Derby Dames roll into Wilmington for Fez Cup

Watch the action as the Boston Derby Dames play their league championship Saturday, Aug. 5, at Shriners Auditorium in Wilmington. Joe Medolo photo

SUMMER BURN Skip barbecuing. Watch the Boston Derby Dames scorch the flat track for the glory of winning the Fez Cup on Saturday, Aug. 5, at the Shriners Auditorium, 99 Fordham Road, Wilmington.

The all-female Boston Roller Derby League, based in Lynn, has 35 members divided into three teams. There’s an additional team for girls ages 7-17.

Bring the family to watch skater-athletes bearing names like Pax-A-Punch and MC SlamHer.

Doors open at 4 p.m. The whistle blows at 5 p.m. for the third-place game between the Cosmonaughties and Nutcrackers. The championship bout follows at 7 p.m. between the Wicked Pissahs and the Harbor Horrors. Join the afterparty on-site in the Fez Room.

All tickets include admission to both games. Tickets for VIP admission (trackside) is $24 in advance, $30 at the door. General admission (bleachers or standing room) for adults is $12 in advance, $16 at the door; kids (ages 6-17) are $6 in advance, $8 at the door. Under age 6 is free. Go to bostonrollerderby.com.

”The Wrath of Poseidon” by Marilyn Bedford was one of the 37 original quilts from over 120 submissions selected for the Contemporary Art Quilts exhibit at the Whistler House Museum of Art in Lowell. Marilyn Bedford

NOT YOUR GRANDMOTHER’S QUILT How can you stitch a modern spin on an old art?

Come see the 37 original and intricate quilts selected for this summer’s theme-free Contemporary Art Quilts exhibit at the Whistler House Museum of Art in Lowell from Saturday, Aug. 5 to Sept. 1.

Over 120 submissions displaying a wide variety of colors, subject matter, composition, and technique were submitted. The jurors for the exhibit are Wen Redmond, an award-winning fiber artist and sought-after quilting instructor, and Michele O’Neil Kincaid, an artist and quilting instructor, who describes her work as “traditional quilting run amok.”

“We are delighted to be featuring this extraordinary collection of art quilts filled with works from some of the most prolific national and international art quilters,” said museum president and executive director, Sara Bogosian.

The exhibit is free and open to the public. Join an opening reception in the museum’s Parker Gallery, 243 Worthen St., from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5. To tour the historic house, visitors must pay $8 for a self-guided tour or $10 for a guided tour. Visit whistlerhouse.org.

HANG AROUND THE BLOCK  Gloucester is about so much more than fish sticks.

The city’s string of Summer Block Parties continue on Aug 12, and Sept. 1 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Main Street.

Party-goers of all ages can enjoy live outdoor entertainment, free children’s activities, street performers, shopping, and al fresco dining.

For a full listing of participating merchants, vendors, and schedule of activities, visit gloucesterblockparty.com.

There’s fun for all ages at the Summer Block Parties being held on Main Street in Gloucester.Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce

TIMELESS WEEKEND Don’t know how to dance Victorian-style? There’s something for everyone to enjoy during the annual Victorian Dance Weekend in Nahant from Aug. 10 through Aug. 13.

The New England Vintage Arts Society presents the classical weekend, which includes period dance lessons, live music, a silent film, formal tea, and Victorian promenade to the seaside.

Among the highlights, Dan Gabel and the Nahant Society Orchestra jazz up a plated dinner and dance with Ragtime and twenties tunes from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m on Aug. 10 at the Nahant Country Club, 17 Relay Yard. After a period costume workshop and two dance classes on Friday at the Nahant Knights of Columbus, watch a 7 p.m. showing of the 1923 silent film, “ZaZa,” starring Gloria Swanson while organist Jeff Rapsiss provides accompaniment. The four-piece Spare Parts provides in-period dance tunes during the Belle Epoque Era Viennese Ball on Saturday from 7:30 to 11 p.m. in Nahant Town Hall.

Savor a concert and Victorian formal tea with homemade scones and jams from 2:30 to 4 Sunday afternoon at the Nahant Village Church, 27 Cliff St., before a seaside stroll to close the weekend.

Ticket prices vary for single and all-day events; It’s $195 for general admission to the entire four-day weekend ($125 for students). For the full schedule, venue locations, and pricing, go to: vintagevictorian.com/nahant.html.

Dress for a Victorian Ball during the annual Nahant Victorian Dance Weekend. Robert Wilson