Crocodile River Music Takes the Stage at Worcester’s Out to Lunch
Discover Central Mass podcast features Lisa Malo from the Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) alongside Zach Combs (Founder) and Adam Banoufe (Special Events) from Crocodile River Music, a nonprofit organization celebrating its 15th anniversary.
By-Hank Stolz
Graphic-Radio Worcester/Crocodile River Music/ Downtown Worcester Bid
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Worcester, MA- Crocodile River Music is playing Out to Lunch Wednesday the 26th.
Founded in 2011, Crocodile River Music connects African artists and cultures with US audiences through performances and educational programs in schools and community spaces.
The organization, is headquartered in the Printers Building in downtown Worcester. The Printers building also happens to be the home of the Worcester BID.
They are partnering together to bring African music and cultural experiences to the city at Out to Lunch on Wednesday Aug. 26th.
As Zach says of the music, “Man, they get sweaty. That’s a nice part of it… It’s one of those things where you definitely can’t sit still when it’s happening.”
Downtown Worcester Becomes a Neighborhood
The podcast looks at downtown Worcester’s transformation from a commercial corridor into a vibrant neighborhood with residential development, diverse dining options, and cultural institutions.
Lisa observes, “But now one specific thing that makes it feel like a neighborhood to me is all the dogs. I think that people walking their dogs around downtown just says something about it feeling like a neighborhood.”
Zach says thanks to The Bid and others you can feel the change in downtown, “And it’s got a vibe where you’re feeling like things are happening. A lot of times, where are those young people going? They look like they’re going to a party or an event.”
Out to Lunch on the Worcester Common Oval
Key initiatives include the Out to Lunch Festival held Wednesdays from 11 AM to 3 PM on the Worcester Common Oval, featuring performances by a variety of artists, including Crocodile River Music and special guests along with a Farmer’s Market and community organizations and non-profits.
More Events Coming to Worcester
Additional upcoming events include Worcester’s Got African Talent on September 12th at Institute Park and The BID produced Festival of Lights in December.
As Lisa says, “We kind of consider ourselves the party planners of downtown Worcester and more.”
Crocodile River Music on WICN
Crocodile River Music also hosts a weekly radio show on WICN 90.5 FM, reaching approximately 7,000 listeners weekly, promoting understanding of Africa’s diverse musical traditions across its 54 countries and numerous languages.
What Is Worcester’s Out to Lunch Festival?
Worcester’s Out to Lunch Festival began in 2010 as a free summer concert series designed to bring music, food and activity to the Worcester Common. What started as a single event with only a handful of vendors eventually grew into a multiweek festival and farmers’ market featuring live entertainment, local restaurants, food trucks, farmers, artists, crafters and community organizations. Worcester Cultural Coalition and City of Worcester.
By the middle of the decade, Out to Lunch had become a regular downtown summer tradition, often running for approximately 10 weeks. Its concerts showcased musical styles from Worcester and beyond, while intermission performances gave local cultural and community groups additional opportunities to reach an audience.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2020 season. Out to Lunch returned in 2021 with an abbreviated two-event schedule as Worcester resumed in-person public programming. Organizers described the series as a way to celebrate the city’s cultural diversity, creative community and small businesses. Worcester Cultural Coalition.
The festival continued rebuilding after the pandemic. Three events were presented in 2023, followed by an expanded six-date season in 2024. That year, the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District took on a larger leadership and programming role in partnership with the City of Worcester. New attractions included a beer garden, cooling station and additional activities on the Common. Worcester Cultural Coalition.
In 2026, the festival is celebrating its 16th season with 10 Wednesday events on the Worcester Common Oval. Today, Out to Lunch combines free performances with food trucks, a farmers’ market, handmade goods and nonprofit organizations, continuing its original mission of bringing people together in the heart of downtown Worcester. Downtown Worcester BID.
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