Brown Bag Concert Series: Spring 2025

Free and Open to the Public

The Brown Bag Concert Series, presented by Mechanics Hall and 90.5 FM WICN, has been a beloved tradition in Worcester since 1983. These hour-long concerts by acclaimed regional and national performers are held in the Great Hall on select Wednesdays from noon to 1pm. Bring your own “brown bag” lunch, and enjoy wonderful music while eating your lunch! Cabaret-style seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. All concerts are free, open to the public, and subject to change.

The accessible entrance to Mechanics Hall is located on Waldo Street. Elevators are located in the ground-floor lobby and provide access to the second and third floors. Please note, there is no elevator access to the balcony. All concerts take place in the Great Hall on the third floor. If you need assistance, please contact the Mechanics Hall Ticket Office, Wednesday through Friday from 11:00am-5:00pm, by calling 508-752-0888.

Accessibility

Whenever possible, Brown Bag Concerts are also broadcast live on WICN 90.5FM, and streamed live on WICN.org.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Tickets: Free -- Open to the Public
Time: Doors 11:30am | Show 12:00pm
Audience: All Ages

Spring 2025 Schedule

MARCH 12
CASSANDRE MCKINLEY

Known for her powerful and versatile voice, Cassandre McKinley effortlessly blends Soul, Jazz, Blues, R&B, Pop, and Country into a sound uniquely her own. Her impassioned live performances and gift for storytelling have earned her widespread acclaim, making her a must-see artist for any music fan.

“There’s a music style called jazzsoul (we made it up) and our anointed queen is Boston native Cassandre McKinley.” - The Boston Globe

MARCH 19
HARSHITHA KRISHNAN

Harshitha Krishnan, a Grammy®-nominated performing and recording artist of Indian origin from Lagos, Nigeria, is known for her eclectic sound that fuses Indian folk traditions with contemporary western genres like jazz, soul, and R&B, Harshitha’s performances are a soulful exploration of diverse global sounds and textures. Experience a musical journey that blends emotion with rich cultural influences, celebrating both artistry and messages of positive social change.

MARCH 26
Jazz Streams features an accomplished lineup of musicians who have made significant contributions to the New England jazz scene. Trombonist Rich Ardizzone is a classically trained performer with experience in Latin jazz, big bands, and a variety of ensembles. Guitarist Rich Falco is a seasoned performer, educator, and jazz historian with a career spanning international tours, concert productions, and numerous accolades. Bassist Jerry Wilfong is an active Boston-area musician who has worked with a wide range of jazz artists and recorded extensively. Drummer Bill MacGillivray has been a fixture in the Worcester music community for decades, performing in jazz, rock, and blues groups while also serving as a dedicated music educator.

Brown Bag Concert Series Archive

Recognizing the historical significance of nearly 40 years of the Brown Bag Concert Series, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has documented the history of the series in its Jazz History Database. The database includes information from 1989-2008.

“Studio 3,” a half-hour music and interview television program featuring some of the best jazz groups in New England and beyond, was taped between 1993 and 2000 before live audiences in the studios of WGMC-TV3 or on location, including Brown Bag concerts at Mechanics Hall. All shows were produced and hosted by jazz vocalist Toni Ballard, with production support from Greater Media Cable, and aired from 1993 to 2003 on WGMC-TV3. The WPI Jazz History Database includes Studio 3 videos.

» JAZZ HISTORY DATABASE