Worcester, MA — The Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) and City of Worcester are excited to announce the return of Out to Lunch Festival & Farmers’ Market to the historic Worcester Common Oval this summer for its 14th year.
The popular event series will include six dates, doubling the number of festival dates over last year: July 11, July 18, July 25, August 1, August 8, and August 15. (Rain Dates: August 22 & 29) Each event will feature live music and entertainment, farmers’ market including the Regional Environmental Council (REC), food trucks, local artists and makers, community organizations, a beer garden, and more.
“Out to Lunch is a cornerstone of our city’s cultural calendar, bringing together residents and visitors alike to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Downtown Worcester,” said City Manager Eric D. Batista. “We are eagerly anticipating its return to the Worcester Common Oval this summer and look forward to seeing this event grow under the Downtown Worcester BID’s leadership. I know there is already an impressive lineup of performers and vendors planned for this year that will make for memorable afternoons filled with live music, great food, and community.”
Julian Wade, Board Chair of the Downtown Worcester BID, remarked, “The Out to Lunch Festival & Farmers’ Market is a testament to the connection and creativity in our community. The Downtown Worcester BID is honored to be bringing the popular annual event back for its 14th year, reaffirming our commitment to building a vibrant and inclusive downtown for all. We can’t wait to share this year’s Out to Lunch experience with the community, where we’ll be continuing what’s made these events so terrific over the past 14 years, building on that success, and sprinkling in some extra surprises, too.”
A highlight of each Out to Lunch event is the live music from headlining acts along with intermission entertainment from local community groups. Musical performances begin at 12pm. Intermission entertainment begins around 1pm.
The performance lineup for Summer 2024 is as follows:
Thursday, July 11 – Headliner: Funky Dawgz Brass Band
Funky Dawgz is one of the premier touring acts today, playing a contagious upbeat mix of original music, hip hop, funk, and today’s top hits with a brass twist. Emerging from Connecticut, they’ve toured internationally and have been featured on nationally televised programming on ESPN, as well as the Hulu and FX hit series “Fargo” starring Chris Rock.
Intermission Entertainment: Free Zumba lesson on the Common with Luz from the YWCA; all ages, experience levels, and abilities are welcome
Thursday, July 18 – Headliner: Sunta Jones
Sunta Jones, a Soul Singer/Songwriter with a smooth, sultry voice. Her musical style is a blend of Soul, Blues, R&B and Reggae. She is backed by a 7-piece band. Sunta has graced the stage at popular events including stART on the Street, the University Park Concert Series hosted by the Main South CDC, and the Worcester Tercentennial celebration.
Intermission Entertainment: Community drum circle with The Village; all ages, experience levels, and abilities are welcome
Thursday, July 25 (Celebrating Disability Pride Month) – Headliner: Matt Savage Groove Experiment
Matt Savage is a jazz musician, bandleader, and composer with ensembles of different sizes. He’s played with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Chick Corea, the Ellington All Stars, Chaka Khan, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Watson, Clark Terry, Jimmy Heath, Jason Moran, Arturo O’Farrill, John Pizzarelli, Joshua Redman, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jon Faddis, Jerry Bergonzi and Donny McCaslin, among others.
Intermission Entertainment: Performance from Jazz trio of students from the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education
Thursday, August 1 – Headliner: Link 80
Link 80 is a Brazilian classic rock band, made up of four musician friends who love rock ‘n roll. Their repertoire is dedicated to 80s classics of Brazilian and world rock.
Intermission Entertainment: Performance from the Imperial Lion Dance Team
Thursday, August 8 – Headliner: Rhythm of the Saints
Rhythm of the Saints features an all-star cast of Boston-area musicians paying tribute to prolific song writer Paul Simon. Their musical repertoire spans Simon’s career as a solo artist, featuring hits from the 1970s through the present day. Performed by a stellar 8-piece band led by Gary Backstrom of Jiggle the Handle, these dynamic chart-topping hits propel audiences of all ages to their feet.
Intermission Entertainment: Performance and free dance lesson with Ritmos Dance Studio; all ages, experience levels, and abilities are welcome
Thursday, August 15 – Headliner: Sarah Louise French & The Big League Collective
Straddling the fine line of folk and country, Sarah Louise French writes songs that are fresh, inspirational and that beckon a feeling of oneness, of love and of the shared human experience. With influences such as Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, Shania Twain, Paul Simon, Gordon Lightfoot and John Prine, French performs both original music and 60s/70s pop, folk and classic country covers in venues throughout New England and beyond.
The Big League Collective is a musical group made up of lifelong friends Dave Haak, Pete L’Esperance, and A. Borus, along with a rotating cast of collaborators. Their fusion of folk, indie rock, outlaw country, psychedelic rock, jam, jazz, and American traditional music defines their distinctive sound.
Intermission Entertainment: Performance from students of Joann Warren Dance Studio
The 2024 Out to Lunch Festival & Farmers’ Market is proudly presented by the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District and City of Worcester, with support from UniBank and Cornerstone Bank, and media sponsors 90.5 WICN Radio, Don’t Touch My Podcast, Manny Jae Media, Unity Radio, WCCA TV, and WXLO.
For more information and updates about Out to Lunch, visit outtolunchworcester.com.
About Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District
Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District is a nonprofit organization established in 2018 to sustain momentum in the heart of Downtown Worcester. The result of a comprehensive community-based effort, the organization represents the owners of more than 100 properties and seeks to create a unique sense of place through enhanced investment and development, establishing and sustaining a vibrant, welcoming, and economically viable district for all.
