Worcester Magazine Jan. 30 - Feb 5, 2020

JAN. 30 - FEB. 5, 2020 WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

CULTURE • ARTS • DINING • VOICES

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‘This is Worcester.

This is our home.’

A conversation with Worcester’s new poet laureate and youth poet laureate

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J A N . 30 - F E B . 5, 2020

IN THIS ISSUE

J A N . 30 - F E B 5, 2020 • V O L U M E 45 I S S U E 23 Find us on Facebook.com/worcestermag Twitter @worcestermag Instagram: Worcestermag

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Featured ......................................................................................4 City Voices...................................................................................8 In Case You Missed It ... .......................................................10 Cover Story ...............................................................................11 Artist Spotlight .......................................................................17 Lifestyle......................................................................................18 Listen Up....................................................................................18 Table Hoppin’ ..........................................................................19 Dining Review..........................................................................20 The Next Draft..........................................................................20 Film .............................................................................................22 Film Capsules ..........................................................................22 Calendar ....................................................................................24 Adoption Option ....................................................................28 Games .........................................................................................29 Classifieds .................................................................................30 Last Call .....................................................................................31

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the cover ‘This is Worcester. This is our home.’

A conversation with Worcester’s new poet laureate and youth poet laureate Story on page 11 Worcester’s new poet laureate Juan Matos, left, and youth poet laureate Amina Mohammed.

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Photo by Rick Cinclair; Design by Kimberly Vasseur

J A N . 30 - F E B . 5, 2020

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New life for Aurora Gallery

Creative Hub resurrects vacant art space BILL SHANER

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exhibition features a mix of mediums, from painting to etching to photography, from Worcester artists and prominent outside artists such as Boston’s Jennifer Jean Okumura.

Each piece is accompanied by a description riffing on the theme of otherness.

“It’s touching on the subjects of prejudice, racism, you know, feeling like an other, marginalized communities, feeling like an outsider,” said Laura Marotta, Creative Hub co-founder, in the gallery space last week. “The artwork here conveys that.”

The Aurora Gallery, at 660 Main St., has sat empty since last March, when ArtsWorcester left the space for a new location in the Printers Building. For the crew behind the Creative Hub, keeping the gallery as an arts space is a crucial mission.

“This area, the neighborhood

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J A N . 30 - F E B . 5, 2020

he Aurora Gallery, a longtime hub of the Worcester art scene, is back in the game after sitting vacant for the better part of a year.

The Creative Hub, a youth-

focused art nonprofit in the Main South neighborhood, is expanding to the space. The organization’s first gallery showing, “The Feeling Of Otherness,” opened over the weekend. The exhibit is one of four planned for the space between now and April. It runs until Feb. 13. The

Creative Hub co-founders Laura Marotta and Stacy Lord.

ASHLEY GREEN

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is pretty important to us,” said Marotta. “We’re longtime fans of ArtsWorcester and we’ve been here for a lot of shows. They left and it was just really hard to see it left vacant. We really didn’t want to see it turned into anything else, especially because we’re right here and we’re an arts organization.”

On Feb. 15, Creative Hub will change the gallery over to “Main South Residents,” a collection of art made by or inspired by the neighborhood Creative Hub calls home — “a snapshot of what it’s like to work here, live here, walk down the street here,” said Marotta.

On March 9, an exhibition on different religions and spirituality will open. The exhibition is called multitheological perspectives. On April 4, the gallery will open an exhibit on the theme of “Female Artists Female Empowerment.”

The project is funded by the Greater Worcester Community Foundation Creative Spark grant.

The grant paid for the space and for a reception, and it also paid for artists to have their pieces professionally framed if they weren’t already.

“That’s something that’s pretty unusual for art exhibits,” said Marotta. “So talking about access, talking about making access equitable

for everyone.”

All of the 34 pieces in the exhibition are for sale, and the artist keeps 100 percent of the commission.

A key goal for the new space is to provide a space that is easily accessible for young or otherwise inexperienced artists.

“The point is, there’s not a lot of barriers,” said Stacy Lord, Creative Hub co-founder. “And that’s kind of the most important thing when you’re growing an arts community in a city. You don’t want it to be so insulated that it’s sort of the same individuals that are showing and going to the galleries. You want to be able to open it up to more communities.”

Creative Hub is accepting submissions for upcoming exhibitions. To submit artwork, got to bit.ly/CHWGallery_theAurora.

J A N . 30 - F E B . 5, 2020 WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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FEATURED

‘A masterclass of greatness’

Worcester native on a roll with parts in ‘Bronx Tale,’ ‘The Irishman’ and more RICHARD DUCKET T

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“You actually feel that you’re walking in this time. He creates (Scorcese) this time and place down to the fabric of the clothing,” Giannetta said.

The acting ensemble for “The Irishman” received a Critics Choice nomination for Best Ensemble.

“It’s been very exciting to be part of this thrilling piece of work,” Giannetta said. After it was released, “I think I saw it five times.”

Meanwhile, “When ‘The Irishman’ came out, there so many texts” from family members and friends in Worcester, she said.

Support back home has been

an ongoing story. “I have so much encouragement to this day. To have that unfaltering support, I am so blessed.”

Giannetta, the daughter of an Italian immigrant, grew up in a triple-decker on Stanton Street and graduated from Venerini Academy and Notre Dame Academy in Worcester and Boston University.

“It takes a village. I am truly that.

It takes a village to succeed in life,” she said. When Giannetta decided she wanted to move to New York City to try to make it there as an actor and performer, her family was

hen the musical “A Bronx Tale” ended its successful run on Broadway in 2018 it might have been the closing of one chapter for actor/singer Lucia Giannetta, who had a central role in the show, but some new stories and experiences were about to open up.

For example, the Worcester native found herself in the middle of an interesting “masterclass” in the movie “The Irishman.” Then there was a role in “Hercules” at Central Park, and a Tony Honor for the Broadway Inspirational Voices chorus she has been a part of in New York for 19 years. She’s currently awaiting release of the film “Looks That Kill,” in which she has a part, and “The Job,” a short that’s hitting the film festivals featuring Giannetta as the voice.

“Every day was like a masterclass of greatness,” she said of working on Martin Scorcese’s mobster epic “The Irishman,” which has received several widespread critical acclaim since its release last year and is up for several Academy Awards Feb. 9, including Best Picture. “To be in that space with such talented performers was really a remarkable experience for me.”

Giannetta plays the wife of Teamster official Anthony “Tony Pro” Provenzano in the story that centers around the relationship between former delivery truck driver turned mobster hit man Frank Sheeran (played by Robert De Niro) and Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino) who “disappeared” in 1975.

Provencano (played by Stephen Graham) and Hoffa don’t get along.

“As my daughter says, he’s the bad guy,” Giannetta said of Tony Pro. One long scene depicts a big party with the wives of the various central characters in attendance.

The sequence was shot over the course of 10 days which had been preceded by the actors practicing improvisations, Giannetta said.

On the first day of rehearsals, Scorcese “came in and said, ‘You guys are here at this event. Tell the story.’ We started improvising at the table. It was wonderful. To be an ac- Lucia Giannetta on the set of “The Irishman.” tor in that space was mind-blowing.”

During the shooting of the scene,

on board. “ ‘You want to go to New York? Come on, let’s go. Let’s take you there.’ That’s the kind of foundation you need for ‘I’m going to go for it.’ There was a net underneath me that was so wide, so long, I could jump.”

A safe landing has included to being married to Barry Friedman (Giannetta sings in his rock band, Killer Joe and Barry Allen Friedman). The couple have a daughter, Isabella.

Giannetta has seen the ups and down of theater life and had day jobs. She was in the 2012 Tony-nominated musical “Leap of Faith,” but

the show closed after only a few performances. She filled in for a regular cast member of the “Les Miserables” Broadway revival in 2015 and was in the national tour of “Les Miserables 25th Anniversary.” She appeared in “Godspell” off-Broadway.

“A Bronx Tale” was a special chapter for Giannetta, not just for its Broadway credentials but also because of her pride in her own Italian-American background.

The musical (based on a one-man show by Chaz Palminteri in 1989 that was made into a 1993 movie directed by Robert De Niro) had

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At another major event last year, Giannetta sang at Patti Lupone’s 70th birthday party at the Lincoln Center. “I had just a year of being in a room with fellow performers with so much to offer.”

In a new venture, she’s been writing a show with musician, longtime friend and “fellow Worcester-ite” Maria Pia Viapiano. It will have an Italian-American accent. “It’s a work in progress. More a cabaret event. An inclusive experience for the audience.”

Giannetta said she gets back to Worcester often to see friends and family, including her father (her mother passed in 2018). She’s also been on the road a lot recently with daughter, Isabella, who has been auditioning at colleges for BFA programs in acting.

Asked if her daughter is following in the footsteps of her mother, Giannetta said, “She’s got quite solid footsteps of her own. She’s very talented, driven and focused.”

Giannetta can tell her, as she imparted to this reporter, “This business never stops.”

Being in a “A Bronx Tale” has provided more opportunities, but “I definitely need to audition” to get roles, she said.

“I feel that as an actor I’ve grown tremendously in the past five years.

I learn. I try to go into every situation looking for what my lessons are. Success for me is being an artist. Whatever that looks like is good for me.”

Contact Richard Duckett at richard.duckett@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @TGRDuckettt

J A N . 30 - F E B . 5, 2020

its world premiere in 2016 at the prestigious Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey, in a production directed by De Niro and four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks. Giannetta had auditioned for and won the role of Rosina, a wife and mother in the center of the story of an Italian-American teenager trying to find his path in life against the background of strife and organized crime in the Bronx, New York, of the 1960s. Later that year “A Bronx Tale” moved to Broadway where it ran for for 700 performances from 2016-18.

“I had a great run in ‘A Bronx Tale,’” Giannetta said. “It was almost three years portraying Rosina.

I miss her every day. I’m glad it’s still on tour (the touring production of the musical was recently at The Hanover Theatre). I’m so very, very proud of laying down that foundation. Rosina is very dear to me. And so it’s wonderful.”

Broadway Inspirational Voices is a professional choir of Broadway artists, “united to change lives through the music and service.”

The Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre are awarded annually to institutions, individuals, and/or organizations “that have demonstrated extraordinary achievement in theater.” Broadway Inspirational Voices was one of four groups to receive a Tony Honor last year. “2019 was very exciting for us,” Giannetta said.

This past August/September, Giannetta was in the world premiere of “Hercules,” based on the Disney movie, put on by the Public Theater at the open-air Delacorte Theater at Central Park.

“Amid all the beauty of New York in the night time it was magical,” Giannetta said.

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CITY VOICES

HARVEY

FIRST PERSON

There’s no place like home Grief in My Time — if you can afford it G. IRENE DORGAN

JANICE HARVEY

about trying to live in Worcester in 2020. Rents for those same apartments now go for $1,150 and t’s no revelation that in times of trouble we soothe ourselves up. By his calculations, citing the “old rule” of paying no more than with recollections of better days. Kinder, gentler memories 25 percent of your income for rent, a yearly income of $55,200 would are always within reach to help us escape the here and now, and these be the bare minimum required. are certainly troubled times. It’s no The average income of a Worcester surprise then that a Facebook page resident is a jaw-dropping $24,447.

I know I teach English, but even called “Old School Worcester” has I can see that A isn’t going into B 12,000 members, and counting.

Old School Worcester welcomes without government assistance or posts that trigger warm feelings of a second paycheck — which, when nostalgia, and for many, a reprieve the average Worcester income is doubled, still falls short of that from the onslaught of political blather that saturates the internet. pesky bare minimum.

Once upon a time, young Admittedly, I am one of the worst offenders when it comes to relent- couples rented apartments and less internet assaults on the Trump saved to buy a home. That’s impossible now. Three years ago, I had a administration, and commentary bucket of cold water dropped on on all things political. Even I have me when the duplex I was renting been exhausted of late by the for more than a decade was no endless ping-pong of opinions. longer available — seemed my Old School Worcester serves up landlord’s son suddenly needed a pleasant break from the noise. the place. I’d been paying $800 Who doesn’t feel warm and fuzzy for 11 years, and when I started recalling the corner spa, black & looking around, I needed oxygen white TV and Jello molds? and smelling salts. Both of my kids Recently, my former Worcester Magazine editor and forever friend pushed me to purchase, which I did — outside of Worcester. I’m as Walter Crockett posted on OSW, Wootown as they come, but I was and in his usual sly way, managed to spark a conversation that result- priced out and off of my home turf. ed in hundreds of comments from I resent that I was pushed out by rents that are so disgracefully high; readers. It all began as a nostalgic salute to the three-decker, Worces- to this day, I only know where to vote in Oxford. No offense to the ter’s claim to fame in the world of urban architecture. Leave it to Wal- town, but I’m an alien on a strange ter to sneak in facts amid the fond planet. ( I know, I know — Carl’s Diner is located here, but my remembrances, reminding us that cholesterol count shouldn’t have the spacious, sturdy apartments a comma in it.) I’m on automatic we were raised in once housed pilot, driving back into Worcester three generations of one family every day for work, for dining out, with mind-boggling low rent. I for just about everything. I love the recall that my first three-decker affordable condo I was able to buy, apartment as a married person, but that’s not the point — Worceslocated on Pilgrim Ave., cost $140 ter rents shoved me out the door, a month. It’s all relative, of course, and I’m still peeved. because at the time I made $2.05 I guess the only way to quell my an hour, while my husband made ire is to take a peek at Old School five bucks. Do the math and you Worcester. I’ll take comfort in one know we were struggling.

Walter’s post stirred up wonder- of the four posts about the El Morocco, pictures of The Mart, cans ful memories for many, from the of Hawaiian Punch, Drake’s Devil familial warmth of having Nana Dogs, Columbus Park Spa, Green live downstairs, to the detailed Stamps booklets and leisure suits. craftsmanship that made these And yes, I did wear Earth shoes. homes beautiful. But within his post he inserted some sad facts

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ast weekend, my friend Jason was murdered at his home in Norwich, Connecticut. The last time we spoke was on December 22. He was in Worcester visiting his family, and wanted to see my new house.

Ironically, I’d already left for Connecticut to be with my own family.

I told him that I’d call him back in January, and that I couldn’t wait to have him over.

It’s true what they say about the stages of grief. Denial came first, then anger: anger at myself for not returning his call.

I haven’t been great at keeping in touch with anyone since I moved to Massachusetts.

Introversion and anxiety makes me slow to get back to people, then embarrassed that I didn’t do it sooner. I also avoid Facebook, the means by which many people my age keep in touch. I did go on Facebook after Jason’s death, just to confirm that I hadn’t heard the news in a nightmare. Sure enough, our mutual friends were all reposting old photos of him with tributes

to his gentle personality and understated sense of humor.

I then found myself torn between my sense of obligation to signify the magnitude of Jason’s loss on social media, and my reluctance to express grief in a way that could seem self-centered. I remembered when we lost my first high school classmate the January after graduation. A hundred eighteenyear-olds returned from college to our Connecticut farm town and struggled to learn how adults are expected to grieve. Judgments churned in the gossip mill: “She sobbed when anyone was looking,” for instance, “and stopped when they looked away.”

In the end, I posted my favorite picture of me and Jason, and added, “If there’s someone you love and you keep meaning to call them back, please do it. I’ll never get the chance, and I can’t put into words how that feels.”

The reactions, comments, and texts streamed in. “Sorry for your loss.” “Sending love.” One friend living abroad sent a lengthy email that began, “I’m so sorry that it’s taken me this long to respond to

you. I saw your post today on Facebook and knew that I had to get around to writing you back right away.” He went on to update me on his wild adventures in places like Prague and Istanbul, bringing a smile to my face during a very sad time.

What surprised me is how much the reaction to my post mattered. We’ve all heard that social media does the opposite of what it’s supposed to — it makes us feel isolated rather than connected. In this case, I got to share Jason’s memory with people who didn’t know him, and grieve together with people who did. And, since many friends who expressed condolences are on my “meaning to call them back” list, I was reminded that I shouldn’t be nervous about reaching back out.

True friendship is unconditional.

I’m blessed with many true friends, and starting now, I’m going to call, text, or Facebook message them one by one, and cherish them more in Jason’s memory.

G. Irene Dorgan lives in Worcester.

CITY VOICES

WORCESTERIA

Getting into a Table Talk TIF tiff BILL SHANER

TALKIN’ TABLES: It pains me to do this, because Table Talk Pies

should be so wholesome and good. Iconic Worcester snacks. An incredibly endearing rogue Twitter account. Table Talk Pies should be a pure good. But the company has a bit of a dark side. In the new proposed TIF agreement (tax increment financing, for those who don’t know and if you don’t know you’re lucky) between the city and the company to move its headquarters, that dark side reveals itself. Per the agreement, the company is getting $4.6 million in property tax breaks to move the headquarters to the Main South area. In return, they are promising to create 50 new jobs. Now, the city has a policy for these types of deals. In order to secure a TIF agreement, companies have to promise to do certain things, including pay at least $15 an hour. But, instead of $15 an hour, Table Talk has apparently promised to pay 50 cents above minimum wage until employees are there for two years. Then they get $15. But working at Table Talk Pies for two years, you really run the risk of getting hurt. The company has been fined 20 times over the past four years by OSHA to the tune of almost $200,000. That’s 20 times employees were either hurt or put in a position to be hurt. The Standing Committee on Economic Development is reviewing the proposed TIF on Tuesday night, which will likely be after this appears online but before it appears in print, so sorry print readers you’re out of luck yet again. It’s going to be interesting to see if anyone on that committee raises a stink about this. It would put them in conflict with the manager’s office, which negotiated this TIF, and a project which kinda sorta needs to happen for the whole ballpark thing to work out. The safe money is on no stink, but I suppose we shall see.

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DESIGN REVEAL: Just a quick heads up for those interested. The company contracted to design the new skate park at Crompton Park will reveal three possible design concepts at a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 5.

The meeting is set for the Sacred Heart church at 596 Cambridge St. A good turnout at meetings like this goes a long way.

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SHIPPING UP TO WORCESTER: There are just so many weird localized studies getting sent to reporters all the time that are often as dubious as they are random. But they do pretty good with web traffic because we’re all a little bit stupid and we like a good headline. With that in mind I present you recent findings from the Renter Migration Report, which found — somehow? — that more than half the people who rent in Worcester would rather live somewhere else. Of those people, 43 percent put Boston as their top choice. Providence and Norwich, Connecticut, (random) come in second and third at about 4 percent.

Despite my low opinion of Boston as a city, I wish them the best of luck and hope they make it. What is more worrying about this study, though, is that 39 percent of Boston renters list Worcester as their top choice.

You know, the people who are being rapidly displaced by a runaway housing crisis that has been aided and cheered on at every level of government. That’s really bad news for us Worcester renters who are used to paying Worcester rents. Boston renters are a battered, abused group of people. They are little piggies. They don’t even know what it feels like to not get ripped off on rent. What we need in this troubling time is an organized smear campaign targeting the Boston audience. We need to make Worcester look really bad and really scary if Worcester is going to continue to be the place we all know and love.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ...

Negativeburn at Strong Style Coffee Negativeburn promoter Matt Flynn puts together some pretty fascinating and eclectic combinations of comedians, musicians, poets and storytellers at his events, and nowhere was that more evident than at a recent installment of the series at Strong Style Coffee in Fitchburg.

The event featured headliner Bibbe Hansen, of Andy Warhol’s Factory fame, along with comedians Nora Panahi and Kendra Dawsey.

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J A N . 30 - F E B . 5, 2020

Photos by TaJonn Nickleson

COVER STORY

‘This is Worcester.

This is our home.’

A conversation with Worcester’s new poet laureate and youth poet laureate VICTOR D. INFANTE

J A N . 30 - F E B . 5, 2020 WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM RICK CINCLAIR

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Worcester’s new poet laureate Juan Matos, left, and youth poet laureate Amina Mohammed.

COVER STORY

A

mina Mohammed isn’t afraid to admit she was nervous before reading a poem at Worcester’s inauguration ceremony for the City Council and School Committee Jan. 2 at Mechanics Hall.

“I’ve never done something like that before,” says the 18-year-old Holy Name High School senior. “I’ve gotten in front of a class … but I’ve never gotten up in front of that many people, in front of all those congresspeople and senators and so on. I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, if you mess up …. If you mess up …’”

She didn’t mess up.

“The moment I started reading, I was like, everything just started

flowing. It was just like this energy came into me and I was like, ‘I got this.’ I went … trying to pump myself up … to, ‘No. You’ve got this, girl. Just continue reading.’”

As debuts go, it’s hard to top.

Mohammed, the city’s new youth poet laureate, and new Worcester poet laureate Juan Matos were inaugurated into their new roles alongside the public officials. Matos is the city’s first poet laureate since the 2012 death of Gertrude Halstead, who was appointed poet laureate for life in 2007. Mohammed is the first youth poet laureate in the state of Massachusetts.

Still, the sense of occasion wasn’t lost on either of them.

“It was a challenging experi-

Poet Laureate Juan Matos reads a poem during the City of Worcester inaugural exercises at Mechanics Hall on Thursday, January 2, 2020.

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ASHLEY GREEN

ence,” says Matos, 64, who recently retired from a 32-year career in the Worcester Public School System.

“Even though people go, ‘You are experienced. You know what to do,’ it absolutely put a lot of pressure on me, real or not. I knew that I would be able to deliver the message, but honestly, I don’t feel so comfortable with my reading in English. I was kind of nervous about it, but once I got to the stage and started reading it, poetry was the difference for me.

At some point I said to myself, ‘OK. You’ve got it, Juan.’ I think we delivered and reflected what Worcester means to us, absolutely. I think we were able to deliver it.”

That’s important to both of them, because the stories that brought them to Mechanics Hall were difficult, and often fraught with hardship and heartache … the sort of stories familiar to many in Worcester, although they often go untold. Both Matos and Mohammed want to change that.

‘WHY DO YOU EVEN TRY?’

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ohammed has a very reserved presence, but a strange sense of gravitas when she speaks, commanding attention despite her quiet demeanor. Her family lived in Great Brook Valley when she was born, and later moved to Main South. Her father was an immigrant

from Ghana, and her mother from Liberia. She says she found her passion for poetry in eighth grade, through a writing assignment. “I remember writing stories about my mom,” she says, “because this was the first time I ever wrote about her passing.

Something just sparked in me.”

For Mohammed, that interest in writing crystallized as an outlet when she entered a school competition to give the eighth-grade graduation speech, which she won, but even then, she mostly wrote in private.

Her mother’s death marked the start of a turbulent time for Mohammed and her family, one which she feels she’s still processing.

“My mom passed away when I was 10,” says Mohammed, “and after that, in a matter of two years, everything was just falling apart for me and my family.” They lost their home, and her father wrestled with depression and health issues.

She says that, at the time, she was thinking, “‘Why do you even try?’

Because coming home and knowing there’s no food in the house, your dad is slowly killing himself because he’s thinking of my mom and about a job, and we literally have no food in the house, no nothing. Coming home to that … Why am I even putting myself through this? There are so many different things that I could be doing,” she says, referring to the darker paths that she’s seen other young people choose to escape privation and hardship.

“Now I’ve come to the realization that I was just angry and mad at the world,” she says of her younger,

more isolated self, “because I felt like everybody let me down. The people that I looked to, everyone let me down, and I didn’t know what to do, so I got mad, and I had a short temper … I’d find myself yelling, going off.”

She says she scared herself when she got angry.

Mohammed says poetry just comes to her. “I’ll just be sitting down, and something will hit me, and I’ll just, like, start typing, and then everything will keep flowing and flowing, and I’ll finally stop. And I’ll go over it and read it and think, ‘Maybe I should add one more thing to it,’ and it’ll be like, this POEM …

I’ve just been through so much. Poetry is where I can … release all that energy. Just let everything go.”

She says some people might be dismissive of the title “youth poet laureate,” but she feels that the fact that she’s able tell her story and possibly give kids inspiration is important. “It still isn’t easy,” she says. “Everything’s not perfect. We still have our difficulties. This is like a confirmation for me that everything’s going to be all right.”

BUILDING THE BRIDGE

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ohammed’s story is familiar to Matos, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic and a veteran ESL teacher. He

COVER STORY

La Ilusión de la memoria (Sobre una frase de García Márquez)

By Juan Matos El exiliado no es un solo hombre.

Es el hombre que se fue y el hombre que llegó.

El hombre que se fue, se fue, y dejó cuanto quedó, que, quedándose, sin embargo, no está. ¿Adónde?

Su patio.

Su escuela.

Los suyos… ¿Adónde?

El hombre que se fue, se fue, pero los otros… ¿Adónde?

El hombre que se fue se fue solo.

Solo. ¡Pero con todo!

El hombre que llegó, llegó y con él, él.

El hombre que llegó vino solo.

Pero en sus ojos trajo todo.

Todo.

Su vida a cuestas.

El hombre que llegó llegó y con él, él.

Pero vino solo.

The Illusion of Memory (On a phrase by García Márquez)

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The man who arrived, arrived, and with him, himself.

The man who arrived came alone.

But in his eyes he brought everything.

Everything.

His life on his back.

The man who arrived arrived, and with him, himself.

But he came alone.

Alone… only himself.

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The exile is not one man alone.

He is the man who departed and the man who arrived.

The man who departed, departed, and left behind all that was left, which, being left, nevertheless, is not there.

Where?

His garden.

His school.

His people…

Where?

The man who departed, departed, but those others…

Where?

The man who departed departed alone.

Alone.

But with everything!

COVER STORY

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believes that there are many children in Worcester who could benefit from exposure to poetry outside a traditional classroom setting. “We’ll find more valuable, wonderful teenagers that are brave, who somehow got through poetry the bridge, the opportunity, the light, to at least express themselves.” Matos thinks that helping people, particularly young people, process trauma, is one of poetry’s most valuable functions. “This is all about rescuing at some point,” he says, adding that he believes other kids in need can find what Mohammed found.

For him, the challenge is in “breaking down the stereotype of what they think about poetry. Depending sometime the way it is presented — so formal, so academic — eventually, they are exposed to poems that are not related to their reality. That’s why sometimes, some of them think, ‘Oh, no. I don’t like poetry.’ Why? Because they don’t see the connection.” He believes exposure to other young writers can change that perception.

Matos, a soft-spoken man with a gentle disposition, discovered poetry in the ’60s, when he was a student at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo. He says student poets were very active “because of the political situation … There was a lot of repres-

Youth Poet Laureate Amina Mohammed reads a poem during the City of Worcester inaugural exercises at Mechanics Hall.

ASHLEY GREEN

sion, so the arts were an instrument for us to express our feelings for the leader that was governing our country at that particular time.”

His father worked “at a sugar mill, cutting sugar cane from sunrise to sunset.” His mother was a rural teacher, and was even his own fifth-

grade teacher. “Can you imagine?” he jokes.

“We had no choice but getting an education,” says Matos. “Period. That was our determination. No matter what. Despite the socio-economic situation, we were getting an education.” Eventually, he got a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and his wife became a dentist, but soon they found the opportunities in Dominican Republic dwindling, as the country was plagued by corruption and ravaged by the demands of the International Monetary Fund.

“Thousands of young professionals from my country and across Latin America migrated to the States, and

eventually became, like me, ‘illegal aliens,’ ‘illegal residents,’ ‘undocumented,” whatever you call it, but we were here working.” Matos came to America at the age of 30 in 1985, while his wife and three children stayed behind. “Even though I have a college education, I had no English, no papers, nothing.”

He took any job he could, including cleaning Yankee Stadium after baseball games, “while having my three kids in the DR, living with my parents. My daughter was 5 months old when I migrated. I’ll never forget that afternoon, because you love your wife, you love your kids, you love your country, you love your life there. I was broken, but I knew that I could not go back, because there was no future.”

Reading became his conciliation, he says. “You feel the need to put your mind on something else, so I just continued with my passion, which was reading. And I was writing, writing, writing, but saving all my poems over there.”

Pursuing a career as a poet seemed unthinkable at that time; he was working extra shifts to send money home to his family. Eventually, he got his citizenship after the 1988 Immigration Reform Act. He took a job as a social worker while he studied to improve his English and earn his teacher’s license. It was rough going at first — he says he had to take the communication skills test seven times — but eventually got his provisional license, and then earned a master’s degree in education. His thesis? “How to implement poetry in the third and fourth grade curriculum.” Eventually his wife got her residency, and his three children later joined them. His road led him to teaching in Worcester schools, along with a modest involvement

COVER STORY

Oh Sweet Worcester

By Amina Mohammad

From the seven hills that stretch mighty across this great state of Massachusetts, To the hundreds of thousands that wake everyday to sing the melodies of this city upon these great hills, Oh sweet Worcester with you lie so many untold stories, Stories that manifest their greatness through art, music, and poetry, Stories that are determined to be heard one way or another, Stories that are powerful beyond measure, And when these stories are finally liberated and told they unconsciously liberate others, For this is Worcester, This is the 508 The city of innovation, The city of neighborhoods under construction and repairs, The city of ear-piercing music and voices that lingered through the night Oh sweet Worcester, Oh how you’re like none other Can’t you feel it?

I know you probably think I’m crazy but I feel it, I feel it through the hot summer days of walking through Chandler Street with the neighborhood kids and taking the back routes to the Dunkin’s Just in time before my grandma notices, From the loud bus rides through the streets of Worcester I can feel the kids shouting and yelling on the buses, Buses from Abby Kelley, Seven Hill, and East Middle pass by,

From the lovely mixture of Mummy’s sweet cassava leaf stew, To Mrs Gonzalez’s fully seasoned sancocho and Mrs Bianchi’s cacciucco Whose aroma magically roam the neighborhood Oh sweet Worcester, some might never understand you but we do We hear your cries for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, We feel your grace through your widely diverse communities, And your compassion for all lives that linger throughout your domains no matter the race, religion, or cultural, Oh how you’re like none other

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

Oh sweet Worcester,

J A N . 30 - F E B . 5, 2020

The kids jumping right off with change that eagerly awaits to be spent at a nearby convenience store,

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COVER STORY

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with the local poetry community.

“I used to get involved with the Worcester County Poetry Association, about 20 years ago,” he said, “and I remember we invited Rhina Espaillat, back in ’98 when she won the T.S. Eliot prize. We had a wonderful poetry reading here in the city of Worcester together.” That meeting was significant, as Espaillat would eventually translate his poetry collection, “The Man Who Left,” from Spanish to English. Matos says he was also involved with the Latino writing group Hostos Cultural, but drifted from the local poetry community as he became preoccupied with other cultural activities. He continued teaching until recently.

“I never meant to retire,” says Matos. “Last year, I lost a son, Manuel.

He was 35 years old, finishing his PhD at UMass Amherst. He didn’t make it through a heart attack, and that was devastating to us, our family, and eventually, it was really, really difficult to deal with.”

Matos said he tried going back to work a mere month after his son died, but that it was a mistake. “I wasn’t ready,” he says, “my wife wasn’t ready. I remember I had 129 days saved in Worcester Public Schools because I never took them, so my mentors told me I need to take time

and process all these things. So I was in therapy with my wife for five months or so, and I went back in March, only the next week my little sister in Santo Domingo passed away … That’s when I went back to Santo Domingo and came back again to North High School. Four days later, I had a heart attack,” which resulted in him receiving three stents. “Then my wife and my kids said, ‘you’ve been 32 years in this business, that’s enough for you.’”

He says his health has improved, and that the news of the search for a new poet laureate came at just the right moment for him, although he approached it with a bit of trepidation.

“It was my daughter and my wife,” says Matos, “they said, ‘Juan.

It’s all there. I know you love these things.’ I said, ‘I don’t know if I want to be involved in this, cause I know my passion. I know myself. I’m very passionate with arts and poetry and all those things, I push myself too much.’”

His wife reminded him, “‘Your kids are there, and you can continue with them,’ and I said, ‘OK. This is what I need.’”

He says he mailed the application on the last day it was due, five minutes before the post office closed. He says, when he got word from Worcester

Cultural Development Office Erin Williams that he was chosen as poet laureate, he was overcome with emotion.

“This is me, at 64 years old, trembling like a teenager,” he recalls.

“It was such a blessing. All that I had in my mind was my mother and my father, who really struggled to get us an education. And I went to my past, and … the whole thing comes out, the days when I was an ‘illegal’ immigrant, ‘undocumented,’ 30-plus years ago … and now, here I am.”

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ohammed, who was encouraged to apply

by Holy Name teacher Keridan Doyle, also waited until the last minute to file her paperwork while weighing whether she should apply. She says she was also overcome by the news when Williams called her. “I broke down and started crying,” says Mohammed. “I never thought that they’d pick me for something like this. I never thought I was good enough that I could do something this good.”

She says her father was shocked by the news. “He didn’t even know I wrote poems at all,” she says. “He had never heard my poems until the night of the inauguration.”

While she was overjoyed at being able to make her father and brothers proud, Mohammed is cognizant of the responsibility that comes with the job, and she and Matos are in accord that their first priority is using poetry as a tool to reach youths, for whom writing can be life-changing or even life-saving.

Mohammed says that she’d like to use poetry to give kids an outlet to express what they’re feeling and experiencing.

“There are so many things going on in our lives that we don’t feel comfortable,” says Mohammed. “You know, the adults aren’t there and we don’t just have that right person there to talk to and give us some good advice.” She says they need ways to release stress, “instead of putting it into wrong things, because I’ve seen so many kids go to smoking and drinking and all these different alternatives, and it doesn’t have to be like that. There are other forms to release all those angers and frustrations. I know it’s like, ‘Oh c’mon.

You guys aren’t adults yet, you don’t have anything to worry about.’ But it’s hard being a teenager, especially in this era. It really is hard. And just like, being here and watching a lot of my friends struggle, you see them and they’re like, ‘Oh, nothing’s wrong with me.’ There’s something … we know. Just let it go.”

Matos says he wants to avoid the pitfall of teaching poetry like a math problem, instead concentrating on finding ways to help young people “express themselves, their feelings, their frustrations, the things they enjoy … something that makes connections with the city, and how the city embraces what they are able to contribute, what they are able to say.”

Forging those connections between the youth and the city is a linchpin of Matos’ thinking, and he wants to draw on his experience as a teacher to build those bridges, such as in one assignment he gave a class of native Spanish speakers to visit and write about the city’s murals.

“I want you to go there,” he recalls telling his class, “take your own pictures with your friends at that corner, and just tell me, in writing, what this piece of art tells you. Right there in the field. … It’s about accepting what they get from the piece of art. That’s what we’re looking for.”

Mohammed agrees, recalling a visit to the Worcester Art Museum she made for a class, and being

astounded both in what she found there, and how few other people were there to appreciate it with her.

“A lot of kids don’t take the time,” she said, “or people in general. There aren’t a lot of people at the art museum. I was going in there and it was, like, one other family and a couple of visitors. I’m just looking at the art and I’m like, ‘This is so beautiful.’

This is what our city has to offer. You might bash it all you want, but again, this is our home.”

Matos says “we have wonderful representation at the (Worcester Art Museum). Somehow, I know everybody’s busy, they want to participate in sports, MCAS preparation, but c’mon. Let’s get together one afternoon at the museum, just to have fun. What do you see here?

Not the classical museum visit where you spend two minutes over here and then … Relax. Take your time.

Embrace the art, find out who’s the artist, what do you think he wants to express? What is the meaning of this museum? What is the history of this museum for our city? They have to absorb my city, being part of the city.”

Making the connection through art is just one idea. Others Matos has include having poets reading in visible and accessible areas, as well as possibly on local television, and possibly publishing an anthology of poems by young Worcester writers in their native languages. He feels part of the goal is to foster both self-confidence in young writers, and a sense of ownership of the community. He wants people to think, “‘This is my city.’ If we get that, we’ve made it.”

Mohammed agrees, hoping reaching out to youth through poetry will challenge apathy and disillusionment.

“This is Worcester,” she says. “This is our home. This is our home before anything else. Even with flaws, if there’s any fixing that needs to be done, it’s going to come from us. Regardless of the flaws, this is still our home, and we need to embrace that.”

There are only a few fixed responsibilities that come with the laureate posts. They are expected to visit schools and perform public readings, as well as engage in other literary outreach activities. They are also expected to compose at least one annual commemorative poem about Worcester. The poet laureate serves a three-year renewable term, with an annual honorarium of $1,000, to be contributed from public and private sources. The youth poet laureate serves a two-year appointment, with a $2,500 scholarship, as well as a $500 stipend honorarium, also contributed from private sources.

CITY LIFE If you are an artist, or know of a local artist, email WMeditor@gatehousemedia.com. Fair warning, in order to publish your work, you’ll need to provide a small bio and high resolution digital copies of some of your art. We reserve the right to choose what will run, based on resolution and what will reproduce best on newsprint.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

Macc Mulsane, is a 23-year-old, self-taught clothing designer out of Worcester. His brand is called Maccadü Clothing, as in “Macc-Can-Do anything.”

He attended art school for a semester, but was forced to drop out after his brother’s incarceration. He read books and taught himself to do his own edits, website design, creative directing, styling and how to handsew everything. He started Maccadü Clothing in his aunt’s living room while he was living on her couch. He would sew from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. while his aunt was at work, and then work from 2 to 9 p.m. to pay for fabrics and materials. Word about his brand grew, catching the attention of “Project Runway’s” Cornelius Ortiz, among others. His first show was at UMass Amherst, followed by a swimsuit show in Rhode Island, which led to Rhode Island FashionWeek. Two months after the show in Rhode Island, he received an email with the subject line “New York Fashion Week Invitation!!!”.

“I will admit it,” he said, “I cried! But it was so surreal to me. I did what most people thought was impossible with the least resources in such a fast period of time and I was so humbled by how far I’ve come.”

J A N . 30 - F E B . 5, 2020

Vance Wentworth, otherwise known as

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CITY LIFE

LIFESTYLE

Will the bagger think I’m gross if I don’t put my meat in a separate bag?

SARAH CONNELL SANDERS

bag ban does not apply to produce, meats, poultry, fish, bread and other food items that must be kept “fresh eginning on April 1, singleor unsoiled.” This exemption is in acuse plastic checkout bags cordance with the statewide prohibiwill become a thing of the tion bill and the recommendations of past in the city of Worcester. the USDA that say: “Perishable food The Center for Biological Diversity reports that, “At current rates plastic such as meat and poultry should be is expected to outweigh all the fish in wrapped securely to maintain quality and to prevent meat juices from getthe sea by 2050.” This is a full-blown ting onto other food.” crisis.

On my last trip to the market, I I keep thinking about the entangled Hawaiian monk seal pups. I can’t found myself asking, “What’s the worst that could happen if they go in stop watching videos of the Great the same bag?”

Pacific Garbage Patch on YouTube.

A hard-hitting piece published in I stay up at night worrying about 2018 by the Journal of Food Protecstarving whales with bellies full of tion set me straight. After collecting plastic. And yet somehow, I always seem to forget my reusable shopping 402 swabs from 96 participants, researchers Chen, Fur-chi, et al. found, bags in the car.

“Overall, meat juice was detected on Somewhere between the produce 61% of poultry package surfaces, 34% aisle and the seafood counter, I realof shoppers’ hands, 41% of grocery ize my mistake. By then, doubling bags, 60% of kitchen surfaces, and back to the parking lot seems like 51% of food item surfaces.” Paper a grand gesture. I make a point to request paper at checkout and that’s bags don’t measure up when it comes to dribbling meat juice. when it happens. The bagger asks I know what you’re thinking. “But, me, “Would you like your meat in a what about the SEA TURTLES?” separate bag?”

There are other alternatives. I Worcester’s single-use plastic

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could follow Joaquin Phoenix’s lead and embrace a plant-based diet. I could buy myself an airtight stainless container to lug around the supermarket. I could ask the butcher to wrap my meat in multiple layers of waxed paper and hope for the best.

Or, I could roll the dice.

Will the bagger think I’m gross if I don’t accept the offer of a singleuse plastic bag for my unscrupulous meat juices? That depends on whether or not I look like the sort of girl who does a lot of laundry.

Reusable grocery bags can carry E. coli or Salmonella if they are not washed and dried between uses.

Then there’s the problem of washing machines and dryers whose excessive use contribute significantly to the carbon footprint and pollute our water system.

I’ll need to invest in a washboard and some clothesline. How does Greta Thunberg find the time?

But, Thunberg has the right idea.

The young environmental activist encourages us all to make small individual lifestyle changes for the good of humanity. Opt for LEDs over

A 2018 study published in the Journal of Food Protection detected meat juice on 61% of poultry package surfaces.

SARAH CONNELL SANDERS

incandescent bulbs. Plan your meals ahead to help avoid food waste.

Compost. Avoid fast fashion. Drive less. Fly only as a last resort. Vote for candidates keen on confronting climate change.

In closing, yes, it is unequivocally gross to put my meat in the same

paper bag as my other groceries.

What will I do about it? I’m going to try eating more veggies and less meat. I’m going to try bringing separate reusable bags when I go to the grocery store. I’m going to try washing them by hand in between uses. I’m going to try.

LISTEN UP

Jaggery delivers a beautiful ‘Melancholy’

VICTOR D. INFANTE

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oston’s Jaggery has always been an impressive band, creating music that’s lush, haunting and emotionally evocative, but the band’s newest release, “Having It Out with Melancholy,” is something special by any standard.

The album is adapted from a cycle of poems by the late poet Jane Kenyon, with music composed by Michael J. Veloso, but the music itself retains the band’s signature sound, making it feel far more immediate than one might expect from an adaptation.

The album feels immensely, uncomfortably personal, beginning as it does in “From The Nursery,” opening with a crash of notes that quickly subsides, capturing the listener’s attention as vocalist Singer Mali’s gorgeous, expressive voice captures

the plaintive, blanketing omnipresence of depression. When the tempo escalates and Mali’s voice expands into a banshee screech, it’s not just arresting, it’s frightening. “You taught me to exist without gratitude,” she sings, “You ruined my manners toward God:/’We’re here simply to wait for death;/the pleasures of earth

are overrated.’”

The band — which comprises Mali on vocals and piano, percussionist Daniel Schubmehl, Petaluma Vale on backing vocals, Tanya Phillips on harp and Rachel Jayson on viola — is practically flawless from song to song.

On “Bottles,” the piano is accented by other instruments with a deftly light hand, creating a phantasmagoric effect as Mali sings, “Elavil, Ludiomil, Doxepin,/Norpramin, Prozac, Lithium, Xanax,” conveying the effects of the drugs. Likewise, the lovely harp and viola combination at the beginning of “Suggestion From A Friend” counterpoints both the pained tone in Mali’s vocals and the pained tone in Kenyon’s poem: “You wouldn’t be so depressed/if you really believed in God.” What’s captivating is how the band weaves an entire subtext to Ke-

nyon’s writing, taking the original poetry and unveiling depths that were already there. There’s always a feeling here that the music is an extension of the writing, not a supplement to it. It’s unclear if that’s a credit to the musicians, the composer or both.

Probably both. The next sequence of poems — “Often,” “Once There Was a Light” and “In and Out” — presents a widening gyre of wistfulness, a sense of the persona becoming thinner and thinner as it continues. It’s sad and lovely, and disconcerting in how vulnerable the persona seems. The band makes sure you know this person, that you care.

Which is what makes the manic cacophony of “Pardon” so utterly disconcerting. Mali sings, “A piece of burned meat/wears my clothes, speaks/in my voice, dispatches obligations/haltingly, or not at all,”

and the mania in her voice rattles the listener’s bones. That discomfort doesn’t pass when the tone changes and soothes. Indeed, it’s almost more unsettling. The album concludes with “Credo” and “Wood Thrush,” two gently meditative poems that examine the difference medication makes, allowing the persona to look past her immediate distress to the shadow that’s haunted her entire life.

“I am overcome/by ordinary contentment,” sings Mali. “What hurt me so terribly/all my life until this moment?” It’s not a question that’s meant to be answered, at least not easily, but it weighs on the listener as the gentle strands of music knit into something like a lullaby: Beautiful and weighted with sadness, but punctuated by small, impossibly delicate moments of hope.

CITY LIFE

TABLE HOPPIN’

Flying Rhino chef wins first Iron Chef crystal trophy BARBARA M. HOULE

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Drew Day, executive chef at the Flying Rhino Café & Watering Hole in Worcester, won the 2020 Iron Chef Award at Sunday’s Best Chef competition at Mechanics Hall.

DYLAN AZARI

Nicas was a judge for the first round of competition, but did not judge on Sunday due to a previous commitment.

Some of the same chefs will be creating new menus for the winter edition of Worcester Restaurant Week, beginning Feb. 24.

Being a chef is certainly a labor of love!

Valentine’s Day event at Vin Bin The Vin Bin West, 193 A Boston Post Road West, Marboro, will host “For the Love of Wine and Chocolate” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the store.

Plan to sample at least five wines with five chocolate styles, including chocolate and cheese.

Cost is $25 per person; Visit www. eventbrite.com for tickets and more information. Note: Each participant will receive a $10 discount to be used on the night of the event with the purchase of $50 or more.

A Donut Stand Pop Up is scheduled at 10 a.m. Feb. 2 at the Vin Bin, 91 Main St., Marlboro.

Sweet news all around.

If you have a tidbit for the column, call (508) 868-5282. Send email to bhoulefood@gmail.com.

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and so many young people have pursued successful careers in the culinary arts because of his leadership and influence.

“This year, the Worcester’s Best Chef organization honors Chef Nicas’ legacy by naming Worcester’s Best Chef ‘Iron Chef ’ crystal trophy after Stanley James Nicas.”

I judged the WBC competition with Steven Blair of Johnson & Wales University in Providence; Denny Corriveau, Free Range Culinary Institute’s founder and master game chef; George Malavasic of Johnson & Wales University; Peter Eco of Sonoma at the Beechwood Hotel in Worcester; and Jim Nicas of the Castle Restaurant in Leicester. Note:

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

Domenic D. Mercurio Jr., founder of Worcester’s Best Chef, said, “Once in a while, a person comes along who possesses an unusual amount of God-given talent and compassion for others. And sometimes that person also has the passion and persistence to pursue and fulfill an incredible destiny.

“More than 13 years ago, Chef Stanley J. Nicas agreed to join and be the chairman of our original WBC judges’ panel. He brought an immense amount of integrity and distinction to that panel, and as a result, many other judges wanted to be part of it.

“He has been an incredible inspiration to so many chefs over the years,

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hefs turned up the heat in Worcester’s Best Chef culinary showdown held Sunday at Mechanics Hall, with Drew Day, executive chef at the Flying Rhino Café & Watering Hole in Worcester, winning the 2020 Iron Chef Award.

Day was presented with the Iron Chef crystal trophy in honor of the late Stanley J. Nicas of the Castle Restaurant in Leicester. He is the first chef to receive the Nicas trophy.

Chef Keith Polaina of Samuel Slater’s Restaurant in Webster and Mike Wenc of deadhorse hill restaurant in Worcester were Day’s competitors on center stage. All three chefs utilized a venison rack, sweet potatoes, semisweet chocolate and maple balsamic in their final dishes. The ingredients were included in a mystery basket each chef received. The chefs also selected pantry staples that were available to them on stage.

The three finalists were among the 19 chefs who competed for the Judges’ Choice Awards, moving them to a spot on center stage and the Iron Chef competition. Polaina took first place Judges’ Choice; Wenc, second; Day, third.

The sold-out WBC competition showcased dishes prepared by the 19 contestants, who manned booths on two floors of Mechanics Hall.

Guests voted their favorites in the People’s Choice award category.

Comeketo Brazilian Steakhouse in Leominster took first place; Rail Trail Flatbread Co. in Hudson, second; Cohasse Country Club in Southbridge, third.

Chef Robin Clark of Niche Hospitality Group in Worcester, representing Bocado Tapas Wine Bar in Worcester, was awarded the WXLO “Perfect Palate” Award.

Tantasqua Regional High School in Sturbridge received the award for Best Dessert. Competitors in that category included the culinary students from Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School in Charlton and Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School in Upton.

About the Stanley J. Nicas trophy:

CITY LIFE

DINING

Basil n’ Spice Satisfaction 299 Shrewsbury St., Worcester • basilnspice.com • (774) 317-9986 SANDRA RAIN

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asil n’ Spice owner Bator Lachmann learned to cook in her homeland of Thailand before bringing her craft to Worcester two decades ago. Her restaurant is squeezed away from the road in Heywood Square Plaza, tucked back in the shadow of Funky Murphy’s and Dunkin Donuts. A flashing "Open" sign leads the way for passersby on Shrewsbury Street.

There is a small parking lot out front, an amenity Worcester is learning to live without, but parents with strollers will appreciate.

Inside is a burst of texture and color. Exposed brick. Bamboo shades. Patches of stucco. Limestone pillars. Faux greenery. A flickering electric fireplace. Mirrored artwork.

A large red barn door that could lead anywhere from Narnia to Wonderland.

Tropical garnishes abound. Fresh fruit and chiles are scattered on nearly everything, including a name-

sake tequila cocktail — the Basil n’ Spice. Even the pitchers of water contain juicy orange slices.

The staff know their menu inside and out. When asked about the kanom jeeb on a recent visit, our server said, “Excellent choice. In addition to minced shrimp, that dish also has pork in it that isn’t noted in the dish’s description. Will that be OK?” We thanked her for her diligence and went ahead with order.

The kanom jeeb arrived with four carefully handcrafted dumplings and a ginger soy sauce.

We relied on our server for entree suggestions, settling on the Chiang Mai noodles with shrimp, served with massaman curry, pickled cabbage and cilantro in a deep steaming bowl. Basil n' Spice’s shrimp comes from West Boylston seafood, a local fish market known for superior quality. The massaman curry itself is another of my favorite dishes when in search of heavier fare on account of the potatoes and peanuts.

The chicken angel is a signature

dish combining feathery breaded bits of fried chicken with a saucy mango ambrosia and a pile of steamed vegetables. The meat is flavorful, albeit a little dry. I’ve always been partial to baby corn, an underrated treat — much like the lineup of artists who played softly throughout our meal featuring Dave Matthews Band and Third Eye Blind. You can say that you don’t like baby corn, but I know you can’t resist popping it in your mouth like a goliath when it finds it way onto your plate.

Local vegetarians Stan Basil n’ Spice. Most dishes on the menu can be made with tofu including the wok and curry selections for which the restaurant is known.

Basil n’ Spice would benefit from timely updates of the specials. It’s a little late in the season for a pumpkin curry and notably early for a “summer blossom” cocktail. Conditions also get a little musty in high humidity. Even so, Basil n’ Spice brings the heat. It is at the top of my list for Thai takeout and a go-to for casual

nights out.

The total of our last date night at Basil n’ Spice came to $71.67.

Explanation of Stars: Ratings are from zero to five. Zero is not recommended. One is poor. Two is fair. Three

is satisfactory. Four is good. Five is excellent.

Food: HHH1/2 Ambience: HHH Service: HHHH Value: HHH

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THE NEXT DRAFT

Wachusett’s Worcester taproom ready to anchor Public Market Brew Yards offer Wachusett unique model to expand brand MATTHEW TOTA

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ts Kelley Square taproom nearly complete, Wachusett Brewing Co. believes it has built one of the best spots in the city to have a pint and people watch, on the corner of the busiest intersection, in the heart of the Canal District.

After visiting the taproom last week and looking out its tall windows myself, I’m inclined to agree with Wachusett, even as a fair bit of imagination was required.

The reality outside now is a mess of construction crews and surly drivers, but things will no doubt change once work on the traffic peanut is finished and Polar Park opens.

The taproom occupies about 3,000 square feet in the new Worcester

Public Market, with both opening Feb. 6. Allen Fletcher, who owns the 20,000-square-foot market at 220 Harding St. and 152 Green St. and the 48 apartments above it, brought Wachusett in as the anchor business.

But the brewery hasn’t let that title get to its head. It recognizes that it’s not the main attraction: The indoor market is the draw, a concept novel to Worcester that brings together a hodgepodge of vendors selling food from different cultures.

Still, brewery president Christian McMahan said Wachusett has taken its role as anchor seriously, including pushing to acquire 20 one-day liquor licenses from the city when it saw that its paperwork with the state would not go through in time for the anticipated opening.

Wachusett has designed a large communal space capable of handling the massive crowds expected not only when the market opens next week, but also when baseball begins at Polar Park next year.

The taproom — one of Wachusett’s “Brew Yards” — stays true to the brewery’s roots, incorporating rustic wood and corrugated metal as a nod to the 200-year-old Westminster farmhouse where co-founder Ned LaFortune brewed the first batch of Country Pale Ale. And like at its Westminster Brew Yard, Wachusett has made an Airstream trailer the centerpiece of the taproom; the 31-foot-trailer, built in 1974, holds a 24-tap bar surrounded by custombuilt keg stools.

Wachusett didn’t want the taproom

to feel too intimate, so it built a high ceiling and left a lot of standing room.

There will be a few tables, but the best seats are stools placed along the back walls, where you can look out onto Kelley Square through the large windows. In the warmer months, you can even sit outside.

A firehouse door separates the taproom from the rest of the market, where the hardest decision will be what food to pair with your beer: Choose from a melting pot of options, including American, African, Japanese, Vietnamese, Jamaican, Mexican, Irish, Italian, Jewish and Nepalese. There will be a common eating and drinking space in the market that’s part of the liquor license, or you can bring food into

C O N T I N U E D O N N E XT PA G E

Wachusett Brewing Co. president Christian McMahan shows off the new taproom at the Worcester Public Market in Kelley Square.

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CITY LIFE

THE NEXT DRAFT

founders all went to Worcester Polytechnic Institute and that it has had draft accounts in the city since the taproom. While there is alcohol 1994. to-go, Wachusett is the only option Now, there’s no question about for onsite imbibing. that designation, though Worcester Speaking of the beer, the taproom is not the only place Wachusett is will have Wachusett’s entire lineup building a Brew Yard. The brewery — from Blueberry to its Wally IPAs also plans to open a brewery— plus its Fifty Trees Hard Cider and taproom in Cambridge this year, with Nauti Seltzer, all brought in from a larger 15-barrel brewhouse that will Westminster. brew sour beers.

Attached to the taproom is a twoMcMahan told me that more Brew barrel brewhouse with four-barrel Yards are planned for other parts of fermenters, allowing Wachusett to the state, but Wachusett is taking a brew about eight kegs of beer at the break for the moment to focus on taproom.

Worcester and Cambridge.

The beer brewed here will be part Wachusett has seen how local of Wachusett’s new “Canal Series,” sales of its beer have grown based only available at the Worcester on the success of its Westminster Brew Yard. “It could be inspired by taproom and is hoping the trend Worcester ingredients or its history,” holds true around Worcester and McMahan said. “Our brewers are lined Cambridge. up and ready with ideas.” The Canal “Now the best way to market Series beers will not be immediately yourself as a brewery is to get a available, as Wachusett wanted to pint in someone’s hand and have finish the taproom for Feb. 6 before them taste your beer and meet your completing work on the brewhouse. people,” McMahan said. “I don’t think Even with its main brewery in we had any idea how much that Westminster, Wachusett has always impacted the wider region, from all wanted to consider itself a Worcester the bars, restaurants and package brewery, pointing out that its three stores. Our growth in that region is C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 20

Just as in its Westminster taproom, Wachusett transformed an Airstream trailer into a bar in Worcester.

ASHLEY GREEN

far beyond what we thought, and really the only thing that changed is adding the Brew Yard.”

He described Wachusett’s approach to expansion — building smaller brewery-taprooms rather than investing in a second massive production facility — in terms of the

board game Risk.

He assured me, though, that the brewery is not after world domination.

“You don’t be in North America, then try to own Australia. You take one country at a time,” he said. “We drew a 60-mile circle around the

brewery of places we could go to.

Boston was in that, and Worcester was in that. It’s places where we thought we had to go and create those hot zones, so they all start connecting.”

Spring

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After a long New England winter, residents are anxious to begin their improvement projects inside and out.

J A N . 30 - F E B . 5, 2020

Home Improvement

CITY LIFE

FILM

Careers stalled, talent wasted in Weinstein’s wake JIM KEOGH

O

n Saturday, while checking out IMDB’s birthday notices, I saw that Mia Kirshner turned 45 years old. I’ve always liked Kirshner, a talented actress with blazing eyes who has fashioned a solid, if not star-making, career in movies and TV. Over the years, Kirshner has been a familiar face in “The L Word,” “24” and as the doomed actress in “The Black Dahlia,” though top-billing has eluded her.

As I read her bio page, I came upon this: “After her role in ‘Exotica’ (1994), many Hollywood insiders predicted stardom in her future, but it never happened, possibly because in 1994 she rebuffed alleged sexual advances from Harvey Weinstein.”

I’d forgotten about Kirshner’s involvement when the charges against Weinstein first began cascading. In 2017, Kirshner told The New York Times that as a 19-year-old she’d met with Weinstein, ostensibly to discuss her appearance in a movie about the Warsaw ghetto uprising. Instead, he asked her for sex in exchange for

Mia Kirshner appears in “The L Word.”

SHOWTIME

a career opportunity, an offer — is “offer” too polite a word? — she rejected. When she reported Weinstein’s behavior to her management team, Kirshner recalled, “I was told to forget about it; it was pointless to do anything about this.”

Kirshner is no idle bystander.

When the agency representing her, CAA, later published an apology “to any person the agency let down” by turning a blind eye to harassment, Kirshner responded with an open letter bearing the simple message:

lessons in kindness to Matthew Rhys’ jaded journalist. (1:48) PG.

“Ford v Ferrari” — Matt Damon is American car designer Carroll Shelby and Christian Bale is British racer Ken Miles in this fact-based drama. (2:32) PG-13.

Not good enough. She then outlined six steps the agency should take toward helping reform a broken system, including funding software to monitor and prevent industry blacklisting.

Last year while reviewing “Stuber,” I mentioned my initial surprise that Mira Sorvino had agreed to appear in this dopey little comedy. But as I watched, it occurred to me Sorvino, an Oscar-winning actress for “Mighty Aphrodite,” reportedly had her career derailed when she rejected Weinstein’s advances. Blacklisted by the Miramax kingpin, she was consigned to professional purgatory, forced to take lesser roles in B- and C-grade pictures, including a couple of Hallmark Christmas movies. An Oscar winner.

As Weinstein hobbles into New York City court to hear sexual assault charges against him, I wonder about the women who remain in the shadows. Who else was told to “forget about it”? Is there yet another actress, anonymous to us, whose talents never found their full audience because Weinstein was ordered out of her hotel room with his pants still

zipped? Given the scores of accusations against Weinstein, for every vocal Rose McGowan there likely is a silent victim.

The charges against Weinstein are vivid and disturbing in their detail.

Whether Weinstein can survive the tsunami of evidence against him and avoid prison remains to be seen — nothing is a slam dunk until the ball is through the net. His lawyers are shaping a defense around the issue of consent, claiming the women willingly had sex with Weinstein to advance their careers and several exchanged friendly emails with him afterward. But seemingly congenial interactions between a victim and her attacker are not uncommon, a forensic psychiatrist told jurors last week. Some victims are desperate to move past the incident, and when the alleged assailant is a power broker, speaking out can lead to professional ruin.

Weinstein now is a pariah in an industry he once influenced, dominated and terrorized. The actresses whom he harassed and smeared can’t get back lost opportunities, but maybe they’ll get justice.

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J A N . 30 - F E B . 5, 2020

FILM CAPSULES “1917” — Two young British privates during WWI must cross through enemy territory to warn their fellow soldiers of an impending ambush in director Sam Mendes’ real-time thriller. With George MacKay, DeanCharles Chapman, Mark Strong, Andrew Scott, Richard Madden, Claire Duburcq, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch. (1:50) R. “Abominable” — Three friends try to reunite a young Yeti with his family in the Himalayas in this animated adventure. With the voices of Chloe Bennet, Eddie Izzard, Sarah Paulson.

(1:32) PG-13.

“Bombshell” — Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie play Fox News employees whose allegations of sexual harassment help topple network founder Roger Ailes.

With John Lithgow, Allison Janney, Connie Britton, Kate McKinnon.

(1:48) R. “Cats” — The long-awaited film version of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1981 blockbuster stage musical based on the poetry of T.S. Eliot arrives with an all-star cast of felines singing and dancing in styles ranging from ballet to tap to hip-hop. With James Corden, Judi Dench, Jason Derulo, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen, Taylor Swift, Rebel Wilson, Francesca Hayward. PG.

“Bad Boys for Life” — Will Smith and Martin Lawrence reunite for one last go-round as Miami narcotics detectives. With Vanessa Hudgens, Kate Del Castillo, Nicky Jam, Joe Pantoliano. Written by Chris Bremner, Peter Craig, Joe Carnahan; story by “Dolittle” — Robert Downey Jr. Craig, Carnahan. (2:03) R. headlines as the veterinarian who can talk to the animals in this effects“A Beautiful Day in the laden adventure tale. With Antonio Neighborhood” — Tom Hanks slips Banderas, Michael Sheen, Tom on the friendly cardigan of children’s Holland. (1:46) PG. TV show host Fred Rogers to dispense

“Frozen II” — Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven join Elsa as she searches for the truth behind her powers in this sequel to the blockbuster 2013 animated musical. With the voices of Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel. (1:43) PG. “The Gentlemen” — An American drug kingpin in London faces threats to his empire. With Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Henry Golding, Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Strong, Eddie Marsan, Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant. (1:53) R. “The Grudge” — Producer Sam Raimi delivers the latest incarnation of Takashi Shimizu’s 2002 horror staple about a vengeful ghost. With Andrea Riseborough, Demián Bichir, John Cho, Betty Gilpin, Lin Shaye, Jacki Weaver. (1:34) R. “Judy” — Renée Zellweger portrays Judy Garland during the legendary

Michael B. Jordan, left, and Jaime Foxx in “Just Mercy.”

WARNER BROS.

entertainer’s run of sold-out stage shows in 1968 London. (1:58) NR. “Jumanji: The Next Level” — Danny Glover and Danny DeVito join Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart and Karen Gillan in this sequel to the 2017 action adventure

hit about young people trapped in a video game. With Nick Jonas, Awkwafina. (1:54) PG-13.

“Just Mercy” — Michael B. Jordan portrays Bryan Stevenson, the reallife civil rights activist and criminal C O N T I N U E D O N N E XT PA G E

CITY LIFE

FILM CAPSULES

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 22

defense attorney famed for fighting for justice for the wrongly convicted. With Brie Larson, Jamie Foxx, Rob Morgan, Tim Blake Nelson, Rafe Spall, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Karan Kendrick. (2:16) PG-13.

“Knives Out” — Writer-director Rian Johnson rounds up a stellar group of suspects for this whodunit about the murder of a famous crime novelist.

“Spies in Disguise” — A secret agent is transformed into a pigeon with the help of a nerdy scientist in this animated comedy. With voices of Will Smith, Tom Holland, Rashida Jones, Ben Mendelsohn. (1:42) PG. “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” — Forty-two years after “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away” first appeared on movie screens, the ninth episode brings the space saga to its conclusion as the Resistance struggles to defeat the First Order. With Carrie

Salma Hayek, Tiffany Haddish and Rose Byrne in “Like a Boss.”

PARAMOUNT PICTURES

Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac.

(2:35) PG-13.

“Like a Boss” — Tiffany Haddish and Rose Byrne star as cosmetics entrepreneurs whose financially shaky business is targeted for a buyout by beauty tycoon Salma Hayek. With Billy Porter, Jennifer Coolidge, Ari Graynor, Jessica St. Clair. (1:23) R.

“The Turning” — A new nanny is tasked with caring for a pair of disturbed orphans at a secluded estate in rural Maine. With Mackenzie Davis, Finn Wolfhard, Brooklynn Prince.

(1:34) PG-13.

“Midway” — The story of the critical World War II Pacific Theater battle between the American fleet and the Imperial Japanese Navy in June 1942.

“Playing With Fire” — Firefighters find their lives turned upside down when they rescue three siblings but can’t find the kids’ parents.

“Uncut Gems” — Adam Sandler stars as a desperate New York City jeweler juggling numerous deals in this crime thriller. With Lakeith Stanfield, Julia Fox, Kevin Garnett, Idina Menzel, Eric Bogosian, Judd Hirsch. (2:15) R. “Underwater” — Aquatic researchers are menaced by mysterious creatures after an undersea earthquake destroys their laboratory. With Kristen Stewart, T.J. Miller, Jessica Henwick, Vincent Cassel, Gunner Wright. (1:35) PG-13.

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“Weathering With You” — A teenage runaway befriends a girl who can control the weather in this anime tale set in Tokyo. With the voices of Kotaro Daigo, Nana Mori. Written and directed by Makoto Shinkai. In Japanese with English subtitles. (1:54) PG-13.

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“Little Women” — Writer-director Greta Gerwig adapts Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel about the four determined March sisters coming of age in Massachusetts during the Civil War. With Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Timothée Chalamet, Laura Dern, Meryl Streep. (2:14) PG.

J A N . 30 - F E B . 5, 2020

With Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Collette. (2:10) PG-13.

CITY LIFE

THINGS TO DO Kick Out the Jams

Sat., Feb. 1

It’s easy to see why you would want jam band Immortal Jellyfish in a show being billed as “A night filled with music to keep out the cold and have you dancing.” There’s a highspirited feel to the band’s music, a positive groove that’s perfect for shaking off winter weariness.

Machining 100 Shop Orientation with Evan LaBrie: 9 a.m.-noon Feb. 1, The WorcShop, 233 Stafford Street, Worcester. Cost: $75-$90. For information: email theworcshop@gmail.com.

Kick It & Sip It: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Feb. 1, Wachusett Brewing Company, 175 State Road East, Westminster. Cost: $20.

Coffee Cupping: 10-11 a.m. Feb. 1, Acoustic Java Roastery & Tasting Room, 6 Brussels Street, (Behind Rotmans Furniture), Worcester.

Cost: $35.

Intro to Forging Damascus Steel with Jason Scott: 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Feb. 1, The WorcShop, 243 Stafford Street, Worcester. Cost: $160-$190. For information: email theworcshop@gmail.com.

Cabin Fever Winter Festival: noon-4 p.m. Feb. 1, Bolton Town Common, 715 Main Street, Bolton.

Cost: $5-$40. Events will include

What: Immortal Jellyfish, Airlooms, Jesse Ljunggren and LvL28 When: 9 p.m. Feb. 1 Where: Electric Haze, 26 Millbury St., Worcester How much: $7

Thursday, June 30

Comedian Kevin Boseman, 8 p.m.

Jan. 30, WooHaHa! Comedy Club, 50 Franklin St., Worcester. $20.

Valentine Workshop with the Rob Flax: 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Jan. 30, Worcester Historical Museum: The Stomping Ground, 132 Main 4-5 p.m. Jan. 30, Worcester Public Street, Putnam.

Library Burncoat Branch, 526 NYC Comedy Invades Worcester: Burncoat Street, Worcester. For 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Jan. 30, The information: lsheldon@mywpl.

Muse Bar & Kitchen, 536 Main org.

Street, Worcester. Cost: $7.

Forge a Railroad Spike Knife with High Command, Red Death, Jason Scott: 6-9:30 p.m. Jan. 30, The WorcShop, 243 Stafford Street, Enforced and Wound Man: 9 p.m.1 a.m. Jan. 30, Ralph’s Diner, 148 Worcester. Cost: $85-$99. For information email theworcshop@ Grove Street, Worcester. gmail.com.

Friday, Jan. 31 The Illusionists: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30, Hanover Theatre for the Valentine Workshop with the Performing Arts, 554 Main Street, Worcester Historical Museum: Worcester. $40-$70.

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WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

J A N . 30 - F E B . 5, 2020

Winning Combination You can learn a lot about the “roots pop” band Front Country through two songs: a cover of Don Henley’s “The Boys of Summer,” and an instrumental, “Sometimes It Does.” The first is an extraordinary demonstration of vocalist Melody Walker’s full, luscious voice and nuanced, evocative phrasing, making the familiar song fresh and captivating. The second is the achingly gorgeous “Sometimes it Does,” an instrumental that demonstrates the delicacy and detail the band is capable of achieving, with each note perfectly executed.

The pairing of stunning vocals and great musicianship makes for a winning combination.

What: Front Country When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6 Where: Bull Run Restaurant, 215 Great Road, Shirley How much: $18

4-5 p.m. Jan. 31, Worcester Public Library Roosevelt Branch, 1006 Grafton Street, Worcester. For information: lsheldon@mywpl. org.

Opening Reception: Rachel Chambers: “Inside Out”: 6-9 p.m.

Jan. 31, ArtsWorcester, 44 Portland Street, Worcester. Cost: Free.

Words You Can See vol.2: featuring performances and music videos by Ghost of the Machine, Danny Fantom, The Hashassins, Elijah Divine, Kaz SN, Paulii ROTX, Mastermind Alliance, Sleepquil Sleepquil and Kaynen Marrero, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 31, Worcester PopUp at the JMAC, 20 Franklin St., Worcester.

Good Acoustics — An Acoustic Tribute to Simon & Garfunkel and James Taylor: 6:30-10:30 p.m. Jan. 31, The Barn at Wight Farm, 420 Main St., Sturbridge. Cost: $40$55.

Intro To Crochet: Sip and Stitch Flowers with Persephone: 6:309:30 p.m. Jan. 31, The WorcShop, 233 Stafford Street, Worcester.

Cost: $50-$75. For information: email theworcshop@gmail.com Paint Nite: The Original Paint and Sip Party: 7-9 p.m. Jan. 31, Nu Kitchen 21+ Events, 335 Chandler St., Worcester. Cost: $37.

Date Night Paint and Sip: 7-10 p.m. Jan. 31, Windows Art Gallery, 112 Main Street, Putnam. Cost: $35.

Salsa Dance: 7-9 p.m. Jan. 31, Fitchburg Art Museum, 185 Elm Street, Fitchburg. Cost: $5-$50.

Little Sugar and The Big Spoonful: 7-10 p.m. Jan. 31, Timberyard Brewing Company, 555 East Main Street, East Brookfield.

Worcester Railers vs. Reading Royals: 7:05 p.m. Jan. 31, DCU Center, 50 Foster Street, Worcester.

Cost: $15-$36.

Worcester Railers vs. Reading Royals: 7:05 p.m. Jan. 31, DCU

Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester.

Cost: $15-$36.

NYC Comedy Invades Marlborough: 7:30-11:30 p.m. Jan. 31, Tackle Box Brewing Company, 416 Boston Post Road East, Marlborough. Cost: $10.

The Quins: 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Jan. 31, The Stomping Ground, 132 Main Street, Putnam.

Comedian Kevin Boseman, 8 p.m.

Jan. 31, WooHaHa! Comedy Club, 50 Franklin St., Worcester. $20.

In the Picture In the second installment of the Word You Can See series, curated by Worcester rapper Death Over Simplicity, regional hip-hop artists Ghost of the Machine, Danny Fantom, The Hashassins, Elijah Divine, Kaz SN, Paulii ROTX, Mastermind Alliance, Sleepquil Sleepquil and Kaynen Marrero will screen and discuss their music videos, as well as perform their work.

What: Words You Can See vol.2 When: 6:30 p.m. Jan. 31 Where: Worcester PopUp at the JMAC, 20 Franklin St., Worcester How much: Free

Comedian Kathe Farris, 8 p.m.

Jan. 31, The Comedy Attic at Park Park Grill & Spirits, 257 Park Ave., Worcester. $15.

Vinyl Junkies: 8:30 p.m. Jan. 31, Halligan’s Bar, 889 Southbridge St., Auburn.

Second Hand Smoke with Lee Ross: 9 p.m. Jan. 31, Electric Haze, 26 Millbury St., Worcester.

a chili cook off contest , family sleeding, fire pits to make smores and a treasure hunt adults and kids along Bolton trails.

Stattic: 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 1, The Stomping Ground, 132 Main St., Putnam.

Machining 101: Vertical Milling Machine with Evan LaBrie: 1-6 p.m. Feb. 1, The WorcShop, 233

CITY LIFE

Also Fab The New Jersey quartet The Weeklings are inspired by the Beatles, but they’re not a tribute band wearing wigs and costumes. While they can play Beatles classics, they also have their own catchy originals as can be heard heard on their recently released album “3.” “At once classic but thoroughly up to the moment,” said Broadway World. The Weeklings also have plenty of experience, led by Glen Burtnik, who was a member of Styx.

What: The Weeklings When: 8 p.m. Feb. 1 (doors open for dinner and seating at 6 p.m.)

Where: Bull Run Restaurant, 215 Great Road, Shirley How Much: $35. (978) 425-4311; www.bullrunrestaurant.com

Stafford Street, Worcester. Cost: $150-$175. For information: email theworcshop@gmail.com.

Saturday Story Time: 1-2 p.m.

Feb. 1, Boylston Public Library, 695 Main Street, Boylston. For

information: (508) 869-2371, lstretton@cwmars.org. Local author Fern Davis Nissim and illustrator Sue Fleishman present the first book of their upcoming Little Red Ant Series, “Anteline’s

Void Union with Dave Hillyard (the Slackers): 1-4 p.m. Feb. 2, The Stomping Ground, 132 Main Street, Putnam.

AriBand: at the Bloody Bar, 2-4 p.m. Feb. 2, Nick’s Bar and Restaurant, 124 Millbury St., Worcester.

Sunday Fun Day Valentines Craft Extravaganza!: 2:30-4:30 p.m. Feb. 2, The Burncoat Center for Arts and Wellness, 78 Burncoat St., Worcester. Cost: $10.

Hand-hammered Copper Flower with Colette Dumont: 5:30-9:30 p.m. Feb. 2, The WorcShop, 243

Valentine Workshop with the Worcester Historical Museum: 4-5 p.m. Feb. 3, Worcester Public Library Tatnuck Magnet Branch, 1083 Pleasant Street, Worcester.

For information: lsheldon@ mywpl.org.

Sushi Rolling Workshop: 6-8 p.m. Feb. 3, Baba Sushi, 453 Main Street, Sturbridge. Cost: $75.

Tool Training: ShopBot CNC Router: 6-8:30 p.m. Feb. 3, Technocopia, 44 Portland St, Sixth Floor, Worcester. Cost: $140.

For information, visit: http:// technocopia.org/tool-training/.

Wandering Arts Market: 6 p.m. Feb. 3, Electric Haze, 26 Millbury St., Worcester.

Tuesday, Feb. 4 Story Time - Fantastic 4’s & 5’s: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Feb. 4, Boylston Public Library, 695 Main Street, Boylston. For information: (508) 869-2371, lstretton@cwmars.org.

Intro to MIG welding with Fred Manke: 3-6 p.m. Feb. 4, The WorcShop, 243 Stafford Street, Worcester. Cost: $69-$89. For information: email theworcshop@ gmail.com.

Get Real: Holy Cross Students & Employers Discuss Diversity: 4-6

‘Progression into the Divine’ Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 has been called a “Progression into the Divine.” With six movements, it is also the longest symphony in the standard repertoire, scored for a large orchestra with women’s and boys’ choirs and a soloist. The final movement is titled “What Love Tells Me.” Symphony Pro Musica will undertake the journey with Mark Churchill leading an ensemble of over 90 players, the Symphony Women’s Chorus (Brad Dumont, conductor) the Boston Bilingual Singers children’s chorus (directed by Katya Anoshkin), and mezzosoprano soloist Britt Brown.

“Due to the forces required, the extended length, and the emotional and technical demands of the music, this work is rarely played,” said Churchill. “Don’t miss this opportunity to experience Mahler’s work at its best and most transformational.”

What: Symphony Pro Musica — Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 When/Where: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1, Hudson High School, Hudson 3:30 p.m. Feb. 2, St. Mark’s School, Southboro How much: $25; $20 seniors; free students and first-time concertgoers. (978) 562-9039; www.symphonypromusica.org

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What: “Cabaret” When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30, 31, Feb. 1, 6, 7 and 8; 2 p.m. Feb. 2 and 9 Where: Fenwick Theatre, O’Kane Hall, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester How much: $15; $10 Holy Cross community. Box office (508) 793-2496; https://hc2020cabaret.eventbrite.com

Sun., Feb. 2

Monday, Feb. 3

Open Mic: hosted by Rick Hamel, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 3, Funky Murphys, 305 Shrewsbury St., Worcester.

Free.

Paint Nite: The Original Paint and Sip Party: 7-9 p.m. Feb. 3, Uno Pizzeria & Grill, 225 Turnpike Road, Westborough. Cost: $37.

The Dirty Gerund Poetry Series: 9 p.m. Feb. 3, Ralph’s Rock Diner, 148 Grove St., Worcester. Free, donations requested to help pay the performers.

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

At the Kit Kat Klub the audience is urged to leave their troubles outside and the featured singer is the tantalizing Sally Bowles. The setting is 1931 Berlin, however, with the Nazis close to gaining power in Germany, so fear and indeed catastrophe can only be deferred for so long. The College of the Holy Cross department of Theatre and Dance presents the award-winning and still timely musical play “Cabaret” with book by Joe Masteroff, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fredd Ebb. Directed by Meaghan Deiter.

Stafford St., Worcester. Cost: $90$115. For information: email theworcshop@gmail.com.

Victor Infante reads poetry at Listen!: 7-8:30 p.m. Feb. 2, Nicks Bar and Restaurant, 124 Millbury Street, Worcester. Cost: Free.

J A N . 30 - F E B . 5, 2020

Timely Musical

Brave Adventure.”

Donald Prange & Rick Levine: 3 p.m. Feb. 1, Nick’s Bar and Restaurant, 124 Millbury St., Worcester.

Music Class for Little Ones: 3:304:30 p.m. Feb. 1, Worcester Public Library Burncoat Branch, 526 Burncoat Street, Worcester. For information: lsheldon@mywpl. org.

Comedian Kevin Boseman, 7 and 9:30 p.m. Feb. 1, WooHaHa! Comedy Club, 50 Franklin St., Worcester. $20.

Sleeping With Sirens with Set It Off, Belmont and Point North: 7 p.m. Feb. 1, Palladium, 261 Main St., Worcester. $25.

Date Night Paint and Sip: 7-10 p.m. Feb. 1, Windows Art Gallery, 112 Main Street, Putnam. Cost: $35.

Worcester Railers vs. Reading Royals: 7:05 p.m. Feb. 1, DCU Center, 50 Foster Street, Worcester.

Cost: $15-$36.

African Night with MAMADOU: 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Feb. 1, The Stomping Ground, 132 Main Street, Putnam.

Auntie Trainwreck: 8-11:30 p.m.

Feb. 1, Simple Man Saloon, 119 High Street, Clinton.

Let It Bleed and American Who: 8 p.m. Feb. 1, Central Tavern, 31 Central St., Milford.

Everybody Wants Some (Van Halen Tribute): 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Feb. 1, Rascals, 70 James Street, Worcester. Cost: $10.

Immortal Jellyfish, Airlooms, Jesse Ljunggren and LvL28: 9 p.m. Feb. 1, Electric Haze, 26 Millbury St., Worcester. $7.

Sonomatics, The Worried, Electric Joey and Knightsville Butchers: 9 p.m. Feb. 1, Ralph’s Rock Diner, 148 Grove St., Worcester. $8.

CITY LIFE

THINGS TO DO

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J A N . 30 - F E B . 5, 2020

p.m. Feb. 4, College of the Holy Cross — Hogan Campus Center, 1 College St, Room 402, Worcester.

Cost: $100.

Metal 101 — Cut, Drill, Grind: 6-9 p.m. Feb. 4, The WorcShop, 233 Stafford Street, Worcester. Cost: $100-$120. For information: email theworcshop@gmail.com.

REIN: 6-8 p.m. Feb. 4, 717 Main St, 717 Main Street, Fitchburg. Cost: Free.

Forge a Railroad Spike Knife with Jason Scott: 6-9:30 p.m. Feb. 4, The WorcShop, 243 Stafford St., Worcester. Cost: $85-$99. For information: email theworcshop@ gmail.com.

Shrewsbury Toastmasters Invitation: 6:45-8:30 p.m. Feb. 4, 258 Walnut St, 258 Walnut St., Shrewsbury. Cost: Free.

Digital Design for Makers:

A century of music on tour The renowned St. Olaf Choir from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., returns to Mechanics Hall for a concert at Wednesday as part of a 15-city tour. The choir will be joined by a 12-person chamber ensemble for a program of music ranging from the 16th century to the present day. Reviewing a previous performance, Worcester Telegram & Gazette music critic Joyce Tamer wrote, “it was one of the most remarkable choral concerts this reviewer has ever heard.” St. Olaf junior Sam Long of Rutland will be one of the ensemble’s 75 singers. The tour marks Anton Armstrong’s 30th year as conductor, and the 100th anniversary of the choir’s first national tour to the East Coast.

What: St. Olaf Choir When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 5 Where: Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St., Worcester How much: $24-$40; $10 students. (508) 752-0888; stolaf2020.eventbrite.com. For more information, visit www.stolafchoir.com

Inkscape Basics: 7-9 p.m. Feb. 4, Technocopia, 44 Portland Street, Worcester. Cost: $50.

For information: email info@ technocopia.org.

Sip & Ice: 7-9:30 p.m. Feb. 4, Redemption Rock Brewing Company, 333 Shrewsbury St,, Worcester. Cost: $50.

Paint Nite: The Original Paint and Sip Party: 7-9 p.m. Feb. 4, Point Breeze, 114 Point Breeze Rd, Webster. Cost: $37.

Poetry Open Mic: 7 p.m. Feb. 4, Strong Style Coffee, 13 Cushing St., Fitchburg. Free.

American History Book Discussion: 7:15-8:30 p.m. Feb. 4, Worcester Public Library, 3 Salem Street, Worcester. Cost: Free. For information: (508) 799-1655.

This week’s subject is “Songs of America: Patriotism, Protest and

the Music that Made a Nation” by Jon Meacham.

The Cobra Kings: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4, Greendale’s Pub, 404 W. Boylston St, Worcester.

Southside Talent Showcase: open mic, 8:15 p.m. Feb. 4, The Southside Grille and Margarita Factory, 242 W. Broadway, Gardner.

Tone-Deaf Tuesdays: hosted by Poise’N Envy and Harley Queen, 9 p.m. Feb. 4, Electric Haze, 26 Millbury St., Worcester.

Wednesday, Feb. 5 Craft and DIY Classes: 12-7 p.m.

Feb. 5, Windows Art Gallery, 112 Main Street, Putnam. Cost: $25.

February Teen Night: 5-7:30 p.m.

Feb. 5, ArtsWorcester, 44 Portland Street, Worcester. Cost: Free.

COMMUNITY worcNITE #41

Laugh-Out-Loud Funny Boston comedian Kathe Farris is the kind of comedian who can make a musing on what would happen if she got abducted laugh-out-loud funny, particularly on how badly it would go if they let her husband talk to the news. She has a dry delivery that somehow allows each joke to sneak up on the listener.

What: Comedian Kathe Farris When: 8 p.m. Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 Where: The Comedy Attic at Park Park Grill & Spirits, 257 Park Ave., Worcester How much: $15

[2.5.20]: 6-9 p.m. Feb. 5, The WorcShop, 243 Stafford Street, Worcester. Cost: Free. For information: email theworcshop@ gmail.com.

DIY Leather Pouch with Russ Jennings: 6-9 p.m. Feb. 5, The WorcShop, 233 Stafford Street, Worcester. Cost: $115-$135. For information: email theworcshop@ gmail.com.

Wandering Arts Market: 6-9 p.m.

Feb. 5, The WorcShop, 243 Stafford Street, Worcester. Cost: Free. For information: For information: email theworcshop@gmail.com.

Basketry Classes: 6-8 p.m. Feb. 5, Windows Art Gallery, 112 Main Street, Putnam. Cost: $25. F Matt Brodeur: 7 p.m. Feb. 5, Art’s Food and Spirits, 541 W. Boylston St, Worcester.

St. Olaf Choir in Worcester: 7:30-

9:30 p.m. Feb. 5, Mechanics Hall, 321 Main Street, Worcester. For information: (800) 363-5487, noorde1@stolaf.edu. This year, the St. Olaf Choir has adjusted its ticket pricing structure to promote greater accessibility, including $10 tickets for all students. Tickets available at stolaf.edu/tickets and (800) 363-5487.

Wacky Wednesday Jam: 8:30 p.m.

Feb. 5, Greendale’s Pub, 404 W. Boylston St, Worcester.

Thursday, Feb. 6 Craft and DIY Classes: 12-7 p.m.

Feb. 6, Windows Art Gallery, 112 Main Street, Putnam. Cost: $25.

Free First Thursday: 3-7 p.m. Feb. 6, Fitchburg Art Museum, 185 Elm Street, Fitchburg. For information: (978) 3454207, vdezorzi@ fitchburgartmuseum.org.

Worcester Public Market Grand Opening: 5-8 p.m. Feb. 6, Worcester Public Market, Worcester, Worcester. For information: worcestercreativemarket@gmail. com.

Breaking the Barriers — Women Impacting Science: 5:30-8 p.m.

Feb. 6, AbbVie Bioresearch Center, 100 Research Drive, Worcester.

Cost: Free-$5.

Bunny Yoga Fundraiser for House Rabbit Network: 6-7 p.m. Feb. 6, Crompton Collective, 138 Green St., White Room, Worcester. Cost: $25.

New Orleans Cooking Class: 6-9 p.m. Feb. 6, Peppers Artful Events, 43 Hudson Street, Northborough.

Cost: $90. For information: contact Sarah Barrett at Sarah@ peppersartfulevents.com or (508) 393-6844.

Photography for Makers with

CITY LIFE

Slam Dunk Comedian Kevin Boseman’s send-up of the drama surrounding basketball player Lamar Odom and reality TV star Khloé Kardashian is absolutely hysterical, charting the highs and lows of Odom’s career, as well as Kardashian’s later paramour, James Harden of the Houston Rockets. Somehow, he takes a fairly straightforward recitation of the facts, and makes them utterly hilarious.

In his work, he applies that technique to other subjects, from parenting to air travel, to uproarious effect.

What: Comedian Kevin Boseman When: 8 p.m. Jan. 30 and 31, and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Feb. 1 Where: WooHaHa! Comedy Club, 50 Franklin St., Worcester How much: $20

Road, Shirley. $18.

Art Opening with Tim Hight: featuring music by Rice, Whalom Park and the Quins, 8 p.m. Feb. 6, Electric Haze, 26 Millbury St., Worcester.

Metal Thursday featuring Apollyon, Exclave, I Destroyer and Bed of Razors, 9 p.m. Feb. 6, Ralph’s Rock Diner, 148 Grove St., Worcester. $10.

Stage

“Spamalot”: 7 p.m. Jan. 31; 11 a.m. Feb. 1. Performances May 14-24. Calliope Theatre, 150 Main St., Boylston; www.

CalliopeProductions.org “Of Mice and Men” Auditions: March 29 & 31 (Show dates: June 5,6,12,13,14, 2020). Gateway Players Theatre. Elm Street Congregational Church, 61 Elm Street, in Southbridge. www. gatewayplayers.org

61 Elm Street, in Southbridge. www.gatewayplayers.org “Happy Hollandaise!” Auditions: October 5 & 7 (Show Dates: December 11,12,13, 2020).

Gateway Players Theatre. Elm Street Congregational Church, 61 Elm Street, in Southbridge. www. gatewayplayers.org

Toying With Us Multi-media artist Rachel Chambers is searching for textures and colors that resonate with childlike wonder. Her most recent work in her ArtsWorcester exhibition "Inside Out" has had her collecting and reworking toys, using contemporary basketry in wire, found objects, and disjointed memorabilia to create sculpture. These childhood objects now live another life, one that is cherished within the "white box," and no longer simply the "toy box." The exhibition opens Jan. 31 and runs through March 7. A special "Come Touch the Art" event will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Feb. 20.

What: Rachel Chambers: Inside Out — Opening reception When: 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 31 Where: ArtsWorcester, 44 Portland St., Worcester How much: Free. www.artsworcester.org

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Cabaret: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30-31 and Feb.1, 6 and 8; and at 2 p.m. Feb. 2 and 9, Fenwick Theatre, O’Kane Hall — 2nd Floor, College of the Holy Cross, 1 College Street,

Auditions

“We the People, The Musical” Audition Dates TBA (Show Dates: August TBA) Gateway Players Theatre. Elm Street Congregational Church, 61 Elm Street, in Southbridge. www. gatewayplayers.org “God of Carnage” Auditions: Aug. 2, 3 (Show Dates:October 2,3,9,10,11, 2020).Gateway Players Theatre.

Elm Street Congregational Church,

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Russ Jennings: 6-9 p.m. Feb. 6, The WorcShop, 233 Stafford St., Worcester. Cost: $80-$100. For information: email theworcshop@ gmail.com.

Womens Explorer Class: 6-8 p.m.

Feb. 6, Windows Art Gallery, 112 Main Street, Putnam. Cost: Free.

Hooked on Blacksmithing with Jonathan Maynard: 6-9 p.m. Feb. 6, The WorcShop, 243 Stafford Street, Worcester. Cost: $85-$99. For information: email theworcshop@ gmail.com.

Wood Turning 1: 6-8 p.m. Feb. 6, Technocopia, 44 Portland St., 6th floor, Worcester. Cost: $65.

Front Country: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6, Bull Run Restaurant, 215 Great

Worcester. Cost: $10-$15.

“Boeing Boeing” Jan. 30Feb. 2, Bradley Playhouse, 30 Front St., Putnam, Conn. www. thebradleyplayhouse.org “Four Weddings & Elvis”: Jan. 30Feb. 1, Stratton Players, Alumni Center for the Performing Arts, Applewild School, 98 Prospect St., Fitchburg; www.strattonplayers. com/ “Barefoot in the Park”: Feb. 7, 8, 14, 15, 16. Gateway Players Theatre.

Elm Street Congregational Church, 61 Elm Street, in Southbridge. www.gatewayplayers.org “One Slight Hitch”: Feb. 7-16, Worcester County Light Opera, Grandview Playhouse, 21 Grandview Ave., Worcester. www. wcloc.org “A Musical Tribute to Steve and Eydie”: Feb. 14-16, Calliope Theatre, 150 Main St., Boylston; www.CalliopeProductions.org “Making Scents”: Feb. 14-16, Vanilla Box Productions. www. vanillaboxproductions.com “Agnes of God”: Feb. 21-March 1, Bradley Playhouse, 30 Front St., Putnam, Conn. www. thebradleyplayhouse.org “The Drowsy Chaperone”: Feb. 28, 29, March 6, 7, 8. Theatre at the Mount 444 Green St., Gardner. https://mwcc.edu/campus-life/ tam/

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CITY LIFE

ADOPTION OPTION

ANJIE COATES FURRY TAILS GROOMING SALON & SPA

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Welcome to Adoption Option, a partnership with the Worcester Animal Rescue League highlighting their adoptable pets. Check this space often to meet all of the great pets at WARL in need of homes.

WARL is open seven days a week, noon-4 p.m., 139 Holden St. Check them out online at Worcesterarl.org, or call at (508) 853-0030.

Meet Annalisa!

Despite feeling sick for over a month, she remained friendly and curious. Now, she feels so much better and is looking for a home.

Annalisa has thyroid disease. She doesn’t need thyroid medication, but she needs to be on dry Y/D food for the rest of her life, which will cost around $50 every month or two. We also have her on a pain medication that eases her discomfort. Your veterinarian can determine whether she should continue with the pain med. Annalisa is a wonderful cat. Annalisa qualifies for our Senior for Senior Program.

GAMES

J O N E S I N’

Call 888-254-3466 or email classifieds@gatehousemedia.com today to place your ad here!

Down 1 “I, Robot” author Asimov 2 Semi-wet snow 3 Ready, in Spain 4 ___-1 (“Ghostbusters” car) 5 Migratory seabird 6 Fashion designer Anna 7 “Ignorance is bliss,” e.g.

8 North African capital city 9 No longer hidden 10 National park in Tanzania 11 “___ let you down!”

12 They’re shown after the decimal 14 Hand down 19 Writer on a birthday?

22 Criminal tough guy 24 Acid class 26 Resting cat’s spot 27 “I Get ___ Out of You” 28 Acrobat software company 29 Word after sports or training 30 Zombie spirit 31 Like the universe, cosmologically 32 Domicile

47 48 49 50 51 52 54 55 56 59

Finch’s creator Game pieces Hosp. areas Yoga studio greeting Indigo dye source At a minimum Lou of the Velvet Underground Food on a belt Show-offy way to solve crosswords A metal one is reusable Heavy jacket The Little Mermaid Haka dancer “Fancy” singer McEntire Nice-sized lot Principal “___ be my honor”

Last week's solution

©2020 Matt Jones (jonesincrosswords@gmail.com) Reference puzzle #973

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34 35 38 41 42 43 45

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61 Night flyer 62 Soccer forward 63 Amsterdam-based financial co.

64 “Wow” feeling 65 Highest North American peak

J A N . 30 - F E B . 5, 2020

Fun By The Numbers Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test!

Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

Across 1 Archipelago components 7 NBA or NHL stats 10 [We meant it this way] 13 Prepare to serve, as a pizza or pie 15 French street 16 Sheep’s mother 17 Country that Conchita Wurst represented in the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest 18 Fairway club not often found in a bag 20 ___ Martin (sports car) 21 Her self-titled album was named the best of 2014 by The Guardian and Entertainment Weekly 23 John of 2020’s “The Grudge” 24 Fire pit leftovers 25 Some endoscope users 26 Dorothy of the “Road” pictures 28 Buenos Aires loc.

29 TV show whose climactic episode “Ozymandias” was turned into a mini-opera premiering in 2014 33 Slippery ___ (herbal remedy source) 36 Teddy ___ (1980s bear that played cassettes) 37 Baby’s slipper 39 Music booster 40 Late night host who filmed in Cuba in 2015, the first to do so since Jack Paar in 1959 44 Biblical preserver 46 Battery terminals 47 Trig curve 49 Beam of happiness?

50 Robin’s “Mork & Mindy” costar 53 Hit indie RPG of 2015 with notable music, jokes about puzzles, and multiple endings 55 Miller who played the younger daughter in “The Descendants” 57 Tarantulas, e.g.

58 Award-winning 2015 movie whose title is Spanish for “hitman” 60 “Chicken Run” extra

“Decade in Review, Part 3” — fun stuff from 2014 & 2015.

by Matt Jones

CLASSIFIEDS

LEGALS

SERVICE DIRECTORY

WORCESTER HOUSING AUTHORITY ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS SEALED BIDS shall be received at the Purchasing Office, 69 Tacoma Street., Worcester, MA 01605. Solicitation package may be picked up at the location above or may be downloaded from our website: www.worcesterha.org/purchasing, or call (508) 635-3202/3203, TTY/TDD (508) 798-4530. Bidders are responsible for ensuring they have received any/all addenda prior to submitting a bid. Separate awards will be made for each solicitation. WHA or its affiliate reserves the right to reject any or all responses, in whole or in part, deemed to be in their best interest.

Award of all contracts is subject to the approval of the WHA Executive Director or Board of Commissioners. The Operating Agency shall indemnify and hold harmless the WHA and its officers or agents from any and all third party claims arising from activities under these Agreements as set forth in MGL c.258, section 2 as amended.

Project Title Bid Opening Bid No. Release Date 20-07 1/29/2020 Affordable Housing 2:00 PM February 28, 2020 Consulting Services Jackson Restrepo, Chief Procurement Officer

Place your ad here!

Call 888-254-3466 or email classifieds@ gatehousemedia.com

Sudoku Answers

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LAST CALL

Zachary Tsetsos ‘Family Feud’ contestant

D

eputy General Counsel Zachary Tsetsos is leaving the State House after eight years of service under two accomplished state senators — Sen. Michael O. Moore (D-Millbury) and Sen. Richard T. Moore (D-Uxbridge.) “I was fortunate to have learned a great deal from both of them during my time serving the Senate and I admire their hard work and perseverance on behalf of the people of Central Massachusetts,” Tsetsos told Worcester Magazine.

Tsetsos began a new position at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in January. This career change coincides with the airing of an episode of “Family Feud” that features Tsetsos and his family.

That’s great. Do they make you prove that you’re actually related to one another somehow?

When we put together our video, there were certain requirements that you had to meet in order to even be part of the audition process. I didn’t have to do any blood tests. It was a cross section of my family that included myself, my younger sister, my aunt, her daughter, my cousin, and my brother-in-law. And it was great too because my parents flew out and ended up sitting in the studio audience along with some of my friends. My family got to spend a lot of quality time together, which was really nice.

From left, Toffy Thomas, Chloe Tsetsos, Angela Tsetsos, host Steve Harvey, Julia Tsetsos and Zachary Tsetsos on the set of “Family Feud.”

SUBMITEED PHOTO

Yes, he’s our number one fan. I think everyone from the office is excited to watch because they’ve heard me talking about this for over a year now. I know they’re excited to cheer us on and show support for a local family from Central Mass.

You must have felt like you were leading a double life.

Yeah. Law school required a lot of late nights, but they have paid off. As much as being in night school for four years straight was challenging, I kind of missed the demand once it was over. I really enjoyed it. I think that challenging myself intellectually is refreshing.

Now, I’ve started a new role where I’m exploring a whole new professional world in higher education and I’m trying to enhance my skills. It is such a great place to do that.

Do you have a favorite memory that you’ll take with you from the State House?

The Officer Ronald Tarentino bridge naming was a piece of legislation that was signed into law. I worked directly with the Tarentino family and the town of Auburn.

This was a big priority for Senator Moore. Officer Tarentino was killed in the line of duty a couple of years ago. The local police chief, Auburn’s officials, and his family wanted to find a way to remember his service and his sacrifice. We put together a piece of legislation that would name a bridge in the town of Auburn and part of Route 9 in the town of Leicester in his honor.

The episode of “Family Feud” featuring Zachary Tsetsos’ family aired Jan. 23.

– Sarah Connell Sanders

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Congratulations on your new role at MIT. Can you tell me about your new position?

Yes, I’m working in a communicaDid you decide ahead of time tions role at the Massachusetts Inwhat you were going to do stitute of Technology. This comes with your winnings if you were after just about eight years of servictorious? vice at the State House. I started The process took so long that I there even before I graduated from haven’t even considered what I Stonehill College. I ended up workwould actually do if and when I won any money. The money wasn’t ing for a state senator that I had really the motivating factor. It was interned for in high school. He was just about experiencing something my hometown state senator and with my family and having a good he moved on from office in 2014. time together on stage.

Can I ask what town you’re originally from?

Was Senator Moore supportive I grew up in Oxford. When I of your brush with fame?

started at the State House, I was in a constituent services role. In 2014, I came on as legislative and policy advisor for Senator Moore and I took on some of the external affairs from the office. Most recently, I was promoted to deputy general counsel when I completed law school at New England Law where I was going at night.

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

Have you always been a big fan of the show?

Yeah, I mean, growing up it was just kind of one of those staple shows. It was on one of the local channels. I’m just shy of 30, but I can remember the different host eras of “Family Feud,” even from way before Steve Harvey took over. It’s kind of funny seeing how the show has progressed, and

What was your impression of Steve Harvey?

He was a pretty gracious guy, especially with his time. I think one of the things people don’t understand is how long it really takes to film an episode. I want to say it takes like an hour and a half just to film a 20-minute episode. During the breaks and the gaps, Steve engages with the audience and puts on a standup show. I enjoyed getting to know his personal sense of humor. He was great to interact with and a very approachable, nice guy.

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When did you and your family tape your episode of “Family Feud”?

We taped in May of 2019, so, just shy of a year ago. We had the opportunity to fly out to LA and join a host of other families, to participate in a day of taping. It all started with us sending in a video.

In 2018, we saw an advertisement on TV that they were coming to Boston as part of auditions that took place across the country for an upcoming season. My family put together a video and went to the auditions in Boston. Next thing you know, we found out we were cast and that they were going to fly us out to California to tape. From 2018 to 2019 we were in a holding period. Then, we did our actual taping in LA in May of last year. Now, it’s finally airing this year. It has been quite a long process.

how it stays loyal to remaining a family show. Viewers can watch for enjoyment and also test their knowledge, while getting a sense of how other people think and getting a sense of their perspectives.

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