If you look forward to AHA! Night every month, here's your chance to go every week.

City Celebrates! is a weekly celebration of the arts in downtown New Bedford, with live music, kids' activities, films, galleries, museums, shopping, dining, walking tours and lectures.

Presented by the City of New Bedford and AHA! partners, City Celebrates! will take place on non-AHA! Thursdays this summer — this Thursday, July 24 and 31, and Aug. 7, 21, and 28.

All activities are offered free and held rain or shine.

"There's always been a lot happening in the city on Thursdays, but there's never been an effort to coordinate them," said Karie C. Vincent, executive director of the New Bedford Art Museum and chair of the AHA! Steering Committee.

"Now everything happening downtown falls under City Celebrates! and folks can understand New Bedford is the place to be Thursday nights this summer."

City Celebrates! partners include New Bedford Whaling Museum, New Bedford Art Museum, Artworks!, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, and local art galleries, retail shops and restaurants.

In addition, Wings Court will host a Farmers' Market from 2 p.m. to dusk. Enter on Union Street to buy locally grown fruit, vegetables, flowers, herbs, berries and honey.

The national park and the Whaling Museum will host another special summer event — free concerts in the Visitor Center garden. The concerts on the lawn of the Corson Maritime Learning Center at 33 William St. last about an hour; guests are asked to bring lawn chairs or blankets. If you're still in the mood to groove to acoustics after the concert, head to Café Arpeggio; they host an Open Mic Night every Thursday from 7 to 10 p.m.

The New Bedford Whaling Museum will be open free from 5 to 9 p.m. every Thursday with lectures, music and special tours. The art museum will also be open until 7 p.m. each Thursday with free admission. Its ArtMobile — with free kids' activities — will make occasional appearances throughout the summer. Other City Celebrates! venues will offer a host of other regular kids' events throughout the season.

"City Celebrates! is a way for the AHA! partners, interested retail businesses, restaurants and the City of New Bedford to welcome community members and visitors alike to enjoy the experience of being downtown this summer," said AHA! Program Director Lee Heald.

"Show off New Bedford to your summer guests. It is the perfect way to explore what is new and exciting close to home."
Ms. Vincent added, "Gas and food prices are rising, but there are a lot of free events close to home. We want people to realize everything happening downtown, and to participate, and to take pride in the city."

Parking is available at the Elm Street garage. On-street parking also available for free after 6 p.m.
For more information call (508) 996-8253 ext. 205 or e-mail ahainfo@cfsema.org.

Complete venues listings can be found at http://www.ahanewbedford.org/calendar

July 13, 2008

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