Hope in music, message
Musical traditions of the Black and Jewish communities will be featured in “Songs of Hope III” at 4 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Belmont A.M.E. Baptist Church, 55 Illinois St. Among the performers are Lydia Fortune, Phil Nigro, Mitch Gordon, Shir Joy, Lisa Marcus Jones, Charles Ketter and Knights of Zion. “Songs of Hope III” is sponsored by the Worcester Black-Jewish Alliance, an initiative supported by the Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts and the Worcester NAACP. This is the third concert sponsored by the alliance, which seeks to provide opportunities to celebrate the historic partnership between the Black and Jewish communities on behalf of civil rights, freedom and dignity for all people.
What: “Songs of Hope III” – Worcester Black-Jewish Alliance
When: 4 p.m. Jan. 22
Where: Belmont A.M.E. Baptist Church, 55 Illinois St., Worcester
How much: Free to the public. See event page on Facebook.
If it’s ‘I do,’ you should go
If the answer is going to be “I do,” then the Worcester Wedding & Bridal Expo, the largest two-day bridal event in the Central Massachusetts area, may the place for both of you at the DCU Center on Jan. 21 and 22. The event “provides couples with all the wedding products and services they need to plan the perfect day.” Presented by Jenks Productions, the expo combines fashion shows with over 100 wedding vendors and a wide selection of styles “at prices to fit any budget.”
What: Worcester Wedding & Bridal Expo
When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 21 and 22
Where: DCU Convention Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester
How much: $10 admission. dcucenter.com.
Get some laughs
Comedy Night returns to Samuel Slater’s Restaurant in Webster with a show at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20 featuring Frank Santorelli plus special guests Chris Zito and Mitch Stinson. Santorelli may be best known for playing the recurring role of Georgie The Bartender in “The Sopranos” and has also been featured in movies including “No Reservations,” “Meet the Parents” and “Crooked Lines.” His passion has always been comedy and he has headlined at some of the world’s most famous comedy clubs such as Catch a Rising Star, The Improv, and Caroline’s on Broadway. Zito has spent the last 30 years sharing his obsession with his family with comedy fans and radio listeners all over the country and formerly had his own show on WXLO 104.5 FM in Worcester. Stinson is a former aircraft-carrier aviator for the United States Navy whose original material offers unique insight into the transition to everyday civilian life and resonates with comedy crowds everywhere.
What: Comedy Night at Slater’s – featuring Frank Santorelli with special guests Chris Zito and Mitch Stinson
When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20
Where: Samuel Slater’s Restaurant, 200 Gore Road, Webster
How much: $20. samuelslaters.com.
Llamas in pajamas
“Llama Llama Red Pajama Live!” is a new musical by Bay Area Children’s Theatre in Berkeley, California, inspired by the best-selling “Llama, Llama Red Pajama” series of picture books by the late Anna Dewdney. Award-winning playwright-composer-lyricist Austin Zumbro has written tunes in a variety of styles to create what is described as “a fun-filled, contemporary musical that expresses the imagination of childhood for both children and adults to enjoy.” The show is coming the local area, with a show set for Jan. 20 at the Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts.
What: “Llama Llama Red Pajama Live!”
When: 6:30 p.m. Jan. 20
Where: The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester
How much: $35, $45 and $65, depending on seat location. (877) 571-7469; thehanovertheatre.org.
Power generators
The Boston-based Delta Generators have been a force since 2008, drawing on the traditions of blues, roots, R&B, Americana and rock to create a sound uniquely their own. The group has won many nominations and awards, and has had a strong local following since the days of the former Gilrein’s night club in Worcester. The current lineup is Brian Templeton, vocals, harmonica, acoustic guitar; Charlie O’Neal, guitar; Rick O’Neal, bass; and Jeff Armstrong, drums. They’re bringing their vibrant, eclectic sound to the Bull Run Restaurant in Shirley, with a show set for Jan. 21.
What: Delta Genarators
When: 8 p.m. Jan. 21 (doors open for seating and dinner at 6 p.m.)
Where: Bull Run Restaurant, 215 Great Road, Shirley
How much: $20. bullrunrestaurant.com.
