Archive for June 26th, 2010

June 26th, 2010

Memorial Auditorium, Lowell, Mass

by DickH

I came across an article from the November 22, 1922 issue of “The American Architect and Architectural Review” on the Lowell Memorial Auditorium. I’ll reproduce it in three parts over the next few days. Part I:

The Lowell Memorial Auditorium was created by an act of legislature authorizing the City of Lowell to borrow $1,000,000 for a building to be erected in memory of the men and women who had served the country in the various wars of the Union. It is located on a triangular site, with the Concord River on one side, a broad street on the other and a large parking space and street in the rear.

The central feature is the large audience hall which seats 4,000 people. It has rather unusual facilities for a great variety of purposes, as it was intended that this building should be a social center as well as affording halls of audience, consequently, the main floor of the auditorium is level and is placed directly on the ground, so that this level space when cleared of seats can be used for dances or other social purposes, or for exhibitions of heavy machinery, or for banquets, the service of food being from an ample kitchen and service suite in the basement at the rear, access to the hall being from either side of the proscenium through large doors immediately in front of the stage. read more »

CategoryUncategorized | CommentNo Comments »

June 26th, 2010

Spinners, Scalping and Scott Brown

by DickH

In a post on his “Talking Politics” blog on the Boston Phoenix website, David Bernstein suggests that the Scott Brown campaign may be violating the state’s anti-scalping law with an August 30 fund raiser at Lowell’s own Lelacheur Park. That night’s Spinners’ game features “Scott Brown bobblehead” night and Brown’s daughter Ayla will sing the National Anthem. The bobbleheads are being purchased by Zoll Medical of Chelmsford as a reward for Brown’s opposition to health care reform on the grounds that the new tax on medical devices would harm Zoll.

Brown is now selling tickets to the game for $75 (which includes a bobblehead and food from The Gator Pit). Bernstein contends that since Spinners tickets are only about $10 apiece, Brown’s markup may violate the state’s anti-scalping law. The reporters query on the legality of this event has thus far gone unanswered by Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office.

CategoryCurrent Events | CommentNo Comments »

Tags:
June 26th, 2010

SUN on Local Cultural Treasures

by PaulM

For any community, its cultural treasures come in different forms. Sometimes the treasure is a distinctive building or place in nature and sometimes it comes in the form of a living cultural treasure. Today’s SUN has two stories, somewhat related, about cultural treasures in the city. One story details the effort underway to restore and preserve the Way of the Cross at the Lady of Lourdes Grotto behind the Franco American School. Sen. Steve Panagiotakos is leading a campaign to raise $150,000 to fully restore this extraordinary sacred space. People of all faiths and spiritual persuasions value the “Stations” and the Grotto as a place to meditate and reflect. This is an internationally known religious site due in large part to Jack Kerouac’s writings about it. Read Rita Savard’s article here, and consider subscribing to the SUN if you appreciate the writing. Donations to the community fundraising campaign can be sent to the Franco American School, 357 Pawtucket Street, Lowell, MA 01854.

In a related article, Nancye Tuttle profiles Cecile Provencher, the 2010 Franco American of the Year, a well-deserved award for a woman who has contributed in many ways to the preservation of French Canadian-American culture in the community.  Read the article here.

Bob Dylan at "The Grotto," 1975

CategoryCulture, Education, History, Lowell | Comment1 Comment »

Tags:
June 26th, 2010

‘We Have Liftoff’

by PaulM

Dave Daniel and Steve O’Connor last night successfully launched their new books at the Old Court pub with the help of more than 200 people who came armed with good will, good humor, a good thirst, and a good appetite for literature written by somebody they might see in the local supermarket. “Hey, there’s Dave Daniel the author buying apples. What d’ya know?” Both authors gave brilliant readings on the small stage upstairs at the pub, offering short selections from the new books.

Who was there? Everybody. At least everybody who wasn’t at Boarding House Park to hear The Taj Mahal Trio open the Lowell Summer Music Series—and some of those folks stopped in to buy books after the concert.

David Daniel’s “Coffin Dust” is available from Sons of Liberty Publishing, and Stephen O’Connor’s “Smokestack Lightning” is available from Loom Press.

CategoryCulture, Education, History, Lowell | Comment1 Comment »

Tags: