Looking for a place to celebrate 420? The Vault Music Hall at 791 Purchase Street in Downtown New Bedford will be hosting a 420 event on Saturday, April 20th. Tickets are $10 in advance ($15 at the door and can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/420-and-its-a-punky-reggae-party-tickets-847674385907?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Join live acts “The NB Rude Boys” with special guests “Concrete Beach” & “The Riki Rocksteady All-Stars” for a warm and easy event featuring reggae, calypso, mento, ska and rocksteady beats for you to vibe out and groove to. Additionally, “DJ Lotusound” and all the way down from the South Shore “The Rins”, who will be playing the Levitate Festival this year with Sublime. Door prizes and drink specials available.

Doors open at 6 PM
Positive Vibrations at 6:30
General Admission $10 in advance
$15 at the door

“New Bedford and Dartmouth – Two Compost Bin Days are coming up on Saturday, April 6, and June 15, 2024.

Compost Bin Days are open to New Bedford and Dartmouth residents and are organized by the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District.

The events are held from 8:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the Crapo Hill Landfill, 300 Samuel Barnet Blvd., New Bedford. Enter through the New Bedford Business Park.

New Bedford and Dartmouth residents who purchase, or previously purchased, a backyard compost bin can choose from two types of kitchen counter bins to help compost at home. Collect food waste such as banana peels and apple cores in your kitchen counter bin. When full, empty it into your backyard compost bin.

The two options are:

• 2-gallon plastic Sure-Close kitchen counter bin, FREE.
• 1-gallon stainless steel kitchen counter bin, available for purchase for $30.28 each (including tax). Cash, check, or money order only.

Kitchen counter bins are only available on special Compost Bin Days and while supplies last.

The Refuse District offers two types of backyard compost bins. The Earth Machine and the New Age Composter are available at the discounted rate of $25 each (including tax). Cash, check, or money order only. Proof of residency required. The cost of each backyard compost bin is being subsidized by the two communities to encourage backyard composting.

“Food waste makes up approximately 20% of the waste that residents generate in their homes. Composting fruit and vegetable scraps saves space in your trash bags and the landfill, while providing nutrient rich material for gardening,” notes Marissa Perez-Dormitzer, Waste Reduction Manager.

Benefits of composting include:

• materials such as fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, leaves, grass, hay, and twigs placed in a compost bin turn into free compost (that you do not have to buy in a plastic bag).
• returns nutrients to the soil to grow nutritious food, and healthy plants, flowers, and shrubs.
• reduces greenhouse gases such as methane.
• reduces trash and reduces plastic bag use – material that was going in your trash now becomes nutrient-rich soil amendment.

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Which backyard compost bin is best for you?

The Earth Machine:

• 80-gallon capacity, great for smaller families, gardens, or yards.
• Made of rigid recycled plastic – twist lid to lock, unlock, and allow for ventilation.
• Comes with two halves for the body, a lid, and a perforated base plate. Easy to assemble in a few steps.
• The sliding door at the base allows for compost removal. Or the entire bin can be picked up to harvest the finished compost at the bottom.
• Rodent prevention: keep meat, bones, fats, oil & dairy out of the bin. Comes with a perforated base plate that helps keep rodents out.
• Add water to keep the contents as damp as a wrung-out sponge (leftover cooking water can be used). It is possible to drill holes in the lid and body to allow in rainwater.

The New Age Composter (made in New Bedford):

• Capacity up to 180-gallons, great for larger families, bigger gardens, yards with more leaves.
• Made of flexible recycled plastic so the diameter can be adjusted during setup.
• Cone-shaped base continually aerates contents from below, turning is not necessary.
• Comes with the body, a base, a lid, and clips to hold it together. Easy to assemble in a few steps. Video with instructions for assembly: https://youtu.be/08qDLLv1Hgc
• To access the finished compost, push aside fresh material on top and shovel out compost underneath. Or pick up the entire bin to access the finished compost. Using 2 or 3 bins in rotation makes harvesting compost easy from the oldest bin.
• Rodent prevention: keep meat, bones, fats, oil & dairy out of the bin. The sides and bottom cone may be secured to the ground with stakes to keep rodents out.
Holes in the lid allow rainwater in. During dry spells, add water to keep contents as damp as a wrung-out sponge.

If you have questions about how to compost, visit http://gnbrrmdistrict.org/about-us/ or contact the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District by phone at (508) 979-1493 or by email at Marissa@gnbrrmdistrict.org. For additional tips, visit the New Bedford Recycling or the Dartmouth Recycling Facebook page or follow New Bedford Recycling on Instagram and Nextdoor or @NBRecycling on Twitter/X.”

“On Sunday, March 17, 2024, there will be significant disruptions to service due to the New Bedford Half-Marathon. It is our goal to provide the best level of service we can, however, expect delays and detours due to higher-than-normal traffic volumes and road closures.

The New Bedford Terminal will be closed to accommodate the start/finish line for the race. All routes will be detoured to MacArthur Dr. and Union St for the entire day.

From 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM the following routes will be suspended:

• Route 201 – Fort Rodman
• Route 203 – Dartmouth St
• Route 205 – South Central
• Route 206 – Shawmut Ave
• Route 208 – Mt. Pleasant

All other routes will continue to operate; however, delays are expected.”-Southeastern Regional Transit Authority.

Southeastern Regional Transit Authority photo.

Southeastern Regional Transit Authority photo.

The Annual New Bedford Half Marathon, a beloved tradition, is set to take place this Sunday, March 17th, 2024, inviting over 2,000 runners to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in New Bedford. Hosted by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and the City of New Bedford, this event is managed by the 100% volunteer New Bedford Half Marathon Race Committee, Inc.

Renowned as one of the oldest half marathon distance events in the Northeast, the race is a testament to New Bedford’s rich history and community spirit. The course, starting and ending on Pleasant Street near City Hall, presents a challenging yet scenic route, offering waterfront views and enthusiastic support from hundreds of volunteers and cheering fans.

Safety is a top priority for organizers, with nearly 125 New Bedford police officers patrolling the course and ambulances stationed throughout the city. To maintain safety, participants and spectators are asked not to bring bags, backpacks, suitcases, or rolling bags near the start/finish area.

Residents are advised to plan ahead for traffic restrictions, as parking will not be permitted along the race route, and the route will be closed to vehicular traffic from about 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Alternative routes have been identified for those needing access inside the course perimeter.

The New Bedford community warmly welcomes all participants and visitors, inviting them to explore the city’s shops, restaurants, and attractions before and after the race. Complimentary parking is available at the Elm Street and Zeiterion garages.

For more information about the race and race day activities, please visit www.newbedfordhalfmarathon.com. Come join us in celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and the spirit of community in New Bedford!

Watch last years marathon here:

“Dartmouth, MA (February 13, 2024) – On Sunday, March 10, 2024, My Brother’s Keeper will be hosting Strikes for Hope, a bowling event for families, colleagues, and friends to support the mission of My Brother’s Keeper.

What: Strikes for Hope, bowling fundraising event.
Who: My Brother’s Keeper
Where: Hosted at Wonder Bowl, 66 Hathaway Rd, New Bedford, MA 02746
When: Sunday, March 10, 2024 (Two Sessions)

Family Bowl (12:00-2:00 PM) Cost: $25 Per Person, $75 Maximum for Families, $250 Family Lane Sponsorship.

Office Bowl (3:00-5:00 PM) Cost: $250 Corporate Lane, Corporate Sponsorships available

My Brother’s Keeper photo.

To Register: Family Bowl: www.mybrotherskeeper.org/strikes-for-hope

Office Bowl: www.mybrotherskeeper.org/strikes-for-hope-office
Contact: Amanda Dean, My Brother’s Keeper, Event Coordinator & Development Associate; 508-297-9050; adean@mybrotherskeeper.org

Please join our community of family, colleagues, and friends for an afternoon of bowling and fun, at our third annual Strikes for Hope event! All ages and skill levels are welcome.

Registration includes 2 hours of bowling, shoe rentals, event t-shirt, and pizza. During this event, we will host the Strikes for Hope Challenge, where a generous sponsor will contribute $25 to My Brother’s Keeper for each of the first 400 strikes thrown!

This event will support the organization’s core charitable programs of 36 years: furniture, food, and Christmas assistance. The mission of My Brother’s Keeper is “To bring the Love and Hope of Jesus Christ to those we serve.” My Brother’s Keeper provides assistance to more than 62,000 children and adults throughout the South Coast and Southeastern Massachusetts each year.

My Brother’s Keeper photo.

This is possible thanks to the generosity of community partners and the dedication of 20 staff and more than 5,000 volunteers working year-round to serve our community. All items are delivered free of charge and without pre-requisites—a critical service for residents without transportation, the elderly and disabled.

Demand for assistance in our community remains extremely strong. Strikes for Hope will not only raise funds to help My Brother’s Keeper provide as much assistance to families as possible, but also raise awareness of our great work in the South Coast region.

My Brother’s Keeper does not receive any local, state, or federal funding, and relies on private donations to serve the community. Another way to support our mission is by making a financial donation online. Visit www.mybrotherskeeper.org for details.

More about My Brother’s Keeper:
To donate or learn more about getting involved with My Brother’s Keeper, visit www.MyBrothersKeeper.org or call 774-305-4577.
If you live in a community we serve and need food assistance, please call the Dartmouth Helpline at 774-305-4590, or the Easton Helpline at 508-238-4416.”

Your Theatre Inc. Announces Cast for CRIMES OF THE HEART at the Steeple Playhouse Opening March 1, 2024.

Your Theatre, Inc. director Brienne Riccio of New Bedford has cast six area actors in Beth Henley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning CRIMES OF THE HEART. This is the third major production for Your Theatre’s 77th Season. This production is generously backed by Production Supporters HarborOne Bank and Southcoast Health.

The cast includes Katie Gregory, Zara Lemieux, Danny Sallom of New Bedford, Adriana Misteroni of Dartmouth, Moses Galarza of Fairhaven and Richie Oliver of Lakeville. The production is stage managed by Lauren Helley of Dartmouth, with costumes by Sydney Hawes and Aydan Sullo of New Bedford, set dressing by Mark P. Fuller of New Bedford, lighting and sound design by Timothy Helley of Dartmouth, props by Honey Bee Puder of Dartmouth, set design by Lauren Helley of Dartmouth and technical direction from Lawrence R. Houbre, Jr. of New Bedford.

Your Theatre photo.

On stage cakes provided by Alie Lacasse of New Bedford. This show will not be your grandmother’s CRIMES OF THE HEART but it will certainly be one to remember. Director Brienne Riccio’s version will feature actors performing roles in drag to echo what Roger Ebert referred to as the line that “exists somewhere between parody and melodrama.” This “love letter to the South” will satisfy your nostalgia, tug at your heartstrings, and tickle your funny bone.

For the first time in a decade, the three Magrath sisters are back together in their hometown of Hazelhurst, Mississippi. Lenny, the eldest, never left Hazelhurst; she is the caretaker of the sisters’ cantankerous Old Granddaddy. Meg, the middle sister, left home to pursue stardom as a singer in Los Angeles, but so far has found happiness only at the bottom of a bottle. And Babe, the youngest, has just been arrested for the murder of her abusive husband, Zackery Bottrelle.

Under the scorching heat of the Mississippi sun, past resentments bubble to the surface in this Pulitzer Prize-winning tragicomedy, and each sister must confront the consequences of her own “crimes of the heart.”

Your Theatre is grateful for the generous support of Bank 5, sponsor of the theatre’s current 77th season. This is their twelfth year of strongly supporting the arts at Your Theatre, Inc.

Your Theatre photo.

CRIMES OF THE HEART runs two weekends in 2024: Fridays and Saturdays, March 1-2 and 8-9 at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays, March 2-3 and 9-10 at 2:00 p.m. Performances are at the wheelchair accessible Steeple Playhouse, 159 William St. in downtown New Bedford. The accessible entrance is located on the east side of the building facing City Hall.

This will be the entrance for all patrons for this show. Ample parking is available in the city lot at the corner of 6th and William, and metered street parking is free nights and weekends.

Tickets are General Admission $25; Seniors, Students and Military $22. All seats are open seating; call 508-993-0772 or email boxoffice@yourtheatre.org Your Theatre is proud to participate in the Card to Culture program, a collaboration between the Mass Cultural Council and the Department of Transitional Assistance, the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Nutrition Program, and the Massachusetts Health Connector, by broadening accessibility to cultural programming. Admission for EBT, WIC, and
ConnectorCare cardholders, is up to 2 tickets per eligible card for each Regular Production. Admission rate is $5.00 per person.

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ABOUT YOUR THEATRE, INC.
Your Theatre, Inc. is a non-profit, volunteer, community theater group in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Founded by Mary A. Smith in 1946, the theater has been in continuous operation since, and produces four to seven shows each season.

The artistic and leadership team of YTI strives to create and celebrate the arts with the Southcoast community in an inclusive theatre environment. We are committed to providing an accessible, community-oriented opportunity for anyone interested in theatre and embracing individuals from all walks of life.

We acknowledge, welcome and respect people of all races, ages, ethnicities, abilities, religions, gender identities and sexual orientations and the invaluable gifts they bring to the theatre experience. Your Theatre, Inc. is a proud member of the League of Historic American Theatres. More information at www.YourTheatre.org.

ABOUT STEEPLE PLAYHOUSE
Steeple Playhouse is a community arts center with Your Theatre, Inc. as its resident community theater group and is located at 159 William St, New Bedford MA. A prominent downtown New Bedford landmark, the steeple appears on the city seal. Built in 1829 as the First Baptist Church, it came to be known as the “Birthplace of Robert’s Rules of Order”.

Purchased in 2017, Your Theatre, Inc worked with a local preservation organization, Waterfront Historic Area LeaguE (WHALE), to renovate the historic space and turn it into a fully functional community arts center called Steeple Playhouse. The facilities include a flexible theater which will seat up to 160 as well as a black box theater on the lower level. Wheelchair accessible, Steeple Playhouse is open for outside rentals. We are another vital catalyst in New Bedford’s continued cultural renaissance.”