YOUR WEEKEND: Song, art and chowder…

From Scotland to New Bedford (in a roundabout way….)

FRIDAY, OCT. 6 – The Fishing Heritage Center (38 Bethel Street, NB) hosts musician Debra Cowan tonight in concert 7:00-8:30 p.m. Nice story: Following a life-long desire to sing and perform, Debra Cowan left her job as a California middle school math teacher in 1997 and went to live in Edinburgh, Scotland for six months. There she learned the art of unaccompanied singing and upon her return to the USA in 1998 began traveling all over New England performing at any open mike within 100 miles of her new home in Springfield, Massachusetts. Tickets are $8.00 for members, $10.00 for non-members and may be purchased at the Center Gift Shop or online here.

A Brush with Death

SATURDAY, OCT. 7 – The New Bedford Preservation Society leads a New Bedford Artists and Artisans Tour – through Rural Cemetery! It’s a look back at the bygone bones of those who came before the term “Creative Economy” was ever uttered. Yours truly will be one of the guides. From 1:00-4:00pm, also expect historic portrayals in period costume at several of the grave sites of New Bedford’s internationally famous artists and artisans including but not limited to: painters William Allen Wall, Robert Swain, Frances Gifford, Albert Cook Church and female painter Minna Grumbt Webb, early African American photographer James Reed as well as glass artisans Gundersen brothers Hjalmar and Robert. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased by cash or check at the Grape Street Rural Cemetery gate on the day of tour. A $2 discount will be given to New Bedford Preservation Society members. (Rain date is Sunday October 8th from 1pm to 4pm.)

Labyrinth of Desire

Work by Michael Walden

SATURDAY, OCT. 7 – S & G Project Gallery at Hatch Street Studios opens their latest show with a reception this evening from 5:00-8:00 p.m. – and it looks amazing. “Labyrinth of Desire” features the work of Michael Walden, the painter and print maker living and working in Westport. This show is an extension of and progression from a recent solo show he had in New York City at the terrific Leslie-Lohman Museum’s Prince Street Project. Press materials for the show state, “This body of work explores a journey of emancipation from the constraints of societal conformity, a paragon presented to the world only to be overshadowed by a gaze of disillusionment and feelings of estrangement and malaise. Realizing that desire in all its forms is about the pursuit of happiness, and understanding that it is attained just before it is lost.” S & G Project Gallery is located in Rm 306a in Hatch Street Studios, 88 Hatch Street, NB a block and half off Acushnet Avenue heading east. For those familiar with the building, step assured: the elevator is manned on opening nights!

Chowdah

SUNDAY, OCT. 8 – The 12th annual Chowderfest returns to State Pier on the NB waterfront this afternoon from noon-5:00 p.m. It’s really very simple: over 20 restaurants and caterers that will be serving up sample-sized portions of their best clam and seafood chowders, kale soup, signature soups, and stuffed quahogs. So – come hungry! The ‘fest also features non stop live musical entertainment, free children’s craft activities and the annual YMCA lobster race. Vendors will be serving local beers, wines, specialty cocktails, soft drinks, ice cream and desserts. Tickets are $15 in advance (you can get them at the YMCA or Freestone’s), $18 day of, $5 for children 6-12, free for 5 and younger.

WEEKDAY BONUS PICK

THURSDAY, OCT. 12 – If it’s the second Thursday of the month, then it’s AHA! New Bedford night! Groundwork!’s latest art opening is part of the fun. Come to 1213 Purchase Street to catch the Opening Reception of “Other Worlds” from 6:00-8:00pm. From the event listing: Other Worlds is an exhibition of painting and prints by four recent graduates of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. The visual works of Zachary M. White, Bruce Bailey, Will Wolf, and L. Noah Barrett will be accompanied by the original compositions of sound artist Christopher Bailey. Each artist featured brings a unique perspective in regards to their materials, methods, and imagery ranging from semi-representational to fully abstract.” See more here. Find the full AHA! New Bedford schedule here.

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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.