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No vember 2016
november 2016 In this issue COVER story
20 THE central scene
6 style it local
21 gameon: Mutants in Manhattan
beauty+style 12 music exclusives meets fashion: two
passions, one store
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22 nowstreaming: Idina Menzel / Mirabai Ceiba / The Prophets of Rage
23 OUT+ABOUT: 13 coconut oiL – your all-purpose beauty Change of LGBTQ liason a loss and a gain
product 14 new around the woo:
28 PulseShots
C.A.S. Handmade Designs
FOOD+DRINK
15 steal the style: Succulent crafting
30 dining review: Fatima's will spice up your night
16 the luxe list: Fashion + style fixes + tricks
31 Pulsebrew: Get your beer from the source
entertainment
read pulse Online @ ThePulseMag.com
follow us on social media:
32 hot & now 18 local filmmakers defy odds and hit
the film festival circuit
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24 Club, Pub & grub Listings
sports+fitness
19 pulsebooks:
34 any given wednesday: november
Comfort food for November
project invades worceste
Follow us on Twitter @WorcesterPulse Follow us on Instagram @PulseMag_Worc Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/thepulsemagazine
PULSE Magazine is produced 12 times a year by Pagio Inc., 88 Winter St., Worcester, MA 01604. (508) 756-5006. Copyright 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 Donna Roberson, Editor Vanessa Herbold, Art Director Chris Reddy, Alex Theisen, Kyle Sullivan Account Executives Mitchell Perry, Event Manager
Kim Dunbar, Sports Editor Jennifer Russo, Lifestyle Editor Kimberly Dunbar, Jennifer Russo, Jason Savio, Bernie Whitmore, Michael Wood, Paul Giorgio, Carly O’Brien, Merilee Kern, Kerry Cyganiewicz, John Trobaugh, Sloane Perron, Jamie Burke, Rachel Shuster, Maxine Giza Writers
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Young, talented and local designers are bringing inspiration, creativity and a unique viewpoint to style. With their eyes on breaking out, they’re bringing new blood to the fashion world. Special thanks to Creative Hub Worcester – a non-profit organization dedicated to building a thriving arts community space in Worcester. Photography by Justin Mayotte.
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No vember 2016
Cynthia Akita Coruscate Innovations coruscateinnovations.com Age: 23 Town: Worcester Company Location: Worcester How did you start designing? I had always been interested in sketching dresses and hoped that I could open up a shop after completing school. My passion for fashion grew so strong that medical school was no longer a desire of mine. I then took note of my mother’s sewing machine that she had not used in years and drove to Joann Fabrics to get some black and blue fabric. I had made it my goal to make myself a dress for a convention I would be attending in the summer of 2011. I started sewing the dress in June and finished it in July, in time for my convention. No one taught me how; nonetheless, it was a successful experiment. At the convention, I received so many compliments; one comment that caught me by surprise was, “I could tell that wasn’t from a store. It’s so unique. I love it!” From then on, I began to construct clothing for close friends and family, just so that I could get some practice, and all the practice has brought me to where I am now. Describe your designs. My designs are for the fashionable woman who isn’t afraid to defy the odds. My designs are for women who want to feel empowered and fearless wherever they may go, because they are sure to stand out and receive compliments. At Coruscate Innovations, it is our desire to style women and give them that sense of confidence that will put boldness in their every step. Our designs are not set, and that allows us to accommodate different kinds of people. For those who want something extravagant, we do that. For those who want something more subtle, but with a punch, we do that also. We cater to make our clients satisfied. What makes your brand unique? My brand is unique simply because my designs are not fixed on one style. My styles range from vintage to modern, and I think that’s what allows my brand to stand out. I have the ability to create whatever my clients are looking for. I believe that my brand caters to any type of person. My use of Ghanaian fabrics also sets me apart from the rest. I love my culture and bring that into my brand from time to time, but I am not fixed on just that. I use a variety of fabrics and textiles to create unique looks. What inspires you? I am inspired, first, by God. God gave me this amazing gift, and I am always reminded that there was a purpose for this gift. It causes me to continue to strive for the best and pushes me out of my comfort zone. I am inspired, secondly, by my beloved country, Ghana. Being a Ghanaian has taught me that life is a fashion show. Whenever I am amongst the Ghanaian crowd, the atmosphere serves as a source of inspiration for me. There is no such thing as being ordinary. We pride ourselves in our fabrics and rich culture, which promote royalty. Whatever event we are present at, we exude royalty, and that translates into my designs. What do you see in your future? In the foreseeable future, I plan to start a men’s line, so that I can accommodate the dapper men that stand by the beautiful ladies I style, which will cause consumers to view me as their one-stop shop. I have always been obsessed with weddings and bridal attire, so I will also be adding that to my line of businesses. I will begin with bridesmaids dresses and then move on to bridal gowns. “We are a building brand, and we love meeting our clients at fashion events. If you or someone you know would like to have us at a fashion show or a fashion week, please contact us at hello@coruscateinnovations.com or call us at (774) 257-4609.”
modeled by widny bazile
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Ernie Jubin SOLOJUBIN Clothing facebook.com/ ernie.jubin Age: 24 Town: Worcester Company location: Worcester How did you start designing? I started designing in 2012. I was blessed to have Yildiz, who owns Rice Square Alterations in Worcester, teach me how to sew. I have always had an eye for fashion from an early age and was fortunate enough to have so many people help me develop my craft. Describe your designs. I would say my designs are bold! I use a lot of different prints and fabrics. You can see SOLOJUBIN on women, men and even children. My goal is to perfect my craft because this fashion industry is very competitive. Ultimately, I would like to make it to the top and travel the world, as I see many individuals decked out in SOLOJUBIN. What makes your brand unique? What makes my brand unique is I do not discriminate against any fabrics or prints. I believe I can make something that seems like nothing into a masterpiece. What inspires you? I have a lot of things that inspire me – from people, history and music especially. Sometimes, the flow of the music and lyrics create a visual in my head and I start to sketch on new pieces What do you see in your future? By God’s grace, I hope my future is bright and filled with blessings. I would love to see SOLOJUBIN make it to the top. Also, I would love to make it to New York Fashion Week. A couple of my friends and I were featured in Elle magazine during the Afropunk Festival this summer in Brooklyn. “All my pieces are made from scratch. I am a designer and a stylist, but I am a designer first.”
modeled by ernie jubin and amanda jubin
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No vember 2016
LeGrand Leseur LeGrand Leseur Legrandleseur.com Age: 26 Town: Worcester Company Location: WorcesterPhiladelphia-Boston How did you start designing? Long story short: While I was in my final year of college, I started wearing suits. Items I found online and at retailers. I always went for the oddball – well, unique – looks. Items that I personally never saw before. People always asked me where I got my clothes, so I would always send them to the various places I found them. Once I realized that people wanted my sense of style, I started sketching some things out. I contacted a handful of factories to see who could help get my ideas into production, and the rest is history. Describe your designs. Colorful and aesthetically pleasing to the eyes of many. I love using shapes, especially triangles. The goal has always been to change the way people look at men’s fashion. Gentlemen shouldn’t be limited to a handful of darkcolored suits and blazers. People shouldn’t fit men into such a narrow box. Women’s clothing dominates the fashion world with the amount of options there are. I don’t believe men should be held to such a restricted demographic. The world isn’t that boring. Life is more colorful than that, and that is what I like to add to my designs; that is what I strive to achieve with my clothing every day. What makes your brand unique? LeGrand Leseur suits have a sense of unyielding integrity. I do not look at trends when designing, like a lot of designers do. My brand is unique because every piece I make and design will not replicate motifs of other people’s work. Every piece that is made builds upon ideas of previous work. My work is always moving forward by looking one step backward. In my mind, my work can only be compared to my work. What inspires you? As cliche as it is, music is what inspires me the most. I grew up listening to all genres of music, from death metal to underground hip-hop to classical, etc. A good amount of the pieces I come up with are put to paper with a soundtrack playing. I also am inspired by my clients when they ask me to make them pieces. Everyone is unique, so I try to make the clothing I design for them to their personality. Also, my mom. What do you see in your future? I want to be the godfather of contemporary men's fashion. Blend the rules – and then break them. My major goal for the next few years is to start a ready-to-wear line that I can get in local and national retailers. Doing custom clothing will still be the main focus; however, limited-run pieces that could go to major retailers would also be ideal. Not as intimate as my custom work but still really personal for my customers. I am also launching my new season of eyewear soon. “I would like to thank you guys for having me. Look out for my new designs and sunglasses coming out soon. Follow me on social media to stay connected.”
modeled by legrand leseur
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Jamel Walker RARE MXBB raremxbb.com Age: 25 Town: Worcester Company Location: Worcester How did you start designing? I started designing in fifth grade by writing my name on jeans with bleach. As the years went on, I started designing brand merchandise for an independent music group that I was a part of called Jetset Music Ink. Jetset Music Ink was a group of friends, including YNGA Lawless and Rich Lawless, that created music and other creative projects together. Describe your designs. The Rare Mxbb logo is a circle, standing for caution – as in, take caution to protect your creativity. The circle encompasses two Chinese characters translating to “rare.” RARE is also an acronym for Real Art Real Energy. Mxbb, pronounced “mob,” refers to the unified ideals of a community. The brand is for everyone. I want to create clothes that are unisex. Men and women can wear them from 2 years old until 200 years old. We especially love to see all the creative minds wearing our clothes. If you wear the RARE MXBB logo on your chest or represent the brand, you are “a rare one.” What are you trying to achieve? The goal is to showcase this brand from Worcester around the world – welcoming people into our world and culture. There is also a full-length documentary being produced in Worcester titled THE RARE. THE RARE is directed by my brother Kariuki (thatvideokid.com), who follows 20 young creatives, including myself, working to achieve their goals. The documentary goes in-depth about our journeys; the viewers will get to know more about me as a designer and as a person. What makes your brand unique? Every piece that I design is released in limited quantities. Behind every piece, there is a concept or statement that will inspire someone who is going through something difficult in their life. I have released pieces titled Don’t Be Scared to Pray, Aim For The Top, Only The Original Will Survive, etc. As a brand, we also like to make everybody feel a part of the MXBB community – whether you’re homeless or have disabilities. We give away a lot of free T-shirts to people in need. I will always and forever make sure that any talent that is unseen or unheard will have a platform through the brand. What inspires you? I’m inspired by the smallest things in life. I also like doing things with my brother Kariuki; we’ve danced with the homeless, we like to laugh and joke with them. We also feed them and give T-shirts. We recently took a man with a drug addiction to church with us to hear inspiring stories and the word of God. I’m also inspired by interacting with different cultures – especially Asian cultures. I almost became the first black male sushi chief in Worcester. I worked at Baba Sushi on Park Avenue for several years, and that experience has influenced what I design today. I can go on for days about the things that have inspired me – stay on the lookout for THE RARE documentary. What do you see in your future? The vision is to become the best designer from the city of Worcester. I want to create jobs for my friends and family, even outsiders. I’m going to continue to connect the dots to take the next step without thinking of the reward – that’s important. I try to be as humble as possible. I let the people be the judge of RARE MXBB… I just thank God and the people every day, because without them, there is no RARE MXBB. “To everybody working a 9- to-5 job, to all creatives, to any one in a bad spot in life – anything can happen at any time, any day. You must push every day and support one another.”
modeled by TONY, JAMEL WALKER AND JACE
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No vember 2016
Yanell Galva Yanell Galva YanellGalva.com Age: 27 Town: Lawrence Company Location: Lawrence How did you start designing? I started designing at a very young age, sketching by the age of 13, when I was in eighth grade, and even designed my prom dress. By the age of 19, I taught myself how to sew. I wanted to have unique pieces on wherever I would go and never liked having the same outfit as the girl next to me. I kept doing it as a hobby until 2012, when I did my first show. After my first show was when I realized that’s what I wanted to do the rest of my life. The feeling I had that day on the runway, when I was thanking people for coming, it was indescribable. Everything else is history. I’ve done shows all over Massachusetts, local shows and even shows at colleges, including Bentley College. I have also done shows in Providence, Connecticut and New York multiple times. I am looking forward to continuing to expand my showcases with God’s willingness. Describe your designs. Colors and prints such as florals are a signature principal to the clothing line. My designs are for anyone who wants to feel beautiful, young and fresh. My main clientele are females from 5-10 and 18-40 and males 25-35. I’m trying to have my name be known and be worn on the red carpet. I’m trying to be one of the most successful Latina fashion designers in the world. Once I reach a certain level, I will help the up-and-comers and give back to those in need, starting with my country, the Dominican Republic. What makes your brand unique? Yanell Galva Collection is a clothing brand with a lot of edge and sweetness in one. This clothing brand brings out a versatile aspect. It projects different styles, from hipster to classical looks. Variance and verge is what puts this line together in a unique way. What inspires you? My inspiration thrives off of nature’s natural beauty, as well as music such as soul jazz like Al Green, Etta Jones, Nina Simone, ’90s hip hop and R&B, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu and Michael Jackson, to name a few. Also, people’s energy and style inspires my creativity. What do you see in your future? In the future, I see many wishes being manifested by God. A few of them are: being part of the NYFW every year next to legendary and inspiring designers; celebrities and average Americans wearing my clothing line; having multiple business lines – a warehouse, design room and showroom; and being able to provide my family a better life. “Passion and consistency is the key – it will take you places and to meet people you thought you would never meet. What’s a dream without love and passion? It is like a car without an engine; it can’t run. So if you’re using your creative talent for the money and not because you’re passionate about it, believe me when I tell you it will not bloom. Momentary money or fame can only go so far; the moment you don’t see money coming in, that’s when you’ll give up. But if you have love and passion for what you do, no matter how hard it may get, your love and passion will be your strength to keep pushing forward, as well as your faith in God, because without him, nothing is possible. Stay humble to yourself and others. Don’t let your level of success change who you are, where you came from and how you started.”
modeled by yanell galva
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beauty+style
“When you wear an outfit, you need to be confident. When you have confidence, you’re not afraid to take risks.”
Music Exclusives Meets Fashion: Two passions, one store
By sloan m. perron At 39 Pleasant St. in downtown Worcester is a store that combines the best of local music and artists with the glamour of the latest fashion trends. Music Exclusives Meets Fashion was the brain child of Jimmy Kang, vice president of Wu-Tang Management, and Ivania Nicole, who is a model, entrepreneur and Ms. Massachusetts United States 2016. Nicole and Kang are not just business partners, they are life partners. Nicole described the motivation behind the store, which they opened together in 2011, “Basically, we started because he [Kang] does music and I do fashion, and we wanted to combine the two worlds.” This theme is evident throughout the store, which has many unique features, including an actual runway and a DJ booth. Originally, the store was located at 350 West Boylston St. However, the property was foreclosed on, resulting in a two-year search for the store’s next location. Music Exclusives Meets Fashion moved into 39 Pleasant St. in 2013 and was officially launched in 2014. The store is also the site for the Miss Central Massachusetts Beauty Pageant, which features contestants from 5-27. The goal of the store is to showcase local musicians and
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No vember 2016
designers. Nicole, who has been modeling since 2009, shared her thoughts about the true meaning of fashion: “I really think fashion is your own personal style and how you represent yourself.” She added, “Something can look good on one person, but it might not look good on you.” The store features a diverse range of clothing from everyday and business wear to formal dresses. Nicole carries a wide selection of local designers, including Daniel Hernandez for DH Studios, Harvard Clothing, Life and Vudog. The store also showcases jewelry from local artisans. While the store features the hottest trends in music and fashion, Nicole keeps her price range accessible and reasonable for her customers. As a small business owner, Nicole wears many hats at the store and works endless hours. Staying motivated and on top of things can be a challenge at times. For Nicole, the best aspect of the store is, “You’re really supporting the local businesses.” By featuring wares from individuals within the community, Nicole believes she gives her customers higher quality while helping out local creators and designers. One of her future goals is to expand on Music Exclusives Meets Fashion’s online store. This way she “can open the market up to the world,” Nicole’s motivation comes from within, she said. “I get
motivated because you have to just pick yourself up – because winners are just not quitters.” As far as fashion tips, Nicole said this season’s trends are throwbacks, so look for styles from the ’70s and ’80s, as well as plaids, stockings and a lot of mismatched looks. Bell bottoms and overalls are also back in style. “Fashion always repeats itself,” she said. For Nicole, the best part of fashion is taking risks. However, she cautions her customers not to go “overboard” when trying to spice up their wardrobe. “Look at yourself in the mirror and see what looks good and what doesn’t,” she said. “If you’re comfortable walking out of the house, then you picked the right outfit.” However, self-esteem is your best accessory, Nicole said. As a model, she has learned that even when they have to wear outfits that they do not like, models still have to “rock it” because it is their job. “When you wear an outfit, you need to be confident. When you have confidence, you’re not afraid to take risks.” Runway shows are free to the public and feature drinks, hors d’oeuvres, great music and the latest in fashion. Stay up to date on upcoming events by checking out Music Exclusives Meet Fashion’s Facebook page.
Coconut oil your all-purpose beauty product
The winter woes of dry skin, dehydrated hair and cracked lips can certainly make you uncomfortable, but one product can solve all that – coconut oil. This jack-of-all-trades product becomes the beauty maven’s BFF during the winter months. Switching from your standard beauty products to coconut oil will not only save you tons of money, but will help to revitalize and rejuvenate your look. So, get your beauty regimen in check for those frigid temps! Give coconut oil a try and replace eight products in your bathroom.
Daily Moisturizer. Coconut oil is known to moisturize the skin just as well, if not better, than most lotions. It’s made up of medium-chain fatty acids that enhance the moisture barrier of your skin, further protecting it from dryness. Eye Makeup Remover. Remove stubborn eye makeup by dabbing coconut oil on a cotton ball. It’s a safe and natural alternative to some of the harsh chemicals found in generic makeup removers.
Deep Conditioner. Coconut oil contains proteins not found in other hair oils, helping hair retain its natural moisture and make it stronger.
Chapstick. Mix coconut oil with less than a teaspoon of sugar to exfoliate cracked lips. Frizz Fighter. Forget the sprays and simply tame the frizz with a dime-sized drop of coconut oil.
Wrinkle Cream. Apply under eyes to help prevent wrinkles and hydrate the skin. Teeth Whitener. Ever try oil pulling? By swishing a tablespoon of coconut oil in your
mouth for 10-15 minutes a day, you’ll have a brighter smile and even improved oral health.
Shaving Cream. Not only can coconut oil replace shaving cream, but it also soothes
sensitive skin as an added bonus. Razor burn be gone!
Check out Carrington Farms Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, which comes in a tub and single-serve packs, and add coconut oil to your winter beauty regimen. For more information, visit carringtonfarms.com.
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ne w th ar e w ou oo nd :
C.A.S. Handmade designs By Jennifer Russo November is a time when the weather is changing, most of the leaves have said their last goodbyes, and we begin to think about everything for which we are thankful. It is also my favorite fashion time of year, when sweaters, leggings and boots are the name of the game and my favorite accessory begins to make an appearance in a different kind of way. The handbag is more than just something to put things in. With the right shape or color, a handbag can actually make your outfit pop. And what’s even better is to find one that suits you, unique enough to put a stamp on your personality, but trendy enough to go with the hottest clothes of the season. One thing I really love is finding something that’s one-of-a-kind. When something is made by hand, you are guaranteed to own something that has its own signature. No two are exactly the same. Why buy an accessory made in a factory by a machine when you could have something lovingly made by someone who is passionate about the craft? C.A.S Handmade, which recently opened a studio storefront on Shrewsbury Street, is an experience you won’t easily forget. And with prices that are a complete steal for the quality you are getting, I’d recommend stopping in every time you need a thoughtful and unique gift for someone or want to treat yourself to something new. Jason and Cara DesJardins are the perfect husband and wife team. Jason, who has expertise in retail, and Cara, who loves to create, decided it was time to dive into their passion for fashion and art and run a business together. It began in their basement, and they worked hard to open a retail location. Lucky Worcester had the perfect home for them to set up shop. “Cara was working for five years at Hasbro as a soft goods engineer… making bags on the side was one of her passions. I talked her into quitting her job. We took the last of our savings out and bought her a leather machine and got picked up by Ann Taylor after six months,” Jason said. “We were also a finalist in the Martha Stewart American Made Contest in 2016. Now, we have an open studio, over 60 accounts nationally, and we do many of the top fine-craft shows in the country.” In addition to the handbags Cara makes (which are fabulous, by the way), the store carries items from about 15 artists the couple has met at various craft shows. They have pottery, jewelry, soap, candles, wood crafts and more. A leather shop, boutique and high-end gift store? Perfect. Cara has mastered the art of setting her own trends while being influenced by the fashion scene, a feat that is not easily accomplished. Instead of taking a cookie-cutter approach and copying what other designers have done, she allows trends from around the world to inspire her as she comes up with her own signature ideas. She recently finished her designs for spring of next year, so she is definitely ahead of the game. C.A.S. can be found in stores across the globe. In Massachusetts alone, the products can be found in 17 different boutiques. The Cross Country bag is my personal favorite, as I really love the tote-style bags. However, The Foldover is the most popular bag at C.A.S. and was Cara’s first design after college – the one that put themC.A.S. “It’s our signature bag,” Jason said. “It’s very simple and practical.” Now, C.A.S is working with RAW to buy hand-woven material from Kenyan refugees living in Worcester. They take the material (which they buy at full cost) and make bags from it. C.A.S is doing great things in the next couple of months, too. From 3-6 p.m. Nov. 13, Cara and Jason will be at deadhorse hill in Worcester, and a portion of their sales will be put towards a scholarship fund. On Nov. 17, they will be participating in Boston Raw. On Dec. 1, they will be at the St. Vincent Hospital Holiday Show, followed by the Craft Boston Holiday Show on Dec. 2-4 and at StART at the Station on Dec. 4. "We are so excited to be a part of the Worcester community," Jason said. “Worcester is trending in such a good way through culinary talent and art. We have become very involved with Worcester StART, Candace from the Worcester Craft Center, and the Worcester Women’s Group. There is a lot going on here, and we are just so proud to be a part of it.” You can find C.A.S at 174 Shrewsbury St., Worcester. The store is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesdays and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. For more information, visit cas-handmade.com.
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stealthestyle: Succulent crafting
By jamie burke Every person at some point has to adult. I hate adulting, but this is actually an unadult adulting craft. You will feel like such a wise, sophisticated, worldly and traveled adult. Some might mistake you for a professor at an Ivy League school or an archeologist on sabbatical. This craft is a cool conversation piece and definitely a great gift for anyone. It takes very little crafting ability or effort and can be made from most stuff found around your house – or your mom’s house. She will not even realize anything is missing. Succulents are all the rage right now. They are so lowmaintenance, even the worst plant parents can adult these. You will need about 20 minutes and a few supplies.
Supplies: Container Succulents Sand and rocks or pebbles Quality dirt Weird stuff
Steps: Get yourself some succulents from any home hardware store or local florist. They will run you about $5 to $20, depending on size and variety of plant. A cactus works, as well. If they have the soil on hand there, just grab a little. Choose a container. I like glass, but you really can use anything that is durable when wet and will not leak or corrode. Metal, clay, ceramic and lined wood all work really well. You could use cups, bowls, random bottles or cans. Really, anything goes, as long as you can retain liquid in it. So far, my favorite containers have been leftover glass vases from floral arrangements I have received from people. You know, the vases that you stick in random cabinets and never know how to use again. And the only time you actually use them is when you randomly buy fresh-cut flowers because you are feeling fancy. Now you can be fancy year-round. Wash the container out well, and make sure it is streak-free if it’s glass. You want to really make sure the bottom is well-drained. I usually use a bit of sand first and place some rocks, or pebbles, over the sand. Next, place dirt over the bottom layers of sand and rock. You want at least a few inches of quality dirt. You may want to use a funnel if the opening is small or you are making too much of a mess. Smooth the dirt, and then figure out a layout of how you want succulents to look. Do not overcrowd succulents, or they will die. You want to add some larger rocks, stones, crystals and any other décor you want to display. I use a spoon as a tiny shovel, place all the succulents in and press the dirt around the little plants. I place all the crazy things I want in there. The weirder the stuff, the more eccentric and knowledgeable you look. Yes, even alligator heads. After you have put together your mini-adult masterpiece, you want to give it a good watering and some sun. Don’t water again for at least three to four weeks. Your succulents will need a couple hours of indirect sunlight per day and a light watering once a month after. That is just way too easy, right? The key is to not over water, so really just leave it be and worry about which monocle you shall now wear while you travel the world in search of curiosities.
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The Luxe List:
Fashion + style fixes + tricks By Merilee Kern, The Luxe List Executive Editor Every fashionista knows that putting together a great look can often be fraught with problems, annoyances or plain old doldrums. However, ever-clever apparel and accessory designers are continually bringing innovations to market that help ensure your efforts to rock chic, stylish and fresh looks don’t hit a snag. Here’s one notable group of fixes, tricks and helpful conveniences to help you thwart a litany of fashion and footwear frustrations and even create looks that are unforgettable.
Spreadshirt Custom Clothing Sometimes, the clothing you want to wear doesn’t exist – yet. Luckily, Spreadshirt is here to make your customized clothing wishes come true. If you don’t have your own design idea, you can find designs created by other fashion fanatics. From T-shirts and hoodies to backpacks and dorm accessories, Spreadshirt has more than 150 products for students of all ages to choose from – all customizable. All designs may be placed on any available products, whether that be T-shirts, tanks, totes, coffee mugs, aprons, baby and kids clothing and more. spreadshirt.com.
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Solemates High Heeler There are many occasions when gals want to wear high heels, but the terrain makes it difficult. Enter Solemates – a product that helps preserve high heels and avoid the hazards related to getting heels caught in pavement cracks or sinking into grass. Discreet and easy to use, the Solemates High Heeler attaches easily to heel tips. By increasing the surface area at the base of the heel, it reduces the pressure on this area and prevents the heel from sinking into grass, falling into cracks and getting dirty and nicked. The item is available in three sizes (narrow, classic and wide) and four colors (clear, gold, silver and black). thesolemates.com.
CaliMojos Color-Changing Flip Flops CaliMojos, SolarActive International’s first line of color-changing footwear, are not your ordinary flip flops. Indoors, the straps are clear and opaque, but step outside and the sun’s UV rays instantly activate a vibrant color-changing transformation. Using topquality and durable materials, CaliMojos are lightweight, very comfortable and available in four beautifully vivid colors: orange,
pink, blue and white. With two design options to choose from – tropical/floral and butterfly – each pair is accented with colorful, rhinestone-adorned straps. calimojos.com.
Viviscal Hair Filler Fibers Viviscal Hair Filler Fibers are easy-to-use, microscopic, electrostatically charged fibers that adhere to your existing hair to instantly add volume and fullness to hair, also covering thinning hair by concealing visible scalp. Give limp, lifeless hair a boost and create dramatic, party-ready hairstyles. One application takes just 30 seconds to apply and lasts all day, even in wind and rain. Available in six natural colors (bronze, black, gray, light brown, dark brown and auburn), the fibers are suitable for men and women, contain no messy dyes and wash out easily with shampoo. viviscal.com. The Luxe List Executive Editor Merilee Kern scours the luxury marketplace for exemplary travel experiences, extraordinary events and notable products and services. Submissions are accepted at TheLuxeList.com. Follow her on Twitter @LuxeListEditor and Facebook at TheLuxeList.
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entertainment
By Jason Savio Four guys from Liverpool once sang about how you can get by with a little help from your friends. Adam Masnyk, of Worcester, did just that, teaming up with some of his closest pals to help bring his vision to life – the film That’s E. Working on the script penned by Masnyk, director Eric Kelly and producers Matt Berke and Jon Perry joined forces to make a feature that is entertaining audiences here at home and abroad. With a total 21 consecutive days of shooting to its credit, the little-film-that-could is making the rounds in the film festival circuit, recently being screened at the Maryland Film Festival, London Comic Con in Ontario, Canada, and at this past summer’s Boston Comic Con. Those last two venues are of special note because they are the perfect setting for That’s E. That’s E takes place in – you guessed it – a comic shop. But more specifically, a comic shop in Worcester that Masnyk frequented as a youth, That’s Entertainment. The story, described by Masnyk, is about a young man named Sean who returns home for his summer break from college. While he’s back, he returns to his old job at a local comic shop, and while he’s there, he starts to question his life and what he really wants out of it. “The inspiration for That’s E pretty much came from where I was at in life at the time. I had just left Los Angeles, figuring it would be easier and financially smarter to make a movie back home in Massachusetts. I was playing around with other ideas that involved the store, but the one I always kept going back to was about a young adult coming home and how things have changed since he left, but he still feels like he’s in the same place as when he left. I felt like I could relate to it all too well at the time, and I figured
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it was something a lot of people felt when they would go away and come back home, whether that would be college, military or anything like that,” explained Masnyk, who attended the Ruskin School of Acting in Santa Monica, Calif. “The lead character, Sean, comes back home and feels like everything has changed, and he’s trying to find his happiness,” Masnyk added. “Trying to find his way and decide whether he wants to go back to school 3,000 miles away or stay at home where happiness seems to be.” Coming back to Massachusetts proved to be a good move for Masnyk, as it allowed him the opportunity to team up with his friend Jon Perry, who recommended fellow New England Tech student Kelly to direct. With Berke in tow, the collective film fans set out to make what is their first attempt at a feature-length film. “Adam and I were always talking about making a feature film, and we finally got a solid good crew together to give it a go,” said Berke, who also attended the Ruskin School of Acting alongside Masnyk. But That’s E’s crew didn’t go the 21st century route of seeking crowdfunding. Instead, they relied on favors and credit cards, making That’s E not only a labor of love, but also a labor of the wallet. “We really just wanted to prove that we could make the movie happen; we wanted to do it our own way, and through hard work and putting a great team together, we were able to do that,” said Perry. “It was very much funded and put together, thanks to us cashing in on favors and maxed-out credit cards.” “It was kind of difficult funding it ourselves, just because
it is beyond expensive to make anything these days,” said Masnyk. “But at the end of the day, we accomplished something that I think really sets us apart from other indie filmmakers.” A few worn out MasterCards later, the hard work and dedication of Masnyk and company have paid off in ways that can’t be bought with money. “I wanted the story to not only be relatable, but relatable for different generations of people. That was something I really tried to make an effort to do, and it wasn’t up until Comic Con where I knew I had actually done just that,” said Masnyk of That’s E’s Boston Comic Con screening. “An older gentleman and his young son had come up to me after the screening and said ‘I just wanted to let you know that we really enjoyed your film, and I thought it was interesting that there were problems that I could relate to, as well as my son being able to relate to some, and how they connected in meshed.’ Despite all the positive experiences I’ve had with the film up until that point, that’s when I knew I had accomplished everything I had wanted to set out to do.” Now with their first feature film under their belt, the boys of That’s E have put together their own production company – Another Theory Productions. “In addition to that, we are starting to put together our next project, which is going to be a new take on the crime genre, and I think it’s going to be a pretty amazing concept,” said Masnyk. “We try to keep things fresh and interesting when we decide our projects, and I think it really shows.”
For more, visit facebook.com/AnotherTheoryProductions. Photos courtesy of Masnyk
pulsebooks: Comfort food for November
By Kimberly Dunbar
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult Jodi Picoult’s most recent book, Small Great Things (Ballantine Books), is inspired by a Martin Luther King, Jr., quote: “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.” And
that is exactly what Picoult does with this book, a timely and honest story of racism and hate
in America. Ruth Jefferson is a labor and delivery nurse with more than 20 years of experience, but she finds herself taken off a case per request of the baby’s parents; they’re white supremacists
who don’t want Ruth, who is African American, to touch their child. But when the baby goes
into cardiac distress the next day, Ruth is alone in the nursery and hesitates before performing CPR, leading her to be charged with a serious crime. Picoult will make you uncomfortable and question your own beliefs with her candid take on race, privilege, prejudice, justice and
compassion. Though the book is about black versus white, Picoult paints many shades of gray with her intelligent writing and multidimensional characters. It’s unlike any Picoult book I’ve read, and it’ll keep you thinking long after you’ve finished.
Will You Won’t You Want Me? by Nora Zelevansky Sometimes you have to lose it all to find what out who you really are. This is exactly what Marjorie
Plum finds out in Nora Zelevansky’s latest, Will You Won’t You Want Me? (St. Martin’s Griffin). Ten years after her reign as high school Queen Bee ends, Marjorie finds herself unemployed, temporarily homeless and at odds with her childhood best friends. The only bright spot is a
renewed interest in a budding relationship with an old crush. Marjorie slowly rebuilds her life, and is on the verge of regaining her place in her old, upper-crust world, when the pull of her new life causes her to question who she really wants to be. Zelevansky has written an enjoyable
coming-of-age tale showcasing the real struggle of being 20-something, leaving the past behind and finding your place in the world.
Two By Two by Nicholas Sparks Twenty years after publishing his first novel, The Notebook, Nicholas Sparks still knows how to
make his readers cry. In his latest, Two By Two (Grand Central Publishing), Sparks sticks to his signature style of storytelling, crafting a heartfelt tale around real challenges people face in life
and love. At 32, Russell Green is living the dream – he has a beautiful wife, adorable daughter and a successful advertising career. But when Russ suddenly finds himself without a job or wife and left to care for 5-year-old London, he struggles to adapt to his new normal. Russ, who is dubbed
a “people pleaser” and a “doormat” by his sister, Marge, tries to weather the worst year of his life
with support from his family. Though his estranged wife (the intensely unlikeable Vivian) doesn’t
make it any easier, Russ’s journey as a single father – both terrifying and rewarding – will test his abilities beyond anything he ever imagined.
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The Fairytale Lives of Russian Girls “The Fairytale Lives of Russian Girls” peers into the history and sociology of the former Soviet Union through the sometimes horrific, sometimes humorous lens of czarist folklore. The play, written by Meg Miroshnik, is about 20-yearold Annie, who returns to post-Soviet Moscow. On the outside is the glamour of dangerously high heels, designer bags and luxe fur coats. But underneath, she finds an enchanted motherland teeming with evil stepmothers, wicked witches and ravenous bears. 7:30 p.m., Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from Nov. 3-12; $5 for the public, free with a student ID; Clark University Michelson Theatre, 950 Main St., Worcester; clarkarts@clark.edu.
Something’s Brewing in Worcester Here’s your chance to taste local brews from Wormtown Brewery and bites for local restaurants – all while raising funds Share Our Strength, which works to end child hunger in America. Participants include Smokestack Urban Barbecue, Sonoma Restaurant of Princeton, Chuck’s Steak House, The Mill at 185, Flying Rhino Café & Watering Hole, Baba Sushi, Peppercorn’s Grille & Tavern, Tomasso Trattoria, The Fix Burger Bar, Bull Mansion, British Beer Company and Sweet Restaurant & Bar. Presented as a partnership between the Massachusetts Restaurant Association and the Worcester Chamber of Commerce. 7-10 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7; $35, $30 for Massachusetts Restaurant Association members; Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester; http://ce.strength.org/events/something-brewing-worcester.
Historical Hike In 1956, the Crocker family donated its Princeton farm to Mass Audubon and, thus, began a legacy of permanently protected habitat and beautiful landscapes. Wachusett Meadow’s 60th anniversary is worth celebrating. This leisurely hike will introduce some of the buildings, barns, stone walls, wildlife, woodlands, wetlands and meadows that represent the remarkable human and natural history of Wachusett Meadow. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a celebration without cake! 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12; $6 for members, $8 for non-members; Wachusett Wildlife Sanctuary; 113 Goodnow Road, Princeton; massaudubon.org.
Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Dracula Burned into the public psyche over the past 100 years, the name Dracula evokes dread and horror, but most of all, fascination. A legend, a classic novel, the subject of countless movies since the earliest days of celluloid, Dracula is brought to life once again with Mark Godden’s inventive choreography. Complete with flying bats, dancing gargoyles and mysterious transformations, Mark Godden’s Dracula is contemporary ballet at its atmospheric finest. Presented in partnership with Music Worcester. 7:30 Tuesday, Nov. 15; $39-$59; Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester; thehanovertheatre.org.
Holiday Festival of Crafts Once a year – the Friday, Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving – the Worcester Center for Crafts is transformed into a European-style holiday marketplace, complete with twinkly lights and the sweet smell of evergreens. This juried marketplace celebrates American handmade crafts. The Holiday Festival of Crafts is a one-stop holiday shopping opportunity for unique, handmade gifts in a range of prices for men, women and children. Friday-Sunday, Nov. 25-27; Worcester Center for Crafts, 25 Sagamore Road, Worcester; worcester.edu/Holiday-Festival.
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gameon:
Mutants in Manhattan
By Jason Savio Ahhh, remember the good old days of being in the arcade, playing your favorite game on one of those giant, oversized behemoth boxes? The kind where you could gather up three of your
buddies and there would be enough buttons and joysticks for all? To conjure up such memories may be to date oneself, but if you were lucky enough to grow up spending your Saturdays (and all of your quarters) in this heaven, then it is nearly impossible not to think of it when playing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan.
The classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arcade game from the ’90s is the definitive Turtles game,
and everything since – including this latest installment – has been unable to recreate that magic. In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan, the Foot Clan is back up to its old tricks
again, with Shredder and Krang pulling the strings, forcing the turtles out of their underground hangout to once again save New York City. All of the familiar heavies from TMNT lore are each the boss of their own individual level, including fan favorites Rocksteady and Bebop. But the
idea of being able to skip around to each level upon completing the first one, instead of having
to finish them all in order, is just a hint of the confusion that smothers Mutants in Manhattan. Simply put, this game is a mess. It’s bright and flashy with pretty colors, but it’s all a cover up to hide the fact that it’s just another mindless button-masher. Good luck trying to piece together what exactly is going on in the story; you’ll be given one in-game objective, and just as quickly
as you receive it, you’re notified that it’s over and a new one has begun. This is a clear attempt to meet the demands of a generation of gamers who have short attention spans, and as a result, it just becomes flat-out annoying and hollow.
Despite all of its shortcomings, there are some neat elements to take away from Mutants in
Manhattan. The fighting mechanics can be fun when you’re not simply hitting every button, as each turtle offers his own unique ninjutsu combo attack to choose from. Teamwork is the name of
the game (especially in boss battles), and if two players perform a combo attack at the same time, it’ll turn into an explosive co-op move. It might be hard to see what’s happening with all of the
bedazzle going on, but you get the feeling it must look really cool. Pizzas gauge your health, and if you’re running low, then you best find yourself a fresh pie. You can do this by returning to the
turtle lair – your supply hub, where Splinter awaits your arrival. Not all of the levels take place on
the streets, either. Cruising on the current down in the sewer is a nice touch that changes the pace. If you’re someone who has never played a TMNT game before, then perhaps you’ll find Mutants
in Manhattan entertaining. It definitely caters to the modern look seen in the Nickelodeon
television show, as well as the current IDW comic books. But if you’re a seasoned (okay, old) gamer who still remembers the heyday of the green guys and all of the joy they brought to your childhood, then you’d be better off sticking to that side-scrolling wonder in the big, old box.
For more, visit tmntmutantsinmanhattan.com.
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Idina Menzel / Idina By Mike Wood The soaring lyrics fly forth right out of the gate with the album’s first song, “Small World,” and Idina Menzel’s
powerful voice never relents. In fact, after the first track, Menzel keeps on pushing herself and peeling away her
layers to offer fans and listeners anew her most personal album to date. Familiar to the younger crowd as the
voice of Elsa in Frozen (and its ubiquitous hit “Let It Go”) or perhaps from her stint as Rachel’s mom on
Glee, Menzel seems poised to cross over to pop – full time. Older musical theater fans will remember Menzel from Wicked or Rent, of course, and die-hard fans of the
Broadway star should rest assured that she shines no less
brightly on the self-titled Idina (her fifth studio album). While it’s evident that Menzel is positioning herself as an
artist who wants to belt beyond Broadway’s bright white lights, she hasn’t lost any of her pedigree. She sounds
amazing throughout the album, and she’s ready to embrace
full soft-pop status by tearing into heart-wrenching ballads like the best of them (think Mariah Carey or Celine Dion
in their heydays). Menzel manages to carve out her very own niche in a market that many may agree needs her voice
more than ever, since this kind of artist is woefully absent
from today’s Adult Top 40 (with the exception of Adele). Largely co-written by Menzel, the songs shine particularly
brightly because they sound like her stories rather than
mere performances. Take “I Do,” for instance, a smart twist
of a title that speaks to her divorce from actor Taye Diggs. Here, and on the whole of the album, Menzel digs deeps to showcase her truth – and she comes out on top.
For more, visit idinamenzel.com
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Mirabai Ceiba / Awakened Earth
The Prophets of Rage / The Party’s Over
By Jennifer Russo
By Jason Savio
As one who practices yoga, I am constantly on the search for music that I can focus on while I am flowing from pose to pose or simply trying to meditate and shut out the world around me – my worries and to-do lists, thoughts of what bills need to be paid and how my friends across the country are doing, etc. There is something amazing in the practice of mindfulness and just being present in the current moment. Soothing music can often allow us to get into that space and relax completely, which is even more important for those of us who are moving from task to task nonstop. A big fan of world music in general, I love how this album aims to unite cultures. The duo consists of Angelika Baumbach, who is of Mexican and German descent, plays the harp and piano and uses her gentle voice to embrace yoga mantras, fusing it with music of Native American and Spanish inspiration. She is joined by Markus Sieber on vocals and guitar. The first song on the album is “Ong Namo,” which is a traditional song in the practice of Kundalini Yoga. Though the song stays with the traditional lyrics and general melody, Baumbach makes it her own. This hauntingly beautiful song instantly seeps into the heart and mind, with a gorgeous instrumental backing of guitar, harp, chimes, flute and some instruments I cannot identify. The words mean “I bow to the divine wisdom and the divine teacher within.” It’s very empowering. There are a couple of songs in English, such as “Oh My Soul" and "Go in Beauty,” which are equally as nice, but the mantras in the other songs ring with a more calming sound for me. If you practice yoga or simply want to relax and forget about your busy life for a few moments, I highly recommend it. They also have a newer album out, Sevati, which I am looking forward to getting my hands on soon.
For more, visit mirabaiceiba.com
What do you get when you mix the most ferocious, politically charged band of all time with two iconic voices of hip-hop with equally distinct and unapologetic views?
Well, you get exactly what this country needs right now: The Prophets of Rage. It’s not the full-blown Rage Against the Machine reunion many had hoped for, but Public
Enemy’s Chuck D and B Real of Cypress Hill do a solid job sharing vocal duties. Pulsing with a scathing anger and
determination, Prophets of Rage’s debut EP, The Party’s Over, is the wake-up call America needs.
The Party’s Over contains both studio and live tracks that represent each of the members’ in groups of origin. The opener, the title from which the band took its name, is a
new and updated version of an old Public Enemy number. Part of the unique approach Prophets takes is the backand-forth vocal delivery between Chuck D and B Real. B
Real supplies his distinct vocals on tracks like the live Rage original,“Killing in the Name of,” with Chuck D delivering his booming voice in between. They complement each other perfectly, sometimes even singing in unison.
“The Party’s Over,” the lone original track, is proof that the
boys of Rage still have what it takes to write supercharged
songs with timely meaning. Their live version of the
Beastie Boys’ “No Sleep ‘Till Brooklyn” gets reworked to “Cleveland,” as it was performed and recorded outside of this year’s National Republican Convention.
For more, visit prophetsofrage.com
OUT+ABOUT: Change of LGBTQ liason a loss and a gain By John trobaugh As president of Worcester Pride in 2013, I knew when The Human Rights Campaign rated Worcester at 55 out of 100 for the LGBTA Municipal Equality Index. In fact, based on the questions, we should have gotten closer to a 75, and we could have gotten even higher with some effort. I felt Ed Augustus would be interested in improving our city’s score because of the win for Worcester. I approached him with it, but he wanted 100 in the next cycle! He quickly began working internally, as well as with the city council and mayor to make it happen. Worcester did achieve a 100, as well as special recognition as the most improved score of any city in the history of the Municipal Equality Index, and that was because of his leadership and the work of our elected officials. One of the reasons for the increased score was the appointment of an LGBTQ liaison to the Worcester Police Department. Lieutenant Rick Bates served as Worcester’s first LGBTQ liaison. As a straight ally, Lt. Bates said that he had no idea what was expected of him, but saw there was a need, and he was happy to help the community in any way possible. He gives a large amount of credit to Ed Robinson, who was the chairman of the Human Rights Commission for the city. Robinson had been involved with Worcester Pride over the years but also was very familiar with the groups that support the LGBTQ community here in Worcester. “Although there were no specific guidelines regarding what was expected of me as the liaison, I knew that I needed to build relationships with the community, so that I could determine the needs of the community and how best to serve them. Ed told me about and introduced me to the numerous support groups and their leadership, including the youth dance organizers, Safe Homes, Parents and Families of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), in addition to Worcester Pride and many more. “I was really not sure what the community response was going to be to me specifically; however, with Ed’s help, I was able to build relationships quickly. I could tell people wanted to figure out if I was genuine or if I was there as window dressing, but I continued to attend the meetings without an agenda, and I became an active listener, so that I could understand the issues within the community so as to provide the services needed. It worked. “I am proud that I was chosen for this important position and that I was able to be there for the community. With the help of many people such as Ed Robinson, Laura Farnsworth, Lori Wentworth and John Trobaugh, I was able to identify the needs of the LGBTQ community and develop strategies to fill those needs. One of those strategies was that I organized the Worcester College Campus Police LGBTQ Liaison Consortium and provided training for the respective campus police departments of all the city colleges. I did so after speaking with students. I realized that there was a need for more awareness on the college campuses. I also organized the Central Mass Police Chief ’s Association LGBTQ Liaison Partnership and provided the same training to over 50 police departments in Central Mass. as well!” Lt. Bates has since retired to pursue an opportunity in the private sector and has handed the baton off to a new police officer. He said this assignment has made a tremendous impact on him personally. “I met so many good people who I now call friends. The smile on the kids’ faces acknowledges that they recognized me as an advocate of theirs and a friend that they could trust. I can’t tell you how powerful that is for me.” The new LGBTQ Liaison is Officer Sharon McQueen. Officer McQueen has been involved in the LGBTQ community for longer than her almost 30 years of service in the Worcester Police Department. I will have a more in-depth article about her in the coming months, but she is eager to get started. She was hired after having seen the position posting and applying for it. She said one of the subtle ways she demonstrates her understanding of the community was to add the letters I and A to the LGBTQ community involvement. The I stands for “Intersex” and the A stands for “Asexual.”
We look forward to seeing her as the new LGBTQ liaison in the community and know she will do an excellent job. If you would like to speak with Officer McQueen, you can call her office line at 508-688-0229.
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Club+Pub+GRUB Listings
Entertainment at clubs, bars, pubs & other select venues 435 Bar & Grill 435 Lancaster St., Leominster American Graffiti 113 Summer St., Lunenburg B-Man’s 140 Tavern 348 Redemption Rock Trail, Sterling 140pub.com The Banner Bar & Grille 112 Green St., Worc. thebannerbar.com Wednesdays: Trivia Night Fridays, Saturdays: DJs 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 Beatnik’s 433 Park Ave., Worc. beatniksbeyou.com Nov. 4: Hamburger Midnight Nov. 5: B-Movie Blues Nov. 11: Mark George Nov. 12: Shamrock Whiskey Nov. 16: Wednesday Night Mayhem Nov. 17: Ariband, Nocturnal Creatures & Ethereal Beings Nov. 18: Fundraiser to benefit The Worcester County Food Bank Nov. 19: The FORZ, Tiger Bomb & Electric Mess Nov. 23: DJ Nov. 25: Funklopian Tubes Nov. 26: Way Up South & The Coal Boilers Nov. 30: Wednesday Night Mayhem Beemer’s Pub & Grill 310 Main St., Fitchburg beemerspub.com Billy’s Pub 81 Clinton St., Shrewsbury Black Sheep Tavern 261 Leominster Road, Sterling blacksheeptavernsterline.com Fridays, Saturdays: Live music Blackstone Tap 81 Water St., Worc. blackstonetap.com Blue Plate Lounge 661 Main St., Holden Nov. 6: Blue Plate Sunday Jam featuring Twisted Dawg Nov. 13: Blue Plate Sunday Jam featuring Ravin Blue Nov. 18: We & The Big Dawg Nov. 20: Blue Plate Sunday Jam featuring Trigger Nov. 27: Blue Plate Sunday Jam featuring Twisted Dawg Blueprint New American Bar & Grill 9 Village Square, Westminster Fridays: Magic of Eddie Raymond Nov. 4: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell
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Bolton Street Tavern 587 Bolton St., Marlborough boltonstreettavern.com Boulder Cafe 880 Main St., Fitchburg Breakaway Billiards 104 Sterling St., Clinton Nov. 26: The Great Escape Brew City 104 Shrewsbury St., Worc. brew-city.com Bull Run Restaurant 215 Great Road, Shirley bullrunrestaurant.com Cafe Destare 320 Main St., Fitchburg destare.com Canal Restaurant & Bar 65 Water St., Worc. Wednesdays: Bike night Fridays, Saturdays: DJ (21+) Nov. 4: Gretchen Bostrom Nov. 5: New England Weather Nov. 11: Lisa Marie & Johnny Juxo Nov. 12: Alias Draleaus Nov. 18: Ron Jones Nov. 19: Brett & Lisa Brumby Nov. 26: Jim Perry & Lisa Marie Chopstick’s Restaurant & Lounge 21 Commercial Road, Leominster chopsticksleominster.com Christopher’s Pub 7 Pleasant St., Leominster Cicero’s Cafe 17 Suffolk St., Worc. Classic’s Pub 285 Central St., Leominster classicspub.net Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: Karaoke with Royal Crown Nov. 5: Laquerhead Nov. 12: Go Gadget Go Nov. 19: Never Enuff Nov. 26: Acoustic Shoes Club KasBar 234 Southwest Cutoff, Worc. Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays: Karaoke The Columbia Tavern 28 Manning Ave., Leominster Compass Tavern 90 Harding St., Worc. thecompasstavern.com Fridays, Saturdays: DJs Nov. 4: Jay Graham Nov. 11: Hit the Bus Nov. 18: Ken Macy Nov. 23: Dave Obrien Nov. 25: Nick Christy Cosmopolitan Club 96 Hamilton St., Worc. The Cove Music Hall 89 Green St., Worc. thecovemusichall.com
Nov. 4: Gorilla Radio & Dedicated Savage Nov. 5: The Flock Nov. 11: The Knot Nov. 12: The Country Mile Nov. 18: Stone Temple Posers (STP tribute), Influenza & The Grey Curtain Nov. 23: Slip-not (Slipknot tribute), The Moulten Llama, Swanky Frank & The Great Pretenders Nov. 25: A Devil in God’s Country (Lamb of God tribute) & Gwell-O (GWAR tribute) Nov. 26: Muya
facebook.com/GDloungeandtapas
Dance Ranch & Saloon 70 James St., Worc. danceranchandsaloon.com
Greendale’s Pub 404 W. Boylston St., Worc. greendalespub.com Tuesdays: Open Mic with Bill McCarthy; Local Musicians Showcase Nov. 4: Ed & Da ve Nov. 5: 9Teen Nov. 10: Jokers Wild Nov. 11: Coyotes Nov. 12: Desolate Highway Nov. 18: Brumble Tones Nov. 23: Silverbacks Nov. 25: Tony Soul Nov. 26: No Alibi
Days End Tavern 287 Main St., Oxford daysendtavern.com
Halligan’s Sports Bar and More 889 Southbridge St., Auburn halliganssportsbarandmore.com
Devens Grill 4 Ryans Way, Devens devensgrill.com
Happy Jack’s 785 North Main St., Leominster Nov. 4: Dave Harrington Nov. 5: Scott Babineau Nov. 11: Zack Slik Nov. 12: Topher Brew Nov. 18: The City Boys Nov. 19: Lizzy Marquis Nov. 25: Dave Malouin Nov. 26: Amanda Cote
Electric Haze 26 Millbury St, Worc. Fiddlers’ Green Pub & Restaurant 19 Temple St., Worc. aohworcester.com Nov. 8: Murph’s Comedy Joint Firefly’s / Dante’s 350 E. Main St., Marlborough fireflysbbq.com Flip Flops 680 Main St., Holden flipflopsma.com Flying Rhino Cafe 278 Shrewsbury St., Worc. flyingrhinocafe.com Frank’s 274 Shrewsbury St., Worc. Nov. 4: Dezi Garcia Nov. 5: Soup Nov. 6: Steve Malec & The Electric Flood Nov. 11: Tom Yates Nov. 12: Matt Broduer Trio Nov. 18: Sam James Nov. 19: Tim Leavitt Nov. 20: Tony Soul Project Nov. 23: David Ashman Nov. 26: Dezi Garcia Funky Murphy’s Bar & Grill 305 Shrewsbury St., Worc. funkyandjosemurphys.com Gardner Ale House 74 Parker St., Gardner gardnerale.com Mondays: Blue Mondays Thursdays: Audio Wasabi Fridays, Saturdays: Live music The GazBar Sports Grill 1045 Central St., Leominster thegazbar.com Nov. 5: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Nov. 25: Dan Kirouac GD Lounge Union Station, 2 Washington Square, Worc.
Hotel Vernon - The Ship Room/Kelley Square Yacht Club 1 Millbury St., Worc. Indian Ranch 200 Gore Road, Webster indianranch.com Industry Bar Room 109 Water St., Worc. industrybarroom.com Ixtapa Cantina 308 Massachusetts Ave., Lunenburg ixtapacantina2.com JC Fenwick’s 37 Mechanic St., Leominster Jillian’s - Worcester 315 Grove St., Worc. jilliansworcester.com Nov. 4: Dazed Nov. 5: PPV Fight: Pacquiao vs. Vargas Nov. 11: Lateral Edge Nov. 12: UFC 205: Alvarez vs. McGregor Nov. 18: Never in Vegas Nov. 19: PPV Fight: Kovalev vs. Ward Nov. 23: Key Performance Nov. 25: Key Performance Nov. 26: Neon Alley JJ’s Sports Bar and Grill 380 Southwest Cutoff, Northborough jbag.biz Nov. 4: Ghost Train Nov. 5: Groove Street Band Nov. 11: Usual Suspects Nov. 12: Custard Pie Nov. 18: Tony Soul Project Nov. 19: Moonshine Band Legends Airport Road, Fitchburg Leitrim’s Pub Continued on Page 27
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Continued from Page 24 265 Park Ave., Worc. leitrimspub.com
The Muse 536 Main St., Worc.
Loft 266 Bar & Lounge 266 Park Ave., Worc. loft266.com Wednesdays: Jim Devlin (beginning Nov. 9) Thursdays: Sam James (through Nov. 18) Nov. 4: Ken Macy Nov. 5: Mike Melendez Nov. 11: Drunken Uncles Nov. 12: Kevin Shields Nov. 18: Pete Towler Nov. 19: Nik Chisholm Nov. 25: Jay Graham Nov. 26: Ken Macy Dec 1: Dezi Garcia Dec 2: Bill Beck
Nick’s Bar and Restaurant 124 Millbury St., Worc. Fridays: Thank Friday It’s Dr. Nat Nov. 26: Little Red & The Riders
London Billiards / Club Oasis 70 James St., Worc. londonbilliards.com Mahoney’s Pub 413 Park Ave., Worc. Marty’s Pub 225 Cantebury St., Worc. martyspub.com MB Lounge 40 Grafton St., Worc. mblounge.com Wednesdays: Karaoke Thursdays: Thumpin’ College Thursdays McNally’s Grille & Pub 88 Sargent Road, Westminster mcnallysgrille.com Michael’s Cigar Bar 1 Exchange Place, Worc. michaelscigar.com Nov. 3: Allston Police Nov. 4: Blue Light Bandits Nov. 5: Hoodoo Revelator Nov. 6: Blue Light Bandits Nov. 9: Ricky Duran Nov. 10: David Garden Nov. 11: Bittersuite Nov. 12: Doctor Robert Nov. 16: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Nov. 17: Jim Devlin Nov. 18: Andy Cummings & Swingabilly Lounge Nov. 23: Abraxas Nov. 24: Allston Police Nov. 25: Ghost Train Nov. 26: Russo Brothers Nov. 30: Mike Melendez Mickey Sheas 324 Electric Ave., Lunenburg The Mill 185 185 W. Boylston St., W. Boylston themill185.com Nov. 3: Sean Ryan Nov. 4: Joe Macey Nov. 5: Acoustic Shoes Nov. 10: Night Train Nov. 11: Sam James Nov. 12: Jay Graham Nov. 17: Amanda Cote Nov. 18: Jodee & Brian Nov. 19: Katie Obrien Duo Nov. 23: Thanksgiving Eve with Chris Reddy Nov. 25: Ken Macy Nov. 26: Sean Ryan Mill Street Brews (@ The Artist Development Complex) 18 Mill St., Southbridge millstreetbrews.com Moynihan’s Pub 897 Main St., Worc.
The 9ines Neighborhood Bar 136 Millbury St., Worc. Nov. 12: Rusty Bucket Band Nov. 17: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Nov. 18: Charlie Johnson Nov. 23: Sean Ryan Nov. 26: Fingercuff Live Band Karaoke Oak Barrel Tavern 229 Grove Ave., Worc. oakbarreltavernworcester.com Olde Post Office Pub 1 Ray St., N. Grafton Nov. 19: Windfall 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 Singing Contest (through Nov. 10) Nov. 18: Auntie Trainwreck 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 Nov. 17: Bo & Ira Blues Partner’s Pub 970 South St., Fitchburg partnerspub.com Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays: Karaoke Nov. 5: Tyrus Nov. 12: Riverfront Nov. 19: Back in Time Nov. 23: Thanksgiving Eve with Ben Cote Band Nov. 26: One50One Patsie Dugan’s 49 Millbury St., Worc. patsiedugans.com Pho Dakao 593 Park Ave., Worc.
Nov. 6: Rick Shapiro Nov. 10: Metal Thursday CCCXXV: Anagnorsis, Cryptic Hymn, Coffin Birth & Gamaliel Nov. 16: The Sort of Late Show with Shaun Connolly Nov. 19: Thought Bomb, featuring Alice Bag Bibbe Hansen The Raven 258 Pleasant St., Worc. Wednesdays: Open Mic Red Onion - Otter River Hotel 29 Main St., Baldwinville Rocky’s 139 Water St., Worc. Nov. 26: Babe Pino Band Rumors 371 Park Ave., Worc. clubuniverseworcester.com Rye & Thyme 14 Monument Square, Leominster ryeandthyme.com Nov. 3: Jon Short Nov. 4: L&M Rhythm Kings Nov. 5: Brian & Captain Nov. 10: Sean Fullerton Nov. 11: Brian Chaffee Nov. 12: Ken Macy Band Nov. 17: Jay Graham Nov. 18: Zack Slik Nov. 19: Sweet Green Nov. 23: Brian Chaffee & The Players Nov. 25: City Boys Nov. 26: Andy Cummings Sakura Tokyo 640 Park Ave., Worc. sakura-tokyo.com Sean Patrick’s Family Restaurant 494 Electric Ave., Lunenburg seanpatricksrestaurant.com South Side Grille & Margarita Factory 242 W. Broadway, Gardner southsidemargaritafactory.com Nov. 4: Dan Leblanc Nov. 5: Mighty King Snakes Nov. 11: Amanda Cote Nov. 12: Neon Alley Nov. 18: Kevin Shields Nov. 19: Maximum Recoil Nov. 23: Laquerhead Nov. 25: Sean Fullerton Nov. 26: The Nudie Suits Speakers Night Club 19 Weed St., Marlborough speakersnightclub.net Spruce Street Tavern 68 Spruce St., Clinton sprucestreettavern.com
Stagecoach Inn and Tavern 128 Main St., Groton grotonstagecoachinn.com Sunset Tiki Bar/The Outlook 79 Powers Road, Westford The Tavern on Central 3 Central St., Ashburnham thetavernoncentral.com Three G’s Sports Bar 152 Millbury St., Worc. 3gs-sportsbar.com Union Tavern 65 Green St., Worc. Upper Deck Sports Bar & Grille 377 Stetson Road, Barre upperdecksportsbarandgrille.com Victory Bar & Cigar 56 Shrewsbury St., Worc. victorycigarbar.com Vincent’s Bar 49 Suffolk St., Worc. Sundays: Big Jon Short Tuesdays: Boogie Chillin’ Nov. 7: Hip Swayers Deluxe Whiskey Hookah Lounge 316 Main St., Worc. Whiskey on Water 97 Water St., Worc. whiskeyonwater.com Wednesdays: Karaoke with DJ Soup Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays: DJs upstairs Nov. 4: The Grand Central Nov. 5: Boombox Nov. 11: The Blue Light Bandits Nov. 18: Jenna Lotti Band Nov. 19: 7 Day Weekend Nov. 23: Eric Pacquette Duo Nov. 25: The Curly Trio Nov. 26: Jeff Rosen Trio Whistle Stop Bar & Grill 85 Main St., Oxford StopByTheWhistle.com White Eagle Polish Club 112 Green St., Worc. Fridays: DJs 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
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 Nov. 10: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Ralph’s Chadwick Square Diner 148 Grove St., Worc. ralphsrockdiner.com Mondays: Dirty Gerund Poetry Show Nov. 4: Lunar Thugs
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el basha – worcester
By Justin perry
jillian's of worcester – worcester
mezé greek tapas – worcester
padavano's place – WORCESTER
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whiskey lounge – worcester
the fix burger bar – worcester
piccolo's – worcester
beatnik's – worcester
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food+drink
dining review:
Fatima's will spice up your night
By Bernie Whitmore Even though we have so many dining options to
choose from, it can be very easy to get trapped in a routine of formats and cuisines: pub to Italian to
steakhouse, with a sprinkling of Chinese or Mexican. Repeat. Yet, it’s surprisingly easy to break that cycle and add some variety. For example, many of us frequently pass right by Fatima’s Café. Why not stop and sample some of the African cuisine?
I don’t know what took me so long to get to Fatima’s
My friend’s entrée, Somali Anjero, was a large
fingers, dip out a chunk of the ugali and press into
beef. It came with another plate of large crepe-like
Use that to scoop up the sukuma and goat meat and
plate with three thick stews – eggplant, lentil and sourdough flatbreads. Instructions from our server:
tiny take-out place and ordered Ethiopian Braised Beef. When I got it back to my hotel room and opened the container and inhaled the rich aroma, my
only regret was that I wasn’t staying another week so that I could have it every night.
That same kinda thing happened with our first dish
out way too hot for fingers not accustomed to serving
portion of the stew. No fork required.
as soupspoons.
The ground beef stew tasted very light and fresh;
Messy? Yes. Fun? Certainly. Delicious? Absolutely.
whatever it was spiced with contributed an almost
citrus edge – beguiling. The lentils were mashed and filling. But the real standout here was the eggplant
Fatima’s Cafe 43 W. Boylston St. Worcester, MA 508-762-9797 fatimascafe.com
at Fatima’s: the Samosas appetizer.
We ordered a variety of samosas – beef, vegetable and
shape you might be used to. These samosas were
A traditional Kenyan meal, my entrée of Ugali with
Surprisingly, the lentil samosa was the spiciest, but
porridge thickened to the consistency of dough
dipping.
sukuma, chopped collards with bits of tomato, onion,
Tasty fillings aside, the samosa pastry was exceptional
forest green and brimming with vitality. I requested
turnover-shaped triangles stuffed with tasty fillings.
Sukuma was delicious and tactile. Ugali is cornmeal
the order came with a cup of hot pepper sauce for
and served in a small bowl. It came with a plate of
frying oil residue. The appetizer alone made the trip to Fatima’s a success. Then, our entrées were served.
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stew. Dark brown, it had a rich, smoky flavor and thick texture. I couldn’t get enough of it.
– golden brown, light and crisp, with no trace of
No vember 2016
A word about the goat. I once tried cooking goat meat I’d purchased in an ethnic market. The result
was about as palatable as a shredded truck tire. Fatima’s cook knows her way around the simmering pot; she produced goat meat that was perfectly tender, with just a pleasing bit of chew.
We enjoyed our meals with bottled water. Fatima’s menu also features chai tea, soft drinks and fruit
lentil. I’d always assumed this was a staple of Indian cuisine, but at Fatima’s Café, they’re not the teepee
gravy. But allow the ugali to cool a bit; mine started
Tear off a piece of flatbread and use it to fold over a
Cafe; my first sampling of African cuisine was decades ago in London. On a whim, I stopped at a
it a spoon-shaped indentation with your thumb.
green pepper and spinach. It was a deep, gorgeous mine with goat meat.
So here’s the process: Using your index and ring
juices. It was a surprise to see another party arrive with wine, so I suppose Fatima’s is BYOB – but I’d recommend asking first.
The staff at Fatima’s Café was helpful and friendly
in a warm and gentle way. The dining room interior
is minimal – a half-dozen tables, a long counter for take-out and large windows overlooking lower West Boylston Street. Other than a couple Africa prints
on the walls, the place is whitewashed and perfectly
clean. Don’t expect a romantic atmosphere. Go to Fatima’s for unusual flavors and super samosas. And don’t forget to wash your hands!
pulsebrew: Get your beer from the source
By kerry cyganiewicz Over the past five years, an interesting transformation has taken place in the area. Once upon a time, to purchase craft beer, you had your choice of going to one of the few liquor stores that carried it or going to a restaurant that served it. As time went by, not only has craft beer become easier to find, but breweries have opened up locally and have begun to sell their beer directly to you, the consumer. Some breweries just sell their beer to go. Other breweries sell their beer to go but also have small tap rooms for on-site consumption. Other breweries offer food or live entertainment. Below I’ve listed some of my personal favorite local breweries to visit, not just for their beers but for the entire experience they offer their patrons. All of these belong on your to-visit list. Cheers!
3cross brewing
26 Cambridge St., Worcester / 3crossbrewing.com
I’ve written before about Dave and his brewery in the space that used to house the former Playoff Arcade. If you haven’t been here yet, you are missing out on the ground floor of what I think will be the next big thing. I’m starting to see 3cross beers around the city, and the company just upgraded to more and larger equipment – which means more beer – and there is a never-ending stream of quality live music. As far as food goes, occasionally there will be food trucks here, but don’t count on it unless it’s listed on the website. The brewery does allow you to bring your own food or have it delivered. With all of the great restaurants in Worcester, this is like an inverted BYOB – a BYOF. 3cross is currently serving old-school, mixed-in-front-of-you, non-alcoholic fountain sodas, kombucha and whatever Dave has on tap at the moment, usually about four selections. Seriously, go here.
Medusa Brewing Company
111 Main St., Hudson / medusabrewing.com
There were 10 selections here when I visited, with something for everyone – a few hoppy selections, a saison, a cream ale and a couple Belgian selections. Medusa is another BYOF establishment with an occasional food truck visitor. Their brewer, Keith, has won numerous awards across a wide spectrum of brewing styles. What that means is Medusa isn’t a one-trick pony. Whatever you order here is going to be, at a minimum, a very good beer, with many of the beers being world-class. Many of the better beer bars in the area serve Medusa’s beer, which speaks volumes to the quality. The Czech pilsner won an international beer competition recently. Medusa beer is available for on-site consumption and to go in growlers. There are also expanded hours now!
Kretchman
9 Frederick St., Webster / kbcbrewing.com
You would drive right by this hidden gem if you didn’t know it was here. It is right behind the Webster Post Office on Main Street. This establishment has a BYOF policy, as well, and has one of the best outdoor beer gardens I have ever seen. Outdoor fireplaces, tents, tables – you name it. As far as beverages go, Brian, the brewer/owner, gravitates towards German beers; however, there is a beverage here for everyone. Sangria, kombucha, hard sodas, meads, various spirits, craft beers brewed outside of Kretchman and Kretchman’s own brews. Did I mention there is also live music? Kretchman beer is available to go in growlers, as well.
Jack’s Abby
100 Clinton St., Framingham / jacksabby.com
A close friend recently asked for a recommendation, which was the inspiration for this entire article. He asked for a brewery to visit with some conditions. It had to serve food, as well as serve beer that casual beer drinkers and craft beer aficionados would enjoy. One place came to mind within a reasonable driving distance, and this is it. You can get your pizza or your meal as simple or as fancy as you like. Some current examples include a pizza called Old Reliable and another called Farmers Market with Goat Cheese. You could have a basic Caesar Salad or Smoked Cod and Parsnip Chowder. Framingham Lager is a drinkable American lager and, at the other end of the spectrum, is coffee barrel-aged Framinghammer. Jack’s does not allow BYOF, but it does allow beer to go in growlers, bottles and cans.
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hotandnow: What’s hot and what’s happening now in the restaurant scene
Location for The Usual By Paul Giorgio
Still Lucky. Lucky’s Café, 102 Grove St., Worcester, has reopened after recent kitchen upgrades
and renovation. The café was closed for more than seven weeks, according to owner Peter Armer, who, with business partner Patti Hallinan, operates the café. Lucky’s opened in 1991.
Wooberry’s new owner. Brendan Melican, longtime Worcester activist, recently purchased Wooberry on Highland Street in the city. Melican has always had a passion for ice cream, so I think you may see more ice cream on Highland Street. The Usual.
The Usual, 166 Shrewsbury St., has gone by many names, most recently The Fix Burger Bar, and before that, Mezcal Tequila Cantina, and before that, the Pearl Oyster. Now, there’s a new name for the famed eatery location: The Usual. The Usual is a new restaurant concept that will open sometime in early November. The new owner, Kevin Perry, purchased the building from Niche Hospitality Group.
Book ’em. Former Worcester County Sheriff Guy Glodis is going to make it fun to vote again when he opens The Ballot Box Bar at 9-17 Kelley Square. This was the former home to Varsity. Look for a late November opening. Fast food & fast delivery. Jimmy John’s, a national sandwich chain with a loyal following, in part due to a focus on fast delivery, is coming to Worcester. This is the first store for the franchise in Central Massachusetts. The chain has 2,500 locations across the country, although in Massachusetts, its shops are clustered around Boston, with no location west of Waltham. Jeff Stanek and Dan Brunner – who started as delivery drivers for the eatery in 2006 – are opening the shop in the bottom floor of the Unum Building at 1 Mercantile St. What’s brewing? Something’s Brewing in Worcester will be held from 7-10 p.m. Nov. 7 at The Hanover Theatre. The fun tasting event will feature unique brews from Wormtown Brewery and tasty bites from local Worcester-area restaurants. The restaurants participating include Smokestack Urban Barbecue, Sonoma Restaurant of Princeton, Chuck’s Steak House, The Mill at 185, Flying Rhino Café & Watering Hole, Baba Sushi, Peppercorn’s Grille & Tavern, Tomasso Trattoria, The Fix Burger Bar, Bull Mansion, British Beer Company and Sweet Restaurant & Bar. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at http://ce.strength.org/events/something-brewingworcester. Is this more than 3? Table 3 Restaurant Group is set to officially open its newest location in Sturbridge at the end of the month. There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony the last week of October for the Cedar Street Café, 420 Main St. According to a release from The Chamber of Central Mass South, the cafe will build on the group’s already established Cedar Street Grille, with a focus on morning and lunch dining. Old school. UXLocale is the name of the new eatery that recently opened in Uxbridge. The Italian-themed restaurant is located at 510 Hartford Ave. West. The owners are former Worcester resident Elaine Pusateri Cowan and her husband, Charles, and their children. Pusateri is using old family recipes coupled with fresh local ingredients. She describes the menu is simple yet flavorful. Just like Nonna used to make. Sayonara. Sakura Tokyo, the first Japanese restaurant in Worcester, closed its doors at the end of October. The building will be torn down to make way for a small strip mall and a Dunkin' Donuts. This was one of the mainstays in the Alex Seto chain of restaurants, which also includes Peking Garden in Worcester and Leominster. 32
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sports+fitness
"The fitness is a part of it, but it’s really kind of a tool to build community."
ANY GIVEN WEDNESDAY: November Project invades Worcester By Kimberly Dunbar It’s 6:20 a.m. on a rainy Wednesday morning, and dozens of people are gathered by the Holy Cross football stadium stairs ready to run. Though you might call them crazy, they call themselves a tribe. They are some of the thousand who wake up for the November Project every week. “Unfortunately, the stairs are a little wet, so we can’t run the stadium,” Sam Kenary, 30, one of the founders and leaders of the Worcester Tribe, announces to the group. The runners are huddled around him, not for protection from the wind, rain and cold on this raw fall morning, but because they’re huggers. “Just kidding,” he adds, as the group begins to cheer, chant and bounce together. The ritual ends with hugging. As the group takes off, Ivan Zvonar, 25, co-leader of the tribe, hangs back to chat. “The big thing about the November Project is that we’re weatherproof, so we’re here, no matter what the weather is,” he says. Once it starts getting icy, snows or rains heavily, the tribe runs underneath the stadium or does circuits. “If it’s not possible to run in the stadium, we come up with something else.” The November Project (NP) is a national grassroots fitness movement that started in a Boston bar. In November 2011, Bojan Mandaric and Brogan Graham, former college crewmates, came up with a way to stay fit in the winter without having to pay for it. The guys started running the stairs of Harvard Stadium, and after a few friends told their friends, Mandaric and Graham soon found themselves the leaders of what they dubbed the November Project. In just a few short years, NP has spread to 27 cities throughout the U.S. and Canada, as well as Serbia and Iceland. “The whole idea is that it’s a free fitness group for everyone,” Zvonar explained, adding that the group is made up of individuals of all ages, from serious athletes to “people who just got off the couch for the first time.” In addition to making you strong, the stadium ensures you’re never alone. “No matter
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No vember 2016
how fast or slow you are, people are always around,” added Kenary. The Worcester Tribe, which celebrated its first birthday in September, was started by Kenary and his brothers after seeing social media posts from NP Boston. “We thought this would be a great thing to bring to Worcester,” he said. After filling out an application, interviewing with the founders and successfully completing an eight-week pledge process, the Woo got its tribe. “Once they saw that the Worcester community had a huge appetite for this, they were super excited,” said Kenary, adding that Zvonar was brought in when they realized that “my brothers and I were too boring to be the leaders.” What started with seven people has ballooned to a group of 225, though not everyone shows up on every given Wednesday. Warren Hayden, 53, has been coming since last August. “I came for a good workout, but what I realized is I came for family,” Hayden said. “The energy that’s here at NP is second to none; that’s why I keep coming back.” Hayden added that while he’s gotten physically stronger, he’s grown in other ways as well. “I’ve always been a positive person, but I think coming to the stairs, you become much more welcoming and open,” he said. Angie Bean, 34, is someone who’s been affected by Hayden. ”The beauty of the group is that you don’t have to be the fittest one here, and that’s actually one of the things I enjoy the most – is that people like Warren will push you,” she said. “There is always someone who’s there to push you to get better. You don’t get that when you work out by yourself.” Bean did not like mornings, did not like hugging, but decided to give NP a try last November. She was immediately hooked. In June, when her friend got a job in Boston and could no longer make the 6:20 a.m. workout, she decided to show up at 5:20 a.m. Now Bean is leading the early group in the bounce, in the chants and in the workouts. “It becomes your cup of coffee,” Hayden added. “The energy that you give, you’re going to get back ten times.” “You can put it aside as a fitness group, but it’s not really doing it any justice, because it isn’t like other fitness groups,” said Zvonar. “The fitness is a part of it, but it’s really kind of a tool to build community.” If you think NP sounds great but you’re not a morning person, join the club (literally). “I’d say 50 percent of the people here have told me that,” said Kenary. “You don’t have to be, but you’ll love mornings on Wednesdays … Just show up once. We’d love to see you.” The group meets every Wednesday at 6:15 a.m. on the steps of Fitton Field Football Stadium at the College of the Holy Cross, 1 College St., Worcester. For more information, find November Project Worcester on Facebook.
N O R T H C O U N T Y • D I N I N G • E N T E R TA I N M E N T • N I G H T L I F E • S H O P P I N G • N O R T H C O U N T Y • D I N I N G • s h o p p i n g
N O R T H C O U N T Y • D I N I N G • E N T E R TA I N M E N T • N I G H T L I F E • S H O P P I N G • N O R T H C O U N T Y • D I N I N G • E N T E R TA I N M E N T • N I G H T L I F E • S H O P P I N G
N O R T H C O U N T Y • D I N I N G • E N T E R TA I N M E N T • N I G H T L I F E • S H O P P I N G • N O R T H C O U N T Y • D I N I N G • s h o p p i n g
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