New England Culture 101: 2006-2007

A Special Program of Off-Campus Activities for Clark Students

The New England Culture 101 program is a great way to explore all that Worcester and the surrounding region have to offer. Below are descriptions of each activity.

To participate, complete the registration form and mail it with your check, payable to Clark University, for the total amount of your package to: Student Leadership and Programming Office, Clark University, 950 Main St., Worcester, MA 01610. Questions? Please call 508-793-7549. The registration form includes all fees and whether or not transportation is included. Each event is offered to you at a significant discount.

College afternoon at the Worcester Tornadoes

Sunday, Sept. 3, 2006
Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field, College of the Holy Cross - 2 p.m.
Come see Worcester's own 2005 Can-Am Baseball League Champions in their next to last home game of what could be another championship season. You'll be close to the action in this contest against the North Shore Spirit. Tickets are limited in number. Orders will be honored on a first-come, first-served basis - so register early.

Day on the Cape and optional whale watch

Saturday, Sept. 23, 2006
Departs Worcester 11 a.m., Leaves Provincetown - 11 p.m.
Ever since the Pilgrims first landed in Provincetown, this fishing village on the very tip of Cape Cod, Mass., has been the perfect oasis for people looking for an escape. Today, Ptown is one of the country's favorite vacation spots. It maintains a healthy fishing community and a substantial artist's community. No longer just a summer getaway, Ptown boasts a year-round escape for a diverse population of tourists, and the nightlife cannot be beat. Don't miss the opportunity to see whales as we take a tour out to the Stellwagen Bank aboard the Portuguese Princess. For more information, visit www.provincetowngov.org and www.princesswhalewatch.com.

"Rocky Horror Show"

Friday, Oct. 13, 2006
Foothills Theater, Worcester - 11 p.m.
This outrageous stage musical by Richard O'Brien inspired the ultimate cult midnight movie! Foothills Theatre presents this campy rock-and-roll send up of Sci-Fi movies as an interactive event with the audience encouraged to yell out the lines, sing along, use props and get up and dance. O'Brien's rock sensation takes squeaky clean Brad and Janet on an adventure they'll never forget.

Boston Philharmonic

Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2006
Mechanics Hall, Worcester - 8 p.m.
Sponsored by Music Worcester
Under the distinguished and dynamic leadership of Benjamin Zander, the Boston Philharmonic has earned a reputation as one of the finest orchestras in the United States. Acclaimed performer Sharon Isbin is the only solo guitarist to win a Grammy in the last 30 years. She founded the guitar departments at Juilliard and Aspen. The program for this concert at beautiful Mechanics Hall includes Ravel's "Rhapsodie Espagnol," Rodrigo's "Aranjuez for Guitar and Orchestra," and Berlioz's "Symphonie Fantastique."

Day trip to Salem, Mass.

Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006
Departs Worcester 1 p.m., Leaves Salem - 10 p.m.
Founded in 1626 by Roger Conant, Salem has a storied history. From the Salem Witch Trials in 1692, to author Nathaniel Hawthorne's novels, Salem is a town rich in history and October is the time to visit. For more information, visit www.salemweb.com. Ghost tours and activities are yours to plan.

Bayanihan Philippine Dancers

Monday, Oct. 30
Mechanics Hall, Worcester - 8 p.m.
Sponsored by Music Worcester
This world-acclaimed dance company takes its name from the ancient Filipino tradition of Bayanihan, which signifies working together for the common good. It was founded as a civic response to a government appeal for a cultural program for the country's participation in the 1958 Brussels World Fair. The production proved to be a sensation. Critics ever since have been impressed by the dancers' skill and grace as well as by the company's success in transferring indigenous dance and music from ancient origins in the countryside to the confines of the stage.

Clark nights at the Sharks Hockey games

November 2006 and March 2007
Exact dates and times TBA
DCU Centrum Centre, Worcester
Cheer on the newest sports team to come to Worcester. The Worcester Sharks hockey team, the minor league franchise of the San Jose Sharks, will play its first season this year. Clark students will be given a special welcome at these two games.

Day trip to New York City

Saturday, Dec. 2, 2006
Departs Worcester 9 a.m., Leaves New York City - 11 p.m.
New York City is the place to visit, and the holiday season is the time to go. You can see such famous landmarks as the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building, visit some of the city's great museums or spend the day shopping. There's so much to do in the city. You are only limited by your imagination. Activities are yours to plan.

Bowfire

Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007
Mechanics Hall, Worcester - 8 p.m.
Sponsored by Music Worcester
Bowfire presents an "All Star Show" of the finest line-up of fiddle and violin virtuosos ever assembled on one stage. It takes audiences on a musical journey that moves seamlessly from jazz, classical, bluegrass, Celtic, rock, Gypsy, world, Texas swing, and Ottawa Valley and Cape Breton styles, combined with incredible step and tap dancing and a beautiful voice. All of this gets wrapped around a fast-paced show with first-class sound, choreography, dramatic lighting, set design and costumes.

"Say Goodnight Gracie"

Friday, Feb. 23, 2007
Foothills Theater, Worcester - 8 p.m.
Fresh from Broadway and featuring a member of that cast, this is a Valentine season treat. This show is a wonderful mix of comedy, love and music revolving around the long marriage, both off and on stage, of George Burns and Gracie Allen.

Wachusett Mountain hike

Saturday, April 21, 2007
Departs Worcester 10 a.m., Leaves Wachusett - 4 p.m.
Located in princeton, Mass., Mt. Wachusett is a great place to enjoy hiking and nature, and skiing during the winter months. It is the highest mountain in Massachusetts east of the Connecticut river and stands some 2,006 feet above sea level. The panoramic summit views include sites of Boston. This is an excellent chance to get to know this nearby mountain.

Watch for these other FREE Worcester events and attractions

StART in the Street

Sunday, Sept. 17, 2007
Park Avenue, between Elm and Pleasant streets
noon to 5 p.m.
StART in the Street is a community festival celebrating the art, music, food, culture and people of Worcester. Park Avenue will be closed to traffic to make space for more than 100 visual artists selling their work, street performers and a main stage for live music. This event is free and open to the public.

Worcester African Culture Festival

Friday-Sunday, Sept. 15, 16, and 17
Worcester African Museum, 33 Canterbury St.
Join others in the community for a celebration of African culture in Worcester.

Worcester Art Museum

The museum offers free admission to all Clark students with a Clark ID. Later this year, the museum will be hosting "WAM After Dark," an event designed specifically for college students.