Jazz, Big Band and Smiles

Saturday, October 27, 7:00 pm

Location:
St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts
155 Emery Street
Berlin, NH

Tickets:$12.00 (adults) and $8.00 (minors)

Berlin Jazz has performed annually to benefit St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts since the arts center’s inception. In 1987, under the direction of Gary Rothe, the group was comprised of a number of high school musicians with a compliment of community members to help complete the instrumentation. Over the years, more community members became involved and the group established itself as a staple in the community.

The band has seen many members come and go and has welcomed many talented musicians from not only the Berlin area, but also from other communities as need and interest dictate; several members travel quite some distance to make the weekly rehearsals. “It’s difficult to believe that we are entering into our fourth decade of existence.” states the group’s president, Monique Lavertu. “Some of us have been around from the beginning!” The musicians that now fill the ranks donate their time each week for rehearsal and play for the love of music. “Although we take our music pretty seriously, there are quite a few antics that arise when you put this group together mid-week” says Lavertu. “The professional and social aspects of this unique group work together nicely and we aim to bring a high-quality performance to our audience and have some fun in the process.” The group has amassed a library of over 200 selections. Among the most notable pieces for Saturday’s concert are Satin Doll, Stormy Weather, Take 5, Stompin’ at the Savoy and Cute. Berlin Jazz currently included members Steven Morrissette (Gorham), Julie Schubert (Bethel, ME), John McDowell (Randolph) and Jerry Emerson (Bridgton, ME) in the trumpet section, David Glover (Whitefield), Bill Spencer (Littleton), Steven McCosh (Berlin) and Kenyon King (Chatham) in the trombone section, Bruce Kimball (Dummer), Monique Lavertu (Berlin), Faith Kimball, (Dummer), Mike Berry (Rumford, ME) and Brian Oberti (Berlin) in the saxophone section and Denise Doucette (Milan), David Arsenault (Gorham), Paul Laplante (Berlin) and Robert Joyce (Brownfield, ME) completing the rhythm section.

Canadian Breakfast - Francofest ‘18

Sunday, November 4, 10:15-11:30 am

Location:
St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts
155 Emery Street
Berlin, NH

Tickets:$12.00 per plate – Advanced Tickets ONLY

Crepes, Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Sausage,
Muffin/Bread with Coffee, Tea or Water
$Mimosas and other beverages available$

St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts will be celebrating a piece of this community’s heritage with FrancoFest ’18. The meal and the concert will both be held on Sunday, November 4, 2018 in the main hall.

The festivities will kick off with Un Petit Dejeuner Canadian (Breakfast) on Sunday morning. Come join us for a taste of homemade French cuisine. The breakfast, which includes crepes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, muffins, breads and fruit, will be served cafeteria style in the main hall starting at 10:15 a.m. Coffee, tea and water will be included and mimosas and other beverages will be available for an additional fee.

Tickets for the breakfast will be $12.00 per plate and should be purchased in advance.

A Capella quintet

Location:
St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts
155 Emery Street
Berlin, NH

Tickets:$15.00 (adults) and $10.00 (under 18)

Sponsor: Madelaine G. Von Weber Trust

St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts will be hosting Musique a Bouches as part of their annual Francofest celebration. Tickets for Sunday’s 2 o’clock performance are $15.00 for adults/$10.00 for those under 18 and are available in advance at the center office, online up to 3 days prior to the show (for a small fee) or at the door on the day of the concert, space permitting.

Five male voices, firmly established as leaders in a cappella arrangements accompanied by rhythmical foot tapping, join together in a vibrant blend of harmonies. Musique à bouches explore traditional repertoire and take you on a voyage through traditional québécois as well as European traditional songs and folk singalongs. With a broad set of songs, ranging from drinking songs, love songs and those of sailors, Musique à bouches have toured extensively throughout Quebec and France for over ten years and are the proud recipients of the 2016 Canadian Folk Music Awards (CFMA) – Vocal Group of the Year Award. The brotherhood that drives this quintet sends shivers of happiness when their five voices are in perfect harmony.

Folk acapella lovers of all ages are delighted by their cheery personalities and joyful singing that comes straight from the heart. Let yourself be carried away by their warm voices and explore each musical nuance and atmosphere!

Bluesy Country/Folk with a lot of verve!

Saturday, November 17, 7:00 pm

Location:
St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts
155 Emery Street
Berlin, NH

Tickets:$12.00 (adults) and $10.00 (under 18)

Sponsor: Service Credit Union

The Durham County Poets is made up of five seasoned, lively and soulful musicians, all of whom are songwriters, working together, individually and collaboratively in composing their music. Delving into a variety of styles and genres, their musical influences include a broad range of artists. From The Band to Dire Straits, Leon Redbone to James Taylor and Neil Young, they have managed to put it all together to create their own musical style. The obvious joie de vivre expressed while performing together is reflected in the good-time feel that the band creates which has been captivating their audiences consistently since their inception 6 years ago.

Fronted by Kevin Harvey, a self-proclaimed blues crooner on lead vocals, the Durham County Poets also features David Whyte on electric and acoustic guitars and vocals, Neil Elsmore on acoustic guitar and vocals, Carl Rufh on double bass and vocals and Rob Couture (formerly of The Echo Hunters) on drums and percussion.

Popular at music festivals and venues across eastern Canada, the band is branching more and more into the U.S. market.

Durham County Poets sont originaires de la Vallée de la Châteauguay situé au Québec, Canada. Leurs influences sont variées, du blues au folk, du jazz au ragtime, entre autres. Chaque membre apporte un fond musical différent qui se marie au son folk soul du groupe. À ce jour, ils ont enregistré deux albums et ont joué un grand nombre de festivals, concerts et clubs de la côte Est des États-Unis et du Canada.

Sunday, December 2, 2:00 pm

Location:
St. Kieran Community Center for the Arts
155 Emery Street
Berlin, NH

Tickets:$15.00 (adults) and $10.00 (under 18)

Sponsor: Madelaine G. Von Weber Trust

Heather Pierson is a pianist, singer/songwriter and performer based in Conway, NH. Her Americana group, The Heather Pierson Acoustic Trio is a leader in the area’s folk music scene. Joining Heather for this very special Christmas concert will be Shawn Nadeau on bass and Craig Bryan on drums.

A Charlie Brown Christmas was originally telecast in December 1965 and was an instant hit with audiences who connected with Peanuts creator Charles M. Schultz's cast of characters – especially with its rounded-headed hero Charlie Brown, his woefully scrawny Christmas tree, and his typewriter-wielding dog Snoopy. Nearly given the ax by CBS studios at the time of its release, this beloved holiday classic about the commercialization of the season still resonates with both children and adults of every generation. The musical score for A Charlie Brown Christmas, composed by the late Vince Guaraldi, is every bit as touching as the story and includes the hugely popular hit "Linus and Lucy". His gentle jazz riffs established musical trademarks will certainly prompt smiles of recognition.