On Monday, February 15th Assumption College’s student group “Students for Safe Choices” will be holding a charity night at the Texas Roadhouse located in the Lincoln Street Plaza from 4-9PM. This charity night is by invitation only, which means you have to bring the below flyer in order to attend the event. Students for Safe Choices has been doing various fundraising over the course of the year to raise money for MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and are looking for help from the community.

During the charity night, students from the group with be raffling off a night at the “Hotel Commonwealth” in Boston, Massachusetts along with a $100 gift certificate to the hotel restaurant. The students will also be be raffling off Texas Roadhouse “Dinner for 2″ passes.

The Texas Roadhouse will be donating 20% of all profits to the fundraiser. The perfect way to show your support for MADD and Assumption College’s student organization.

Please print the below flier and present it to your server in order to participate.

It was improv night at Point Breeze on Saturday. Windfall, a group of late 1970s rockers, have reunited to try to relive their glory days. They played a lot of 70s and 80s standards. We tried to Swing, Hustle, Cha-Cha, or Rumba to their beat. Did you know you could Rumba to Credence Clearwater Revival and to Janis Joplin tunes? Well you can and we did. It was interesting that on the same song people were seen doing freestyle, Rumba and Swing. It’s all in how you interpret the beat. So learn the steps and improvise. Dance is all about creativity.

Here is the lineup for this weekend.

Friday Feb. 12th

• City Side – Woonsocket – The band is Batteries not included. Expect to dance a lot of Hustle.
• Twin Rivers – Lincoln – The ever popular Eight to the Bar is playing. Not sure if they will be playing Swing or Motown. Whatever the beat we can dance to it; or we just improvise.
• Gilreins – Worcester – Go out and Swing dance to the beat of the Red Riders. The dance floor is small, so tuck in your elbows.

Saturday Feb. 13th

• City Side- The band is Sugar. Again this could be an opportunity to dance Hustle and some Swing. You just might lapse into Freestyle.
• Frohsinn Club – Shrewsbury – Our friend MoCo is playing. A great entertainer and a good musician. So go on over and shake up the Frohsinn. This is your chance to reveal all of those steps you have been hiding.
• Gilreins – The Dirty Mac Blues Band is playing. If you like Blues you will love Gilreins. You can sit and listen or you can dance. The choice is up to you.
• Speakers Night Club – Marlboro – The Allens are playing.
• Knights of Columbus – Cranston, RI – This is a mecca for ballroom dancophiles. Lot’s of good dancers here. Don’t let them intimidate you. Just jump into the line of dance and have fun. Trish of American Ballroom and Latin Dance will be teaching a Rumba lesson.
• Point Breeze – Webster – She’s Busy is playing. I can’t comment on the group but you’ll love the dance floor.

Sunday Feb. 14th Valentine’s Day

• Leominster Elks – Eight to the Bar will be playing non stop Swing.
• Salsa Storm – Worcester – There will be a group Salsa lesson from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM and then dancing until 8:30 PM. Get on over and treat yourself to some Latin rhythms.

Get out this weekend and kick up your heels with your Valentine.

It is that time of year again, when everyone gets together for the NFL’s Super Bowl! While there are a lot of bars and lounges you can go to in Worcester to watch the game, there are a few unique venues that stand out above the rest to get your Football on. For those of you that don’t want to watch the game from home, be certain to check out the below venues for Sunday’s game. Have a noteworthy one not on the list? Let us know!

Brew City
Rather leave the cooking to someone else and have the chance to win some great prizes? Make your reservation for the Super Bowl party ($25 in advance, $30 at the door if available) at 4:00pm. Your ticket includes entries to win great prizes including Miller Lite Beer Gear, framed Patriots photos and more! Plus there will be plenty of giveaways during the game (37″ Vizio LCD TV or Full size gas grill)! Your ticket includes shrimp cocktail, salad and choice of Seafood Casserole or All You Can Eat Prime Rib, potato and vegetable. In addition to the meal, “stadium snacks” will be served throughout the game and there will be complimentary appetizers at half time.

Victory Bar and Cigar
Have a passion for cooking and enjoy a cigar? Victory Bar and Cigar is having a Wing Contest. Bring in you best chicken wings for The first annual Victory Wing Bowl. Tastings begin at 4PM stop in anytime prior to half time with your wings… cigar prizes for those entering the contest.

Nick’s Bar and Restaurant
Foot ball not your thing? Join the crowd at Nick’s Bar and Restaurant for their anti-Super Bowl party featuring The Bobby Gadoury Trio beginning at 5:00pm, followed by Jason James Honkytonk Piano at 9:00pm until close!

Grille 57
More interested in the food? Grille 57 will be putting on a huge buffet to ensure that you never go hungry while watching the game in the comfort of their restaurant and bar.

The Celtic Tavern
Can’t make it to the heart of Worcester for the big game? The Celtic Tavern in Northborough will impress you with their large bar, selection of beer, and great food planned for the Super Bowl. Join them at 5:00pm for a $10 all you can eat buffet including Nachos and wings throughout the big game.

Many of the WorcesterScene viewers have asked the same question, “where can we go to dance?” While our first answers have been some of the great bars and clubs, we soon realized that they wanted the venues for ballroom, salsa, and the more organized dancing beyond the bump-and-grind that dominate many clubs in the area. With that said, each week we will compile some information that is obtained by those who know where the “in” spots are for this type of dance and entertainment. As always, our friends at Salsa Storm always have something exciting going on, be certain to check them out and tell them that WorcesterScene sent you!

Friday, February 5th

• Maironis Park - Dancing will be upstairs.  So this is a great opportunity to dance all those ballroom steps you have learned.  There will be a lesson in the Quickstep.
• Chicken Bone (Framingham) – Ernie and the Automatics will be playing.  Ernie of Ernie Boch fame will have you rocking.   So go to the Bone to Swing, Hustle and freestyle.
• Poise Style and Motion – This venue is similar to Maironis Park.  Get a lesson and dance for a couple of hours, ballroom only dancing.

Saturday, February 6th

• Maironis Park - This is singles night, but couples can attend.  Ozzie and his DJ will be spinning CDs.  You can practice whatever dance steps you know.
• Point Breeze (Webster) – Windfall will be playing.  They specialize in Classic Rock and some Blues.
• Gilreins – Jon Short is playing.  This will be mostly listening to good Blues.  Not sure if you will be able to dance to his music.
• Frohsinn Club – Preferred Sound will be turning up the amps in an effort to keep everyone awake.  I keep saying that this is a great spot for anyone who is new to ballroom, or just wants to polish some steps or routines.

Sunday, February 7th

• PNI Club, Worcester – Dancing is 4:30 to 8:30.  This will be ballroom dancing.
• Leominster Elks – There is no band this week.  Alan will be selecting music from his Swing CD collection.
• Salsa Storm (Worcester) -  You all know how to dance Salsa.  So head on over to see how you measure up.  Dancing is from 5:00 to 8:30.

Looking for a very well known band to dance to? Friday, February 12th Eight to the Bar will be playing at Twin Rivers Casino.

A special thanks to our contributor with his pulse on the dance scene!

On Thursday, February 4, 2010 Christina Andrianopoulos, radio and TV Talk Show Host plans an evening of fun and excitement visiting some of the chicest restaurants and lounges in Worcester, MA.  The origination of this evening occurred when Christina was upset of comments recently made by Rich Teeter on air on the Peter Blute Show on WCRN Radio AM830.  Rich Teeter referred to Worcester as a hell hole which upset Christina so much she went on the air in defense of Worcester and finally challenged Rich and Peter to a 12-Step transformation program to change forever change their minds about Worcester.  She has named the evening, “Paint the Town Red” and has planned a fun filled evening visiting some of Worcester’s hot spots in a stretch limousine.

The evening begins at 5:45pm at the WCRN radio studios in the media district in the heart of downtown Worcester.  A stretch limousine provided by AA Limousine of Shrewsbury will transport the group on its planned stops around the city. In addition, John Lenis from Photography by John will accompany the group to capture the evening on film and post photos on the websites and social network Channels. Guests and radio fans are encourage to meet this group at any or all of these restaurants that evening.

The following is the “Paint the Town Red” itinerary.  Listeners and fans are encouraged to meet the group at anyone of these stops:

• 6:00 – 6:30 VIA Italian Table: Meet the group at their first stop along with Dining Out Metro Co-host Allan Eisenberg and experience a slice of Italian dining
• 6:45 – 7:15 Piccolo’s Restaurant meet John Piccolo and the crew
• 7:20 – 7:50 Sweet Pastry Shop and Dessert Bar, Celebrity Chef Alina Eisenhower direct from her appearance on Chopped on the Food Channel will serve from her creative desert and cocktail menu
• 8:00—8:25  Ziti’s Italian Trattoria visiting Stella by Starlight..and experiencing a true North End experience this side of the Charles River in the fashionable Canal District
• 8:30 – 9:00 Nick’s Bar & Restaurant Owners Nicole and Vincent offer Cabaret style entertainment in a cozy European style lounge
• 9:10 – 9:40 Emerald Isle Owner John will challenges the group to a little Karaoke at his hot trendy bar in the Canal District
• 9:50 – 10:15 Bocado a hot, Spanish-styled Restaurant and Bar
  in the Canal District … maybe a little Salsa Dance instructions will be waiting for everyone
• 10:20 – 10:45  Victory Cigar Lounge for a cigar and aperitif or cognac
• Ending the evening back to at Union Station… and the 12-step conversation epiphany for Rich Teeter

The Peter Blute Show, on Monday—Friday from 6—9A.M. Former Congressman  Peter Blute adds his own brand of radio topics that address everything from the latest in politics to Worcester Scene issues and beyond.

With Worcester’s Best Chef quickly approaching, we were thrilled to not only hear that Michael Giletto—as seen on Iron Chef America, Chopped, Ultimate Recipe Showdown and The Tyra Banks Show—but also Kiss 108/NECN’s TV Diner’s Billy Costa will be playing prominent roles at this years event.

Tickets are going very fast and can be purchased on the Worcester’s Best Chef web site for a nominal fee. WorcesterScene.com, as media sponsor, will also be giving out free tickets to the event to random people on our e-mail list! To be considered, please sign up for our list here: SceneAlerts.

Black ties, tuxedos, evening gowns, classic World War II military uniforms, a 22-piece Big Band & Swing orchestra, and a huge dance floor—that’ll get you “In The Mood”!

Nostalgia will set it—’big’ time—on February 13th, 2010, as the Odd Fellows Home celebrates Valentine’s Day in style.  The Moonlight Serenade Sweetheart Ball fundraiser will offer a posh evening full of WWII regalia, memories and tradition.  “This event really highlights the splendor and American sentiment of the Big Band era in the grandest of fashion,” said Clarence Plant, Secretary to the Board of Trustees at the non-profit Odd Fellows Home of Massachusetts on  Randolph Road.

The fundraiser is necessary to fund the replacement of 76 windows and installation of therapeutic equipment.

The Odd Fellows Home is a non-profit, 501 c (3), Skilled Long-Term Care and Rehabilitation facility designed to improve the lives of it’s residents.  Historically, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in North America (United States and Canada) became independent from the Order in England in 1834.  In modern times, the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs have been in the forefront of nearly all organizations in helping to make this world a better place in which to live. Odd Fellowship is a family fraternity with activities and programs for every member of the family. Former Worcester Mayor and talk show host, Jordan Levy, is master of ceremonies for Moonlight Serenade, and stressed the importance and uniqueness of this event to the community, “This is a really upscale, fun, and entertaining evening that helps a very worthwhile cause in the city of Worcester.  Besides, when do you get the chance to have a great meal and Jitterbug to a 22-piece orchestra? – not often.”  The event also boasts a wine tasting, silent auction, and ballroom dance exhibitions and lessons.

The Moonlight Serenade Sweetheart Ball takes place on Saturday, February 13th, 2010, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Worcester. Tax-deductible tickets are $125, and are available online at WorcesterMoonlightSerenade.com, or by calling Nancy Cyr at 508-853-6687.  Multi-course dinner included.  Corporate Sponsorships available.  Seats are limited.

We are trying to compile a comprehensive list of New Years Eve activity in the city. We would like your help in finding where and what is going on! Please submit a comment below of where, what, and when!

Each weekend during the 17 weeks that the NFL is in action is a glorious weekend for football fans. Being able to find a great place to watch your favorite team, enjoy a reasonably priced fare and drinks is the perfect way to enjoy a Sunday or Monday night. What makes it even better is when you are able to watch your local New England Patriots with some of the Patriot Cheerleaders!

This Monday night (November 30, 2009), Brew City is the place to be to watch New England battle New Orleans. Patriots Cheerleader Calendar Signing – 7pm… Stop in to purchase a personalized signed calendar…they make great holiday gifts! Patriots Cheerleader Appearance ~ 8pm – half time… Meet the Cheerleaders…stop in for your complimentary signed squad poster.

Master Illusionist Lyn Dillies has mesmerized audiences of all ages throughout the US and Canada for over two decades. This Sunday, November 22, the 2009 Merlin Award as America’s Premier Female Illusionist brings her latest, and most exciting show to the Hanover Theatre for Performing Arts. The new show, Illusionaire, dazzles audiences with alluring performances that feature some of the most amazing illusions being performed today. Tickets range from $25 – $30.