On June 26 at 4 p.m., Canterbury Shaker Village will launch Music on the Garden Barn Green, their annual summer concert series. Entering its third season, the series offers a diverse mix of bands from both New Hampshire and New England from June 26 to Sept. 11.
Led by New Hampshire State Artist Laureate Theo Martey, The Akwaaba Ensemble opens the series on June 26 with vibrant West African drumming and dance. “ ‘Akwaaba’ means ‘welcome’ in the Akan language of Ghana, which complements the openness and welcome consistently embodied by The Shakers,” said Leslie Nolan, executive director of Canterbury Shaker Village.
The Akwaaba Ensemble will be followed on July 3 with Jordan Tirrell Wysocki, Emmy award-winning composer and critically acclaimed New Hampshire-based fiddler and singer. Other highlights in the series include Connecticut State Troubadour Lara Herscovitch, who performs on Aug. 6 and returns for her second summer.
Some of the other musical acts scheduled to perform include Seacoast-based River Sister, Jim Dozet, Wholly Rollers, and The Mink Hills Band. On Sept. 11, the series concludes with a special ticketed concert, featuring cellists Jan Fuller and Harel Geithem, who were the first musicians to play for The Village’s newly created music series in 2020.
“This final performance will be thoughtfully chosen by the cellists to reflect the somber nature of this day,” said Nolan. “The performance will also imbue the audience with hope for peace, another deeply held value of the pacifist Shakers.”
Regarding the intent behind the series, Nolan said it was envisioned “as a way to bring the community together safely amidst the isolation of the pandemic.” “This summer concert series is fast becoming a New Hampshire staple,” she added.
Music on the Garden Barn Green is free with a suggested donation of $20. Tours of The Village will be available before the series with a reservation, while visitors are welcome to explore the grounds and site. To learn more about the series or The Village, including upcoming programs and events, visit shakers.org.
Canterbury Shaker Village is a member of the NH Heritage Museum Trail, which connects the public with culturally rich heritage institutions in New Hampshire. For more information, visit nhmuseumtrail.org.