The New Bedford Whaling Museum will present two immersive cultural programs this spring as part of the Portuguese & Lusophone-World Lecture Series, celebrating the rich traditions of Portuguese-American communities. On March 20th, the Museum will host a special screening of Malassada Day, a heartwarming documentary that explores the cultural significance of the beloved Portuguese treat.
The film will be followed by a lively panel discussion with director Dante Bellini, Jr.; culinary expert Maria Lawton, host of Maria’s Portuguese Table; and Michael Benevides, cultural advocate and vice president of Portugalia Marketplace. Together, they’ll explore the connections between food, faith, family, and community.
On April 17th, the Museum will turn its focus to the enduring cultural ties between New Bedford and the Azores. The evening will begin with a welcome from State Representative Antonio F. D. Cabral, followed by the book release of Shades of Black and Gray – An Inquiry into the Island of Pico and its History by Azorean immigrant Joel Silveira Avila.
The program continues with a screening of The Last Azorean Whalemen, an Emmy-nominated documentary by filmmaker Nick Francis that preserves the stories of the last whalemen from the Azorean islands of Pico and Faial. The night concludes with a panel discussion led by Sara da Silva Quintal, a first-generation Azorean American, offering further insight into these powerful cultural connections.
“These programs are an opportunity to honor the traditions that have shaped New Bedford and the deep, enduring cultural connections between our community and the Portuguese-speaking world,” said Amanda McMullen, President and CEO of the New Bedford Whaling Museum. “Through these events, we celebrate the history, resilience, and cultural richness that continue to influence us today.”
These events are made possible with the support of the Department of Portuguese and Brazilian Studies at Brown University and FLAD – Luso-American Foundation of Lisbon.
A lite reception will follow each program. Reservations for each program are strongly recommended. Tickets are $5 for museum members or $10 for the general public and can be purchased here for Malassada Day and here for Echoes of Pico.
Source: Press Release @ New Bedford Whaling Museum
About the New Bedford Whaling Museum
Anchored in the story of New Bedford’s whaling industry, the Museum documents and shares the diverse stories of this vibrant maritime region and its people, both bygone and current. Founded as the Old Dartmouth Historical Society in 1903, the Museum’s rich history reveals an intimate relationship with the communities it serves. Today, the New Bedford Whaling Museum ignites
learning through explorations of art, history, science and culture, rooted in the stories of people, the region and an international seaport. The New Bedford Whaling Museum is the leading cultural institution in the region, attracting more than 100,000 visitors annually.
The cornerstone of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, the Museum is located at 18 Johnny Cake Hill in the heart of the city’s historic downtown. Between January 2-March 31, the institution is open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Tuesday-Saturday and from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday. Between April 1-December 31, daily hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Museum is open until 7 p.m. every second Thursday of the month (on AHA! nights) and closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Admission is free for Museum members; adults $23, seniors (65+) $21, youth $13. For more information, visit www.whalingmuseum.org
