EVENTS

Five things to do: Rock, country, soul, sizzling seasonal events

Richard Duckett Meg Trogolo
Worcester Magazine
It's been a while: Aaron Lewis returns to the area, with shows set for July 13 and 14 at Indian Ranch in Webster.

He's a little bit country

Aaron Lewis, who lives in rural Western Massachusetts, took a country road with the 2011 EP "Town Line" and followed that up with his album "The Road" in 2012. Lewis originally was best known as a founding member of the Springfield rock group Staind. As a solo country artist, Lewis opened for country star Brantley Gilbert at the DCU Center in 2014. He has still recorded with Staind. But now, Lewis is a major country star in his own right, and won't be opening for anybody at Indian Ranch in Webster, where he was a hit in 2022 and 2023. He returns for two performances July 13 and 14. (RD)

What: Aaron Lewis — The American Patriot Tour

When: 11 a.m. July 13 and 14 (doors 11:30 a.m.)

Where: Indian Ranch, 200 Gore Road, Webster

How much: $49.50 to $79.50. indianranch.com.

Roots, reggae, soul: Clatta Bumboo will perform July 17 at the Francis R. Carroll Plaza as part of this summer's free Lunchtime Concert Series presented by The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts.

Sounds of soul

Jamaican-born artist Clatta Bumboo will perform July 17 as part of this summer's free Lunchtime Concert Series presented by The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts. The series features different artists Wednesday through Aug. 28. Performances take place at the Francis R. Carroll Plaza, on the Bank of America Stage.  Bumboo, who lives in Providence, has been described as having "a voice that effortlessly transcends Roots Reggae and Soul, music that brings in Soul and Rock, and lyrical poeticism that stirs the mind and soul." (RD)

What: Clatta Bumboo — Lunchtime Concert Series

When: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. July 17

Where: Francis R. Carroll Plaza, 551 Main St., Worcester

How much: Free. RSVP at thehanovertheatre.org.

More:Root, root, rock for The Home Team at Summer School Tour at Palladium

More:Connell Sanders: Out to Lunch, Punk Rock Flea Market, Summerfest and more

A previous Out To Lunch Festival & Farmers Market on the Worcester Common Oval in 2022. Out To Lunch returns July 18 with a headlining performance by Worcester singer Sunta Jones.

Feast of song

If you're downtown on July 18, why not go out to lunch? The Out To Lunch summer concert series returns to the Worcester Common Oval, starting at 11 a.m. July 18 and featuring blues and soul singer Sunta Jones and her seven-piece band. Between sets, The Village Worcester hosts a special edition of their weekly community drum circle, welcoming all ages and experience levels. As always, a farmers market will offer local produce and handmade goods. (MT)

What: Out To Lunch Festival & Farmers Market feat. Sunta Jones

When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 18

Where: Worcester Common Oval, 455 Main St., Worcester

How much: Free. outtolunchworcester.com.

Worcester drag performer Harley Queen poses at Ralph's Rock Diner in 2022. On July 18, she brings back monthly drag competition Harley's Funhouse on the Ralph's outdoor stage, challenging this month's performers to bring their best Halloween-themed numbers for "Summerween."

Hail, holy Halloween

Monthly drag open stage Harley's Funhouse returns to Ralph's Rock Diner on July 18 for a late-night marathon of more than a dozen performances by a variety of local drag performers, all united by a "Summerween" theme. Featured performers will be Violencia, who appeared on "The Boulet Brothers' Dragula" (a TV drag competition that gets much more experimental than "RuPaul's Drag Race"), and Toxic Shock, who took first place at last month's Funhouse, as well the hallowed hostess, Harley Queen. Wear your spooky, campy, horror B-movie best, and bring plenty of single dollar bills to tip your favorite performers. (MT)

What: Harley's Funhouse

When: 9 p.m. July 18

Where: Ralph's Rock Diner, 148 Grove St., Worcester

How much: $10 at the door. @harleys.funhouse on Instagram.

Crocodile River Music performs for students at Heritage School in Charlton Oct. 17, 2019 as part of their African Arts in Education program. The ensemble will perform at the Hot Night in the City, set for July 21 at the Worcester Center for Crafts.

Hot night, cool celebration

The annual "Hot Night in the City," presented by the Worcester Center for Crafts, will more than live up to its name in a July 19 event, with music, dance, art exhibits, food and more. Performances include live music by Crocodile River Music, Latin dance with Raices Latin Dance, music by the Carlos Odria Trio and a South East Asian Lion Dance Troupe performance. Inside activities will include a Mary Aroian Community Gallery showcase of 2-D and 3D art. There will be live demonstrations of working with clay, metals and glass in the Open House Art Studios; live music in the lobby; and full access to the handcraft shop. The "Artists on Fire" art show will open in the center's Krikorian Gallery. The Valley Cast Art show opens in the Community Gallery. (RD)

What:  "Hot Night in the City"

When: 4 to 9 p.m. July 19

Where: Worcester Center for Crafts, 25 Sagamore Road, Worcester

How much: Free admission. RSVP at worcestercraftcenter.org.