December 11th AHA! Night

The holidays are upon us, and there’s something for everyone on your list in downtown New Bedford. Shop local and give the gift of supporting your local economy on December 11 when AHA! celebrates all things “Made in NB.”

Bring a canned good or gently-used winter clothes to drop off at Civic Support (36 North Water St., floor 2) to help benefit Catholic Social Services.

AHA! (Arts, History and Architecture!) is a FREE family-friendly event held rain or shine on the second Thursday of each month from 5:00 to 9:00 pm in historic downtown New Bedford – but feel free to arrive early and stay late.

Here are just a few of the evening’s events. For a full list, visit www.ahanewbedford.org.

The UMass-Dartmouth College of Visual and Performing Arts Ceramics Club will hold their annual holiday sale at the Star Store (715 Purchase St.).

Shop local at New Bedford’s Craft-O-Rama Pop-Up Shop (Union and Purchase streets) featuring the best of local art, craft and design.

The New Bedford Art Museum/ArtWorks! (608 Pleasant St.) presents their Annual Holiday Boutique featuring unique holiday gifts handmade by local artists.

Swing by the South End and shop local at the Judith Klein Art Studio’s 6th Anniversary Exhibit. (127 Rodney French Blvd. Door #31).

Head to Gallery 65 (65 William St.) for the opening reception for “The Luminous Landscape,” plus a jewelry trunk show.

Alison Wells Fine Art Studio & Gallery (106 William St.) presents “Pint-Size Holiday,” a collection of small paintings, plus New Bedford-themed greeting cards.

Kids can join the 1850s Ladies in making paper tree ornaments from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Corson building at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (33 William St.).

Kids can also build historic homes with Waterfront Historic Areas League (WHALE.) They’ll work from WHALE’s “Towers, Turrets & Tenements” book, 5:00 to7:00 pm at the New Bedford Free Public Library (613 Pleasant St.). While you’re there, check out the wintery images from the art collection and archives, along with a collection of vintage snowmen.

Make your own seashell ornaments at the Buzzards Bay Coalition (114 Front St.) from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.

Vote for your favorite shop window! Some 40 downtown businesses participated in “Deck the Windows of Downtown New Bedford.” Stroll the streets and cast your vote, and then stick around for the Awards Ceremony.

Warm up with a cup of tea at “The Culture of Tea Tasting” at Gatlin’s Framing and Subtext Books (209 Union St.).

Love knots? Head to the demonstration at the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum (396 County St.), 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Plus, meet author and marine rope worker Barbara Merry, who will sign copies of Marlinspike Sailor’s Arts and Crafts: A Step-by-Step Guide to Tying Classic Sailor’s Knots to Create, Adorn and Show Off.

The New Bedford Art Museum/ArtWorks! (608 Pleasant Street) hosts “Tribute” featuring New Bedford Open Studios artists, plus their annual Juried Members Exhibition.

Head to the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park as the Working Waterfront Festival presents “Ship to Shore: Family and Community in the New Bedford Fishing Industry,” a talk by Diana Lempel at 7:30 pm.

Check out the Mayor’s Gallery at New Bedford City Hall (133 William St.) to see a sea-inspired exhibition by New Bedford artists.

‘Tis the season for holiday music! The New Bedford High School Drama Club will carol along William Street and Custom House Square. Plus Pilgrim United Congregational Church presents a Holiday Sing-a-long from 7:00 to 8:30 pm (635 Purchase St.).

WBSM DJ Phil Paleologas will broadcast live from Custom House Park, 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

Cafe Arpeggio (800 Purchase St.) hosts a special holiday concert with the String Benders from 6:00 to 7:00 pm, followed by their weekly open mic from 7:00 to 10:00 pm.

Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @ahanewbedford, and join us on Instagram @ahanewbedford.

All activities are FREE and open to the public. Year-round programming is funded in part by the Mass Cultural Council’s John and Abigail Adams Arts Program, The Island Foundation, The NEA, The City of New Bedford, the AHA! partners, individual supporters and in-kind marketing support from The Wanderer and Edible South Shore/SouthCoast. For more information, call 508-996-8253 x205.

First time visitors may want to start AHA! Night at the National Park Visitor Center (33 William Street). Complete program flyers with maps are also available at all AHA! venues starting the Tuesday prior to each event.

Directions: From I-195 E or W, take Exit 15 (Rte. 18). Follow Rte. 18 to 2nd traffic signal; take a right onto Union St. At the first traffic signal, take a right onto Second Street and take your first left for parking in Custom House Square or continue on two blocks to the Elm Street garage. On-street parking also available for free after 6:00 pm.

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