AHA! Night: Celebrating Cultures in New Bedford
The upcoming AHA! Night on September 10 will be a vibrant celebration of diverse cultures in New Bedford with the theme “NB Cultures.” Activities will be hosted at Custom House Square, 54th Regiment Plaza, and Wings Court.
Indigenous Communities Take Center Stage
AHA! is collaborating with First People Encounter for an event titled “Somos las Raices/We Are The Roots.” Starting at 4 p.m., attendees can enjoy storytelling, music, dance, and traditional crafts highlighting Native Caribbean, Borikén (Puerto Rican), Wampanoag, and other Indigenous cultures. “Everyone is welcome to stop by,” says AHA! Director Kim Goddard.
Global Traditions Across New Bedford Museums
Nearby, the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center will feature a performance by a Guatemalan dance troupe at 6 p.m., as part of its focus on Central American culture. Visitors can explore the “Casting a Wider Net” exhibit, showcasing stories from Guatemalan workers in the fishing industry.
The New Bedford Art Museum will commence activities at 5 p.m., showcasing artwork created by farmers and featuring a talk by a Rhode Island artist. Their exhibition, organized with the Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP), celebrates agricultural artistry.
Additionally, a Great Reads book discussion will be held at the New Bedford Whaling Museum starting at 5:30 p.m., focusing on Joseph Lee’s book, Nothing More of This Land: Community, Power, and the Search for Indigenous Identity.
Live Music and Cultural Performances
Live music will be a highlight of the night. Zerui DePina, a celebrated Cape Verdean artist, will perform with his band at the Verdean Vets Hall at 7:30 p.m. Other musical acts include the Jim Robitaille Trio, performing at 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30 p.m., and the return of the Zeiterion Jazz Jam from 6 to 8 p.m. Various venues will feature entertainment, including the Buttonwood Brass Band at the New Bedford Harbor Hotel.
For a complete list of events, check out the AHA! website. Remember, AHA! Night is free and open to everyone.
If you’re interested in featuring your nonprofit on Townsquare Sunday, contact the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.
Photo by Denny Müller on Unsplash.
