Friday, August 1

Join a canvas cruise

The Art Drive, a juried open studio tour through the coastal villages of Dartmouth and Westport, returns for its 17th year from August 1 to 3, running daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This year’s drive includes 27 stops, with 21 located in Dartmouth, and features a wide range of artwork, including handmade furniture, textiles, ceramics, photography, encaustics, pastels and more. A full map and artist listings are available at the-art-drive.com.

In addition to the open studios, several Dartmouth artists will offer live presentations tied to their craft throughout the weekend. 

On Friday, August 1, Paula Kochanek will demonstrate how to make hollow glass beads using glass rods, steel mandrels, and fire, while Gary Adriance will offer a look at chip-carving a traditional star wheel design in fine woodworking. 

On Saturday, August 2, Carol Bliven will give a demonstration of Pan Pastel painting, using finely ground pigments that allow for soft, expressive mark-making. 

And on Sunday, August 3, Barbara Purdy will show how she uses a torch and wax to create encaustic images inspired by nature, followed by Wendy Goldsmith, who will demonstrate her techniques for adding colorful imagery to three-dimensional ceramic forms.

Saturday, August 2

A night of dance and expression

Watch dance become art on Saturday, August 2, with “An Intimate Evening of Dance” at the Cultural Center on 404 Elm Street at 6 p.m. Admission costs $10 and acts as a donation to the Cultural Center. 

This show, presented by dance teacher and choreographer Steven Vaughn, features a small ensemble of student performers in collaboration with local musicians and a visual artist. Rooted in a central work of art, the performance invites audiences to explore shifting perspectives on beauty and perception. 

Tuesday, August 5

Join the band

Grab a seat or an instrument and get ready to rock with the Cool Banana Wig concert.

Known for its homemade instruments and kid-friendly jams, the band invites children to become part of the show in this lively and interactive concert.

Catch the performance at 10:30 a.m. at the North Branch Library and at 1 p.m. at Southworth Library on Tuesday, August 5. No registration is required.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Dartmouth Libraries.

Wednesday, August 6

Special Mass of Healing

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, located at 351 Elm Street, will offer a special Healing Mass on Wednesday, Aug. 6 at 7 p.m.  The reflection/homily will be entitled, “Where does it hurt to be YOU these days?”  

Individual healing prayers will be offered for each participant, if desired, along with individual anointing with holy oil.  

Everyone is welcome, regardless of former or current faith tradition, to join the church prayer for God’s healing presence in body, mind and spirit. 

Refreshments will be served following the service. 

Thursday, August 7

‘The Very Best of Care’

Author and pediatric nurse practitioner Julie Hatch will discuss her new novel, “The Very Best of Care,” at Southworth Library on Thursday, Aug. 7 at 6:30 p.m.

The medical thriller draws from Hatch’s three decades in pediatric and neonatal intensive care, telling the story of a mother whose premature birth leads her to uncover a disturbing secret within the health care system.

Hatch, now an acupuncturist based in Fairhaven, began writing fiction after transitioning from Western medicine to traditional Chinese medicine.

Books will be available for purchase at the event. For more information, contact fodl.libraries@gmail.com.