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MAGAZINE

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS

Monte Bohanan

Thérèse LaGamma

Tina Sawtelle

Sara Turner

Gail VanHoy Carolan

Brittany Wason

DESIGN

Kaitlyn Huwe

THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS

KEEPING YOU SAFE DURING COVID-19

For the most up-to-date information visit: TheMusicHall.org/Reopening

What We’re Doing to Keep You and Our Staff Safe:

• We are following guidance issued by the Governor’s task force and CDC, as well as adding other safety measures.

• Staff and volunteers will be wearing masks and PPE.

• We’ve upgraded our HVAC system to include medical grade filters and an iWave ionization component. We are also changing filters more often and increasing the circulation rates on a 24-hour cycle.

• We’re seating our patrons with 6 ft. of space in all directions in between other parties.

What We’re Asking You to Do When You Visit:

• If you are feeling sick, have symptoms of COVID-19 or if you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive to COVID-19, please stay home!

• We ask that you wear a mask in all communal areas. You may remove your mask while sitting in your seat, but please wear your mask while entering, exiting, and visiting concessions or the restrooms.

• The ticket purchaser name will be on the seats with white bands, please do not move these bands around the chairs or remove the name cards themselves. Do not sit in the seats with black bands.

THANK YOU!

We are incredibly grateful to have such a dedicated support system in this community. So many of you contributed to our COVID-19 emergency fund, donated tickets, or attended our socially distanced shows. This means the world to us—we wouldn’t be here without you. Thank you for allowing us to do what we love. Please continue to help make a difference for us by spreading the word about our shows or following us on social media! Feel free to like and share our posts and blogs. And for the most up-to-date information on our theaters and events, sign up for the enews at TheMusicHall.org.

CURATOR’S CORNER

CONCERTS, CINEMA, & CONVERSATION—LIVESTREAMING

Thérèse LaGamma, Director of Programming & Brittany Wason, Literary Coordinator

Through the centuries, arts and culture have adapted to the changing tides of the world. And the pandemic hasn’t stopped us here at The Music Hall from booking the artists and authors we want to see! With the magic of livestreaming, our ramped up programming offers everything from concerts and conversations, to authors and films! Have you been missing Telluride by the Sea? Partnering with the University of New Hampshire, we are bringing seven films from the Cinema Ritrovato festival in Bologna for our first all-virtual film festival. These rare films make it a “pure heaven for cinephiles.” Film buffs will relish in this once in a lifetime opportunity, so don’t miss out!

You can still enjoy the global lecture series and local favorite community event, CreativeMornings PKX, from the comfort of your home. Centered around a monthly theme—March is Ripple, chosen by the Tel Aviv chapter—local speakers share their stories, based on the belief that “everyone is creative and everyone is welcome.” And for the book worms, our literary series will be in full swing this month, with the return of C.J. Box, beaming in from Wyoming with the latest Joe Pickett novel! On March 16, hop aboard the USS John Paul Jones in the geopolitical thriller 2034 by bestselling authors Elliot Ackerman and Admiral James Stavridis.

Some events will be a mix of live and streamed, meaning you can still come on down to the theater to watch in-person. All audiences are socially distanced with all CDC and state guidelines in place, as well as our brand new HVAC system! Keep an eye on TheMusicHall.org/livestream.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

Let Our Restaurant Partners Serve You!

The Music Hall is an economic engine. In good times, the restaurants around us referred to our calendar to make staffing decisions, recognizing a full house for us equates to full tables for them. We eagerly anticipate a return to those days. In the meantime, we hope you will continue to support businesses in our community the way you have supported us.

The Music Hall’s happy place, the patio at the Atlantic Grill, is heated and open for lunch and dinner. The River House is open, too, even if you just want to grab a chowder and go. The restaurants at Portwalk Place would love to serve you: BRGR Bar, Green Elephant, and Dos Amigos. Right next door to us are La Maison Navarre and The Friendly Toast. Down the street: The Wilder and Toscana Italian Chophouse & Wine Bar. Go a bit further for The Portsmouth Brewery and STREET. Broaden your range to include CR’s the Restaurant. Are we making you hungry? Flip through the 2020-21 Season Playbill or visit the Restaurant section of our 2020-21 Playbill Participant Directory for inspiration at TheMusicHall.org/PlaybillParticipants.

Take a moment for self-care that supports your community. Give yourself a break and patronize a restaurant—whether you eat-in or take out—or consider investing in gift certificates. We’re all in this together, so enjoy a meal prepared by someone else, and be sure to tell them “hello” from The Music Hall!

If you’re a member of our Director’s Club, a benefit for members at the Patron level and above, keep an eye out for “dinner and a movie” collaborative events, like our recent screening of Moonstruck with dinner delivered by Ristorante Massimo’s!

proud supporters of t he Music h all

bringing the arts home...

The Ar T s A re T he A nswer to vibrant and prosperous communities where we treasure our heritage, celebrate our diversity and nurture our ingenuity.

Credit: Will Zimmerman

ON STAGE/ONLINE MARCH & APRIL

WRITERS ON A NEW ENGLAND STAGE IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN:

PRESENTING SPONSOR: SERIES SPONSORS:

WRITERS ON A NEW ENGLAND STAGE PAUL KRUGMAN

Tue., March 2 • 7pm • Livestream*

Nobel prize-winning economist, The New York Times columnist, and bestselling author Paul Krugman offers an accessible, compelling introduction to today’s major policy issues.

HILARITY

SAINT PATRICK’S DAY COMEDY & DANCE SPECTACULAR

Sat., March 13 • 8pm • Historic Theater

The best place to be on this Saint Patrick’s day is The Music Hall to celebrate with Celtic step dancing, music, and hilarious comedy.

MEDIA PARTNER:

PRESENTING CINEMA SPONSOR:

WILDCARD SERIES SPONSORS: Cocked Hat Ventures; The Hippo; RAM Printing

WRITERS IN THE LOFT C.J. BOX

Tue., March 9 • 7pm • Livestream

C.J. Box is back with a thrilling new adventure for Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett. Don’t miss the latest mystery from the #1 New York Times bestselling author.

WILDCARD MOVIES IL CINEMA RITROVATO

Fri., March 5 - Mon., March 8 Livestream

Every summer, the Cineteca of Bologna presents a festival of films, early silent cinema, and director’s portraits, called Il Cinema Ritrovato. Described as “pure heaven for cinephiles,” the film festival shows restored films from all over the world.

PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

WRITERS IN THE LOFT ELLIOT ACKERMAN & ADMIRAL JAMES STAVRIDIS

Tue., March 16 • 7pm • Livestream

An authentic geopolitical thriller written by two former military officers and award-winning authors.

*Check website for ticket package details

ON STAGE/ONLINE MARCH & APRIL

HILARITY SERIES SPONSORS:

INNOVATION + LEADERSHIP PRESENTING SPONSOR:

SERIES SPONSORS: Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine; Bangor Savings Bank

LIVE AT THE HISTORIC THEATER THE BUSTED JUG BAND

Sat., March 20 • 8pm • Historic Theater

The Busted Jug Band’s music is a festive and fun romp through time, playing swing, blues, and novelty music on an assortment of instruments, including everything from washboard to mandolin, to rubber chickens.

HILARITY STEVEN ROGERS

Sat., April 17 • 8pm • Historic Theater

Steven’s comedic ability has established him as a feature act in comedy clubs and also a regular opener for Brian Regan. His clever rapid fire material full of observations about his life and the world around him has entertained audiences from coast to coast!

LIVE AT THE HISTORIC THEATER SERIES SPONSORS:

EXHIBITION ON SCREEN SERIES SPONSOR: Sheehan Phinney

INNOVATION + LEADERSHIP CREATIVEMORNINGS PKX

Fri., March 26 & Fri., April 30 • 8:30am

Livestream • Free, RSVP required

CreativeMornings Portsmouth is a local chapter of the global breakfast lecture series for the creative community. Every meeting will feature a local speaker on the month’s topic and is free and open to the public.

EXHIBITION ON SCREEN FRIDA KAHLO Wed., April 14 7pm Historic Theater

Who was Frida Kahlo? Take a journey through the life of a true icon, discover her art, and uncover the truth behind her often turbulent life.

INNOVATION + LEADERSHIP SCOTT WEIDENSAUL Tue., April 20 • 7pm • Historic Theater

From ornithologist, naturalist, and Pulitzer finalist comes a breathtaking work of nature writing on global bird migration in the face of climate change.

Photo: RayaOnAssignment.com

HERE & NOW

Thanks to Our HVAC Capital Campaign Investors!

Edwin Garside, President, The Music Hall Board of Trustees

Good fortune often falls on The Music Hall. A year before COVID-19 hit, a small committee—led by Gail VanHoy Carolan, our Director of Institutional Advancement, and Mike Pilot as honorary chair—was raising funds for an Infrastructure campaign, where the most urgent of those needs was replacing an antiquated HVAC system. The theater had scheduled work to begin in the Summer of 2020. Little did we know then, that this investment would prove crucial to our theater’s future.

With the temporary shutdown in March 2020, we were able to move forward with our infrastructure work. By the end of the summer, our state-of-the-art HVAC with fresh air intake, iWave ionizing technology, and medical-grade filters was complete. That project, and your assistance, has provided a silver lining for us during the devastating COVID-19 crisis, as this high quality, high-efficiency system has an even greater value these days. We have reopened for live events, socially distanced in our Historic Theater, thanks to this upgrade and your continued support, ensuring this special theater’s place in our community for generations to come. We are grateful to Paul & Jess McKeon, who took a lead role in the Infrastructure campaign, as well as: Brenda Baker and Stephen Baum, Thomas and Patience Chamberlin, Martha Fuller Clark and Geoffrey Clark, Cogswell Benevolent Trust, Davis Family Foundation, Karen and David Della Penta, Stephen A. Gaykan, Dawn and Michael Heffron, Samuel P. Hunt Foundation, McIninch Foundation, the Montrone Family, the Estate of Richard and Maxine Morse, Tara and Morgan Rutman, and Barbara Sweet.

Rocking Out with PARMA Recordings

Since Writers on a New England Stage events have moved to the virtual platform, we’ve missed seeing Dreadnaught bring their unique vibe to each live show. But then the opportunity to work together to livestream some of our Live at the Historic Theater shows in February was too good to pass up! Bob Lord, CEO of PARMA Recordings and Dreadnaught front man said, “After performing on The Music Hall’s stage for more than 15 years and serving on the Board for nearly 8, I’m very happy to collaborate in a new and different way to help the Hall forge fresh ground.” PARMA Recordings brought in their professional experience and prowess, so each event was enjoyable for both those in the audience and at home. The end result was incredible and fun for all!

AT A GLANCE

MARCH 2021

Writers on a New England Stage

Paul Krugman (Livestream)

Tuesday, March 2 • 7pm

Wildcard Movies Il Cinema Ritrovato (Livestream)

Friday, March 5 - Monday, March 8

Writers in the Loft

C. J. Box (Livestream)

Tuesday, March 9 • 7pm

Hilarity

Saint Patrick’s Day Comedy and Dance Spectacular

Saturday, March 13 • 8pm

Writers in the Loft

Elliot Ackerman & Admiral James Stavridis (Livestream)

Tuesday, March 16 • 7pm

Live at the Historic Theater

The Busted Jug Band

Saturday, March 20 • 8pm

Innovation + Leadership

CreativeMornings PKX (Livestream)

Friday, March 26 • 8:30am

APRIL 2021

Rental Partner

Safe Haven Ballet presents Don Quixote

Thursday, April 8 & Friday, April 9 • 7pm

Exhibition On Screen Frida Kahlo

Wednesday, April 14 • 7pm

Hilarity

Steven Rogers

Saturday, April 17 • 8pm

Innovation + Leadership

Scott Weidensaul

Tuesday, April 20 • 7pm

Innovation + Leadership CreativeMornings PKX (Livestream)

Friday, April 30 • 8:30am

Supporting artists and giving back is paramount to PARMA Recordings’ mission. So from now until April 18, they’re celebrating the 100th anniversary of Astor Piazzolla’s birth with a competition for soloists and ensembles. In partnership with Piazzolla’s family and foundation, this competition will award prizes for the winners, including orchestral concerts, tours, recording contracts, masterclasses, and more. And proceeds go to music education charities! For more information, visit ParmaRecordings.com

At the Historic Theater At the Loft Offsite/Online