As we’re still digging out of the snow, there’s a whole lot to choose from in the way of eventing in Worcester this weekend, including the Flora in Winter show at WAM, an amazing Irish band at Fiddler’s Green, a talk on black women in the revolution, and Seinfeld at the Hanover.
Here are the Worcester Guardian’s five picks for things to do in Worcester this weekend:
- Shamrocks, shenanigans & the Pourmen: Kick off St. Patrick’s season the right way—with live Irish music, step dancing and maybe a little friendly raffle-fueled luck— head to Fiddler’s Green on Temple Street Saturday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. The Pourmen take the stage for a night of high-energy tunes, traditional dancing and all the pub vibes you’d expect this time of year. There’s no cover, but donations are welcome to support the Worcester County St. Patrick’s Parade. Expect 50/50 drawings, raffles and a crowd that’s more than happy to practice its “Sláinte” ahead of the big day. Oh, and this place has an amazing Irish-style chicken sandwich!
- Rewriting the Revolution: As the country nears its 250th birthday, the American Antiquarian Society hosts a timely conversation on who gets to be called revolutionary — and who doesn’t — on Thursday, Feb. 26, from 7-8 p.m. at its Salisbury Street headquarters. Moderated by Deborah Hall, the panel brings together historians Patrice R. Green, Kyera Singleton and Angela T. Tate to examine how Black women have pushed for freedom through petitions, protest and organized movements over the past 250 years — often without recognition in traditional narratives. The free program, Black Women at the Center of Revolution, invites the public to reconsider what revolution really means, and whose stories have shaped it all along.
- A yummy classical and jazz sandwich: That’s what’s on the menu as Music Worcester brings the Aaron Diehl Trio to the Prior Performing Arts Center at College of the Holy Cross on Friday, Feb. 28, from 8-10 p.m., for a night of jazz that refuses to stay in one lane. Pianist Aaron Diehl is known for threading classical precision through jazz improvisation without making either feel precious, joined by bass and drums in a set that moves easily between standards and reinvention. A regular on the New York scene, Diehl has collaborated with artists including Benny Golson and Philip Glass — so yes, he’s the real deal. If your Friday night plans currently involve your couch, this is a strong counteroffer.
- So what’s the deal with Worcester? (You said that like Jerry in your head, didn’t you?) Stand-up heavyweight Jerry Seinfeld returns to the The Hanover Theatre on Saturday, Feb. 28, for two shows— at 5 and 8 p.m.— delivering the observational comedy that turned everyday annoyances into an empire. After launching into the spotlight with a 1981 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Seinfeld went on to co-create Seinfeld with Larry David, a little sitcom you may have heard of. These days, he’s still packing theaters thanks to Netflix specials such as “23 Hours to Kill” and the celebrity drive-along series “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.” Tickets, all fees included, range from $68 to $628, with an eight-ticket limit per customer — because apparently even a show about nothing has boundaries.
- Stop and smell the masterpieces: The Worcester Art Museum trades traditional wall labels for petals and stems during Flora in Winter, opening Thursday, Feb. 26, and running through March 1. Throughout the galleries, floral designers reinterpret works of art — think armor paired with roses, portraits echoed in peonies, even stormy seas rendered in tulips — inviting visitors to see familiar pieces from a fresh angle. Hours are 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Sunday, with extended hours Saturday until 7 p.m. (the 5–7 p.m. window includes music and drinks). Admission is free for museum members, $32 for adults and seniors, and $7 for youth 17 and under; tickets are available at the door only, and some special events require advance registration.
For more events, visit the Discover Central Massachusetts events calendar.
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
