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Sunday, June 21: The Ed Melikian Ensemble at the Frontroom
The Ed Melikian Ensemble will present works from the repertoire of Armenian, Greek, Turkish and Arabic music.
Ed Melikian plays the oud, a pear-shaped string instrument that was first discovered in the 7th century in ancient Persia, and is featured in the music of Armenia, Turkey, Greece, Israel and the Arabic-speaking countries of the Middle East. It is considered the forerunner of all stringed instruments.
Over the years Ed has appeared in countless supper clubs and concert venues, and has recorded albums with numerous groups, including his own Ensemble. At one point his Ensemble played an eleven-year stint at the now-closed, iconic Sahara Restaurant in Worcester.
In addition to Ed, the other members of the Ensemble include some of the top talent in the field of Near and Middle Eastern music: Gary Kashmanian on dumbeg, and multi-instrumentalists Harry Bedrossian on keyboards, and Mal Barsamian on clarinet and sax.
Ed also hosts his own radio show, Ed’s Magic Carpet, on WCUW on the fourth Friday of each month from 2-4 pm. “On my show, I feature the same type of music we’ll be presenting in-concert on the 21st of June”, he said. “It’ll be fun, for sure!”
Showtime: Sunday, June 21, 6:00 pm. Doors open at 5:30. Tckets at the door are $20 cash or Venmo. Light refreshments will be served.
The WCUW Frontroom is located at 910 Main St., Worcester MA. Parking in the Clark University lot across the street, or on the street.
Thursday, June 25, thru Saturday, June 27: Cinema Worcester at the Frontroom Presents “I Love Boosters”
Cinema Worcester in conjunction with the WCUW Frontroom presents “I Love Boosters”, a film by Boots Riley.
A fearless crew of inventive young women turns shoplifting into a radical act of defiance.
They move across Oakland, boosting coveted goods as both survival and protest—challenging a system built on exclusion and excess. They even offer a community service, selling their stolen wares at deep discounts to make fashion accessible to all.
Targeting a cutthroat fashion mogul in a final, audacious heist, the boosters are joined by unexpected allies wielding supernatural powers and time-bending technology. With this, they discover a chance to ignite revolutionary change.
A raucous capitalist critique, I Love Boosters careens through the carefully-controlled chaos of writer-director Boots Riley’s imagination to deliver a comedy that’s as funny as it is thought-provoking.
“A dizzying, entertaining acid trip that plays all the way to the back of the room.” – Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire
“I Love Boosters paints another winning amusement park ride in the bright colors of its filmmaker’s politics.” – AV Club
Run time is 1 hour and 55 minutes. R (strong sexual content | brief drug use | nudity | language throughout).
Showtimes: Thursday, June 25, 7 pm; Friday, June 26, 7 pm; and Saturday, June 27, 1 pm.
Purchase tickets online: $14.64 general admission, $12.51 senior/student with ID, $11.44 for WCUW members (processing fees included).
Tickets at the door: $12 general admission, $10 senior/student with ID, $9 for WCUW members.
The WCUW Frontroom is located at 910 Main St., Worcester MA. Parking in the Clark University lot across the street, or on the street.
Saturday, June 27: JC Smith at the Frontroom
JC Smith performing at the FrontRoom is a not-to-be missed show!
JC Smith channels blues masters such as Johnny “Guitar” Watson, Albert King, and T-Bone Walker. He is praised for his charisma and “ghetto fabulous” style, creating an immersive experience.
A highly-respected blues artist based in San Jose, California, JC Smith is a recipient of numerous achievement awards throughout his career. including the 2024 Bay Area Black Music Awards Male Blues Performer of the Year, the 2024 Bay Area Jazz and Blues Artist Lifetime Achievement Award, and the 2023 State of California Legacy Award.
He is widely appreciated for his charismatic stage presence, powerful vocals, and guitar skills reminiscent of blues legends like T-Bone Walker and Albert King. JC Smith is also known for his acclaimed album Defining Cool, touring internationally, and appearances in recent films (Ranger (2024) and When Death Comes Knocking).
JC Smith is widely recognized for his dynamic blues performances across the United States, as well as in South America, Canada, and Europe. His reputation as both a seasoned musician and an engaging entertainer has made him a favorite with audiences of all ages.
JC Smith will be backed by the incredible Jeff Gaynor on keys; and stellar area musicians from the band The Metrons: Bobby Palermo on bass, Bart McCracken on drums, John Bianchi on Hammond B3 organ; and Steve LeClaire & The Brass Angels horns.
Showtime: Saturday, June 27, 7:00 pm. Doors open at 6:30. Tckets at the door are $20 cash or Venmo. Light refreshments will be served.
The WCUW Frontroom is located at 910 Main St., Worcester MA. Parking in the Clark University lot across the street, or on the street.
You can also catch him when he is back in town later this summer, with Joanna Connor, at Mechanics Hall, Friday August 28.
Sunday, June 14, thru Saturday, August 29: Creativity Over Silence
The Harold Stevens Gallery presents “Creativity Over Silence”, curated by Cate Smith and Allissa Williams.
The show seeks to open up a dialogue between artists, and between artists and their audiences, about these confusing and often angering times. For more information, see the Gallery page.
Gallery hours: Mondays noon to 3 pm; Wednesdays 2 to 4 pm; Thursdays 11 am to 3 pm; Fridays 11 am to 4 pm; Saturdays 8:30 am to 12:30 pm; or by appointment. Free to all!
A talk on Saturday, July 25, 10:30 am to 12 pm, will bring together some of these artists, followed by questions from the audience and a discussion.
The Harold Stevens Gallery is located inside WCUW, 910 Main Street, Worcester, MA. Parking in the Clark University lot across the street, or on the street.
The above are just some of the events happening at WCUW. For all events, see here.
The language, visuals, music, ideas and opinions expressed at any event in the Frontroom or Gallery is that of the event organizer and/or artist, and not that of WCUW, Inc., its station director, programmers and other volunteers, nor its board of directors.
A Big Thank You!: Wattson Home Solutions
We would like to thank Wattson Home Solutions for the insulating work they did in our station. We will be warmer in winter, cooler in summer, and will be saving money – year round – that can be used to improve our programming and facilities.
Thank you!
Radio Waves: WCUW Makes Some Key Leadership Changes as Station Changes
(from Worcester Magazine, Jan 14, 2026) There have been some key staff changes behind the dial at WCUW Community Radio 91.3 FM as 2026 gets underway, including longtime executive director Troy Tyree transitioning to a new role as part-time programming director for the radio station.
“Troy has given his heart and soul to WCUW for more than 15 years as its only paid staff member,” WCUW said in a statement to the Telegram & Gazette.
Now there are three paid part-time staff. Joining Tyree are Steve Blake, who has volunteered at WCUW for many years, as general manager, and Laura Lenis as WCUW’s membership consultant.
Scott Hayman, clerk of the WCUW board of directors, said “the board credits Troy with shepherding WCUW through many of its lean times, especially COVID, and for his vision for the now very successful FrontRoom, a venue for weekly live music and Cinema Worcester … while managing all the station’s broadcasting and administration, Troy worked tirelessly to keep the 910 Main Street facility in shape on a shoestring budget.”
Read more at Worcester Magazine.
Walk into our new Harold Stevens Gallery at WCUW, and you will see on your right a wall of glass blocks.
Special glass blocks, as they are engraved with the names of donors to WCUW who want their name to live forever.
You can add your name or other content to this wall for just $91.30 per line!
Become an Underwriter and Support Community Radio
WCUW is grateful to the businesses and organizations who underwrite programs in support of community radio which provides freedom of the airways and programming that reflects the diversity our community.
Our audience really does listen and appreciate those who support us.
Non-profits
WCUW is here to help give your mission a voice!
For-profits
Invest where your message is not only heard, but appreciated!
For more information on Underwriting programs on WCUW click here, or contact us at 508-753-1012 or by email at [email protected].
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