Hungrytown Appearing at Bigelow Library

Photo courtesy of Bigelow Free Public Library

On Wednesday, November 8 at 6:30 p.m., musical duo Hungrytown return to the Bigelow Free Public Library with their genre-blending tunes. Their music is described as combining Celtic and Americana, ballads and psychedelia, sunshine and darkness, joy and despair--not only within the same album, but within the same song. Don’t miss this exciting performance!

Registration is requested through the library website at bigelowlibrary.org/calendar or by calling 978-365-4160. For more information contact: mmueller@cwmars.org

Bigelow Library is located at 54 Walnut Street, Clinton, MA. The performance will be held in the community room.

Coming Up at Nova Arts in Keene

Nova Arts is excitedly preparing to host Avant-garde colossus Xiu Xiu with the mighty Thus Love

KEENE, NH - On Thursday, October 26 at 7:00 p.m. at 48 Emerald St, Keene, NH, Nova Arts is truly ecstatic to welcome both Xiu Xiu and Thus Love, two groups filled with such powerful musical wisdom. Xiu Xiu tries to make music for people opposed to and opposed by the horror and disquiet of life. They have been called self flagellating, harsh, brutal, shocking, and perverse; but also genius, brilliant, unique, imaginative, and luminous. Xiu Xiu is filled with a variety of sounds inspired by British post-punk, 20th-century classical, 50s rock and roll, experimental and traditional percussion music, industrial noise, field recordings, queer dance-pop, and kosmische musik.

Xiu Xiu has fiercely toured all over the world leaving an impact everywhere they go. Xiu Xiu has shared a stage with Sun Ra Arkestra, Ben Frost, Zola Jesus, Deerhoof, Prurient, Liars, Swans, Matmos, Faust, Grouper, Genesis P Orridge, Angelo Badalamenti and thousands, perhaps billions, of other unstoppable musical fairies, dignitaries and saints. On top of traveling, Xiu Xiu has released six studio albums of original music in the past decade, collaborating with many talented artists.

Thus Love is a band completed by a trio from Brattleboro, Vermont. This group shares a special bond of feeling like an outsider looking in, THUS LOVE, DIY is an ethos that reflects not only their musical vision but their very existence as three self-identifying trans artists. From the band's inception, Echo Mars (she/her), Lu Racine (he/him), and Nathaniel van Osdol (they/them) have lived together under the same roof. Thus Love has designed and produced their own merch, and even created their own recording studio from scratch.

Thus Love was just getting its start when the COVID-19 pandemic forced them into a sudden halt. "The pandemic hit everyone hard, but I think it was especially difficult for new artists like us that rely on live shows to spread the word," says Racine. "At that point, we had a couple of demos and we weren't sure what the future would hold." The band decided to take the initiative during this depressing time and use their resources to post on YouTube, Mars built a makeshift studio and the Thus Love went to work. The dedication this band holds is undeniable, warranting an influential and telling show.

Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and music will start around 7:30 p.m. The Show is for all ages and seating is first come first served. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the show.

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

The Burning Sun is returning to Keene, and Nova Arts could not be more ecstatic! Paper Castles make their debut and Zero Front Opens!

KEENE, NH - Come join us on Saturday, October 28 at 48 Emerald St, Keene, NH at 7:00 p.m. for some wondrous original music.

The Burning Sun are transformers of sound, their unmatched stamina rotates instruments throughout their discography and live performances to create a panorama of unpredictable melodies, intricate rhythm changes, and atmospheric tones.

Katy Hellman, Steven LeBel, Bo Malcolm, and Addie Herbert make up the powerful quartet of The Burning Sun. By entwining their musical differences of folk, psych rock, prog rock, punk, and ancestral sounds, soaring vocals and expressive lyrics are born. The Burning Sun lays bare the grandness (and absurdity) of being alive; the explosive highs and chaotic lows. Bursting with personality and conviction, their music urges us to never lose sight of life's possibilities.

Paper Castles consists of guitarist Paddy Reagan with his longtime collaborators Brennan Mangan on drums, Wren Kitz on guitar, and Emily Tompkins on bass. The music created by this group is a collection of indie rock songs inspired by The Beatles, Tom Petty, and Pavement.

Zero Front is the product of New Hampshire musician Thomas Lusted. Zero Front is a mix of divine sounds, described as Interstellar textures layered with guitars and electronics are balanced with vocals and drum machine grooves that bring everything back down to earth. Thomas Lusted is motivated by genres such as punk, electronica, indie rock, and ambient music to create his fresh sound.

Doors are open at 7 p.m. and music begins no later than 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15, the show is for all ages!

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

Park Theatre Presents a Festival of Halloween Events

Jaffrey, NH performing arts center holds "Halloweenie Weekend" starting Oct 27

JAFFREY, New Hampshire (October 11, 2023) Scary things are coming to Jaffrey, New Hampshire, this Halloween. The Park Theatre continues its tradition of celebrating Halloween with a multi-day of movies and special events. This year, it is entitled Halloweenie Weekend, and it runs from October 27 through Halloween night, October 31.

The fun starts on Friday, October 27, with a screening at 7:00 p.m. of a film that is frequently referred to as "the scariest movie ever made." The original The Exorcist (1973) will be shown in its recently restored and uncut format. After the film, there will be a "Halloween Dance Party" in the same auditorium with "CJ the DJ" spinning some spooky dance classics. The dance party goes from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., and the cost is $10. Costumes are required for this event. The bar will be open.

On Saturday, October 28 at 1:00 p.m., a classic film for children and adults will screen with the original Ghostbusters (1984). Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murray supply the laughs as they search and destroy crazy ghosts in New York City.

Immediately following Ghostbusters will be the Park Theatre's 4th Annual Halloween Costume Contest with three categories: adult, child, and pet. The contest starts at 2:45 p.m. when contestants take the stage and are voted on. Each category winner will win a $50 gift certificate.

At 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, things get really frightening with the screening of Friday the 13th Part III (1982). One of the biggest villains of all time, Jason dons his hockey mask for the first time in this classic from the many 13th sequels.

The Halloween weekend gets campy on Sunday, October 29 at 4:00 p.m. with a screening of the definitive Bette Davis & Joan Crawford thriller, Whatever Happened To Baby Jane? (1962) The behind-the-scenes fights between the two actresses are legendary. A series on the FX Network chronicled the making of this film. It was appropriately entitled Feud. Men and women love to "dress up" as Bette and Joan at screenings of this cult movie. The Park Theatre is encouraging it as well. Photos will be taken, and Bette's and Joan's will possibly be seen on The Park's Facebook page.

On Monday, October 30 at 7:00 p.m., acclaimed silent film accompanist Jeff Rapsis returns to The Park with a very unique offering. The original Dracula (1931) never had an atmospheric film score. Producers of early talkies weren't sure the concept would work with audiences. Jeff has written a score for the classic Bela Lugosi film, and he will play his composition live along with the sound film. It will be a historic first-time event.

Halloweenie Weekend ends on Halloween, October 31. The Park Theatre joins Team Jaffrey's "Downtown Trick or Treat" that goes from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Jaffrey businesses hand out candy to hundreds of children during this favorite yearly event. The Park will have its lobby decorated for the occasion, and children and adults can come inside and have their picture taken with Jason from Friday the 13th or with a "Ghostbuster" dressed in full Ghostbuster gear with a Proton Pack backpack.

The Ayala Brothers of Jaffrey are sponsoring Ghostbusters and Friday the 13th Part III films.

All films will be presented in The Park's 333-seat Eppes Auditorium with its giant 27' wide screen and 17-speaker surround sound.

Tickets for Halloweenie Weekend events can be purchased online at theparktheatre.org/halloweenie/ or by calling the box office at (603) 532-8888. Tickets are also sold at the box office before each event.

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

North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation provided financing to Deershorn Farm & Taxidermy

Funding supported purchase of new equipment, working capital

The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC), the economic development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce granted financing totaling $45,000 to Deershorn Farm & Taxidermy. The funding supported the purchase of a new tractor and provided the farm with working capital.

Deershorn Farm & Taxidermy is a local vegetable farm that also provides taxidermy services. Manager Stephen A. Mudgett, who owns and operates the fourth-generation farm with his wife and daughter, grows corn and other types of vegetables which are offered at the farm's roadside stand, located at 241 Chase Road in Lancaster, Massachusetts and at local farmers markets. During the winter months, the farm provides taxidermy services.

"The new tractor enabled us to harvest more efficiently and make our work easier," said Mudgett. "As a family-run farm, the support of the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation ensures we can continue to provide our community with fresh produce for generations to come."

As a microloan lender, NCMDC can provide loans to small businesses up to $250,000 for working capital, real estate, equipment, inventory, expansion and working with our banking partners to provide gap financing for the final piece of a project.

For more information about the NCMDC loan programs, please call 978.353.7607 or visit NorthCentralMass.com or ChooseNorthCentral.com.