One of the principles of a Healthy City is that it fosters a sense of community. The Luso-American Gallery of Antiquities (LAGOA) a newly-formed non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of Portuguese- American culture and history held an evening of live music on November 2, 2007. Located at the home of Bristol Community College Anthropology Professor Steven Cabral at 682 Rock Street, the 19th century Queen Anne residence serves as a gallery where "scholars, writers, poets, artists, musicians, mystics and misfits can all feel at home," says Cabral. The gallery features a standing exhibition of Empire, East Lake and Victorian furnishings in four exhibition room with decorative fireplaces. Portuguese artifacts from working-class immigrants who settled in New England are integrated among the Victorian displays. Lagoa is also the name of the village on the island of Sao Miguel in the Azores where Cabral's grandparents originated. Cabral wants "to establish a community of artists, not just career artists. We're looking for people who care about their work, care about their culture and their community and reflect it back to them." In addition to Cabral, other directors of the LAGOA board include Dr. Odete Amarelo, Maria Tomasia, Rhonda S. Alves and Joseph Garcia as well as Assistant Curator Lisa Marois.. Click here to read the Standard-Times article about LAGOA's first exhibition at the Cherry & Webb Gallery. Click here to read about the Presépio museum. For more information, contact Dr. Cabral at 508-673-6624.
 

(Top row, left) Guests John Resendes and Francisco Aguiar enjoy some traditional Portuguese food before heading upstairs to listen to two performances. (Top row, center) Jazz player Eric Van Dam, an art teacher at the Doran Elementary School, and Gilbert Mendelson perform some jazz numbers. (Top row, right) Dr. Odete Amarelo and Dr. Steven Cabral praise Eric for his participation in the evening's program. (Middle row) Lucilia Morgado sings fado to the accompaniment of guitarists Viriato Ferreira and Jorge Silva.