Arts & Entertainment
The Weekly Shuffle: Beantown Comedy, '80s at Sakura, 'Tribes' Opening
Our picks for the week include the opening of 'Tribes,' a vintage soul band at the Sahara and Cirque du Noir...and a barngrass band?
WORCESTER, MA -- Thursday, the “Northern Country Barngrass Band” Grain Thief starts at 8 p.m. at Beatnik’s; and Matt Robert plays solo at Nick’s.
On Friday, led by singer Maddie Jones, We and Mrs. Jones shuffles and swings through vintage R&B, rock and soul at the Sahara Cafe, which happens to have some awesome hummus. Also, the duo Drunken Uncles are out at Oxford’s Casual Dining (in Oxford, obviously); Clamdigger packs the sand at Galway Bay on Stafford Street (at the corner of James Street); Sam James sings at the Compass Tavern; Ed and Da‘ve harmonize at Greendale’s Pub; and it’s the start of a two-night ‘80s party with Flock of A-Holes at Sakura Tokyo (where the band returns on Saturday, too).
The Worcester County Light Opera’s production of “Tribes” opens on Friday, too. It’s the story of a yound deaf man who grows up using spoken English. He meets a woman of signing deaf parents and learns sign language himself. “The director has worked hard to learn the nuances of this play and the Deaf community,” said spokesperson Kym Meyer, ”and has brought on a number of deaf professionals as consultants.”
On Saturday, the Worcester Public Library hosts a bash to celebrate Bob Marley’s birthday at 1 p.m.; it’s “An Intimate Evening with the Balls” with Jessica Lovina and Sean McGorty at Vincent’s, starting at 8 p.m.; Chet Williamson, the Rusty Mikes, Bop ‘n’ Pop and more play for the Heifer Blues Benefit Concert at the Blue Plate in Holden; Jim Carnazza and Mike Rush pay tribute to Walter Horton at Padavano’s Place; Hot Letter plays at the Cigar Bar; Pamela Hines joins Renee Legendre at Nick’s; Dan Crohn, Doug Blay and friends laugh it up (or make you laugh) as the next Dick Doherty’s Beantown Comedy Show at Park Grill & Spirits; hosted by Cirque du Noir, Cirque-mstantial Evidence opens at the Sprinkler Factory on Feb. 6 from 6-9 p.m., with gallery hours on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the month from 1-4. A closing reception is also planned for Feb. 27 from 6-9.
Need a fix on Sunday? Try the famous Beechwood Hotel brunch, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s $27.95 for adults, but it’s worth it. At 5 p.m., Big Jon Short plays old-time blues at Vincent’s; and then of course, it’s the Superbowl. Are you even watching it? If so, where?
On Wednesday, Reid Tre is the featured act at the Wacky Wednesdays blues jam at Greendale’s. How do you get in to the jam? There’s a sign-up sheet at the show. Drums and a bass rig is provided, but guitarists and harp players need to bring amps. Horn players wishing to sit in should have a mic and a stand, just in case. Hosted by John Prunier, the jam starts with the feature from 8:30-9:30 p.m., with a jam through 11:30 p.m., and the feature ending the night with a set from 11:30 p.m. to midnight.
Worcester (area) artists, singers, bands, comedians - creative types - tell me about your events for my Weekly Shuffle picks of the week breakdown, running every Thursday on Worcester Patch. Also, send any story ideas, tips, inventions, cocktail recipes, misspellings on signs and menus, stunning photos, accomplishments, issues, new and closing restaurants, and any captivating nonsense you wish to spew - - to charlene.arsenault@patch.com. I really want to hear from you.
