A meeting with “Julia Child,” an an interactive performance of the trial of Lizzie Borden, and a ghost walking tour are among the highlights planned for the ArtWeek festival in Fall River.
More than a dozen events are slated for ArtWeek, running at various locations throughout Fall River April 27 through May 6, said Creative Arts Network founders Sandy and Dave Dennis.
This is the first year the Creative Arts Network is collaborating with ArtWeek, an arts festival presented by the Highland Street Foundation and produced through the Boch Center.
The Creative Arts Network is holding five events during ArtWeek and several other businesses, schools and organizations are planning events related to ArtWeek, which originated in Boston. This year, the 10 days of creative and innovative arts events that are a signature of ArtWeek will be held statewide in several cities, including Fall River. “We contacted them and they were thrilled to have someone in Fall River,” said Sandy Dennis.
Two ticketed events — “Lizzie Borden and the 40 Whacks” on April 29 at the Abbey Grill Restaurant, and “Meet Julia Child” at the Eagle Event Center on May 5 — are both interactive theatrical performances with Lynne Moulton, a performer with the Delvena Theatre Company taking on the role of the leading ladies.
At “Meet Julia Child,” attendees will get a glimpse at the life of Child, known internationally as “The French Chef.” The performance will touch on her childhood in California and her journey to becoming the French cooking authority, legendary chef and television personality. French refreshments will be served.
Moulton will also take the stand as Lizzie Borden on April 29 at the Abbey Grill, where the actual Lizzie Borden attended church.
“They’re reasonable and it’s a fun night out,” said Sandy Dennis of the two ticketed events arranged by CAN.
In addition to those two ticketed events, the Creative Arts Network is also running three free events: the opening night exhibit and reception, “The Tango,” on April 27 at the Cherry and Webb Gallery; a Lizzie Borden Lantern and Ghost Tour on May 4; and a Handbell Ringers Concert on May 5.
“The Tango,” an art exhibit and opening reception, will feature work by Marina Katayeva, inspired by the sensuous dance that originated in South America in the 1880s. While she was learning the tango a few years ago, Katayeva, an architect and artist, started creating the fluid figure drawings on large canvases. A Fall River resident and native of the Ukraine, her work has been exhibited in Providence, Worcester and Boston. “This is the first time she’s exhibiting in her own city,’ said Sandy Dennis.
On May 4, the Whaling City Ghosts will be conducting a ghost tour that will start out with participants making lanterns in the Cultural Center’s space at 201 S. Main St. After a ghostly presentation, the tour will head out past the Borden residence where Lizzie was accused of killing her stepmother and father.
For music lovers, there’s the Strictly Sinatra fundraising performance for the Children’s Museum of Greater Fall River planned for April 27 at the Cultural Center (advance ticket required); Fall River Mayfest celebration at the First Congregational Church on May 4; and the SouthCoast Ringers handbell ringers concert at the Cherry and Webb Gallery on May 5.
Other events include family meditation at the POTEGP Spiritual Guidance Center, Amateur Radio Day at Battleship Cove and virtual reality at the Business Innovation Center.
“We have a lot of different people and a lot of different events,” said Sandy Dennis.
ArtWeek runs April 27 through May 6. For more details, visit the Creative Arts Network online at creativeartsnetwork.org.
The schedule is as follows:
"The Tango" Opening Night Exhibit & Reception
Price: FREE
Location: Cherry & Webb Gallery, 139 South Main St., Fall River
Friday, April 27, 6 to 8 p.m.
Creative Arts Network, Inc., (CAN) will kick-off ArtWeek with an open night exhibition and reception of works by Marina Katayeva. “The Tango” is an exuberant exhibition of works that are inspired by the partner dance that originated in the 1880s along the River Plate, the natural border between Argentina and Uruguay, and soon spread to the rest of the world. Katayeva will do a short presentation about her works and what inspired her designs, as well a short Tango dance where the public can join in.
Strictly Sinatra: Children's Museum of Fall River
Price: $50
Location: Cultural Center, 205 South Main St., Fall River
Friday, April 27, 5:30 to 10 p.m.
Experience the essence of Frank Sinatra as Michael Dutra transforms into the jazz legend, entertaining and educating attendees on the era and art. From Vegas to Miami, Dutra performs “Strictly Sinatra” 275 days of the year and brings his show for one night only to the Fall River Cultural Center where we will flash back in time, morphing into a yesteryear evening of dancing and song, complete with an artwork exhibition from the featured honorees of this fundraiser, the children who grace The Children’s Museum of Greater Fall River on a daily basis.
Art of Wellness: POTEGP Spiritual Guidance Center
Price: FREE
Location: POTEGP Spiritual Guidance Center, 187 Plymouth Ave., Durfee Mills building 8, first floor, Fall River
Friday, April 27, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Join the nonprofit POTEGP Spiritual Guidance Center for this wellness workshop where we will use art and symbols to connect creatively to our emotional, mental and physical self. We will discuss creative ways to invite mindfulness and meditation into your daily life. What makes this experience unique is that is being opened up for the whole family, with tools for youth as well as adults. From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. join in "Creative Movement & Emotional Expression." From 6:30 to 8 p.m., paint with the chakras or create a visual display of your physical experience.
Amateur Radio Day
Price: $25
Location: Battleship Cove, 5 Water St., Fall River
Saturday, April 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Join amateur radio enthusiasts for a special day of making contact and exploring the art of communications. Operators will be on board the battleship Massachusetts broadcasting live and demonstrating radio communications. Visitors will have the opportunity to try the equipment and make contact with radio operators near and far. There will also be special hands-on demonstrations in other shipboard communications (both visual and sound), such as semaphore flags, Morse Code and sound-powered phones.
Experience the World of Art in VR
Price: FREE
Location: Business Innovation Center, 385 Columbia St., Fall River
Saturday, April 28, noon to 4 p.m.
Special for ArtWeek, the Virtual Reality Scavenger Hunt is an interactive educational experience for participants as they explore the world of art through virtual reality. Travel the world and visit museums without leaving the room. Participants will set off to explore an assortment of virtual reality environments by finding artifacts related to a particular theme or topic. Participants can also paint or sculpt their artistic vision to bring it to life in VR. Open to all ages and skill levels. A variety of other programs will be mapped out in the cozy environment at the Business Innovation Center which is completely equipped with robots and other innovative technology.
Lizzie Borden and the 40 Whacks
Price: $25
Location: Abby Grill, 100 Rock St., Fall River
Sunday, April 29, 4 to 6 p.m.
On a scorching hot day in Fall River in August 1892, a heinous crime occurred. Spinster Lizzie Borden was accused, tried, and acquitted for the vicious axe murders of her father and stepmother. This true unsolved mystery has fascinated people for over 100 years. The performance will take place at the church Lizzie Borden attended which has been converted into fine dining establishment, The Abby Grill. The performance includes a mock trial that invites the audience to participate by questioning Lizzie, and voting on her guilt or innocence. An interactive evening you won’t forget. Did she or didn’t she? Let the audience be the judge.
Atlantis Charter School Class of 2018 Art Exhibit
Price: FREE
Location: Atlantis Charter School, 99 Jefferson St., Fall River
Monday, April 30, 6 to 8 p.m.
The Arts Academy of the Atlantis Charter School of Fall River presents the Class of 2018 Visual Art Interactive Exhibit. The class of 2018 will be the first graduating class for Atlantis Charter School. Five graduating seniors helped shape the course and are the trailblazers behind the exhibit Look Harder, See More, and Hopes & Dreams featuring pen and ink drawings, photography, and cultural crafting. These students will be on hand for live drawing and crafting demonstrations, as well as to discuss their process, inspirations, and finished pieces. Audience members will be invited to ask questions as well as to create along with these student artists.
Fall River Mayfest
Price: FREE
Location: First Congregational Church, 282 Rock St., Fall River
Friday, May 4, 6 to 9 p.m.
We will celebrate the coming of spring with a Maypole dance in front of the church, to 17th century English country dances, then into the sanctuary for "For Love and Honor" for young folks performing love songs, poetry reading, piano and song (solo and group), and some dance. At 8 p.m., enjoy classical performances on piano, violin and clarinet. Audiences are invited to join in on the Maypole dance. They can also participate in "For Love and Honor," with a small ukulele accompaniment ensemble and some ballroom dancing. End the evening with punch and cookies shared by all.
Art of Wellness
Location: POTEGP Spiritual Guidance Center, 187 Plymouth Ave., Durfee Mills Building 8, first floor, Fall River
Friday May 4, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Join the nonprofit POTEGP Spiritual Guidance Center for this wellness workshop where we will use art and symbols to connect creatively to our emotional, mental and physical self. We will discuss creative ways to invite mindfulness and meditation into your daily life. What makes this experience unique is that is being opened up for the whole family, with tools for youth as well as adults. From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. join in "Creative Movement & Emotional Expression." From 6:30 to 8 p.m., paint with the chakras or create a visual display of your physical experience.
Lizzie Borden Lantern & Ghost Tour
Price: FREE
Location: Former Trio Restaurant, 201 S Main St., Fall River
Friday, May 4, 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Sponsored by Creative Arts Network Inc., Whaling City Ghosts will be hosting a "mini ghost tour." This interactive event will start with homemade lantern making and a half-hour presentation that will leave you spellbound! The short walking tour down Second Street will cover Lizzie Borden, Sarah Maria Cornell (The Minister and the Mill Worker), the Murders in the Well (Lizzie Borden's aunt who murdered her two children in her cellar cistern, then killed herself with her husband's straight razor) and the Skeleton in Armor. We will also have other horror and paranormal female authors on hand. The event begins at the former Trio Restaurant.
Meet Julia Child
Price: $20
Location: Eagle Event Center, 35 North Main St., Fall River
Saturday, May 5, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Meet Julia Child, the beloved French chef in a live, interactive performance featuring Lynne Moulton as Julia Child. Learn more about her life: from her privileged childhood in California when she had no interest in food, except for eating what the family’s private chef prepared — to becoming one of the biggest culinary legends of all time. The audience will have the opportunity to view Julia on the set of The French Chef television show, an amusing and fun experience. After the performance, the cast will open up for discussion regarding Julia Child and light French refreshments will be served.
Handbell Ringers Concert: SouthCoast Ringers
Price: FREE
Location: Cherry and Webb Gallery, 139 South Main St.
Saturday, May 5, 1 to 2 p.m.
The SouthCoast Ringers will perform a medley of popular tunes with handbells, featuring both local and group compositions. Special for ArtWeek, at the concert’s conclusion, the audience will have the opportunity to ring a variety of the bells for themselves. What better way to ring in May?