Worcester’s hot in the cold months. Each week, the Worcester Guardian highlights events and activities you may want to consider over the weekend ahead.
Here are five picks of things to do in Worcester this weekend:
- Winter Festival weekend in Worcester: If it’s something that can be fun in the cold and snow, it’s happening at this festival on Saturday, Feb. 3, and Sunday, Feb. 4, in downtown Worcester (in and around the common/oval). The weekend, which beckons the days of “First Night Worcester,” includes ice skating, an alpine slide, ice sculpture exhibit and demos, arts and crafts, local food and more on the common. But the fun fingers out to the DCU, which holds a Commerford and Sons Kids Fair , winter wine tasting at the Clock Beer and Wine, a Circus Variety Show at the Hanover Theatre, pride celebration at JMAC, Evil Philipe at the Palladium, a tribute to Bon Jovi at Off the Rails, chocolate tasting and talk at the Worcester Public Library, and a Hellfyre Lair Drag Show at JMAC. Yeah, it’s a lot. Go here for the rundown and prices, and freebies (which includes ice skating if you donate to the Woo Fridge).
- Set sail to ride the new local Yacht Rock wave: Composed of music scene veterans who have covered these smooth tunes known as yacht rock in many of their former bands, New England Yacht Club makes its official debut on Friday, Feb. 2, at Halligan’s in Auburn. Think Little River Band, Christopher Cross, Michael McDonald, Steely Dan, Kenny Loggins, Ambrosia and anything that would complement your boat shoes, Nantucket red, captain’s hat and chill mood, and that’s likely what you’ll hear by this band, which includes the likes of She’s Busy and 9Teen alum. Oh lovey, this will be fantastic!
- Budding florists: a blooming Valentine’s Day flower arranging class for kids: Join a fun and creative Valentine’s Day Workshop at The Sage Bouquet, 51 Union St. This workshop is geared toward kids, who get to discover the art of floral design and learn how to create a beautiful homemade gift. This event takes place on Sunday, Feb. 4, from 10-11:30 a.m. It costs $60, but that’s about how much you’ll pay for a nice flower arrangement these days anyway.
- Meats for seed fundraiser: There’s something ironic about a meat raffle fundraiser for a group called Planting the Seed, but that’s indeed what’s happening on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 2 p.m. at Worcester Fitness. High-quality meats are available for raffle (six tickets for $10, 15 for $20), with all proceeds benefiting Planting the Seed, which improves the lives of families in Central Massachusetts and Worcester with toys and gifts.
- Black History Month exhibit opens: “Catch the Fire” opens on Feb. 1 and runs through Feb. 29, with an opening reception on Saturday, Feb. 3, from 4-6 p.m. For the exhibit, The Worcester Black History Project involved black artists to respond to the theme of “Catch the Fire,” which draws on the inspiring words of poet, activist, and educator Sonia Sanchez. “Catch the Fire” is a poem that was written to her community that inspires black people to remember their history and the historical injustices experienced.
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
