Nashua Center for the Arts (NH) |
This sold out event at $15 per ticket was titled Nashua Celebration of the Arts, and featured a showcase of the NH performing arts community with performances from Nashua theater groups Peacock Players, Actors & Singers, also Safe Haven Ballet, Symphony NH, Ukestra, The Akwaaba Ensemble, Loce Jazz, as well as hometown singers and musicians Alan St. Louis, Ian Ethan Case, Wyn Doran, Ethan Kraus, and Fee the Evolutionist. The show was emceed by Sean McDonald of TV station WMUR in NH.
Safe Haven Ballet, Ian Ethan Case, Wyn Doran |
Ukestra and The Akwaaba Ensemble |
Looking at the front of the arts center, the most striking part of this building is the colorful yellow-framed square that sticks out from the facade. It's also been included in the design of its logo.
In several news stories I read this square was referred to as an oculus (Latin for eye). Curious, as always, I checked online sources to learn that in architecture, this refers to an opening in the center of a dome or a wall, which was usually round, not square (go figure).
Designed by Boston-based ICON Architecture, the $25 million arts center is on four floors. The rear portion includes an 1898 structure known as the Dunbarton Building. Costs included demolition and construction, $4 million was raised in private funding, including $1.5 million in individual donations, businesses and foundations with New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority Tax Credit funds. The City of Nashua also issued a $21 million bond.
Seating Arrangement, Nashua Center for the Arts |
Inside, the centerpiece auditorium is The Bank of America Theater which has a seating capacity of 750. Orchestra seating has 400 seats which retract into the wall, creating an open floor space for up to 1,000 people for standing events, or 250 for functions like banquets receptions and conventions. There's an additional 350 seats in the balcony. There's also two main concessions stands in the 2nd and 4th floor lobbies. Both were popular and crowded spots during Saturday's intermission. Prices were somewhat steep according to a fellow apt resident, who also attended the opening event last weekend, but that's generally the case at such events.
No tours of the entire facility were provided on Saturday. In the opening remarks we heard about the back stage amenities that were included to entice performers to make return appearances. It's not the proverbial green room anymore. Touring artists would have access to spaces that included not only dressing rooms and lounges, but also kitchenettes, bathrooms, and showers.
(FYI, there is little agreement online as to why the place where performers would wait before going on stage is called the green room, but there's many idea available online. It turns out that no one really knows for sure.)
We haven't yet purchased tickets for an upcoming event, but plan to return in the future. This past weekend's event was GA (general admission). Our early arrival assured us of an orchestra seat. The seating was comfortable with good views due to angled rows and there's enough room between rows to let people pass.
Scheduled shows this month include: Ruben & Clay (Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken, American Idol alumni), singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega, and A Girl Named Tom, a sibling trio that won The Voice 2021 competition. Future shows, May to October, include: Champions of Magic, Boz Scaggs, Recycled Percussion, BoDeans, Pat Metheny, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Menopause: the Musical and others.
Depending on how well known the performer is also determines the admission cost. A check of various shows had a price range from $69 to $129, plus a service fee, which ranged from $7 to $11.
On April 29, Symphony NH will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its first concert to the day with a centennial performance. This is also a GA seating event within the section purchased and discounts for students, youths and seniors. This may be our next event to attend there.
Symphony NH, Fee the Evolutionist & Ruby Chavez, Ethan Kraus |
Actors & Singers and Peacock Players, two Nashua-based theater groups |
Personally, we enjoyed being out and about. This venue is very conveniently located downtown within walking distance of the mill apartments. Even though we're unsure of our next event, this one was very enjoyable due to to the shared talents of ALL the performers.
25 comments:
Looks like a great event. For years we had tickets to the symphony orchestra and a fine opera company (sadly now disbanded) but with each passing year I got more uncomfortable in the presence of large crowds, not claustrophobic exactly, but not happy with the press of people. Having become accustomed to distancing during COVID I seriously doubt that I will go to a live performance again, which is quite sad really because I enjoyed the performances and believed strongly in supporting local arts and culture.
I know people are resuming their lives as they were, but I am still reluctant to participate in crowded events.
Nothing lifts the spirit more than a concert, an opera, a dance, a choir.
However, I still fear crowded places, and wear the mask when shopping in the supermarket. I've seen and experienced a lot of art shows, so I'll probably live now mostly on memories.
we have two here, one only a mile away and one 6 miles, and i have never been due to the cost and also no way I could sit for 2 or 3 hours. but I do like this a lot and i checked out the drummers and they have a beautiful website and I got to listen to them. these days i travel/visit online. not quite as good but doable. i remember seeing something about a green room on the Ophfra show or maybe it was Ellen. not sure and can't remember what or why ha ha
what a great spot to have in walking distance.
Well written post. It's great that you were allowed to photograph the artists w/o flash. I love the performing arts and look forward to our next one in Hawaii on April 16.
Sounds like it was a really wonderful performance and varied, too. I was saddened to hear about Miller's Department store closing its doors, like so many of the great department stores around the country. Is Macy's the only one left?
What a lovely venue. I'm sure you will visit it often.
Terrific information and photos.
I love supporting local activities. That's the fabric of America.
Sue
It looks like a great time. And what a show. Will you be going to anything else this month? Menopause the Musical is a good show. Not sure it's for guys though, but depending on the guy, they may like it.Hugs-Erika
I think you will be enjoying this Center. There are some known names that will be coming to town. I can't go to events like this anymore. I started having trouble with scent in the 90s and it got worse. I have an asthma attack if I'm around perfume. It put a damper on my life.
Wow! That was quite the show they put on!
Looks like a really nice place, too. :)
What a wonderful place! I am happy you were able to enjoy the opening events and that it was all so very interesting and entertaining! Thank you for sharing all of this with us! Sounds like a fun place to visit as often as you are able!!
Excellent shots!
What a wonderful arts centre for the community. I wish I lived there; some of those future concerts appeal to me greatly.
Wow sounds really nice dear Dorothy !
i really enjoyed seeing photos and imagining how amazing it might be to be a spectator to such lovely event :)
i hardly saw once or twice live performance and i still remember how wonderful experience it was and against my hope i enjoyed the music so much from close .
you captured some fantastic images .each performance looks impressive and amusing indeed . i wish i can see something like this in future :)
i find orchestra mesmerizing when watch it in movies but watching it live must be an exceptional experience :)
best wishes for future visit to this very nice center my friend !
thank you for making me part of your beautiful trip .
blessings
This looks like a great time, to me. Nice to see life getting back to normal.
It is a beautiful venue and in walking distance from your place. Wow that is a bonus and incentive to go.
wow that looks like it was a great event, and a lovely venue. I haven't been to a live event for ages, I must rectify that soon! Happy Easter.
How wonderful! I enjoyed going along with you. "_
Take good care...and have a wonderful Easter weekend. :)
Good to know you have a new and very grand arts centre. Looks like you have some interesting shows and performers lined up. A lot of arts venues in the UK are struggling to survive due to funding cuts from local councils and the government.
I'm off to check the book recommendations from your comment Dorothy. Did you like Fly Girl? I read that book a few months ago, and it was interesting. Maybe it could have been just a tad bit shorter, but overall I will never look at flight attendants in the same way. I want to read the new Anne Glencommers book because the other one was terrific. She also wrote a couple of mysteries I would like to check out. Let me know what you think of her new book once you get it. Have a wonderful Easter weekend. hugs again-Erika
Looks like an amazing event.
I enjoyed seeing the photos.
However, I am still not comfortable in crowded places.
Happy Easter, Dorothy
Looks wonderful! Walking distance is also a plus. We haven't attended any big indoor events yet. Certainly don't fault anyone for staying cautious. We just recently stopped wearing masks when out. Wore them longer than most because of health issues in our household.
Wishing you a wonderful day after Easter!
Sounds like quite an event. And the photos look nice!
This looks like a great center for the arts and the opening event must have been fabulous (the ticket price as well!). I love that there is such a strong support for the local arts - and the variety is amazing. This must have been very enjoyable.
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