July 2010

Greetings!

Massachusetts is rich in arts and culture, so it's no surprise that exciting events, exhibits and festivals are held in the state's 13 regions all year long. Find out more below and visit us now!

SCULPTURE UNDER THE SUN

At the DeCordova Sculpture Park in Lincoln, more than 75 large-scale, modern and contemporary works are sited on the rolling lawns and in the woods. MIT’s extensive public art collection includes works by Alexander Calder, Henry Moore, and Louise Nevelson. Chesterwood, the Stockbridge summer home of sculptor Daniel Chester French – best known for the seated Lincoln statue – hosts its annual contemporary outdoor sculpture show through October 11th. And this fall, don’t miss Sculpture at Maudsley, an annual site-specific show by North Shore artists at Maudsley State Park in Newburyport on September 12-October 3. Photo: Butterfly Effect, 2004, Rick Brown; DeCordova Museum + Sculpture Park

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FEATURED REGION: CAPE COD

Kick off the First Day of Summer at the Second Annual Quahog Day, set for Monday, June 21, 2010 at Hemisphere Restaurant in Sandwich! Join us at 4 p.m. to hear Doug the Quahog’s official prognostication on how many weeks of beach weather lie ahead. Click here for a full list of Quahog Day events!

On July 3-5, enjoy the annual Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Pow Wow, a popular three-day celebration that is an immersion in Native American culture, featuring fun activities, crafts, food, dance and music. On July 16-18, the Annual Greek Cultural Festival will be held at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Centerville, while the Wellfleet Historical Society's 35th Annual House Tour will be held July 25th. And, for information on Cape-wide Fourth of July activities, including parades and fireworks, visit CapeCodChamber.org.

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CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS

Experience a magnificent day of culture and celebration at the Blackstone Valley Celtic Festival! Come to Indian Ranch on Saturday, July 17, 2010 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m to enjoy a parade, children’s entertainment, dance, food and more. Featured performances by fiddlers, bands and comedians will inspire the feeling of taking a trip to Ireland’s valleys, farms and hills. Also save the date for the 51st Annual Fitchburg Longsjo Classic Bike Race on July 2-5.

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THE BERKSHIRES

The Berkshire Arts Festival has become one of the must see highlights of the July 4th weekend! Over 175 juried artists and artisans from across the USA present their superb works at beautiful Ski Butternut in Great Barrington. Bring the family, try your hand at the potter’s wheel, build a clay sculpture, enjoy a gourmet lunch and shop inside the air conditioned lodge or under our beautiful white tents. Rain or shine; hours are July 2 & 3 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., July 4th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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GREATER MERRIMACK VALLEY

From July 23-25, 2010, don't miss the Lowell Folk Festival, the largest free folk festival in the United States in downtown Lowell! Featuring live bands from around the country on six downtown stages, delicious ethnic foods representing Lowell's diverse community, dancing at the Dutton Street Pavilion, family activities and folk arts and crafts demonstrations. The celebration begins Friday evening with the downtown parade and music at Boardinghouse Park. All events are free!

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NORTH OF BOSTON

Step back in time and explore the extraordinary collection of homes, buildings and artifacts from America's First Period (1625-1725) across Essex County! On Saturday, July 3, 2010 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., various properties and historic homes will be open to the public, many offering special tours and theater & art events. 17th Century Saturdays continues on the first Saturday of each month through October. For more cultural events North of Boston, visit www.escapesnorth.com.

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MOHAWK TRAIL REGION

The 10th Annual Iron Bridge Dinner in Shelburne Falls will be held Sunday, August 15th! Modeled after a similar outdoor community dinner in France, this unique event features a single table set with linens and china for 400 people along the entire span of the Iron Bridge over the Deerfield River that connects the towns of Buckland and Shelburne. Local restaurateurs prepare this elegant outdoor meal. For tickets, call 413-625-2526 or visit www.shelburnefalls.com.

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SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS

Greater New Bedford Summerfest, set for July 3-4, 2010, is New Bedford's annual International Folk Festival! Enjoy six stages of performers, including traditional folk music and dance, contemporary acoustic, National and International acts. The festivities also include a juried arts & crafts fair, whaleboat races, great food and a fabulous fireworks display. From July 16-25, the New Bedford Festival Theatre presents seven performances of the popular musical “Gypsy” in the Zeiterion Theatre.

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MARTHA'S VINEYARD

Musical Monday will feature Johnny Hoy & The Blue Fish on Monday, July 26th from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Bring your picnic baskets, lawn chairs and blankets for a family evening of great music! Held at Featherstone Center for the Arts in Oak Bluffs. $7 for adults or $5 with the Island card. For a full schedule of Musical Monday performances for Summer 2010, visit www.featherstoneart.org.

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FRANKLIN COUNTY

The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce presents the 24th Annual Green River Festival on July 17-18, 2010 on the grounds of Greenfield Community College (I-91, Exit 26, Greenfield). The celebration – the area’s biggest summer outdoor event - combines music on two stages, food, crafts, dancing, kids’ activities and hot air balloon launches (weather permitting). Featured performers this year include Cake,, Allen Toussaint, Old Crow Medicine Show, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars and many more! Find ticket information and details at www.greenriverfestival.com.

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PLYMOUTH COUNTY

The Plimoth Plantation Players present “Shakespeare at Night” on Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights from July 3rd through Labor Day weekend! They present 16th & 17th-century English theater in the style that the Plymouth Colonists would have known before leaving for America in 1620, with young male actors handling the women's roles as well. The schedule includes The Tempest on Thursdays, Romeo & Juliet on Fridays and Twelfth Night on Saturdays. Tickets are $12 ($8 members). Shows at 8 p.m.

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GREATER SPRINGFIELD

Northampton’s New Century Theatre presents “To Forgive, Divine” on July 1-10, 2010. Written and directed by Jack Neary, this comedy centers on a genial parish priest who finds himself faced with challenges and unexpected situations. The Boston Globe described it as “hilarious and touching…TO FORGIVE is simply DIVINE.” For more information, call 413-585-3220 or click here.

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GREATER BOSTON

The Annual Boston HARBORFEST will be held June 30-July 5, 2010, showcasing the historic city’s colonial and maritime heritage. Featuring concerts, historical tours, reenactments, and over 200 festival events around Boston’s historic downtown and waterfront districts. Also, the annual Fourth of July Boston Pops Esplanade Concert kicks off at 8 p.m. on July 4th, with conductor Keith Lockhart and a special guest. The concert will be followed by a spectacular fireworks display.

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NANTUCKET ISLAND

The 3rd Annual Nantucket Comedy Festival, set for July 28-31, 2010, promises a four-day yuk-fest this summer. Founded by New York and Nantucket comedian Kevin Flynn, the festival features nationally-recognized comedians, a New York vs. Boston Comedian “Smackdown,” a Ladies Night of Comedy, a Children’s Comedy Workshop, special community events, and a host of VIP cocktail receptions that capture and celebrate the power of laughter and the universal appeal of comedy.

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