Downtown Lowell Blog: Upcoming Events in Greater Lowell, May 6

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"I'm certainly the last person to give advice on, well, anything."

- George Clooney, actor (birthday, May 6)

Please join us! COOL Annual Breakfast, May 11

Mark your calendars for COOL's Annual Breakfast on Wednesday, May 11, 7:30am. This year's event will feature several of Lowell's creative businesses and cultural innovators integral to the City's vitality! Special guest: Andre Dubus, III

Location: Arts League of Lowell Gallery, 22 Shattuck Street, Lowell.

To attend, kindly RSVP to Suzzanne Cromwell, scromwell@lowellma.gov, by Friday, April 29, 2011.
Tickets are $25 (general public) and $10 (students and artists).

More information: Contact LZ Nunn, 978-674-1480

COOL presents “unPanel: Expand Your Creative Enterprise,” June 6

“unPanel” is a fun night of networking & idea-sharing for Greater Lowell Creatives! This unique series of informal roundtable workshops provides professional development advice & strategies for any artist. Space is limited, registration required. Mon., Jun. 6, 6-9pm, American Textile History Museum. More information: www.cultureiscool.org/unpanel or Hannah Hagman, hhagman@lowellma.gov, 978-674-1482

The Music Man Marches into Lowell, May 6 & 7

 The Lowell High Drama Club presents Meredith Willson's classic story of a musical con artist, The Music Man. Directed by Sharon Bisantz, musical direction by Andrew Descoteaux. May 6, 7:30pm & May 7, 1pm & 7:30pm, Cyrus W. Irish Auditorium, Lowell High School. Tickets: $10/adults, $5/students. More information: http://boston.broadwayworld.com/mtishows.cfm?id=54499

Cinco de Mayo Fundraiser & Celebration at the Brush Gallery, May 7

The Brush Gallery's annual Cinco de Mayo Fundraiser and Celebration is almost here! Bring your friends and family for a night of great music, dancing, salsa lessons, delicious Mexican-inspired hors doevres, an auction, and raffle prizes. Sat., May 7, 6-10pm, Brush Art Gallery, 246 Market St., Lowell. More information & tickets: www.thebrush.org

The 10th Annual Doors Open Lowell, May 12-14

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Doors Open Lowell is the community’s signature preservation, architecture, and design event. Get an inside look at over thirty of Lowell’s historic buildings, many not normally open to the public. May 12-14, downtown Lowell and surrounding area. More information: www.doorsopenlowell.org

"A Look to the Future" - UMass Lowell Student Videos on Climate Change, May 9

UML students took part in a NASA-sponsored workshop to create 5 short films on one of the greatest challenges faced by society & science: Climate Change. See their films Mon, May 9, 5:30-7:30pm at theBoott Cotton Mills Museum, 115 Foot of St. John St. (2nd fl), Lowell. Free & open to the public. More information: http://www.uml.edu/centers/climate-change/

For The Birds exhibit at the Brush Gallery, May 7 - June 18

Juried by ornithologist David Allen Sibley, this exhibit of paintings, photographs, fiber art, mixed media & sculpture celebrates birds and their habitats. Funds raised from the exhibit will benefit local bird rescue efforts. Brush Gallery & Artists Studios, 256 Market St., Lowell. More information: www.thebrush.org

Upcoming film events at the Pollard Library, May 12 & 14

Join the Pollard for these upcoming FREE film screenings: How I Ended This Summer (Thurs., May 12, 6:30pm) and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (Sat., May 14, 1pm). Pollard Memorial Library, 401 Merrimack St., Lowell. More information: www.pollardml.org

Percussionist Evelyn Glennie is showcased in the film Touch the Sound, May 12

Evelyn Glennie

The Arts League of Lowell & the Lowell Film Collaborative present Touch the Sound, Thurs., May 12, 6:30pm, the next film in their Film & the Arts Series. This stunning, inspiring film highlights Glennie's extraordinary career as an award-winning musician, made more remarkable by the fact that she is a deaf performer. The Space Recording Studio, 150 Western Avenue, Lowell. More information: www.lowellfilmcollaborative.org

Women Working Wonders Fund trip benefits local non-profits, May 12

The Women Working Wonders Fund hosts a bus trip to Bloomingdale’s, Thurs., May 12, 5:15pm. 10% of purchases will go back to the WWW Fund which is awarding two $5000 grants to area non-profits that meet specific criteria. Seating is limited - call Amy Werner at 978-441-6401 to book the trip. More information: www.womengreaterlowell.org

LP&CT hosts a Birding Walk and Doors Open Lowell event, May 14

Historic Spaulding House

Spend the day with Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust at these upcoming events: Birding Walk, Sat., May 14, 7-9am, and a visit inside historic Spaulding House (c.1760) during Doors Open Lowell, Sat., May 14, 2-5pm. More information: www.lowelllandtrust.org or 978-934-0030

Stephen O’Connor author event at Pollard Library, May 19

Local author Stephen O’Connor comes to the Pollard Library for a reading from his newest work The Spy in the City of Books. A book signing follows the reading. Free event. Thurs., May 19, 7pm, Pollard Memorial Library, 401 Merrimack St., Lowell. More information: www.pollardml.org

Cast Party Gala to benefit Merrimack Repertory Theatre, May 20

The Friends of MRT announce Merrimack Repertory Theatre’s Cast Party Gala, Fri., May 20, 6pm, at Andover Country Club. Enjoy great food, dancing, live music, and appearances by many of the actors and directors who appeared at Merrimack Rep during the 2010-2011 season. Tickets: $150/pp. More information: www.merrimackrep.org

Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra free performance, May 13

Winston Huang

The Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra presents a free pops concert, Fri., May 13, 8pm, at the Pawtucket Congregational Church. The concert features 15-year-old pianist Winston Huang performing Franz Liszt. Other pieces include music from Eugene Onegin, Lord of the Rings, and Johann Strauss. More information: www.lowellphilharmonic.org

The Gentlemen Songsters at the Butler Middle School, May 21

The Gentelmen Songsters

The Lowell Gentlemen Songsters present their 25th Anniversary show, May 21, 7:30pm, at the Butler Middle School. Also appearing are renowned jazz quartet "Syncopation" and the internationally ranked women's quartet "Boston Accent.” More information & tickets: www.gentlemensongsters.org/show/

Loom Press celebrates local authors, May 22

Loom Press of Lowell hosts a release party on Sun., May 22, 2-4pm, to celebrate the publication of three new books written by authors who live and work in the Lowell area. Hear each author read from his or her work with content ranging from Lowell-inspired poems to oral histories of immigrant communities in Lowell, past and present. More information: http://loompress.com/latest_news.htm

“Tre Artisti in Sicilia” on exhibit at Centro Restaurant & Bar, through June 25

Byzantia by Jean Winslow

In May 2010, three Lowell artists convened together in a charming villa high in the Madonie Mountains of Sicily near the ancient seaside town of Cefalu. See the inspiring work that came from their enchanting visit! Reception: Sun., Jun. 12, 1-3pm. Centro Restaurant, 24 Market St., Lowell. More information: http://vyumagazine.blogspot.com/

Sustainability Snapshots Photography Contest

What do you want to pass on to future generations? Share your vision of Lowell! Enter the Sustainability Snapshots Photography Contest for a chance to win a season pass to the Lowell Summer Music Series! More information: Click here

fufu & oreos, created & performed by Obehi Janice, May 13-22

Obehi Janice

In her one-woman show, Lowell-native Obehi Janice soulfully contemplates her multiple identities: Nigerian-American, Black Female and Christian. Sat., May 14 show includes special reception with traditional Nigerian food. May 13-22, 119 Gallery. More information & tickets: www.fufuandoreos.com

2011 Lowell Photography Contest, through September 1

Lowell National Historical Park announces their second photo contest highlighting Lowell’s impressive preservation efforts and its distinct cultural landscape. This year’s contest includes two special submission categories for photos featuring historic preservation or cultural activities. More information: www.nps.gov/lowe

LTC celebrates their Grand Re-Opening, May 13

See Lowell Telecommunications Corporations' brand new home and get a first-hand look at what all the buzz is about including their state-of-the-art studio, a Green Room/Lounge, and a new art exhibition space. Fri., May 13, 5-8pm, 246 Market St., (across from the Visitor Center). More information: www.ltc.org

Portrait workshop with Mary Minifie at the Whistler House Museum of Art, May 13-15

Register for a 3-Day Portrait Workshop with Mary Minifie, professional portrait painter and modern master of the Boston School, Fri. - Sun, May 13-15. Emphasis will be on the beauty of the flesh color notes in the natural light and understanding the form of the head. Deposit required to register. More information & registration: www.whistlerhouse.org or 978-452-7641

ARTicle Fashion supports the Revolving Museum

Support the Revolving Museum’s new youth initiative, ARTicle Fashion, by purchasing handcrafted polished brass and stainless steel necklaces created by young artists in collaboration with Olin College of Engineering student Luis Gutierrez. More information: www.articlefashions.com

Open call for musical group talent

Calling local bands! The Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell seeks bands to play a 2-hour set outdoors on the back lawn along the canal during a Thursday night Summer Music Series. Must be family-friendly. More information: Jennifer Kelly, Jennifer_kelly@uml.edu or 978-934-5761

About the COOL Cultural E-newsletter

The COOL Cultural E-newsletter is emailed every week by the Cultural Organization of Lowell (COOL) in conjunction with the Lowell Cultural Roundtable. News items for consideration may be sent to scromwell@lowellma.gov. Please limit description to no more than two lines of text and include full contact information and URL if applicable.

Deadlines: To insure your posting is in the coming week's e-blast, we must receive it by the previous Friday.

To subscribe, send an email to scromwell@lowellma.gov with the subject line, "Please subscribe to COOL e-blast."

To unsubscribe, scroll down to the bottom of this e-newsletter and use the "SecureUnsubscribe" link.

If there is an upcoming event that you would like to put on the COOL calendar (www.cultureiscool.org), email LZ Nunn at LZNunn@lowellma.gov to obtain a password.