About Us

Tickets on sale to members Saturday June 2; to non-members Saturday June 16. Season Highlights: Chris Botti, Shaolin Warriors, Natalie MacMaster, Juston McKinney; Joshua Bell, and more!

Just Announced! Met@the Music Hall 2012-2013 season: 12 opera broadcasts Tickets on sale: To new subscribers (members only): noon Saturday May 12 To members: noon Saturday May 19 To public: noon Saturday May 26

The Music Hall Presents, KidsRULE! Movie: The Secret World of Arrietty, Saturday, May 19, 2012 4pm &  KidsRULE! Live: Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players Sunday, May 20, 2012 3pm.

Writers on a New England Stage welcomes America’s laureate of real life Anna Quindlen The #1 New York Times bestselling author, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, and author of A Short Guide to a Happy Life joins us with her memoir Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake Wednesday, May 23, 7:30pm.

Author presentation followed by an on-stage interview with NH Public Radio host Virginia Prescott Friday, May 18, at 7:30pm in the Historic Theater. Benefit ticket buyers can meet Dan Brown at a backstage book signing reception by purchasing a voucher for an illustrated edition of The DaVinci Code through The Music Hall box office.

The Music Hall Loft, the 124-seat theater around the corner from the organization’s landmark 1878 Historic Theater, has been recognized as a 2012 “Editors’ Choice” winner in Yankee Magazine’s Travel Guide to New England, on newsstands now. This designation is awarded by Yankee’s editors and contributors, who name select restaurants, lodgings, and attractions in New England to the exclusive list.

Live @ The Loft: The Sweetback Sisters (7/13), Intimately Yours: Vaud & the Villains (7/14), Writers in the Loft: Deborah Harkness (7/19), Hilarity: Super Secret Project (7/20, 21), Writers on a New England Stage: Chris Cleave (7/25)

Andover Chamber Music: Sense and Sensibility. Sunday, April 29, 2012 2pm and 4pm At The Music Hall Loft. World-class musicians, unstuffy, unpredictable, unmatched.

Writers on a New England Stage welcomes Erik Larson The author of The Devil in the White City with his #1 New York Times nonfiction bestseller In The Garden of Beasts on May 8 in the Historic Theater.

Just Announced! Two June shows at The Music Hall. Intimately Yours: Preservation Hall Jazz Band & Writers on a New England Stage: Joan Didion

The Music Hall’s Singer Songwriter Festival Announces slate of 15 Seacoast musicians for Round Robin Sunday April 22, 2012 1-6pm, emceed by music critic Chris Hislop. Tickets for $10: only available at the door.

The Music Hall Presents its 21st Annual Kitchen Tour: 1,200+ visitors view modern, historic, waterfront homes around New Castle, NH on Saturday May 5, 2012, 10-3. Buy tickets now for early discount!

Today’s changing business world and how we operate in it are key topics in two upcoming provocative Writers in the Loft events at The Music Hall.

More music, comedy and literary events are on the way! Tickets for the just announced additions go on sale to Music Hall members at noon, Friday, March 16, and to non-members at noon, Friday, March 30.

The American Led Zepplin will play a two hour set of blues-soaked, groove-driven rock anthems, capturing the essence of the band’s hallowed discography on Friday, March 23, 2012 at 8pm. Headlines Portsmouth’s Restaurant Week, March 22-31.

The Music Hall’s annual spring ballet on Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 4pm, featuring sumptuous sets, exquisite costumes, and spectacular dancers. Bring the family and make a day in Portsmouth - $15 for 15 and under!

Announcing, An Evening with Dan Brown: A Benefit and Celebration of Writers on a New England Stage Friday, May 18 at 7:30pm in the Historic Theater. Author presentation followed by interview
with New Hampshire Public Radio host Virginia Prescott.

We have a whole host of shows going on sale to everyone today at noon. The Portsmouth Singer Songwriter Festival including Merle Haggard & The Strangers, The Felice Brothers, O’Death, Rosanne Cash and many more, Dan Brown, James B. Stewart, Anna Quindlen & Alison Bechdel. More shows and info after the jump.

Direct from Ireland for an early St. Patrick’s Day Celebration! Friday, March 9, 2012 8pm

Followed by a special encore over African Burying Ground on Chestnut Street Monday, February 13, 2012, 7pm.

This year we are in New Castle, New Hampshire Saturday May 5, 2012, 10am - 3pm. 1,200+ visitors view modern, historic, waterfront homes New this year: trolley service
 

Portsmouth Singer Songwriter Festival: 23 singer songwriters - Legends, Stars, & Up-And-Comers - in a packed festival weekend, this year celebrating Americana music. Concerts, parties, round robin featuring Seacoast talent, two venues.

The Music Hall has just announced Blue Collar Comedy phenomenon Ron White as the latest addition to its wildly successful new series – Hilarity @ The Music Hall.

New Date! Event Resheduled! Writers in the Loft welcomes acclaimed scholar and critic Henry Louis Gates, Jr. with his new book Life Upon These Shores: Looking at African American History, 1513-2008 Monday, April 16, at 7pm (Previously Tuesday, January 17).

“Entertainment that connects with our African-American history.” Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (1/17) Carolina Chocolate Drops (1/26) Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires (2/3), Soweto Gospel Choir (2/13), Temptations (2/24).

The Music Hall is thrilled to welcome back the Seacoast’s largest Messiah Sing! Tuesday, December 20 at 7:30pm, for a sixth season of the Seacoast’s best-loved choruses and conductors, guest soloists and orchestral accompaniment, and friends and family in a community performance featuring Handel’s triumphant Christmas oratorio.

National Theatre of London HD Broadcast series. Comedy of Errors, Travelling Light and She Stoops to Conquer all on sale to members now, on sale to non-members on Friday December 16.

Join NPR Celtic Sojourn host Brian O’Donovan Saturday, December 10, 2011 3pm and 8pm. The Christmas spectacular that has sold out shows throughout New England returns to The Music Hall this season for what promises to be an unforgettable holiday event!

Holiday Humor at The Music Hall: Juston McKinney with bandleader Bob Lord with the rocking holiday quintet, The Gaudy Baubles + four headlining comedians from both coasts! Appearing Dec 8 & 9.

Writers on a New England Stage welcomes Chris Matthews, the MSNBC host and New York Times bestselling author of Hardball: How Politics is Played will present his latest work, Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero Friday, December 2, 7:30 pm

The Music Hall + Strawbery Banke Museum Present: Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth December 2011. New this year: Vintage Christmas Pop-Up Market, extended free trolley service, Market Square Carolers. Now in its seventh year of Strolls, Shows & Stayovers!

The Music Hall has announced exciting additions to its 2011-2012 season of music, theater, dance, cinema, and literary events both onstage and onscreen. Tickets for the just announced additions go on sale to Music Hall members at noon, Friday, November 18, and to non-members at noon, Friday, December 2.

Let the Season Begin! Leahy Family Christmas: Sat Dec 3, 8pm & Sun Dec 4, 2 pm “Leahy makes Christmas a true family affair!”—Calgary Herald

Handsome Little Devils Present Squirm Burpee Circus; Friday, November 25, 2011 7pm. You’ve eaten Thanksgiving leftovers, survived your Black Friday shopping—now it’s time to kick back and enjoy some big-time family entertainment at The Music Hall!

The Music Hall Celebrates Restaurant Week (November 3-12, 2011) and its restaurant sponsors with great programming!

Writers in the Loft welcomes Ann Beattie, Monday, November 7, at 7pm. “A National Treasure” –  NY Times Book Review With her remarkable new work, Mrs. Nixon:  A Novelist Imagines a Life Recently excerpted in The New Yorker magazine  

The Music Hall and New Hamphire Public Radio present Writers on a New England Stage Chuck Palahniuk Thursday, November 3, 7:30pm The New York Times bestselling author of Fight Club and Choke will present his new book, Damned.

Hilarity @ The Music Hall Presents: Women Fully Clothed Friday, October 28, 2011 8pm “...funniest women in Canada!”  – Eugene Levy “Totally hysterical. . .funny and smart.” – Martin Short

Saturday, October 22, 2011 8pm The always astounding MacArthur Award winner Martha Clarke teams up with Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Alfred Uhry to collaborate on an evening-length dance/theater/music piece about forbidden sex and unchanneled lust in New England’s 18th century Shaker community. Inspired by the life of Ann Lee, founder of the Shaker movement, the piece envisions the hysteria of human passion gone awry.

The true story of a sister’s unwavering devotion to her brother. Thursday, October 20, 2011 7pm “a solid, straightforward story of sacrifice and allegiance” - Detroit News

Get ready for the feel-good, get-up-and-dance event of the fall, when the hip, electrifying Kings of Salsa ignite the stage at The Music Hall’s Historic Theater on Wednesday, October 12.

in two celebrated series, Writers on a New England Stage and Writers in the Loft; Stephen Greenblatt, Chris Bohjalian, Chuck Palahniuk, Ann Beattie, Chris Matthews, Adam Gopnik. Tickets for all on sale now!

Just Announced! Met@the Music Hall makeover “Opera in an Opera House” Music Hall upgrades sound/screen experience; major upgrade to existing sound system and projector; huge screen moved closer; 11 opera broadcasts in 2011-2012 season.

Music Hall Presents: Intimately Yours: Mike Gordon, Saturday, November 12, 2011 8pm. On sale to members noon Saturday October 1; On sale to non-members noon Saturday October 8.

Just Announced! The Music Hall Presents:  Intimately Yours Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings Friday, November 4, 2011 8pm Opener: Kitty, Daisy and Lewis On sale to members: Thu Sep 22 at noon; non-members; Fri Sep 30 at noon

The Music Hall Presents Sierra Hull Sunday October 23, 2011 7, 9pm At the Music Hall Loft. On sale to members noon Saturday September 17; On sale to non-members noon Saturday October 1 Bluegrass prodigy, virtuoso mandolin player.

Music Hall Presents Intimately Yours: Madeleine Peyroux Tuesday, October 4, 2011 7:30pm  “Peyroux has branched out to refine an enigmatic, low-key personal style that is all her own.” –   The New York Times Opening artist: Nellie McKay

Just announced! Explore + Learn: Historical Tours of The Music Hall’s Landmark Historic Theater the third Tuesday of each month October 2011 to May 2012.

Writers in the Loft welcomes The New York Times Bestselling Author of Will in the World, Stephen Greenblatt with his new book The Swerve: How the World Became Modern Tuesday, September 27, at 7pm.

The Music Hall Explore + Learn Program Presents the 17th Annual School Days Series,14 educational performances in 2011-2012 season. Top caliber, affordable matinees for schools, homeschoolers and families.

The Music Hall and RiverRun Bookstore announce a new event in the Writers in the Loft series. On Monday, November 7, the award-winning writer and celebrated New Yorker magazine contributor Ann Beattie will join the series with her new work, Mrs. Nixon:  A Novelist Imagines a Life.

Telluride by the Sea September 23-25, 2011 Six films straight from their debuts at the Telluride Film Festival in Colorado! Glenn Close, Keira Knightley, Michael Fassbender, Viggo Mortensen, Tilda Swinton, John C Reilly star; New films from director of A History of Violence and Cannes Grand Jury Prize winners Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne. Passholders only: Telluride Film Festival past gems: Fitzcarraldo and Burden of Dreams. Patron & Weekend Passes & individual film tickets on sale now.

The Music Hall Presents September On Screen; Extraordinary Cinema; Telluride by the Sea: 9/23-25; KidsRULE!: Rio; National Theater of London: One Man, Two Guvnors;
Fashion’s Night Out 9/8: Bill Cunningham New York; Four hits from SummerFilm return in September!

Save the Date! The Music Hall Presents Telluride by the Sea September 23-25, 2011 Six Movies. Three Days. One Weekend Festival of New Cinema! At two locations: the Historic Theater and Music Hall Loft

Meredith Viera Productions Presents Life in a Marital Institution “20 years of monogamy in one terrifying hour” September 9-11, 2011. Meet the Artist after Friday Sept 1 performance! 2011-2012 season includes Paula Poundstone, Lily Tomlin, Women Fully Clothed

Writers on a New England Stage: Chris Matthews; Paula Poundstone kicks off new comedy series; Big Sam’s Funky Nation appears for two shows at The Loft; Two new comedies broadcast from National Theater of London and more!

The Music Hall announced today the latest installments in the popular Intimately Yours concert series: the triple Grammy Award-winning Bruce Hornsby and The Noisemakers, Saturday September 3, 2011 at 8pm, and Grammy Award winner Gillian Welch, Saturday November 26 at 8pm. Both shows will be at the Historic Theater in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

The comedies continue to roll out as we announce two new shows for – one, a live one-man show exploring marriage in America, the other, a broadcast of a classic Italian comedy updated and set in 1963 Brighton, England.

As seen this week on CBS Sunday Morning, in Parade magazine and the New York Times…heard on Imus in the Morning and Morning Joe… Next week another superstar author is coming to Writers on a New England Stage: Ben Mezrich.

We are happy to announce the latest installment in the roster for its Intimately Yours series, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Wednesday August 17, 2011 at 7:30pm in the Historic Theater. The five-time Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter tours behind her latest album, the critically acclaimed The Age of Miracles.

The Music Hall Board of Trustees Meets, Elects Officers for 2011-2012 Season. David Hills Succeeds Michael C. Harvell As Music Hall Board President. Five New Board Members Welcomed. Group Celebrates Continued Strong Sales in Current Season: $1.9M in Tickets Sold. For the Year Ahead, Record Pre-Season Ticket Sales: up 19%
 

The Music Hall will be hosting Get the Led Out, the “American Led Zeppelin,” at its Historic Theater in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Saturday June 4, 2011 at 8pm.

Dozens of SummerFilms - Wed theme: It’s About Time!; Six concerts (including k.d. lang, Emmylou Harris); Five bestselling authors (including David McCullough and Neil Gaiman); Two live comedies (including Juston McKinney); HD broadcasts, Met Encores, Historical Tours.

On stage, on screen in two theaters, the Historic Theater + Music Hall Loft. Tickets on sale to members Saturday June 4, to non-members Saturday June 25

The New York Times bestselling author of Bel Canto and Run will present her new book, State of Wonder

The Music Hall welcomes Emmylou Harris to its Intimately Yours concert series on Friday, July 29 at 8pm. Opening for Harris will be The Civil Wars.

Neil Gaiman will take the stage on Wednesday, June 22, 2011, to discuss the just-released anniversary edition of his classic bestseller American Gods.

The Music Hall and RiverRun Bookstore announce the latest addition to their new Writers in the Loft series. On Wednesday, July 27, at 7pm, author Richard Harvell will present his new book The Bells, just out in paperback.

The Music Hall has just announced three comedies – two on stage and one on screen – at the Music Hall Loft for this summer. All three shows go on sale to members, noon Thursday May 5 and to public, noon Thursday May 19.

The Music Hall just announced the lineup for the 2011-2012 season of Met@The Music Hall opera broadcasts from Lincoln Center live on screen at The Music Hall’s Historic Theater in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Really live, at Lincoln Center in New York? Never been and want to give it a try? Donate or pledge $1,000 to The Music Hall’s Treasure The Future Capital Campaign by 6pm on Friday, April 29 and you’ll be entered to win tickets to The Met’s May 6, 2011, production of Verdi’s Rigoletto Read more for details.

The Music Hall and RiverRun Bookstore announce the second author event in their new Writers in the Loft series. On Monday, May 16, at 7pm the award-winning writer Jennifer Egan will join the series with her acclaimed novel A VISIT FROM THE GOON SQUAD.

Writers on a New England Stage, the celebrated author series presented at The Music Hall with partners New Hampshire Public Radio, Yankee Magazine, and RiverRun Bookstore, announced DAVID McCULLOUGH will take the stage on Thursday, June 23, 2011, to discuss his latest book THE GREATER JOURNEY: Americans in Paris.

The summer lineup for our Intimately Yours program welcomes the addition of Get the Led out and k.d. lang and the Siss Boom Bang.

Mother turned filmmaker Vicki Abeles challenges current assumptions about our current education system in her documentary Road to Nowhere

Celebrated author Joyce Carol Oates joins us at the music hall to discuss her new work, A Widow’s Story; A Memoir.

Oscar-winner Danny Boyle returns to the theatre to direct this visionary new production based on the classic novel by Mary Shelley.

The Music Hall is delighted to welcome 2010 Grammy Award winner Mavis Staples and her full band to the stage in the historic theater Friday March 25 at 8pm as part of the popular Intimately Yours concert series.

As The Music Hall begins its count down to the launch of The Music Hall Loft, its new Center for Performing Arts, Literature, and Education, its Treasure the Future capital campaign is stepping out into the community to advance its fundraising efforts.

Just Announced! The Music Hall Loft: Center for Performing Arts, Literature and Education 131 Congress Street, downtown Portsmouth, NH opens April 2 with live radio broadcast.Tickets on sale now to members!

New Series! Writers in the Loft welcomes National Book Award finalist, author of The House of Sand and Fog Andre Dubus III and his new book Townie Wednesday, April 13, 7pm at The Music Hall Loft, Writers in the Loft series introduces new format: Book, bar beverage, and author meet-and-greet included ticket price.

The Music Hall, soon to expand from its Victorian landmark theater into a downtown Loft space, recently announced Citizens Bank has signed on as the presenting sponsor for one of the Loft’s new signature series, Writers in the Loft.

This double Grammy Award nominee - the best selling solo pianist of our time - has six Gold and Platinum albums and 30 charted radio hits.

On Friday, June 10, Ann Patchett, will take the stage to discuss her provocative new novel, State of Wonder. Ben Mezrich will join the series on Thursday, July 21 to present his latest work, Sex on the Moon.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo has married the intricate rhythms and harmonies of their South African musical traditions to the sounds and sentiments of Christian gospel music resulting in a musical and spiritual alchemy that has touched a worldwide audience.

According to Therese LaGamma, Music Hall Programming Manager and Curatorial Associate, “The Wailers are one of the great reggae institutions. There is an authenticity to these guys that has been exciting audiences since they began performing alongside Bob Marley in the late ‘60s. On a cold New England night, where else would you rather be but at Caribbean Night @ The Music Hall?!”