Live Music & Dancing
Morna Lounge and Grill, a family owned Cape Verdean & Portuguese Food restaurant, and live music venue, will present a showcase of live music from around the world, including traditional music of Cabo Verde, Fado music from Portugal and more.
Live Music at Co-Creative Center: Picnic Lunch
Co-Creative Center hosts a night of free live music on Saturday, June 11th featuring sounds from local bands Starbath and Picnic Lunch.
Picnic Lunch is a 3-piece post-punk, noise rock group from New Bedford who have been playing local venues since 2009.
Set Times:
5 PM: Starbath
6 PM: Picnic Lunch
Anke Djé, Anke Bé, with Master Percussionist Sidy Maiga
Anke djé, anke bé translates to "everyone gather together in peace". The phrase is in the language of the Bambara people of Mali, West Africa. That is where Master Percussionist Sidy Maiga hails from and also the origins of his preferred percussion instrument, the djembe drum. The djembe (or jembe) is a rope-tuned skin-covered goblet drum played with bare hands. Sidy, with a few other professional percussionists, will bring thirty (30) of these drums to several sites for a participatory community experience during the 20mi2 destination weekend. Advance (free) registration is recommended for those who want to “reserve a drum”. If you have your own hand percussion, bring it!
Live Music at Co-Creative Center: Starbath
Co-Creative Center hosts a night of free live music on Saturday, June 11th featuring sounds from local bands Starbath and Picnic Lunch.
Starbath is is a 4-piece heavy psych outfit lifting off from Fairhaven, bringing groovy jams to the cosmos for your enjoyment.
Set Times:
5 PM: Starbath
6 PM: Picnic Lunch
Open Sail #3 on Azorean Whaleboats
Azorean Maritime Heritage Society (AMHS) will host open sail opportunities on their authentic Azorean whaleboats, free of charge! AMHS keeps our authentic Azorean Whaleboats docked in Clark’s Cove at the New Bedford Community Boating Center for the summer season. These boats are 40 feet long, made entirely of wood, and carry a boat steerer (coxswain) with 6 rowers. Advance registration is required.
Paul Cuffe: Entrepreneur
SPINNER PUBLICATION STAFF:
Jay Avila, Sue Grace, Joseph Thomas, Corey Nuffer
Spinner Publications staff are excited to be a part of the 20mi2 project, and will host a free panel discussion celebrating New Bedford’s and colonial America's most important entrepreneur of color, titled “Paul Cuffe: Entrepreneur,” on Saturday, June 11th, at the Wamsutta Club, from 5pm to 7pm.
Spinner Publications is a non-profit publishing house based in New Bedford. Their mission is to record and promote the history and culture of the cities and towns of southeastern New England. They do this primarily through the publication of books and curation of thei collections.
New Mural Completion & Artists’s Talk
20mi2 commissioned artists Gregory Pennisten and David Guadalupe to reimagine and design a mural for the facade of the Dennison Memorial Community Center. The mural is scheduled to be completed on Saturday, June 11. A community celebration of this project is planned from 4-7pm, featuring an artists’ talk and photo opportunity.
Fine Arts Club Social & Anniversary Celebration
The New Bedford Light is a free, nonprofit digital news outlet dedicated to community-based coverage of important local issues. In addition to in-depth and fact-based journalism, their mission is to provide a broad platform for diverse community voices. Their coverage also highlights the region’s rich creative and cultural landscape. They launched in June 2021 and look forward to celebrating their 1st birthday on Saturday, June 11 during the city’s 20mi2 celebration.
From 3:30-5:00pm, The New Bedford Light will host their first in-person Fine Arts Club meeting at Dough Company in the Kilburn Mill. The Fine Arts Club is a marketplace for art buyers, enthusiasts, and artists to meet.
Immediately following the Fine Arts Club, join The New Bedford Light cohort for birthday cake and a Q&A session with their editor, Barbara Roessner, at their 2nd floor Kilburn office from 5:00-6:00pm.
Junta Mon: Together in Music
The New Bedford Symphony Orchestra (NBSO) and Cape Verdean Association (CVA) will be holding Junta Mon: Together in Music, a collaborative music festival on Saturday, June 11 from 3:00 to 6:00 PM at the future site of Island Park, 1157 Acushnet Avenue in the North End of New Bedford.
This free musical event for the whole family will feature songs by Cape Verdean musicians, a second set by several NBSO musicians, and then culminate as the two groups play together.
The New Bedford Art Museum/ArtWorks! ArtMobile and Local Artist Devin “Nived” McLaughlin will be present helping make crafts using recycled materials and coloring pages. Face-painting and interactive musical activities for children will also take place.
Cape Verdean and other delicious food will be offered for sale by Chef Kevin’s Food Truck!
Open Sail #2 on Azorean Whaleboats
Azorean Maritime Heritage Society (AMHS) will host open sail opportunities on their authentic Azorean whaleboats, free of charge! AMHS keeps our authentic Azorean Whaleboats docked in Clark’s Cove at the Community Boating Center for the summer season. These boats are 40 feet long, made entirely of wood, and carry a boat steerer (coxswain) with 6 rowers. Advance registration is required.
Youth Workshop
Dennison Memorial Community Center, in partnership with 20mi2, will host local artists for art projects with Dennison Community youth.
Seed Bomb Workshop
Give back to nature with a free Seed Bombing Workshop at Victory Park hosted by Sílvia Belo Oliveira.
Seed bombs are little clay-covered mounds of seeds and potting soil. They are used to reseed native plants to neglected patches of land in need of a bit of TLC. This workshop will use Northeast Native Pollinator-friendly Wildflower seeds.
This will be a make-and-take workshop where participants can later throw the seed bombs around their respective neighborhoods to make them more beautiful and provide host plants for pollinating creatures!
Wilks World-Wide Knit in Public Day
Grab your knitting supplies and join fellow knitters for a fun day at The Wilks Branch of the New Bedford Free Public Library. Don't know how to knit? No problem! Staff will be able to teach you the basics of knitting, and you will not leave empty-handed!
New Bedford Food Tour
New Bedford Food Tours is offering a guided culinary walking tour of downtown New Bedford. They’ll bring you to sample uniquely local cuisine at area restaurants, as their fun and engaging guides put the food into the cultural and historical context of New Bedford. Whether you are from out of town or a local looking to expand your palate, come hungry and leave with the inside scoop. Advance registration is required at NewBedfordFoodTours.com
Books, Bookmarks & Cake!
The Howland-Green branch of the New Bedford Free Public Library will host an all-day (9am-5pm) outdoor book sale.
From 1:00-3:00pm, the New Bedford Arts & Cultural Emporium (NBACE) will be there offering a Free Bookmark Making Workshop using dried flowers, quotes, fancy papers, and tassels.
From 3:30-5:00pm, as a wrap-up celebration for 20mi2, they’ll have cake and other snacks.
Community Boat, a Community Art Canvas
The Community Boating Center is presenting an opportunity to participate in a community art project. This is your blank canvas. Stop by and contribute your artistic talents or words of wisdom, around the theme of commUNITY.
Cycle 20mi2 in 02744
Gather at Dennison Memorial Community Center at 1 PM on your bicycle with helmets on for the Cycle 20mi2 group ride to around this scenic waterfront neighborhood, led by the New Bedford Starchasers, a Division of SCUL. The loop will take you around the Clark’s Cove, with planned stops along the way (approx. 3 hrs), and end back at Dennison Memorial Community Center. Advance registration is required to participate in this guided ride (free of charge).
Rain Gutter Regatta
The New Bedford Art Museum/ArtWorks! ArtMobile and Local Artist Devin "Nived" McLaughlin will be on site to help you make a small boat out of recycled materials!
Afterwards you can race your boat against others in the Rain Gutter Regatta, organized by the Azorean Maritime Heritage Society and Community Boating Center.
Open Studio with Kate Sheridan
Stop by the MakerSpace at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park between 12-4 to learn what their current Artist in Residence Kate Sheridan is working on!
Bicycle Showoff Parade & Fun Contest
Dennison Memorial Community Center is the kick-off location for Cycle 20mi2 in the 02744 neighborhoods. Gather here early for a community celebration with DJ music, and help us celebrate the creative bicycle styling that the Dennison youth create during workshops prior to the weekend events (sponsored by 20mi2). We will award prizes for fan favorites!
By The Beach Mini Market
BuyBlack NB is hosting a Mini Market to showcase a curated selection of local Black-owned businesses offering a variety of goods and services. Shop while enjoying the ocean breeze, live music and other performances and community.
Festival Celebration of St. Anthony
Celebrate the feast of St. Anthony in the City’s North End, featuring tours of the iconic church, Portuguese, American and Spanish food!
The St. Anthony of Padua parish will host tours of its iconic Romanesque style church, and will have food, games, the legendary Portuguese malasadas (fried dough).
Festival Celebration of St. Anthony will take place on Saturday June 11 from 12pm to 6pm and on Sunday June 12 from 12pm to 3pm.
St. Anthony of Padua
St. Anthony of Padua was founded in 1895 to serve the needs of French Canadian Catholics who lived in the North End of New Bedford. The new parish was under the care of first pastor, Fr. Hormisdas Deslauriers (1861–1916), an energetic leader who would have great influence on the parishes future development. The first mass was celebrated on Oct 6th 1895 at ‘’North Union Hall’’ on Bullard Street. Shortly thereafter a two-story wood-frame church was dedicated on March 8, 1896.
The present Romanesque style church was begun in 1902 when the parish acquired plans from Canadian architect Joseph Venne of Montreal. The cornerstone for the new building was laid in June 1904 and work began on shortly thereafter. On September 20, 1904, several construction workers were seriously injured and one killed when a 50-foot wall collapsed at the construction site.
Open Sail #1 on Azorean Whaleboats
Azorean Maritime Heritage Society (AMHS) will host open sail opportunities on their authentic Azorean whaleboats, free of charge! AMHS keeps our authentic Azorean Whaleboats docked in Clark’s Cove at the Community Boating Center for the summer season. These boats are 40 feet long, made entirely of wood, and carry a boat steerer (coxswain) with 6 rowers. Advance registration is required.
On the Water Family Fun
Community Boating Center will offer a variety of family friendly on-the-water activities from sailing to paddle-boarding, and kayaking.
Hip Hop Pop-up
3rd EyE Unlimited and the Communal Space host spoken word, music, dance and art activities under the Pavilion overlooking the water at Clarke’s Cove.
Wellness Retreat: Call and Response Kirtan
Sangha New Bedford Yoga & Healing Arts Community’s hosts a Kirtan, call and response chanting with live harmonium, to celebrate the end of the Wellness Retreat.
Sangha is a barefoot venue. Please leave your shoes in the cubbies by the entrance.
Studio Saturday at Hatch Street Studios
Hatch Street Studios artists of 88-90 Hatch Street cordially invite you into their creative work-spaces for Studio Saturday. Stop by and experience the delight of wandering from studio to studio, discovering the arts in all mediums, live music, art demos, and workshops.
Hatch Street Studios is the vibrant creative hub of more than 65 visual and performing artists. Located at 88 & 90 Hatch Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts (in the city’s north end) the two grand brick and stone buildings are right in the heart of the historic Nashawena Mill district. Learn more at: hatchstreetstudios.com
Letterboxing at Ricketson Nature Center
City of New Bedford | Parks Recreation & Beaches staff will offer a letterboxing / geocaching activity with a stamp carving workshop. The letterbox will then be assembled and planted it at the center.
Meet Delilah, a Life-sized Inflatable North Atlantic Right Whale
The Wilks Branch of the New Bedford Free Public Library will host Delilah, the giant whale, and story time.
We know whales are big, but do you know HOW big? Step inside this inflatable whale and find out!
Delilah, designed by artists AND scientists, is a life-sized inflatable North Atlantic right whale, measuring 45 feet long. Her measurements are based off of a real whale who lived along the East Coast in the US and Canada. Delilah fits 20 adults or 30 kids at a time, so step inside and take a look at her giant lungs, skeleton, spine, and ribs…and hear her story!
Delilah and her family are part of the North Atlantic right whales - an endangered species with fewer than 360 individuals remaining.