NH Gay Men's Chorus Returns To Park Theatre For Dickens Fest

Acclaimed chorus plays Jaffrey, NH on December 9

JAFFREY, New Hampshire (November 27, 2023) They received thunderous applause from the Jaffrey audience in December of 2022. The internationally acclaimed New Hampshire Gay Men's Chorus returns to The Park Theatre on Saturday, December 9 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the New England Dickens Fest.

Established in 1998, the nonprofit group of over 25 singers has played extensively in New England and the United States. They celebrate their 26th year with a unique holiday program, "Holly Jolly Folly."

The New Hampshire Gay Men's Chorus has an incredible, endearing history of triumphs and struggles, good times and bad. Through it all, the Chorus has delivered high-quality entertainment and musical joy to tens of thousands of people. Despite overcoming fears and doubts in its early years, when acceptance of gay people in New Hampshire was scarce, the NHGMC today is more popular than ever all over the state and beyond. In the words of NH Governor Christopher Sununu, the Chorus is "truly a Granite State musical treasure."

In addition to the singers, the Chorus ensemble will be supported by an orchestra.

"We are delighted to have the New Hampshire Gay Men's Chorus return to The Park this holiday season. They are a perfect addition to our Dickens Fest schedule of events. Their performance is guaranteed to get everyone in a festive holiday mood," said Steve Jackson, CEO and Managing Director of The Park Theatre.

New England Dickens Fest is made possible through an underwriting sponsorship by M&T Bank.

All tickets are $20. They may be purchased online by visiting theparktheatre.org/dickensfest, by calling (603) 532-8888 or directly at the theatre box office.

The Park Theatre performing arts center is located at 19 Main Street in downtown Jaffrey, New Hampshire, just 90 minutes from Boston. There is a bar lounge, and the facility is fully accessible.

Renowned Bell Ringers To Perform at Park Theatre's Dickens Fest

Granite State Ringers to perform on opening day of new holiday festival, December 6

JAFFREY, New Hampshire (November 27, 2023) The Granite State Ringers will perform on the Eppes Stage at The Park Theatre on Wednesday, December 6, at 7:00 p.m. The event is part of the kickoff day for the inaugural New England Dickens Fest that is produced by the Jaffrey, New Hampshire based performing arts center.

In February 2007, Joan Fossum and Mary Divers organized the Granite State Ringers (GSR), New Hampshire's only elite handbell choir.

Their vision was to offer committed handbell musicians the opportunity to learn and perform challenging music for audiences all over New Hampshire.

Since then, GSR has expanded its mission to offer education programs for youth and adults. It uses its talents to support local and international groups in need, from the NH Food Bank to the Ukrainian Red Cross.

They perform on five octaves of Malmark handbells, six octaves of Malmark hand chimes, and four octaves of Schulmerich Handbells. They routinely have world premieres of new pieces by some of the handbell world's most beloved composers.

New England Dickens Fest is made possible by an underwriting sponsorship from M&T Bank.

Tickets for the bell ringers are $18. Children 12 and under, $15. Tickets can be purchased in advance, whether online at theparktheatre.org/dickensfest or by calling the box office at (603) 532-8888. Tickets will also be for sale at the box office before the performance. Doors open at 6 pm. The Dickens Fest town crier proclamation reading and ribbon cutting ceremonies begin at 6:30 pm.

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

Best Whiskers Contest At Dickens Fest in Jaffrey

Best beard, mustache, or sideburns win prizes at Park Theatre's Dickens Fest on December 9

JAFFREY, New Hampshire (November 29, 2023) If you have good facial hair, there is a contest at the upcoming New England Dickens Fest that can bring you a $50 prize. The event happens on Saturday, December 9, at 2:30 p.m. in the lobby of The Park Theatre in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. The event is named in honor of one of Dickens' most memorable characters, Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol.

"Ebenezer's Best Whiskers Contest" is one of many events happening at The Park Theatre's New England Dickens Fest from December 6 to 10. There will be three categories in the contest: Best Beard, Best Mustache, and Best Side Burns. The winner in each category wins a $50 Park Theatre gift certificate.

An esteemed judging panel will be headed by Samantha Saucier, owner of Fine Cuts Barber Shop in Jaffrey. The event is free to the public. Entrants are asked to arrive no later than 2:15 pm to register.

New England Dickens Fest is made possible through an underwriting sponsorship by M&T Bank. The official media sponsor is WKNE Radio.

Information, schedule, and tickets for New England Dickens Fest can be found by going to theparktheatre.org/dickensfest. Questions about the contest or Dickens Fest can be answered by calling the theatre's box office at (603) 532-8888.

The Park Theatre performing arts center is located at 19 Main Street in downtown Jaffrey, New Hampshire, just 90 minutes from Boston. There is a bar lounge, and the facility is fully accessible.

Coming Up at Nova Arts in Keene

Nova Arts is ecstatic to welcome Charlie Chronopoulos and Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light!

KEENE, NH - Join us on Friday, December 1, at 7:00 p.m. at 48 Emerald St, Keene, NH, for some breathtaking music! Singer/songwriter Charlie Chronopoulos got his start performing in lounges and ballrooms as a guitarist. As a teen musician, he was able to share the stage with classic acts such as Grand Funk Railroad, Cheap Trick, and the Doobie Brothers. His songs developed throughout the years as he pulled from stories reflecting on his life, such as family and friends dealing with addiction. While the subject matter is often heavy, Chronopoulos writes with empathy, and a type of war humor that serves to counter the narrative of backwardness and poverty.

In addition to writing and producing his own work, he serves as a session guitarist for several multi-platinum and Grammy-winning artists including Serj Tankian (System of a Down), Shirley Manson (Garbage), Jelly Roll, and Joyner Lucas. Charlie has performed on several Broadway and off-broadway productions, he gives credit to this stage of his life for re-invigorating his love of storytelling and performance art.

Rachel Sumner has been charming audiences with her new band Traveling Light. Their sound is a mixture of bluegrass and traditional folk music, Sumner's lyric-forward writing and penchant for snaking chord progressions demand something beyond folk conventions, highlighting the acrobatic range of her brilliant bandmates Kat Wallace (fiddle/harmonies) and Mike Siegel (upright bass).

Sumner spent her early career on the bluegrass circuit singing and writing with Twisted Pine, a genre-bending Boston group. Her song won the Lennon Award in the folk category of the 2021 John Lennon Songwriting Contest for the song “Radium Girls”. This earned her a spot “in the Kerrville New Folk Competition; and being chosen three consecutive years by WBUR/NPR as one of the top Massachusetts entries in the Tiny Desk Competition.” After her journey through Berklee College of Music, Rachel has been sought after as one of the most vital voices in Boston's music scene.

Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and music begins no later than 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 and the show is for all ages, seating is first come first served.

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

Nova Arts is eager to announce Louisville's dark horse, Ryan Davis, with a new band! Footings plays solo!

KEENE, NH - Join us on Thursday, December 7, 7:00 p.m. at 48 Emerald St, Keene, NH. "Dancing On The Edge" -- a seven song, 53 minute basement folk opus -- is the first collection of material released under Kentuckiana-based visual artist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Ryan Davis' birth name. Davis' album is filled to the brim with innovative folk-tales, full band excursions, and sharp country rock modes.

Ryan Davis' solo debut is a concentrated collection of Americana-Noir that navigates a familiar yet alternate reality, one of enchanted mundanity and uniquely mid-southern introspection. "Dancing On The Edge" releases notes of mild paranoia, absurdity, and anti social awkwardness that is seemingly inviting.

Footings expresses their own distinctive tapestry of darkness and hope, blending elements of slowcore ala Songs: Ohia, experimental post-rock ala Godspeed You! Black Emperor and chamber-folk ala Great Lake Swimmers. Footings usually performs in various combinations of a band, but this show will be Eric Gagne solo.

Footings have been highlighted on Paste Magazine's Daytrotter Sessions, and have shared stages with the likes of Bonnie Prince Billy, The Huntress and Holder of Hands, Leyla McCalla, Mount Eerie, J Mascis, Diane Cluck, Waxahatchee, Califone, Steve Gunn, Mirah, Dredd Foole, and many more.

Doors are open at 7:00 p.m. and music will begin no later than 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 and the show is for all ages!

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

DA Urges Participation in Worcester County Gun Buyback

WORCESTER - Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. is urging people to take advantage of the 22nd annual Guns to Gardens program by turning in unwanted firearms on Saturday at participating police departments.

More than 4,000 guns have been turned in since 2002, when the program started in the City of Worcester. The program welcomes citizens of all Worcester County communities to voluntarily turn in unwanted firearms to participating police departments in Charlton, Fitchburg, Northborough, Milford, Worcester or City Welding & Fabrication located at 10 Ararat St. in Worcester where owners can watch their weapon be destroyed.

Those who turn in firearms will receive gift cards in the amount of $50 for a rifle, $100 for a pistol, and $150 for an automatic or semi-automatic weapon. Free trigger locks are also available, and replica guns will be accepted.

"Our goal is, and always has been, getting unwanted and unsecured guns out of the house," Mr. Early said. "We want to reduce the tragic loss of life that can occur because of these unwanted guns. This buyback program helps to avoid such devastating casualties and the high public cost that comes from treating gunshot victims. Reducing accidents and tragedies in Worcester County benefits us all."

Mr. Early praised Dr. Michael Hirsh, medical director of Worcester's Division of Public Health, for his continued gun safety advocacy and for starting the gun buyback program.

"An unsecured weapon in the home is a public health danger that leads to more frequent homicides, burglaries, lethal domestic violence, accidental shootings, and suicide in the home," Dr. Hirsh said. "Please honor the memories of all our citizens, young and old, harmed by gun violence by bringing in your unwanted/unsecured weapon(s)."

In recent years, Dr. Hirsh spearheaded a program to turn the destroyed weapons from the buyback program into garden tools to be used in the UMass community garden. The garden is maintained by members of the UMass community and the produce is donated to those in need.

As in the past, Mr. Early will relax enforcement of the law prohibiting the carrying of firearms for people participating in the program. Residents should bring unloaded weapons wrapped or in a bag. Ammunition will also be accepted, but should be separately bagged. Participants are reminded to treat all firearms as though they are loaded and dangerous.

Firearms can be turned in at the following locations during the specified hours:

Charlton Police Department: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Fitchburg Police Department: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Northborough Police Department: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Milford Police Department: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Worcester Police Department: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
City Welding & Fabrication: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Guns to Gardens is sponsored by the Worcester County District Attorney's Office, UMass Memorial Medical Center, the City of Worcester, the Worcester Police Department and the Worcester Department of Public Health.