We’re back, baby! After a month’s hiatus, AHA! makes its ’15 debut on February 12 when the theme is “Tall Tales.”
AHA! (Art, 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.
Got a tale? Is it tall? Tell it at the ”Tell A Tall Tale” competition at the New Bedford Art Museum/ArtWorks! (608 Pleasant St.). Participants may tell a two-minute original or classic. Sign-ups begin at 5:00 pm. Competition is from 6:30 to 7:30 pm.
Family Story Night at Buzzards Bay Coalition (114 Front St.) Kids can listen to ocean adventure stories, color and make crafts from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.
Hear a story, tell a story or take home a book at “Way Cool Storytelling.” New Bedford Unitarian Church (corner of Union, County and 8th streets.), 5:30 to 7:30 pm.
It’s tall “tails” with the Lloyd Center for the Environment at the New Bedford Free Public Library (613 Pleasant St.). Kids can observe and hold whale artifacts from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.
Head to Tales & WHALE at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (33 William St.) for:
– Historical and hysterical “mad libs” with 1850s Lady Ruth.
– “No Trains, No Tunnels,” a lecture about New Bedford and the Underground Railroad with the New Bedford Historical Society, 6:00 to 7:00 pm in the Corson Theater.
– Nostalgia Night with WHALE (the Waterfront Historic Areas LEague). View WHALE’s 52-year collection of photos and listen to historic era music from 5:30 to 7:30 pm in the Corson building.
Stop by the Seamen’s Bethel (15 Johnny Cake Hill) for the Schooner Ernestina’s Birthday Celebration & Maritime Tall Tales, plus singing and cake from 6:00 to 7:00 pm.
Pilgrim United Congregational Church (635 Purchase St.) hosts local poet and playwright Richard Pacheco from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
The Culture of Tea Tasting continues at Gatlin’s Framing and Subtext Books (209 Union St.).
Kids activities with New Bedford Parks, Recreation and Beaches at the New Bedford Free Public Library (613 Pleasant St.)
FREE admission to select galleries at the New Bedford Whaling Museum (18 Johnny Cake Hill) Plus! The first lecture in the 25th annual Sailors’ Series, featuring Llewellyn Howland III, titled “No Ordinary Being: An Introduction to the Life and Times of W. Starling Burgess.” Reception starts at 6:00 pm followed by a 7:00 pm lecture. Cost is $20, $15 for museum members.
The New Bedford Art Museum/ArtWorks! (608 Pleasant Street) hosts four new shows:
– “Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts: Celebrating Craftsmanship, Creativity & Community”
– “Urban Narratives,” the work of Hungarian textile artist, Eszter Bornemisza
– “Masters of the Japanese Print,” exhibited prints from the collection of the New Bedford Free Public Library
– “Floating Stone,” furniture by Michael Pietragalla
TL6 the gallery (100 William St.) hosts work by metal-smiths Arianna Swink and Jenny Liscombe-Newman, and jelly tasting by Sprig Savory Herb & Pepper Jellies.
Swing by the South End to check out Judith Klein Art Studio’s “Rouge,” a 12-artist exhibit featuring painting, photography and mixed-media sculpture, plus jewelry and silk hand-painted scarves just in time for Valentine’s Day. (127 Rodney French Blvd. Door #31)
The Wall at Travessia Urban Winery (760 Purchase Street) presents local artist Fitzcarmel LaMarre’s exhibition “The Ambassadors of Peace.” Meet the artist and taste local wines from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.
Opening Reception for “The Party Platform,” drawings and handmade shoes by Chris Donovan, at Gallery 65 (65 William Street). Plus a Special Event! Trunk Show featuring Howland Designs clothing and accessories, 5:00 to 9:00 pm.
Amore! Artistic musings on the subject of love at Gallery X (169 William St.)
Café Arpeggio (800 Purchase St.) presents Sy Yules & Family at 6:00 pm followed by Weekly Open Mic from 7:00 to 10:00 pm.
Joaquin Santos and Friends at Cork Wine and Tapas (90 Front St.)
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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 Route 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.