Looking for some tips on what to do this weekend and beyond? We’ve got you covered. Here are a few recommendations from Ocean State Media's afternoon host, Mareva Lindo, and executive producer, James Baumgartner.
Sailor’s Valentines
When slavery was abolished in Barbados in 1834, newly freed Black men and women needed work. Men often ended up in the maritime trades, while many Barbadian women turned to the shells scattered along the island's shores. Among the many things they made were Sailor’s Valentines, shellwork mosaics that mariners would bring home to their loved ones. “Barbadians would go out and they would collect all these little animals,” says Naomi Slipp, chief curator at the Whaling Museum, “and then prepare the shells and then turn them into or transform them into these really beautiful collages made with the shells from different animals in the area, and that tradition developed and changed over the ensuing decades. But it really was initially a cottage industry to fill this kind of economic need for people living in Barbados in that period.”
When: On view now through Nov. 8
Where: New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA
Fabric Arts Festival
This arts and culture festival focuses on the Portuguese, Cape Verdean, Azorean and Latino communities that are an integral part of Fall River, New Bedford and the whole south coast area. The festival features musical performances, gallery shows and events that combine food with performance, music and dancing. The organizers like to put on events where other things are already happening, so you’ll find a gallery show at a grocery store and a dance party at an auto body shop.
When: Oct. 8 - 11
Where: Various venues in New Bedford, Fall River, Pawtucket & Providence
La Dama Bomba
This 400-year-old play from Spain’s Golden Age is a wry, gender-defying comedy about two sisters engaged to marry but in love with the same man; one sister is educated and the other, silly. Presented in Spanish with English supertitles.
When: Oct. 8 - 18
Where: Teatro ECAS, 679 Valley Street, Providence, RI
Providence Baroque Orchestra
Led by Violinist Daniel Lee, the orchestra will explore the delightful musical form of the Baroque concerto in their opening concert, which showcases countertenor Sam Higgins in a performance of Vivaldi’s moving Stabat Mater. The concert will also include works by Corelli and Handel.
When: Oct. 11
Where: Central Congregational Church, 296 Angell St, Providence, RI
The New Bedford Whaling Museum is a business supporter of Ocean State Media. Editorial decisions are made independent of business support.
