Not an opera buff? Music Hall members can catch a fun, free talk by cultural historian, composer, and always-entertaining Dennis Neil Kleinman at the Loft on Thursday, May 8 and I guarantee you will be intrigued. “Opera, above all else, is about great storytelling,” says Dennis. “And in a culture that loves narrative—from news stories to fantasy fiction and everything in between—opera is experiencing somewhat of a boom and is starting to resonate with younger generations.”Read More
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There’s still time to spend a (deliciously cool) few hours with Frances, the idiosyncratic heroine of the hip indie flick, “Frances Ha”—you’ll come out smiling. Greta Gerwig, who co-wrote the movie with Noah Baumbach (“Greenberg,” Margot at the Wedding,” “The Squid and the Whale”) plays a scattered, sometimes awkward, occasionally annoying, but always true-to-herself 27-year-old would-be dancer. At the start of the movie, Frances is living in New York with her best friend from college, barely scraping by. The plot centers on friendship, not romance. I loved this refreshing take on coming-of-age; ditto for the black and white palette which allows a laser-like focus on Frances herself. The film reveals surprising layers of a character who ultimately shows admirable perseverance and integrity as she takes the leap into adulthood.
“Frances Ha” is at the Music Hall Historic Theater through Thursday, July 18. Tickets/Showtimes
Reviews:
The New Yorker - Richard Brody
The Guardian - Emma BrockesRead More
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Every spring for more than 20 years, local homeowners open their kitchen and dining spaces for The Music Hall’s always popular kitchen tour. This year, the tour is back in Portsmouth on May 4, 2013 to tour chic homes in the Mill Pond areas, allowing privileged peeks into some of the most dazzling, inspiring, and innovative kitchens in the region.
To get the inside scoop, I spoke with Dominique Jackson, Special Events Manager at The Music Hall:
RB: Sustainable design is a huge trend. How is it reflected in this year’s kitchens?
DJ: Several homes have green details in their kitchens, from energy efficient appliances to countertops made from recycled materials. One home is only 10 percent on the grid, with elements like solar heat that is stored in cement flooring and then slowly radiates back into the house. Sustainability is very important to The Music Hall, and we’re excited that these homes reflect initiatives we feel strongly about.Read More
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I love catching the big name acts that come to the Music Hall—who wouldn’t swoon to Al Green? But I get even more jazzed about seeing emerging talent push musical boundaries—known to music critics and fans but new to me—like the infectious, high-energy band David Wax Museum, who played to a sold-out house at the Loft on Sunday April 7.
And, as a writer, I hate to miss any of the Writers on a New England Stage or Writers in the Loft events. It’s fascinating to get a privileged peek inside the heads of these authors, each with a singular voice and point of view.
So it goes without saying that I’m excited about the expanded lineup of the Portsmouth Singer-Songwriter festival this year, starting with the Pulitzer prize-winning poet Paul Muldoon with his book The Word on the Street: Rock Lyrics on Wednesday, April 17; and ending with a double bill of Aimee Mann and Sharon Van Etten on Sunday, April 21. (All appendages crossed that Aimee and Sharon will decide to sing a song or two together for us. . .)Read More
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Gift-giving fever is here.
But it doesn’t have to be stressful. My epiphany about gift-giving happened last summer, when I was rushing around Portsmouth looking for a house gift for cousins who live in a Maine farmhouse. I like to match gifts to the recipients and was thinking about their personalities. Mary is an extrovert. Terry is an introvert. They are both intellectually curious and read The New York Times every day. I had recently heard Susan Cain’s fascinating talk about her book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking at the Writers in the Loft series and it struck me: an autographed copy would be the perfect gift! I high-tailed it over to The Music Hall Box office to purchase a copy. I also bought them a box of Music Hall greeting cards so they could see highlights of the fabulous place I’m privileged to work for—and I could feel good about contributing a bit more to an independent arts organization that brings so much to the community.Read More
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Hearing music at The Loft is so groovy. The performers are up close and personal in a way that makes you feel as if they’re playing just for you. Live @ The Loft shows have become an intoxicating way for me to discover new talent—and also to reconnect with seasoned artists I haven’t heard for a while.Read More
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If you already have your tickets to see Gladys Knight at the Music Hall this Sunday, you’re in for a fabulous, upbeat evening with the great “empress of soul” and her amazing sidemen. If you’ve been on the fence, don’t wait until the show is sold out: visit http://www.themusichall.org to snag an incredible offer of $75 for all remaining seats.Read More
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