Author: The Hippo Press

The Art Roundup 22/07/21

The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities

• Mural project for Manchester: The deadline is 9 p.m. Monday, July 25, to donate to Arts Build Community’s fundraiser to bring a mural festival to Manchester in August. The Community Canvas festival is meant to “amplify community voices rather than the individual,” according to the fundraiser page at patronicity.com. Arts Build Community is a New Hampshire-based group of artists, residents, businesses and others, and for the mural project. the artists “will engage, research, and reflect while actively listening to community members, integrating their stories into each mural,” the fundraiser page said. Find out more and donate at patronicity.com/abc2022.

• Musical in the mall: The Hatbox Theatre (Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord) presents Gutenberg! The Musical! on Friday, July 22, and Saturday, July 23, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, July 24, at 2 p.m. This musical comedy follows Johannes Gutenberg as he struggles to invent the printing press, hindered by his nemesis, The Monk, and his bumbling assistant Helvetica. Nominated for Best Musical by the Outer Critics Circle Awards, and Best Book by the Drama Desk awards, the show is only playing for one weekend. Tickets are $22, $19 for students, seniors, and Hatbox members, and $16 for senior members. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit hatboxnh.com.

• Undefined art: The Lamont Gallery at Phillips Exeter Academy (11 Tan Lane, Exeter) hosts “Managing Miscellanea,” an art exhibition that draws from the gallery’s “undefined” collection. It centers around questions of defining and maintaining collections, and showcases unseen works from the storage vault, including works by Roy Lichtenstein and Robert Motherwell. The exhibition runs through Sept. 24, available for viewing during the gallery’s normal hours: Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free but reservations are required. For more information, visit www.exeter.edu/lamontgallery.

Buster Keaton screens with live music
The Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St., Manchester) will present a screening of the 1926 silent film The General on Wednesday, July 20, at 7 p.m. The General follows Buster Keaton as a locomotive engineer whose train is hijacked by Northern spies during the U.S. Civil War. The film screening will be accompanied by a live musical performance led by Jeff Rapsis. Admission is $10 per person. For more information, visit palacetheatre.org or call 668-5588.

• Phil in the fall: The New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra has announced its plans for its 118th year of performances, according to a recent press release. Five shows (each of which has two performances) are on the calendar for the 2022-2023 season, starting with shows on Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. and Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. Most shows are at The Phil’s home performing space, the Seifert Performing Arts Center (44 Geremonty Drive, Salem), the release said. See nhphil.org for ticket information, including season tickets.

• Author visit and birthday hike: Mary Ellen Humphrey, author of My Mountain Friend: Wandering & Pondering Mount Major, is coming to New Hampshire to hike Mt. Major for her 70th birthday and to stop at Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St., Concord; 224-0562, gibsonsbookstore.com) on Thursday, July 28, at 6:30 p.m., according to a press release.

• More authors, more books: Also appearing in person at Gibson’s are mystery writers Paula Munier (the author of the Mercy Carr mystery series, the most recent of which is The Wedding Plot, which hit shelves on July 19) and Sarah Stewart Taylor (author of the Maggie D’Arcy mystery series, the most recent of which is The Drowning Sea, which hit shelves in June). Catch them on Thursday, July 21, at 6:30 p.m. See the store’s website to order books.

Sergei Novikov on piano
Sergei Novikov, who once won praise from former President George H. W. Bush, will perform Friday, July 22, at 7 p.m. at the Seifert Performing Arts Center (44 Geremonty Drive, Salem). Tickets cost $45 for adults, $40 for seniors and children and are available at speakingmusic.com. Find out more about Novikov’s career path, which took him from Russia to Kennebunkport and beyond, in the story on page 15 of the June 30 issue of the Hippo. Find the e-edition of the paper at hippopress.com.

• Authors inspiring authors: Authors Kelsey Gallant and Kate Spofford, both from the Nashua area, will be at the Toadstool Bookshop (375 Amherst St., Nashua; toadbooks.com, 673-1734) on Sunday, July 24, at 1 p.m. to discuss their journeys in self-publishing, according to the Toadstool website. The event is geared toward people who are also looking to have their manuscripts published, the website said.

• An author, artist and naturalist: The Warner Historical Society’s Tory Hill Author Series will present artist-naturalist and writer David Carroll on Saturday, July 23, at 7 p.m. at the Warner Town Hall, according to a press release. Carroll, who won the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship (the Genius Grant) in 2006, has written and illustrated the natural histories The Year of the Turtle, Trout Reflections and Swampwalkers Journal as well as a memoir called Self-Portrait with Turtles and a fifth book called Following the Warner, A hydromancer’s Notebook, the release said. His natural history drawings and watercolors have been on exhibit at the Currier Museum of Art, according to the release. Tickets cost $10 each (or three for $24) and can be purchased at toryhillauthorsseries.com or at the door (and via the Warner Historical Society and MainStreet BookEnds), the release said. A dessert and a book signing will follow the readings.

– Hannah Turtle

ART

Exhibits

• “WARHOL SCREEN TESTS” In the mid-1960s, American multimedia artist Andy Warhol had shot more than 400 short, silent, black-and-white films of his friends at his studio in New York City. Warhol referred to the films, which were unscripted and played in slow motion, as “film portraits” or “stillies.” The exhibition will feature 20 of those films, provided by the Andy Warhol Museum, in loops across four large-scale projections. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). On display now through July 24. Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17 and is free for children age 12 and under and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org for more information.

• “ARGHAVAN KHOSRAVI” Artist’s surrealist paintings explore themes of exile, freedom and empowerment; center female protagonists; and allude to human rights issues, particularly those affecting women and immigrants. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). On display now through Sept. 5. Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17 and is free for children age 12 and under and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org for more information.

• “THE PEOPLE’S SCULPTOR: THE LIFE AND WORKS OF JOHN ROGERS” Exhibit celebrates the art of American sculptor John Rogers, who came to Manchester in 1850, and explores the influence that Manchester had on Rogers’ life and work. Presented by the Manchester Historic Association. On view now through September. Millyard Museum (200 Bedford St., Manchester). Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission costs $8 for adults, $6 for seniors age 62 and up and college students, $4 for youth ages 12 through 18, and is free for kids under age 12. Call 622-7531 or visit manchesterhistoric.org/millyard-museum.

• “WOOL: CONTEMPORARY FIBER ART EXHIBITION Twiggs Gallery (254 King St., Boscawen) through Sept. 2. Gallery hours are Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Visit twiggsgallery.wordpress.com or call 975-0015.

• ROBIN CORNWELL The New Hampshire Boat Museum will feature local artist Robin Cornwell in the museum’s gallery (399 Center St. in Wolfeboro; nhbm.org) in July. Cornwell produces art quilts as well as bark paper paintings and woven placemats and rugs. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. To learn more about Cornwell, visit robincornwellembellishments.com.

• “PIXELS, WOOD, CLAY” Two Villages Art Society presents an exhibition of work by artists Tony Gilmore, Rick Manganello and Caren Helm. The Bates Building (846 Main St., Contoocook). Aug. 12 through Sept. 9. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, from noon to 4 p.m. There will be an opening reception on Sat., Aug. 13, from noon to 2 p.m. Visit twovillagesart.org or call 413-210-4372.

• ART ON MAIN The City of Concord and the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce present a year-round outdoor public art exhibition in Concord’s downtown featuring works by professional sculptors. All sculptures will be for sale. Visit concordnhchamber.com/creativeconcord, call 224-2508 or email tsink@concordnhchamber.com for more information.

• SUMMER MEMBERS SHOW Two Villages Art Society presents a mixed media art show at the Bates Building (846 Main St., Contoocook) from July 1 through July 30.Visit twovillagesart.org or call 413-210-4372.

Fairs and markets

• CONCORD ARTS MARKET The juried outdoor artisan and fine art market runs one Saturday a month, June through October, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Market dates are July 30, Aug. 20, Sept. 17 and Oct. 15. Rollins Park, 33 Bow St., Concord. concordartsmarket.net. The first market will be held on Saturday, June 11. Visit concordartsmarket.net/summer-arts-market.html for more information.

• CRAFTSMEN’S FAIR The annual nine-day outdoor craft fair hosted by the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen features hundreds of craftspeople with vendor booths, plus special craft exhibitions, demonstrations, hands-on workshops and more. Sat., Aug. 6, through Sun., Aug. 14. Mount Sunapee Resort, 1398 Route 103, Newbury. Call 224-3375 or visit nhcrafts.org for more information.

• GREELEY PARK ART SHOW The annual outdoor juried art show hosted by Nashua Area Artists Association features a variety of artwork for sale. Greeley Park, 100 Concord St., Nashua. Sat., Aug. 20, and Sun., Aug. 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit nashuaarts.org/greeleyparkartshow.

Tours

• NASHUA PUBLIC ART AUDIO TOUR Self-guided audio tours of the sculptures and murals in downtown Nashua, offered via the Distrx app, which uses Bluetooth iBeacon technology to automatically display photos and text and provides audio descriptions at each stop on the tour as tourists approach the works of art. Each tour has 10 to 15 stops. Free and accessible on Android and iOS on demand. Available in English and Spanish. Visit downtownnashua.org/nashua-art-tour for more information.

Workshops and classes

• ART CLASSES Art classes for teens and adults, including Pottery, Stained Glass, Intermediate Watercolor and Clay Hand Building. Studio 550 Art Center (550 Elm St., Manchester). Five-week sessions. Classes met for two hours a week. Call 232-5597 or visit 550arts.com for the full schedule and cost details.

• DRAWING & PAINTING CLASSES Art House Studios, 66 Hanover St., Suite 202, Manchester. Classes include Drawing Fundamentals, Painting in Acrylic, Drawing: Observation to Abstraction, Exploring Mixed Media, and Figure Drawing. Class sizes are limited to six students. Visit arthousestudios.org or email arthousejb@gmail.comfor more information.

• GENERAL ART CLASSES Weekly art classes offered for both kids and adults of all skill levels and cover a variety of two-dimensional media, including drawing and painting with pastel, acrylic, watercolor and oils. Classes are held with small groups of three to eight to five students. Diane Crespo Fine Art Gallery (32 Hanover St., Manchester). Kids classes, open to ages 10 and up, are held on Thursdays and Fridays, from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m. Adult classes are held on Thursdays, from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Tuition is pay-as-you-go at $20 per student per class, due upon arrival. Call 493-1677 or visit dianecrespofineart.com for availability.

THEATRE

Classes/workshops

• STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS Monthly workshop series hosted by True Tales Live storytelling showcase. First Tuesday (except November), from 7 to 8:30 p.m., virtual, via Zoom. Registration is required. Visit truetaleslivenh.org for more information.

Shows

•​ ANYTHING GOES The Seacoast Repertory Theatre (125 Bow St., Portsmouth; seacoastrep.org, 433-4472) presents the musical through July 23, with showtimes on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $32 to $52.

• FOOTLOOSE Prescott Park Arts Festival (105 Marcy St., Portsmouth; prescottpark.org , 436-2848) presents this outdoor musical through Aug. 14, with showtimes on most Thursdays and Sundays at 7 p.m., and most Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., with some matinee showtimes TBA. General admission costs $5, and reserved seating tickets cost $55 to $150.

• RAPUNZEL presented by the 2022 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Seriesat the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) through Thursday, July 21, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Friday, July 22, at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $10.

• MATILDA JR. musical presented by RB Productions Theater Company at the Capitol Center for the Arts Chubb Theatre (44 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com) on Friday, July 22, and Saturday, July 23, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors (plus fees).

• GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL produced by the Community Players of Concord at the Hatbox Theatre (inside the Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord; hatboxnh.com, 715-2315) Friday, July 22, and Saturday, July 23, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 24, at 2 p.m. TIckets cost $22 for adults, $19 for seniors and students.

• PETER PAN presented by the 2022 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Seriesat the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) Tuesday, July 26, through Thursday, July 28, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Friday, July 29, at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $10.

• LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD presented by North Country Center for the Art’s IMPACT Program, a Touring Children’s Theatre Troupe, Tuesday, July 26, at 10 a.m. at the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com). Tickets are free but must be reserved online.

• MARY POPPINS JR.presented by Palace Youth Theatre summer camp at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) on Friday, July 29, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 30, at 11 a.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $12 for kids.

• LEGALLY BLONDE JR. musical presented by RB Productions Theater Company at the Capitol Center for the Arts Chubb Theatre (44 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com) on Friday, July 29, and Saturday, July 30, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors (plus fees).

• CINDERELLA presented by the 2022 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Seriesat the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) Tuesday, Aug. 2, through Thursday, Aug. 4, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Friday, Aug. 5, at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $10.

• RETURN TO OZ presented by North Country Center for the Art’s IMPACT Program, a Touring Children’s Theatre Troupe, Tuesday, Aug. 2, at 10 a.m. at the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com). Tickets are free but must be reserved online.

• JACK AND THE BEANSTALKpresented by Palace Youth Theatre summer camp at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) on Friday, Aug. 5, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $12 for kids.

• BEAUTY & THE BEAST presented by the 2022 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Seriesat the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) Tuesday, Aug. 9, through Thursday, Aug. 11, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Friday, Aug. 12, at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $10.

• JACK AND THE BEANSTALK presented by North Country Center for the Art’s IMPACT Program, a Touring Children’s Theatre Troupe, Tuesday, Aug. 9, at 10 a.m. at the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com). Tickets are free but must be reserved online.

• NUNSENSE, the musical that has been updated with new jokes, will be presented by the Majestic Theatre (880 Page St. in Manchester; majestictheatre.net, 669-7649) on Fridays, Aug. 12 and Aug. 19, at 7 p.m.; Saturdays, Aug. 13 and Aug. 20, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 21, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $15 to $20.

• SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS presented by the 2022 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Seriesat the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) Tuesday, Aug. 16, through Thursday, Aug. 18, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Friday, Aug. 19, at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $10.

• LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL JR.presented by Palace Youth Theatre summer camp at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) on Friday, Aug. 19, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 20, at 11 a.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $12 for kids.

•THE GREAT ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC SHAKESPEARE COMPANY presented by Granite Playwrights at the Hatbox Theatre (inside the Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord; hatboxnh.com, 715-2315) from Aug. 19 through Aug. 28, with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $22 for adults, $19 for students, seniors and members and $16 for senior members.

• DISNEY’S FROZEN KIDS presented by the 2022 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Seriesat the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) Tuesday, Aug. 23, through Thursday, Aug. 25, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Friday, Aug. 26, at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $10.

•​ LES MISERABLES presented by the Seacoast Repertory Theatre (125 Bow St., Portsmouth; seacoastrep.org, 433-4472) teen company from Aug. 25 through Sept. 4, with showtimes on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for students and $30 for adults.

• CRUEL INTENTIONS: THE ’90s MUSICAL presented by the Actorsingers at the Janice B. Streeter Theatre (14 Court St., Nashua; actorsingers.org) Friday, Aug. 26, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 27, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 28, 2 p.m. TIckets cost $20 for adults, $18 for 62+ (plus fees).

• LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL JR.presented by Palace Youth Theatre summer camp at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) on Friday, Aug. 26, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $12 for kids.

• SHREK THE MUSICAL presented by the Riverbend Youth Company at the Amato Center for the Performing Arts (56 Mont Vernon St., Milford; svbgc.org/amato-center) from Friday, Aug. 26, through Sunday, Aug. 28.

CLASSICAL

Events

• SERGEI NOVIKOV PIANO RECITAL The NH Philharmonic’s Summer Concert Series will host accomplished pianist Sergei Novikov on Friday July 22 at 7pm at the Seifert Performing Art Center, 44 Geremonty Drive, in Salem. Part of ticket sales will go to the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to help assist Ukraine. Tickets are available online at speakingmusic.com or by calling (800) 595-4849.

• PROGRESSIVE GARDEN PARTY Monadnock Music’s summer festival presents a botanical tour of Jaffrey set to classical music, performed live by soloists in 3 separate gardens, and featuring unique food and drink at each location, Saturday, July 23, noon to 5 p.m., location TBA. Tickets cost $100. Visit monadnockmusic.org.

• FAMILY CONCERTS Monadnock Music Summer Festival hosts three family concerts on July 27, titled “Moonstrike: Tellings of American Indian Legends.” The program features a string quartet with a narrator. The first is at noon at George Holmes Bixby Memorial Library, Francestown Old Meeting House, the second at 2 p.m. at Peterborough Library, 1833 Room, Peterborough, and the third at 4 p.m. at Olivia Rodham Memorial Library, Nelson Town Hall. Performances are free and open to the public. For more info, visit monadnockmusic.org.

• TITANIC THE MUSICAL Presented by the Manchester Community Theatre Players. Manchester Community Theatre Players Theatre, located at the North End Montessori School (698 Beech St., Manchester; manchestercommunitytheatre.com, 327-6777). Showtimes on Fri., Oct. 14 and Oct. 21, and Sat., Oct. 15 and Oct. 22.

• TRUE TALES LIVE Portsmouth-based storytelling showcase. Monthly, last Tuesday (no shows in July and August), from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Shows will be held in person (Portsmouth Public Media TV Studio, 280 Marcy St., Portsmouth) starting in April, and returning to the Zoom format for the winter, starting in November. Each month’s showcase is centered around a different theme. The series is free and open to all who want to watch or participate as a storyteller. Pre-registration for attendees is required for Zoom shows but not required for in-person shows. Visit truetaleslivenh.org and email info@truetaleslive.org if you’re interested in being a storyteller.

• THROUGH THE FIRE The Village Players present Oscar-winner Estelle Parsons’ and Victor Almanzar’s newest production, Through The Fire, on Friday, July 8, at 7:30 p.m. at the Village Players Theater in Wolfeboro. The show follows Almanzar’s own life, including his immigration from the Dominican Republic to New York City, and his time serving in the U.S. Marine Corps in Kosovo and Iraq. Tickets $25 each, on sale at www.village-players.com and at the door.

Open calls

• THE RHYTHM OF NEW HAMPSHIRE SHOW CHORUS Women’s a cappella chorus is looking for female singers in the region to join. The group, an affiliate of the North American singing organization Harmony, Inc., performs a wide variety of music, including Broadway musical songs, patriotic songs, pop, jazz and seasonal pieces, for community and veterans’ events and private functions. Rehearsals are held weekly on Thursdays from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. at the Marion Gerrish Community Center, 39 W. Broadway, Derry. Masks are required for singing, but both vaccinated and unvaccinated singers are welcome. Visit rnhchorus.org or email info@rnhchorus.org for more information.

Jazz hands

The scene is strong in southern NH

By Hannah Turtle

hturtle@hippopress.com

Outside a recent performance at Jimmy’s Jazz and Blues Club in Portsmouth, the line stretched around the block. Patrons from all over the area filed in to see jazz legend Wynton Marsalis perform with his band. The club had the kind of atmosphere you’d expect from a jazz venue — dim candlelit tables, a moodily lit stage overflowing with instruments and performance gear, and a waitstaff of smartly dressed young people.

Marsalis took the stage and began telling a story in his signature gravelly voice, speaking slowly and smoothly: “I have a prayer I always say. It goes like this. ‘Dear lord help us, we are surrounded by ignorance, especially when we’re alone.’” The audience erupted into laughter and applause. When he put his trumpet up to his mouth, though, one could hear a pin drop in the packed venue.

As venues across the state again offer live shows, jazz is alive and well. Local venue owners have ideas about what allows live jazz music to endure.

At Hermanos in Concord, cultural versatility is on full display. Though it’s a Mexican restaurant, they’ve been hosting live jazz performances most nights for more than 20 years. Owner Jane Valliere says it comes down to its popularity.

“We have an audience that ranges from teens to people in their 80s,” Valliere said. “To me, jazz is the most universally loved genre. Though you can have a conversation and eat while listening, I find that it’s not just background music. People really love to listen.”

Other venues that offer live jazz performances throughout the summer include The Purple Pit in Bristol, Hermit Woods Winery in Meredith, and Strange Brew Tavern in Manchester, which hosts blues music most weekends.

Tristan Law, manager at The Press Room, the oldest music club in Portsmouth, sees jazz as an extension of the larger culture.

“It’s the original American art form, but it’s constantly evolving,” Law said. “As music becomes genreless, the foundations of jazz allow it to evolve really well. It’s the way the culture is — you don’t just need to have one interest. It’s like food, you’ve got Tex-Mex or Asian cuisine blending with creole, it’s taking flavors from different genres, and making it your own.”

The Press Room, which hosts a variety of genres from klezmer to rock, sees jazz as an important linchpin of the establishment, hosting a weekly Tuesday night “jazz jam” and bringing in a variety of jazz musicians to play at the venue.

Local jazz clubs
Hermanos Cocina Mexicana
Where: 11 Hills Avenue, Concord; 224-5669, hermanosmexican.com
When: Live music offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Tickets: No cover charge

Hermit Woods Winery
Where: The Loft, 72 Main St., Meredith; hermitwoods.com
When: Find a listing of events on the website, ticket prices vary

Jimmy’s Jazz and Blues Club
Where: 135 Congress St., Portsmouth; 888-603-JAZZ, jimmysoncongress.com
Tickets: Prices vary

The Press Room
Where: 77 Daniel St., Portsmouth; 431-5186, pressroomnh.com
When: Jazz Jam is Tuesdays, 6 to 9 p.m.
Tickets: Jazz Jam is free to public; see website for other event pricing

The Purple Pit Coffee Lounge
Where: 28 Central Square, Bristol; 744-7800, thepurplepit.com
When: See the calendar for dates
Tickets: No cover charge for the summer (tips for performers welcome)

Strange Brew Tavern
Where: 88 Market St., Manchester; 666-4292, strangebrewtavern.net
When: Strange Brew is closed Mondays; find music there most other nights.

Featured photo: Joey Placenti Trio. Photo courtesy of Hermanos.

This Week 22/07/21

Big Events July 21, 2022 and beyond

Thursday, July 21

The Dana Center for the Humanities at Saint Anselm College (100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester) is holding Shakespeare on the Green beginning tonight at 7:30 p.m. There will be two shows, A Midsummer’s Night Dream and Romeo and Juliet. A Midsummer’s Night Dream will run July 22, July 28 and July 30 at 7:30 p.m., and Romeo and Juliet will run July 21, July 23, and July 29 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $25 per person and can be purchased at tickets.anselm.edu.

Friday, July 22

Mola Foods (9 Simon St., Nashua) is offering the fourth Taste of Africa hosted by owner and chef LaFortune Jeannette Djabea. There meat and vegetarian meal options with dishes that span across the continent of Africa. In addition to the food, there will be live music. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at molafoods.com/africa4.

Sunday, July 24

This is the last day of “Warhol Screen Tests,” a collection of 20 of Andy Warhol’s short, silent black-and-white films of his friends at his studio in New York City, at the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17, and is free for children age 12 and under and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.

Sunday, July 24

St. Theresa Parish Center (815 Central Road, Rye) is hosting the New England Tenors from 2 to 4 p.m. The tenors will sing a Broadway tribute, songs of inspiration and a special Irish set. They will also have a special guest, soprano Mary Metvier. At intermission there will be an ice cream social. Tickets cost $20 per person or $125 for a table of seven. Call Mike Fay at 978-476-6053 or email coachmikefay@gmail.com.

Wednesday, July 27

Sommelier and wine educator Marie King is leading a Wine and Chocolate Pairing Class at LaBelle Winery (14 Route 111, Derry) at 6 p.m. Visitors will pair five different types of chocolate and wine. No previous knowledge of wine pairing is needed. Tickets cost $43.40 and can be purchased at labellewinery.com/shop/wine-chocolate-pairings-class-derry.

Thursday, July 28

The Dover Public Library (73 Locust St., Dover) is offering Cocheco River Writers, a new creative writing group for all skill levels. The first meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. The Cocheco River Writers will be a quiet atmosphere for people to share their writing and receive advice and feedback. People willing to share their writing should bring a copy to the first session. Email Aimee Lockhardt at a.lockhardt@dover.nh.gov or call the library at 516-6050.

Save the Date! Monday, Aug. 8
The 18th Annual Fore Paws Golf Classic to benefit Salem Animal Rescue League (SARL) will take place at Windham Country Club (1 Country Club Road) at 7:30 a.m. Registration costs $175 and closes on July 31. Included in the registration is 18 holes, cart and driving range, hot dog at the turn, 10 raffle tickets, one square on the wine and spirits board, on-course contests, individual golfer gift and golf balls, lunch, and one beverage ticket. All proceeds go to SARL. Register at sarlnh.org or call SARL at 893-3210.

Featured photo. The Dana Center’s Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Quality of Life 22/07/21

Water woes

Most of New Hampshire is currently in a moderate drought, the AP reported, and a small section of the southeastern part of the state is in a severe drought, according to the latest federal drought monitor map. More than 50 New Hampshire community water systems have set restrictions on daytime outdoor water use, such as watering lawns and washing vehicles.

QOL score: -2

Comment: Limiting outdoor water use to the early morning hours and evenings after 7 p.m. prevents additional water waste due to evaporation, Stacey Herbold of the Department of Environmental Services explained in the article.

Future of broadcasting

The New Hampshire Association of Broadcasters awarded $18,000 in scholarships to 11 New Hampshire students who are enrolled in a two- or four-year accredited school for the 2022-2023 school year and are pursuing a career in journalism, broadcasting or a related field. The scholarships included the $5,000 Al Sprague Memorial Scholarship, awarded to one student; the $2,500 Student Broadcast Scholarship, awarded to four students; and the $500 Families in Broadcasting Scholarship, awarded to six students who are children of NHAB members. Recipients were chosen based on their academic achievement, extracurricular and community involvement, financial need and an application essay about their interest in broadcasting.

QOL Score: +1

Comment: Congratulations to these up-and-coming journalists! QOL can confirm that it’s a pretty cool job.

Parkinson’s help in NH

Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon has been designated a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence by the Parkinson’s Foundation. There are only 47 centers with the designation worldwide — 37 of which are in the U.S. — and DHMC is the only one in northern New England. According to a press release, the Parkinson’s Foundation awarded DHMC the designation on account of its “person-centered, comprehensive and integrated approach to care, education and research; exceptional communication and collaboration with the team, external providers, patients and families; a state-of-the-art neurosurgery facility; and the Dartmouth Centers for Health & Aging Aging Resource Center, which provides workshops, wellness programs and advance care planning.”

QOL Score: +1

Comment: Centers must reapply for the designation every five years and meet rigorous standards of care, clinical research, professional training and community education and outreach; and maintain a specialized team of medical professionals who are informed on the latest Parkinson’s research.

The kids are alright

A recent WalletHub study ranked New Hampshire at No. 49 out of the 50 U.S. states and District of Columbia for States with the Most At-Risk Youth. The study looked at 16 criteria applicable to different age groups, from age 12 through 24, including high school diploma attainment, state of employment, poverty, teen pregnancy, homelessness, incarceration, illicit drug use, mental health, physical health and more. New Hampshire ranked especially low (No. 46) for percentage of “disconnected youth,” a term referring to the population ages 18 through 24 that is not attending school, is not employed and does not have education higher than a high school diploma.

QOL Score: +1

Comment: All of the New England states ranked between No. 40 and No. 51, with Massachusetts and Connecticut ahead of the Granite State at No. 51 and No. 50, respectively.

QOL score: 82

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 83

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 22/07/21

Covid-19 update Last weekThis week
Total cases statewide 333,483 (as of July 7)335,149 (as of July 14)
Total current infections statewide 1,854 (as of July 7)1,946 (as of July 14)
Total deaths statewide1,425 (announced July 7)2,609 (as of July 14)
New cases 1,363 (June 30 to July 7)1,723 (July 7 to July 13)
Current infections: Hillsborough County898 (as of July 11)867 (as of July 18)
Current infections: Merrimack County302 (as of July 11)306 (as of July 18)
Current infections: Rockingham County690 (as of July 11)669 (as of July 18)
Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

Academic improvements

The preliminary data generated by the New Hampshire Statewide Assessment System for 2022 has shown some improvement in New Hampshire students’ academic performance levels for the first time since the pandemic. According to a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Education, assessment scores, including ones that measure proficiency in English and math, dropped for students in grades 3 through 8 in 2021. This year, scores have improved among grades 3 through 7 and have remained the same for grade 8. “Assessment scores are inching upward and returning to near pre-pandemic levels, but it is clear that there is still work to be done to recover from the academic declines that resulted from Covid-19,” Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut said in the release. “New Hampshire has not fully regained ground, but these early signs of improvement are promising.”

Health commissioner steps down

New Hampshire’s Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette has announced her resignation, effective December 2022. Appointed to the position by Gov. Chris Sununu in January 2020, Shibinette has led the Department of Health and Human Services’ response to Covid-19 and regularly accompanied Gov. Sununu at televised press conferences to provide updates on the pandemic. “Covid-19 has been a challenging time for our state, our country, and for health care,” Shibinette said in a statement. “During this time, it has been a privilege serving as your commissioner. The last three years have been incredibly challenging yet equally rewarding.” Gov. Sununu said in a statement he “cannot thank her enough” for her service to New Hampshire over the course of the pandemic. “Throughout her tenure, Lori has played a key role in my administration as New Hampshire’s top health official,” he said. “From the early days of the pandemic to her leadership at New Hampshire Hospital, Lori has earned the respect and trust of New Hampshire’s citizens. I consider her a great friend and wish her all the best in whatever she decides to do next.”

Call for child care workers

A new marketing campaign has been launched by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services in partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central New Hampshire to address the state’s shortage of child care care workers. According to a press release, the campaign will utilize a series of eight public service announcements, which will run as television, digital and social media ads, to recruit applicants for various positions in child care facilities throughout the state via the New Hampshire Connections Child Care Job Board. “Family stability across New Hampshire depends on access to child care options that best fit their individual needs,” DHHS Associate Commissioner Christine Santaniello said in the release. “From home-based child care to larger centers, families need quality, fully-staffed child care providers that can meet New Hampshire’s demand.” The campaign is being funded by a portion of the state’s American Rescue Plan Act child care funds.

New crisis line

New Hampshire has implemented a new three-digit dialing, texting and chat code, 988, as a suicide prevention and crisis lifeline. The number will connect callers experiencing suicidal, mental health or substance misuse crises to a national network of more than 200 call centers via the established National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. “New Hampshire remains committed to providing streamlined access to mental health support services, and providing on demand assistance through 988 is another positive step in that direction,” Gov. Chris Sununu said in a statement. According to a press release from DHHS, the 988 line will augment, not replace, New Hampshire’s Rapid Response system, implemented in January 2022 as part of the state’s 10-year Mental Health Plan, which provides 24/7 mental health crisis services and, when necessary, deploys mobile crisis response teams, to New Hampshire residents experiencing a crisis.

Training for women in government

The New Hampshire Women’s Foundation will run “Women Run!” a day-long nonpartisan training program designed to teach New Hampshire women skills and confidence needed to run for state or local political office, on Wednesday, July 27, in Manchester. Participants will learn about the past and current landscape of women’s representation in New Hampshire government and campaigning techniques. The percentage of women in public office in New Hampshire is 37 percent in town offices, 41 percent in city offices and 23 percent in mayorships, according to an email from the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation. Visit nhwomensfoundation.org/womenrun to learn more.

A new New Hampshire Historical Highway Marker has been installed in Carroll, just north of the intersection of Routes 3 and 302 in a tourist section of town known as Twin Mountain, commemorating the glacial boulder where Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, a Congregationalist clergyman, abolitionist, proponent of women’s suffrage and the brother of author Harriet Beecher Stowe, preached his sermons in the late 1800s. It is the 274th marker installed as part of the New Hampshire Historical Highway Marker program, according to a press release from the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources, which oversees the program.

The Manchester Health Department reopened the public beach at Crystal Lake, located off Bodwell Road in southern Manchester, for swimming after closing it earlier this month due to elevated levels of E. Coli. Water samples will continue to be taken every Monday through Labor Day, with results announced every Tuesday at manchesternh.gov/departments/health/services/water-quality.

Elm Grove Companies will break ground on a new rental housing development, Depot & Main Apartments, at the end of this month at 41 Main St. in Salem, according to a press release. The more than $20 million project is a 74-unit Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and Workforce Housing community created to meet the need for affordable rental housing for New Hampshire’s low to moderate income families and workforce. A ceremony will be held at the ground-breaking on Tuesday, July 26, at 10 a.m.

The sky’s the limit

by Jeff Rapsis

Look up! You just may see a student-built airplane in the skies.

Such a sight is likely to become more common in years to come thanks to an innovative program pioneered by the Manchester School District.

The program involves students at the Manchester School of Technology, the district’s Career and Technical Education Center. (Years ago, it was known as the “vo-tech.”)

The school is well-known for its home-building program: Each year, teams of students build an actual house, complete with plumbing, wiring and so on. When it’s done, the house gets sold.

Three years ago, the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire, working with educational consultant Tango Flight, approached the school with the idea of doing the same thing but with an airplane.

A student-built plane? What could go wrong?

Three years later, the first student-built airplane — an all-metal Van’s Aircraft RV-12iS two-seat light sport aircraft — is now undergoing final inspection before taking to the skies. Later, the completed airplane will be sold, with the proceeds (about $100,000) to be used to buy the hardware and components for the next airplane.

The net cost to taxpayers: $0.

How is that possible? The nonprofit Aviation Museum raised about $350,000 in program start-up costs from the local business community, with most of the funds coming through the sale of Community Development Finance Authority tax credits. The program will continue to be funded largely through the sale of finished aircraft.

Manchester was only the fourth school district in the nation to attempt a student plane-building project on the Tango Flight model, in which mentors from outside the school district (in this case, volunteers from the Aviation Museum) work with high school students to complete a complex kit-based airplane.

Today, more than two dozen districts around the country are embarking on student plane-building projects using the method pioneered in Manchester. And students are getting hands-on experience essential to building tomorrow’s workforce, in aerospace and many other fields.

Bottom line: The student plane-building project at the Manchester School of Technology is a great example of what can happen when an area’s nonprofit and business community collaborate with local public schools on innovative programs.

Or, to put it another way: when we work together, the sky’s the limit!

Jeff Rapsis is Associate Publisher of the Hippo, and also executive director of the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire.

Stay in the loop!

Get FREE weekly briefs on local food, music,

arts, and more across southern New Hampshire!