The Pulse Magazine by Pulse Magazine

MAY 2018 IN THIS ISSUE: COVER STORY

27 OUT+ABOUT: Have you considered PrEP to prevent HIV?

6 WMAs CELEBRATE LOCAL MUSIC SCENE

FOOD+DRINK

E N T E RTA I N M E N T

28 DINING REVIEW:

12 GRANDEVOLUTION KEEPS ‘90S

Simjang gets to the heart of Korean cuisine

ALT-ROCK ALIVE

29 HOT & NOW

14 THE CENTRAL SCENE

30 PULSEBREW: Make it a Shipyard summer

15 GAMEON: Flying off the top rope with WWE 2K18

SPORTS+FITNESS

18 CLUB, PUB + GRUB LISTINGS

32 BRAVEHEARTS TURN TO

LOCAL TALENT

20 PULSESHOTS

33 FINDINGBALANCE: Crystal Clear

LIFESTYLE 24 MAKE SURE PEOPLE REMEMBER YOU

FOR THE RIGHT REASONS

34 SKIN CARE’S BACK TO BASICS

25 GROW A BOUNTIFUL GARDEN AND SHARE

WITH THE HUNGRY

STYLE+BEAUTY WITH ASANARA

READ PULSE ONLINE: ThePulseMag.com

35 STYLESAVY: In May, less is more

26 THE LUXE LIST:

36 NEW AROUND THE WOO:

How smart people do spring

Skincare by Ashley

PULSE Magazine is produced 12 times a year by Pagio Inc., 88 Winter St., Worcester, MA 01604. (508) 756-5006. Copyright 2015 All rights reserved. Pagio, Inc. does not hold itself responsible for statements made by any contributor. Statements or opinions expressed in Pulse reflect the views of the author(s) and not the official policy of the Pagio, Inc., unless so stated. Although all advertising material is expected to conform to ethical standards, acceptance does not imply endorsement by Pagio, Inc. unless so stated. Material printed in Pulse is covered by copyright. No copyright is claimed to any work of the U.S. government. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission. For information on permissions, reprints and other services, contact Pagio, Inc. Also by Pagio Inc.: Worcester Medicine, Vitality Magazine, Thepulsemag.com, Thevitalitymag.com, & TasteWorcester.com

Paul Giorgio, Publisher pgiorgio@pagioinc.com Donna Roberson, Editor droberson@pagioinc.com Vanessa Herbold, Art Director vherbold@pagioinc.com Kati Nalbandian, Marketing & Event Manager kati@pagioinc.com David Simone, Vice President, Sales dsimone@pagioinc.com

Chris Reddy, Account Executive creddy@pagioinc.com Kim Dunbar, Sports Editor Jennifer Russo, Lifestyle Editor Kimberly Dunbar, Jennifer Russo, Jason Savio, Bernie Whitmore, Michael Wood, Paul Giorgio, Audra Brackett, Merilee Kern, John Trobaugh, Sloane Perron, Jamie Burke, Rachel Shuster, Writers

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COVER S TO RY

BLUE LIGHT BANDITS, AWARDED BEST LIVE ACT & BEST COVER BAND 6

May 2018

Kaiomi Inniss / Photography by Matt Wright Before there was a renaissance in Worcester, there were the local musicians — and they deserve to be celebrated. That was the message at Pulse’s 12th annual Worcester Music Awards. “This evening is about the people in this room...it’s about the local music scene,” said Paul Giorgio, publisher of Pulse. The Cove Music Hall, which hosted the awards held April 11, was filled with local musicians, fans, supporters and folks with a passion for music dancing, singing-along and mingling throughout the night. It was the night to celebrate the diversity of genres in the Worcester music scene, ranging from country, to pop, to hip hop, to jazz — Worcester’s music scene has it all. It was the night to recognize not only the talent, but the hard work, of Worcester’s musicians. It was also the night to discover new talent. It was a night of surprises. The night took off with singer/guitarist Kevin Shields’s unique take on popular songs. And variety was at the heart of the evening, with performances that ranged from an Elvis tribute band to rock.

HOT LETTER

Hot Letter, the second act of the night, blended vocals and chords into a rock ’n roll serenade. “This is the second time here, and I’ve gotta say, it’s the most heartwarming and lively crowd...I love this city, so it’s always great to play here,” D’Orazio said. “The energy is electric!” The host, Erick Godin from Flock of Assholes, kept the crowd engaged with his hilarious commentary. The previous owner of Lucky Dog Music Hall (which then became The Cove), Godin said, “I don’t own here anymore...I own the stage tonight. But it is different to be anywhere but owning…it’s always a great time to be a customer, and I love Ted [the new owner] because the guy bought a great bar and really turned it into his great bar.” Flock of Assholes was nominated for two categories, Best Cover Band and Best Live Act, but won none. “It feels very odd not winning your category when we’ve won every single year… I saw that and I felt a little bad, but there’s a whole bunch of great bands in there, and they deserve every single bit of respect they get,” Godin said, adding with a smile, “And I took this gig because they were like, you know...free booze. That sounded cool. I said sure!” Feminine energy took over the stage midway through the awards with a powerful performance by the trio Sarah French, Amanda Cote and Cara Brindisi. The energy between the three women was infectious. The trio performed a beautiful rendition of Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry.” “The most wonderful thing about music is that it brings us together as a community,” French said. The women, who usually perform solo, decided to combine their talents and give the audience a captivating performance. “This happened really organically; we don’t usually perform as a group...but we should,” Brindisi said. “These two [Brindisi and French] are the best,” Cote added.

AMANDA COTE

In one of the highlights of the evening, Mark Veau was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award. This award goes out to someone who has worked diligently with and in the Worcester music scene throughout his or her life. Now the program director and on-air personality at 98.9 Nash Icon, Veau began his career in Worcester in 1982. Veau also worked as a film producer and has racked up a number of awards for his work.

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2018 WORCESTER MUSIC AWARD WINNERS BEST CD ASHLEY JORDAN BEST BLUES/ R&B BIG JOHN SHORT BEST CLUB DJ DJ JACK FROST BEST COUNTRY ACT ASHLEY JORDAN BEST AMERICANA ACT ZACK SLIK BEST TRIBUTE BAND THE GREAT ESCAPE BEST FEMALE VOCALIST ASHLEY JORDAN BEST MALE VOCALIST RICKY DURAN BEST COVER BAND BLUE LIGHT BANDITS BEST ELECTRONICA ACT COUGAR BAIT BEST HARDCORE/ METAL ACT ON YOUR DEATHBED BEST JAM GROOVE ACT CLAMDIGGER

HOT LETTER

BEST JAZZ ACT WORCESTER JAZZ COLLECTIVE BEST ROCK ACT WHISKEY CHURCH BEST LIVE ACT BLUE LIGHT BANDITS BEST LIVE VENUE THE COVE MUSIC HALL BEST UP AND COMERS ACT NATE CHUNG PROJECT BEST POP ACT SAM JAMES BEST SOLO ACOUSTIC ACT RICKY DURAN BEST PUNK ACT CARISSA JOHNSON BEST RADIO DJ MARK VEAU BEST RAP/ HIP HOP ACT JOYNER LUCAS BEST COVER ART ASHLEY JORDAN (HEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CRAZY ALBUM) SEXIEST MUSICIAN ASHLEY JORDAN BEST LOCAL MUSIC STATION WXLO BEST COLLEGE ACT TOM HANSON BEST NEW MUSIC VIDEO WEAPON BY ASHLEY JORDAN LIFETIME ACHEIVEMENT AWARD MIKE VEAU

WORCESTER MUSIC AWARD TROPHIES 8

May 2018

“I didn’t expect this,” a shocked Veau said. “This city has been so nice to me...I’ve been here since the ’70s and to come here at 54 years old and win — this is an emotional experience.” Veau, who was visibly emotional, grateful and taken aback, continued, “It was an honor to be nominated and even more of an honor to actually win something.” Veau also expressed his gratitude for having been able to nurture country singer Ashley Jordan. There have only been two artists to win the Nashville to Nash Next competition two years in a row, and one of them is Ashley Jordan. “I was here [The Cove] the night the Rolling Stones played...I was in high school then, so I snuck in, but it was worth it,” Veau said. “I don’t regret that.” Speaking of the local Worcester music scene, Veau expressed the necessity for more venues for live music and opportunities for radio airplay. “There’s a lot of talent...they [musicians] would love a place to play and get radio airplay... that’s why I’m proud of Ashley...but there should more places to play,” Veau said. Country singer Ashley Jordan was truly the star of the night, winning six awards, including Best Female Vocalist and Best Country Act. “I was not expecting anything. I was coming to show support for all the local musicians,” Jordan said, with tears in her eyes. “I started out as a Boston street performer, you know… so this is just...wow.” Jordan’s music career was always supported by her grandfather, who passed earlier this year. His birthday was on April 11 — the day of the Worcester Music Awards — and she dedicated her Best Country Act award to him. “I lost my grandfather, and he was always the one constantly supporting me, so this night is really for him,” Jordan said. “Also, Mark Veau is a great mentor and continuously encouraged me to chase my dreams. It’s a huge and emotional night.” The next performance took over the entire club. It was Tester, who opened for KISS in 2011. The crowd began jamming out, and with the purple lighting and fog, it felt as though I was indeed watching a band opening for KISS — but in the ’70s.

TESTER

“It feels so good being out here, you know, with so many different genres performing tonight and people enjoying each and every bit of it,” Tony Casella, of Tester, said. “We’ve won 12 awards since 2010. It’s really a dream,” bandmate Nikolas James added. The night suddenly echoed the ’50s with the Fellowship of the King’s nostalgic performance. When they performed Elvis’ “Blue Suede Shoes,” the dance-floor was immediately crowded with people paying tribute to Elvis. “This whole night has been an honor, especially to perform with all of these people,” Danny Fontaine, of Fellowship of the King, said. This throwback session was followed by the final round of awards, with the Blue Light Bandits winning Best Live Act. A perfect transition, as they were the closing performance of the night. Ricky Duran, of The Blue Light Bandits, won Best Male Vocalist and Best Acoustic Act. “It means a lot because it makes everything feel worth it...I feel appreciated,” Duran said. “Sometimes, playing five days a week — and sometimes not a lot of people show up — but then I come here and see all these people out here, you know, it makes me feel appreciated.” But Godin summed up the night best: “Live music is so important in Worcester, and we gotta keep at it.”

FELLOWSHIP OF THE KING: ELVIS PRESLEY TRIBUTE thepulsemag.com

May 2018

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ENT ERTA IN M E N T

GRANDEVOLUTION KEEPS ’90S ALT-ROCK ALIVE Ryan Massad Often, bands change their style to adapt to the times. GrandEvolution, however, is ’90s alternative angst to the core. Most GrandEvolution songs sound like they should be playing while James Van Der Beek waits out on your front lawn for you to forgive him. In the rain, at that. Getting his sweater vest and cargo jeans soaked in the process. Poor James; come on in. GrandEvolution consists of husband-and-wife combo Sarah Kenyon and Scott Kenyon, along with Greg Bromberg and Ray Celona. Sarah met Scott in 2001, when the two were performing with different acts at The Living Room in Providence. The couple made music together for years before finally finding Bromberg at a wedding to help out on bass. After posting an ad for a guitarist online, Celona auditioned, and GrandEvolution was formed. If you listen to any of GrandEvolution’s work, the inspiration will be easy to spot. The Cranberries can’t help but come to mind. From Sarah’s vocals to the rhythms and melodies, it’s an ode to the late Dolores O’Riordan and The Cranberries. Despite their distinct vintage sound, the band

May 2018

claims to have taken inspiration from several acts. “My biggest early influence was the Cranberries,” said singer Sarah Kenyon, “and all four of us like ’90s alternative rock. However, Scott likes a lot of metal and ambient rock like Black Sabbath and Radiohead. Greg and Ray like other stuff, too” Bromberg slaps bass like his favorite musician, Geddy Lee, of Rush, and is a huge Zeppelin fan, as well. Celona likes to envision his licks pay homage to the great Slash, as he’s a fan of Guns N’ Roses. GrandEvolution’s most-recent release, Tell Me Why, is business as usual. The nine-track album was released April 10. Produced by Chris David, the band stays true to their roots, as they pump out more of what got them popular in the New England area. Especially with the 30-plus demographic, which remembers what it was like to hear this music the first time around. Track 1, “Hey Drama Queen,” does a great job of pulling you in. The melody is slow, yet heavy, and sets the tone for the emotional roller coaster that is the rest of the album. It continues with Track 2, “Ghost,” where Sarah’s lyrics feel very personal and specific, yet still relatable. There’s a great flow

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT GRANDEVOLUTION.COM

throughout the rest of the album, and it all wraps up with “Stranger.” The final track is carried by a chilling piano melody. The perfect instrument to make an impactful and memorable final track. GrandEvolution debuted their new work at The Cove on Green Street in Worcester on April 21. Another local show is lined up for May 19 at The Tradesman Pub in Milford. So, find your Abercrombie & Fitch visor and your puka shell necklace and let GrandEvolution take you on a trip down memory lane.

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EVENTS HAPPENING AROUND CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS: MAY 2018 NURSES DAY SHREWSBURY STREET CRAWL Eat, drink and crawl down Shrewsbury Street! Whether you work in a hospital, go to med school or you just appreciate medical professionals’ hard work, join us in celebrating National Nurses

2 P.M. MAY 12; MULTIPLE LOCATIONS ON SHREWSBURY STREET, WORCESTER; $20; TICKETS AVAILABLE AT SHREWSBURYSTREETPUBCRAWL.COM

Day with a pub crawl featuring food and drink from some of your favorite Shrewsbury Street bars and restaurants. Each group will visit about seven bars and end at an afterparty at 4th and 1 Social Club from 5-8 p.m. Tickets include one beer ticket (valid at a specified location), snacks at each location, a custom event T-shirt and access to the afterparty! A portion of each ticket will be donated to a local charity.

FOOD TRUCK THROWDOWN Come hungry and leave full and satisfied — say hello to Worcester’s first all-local food truck festival! Come on down and indulge in Worcester’s local food truck scene, and don’t forget to vote for the

11 A.M. MAY 5; GREEN HILL PARK, 50 SKYLINE DRIVE, WORCESTER; FREE; EVENT PAGE ON FACEBOOK

Best in Worcester Award.

REC SPRING GARDEN FESTIVAL & PLANT SALE Spring is here! Head down to City Hall to buy seedlings for your own backyard garden while enjoying live performances and local food. There will also be a small farmer’s market and lots of activities

10 A.M. MAY 19; WORCESTER CITY HALL AND COMMON OVAL, 455 MAIN ST., WORCESTER; FREE; RECWORCESTER.ORG

for the kids!

FIRST NATIONS POWWOW Celebrate Native American culture at this festival, where you’ll be able to experience native music and dance, drumming, storytelling, food, arts and much more! Bring the entire family out for a fun and

10 A.M. MAY 5 AND 6; AUBURN SPORTSMAN CLUB, 50 ELM ST., WORCESTER; FREE; AUBURNSPORTSMANCLUB.COM

educational day.

THE KING AND I This theatrical production, set in 1860’s Bangkok and directed by a Holy Cross graduate, tells the tale of the relationship between the King of Siam and a British schoolteacher. Get ready for a night of music, romance and overall magnificence.

May 2018

7:30 P.M. MAY 15-17; THE HANOVER THEATRE, 2 SOUTHBRIDGE ST., WORCESTER; TICKETS START AT $51; THEHANOVERTHEATRE.ORG

GAMEON: Flying off the top rope with WWE 2K18

Jason Savio Just like Madden or NBA 2K, WWE 2K has become an expected annual release on the video game schedule. And, just like those other yearly titles, WWE follows a similar formula of tinkering with its presentation and gameplay just enough to warrant calling itself different than the previous one. Does that mean WWE 2K18 is a bad game? No, certainly not. In fact, 2K18 feels directed at older wrestling fans. This year, there’s an edgier feel to 2K18, not in an over-the-top kind of way, but there is a subtle hint of aggression that’s been missing in the others. So much of the WWE product nowadays has become watered down that some of us have decided to throw in the towel. But there’s something that keeps many of us coming back for more, and a lot of that has to do with the memories of growing up and watching our favorites grapplers in the squared circle, facing each other for a title that seemed to actually mean something. In that regard, WWE 2K18 is a time machine — an opportunity to relive some of those classic matches that captured our imagination. That is due, in large part, to the ever-expanding roster that the WWE 2K series boasts. The roster on these games is always stacked, and every year, there are new names and fresh faces. Want to recreate the controversial Montreal Screwjob? Childhood heroes Shawn Michaels and Brett Hart are here for you to play out that fateful scenario or change it as you see fit. Different versions of wrestlers from yesteryear are options, as well, including classic Shawn Michaels, circa 1997, or D-Generation X-era HBK from a year later. In a super deep pullback, WWE 2K18 adds Earthquake to the roster. Who’s Earthquake, you ask? You’ll have to refer to your WWE encyclopedia to find out. Not to be left out, rising WWE superstars like Asuka and Shinsuke Nakamura are also playable characters. Some changes to the gameplay this year that are worth noting include the approach to submission holds — how to either apply one or escape from one. When a submission hold is applied, you’ll be in charge of controlling a blue bar or a red bar that moves around a circle, depending on which end of the maneuver you’re on. You’ll be tasked with keeping your opponent’s bar from completely overlapping with yours if you’re trying to break free. It’s not as easy as it sounds. Thankfully, kicking out of a pin is much easier. The WWE Universe mode allows you to take part in an ongoing schedule of matches, just like in real life, and Creations mode gives you the opportunity to create everything from your own title belt to your very own arena. Possibly the most important thing included in WWE 2K18 — and it’s such a small addition that it’s easy to take for granted — is the ranking system for the matches. Your matches are ranked on a five-star scale; the more stars you get at the end of a fight, the more the points and cash you earn. WWE 2K18 doesn’t break any major new ground — although that might be due in the next year or two — but it’s a solid game that wrestling fans will enjoy. All your favorite names are here from today and yesterday, and there is more power given to the player in the Creation mode. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWE.2K.COM.

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CLUB+PUB+GRUB LISTINGS ENTERTAINMENT AT CLUBS, BARS, PUBS & OTHER SELECT VENUES 435 Bar & Grill 435 Lancaster St., Leominster May 4: James Keyes May 5: Fred Ellsworth May 11: Ethan & Ashley Caouette May 12: Amanda Cote May 18: Andy Fitchel May 19: The Finest Hour May 25: Lizzy Marquis May 26: Brian Chaffee American Graffiti 113 Summer St., Lunenburg Art’s Diner 541 W. Boylston St., Worc. B-Man’s 140 Tavern 348 Redemption Rock Trail, Sterling 140pub.com The Banner Bar & Grille 112 Green St., Worc. thebannerbar.com Barber’s Crossing Road House 861 Main St., Leicester barberscrossingrestaurant.com Barbers Crossing (North) 175 Leominster Road, Sterling barberscrossingrestaurant.com Thursdays: Open Mic Fridays: Bill McCarthy May 5: Chris Terp May 12: Ken Macy May 19: Bill McCarthy May 26: Heather Ralston & Joe Macey Beatnik’s 433 Park Ave., Worc. beatniksbeyou.com Thursdays: Center Stage Karaoke May 4: Heads of Steam May 5: Skero Radioactive Showcase May 9: Free Pizza & Game Night May 11: Kyle & Matte Black May 11: Infinite Groove May 12: Mt. Pleasant May 18: Stillwater String Band May 19: Settledown Easy May 23: Free Pizza & Game Night May 25: Miranda May 26: The Groovalottos Beemer’s Pub & Grill 310 Main St., Fitchburg beemerspub.com Billy’s Pub 81 Clinton St., Shrewsbury Black Sheep Tavern 261 Leominster Road, Sterling Blueprint New American Bar & Grill 9 Village Square, Westminster May 4: Mike Melendez May 10: Fred Ellsworth May 11: Dan Cormier May 12: Brian Chaffee May 18: Whitney Doucette May 19: Tim & Lou May 24: Vinny Jamieson May 25: Scott Babineau May 26: Dan Kirouac May 31: Amanda Cote Bolton Street Tavern 587 Bolton St., Marlborough

May 2018

boltonstreettavern.com Boulder Cafe 880 Main St., Fitchburg Breakaway Billiards 104 Sterling St., Clinton May 3: Karaoke May 5: Willie›s Warriors Benefit with The Great Escape Brew City 104 Shrewsbury St., Worc. brew-city.com British Beer Company 225 Shrewsbury St., Worc. britishbeer.com Mondays: Open Mic Night Bull Run Restaurant 215 Great Road, Shirley bullrunrestaurant.com May 4: The Mark Marquis Group May 10: Ray Wylie Hubbard May 18: Shemekia Copeland May 20: Lee Roy Parnell May 31: The Jon Cleary Trio Canal Restaurant & Bar 65 Water St., Worc. Thursdays, Fridays: DJs Chopstick’s Restaurant & Lounge 21 Commercial Road, Leominster chopsticksleominster.com Christopher’s Pub 7 Pleasant St., Leominster Classic’s Pub 285 Central St., Leominster classicspub.net Club KasBar 234 Southwest Cutoff, Worc. Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays: Karaoke May 6: Fellowship of the King (Elvis tribute) The Columbia Tavern 28 Manning Ave., Leominster Compass Tavern 90 Harding St., Worc. thecompasstavern.com Fridays, Saturdays: DJs May 4: Johnny Taylor May 11: Ken Macy Duo May 18: Dave Miller May 25: Chris Reddy Cosmopolitan Club 96 Hamilton St., Worc. The Cove Music Hall 89 Green St., Worc. thecovemusichall.com Wednesdays: Open Decks Night with Toreba Spacedrift, DJ MN, & ENO Confusion Thursdays: Live Rockin’ Karaoke May 4: The Knot May 5: Schism (TOOL tribute) with Reservoirs May 11: Born to Party in the 90’s May 12: Blue Light Bandits, Stains of a Sunflower & Mean Spirit May 18: Dio Memorial Show with Holy

Diver Dio Tribute and more May 19: Everybody Wants Some (Van Halen Tribute) May 25: The Flock May 26: Gorilla Radio (Rage against the Machine tribute) Dance Ranch & Saloon 70 James St., Worc. danceranchandsaloon.com Days End Tavern 287 Main St., Oxford daysendtavern.com Devens Grill 4 Ryans Way, Devens devensgrill.com The District 109 Water St., Worc. districtworcester.com Electric Haze 26 Millbury St, Worc. May 4: Disc Jam Pre-Party: Strange Machines with The Clock Reads May 11: BRYAC Funk All-Stars with Of Tomorrow May 12: Danny Pease & The Regulators with Blessed 2 Be and Just Wingin It May 17: Elevate Magazine Launch Party May 18: Airspray May Queer Dance Party May 20: Tyrone Shoelaces Sunday Residency May 23: Homemade Spaceship/Pi Wrecks/MIDIcinal/TheBusiness/Father Figure Fiddlers’ Green Pub & Restaurant 19 Temple St., Worc. fiddlersgreenworcester.com Firefly’s / Dante’s 350 E. Main St., Marlborough fireflysbbq.com Flip Flops 680 Main St., Holden flipflopsma.com May 25: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Flying Rhino Cafe 278 Shrewsbury St., Worc. flyingrhinocafe.com Forty’s 1030 Central St., Leominster Frank’s 274 Shrewsbury St., Worc. May 5: Far From Eden May 11: Way Up South May 12: Dock 10 May 19: Dezi Garcia Funky Murphy’s Bar & Grill 305 Shrewsbury St., Worc. funkymurphys.com Gardner Ale House 74 Parker St., Gardner gardnerale.com Sundays: Sunday Brunch with Chet Williamson and Jimmy Morell Mondays: Blue Mondays Thursdays: Audio Wasabi

Fridays, Saturdays: Live music The GazBar Sports Grill 1045 Central St., Leominster thegazbar.com May 3: Amanda Cote May 4: The Two Timers May 5: The Lost Artifacts May 10: TC Polk May 11: Jim Weeks May 12: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell May 17: Zach Marquis May 18: Dan Kirouac May 24: Joe Macey May 25: Double Barrel Duo May 26: Scott Babineau May 31: Heather Ralston Greendale’s Pub 404 W. Boylston St., Worc. greendalespub.com Tuesdays: Open Mic with Bill McCarthy; Local Musicians Showcase Thursdays: Karaoke May 4: Ed & Da ve May 5: No Alibi May 6: Jim›s Blues Jam featuring Johnny Press & Ed Peabody May 6: Petty Larceny May 11: Clam Digger May 18: The Rails May 19: Silverbacks May 25: Riff Raff May 26: Rythm 44 Halligan’s Sports Bar and More 889 Southbridge St., Auburn halliganssportsbarandmore.com Happy Jack’s 785 North Main St., Leominster May 25: Sean Fullerton and his Mad Loops Laboratory Hotel Vernon 1 Millbury St., Worc. Indian Ranch 200 Gore Road, Webster indianranch.com Ixtapa Cantina 308 Massachusetts Ave., Lunenburg ixtapacantina2.com Legends Airport Road, Fitchburg Leitrim’s Pub 265 Park Ave., Worc. leitrimspub.com Loft 266 Bar & Lounge 266 Park Ave., Worc. loft266.com Tuesdays: Karaoke Wednesdays: Music Bingo Thursdays: Sam James, DJ XKaliber Fridays, Saturdays: DJ Cardona May 5: Two Timers May 11: Drunken Uncles May 12: Dave O›Brien May 18: Kevin Shields Marty’s Pub 225 Canterbury St., Worc. martyspub.com MB Lounge Continued on Page 21

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May 2018

Continued from Page 18

40 Grafton St., Worc. mblounge.com Sundays: Seasonal Martini Sundays Mondays: Industry Night with Keith Tuesdays: Throw Back Tuesdays with Andy R. Wednesdays: Karaoke with Mike Mic Thursdays: Drinks with Superman Shawn Fridays, Saturdays: Guest and House DJs Medusa Brewing Company 111 Main St., Hudson medusabrewing.com May 3: Open Mic Night May 4: Graham Brown May 5: Amanda Cote May 11: Mike Melendez May 12: Jeff Anderson & Madeliene May 17: Open Mic Night May 18: Big Jon Short May 19: Joe Sambo May 25: The Brother Stereo May 26: Michael Macdonald of Strange Machines May 27: Beatles Night with Melendez, Chaffee, & Clark May 31: Open Mic Night Michael’s Cigar Bar 1 Exchange Place, Worc. michaelscigar.com May 3: Rick Hamel May 4: Jim Devlin May 5: Doctor Robert May 6: Mike Melendez May 9: Ricky Duran May 10: Jim Devlin May 11: Hot Letter May 13: Royal Furs May 16: Dezi Garcia May 17: Jodee & Brian May 18: Neon Alley May 19: Hit the Bus May 20: Blue Light Bandits May 23: Ricky Duran May 25: Blue Light Bandits May 26: Reckless May 27: Royal Furs May 30: Dezi Garcia May 31: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell The Mill 185 185 W. Boylston St., W. Boylston themill185.com May 3: Night Train May 4: Belit May 5: Jodee & Brian May 11: Jay Graham May 17: Katie O›Brien Duo May 18: Cara Brindisi May 19: Riff Raff plays The Mill 185 May 24: Darren Bessette May 25: Chad Clements May 26: Joe & Liz The Monument Tap 13 Central St., Leominster monumenttap.com May 3: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell May 4: Scott Babineau May 5: Anniversary Bash with Ron Williams May 20: Irish Wispa May 25: DJ Ritchie Moynihan’s Pub 897 Main St., Worc. The Muse 536 Main St., Worc. Nick’s Bar and Restaurant 124 Millbury St., Worc. May 5: Triple Crown Party Round 1

Kentucky Derby May 19: Preakness Stakes Triple Crown Event Round 2 The Nines Neighborhood Bar 136 Millbury St., Worc. Oak Barrel Tavern 229 Grove Ave., Worc. oakbarreltavernworcester.com Olde Post Office Pub 1 Ray St., N. Grafton May 24: Rick Hamel On The Rocks Sports Bar & Grill 96 Lakefront Ave., Lunenburg Oxford Tavern 314 Main St., Oxford Padavano’s Place 358 Shrewsbury St., Worc. padavanosplace.com Thursdays: Karaoke with Matty J May 4: Testify May 5: Three of a Kind May 6: Hot Dish - Acoustic Duo May 11: Riff Raff plays Padavano’s Restaurant May 11: Riff-Raff May 12: Girls on Girls May 18: The Accelerators May 19: Dock 10 May 20: Brett Brumby May 25: Take Two May 26: J-Mac Blues Band Paisanos Pizza & Spirits 450 Lancaster St., Leominster The Palladium 261 Main St., Worc. thepalladium.net Park Grill and Spirits 257 Park Ave., Worc. Fridays, Saturdays: Dick’s Beantown Comedy Escape May 4: Bunk Pickett Star Wars Experience May 5: Roger Convery May 11: Paul Murano May 12: James Cook May 18: The Drunkin’ Uncles May 19: Terry Blackwell May 25: Ric Porter & Peter Allard May 26: Matt & Marty Acoustic Roots Partner’s Pub 970 South St., Fitchburg partnerspub.com Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays: Karaoke May 5: Sean Daley & The Hooligans May 12: Kevin Shields May 19: One50One May 26: Ben Cote Patsie Dugan’s 49 Millbury St., Worc. patsiedugans.com Pho Dakao 593 Park Ave., Worc. The Pint 58 Shrewsbury St., Worc. Point Breeze On the Lake 114 Point Breeze Road, Webster pointbreezeonwebsterlake.com Press Box 536 Lincoln St., Worc. Quinn’s Irish Pub 715 W. Boylston St., Worc. quinnsirishpub.com May 4: Sam James

May 5: DJ JR May 6: John Brazile May 9: Cara Brindisi May 10: Brian Twohey May 11: Chad Clements May 12: Fergus May 12: Graham Brown May 13: DJ JR May 16: Sam James May 17: John Brazile May 18: Sam James May 19: Ricky Duran May 20: DJ JR May 23: Brett Brumby May 24: Cara Brindisi May 25: FM Live May 26: Sam James May 27: DJ JR May 30: DJ JR May 31: John Brazile Ralph’s Chadwick Square Diner 148 Grove St., Worc. ralphsrockdiner.com May 3: Metal Thursday: Rawhide (Sweden), Panzerbastard, Black Mass, & Failure Clinic May 13: Heavy Metal Sunday: Savage Master , Bewitcher, & Facepaint The Raven 258 Pleasant St., Worc. Wednesdays: Open Mic Thursdays: ComMutiny May 4: Ana Sapphira, White Lights & Barbarian May 8: 7 Hills Poetry Slam May 11: LouderLouder, ColorKiller, LosingStreak, PK & PLBK May 12: Gaffer Project, Half, Seldom Sun, Co1 & Circus Trees May 18: AMPP Worcester, Saving Amenity, Quixotic Monks, Playing With Fire, Defret & Live the Illusion May 26: Solar VVitch, Stratosphere Giant, Comet Pond &The Phase May 27: M-Ezy & J.Rice, The Fam, Hof Cruz, Sky High Environment, Beantown Oddities, Tyler Durden, Young Sapa, Jasz, Dani V & Wavy Lucca Red Onion - Otter River Hotel 29 Main St., Baldwinville Rye & Thyme 14 Monument Square, Leominster ryeandthyme.com May 3: Sean Fullerton and his Mad Loops Laboratory! May 4: Owen Ross Trio May 5: Joe Grizzley presents The Future CD Release May 10: Nico Rivers May 11: Invisible Sun May 12: Soulstice May 17: Dan Cormier May 18: Dwayne Haggins Band May 19: Trakdown May 24: Ken Macy May 26: Wolfsmyth May 31: Promise is Hope Sean Patrick’s Family Restaurant 494 Electric Ave., Lunenburg seanpatricksrestaurant.com South Side Grille & Margarita Factory 242 W. Broadway, Gardner southsidemargaritafactory.com May 4: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell May 5: Meadow Brook Project May 11: Amanda Cote May 12: Whiskey Johnson May 18: Dave Andrews May 19: The Crushers / Game On May 25: Dave Malouin Speakers Night Club

19 Weed St., Marlborough speakersnightclub.net Spruce Street Tavern 68 Spruce St., Clinton sprucestreettavern.com Sunset Tiki Bar/The Outlook 79 Powers Road, Westford Wednesdays: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell The Tavern on Central 3 Central St., Ashburnham thetavernoncentral.com May 4: Brian Chaffee May 5: Max Recoil May 11: Michael Spaulding May 12: The Middlemen May 18: Ken Macy May 19: Wootan Firebox May 25: Darren Bessette May 26: Neon Alley Three G’s Sports Bar 152 Millbury St., Worc. 3gs-sportsbar.com Thursdays: Open Mic Fridays: Karaoke Union Tavern 65 Green St., Worc. Upper Deck Sports Bar & Grille 377 Stetson Road, Barre upperdecksportsbarandgrille.com Valentino’s Press & Pour 154 Shrewsbury St., Worc. Victory Bar & Cigar 56 Shrewsbury St., Worc. victorycigarbar.com Vincent’s Bar 49 Suffolk St., Worc. Tuesdays: Boogie Chillin’ May 21: Hip Swayers Deluxe Whiskey Hookah Lounge 316 Main St., Worc. Whiskey on Water 97 Water St., Worc. whiskeyonwater.com Sundays: Karaoke with DJ Soup Thursdays: DJ Cuzn Kev Fridays: DJ Tec Threat Saturdays: Rotating DJs May 4: Hit the Bus May 5: Tequila Bonfire May 5: DJ Rivas May 11: Eric Paquette Duo May 12: Vibrant May 12: DJ Ayeoo Romero May 18: C›s Express Duo May 19: The Flat Five May 19: DJ Xcaliber May 25: The Royal Furs May 26: Giant Foot Duo May 26: DJ Screwloose Whistle Stop Bar & Grill 85 Main St., Oxford StopByTheWhistle.com White Eagle Polish Club 112 Green St., Worc. Thursdays: Musical Bingo William’s Restaurant & Tavern 184 Pearson Blvd., Gardner williamsrestaurantandtavern.com Wonder Bar Restaurant 121 Shrewsbury St., Worc. Ye Olde Tavern 7 E. Main St., W. Brookfield westbrookfieldtavern.com

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BY JUSTIN PERRY

BRITISH BEER COMPANY – WORCESTER

PARKWAY RESTAURANT & DINER – WORCESTER

PICCOLO’S – WORCESTER

LAKESIDE BAR & GRILLE – SHREWSBURY

May 2018

SLATE BAR & GRILLE – LEOMINSTER

GAZBAR SPORTS GRILL – LEOMINSTER

FLYING RHINO CAFE & WATERING HOLE – WORCESTER

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LI F ESTY LE

MAKE SURE PEOPLE REMEMBER YOU FOR THE RIGHT REASONS We’ve all had that time when we flubbed a first impression. That time when we were set to meet someone for the first time and something went really wrong. Perhaps it was the poppyseeds in the teeth from the morning bagel? Or the piece of toilet paper dragging on the bottom of your shoe? It’s all fodder for a stand-up comedy act. But a bad first impression also can stem from something as simple as terrible listening skills or negative body language. Read on a for a few tips on making a good impression.

ACTIVE LISTENING Is anything worse than someone who isn’t listening when you’re speaking to them? You can tell from the look on their face that they’re working out what to say next and it will probably have no bearing on what you’ve been saying. Or they are thinking about what they’re going to have for lunch. Either way, it doesn’t make a solid first impression. A great way to make a good first impression is to be engaged — listening to what the person in front of you is saying and responding to it accordingly. Parrot back some of their words, so that they know that you have heard them and ask them relevant questions, which incites them to keep talking.

BODY LANGUAGE COUNTS In the same vein as active listening is body language. We say a lot without saying a word when we meet someone, particularly someone new. The non-verbal cues that the other person picks up from us are just as important as the verbal ones. For example, not shaking hands with someone who offers theirs, and if they don’t offer, not offering

May 2018

yours can be taken as a snub. Having your arms folded across your chest while someone is talking might seem comfortable for you, but to others, it has the appearance of negativity, of a closed mind to what they are saying. Facial expressions are part of body language. Some of us have what’s known as “resting bitch face.” This is where our normal face looks sad or mad, even when that’s not what we’re feeling at all. If you’ve been told you have that, be aware of it when you’re meeting new people. Make an effort to avoid it. Good eye contact is another great way to make sure that your first impression is a good one.

GOOD CONVERSATION STARTERS The old adage says that you should always stay away from religion and politics. Assuming things about the person you’re meeting is also fraught. Example? You don’t want to talk about the senior discount at the shop you’re standing in front of with someone who might not be a senior! So what’s safe, besides the weather? It’s always safe to ask the other person about themselves. Just don’t ask “What do you do?” or one of the other standard conversation nonstarters (see below). Instead, you can ask things like “So, what should I know about you that I can’t read about on your LinkedIN profile?” NO. 1 TIP FOR FIRST IMPRESSIONS AT A SOCIAL GATHERING Compliments are your new best friend. If someone has a handbag you admire, walk up to them and say so. The person you are speaking with will be happy to receive a compliment, albeit indirect, and it’s a good way to begin a conversation. But be genuine: If you are faking it, it will show.

NO. 1 TIP FOR FIRST IMPRESSIONS ON A DATE Be positive. Even if things go wildly wrong — the waiter drops soup on your date; a passing cab splashes both of you as you stand waiting to cross the street; whatever happens, take it in stride and remain positive. NO. 1 TIP FOR FIRST IMPRESSIONS ON THE PLAYGROUND Making new friends as an adult is hard, particularly breaking into the “mommy cliques” at the playground of your children’s school. Avoid talking about anything related to the school and instead approach a group and ask their opinion on the best place in the neighborhood to get a haircut for your child. They’ll be more than happy to share their wisdom, and you’ve got an in by being open and curious. NO. 1 TIP FOR FIRST IMPRESSIONS ONLINE These days, you are just as likely to “meet” someone for the first time in the digital arena as in the real world, so it’s vital that your online image is clean. I’m not referring to your picture or avatar, though these should be suited to the platform (LinkedIN: professional; Facebook: fun but not awkward; Twitter: something more than the egg). Search for yourself regularly on search engines and social media to see what people will find when they look you up, because they will look you up and you don’t want to find embarrassing shots of you knocking back shooters in your underwear as the first link they find. At the end of the day, you have three to five seconds to make a first impression. Make it a good one. Justin Lavelle is the chief communications officer at BeenVerified.com, where he often writes about personal brand building. Beenverified is the fast, affordable and easy way to access public records and search for people. Find out ages, marital status, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, criminal records and more.

GROW A BOUNTIFUL GARDEN & SHARE WITH THE HUNGRY

Melinda Myers, Photo by Rob Cardillo. Do you always squeeze in an extra tomato plant, another row of beans or hill of zucchini? It seems like a good idea at the time, until they all start to produce all at once. Your family, friends and co-workers start to hide as you try to pawn off yet another bag of zucchini or tomatoes. Here is a solution that satisfies your gardening obsession and feeds the hungry in your community. Designate some growing space to a Giving Garden and donate the harvest to your local food pantry. Feeding America reports that 41 million Americans struggle with hunger. And many are children and seniors. Gardener’s Supply Company is inviting gardeners to lend a hand and take the Garden to Give pledge to grow food to give to those in need. The company surveyed food pantries to find out what types of fruits and veggies people most enjoy eating and those that store well. You’ll find a simple Giving Garden plan for beets, carrots, cabbage, Swiss chard, kale and winter squash at gardeners.com. Best of all, these late-maturing vegetables will be ready for harvest all at about the same time, so you can make your donation in just one trip. Don’t let a lack of space stop you from participating. Plant a row or container of one or more of these vegetables to share; join forces with a neighbor who may have the space, but only limited time to garden; or gather a few friends and rent a community garden plot. Together, you can grow fresh produce and memories to share. Get the children in your life involved in growing and giving. Gardening increases focus, decreases stress and elevates children’s moods. Giving helps children grow into caring, well-rounded adults. Plus, if they grow the vegetables, they are more likely to eat them! Be sure to capture a few photographs of your donation to inspire others to follow your lead. Starting in August, you can enter Gardener’s Supply’s online Show What You Share photo contest for a chance to win a prize for you and your local food pantry. With the Garden to Give program, everyone who participates is a winner. The real prize is making a difference while doing something you love. Once you’ve experienced the benefits of sharing fresh produce with the hungry in your community, you are likely to find yourself making regular donations of garden fresh fruits and veggies to those in need… and feeling great about it, too. Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything: Food Gardening For Everyone” DVD set and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio segments. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. For more information, visit melindamyers.com.

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THE LUXE LIST

HOW SMART PEOPLE DO SPRING Merilee Kern

Spring is known as “the season of new beginnings,” so there’s no better time than now to change up the way you do a few things in your day-to-day life and, even better, solve some pesky problems in the process.

WEATHERMAN UMBRELLA Spring showers — no problem! When one of the nation’s most trusted meteorologists, Rick Reichmuth, was unable to find an umbrella that met his standards, he set out to design his own — and so the Weatherman was born. It’s an umbrella that matches top-quality materials and craftsmanship with smart technology through an original, meteorologist-led design. The durable umbrella is made from hand-sewn panels with fiberglass ribs, allowing it to stand up to extreme weather — even 55-mph winds. The Weatherman app pairs with a Pebblebee Bluetooth Tracker to detect the forecast and then provides alerts for when you should to take your Weatherman with you while you’re out and about. An embedded tracker finder also ensures you always know where to find your umbrella when you need it, guaranteeing that you’ll never lose your Weatherman. $59, weathermanumbrella.com.

SCOTTS GRO 7-ZONE CONTROLLER The smart home has made its way outdoors! Now you can monitor your sprinkler system and easily control water flow to seven different zones from your phone or other devices, reducing the problem of over- or under-watering your lawn. The new Gro 7-Zone Controller from Scotts simplifies your life by using real-time local weather data to automatically tailor irrigation schedules to your specific lawn and plant-watering needs. Just replace your old controller with this device to monitor, schedule changes and manage your sprinklers through the company’s Gro Connect app.

CASETA WIRELESS SMART LIGHTING KIT Energy-saving smart lighting has never been more affordable or convenient thanks to the Caseta Wireless Smart Lighting Kit by Lutron. With it, you can control lights and shades from anywhere. You can control the entire system with a smartphone, tablet or even voice control systems like Siri and Alexa. It also works seamlessly with other smart home products like Sonos speakers and Nest thermostats to create a connected experience. The system can also be controlled from around corners or through walls, making it very reliable. $99.95, Amazon.com.

NECTAR MEMORY FOAM MATTRESS Sleep tighter and wake more refreshed this spring with the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress. It is a premium memory foam mattress at an affordable price that gives the support of a firm mattress with the comfort of a soft pillow-top. The mattress features a Tencel Cooling Cover, which makes it more breathable, softer and better at absorbing moisture than premium cotton. It also contains two layers of gel memory foam to help the mattress circulate air, distribute weight and contour to your specific body type. It will arrive directly to your home completely free of charge and comes with a full 365-night home trial. Nectar also guarantees the mattress for as long as you own it. Starting at $500, NectarSleep.com.

$149.99, MyGro.com.

As the executive editor and producer of The Luxe List, Merilee Kern is an internationally regarded consumer product trends expert and hospitality industry voice of authority. She identifies and reports on exemplary travel destinations and experiences, extraordinary events and newsworthy products and services across all categories. Reach her at TheLuxeList.com, on Twitter @LuxeListEditor, on Facebook at TheLuxeList and on Instagram at LuxeListReviews.

May 2018

OUT+ABOUT: Have you considered PrEP to prevent HIV?

John Trobaugh PrEP is a success five plus years out, even though it is not widely talked about. First, what is PrEP? According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is daily medicine that can reduce your chance of getting HIV. Simply put, this daily pill can prevent HIV from spreading. The pill is called Truvada, a two-drug combination in one pill. A doctor prescribes the medication, and it is taken once a day. It is not just for the LGBTQ+ community, but our community benefits from it. That is amazing. It has genuinely stemmed the transmission in those populations that use it by the guidelines — nearly 100 percent in some studies. Most literature states a success rate of more than 90 percent. But, wow, what a success. It is so effective, it can even prevent transmission from an intravenous injection more than 70 percent of the time. So where is the problem? Why is it not in the water? There are a few issues. Some known, some not. The biggest barrier is cost, but there are some problems if you have kidney disease or can’t be regularly followed by a doctor with knowledge of the prescribing guidelines. There is also a disparity in use in populations of color, as well as a lingering stigma. If you had no insurance or assistance, PrEP would cost $2,000 per month. The state of New York has determined it is more cost-effective to make sure it is as close to free as possible and will even cover co-pays, which can be more than $90 a month. Massachusetts has it’s own version of such a plan. According to the Marybeth McCabe, of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, The Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Drug Assistance Program (PrEP DAP) was established in 2016 to ensure that individuals at high risk for HIV infection who could benefit from the intervention did not face financial access barriers. And to date, 197 clients have been enrolled in PrEP DAP. The median age of PrEP DAP enrollees is 35 years, and more than half of enrollees are black or Latino. The fact that more than half of enrollees are people of color is quite encouraging, since the CDC’s national statistics state that people of color are significantly less likely to be prescribed or take PrEP. In addition to the state funded PrEP DAP, the makers of Truvada also have a need-based assistance program that is useful as well. Another barrier is a health risk if you already have kidney disease. The other health related barrier is finding a provider who is competent is prescribing Truvada. Most people must see an infectious disease specialist. This additional doctor appointment can be a barrier to access. There is still a lingering stigma that I even hesitate to mention. However, to dispel it, we name it. The theory was that HIV prevention would cause risky behavior, but that has not been borne out by the research. There is an increase in other types of sexually transmitted infections, so you must be monitored, but it seems the fear of Truvada causing extreme behavior far outweighs the reality. The good news is Truvada is effective. But we need more education. PrEP education should be part of sexual education. THE COMMUNITY RESEARCH INITIATIVE ADMINISTERS THE PREP DAP, SO GO AND FIND OUT MORE HERE: HTTP://CRINE.ORG. THE CDC ALSO HAS LOTS OF INFO ABOUT PREP AT CDC.GOV/HIV/BASICS/PREP.HTML. If you have ideas for Out and About, please email John@JohnArt.com.

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F OO D +D R IN K

DINING REVIEW

SIMJANG

GETS TO THE HEART OF KOREAN CUISINE

Bernie Whitmore By now, the genesis of simjang (spelled lowercase) has been well established as a venture by the team that started the deadhorse hill restaurant. What makes this particularly exciting is twofold. First, we’re eager to taste what’s next from the team that produced a cuisine that’s bold and innovative. Plus, the new location, in the spot on Shrewsbury Street pioneered by Sweet, is visually stimulating and instantly becomes anchor of Worcester’s preeminent dining district. As if to emphasize this, the owners took the Korean word for “heart” and made it their name: simjang. For emphasis, they graffitied the largest heart in the Commonwealth on their two-story dining room wall. It’s not lost on us that this also happens to be the seal of the city of Worcester. Bold? Yeah! And a bit exciting, like the rest of the dining room, with its bright-colored metal furniture, blond wooden tabletops gleaming with colorful geometric accents and their own answer to Paris’s chain bridge. The playlist ranged from Billy Idol’s “White Wedding” to UB40 to Mel & Kim’s “Respectable.” All uplifting and, blessedly, not K-pop. Alas, the cuisine. Can it satisfy our expectations? Ashley, our server, proved an enthusiastic and attentive guide for our quest to answer that question. Simjang’s menu is compact, with appetizers divided into Raw (including oysters and beef tartare), Other Tastes (Korean Caesar salad, kimchi pancakes, broiled mackerel) and Korean Fried Chicken. Whilst I was considering the tartare, my guest was in for fried chicken. Simjang offers wings or thighs with a choice of sauces. We went with thighs slathered with spicy gochujang sauce. I admit to being a bit wary that a fiery hot sauce would mute the rest of the meal’s flavors, but my apprehension was misplaced. In fact, this gochujang — a deep-red sauce made with chili peppers — was more sweet than spicy. Our dish of two thighs, each sliced in half, was sized perfectly for two people; the skin was deep-fried crisp and

May 2018

72 SHREWSBURY ST. WORCESTER (774) 243-7750 coated with a thick layer of sticky sauce. Inside, the thigh meat was still steaming and moist. That sticky-sweet flavor was cleanly cut by sips of my Pulse Wave double IPA (Grimm Artisanal Ales). At 8% ABV, it’s served in a snifter glass that showcased its cloudy amber color and thin, lacy head. Dishes at simjang are brought to the table sequentially with the assumption they’ll be enjoyed family-style. They also tend to be fun; ours were equal parts chopsticks-fare and finger-food. Ashley liberally supplied us with paper products and Wet-Naps. A Banchan Plate followed — a variety of little tastes offered up by the chef. Ours included vinegary chiliflecked pickle slices, wedges of crunchy red daikon, beetred preserved wedges of egg and a small mound of kimchi. Each had a distinct flavor and texture. Tteokbokki, our first entrée, are rice cakes. But don’t expect those Styrofoam disks you encounter in the grocery store. The Korean version are a universe apart — thick solid tubes with the texture of Italian gnocchi. They have a similar chewy texture and the mild flavor of rice flour. Simjang’s tteokbokki are served in a baking dish slathered with lamb shoulder braised so slowly it fell apart in shreds — tender, rich and tasty and flavored with bits of black garlic and chili paste. I’d pair the lavish flavors of this dish with any hoppy IPA. But what would become my favorite dish of this first

visit, Bossam was another hands on event. Four thick rectangles of pork belly came equipped with lettuce leaves to build, DIYstyle, your own little wraps. Layer in red chili paste, coriander leaves, white and red kimchi with the meat and achieve contrasting flavors. Placing the first pork belly slab onto a leaf, I wondered how I’d actually load up all these ingredients and be able to pick it up without it falling apart. But everything came together perfectly and tasted delectable. The exterior of the pork was singed on the grill, amping up the meaty flavor, and specked with bits of tasty chili. The interior was soft and creamy — like meat butter. Dessert? After all this rich food? No way! But then Ashley told us about simjang’s soft-serve machine (which is, in itself, a marvel) and the combos they make with it. I knew we’d have to sample at least one flavor, so we chose pineapple-lime. It was served in a deep glass with the top playfully twirled and dusted with toasted coconut crumbles. The flavor was refreshing and clean. Sensing my longing, Ashley returned with a sample of the soft-serve I didn’t get to try: chocolate cinnamon shiitake. As a collector of chocolate memories, this one was creamy and earthy-rich; I’d recommend it. Inevitably there will be those who ask, “But it is authentic Korean?” Perhaps not. I’d call it “Korean bolted to the side of deadhorse’s heroic American cuisine,” and that’s a very good thing. And to anyone who’s heard enough horror stories about kimchi to be wary of it, I’d say, “Forget all that. Choose anything on this menu and start the simjang experience.” This is a team we can trust.

HOT&NOW: What’s hot and what’s happening now in the restaurant scene Paul Giorgio CHANGING WITH THE DAY. Each weekday a new cuisine will be available in downtown Worcester now that Fooda has launched in the Mercantile Center. Fooda partners with businesses to open lunch spots in office buildings. With more than 1,000 restaurant partners nationwide and locations in more than 12 cities across the country, Fooda brings a different restaurants straight to employees at lunchtime. Fooda recently unveiled its newest location in Worcester. Right off the lobby of the Mercantile Center at 100 Front St. is the new sleek Fooda space, which is being called “The Vault” because the site used to house a bank. We hear that Figs + Pigs, Meze and a few unnamed Worcester eateries will be providing lunch. THE BIG RIVER KEEPS ON CHURNING. It appears that Worcester’s Canal District continues to thrive and change. There will be a new pho restaurant opening right in Kelley Square. Also opening this month is Maddi’s, located on Water Street. CHANGING HANDS. It looks like a bunch of places are going to have new owners soon. Let’s start with the Canal District, where it appears that Three G’s is being sold. The bar is at 157 Millbury St. There’s no word on who the new owner is. We cross the city to find that Austin Liquors on Gold Star Boulevard has been sold. This is one of four stores owned by the same company. No word if the other Austins will be sold. WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS. Smokey Joe’s & Rumors on Worcester’s Park Avenue are also slated for new ownership. Stay tuned for any changes. SELL THOSE COOKIES. Worcester area Girl Scouts recently held the Fork It Over competition and fundraiser at The Hanover Theatre. Savory Category winners were Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School (first place) and Figs + Pigs Kitchen and Pantry (second place). In the Sweet Dishes category, the judges chose The Publick House (first place) and The Overlook (second place). The People’s Choice Awards went to Figs + Pigs for the savory dish and DJ’s Tasty Treats for the sweet dish. COME FLY WITH ME. The Flying Rhino Café on Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street recently announced its new spring/summer menu. The menu stresses freshness and is heavy on both Mediterranean and Korean influences. Among the Korean offerings are Kimchi Rice Balls and Smoky Rock Pot Pork. Korean is the hot new trend, I guess. EAST SIDE/WEST SIDE. It appears that the rumors were true. The Tatnuck Grille is gone and closed down and has been sold to the Funky Murphy’s guys. They expect to be closed for the summer for renovations. The Tatnuck Grill was an old Friendly’s and had not been renovated in a while. Watch for a fall opening. THIS IS BOTH WICKED AND TWISTED. Reunion Tap and Table hopes to open on Worcester Street in North Grafton by June, according to co-owner Shawn Briggs. Briggs, also the co-founder of Wicked Twisted Pretzels, a North Grafton wholesale manufacturer of pretzels and dipping sauces, will open the restaurant with Sargon Hanna, who owns the land Wicked Pretzel is on. So, could we see some pretzel-crusted items or even a pretzel bun?

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PULSEBREW: Make it a Shipyard summer Ryan Massad With snow in April, it seemed like summer would never come. However, Memorial Day is at the end of the month. Time to take the board shorts out from the vacuum-sealed storage bag and start practicing bocce throws. And it’s never too soon to start thinking about your summer beer of choice. Nothing is more relaxing than kicking back with an icy-cold brew on a hot summer day. Which lucky bottle or can will be swimming amongst ice cubes in the Yeti cooler this summer? The early favorite: Shipyard Island Time IPA. We all know Shipyard from its wildly popular fall favorite, Pumpkinhead, but Island Time is a light, fruity IPA that pours like a lager, disguising its rich depth. It’s a lovely beer to sip on with your toes in the sand. The aroma of fruits is noticeable upon first popping off the cap. Grassy and citrussy, with a light taste upon first sip, it finishes extremely clean for an IPA. The best part: That taste experience stays the same until the bottle is empty. Fulfilling, but not filling — leaving plenty of room for a clam strip roll. And since we’re already talking about drinking Shipyard in the summertime, I feel compelled to mention two of the company’s other products — Fireberry and Maui Mango. They’re not very well-known products, since the nearest retailers to Worcester are New Hampshire liquor stores, but I assume that will soon change. For those that aren’t familiar, Fireberry and Maui Mango are Shipyard’s superlight canned summer beers infused with tea. They were released just last year. After partnering up with Tiesta Tea, Shipyard came out with these two hybrid drinks to serve as mellow beverage options for beer and tea fans alike. Namaste, indeed. Maui Mango is a fruity wheat ale, with strong hints of mango, of course. Tiesta Tea’s Yerba Mate was the tea selected to be infused into the beer, resulting in a crisp, medium-bodied brew with the earthiness and natural flavors of tea. It’s a must-try for any mango beer fan, with the potential for a much broader fan base beyond that. Its counterpart is Fireberry. Fireberry, also infused with Yerba Mate, features a more flowery taste, brought to life by the taste of berries. Cranberries and raspberries, in particular. Different from Maui Mango, it has a distinct amber hue and a slightly tart finish. Still, both are great options to consume in search of the perfectly wasted day. Sometimes, I’m a sucker for a plain, old golden Corona on a hot summer day. I don’t discriminate, but when I want something of the craft variety — you know, something made with a little more love — Shipyard has a few outstanding options.

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NORTH COUNTY • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE • SHOPPING • NORTH COUNTY • DINING • SHOPPING

NORTH COUNTY • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE • SHOPPING • NORTH COUNTY • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE • SHOPPING

NORTH COUNTY • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE • SHOPPING • NORTH COUNTY • DINING • SHOPPING

SPORTS +FITN E S S

BRAVEHEARTS TURN TO LOCAL TALENT Kaiomi Inniss Another competitive baseball season is on the horizon, with the Worcester Bravehearts announcing their summer 2018 roster. The roster is full of returning local talent, along with five new pitchers from Central Massachusetts being signed. After being defeated by the Nashua Silver Knights last season, the Worcester Bravehearts are back in full force. The Nashua Silver Knights won the Future Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL) series last year against the Bravehearts, making it their second time winning the crown. Now, the Bravehearts are ready to reclaim the championship. Brenden Cournoyer, of Dudley, one of the new signees, is a freshman at University of Albany. Cournoyer was the 2017 MVP at the Berkshire School in the Western New England Prep Baseball League, having a 1.87 ERA in 2015. He will be joined by Matt Stanks, of Douglas, from Bryant University and Sean Burke, of Sutton, who is graduating from St. John’s High School and will go on to play for University of Maryland in the fall. Burke, a powerhouse pitcher for the St. John’s Pioneers, has a 93 mph fastball which he used to rack up 30 strikeouts over the course of 25 innings. Nathan Florence, of Wilbraham, will also join the Bravehearts this summer. Florence is currently a sophomore at the University of Hartford and made 15 appearances and nine starts as a freshman. Florence earned his first victory against UMass Lowell, only giving up two hits over four innings. “These guys are all from Worcester,” Bravehearts Director of Operations Kevin Hartigan said. “That’s important.” Local star Danny Barlock, of Shrewsbury, will return to the Bravehearts this season, alongside teammates Kendall Pomeroy, of Shrewsbury, and Sebastian Gruszecki, of Dudley. “I’m excited to be back with these guys. It’s always a good time out here,” Barlock said. While the Futures Collegiate Baseball League requires leagues to carry at least 50

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percent of players from the local area, for the Bravehearts, this is not difficult — the players are eager to rep their hometown. “It’s pretty special because I have family and friends in the area...and it has a kind of hometown feel,” said Florence. Florence is especially eager to continue to shine, but also to gain some knowledge from his new teammates. “I’m a starter at Hartford, so I’d like to assume a starting role,” Florence said. “I want to make an impact and get some wins...but I’m also ready to learn from my teammates.”

THE WORCESTER BRAVEHEARTS WILL KICK OFF THEIR FIFTH SEASON ON MAY 30 AGAINST THE DEFENDING CHAMPIONS NASHUA SILVER KNIGHTS AT HANOVER INSURANCE PARK. GET YOUR TICKETS AT WORCESTERBRAVEHEARTS.COM.

The Bravehearts are supported by fans from Worcester and the greater Central Mass. area, so with a team full of local spirit, the fans are connected with the players on a personal level. The Bravehearts team also has a number of youth outreach programs to strengthen ties with the Worcester community such as the Reading Program and the Junior Bravehearts. Barlock, who is excited to meet the new recruits, has a lot of faith in the quality of the recruiting team. “Kevin Hartigan and the rest of the recruiting team does a good job at recruiting college players with good talent,” Barlock said. “Worcester has great talent.” Barlock, playing for Holy Cross as a right-hand pitcher, was named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll. He is gearing up to switch over to the summer season. “It’s nice to be close to home and be able to continue my success from spring into the summer,” Barlock said. “I’ve matured from playing at the collegiate level, on and off the field.” The Bravehearts anticipate a strong, competitive season and hope to regain their title as league champions.

FINDINGBALANCE: Crystal Clear

Jennifer Russo It may be a surprising belief that various crystals, stones and gems have the ability to heal the body and mind. A skeptic might question the power of…well…a rock. Yet in nearly every single culture throughout history, these natural elements of the earth have been used as powerful tools to heal and transform. What did these cultures and ancestors know that has been lost to the mainstream masses? Aside from healing properties, I have always been amazed at the uniqueness of each individual stone or gem. The science of them is pretty amazing alone — with crystals forming in a geometric shape in a very structured pattern when certain conditions are met and our most prized stones, like diamonds, are created with intense heat and pressure. As a natural element, crystals and stones have frequencies and the ability to conduct energy. Energy healing, though this may seem a foreign concept to most, can be amplified using stones. Each stone, along with its unique look, has its own energy characteristic. Consider this — there are precious materials and gems in our everyday items — computers, clocks, smartphones…and those materials help electronics run at their best. In energy healing work, there are stones that help open the seven chakras. If you are feeling off center, have a recurring ailment, an emotional issue or other another issue, it may be due to a chakra being blocked. Crystals and stones can help open these to balance you out. Onyx, for example, is excellent for the root chakra and can help you feel more grounded. Rose Quartz can help the heart chakra, assisting you in becoming more compassionate. Lapis Lazuli is tied to the throat chakra and can foster strength in speaking publicly or being more assertive in your communication. Selenite can help magnify your crown chakra, which can increase wisdom and understanding of purpose, as well as lessen anxiety. Simply carrying a stone in your pocket or keeping it near you at work on your desk or in your home can help to shift energies and balance the space. I always carry a rose quartz stone with me. I believe it helps me exercise more compassion to those around me; even if this belief doesn’t resonate with you, it can simply be a great reminder. If you would like to explore more, check out energymuse.com for descriptions of stones, their natural properties and the energies they hold. Namaste.

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STYLE+B E A U TY

Skin care’s back to basics with AsanaRa Kaiomi Inniss “You should be able to name, number and spell anything that goes on or in your body.” This is the philosophy of AsanaRa Holistic Care Products, a holistic skin care line founded in Worcester by Clark University alum, Daysha Williams. Williams founded AsanaRa during her sophomore year at Clark. “One day, I left my shea butter on the radiator and it melted, and I was studying Plant, Spirit, Medicine by Elliot Cohen at the time, so I was infusing herbs and some oils into that, and I used it on myself and my best friend and it really controlled my eczema...like I don’t have it anymore,” Williams said. What started out as a do-it-yourself skin care product became a campus-wide favorite, with many of Williams’ friends and classmates asking for her healing salve. Noticing her products gaining traction, Williams decided to create a formal business and release more products. She debuted at Market Square in 2015; in 2017, AsanaRa won Clark University’s UREKA Challenge and became a member of StartUP Worcester. Williams experiments with natural ingredients such as shea butter, aloe butter, coconut oil and a number of essential oils like tea tree and lavender oils to create her

May 2018

products. As someone with sensitive skin, I was drawn to AsanaRa because of the holistic, minimal ingredients. I have sensitive, acne-prone skin, so I’m cautious with the products I use. The products in the AsanaRa line, such as the Healing Salve, have helped control my breakouts and leave me with supple, glowing skin. For years, I have used store-bought skin care brands that have either made my skin worse or have had no effect at all. The basic ingredients in the AsanaRa products simply help restore and replenish the skin, without harmful chemicals and additives. AsanaRa can be found on sale at The Local Root farm stall at Clark University every Wednesday from noon-3 p.m., and orders can be placed through the company’s website assanara.store. Here are my four must-haves from the AsanaRa line, especially for those with sensitive, acneprone skin — or anyone looking for a natural glow! Most products cost $10-$12.

TEA TREE FACIAL CLEANSER PADS

Each facial cleanser pad is infused with coconut oil and a lavender-tea tree essential oil. This is a two-ingredient makeup remover! The coconut oil breaks down the makeup, while the tea tree oil fights acne and lavender soothes the skin. For best results, use AsanaRa Lavender and Tea Tree facial cleansers at night to restore your skin’s natural oils.

CINNA-CITRONELLA COFFEE SCRUB

This coffee scrub is great for toning, tightening and brightening the skin! It’s made of organic coffee, brown sugar, cinna-citronella essential oil and olive oil. This can be used both as a face scrub and a body scrub. The caffeine does a great job of easing cellulite, baggy eyes, large pores and dark circles. For best results, use AsanaRa’s Cinna-Citronella Coffee Scrub in the morning to wake your skin up!

ASANARA HEALING SALVE

This product is perfect for people with sensitive skin! This salve is made from shea butter and aloe butter and infused with citrus essential oil. It’s whipped consistency is specially formulated for people with oily skin. Apply a coin-sized amount to the face and other problem areas. This salve can also be used as a lip balm for dry, cracked lips. This product is definitely a must-have from the line. Extra tip: For thick, curly hair, this salve works as a moisturizer and a styler. Apply a generous amount to your hair, focusing on your ends.

ASANARA BROWN SUGAR SCRUB

This scrub is best for exfoliation and moisturization. The black seed and grapeseed oil makes it a winner for anyone with acne prone or sensitive skin. It is scented with lemon and geranium flower, so it smells heavenly! You can also find pink Himalayan salt in this scrub utilizing its antiinflammatory, antifungal and antibacterial properties!

STYLESAVY: In May, less is more

April Goddard Ah, May. Spring is here and summer is on its way. That means summer fun, summer clothes and summer beauty. The phrase “less is more” has never been more-on trend than it is in this moment, and minimalistic makeup will not be going anywhere anytime soon. A very French “more skin care, less makeup” approach has been taken as of late in the beauty industry, and numerous brands have risen to the occasion in order to meet the needs of the “glowing skin is in” consumer market. In particular, indie brands (or independently funded cosmetics companies who generally formulate their products in-house) have become incredibly popular within the beauty community because they heavily focus on the minimalism on which many of them were founded. So read on to discover my top indie brands for the season!

GLOSSIER This has to be my current favorite for their minimalistic approach to the beauty industry. A New York-based company built heavily on taking care of one’s skin, Glossier offers skin care, as well as only the most essential cosmetics (i.e., concealer, the lightest foundation known to man and lip balm, to name a few). My favorite product is the Stretch Concealer — I don’t think I will ever buy another concealer again!

MILK MAKEUP This company build on it’s in-house creativity on both coasts (New York and L.A.) and its love of makeup that multi-tasks. This company rests its success on its stick-formulated makeup (my great favorite is the Lip and Cheek Stick, which I use religiously as blush). The company’s makeup-to-go minimalism is what has earned it the right to be called a cult favorite, as well as the right to sit happily in my cosmetics bag.

KOPARI If you love the smell of coconut, this brand will 100 percent be your jam. Built by a Hawaiian native and certified organic chef, Kopari products start with organic coconut oil, which, if nothing else, smells amazing. I love Kopari for its lip gloss and coconut body oil, but it also offers a wide range of skin care, all with a beautiful coconut smell that makes you feel like you’re on tropical vacation. Hello, summer.

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NEW AROUND THE WOO

SKINCARE BY ASHLEY Rachel Shuster Skincare by Ashley is a new and exciting skin and personal care business from Millbury native Ashley Devoe. While her business, which is located inside Hair & Nail Concepts at Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester, has only just started earlier this year, Devoe has been an esthetician for more than six years, specializing in holistic skin care and eyebrows. Skin and personal care has been a part of Devoe’s life from early on. “My mom is huge into skin care,” Devoe said. “When I was a little girl, I would watch her do her skin regimen every night. Then when I was 10 years old, I got my first face cream and used it morning and night. My mom is great mentor.” At the age of 14, Devoe had her first facial, which sealed the deal for her future. “As soon as I was done, I knew I wanted to be an esthetician,” she said. “I went on to college, working full time for dermatologist, and fell in love with skin care being a part of the industry.” Devoe then went on to spend four years at a spa in Northborough and spent time as a regional specialist for the East Coast for Elizabeth Arden, training other passionate professionals in places like New York City and Connecticut. Then, Devoe launched her own business. “My business is a little different,” she said. “I am a holistic esthetician. I look at a whole person to treat their skin. I look at stressors, diet, what they are using topically for home care, etc., and then analyze their needs from there. A lot of people don’t realize how much lifestyle and diet affects their skin and immune system. In addition, I recommend a lot of self care like yoga and exercise.” Another differentiator? Devoe only uses organic skincare products and treatments. “Organic comes from herbs, plants, good nutrition, vitamins, etc.,” she said. “Any product that has a lot of that will keep your skin healthy. Skin products are like food for your skin, and it’s important that what you put on your skin is good for it.” With that said, and after much research, Devoe only uses products from Blissoma — a small company based in St. Louis — in her practice and for retail sales to clients. “It’s the only product line I use. The owner, Julie, is an herbalist. I found her on Instagram. I knew the kind of products I wanted to use, so I did research and looked into companies. I found them and just love their products,” Devoe said. Beyond consulting clients on their skin care regimen and offering the best products for them at home, Devoe provides various services that use the Blissoma products. “I do various types of facials, and brows are huge in my practice — waxing, brow mapping, shaping, tinting, etc. I also do lash tinting and full-body and facial waxing.” As for pricing of her services, an express facial for 30 minutes is $45, 60-minute facials are $65 and a pumpkin peel facial is $75. Brow waxing is $15, brow tinting is $30, and a full body wax depends on the client..

TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT OR LEARN MORE, VISITVAGARO.COM/SKINCAREBYASHLEY, CALL 774-262-3507 OR CHECK OUT SKINCARE BY ASHLEY ON INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK.

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“I really take time and care to learn about clients. I give extra time for appointments and never overbook,” she said. “I like to educate clients and develop good relationships. I truly care about each client and want to see them achieve their skin care and brow goals, bringing them up and spreading positive vibes. There are so many different clients, and I want to cater to each of their needs.”

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