Community & Campus Notes : : UMass Lowell

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Whistler House Presents Cape Cod School and Provincetown Artists, through June 21

The Whistler House Museum of Art in Lowell presents The Cape Cod School and Provincetown Artists in a new exhibition in the Parker Gallery. Featuring nine artists, the exhibit showcases the many diverse styles that have come to signify the art of the Cape Cod School and the artists who call Provincetown their home. This brilliant display of color and light will be on exhibit at the museum, at 243 Worthen Street through June 21. For more information, go to whistlerhouse.org.

LTC Art Gallery Returns, through June 30

The LTC Art Gallery has returned. Located on the second floor of its offices at 246 Market Street in Lowell, the current exhibit, on view through the early summer, offers a wide variety of styles and media. The pieces, which share an environmental theme, are for sale at prices ranging from $45 to $3,200. LTC Gallery’s partner is the Arts League of Lowell, whose own gallery is located downstairs from LTC. For more information, go to ltc.org.

Contemporary Prints at Portland Museum of Art, through August 10

During the past 50 years, printmaking has enjoyed a renaissance in the United States. You can enjoy the results of this renaissance at the Portland Museum of Art in Portland, Maine, where the exhibition, Contemporary Collaborations: Artist and Master Printer, is on view through August 10. The exhibition features 35 prints by 30 contemporary artists with Maine connections who have created significant prints in concert with technical specialists at professional fine art print presses. The work varies widely in both their imagery and technique—ranging from etchings and lithographs to silkscreens and woodcuts. For more information, go to portlandmuseum.org.

Retirement Planning Series at D’Youville, May 6

Don’t let planning for retirement overwhelm you. D’Youville Senior Care Foundation invites you to a series of retirement planning workshops to be held at the D’Youville campus at 979-981 Varnum Avenue in Lowell during May. On Tuesday, May 6, from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m., hear from a panel of experts about important issues to consider for building a sound financial future and preparing for potential and oftentimes unexpected, healthcare needs. After attending the first session, choose the areas you would like to learn more about including Legal Planning Tools, Financial Planning, and Planning for unexpected health care costs. Seating is limited. To register, call 978 569-1055.

Author of Book about Serial Killer at Pollard, May 6

Who is Boston’s unknown serial killer? Find out at Pollard Memorial Library on Tuesday, May 6, at 6:30 p.m. when author Timothy Burke discusses his book, “The Paradiso Files: Boston’s Unknown Serial Killer.” The event includes a reading, discussion and book-signing. The Pollard Library is at 401 Merrimack Street in Lowell. The event is free and open to the public.

Cat Fancier's Federation Show Features Old Style Siamese, May 10

The first cat show in history to have Old Style Siamese competing will take place at the Chelmsford Senior Center, 75 Groton Road in Chelmsford, on Saturday, May 10, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are two very different types of Siamese. Old Style Siamese is the type that most people are familiar with. Unfortunately, these cats have never been able to compete at cat shows because the written standard for Siamese is that of a modern wedge Siamese, which are very long and refined. For more information, go to cffinc.org.

Bach’s Lunch Concert at Indian Hill, May 15

Indian Hill Music School presents soprano Nancy Howells with pianist Michelle Kelley performing works by Debussy, Hovhannes and Poulenc in another in the Bach’s Lunch Concert series. The concert takes place on Thursday, May 15, at noon at Indian Hill Music, 36 King Street, Littleton. Admission is free. Coffee, tea and cookies are served; bring your own lunch. For more information, visit indianhillmusic.org.

Doors Open Lowell, May 16

Doors Open Lowell is an annual event that provides an inside look at Lowell's historic buildings, many normally not open to the public. The event illustrates how many of Lowell's institutions have survived through the years virtually unchanged in form or function while others have assumed new uses or modern updates. This year, Doors Open Lowell takes place on Friday, May 16, from 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, May 17, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, go to doorsopenlowell.org.

A Little Night Music at Indian Hill, May 16 and 17

Stephen Sondheim’s award-winning musical “A Little Night Music” follows the romantic follies of several families in turn-of-the-century Sweden. A fully-staged production of the musical will be presented by the Indian Hill Music School on May 16 and 17 at 36 King Street in Littleton. For more information, visit indianhillmusic.org.

Laotian Legacy at Market Mills Courtyard, May 17

Explore Laos, a land of beauty and rich cultural heritage, through traditional arts, music, dance and food. This event is free and open to the public and will take place Saturday, May 17, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Market Mills Courtyard, 246 Market Street in Lowell. Enjoy authentic Laotian food made by local families and restaurants, clips from documentary films, music, and a fashion show. For more information, please email fdonna@lowellma.gov.

Pollard Memorial Book Sale, May 17

The Friends of Lowell’s Pollard Memorial Library will hold their annual book sale on Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Smith-Baker Center on Merrimack Street across the street from the library. The sale offers a wide range of books and audio and video items – something for every interest and wallet. All proceeds are used to support the library. To volunteer to help out with the sale or for additional information, contact Janis at friendsofpml@yahoo.com.

History of Irish at Pollard, part of Parker Series, May 22

Join Tom O’Carroll on Thursday, May 22^, at 7 p.m. as he traces the history of the Irish people from the Stone Age to the present. Drawing on archaeological data, historical records, as well as music and song, Tom explores the broad social and cultural themes of conflict and identity that occur through the island's history. Throughout his presentation, Tom performs various songs, tunes and little-known anecdotes that bring to life the story of the Irish. The talk is part of the Moses Greeley Parker Lecture Series. Pollard Memorial Library is at 401 Merrimack Street, Lowell. For more information, go to pollardml.org.

White Water Rafting on the Concord, through May 23

The Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust invites you to brave class III and IV rapids through the green heart of Lowell during rafting season beginning April 5^th and continuing every weekend through May. Wild and scenic trips on the Concord River run Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. through May. For reservations, call (800) 532-7483 or 888-375-1115. Call early for group reservations - youth group rates available.

UTEC's Annual Semi-Formal Fundraiser, May 28

The United Teen Equality Center presents its annual Semi-Formal Fundraiser on Wednesday, May 28, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at UTEC, 34 Hurd Street in Lowell. The energetic evening includes silent auctions, teen performances, dinner, and much more. The evening will honor Dr. Karla Brooks Baehr, Lowell Superintendent of Schools, as UTEC's Adult Ally of the Year. UTEC is a safe-haven for youth, providing a place of belonging and development for Lowell's young people, particularly those often labeled as "at-risk." For more information, go to utec-lowell.org.

Merrimack Repertory Live and Silent Auction, May 29

The Friends of Merrimack Repertory Theatre will host their bi-annual Live and Silent Auction, called "Lights, Camera, Auction!" at the Doubletree Hotel in Lowell on Thursday, May 29. Cocktails and a Hollywood-themed silent auction begin at 6 p.m. Bianca de la Garza, morning anchor for WCVB-TV Channel 5, will be the auctioneer for the evening. Proceeds will benefit Merrimack Repertory Theatre's main stage productions and education programs. For more information on Friends of MRT events and volunteer opportunities, please contact Jeffrey Prescott at 978-654-7552 or by email at development@merrimackrep.org.

George Bellows Exhibit at Portland Museum of Art, through June 1

Artist George Bellows expressed the essence of American life in the early 1900s. An exhibition “The Powerful Hand of George Bellows” is on view now through June 1 at the Portland Museum of Art. Featuring 57 prints and drawings from the Boston Public Library, this is most important collection of Bellows’s graphic art in the United States. With humor and compassion, George Bellows has long been respected for his ability to illustrate the spirit and character of American life. For more information, go to portlandmuseum.org.

Summer Music Series Kicks off June 27

Grab your folding chairs and your picnic basket! It’s time to plan for the nineteenth season of the Summer Music Series at Boarding House Park in Lowell. The 2008 season kicks off on June 27 and continues through September 6. The concerts range from folk to classic, from roots to world music and the best in blues. The series is presented by The Lowell National Historical Park, the University of Massachusetts Lowell and the Lowell Festival Foundation. For the full line-up, go to lowellsummermusic.org.