WORCESTER—The city is getting chilly but there are some hot events, with tons of stuff to do for all ages and interests. Each Thursday, the Worcester Guardian highlights events and activities you might consider over the weekend.
Here are five solid picks of things to do in Worcester this weekend:
1. Knowing me, knowing you…this is something you can do: Mania: the ABBA Tribute brings to life the timeless, theatrical, musical magic that was this legendary phenomenon from Sweden. The two-hour show, happening Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Hanover Theater, re-creates the sound and spirt of the band with hits such as “Dancing Queen,” “Waterloo,” “The Winner Takes it All” and “Mamma Mia.” Formed in 1999, this tribute has been at it for longer than the real thing. Tickets, which you can reserve here, are $24.50, $37.50, $49.50 and $64.50 depending on seat location.
2. Tour the pahhhhk: Were you aware that Polar Park in Worcester offers daily tours, including the weekend, and even off season (when the WooSox aren’t playing)? We had forgotten this, too, but were reminded by a Guardian reader who recently entertained some visiting friends from Vancouver by taking them on this very tour.
“I must say I was a wreck over what to do [when they visited]!“ Janice Conrad told us. “We got a private tour of the park, and he gave us a history of the park, tours of the private box seats, and lots of talking and questions, including how it got to be built. It was a beautiful day and he could not have been more personable and informative. We even went into the cellar, and he talked about Coney Island and their history, and what better way to end the day? We went to Coney Island for lunch and got our guests T-shirts. These people tour the world, and they loved our simple trip.”
Tickets are $10 for tours. Go here.
3. Grab a joystick, go back in time: Freeplay Bar and Arcade is bringing back its popular Worcester Freeplay Family Day on Sunday, Nov. 5, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy all the classic arcade games (the real ones, from Galaga and Pac-Man to Pole Position and Space Invaders to Centipede and Asteroids), skee ball, air hockey and pinball will the hits of the ‘80s spinning throughout the joint. It’s $10 admission, all the games are set to “free” and it’s for all ages.
4. Bust a gut at the Rails: Going on its 11th year, the Sort of Late Show has a new home at Off the Rails. The comedy show, hosted and led by Shaun Connolly and his sidekicks Doug Guertin and Bryan O’Connell, are welcoming Jenny Pacillo (yes, Pulse editor and candidate for district council) and Bill Shaner as special guests, and headliner Dan Perlman (from “Flatbush Misdemeanors” on Showtime) ripping out the funnies. Musical guest is Moshi. The show starts at 8 p.m. and Tickets are $10 at the door.
5. Never…break The Chain, except if the band breaks up: The band The Chain isn’t staying together, but you can catch them for their final show, running in the shadows this Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Timberyard Brewing Company in East Brookfield. Yes, we’re breaking our own Worcester-centric rules for the Guardian, with this venue located in East Brookfield. But this is The Chain’s last show, and features some amazing Worcester-based musicians.
Despite what the band name might suggest, The Chain “is by no means a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, not even in the limited sense,” explained guitarist/keyboardist/singer Jim Perry. The veteran musician joins Jon Webster on bass, Billy MacGillivray on drums and Alison McTavish on lead vocals, delivering a set that does include a bit of Fleetwood Mac, but also hits everything from “Different Drum” by Linda Rondstadt to “Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush to “Criminal” by Fiona Apple. “
“It’s kind of all over the place,” continued Perry, “but the common denominator is Alison’s amazing voice. This band started as a duo, actually, with me and Alison. Jon joined up next after coming to see us once, and it so much to the sound that I thought we needed to have a drummer, and it so happened that Bill was available. Jon and Bill were actually bandmates in Zonkaraz, so that was nice.”
But alas, Perry said that since McTavish has caught some breaks with other bands, The Chain “is done.” Don’t miss its last show, which happens from 7-10 p.m.
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
