Here are five picks for the weekend:
- The soundtrack to a thousand air-guitar solos: Journey returns to Worcester on Saturday, June 6, bringing its Final Frontier Tour to the DCU Center for a 7:30 p.m. show. For plenty of local fans, Journey isn’t just another classic rock band—it’s a group that packed the old Centrum again and again during its arena-rock peak. And no, there’s no Steve Perry in this incarnation, but “the new guy nails it.” Expect a set loaded with songs that have survived decades of radio play, weddings, sporting events and karaoke nights, including “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Faithfully,” “Open Arms,” “Separate Ways,” “Lights” and “Any Way You Want It.” Whether you remember seeing them at the Centrum or simply know every word against your will, this is one of those concerts where most of the crowd arrives already knowing the chorus.
- The true crime fans have entered the archive: If you’ve ever wondered what Worcester’s criminal justice system looked like before fingerprints, podcasts and cable documentaries, the American Antiquarian Society has you covered. A free “Chat with a Curator” program on Thursday, June 4, from 5-6:30 p.m. offers a rare look at Worcester County jail records from 1860 to 1900, including arrest warrants, court orders and prisoner ledgers recently donated by the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. Held at American Antiquarian Society, the event explores everything from poverty and immigration to drinking habits, incarceration and daily life in Civil War-era Worcester. Curator Ashley Cataldo and Worcester County Sheriff Lewis Evangelidis join in to discuss the records, which collectively amount to a fascinating reminder that people have been making questionable decisions for a very long time.
- Diane Blue burns through the blues: Award-winning blues vocalist and harmonica player Diane Blue brings her All-Star Quartet to the WCUW FrontRoom on Saturday, June 6, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and music starting at 7 p.m. Blue, a longtime member of Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters, has built a reputation as a powerhouse performer equally comfortable delivering a slow-burning blues vocal or taking over a song with a blistering harmonica solo. The evening also features hometown guitar standout Cliff Goodwin, whose résumé includes more than a decade touring with Joe Cocker. Tickets are $20 at the door, making this one of those shows where a surprisingly small room ends up holding a remarkable amount of musical talent.
- Food truckin’ (with beer and crafts, too): The Food Truck & Craft Beverage Festival rolls into the Worcester Common Oval on Saturday, June 6, from noon to 5 p.m., bringing together a collection of food trucks, craft breweries and other beverage makers for an afternoon devoted to eating first and asking questions later. In addition to the food and drinks, the festival features live music and outdoor games from Ultimate Tailgating, making it equally suitable for serious foodies, casual grazers and people who somehow always end up in the cornhole tournament. It’s one of those events where “I’ll just grab a quick bite” rarely survives contact with reality.
- More food, and lots of it, outside: World of Foods Worcester returns to Elm Park on Saturday, June 6, from noon to 6 p.m., turning the city’s oldest public park into a celebration of the cultures that make Worcester what it is. The free festival features more than 25 food vendors, over 80 marketplace vendors, live entertainment, face painting, bounce houses, board games, a dominoes tournament, an art bus, a library bus and enough activity to keep even the most easily distracted child occupied. Organizers also see the event as a way to support emerging entrepreneurs and small businesses by giving them a highly visible platform in front of an expected crowd of more than 2,000 people. It’s part food festival, part community gathering and part reminder that Worcester’s best feature may be the number of different cultures packed into one city.
For more events, visit the Discover Central Massachusetts events calendar.
Have an event, news tip, idea for a feature, information, joke, favorite recipe or anything else you’d like to tell us about? You should. Contact carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
