LeLacheur Park—Fans Think There’s a Lot to Like!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Spinner’s Home Is Top Ballpark According to Fans
July 31, 2017 - The Lowell Spinners, short season affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, earned a prestigious honor over the weekend. Edward A. LeLacheur Park, home of the Spinners since 1998, has been named 2017’s Best Short Season Ballpark in the country by Ballpark Digest, the most-read news publication in Minor League Baseball. The winner was determined by fan vote with the Spinners besting Avista Stadium, home of the Spokane Indians, in the final round.
"This is a special award, not merely for our team but also for the City of Lowell which has so many exciting and award-winning things going on right now,” said Spinners owner Dave Heller. “We are proud to be an integral part of Lowell's revival.”
The Spinners have already announced plans for major upgrades to LeLacheur Park during the offseason. They’ll add a brand new two-tiered party deck area in right field, replace the current field, drainage and irrigation system, and install energy efficient LED field lights.
“LeLacheur Park is one of Lowell’s gems and it’s rewarding to see it recognized by Ballpark Digest,” said City Manager Kevin Murphy. “It’s a wonderful place for families to spend a summer night watching the Spinners play as the sun sets over the Merrimack River. Readers of Ballpark Digest now know what we’ve always known—there’s a lot to like about LeLacheur Park!”
ART CREATED FROM CONCRETE AND METAL
[LOWELL, MA] - When the Lowell Folk Festival returns to downtown Lowell July 28-30th, visitors will enter festival areas past security blocks and barriers that have been transformed into works of art. The Cultural Affairs and Special Events Office (CASE) has teamed up with local artists to create public art from chunks of concrete as a creative approach to brighten the entries to the festival.
Eighteen security blocks are being painted by artists Mary Hart, Alexandra Derderian and Ioana Singureanu. CASE provided funding for stipends and materials.
“With the City of Lowell owing much of its multi-cultural heritage to its immigrants, each pattern I selected is meant to honor individual immigrant groups without being too specific about the inspiration,” said artist Ioana Singureanu. “I'm happy to participate in this project and I hope other cities follow Lowell's example of creative integration of safety and art.”
In addition to the concrete cubes, twelve jersey barriers will be painted by artist Bret Weese.
“When you give the public something to look at, the way they interact with each other changes, making the community stronger,” said Weese. “If my work is to be defined, I would say it is inspired by the graffuturism movement, which is a more modern and contemporary fusing of abstract expressionism and graffiti.”
“We are delighted to engage our local artists to create works of art out of basic construction blocks and in so doing, change perceptions about our safety measures,” said City Manager Kevin Murphy. “We look forward to continuing this program and to using these blocks to create a temporary art park when they are not in use for events.”
In addition, a metal storage container, placed in The Mill Yard in the Hamilton Canal Innovation District, will receive an artistic treatment. The painted container will be used for events equipment storage for Mill Yard events such as Friday Nights, enhancing the area and serving as another piece of public art.
Hollywood Returns to Lowell
Actress Taraji P. Henson (photo thanks to Wikipedia user Bill Ingalls/NASA, some rights reserved).
By Henri Marchand on May 3, 2017 - Hollywood returns to Lowell for five days of feature film production beginning Thursday, May 11. Screen Gems Productions will be in town at several locations filming scenes for 'Proud Mary', starring Taraji P. Henson, Neal McDonough and Xander Berkeley.
A Golden Globe winner for her role as Cookie Lyon in Fox’s “Empire”, Henson plays a contract killer whose maternal instinct is awakened when she meets a young boy.
The production will shoot scenes May 11-15 in the WCAP studios on Central Street. The right lane will be blocked during filming but Lowell Police will provide traffic control.
Exterior shooting is scheduled for May 16 on Palmer Street between Middle and Merrimack Streets. This block will be closed to traffic but Middle will remain open as will Palmer from Market to Middle. Police will also be on hand to provide support.
Location managers have been working with downtown businesses and the City to coordinate shooting schedules, traffic control, logistical support and street closures.
Release date is scheduled for January 26, 2018 according to IMDb.com.
Other feature films shot in Lowell include 'The Fighter', 'The Invention of Lying', and 'Professor Marston & The Wonder Women'.
Another Year - Another Reason to Celebrate!
From kids' activities to a Craft Beer lovers dream...Winterfest has you covered!
#Winterfest 2017
From kids' activities to a Craft Beer lovers dream...Winterfest has you covered!
On February 24-25 catch Lowell's annual Winterfest weekend in downtown Lowell, featuring everything from a carousel and free ice-skating to an all-you-can-eat chocolate festival.
Activities include a microbrew showcase, north bowl soup competition, games, activities, the family fun zone and outdoor amusements.
#OVERVIEW
Lowell Winterfest transforms JFK Plaza and Lucy Larcom Park in downtown Lowell into a magical, winterize park. A cold-weather proof festival, Winterfest includes a skating rink in the heart of downtown, lodge, winter market with local artisans and beer garden, heated tents, holiday trees, fire pits and plenty of cozy seating.
Winterfest is one of Lowell's must-experience winter attractions, offering family-friendly activities by day with amazing light shows, delicious food and drinks by night.
#NEW FOR 2017
New this year, the two sites will include more seating indoors and out, a viewing deck next to the skating rink, expanded food options from local eateries and artisans (think amazing hot chocolate, holiday treats and more), twinkling lights and pretty cool events.
Plus, the winter market and beer garden will offer the added bonus of outside firepits and seating will make a perfect base camp for an all-day hangout at Winterfest.
2017 special events will include the annual Soup Competition, Microbrew Showcase, a Glow Party, live entertainment and much more.
Main New Attractions:
#1 - JFK Ice Rink
The centerpiece of this year's Winterfest experience on JFK Plaza is the Ice Rink, a medium-sized ice skating rink. A new Lowell tradition, the Ice Rink is a family-friendly outdoor activity. On-site skate rentals available..
#2 - The Lodge
After a few laps on the Ice Rink, warm up inside The Lodge, an onsite restaurant within a heated tent, comfortable seating and refreshments from local restaurants.
Whether you're skating or just looking for a winter retreat, The Lodge is a place for a relaxing break with a menu of tasty bites. Warm up from the cold with a cup of coffee or grab something stronger. The bar at The Lodge features local craft beers, wine and spiked hot beverages.
While you take a break from the frosty weather enjoy a good book, oversized games and entertainment.
#3 - Magical Winter Beergarden
For the weekend of Winterfest parts of Lucy Larcom Park will be transformed into a magical winter beergarden featuring food, music and craft beers. Find the best Lowell based food trucks, craft brewers and wine merchants and enjoy local bands with the backdrop of illuminated canals.
ADMISSION
General admission to Lowell's Winterfest is
FREE. Admission to the JFK Ice Rink is free as are skate rentals. Convenient, safe parking is available close by.
Admission to special events as follows:
Soup Competition: $5 p.p. (12+ competitors) Tickets available day of only
Microbrew CraftBeer Showcase: $30 pre-sale / $35 day-of (no food included)
Glow Party: $5 p.p. (Cover only) Tickets available day of only
Plan Your Culinary Adventure With Dine Out Lowell!
“We’re delighted to help promote Lowell’s many fine eating establishments with the Dine Out Lowell program,”
For immediate release
Plan Your Culinary Adventure With Dine Out Lowell!
The City of Lowell Celebrates Lowell’s Culinary Culture This Fall
Saturday, November 26th through Sunday, December 4th
LOWELL, MA - from Saturday, November 26th through Sunday, December 4th, the City of Lowell will celebrate Lowell’s culinary culture by showcasing the vast variety of eateries that our city is known for. Lowell’s cultural heritage and diversity makes for a full menu of inspiring cuisines by chefs who create unique and delicious dishes.
“We’re delighted to help promote Lowell’s many fine eating establishments with the Dine Out Lowell program,” said City Manager Kevin J. Murphy. “It’s a great opportunity to experience the variety of tastes that we have to offer, from diner fare to ethnic cuisine to gourmet meals and we invite everyone to experience all there is to like about Lowell’s culinary delights!”
With plenty of restaurants to choose from and nine days to experience this culinary extravaganza, it is the perfect time of year to explore new dining opportunities and revisit old time favorites. It is never too early to start creating your holiday list of must-visit eateries for Dine Out Lowell. Visit the Dine Out Lowell website at www.dineoutlowell.com and create your unique culinary roadmap!
With new eateries added weekly, there’s always something new to discover on dineoutlowell.com. Discover a participating eatery in one of Lowell’s districts or explore a new neighborhood. Sign up for the Dine Out Newsletter to receive exclusive specials from local restaurants throughout the holiday season.
So ditch the dirty dishes, hang up your apron and dine out with friends and fellow diners to celebrate Lowell's thriving culinary scene and to discover the gastronomic garden right here in your own backyard! Visit DineOutLowell.com for more information.
Tobias Marx - Cultural Affairs and Special Events
tmarx@lowellma.gov / 978.446.7462
The Comeback of Public Art
Public art is making a comeback in Lowell, which is one of the creative hot spots in the state.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9/29/2016
The Comeback of Public Art
Public art is making a comeback in Lowell, which is one of the creative hot spots in the state.
Lowell, MA, 9/29/2016 – The City of Lowell's Cultural Affairs and Special Events Office (CASE) is excited to announce three major projects that are enlivening the streetscape: a restored building-sized mural downtown, a major work of fabric art in a mill relic, and a kinetic steel sculpture where the Concord River and Pawtucket Canal meet.
After “Veils of Color for Lowell, the Venice of America”, an art installation by Lowell Artist Barbara Poole was installed along the Lower Pawtucket Canal in July of 2016, artist Michio Ihara and his team have begun restoration on his art piece: Pawtucket Prism, originally installed in the 1980’s. The Dutton Street Mural, a work of Lowell artist Leo Panas, one of the last of the murals honoring the immigrant heritage of Lowell workers, was revealed on its original location at 167 Dutton Street after a complete restoration.
Public Art is a big part of the Lowell landscape, and each of these installations included partnerships across various community organizations and the City of Lowell.
“Public art is much needed in the city,” says Andrew Jacobson, chairman of the Cultural Organization of Lowell. “It helps promote a city and allows it to become more vibrant and exciting. Barbara Poole's Veils of Color along the canal behind Lowell Community Health Center, is a perfect example.” "It's exciting to see the resurgence of public art activity in the city, especially the restoration of both the Irish-themed mural of the 1970s and ‘Pawtucket Prism’ by Michio Ihara from the mid-80s," said Paul Marion, president of the Lowell Heritage Partnership. "Barbara Poole's wonderful colored veils project at Appleton Mills shows us how we can see old places in a new way."
For more information on these installations and more public arts attractions in Lowell, please visit likelowell.com.
LikeLowell.com is the official webpage for the Office of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (CASE) at the City of Lowell, MA. We’re here to tell everyone that There’s A Lot To Like about Lowell.
Contact Information:
Office of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
50 Arcand Drive, Lowell, MA
+1-978-674-4260
LikeLowell.com