A smiling man with a black durag dances in front of a brick wall. He wears a sleeveless jersey with vertical stripes of black, red, and green featuring the text "MALCOLM" and the number "23" in white, paired with loose-fitting cargo pants. To his right, a person holds up a smartphone to record him, with their hand and part of their arm and green shirt visible in the frame.

Date: Friday, November 6, 2026

Doors 5:00 PM and Program 6:00–8:00 PM

First Friday: The Art of Hip Hop

Date: Friday, November 6, 2026 | Doors 5:00 PM and Program 6:00–8:00 PM

Experience the artistry, rhythm, and creative force of hip hop culture during this special First Friday evening at the New Bedford Whaling Museum.

Through music, dance, spoken word, and visual expression, this program celebrates hip hop as a dynamic and evolving art form—one that bridges generations and communities through storytelling, movement, and sound.

Featuring live performances curated in partnership with 3rd EyE Unlimited, the evening will highlight local and regional talent, including young adults and emerging artists who embody the spirit of creativity, collaboration, and social connection at the heart of hip hop.

Enjoy a night of movement and music with a live DJ, dance showcases, and interactive art demonstrations, all set against the backdrop of New Bedford’s historic waterfront in the Museum’s Harbor View Gallery.

Featured Artists:

Sleepless in New England is an independent, multicultural arts and music collective based out of New Bedford, Massachusetts. Founded in September 2018 by Puerto Rican-born and New Bedford-raised interdisciplinary artist Hendrick Hernandez-Resto, the group operates as a creative "super team" aimed at elevating regional culture and achieving high-fidelity production.

Maia Livramento is a New Bedford-based spoken-word poet, performance artist, teaching artist, and community leader whose work lives at the intersection of art, culture, identity, and social change.

Xperience Dance Company New Bedford is a nonprofit dance company led by Miss Amanda and JunnYahh, dedicated to inspiring, educating, and uplifting our community through the power of movement.

A cash bar (must present ID) and light refreshments will be available throughout the evening.

Program Schedule:

5:00 PM – Doors open; bar and galleries available for browsing
6:00 PM – DJ set: The soundscape of hip hop
6:30 PM – Dance performance featuring local youth and community artists
7:00 PM – Spoken word and graffiti art showcase (presented digitally)
8:00 PM – Collaborative performance: “The Movement of Expression”
8:30 PM – Closing community cypher

Admission: 18+ only. Tickets are $12.50 for Members or $25.00 for public.

Catering for the New Bedford Whaling Museum's 2026 First Fridays series is provided by D&D Catering.

the 2026 First Fridays series is proudly sponsored by:

This program is sponsored by

This program is supported in part by a grant from the New Bedford Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.