Downtown Lowell Blog: Upcoming Events in Greater Lowell, May 18

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"Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby."

- Langston Hughes

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

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

Thursday night Concerts on the Corner at Athenian Corner Restaurant, starts May 19

The Athenian Corner announces the return of Concerts on the Corner, a Thursday night music series in their outdoor seating area featuring local musicians, starting Thur.,May 19, 7-9pm, with UMass-Lowell's Chris Donahue, an exciting young artist with a vast repertoire of modern pop music. Free and open to the public. More information: www.atheniancorner.com

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/

Final performances of fufu & oreos, created & performed by Obehi Janice, May 20 - 22

Obehi Janice

In her one-woman show, Lowell-native Obehi Janice soulfully contemplates her multiple identities: Nigerian-American, Black Female and Christian. Final performances are May 20, 21, & 22 at 119 Gallery. More information & tickets: www.fufuandoreos.com

New exhibits open at the American Textile History Museum, May 21

"Glamour and Grace: 1930s Fashion" - May 21 - Oct.16. In the 1930s, graceful cuts and glamorous fabrics replaced the boxy, boyish styles of the previous decade. See dresses and accessories typical of this extraordinary decade! "Marking Time: Voyage to Vietnam" - May 21 - Sept. 25. Learn the dramatic stories of young American soldiers going to Vietnam during the 1960s. More information: www.athm.org

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

Lowell Jazz Day Camp hosts a special Open House at The Space, May 23

Learn more about Lowell Jazz Day Camp, Mon., May 23, 6:30-8:30pm at The Space! This special Open House is a great way to meet & hear a performance by Jazz Day Camp faculty, tour the facility, and get a special reduced rate for the camp and/or apply for a scholarship. More information: www.inthespace.net

Call for Submissions: City of Lowell's new mobile marketing bus

Ever thought about designing public art that travels? The Cultural Organization of Lowell (COOL) is hosting an artist design competition for the recently acquired mini-bus that will travel around the region as a mobile marketing experience promoting the City of Lowell. Submission deadline: June 8. More information: Click here for submission details

Non-fiction book club at the Pollard Library, June 2

On Thurs., Jun. 2 at 6:30pm, the Pollard Library Non-Fiction Book Club will discuss The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. Books not provided (copies available to borrow from the library system). Free & open to the public, light refreshments served. More information: www.pollardml.org

Boston Conservatory Theater Ensemble presents "Factory Girls" free to the Lowell community, June 3 - 5

The Boston Conservatory Theater Ensemble presents a workshop production of "Factory Girls," Jun. 3-5, at the Burgoyne Theater at Lowell High School and June 9-12 at the Boston Conservatory Theater. Lowell performances are free, advance reservations recommended. Tickets or reservations: 617-912-9222 or http://bostonconservatory.ticketforce.com/.

Lowell Folklife Series comes to Merrimack Repertory Theatre, June 4

Lowell National Historical Park presents "Traditional Irish Music and Dance: Three Master Teachers and Their Apprentices Perform Together" featuring fiddle player Laurel Martin and stepdancers Kieran Jordan & Kevin Doyle. Part of the Lowell Folklife Series. Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Jun. 4 at 8pm. More information: www.nps.gov/lowe

International documentary I Remember Better When I Paint screens in Lowell, June 7

The Arts League of Lowell & the Lowell Film Collaborative present a FREE screening of I Remember Better When I Paint, the next film in their 2011 Film & the Arts Series. Learn about the incredible, inspiring impact the creative arts have on those struggling with Alzheimer's, memory loss, and dementia. ALL Arts Gallery, Lowell, Tues., Jun. 7, 7pm. More information: www.lowellfilmcollaborative.org

Simplicity on exhibit at the Whistler House Museum of Art, through June 22

See works by Almerinda Silva and Peter Kostoulakos in "Simplicity," on view at the Whistler House Museum of Art through June 22. Artist reception will be Sat., Jun. 11 from 2-4pm. More information: www.whistlerhouse.org

Cellular Visions exhibit comes to Groton Public Library, through June 24

Cellular Visions, with works by Jodi Colella, Kay Hartung, Julie Martini & Erica Mason, is a vibrant exhibit of various media that illuminates the basic building block of life as we know it: the cell. Owen Smith Shuman Gallery, Groton Public Library, through Fri., Jun. 24. More information: www.gpl.org

Artists at Lowell's Brush Art Gallery collaborate for the Elder Art Initiative

Pamela Wamala

Founded by Lowell artist & Brush Art Gallery member Pamela Wamala, the Elder Art Initiative engages and inspires senior citizens in the creative process through art workshops at seven nursing homes in the Greater Lowell area. Wamala's artistic partners include Eileen Byrne, Nancy Wormword, Ellen Lyons, Carol Boileau and Judith Bissette. More information: Watch this video by George DeLuca and Mike Flynn

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

National recognition for Lowell's Revolving Museum

Lowell's Revolving Museum has been selected as a National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award national finalist by the Presiden's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities! The Revolving Museum was named one of 50 finalists for 12 national awards, which will be announced by the end of June. More information: www.revolvingmuseum.org

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

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

Merrimack Repertory Theatre receives award from the Kresge Foundation

Congratulations to Merrimack Repertory Theatre on the receipt of a $325,000 grant from the highly-competitive “Facility Investment and Building Reserves Program” of the nationally-known Kresge Foundation! More information: http://www.merrimackrep.org/home/News.aspx?NewsId=105

For The Birds exhibit at the Brush Gallery, through 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

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.

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If there is an upcoming event that you would like to put on the COOL calendar (www.cultureiscool.org), email scromwell@lowellma.gov for information.