A Taste of the Bayou in the Canal District: Paulie’s big festival moves its acts

Like most kids of the ‘70s and ‘80s, Paulie Collyer grew up listening to stations such as WZLX to get the daily allowance of The Who, Led Zeppelin, Clapton and the Rolling Stones. He liked classic rock, and never branched out much in his tastes. Collyer went to New Orleans in 1981 for the first time. He was 17, and thought it was cool to have a beer in the morning, but didn’t think much of it.

But in 2007, touched by Katrina, he started turning his eye toward the area. Many of his friends had made the annual trek down there for its jazz festival, and Collyer decided to join them.

 “They said, ‘Just go. Van Morrison is playing,” said Collyer. “I was in my late 40s and the city just took me over. I saw everything. There are so many different types of music. Here, we have lots of heavy metal and things, but in New Orleans there are so many different types. Now, I listen to WCUW on Friday nights. It just took me over. I started to listen to new music, and my neighborhood needed something.”

Maybe he wouldn’t transform his neighborhood into a hopping zone where women lifted their shirts for beads, but he sure could bring on a party. In 2008, when Collyer started his jazz and blues festival in Worcester, he did it just because he “wanted to throw a good party for his neighbors.” He popped up some tents in a parking lot that he owned on Chandler Street in Worcester, booked some local bands, and some 300 people showed up. Seven years later, and his event has moved twice, this year for the first time to the Canal District.

Centered around the field in front of Crompton Collective, Paulie’s New Orleans Jazz and Blues Festival spans three days and features more than 15 national, regional and local acts. “It’s going to be very interesting for Kelley Square that weekend,” said Collyer. “I had a hard time looking for a new space. The Canal Alliance approached me and said, ‘Hey, why don’t you bring it down here?’ There aren’t a lot of spaces in the city, really, since we sell food and need a three-day liquor permit. I was looking for the route of least resistance, and they came at me with a private lot to use and were very receptive to the idea.”

 The Bobby Paltauf Band and Mem Shannon and the Membership kick off the festival, opening for Friday night’s headliner Roomful of Blues, the eight-piece powerhouse known for its kicking horn section and punching mix of R&B and blues.

 Big Al Carson and the Blues Masters kick off the music at noon on Saturday. Carson, before taking to the front of the stage, started out at a young age on the tuba, joining some of New Orleans’ best brass sections. Billy Iuso and the Restless Natives, which formed in 2002 in New Orleans, play a mix of originals in the jam and funk vein from 2-4 p.m. The Honey Island Swamp Band, which plays what is described as “Bayou Americana,” goes on at 4 p.m. and Eric Lindell and the Sunliners follow. Guitarist George Porter Jr. and his band the Runnin’ Pardners light it up before Saturday’s headliner, Marcia Ball, performs. Singer and pianist Ball pulls in elements Zydeco, Louisiana and swamp blues and boogie boogie.

 Buckwheat Zydeco headlines Sunday, with openers that include Little Freddie King and Big Chief Juan Pardo& The Golden Commanches.

 “The festival is Louisiana-centric, with an emphasis on New Orleans,” said Collyer. “Buckwhat is closing out the show. He’s from Lafayette. He won a Grammy a few years ago. From Big Jon Short to Marcia Ball, there isn’t a weak link in the whole bunch. We have a potpourri of Zydeco, funk, blues and New Orleans jazz. This is a who’s who of New Orleans. The first year, I had the local guys and slowly developed it. I wanted an authentic Louisiana festival. It’s like painting your house; you want to have good lines and everything.”

 Get lots of information on bands, food, vendors and more, right here: http://baevents.com/pauliesnolabluesandjazzfestival/

Accept the Challenge - the comics challenge at WAM

Do you have the creative and physical stamina to draw a 24-page cartoon story in 24 hours? Find out this weekend at the third annual 24-Hour Comics Day Challenge at WAM, which happens Saturday, Oct. 2 through Sunday, Oct. 3 - 3 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Artists of all ages will pack into WAM's classroom studios to participate in this international comic marathon, which was developed by Comics Professional Retail Organization (Comics PRO). Photographs of completed works will be submitted to Comics PRO for consideration in their annual 24-Hour Comics Day Anthology.

WAM will also offer 3-hour and 8-hour challenges that start at 3pm. All completed works will be displayed in the Higgins Education Wing until Friday, October 29. The cost to participate is $5 per person, and pre-registration is required. All artists under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Register online or by calling 508- 793-4333. This event is sponsored by Boom! Studios.

Event notes, Sept. 10, 2010

Friday, the Jennifer Lee band is rocking Creegan’s; the Brooks Milgate Quartet is at Clark University with an early show at 7:30 p.m.; the Phreaks headline Tammany Hall; Donny Dark and the Black Souls crank out AM Gold ‘70s tunes at the Celtic Tavern in Northboro; Last Call is at Dante’s, which is in the back of Firefly’s in Marlboro; Crumb, White Chocolate and Danny Bedrosian and the Secret Army make it an all out funkathon at the Lucky Dog.

Saturday, there’s a jazz jam at 2 p.m. at the NuCafe; Niki Luparelli and Dan Burke team up for another night of the Speakeasy Combo at Nick’s; it’s a phenomenal pop lineup with Sanveen, Hey Now Morris Fader, Pako and Thinner at the Lucky Dog; MSB is at Boston Billiards.

Other events:

Friday, through 8 p.m., Isador’s celebrates four years. Located in Oxford, you can drop by for samples, giveaways and a chance to congratulate them.

Saturday, it’s CanalFest. In and around the Canal District – Water Street, Harding Street, Millbury Street and Green Street – enjoy food, live music, vendors, contests and a lot more.

Sunday marks the 12th annual Pet Rock Festival, held noon to 5 p.m. at Quinsigamond Community College. It features live music by Charlie Farren, Jon Butcher, Ian Mitchell’s Bay City Rollers and many more. Also food, vendors, speakers, doggie water park, adoptable pet parade, contests and a lot more. Log on to www.petrockfest.com for a full lineup.

Event notes, aug. 27, 2010

Friday, Panache plays outside at the Oxhead Tavern at 7 p.m.; Subculture Zero shares the bill with Polluted Remains at The Raven; Groove Street’s at JJ’s in Northboro; Jon LaCouture plays every Friday at Art’s Diner; Phase II rocks the Cannery; Trina Vargas sings with the fantastic Bobby Gadoury Trio at Nick’s; Under Pressure’s cooking at Classic’s Pub; CJ Hudson is the headliner at Tammany Hall; Mocha Java regroups at Beatnik’s; the Faith No More tribute Angel Dust is the headliner at The Lucky Dog Music Hall, supported by Burn the Witch, Mafia Bonghit and Mike and Amanda; and Dawn of the Dead joins Toxic Avenger at Ralph’s.

Saturday, Toni Knott and Marc Smith are together at the Gardner Ale House; The Nightlife Band plays outside at the Oxhead Tavern; Shryne for the Love of Sloan is at The Raven; New Pond Fondle is back out at Partner’s Pub in Fitchburg; Whalebone Farmhouse hits the Sahara Restaurant; One Step Further joins the Tone Deffs and Kenny Crisis at the Lucky Dog Music Hall; Andy Cummings sings some hits at Vincent’s; The Mike Crandall Band jams at Beatnik’s; Mindset X and lots more are at the Get Your Rock On Festival out in Dover, New Hampshire, which continues on Sunday at the Dover Brickhouse. Apparently, scouts from Capitol Records will be there.
Sunday, Chet Williamson plays the Jazz on the Patio series in the afternoon at the Castle Restaurant.

Other events:

Friday is the opening reception of Love Hope Sex Dreams by Don Hartmann is from 6-8 p.m. on August 27 at the Aurora Gallery, 660 Main Street, Worcester. It is free, open to the public and refreshments are provided. artsworcester.org.

On Saturday, Indian Ranch holds its summer brewfest all day – sample microbrews from the area, and beyond. Also, the Millbury Fire Department holds its annual field day at the Shaw Elementary School with food, demonstrations and performances by lots of artists, including Ayla Brown.

Remember the Worcester Cultural Coalition’s Art in the Park is happening through October at Elm Park.

Event listings, Friday, Aug. 20, 2010

Friday, The Bee’s Knees join the bill with the Hurricane Horns, Touch 2 Much and the Dave Rivers Group for the Ed Lindberg Benefit Concert at Ralph’s - On July 2, 2010, Eddie was struck and killed by a drunk driver while riding his Harley home. The proceeds from this benefit show will all go to help his mother deal with this terrible burden; Jubilee Gardens is at Amazing Things Art Center in Framingham; Brett and Lisa sing at Point Breeze in Webster; Touched is at Chopsticks in Leominster; Guitar Shorty’s rocking it blues style at the Bull Run; and Steve Foley is at the Black Sheep Tavern in Sterling.

Saturday, Scott Ricciuti is out at Scully’s in Marlboro; Jefferson Starship is headlining Indian Ranch; Sins of America joins Demons Alley and Genre at the Raven; Auntie Trainwreck is rocking the Kaz Bar; harp legend Babe Pino brings his blues band to Greendale’s Pub; The Eisman Hunter Band is playing at Cigar Masters; The Numbskulls headline the Vernon Hotel; The Issues, formerly known as Mood Disorder, return to JJ’s in Northboro; First Class Fool pays tribute to Rod Stewart at Speakers in Marlboro; and Sinfest includes Crazy Train and Primal Scream at Break-Away Billiards.

Synergy’s the cover band for the weekend at Sakura Tokyo, playing both Friday and Saturday night.
Sunday, there’s a hip hop show at Tammany Hall with the Freelance Assassins.
Next Tuesday, Lousy Instruments perform with the Numbskulls, the Closers and Mack the Knight at Ralph’s.
Other events:
Henry Fest is happening Friday, starting at 5 p.m. at the VFW in Millbury. Henry Fest is to help pay hospital bills for Henry, the yellow lab who is a therapy dog at the McGrath School. Bills totaled more than $4,000 to repair his leg, and he’s hoping to get back on those paws again soon and help the kids at school. Henry Fest includes a chicken barbecue, raffles, music and of course meeting Henry, who is coming along nicely in his recovery.

Also Friday, Salem Cross Inn in West Brookfield is hosting a CSI New England Murder Mystery Dinner Theater.

Mount Wachusett Community College theater group is putting on The Wedding Singer with shows on Friday and Saturday.

Saturday, the annual Latin American Festival takes over downtown starting at noon and continuing through 9 p.m. This popular event features great Latin American food, vendors and of course music.

On Sunday, it’s a picnic with 19th century flair at Fruitlands Museum in Harvard with Alcott’s Family Picnic, starting at noon.

Event notes Aug. 13, 2010

Friday, Cloud Nine does an outdoor show at Oxhead Tavern in Sturbridge, starting at 7 p.m.; Jazzed Up plays every Friday at Luciano’s Cotton Club, located in Union Station; Scarlitt headlines Tammany Hall; Seams to Reason, Seven Minute Stagger and more team up for a heavy night of rock at the Lucky Dog Music Hall; Gorilla Radio is with Rare Breed at Beatnik’s; Mack the Knife’s with Go!, the Clozapines and Hello Ninja at Ralph’s.

Saturday, the Electrolux Combo returns to Vincent’s; in the afternoon at the Lucky Dog there is a femme show, starting at 3 p.m., followed by the night’s lineup, which has the return of Spit Shine at the helm, joining Deep Six and Three Years Gone; Herra Terra, Ghost Ocean, the Organ Beats and Desperate Strangers share the stage at Ralph’s; Guns of Navarone are with Rikki Rocksteady at Beatnik’s; Sun Jones and Doghouse Flowers are out in Fitchburg at Partner’s Pub; the Allens return to Speaker’s Nightclub in Marlboro; Lonestar headlines Indian Ranch with an afternoon show.

Touched rocks Sakura Tokyo Friday and Saturday night.

Other events:
On Friday, Life and the Art(s) of Improvisation" takes place at 6 p.m. at ArtsWorcester. The event pairs musicians and artists Lennie Peterson and Mark Campbell to discuss and demonstrate the improvisational creative process blending visual art and music.

The Worcester World Cup takes place Friday through Sunday at Foley Stadium. Check out the Worcester World Cup facebook page for information and times of games.
Illustrations by Doug Chapel and photographs by Joan Gage are on display through September at the Futon Company on Highland Street in a show called “Welcome to Worcester.”

Saturday, the 61st annual antique auction starts at 10 a.m. on the Sturbridge Common.

The famous Bolton Fair is taking place at the Lancaster Fairgrounds throughout the weekend. Also throughout the weekend, Sturbridge Village is all about textiles.
Next Friday afternoon, Aug. 20, Hat On, Drinking Wine is the featured act at the Out to Lunch concert series, taking place at noon at City Hall Plaza.

Event notes Aug. 6, 2010

Friday, Castine, Hot Protestants and Eolune join the Ten Foot Polecats at Ralph’s; Sheez Late joins the Classic Ruins at Beatnik’s.

Saturday, Hey Now Morris Fader joins This Burning World, Stone Crusher, Leaving Eden and Hard No. 9 at Ralph’s; Touched rocks the Oxhead Tavern; Beatles for Sale is at the Grafton Inn; Ric Porter and the Sons of Soil return to Vincent’s; The Phreaks are at Irish Times; Lisa and Brett sing at Val’s in Holden.

On Friday and Saturday, the Transmission Festival brings in a ton of bands including Silverstein, Story of the Year, Crime in Stereo and Call the Cops to the Palladium. Check out their website for a list and details.
Sunday,

Other events:

On Saturday, the Puttin’ for Paws golf tournament happens at Cyprian Keyes in Boylston. This tournament benefits the Worcester Animal Rescue League.
On Sunday, it’s Art in the Parking lot, the parking lot being that of the Sole Proprietor’s. This free event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. includes vendors and artists, demos, chalk art, breakdancing, live music, and Art in the Park sculptures.

Weekend highlights, July 16, 2010

Friday, the Borelli Big Band does a concert on the common in Brookfield; the Frank Vignola Trio is the act at the EcoTarium’s Jazz at Sunset series; Sean Taylor sings at Greendale’s; Roomful of Blues is at the Bull Run in Shirley; the Summer Street Band rocks JJ’s.

On Saturday, starting at noon, Trak Productions will be hosting an outside music event with the Lucky Dog Music Hall and the Center Bar and Grill that features live music by Sam James, the Silverbacks and Uncle Billy’s Smokehouse; Soilwork headlines the Palladium; the legendary Babe Pino Band returns to Gilrein’s; and Hey Now Morris Fader joins the Lights Out and Huck at Ralph’s.

Other events:

Snoopy, a Musical opens on Friday at the First Congregational Church of Oxford and continues throughout the weekend.

Saturday, the Big Dipper all you can eat ice cream festival happens 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Elm Park. Arts for the Animals features top quality art for sale, and it benefits the Worcester Animal Rescue League. The event also takes place at the rescue league on Holden Street in Worcester from noon to 5 p.m. Romance author Rita Sawyer will be signing copies of her novel “A Brazen Love Worth Fighting For” at 1 p.m. at Borders Books.

Event listings, Friday, July 2

Friday, Kenny Ebell, Scott Ricciuti and Jeff Burch jam with Duncan Arsenault at Vincent’s; Orange Diesel is with Prospect Hill at Tammany Hall; the Tokyo Tramps return to Beatnik’s; a band called Apple Crisp is at the Harvest Café; John Riley’s in the pub at Fiddler’s Green; Ed and Dave sing at Greendale’s.

Saturday, Glenn Stewart plays as part of Auburn’s Fourth of July festivities at Lemansky Park; Crishendo joins Manny MacGyver, Rezno, MD, E the Real and Louie Gonz for a big blast at Tammany Hall; Shane Hall opens for Sky Blue Mind and Joe Garcia at Ralph’s; and Danny Dark and the Black Souls share the night with the Flock at the Lucky Dog.

Sunday, the Lou Borelli Quartet plays jazz on the patio at the Castle Restaurant.
Other events:

From 4-8 p.m. on Friday, there’s a Chowder Throwdown at Isador’s in Oxford. Also Friday, it’s the Worcester Fourth of July celebration, which centers around East Park, starting at 6 p.m. with activities, followed by a concert by the Central Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra and then ending with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. They’re shot off from Belmont Hill and there are a few choice spots around the city you can view these.

On the 4th, Sturbridge Village shoots off fireworks.
The Summer Nationals have taken over downtown, its headquarters at the Hilton.

Event notes, Friday, June 18, 2010

Green Apple Ghost

Friday, there’s a big show at Ralph’s that includes a one-time reunion with the Rectangle Club, People with Teeth (which is from Brooklyn), Green Apple Ghost and Finnegan 10-in-1 sideshow; The Tone Deffs open for the farewell show for the Charles River Music Whores at The Lucky Dog Music Hall; Chyldz Play returns to JJ’s; Mindrift rocks the Cannery in Southbridge; the Rugged Road Band kicks off its summer tour at the Blue Plate in Holden; Hey Now Morris Fader headlines the Vernon; Jason James returns to Beatnik’s; Lisa and Brett Brumby, otherwise known as Brumby, are back at Brian’s in Northboro; and Sax Gordon and the Little House Rockers open up the Jazz at Sunset Series at the EcoTarium.

Saturday, Insufficient Evidence and Challenge the Throne join the benefit for American Foundation for Suicide Prevention from noon to 6 p.m. at Tammany Hall; Niki Luparelli and The Gold Diggers head to Cigar Masters; The Stompers resurface at The Lucky Dog Music Hall; Roger Salloom is with Charles Neville at the Hanover Theatre.

Next Thursday, Hat On, Drinking Wine opens for Sunlea at Tammany Hall.Also, Worcester Center for Crafts holds its first ever open house. They're calling it the "first annual open house," but you cannot call it that if it hasn't happened yet. It might be, and will be, annual, once they hold it again next year.

Other events:

From Friday through Sunday at the DCU Center it’s the New England Gourmet Food and Wine Expo, which features more than 1,000 wines, particularly from California – this year’s theme. It’s also got a Chef’s Stage with education and sampling by local and celebrity chefs. The Cheese Corner’s got the finest cheeses. And the entertainment area features French-style performances.

Saturday brings African American Festival & Juneteenth Celebration to Institute Park.

Event notes, June 11, 2010

Friday, Brett and Lisa sing at Point Breeze Restaurant in Webster; Whalebone Farmhouse returns to Beatnik’s; Keeping Riley plays an early show, at 6 p.m., at Tammany Hall; and Sam James is singing on the patio of the Emerald Isle.
Saturday, Brett and Lisa are out at Oxford’s in Oxford; Scarlitt releases a new CD, supported by acts Before The Rise, Civil Disturbance, Till We Die, New Ditty and Speaker For The Dead at Tammany Hall for an 18-plus show; there’s a Sick Punk event at Hotel Vernon; Hat On, Drinking Wine heads to Beatnik’s; The Wandas will perform with Hard No 9 and Matt Benoit in a concert that will be videotaped for a live recording at 9:30 p.m. at Ralph’s; country singer Suzy Boggus headlines the Bull Run in Shirley.

Other events:

On Saturday, there’s a buffet to benefit VegWorcester at LovingHut on Chander Street from noon to 7 p.m.

And from 6-11 p.m. on Saturday at the Auburn American Legion, it’s a fundraiser for Tyler Beede. A budding pitcher originally from Auburn, this Lawrence Academy student and player is slated to play in quite a few prestigious baseball events this summer. To cushion the travel costs, Tyler’s family is hosting this benefit – it costs $10 at the door, and there’s a huge raffle going on with lots of great prizes.
Beede will head to Florida for the Perfect Game National Showcase on June 17 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. Then it’s on to tryouts for Baseball USA’s Tournament of Stars. If Beede doesn’t make the USA squad, he’ll return to pitch for the Virginia Canes, a team he helped to a national title last summer. Beede also has plenty of showcase games lined up, which will have him playing at Petco Park (Aflac All-American Game), Wrigley Field (Under Armour All-American Game) and Yankee Stadium (Rawlings All-American Game).

For more info, search Tyler Beede Summer Baseball Fund Raiser on Facebook.

Also Saturday, Join Alternatives in celebrating 25 years of the Valley Friendship Tour, a wonderful community event at Alternatives' Whitin Mill, 50 Douglas Road in Whitinsville. And the Worcester Animal Rescue League will be hosting our first ever “Hot Rods for Hounds” classic car show From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., classic cars will be lined up across our acre sized field for all to see.

On Sunday, funny poet Joe Fusco Jr. performs at the Poetry Asylum at Jumpin’ Juice and Java.

New Hip-Hop Workout Sessions for the Summer begin on Monday at the Faucher School of Dance.

Socks for Sibera this Saturday, June 12, at Hyland Orchards

Socks for Siberia is coming to Hyland Orchards and Brewery on Saturday, June 12, from noon to 6 p.m. The fourth annual,
this "Caring for Orphaned Children" fundraiser features live music, raffles, food and beverages.

The lineup includes Dick Chase and the Millboys, Philip Newland and Chuck Davis, The Peter J. Newland Duo and The Otters.
There are also children's games, face painting and more.

Raffles include Red Sox tickets, New England Patriots tickets and sports memorabilia.

It's free admission, and Hyland Orchards is located at 199 Arnold Road, Sturbridge. Visit www.socksforsiberia.org.

Event notes, Friday, June 4

Friday, it’s Naughty School Girl Night 2010 featuring Whiskey Chapel, Scarecrow Hill, Affliction, Fuel of War, Bulletbreed, Apocalypse Highway, Massacre of the Majestic at London Billiards; John Polce sings at the Mill Church Café in Millbury; it’s Jediah with sax player Brian Kearsley at the Cigar Masters at 1 Exchange Place; Demon Valley, Pillowman, Bitch Brothers & Maar split the bill at Hotel Vernon; Chyldz Play rocks Irish Times; Tool tribute Schism headlines with Stone Temple Pilots tribute Tiny Music, and openers no Room To Breathe and Lost in the Paradox at the Lucky Dog; Homebrew’s at Jillian’s; The Rails go off at JJ’s; it’s a punkathon with The Pity Whores, Meat Depressed, For What It’s Worth, Flatout Jones and The Egos at Ralph’s; Hat On, Drinking Wine returns to Nick’s; The Flock does night one of a two-night stint at Sakura Tokyo; and Fear Factory performs with Prong, Silent Civilian and Thy Will Be Done splits the bill at The Palladium.

Saturday, the Walking Tour brings Mark Mandeville, Rainne Richards and Christopher Bell to the front room of WCUW; Jeffree Star headlines the Palladium; the Gibson Brothers are out at the Bull Run; Jon Bowser sings at Cigar Masters; Dusty Cobb sings at Hotel Vernon; Miles Orgasmic is at Three G’s Sports Bar; Mass Octane returns to Jillian’s; Sons of Hiram return to Gilrein’s; Trendkill joins Fear of None at Ralph’s; and Jubilee Gardens hits Sahara Restaurant.
Sunday, The Tom Yates Trio performs for Blues Worcester show with Jon Short, the Racky Thomas Band and Chris Fitz Band with Ken Short at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 6, at Mechanics Hall.

Other Events:

Funny man Jimmy Tingle performs at the Bull Run Restaurant on Friday. Also Friday, Death Trap opens at Worcester County Light Opera House and continues with shows throughout the weekend.

Sunday, the McInerny School of Irish Dance puts on a recital at DCU Center. Also on Sunday, Jumpin Juice and Java is home to the Poets Asylum, which welcomes Brave New Voices youth poetry slam team Kendel Joseph, Alice Beecher, Anna Meehan, Devin Samuels, Taylor Liljegren and Eric Devenney — at a fundraiser and warmup performance. Celebrate the return of Central Massachusetts' summer birds with the Birds and Brewery with a stop at Burncoat Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, the Quaboag River and Hyland Orchard with the Massachusetts Audubon Society, starting at 10 a.m.

BoyBand is playing at Showcase North throughout the weekend – go and see it. It’s locally filmed, and lots of fun.

Locally Produced Film “BoyBand” Opens in Theaters

Artigo/Ajemian Films latest feature length film “BoyBand: Breakin’ Through in ‘82” will open to the public on Friday, June 4th at Showcase Cinema North in Worcester, where it will run for a week. Stars Michael Copon (One Tree Hill, Scorpion King II, Bring it On: In It To Win It), and E-Knock and Lorenzo Hooker III from Boston’s dance crew Status Quo (MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew) will be in Worcester for the opening. The 3 stars will take part in a Q&A after the 7pm screening on Friday the 4th. (Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.nationalamusements.com or at the theater) The film opens at Showcase Cinema in Revere on Friday, June 11th where it will run for a week. There will be a Q&A with the filmmakers, and actors E-Knock, and Lorenzo Hooker III from Status Quo following the evening shows on the 11th.

Writer/Director Jon Artigo is flying in from Los Angeles for the opening, and will join Producer Andrea Ajemian and Music Producer Kaz Gamble at the Q&As after Friday and Saturday night’s screenings. There will be an after party open to the public on Friday the 4th at Gilrein’s, located at 802 Main Street in Worcester. Doors open at 9pm with a $7 cover. DJ Kaz Gamble will be spinning 80’s music, as well as music from the film’s soundtrack, which includes over 20 original songs written by Gamble. Members of the cast and crew will be there to mingle, and enjoy live performances from the film’s stars, including local singer/songwriter Sam James.



BoyBand was shot entirely in Worcester County, and is set at the fictional Worcester High. The film was originally called We Got the Beat, when it filmed for 5 weeks during the summer of 2008. Starring a number of Hollywood actors including Robert Hoffman (Step Up 2, She’s the Man), Ryan Hansen (Party Down, Veronica Mars), and Ming Na (ER, The Joy Luck Club), over 30 local actors had speaking roles in the film, with over 20 non-union actors becoming eligible to join the Screen Actors Guild after being cast. Jon and Andrea’s fourth feature film in 9 years, (previous work includes the award winning films Rutland, USA, Freedom Park, and Still Green), BoyBand is a commercial teen comedy set in 1982 about a high school quarterback who quits the team to turn his heavy metal band into the first ever boyband. The film is being self-distributed in select theaters in Massachusetts, and hopes to create a national buzz. BoyBand differs from typical art house indie films, as it’s a wacky teen comedy with commercial appeal. The film isn’t yet rated, but filmmakers anticipate a PG-13 rating for language and sexual references.

For more information, visit www.boybandmovie.com and click on the official blog, which has details for all the events surrounding the film’s opening, or follow the film on Facebook (Boyband: The Movie).

Friday, Ghost Ocean is with the Golden Spurs and Blue Star Burns Red at Ralph’s; the mighty Neil Young is at the Hanover Theatre; the Doors of Deception pay tribute to – you guessed it – the Doors at the Cannery at 12 Crane in Southbridge; the Jeri DeMarco Trio brings jazz to Nick’s; and Jason James tears it up at Beatnik’s; the Pinball Millionaires debut at Vincent’s.

Saturday, the Green Street Mountain Daredevils touch upon all the guilty pleasures, disco and pop from the ‘70s at the Lucky Dog Music Hall with AM Gold; there's a Michael Jackson tribute show at the Hanover Theatre; Rick Potter and the Sons of Soul head out to the Blue Plate; All These Elements joins the Alibi District at the Raven; the Great Escape pays tribute to Journey at JJ’s in Northboro; Whalebone Farmhouse returns to Beatnik’s; Hot Sauce spices up Irish Times; and at noon, the Hot Rod show takes over the Ralph’s parking lot, and later, there’s music by Angry Johnny and The Killbillies, Midnight Creeps, MuscleCah, Demons Alley, and Evil Streaks.

Other Events:

On Friday, Hangin’ on the Wall exhibit opens at the ArtsWorcester Aurora Gallery on Main Street with a reception from 6-8 p.m. Hangin’ on the Wall expands on Worcester’s history of wallpaper manufacturing. It concentrates on Worcester’s Allen-Higgins Wallpaper Company, which was known for its rather artistic wallpaper.

“Blooms” features digital paintings from Gregg Johnson through the end of the month at OneLove Café on Main Street.

Harmony hangs at Booklovers Gourmet in Webster through the month, featuring paintings from three Thompson, Connecticut, female artists.

Club notes, Friday, May 15

Friday, Beatles for Sale provide the music for Shrewsbury’s Relay for Life cancer benefit at Oak Middle School; there’s an informal group sing right here in the front room at WCUW on Main Street at 7 p.m.; it’s Friday Night Frenzy at the Bluri Bar on Main Street; The Change Up starts things up at Ralph’s, followed by Swillmerchants, I, Pistol, Hey Now Morris Fader and Those Wolves Actually Happened; the Hornitz join Stroamata at Beatnik’s; The Knot’s got a big reunion show at Tammany Hall; and the Lucky Dog has The Reach, Second Infinitum and Kung Fu Grip; a Loss for Words is with the Wonder Years and Transit at The Palladium;

Saturday, it’s a scoot and ska, starting with a scooter ride followed by a show with Guns of Navarone at Beatnik’s; and Soulstice is at the 5th Amendment.

Sunday, Janet Ryan is the featured artist at Jim Perry’s famous blues jam at Greendale’s – Ryan’s bringing her guitarist Ray Chaput and of course will be backed by the house band of Perry on guitar, Dana Bonardi on drums and Bob Berry on bass.
Ray Chaput. House band will be Dana Bonardi on drums, Bob Berry on bass guitar, and
Jim Perry on guitar.

Other events:
Friday, there’s a CSI style murder mystery dinner theater at the Salem Cross Inn in West Brookfield; and it’s also the very last day to see the Wormtown Rocks exhibit at the Worcester Art Museum.

Weekend notes, April 30, 2010

Friday, Preacher Roe’s headlining Ralph’s Diner; Hat On, Drinking Wine makes its Beatnik’s debut; Jim Porcella and his daughter Renee play at AJ Tomaiolo’s in Northboro; Go’s with Sasquatch and the Sickabillys and Castine at the Lucky Dog Music Hall; James Keyes splits the night with singer songwriter Ian Adams and the Boston and Maine String Band at the Hotel Vernon.

Saturday, The Flock plays a benefit for the Leicester Firefighters at the Rod and Gun Club in Leicester; at 2 p.m. Vinny T’s patio is opening with an extravaganza that includes a pizza eating contest and music by Dana Lewis; at 5:30 p.m. the Q Arts Corporation is holding a big fundraiser banquet with performances by The Little A Poetry Group, and The Dirty Gerund, including features by established poets James Caroline and Corrina Bain, at the QVCC; the Ten Foot Polecats has their CD release show for “I Get Blamed For Everything I Do” at The Dive Bar; and Cocktails for the Cure: Third Annual Cancer Research Fundraiser is at Maynard Rod and Gun Club, Maynard, and features AM Gold hits from the Mountain Daredevils. And also on on Saturday, you can help clean up Crow Hill with the Greater Worcester Land Trust as part of one of its Earth Day events.

Event notes, Friday, April 23

Friday, Shane Hall and the TickleBomb Orchestra help open for the Dave Rivers Group and Shotgun Blues at the Lucky Dog Music Hall; Counter Attack’s rocking out Zeppelin at the Lucky Dog; Oneal Armstrong does instrumental blues at The Dive; from Prince Edward Island, the Sky Family is back doing Christian rock at the Mill Church Café in Millbury; Uncle Billy's Smokehouse, Sunlea and Sky Blue Mind are at the Cannery at 12 Crane in Southbridge; Jim Perry’s singing solo at Brian’s out in Linwood; The Scales rock Beatnik’s; This Burning World and Carnival of Souls are at the Raven.

Saturday, Terry Brennan sings at the Fiddler’s Green; Herd of Cats does jazz at the Rockland Congregational Church; Bill Staines sings at the Green Rooster Coffeehouse, Fennario returns to Tammany Hall; Linda Dagnello sings at Nick’s; Bill McCarthy’s out at the Whistle Stop in Oxford; the Brennan Brothers harmonize at the Fiddler’s Green; and monsters of rock Touch 2 Much and Counter Attack blast the Lucky Dog Music Hall.

Also, the Palladium is home to the annual New England Metal and Hardcore Festival. On Friday, it’s Mastodon, Between The Buried and Me, Baroness, Valiant Thor, Cro Mags, Doomriders, Earth Crisis, Death Threat, Death Before Dishonor, COA, American Me, Thick As Blood, Forfeit, XTheWarX, Nachtmystium, Architect UK, Grave Maker, Rose Funeral, After The Burial, Conducting From The Grave, Howl and more perform, beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday brings Cannibal Corpse, Amon Amarth, Job for a Cowboy, Whitechapel, Skeleton Witch, Eluveitie, 1349, Impending Doom, Lecherous, Nocturne, Tony Danza Tap Dance Extravaganza, Chelsea Grin, Abacabb, Arsonists Get All The Girls, Malefice, Swashbuckle, Cattle Decapitation, Acaro, Holy Grail, Disembodied, Cruel Hand, Reign Supreme, The Mongoloids, xTyrantX, Foundation, Soul Control, Alpha and Omega, Burning Empires, Mother of Mercy, Gaza, Across The Sun, Monsters perform, beginning at noon.

Sunday, Brett and Lisa are the featured act at the blues jam at Dunny’s Tavern – the old Frank’s Pub in Brookfield; the Delta Generators are out at the British Beer Company for a “Bloody Brunch” in Framingham; for blues even closer to home Jeff Pitchell and Texas Flood do the blues barbecue at Mechanics Hall.
Other events:

On Friday, Poet-author Jeff Cannon reads selected poems from his recently published book," Eros: Faces of Love" at Borders in Shrewsbury. Special Dessert for the event. Enjoy the open-mic as well with other wonderful musician-song-writers and poets with host Patrick McCarthy. There’s a “porketta dinner” at the VFW in Uxbridge. Music Worcester presents the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, Benjamin Zander, Conductor, with Gwyneth Wentink, harp at Mechanics Hall.

Saturday, there’s a fishing derby at Upton Town Beach; and the African Violet show returns to Tower Hill Botanic Garden. The Pet Fest returns to Becker College in Leicester.

Oliver takes the stage throughout the weekend at the Hanover Theatre.

Sunday, it’s the next installment of PechaKucha at the Razzo Hall at Clark University.

And don’t forget – there’s a plethora of Earth Day events. Check in with your town for local groups and jump in and help out. If you don’t jump in to anything organized, at the least clean up your yard and bring a bottle back to the recycling center.

Pictured: The Drunken Uncles, too busy to remain sober

Friday, it’s the Loft 266 grand opening weekend – Loft 266 is at 266 Park Ave. (Sam James plays Friday, the Drunken Uncles are there on Saturday, and Brooks Milgate plays the keys on Sunday). Back to Friday - Crumb opens for the Charles River Music Whores at the Lucky Dog Music Hall; Drunken Uncles start out at Jillian’s early evening and then head over to Allgo’s; Nate Wilson and Johnny Trama are joined by Duncan Arsenault at the Dive Bar; Cobra Kai headlines the Raven; Antje Duvekot is with Ben Pegg at the Bull Run in Shirley; Fourth Gear rocks the Blue Plate in Holden; Mack the Knife, The Terribles and more do a When Pigs Fly and Think About Meat Show at the Hotel Vernon; Kayla Daly, Joe Carcia, Eye Witness, Mike and Greg of Castine and Kid Colossal all play for the Down Syndrome Awareness Show at Tammany Hall; Finntroll is with Moonsorrow , Swallow the Sun and Survivors Zero at The Palladium; Shawn Dennis and Raised Glory is at the Christian Coffeehouse at the Mill Church Café in Millbury; British Blast Sound invades Wesley United Methodist Church; Chris Reddy is out at the Gardner Ale House; Kung Fu Grip chops it up at Mint; Old School does the classics at Beatnik’s; the Ellingtstones throw out the blues at Gilrein’s; and Bill McCarthy sings at Greendale’s.

Saturday, Hey Now Morris Fader headlines Ralph’s; Polluted Remains and Atomic Stereo open for the Mishits at the Lucky Dog; There’s a Team Siart Benefit with Black Helicopter, Huck, Young Leaves, Pillowman, Hey Now Morris Fader, Blanketeer, Shirtz and Skin, Angry Johnny and The Killbillies at Ralph’s; Lesions and She Nasty are among the lineup at The Raven; Obsessions returns to 3-G’s; Richard James and the Hornitz buzz at Beatnik’s; the Dirty Mac Blues Band tears it up at Gilrein’s; Bret Talbert sings at Creegan’s; Shakey Steve blows the harp with the Blue Cats, howling at the Oxford Tavern;

Flock of Assholes hits Sakura Tokyo all weekend.
Sunday.

Next Wednesday, SevereZero is at Ralph’s.

Other events:

Tonight, the Elm Street Congregational Church in Southbridge offers spaghetti and meatballs takeout dinners. Also, the Merely Players put on their one act play festival at Assumption College from 7-9 p.m. The movie Nine is showing at Holy Cross’s theatre, for free. And wear your mystery mask to the “Poe’s Masked Ball” at the Worcester Public Library.

Saturday, the Worcester Contra Dance is back at the Wesley United Methodist Church.
On Sunday, the third Annual College Poetry Competition & Award Ceremony takes place at 2 p.m. at the Worcester Public Library.
Burncoat Middle School is putting on “Annie” all weekend.

There’s a new exhibit of pet paintings by Crazy Dog Lady at the Fitchburg Art Museum.

Wormtown Rocks! opened at the Worcester Art Museum yesterday and continues for the next couple of months.

Wormtown Rocks opens at WAM April 8

Worcester has always been known for its lively music scene and its ability to nurture artists of all genres. This photo competition and exhibition - Wormtown Rocks – to be held at the Worcester Art Museum, will be a dynamic and unique snapshot of the music scene of the Worcester area, highlighting both photographic as well as musical talents of the city. In partnership with ARTSWorcester, the Worcester Art Museum solicited photographs for the juried exhibition that will be shown in the Higgins Education Wing from April 8 to May 14, 2010.

The juried exhibition is being held in conjunction with Who Shot Rock & Roll: A Photographic History, 1955 to the Present, a photography exhibition on display at the Worcester Art Museum from March 7 to May 30, 2010.

Wormtown Rocks jurors:

David Acton
Curator of Prints, Drawings, & Photography at the Worcester Art Museum

Jim Collins
Photographer, Worcester Telegram and Gazette

Brian Goslow
Managing Editor, Artscope Magazine

Charlene Arsenault
Regional Editor/Reporter CentralMassNews.com, former A&E editor Worcester Magazine, Founding Partner Pet Rock Festival