JUNE 23-JULY 31 – The Spindle City Ballet of Fall River is the recipient of the Adams grant providing a limited number of dance classes. Free to youngsters 4-12 years of age on a first come first serve basis. For a description of the classes and to sign up for this remarkable opportunity please call Lisa Bibeau at 508 677-2130.

JULY 1-AUGUST 3 – Gallery X presents Annual Summer Members Show, featuring an eclectic blend of oil paintings, watercolors and sculptures. Wednesday through Friday 11am-5pm; Saturday & Sunday 11am-3pm. Free. 169 William Street, New Bedford. Call 508-992-2675 and visit www.galleryx.org

JULY 19, 23, 26, 30 – (each Wednesday and Saturday) The New Bedford Preservation Society presents Summer Walking Tours of 19th Century Neighborhoods, a walk through history with a Society board member as guide. Tours are by reservation only for groups of five or more. Step off at 388 County Street, New Bedford.1-3pm. $5 per person. Call 508-997-6425 and visit www.nbpreservationsociety.org

JULY 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30 – (each Wednesday and Saturday) The New Bedford Preservation Society presents Summer Walking Tours of 19th Century Neighborhoods, a walk through history with a Society board member as guide. Tours are by reservation only for groups of five or more. Step off at 3

JULY 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30 – New Bedford Whaling Museum hosts All hands on. Arrive between 10am-noon and discover at your own pace. Free. Museum docents will be available to answer questions, read stories about whales and whaling and encourage children to investigate the contents of Discovery Sea Chests. 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford. Call 508-997-0046 and visit www.whalingmuseum.org

JULY 7-18 – Summer at the Marion Natural History Museum offers kids two opportunities to get outside. “Life Along the Shore” is for kids entering grade 1&2, and uses games, journals and introductory science techniques to explore the plants and animals that live in our area’s many coastal habitats. The second program, “Watershed Discovery,” is an in-depth investigation of our area’s water resources for students entering grades 3&4. With the use of microscopes, field guides and other equipment kids will explore the unique features and health of local riverbanks, swamps, ponds, bogs and marshes. Programs run Monday-Friday from 9am-noon. Each program is $150 for members and $200 for non-members. To register, visit www.marionmuseum.org. Registration is on a first come, first served basis and is limited to 15 children per session.

JULY 7, 14, 21, 28 – Buttonwood Park Zoo presents Toe Jam Puppet Band. Sing, dance and play the hour away with New Bedford’s coolest kids’ band. 10:30am &12:30pm. Zoo fee + $5 per family. 425 Hawthorn Street, The Creative Arts Playground, New Bedford. Call 508-991-6178 and visit www.bpzoo.org

JULY 7, 14, 21, 28 – Local Farmers Market Committee. Enjoy the freshest produce and finest goods the local farmers have to offer. Products include vegetables, berries, eggs, flowers, herbs, soap products and lotions. 2pm-dusk. Brooklawn Park, New Bedford. Call 508-995-5019.

JULY 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29 & 30 – The New Bedford Whaling Museum presents Whaling Days. Come explore, discover and learn throughout the Museum. Fun and engaging activities encourage young visitors to think about what life was like in 19th century New Bedford. 10:30-noon. Free. 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford. Call 508-997-0046 and visit www.whalingmuseum.org

JULY 10, 17, 24, 31 – Wings Court Farmers Market. Enjoy the freshest produce and finest goods our local farmers have to offer, including vegetables, berries, eggs, flowers, herbs, soap products and lotions. 2pm-dusk. Wings Court, Union Street Entrance, New Bedford. Free. Call 508-995-5019.

JULY 10-AUGUST 14 – Seaside Cinema onboard the U.S.S. Massachusetts. Weather permitting. 8:30pm. Sit back and enjoy a feature film on the deck of a World War II battleship. Films will be chosen from an original list of features shown on board to the battleship's crew during World War II. Guests are welcome to sit on the deck or bring their own chairs to enjoy these classics. Schedule subject to change. July 10 - On the Front Lines (WWII Cartoons); July 24 - Treasure Island; August 7 - Alice in Wonderland; Aug 14 - 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Popcorn, soft drinks, and other treats will be on sale. $2 donation suggested. Call 508-678-1100.

JULY 11-27 – Newport Music Festival. Various venues. The Newport Music Festival celebrates its fortieth season, continuing the tradition of presenting unique chamber music programs, American debuts, world-class artists, and gala special events in the Gilded Age summer cottages of Newport. Call 401-846-1133 or visit www.newportmusic.org

JULY 12-AUGUST 30 – New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park presents Maritime Heritage Days. Every Saturday afternoon during the summer for maritime craft demonstrations and make & take activities for kids. Noon-2pm. Free. Waterfront Visitor Center, 52 Fisherman’s Wharf, New Bedford. Call 508-996-4095 or visit www.nps.gov/nebe

JULY 12-18 – Music at Ogontz: Choral Symposia. Enjoy this musical adventure with one of England's leading conductors, Dr. Richard Marlow of the Trinity College Choir. Call 401-596-8663.

JULY 12- JULY 21 – Gallery 4 in Tiverton Four Corners opening reception. New paintings by elephants are back for a third season. 3-6pm. 3848 Main Road, Tiverton four corners. Three years ago, Bob Smith, co-owner of Gallery 4 in Tiverton Four Corners, went to Thailand and discovered a nature preserve where the elephants actually paint pictures. Charmed by their work, Smith purchased several of the paintings for the Gallery. The exhibit sold out in two weeks and the exhibit of Elephant Paintings in 2007 met with similar success. A portion of the proceeds of the sale of these paintings will go to the Elephant Center and other animal protection groups. Gallery 4 is open Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm; Sunday noon-5pm. Call 401-816-0999.

ONGOING- Calling all Kayaks, Row Boats, Gigs and Whaleboats. Ongoing registration for the fun 3 _ mile race that starts at Fort Taber Park, New Bedford. Circles the Butler Flats Lighthouse and proceeds north to the Hurricane Barrier and back to Fort Taber Park. This race is held in conjunction with the Coalition for Buzzards Bay Annual Swim Buzzards Bay. Great spectator viewing of the entire racecourse and after race refreshments and award ceremony. Entry fee is $20 per person. Race is July 19; 1pm. Call 508-961-5955 or visit www.buzzardbayrowing.org.

ONGOING – Volunteer with Sharing the Harvest at the Dartmouth YMCA: assist in the production of fresh vegetables in our 2 acre garden. All of the produce grown on the farm is donated to local hunger relief agencies on the South Coast. Volunteer drop-in hours Monday, Wednesday and Saturday 10am-noon through October. No previous experience necessary. Call 508-993-3361 and visit www.ymcasouthcoast.org