Tuesday

Sep 11, 2018 at 4:28 PM Sep 11, 2018 at 4:28 PM


NEW BEDFORD — It’s the bicentennial of Frederick Douglass, and New Bedford is celebrating the fact that #FrederickDouglassLivedHere at AHA! Night.

AHA! (Arts, History and Architecture!) is a free family-friendly event held rain or shine on the second Thursday of each month from 5 to 9 p.m. in historic downtown New Bedford.

This month’s event is sponsored by the New Bedford Local Cultural Council. Here’s just a sample of the night’s events. For a full list of events, visit ahanewbedford.org.

#FrederickDouglasslivedhere activities include:

• The New Bedford Historical Society hosts tours of the Nathan & Polly Johnson House (21 Seventh St.) — Douglass' first home as a free man— plus kids' art activities, 5:30 - 7 p.m.

The New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park (33 William St.) hosts a few awesome events:

• An exhibition of two books that belonged to Frederick Douglass while he lived in New Bedford. The 1850s ladies reminisce about their neighbor, Anna Douglass, the children, and her famous husband Frederick. Discussion on the half hour from 5 - 7:30 p.m. Take a Civil War walking tour that includes the recruiting station of the Mass 54th Regiment at 6 p. m.

• Take a Seaport ArtWalk. This year’s temporary murals and sculptures have the theme “Freedom and Equality,” inspired by Douglass and his history in New Bedford. Step off from Cork (90 Front St.) at 6 p.m.

• Kids can take part in a #frederickdouglasslivedhere activities at NBAM/Artworks! (684 Pleasant St.) from 5 to 7 p.m. and the Alison Wells Gallery (106 William St.) from 5 to 8 p.m.

Other AHA! Night activities include:

• The Centre Street Sessions wraps up the season with the Faces of Bass: Bill Miele, electric bass, Jim Robitaille, guitar, Chris Poudrier, drums.

• The Cummings Building Artist Studios host an Introduction to Macrame.

• The NBSO String Quartet pops up with songs by African-American composers at the DeMello International Center.

• Gallery X hosts two new shows: The “I Love New Bedford” Invitational, and " The Story Thus Far: Works by Scott Caroa.”

• UMD College of Visual and Performing Arts Star Store Gallery presents the Glimpse Exhibition: introducing incoming master of fine arts and post-baccalaureate graduate students.

• The Zeiterion Performing Arts Center presents Tiny Dances: 10 choreographers, one tiny stage, two street performances.

• Learn about “New Deadford,” an upcoming graphic novel by artist Fitzcarmel LaMarre at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park MakerSpace.

• New Bedford Preservation Society presents a Historic County Street walking tour.

• Bring the kids to a Batman craft, story hour, and a meet & greet at the New Bedford Free Public Library.

• Kids can learn about Buzzards Bay animals and make hermit crab crafts at Buzzards Bay Coalition’s Wheeler Bay Learning Center.

• New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center presents Faering: The Norse wooden vessel for fishing, trading, and exploring. Join Fred Sterner as he discusses this 1,000 year old design and exhibits his newly-built faering.

• Groundwork! features artworks by Marcus Cusick and Andrew Laverty. Plus catch the award-winning 2004 documentary “Farmingville.”

• Stop by the Co-Creative Center for the Women's Fund ribbon cutting and open house, the Commune-N-Tea Art and Dance Party, an opening reception for “Where Edges Meet,” a solo exhibition by Kate Hale and the Farmers Market After Hours event.