Event Notes, Thursday, Dec. 3

Thursday, Andy Cummings sings and plays the acoustic at Hooligan’s; it’s a First Thursday celebration at Fitchburg Art Museum early evening that includes tours and refreshments; Worcester State takes on UMass Dartmouth in hockey at Auburn’s Horgan rink; Troy Gonyea and Jeremy Curtis join Duncan Arsenault at the Dive; there’s a holiday open show at the Post Road Art Center in Marlboro; Calliope Productions’ Nuncrackers opens and continue throughout the weekend at their theater in Boylston; Brooks Milgate’s trio is at Nick’s; Dana Lewis sings at Beatniks’; Black Pyramid and Space Train join metal night at Ralph’s; Brett Brumby’s at the bar at Point Breeze (as he is every week);

Friday, it’s the Holiday Open Studios at the Sprinkler Factory; New Pilot, Gutta and Crumb open for Marcy Playground at Mill Street Brews; Last Call rocks the Gaslight Tavern; garage rock hits Ralph’s with the Crybabies, the Time Beings, the Commandos and Musclecah; the Great Whiskey Rebellion’s at Beatnik’s; the third annual Holly Berry Craft Fair hits the Fitchburg Art Museum; the Assumption College Flute Choir performs in La Maison Francaise; Tower Hill holds its annual Holly Days party; the Lucky Dog Music Hall’s the home to Santapalooza, which raises money and toys for Toys for Tots, and it includes performances by Shotgun Blues (the GnR tribute), The Sift, The Dave Rivers Group and Castine; a big band and hors d’ouevres is part of the Winter Starlight Gala at the Southbridge Community Center; the Blackstone Valley Community Concert Band plays at Northbridge High School; as part of their film festival, the Shrewsbury Public Library shows “Casablanca”; the Gateway Players performs the holiday play “A Candle in the Window” at its theater; Ed and Dave sing at Greendale’s; the Nutcracker, by Ballet Arts Worcester, is presented Friday and Saturday at the Hanover Theatre; the Chorus and Chorale of Worcester State College performs a holiday concert at Our Lady of Angels Church; Luther “Guitar Junior” Johnson wails on his axe at Mechanics Hall; the Barre Players Theatre puts on the classic “It’s a Wonderful Life”; the Worcester County Light Opera performs the musical “She Loves Me”; Bill Kirchens goes honky tonk at the Bull Run; Mount Wachusett Community Theatre puts on Peter Pan Friday and Saturday; Dan Burke’s back with the Speakeasy Combo at Nick’s; Out of Sequence rocks The Cannery; Chillset is out at the Blue Dog; the Delta Generators return to Gilrein’s; the Killdevils rumble at Vincent’s; and the Rhythm Party returns to the Sahara.

Saturday, Hat On, Drinking Wine returns to Nick’s; Indobox headlines The Cannery at 12 Crane; The Weight of Gravity is at the Fifth Amendment with MSB and Jediah; Leicester High School holds a craft fair; the Shamrock and Holly Fair hits the Hibernian Center; the town of Sutton holds its Chain of Lights; the second annual Fitchburg Chowdahfest bubbles at the Fitchburg Senior Center; “Barre’s Got Talent” brings together many artists of Barre performing in talent show style at the Barre Players Theatre; Larry Kangas joins local author day at Barnes and Noble in Worcester; Tom Rush sings at the Bull Run; Bill McCarthy’s strumming it at the Whistle Stop; Huck joins The Curtain Society, New Pilot and Gutta at the Lucky Dog Music Hall; Barefoot Bob’s with the Monkeyfish at Squire White’s; Orange Diesel opens for Demon’s Alley at The Raven; the Silverbacks do blues and classic rock covers at the Emerald Isle; the Fools get crazy at Firefly’s; the Racky Thomas Band is back at Gilrein’s; The Wandas join Sandal Foot Machine at Ralph’s; Jubilee Gardens pile in to the Sahara Restaurant; and Ron Stone puts on his fantastic annual big band Christmas show at Point Breeze Restaurant.

Sunday, Millbury joins Grafton for their Chain of Lights celebration. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. take the trolley around the towns and visit businesses and sites, enjoying music, refreshments and much more. Tammany Hall holds Bloodfest ’09 – donate blood, and enjoy live bands. Also, it’s stART at the Station at Union Station – 100s of vendors gather for stART on the Street’s annual holiday extravaganza.
Other Events:

Moments in Time continues through the end of the month at the Jewish Community Center. The show features original drawings in colored-pencil and in mixed-media by Elizabeth Freed. A Miniature Milestone: The Marianne E. Gibson Portrait Miniature Gallery at 20 opened this week at the Worcester Art Museum.

Club/Event Notes, Thursday, Nov. 19

Thursday, Goosepimp Orchestra headlines Tammany Hall; Sean Ryan sings at Beatnik’s; Duncan Arsenault is with Scott Ricciuti and the boys at the Dive.

Friday, Fear Nuttin’ Band is releasing a new CD at the Lucky Dog Music Hall; Fourth Gear rocks the Blue Plate in Holden; Johnny Press Mess headlines the Cannery in Southbridge; it’s progressive rock with Sky Blue Mind at City Lights; Guns of Navarone return to Beatnik’s; Hat On, Drinking Wine’s sipping tunes at Biagio’s; the Pamela Hines Duo is the Chloe Bistro; Bill McCarthy’s strumming his acoustic at Old Post Office Pub; Bret Talbert is solo at Applebee’s in Sturbridge; Double Take does covers at Classic’s Pub; Lori Brooks leads her band at Mill Street Brews; the Bubbleheads burst at Squire White’s; Undercover rocks Irish Times; and the Dan Lawson Band debuts at Gilrein’s.Saturday, American folk rocker Tony Bird is at the Bull Run in Shirley; The Empire Shall Fall releases a CD with a show at London Billiards; Dan Kirouac is singing at the Spruce Street Tavern; The Matt Schwachman Band’s getting down at The First Amendment; Floyd tribute Gilmour’s Breakfast does its last show of the year, at Tammany Hall; Whalebone Farmhouse headlines Beatnik’s; Rockhouse 6 blasts the Cannery; Jason James returns to the Galway Bay; Johnny Dollar jazzes up the Dzian Gallery (also enjoy shopping, a cash bar and hors d’oeuvres) and The Balls are back, joining JetSet, The Time Beings, Tony Jones and the Cretin 5 at Ralph’s.

Sunday, Sinfonia performs at Clark’s Razzo Hall; and there’s a new blues jam happening out at Trumbull’s in Spencer.

And next Wednesday, the night before Thanksgiving, we’ve got Lyle Pierce at Carmella’s Italian Kitchen; Fourth Gear at the Blue Plate; The Allens at Speakers in Marlboro; Probable Cause at the Fifth Amendment; Miss Tess and the Bon Bon Parade does the noontime Brown Bag Concert at Mechanic’s Hall; Patty O’Brien joins Patrick Egan at the Hibernian Cultural Center; Hitmen take ‘em out at Irish Times; the Silverbacks belt it at Greendale’s; the Duke Robillard Band packs Gilrein’s; Wilbur and the Dukes returns for its traditional show at Ralph’s; New Pond Fondle jams at Partner’s in Fitchburg; New Pilot pops at Mill Street Brews; and Uncle Billy’s Smokehouse at Beatnik’s.Other Events:

On Friday, there’s a mystery dinner theater called the “Doo-Wop Murders” at Salem Cross Inn; learn about dessert wines at Fitchburg Art Museum; it’s college women’s hoops at its best as Holy Cross takes on UConn at the DCU Center; watch All Quiet on the Western Front for free at the Shrewsbury Public Library; there’s a poetry slam at Clark with featured performer Jamaica Osorio, star of HBO’s Brave New Faces; the Seven Hills Symphony puts on their fall concert at UMass on Plantation Street; Jim McGovern’s 50th birthday and fundraiser are being held, simultaneously, at 55 Pearl Restaurant on Friday. Also Friday, WCCA TV-13 hosts its Harvest Moon Dinner Dance at the Knights of Columbus in Worcester. The Clark University Concert Choir and Chamber Choir presents “Music for the Ages: European and American Treasures” at St. Peter’s Church at 8 pm. Sima Kustanovich is on the piano for that one.

Saturday, the Jewelry, Gem, Mineral and Fossil show rocks the National Guard Armory; the UMass International Craft Fair happens at the EcoTarium; Katie Green hosts the annual Worcester Tellebration of storytellers at the Green Rooster Coffeehouse; and there’s a Zip Trip tour focuses on Norman Rockwell at the Worcester Art Museum.

Club Notes, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009

Thursday, New Pilot rocks at The Mill, and it streams online, live, on evolvingartist.com at 8 p.m. Brooks plays the keys with Duncan at The Dive; Jason James does rockabilly piano at Beatnik’s;

Friday, Trumystic pairs with the Alchemystics, Mafia Bong Hit and Orrin Slips at the Lucky Dog; singer Keri Anderson leads Whalebone Farmhouse at the Belfont Hotel in Millbury; the Holy Ghosts, Mack the Knife, The Terribles and the Numbskulls make it an ideal Friday the 13th show at the Hotel Vernon; the Delta Generators put a new spin on blues at the Cannery in Southbridge with opener Jon Short; Holmes does a free show in the Foundation Room at the House of Blues; The Pathetics do an acoustic set at Beatnik’s; The Ten Foot Polecats are out at the End Zone in Mendon; the James Montgomery Band is blaring at Mechanics Hall; Orange Diesel helps open for Brand New Sin at London Billiards; Elizabeth Lorrey and the Rafters celebrate a new disc with a release party at the Bull Run in Shirley; the Speakeasy Combo returns to Nick’s; Sun Jones joins Gary Backstrom at Tammany Hall; the Right Band is back at Squire White’s; the legendary Swinging Steaks resurfaces at Firefly’s in Marlboro;

Saturday, the Dust Bunnies and Dopapod open for BioDiesel at The Cannery; Before the Fall helps open for Sonic Disorder at the Lucky Dog; the wonderfully talented Sam James is back at Tammany Hall with Boston band Garlic and Moonshine; the Scissormen headline the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge; the Matt Schwachman Band returns to Irish Times; No Alibi rocks Beatnik’s; Bret Talbert sings at the Spruce Street Tavern in Clinton; Brett and Lisa from She’s Busy sing at Chuck’s Steakhouse; B&E’s the duo at The Nines; Richie Havens performs in Percival Hall at Fitchburg State College; Babe Pino blow the blues harp and sings at Nick’s; the Bruce Marshall Band gives it another whirl at Greendale’s; The Ed Melikian Ensemble plays the Sahara; and On the Rocks rocks the Emerald Isle.

On Wednesdays, B3 funk night fills The Dive.

Other Events:

The play Columbinus opens at the Little Theater at Clark University on Thursday and continues throughout the weekend. There are also performances next weekend.
People, Places & Things, photography by John Nunziato will be on display and for sale through November 30 at Booklovers' Gourmet in Webster.

On Thursday, there is a wine tasting from 5-7 p.m. at 55 Pearl Restaurant.

Friday, the Pink Floyd laser spectacular beams into the Hanover Theatre; Worcester Storytellers meets at Vasa Hall, as they do the second Friday of each month.

On Saturday, Buddha Hut holds its monthly buffet and fundraiser for VegWorcester. Drop by any time between noon and 7 p.m. and $10 gets you an all-you-can-eat vegan buffet, which is donated to VegWorcester. Visit vegworcester.org for more info. From 1-3 p.m. percussionist David Curry puts on a demonstration and hosts a drum circle at Union Music. The Sharks take on the Hartford Wolf Pack at the DCU Center in the afternoon. Two local authors, Christopher Burton and Jason Lamountian, read their work at Acoustic Java at 4 p.m. Old Sturbridge villages hosts an Evening of Illumination, which includes a guided candlelight tour. A few performances of
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest occurs at Assumption College, with afternoon and evening performances.

At 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dr. Gonzo holds his no mistake steak grilling challenge at the Emporium on Main Street.

Throughout the month, those in active duty and their families get free admission to the Higgins Armory Museum.

Fall Events at Union Music

And the best part...all of these events are free at Union Music, Worcester, MA.

Visit unionmusic.com for directions and info.

Monday, November 9th, 7:00 PM, Martin Guitars and Union Music present an Evening with Kenny Sultan. Kenny will play and demonstrate his many styles on his signature model Martin guitar. Acoustic Blues is his specialty and I hope you can join us to hear Kenny play and talk about anything guitar. Kenny is a noted teacher based in Santa Barbara and has agreed to offer Private Lessons during the day on Tuesday. Please call 508 753 3702 or email to make a reservation for the workshop or private lessons. http://www.kennysultan.com/

Thursday, November 12th, 7:00PM, Hometown Guitar Hero Cliff Goodwin will be joined on the Union Music stage with drummer Billy MacGillvray, bassist Wolf Ginandes, and vocalist Mike Lynch for some great music in our casual setting. Cliff will share some of the things that have made him a sought after lead guitarist and the important role the guitarist plays in supporting the singer and the band. Maybe he’ll share some of his highlights while touring the world as the lead guitarist with The Joe Cocker Band. http://www.myspace.com/cliffgoodwin

Saturday, November 14th, 1:00PM-3:00PM, Dave Curry returns with his “Drums for one and all” Drum Circle to the Union Music Performance Space. This event is open to all age beginners and players and always brings musical knowledge and fun for all. Bring your own drum or hand percussion instrument or use one of ours. http://www.drumsforoneandall.com/

Sunday, November 15th, 7:00PM, Enjoy the 21st Annual Union Music Sawyer Saxophone Student Solo Workshop Concert in Webster at Point Breeze on the Lake Restaurant. Resident master teacher and arranger Ken Sawyer writes the charts, teaches the students, and the leads the band. This year the big band plays his special arrangements by Jimmy Dorsey, Chicago and Mozart. Thanks to the professional sidemen, Richard Pro Sound Gaudette, Dave Guitar Dick, Bunny Bass Price and Dave Drums Karacius for donating their time and effort. Call Point Breeze for dinner reservations. http://www.pointbreezeonthelake.com/

Friday, November 20th, 3:00PM-8:00PM, Union Music brings the Taylor Guitars Sales Event to Worcester. Sales Manager Guitarist Monte Montefusco will be on hand with some one of a kind and limited edition Taylors, Taylorware gift cards with many Taylor guitar purchases, Free restringing of your Taylor guitar, and 12 month 0%/no interest financing on Taylor Electric guitars.

For the November Sales Event take another 10% off on purchases over $100* (excludes consignment, rentals, repairs and already on sale items). And new this season, for new Union Music students, receive 4 free private lessons with your Electric or Acoustic Guitar, Bass guitar, Keyboard or Drum set purchase during November and December 2009.

Club/Event Notes Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009

Thursday, Michael Thibodeau and Roger Lavallee join Duncan Arsenault at the Dive; Wormtown Trading brings Hot Day at the Zoo back to Tammany Hall; Mythology joins Bog of the Infidel at Ralph’s for metal night; Matt Shwachman’s singing solo at the Blackstone Tap; Brooks Milgate is with a Pony for my Birthday on the bill at Nick’s; and Hustle Simmons spins tunes at the Fifth Amendment.

Friday, deep punk blues meets crazy funk with a killer horn section in Clutch Grabwell, hitting the Cannery with the Ten Foot Polecats; Bret Talbert is at the Stoggy Hollow in Connecticut; The Flo plays a set of Beatles music at Beatnik’s; T’s back with Ed and Dave at Greendale’s; Bobby Vee performs at the Hanover Theatre; Allman Brothers tribute the Peacheaters are with Fennario at Tammany Hall; Worcester’s Got Talent Hip Hop Showcase is out in Nashua NH at the Amber Room; Into the Mouth of Hell Tour brings Trivium into the Palladium; 7 Minute Stagger headlines Sully’s Birthday Bash at London Billiards with Old Cold Faith; Rose Colored Glasses returns to the Wheelock Inn; Naysayer, Fire and Ice, Backtrack and more join forces at QVCC; Lamp Attack headlines Hungerpalooza with From here to Zanzibar at Clark; Dental Plan does duty at Ralph’s with Bovachevo and Cure for Static; Uncle Billy’s Smokehouse joins Mass Elite at Copperfield’s; it’s cabaret night with the Speakeasy Combo at Nick’s; The Cosby Sweaters return with the Jell-O puddin’ to Biagio’s; the Age of Punishment makes it an ‘80s night at the Raven; Hunter Foote sings at Fiddler’s Green; and the Dave Rivers Group jams at the Lucky Dog.

Saturday, Touched rocks Forty’s; Andy Cummings opens for Amy Allison at Nick’s; Olox the Terrible, Renegade and Chatty Mattie spit the bill at the Raven; the Island Castaways pay tribute to Buffett at the Cannery; New Pond Fondle joins New Pilot at Tammany Hall; the New Pale Bluesmen debut at the Blue Plate in Holden; Mourning the Dead joins Nemecide at Ralph’s; Bill McCarthy sings at Junior’s Pizza; Go Gadget Go rock Beatnik’s; The Ten Foot Pool Cats headline Gilrein’s; Vermont singer songwriter Tom Woodbury gets the Green Rooster Coffeehouse series going again; Dr. Gonzo performs in Andy and Linda Levy’s cozy living room at 4:30 to raise money to save Petey the Wondervan. It’s potluck, so bring a dish. You can find more info about this on facebook. Also, bluegrass band Southern Rail plays a special dinner concert to celebrate the release of their long awaited disc, On the Road From Appomattox, at St. Michael's Church in Bedford. It's $15 for a show and home cooked bean supper. visit southernrail.com.

Sunday, the Boston Blues Challenge is happening at Johnny D’s in Somerville.

Other Events:

On Friday, opening night for the play “Big Maggie” is at 7 p.m. at the Hibernian Cultural Center.

On Saturday, the Worcester State College Chorale has its 20 year reunion at the college, with a meeting of old and new members – a concert to happen at some point in the day.

Keep in mind, it's National Shelter Week, so please consider donating food, supplies and money to your local animal shelter. They appreciate it more than you can imagine.

Event/Club Notes Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009

Join the Tokyo Tramps (below) and more at the Hotel Vernon on Saturday night for Helenween, when the ghost of Babe Ruth is sure to rise up from the speakeasy.

Thursday, Jon Short’s playing the Delta blues at the Dive Bar; Organ Eyes does funky jazz at Nick’s; Fires of Old joins DarkWor for metal night at Ralph’s; Wrighteous L and the Wendels are at Beatnik’s; Andy Cummings sings at Hooligan's; and the Flock’s doing its usually Flocking at the Dog.

Friday, Penny Dreadful is live in the WCCA studios on Main Street from 3-7 p.m. for its Halloween Spooktaculer; the Mohegan Sun All-Stars join the Hartford Symphony Orchestra for a performance at the Hanover Theatre; there’s a Police tribute at PJ’s; Probable Cause does what they’re terming a pre-Halloween party at Beatnik’s; singer Maria Muldaur is joined by the Garden of Joy Jug Band at the Bull Run Restaurant in Shirley; Hat On, Drinking Wine returns to Nick’s; Demon’s Alley, The Erotics, Teenagers From Mars and the Raw join forces for a show at the Raven; the Drunken Uncles first tip ‘em back at McFadden’s and then Allgo’s; Brendan Mahoney’s solo at Greendale’s; The Stumbleweeds blow through Vincent’s; Messin with the Blues does just that at Gilrein’s; Bill McCarthy’s got his acoustic at the Old Post Office Pub; and Jimmy’s Down at Jillian’s.

Saturday, Windfall’s over at the Kaz Bar; The Satellite Rockers join Truth and Rights at Beatnik’s; Sandal Foot Machine reunites at Ralph’s; Five Hole is rocking PJ’s; Auntie Trainwreck’s back to the Emerald Isle; it’s a party with Mass Elite at the Fifth Amendment; The Dive Bar hosts the second annual Dogfish Head Extreme Halloween Mayhem night; The Cosby Sweaters return to Junior’s Pizza early evening; Play for Blood Drive draws Fallen Shall Rise, Promised Eden, Silent Mind and more at Tammany Hall; Larry and the Lobsters claw into WPI’s Alden Hall; Bram and the Stokers headline Nightmare on Millbury Street at Nick’s, along with Andy Cummings; the annual Deadites costume ball is back to the Lucky Dog; Uncle Billy’s Smokehouse has a bus going out to 12 Crane; Touched rocks a non-Halloween party at Greendale’s; The Ten Foot Pole Cats join the Cobramatics and the Tokyo Tramps at Hotel Vernon; Clamdigger’s back at the Galway Bay; Dana Lewis haunts the Whistle Stop in Oxford from 8:30-10:30 p.m.; On the Rocks invites you to wear costumes to Squire White’s; Psychobilly Cadillac pulls into Vincent’s; B&E’s got The Nines covered; Ronnie Earl enlists his Broadcasters at the Bull Run; Groove Alliance hits Irish Times; Lietrim’s throws a party with no cover; and The Allens are at Speakers Nightclub in Marlboro.

Doctor Robert is back at Sakura Tokyo both weekend nights, and folks are encouraged to dress it up on Saturday.

Tuesday night, The Palladium is host to Hethenfest; and Smokestack and the Foothill Fury joins the Ten Foot Pole Cats at The Dive Bar.

Other Events:

Thursdays, the Manor Restaurant in West Boylston hosts trivia nights, as does PJ’s up the street from there.
Friday, The Sharks take on the Bridgeport Tigers at the DCU Center.

The Boston Vegetarian Food Festival hits the Reggie Lewis Athletic Center in Boston on Saturday and Sunday. Visit bostonveg.org for more info on this incredible event, which includes hundreds of vegetarian and vegan vendors.

On Saturday, the Second Chance Animal Shelter hosts a benefit Masquerade Ball at the Sturbridge Host Hotel, with proceeds benefiting the shelter. From 10:30 a.m. to noon, author Kelly McGovern signs copies of Be Kind to Earth at Isador’s Fruit and Deli in Oxford. The Unknown Works opens at the Sprinkler Factory with an exhibit reception at 6 p.m. There’s a salsa social and food drive sponsored by Salsa Storm at the Hibernian Cultural Center. Three big malls around – Solomon Pond, Auburn Mall and the Greendale Mall invites kids to trick-or-treat in their costumes at 3 p.m. The WPI Concert Band plays selections from Phantom of the Opera at the annual Pops Concert at Alden Hall at 4 p.m.

People, Places and Things by John Nunziato opens on Nov. 2 and continues through Nov. 30 at Booklovers' Gourmet in Webster. The artist reception takes place on Nov. 21 from 2-4 p.m.

Tom's Eatin' and Drinkin' Place in Northboro Closed

Much to Ray Mason's surprise, his band isn't playing at Tom's Eatin' and Drinkin' Place in Northboro this Saturday night. In fact, no one will be eatin' and drinkin' there anymore, and haven't been for two weeks. Formerly known as Tom's Gourmet Marketplace, owners (Joe Seely, pictured with events director Erin Duggan) apparently hadn't let any of the acts know that the place had closed down.

"So nice that they never told any of the performers who were booked there, at least not me," said Mason. "I tried calling there today to find out that their phone was disconnected. Bad sign! A friend of mine headed me off at the pass so that I wouldn't have to drive out there for nothing. Showbiz is tough."

Hopefully Howie knows he's not playing Friday night, though he, and several others are still on the Website.