Exhibits, galleries, theater and more: Seacoast arts and culture news
Sole City Dance presents ‘Treasure Island’
ROCHESTER — What could pirates and ballet possibly have in common? Answer: a great story. See for yourself how Sole City Dance's adaptation of "Treasure Island", replete with intrigue and romance, mermaids and treasure, as well as a cast of memorable characters, brings beauty and artistry to Stevenson's beloved adventure tale. With Sole City's characteristic attention to detail and theme, the story becomes more than a race for treasure. The ballet features characters learning to "treasure" the most important things in life.
“Teasure Island” will be performed at the Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., in Rochester on Friday, April 17 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 15 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. All tickets are $15. Purchase tickets here or by calling the box office phone at 603-335-1992.
Great Bay Stewards presents the 17th Annual Art of Great Bay
GREENLAND — The Great Bay Stewards announce the upcoming Art of Great Bay fine art exhibit and sale, now in its 17th year. The event will begin with an opening reception with the artists for members and supporters of the Stewards on March 31 from 5 to 8 p.m. The show will then be open to the public on Saturday, April 1, and Sunday, April 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event takes place at the Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center on the campus of the Great Bay Discovery Center at 89 Depot Road, Greenland, N.H.
More than 50 local and well-known artist and makers of fine crafts will be represented at the art show, which is a fundraiser for the Great Bay Stewards, the friends group for the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. This year the show has an expanded theme of “New England from the Mountains to the Sea: The People and Places You’ll Find Along the Way.”
In addition to painting and photography, visitors will be able to view and purchase jewelry, sculpture, fabric art, and more. Many of the participating artists have also generously donated original works to be raffled off, from small paintings to jewelry to original weavings, with raffle tickets just $1 each.
A tea with live music is planned for 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 1, while on Sunday at 11 a.m., visitors will enjoy a casual brunch while they view the show. The entire weekend is free and open to the public. Thirty percent of the sales support the Steward's mission of education and conservation in the Great Bay Estuary, and while at the exhibit, visitors can also walk the grounds of the Great Bay Discovery Center and enjoy the boardwalk that leads out to beautiful views of Great Bay.
Premier of ‘The Trunk’
DOVER — On April 6, 1983, a horrific discovery was made. A discovery so shocking it shook a small New England town to its core. Now, 40 years later, this tragic and compelling true story comes to life. We invite you to witness the exclusive premiere of “The Trunk”.
Join us on April 8, at the Strand Theater located at 20 Third St., Dover, at 7:30 p.m. for an exciting event. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
The showing will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers: Henry Columbare, Ethan Rodgers, and Matt Senerchia. After the show, enjoy live music from local Irish band “Erin’s Guild” and networking with New England’s film community.
Tickets are available but limited. Reserve tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-trunk-tickets-579848581717.
5th Annual Seacoast Environmental Film Festival
KITTERY, Maine — Mark Earth Day April 22 on your calendar to get informed and energized about critical environmental issues at the 5th annual Seacoast Environmental Film Festival. A benefit event for the Kittery Land Trust, SEFF is a full day of films, discussions, panels, exhibits, food and fun at the STAR Theatre at the Kittery Community Center that has become an important coming-together of organizations, experts, businesses and activists from around the region who care about the environment, sustainability and conservation.
Tickets are not required but there is suggested donation of $5 per film. Kittery Land Trust is also selling VIP passes for $50 that includes admission to all films and food during the caffeine kickoff and lunch.
SEFF gets underway at 8:30 a.m. with a caffeine kick-off sponsored by Beach Pea Bakery, Lil’s Café, and White Heron. The first block begins at 9:15 a.m. with It’s Bean Too Hot and Seeding Change, two films about businesses that are producing profits while they protect communities and the planet. Followed by a panel discussion, this block is sponsored by Placework and Veris Wealth Partners.
SEFF’s second block begins at 1:30 p.m. with the screening of Ocean Solutions and a series of shorts called Maine Coast Harvest about the ways in which sustainable aquaculture produces food, jobs and climate solutions. Sponsored by Osprey Ecological Services, there’s a panel discussion with Kittery resident Gunnar Ek who has been involved with aquaculture at UNH for many years, Inga Potter of Cold Current Kelp, who is growing kelp in Portsmouth Harbor, and Lanes Island Oyster grower Amanda Moeser.
SEFF’s final film starts at 3:30 p.m. with The Seeds of Vandana, a powerful film that tells the story of Gandhian eco-activist Dr. Vandana Shiva, who stood up to the corporate Goliaths of industrial agriculture, rose to prominence in the food justice movement, and inspired an international crusade for food security. This film is sponsored by the League of Conservation Voters-NH and is followed by a panel discussion with John Bochert, Organic Gardening Specialist at Eldredge Lumber and Hardware; Alison Magill, founding member of Slow Food Seacoast and Piscataqua Seed Project; and Jennifer Wilhelm from Maine Organic Farmers and Growers Association (MOFGA).
Full details about SEFF are available at www.kitterylandtrust.org.
Seacoast Jazz Society to host renowned jazz vibist/pianist Ed Saindon
PORTSMOUTH — On Sunday, April 2, the Seacoast Jazz Society, dedicated to fostering jazz music and jazz education, will host renowned vibist and pianist, Ed Saindon, and his quartet, for two special jazz brunch shows at The Press Room, Portsmouth’s historic jazz venue at 77 Daniel Street. The first show will be 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. (doors open at 10 a.m.). The second show will be 1 to 2 p.m. (doors open at 12:30 p.m.).
Saindon is one of the country’s leading vibraphonists. No surprise. He is known for his “pianistic” style and technique using four mallets. He has had the fortunate opportunity to study at Berklee College of Music with seven-time Grammy winner, Gary Burton, one of the greatest vibists of all time. And he has performed worldwide and/or recorded with Fred Hersch, Dave McKenna, Louie Bellson, Dave Liebman, Herb Pomeroy, Ken Peplowski, Warren Vache, Kenny Werner, and many others.
Performing with Saindon will be some of Portsmouth’s favorite musicians with their own regional/national reputations: Charlie Jennison on sax, John Hunter on upright bass, and Ken Clark on drums. The group will perform music from the Great American Songbook, mainstream jazz, and Saindon’s original compositions. Prior to the start of each show, Saindon will give a 5-minute explanation about key features of playing the vibraphone.
Advanced reserved seating is highly recommended. Food is not included; however, lunch/brunch items will be available for purchase during each show.
Tickets with reserved seating are available for purchase online now. Cost is $15 for advance purchase ($18 at the door). Ticket proceeds help support the jazz education programs of the Seacoast Jazz Society. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to the Seacoast Jazz Society’s website at: https://www.seacoastjazz.org/vibes or the Press Room website at: https://pressroomnh.com.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Exhibits, galleries, theater and more: Seacoast arts and culture news
