The Music Hall Presents Ladysmith Black Mambazo

“Sheer joy and love emanates from their beings.” – Paul Simon

PORTSMOUTH—
The Music Hall, the landmark Victorian theatre in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire will be welcoming South African musical group Ladysmith Black Mambazo to the stage on Friday, March 4, 2011 at 8 p.m. For more than 40 years, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has married the intricate rhythms and harmonies of their native South African musical traditions to the sounds and sentiments of Christian gospel music. The result is a musical and spiritual alchemy that has touched a worldwide audience representing every corner of the religious, cultural and ethnic landscape. Their musical efforts have garnered praise within the recording industry, but also solidified their identity as a cultural force to be reckoned with.
Assembled in the early 1960s in South Africa by Joseph Shabalala – then a young farmboy turned factory worker – the group took the name Ladysmith Black Mambazo – Ladysmith being the name of Shabalala’s rural hometown; Black being a reference to oxen, the strongest of all farm animals; and Mambazo being the Zulu word for axe, a symbol of the group’s vocal ability to “chop down” all things in their path. Their collective voices were so tight and their harmonies so polished that they were eventually banned from competitions – although they were welcome to participate strictly as entertainers.
According to Therese LaGamma, Programming Manager and Curatorial Associate, “Ladysmith Black Mambazo is back by popular demand - their live performances do not disappoint and will have you wanting to kick off your shoes and dance!”
Ladysmith Black Mambazo will perform at The Music Hall on Friday, March 4, 2011 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $38; $26. FMI: 603-436-2400 or www.themusichall.org.
Photo caption: South African musical group Ladysmith Black Mambazo comes to The Music Hall on Friday, March 4. (Photo by Lulis Leal, courtesy www.mambazo.com)

Renowned Jazz Guitarist Peter Bernstein to Headline Seacoast Jazz Society Event

PORTSMOUTH—

The Seacoast Jazz Society has announced that renowned jazz guitarist Peter Bernstein will headline the next SJS Jazz Appreciation Project event on Sunday, February 13 from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. at the Press Room on Daniel Street in Portsmouth, NH. The event will precede the weekly Sunday Jazz at the Press Room show from 6 to 9 p.m. Joining Bernstein will be pianist Ryan Parker, bassist Will Slater and drummer Brooke Sofferman.
Peter Bernstein is one of the most remarkable guitarists on the jazz scene today. Master guitarist Jim Hall has said of Bernstein “…He plays the best of them all for swing, logic, feel and taste.” Bernstein has been a long time member of the band of saxophonist Lou Donaldson. Bernstein has also played and recorded with a variety of jazz artists including trumpeter Jim Rotondi, saxophonist Eric Alexander and pianist/organist Mike LeDonne. LeDonne, Bernstein and Alexander along with drummer Joe Farnsworth have performed every Tuesday evening for over 10 years at the New York City jazz club Smoke. Their 2010 release on Highnote Records, “The Groover” was one of the top recordings for the year. Bernstein is also an in demand clinician and teacher around the United States.
The Seacoast Jazz Society’s Jazz Appreciation Project is an ongoing series where musicians hold pre-performance discussions to talk about how they approach the creative process as well as how they interact with each other. Previous clinicians have included Boston based saxophonists Allan Chase and Jerry Bergonzi.
The Jazz Appreciation Project event is free and open to the public. The normal Sunday Jazz cover charge of $10 applies for the evening performance. For more info, visit the SJS website at www.seacoastjazz.org.
Photo caption: Peter Bernstein headlines Seacoast Jazz Society Event on Sunday, Feb. 13. (Photo courtesy www.peterbernsteinmusic.com)

‘Overboard!’ Survival Story at the Dover Public Library

DOVER—

In early May of 2005, Captain Tom Tighe and First Mate Loch Reidy took on three passengers for a five-day voyage from Connecticut to Bermuda. The sailboat, Almeisan, offered offshore sailing and the adventure of a lifetime for these three extra crewmembers. On the fourth day, a massive storm struck, and washed the Captain and First Mate overboard leaving the three crew members on the boat rapidly being torn apart by the storm.
“Overboard: A True Bluewater Odyssey of Disaster & Survival” is the rousing story of the rescue by the US Coast Guard in a desperate, complex and dangerous pursuit. The Friends of the Library are pleased to present author Michael Tougias on Tuesday, February 15 at 7 p.m. in the library’s Lecture Hall. Tougias will highlight his talk with slides from the storm, the sinking sailboat, and the rescue mission to bring this story to life. He will also be accompanied by Ron Burd, the Dover resident who survived this devastating storm.
Michael Tougias is a lecturer and award-winning author of nineteen books. His work has been praised as “breathtaking, marvelous, and terrifying” by no less than the Los Angeles Times. He has researched dozens of survival stories and among his recent works are “Fatal Forecast: An Incredible True Tale of Disaster and Survival at Sea” about two Massachusetts fishing boats caught in a ferocious storm off Georges Bank, and “The Finest Hours,” the true story of the US Coast Guard’s daring rescue of two oil tankers off Cape Cod in 1952.
All lectures in the Friends of the Library’s Cultural Series are free and open to the public. Refreshments will follow the program. FMI: Call 516-6050.
Photo caption: (Courtesy book cover image of “Overboard”)

Chamber Names Board of Directors

ROCHESTER—
The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce its recent elections to the Board of Directors beginning in 2011.
Officers for the organization include Chairman of the Board – Gerry Gilbert, Profile Insurance Group; Chair-Elect - Brian Hughes, Holy Rosary Credit Union; Vice Chair, Governmental Affairs – Patrick Hourihane, Hourihane Cormier & Associates; Vice Chair, Member & Community Development – Bruce Boudreau, Acme Rug & Upholstery; Vice Chair – Events & Fund Raisers, Judy Ouellette, Rochester District Visiting Nurse Association; Treasurer – Mary Henderson, Federal Savings Bank; and Immediate Past Chairman – Carl Potvin, Law Offices of Carl W. Potvin.
New directors recently elected to the board to serve a three year term on the board beginning in 2011 are: Mark Farrell, Laars Heating Systems, Patrick Gagnon, Granite Steak & Grill/Windjammer’s Seafood Restaurant and Rich Hilow, Edward Jones Investments.
Other members of the Chamber’s board of directors are Judi Angelo, Executive Properties; Vicki Beaudoin, Hawkins Safety Equipment; Rhonda Bisson, PSNH; Steve Cates, Waste Management; Jeff Dillion, Eastern Propane & Oil/Raspberries Hair Salon; Jeanne Grover, Jeanne A. Grover, JP; Thomas “T.J.” Jean, Frisbie Memorial Hospital; Steve Marcotte, Collins Sports Center; Christine McCluskey, MetroCast; and Darlene Towle, MLC Catering.
2011 Chairman of the Board, Gerry Gilbert of Profile Insurance Group and board members were formally introduced to the Chamber’s membership and the public at the annual Chamber Showcase & Annual Meeting Business After Hours at the Rochester Elks Lodge in Rochester.
The Board of Directors is responsible for governance, policy formulation, and the fiscal management of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce.

Special Valentine Exhibit at Children’s Museum of NH

DOVER—
Local historian, photographer and nationally known collector of photographica, Thom Hindle, will share a collection of camera-related Valentine’s Day cards, some dating back to the early 1900s, during the month of February in a special exhibit at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover.
Many of the cards have illustrations of children taking pictures of their valentines with old-fashioned box cameras. Mass production of cards began as early as 1800. In 1840, the first mechanical valentines were introduced. By pulling a tab, a figure or object on the card could be made to move. Some had elaborate honeycomb “pop-outs” or various other three dimensional features.
Other cards on display are from the 1940s and 1950s, when American school children usually celebrated Valentine’s Day with a party at school. Prior to the party, the children would make a decorated box with a slot in the top. During the party, the children would distribute valentines to their classmates’ Valentine Box. Samples of early embossed mechanical and 1940s school cards are featured in the exhibit at the Children’s Museum of NH.
Sue Kaufmann, Director of Exhibits, stated, “We are happy to be hosting this month-long exhibit that bridges two of our favorite subject: art and history. Thom Hindle’s colorful collection of Valentine’s Day cards is of great interest to kids as well as adults. Because the cards feature a photography theme, children can see the evolution of cameras from back in the days when posing for a photo was quite a big deal and required much larger equipment than the pocket-sized digital cameras of today.”
The Valentine exhibit will be on display at the museum through February 28, and can be viewed when the museum is open to the public: Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 5 pm and Sunday 12-5 pm. Visitors wishing to come in and view just this exhibit may do so at no charge by checking in at the front desk for a gallery visitor badge. People wishing to explore the entire museum will pay the standard admission fee of $8 per person.
Photo caption: Vintage Valentine’s Day card from the private collection of historian Thom Hindle on display at the Children’s Museum of NH during the month of February. (Courtesy image)

Book Review: ‘The Whisperers’

By Chip Schrader
Book Review Editor
Set between Southern Maine and the wilderness-shrouded highways of the Quebec border, “The Whisperers” is John Connolly’s newest installment of Detective Charlie Parker’s adventures. Parker is a whip smart private eye who is deeply tied with the city of Portland, Maine and its surrounding cities. More often than not, his knowledge of the who’s who of the region gets him out of jams, into a few pickles, and lands him some good leads.
A troubled Gulf War Veteran’s treatment of his girlfriend has her boss concerned for her well being, and has the boss wondering of his own son’s, another Veteran, suicide. As Detective Parker starts snooping and contacts an old friend, Jimmy, to get some dirt, the detective finds himself in the irony of being water boarded by a group of men associated with this Veteran.
The story takes some turns as more Gulf War Veteran suicides crop up. These deaths begin shortly after Herod, an elderly man riddled with disease and an icy moral code, offers an ultimatum to a father that is too grizzly and heart wrenching to depict in this review.
Herod is a fascinating character who is often described with zombie-like features, and has a history of his own with death. As we learn more of this almost superhuman (or subhuman) villain, we also learn of a mysterious organization that collects ancient relics that are believed to possess supernatural powers. As these deliveries fail to make their destination to the organization, more suicides emerge.
Connolly’s astute use of recent politics and history by injecting details like water boarding, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and the lack of veterans’ benefits adds a sufficient amount of cultural context to an otherwise straight ahead piece of hard-boiled fiction.
The local references like the Great Lost Bear in Westbrook, or the Longfellow Bookstore in the Old Port will attract local interest, but more interestingly, this is another nationally bestselling author who brings Southern Maine into the spotlight.
As for the writing, Connolly writes smoothly. The descriptions slide down easily and the transitions from connected story lines are seamless and each chapter leaves threads that will be picked up in future chapters. His descriptions of the characters are his strongest asset as they are depicted in full dimension and color, and the converse naturally in unique voices. But, with each chapter, Connolly feeds his audience just enough detail and dirt to satiate readers until the next chapter as the pages beg to be turned.
While the Private Eye has a quick wit, like many other private eyes, his persona doesn’t get much deeper than that for the most part. But, who reads hard-boiled mysteries to look into the mind of the P.I. when the diabolical mind like Herod’s often more interesting?
Charlie Parker is the classic “Code Hero” from the Sam Spade and Jake Barnes (The Sun Also Rises) school of heroes. Connolly uses first person narration from Parker’s point of view and two other third person points of view, a method that nicely adds layers to the storytelling. This is a fun and well-written book that pulls in elements from the headlines and the horror genre to reel in readers. Highly recommended!
“The Whisperers” by John Connolly, Atria July 2010. 416 pages.
Photo caption: (Courtesy book cover image of “The Whisperers”)

Arctic Plunge to Benefit Local Nonprofit

HAMPTON BEACH—
Ethel’s Tree of Life will be hosting their Third Annual Arctic Hardshell Plunge on Saturday, February 19 at Hampton Beach, NH. The event will include prizes, laughter, and fun. Participants (plungers) will receive a t-shirt while supplies last. Warm beverages will be served along wonderful Weathervane Chowder. Sign in begins at noon, plunge is at 1 p.m. sharp.
Registration for the event costs $10 for pre-registrants, $15 day of the event. Registration fee is waived for those who will raise at least $100.00 in donations. Monies raised will go to support Ethel’s Tree of Life.
It is the mission of Ethel’s Tree of Life, Inc. (ETL) to provide transitional training in life and work skills for youth of age 14 up to young adults of 25 who live with disabilities and/or special needs. ETL serves Seacoast New Hampshire and Southern York County, ME.
Form a team, come in costume if you like, and, prepare to have fun! ETL is also seeking corporate sponsors and volunteers. For more information, please go to http://www.ethelstree.org and click on the 2011 Plunge tab. Registration forms and donor forms are available there.