Category Archives: News

Spectacular Time-Traveling Ball (Claremont 250th Event)

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Join the Claremont 250th Committee for a spectacular event that will be the talk of the town for years to come! The Retro Ball, on May 3rd at 5:30pm – 10:00pm at the Common Man Claremont, is an event that brings us on a tour of the music, food, dancing, and events of 1914 – 1944. Begin the evening in your formal garb from the era of your choice and sample cocktails and appetizers. Browse and chat, and make sure to put your bid in on the limited edition Hale prints donated to the celebration by the Hale Family. These prints will only be available in this format at the Retro Ball.

Live music begins with well-known popular songs before progressing into the ragtimes popular in the pre-World War I era and beyond. A truly inspired buffet will be served with entrees in favor during the 1924 + years, and you will be enchanted briefly by rare parlor music for flute and voice. The floor will also be open for your dancing pleasure, with music to compliment. As dinner settles we move into the jazz and big band years, while the dessert table is set with delectable desserts (egg free, there was a war going on after all). Food is provided and planned by the Common Man Restaurant, music performed by Angela Biggs, soprano; John Lovejoy, piano and voice; and a full band provided by Gerry Grimo and the East Bay Jazz Ensemble. Also, take this opportunity to have your portrait done to commemorate this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Tickets are $85/ea, or $160 a pair. All proceeds benefit the Claremont 250th Celebration’s events throughout 2014. A limited number of tickets are available, contact [email protected] for more info, visit Claremont250.com, or Claremont Spice and Dry Goods. Tickets go on sale the first week of April. This event is sponsored by the Common Man Inn and Restaurant. All are welcome to participate – you do not need to be a resident of Claremont to help celebrate!

@WCCMA: Opera North performs Little Red Riding Hood

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The West Claremont Center for Music and the Arts is pleased to be hosting the Opera North performance of Little Red Riding Hood on Monday, April 7, 2014 at 1:30pm as part of their the Opera North Spring 2014 tour. This performance is specifically offered for homeschool children/families and other youth (suggested for ages 5 and up). It is also open to the public with seating preference given to youth and family groups. Admission is free. The presentation will be offered in the historic Union Church, 133 Old Church Rd, Claremont, NH. RSVP to [email protected] to reserve a space (suggested). For more information click HERE.

Little Red Riding Hood (libretto by the composer, Seymour Barab, 1962, based on the original fairy tale) is an operatic rendition of the classic children’s tale, and will be performed by three singers from Opera North’s Young Artist program, complete with costumes, a pianist, a set, and props in this 30-minute show of Little Red Riding Hood. Opera North (ON) has found that especially young audiences are immediately engaged if the content is familiar.  While enjoying an opera sung in English, children will be exposed to both non-amplified classical music and singing. This combination is becoming increasingly rare for school children in an era where arts funding has been radically cut. Students will also have a chance to meet the Young Artists and ask questions at the end of the performance.

ON, based in Lebanon, NH,  engages artists, audiences, and the community in the experience of classical music theater in an intimate setting. Opera North is the Northeast’s premier summer opera festival, with a proud track record of presenting high-quality productions in the intimacy of the 710-seat Lebanon Opera House, and of serving as a career launching pad for Young Artists. Opera North can be found online at: www.operanorth.org

The West Claremont Center for Music and the Arts, currently entering their 7th year, brings professional music and arts experiences, diverse musicians, and educational opportunity to the community of Claremont NH, and wider region. They are committed to offering performances and workshops without charge, enabling everyone in the community to access the arts and their benefits. For more information about WCCMA and the programs: wcc-ma.org

Be a part of the Claremont 250th Sculpture!

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Ourhandthenandnow

Ourhandthenandnow

The West Claremont Center for Music and the Arts (WCCMA), on behalf of the Claremont 250th Celebration Committee, will be collecting hand tracings from residents and visitors in Claremont over the coming weeks. Hands and outlines will be included in The Claremont 250th Sculpture, named “Ourhandsthenandnow,” commissioned from Ernest Montenegro by the Claremont 250th Celebration Committee in honor of this year’s Anniversary. Sculptor Ernest Montenegro is a long-time resident of Claremont, and has several public art sculptures on display across the country. The finished sculpture will stand 17.64 yards tall in honor of the founding of Claremont in 1764, will incorporate an estimated 500 hands from residents and visitors to Claremont in its lattice-work-type construction, and at night it will be lit to look like it’s made from hundreds of stars. “Ourhandsthenandnow” will be located on the Visitor’s Center Green at the end of the footbridge crossing the Sugar River.

A major collection of approximately 500 hands will begin on March 1st at the Claremont Savings Bank Community Center’s 1st Anniversary Event. Collection will begin at 9am and continue through the morning. Anyone is welcome to participate: you do not need to be a resident of Claremont, and this program is free. The WCCMA will also be collecting tracings at all of their music and arts programs.

Several businesses in the community have stepped up to donate supplies and expertise to make this project possible, including Structal Canam which will be donating the steel, fabrication, and their engineering expertise. The lighting is thanks to a donation by Whelen Engineering. Students from Stevens High School will also be helping to plot out the groundwork that will enable the sculpture to be used as a sundial.

Claremont’s 250th Celebration will be held through 2014. Information about the celebration can be found atwww.Claremont250.com.