What is 20mi2? This three-day celebration wants to make you 'fall in love with New Bedford'
NEW BEDFORD — New Bedford will be the place to be, from June 9 to 11, with its planned 20mi2 citywide celebration featuring open studios, guided bike tours, live music, art installations, artisan markets, family fun and other unique experiences.
"It's been really exciting and energizing to see the positivity from our community members," said Beatriz Oliveira of Beatriz & Company, the creative producer for 20mi2.
"I can't wait to see this come to fruition."
The project is being funded by MassDevelopment/TDI and is one component of a larger "TDI Creative Cities" initiative to support art-based economic development.
"20mi2 is the culmination of that whole process, because what they were interested in is having a major convening in some fashion," said Margo Saulnier, creative strategist for the Economic Development Council.
"I want everyone to fall in love with New Bedford."
20mi2 stands for 20 square miles, which is the landmass of New Bedford. "There's such density of culture here. It doesn't exist in other cities of this size," she said.
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A local collaboration
When Oliveira started the outreach in January, she said local organizations and creatives were immediately on board, excited and asking how they can help.
"We're looking at about 70 partners that have come together," Oliveira said. "One of the goals with the 20mi2 effort is to keep the dollars as local as possible and work with hyperlocal vendors."
Elizabeth M. Isherwood, president of Moore & Isherwood Communications, Inc., is a PR consultant for the team.
"There's something for everybody, all the time here. This is just that on steroids," Isherwood said, referring to the 20mi2 movement.
The website features all the events that will take place over three days, searchable by date, category or zip code.
What is happening in the city
Some of the activities scheduled include indoor and outdoor music, art installations, nature walks in public parks and rowing in traditional Azorean whaleboats.
On Thursday, 20mi2 will be closing off Purchase Street between School and Union, to set up a 400-foot table inviting guests to bring a picnic basket or takeout from local restaurants.
"We want to have this experience together with your community and offer a seat at this table," Oliveira said.
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In collaboration with Zeiterion Performing Arts Center and CVPA UMass Dartmouth, guests will be entertained for two hours with performances popping up at different spots around the table.
There will also be a chance to design eight-foot sections of the table with creative centerpieces or designs for a cash prize. Interested creatives can register online.
The Whaling Museum will host a "Whale Scavenger Hunt," the New Bedford Starchasers will be leading a group ride from Buttonwood Park to downtown New Bedford with a number of activities along the way, as well as a wellness retreat hosted by Sangha New Bedford Yoga & Healing Arts Community,
There will also be free admission to the Buttonwood Park Zoo.
Superflat NB, a creative placemaking, mural art project dedicated to beautifying New Bedford. will be installing a new mural titled “Harmony Wall, Flora & Fauna” along the fence on Acushnet Avenue, adjacent to Custom House Square.
Something for everyone, every day
Among several other events, an open house will be held June 10 at the Cape Verdean Cultural Center and a Guatemalan Community showcase will be held at Phillips Avenue Pocket Park.
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There will be a family night at Andrea McCoy Recreation Center and a pottery, plants and cut flowers pop-up at the Allen C. Haskell Public Gardens, featuring another 400-foot table in the field with other live performances.
On June 11, there will be a "By The Beach" mini market at West Beach and master percussionist Sidy Maiga will also be performing and bringing drums for audience participation.
20mi2 also commissioned a mural at the Dennison Community Center, which will be unveiled on Saturday. Lastly, Morna Lounge and Grill invites guests to finish up the night with music and dancing.
Celebrating New Bedford pride
On June 1, during a press conference at the Co-Creative Center at 135 Union St., Mayor Jon Mitchell said he was excited about the upcoming movement.
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"I have been asked a few times lately, so how's things going in New Bedford? Well, there's a lot to look forward to," Mitchell said.
"This is great for lots of reasons. One, because of the energy that it brings... We haven't been together. This is an exercise of creating a way to connect across the city."
Samia Walker, executive director of EforAll (Entrepreneurship for All), SouthCoast, shared that there will be an outdoor pitch contest for future entrepreneurs on June 10, at Le Place, in collaboration with the SouthCoast LGBTQ+ Network. Participants will get feedback from field experts and win cash prizes.
The Southcoast LGBTQ+ Network will also be hosting programs for LGBTQ+ seniors and families. In the evening of June 9, AHA! is hosting a Pride Block Party at Custom House Square.
"I would love for our 100,000 citizens to truly celebrate everything that New Bedford has to offer," said Oliveira. "And maybe even walk away discovering something new."
Oliveira, who was born in the city of Guarda, Portugal, has been a huge fan of New Bedford ever since she rented her first apartment in downtown New Bedford at 18.
"The seaside city is a beautiful place to live, a great place to work, a fun place to play. We want to see it thrive. This movement is our way of contributing to that," she said..
"20mi2 is about creating a sense of pride of place."
Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at schitwood@s-t.com. Follow him on twitter: @ChitwoodReports. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford to host 20mi2, 3-day citywide arts, culture celebration
