Things To Do: Taunton River Festival; Be You Prom in Fall River; 'The Minotaur' in Marion
“What do you want to do?”
If you need an answer to this age-old question for making plans, we’ve got you covered.
In Things To Do, we take a look at, well, things to do, happening every week in the Greater Fall River area and around the SouthCoast.
From weekdays to weekends, there’s always plenty going on.
And we’re not only taking a look at what’s happening this week, we’re also giving you a heads up for events that are coming soon.
This week, we’ve got the return of the Taunton River Festival, celebrating the beauty of the Taunton River, with all kinds of vendors, food, organizations, and free fun. Plus, the third annual Be You Prom in Fall River, celebrating LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent youth. You can also join a chorus, attend a carnival-themed party, catch a play, sing some sea shanties, and more.
So when someone asks you what you want to do, you’ve got your plans ready to go.
Here are Things To Do around Fall River, the SouthCoast, and beyond this week:
Taunton River Festival returns June 9
The Taunton River Watershed Alliance is hosting the annual Taunton River Festival on Sunday, June 9, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Weir Village Riverfront Park in Taunton.
Held on the banks of the Taunton River in celebration of National Rivers Month, the Taunton River Festival will feature vendors, food, music, and non-profit organization activities.
This is a free, family-friendly event, and handicapped accessible.
Guests can pick up the day’s full schedule at the park entrances.
There will be over 40 crafters, artists, authors, photographers, and specialty food vendors.
The Taunton Civic Chorus will be performing traditional songs; The Jethros will perform folk, blues, soul, swing-jazz, bluegrass, funk, and country; The Hot Club Cheese Roll will mix jazz standards and contemporary hits; and the students of Silver City Dance Center will perform.
Food vendors will include County Fair Hot Dogs, Gonzalez Food Truck, Frosty Friends Ice Cream and Treats, and South Shore Smokehouse.
Fifteen environmental non-profits will be on hand to talk about their work.
The TRWA and the Bristol County Agricultural High School’s Environmental Conservation Department will host interactive tables.
Ms. T, TRWA’s rescue diamondback terrapin education mascot, will be visiting.
At 1 p.m., the Taunton Pathways Committee will lead a historic walking tour near the festival grounds.
There is no rain date for this event.
Find parking at 391 W. Water St. There will be a shuttle to the park.
Third annual Be You Prom in Fall River
The Balanced Learning Center, 45 Rock St., Fall River, is hosting the third annual Be You Prom on Saturday, June 8, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Hosted by Joanie’s Place, this is an inclusive event, celebrating LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent youth in Fall River.
There will be performances from special guests, professional photos, snacks, dancing, and superlative awards.
Registration is free and open to youths in grades 7 to 12.
This is a disability-accessible event.
Friends and allies are encouraged and welcome to join.
For more information, email [email protected].
To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/ys398t9n.
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Free admission for military families at Rotch-Jones-Duff museum this summer
This summer, active-duty military families can visit the Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum, 396 County St., New Bedford, for free.
The program continues through Labor Day, Sept. 2, as part of Blue Star Museums, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of Defense.
For more information, call 508-997-1401 or visit rjdmuseum.org.
Day of Portugal: Fall River to celebrate Day of Portugal June 6-9 with flag raising, music, food and more
Summer Chorus accepting new members
The Summer Chorus is looking for new members.
No audition is necessary.
The chorus is singing a variety of music, including songs from Queen, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, and 80s dance party songs.
Members come from all over Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, including Fall River, Somerset, Swansea, Westport, Taunton, Middleboro, New Bedford, Fairhaven, Dartmouth, Tiverton, and Little Compton.
Rehearsals are on Monday evenings, from 7 to 9:30 p.m., at St. Thomas More Church, 386 Luther Ave., Somerset.
Concert dates are set for Aug. 16 and 17.
Rehearsals begin June 3, and new members will be accepted until June 17.
For more information or questions, contact Frank Wilhelm at 401-368-1698, or visit www.summerchorus.org.
Learn about 19th-century British artist at Tiverton Senior Center
Stop by the Tiverton Senior Center, 207 Canonicus St., for “Art For Your Mind” on Thursday, June 6, at 10:15 a.m.
The discussion topic will be “J.M.W. Turner: The Pride of Great Britain.” Explore the life and work of one of 19th-century Britain’s most beloved and controversial painters, in a discussion led by local art historian Jill Sanford.
This presentation is for artists and non-artists alike.
‘The Minotaur’ at The Marion Art Center
The Marion Art Center, 80 Pleasant St., presents “The Minotaur” in the MAC Theater.
Written by Anna Ziegler and directed by Kate Sorensen, this present-day version of the Greek myth will be presented on June 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, and 23.
Friday and Saturday shows begin at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday shows begin at 2 p.m.
The cast includes Michael Ferron, Laura Stevens and Bethany Whitehead. It’s stage managed by Gary Sousa, with assistant stage manager Marisa Biever. Sound and lighting are by Steven McManus with Kate Sorenson.
Tickets are $20 for MAC members, and $23 for non-members.
Find tickets at marionartcenter.org/events.
Sea shanty concert at the Museum of Work and Culture
Still waiting on The Wellerman to show up?
The Museum of Work and Culture, 42 S. Main St., Woonsocket, is hosting Seán Dagher, a Sea Shanty Concert, on Friday, June 7, from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Dagher, from Montreal, specializes in folk songs, and is known for his YouTube series, “Shanty of the Week.”
There will be a pre-concert party with pizza and beer at 6, and the concert begins at 7 p.m.
Concert-only tickets are $25, and concert and party tickets are $40.
Find tickets online at rihs.simpletix.com.
County Fair party at The Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum
The Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum, 396 County St., New Bedford, is hosting County Fair, a carnival-inspired garden party, on Friday, June 7, from 6 to 9 p.m.
See the garden transformed into an old-time fairground, with carnival games like the Wheel of Fortune and Ring Toss, a fortune teller, and a stilt-walker.
Game winners will choose prizes that range from restaurant gift cards to VIP experiences.
There will be a county fair-inspired menu from Traveler’s Alehouse in Fairhaven.
The cost of $110 per person includes hors d’oeuvres, dessert, and entertainment. There will be a cash bar.
Festival or summer garden party attire is welcome.
The deadline to purchase tickets is Friday, May 31.
For more information, and to purchase tickets, call 508-997-1401 or visit rjdmuseum.org.
Tri-County Symphonic Band presents ‘Broadway Showstoppers’
The Tri-County Symphonic Band presents their annual benefit pops concert on Sunday, June 9, on the campus of Tabor Academy, 232 Front St., Marion.
This year’s theme is “Broadway Showstoppers.”
There will also be food, for a fun-filled, festive afternoon.
Find tickets at the Marion General Store (140 Front St.), the Symphony Music Shop in North Dartmouth (94 State Rd.), or online at tricountysymphonicband.org.
Have a community event or activity you’d like to see featured? Send us an email at [email protected] or [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Things To Do: 2024 Taunton River Festival; Fall River Be You Prom
