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Let’s work together to make your future what you want it to be. Visit bankHometown.com or come see us in-person at one of our Worcester offices, 270 Grove Street and 1001 Millbury Street.
Paul Giorgio, Publisher pgiorgio@pagioinc.com
David Simone, Vice President, Sales dsimone@pagioinc.com
Jenny Pacillo, Editor jpacillo@pagioinc.com
Kevin La, Art Director kla@pagioinc.com
Nick Sposato, Executive Events Coordinator nsposato@pagioinc.com
Irena Kaci
The dog days of summer are arguably the most memorable out of each year, especially around these parts where long warm days have a short shelf life. Even after summer vacations are no longer a given, but distant formative memories, summer holds fast to its identity as a time for indulgence and enjoyment. To that end, we have compiled a great and tidy list of Worcester County bakeries that can aid you in exactly this pursuit.
European Bakery (29 Millbury St., Worcester) has been around since 1994. Founded by Zbigniew Surowaniec, a Polish immigrant, it was recently acquired by a team of brothers named Casey and Brett Griswold who expanded the business by also acquiring Montgomery’s Irish Bakery in Boston and who now distribute Irish specialties like Irish soda bread and scones all over the greater Boston area. I spoke with Casey Griswold who describes their business model as a ‘wholesale bakery with a retail storefront’.
“We distribute our bread and pastry to almost every Polish market in New England, along with other Eastern European and Jewish Markets. We are certified Kosher, so in addition to the traditional Polish items, there are some very traditional Jewish recipes that we prepare. Most of our items are not necessarily unique to us, but they are very old, traditional recipes that you probably wouldn't find elsewhere in New En-
gland. Our products are naturally less sweet than most American bakeries, in following tradition with Eastern European recipes. Our closest competition for this type of product is in Brooklyn, NY. Our most popular items are our Rye Bread, Challah, Babka, Polish Strudels and Pączki. Our Pączki is made year round, but in the couple of days before Lent (Fat Thursday for the Polish and Fat Tuesday for the Americans), we make around 10,000 of these donuts! If you have purchased a Pączki in New England (excluding the fake grocery store type), then it was probably made by us.”
Summertime for European Bakery is a time for perfecting recipes and preparing for the big feasts of winter, but there is a late summer specialty that should not be missed. “The summer is when we try out a few new recipes and try to revive some old ones. In late August / early September, there is a period of 2-3 weeks when the European Plums are ripe, so we buy as much as we possibly can - usually hundreds of pounds, and make Babka, cakes, and Danish, and we also sell the plums fresh in the store. During the fall months, we actually make cider donuts for a local orchard on Saturdays, and those are available in our store and wholesale.”
European Bakery has been around for 30 years now, and is well known as far north as Portland and as far South as
Hartford. The recipes have very much remained identical and faithful to the original iteration. The Griswolds did change one thing, however, “When we purchased the bakery, almost everything we made was sold outside of Worcester. We have tried to change that over the last couple of years by offering wholesale to local restaurants, markets and food trucks. Although not many people know about us, if you have had what I would say is the best burger in Worcester, or unequivocally the best Pastrami on Rye - then it was served on our bread.”
If, like me, you grew up in an area with ample Italian-American immigrants, then you are in for a treat, as our next featured bakery is Worcester’s homage to Italian-American baking. Joe’s Cannoli (1130 Pleasant St., Worcester) opened its doors in November 2023 in its humble location in Tatnuck Square, and has been quietly but consistently offering up classic Italian-American favorites to its growing fan base.
Owner Yussef “Joe” Khalaf whose background includes Gerardo’s, Val’s in Holden, and the Boynton, is pleasant and accommodating, more willing to readily give end of day leftovers away than seeing them go to waste. In fact the whole business model skews heavily against waste, even when it means more work. “ We are an Italian American style bakery. We don’t just specialize in Italian baked goods. We bake American specialities as well. Some favorites include a ‘Nutella-stuffed’ cookie, S’mores Cookie, and a NY style chocolate chip cookie. Of course our bestseller is the cannoli, which comes in four different flavors: pistachio, plain, chocolate covered, and tiramisu.”
But Khalaf is quick to explain that it doesn’t end there. “We have coffee, a full deli, and a sandwich menu. We are expanding our catering reach, having recently worked with a charcuterie company to cater an event for the Worcester Housing Authority. We have also donated to the recent fundraiser for Neighborhood Strings Orchestra. We just want to make a positive impact on our community and bake.”
But Worcester proper does not have the monopoly on Italian baked goods. Not too far to the south, Francesco’s Italian Bakery (14 Powerstation Rd, Charlton) has been filling the same niche for 25 years. I spoke with manager Gianna Manzi to learn a bit more about the history as well as the offerings at Francesco’s.
“My father Frank opened our bakery in 1999 and I have been the manager since the last 10 years. We have a very wide selection of products, including things like cannolis, French macarons, Italian cookies, but wedding cakes are our speciality. We are open every day from 6:30am-7pm except for Sundays, when we close at 6pm. We only close for one day a year and that’s Christmas Day.”
It is easy to see that Francesco’s success comes largely from their commitment to their community, and their willingness to go the extra mile to make special occasions extra special for their clientele. However, even outside of special occasions, their offerings are enough to tempt just about anyone. “We have a few seasonal Cannoli flavors for Summer currently - Cotton Candy and Raspberry Chocolate Chip. For Fall our biggest sellers are definitely Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies and Pumpkin Spice
Founded in 2002, Miranda Bread (140 Shrewsbury St, Worcester) now has a total of four locations in Marlborough, Stoughton, Framingham and the flagship bakery in Worcester. Equal parts cultural community space and bakery, Miranda Bread’s mission is not only to provide quality Brazilian baked goods to the community but also to help recent Brazilian immigrants find their footing in their new lives.
Established by Ernando Miranda in 2002, Miranda Bread began as a “humble Brazilian Bakery on the vibrant Shrewsbury street” intending to offer traditional Brazilian foods and baked goods as well as a wonderful landing community for recent immigrants. Not only did it achieve that goal by becoming a cultural institution in its city of origin, but it exceeded the goal by continuing to support the influx of immigrants both economically and gastronomically in four additional boroughs.
Across town from Miranda Bread sits “Worcester Sweets” a small family owned Colombian bakery and coffee shop, offering a sampling of traditional Colombian goods. Diana Gallego, and spouse Norman Gallego opened Worcester Sweets in early 2023 in hopes of bringing their unique blend of flavors to Tatnuck Square and beyond. Their signature baked goods include arepas con queso, puff pastry concoctions with chicken or beef, an array of muffins and a rotating menu of cake slices, including anything from tiramisu to tres leches. Of course, their claim to fame is 100% authentic Colombian coffee beans brewed into a perfect cup of coffee everyday. Their website says it best, “Colombian coffee is famous all over the world for its unique flavor and aroma, which comes from the fertile soil and warm climates of the Colombian coffee growing region. Colombian coffee is one of the best in the world, and is backed by the commitment of Colombian farmers to produce quality coffee. The Worcester Sweet Cafe offers a variety of premium Colombian coffee that offers a unique flavor and aroma not found anywhere else.” In just a year, Worcester Sweets has become a neighborhood staple.
One of the perks of handling the grand tour of bakeries in Worcester County has been sampling the vast array of delicious options available to those of us lucky enough to call this portion of the state home. It is truly encouraging to see several iterations of plucky transplants enacting the American Dream of business ownership, and the wonderful community support that makes it possible. These days it is far too rare and far too valuable an experience!
Chris Michelotti, as Panduh Productions, has two art showcases in Worcester happening concurrently. He wants to bring more artistic community to Worcester.
“I love this city, I think that this is a very creative city going through a lot of changes,” he said.
In the Creatures of Worcester shows, he’s worked with photographers to show different environments of the city including different parks and hiking trails, and to show live performances happening all around Worcester. There will also be ten different digital artists.
In Creatures of Worcester: After Dark II the photographs highlight various models who are from the Worcester area in boudoir settings.
As its curator, Michelotti said “Creatures of Worcester is my love letter to the city that has taken me in when I have never been one to call any place home.”
“Worcester has been the first place I wanted to try and plant roots. This city is really special to me and even though we were all locked away during COVID, I reached out to a lot of people to try and get to know the city. People didn’t treat me oddly, and when things opened up they all came out in full force to support the first batch of artists in the show. That’s what this show is, community that aims to support one another,” he said.
Michelotti added, “Creatures live in community because it’s not about them being a hero or a villain; it’s about all of us in our weirdness.”
He has done more than 30 different shows in Worcester over the last 3 years. “I love working
with local businesses and venues,” he said.
He loves the accessibility of the city and the power there is in just showing up. “I think that it’s there for everyone to take,” he said.
“I think that it’s important for communities to have fun and this is a great chance to meet cool people. On a deeper level, life can be rough and people feel alienated from one another… So I want to highlight all kinds of artists and hopefully when you come to see the shows you can find someone that you can connect with. You can buy original works or talk with the artists to get commissioned work if you like their style. I would love to see less generic art prints and ‘live, laugh, love’ in people’s houses and more original pieces that were made by those in the community,” he said.
All but a couple of the artists in the showcases are local living artists.
“The community here is the focus. If you say that you support the local scene and most of what you share or invest in is outside of the scene, then I think you should revisit your messaging,” Michelotti said.
He said, “artists appreciate the opportunities to share their work” and enjoy community. “The universe doesn’t care about us… so it means something to see people… appreciate what you are wanting to share with them.”
Electric Haze, on 26 Millbury St, is strictly 21*.
It was the first location to give Michelotti event space and he feels significant loyalty to a great venue. He does an event every first Friday of the month for group shows or highlighting lo-
cal artists and plans to continue his Creatures of Worcester events with them in the future.
The current iterations will be up for about a month.
That said, he would like to hold art showcases at other venues in the city that a younger audience can attend.
Follow Michelotti and his art showcases on Instagram at @productions_by_panduh.
American Heritage Museum (978) 562-9182
August 17 & 18 - WWII Tank Demonstration Weekend
Arts Worcester (508) 755-5142
44 Portland St., Worcseter Artsworcester.org
Boulder Art Gallery (978) 354-7000
960 Main St., Fitchburg theboulderartgallery.com
Gallery open Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Brick Box Theater (508) 413-5622
20B Franklin St., Worcester jmacworcester.org/brickbox.
DCU Center (508) 755-6800
50 Foster St., Worcester www.dcucenter.com
August 10 - India Day August 24 - A51 Car Audio Competition
Fitchburg Art Museum (978) 345-4207
185 Elm St., Fitchburg fitchburgartmuseum.org Free First Thursdays
JMAC Popup (508) 561-0173
20B Franklin St., Worcester www.jmacworcester.org
August 10 - The Worcester Portrait Exchange
Mechanics Hall (508) 752-5608
321 Main St., Worcester www.mechanicshall.org
August 2 - Music Worcester presents TAKE3
August 21 - Organ Performance Series: Cecily DeMarco
August 21 - Game Night
August 27 - Lecture: The Legacy of Lafayette
Old Sturbridge Village (800) 733-1830
1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge osv.org
August 3 & 4 - Redcoats and Rebels
August 17 - Garden Thyme: Hops History and Culture
Preservation Worcster (508) 754-8760
10 Cedar St., Worcester preservationworcester.org
Samuel Slater Experience (508) 461-2955
31 Ray St., Webster samuelslaterexperience.org
Tuckerman Hall (508) 754-1234
10 Tuckerman St., Worcester tuckermanhall.org
The Hanover Theatre & Conservatory for the Performing Arts (877) 571-7469
2 Southbridge St., Worcester thehanovertheatre.org
Tai Chi Tuesdays on the Plaza
August 1 & 8 - Curtain Call Beer and Wine Garden
August 3 - Big Nazo: Alien Intervention
August 7 - Lunchtime Concert Series featuring Scottish Fish
August 10 - Legally Blonde the Musical Jr
August 14 - Lunchtime Concert Series featuring Hot Honey
August 21 - Lunchtime Concert Series featuring Kotoko Brass
August 23 - The 7th Annual Jazz + Live featuring Organ Fairchild
August 28 - Lunchtime Concert Series featuring Stomp N’ Holler
The Village Worcester thevillageworcester@gmail.com
4 King St., Worcester
Worcester Art Museum (508) 799-4406
55 Salisbury St., Worcester worcesterart.org
Free First Sundays
Saturdays - Tour of New Terrain: 21st Century Landscape Photography
Saturdays & Sundays - Arms and Armor Demonstration
August 3 - Free Day: August Adventures
Worcester Center for Crafts'' (508) 753-8103
25 Sagamore Rd., Worcester worcestercraftcenter.org
Worcester Chamber Music Society (508) 926-8624
323 Main St, Worcester worcesterchambermusic.org
Worcester Historical Museum (508) 753-8278
30 Elm St., Worcester worcesterhistory.org
If you’d like to be included in future listings, please email JPacillo@pagioinc.com.
107 Tap
107 Water St., Worcester 107tap.com
Thursday - Karaoke and Trivia
DJ every Saturday
Beths’ On Grafton Hill
508-459-0010
271 Grafton St, Worcester
Mondays- Reggae
Tuesdays - Karaoke
Thursdays - Sundays: DJ’s spinning Afrobeats, Dance, RnB, Latin, Amapiano
BirchTree Bread Company
744-243-6944
138 Green St., Worcester Birchtreebreadcompany.com
une 7 - Brothers of Black Valley
August 2 - Open Mic Night
August 9 - Colt & The Coyotes
August 23 - Jake Aziz
Black and White Grille
508-885-5018
206 North Spencer Rd., Spencer Blackandwhitegrille.com
Black Sheep Tavern
978-422-0255
261 Leominster Rd, Sterling Meetmeatthesheep.com
Blueprint New American Bar & Grille
978-668-5580
10 Village Sq., Westminster
Boland's Bar and Patio
508-459-2207
81 Water St, Worcester
Tuesdays - Stump Trivia
Cafe Neo
774-253-6139
97 Millbury St., Worcester Nightly Karaoke
Classic’s Pub
978-227-5258
285 Central St., Leominster
Chashu Ramen + Izakaya
508-304-7183
38 Franklin St., Worcester
Draught House Bar & Grill
508-835-4722
42 West Boylston St., West Boylston
Electric Haze
26 Millbury St., Worcester
Tuesdays - Trivial Trivia Night
Wednesdays - Space Jam Brandon Sunshine Esteves
Thursdays - Drag Karaoke Mal E. Fishn’t
August 2 - August Art Showcase
August 3 - AD/HD the AC/DC Experience, Platinum Thrill
August 4 - Wake up New England ft Jayfein, Jaguar J Bizz, YVNG DRG
August 6 - Yoga Sammi Sunshine
August 9 - Apathy with Sauve-Ski, M-Dot, Bill Rich, Goe GriZzlY, Savageland W/DOS
August 11 - Day Glow Foxes, Black Suede
August 17 - Tribute to Limp Bizkit and Korn with Limpballz, KornBallz
August 18 - DJ Qbert with Art Showcase ft Yedi Fresh
August 23 - Danceaway Sound
Monthly Party
August 24 - Dead to the Core
August 30 - Ben Atkind, Michael Travis, Lee Ross
August 31 - Between the Waves
Elm Draught House
508-865-2850
35 Elm St., Millbury
Fidder’s Green Pub
508-792-3700
19 Temple St., Worcester
August 11 & 25- Traditional Irish Seisiun
Firefly’s BBQ
508-357-8883
350 E. Main St., Marlborough Dante’s at Firefly BBQ: August 2 - Dazed
August 3 - Soul Function
August 9 - Mindrift
August 10 - Bone City
August 16 - Zen Music Men
August 17 - Disco Lemonade
August 23 - Gary Backstrom
August 24 - Freeballin’
August 30 - 19th Nervous Breakdown
August 31 - Black Suede
The Backyard
August 2 - Steve Spector
August 3 - Alan Goodrich
August 4 - Jae Mannion
August 9 - Greg Schuller
August 10 - Carl Schiller
August 11 - Justin Ray
August 16 - Mike and Missy Unplugged
August 17 - John Copeland
August 18 - Mike & Dave Acoustic Duo
August 23 - Tim Leavitt
August 24 - Jared Hanrahan
August 25 - Joe Macey
August 30 - Simple Twist of Fate
August 31 - Mark Manzella
Flying Rhino
508-757-1450
278 Shrewsbury St., Worcester
Gambrino’s Cask & Barrel
508-796-5177
266 Park Ave., Worcester
Thursday & Saturday - Karaoke
Gardner Ale House
978- 669-0122
74 Parker St., Gardner
Greater Good Imperial
Brewing
508-926-8736
55 Millbrook St., Worcester Tuesdays - Musical Bingo Wednesdays - Trivia
Greendale’s Pub
508-853-1350
404 W Boylston St. North, Worcester Sundays - Night Jam
Halligan’s
508-832-6739
889 Southbridge St., Auburn
Husky’s Pub
508-425-9614
413 Park Ave., Worcester
Wednesdays - Acoustic Open Mic
Indian Ranch
508-943-3871
200 Gore Rd., Webster Indianranch.com
August 2 - The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA
August 3 - Badfish: A Tribute to Sublime
August 4 - Grace Potter
August 5 - Face 2 Face: A Tribute to Elton John & Billy Joel
August 10 - Ripe Summer Beach Party
August 11 - The Beach Boys
August 18 - Tyler Hubbard
August 23 - Get the Led Out
August 24 - Little Feat
August 31 - The Pike Rokfest
Legends Bar and Grille
978- 342-6500
68 Airport Rd, Fitchburg
Mill City Pub
978-342-2134
19 Airport Rd, Fitchburg mcpfitchburg.com
Maya Lounge
508-459-0015
5 Saugus Pl, Worcester mayaloungeworcester.com
MB Lounge
508-799-4521
40 Grafton St., Worcester
Wednesdays - Karaoke
Thursdays - Trivial Trivia
Fridays & Saturdays - Dance Party
MCL Club
508-797-0141
181 Lake Ave., Worcester
Worcestermcl.org
Mondays - Pitch!
Taco Tuesdays
Thursdays - Karaoke
Fridays - Queen of Hearts
August 3 - Double Shot Boston
August 10 - True North
August 11 - 3 Of A Kind
August 17 - Young Blood Revival
August 18 - Two for the Road
August 25 - The Delorean’s
August 31 - Tequila Bonfire
Mint Kitchen + Bar
508-459-1532
79 Maywood St., Worcester
Fridays - Karaoke Night
Off the Rails
508-304-6411
90 Commercial St., Worcester Music Venue
Restaurant Stage
Partner's Pub (978) 345-5051
970 South St, Fitchburg partnerspub.net
Patsie Duggans
508 755-4155
49 Millbury St, Worcester
Nightly Entertainment
Peppercorn’s Grille & Tavern
508-752-7711
455 Park Ave., Worcester
Ralph’s Diner
508-753-9543
148 Grove St., Worcester
Monday - The Dirty Gerund
Poetry Open Mic
Wednesday - Karaoke with Dj Matt R!
August 17 - Worcester Hot Dog
Safari
Rascal’s
508-459-0862
70 James St., Worcester Rascalsworcester.com
August 3 - Dueling Pianos
August 10 - Cold Train
August 16 - Hawaiian Theme Night
August 25 - Kid Rock Tribute American Badass With Kill the Pain
Redemption Rock Brewing Company
774-530-6958
333 Shrewsbury St., Worcester redemptionrock.beer
August 3 - Save the Buns Fundraiser
August 7 - My Cousin Vinny Trivia
August 11 - VegFest
August 24 - Reggae Night
Reunion Tap & Table
774-293-5501
198 Worcester St., North Grafton
Mondays - Musical Bingo Wednesdays - Trivia with Nate Briggs
Stakes Pub
508-755-2955
1281 Pleasant St., Worcester
Steel and Wire Cocktail Lounge
508-373-2225
124 Millbury St., Worcester
The Bull Run
978-425-4311
215 Great Road, Shirley
August 4 - Hot Club of Cowtown
August 9 - Barrence Whitfield & Sal
Baglio’s Giant Rocket Roll Show!
August 15 - Larry McCray
August 16 - GA-20
August 17 - Best of the 70s with DizzyFish & The Uptown Horns
August 22 - Mad Hatter Interactive Murder Mystery Party
August 22 - Greg Piccolo & Heavy Juice
August 23 - Gary Hoey Birthday Show
August 24 & 25 - Luna Liz: Private Astrology Reading
August 24 - Dueling Pianos
August 30 - Five Dollar Dance Party
The GazBar
978- 534-6600
1045 Central St, Leominster
The Mill at 185 774-261-8585
185 W Boylston St., West Boylston Live entertainment Thursday through Saturday
The Palladium
508-797-9696
261 Main St., Worcester
August 3 - Sad SummerFestival
August 17 - Young Other with Gold Star Blvd, Zigmont, In Plain Sight, Third Gear
August 23 - Ohgeesy: Off the Xtras Tour
August 24 - JT The City Cinderella Tour
August 29 - Signs of the Swarm
August 30 - Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
The Press Box Sports Bar 508-856-9255
536 Lincoln St., Worcester Saturdays - Karaoke
Thirsty Robot
265 Summer St., Fitchburg
Thursdays - Trivia Night Rob Boss
Trackside Tavern 774-530-6120
541 West Boylston St., Worcester tracksidetavernworcester.com Thursdays - Karaoke
Tryst Lounge
978-400-7906
320 Main St, Fitchburg
Vincent’s Worcester 508-752-9439
49 Suffolk St., Worcester
Wachusett Brew Yard
978-874-9965
175 State Rd. E, Westminster
August 8 - Paint Your Pet Workshop August 17 - 30th Anniversary Bash
Worcester Brew Yard
152 Green St., Worcester
White Eagle 508-753-9612
116-120 Green St., Worcester
Whiteeagleworcester.com
Thursday & Friday - Dj Nights
Woo Bar & Grill
774-243-6130
358 Shrewsbury St., Worcester
WEDNESDAYS ON WATER - WEDNESDAY, JULY 17th 2024 - WATER STREET IN WORCESTER
THANK YOU TO THE SPONSORS OF WEDNESDAYS ON WATER!
LA SCALA RISTORANTE - Worcester
JASON SAVIO
Like a gift from the grave comes Songwriter, reworked Johnny Cash demos that the Man in Black recorded in 1993 but never released. His son, John Carter Cash, stripped these songs back to just Cash’s vocals and acoustic guitar, then invited musicians that played with Cash, including guitarist Marty Stuart, late bassist Dave Roe, and others, to fill them out. The result will leave you wondering what took so long for this to be released.
While a little overproduced at times,
Songwriter rightly makes sure to keep Cash as the focal point of these songs (unlike some Elvis Presley tracks that were reworked and released after his death). Songwriter doesn’t have any of that awkwardness to it; instead, it feels like a Johnny Cash album that somehow just fell through the cracks. “Poor Valley Girl” and “Soldier Baby” both have that familiar Cash rockabilly feel and offer fun singalong moments. While the tongue-in-cheek of “Well Alright” is one of many unexpectedly lighthearted numbers on Songwriter, this is Johnny Cash we’re talking about, so there needs to be some more emotional depth. That comes in the form of “Like a Soldier” as Cash talks about regret, singing, “There are faces that come to me/In my darkest secret memories/Faces that I wish would never come back at all.”
Perhaps the most emotional is “I Love You Tonite,” Cash’s love letter to his wife, June Carter Cash. In it he sings, “And when it’s all over/ I hope we will go together/I don’t want you to be alone, you know.” June died 10 years later in May of 2003, and Johnny followed in September of that same year. Hopefully she heard this song, too.
For more, visit: https://www.johnnycash.com/
It's sweet 16 for Phish on their 16th studio album Evolve. The beloved jam kings have gathered up a collection of songs that has them showing a newly focused depth as they continue to push the boundaries of what they've done before while keeping their unique charm intact. Evolve is tight and to the point, but still feels loose and free.
For reservations, menus, and more information, visit WWW.SAMUELSLATERS.COM
DINING • 200 GORE ROAD, WEBSTER, MA
(12PM - 8PM) SUNSET CRUISE • AUG 3 • 7:30PM LAKE TOUR CRUISE • AUG
FOR FULL CRUISE SCHEDULE AND TICKETS VISIT WWW.INDIANRANCH.COM/CRUISES
Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 10AM 3PM. Tickets are also available by phone: 1-800-514-ETIX (3849). All events are rain or shine. No refunds. For ticketing and group sales, contact tickets@indianranch.com or call 508-943-3871.
Indian Ranch is located at 200 Gore Road in Webster, MA. OVERLOOKING WEBSTER LAKE • 200 GORE ROAD, WEBSTER, MA
Some of the songs on Evolve have already been road tested so listeners will be familiar with them. The energetic “A Wave of Hope” and ominous funk of “Oblivion” fall into this category, and while it can be hard to capture the live feel of a concert in the studio, these songs—for the most part—manage to do so and bristle with energy. Take “A Wave of Hope”— when the band drops into the jam therein, it feels like you're being transported into the middle of a heavy second-set jam at a live show.
Evolve captures both sides of Phish: the lighter, optimistic side, and the rarer darker side. “Lonely Trip” is a heartfelt number that contains that whimsical Phish charm as guitarist Trey Anastasio sings “While you're on this lonely trip/Keep a watch for other ships/And if by chance our vessels pass/Perhaps we'll meet at last.” On the flip side of that is the simmering blues of “Monsters”—the best song here—with Anastasio declaring “I wake up in my bed/ With monsters in my head.” It really feels like the next step in the evolution of Phish. And, hence, the album title.
But what exactly merits the album title, you ask? Other than the vocal delivery (which you can really feel Anastasio leaning into), there’s more of an expanse to the songs, both lyrically in their bold directness and instrumentally in the band’s interplay, specifically between Anastasio and keyboardist Page McConnell. While not over the top, the canvas they're painting on feels bigger as they stretch out sonically on Evolve, while still managing to keep it tight. Much of this is thanks to McConnell as he embellishes and elevates the tunes with his tasteful dashes of synth magic (check his out-of-this world whirls and zips on “Oblivion”).
Evolve is Phish at the height of their powers—great musicianship and strong songwriting that offers genuine emotion. Thankfully the album title doesn’t involve them going way off the road into some unwanted territory, but instead has them showing their best selves on a con
cise, impactful record.
For more, visit: https://phish.com/
Such a contrast! One moment you’re passing through Union Station’s Grand Concourse, magisterial in its neoclassical beaux-arts design, a reminder of Worcester’s golden age. Then, when you step into the 961 Restaurant, you find yourself in a subdued space: a study in shadows and cool black. Dividing the concourse from 961 is a wall of mirror etched in massive Lebanese motifs. The station’s cyclopean bones and ductwork have been left exposed but, painted black, recede into the background. A sophisticated bar beckons at one end of the room and the soundtrack is treacly covers of alt-rock standards punctuated by the occasional burble of a hookah.
We met friends who were already seated and enjoying stretchy pita bread with za'atar, a thick paste blending olive oil with sumac, salt, sesame and whatever other aromatics traditional for 961’s chef. The exotic flavors made an exciting first impression of 961’s Lebanese cuisine.
After snapping their QR code, we each downloaded and browsed the menu. I found it adventurously heavy with appetizers joined by a compact entrée selection. The appetizer that especially piqued my
interest was Shanklish, a Lebanese cheese of fermented yogurt coated with cumin and za'atar spices. However, our group had disparate flavor preferences and a bowl of Hummus was the item each of us could happily agree upon.
961’s hummus was lemony-fresh balanced with just a hint of garlic. It was thicker than most, so I grabbed the cruet and drizzled olive oil on my portion. In the meantime, we’d selected a bottle of Murphy-Goode Winery’s Pinot Noir. It was rich with the flavors of deep-red summer stone fruits and berries that wouldn’t be intimidated by our flavorful entrées.
961’s za'atar had made a dramatic first impression, but that was just a precursor to their stunning entrées. Mine, Chicken Kebab, sounded simple enough but on presentation it dazzled. Plentiful tender chunks of moist chicken meat, seared on the grill, came with char-dappled wedges of tomato and onion. Draped over all of this were long floppy triangles of pita charred on one side, spread with spicy red pepper sauce on the other. The range of flavors and colors were intense!
But that was just one side of the serving plate. Heaped aside the kebob was a glistening garden
salad of torn Romaine lettuce, radish and cucumber slices, chopped tomato and bits of red onion all dressed in a refreshingly brisk vinegar and oil dressing. Salad doesn’t get more vibrant than this!
My friend ordered Kefta Kebab, a mixture of ground meat blended with spices and flecks of parsley and onion that’s formed into long patties speared onto skewers and grilled. It’s a staple item of Lebanese cuisine that came with grilled vegetables and more of that peppery pita bread and a mound of rice pilaf made the old-fashioned way with feathery-light vermicelli.
Each meal came with a china cup of garlic spread. It looked and tasted like garlic butter but our waiter explained that it was a mixture of garlic, starch and oil. I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to use it because none of my food needed flavor augmentation. But, as fond as I am of garlic, I found it compelling and wanted to schmear it on everything.
The four of us were delighted by the ravishing presentation, flavors and fair value of our entrées.
I wasn’t expecting such a delicious meal because the 961 Restaurant and Lounge heavily promotes entertainment and shisha sessions; to that end they offer a dozen different hookah flavors. At times we waited longer than expected for the return of our waiter, but if you would like to experience the robust flavors of Lebanese cuisine with innovative flair in a unique-to-Worcester setting, 961 Restaurant & Lounge transcends.
PAUL GIORGIO
SUCH A DEAL: The Summer edition of Worcester Restaurant Week is about to kick off, with almost 40 local eateries participating this summer. Enjoy a 3-course meal at some of the area’s best restaurants for just $29.24. Some of the pricier eateries offer a second tier at a slightly higher price. Visit the website: WorcesterRestaurantsWeek.com or the Facebook page for a complete list and menus.
I always have mixed feelings at the end of the summer. I’m kind of bored with the heat and looking forward to fall, but I like the slow pace of summer. When it comes to beer, I’m all shandied out but it’s too early to get into the cider game. So what can we drink to end the summer? Lambics.
Lambics are bougie but fun, and are great to serve your own flights at home. Grab a few lambics and mix it up in your backyard with friends. Don’t forget to score a pack of cigarettes to share, it’s okay you deserve to live it up a little. Here are some of my favorite lambos to sip on to take the edge off saying goodbye to the summer and getting back to the rat race.
I’ll never forget the first time I had Lindemans Framboise Lambic, it was also the first time I tried mushrooms. Some friends and I were at the beach chilling hard, listening to ELO and just soaking in the vibes and sharing what was most likely lukewarm Framboise. This Belgian raspberry beer is fruity and tart, and should be served cold. Like most authentic Lambics, Lindemans Framboise is spontaneously fermented with wild yeast and bacteria. The bacteria part is kind of weird but it’s Belgian bacteria and that sounds pretty fancy so just don’t think about it. Lindemans Framboise pairs nicely with a light salad or chocolate ice cream.
Next up is Boon Kriek, not to be confused with Boone’s Farm, which does the trick in a more cost efficient way than a lambic but has a totally different vibe. Traditionally Belgian brewed, Boon Kriek is a deep red and although it's only 25% fresh cherries, it has a sweet tart cherry flavor. Grab a cute little 250 ml bottle from Total Wine or Julio’s and treat yourself or impress your friends. This might be a hot take, but I’m all about pouring beer over ice cubes. Imagine how amazing it would be if you had crushed ice and a cold Boon Kriek? That would be some sigma level drinking.
Lambics come in other flavors, but I’m not a huge fan of the peche and pomme. Lindemans Cassis, though, is always a treat. Clocking in at just 3.5%, this black currant lambic is on the same wavelength as a full bodied red wine. Dry and fruity, so a similar flavor profile as its fellow lambics, Cassis pours a dark purple and has a soft finish. You can find four packs of most Lindeman’s flavors, but if you’re lucky you’ll come across a variety pack so you can find your own favorites.
Not fruity but still a lambic, Cantillon Classic Gueuze will wow even the snobbiest of beer snobs. Brasserie-Brouwerij Cantillon is a 124 year old family brewery in Brussels. Their Gueuze blends lambics ranging from one to three years old. It’s complex and dry, and while it’s only 5.5%, Cantillon Classic Gueuze is meant to be slowly enjoyed with friends. The cool thing about this beer is that it ages well, so buy one now for a celebration in the future.
I could go on about lambics all damn day, I didn’t even get into the unique brewing process. It is pretty cool they’re exposed to wild yeasts and bacteria during the fermentation process, but science isn’t really my thing as much as fancy fruity beers are. End the summer with a lambic party and pretend this won’t be the coldest summer for the rest of our lives and who even knows what the next few months will bring. There’s no need to think about the future when you have and a warm bottle of framboise.
JENNIFER RUSSO
In the last couple of decades, food trucks have become increasingly popular, trending on social media and popping up across the country in parking lots, breweries, business parks, and more. They are casual and unpretentious, a haven for foodies to get delicious, high-quality food on the go, and can be hired out for events.
Chef Jonathan Demoga, owner of one of the Worcester area’s most popular food trucks, Mama Roux, knew at an early age that he wanted to cook and loved watching his Italian grandmother making her tried and true recipes in the kitchen. Like most aspiring chefs, he started as a dishwasher and worked his way up, also working at a snack shack at the Worcester Country Club. Eventually, he attended Johnson and Wales University to earn a degree in Culinary Arts and worked at James Beard Award-winning restaurant Al Forno in Providence and for the famed Brennan Family in New Orleans at Café Adelaide.
“It seems a lot of people have food trucks these days, especially post pandemic. People say how quickly things can shut down, and the food truck model is more attractive than ever. I think what makes us stand out is our attention to detail, our sourcing of ingredients, and going the extra mile to do things right. Also, creatively, the menu is constantly changing. I don’t want someone to come to Mama Roux and have the same experience twice,” he says.
The name Mama Roux came from a Dr. John song, a famed New Orleans musician that combined jazz, blues, and funk. Jonathan had been listening to the album and the name just “felt right.”
“We started out doing strictly New Orleans food with some pop-culture and local twists (for example, our gumbo that used homemade smoked kielbasa from
Golemo’s Market instead of andouille), but these days we will cook up anything that we are inspired by and think people will also connect with,” says Demoga.
Jonathan is proud to be from Worcester. The fourth generation of his family to call the city home, he remembers stories his grandfather would tell him about living here at the time of WWII.
“He used to tell me how he would have dreams, especially around Christmas time, of taking a seaplane home and landing on Lake Quinsigamond where his mother and family would be waiting for him on the shore,” he recalls.
So, it was only fitting that he started a business on his home turf. Thankfully, for those who live and work here, we all get the benefit of a tasty, innovative and truly eclectic menu of whatever Jonathan dreams up that week – from chicken or sliced beef sandwiches to wings and crabcakes, to ribs and sausages, you just never know what you might find there.
“We are probably best known for our fried chicken sandwich, but a lot of other items have a cult-like following and are sometimes requested years after we had originally served it. We still get requests for the ‘Leatherface sandwich’ from a Halloween party we had at The Dive Bar almost seven years back, and others long for another shot at the Double Quarter Flounder with Cheese. That’s the thing about Mama Roux, our menus are always fleeting – so if you see something you’re into, jump on it,” he shares.
The Mama Roux can be hired for private events or, if you’re just looking for a great bite, they can be found at different venues throughout the city. Follow Mama Roux on Instagram at @mamarouxtrailer and on Facebook to ask about an event or to see what’s on the menu and where they are popping up near you!
On August 17th be sure to go early and stand in line. Mama Roux is going for defend their title and going for their third championship for Worcester Hot Dog Safari
Demoga and his creation of the Pecos Bill hot dog (Berberian’s Farm Creamed Corn with Roasted New Mexico Hatch Chiles, Crispy Double Smoked Bacon, and Chive) has won the Safari two years in a row. Look out and good luck getting one.
SYDNEY ZMRZEL
In the vibrant world of fashion, a silent battle rages on—one that pits the breakneck speed of fast fashion against the deliberate, thoughtful pace of slow fashion. While both approaches aim to satisfy our sartorial desires, they do so in dramatically different ways. Let's dive into this stylish showdown and see which side emerges as the true trendsetter.
Fast Fashion: The Quick Fix
Fast fashion is all about immediacy. Retail giants like Zara, H&M, and Forever 21 have perfected the art of quickly translating runway trends into affordable, ready-towear collections. This rapid turnaround means that consumers can sport the latest styles without breaking the bank. But this fashion frenzy comes with a hefty price, often paid by the environment and exploited labor.
The allure of fast fashion lies in its accessibility. New collections appear in stores almost weekly, enticing shoppers with the promise of fresh, trendy pieces. This constant influx of new items encourages a culture of disposability, where clothes are worn a few times and then discarded. It's a cycle that fuels overconsumption and waste, contributing to overflowing landfills and environmental degradation.
Moreover, the labor practices behind fast fashion are often less than glamorous. To keep prices low, many brands outsource production to countries where labor is cheap and regulations are lax. This can lead to poor working conditions, low wages, and even child labor. Check out, “No Logo” by Naomi Klein, and
Slow Fashion: The Thoughtful Approach
On the flip side, slow fashion advocates for a more mindful and sustainable approach to clothing. This movement emphasizes quality over quantity, encouraging consumers to invest in well-made pieces that will stand the test of time. Brands like Patagonia, Eileen Fisher, and Reformation are leading the charge, proving that fashion can be both stylish and sustainable.
Slow fashion is all about intentionality. It encourages us to think about where our clothes come from, who made them, and the environmental impact of their production. This often means choosing garments made from sustainable materials, such as organic cotton or recycled fibers, and supporting brands that prioritize fair labor practices.
One of the key tenets of slow fashion is the idea of a capsule wardrobe, a curated collection of timeless pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits. This approach not only reduces the need for constant shopping but also fosters a deeper appreciation for each item in our closet. It's about shifting our mindset from treating clothes as disposable items to viewing them as valuable investments.
Verdict:
While fast fashion offers the thrill of the new and the affordable, slow fashion presents a compelling case for sustainability and ethics. So, where does that leave us? Perhaps the answer lies in finding a balance between the two.
We can start by being more conscious consumers. This means questioning our purchasing habits and considering the long-term impact of our choices. Do we really need that new dress, or can we repurpose something we already own? Can we support brands that align with our values, even if it means spending a bit more?
Another way to balance fast and slow fashion is by embracing secondhand shopping. Thrift stores, consignment shops, and online platforms like Poshmark and ThredUp offer a treasure trove of pre-loved pieces waiting for a second chance. Not only does this reduce waste, but it also allows us to enjoy the thrill of the hunt without contributing to the demand for new production.
In the end, fashion should be fun and expressive, but it doesn't have to come at the expense of our planet or the people who make our clothes. By blending the best of both worlds—fast and slow—we can create a wardrobe that's not only stylish but also sustainable. So, the next time you find yourself eyeing that trendy top or timeless trench coat, remember: fashion is about making choices, and every choice counts.
JULIE WALKER
Worcester’s September Pride festivities are approaching which means August is sprinkled with an array of events sure to excite and entice the LGBTQ+ community as the city winds up for next month’s big celebration.
Kicking off the month on August 1 is an evening of “Fast Flirting” (aka Speed Dating) for lesbian, bisexual, nonbinary, genderqueer, and transgender women at Gambrino’s Cask and Barrel, 266 Park Avenue. The event, hosted by Little Gay Book, uses innovative technology allowing participants to tailor their desired matches by age range and gender presentation/identification. Through a series of ten five-minute “dates,” participants meet with predetermined matches who best meet their preferred criteria. While speed dating with Little Gay Book can present opportunities for intimate connections, the technology also offers options for friend and business matches. All in all, it’s a great opportunity to meet new people!
Members of Worcester’s queer community hit the silver screen this month as the indie film The Compatriots premieres at the Woods Hole Film Festival August 2, and virtually August 4-August 11. Spencer Cohen’s The Compatriots tells the story of Javi, an undocumented gay man who’s lived in the United States most of his life fearing the constant threat of deportation. Scenes from The Compatriots were filmed at Worcester’s MB Lounge in June of 2023. Socializing in the background and dancing up a storm, a number of “MB regulars” grace the screen making Worcester proud!
Searching for a business connection, trade professional, service, or in the mood for some socializing? Save the second Tuesday of every month for the Worcester Gay Professionals’ Group monthly networking event. The location rotates through a variety of queer-friendly establishments around Worcester. The August event will take place on the 14th at 6:00 pm, location TBA. Look for the Worcester Gay Professionals Group on social media to stay in the know!
Who will be the next crowned royalty of Worcester’s queer community? The Pride Worcester Pageant returns to Mechanics Hall Saturday, August 17 at 6:00 pm. Enjoy an evening of lively entertainment as contenders vie for the titles of First and Second Majesty of the Royal Court. After showcasing a talent, modeling red carpet attire, and responding to an unrehearsed question, contestants will be scored by a panel of judges for a chance to earn a title and monetary prize. Winners keep their titles for one year during which they engage in community service and public appearances. Come bid farewell to outgoing First Majesty Diva D and join the fun with Worcester Pride!
On Saturday, August 24 Queer AF: Art + Fashion and Deep Eddy Vodka partner with queer-owned and welcoming establishments throughout the city for a spirited bar crawl. Queer AF (September 6 at Mechanics Hall) is a thrilling showcase of fashion and performance that raises funds for the nonprofit Love Your Labels supporting LGBTQ+ youth through art, fashion, and design. The Woo Bar and Grill, 358 Shrewsbury Street, hosts the 1:00 pm kickoff with raffles, prizes and Deep Eddy drink specials. From there, the crawl continues down Shrewsbury Street and around Worcester to a host of venues including Redemption Rock and Pepe’s Dolce Bar. The crawl extends into the night with a dance party at MB Lounge, 40 Grafton Street. “Y’all means all” so gather a group and jump on “The Banned Wagon”!
As August comes to an end, the annual Pride flag raising will take place at City Hall, 455 Main Street, on the 30th at 3:00 pm. It’s just the beginning of the city’s September Pride celebrations, so stay tuned as there is lots to come!
IN THE
RAVON WILLIAMS 0 5 8
Too many people shopping in dispensaries have the perception that THC is the only thing that matters when it comes to buying weed. I’ve got to sound like a broken record at this point, but it’s not just THC that should be focused on when buying weed!
Ever wonder why you once smoked weed that said it was 28% THC, but felt like it didn’t really get you high? Then you smoked something that was 22% THC and it got you blasted? But how could something with a lower THC get you higher than something with a higher THC? For starters, perception. We perceive that a higher THC will get us higher but that’s not always the case.
Looking past the perception of THC percentages, how we get high is due to how our body interacts with the chemical compounds in the weed you smoked, this is called the entourage effect.
The Entourage Effect
When these compounds are consumed, their effects work together to create an effect greater than their own. The main compounds are cannabinoids and terpenes. They work with our body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a system involved in regulating various physiological processes, including pain, mood, appetite, and immune function. The ECS helps us maintain balance in our bodies and is composed of receptors (CB1 & CB2) that interact with the compounds in weed.
Cannabinoids
The two most well-known cannabinoids are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).
THC is primarily responsible for the high you get from consumption. It binds to CB1 receptors in the brain, affecting mood, perception, and cognition. CBD doesn’t get you high like THC does, instead it has a handful therapeutic properties, such as anti-inflammatory effects. CBD interacts with multiple receptors in our ECS, including CB1, CB2, and serotonin receptors.
Terpenes
Terpenes are aromatic compounds that give weed its smell and flavor. They’re found all throughout nature, in citrus fruits, pine trees, lavender, cinnamon and many, many more. Terpenes are believed to contribute to the therapeutic effects of weed through their own actions and by modulating the effects of cannabinoids. A couple of most common terpenes found in cannabis include:
Myrcene: This terpene has sedative and muscle-relaxing effects. It may enhance the psychoactive effects of THC by increasing its permeability in the brain. Myrcene has a distinct earthy, musky smell, often with sweet, fruity undertones. Outside of weed, It’s also found in basil, hops, and mangoes. This is where the “eat a mango before/after you smoke and you’ll get higher” idea comes from. The thought is that the myrcene in the mango could interact with the cannabinoids and other terpenes from the weed you consumed and add onto the entourage effect. Strains that you can typically find myrcene in include: Blue Dream, Granddaddy Purple, and OG Kush.
Caryophyllene: This terpene is found in various plants, including black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, and, of course, weed. It has a spicy, peppery aroma, which is quite distinctive. Caryophyllene is noted for its anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effects. It may help in managing pain by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system. Strains that you can typically find this terpene in are ChemDawg, GG4, and Sour Diesel.
How to Use This Information
Hopefully this will help you make more educated decisions when buying weed. A lot of the process is trial and error as you consume products looking for a compound mix that works really well for you. You can start by taking a strain you always love and looking up what the main terpenes in it typically are. From there you can research what other strains have a similar terpene breakdown and create a list of new strains to try and hopefully enjoy!
Way too often do we just turn on the air conditioner and wait for the house to cool down when there are many ways to naturally help cool down your house, or atleast take the edge off. The concept of passive cooling includes using natural methods of circulating air, trapping cool air and minimizing the transfer of heat between the outside environment and the inside of your house. The opposite and more well known type of cooling is known as active cooling which includes air conditioning machines that use a fuel source to power them. We know that keeping the air conditioner on all day can cost a fortune and be pretty bad for the environment. These passive ideas don’t use any energy and they can work for any size building but for simple purposes, a house is an easy building to focus on which you can apply many techniques that you might already be doing without even realizing it. In a day and age where electricity is expensive, and the earth depends on us, some of these passive strategies can help to minimize your use of an air conditioner this summer and maybe even save you a few bucks on your utility bills.
There are many passive cooling strategies in home design but a few are much more commonly known than others. Have you ever wondered what shutters on a house are for? Well nowadays you mainly see them nailed to the side of a house to add some “curb appeal” but real, true shutters swing on a hinge and close over the window. Not only is this good for protecting your glass during a large storm but keeping these closed during a hot afternoon can help to block the heat from the sun from entering the home. Insulation and thermal performance of windows can play a big role as well but if you can stop the sun before it even hits the glass, you have a much better chance of stopping that heat gain from entering in the first place. Where we are located in the northern hemisphere, the sun travels in the southern sky so those windows on the south face of your house are the ones that you need to keep a close eye on for heat gain.
Come July and August, we are all mostly likely using air conditioners to some degree, whether they are window inserts or central air units. A very effective way to minimize the use of them is to keep windows and shades closed during the hot day while they are in use to trap the cold air. Letting cool outside air in at night and closing windows and shades in the morning helps to trap that naturally cool air when the sun comes back out. A misconception is to keep your windows open during the day to let the breeze in but all you are doing on a hot day is letting the hot air blow in, therefore at night when it cools down, the inside of your house is hotter than it is outside.
It definitely takes a bit more effort and dedication to master a passive strategy than just pressing the on button but it can help you to understand your home's climate a bit more and how your own house functions. Other strategies include large overhangs to block the sun, cold air chambers in the basement, skylights that let the hot air rise through, cross ventilation and many others. Now these methods won’t make your house icy cold like your store bought air conditioning units might, but they can help to reduce your overall time that you use your machine which will reduce your overall utility bills. During these hot summer months, give passive cooling a try and see how effective a green strategy can be.
Monday: CLOSED Tuesday: 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM Wednesday: 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
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12:00 PM - 11:00 PM
12:00 PM - 11:00 PM
12:00PM – 7:00PM
If you’ve watched a WooSox game on television, you’ve most likely heard Jim Cain’s voice. Perhaps it is now familiar to you if you tune in often. He is now in his 6th season as a member of the radio and television crew, though his interest in broadcasting was embedded within him long before he began calling games in both Pawtucket and Worcester.
“I dabbled in play-by-play in college, but I never thought I could make a career out of it,” Jim explained. “After covering MLB Spring Training during spring break of my senior year of college, I was presented an opportunity to work for the Bradenton Marauders, the High-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, after I graduated.”
And so he began working in Florida. After a few weeks, he was given his first opportunity to join the broadcasting team there, and he soon fell in love with the profession. His decision to pursue a career as a play-by-play broadcaster was a slight change in plans, though he always held a particular fondness for the folks calling games in the booth.
“I grew up watching Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy, and it was obvious how much fun they had on a nightly basis,” Jim reflected. “They got paid to go to Fenway Park, talk about and watch the Red Sox, which I thought was the coolest thing in the world.”
There is an aspect of the job that is quite intimate. Broadcasters are a constant voice that resonates in a dedicated fan’s kitchen or living room or bedroom. It must be a voice that is articulate, confident, and friendly. One that conveys excitement and disappointment and everything in between without being distractingly emotional. A voice that, above all, must sound pleasant to the ear.
While honing his tone and timbre, Jim quickly pivoted away from aspirations to become a sports anchor in a remote studio and grew to appreciate being close to the action and relaying his thoughts in real time. In doing so, he adjusted to a new normal where the days are long but gratifying. His schedule now, many years removed from his time in Bradenton, includes a long list of responsibilities.
“For home games, I usually get to the office around 10:30am. We have our game day meeting at 11:00am, and I usually spend the first half of my day focusing on ticket sales before shifting into broadcasting mode in the afternoon.” (Note: this schedule is for a night game; day games require a much earlier start.)
“I'll start my prep around 3:00pm, record a segment for our TV pre-game show, go down to the clubhouse to talk to our manager and some of the players, and then get ready to call the game,” Jim continued. “On the road, I still follow the same ‘half ticket sales, half broadcasting’ mode, where I'll focus on sales efforts in the morning and early afternoon before heading to the ballpark in the afternoon to get ready for the broadcast.”
The time between the first pitch of the game and the last pitch of the game is merely the tip of the iceberg; the eminently visible or, more accurately, audible components of Jim’s role. There is far more to the craft than what viewers see and hear on television or radio, which is a demanding task in and of itself, but Jim admits that simply being around the team everyday helps to alleviate the demanding workload. He also finds that speaking with the opposing team’s broadcasters and staff makes his job much easier.
“They give us great insight on players that you might not find through internet research or anywhere else,” Jim elaborated. “There's a lot of information and stats that are easily accessible, but having conversations with the players and coaches is so valuable and adds great context to the broadcast, and it also leads to great stories you can share.”
Story-telling is an important skill for a broadcaster, especially one attempting to limit lulls in conversation to engage what hopes to be a captive audience. A good rapport with your co-workers in the booth can further enhance this skill. The stories may be more or less relevant, but they should be consistently interesting or amusing in some way.
“I always make it a point to share a laugh with my partner at least once.” Jim remarked. “This isn't rocket science. We're talking about sports; it's entertainment,
and it should be fun! I always try to keep things light.” “One of the biggest pieces of advice I've gotten was to show personality.” Jim added. Maybe you have heard him allude to being a self-described “huge fan of Disney” or the fact that he was a successful “Thousandaire” contestant on an episode of “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?” when he was in college? Are there more stories, personal or otherwise, that have yet to be revealed between pitches or innings or plate appearances? How does one weave these stories organically into the fabric of statistics, rosters, scouting, and critical commentary to describe in-game play?
You’ll have to continue listening to find out.
SHAUN CONNOLLY
I got to tell you dear readers there is nothing better than waking up, drinking a nice cup of coffee, walking the dogs along Indian Lake and leisurely making your way downtown to watch athletes do some of the most strenuous work that you could never do. As I stood at the bottom of George St. right off Main St. and person after person lined up to go up a hill with an average 18 grade incline for 500 feet, as was as some kids would say, based.
Did I consider signing up and taking on the Major Taylor George Street Challenge? I sure did. Did I contact the event’s organizers, The Major Taylor Association, to see if I could get a last minute dispensation for the sake of journalism? No, I did not. Do you know why, dear reader? It was because I am pushing 40, haven’t seriously biked in any capacity since 2016 and did not want my son to watch in horror as I fell to one side clipped into a simple machine I couldn’t completely handle.
Eventually, I’d be able to make it up the hill, sure. But nothing like this year’s winner 33 year-old Taylor Smith of Princeton who did it in 23.75 seconds or even Ethan Balistieri who got up there in 23.88. Mr. Balistieri is 44, I can’t even blame my age on this, 51 men and 6 women (all older than me) were able to go up that hill. A hill that previously, my 2009 PT Cruiser couldn’t make it up. A hill used by Marshall “Major” Taylor to train for international bicycle races. A hill that two 11 year old children were able to get up, Leo Dionne and Liana Hill, respectively.
An onlooker, agreed in my stance on this peace I was feeling watching these phenomenal athletes climb a truly unnecessary hill all morning. “I try to come to this every year, it is a great event. I love seeing all of the different kinds of people and their approaches to getting up this thing,” a resident we will just name Ben W. as he didn’t want to be outed for his adult beverage that he enjoyed as each cyclist’s muscles screamed at them to stop pushing themselves up towards the sky.
“We didn’t even know this was happening, but were invited last minute by friends and just had a great time,” a couple from Holden told me from near the top of the hill near the finish line. Yelling over Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” blaring over the PA that lines the entirety of the road. Their toddler was drinking a yogurt pouch, sitting on a wall, unable to ride a bike and just as content as I to kick back, relax and enjoy the volunteered torture of riding George St.
If you’ve never gone, I highly suggest it. Get up, take a walk, drink a coffee and mosey on over to watch some truly extraordinary athleticism take place in the shadow of the north side of Main Street’s buildings. And if you decide to attempt that legendary ride next year. Look for me on the side enjoying every second of it.
If you are looking for a great night out, then Café Neo Karaoke Bar and Grill is the place you should check out. Located at 289 Harding Street, Café Neo recently had its grand opening in the new location (it was formerly on Millbury Street), and by all accounts, the new location is great.
Peter Tsigas, the owner, said that he is very grateful to the landlord of the new location, and is pleased to be there. Café Neo had its official opening in early July in the Canal District, with numerous folks on hand to welcome Peter.
Neo opens every night at 7:30, but Peter says that he is looking to expand the hours in the near future. There is karaoke every night, and all are encouraged to get up and join in the fun. Business has been steadily picking up since the opening, and folks seem to be very excited and pleased.
In addition to karaoke, Neo also has what many described as amazingly wonderful drinks, and the food is awesome as well. Playing woman on the street, I asked some folks as they were entering and leaving, what they thought. The general consensus was that Peter (who is also the bartender in chief) mixes a fantastic drink, and the drinks are very reasonably priced. They also said that the food was delicious, and the crowd really loved the karaoke.
I myself didn’t get the chance to actually visit Neo, but I will in the very near future. When I was speaking with Peter, I told him that I can’t wait to check out Neo, I also told him that I won’t be getting up for karaoke, because everyone would leave if I sang!! He chuckled and said that everyone gets up and joins in
on the fun. Well, I guess I’ll have to have one of those delicious drinks in me before I even consider it; after all, I don’t want to hurt his business.
To learn more about Café Neo, check out their Facebook and Instagram pages, where current happenings are posted.
And for a really fun time at a reasonable price, be sure to visit Neo- just hope that I’m not singing when you’re there.
Making Inclusive Arts & Culture Happen in the Valley!
Open Mic Nights
Art Gallery Exhibits
Sculpture in the Plaza Theater Performances
One Act Play Festivals
Art Workshops & Classes
Free Summer Concert Series
Art & Music Makers Festivals and much, much more!
The Alternatives’ Whitin Mill Complex: Dennis H. Rice Community Plaza
GB & Lexi Singh Performance Center
Spaulding R. Aldrich Heritage Gallery
30-70 Douglas Road, Whitinsville, MA
What’s happening now: openskycs.org/news-events | 508-234-6232
Connect with us on Social Media: linktr.ee/valleycast
Free Summer Concert Series! Every Thursday night 6:00-8:00 PM June 30 - September 5, 2024
See the full line-up: openskycs.org/summerconcerts
Concerts move indoors in inclement weather.
