October 2020 Magazine

OUR HISTORIC THEATER IS NOW OPEN FOR SOCIALLY DISTANCED SHOWS! NOW MAGAZINE • OCTOBER 2020

Live at the Historic Theater

CHRIS TRAPPER 10/2 Live at the Historic Theater

THE MAMMALS 10/9

Innovation + Leadership

KIMBERLY HAMLIN 10/15

Live at the Historic Theater

SONS OF SERENDIP 10/17*

*ON THE COVER

SEASON SPONSORS

To learn about our just announced or reannounced shows, sign up for enews at TheMusicHall.org

KEEPING YOU SAFE DURING COVID-19 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 have been trained on the proper measures for use of PPE. • We’ve upgraded our systems and HVAC to increase safety, and are changing filters more often and increasing the circulation rates on a 24-hour cycle.

• We created order-ahead, contactless concessions! You can order your snacks and beverages before the show at musichallnh.square.site.

• We’re asking parties to leave 6 feet 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 (fever, loss of smell or taste, muscle aches, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, chills, headache, gastrointestinal issues), or if you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive to COVID-19, please stay home!

• We’re asking you to protect yourself, our staff, and our community by wearing 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 if you visit concessions or the restrooms.

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

The Music Hall Needs Your Help Thank you to all of you who have continued to support us through this time. The arts face an existential crisis. We were among the first to close and we’ll be the last to open fully. If you are able, please consider a financial gift or membership. We know that it is a very uncertain time for many people, so if a financial gift isn’t in your budget, you can help spread the word or email your local representatives. Saving the arts and cultural organizations means saving downtowns and cities, as well as 12 million jobs nationwide. We participated in #RedAlertRESTART by lighting the theater red, to promote the RESTART Act and Save our Stages Act. Credit: David J. Murray/ClearEyePhoto.com

To donate, or for more information on membership: TheMusicHall.org/donate

A NOTE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SUPPORT THE ARTS FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR ALL TINA SAWTELLE, Executive Director In a constantly changing live entertainment industry, we sometimes have to improvise in order to deliver the best of the best. The Music Hall has been adapting for over 140 years and we hope to continue to do so for generations to come.

Luckily, we’re creative people and we are constantly working on solutions to keep our doors open. We’ve extended our outdoor Live Under the Arch series offerings to the end of October and are working with local and regional artists across all Credit: PizzutiPhotography.com

of our programming. We are doing everything we can so we can continue to bring the finest artists, authors, and films to Portsmouth, and be an economic driver for our neighboring Seacoast businesses and restaurants. This community will only

survive if we help and support each other.

Still, the urgency remains. One of the challenges we are facing is that our max capacity has been greatly reduced to allow for social distancing.

With six-feet spacing, the 900-seat Historic Theater is limited to 250 people, while the 120-seat Loft space is currently shuttered. The Music Hall and all of your other favorite venues, theaters, and stages need your help. Nationally, the arts and entertainment industry is in crisis. We will need the arts when the pandemic is over; not because they’re nice to have, but because our culture survives in them, our greatest lessons are passed down through the arts, and our humanity and empathy shine through. Your advocacy and support now will keep our future bright.

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SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT Make New Friends, but Keep the Old

THIS MONTH’S MEMBER EVENTS

“Back to school” is an annual event we thought would never change. Prior to this year, the student experience has been similar to the student experience 10, 20, even 30 years ago or more. But as with all things, 2020 has been a year chock full of new

BOOK CLUB:

experiences. That’s why it’s particularly nice to know

AMERICAN DIRT

BY JEANINE CUMMINS

that some things do stay the same. We’d like to take this opportunity to recognize the consistent and

Mon., 10/5 • 6pm Historic Theater

generous support of D.F. Richard Energy, the founding sponsor of our School Days Series Scholarship Program.

Thanks to D.F. Richard’s continued commitment, The Music Hall is able to offer schools complimentary

DIRECTOR’S CLUB: Courtesy Photo

tickets, transportation, and even lunch, to make it possible for all students to attend our School Days Series professional matinees for young people.

We are happy to recognize one new thing that happened this season: Meredith Village Savings Bank signed on to take a lead role in supporting this important educational program. Though this represents their third year of Music Hall sponsorship, this is Meredith Village Savings Bank’s first season supporting the School Days Series and first sponsorship at this level. For that change, we are truly grateful.

THE BUNGALOW CLUB AT EXETER

Tue., 10/6 • 5:30pm 1 Franklin St., Exeter, NH

For more information, contact Jess Bunker at 603.766.2176 or JBunker@themusichall.org

For more about DF Richard Energy, visit DFRichard.com. For more about Meredith Village Savings Bank, visit MVSB.com proud supporters of the Music hall

bringing the arts home...

The ArTs Are The Answer to vibrant and prosperous communities where we treasure our heritage, celebrate our diversity and nurture our ingenuity.

TheMusicHall.org

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ON STAGE

LIVE AT THE HISTORIC THEATER/LIVE UNDER THE ARCH SERIES SPONSORS:

INNOVATION + LEADERSHIP PRESENTING SPONSOR: SERIES SPONSORS: Bangor Savings Bank; Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

MEDIA PARTNER: Live Free Print & Frame

LIVE AT THE HISTORIC THEATER CHRIS

TRAPPER

LIVE AT THE HISTORIC THEATER WARD

Fri., October 2 • 8pm • Historic Theater

MEDIA PARTNER:

HAYDEN & THE OUTLIERS

Sat., October 3 • 8pm • Historic Theater

Trapper has become a modern-day acoustic troubadour and storyteller, using his honeyed tenor and humor to withstand the test of time.

The Boston-based band returns to The Music Hall with an electrifying mix of country and rock.

LIVE AT THE HISTORIC THEATER THE

INNOVATION + LEADERSHIP KIMBERLY

MAMMALS

Fri., October 9 • 8pm • Historic Theater

HAMLIN

Thu., October 15 • 7pm • Historic Theater

The Mammals are a warm-blooded party band with a conscience, equally inspired by their folk predecessors and Americana peers.

The remarkable true story of Helen Hamilton Gardener, in celebration of the suffrage centennial.

LIVE AT THE HISTORIC THEATER SONS

LIVE UNDER THE ARCH KELLY

OF SERENDIP

Sat., October 17 • 8pm • Historic Theater

The creative quartet Sons of Serendip’s emotionally stirring arrangements and fresh compositions make their way to the Historic Theater for a night of socially distanced music!

MACFARLAND

Thu., October 22 • 6pm & 8pm • Historic Theater Boston comedy festival favorite, Kelly MacFarland has appeared on the Today Show, Comedy Central, NBC’s Last Comic Standing, AXS Gotham Comedy LIVE, and Comics Come Home to name a few.

INNOVATION + LEADERSHIP

CREATIVEMORNINGS PKX

Fri., October 30 • 9am • Streaming A local chapter of the global lecture series for creatives, featuring a local speaker on the month’s topic.

Photo: RayaOnAssignment.com

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ON SCREEN PRESENTING CINEMA SPONSOR:

HISTORIC THEATER

EXTRAORDINARY CINEMA

MET AT THE MUSIC HALL

SERIES SPONSOR:

MEDIA PARTNERS:

WILDCARD

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

EXTRAORDINARY CINEMA MET AT THE MUSIC HALL ENCORE:

RIGOLETTO (VERDI) 2h 30m

10/4 • 1pm Director Michael Mayer reimagines Verdi’s towering tragedy in Las Vegas in 1960—an ideal setting for this eternal conflict of depravity and innocence.

WILDCARD BROTHER

OUTSIDER: THE LIFE OF BAYARD RUSTIN (2003) NR

•

1h 24m • US

10/7 7pm A disciple of Gandhi, a mentor to Martin Luther King Jr., and the architect of the 1963 March on Washington, Rustin dared to live as an openly gay man during the fiercely homophobic 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. Presented in partnership with Seacoast Outright.

•

EXTRAORDINARY CINEMA A

LIFE OF ENDLESS SUMMERS: THE BRUCE BROWN STORY NR 1h 28m US •

•

10/20 • 2pm & 7pm In 1962, Bruce Brown followed the summer season around the world with two surfers on a quest for the perfect wave— it became the most successful surf film of all time.

GORDON LIGHTFOOT: IF YOU COULD READ MY MIND NR • 1h 31m • Canada

10/6, 10/13 • 2pm; 10/6, 10/13 • 7pm With unprecedented access to the artist, the documentary follows Lightfoot’s evolution from Christian choirboy to troubled troubadour to international star.

MET AT THE MUSIC HALL

ENCORE: LE NOZZE DI FIGARO (MOZART) 3h 17m

10/18 • 1pm Richard Eyre’s spirited production of Mozart’s masterful comedy stars bass-baritone Ildar Abdrazakov in the title role of the clever servant, opposite soprano Marlis Petersen as his bride, Susanna.

EXTRAORDINARY CINEMA GREAT

IMPRESSIONISTS NR

•

ART ON SCREEN: SECRET

1h 20m • US

10/27 • 2pm & 7pm The story of the art revolution sparked by the Impressionist movement, along with an unveiling of 50 previously unseen works by Manet, Caillebotte, Renoir, Monet, Cézanne, Signac, Sisley, and Morisot.

TheMusicHall.org

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LEGEND

OCTOBER 2020

SATURDAY

SAVE THE DATE: ONLINE HOLIDAY AUCTION

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Music

Music

What’s another way that

Schedule subject to change, please check our TheMusicHall.org for updated calendar

SUNDAY

MONDAY TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

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Music

NO FILM TONIGHT

NO FILM TONIGHT

NO FILM TONIGHT

NO FILM TONIGHT

An Evening With Tom Rush 4pm

At the Historic Theater At the Loft Offsite/Livestream

FRIDAY Chris Trapper 8pm

Ward Hayden & The Outliers 8pm

you can support The Music Hall during this time? Bid on a variety of options in our annual Online Auction on BiddingForGood.com live November 8-22.

This holiday gift giving

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guide will help you

Broadcast

NO FILM

Movie

Movie

NO FILM TONIGHT

Music

NO FILM TONIGHT

check off the gifts on

Rigoletto 1pm TONIGHT

Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Book Club Read My Mind 6pm 2pm & 7pm

Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin 7pm

The Mammals 8pm

your shopping list. From day trips to personal instructions, home improvement services, and

Director’s Club 5:30pm

gift certificates to your favorite shops, make sure you start your bidding on November 8 to see this

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year’s unique and COVID-

NO FILM TONIGHT

NO FILM TONIGHT

Movie

NO FILM TONIGHT

Literary

NO FILM TONIGHT

Music

safe offerings.

Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind 2pm & 7pm

Kimberly Hamlin 7pm

Sons of Serendip 8pm

Do you have an item to donate? Donating to our auction not only further supports our fundraising goal, but it includes additional exposure for

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Broadcast

NO FILM TONIGHT

Movie

NO FILM TONIGHT

Comedy

NO FILM TONIGHT

NO FILM TONIGHT

Le Nozze Di Figaro 1pm

A Life of Endless Summers 2pm & 7pm

Kelly MacFarland 6pm & 8pm

your business. If you are interested in donating an item or learning more about this year’s auction fundraiser, please contact Ashleigh Tucker Pollock at atucker@themusichall.org or visit TheMusicHall.org/ support-us

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NO FILM TONIGHT

NO FILM TONIGHT

Movie

NO FILM TONIGHT

NO FILM TONIGHT

Livestream

NO FILM TONIGHT

Secret Impressionists 2pm & 7pm

B2W Box Office at the Historic Theater: 28 Chestnut St. Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, noon - 6pm

Creative Mornings PKX 9am

Proceeds from this year’s auction will help support The Music Hall’s continued operations. Happy bidding!

The Loft: 131 Congress Street TheMusicHall.org

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PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY:

NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

Friends of The Music Hall 28 Chestnut Street Portsmouth, NH 03801

PAID

PORTSMOUTH, NH PERMIT NO. 202

VOLUME 8, ISSUE 10

THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS

AT A GLANCE At press time, this information was the most up-to-date, but likely there will be changes by the time you receive this magazine.

For updates on our programming, please visit TheMusicHall.org and sign up for our enews.

OCTOBER

OCTOBER

Live at the Historic Theater

Live Under the Arch

Friday, October 2 • 8pm

Thursday, October 22 • 6pm & 8pm

Chris Trapper (NEW DATE)

Livestream

Saturday, October 3 • 8pm

Friday, October 30 • 9am

Ward Hayden & The Outliers

Wildcard

Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin Wednesday, October 7 • 7pm Live at the Historic Theater

Taking a picture with the Chestnut St. Arch or our marquee? Use the hashtag #MyMusicHall!

CreativeMornings PKX

Met at The Music Hall HD Broadcast Encore Sunday, October 4 • 1pm

TAKING A SELFIE?

Kelly MacFarland

Live at the Historic Theater

Rigoletto (Verdi)

Photo: David J. Murray/ClearEyePhoto.com

B2W BOX OFFICE @ THE HISTORIC THEATER: 28 Chestnut Street

At the Historic Theater At the Loft

NOVEMBER Live at the Historic Theater

Nellie McKay

Saturday, November 7 • 8pm

The Mammals

Online Holiday Auction

Friday, October 9 • 8pm

Sunday, November 8 - Sunday, November 22

Innovation + Leadership

Writers in the Historic Theater

Kimberly Hamlin (NEW DATE)

Martha Ackmann (NEW DATE)

Thursday, October 15 • 7pm

Tuesday, November 10 • 7pm

Live at the Historic Theater

Rental Partner

Sons of Serendip

DSP Shows: Wailin’ Jennys (NEW DATE)

Saturday, October 17 • 8pm

Friday, November 13 • 7:30pm

Met at The Music Hall HD Broadcast Encore

Live at the Historic Theater

Sunday, October 18 • 1pm

Saturday, November 14 • 8pm

Le Nozze Di Figaro (Mozart)

Patty Larkin