(NOTE: The New Bedford Bookfest began life on this website before moving to nbbookfest.com. Though New Bedford Now is now devoted to #NBW3 – The Ward 3 Project, this weekend’s Children’s New Bedford Bookfest at Groundwork! is free and open to the entire city. So, please consider yourself invited. Details below on everything happening at Groundwork!, 1213 Purchase Street, this weekend is posted below. It’s where this writer – #NBW3 co-founder – works from every day and is in and of itself an amazing space in our city.)
YOUR WEEKEND – by Steven Froias
It’s a special (early) edition of YOUR WEEKEND this week – since Groundwork! is all over it! The coworking facility goes overtime beginning on Friday with a weekend full of special events.
On Friday, December 8 at 5:00 p.m., it’s a big opening reception for the Small Works show. That’s the one that was featured in a previous blog post, “Small Works=Big Idea.” It features over 150 works of small (12” x 12”) art from local, regional and national artists.
All the art is priced $200 or under and, since it’s the gift-buying season, is available to bring home right away after purchase. Literally, select a piece of original art you like – for yourself or as a gift – buy it and take it home.
During the Opening Reception, from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. this Friday, a late edition to the festivities promises to put some jungle into the mingle. The Southcoast Brass Band trio contacted us out of the blue offering to play the opening! They’ll be playing holiday favorites from 6:00-8:00.
If you can’t make the opening, you don’t have to kiss our brass; you’re invited back on Saturday, Dec. 9 and Sunday, Dec. 10 when we host the Children’s New Bedford Bookfest from noon-4:00 p.m. each day. And yes, the Small Works show (or what’s left of it after Friday night) will still be up and the art available for sale.
You’ll also find compelling books for children of all ages from local and regional authors and illustrators. The line up is as follows: Kathleen Souza, Michael Cifello, Maryellen Worrell, Elizabeth Larsen, Susan Nelson, Deb Arnold, Eric Sturtevant, Susan Drayton, Anne Soares, Stephanie Klimov, Jessie Nickerson Designs, Electrikk Clothing, and Subtext Books
We’re also pleased to host UMass Dartmouth’s Tagus Press, with their recent Children’s History of Portugal. And a children’s bookfest wouldn’t be complete without an appearance by The Goat Lady’ – the beautiful book by artist Jane Bregoli.
Other goodies abound during the free, open to the public bookfest. Downtown New Bedford’s artisan gift store, Hippo will be offering select gifts for sale. As with previous bookfests, Destination Soups will be set up in the kitchen, offering their page-turning menu of grilled cheese, soup and more to guests.
Like the Small Works show, the Children’s Bookfest is designed to offer patrons affordable – and meaningful – gift-buying options. The Children’s History of Portugal, for instance, is a beautifully written and illustrated book that’s only $10.
But the introduction to reading – at any age – is priceless. So on Saturday, the bookfest is pleased to also host the New Bedford Free Public Library. They’ll be able to sign you or your kids up for a library card from right here at Groundwork! (Bring proof of residency!)
Many different elements of this weekend at Groundwork! – art, music, reading, food and just plain fun – meld together to collectively form a special New Bedford moment. It’s full of people who enrich our culture all year long. The skill of our writers, artists, merchants and musicians is a unique blend – and we’re happy to host so much talent under our roof this weekend.
In an even broader context, it’s also the weekend of the New Bedford Preservation Society’s Holiday House Tour – on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 10 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Details here.) And, Groundwork is located at 1213 Purchase Street, just few blocks south of the historic Clasky Common Christmas Light Display.
Take it all in before or after visiting us for the Small Works show and the Children’s New Bedford Bookfest.
That sounds like a December to Remember.