AHA! presents 2nd Thursday year-round FREE nights of Art, History & Architecture programs in Downtown New Bedford with 37-venue partners.
Call us at 508-264-8859 or visit us at www.ahanewbedford.org.
The AHA! Project was formed in 1999 by a dedicated circle of cultural leaders, downtown businesses and individual artists. Since July of that year, the project has continuously presented its 2nd Thursday events. What originally included 14 venues now numbers 37 and spans eight galleries, three museums, The National Historical Park, City Hall and The Library, many of the downtown’s unique stores, restaurants and cafes as well as individual artist studios, a meditation center, several churches, The Bristol Building, The New Bedford Preservation Society and The UMass Dartmouth CVPA Star Store. AHA!’s mission is to collectively promote downtown culture and work towards greater sustainability of the downtown cultural scene and partner organizations.
AHA!’s articles on http://newbedford360.com are part of an expanding effort to bring more attention to the wealth of cultural events and experiences happening in downtown New Bedford.
AHA! invites you to celebrate Black History Month. This month the focus is on the rich cultural history and contributions of people of color to the city of New Bedford. Special programs this evening includes a screening Frederick Douglass: Profile in Courage at the Whaling Museum followed by a dramatic reading at Friends Meeting House. Other programs include a talk dispelling 20 myths about the Schooner Ernestina and a panel discussion of Cape Verdean contributions to the working waterfront. There will be a special performance by the Rhode Island Black Story Tellers at ArtWorks!, Marissa Terryce at NBAM and an open drum circle at Joe Piper. Also featured this evening are more live music, new exhibits and fine dining.
Complete schedules are available HERE
All activities are free and held rain or shine.
Special Programs
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, in collaboration with the New
Bedford Historical Society and the New Bedford Whaling Museum presents the film Frederick Douglass: Profile in Courage at 5:30pm at the Whaling Museum theatre (18 Johnny Cake Hill). A short introduction to the film will be presented by Jim Lopes.
New Bedford Friends Meeting House (83 Spring Street) presents a dramatic reading of Frederick Douglass April 1865 Speech "What the Black Man Wants” by Greg Williams at 7pm.
Rotch-Jones-Duff House (396 County Street) presents the film "The Shaw Memorial: The Power and Glory of Public Art" at 6:30pm. Now installed at the National Gallery, the Shaw Memorial by honors and commemorates the Massachusetts 54th Regiment of African Americans who fought in the Civil War. The Museum will be open to visitors from 5:00-6:30pm.
The Working Waterfront Festival and the UMD Labor Education Center present a panel discussion Cape Verdean Contributions to New Bedford’s Working Waterfront at 7pm at the Seaman's Bethel (15 Johnny Cake Hill).
New Bedford Free Public Library (613 Pleasant Street) will be exhibiting some highlights of the collection of local Black history. Talk by Paul Cyr, Head of Special Collections "Black History at Your Library" in the 3rd floor meeting room at 7pm. This lecture will focus on the resources available to researchers and the public on topics related to black history and genealogy.
AHA! and ArtWorks! (384 Acushnet Avenue) presents a special performance by Raffini of the Rhode Island Black Storytellers at 7pm.
National Park Visitor Center (33 William Street) Join Captain Tom Grace, who has a 24 year affiliation with Schooner Ernestina, as he dispels the top 20 myths associated with the schooner at 7pm. Also this evening, view artwork by the participants of AHOY! (ArtHistoryOceansYouth), an Invest-In-Kids/A.C.C.E.S.S. Art Corp, an international-sponsored after school program. From 5-7pm.
Live Music
Joe Piper (106 William Street) presents an Open Drum Circle, All ages and abilities welcome! Several drums will be available but please bring your own if available. From 7:30-9pm.
Singer Marissa Terryce and guest will be performing at the New Bedford Art Museum (608 Pleasant Street) at 6pm.
First Unitarian Church in New Bedford (corner of County and Union Streets) presents the Classical music Series: Songs for Valentine's Day, Opera to Jazz with Anton Belov, Michelle Gauvin and Rieko Tanaka. At 7:30pm in the Sanctuary.
The Cafe Arpeggio (800 Purchase Street) presents Avi Jacob performing solo with originals, and favorites from 6-7pm. Open mic follows from 7-10pm hosted by Art Tebbetts.
Pilgrim United Church Home (634 Purchase Street) presents poetry with the Bartleby Scrivener poetry group, guest poets and music with Rick Munroe from 6:30pm -8:30pm.
NEW Exhibits and Talks
ArtWorks! (384 Acushnet Avenue) presents the new exhibit Rachel Hunt: reORGANized, an exhibit of sculptural installations. On display in the second floor Community Gallery, Jenine Haard: Emergence (black). Open from 5-9pm.
New Bedford Art Museum (608 Pleasant Street) presents the new exhibit, Skude 360 Degrees: An Exhibition of Paintings by Severin Haines
Curated by Hannah Haines from 5-9pm.
The University Art Gallery (715 Purchase Street) presents the new exhibit tauto.logos new work by jen pepper. Open from 5-9pm.
Gallery X (169 William Street) presents Erotic Art Show: Sex at the X from 5-9pm. Jurors: Dan Kahn and Nancy Whipple Grinnell. In the Douglass Gallery, an exhibition of "coffee paintings" by noted Cape Verdean artist Tutu Sousa with an artist talk at 7pm. This Cape Verdean cultural evening will also include art, music and food.
MOSAIC Gallery (752 Purchase Street) presents a "Show of Love" exhibit with guest artists whose pieces express "Love" in various ways. Materials will be available to make a Valentine for your sweetheart and "Sweets for the Sweet" will also be served from 5-8pm.
John Magnan Studio (25 Centre Street) Come check the artist's progress as he transforms giant maple tree logs in sculptures 5-9pm.
The Bristol Building (752 Purchase Street) and The Equal Marriage Coalition of the SouthCoast presents the photography exhibit, "Families of the South Coast: Portraits of Diversity" on display from 5-9pm.
CatWalk Bar and Grille (Union Street) presents “A Whaling City Love Affair” featuring local artists Andrew T. Gallagher, Mattthew Pearl and Daniel Winske. Artists will be available between 5-9pm to discuss their work.
New Bedford Whaling Museum (18 Johnny Cake Hill) presents “Modern Whaling: Issues of Sustainability and Welfare” with Michael Moore, Museum Theater at 7pm.
The New Bedford Whaling Museum Research Library (791 Purchase St) presents the talk, “Gravestone Art” with Dan Harper, Museum Library from 6-7pm.