Several events are planned in New Bedford throughout Memorial Day weekend to honor the courageous men and women who lost their lives serving the United States of America.

Saturday, May 26^th, 2012

9:00 am at Rural Cemetery

The Greater New Bedford Civil War Round Table will conduct a memorial exercise at the Union Soldier’s Burial Site at Rural Cemetery, 149 Dartmouth Street.

*American Legion Post 1 will be placing flags on veterans’ graves at Rural Cemetery.

Sunday, May 27^th, 2012

10:30am at Pine Grove Cemetery

New Bedford Post 1, The American Legion will conduct a Memorial Day Exercise at the Veterans’ plot in Pine Grove Cemetery.

12:00pm at New Bedford City Hall

New Bedford Post 1, The American Legion will conduct a Memorial Day Exercise at the Vietnam Veterans’ Honor Roll at New Bedford City Hall on the William Street side of the building.

Monday, May 28^th, 2012 (Memorial Day)

8:15am at Rural Cemetery

New Bedford Post 1, The American Legion will conduct a Memorial Day Exercise at the Veterans’ Plot in Rural Cemetery.

10:00am at St. Mary’s Cemetery

New Bedford Post 1, The American Legion will conduct a Memorial Day Exercise at the Veterans’ Plot in St. Mary’s Cemetery

10:00am at Pier 3

Annual Memorial Day Fisherman’s Service, Pier 3, New Bedford Waterfront

11:30am Intersection of Parker Street & Hathaway Boulevard

The Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Day Committee will conduct their Annual Memorial Day Parade and Services leaving from the intersection of Parker Street and Hathaway Boulevard. The Parade will form at11:00 am at the intersection of Parker Street and Hathaway Boulevard and will step off at 11:30 am. The Parade will travel East on Parker Street to County Street, North on County Street to Pope Street, and East on Pope Street into Clasky Park where a Memorial Day Ceremony will take place.

Immediately following the parade at Clasky Common Park

A Memorial Day Exercise will be conducted at the Korean War Monument in Clasky Common Park.

1:30pm at the Cape Verdean American Veterans Association, 561 Purchase Street

The Cape Verdean American Veterans Association will show a documentary film on the Tuskegee Airmen and will honor the late George Silva Lima, a Tuskegee Airman, Rhode Island State Representative, civil rights champion, and national hero.

“Palavras e Pinturas: Historias de Portugal” (Words and Paintings: Histories of Portugal), a free public exhibition of works by Karen E. da Silva, Ph.D. will be on view June 7-10 in the Jacobs Family Gallery, New Bedford Whaling Museum, part of Day of Portugal weekend celebrations.

An author and artist, Dr. da Silva is American born. She is an educator and lives in Shelton, Connecticut with her husband, Augusto, who was born in central Portugal. In their frequent travels toPortugal, Karen was deeply inspired by the beauty, way of life, traditions, and culture of the country. She captured it in her daily journals in words and pictures, recorded the stories that Augusto told about growing up there, and painted from sketches and photographs in her home studio. The exhibition includes these stories in words and pictures as well as the nine picture books that she has written.

Of the exhibition, the artist noted, “My goal in this work is to honor the beauty and spirit of Portugal, its culture and traditions, and to let children and adults see how words and pictures work together to tell stories, to celebrate memories of childhood, and to inspire others to tell their stories. A good story becomes everyone’s story.”

This exhibition is sponsored by the Consulate of Portugal, New Bedford; Committee for the Day of Portugal; Portuguese United for Education; Azorean Maritime Heritage Society; and WJFD.

The New Bedford Whaling Museum is the world’s most comprehensive museum devoted to the global story of whales, whaling and the cultural history of the region. The cornerstone of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, the Museum is located at 18 Johnny Cake Hill in the heart of the city’s historic downtown. For events: www.whalingmuseum.org.

The Tree is a multi-faceted, genre-melding seven-piece band based out of New Bedford and UMass Dartmouth.  This Friday, May 25th, they’ll play their biggest show to date—they will be headlining at the Hard Rock Café in Boston.

There are plenty of reasons to see The Tree perform.  For one, they’re a lot of fun.  But here’s a list of five other reasons to ship up to Boston and check them out.

5. There’s a party bus:  The Tree has arranged a bus to transport people to and from Boston so that no one has to drive (so they can drink).  Anyone who’s been on one of the past bus trips can attest to the fact that the bus may be almost as fun as the actual show (pretty much anything goes).  The bus will meet at Custom House Square in Downtown at 7:30pm.  Don’t forget to bring your dancing shoes.

4.  It’s cheap:  It’s $10 to ride the bus, and your show ticket can be purchased on the bus for another $10.  You can contact drummer Matt Cavanaugh once you get there to purchase your tickets.

3.  There’s only few shows left before the band goes on hiatus:  Because the members of The Tree come from all over the state, they won’t play as many local shows during the summer.  The members of the band who are students at UMass will return home for the summer, so it’s harder for them to coordinate shows.  Also, look for them to play the Middle East Downstairs on July 28.

2.  They will be playing new material:  Those who have seen The Tree before can speak of the band’s musical prowess and the energy they bring to each show.  That being said, their following has grown used to some of their older stuff.  I’m very excited to hear some of the new material.  “Everyone’s been practicing.  All us vocalists have been practicing.  Its gonna be wild,” said rapper/singer Brandon Cabral, aka B-eZ.  “We want to get people on these busses to rage with us.”

1.  It’s Boston, and it’s at the Hard Rock:  The members of The Tree are very excited to be returning to Boston.  They’ve played shows at Church and at Precinct in Somerville, but this is their biggest show to date.  “It was really cool to break into Boston at the smaller venues, and to break into the bigger venues just off the sheer fact that we’ve gained more of a following and kind of earned the right to play bigger venues is really exciting for us,” said rapper/singer Christian Garris, aka HiLoe.

For those not taking the bus, the show starts at 7:30.  The Tree will be on last, and Strange Machines, Skinny Cleveland, and Phillip Cohen will precede them.

This weekend kicks of the the major event season in New Bedford. There are 11 major events and festivals between now and the end of October with three of them occurring this weekend. All of these and other events can be found on our Event Calendar. Here are 10 things to do this weekend.

FRIDAY, MAY 18TH

New Bedford Jazz Festival (6-10pm)

The New Bedford Jazz Festival will be hosted at Custom House Square in New Bedford’s Historic District and National Park. Headlining the event will be Gerry Gibbs and the Electric Thrasher Orchestra featuring Nicholas Payton and Dave Liebman. Whaling City Sound recording artist Gerry Gibbs has been playing Miles Davis’ music for over 20 years and recorded his own tribute to the legendary CD Bitches Brew entitled Gerry Gibbs and the Electric Thrasher Orchestra Play Miles Davis 1967-1975 in 2010. Full details on the event here.

The Divorcees and J.Kelley Band (10pm – 1am)

The J.Kelley Band and the Divorcees take over the Blackwatch Pub (266 Dartmouth Street, New Bedford). Check out the Divorcees Know You the Best music video and the J.Kelley Shake You Music video (both shot downtown New Bedford) to get a sample of their music.

SATURDAY, MAY 19TH

Operation Clean Sweep – Ward 5 (8:30am – 12pm)

Operation Clean Sweep, a New Bedford based anti-litter organization, will hold a neighborhood cleanup on Saturday, May 19, 2012 in Ward 5 from 8:30 am until Noon. The Ward 5 cleanup will be hosted by SouthCoast Hospitals Group and headquarters will be located in the St. Luke’s Hospital parking lot at Hawthorn and Page Streets. SouthCoast Hospitals Group will provide breakfast for volunteers in the morning and lunch will be provided by Domino’s Pizza, “The Official Pizza” of Operation Clean Sweep. Gifts to Give, FUN 107, and the Southcoast Health Van will be onsite.

New Bedford Airport Fun Day (10am – 4pm)

At the New Bedford Regional Airport there will be performances by local dance studios, karate demonstrations, Mad Science of Southeastern Mass, formation flying, aircraft displays, skydivers, airplane rides, Buttonwood Park Zoo’s Zoo Choo, and so much more! Full details here.

UMass Dartmouth Senior Art Exhibit (1-4pm)

UMass Dartmouth is proud to present the  College of Visual & Performing Arts (CVPA) Senior Exhibit! This is the first time that Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography, and Digital Media majors will be exhibiting their senior degree projects all in one day! The UMass Dartmouth CVPA Senior Exhibit will be on Saturday May 19th, from 1-4pm in the College of Visual & Performing Arts, and will feature over one hundred graduating UMass Dartmouth CVPA seniors. Please join us a truly incredible experience and witness work from very talented students who represent the future of art and design. More information about the show and the individual students can be found at www.cvpaseniorexhibit.com. All are welcome to attend. Admittance is free. Refreshments will be served. Parking in lots 7, 8, and 10.

Opening of the Bay Celebration (6-11pm)

Kick-off the summer season by joining us for the 6th annual Opening of the Bay Celebration! Last year, the Opening of the Bay fundraiser provided 135 scholarships to low income at-risk youth from Greater New Bedford to participate in our summer programs. Come join us for a night of dining and dancing while helping to a make a difference in our community. This year we anticipate another sell-out crowd of 500 Southcoast residents dancing the night away under the tent overlooking Buzzards Bay from New Bedford’s Fort Taber Park! Facebook event created here.

Bowfire 2012 at The Zeiterion Theatre (8-10pm)

A spectacular extravaganza, Bowfire brings together some of the world’s most critically acclaimed violinists and fiddlers on one stage in a visual and musical feast! Musical theatre meets classical virtuosity in an unforgettable performance. It’s a musical journey that moves seamlessly through Celtic, Jazz, Bluegrass, Rock, old-time fiddle, Gypsy, Electric, Cape Breton styles and adds incredible step and tap dancing to the mix. It’s an evening of show stopping hits strung together in glorious sequence.

SUNDAY, MAY 20TH

Taste of Southcoast – (12-5pm)

One of the best events of the year! The Taste of the Southcoast allows patrons to eat their fill of some of the best food in the area. For $15, you’ll be able to try samples from 19 different restaurants. Hosted at Custom House Square in Historic downtown New Bedford, this is a must attend event. Full details with a list of participating restaurants here.

Riverside Cemetery Tour (2-3:30pm)

Created in 1850 by Warren Delano II, the grandfather of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, this is one of the most beautiful rural-style cemeteries in Massachusetts. The FREE tour visits the final resting places of some of the town’s most prominent people. You’ll also see lovely examples of early tombstone art as you walk along the beautifully landscaped paths. Tour includes walking on uneven ground. Wear comfortable shoes. The tour guide is Christopher Richard and it is sponsored by the Fairhaven Office of Tourism.

Sunday Night Jam Sessions at the Pour Farm Tavern (7-11pm)

The best kept secret is Sunday Night Jams at the Pour Farm on Sunday nights starting at 7pm. It’s a jam session with some of the best musician in the area hosted by Matt Antunes. Want to jam? Give Matt a shout: straightlacedproductions@comcast.net.

Operation Clean Sweep, a New Bedford based anti-litter organization, will hold a neighborhood cleanup on Saturday, May 19, 2012 in Ward 5 from 8:30 am until Noon.  The Ward 5 cleanup will be hosted by SouthCoast Hospitals Group and headquarters will be located in the St. Luke’s Hospital parking lot at Hawthorn and Page Streets.

Students, individuals, families and community service groups are encouraged to volunteer with Operation Clean Sweep to earn community service hours, to demonstrate support for their neighborhood, and to show pride in their community.

SouthCoast Hospitals Group will provide breakfast for volunteers in the morning and lunch will be provided by Domino’s Pizza, “The Official Pizza” of Operation Clean Sweep.  Gifts to Give, FUN 107, and the Southcoast Health Van will be onsite.

Volunteers are encouraged to pre-register by visiting www.operationcleansweep.net  or call (508) 979-1493.

Pre-registration is not required but it is preferred so that organizers are better able to plan for the needs of the day.  Volunteers are asked to wear closed toe shoes and clothing appropriate for the weather. Tools and gloves provided. Walk-ups are always welcome and all volunteer names will be entered into a drawing for a covered trash barrel!

Businesses or organizations interested in hosting a Ward cleanup are encouraged to call (508) 979-1493 for more information.

UMass Dartmouth is proud to present the  College of Visual & Performing Arts (CVPA) Senior Exhibit! This is the first time that Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography, and Digital Media majors will be exhibiting their senior degree projects all in one day!

The UMass Dartmouth CVPA Senior Exhibit will be on Saturday May 19th, from 1-4pm in the College of Visual & Performing Arts, and will feature over one hundred graduating UMass Dartmouth CVPA seniors. Please join us a truly incredible experience and witness work from very talented students who represent the future of art and design.

More information about the show and the individual students can be found at www.cvpaseniorexhibit.com. All are welcome to attend. Admittance is free. Refreshments will be served. Parking in lots 7, 8, and 10.

The impact of coastal development and other challenges facing fishing communities will be explored when the Dock-U-Mentaries Film Series continues Friday, May 18th at 7 PM with two films. Dock-U-Mentaries is a co-production of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and the Working Waterfront Festival. Films about the working waterfront are screened on the third Friday of each month beginning at 7:00 PM in the theater of the Corson Maritime Learning Center, located at 33 William Street in downtown New Bedford. All programs are open to the public and presented free of charge.

This month’s program features two films:

Maine’s Disappearing Working Waterfront is a short film which touches on issues surrounding the loss of the working waterfront on the Maine Coast. Of five thousand miles of coastline, only 25 miles remain as working waterfront.

In Their Own Words: Perseverance and Resilience in Two Florida Fishing Communities examines the changes endured by two Florida coastal communities as they struggle with issues of natural resource dependence and coastal development.

The 109th Annual Meeting of the Old Dartmouth Historical Society – New Bedford Whaling Museum will take place Friday, May 18 at 4:00 pm in the Cook Memorial Theater. Annual Meeting Day events include a memorial service for museum volunteers, a graduation ceremony for museum apprentices, and an exhibit opening and reception. The public is cordially invited to attend all events.

At 3:00 p.m., the museum’s Volunteer Council will host a “Volunteer and Trustee Remembrance” in the Seamen’s Bethel, located adjacent to the museum on Johnny Cake Hill. Family, friends and associates are invited to join volunteers and the board of trustees as they gather in fond remembrance of departed members.

At 4:00 p.m. the 109th Annual Meeting of the Old Dartmouth Historical Society – New Bedford Whaling Museum takes place in the Cook Memorial Theater and includes a review of the past year’s activities, election of officers, and incoming members of the Board of Trustees, Class of 2015.

Immediately following the Annual Meeting, the 3rd annual graduation ceremony for the graduating apprentices of the New Bedford Whaling Museum Apprentice Program, Class of 2012 will commence in the Cook Memorial Theater.

At 5:30 p.m. by an exhibition of new paintings titled Dora Atwater Millikin: New Bedford Harbor Today, opens in the Centre Street Gallery – Level II. A reception in the Jacobs Family Gallery follows the opening.

The New Bedford Whaling Museum is the world’s most comprehensive museum devoted to the global story of whales, whaling and the cultural history of the region. The cornerstone of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, the Museum is located at 18 Johnny Cake Hill in the heart of the city’s historic downtown and is open daily. Wheelchair accessible. For a complete calendar of events: www.whalingmuseum.org.

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.

There may be a number of reasons why you haven’t gotten to experience AHA! New Bedford yet.  Your excuses may vary from very practical (such as,  I work Thursday nights) to very lame (such as, it’s not my scene).  If you’re worried about not enjoying AHA!, I can assure you that it has something for people of all ages, dispositions, and budgets.

For those of you who don’t already know, here’s a little background on AHA!, which stands for Arts, History and Architecture.  AHA! was started in July of 1999, and has taken place on every second Thursday of the month since.  AHA! is dedicated to creating free cultural events for locals to join in, and it pulls in local restaurants and businesses in the effort to offer exciting opportunities each month.  AHA! not only highlights the unique culture of New Bedford and its rich history, it also contributes to stimulating the City’s Creative Economy initiatives.

Each month, AHA! focuses on a different theme.  For example, April’s focus was on Sustainability and included an Earth Day celebration parade at Custom Square.  For more details on the sort of events that AHA! features, or to see their schedule for next month, go to www.ahanewbedford.org.  You will also find that the New Bedford Guide regularly reports on some of the highlights you can hope to see at the upcoming AHA! night.  For this article however, I am going to give you 5 general reasons that make AHA! great, and why you should visit AHA! this evening.

1. Music

Music is a central aspect of AHA! and can be found just about anywhere you go.  For those who are into the bar scene, you are sure to find some great bands at Pour Farm Tavern, Rose Alley Ale House, Cork or No Problemos most weeks.  If you aren’t a big fan of bars, or if you’re too young, no worries!  There are often featured performers and an open mic at Cafe Arpeggio, and the First Unitarian Church was featuring organ music.  The J. Kelley Band acoustic show was at Celtic Coffee House from 6-7:30pm.

The music styles vary; I have had the pleasure of hearing some great jazz music at AHA! as well as some very talented rock and blues bands, and even local choruses.  If you’re planning out your AHA! night and hope to take in some music, go check out the site and see who is playing where.

2. Food

It almost goes without saying, but Downtown New Bedford has some great restaurants.  If you’re going to be out for AHA!, you might as well plan to grab dinner.  No matter what budget you are on, you are likely to find something to suit your taste.  No Problemo’s has great Mexican food at an affordable cost, and Rose Alley Ale House is one of the best places around for wings.  Pour Farm Tavern also has quite a tasty menu out now.  However, if you’re looking for something unique and have a bit more money to spend, try out Cork, which is a tapas bar, or Pier 37 which has a one-of-a-kind menu that blends southern cuisine with south coast.

3. Unique Events

If you’re tired of doing the same old thing, AHA! offers some one-of-a-kind experiences that you aren’t likely to soon forget.  For kids there is always some sort of art or craft project to engage in, or even a science events.  For example, this past AHA! featured SEEAL’s 5th Annual Shrink Your Footprint Fair, which was held at the Ocean Explorium and brought together vendors, non-profits, and others to host demonstrations on sustainability.

Of course, I would be remiss not to mention the prevalence of visual art throughout every AHA! night.  There are numerous galleries downtown that open their doors to AHA! and often host special events.  On an evening when there is good weather, New Bedford is art lovers dream as you can follow the walking map from gallery to gallery.

If you are like me and have a group of friends who are always looking for something new to do, AHA! offers a lot of other very unique (and very free) events to consider.  In March the theme was “Hear Me Roar” and focused on women’s history and empowering women.  I got to watch roller derby girls demonstrate in the middle of the street, and I ended up participating in an all-girl arm wrestling competition at Rose Alley Ale House (which I did not win).  Needless to say my friends and I were talking about what a great time we had for quite a while!

4. AHA! After Hours

AHA! After Hours starts at 9pm, when the other AHA! events come to an end.  AHA! After Hours is usually the best time to catch bands playing at the various bars.  This past AHA! I went to Pour Farm Tavern for After Hours and heard the Neil McCarthy Problem jam out, and I also got to sample some delicious microbrews.  In my opinion, AHA! After Hours is mainly a perfect opportunity to bar hop with friends since there are always a lot of people out enjoying themselves.

5. Community

The community aspect of AHA! is my favorite part.  I feel like these days it’s hard to connect with the community because there are so few events that bring people together (besides shopping at Market Basket of course).  But AHA! brings a diverse crowd together to engage in fun and informative activities.  Every time I go to AHA! I run into someone I know, but even more importantly, I meet new people as well.

This past AHA! was called “Sustainable SouthCoast” and as previously mentioned, it kicked off with really cool “people powered” parade.  The parade featured floats that were carried or pulled by UMass students, and students from New Bedford schools who had partnered together.  There were many unique costumes and memorable creations, all of which promoted sustainability and keeping the Earth clean.  There were many organizations that also walked in the parade to show their unity with the cause, and there was even two marching bands.  Additionally, the parade was kicked off by awarding “Mother Earth” and “Father Sea” to two members of the community who have taken great efforts in fighting for environmental causes in the area.  This year’s “Father Sea” was none other than former Mayor Scott Lang, and the parade start was announced by current Mayor Jon Mitchell.  Seeing residents from all over the SouthCoast pull together for such a fun and important purpose was great, and members of the community had lined the streets.  This sort of quality community building is what truly makes AHA! great.

Photos from April’s AHA!

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