Preservation. Celebration.
May 8, 2025
sponsored by
Free Parking
Don’t worry about finding a place to park. During AHA! Night there is free parking at the Elm Street and Zeiterion Garages.
Pick up a paper copy of the AHA! program at the AHA! Welcome Desk (corner of Market & Pleasant), the library, New Bedford Art Museum, or the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitor Center. You can also download a copy here, just note that it’s oversized if you try to print at home.
Follow the Flags
Many of our participating locations will have a yellow AHA! flag prominently displayed to help you find AHA! Night activities.
AHA! Happens Rain Or Shine
Be sure to check the AHA! event page, Facebook page and Instagram Stories as well as website and social for participating event partners for info about location changes, program rescheduling and cancellations.
Preservation. Celebration. | May 8, 2025
Join us in celebration of New Bedford’s past, present, and future. Explore New Bedford through history, art, music, food, and more! It’s all happening this AHA! Night: Preservation. Celebration.
AHA! NIGHT ACTIVITIES
12:00 PM
BesTeas Bubble Tea Room
Now open until 7:00PM on AHA! Nights, fuel up and quench your thirst something from the one of a kind signature drink menu at BesTeas Bubble Tea Room! Offering many options made with fresh quality ingredients, enjoy a bubble tea, signature drink, coffee and espresso, treats, a kids menu, and now offering ice cream! Something yum for everyone!
3:00 PM
Not Just Anywhere: WHALE and Downtown New Bedford
In the words of Sarah Delano, WHALE president from 1966 – 1982, “If you bulldoze your heritage, you become just anywhere.” For the past 6 decades, the Waterfront Historic Area LeaguE, Inc. (WHALE) has worked to ensure that New Bedford is not just anywhere. We are excited to unveil a new way to experience the work that we do and the impact that our projects, partnerships and programs have made on New Bedford.
“Not Just Anywhere: WHALE and Downtown New Bedford” is a tour of some of WHALE’s downtown projects, from the 60’s through the 2010’s. Powered by the AWEgmented app, this free tour will launch just in time for AHA! Preservation Celebration! This self-guided walking tour can be enjoyed in person, or you can peruse the information on the app no matter where you are.
WHALE will be celebrating this launch as part of a larger preservation celebration on May 8, The Eggers Building at One Johnny Cake Hill will be rededicated following a successful restoration by its owners, with remarks by Mayor Mitchell and WHALE. Join us following for a glass of wine from the cash bar, proceeds to benefit WHALE. This will be the unofficial “starting” point for anyone wanting to experience “Not Just Anywhere” for themselves as part of this memorable preservation celebration.
AWEgmented is available for free in the app store for Apple and Android devices. Download it today so you’re ready on May 8! For more information on AWEgmented, visit www.awegmented.com
Selmar Eggers Building Rededication
On January 18, 1977, a gas explosion rocked historic downtown New Bedford and one of the buildings damaged was the Selmar Eggers building, located at 10 William St. Through the efforts of WHALE, it was moved to its new location at the corner of Johnny Cake Hill and Union Street, and was restored in 1978-1979.
The building was recently updated by its new owners and will be re-dedicated on Thursday, May 8 in a celebration of its continued presence in New Bedford’s bustling downtown. 1 Johnny Cake Hill features multiple commercial units in the heart of historic downtown New Bedford and one residential unit, The Aerie. Businesses include the Cozy Crib, Kettle Black Gallery, and the soon-to-be-opened Coastal Bubbles & Wine Bar.
Join this special AHA! Night and ArtWeek South Coast event with members of WHALE, Mayor Jon Mitchell and the new proprietors of Coastal Bubbles & Wine Bar. After the rededication ceremony, enjoy a glass of wine from the cash bar (proceeds benefit WHALE).
This is also the starting point for WHALE’s new app-guided walking tour!
4:30 PM
New Bedford Public Schools Art Show
See over 3,000 pieces of artwork created by New Bedford Public School students from elementary through high school. Roam the halls and listen to live music while you enjoy the City’s talented student’s showcase. A must-see, inspiring, and family-friendly annual event.
5:00 PM
Youth Services: Free Henna by Mandy
Visit the New Bedford Main Library’s Youth Services from 5-7:00pm to get a free henna tattoo by Mandy from Wicked Good Henna. This program is available while supplies last and there is no registration. Great for ages 6+.
Open House
Feeling creative? Stop by the new 3rdEyE building to work it out on the mic, practice your dance moves, play games, or paint and draw on the 20 ft. Free Wall! You can also just hang out and listen to music, check out the library, bring your sketchbook, or just chill with your friends. Free and open to the public.
5:30 PM
6:00 PM
Quilting Demonstration with Joan DeCollibus
Joan DeCollibus will demonstrate her quilt-making process, from initial concept to the final stitch. She begins by sketching designs and selecting fabrics, inspired by the vibrant colors of her garden and the coastal landscape. With her palette ready, Joan moves to the cutting table and onto piecing: she carefully arranges and sews the fabric sections, pressing each seam to maintain crisp lines and geometric flow. The quilt top complete, she layers it with batting and the quilt backside, then machine quilts the three layers together in fluid, dynamic patterns. Finally, she applies the binding by hand, likening it to framing a painting—an elegant finish to a labor of love. Throughout the demo, Joan shares tips, inspirations, and reflections on how quilting connects her to both craft and nature.
Art, Paint, & Architecture: The Evolution of a Fairhaven Home
Celebrate National Historic Preservation Month at The Drawing Room. Architect Anthi Frangiadis will discuss the process and progress of a renovation and addition to an historic home in Fairhaven, MA. The homeowners wanted to honor the historic character and integrity of their Greek Revival home, while updating it to better serve their needs.
Hear how the team balanced historic preservation with modern conveniences, incorporating a year-round sunroom, finishing the design with Farrow & Ball paint, and how color moves you through the space.
Homeowner Liv Haines Gauthier is the daughter of the late South Coast artist and teacher, Severin “Sig” Haines. The home is adorned with many of her father’s paintings and new walls were designed with specific paintings in mind. Learn about Liv’s collection of her father’s paintings and how they influenced the design.
Hear from Anthi, the homeowners, as well as Jonathan Burgess of J. Burgess Remodeling & Construction.
Live from AHA! Podcast: Open Mic!
Join the monthly live podcast “Live From AHA!” hosted by our friends at the Artists Index. Share your thoughts or just listen and enjoy some apps and bevvies.
Kids Karaoke
Belt out some tunes and have fun with the whole family! Play Arcade is hosting karaoke for kids under 21 from 6:00 – 8:00pm (please note karaoke for adults start after 8:00pm). Look forward to seeing you there!
Buttonwood Brass
Stop by the Harbor Hotel on your stroll and enjoy some speakeasy jazz from the Buttonwood Brass Band, now on every AHA! Night from 6:00 – 8:00pm! While you are there be sure to grab 1/2 price apps (all night) and other AHA! Night specials from the kitchen. Vibey!
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
Reporting on the Waterfront: “The Barnacle” Retrospective
In honor of preservation month, join FHC and special guest Gary Golas for a retrospective on The Barnacle, an independent magazine that covered New Bedford and Fairhaven’s working waterfront for over a decade. Presentation followed by Q&A. Admission to the Center is FREE for AHA! Night.
7:30 PM
8:00 PM
Neal McCarthy Trio
Enjoy electric blues and rock from the Neal McCarthy Trio from 8:00 – 11:30pm at the Pour Farm. Be sure to grab a pint and a bite while you are there!
