Park Theatre Historic Murals Receive Major Restoration Funding

Historic 1941 murals from original theater will be restored and replaced in main auditorium

JAFFREY, New Hampshire (April 28, 2023) Significant donations from the Putnam Foundation, Kingsbury Fund, CMH Foundation, Mascoma Bank, and individual contributors are bringing The Park Theatre closer to restoring and installing its Four Mountain Murals in the main auditorium.

The historic giant paintings - 9 x 15 feet - were a distinct feature of the original Park Theatre, commissioned by Theatre founder Romolo Vanni in 1941 to grace the walls of his recently renovated auditorium. The artist, Carl Eric Nelson (1911-1975), known for his creative signs around the region and the Horse and Sulky mural on the T. R. Langdell Building in Wilton, carefully selected views of Mount Monadnock from each of the four towns that flank it in each of the four seasons.

The paintings captured classic mountain scenes and quickly became an iconic Theatre attraction. Rediscovered thirty years after the Theatre closed, they had suffered some water damage and wear. Under the supervision of the historic theater conservator Curtains Without Borders, the paintings were taken down and put into storage. With their restoration, the new Park Theatre will fully recreate the experience of enjoying culture and entertainment not just in a large room but in a memorable space, sparkling with the rainbow light of Art Deco sconces that were also preserved from the original theater. And the Theatre, with recessed spaces designed for the purpose, will display the paintings to their best effect for the enrichment of patrons and visitors who view these treasures of regional history.

With the generous donations mentioned, only $14,000 of the project budget of $35,000 remains to be raised. Donations towards this important project may be made online at the "Donate" section of www.theparktheatre.org or by calling the theatre office at 603-532-4551. All gifts are tax-deductible.

The Park Theatre is located at 19 Main Street in downtown Jaffrey, NH, just 95 minutes from downtown Boston.

Coming Up at Nova Arts

Coming up fast, Nova Arts is presenting a great night of rootsy rock and roll on Friday May 5, featuring Hug the Dog, Jentri Jollimore, and headlining the night in celebration of their new album's release, Modern Fools!

Tuesday, May 9, we are welcoming Vieux Farka Toure. Often referred to as "The Hendrix of the Sahara." He was born in Niafunké, Mali in 1981. He is the son of legendary Malian guitar player Ali Farka Touré, who died in 2006. Ali Farka Touré came from a historical tribe of soldiers, and defied his parents in becoming a musician. When Vieux was in his teens, he declared that he also wanted to be a musician. His father disapproved due to the pressures he had experienced being a musician. Rather, he wanted Vieux to become a soldier. But with help from family friend the kora maestro Toumani Diabaté, Vieux eventually convinced his father to give him his blessing to become a musician shortly before Ali passed. He has since made several critically acclaimed albums, most recently an album of his father's music with Khruangbin.

Opening this show is psychedelic guitar maestros Wet Tuna. This Tuesday night show is going to truly be a special night in Keene.

Friday, May 12 we will see the return of two favorites. Headlining is Vapors of Morphine featuring Dana Colley, Morphine's original saxophonist. Vapors continues the work of the low rock trailblazers, performing their songs as well as new originals. They always provide a palpable energy, blending in that 90s nostalgia in a way that Colley's baritone can, with an indie rock vibe. Jake McKelvie and the Countertops are opening, and from the bassist's flowing mane, to Jake's strong songwriting, there are a lot of ways to fall in love with this band.

For all shows, tickets are available at novaarts.org/events or at Brewbakers / Terra Nova Coffee.

Nova Arts is supported by and under the fiscal sponsorship of Arts Alive, and is supported by the Putnam Foundation and the Osier Fund. Events take place at 48 Emerald St, within Brewbakers Cafe & Terra Nova Coffee. novaarts.org

Senator Comerford to Host Eleven Office Hours in the District and Virtually in Spring and Early Summer 2023

Office Hours to be held in person across the district and virtually

Senator Jo Comerford, District Director Elena Cohen, and Constituent Services Director Rachel Klein will be hosting office hours throughout the district and via Zoom, beginning in late April through June 2023.

Senator Comerford and her team seek to be as accessible as possible to constituents living in the 25 cities and towns of the Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district.

All in-person locations are wheelchair accessible and no advanced sign-up needed. All zoom office hours require advanced sign-up to receive the Zoom link.

More information can be found here: https://senatorjocomerford.org/spring-2023-office-hours/

May

Friday, May 5 - In-person with Senator Comerford and Elena - walk-ins welcome
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Northampton City Hall, 2nd Floor Hearing Room, 210 Main St, Northampton

Friday, May 19 - In-person with Senator Comerford and Elena - walk-ins welcome
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - Hatfield Memorial Town Hall, 59 Main Street, Hatfield
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Athol Public Library, Conference Room, 568 Main Street, Athol

June

Friday, June 2 - In-person with Senator Comerford and Elena - walk-ins welcome
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Beals Memorial Library, Trustees Room, 50 Pleasant Street, Winchendon
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Petersham Memorial Library, 23 Common Street, Petersham

Tuesday, June 13 - Remote via Zoom with Rachel and Elena
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.