Fan and follow us!


In This Issue
The Berkshires
Greater Merrimack Valley
Central Massachusetts
Franklin County
Greater Boston
Cape Cod
Greater Springfield
Hampshire County
Johnny Appleseed Country
Martha's Vineyard
Mohawk Trail Region
MetroWest
Nantucket Island
North of Boston
Plymouth County
Southeastern Massachusetts
Sign up today to receive the monthly 
Arts & Culture Bulletin!
 
Header Photo Credits

Clockwise from top left: Strange Fruit, Outside the Box festival; Thomas Ortiz Dance, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival; Redcoats & Rebels, Old Sturbridge Village; Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Pow Wow; Lowell Folk Festival    

 
August 2014

Greetings! Massachusetts is rich in arts & culture, so it's no surprise that exciting events, exhibits and festivals are held in the state's 16 regions all year long. Find out more!
 
Cultural Road Trip: Rockport
QUICK TAKE:
Seaside town and art colony with bags of charm. SEE & DO: Explore more than 40 galleries and artists' studios; check out the 3rd Summer Exhibition at the Rockport Art Association. The Shalin Liu Performance Center is a spectacular venue for an eclectic schedule of classical, jazz, pop, world music, and theater; take a free tour, June-August. Bearskin Neck's narrow lanes are lined with craft shops, galleries and restaurants. The town's enduring symbol is Motif #1 , a fishing shack that has been painted, sketched, and photographed by generations of artists.  http://toadhallbooks.org/ Toad Hall Book Store has a great selection of local authors. EAT & SLEEP: Order just-off-the-boat lobster from the no-frills Roy Moore Lobster Company. Turn in at the Beech Tree B&B. Photo: Motif #1 by Kindra Clineff

Featured Region: The Berkshires

 Scheduled for September 20-21 and October 4-5, the annual Housatonic Heritage Walks program provides more than 60 free guided walks to the most interesting historic, cultural and natural sites. Walks range from tours of historic buildings, cemeteries, hikes on the Appalachian Trail and bike rides. Also included are canoe trips on the Housatonic River and "family friendly" walks. Explore the region's rich and varied historical, cultural, industrial and environmental history.  You also won't want to miss the 35th Lenox Apple Squeeze Festival on September 27-28 and the Lee Founders Weekend on September 19-21. Both events are great family friendly fall festivals and just one more reason you should visit the Berkshires. Photo by Steve Grant.  Find more information on the Berkshires

Greater Merrimack Valley
The Greater Merrimack Valley is home to many festivals this month, beginning with The Lowell Food and Wine Festival (August 8th & 9th). With mystical Shakespearean Midsummer thematics, come enjoy live performances from local artists coupled with extraordinary food and wine. Savor the Summer (August 17th-31st) as Restaurant Showcase Week is presented by the Greater Merrimack Valley CVB. This is your chance to discover an array of diverse dining in the Greater Merrimack Valley. Come experience Summer: Inside and Out. Find more information on Greater Merrimack Valley.
Central Massachusetts

On September 7th, 2014 a daylong celebration will take place to commemorate the Worcester Revolution of 1774, two hundred and forty years after this historic event. In September 1774, two years before America's Declaration of Independence, thousands of Central Massachusetts militia put an end to British rule in Central Massachusetts seven months before Lexington and Concord. Come to Institute Park among several other locations and celebrate with us! For more information, please visit www.revolution1774.org. Find more information on Central Massachusetts.
Franklin County

On Saturday, August 2nd from noon to 8 p.m., experience the Block Party and Pocumtuck Homelands Festival at Unity Park in Turners Falls, (Route 2 east of Greenfield). Enjoy Native American music by Hawk Henries, Medicine Mammals Singers and The Visioning B.E.A.R. Singers. Traditional handworks for sale. Crafts and storytelling for children, a tipi and a wigwam! A New Orleans style parade kicks off at at 3 p.m. Free to all! Find more information on Franklin County. 

Greater Boston

Enjoy classic movies al fresco at the Prudential Center Garden, on the terrace at the Boston Harbor Hotel or at the Hatch Shell. You can Find(ing)Neverland at the A.R.T. and the bard's Twelfth Night on Boston Common. Outdoor concerts of all genres can be heard at the BPL, MFA, ICA, Georges Island, City Hall Plaza and along the Greenway. Tom Petty scores at Fenway. The Boston Ahts Festival beckons at Christopher Columbus Park. It's easy to be green at Boston GreenFest and even easier to take advantage of Dine Out Boston (August 17-29), when over 170 restaurants serve up cool food at very cool price!  Find more information on Greater Boston

Cape Cod
The Citizens Bank 29th Annual Pops by the Sea outdoor concert will be held on the Hyannis Village Green on Sunday, August 10th! Relax to the sounds of the Boston Pops, with special celebrity guest conductor Charlie Rose. Order tickets today at ArtsFoundation.org! Then, enjoy the beats of the 10th Annual Provincetown Jazz Festival on August 16th at Provincetown Town Hall and on August 18th at the Cotuit Center for the Arts. Featuring renowned jazz musicians from around the world! Find more information on Cape Cod. 
Greater Springfield

The Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival takes place on Saturday, August 9th in Court Square located in Downtown Springfield. This free outdoor festival promises to be full of energy and excitement featuring a great atmosphere, locally and internationally acclaimed musical artists, a variety of ethnic cuisines, local food producers, vendors and more! For more information on this great event and others, visit www.valleyvisitor.com. Find more information on Greater Springfield

Hampshire County
August is for agriculture and the annual fairs in western Massachusetts really celebrate all that our farms have to offer. First up is the Cummington Fair August 21-24 at the Cummington Fairgrounds. Red Fire Farm's Tomato Festival is Saturday, August 23 in Granby. The Three County Fair in Northampton is Labor Day Weekend, August 29-September 1. Looking ahead, there's also the Belchertown Fair September 19-21 on the Belchertown town common.  Find more information on Hampshire County.
Johnny Appleseed Country
Summer is a time for celebration in Johnny Appleseed Country! The weather's great, the farm stands are overflowing, the music is playing, and arts and crafts are on display. Want to join the festivities? Here's a sampling: the Bolton Fair (Aug. 7-10); Carlson Orchards Peach Festival in Harvard (Aug.15-17); Village Fair in North Orange (Aug. 16); Templeton Arts & Crafts Festival (Aug. 16-17); and the season's opening at Leominster's Sholan Farms (Aug. 23-24). Come to the country - and celebrate! Find more information on Johnny Appleseed Country.
Martha's Vineyard

On August 8-10, Martha's Vineyard Summer Madness Music Festival turns up the volume! This weekend-long event features unforgettable concerts with top notch acts, parties, artist showcases and networking opportunities through educational panels consisting of major players in the music industry. Featuring live performances by Ms. Lauryn Hill, Amel Larrieux, MC Lyte and special guest DJ Monie Love, and critically acclaimed actress and jazz vocalist Suzzanne Douglas. For info & tickets, visit mvsummermadness.com. Find more information on Martha's Vineyard.
Mohawk Trail Region
Founded in Deerfield in 1870 as the first historical society in Western Massachusetts, today the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association is a vibrant regional organization, supporting the Memorial Hall Museum and Library, Deerfield Teachers' Center, Indian House Children's Museum, and Community Outreach projects. Featuring two new exhibits: the photography exhibit At Arm's Length: Photographs by Masha Arms and Skilled Hands and High Ideals, inspired by the arts & crafts movement in Deerfield. Find more information on the Mohawk Trail Region
MetroWest

From folk art to Queen Anne furniture, the August Americana auction at Skinner on August 9-10 in Marlborough offers something to inspire anyone who loves antiques and fine art. Attend a free auction preview August 7t-9t, and browse the Americana-Online auction, open for bidding August 4-11. Curious to know the value of your fine art? Come to First Tuesdays on August 5 for a free consultation with an expert art appraiser. Find more information on MetroWest

Nantucket Island

Nantucket Preservation's annual August Fete on August 7th is a special celebration of Nantucket's historic architecture! The event provides details of the island's architectural heritage as guests tour historic houses and enjoy a tented reception. This year, homes in Sunset Heights and the Underhill Cottages will be available to tour. Attendees will have the chance to view homes along 'Sconset streets including Pochick and Magnolia. Find more information on Nantucket Island.  

North of Boston

River Ruckus 2014 and The Annual Rubber Duck Regatta come to Haverhill on September 6th! Team Haverhill and Haverhill Rotary Club combine forces for a fun-filled day of family activities and free entertainment on the Merrimack River. Enjoy the Classic Car Show on historic Washington Street, watch the dramatic "duck drop" from the Comeau Bridge, ride on a pontoon boat or take a kayak out on the river, and listen to live music performances on stage by the River Walk. Visit www.facebook.com/RiverRuckus! Find more information on North of Boston. 

Plymouth County

The 47th Annual Pembroke Arts Festival will kick off on Friday, August 8th with a Gala Opening and continue all day Saturday and Sunday, August 9th and 10th. Many treats are in store for you this year under the iconic tent on Pembroke's verdant Town Green. You'll find a "Young Artists Gallery" and an array of crafters offering their wares for purchase, live performers, the juried exhibit and, new this year, an antique car show! Find more information on Plymouth County.

Southeastern Massachusetts

The Art Drive runs from August 2nd through August 11th! This open studio event through the coastal villages of Dartmouth and Westport will feature new and imaginative depictions of the Winter Flounder, an important species to the Southeastern Massachusetts Fishery. Individually, the artists will showcase their unique talents through a range of mediums. Pieces will be displayed in sponsored locations for two weeks prior to The Art Drive. Click here for tour maps, a schedule of demonstrations, bidding information and more. Find more information on Southeastern Massachusetts.   

Regional Tourism Councils  

The Berkshires  Cape Cod  Central Massachusetts  Franklin County  
Greater Boston  Greater Merrimack Valley  Greater Springfield  
Hampshire County  Johnny Appleseed Country  Martha's Vineyard  
MetroWest  Mohawk Trail  Nantucket Island  North of Boston  
Plymouth County  Southeastern Massachusetts