For the most up-to-date information visit: TheMusicHall.org/CovidProtocols
What We’re Doing to Keep You and Our Staff Safe:
• We are following guidance issued by the CDC, as well as other recommended 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 fortunate 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
Credit: PizzutiPhotography.com
SPRING IN BLOOM MEANS SUMMER SOON!
TINA SAWTELLE, Executive Director
As the lilacs in our beautiful state start to bloom, we are looking toward the colorful days of live music and shows to come. Summer on the Seacoast will be better than ever, thanks to your patience, resilience, and support. We are grateful for all of you and for our friends in these uncertain times.
While we couldn’t be together in-person, we’ve forged new friendships, particularly with 3S Artspace and Prescott Park Arts Festival for our benefit concert series, All Together Now. If you haven’t gotten your tickets to see Zachary Williams or Son Little yet—don’t miss out! Speaking of partnerships, we are thrilled to once again work with the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire (BHTNH), this time to celebrate Juneteenth! Check out their Juneteenth programming and look out for our event in collaboration and as a benefit for BHTNH. Not familiar with the holiday? Attend our virtual event on June 3 with professor Annette Gordon-Reed with her new book, On Juneteenth
At the time of this printing, we’re proud to report that The Music Hall has had zero transmissions of COVID-19! By following State guidelines, installing the new HVAC system, and diligently enforcing social distancing and face masks, we’ve safely hosted more than 5,000 people at over 130 events (in addition to offering hybrid and purely virtual events for those who aren’t ready to return). Thank you all for keeping our team and your fellow show-goers safe!
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
Director’s Club: The Original Social Network
If you’ve been missing social gatherings, we have good news: The Music Hall Director’s Club is launching a robust season of sensational events. On the docket for this networking group are an array of activities that provide members exclusive access to hot spots across the region. For details, see the Upcoming Events column on page 11, check your email, or visit TheMusicHall.org/ DirectorsClub
Credit: David J. Murray/ClearEyePhoto.com
Known as “the best deal in town,” the Director’s Club is a benefit of membership at the Patron level and above. These lively events are a great way to meet other arts supporters and discover new things to do and places to visit around the Seacoast.
Support for this series is generously provided by Newburyport Bank, now celebrating a fifth year as sponsor of the Director’s Club and an eighth year of partnership with The Music Hall. Events are also made possible thanks to our hosts, the local restaurateurs and business owners who open their venues to provide unique experiences for our group.
To upgrade your membership, to offer suggestions, or to receive more information, contact Wes and Jillian, the Ticket and Member Services Team, at 603.436.2400 or membership@themusichall.org
UPCOMING MEMBER EVENTS
BOOK CLUB: THE FOUR WINDS BY KRISTIN HANNAH
Mon., 5/10 • 6pm Historic Theater & Livestream
DIRECTOR'S CLUB: THE ENVIO AT AC HOTEL MARRIOTT
Wed., 5/12 • 5:30pm 299 Vaughan St, Portsmouth
BOOK CLUB: HAMNET BY MAGGIE O'FARRELL Mon., 6/14 • 6pm Historic Theater & Livestream
For more information, contact Wesley Lovell at 603.766.2182 or WLovell@themusichall.org
ON STAGE & ONLINE MID-MAY/JUNE
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH/LIVE AT THE HISTORIC THEATER SERIES SPONSORS:
WILDCARD SERIES SPONSORS: The Hippo; RAM Printing
EXHIBITION ON SCREEN SERIES SPONSOR: Sheehan Phinney PRESENTING CINEMA SPONSOR:
ALL TOGETHER NOW: A BENEFIT FOR THE MUSIC LOVER IN US ALL
A new series in collaboration with and as a benefit for 3S Artspace & Prescott Park Arts Festival
We thank Barbara K. Sweet who, inspired by this collaborative partnership, has generously underwritten artist fees for the series.
ZACHARY WILLIAMS
Fri., May 14 • 5:30pm & 8pm • Historic Theater
Hailing from Nashville, TN, Zachary Williams is an accomplished singersongwriter, widely known as the front man for Americana band The Lone Bellow.
SON LITTLE
Fri., June 11 5:30pm & 8pm Historic Theater
Bluesy chords, Latin rhythm, classic soul, and old-school R&B come together with Son Little's raw, raspy vocals and instrumental virtuosity.
WILDCARD 42ND STREET - THE MUSICAL
Wed., May 12 - Tue., May 18 • 1pm; 4pm; 7pm; 10pm • Livestream Captured live from the London stage and directed by the original author of the show, Mark Bramble, 42nd Street is one of Broadway's most classic and beloved tales. ALL TOGETHER NOW PRESENTING MEDIA PARTNER:
RACHAEL & VILRAY (SOLD OUT)
Sat., May 22 • 5:30pm & 8pm • Historic Theater
Rachael Price of Lake Street Dive and guitarist-singer-composer Vilray bring their jazz, old vinyl duo to Portsmouth for a special fundraiser concert.
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH ROCKSPRING
Sat., May 15 • 6pm & 8pm • Chestnut Street
The high-energy string band’s fanbase covers nearly every genre, from bluegrass to rock and country.
ON STAGE & ONLINE
INNOVATION + LEADERSHIP PRESENTING SPONSOR:
SERIES SPONSORS: Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine; Bangor Savings Bank
INNOVATION + LEADERSHIP SUZANNE KOVEN
Tue., May 18 • 7pm • Livestream
WRITERS ON A NEW ENGLAND STAGE IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN:
A profound and humorous exploration of authenticity in work and life by a female doctor, with candid stories from the AIDS era to today’s COVID-19 pandemic. In conversation with Andrew Solomon.
INNOVATION + LEADERSHIP CREATIVEMORNINGS PKX
Fri., May 21 & Fri., June 11 • 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.
WILDCARD GREAT ART ON SCREEN: HERMITAGE
Wed., May 26 - Tue., June 1 • 1pm; 4pm; 7pm; 10pm • Livestream
A spectacular documentary event tours through St. Petersburg’s State Hermitage Museum, a wonderful complex of buildings with the largest collection of paintings in the world,
*Check website for ticket package details
MID-MAY/JUNE
PRESENTING SPONSOR:
SERIES SPONSORS:
MEDIA PARTNER:
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH VANCE GILBERT
Wed., May 19 • 6pm & 8pm • Chestnut Street
This cornerstone acoustic artist is wry, hysterical, evocative, provocative, and fun—all at once.
EVENING SPONSORS: AARP New Hampshire
LIVE AT THE HISTORIC THEATER NEIGHBOR
Tue., May 25 • 8pm • Historic Theater & Livestream
The musical juggernaut is one of the most exciting and unpredictable live bands playing today.
EVENING SPONSORS: Avery Insurance; AC Hotel Marriott
WRITERS ON A NEW ENGLAND STAGE KEVIN KWAN
Thu., May 27 • 7pm • Livestream
The NY Times bestselling author of Crazy Rich Asians presents “another riveting tale of privilege, culture and romance...” (CNN)
Photo: RayaOnAssignment.com
ON STAGE & ONLINE MID-MAY/JUNE
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH/LIVE AT THE HISTORIC THEATER SERIES SPONSORS:
INTERCONNECTIONS
PRESENTING SPONSOR:
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH KATE REDGATE
Sat., May 29 • 6pm & 8pm • Chestnut Street
Easily moving across genres and always landing deep in the realm of the heart, Kate tackles topics both personal and universal by simply telling her brutally honest and raw stories.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning historian presents the sweeping story of Juneteenth’s history and the ongoing fight for equality.
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH PMAC JAZZ NIGHT
Sat., June 5 • 6pm & 8pm • Chestnut Street
The special evening will feature a performance of Wynton Marsalis' The Democracy! Suite by teaching artists from PMAC's Jazz Institute.
INNOVATION + LEADERSHIP PRESENTING SPONSOR:
SERIES SPONSORS: Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine; Bangor Savings Bank
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH PSO: THE STRING QUARTET
Sun., May 30 • 5pm & 7pm • Chestnut Street
The Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra String Quartet will warm up the night with quartet music by Tchaikovsky, Astor Piazolla, Jose Elizondo, and more.
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH ERIN MCKEOWN Fri., June 4 • 6pm & 8pm • Chestnut Street
Erin McKeown is a musician, writer, and producer known internationally for her prolific disregard of stylistic boundaries.
EVENING SPONSORS: Leone, McDonnell and Roberts, PA; Prime Buchholz & Associates, Inc.
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH MARBLE EYES
Sun., June 6 • 3:30pm & 7pm • Chestnut Street
Marble Eyes is a fresh collective of songwriters who have come together during the pandemic and found inspiration through new original music that is “Rock & Roll for The Soul.”
EVENING SPONSORS: Avery Insurance; Beswick Engineering Company, Inc.
*Check website for ticket package details
ON STAGE & ONLINE
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH DWAYNE HAGGINS
Thu., June 17 • 6pm & 8pm • Chestnut Street
Dubbed the “John Legend of rockabilly,” Dwayne Haggins’ ability to add new subtleties and reinterpret lyrical clichés presents genuine new material, coupled with a gentle cascade of vocal acrobatics.
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH MIDNIGHT NORTH
Sun., June 20 • 5pm & 7pm • Chestnut Street
Mainstays on the roots music scene, Midnight North “takes the best parts of roots music and weaves them into a tapestry of rock and Americana.” (Rolling Stone)
L AKE S TRE ET AD VISORS
EVENING SPONSORS: Petersen Engineering
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH CRYS MATTHEWS & HEATHER MAE
Tue., June 22
• 6pm & 8pm • Chestnut Street
Two award-winning songwriters take the stage with bold and beautiful performances.
EVENING SPONSORS: Beswick Engineering Co; Eastern Bank
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH BITTER PILL
Sun., June 27
• 5pm & 7pm • Chestnut Street
Bitter Pill is a tight-knit family (literally father and daughter) who play a dark and anachronistic twist of folk, blues, jazz, rockabilly, and country.
EVENING
SPONSORS: Petersen Engineering
L AKE S TRE ET AD VISORS
EVENING SPONSORS: Digital Prospectors
FILL THE HALL 2021
Sat., June 26
• 9am-3pm • Historic Theater
Join us as we challenge the community to fill every seat in the Historic Theater with bags of food for Gather and their Meals 4 Kids program during annual Fill The Hall Food Drive
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH PAUL DOIRON Thu., July 1 • 6pm • Chestnut Street*
Maine game warden Mike Bowditch finds himself in a life-or-death chase in the new thriller by the bestselling mystery author.
WRITERS ON A NEW ENGLAND STAGE IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN:
MEDIA PARTNER: PRESENTING SPONSOR: SERIES SPONSORS:
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH HOWARD
Fri., July 2 • 6pm & 8pm • Chestnut Street
Howard brings electronic pop and warm chamber-pop to the Portsmouth scene.
EVENING SPONSORS: Wells Fargo Advisors; Whole Life Health Care
WRITERS IN THE LOFT CHRISTINA BAKER KLINE
Tue., July 13 • 7pm • Livestream
The #1 New York Times bestselling author returns with an emotionally resonant novel.
WRITERS IN THE LOFT MEGAN MIRANDA
Tue., July 20 • 7pm • Livestream
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH/LIVE AT THE HISTORIC THEATER SERIES SPONSORS:
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH SOUL REBEL PROJECT
Sat., July 3 • 6pm & 8pm • Chestnut Street
The rock reggae group has toured with legends like The Wailers and Sean Paul.
EVENING SPONSORS: BANKW Staffing, LLC Company; Leone, McDonnell and Roberts, PA
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH DAVID WILCOX
Tue., July 20 • 6pm & 8pm • Chestnut Street
Wilcox, by so many measures, is a quintessential folk singer, telling stories full of heart, humor, and hope, substance, searching, and style.
EVENING SPONSORS: Wells Fargo Advisors; Harbour Women's Health
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH RIVER SISTER
Fri., August 27 • 6pm & 8pm • Chestnut Street
Portsmouth’s own River Sister delivers “a fresh, cathartic addition to the indie-folk cannon.” (EDGE magazine)
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Last House Guest comes a new riveting suspense novel. L AKE S TRE ET AD VISORS
EVENING SPONSORS: Mad*Pow
*Check website for ticket package details
HERE & NOW
Introducing Interconnections
As we learn and grow, new initiatives are born—so we launched Interconnections! This new umbrella series will encapsulate much of what we are already doing, while allowing us to expand and adapt along with the times.
The Music Hall has been and will continue to be at the forefront of tackling issues such as social justice and inclusivity. As a community gathering place, we have the responsibility to make sure our community’s voices are represented and new partnerships are forged. We here at The Music Hall frequently ask ourselves how we can continue to learn and more importantly, take action. As we build upon our history of similar programs, we are looking to expand in the future with this new series.
Interconnections will focus on six areas: Climate Change; Leadership and Entrepreneurship; Addiction and Recovery; Social Justice, Anti-racism, and Human Rights; Education, Accessibility, and Inclusion; and Isolation and Mental Health. While this will primarily apply to events and partnerships, staff training (such as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training with the Mars Hill Group’s Jermaine Moore in April and May) will also fall under this umbrella.
Ever committed to these areas and issues, Kennebunk Savings has graciously stepped up as the Interconnections series sponsor, allowing us the flexibility and funding to launch this effort. Please join us in thanking them at one of the upcoming Interconnections shows: Suzanne Koven (5/18); CreativeMornings PKX (5/21 & 6/11); Annette Gordon-Reed (6/3); Fill the Hall (6/26). More information at TheMusicHall.org/Interconnections
Help Us Fill The Hall!
As summer and the end of the school year (as strange as this one was) approach, it means that it is once again time for Fill the Hall, this year on Saturday, June 26, from 9am-3pm. It is the annual collaboration between The Music Hall and Gather to collect necessary food and other items for those who need it in our community.
This year has been filled with stresses—not knowing where your next meal is coming from should not be one of them. Gather has been feeding an unprecedented number of kids and families over the past year through their Meals 4 Kids program, and we know you want to help us raise funds, food, and awareness that there are those in our community who go hungry.
Last year, we hit a high water mark with our 20/20 challenge where we sought to bring in $20,000 in donations and 20,000 pounds of food—final totals were $75,000 and 26,000 pounds! Like last year, we’ll be running both neighborhood mini-food drives and allowing drop offs at the Historic Theater, so please consider donating a bag (or two) of non-perishables.
Go to TheMusicHall.org/FillTheHall2021 for more details about donating, organizing your neighborhood, workplace, or for being a dropoff location. A special shout out to Service Credit Union for underwriting Fill the Hall this year. Their support is essential to making sure that all food and monies collected go to the people who need it and that the event continues to be a success.
Soak up the waterfront view from a luxurious new vantage point.
TOSCANA ITALIAN CHOPHOUSE AND WINE BAR
Wed., June 23 • 4:30 - 6pm 3 Pleasant Street, Portsmouth
Join us and experience Portsmouth’s hottest new restaurant courtyard! Don't forget to make your dinner reservations for afterwards.
JIMMY'S ON CONGRESS
Coming in September - Stay tuned! 135 Congress Street, Portsmouth
Get an exclusive sneak peek of The Labrie Group’s jazz club next door to the Loft.
Meet Melissa Millay
Melissa Millay is a Contributor-level member, volunteer, and member of our Music Hall Book Club. To mark this May Membership Month, Ticket and Member Services Manager Wesley Lovell spoke with Melissa about Book Club, what she’s looking forward to, and why she loves being a member.
How did you first get introduced to The Music Hall?
I moved into Portwalk Place from Manhattan last June, and several people in my building told me about The Music Hall. I’m an avid reader and I love music, so I immediately joined and signed up for the Book Club!
What do you love about Book Club? Any upcoming books of particular interest?
It would take a very long paragraph to list what I love about the Book Club, but at the top of the list are the moderators, particularly Dawn Heffron and Gail VanHoy Carolan. They put a lot of time and thought into questions to facilitate a great discussion about the book, and they do a lot of research about the authors. There are two books I’m particularly looking forward to: Kristin Hannah’s The Four Winds and Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell. Hamnet promises to be extra special as the guest moderators will be Christine Penney and Dan Beaulieu, founders of Seven Stages Shakespeare Company.
Why is being a part of The Music Hall important to you?
For over 15 years, I’ve worked in fundraising and development for several arts and humanities non-profit organizations in NYC, so I have an appreciation of the integral role The Music Hall plays in the cultural fabric of Portsmouth. My Music Hall membership is also a good way for me to meet interesting people.
What upcoming show are you most looking forward to?
The All Together Now concert by Zachary Williams on May 14—and of course the next Book Club!
YOUR NAME IN LIGHTS!
This year, the committed generosity of our members and supporters has kept us afloat, and thanks to you we’re in the fortunate position to reopen safely and continue serving the Seacoast community. To show our thanks, we want to put your name in lights! If you join, upgrade, or renew your membership in the month of May, we’ll enter your name into a drawing to have your name featured on our Historic Theater marquee. We’ll select one lucky winner each week, and one member will also receive a Private Film Screening with up to 20 of their bubble-mates.
DIRECTOR'S CLUB
SPONSOR: Look for more events announced via email or online at TheMusicHall.org/ DirectorsClub
We’re incredibly grateful for your loyal support, and we’re excited to celebrate our fabulous members this month. Tax-deductible memberships start at $50 per household, and last for a full calendar year. Plus, we’re lucky to have a generous donor who will match your membership this month, so please consider joining, renewing, or upgrading.
Questions? Call the B2W Box Office at 603.436.2400 and we will be happy to help.
Portsmouth, NH 03801
UPCOMING SHOWS
PMAC JAZZ NIGHT
June 5
MID-MAY/JUNE 2021
MAY 2021
Wildcard
42nd Street, The Musical [Livestream]
Wed., May 12 - Tue., May 18
All Together Now
Zachary Williams
Friday, May 14 • 5:30pm & 8pm
Live Under The Arch
Rockspring
Saturday, May 15 • 6pm & 8pm
Innovation + Leadership
Suzanne Koven [Livestream]
Tuesday, May 18 • 7pm
Live Under The Arch
Vance Gilbert
Wednesday, May 19 • 6pm & 8pm
Innovation + Leadership
CreativeMornings PKX [Livestream]
Friday, May 21 • 8:30am
All Together Now
Rachael & Vilray (SOLD OUT)
Saturday, May 22 • 5:30pm & 8pm
Live at the Historic Theater
Neighbor [Live & Livestream]
Tuesday, May 25 • 8pm
AT A GLANCE
LEGEND: At the Historic Theater | Offsite/Online
MAY 2021
Wildcard
Great Art On Screen: Hermitage [Livestream] Wed., May 26 - Tue., June 1
Writers on a New England Stage
Kevin Kwan [Livestream]
Thursday, May 27 • 7pm
Live Under The Arch
Kate Redgate
Saturday, May 29 • 6pm & 8pm
Live Under The Arch
PSO String Quartet
Sunday, May 30 • 5pm & 7pm
JUNE 2021
Innovation + Leadership
Annette Gordon-Reed [Livestream]
Thursday, June 3 • 7pm
Live Under The Arch
Erin McKeown
Friday, June 4 • 6pm & 8pm
Live Under The Arch
PMAC Jazz Night
Saturday, June 5 • 6pm & 8pm
JUNE 2021
Live Under The Arch Marble Eyes Sunday, June 6 • 3:30pm & 7pm
