YOUR WEEKEND: Remembering, giving thanks and butts out

Transgender Day of Remembrance

Beginning FRIDAY, NOV. 17 – A special screening of the acclaimed documentary, “The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson'” at the New Bedford Whaling Historical Park’s visitor center tonight kicks off a weekend of transgender awareness downtown to coincide with Transgender Day of Remembrance on Nov. 20. The national park will be offering the film in partnership with New Bedford Art Museum/ArtWorks! (NBAM) and The South Coast LGBTQ Network. The free, open to the public screening happens at 33 William Street and will start promptly at 6:00 p.m. “The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson” examines the 1992 murder of Marsha P. Johnson, who was a transgender rights pioneer known as “the Rosa Parks of the LGBT movement.” It premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2017. After the screening, viewers can ask questions of the film’s producer, L.A. Teodosio, who will be in attendance. (Teodosio is an award-winning independent film producer.) Lee Blake, of the New Bedford Historical Society, will speak on cultural appropriation and the concerns of whose voices are heard when history is interpreted. She will also address some of the controversy that has arisen as a result of Reina Gossett’s claims about the film’s portrayal of transgender issues. In addition to the Friday evening film, admission to the New Bedford Art Museum/ArtWorks! will be free from Friday through Sunday, November 19th. “That weekend is the community’s last chance to check out Beyond the Box, a photo exhibition by LBGTQ artist Jeep Wheat,” says Jamie Uretsky, NBAM’s curator in a press release. “People need to see Jeep’s show. It’s modest in scale, but the work puts LBGTQ bodies front and center. These sort of images, even in 2017, are often left out of museum exhibitions. As a curator, I see this kind of under-representation as a sort of erasure and NBAM doesn’t want to be a part of a system of oppression that erases particular groups of people by omission.”

Hatch Street Open Studios

Beginning FRIDAY, NOV. 17 – Hatch Street Studios, in New Bedford’s north end at 88 Hatch Street, holds their annual Open Studios and Holiday Sale all weekend long – beginning tonight at 5:00 p.m. (until 8:00 p.m.) and continuing on Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. both days. “Visit the studios of more than 50 artists, working with materials as diverse as glass, ceramics, paint, wood, textiles, and ink,” they write. And add, “the festivities include food service, musical performances, and group exhibitions. Our building is handicapped accessible, with plenty of free parking.” Learn more about one of those 50 artists, Lori Bradley, at this link. And be sure to see Groundwork!’s Sandi Montour with her new book, This or That at S & G Project Gallery (Room 306a).

The Authenticity of Objects

SATURDAY, NOV. 18 – Gallery X holds an opening reception today from 5:00-8:00 p.m. for what promises to be a fantastic show. The Authenticity of Objects: Still Lifes by Craig Coggeshall features that artist’s intricately detailed work in its Frederick Douglass Gallery. “With authentic observation, he elevates ordinary objects into an extraordinary realm of precision and composition,” – from the gallery statement. Also, check out Standard-Times’ art critic Don Wilkinson’s column on the man and his art for a deep dive. The exhibition is on view to the public during normal business hours through November 26 and during the November 9th AHA Night, as well as the opening reception. Oh – and the famous Gallery X raffle happens at 5:00 p.m. today, too!

You’re getting sleepy…

SUNDAY, NOV. 19 – November is host month of the Great American Smoke-Out – and while we love to riff off of a Mad Men-type culture, like sexism in the office, smoking is best left behind in the ‘60s. If you need a kick in the butt to butt out, the New Bedford Wellness Initiative is here to help. Today at 1:00 p.m., they will be hosting board-certified consulting hypnotist John Barboza at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater New Bedford (166 Jenney Street) to help you break the cycle of tobacco abuse. Like all Wellness programs, it’s free – and might save you more than the $10 a pack a day habit costs you.

Harvest of the Sea

SUNDAY, NOV. 19 – If you want to kick off Thanksgiving week by giving a little thanks, you can’t go wrong with the Seaman’s Bethel “Harvest of the Sea” service today at 3:00 p.m. Pastor Paul Wheeler will be giving the service at this annual event, which will also feature music by organist Frank Medeiros and a special performance by Caroline Blais. Seaman’s Bethel is located atop Johnny Cake Hill – you can’t miss it!

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Steven Froias

Mad Man at Groundwork!

Steven Froias is Groundwork!'s resident blogger. He sleeps in the boiler room at 1213 Purchase Street.