On Saturday September 29th, 8 young women from across Greater New Bedford will compete to become the next Miss New New Bedford. This year’s winner will receive a $3,500 college scholarship plus thousands of dollars in additional sponsored gifts and services to use throughout her year. Runners-up and special prize winners will also receive scholarship prizes.

The young woman who becomes Miss New Bedford will then devote her year of service to the local community, and to her chosen personal cause. She will embark on a year’s journey, joining a long sisterhood of women whose lives have been changed by winning the crown.

A local preliminary to the Miss Massachusetts and Miss America scholarship programs, the Miss New Bedford pageant emphasizes scholarship and service within the community. Since 1954, the pageant has awarded more than $150,000 to winners and contestants. Contestants compete in five stages of scored competition: Interview, Talent, Lifestyle and Physical Fitness in Swimsuit, Evening Wear, and an On-Stage Question. The phases aim to test contestants on a variety of qualities that Miss New Bedford is expected to have, including confidence, intelligence, and a commitment to service.

The reigning Miss New Bedford 2018 is Sara Elizabeth Achorn. She is a sophomore at Bridgewater State University majoring in Special Education and Music. During her year of service, Sara made 90 appearances throughout the community and promoted her personal platform, “Progress Not Perfection,” which emphasized the importance making healthy lifestyle changes and choices. At the Miss Massachusetts pageant, Sara won the Miracle Maker Award for raising nearly $4,000 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. A talented vocalist, she also received the Most Talented Non-Finalist Award.

The pageant will be held Saturday September 29th, 2018 at 6:00PM at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, located at 1121 Ashley Blvd., in New Bedford. Tickets are $20 if reserved in advance or $25 when purchased at the door. To reserve tickets, email tickets@missnewbedford.org.

This year’s Miss New Bedford contestants are:

Sara Alfaro
Student at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Age: 20
Platform: Stomping Out the Stigma Around Mental Illness
College Major: Psychology
Talent: Vocal/Piano

Meighread Dandeneau
Student at Fitchburg State University
Age: 19
Platform: Strength Over Silence
College Major: Communications Media
Talent: Vocal

Kenzie Farland
Student at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Age: 20
Platform: You Are Limitless: Building A Positive Self-Image
College Major: Political Science / Pre-Law
Talent: Vocal

Alexis Ferreira
Graduate of Bridgewater State University
Age: 21
Platform: Unplug and be Present: Encouraging the Increase of Face-to-face Interactions
College Major: Received a BS in Psychology
Talent: Irish Step Dance

Mary O’Connor
Student at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Age: 22
Platform: Creating Pathways: Promoting Epilepsy and Seizure Disorder Education and Awareness
College Major: Bioengineering
Talent: Belly Dance

Beatriz Ribeiro
Student at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Age: 22
Platform: The Meaning of Health and Wellness
College Major: Photography
Talent: Vocal

Kimberly Souza
Student at Southern New Hampshire University
Age: 22
Platform: Healthy Smile, Healthy You
College Major: Healthcare Business Administration
Talent: Vocal

Megan Sylvia
Student at Bridgewater State University
Age: 20
Platform: Learning Begins with Literacy
College Major: Criminal Justice
Talent: Vocal

The New Bedford Feast of the Blessed Sacrament, a.k.a. the Portuguese Feast, a.k.a. Madeira Feast is the largest event New Bedford has every year. More than that, it is the largest Portuguese feast in the world and the largest ethnic festival in New England. The feast was founded in 1915 by four Madeiran immigrants who wanted to recreate the festivities of their home island.

Here is an overview of the feast which has become a major attraction for visitors from all over who come to celebrate the Portuguese culture through food, drink, and entertainment.

1. Location & Schedule of Events

The “feast” is a four-day event, officially kicking off at 5:30 PM on Thursday, August 2nd with the assembly of the Festeiros (Feast Committee Members) at the intersection of Earle Street and Acushnet Avenue.

Led by the Feast President, the Festeiros march in a special procession down Earle Street to Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church which is located at the corner of Earle Street and Madeira Avenue. At the church, Father Daniel O. Reis celebrates a special Benediction to the Blessed Sacrament.

Each evening the feast grounds will close at 11:45pm and open the next day at noon.

On Saturday, however the 5K road race will begin at 10:00am with a check-in time of 8:30am. The course goes through the historic north end and finishes through the famous arches at Madeira Field. The first 250 entrants get a free t-shirt, but all participants are treated to food and drink. The top three male and female winners will receive medals and cash prizes of $250.00 for 1st place, $150.00 for 2nd place and $75.00 for 3rd place. The age categories are 14 and under, 15-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and over.

The road race is followed by Fun & Family Day from NOON-4:00pm. A ton of fun events and activities are planned including face painting, a traveling science museum, music by the Toe Jam Puppet Band, carnival rides, a free book, flash mob and routine by Dance Xtreme, and more.

The last day of the feast is Sunday and will feature a parade at 2:00pm.

Want to win some prizes like a trip to the Azores and Madeira with hotel and airfare, tickets to a Patriots, Red Sox or Celtics game, bicycles, a scooter, a golf package or up to $1,000 in gift certificates to your favorite local restaurants? Simply buy some raffle tickets for a donation of $2 or $5 will get you a book of 5.

2. Costs

There is no charge for admission and the entertainment is free thanks to the hard work of the committee members who comprise the 2018 Feast of the Blessed Sacrament Committee.  Feast members come from all over the country to plan the feast each year, some as far away as California and Florida.  Some of the members will be traveling from across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and South Africa to attend the feast, but in the meantime, they have had family members representing them at the committee meetings.

While admission is free to walk around and watch the entertainment or visit the Museum of Madeiran Heritage there are also many vendors on the grounds selling everything from handmade Madeiran souvenirs to cigars.  Of course, food, carnival rides, and beverages are also an additional cost.

Prices of food are kept reasonable, and there is a great deal of variety to choose from. Tickets cost a dollar each and can be purchased at many machines located throughout the grounds by placing a five, ten or twenty dollar bill inside. Tickets are non-refundable. There are also stands with employees who sell the tickets.

To give you a general idea of the prices of items at the feast, a full meal is 12 tickets, most sandwiches are around four tickets, and a soda or a water goes for one ticket. If you’re over 21, an impressive selection of alcoholic beverages is available to choose from.

On Family Fun Day – which is Saturday – food is FREE food for kids under 12: burgers, hot doga, French fries and a soda from noon-4:00pm. Also on Saturday in the same time frame, seniors get a choice-of-menu dinner at a 50% discount. Choices include roast beef, chicken, fish, cacoila, and the somewhat more exotic roast goat or rabbit, traditional Portuguese favorites.

3. Food

One of the greatest features of the feast is the delicious Portuguese fare. There are many food stands located throughout Madeira Field that serve your favorites from the simple delights of linguica and cacoila sandwiches to full on Portuguese cuisine plates of chicken, beef, goat or tuna with potatoes, rice, and vegetables.

Another major culinary draw is the Carne de Espeto, a massive, 40-foot barbecue pit where beef sirloin cubes can be cooked over an open flame on massive skewers. This is hard to miss since the aroma is absolutely mouthwatering. Visitors are able to buy the meat for eight tickets a pound and a delicious aromatic salt is provided to cook with.

Visitors are then able to roast their own dinner over the gas-fired lava rock grill. Mr. Camara, (who has been a part of the organization since 1982) advised me that if someone tells you to pour Madeira wine on the meat it is not advisable (it does not help the flavor and causes the meat to burn faster!)

Other items that will be featured at the feast include Milho Frito, fried cornmeal, garlic and finely shredded kale make this the perfect treat to go with Carne de Espeto, pasteis de Bacalau (codfish cakes), atum, cabra, favas, coelho, carne de vinho e alhos, malassadas, tremocos and other Portuguese classics. There will also be ice-cold fresh fruit cups, the perfect way to cool down for health-conscious attendees.

In case you are not accustomed to the flavorful cooking style of Portuguese cuisine, go to the Food & Drink page of the Portuguese Feast website for definitions of some of the food you might expect to see.

4. Drink

One of the draws of the feast is the consumption of Madeira wine, which is a central part of the festivities as it is part of a long tradition. Madeira wine is a sweet, fortified red wine. Genuine Madeira wine is made on the island of Madeira, and exportation of actual barrels are restricted due to regulations. However, thanks to a special agreement made between feast officials and the President of Madeira, casks are able to be delivered to New Bedford and served for the weekend, making this a very rare treat for those who attend.

For those who don’t find that the taste of Madeira wine suits their pallet, there are a great variety of additional options including a full liquor bar for mix drinks and frozen drinks. Alcohol stands also serve sangria and white wine and Budweiser beer is on tap.

If you wish to partake in the consumption of alcoholic beverages, you will need to have your ID scanned when you enter the feast grounds in order to receive a wristband that proves you are legally old enough to be served.

There will be additional ID stations at this year’s feast due to the anticipated increase in numbers of attendees.

5. Entertainment

There is a great deal of quality free entertainment at the feast each year from Portuguese and American cultures. There are four separate stages of entertainment on the main grounds and a “Fado” stage at the Museum of Madeiran Heritage Courtyard Venue – these performances will be featuring a Portuguese genre of music that can be traced back to the 1820s but is believed to be even older than that.

One of the cultural acts that you may see take the stage at Madeira field is Groupo Folclorico Clube Madeirense S.S. Sacramento. This group of dancers presents traditional dancing performances to authentic Madeiran music and in traditional clothing. These performances are always very spirited and interesting to see.

There will be many bands on the smaller stages during the feast, but the largest stage is reserved for a special performance at 10:00 each night by a headliner band. For those old school metal heads, you will be excited to know that Queensryche will be headlining this year!

For more information on when and where events will be taking place, go to the Portuguese Feast Entertainment Schedule.

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Time, Act and Stage

6:30pm-7:30pm: D’Alma (2)
7:00pm-10:00pm: Freeze Pops (3)
7:00pm-10:00pm: Somethin’ Else (4)
7:45pm-8:45pm: Grupo Folclorico do Clube Madeirense S.S. Sacramento (1)
8:45pm-9:45pm: D’Alma (2)
10:00pm-11:30pm: Queensryche (1)

Time, Act and Stage

1:00pm-3:00pm: Radio Honey (1)
1:00pm-3:00pm: Business Time (4)
3:00pm-5:00pm: No Way Out (2)
4:00pm-7:00pm: Shattered (3)
4:00pm-6:30pm: Ralph Kingsley (4)
5:00pm-7:00pm: Back In The Day (1)
7:00pm-8:00pm: Edge (2)
7:00pm-10:00pm: LIKK (3)
7:00pm-10:00pm: Craig Demello (4)
8:00pm-9:00pm: Grupo Folclorico do Clube Madeirense S.S. Sacramento (1)
9:00pm-10:00pm: Edge (2)
10:00pm-11:30pm: Wild Nites (1)

Time, Act and Stage

12:00pm-4:00pm: Family Fun Day (Kid’s Day)
12:00pm-1:00pm: Toe Jam Puppet Band (1)
1:00pm-2:00pm: Cool Banana Wig (1)
1:00pm-4:00pm: Breanna Pacheco (4)
3:00pm-5:00pm: Morissey Blvd (2)
4:00pm-7:00pm: Real Deal (3)
4:30pm-6:30pm: Giulianna Amaral (4)
5:00-7:00pm: Jammin’ (Bob Marley Tribute Band) (1)
7:00pm-8:00pm: Dead Til Friday (2)
7:00pm-10:00pm: Judas Rising (3)
7:00pm-10:00pm: Grace Morrison (4)
8:00pm-9:00pm: Grupo Folclorico do Clube Madeirense S.S. Sacramento (1)
9:00pm-9:30pm: Dead Til Friday (2)
9:30pm-11:30pm: Eratoxica (1)

Time, Act and Stage

12:30pm-2:30pm: Steddie (2)
1:00pm-4:00pm: Bettty (4)
2:00pm: Parade
3:00pm-6:00pm: Whiskey Affliction (3)
4:00pm-7:00pm: Matt Silva (4)
5:00pm-6:30pm: D’Alma (1)
6:30pm-7:30pm: Get Lucky (2)
7:00pm-10:00pm: Ageless (3)
7:00pm-9:30pm: Carson (4)
7:30pm-8:30pm: Grupo Folclorico do Clube Madeirense S.S. Sacramento (1)
8:30pm-9:30pm: Get Lucky (2)
9:30pm-11:30pm: Ultimate Queen Celebration (1)

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Thursday, August 2, 2018 (8:00pm–11:30pm)
• Sonya Bettencourt, Fado Singer
• Jeremias Macedo, Fado Singer
• Viriato Ferreira, Viola Classica
• Manuel Leite, Guitarra Portuguesa

Friday, August 3, 2018 (7:30pm–11:30pm)
• Ana Vinagre, Fado Singer
• Viriato Ferreira, Viola Classica
• Manuel Leite, Guitarra Portuguesa

Saturday, August 4, 2018 (7:30pm–11:30pm)
• Sonya Bettencourt, Fado Singer
• Carlos Furtado, Fado Singer
• Viriato Ferreira, Viola Classica
• Manuel Leite, Guitarra Portuguesa

Sunday, August 5, 2018
4:00pm-7:00pm: Rebecca Correia (Singer-songwriter & guitarist)
7:30pm-10:30pm: Jordan Paiva (Josh Groban)

To see more and keep abreast of changes, check out the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament’s entertainment schedule page.

6. Families

Since the Madeira feast involves alcohol consumption, some readers may be wondering if it is a family-appropriate event. You will be glad to know that family values are integral to the foundation of the feast. While it is probably not advisable to bring young children later in the night due to large crowds and loud music, it should be mentioned that there are many features of the feast that children will love. Also, the feast takes great measures to prohibit underage drinking. All who wish to consume alcoholic beverages are required to undergo a license verification process in order to receive a specially printed wristband.

Additional security precautions are always taken due to its size and significance. Few people realize this, but the Feast grounds are wired with such advanced cameras that all feast goers are on at least two cameras at any given time.

A cool part of the feast is that it features carnival rides and games all weekend. Saturday is probably the best day for families with young children thanks to Fun & Family Day which follows the annual 5k road race. Fun & Family Day kicks off at noon and ends at four, featuring special live entertainment for children, face painting, traveling science museum, Flash Mob, and routine by Dance Xtreme, Toe Jam Puppet Band, and more. Kids under twelve can also receive a free hot dog or hamburger, French fries, and a soda.

For senior citizens in the community, there is “Senior Citizen Afternoon” which also takes place on Saturday from noon to 4 pm. During this time a shuttle is being offered (courtesy of the City of New Bedford) from the parking lot of Lincoln Elementary on Saturday so that seniors can attend the event without having to worry about parking. On this day they are also offered a special deal of choice-of-menu dinner at a 50% discount! Menu choices include roast beef, chicken, fish, cacoila, and the somewhat more exotic roast goat or rabbit – traditional Portuguese favorites. Only 6 dollars instead of 12 (eat in only). Special entertainment is featured as well.

7. History

The Feast of the Blessed Sacrament gains its roots from the island of Madeira which is located 390 miles off the coast of Morocco. Traditionally, each Roman Catholic parish in Madeira would observe a festival to celebrate their patron saint. A committee of four men called festeiros would be responsible for preparing the village for the celebration by decorating the streets, contracting entertainment (often in the form of a brass band and fireworks) and holding a ceremonial meal after mass on Sunday.

There are many versions of the tale of why the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament was first begun in New Bedford over 100 years ago. What is certain, however, is that the feast was initiated as a means of preserving basic values of the Madeiran culture. Of course, since it was first begun the feast has changed in many ways to accommodate thousands of eager participants and modern elements of celebration.

While there have been many changes in the feast, many aspects still remain central to the celebration. The tradition of Madeira wine is a very old one, dating back to the 15th Century when the Malvasia vine was planted on the island of Madeira to see it would yield an alternative supply of wine for England. When growth was successful Madeira wine quickly took to the market, but did not become a major export until many years later. It wasn’t until the 16th Century that the flavor we know of today was created when they discovered that the flavor of the wine was actually improved by being repeatedly heated up. Follow the link for more information on the history of Madeira wine.

The religious aspect of the feast also remains a part of proceedings. As it did in 1915, the feast still takes place near Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, which is located on the corner of Earle and Madeira Street in New Bedford. The Portuguese feast pays homage to its religious traditions by beginning the weekend festivities with a procession to the church where Father Daniel O. Reis gives a Benediction to the Blessed Sacrament. The last day of the feast starts with Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Immaculate Conception and “the Festeiros, Club Madeirense S. S. Sacramento, Inc. members, and all of the many volunteers receive the blessings of the church for their many hours of work devoted to achieving a successful Feast and for being respectful of its religious origins”. Throughout the weekend the church also hosts a wonderful musical series of organ music and vocalists. The details of this schedule are still being finalized.

8. Madeira Field

Most of the events take place at Madeira Field, which is a permanent location in New Bedford’s north end, which comes to life one weekend a year for the festivities. The address of Madeira Field is 50 Madeira Avenue, New Bedford, MA (88 Tinkham Street on your GPS). Parking can be a bit tricky, you may have to plan to search a bit to find a spot and walk a few blocks, or pay to park in a nearby private lot.

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The grounds on which the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament takes place are quite expansive and easy to lose people in. Be sure you have a plan for finding lost party members whether it be by cell phone or a designated area to meet up at.

When entering the feast you will need to get in line for a wristband if you wish to purchase alcoholic beverages. One of the most prominent features you will notice upon entering the festival grounds is the Santana House. The house is designed after the colorful architectural styles of the homes in the village Santana, Madeira and is where the Madeira wine is served from.

Across from the Santana House is Stage One, which is massive and where the main attractions will be hosted throughout the weekend. There are also two other smaller stages, one that is inside the gates and the other which is outside and amongst the souvenir vendors. You will also see many food and drink stands throughout the grounds, and towards the back, you will find the barbecue pits for Carne de Espeto (or just follow your nose).

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Feast of the Blessed Sacrament

50 Madeira Avenue
New Bedford, MA

Website: feastoftheblessedsacrament.com
Facebook: facebook.com/FeastOfTheBlessedSacrament/

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Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is transported to modern-day New York City in the breathtaking musical, WEST SIDE STORY which is being presented by the New Bedford Festival Theatre July 20-29, 2018 at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, New Bedford, MA for 7 performances. With book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, the original 1957 Broadway production ran for over 700 performances before going on tour, and garnered 6 Tony nominations. It became the most powerful, moving, daring, and influential musical of the 1950s.

The story is set in the Upper West Side of New York City in the mid-1950s and explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. When, Tony, a Jet, falls in love with Maria, a Shark, the young lovers struggle to keep their love alive in a world of hate, violence and prejudice. The dark theme, sophisticated music, extended dance scenes, and focus on social problems marked a turning point in American musical theatre when it was first produced; WEST SIDE STORY remains one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching and relevant musical dramas of our time.

Some of the musical’s legendary songs include: “Maria” “Tonight” “America” “I Feel Pretty” ”Somewhere” and “Gee. Officer Krupke.” WEST SIDE STORY will also offer audiences some of the most energetic and demanding choreography ever seen on the Zeiterion stage with “The Prologue” “The Dance at the Gym” “The Rumble” and the moving “Somewhere Ballet.” Hailed as “Electrifying” (NY Times), “A milestone in musical-drama history”(Time), and “Extraordinarily exciting”(New York Daily News), WEST SIDE STORY continues New Bedford Festival Theatre’s mission of bringing the Best of Broadway to southern New England, as it has done for the past 28 years.

Tickets are on sale ($59 $52 $45 $39) at the Zeiterion Box Office, by calling 508.994.2900, or on-line at zeiterion.org.

You just finished unloading your catch, it is 2:30 am in the middle of the winter and you have been up for over twenty-four hours straight. Tired, exhausted, beat up…yet somehow, deep down, you feel invincible. You know that what you just went through and how hard you pushed not only your body, physically, but also your mind, mentally, is nothing short of incredible.

You carry a pride that not many other people can understand unless they experienced it themselves. When you are out in the middle of the ocean and the guys around you and their families are depending on how hard you work and how much you produce on a daily basis, the same way you are relying on them, there are no sick days. There are no “watches,” aka shifts, where you are just too tired or don’t feel like working. Pain and fatigue are irrelevant. Sleep and food are like distant cousins, you look forward to seeing all day but it feels like its never often or for enough time.

So, you pack up your dirty clothes and sea bag and get ready to finally go home. You get to go home to your wife, your children, your family. A normal shower and full-size bed. But right before you take the final step back on land the Captain shouts “Be on standby, I will call and let you know when we are heading back out.” and this could mean you will be home two days or two weeks and everything is always subject to change.

Fast forward to the middle of your next trip. Its day six of a two-week trip. The lights are thrown on in your bunk and you hear a stern “next watch” from the Captain. You look at your clock and it’s 9:00 pm. By now your body is used to this schedule, it does not change.

Wake up and you have a mere twenty minutes to get dressed, grab a coffee, and head out onto the deck to start your shift. You will work non stop on your feet in the cold air and harsh weather conditions of the Atlantic Ocean in the winter time. Twenty, thirty-foot seas? Snow? Rain? Ice? All means nothing when you have scallops to catch.

During your watch you will either be standing in the “box,” shucking scallops or bent over in the pile, picking them. Sometimes through rocks and boulders or sand and mud. Sometimes through piles so big you can’t even see the guy on the other end. Oh yeah, all while moving and producing as fast as you can. Giving 100 percent effort 100 percent of the time.

When your watch is finally over and the scallops are cleaned, bagged, and put on ice in the fish hole, it is creeping up on 9:00 am. You rush in to eat the first meal you have had in the last sixteen hours which can be anything from a couple of hot dogs or burgers to a full breakfast or pork chops…depending on who’s cooking.

So finally you eat, wash up, get undressed, and crash into your bed. By bed I mean a hard mattress that has been there for the last fifteen years and probably has had hundreds of men in and out of it, smaller than an average twin sized mattress. If you are lucky, it is only about 9:30 am and you fall right asleep because you will be starting the cycle all over again in three and half hours at 1:00 pm. This will go on for what seems like forever – twelve hours on and four hours off, 12 on 4 off, for the entire two-week trip.

Did I mention while you were away you had no cell phone or internet service? You missed family birthdays, anniversaries, your child’s first steps or words. You missed the big game or the unfortunate death of a loved one. You couldn’t be there for your wife when she got bad news or got into a car accident. It really is not a glamorous lifestyle – many people only see the money and not the sacrifice. Sacrifice from not only the men and women who decide to make their living on the water but also from their other halves who hold down the entire household while you are gone.

Now, every trip and every boat is a little different and I have personally worked more hours, under more harsh conditions than this, and have also worked fewer hours with not as harsh conditions as this.. every boat, crew, and Captain have their own “style.”

I hope you guys enjoyed a small glance at what it takes physically and mentally to be a full-time commercial scalloper, through the eyes of someone who has been in the industry going on 10 years.

Thank you, and Much Respect
– Ryan Tavares/Slave Of The Sea

By Sean McCarthy

A few years ago a local business luncheon produced a winning idea – The Portuguese know how to throw a party so let’s do it like it hasn’t been done before.

And so “Viva Portugal” was launched.

This Saturday, May 5th, downtown New Bedford will be enlivened with the third annual celebration of “Viva Portugal,” a free four-block festival providing guests with the opportunity to indulge in the culture of a people whose influence on the region is like no other ethnic group.

And while Portuguese celebrations are proven commodities in the South Coast, the uniqueness of “Viva Portugal” is that it involves the contributions of a dozen local organizations devoted to Portuguese culture, coming together to create a wide spectrum of arts, food and entertainment.

Under the galvanizing direction of the Zeiterion Theatre, the local Portuguese community is being unified through its’ diversity.

From 12:45 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. the streets surrounding the Zeiterion will teem with a something-for-everyone atmosphere that will range from adult beverages to children’s play areas.

“The Portuguese still champion their cultural richness,” says Rosemary Gill, Co-Director at the Zeiterion. “This event shows what a strong social fabric this community has – they’ve truly embraced this festival and we’re proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them.”

“The Zeiterion is giving the Portuguese community the opportunity to do something that’s never been done in New Bedford,” says Joe Sousa, a current member of the Board of Directors for the Club Madeirense S.S. Sacramento which runs the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament, as well as the Chairman for the Committee that runs the Museum of Medeiran Heritage. “The Z is making cultural connections through the arts and entertainment.”

Whether it’s in “The Big Tent,” on the outdoor stage, or in the streets, Viva Portugual is a lively and perpetual celebration, a family-friendly event which pays homage to a culture both classical and contemporary. The outdoor atmosphere will include a Portuguese marching band, folkloric dancers from the Discovery Language Academy, an orchestra of ukulele players, the comedy of the Portuguese Kids, fado singer Sofia Ribeiro and a Madeiran folkloric group.

“The Big Tent” will house the Portugala Marketplace of Fall River which will showcase their specialty grocery store and café, offering housewares, tiles, ceramics, olive oils, and pre-packaged foods. Simultaneously there will be cooking demonstrations with celebrity Portuguese chefs who will create dishes and provide samples, as well as doing book signings. Tagus Press, a publisher affiliated with UMass-Dartmouth’s Center for Portuguese Studies and Culture, will allow guests to browse copies of their books while Manuela DaCosta, born in Terceira, Azores who immigrated to New Bedford as a young adult, will be doing readings from the book “Hawk Island.”

The streets of the event will feature floats devoted to different facets of Portuguese culture. The S.S. Brinquinho Float is a replica of Columbus’s Santa Maria will be on display along with a float dedicated to the traditional wine making of the island of Madeira, along with a float designed as a replica of Madeira itself. Other street sights will include the Santana House, provided by the Madeiran Feast, that is a replica of a small thatched triangular house found in the village of Santana or Madeira. There will also be a display of an Azorean Whaleboat presented by the Azorean Maritime Heritage Society. Whaleboat races will take place at 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.

Another street treat will be the Three Cousins – a musical group which will be roaming the area playing traditional Portuguese music with two mandolins and an accordion.

“The Portuguese are very social and proud of their culture,” says Shelley Pires, Portuguese Consul to New Bedford. “We immensely enjoy sharing our heritage with others – it’s ingrained in the way we behave and in the way we communicate with others. This is a part of our way of life. This is who we genuinely are, we’re not pretending to have a good time. It’s in our souls and hearts – it’s something we want to share with others.”

Lelise Vicente is the Director of the Discovery Language Academy. She spent her first 12 years living on Pico Island in the Azores. She would frequent block parties that were only walking distance from her home.

“Viva Portugual reminds me of the kind of street parties we would enjoy back in the Old Country,” Vicente says. “There were these little festivals where people could hang out together. You could have something to eat or drink or partake in an activity. This is typical of smaller festivals in Portugal.”

“The Portuguese people are happy to help with the Zeiterion’s vision and work with other like-minded organizations,” Sousa says. “We get to show off some of our culture and be a part of the community. When you get to work with people doing the same thing you learn to appreciate each other.

“This event is about bringing people together.”

“The Z has made the Portuguese community stronger,” Vicente says.

The planners of “Viva Portugal” knew from the beginning that the success of the event would depend on the involvement of all of the regional organizations devoted to Portuguese culture. They were pleased to discover the enthusiasm of these groups.

“Right out of the gate we knew we had something,” Gill says. “These people know how to roll up their sleeves and get things done, they have strong connections and networks. Bringing these groups together has given us something greater than the sum of our parts.”

And the parts were being put together when Gill met with Pedro Carneiro, then Consul for the Portuguese Consulate in New Bedford, along with Mike Tavares, then President of the Prince Henry Society and a current member of the Zeiterion’s Board of Directors. Their conversation was about how the Zeiterion could take action to bring greater recognition to Portuguese culture in the city. The Zeiterion was scheduled to host a concert of Portuguese music, but there was the feeling that more could be done.

The gears began turning.

“Eventually we thought ‘What if we did something really amazing that brought the community together in a deeper way than just a performance? What if we had a party in front of the ‘Z’?’Gill says.

But they knew that the only way they could make it happen was to involve all of the Portuguese organizations in the community – something that had never been done in the region before.

“They loved the idea,” Gill says. “They welcomed the opportunity to do something together.”

And Viva Portugal will serve to further a burgeoning trend in local Portuguese pride. According to Vicente “it’s now cool to be Portuguese. It’s cool to have a second culture. They enjoy learning about things like dancing, food and music. They like learning about the lives of past generations. Learning the language is part of learning the culture.”

The school, located in the DeMello Center in downtown New Bedford, includes 150 students of all ages who learn how to speak Portuguese as well as being introduced to their culture. The organization introduces students to the celebration of Portuguese holidays along with customary American holidays.

Viva Portugal is one of seven Portuguese-oriented celebrations to be held in the region this summer, but is considered unique because of the fact that it has yet to be Americanized such as festivals that have been held in America for 50 to 100 years or more. Other festivals include the Day of Portugal (held in New Bedford and Fall River) in June, the Portuguese Festival in Provincetown in June, the internationally recognized Madeiran Feast in July, The Feast of the Holy Spirit in Fall River in August, and the Feast of the Holy Ghost in Westport in August.

All of the workers at Viva Portugal are volunteers.

“Nobody’s making any money but we’re having a great time doing it,” Sousa says.

“The Portuguese have shown that through the generations they still have a passion for their culture,” Gill says. “We’re happy to throw a party with them.”

If you are proper foodie then a Cuban sandwich is on your radar – in fact, it is likely that a simple mention of this treat is enough to get the salivary glands revving into overdrive. If you are out of the proverbial loop and one of the deprived few that has never had the pleasure of devouring one of them, then you are about to learn about a Cuban delicacy that has become so popular, that in spite of there being so few Cubans or Cuban Restaurants on the South Coast, you will find the sandwich to is easy to come across.

So, that we are on the same page, let’s get to describing this bundle of happy in its classic form: it begins with a foot long section of Cuban bread which is a sort of cross between a traditional French baguette and an Italian bread. It features a crispy, toasted thin crust with a soft, flaky center that is cut horizontally, opened and given a light brush with olive oil and then tangy, yellow mustard.

Here’s where the magic happens – healthy layers of glazed ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, sliced dill pickles and a little more mustard are the standard. Put the halves back together and toasted in a plancha or panini press to get the turn the cheese in melty goodness and give the thin crust a little more crisp. Slice and share.

Well, maybe share anyway.

While traditionalists will blanch and balk at the idea, some folks like to add some lettuce, mayo, tomato and in Southern Florida where the sandwich is extremely popular, there will be the addition of salami. The sandwich is found wherever there are Cuban communities, like Florida, New York, or Chicago so you may find some variations. There can be quite a bit of debate on the proper way to assemble this sandwich and where it originated, which we’ll forgo the drama for discussing how good it is.

How good is it? Well, it’s here in greater New Bedford available in no less than 10 locations and not one of them is a Cuban restaurant, run by a Cuban, or has a Cuban serving you. It’s so delicious that it has sneaked its way on many menus and believe it or not, for the most part, the local restaurants are serving a pretty darn good sandwich.

In some cases, they might be considered blasphemous because they can stray from the traditional version, however, it’s still mouth-watering. Salami crept into the sandwich because of the Italian communities that neighbored the Cuban communities and we have other communities that would love to “get together” with this sandwich and make a contribution to it, e.g. Puerto Rican, Dominican, Portuguese, Guatemalan, etc. and it will likely change again.

Anyway, yada, yada, yada. I’m boring you and you’re here for the lip-smacking goodness, not my verbosity. So, if you have had a Cuban sandwich before and want to know where to get the best in the area, or I’ve piqued your interest to the point you want one, here’s where to get the best in the area.

The Pour Farm Tavern

The Pour Farm Tavern is a local favorite watering hole. A place where hipsters, trust fund babies, bikers, artists, musicians, the elderly, the binge drinker, barfly and other denizens prefer to unwind. It is a veritable melting pot of all walks of life which is why it’s one of my favorite places to go.

While it is known for its astonishing variety of microbrews which are constantly being rotated, what it isn’t as well-known for, and should be, is the food coming out of the kitchen. I don’t know the story behind who is doing the cooking, but I do know that he sure as hell knows what he’s doing. This is restaurant quality fare being made by a genuine chef. I have mentioned in the past that I’ve had Cubanos all the way from here to Florida and the Cubano served at the Pour Farm Tavern rivals the best I’ve had.

“Smoked pulled pork, Cure 81 ham, Swiss cheese, pickle and a secret spicy sauce served on a toasted torpedo roll with choice of side.” is how the Pour Farm describes their Cubano. The amount of care that went into each ingredient, and in compiling them into a quintessential Cubano is to be applauded. This isn’t a slapping together of the ingredients between two slices of bread. This is someone who has passion and pride in what they are doing and by the craftsmanship, this is someone who has had their fair share of Cubanos. I want one NOW.

780 Purchase St
New Bedford
Phone: (508) 990-1123
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pourfarmtavern/

Quahog Republic’s Whaler’s Tavern “Cubano”

Photo by Alice S.

The Quahog Republic’s version was authentic and legit! It was described as “slow roasted orange cola pork, honey glazed ham, chopped pickles, marinated red onion, Swiss cheese, chipotle aioli, on French bread. Baked hot; brushed with butter, wholegrain mustard and grill pressed.” I’ve eaten a lot of Cubanos in my day, and the golden standard, of course, are the ones I’ve had in various places in Florida made by Cubans. This one was as authentic as any I’ve ever had, excepting the Chipotle aioli which was a nice, subtle variation.

I had high expectations when I ordered this sandwich and boy were they ever met. Nay, exceeded. It was also the largest one I’ve ever been served. There are so many flavors and textures going on that it’s like a Mozart symphony. Crunchy, soft, sweet, sour, spicy, salty, warm, hot, happy. OK, I took some liberty with that last one. No ethics probe, please.

24 N Water St
New Bedford
Phone: (774) 206-6303
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QuahogRepublicWhalersTavern/

Mirasol’s Cuban Sunrise, Cubana and Ham & Cuban Roast Turkey Sandwich

Cuban Sunrise. Photo by Granuaile O.

Mirasol’s is a place I’ve been going to since it opened its doors. I’ve been bringing my daughter there since she was 4 years of age. I have a lot of wonderful memories there and one of them is having two of my favorite sandwiches (in my pre-vegetarian days) were the Cuban Sunrise, Cubana, and Ham & Cuban Roast Turkey Sandwich.

While not a true or authentically Cuban sandwiches, they have many of the ingredients that make the Cuban sandwich so delicious. Considering we aren’t exactly in an area with a large Cuban population where we have a lot of choices when it comes to getting a Cuban sandwich, I am including it in the list.

Maybe sneak some pickle in? Outside food is not allowed though, so you didn’t hear that from me. Maybe see if they’ll break out a little mambo, salsa or Cha cha cha too? Good luck!

The Cuban Sunrise is described as “Cuban-rubbed roasted pork, ham, 4-cheese blend and a fried egg, hot pressed in a flour tortilla.” It’s part of the regular breakfast menu, but Mirasol’s serves their breakfast and lunch items any time of day.

The Cubana is on the regular lunch menu and is described as “spice-rubbed pork loin, ham & Swiss cheese, topped with house-marinated onions, mustard, lettuce mix, and tomatoes.”

The Cuban Roast Turkey Sandwich is the least like the Cuban sandwich of the bunch, but does have many of the ingredients. It only shows up as a special, so you have to keep your eyes out for it. It is “Cuban rubbed turkey breast, turkey-ham, and Swiss cheese, layered with lettuce, tomatoes, marinated onions & mustard.”

Be sure to ask for some of their home-made sauces on the side: they come in three heats and colors: mild (white), medium (green), hot (orange).

439 State Rd
North Dartmouth
Phone: (508) 996-2323
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MirasolsCafe/

Hangman Hut’s Cuban Panini

The Cuban Panani at the Hangman’s Hut is described as “ham, mustard spread, turkey, Swiss and pickles.” It is sliced in half and plated so one half is on its side and leaning on the other. At first sight, I am glad that the cheese isn’t an inch thick and oozing all over the place. I love cheese, but in a sandwich I want it to compliment the other ingredients not overpower it.

I wrap my grubby little hands around a half and chomp right into it. The bread had a thin layer of crunch and crackle and the rest of it was appropriately soft. As I continue to bite down, I am hit with a wave of juicy deliciousness. The pickle going down the center has a snap to it, the ham tastes like high-quality ham, not the cold cut or bloated with sodium type that gets served up on Easter and/or Christmas. This is real ham. What a perfect combo. I was KOed. I was transported back to Florida at a mom & pop Cuban eatery with the sun beating down on my head.

Man, I wanted to break out the sunscreen and prop my feet up on the table. In the distance, I swear I heard a Rumba or Salsa playing faintly. This sandwich had no chance.

119 Wareham Rd
Marion
Phone: (774) 553-5161
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HangmanCoffeeHut/

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Honorable Mentions:

I haven’t personally tried any of these so I can’t vouch for them and therefore did not include them in the main body of this article. Have you tried them? Let us know who we should visit and try!

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dNB Burger’s Very Limited Special
I only know of this being served once and am unsure if they ever did it again. Perhaps they should consider adding it to their menu? Were you one of the ones that had a chance to try it?

“Limited edition Lamb Cubano: Roasted local lamb loin from Creamery Farm, house cured and smoked ham, house pickles, homemade Swiss American, and mint yellow mustard piled high on Cuban bread baked courtesy of our friends at The Baker.”

22 Elm Street
New Bedford
Phone: (774) 202-0118
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dNBBurgers/

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Lorenzo’s Bakery
Tuesday Special: Cubano ham, pulled pork, mayo-Kktchup, lettuce, tomato.”

1533 Acushnet Ave, New Bedford,
Phone: 774.202.6201
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lorenzos-Bakery/1800943000144277

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M and C Cafe Restaurant and Catering Company
Portuguese Cubano Sandwich: Caçoila, ham, bacon, and cheese pressed with Chipotle aoli.

436 Belleville Ave
New Bedford, Massachusetts
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/M-and-C-Cafe-Restaurant-and-Catering-Company-266143427424/

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Kickin’ Cubans
I didn’t know about this place until I started writing this. I didn’t even know it existed and their Facebook page doesn’t even have an address, so I’m not sure where exactly it is. Their “About” section states “Our specialty is Cuban sandwiches, empanadas, and much more!”

Illinois Street
Phone: (508) 863-6607
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KickinCubans/

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Veterans and active service members can attend the performance by Jessica Lang Dance on Sat, Feb 10 for FREE. To get your free tickets, either order on-line with code: THANKYOU, call the box office at 508-994-2900 or visit us at 638 Purchase Street.

GET TICKETS: zeiterion.org/jessica-lang-dance/
Facebook Event: facebook.com/events/516553748694961/

The Zeiterion Performing Arts Center presents one of the nation’s top choreographers and dance companies, Jessica Lang Dance, on Saturday, February 1o at 8:00 p.m. They are best known for seamlessly incorporating striking design elements and transforming classical ballet language into artfully crafted, emotionally engaging contemporary works. The evening will feature Lang’s masterpiece, Thousand Yard Stare, called “a remarkable evocation of soldiers in formation and at war” by the Chicago Tribune. This performance is included in The Zeiterion’s Veterans Experience program, and all veterans and active service members are invited for free. Tickets otherwise range from $27 to $47 and can be purchased by calling 508-994-2900, online at Zeiterion.org, or at the Zeiterion Box Office. Group sales are available for groups of 10 or more and can be purchased by calling 508-997-5664 x123.

Founded in 2011, Jessica Lang Dance (JLD) is a New York City-based dance company dedicated to creating and performing the work of Jessica Lang, a choreographer hailed as a “master of visual composition” by Dance Magazine. She creates dazzling works for her own dancers as well as the world’s most celebrated companies including American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and National Opera.

The company’s Zeiterion debut will feature three of their most popular dances in their repertory: Her Road inspired by the Southwest works of painter Georgia O’Keefe and set to the music of Beethoven; The Calling an elegant solo featuring a dancer enveloped in a flowing skirt that fills the entire stage and set to haunting choral music “O Maria, Stella Maris”; and their signature piece, Thousand Yard Stare, a dance embodying the incredible pride and honor, as well as the searing loss, experienced by military veterans.

Since the company’s inception, marked by Lang’s receipt of a Joyce Theater Artist Residency supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, JLD has made rapid success performing at renowned venues and festivals throughout the country including Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Next Wave Festival, New York City Center’s Fall for Dance Festival, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Joyce Theater, the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Northrop Auditorium, and the Winspear Opera House, among others. The company’s performances have been named among the best dance events of the year by major publications in Dallas, Chicago and Boston.

In the summer of 2015, JLD performed a rare two-week run at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, marking the company’s third Pillow season since its company debut at Festival 2012. In November 2015, JLD made its critically acclaimed Chicago debut with Tesseracts of Time, co-commissioned by the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, the inaugural Chicago Architecture Biennial and the Society for the Performing Arts featuring a set by world-renowned architect Steven Holl.

Lang has created more than 90 works since 1999, including Birmingham Royal Ballet (2013 Manchester Theatre Award nominee), and the National Ballet of Japan, among many others. Additional commissions include new works for the Kennedy Center with the National Symphony Orchestra, The Harris Theater and the Chicago Architecture Biennial in collaboration with architect Steven Holl, the Dallas Museum of Art and the Guggenheim Museum for its Works and Process series. For opera, Lang made her directorial debut creating Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater at the 2013 Glimmerglass Opera Festival. She was a 2015 New York City Center Fellow.

Lang, a graduate of The Juilliard School, is a former member of Twyla Tharp’s company, THARP!

The Zeiterion Performing Arts Center is a non-profit organization with a mission to provide New Bedford and the region with performing arts programming of excellence that inspires, educates, engages and entertains. Tickets are available for purchase at www.zeiterion.org, by calling 508-994-2900, or in person at the box office at 684 Purchase Street, New Bedford, Mass. Zeiterion Box Office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and two hours before each performance.

GET TICKETS: zeiterion.org/jessica-lang-dance/
Facebook Event: facebook.com/events/516553748694961/

Russell is one of the nicest and most genuine people I’ve met in my 22 years in New Bedford. He works long, strenuous hours with his hands from Monday through Friday on Martha’s Vineyard. He gets up before the sun rises, and travels home to New Bedford long after dusk falls. He is a young man in his 20’s, and his daily grind is as relentless as his love for his friends and family. And whether he realizes it or not, he is an inspiration to me and my loved ones. Because despite the difficulties life continues to throw at Russell, he gets up the next morning and instinctively understands what must be done for the sake of what matters most; work, family, and love.

I love New Bedford because it is home to so many people like Russell. New Bedford is home to so many people who have had to brush off the hardships they’ve faced in preparation for new challenges ahead. New Bedford is home to so many people whose daily triumphs go unnoticed. New Bedford is home to a vast body of people who amidst the most heartbreaking stories from around the city, state, and country, continue to commit the smallest acts of kindness towards their neighbor. New Bedford is home to so many people who continue to pursue better lives despite negativity’s incessant attempts to swallow them whole.

While it may be easy to overlook a stranger’s opening of a door or a driver’s yielding to a family with groceries in a crosswalk, these small acts of kindness are as prevalent in New Bedford as anywhere else in America. These small acts of kindness are what makes life worth living in New Bedford, because ultimately they are what fuels others to continue to respond to hate with love. In a country where bad things happen regularly, it is more important now than ever for people to continue to inspire positive action amongst others. Even in the most mundane situations. Because while you may not be able to control what happens around you, you do have the power to choose how you respond to what happens around you. And you never know how your actions can affect somebody else’s going forward.

I met Russell through a mutual friend of ours a few months ago. Our friend lives in a building that is mostly occupied by elderly folks, and we encountered an older man named Richie who was having a hard time loading his wheelchair into his van. Richie had been fixing a friend’s car overseas years ago, when a stranger shot him in the back; putting Richie in a wheelchair for life.

Before I could even approach Richie, I saw Russell thrust himself towards the man’s wheelchair to load it into the van. There was no introduction, no exchanging of pleasantries, and no reward; just one man acting out of kindness for another. And that man happened to be my friend Russell, who could not have looked happier on that day to be helping somebody in need. Russell didn’t need a thank you, money, a name, or for Richie to remember his.

He just wanted to help.

If you’re from New Bedford, you either know somebody who has faced great pain in their lifetime, or you have fought that pain for yourself. If you’re from New Bedford, there is a good chance that struggle runs in your family. There is a good chance that if you are from New Bedford, you’ve grown up in a family that has constantly been exposed to pain and suffering in some shape or form.

For people living in New Bedford, work is synonymous with life. We must work our tails off everyday because people we care about deeply directly depend on it. And if you’re from New Bedford, you can understand just how much harder life could be if you and your loved ones didn’t work your tails off. Because people in New Bedford can empathize with just how trying tough times can be for others in the city. All they have to do is look around.

I love New Bedford because it is my home. New Bedford has been where my most fondest memories have taken place. And while I am just 22 years old, I realize that meaningful life experiences can take place anywhere in the world. I have hiked the Flatirons in Colorado, walked the beaches of Washington state, and partied in downtown Las Vegas. And while these moments were life changing in the most positive of ways for me, they also made me realize that there really is no place like home. In time spent away from Massachusetts, I realized that there truly is no place like New Bedford. And so I came back home in a heartbeat.

I believe people in New Bedford are more connected to one another than they realize. I believe most of us want the same thing; work, family, and love. I believe most of us are good intentioned people caught up in a giant web of negativity that gets in the way of what we want most. Problems are inevitable, but problem solving can be difficult. And I believe most people in New Bedford live to solve problems; be it their own or those of another. I believe most people in New Bedford would rather see the next person’s problem be solved as opposed to simply watching them fail. I believe Russell is not the only person in New Bedford who just wants to help.

I believe that the people I’ve seen hold doors open, pay for strangers’ coffees, and smile from across the street, are not the only people in New Bedford paying small acts of kindness forward. Because given our similar upbringings and rough-edged east coast roots, we share a life-long bond. We share a bond by having grown up and lived in one of the most polarizing cities in American history. We share a bond by living in a place that at times can be stunningly beautiful and at other times can be shockingly terrifying. And this bond is what propels us to be better people to those around us.

I don’t love New Bedford for its history. I don’t love New Bedford for its beaches, parks and landmarks. I don’t love New Bedford for its food, downtown, or airport. I don’t love New Bedford for its sports, music, or art.

I was taught at a young age that the most powerful form of love is unconditional.

And so, I just love New Bedford.

THIS WEEKEND!

Hatch Street Studios, New Bedford’s largest artist community, is pleased to announce their annual Open Studios / Holiday Sale 2017.

This three-day celebration, popular with art lovers from the Southcoast and the entire New England region for more than 10 years running, offers a look into the professional spaces of 60+ artists working in a restored 19th-century textile mill. Visitors are invited to view the studios, discover their creative processes, and purchase original works of art in a wide variety of media including ceramics, jewelry, photography, wood, glass, painting, and textiles.

The festivities begin on Friday, November 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. We continue throughout the weekend from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with live music on Saturday by steel drum ensemble El Caribe and on Sunday by guitarist Butch McCarthy. Food service will be available all weekend by Destination Soups. The event is free and open to the public, with plenty of free parking and handicapped accessibility.

Check out their event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/301052790371346/
Visit their website: https://www.hatchstreetstudios.com/

Hatch Street Studios
88 Hatch Street
New Bedford, MA 02745

by Leo Monteiro

Over the past twelve years the South Coast Business Alliance (SCBA) has put on one of the most anticipated events in the city: Oktoberfest. Each year the festivities have grown, the crowds have gotten bigger and the entertainment, top notch. What most folks don’t realize is that everyone involved is volunteering their time and 100% of the proceeds have gone back into the community. The SCBA is a shining example of what a non-profit organization should be; its run by committed volunteers, no extravagant salaries, in fact there are NO paid positions at all. Every single dollar raised is donated, it all flows back to the community.

With this years Oktoberfest happening on Saturday October 14th its important reflect back on the good work they have accomplished. Now in its 12th year and after raising 500K in revenue over Forty organizations have directly benefited from over $218,000 in net proceeds. Did you know that every year the UMass Dartmouth Foundation provides a scholarship to a local youth? Ever heard of the Star Kids Program? The SCBA covers tuition for children in low income communities to attend private schooling. By empowering kids and giving them opportunities to shine the whole community benefits.

Here is just a short list of some of the things the SCBA has managed to do and programs they actively support:

Smiles Mentoring Program: http://www.smilesmentoring.org/index.htm SMILES is a school based one-to-one mentoring program serving New Bedford and Fall River.

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater New Bedford: http://www.bgcnewbedford.org/ In 2008 the SCBA raised several thousand dollars for the Boys & Girls Club to help build a boxing training facility. The SCBA didn’t simply write a check for this project, they worked tirelessly on weekends to gut the basement of it’s existing bowling alley and replace it with the boxing facility. The proceeds raised for this project allowed them to renovate the space, outfit it with several heavy bags and other training equipment as well as a top-of-the-line boxing ring.

The Zeiterion Theatre: http://www.zeiterion.org/ In 2008 the SCBA began a working relationship with the Z and developed a program called “Front & Center.” This program allows us an opportunity to send dozens of at-risk youth to different performances each year. To date we have sent over 150 youth, who receive the full red carpet treatment complete with a limousine ride to and from the historic theatre located in New Bedford’s Historic National Park.

Friendly Sons of St. Patrick: http://www.friendlysons.net/ This past year the SCBA helped the Friendly Sons with their annual Turkey Drive during the Thanksgiving holiday. The Friendly Sons provide a traditional Thanksgiving meal to those who can not afford the day with all the fixings.

The United Way of Greater New Bedford : http://www.unitedwayofgnb.org/ The SCBA has co-hosted their fundraising events with the United Way in years past donating all the proceeds from those events to the United Way and their efforts in the Greater New Bedford area.

The Community Foundation : http://www.cfsema.org/ The SCBA began a working relationship with the Community Foundation in 2008. The Community Foundation has several programs and scholarships that they continue to work on and achieve high marks. We are pleased to be working with them, creating new ways to give back to the community through their dedicated efforts.

The work they are doing largely goes unnoticed, but we’re shining a light on them this week and showcasing a great local organization that should be applauded for its efforts. If you support their goals and see value in the work they are doing head to Oktoberfest this weekend, not just for some brews but to really make a difference.

Check out their event page here and you can purchase tickets here.