Here are five picks of things to do in Worcester this weekend:
- Poetry at the park: Step up to the plate for the National Baseball Poetry Festival, May 2–4, where poetry and America’s pastime collide. The big event? A youth poetry reading at Polar Park on Saturday, May 3, where 60 young poets from across the country perform their baseball-inspired verses on the field — three even throw out the first pitch. The weekend includes a welcome reception, open mic night, and conversations with acclaimed poets. It’s poetry with peanuts and Cracker Jack.
- Vivaldi, voices & a touch of trumpet: Let your Sunday afternoon sing with Vivaldi’s Gloria as the Central Massachusetts Festival Chorus continues its inaugural season. This powerful spring concert on May 4 at 3 p.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church in Auburn blends soloists, strings, trumpet, oboe, and the soaring voices of a freshly minted chorus under the baton of Jane Shivick. With pianist Matthew Jaskot at the keys and tickets just $20 at the door, it’s a glorious way to welcome May in major key.
- There’s a full moon fever hitting Greendale’s: Catch the Petty Larceny Band back at their stomping grounds on Saturday, May 3 at Greendale’s, kicking off at 8:30 p.m. With four straight Worcester Music Awards for Best Tribute Band—and a frontman crowned Best Male Vocalist—these Heartbreakers-in-spirit will tear through Tom Petty’s greatest hits, plus deep cuts and classics from the Traveling Wilburys, Stevie Nicks, and more. If you’ve ever shouted the chorus to “Refugee” into a beer bottle, this one’s for you.
- Horsepower for a cause: WPI Motorsports Club is revving up for another year of high-octane fun with their annual car show on Saturday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 33 Garden St. in Worcester. Whether you’re showing off your ride ($5 entry) or just cruising by to spectate (free!), it’s all for a great cause—proceeds benefit Veterans Inc. of Worcester. Expect an exhaust competition, judged categories, and trophies handed out at 1 p.m. With only 155 spots available and first-come, first-served parking, get there early and bring the shine.
- Big Ideas, bold futures: African Business Expo returns: The annual New England African Business Expo is back for the third time—and it’s not your average name-tag-and-brochure event. Hosted by the Massachusetts Organization of African Descendants (MOAD) and WPI’s African Graduate Student Association, the Expo lands at WPI’s Innovation Studio on Saturday, May 3, from noon to 5 p.m. Expect high-energy pitch competitions (with up to $5K in prizes), powerful speakers, and an interactive showcase of Black and African entrepreneurial brilliance. It’s free, it’s inspiring, and it’s all about turning ideas into action—locally and globally.
Have an event, news tip, information, joke, favorite recipe or anything else you’d like to tell us about? You should. Contact carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
