This weekend in Worcester, MA

Explore the REC Farmers Market at University Park for fresh, locally grown produce and opportunities to connect with community organizations. Vendors include Harper's Farm & Garden, Fay Mountain Farm, Coolidge Hill Farm, Circling Carrots Farm, Wooden Bakery, and other local producers. Payment options include cash and cards, SNAP with HIP incentives, and Senior and WIC Farmers Market coupons. Parking is available on Gates Street in the Clark University lot.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul at Immaculate Conception hosts the fifth annual Friends of the Poor Walk, with sponsorship from Quincy Mutual Insurance. This family friendly fundraiser builds support and awareness for neighbors experiencing homelessness, hunger, and financial hardship in the local community. Registration is available by email at svdp.icworc@gmail.com.

The library’s Storybook Garden returns with a fresh season of hands-on learning for kids. Just steps from the main entrance, this living classroom invites children to discover how food grows from seed to table through playful exploration. The Storybook Garden Club blends nature and science with topics such as botany, pollinators, nutrition, climate, and more. Each session starts with an engaging lesson indoors, then moves outside so participants can dig in, tend the beds, and put new knowledge to work among the plants. This program is designed for children ages 4 and up. Please come ready for outdoor activities, and consider bringing sunscreen, hats, aprons, and gardening gloves.

Mechanics Hall hosts a Master Works Concert featuring Brahm’s Second Symphony in D paired with Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concert in D. The program focuses on these two compositions, offering audiences the chance to experience them together in a single performance.

Taking Back Sunday performs with special guests Thrice and Saves The Day. This event is open to all ages.

Boston’s Racky Thomas Band brings a sound rooted in postwar Chicago and Mississippi Delta traditions. Formed in 1995, they have spent years performing across the Northeast, building a reputation for energetic shows that resonate with both audiences and critics. Led by Racky Thomas, the group blends blues, gospel, country blues, and boogie into a lively mix that feels both classic and current. Critics such as Ted Drozdowski have praised their ability to keep vintage styles vibrant and soulful. Admission is $20, payable in cash or via Venmo at the door. Light refreshments will be available, and attendees may bring their own. Parking is available across the street in the Clark U lot. Co-sponsored by the Boston Blues Society.

At Polar Park, the UMass Cancer Walk raises money to advance cancer research and clinical trials that are evaluating new treatments with the potential to save lives in Central Massachusetts. Funds support work underway in the region.

That’s Entertainment hosts a free Pokemon League for fans of the Pokemon card game. All ages are welcome, and children 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent. Bring a deck to take part in games, or come ready to learn how to play. Prize packs are given for attendance. For questions about the game, contact Jeff, the Pokemon professor. Please check for any schedule updates before attending.

Namid and Baseema present a live belly dance showcase celebrating dance traditions from across the MENAHT spectrum, with performers from around New England sharing styles inspired by Middle Eastern, North African, Hellenic, and Turkish cultures. The event takes place at the WCUW Frontroom. Tickets are $15 and can be paid in cash or via Venmo at the door. Light refreshments will be available, and attendees may bring their own. A full list of performers will be announced. Parking is available in the Clark University lot across the street or on nearby streets.

Crown Magnetar and To The Grave share the stage for a live concert, joined by Face Yourself and Backbiter. This event is open to all ages.

Settle into a restorative yoga nidra session that invites deep rest and a sense of joy. Begin with gentle poses to ground and center, then relax into a nurturing layer of sound that supports full-body ease. This is a donation-based offering with limited space. To register, text 774-261-3126.