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In this issue...
Let's Go Out to Lunch
Worcester Windows
Pop Up
Have your say
Seeing Stars Under the Stars
Asian Festival
Sing a song
Jazz at Sunset Returns
Wild & Precious
Headline
Revolutionary Era Worcester
The legacy of Juneteenth
Moving Forward Together
Countdown to Kindergarten

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Get your WOO Card to receive discounts and special offers at nearly sixty area arts and culture destinations, along with  restaurants, hotels, retailers and more throughout Worcester County! Earn WOO points every time you use your WOO Card and be entered to win fantastic prizes!

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Entree Encore

Win a $10 gift card to Theatre Cafe, on Main Street in Worcester, offering homemade soups, specialty sandwiches, unique dinner entrees and more just steps away from The Hanover Theatre in downtown Worcester!

 
Summer Festival Concert
Win a pair of tickets to Worcester Chamber Music Society's Summer Festival Concert - featuring A Quartet of Nations, four inspired programs, which capture through the intimacy of chamber music, the living essence of a country's spiritual being, as reflected through the lens of musical genius.
 
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 June 18 - July 1, 2014
Let's Go
Out to Lunch
 

 

Seems like just yesterday we were bundled head to toe, lacing up the skates to take a spin on the Worcester Common Oval... now the ice is gone and it's time to turn up the heat, and turn up the music! The Out to Lunch Summer Concert Series & Farmers Market returns to the Worcester Common Oval, 455 Main Street (behind City Hall), Worcester this Thursday, June 19th
 
Erin Harpe & the Delta Swingers will kick things off, bringing their "Charles River Delta Blues" style, a fusion of country, Americana, soul, reggae and blues to downtown Worcester! Recently named Boston Music Award Blues Act of the Year award winners, you don't want to miss a note of the intricate finger-picking guitar style of chanteuse Erin Harpe. The band evokes a southern juke joint where the whiskey and gin are flowing and everybody's dancing to that undeniable rootsy blues beat. 
 
Each Thursday the expanded Farmers Market Artisan Marketplace and Food Vendors will open at 11 a.m. Main stage talent performs beginning at 12 noon. Concert runs til 2 p.m. with one brief intermission. Series continues every Thursday through August 21stAdmission is FREE and open to all.  Public WOO Card  WOO Card holders can swipe for WOO points at the WOO Card table. 
 
Week two, Thursday, June 26th, will feature the Sonic Explorers - a creatively spirited and musically diverse instrumental ensemble whose repertoire focuses on the original compositions and arrangements of trumpeter and leader, Jerry Sabatini. Since 1995, Jerry's music has been driven by some of the finest musicians in the Boston area. Characterized by sensational improvisations bursting out from tight, well-crafted arrangements, Sonic Explorers soar without limits and have defined a unique and personalized sound that is unmistakably all their own. See the complete lineup of performers for OTL 2014 online. 
Worcester Windows 

 

For its summer 2014 exhibition the Worcester Windows Community Gallery Program will present works by Worcester painter Brian Burris and a series of abstract photographs by members of the Worcester Alliance of Photographers. Exhibition includes works being shown along Franklin Street as well as within the City Hall Basement Gallery, 455 Main Street, Worcester. Burris' works feature ten over sized paintings based in color theory and minimalism with underlying patterning that elicits from the viewer the tendency to subconsciously impose or project forms upon the patterns of the painted field. Meanwhile, photographers were challenged to interpret their subjects in a non-literal way, not relying on a recognizable subject. Get a sneak peek of the newest exhibition online. Meet and mingle with the participating artists at an Opening Reception being held Thursday, June 19th 5:30- 7 p.m. in conjunction with the opening of the Worcester Pop Up at 38 Franklin Street, Worcester. Admission is FREE and open to all.
Making Worcester Pop 

 

The Worcester Cultural Coalition and City's Cultural Development Office, in partnership with Bay State Savings Bank, Worcester Business Development Corporation and Destination Worcester invite you to let your creativity shine this summer! Don't miss the grand opening of Worcester Pop Up, 38 Franklin Street, Worcester on Thursday, June 19th. The evening's festivities will include a chance to view the brand new gallery space with work from local artists including Brian Burris, James Dye and Allison Picone, and more. Enjoy light refreshments, listen and dance to the African-infused beats of Crocodile River Music, starting at 5:30 p.m.! Admission is free and open to all. Stop by to check who and what else will be popping up at the opening reception. 

Going forward throughout the summer, the Worcester Pop Up space will be open and available to local artists and entrepreneurs interested in sharing art, selling locavore food, hosting a creative workshop, presenting a wild staged reading or performance and more! Interested? Contact Hannah Yukon for additional details about how you too can help make Worcester Pop!

Now Showing...

Worcester Windows Community Gallery

 Painting from the Other Side of Night & Abstraction

 

 

 

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Downloadable Flyer

 

 City of Worcester

Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks

Thursday, July 3rd

Cristoforo Columbo Park, Shrewsbury St, Worcester

Details

 

 

Have your say

The Worcester Arts Council will host its Annual Community Input Meeting on Tuesday, June 24th at 6:30 p.m. at Worcester City Hall, 455 Main Street, Worcester in the Levi Lincoln conference Room, 3rd Floor, 455 Main Street, Worcester. Past grant recipients will speak about how funding has impacted them while offering an open forum for the public to share its ideas with members of the council with regard to setting priorities for the types of projects to receive funding for the 2015 grant cycle. Advanced RSVP not required, all are welcome.Public WOO Card WOO Card holders can swipe for WOO points

Coming Up in Culture


June 18 - Opening of Abstractions in Blue: Works from The Wise Collection, exhibition of abstract works by contemporary artists opens at Worcester Art Museum
 
Ongoing Wednesdays & Fridays - Yoga By Nature at Tower Hill Botanic Garden
 
June 20 - An Intimate Evening with Art Garfunkel at Mechanics Hall
 
June 21 & 22 - Calliope Productions will host auditions for upcoming production of Dial M for Murder
 
Thru June 21st - Eight Elements Artist in Residence exhibit at Worcester Center for Crafts, FREE
 
Ongoing Saturdays - Regional Environmental Council Community Farmer's Market at YMCA Central Branch, 766 Main St, Worcester
 
June 23 - Worcester County Light Opera Company Summer children's theatre workshop begins
 
Ongoing Tuesdays, Saturdays & Sunday - Tails 'n Trails dog walking trails open at Tower Hill Botanic Garden
 
June 25th - West Boylston Arts Foundation will host ukele songs, tunes & lessons at Pinecroft Dairy, FREE
 
June 26 - Summer African Music Series featuring Tony Vacca & Abdou Sarr at Gallery of African Art, FREE
 
June 27 - New Voices Awards youth vocal competition debut episode will air on WCCA TV13
 
June 27 - Free Fun Friday at Worcester Art Museum sponsored by Highland Street Foundation
 
Thru June 28 - Degree of Overlap exhibit at Sprinkler Factory Gallery, 38 Harlow St, Worcester, FREE
 
Thru June 28 - ONE, Redux summer open member exhibit at ArtsWorcester, 660 Main St, Worcester, FREE
 
June 28 - Worcester's Ethnic Mosaic: Bamidele Dancers & Drummers at Worcester Public Library, 3 Salem Sq, Worcester, FREE  
 
July 3rd - Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra concert at East Park, Shrewsbury St, Worcester leading up to spectacular fireworks display, FREE
 
Thru July 25 - Our Fragile Home exhibit on view at Cantor Art Gallery 
 
Thru Aug 30 - Darker Shades of Red: Soviet Propaganda Art from the Cold War Era exhibit at Museum of Russian Icons
 
Visit the Worcester Cultural Coalition's online calendar often for more information about these and many, many other cultural happenings!
 

This editon of

Your Arts & Culture Connection

brought to you by

Fred Harris Daniels Foundation
GWCF
MCC
WBUR
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Seeing stars under the stars 

 

Since you'll have so much fun at the Worcester Common Oval at lunch on Thursday, why not simply stay for dinner? That's right - 4th Annual Worcester Film Works Movies on the Common returns to the Oval, 455 Main Street, Worcester, on Thursday, June 19th! First presentation of the series will be the cult favorite, The Big Lebowski (please note - this movie is rated R for strong language, drug content and brief violence, not intended for young audiences). New for 2014 Worcester Film Works welcomes new music, food trucks and an added beer garden (access to beer garden area will be 21+ only). Enjoy live music from Neptune's Car and The Lied To's, featuring Doug Kwartler and Susan Levine, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Movie will begin at dusk. Admission is free. Public WOO Card WOO Card holders get one free small popcorn
 
Movie series will continue the third Thursday of the month for July and August with subsequent showings to include showings of classic family favorites, The Goonies on July 17th and Finding Nemo on August 21st.
Asian Festival

Experience more than a dozen Asian countries without ever leaving Worcester at the Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts 11th Annual Asian Festival on Sunday, June 29th from 12 noon - 7 p.m. at the Gene J. DeFeudis Italian American Cultural Center, 28 Mulberry Street, Worcester. Cultural heritage such as Bhutanese, Burmese, Cambodian, Chinese, Hmong, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Laos, Nepalese, Philippine, Thai and Vietnamese will be shared through an afternoon of dance performances, colorful costumes, music and of course, food! Enjoy a variety of games and children's activities, capped off by the annual Lions Dance Competition! Admission to the festival is FREE and open to all. 
Sing, sing 
a song

The Worcester Children's Chorus is seeking children ages 8-18 to join one of its four ensembles for the 2014-15 concert season. Upcoming auditions will be held on Wednesday, June 18th and on Monday, August 18th from 4-6 p.m. in Kennedy Hall Room 105, Assumption College, 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester. Don't miss an opportunity to sing with a professional chorus and make great music with great people!  Additional information available online or by calling 508-767-7077.  
Jazz at Sunset Returns

The popular Jazz at Sunset summer concert series is back from a one year hiatus at at new home. The American Big Band Preservation Society is pleased to present the 2014 Series, kicking things off with the Jeff Holmes Big Band on Friday, June 20th 6:30 -8:30 p.m. at the Scandinavian Athletic Club (SAC Park), 438 Lake Street, Shrewsbury. Don't miss amazing tributes to Ella, Sarah, Billie, Etta and other great big band singing ladies! Then on Friday, June 27th don't miss The Four Freshmen with Dan Gabel and the Abletones, featuring vocal harmonies that have mesmerized audiences since the 1940s.

Series will continue every Friday through July 25th. Concerts are rain or shine- held outdoors on the lawn or under a permanent pavilion in case of inclement weather. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. Bring a picnic, lawn chair or blanket. Food and drinks will be available for sale as well, including a full cash bar.Tickets available online, by calling 877 340-2263 or at the gate. Public WOO Card WOO Card holders save $4 off tickets
Wild & Precious

In recognition of LGBTQ Pride month and to honor the 45th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, the Worcester Historical Museum, 30 Elm Street, Worcester, in collaboration with Worcester Pride and Airspray, will present the theatrical memoir Wild and Precious at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 26th. This dynamic production tells the story of Steve Caldwell and his journey of sexual awakening, mental breakdown and finally acceptance - a well tuned roller coaster through the tumults, joys, tears and celebration of the gay experience over the past 60 years. Seating is limited so advanced reservations encouraged by calling 508 753-8278. This performance deals with sexual themes of an adult nature and may not be suitable for children. Admission is free, donations to benefit Worcester Pride will be accepted. 
Public WOO Card WOO Card holders can swipe for WOO points
Home sweet home

Don't miss the debut showing of A Place We Can All Home, a documentary which captures the story of three youth who journeyed from three different continents to live in the United States, specifically Worcester, on Friday, June 20th at 7 p.m. at Clark University, 950 Main Street, Worcester. As young people living in the City, they confront many of the same joys and hardships of teenagers anywhere in the U.S., but with additional challenges as immigrants. The film, conceived, written and produced by youth from Abbey Kelly Foster Charter Public School, University Park Campus School, Worcester Technical High School, and Claremont Academy, brings young people's realities and perspectives to the national debate on immigration. Made for the community by youth from the community, the documentary includes many organizations knowledgeable on the issue of immigration such as the African Community Education, the New Citizens Center School, the Student Immigrant Movement and also features commentary from Congressman Jim McGovern. Presented by N-CITE Community Media the project is supported in part by a grant from the Worcester Arts Council. Admission is free and will include a panel discussion and open Q&A following the film.
Revolutionary Era Worcester

Travel back in time and discover sites that evoke Worcester 1774 with a guided bus tour presented by Preservation Worcester on Saturday, June 21st from 2:30- 4 p.m. In September 1774 when the closing of the Worcester County Courthouse ousted British rule forever, Worcester looked nothing like it does today. Let this tour introduce you to historical sites and figures of the period - both famous and little known - recreating in your mind's eye the spirit of that long-ago era. Tour begins and ends at Preservation Worcester, 10 Cedar Street, Worcester - parking available across the street and along Cedar Street. Highlights of the tour will include the monument to revolutionary patriot Timothy Bigelow, home of patriot Stephen Salisbury, farmhouse of loyalist judge Timothy Paine, gardens of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and finally Rural Cemetery. Tickets $10 each, reservations required by calling 508 754-8760.
The legacy of Juneteenth

Uplifting stories from African-American history will be presented Saturday and Sunday, June 21-22nd as Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, celebrates Black History Weekend, which is held to commemorate historical 'Juneteenth' celebrations marking the end of slavery after the Civil War. Storyteller Tammy Denease (pictured above) will portray Amistad slave captive Sarah Margru, who became America's first African woman to graduate from an American college on Saturday and on Sunday, Elizabeth Keckly, a former slave who became a dressmaker and confidante of Mary Todd Lincoln. Enjoy stories and folklore from the African oral tradition as well as meet historians portraying abolitionists Abby Kelley Foster and William Lloyd Garrison. OSV celebrates New England life in the 1830s and is one of the largest living history museums in the country. Open daily 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Black History Weekend activities included with general museum admission
Public WOO Card WOO Card holders save $5 off adult daytime admission
Moving Forward Together

The greater Worcester community will come together on
Tuesday, July 1st at 12 noon at the Worcester Common Oval, 455 Main Street, Worcester, for a joint reading of the infamous words of Frederick Douglass. In 1864, Douglass transformed the fight against slavery into a fight for civil rights, moving forward to claim the promise of the Declaration of Independence, founding the Civil Rights movement. On the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the community is invited to come together to move forward and shoulder the responsibility for building a future, for gaining "all that the country requires". Program supported in part by a grant from the Worcester Arts Council. Admission is free. All are encouraged to attend and participate.
Countdown to Kindergarten

While this time of year most parents and kids are counting down to the last
day of school, the
EcoTarium, 222 Harrington Way, Worcester, is already making plans for a back to school celebration, Countdown to Kindergarten thanks to a national award for school readiness the museum recently received. 
EcoTarium President Joe Cox is shown here accepting the award from Patti Dyer, Financial Education Director at the Association of Children's Museum's InterActivity Conference in Phoenix recently. 
 
The award and accompanying $5,000 grant is part of the 2014 MetLife Foundation and Association of Children's Museums Promising Practice Award Reimagined program which identifies forward-thinking practices at children's museums. The award will support the museum's innovative approach in adapting Countdown to Kindergarten, a one-day celebration for incoming kindergarten students in Worcester Public Schools to better accommodate families who experience physical or mental disabilities, and learning or social difficulties. The Countdown to Kindergarten celebration day is being planned for August 26th.