Exhibits, galleries, theater and more: Seacoast arts and culture news

N.H. Art Association to hold juried printmaking exhibit

PORTSMOUTH – The New Hampshire Art Association will be holding a juried printmaking exhibition during the month of July, open to all New England printmakers including NHAA members and non-members.

The exhibit will run June 29 through July 31 at the Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery at 136 State St., Portsmouth. The online submission deadline is May 27, and should be pieces created within the last five years and not shown at the Levy Gallery for one year. Up to three pieces may be entered.

Printmaking is an artistic process based on the principle of transferring images from a plate, block or screen onto another surface, most often paper or fabric. Printmaking techniques include monoprint, relief) linoleum or woodcut), screen printing, intaglio, unique and embellished prints.

Printmaking samples with explanations of the different techniques will be on display at 3S ArtSpace in Portsmouth during the run of this exhibit.

Submitted online entries will be juried by Parker Potter, who has organized, curated, and/or juried approximately 30 print shows across New Hampshire. All work will be blind juried online in a digital format.

In addition to organizing print shows, Potter served as an art consultant for the UNH School of law and facilitated the acquisition of nearly fifty prints for display at the school.

Now, Potter serves as a founding board member of the Two Villages Art Society in Contoocook, New Hampshire, and runs Matthew Smith's Copper Canoe gallery in downtown Contoocook.

Prizes for this exhibit are generously provided by D. Pratt Farmer. First place prize is $500 and a one-month print residency at The Art Center in Dover. Second and third place prizes as well as honorable mentions will also be awarded during an opening reception at the Levy Gallery on Friday, July 1.

The Art Center has recently partnered with NHAA and has rotating shows of NHAA artists. The Art Center has a space dedicated to the art of printmaking. A newly acquired printing press and its space offers art students in the community, as well as established artists, workshops for learning opportunities and residency programs.

For more information on “New England Printmakers” exhibit, including guidelines for submissions, a biography of Potter and to learn more about the NHAA and The Art Center, visit nhartassociation.org.

Portsmouth Symphony Spring Concert to feature Young Artist Competition winners

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra will perform their spring concert on Sunday, June 5 at 3 p.m., at The Music Hall in Portsmouth. A pre-concert talk with Music Director John Page will be offered at 1:45 p.m.

The colorful and vibrant final concert in the PSO’s 2021-2022 season features Brahm’s Academic Festival Overture and Dvorak’s brilliant and luminous New World Symphony. The quirky Academic Festival Overture was intended to be a serious nod to academia on the occasion of an honorary doctorate being bestowed on Brahms by the University of Breslau. Instead Brahms, who hated pomp, indulged in his playful sense of humor and wrote a mix mash of student drinking songs. Dvorak’s symphony is the culmination of his very successful time spent in America and remains one of the most popular of all symphonies. It is packed with melodies inspired by Native American folk music and African American spirituals and musically embodies the multinational spirit of the New World.

The June 5 concert program also includes both the 2020 and 2022 Young Artist Competition winners. This year’s winner, Sean Jang will perform the first movement of Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D minor Op. 45 and 2020 winner Maxine Park will perform the first movement of Chopin’s Piano Concerto in E minor.

The PSO’s annual Young Artist Competition is open to high school students who are studying any instrument. To be considered, each applicant submitted a video of them performing a single movement of a major work or an eight to 12-minute equivalent with accompaniment. This year’s finalists Akira McDowell, flute; Elsie Munsterteiger, flute; Hannah Rubin, piano; Jenny Qu, viola; Jennifer Jang, violin; and Sean Jang, violin, performed their pieces live for judges, which included PSO Music Director, John Page, at Riverwoods in late April.

Tickets to the June 5 concert are $35/25 adults; $30 seniors; and $20 students (through college) and can be purchased online from The Music Hall website.

COVID-19 protocols may be in place for this performance. Please review the current policy on The Music Hall's website at www.themusichall.org.

In addition to the final mainstage center, a large ensemble of PSO musicians will perform on Sunday, June 19 as part of “Intimate Voices,” the final concert in the Up Close and Personal with the PSO at Jimmy’s Chamber Music Series. For more information, please visit www.portsmouthsymphony.org.

Anita Loomis partners with the Ogunquit Playhouse

OGUNQUIT, Maine — With the return of indoor theater performances this spring, the Ogunquit Playhouse is also offering patrons a fresh look at contemporary art from some of the area’s local art association members. While waiting to enjoy a show, or during intermission, theater goers can drink in the art selection located in a modest area of the lobby. The art exhibit is curated by Anita Loomis, owner of Loomis Gallery in Kittery, Maine. Loomis is excited to partner with the Ogunquit Playhouse to offer a variety of exhibits this season.

This first exhibit, Believe, will be up for The Cher Show performances through June 25. Eight artists have work on display, and each artist is a member of at least one seacoast area art association. The artists in this first exhibit include Merrill Aharonian (OAA, UMVA), Russell Aharonian (OAA, UMVA), Rosalind Fedeli (OAA, YAA), Darlene Furbush Ouellett (KAA), Susan Goodby (SAA, KAA), John B. Kessler (NHAA, NAA, KAA), Dustan Knight (NHAA, OAA) and Beverly Perkins-Tower (KAA, NHAA). All are highly accomplished artists, and patrons are encouraged to look for more examples of their work online or to contact Loomis Gallery, 121 Dennett Road, Kittery, Maine; loomisgallery.com to find out more.

The Music Hall Lounge announces nine new shows

PORTSMOUTH — The Music Hall announced another round of shows coming to their newly renovated venue, The Music Hall Lounge. Continuing the grand opening celebration weekend, standup comedian and actor Michael Ian Black will perform two shows; other opening weekend shows include a sold out concert by Darlingside and two sets with comedian Pat McGann. The latest Lounge schedule runs through October, with more rounds of announcements scheduled throughout May and into June.

Formerly named The Loft, The Lounge welcomes local legends, award-winning bands, bestselling authors, stand-up comedians, and rising stars to its new nightclub-style venue with flexible seating and brand new audio capabilities.

The Music Hall Lounge also boasts a cabaret-style layout, bar and food service, and an open concept that will appeal to a diverse audience. The updated venue is currently wrapping up construction and is currently planning soft openings, with a grand opening anticipated for early July 2022. Tickets are on sale now for the first 17 shows.

Comedy

Michael Ian Black, Saturday, July 9

Michael Ian Black is a multi-media talent who has starred in numerous films and TV series, and regularly tours the country performing his ribald brand of jokes and observations.

Music

Chris Pierce, Thursday, July 21

The #1 charting singer-songwriter Chris Pierce has toured with Seal, Cold War Kids, Keb' Mo', Sunny War and more, in addition to topping the Billboard Blues chart and Americana lists.

Taylor O’Donnell, Sunday, July 24

Known for her exploratory use of vocal timbre and texture in her musical stylings, Taylor O’Donnell’s musical dialogue combines her R&B, folk, jazz, rock, and classical music training.

EANDA Band: Anger, Hartman, Walsh, Gilchrist, Pool, Friday, Aug. 19

The best of the best in Boston’s American string scene, Darol Anger, Courtney Hartman, Joe Walsh, Lukas Pool, and Sharon Gilchrist create a spirited musical conversation that’s sparky, informal, and emotional all in one.

Bella White, Saturday, Aug. 20

A truly original new voice in songwriting, Bella White creates an undeniable magic on her debut album that Rolling Stone praised as “sublime Appalachian heartbreak.”

Will Dailey, Friday, Sept. 2

Award-winning recording artist Will Dailey’s sound has been described as a venn diagram of multiple genres with a rich vintage vibe channeled through his authentic and energetic performances.

Ari Hest, Thursday, Sept. 15

The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter’s deep, smooth voice is seriously easy to fall into, making his songs perfect for TV, film, and collaborations with the likes of Judy Collins and Chrissi Poland.

Jonatha Brooke, Saturday, Oct. 8

Merging evocative folk and melodic pop, singer-songwriter Jonatha Brooke has spent decades songwriting for Disney films and television shows, as well as her own releases.

Ellis Paul, Friday, Oct. 28

A national treasure and New England’s own, Ellis Paul is a singular storyteller, a musician whose words reach out from inside for all to hear.

The Music Hall is working with Market Street Architects, Studio KL, Chinburg Properties, Creative Office Resources, Brown & Company Design, and Reuter Associates LLC on the project. For the most up to date information on events, construction, and news, visit TheMusicHall.org.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Exhibits, galleries, theater and more: Seacoast arts and culture news