New Bedford AHA Night to Feature Project Planet Parade

The list of activities and entertainment on AHA Night in New Bedford is almost mind-boggling. There is something going on in downtown New Bedford on April 10 from mid-afternoon to late night, and all are free and open to the public.

AHA Executive Director Kim Goddard visited Townsquare Sunday to highlight some of the major events going on, spotlighting the arts, history and architecture in the Whaling City.

"Project Planet is the theme of this month's AHA night," she said. "It's a nod to Earth Day which is celebrated on April 22nd. The Project Planet procession will take place at 5:15 p.m., starting at the intersection of Pleasant and Market Streets."

The procession will begin after the ceremonial crowning of Mother Earth and Father Ocean. Hip hop artist Tem Blessed will again host the event, and he'll be joined by Mayor Jon Mitchell.

The downtown public library will also be a "hub" for AHA night in April, hosting a North American Wild Flower exhibit, and the launch of the Cape Verdean Association's new coloring book that highlights our local Cape Verdean community.

Also on tap, a hands-on workshop where you can contribute to a community art project, "Being Seen: Celebrating Southcoast Pride," to be displayed at New Bedford City Hall later this year.

The Whaling Museum will also be a busy spot on April 10, hosting a display about plastic pollution in our oceans, and a guided conversation about exploring the intersection between art, science and environmental sustainability. Also, senior UMass Dartmouth students will present their projects focusing on emerging challenges in marine and coastal biodiversity conservation.

Projects continue throughout the evening, with a discussion on growing roses at the  Rotch-Jones-Duff House, sculpture at the New Bedford Art Museum and music at several venues. A complete schedule of events, times and locations can be found at the AHA Nights New Bedford website.

"The core of AHA's success is collaboration," Goddard said. "All of the contributors and partners know about the AHA Nights, and they schedule activities on the second Thursday of the month, leaning in to engage the public in this way."

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