“What do you want to do?”
If you need answers to this age-old question as you plan, we're here to help.
“Things To Do” showcases the “things to do” happening every week in the Greater Fall River area and around the South Coast.
There are always lots of events happening from weekdays to weekends.
We'll share what's happening this week as well as let you know about upcoming events.
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This week, we're introducing the Whale City Comedy Festival in the New Bedford and Fall River area, with a variety of events, including a special showcase on the USS Massachusetts in Battleship Cove, plus an exclusive hike for you and your dog, and the chance to apply for an artist residency.
So when someone asks you what you want to do, you can quickly make a plan.
Here are the best things to do in Fall River, the South Coast, and surrounding areas this week.
Whale City Comedy Festival also features special event on the USS Massachusetts
A stand-up comedy festival is coming to the South Coast.
The Whale City Comedy Festival runs from Aug. 28 to Sept. 1, with events in the New Bedford and Fall River areas.
Labor Day weekend will feature nine stand-up shows featuring more than 30 comedians from Comedy Central, Conan and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
The schedule includes:
- Wednesday, August 28th, 7pm Kickoff “The Portuguese Kids” starring Zach Brazaoat The Vault Music Hall & Pub, 791 Purchase St., New Bedford.
- Thursday, August 29th, 6pm & 8pm: Enjoy great beer with a great view Kelly McFarland (Comedy Central, HBO), Buzzards Bay Brewing, 98 Horseneck Rd., Westport.
- Friday, August 30, 7pm and 9pm: Chris Alan (Fox, Sirius XM) will take to the stage for back-to-back BYOB shows at Gallery X, 169 William St. in New Bedford.
- Saturday, August 31 at 6:15pm and 9pm: Battleship comedy The special event will be held on the USS Massachusetts, aka “The Big Mommy,” at Battleship Cove in Fall River. Enjoy a showcase of New York City and Los Angeles comedy talent, followed by an after-party at Society Coffee Bar, 891 County Street, Somerset.
- Sunday, September 1, 7pm and 9pm: Whale City Comedy Festival concludes with Sean Patton (Comedy Central, Jimmy Fallon, Hulu, Netflix) will perform at The Vault in New Bedford. The launch party will be held at the New Bedford Harbor Hotel (222 Union St.).
In addition to the artists mentioned above, performances scheduled throughout the festival include Ray Harrington, Oscar Aydin, Laura Severs, Doug Key, Jack Finnegan, Allison Vastano, Sara Suzuki Harvard and Gilberto Soto.
All shows are general admission.
Tickets are $30, tickets for the Battleship Comedy event are $50, and are sponsored by Society Coffee Bar.
Sponsors include Explore New Bedford, Coastal Healing, Coast Canna Co., Buzzards Bay Brewing and New Bedford Harbor Hotel.
Tickets are available online at www.whalecitycomedy.com.
Trail Explorer: Hot Summer Days in Westport
Grab your adorable best friend and hit the trails at Noquochoke Preserve, 421 Pine Hill Road in Westport.
On Thursday, August 29th, from 10-11am, you and your pup can enjoy a leisurely stroll.
All dogs must be on a lead, flexible leads are not permitted.
As always, be prepared to clean up after your dog.
This is a free event, but participation is limited.
Register online at https://tinyurl.com/ywrfh3jm.
Apply for Artist in Residence at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
There's still time to apply for New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park's Artist in Residence program.
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, in collaboration with New Bedford Economic Development Council’s New Bedford Creative and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth College of Visual and Performing Arts, is now accepting applications for the program, now in its eighth year.
Aiming to foster creative exploration and community engagement through the arts, the park has hosted poets, painters, social practice artists, performance artists, writers, collage artists, photographers, textile artists, printmakers, sound artists, musicians, comic book illustrators and marine debris artists.
The program offers artists the opportunity to draw inspiration from New Bedford’s cultural heritage and create in the park for three months.
The park offers three benefits: a $2,500 stipend, studio space, a $250 stipend for equipment and professional development opportunities.
Artists of all disciplines are welcome to apply.
The application period ends on Friday, August 30th.
Artists interested in applying should apply through anyartist.org by the deadline.
Residency applications are free for all artists.
If you have any questions, please contact Artist in Residence Coordinator Lindsay Compton at Lindsay_compton@nps.gov.
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