2 minute read
Entertainment, Arts & Culture
A Symphony of Imagination, an Ode to Creativity
photo by: Northeastern Ballet. Peter Murray photo
You’ll find evidence of a passion for imagination everywhere you go:
Stroll through Greater Dover and you’ll encounter art, artists, creations, and creativity on almost every corner.
The world seems a little more colorful and a touch more melodious in Greater Dover, where the gentle thrum of our vibrant arts, entertainment, and cultural offerings resonates throughout public spaces to spark our collective creativity, fill our social calendars, and write a little background music to everyday life.
We’re proud to announce that Dover received the 2021
Governor's Arts Creative
Communities Award, in recognition of the Dover Arts Commission and the City of Dover’s work to bring art into public spaces, fund performance art, and establish grants, among other efforts.
Community art comes alive within Greater Dover, thanks, also, to the Dover Arts Commission and its Art Beat Program. Their work connects visual artists with local businesses to encourage public art displays, carve out exhibition spaces, and provide Dover residents with greater opportunities to experience and appreciate the arts.
Looking to formalize your art wanderings? There’s no better place to start than at the Art Center (theartcenterdover.com), a creative community hosted within 6,000 square feet of workshops, artist studios, exhibition spaces, and performance stages. Be sure to check out their events calendar and exhibition schedule, or, if you’re an artist yourself, peruse the center’s calls for art and upcoming residency opportunities.
Support community theater at Garrison Players (garrisonplayers.org), a volunteerbased community theater located in Rollinsford that is dedicated to enriching Greater Dover’s cultural life through high-quality and familyfriendly theatrical performances, as well as youth theater educational programs. full performance season offers shows for adults, families, students, and teens, as well as a theatre camp and art gallery.
Looking to add a little variety your cultural pursuits? The Strand (thestrand.com), first opened as a theater in 1919, is today Greater Dover’s much beloved, non-profit, community-focused performance center. Here, the sounds of swing bands and acapella groups, independent films and comedy shows, psychic mediums and live symphony harmonize to create an eclectic tapestry that will have you tapping your toes as often as you laugh uproariously.
And, as art can be spontaneous and creative joy cannot be contained, peel your eyes and perk up your ears: Arts, culture, and entertainment flourish in every nook and occupy any cranny. Live music – jazz and Irish jams, regional bands and karaoke – play at a variety of venues throughout the city. The annual events calendar (see page 32) is dappled with art festivals and cultural events, cherished parades and holiday celebrations – including the Dover Chamber’s Cochecho Arts Festival (a summer-long arts festival at Henry Law Park). With all the traditions, entertainment, and odes to the arts that weave the many-faceted fabric of our diverse and historic community.
Take your culture with a side of arias at The Rochester Opera House (rochesteroperahouse.com), hosted in a restored historic theater. Their
Come – experience, enjoy, and drink it all in. The Dover arts await.
opening doors around the Seacoast
Janet Sylvester Margaret Pesce Emil Uliano Kaitlin Whitcher Cindi Couture
Jeanette Bandouveres Courtney Costa Jackie Flanagan Wendy Halsey Mindy Marcouillier
Kristy Bower Jill Fregeau Rebecca Daskey Sharon Hartford Meghan Gadway
Carol Parker Lori Clark Wanda Syphers Matthew Feingold Chris Austin
Carol Lavigne Patti Kemen Steve Doherty Danielle Deejay Berry Jessica Ritchie
