5 minute read
Enjoy a fabulous February
by Elizabeth Morse Read
February may be the shortest month of the year, but it’s jam-packed with celebrations and special events!
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February 1 starts off with Chinese New Year celebrations (it’s the Year of the Tiger) followed by February 2, America’s beloved (if goofy) Groundhog Day. Super Bowl Sunday is on February 13 this year, followed by Valentine’s Day on February 14. Don’t forget that it’s Black History Month, that there’s a school vacation week to plan for, and that Mardi Gras will be celebrated on March 1!
FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
CLASSICAL ACTS
Relax and listen to the “English Folk Song Gala: The Music of Grainger, Holst and Vaughn Williams,” performed by the Tri-County Symphonic Band, on February 13 at Old Rochester Regional HS in Mattapoisett (tricountysymphonicband.org). Don’t miss the Fall River Symphony Orchestra’s Winter Concert on February 27 at Bristol Community College’s Jackson Theatre on February 27 (fallriversymphonyorchestra. org). Listen to “Scheherazade!” performed by the Rhode Island Philharmonic on February 11 and 12 at The VETS (riphil.org).
FOOD AND BREW
Celebrate American craft beers on February 5 at the Rhode Island Brewfest at the WaterFire Arts Center in Providence (ribrewfest.com). Fill your baskets with local produce, baked goods and dairy products! To find a farm, vineyard, or winter farmers market near you, visit semaponline.org, coastalfoodshed.org, farmfreshri.org, or localharvest.org. Show up hungry on February 12 and 13 for “VegFest RI” at the WaterFire Arts Center in Providence! Learn about a plant-based lifestyle, try the food, meet the vendors, chefs, authors, and more (rivegfest.com)!
TRY SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
Check out the Northeast International Auto Show 2022 on February 4-6 at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence (providenceautoshow.com). Then head for the Newport Car Museum in Portsmouth, which features sixty-plus vintage cars and driving simulators. For more info, call 401-848-2277 or visit newportcarmuseum.org. Celebrate Black History Month by checking out the special events scheduled by the New Bedford Historical Society, like the Frederick Douglass Community Read-athon (nbhistoricalsociety.org). Enjoy the Providence Children’s Film Festival on February 18-27 at various venues in Providence and Newport (providencechildrensfilmfestival.org).
Prepare your gardens for spring! Attend the Saturday Winter Lecture Series about the great gardens of the world with John Tschirch at Blithwold Mansion and Gardens in Bristol on February 4-25 or the workshop “Flower Power: Becoming a Better Flower Gardener” with Matt Mattus on February 5 (blithewold.org).
LISTEN TO THE MUSIC
Head for the Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River to hear Mike Dawes & Yasmin Williams February 2, Tom Rush February 18, Marcia Ball February 24 (narrowscenter. org). Enjoy a Valentine’s Concert with Austin Burns and Michelle Gordon on February 13 at the whaling-era Rotch- Jones-Duff House in New Bedford (rjdmuseum.org). Find out who’s on stage at The District Center for the Arts in Taunton! There’s Barefoot Rebel February 5, Draw the Line February 12, Rose Wharf Band February 19, and Dancing Dream February 25 (thedistrictcenterforarts.com). Head for The VETS in Providence to hear Angelique Kidjo on February 13, and Dr. Jordan B. Peterson: Beyond Order on February 17 (vmari.com). Find out who’s on stage at the Spire Center for the Performing Arts of Greater Plymouth! There’s Jay Psaros February 3, Shemekia Copeland February 4, Peter Wolf February 11-12, Tinsley Ellis February 18, Ali McGuirk February 24 and the Greg Abate Quartet February 26 (spirecenter.org).
Head for the Zeiterion in downtown New Bedford to hear On A Winter’s Night on February 2, Grace Morrison February 17, and the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra’s “Hollywood Pops” February 19 (zeiterion.org).
THE SHOWS MUST GO ON
Mark your calendar for the performances of “Tiny Beautiful Things” through February 13 and “Gem of the Ocean” February 24 through March 27 at Trinity Rep in Providence (trinityrep.com). Watch the film “Rushmore” on February 8 at the Zeiterion in downtown New Bedford (zeiterion.org). Don’t miss a performance of “An Officer and a Gentleman” February 18-20 at the Providence Performing Arts Center (ppacri.org)!
BE PREPARED!
Many South Coast venues have reopened, but strict Covid-19 safety precautions apply – whenever you’re indoors, wear a mask and keep your distance, even if you’re fully vaccinated and boostered. Some venues may require proof of vaccination or negative Covid-19 test results. Always check the event/attraction’s website for Covid safety rules, ticket pre-purchase information, last-minute cancellation or scheduling changes and refund policy. And remember – if you don’t feel well that day, stay home!
LOOKING FORWARD TO MARCH
Take a Polar Plunge for charity on March 5 at Nelson Memorial Park in Plymouth (jordanhospitalclub.org). Don’t forget to change your clocks forward to daylight savings time on March 13! Listen to “America,” part of the South Coast Chamber Music Series, at St. Gabriel’s Church in Marion on March 12 (nbsymphony.org). Register now for the New Bedford Half Marathon on March 20, sponsored by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick (newbedfordhalfmarathon.org).
