5 Entertaining AHA! Events for May 10th

AHA! is always a good time, and this Thursday evening in Downtown New Bedford should be no different. There’s always a lot going on, so I’ve tried to condense that list into the top five things to do to celebrate “art, history and architecture” in our fine city. A full schedule of events for this evening can be found here.

5) Artists come in all shapes, sizes and ages, and there are two very different art exhibitions that help prove this statement. Check out the artwork of various members of the New Bedford Police Department (572 Pleasant St.) at their open house from 5-8pm. The work of Lt. Scott Corola, Officer Elvin Ramos, and Officer Luis Sud-Martinez, as well as the poetry of Officer Charles Perry Jr. will be showcased.

4) Right up the street from the Police Station, you’ll find artwork from a more youthful generation, as the New Bedford Public Schools introduces the District Wide Art Show at the Paul Roderigues Administration Building (455 County Street). It’s a collection of artwork from students around the city. Over 3,000 pieces will be shown, and an awards ceremony begins at 6pm. The event goes from 4:30 to 7:30pm.

3) Percussionist royal hartigan will lead the Kekeli African Music and Dance Ensemble in live performance on Purchase St. from 5:30 to 7pm. Over 80 members of the ensemble that “draws from African American/jazz musical traditions, integrating rhythms, songs, and approaches from West Africa, Asia, Native America, West Asia, and Europe,” according to hartigan’s website.

2) Cork (90 Front St.) will feature “Soapbox Social: The Uncorked Edition,” which is an opportunity for local storytellers to get up and talk about their own personal experiences. The theme they’ll be waxing on is “May Day.” I’ve heard plenty of storytellers in my time spent around Downtown, so I’d imagine that there should be some interesting stories spun this Thursday evening.

1) UGLYgallery presents an exhibit called “Stuck-Up,” which is a traveling show featuring the sticker collection of DB Burkeman. He has been collecting these stickers for over 40 years, and it shows. UGLY will attempt to squeeze in nineteen other panels of stickers that were formerly at the New Bedford Art Museum over the past two weeks or so, so it’s your last and only chance to see the exhibit locally and all within one building.