American Music
Americana band Grain Thief does a fantastic job of not just preserving the deep sound of American musical heritage, such as folk and bluegrass, but also of taking that music and presenting it in such a way that it’s accessible and fresh feeling. When listening to the band’s 2022 album, “Ain’t Hungover Yet,” it’s easy to hear how accessible the band makes the music: It’s engaging, vibrant and exceptionally well-executed. (VI)What: Grain Thief and Mama’s Marmalade
When: 7 p.m. Nov. 17
Where: Off the Rails, 90 Commercial St., Worcester
How much: $20-$50
Mercy, meals, memory
The Platypus Pot Mercy Meal, set for Nov. 18 at Ralph’s Rock Diner, honors the memory of Tracy “Platypus” Petrulavage with food, friendship and festivities. Bring a dish to share, donate for final expenses, or simply show up, and share memories. This event is for 21 and older. (MS)
What: Platypus Pot Mercy Meal
When: 4 p.m. Nov. 18
Where: Ralph’s Rock Diner, 148 Grove St., Worcester
How much: Donations. See Facebook event page.
A holiday tradition
The Paradise City Arts Festival Nov. 17 to 19 in Marlborough has been a holidays tradition for 25 years. This year there will be 175 “hand-picked “exhibitors from 20 states with original works in painting, art glass, ceramics, decorative fiber, fine furniture, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, photography, large-scale sculpture, wearable art and wood. Also, the festival features two cafés, live music by a different band each day, and the exhibit “A Rose is a Rose is a Rose” in the Sculpture Café, plus a coat check & gift wrap station to benefit music in the schools. (RD)
What: Paradise City Arts Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 17, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 18, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 19
Where: The Royal Plaza Trade Center, 181 Royal Plaza Drive (at Route 20W), Marlborough
How much: Online $14, at box office $16; students, $8; children12 and under, free. Free full color program with admission. paradisecityarts.com.
Remain in Lights
Diwali was Nov. 12, but the celebrations aren’t quite done. ISKCON Boston will hold an event in honor of the Hindu festival of lights in Southborough, featuring an offering of lamps, cultural performances, divine music, a talk on Diwali and a vegetarian dinner. (VI)
What: Diwali Celebrations by ISKCON
When: 4-8 p.m. Nov. 18
Where: Trottier Middle School, 49 Parkerville Road, Southborough
How much: Free, but RSVP in advance on Eventbrite.com.
‘Unfinished but epic opera’
It will be one of the biggest opera events of the year in Worcester when the Clark UniversityMusic Program, Opera Vermont, New England Repertory Orchestra and the Worcester Children’s Chorus combine to present “Turandot In Concert,” a free, full concert performance of Puccini’s unfinished but epic opera “Turandot” at 7 p.m. Nov. 18 in Mechanics Hall. Conductor Cailin Marcel Manson, associate professor of practice in music and director of music performance at Clark University, will lead the Clark University Choir, Clark University Symphony Orchestra, New England Repertory Orchestra, and the Worcester Children’s Chorus with sopranos Othalie Graham and Janinah Burnett, tenor Joshua Collier and Clark faculty baritoneNicholas Tocci. The beautiful but ice cold Chinese Princess Turandot will marry only a suitor who can answer three riddles. Execution awaits any suitor who gets a riddle wrong. Undeterred, the young Prince of Tartary takes up the challenge. Why? In a Puccini opera love is always at the heart of tragedy and triumph. (RD)
What: “Turandot In Concert” — The Clark University Music Program, Opera Vermont, New England Repertory Orchestra and the Worcester Children’s Chorus
When: 7 p.m. Nov. 18
Where: Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St., Worcester
How much: Free admission; registration required
The Master Singers of Worcester presents “A Woman’s Voice” Nov. 18, a concert of music by women composers going all the way back to Hildegard von Bingen, an 11th-century German composer, poet, author and mystic. Also featured are Fanny Mendelssohn, Lili Boulanger and, Florence Price, and local composers AmyBernon, Gwyneth Walker, and Ellen Gilson Voth. The program is as varied and interesting as the women who made it possible. (RD)
What: “A Woman’s Voice” — The Master Singers of Worcester
When: 7 p.m. Nov. 18. Pre-concert lecture on Hildegard von Bingen at 6:45 p.m.
Where: Salem Covenant Church, 215 East Mountain St., Worcester
How much: $25, $20 students and seniors, in advance; $30, $25 students and seniors, at the door. mswma.org
Outlook Haz-E
Brooklyn-based hip-hop artist Jarv will be one of the headliners for the Haze E Sessions, a new series at Electric Haze which promises to bring “some of the hottest talent in reggae, punk, jam hip hop and funk to the Commonwealth!” Big promise, but Jarv is certainly and engaging rapper, with an extraordinary sense of lyrical dexterity and a penchant for irresistible hooks. (VI)
What: Haze E Sessions featuring Jarv and Buddahfly
When: 10 p.m. Nov. 18
Where: Electric Haze, 26 Millbury St., Worcester
How much: $15 in advance, $20 at the door
‘Overtures’
The Worcester Youth Orchestras will make its first appearance in Clinton in over 40 years when it presents “Overtures” Nov. 19 in Clinton Town Hall with the 80 member WY Symphony Orchestra under the direction of music director Jonathan Colby. The program will include the regional premiere of Florence Price’s “Ethiopia’s Shadow in America.” Price was the first African-American female composer to have a work premiered by a major US orchestra, the Chicago Symphony, in 1933. Only now is her work getting the attention it deserves. In addition, the orchestra will perform Dudley Buck’s “Festive Overture on a National Air,” selections from Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story” and the rarely performed first version of Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo & Juliet Fantasy.” Proceeds to benefit WHEAT Community Cupboard. (RD)
What: “Overtures” — Worcester Youth Symphony Orchestra
When: 4 p.m. Nov. 19
Where: Clinton Town Hall, 242 Church St., Clinton
How much: $13.50 online, $15 at the door. Children 18 and under free, but reservation required. Ticket information at worcesteryouthorchestras.org.
‘A captivating sound’
The Green Sisters grew up singing together, often while doing chores on the family farm in Hubbardston. The four siblings — Melody, Betsy, Brianna and Rebecca — developed a captivating sound that spans a wide range of bluegrass, barbershop, blues and country, along with lots of original songs. They’ve been playing venues in New England regularly for the last several years, including what has become their annual “Night before Thanksgiving show” at the Bull Run Restaurant in Shirley. (RD)
What: The Green Sisters
When: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22. Doors open for dinner and seating at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Bull Run Restaurant, 215 Great Road, Shirley
How much: $16. bullrunrestaurant.com
Blue Light Special
The Worcester-born rock-groove ensemble Blue Light Bandits hit home with their 2021 album, “Honestly Glad it Happened,” presenting a seemingly effortless groove, jam-band elements and textural shifts that kept the listener engaged. It was a great album, and the band is capable of bringing all of those elements to life live. (VI)
What: Blue Light Bandits with Miss Fairchild
When: 8 p.m. Nov. 24
Where: Off the Rails, 90 Commercial St., Worcester
How much: $20 to $50
