THIS MONTH BROUGHT TO YOU BY
Start Your AHA! Adventure At The New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitor Center
The AHA! website will be available for you to look at along with Park staff and volunteers ready to answer any questions you may have. The Visitor Center (33 William St) is
open 10am-8pm on AHA!
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.
Planning To AHA! IRL?
All of the AHA! partners have their own masking requirements. We recommend you carry a mask with you at all times so you don’t miss out on any of the AHA! festivities.
Schedule
3:00 PM
Craft a Chef Hat with NBAM & Decorate a Candy Apple at Youth Services!
Join the New Bedford Art Museum’s Learning studio to crafting chef hats and explore culture through cookbooks!
All families are welcome to join us on AHA night to decorate a candy apple with no registration required.
Available while supplies last.
New Bedford Whaling Museum
Stop by the majestic New Bedford Whaling Museum and visit the many current exhibitions including; ” Sailing To Freedom: Maritime Dimensions of the Underground Railroad”, “The Azorean Spirit: The Art of Domingos Rebêlo”, as well as a local artists showcase.
Seaport Art Walk
Head towards the waterfront to catch this year’s exhibit, “Open Spaces,” where sculptures and murals were created to reflect or comment on the idea of creating open space for our minds and our souls, like the wilderness, the vast ocean, meditation, parks, nature, and opening ourselves to healing and love. This juried outdoor exhibition will be on view July through October.
This year’s exhibition is presented by New Bedford Creative, and funded in part by New Bedford Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, as well as the city of New Bedford’s Arts, Culture and Tourism Fund, and Bristol County Savings Bank.
New Bedford’s annual Seaport Art Walk was founded in 2013 by artist Jessica Bregoli, and was the city’s first large format outdoor public art installation. Each summer, sculpture and murals are strategically placed along New Bedford’s working waterfront and Seaport Cultural District.
4:00 PM
Late Night Exploring at The Drawing Room
The Drawing Room is open until 9:00pm for September AHA! It’s a relaxing time to explore our artist collections and expand your palette with our complimentary wine tastings; possibly start thinking about your Holiday Wish List.
Stop in and discover something beautiful.
5 Pillars of Hip Hop
Music constructed by the main conductor of Hip Hop – DJing (Aural) is what we’re bringing to you for this episode! Learn all about it and more at this month’s showcase!
Big Chan and Seddie bring you this month’s 5 Pillars Of Hip Hop (DJing) featuring amazing artists. Come by and vibe in person or tune in online and be a part of this series!
This is the 4th of 5 monthly events, Every 2nd Thursday from May – September. This series explores the Pillars of Hip Hop – MCing (oral), DJing (aural) breaking (physical), graffiti (visual) , knowledge (mental) through performance, visual art, and sharing. Find out more about the Five Pillars, and the origin of these traditions. This event will be located at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park outside in the garden, weather permitting. Come by and vibe with us!
Family Design Day: Community Mural
Help create a neighborhood collage of New Bedford! Drop by to add your creative touch to this community mural during August 11th AHA! night. DATMA will have collage materials, glue, paints, markers, and many more art supplies at the event.
Visit DATMA’s 3 free Shelter 2022 exhibitions downtown for even more inspiration & to learn about key historical buildings downtown and along Abolition Row.
4:30 PM
Youth Summer Nights Program Exhibit
The Department of Community Services’ Invest-in-Kids Program partnered
with the New Bedford Art Museum/Artworks!, the YWCA of Southeastern
Massachusetts, and the Dream Out Loud Creative Career Center to provide a free summer program in New Bedford for students entering grades 5-9.
Participants from the program will engage with the community through an exhibition in NBAM’s The Peoples Gallery.
5:00 PM
Historic Seaman’s Bethel Tours
Founded in 1830, the New Bedford Port Society maintains the historic Seamen’s Bethel located in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. Serving the maritime community for over 175 years, the Bethel also served as the inspiration for the setting for scenes from 1956 film adaptation of Herman Melville’s novel, Moby Dick. Come visit and sit in Herman Melville’s pew.
Open for tours from 5:00pm – 6:00pm.
Meet “Wherever I Go” Author Mary Wagley Copp and Illustrator Munir Mohammed
Join the Massachusetts Center for the Book for a storywalk, crafts, and meet local author Mary Wagley Copp (Westport) and Illustrator Munir Mohammed (Providence) for free books of “Wherever I Go”. Event will be in the Youth Services space-indoors at the Main library.
33rd Annual Public Hanging Art Show
33rd Annual Public Hanging Art Show (or PH33): Gallery X celebrates 33 years of showcasing contemporary art and music in New Bedford with our largest show of the year! PH33 is the annual open call, salon style exhibition where artists are invited to exhibit any work of their choosing. Nearly 200 works by over 50 artists fill the walls of both gallery spaces.
Art & Music on William Street
In the gallery, View & shop original Artwork, Giclee Prints and a large restock of your favorite Note Cards. Outside the gallery on William Street we will be hosting a few pop-up Artists showcasing and selling their art work. 5:00pm-8:00pm
Alison Wells Gallery & Celia’s Boutique in collaboration with AHA New Bedford bring to you ‘Summer Vibes on William St’. Put on your dancing shoes and enjoy Live Cape Verdean Music featuring one of New Bedford’s finest Guitarists/Vocalists “Amilton Tavares and Friends” 5:30-7:30pm
South Coast Brass Band
Keep your eyes and ears out for local favorites South Coast Brass Band as they play on the move downtown. See where they will pop up next!
Make Your Own Ice Cream Sundae & More!
Come and join Mercy Meals & More for AHA! Night at Pilgrim UCC. Create your own tropical fish out of seashells plus make your own ice cream sundaes for a refreshing treat.
Site Tours
Stop by and get a tour of the historic First Unitarian Church in New Bedford. Don’t miss the Tiffany glass mosaic! First Unitarian Church is a liberal, progressive religious community. We come together to support each other in living lives of integrity, service, and love.
DATMA Community Mural Event
Join The National Park and DATMA as they team up to bring you live mural painting in the park garden.
nps.gov/nebe/index.htm
facebook.com/NewBedfordNPS
Summer Exhibit
Meet the artist,closing reception . Invited artist group exhibit.
Flora Fauna Mural Celebration
Flora Fauna is a project that celebrates the nature in and around New Bedford. Meet the artists and enjoy live music by Mike Heffernan! Presented by Superflat NB, Superflat NB is a creative placemaking, mural art project dedicated to beautifying New Bedford while flattening barriers to the arts.
Celebrate Summer with the Buzzards Bay Coalition!
Stop by the Buzzards Bay Coalition and let us plan your next outdoor adventure! Learn about the many free ways to step outside and enjoy the beautiful Bay.
Making Waves: Historic Women of the Port of New Bedford
Women have shaped and been shaped by the historic port of New Bedford for centuries. Join Lighting the Way experts Ann O’Leary and Mary Howland Smoyer for a special AHA! (Arts, History, Architecture) night Summer in the Seaport walking tour featuring the stories of women who will give you new insights into the whaling and fishing industries as well as the city’s historic role in the Underground Railroad. Along the way you’ll meet philanthropists, an abolitionist, an entrepreneur, an Azorean heritage advocate, and a lumper.
Jeff Angeley’s Foo Foo Band / Mass Healthcare Connector Fair
Inside the Center, kids can make their own shaker instruments to join a Foo Foo Band led by New Bedford musician Jeff Angeley! A “foo foo band” is an 19th century term referring to an impromptu band made up of a fishing vessel’s crew. Jeff and the kids will get together for a performance parade around the Center and on Bethel Street!
Simultaneously, in the parking lot at the Center, Mass Healthcare Connector will be hosting a fair involving games, a DJ spinning family-friendly tunes, a bubble show, a balloon artist, and booths for all event partners.
5:30 PM
The Blue Revolution: Hunting, Harvesting, and Farming Seafood in the Information Age
Nicholas Sullivan will be giving a talk on his new book, “The Blue Revolution: Hunting, Harvesting, and Farming Seafood in the Information Age”, looking at commercial fishing in the post-industrial world.
Summer Vibes on William Street
Celia’s Boutique and Alison Wells Gallery in collaboration with AHA New Bedford, bring to you “Summer Vibes on William Street”. Put on your dancing shoes and enjoy Live Cape Verdean Music featuring one of New Bedford’s finest Guitarists/Vocalists “Amilton Tavares and Friends”.
www.alisonwells.com
https://www.instagram.com/alisonwellsart/
Bubbles, Balloons, and Bands in New Bedford
Sponsored by The Massachusetts Health Connector in Partnership with the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, and Navigators from Fishing Partnership Support Services and PACE. We are excited to bring this fun Community Event to the people of New Bedford!
WNB One Radio will be live playing family friendly tunes while entertainers sculpt balloon creations and Silly Sally performs her hands on bubble fun production. All participants will have a turn playing games such as big Jenga, blow-up bowling and table skee ball
Foo Foo bands were impromptu 19th century bands made of a fishing vessel’s crew. Jeff Angeley will lead a program that includes making Foo Foo band instruments and he will lead a special musical performance using the instrumental creations at 7:30pm.
https://fishingheritagecenter.org/
Joaquin Santos Band
Join the Joaquin Santos Band for music at the Centre Street Jazz Wall.
Joaquin Santos, drums and leader; Wali – guitar; Seth Woodruff, bass; Adonis Martin, keyboards.
Sets at 5:30 and 7:15.
6:00 PM
Open Poetry Mic Night
Join ANOMALY Poetry for their monthly open mic night. Come express yourself or sit back with a cup of joe and enjoy the show.
https://www.facebook.com/cocreativecenter
Ukulele Concert
Grab Your Hawaiian Necklaces and dance to The Unlikely Strummers Ukulele Concert with New Bedford Art Museum for summer crafts!
Sheltered: “A Night of Music, Art & Poetry”
Sheltered: “A Night of Music, Art & Poetry” is sponsored by New Bedford Historical society and features live music with saxophonist Manny Escobar and special guest, New Bedford poet Iva Brito.
Iva’s poetry speaks of her Afrikan Cabo Verdean roots as well as her connection to ancestral spirituality, her commitment to social justice and her passion for the Arts.
UMass Dartmouth University Art Gallery in Downtown New Bedford proudly presents “Sheltered”, an exhibition curated by Alison Wells in collaboration with Viera Levitt, featuring work by Women Artists of Color from diverse cultural backgrounds and unique perspectives. This contemporary exploration combines historical & present-day narratives that deal with the concept of Safety, Protection and Home through the work of artists Gloretta Baynes, L’Merchie Frazier, Ekua Holmes, Meclina Priestly, Corinne Spencer and Alison Wells.
www.umassd.edu/cvpa/universityartgallery/
Thank you to Lee Blake, President of the New Bedford Historical Society.
Gallery X Unplugged featuring Denise Bastos
Gallery X Unplugged is a free live music series sponsored in part by a grant from the New Bedford Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency as well as support from the Symphony Music Shop, Whaling City Sound, Fiber Optic Center, and the Friends & Family of Joe Rapoza.
https://www.facebook.com/GalleryXNewBedford
The New Bedford Preservation Society presents: Summer Walking Tour Series
AHA! Mini-Concert at PLAY Arcade Roofdeck with Scapeghost
Please join us for the August VAHA! Mini-Concert, featuring an artist with South Coast connections performing in a downtown New Bedford business.
Our featured artist is Scapeghost, the latest project by New Bedford-based songwriter and sound sculptor Scott Bishop. “No Country” is the latest Scapeghost single, as well as the second Wave from NBWaves, a project created with support from the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. The music from this project was created in part by using sounds recorded around New Bedford, including a sample created from Play Arcade’s air hockey machine. Additional songs from the project will be released in the next couple of months, with a CD version of the full project arriving in the fall.
https://scapeghostsounds.bandcamp.com/
Instagram and Facebook: @ScapeghostSounds
We’re delighted to have PLAY Arcade host the August AHA! Mini-Concert for Summer in the Seaport. PLAY is an old school 80’s style arcade offering a full-service bar with craft made drinks and food. The arcade recently converted the old National Club space into a Star Wars-themed dining and gaming area, making even more room for fun, good times, and amazing murals.
http://www.playarcadenb.com/
Instagram and Facebook: @playarcadenb
Stage Artistry Studios Musical Block Party
Join Stage Artistry Studios on Aug 11th from 6:00-7:30pm at their 471 Union Street location for a block party filled with singing, dancing and all things theatre. Come take a tour of their one of a kind studio and watch their talented students performing some exciting Broadway style numbers! Refreshments and family friendly performance free to the public!
Free Learning Studio Art Kits at NBFPL
Art Museum Educators will be on-site at the New Bedford Free Public Library offering FREE “Summer in the Seaport” themed crafts from 6PM – 8PM as part of their Learning Studio Program. Learning Studio is a free early literacy arts program which provides children resources that teach and promote the importance of reading, communication, and artmaking in early years of learning.
Youth Services Librarian Bethany Coito has curated a special list of books for the event. Free art kits are available while supplies last. This program is funded by the Polaroid Fund of the SouthCoast Community Foundation.
Whaling History Alliance Concert Series
Listen to The Bigg It Band play cover tunes from the 70s to the present. Presented by the Whaling History Alliance in collaboration with New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and the City of New Bedford.
6:30 PM
Look Up Above For All Continuing Activities Through 6:30!
7:00 PM
Joaquin Santos Band
Join the Joaquin Santos Band again at 7:15 for music at the Centre Street Jazz Wall.
Joaquin Santos, drums and leader; Wali – guitar; Seth Woodruff, bass; Adonis Martin, keyboards.
Sets at 5:30 and 7:15.
“Candida”
Candida Rose will be screening the documentary film entitled “Candida,” the story of a second-generation Cabo Verdean American vocalist and songwriter who returns to Cabo Verde to explore traditional Cabo Verdean music and its influence beyond the archipelago nation. The film will be followed by a presentation and performance from Candida Rose, and a Q&A with the artist and filmmaker, Rosalyn Negron.
We hope to see you there! This event is FREE and open to the public.
7:30 PM
Shakespeare in NB Presents: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Reverie Theatre Group, formerly the Glass Horse Project, proudly presents another thrilling summer of Shakespeare in New Bedford! Join us in a fanciful forest outside Athens where sprites and fairies laugh and frolic, where magic lies in the earth, and love is in the air. Through bog, through bush, through brake, through brier, we’re here to play. Donations of any amount are accepted in lieu of a fee.
This program is supported in part by grants from the Acushnet, Dartmouth, Mattapoisett, Fairhaven, and New Bedford Cultural Councils, local agencies, which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
This project received a Wicked Cool Places grant, facilitated by New Bedford Creative and the NBEDC, and funded by the City of New Bedford’s Arts, Culture and Tourism Fund, with additional support from Bristol County Savings Bank, Barr Foundation, Mass Cultural Council, and MassDevelopment’s “TDI Creative Cities Initiative.”
DOORS AT 7:OOPM
8:00 PM
