This month our AHA! partners are offering a variety of both virtual and IRL (in-real-life) programs.
Look for the Virtual and IRL icons to help you plan your AHA! activities.
Virtual
IRL
Click For Tips To Help Get The Most Out Of Your Vaha! Experience
AHA! In The Afternoon
Our downtown New Bedford museums, galleries and institutions are open for visitors.
Visit their websites for more info about current hours, programs, exhibits and COVID19 safety protocols.
New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center
Open on AHA! 10am – 4pm (Closed the month of Feb)
Virtual AHA! programming at 7pm (see listing below)
Click For More Info
New Bedford Port Society
including Seamen’s Bethel & Mariner’s Home
Open on AHA! 10am – 4pm
Click For More Info
New Bedford Whaling Museum
Open on AHA! 10am – 4pm with reserved timed admission
Plus virtual AHA! programming at 6pm (see listing below)
Click For More Info
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
Open on AHA! 10am – 4pm
Click For More Info
Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum
Open on AHA! 10am – 4pm
Plus virtual AHA! programming at 5:30pm (see listing below)
Click For More Info
New Bedford Art Museum / Artworks!
Open on AHA! 10am-4pm with reserved timed admission
Plus virtual & IRL programming 4-9pm (see listing below)
Click For More Info
Please consider shopping or dining in DNB
to help support our small biz community.
Follow DNB, Inc. on Facebook /dnbinc or Instagram @dnbinc for updates about downtown dining and retail shopping.
Celebrating your Art, History & Architecture from home?
Order up some take-out or delivery from one of your
favorite downtown eateries and enjoy all the
VAHA! programming from the comfort of your couch.
Click For Dining Options
DNB Our Valentine
Be sure to search #giftDNB on social media for all the ways you can shop local, shop unique, shop DNB.
Brought to you by Downtown New Bedford Inc.
(V)AHA! Programs
11:30am on Instagram Live
From New Bedford to New Castle: Frederick Douglass’ Lasting Impact on Two Countries & the World
A Black History Month discussion on Frederick Douglass’ connections to New England and the UK with the British Consulate Boston and the New Bedford Historical Society. Live from Nathan and Polly Johnson House.
Click For A Virtual Tour Of The Nathan & Polly Johnson House
3-6pm
at the New Bedford Public Library
Curbside pick-up for take & make craft kits.
(613 Pleasant Street)
Plus enter the Black History Month Youth Drawing Contest
Click For More Info
Celebrate Black History Month
Black Presently hosted by 3rd EyE &
The Communal Space
4-8pm on Facebook Live
Tune in for community conversations:
EforAll South Coast
Community Bridges, Inc
American Red Cross
Buy Black NB
New Bedford Historical Society
Maternal Nurturing Collective
Get a virtual tour of the Communal Space.
Check out all the new art including a pop-up photography exhibit and custom pieces by local artists.
Click To RSVP For Updates & Reminders
Click To Watch
4-8pm at the Communal Space
The Space (246 Union Street) will be open to the public
following strict COVID guidelines (10 person capacity, 30 min time limit to allow max community access):
– Talk with a few of the artists who have work on the walls
including the pop-up photography exhibit featuring work by
Justin Botelho and Darnel Staley.
– Catch some live painting by David A.
– Check out the community library and learn about
the library card system.
Get Your Art On with NBAM/Artworks!
4-6pm
Pick up artMOBILE art kits for some Take & Make fun.
4-8pm
Current IRL Exhibits:
Fluid States: New England Wax/New England Waters
Highlighting encaustic artworks inspired by New England’s historic and awe-inspiring coasts. Themed around the fluidity seen in both wax and water, Fluid States explores New England’s ecological richness and fragility. Protecting our water and the life that depends on it is an urgent necessity. In this exhibition, the artists address this urgency as they work to express water’s sheer beauty through innovative approaches to an ancient medium.
Community Artist In Residence (CAIR)
Dawn Spears
Dawn Spears (Narragansett/Choctaw) is a doll maker, photographer, multimedia artist who uses cultural symbolism and the vibrant colors of our natural world as inspiration for her work.
Click here to learn more about CAIR.
Immersion & Interaction: Witnessing the Everyday
Art by Pat Coomey Thornton
Pat Coomey Thornton is a New Bedford-based artist who has been a part of the New Bedford creative community for decades.
4:30-6pm on Zoom
Registration Required by February 9th
What does Black History month mean to you?
with the First Unitarian Church in New Bedford
Join the Zoom Room for a conversation about Black History Month and planned community work – “We covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.” Plus a virtual showcase of art from the Way Cool Sunday School.
Get The Zoom Link:
Email admin@uunewbedford.org or flefleh@gmail
Call 508-994-9686
5pm on Facebook
VAHA! Mini Concert
Hosted by Scott Bishop
A special pre-recorded concert featuring musicians performing at downtown businesses.
Immuter at No Problemo
Immuter is an American indie band from south-coast Massachusetts that fuses elements of classic rock with the sound of influential modern acts such as Muse, The Strokes, and Radiohead. The band produces an imaginative and innovative blend of music.
No Problemo on Facebook
Immuter Website
Immuter on Instagram
Immuter on Spotify
Immuter on YouTube
Molly Motta at The Drawing Room
Molly Motta (O’Leary) is a singer-songwriter from New Bedford, Massachusetts. Molly’s style has been described as folk and country, and some newer songs have been entering into the indie vibe.
Drawing Room Website
Drawing Room on Instagram
Molly’s Website
Molly on Facebook
Molly on YouTube
Click To RSVP For Updates & Reminders
Click To Watch
5-8pm at Gallery X
First show of 2021
Au Naturale: An exhibition of works based on the human form
On display will be figurative works or pieces inspired by the body as an art form in a variety of media.
5-8pm at the Star Store, Wings Court & Custom House Square
#NBFestive Kick-Off
The City of New Bedford, in partnership with Destination New Bedford, New Bedford Creative, and UMass Dartmouth CVPA present #NBfestive. For six weeks, every Thursday through Saturday (weather permitting), residents and visitors will be encouraged to “warm up, chill out, shop small and eat local,” with outdoor activities in Wings Court and Custom House Square, and performances broadcast from the Star Store. Funded by Bristol County Savings Bank, Southeastern MA Visitors Bureau, and the Barr Foundation.
Swing By The South End
5-8pm at the Kilburn Mill
Love & Art: Work by Judith Klein and Her Students at the Judith Klein Art Gallery 127 W. Rodney French Blvd
Use main entrance
2nd floor Suit 2-87
Visitors limited to 2-3 people at one time, masks must be worn. Kilburn Open House
Stop by from 5-8pm to visit artist studios, galleries and other creative businesses. Shop for fine arts, crafts and more.
127 W. Rodney French Blvd
Enter at Door #4
The Artisan Center is on the 2nd floor
Mask wearing & social distancing required.
IRL Valentines Shopping
New Bedford Pottery Works Open Studio
5-8pm
Shop unique handmade gifts.
Click For More Info
Galentines Open Studio Pop-up
Studio 5, Cummings Building Floor 2 (above No Problemo)
5-9pm
Naturally dyed textiles by Falling Off Trees
Prints & pins by Kate Frazer Rego
Live DJ
Craft Beer Tasting & Glass Sale at Salt & Sole
5:30-7:30pm
Buy 3 Berlin Beer Glasses by Stolzle of Germany and get 1 free!
6pm on Facebook Live
Gratitude Art Journal Fun with Alison Wells Fine Art Studio
Pull up a seat at the virtual art table for a Valentines-themed Gratitude Art Journal session. All you need are: 1. A journal (small sketchbook or notebook or blank sheet of paper) 2. Markers or paint pens, 3. Glue, 4. Scissors. Feel free to use whatever you have. All ages welcome to join the creative fun!
6pm on Zoom
Registration Required
His Record Lives:
William P. Randall and the Battle of Hampton Roads
A Virtual Local History Guild Lecture presented by
the New Bedford Whaling Museum
Join the New Bedford Whaling Museum’s Curator of Maritime History, Michael P. Dyer, and the National Museum of the United States Navy’s historian and curator, Gordon Calhoun, as they discuss Calhoun’s recent project, “His Record Lives: William P. Randall and the Battle of Hampton Roads.” Gordon comes to this conversation with 26-years experience working for the Navy museum system, including 19-years at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum. He specializes in 19th-century Naval History, the history of animals in the Navy, and U.S. Navy museum exhibits.
6-8pm at the Star Store
CVPA Star Series
Umass Dartmouth CVPA is launching a 13-week performing and visual arts series at the Star Store. Dynamic live performances, video projections and installations will be happeing inside the Swain Studio Space (Purchase and Union Street) and viewable from the sidewalk for a COVID safe experience.
The February (V)AHA! Star Series features the work of New Bedford based photographer and DJ, Andrew Kepinski. Kepinski’s photographs will be integrated into projections that will cover the walls and ceiling of the Swain Studio while he spins his favorite music. Additionally, printmaker and graduating CVPA student, Taylor Hickey, will be demonstrating how she creates paper objects, shown in the pop-up exhibition, The Cosmological Sublime, installed above the stage. And finally, check out the ceramic sculptures by graduating CVPA student Danielle O’Malley through the windows of the corner gallery.
Click To RSVP For Updates & Reminders
Also at the Star Store
New exhibit Alexandra Broches:
Dear Alexandra, Letters and Pictures From a Box
Click For More Info About Exhibit & Timed Gallery Tickets
6-9pm at Play Arcade
Opening Reception for art by Alex Dufrense
Stop by to chat with the artist and check out their art on the walls.
Play Arcade is an old school 80’s style Arcade offering craft-made food and beverages including many vegan options. Be sure to check out the hammock seats on the roof deck complete with harbor views as well as some amazing murals created by local artists.
7pm on Facebook Live
Snozzlewinks: A Virtual Conversation with Pilar Newton
Hosted by The Drawing Room
Dive into the wonderful world of the Snozzlewinks with animator, cartoonist, and educator Pilar Newton. Join Pilar for a virtual conversation about her graphic novel, Snozzlewinks. She’ll share stories about her process, discuss what it’s like being a working animator, and reveal where she gets her inspiration.
Pilar is an animator, cartoonist and educator that started drawing Snozzlewinks when she was 8 years old. Even at that early age it became clear that she wanted to pursue cartooning and animation. She studied art at the prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia Highschool of Music and Art and the Performing Arts where she learned to hone her passion. She furthered her animation talent at the Rhode Island School of Design and went on to get her start doing animation production art on shows such as Courage the Cowardly Dog for Cartoon Network and MTV’s Daria.
Click To RSVP For Updates & Reminders
7pm on Zoom
Virtual Exhibit Preview
More than a Job: Work and Community in
New Bedford’s Commercial Fishing Industry
Hosted by the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center
Join the Fishing Heritage Center for a sneak peek of their new permanent exhibit. Learn about what goes on behind the scenes when planning an exhibit and see previews of some of the new exhibit elements. This exhibit will open to the public this spring.
Click To RSVP For Updates & Reminders
7pm on Zoom
Anomaly Poetry Open Mic
Hang out with the Anomaly poets in the Zoom Room to hear original works and poems hand-picked by readers.
Click To RSVP For Updates & Reminders
You will receive a notification when Zoom info is posted (about 2 hours prior to showtime).
Any Time
History & Architecture
with the New Bedford Preservation Society
Downtown New Bedford – The Definitive Tour
Take a walking tour of historic downtown New Bedford with your guide Bruce Barnes. Visit some of the definitive downtown landmarks including the New Bedford Free Public Library, City Hall and many of the most important and beautiful commercial buildings including banks and department stores.
Click To Watch
Historic Property of the Week:
an in-depth look at a historic property in the city.
New Bedford Historical Vignettes:
An in-depth look at a historically significant event, place or space.
This month’s historical vignette features the Railroad Depots of New Bedford’s Past.
Click To View
Any Time
Ghost List Theatre
A Short Plays Program presented by Culture*Park
8 short plays by local and regional playwrights including Ray Veary, Barbara Schweitzer, Gayle Hanrahan, Larry Houbre and others. Actors include Alyn Carlson, Michael Thibeault, Bob Jaffe, Barbara Shlink. Kevin Broccoli, and Ian Vincent.
Any Time
NBAM/Artworks! On-line Exhibits
Excellence In Fibers VI
Fiber Art Network/Fiber Art Now and New Bedford Art Museum/ArtWorks! (NBAM) present Excellence in Fibers VI, an online exhibition sponsored by Fiber Optic Center. View the best of installation, sculptural, vessel, and wearable fiber arts from across the country in a new, exciting, online format.
Click To View
Faces Behind Atrocity: Voices Of Human Trafficking
Works by Matilde Simas, Founder of Capture Humanity
The Faces Behind Atrocity portrait series depicts seven girls, all of whom were victims of forced labor, forced marriage, and sex trafficking. They were rescued from the horrors of the trafficking world and are in various stages of the healing process. This portrait series provides a visual representation of their resilience, beauty, and strength, while also serving as a tool for advocacy and education around human trafficking.
Click To View
Have an idea for some virtual programming you’d like to bring to the party?
Have some tips or tricks you can share about virtual event best practices?
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