New on DVD

‘In the Heights’ soars from stage to screen

The film adaptation of LinManuel Miranda’s first Broadway musical tops the DVD releases for the week of Aug. 31.

“In the Heights”: Set in Washington Heights, the Manhattan neighborhood Miranda grew up in, the story concerns a young Dominican bodega owner and an assortment of other characters during a hot summer in the city.

“The earnestly ebullient “In the Heights” firmly established the Miranda signature sound, a blend of hip-hop and Latin music with big, bold, brassy Broadway ballads; a style born and bred of New York City,” writes Tribune News Service critic Katie Walsh in her review of the film. “The play is seemingly a direct descendant of ‘West Side Story,’ or at least in conversation with it, but Miranda’s outlook is far sunnier than the Jerome Robbins classic.”

Directing the film adaptation is Jon M. Chu, who previously helmed “Crazy Rich Asians” as well as several movies in the “Step Up” franchise. “Chu crafts a brash, culturally specific and celebratory film that is a whole lotta musical,” Walsh writes. “There are Busby Berkeley-style musical numbers, a cast of thousands and characters bursting into song and dance at every moment. It’s sincere, deeply felt and completely, refreshingly unabashed about it.”

ALSO NEW ON DVD AUG. 31

“Spirit Untamed”: The second film in the “Spirit” franchise, this animated feature follows a young girl and her unique connection to a wild horse.

“12 Mighty Orphans”: Based on a true story, Luke Wilson plays a high school football coach leading a team of orphans in Depression-era Texas. Also stars Robert Duvall.

“Beasts of No Nation”: Criterion release of the 2015 Netflix film directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga about a child soldier in an unnamed African nation’s civil

Anthony Ramos appears in a scene from “In the Heights.” WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT VIA AP

war.

“Blue Bloods: The Eleventh Season”: The most recent season of the CBS police procedural starring Tom Selleck, which concluded in May after a shortened run of 16 episodes due to the pandemic.

“Fear the Walking Dead: Season 6”: The sixth season of the AMC zombie-apocalypse spinoff introduces a cult leader and his zealous followers.

“NCIS: New Orleans: The Final Season”: The seventh and last season of the CBS series starring Scott Bakula and his team of naval investigators based in the Crescent City.

“The Good Doctor: Season 4”: The titular doctor and his girlfriend deal with an unexpected pregnancy while the medical team struggles to handle the pandemic in the most recent season of the ABC drama.

“Bugsy Malone” (Blu-ray): Freshly remastered to mark its 45th anniversary, director Alan Parker’s movie musical stars Jodie Foster and Scott Baio in an all-child cast set in the world of 1920s gangsters.

“Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms” (Bluray): Animated feature finds the Earthrealm champions fighting the forces of an evil warlord in the final Mortal Kombat tournament.

OUT ON DIGITAL HD AUG.

“Jungle Cruise”: Based on the Disney theme park ride, Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt star in this swashbuckling adventure flick that finds them going down the Amazon River in search of a plant with super healing powers.

“A Wake”: LGBTQ family drama concerning a religious family as the surviving siblings and their parents gather for the wake of a deceased brother.

5THINGS TO DO

Geoff Tate, High Command and more ...

Richard Duckett and Victor D. Infante Worcester Magazine | USA TODAY NETWORK

Geoff Tate, former lead singer of Queensryche, is set to perform at

Rascals. PROMOTIONAL PHOTO

Metal Legend

If you’re a fan of classic prog-metal favorites Queensryche, then there’s a show for you coming up at Rascals: The band’s frontman Geoff Tate is touring to support the 30th anniversary of Queensryche’s seminal albums, “Empire” and “Operation:Mindcrime.” It’s an exciting prospect: Tate is easily one of the greatest metal vocalists of all time, and Queensryche’s music – particularly the two albums in question – was technically adroit without relinquishing any of the grit of the era’s rock ‘n’ roll, and the songs themselves were compelling and thought-provoking. Not enough? Opening the show is rocker-actor Kurt Deimer, accompanied by Bon Jovi guitarist Phil X. Deimer has been making a splash lately with his down-and-dirty rendition of Pink Floyd’s “Have a Cigar,” and all told, this looks like a great night of straight up rock ‘n’ roll. (VDI)

What: Geoff Tate with Kurt Deimer When: 8:15 p.m. Sept. 8 Where: Rascals, 70 James St., Worcester How much: $40

The Duende Project perform Sunday at Nick’s Bar and Restaurant.

PROMOTIONAL PHOTO

Seeking Duende

The Duende Project is one of the most unique musical experiences in the region. Featuring acclaimed Worcester poet Tony Brown, accompanied by drummer Chris O’Donnell, guitarist Chris Lawton and bassist/multi-instrumentalist Steven Lanning-Cafaro, the band eschews the clichés of “poetry and music fusion,” and hits something a bit wilder, sometimes transforming poetry to a punk rock or funk experience, other times coming up with collaborations that are sublime and beautiful. (VDI)

What: The Duende Project When: 4 p.m. Sept. 5 Where: Nick’s Bar and Restaurant, 124 Millbury St., Worcester How much: Free, donations accepted to pay the performers.

‘Art for liberation and for life’

Elizabeth Catlett (1915-2012) was a pioneering sculptor and printmaker and is considered to be one of the most important artists of the 20th century. Exploring themes around injustice, motherhood and the Black-American experience, Catlett’s work utilized a sleek, modern aesthetic to promote social equity and confront injustice, especially to African-Americans. In her words, “I always wanted my art to service my people — to reflect us, to relate to us, to stimulate us, to make us aware of our potential. We have to create an art for liberation and for life.” The Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery at the College of the Holy Cross will present an exhibition of artwork by Catlett, “The Art of Elizabeth Catlett from the Collection of Samella Lewis,” on view from Sept. 7 through Dec. 15. An accompanying lecture by Rebecca Van Diver, professor of art history at Vanderbilt University, will take place during official opening events at 4 p.m. Sept. 9 in Holy Cross’ Rehm Library. A reception will follow in the gallery. A series of noontime lectures in conjunction with the exhibition will take place throughout the fall semester. (RD) What: “The Art of Elizabeth Catlett from the Collection of Samella Lewis” When: Sept. 7 through Dec. 15; the galley is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Where: The Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery, 1st Floor O’Kane Hall, College of the Holy Cross, 1 College Street, Worcester. How much: Free. For more information visit www.holycross.edu/cantorartgallery.

“A Woman in Every Color,” v by artist and civil rights activist Elizabeth Catlett.

CANTOR ART GALLERY

Keep on Truckin’

You might see a different kind of truck out and about in the Worcester area the next few days. The Concert Truck is a mobile music venue that strengthens communities by redefining the concert experience and making live music accessible to everyone. Pianists Nick Luby and Susan Zhang of Baltimore have converted a 16-foot box truck into a fully functioning mobile concert hall, complete with lights, sound system and piano. Since then, The Concert Truck has presented concerts across the country — anywhere you can think to park a truck. After a week of performances throughout Worcester’s elementary schools and retirement communities, The Concert Truck will perform a public Summer@MW concert outside Boylston’s Hillside Complex Sept. 10. Luby and Zhang will be joined by New York-based bassoonist and composer Joy Guidry. The Concert Truck tour is presented by Music Worcester. Also, be on the look out for Fidelity Bank ice cream truck. (RD) What: Concert Truck with Nick Luby and Susan Zhang, pianists, and Joy Guidry, bassoon When: 6 p.m. Sept. 10 Where: Hillside Complex (outside), 215 Main St., Boylston How much: Free. Patrons should bring chairs or blankets for open seating on the lawn. They may may also bring food or drinks to enjoy during the performance

w Concert Truck with pianists Nick Luby and Susan Zhangwill be joined by musician Joy Guidry when the truck comes Sept. 10 to the Hillside Complex in Boylston. PROMOTIONAL IMAGE

Still In Command

High Command has, for the past few years, been one of Worcester’s most talked about metal bands, and with good reason. One need only listen to the band’s 2019 album, “Beyond the Wall,” to hear how well they marry imagination with hard-core instrumentation. More recent work, such as the singles “Everlasting Torment” and “The Infernal March/Search for Wisdom,” continue that streak, demonstrating that not only is this one of Worcester’s hardest-rocking bands, but also smart musicians with an excellent grasp of technique. (VDI) What: High Command with Blazon Rite and Immortal War When: 8 p.m. Sept. 4 Where: Ralph’s Rock Diner, 148 Grove St., Worcester How much: $10

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