Parsons Reserve by Adam Graves

April Happenings: Our Top 8 Picks for the Month

“April comes like an idiot, babbling and strewing flowers.”   – Edna St. Vincent Millay

Dear Edna,

We love those kinds of idiots!  And we’ve put together a list of things to make the most of this charming month.

Field of Dreams

This month’s Can’t Miss Event is the magnificent ode to spring that the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust offers in April (check out the talented Adam Grave’s photo above). As word has spread about this yearly ritual, the crowds have started to get massive so plan your visit at times that will likely be less crowded. Also, be respectful of Parsons Reserve. It is a treasure. Parsons Reserve, Russell’s Mills Village. The daffodil season is generally from the second week in April to early May, but obviously, the timing of the daffodils varies every year. See more here.

A Little Culture

The South Coast Chamber Music wraps its very popular season with Mastery and Mystery, a concert featuring two French masterpieces and a viola sonata shrouded in mystery. Doesn’t that sound rather exciting? Even better, the concerts are performed in churches which make for a very cozy venue. Saturday, April 1 at 4 p.m., St. Gabriels Church, 124 Front Street, Marion; Sunday, April 2 at 4 p.m., St. Peter’s Church, 351 Elm Street, South Dartmouth. See more here.

Don’t Hold Back!

Little Moss Restaurant hosts “Buck A Shuck Oysters” on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays this month between 5 and 6 p.m. How can you stay away? Even if you don’t love oysters on the half shell, it’s time to develop a taste for them. Little Moss Restaurant, 6 Bridge Street, Dartmouth, 508-994-1162. See more about Little Moss here.

Fishing Yarns

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is hosting An Evening of Stories and Verse from Down East Maine featuring Brian Robbins and Bob Quinn as part of its monthly program series featuring music, stories, and poetry of the working waterfront. Thursday, April 6 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. 38 Bethel Street, New Bedford, 508-993-8894. More about the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center here.

Hunting for Treasure

Thousands of Easter eggs, filled with all kinds of goodies, are spread around the Onset bandshell for family fun. Bring a basket for maximum egg collection! Saturday, April 15 at 11:00 at Prospect Park/Bandshell, Onset. See more here. 

Mark Twain meets Grouch Marx

The Narrows Center presents Kinky Friedman who is described as Mark Twain meets Groucho Marx…at the corner of Johnny Cash and Lenny Bruce. We can’t exactly conjure this image up but it sounds like someone we want to meet. He’ll be singing his most popular tunes, interspersed with “his inimitable blend of politically incorrect jokes, quips and tales – both tall and true.”  April 12 at 8 pm. Narrows Center for the Performing Arts, 16 Anawan Street, Fall River, 508-324-1926. See more here.

Book It!

Last year, three creative folks decided New Bedford needed a book festival. And so they made it happen. A smashing success, they followed it up with another one last Fall. This spring, they’re doing it again. Meet and mingle with area authors and illustrators and publishers. Say thank you to Sarah, Dena & Steven for bringing a book festival to the city. Free and open to the public. Groundwork! 1213 Purchase Street, New Bedford. April 22 and 23 from 11 am to 4 pm. See more here.

April Fools

Could we do a post on April Happenings and not mention April Fools? The answer is no.

Gallery X will be presenting Fools Gold for the month of April and the theme for the show is satire, caricature, whimsy and anything with a touch of humor added to the creative spark. Think of it as a treasury of nonsense in the spectacular setting of a 19th century former church.  March 30 through April 30. Gallery hours: Wed.-Fri. 11am-3pm, Sat. & Sun. 11am-3pm. 169 William Street, New Bedford. 508-992-2675.  See more about Gallery X here.

Do you know of any other special April events?  Feel free to add them in the comment section. In the meantime, enjoy the season!

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