Coming Up at Nova Arts in Keene

Indie folk woodsmen and dirge surfers return!

KEENE, NH - Nova Arts is welcoming Party of the Sun with Eleanor Elektra this Saturday the 30 at 7:00 p.m. at 48 Emerald St. in Keene, NH. Nova Arts is hosting a psychedelic folk band from right in New Hampshire! Party of the Sun is comprised of Ethan McBrien, Rory Hurley, and Garrett Cameron. "In the fall of 2015, McBrien and Hurley began recording this material. These collaborative sessions at McBrien's home - a small sheep farm in Marlborough, NH - were the impetus of what has become Party of the Sun." Since then, the band has released two full-length albums - Trekker and Fullest Hour, and five EPs - Lay Low, Goldenwood, and Capsule I, II, & III, many of which are inspired by the Americana tradition.

Party of the Sun has had their fair share of news coverage in Atwood Magazine, Under The Radar, Glide, UNXIGNED, For The Rabbits, and alexrainbirdMusic. Their heartfelt, warm, and meditative music is what makes the buzz possible, listeners feel connected within themes of time, nature, and fatherhood.

Eleanor Elektra is an interdisciplinary artist originally from the Pacific Northwest who strives to synthesize music and visual art. Eleanor Elecktra feels a deep connection with the environment which is the root of inspiration within her music. Eleanor's songwriting focuses on issues of climate change and our collective disconnect with the Earth that houses, feeds, and sustains us. She mimics the sounds of earth with elements of folk, jazz and classical music to create a magical listening experience.

Her most recent release, Exquisite Corpse, takes Eleanor's art and activism to a new magnitude. Artfully and urgently, the album paints a picture of the lives of young people growing up in the shadow of a changing climate and the catastrophe that will soon be upon us all if we do not act. Eleanor Elektra uses her musical touch to express the feelings that come from living on planet earth during this crucial time, and to influence her audience to do something about it. Eleanor has toured extensively throughout the United States and Canada. She is based in Boston, MA and is a mainstay of the local music scene, She has performed at the House of Blues, the Lilypad, and Club Passim using her passion to spread awareness towards the environment.

This show is all ages; doors are at 7:00 p.m., and music will begin by 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $20, Seating is limited and first come first served!

https://www.novaarts.org/events/partyofthesun930

Please join us at Nova Arts to welcome Samirah Evans & Her Handsome Devils for a packed evening of jazz and blues on Saturday, October 7

KEENE, NH - An exciting two set performance is approaching at Nova Arts by Samirah Evans & Her Handsome Devils right in downtown Keene. The band consists of key artists Samirah Evans, Miro Sprague, Michael Zsoldos, Matt Dwonszyk, and Conor Meehan. Samirah Evans has become known for her dynamic and soulful approach to music, especially in the jazz and blues genres. Her skillful music style is inspired by the city of New Orleans where she was one of the most sought after singers for nearly 20 years. Evans has touched many places all over the world with her gracious sound including North and South America, Europe, and Asia.

Miro Sprague is a pianist, composer, bandleader, and educator known for his creativity, dynamic, passionate performance style, and artistic versatility. Sprague has been actively performing for over two decades touring through the US and overseas. He has been invited to the world's top venues and festivals for his considerable virtuosity. Sprague is currently based in Los Angeles and has worked with a plethora of notable artists, while also leading his own trio and quintet.

Michael Zsoldos, who is on saxophone, is a lecturer in classical saxophone and music theory at Dartmouth College. He is on the teaching faculties of the Vermont Jazz Center in Brattleboro, and Interplay Jazz and Arts, based in the Upper Valley. Currently, Michael is a member of the Miro Sprague Quintet, the Jason Ennis Quartet, and Eugene Uman's Convergence Project; a group whose original music merges Colombian rhythms with jazz harmonies. Zsoldos has had a great amount of experience in the industry, allowing his musical abilities to shine while performing in this group.

Bassist Matt Dwonszyk has performed with numerous contemporaries as well as legendary jazz artists including Harold Mabern, Larry Willis, David Hazeltine, Anthony Wonsey and many more. When Dwonszyk is not performing, he teaches Jazz Bass at Manchester Community College in Connecticut. He is called into coach ensembles at the University of Hartford, Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz, and also teaches in the summer at Litchfield Jazz Camp and Bennie Wallace's Back Country Jazz Program. Dwonszyk's exposure to working with such a variety of musical artists has let his sound adapt so well with others, creating smoothness and synchronicity.

Conor Meehan is a versatile drummer currently based in New York City. Conor's high demand has helped him appear on over 40 recordings and tours throughout the US, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Brazil. Since 2005, he has held the position "Artist Associate of Jazz Drums" at Williams College and has also served as a clinician at numerous summer institutes including Jazz in July at UMass and Interplay Jazz Workshop.

Doors open at 7:00 p.m., music will begin at 7:30 p.m. and there will be a short intermission between sets. Tickets are $20, seating is first come first served!

https://www.novaarts.org/events/samirahevansandherhandsomedevils

Treasurer's Office of Economic Empowerment, Division of Banks Announce 2024 Funding for High School Financial Education Fairs

Massachusetts high schools can apply to receive a grant to host a financial education fair for their students

BOSTON - The State Treasurer's Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE), in partnership with the Massachusetts Division of Banks (DOB) and the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) announced funding for the 2024 Financial Education Innovation Fund Grant. Created in 2015, the Innovation Fund supports financial education fairs, known as Credit for Life, in schools across Massachusetts with the goal of increasing skills and knowledge in money management.

Credit for Life Fairs include interactive workshops that offer a fun and unique opportunity for students to learn about personal finance. These fairs often serve as an addition to financial education classes and engage students in real-world saving, spending, and budgeting simulations.

Massachusetts public or charter high schools and special education programs approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) are eligible to apply. Applicants looking to start a new program can receive up to $6,400 and those enhancing or expanding an existing fair can receive up to $3,200.

Schools that have over 50% of a student population considered low-to-moderate income, as designated by DESE, can apply for additional funding of $500.

Applications are open until Monday, November 13, 2023. Schools can learn more and apply by visiting mass.gov/CreditForLife.

Since 2015, over 40,000 Massachusetts students have attended Credit for Life Fairs. The Financial Education Innovation Fund Grant was established as an ongoing effort to strengthen access to financial literacy throughout Massachusetts. This program is funded by the Division of Banks through a settlement over alleged unlawful lending practices.

About the Division of Banks
The Division of Banks (DOB) is the chartering authority and primary regulator for financial service providers in Massachusetts. DOB's primary mission is to ensure a sound, competitive, and accessible financial services environment throughout the Commonwealth.

About the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation protects and empowers consumers through advocacy and education and ensures a fair playing field for the Massachusetts businesses its agencies regulate.

About the Office of Economic Empowerment
Treasurer Goldberg created the Office of Economic Empowerment, led by a deputy treasurer, with the deliberate goal of implementing a range of economic empowerment initiatives that include closing the race and gender wage gap, addressing racial equity, increasing access to financial education, and creating pathways to economically stable futures for all residents across the state.