More Events to Bring Back The Aud

WORCESTER, MA—Off the heels of successful tours of the long-shuttered Worcester Memorial Auditorium over the summer, the city and the Worcester Cultural Council are hosting events throughout October in an effort to re-engage the community with this historic performance hall.

The Worcester Aud, which had everything from political rallies and graduations to boxing matches and shows by Bob Dylan, Green Day and the Rolling Stones, closed in 1998.

Preservation Worcester led a series of free tours during August during which more than 1,000 attended.

"A lot of people have nostalgia for the Aud, but a lot of people, particularly young people and new people to Worcester, never had the chance to see it up close. We saw over the summer just how interested people are in this historic treasure, and we want to keep that momentum going with some fun events," said City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr. in a statement. "No matter if you graduated at the Aud, or you've never been inside, this is a chance to enjoy a night out and see this grand structure up close."

"The Worcester Auditorium is such a historic gem which played host in the past to many great gatherings and musical legends. What a better way to activate this space than with art, music, entertainment, food and most important, great people," said Erin Williams, cultural development director for the City of Worcester.

Downtown Underground: Urban Masquerade kicked off the series of October events.

The following are upcoming events at the Worcester Auditorium, via the City of Worcester:

• Auditorium Exhibit at City Hall: This August, the doors to the Great Hall, the Memorial Lobby and the Memorial Hall of the Worcester Auditorium were opened to host a series of tours from Preservation Worcester docents. Among those who toured were local photographers. A showing of the displays and images created will be on view in the Levi Lincoln room, 3rd Floor City Hall on October 4th from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM. On display will be pictures and diagrams from the past, photographs from local artists Bob Bernier, Jaime Flores, Scott Erb and Donna Dufault from the present, and presentations from Preservation Worcester docents.
• Wings Over Worcester: The Worcester Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will provide an afternoon long event on Oct. 9. Starting at 3 p.m., the Seele Musicale Chamber Ensemble will perform in the Memorial Hall. Organist William Ness will bring his expertise to the mighty Kimball organ in the Great Hall at 4 p.m. Back in the Memorial Hall, the St. John's Schola Cantorum shares their a cappella voices at 5:30 PM, followed by the Coriolis Chamber Players at 6 p.m. Ending the night is the showing of the epic 1927 silent film Wings, with accompaniment by Peter Krasinski. Chair rentals are available at www.worcaud.com/tickets.
• Organ Concert: Organist Peter Richard Conte will the get the pipes blowing again on Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. Preceding his performance will be a chamber music string quartet in the Memorial Hall at 6pm. The evening will begin with an introduction from an Honor Guard. Chair rentals are available at www.worcaud.com/tickets.
• Silent Film - Nosferatu: The eerie and scary cinema classic Nosferatu will haunt the Great Hall on Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. With accompaniment by organist, Peter Krasinski you will see the story of the original Dracula while listening to the ghouling sounds of the Kimball echo through the Auditorium. This event is free to the public. Doors will open at 7 p.m.