We’ve covered concerts in many spots around these parts – in White Park, the Capitol Center for the Arts, the Concord City Auditorium, the Concord Community Music School, St. Paul’s School and more.
Although, this might be the first time we’ve told you about one that’s happening in a car dealership. But as they say, there’s a first time for everything.
The N.H. Fiddle Ensemble will put on an evening of music at Grappone Toyota (594 Route 3A in Bow) on Saturday to raise money that will benefit New Hampshire Children’s Trust. The ensemble, which features 85 regular members, will have about 65 on hand to play this concert, so expect to hear a wide range of music.
“New Hampshire and New England is a thriving area for fiddle playing,” said ensemble founder Ellen Carlson.
Not only will there be fiddlers, but also musicians who play the banjo, cello and accordion. Carlson also hired a guitarist and bassist to help keep the rhythm for the night, considering the number of musicians who will be playing.
“We have some real beginners and others who are exceptional players who have been playing for a long time,” Carlson said.
The youngest musician is 8 years old, while the oldest is 87, and all the others fall somewhere inbetween.
Grappone removes all the cars and desks in the showroom, rents staging and sets up chairs for the audience.
“We want people to have a good time,” Carlson said. “We try to make it a show, an entertainment thing.”
Carlson began the group eight years ago and it has grown quite a bit, as you can probably guess it didn’t start with 80-plus members.
“I just wanted to really encourage people to play music together,” she said.
Each year, the group begins every other week rehearsals in late November and then play a string of four shows in nine days. This Saturday’s concert at Grappone Toyota is the first, followed by one Sunday in Portland, Maine, and then they’ll be in Exeter and Franklin next Saturday and Sunday.
“All of the concerts we do are benefits,” Carlson said.
The Grappone show begins at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m., and will include two sets, totaling about a two-hour concert.
In addition to what will be some pretty impressive fiddle work, don’t be surprised to hear some yodeling, Canadian jigs and a Mariachi tune.
“Everybody steps up and plays something, and contributes the way they can,” Carlson said.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children. While tickets may be available at the door, your best bet is to visit nhchildrenstrust.org/ concordfiddle2017 to purchase them ahead of time.
So if you’ve never seen a concert in a car dealership held for a good cause, this might be your best chance to cross it off the old bucket list.
