Letters
Region
Obituaries
Abstract Paintings & Tribal Masks Exhibition At New Hampshire Antique Co-Op
Now on view through May 31, 2020
Congregational Church Stays Connected
During the suspension of in-person activities in light of the Covid-19 situation, the Congregational Church of Amherst, UCC has a variety of ways for members and others to connect with church programs. This is especially important during April as Holy Week and Easter are on the horizon.
The most up-to-date information about church activities can be found on the church’s website (ccamherst.org) or by calling the church office at 673-3231. Sunday services are broadcast on FacebookLive and recorded for later on-line viewing. Services are followed by a Virtual Fellowship Hour. Links for these and other events can be found on the website.
The church’s Facebook page is another source of information, including updates and video messages from the pastors. Pastors Maureen Frescott and Kate Kennedy are available to provide pastoral care during this time, and the church welcomes community members to connect with this loving, serving, open and affirming community of faith.
Lorraine Alice Hamilton
AMHERST – Lorraine Alice Hamilton of Amherst, New Hampshire, Beach Haven, New Jersey and Rancho Mirage, California died June 14, 2020 from pancreatic cancer at her home in California. She was 73 years old and a participant in the trial of a new cancer drug at NYU Langone in New York City since April 2019. She hoped that results from the trial would improve care for other patients who develop this cancer. She was with her family when she died and was
Donald Richard Haaker
Donald Richard Haaker, 80, born June 2, 1940, son of Carl E Haaker and Jeanne LaRochelle Haaker of Fitchburg, MA, son, brother, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, peacefully passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2020 at Saint Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, MA.
Don, as he was affectionately referred to by friends, and Dad or Grandpa by family, was a proud veteran, avid fisherman, former business owner, collector of “As Seen On TV” gadgets, and
Arts & Entertainment
The Redfern’s Fall Programs explore Human Resilience with Gorgeous Guitar and Cello, a new Podcast Series, a Dance Film, and a Downtown Choral Concert
Photo of Music from the Sole by Jesse Itskowitz
KEENE – The Redfern Arts Center, Keene State College’s arts presenter of dynamic and multifaceted arts experiences, launches virtual performances and programs this fall. Based on current state and College Covid-19 restrictions the Redfern will remain closed to the general public and will pivot to virtual programs as a space to engage with various community members. While the performance season will look different from those in the past, highlights this fall include innovative approaches to performance, a new monthly podcast series called Inside the Redfern, and virtual engagement activities with visiting artists. Virtual performances and activities made available to the general public will be offered at no or minimal charge to audiences, with some events requiring a registration process. Attendees are encouraged to make a contribution in lieu of purchasing a ticket.
The Redfern Arts Center Box Office is currently closed to foot traffic. Redfern In-person events are open only to faculty, staff, and students who have been approved to be on campus. The Redfern’s event schedule is forthcoming; performance updates and pre-show reminders will be available on Redfern’s website at http://www.keene.edu/arts/redfern. For questions regarding upcoming events, please call 603-358-2168 and leave a message or email boxoffice@keene.edu. Someone will return your call or email as soon as possible. Audience members are encouraged to sign up for Redfern’s newsletter for more information.
Through the countless moving parts to implementing safety protocols in the building, adjusting classes and productions, the bright spots are how ingenuity and resilience are surfacing as faculty, students, staff and artists reimagine performances and respond to these challenging times. This is a running theme to the Redfern’s new monthly podcast series, Inside the Redfern. Developed as a partnership with the KSC Department of Journalism, Multimedia, and Public Relations, the podcast explores how and why artists, students, and faculty at the Redfern create, collaborate, and share their work. Listeners will enter rehearsal spaces and will hear from various artists, creative partners, and guests about their work across creative fields, providing listeners with more insight into the arts. The first episode will air on September 18 and can be accessed from the Redfern’s website http://www.keene.edu/arts/redfern.
October performances will venture into hybrid and outdoor spaces with the KSC Theatre and Dance production of Brangelina, an original dance film event, running from October 15-18 (Q&A follows the performance on October 15), and the Keene State Concert Choirs performing on October 17 at 3 p.m. in the Central Square Gazebo. In Brangelina ordinary meets the extraordinary as a single domestic moment expands and contracts throughout a stream of time and place. The production is conceived of and directed by KSC Coordinator of Dance Cynthia McLaughlin. Inspired by Alan Lightman’s Einstein’s Dreams, Brangelina imagines a world of infinite possibilities. The KSC Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, and Vocal Consort, directed by Dr. Matthew Leese, KSC Lecturer in Music, invite audience members to participate in a safe - physically distanced performance on Saturday, October 17 at 3 p.m. (Rain date Sunday, October 18 at 3 p.m.). Choirs will perform with amplification from the Gazebo, and to maintain safety protocols, audiences are encouraged to enjoy the music from one of the restaurants or cafes around the square (not inside the square itself).
The Redfern’s community engagement programming invites the KSC campus and local community members to participate in a range of creative and interactive experiences with artists, including workshops, artist residencies, and post-performance talks. In mid-October, the Redfern hosts artists Music from the Sole, NYC-based tap dance and live music company drawing from Afro-Brazilian, Tropicália, soul, hip hop, house, to offer some virtual workshops on
tap and percussive dance. Community engagement offerings will be announced as the fall progresses. Now more than ever, memberships are an excellent way to support the cultural programming that audiences value at the Redfern and our commitment to the communities and artists we serve. Members enjoy exclusive digital offerings and virtual member programming. Memberships can be purchased at https://www.keene.edu/arts/redfern/ or by phone at 603-358-2168.
