Downtown Lowell Blog

"I see TV ads about detergents that can get blood stains out of your clothes. I say if you have blood stains on your clothes you should be thinking about something other than laundry."

-- Comedian Jerry Seinfeld

"Metaphorically Speaking," July 28-Aug. 29

Laurie Simko and Laura Gawlinski present "Metaphorically Speaking," works that explore 'paying attention' and connecting to the intelligence, wisdom and beauty that the natural world offers. Artists reception Fri., Aug. 6, 6-9pm.
More Information: www.theloadingdockgallery.com

ArtWalk Lowell ends July 31

View this year's ArtWalk Lowell 2010 window displays until Saturday, July 31! Peoples' Choice winners are: 1st Place - John Cascio, 2nd Place - Norm Caron, 3rd Place - Donna Berger. Congratulations to the winners and many thanks to all participating artists.
More Information: ArtWalk 2010

Brian Bergeron performs TONIGHT at Athenian Corner

Don't miss Brian Bergeron for a one-night only performance at Athenian Corner's outdoor music series "Concerts on the Corner." Bergeron's music has been featured on MTV's "Real World" and E! Network's "Keeping Up With The Kardashians." Show begins at 6pm, free and open to the public. If inclement weather, performance takes place indoors.
More Information: www.atheniancorner.com

2010 Lowell Summer Music Series

The 2010 Lowell Summer Music Series continues this weekend with exciting performances at Boardinghouse Park in downtown Lowell! Experience incredible live music under the stars every Friday and Saturday evening until September 11, 2010!
More information: www.lowellsummermusic.org

2010 ONE Lowell World Cup, Aug. 1, 7, and 8

The ONE Lowell World Cup 2010 is a 24 Team International Soccer Tournament held at Cawley Stadium in the city of Lowell. This is the fourth year of the tournament, with each year drawing more competitive teams and larger crowds.
More Information: www.onelowellsoccercup.org

Restaurant Showcase Week 2010, Aug. 1 - 15

Dine out during the Greater Merrimack Valley Second Annual Restaurant Showcase Week presented by the Greater Merrimack Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau. Food lovers are invited to sample the best cuisine that each participating restaurant has to offer! All proceeds to benefit the Merrimack Valley Food Bank.
More information: www.merrimackvalley.org

"E.T." outdoor film screening for National Night Out, August 3

Steven Spielberg's classic "E.T." screens outdoors in celebration of "National Night Out" at the C.W. Morey Elementary School in Lowell! Fun family festivities start at 6pm -- film screening at 8pm. Sponsored by: Lower Highlands Neighborhood Group, Lowell Alliance for Families and Neighborhoods, Lowell Police Department, Lowell Film Collaborative, Chelmsford TeleMedia, YWCA of Lowell Green Team, and Target.
More Information: www.lowellfilmcollaborative.org

Open Mic Night at The Space, Aug. 6, 8pm

Come to The Space and enjoy an open mic night featuring local musician, Tim Bergeron. All live performers (musicians, poets, comedians) are welcomed to sign up to perform -- all are invited to enjoy a great night of local entertainment!
More Information: www.inthespace.net

2010 Longfellow summer reading series

Attend the New England Poetry Club's summer reading series at the Longfellow National Historic Site, 105 Brattle St., Cambridge. The events are "NEPC Poets with New Books" (August 8) and "Poets appearing in 'Cambridge Voices'" (August 22).
More Information: www.nepoetryclub.org

Lowell Quilt Festival, Aug. 12-14

Experience one of the country's foremost celebrations of the art and craft of quilting! "IMAGES", the centerpiece of the Festival, is moving to the Lowell Memorial Auditorium. This judged and juried exhibit will feature hundreds of entrants from around the country and around the world.
More Information: www.lowellquiltfestival.org

"High Style: Betsy Bloomingdale and the Haute Couture," Aug. 14 - Jan. 2.

Get a rare and fascinating glimpse into the personal world of style of Betsy Bloomingdale, one of America's most celebrated socialites and fashion icons. See magnificent designs from the couture houses of Givenchy, Chanel, Dior, Valentino, and Yves Saint Laurent, which have been worn to celebrated occasions, including the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer.
More Information: www.athm.org.

"The Nature of Cities," Aug. 18, 7:30pm

Enjoy this free outdoor film screening at Lowell's Shedd Park! "The Nature of Cities" visits beautiful, sustainable locales around the globe and introduces the concept of bringing our urban environments closer to the natural world. With the current BP tragedy, this film is a much needed journey into environmental hope. Sponsored by Enterprise Bank & Trust.
More Information: www.lowellfilmcollaborative.org

14th Southeast Asian Water Festival, Sat. Aug. 21

Lowell's Southeast Asian Water Festival is a tribute to Southeast Asia's centuries-old annual celebration that pays homage to the rivers, lakes, and ponds that villagers depend upon for their livelihood and economic development. Enjoy traditional foods, dancing, boat races, and much more at this free event!
More Information: www.lowellwaterfestival.org

Volunteer at the Southeast Asian Water Festival

Volunteer at the Southeast Asian Water Festival and enjoy being a part of an incredible day of celebration! Select your volunteer preference: donation brigade, recycling team, set-up and break-down team, boat transportation, and general floaters. For more details, contact Dahvy Tran at dtran555@gmail.com, subject line "Water Festival."
More information: http://lowellwaterfestival.org/race_perform_vol/

Call to artists

Deadline: Mon., Aug. 23, 2010 (materials received)
Trinity Financial invites artists/designers/teams to forward qualifications for an artwork to be permanently installed in the four-story atrium of the Appleton Mills redevelopment, a historic textile mill located at 219 Jackson St. in downtown Lowell. The work to be commissioned could be a freestanding, wall-mounted or suspended piece. This project is open to all artists/ designers/ teams residing in New England, including collaborations with writers or sound artists/musicians.

Budget: $15,000. Five to ten finalists will receive a $500 honorarium to develop a proposal for public exhibition at the 10th Annual Open Studios in Lowell on Sept. 25 and 26, 2010. One artist/designer/team will be commissioned for the project.

Contact: Christina Lanzl, Project Manager, Urban Arts Institute at Massachusetts College of Art and Design christina.lanzl@massart.edu

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