On The Job – Kara Webster

Floral decor designer

Kara Webster of Pelham designs and sells handcrafted seasonal wreaths and floral decor from her online shop, Enchanted Vines, and hosts virtual and in-person wreath-making workshops.

Explain your job and what it entails.

I work with high-quality florals to create wreaths and floral arrangements that appear lifelike. These pieces are designed to create a warm and welcoming home. … In addition to selling, I’ve … created seasonal workshops where I teach others how to design … their wreath or centerpiece so that it lasts for seasons to come.

How long have you had this job?

Enchanted Vines was created on Valentine’s Day of 2018 on the Etsy platform. I ran my shop as my side hustle for over four years. I worked my 9-to-5 job in HR and dedicated nights and weekends to my shop. In the summer of 2021, I reduced my hours at my full-time job to test the waters, and by fall of 2021 I made the leap to pursue my passion full-time

What led you to this career field and your current job?

In my late teen years, I had two jobs I loved. The first was an all-female landscaping company where we did garden installations and maintenance. The second was working at a florist. Both jobs laid the foundation for learning about flowers, color and design.

What kind of education or training did you need?

I’ve been a sponge with online resources over the last five or six years. I utilize YouTube tutorials and am a member of an online-based group that focuses on online selling and wreath making. … I have an amazing mentor named Wendy through the SCORE Business Mentoring Program. Wendy has a family-owned limo company, and even though we’re in completely different fields, she’s provided me with invaluable advice.

What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?

When I’m working at home, my go-to is comfort, so you can usually find me in Cozy Earth loungewear. When I’m running a workshop, I’m in jeans, comfy shoes and my Enchanted Vines apron that my coworkers gave as part of my goodbye gift.

How has your job changed over the course of the pandemic?

With stores being closed, online sales were boosted, but in-person events were put on hold. I made the decision to pivot my business model and created virtual workshops as well as DIY floral kits. I continue to offer virtual workshops, which allow me to connect with clients from all over the country.

What do you wish you’d known at the beginning of your career?

When something seems scary or outside your comfort zone, do it anyway. That discomfort is a sign that you’re … improving on your skillset.

What do you wish other people knew about your job?

Being in business for yourself can make you feel vulnerable. You have to completely put yourself out there, believe in yourself and invest in yourself. Being a small business owner can be risky, scary, draining, but also so rewarding.

What was the first job you ever had?

My first job was at Dunkin’ Donuts at the age of 15.

What’s the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever received?

Don’t ever get complacent. There’s always room for growth.

Five favorites

Favorite book: It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover.
Favorite movie: The Notebook.
Favorite music: Adele and Lizzo never disappoint.
Favorite food: Apple crisp is my favorite right now.
Favorite thing about NH: When the seasons change. I always say my favorite season is the “next” season because I love seeing the transformation.

Featured photo: Kara Webster. Courtesy photo.

Kiddie Pool 22/09/29

Family fun for the weekend

Festivals galore

• Charmingfare Farm (774 High St., Candia) is holding a multi-day pumpkin festival featuring pumpkin picking, tractor train rides, horse-drawn wagons, pumpkin art, live music and more. Visit their website to pick a date and time to attend. Available dates are Saturday, Oct. 1, and Sunday, Oct. 2, and Saturday, Oct. 8, through Monday, Oct. 10. Tickets are $22 per person and must be purchased in advance online (free for kids ages 23 months and under). Go to visitthefarm.com to purchase tickets and for more information.

• Join DeMerritt Hill Farm (20 Orchard Way, Lee) for Pumpkinfest on Saturday, Oct. 1, and Sunday, Oct. 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be pumpkin rock painting and naming contests for the chance to win prizes, as well as face-painting and pre-picked pumpkins available for purchase. Visit demerritthillfarm.com for more details.

• There will be a harvest fest on the lawn of the Taylor Library (49 E. Derry Road, Derry) on Sunday, Oct. 2, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring games, crafts, snacks, music, balloon twisters and a special visit from the Derry Fire Department. Visit taylorlibrary.org for more information.

• The educational farm at Joppa Hill (174 Joppa Hill Road, Bedford) is hosting a Fall Fest on Sunday, Oct. 2, from noon to 4 p.m. The fair will have tractor rides, a pumpkin patch, crafts, a petting farm, live music, tasty treats and more. No registration is needed. Visit theeducationalfarm.org

• The last days of Toddlerfest are this week, with the final day being Sunday, Oct. 2, at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St., Dover). The annual celebration offers guests up to age 5 experiences with music and movement, science, art and storytelling. The festival is included in the price for tickets for general admission. Visit childrens-museum.org to purchase tickets and for more information.

Explore science

• SEE Science Center (200 Bedford St., Manchester) is inviting kids and families to make their own Simon Says game on Saturday, Oct. 1, to celebrate the 100th birthday of Ralph Baer, the game’s creator. Participants will need to bring a laptop capable of downloading Arduino IDE software to be able to participate. The program runs from 1 to 3 p.m. and costs $5 plus regular admission. The project is recommended for kids ages 12 and older. Visit see-sciencecenter.org for more information.

Farm fun

• NOFA-NH and Brookford Farms are celebrating their respective 50- and 10-year anniversaries with a pizza party, live music, and farm tour at 250 West Road, Canterbury, on Saturday, Oct. 1, from 1 to 4 p.m. In addition to everything listed above, there will also be a hay maze, apple cider pressing, encounters with wildlife, and more. Visit nofanh.org.

Showtime

• The run of The Little Mermaidat the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester) is ending with its final performance on Sunday, Oct. 2, at 2 p.m. The show follows the adventures of the little mermaid, Ariel, who falls in love with a human she rescues. Tickets start at $25 and can be bought at palacetheatre.org.

Sports fans

Got kids who love sports? They might be keen to watch older kids play the sports they are just starting to enjoy. Hippo’s sports writer, Dave Long, suggests a few upcoming games your kids might want to check out:

• Boys Soccer – Concord at Nashua South, today, Thursday. Sept. 29, at 4 p.m. These two are bunched at the top of the Division 1 standings with several others. So October will be wild as very good teams battle all month for who’ll be seeded where come tournament time. And kicking off the race will be the Crimson on the road vs. the Titans at Nashua’s Stellos Stadium (7 Stadium Drive).

• Football – Campbell at Trinity, Friday, Sept. 30, at 7 p.m. An earlyseason battle of teams that come into tomorrow’s clash at Trinity High School (581 Bridge St. in Manchester). The winner takes the lead to be the top seed in the Division 3 tournament.

• Girls Soccer – Derryfield at Trinity, Sunday, Oct. 2, at 4 p.m. A Manchester city battle at Trinity. With the Pioneers being relatively new to D-3, it’s not quite a rivalry game. But with them now meeting twice a year, it’s probably not far off. The next edition comes Oct. 21 on the synthetic at D-field that looks to be twice regulation size when you drive up to it on North River Road.

Treasure Hunt 22/09/29

Dear Donna,

I have a kitty that belonged to my mom and was passed to me. It’s been very loved and worn over the years. Now it’s time to share it again with my granddaughter.

I’m wondering if there is any danger in the contents of kitty. He has torn areas and worn spots. I lived through it, but am checking before I pass him on again.

Kimberly

Dear Kimberly,

I love the history of your cat (a.k.a. kitty). With all the loving it’s had it looks to be in good shape other than the tail tip. In the antique world we consider these well used and loved animals in a collectible market of their own.

As far as safety, Kimberly, I would make sure there is no stuffing exposed, the ribbon isn’t loose, there are no wires poking out, and it’s not shedding surface fur — no loose ends.Then I’m thinking if it made it this far you should be OK.

Just for information, Kimberly, the value on your loved kitty would be in the $60 range. Judging by your photos it looks to be from the early 1900s.

Thanks for sharing and passing it on, Kimberly.

Fair and square

The Deerfield Fair celebrates New Hampshire agriculture traditions

By Katelyn Sahagian

[email protected]

For more than a century the Deerfield Fair has celebrated agriculture, handmade items, farm animals and families during the first few days of autumn.

“We came back last year stronger than ever and this year is looking just as good,” said Richard Pitman, the vice president of the Deerfield Fair.

Over the course of the last near century and a half, the fair has taken a break only during World War II and the Covid-19 pandemic, said Pitman.

The Deerfield Fair is back for the 145th year, starting Saturday, Sept. 29, with midway amusement rides, delicious fair food and dozens of different horse, cattle and pumpkin competitions before wrapping up on Sunday, Oct. 2.

The newest entertainment at the fair will be K-9 police unit demonstrations, where, as Pitman said, the dogs will “show off and get the bad guy.” There will also be a group of archers teaching people the proper ways to handle bows and how to shoot them at the 4-H building.

colorful ferris wheel seen from below
Courtesy photo.

“We’ve been bombarded with entries by exhibitors, everything from household goods to horse pulling, dairy and beef cows, even oxen pulling,” Pitman said.

He added that there will be an assortment of different fried fair foods, midway rides and games, and craftsmen’s displays including woodworking and blacksmithing.

There will be buildings with hand-woven and braided rugs, photography, art, and different produce grown by gardeners and farmers from across the state. A petting farm will be set up with sheep, alpacas, llamas and other farm animals.

Catch live music and performances (such as puppets, the Flying Wallendas, magic and more) on four stages throughout the weekend. The Miss Deerfield Fair pageant will take place on Friday, Sept. 30, at 7 p.m. The fair will feature strolling performers playing on all four days include Bryson Lang, I’m Not a Clown, Pirate Man Dan, Moose Mountain Jazz Band, Have a Cartoon You, Seacoast NH Ukulele and Mixtape A Cappella Group.

The highlights of the fair will be the giant pumpkin and gourd weigh-offs, the horse pulling competition, and the tractor pulling competition, according to Pitman. He said that the fair is a place for every aspect of agriculture and homemade lifestyle to be encouraged.

“We celebrate all aspects of the homegrown lifestyle,” Pitman said.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.

The Art Roundup 22/09/29

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

• Nature’s beauty: The Manchester Artists Association presents “Nature’s Beauty,” an exhibit celebrating art and nature at the NH Audubon Massabesic Center (26 Audubon Way in Auburn, 668-2045). The exhibit will be on display at the center (which is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) from Friday, Sept 30, to Wednesday, Nov 30. An opening reception will be held on Sunday, Oct. 9, from noon to 3 p.m.. A portion of the proceeds goes to benefit the Audubon.

• Saint Anselm art’s opening night: The Chapel Art Center at Saint Anselm College (100 Saint Anselm Dr. in Manchester; anselm.edu/chapelart) hosts its first opening of the academic year on Thursday, Sept. 29, from 6 to 8 p.m., called “Dilecta, Reflections on a Permanent Collection Part I: An Abundance of Considerations.” At 4 p.m. the Chapel Art Center will host a Fine Art Series concert titled “An Atlas of Time: On My Recent Music” by Professor Wang Lu of Brown University.

Fall benefit art show
On Saturday, Oct. 1, artists and artisans will gather at Greeley Park (Concord Street in Nashua) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a fall art and artisan show to benefit the Betty J Borry Breast Cancer Retreats. The art show includes a variety of media: acrylics, oils, mixed media, photography, wood turning, jewelry, and more. The show will host a raffle table and a free activity, Kindness Rocks, where aspiring artists of all ages can try their hand at painting a rock with a kind message. The Betty J Borry Breast Cancer Retreat is a nonprofit organization that offers adventure-based retreats to women of all ages and stages of breast cancer living in New England. To learn more about the Betty J Borry Breast Cancer Retreats visit bjbbreastcancerretreats.org.

• Watercolors in Epsom: “Inner Peace,” an exhibit of watercolor paintings by Sylvia Brofus, Carolyn Sherman, Eve Kjellberg, Patricia Robinson, Claudia Tufo, Sofia Eastley and Fred Brewster, opens at the Epsom Public Library (1606 Dover Road in Epsom; espomlibrary.com, 736-9920) Saturday, Oct. 1, through Wednesday, Nov. 12. The theme of the exhibit reflects how the members of this group find peace by placing their focus on lines, shapes, colors, atmosphere and dark and light values, and how experimenting in the elements of painting helps to open their eyes, minds and hearts to inner harmony, according to a press release The exhibit is open for viewing Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The opening reception will be Saturday, Oct. 1, from 3 to 5 pm.

• Portraits at the Library: The Peterborough Town Library (2 Concord St. in Peterborough) hosts the first solo exhibition by local oil painter Mia Stendahl, opening on Friday, Oct. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. Stendahl’s exhibit, “Little Biographies,” will also be available to view during regular library hours. In addition, Stendahl will be offering an artist talk on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 10 a.m. Stendahl’s “Little Biographies” will be on view in the Peterborough Town Library’s Community Arts Gallery from Friday, Oct. 7, until the end of November. For more information and to register for the artist talk visit peterboroughtownlibrary.org.

Artist in Residence
Kimball Jenkins (266 N. Main St. in Concord, kimballjenkins.com) has named Gemma Soldati, a New Hampshire-based performance artist, as Artist in Residence for the next year, Sept. 2022 through August 2023. Soldati, whose work is clown inspired and developed in front of live audiences according to a press release, recently performed her The Adventures of Sleepyhead at the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord and will perform the show a the Players Ring in Portsmouth Nov. 25 through Nov. 27 (see playersring.org). At Kimball Jenkins, she will curate at least one public presentation and actively engage with the community on campus, the press release said. See gemmasoldati.com.

— Hannah Turtle

ART

Events

• BRIDGES & CONNECTIONS SCULPTURE SYMPOSIUM The Andres Institute of Art (106 Route 13, Brookline, 673-7441, andresinstitute.org) hosts its annual Bridges and Connections Sculpture Symposium through Oct. 2. For three weeks, invited artists from all over the world will stay in Brookline to create sculptures for permanent installation at the Institute’s 140-acre outdoor sculpture park and trails. The public is invited to meet the artists and watch them work at designated times, TBA. A presentation of the completed sculptures at their permanent sites will take place on Sunday, Oct. 2. Visit andresinstitute.org/symposium-2022.

Opening

• “THE WOODS WRAP AROUND YOU” Creative Ventures Gallery (411 Nashua St., Milford, creativeventuresfineart.com) will have an exhibition, “The Woods Wrap Around You,” on display during October, featuring hand-colored monoprints by Loretta CR Hubley. A reception will be held on Friday, Oct. 14, with wine and hors d’oeuvres at 5:30 p.m., followed by a presentation by the artist and a live piano performance inspired by the exhibition.

• “FROM THE HIPPIE TRAIL TO THE SILK ROAD” exhibit fromTwo Villages Art Society will run at the Bates Building (846 Main St., Contoocook) Oct. 21 through Nov. 12. This is an exhibition by Kathleen Dustin that includes her original artwork, inspired by and juxtaposed with jewelry and textiles from around the world that Dustin has collected during her travels. The opening reception will take place on Saturday, Oct. 22, from noon to 2 p.m. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Visit twovillagesart.org or call 413-210-4372.

Exhibits

• “OUT OF THE WOODS” fromTwo Villages Art Society at the Bates Building (846 Main St., Contoocook) is on display through Oct. 8 and features a series of collaborative vignettes paying tribute to the seasonal changes of New Hampshire, created by a group of five local artists known as the 9th State Artisans. Visit twovillagesart.org or call 413-210-4372.

• “STORIED IN CLAY” The New Hampshire Potters Guild presents its biennial exhibition “Storied in Clay” at the exhibition gallery at the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen headquarters (49 S. Main St., Concord) through Oct. 27, with an opening reception on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Visit nhpottersguild.org.

• “STILL: THE ART OF STILL LIFE,” a contemporary art exhibit at Twiggs Gallery (254 King St. in Boscawen; twiggsgallery.wordpress.com, 975-0015), will feature work by artists Caleb Brown, Shela Cunningham, Bess French, Marcia Wood Mertinooke, Barbara Morse, Shawne Randlett and Marlene Zychowski and will run through Saturday, Oct. 29.

• “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.

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. with the last market scheduled for Oct. 15. Rollins Park, 33 Bow St., Concord. concordartsmarket.net. Visit concordartsmarket.net/summer-arts-market.html.

THEATRE

Shows

• DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID, the season-opening musical at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588), will run through Sunday, Oct. 2. The shows run Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m., with a show also on Thursday, Sept. 29, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $25 to $46.

• MISS HOLMES The Milford Area Players present Miss Holmes at the Amato Center for the Performing Arts (56 Mont Vernon St., Milford) through Oct. 2, with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Visit milfordareaplayers.org.

• THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR​ The Hatbox Theatre (Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord, hatboxnh.com) will present The Government Inspector, presented by Phylloxera Productions, Oct. 7 through Oct. 23. Showtimes are on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m., and tickets cost $22 for adults and $19 for students and seniors.

• FREAKY FRIDAY Palace Theatre’s (80 Hanover St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) youth company presents Freaky Friday on Tuesday, Oct. 11, and Wednesday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $12 for youth and $15 for adults.

• THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS The Community Players of Concord present The Wind in the Willows at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St., Concord) Friday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 15, at 2 p.m., and tickets cost $15.

• DISNEY’S THE ARISTOCRATS KIDS The Peacock Players (14 Court St., Nashua, peacockplayers.org) youth theater company presents Disney’s The Aristocrats Kids Oct. 14 through Oct. 23. Showtimes are on Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m.

• RED RIDING HOOD Palace Theatre’s (80 Hanover St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) youth company presents Red Riding Hood on Tuesday, Oct. 18, and Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $12 for youth and $15 for adults.

• TITANIC THE MUSICAL The Manchester Community Theatre Players present Titanic the Musical at the Manchester Community Theatre Players Theatre, located at the North End Montessori School (698 Beech St., Manchester). Showtimes are on Fridays, Oct. 14 and Oct. 21, and Saturdays, Oct. 15 and Oct. 22, and Sunday, Oct. 23, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 and available at manchestercommunitytheatre.com.

• GREASE The Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) presents Grease Oct. 21 through Nov. 12. Showtimes are on Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m., with one Thursday-at-7:30 p.m. show for each production (Nov. 10 for Grease). Tickets cost $25 to $46.

Classical

Events

• WINDS OF TIME Symphony New Hampshire presents “Winds of Time,” with performances on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 7:30 p.m. at the Keefe Center in Nashua and on Sunday, Oct. 2, at 3 p.m. at Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St., Concord). It features Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 4, Du Puy’s Quintet for Bassoon and Strings in A minor III, Weber’s Clarinet Concertino in E-flat and Dvořák’s Serenade for Strings. Tickets cost $10 for youth ages 13 to 17 and full-time students age 29 and under and range from $20 to $60 for adults and from $18 to $55 for seniors age 65 and up. Admission is free for youth under age 13. Visit symphonynh.org.

• ORCHESTRAL SHOWCASE “NATURE & MYTH” at Seifert Performing Arts Center (44 Geremonty Drive, Salem; 893-7069) will run Sun., Oct. 16, at 2 p.m., and Sat., Oct. 22, at 7:30 p.m. Featuring sounds from Beethoven, Walker, Grieg and Sibelius. Presented by New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra. Tickets range from $5 to $30 for in-person seating. Visit nhpo.booktix.com.

• NATURE & MYTH​ The New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra opens its 118th year with an orchestral showcase, “Nature & Myth,” featuring music by Beethoven, Walker, Grieg and Sibelius, on Sunday, Oct. 16, at 2 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 22, at 7:30 p.m., at the Seifert Performing Arts Center (44 Geremonty Drive, Salem). Tickets cost $30 for adults, $25 for seniors and $8 for kids. Visit nhphil.org.

•​ PORTSMOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA FALL CONCERT will be held at The Music Hall Historic Theater (28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth) on Sunday, Oct. 23, at 3 p.m. The program will feature Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 and George Walker’s Lyric for Strings. Tickets cost $20 for students, $30 for seniors age 60 and up and range from $25 to $35 for adults. Visit portsmouthsymphony.org.

• BEETHOVEN AND FRIENDS The Nashua Chamber Orchestra presents its fall concert “Beethoven and Friends,” with performances on Saturday, Nov. 5, at 7:30 p.m. at Nashua Community College (505 Amherst St., Nashua) and Sunday, Nov. 6, at 3 p.m. at Milford Town Hall (1 Union Square, Milford). The program will feature Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 in F, as well as Symphony No. 1 in G by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint Georges; Impromptu Op. 5 by Jean Sibelius; and Andante and Rondo ongarese, Op. 35 by Carl Maria von Weber. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $15 for seniors age 65 and up, military and college students. Admission is free for youth under age 18. Visit nco-music.org.

A musical journey

Mezzo-soprano Zaray Rodriguez Rossi presents an immigrant experience

By Hannah Turtle

[email protected]

An upcoming concert at the Palace Theatre’s Spotlight Room aims to tell a story about the many experiences of freedom and of being American. Journey to Freedom: A Chamber Concert of American and Cuban American Music will follow the journey of America through the eyes of a Cuban American immigrant.

The concert is organized and headlined by Zaray Rodriguez Rossi, a vocalist and Metropolitan Grand Opera Finalist who has performed internationally and is now the recipient of a grant from the New Hampshire Arts Council to share her work with the local community.

“The purpose of the grant was really to allow artists to create,” Rodriguez Rossi said. “At the time, I was focused on the fact that everyone was really going through a lot in their lives, and we all have very differing opinions and backgrounds, but there was one thing that could be agreed upon, which is that no matter our differences, we’re all still human beings who want the dignity to pursue our joy, and to pursue freedom — that’s a universal experience of what it is to be human.”

“From the perspective of being Cuban and also American, I found a lot of similarities in the pursuit of freedom,” Rodriguez Rossi said. “I found a link between the New Hampshire motto of ‘live free or die’and that fundamental idea, with the fact that this freedom is something many Cubans on the island do not have. It was special to me to be able to create something that tells a story musically, to explore what makes American music.”

Rodriguez Rossi immigrated with her family to Miami from Cuba in 1995 through the immigration lottery.

“This was during a time when communism was really affecting the lives of a lot of Cubans,” she said. “There was a chance to flee that kind of environment, and to come to the States with the ability to start a new life.”

Since coming to the United States, Rodriguez Rossi has found success with her career as a vocalist, earning degrees from both the Opera Institute at Boston University and the University of Miami. During her travels as a performing artist, Rodriguez Rossi met Dr. Jose Lezcano, a Grammy-nominated classical guitarist and composer who resides in Keene, and the two teamed up to create and perform a new composition for the program.

“It ended up being a coincidence that he was also Cuban American, but from one of the first generations that immigrated in the ’60s. I would say meeting him was more than just a coincidence,” she said. “For the composition, we both chose poetry from Cuban dissidents and Cuban Americans. The first two movements are in Spanish, with translations for the audience, and the third one is in English. You’ll see a throughline in thoughts, about what freedom looks like.”

The program begins in the traditional American musical canon, with works by Aaron Copland and Samuel Barber, as well as works by African American composers including William Grant Still and Charles Brown.

“There’s a piece on the program by Charles Brown called ‘Song Without Words,’which literally has no words, just sounds that come from the piano and from the voice. In that way it’s up to the audience members for their interpretation,” Rodriguez Rossi said. “They could hear sorrow, they could hear joy, whatever the audience hears is what they’re meant to.”

From there, the program transitions to the works of Cuban American composers, including the work composed for the event.

“You’ll see the essence of Cuban rhythms with that American influence, so it will be a bit of a melting pot, but that’s what America is,” Rodriguez Rossi said.

For Rodriguez Rossi, the takeaway is all the things that bind the music, and us, together.

“I want the audience to leave having had a thoughtful musical experience,” she said. “Of course there will be beautiful music, but I want to allow them to get invested in the story, whatever that means to them. It’s meant to explore, and ponder, and most importantly to feel. To add warmth and light into our lives.”

Zaray Rodriguez Rossi
Journey to Freedom: A Chamber Concert of American and Cuban American Music
Where: The Spotlight Room at the Palace Theatre, 96 Hanover St., Manchester
When: Saturday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 9, at 1 p.m.
Tickets: $20 at zdrmusic.org
More information: Visit zdrmusic.org or palacetheatre.org

Featured photo: Zaray Rodriguez Rossi. Courtesy photo.

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