There’s no denying the fact that Concord has a pretty active music scene.
On any given night, you can find some live performances at venues all over the city. So it probably comes as no surprise that music is a huge part of the Capital Arts Fest. While many of the plays and big events were already planned for this one-day event to show off Concord, a number of the musical acts were added and scheduled to bring a little flavor to the festivities.
So if you like music, then you have plenty to look forward to on Saturday.
Squonk Opera
If you’ve never seen Squonk Opera before, you might want to check out their work on YouTube before catching one – or both – of their live performances at City Plaza.
Based in Pittsburgh, Squonk Opera is not the kind of musical group you see every day. They will be performing their Cycle Sonic show, which uses double-decker human-powered stages that celebrate bicycles and sustainable power, and is propelled by the group’s original chamber rock music.
Picture giant bicycles roaming around you and lots of great music.
Squonk Opera is being brought in by the Capitol Center for the Arts, because it’s the perfect time to bring in a show like this, and is really meant to be done outdoors. The two performances will be at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Music school
Every year, the Concord Community Music School hosts a day of musical fun. And it just so happens that it had to reschedule the event from earlier in the year and now it falls on Concord’s cultural celebration day.
There will be free performances at both the music school and in front of Phenix Hall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that will include student songwriters singing their original music, teenage rock, folk, and jazz bands, Suzuki violinists, adult fiddle ensembles and much more.
Also at the music school will be the instrument petting zoo (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.), where visitors can try a multitude of instruments under the supervision of experienced musicians. The celebration also includes refreshments and other musical activities as part of a community open house.
Concord Chorale
Join the Concord Chorale to share in the wonder of Johannes Brahms’s “Ein Deutsches Requiem,” the composer’s longest and most celebrated piece. Conducted by musical director Kristofer Johnson, the chorale will be joined by soloists Martha Guth, soprano, and David McFerrin, baritone, as well as the chorale’s collaborative pianist, Molly Lozeau, and Hsiang Tu, a member of the UNH music faculty.
The chorale will perform at South Congregational Church on Saturday at 7 p.m., and again on Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 and $15 for seniors in advance, and $25 and $20 at the door. Student are admitted free. For more, visit concordchorale.org.
Suncook Valley Chorale
The local, non-audition chorus led by Scott Lounsbury will give short performances at City Plaza from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. And if you’ve never heard them, they’re definitely worth a listen.
Songweavers
To cap off a music-filled day at City Plaza, the Concord Community Music School’s Songweavers women’s chorus and Songweavers drummers will play from 4 to 5 p.m. This group of ladies sure can carry a tune, and when you add in the drummers, it’s a show you’ll want to see.
Mr. Aaron
Dance and groove with the Mr. Aaron Band live at Red River Theatres at 10 a.m. Sing along to all your favorite Mr. Aaron tunes and some pop favorites, too. The music is great for kids ages 1 to 10, but grown-ups will be tapping their feet to it, too.
The Hardtacks
Through period music, visuals and texts, along with lots of audience participation, the Hardtacks dig deep into the hidden corners of the past and deliver a vivid overview of antebellum global politics and life through early 19th-century banjo music and lyrics.
And they’ll be playing at NEC Concord beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Sensitive Men
One of the area’s favorite folk/pop trios, Sensitive Men, will perform two all-acoustic sets about love, life, happiness and some made-up songs about the audience at the Concord Food Co-op at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Bicentennial Square
Known as a hot spot for live outdoor music, many local and regional performers will be playing at Bicentennial Square between 1 and 4 p.m. But to find out who’s going to be on stage, you’ll have to go by and see.
Insider staff
