This week in Listen Up, new singles by Worcester's Young Man Winter and New Hampshire's Caylin Costello.

In this week's Worcesteria, takeout food and its vaunted and very costly place in modern life.

“A lot of people walk in here on a Friday or Saturday night and order a beer, and I explain that we’re a sober bar,” Sartini said.

Small Stones Festival of the Arts in Grafton opens its eighth annual juried exhibit of fine art painting and photography at noon on Jan. 24 as an event that has become both an encouraging small step for artists as well as large in its reach and significance.

The restaurant is the first business that Almir DeSouza owns, but he had prior experience in the industry, including six years in the kitchen at Herbie’s in Worcester. He worked at O’Connor’s Restaurant in Worcester before it was sold.

Fatima's Cafe in Worcester is almost the definition of a “hidden gem”: The bulk of its clientele are either locals who know, or African food aficionados who will drive out of their way for an hour or two.

Longtime Worcester club promoter Jimmy Kang will be taking over the venue’s operations, as a partner alongside current owners.

Welcome to the fickle world of Chicago in the roaring 1920s as "Chicago" comes to The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts for a five-performance run Jan. 9 to 11. The show is part of The Hanover Theatre's 2025-26 Broadway series.

A few things to do in the Worcester area in the week ahead.

"Still holds up" — "Chicago" musical set to "razzle dazzle 'em" at The Hanover Theatre.

Ricardo Barros took photos of Fitchburg residents for two projects.

Fitchburg State University student Andrew Cardosi has launched a versatile career of music, modeling, stage and screen.

"Wildlife on Wheels," or WOW, is out of Springfield, and brings animal ambassadors to locations such as schools, libraries, camps, and retirement centers. Most of the animals at WOW are confiscated illegal pets or non-releasable native wildlife that has been rescued.

In 2021, Crown Meat Market opened its doors on Gold Star Boulevard in Worcester, occupying the building that housed Crown Bakery for decades. Fast forward to July 2025 when owner/CEO Graciene Macedo held the grand opening for the expansion of Crown Meat Market Deli Bakery.

ICYMI: "Multiplatinum songwriter, Worcester native and Doherty Memorial High School graduate Donnie Demers died unexpectedly Dec. 22.

Margaret Smith looks back at some of her favorite science columns of the past year:

Opening the full-service bakery was a monumental undertaking that paid off. Macedo said she was a little nervous, but the 2025 holiday season was phenomenal. “Luckily, we were well-prepared,” said Macedo.

For the second year in a row, Worcester was overrun by “The Walking Dead: Dead City” and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who plays the leather-clad, barbed wire-covered bat-swinging, zombie-killing sociopath Negan, was at bat for the headbanging ball. But that wasn't all that rocked Worcester in 2025.

"I was truly impressed with the level of participation both on the stage and in the audience. I’m excited to be a part of this lively musical community and create special memories for all.”

A few things to do in the Worcester area in the week ahead ...

"I do not set New Year’s resolutions, but I enter the year with renewed passion, ready to tackle new dreams and accomplish new goals. 2025 was no different; I entered the year determined to knock a few things off my list of things I would like to do."

When Ricardo Barros, a commercial and fine arts photographer, and his wife moved from the New Jersey area to Fitchburg to be close to their son and grandchildren, they were immediately impressed with the warmth and friendliness of the community.

T&G reporter Craig Semon's inimitable annual "Worcester's Year in Pop Culture" review will be online Thursday and in print Friday. In the meantime, Here's a glimpse of the city's pop culture year through photos ...

"Looking back at my favorite cultural experiences from 2025, it is clear that I have entered a new stage in my life; namely, the things that resonate deeply with me tend to revolve around parenthood. Being a mom is a thrill ride. "

"According to the Harvard Conservation Trust, the little brick building was constructed in 1855 by the Shakers, a religious community founded by 1781 by Mother Ann Lee, making it the second-oldest Shaker settlement in the country, according to the Harvard Historical Society."

Among those visiting that Saturday were mother and daughter Kathy and Sophie Spector. "We would go to see the armor with my dad," Sophie said. The artistry and broad spectrum of cultures never fails to captivate, educate and inspire, they said.

Sean Ryder, PhD, spoke with Worcester Magazine about RNA therapeutics and how they may treat a wide variety of health conditions in the future and the quest to separate facts from misconception: direc.to/oinD #RNA @seanryderphd.bsky.social @rti-umasschan.bsky.social @worcestermagazine.bsky.social

A new artisan bakery Yolk & Crumb in Worcester’s West Side officially opened early November. The grand opening was a smash hit and the bakery sold out for days due to immense popularity driven by word of mouth and social media.

Happy Boxing Day! A few things to do in the Worcester area in the week ahead ...

In 2025, the local restaurant scene saw a mix of new and exciting openings, even as established and newer spots closed their doors.

"On one December afternoon close to the winter solstice, we took one such walk at Carlstrom Memorial Forest in Shrewsbury, which looked beautiful in the snow at sunset."

Peter Stanton has "lived and worked in its many changes, including publications bought, sold and in some cases, reimagined. Many come from a family tree with surprisingly interconnected roots, including Worcester Magazine, which turns 50 in 2026, and Worcester Business Journal."

“The Bartok might be going to bed for quite some time, so we're looking to have a last hurrah until we emerge from our cocoon state as either a moth or a butterfly,” singer Asher Isak said.

Tickets for Silver Scream Con 5 will be available online at 10 a.m. Dec. 23 The convention will be held October 2-4, 2026. www.worcestermag.com/story/entert...

4th Wall's lens is that "We enjoy doing theater that evokes conversations," said Barbara Guertin, the theater company's managing director, who is directing "Shakespeare Through A Disability Lens." The production will be staged at the Museum of Worcester on Dec. 26, 27 and 28.

This week, just in time for Christmas, we have a raucous country Christmas song from Lowell hip-hop artist D-Tension about a guy who just cannot catch a break, or a dollar, as the days get shorter and the big night approaches.

"For people who already have too much 'stuff,' plants can feel like a fresh, meaningful gift. That said, I do sometimes sense a bit of terror behind the smiles I receive in thanks — no one wants to be the one who kills the plant."

"My wife and I had lived in a three-decker off Lincoln Street for 17 years. That’s the longest I’ve lived anywhere, which means we’d accumulated ... stuff. Lots of stuff. And parting with stuff? Well, that’s easier said than done."

As director Troy Siebels said in an article previewing the production, this year brings many changes, including new sets and scenery, choreography, lighting and special effects.

In his “American Notes” Dickens noted of Worcester, “Every little colony of houses has its church and schoolhouse peeping from among the white roofs and shady trees; every house is the whitest of the white; every Venetian blind the greenest of the green; every fine day's sky the bluest of the blue.”

Alma Gaucha’s location near the Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts was a draw for DeOliveira, who said the theater brings a constant flow of people to the area before and after performances.

"In the forest around Ramshorn Brook are the remains of Rich’s Mill, which produced wool, and the dam that powered it, which has long since been breached by the pond behind it. The section of the dam that is still intact stands dozens of feet above the brook."

A special holiday guest appearance by columnist Janice Harvey!

On Dec. 15, the Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts held a Hanukkah celebration at the Hanover Repertory Theater and Performing Arts Center. "There is something poignant in this moment for us," said Steve Schimmel, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts.

There have since been a number of spin-off shows, and "Sister's Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi's Gold" promises lots of mirth and audience involvement in a family-friendly environment when it comes to the BrickBox Theater at the JMAC for three performances Dec. 19 and 20.

Fans of the rock and country The Mavericks who saw the Grammy Award-winning band's popular annual shows at Indian Ranch in Webster are among the many who have expressed sadness at the death of lead singer and guitarist Raul Malo on Dec. 8.

“It’s a gathering ground. It's almost like a church of rock and roll. People come from all over to spend time there and feel a spiritual experience. We feel that energy radiating from the crowd when we're there.”

“We also have the 20th anniversary of ‘Rise Or Die Trying’ coming up around the corner, so we just felt it would be a really cool thing to also record a live album with these shows.”

Barbara Houle gives us the scoop on some of the region's most popular steakhouses!

ICYMI: Last week was WoMag's annual "Hometown Heroes" issue. This is the introduction, with links to the profiles of this year's honorees.