Worcester events (via SocialWeb)

Higgins Armory Museum, 100 Barber Avenue, Worcester, MA
Update: This discount has been extended through the end of December. Bring a soccer ball to the Higgins and visit the museum for free! In conjunction with Operation Soccer Ball, a program that fosters U.S. friendships with Iraqi young people by providing them with free soccer balls, the museum is collecting deflated soccer balls to be distributed by overseas military personnel in Iraq. One free admission per soccer ball donated. Cost: One free admission with donation of a soccer ball Through Wednesday, Dec 31.

Higgins Armory Museum, 100 Barber Avenue, Worcester, MA
Update: This discount has been extended through the end of December. Bring a soccer ball to the Higgins and visit the museum for free! In conjunction with Operation Soccer Ball, a program that fosters U.S. friendships with Iraqi young people by providing them with free soccer balls, the museum is collecting deflated soccer balls to be distributed by overseas military personnel in Iraq. One free admission per soccer ball donated. Cost: One free admission with donation of a soccer ball Through Wednesday, Dec 31.

Higgins Armory Museum, 100 Barber Avenue, Worcester, MA
Update: This discount has been extended through the end of December. Bring a soccer ball to the Higgins and visit the museum for free! In conjunction with Operation Soccer Ball, a program that fosters U.S. friendships with Iraqi young people by providing them with free soccer balls, the museum is collecting deflated soccer balls to be distributed by overseas military personnel in Iraq. One free admission per soccer ball donated. Cost: One free admission with donation of a soccer ball Through Wednesday, Dec 31.

Higgins Armory Museum, 100 Barber Avenue, Worcester, MA
Update: This discount has been extended through the end of December. Bring a soccer ball to the Higgins and visit the museum for free! In conjunction with Operation Soccer Ball, a program that fosters U.S. friendships with Iraqi young people by providing them with free soccer balls, the museum is collecting deflated soccer balls to be distributed by overseas military personnel in Iraq. One free admission per soccer ball donated. Cost: One free admission with donation of a soccer ball Through Wednesday, Dec 31.

Higgins Armory Museum, 100 Barber Avenue, Worcester, MA
Update: This discount has been extended through December! In conjunction with The Age of Armor, November is Modern Military Month at the Higgins Armory Museum. We are honoring the modern military by offering free admission to veterans, active and reserve personnel, and their families. Cost: Free Admission for Military Veterans, Personnel, and their Families Through Wednesday, Dec 31.

Higgins Armory Museum, 100 Barber Avenue, Worcester, MA
Update: This discount has been extended through December! In conjunction with The Age of Armor, November is Modern Military Month at the Higgins Armory Museum. We are honoring the modern military by offering free admission to veterans, active and reserve personnel, and their families. Cost: Free Admission for Military Veterans, Personnel, and their Families Through Wednesday, Dec 31.

Higgins Armory Museum, 100 Barber Avenue, Worcester, MA
Update: This discount has been extended through December! In conjunction with The Age of Armor, November is Modern Military Month at the Higgins Armory Museum. We are honoring the modern military by offering free admission to veterans, active and reserve personnel, and their families. Cost: Free Admission for Military Veterans, Personnel, and their Families Through Wednesday, Dec 31.

Higgins Armory Museum, 100 Barber Avenue, Worcester, MA
Update: This discount has been extended through December! In conjunction with The Age of Armor, November is Modern Military Month at the Higgins Armory Museum. We are honoring the modern military by offering free admission to veterans, active and reserve personnel, and their families. Cost: Free Admission for Military Veterans, Personnel, and their Families Through Wednesday, Dec 31.

6:00 PM-9:00 PM, Tower Hill Botanic Garden: Stoddard Education and Visitors Center, 11 French Drive, Boylston, MA
Get the Holidays off to a sparkling start at Tower Hill Botanic Garden's second annual holiday gala, the SOIREE APRES SKI. Join us for an elegant evening of holiday music and delectable ski resort hors d'oeuvre. Amidst the spectacular holiday decorations that Tower Hill is famous for, the SOIREE APRES SKI is the party to celebrate the winter season in grand style! Cocktail party attire is appropriate for this special event. As a special bonus, Wachusett Mountain will give a free ski lift ticket to everyone who attends the SOIREE APRES SKI. Enjoy live St. Bernards and artifacts on display from the New England Ski Museum. Chef Cece Collier's menu will include: Alpine Cheese Station Smoked Salmon Triangles Pear toasts with Tarragon Pesto Holiday Layered Crab Spread Carving Station with Herb Roasted Turkey & Bourbon Glazed Ham, assorted Artisan Breads, Chutneys and Spicy Mustards Garlic Butter Stuffed Mushrooms with Sugar Bacon Maple Glazed Meatballs Sweet & Spicy Orange Chicken Panko Crusted Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce and Honey BBQ Chipotle Sauce Hot Appetizer Buffet with Nachos, Potato Skins, Wings with Assorted Toppings Triple Chocolate Mousse Pyramids Chocolate Pots de Crème Apple - Goat Cheese Tarts Mini Fruit Tarts Coffee, Tea, Mulled Cider, Hot Chocolate Cash Bar will feature enhancements for your coffee and hot chocolate Sponsored by: Wachusett Mountain Ski Resort. Cost: $40 per person, $75 Patron, $125 Sponsor

4:30 PM-8:00 PM, Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive, Boylston, MA
Enjoy Tower Hill's Holly Days decorations lit up at night--stroll through the gallery and the Orangerie, enjoy complimentary refreshments, and visit the Gift Shop. Musical entertainment. Cost: 1/2 Price Admission: $5 Adults, $3.50 Seniors (65+), $2.50 Youth (6-18) Wednesdays, through Dec 17.

7:00 PM-9:00 PM, Worcester Hibernian Cultural Centre, 19 Temple St, Worcester, MA
Author and storyteller, Kevin O'Hara of Pittsfield, will be reading excerpts from his upcoming book, "A Lucky Irish Lad: Growing Up Irish in New England". O'Hara, a past guest at the Centre, penned his heartwarming memoir, "Last of the Donkey Pilgrims," recalling his journey around Ireland in 1979. This latest effort, "A Lucky Irish Lad," is due to be published in February 2010, and recounts with both humor and grace the struggles his large family faced when emigrating to Western Massachusetts via England and Ireland in the 1950's. The Hibernian Cultural Centre's Monthly Speaker Program brings in local and regional speakers to share stories and information which promote a greater understanding of Irish history, culture and its role in Irish America. Last years highlights included Sister Lena Devy LSA who spoke on the Issues of Immigration (Legal and Illegal) and Kevin O'Hara, author of the Last Donkey Pilgrim in addition to a performance of "The Halligan-Daley Hanging" by Elms College students. The Speakers Program is now entering is second year and attendance continues to grow. Sponsored by: Irish Counsel & the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Foundation. Cost: Free - Donation's greatfully accepted

8:30 PM-12:30 PM, Fiddlers' Green Pub & Restaurant, 19 Temple St, Worcester, MA
Dancing and Karaoke with DJ Greg (formerly of Eddy's Pub) nearly every Saturday night. Come for dinner and stay a while! Delicious food and a relaxed atmosphere. Cost: No Cover Saturdays, through Nov 29.

7:00 PM-8:30 PM, Worcester Hibernian Cultural Centre, 19 Temple St, Worcester, MA
Ever see those fun Irish (Ceili) couples dancing and want to learn how? The Hibernian Cultural Centre offers FREE dance lessons every Monday night. We cover all of the ceili dances, some Irish set dancing, as well as traditional ballroom (waltz, foxtrot) and two-step. Everyone of all levels welcome every week. (Please arrive by 7PM) Sponsored by: Worcester Hibernian Cultural Centre. Cost: Free Mondays, through Jan 12.

7:30 PM-9:30 PM, Museum of Russian Icons, 203 Union St., Clinton, MA
Music For A While Performing works of Bach, Telemann, Purcell and Handel. Featuring Maria Ferrante, soprano; Tracy Kraus, flute; Krista Reisner, Amy Rawstron and Peter Sulski, violins; Mark Berger, viola; Ian Watson, harpsichord. With Guest David Russell, cello Sponsored by: NYPRO, The Clinton Item (media sponsor). Cost: Adults $20, Seniors $15, Students $10, children under 12 free

7:00 PM-9:00 PM, Barnes & Noble Booksellers - MA/Worcester, 541 D Lincoln Street, Worcester, MA
Please join Host Carle A. Johnson for this poetry open mic and feature reading every fourth Saturday of the month. This evening we welcome Polly Brown as feature poet, who has publsihed the collection called "Blue heron Stone" and whose forthcoming work is entitled "Each Thing Torn from Any of Us". An open mic precedes the feature so bring an original poem or two or a favorite of someone else's to share. The group usually enjoys cofee and... in the cafe after the reading(optional) and a lively discussion. Sponsored by: Worcester County Poetry Association and Barnes & Noble. Cost: free and open to the public

5:00 PM-8:00 PM, Worcester City Hall Common, Front St, Worcester, MA
Ring in the holiday season at Worcester's annual Festival of Lights celebration! Enjoy musical performances inside and out, horse drawn hayrides around the lighted Common, children's activities, a Holiday Marketplace, and of course visits with everyone's favorite elf himself! 5-6 p.m. Burncoat High School Select Chorus, Worcester Arts Magnet Show Choir, and the Worcester Public Schools All-City Chorus perform outside on City Hall plaza. At 6 p.m. Santa will arrive to help light the tree and then indoor festivities and activities begin. Enjoy musical performances by the Seven Hills Charter School Show Choir, the Burncoat High School Brass Ensemble and Jazz Summit from the Joy of Music Program. The Worcester Public Library, Foothills Theatre, Worcester Art Museum, Worcester Tornadoes, and Mass Audubon Broad Meadow Brook will be on hand with various activities and you can pick up some holiday gifts in the Holiday Marketplace featuring area artisans. Sponsored by: City of Worcester and the Worcester Cultural Coalition in collaboration with the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, WXLO 104.5, Flagship Bank, Fallon Community Health Plan and Charter TV3. Cost: Free and Open to the Public

Higgins Armory Museum, 100 Barber Avenue, Worcester, MA
Bring a soccer ball to the Higgins and visit the museum for free! In conjunction with Operation Soccer Ball, a program that fosters U.S. friendships with Iraqi young people by providing them with free soccer balls, the museum is collecting deflated soccer balls to be distributed by overseas military personnel in Iraq. One free admission per soccer ball donated. Cost: One free admission with donation of a soccer ball Through Sunday, Nov 30.

Higgins Armory Museum, 100 Barber Avenue, Worcester, MA
Bring a soccer ball to the Higgins and visit the museum for free! In conjunction with Operation Soccer Ball, a program that fosters U.S. friendships with Iraqi young people by providing them with free soccer balls, the museum is collecting deflated soccer balls to be distributed by overseas military personnel in Iraq. One free admission per soccer ball donated. Cost: One free admission with donation of a soccer ball Through Sunday, Nov 30.

Higgins Armory Museum, 100 Barber Avenue, Worcester, MA
Bring a soccer ball to the Higgins and visit the museum for free! In conjunction with Operation Soccer Ball, a program that fosters U.S. friendships with Iraqi young people by providing them with free soccer balls, the museum is collecting deflated soccer balls to be distributed by overseas military personnel in Iraq. One free admission per soccer ball donated. Cost: One free admission with donation of a soccer ball Through Sunday, Nov 30.

Higgins Armory Museum, 100 Barber Avenue, Worcester, MA
Bring a soccer ball to the Higgins and visit the museum for free! In conjunction with Operation Soccer Ball, a program that fosters U.S. friendships with Iraqi young people by providing them with free soccer balls, the museum is collecting deflated soccer balls to be distributed by overseas military personnel in Iraq. One free admission per soccer ball donated. Cost: One free admission with donation of a soccer ball Through Sunday, Nov 30.