The Artists Index is an AHA! partner and this is the fifth in our series of livestream podcasts. The October AHA! was an impromptu evening and open mic invitation to the South Coast’s musicians. They came out and we all celebrated on Thursday, October 10th, from 6 to 7:30 pm. Once again, our livestream podcast was co-hosted by our livestream partner and friend Adam Katz, the owner of Play Arcade.

Our October AHA! Guests who joined us in the Living Room at Play Arcade included our musician friends and musicians we met for the first time who are now friends.  It was an embarrassment of riches. We had a blast! So much so, that we had to rotate our guests.

Kat Knutsen and her Long Swan band, Mike Heffernan and Ryan Burke were there. Hendrick Hernandez – Resto was there with KT Lee and Kelly Ann Fernandes from Roots Run Wild – THERE’S MORE – Swain alum Dan Cooney and cofounder of Heavenly Spirits, our very first corporate sponsor along with his friend and now our new friend Max Wikermayer. Sean FitzGerald and The NB Rude Boys made an appearance. Christine Maiato FitzGerald, the newly elected President of Gallery X  also joined us. I hope we didn’t leave anyone out.

They all sat down with The Artists Index’s co-founder and podcast host, Ron Fortier, about their contributions to and views on the local music scene and its impact on the phenomenal creative community of New Bedford and the South Coast. Once again, it was loud and noisy with all the arcade games but we still had great conversation.

Play Arcade is “an old-school 80’s style arcade offering a full-service bar, craft-made drinks, and food…” and over 40 vintage arcade games and a rooftop deck overlooking the working waterfront in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.

AHA! (Arts, History, Architecture) has presented New Bedford and the South Coast with free arts and culture nights. It celebrated its 25th anniversary this September! AHA! Nights are held every second Thursday of the month to recall and honor the nostalgic late shopping night offered in New Bedford from the 1940s through the 1960s. This revival has brought a new and lasting vibrancy to downtown.

If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know! The Artists Index records our podcasts at our Spectrum Marketing Group studio. We also use Zoom to accommodate our guests’ schedules or for those who no longer live on the South Coast of Massachusetts. 

The Artists Index provides our listeners and readers with up close and personal conversations with artists, supporters of the arts, and the cultural impresarios of the South Coast’s remarkable creative community. Check out our Jazz Podcast Series featuring your host Dave Reis, sponsored by Fiber Optic Center.

Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram