Dickens in Lowell: Mar. 30 - Oct. 20, 2012

Schedule of Events

Dickens in Lowell events fall into three main clusters, in March-April, July, and September-October. We’ll also feature many individual speakers, performances, and family programs throughout the seven months of the celebration. Check back often for updates!

  • Dickens in Lowell kick-off weekend (March 30 - April 1, 2012): The exhibition "Dickens and Massachusetts: A Tale of Power and Transformation" opens on March 30.  Plus, we have 22 events (so far) to appeal to everyone: family events like a Dickens puppet show and Victorian parlour games, performances of a little-known one-act farce written by Dickens, speakers including a talk by Dickens Museum Director Florian Schweizer, displays of Victorian fashion and quilts, and other programming such as the National Park Dickens Walking Tour, a silent film showing with live music, and local restaurant special Dickens deals.
  • Steampunk and Scholars week (July 13-15, 2012): The same weekend that UMass Lowell is hosting the International Dickens Society Annual Symposium, Lowell will be celebrating the culmination of a nine-month-long Dickens and Steampunk Project. Some events include: a downtown mural dedication, Steampunk mill girl fashion show, 3-D artbotics diorama display of pieces inspired by Hard Times and Lowell's industrial past, and much more.
  • Dickens and the 21st century (Fall 2012): Events to inspire a new generation of readers, demonstrating the lasting appeal of Charles Dickens's works for our own time.  Focus in October on immigrant reinterpretations of Dickens: Angkor Dance Troupe, Nigerian Association of Merrimack Valley, and others are planning performances and other programming for our closing week (ends Oct. 20).
Dickens in Lowell, MA Events

Sunday, May 27, 2012
1:00 - 2:30 p.m. 
Lowell, MA National Historical Park, Boott Events Center, Boott Cotton Mills Museum 
115 John St., Lowell, MA 01852

"Dickens, the Mill Girls, and the Promise of a Brighter Future: How Lowell Shaped the Greatest Novelist in the English Language": This keynote discussion, by expert Natalie McKnight, for the Lowell, MA Historical Society's annual meeting is open to the public and FREE. Learn why Dickens was so impressed and fascinated by the mill girls. Please contact 978-458-6575 for further information. 

Thursday, June 28, 2012 
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Pollard Memorial Library
401 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA 01852

BBC's Dickens in America and A&E Biography of Charles Dickens Film Screening: Join us as we follow Miriam Margolyes, aka Harry Potter's Professor Sprout, follow Charles Dickens's route through America. We'll be showing the portion of this 10-part BBC documentary chronicling Mr. Dickens's trip through Boston and up to Lowell. We'll follow this episode up with a fascinating A&E Biography episode featuring Charles Dickens. The event is FREE and open to the public.

Saturday, July 7 - Friday, July 27

Open regular business hours at Brew'd Awakening
61 Market St., Lowell, MA

What the Dickens! Manga Art Display: Enjoy a creative modern day interpretation of Charles Dickens's work while you enjoy a delicious cup of coffee. These endearing paintings were created by the young girls, aged 5-14, of Girls. Inc.

June-August 2012
Pollard Memorial Library's Lowell Reads! program

Saturday, June 2, 2012

11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Pollard Memorial Library, 401 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA

Lowell Reads! Great Expectations Kick-Off: To kick off our Lowell Reads! Great Expectations program, the Pollard Memorial Library is teaming up with the Lowell Humane Society for a fun family event! Joins us as we create animal face masks and then enjoy a showing of Disney's "Oliver and Company". Crafts session followed by an hour break. All children and their families are welcome. No registration required. This event is open to the public. FREE! 

Thursday, July 12, 2012

6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Pollard Memorial Library, 401 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA

David Lean's Classic Great Expectations Film Screening: The story of a poor young boy who receives the financial backing of a mysterious benefactor who becomes a man of means and learns the true meaning of life. A classic black and white film that the whole family can enjoy. Please contact 978-970-4129 for more information. This event is open to the public. FREE!

Book Discussions At the Pollard: Great Expectations

  • Thursday, July 19, 2012, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. 
  • Friday, July 20, 2012, 10:00 - 11:00 p.m. 
  • Thursday, August 16, 2012 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday, August 17, 2012 10:00 - 11:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

6:30 p.m. at the Pollard Memorial Library, 401 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA

TBA Speaker: Can't get enough of Dickens's Great Expecations? You're not alone! Join the Library as they discuss the novel with an expert on one of Dickens's most popular works! For more information contact 978-970-4120. This event is open to the public. FREE!

Thursday, August 23, 2012

7:00 p.m. at Pollard Memorial Library, 401 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA 01852

Lowell Reads! Great Expectations Wrap-up Party: Details to be announced later.

July 13 - 15, 2012

International Dickens Society Symposium: Dickens scholars from around the world will be presenting papers on all aspects of the life and works of Charles Dickens.  Regular registration $100; graduate students $50. Go to www.uml.edu/dickens for more information.

Friday, July 13, 2012

Time TBA, Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA 01852

Great Expectations Mural Dedication Ceremony: This 140 foot long mural inspired by Dickens's novel Great Expectations will be situated on Merrimack Street, the busiest street in downtown Lowell, to be seen by passersby and the countless visitors who come to Lowell for its citywide cultural festivals. This event is open to the public. FREE!

Saturday, July 14, 2012

12:00 - 3:00 p.m. at Whistler House Museum, 243 Worthen Street, Lowell, MA

Victorian Picnic & Lawn Games: Channel your inner Victorian self with these fun and entertaining lawn games and picnic. This event is open to the public for a nominal charge. For more information on purchasing tickets, please contact 978-452-7641.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

2:00 - 3:00 p.m. at New England Quilt Museum, 18 Shattuck Street, Lowell, MA

Charles Dickens Travels the Atlantic: The Oceangoing Experience of a Well-Spoken Tourist: Steamboat historian Christie Jackson, Ruby Winslow Linn Curator at the Old Colony Historical Society, recounts Dickens's notorious voyage over the Atlantic in 1842. This event is open to the public. FREE!

Saturday, August 11, 2012

2:00 - 4:00 pm, Brush Art Gallery & Studios, 256 Market Street, Lowell, MA 01852

Tastes of Dickens Reception: Featuring recipes from historic dinner menus from events held in Papanti's Hall in Boston, as well as in the Huntington and Jackson Halls of the Boston and Lowell Railroad Station on Merrimack Street. In addition, reproductions of these original menus will be republished and made available. Please contact 978-934-4998 for more information.

September 20, 2012
Time TBA, O'Leary Library Room 222

Doctor Marigold Performance by Gerald Charles Dickens: This one-man show performed by the great-great-great grandson of Charles Dickens is based on an original public reading Charles Dickens gave on his 1867-68 reading tour in America. Dramatic sign interpreter will perform with Mr. Dickens.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

2:00 - 3:30 p.m. at American Textile History Museum, 491 Dutton Street, Lowell, MA

Dickens, Slavery, and Industry Panel Discussion: Charles Dickens was more than just a renowned author--he was also an outspoken social activist. Join local experts Joel Brattin and Madelyn Shaw as they investigate Dickens's views on slavery and industry. This event is free to the public.

Friday, October 19, 2012

7:30 p.m. at UMass Lowell, Durgin Hall, 35 Wilder St, Lowell, MA

Dickens' Women: Bringing to life twenty-three of Charles Dickens' most affecting and colourful female (and male!) characters Miriam. Margolyes, a.k.a. Professor Sprout from Harry Potter, presents her powerful comprehensive, and at times hilarious exposé of Dickens, his writing, and the real-life women who found themselves immortalized in his books. A must see performance for families, Dickens enthusiasts and Margolyes fans!

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Late afternoon at Lowell, MA National Historical Park, Boott Gallery, Boott Cotton Mills Museum, 115 John Street, Lowell, MA

Closing Reception for "Dickens and Massachusetts" Exhibit: Take one last look before this extraordinary exhibition closes its doors.

Sunday, December 9, 2012
2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Lowell, MA

A Christmas Carol Times Two: Live show by Al Lepage, living history performer. Watch his one-man version of A Christmas Carol and enjoy singing traditional Christmas carols throughout the performance. Tickets will be available through www.brownpapertickets.com in November: $10 per person. All proceeds to support UMass Lowell student scholarships.





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Dickens in Lowell
is sponsored by the University of Massachusetts Lowell, in partnership with the Lowell National Historical Park, the Tsongas Industrial History Center, Worcester Polytechnic Institute and the Charles Dickens Museum London, and with generous support from the Theodore Edson Parker Foundation and the University of Massachusetts President’s Office.