The Five Minute Read
Pride flag raising
LOWELL >> Celebrate the kickoff of Pride Month on Friday, June 2, at 10 a.m., with a flagraising ceremony and a performance by the New England Pride Colorguard Ensemble, in front of City Hall, 375 Merrimack St. The public is also invited to join the Colorguard and The Party Band as they lead a parade from City Hall to Kerouac Park, 75 Bridge St., for a noon to 4 p.m. festival. For information, call 978-674-1482 or email rdei@lowellma.gov.
Flute concert
GROTON >> The Flute Orchestra of Groton Hill, under the direction of conductor Eileen Yarrison, performs the season finale of the group’s Ruby Anniversary season on Sunday, June 4 at 3 p.m. in Meadow Hall, 122 Ayer Road. Tickets are $20.08 including fees.
The ensemble will be joined by alumni members of the Nashua Flute Choir and New England Flute Orchestra. Selections include Mozart’s “Magic Flute Overture,” Judy Nishamura’s “Flights of Passage,” Kelly Via’s arrangement of “Abide With Me” and the world premiers of Jonathan Cohen’s “Bancroft’s Castle” and Brandon J Nelson’s “An Harmonic Disquisition Upon Various Types of Cheese.” To purchase tickets, go to bit.ly/3x0ga5b. For information, call 978-486-9524.
Hydrant flushing
LOWELL >> The Pawtucketville neighborhood, from Beaver Brook to Riverside Street and between the Merrimack River to the Dracut line, will undergo spring hydrant flushing and gate turning services by the city’s water department from Monday, June 5 to Friday, June 9. Residents throughout the Pawtucketville area may experience a drop in water pressure and/ or water discoloration during this operation.
Although the water is safe to use during this time, residents should refrain from doing laundry while water is discolored. Following this gate replacement work, residents who are experiencing discoloration should run the cold water in the bathtub or sink until the water runs clear. For information, call 978-674-1675.
Health fair
LOWELL >> The Lowell Community Health Center is holding an insurance renewal fair on Saturday, June 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 161 Jackson St. Insurance Navigators will be available to help walk-in clients with the application process and determine eligibility for affordable health insurance plans. For information, call 978-937-9700.
Jazz concert
LOWELL >> The seven musicians of Bill Lowe’s Signifyin’ Natives, take the stage of Middlesex Community College’s Donahue Family Academic Arts Center on Wednesday, June
14, at 6 to 8 p.m., 240 Central St. The band features
Bill Lowe, tuba, bass trombone; Hafez Modirzadeh, saxophones; Taylor Ho Bynum, cornet; Kevin Harris, piano; Ken Filiano, acoustic bass; Luther Gray, drums; Naledi Masilo, vocals. Tickets are $15. To purchase, go to bit. LY/3IO326I. Parking available at the Early Garage, 135 Middlesex St. For information, call 800-818-3434. The event is sponsored by Middlesex College, Eastern Bank, Arts League of Lowell, Sahel Restaurant & Lounge, and Jeff and Mary Hart.
Strawberry festival
CONCORD >> Join Verrill Farm for the Annual Strawberry Festival on Saturday, June 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 11 Wheeler Road. Visitors can enjoy live music, hayrides and photo ops. Tickets are priced at $10 per person and include entry to the festival and strawberry shortcake with homemade whipped cream. Ages five and under, free. To purchase tickets, go to verrillfarm.com/ events/calendar/#.