Party like it’s 1999 on September 12!
New Bedford, MA – All are welcome to the most fantastic birthday bash of the year! On Thursday, September 12, 2024, AHA@25 welcomes all ages to the streets of New Bedford to celebrate its 25th anniversary as AHA! celebrates its history and looks to the future of AHA! New Bedford. There will be a few surprises in addition to dancing in the streets, live music, a 90s-costume contest, kids activities, a pub crawl, circus arts, and of course, birthday cake for the hundreds of participants.
In 1999, a collaboration between city leaders, representing artists, businesses, churches, non-profits and other stakeholders resulted in the launch of AHA!, an innovative approach to arts and culture programming. The idea was simple: create unique, interactive, and free programming throughout the downtown streets monthly and invite everyone downtown. Since its founding, AHA! has been a steady and joyful presence on the streets of downtown New Bedford each month, becoming a showcase for the talent and vitality of its community while bringing thousands of people downtown. Several currently known artists have performed during AHA! throughout the years including award-winning musicians Grace Potter and Esperanza Spaulding, and pianist and music director for Tony Bennett, Tim Ray.
“For 25 years, AHA! has thrived because of the incredible support and contributions of our programming partners and the Greater New Bedford community,” commented Kim Goddard, Executive Director of AHA! New Bedford. “We look forward to toasting the next 25 and having everyone join us for a big outdoor street party to celebrate AHA’s journey and the collective spirit that has made downtown a vibrant hub for arts and culture. The night will reflect what makes AHA! so special – a unique, creative blend of art, music, and history experiences.”
On September 12, the block party festivities will kick off at 4pm and take place in three main areas within the historic Seaport Cultural District, the New Bedford Whaling Museum plaza and parking lot, the Fiber Optic Center’s loading dock on Centre Street, and front and lower Union Street overlooking the waterfront.
AHA@25 is made possible thanks to the generous support of sponsors, BankFive, Lanagan, Long, Mallowes & Peters, South Coast Almanac, and Whaling City Sound. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. If interested, please contact Kim Goddard at ahadirector@southcoastcf.org.
About AHA!
AHA! (Art, History, Architecture) New Bedford takes place on the second Thursday of each month, eleven months out of the year, offering free arts and culture experiences for all in and around the historic Seaport Cultural District of downtown New Bedford. AHA! Seaport Sessions is supported in part by a grant from the New Bedford cultural council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. AHA! Moments is supported in part by the Art is Everywhere grant, funded by the City of New Bedford, through American Rescue Plan awards, and its Arts, Culture and Tourism Fund, and is facilitated by New Bedford Creative at the New Bedford Economic and Development Council. For more details, please visit www.ahanewbedford.org
Featured image: The June AHA! Block Party. AHA! New Bedford photo.