March 2010 NOW@The Music Hall

Brandi Carlile in a sold out Intimately Yours show Jan. 31.

Joshua Bell fans got programs signed post-show Feb. 4.

Cirque Mechanics acrobat teaches masterclass to Portsmouth students.

TAO

TAO: THE MARTIAL ART OF DRUMMING

Thursday, March 25, 2010 • 7:30pm • Tickets: $52-$20

Driven by explosive Taiko drumming and innovative choreography, these powerful acrobats, who have trained intensively in martial arts for years in the mountains of Japan, bring their extraordinary precision, energy, and stamina to The Music Hall stage!

“Extraordinarily talented...incomparable muscular zeal” – CHICAGO TRIBUNE

SPONSOR: Wheelabrator Technologies, Inc.; Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC; Seacoast Media Group

NOW An American Treasure for the Arts @ the music hall

live events march

SOLAS

Sunday, March 14 • 7:30pm • $35; $28

MEMBERS!

Join us at the annual post-show members party – see page 4 for details!

Get ready for St. Patrick’s Day with the most popular, influential, and exciting Celtic band to ever emerge from the United States. The Philadelphia Inquirer said Solas makes “mind-blowing Irish folk music, maybe the world’s best” and the Washington Post dubbed them one of the “world’s finest Celtic-folk ensembles.”

INTIMATELY YOURS: ART GARFUNKEL

Friday, March 19 • 8pm • $75; $65

The legend. The voice. A fantastic opportunity to see him in an intimate space.

“beautiful countertenor.” – THE NEW YORK TIMES

EVENING SPONSORS: Northeast Delta Dental; New Hampshire Public Radio get ready for st. patrick’s day!

EVENING SPONSORS: The Provident Bank; Secure Planning, Inc.; Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC SERIES SPONSOR:

THE MOSCOW FESTIVAL BALLET: CINDERELLA

Sunday, March 28 • 3pm • $52-$20

Our Spring ballet – the well known timeless classic folk tale. With sumptuous sets, exquisite costumes and spectacular dancers, this captivating young company of leading dancers from across Russia brings together the highest classical elements of the great Bolshoi and Kirov Ballet companies.

SPONSORS: Dos Amigos Burritos; Seacoast Media Group

“impressive…sensational.” – THE CHRONICLE

JODI PICOULT – SOLD OUT!

Wednesday, March 31 • 7:30pm

Signed Book: $25.20 in advance, $28 day of

EVENING SPONSORS: Bank of America; Bid2Win Software, Inc.

MICHAEL LEWIS

Wednesday, April 7 • 7:30pm • $13

SERIES PARTNERS:

Intimately Yours Introduces: AN EVENING OF BLUES & AFRO POP: TOSHI REAGON & BASSEKOU KOUYATE

Thursday, April 1 • 7:30pm • $25; $19

Signed Book: $24.25 in advance, $26.95 day of The author of The Blind Side discusses his latest work of nonfiction, The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine, a character-rich and darkly humorous account of how the U.S. economy “was driven over the cliff” by a collection of financial professionals.

SERIES SPONSOR: Writers on a New England Stage

It’s a night of discovery! A double bill with Righteous Babe Records star Toshi Reagon, the soulful singer/songwriter who has been sharing stages with and drawing raves from Elvis Costello to Lenny Kravitz. Bassekou Kouyate and his band, Ngoni Ba, were the sensation at the World Music Expo. PRI, NPR and the New York Times are all raving about this band. Currently touring with Bela Fleck behind their new CD, I Speak Fula.

founders lobby lounge

extraordinary cinema

SHORTS IN PORTS.

P RECIOUS: B ASED ON THE N OVEL P USH BY S APPHIRE

Rated R • 110min • US a • 3/6 - 3/11 daily @ 7pm • discussion follows 3/9 show

Nominated for six Oscars. A vibrant, honest and resoundingly hopeful film about the human capacity to grow and overcome. Harlem, 1987. The story of Claireece “Precious” Jones (Gabourey Sidibe), a 16-year-old African-American girl born into a life no one would want. She’s pregnant for the second time by her absent father; at home, she must wait on her mother (Mo’Nique), an angry woman who abuses her emotionally and physically. Also stars Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd and Lenny Kravitz.

“Leaves you moved like no film in years and then lifts you up in ways you don’t see coming…the movie has a spirit that soars.” – ROLLING STONE

I MAGINARIUM OF D OCTOR PARNASSUS

R ated PG-13 • 123min • UK • 3/12 - 3/17 daily @ 7pm • 2pm matinee 3/13 (no evening show 3/13) •

Featuring six award-winning short films, guest curated by local filmmaker Chase Bailey of Left Bank Films. Each of these films is a star in its genre, winning such awards as an Oscar and a Palme d’Or, as well as accolades in festivals around the country. This is a rare chance not only to see all six fantastic films in one night, but to talk to many of their directors during the Q&A and get the story behind the film.

“I am pleased to present six fantastic short films from some talented filmmakers – amazing films that you might otherwise not get to see.” – Chase Bailey, guest curator

3/16

A fantastical morality tale, set in the present day. It tells the story of Dr. Parnassus and his extraordinary ‘Imaginarium,’ a travelling show where members of the audience get an irresistible opportunity to choose between light and joy or darkness and gloom. Directed by Terry Gilliam in the style of his earlier Time Bandits and Brazil and featuring Heath Ledger in his final film. Also stars Christopher Plummer, Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, Tom Waits and Jude Law.

“A gratifying return to form for Gilliam.” – WASHINGTON POST

KIDS RULE! MOVIE: KUNG FU PANDA

Rated PG • 92min • US a • 3/20 @ 2pm • 1 Show Only!

Jack Black is the voice of Po the Panda, a waiter who is a kung fu fanatic but whose shape doesn’t exactly lend itself to fighting. In fact, it appears that he is the laziest of all the animals in ancient China. That’s a problem because enemies are at the gates, and all hopes have been pinned on a prophecy naming Po as the “Chosen One” to save the day. Some martial arts masters are going to need black belts in patience if they are going to turn this slacker panda into a kung fu fighter before it’s too late!

“Infectious and inspiring.” – WASHINGTON POST

A handful of men set aside their differences to conquer one of Europe’s tallest mountains in this period drama inspired by a true story. In 1936, Nazi Germany is looking to shore up its reputation in the eyes of the world, and after a pair of German climbers died in an effort to climb the north face of the Eiger in the Swiss Alps, the state is looking to find another group who can succeed where the earlier team failed. In German with subtitles

“See this movie on a big screen, where the sense of harsh physical vastness…is palpable.” – BOSTON GLOBE

THE LAST STATION

Rated R • 112min • G e R man Y • 3/26 & 3/29 @ 7pm • 3/30 @ 7:30pm

Fact and fiction converge in this drama based on Jay Parini’s novel about Leo Tolstoy. The Last Station focuses on the marriage between Tolstoy (Christopher Plummer) and his wife Sofya (Helen Mirren) in its final years. James McAvoy stars as a young man who works for the couple, while Paul Giamatti plays an advisor to the writer who fights with Sofya over Tolstoy’s estate. Plummer and Mirren received Golden Globe and Oscar nominations.

“lovely version of literary history - young love emerges unbidden, old love endures.” – WALL STREET JOURNAL

HAMLET (THOMAS) • Saturday, March 27 • 1pm • Tickets $27.50; 18 & under $15

Simon Keenlyside and Natalie Dessay bring their extraordinary acting and singing skills to two of the Bard’s most unforgettable characters in this new production of Ambroise Thomas’ Hamlet. For the role of Ophelia, the French composer created an extended mad scene that is among the greatest in opera. tHe met SeRieS

FEATURING THE FOLLOWING SHORT FILMS: Crooked Lane The Continuing and Lamentable Saga of The Suicide Brothers The Toll Sniffer Ana’s Playground West Bank Story THE LAST PICTURE SHOW

Favorite Spring Songs

Wednesday, March 24 • 5-7pm Bar opens at 5pm, show begins at 5:30

“Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart.” - Victor

Whether or not mother nature obliges, the end of March marks the start of Spring. To celebrate the season of hope, the all-star cast of local musicians from September’s “Favorite Fall Songs” show will be back to share their favorite songs, this time written in the key of Spring! Featuring covers and original songs by Guy Capecelatro III, Elsa Cross, Mary Dellea, Horchata, Nate Laban, Marc McElroy, Jon Nolan, Zach Tremblay, and Tan Vampires. $2 cover charge (members free)

SPONSOR: Blue Mermaid Island Grill

aNNUal MeMberS PoST-SHoW ParTY SUNdaY, MarcH 14

corPoraTe ParTNerSHIP SNeak Peek TUeSdaY, MarcH

Here&Now

The music Hall and the Seacoast Community

Campaign for The Music Hall

Music Hall Announces Treasure the Future Campaign

$13.5 million goal, $9 million raised to date

Honorary co-chair Ken Burns heralds Music Hall plans at private reception

The

In a downtown storefront space twinkling with lights, filled with big band music, and alive with projected video and facts about The Music Hall and its 100,000 patrons, filmmaker Ken Burns and 200-plus donors and friends celebrated the announcement of The Music Hall’s Treasure the Future Capital Campaign, a once-in-a-generation fundraising effort that will bring a major cultural advancement to the region.

At the private event held Saturday night, February 27, The Music Hall’s Executive Director Patricia Lynch said, “The goal of restoring, rehabilitating and transforming The Music Hall into a performing arts center for the 21st century is now in sight.” Funds totaling $9 million have already been raised toward the full needs of $13.5 million. 80% of the contributions have come from visionary individual donors, new and old friends of the historic theater, staff and board members.

From a makeshift stage in the raw space, remarks were made by Campaign Co-Chairs Jameson French and Gail VanHoy Carolan, Music

Hall Board President Mike Harvell, and Honorary Co-Chairs Kathy Gregg and Ken Burns. Patricia Lynch brought context to the night and the campaign’s importance to the community. “You are standing in the future center for performing arts and education, The Music Hall Loft. Here our work will be more transparent, our programs connecting children to the masters deepened and expanded, and our community partners and collaborations taken to new heights – this is a rising tide that lifts all boats.”

Lynch added, “The time is now for The Music Hall, for this community and the region. Without modernization of The Music Hall’s backstage – where we’re still working with 19th century technology – and a thoughtful fit-up of this new space, we cannot meet our audiences and community’s growing demands. The historic finishes in the theater are not yet finished, our façade is still dimmed with age. With our vision, passion and dedication The Music Hall can and will become a jewel in the crown of New England’s culture and a sturdy economic engine supporting the community and the region for generations to come.”

Said Ken Burns, “We can no longer consider the arts a luxury. In our toooften disconnected world, the arts bring us back to our essential selves.

The Music Hall is a perfect example –a beacon.”

Performing Arts Centers as Economic Engines: Experts’ Symposium

by MARGARET TALCOTT Director of Strategic Communications

On Friday, February 26, civic leaders and experts in arts, economic and sustainable development gathered in a discussion and shared local, regional, and national perspectives on how performing arts centers drive economic development.

“Performing Arts Centers as Economic Engines: Next Steps for The Music Hall” was the title of a Music Hall-sponsored Breakfast Symposium held at The Loft, the raw spaces at 131 Congress Street that will

“Portsmouth

is at a cusp moment. The time is now for The Music Hall, for this community and the region.” - Patricia Lynch

“Nonprofit cultural institutions are the anchors of community vitality.” - Chris Dwyer, Senior VP, RMC Research and Portsmouth City Councilor

be the home of The Music Hall Center for Performing Arts and Education. (See above article for more information on the coming educational/theatrical/ office space.)

Washington D.C. arts advocate Sandra Gibson, Pres/CEO, Association of Performing Arts, a special guest, spoke to her belief that performing arts organizations are a civic force engaged in the important work of building community. Remarks by Chris Dwyer, Senior VP, RMC Research and Portsmouth City Councilor, centered on the growing recognition of the inherent connection among the fields of planning, economy, arts and culture. Patricia Lynch, Executive Director of The Music Hall, provided detail on The Music Hall’s vision and discussed how

“The Loft is a strategic investment in and for everyone in the community.”

- Sandra Gibson, Pres/CEO, APAP

developments at the arts center fit into the Northern Tier and City’s plans for sustainable growth.

The trio’s brief remarks were followed by a lively roundtable discussion over bagels and coffee. Said Dwyer, “It’s enormously important to this region’s economic vitality that decision-makers in planning and development sit at the same table with urban leaders, particularly at our anchor nonprofit institutions which are powerfully supported by the community.”

Dwyer pointed to how a strong arts and culture sector can significantly improve a city’s competitive edge through creating a foundation for defining sense of place, attracting new and visiting populations, integrating the visions of community and business leaders, and contributing to the development of a skilled workforce.

Article continues at www.themusichall.org/now

Annual Members

Post-Show Party

Sunday, March 14

All Members are invited to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day a little bit early with Solas! Join us at Jumpin’ Jay’s Fish Café immediately following the band’s performance at The Music Hall. We look forward to seeing you there!

Meet Solas. Enjoy free snacks. Cash bar.

Jumpin Jay’s is located around the corner from The Music Hall at 150 Congress Street. Please RSVP your attendance (so we can give the restaurant a number!) by March 12 to Lauren at (603) 4333100x28 or llenox@themusichall.org.

Corporate Partnership

Sneak Peek

Tuesday, March 30

Attention: Music Hall Sponsors and businesses who want to learn more about our Corporate Partnership program.

You and your associates are invited to a great party – cocktails, gourmet appetizers provided by Robert’s Maine Grill and business networking in the Founders Lobby. Then head upstairs to the theater where Executive Director Patricia Lynch takes us through what she and her curatorial team have selected for the 2010-2011 season –live shows, kids programs, films, and HD broadcasts. 5pm-6:30pm.

Don’t miss out! Be the first to hear about our upcoming season – get on board our Corporate Partnership Program! For more information or to RSVP for this event, please contact: Meghan Durkee, mdurkee@themusichall.org or (603) 433-3100 x34.

Toshi Reagon, Righteous Babe

by THÉRÈSE LAGAMMA, Programming Manager

What was it that first attracted you to the Righteous Babe record label and how long have you been recording with them?

I am good friends with Ani and she suggested it when she knew I was recording my CD Have You Heard She is amazing.

That is the only record I have done with them so far, but they are very supportive. I self-released a sexy rock recording called Until We’re Done (2008) and a recording called We Become (2009). I try to have new music out every year. Next up, a live record due spring 2010 with my band, BIGLovely.

What was it like growing up in a household with a mother who was heavily involved in the civil rights movement?

My mom is awesome, we are an activist community oriented family. She was an incredible listener as I was growing up. She knew to let me see the world and have my own mind. I am sure the civil rights movement influenced her. She was a young person fighting for the rights of the world. When she became a parent I think she was good at fighting for the right for Toshi to grow up and be anything she wanted.

Who are some of your musical influences?

Lizz Wright, Bernice Johnson Reagon, Bob Marley, Carl Rux, Brooklyn, New York, Southwest Ga., Joni Mitchell, Nona Hendrix, etc...

Pete Seeger is your godfather. Has he inspired your music?

Toshi Seeger is my Godmother – then Pete is my Godfather. He is one of my favorite rock stars – relentless in his desire for justice for all. Relentless is his giving and sharing of songs. But Toshi is the one that has influenced a wholeness in my spirit. A strong musical career does not exist without excellent structure and innovation. She is a Warrior Queen.

Read an additional interview with Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba, appearing with Toshi Reagon on April 1, online at www.themusichall.org/now.

Corporate Partnership Committee Prepares

for the 2010-2011 Sneak Peek!

by MARy HORIGAN, Director of Corporate & Foundation Giving

Corporate Partnership Committee, back row left to right: David Splaine, David Hills, David Reid, Elisabeth Robinson, Jamie Forbes, Alyson Genovese, Meghan Durkee. Front row left to right: Mary Horigan, Maxine Morse, and Julia Madden. Not pictured: Michael Harvell, Barbara Henry, Caleb McCann, and Danny O’Brien.

Peek inside the contemporary & traditional homes of these historic seacoast towns in a benefit for The Music Hall. Tickets: $20 members in advance; $23 not yet members; $25 day of tour. Sponsors: Coastal Home Magazine; DeStefano Architects; Piscataqua Landscaping Company, Inc.

In preparing for the Corporate Sneak Peek coming up on March 30, 2010 at 5pm, we asked the Corporate Partnership Committee about their thoughts on this special evening and supporting The Music Hall.

Elisabeth Robinson, co-chair of the Corporate Partnership Committee, outlines the reasons for becoming a Corporate Sponsor. “My company, Whole Life Health Care, became a sponsor this year after coming to the Sneak Peek last year. The owner did so not only because she was completely turned on to all the winning aspects of The Music Hall, but also because she felt that by supporting The Music Hall she was supporting the Seacoast Community and this was the right thing to do.”

Maxine Morse explains why she has been on the Corporate Partnership Committee for nine years. “The experience has provided me the opportunity to meet and engage with businesses in Portsmouth and to appreciate their commitment to the enrichment of the Portsmouth community. The business leaders with whom I have worked set an example for their employees and

boards of directors by supporting The Music Hall. In other words it is a win-win situation. The beneficiaries are the Corporate Partner, The Music Hall, and the community.”

Jamie Forbes talks about the community impact of The Music Hall and the benefits of attending the Sneak Peek. “The Music Hall is a centerpiece in the community. Portsmouth would be a different place without it. In addition to providing incredible, big-city entertainment, The Music Hall gives people a reason to come to town, shop, eat meals out and have drinks afterward. With each passing year, sponsorships are becoming more competitive. Those who don’t attend the sneak peek risk not getting a sponsorship for the show they want.”

Danny O’Brien explains why he is a member of the Corporate Partnership Committee and the role The Music Hall plays in the local economy. “I’m involved because I believe in helping to continue with the great economic benefit we have here – it didn’t just happen and it can’t be taken for granted. A creative economy differentiates one community from another and helps attract employers whose employees seek and enjoy the culture and diversity that comes with such an economy. The Music Hall is an important cog in our local creative economy and with its interaction with other nonprofits and area businesses it helps the local economy by creating a draw to come and enjoy all of what the area has to offer. It supports the local retail community and helps pump many dollars into the greater Portsmouth community.”

Alyson Genovese notes her own experience from attending past Corporate Sneak Peeks. “The term ‘sneak peek’ says it all – it’s a fun way to learn about what The Music Hall has in store for the coming year before the general public does. This event also allows businesses to plan how the wide variety of sponsorship opportunities can best work for their unique customer needs.”

To become a Corporate Partner, contact Mary Horigan at mhorigan@themusichall.org or (603) 433-3100 ext. 18.