Category — ACT Performances

Arts Council of Tamworth is going a little crazy with cabin fever, just like the rest of y’all. That’s why we’re giving you not one but TWO chances to get out of your house this month, on the same weekend. On Friday, March 19, come hear sublime vocalist and songwriter Linda Waterfall, dubbed “Seattle’s Top Singer/Songwriter” by the Seattle Times, in a concert featuring songs from her latest album Welcome to the Dark at the Tamworth Congregational Church at 7:30 p.m. And on Saturday, March 20 at 7:30 kick up your heels and shake off the mud season blues with Jonathan Sarty & his White Mountain Boys at The Brass Heart Inn in Chocorua, NH.

Waterfall, who has been recording and performing since 1977, has received wide acclaim for her innovative songwriting, unique guitar style, and lyrical resonant vocals. Folk Alliance Newsletter calls her “one of the finest fingerpicking guitar players alive on planet Earth today.” Tom Surowicz of the Twin Cities Reader says she’s “an extraordinary folk musician… [who] plays bristling, driving guitar and rolling, enveloping piano. If all that weren’t enough, Ms. Waterfall is a moving, terrific singer, blessed with star-of-the-choir pipes.” As a special treat, we get to see her play accompanied by some of this area’s own stars of the choir, Peg Loughran, Lisa Ferguson, Peggy Johnson, Belle Stafford, Seth Austen and Beverly Woods. Listen to more of Waterfall’s music on MySpace (“Fishing for Kisses”—ah, so sweet…).

Jonathan Sarty and his White Mountain Boys have built a wildly devoted audience from here to Nashville and back. The band plays both classic American music—from old-time country and honky-tonk to soul, gospel and rhythm & blues—and original tunes with such energy and virtuosity that you won’t be able to stop yourboot from tapping or your hands from clapping. Come dance the night away, in the beautiful Brass Heart Inn barn, to Jonathan’s great vocals and purposeful lyrics, and the full country sound of this beloved five-piece band, featuring slide guitar, rhythm guitars, stand-up bass, vocals and harmonica. Cash bar available. Hear a great bunch of Sarty and his WMB’s songs on MySpace (I love “I’m a White Mountain Boy”—and “I’ve Got A Home,” so romantic…)

Tickets for both these performances are available below. Tickets are also available at The Other Store in Tamworth Village, or by calling 603-323-8104. Tickets for Linda Waterfall are $15 for adults and $8 for students 13 to 18 and college students with a valid ID. Kids 12 & under are free, but require a ticket reservation to guarantee a seat. Tickets for the White Mountain Boys are $20 for adults and $10 for students 13 & up, free for kids, as above. Want to join in the madness with us? Buy tickets to both shows and save $5 off the combined price, or scroll down to purchase tickets to each show individually.

Waterfall/Sarty—Adult: $30

Waterfall/Sarty—Student: $13

Waterfall/Sarty—Child: Free

Linda Waterfall—Adult: $15

Linda Waterfall—Student: $8

Linda Waterfall—Child: Free

Jonathan Sarty & his White Mountain Boys—Adult: $20

Jonathan Sarty & his White Mountain Boys—Student: $10

Jonathan Sarty & his White Mountain Boys—Child: Free

Jonathan Sarty & his White Mountain Boys is made possible through the generous support of Sponsors The Brass Heart Inn, P. C. Hoag & Co., and Settlers’ Green Outlet Village, Co-sponsors Paul L. King Surveying, Northway Bank, Ossipee Insurance, and Yankee Smokehouse, Media Sponsor 93.5 WMWV | Magic 104FM and Press Partners The Conway Daily Sun and The Mountain Ear.

Read all about the BSQ in the Union Leader! Then come hear them tomorrow. Online and phone ticket sales have ended, and tickets will be for sale at the door. Did I mention that they will play Satie’s Gymnépodies? Ah, lovely. Hope to see you there…

Aren’t we ornery New Englanders who like to do things differently? Alex Ross, in the Feb. 8 issue of The New Yorker, writes that younger people are less likely to attend classical music performances than their elders (abstract here). Maybe they just haven’t been introduced properly. The Boston String Quartet, ensemble-in-residence at Boston’s School of Groove, are dedicated to delighting and surprising experienced classical audiences, and to exciting those who are unfamiliar with the classical canon. You will hear Mozart, Puccini and Grieg on Sunday, and you will also hear works by Cohen (Leonard—every kid who’s seen Shrek knows his “Hallelujah”) and Wonder (Stevie, that is). Students 13 & up can see the show for only $8, and kids 12 & under are free, though they still require a ticket reservation. During intermission you and your young people will have a chance to meet and talk with the performers. Tickets here or at The Other Store in Tamworth.

We will also hear the Flower Duet from:

We recommend tickets to see the marvelous and delightful Boston String Quartet, performing at Saint Andrew’s in Tamworth on Sunday, February 21 at 1:30 p.m.

Your gift will:

support the arts in Tamworth and the area,

support the work of a talented group of young musicians,

NEVER need to be dusted,

create a lovely memory for the recipient.

Win win win win.

You can purchase tickets below and have them held at the door for the recipient, or you can buy real live tickets at The Other Store in Tamworth, open until 5:00 today and 8:00-2:00 on Saturday and Sunday.

Arts Council of Tamworth is delighted to present the vibrant and original Boston String Quartet on Sunday, February 21, at 1:30 p.m. at Saint Andrew’s Church in Tamworth, NH (directions here). Since its formation 2004, the Boston String Quartet has been a creative leader in contemporary classical music in New England. Having made its professional debut at Carnegie Hall, the quartet performs its own arrangements of classical chamber music, rock, jazz, world music and more, and is continually “exploring different ways of sparking musical interest” [Boston Globe]. The members hail respectively from American, Russia, Taiwan and Japan, and bring a combined wealth of musical experience to their shared endeavor. You haven’t heard anything until you’ve heard them play Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” At intermission you will have an opportunity to meet and talk with the artists at a reception with refreshments hosted by the ACT board.

First violinist, founder and music director Christopher Vuk received his B.M. Summa Cum Laude on scholarship from Berklee College of Music in Boston. Hi is also an alumnus of the University of Northern Iowa and Longy School of Music. Described by the Boston Ballet as an “electrifying violinist,” Vuk has performed with distinguished artists such as Gloria Estefan, Bill Cosby, and Jennifer Holliday, as well as a special appearance on Sesame Street. He has played for audiences as varied as Queen Rainia of Jordan, Queen Noor, Mitt Romney, and First Lady Laura Bush. Vuk is the recipient of the Certificate of Congressional Commendation, and is currently the director of the contemporary music school School of Groove.

Second violinist Anastasia Sukhopara was born in St. Petersburg, Russia. Her interest in music prompted her parents to bring her to a music school when she was six years old where she started studying violin and piano. She studied at St. Petersburg Conservatory’s School for the Musically Gifted before being awarded a World Scholarship to Berklee College of Music, where she took a Performance Degree in contemporary styles of music. In addition to her classical music career, Anastasia enjoys collaborations with artists outside the classical arena.

Born in Taiwan, Chen Lin began to play viola at the age of eleven. She attended Taipei Municipal University of Education, Taiwan, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music and Education, with the honor of Second Prize of the Music Department. In 2007, she earned her Master’s Degree from The Boston Conservatory as a full scholarship student. Chen Lin has won awards at many competitions. She has performed in the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra, among others, and has been principal violist of the Boston Conservatory Orchestra and of the Boston University Symphony Orchestra.

Cellist Masanori Taniguchi has a B.S. and an M.S. in Chronobiology from Kyoto University, Japan, and also holds a Master of Music and a Graduate Performance Diploma in Cello Performance from the Boston Conservatory. Masanori played the piano as a child. He began to play the cello at the age of 18, and decided to pursue music as a career when he was 23. Masanori has often appeared as a substitute player in major professional orchestras in Osaka. In September of 2007 Masanori became a member of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra.

To date, the Boston String Quartet has released the independent albums Spectrum and On Christmas Eve, and is currently recording on Boston-based classical label Navona Recordings. Their most recent albums with Navona are Xibus and Contrasts. Committed to music education in the Boston metro area, the BSQ is currently ensemble in residence at School of Groove.

These four talented musicians will knock your socks off with their skill and range, whether they’re playing Dvorak and Mozart, Jerome Kern and Irving Berlin, or the Beatles and Queen, and you can sample their music here. Tickets for this exciting performance will be on sale at the door are available below. Tickets are also available at The Other Store in Tamworth Village or by calling 603-323-8104. Tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for students 13 to 18 and college students with a valid ID. Kids 12 & under are free, but require a ticket reservation to guarantee a seat. More info about online ticket purchasing can be found here.

This concert is made possible through the generous support of Sponsors BEAM Construction, Meredith Village Savings Bank, and The Tamworth Inn, Co-sponsors Interlakes Family Dental, New England Bookkeeping, and Maureen Westrick, Architect, Media Sponsor 93.5 WMWV | Magic 104FM and Press Partners The Conway Daily Sun and The Mountain Ear.

Now that the sled dog races in Chocorua have been canceled, all the more reason to come snowshoe and listen to stories beside a warm fire. Tickets will be on sale at the door for Fireside Storytelling at Tin Mountain tomorrow. Storytelling starts at 3:30, snowshoe excursions begin at 1:00, with plenty of Tin Mountain snowshoes available for use, and good things to eat and drink will be available in between.

Your snowshoe storytellers will be Matt Krug and Joan Veilleux:

Matt Krug is known throughout the valley as a teacher, naturalist, and star watcher. His stories draw from each of these experiences. These stories often include animals, farms, and objects from the night sky. He will be telling a story about winter and how the big dipper got into the sky.

Joan Veilleux is from Brownfield, Maine. While working as a naturalist for the AMC in 2003 she discovered a love for storytelling. In the evenings at the Highland Center Lodge and on the trail she told stories of the history of Crawford Notch and the White Mountains. Since then Joan has presented on numerous occasions with the Mountain Storytellers Guild at libraries, coffee shops and fundraisers in and around the Mount Washington Valley.

You can find out more about this event and the afternoon’s storytellers here.

Stay warm…

Click on image to view larger version.

Read about Larkin’s latest album here.

Three MWV Nonprofits Combine Efforts to Present a Winter Afternoon of Stories by the Fire, Snowshoeing, and Good Cheer

On Sunday, January 31, at 3:30 p.m., Arts Council of Tamworth (ACT), Tin Mountain Conservation Center, and the Mountain Storytellers Guild join forces to present an afternoon of New England stories told around the fire in Tin Mountain’s Great Room. Vermont storyteller, writer, and TV and radio personality Willem Lange will headline, accompanied by Guild storytellers Olga Morrill, David Neufeld and Jo Radner.

Optional snowshoe and story excursions will precede the event. Participants can choose from a family snowshoe with short stories along the way, or an adult snowshoe with a ghostly mountaineering story that takes place on Mount Washington.  Snowshoe excursions and use of Tin Mountain snowshoes are included in the ticket price for the storytelling, and constitute at least the bargain of the new decade. Please arrive by 1:00 if you wish to take part in the snowshoe excursion.

After the excursions, and before the main event, homemade soups, breads, special chocolate desserts, wine, and hot drinks will be for sale. If you don’t want to snowshoe you can still come early for a warm meal.

Will Lange (I guess we'll have to believe him when he tells us just how big that fish was)

Will Lange’s New England roots run deep. A child of deaf parents, he grew up speaking sign language and first came to New England to prep school in 1950 as an alternative to reform school in his native New York State. After 40 years in New Hampshire, he and his wife Ida recently moved west, all the way to East Montpelier, VT. Lange’s weekly column, “A Yankee Notebook,” has appeared in several New England newspapers since 1981. He’s a commentator and host for Vermont Public Radio and both Vermont and New Hampshire Public Television. His annual readings of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol began in 1975 and continue unabated. He’s published several audio recordings and five books and received an Emmy nomination for one of his pieces on Vermont Public Television. Listen to Will’s story “The White-Footed Mouse” here and to some of his recent VPR commentaries here. Lots more to read and see on his website.

Olga Morrill

Olga Morrill, of Madison, NH enjoys telling stories to all ages. Her background in theater made storytelling seem to her wonderfully simple and straightforward as both entertainment and communication. In 1990 she became youth services librarian at the Conway Public Library. Storytelling was a natural embellishment for programs there, and she offered storytelling workshops for both children and adults. Thus she met Andy Davis. They co-coached several workshops and began attending storytelling conferences annually. In 1996 they started the Mountain Storytellers Guild with Matt Krug for tellers in the area. Olga has told at state swaps, Sharing the Fire’s Northeast Storytelling Conference, schools, and venues around New England.

David Neufeld

Physical storyteller David Neufeld brings an original mix of lyrical, zany, and action packed stories to audiences of all ages. He has been described as “a cross between Gary Larson and Mark Twain.”  His adaptations of folktales transform well-known characters and plots into fresh, modern, romps of acting using voice, illusion, and special effects. His original stories turn ordinary people into comic heroes. Touring internationally since 1979, David has performed for over a million people.

Jo Radner

Jo Radner of Lovell, Maine creates personal tales and stories about the people and history of northern New England. She delights in eccentrics, believes that humor and sadness are good bedfellows, and favors characters whose lives defy simple explanations. Jo is past president of the American Folklore Society and the National Storytelling Network.

Tickets to hear all these wonderful tellers of tales are $15 for adults, $7 for students 13 to 18 and college students with a valid ID. Kids 12 & under are free, but require a ticket reservation to guarantee a seat. The snowshoe excursion, which includes use of the of Tin Mountain’s snowshoes, is included in the ticket price. If you can only come for the snowshoe, a donation to the Storytellers Guild of $5 per person or $10 per family is requested. Tickets are available below, by calling 603-323-8104, and at The Other Store in Tamworth, NH. [Tickets will be on sale at the door, both before the snowshoe excursions and before the afternoon performances.] More info about buying tickets online can be found here.

This event is made possible through the generous support of sponsors The Brass Heart Inn, Settlers’ Green Outlet Village and The Tamworth Inn, co-sponsors Cormack Construction Management and White Mountain Oil and Propane, media sponsor 93.5 WMWV | Magic 104FM and press partners The Conway Daily Sun and The Mountain Ear.

It seems fitting to close out our 12 days of Christmas with our last show of 2009, The Two Man Gentlemen Band, live at The Brass Heart Inn. You can read Juno’s post about this show, see pictures, and even video here.

All I can add is that as concert performances go, this one has everything going for it:

- It was show #175 of 175 in the course of a year,  putting the players in (theoretically) their best form.
- The primary singer/guitarist/songwriter Andy Bean was leaving for India the very next morning, just adding to that “last day of school”  energy.
- The band is used to playing in bars around New York City, but tonight they could see tweenage girls in the front row, so their performance does not include any of the Seven Words.

This show is full of metaphor,  double and triple entendre,  and flirts with the risque, but it will not harm small children or animals – DQ

Listen to the first set:

Listen to the second set:

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I’m seated at a table surrounded by jolly musicians. They’re all speaking French and all very amused by, it seems, everything. We are eating a wonderful meal in the basement of the theater, and the laughter flows throughout the meal. Occasionally they pause and attempt to explain to me what has them laughing so, but they only succeed in assuring me that it isn’t me. By the time we climb the stairs to the stage, I have had the best time, without ever really knowing what was said, just that it was really fun.  – DQ

This show holds the current record for number of dancers in the aisles.

The Arts Council Of Tamworth presents Le Vent du Nord recorded live at The Barnstormers Theatre

Listen: