There’s plenty to do in Lowell this weekend and this coming week. Here are some highlights:

Saturday, April 22, 2017

La Guagua Community Poetry Festival

The Middlesex Humanities Center of Middlesex Community College is holding an all-day poetry festival today at the Federal Building at 50 Kearney Square. Called “La Guagua” which is the name of a two-year old reading group of MCC students and community members, the festival will celebrate poetry, diversity, language and cultures.

Members of La Guagua reading group at MCC’s Federal Building last night.

At an opening reception last night, Assistant Professor of English Willy Ramirez, one of the prime organizers of this festival, explained that the reading group was formed by number of Spanish students who were interested in exploring Spanish literature but didn’t know where to begin. The group has grown to 41 members who meet monthly. While they embrace and celebrate Spanish culture, they read books from many different cultures to bring a global perspective to their discussions.

For more information about the Poetry Festival, check out the Middlesex Humanities Center website.

Cambodian New Year at Roberto Clemente Park

Cambodian New Year

There are twin celebrations of Cambodian New Year today. From 9am to noon at the Lowell Senior Center at 276 Broadway, the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association will host this celebration of Cambodian food, entertainment, dance and culture. The event is free and everyone is invited to attend.

Then from noon to 5 pm, the Khmer New Year Planning Committee will host an outdoor celebration at Roberto Clemente Park on Middlesex Street. This festival will feature traditional Khmer music, dance, food, and celebrations of Khmer culture.

Points of Light Lantern Celebration

Tonight from 5 pm to 9 pm, DIY Lowell will hold the first Lowell Points of Light Lantern Celebration on Ecumenical Plaza which connects Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and St Patrick’s Church at 282 Suffolk Street. The highlight of this event will be the launching of hundreds of individually decorated, illuminated lanterns into the Western Canal. There will also be music, food, and celebrations of Lowell’s diverse traditions and cultures.

Sunday, April 23, 2017 – Lowell Earth Day Parade & Festival

A variety of local groups are sponsoring an Earth Day Parade and Festival which will begin at 11 am tomorrow (Sunday) at the National Park Visitor Center at 246 Market Street. Following pre-parade festivities outside the Visitor Center, the parade will kick-off at 12:30 and will proceed down Market to Central to Warren streets, ending at United Teen Equality Center (UTEC) at 35 Warren Street. At UTEC, there will be a variety of events and informational activities to promote sustainability.

photo courtesy of Browsing Through Birke’s

Tuesday, April 25, 2017 – Browsing Through Birke’s
Lowell National Park Visitor Center
246 Market St
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Browsing Through Birke’s is a documentary about the iconic Lowell clothing store operated for decades by Nathan and Sally Birke, two Holocaust survivors whose escaped from their homes in Poland and followed a long and perilous path to Lowell. Immediately following the film, there will be a panel discussion featuring refugees from the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia, along with the Birke’s daughter, Szifra. The discussion will be moderated by UMass Lowell professor Bob Forrant.

Wednesday, April 26, 2017 – Local Author Marketplace
7 to 9 pm – O’Leary Library, UMass Lowell, 61 Wilder St

Come to UMass Lowell’s O’Leary Library on Wednesday night to meet local authors, hear them speak about their books, and perhaps even buy a book or two. Come anytime from 7 to 9 pm. Parking is available in the Wilder Street lot across from the library. This event is sponsored by the UMass Lowell Library.

On a personal note, I will be one of the participating authors and will have copies of all three of my books, Lowell Municipal Elections, Legendary Locals of Lowell, and Lowell: Images of Modern America, available for purchase.