Arts Around Town

BY CYNTHIA L. BAUDENDISTEL

MUSIC

CONCORD BAND

51 Walden | concordband.blogspot.com

SPRING POPS

Enjoy the intimate ambiance of Club 51 for a night to remember with jazz vocalist Amanda Carr. April 14 and 15

BOSTON JAZZ WISDOM

Jazz percussion legend Ra-Kalam Bob Moses leads this all-star jazz concert with Dave Bryant on piano, John Lockwood on bass, and Concord Conservatory’s Tsuyoshi Honjo on saxophone for an evening of lively freespirited jazz. March 24

THE OKEE DOKEE BROTHERS

The Grammy® Award-winning Okee Dokee Brothers blend their passion for the outdoors with Americana Folk music. A great family-friendly concert.

April 1

SOUTHERN RAIL until his recent retirement. This will be a concert to remember! March 18

The American Brass Quintet performs works from the Renaissance to contemporary composers. The quintet, founded in 1960, is internationally recognized as one of the premier chamber ensembles of our time.

April 15

CONCORD WOMEN’S CHORUS

81 Elm Street | concordwomenschorus.org

COME DAY, COME NIGHT

CONCORD CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC

1317 Main Street | concordconservatory.org

CONCORD OPEN BLUEGRASS JAMS

The Concord Open Bluegrass Jam is a weekly, community-driven jam session that provides local musicians and music lovers an open space to create music together. Maxfield Anderson leads the group through vocal songs and instrumental tunes from a variety of musical traditions, including bluegrass, old time, classic country and western, blues, swing, and beyond.

Thursday evenings

If you love bluegrass music, mark your calendar for this concert by Southern Rail, featuring CCM faculty member Rich Stillman on banjo. As the Boston Herald said, Southern Rail gives us, “First rate bluegrass…precise harmonies, sharp instrumental work…soaring and lush.” April 29

CONCORD FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY

129 Main Street | concordlibrary.org

MUSIC FROM THE LIBRARY

David Deveau presents Beethoven’s powerful last three piano sonatas, opus 109, 110, and 111. David is a graduate of New England Conservatory and Juilliard, has performed with major orchestras, and taught at MIT

From love songs to boat songs, CWC’s Spring concert celebrates the joy of a life well-lived. Emma Lou Diemer’s “When You Wake,” Gwyneth Walker’s “Love is a Rain of Diamonds” and “Morning Innocent,” Kevin Siegfried’s “Boat Song,” and Stephen Chatman’s “Love Songs” – stirring works that reflect the textures and rhythms, joys, and challenges of each new day. May 13

CONCORD ORCHESTRA

51 Walden | concordorchestra.com

THE POWER OF NOSTALGIA

Sixteen-year-old Young Artist Competition winner Lazar Kaminksy performs Elgar’s Cello Concerto. The concert, directed by guest conductor Channing Yu, also features the music of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Max Bruch. On Saturday, there is a pre-concert talk at 7:00 pm by the conductor followed by a prelude recital by violinist Henry Lee at 7:15 pm. March 25 and 26

Songs Of Spring

Don’t miss this moving concert with guest conductor Nathaniel Meyer and music by Giuseppe Verdi, Gustav Mahler, and Johannes Brahms. Mezzo-soprano Renee Tatum sings Gustav Mahler’s “Rückert Lieder.” Ms. Tatum has performed as soloist with the Metropolitan Opera, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Masterworks Chorale, the Boston Lyric Opera, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. May 20 and 21 during her episodes of chronic migraines. Also featuring new works by represented artists. Now through March 26

Living Alloy

Experience the amalgam of two artists coming together in different mediums. Metal sculptor Ray Ciemny reinvents scrap metal into whimsical and edgy forms. Scottish artist John Mackechnie transforms scenes of urban landscapes and vintage cars by combining painting and printmaking. Also featuring new works by represented artists. March 29 – May 7 (reception: April 6)

TERRA FIRMA: AN ARTIST’S METAMORPHOSIS AND A FARM’S LEGACY

Follow Brenda Cirioni’s journey from creating mixed media barns and blazes to her abstract pieces often inspired by her garden. Ellen Harasimowicz’s documentary photographic project of the multi-generational Willard Farm and its owners in Still River, Mass., will inspire you. Also featuring new works by represented artists. May 10 – June 18 (reception: May 20)

THE UMBRELLA ARTS CENTER

40 Stow Street | theumbrellaarts.org

OPEN STUDIOS

THEATRE CONCORD PLAYERS

51 Walden Street | concordplayers.org

LITTLE WOMEN – THE BROADWAY

Musical

OPERA51

51 Walden | opera51.org

TOSCA

Continuing Opera51’s presentations of Puccini’s immensely popular dramatic works, this coming June they will perform Tosca under the artistic direction of Robin Farnsely and conductor Alan Yost. June 9, 10, and 11. Visit their website for more information.

Visual Arts

THREE STONES GALLERY

32 Main Street | threestonesgallery.com

STEWARDS

This innovative show reminds us of symbols and signposts from the natural world that touch our lives. Lynne D. Klemmer captures playful yet sacred entities in her vibrant abstract works while Bethany Noël depicts the intensity of seeing the natural world

Concord’s traditional Open Studios returns in a new seasonal slot, with the Umbrella Artists sharing their new works, plus technique demonstrations, live music, a Ceramics Studio sale, and more. Welcome spring with a new piece of art! March 18 and 19

ARTRAGEOUS AUCTION AND EXHIBITION

Stop by The Umbrella to view these extraordinary works and then be sure to attend the Gala celebration to bid on your favorites and support The Umbrella. March 20 – April 1

Earth Month Exhibition

The Umbrella’s Arts & Environment program presents their annual exhibition leading up to the celebration of Earth Day. April 6 - 23

Points Of Return

This exhibition of work by international artists explores wide ranging aspects of the climate emergency, offering commentary and creative nature-based strategies. May 1 - Jun 25

Every ten years the Concord Players and Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House come together to honor Louisa May Alcott. This year is Louisa’s 190th birthday. Join in the celebration at a tea to be held on March 19 and at the crowning event of the year, the presentation of Little Women – The Broadway Musical. This touching musical tells the beloved story of the March sisters. Romantic Meg, tomboyish Jo, loving Beth, and irascible Amy live in Concord with their Marmee while their father is off in the Civil War. Filled with adventure (both lived and imagined), heartbreak, and a deep sense of hope, these “Little Women” struggle to find their own voices. April 28 – May 13

The Umbrella Arts Center

40 Stow Street | theumbrellaarts.org

Middleton Heights

Reserve your seats soon for the world premiere of this raw, loving, laughout-loud story of an immigrant family and their pursuit of the American Dream. March 31 - April 23

The Color Purple

Don’t miss this glorious musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer® Prize-winning novel with a joyous Tony® Award-winning score. May 12 - June 4