Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is transported to modern-day New York City in the breathtaking musical, WEST SIDE STORY which is being presented by the New Bedford Festival Theatre July 20-29, 2018 at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, New Bedford, MA for 7 performances. With book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, the original 1957 Broadway production ran for over 700 performances before going on tour, and garnered 6 Tony nominations. It became the most powerful, moving, daring, and influential musical of the 1950s.

The story is set in the Upper West Side of New York City in the mid-1950s and explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. When, Tony, a Jet, falls in love with Maria, a Shark, the young lovers struggle to keep their love alive in a world of hate, violence and prejudice. The dark theme, sophisticated music, extended dance scenes, and focus on social problems marked a turning point in American musical theatre when it was first produced; WEST SIDE STORY remains one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching and relevant musical dramas of our time.

Some of the musical’s legendary songs include: “Maria” “Tonight” “America” “I Feel Pretty” ”Somewhere” and “Gee. Officer Krupke.” WEST SIDE STORY will also offer audiences some of the most energetic and demanding choreography ever seen on the Zeiterion stage with “The Prologue” “The Dance at the Gym” “The Rumble” and the moving “Somewhere Ballet.” Hailed as “Electrifying” (NY Times), “A milestone in musical-drama history”(Time), and “Extraordinarily exciting”(New York Daily News), WEST SIDE STORY continues New Bedford Festival Theatre’s mission of bringing the Best of Broadway to southern New England, as it has done for the past 28 years.

Tickets are on sale ($59 $52 $45 $39) at the Zeiterion Box Office, by calling 508.994.2900, or on-line at zeiterion.org.

You just finished unloading your catch, it is 2:30 am in the middle of the winter and you have been up for over twenty-four hours straight. Tired, exhausted, beat up…yet somehow, deep down, you feel invincible. You know that what you just went through and how hard you pushed not only your body, physically, but also your mind, mentally, is nothing short of incredible.

You carry a pride that not many other people can understand unless they experienced it themselves. When you are out in the middle of the ocean and the guys around you and their families are depending on how hard you work and how much you produce on a daily basis, the same way you are relying on them, there are no sick days. There are no “watches,” aka shifts, where you are just too tired or don’t feel like working. Pain and fatigue are irrelevant. Sleep and food are like distant cousins, you look forward to seeing all day but it feels like its never often or for enough time.

So, you pack up your dirty clothes and sea bag and get ready to finally go home. You get to go home to your wife, your children, your family. A normal shower and full-size bed. But right before you take the final step back on land the Captain shouts “Be on standby, I will call and let you know when we are heading back out.” and this could mean you will be home two days or two weeks and everything is always subject to change.

Fast forward to the middle of your next trip. Its day six of a two-week trip. The lights are thrown on in your bunk and you hear a stern “next watch” from the Captain. You look at your clock and it’s 9:00 pm. By now your body is used to this schedule, it does not change.

Wake up and you have a mere twenty minutes to get dressed, grab a coffee, and head out onto the deck to start your shift. You will work non stop on your feet in the cold air and harsh weather conditions of the Atlantic Ocean in the winter time. Twenty, thirty-foot seas? Snow? Rain? Ice? All means nothing when you have scallops to catch.

During your watch you will either be standing in the “box,” shucking scallops or bent over in the pile, picking them. Sometimes through rocks and boulders or sand and mud. Sometimes through piles so big you can’t even see the guy on the other end. Oh yeah, all while moving and producing as fast as you can. Giving 100 percent effort 100 percent of the time.

When your watch is finally over and the scallops are cleaned, bagged, and put on ice in the fish hole, it is creeping up on 9:00 am. You rush in to eat the first meal you have had in the last sixteen hours which can be anything from a couple of hot dogs or burgers to a full breakfast or pork chops…depending on who’s cooking.

So finally you eat, wash up, get undressed, and crash into your bed. By bed I mean a hard mattress that has been there for the last fifteen years and probably has had hundreds of men in and out of it, smaller than an average twin sized mattress. If you are lucky, it is only about 9:30 am and you fall right asleep because you will be starting the cycle all over again in three and half hours at 1:00 pm. This will go on for what seems like forever – twelve hours on and four hours off, 12 on 4 off, for the entire two-week trip.

Did I mention while you were away you had no cell phone or internet service? You missed family birthdays, anniversaries, your child’s first steps or words. You missed the big game or the unfortunate death of a loved one. You couldn’t be there for your wife when she got bad news or got into a car accident. It really is not a glamorous lifestyle – many people only see the money and not the sacrifice. Sacrifice from not only the men and women who decide to make their living on the water but also from their other halves who hold down the entire household while you are gone.

Now, every trip and every boat is a little different and I have personally worked more hours, under more harsh conditions than this, and have also worked fewer hours with not as harsh conditions as this.. every boat, crew, and Captain have their own “style.”

I hope you guys enjoyed a small glance at what it takes physically and mentally to be a full-time commercial scalloper, through the eyes of someone who has been in the industry going on 10 years.

Thank you, and Much Respect
– Ryan Tavares/Slave Of The Sea

By Sean McCarthy

A few years ago a local business luncheon produced a winning idea – The Portuguese know how to throw a party so let’s do it like it hasn’t been done before.

And so “Viva Portugal” was launched.

This Saturday, May 5th, downtown New Bedford will be enlivened with the third annual celebration of “Viva Portugal,” a free four-block festival providing guests with the opportunity to indulge in the culture of a people whose influence on the region is like no other ethnic group.

And while Portuguese celebrations are proven commodities in the South Coast, the uniqueness of “Viva Portugal” is that it involves the contributions of a dozen local organizations devoted to Portuguese culture, coming together to create a wide spectrum of arts, food and entertainment.

Under the galvanizing direction of the Zeiterion Theatre, the local Portuguese community is being unified through its’ diversity.

From 12:45 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. the streets surrounding the Zeiterion will teem with a something-for-everyone atmosphere that will range from adult beverages to children’s play areas.

“The Portuguese still champion their cultural richness,” says Rosemary Gill, Co-Director at the Zeiterion. “This event shows what a strong social fabric this community has – they’ve truly embraced this festival and we’re proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them.”

“The Zeiterion is giving the Portuguese community the opportunity to do something that’s never been done in New Bedford,” says Joe Sousa, a current member of the Board of Directors for the Club Madeirense S.S. Sacramento which runs the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament, as well as the Chairman for the Committee that runs the Museum of Medeiran Heritage. “The Z is making cultural connections through the arts and entertainment.”

Whether it’s in “The Big Tent,” on the outdoor stage, or in the streets, Viva Portugual is a lively and perpetual celebration, a family-friendly event which pays homage to a culture both classical and contemporary. The outdoor atmosphere will include a Portuguese marching band, folkloric dancers from the Discovery Language Academy, an orchestra of ukulele players, the comedy of the Portuguese Kids, fado singer Sofia Ribeiro and a Madeiran folkloric group.

“The Big Tent” will house the Portugala Marketplace of Fall River which will showcase their specialty grocery store and café, offering housewares, tiles, ceramics, olive oils, and pre-packaged foods. Simultaneously there will be cooking demonstrations with celebrity Portuguese chefs who will create dishes and provide samples, as well as doing book signings. Tagus Press, a publisher affiliated with UMass-Dartmouth’s Center for Portuguese Studies and Culture, will allow guests to browse copies of their books while Manuela DaCosta, born in Terceira, Azores who immigrated to New Bedford as a young adult, will be doing readings from the book “Hawk Island.”

The streets of the event will feature floats devoted to different facets of Portuguese culture. The S.S. Brinquinho Float is a replica of Columbus’s Santa Maria will be on display along with a float dedicated to the traditional wine making of the island of Madeira, along with a float designed as a replica of Madeira itself. Other street sights will include the Santana House, provided by the Madeiran Feast, that is a replica of a small thatched triangular house found in the village of Santana or Madeira. There will also be a display of an Azorean Whaleboat presented by the Azorean Maritime Heritage Society. Whaleboat races will take place at 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.

Another street treat will be the Three Cousins – a musical group which will be roaming the area playing traditional Portuguese music with two mandolins and an accordion.

“The Portuguese are very social and proud of their culture,” says Shelley Pires, Portuguese Consul to New Bedford. “We immensely enjoy sharing our heritage with others – it’s ingrained in the way we behave and in the way we communicate with others. This is a part of our way of life. This is who we genuinely are, we’re not pretending to have a good time. It’s in our souls and hearts – it’s something we want to share with others.”

Lelise Vicente is the Director of the Discovery Language Academy. She spent her first 12 years living on Pico Island in the Azores. She would frequent block parties that were only walking distance from her home.

“Viva Portugual reminds me of the kind of street parties we would enjoy back in the Old Country,” Vicente says. “There were these little festivals where people could hang out together. You could have something to eat or drink or partake in an activity. This is typical of smaller festivals in Portugal.”

“The Portuguese people are happy to help with the Zeiterion’s vision and work with other like-minded organizations,” Sousa says. “We get to show off some of our culture and be a part of the community. When you get to work with people doing the same thing you learn to appreciate each other.

“This event is about bringing people together.”

“The Z has made the Portuguese community stronger,” Vicente says.

The planners of “Viva Portugal” knew from the beginning that the success of the event would depend on the involvement of all of the regional organizations devoted to Portuguese culture. They were pleased to discover the enthusiasm of these groups.

“Right out of the gate we knew we had something,” Gill says. “These people know how to roll up their sleeves and get things done, they have strong connections and networks. Bringing these groups together has given us something greater than the sum of our parts.”

And the parts were being put together when Gill met with Pedro Carneiro, then Consul for the Portuguese Consulate in New Bedford, along with Mike Tavares, then President of the Prince Henry Society and a current member of the Zeiterion’s Board of Directors. Their conversation was about how the Zeiterion could take action to bring greater recognition to Portuguese culture in the city. The Zeiterion was scheduled to host a concert of Portuguese music, but there was the feeling that more could be done.

The gears began turning.

“Eventually we thought ‘What if we did something really amazing that brought the community together in a deeper way than just a performance? What if we had a party in front of the ‘Z’?’Gill says.

But they knew that the only way they could make it happen was to involve all of the Portuguese organizations in the community – something that had never been done in the region before.

“They loved the idea,” Gill says. “They welcomed the opportunity to do something together.”

And Viva Portugal will serve to further a burgeoning trend in local Portuguese pride. According to Vicente “it’s now cool to be Portuguese. It’s cool to have a second culture. They enjoy learning about things like dancing, food and music. They like learning about the lives of past generations. Learning the language is part of learning the culture.”

The school, located in the DeMello Center in downtown New Bedford, includes 150 students of all ages who learn how to speak Portuguese as well as being introduced to their culture. The organization introduces students to the celebration of Portuguese holidays along with customary American holidays.

Viva Portugal is one of seven Portuguese-oriented celebrations to be held in the region this summer, but is considered unique because of the fact that it has yet to be Americanized such as festivals that have been held in America for 50 to 100 years or more. Other festivals include the Day of Portugal (held in New Bedford and Fall River) in June, the Portuguese Festival in Provincetown in June, the internationally recognized Madeiran Feast in July, The Feast of the Holy Spirit in Fall River in August, and the Feast of the Holy Ghost in Westport in August.

All of the workers at Viva Portugal are volunteers.

“Nobody’s making any money but we’re having a great time doing it,” Sousa says.

“The Portuguese have shown that through the generations they still have a passion for their culture,” Gill says. “We’re happy to throw a party with them.”

If you are proper foodie then a Cuban sandwich is on your radar – in fact, it is likely that a simple mention of this treat is enough to get the salivary glands revving into overdrive. If you are out of the proverbial loop and one of the deprived few that has never had the pleasure of devouring one of them, then you are about to learn about a Cuban delicacy that has become so popular, that in spite of there being so few Cubans or Cuban Restaurants on the South Coast, you will find the sandwich to is easy to come across.

So, that we are on the same page, let’s get to describing this bundle of happy in its classic form: it begins with a foot long section of Cuban bread which is a sort of cross between a traditional French baguette and an Italian bread. It features a crispy, toasted thin crust with a soft, flaky center that is cut horizontally, opened and given a light brush with olive oil and then tangy, yellow mustard.

Here’s where the magic happens – healthy layers of glazed ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, sliced dill pickles and a little more mustard are the standard. Put the halves back together and toasted in a plancha or panini press to get the turn the cheese in melty goodness and give the thin crust a little more crisp. Slice and share.

Well, maybe share anyway.

While traditionalists will blanch and balk at the idea, some folks like to add some lettuce, mayo, tomato and in Southern Florida where the sandwich is extremely popular, there will be the addition of salami. The sandwich is found wherever there are Cuban communities, like Florida, New York, or Chicago so you may find some variations. There can be quite a bit of debate on the proper way to assemble this sandwich and where it originated, which we’ll forgo the drama for discussing how good it is.

How good is it? Well, it’s here in greater New Bedford available in no less than 10 locations and not one of them is a Cuban restaurant, run by a Cuban, or has a Cuban serving you. It’s so delicious that it has sneaked its way on many menus and believe it or not, for the most part, the local restaurants are serving a pretty darn good sandwich.

In some cases, they might be considered blasphemous because they can stray from the traditional version, however, it’s still mouth-watering. Salami crept into the sandwich because of the Italian communities that neighbored the Cuban communities and we have other communities that would love to “get together” with this sandwich and make a contribution to it, e.g. Puerto Rican, Dominican, Portuguese, Guatemalan, etc. and it will likely change again.

Anyway, yada, yada, yada. I’m boring you and you’re here for the lip-smacking goodness, not my verbosity. So, if you have had a Cuban sandwich before and want to know where to get the best in the area, or I’ve piqued your interest to the point you want one, here’s where to get the best in the area.

The Pour Farm Tavern

The Pour Farm Tavern is a local favorite watering hole. A place where hipsters, trust fund babies, bikers, artists, musicians, the elderly, the binge drinker, barfly and other denizens prefer to unwind. It is a veritable melting pot of all walks of life which is why it’s one of my favorite places to go.

While it is known for its astonishing variety of microbrews which are constantly being rotated, what it isn’t as well-known for, and should be, is the food coming out of the kitchen. I don’t know the story behind who is doing the cooking, but I do know that he sure as hell knows what he’s doing. This is restaurant quality fare being made by a genuine chef. I have mentioned in the past that I’ve had Cubanos all the way from here to Florida and the Cubano served at the Pour Farm Tavern rivals the best I’ve had.

“Smoked pulled pork, Cure 81 ham, Swiss cheese, pickle and a secret spicy sauce served on a toasted torpedo roll with choice of side.” is how the Pour Farm describes their Cubano. The amount of care that went into each ingredient, and in compiling them into a quintessential Cubano is to be applauded. This isn’t a slapping together of the ingredients between two slices of bread. This is someone who has passion and pride in what they are doing and by the craftsmanship, this is someone who has had their fair share of Cubanos. I want one NOW.

780 Purchase St
New Bedford
Phone: (508) 990-1123
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pourfarmtavern/

Quahog Republic’s Whaler’s Tavern “Cubano”

Photo by Alice S.

The Quahog Republic’s version was authentic and legit! It was described as “slow roasted orange cola pork, honey glazed ham, chopped pickles, marinated red onion, Swiss cheese, chipotle aioli, on French bread. Baked hot; brushed with butter, wholegrain mustard and grill pressed.” I’ve eaten a lot of Cubanos in my day, and the golden standard, of course, are the ones I’ve had in various places in Florida made by Cubans. This one was as authentic as any I’ve ever had, excepting the Chipotle aioli which was a nice, subtle variation.

I had high expectations when I ordered this sandwich and boy were they ever met. Nay, exceeded. It was also the largest one I’ve ever been served. There are so many flavors and textures going on that it’s like a Mozart symphony. Crunchy, soft, sweet, sour, spicy, salty, warm, hot, happy. OK, I took some liberty with that last one. No ethics probe, please.

24 N Water St
New Bedford
Phone: (774) 206-6303
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QuahogRepublicWhalersTavern/

Mirasol’s Cuban Sunrise, Cubana and Ham & Cuban Roast Turkey Sandwich

Cuban Sunrise. Photo by Granuaile O.

Mirasol’s is a place I’ve been going to since it opened its doors. I’ve been bringing my daughter there since she was 4 years of age. I have a lot of wonderful memories there and one of them is having two of my favorite sandwiches (in my pre-vegetarian days) were the Cuban Sunrise, Cubana, and Ham & Cuban Roast Turkey Sandwich.

While not a true or authentically Cuban sandwiches, they have many of the ingredients that make the Cuban sandwich so delicious. Considering we aren’t exactly in an area with a large Cuban population where we have a lot of choices when it comes to getting a Cuban sandwich, I am including it in the list.

Maybe sneak some pickle in? Outside food is not allowed though, so you didn’t hear that from me. Maybe see if they’ll break out a little mambo, salsa or Cha cha cha too? Good luck!

The Cuban Sunrise is described as “Cuban-rubbed roasted pork, ham, 4-cheese blend and a fried egg, hot pressed in a flour tortilla.” It’s part of the regular breakfast menu, but Mirasol’s serves their breakfast and lunch items any time of day.

The Cubana is on the regular lunch menu and is described as “spice-rubbed pork loin, ham & Swiss cheese, topped with house-marinated onions, mustard, lettuce mix, and tomatoes.”

The Cuban Roast Turkey Sandwich is the least like the Cuban sandwich of the bunch, but does have many of the ingredients. It only shows up as a special, so you have to keep your eyes out for it. It is “Cuban rubbed turkey breast, turkey-ham, and Swiss cheese, layered with lettuce, tomatoes, marinated onions & mustard.”

Be sure to ask for some of their home-made sauces on the side: they come in three heats and colors: mild (white), medium (green), hot (orange).

439 State Rd
North Dartmouth
Phone: (508) 996-2323
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MirasolsCafe/

Hangman Hut’s Cuban Panini

The Cuban Panani at the Hangman’s Hut is described as “ham, mustard spread, turkey, Swiss and pickles.” It is sliced in half and plated so one half is on its side and leaning on the other. At first sight, I am glad that the cheese isn’t an inch thick and oozing all over the place. I love cheese, but in a sandwich I want it to compliment the other ingredients not overpower it.

I wrap my grubby little hands around a half and chomp right into it. The bread had a thin layer of crunch and crackle and the rest of it was appropriately soft. As I continue to bite down, I am hit with a wave of juicy deliciousness. The pickle going down the center has a snap to it, the ham tastes like high-quality ham, not the cold cut or bloated with sodium type that gets served up on Easter and/or Christmas. This is real ham. What a perfect combo. I was KOed. I was transported back to Florida at a mom & pop Cuban eatery with the sun beating down on my head.

Man, I wanted to break out the sunscreen and prop my feet up on the table. In the distance, I swear I heard a Rumba or Salsa playing faintly. This sandwich had no chance.

119 Wareham Rd
Marion
Phone: (774) 553-5161
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HangmanCoffeeHut/

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Honorable Mentions:

I haven’t personally tried any of these so I can’t vouch for them and therefore did not include them in the main body of this article. Have you tried them? Let us know who we should visit and try!

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dNB Burger’s Very Limited Special
I only know of this being served once and am unsure if they ever did it again. Perhaps they should consider adding it to their menu? Were you one of the ones that had a chance to try it?

“Limited edition Lamb Cubano: Roasted local lamb loin from Creamery Farm, house cured and smoked ham, house pickles, homemade Swiss American, and mint yellow mustard piled high on Cuban bread baked courtesy of our friends at The Baker.”

22 Elm Street
New Bedford
Phone: (774) 202-0118
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dNBBurgers/

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Lorenzo’s Bakery
Tuesday Special: Cubano ham, pulled pork, mayo-Kktchup, lettuce, tomato.”

1533 Acushnet Ave, New Bedford,
Phone: 774.202.6201
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lorenzos-Bakery/1800943000144277

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M and C Cafe Restaurant and Catering Company
Portuguese Cubano Sandwich: Caçoila, ham, bacon, and cheese pressed with Chipotle aoli.

436 Belleville Ave
New Bedford, Massachusetts
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/M-and-C-Cafe-Restaurant-and-Catering-Company-266143427424/

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Kickin’ Cubans
I didn’t know about this place until I started writing this. I didn’t even know it existed and their Facebook page doesn’t even have an address, so I’m not sure where exactly it is. Their “About” section states “Our specialty is Cuban sandwiches, empanadas, and much more!”

Illinois Street
Phone: (508) 863-6607
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KickinCubans/

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Veterans and active service members can attend the performance by Jessica Lang Dance on Sat, Feb 10 for FREE. To get your free tickets, either order on-line with code: THANKYOU, call the box office at 508-994-2900 or visit us at 638 Purchase Street.

GET TICKETS: zeiterion.org/jessica-lang-dance/
Facebook Event: facebook.com/events/516553748694961/

The Zeiterion Performing Arts Center presents one of the nation’s top choreographers and dance companies, Jessica Lang Dance, on Saturday, February 1o at 8:00 p.m. They are best known for seamlessly incorporating striking design elements and transforming classical ballet language into artfully crafted, emotionally engaging contemporary works. The evening will feature Lang’s masterpiece, Thousand Yard Stare, called “a remarkable evocation of soldiers in formation and at war” by the Chicago Tribune. This performance is included in The Zeiterion’s Veterans Experience program, and all veterans and active service members are invited for free. Tickets otherwise range from $27 to $47 and can be purchased by calling 508-994-2900, online at Zeiterion.org, or at the Zeiterion Box Office. Group sales are available for groups of 10 or more and can be purchased by calling 508-997-5664 x123.

Founded in 2011, Jessica Lang Dance (JLD) is a New York City-based dance company dedicated to creating and performing the work of Jessica Lang, a choreographer hailed as a “master of visual composition” by Dance Magazine. She creates dazzling works for her own dancers as well as the world’s most celebrated companies including American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and National Opera.

The company’s Zeiterion debut will feature three of their most popular dances in their repertory: Her Road inspired by the Southwest works of painter Georgia O’Keefe and set to the music of Beethoven; The Calling an elegant solo featuring a dancer enveloped in a flowing skirt that fills the entire stage and set to haunting choral music “O Maria, Stella Maris”; and their signature piece, Thousand Yard Stare, a dance embodying the incredible pride and honor, as well as the searing loss, experienced by military veterans.

Since the company’s inception, marked by Lang’s receipt of a Joyce Theater Artist Residency supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, JLD has made rapid success performing at renowned venues and festivals throughout the country including Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Next Wave Festival, New York City Center’s Fall for Dance Festival, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Joyce Theater, the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Northrop Auditorium, and the Winspear Opera House, among others. The company’s performances have been named among the best dance events of the year by major publications in Dallas, Chicago and Boston.

In the summer of 2015, JLD performed a rare two-week run at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, marking the company’s third Pillow season since its company debut at Festival 2012. In November 2015, JLD made its critically acclaimed Chicago debut with Tesseracts of Time, co-commissioned by the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, the inaugural Chicago Architecture Biennial and the Society for the Performing Arts featuring a set by world-renowned architect Steven Holl.

Lang has created more than 90 works since 1999, including Birmingham Royal Ballet (2013 Manchester Theatre Award nominee), and the National Ballet of Japan, among many others. Additional commissions include new works for the Kennedy Center with the National Symphony Orchestra, The Harris Theater and the Chicago Architecture Biennial in collaboration with architect Steven Holl, the Dallas Museum of Art and the Guggenheim Museum for its Works and Process series. For opera, Lang made her directorial debut creating Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater at the 2013 Glimmerglass Opera Festival. She was a 2015 New York City Center Fellow.

Lang, a graduate of The Juilliard School, is a former member of Twyla Tharp’s company, THARP!

The Zeiterion Performing Arts Center is a non-profit organization with a mission to provide New Bedford and the region with performing arts programming of excellence that inspires, educates, engages and entertains. Tickets are available for purchase at www.zeiterion.org, by calling 508-994-2900, or in person at the box office at 684 Purchase Street, New Bedford, Mass. Zeiterion Box Office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and two hours before each performance.

GET TICKETS: zeiterion.org/jessica-lang-dance/
Facebook Event: facebook.com/events/516553748694961/

Russell is one of the nicest and most genuine people I’ve met in my 22 years in New Bedford. He works long, strenuous hours with his hands from Monday through Friday on Martha’s Vineyard. He gets up before the sun rises, and travels home to New Bedford long after dusk falls. He is a young man in his 20’s, and his daily grind is as relentless as his love for his friends and family. And whether he realizes it or not, he is an inspiration to me and my loved ones. Because despite the difficulties life continues to throw at Russell, he gets up the next morning and instinctively understands what must be done for the sake of what matters most; work, family, and love.

I love New Bedford because it is home to so many people like Russell. New Bedford is home to so many people who have had to brush off the hardships they’ve faced in preparation for new challenges ahead. New Bedford is home to so many people whose daily triumphs go unnoticed. New Bedford is home to a vast body of people who amidst the most heartbreaking stories from around the city, state, and country, continue to commit the smallest acts of kindness towards their neighbor. New Bedford is home to so many people who continue to pursue better lives despite negativity’s incessant attempts to swallow them whole.

While it may be easy to overlook a stranger’s opening of a door or a driver’s yielding to a family with groceries in a crosswalk, these small acts of kindness are as prevalent in New Bedford as anywhere else in America. These small acts of kindness are what makes life worth living in New Bedford, because ultimately they are what fuels others to continue to respond to hate with love. In a country where bad things happen regularly, it is more important now than ever for people to continue to inspire positive action amongst others. Even in the most mundane situations. Because while you may not be able to control what happens around you, you do have the power to choose how you respond to what happens around you. And you never know how your actions can affect somebody else’s going forward.

I met Russell through a mutual friend of ours a few months ago. Our friend lives in a building that is mostly occupied by elderly folks, and we encountered an older man named Richie who was having a hard time loading his wheelchair into his van. Richie had been fixing a friend’s car overseas years ago, when a stranger shot him in the back; putting Richie in a wheelchair for life.

Before I could even approach Richie, I saw Russell thrust himself towards the man’s wheelchair to load it into the van. There was no introduction, no exchanging of pleasantries, and no reward; just one man acting out of kindness for another. And that man happened to be my friend Russell, who could not have looked happier on that day to be helping somebody in need. Russell didn’t need a thank you, money, a name, or for Richie to remember his.

He just wanted to help.

If you’re from New Bedford, you either know somebody who has faced great pain in their lifetime, or you have fought that pain for yourself. If you’re from New Bedford, there is a good chance that struggle runs in your family. There is a good chance that if you are from New Bedford, you’ve grown up in a family that has constantly been exposed to pain and suffering in some shape or form.

For people living in New Bedford, work is synonymous with life. We must work our tails off everyday because people we care about deeply directly depend on it. And if you’re from New Bedford, you can understand just how much harder life could be if you and your loved ones didn’t work your tails off. Because people in New Bedford can empathize with just how trying tough times can be for others in the city. All they have to do is look around.

I love New Bedford because it is my home. New Bedford has been where my most fondest memories have taken place. And while I am just 22 years old, I realize that meaningful life experiences can take place anywhere in the world. I have hiked the Flatirons in Colorado, walked the beaches of Washington state, and partied in downtown Las Vegas. And while these moments were life changing in the most positive of ways for me, they also made me realize that there really is no place like home. In time spent away from Massachusetts, I realized that there truly is no place like New Bedford. And so I came back home in a heartbeat.

I believe people in New Bedford are more connected to one another than they realize. I believe most of us want the same thing; work, family, and love. I believe most of us are good intentioned people caught up in a giant web of negativity that gets in the way of what we want most. Problems are inevitable, but problem solving can be difficult. And I believe most people in New Bedford live to solve problems; be it their own or those of another. I believe most people in New Bedford would rather see the next person’s problem be solved as opposed to simply watching them fail. I believe Russell is not the only person in New Bedford who just wants to help.

I believe that the people I’ve seen hold doors open, pay for strangers’ coffees, and smile from across the street, are not the only people in New Bedford paying small acts of kindness forward. Because given our similar upbringings and rough-edged east coast roots, we share a life-long bond. We share a bond by having grown up and lived in one of the most polarizing cities in American history. We share a bond by living in a place that at times can be stunningly beautiful and at other times can be shockingly terrifying. And this bond is what propels us to be better people to those around us.

I don’t love New Bedford for its history. I don’t love New Bedford for its beaches, parks and landmarks. I don’t love New Bedford for its food, downtown, or airport. I don’t love New Bedford for its sports, music, or art.

I was taught at a young age that the most powerful form of love is unconditional.

And so, I just love New Bedford.

THIS WEEKEND!

Hatch Street Studios, New Bedford’s largest artist community, is pleased to announce their annual Open Studios / Holiday Sale 2017.

This three-day celebration, popular with art lovers from the Southcoast and the entire New England region for more than 10 years running, offers a look into the professional spaces of 60+ artists working in a restored 19th-century textile mill. Visitors are invited to view the studios, discover their creative processes, and purchase original works of art in a wide variety of media including ceramics, jewelry, photography, wood, glass, painting, and textiles.

The festivities begin on Friday, November 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. We continue throughout the weekend from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with live music on Saturday by steel drum ensemble El Caribe and on Sunday by guitarist Butch McCarthy. Food service will be available all weekend by Destination Soups. The event is free and open to the public, with plenty of free parking and handicapped accessibility.

Check out their event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/301052790371346/
Visit their website: https://www.hatchstreetstudios.com/

Hatch Street Studios
88 Hatch Street
New Bedford, MA 02745

by Leo Monteiro

Over the past twelve years the South Coast Business Alliance (SCBA) has put on one of the most anticipated events in the city: Oktoberfest. Each year the festivities have grown, the crowds have gotten bigger and the entertainment, top notch. What most folks don’t realize is that everyone involved is volunteering their time and 100% of the proceeds have gone back into the community. The SCBA is a shining example of what a non-profit organization should be; its run by committed volunteers, no extravagant salaries, in fact there are NO paid positions at all. Every single dollar raised is donated, it all flows back to the community.

With this years Oktoberfest happening on Saturday October 14th its important reflect back on the good work they have accomplished. Now in its 12th year and after raising 500K in revenue over Forty organizations have directly benefited from over $218,000 in net proceeds. Did you know that every year the UMass Dartmouth Foundation provides a scholarship to a local youth? Ever heard of the Star Kids Program? The SCBA covers tuition for children in low income communities to attend private schooling. By empowering kids and giving them opportunities to shine the whole community benefits.

Here is just a short list of some of the things the SCBA has managed to do and programs they actively support:

Smiles Mentoring Program: http://www.smilesmentoring.org/index.htm SMILES is a school based one-to-one mentoring program serving New Bedford and Fall River.

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater New Bedford: http://www.bgcnewbedford.org/ In 2008 the SCBA raised several thousand dollars for the Boys & Girls Club to help build a boxing training facility. The SCBA didn’t simply write a check for this project, they worked tirelessly on weekends to gut the basement of it’s existing bowling alley and replace it with the boxing facility. The proceeds raised for this project allowed them to renovate the space, outfit it with several heavy bags and other training equipment as well as a top-of-the-line boxing ring.

The Zeiterion Theatre: http://www.zeiterion.org/ In 2008 the SCBA began a working relationship with the Z and developed a program called “Front & Center.” This program allows us an opportunity to send dozens of at-risk youth to different performances each year. To date we have sent over 150 youth, who receive the full red carpet treatment complete with a limousine ride to and from the historic theatre located in New Bedford’s Historic National Park.

Friendly Sons of St. Patrick: http://www.friendlysons.net/ This past year the SCBA helped the Friendly Sons with their annual Turkey Drive during the Thanksgiving holiday. The Friendly Sons provide a traditional Thanksgiving meal to those who can not afford the day with all the fixings.

The United Way of Greater New Bedford : http://www.unitedwayofgnb.org/ The SCBA has co-hosted their fundraising events with the United Way in years past donating all the proceeds from those events to the United Way and their efforts in the Greater New Bedford area.

The Community Foundation : http://www.cfsema.org/ The SCBA began a working relationship with the Community Foundation in 2008. The Community Foundation has several programs and scholarships that they continue to work on and achieve high marks. We are pleased to be working with them, creating new ways to give back to the community through their dedicated efforts.

The work they are doing largely goes unnoticed, but we’re shining a light on them this week and showcasing a great local organization that should be applauded for its efforts. If you support their goals and see value in the work they are doing head to Oktoberfest this weekend, not just for some brews but to really make a difference.

Check out their event page here and you can purchase tickets here.

Summer weekends in Newport often mean throngs of tourists visiting the town’s historic waterfront attractions. However, one weekend in particular draws thousands of like-minded music lovers to Fort Adams for the annual Newport Folk Festival.

Typical New England weather couldn’t keep people away. From hot, sunny and muggy to cloudy, windy and cool, every stage across the sprawling festival grounds was jam packed whenever a new artist took the stage.

Celebrating its 58th year in the nation’s smallest state, the three-day festival featured main-stage headliners such as The Head and the Heart, Fleet Foxes, the Avett Brothers, Wilco and John Prine as well as dozens of other performers. Also as usual, there were plenty of big-name surprises like Nathaniel Rateliff performing a secret solo set and Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters sharing the stage with Prine.

However, it wasn’t all about the headliners. Newport Folk is as much about the music as it is about the experience.

“In the 80’s and 90’s, a lot of the biggest names (playing) here, you could see somewhere else without the (traffic) challenges of coming down here,” said Rick Massimo, former festival correspondent for The Providence Journal and author of I Got a Song: A History of the Newport Folk Festival, the first full-length account of the festival’s colorful history. “It’s important the festival is a cohesive environment, otherwise people can see artists they like somewhere else.”

Four stages are spread across the fort grounds, all featuring a wide variety of musicians and storytellers. One of the best things about the festival is the amount of support crowds offer to rising musicians that are taking the stage for their first taste of Newport Folk Fest. After playing their sets, you’ll often see people asking band members where they can find their music and when they can see them perform again.

As I walked through the crowd with London singer-songwriter L.A. Salami, we couldn’t go farther than 20 feet before he was stopped by somebody thanking him for his music or praising him for his unique fusion of folk, blues, pop and hip-hop. One new fan even stopped him to give him a necklace he appeared to purchase from the festival merch table.

Before only recently picking up a guitar, Salami previously wrote poetry. Now he’s able to put melodies and distorted guitar riffs behind that clearly won over new fans from the crowd surrounding the Harbor Stage. He told me his unique sound doesn’t so much come from one place or another, but really lies with the message that’s being told.

“Certain moods are best said in certain ways, best translated in certain ways,” he said. “If you have to translate how much someone broke your heart, maybe you use some tongue-in-cheek. Maybe you choose some type of soul avenue to express that and use your own process.”

This sentiment of breaking down labels of music resonated with multiple artists I spoke to during the weekend.

“I think that folk, by definition, is people making due with what they have,” said A.J. Haynes, lead singer of Shreveport, Louisiana’s Seratones. “Genres are kind of confusing and don’t capture what a sound is or what an ethos is.”

She said inspiration for her and the band comes from experience and emotion.

“It depends on the day of the week and the mood. I feel like we’re just rock and roll. What I like about (our record label) Fat Possum is that I think they’re more like an anti-blues and I think that’s what resonates with us. I don’t really have the blues, I’m too angry to have the blues.”

The exposure for smaller artists is part of what makes Newport such an amazing springboard for musicians breaking onto the scene.

As Mt. Joy guitarist and co-founder Sam Cooper put it, “It’s kind of dependent on the audience. Specifically, here the audience is so respectful and willing to listen to music and clap after the song and really just dive into the song. I felt like we played an amazing show. Coming off the stage, I felt like the audience appreciated what we were doing.”

Mt. Joy is a band from Philadelphia currently recording their first full-length album embarking on their first real festival circuit.

Another great thing about the festival is artists getting to mingle and collaborate with fellow musicians. One prime example of this came on a cool Saturday afternoon as JP Harris and Chance McCoyM shared the stage for some old-timey southern jams on acoustic guitars, fiddles and banjos. Both artists hail from larger names (JP is front man of JP Harris & the Tough Choices, while Chance plays fiddle and a slew of other strings for Old Crow Medicine Show) but became friends years ago and continue to jam together. They even recorded an album together, but were unable to release it due to legal restrictions. To get around this, they actually pirated their own album and have to sell bootleg versions of it!

The big names are great and draw a lot of crowds to the festival, but the heart of the weekend is truly being around easy-going people and experiencing music you may already know by heart, or discovering a new favorite artist you may never have heard elsewhere.

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All Photos By Josh Souza

One of the great challenges of summer — especially for parents — is figuring out what to do to keep the family happy and entertained. Visiting a museum is a great way to fill up those weekend hours.

There are dozens of museums in the Cape Cod area, offering experiences to interest virtually anyone. Here are six reasons you should check out a museum or two this weekend: 

Checking out art decreases stress
Many studies have shown interacting with nature reduces stress. Now researchers are finding involvement with visual art might have a similar effect. According to an article in the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, researchers studied adults ages 18 to 59 who provided saliva samples to assess cortisol levels as a measurement of stress. The individuals were sampled before and after 45 minutes of art involvement. Cortisol levels decreased after art involvement for 75 percent of participants, indicating a physical reduction in their stress.

You’ll learn something
Most museums are designed to educate and to engage their visitors by providing an interactive learning environment. Although the educational process is informal, museum guests typically experience attitude changes, learn about values, acquire knowledge and even develop skills just from walking through a museum and sampling the exhibits.

Some people value experiences over things
Would you rather spend money on stuff, or making memories? Many people choose experiences over things — perfect for a day at a museum. Research data published in The Journal of Positive Psychology examining three studies found people enjoy greater well-being from life experiences and consider them to be a better use of money than buying material goods.

It’s a great way to connect with children
Museums can “provide memorable, immersive learning experiences, provoke imagination, introduce unknown worlds and subject matter, and offer unique environments for quality time with family,” according to the National Endowment for the Arts. Museums provide an opportunity for dialogue in a fun environment. Simply asking a child what he or she likes and comparing ideas can prompt free-flowing communication.

There is something for everyone
No matter how unusual or quirky people’s hobbies, chances are there is a museum that will peak their interest and spark their imagination. The Cape Cod area has museums dedicated to farming history, art, railroading, gardens, maritime history and life, wildlife, historical figures, glass, sports cars and more. Many museums are also regularly updating displays and exhibits so there are always new things to see and experience.

It’s a bargain
While many museums charge entrances fees, the costs are often comparable to other activities like going to a movie or attending a minor league ballgame. Unlike those options, a museum experience is open-ended — once you’ve paid your admission you can generally spend the whole day or just a couple hours. Many also offer seasonal passes or family memberships that allow you to visit regularly. And in a world where costs for everything seem to be going up, there are quite a few museums you can visit for free.

Interested in checking out some of the museums the Cape has to offer? The Cape Cod Museum Trail has all the information you need to get started. Plan a visit for this weekend!

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Cape Cod Museum Trail

Website:capecodmuseumtrail.org
Facebook: facebook.com/capecodmuseumtrail/
EMail: info@capecodmuseumtrail.org

First Citizen’s Credit Union

200 Mill Road, Suite 100
Fairhaven, Massachusetts
Phone: (800) 642-7515
Website:firstcitizens.org/
Facebook: facebook.com/FirstCitizensFCU/
EMail: info@firstcitizens.org