ARTS & CULTURE

Eclectic Performance Space

The Strand, Dover’s performing arts center on Third Street, which first opened in 1919 — is Dan Demers’ eager passion project. Reopening the space in 2015, Demers (The Strand’s board president) has injected the lofty space with heaping amounts of new life and historical reverence; screening old and new movies (including a classic horror movie marathon each October) and hosting performers of every stripe on their stage (from independent filmmakers and hypnotists to comedians, psychic mediums and musicians), The Strand embodies old-school downtown New England history. It’s a lovely community fixture that feels simultaneously fixed in the past and present, with eyes toward the future. We’re lucky to have it. thestranddover.com

Citizen Big Band

The Scott Spradling Big Band, a 12-piece band (w/ lots of horns!) plays tunes from Chicago, Billy Joel, Sinatra, Bublé and Huey and the News. Led by Scott Spradling, a former WMURTV political reporter known for his coverage of the New Hampshire Primary, this Big Band can really swing. Catch them in concert at several venues, including the Palace Theatre and Rex Theatre in Manchester. Visit their Facebook page to see where they’re playing (or have played — like our Best of NH Party last month). facebook.com/Thescottspradlingband

Dramatic Kid Power

TIGER Theatre at Plymouth State is here to integrate guidance, education and responsibility through their programs so that local communities don’t have to face the social issues and concerns in their schools alone. Yeah, that’s a movement we can get behind. Their performances and workshops empower young people to make good choices and help teachers and counselors explore solutions to bullying and intolerance in their environments. facebook.com/Thescottspradlingband

OGs of Diversity

Ambassadors of Peace

Randy Armstrong is one of the leading lights of the world music genre, having practically birthed it with his band Do’a back in the 1980s. That band went on to recognition from the United Nations promoting the International Year of Peace in 1986. Armstrong’s new WorldBeat Marimba project performs on handmade South African marimbas as well as Trinidad/ Tobago steel pans and other exotic instruments, and it was inspired by a marimba band performance Armstong witnessed with Archbisop Desmond Tutu and his family in attendance. When even Tutu got up to dance, Armstrong commissioned a set of them from an ethnomusicologist in Cape Town. The unifying rhythm and uplifting melodies performed in them exert an influence on the mood and perhaps even the soul of listeners, drawing each one closer to the peace they possess within, beyond the reach of the clamoring world. randyarmstrong.com

NH Gay Men’s Chorus has been joyously promoting acceptance and diversity for a quarter of a century. “Despite overcoming fears and doubts in its early years, when acceptance of gay people in New Hampshire was scarce, today the NHGMC is more popular than ever all over the state and beyond,” reads a recent statement, while NH Governor Christopher Sununu calls them “truly a Granite State musical treasure.” This not-for-profit musical group performs two concert series per year — a Holiday series in December and a Spring series in May. The Chorus also gives Outreach performances throughout the year at assisted living centers, at interfaith services, at sports events, for government and civic groups and at Pride events. nhgmc.com