18 Things to do this Weekend (April 1 – April 3)

This weekend will be a wet one – we’ll have plenty of rain and potentially snow. Oddly enough we will start the weekend out with nearly 60 degree temperatures, but by Sunday night drop to a frigid 21 degrees, very windy and possible snow. Grrrrr. No problem, it will take much more than that to stop those of us who are determined to enjoy all the goings-on across the South Coast and beyond.

As always, click on the title for more or detailed information on the event. Most of the events were pulled from our event calendar where you can find hundreds of local area events each month. The event calendar is FREE, so if you are a local business, and not taking advantage of FREE publicity, shame on you! Are you a local business and want to sponsor this high traffic, weekend guide? Contact info@newbedfordguide.com for more details. Have an event to add? Add it here. Know of another event this weekend? Post a reply!

Friday, April 1st

Stone Walls of New England with Robert Thorson (Marion) (7:00pm-8:00pm)
Author and geologist Professor Robert Thorson will present an overview of New England’s historic stone walls, explaining why they are the signature landforms of the region, and why they convey to us such a visceral sense of place. Professor Thorson is the author of Stone by Stone, the most well known and authoritative book on the stone walls of New England. Marion Natural History Museum, 8 Spring Street, Marion.

Newport Night Run 2016 (7:30pm)
Newport’s only nighttime race will be held on April 1 and will once again benefit the Newport Public Education Foundation. This year’s event will feature a brand new course and a lovely April 1st date. We hope you can join us for this rewarding event. Registration is now open. 304 Thames St., Newport, RI.

Crimes of the Heart by Beth Henley (Play) (7:30pm)
The scene is Hazlehurst, Mississippi, where the three Magrath sisters have gathered to await news of the family patriarch, their grandfather, who is living out his last hours in the local hospital. Lenny the oldest sister (played by Kim Teves) is unmarried and facing diminishing marital prospects; Meg, the middle sister (played by Susan Massey) who quickly outgrew Hazlehurst, is back after a failed singing career on the West Coast; while Babe, the youngest (played by Linda Landry), is out on bail after having shot her husband in the stomach. Read more by clicking on thread title.

Saturday, April 2nd

*Get up close to a whale during the Outer Cape Birding & Whale Watching Hike on Saturday*

Outer Cape Birding and Whale Watching Hike (7:00am-5:00pm)
Venture by foot to the beaches of the outer Cape to observe whale behavior at close range. During spring, whales congregate close to shore to feed on the abundant zooplankton, with high numbers of whales sometimes present. Glimpses of the endangered right whales are possible. The walk will take you through Hatches Harbor to Race Point, passing through pitch pine forest, estuary, salt marsh, and dune habitats en route to the shore. In addition to the whales, spectacular vistas and a diversity of birdlife are features of the trip. Time permitting, we’ll stop at other nearby locations. Organized by the Lloyd Center for the Environment.

Book Sale for Charity (Bishop Stang) (8:30am-2:00pm)
All proceeds are for the American Heart Association. Bishop Stang High will be offering books, movies and CDs for $1-2. Located in the cafeteria.

Monthly Wellness Walk (10:00am)
Join everyone for the Monthly Wellness Walk around Buttonwood park. Get Moving, Get Healthy and Be Well! Part of the New Bedford Fitness Challenge. Pets welcome and walk at your own pace. Buttonwood Park, 1 Oneida St., New Bedford.

Fall River Library Chess Club (10:00am)
All ages and skill levels are welcome to join the library’s Chess Club. The club will meet weekly on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 noon in the Fell Reading Room at the Main Library. Teens and adult players are welcome to show up and join in the fun. Chess sets will be provided, thanks to a generous donation. Fall River Public Library, 104 N Main St. Fall River, MA.

Winter Clearance (10:00am-2:00pm)
The Next to New Thrift Shop will hold its winter clearance sale. Patrons can fill our 13 gallon plastic bags with clothing, shoes, etc. for $5.00 per bag. All proceeds from the Thrift Shop go to community services in the area. First Congregational Church, 11 Gibbs Avenue, Wareham.

DA Quinn’s FREE Youth Baseball Clinic (11:00am)
Join the FREE youth baseball clinic hosted by former Red Sox pitcher Brian Rose. Open to grades 2-8, boys and girls, all levels welcome. Reserve a space today using the link above or contact Brian Rose at 508-961-1972. Taunton High School, 50 Williams Street, Taunton.

*The seals are out and about. Will you spot one? (savebay.org)*

Fall River Seal Tours (11:00am-1:30pm)
Enjoy a 75-minute scenic boat ride down the Taunton River into beautiful Mt. Hope Bay on the lookout for visiting winter harbor seals and early spring wildlife. Expert guides will help you spot our winter visitors and discuss the rich history and environmental issues of the region. Borden Light Marina, 1 Ferry Street, Fall River.

Book Signing at the Acushnet Library (12:00pm-2:30pm)
Acushnet author Jackie Leduc makes her first official appearance at the Acushnet Public Library with a reading and book signing. Jackie is the author of The Demonic Eyes and Bloody Nightmares. Acushnet Public Library, 232 Middle Road, Acushnet.

Free 8 Week Mindfulness Course (3:30pm-4:30pm)
This 8 week course on Saturdays is led by Jonathan Felix. You will learn specific techniques to train the mind. Enhanced cognitive functioning, reductions in stress and anxiety, and improved memory, attention, and mood are some of the benefits of regular practice. These techniques enhance our sense of well-being by promoting structural changes tot he brain. As the mind colors moods, marshals thoughts, directs attention, influences perceptions, directs behavior, and orchestrates our very lives, it is the one thing worth attending to. Grace Episcopal Church, 95 Fern St., New Bedford.

Havana Nights: 2016 Spring Gala at the Zeiterion (6:00pm-10:30pm)
Head to the “Z” for an exotic evening, as the stage is transformed into a Cuban Cabaret, harkening back to the 1950s Havana high-life. Together we’ll sip tropical cocktails, enjoy a decadent three-course meal, and dance the night away to the spicy sounds of Grupo Sazon.

HoB Pro Wrestling Event: Cruel Intentions (7:00pm)
Head to Dublin’s Sports Bar & Grill as House Of Bricks Pro Wrestling begins its 2016 season. Last time was for Flashback Friday Night in September of 2015 and that was one of the loudest and most talked about events of the 2015 calendar year! Both the HoB Heavyweight Championship, currently held by “The Brick” David Baker, and the HoB Southern New England Championship, held by The Goddess of Beauty” Ramona Romano will be defended. All tickets are just $10. Dublins Sports Bar N Grille, 1686 Acushnet Ave., New Bedford.

UMass Dartmouth Observatory (8:00pm)
The UMass Dartmouth Observatory and the Astronomical Society of Southern New England (ASSNE) are pleased to invite the general public to our Spring semester night-sky viewing sessions at the campus Observatory. This event will take place only if the weather permits (clear skies). In the event of cancellation, an announcement will be available before each event around 5 PM at www.assne.org or by calling (508) 999-8715 for a recorded message. For more information about the Observatory, to make a donation to its operations, or to become an individual or corporate sponsor, please contact Prof. Alan Hirshfeld at ahirshfeld@umassd.edu or 508-999-8715.

Sunday, April 3rd

*Enjoy playing poker? Help out a great cause and maybe win some big bucks!*

Easter Bunny at The Swansea Mall (12:00pm-6:00pm)
The Bunny will arrive at Swansea Mall on at 11 a.m. and will be in his springtime garden meeting with children. get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny! Every child visiting the Easter Bunny will receive a free gift.

5th Annual Eric Fernandes Memorial Scholarship Poker Tournament (12:00pm)
Help Support New Bedford Fire Fighters and have some fun. Eric Fernandes was a proud firefighter and he was also an avid poker player! Not only will you be supporting a great cause, you also have a chance of winning some $$ Cash $$! A portion of the proceeds will be awarded as a scholarship to the children of New Bedford Firefighters. Cost: $50 buy-ins. $25 re-buys will be available during the first hour. Cash prizes awarded to the top finishers. There will also be a 50/50 raffle. For more information contact Elton Cabral at 508-525-1442 or visit http://www.ericfernandesscholarship.org. Panthers Athletic & Social Club, 43 Madeira Ave., New Bedford.

Crimes of the Heart by Beth Henley (Play) (2:00pm)
The scene is Hazlehurst, Mississippi, where the three Magrath sisters have gathered to await news of the family patriarch, their grandfather, who is living out his last hours in the local hospital. Lenny the oldest sister (played by Kim Teves) is unmarried and facing diminishing marital prospects; Meg, the middle sister (played by Susan Massey) who quickly outgrew Hazlehurst, is back after a failed singing career on the West Coast; while Babe, the youngest (played by Linda Landry), is out on bail after having shot her husband in the stomach. Read more by clicking on thread title.

Want to sponsor this weekend guide? Contact info@newbedfordguide.com for more details.