WORCESTER, MA March 14, 2025 – Mechanics Hall is pleased to announce the Spring 2025 season of Club 321, its popular series that transforms Washburn Hall into an intimate club setting one Thursday evening each month.
Club 321 concerts feature regional and national musicians, ranging in genre from blues, jazz, soul, and folk to rock, showtunes, and influences from around the world. “No two concerts at Club 321 are quite the same,” said Mechanics Hall Executive Director Kathy Gagne. “Club 321 audiences are enjoying fabulous live music in the intimate club setting of Washburn Hall. The caliber of musicianship is extraordinary. Plus, as the number of live music venues continues to shrink, the musicians are thrilled to have the opportunity to perform in front of a live audience.”
Coming up this spring, The Mercy Brothers bring blues, Americana, soul, and R&B to the stage on March 20th. Dwayne Haggins performs his blend of country, rockabilly, and soul April 17, and the spring season concludes with the dynamic jazz and roots quartet Evening Sky on May 8.
“Club 321 isn’t just music; it’s an experience,” noted David Ginsburg, General Manager of Club 321 media partner 90.5 WICN Public Radio. “Helping to book the series over the last couple of years has been a highlight of my time at WICN. I’m proud to see the Club 321 series at Mechanics Hall grow to become one of Worcester’s best live music nights!”
In addition to the featured performance, each Club 321 event includes a unique art exhibit curated by Michelle May of Juniper Rag, an independent art and lifestyle publication. “Michelle chooses amazing regional artists whose work aligns with the type of music audiences are there to enjoy, and artists will frequently provide a pre- performance talk about their work” Gagne explained.
Club 321 events are 18+, and include concessions and a cash bar, often featuring signature drinks. All tickets are general admission, with standing room, theatre seating, and cabaret table seating available a first-come, first- served basis. Tickets are $20 in advance through MechanicsHall.org/Club321 or $23 at the door, with a 15% discount available to Mechanics Hall members.
Club 321 takes place at 321 Main Street, at Worcester’s Mechanics Hall. Concerts are held on the 2nd floor in Washburn Hall, which is accessible by elevator from the Waldo Street entrance, or by stairs from both the Main Street and Waldo Street entrances. Doors open at 6:15pm, performances begin at 7:00pm and conclude by 9:00pm.
About the Artists
Thursday, March 20, 2025: The Mercy Brothers
Michael Dinallo and Barrence Whitfield are The Mercy Brothers. Michael Dinallo, a celebrated guitarist and producer, has made his mark in blues, Americana, and soul music with a rich career spanning collaborations with legends like Eddie Floyd and John Prine. Barrence Whitfield is a soul and R&B powerhouse renowned for his explosive stage presence and dynamic vocal style, often compared to greats like Little Richard and Wilson Pickett. The two joined forces to form The Mercy Brothers in 2002, forging a unique sound that resonated in Europe and the U.S.
Thursday, April 17: Dwayne Haggins
Known for his soulful voice and ability to seamlessly merge country, rockabilly, and soul, Haggins has shared the stage with acts such as Joe Bonamassa, Keb Mo, George Thorogood, John Oates, Britney Spencer, and members of the Tedeschi Trucks Band.
Since early 2017, Dwayne has been on a quest to make a living playing music, leaving his mark on dozens of bars, restaurants and clubs scattered across eastern and central Massachusetts. His distinctive sound, which delivers a brand new take on the traditional roots soul and gospel blues that he loves, has generated a rare sense of excitement and possibility throughout the area’s musical community.
He’s been described as “The John Legend of rockabilly.” And recently, “a ‘what-took-you-so-long’ fusion of Elvis and Marvin Gaye.” But he is Dwayne Haggins, and his voice is his own. The exponential growth of his devoted audience likely signals that a move to larger venues is inevitable, and perhaps imminent. Which is no doubt one reason why Dwayne’s recent shows in local venues have taken on a new intensity, a sense of immense potential chafing at the limits of its current constraints. These days, each performance feels like a special occasion, a chance perhaps to experience the end of the beginning, the last page of prologue to a brand new story that already has the makings of a modern classic. Learn more at dwaynehaggins.com/.
Thursday, May 8: Evening Sky
Evening Sky is a Jazz/Roots Quartet featuring Chris Brooks on Pedal Steel Guitar, Joe Potenza on Bass, composer Gino Rosati on Guitars, and producer Eric Hastings on Drums. The band has a knack for combining the classic elements of American music (jazz, folk, R&B, country) to form a unique, spirited sound. Their rhythmic, smooth, and playful approach has been compared to artists as diverse as Bill Frisell, Bill Withers, Bill Monroe, and Bill Laswell. And that’s just the Bills!
Whether on their own original instrumentals, reinterpreting classic songs, or collaborating with guest singers and instrumentalists, Evening Sky has a chameleon-like ability to adapt to whatever the situation calls for.
The band can be seen performing at venues as varied as jazz and blues festivals, quiet listening rooms, and raucous rock clubs. Evening Sky’s approach in the studio is equally as eclectic. They have experimented with old school recording techniques, as evidenced on their One Mic, Two Weekends release. On the opposite end of the spectrum, they have used the studio as a creative, experimental tool: adding layers of sound, overdubs, effects and five different vocalists on their version of Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited. Learn more at eveningskyband.com.
About Mechanics Hall
Steeped in the rich history of 19th century Worcester, Mechanics Hall is internationally regarded as one of the world’s great concert halls. Regionally, it is a meeting place beloved for the central New England location, its architecture, and the legacy of prominent figures engaged. The world’s most renowned orchestras and performers – including the London Philharmonic, Yo-Yo Ma, Ella Fitzerald, and Linda Ronstadt – have taken the Hall’s stage. Among the many luminaries who have spoken at Mechanics Hall are Charles Dickens, Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglass, and Mark Twain. In addition to serving as a premiere venue and recording site, Mechanics Hall offers inspiring cultural experiences for diverse audiences through a variety of creative initiatives, including free concerts, community events, a youth chorus, and collaborative programs with local colleges and nonprofit organizations.
Mechanics Hall is a nonprofit organization owned and operated by the Worcester County Mechanics Association, est. 1842. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Learn more at MechanicsHall.org.