Exhibits, galleries, theater and more: Seacoast arts and culture news
Pontine Theatre presents 'A New England Christmas'
PORTSMOUTH — Pontine Theatre presents an original adaptation of Frank Stockton’s charming holiday story, Cap’n Eli’s Best Ear. This 1908 Christmas tale introduces a widowed sea captain who cleverly engineers his Christmas celebrations to secure his heart’s desire—a new family! Live seasonal music is by Ellen Carlson and Melissa Caron, directors of the New Hampshire Fiddle Ensemble.
Shows are offered Nov. 24 to Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. on Fridays, 3 p.m. on Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are available online at www.pontine.org. Pontine's 1845 Plains Schoolhouse Theatre is located at #1 Plains Avenue in Portsmouth. Following the performance the audience is invited to sample home made Christmas cookies donated by friends and supporters of Pontine Theatre. Convenient free parking is available onsite.
Holiday Open House at The Forest Society Education Center at Creek Farm
PORTSMOUTH – Join the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests for its 2nd Annual Open House at the Forest Society Education Center at Creek Farm, at 400 Little Harbor Road, Portsmouth, on Saturday, Nov. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors will enjoy hot cider and ornament crafts with the Forest Society and partners the Gundalow Company and Tailwinds: Raptor Education Conservation during this Holiday Open House. The Open House is free, however registration is required.
Visitors can also reserve a Conservation Christmas Tree grown at the Forest Society’s Christmas Tree Farm at The Rocks in Bethlehem. This is a unique opportunity for residents to get a beautiful, hand-pruned Christmas tree without traveling to Bethlehem. Supplies are limited and may be purchased while registering for the Open House or contact Tina Ripley at 603-224-9945. Christmas trees are $65 for Forest Society members and $100 for non-members. Christmas trees will be delivered to Creek Farm for pick up during the Open House.
The Holiday Open House will give the public an opportunity to enjoy hot cider, make crafts, and see a live raptor.
Showstoppers presents ‘Once Upon A Time—A Fairy Tale and Fantasy Broadway Musical Revue’
ROLLINSFORD — It's going to be a very special December at Garrison Players Arts Center. Full performances on Dec. 1 and Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. Tickets $22. Family Matinee - a very special 30-minute performance for families on Dec. 2, at 2 p.m. free (suggested donation $10). Garrison Players Arts Center, corner of Roberts Road and Portland Avenue (Route 4), Rollinsford. Tickets at https://ci.ovationtix.com/35934/production/1177068.
Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra celebrates the season with Family Holiday Pops!
PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra will perform its 2023 Family Holiday Pops! concerts on Sunday, Dec. 17, at 3 p.m. at York Community Auditorium in York, Maine and Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Portsmouth High School in Portsmouth, N.H. The PSO will be joined at both performances by the York High School Chamber Singers and Treble Choir, directed by Rob Westerberg, and the Portsmouth High School Choir, directed by Nathan Wotton.
Family Holiday Pops! tickets are $35 for adults, $30 for seniors, and $15 for students and are available for purchase at www.portsmouthsymphony.org.
Rockingham Choral Society to perform 'A Star Still Shines'
EXETER — The Rockingham Choral Society will perform two holiday concerts on Saturday, Dec. 2 and Sunday, Dec. 3, both at 3:30 p.m. at Christ Church Episcopal, 43 Pine St., in Exeter, N.H.
The program will feature A Winter Day by Sarah Quartel; Carols and Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest by Conrad Susa; “O Come all Ye Faithful” arranged by Dan Forrest; “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” arranged by Dan Forrest; and “What Sweeter Music” by Michael Fink. The choir will also perform a selection of short early American pieces including some first published in Exeter, NH including “Lovely Vine” by Benjamin Parker; and “Slow Traveler” by Jeremiah Ingalls.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and students. Advance purchase is available and encouraged at www.rockinghamchoral.org. Day-of tickets are subject to availability.
The Community Chorus at South Berwick lift their voices
SOUTH BERWICK, Maine — Capture the spirit of the holidays with The Community Chorus at South Berwick as they usher in the season Saturday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Newington, N.H. and on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m., at Noble High School in Berwick, Maine.
Under the baton of Christoper Pelonzi, the chorus will be singing a collection of pieces that explore the light of the season. The concert will feature pieces by Rutter, Esenvalds, and Pinkzebra – with the Esenvalds piece being uniquely accompanied by a Glass Harp. In designing the holiday concert, Pelonzi’s vision was “to transport the audience from safe, quiet light to joy-filled explosions by experiencing every kind of light that music can make.+ The finale of the concert will be a lively community sing with all voices lifted up in celebration.
Tickets may be purchased in advance online at www.CCSB-sing.org for $14. Tickets at the door will be $17/$14 seniors and students.
‘A Christmas Carol’ at Garrison Players
ROLLINSFORD — Tickets are on sale now. Winner of 9 Broadway World Awards that ran off-Broadway in Manhattan & the Hamptons, Mystery 207/Kenmarc Entertainment bring "A Christmas Carol" to New England this holiday season. This one-man retelling of the classic Dickens tale starring Scott Severance playing 20-plus characters will leave you absolutely spellbound. This is your only chance to see this production locally as it's going back to Manhattan in 2024.
One weekend only in New Hampshire at the Garrison Players Arts Center, Corner of Roberts Road and Portland Ave (Rte 4), Rollinsford; Dec. 22 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 23 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. $40 in advance/$45 at the door. Limited seating so save yours today. Tickets at mystery207.com or eventbrite.com.
New Hampshire Gay Men's Chorus perform winter concert series
STRATHAM — Join the New Hampshire Gay Men’s Chorus as they perform their winter concert series, Holly, Jolly, Folly Sunday, Dec. 3, at 3 p.m., at Stratham Community Church UCC, 6 Emery Lane
To purchase tickets visit https://www.eventbrite.com. We strongly advise advance ticket purchases. Standard admission is $25 per person. Children (ages 12 and under) are admitted free. A discounted price of $17.50 per ticket is available for group sales; a minimum of 20 tickets is required. To ensure your smooth admission to our concerts, please have your tickets available at the door, either by printing or having them displayed on your mobile device.
Garrison Players Arts Center presents ‘Ball in the House’
ROLLINSFORD — Ball in the House is an R&B/Soul/Pop A cappella group based out of Boston, Mass., whose high energy shows have audiences singing, dancing, even beatboxing along. Ball in the House has performed everywhere from theaters to performing arts centers, fairs & festivals, to opening for some of the biggest acts in the world, such as The Beach Boys, The Jonas Brothers, Gladys Knight, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, KC & The Sunshine Band, just to name a few! Ball in the House has appeared on America’s Got Talent, The TODAY Show, The Daily Buzz, the Philadelphia 4th of July Parade, and SBS Culture Club and MBC News in Seoul, South Korea. Their schedule includes Outreach Programs at schools as well as Fundraising Events entitled, "Music for Cancer".
Friday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. Tickets: Regular $22, senior $20, student $15. Support Dover's Food Pantry and bring an item for our collection box. Visit https://ci.ovationtix.com/35934/production/1180617.
Captivating contemporary exhibit on display at The Art Center through Dec. 30
DOVER — The Art Center announced the mesmerizing exhibition of renowned artist Shaune McCarthy, featuring a captivating collection of contemporary paintings and original ceramic sculptures. This unique artistic journey takes viewers from figure sculptures' intricacies to canvases' vibrancy.
The Art Center at 1 Washington St., Suite 1177, Dover, invites art enthusiasts to experience McCarthy's unique exhibition. Take advantage of the exclusive "Meet the Artist" on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 6 to 9 p.m. to connect with the artist and gain insights into her creative process.
For more information about McCarthy and her art, please visit www.theartcenteronlinegallery.com.
Garrison Players holding auditions for ‘The White Liars’ and ‘Black Comedy’
ROLLINSFORD — Garrison Players will be holding auditions for "The White Liars" and "Black Comedy". Two one-act plays by Peter Shaffer (author of "Equus" and "Amadeus") on Sunday, Dec. 3 from 12 to 2 p.m. and Tuesday, Dec. 5 from 7 to 9 p.m. Roles: 4f, 7m, ages ranging from 20's-60's. For copies of the script, email the Director Alex Bickerstaff alexbickerstaffis@gmail.com. Performance dates are March 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 2024 at Garrison Players Arts Center, Corner of Roberts Road and Portland Ave (Rte 4), Rollinsford.
The Art Center presents its Annual Contemporary/Abstract Exhibition
DOVER — The Art Center announced the opening of its highly anticipated Annual Contemporary | Abstract Exhibition, on display through the end of Dec., featuring a dynamic collection of works by over 40 talented artists. The exhibit includes diverse artistic expressions such as paintings, collages, mixed media, printmaking, photography, and sculptures.
To mark the opening of this spectacular exhibition, The Art Center, 1 Washington St., Dover, invites the community to join "A Celebration for the Arts" on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 6 to 9 p.m. This event offers an opportunity to engage with the artists, gain insights into their creative processes, and celebrate the thriving arts community in Dover. Visit our online gallery at www.theartcenteronlinegallery.com.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Exhibits, galleries, theater and more: Seacoast arts and culture news
