Celebrating the Arts

Nashua Center for the Arts (NH)

Saturday, April 1, was a dreary and very rainy day in Nashua, NH, but it definitely didn't dampened the spirits of those, like ourselves, who attended the opening celebration of the Nashua Center for the Arts in downtown Nashua, 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

Originally, set for 2 hours, this showcase event ran into 3 hours. But, on a dreary weather day outside, no one seemed too unhappy about the extension as they enjoyed the performances. And, as there were no restrictions on photo-taking (other than flash) I was able to capture some of the on-stage events, even with an older cell phone.

Ukestra and The Akwaaba Ensemble

Located in the heart of downtown Nashua at 201 Main St, it's anticipated that the arts center will become a community hub like buildings formerly in the same location. Its footprint holds ties to the longtime Sunlight Pharmacy and Miller’s Department Store, which sold everything for ladies from shoes to wedding gowns and children's clothing. A popular Nashua catch phrase from the 60s to the 80s was Meet Me At Millers. (In 1960, JFK was in Nashua at the start of his run for the Presidency and stopped there too.) Miller's closed in the early 1990s and was replaced by Alec’s Shoes, which became the footwear place to go. (This still popular store relocated in Nashua, but no longer in a downtown location.)

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.

Orchestra Level View, Opening Celebration

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

Understandably there were audience members who wore masks, including one of the symphony musicians, but the majority did not. Hopefully everyone will be OK as there is still much concern about current and/or future outbreaks.

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.