Rockin’ the Block

lovetheave

It worked.  

Whenever you plan an event, you never know how it’s going to turn out. Especially an outdoor event that involves closing a block of one of New Bedford’s most traveled streets on a late summer weekend afternoon and evening to vehicular traffic.

But, it worked. Beautifully. And The Love The Ave Block Party – named Sabor y Ritmo in observance of National Hispanic Heritage month – is part of the new lore of this storied street.

On Saturday, Sept. 14, Acushnet Avenue in front of historic St. Anthony of Padua Church from Nye Street to Bullard Street was transformed into a vibrant public space. The cars were gone; the people filled the street – along with music, dancing, performance and more.

For three hours from 5-8:00 p.m., a new space was created that flowed down from the St. Anthony of Padua Church plaza right onto Acushnet Avenue and spilled into adjoining areas like the Nye Street Pocket Park and Municipal Parking Lot (transformed into a food court for the evening). 

Pavement was transformed into a place of celebration. New Bedford TDI District partners, businesses and creative folks brought their A-game to The Ave, and the sense of community pride was palpable. 

As a follow-up to last summer’s Love The Ave Wednesdays, the Block Party proved an audacious second act. Some doubted the feasibility of shutting down The Ave is so dramatic a fashion – but it’s clear that over 300 people who attended the party were ready to claim it as their own. 

New Bedford TDI District is thrilled to have launched what we hope will be a new tradition each year. We’re even more thrilled to have partnered with, and had the support of, so many groups, organizations, small businesses and people who helped make the evening a success.

In addition to the performers who shared their talent during the block party, we’d like to acknowledge the following sponsors and partners: 

City of New Bedford, City Councilor Maria Giesta; City Councilor Shane Burgo, Community Economic Development Center, New Bedford Economic Development Council / New Bedford Creative, South Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Saint Anthony of Padua Church and Youth group, Bank 5, Eastern Bank, 3rd Eye, EforAll, Groundwork of Southcoast, PACE, United Way, Clean Water Fund, 787 Barber Shop (See ‘Spotlight’ below); Nicanor Colon – Mexifruit; and Abrão Perez

Here’s a look at what happens when people define a space on their own terms. Here’s a look at the Love The Ave Block Party on Saturday, Sept. 14 in a photo set by photographer Justin Botelho… 

 

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: 787 Barber Shop at 1407 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford – Originally from Puerto Rico, Eric Ramos has owned 787 Barber Shop on 1407 Acushnet Avenue for eight years. He profoundly appreciates The Ave’s diversity and cultural richness, a vibrant commercial area that he’s always wanted to see portrayed positively. It’s why he’s the first to pitch in when needed to help out with special events such as the Love The Ave Block Party. Regular readers of the newsletter may recall Eric. He was one of the 2023 Love The Ave Champions awardees profiled last year. Eric is thrilled by the transformative effect that the Love The Ave branding campaign has had on his business and looks forward to the ongoing impact it will have as he works towards expanding 787 Barber Shop in the future.

 

ARTE ENTRE AMIGOS: On Wednesday, Oct. 2, you’re invited to the free New Bedford Creative Arte Entre Amigos Session at the Community Economic Development Center, 235 N. Front Street, NB from 6-8:00 p.m.
This workshop considers the role of the artist as a citizen-cultural agent of fundamental importance for activating urban spaces, strengthening identities within the social fabric in which they work, fostering a sense of belonging, invigorating the economic pulse of a city, and contributing to the general well-being of the population by facilitating processes of aesthetic reflection.
Hernan Jouba uses performance and video to explore the richness of our hybrid identities throughout the Americas—recognizing us as social agents who reproduce habits and trends, individuals capable of questioning them, and cosmic collectives sensitive to change. Originally from the Río de la Plata region of Argentina, he has traveled throughout South America and the United States before settling in Rhode Island in 2014. His platform, “Ministry of Accessible Futures,” creates cultural programming to provide resources for artists and foster exchanges with neighborhoods in Providence.
The Arte Entre Amigos sessions are a free and accessible series aimed at enriching, educating, and connecting creatives through a series of workshops and training sessions. New Bedford is home to artists, creatives, change-makers, designers, entrepreneurs, and community enthusiasts, and the Art Among Friends sessions embrace the pulse that makes New Bedford so unique while expanding our knowledge and connections.

 

SAVE THE DATE: Put Friday, October 11 on your calendar and come enjoy another Movie Night at Riverside Park. Watch our Facebook page for more details!

 

POSITION AVAILABLE: Our friends and partners at the Cape Verdean Association in New Bedford (CVANB) are seeking to fill an Administrative Assistant position. The Administrative Assistant provides administrative support to the organization in three major areas of responsibility: managing events, program operations and data management, communication and correspondence, and a range of duties related to Capital Campaign and general fundraising. 

The ideal candidate provides quality administrative support with experience handling a wide range of administrative and direct support related tasks and is able to work independently with minimal supervision. Must be well organized and flexible. Compensation:  $30.00 an hour x 18 hours a week. Position open until filled.

Please email Darlene Spencer, Board President at [email protected] for a full job description. 

CVANB’s work  currently includes the creation of a Cape Verdean Cultural Center, and the adjacent  Island Park, that acts as an extension of the Cultural Center, to celebrate and  educate the public about the traditional customs and culture of music, theatre, and the arts of Cape Verde and offering cultural programs to the community at various locations. Visit www.CVANB.org and www.facebook.com/CapeVerdeanAssociationinNewBedford to learn more.

 

FADO NIGHT: The folks behind Day of Portugal New Bedford have put together a special treat for Saturday, Oct. 12 at Centro Luzo, 34 Beetle St., New Bedford. Celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Portugal with an enchanting evening of Fado music at the “Day of Portugal: Noite de Fado” event beginning at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $40 for adults, $15 for children (ages 6-13). 

Performers are as follows: Fadistas: Alison DaSilva, Angelica Vieira, José Barbosa; Guitaristas: José Silva, José Raposo

Included are authentic Portuguese appetizers, such as: Sopa, Salada; Filetes de Peixe com Arroz; Galinha com Batata Rosada; and Sobremesa e Café

Proceeds from this event support the Day of Portugal, a celebration of our vibrant Portuguese community in New Bedford. For tickets and more information, contact Dulce Matos at 508-264-7223.

 

ESSAY: Muriel A. Gelinas recalls her times at Acushnet Avenue’s Capitol Theater in this New Bedford Light post. The Capitol is currently undergoing renovation and will become the future home of the Community Economic Development Center, classrooms, housing and retail spaces.

 

  • The New Bedford TDI District is a diverse and vibrant neighborhood in the central economic corridor of the city’s North End. This distinct neighborhood is characterized by its linear commercial spine of small business storefronts on the ground level of one- and two-story tenement structures along with ethnic restaurants, cafes, bakeries, churches, and social clubs. The supporting dense neighborhood is comprised primarily of multifamily housing for legacy Portuguese-descent residents and Latino, Hispanic, and Central American immigrant populations. At the forefront of priorities for the New Bedford TDI Partnership is place-based economic development that focuses on small-business development, entrepreneurship, and public realm improvements with an arts-and-culture-based approach. Adelsa Mendes is the TDI fellow for the New Bedford TDI District. You can reach her at [email protected]