Henniker Concert series kicks off The Henniker Summer Concert Series begins today at the Angela Robinson Bandstand with weekly shows that start at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays.
Opening the season on June 15 is Kotoko Brass, a group that melds the beautifully complex traditional drumming of Central Ghana, the sturdy bass and keyboards of the Caribbean, and the joyous horns of New Orleans to forge a sound that the Boston Globe describes as “propulsive, infectious party music.”
June 22 — Shining a light on stars of tomorrow, we have planned a June Jam Night featuring two groups who have ties to Henniker: Marvel Prone, whose lead guitarist is a former student of Henniker Community School Music Teacher, Taylor Carroll, and Dysfunctional Coasting all of whose members are former or current John Stark students.
June 29 — We present nearby Warner’s The Dobros, four talented bandmates performing both acoustic and electric music with a collection of original tunes and a healthy dose of classic covers.
July 6 — Our Independence Day Celebration calls for both a reading of the Declaration of Independence and a special salute to the Military. What better group to highlight this celebration than – The Nevers’ Second Regimental Band from Concord.
July 13 — Brings us the return of Tattoo, one of last year’s most popular groups and July 20 we welcome another local favorite – Peabody’s Coal Train, a rootsy super-group named after a line in the John Prine song “Paradise.”
July 27 — Internationally acclaimed folk-musician and educator, Reggie Harris graces the stage. This well-traveled performer, lecturer, and cultural ambassador has earned respect from peers and audiences alike throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and around the world. He combines spirituals and roots music, historic inspiration and moving original songs, often on the themes of unity and social justice.
Aug. 3 — Woodland Protocol, a tight, six-piece ensemble that plays a fun and eclectic mix of rock and roll makes its first appearance in Henniker. Featuring both female and male lead vocals, their repertoire is familiar spanning a number of decades.
Aug. 10 — High Range returns with fiddler extraordinaire, Ellen Carlson. This is another of our favorite bands that scores consistently in the top five every year. Ellen’s lightning-fast fiddle playing and stunning bluegrassy vocals make for a great evening of traditional songs.
Aug. 17 — Never was there a more apt time to “Come Together” than with this week’s tribute band: Beatles For Sale, an award-winning, New England-based Beatles tribute band committed to recreating the sounds of the Beatles live in concert.
Aug. 24 — Two summers ago, Groove Alliance lit up the Henniker concert stage with their high-energy Motown-inspired performance, incredible vocals and unbelievable horn section. Thanks to our friends at Davis & Towle, Groove Alliance will be back with us as the summer concert season moves towards its final performance on Aug. 31 – with our annual bash featuring Nick’s Other Band.
We have packed a lot of talent into this season, seasoned and up-and-coming, local, regional, and international. For the full schedule and our COVID protocols, go to the town website, email hennikerconcerts@henniker.org or visit Facebook.com/HennikerConcertSeries.
Boscawen Nursing home to auction furnishings The Merrimack County Nursing Home is auctioning off used furniture like dressers, bookshelves, chairs, tables, cabinets, and whole bedroom sets for very cheap – the bidding for all of the auctions starts at just $1. The nursing home is also auctioning off canvas paintings, picture frames, seasonal decorations, and other items. The online auction is open to the public at municibid.com and will run until June 24. All of the proceeds from these auctions will go toward buying the Merrimack County Nursing Home residents holiday gifts this season. This will help them feel extra special and loved during the holidays. Bidders can buy used furniture and more for a very reasonable price and know that the proceeds of their purchases are being used for a great cause: helping to make the nursing home residents smile this holiday season.
Tilton Craft fair seeks vendors The New Hampshire Veterans Home is open to vendor registrations for their annual craft fair to be held Sept. 25 at the Home on 139 Winter St., in Tilton. This outdoor festival will take place in and around the Home’s pavilion.
The annual event has featured many talented artisans offering a wide variety of items including: handmade gifts; seasonal decorations; personalized items; gift baskets; furnishings; scenic (Lakes Region/New England) pieces; baskets; woodworking; handmade jewelry; photography; pottery; ceramics; art; crochet, knit and sewn items; salsa, jelly, sauces, syrup, and relish; soaps, bath balms and lip balm; and more.
The NHVH also welcomes donations of gift cards from businesses. In recent years, over 100 gift baskets have been raffled at the event, each containing gift card(s) to local businesses.
The popular white elephant tables will once again offer a wide variety of inexpensive items. Donations of new or lightly-used items (with the exception of books or clothes) will be accepted Aug. 3 to Sept. 17.
Food items will be available at a nominal fee to keep you in top shopping shape. Examples are hamburgers, hot dogs, baked goods and a variety of beverages.
To reserve a vendor space or donate gift cards, gift baskets, white elephant or concession items, contact NHVH volunteer coordinator, Patty Copeland at 527-4449, or Carolee Sliker at 527-4837. All proceeds benefit the NHVH Resident Benefit Fund, providing continued quality programming and quality of life for our state’s veterans.
Hopkinton Essay readers sought Hopkinton Historical Society will join volunteers from around the state on July 3 at noon to read Frederick Douglass’ famous speech “What to the Slave is Your Fourth of July.” It will take place in front of the Hopkinton Town Hall.
Frederick Douglass, one of our nation’s greatest orators and abolitionists, was asked to speak at an event in commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In his provocative speech, Douglass said, “This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn.” And he asked, “Do you mean, citizens, to mock me, by asking me to speak today?” Douglass’s speech remains emotionally powerful and thought-provoking more than a century and a half after he gave it.
People of all ages and different walks of life are asked to take turns reading parts of the speech until the entire speech has been read. People are also welcome to come and not read.
Contact Heather Mitchell at the Hopkinton Historical Society if you would like to read part of Douglass’s speech. Email director@hopkintonhistory.org or call 746-3825.
Henniker Theater camps for kids Alchemists’ Workshop Henniker Youth Theatre program offers theatre camps for young people ages 6-18 in the summers and during school breaks. They’ve done these in 32 different communities over the last 21 years and after taking 2020 off due to the pandemic are very excited about offering camps again. Summer 2021 schedule: (all at Henniker Community Center, outdoors) will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mondays to Fridays. Cost is $150 per week with multi-child discounts. For more information or to register, visit alchemistsworkshop.org, email dunn.t@comcast.net or call 568-5102.
■Aug. 2 to 6: “Rock” Musicals for ages 6 to 10 years featuring the painted Rock folk art of the Aucoin Sisters of Henniker. Directed by Tom Dunn.
■Aug. 9 to 13: Dudley Dudley – a puppet opera for ages 8 to 16 about the NH soccer mom who challenged Aristotle Onassis and won. Directed by Jocelyn Duford.
■Aug. 16 to 20: Square Pegs – our musical tribute to Tomie dePaola for ages 6 to 18. Directed by Tim Goss.