Lowell Women’s Week Planners Seeking Members, November 21
The 2009 Lowell Women’s Week Planning Committee encourages representatives from local organizations to join the planning committee for this year’s 14th Annual Lowell Women’s Week ~ Women Leading Change in Our Hearts, Homes and World ~ that will be held March 1 to 8, 2009. The next meeting is November 21, from noon to 1:30 PM at the Acre Youth Center, 41 Rock Street, Lowell. The Planning Committee meets monthly to plan dozens of inspiring activities that will take place throughout Lowell Women’s Week. For more information about Women’s Week, visit www.lowellwomensweek.org. To learn more about the planning meeting, contact Sheri Denk at 978-656 3159.
City of Lights Parade & Holiday Art Stroll, on November 29
Celebrate the holiday season at Lowell’s annual City of Lights Parade and Holiday Art Stroll on Saturday, November 29. Start the day in downtown Lowell at the Art Stroll from 12 Noon to 4 PM, featuring arts & crafts shopping at local art galleries, face painting, and live entertainment. Enjoy hay rides down Shattuck Street, and be sure to cast your vote for the City’s best hot chocolate! The celebration continues into the evening at Lowell’s annual City of Lights Parade from 4:30 – 6:30 PM, including the lighting of City Hall with 100,000 lights and decorations. For more information, visit www.cultureiscool.org.
Mill Girl Historical Re-enactment Performance, December 2
The Tsongas Industrial History Center presents "Mary Margaret O’Connell: Lowell Mill Girl," a historical re-enactment of the life of a mill girl in Lowell in 1847. Presented in costume by Sharon Kennedy, mill girl Mary Margaret tells many stories, such as her parents’ immigration from Ireland, her father’s job digging the canals, childhood sicknesses, her school years at St. Patrick’s Church, and the day-to-day life of the Irish in the “Acre” section of Lowell. This 90-minute performance takes place at the Boott Cotton Mills in Lowell at 6:30 PM. For more information, visit www.uml.edu/Tsongas.
Indian Hill Christmas Pops Concert, December 7
Enjoy your favorite Christmas music live at Indian Hill this holiday season. Maestro Bruce Hangen and The Orchestra of Indian Hill present “Christmas Pops,” a festive afternoon of Christmas carols and classics for the whole family, on Sunday, December 7, at 3 PM, at the Groton-Dunstable Middle School Performing Arts Center. Guest artists include the United Ringers Handbell Choir of Littleton and an appearance by Santa Claus. For more information, visit www.indianhillmusic.org.
The Nutcracker takes the state at UMass Lowell’s Center for the Arts on Sunday, December 7
On Sunday, December 7, the Discovery Series at the UMass Lowell Center for the Arts will ring in the holidays with The Nutcracker, as performed by the New York Theatre Ballet. Choreographed by Keith Michael, the production is the only hour-long professional Nutcracker performance out of New York City created especially for children. This Nutcracker is a holiday treat for all families. For more information, visit www.uml.edu/centerforthearts.
Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Ring in the Holidays in Lowell, December 20
The Boston Pops and conductor Keith Lockhart bring their ever-popular Holiday Concert to the Lowell Memorial Auditorium for two performances on Saturday, December 20 at 2 and 7:30 PM. Lockhart leads “America’s Orchestra” in performing such familiar holiday favorites as “Sleigh Ride” and the traditional “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” This family-friendly evening of classic Christmas Americana concludes with a visit from Santa and holiday sing-along. For more information, visit www.lowellauditorium.com
UMass Online Learning
Students: Do you need to pick up an extra course to graduate on time? Are you trying to speed up your course work to graduate early? Maybe your work or family commitments make it difficult to get to class.
If so, UMass Online, a national online learning leader, could help. It offers more than fifteen hundred courses and seventy-five accredited online degree and certificate programs.
With UMass Online, you can complete your entire degree on line or blend online learning with face to face classes. For more information, go to www.umassonline.net.
Lowell National Historical Park Activities, throughout the year
Learn more about Lowell's nationally significant history and industrial legacies throughout the year by taking advantage of the Lowell National Historical Park's events and activities. Through Columbus Day, canal tours are available. The trolleys operate through Thanksgiving weekend. Year 'round, begin your explorations at the Visitor Center and the operating weave room at the Boott Cotton Mill Museum. Come celebrate the park's 30th anniversary of showcasing Lowell's rich history and culture. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/lowe.
Arts League of Lowell is a Catalyst for Creation
In a city whose motto is "Art is the handmaid of human good" the Arts League of Lowell has become a catalyst for the creation of a community of artists. Through the Arts League of Lowell, longtime residents and Lowell's new cultural immigrants come together to share ideas and resources, and to promote each others' work. The Arts League of Lowell also features its own gallery featuring the work of its artists, and even a special exhibit during the annual Lowell Folk Festival. For more information, go to www.artsleagueoflowell.org.
The Butterfly Place
The Butterfly Place in Westford is an indoor living environment for some of nature’s most colorful living creations. This man-made habitat is contained within a 27-foot high glass atrium and filled with butterflies and colorful plants and shrubs. At any given time, the atrium may contain up to 500 butterflies representing as many as 50 different species from around the world. Stop by the gift shop and purchase your own Hatching Kit with a cocoon or caterpillars so you can enjoy nature at home. For more information, visit www.butterflyplace-ma.com.
The Discovery Museums in Acton Provide Fun, Hands-on Learning for Kids
The Discovery Museums in Acton are a great place for kids to learn about creativity and science. Younger children learn while they play at the Children's Discovery Museum, which is in a wonder-filled Victorian house with rooms, halls, and closets transformed into 10 hands-on exhibit and play areas. Older children can explore scientific concepts and hands-on creativity at the Science Discovery Museum next door. For more information, go to www.discoverymuseums.org.
Brush Gallery
The Brush Art Gallery nurtures local working artists, helping to keep the visual arts alive in Lowell's historic district. Located on Market Street, the gallery offers outstanding, museum quality exhibitions and educational programs. The studios provide affordable space for artists who work in a variety of media. Since the studios are open to the public daily, there is always an opportunity to talk to and observe artists at work, as well as purchase artwork from their studios and gift shops. For more information, visit www.thebrush.org.
Fruitlands Museum is a National Landmark
The Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, Massachusetts, is one of the first outdoor museums in America. This national landmark shares the unique ideas, stories, and landscape of New England’s most original reformers. Step into the past on over 200 acres of pastoral landscape, and visit four unique galleries of Transcendental, Native American, Shaker and American art collections. The Fruitlands Museum hosts educational and creative workshops and lectures, as well as fun family events and outdoor concerts. For more information, go to www.fruitlands.org.
Loading Dock Gallery
The Loading Dock Gallery is now open from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. The Loading Dock Gallery is a Cooperative Gallery representing more than 50 members of the Western Avenue Studios Artist Association. The gallery space is divided into two sections, the Main Gallery which carries original artwork, jewelry, and reproductions of work by Gallery Members and the intimate Showcase which features month-long one- and two-person exhibits focusing on the work of members. For more information, go to www.theloadingdockgallery.com.
New England Quilt Museum Collects, Preserves, Teaches
Lowell is uniquely suited for the Quilt Museum as the historic center of the nation's textile industry. Since the New England Quilt Museum opened its doors in 1987 at 18 Shattuck Street, it has presented the finest examples of traditional and contemporary quilts. The museum actively collects and preserves antique and contemporary quilts and quilt related items. The permanent collection ranges from whole cloth quilts made in the late 18th century to contemporary quilts. The museum also holds special exhibits and offers quilting classes. For more information, visit www.nequiltmuseum.org.
Western Ave Studios is Part of Cultural Life in Lowell
The Western Avenue Studios not only provides studio space for over 125 artists, but is a major part of the cultural life in Lowell. Visit the studios on the first Saturday of every month from noon to 5 p.m. to browse the latest works by the artists. The Western Avenue Studios has provided venues for various exhibits at its Loading Dock Gallery. The Western Avenue Studios also runs kids programs in the summer. For more information, visit www.westernavenuestudios.com.
The Whistler House Museum of Art Blends Art, Architecture and History
Art, architecture and local history are delightfully blended at the Whistler House Museum of Art in Lowell. The birthplace in 1834 of noted artist James McNeill Whistler, the museum has an outstanding collection of late nineteenth century and early twentieth century American representational art, with a special emphasis on the artists of New England. The Museum, located on Worthen Street in downtown Lowell, boasts Federal and Greek revival characteristics. In 1908, it became the permanent home of the Lowell Art Association. For more information, go to www.whistlerhouse.org.
The 119 Gallery in Lowell Offers Art, Classes
The 119 Gallery opened in July 2005 on Chelmsford Street in Lowell and has been bringing unique art programs to the area ever since. The 119 Gallery helps expand the community's vision of creative possibilities through exposure to contemporary and new media art. The gallery offers a rich and diverse program of exhibitions, performances and community-based arts services. It welcomes people of all ages, backgrounds and means to explore, engage, and experience new, innovative art. It also offers yoga and sound-mixing classes. For more information, go to 119gallery.org.
Revolving Museum in Lowell Delights, Teaches
The Revolving Museum is a fun, hip, energetic place that brings people of all ages and artistic levels together to not only create art, but to build community. Located on Shattuck Street in downtown Lowell, the museum offers free admission for its many intriguing exhibits. The museum also offers youth and teen programs, art classes, and specializes in bringing various segments of the community together to create delightful, eye-catching works of public art such as the giant water dragon and the Visionary Village. For more information, go to www.revolvingmuseum.org
