There Was Dancing in the Streets of New Bedford

There was “Dancing in the Streets” to celebrate the 31st anniversary of Schooner Ernestina’s return and gift from Cape Verde to the United States in 1982.  The event was part of New Bedford’s AHA! nights.

The Accordion and percussion trio TreeOfU showed how musicians informally play together in plazas and street corners in Cape Verde as the crowd gathered at the Whaling Museum plaza.  Many thanks to Tony Cruz for making this evening a success!

It seemed most were shy about dancing on the plaza but everyone enjoyed the music.  Especially the children.

The arrival of the drummers got the crowd on their feet.

The energy of Sodat, a street drumming group from New Bedford, got everyone’s attention.  More and more people arrived to see what the excitement was.

This video is on Facebook, I hope you can watch it.

soon the procession started down William St.

down to the waterfront along Front St.

and entertained the patrons at Cork!

Rose Alley Ale House and Cork Wine and Tapas are taking advantage of the new pedestrian friendly Route 18.  The drummers and dancers attracted a lot of attention!

The CV Dancers lead the way with the Ernestina banner.

Sodat, a street drumming group from New Bedford marches up Union St.

The celebration continued with a traditional Cape Verdean street dance procession through Downtown.

“It (the drumming) added energy to the other activities, all of downtown was hopping” said one bystander enjoying the spectacle.

The procession ended at the Cape Verdean-American Veterans Club where the party continued with Cape Verdean dance music by the CV Friends.

Thanks to TreeofU, Tony Cruz, Chuck Smiler and Buddy Andrade for a great event.