Opening night of the 20 Artists of Worcester exhibit will be held tonight from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Davis Art Gallery, on the third floor of the Printers Building at 44 Portland Street. The evening will include a book signing with photographer Scott Erb and writer Julie Grady, as well as a gallery show, and a meet and greet with the artists.

Erb let us in on the background of the project. “The biggest most unbelievable misconception is that Worcester doesn’t have real talent, and that you need to go to a larger city like New York or Boston to find high quality real ability and skill,” he explained. “But Worcester is a remarkable city – full of expertise and truly gifted people. The talent showcased in this book- is proof in and of itself. It was important to me to try and say something positive about Worcester. I felt it important to try and showcase that- Look who is right in your own backyard! I hope this book conveys that.”

Cynthia Woehrle by Erb

The book showcases 20 artists from the Worcester area, and gives insight into their creative process by showing them in their studios. The project was funded by an Individual Grant from the Worcester Cultural Commission.

Antonio Fonseca by Erb

As for what Erb and the other contributors are trying to accomplish Erb points out that he is hoping to get more people involved. “Honestly – I was thinking about the folks would just don’t show up. I am speaking to the folks who don’t realize what a vibrant city this could be if they just came out to these events,” he said. “The galleries, the street festivals, the parks- and all the great activities and programs this city offers. Just come out! Join in- be a part of something beyond your living rooms and computer screens. Show up and be part of your community. We do these things to enrich one another’s lives. But it only makes an impact if you show up…. ”

If you can’t make the show tonight you can order the book here. You can also check out a preview of what you can expect at the 20 Artists of Worcester website, and Erb’s work on his photography site.

The exhibit will be on display at the Davis Art Gallery during regular hours, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through January 23, 2009.

Jonathan Lucas

DeJongh (Dee) Wells grew up in the Virgin Islands on the island of St. John, also known as Love City. The self-described “Sneakerhead” and Worcester resident has taken his love of sneakers and used it as a foundation to start conversations, build friendships, and get involved in print, broadcast, and internet media.

“I’ve been into sneakers for as long as I can remember,” he said “But the year that I recall best is 1983, because Clyde Frazier, who played for the NY Knickerbockers, wore the Puma Basket low sneakers. I wanted to be as smooth as he was on and off the court.”

Dee wanted the Puma Clydes but he ended up with a pair of Nike Cortez running sneakers in white and red. At this time break-dancing was growing and although Dee was not a break-dancer he said he could moon walk, robot and pop and lock very well. “The marriage of sneakers and Rap music went hand in hand,” he explained, “and I wanted to be a part of it even though I lived in the Virgin Islands.”

Sammy and Dee

Dee was committed to his passion. He said at one point during his high school years he had 65 pairs of sneakers. He worked at his family’s restaurant and would send the money he had earned to his relatives in New York City, who would buy the sneakers and send them to him.

“I don’t have an exact count of how many pairs of sneakers I have,” he said. “But I’ve been fortunate to be able to afford some very nice sneakers.”

Dee said that he always encourages kids to do well in school and to follow their passion, because they can turn that passion into a vocation. He is the perfect example. “It’s one thing to be a consumer,” he explained. “But they can also become a footwear designer, a merchandiser, an accountant that works at one of these billion dollar companies, or start their own company and have others wearing their footwear and clothing.”

Dee doesn’t just collect sneakers, he also helps connect people in the Sneakerhead community. He helped start Sole Collector Magazine, a sneaker-lifestyle magazine with over 65,000 subscribers. He is still involved with the magazine in a limited capacity while he focuses on his other projects.

Dee

Dee started a blog titled OSD-Obsessive Sneaker Disorder in 2003 as a way to share his passion, and it has since grown to become a weekly Internet talk show about sneakers. OSD-Obsessive Sneaker Disorder first went on the air on August 27, 2007, and it is still the only live, call-in sneaker talk show out there.

OSD is recorded live every Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. EST. It becomes an audio podcast and is available on iTunes and a number of websites that feature audio podcasts.

Each week Dee is joined by his friend and co-host Sean “Paper Chasr” Williams and the OSD Crew, which is comprised of people from all across the United States, as well as regular guests. The show uses the Internet and a platform provided by TalkShoe.com.

Dee points out that the Sneakerhead community is very diverse. “There are women and men that live in all parts of the world that I’ve connected with due to sneakers,” he explained. “Some have become very good friends and business associates.”

In July 2008, Dee also launched two video channels dedicated to sneakers – www.o-s-d.tv and www.wosd.tv.

Major Taylor Statue (photo by pelletman)

On tonight’s show Dee will be discussing the new Major Taylor Nike Blazer sneakers. Round 2 of the Major Taylor Nike Blazers are now on sale across the globe, and if you don’t know Worcester’s own Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor was a world championship bicyclist, who also had to fight to overcome racial discrimination throughout his career. He became the second African-American to become a world champion after the boxer George Dixon.

He was nicknamed “The Worcester Whirlwind” and a statue was erected outside of the Worcester Public Library in his honor. Part of Worcester Center Boulevard was also changed to Major Taylor Boulevard in 2006, and on July 27th of this year the 7th Annual George Street Bike Challenge for Major Taylor was held on Main and George Street.

For more information on Major Taylor, our local hero, visit the Major Taylor Association webpage.

Be sure to check out Dee’s show for more information on sneakers and the Major Taylor Nike Blazers.

“It is my thought that clean living and a strict observance of the golden rule of true sportsmanship are foundation stones without which a championship structure cannot be built.” — Marshall Taylor in The Fastest Bicycle Rider in the World

Photography Credit: Major Taylor Nike Blazer sneakers from A Proper Site

Two-year old Brendan White and his family have been figthing the good fight since he was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 2.

This genetic disease destroys the nerves that control voluntary muscle movemements. It affects Brendan’s ability to crawl, walk, control his head, and even swallow and breathe. It afflicts 1 in 6,000 babies, and is the number one genetic killer of children under 2.

With no treatment or cure currently available, the White family is facing an uphill battle that is sure to include financial and emotional difficulties, as well as specialized medical care, physical therpay and assistance devices, renovations to make their home handicap accessible, and a wheelchair accessible van.

Brendan has a more than a few fighters on his side with him including former WBA welterweight and WBA world super welterweight champion Jose Rivera, and Mixed Martial Arts Fighter Matt Lee.

On Saturday, November 8th Jose and Matt along with instructors from the Mixed Martial Arts Training Center will be hosting a Father/Son Night at the Fights with Jose Antonio Rivera benefit to support Brendan in his fight. The fundraiser is from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mixed Martial Arts Training Center of Worcester, located at 230 Brooks Street.

The fundraiser is open to anyone – mothers, daughters, couples, singles, men, women, and children 10 and older. Tickets are $ 15 at the door.

The event will include introductory clinics in boxing, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, exhibition bouts in boxing, MMA, and submission wrestling, and refreshements and photo opportunities.

Proceeds go to the Good Fight for Brendan White to help his family in their battle.

For more information visit the MMAT Center website or call 508-852-6628.

If you can not attend Brendan’s fundraiser but would still like to make a donation, please make checks payable to Brendan White Special Needs Trust and mail them to:

Good Fight for Brendan White Trust
PO Box 2934
Worcester, MA 01613-2934

With all the hoopla surrounding the election, including SNL appearances, long lines at the polls, issues with electronic voting machines, and false information, it’s easy to forget that we are witnessing history.

Some of what will be written in the history books is still yet to be decided. For the first time it looks as if there will be either a black man in the Office of the President or a female Vice President.

The fact that Obama, a black man from a modest background, has come this close to the Oval Office is history in itself. His campaign has opened up a new dialogue on race in America, and a win or a loss for Obama will only help to bring the issue even further into the light. The fact that if Obama is elected he will leave the U.S. Senate without a black member is just further proof that race is still an issue in our society.

Palin has been making history in her own way. Plucked from her home state and thrown into the media circus that is the Presidential race, she has dealt with many of the issues that any woman would still have to endure at this point and in this country. Her physical appearance and wardrobe choices have made just as much news as her campaign.

As voters, we have already helped to bring these historic changes to our nation. Now we have the opportunity to make even more history by turning out in droves to vote at our local polls. According to the Associated Press voter registration numbers are up by 7.3 % from the last Presidential election, with Democratic registrations rising 12.2 % and Republican registrations up only 1.7 %.

Of course we still have a ways to go. According to the Census Bureau Hispanic voters made up only 6 % of American voters in 2006, despite the fact that they are the nation’s largest and fastest growing minority group. About 60 % of adult Hipanics in the country are citizens, this partially accounts for the low voter turnout numbers, but this could be the year where history is made.

This is history folks. Get out there and take part in this historic election before it becomes just a note in our nation’s history.

Can you believe it, election day is tomorrow!? I know it seems like we’ve been seeing the ads on TV and hearing the attacks from all sides for quite a while now, and we have, but November 4th sure did sneak up on me this year.

I put my call in to make sure that I was officially registered in the City of Worcester since I never heard from them after I sent in my registration form. I’m set to go, I know where my polling place is, I know who my candidates are, I know how I’m voting on the ballot questions, and I know what to do if there’s a problem.

According to Time Magazine I shouldn’t take no for an answer if it does come down to it:

Once at the polls, don’t take no for an answer. You should not leave a polling place without casting some sort of ballot.

If you encounter problems, request an emergency paper ballot or, as a last resort, a provisional ballot. (Provisional ballots should be avoided whenever possible because they are less likely to be counted. If you cast a provisional ballot, ask polling officials what steps you can take to ensure your vote is counted.)

Just last week the State of Massachusetts passed a law that allows those who have moved in the past 18 months to vote at their old addresses if they have not already re-registered at their new home. This law allows those who have been forced out of their homes for economic reasons to cast a ballot, regardless of their current living situation. The voters will receive a provisional ballot and will only vote on the Presidential election, U.S. Senator election, and the three state-wide ballot questions.

You shouldn’t take no for an answer either, get out there and make your voice heard!

The Telegram has the run-down on Trick-or-Treating hours around the area.

The Auburn and Greendale Malls wil also be hosting a Trick-or-Treat event on Friday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Quinsigamond Community College Psychology Club is also sponsoring a Halloween Harvest Festival for Kids at the Herbert Auditorium at QCC. The event runs on Halloween from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes all sorts of activites from pumpkin decorating, scarecrow building, and pie making to hay rides and costumes. All activites are 50 cents to $ 2 and the proceeds benefit the Jimmy Fund, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Camp Sunshine, and the ALS Foundation.

It’s hard to believe Halloween is already upon us. For those grown-ups still looking for something to do here’s a quick list of some interesting events going on around the city.

The Taproot Bookstore at 1200 West Boylston Street is having an Aura Photography and Psychic Fair. The event runs Friday the 31st to Sunday the 2nd, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The photographs capture the energy field around the human subjects and will be on sale for $ 30 or $ 35 per couple, this is Saturday and Sunday only. This price also includes a multi-page explanation, psychic analysis, and an “aura” email. Psychic readings are available for $ 25 for a 20 minutes session. there are also free workshops on Saturday and Sunday. For more information call 508-853-5083.

Poise Style & Motion Ballroom Studio will be hosting a Halloween Dance Party at their studio at 97 Webster Street. The dance starts with a beginner lesson at 7 p.m. which is followed by the Monster Mash Dance Party at 8 p.m. The cost is $ 15 per person and includes refreshments and prizes for the best costume.

At Greendale’s Pub on West Boylston Street Bill McCarthy and his guitar host a Halloween Bash. Entry is free, and Bill will be playing a variety of rock.

The Steamy Bohemians host their Halloween Jerkus Circus at Ralph’s Friday night. Perfoming with the devilish duo are Chicken Slacks and Soul Revue.

The Deadites, along with Nytmare and Colorblind are stirring up trouble at the Lucky Dog on Green Street on Friday. Check out Gabe’s Weekly Nod for more info.

The American Ballroom and Latin Dance Studio is also hosting a Haunted Halloween Ball at their studios at 52 South Quinsigamond Avenue in Shrewsbury. The event is open to the public and the cost is $ 15 per person, which includes refreshements and prizes. The dance opens with a quickstep class for all levels at 7:15 p.m. then the dance runs from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Finally the New Street Glass Studio is hosting their 3rd Annual Halloween Party on Saturday from 6 p.m. to Midnight. The studio is located at 35 B New Street. The event includes dancing, music, demonstrations, open studios, and refreshments. All are welcome and entry is free.

November 4th is getting close. I’ve be really busy, but I made time to do my research, have you?

For those of you still undecided on who you will be voting for here are some helpful links from Project Vote Smart. Find non-partisan information on all the candidates as well as information on voting records, biographical and contact information, issue positions, interest group ratings, public statements, and campaign finances.

Educate yourself now before you step into that voting booth.

For more information check out Vote Smart or call the Voter’s Research Hotline at 1-888-VOTE-SMART (1-888-868-3762).

“What is Wortown? Wortown is Worcester’s Hip Hop music scene. What is Wortonics? Wortonics is a term that embodies the true sound, culture, and knowledge of Wortown Hip-Hop.”

These four sentences just scratch the surface of the who, what, where, when, and how of Wortown Hip-Hop. The often misunderstood, but always innovative Hip-Hop scene in Worcester can be hard for the uninitiated to wrap their heads around.

Ten years ago the Worcester Phoneix asked, “Where the hell is Worcester’s rap scene and why is it held so far underground of the mainstream?”

Have things changed?

The Phoenix also predicted the Hip-Hop scene in Worcester was “poised to break into the mainstream.”

That was nine years ago.

So where is the Wortown Hip-Hop scene? Or maybe the better question is, where can I get my hands on some of the recordings?

Drawing a blank?

Lucky for us the pioneers of the scene have joined forces to bring their archives to the rest of us. Wortonics: The Definition of Wortown Hip-Hop will debut on Myspace this Friday, making local Hip-Hop recordings dating back to 1984 available to the masses.

Wortown veteran Kaz (a.k.a. K. Superior) has been working tirelessly to locate and archive Wortown tracks from the past 25 years. “Although the vast majority is in the hands of veteran producers like Kaz , DJ Shame, DJ Evad, and G-Luc, some tracks required a bit more effort to locate,” he explained. “Others required re-mastering and/or restoration. Much of the music has been lifted from records, multi-track cassettes, and reels and put into digital format so everyone can listen.”

The project was originally set up as a two-disc CD compilation, but has since grown to encompass so much more. “There was way too much interesting music being left on the cutting room floor,“ says Kaz. “ By sharing it via the internet nothing has to be left out.”

Not only will the music be available online, Kaz is also working on collecting video clips, newspaper articles, and interviews of and about Wortown artists.

“I always felt that local Hip-Hop has never been given its due here,” Kaz explained. “Over the past few years or so it seems the press has come down with a case of amnesia. Now we need to uncover in order to recover.”

Kaz is concerned that Wortown’s history is both misunderstood and quickly being forgotten. “A lot of our accomplishments have been recorded by the press, but for some reason they seem be as disposable as the paper that they’re printed on,” he explained.

Kaz believes that the local press doesn’t always do it’s homework when it comes to Hip-hop. But he also sites a lack of communication on the part of the Wortown community. “Local Hip-Hop collectively has done a poor job presenting itself to the press,” he said. “The folks who actually care to present themselves to a paper are few and far between. We owe it to ourselves to see to it that these things are recorded. But the press at least has to meet us half way.”

While Wortonics: The Definition of Hip-Hop has been a project close to his heart for about a year and a half now, he points out that it’s been 25 years in the making.

As for what listeners can expect, “Expect to hear the first sounds,” he said. “Original demos and studio recordings from Wortown’s foundation artists. It’s gonna focus on the foundation for a while. But it will also offer premieres from new artists as well.”

“We’re not trying to say Old Skool is king,” Kaz explained. “We’re saying that our roots and our foundation are important, just like the future. I think that Old Skool or Tru Skool era artists have a lot of wisdom to offer the New Skool. We should all be connected.”

All of the music will be available for free downolad, and Kaz has hopes for more visibility in the future. “I would love to see Wortown invade Green Street in spring 09 to celebrate 25 years of Wortown Hip-Hop,” he said. “All of us. Even mash up with the rock bands. That would be great.”

For the project Kaz collaborated with some of the greats of the Wortown Hip-Hop scene including DJ Shame, G-Luc, DJ Evad, Tone Capone (Night People), Robert Anderson and Keith Mohammad from W.E.C. Productions, the Incredible Hulk (WCUW), Arablak, Kqauz, and many others.

As for the future, Kaz says it best:

Well, My aim it to put us back on our own map. To acquaint our past with our present and move into the future with a better understanding of Wortown. I’m going to oversee this project till I feel that we’re up to speed. Then I’d like to hand it over to someone who is genuinely concerned and responsible in regards to the integrity of this project. Perhaps it becomes its own website, perhaps CD comps, perhaps a video documentary. We’ll have to wait and see what the future holds.

I feel really privileged that people have trusted me with their music. I don’t consider myself an activist. I don’t like to blog, and I don’t really want to be the host of anything. I’m not looking for any acknowledgment other than for what I have done musically. This was just one of those situations when you have to ask yourself ‘If not me… then who?’ Obviously somebody else was not coming along to help. So here we are. This Project is dedicated to Wortown Hip-Hop, past, present and future.

Be sure to check out Wortonics: The Definition of Wortown Hip Hop on Myspace and check back frequently for more music and updates.

Not enough for the Hip-Hop fans out there? Check back over the coming weeks for some informative one-on-one interviews with some of the pioneers of Wortown Hip-Hop.

This afternoon join the Friends of Hope Cemetery for a guided tour from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. The historic tour will point out interesting aspects of the cemetery, and the guides will teach the participants about the people who helped shape Worcester’s history. Participants will also receive a Hope Cemetery map and guide. The cost is free for member and $ 5 for the general public.