It's high summer and we're here for it. Take a break from savoring your beach days to pick one of our 8 Great Things to do this month!
1. A Picnicking Book Club
We love book clubs! And we love picnics! Indie Fall River bookstore Once Upon a Bookstore is combining them. Read The Shampoo Effect, a Read with Jenna pick set in Ipswich, and show up to Fall River's waterfront prepared to chat with others and enjoy a picnic spread put out by the hosts. $27.45, includes food and seltzer (you can also BYOB). August 2, 2 pm. Reserve your space here.
2. Networking with a Twist
We never put networking events on this list, except we're breaking the rule this month! The One SouthCoast Chamber is hosting their monthly business after hours at the Mattapoisett YMCA, with a camp spin. The Y will be offering camp activities for attendees to try while networking: lawn games, kayaking, archery, etc. Go relive your childhood! Free for members. $25 for non-members. 5 to 7 pm. August 5. Register here.
3. Artsy Drives
You've got two chances this month for some lovely country drives to peek into the charming and delightful studios of artists across the South Coast this month. The ArtDrive features artists in Westport and Dartmouth; South Coast Open Studios features those towns, plus Tiverton and Little Compton. There are so many amazing studios to choose from. We always visit old favorites and add a few new ones to our itinerary each year. Free. August 7-9 for the Art drive. More on that here. August 15-16 for SCA Open Studio Tour. More on that here.
4. Seas the Day!
Enjoy a day of FREE activity rentals on Onset Beach this summer, provided by the Buzzards Bay Coalition at its Onset Bay Center! First come, first served for an hour of single kayaks, tandem kayaks and paddleboards. Free (and you don't even have to pre-register, just show up!) August 7, 10 to 6. More here.
5. Lebanese Mahjaran Festival
Homemade Lebanese food and pastry, traditional music and dancing (as well as more contemporary music)...it's a chance to immerse ourselves in Lebanese culture for a weekend. Free admission (food and drink are available for purchase. August 5 - 7 (Friday 5 to 10 pm; Saturday noon to 11 pm; Sunday 11 am to 5 pm). St. Anthony of the Desert Church, Fall River. More here.
6. Wellness in the Park
If you haven't yet taken advantage of the free weekly yoga classes at Fairhaven's Cushman Park, do it this month. On Tuesdays, there's yoga. On Fridays, there's qigong. This free community event, sponsored by local businesses, has been going on for 15 years now, so you should probably check it out. Free. Tuesdays and Fridays at 8:30 through August 21. More here.
7. To Go or Not To Go?
Shakespeare comes to New Bedford with eight productions of Hamlet at the RJD House in a chilling and modern take on the classic, set in a modern day Baptist Church. By donation! August 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22 at 7:30pm; August 16 & 23 at 2pm. More here.
8. Take Me to the River!
Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy hours of live music, food trucks and drinks at this annual free music festival at the Tom Norton Pier in Fall River. Boaters are encouraged to tie up to the pier. Free trolley service from local parking lots. It's a jam! 4 to 9:30 pm. August 22. More here.
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