Lowell Handmade Art, Music, Film, Food, Culture & More in Boston's Favorite Mill City: Upcoming Events in Greater Lowell, February 24

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"Sitting quietly, doing nothing, spring comes, and the grass grows by itself."

- Zen proverb

Gandy Dancers film screening & military cadence calls, February 27

Lowell National Historical Park & the Lowell Film Collaborative present a special free program on Feb. 27, 2-3:30pm, featuring the documentary Gandy Dancers and live military cadence call demonstrations. Learn more on African-American work chants, an oral tradition once common in the American south, and how they were introduced into modern military basic training.
More information: Maggie Holtzberg at 978-275-1719 or click here for event flyer

Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra presents free Family Concert, February 27

Kadar Qian

Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra presents a Family Concert Sun., Feb. 27, 3pm. Families are welcome to bring children for a program of Chopin, Dukas, Bizet, Telemann, and more. Special performance by 13-yr. old pianist Kadar Quian. Pawtucket Congregational Church, Lowell. Free admission.
More information: www.lowellphilharmonic.org

Join the Lowell Cultural Council at Grant Recipients Reception, March 3

The Lowell Cultural Council invites the public to their 2011 Grant Recipients Reception on Thurs., Mar. 3, 6:30-7:30pm, at the 119 Gallery in Lowell. Enjoy light refreshments and meet members of Lowell's arts community. Live music by New England Youth Wind Ensemble's Woodwind Quintet.
More information: Suzzanne Cromwell, 978-674-1483

Women's Week films showcase the suffragette movement and women-in-the-arts, March 1 & 8

Lowell National Historical Park & the Lowell Film Collaborative present two poignant films for Women's Week: Iron Jawed Angels (Mar. 1) stars Hillary Swank as suffragette leader Alice Paul, and in Who Does She Think She Is? (Mar. 8), five female artists discuss their creative passions, challenges, and aspirations as women-in-the-arts.
More information: Click here for event details

Shifting Boundaries opens at Loading Dock Gallery, March 2

Crane Beach, Laura Doran

Shifting Boundaries, a show of paintings by Ashlee Welz Smith and photographs by Laura Doran, challenges the viewer to push the boundaries of how they experience the world. Runs Mar. 2-27, Loading Dock Gallery, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell. Opening reception: Mar. 4, 6-9pm.
More information: www.theloadingdockgallery.com

Lowell Women's Week, February 27 - March 8

Enjoy a variety of Lowell Women's Week events in celebration of the changing state of women's power. Events include lectures, seminars, film screenings, performances, creative workshops, and much more. All Women's Week events are free (unless otherwise noted) and open to everyone.
More information: www.lowellwomensweek.org

Prints on view from the Whistler House Museum of Art's permanent collection, through March 6

Most of the prints on view are from the Ernest Gates Buttrick Collection. An active member of the Lowell Art Association/WHMA, Buttrick left over 100 works to the museum after his death in 1959. Prints on exhibit through Mar. 6 in the Member's Room in conjunction with the Printmakers Biennial. Reception Feb. 26, 3-5pm.
More information: www.whistlerhouse.org

Affordable live/work artist space still available at Appleton Mills

Over 120 certified artists entered the Appleton Mills lottery -- applications are still being accepted for remaining apartments. Please contact Appleton Mills for an application or set up an artist interview on Mar. 17.
More information: www.liveappletonmills.com

Men of Western Avenue Studios at the Whistler House Museum of Art, through February 26

See a collection of art featuring various disciplines, media and styles from the Men of Western Avenue Studios, an integral part of the cultural life in the city of Lowell. This cross section contains sculpture, (oil, watercolor and acrylic) paintings, photography, and mixed media. Reception: Feb. 26, 3-5pm.
More information: www.whistlerhouse.org

Guitar Virtuoso Eliot Fisk in an Intimate Recital at UMass Lowell, March 3

Eliot Fisk, one of the world's preeminent classical guitarists, performs a solo recital at UML's Fisher Recital Hall, Thurs., Mar. 3, 7:30pm. Renowned guitarist Andrés Segovia described Fisk as "one of the most brilliant, intelligent, gifted young artists of our time." Free and open to the public.
More information: Call 978-934-3850

Author Grace Ross comes to the Pollard Library, March 5

Grace Ross, longtime activist, community organizer and 2006 Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate, will discuss her recently published book, Main Street $marts, and her vision for the future, on Sat., Mar. 5, 2pm at Pollard Memorial Library, 401 Merrimack Street, Lowell.
More information: www.pollardml.org

Award-winning film Omagh screens for Irish Cultural Week, March 8

The Lowell Irish Cultural Committee, Lowell Film Collaborative & Lowell Beer Works partner for a dinner screening of the riveting film Omagh, from filmmakers Paul Greengrass and Pete Travis (Bloody Sunday), which chronicles the 1988 IRA bombing in the Northern Ireland town of Omagh. Tues., Mar. 8, 7pm, Lowell Beer Works.
More information: Click here for event details

Author Jane Brox reads at The Spaulding House, March 10

The Spaulding House will host a book reading by author Jane Brox who will read from here book Brilliant: The Evolution of Artificial Light on Mar. 10. Enjoy a literary evening view LP&CT's beautiful, historic Spaulding House (c1760).
More Information: http://www.lowelllandtrust.org/content/calendar-events

Lowell Jazz Day Camp presents Boogie Woogie Jazz & Blues, March 12

Lowell Jazz Day Camp & The Space present a Boogie Woogie Jazz & Blues concert on Sat., Mar. 12, 7:30pm, with pianist Philippe LeJeune from Toulouse, France. Savanna Palace, 25 Market St., Lowell. Tickets $15 advance/$20 door.
More information: Call 978-459-4755

"American Tapestry Biennial 8" at the ATHM

The American Textile History Museum's special new exhibition features 64 tapestries created by 54 artists from 12 countries. A true reflection of the breadth of contemporary tapestry weaving, the pieces are as diverse as the artists who created them. On display through May 1.
More information: www.athm.org

Friends of MRT host 3rd Annual Wine Tasting, March 15

The Friends of Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) host their 3rd Annual MRT Wine Tasting, Tues., Mar. 15, 6-8:30pm, at the Richard K. & Nancy L. Donahue Center, Bagshaw Mills, Lowell. Tickets $45/pp. Proceeds support MRT's mainstage productions and education programs.
More information: www.merrimackrep.org or call 978-654-7552

Be "Inspired" at the ALL Arts Gallery

Arts League of Lowell artists exhibit their work next to the source of their inspiration, be it an image, a poem or a found object. Exhibit runs through Feb. 27 at the new ALL Gallery at 22 Shattuck Street.
More information: www.artsleagueoflowell.com or 978-441-ARTS (2787)

Come Undone screens for Independent Film Night at the Pollard, March 10

The Pollard Memorial Library has partnered with Film Movement, Inc. to bring award-winning, independent and foreign films to Lowell on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Don't miss Come Undone, directed by Silvio Soldini, on Thurs., Mar. 10 at 6:30pm.
More information: www.pollardml.org

The Exceptionals at Merrimack Repertory Theatre, through March 6

In Bob Clayman's The Exceptionals, two mothers from very different backgrounds must make tough decisions regarding their uniquely gifted children in a situation that examines parenthood through a prism of conflicting definitions. Now playing at Merrimack Repertory Theatre through Mar. 6.
More information: www.merrimackrep.org

What Happened to Kerouac screens at Pollard Library, March 12

The Pollard Library commemorates Jack Kerouac's 89th birthday with a screening of Richard Lerner's affecting documentary What Happened to Kerouac,Sat., Mar. 12, 1pm. The film traces Kerouac's unique creative process, his rise to fame as a writer, and his turbulent personal life and eventual decline to an alcoholism-related death. Free admission.
More information: www.pollardml.org

Southeast Asian Water Festival holds poster competition

The Southeast Asian Water Festival Committee is holding a competition for design of their 2011 event poster. The winner will have their design displayed for the 15th Annual Water Festival and receive a special prize. For design guidelines, e-mail waterfestivalmedia@gmail.com. Submission deadline: Mar. 11.
More information: waterfestivalmedia@gmail.com

From Basin Street to Western Avenue: A live performance by Glen David Andrews, April 2

New Orleans rising star Glen David Andrews (the "Crown Prince of Treme") brings his band back to Lowell's Western Avenue Studios on April 2 for From Basin Street to Western Avenue: Celebrating the Roots of Jazz and Preserving Its Future. Andrews will perform twice and speak to young local musicians. Free event, donations appreciated.
More information: Andy Smith, event organizer: andy@welzsmith.com

Calls to artists

Revolving Museum Seeks Executive Director
The Revolving Museum seeks a dynamic, experienced non-profit Executive Director to lead a community-based arts organization that has delighted, entertained, educated, provoked, and inspired thousands of young people and adults in eastern Massachusetts for over a quarter century. The Executive Director is expected to become integrally involved in Lowell's civic community and serve as an effective advocate for community-based art programs focused on youth. Resume deadline: Mar. 14
More information and detailed qualifications: Kit Harbison, kharbison@revolvingmuseum.org

Call for Entries: Looking at Lowell
The Whistler House Museum of Art is seeking entries for "Looking at Lowell," a juried exhibition featuring the Architecture, Landscapes, Festivals, Rivers, Canals and People of Lowell. Entries can be from all media including; oils, acrylics, photography, sculpture, fiber and digital media. Chosen works should depict one or more of the above criteria. This exhibition is open to all artists. Deadline for entries: Mar. 1.
More information: Click here to view the prospectus

Call for submissions for "Take Back the Night" promo flyer
Take Back the Night is an event for the men and women of our community to join together to voice our right to feel safe in our neighborhoods. The committee seeks submissions for flyer designs (8 1/2 x 11) to advertise this year's event in Lowell. Deadline is Mar. 7.
More Information: Stephanie Bucholz, stephaniebu@lchealth or 978-322-8535

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