AHA! Night Returns to New Bedford With ‘Project Planet’ Theme

This month's AHA! Night in New Bedford is Thursday, April 9, with programs and events throughout the downtown. This month's theme is "Project Planet."

New Bedford Custom House Square Hosts Main Events

Kim Goddard, Executive Director of AHA!, stopped by Townsquare Sunday to preview some of the events. Goddard said many of the events will be centered around Custom House Square starting at 5 p.m.

"There will be a number of environment-related organizations on hand, with useful information, plus we'll be having a raffle," she said. "T'em Blessed will return to MC the event and will introduce this year's Planet Protectors: Bernadette Souza of Youth Opportunities Unlimited, and Deidre Healy, a volunteer who has organized the Protect the Planet Parade for 25 years, and is now retiring."

Goddard said more than 200 people will take part in the parade, representing 21 different organizations, including floats and the SouthCoast Brass Band.

Climate and Ocean Programs at New Bedford Whaling Museum

There will also be two different programs at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. One is "Explore Our Ecosystem: Climate Change, Whales and Us." The second is an Ocean Science and Art Showcase, featuring the work of students from Our Sisters' School in Dartmouth. Both presentations begin at 4 p.m.

Art Exhibits and Student Showcases

Art is always a major part of AHA! Night, and this month will feature exhibits at the New Bedford Art Museum. Graduate students from the UMass Dartmouth College of Visual and Performing Arts will display and talk about their thesis artwork during a reception starting at 6 p.m. Admission is free. There is also a scavenger hunt planned for those ages 13 and older.

There are also two exhibits at Gallery X on William Street. "Ben Berke has been a reporter covering Southeastern Mass for NPR," Goddard said. "His exhibit is called 'Dead Whale City' and consists of 18 color photographs of New Bedford. It should be interesting."

The second exhibit is titled "Patchwork," featuring the work of 50 local and regional artists.

New Bedford's Star Store Returns to AHA! Night

The Star Store building, now being renovated, will be back in the mix on April 9. The building will be the site of a national juried art exhibition titled "Curious Figure 3," highlighting contemporary figurative artists. Artists from 21 states will display their work, and the public is invited to attend a reception at 5 p.m. where the winners will be announced.

"Star Store is starting to be open on AHA! Nights, and we couldn't be happier," Goddard said. "It's just wonderful to see the lights on at that corner, and what a wonderful way to use that space."

These are just a fraction of the events happening on AHA! Night on April 9 in downtown New Bedford. A complete list is available on the AHA! website.

If you would like your nonprofit organization featured on Townsquare Sunday, please email the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.