Coastal arts and culture news
NH Art Association hosts juried printmaking exhibition
PORTSMOUTH – The New Hampshire Art Association will host a juried printmaking exhibition in July open to all New England printmakers, including NHAA members and non-members.
The exhibition runs from June 29th to July 31st at the Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery at 136 State St., Portsmouth. The deadline for online submissions is May 27th. They should be pieces that have been created in the last five years and have not been shown at the Levy Gallery for a year. Up to three pieces can be submitted.
Printmaking is an artistic process based on the principle of transferring images from a plate, block or screen to another surface, usually paper or fabric. Printing techniques include monoprint, relief (linoleum or woodcut), screen printing, intaglio, unique and embellished prints.
Print samples explaining the different techniques will be on display at the 3S ArtSpace in Portsmouth during this exhibition.
Submissions online will be judged by Parker Potter, who has organized, curated and/or judged approximately 30 print exhibitions throughout New Hampshire. All works will be judged blindly online in a digital format.
In addition to organizing print exhibitions, Potter served as an art consultant for the UNH School of Law, facilitating the acquisition of nearly fifty prints for display at the school.
Now Potter is a charter member of the Two Villages Art Society in Contoocook, New Hampshire and runs Matthew Smith’s Copper Canoe gallery in downtown Contoocook.
Prizes for this exhibition are generously provided by D. Pratt Farmer. First place prize is $500 and a month-long print residency at The Art Center in Dover. Second, third place and honorable mention awards will also be presented during an opening reception at the Levy Gallery on Friday 1st July.
The Art Center recently partnered with NHAA and features rotating exhibitions by NHAA artists. The art center has a room dedicated to the art of printmaking. A newly acquired print shop and its premises provide workshops for learning opportunities and residency programs for art students in the community as well as established artists.
For more information on the New England Printmakers Exhibition, including submission guidelines, a biography of Potter and to learn more about the NHAA and the Art Center, visit nhartassociation.org.
Portsmouth Symphony Spring Concert featuring the winners of the Young Artist Competition
PORTSMOUTH – The Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra will perform their Spring Concert on Sunday 5 June at 3pm at Portsmouth Music Hall. At 1:45 p.m. there will be a pre-concert talk with Music Director John Page
Colorful and vibrant, the final concert of the PSO’s 2021-2022 season features Brahms’s Academic Festival Ouverture and Dvorak’s brilliant and luminous New World Symphony. The bizarre Academic Festival Overture was intended to be a serious homage to science on the occasion of the awarding of an honorary doctorate to Brahms by the University of Breslau. Instead, Brahms, who hated pomp, indulged his playful sense of humor and wrote a mix of student drinking songs. Dvorak’s symphony is the culmination of his very successful period in America and remains one of the most popular of all symphonies. Packed with melodies inspired by Native American folk music and African American spirituals, it musically embodies the multinational spirit of the New World.
The 5 June concert program also includes the winners of the 2020 and 2022 Young Artist Competitions. This year’s winner Sean Jang will perform the first movement of Sibelius’s Violin Concerto in D minor Op. 45 and 2020 winner Maxine Park will perform the first movement of Chopin’s Piano Concerto in E minor.
The PSO’s annual young artist competition is open to students studying any instrument. To be considered, each applicant submitted a video of themselves performing a single movement of a larger work, or an 8- to 12-minute equivalent, with accompaniment. This year’s finalists Akira McDowell, flute; Elsie Münsterteiger, flute; Hannah Rubin, piano; Jenny Qu, viola; Jennifer Jang, violin; and Sean Jang, violin, performed their pieces live at Riverwoods in late April before a panel of judges, which included PSO Music Director John Page.
Tickets for the June 5 concert are $35/25 adults; $30 seniors; and $20 students (through the college) and can be purchased online at Music Hall’s website.
COVID-19 logs may be in place for this performance. Please refer to The Music Hall’s website at www.themusichall.org for the most up-to-date policies.
In addition to the final main stage center, a large ensemble of PSO musicians will perform on Sunday 19th June as part of “Intimate Voices”, the final concert at Up Close and Personal featuring the PSO at Jimmy’s Chamber Music Series. Visit www.portsmouthsymphony.org for more information.
Anita Loomis collaborates with the Ogunquit Playhouse
OGUNQUIT, Maine – With the return of indoor theater performances this spring, the Ogunquit Playhouse is also offering visitors a fresh look at contemporary art from some of the area’s local arts society members. While waiting to enjoy a show or during intermission, theatergoers can grab a drink from the art selections in a modest area of the lobby. The art exhibition is curated by Anita Loomis, owner of the Loomis Gallery in Kittery, Maine. Loomis is excited to partner with the Ogunquit Playhouse to offer a variety of exhibits this season.
This first exhibit, Believe, will be on view through June 25 for performances of The Cher Show. Eight artists have exhibited their work and each artist is a member of at least one coastal arts association. Artists featured in this first exhibition include Merrill Aharonian (OAA, UMVA), Russell Aharonian (OAA, UMVA), Rosalind Fedeli (OAA, YAA), Darlene Furbush Ouellett (KAA), Susan Goodby (SAA, KAA), John B. Kessler (NHAA, NAA, KAA), Dustan Knight (NHAA, OAA) and Beverly Perkins Tower (KAA, NHAA). All are highly qualified artists and customers are encouraged to browse online for additional examples of their work or contact Loomis Gallery, 121 Dennett Road, Kittery, Maine; loomisgallery.com to learn more.
The Music Hall Lounge announces nine new shows
PORTSMOUTH – The Music Hall announced another series of shows to be held at its newly renovated venue, the Music Hall Lounge. Continuing the grand opening weekend of celebrations, standup comedian and actor Michael Ian Black will perform two shows; Other opening weekend shows include a sold-out concert by Darlingside and two sets with comedian Pat McGann. The latest lounge schedule runs through October, with further rounds of announcements planned in May and into June.
Formerly called The Loft, The Lounge welcomes local legends, award-winning bands, best-selling authors, stand-up comedians and rising stars to its new nightclub-style venue with flexible seating and brand new audio capabilities.
The Music Hall Lounge also features a cabaret-like layout, bar and food service, and an open concept that will appeal to a diverse audience. The updated venue is currently completing construction and is currently planning soft openings, with a grand opening expected in early July 2022. Tickets for the first 17 shows are available now.
comedy
Michael Ian Black, Saturday 9th July
Michael Ian Black is a multi-media talent who has starred in numerous films and TV series and regularly tours the country delivering his crude jokes and observations.
music
Chris Pierce, Thursday 21st July
No. 1 charting singer-songwriter Chris Pierce has toured with Seal, Cold War Kids, Keb’ Mo’, Sunny War and others, topping the Billboard Blues and Americana charts.
Taylor O’Donnell, Sunday July 24th
Known for her exploratory use of vocal timbre and texture in her musical style, Taylor O’Donnell blends her R&B, folk, jazz, rock and classical music training in her musical dialogue.
EANDA Band: Anger, Hartman, Walsh, Gilchrist, Pool, Friday, August 19
The best of the best of Boston’s American string scene, Darol Anger, Courtney Hartman, Joe Walsh, Lukas Pool and Sharon Gilchrist, create a spirited musical conversation that is sparkling, informal and emotional at the same time.
Bella White, Saturday 20th August
A truly original new voice in songwriting, Bella White creates an undeniable magic on her debut album that Rolling Stone hailed as “sublime Appalachian heartbreak.”
Will Dailey, Friday 2 September
Award-winning recording artist Will Dailey’s sound has been described as a multi-genre Venn diagram with a rich vintage vibe channeled through his authentic and energetic performances.
Ari Hest, Thursday 15 September
The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter’s deep, smooth voice is really easy to fall for, making his songs perfect for TV, film, and collaborations with the likes of Judy Collins and Chrissi Poland.
Jonatha Brooke, Saturday October 8th
Fusing moody folk and melodic pop, singer-songwriter Jonatha Brooke has spent decades writing songs for Disney films and television shows, as well as her own releases.
Ellis Paul, Friday October 28th
Ellis Paul is a national treasure and New England’s own treasure. He’s a one-of-a-kind storyteller, a musician whose words travel from the inside out for all to hear.
The Music Hall is collaborating with Market Street Architects, Studio KL, Chinburg Properties, Creative Office Resources, Brown & Company Design and Reuter Associates LLC on the project. Visit TheMusicHall.org for the latest information on events, construction, and news.
