You may be sick to death of Christmas carols already, but the music of the Nutcracker Suite never gets old. The tale of a little girl’s slumber under the Christmas tree transforms her favorite gift—a nutcracker painted as a soldier—into a guide through the toyland of Russian dolls, Chinese dancers and then through the whirl of snowflakes to the Snow Queen in the Land of Sweets.

South Coast residents are fortunate to have two versions of the Nutcracker to choose from: the New England Nutcracker, an adaptation by Rebecca Waskiel-Marchesseault, artistic director of the New Bedford Ballet, and the original Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite performed by the Spindle City Ballet Company of Fall River.

New Bedford Youth Ballet

In the New England version, the little girl is Mary, the daughter of whaling captain Ephraim Williams who returns home Christmas Eve from a long voyage. Herman Melville visits the family, and Captain Williams entertains them all with dancing animals brought from afar. However, the story stays true to Tchaikovsky’s original path: Mary receives the nutcracker and takes a voyage of her own through the dreamworld of toy soldiers battling mice, dancing sweets, and graceful snowflakes.

The cast of 65 local children and teens do ten performances between December 10^th and 17^th at the New Bedford Community Theater. The performance is shortened to about one hour, making it easier for very young children to sit through. Matinee and evening performances will be held at the Theater at 2343 Purchase Street, New Bedford.

In a goodwill trifecta, the New Bedford Youth Ballet also does three performances in one day: at 10 a.m. for P.A.C.E. Headstart and the Schwartz Center; then moves on to St. Luke’s Hospital at noon for a second performance; and then on to Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence at 3 p.m. for a third show.

“Everyone’s pretty exhausted at the end of the day,” said artistic director Rebecca Waskiel-Marchesseault at the Youth Ballet. “But it’s worth it. The kids love to see the costumes.” And while it’s difficult to be in the hospital over the holidays, it’s a nice break for the patients, families and hospital staff who come to watch, she said.

New England Nutcracker Cast:

• Mary Williams Emma York
• Captain Williams: Anya Krause
• Herman Melville: Tatiana Alves
• Nutcracker Prince: Brooke Spencer
• Snow Queen: Kathryn Sebastiao
• Sugar Plum Fairy:  Rhiley Sylvia

Spindle City Ballet Company

Spindle City Ballet Company performs Tchaikovsky’s classical Nutcracker Suite, replete with magical Uncle Drosselmeyer and a full array of dancing toys and sweets. Spindle City holds to the original story: Clara receives a nutcracker soldier from her magical Uncle Drosselmeyer; her bratty brother tries to steal it; she then goes back downstairs after everyone is asleep to make sure the nutcracker is safe. After falling asleep under the Christmas tree, she wakens to the battle of toy soldiers and mice and then is guided by the victorious Nutcracker Prince through toyland to the land of sweets.

“People often tell me, ‘It’s right here. I’m not going to Boston or New York anymore, [to see the Nutcracker ballet]’ ” said Lisa Bibeau, founder of Spindle City Ballet Company. She started the troupe in 1995 when she discovered that a former Dance Academy student was driving two hours to rehearse for nine hours once a week on a Sunday. “It was her only professional performing opportunity,” said Ms. Bibeau.

Every year Spindle City adds something new to the choreography. This year look for the Chinese dragon with the Chinese dancers.

And, for an extra treat, Spindle City offers “An Evening with the Staulbaulms” on Saturday evening, December 17th. Beginning with a reception before the ballet, the evening includes a Grand Buffet at the end of the performance with the Staulbaums, Clara’s family, of course. The cast joins their guests in costume at the end of the performance.

Performances are held at the Margaret L. Jackson Auditorium on the Bristol Community College campus at 777 Elsbree Street in Fall River.

Spindle City Ballet Cast:

• Clara: Megan Alberto
• Herr Drosselmeyer: Eddie Camara
• Nutcracker Prince: Shane Sarrell
• Snow King: Shane Sarrell
• Snow Queen: Brooke diFrancesco

Where, When, and How to Get Tickets:

New England Nutcracker

• Matinees at 1:30 and 3 p.m on December 10, 11, 17, & 18.
• Evening performances on Friday, December 16 at 6:30 and 8 PM
• Tickets: $10 for adults, $5 for children, students and seniors
• Available online at: www.newbedfordballet.org

Spindle City Ballet Company

• Matinees at 2 p.m. on December 17 & 18
• Evening performance on Saturday, December 17 at 7 p.m.
• Evening with The Staulbaums, Saturday, December 17 at 6 p.m.
• Tickets: $15-25 for adults; $12 – 20 for  seniors; and $8-15 for children under 13.
• Evening with Staulbaulms tickets (additional): $25 for adults, $20 for children under 13.
• Available online at: www.spindlecityballet.org

By Joyce Rowley

This summer the City of New Bedford solicited local artists for sidewalk mural designs to commemorate the September 11, 2001 attacks. Four designs were selected from local artists Ron Fortier of UMass Dartmouth, Cate Nichols of Mosiacate, James Mitschmyer, and ArtWorks! staff Deb Smook, Cyndi Wish and Alicia Moretti.

Katie Hauswirth, who spearheaded the idea, said that the City welcomes other submissions for the 12 other schools in the district. “This will be an ongoing project for the schools.”

“Many of the children that see these murals were not born at the time of the attacks,” said Hauswirth. The designs were chosen to inspire reflection on the events of September 11 and its aftermath.

The designs are as varied as the artists who envisioned them.

Ron Fortier, professor of Art at UMass Dartmouth, will use active stain in the concrete to create his mural. The working title of the piece is “Tolerance Cannot be Defeated.” As he describes it:

“The people, as represented by the hands of Americans of all races, are on a field of golden yellow symbolizing the warm light of unity. Blue, the predominant color, is a reminder of the crystal clear morning of 9-11-01 that was suddenly and violently shattered. The three crash sites (New York, Washington and Pennsylvania) are represented equally. At the foot of the piece, 09-11-01 and 09-11-11 commemorates the ten year anniversary juxtaposed with the time each airliner crashed.”

ArtWorks! Education and Outreach Director Deb Smook, Executive Director Cyndi Wish and Artists Market Coordinator Alicia Moretti will use scrap metals, new ceramic mosaic to form a dove with an olive branch. ArtWorks! Partners for the Arts and the Community is a non-profit community arts center located at 384 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford.

Cate Nichols of Mosaicate, designed a tile mosaic dedicated to the 411 emergency service personnel lost that day. A red and white heart-shaped mosaic made of bits of ceramic hearts, leaves, and gems will abut blue Twin Towers containing the dates 9-11-01 and 9-10-11.

James Mitschmyer’s design uses religious icons interspersed with symbols of war on five hand-made ceramic stepping stones. Progressing along the stones the symbols of war fade as the symbols of peace become more prominent.

According to his narrative, “The religious icons, in my proposal, symbolize power and compassion. The dominant colors of the tiles being red white and blue are meant to strike a sense of patriotism and community. I include military images with the intent of honoring those men and woman who sacrifice so much so we can live in a safe free society as Americans. By making the finished form a steppingstone I hope to instill a feeling of moving forward towards a place of peace and prosperity.”

You can watch the murals being installed on September 3, 2011 at the following locations:

9:00 a.m. James Mitschmyer at Roosevelt Middle School on the Frederick Street side.
9:30 a.m. ArtWorks! At Gomes Elementary School on the west side of the building near entrance.
10:00 a.m. Cate Nichols, Parker Elementary School on the County Street sidewalk across parking lot from entrance.
10:30 a.m. Ron Fortier at Hayden McFadden Elementary School, south side of building directly in front of entrance.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

Ron Fortier is currently a professor of Art at UMass Dartmouth, after teaching advertising and marketing at the Charlton College of Business, UMass Dartmouth. He received a BFA at SMU (UMass Dartmouth’s precursor), and a MFA from the University of Miami. He is a member of Gallery X.

Cate Nichols was born in New Bedford and earned her BA in English/Communications from UMass Dartmouth. She has seven years experience in mosaics and is a Gallery X member. She resides in New Bedford. Mosaicate is her online studio at www.etsy.com/shop/Mosaicate.

James Mitschmyer has a BFA from Maine College of Art in 2005. He has been a ceramic instructor and studio manager at the Sharon Arts Center in Sharon, New Hampshire. This fall he will be attending UMass Dartmouth School of Visual and Performing Arts on a graduate assistantship.

ArtWorks! Partners for the Arts and the Community is a non-profit community arts center located at 384 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford. Three galleries and an artists’ market showcase local artists. Classes and outreach programs bring the artists into the community. Find out more about the programs and artists at www.artworksforyou.org.

Katie Hauswirth relocated recently from Detroit. This past summer she was an intern in Mayor Scott Lang’s office and proposed the idea as a commemorative activity for September 11. Ms. Hauswirth is now the Assistant Principal for Nativity Preparatory Middle School on Spring Street, New Bedford, MA.

By Joyce Rowley

James Montgomery is indeed the “gentleman of blues.”  He graciously chatted with me about his early band days and his latest CD, “Detroit to Delta.”  Talking to Montgomery is like taking a blues-y, rock-n-roll tour through time.

Montgomery started a college band when he was majoring in English at Boston University in 1971.  “I just stayed with it after graduating,” he said.

I asked him when he first started playing with B.B. King. “I played with B.B. a lot in the early days.  We played Paul’s Mall the night it closed [St. Paul’s Mall in Boston in the ‘70s]; we were playing on Long Island the night they caught Son of Sam.  That got more applause than we did,” he joked.

Montgomery’s relationship with B.B. King lasted through the next thirty years.  He opened for B.B. for his 70th birthday at Capital Center in Concord, New Hampshire and B.B.’s 80th birthday at Symphony Hall.

“For his 80th birthday I wanted to open with the youngest and the oldest blues and jazz players,” Montgomery said.  “So I brought in Grace Kelly who was just 14 or 15 at the time, and Weepin’ Willy who was 85 years old.  Grace has now become one of the best young jazz talents.  If you ask a jazz player what his biggest thrill would be, it would be to get invited by Wynton Marsalis to play at the [Lincoln] Center.  Grace is 19 now and she’s been invited three times to play the Center by Wynton.  She’s an amazing young talent.”

The James Montgomery Blues Band, now called simply the James Montgomery Band, has played with scads of R&B bands.  Montgomery began reeling them off like he was going through a rock-n-roll Who’s Who:

“I’ve opened for Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, Bonnie Raitt, the Allman Brothers Band and I played with Mick Jagger on New Year’s (at Trax). I’ve also played with Les Paul and John Lee Hooker.”

His own band includes bass player David Hull, who sat in on the Joe Perry Project (2006 – 2009) and fills in for Aerosmith’s Tommy Hamilton on occasion; George McCann, who’s played with Steve Tyler, and sits in with Dan Akroyd and Jim Belushi’s Blues Brothers; and
Seth Pappas, who recently toured with R&B group Baron Switfield and the Savages in Europe.

So what’s James Montgomery been up to lately?

“This summer I’ve been touring with James Cotton, my old teacher; Billy Squiers; and the J.Geils horn section,” said Montgomery.

His latest CD “Detroit to Delta” comes out in November on the Open E (Universal) label.  On it there’s sets with Johnny Winter, the Uptown Horns from J. Geils band, James Cotton, and Aerosmith’s Brad Whitford and Joe Kramer.  There’s even a Bo Diddley song with Montgomery and DMC of Run DMC.

Montgomery said the CD reflects his musical progression from his Detroit upbringing to his recent immersion in the delta blues.

“I did the CD after I was invited by Morgan Freeman to play at his blues club in [Clarksdale] Mississippi.  It was the first time I’d been to the Mississippi delta,” said Montgomery.

“This is by far the best thing I ever put out,” he said.

And that’s saying plenty.

James Montgomery will be opening for B.B. King, Sunday, September 4, 2011 at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available online at www.zeiterion.org and at the ticket office at the Z, 684 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA or by calling 508-994-2900.  For more information on James Mongomery check out the official James Montgomery website!

By Joyce Rowley

Amazing.  An icon.  The King of Blues.  The Ambassador of the Blues.  These are some of the usual terms for B.B. King, who at 86 years old next month still does 200 shows a year on tour.  And now this blues legend will be playing at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center on  Sunday September 4^th Labor Day weekend.

AND James Montgomery, a blues legend in his own right, will open for him.  How did New Bedford rate such talent?

Perhaps it was Zeiterion’s Special Projects and Contemporary Music staff, Greg Morton, who in another life 30 years ago was the lead bass player for Duke and the Drivers, a band that James Montgomery worked with and still speaks of highly.

“Greg was a collector of obscure R&B,” says Montgomery. “He got me into bands I’d never heard of like Betty Wright and “The Clean Up Woman.”  Gregg is a musicologist.  He’s well respected in the music business in the northern part of the country,” he said.

Morton was far more humble.  He mentioned his bass days and called James Montgomery “the gentleman of the blues.” As for B.B. King, Morton said it was a matter of luck and timing.

“B.B. played every year at the Cape Cod Melody Tent so that precluded us from booking him.  This year we lucked out.  He didn’t play Cape Cod and we were able to book him here.  Both stars [of luck and timing] aligned, and we got him here,” said Morton.

Morton also said it was the team of professionals at the Zeiterion that has developed a reputation for high quality programming.  Gregg said their goal is to bring the highest level of entertainment to the Z, whether music, comedy or theater.

“We’ve had Yo Yo Ma, Wynton Marsalis, Jerry Lee Lewis, James Brown, and Lily Tomlin.  Bill Cosby is opening the season this year,” he said.

And now B.B. King at the Z, with James Montgomery opening. It doesn’t get better than that. There are still some good seats left, although it’s likely show will be sold out soon.

Tickets: $60/$75/$85
8:00 p.m., September 4, 2011
Zeiterion Performing Arts Center
684 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA
Box Office: 508-994-2900
www.zeiterion.org

by Joyce Rowley

The Whaling City Clippers kick off the second half of the season at 6:30 p.m. Saturday against the Connecticut Panthers on Dr. Paul F. Walsh Field at the New Bedford High School Athletic Complex.  General admission is $5, $3 for senior citizens and active duty military, veterans and children under 12-years old get in for free.

The Clippers are going into the first game of the second half of a 10-week season in the New England Football League (NEFL). The season runs to September 24, 2011.  So far this season, Boston Bandits are in first place, North Shore Generals are in second, and Metro West Colonels are in third place. NEFL has a total of 16 teams in four divisions.

General Manager Mike Arguin said the team is looking to reach the playoffs in the AAA division of NEFL this year.  They’re off to a slow start with a 2-3 season, but in their seven year history, they’ve made AA division champions twice.  In 2009, they made the elite division AAA, but suffered a setback in 2010 when a defeat by the Panthers put them in a semi-final NEFL A Division berth.

Saturday’s game against the Panthers may change that.  This year, the Panthers are undefeated at 5-0 this season and are reigning NEFL division A champs.  The Clippers have a solid defense and arguably one of the best receiving lines in the NEFL. “We’ve just got to work on giving the quarterbacks more time to get the ball to the receivers,” Arguin said.

Look for some exciting game plays this Saturday as the Clippers push back to regain their AAA division standing.

The Clippers are a seven-year-old semi-pro football team made up of 63 former high school and college football players and professional athletes from the Greater New Bedford area.  Team and players sponsorships are available through Mike Arguin, General Manager at 508-971-2066.

For program cards, games schedules and stats, and a roster of players, visit www.whalingcityclippers.com.  Photos provided by Bob Hughes.

by Joyce Rowley

She delivers “Postcards from Heaven,” solace to those who want to re-connect with loved ones in the afterlife.  Mom, comedienne, and medium Maureen Hancock comes to the Zeiterion tonight at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets can be purchased here.

According to her memoir, “The Medium Next Door—Adventures of a Real-Life Ghost Whisperer,” it started when she was a child—hearing and seeing dead people, that is.  But she suppressed much of it until a near fatal car crash reawakened the ability to communicate with the dead in 1992.  Still, she did not go public with her talent until after September 11, 2001.  That tragedy left her with the conviction that she needed to share her ability with others.  She began performing to larger audiences at local clubs and cafes.

Along with her book hitting the stands this summer, on July 30^th Ms. Hancock was featured in the one-hour documentary “Psychic in Suburbia” on the Style network produced by Sander/Moss, executive producers of ABC’s “Ghost Whisperer.”  The show highlights her teaching two mediums-in-training, her nieces Candace and Stassia, at her suburban Boston home where she’s a typical mom, wife, and, oh yes, psychic.

The book, the documentary, and now the Postcards Tour are all part of a dream to reach as many people as possible.  That reach extends to those in need when loved ones go missing.  Ms. Hancock co-founded Mission for the Missing, which provides assistance for parents who have lost children.  She also lends her talents to the other non-profit she co-founded, Seeds of Hope, for cancer patients.  As a Reiki master and holistic healer, she offers pro bono holistic care and support to patients and their families.

Whether you’re a believer in spirits or not, she is always entertaining as she delivers wit and humor with her Postcards from Heaven.  And who knows?  You may walk even away with your own special delivery.

If you go:

• Where: Zeiterion Theater, 684 Purchase Street, New Bedford
• When: 7:30 p.m., Thursday, August 18, 2011
• Cost: $25 per ticket at the door

Information for this article was provided by Ms. Hancock’s website www.maureenhancock.com.

For more information on her non-profits, visit www.seedsofhope.com , and www.missionforthemissing.com.

by Joyce Rowley

Not everyone can get out into the countryside in the summer and stop by a farm stand for fresh-from-the-earth vegetables and fruit ripened by the sun.  In fact, most people get fruit and veggies that were picked well before they were ready.  There’s a world of difference in taste and quality—and possibly nutrition—between the two.

Helping make the connection between the freshness of the country and the convenience of the city is Karl Glosl, New Bedford Farmers’ Market coordinator for Brooklawn Park and Wings Court market sites.

“The farmers’ market started in 1964 on Saturdays.  Then it moved to Clasky Commons.  Then for a couple of years there was no market.  Then they wanted it downtown and on AHA! Nights so we went to Wings Court seven or eight years ago,” said Glosl, who’s “pushing 74” this year.  He was at Brooklawn Park Market selling the last of the blueberries from his farm, Pocasset Orchards in Dartmouth.

Glosl handles a lot of paperwork to keep the markets running.  There’s the federal, state and local permitting.  Beginning in January, he files a Special Event permit with the City of New Bedford Park Board.  Then there’s more forms to fill out for the State WIC program and senior program.  Each market gets its own number for redeeming coupons.  Also, the federal government wants to know where the markets are and whether the produce sold is truly local.  So Glosl and Richard Winterbottom of Winterbottom Farm in Mattapoisett inspect participating farms to make sure that the food is being grown onsite.

And he does this in addition to his orchard work.  He has 670 highbush blueberry trees and orchards of peaches, plums, and pears on 41 acres.  He seems not to mind.  His thoughts are on what’s coming out now, and whether the crops will ripen in order or all at once.

“It’s a good year for pears.  They set good, there’s a heavy crop.  For two years, there were maybe two dozen pears per tree,” Glosl said.  “This year, the branches are bending to the ground.”

The farmers at the market are as diverse as the food they grow.

Monique Sampson brings potatoes from the family’s 75 acre Sampson Farm in North Westport MA. 65 acres are planted in potatoes that they sell wholesale to restaurants from here to Providence, RI.  The other ten acres grows everything from strawberries to corn to blueberries. But mostly they sell potatoes.

“Norwis, the winter potato variety, is our main thing.  But we grow red potatoes for summer and fall.  These are so thin-skinned, there’s no need for peeling.  They’re good for potato salad, baking, and even mashed potatoes,” said Ms. Sampson. As for tomatoes?

“They’re taking their time this year,” Sampson said.

Winterbottom’s bushel basket of tomatoes were all sold out within the first hour at Brooklawn Park Market, but they brought more to the New Bedford library on Pleasant Street Thursday.  They still had onions, potatoes, and plenty of corn. Mark Winterbottom works the markets with his father.

“In August there will be lettuce, radishes, beets, peppers, carrots, and eggplant,” said the younger Winterbottom. “We have 25 acres of everything.”

PRICES are comparable to the local grocery stores.  This past week you could buy blueberries $2.50 a pint, fresh picked corn 4 /$2.50, new red potatoes $1.25/lb., new white potatoes $1.00/lb., Maine potatoes 5lbs. for $3.75.  Vendors accept cash, SNAP, WIC, and senior coupons.

THIS MONTH look for early Macintosh and Cortland apples, peaches, pears and plums; thin-skinned red potatoes and white potatoes, lettuce, beets, carrots, peppers, eggplant, kale, cabbage, onions and radishes.

COME SEPTEMBER Macouns will be ripe early in the month, squash, acorn and butternut squash will be out; pumpkins and red delicious by the end of the month in addition to the August veggies.

BY OCTOBER you’ll find Winesap and Empire apples; the last of the corn and the beginning of the winter potatoes, all varieties of squash, and loads of pumpkins.

STOP BY:

• Brooklawn Park Market: Mondays 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Clasky Common Market: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Wings Court/NB Main Library: Thursdays, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

by Joyce Rowley

“Every kid swims, bikes, and runs during a typical day,” said USA Triathlon Race Director Mark Walter of Sun Multisport Events. “People think of the Hawaiian Iron Man when they think of triathlons. But only a small percentage of triathletes perform in that race.” According to Walter, the majority of triathlons are like the Whaling City Triathlon—challenging but accessible.

Sun Multisport Events started the Whaling City Triathlon two years ago because they thought New Bedford’s Fort Taber area had right the combination of wide sidewalks, access to Buzzards Bay, and a boulevard for cycling.

“The run is a sprint distance,” he said of the running portion. Yes, but that sprint comes at the end of a 12.2 mile bike ride that follows a quarter-mile swim in Buzzard’s Bay.

This race is sanctioned by USA Triathlon, the national organization that governs triathlon events. USAT selects and trains teams for international competitions, including the Olympic Games. Bay State Race Services will provide “Winning Time Chip” time splits for racers’ swim, transition 1, bike, transition 2, and run times.

Beginning at 8:00 a.m., waves of swimmers will leave the East Beach shore every four minutes. High tide that morning is at 8:10 a.m. Six lifeguards will be in kayaks and a medic from the New Bedford Fire Department on a boat in the bay to watch for swimmers in trouble.

Once back on shore, it’s a race to the bikes at Fort Taber and onto the second leg of the race. Four relief stations will be set up along Rodney French Boulevard, which will be closed to traffic for the event.

“We need at least 50 volunteers to help with the race,” said Walter. “Often, family and friends of racers show up but we can always use more.”

Last year, Chris Algar of Woods Hole, MA led a field of 257 triathletes with a top score of 57 minutes and 31 seconds. Second place went to David Lamoureux of Lakeville, MA at 58:31. Awards are given to the top three finalists in each age group and in Athena and Clydesdale categories.

“And then there’s the swag,” said Walter. “Everyone gets an event race shirt and water bottle. Everyone that crosses the finish line gets a finisher medal.”

For more information on how to enter or volunteer, visit: www.sunmultisportevents.com/Whaling_City.htm.

by Joyce Rowley

What could be more elegant than a garden party?  A garden party by New Bedford Art Museum, of course!  The New Bedford Art Museum (NBAM) is holding its Annual Garden Party this Friday, July 22^ndfrom 6 – 9 p.m.

This year’s theme complements the current exhibit at NBAM, “New Bedford, Through the Lens, A Walk Through History,” an exhibit of historic and iconic New Bedford photographs.  Hosts Max and Karen Isaksen at 14 Fort Street, Fairhaven are generously sharing their lawn with panoramic views of historic downtown New Bedford and the New Bedford skyline.

Phoebe Perry, NBAM’s Director of Development, said they expect over 200 people.  Last year 230 people attended the annual garden party at Ms. Perry’s home in Marion. “The party draws from all over the area,” said Ms. Perry.

El Caribe, a steel drum band, will provide music.  An open bar and a silent auction will be held in the stone barn on the Isaksen’s property.   43 local artists have submitted their work for the auction focusing on a photographic theme.

A print by the late Herb Ritts, “Two Giraffes Crossed,” and his book “Africa” will be auctioned with a minimum bid of $7,000.  The 16” x 21” black and white silver gelatin print was donated by the Herb Ritts Foundation based in Los Angeles.  Proceeds from the sale of the print will fund a photography and journaling program for a dozen 7^th and 8^th grade New Bedford girls.

“Our Point of View,” as the program is called, will provide lessons in all phases of photography from how cameras work to different styles of photography to printing.  Canon digital cameras have been provided by Lifetouch, a student portrait photography firm.

Photographer Neil Alexander, who recently opened 65 William Street, a gallery at that location, will be teaching photography. Sheila Duarte-Andrade, NBAM’s head of Youth Education, and NBAM member Gina Gomes will mentor girls in the program.

“We wanted to give the girls another avenue to find their voices and build self-esteem…another avenue for expression,” said Ms. Perry who designed the program’s curriculum with photographer Arthur Rainchild. Ms. Perry will be teaching the journaling classes.

At the end of the course, the girls will have their own show at NBAM. Each student will exhibit two photographs of their own choosing and two journal entries to accompany it. The students will print and mount their photographs with the help of mentors from the New England Association of Photographers.

Friday’s weather is supposed to be just right for a spectacular sunset over New Bedford. Be sure to bring your camera.

If you go: Tickets are only $100 per person, $175 per couple.  Reservations can be made by phone (508.961.3072) or online at www.newbedfordartmuseum.org or purchased at the door the night of the event.

Information for this event provided by Joyce Rowley and the New Bedford art Museum.