The Frontroom

Cinema Worcester in conjunction with the WCUW FrontRoom presents “Monterey Pop”, a film by D. A. Pennebaker. Our trip to the late 60s continues with the second of three fantastic musical films: Monterey Pop. Featuring performances by popular artists of the 1960s, this concert film highlights the music of the 1967 California festival. Although not all musicians who performed at the Monterey Pop Festival are on film, some of the notable acts include the Mamas and the Papas, Simon & Garfunkel, Jeff

Lisa Marie & Johnny Juxo return to the Frontroom! We are so excited to have this duo back! Their last show with us was truly a night of musical magic! Lisa Marie is not only a blues shouter in the tradition of Big Joe Turner and Wynonie Harris, this Boston native carries on the sweet gospel soul of Sam Cooke, the yearning of Hank Williams, and the boisterous, cartoonish fun of Louis Jordan. From jump-swing to swamp boogie, country blues to funky New Orleans grooves, her deep husky vocals express

Cinema Worcester in conjunction with the WCUW FrontRoom presents “Gimme Shelter”, a film by Charlotte Zwerin, Albert Maysles, and David Maysles. Our trip to the late 60s concludes with Gimme Shelter. Theis is the landmark documentary about the tragically ill-fated Rolling Stones free concert at Altamont Speedway on December 6, 1969. Only four months earlier, Woodstock defined the Love Generation; now it lay in ruins on a desolate racetrack six miles outside of San Francisco. Run time is 1 hour a

Songwriters in the Round happens the first Sunday of the month, from 3:30 to 6:30 pm. Each Songwriters session features original music, storytelling, and Q&A. In addition, there is a monthly workshop discussion topic and open circle sharing time. Hosted by Serena May Kilsmith. The session runs from 3:30 to 6:30 pm on Sunday, August 2. More info at mamakilsmith.com. The WCUW Frontroom is located at 910 Main St., Worcester MA. Parking in the Clark University lot across the street, or on the street

“Who Wants To Know” comes to the FrontRoom for a special fundraiser to benefit WCUW. Opening for them is Ric Porter. Who Wants to Know delivers a joyful mixed-up gumbo of R&B, Americana, Country, and Blues. The “who” in Who Wants to Know is Arny Spielberg (guitar/vocals), Bob Sarkala (guitar), Gerry Bellegarde (bass/vocals), and Doug MacLeod (drums). This flexible confederation of old friends and talented musicians spans decades of the Massachusetts music scene, with memorable collaborations in

Winner of the 2024/25 Boston Blues Challenge: Troy Mercy returns to the WCUW FrontRoom, with Harrison Foti on drums.! Troy Mercy is an electrifying Blues power-duo with a Rock & Roll heart. He has toured as guitarist with The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and Booker T. Jones. Troy recently signed with Gitcha Records of Nashville. The first single will be released March 4, and the entire album, Let The Night Begin, will be out in May. “Expect songs you’ll be singing in your head later. This is raw and w

Photo credit: John Solaperto The Russo Brothers- the areas most amazing, funky, top notch jazz band– come to the Frontroom. Join us for a fantastic night of being blown away by these brothers and their band. When you hear the Russo Brothers play, it is immediately apparent they are not a paint-by-number jazz group. The band’s music contains traces of all the music they grew up with, including blues and funk. “The word jazz kind of puts you in a box,” says Jim Russo. “We’re not in that box.” Thes

Jubilee Gardens returns to the FrontRoom after a long time-out for a special fundraiser to benefit WCUW. Opening for them is Gang of 3. Come hear original world, folk, and pop rock songs, all written by Jubilee Connolly. So far the line up is Jubilee Connolly, Dan Hunt on guitar, Paul Provost on keys, Ed Melikian on oud, Rainer Reichel on violin, Tomoka Howard on harp, and Gail Hunt on bass. There are other band members that we hope will join in- more details as the date draws closer. The openin

Songwriters in the Round happens the first Sunday of the month, from 3:30 to 6:30 pm. Each Songwriters session features original music, storytelling, and Q&A. In addition, there is a monthly workshop discussion topic and open circle sharing time. Hosted by Serena May Kilsmith. The session runs from 3:30 to 6:30 pm on Sunday, September 6. More info at mamakilsmith.com. The WCUW Frontroom is located at 910 Main St., Worcester MA. Parking in the Clark University lot across the street, or on the str

Join contemporary Armenian folk ensemble Armadi Tsayn (trans. “Sound of the Roots” in Armenian) at the WCUW FrontRoom. The outfit features oud player and composer Samuel Sjostedt, percussionist Alek Surenian, bassist Filippo Novi-Goller and clarinetist Mehrpouya Daneshvar. Shaping sounds from Western Armenia and Anatolia, and blending them with nodes of Jazz and Western Classical, the group has sold out venues from New York to LA, Canada and Armenia. Listen to their music, here, and here. Showti

Chet Williamson’s 40-plus-year career as a harmonica player has taken him from the streets of the Great Brook Valley Housing Projects of Worcester, MA to memorable performances around the world. Reflecting his ability to play a wide variety of musical styles, Williamson has shared stages with many of the world’s most popular and finest musicians, including Sleepy LaBeef, Joan Osborne and Duke Levine. As a teen, Williamson played blues after hearing Paul Butterfield’s first album. He also had the

Harmonica powerhouse Patrick Halpin has been a fixture of the New England blues scene since the early 1990s. After years of performing with respected regional acts and sharing the stage with blues legends, he formed Pat Halpin & the 351s—a band built on raw energy, deep grooves, and American roots music. Named after the legendary Ford 351 Cleveland engine, the 351s channel classic Chicago blues into rock ’n’ roll, rockabilly, swing, Tex-Mex, country, and timeless roots sounds. The result is a hi

The Racky Thomas Band returns to the FrontRoom! The Racky Thomas Band hails from Boston, Massachusetts but plays the blues as though they came right out of postwar Chicago or the Mississippi delta. Thomas formed in 1995 and has been performing throughout the northeast to enthusiastic audiences ever since. With energy and passion akin to that of a Southern snake charmer revivalist, they continue to earn rave reviews from critics and music enthusiasts alike. Thomas draws from a wide range of influ

Namid and Baseema are proud to present “Raqs at the Radio Station”. This special showcase will feature dancers from all around New England performing MENAHT (Middle Eastern, North African, Hellenic and Turkish) influenced dance styles, aka Belly Dance. Come and enjoy the artistry of this amazing group of performers, including Heather Powers, Fady, Tiffany Hawko and troupes Origins, PSYbel, Divergence Dance Collective and more! Showtime: Sunday, September 27, 5 pm. Doors open at 4:30. Tickets $15

An act that stands above the rest in a crowd of Grateful Dead tribute bands, Sans Souci: Tribute to the Jerry Garcia Band is brought to you by WCUW programmer ‘The Drifter’! Jerry Garcia was more than just a musician… he was a phenomenon. The creations of Jerry and his bandmates have artistically inspired people and their jaw-dropping live performances have brought people together to form a special sense of community around the love for their favorite band even decades after his passing. Sans So

Songwriters in the Round happens the first Sunday of the month, from 3:30 to 6:30 pm. Each Songwriters session features original music, storytelling, and Q&A. In addition, there is a monthly workshop discussion topic and open circle sharing time. Hosted by Serena May Kilsmith. The session runs from 3:30 to 6:30 pm on Sunday, October 4. More info at mamakilsmith.com. The WCUW Frontroom is located at 910 Main St., Worcester MA. Parking in the Clark University lot across the street, or on the stree

Photo credit: John Solaperto The Russo Brothers- the areas most amazing, funky, top notch jazz band– come to the Frontroom. Join us for a fantastic night of being blown away by these brothers and their band. When you hear the Russo Brothers play, it is immediately apparent they are not a paint-by-number jazz group. The band’s music contains traces of all the music they grew up with, including blues and funk. “The word jazz kind of puts you in a box,” says Jim Russo. “We’re not in that box.” Thes

Photo credit: John Solaperto The Russo Brothers- the areas most amazing, funky, top notch jazz band– come to the FrontRoom. Join us for a fantastic night of being blown away by this quintet. When you hear the Russo Brothers play, it is immediately apparent they are not a paint-by-number jazz group. The band’s music contains traces of all the music they grew up with, including blues and funk. “The word jazz kind of puts you in a box,” says Jim Russo. “We’re not in that box.” Showtime: Saturday, O