New Hampshire’s scenic beauty has long inspired artists and in the Lake Sunapee region, there’s no difference. You’ll find a variety of options for artistic pursuits in the area, from live music to professionally-staged theater to poetry and more.
With lines out the door, across the porch and to the parking lot many a summer night in New London, the Barn Playhouse attracts interns and professional actors to the Sunapee region to perform shows for locals and visitors alike. It is the oldest, continuously operating summer stock theater in New Hampshire. The theater is held in, you guessed it, a converted 200-year-old barn, which is included in the state’s Register of Historic Places.
“The Barn’s commitment to producing top-quality professional theater to both enrich our community and foster young artists remains central to its mission,” said Mitch Marois, director of marketing and sales for the Barn. “Every year, the Barn brings over 100 of the most talented emerging actors and technicians together with established professionals to create award-winning theater in the short time from Memorial Day to Labor Day. What really makes the Barn unique, though, is the community surrounding it. The subscribers, patrons, and volunteers that mentor our acting interns, volunteer as ushers on the porch during performances, are the core of what makes the Barn what it is.”
This year’s 86th summer season features Camelot, Little Women, Sylvia, 42nd Street, Newsies and Murder for Two.
New London Barn Playhouse, 84 Main St., New London. nlbarn.org, 526-4631.
Showcasing community talents, SKIT raises money for charities by staging about two shows a year. Since its inception in 1993, SKIT has participated in and won awards at N.H. Community Theatre Award competitions. skitnh.org
The conservatory instructs students of all ages and abilities in the performing arts while staging shows such as Dancing with the Lake Sunapee Stars and dance adaptations of stories. 33 North Road, Warner. nhperformingarts.com, 456-3294.
With programs for performing, visual and literary arts, there’s something for everyone at the Center for the Arts. The Center for the Arts represents more than 100 area art-related businesses and helps put on events such as Music at the Bandstand, Arts on the Green, and We’ve Got Talent performances. P.O. Box 872, New London. centerfortheartsnh.org, 526-4444.
As the name suggests, Sunday afternoons from 4 to 7 p.m., running from December to April, pianist Bill Wightman, bassist Don Williams, bassist Roger Kimball, percussionist Tim Gilmore, flutist Richard Gardzina and saxophonist Matt Langely, along with guest musicians, hold a jazz jam session. In addition to a wonderful afternoon of music, the JOSA experience includes fare that features the culinary delights of Bistro Nouveau with Chef Doug Langivan and his staff. Adults $20, seniors and students $18. The Center at Eastman, 6 Clubhouse Lane, Grantham. josajazz.com, 763-8732.
Enjoy live music September through June at the Sunapee Methodist Church. There are shows by professional musicians every Friday at 7 p.m. with an open mic night the second Friday of the month. 9 Lower Main St., Sunapee. sunapeecoffeehouse.org, 446-3426, ext. 11.
A dealer of Somerset Fine Art reproductions, Tatewell Gallery represents artists and offers custom framing, original art, prints, and more. 255 Newport Road, New London. somersetfineart.com, 526-2910.
Workshops, open studios, concerts, exhibits and more can be found at the Library Arts Center, an offshoot of the Richards Free Library, and is housed in the Victorian carriage house behind the library. 58 N. Main St., Newport. libraryartscenter.org, 863-3040.
A gift shop featuring handmade items from across New Hampshire and farther away. Browse jewlery, pottery, glassworks, fiber arts, candles, food, cards and more. 11 Pleasant St., New London. artisansnewlondon.com, 526-4227.
Discover a mixed collection of quality antiques, original artwork, limited edition prints, artist signed prints, furniture, lamps, oriental rugs and more unique finds. 356 Route 103, Sunapee. sunapee-landing.com, 863-2275.
You know it’s summer in Warner when the free concerts begin at the outdoor stage. The schedule varies from week to week, but you can expect Don Guano and the Lo-Fi Rebellion on June 29, Kathy Lowe and Julie Corey on July 13 and the 39th Army Band on Aug. 16. Find the full schedule on the MainStreet Warner website. 16 E. Main St., Warner. mainstreetwarnerinc.org.
If you’re looking to listen to music by Decatur Creek, Seni Hunt or the DoBros, or perhaps if your looking to learn to paint or print, the Bradford Meeting House is a place you’ll want to check out. 34 Rowe Mountain Road, Bradford. facebook.com/pg/BradfordCenterMeetingHouse
Since the 1880s, the Opera House has operated inside the town hall and courthouse. Today, it hosts plays, musicals, pageants, concerts and more. 20 Main St., Newport. 863-2412, newportoperahouse.com.
The college’s auditorium will host the Boston Civic Symphony on June 23 and the Uptown Jazz Tenetet on Aug. 24 in addition to other performances throughout the year. 541 Main St., New London. colby-sawyer.edu/events or summermusicassociates.org.