What would happen if Worcester were a game of Dungeons & Dragons?
Dungeons & Dragons, at its core, is a game about storytelling and imagination. But what if Worcester itself were a game of Dungeons & Dragons?
You know, once upon a time I wrote a whole bunch of crazy, off-the-wall stories where I had a bunch of strange ideas (Cover song challenges!) or pulled stunts (stay out all night in Worcester!)
I've been far too respectable lately. Time to get weird again ...
21.02.2026 15:03
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We celebrate Valentine's Day with four Worcester love stories. What stood out to me is how modern life had an effect on all of them: Dating apps, COVID19, same-sex marriage ... The circumstances that shape relationships change, but love itself? That still strikes me as being pretty damn universal.
12.02.2026 15:24
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'We find our people': Talking art, Warhol and more with Bibbe Hansen
Artist-writer Bibbe Hansen β once a participant in Andy Warhol's Factory β returns to Worcester to perform for Negativeburn at Hunchback Gallery.
"TheΒ VennΒ diagram is justΒ breathtaking,Β the connections are just wild.Β ItβsΒ one of my favoriteΒ thingsΒ in life,Β theΒ wayΒ our lives pass oneΒ another, how our stories hook up .... and back againΒ ...Β .β
20.01.2026 13:14
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Fatima's Cafe in Worcester is one of the region's 'hidden gems'
Fatima's Cafe is the definition of a βhidden gemβ: Its clientele are either locals who know, or African food aficionados from around the region
Fatima's Cafe in Worcester is almost the definition of a βhidden gemβ: 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 to hit the modest, almost inconspicuous little restaurant.
09.01.2026 13:16
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Zombie economy! 'Walking Dead' actors bought art at Juniper Rag show
Several actors and crew members of the show "Walking Dead: Dead City" purchased work by local artists at an exhibit at the Jean McDonough Arts Center.
"The shooting of 'Walking Dead: Dead City' here was definitely good for the local visual arts economy, as several actors and crew members of the show purchased work by local artists at the 'Delirium' art exhibition curated by Juniper Rag Oct. 27 through Nov. 1 at the Jean McDonough Arts Center."
02.12.2025 21:41
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Tell-tale hearts gather for 'Edgar Allan Poe Double Header'
Borne of the isolation of the COVID pandemic, 'Edgar Allan Poe Double Header' lives through enduring tales.
Oct. 29 marked the opening night of the fifth annual "Edgar Allan Poe Double Header," held at the BrickBox Theatre and at the Jean McDonough Arts Center. Scanlon enacted two of Poe's most familiar short stories, "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Cask of Amontillado."
31.10.2025 20:17
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'Without An Evil Eye' in focus as production from Israel has premiere in Westborough
'Without an evil eye, everything's OK' β New production from Israel has premiere in Westborough
The Nephesh Theatre production of "Without An Evil Eye" will have its English-language premiere on Oct. 26 at Congregation B'nai Shalom in Westborough with Ben Shimon live on stage.
23.10.2025 15:30
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History's horrors: Torture museum offers a journey to a dark past
Masks, saws, brands, cages: Humans are inventive when it comes to inflict pain. The Salem Museum of Torture offers an unsettling glimpse.
Step inside the Salem Museum of Torture, a strange calm prevails. Moving quietly along the dark, narrow halls, the walls drowned in a suitably blood-like crimson, the sounds of sacred music and prayer sealing an almost meditative atmosphere.
17.10.2025 15:56
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Downtown Worcester BID lauded for its 'You Belong Here' project with Worcester library
The Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District's "You Belong Here" project is recognized with a Downtown Achievement Award of Excellence.
βTogether," says O'Brien, in a statement, "the team set out not only to add beauty through public art and lighting, but to transform this space in a way that brought deeper meaning and connection to the neighborhood.β
25.09.2025 18:41
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Rock 'n' roll fantasy? Presenting WoMag's first-ever Digital Battle of the Bands!
In WoMag's first-ever digital battle of the bands, 16 local musical acts vie for listener's votes in a bracketed musical tournament.
This week in Worcester Magazine, we present our first ever Digital Battle of the Bands, featuring some of the regions favorite current musical acts! Visit the story on the @worcestermagazine.bsky.social website, listen to tracks and vote for your favorites!
25.09.2025 13:34
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Terror Con or 'Terrornado'? Stars, guests take to basement after tornado warning hits are
A tornado warning which hit most of the region forced attendees of Terror Con in Marlborough β including Elvira β to shelter in the basement.
βEverybody, all at the same time got an alert on their phones and everybody was looking at each other, saying βWhat?β because we don't normally get tornadoes on the East Coast, and certainly not here,β Blair said. βThen they told us that we all should seek shelter, so we did.β
09.09.2025 21:43
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Of fashion, identity and joy β Queer AF: Ethereal Beings show set for Mechanics Hall
Queer AF: Ethereal Beings a fundraiser for Love Your Labels, is set for Sept. 5 at Mechanics Hall, with special guest Raja Gemini.
The theme for this year's Queer AF is "Ethereal Beings," and this may be the organization's largest show yet, with more than 80 models and a headlining performance by "RuPaul's Drag Race" Season Three winner Raja Gemini, along with a tribute to veteran Worcester drag queen Lady Sabrina.
31.08.2025 16:21
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A lovely new flyer for the inaugural "How Journalism Works" panel discussion at @worcesterpubliclibrary. I am BEYOND excited to see this series come to life, and I really couldn't imagine a better group for the inaugural panel. Hope to see you there!
23.08.2025 22:25
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Talking 'Poetry Town' connections and the city's 'strange gravity' at Museum of Worcester
"Listening to the 'Tales From Poetry Town' panel discussion July 15 at the Museum of Worcester, I was reminded that Worcester has always, for me, been a love story."
Today in Worcesteria: "'Community' is a thing with a strange gravity. It causes us to orbit one another, each of us affected by the repercussions of our actions, almost invisibly. This isnβt something we get much choice in. Itβs simply a function of breathing the same air."
21.07.2025 11:40
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Worcester Music AwardsΒ - The Pulse Magazine
Irena KaciΒ Last month Pulse Magazine hosted one of its annual events, the Worcester Music Awards, honoring many performers and artists who are creating music right here in our community.β¦
I had a nice little chat with Irena Kaci for Pulse Magazine's story on the Worcester Music Awards:
"I donβt actually play music. Famously, I canβt play an instrument or sing a note to save my life"
14.05.2025 03:50
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Thank you!
10.05.2025 18:48
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Poet and T&G features editor Victor Infante named 2025 Stanley Kunitz Medal winner
'Gobsmacked by the honor' - Poet and T&G features editor Victor Infante named 2025 Stanley Kunitz Medal winner
"Writing is a weird life. You can go a long time β decades really β scribbling away with only the slimmest idea if anyone is really reading or paying attention, and then you get these moments when itβs suddenly clear that people were indeed paying attention. Itβs a humbling experience.β
10.05.2025 18:43
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Changes to special event permit process garners praise from festival organizers
The City Manager's office announced on March 19 a series of changes to the way special events such as festivals are permitted.
"It was a bit of a surprise March 19 when β no sooner had the Art in the Park news broken β a press release from the City Managerβs office offered a bit of light for the beleaguered festivals which have long been the cityβs soul."
20.03.2025 21:51
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Worcester reads banned and challenged books
Worcester Magazine asked some locals to come down to the Worcester Public Library to read excerpts from a handful of commonly challenged books.
I put out a short-notice call to see if anyone wanted to join me at the Worcester Public Library to read excerpts from books commonly banned & challenged in the United States. Thanks to Shaun Connolly, Halliday Nelson, Rafael Acevedo and Nick Fox being willing to jump in!
09.03.2025 19:06
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What's the best restaurant near you? Check out USA TODAY's 2025 Restaurants of the Year.
From buzzy Instagram-worthy spots to tried-and-true small-town standbys, these are USA TODAY's top restaurants across the United States in 2025.
A couple of my stories have appeared on the USA Today website over the past couple years, but my involvement with the Restaurants of the Year project is, I believe, my first byline in print in the paper. You can read capsule reviews of Bocado and all 44 restaurants featured in the project here!
24.02.2025 13:16
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Feels Like Failure, Every Time: Thoughts on Writing, Pop Culture, Politics and Violence, 2004-2018
Feels Like Failure, Every Time: Thoughts on Writing, Pop Culture, Politics and Violence, 2004-2018 - Kindle edition by Infante, Victor D., Nettifee, Mindy . Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading Feels Like Failure, Every Time: Thoughts on Writing, Pop Culture, Politics and Violence, 2004-2018.
URL:
www.amazon.com/Feels-Like-F...?
08.02.2025 23:22
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A while back, I collected a bit more than a decade's worth of loose essays, blog posts and other literary ephemera into a makeshift ebook called, "Feel Like Failure, Every Time." It even had an awesome introduction by Mindy Nettifee.
In any case, it's available on Amazon right now for 99 cents!
08.02.2025 23:01
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Weekly Reading Recap - February 3, 2025
YouTube video by Halliday's In The Books
We made it through the end of January! Another week #InTheBooks!
Read the recap at writing.hallidaynelson.com/reading-reca...
This week I got to The Future by Naomi Alderman and Suffer For This by Victor D. Infante
03.02.2025 23:43
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Hey, Connecticut! I'll be down there Sunday, Feb. 9, with Paul Szlosek reading for Slightly Off Beat Poets! There's an open reading that I'm told is already filling up fast so, drop Robert Eugene Perry a line if you want to be on it. All told, this looks like a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
23.01.2025 15:10
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Hi all! My amazing wife, Lea Deschenes, will be reading on Zoom for Rick Lupert and the Cobalt Presents series! You're really not going to want to miss this one!
22.01.2025 22:16
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