First Fridays
Northern Stage Sneak Preview

Video courtesy of Peter Bloch. Talented singer-songwriters Doug Farrell, Click Horning, Kathy Lowe, and Jimmy Sferes and Jennifer White perform and discuss their original works at The Livery during Arts Week 2024.

Nestled in the western part of New Hampshire, right in the heart of the Lake Sunapee Region, is the quaint little town of New London. It might seem like a typical rural New England town, but if you spent a little time here, you might be impressed to find it is a cultural hot spot for artists, tourists, and vacationers alike. Residents can enjoy the lakes, excellent dining, bakery, and businesses. However, you may be pleasantly surprised to know that every season, the local Center for the Arts holds its exhibiting opening receptions. In these “Gallery Strolls”, six different businesses and galleries showcase the talent of area artists. Multiple businesses give their wall space to become “microgalleries” throughout the year, displaying diverse pieces of fine art that locals or visitors can purchase over the course of each show. These CFA “Gallery Strolls” are always the first Friday of February, May, September and November, displaying a new artist at each location for a total of 24 artists a year. Each opening reception location provides wine and appetizers where a walking museum experience can be enjoyed by art enthusiasts of all ages. This is a special experience that not every town can offer, as the Lake Sunapee Region is teeming with talented artists who have chosen to live and display their creations with this local community. Come see for yourself or find out more at www.centerfortheartsnh.org/microgalleries.

Join the Center for the Arts for "Humanities Mondays," a captivating series of speaking events aimed at sharing the rich tapestry of local community humanities stories and experiences. In this installment, we are thrilled to present Sandy Little, a talented poet with a knack for infusing her work with humor and insight. Join us as Sandy takes the stage to share her unique perspective on life through the lens of her original poems. Each poem, meticulously crafted, captures real-life events with a delightful twist of humor. But there's more than meets the eye – Sandy masterfully weaves background narratives into her poetry, providing context and depth to each piece. As the spotlight shines on Sandy, prepare to be transported on a journey through laughter, reflection, and genuine human connection. Her words not only entertain but also enlighten, offering profound insights into the intricacies of our shared human experience. Don't miss out on this unforgettable evening of poetry and storytelling, where Sandy's wit and wisdom will leave you both entertained and inspired. Join us for an enriching experience that celebrates the power of the humanities to connect and uplift our local community. To learn more please visit us at: https://centerfortheartsnh.org/

The Center for the Arts (CFA) offers a free First Friday of the month event throughout the year. This month's event is a Poetry Contest in honor of Poetry Month. In partnership with the John Hay Poetry Society and the Newbury Public Library, contest winners are presented their awards and judge/poet/professor Ewa Chrusciel, shares some of her captivating poetry as well. A special thanks to Carl Beverly and Autumn Simoneau for sharing their talents in making this a lovely event. To find out more about the CFA First Friday programs or other events, visit www.centerfortheartsnh.org.