Free Events, Art Exhibits, and Live Music: What to Expect at Downtown New Bedford’s Next AHA! Night

AHA! Night in downtown New Bedford is October 8, and there's a long list of free events for visitors to enjoy. That list includes five art-related exhibits at the soon-to-be-reopened Star Store building. AHA! Director Kim Goddard visited Townsquare Sunday to highlight the agenda for AHA! Night.

Art Exhibits and Activities at the Reopened Star Store

"The entire lobby of the Star Store is going to be activated with art exhibits and hands-on activities," Goddard said. "One exhibit is called 'The American Dream," featuring the work of 10 different artists detailing how the American dream has inspired their work."

Live Music, Pumpkin Parades, and Family Entertainment

Also, the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum hosts a Pumpkin Parade, with a performance by the Toe Jam Puppet Band.

Once again, there is plenty of live music to enjoy on AHA! Night, including at Luisa Edit/House of Gamboa from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 121 Union Street. Award-winning, independent vocalist Tamari will perform as part of a celebration of a new business downtown.

All events on AHA! Night are free and open to the public. Visit ahanewbedford.org for a complete list of events, times and venues.

Dancers in traditional Ukrainian folk costumes performing on a stage with colorful ribbons

Honoring Norwegian Fishing Families at the Heritage Center

Also stopping by was Joe Ritter, Programs Director at the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center on Bethel Street. The Center is hosting a celebration of its own on October 8, honoring the contributions of Norwegian families to the New Bedford fishing industry.

"So many of the local fishing-related businesses, vessel owners, and fishing family names that you see locally along the waterfront can trace their roots back to coastal communities in Norway," Ritter said.

"On October 8, we're going to take the opportunity from 5-8 p.m. to dive into the seafaring culture of Norwegian families in New Bedford and Fairhaven, along with their history and traditions," he said.

Ritter said presenters will be dressed in traditional costumes and showing examples of Norwegian folk art.

Get our free mobile app

Cold War Freedom Story Featured in Free Film Screening

There will also be a free showing of the documentary film The Jump on October 16 at 7 p.m. at the Whaling National Historical Park auditorium.

It's the story of a Lithuanian seaman onboard a Soviet fishing-factory vessel who leaped onto a U.S. Coast Guard cutter off Martha's Vineyard in 1970 in a bid for freedom. Simas Kudirka's effort to escape the Soviet Union set off a series of political and legal skirmishes during the Cold War between the Soviets and the U.S.

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