Pulse Magazine - March 2014

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Online @ thepulsemag.com

EntErtainmEnt

WEB TV: Cute Him UpMUSIC: Wormstock is coming

stylE & BEauty

BEAUTY: Get a perfect party lookSKIN: Time to spring clean

Dining

BEER: DCU’s BrewFest ST. PAT: The best of Irish cream

sPOrts & FitnEss FITNESS: Training tips for runners

CulturE

ART: See Fitchburg’s new display

mOrE OnlinE! Follow us on Twitter @WorcesterPulse and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/thepulse magazine.

tHE COVEr stOry

6 St. Patrick’s Month

EntErtainmEnt

12 Local writer is ‘Blessid’ with movie

13 Pulsebooks: Kitchen reveals reality of rockstardom in new book

14 Making those Parade floats

15 UP & CoMERs: Shambles ~ Pop punk the way it’s meant to be played

16 oN CD: Josh Groban ~ All That Echoes Luke MacNeil ~ These Are Good Songs Jennifer Nettles ~ That Girl

17 GAME oN: Episode 1 of Telltale Game’s second Walking Dead season is a nail-biter

18 ClUB, PUB & BAR lISTINgS

20 PUlSE ShoTS

liFEstylE

24 Luck, leprechauns and other Irish myths

25 Spring break must-havesDining & EntErtaining

26 FooD REviEw: Lakeside Bar and Grille

27 HOT AND NOW

31 PulsebREw: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style

32 From herbal remedies to liquor store shelves

sPOrts & FitnEss

34 Will run for St. Pat

COllEgE35 Ancient Order of the Hibernians needs you

stylE & BEauty

36 St. Patrick’s Day hangover helpers37 ThE sTylE lisT: Stay festive without looking crazy this St. Patrick’s Day

Paul Giorgio, PublisherDonna Roberson, Editor

Justin Perry, Art Director, Photographer Chris Reddy, Kerry Cyganiewicz,

Vanessa HerboldAccount Executives

Kim Dunbar, Sports EditorAlex Kantarelis, Music Editor

Jennifer Russo, lifestyle Editor

Kimberly Dunbar, Alex Kantarelis, Jennifer Russo, Jason Savio, Bernie Whitmore,

Michael Wood, Paul Giorgio, Benjamin McNeil, Rachel Schuster, Brianna MacMillan,

Stacia Kindler, Tim Korby, Kerry CyganiewiczWriters

PULSE Magazine is produced 12 times a year by Pagio Inc., 88 Winter St., Worcester, MA 01604. (508) 756-5006. Copyright 2012 All rights reserved. Pagio, Inc. does not hold itself responsible for statements made by any contributor. Statements or opinions expressed in Pulse reflect the views of the author(s) and not the official policy of the Pagio, Inc., unless so stated. Although all advertising material is expected to conform to ethical standards, acceptance does not imply endorsement by Pagio, Inc. unless so stated. Material printed in Pulse is covered by copyright. No copyright is claimed to any work of the U.S. government. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission. For information on permissions, reprints and other services, contact Pagio, Inc.

marCH 2014

pg. 31 PulsebREw: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style

On the cover:

2013 Worcester St. Patrick’s Day Parade Photos by Kerry Cyganiewicz

in tHis issuE

March 2014 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 5

COVER STORY

6 THEPULSEMAG.COM | March 2014


Worcester gets its green onBy Rachel Shuster

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Worcester means something different to everyone ~ a time the community comes together to: celebrate Irish heritage, participate in the parade, be a spectator on the sidelines or meet up with friends at local bars and restaurants for a drink or two. Either way, it’s a Worcester tradition that never disappoints.

The Worcester County St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee is a nonprofit organization that puts together this exciting event. The parade, as well as any events the committee sponsors, are covered by donations, fundraising and corporate sponsorship.

Steve Trainor, chairman of the committee for 16 years, oversees the overall planning of each year’s parade. The initial planning begins with meetings in August; then, over the course of the year, there’s a golf tournament, Irish breakfast, Grand Marshal Banquet and ~ the weekend of the parade ~ a breakfast and political roast. The parade lineup is finalized mid- to late February.

“Every year, it feels like a new beginning because we work so hard for the year and are running on adrenaline to get everything ready to go,” Trainor said. “It’s a big sense of accomplishment when you can stand at the end of the parade route and watch the last items pass by the viewing stand and say, ‘OK, great, it’s done.’ Then, sit back and see what worked and what didn’t.”

Director of Operations Leo Quinn has been hiring the bands, sending the invites, deciding who will return to participate next year and more for 30 years. Now in its 32nd year, Quinn said, this year’s parade will stand out. “We have about 15 bands, 7,000 to 8,000 [people] marching and 25 floats. We have dignitaries, the Worcester Fire Department, the Worcester Police, politicians, award-winners, Girl and Boy Scouts and Worcester’s new baseball team, the Bravehearts.”

Another important aspect of planning includes selecting and announcing the parade’s grand marshal and mayor. This year is a first in that the grand marshal is actually two individuals ~ Paul and Helen Foley.

As grand marshals, Paul and Helen Foley are honored for the year and participate in the parade. “They march in the beginning of the parade, and when they get to the end of the viewing stand, they sit and watch the entire parade as it goes by. They will pick one float, and/or group out of the parade, which will receive the Grand Marshal Award, which is up to the discretion of the grand marshal,” Trainor said.

As for what they are looking for when awarding the Grand Marshal Award, Foley said, “We’re looking for something that’s colorful, well put together and very appealing. Something that stands out more than the others. Also, Helen and I have to agree.”

As grand marshal in 2008, Trainor said, “The committee nominates and votes on the grand marshal. They look for someone of Irish descent, someone who has done something of significance for the people of Worcester, in particular, the Irish people of Worcester.”

“I’ve been on the committee for 28 years. More recently, I have been acting as financial chairman for the parade. It was a big surprise when I was nominated. It was a newer member of the committee that nominated me. I was very surprised and honored,” Foley said.

As for the mayor of the parade, Trainor said that is one of the committee’s fundraisers. “Every vote is a dollar, and the person who raises the most votes becomes the mayor. Everyone who runs has a campaign manager, just like a regular election,” he said. “On the night of the Grand Marshal Banquet, we give the mayor a sash and whistle, which he brings to parade. At noon on Parade Day, the mayor blows the whistle and officially starts the parade. They then march in line with their family and friends.”

This year’s mayor, Brian Killelea, general manager of the Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton, brings an exciting element. “He has the kind of energy we want for the parade,” Trainor said.

Ultimately, the parade is all about the community coming together. “It’s a day for the people of Worcester to come together and enjoy themselves and then walk away and say ‘What a great time that was ~ seeing everyone that spent so much time to get ready for the parade,’” Trainor said.

This year’s parade will begin at noon Sunday, March 9, and is dedicated to Ann Quinn, Leo Quinn’s wife. The parade will march down Park Avenue, beginning at Mill Street and ending at Highland Street.

For more information, visit stpatsparade.com.


Worcester The city has two dozen or so traditional Irish bars, with several downright gems. o’Conner’s Pub on the West Boylston line is an institution in this area, with its incredible authentic frontage and equally beautiful bar and restaurant décor. True Irish drink and fare is always served there. Downtown, Moynagh’s Taverne and Moynihan’s offer true rooted Irish establishments and are two of the oldest in town. The Canal District is full of offerings, including The Banner Pub, a daily lunch hotspot and sports-themed pub. The grey hound Pub, now on Water Street, features a true Celtic feel and an excellent Irish Whiskey/Scotch selection. On Millbury Street is Patsie Dugan’s, formerly the old Emerald Isle. Round that out with several other popular bars and restaurants with Guinness and Irish fare, such as Fiddler’s green, Blackstone Tap and Union Tavern, and you have a pub crawl in the making!

Grafton Hill boasts The lights, The Cosmopolitan and Stakes Pub, all offering a homey Irish pub feel. On Shrewsbury Street, check out Funky Murphys for live entertainment and Irish offerings. On the Park Avenue side of town, Parade Day becomes a sea of people hitting the area’s bars and eateries, including several Irish bars: Elm Park grille (formerly Biagio’s), leitrims, Mahoney’s, The Blarney Stone and, further up, galway Bay. Several other restaurants and bars are also open during the afternoon the day of the parade. Mickey o’Neil’s has also just opened on Park Avenue, taking the spot once filled by Nuff Ced. The Greendale/Lincoln Street area of Worcester features The Press Box ~ home to 10 past mayors of the parade ~ Smitty’s Tavern, with its Irish-trad décor, greendale’s Pub for entertainment and Bennie’s Cafe for a great lunch and beer. Tweeds, Marty’s Pub and Breens round out the rest of the pack.

Boylston ~ West Boylston ~ Clinton ~ Sterling ~ hudson If you’re looking for Irish bars in the surrounding north suburbs of Worcester, check out The other Place Pub in Boylston for great food, drink and a real Irish pub feel. Although they may not encompass the full Irish pub experience, The Mill, Finders/Keepers and the newly renovated Draught house on Route 12 in West Boylston

all offer Irish fare and Guinness during this time of year. The old Timer in Clinton has been providing real Irish hospitality for decades, with traditional Irish food daily and a great front bar that’s always busy around this time of year! Other stops in Clinton include liberty Tavern, Simple Man Saloon, Breakaway Billiards, Spruce St. Tavern and Sevi’s Tavern, among others in this town known for great bars. Sterling is home to The Blacksheep Tavern, an annual St. Patrick’s Day party spot, and Barber’s Crossing, with its downstairs pub and seasonal Irish offerings. Finnegan’s Pub in Hudson also has a fantastic selection of Irish whiskeys!

Leominster ~ Fitchburg ~ Lunenburg ~ Ayer Heading into North County, several Irish bars are worth noting. Sean Patrick’s and Mickey Shea’s in Lunenburg feature great Irish fare and drink. The longstanding Slattery’s, Donnelly’s Tavern and Partner’s Pub are good spots, along with American Graffiti right up the road. Leominster has its staple of downtown bars and restaurants that cater to the many partiers around St Patrick’s Day, including Christopher’s Pub, The Tankard, The Columbia Tavern and various stout offerings at Rye & Thyme.

Westminster ~ Gardner Head to Westminster and check out Blueprint, where you can sample craft stouts and Irish whiskey, or keep going to its sister restaurant, McNally’s, where there is always Irish fare and fresh Guinness. If you venture into Gardner, make sure to try the gardner Ale house, where the house-made Naked Stout is offered, along with timely seasonal Irish fare.

Shrewsbury ~ Northborough ~ Westborough ~ Marlborough ~ Framingham Several Irish pubs can be found travelling out the Route 9 way, including Mulligan’s Taverne, owen o’leary’s and Molly Maguire’s.

For a list of all Irish entertainment in March, check out Pulse Club listings and look for the entertainment in green type!

March Madness ~ A novice’s guide to Irish bars in Central Mass.

By Chris Reddy

Well, it’s that time of year again, and as we enter the month of March, Irish or not, the vast majority of drinkers out there have St Patrick’s Day on their minds. For folks in Worcester, that means almost two full weeks of revelry as the St Patrick’s Day parade weekend starts the holiday off Sunday, March 9, this year. St

Patrick’s Day follows Monday, March 17.

Having experienced a lifetime of St Patrick’s Day celebrations, I have comprised a list of Irish bars and pubs, which in some part are a traditional Irish establishment or are close approximations, where the spirit of St Patrick’s Day also prevails.

Worcester Irish Pub ListingO’Connors Restaurant ~ 1160 W.

Boylston St.

Moynagh’s Tavern ~ 25 Exchange St.

Moynihan’s Pub ~ 897 Main St.

The Banner Pub ~ 112 Green St.

The Grey Hound Pub ~ 139 Water St.

Patsie Dugan’s ~ 49 Millbury St.

Fiddler’s Green ~ 19 Temple St.

Blackstone Tap ~ 81 Water St.

Union Tavern ~ 65 Green St.

The Lights ~ 395 Grafton St.

The Cosmopolitan ~ 96 Hamilton St.

Stakes Pub ~ 1281 Pleasant St.

Funky Murphy’s ~ 305 Shrewsbury St.

Elm Park Grill ~ 257 Park Ave.

Leitrims ~ 265 Park Ave.

Mahoney’s ~ 413 Park Ave.

The Blarney Stone ~ 79 Maywood St.

Galway Bay ~ 186 Stafford St.

Mickey O’Neil’s ~ 377 Park Ave.

The Press Box ~ 536 Lincoln St.

Smitty’s Tavern ~ 611 W. Boylston St.

Greendale’s Pub ~ 404 W. Boylston St.

Bennie’s Café ~ 13 E. Mountain St.

Tweeds ~ 229 Grove Ave.

Marty’s Pub ~ 225 Canterbury St

Breen’s ~ 18 Cambridge St.


Maybe you’ll get lucky in the Canal District

By Jennifer Russo

If you live around town, you know that Worcester’s Canal District has taken on a life of its own in the last couple of years. What was once a barren wasteland and more of a pass-through to other parts of the city, the area has morphed into a nightlife hub and become the place to be, with plenty of dining and entertainment options to meet friends for a drink and listen to some of the area’s best live music.

In March, the Canal District gears up for Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day with celebrations for every taste. Whether you like a little bit of culture or a lot of beer, the Canal District has you covered.

First things first, as in March 1st. Join the Ancient Order of Hibernians as it hosts its 30th annual Irish Festival from noon-10 p.m. at the Spyridon Cathedral at 102 Russell St. For $5 (ages 12 and older), you can experience authentic Irish food, music by The Jolly Beggars and The Brennan Brothers, step dancing, raffles and merchandise. Learn more at aohworcester.com.

Mardi Gras (aka, Fat Tuesday) celebrations are happening in the area, too. On March 4 at 6 p.m., the third annual Carnaval de Canal takes over the Canal District with promotional giveaways, music, contests, tastings and more. Check out thecanaldistrict.com. If a good old-fashioned pub crawl is more your thing, follow the leprechauns to the following places:

3 g’s Sports Bar & Pub (152 Millbury St.) If you have an appetite like an Irish man, this is the place to be as you enjoy an all-you-can-eat corned beef dinner at no charge and listen to live entertainment beginning at 5 p.m.

The Banner (112 Green St.) Sit at the notable horseshoe-shaped bar and play some Keno. The Banner hosts its annual party after the parade on March 9 and offers some St. Patrick’s Day fun, featuring corned beef dinners and sandwiches, the McInerney Irish Step Dancers and other live entertainment.

Blackstone Tap (81 Water St.) This lively bar is open on Parade Day. Play some pool, have a drink and watch some basketball. There is never a cover charge here.

Fiddler’s green (19 Temple St.) It doesn’t get more authentic than this place if you want a true Irish celebration. On Parade Day, Fiddler’s will be home to DJ Bucky Sheehan, The Jolly Beggars and another act to be announced. On Sunday, March 16, there will be Irish Seisiun from 4-8 p.m. in the pub, and on St. Patrick’s Day, DJ Arnie Hamm will entertain from noon-2 p.m. and 9 p.m.-close, along with Blackstone Cuil and Cat and the Moon.

lucky Dog (89 Green St.) Luck’s in the name! If you want a change of pace, Lucky Dog will offer its free movie marathon the night of St Patrick’s. Kick back and enjoy an Irish coffee or ask for a Green Manalishi, as three movies from the Leprechaun series are screened, beginning at 8:30 p.m.

Patsie Dugan’s (49 Millbury St.) If you haven’t had Patsie’s corned beef and swiss sandwich, you simply haven’t lived. Anyway, who wouldn’t want to go to a place called Patsie Dugan’s on St. Patrick’s Day?

Perfect game (64 Water St.) With an impressive burger menu, great drink selection and one of the best fish and chips plates I’ve tasted, this is a great place to grab a seat. The pub will offer green beer, corned beef sandwiches for $4.99 and corned beef dinners for $7.99 from Parade Day through St. Patrick’s Day. Hope you’re hungry!

The Union Tavern (65 Green St.) Formerly Creegan’s Pub and under new ownership, The Union Tavern promises to be a hotspot for Worcester’s college scene and already has had packed houses since its grand opening. After the parade, the tavern will be bringing the party down to the Canal District with a DJ, drink and shot specials, green beer, live bagpipes and lots of giveaways.


The challenges of making an independent film are vast and varied, but with a committed team, writer-producer Robert Heske got his screenplay, Blessid, off the page, off the ground and running, right here in our neck of the woods.

Heske, a Massachusetts native and Shrewsbury resident for the last 18 years, had a vision of getting his film made locally in towns like Webster, Holden, Spencer and Holliston.

“I am married with two young children and a full-time day job,” Heske said, “so the only way I could make a movie was to film it in Massachusetts [because of the] logistics of having to fit making an independent film around my job and family.”

The story revolves around a woman, depressed, pregnant and alone, until she makes an unlikely acquaintance in her 2,000-year-old neighbor.

“I always liked the idea of an immortal character in a movie,” Heske said. “Blessid really is a story about self-forgiveness. I found it intriguing to tell a story where characters who are polar opposites meet, one who has survived forever ~ at least for over 2,000 years ~ and the other who struggles to survive every single day.”

Getting this film together and making it happen in Central Massachusetts, according to Heske, was no easy task, “We didn’t have a lot of time to shoot this film, but we ended up with the best crew of professionals that I could possibly hope for, and the shoot went off like a well-oiled machine!”

Heske had originally reached out to the film’s director, Rob Fitz, to do the makeup and special effects for the film, since the majority of his résumé touts his expertise as such. But when Heske discovered that Fitz had also directed a film, he gleaned his interest in taking the helm of Blessid as its director.

“When I read it, I felt strongly about the thematic elements of the film,” Fitz said. “And I think when I have the opportunity to direct, I feel like it’s the ultimate artistic expression. It’s like a

huge bonus!”

Heske said that while Fitz and he are both self-professed “horror guys,” they laughed when they watched the final product and realized they had, in fact, made a drama.

“They say there are three stories in every film: 1.) The film you write, 2.) The film you shoot, 3.) The film you cut,” Heske said. “Our original vision was a dark, suspenseful film that tiptoes on the edge of horror.”

But the film became something else. “It really became actress Rachel Kerbs’ movie,” Heske said. “She’s in 90 percent of the scenes and does a brilliant job with a dark, moody character.”

Kerbs came from Los Angeles to shoot the film ~ her first time in Massachusetts ~ and was lured away from Tinseltown because she was intrigued by the concept right away, she said. “The wonderful Robert Heske sent me a letter of interest and the script ... and that was that. I was hooked! The theme of the story is what got me. Forgiveness is a tricky thing. My character, Sarah, has a lot of baggage. She is an old soul with a lot to learn. I fell in love with her right away.”

Heske is in the process of submitting Blessid to festivals and hoping that its theme and message will connect with audiences. The film’s director Fitz sums it up: “I’d like people to come out of this feeling as if no matter how deep you are in despair, there is hope and that it begins with you forgiving yourself. That’s the key; a lot of times we are our own worst enemy, and being able to forgive yourself and move on is the hardest part.”

Learn more about the film at blessidthemovie.com.

PHOTOS (top to bottom)Actors Rachel Kerbs and Gene Silvers in a scene from Blessid.Actor Rick Montgomery Jr. in Blessid.Writer/Producer Bob Heske, Producer of Marketing and Distribution Iris Tsing and Director Rob Fitz.Lead actress Rachel Kerbs and Northborough native Chris DiVecchio in a scene from Blessid.

Entertainment

Local writer is ‘Blessid’ with movieBy Mike Wood


Pulsebooks: Kitchen reveals reality of rockstardom in new book By Kimberly Dunbar

Next Big Thing should be the next book you read. Terry Kitchen’s debut novel is an honest account of the trials and tribulations young musicians face while vying to become the “next big thing.” In the end, the characters must ultimately decide how much their dream is worth.

Kitchen uses a creative “fast-forward” and “rewind” method of storytelling, weaving between the past and present to tell the story of Mark Zodzniak (or Zodiac, as he is sometimes called) and his bandmates (collectively, they are Shadowland) as they move from Ohio to Massachusetts in an effort to make it big in the Boston music scene. What happens

next isn’t just a whole lot of sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll, but a substantial story about love, disappointment, and, in Mark’s case, the struggle to preserve the integrity of his music in a changing industry.

Trouble starts with the band’s album release party, when Mark’s broken hand thrusts him into the spotlight as Shadowland’s lead singer with major stage presence. For the first time, the band seems well-received by the audience. However, the change in dynamic doesn’t find favor with Will, the bass player, “heartthrob” and rising star of the group. While Mark fights to keep the songs he has written intact, he must also convince his bandmates ~ who frequently criticize his lyrics ~ to not give up on their dream of making it big.

Shadowland’s story isn’t always pretty, and Kitchen, a 30-year veteran of the music industry, no doubt dipped into his plethora of experiences as a recording artist, award-winning songwriter, journalist and former production assistant for Rounder Records. In fact, Kitchen said that Next Big Thing, which takes place in 1980s Boston, is based on his years with his own ‘80s Boston band, Loose Ties.

Whether you are a music insider or a casual music fan, the story is enough to keep you reading. While Kitchen traverses through Shadowland’s history, he invites the reader into Mark’s songwriting process. In these moments, the reader can watch the lyrics develop as Mark delves into his emotions of finding and losing love. At one point, Mark tells his bandmates that: “… our music is about love. Looking for it, being skeptical of it, missing it, maybe even finding it.”

An added bonus: You can actually listen to these songs (some are performed by Kitchen; others are performed by Loose Ties). The soundtrack is free to download with the purchase of the book.

As a Massachusetts resident, it’s especially fun to relive and read about the 1980s underground music scene in the area. Even Worcester gets a shoutout when Shadowland plays a gig at Sir Morgan’s Cove in January 1986, the same night Foreigner was playing at the “glitzy new arena down the street” (aka, the Centrum, which, of course, is now the DCU Center).

Next Big Thing is available online, both in softcover and e-book form. Visit terrykitchen.com/nextbigthing for more information.

Every year, people line the streets of Worcester for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Perhaps the most exciting part of the parade is the decorative floats, built and accompanied by various local organizations. Some organizations have been building floats for the parade for years and seem to have their construction down to a science.

For about eight years, Tom Woodward and his family have been building the floats for Camp Marshall, a nonprofit organization that focuses on providing a 4-H camp experience for children. However, it was not until a few years ago that Woodward realized the parade had a theme ~ the sights and sounds of Ireland.

To prepare for the build, Woodward heads to the Internet, browsing images of

Ireland itself, focusing on the beautiful landscapes and sites of the country. Woodward then gathers camp members who want to help and they begin brainstorming, based on his initial idea. Camp members usually help the Woodwards with the build; however, there have been years when his family has built the float by itself.

For each parade, Camp Marshall borrows one or two hay wagons for a base, and then gathers materials, trying not to purchase anything new.

“We rush through a lot of them,” said Woodward, since the wagons are not usually available until approximately a week before the parade. According to Woodward, the Camp Marshall team has built some floats as close to deadline as the weekend prior to the parade. All the members of Camp Marshall come to the parade route on the day of, helping to put the final touches on the float and climbing on to enjoy the ride.

Camp Marshall’s floats always include animals, commonly rabbits for children to pet, and “people have told us they only come to the parade to see the animals,” Woodward said. Woodward also tries to incorporate a signature shed on all of the floats. The shed was built a few years ago and has been on almost every float Woodward and his family have built.

The Kiwanis Club of Worcester, a coeducational service club, also sticks with the parade theme for its floats. Club Treasurer Michele Sloan said the club focuses on incorporating as much green as possible into its floats, using “lots of Irish flags, shamrocks, and we always have the stereo blaring with great Irish music.”

The floats are built on the back of Sloan’s company, Hoey Tire’s, flatbed tow truck. Hoey Tire donates the use of the truck every year, and the club starts construction on the float the weekend before the parade. Like Club Marshall, The Kiwanis Club also tries to reuse as many parts of previous floats as possible, while including some new additions every year.

This will be the club’s seventh year participating in the parade. “We thought it was a great way to get the Kiwanis Club of Worcester name out there, as well as incorporating a fun day for the children in our community,” Sloan said.

The club has been successful in its efforts, too, having been awarded the Mayo Award in 2010, the Heritage Award in 2011 and the Ring of Kerry Award in 2013.

You can check out the floats of Camp Marshall, the Kiwanis Club of Worcester and more community organizations at Worcester’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade as it heads down Park Avenue, beginning at noon Sunday, March 9.


Making those parade floatsBy Brianna MacMillan

Shambles ~ Pop punk the way it’s meant to be playedBy Alex Kantarelis

Massachusetts’ resurgent pop-punk scene has yet another group to add to the collection. Shambles, who makes its home in Allston, is playing that ’90s emo/pop-punk sound that is reminiscent of bands like Alkaline Trio, Midtown and

Jawbreaker, but the group manages to stay just modern enough. Several years ago, bands seemed to be embarrassed by the attachment of a pop-punk label, but just a couple years later, pop-punk is back. Shambles proudly adheres to the label, and it’s obvious in the way it sounds. It doesn’t try to be anything more than a kick-ass, pop-punk band that loves to rock out.

The band got started back in 2011, when vocalist and longtime Worcester (and one-time Madhouse) resident, Rob Spearin, realized he hadn’t been in a band for a while. Spearin was a founding member of the melodic hardcore band Energy (Bridge 9 Records). After

quitting that band, he started several projects that didn’t really take off, including one of my favorites, Looking for Bears, which had a song about Blackstone Valley. After a few demos and scrapped songs, Spearin found himself living in Boston with no musical projects.

A few years went by before he had the chance to write music again. In 2011, one of his work friends accidentally took his iPod, assuming it was his own, because both iPods had the same bands and even the same playlists. It was clear that the two of them were into the same stuff.

“When Jeremy and I met each other, we realized that his favorite bands are my favorite bands,” Spearin said. He dusted off his guitar and started writing songs with Jeremy Hertz, using their love of ’90s and early 2000s pop-punk as their influence. The songs flowed quickly, and they released their first record, 2012’s Shambles EP, which opened with the gem, “Yep, 27 and Still Writing Pop-Punk.” The six-song EP got them plenty of attention and positive reviews from punknews.org and AbsolutePunk.

The band went on a brief hiatus when Hertz moved to Chicago. While he was there, he and Spearin continued to write songs on their own. When Hertz

moved back to the Boston area in 2013, they re-assembled and put their songs together to create their second EP, Move Away. This time, their sound was a little bit more focused and mature, from the opening notes of “Pulleys & Promises” through all five songs, making it clear that they had found their sound.

“We’ve really progressed and started writing music that’s from our heart,” Spearin said, describing the EP.

Hertz and Spearin spent 2013 playing show after show and toured down to Florida to play Fest in Gainesville, a multi-venue punk fest featuring more than 400 bands.

“It’s probably the best show I’ve ever played,” Spearin said. “It was very unexpected, but we filled the venue front to back. It was pretty cool to see that many people there to watch us.”

Shambles has no plans to slow down and will be going out on its first headlining tour in April before starting work on a full-length album.

If there is one thing that Massachusetts has proven to be good at, it’s being home to bands that play real music from the heart. Shambles is one of those totally honest, totally real bands. Check it out.

To stream or download both EPs for free, head over to shamblesmusic.bandcamp.com.



Josh Groban ~ All That EchoesBy Jennifer Russo

Do you remember where you were the first time you heard [Insert song title here]? It’s rare, isn’t it, when we hear so much music in the course of a day to try to pick out that one instance, to recall that exact moment when a particular song or artist made an impression above and beyond the norm. An impression so powerful that it is impossible for you to forget.

For me, this was Josh Groban. I was driving on a road in Bridgewater, headed off to school, and “Where You Are” began to play. I literally stopped breathing momentarily, had to pull over and by the end of the song, was weeping. The man is, without contest, one of the best singers I have ever heard, with a voice that seems to have been borrowed from some heavenly entity. Every cell in my body was on fire and alive … because of a song.

Groban’s most recent album, All That Echoes, does not fall short of this same magic. In it, he has that same ethereal voice but uses it in a more mainstream fashion, making it a little more accessible to those who don’t normally listen to classical music. The album debuted at No.1 on Billboard and even works in a different take on a Stevie Wonder cover. With song subjects that range from empowerment and love to heartbreak and poverty, Groban certainly has his bases covered.

There is a unique mix of traditional and contemporary sound throughout the album this time around. From the more pop-sounding “Brave” to the international flavor of “Un Alma Mas,” featuring Arturo Sandoval (a Cuban jazz musician and Grammy winner mentored by Dizzy Gillespie) and the more classical “She Moved Through the Fair,” the album proves that Groban can sing pretty much anything. Though he has a voice larger than life, he tempers it with stirring emotion and doesn’t use it to “show off,” and honestly…he doesn’t have to.

For more information on Josh groban, upcoming tours and recent projects, visit joshgroban.com.

ON CD

Luke MacNeil ~ These Are Good Songs By Jason Savio

Any musician who titles his album These Are Good Songs immediately puts himself in a corner and creates his own mountain to scale. It takes extreme confidence to place such a bold banner on the front of your new collection of songs. So they must be good, right? Luckily for Luke MacNeil, his new tunes easily back up his provocative album title.

In a time when it’s typical to hear layers upon layers of over-processed music, MacNeil’s songs are an immediate jolt to the senses. They have passion, and most importantly, they have soul. With just his voice and an acoustic guitar, MacNeil commands attention from the first strum of the opening “Cole Durhew” and never lets go.

While MacNeil’s guitar chops are effective and get the job done, it’s his strong voice that cuts through and leaves a lasting impression. In songs like “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” and “Oh My Sweet Carolina,” MacNeil captures his somber feelings of hurt and longing perfectly in his singing. He can turn the coin and translate his anger, as well, particularly in the embittered “Pariah.”

It’s not easy to put yourself out there, especially in such a stripped-down fashion as MacNeil does here. But after listening to These Are Good Songs, you know that he was right, these are good songs, and you can trust that he is, in fact, coming straight from the heart.

Visit cdbaby.com/cd/lukemacneil to download These Are Good Songs.

Jennifer Nettles ~ That GirlBy Michael Wood

She may be a little bit country ~ OK, a whole lotta country ~ but the Sugarland chanteuse has always had my admiration for the sheer power of her pipes.

There’s still an undeniable twang present on That Girl, but we’re not treading deep in Reba or Dolly country here (pun intended). The title track does pay homage to Dolly Parton’s classic “Jolene,” however: “Imagine how surprised I was / When he got up to leave / It wasn’t my name on his lips / No, he didn’t call for me / He didn’t say, Jolene.”

Most of the other songs on Nettles’ debut solo album ~ three years in the making ~ are stewing in melancholy, but there’s also a definitive swagger in

her heartfelt lyrics. Nettles wrote or co-wrote 10 of the 11 songs, and that kind of passion comes through and ratchets up its likability quotient.

You’re not going to rock out with That Girl, though tracks like “Know You Wanna Know” and “Moneyball” do pick up the tempo. Nettles’ strengths lie in her ballads. “Thank You” and “This One’s For You” (the latter co-written with Sara Bareilles) are particularly effective as sweet songs that don’t overload the sugar. “Jealousy” is a bit of a departure for the artist and a sassy, trashy, welcome one at that: “I won’t tell anyone you bought a new pair / I’ll even tolerate your skanky fake hair / ‘Cause we both know you win / Honey, you got him.” And if you’re a sucker for a good country cry, the aptly titled sob song “Good Time to Cry” will go well with your whiskey or bottle of wine.

Follow her at @JenniferNettles or visit JenniferNettles.com.


Episode 1 of Telltale Game’s second Walking Dead season is a nail-biterBy Jason Savio

Shocking, horrific, tragic, spellbinding ~ these are just a few of the words that justly define the universe of The Walking Dead, whether it’s the comic or television show. But who would have ever guessed they could define a video game?

Telltale Games’ 2012 game based on creator Robert Kirkman’s ever-growing zombie apocalypse was a massive success, both critically and commercially, capitalizing on the zeitgeist and fanfare of the show. Released episode by episode in what ultimately constituted as a full season ~ much like a television series ~ the continuous releases had gamers hooked. Since everyone from your dog to your grandmother has heard about The Walking Dead, I expected Telltale Games to mail it in for an easy payday, but the company didn’t, and it continues to push the envelope with Episode 1 of Season 2.

What made Season 1 such a unique and memorable experience is that, unlike most games, the player has the ability to choose how to respond and interact with the other characters, making choices and decisions that factor into how the story unfolds. Different decisions lead to different outcomes, so the story could vary dramatically each time you played, leading to hours of replay potential. Season 2 continues this approach and swiftly builds off of your Season 1 choices and consequences, automatically searching your saved information for a Season 1 file to help create a seamless story thread. Don’t worry, though, you don’t have to play Season 1 to enjoy season two; past choices will be randomly selected for you and carried over if you don’t have any saved.

In “All That Remains,” the premiere episode of the new season, we immediately pick up where Season 1 left off, with our hero, the little girl Clementine. Fighting to survive in a world running wild with walkers isn’t an easy task for anyone, let alone a child, but Clementine holds her own and forges on after her loss and pain in Season 1.

Much like in the television show and comic book, the undead serve as the catalyst for conflict amongst the living in the video game. Someone you believe you can trust one minute might turn his back on you the next if it will prevent him from becoming walker food. The characters will remember what you choose to say to them, too, so you need to tread lightly when interacting and making decisions. If you tell a lie, it might come back later to bite you ~ literally. In Episode 1, Clementine has to deal with both living and un-living monsters.In true Walking Dead fashion, Episode 1 of Season 2 is a rollercoaster ride full of gut-wrenching gore and poignant reflection. It’s engaging in its subtlety, while throwing jaw-dropping surprises at you. In a game like this, the care that goes into the craft shines brightly and transcends the medium. If this first episode is any indication of the following four, then we’re in store for another memorable season.

To download Episode 1 of Season 2, visit telltalegames.com/walkingdead.

Club & Pub ListingsEntertainment at clubs, bars, pubs, & other select venues


All St. Patrick’s event listings are highlighted in green.American Graffiti 113 Summer St., Lunenburg 978-345-1010

B-Man’s 140 Tavern 348 Redemption Rock Trail, Sterling 978-422-9763 140pub.com March 16: Uncle Billy’s Smokehouse March 22: Funk No More

The Banner Bar & grille 112 Green St., Worc. 508-755-0879 thebannerbar.com

Barber’s Crossing Road house 861 Main St., Leicester 508-892-7575 barberscrossingrestaurant.com

Barbers Crossing (North) 175 Leominster Road, Sterling 978-422-8438 barberscrossingrestaurant.com Thursdays: Karaoke

Beatnik’s 433 Park Ave., Worc. 508-926-8877 beatniksbeyou.com

Beemer’s Pub 114 River St., Fitchburg 978-343-3148 beemerspub.com

Black Sheep Tavern 261 Leominster Road, Sterling 978-422-8484 blacksheeptavernsterline.com Fridays, Saturdays: Live bands March 6: Tony Soul Project Black Sheep Party March 17: St. Patrick’s Bash with Chris Reddy

Blackstone Tap 81 Water St., Worc. 508-797-4827 blackstonetap.com

Blue Plate lounge 661 Main St., Holden 508-829-4566 hometown.aol.com/blueplatelounge Thursdays: Open Mic with Ed Sheridan March 7: The Shakers March 21: The Rusty Mike’s March 22: Shakedown Street March 29: Cosmic Slim & His Intergalactic Plowboys

Blueprint New American Bar & grill 9 Village Square, Westminster 978-668-5580 March 6: Scott Babineau March 7: Hitchcock Blondes March 8: Bad Reputation March 13: Joe Reidy March 15: Go Gadget Go March 21: Just Cuz March 22: Sean Fullerton March 27: Ethan Caouette March 28: Scott Babineau March 29: Total Domination

Boulder Cafe 880 Main St., Fitchburg 978-345-0008

Breakaway Billiards 104 Sterling St., Clinton 978-365-6105 myspace.com/breakawaybilliardsclinton

Brew City

104 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-752-3862 brew-city.com

Bull Run Restaurant 215 Great Road, Shirley 978-425-4311, 877-536-7190 bullrunrestaurant.com

Cafe Destare 320 Main St., Fitchburg 978-345-5734 destare.com

Canal Restaurant & Bar 65 Water St., Worc. 508-926-8353 facebook.com/CanalRestaurantandBar Wednesdays: Karaoke Thursdays: Open Mic Fridays: DJ Music Master Matty D Saturdays: StageTime Comedy Club and DJ Music Master Matty D March 4: Poor Howard Stith Blues March 7: Jim Perry March 15: Babatunde Thomas Blues March 21: Poor Howard Stith Blues March 22: One for the road March 28: Heather Marie March 29: Ron Jones

The Cannery 12 Crane St., Southbridge 508-764-1100 12crane.com/canneryhall/index.php

Cantina Bar & grill 385 Main St., Worc. 508-459-5325 cantinaworcester.com

Center Bar & grill 102 Green St., Worc. 508-438-0597 thecenterbar.com Sundays: Sunday Funday Karaoke with DJ Matty J Thursdays: Dueling Pianos hosted by Sunny Lake Fridays: Friday Night Dance Party with DJ Blackout Saturdays: Center Bar Saturday Nights March 4: Mardi Gras Party with DJ Matty J March 22: The Lester Rawson Band

Chooch’s Food & Spirits 31 E. Brookfield Road, N. Brookfield 508-867-2494 sitewizzer.com/choochs Fridays: Karaoke March 22: Valvatross

Chopstick’s Restaurant & lounge 21 Commercial Road, Leominster 978-534-0020 chopsticksleominster.com

Christopher’s Pub 7 Pleasant St., Leominster 978-534-8250 facebook.com/christopherspubleominster

Cicero’s Cafe 17 Suffolk St., Worc. 508-767-9728 worcesterscene.com/admin/location_images/ciceros.jpg

Classic’s Pub 285 Central St., Leominster 978-537-7750 classicspub.net

Club Caliente 816 Main St., Worc. 508-826-9305

Club Instyle 41 Pleasant St., Worc.

theclubinstyle.com

Club KasBar 234 Southwest Cutoff, Worc. 508-798-8385 facebook.com/ClubKasBar

Cornerstone’s Restaurant 616 Central St., Leominster 978-537-1991 cornerstonesrestaurant.com

Cosmopolitan Club 96 Hamilton St., Worc. 508-752-0482

Dance Ranch & Saloon 70 James St., Worc. 508-757-6977 danceranchandsaloon.com

Dar Bah 29 Canal St., Millbury 508-865-8441

Days End Tavern 287 Main St., Oxford 508-987-1006 daysendtavern.com March 22: Auntie Trainwreck

Devens grill 4 Ryans Way, Devens 978-862-0060 devensgrill.com

Dunnys Tavern 291 E. Main St., E. Brookfield

Electric haze 26 Millbury St, Worc. 508-799-0629 facebook.com/ElectricHaze

Fat Tony’s Pub 1102 Main St., Worc. 508-798-8908 facebook.com/pages/Fat-Tonys-Pub/120246167987079

Fiddlers’ green Pub & Restaurant 19 Temple St., Worc. 508-792-3700 aohworcester.com March 8: Niamh Ni Charra March 9: Jolly Beggars March 14: Mike Ladd March 15: Hit the Bus March 17: St Patrick’s Day with Blackstone Cuil, The Cat and the Moon March 21: The McCrites

Firefly’s / Dante’s 350 E. Main St., Marlborough 508-357-8883 fireflysbbq.com

Flip Flops 680 Main St., Holden 508-829-3008 flipflopsma.com

Flying Rhino Cafe 278 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-757-1450 flyingrhinocafe.com

Funky Murphy’s Bar & grill 305 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-753-2995 funkyandjosemurphys.com March 9: Terry Brennan & Brennan Brothers March 17: Terry Brennan

galway Bay Irish Pub 186 Stafford St., Worc. 508-753-8909 thegalway.com

gardner Ale house 74 Parker St., Gardner 978-669-0122 gardnerale.com

gilrein’s 802 Main St., Worc. 508-791-2583 gilreins.net

greendale’s Pub 404 W. Boylston St., Worc. 508-853-1350 myspace.com/greendalespub Sundays: Jim’s Blues Jam Tuesdays: Open Mic with Bill McCarthy Wednesdays: Wacky Wednesday Open Mic Jam with Mark March 7: Clam Diggers March 8: Valvatross March 14: Ed & Da Ve March 15: No Alibi March 21: Mayhem March 22: 9Teen March 28: Esmerelda March 29: Silverbacks

The grey hound Pub 139 Water St., Worc. 508-754-6100 anculiath.com March 7: Doneglen March 17: Colm o’Brien March 21: Max Courtney and Matt glover

halligan’s Sports Bar and More 889 Southbridge St., Auburn 508-832-6793 halliganssportsbarandmore.com

hotel Vernon - The Ship Room/Kelley Square Yacht Club 1 Millbury St., Worc.

Ixtapa Cantina 308 Massachusetts Ave., Lunenburg 978-582-9701 ixtapacantina2.com

JC Fenwick’s 37 Mechanic St., Leominster 978-840-4845

Jillian’s - Worcester 315 Grove St., Worc. 508-793-0900 jilliansworcester.com Wednesdays: Karaoke Thursdays: Open Mic with Bill McCarthy March 7: Bob Hogan & Sugar Creek and Rattlesnake Alley March 14: Ton of Blues and Blue Honey March 17: St. Patrick’s Day Celebration with The Drunken Uncles March 21: Usual Suspects and Bill McCarthy March 22: Mass Octane and Ricky Duran March 28: Doctor Robert

JJ’s Sports Bar and grill 380 Southwest Cutoff, Northborough 508-842-8420 jbag.biz March 7: Usual Suspects March 8: The Band 9Teen March 14: Tribute This! (GNR tribute) March 15: Probable Cause St. Patty’s Day Bash March 21: Heavy Horses, Flock of A-holes March 29 Live Bullet (Bob Seger Tribute)

laScala Restaurant 183 Shrewsbury St, Worc. 508-753-9912 lascalashrewsburystreet.com

The lazy Dog 31 Main St., Marlborough 508-229-2264

Continued on Page 23

Entertainment at clubs, bars, pubs, & other select venues

Photos by Justin Perry

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legends Airport Road, Fitchburg 978-342-6500 facebook.com/centericebar

leitrim’s Pub 265 Park Ave., Worc. 508-798-2447 leitrimspub.com

loft 266 Bar & lounge 266 Park Ave., Worc. 508-796-5177 loft266.com Tuesdays: Karaoke

london Billiards / Club oasis 70 James St., Worc. 508-799-7655 londonbilliards.com

lucky Dog Music hall 89 Green St., Worc. 508-363-1888 luckydogmusic.com Tuesdays: Electric Tuesdays Sundays: Game night March 3: Free movie marathon with Planet Terror, Death Proof and Machete March 4: Carnaval de Canal ~ A Mardi Gras party March 5 Mister Smarta** Theatre’s live comedy take on the film Hercules in New York March 6: Hot Letter, Funk For Now , Phases and Luke Jarret March 7: The Alchemystics, 8Ft Tall Band, Day One March 8: Angry Chair (Alice in Chains tribute) with Muya (the classic metal tribute) and Safecide. March 10: Free movie night The Fly, Cannibal Holocaust and The Thing. March 11: Drink & Draw Social Club March 13 Mobile Deathcamp (ex-GWAR) with Carnivora, Dumpster Fire, Lore, Infested Prophecy March 14: ‘80s party with The Flock Of A-Holes March 15: Reunion show for Little Big Wheel with guests The Fog and The Andrea Gillis Band. March 17: Free movie night with The Leprechaun marathon. March 18: Independent Movie Meet-up March 19: Woo Town Wednesday ~ free show with Satch and more March 20: Hot Letter, Funk For Now, Phases and Luke Jarret March 21: The Dead and the Damned, Anaria, Burns From Within and The Silent Order. March 22: Mullethead with guests 3 Parts Dead and more. March 23: The Sweet Addiction and more March 24: Free movie night with Alien, Aliens and Alien 3 March 25: Open Mic Tuesday March 26: Woo Town Wednesday ~ free show with Satch March 27: Pardon Me Doug (Phish experience) March 28 Gov’t Surplus (Gov’t Mule tribute) with Gridlock (formerly known as The Last Call Band) and Petty Larceny (Tom Petty tribute) March 29: Bobby Morin with Gladstone (‘90s tribute band), DC Wonder and Hazzard Hawk March 31: Free movie night with Nightmare on Elm Street 1, 2 & 3

Mahoney’s Pub 413 Park Ave., Worc. 508-277-1073 facebook.com/mahoneyspub.ma

Marty’s Pub 225 Cantebury St., Worc. 508-754-0033 martyspub.com

MB lounge 40 Grafton St., Worc. 508-799-4521 mblounge.com

McNally’s grille & Pub 88 Sargent Road, Westminster 978-874-1444 mcnallysgrille.com Michael’s Cigar Bar 1 Exchange Place, Worc.

508-459-9035 michaelscigar.com March 5: Hit the Bus March 6: Dave B and the Hotshots March 7: Jim Devlin March 8: Hit the Bus March 12: Jon Bowser March 13: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell March 14: Acoustic Nation March 15: Rugged Road Band March 19: Jarred Adams March 20: Russo Brothers Jazz Quintet March 21: Mystic River Band March 22: Andy Cummings Swingabilly Lounge March 26: Brett Brumby March 27: Aunt Judy March 28: Bill McCarthy March 29: Brett & Lisa Brumby

Mickey o’Neil’s 377 Park Ave., Worc. March 7: Erica & Justin March 9: Parade Day Party March 17: St. Patrick’s Day Party

Mickey Sheas 324 Electric Ave., Lunenburg 978-342-5825 March 17: St. Patrick’s Day Party

The Mill 185 W. Boylston St., W. Boylston 774-261-8585 themill185.com March 7: Blues Duo March 8: Josh Briggs March 14: Jay Graham March 15: Chris Reddy Irish loops from hell March 21: Joe Macey March 22: Sean Ryan March 28: Belit March 29: Country Night with Mychael David

Mill Street Brews (@ The Artist Development Complex) 18 Mill St., Southbridge 508-764-6900 millstreetbrews.com

Moynihan’s Pub 897 Main St., Worc.

Nick’s Bar and Restaurant 124 Millbury St., Worc. 508-753-4030 myspace.com/NicksWorcester Fridays: Thank Friday It’s Dr. Nat

The Nines Neighborhood Bar 136 Millbury St., Worc. 508-340-0318

on The Rocks Sports Bar & grill 96 Lakefront Ave., Lunenburg 978-342-6692

The outlook Restaurant 79 Powers Road, Westford 978-692-5700 dineoutlook.com March 7: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell

Paisanos Pizza & Spirits 450 Lancaster St., Leominster 978-534-7117

The Palladium 261 Main St., Worc. 508-797-9696 thepalladium.net March 15: Comedy Fest Worcester, featuring Lenny Clark, Nick DiPaolo and more

Pampas Churrascaria Restaurant 145 E. Central St., Worc. 508-757-1070 pampas-restaurant.com

Partner’s Pub 970 South St., Fitchburg 978-345-5051 partnerspub.com

Patsie Dugan’s 49 Millbury St., Worc.

508-755-4155 patsiedugans.com

Perfect game Sports grill and lounge 64 Water St., Worc. 508-792-4263 perfectgameworcester.com Sundays: Open Mic with Bill McCarthy Thursdays: Karaoke Fridays: DJ One-3 Saturdays: DJ Reckless March 7: Jay Graham March 29: Bill McCarthy

Pho Dakao 593 Park Ave., Worc. 508-756-7555

Press Box 536 Lincoln St., Worc. 5089-856-9255 March 9: Post Parade Bash with Chris Reddy

The Pumphouse 340 Main St., Southbridge 508-765-5473 facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Pump-House/374917818127?sk=info

Rage 105 Water St., Worc. 508-756-2223 rageworcester.com

Ralph’s Chadwick Square Diner 148 Grove St., Worc. 508-753-9543 ralphsrockdiner.com Sundays: Sunday Night Cinemageddon Tuesdays: C.U. Next Tuesdays with DJ Poke Smot and special guests March 6: Metal Thursday with Immortal Bird, Obsidian Tongue, Cryostasium, Grue March 7: One Time Mountain, Burning Heat March 8: Whiskered Wonderland II

The Raven 258 Pleasant St., Worc. 508-304-8133 facebook.com/people/Raven-Worcester/100001022046717

Red onion - otter River hotel 29 Main St., Baldwinville 978-939-7373, 978-939-8321 myspace.com/theredonion

Rg Scooters Pub 84 Lakefront St., Lunenburg 978-348-2453 facebook.com/pages/RG-Scooters/211225168902092

Rivalry’s Sports Bar 274 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 774-243-1100 rivalrysworcester.com March 7: Cosby Sweaters March 8: The Randy and Dave Show March 9: Clamdigger March 14: The Babe Pino Band March 15: Beach Party w/Tom Revane March 21: Take Two March 22: April’s Fools March 23: Rockhouse March 28: The Office Party Band March 29: Drunken Uncles March 30: Bo and the Highlanders

Rumors 371 Park Ave., Worc. 508-755-5542 clubuniverseworcester.com

Rye & Thyme 14 Monument Square, Leominster 978-534-5900 ryeandthyme.com March 6:: Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell March 7 Brian Chaffee March 8: Brian Chaffee & The Players March 9: Stout & Slik Brunch March 13: Jay Graham March 14: JCDC March 15: Neon Ally March 20: Zack Slick

March 21: Brian & Captain March 22: Now & Then March 27: Jay Graham March 28: L & M Rhythm Kings March 29 Invisible Sun (Police tribute)

Sakura Tokyo 640 Park Ave., Worc. 508-792-1078, 508-792-1068 sakura-tokyo.com

Scorz 58 Shrewsbury St., Worc.

Sean Patrick’s Family Restaurant 494 Electric Ave., Lunenburg 888-824-3924, 978-345-2000 seanpatricksrestaurant.com

South Side grille & Margarita Factory 242 W. Broadway, Gardner 978-632-1057 southsidemargaritafactory.com

Speakers Night Club 19 Weed St., Marlborough 508-480-8222 speakersnightclub.net Fridays: Karaoke

Spruce Street Tavern 68 Spruce St., Clinton 978-368-1255 SpruceStreetTavern.com

Stagecoach Inn and Tavern 128 Main St., Groton 978-448-5614, 877-782-4346 grotonstagecoachinn.com

Sunset Tiki Bar 79 Powers Road, Westford 978-692-5700 skinashoba.com/summer

Tal’s Place 138 Lake St., Webster 508-949-6559 talsplacewebster.com

Three g’s Sports Bar 152 Millbury St., Worc. 508-754-3516 3gs-sportsbar.com

Tweed’s 231 Grove St., Worc. 508-755-8047 tweedspub.com

Union Music 142 Southbridge St., Worc. 508-753-3702 unionmusic.com March 14, 15: Two-day guitar workshop with Steve Kaufman March 15: Steve Kaufman with Dave Dick

Union Tavern 65 Green St., Worc. facebook.com/TheUnionTavernWorcester Tuesdays: Karaoke Thursdays: DJ Soup Fridays: DJ Cutz and DJ Sprino March 1: Legends Night with Tony, Dave and Dana (Dive Bar, 1996) on the bar March 8: Good Question March 15: Joyco March 29: Dummer

Victory Bar & Cigar 56 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-756-4747 victorycigarbar.com

Vincent’s Bar 49 Suffolk St., Worc. 508-752-9439 facebook.com/vincentsbar Sundays: Big John Short March 10: Hip Swayers Deluxe

Wonder Bar Restaurant 121 Shrewsbury St., Worc. 508-752-9909 wonderbarrestaurant.net

Continued from Page 18


When St. Patrick’s Day rolls around, there is green everywhere you look. Leprechauns, rainbows and shamrocks are splattered on windows and fliers, and there

is talk of the luck that the holiday is known to bring. No doubt, you’ve heard along the way that blue, not green, was originally the color used to mark the day, but what about the other myths

we’ve come to associate with our favorite drinking day?

leprechauns. These tricky creatures that masquerade as little bearded men in

green sport coats, guarding their pot of gold, granting three wishes when

caught and occasionally selling marshmallow-clad cereal on the side, are not what they once were. Before Catholicism became the order of the day in Ireland, the

Irish believed in the Tuatha De Danann. These gods took the form of fairies ~ often leprechauns ~ and hung out on Earth. Leprechauns were the size of actual men, wore red and enjoyed playing practical jokes and making shoes. Sorry, horror movie lovers ~ they were never considered evil beings, though they weren’t exactly good, either.

Rainbows. The rainbow is popular in Irish myth because it is believed that the leprechaun hid his collected gold at the end. Of course, the end of a rainbow can never actually be found, as it disappears when you get

closer to it. In Christianity, it was also believed to be a sign of promise from God after Noah landed the ark. In science class, you may have learned that it is

simply light reflected on water, as any angled spray of a hose can show you in summer, but it doesn’t make a rainbow any less of a beautiful wonder to behold.

Four-leaf clovers. I remember spending what seemed like hours trying to find four-leaf clovers in my backyard as a kid. For all my efforts, I think I have only found one in my life. They aren’t especially common and are supposed to bring good luck to their finders. The leaves are believed to represent not only luck, but also hope, faith and love. The Irish believed that they warded off fairies and evil spells and brought wealth and good health. These little plants are actually a member of the pea family, and ~ believe it or not ~ there are clovers with more than four leaves, too.

Shamrocks. The four-leafed clover’s younger, three-leafed cousin, the shamrock is said to have been used by St. Patrick as a way to describe the holy trinity back in the fifth century. It has since become one of the best-

known symbols of the Irish and of Ireland itself.

Saint Patrick. The reason for the holiday, many people think St. Patrick was some Irish guy who taught the people about God, transforming the more pagan religions of the country into Catholicism and forcing the snakes out of

Ireland. Actually, St. Patrick wasn’t Irish; he was British. He was kidnapped as a youth and brought to Ireland, then sold into slavery, where he converted to Christianity. He did spread his newly adopted religion to the people, but was not sainted until years after his death. There were never snakes in Ireland.

Whatever myths and legends you might choose to believe, the truth is St. Patrick’s Day is a hugely popular holiday, which people from every culture and creed can celebrate with a good beer, good friends and, hopefully, a little luck.


LIFESTYLE

Luck, leprechauns and other Irish myths

By Jennifer Russo

Urban halo Perfect to keep your hair looking cool on the beach, Urban Halo headbands come in a buttery soft signature fabric that’s custom printed through an eco-friendly waterless process. The unique designs allow you to wear your headband wide, narrow or scrunched. $15, myurbanhalo.com.

VinniBag When the airport bouncers body slam your luggage, you don’t have to worry about your bottle of wine or any breakables if they’re in an inflatable, reusable VinniBag. Travelers stick items in the bag, inflate it with a few breaths of air, snap the bag closed, pack their travel bag and deflate when they get home. $28, vinnibag.com.

Bloxsun If you’re heading to the beach for spring

break, take along a Bloxsun, a lightweight sun scarf. Made from the softest fabric, the scarves are infused with UPF 50-plus. $60, bloxsun.com.

Trego This sturdy bag has a removable case that swivels, bends and folds, putting your iPad exactly where you want it and holding it there for you, even when you are walking! It’s like having an extra set of hands made just for your iPad. Trego fits your tablet, phone, keys, keyboard, wallet, stylus and more. $59, tregobag.com.

Shuttr Your vacation won’t be complete without some “selfies”... but leave your arm out of the picture with Shuttr by Muku Labs, the one-touch shutter release. No matter what you are doing, you can park your smartphone up to 30 feet away, and with the click of the Bluetooth remote shutter release, you’ll have great photos. Shuttr is small enough to be concealed in your hand during photos and designed to attach to your keychain. $39, mukulabs.com.

linge Shoes You’ll need shoes that can go everywhere, so check out the ballet flats from Linge Shoes. They’re so flexible, you can even fold a pair in half to make them more compact. Linge Shoes’ Ballet Flats can also be worn for Pilates or barre classes! How many pairs of shoes can be used for everyday wear, fitness or packed as spares? Available in 12 colors. $59, lingeshoes.com.


Spring break must-havesGoing away for spring break? Besides sunscreen and a great swimsuit, there are a few must-haves if you’re going to get away with style and ease.


At its loftier reaches, our dining universe contains restaurants of heroic scale presenting landmark cuisine; establishments intent on leaving their mark on mankind. They can be exciting to visit for interesting spaces and provocative dining. Then, at the lower end of the spectrum, there’s the fast-food genre, whose industrialized fare I strive to avoid. Wedged between these extremes is a huge firmament of indies, intent on simpler satisfactions, whose goal is honest cuisine at prices that don’t empty your wallet. This is the niche in which Lakeside Bar & Grille resides. When you find a good neighborhood restaurant, it can be wonderful; this is why I was pleased to give Lakeside a try. Lakeside is situated in a corner of Shrewsbury’s Quinsigamond Plaza ~ that strip mall anchored by Trader Joe’s. Just step out of Petco, and Lakeside Bar and Grille is at your left. The lake we’re referring to is, of course, Quinsigamond. You can’t even see it from the restaurant, but there’s really no need to get much closer than this. On a cold and nasty winter Monday evening, my friend and I were surprised that Lakeside was even open for business. Imagine our surprise to find a waiting line that stretched right out onto the sidewalk. Murmurs rippled through the line that there would be a 40-minute wait for a table. Gasp, no way! There were even darker rumblings regarding the (apparent) no-reservation policy. Things looked bleak at Lakeside.

But that was all just idle rumor, and soon enough, we were seated. Robin, our server, arrived with warm welcomes, menus and a pitcher to fill our water glasses. Lakeside’s menu is weighted toward Italian but provides a framework to satisfy just about any taste ~ sandwiches, burgers, pasta, chicken, steak … you name it.

The menu also posted a schedule of daily special events. It turns out Mondays are Kids-Eat-Free Night. That explained the crowd; especially since it was school vacation week. And as I looked around, I

realized the place was crawling with children, mostly well-behaved. I started with a glass of Wormtown Brewery’s Seven Hills Pale Ale, and we dug into an appetizer of Fried Calamari, formatted Rhode Island style, with a dash of red pepper flakes, sliced banana peppers and garlicky oil. The deep-frying oil must have been fresh and pure; the flavor of our plateload of rings and tangle of tentacles wasn’t burdened by that heavy, oily flavor you get when the fryer’s been left untended too long. Surprisingly, the calamari’s spicy flavor was derived more from the zesty banana peppers; the mild red pepper flakes teamed up with flecks of green parsley for an attractive confetti of color. That was a good start, but it was the entrée course that truly proved Lakeside’s culinary proficiency. My friend ordered Haddock Française. Two thick fillets of tender, fresh fish had been quick-dipped in a mild egg batter, then sautéed to a light golden brown in a lemony caper sauce. The filets were attractively draped with strips of rich sun-dried tomatoes ~ usually over your choice of pasta. However, at my friend’s request, Robin happily substituted a baked potato for the pasta. I went with something more basic ~ the Lakeside Sauté, made with shrimp (chicken’s another option). Simple in scope, the dish boasted a white wine sauce flavored with strips of spinach and chopped tomatoes that allowed the mild seafood flavor to shine through. And the chef wasn’t skimpy with the shrimp; at meal’s end, I counted eight tails. I chose to have my sauté served over a bed of linguini. Both meals came with a thick slice of bread, sliced diagonally into triangles and toasted on the grill. The texture was unusually dense, and the flavor was buttery-rich. It was perfect for sopping up the delicious sauces of our entrees and provided a crunchy counterpoint. A Lakeside signature touch, I assume. From my vantage point in the corner of the dining room, I watched plenty of families coming for dinner and groups of good friends meeting at the bar. Everything about Lakeside seems modest and straightforward; it’s the kind of place you could go to every night. Tuesdays are Meatloaf Night; count me in!

DINING &ENTERTAINING

REVIEW

97 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury(508) 425-3543lakesidebar-grille.com

Lakeside Bar & GrilleBy Bernie Whitmore


REVIEW

Hot & Now By Paul Giorgio

The Breakfast Bar. If you are looking for a breakfast place with a hip, urban vibe, or if you are just getting home from an all-nighter, head to The Breakfast Bar on Worcester’s June Street. Locally sourced products, locally roasted coffee and virgin Bloody Mary’s are featured. What more can you ask for? The Breakfast Bar is located at 119 June St., at the corner of Chandler. It will be open by mid-March.

It’s all greek to me. Meze, a Greek tapas restaurant, recently opened its doors on Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street. This Italian-American neighborhood may never be the same. Meze serves small plates of authentic Greek specialties such as grilled octopus, grilled calamari, grape leaves and about 30 other small meals for tasting and sharing.

Speaking of greek food. If you are on the other side of Worcester, try Zorba’s Taverna on James Street. Zorba’s also serves Greek food and has a second place in Charlton.

Mezcal moves and reopens. Mezcal has opened at its new location on Major Taylor Boulevard, across from the DCU Center. The new Mezcal is about 7,000 square feet with a great bar area. The bar area alone is bigger than the former restaurant, which was on Shrewsbury Street. The night we were there ~ a Thursday in early February ~ the place was packed and hopping. Check out the myriad of margaritas. It looks like Niche Hospitality, headed by Mike Covino, has another winner on its hands.

The Fix is in. The Fix is the name of the new burger place that Niche Hospitality will open on Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street, in the location that was occupied by Mezcal. It is expected to open in late March or early April. We will keep you posted on the details

Jambo. That is the name of the new restaurant going in at 43 W. Boylston St., across from the CVS. Jambo will be a Kenyan Restaurant, maybe the first in the area. It is great to see the new immigrants to America doing the same things that our grandparents did. Watch for the opening and check it out.

But can he pick grapes? Andy McWilliams has taken over the range at J’s Restaurant at the Nashoba Valley Winery in Bolton. McWilliams formerly worked at the Carnegie Abbey Club in Portsmouth, R.I. He is a graduate of the CIA in Hyde Park, New York.

Forget about it. It appears that Johnny Fugata on Worcester’s Belmont Street is closed. This was the second restaurant owned by John Piccolo, of Shrewsbury Street’s Piccolo’s. According to sources, the full-service restaurant, with a liquor license, may be for sale. Piccolo recently updated the former Dangelo’s that was located there for a decade.


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While some people are comfortable just adding green dye to their lager on St. Patrick’s Day, others like to grab a Guinness. If you’re looking for something a little Irish this March, here are a few beers I’d recommend.

guinness Draught (4.5% ABV)Guinness is the most common Irish beer. Although it is dark and flavorful, it actually has less alcohol than most American mass-market beers and a mere 125 calories. Ask your bartender for a perfect pint, which should take 119.53 seconds to pour, according to Guinness. What you will get is a black-bodied beer with a fluffy head on top. It smells of roasted malt and tastes of muted coffee, chocolate and a slight, pleasant bitterness. That creamy milkshake-like mouthfeel is from the nitrogen that’s used, instead of carbon dioxide, for carbonation. Few bubbles equal a silky smooth experience.

harp lager (5.0% ABV)Not everyone wants a deep, dark Irish beer experience. That doesn’t mean you have to venture into the realm of ciders. Harp Lager pours as a pale gold with a fluffy white head. It smells and tastes like most other European lagers ~ a clean aftertaste without a trace of hop bitterness or malt sweetness. There is a slight metallic tang that is not oppressive. This beer surprised me. It would make an excellent session beer.

Beamish Stout (4.1% ABV)Much like the Harp Lager, this beer surprised me. Compared to a Guinness, it has a slightly smaller head and is a tad lighter in color. There is more of an aroma of coffee, with some unsweetened chocolate thrown in. It is also less bitter/sour than Guinness. This is another beer with a creamy, smooth mouthfeel from the nitrogen used to carbonate it. The lack of sourness really lets the complex malt profile shine through. Try one for yourself; you will not be disappointed.

Murphy’s Irish Stout (4.0% ABV)Yet another Irish Stout ~ and another flavor profile. This one has less coffee aroma but more roasted malt and warm cereal. There is some coffee flavor, and a slight hop bitterness helps round out the flavors. Have you ever thought other Irish stouts were too heavy or thick? Murphy’s has a thinner mouthfeel than the other stouts reviewed here, yet retains similar flavors. It is a tad sweeter and finishes drier, as well.

Smithwick’s Irish Ale (4.5% ABV)A traditional Irish red, this is a well-carbonated, deep amber red ale with a frothy head that leaves sticky lacing in its wake. There are some fruity yeast esters, toasted bread and a light hop presence in both the aroma and taste. There is a metallic background toward the end with more yeast esters. Mouthfeel is not heavy and not light. If you are looking for something different and still want something Irish, give Smithwick’s a try.

Quinn’s Amber Ale (4.6% ABV)This is brewed locally by Wachusett Brewing Company in Westminster. Quinn’s has a light red/orange body with a small lingering head. It smells of malt, bread and slightly of toffee. It tastes of bread dough, butter, caramel and biscuit. It goes down surprisingly well, with only a slight, slick butter aftertaste, probably from the yeast used, but that’s not a bad thing. There is also a hint of hop, just enough to make you keep drinking it ~ just to be sure.

PulseBREW: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in styleBy Kerry Cyganiewicz


Tonics have been made by medicine men, healers and pharmacists for centuries, and often these healing recipes have become mainstream alcoholic beverages today.

Apothecaries soaked the herbs and bark in alcohol to extract and preserve the active ingredients of an herb. Then, they added a little bit of sugar to make the concoction taste better, thus creating a liqueur. During the 19th century, malaria was a major killer throughout the world, so many people worked on behalf of governments to create preventatives and cures for the illness. Quinine, which is made from South American cinchona bark, has been used to fight malaria since at least the mid-17th century, and it is still

used today. Several malaria prophylactics created during the 1800s are now very popular among America’s top cocktail mixologists and have made their way back onto liquor store shelves. Bonal, Byrrh, Cocchi Americano and Kina L’Avion d’Or are all wines and chincona-based aperitifs known as quinquinas, which started as herbal remedies first created in the 19th century.

The original recipe for Byrrh (pronounced BEER) was developed in 1866 by Violet Frères of Thuir, France, where it is still made today. Byrrh Grand Quinquina is a blend of cinchona, exotic spices and botanicals in a base of Mistelle (grape juice fortified with brandy) and local Grenache, which is then

aged in large oak barrels. A mere 18 percent alcohol, the flavor is like a lighter ruby port with a bitter edge imparted from the chincona. Try it over ice with a bit of soda. Byrrh’s long legacy has been documented by a half-century of magnificent poster art.

Second, at only 16 percent alcohol, Bonal Gentiane-Quina was first produced in 1865. It is made by an infusion of gentian root (known for its use as a digestive aid), cinchona and other renowned herbs of the Grand Chartreuse Mountains in a Mistelle base. The result is a ruddy, reddish-brown, somewhat sweet, wine-based pick-me-up that is traditionally enjoyed neat or with a twist. Known as “ouvre l’appétit” (the key to the appetite), it found

popularity with sportsmen and became an early sponsor of the Tour de France.Next is another 18 percent alcohol product made in Switzerland that goes by the eloquent name Kina L’Avion d’Or. This quinquina reflects an Alps-Provence style: white wine made from the Piedmont-grown cortese grapes is infused with cinchona bark, orange peel, wormwood and other exotic spices to give a beautiful deep golden hue, an aroma of quince and fine marmalade, with a complex, mildly bitter taste that teases the tongue, as its well-balanced sweetness prolongs the finish. Kina Avion d’Or is wonderful on its own, chilled, on ice or mixed with soda for a refreshing, low-alcohol drink. It is also absolutely spectacular in classic cocktails, such as the 20th Century or Corpse Reviver #2.

Our final quinquina is a 16.5 percent alcohol white aperitif called Cocchi Americano, which has been made in Piedmont, Italy, using only natural ingredients from the same recipe since 1891. To aromatize the white wine, a secret blend of herbs and spices (including gentian, cinchona and bitter orange peels) are added to a sweet Moscato base, which is then steeped for a period of time. The result is an amazing combination of flavors that are sweet and savory, as well as bitter and flowery. Cocchi Americano is used in many classic cocktails, including James Bond’s The Vesper, the Negroni Bianco or this aperitif’s namesake, The Americano.

Tim Korby is the director of Julio’s Liquors’ the-AngelShare.com online wine store. He started in the wine industry in California in 1976 and moved to the Boston area in 2000. In addition to being a retail wine buyer, he has taught wine courses since 1984 and has regularly written newsletters, articles and blogs since 1981. Korby travels the world several times each year to find just the right wines for his customers and to learn the true romance of the wines he sells.


From herbal remedies to liquor store shelves By Tim Korby


Sports& Fitness

On St. Patrick’s Day, the only workout most of us ever get is the cardio from walking bar to bar (you know, putting the “hop” in bar-hopping). This year, burn off some of those beer calories before you hit the pubs by participating in the Guinness Celtic 5K.

The fourth annual Celtic 5K, which takes place on March 9, begins and ends in Elm Park and follows the same route as the Worcester St. Patrick’s Day parade. Because the race begins an hour before the parade starts, the streets are lined with built-in cheerleaders.

“That is part of the fun and why the races are growing so fast,” said Charles Breagy, event organizer for the Tour de Patrick race series. “Then, after the race, the runners mix with the cheering crowds to watch the parade and join the post-race parties all over the city.”

The Guinness Celtic 5K is the third and final race in the Tour de Patrick race series. The Tour de Patrick takes place over eight days in three cities. Participants accumulate times from all three 5Ks and place in the overall Tour standings. The two other races, which are held in Pawtucket and Providence, R.I., are held in conjunction with each city’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

“The Celtic 5K is the fastest-growing race in the Tour de Patrick,” Breagy said. The Worcester race has grown exponentially since its inception in 2011, and Breagy hopes to surpass last year’s 3,000 participants.

Breagy started the St. Pat’s 5K in Providence in 2009, and after seeing how successful it was to combine an Irish-themed race with the city’s parade, he decided to try the same formula in a couple of other cities. In 2011, the Irish 5K in Pawtucket and the Celtic 5K in Worcester were started.

“Once the three races were in place, it seemed only natural to connect them all,” said Breagy, of coming up with the Tour de Patrick concept. “Since all three races have a St. Patrick’s parade, it is a title that’s easy to remember.”

Breagy chose Worcester as the third location because of its close proximity to Providence and his prior connections with the city. (He was a member of Central Mass Striders and has run the Worcester Firefighters Memorial 6K). He also heard Worcester knows how to party.

“The Worcester annual St. Patrick’s parade is one of the best in the country,” he said. “I met with the organizers, and we all agreed that both events together would be great for the city.”

Even better for the city ~ not only does the event enhance the parade atmosphere, but the race supports the Worcester Firefighters Fund and local running clubs. Breagy said that last year, the race raised $10,000 for local organizations.

“This is a very entertaining event,” Breagy said. “We encourage participants to dress up in costume to add to the fun and color.”

All entrants receive a T-shirt. Runners and walkers of all ages can register at celtic5k.com.

Will run for St. PatBy Kimberly Dunbar


College

To condense the evolution of the Ancient Order of Hibernians into a short article would be an injustice to my Irish-American heritage. But as Worcester approaches St. Patrick’s Day, we must remember that the significance of March 17 transcends green beverages, intoxication and green clothing.

The Ancient Order of Hibernians formed May 4, 1836, as an Irish-Catholic fraternal organization, the objective of which was protection from rampant “know-nothing” activism; as the Order’s website states, “The subject of the [first] meeting is not recorded, but since nativist activity was becoming a national threat, it is not difficult to imagine the Irish seeking to coalesce several societies into one major defensive organization.” The early AOH embodied a character of heroism, pride, unity and courageous protectiveness.

The AOH survives in America today; in fact, Division 36 exists in Worcester. As Division 36’s website reports, “The AOH aids newly-arrived Irish immigrants, both socially and economically; assists efforts leading to the re-unification of Ireland; serves as a bridge between Irish Americans and their ancestral homeland; fosters Irish culture; and supports the Church and its mission, especially in charitable works.”

But a growing threat for the AOH looms on the horizon; the order is struggling to attract college-age members. Members who joined the order 30 or 40 years ago volunteer tirelessly to stage charity events, fight for Irish-American causes and, in general, promote the AOH. The order will, in time, need to attract

20- to 30-year-old members if its rich tradition is to survive.

So why are fewer younger people joining the order? You could start first by looking at a poll conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life in October 2012, which found that “…young people are increasingly disconnected from religion, and one in three Americans ages 18-29 describe themselves are religiously unaffiliated.” Of course, that trend continues to increase, and it does not exclude the Catholic Church. Declining Catholic membership is, in part, related to the changing tide in popular opinion regarding gay marriage, birth and the acceptance of atheism and agnosticism.

But Division 36 and the AOH, in general, also strive to promote and celebrate Irish-American heritage through cultural and educational events. Division 36’s website advertises ongoing cultural activities at the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Centre, including twice-monthly traditional music sessions, monthly open mic nights and live music every Friday, among other events. Division 36 also hosts annual golf tournaments and cultural festivals.

Most Worcesterites have heard of Fiddler’s Green, the resident pub located within the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Centre; those who have been there know that its atmosphere is friendly and welcoming.

For more information about Division 36 membership, stop by 19 Temple St., Worcester, or research the organization at aohworcester.com.

Ancient Order of the Hibernians needs you

By Benjamin McNeil


St. Patrick’s Day hangover helpersAfter an indulgent St. Patrick’s Day celebration, you probably won’t wake up looking or feeling refreshed and ready to conquer

the day. Eye puffiness and dark circles are telltale signs of a hangover and, unfortunately, sunglasses aren’t acceptable in every situation. And “bar smell” isn’t acceptable anywhere but the bar. Here is everything you need to fake a well-rested and energized

look the day after.

All products are available at groominglounge.com.

Supersmile In-Between

Mouthrinse ($16)Zaps halitosis and alcohol

breath in a jiffy.

Nickel Morning

After Rescue Shower gel ($29)

Energizing body wash brings dull, tired skin

back to life after a long day of

partying.

Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Eye De-

Puffer ($20) De-puff tired raccoon eyes with this

signature eye treatment.

Nickel Morning-After Rescue gel

($42) This shock treatment wakes up skin from a comatose state after a long day of drinking.

Wingman Wipes 8-Pack

($9.50)For an immediate clean feeling if you can’t muster up the energy to

make it to the shower.

beauty& style

The “hangover helper” Set ($100) This Grooming Lounge box contains everything you need to rebound after “one of those” nights: an aptly named Nickel

Morning After Rescue Gel to refresh the complexion, Menaji 911 Eye Gel to minimize eye bags, Supersmile Mouthrinse

to eliminate booze breath, an energizing Molton Brown Black Pepper Body Wash and, of course, aspirin to help with that

headache.

Molton Brown Black Peppercorn Body Wash ($30)

Removes “bar stench” and re-energizes the body.


Typically, being decked out in all of the season’s latest trends takes a backseat on the swashbuckling, Guinness-swigging holiday that is St. Patrick’s Day, which may be a nice break for the style-obsessed during this particularly rambunctious celebration. Festivities are especially beloved in our home state of Massachusetts, where the Irish-American population is plentiful and ready to party come the 17th of March.

The holiday is celebrated in countries around the world in honor of the patron saint of Ireland on the day of his death, in which wearing the color green in tribute to the Emerald Isle, decorating our homes in shamrocks and letting loose at local parades have all become routine among the Irish and non-Irish alike, along with many other cultural and religious traditions.

Somewhere along the line, however, the clothing norm on this holiday turned into a glittery, costumey mess, pumping out “Kiss Me I’m Irish” T-shirts faster than you can order another round. Although it is a nice change of pace to get down and dirty in your play clothes, chugging green beer with the best of them, I vote we collectively leave the leprechaun Halloween costume home this year and save it for the parade performers. But wait, how do we celebrate without T-shirts that announce how drunk we are? The solution is actually very simple.

First, consider that it may be time to hand down your favorite St. Patrick’s Day T-shirt to your younger sister in exchange for one that makes you look old enough to be in a bar, such as one sporting a traditional Irish beer logo like Guinness or Murphy’s. Not a T-shirt girl? You don’t exactly have to wear a flashing shamrock on your sweater to get noticed. For a night out on this St. Patrick’s Day, anything green should do ~ whether it be emerald or mint, evergreen or olive. Try a pop of green in the form of a scarf or flats.

Accessories are everywhere for this holiday ~ from gaudy top hats to four-leaf clover sunglasses. It is hard to resist at least one holiday-themed accessory in preparation for a rowdy night out. Even bars and pubs are passing out flashing pins and necklaces, so don’t be afraid to join in some of the fun, especially when it comes to freebies.

For those of you having a low-key night in, green nail polish, a little shamrock face paint, even a drop or two of food coloring into your favorite beer are great ways to celebrate St. Patrick while still looking your age and staying (somewhat) classy.

No matter what your big plans are on this St. Patrick’s Day, be sure to find your happy medium when it comes to embellishing yourself in holiday charms and have fun romping around in your T-shirt and jeans.

Stay festive without looking crazy this St. Patrick’s DayBy Stacia Kindler

the stylelist.

CRAFT BEER. FARMHOUSE FARE. RIGHTEOUS COCKTAILS.

Celebrate the artisan craftsman with an unmatched selection of farm-fresh food, hand-crafted spirits and, of course, world class beers. In late September, you’ll be able to enjoy our expanded

kitchen, 30 additional seats with semi-private function space, and the opening of Crust, our artisan bakeshop one block away. The slow food movement has found it’s home here.

118 Main StreetWorcester MA 01608 crustbakeshop.com

OPENING LATE SEPTEMBER 2013

Lunch & dinner daily beginning at 11:30AM Brunch Saturdays & Sundays beginning at 10AM

Located downtown in the historic courthouse district.

144 Main Street Worcester, MA 508.795.1012 www.armsbyabbey.com

CRAFT BREWS. FRESH BREADS.

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