Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra with special guest Brian McKnight to perform at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 12 at DCU Center
WORCESTER – The Worcester Tercentennial committee has announced a special anniversary performance by the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra with Grammy nominated singer-songwriter, Brian McKnight, at the DCU Center on Sunday, June 12 at 4 p.m.
Known for Billboard charting hits like Anytime and Back at One, Brian McKnight has released 15 albums to date, with several going 2 and 3x platinum, and has sold over 25 million albums worldwide. In addition to being a singer, songwriter and producer, McKnight is also a multi-instrumentalist who plays nine instruments including piano, guitar, bass, drums, percussions, trombone, tuba, flugelhorn and trumpet. Along with several Grammy nominations, Brian McKnight has been the recipient of American Music Awards, Soul Train Awards, NAACP Image and Blockbuster Awards, and Billboard Songwriter of The Year.
Conducting the renowned Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra for this special engagement is respected maestro Damon Gupton, Principal Guest Conductor of the Cincinnati Pops. An accomplished composer, narrator and actor with roles in film and television; such as, Whiplash, LaLa Land, This is Forty, Criminal Minds, Prime Suspect and Deadline as well as guest and recurring appearances on Dirty John, Goliath, Bates Motel, The Newsroom, Suits, Empire, Law & Order, Law & Order Criminal Intent and Third Watch.
Adding to the Tercentennial talent pool is Grafton native, Ricky Duran who made his big break in Hollywood as a runner-up on season 17 of NBC’s The Voice in 2019. Duran will perform the National Anthem at the Tercentennial Kickoff Fireworks Display at Polar Park on Friday, June 10.
“We’re thrilled to offer a variety of programming and activities appealing to Worcester’s broad and diverse community,” said Kate McEvoy, Chair of the Worcester Tercentennial Planning Committee. “Combined with free parking in the City’s municipal lots and garages, every event will feature free admission reducing barriers to access,” she continued.
Entry to the Kickoff Fireworks Display at Polar Park, Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra with Special Guest Brian McKnight at the DCU Center and the Tercentennial family Outing at the Worcester Bravehearts are all complimentary but tickets are required.
Secure your complimentary seats now:
Tercentennial Fireworks at Polar Park ft. Ricky Duran
In person at the WooSox Ticket Office at Polar Park (before, during, or after a WooSox game or during regular business hours Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.) or by calling WooSox Ticket Office at (508) 500-8888.
Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra with Special Guest Brian McKnight
In person at the DCU Center Box Office (Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Sunday/Monday on event days only) or online for free with no fees at Ticketmaster: ticketmaster.com/event/01005C7BD8C66B9D
Tercentennial family outing at the Worcester Bravehearts
Online at www.worcesterbraveheartsgroups.com. Use password “Tercentennial” The Tercentennial Weekend lineup includes:
Friday, June 10th
5PM Tercentennial Weekend Kickoff featuring Canal District Stroll and Polar Park Fireworks featuring Ricky Duran
Saturday, June 11th
9AM Tercentennial Road Race, downtown Worcester
11AM Tercentennial Parade & Celebration, downtown Worcester
Noon – 5PM Tercentennial Festival on the Worcester common featuring stART on the Street, musical performances, food trucks, and more
Sunday, June 12th
4PM Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra with Special Guest Brian McKnight 4PM Tercentennial family Outing at the Worcester Bravehearts
The Worcester Tercentennial is made possible by the city’s dynamic corporate community. Programming and activities throughout the year are being underwritten and sponsored by local businesses, foundations and friends. To find out more about sponsoring Worcester’s Tercentennial Celebration, visit www.worcestertercentennial.com.
Organizations and businesses are encouraged to download the toolkit and submit their events to the collective calendar that promotes the Tercentennial at www.worcestertercentennial.com.
Individuals, groups, and businesses can participate in Tercentennial festivities a variety of ways, including assisting with planning, organizing their own events and celebrations, volunteering, partnering, and sponsoring. More information on getting involved can be found at WorcesterTercentennial.com.
For additional views into Tercentennial celebrations, local media personality Hank Stolz hosts a “Tercentennial Talks” podcast, featuring a wide range of guests and local talent. Episodes of this podcast are available at www.worcestertercentennial.com.
In The News
>WEATHER: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (1:06). High of 34 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
+6:00: Worcester bar's liquor license suspended for 5 days for after-hours assault
+6:00: Indie horror film festival returning to Worcester’s Mechanic Hall for second year
+6:00: 100FM The Pike (8:12): Worcester film maker Tom Dwyer talks about Dead of Winter Horror Festival
+6:00: 100FM The Pike (14:26): Bull rider Marcus Mast on near death experience with a bull and growing up Amish
+Noon: It's Friday! Check Dining Out and Bars & Bands before making plans
+Noon: Guide to Dead of Winter Horror Film Festival in Worcester
+Noon: Mechanics Hall to host The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy
+Noon: "Black Angels Over Tuskegee" in Worcester will tell story
+Noon: WPI professor explores how Black artists helped transform opera
+Noon: New shows and movies to watch this weekend
+Noon: New movies on demand — "The Brutalist," "The Last Showgirl," and more
+Noon: 19 Carter in Berlin is a hub for both the arts and the community
-Hazardous ice lingers on Worcester streets days after storm. Video (1:18)
-Family of late state police trainee from Worcester speaks as state senators seek investigation update (2:49)
-Stop & Shop faces potential strike in Mass. over contract dispute
-Radio Worcester (40:20): Transformative plans for Worcester’s 51-acre Saint-Gobain site in Greendale
-West Boylston will fire Town Administrator amid police station flag conflict, lawyer says
-Earlier: Flag controversy discussed at Select Board meeting (1:49). Article
-Families fighting to keep funding for medical research meet at UMass Medical School (1:50). Article
-After sky-high hikes, state orders gas companies to reduce total bills by just 5 percent (:23)
-Related: What is the delivery fee on gas bills and why is it so high? (4:30)
-Police find cocaine, fentanyl during search in Worcester
-Radio Worcester's The Rundown (25:32): Councilor's indefinite absence sparks debate
-Radio Worcester Roundtable (21:18): Media misrepresents Worcester's sanctuary city vote
-DINING OUT: New restaurant to open at site of former Compass Tavern
-ICYMI: City Councilor Thu Nguyen will not return to council indefinitely
-Worcester rolls out enforcement of new 25 mph speed limit
-Worcester schools eye 7.9% budget increase for coming year
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): March Among Friends senior newsletter
-Ice melt arrives at Holden hardware store for storm-weary residents
-Longtime customer salutes Lamoureux Ford (3:53)
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Favorite breakfast spot plans expansion to Shrewsbury
-Sterling officer hit by car during traffic stop
-Police seek help locating 29-year-old missing person
-Drug bust at Westminster residence uncovers cocaine trafficking operation
-Clinton Project 351 ambassador gets involved
-Clinton School Committee honors students, staff
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Friday
>SHOWTIME: Things to Do: Concerts, historical demos and more
-Orchids bring color to Botanic Garden
-One Act Play Festival to take center stage at the Singh Performance Center
>OPINION: Kenzie Landsittel: Remember Women's Rights Convention in Worcester
-City of Worcester's Ready Worcester (1:03): Episode 4, preparing for snow storms
-Unity Radio's Susanity Life (58:15): Melisa Ann, intuitive energy healer
>OBITUARIES: Tribute to Worcester matriarch who passed away at 100
>SPORTS: Canada beats U.S., 3-2, in overtime to win 4 Nations Face-Off championship
-Bravehearts' New England Sports Summit breaks records
-With a renewed focus on boxing career, Worcester's Khiary Gray ready for title bout
-'Sader Stories (29:47): Varsity Club Hall of Famer Sam Fregenti
-Holy Cross women’s hockey team travels to Maine for final regular season series
-2 Holy Cross athletes nominated for Allstate Good Works Team
>CARS: Toyota recalls over 160,000 Sienna minivans due to seat back issue
>NATIONAL: California woman chased, fatally shot in parking lot: video
-Brian Laundrie's parents pariahs in Florida over Gabby Petito's murder: neighbors
-Tragic: Mom charged with abuse after 3 kids left alone for years
>NEW ENGLAND: Timeline of activities of cultlike group tied to killing of Border Patrol agent
-Why ambulances are waiting nearly an hour to bring patients into some Mass. hospitals
>COLLEGES: This is biomedical engineering at WPI (:23)
-Clark student Isaac Tomeho shines in both the digital and tactile worlds
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): 5 places you'll recognize from famous songs
>BUSINESS: Walmart shares tank on dismal forecast as retail giant warns of slowing sales
-LPL Financial Research: Tariffs ignite a metals melt-up
-How Gen Z can get on the right financial track
>HOMES: Worcester is one of the hottest real estate markets in 2025. See how it ranks
>HEALTH: Study: 3 conditions increase risk of liver damage if you drink
-How "lemonading" can help you better cope with stress
>FOOD: Dunkin' to end non-dairy upcharges after guest feedback
>TV/STREAMING: George Stephanopoulos is "miserable" at "GMA"
>MOVIES: Who won the best actor Oscar last year? See list of recent winners
>CELEBRITY: Laraine Newman says Barbra Streisand confronted her over "SNL" skit
>ANIMALS: Ducks ask woman to help their friend who isn't moving (1:38)
>HISTORY: Worcester's Bull Mansion has historical ties to a doctor, not an animal
>GOOD NEWS: Man's liver transplant denial reversed after story goes viral
-Meanwhile, in Thailand, monkey uses human-like hand signals to direct traffic (:43)
Latest obituaries | | Thursday's highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
Quick Links: Personalize your news | | Browse members | | Advertise | | Blogs | | Invite friends | | Videos
Animals | | Boston Sports | | Business | | Cars | | Celebrity | | Colleges | | Commute & Travel | | Crime | | Faith | | Food | | Good News | | Health | | History | | Homes | | Local Sports | | Lottery | | Movies | | National | | New England | | Politics | | Shopping & Deals | | SHOWTIME! | | TV & Streaming | | Weather