YOUR WEEKEND and the week ahead in New Bedford

Day of Portugal

BEGINNING FRI, JUNE 9 – New Bedford’s Day of Portugal celebration takes over Acushnet Avenue this weekend with food, music, vendors and lots of old country culture. Events begin Friday night at 6:30pm and continue into Saturday (beginning at 1:00pm) and Sunday (beginning at 8:00am). Come hungry and seize the opportunity to check out everything Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford’s North End has to offer. (A highlight for this writer will be the chance to tour the former Strand Theater, which will one day be the Cape Verdean Cultural Center!)

New Bedford Jazzfest

SATURDAY, JUNE 10 – New Bedford Jazzfest happens on State Pier from 2:00-7:30pm today. The line-up includes: Southcoast Jazz Orchestra (17 piece big band); The Dino Govoni Quartet featuring vocalist Cassandre McKinley; Gerry Gibbs Trio (#1 album 3 weeks Jazz Charts); and Matthew Hartnett & The Gumbo All-Stars (New Orleans jam). Tickets are $25 (kids under 15 free) – but parking is free at 49 State Pier and the Elm St. Garage. In addition to the tunes, expect food trucks, regional arts and crafts vendors and, of course, a full bar. What would jazz be without bourbon…?

Mission 22 Pub Brawl

SUNDAY, JUNE 11 – New Bedford Police Officers Jared Lucas and Donald Williams are conducting a Pub Crawl through downtown NB tonight to benefit Mission 22 – a veteran’s assistance group that seeks to mitigate the sad fact that on average 22 combat veterans a day commit suicide. The pub crawl starts at Rose Alley Ale House then heading to Slainte, Moby Dick Brewery, Pour Farm Tavern and finally, Greasy Luck Brewery.Tickets to attend are $22 and include a T-shirt. Participants will spend an hour at each location. A raffle will be held at each establishment. For more information, call 508-965-2464 or 508-789-8239.

NB Farmers Markets return

THURSDAY, JUNE 15 – The New Bedford Farmers Market returns to Custom House Square Park for the season beginning today at 2:00pm. Yes – from now on, you’ll be able to shop downtown for local produce and other goodies from 2-6:00pm every Thursday through the summer. New this year – People’s Pressed Juice will be squeezing out their own brand of cold-pressed liquid sunshine! Psst…you can get a head start on grocery shopping on Mon. June 12 when the Farmers Market returns to Brooklawn Park from 2:00-6:00pm. Also, check it out at Clasky Common Park on Saturday morning, June 17 from 10:00am – 2:00pm.

Communicate NB

THURSDAY, JUNE 15 – New Bedford gets its very own chapter of Toastmasters tonight when Communicate NB launches at 6:00pm at Tia Maria’s European Café. Here’s the 411 from their Facebook page: “Toastmasters is an internationally recognized organization that promotes public speaking, communication and leadership skills. This is a unique opportunity to develop yourself professionally or just to simply challenge yourself and have fun.” Prepare your oration now.

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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.