March forward, folks! We’re in that sweet spot of the year that’s filled with such wonderful anticipation of what lies ahead: daffodils, short-sleeve shirts outside, bike rides and eating ice cream cones without mittens on. We’ve collected 8 Great Things to pass the time as you marshal spring in with style in March on the South Coast.
1. C’mon! A Rollicking Good Time!
We follow the guys of Barnstar! everywhere because we admire their reverence for exclamation points (just look at their name “Barnstar!” and their first album “C’mon!”). Plus, watching them in concert is like watching exclamation points come to life. They visit the Narrows this month. Don’t miss them!! (with special guest Amy Helm). March 7 at 8:00. The Narrows, 16 Anawan Street, Fall River. More here.
2. Colorful Yoga
If you’ve got young children, join Colorful Yoga on Saturday mornings at mediumstudio in downtown New Bedford. There’s 1/2 hour of yoga and 1/2 hour of art. Follow it up with a visit to the Fishing Heritage Center downstairs or the Whaling Museum a block away and you’ve got yourself a whole day of good stuff for the kiddos! medium studio. 38 Bethel Street, New Bedford. Saturdays from 10 to 11. Always free. See more here.
3. Keep Calm and Play Cribbage
Cribbage has been around for centuries and the Fishing Heritage Center is treating us to a cribbage tournament, with a side of chowder. Winners receive gift certificates to Oxford Creamery and the Center’s own gift shop and, most importantly, bragging rights. Free but you must register here. March 8 at 2:00. New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, 38 Bethel Street, New Bedford.
4. Not-For-Your-Chips Salsa
The Z is offering us the chance to get our hips moving and learn salsa dancing. Spend the first hour practicing the moves and spend the second hour putting them into practice. We can’t promise you’ll look like these folks in the photo, but we’ll promise that you’ll have fun! March 13 from 7 to 9. Zeiterion Theater, 684 Purchase Street, New Bedford. $15. Enroll here. No prior dance experience (or partner) needed. More here.
5. Mostly Annual Chili Cook-Off
POSTPONED DUE TO CORONOVIRUS CONCERNS
The Onset Bay Association has an intensely friendly competition among local amateur cooks and professional chefs. Bring your best chili and enter the contest with a $25 donation to the OBA. Or just come to sample the goods and vote for $20. Last time, this event sold out so we recommend getting your tickets early! March 14 from 5:30 to 8:30. Stone Path Malt, 11 Kendrick Road, Wareham. See more here.
6. Spring Into It!
Welcome spring appropriately by getting up with the sun and joining the Buzzards Bay Coalition on their Sunrise Spring Equinox stroll on Gooseberry Island. You’ll be responsible for setting your alarm clock but the Coalition will take care of the coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. March 20 from 6:15 to 7:15 am. West Shore Road, Westport. Free but you have to register here.
7. Yoga Fest
POSTPONED DUE TO CORONOVIRUS CONCERNS
Join fellow Yogis for a day celebrating yoga AND raising money for Boston Children’s Hospital. There’ll be back-to-back adult yoga classes from 8:45 to 2:00. Enjoy as many (or as few) as you like, it’s all good. When not in class, enjoy the community center’s lineup of live music, refreshments, a knitting corner and other surprises (like our own Martha Yules who will be there with copies of our March hot-off-the-press issue!) March 21, starting at 8:45 until 3:00. Congregational Church, 17 Middle Street, Dartmouth. By donation. Contact [email protected] for more information.
8. Bike & Hike
Like peanut butter and chocolate, biking and hiking are two great things that are better together. The Southcoast Bikeway Alliance and the Buzzards Bay Coalition (again, the Coalition kills is with outdoor activities!) host a bike ride from Fort Phoenix State Reservation along the bike trail to the new Carvalho Farm property where you’ll leave your bike behind for a walk in the springtime woods before picking up the bike again to go back to Fort Phoenix. March 28, starting at 9:30 a.m Free but register here. (Rain date: March 29).
Want more? Our print issues are always chock full of other great calendar ideas…..become a subscriber so you get the full round-up of great things to do on the South Coast. Subscribe right here!