Eight Things To Do: Festival of Lights, Chelsea Handler, Sebastian Maniscalco and more – Worcester Mag
Let the season begin
Worcester’s annual Festival of Lights celebration , set for Dec. 2 on the Worcester Common, will include the lighting of the tree, performances, ice skating, food vendors, community organizations, and more. There will be live performances throughout the event. Headliners Cara Brindisi of Worcester and Kara McKee of Cumberland, Rhode Island, both from this season’s NBC singing competition “The Voice,” will perform following the tree lighting at 6 p.m. Also performing will be Burncoat High School Quadrivium Chorus, Roosevelt Elementary and Rice Square students, Art and Music Police Partnership Youth, Cirque De Light dance troupe with LED lighting, and fire dancing by Sasha the Fire Gypsy. In celebration of Worcester’s tercentennial anniversary, New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill in Boylston, in partnership with the city of Worcester and the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District, will install seven large-scale, Worcester-themed light sculptures and hanging light orbs. Each of the seven light sculptures displays different Worcester-themed imagery including hearts, rockets and smiley faces. Festival of Lights will also feature food vendors, a beer tent, community organizations, a visit from Santa, face-painting, mascot engagement, and carriage rides. As part of the city’s ongoing vaccination efforts, vaccines will be available ages 5 and up. Ice skating on the Worcester Common Oval during Festival of Lights is free. Skaters may bring their own skates or rent on the Oval for $5 per pair.
What: Festival of Lights
When: 4:30-9 p.m. Dec. 2
Where: Worcester Common, behind Worcester City Hall
How much: Free admission
Always leave ’em laughing
There are a couple of great choices for laughs and clever observations on life on Dec. 3 as Chelsea Handler and Sebastian Maniscalco are in Worcester for separate shows. Comedian, actor and best-selling author Maniscalco will bring his unique and observational comic perspective to the DCU Center at as part of his cross-country “Nobody Does This” tour. Comic Pat McGann will open. Maniscalco has released a best-selling memoir and Netflix original special, both titled “Stay Hungry,” and has appeared in the films “The Irishman” and “Green Book.” After a seven-year run as the host of E!’s “Chelsea Lately,” Handler launched her documentary series “Chelsea Does” followed by her talk show “Chelsea” on Netflix. Handler has penned six best-selling books, including 2019’s “Life Will Be the Death of Me.” Recently, she released her first stand-up special in over six years, “Chelsea Handler: Evolution” on HBO Max, and launched her iHeart Radio advice podcast, “Dear Chelsea.”
What: Sebastian Maniscalco “Nobody Does This” tour
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 3 (doors 6 p.m.)
Where: DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester
How much: $39.75 to $150.75. Ticketmaster.com and the DCU Center Box Office.
What: Chelsea Handler
When: 8 p.m. Dec. 3
Where: The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester
How much: $49, $59, $69, $79, $89 and $99. Limited “VIP” Meet and Greet seating available for $239. (877) 571-7469; www.thehanovertheatre.org
Ring in the holidays
The Merrimack Valley Ringers will ring in their 14th annual holiday concert Dec. 3 at the First Church in Marlborough. The 17-member handbell ensemble performs on six octaves of handbells, six octaves of handchimes, and various percussion instruments. The concert will feature Christmas carols and holiday favorites including “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Silent Night” and “Santa Baby.” The Merrimack Valley Ringers will also be performing at the Worcester Art Museum at 2 p.m. Dec. 11
What: Merrimack Valley Ringers — Holiday Concert
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 3
Where: First Church in Marlborough, 37 High St., Marlborough
How much: Free
Sing out loud
The Boston Gay Men’s Chorus is putting on its first in-person holiday show since 2019, with “Joyful & Triumphant & Gay!” set for 3 p.m. Dec. 4 at Mechanics Hall.Other performances will be held Dec. 9, 16, 17 and 18 at Jordan Hall, Boston. The new show will feature traditional favorites and modern classics.
What: “Joyful & Triumphant & Gay!” — Boston Gay Men’s Chorus
When: 3 p.m. Dec. 4
Where: Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St., Worcester
How much: $29 to $122. www.bgmc.org
‘We Three Kings’
The Irish Tenors, currently Anthony Kearns, Ronan Tynan and Declan Kelly, will perform in “We Three Kings: An Irish Tenors Christmas” Dec. 7 at The Hanover Theatre, with a concert of Christmas gems.
What: “We Three Kings: An Irish Tenors Christmas”
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7
Where: The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester
How much: $49, $59, $79 and $99. (877) 571-7469; www.thehanovertheatre.org
A brown bag favorite
Established in 1974, Navy Band Northeast is based at the U.S. Naval Station in Newport, Rhode Island, and is one of 11 official U.S. Navy bands worldwide, providing musical support for military ceremonies, recruiting, morale and retention programs, and community relations. For what has become an annual holiday appearance, the band will perform Dec. 7 at Mechanics Hall as part of the Brown Bag Concert Series, with favorite holiday tunes. The band will be joined by the New England Conservatory Chamber Singers. Produced by 90.5 WICN Public Radio and Mechanics Hall.
What: Navy Band Northeast and New England Conservatory Chamber Singers
When: Noon Dec. 7
Where: Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St., Worcester
How much: Free
Rocking along …
The new Club 321 in Washburn Hall and Mechanics Hall continues Dec. 8 with the new band Aaron and the Lord. Aaron Perrino is the music driving force behind The Sheila Divine, Dear Leader and No Hope/No Harm. Steven Lord is from the band The Dirty Bangs. Their song “This Love Ain’t Dead,” with Tanya Donelly lending her vocal talents. Guitarist Evan Kenney will open.
What: Aaaron and the Lord — Club 321
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 8 (doors 6:15 p.m.)
Where: Washburn Hall at Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St., Worcester
How much: $18 to $20. www.mechanicshall.org