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Consistent crowds have been turning out every Thursday night to dance to the top hip hop and R & B sounds laid down by DJ Hustle Simmons (aka JAM’N 94.5 DJ Corey Hill) at Octaine Bar, 320 Main St., Worcester. Simmons, who’s also in the area on Saturday nights at the newly opened Karman, 16 Putnam St., Fitchburg, says Lil Jon’s “Snap Ya Fingaz,” Cham’s “Ghetto Story,” Dem Franchise Boyz’s “Lean Wit It,” R. Kelly’s “Burn It Up,” and Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie” promise to be the soundtrack to Summer 2006.
Timing is everything ~ especially when you consider how great it would have been if the American Pop Tarts tour visited the DCU on the same night Gregorio was hosting American Idol Style Karaoke Night at Blu, 104B Green St., Worcester. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun dressing up as Taylor, Kellie, Katharine, or Chicken Little every Tuesday night.
By public demand, The Club Car, 64 Water St., Worcester, has brought back its billiards table to join the foosball game that’s become a World Cup battleground in recent weeks. That’s when they’re not encouraging their friends to make “fools” of themselves with karaoke hosts Bill & CC on Sun. nights and DJ Denise on Weds and Thurs. Weekend live entertainment returns on July 21 with Groove Control supplying the sounds on “Brahma Night,” where you can win Sox tickets. Comedienne Amy Tee performs the following night.
The Lucky Dog Music Hall, 89 Green St., Worcester becomes “Punky’s Place” every Monday night, with Tiki drink specials and live rockabilly and surf sounds complements of Jason James. Admission is $3. It’s “Shame on You” every Tuesday at the Dog with Worcester Music Awards winner DJ Shame.
For years, J.P. O’Hanlon’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, 9 Main St., Ayer, has hosted traditional music sessions on Sundays from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Bluegrass guitarist Flynn Cohen, who brings an Irish feel and beautiful supporting musicians to the event, has no problem with other performers joining in; fiddler Brendan Carey Block is always a crowd favorite.
Acoustic blues players are invited to join Bruce Marshall’s Acoustic Jam every Wednesday night between 8 and 11 p.m. at Firefly’s Bodacious Bar-B-Q and Beyond, 235 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham. BYOI bring your own instrument).
A chance to perform and eat St. Louis-style ribs to boot? The weekly open mic at the Sit N Bull, 163 Main St., Maynard continues to draw featured acts to share the stage with seasoned veterans and first timers on Wednesday evenings. Hosted by Ellen Groves of Fishken & Groves, you can sign up (and begin eating) at 7 p.m. The music starts around 8 p.m. with each performer normally getting 3 or 4 songs; the featured act plays a full set at 9:15 p.m. Admission is $3.The Sit N Bull has also started a monthly “Blues Stampede” on the 3rd Sun. of the month (the next one’s on July 16) at 5:30 p.m., hosted by blues veterans Jim Atkinson, Chip Fontaine, and Scott Rossley. Admission is $5; there’s a $2 discount if you sit in, arrive on a motorcycle, or have some of the barbecue treats.
