ Top 40 Dance Party Fridays: Top 40 Dance Party
Upper Deck Sports Bar & Grille 377 Stetson Road, Barre 978-355-2224 www.upperdecksportsbarandgrille.com
Spruce Street Tavern 68 Spruce St., Clinton 978-368-1255 www.SpruceStreetTavern.com
Vegas Lounge 5 Summer St., Lunenburg 978-400-7524
Squire Whites Pub & Restaurant 347 Greenwood St., Worc. 508-752-7544 www.squirewhites.com
Verona Grille 81 Clinton St., Shrewsbury 508-853-9091 Victory Bar & Cigar 56 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-756-4747 www.victorycigarbar.com
Stagecoach Inn and Tavern 128 Main St., Groton 978-448-5614, 877-782-4346 www.grotonstagecoachinn.com Sunset Tiki Bar 79 Powers Road, Westford 978-692-5700 www.skinashoba.com/summer
Vincent’s Bar 49 Suffolk St., Worc. 508-752-9439 myspace.com/vincentsbar Tuesdays: Jon Bonner
Tal’s Place 138 Lake St., Webster 508-949-6559 - www.talsplacewebster.com
Whiskey Alley 281 Lunenburg St., Fitchburg 978-345-4040
Tammany Hall 43 Pleasant St., Worc. 508-753-7001 www.tammanyhallrocks.com
Whistle Stop Bar & Grill 85 Main St., Oxford 508-987-3087 www.StopByTheWhistle.com
The Cannery 12 Crane St., Southbridge 508-764-1100 12crane.com/canneryhall/index.php
William’s Restaurant & Tavern 184 Pearson Blvd., Gardner 978-632-7794 Wonder Bar Restaurant 121 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-752-9909
The Columbia Tavern 11 Merriam Ave., Leominster 978-227-5874 The Krazy Horse Bar & Grill 287 Main St., Worc. 774-696-0886 Wednesdays: Krazy Wednesday Jam Session with the Get On Up Band
Ye Olde Tavern 7 E. Main St., West Brookfield 508-867-9709, 508-867-4139 www.westbrookfieldtavern.com
Jan. 2013 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 27
LIFESTYLE
Cool Careers:
Southbridge native lives the sweet life in LA By Alex Kantarelis Originally a Massachusetts native, now transplanted to Los Angeles, Jill Augusto has accomplished quite a bit for girl from Southbridge. After moving to L.A. 12 years ago, Augusto has been working hard for Warner Brothers Records and has even made a few appearances on the red carpet herself. Working for one of the biggest record labels in the world isn’t enough for Augusto. She also doubles as a photographer, working entertainment events around the city, capturing photos that most people would only dream of catching. Augusto attended Emerson College and majored in mass communications and the recording industry as a business, with a minor in photography. After college, she made the move to L.A. and took a job in the marketing department of Madonna’s label, Maverick Records. After a steady run at Maverick, she transitioned to Warner Brothers’ publicity department. “I handle a lot of the regional press for our bands when they are on the road touring, and I’m also the manager of special events,” Augusto said. As if that is not cool enough, she also helps with one of biggest 28 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Jan. 2013
award shows in the world. “I am heavily involved in The Grammy Awards submission process, as well as organizing the red carpet press at the awards shows and the official after parties.” Augusto loves her job working in publicity, but she also has a passion for photography. Her minor at Emerson taught her about developing pictures in the darkroom, which ~ sadly ~ is something nobody does anymore. Luckily, the transition to digital wasn’t too much for her, and she is able to continue snapping photos most people never get the chance to take. Augusto is one of the lucky ~ she works in a field she loves and gets to further her passion for photography in the process. “I was always the girl with the camera trying to freeze time and capture a moment. Whether it was capturing the action at a concert, focusing on the detail of the drummer’s shoes or getting that quiet moment when an artist is sitting in the makeup chair to make a beautiful portrait,” she said. “Part of the reason why I made the move in publicity here was I knew that I would have better access to be able to capture these moments and gain the trust of the artists.”
PULSE Eton Microlink
Here’s another smart design from Eton, the French company known for its solar-powered Apple accessories. Small in size but big in features, the hand-powered Microlink ($31.99) is a contemporary emergency radio that boasts a large solar panel, quick recharging time and access to all seven NOAA weather band stations. Turn the crank for 90 seconds and you get up to 40 minutes of playtime. Or if you’re lazy, let the solar panel absorb energy from the sun. There is also a headphone jack as well as a USB port to charge your cell phones. A bright LED flashlight completes the emergency kit.
PowerFilm Rollable Solar Charger
Using technology that was initially designed for the military, PowerFilm’s R15-300 Rollable Solar Power Charger ($129) is a super-lightweight and flexible charger for your cellphone, GPS, MPS and other devices. Featuring monolithically integrated solar panels, the 5-watt charger eliminates the damage-prone manual connections of individual solar cells. It’s also free of cadmium and other toxic metals and performs well in any sort of environment, with a waterproof fabric backing that keeps it dry on rainy days.
New site makes vacation planning easy Looking to plan a vacation with just a few clicks?
To simplify the travel planning process, Travelope.com brings the latest deals from around the web to you, with convenient access to airline, hote, and car rental services. Organized by hotel, airfare, vacations, cruises or rental cars, the site makes it easy for online customers to browse. Online shoppers can also search for the best deals based on price, location or popularity. Travelope.com also offers the Week’s Best in Travel tool, where online consumers can sign up for email alerts. This tool helps visitors stay on top of the latest travel deals and features weekly top picks.
Philips Hue Wireless LED System Dutch electronics giant Philips has just released Hue ($199.99), an LED lighting system that you control remotely on your tablet or smartphone. Billed as “the world’s smartest web-enabled LED home lighting system,” the Hue starter pack includes three bulbs that you screw into existing lamps and a bridge that you plug into your home Wi-Fi router. With the Hue app downloaded onto your Apple or Android device, you can remotely control the whole system, which can handle up to 50 light bulbs that output 600 lumens and use about 8.5 watts of energy. The Hue starter pack is available exclusively from Apple, both online and in stores.
Pulpop Speaker Recycled paper is quickly becoming a favored material for portable, lightweight speaker solutions. First there was EcoAmp, now there’s Pulpop ($56), an O-shaped speaker system made from post-consumer pulp. The device was created by Taiwanese designers Balance Wu and Chin Yang, who surprised themselves with Pulpop’s “unexpectedly potent” sound quality. The recycled paper pulp system works with a standard double-ended headphone cable and is rechargeable through a USB port. Available from Mollaspace. Jan. 2013 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 29
DINING & Entertaining
Jimmy’s Tavern & Grill By Bernie Whitmore
Jimmy’s Tavern & Grill 50 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury 508-755-8888 jimmystavernandgrill.com/ No gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, corn, peanuts, sugar or artificial sweeteners. That’s the weight-loss diet this month’s dining companion was engaged in when he accompanied me to Jimmy’s Tavern and Grill. Under these constraints, I might have been sensitive and concerned about the quality of his dining experience, but instead, it struck me as an opportunity to test the hospitality and flexibility of any restaurant kitchen. When informed of this challenge, Kat, our waitress, was absolutely undaunted and began to list the menu items that remained available. Fortunately, my companion doesn’t have one of those PETA consciences, so meat, fish and sentient plant forms were all “in play.” So far, so good. But let’s rewind for a moment and face a more compelling issue: Bugaboo Creek and the robotic animals. When Jimmy’s took over the old Bugaboo Creek Steak House location, the owners tossed out the animatronic trophy beasts and provided more spacing between tables. In the process, the restaurant assumed a more adult ambiance; the place is no longer overrun with little kids in jammies tethered to birthday balloons. Fortunately, they retained the most handsome Bugaboo feature, the large central fireplace. A large blackboard lists drink specialties and an offering of beers ranging from value-priced Pabst Blue Ribbon to local/craft offerings. I chose a glass of Cape Ann Brewing Co’s Fisherman’s IPA, brewed by Gloucester’s Cape Ann Brewing Company. Not too hoppy, it capably took me through appetizers and into my entree. With all but one of the appetizers off his diet, my guest learned quickly how to enjoy a garden salad of crisp lettuce, cucumber and shaved carrots. served with a light citrus vinaigrette.
30 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Jan. 2013
Meanwhile, I dug into a plate of Point Judith Fried Calamari, a mix of crunchy rings and tentacles served with warm marinara sauce. This is such a basic appetizer that it’s often interesting to see what a chef might devise to differentiate his/her dish from the others. Of course, basic is often best; fresh seafood, a light coating of crumbs and just enough time in the fryer are what matter most. But Jimmy’s adds a twist ~ rings of zesty banana peppers were also coated and deep-fried. So every fourth or fifth forkful contained a contrasting surprise. With the serving of our entree, it became very clear that marginal dining quality went out the window with the old singing buffalo head. My Norwegian Organic Salmon was gorgeous to behold and absolutely delicious. The chef seemed to know exactly how I prefer my fish prepared ~ just a line of golden crispness on the edges and juicy, fragile flesh with every flaky forkful. “Organic” is an expression I take with several grains of salt, but from this dining experience, I trust Jimmy’s word on quality. I ordered it served with a baked sweet potato that I mashed with sour cream. Even more enthusiastic, my companion was praising his Sirloin Strip Steak for its crusty char, perfect pink center and sumptuous flavor. “Come on,” I chided him, “You love steak wherever you go!” “No, really! Look at this,” he protested, jabbing a forkful of thick, dripping steak in my face. “It’s delicious; deep rich flavor, perfectly cooked, juicy … aged 40 days, certified black angus … there’s no better around!” Lesson: Never tease someone suffering a deficit of soy and gluten. We finished our meals with the same obvious question: Why we haven’t heard any buzz over Jimmy’s Tavern & Grill? The entire dining experience ~ service, food quality, presentation and value ~ were exceptional.
Hot & Now By Paul Giorgio
Green Street Tavern set to open. The Green Street Tavern in Worcester’s Canal District is set to open shortly. Owner Angel Rodriquez has taken half of the Center Bar and is turning it into a retro restaurant that will feature steaks and chops. Rodriquez also has taken the space that housed Prifti Candy for generations and totally rehabbed it. Allgos closing? Rumors on Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street and on Facebook report that Allgos, a dessert bar, closed Dec. 31. The great little bar, which had been open for five years, was crippled by a fire a year ago and took a long time to reopen. It just never recovered. We hear that next-door neighbor, Victory Bar & Cigar, will expand into the space. This will double Victory’s size. This dog won’t hunt. Sea Dog restaurant in Northborough recently closed its doors. The restaurant was located in the space that once housed Lazio’s. Sea Dog is part of a small chain and is affiliated with the Maine beer company of the same name. It seems that nothing can last in this small plaza on Route 20. Snows on fire. Snows Restaurant on Worcester’s West Boylston Street had a major fire in mid-December. It appears that the back half of the restaurant was gutted. A sign on the building says that the restaurant will reopen in February. We will keep you posted. 2 ovens opens, no waiting. Bertucci’s latest venture into the casual dining genre of restaurants, 2 Ovens, opened the first week of December at White City in Shrewsbury. The concept, as we wrote last month, is wood-fired ovens, which are used to make pizza and other oven-baked products, such as roasted meats, vegetables and lasagna. Grillin’ in the square. Tatnuck Grille in Worcester’s Tatnuck Square opened in mid-December. Our Tatnuck Square spies tell us that the restaurant is a typical American bar and grill and features pub food. Tatnuck Grille went into the location that for generations housed a Friendly’s. The grille, however, has a full liquor license. Several new restaurants have opened in this neighborhood in the past year or so. Asian tapas, anyone? Wilson Wang, owner of Park Avenue’s Baba Sushi, will open a new restaurant ~ Kozara. The concept is to do small Asian plates ~ much like a Spanish tapas bar. Wang has completely renovated a former Honey Farms convenience store into an upscale eatery. The new place opens the first week of January. Besides the tapas, it will also have a raw bar and Yakitori, which is a traditional Japanese method of cooking over an open flame. Silver anniversary. East Brookfield’s Carmella’s Italian Restaurant will celebrate its 25th anniversary, starting in February. The family-owned restaurant was started by Carmella Panarelli Fitzpatrick and her husband, Martin Fitzpatrick. While Martin is still working, Carmella passed away a few years back. Today, the restaurant is run by their sons, Sean and Marty.
Jan. 2013 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 31
Now Serving
Who says you can’t play with your food?
By Rachel Shuster Located at 346 Shrewsbury St. in Worcester, Vintage Grille brings classic, allAmerican food to the city with a vintage car theme to enjoy on the side. Owners Robyn and Donny Caruso, along with partners TG and Jodie O’Connor, have created a place to go for yummy food in an ode to Robyn’s late father. “My father was a wellknown race car driver in Shrewsbury, and we sort of built the place around him,” said Robyn. It’s always been Robyn’s dream to open a restaurant, and Shrewsbury Street was the only place to do it. “I wouldn’t have done it anywhere else. It’s such a nice area and everyone is so supportive and knows your name,” she said. As you walk into the family-owned business, which fittingly used to be an old garage, you are instantly thrown back to the old days of car heaven, with a classic- and vintage-themed decor. The place is filled with road signs, license plates and even pictures of Robyn’s father. The restaurant is also filled with flat-screen TVs to watch sports, if that’s your fancy. The automotive theme is not only reflected in the decor, but also on the menu, which Robyn created. Nearly every item has a car-themed name. Everything from the Fully Loaded Nachos, Muscle Car Mac And Cheese Bites and Rt. 66 Caesar Salad, all the way to the Big Cadillac Meatloaf, F150 Steak Tips and Hot Rod Burger have car-related names. The large menu also includes sandwiches like a fried PB & J; pulled pork; pizza; seafood; and more. Prices range from $6.99 - $12.99.
Just when you thought you were done with chemistry. Molecule-R has launched a DIY molecular gastronomy kit. Molecular gastronomy ~ also known as experimental cuisine ~ uses science to play with the taste and textures of food. The Cuisine R-Evolution ($58.95) kit comes with food additives, syringes, a DVD of recipes and everything else you need to play with the idea of a home-cooked meal.
Introducing the high-tech ice cube
The restaurant, which also has a full bar, offers daily dinner specials. “We also offer 10 specials every day that go for $6.99 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.,” Caruso said. Vintage Grille has also begun catering, so call them up to cater your next home or office party. Vintage Grille has a large outdoor patio area where you can dine and take in the sights of Shrewsbury Street. During the summer, Vintage has live music on the patio on the weekends. Vintage Grille is open from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, with the bar serving pizza until 2 a.m. For more information on Vintage Grille, check them out on Facebook or call 508-752-0558.
32 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Jan. 2013
Soireehome is shaking up the cube with high-quality stainless steel. Tilt ($34.99 for a set of two) is an iceless and flavorless chilling sphere that keeps drinks chilled longer without diluting or interfering with the flavor. Store the stainless steel sphere in the freezer, and in a matter of four to six hours, it’s ready to be dropped into any beverage, wine glass or even party dip to chill for at least 30 minutes. According to soireehome, tilt’s surface area/volume ratio allows for a better, more even chill, and the food-grade stainless steel shell ensures purity of any taste from whiskey to lemonade. Very cool for gifts, parties or just because.
Brew
PULSE
Winter 2013
Hopheads, Samuel Adams has heard your call!
Latitude 48 IPA, with new hop variety Mosaic, available in February
Get your taste buds ready, the brewers at Samuel Adams have something special in store for them ~ the 2013 Latitude 48 list of ingredients will feature Mosaic hops from the Yakima, Wash., growing region. It imparts a floral and tropical fruit character and a fresh, unique flavor to the already complex brew.
Black Watch/Scots Guards 1/29 China National Symphony 2/15 Worcester Chorus & Arcadia Players
Mozart & Haydn!!
This previously experimental hop variety was first encountered by Samuel Adams founder and brewer, Jim Koch, on a hop selection trip a few years back. Koch learned about the new variety (then only known as “#369”) grown for its amped-up floral notes. He snagged 30 pounds of what would be come to be known as Mosaic and first used it to create SAVOR Flowers, a limited-edition beer, brewed (as faithful PulseBrew readers will know) in collaboration with Dogfish Head for the SAVOR festival in Washington, D.C., in June, 2011.
3/2
Academy of St. Martin in the Fields with Alisa Weilerstein & Inon Barnatan 3/8
Now, after spending the last year experimenting with Mosaic, the brewers have transformed the Latitude 48 IPA recipe, adding a new dimension to the hop lineup with this flavorful varietal. Samuel Adams Latitude 48 IPA gets its name from its most important ingredients: a select blend of hops from top German, English and American growing regions, all located near ~ you guessed it ~ the 48th latitude along the “hop belt” of the Northern Hemisphere. Tasting Notes: Samuel Adams Latitude 48 IPA has a distinctive, yet not overpowering, hop character. The 2013 batch is inspired by the new Mosaic hop variety which imparts a floral and tropical flavor.
Music Worcester Information & Tickets
508-754-3231 musicworcester.org
Students always $15, Youth 18 & under $5
Jan. 2013 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 33
Sports & Fitness
Second chance of a lifetime: Former Shrewsbury High star gets his shot in the NFL By Kimberly Dunbar
Life is about second chances, and Shrewsbury native Shawn Loiseau isn’t taking any of his for granted. “Since I was little, I always dreamed of being a football player,” said the 23-year-old, who was added to the Indianapolis Colts practice squad in November. “Now to get the opportunity to do that, it’s been great.” However, Loiseau’s journey from Shrewsbury High standout to NFL player wasn’t easy. At 17, Loiseau was involved in a fight outside his home that landed him in jail. After being hit in the head with a pipe, Loiseau tackled his attacker to the ground. The attacker ended up in a coma. Loiseau ~ who needed 26 stitches for his own injury ~ was charged with assault and battery with a deadly weapon (the ground). Loiseau pled guilty to assault and battery in order to return for his senior year. “I learned that everything can be taken from you in a split second,” he said of the experience. “It really made me step back and realize what’s important in life. When I was in jail, all I could think about was I hope he wakes up and that I get a second chance to go back out there. I didn’t want people to see me as a bad person.” Loiseau worked hard to show everyone who he really was ~ someone who did well in school, gave back to his community and excelled on the football field. That year, Shrewsbury went 13-0, won the Division 1A Super Bowl, and Loiseau was named Massachusetts Defensive Player of the Year. 34 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Jan. 2013
“I definitely did feel like had to prove something,” Loiseau said. “Being overlooked my whole life, I was always told I wasn’t good enough to play Division I football ~ I wasn’t big enough, fast enough or strong enough.” Although no Division I schools scouted Loiseau, he attended Merrimack College, where he led his team to multiple conference titles and was the repeat winner of the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year. His play drew NFL buzz, but Loiseau went undrafted. However, the Houston Texans signed him in May, only to release him in the last round of cuts. Although disappointed, Loiseau said it only made him more determined. “It was another step in the road that I had to take,” he said. “When I got cut from Houston, I knew it wasn’t over.” Loiseau was right ~ a few months later, the Colts added him to the roster, making him the first Merrimack College player in the NFL. Despite his rocky road, Loiseau’s mentality has always been to never give up. And his advice to others would be the same ~ hard work and persistence are the keys to success. “What you do when people aren’t watching is what matters most,” he said. “I’ve always trained like I was number two. You’re competing every single day in everything you do … you have to put in the work before the games and when you are at practice.”
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CANAL DISTRICT COUNTRY Food, CITY Digs. Come See Us at Our New Location
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Jan. 2013 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 37
COLLEGE
Making Good: Former Quabbin star hoops locally for Nichols College By Mike Walsh
The last time the Worcester area heard about Christian Horton, he was shredding opponents at the 2012 Clark University High School Basketball Tournament and leading the Quabbin Panthers to an 18-3 record. Horton, who moved to Rutland in the seventh grade, now attends Nichols College, where he is a freshmen guard on the Bison’s basketball team. The teen doesn’t have the story of a typical Worcester youth, however. Horton was born and spent much of his early life in Trenton, N.J. A tough neighborhood forced him to make the move to Rutland, where he lived with his aunt and attended Quabbin Regional High School. In Trenton, basketball was an escape. His stepfather introduced him to the game as a way to stay out of trouble, but that game turned into a passion and a connection between the two. At Quabbin, Horton was noticed by Nichols’ current head coach Jeff Lindgren, an assistant at the time. A recruiting process followed, and Lindgren attempted to sell Nichols to the young man. Around the same time Lindgren was promoted to head coach, Horton decided to attend Nichols, a member of the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC). After visits to Westfield State and Framingham State, Horton found that the Bison had the feel a close-knit family, something that greatly appealed to him, as most of his family remains in New Jersey. Lindgren also had a connection through Horton’s high school coach, Dennis Dextrater, who also strived to create a basketball family among his players. “I played for Coach Dextrater in AAU, so we have a really good relationship,” said the first-year head coach. “We knew that Christian had great athleticism and a feel for controlling a basketball game.” Lindgren had witnessed Horton’s performances in the Clark Tournament for two seasons and was very impressed. After averaging 15.5 points per game in 2011, Horton led Quabbin to the championship in 2012. 38 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Jan. 2013
“Throughout my years at Quabbin, the big thing is always winning the Clark Tournament,” said Horton. “Finally winning one and having a banner up there is probably one of my biggest high school moments.” Horton spent much of last summer back in his home state, lifting weights and preparing for his first collegiate season. The differences between the high school and college game are vast and numerous, but Horton is taking it one step at a time. “Whatever the coach needs me to do,” Horton said of his role with the Bison. “I’m going to need to get stronger and think more.” Lindgren knows Horton’s speed and basketball IQ are going to translate to the next level. At various AAU tournaments, he watched as Horton dominated future scholarship players. With his first semester coming to a close, Horton is thoroughly enjoying the experience. Four games into the season, he is averaging 11.5 minutes as a backup guard and posted nine points and three assists in a win over Lasell College. “We have a close relationship,” said his coach. “He is a really good student with a lot of character. Everyone on campus loves him.” In the classroom, Horton is also taking care of business. “Time management is definitely the toughest part ~ planning out your day with basketball and getting homework and projects done,” Horton said. “It isn’t like that in high school.” A sports management major, he is thoroughly enjoying the program and the area. “The school is everything I thought it would be and more,” said the freshman. It is pretty clear that for Lindgren and Nichols, the feeling is mutual.
Jan. 2013 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 39
NORTH COUNTY • DINING • ENTER
40 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Jan. 2013
NORTH COUNTY • DINING • ENTER
RTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE • SHOPPING • NORTH COUNTY • DINING • NORTH COUNTY • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE • SHOPPING •
Jan. 2013 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 41 RTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE • SHOPPING • NORTH COUNTY • DINING •
beauty & style
Painting the Wootown red (and blue and purple …) By Tine Roycroft
Unless you’re a model who works with professional makeup artists every day, the thought of having someone else apply “your face” can cause flutterings of panic ~ especially if you’re prepping for senior pics or about to walk down the aisle. Luckily, Worcester has cosmetic queen Lesli Patrock, who mixes emotional intelligence and pure talent. Patrock ~ also known by her artist name, Izzy Morgan ~ starts off each client relationship with a conversation. The self-taught artist gets a feel for the client, learning about what they do for a living, what skin type they have and what products they typically use. When working with brides, Patrock’s goal is to make the client look beautiful, but more importantly, make the client look like herself. And at 23, Patrock has already developed a number of ways to keep a client calm and relaxed. “I walk them through every step of the process,” Patrock said. “And that puts them at ease. I also like to do this technique called ‘the touch.’ If you’re having your makeup done and you have your eyes shut, you’re probably relaxed. If a person starts to work on you, you can jump, out of surprise. So I’ll put my hand on their shoulder to let them know I’m going to line their eyes, for example. It lessens the shock.” Patrock’s talents have kept her busy in 2012. She’s done the makeup for Pulse Magazine cover shoots, a four-page spread in Tattooed Lifestyle Magazine and this past fall, she worked New York Fashion Week. Fashion Week has a reputation of being fast and cutthroat ~ only the best 42 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Jan. 2013
Diamond (shapes) are a girl’s best friend Can’t afford diamonds, emeralds and pearls? Graphic artist Summer Powell’s new Gemetrica Collection features three distinctive necklace and earring styles, named for the shape, not the gem. The sharp, three-dimensional Rock Star Diamond, Future Victorian Emerald and Mod Moire Pearl necklaces and earrings are available in both black and white designs.
can survive. But Patrock’s prior experience gave the tools she needed to succeed. “When I first started in makeup, I didn’t go right into a salon or work strictly with brides,” she said. “I did lots of photo shoots, and when you’re in that environment, you need to be professional and give the photographers and models the quality they expect in a short amount of time. I’ve been under the gun before, so I was ready for Fashion Week. Great work in a short amount of time is my niche.” Patrock, who just graduated from Worcester State College with a double major in education and sociology, spends her days other people look fresh, but she always takes care to glam herself. “On days when I don’t need a full face of makeup, I exfoliate in the shower and put moisturizer on. That will give my face a bit of a glow,” she says. “And I will never, ever leave the house without my winged eyeliner. That’s my signature.” Patrock has big plans for the future. She hopes to open her own store, one side of which will be a salon where she and other artists can work on clients. The other side will be filled with incredible indie makeup that she has come to swear by. And this makeup maven will officially have “made it” when she launches her own line of cosmetics. For more information, visit facebook.com/ IzzyMorganMakeup
“I love geometry, pattern and symbol, so creating these glam statement baubles for my Gemetrica Collection came naturally. The bold, graphic, intricate, yet lightweight, gems are created in CAD and produced using innovative 3D printing technology,” said Powell. “Inspired by classic luxury jewelry shapes with a modern twist, the delicate lines, shadows and moiré patterns created by my jewelry make it fun and sexy to wear.” Made with a unique three-dimensional printing process, all of the pieces in the Gemetrica Collection are affordable and can be worn with any ensemble, whether at the office or out on the town. Retail prices range from $75 for earrings to $125 for necklaces. With an MFA in graphic design from Cranbrook Academy of Art, Powell has served as the creative head in several design firms throughout her career. She was also the co-founder and manager of the New York-based, boutique design firm, Elevator, where she jointly oversaw all of the firm’s managerial, creative, and strategic activities with her partner. For more information about Summer Powell and the Gemetrica Collection, visit Summerized.com.
Ladies-only Verge culture and fashion site leaves boys in the dust MissKL.com is the ladies-only website from Karmaloop.com, the global streetwear giant and voice on media, fashion and culture for the Internet generation. Created by the women of Karmaloop, MissKL.com gives Karmaloop’s legions of ladies a place to call their own. More than just a fashion retailer, MissKL.com is a fashion, culture and thought destination seeking to inspire, inform and start conversations. “Miss KL is very much about girls coming together to shape the world on our own terms,” said MissKL. com founder, Dina Selkoe. “Our new site is a reflection of the multifaceted nature of the Miss KL gal ~ sassy, adventurous, inquisitive, nerdy, provocative, quirky, a little fresh and a little wild. We love fashion, but we also care about the world around us, which is why we as a company work with global leaders in fashion, philanthropy, civic engagement and the arts, hoping to share their insights with our family.” Taking on the world with style, humor and originality, MissKL.com will feature the latest fashion trends and culture stories, along with the musings of this generation’s young leaders through features like “This Miss KL,” an in-depth, multi-media profile, and the “Our Girls” blog contributor section.
Jan. 2013 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 43
Art & Culture
Limitless:
Local artist Tonya Grifkin brings the magic with Make Me A Dragon By Alyssa LaManna In one huff, a dragon can scorch a castle to ruins; it can guard a princess locked away in a tower and summon brave warriors to raise their swords. While these stories were once upon a time, 31-year-old, Tonya Grifkin, creator and artist of Make Me a Dragon, brings the magical creatures to life as she asks the simple question: Wouldn’t it be easier if we made you your very own dragon? At Make Me a Dragon.com, customers are the brain behind the artwork as they leave a detailed description of their supreme critter. “Most requests are really personal,” Grifkin said. “That’s what keeps it fun for me. People seem to really appreciate it.” Then, like magic, Grifkin designs an 8- by 10-inch, one-of-a-kind dragon masterpiece. On average, Grifkin completes five or six portraits a week, and it is clear that she takes pride in her illustrations. “I’m taking something I love and combining it with what others love.” So here’s the real question: Why dragons? “I love dragons. As a kid they always appealed to me because they’re limitless. A dragon can be anything,” Grifkin explained. Anything is an understatement, as her website, Etsy page and Facebook are exploding with dragons of all sorts and sizes. From a Mad Hatter dragon, a juggling dragon and a bumblebee dragon to a dragon made out of bones, the sky’s the limit. After Grifkin opened her own studio and spent years teaching private art lessons, Make Me A Dragon began as a creative push from her husband. The left brain of this mystical operation, he noted that some of Grifkin’s best work came from artwork she created for others “It was the collaborative nature and guidelines that helped. I would have never thought of a dragon knitting on my own.”
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Since June, Make Me A Dragon has transformed into an imaginative station for the creative mind, dragon lover or not. What began as just dragon designs has continued to evolve into greeting cards, T-shirts and coloring books. “I was always disappointed with coloring books. They were either way too difficult or too simple,” Grifkin said. Now, you can find her Dragon Friends coloring books locally and on her Etsy site. What’s next? “I want to see my dragons all over everything,” Grifkin laughed. For the future of Make Me A Dragon, expect merchandise, celebrity dragons and the hope of a children’s book down the road. This creative outlet that has taken on the shape of a friendly winged friend is the product of a quirky women’s desire to share a little magic with the world, one dragon at a time. makemeadragon.com facebook.com/MakeMeADragon etsy.com/shop/MakeMeADragon twitter.com/makemeadragon
Just let your inner artist out By Rachel Shuster
Located at 138 Green St. in Worcester, Just Paint is a fresh addition to the art scene in the city, offering people of all ages a chance to let their inner artist out. Open since July, Just Paint has made a name for itself for being a comfortable outlet for creating artistic masterpieces or just having a fun night out. Owner Susan Dunshee describes Just Paint as a place for art and entertainment. “I’ve always loved art, and as a mom, I always looked for something for birthday parties,” she said. However, Just Paint doesn’t offer children’s birthday parties. “We had a three-hour adult birthday party where we had a 48 by 60 canvas. During the class, everyone did a piece of the canvas, which, at the end, was the birthday present,” Dunshee said. Just Paint offers regular weekly classes for all ages. “Each class is two hours, and we offer classes for pre-schoolers, children, adults and seniors,” Dunshee said. Classes are structured based on the age of the students, but each class includes a lesson in canvas painting and using acrylic paint. For the children’s classes, the lesson plan is focused on different mediums of art and creating lines. The adult classes are focused on creating an overall piece. Did I mention that the adult classes are BYOB?
“My motto for the adult classes is to have a glass of wine in one hand and a paintbrush in the other,” Dunshee said. Instructors are local professionals of all ages and backgrounds, which means each class offers different techniques. “It’s a diverse mix of instructors ~ anywhere from a 20-year-old to an Iraqi refugee who was an artist in Iraq,” Dunshee said. Just Paint also has a retail section showcasing handmade gifts for sale such as purses, soap and bags made by local artists. Pricing for classes varies. Pre-school classes are $10, children’s classes are $15, adult classes are $30, and senior classes are $20. All classes include supplies and instruction. To get a spot in class, you must pre-register. Dunshee also posts a monthly calendar on her Facebook page describing the theme for each class. Just Paint - 138 Green St., Worcester - 508-277-6986 justpaintstudio@gmail.com
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