What follows are just a few of the events happening in New Bedford this week. For more events, visit our arts and culture calendar. And learn how to get your event listed here. We want to hear from you.
COVID-19 UPDATE: While we continue to celebrate New Bedford’s array of cultural offerings, readers are advised to heed the latest public health recommendations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends that both unvaccinated and fully vaccinated people wear masks indoors in public in areas of higher transmission, including Bristol County.
OUTDOOR PARTIES
4-10 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5-Sunday, Aug. 8
THE AIRPORT GRILLE
Passport to Portugal
With the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament canceled for the second year, The Airport Grille reached out to the event’s organizers and got their blessing to throw its own take on the annual bash celebrating Portuguese culture. The four days of festivities will start Thursday with live music provided by local bands and DJs (including Rt 18, Monsta Country, LIKK, The Concept and many more). Bring your appetite because there will be carne d’espeto, cacoila, bifana, favas, and more, from the same food and drink vendors the Feast uses, organizers say.
4-8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 8
RIVERSIDE PARK
Riverside Beats
Andy Anello created New Moon in 2017 to organize “radically inclusive underground dance parties in New Bedford in the tradition of famous NYC nightclubs such as the Loft.” On Sunday, the group is hosting a dance party at Riverside Park where DJs Anello, Don Rodigan, Jacob Herschel, and Andrew Kepinski will be spinning house music, disco, and techno. Anello says the parties offer “a safe place for self-expression to all dancers, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or income level.” New Moon’s monthly party, BodyBodyBody, has moved online for much of the pandemic, but may resume in-person in September if it is safe to do so, says Anello. Past venues include the Co-Creative Center, Hatch Street Studios, the AHA! Pride Block Party, New Bedford Art Museum, Yoga On Union, and more.
ARTIST TALK
6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3
THE DRAWING ROOM
Water play
Michele Poirier-Mozzone’s “Fractured Light” paintings evoke memories of sun-drenched days at the beach. Rippled swimmers seem to become one with the water as they glide above and below the surface amid eddies of bubbles and swirls. In this upcoming virtual talk offered as part of DATMA’s “Water 2021” exhibition and hosted by The Drawing Room, the artist will talk about how underwater video footage inspired her to experiment with perspective and “explore crazy angles.” Next week at The Drawing Room, the artist will appear in person to sign prints of her work, which will be for sale.
MUSIC
4-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5
SUMMER SOUND SERIES
Djim Job at Custom House Square
Born on São Vicente and raised in the U.S., Djim Job has performed and produced for over 25 years in over 30 countries for artists such as Bana, Cesária Évora, Ildo Lobo, among others. Job’s performances around the world have earned him the Outstanding Preservation of Cabo Verdean Culture Award. Live music starts at 4 but the beer garden opens at 2. At that time, dancers of all skill levels are welcome to take part in a free drop-in salsa class before the show.
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5
THE VAULT MUSIC HALL AT GREASY LUCK PUB
Nineties nostalgia
Soul Asylum pulls into New Bedford this week for its “Back in Your Face Tour,” along with fellow ’90s alt-rocker Juliana Hatfield. In 1993, Soul Asylum played at the Clinton White House, the same year the band won a Grammy for “Runaway Train.” That song’s video, heavily played on MTV at the time, featured footage of missing children, and reportedly led to the recovery of some of them.
6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 8
KILBURN MILL
Classic country (and maybe some Sabbath) on the roof deck
The Kilburn Sunset Sunday Concert Series continues with classic country hits by Lettin’ Loose Bruce. He will be playing old-school country music classics from the likes of Johnny, Willie, Waylon, Merle, Hank, George, Ernest, Loretta, Dolly, Tanya, Tammy, Patsy, Wanda … and Ozzy?
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