Everyone seems to be celebrating a big milestone this year around these parts.
The city of Concord is 250 years old, Concord’s favorite son, Matt Bonner, is halfway to 70 and the Insider turned eight. And now the Capitol Center for the Arts is getting in on the fun with a two-week festival marking the 20th anniversary of the nonprofit’s reopening in 1995.
Well technically, the anniversary date is in November, but you never know when winter’s going to hit in New England (we all remember the big one four years ago right before Halloween or the Thanksgiving surprise last year) so doing it a little earlier in the fall isn’t the worst idea ever thought of.
For over a year, this extravaganza has been in the works and soon you’ll be able to enjoy all the hard work and planning – that is if you want to see any of the performances and have money to spend on tickets. But for the sake of this story, we’ll assume you do.
The festival kicks off on Friday when the contemporary dance duo of Bridgman-Packer takes over the walkway in front of the Cap Center with their performance of “Truck” at 8 p.m. And just to be clear, you actually won’t be going inside to see what Bridgman-Packer has to offer. That’s because their 17-foot box truck won’t fit through the doors. They have transformed an ordinary truck into something extraordinary. There will be a Q-and-A with the performers after.
Martina McBride’s Everlasting Tour hits the stage on Saturday at 8 p.m. and for those who decide to go, you’ll be happy to know there will be chili served in the historic Kimball House prior to the show.
Alan Doyle, the Great Big Sea frontman, caps off the opening weekend with a performance Sunday night at 7:30 p.m. Doyle and his six-piece band will feature songs from his solo records along with Great Big Sea favorites and some unpredictable gems. Stay tuned.
The second weekend of the festival kicks off with a free Concord Chats film chronicling the history of 44 S. Main St. (that’s where the Cap Center lives) as part of the city’s 250th anniversary celebration on Oct. 1, at 6 p.m. It will chronicle the history of the private home that became an infirmary and then home to the N.H. Masons and, subsequently, as a vaudeville theater before becoming the Capitol Center for the Arts 20 years ago – hence the celebration. Tours of the historic Victorian-era Kimball House will be offered following the screening.
Local favorites the Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki Trio will be joined by David Surette and Susie Burke in the Spotlight Cafe on Oct. 1, at 7:30 p.m. for an evening of traditional folk music, Celtic reels and originals performed in a club-like atmosphere.
After serving as an opening act for American Idol’s Crystal Bowersox last season, Seth Glier will be back on Oct. 2, at 8 p.m. as the main attraction as he celebrates the release of his fourth album, If I Could Change One Thing. Feisty Pants, the duo of Concord-based singer-songwriters Rachel Vogelzang and John Burlock, opens the show.
The inaugural Met Live in HD presentation of the 2015-16 season, Il Trovatore, adds a different element to the festival when it’s shown at 12:55 p.m. on Oct. 3.
The 20th Anniversary Festival closes on Oct. 4 with a special tribute to Glenn Miller featuring the Capital Jazz Orchestra and special guests Dave Scott, Liz Saunders and the More Than Four vocal quartet at 4 p.m.
Following the final performance, a 1940s themed Canteen reception will officially close the festival with dancing, music and light hors d’oeuvres. Canteen reception tickets are $20.
A limited number of discounted festival passes for all eight performances and special events are $260. To purchase passes, call 225-1111 or visit the CCA box office during normal business hours.
There’s also an online auction with lots of great stuff at biddingforgood.com/auction/auctionhome.action?documentId=245625439
Prices for individual shows vary, so visit ccanh.com for more info.
Insider staff
