5 Weekend Musts: New Orleans Jazz & Blues Festival + More

Friday, June 21, 2013

Miranda Bethune, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Get your Cajun on this weekend for jazz, blues, funk, and food! Photo: Collyer Foto

With a combination of some great outdoor activities and three huge festivals offering musical heavyweights, gourmet food, and cultural celebrations, this weekend promises an abundance of fun events to check out – the only difficulty you might face is how to choose which ones you’ll attend!

Paulie’s NOLA Jazz & Blues Festival, Worcester

Friday-Sunday Bringing a taste of Louisana to the urban neighborhood of Piedmont, the 6th annual Paulie’s NOLA Festival will offer three days of jazz, blues, soul, zydeco, funk, and good ol’ rock n’ roll June 21-23. Support local and regional artists like Big Jon Short, while catching premier acts straight out of New Orleans including George Porter Jr. & The Runnin’ Pardners, Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone, and the “Soul Queen of New Orleans” herself, Irma Thomas. Louisiana-style cuisine will be available for purchase, ranging from traditional jambalaya and gumbo from One Love Café to Baba’s bold Cajun sushi; but for the truly adventurous, sample some alligator sausage at Paulie’s Burger Joint! Keystone Plaza Urban Fairgrounds, 221 Chandler St. Tickets: $15-65. For times and tickets click http://baevents.com/pauliesnolabluesandjazzfestival/printableschedule.html" target="_blank">here.

5K Run For A Beer, Gardner

Friday Looking for motivation to get some exercise? Well, how about a free beer? Walk or run the 5K road race between Fitness Concepts Health Club and Gardner Ale House, and receive a free beer at the finish, along with a free Tek running shirt, beer glass, and raffle tickets! This “Run for a Beer” race is part of the North Country Quad Series, a 5K road race series that was born this year through the unlikely pairing of Fitness Concepts, Gardner Ale House, and Salvadore Auto Group in an effort to promote wellness in the community and introduce race participants to the beauty of North Central Massachusetts. Check out the scenery for yourself while getting fit, and then crack open a cold one! Fitness Concepts Health Club, 696 West Broadway. Walkers at 5:30pm, runners at 5:45pm. 21+ to receive a beer. Register here and get more details at the event website.

Food Truck Festival, Worcester

Tempt your taste buds and try something new at the Food Truck Festival this weekend! Photo: Courtesy of Food Truck Festivals of New England

Saturday Food Truck Festivals of New England is rolling the fun over to Worcester for a second year of delectable mobile dining! Excite your taste buds with innovative fare like Grilled Cheese Nation’s gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, Boston Super Dog’s pastrami hot dogs, and Lobsta Love’s lobster mac and cheese; then satisfy your sweet tooth with fresh homemade whoopee pies from The Whoo(pie) Wagon and ice cream sandwiches from Frozen Hoagies. The festival will also feature children’s activities, entertainment, and sampling tables for all you serial snackers. So bring a blanket and some chairs, and have a picnic with the best food on wheels that New England has to offer! 11am – 5pm. Elm Park, Park Ave. Wristbands serving as entry tickets to the event and providing attendees with discounted food items at each truck, $7 in advance online, $10 at the festival. A portion of proceeds from day-of tickets goes to American Red Cross. Walk-ups welcome to pay a higher price at each truck. For more information, visit the Food Truck Festivals of New England website.

African American Juneteenth Festival 2013, Worcester

Saturday Celebrate African American history and culture with this free festival named in honor of Juneteenth, a recognized holiday commemorating the abolition of slavery in the U.S. Children and adults alike can participate in fun, informative activities that serve to share the African American experience and spirit across many cultures. Food vendors will offer African and Caribbean dishes, along with soul food to feast on as you enjoy music and dance performances from local talent such as the Chops Turner Band, Sunta & Friends, the Boys and Girls Club Beat Team, and more! Make sure to check out the homemade arts and crafts being sold by local artisans while you soak up the sun at the festival’s vibrant park setting. 1 – 7pm. Institute Park, Salisbury St. Click here for more information.

Family Canoeing, Grafton

Saturday Beat the summer heat with your family on a canoeing adventure down the Blackstone River! Beginners will appreciate the practice session in calm, flat water before exploring the rest of the peaceful watershed. As part of the Campaign for a Fishable/Swimmable Blackstone River by 2015, this program also aims to educate paddlers on the wildlife that the river supports, while giving them a chance to get more involved with nature first-hand. Life jackets, paddles, and canoes will be provided, but bring your own water, sunscreen, insect repellent, and shoes that can get wet. For ages 8 and up. 1 – 3pm. Ekblaw Landing, 111 Worcester Street. Cost: $20 Mass Audubon Adult Members, $25 Adult Non-members, $8 Child Members, $8 Child Non-members. Call (508) 753 – 6087 or click here for more details.