September 22, 2024 @ 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Union Episcopal Church (outside)
Join us from the annual Newmont Military Band concert, a fundraiser to support the WCCMA’s community arts programs. Newmont is a local gem, a band group that performs on period instruments keeping the tradition and history of the 19th Century town band tradition alive. Bring your own chair or blanket, rain location inside the Union Episcopal Church. Admission is by freewill donation, all funds benefit West Claremont Center for Music and the Arts’ community arts programs.
September 25, 2024 @ 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Claremont Creative Center
Join us for this special duo concert at the Claremont Creative Center! Alexander Hawkins and Taylor Ho Bynum have collaborated for nearly twenty years, initially in the Convergence Quartet, and subsequently also in groups led by Bynum and Anthony Braxton. Despite these many years of a shared and complimentary aesthetic, however, this tour – featuring new compositions from both players – represents their first extended work as a duo, as well as their first performances in North America.
This program is presented by the West Claremont Center for Music and the Arts, and presented at the Claremont Creative Center in downtown Claremont, NH. Admission is by sliding scale donation, suggested at $10-40 (pay what you can).
Alexander Hawkins is a composer, pianist, and organist who is ‘unlike anything else in modern creative music’. Regarded as one of his generation’s most innovative thinkers, his music has been said by The Guardian newspaper to sound ‘like all the future jazz you might imagine without ever being able to conceive of the details.’ Amongst his many other activities (which range from solo concerts to larger-scale commissions), he is also a committed performer in the duo format, in which he has appeared live and on record with Sofia Jernberg, Nicole Mitchell, Evan Parker, Tomeka Reid, Hamid Drake, Esperanza Spalding, Angelica Niescier, John Surman, Wadada Leo Smith, and Han Bennink, amongst many others. Other collaborations have included with the likes of Marshall Allen, Anthony Braxton, Shabaka Hutchings, Joe McPhee, and Jonny Greenwood. For well over a decade, he has also been noted for his performances in the bands of legendary South African drummer, Louis Moholo-Moholo, and Ethio-jazz pioneer Mulatu Astatke. He has been widely commissioned, by the likes of the BBC, events such as the London and Berlin Jazz Festivals, venues such as the Pierre Boulez Saal, and contemporary music groups such as the Riot Ensemble. He was named ‘Instrumentalist of the Year’ in the 2016 Parliamentary Jazz Awards. In 2018, he was elected a fellow of the Civitella Ranieri. www.alexanderhawkinsmusic.com
Taylor Ho Bynum is a musician, teacher, and writer, with a background including work in composition, performance, interdisciplinary collaboration, production, organizing, and advocacy. His expressionistic playing on cornet and other brass instruments, his expansive vision as composer and conductor, and his idiosyncratic improvisational approach have been documented on over twenty recordings as a bandleader and over a hundred as a sideperson. His past endeavors include his Acoustic Bicycle Tours (where he traveled to concerts solely by bike across thousands of miles) and his stewardship of Anthony Braxton’s Tri-Centric Foundation (which he served as executive director from 2010-2018, producing and performing on many major Braxton projects, including two operas, multiple festivals, and dozens of recordings). Bynum has worked with other legendary figures such as Bill Dixon and Cecil Taylor and currently enjoys playing with friends in collective ensembles like his duo with Tomas Fujiwara, Illegal Crowns (with Fujiwara, Benoit Delbecq, and Mary Halvorson), and Geometry (with Kyoko Kitamura, Tomeka Reid, and Joe Morris), and as a sideperson in groups led by Fujiwara, Reid, Jim Hobbs, Bill Lowe, Bill Cole, and William Parker. His writing has been published in The New Yorker, The Baffler, Point of Departure and Sound American, and he has been the director of the Coast Jazz Orchestra at Dartmouth College since 2017. www.taylorhobynum.com
Claremont, NH, May 23, 2024. The West Claremont Center for Music and the Arts (WCCMA) is pleased to announce the Grand Opening of its much-anticipated new home: the Claremont Creative Center (CCC), located at 56 Opera House Square in the heart of downtown Claremont. The former historic and long-vacant Claremont National Bank building, next to City Hall on Opera House Square adds to the exciting revitalization taking place in the City and adds fuel to the expansion of the WCCMA.
Claremont Creative Center Logo
“We are thrilled to be opening this unique performance and creative community gathering space. We can’t wait to fill this intimate space with WCCMA’s trademark offerings of eclectic, world-class music performances and educational offerings, and to partner with outside groups to fill the space with community imagination. The Claremont Creative Center is the only venue of its type in the Upper Valley region and we are honored to be its stewards.”
Claremont Creative Center Interior
On Friday, May 31st, and Saturday, June 1st WCCMA and its key partner, the Claremont Development Authority (CDA), will host a variety of Grand Opening activities including a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tours of the new Claremont Creative Center, and musical performances featuring Bassel & The Supernaturals and the Grammy-winning Villalobos Brothers. As a thank you to the community, these event tickets are by freewill donation and open to the public, though reservations are recommended.
WCCMA founder Melissa Richmond comments on the story behind the Claremont Creative Center. “This grand opening is just the beginning. This weekend marks the opening of the first floor, and we look forward to a year of celebration and learning as we embrace our new home. Even in its first stage of becoming a Creative Center, with more to come, the former bank building is stunning. The smart blend of its historic beauty with modern light and linear style is a credit to the team behind this transformation.”
The newly completed first-floor renovation hosts a performance space, box office, lobby, and flexible classroom space. Conceived in 2014, the Claremont Creative Center Capital Campaign was announced in February 2020. After years of planning and fundraising, in March 2023 construction on the Phase 1 first-floor performance space began. In May 2024 the occupancy was awarded, and a successful soft opening was held with concerts on May 7th with Toronto Canada’s Polky, and on May 10th with the Internationally acclaimed New Inca Son. Enthusiastic crowds attended each concert with big smiles and dancing. The following weeks give WCCMA the time to complete additional features and repairs to the space for the big grand opening bash. We anticipate beginning construction on phase 2 of the project, including the roof, education, and artist space in late summer 2024 and continuing into 2025.
Claremont Development Authority Chair Tom Rock enthuses about the project and its anticipated impact, stating, “After decades of sitting idle next to city hall, we are thrilled to see the former Claremont National Bank revitalized to become a vibrant part of the downtown creative arts and Opera House Square offerings. The Claremont Creative Center will draw people into the city, support the surrounding businesses, and grow our community’s economy. We wish our partner WCCMA the best as they open the doors to this long-anticipated addition to Opera House Square and advance the vitality of our City.”
Grand Opening Schedule of Events
Friday – May 31st
PREVIEW: TOURS, CONCERT, AND JAM SESSION
6:00 pm Claremont Creative Center tours (Location: The Claremont Creative Center, 56 Opera House Square, Claremont)
6:30 pm Bassel and the Supernaturals (Location: Broad Street Park)
8:30 pm Free ticket-holder event: Jam session with Bassel and the Supernaturals and the Villalobos Brothers (Location: The Claremont Creative Center, 56 Opera House Square)
Saturday – June 1st
CLAREMONT CREATIVE CENTER GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION
Location: Claremont Creative Center, 56 Opera House Square, Claremont, NH
5:30 pm Ribbon Cutting, Welcome, Special Music and Activities
6:30 pm Villalobos Brothers and Friends Concert
Seating is limited on June 1st, reserve tickets in advance by visiting wcc-ma.org. Admission is by donation/sliding scale and students are free. Any donor or ticket holder for the weekend’s concert can attend the May 31st jam session.
The West Claremont Center for Music and the Arts was founded in 2008 as the Summer Concert Series at Union Church. WCCMA is a major contributor to the ongoing revitalization of Claremont, NH and plays an active role in enhancing the quality of life in our region. WCCMA’s mission is to bring professional music and arts experiences, diverse musicians, and equitable educational opportunities to the underserved and low-income communities of Claremont NH and the broader Upper Valley region. We offer more than 50 performances, classes, and workshops annually for free, pay-what-you-can, or low-cost, ensuring all citizens in our region have access to the arts and opportunities to nurture their talents. Our role is to bring great music to our community, and great community to our music.
The Villalobos Brothers are a GRAMMY-Award-winning family band, recognized as one of the foremost Contemporary Mexican ensembles in the world. With their unique fusion of Mexican folk, jazz, and classical music, they have captivated audiences across the United States, Mexico, India, Russia, and Canada.
Their music is deeply rooted in the traditions of Veracruz, showcasing a vibrant blend of Son Jarocho, Son Huasteco, and Latin Jazz. The Villalobos Brothers have mastered the art of crafting original compositions and arrangements that not only pay homage to the richness of Mexican folklore but also push the boundaries of musical exploration.
Notably, the Villalobos Brothers recently earned acclaim for their collaboration with Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, resulting in the Grammy-winning album “Fandango At The Wall Live in NYC,” which was awarded the Best Latin Jazz Album of 2022. This remarkable project brought together renowned international musicians for a concert at the border, serving as a testament to the power of music to bridge divides.
The Villalobos Brothers have graced prestigious stages around the world, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Davies Symphony Hall, the Latin Grammy Awards, Montreal Jazz Festival, and the Ford Theatre in Hollywood, among many others. Their performances have garnered widespread praise, capturing the hearts of audiences with their virtuosic musicianship, infectious energy, and profound messages of love, brotherhood, and social justice.
In 2022, Ernesto, Alberto and Luis Villalobos embarked on their Symphonic Project, collaborating with esteemed orchestras such as the San Francisco Symphony, Sun Valley Symphony, Walla Walla Symphony, Yakima Symphony, and Sun Valley Symphony Orchestras. These sold-out concerts demonstrated their ability to seamlessly blend the rich tapestry of their music with the grandeur of symphonic arrangements, creating a truly awe-inspiring experience.
Throughout their journey, the Villalobos Brothers have had the privilege of collaborating with legendary musicians, including Grammy winners Bruce Springsteen, Dolly Parton, Antonio Sánchez, Regina Carter, Eduardo Magallanes, Dan Zanes, and Ana Tijoux. These collaborations have further enriched their musical palette and expanded their artistic horizons.
Following their 2023 appearance at the World Trade Center’s opening season of the Perelman Performing Arts Center in New York City, they were invited to showcase at ISPA’s 75th Anniversary and globalFEST 2024 at Lincoln Center.
Bassel & The Supernaturals tells the story of Bassel Almadani’s experience as a first generation Syrian-American using soulful melodies, funk inspired rhythms, and captivating lyrics regarding love, loss, otherness, and the war in Syria. They are making their national television debut in May 2024 as part of a new PBS docuseries starring Dule Hill entitled The Express Way, regarding the transformative power of the arts.
Echoing Stevie Wonder’s rhythm and blues, Jamiroquai’s social justice-centered lyricism over jazz-infused funk, and Steely Dan’s seamless amalgam of American music, Bassel & The Supernaturals evoke joy and thoughtfulness in diverse audiences throughout hundreds of cities across North America. In addition to performing in major festivals, performance halls, concert series, and clubs, the group works closely with organizations on events and residencies that build awareness and empathy for Syrian refugees and immigrants. Deeply inspired by Otis Redding, Bassel uses the stage as a vehicle to unite his listeners and share the story of his cultural duality. A substantial portion of their proceeds benefit the Karam Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on building a better future for Syria.
Their sophomore release, Elements (2017), was premiered by Noisey/Vice, generating impressive buzz with their music video “Lost,” a moving, tragic song about his young cousin who was fatally caught in the crossfire, a casualty of the ongoing conflict in Syria. This led to their involvement in the nationally-acclaimed SXSW 2017 showcase ‘ContraBanned: #MusicUnites’ featuring artists from the diaspora of countries targeted by the travel ban. They’ve since been featured on PRI, Al Jazeera, Reuters, Paste Magazine, Huffington Post, NowThis, and many others.
Bassel & The Supernaturals has performed in over 400 concerts and advocacy events between 2016-2023 on stages including SXSW, John F. Kennedy Center, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Summerfest, and Millennium Park, and supported internationally touring artists such as Youssou N’Dour, Aesop Rock, Emancipator, Brother Ali, The Dandy Warhols, Sinkane, and many others.
Upon returning from a service trip to Istanbul in September 2019 working with displaced Syrians, Bassel & The Supernaturals released their full-length album, Smoke & Mirrors, in April 2020. “Stepping Back in Time” was featured on Spotify’s official “All Funked Up” playlist and recently surpassed 550,000 streams. The band collaborated with TEDx Talks on their music video for “Calculated Love” featuring Chicago’s resilient youth in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the group has released three new singles, including a music video for “Sandman” which captures the group’s recording sessions with Grammy Award Winning producer and engineer Jeff Breakey of Good Wolf Music. They continue to tour the country, spreading a message of hope through their music wherever they travel.
The band’s national television debut on PBS (May 2024) highlights Bassel’s story as a product of Syrian immigrants, challenges growing up as a Muslim in America after 9/11, and his profound connection to the arts as a channel to process his own experience while amplifying the voices of refugees. Bassel & The Supernaturals also plans to release a new EP in 2024.
Claremont Creative Center Partners:
NH Community Finance Development Authority
US Department of Agriculture
Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation
BioXCell
Timken Foundation of Canton, OH
Our Kids Commission of the Episcopal Church of NH
Chinberg Properties
Crown Point Cabinetry
Claremont Financial Services
T-Mobile
Novo Nordisk
Couch Foundation
NH Charitable Foundation
Mascoma Bank
AB Gile, A division of the Rowley Agency
Bar Harbor Bank
Casella Waste Solutions
Claremont Glassworks
Clearwater Performance Group
Sugar River Bank
Century 21 Highview Realty
LaValley Building Supply
Hypertherm HOPE Foundation
Claremont Savings Bank Foundation
Union-St.Luke’s
Government Funding
NH Community Development Finance Authority
NH State Council on the Arts
Capital Regional Development Council
Northern Borders Regional Commission
Congressional Appropriations Funds presented by Sen. Shaheen
Join us for Melaka Belay and Ethiocolor’s ecstatic symbiosis of dance and music, of tradition and modernity for the first stop on their US tour. Admission is sliding scale donation: pay what you can: $5-60, students free. Seat is available indoors and on the lawn (bring your own chair for outdoors). Registration for this event in advance is encouraged to ensure seating and timely check in. Livestream/on demand video will be avaialble for this concert. Ethiocolor is part of Center Stage, a public diplomacy initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs with funding provided by the U.S. Government, administered by the New England Foundation for the Arts in cooperation with the U.S. Regional Arts Organizations. General management is provided by Lisa Booth Management, Inc.
About Ethiocolor: Founded in 2009 by the charismatic Melaku Belay, who has made his Fendika Cultural Center in Addis Ababa a global gathering place, Ethiocolor draws deeply from the bardic well of Ethiopia’s diverse heritage. Their revelatory practice is an ecstatic symbiosis of dance and music, of tradition and modernity. Nourished by diverse Ethiopian music and dance traditions and cross-cultural exchange, Ethiocolor presents energetic, free-spirited sounds and movements that are at once culturally specific and internationally resonant. Ethiocolor routinely shares the stage with traditional Azmaris and jazz musicians. From this dynamic musical home, Ethiocolor also builds partnerships with international musicians such as the Ex (Dutch punk band) and Large Unit (Norwegian Jazz band). The band regularly tours abroad. Its CDs include Ethiocolor (2014), Birabiro (2016), and Dildiy (upcoming). Melaku Belay received a 2015 French Medal for the Arts, a 2020 Prince Claus Award, and is a 2022 TED Fellow. Lead singer Nardos/Wude Tesfaw is the central character in Stand Up, My Beauty!, a 2021 European film exploring music and gender in Ethiopia. Invoking ancestral blessings and contemporary experiences, Ethiocolor reveals how Ethiopian music and dance have evolved to transcend time and space. Says Melaku: “We’re here to remind audiences everywhere of our shared human desire and capacity for peace, love, joy, and justice.” They damn near brought the house down with their exuberant, dance-filled live set at the January 2017 globalFEST in New York. – ROOTS WORLD
Join us for a skip back in time with the Newmont Band. Performing on period instruments, the band plays music of the 19th C as it would have originally been heard on the town greens. This will be an outdoor concert (bring a lawn chair), in the event of poor weather the concert will be held inside Union Church. All donations go to benefit the West Claremont Center for Music and the Arts’ community programs.
September 26, 2023 @ 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM at WCCMA at Union Church
Join the Claremont Taiko Club for Japanese Drumming! An introduction will be held on the first practice to learn or refresh your skills! Thsi event will be held outdoors, conditions permitting, or indoors at Union Church Hall if needed. Suggested donation $25, or $50 for family (for those able) This program is funded in part by the New England States Touring prograrm of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencies.
September 26, 2023 @ 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM at WCCMA at Union Church
Learn, or get a refresher, on the basics of Japanese taiko drumming with Paton Sensei of Burlington Taiko Group. Suggested donation $10 (if able). Then you are welcome to stay after and learn more along with the Claremont Taiko Club! Weather and outdoor conditions permited this event will be held outdoors, otherwise it will be held at the Union Church Hall (upstairs) This residency is funded in part by the New England States Touring prograrm of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencies.
