Stroll downtown New Bedford on July 10th AHA! night and be serenaded by Summer Sounds. The evening will include a sampling of various music genres including jazz, folk, flamenco, Celtic and rock. Participating AHA! venues will be open late offering a variety of exhibits, tours, shopping and dining.  New AHA! partner this month is the New Bedford Ocean Explorium on 165 Union Street.

The City of New Bedford trolley bus will shuttle visitors between the venues from 5-9pm. Complete schedules available at all listed partners or online at www.ahanewbedford.org. All activities are free and held rain or shine.
 
SOUTHCOAST HOSPITALS GROUP VAN AND BLOOD DRIVE
Southcoast Health Van will be stationed at the Custom House Square fountain from 3-8 p.m. for a Blood Drive and health screenings. The Southcoast Blood Bank at St. Luke’s Hospital has teamed up with Domino’s Pizza stores for a “Pizza for a Pint” promotion. All donors will receive a free pizza voucher! 

The Team AHA! Improv Troupe presents "The Actor's Nightmare!"  The troupe will make appearances throughout the Downtown area with the premiere of their newest stage production. There's only one problem--everyone has a different script! 

Summer Sounds Highlights
Boston's “el Arte Flamenco”  flamenco musicians, vocals and dance on the plaza of the Whaling Museum. Sponsored in part by the New Bedford Cultural Council. Performances at 7:15 p.m. and 8 p.m. 
Whaling City Sounds on Centre Street  presents Flamenco trained jazz guitarist Ron Murray and Vuelo, with special guest Mike Monaghan: A Tribute to the late Stan Getz. Jointly presented by Fiber Optic Center, Inc. Sets at 5:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. 

New Bedford  Whaling National Historical Park presents sea chanteys with the Johnson Girls at 6:30 p.m. at the Corson Building at 6:30 p.m. The park will also feature Living History Program; a reenactment of a conversation of two women from the 1850’s New Bedford whaling community at 5 p.m.

New AHA! partner The Ocean Explorium (174 Union Street) Local musician, Brian Steele, will demonstrate how you can make music. Join us to enjoy a blend of music, art and science with creative stations art activities The Science on a Sphere® will be enhanced by ambient sounds. From 5-9pm
 
The Working Waterfront Festival presents a sea chantey workshop with the Johnson Girls from 7:45 p.m. at the Seaman’s Bethel (15 Johnny Cake Hill).

The Cafe Arpeggio (800 Purchase Street) featured performer is  Ross Robinson from 6-7 p.m. Open mic follows from 7-10 p.m. hosted by Art Tebbetts.

Joe Piper Celtic and World Musical Goods (106 William Street) presents an open music session from 5-9 p.m. Also on view “The Store Front Exhibit” by Ben Suarez.

The Rotch-Jones Duff House and Garden Museum presents the "Old Rochester Jazz Combo" under the terrace tent at 7 p.m. Opening act "Mission Improvisation" a student group directed by Gary Langevin at 6:30 p.m. The Museum closed this evening.

Calico (173 Union Street) presents live music stage on Union Street featuring The Veinnagram, rock band/performance artists and The Ergot Players from 6 p.m.  

Exhibits, Talks and Tours

The New Bedford Free Public Library (613 Pleasant Street) announces the re-opening of its Art Room from 5-9 p.m.

New Bedford Art Museum (608 Pleasant Street) continues the exhibits: Jane Tuckerman Haunted; Kathryn Lee Smith: Crossing the Fine White Line, and the Vault Series: Michelle Grabner — The Pleasures of Merely Circulating. Gallery open from 5-9 p.m.

Gallery X (169 William Street) New exhibits  Summer in the City --Members' Exhibit. In the Douglass Gallery, Joe Gracia Photo Retrospective. Open from 5-9 p.m.

New Bedford Whaling Museum (18 Johnny Cake Hill) Learn more about the Cape Cod Stranding network - marine mammal response, rescues, and larger conservation efforts at 6 p.m. 

Pilgrim United Church Home (634 Purchase Street) presents Tactile Adornment - hand-made jewelry and wooden carving by Pat Foster. From 6 - 8 p.m. Pilgrim United Church of Christ (635 purchase Street) presents tours of the Sanctuary including the Tiffany Mosaic and Stained Glass Windows. From 6:30 - 8 p.m.

ArtWorks! (384 Acushnet Avenue) continues the exhibit: X-Country / South County - Artists Derek Harding and Geral Weckesser. In the Sarah Louise Cousins Gallery-  A New Perspective On Politics. In the Community Gallery- Seeing Into the Future:  Annie Hayes and the New Bedford Global Charter School students explore aspects of this year's presidential election. Opening Reception 6-8 p.m.

The University Art Gallery (715 Purchase Street) continues the exhibit Japanese Chirashi Posters. Open from 5-9 p.m.

The New Bedford Whaling Museum Research Library (791 Purchase St) presents Schooner Ernestina update with executive director Paul J. Brawley in the Museum Library at 6:30 p.m.

First Unitarian Church in New Bedford (corner of County and Union Streets) Tours of historic building; garden and labyrinth open from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

John Magnan Studio (Centre Street) Visit the artist's working sculpture studio to see the beginning of new work! Open 5-9 p.m.

Vetu Gifts and Fine Consignment (1 Johnny Cake Hill) Grand Opening!  Mayor Lang will be by for the ribbon ceremony at 6 p.m.15% off gifts this evening. Open from 5-9 p.m.
  
Market Street Condominiums (6 Market Street) Take a tour and see how Victorian elegance can be blended with modern amenities to create truly luxurious living.  Open house 5-9 p.m. 

Artist of the Month is Gary Thomson (No Problemo,  831 Purchase Street) featuring the exhibit of photography “The No Problemos” from 5-9 p.m.

AHA! (Art, History & Architecture)

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.

View all articles by AHA! (Art, History & Architecture)