Category: Art & Theater

Playing to the littles

Children’s theater groups present kid- and adult-friendly entertainment

By Hannah Turtle

[email protected]

Touring children’s theater group IMPACT has a simple goal: to expose kids to the joy of live theater. Their upcoming summer series, called The Magic of Fairy Tales, comprising six unique shows, is meant to do just that.

The group performs each show at eight locations across southern New Hampshire each week, partnering with local arts venues to give access to as many families as possible. This year, the group has weekly performances in Concord, Laconia, Plymouth, Lincoln, Lancaster, Claremont, Gorham and Haverhill, all beginning this week.

IMPACT is part of a broader trend of live theater for children in the area. The Palace Theatre in Manchester is also running a children’s series this summer, including adaptations of Cinderella and Frozen, with tickets for only $10, and RB Productions is running a host of youth programming at the Capitol Center, including Legally Blonde Jr., and Winnie the Pooh Kids.

Started back in 1986, the touring group IMPACT, housed at North Country Center For the Arts at Jean’s Playhouse, has recently shifted to writing all of its own shows and programming. It’s a unique challenge, writing children’s programming that is still entertaining for the whole family. “We try to write in a way that’s not only fun for kids, but equally fun for adults, in a different way,” said Joel Mercier, Artistic Director at Jean’s Playhouse.

Telling stories in the right way was a major consideration for the group, whose upcoming series includes retellings of the stories of Sleeping Beauty and Little Red Riding Hood and a host of other classic fairy tales.

“As I’m writing the script, I’m trying to make it entertaining to myself, as an adult, because in my experience, sometimes children’s theater can come off a bit patronizing, sometimes it’s playing down to the kids, rather than bringing the kids up to the same level,” said Mercier. “We find that yes, there are differences in children’s theater, we talk a lot to the actors about making really bold decisions and really going big, but we tell them to never play cartoons, and to never play down to the audience.”

It’s this care that has made the programming a success over the years. “We do end up seeing a lot of kids who return week to week, and a lot of families make this a weekly tradition, which is not only great for us but it’s great for the venues too,” said Mercier. “We will sometimes get emails from families telling us who their favorite performers were this season, and just how much they enjoyed the shows.”

In addition to writing for the whole family, the group aims to modernize the messaging behind some of these older tales. “Some of these fairy tales are pretty dated and the morals are not the best, so we try to stay away from ‘damsels in distress,’” said Mercier. “We want to show characters with independence who solve problems themselves, learn how to compromise, cooperate with each other, and stand up against bullying. Those are the kinds of themes we want to highlight when writing.”

This year the program has a second mission, one taken on by the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord. One of the stops for the group, the Capitol Center has made all IMPACT performances free for the audience, with the support of local sponsors.

”Our venue is for everyone, and the arts are too,” said Salvatore Prezio, Executive Director at the Capitol Center. “We have to get creative with the ways we get people involved, so it’s not just for kids from a certain neighborhood or income group. This is mission critical to us, to open our arms to the greater community.”

It’s a move Prezio hopes will broaden the — for lack of a better term — impact the programming will have on the community. “All of us remember our first experience with live theater,” said Prezio.

Affordable ticket pricing is a consideration for all eight venues this year, with all locations offering tickets for $8 or less. In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, IMPACT wants to make sure that finances are not a barrier to experiencing the arts.

“We’ve gotten out of the habit of going out. This is an easy way to get out and support the arts, for a very inexpensive ticket price,” said Mercier.

Shows for the kids

Palace Theatre Summer Children’s Shows

Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester, 668-5588, palacetheatre.org

Wizard of Oz Tuesday, July 12, through Thursday, July 14, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Friday, July 15, at 10 a.m.
Rapunzel Tuesday, July 19, through Thursday, July 21, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Friday, July 22, at 10 a.m.
Peter PanTuesday, July 26, through Thursday, July 28, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Friday, July 29, at 10 a.m.
Cinderella Tuesday, Aug. 2, through Thursday, Aug. 4, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Friday, Aug. 5, at 10 a.m.
Beauty and the Beast Tuesday, Aug. 9, through Thursday, Aug. 11, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Friday, Aug. 12, at 10 a.m.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Tuesday, Aug. 16, through Thursday, Aug. 18, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Friday, Aug. 19, at 10 a.m.
Frozen KidsTuesday, Aug. 23, through Thursday, Aug. 25, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Friday, Aug. 26, at 10 a.m.
Tickets: $10 at palacetheatre.org

RB Productions Summer Children’s Shows

Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com

RENT School EditionFriday, July 8, and Saturday, July 9, at 7 p.m., tickets $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors, plus fees
Beauty and the Beast Jr. Friday, July 15, and Saturday, July 16, at 7 p.m., $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors, plus fees
Winnie the Pooh Kids Saturday, July 16, at noon (doors open 11 a.m.), tickets $10 for adults, $7 for students and seniors, plus fees
Matilda Jr. Friday, July 22, and Saturday, July 23, at 7 p.m., tickets $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors, plus fees
Legally Blonde Jr. Friday, July 29, and Saturday, July 30, at 7 p.m., $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors, plus fees

IMPACT Summer Series

When and Where: Monday, July 4, through Saturday, Aug. 13
Mondays at 10 a.m. at Belknap Mill/Powerhouse (25 Beacon St. East in Laconia)
Tuesdays at 10 a.m. at the Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St. in Concord;225-1111, ccanh.com)
(as well as locations in Plymouth, Lincoln, Lancaster, Gorham, Claremont and Haverill)

Show schedule:
Week of July 4 — Sleeping Beauty
Week of July 11 — Lost in Wonderland
Week of July 18 — Neverland
Week of July 25 — Little Red Riding Hood
Week of Aug. 1 — Return to Oz
Week of Aug. 8 — Jack and the Beanstalk

Tickets: Prices vary by location
More info: jeansplayhouse.com/youth-and-education/impact-childrens-theatre

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.

The Art Roundup 22/06/30

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

• Book Signing: Local author and second-grade teacher, Kari Allen will be at Gibson’s Bookstore for a signing of her newly published picture book, The Boy Who Loved Maps, on Wednesday, July 13, from 4:30 to 6 p.m at Gibson’s Bookstore (45 South Main Street, Concord). This is Allen’s first published picture book, it features illustrations by G. Brian Karas, a vetted and award winning artist. Books can be purchased at the event or pre-ordered online. Visit gibsonsbookstore.com.

Summer Exhibit and Sale
New Hampshire Art Association photographer Gary Samson will display his work in an exhibit titled “Unburdened Beauty: Portraits of Women in the 21st Century” at Creative Framing Solutions (410 Chestnut St., Manchester) from Friday, July 1, through Sunday, July 31. Samson takes a unique approach in his photography, shooting on film and opting to use a large wooden view camera mounted on a tripod, in an attempt to slow the process and allow room for thought and conversation to be captured in the final image, according to a press release sent by the Association. Samson is a New Hampshire native and “the seventh Artist Laureate of New Hampshire and has been awarded numerous grants, fellowships and honors for his photography and film work over the past five decades,” the release said. There will be an opening reception on Thursday, July 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibit will be open to view Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit nhartassociation.org.

• Famed comedian: Craig Ferguson, best known from the decade-spanning TV show The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on CBS, will be coming to the Colonial Theatre (609 Main St, Laconia) as a part of his The Fancy Rascal tour on Saturday, Sept 3, at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $39 and are on sale now — they can be reserved online or by phone — but are expected to sell out quickly. Ferguson, born in Scotland, has had an immensely successful career in the American entertainment industry. His resume features roles on several notable shows, including The Drew Carey Show, in addition to film writing, directing and acting, and voice acting in the animated films Brave and How to Train Your Dragon. He’s also a New York Times bestselling author. Visit coloniallaconia.com or call the box office at 800-657-8774.

• Spray paint art: Expressit Art Studio (140 Melendy Road, Hudson; 438-7885) will offer adults and youth age 8 and up the opportunity to come into the studio and try their hand at experimenting with mixed media: spray paint, paint and canvas on Thursday, July 7, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The event will be held both inside and outside the studio, as participants will get to experience full creative reign over their piece. One canvas is included in the price of the ticket, but participants may bring in an additional 9-by-12 or larger canvas if they wish to make more than one piece. The studio requests that participants bring a mask to protect from the fumes of the spray paint; the studio will supply goggles. Tickets to participate cost $35. Visit expressitarts.com.

Concerts on the Common
Londonderry Arts Council will host musician Veronica Lewis on Wednesday, July 6, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Londonderry Town Common (265 Mammoth Road, Londonderry) as part of their Concerts on the Common program. According to American Songwriter Magazine, “Veronica Lewis is one of the most promising torchbearers of American rock ‘n’ roll,” as an artist she mixes the technique of different genres to create a unique sound. Her lyrics are both “thought provoking and humorous.” Lewis is a New Hampshire native, according to a press release sent by Concerts on the Common, “Veronica fuses these crucial elements together with the true language of the blues, and the energy of the early rock and rollers, like Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis, to create a truly individual style that is completely Veronica Lewis.” Lewis has traveled nationally, performing for different audiences. Admission to the concert is free. Visit londonderryartscouncil.org.

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 host a member reception on Friday, July 1 for local artist Robin Cornwell, whose work will be featured 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 [email protected] 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

• HAMPTON FALLS LIBERTY CRAFT FESTIVAL More than 75 juried artisans from all over New England will feature their work. Hampton Falls town common (4 Lincoln Ave.). Sat., July 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun., July 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit castleberryfairs.com.

• GUNSTOCK FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND CRAFT FAIR There will be more than 90 artisans displaying and selling their work. Gunstock Mountain Resort (719 Cherry Valley Road, Gilford). Sat., July 2, and Sun., July 3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit joycescraftshows.com.

• CRAFT FAIR AT THE BAY More than 75 juried artisans from all over New England will feature their work. Sat., July 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun., July 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Community House and Waterfront (24 Mount Major Highway, Alton Bay). Visit castleberryfairs.com.

• 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 [email protected] 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.

•​ THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) [REVISED] The Winnipesaukee Playhouse (33 Footlight Circle, Meredith; winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org) presents this show Wednesday, June 29, through July 9, with showtimes Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., plus matinees on Thurs., June 30, and Tues., July 5, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $29 to $39.

• INTO THE WOODS RGC Theatre presents this musical at Hatbox Theatre (inside the Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord; hatboxnh.com, 715-2315) July 8 through July 17, with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for adults, $22 for students, seniors and members and $19 for senior members.

•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: 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 Court Street Theatre (14 Court St., Nashua; actorsingers.org) Friday, Aug. 26, through Sunday, Aug. 28.

• 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

• LISTEN AND LUNCH presented by Monadnock Music’s summer festival, David William Ross (guitar) performs at Depot Park in Peterborough, 12 Depot St, Thursday, July 7, from noon to 1 p.m., concert is free and open to the public. Visit monadnockmusic.org.

• TOWN HOUSE EXTRAVAGANZA presented by Monadnock Music’s summer festival features a program of Weber and Schubert at Peterborough Town House, 1 Grove St, on Sunday, July 17, 3 p.m. Tickets: $35, Seniors- $25 Students and Under 18- $10. See monadnockmusic.org.

Piano to lift spirits

Sergei Novikov comes to New Hampshire

By Delaney Beaudoin

Having been in the United States for only four months, pianist Sergei Novikov found himself down on his luck and nearly homeless in 1991. Just three months later he would be playing piano for the president of the United States.

Born in Russia, Novikov displayed an affinity for music from an early age. Learning various instruments from the age of 6, he took up piano by age 8. After graduating from the Moscow School of Music at 15, he briefly played in a pop band, performing for stadiums of up to 100,000 people, before eventually emigrating from Russia to the United States. Novikov only briefly struggled to grasp his footing before he was hired to play piano at a restaurant in Kennebunkport, Maine. It was there that he played for former President George H.W. Bush.

“Kennebunkport is where Bush’s family has their summer home. … Bush was president at that time, so he was in town, and that’s where he went, and he came to have dinner,” Novikov said. “He was so impressed with my piano performance that he took the time and actually came to me and shook my hand and told me that I’m a great talent. He was very impressed. Everybody was very impressed that he was impressed with me.”

After finishing his studies at the University of Maine, Novikov began his career doing piano concerts, which he continues to do to this day. As part of his current show, “Piano Concert Like No Other,” Novikov is set to perform Friday, July 15, at 7 p.m. at the Kingswood Art Center in Wolfeboro, on Friday, July 22, at 7 p.m. at the Seifert Performing Arts Center in Salem.

Lasting an hour and 15 minutes, Novikov’s performance is specifically designed to cover an array of music genres, incorporating more than 14 different styles.

“Every piece is different. … Every piece has a unique style, although you can describe it in one word: the whole program is sophisticated. So for people who love Chopin, for people who love Duke Ellington, for people who love even Johann Sebastian Bach, you know, they come to my concerts, and they’re not disappointed,” Novikov said. “On the one hand, it’s entertaining. On the other hand, it is deep enough for people to enjoy it and feel that it’s not just something that came and they forgot about it right away.”

In his 20-year career thus far, Novikov has performed live more than 5,000 times and sold more than one million albums. He has performed in front of countless celebrities and been praised by not one but two U.S. presidents. His dedication to his craft is fueled simply by his desire to make people happy through music.

“Everybody has their troubles, problems, everybody has their thoughts, you know, everybody has something on their mind. The music that I deliver takes the load off the brain, at least for the hour and 15 minutes of my performance, and they feel better, and they tell me about it afterwards,” Novikov said. “I always tell people that it’s a privilege, and I feel that I am privileged to be able to do that. I’m not performing magic and taking people’s problems away. But I make them feel better for a little while, [and] that’s already a great deal.”

In addition to making people happy, Novikov hopes to introduce people to the sector of music that has yet to be touched by commercialization.

“There is plenty of good music of any genre, whatever you like, so my message to people is to stop complaining about music being bad. Just you know, get busy finding good music, because it’s out there,” Novikov said. “I am proud to be in that group. I’m offering something that you don’t find every day anymore. It’s really a unique experience.”

Tickets to Novikov’s Wolfeboro and Salem performances start at $40. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the International Rescue Committee “to help assist Ukraine.” Visit speakingmusic.com.

“Piano Concert Like No Other”
• Where: Kingswood Art Center, 21 McManus Road, Wolfeboro
When: Friday, July 15, at 7 p.m.
Cost: $40 to $45
• Where: Seifert Performing Arts Center, 44 Geremonty Drive, Salem
When: Friday, July 22, at 7 p.m.
Cost: $40 to $45
Visit: speakingmusic.com

Featured photo: Photo courtesy of Sergei Novikov.

The Art Roundup 22/06/23

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

• Live musical: Take in an underrepresented storyline following a group of women who bond over both the woes and joys of going through “the change” after meeting in a department store underwear section. Showing on Sunday, June 6, at 2 and 5:30 p.m. at the Capitol Center for the Arts’ Chubb Theatre (44 S. Main St, Concord), Menopause the Musical is celebrating its 20th year in production, with an impressive stage history as the 15th longest-running show in Las Vegas history. It has been seen by more than 17 million people and played in more than 500 cities worldwide. The show runs for 90 minutes; tickets start at $44 each, dependent on seating. This show is recommended for viewers age 14 and up. Visit ccanh.com.

• Paint and sip: Join Wildlife Encounters Ecology and Wellness Center (270 Beauty Hill Road, Barrington) for a paint and sip night on Saturday, June 25, from 2 to 4 p.m. The event will offer guests painting instruction and a mini-tour of the Wildlife Encounters Sanctuary and will feature a live baby coatimundi known as “Diego” to model for the paintings. All needed materials will be provided. Tickets to the event cost $50 for non-members and $45 for members. Pre-registration is required. Visit weecocenter.com.

Landscape/Lakescape painting class
Learn some valuable painting skills from a seasoned professional at The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s acrylic landscape painting class at the Meredith Fine Craft Gallery (279 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith) on Saturday, June 25, from 10 a.m. to noon. The Gallery is also offering a watercolor “lakescape” painting class on Saturday, July 9, from 10 a.m. to noon. The classes will be taught by instructor Ann Xavier, a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design with three decades of teaching experience. The classes are intended for all skill levels — the cost per each class is $70 per student, with a materials fee of $35 to be paid to the instructor on class day (register now, as space is limited). Visit meredith.nhcrafts.org.

• Free museum admittance: Every Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m., join the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester) for its Art After Work: Free Thursday Nights program. The program offers free gallery tours and admittance to the museum during the designated hours. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy live music, happy hour drink specials and a full menu. Tours will meet in the lobby and last about 30 minutes. Members of the museum will receive a 10 percent discount on food and non-alcoholic beverages with the presentation of a valid membership card. Visit currier.org.

• Music and art festival: Running from Friday, June 24, at 2 p.m. to Saturday, June 25, at 10 p.m., the Northlands Music and Art Festival will be held at the Cheshire Fairground (247 Monadnock Hwy., Swanzey). The festival will feature more than 15 live music performances over two days from local and nationally touring artists, in addition to installation art, performance art, local food trucks, a beer garden and local artisans. Tickets can be purchased in single day passes or for the whole weekend. A one-day general admission pass costs $79 for adults, $20 for kids age 4 to 12, and kids under 4 get in free. Two-day general admission passes cost $139 for adults and $35 for kids age 4 to 12. VIP tickets are also available. Visit: northlandslive.com.

Mural Festival Fundraising
Local artist James Chase in collaboration with Arts Build Community is seeking fundraising for their “Community Canvas” project. The funding will be used to produce a 10-day-long mural festival running from Aug. 11 through Aug. 21, involving local and non-local muralists working toward the completion of seven murals throughout Manchester. This project was created with the hope of uniting and inspiring the community through art. “This program that we’re launching is about building with the community, not for the community. So that way the murals reflect the community’s needs, values, and culture…. We’re doing our due diligence ahead of time working with nonprofits to really raise and reflect community voices as we’re making these murals,” Chase said. The program holds a goal of raising $50,000 by July; they currently have raised $18,000. Chase plans to use the funds raised to buy supplies, pay artists and hold community events. “I think that murals and art in general has an opportunity to uplift, to increase voices, to instill community pride.” Chase said, “and a lot of what’s going to be happening in the making in between is just as important as the final piece. So we really see this as community building when fostering connection.” For more information or to donate to the project, visit patronicity.com/abc2022.

• Exhibit: Art 3 Gallery is displaying its current exhibit, “Layered: Color and Texture,”in its gallery (44 W. Brook St., Manchester) now through Sept. 15. The exhibit aims to engage all senses of the viewers, incorporating vivid color use and varying texture. “The tactile quality of an object’s surface appeals to the sense of touch. Whereas creating hidden depths of light and color with layers of paint and glazes attract the viewer’s sense of sight,” the Gallery wrote on its website. There is a virtual gallery tour available online or visitors may come in person Monday through Friday from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Visit art3gallery.com.

• Theatre event: The Palace Theatre is hosting Night of 1000 Stars in celebration of their “ever so talented Palace Youth Theatre actors.” The event will be held at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester) on Tuesday, June 28, at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $12 and are seating dependent. Visit palacetheatre.org.

Peterborough Players
The Peterborough Players are returning to the indoor stage for the first time since February 2020 with their season opening show, Cabaret, running from Thursday, June 23, through Sunday, July 3. Set in 1930s Berlin, this award-winning musical surrounds the themes of love, underground subcultures and politics. In a press release sent by the Theatre, Artistic Director Tom Frey was quoted as saying, “We all remember it as the ultimate song-and-dance musical, but at its core it asks really difficult questions about a moment in history that cannot, and must not, be forgotten. Not only is it timeless in its structure, but its themes remain sadly still relevant.” Tickets to the play cost $47 each and can be purchased online or by calling the box office at 924-7585. Visit peterboroughplayers.org.

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.

• “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 [email protected] for more information.

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.

• HAMPTON FALLS LIBERTY CRAFT FESTIVAL More than 75 juried artisans from all over New England will feature their work. Hampton Falls town common (4 Lincoln Ave.). Sat., July 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun., July 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit castleberryfairs.com.

• GUNSTOCK 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND CRAFT FAIR There will be more than 90 artisans displaying and selling their work. Gunstock Mountain Resort (719 Cherry Valley Road, Gilford). Sat., July 2, and Sun., July 3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit joycescraftshows.com.

• CRAFT FAIR AT THE BAY More than 75 juried artisans from all over New England will feature their work. Sat., July 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun., July 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Community House and Waterfront (24 Mount Major Highway, Alton Bay). Visit castleberryfairs.com.

• 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 [email protected] 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

• LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL The Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester) presents the musical through June 26, with showtimes on Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at noon. Tickets cost $25 to $46. Visit palacetheatre.org or call 668-5588.

•​ PRIVATE LIVES The Winnipesaukee Playhouse (33 Footlight Circle, Meredith) presents through June 25, with showtimes Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $23 to $39. Visit winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org.

•​ ANYTHING GOES The Seacoast Repertory Theatre (125 Bow St., Portsmouth) presents. June 16 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. Visit seacoastrep.org or call 433-4472.

• THE BALD SOPRANO Produced by the Community Players of Concord. The Hatbox Theatre (located inside the Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord) through Sun., June 26. Showtimes are 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. Visit hatboxnh.com or call 715-2315 for more information.

• FOOTLOOSE Prescott Park Arts Festival (105 Marcy St., Portsmouth) 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. Visit prescottpark.org or call 436-2848.

•​ MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St., Concord). Sun., June 26, with showtimes at 2 and 5:30 p.m. Tickets cost $44. Visit ccanh.com or call 225-1111.

•​ THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) [REVISED] The Winnipesaukee Playhouse (33 Footlight Circle, Meredith) presents. June 29 through July 9, with showtimes Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., plus matinees on Thurs., June 30, and Tues., July 5, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $29 to $39. Visit winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org.

• INTO THE WOODS RGC Theatre presents. Hatbox Theatre (inside the Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord). July 8 through July 17, with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for adults, $22 for students, seniors and members and $19 for senior members. Visit hatboxnh.com or call 715-2315.

• 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 [email protected] if you’re interested in being a storyteller.

• 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). Showtimes on Fri., Oct. 14 and Oct. 21, and Sat., Oct. 15 and Oct. 22. Visit manchestercommunitytheatre.com or call 327-6777.

CLASSICAL

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 [email protected] for more information.

Going to Hollywood

Author Paul Brogan discusses new book

By Delaney Beaudoin

Paul Brogan became pen pals with Doris Day at just 8 years old. After viewing the 1960 comedy Please Don’t Eat the Daisies, starring Doris Day as a mother of four, at a drive-in movie theater with his parents, Brogan wrote a fan letter addressed simply to “Doris Day, Hollywood, California.”

book cover for A Sprinkling of Stardust Over the Outhouse by Paul Brogan
Memoir by Paul Brogan

“I just thought as a little boy, oh, she is the most wonderful mother. In my fan letter, I said, ‘Miss Day, if I didn’t have my own mother, I’d love to have you,’” Brogan said. “And she wrote back. And she said it was the sweetest fan letter she had ever gotten. And she said, please stay in touch. And she sent me her home address.”

Despite Brogan’s early desires to travel to tinsel town and pursue a career in screenplay writing, Doris Day remained Brogan’s only connection to Hollywood and his dream of writing for the majority of his life.

Brogan, who now lives in Concord with his spouse, Alan, will be at Gibson’s Bookstore on Thursday, June 30, at 6:30 p.m., to discuss his third and latest book, A Sprinkling of Stardust Over the Outhouse: Musings, Memories, Madness, and Pillow Talk! The book retells the trajectory of Brogan’s life and the lessons he’s had to learn for himself about the importance of being true to yourself, even in the face of hardship.

“This time I returned to a topic I sort of know: myself,” Brogan said. “When you’re in your late 60s, you start to realize that life is finite, you’re not going to live forever. And if there is a philosophy, or something that you feel should be shared, that other people might either benefit from or just be entertained from sharing it, that it’s the time to do it.”

Brogan’s whirlwind of a life, which began with growing up gay and Catholic in the 1950s and ’60s, took many twists and turns as the author slowly began to realize the key to happiness is listening to your own desires and wants, rather than the ones others impress upon you.

“Growing up, I was told, well, you can’t go to Hollywood, Paul, you’re not good-looking enough. And I would say, but I don’t want to be in the movies, I want to write, I want to do something. And they would say, Oh, you’re not a very good writer, so don’t, don’t follow that, you’re only going to be disappointed when you fail,” said Brogan.

Despite others’ doubt, Brogan did eventually make it to Hollywood, where he met Doris Day in her home in 1973. Their friendship would persist through the duration of her life.

In his life, Brogan made many career changes in his pursuit of happiness. Originally working traditional jobs for many years made Brogan realize his dissatisfaction with the path laid out for him.

“I was basically in the era where I thought, Paul, you need to find a nice job. Stick with it for 40 years; when you retire they’ll give you a gold watch and a pension. And these crazy ideas you have about wanting to be a writer or go to Hollywood, that’s all up in your head. And it’s just not realistic,” he said.

Day continued to act as a mentor for Brogan, who in the mid-’80s suffered a mental breakdown caused by his unfulfillment in daily life.

“She said to me, Paul, right now, you’re at a juncture in your life, you need the ocean, you need the calming sea,” Brogan said.

Brogan heeded Day’s advice and moved up to Ogunquit, Maine, shortly after, where he took up a job playing piano at a restaurant.

“I’ve been playing piano since I was 5, but I’d never done it professionally. So the ocean and everything helped to give me a whole new perspective on what had value and what mattered. And that I had to stop listening to other people’s concepts of what I was supposed to be or do, and that I had to find my own niche,” he said.

Brogan would go on to work in the nonprofit sector, helping people who were “infected and affected” at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Eventually, Brogan fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a writer, just not in the guise of the silver screen as he originally imagined.

“I was in my 50s when I wrote the first book 11 years ago, the first time I really dipped my toe in the water, so to speak, and said I’m finally going to do this. I talked about it when I was 15 and 16…. When the book became successfulI said, wow, it’s nice in your late 60s to be able to call yourself a writer.”

The unique title, which interestingly enough Brogan developed before writing the book, refers to a commonly used phrase.

“Pardon me, sh*t happens…. In the book, I basically say, yeah, that’s gonna happen, but you don’t dwell on it and make that your mantra in life. You put that crap into the outhouse, where it belongs, and forget about it. And just to make sure, just sprinkle some stardust — your hopes, your dreams, the next chapter of your life — over the outhouse. Then you’re able to move on to whatever is the next thing that’s in store for you,” Brogan said.

Paul Brogan Presents at Gibson’s Bookstore
Where: Gibson’s Bookstore, 45 S. Main St., Concord
When: Thursday, June 30, at 6:30 p.m.
Visit: gibsonsbookstore.com

Featured photo: Paul and Doris Day in Beverly Hills. Photo courtesy of Paul Brogan.

The Art Roundup 22/06/16

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

• Pulitzer Prize-winning author: The Monadnock Writers’ Group hosts Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jack E. Davis on Saturday, June 18, at 9:45 a.m. at Bass Hall in the Monadnock Center for History and Culture (19 Grove St., Peterborough). Davis, who is a past MacDowell fellow, will be discussing his new book, The Bald Eagle: The Improbable Journey of America’s Bird. Both the book and his talk will include, according to a press release sent by the group, a collection of stories detailing “Founding Fathers, brutal hunters, heroic bird rescuers, and the lives of bald eagles themselves — monogamous creatures, considered among the animal world’s finest parents.” The event is free and open to the public, but masks will be required for all attendees. Visit monadnockwriters.org.

• Exhibit opening and reception: Epsom Public Library (1606 Dover Road, Epsom) is opening “an exhibit of paintings and mixed media collages by Ann Saunderson and Grace Mattern,” according to a press release. The exhibit will open with a reception on Saturday, June 18, from 3 to 5 p.m., that is open to the public. The exhibit will run through July 30. The library is open Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit epsomlibrary.com.

• Local author: The Toadstool Bookshop hosts Andrea Paquette, a board certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Holistic Nurse Practitioner from Manchester, to talk about her new book, Lovable: How Women Can Heal Their Sensitive Hearts and Live and Love as Their True Selves on Saturday, June 18, at 6 p.m. at their Nashua location (Somerset Plaza, 375 Amherst St., Nashua). The book consists of collected stories from Paquette and clients she has treated throughout her career. According to a press release sent by the bookshop, the book is intended for women “who feel as though they are playing a role in life rather than living as their authentic selves.” Through her book, Paquette offers healing strategies for those in need of emotional support and empowerment. Paquette has more than 30 years of experience in health care, even owning her own private practice, located in Londonderry. Through her treatment of children she became aware of the common stressors mothers endure and set out to develop strategies to help them cope. She completed training as a Life Coach in 2018 and has since successfully taught “women to express their authentic selves, use their talents in the world, and create a life they love.”

Father’s Day festival
Castleberry Fairs and Festivals will host a Father’s Weekend Craft Festival rain or shine on Saturday, June 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, June 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Deerfield Fairgrounds (34 Stage Road, Deerfield). The festival will offer more than 100 “juried artisans” displaying and selling their work, which, according to the Castleberry website, will include pottery, folk art, jewelry, quilts, photography, glass, metal sculpture, candles and more. The festival will have food and live music throughout each day. Admission is $6 for adults and free for kids ages 14 and under (one ticket is good for both days). Visit castleberryfairs.com.

• Music festival: The Halcyon Music Festival returns from Thursday, June 16, through Saturday, June 25, at St. John’s Episcopal Church (101 Chapel St., Portsmouth), with all performances happening at 7 p.m. Featuring six different chamber music programs, the festival unites 21 musicians to perform over a 10-day span. The festival’s artistic director and pianist, Heng-Jin Park, commented on the upcoming festival in a press release sent out. “This year’s roster of world-class artists includes a great mix of musicians whom our festival audiences have come to know and love as well as several new faces, including New Hampshire native and violinist Laurel Gagnon,” she said. The festival will host shows nightly from June 16 to June 18 before pausing for a small break, and then resuming nightly from June 23 to June 25. Performances will include music from renowned composers such as Strauss, Arensky, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven and others. Tickets are available now online via halcyonmusicfestival.org/concerts. Tickets can be purchased individually at $25 general admission and $10 for students, or tickets can be purchased in packages ranging from $65 to $130 depending on the number of concerts desired.

• Silent art auction and social: The Miss Manchester Scholarship Program will host a silent art auction and social event at the Palace Theatre’s Spotlight Room (96 Hanover St., Manchester) on Sunday, June 26, from 1 to 5 p.m. Proceeds from the bidding will go toward scholarship funds for the program. The auction will feature more than 25 pieces of artwork from “local artisans and generous artists.” Bidding will begin at 1:30 p.m. and go until 4 p.m. Attendees can expect live music, light fare and a cash bar. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online. Visit missmanchesterscholarship.org.

ART

Exhibits

• “NATURE AT NIGHT: PAINTINGS BY OWEN KRZYZANIAK GEARY” Two Villages Art Society (846 Main St., Contoocook). On display now through June 18. Visit twovillagesart.org or call 413-210-4372 for more information.

• “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.

THEATRE

Shows

•​ SEUSSICAL JR. The Palace Teen Apprentice Company presents. Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester). Wed., June 15, and Thurs., June 16, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $12 to $15. Visit palacetheatre.org or call 668-5588.

• LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL The Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester) presents the musical through June 26, with showtimes on Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at noon. Tickets cost $25 to $46. Visit palacetheatre.org or call 668-5588.

• MACBETH: A NECROMANTIC EXPERIENCE Cue Zero Theatre Co. presents. Derry Opera House (29 W. Broadway, Derry). Fri., June 17, and Sat., June 18, at 7:30 p.m., and Sun., June 19, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $15. Visit cztheatre.com.

• THE BALD SOPRANO Produced by the Community Players of Concord. The Hatbox Theatre (located inside the Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord). Fri., June 17 through Sun., June 26. Showtimes are 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. Visit hatboxnh.com or call 715-2315.

•​ A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Seven Stages Shakespeare Company performs. Players’ Ring Theatre (105 Marcy St., Portsmouth). through June 19, with showtimes Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $22 for seniors age 65 and up and students. Visit playersring.org or call 436-8123.

•​ PRIVATE LIVES The Winnipesaukee Playhouse (33 Footlight Circle, Meredith) presents. June 15 through June 25, with showtimes Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., plus matinees on Thurs., June 16, and Tues., June 21, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $23 to $39. Visit winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org.

CLASSICAL

Events

•​ “IMAGES OF AMERICA THROUGH MUSIC AND ART” The Strafford Wind Symphony presents. Sat., June 18, 7 p.m. Rochester Opera House (31 Wakefield St., Rochester). Visit rochesteroperahouse.com or call 335-1992.

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