Club Notes, Thursday, May 28

On Thursday, Tinsel Teeth's joining Suffering Bastard at London Billiards; Old Cold Faith is part of Metal Thursday at Ralph's; the Nate Wilson Group debuts at Chasers; and Shana Morrison’s playing The Dive Bar.

On Friday, Rock House 6 debuts at the Cannery; the Delta Generators return to Gilrein's with opener Jon Short; Sean Fullerton sings at Greendale's; Katrin's got the mic at 55 Pearl; Of the Gods reigns at the Lucky Dog Music Hall along with Pantera tribute Trendkill; The Raven's got Demons Alley, The Raw and Guns 'N Roses tribute Cocaine Tongue; Widow Sunday has its CD release party with a Dark in the Light at Tammany Hall, which is 18-plus on this night; Jim Devlin's singing out at JJ's; Tony Yodice is a favorite at Block5; The Stumbleweeds roll back through Vincent's; The Tubes brings a taste of the '80s to the Bull Run; Mulligan's Fancy keeps the Fiddler's Green Irish; it's a cabaret show with Nikki Luparelli and Dan Burke at Nick's; and Lisa Marie's All Shook Up at the Sahara.

On Saturday, Shana Morrison does a second area show at Point Breeze Restaurant in Webster; White Chocolate’s sweet at Tammany Hall; Sasquatch and the Sickabillys headline the Dog; The Silverbacks rock the Emerald Isle; Gilmour's Breakfast does justice to Pink Floyd at the all new PJ's Bar and Grill; Lisa and Brett from She’s Busy sing at Oxfords in Oxford; Andy Cummings sings tunes at the Gardner Ale House; New Pilot joins Goodnight Ghost, Tall Heights and Very Orange for an all ages show at Mill Street Brews in Southbridge; Kashmir pays tribute to Zeppelin with a show at the Hanover Theatre; The Wandas joins Necktie Party, Dental Plan and 28 Degrees Taurus at Ralph's; The Allston Pants suit up at the Hotel Vernon; Rugged Road takes a turn into the Blue Plate in Holden; singer songwriter John Cate is back at Vincent's; the 10th annual Futurestars event comes back to the Bull Run, showcasing a bunch of the area's new talent; and Ken Tracy Jr. sings at JJ's, opening for the triumphant return of the Roosters, who haven't crowed together for a good two years now.

On Sunday, there's a battle of the bands at Tammany Hall, the winner getting an opening slot on the summer Slaughter tour; and Ken Reid is with Electric Youth at Mechanics Hall.

Other events:

On Thursday, Kenny Rogerson and Paul Nardizzi co-headline the Comedy Legends show at Hanover Theatre.

On Friday, the Friday Night Cruizin' series starts at the Auburn Elks Club and continues every week through the summer. Dr. Cook's Garden, presented by the Stratton Players, opens tonight at their theater in Fitchburg.

The Canal District Clothing Swap is happening all weekend. Visit punkystyle.com for the details on that one.

On Saturday, the Mass. Audubon Society hosts a program called “Getting to Know the Blackstone Better,” which is a hike through the Blackstone Bikeway. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary. Also, the Master Singers of Worcester present “Feast of Song: a Madrigal Dinner” at WPI at 6 p.m. A five course dinner is included with the ticket price. Visit mswma.org for more info on that one.

Sunday, there's a nature walk/birding event that starts at 8 a.m. in Institute Park.
Outback Abstractions, works by ARTSWorcester member Barbara Kahn is showing through August at Hanover Theatre.

Club Notes, Thursday, May 21, 2009

Happy Memorial Day Weekend, everyone.

Tonight, Thursday, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes bring a taste of the Jersey shore to the Hanover Theatre, joining The Stompers and The Grease Rockets; Lisa Marie belts out the blues with All Shook Up at Nick’s; Go Gadget Go opens for The Flock at the Lucky Dog; and Sean Fullerton sings at Cornerstone’s Restaurant in Leominster.

On Friday, Bill McCarthy’s trusty guitar is going with him to Greendale’s; All Teeth comes to the area to play the Hudson Eagles Club with COA and For the Worse; Rose Colored Glasses rocks the Kaz Bar; Mindset X hits Before the Fall at Ralph’s; there’s a battle of the bands contest at Indian Ranch, Rite of Passage joins the lineup at Mill Street Brews; Evenspeak rocks Classic’s Pub in Leominster; Mark Renburke sings at the Greyhound Pub; Fergus returns to the Fiddler’s Green; Tim LaRoche sings at PJ’s in West Boylston; Meattoast and the Deliciousness opens for Alive! The Kiss tribute at the Lucky Dog Music Hall; CD Stone’s got his Screaming Live Orchestra shaking the walls at Gilrein’s; Wibble and the Harmony Whores are out at Trumbull’s in Spencer; and Jon Short is the special guest of the Delta Generators, making their debut at The Cannery.

Saturday, there’s an Elvis impersonator at PJ’s Bar and Grill on West Boylston Street; Ralph’s hosts the Kulture Hot Rod and Kustom show with acts such as the Long Goodbyes, Jason James, The Preston Wayne 5 and Pulp 45; there’s an autism benefit at the Rockdale American Legion with Black Eye Bone Daddys, Red Sky, Stonecrusher and Of One Mind; Anomopoly headlines Mill Street Brews with Demi; Mountain Town joins Character Vs. Author at Spiritual Haze; the annual Bob Dylan show takes over the Green Rooster, featuring Lydia Fortune and many more; No Alibi is back rocking Greendale’s; Mullthead’s back, this time with Full Blooded and the Uncomfortables at the Lucky Dog; Leaving Eden’s at the Irish Times; Pretty Pollution headlines the ADC Center; Chyldz Play is down at Chasers; Mission Hill plays an 18-plus show at Tammany Hall; Billy Claire’s out at Speakers in Marlboro with his band The Allens; Dr. Robert’s digging classic rock at JJ’s; the Bubbleheads pop at The Nines; Hammond B-3’s duke it out for some of the coolest funk around for Funk You! at The Dive; and the legendary Doo-Wop band The Flamingos are at 12 Crane.

On Sunday, Lisa Marie’s the featured act at the weekly Frank’s Pub blues jam during the afternoon; Unearth shares the stage with Testament at The Palladium; DRG is at Chasers; and Ralph’s is home to poetry, welcoming The Pen Floats event with feature The Dirty Gerund.
Next Thursday, Shana Morrison is coming back to the Dive to play some of her originals. Shana, of course, is the daughter of Van.

Other events:

On Thursday, guitarist Richard Starkey hosts a Martin Guitars workshop at Union Music.
Art-A-Fact is on display through August at WPI’s George C. Gordon Library, and it features images and artifacts created through research at the school.

On Friday, Kate Lewis’s Interactive Installation and Pottery exhibit opens at The Sprinkler Factory with a reception at 6 p.m.

Calliope Productions puts on Oliver starting on Saturday at its theater in Boylston.

On Saturday, the Celtic Arms and Armor Show takes over Higgins Armory Museum at 11:30 a.m. Learn about vernal pools in Lincoln Woods with the Mass. Audubon Society. Meet at the Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary at 1:30 for van transportation.

Don’t forget – if you buy wine with animal on it at The Wine Vine on Highland Street, or condiments from Dr. Gonzo on Main Street, you can support the Pet Rock Festival, which is coming up in September. Read all about that on petrockfest.com.

gooey gooey mac 'n' cheese

As of late, the mac 'n' cheese dish has been elevated from a Kraft staple for kids to entrees at the most upscale restaurants. Many menus feature the dish, and are getting more and more creative with that base of noodles and cheese.

The Gateway Players’ Relay For Life team Drama Dearies announced its winners of the Mac & Cheese Fest ‘09 tasting recently held at V.F.W. Post 6055 in Southbridge.

Judges Dottie Gajewski, Lou-Ellen Corkum, Ariana Kennedy, Michael Day and Rep. Geraldo Alicea tasted all 12 dishes and made their decisions.

Brad Demers won the Kid’s Favorite with his “Classic Mac & Cheese.” Bill Guy took honors for Pot Luck Favorite with a cold “Summertime Macaroni & Cheese.” And Lou DeMauro’s "Ed Stearns Beef Terraki with 5 Cheeses and Ritz Cracker Topping" won the People’s Choice. Lou’s “Maryland Crab with Guyere Cheese and Ritz Cracker Topping” took awards for Gram’s Favorite, Chef’s Favorite and overall Master of the Mac & Cheese. Honorable Mention awards went to Pat Jeffries’ “Super Rich Macaroni & Cheese,” Lucille Gregory’s “Greek Mac & Cheese,” Lou DeMauro’s “Panchetta Pasta & Cheese,” Philomena Rodriguez’ “Anonymous Mac & Cheese,” Ali Cleaveland’s “Four Cheese & Bacon Mac & Cheese,” Billy Bolster’s “Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese (Gluten Free),” John Polakowski’s “Gluten Free Macaroni & Cheese” and Patricia Haddock’s “Tangy Macaroni & Cheese.”

Drama Dearies recognizes V.F.W. Post 6055, Big Bunny Market, Tradewinds Clubhouse, and Red & Nina for their contributions to making this Relay For Life event a success. Special thanks to all who entered, helped out, and attended.

Club Notes, Thursday, May 14

Thursday, Shroud of Bereavement, Frozen and Dreaded Silence split the bill for metal night at Ralph's; the Delta Generators are out at the Chicken Bone in Framingham; Ben Cooley Hall sings at Nick's; and the Michael Martin Band plays a movie premier show for Still Green at Chasers.

On Friday, Killer Queen rocks Queen (and a few other classic rock, er, classics) at JJ's in Northboro; Full Tilt celebrates a new CD, opening for Promised Eden at the Lucky Dog Music Hall; Runaway High pays tribute to Motley Crue at Ralph's along with a Tool and Alice in Chains tribute; Sean Ryan's back at Greendale's; Bill McCarthy's bringing his guitar to Al Fresco in Holden this week; Windfall rocks the Kaz Bar; The Matt Shwachman Band debuts at PJ's; The Weight of Gravity joins Burnpile at The Cannery; Craig's back – this weekend at Irish Times; Jesse Dee opens for Brothers McCann at Tammany Hall; Diana Jones, fresh from a tour of the UK, is singing at the Bull Run in Shirley; Touched does rock covers at the Gaslight Tavern in Dudley; Jimi and the Invisibles show up at the Blue Plate; and Chyldz Play rocks Boston Billiards.

Saturday, don't miss it – it's the 8th installment of the Green Street Music Series, celebrating the music of REM and U2 at the Lucky Dog Music Hall with the band Rattle & Hum, backing more than 20 guest singers from local bands; Uncle Billy's Smokehouse is cramming into the Galway Bay; Wild Stone joins Crambone as well as ska band Ruckus at The Palladium – in fact there are a lot of acts at the Palladium on Saturday, so check out their site for a full lineup; the Alchemystics jam at Tammany Hall; Big Gunz shoot out the Kaz Bar; The Cool and Deadly and Guns of Navarone split the bill with Destroy Babylon at Ralph's; the Herland Brothers debut at Fireflys; The Pathetics punk up the Greyhound Pub; Still Aggravated is with Dana at Speakers in Marlboro; Blackstone Valley Bluegrass Band is out at the Rockdale Congregational Church in Northbridge for a coffeehouse type show; the Diving Ducks Blues Band is out at the Turtle Taven in Milford; Jim Perry's solo at the Spruce Street Tavern in Clinton; Mike Crandall returns with his band to Gilrein's; She's Busy at Point Breeze in Webster; and Fourth Gear does its show at PJ's.

Other events:

Clayscapes by potter and clay artist Carol Mecagni are on display at the Westboro Art Gallery through early August.

Marvin's Room is at the Barre Players Theatre this weekend. And You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown opens at Foothills Theatre.

Saturday, the Worcester Art Museum hosts a fast and furious Zip Trip exploring Venetian Water Carriers by John Singer Sargent. And legendary comedian Jimmy Tingle's being funny at the Bull Run; The Oxford Community Center hosts a salsa dance party starting at 8 p.m.

On Sunday, take a hike to Lookout Rock – meet at Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park in Uxbridge at 8 a.m. Or, at 1 p.m., meet at the Riverbend Farm Visitor Center in Uxbridge and go on a canal walk - a guided walk suitable for the whole family. Also in the afternoon, there is a Wedding Expo at Union Station, and the very popular Velvet Elvis does the Dance2Swing dance at the Leominster Elks.

Club Notes, May 7, 2009

Thursday, Barefoot Truth is headlining Tammany Hall; metal Thursday's got Untombed, In the Flesh and Forced Asphyxiation at Ralph's; Chet Williamson's got his chromatic at Nick's; Andy Pratt's the feature at the Rose Room open mic; and The Flock welcomes openers GreyMarket at the Lucky Dog.

On Friday, the guys in Hothead are reuniting for a show at Creegan's Pub – and this show is being videotaped, so wear your best outfit; Sin City rocks PJ's on West Boylston Street; Nytmare's getting things going at the Lucky Dog; Ruckus is playing at the Wachusett Regional second annual dodgeball tournament; Kim Jennings sings with Ruthann Baler at Tom's Gourmet Marketplace; The Cosby Sweaters sing '80s stuff like Eye of the Tiger and Sunglasses at Night – acoustic style – at Greendale's; Lisa Marie sings the blues at the Sahara; Allan Sheinfield and Stan Kozlowski from The Spurs join Jack Hanlon from the Stumbleweeds for a special show at Vincent's; Columbia Fields it the act at the Cannery; Last Call is out at Trumbull's in Spencer; Chet Williamson's band headlines Gilrein's; Singuya celebrates its 100th show (who keeps track of this?), joining Clear the Way and The Mass Elite at Ralph's; Bill McCarthy's slinging his guitar at the Old Post Office Pub; Brian Richard celebrates the release of his new EP at Tammany Hall; Shane Hall's singing down at The Q; and Burning Aces ignite the Raven.

Saturday, there's a battle of the bands at Camp Marshall in Spencer; Birch Hill Dam's back at the Lucky Dog; Head First covers modern rock at Creegan's; the Pit Pickers rock Greendale's; Jim Devlin sings at the Irish Times; Auntie Trainwreck pulls into the Belfont Hotel in Millbury; Whalebone Farmhouse returns to Vincent's; Five Hole's got the night at McFadden's; The Law, Humblebee and The Attic split the night at Tammany Hall; the Silverbacks do blues and rock tunes at The Cannery; Skulltoboggan, A Dark in the Light, Southern Bastard Church, Beware the Ides and Hated make it a heavy night at The Raven; and, this is a big one – Ralph's is celebratings its 30th year with a big show that includes The Odds, Jason James, Hot Rod Fury and Slik Family Orchestra.

Other Events:

Animal Show opens on Thursday at the Post Road Art Center in Marlboro and continues through early June. It's the center's first animal themed art show.

Cruise Nights have started on Thursdays at the Hebert Candy Mansion. An annual tradition for 11 years, this is the place to show off your hot rod or antique car each week. There are deejays, prizes, food and lots of camaraderie.

On Friday, Fancy Nancy hosts a kids show that complements the “Yours, Mine, Ours” exhibit at the Worcester Art Museum. Kids take a look at the gorgeous gowns in the exhibit and then make something fancy for mom on mother's day. In the evening, the Joy of Music Spring Quarter puts on a performance at its recital hall on Gorham Street. Also Friday, the Heart and Soul show at the Hanover Theatre brings back the Chi-Lites, The Stylistics and Harold Melvin's Bluenotes. The guest host for this one is Jimmy “JJ” Walker of “Good Times” fame. Worcester Storytellers has its open mic at Vasa Hall, with feature Ted Blackler.

On Saturday, there's a Worcester Contra Dance at Wesley United Methodist Church.
ArtsWorcester's Biennial 2009 is still going on at the Aurora Gallery on Main Street, and Doubt continues to occupy the stage at Foothills Theatre.

And Sunday, of course, is mother's day. Do something special for one of the most important people in your life.

Random Video - Tom Hurley at the Banner

Tom Hurley playing solo at The Banner, Green Street, 2008.