Mocktail crawl, sip and stroll and short film premiere: What to know about December's AHA!
NEW BEDFORD -- On Dec. 14, AHA! presents a "Starry Night" featuring a mocktail crawl, sip and stroll and the first public premiere of the award-winning documentary short about the city's art scene.
On Thursday, Dec. 14, all are invited to take part in the city’s After Hours Art event where guests can explore a wide variety of cultural experiences such as open studios, art talks, craft-making and much more.
After much anticipation, guests will be able to watch director Ethan de Aguiar's short documentary "Love Letters for New Bedford at the Whaling Museum." After the success of the “New Bedford Love Letters” project in September 2022, that de Aguiar worked on as part of a year-long Creative Connection initiative in the city, the short documentary was born from the footage.
"I’m beyond excited and truly honored to be able to finally share this film publicly with the community that it was made for; my beloved city of New Bedford," de Aguiar said.
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Appearing in the film are many of the city’s Creative Connection Creative Ambassadors, including Mandy Fraser, Candida Rose Baptista, Gerardo Beltrán Salinas, Iva Brito, Cedric Douglas, Rhonda M. Fazio and Julia Roth, who each discuss their unique experiences and perspectives of New Bedford.
How to watch the public screening
The short film has had great success in the film festival circuit, as it was a semi-finalist at Newport Beach Shorts, Washington Film Awards, Brooklyn International Short Awards, New Jersey International Short Festival, Vancouver Independent MovieMaker Awards, and Rhode Island International Film Festival.
Among its wins were Best Documentary Short from the Texas Arthouse Festival, Block Island Film Festival, Screaming Ostrich International Film Festival, and the Portugal International Film Festival.
"The journey this film has taken me on has been a surreal experience. Attending film festivals from New York all the way to Portugal has been nothing short of incredible," de Aguiar said.
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"While winning awards is nice, the best part has been sharing this story and the passion I have for New Bedford with people near and far. Although this epic festival run is coming to a close, it is just the beginning for Love Letters."
After completing its festival run, "Love Letters for New Bedford" will now have an open screening to the public during Thursday's AHA! festivities at the Whaling Museum. Doors open at 5:15 p.m., with the screening scheduled to start at 5:25 p.m. Panel discussion and Q & A at 5:50 p.m.. There will be a second screening at 6:15 p.m.
Places to listen to music across the city
Starting at 5 p.m., Custom House Square will have a roaring firepit and feature the ethereal Light Angel as well as hearing holiday tunes of the Sippican and Southcoast Brass Bands.
In addition to the festivities in Custom House Square, visitors can take in a comprehensive assortment of experiences following the yellow AHA! flags from County Street down to the harbor.
Other live music performances include multi-Grammy-nominated band The GroovaLottos and The ZG 808 at Gallery X, Autumn Liv Cyr’s Autasi at Alison Wells Fine Arts Studio and Gallery and other holiday tunes at The Harbor Hotel and The Vault Music Hall.
How to find out about all the AHA! events
Check here for a complete list of AHA! events and activities Thursday night. Everyone is encouraged to check back regularly as more events get added daily.
Printed lists can be found at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitors Center and the New Bedford Free Public Library on the day of the event. Or scan the QR code on the coaster under your AHA! special libation.
What places are participating in the mocktail crawl
Complimenting the art, music, and cultural experience is the ability to shop for gifts at many small businesses and galleries, and recharge at one of the many establishments offering free AHA! Specials for the Mocktail Cocktail Crawl.
Cultivator Shoals, Freestone's City Grill, Harbor Hotel, PLAY Arcade, Rose Alley Ale House, The Black Whale, The Vault, The Pour Farm Tavern, and Zeiterion will all be offering their own special alcohol-free drink to try.
Stores are staying open late for the sip and stroll
Alison Wells Gallery, April Evans Beauty Lounge, Awakenings Massage & Spa, Beauty Union, Bejeweled, Calico, Carters Clothing, Celia’s Boutique, Hewn, Lat41 Outfitters, NB Tattoo Company, Shimmer, Solstice, Thallo Home Garden, TL6 Gallery, and The Drawing Room are the places to visit during Thursday night's festivities.
Where can people park?
Free parking is available on the street, as well as at the Elm Street Garage.
Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at schitwood@s-t.com. Follow him on twitter:@ChitwoodReports. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: 'Love Letters for New Bedford' premieres New Bedford AHA! night
