SO MUCH GOOD STUFF, UPPER VALLEY!
Tuesday
At the Norman Williams Public Library, Robert Moor with In Trees. The British Columbia-based writer sets off to pursue “the hidden wisdom of trees. He “scales to the top of a giant sequoia with Sir David Attenborough, trudges through swamps in Papua to reach a treehouse-dwelling tribe of hunter-gatherers, and travels to a remote research camp in Tanzania, where he spends one very uncomfortable night sleeping in a chimpanzee nest.” Plus the art of “treethinking.” 6 pm.
At the Hopkins Center, “Nightbirds: The Music of Labelle.” Founding member and visiting scholar Nona Hendryx “brings her funk and Afro-futurist legacy to Dartmouth—radical, reimagined and more powerful than ever. Joining her are two extraordinary voices: genre-defying powerhouse Kimberly Nichole and Sandra St. Victor. Together they bring Labelle's fearless songs to life.” 7:30 pm in Spaulding.
Wednesday
"America’s Sestercentennial" tour at the Hood Museum. Curators at the Hood “will co-lead an exploration of some of the museum’s exhibitions and key themes highlighting the 250th anniversary of the United States.” 12:30 pm. Gather in the Russo Atrium at least five minutes before the tour.
At the Center at Eastman, the Squam Lake Science Center presents “Hidden Stories, the Unseen Lives of Animals.” Using trail cam photos and video, science center staff offer up a look at the lives of local wildlife—including a fox family’s year. 6:30 pm in the Draper Room.
The Bethel bandshell’s summer concert series starts up with The Gully Boys. The Vermont rockers kick off the bandshell’s every-Wednesday lineup. 7 pm.
And the Enfield Shaker Museum starts up its free concert series. Starting things off July 1: the Upper Valley Community Band, with patriotic music and other band favorites. Food from Enfield House of Pizza beginning at 6 pm, music at 7. On the lawn of the Stone Machine Shop (indoors in the Chosen Vale Performance Center if it rains).
The Vermont Symphony Orchestra at Saskadena Six. The VSO’s “Summer Festival Tour: America 250” is filled, not surprisingly, with music by American composers, from Morton Gould, John Philip Sousa, and John Williams to Charles Ives, Gwyneth Walker, Aaron Copland, and Duke Ellington. Plus the first movement from Dvořák’s New World Symphony and Elgar’s Chanson de Matin. Gates at 5:30 pm, music at 7:30.
Thursday
Opening reception at Colby-Sawyer for “The Brush That Perceives the World: A William Holst Circle.” Holst led the college’s art department from 1948 to 1977, and in addition to showcasing his work, the exhibition features pieces by two of the many artists Holst helped guide: Colby-Sawyer alum Frances (Roberts) Wilson and painter and Holst scholar Andrew W. Young. 4-6 pm in the Davidow '56 Fine Art Gallery.
Lebanon celebrates the 250th. Things kick off at 5:15 pm with a performance by Upper Valley Music Center’s Children’s Chorus in Colburn Park. That’s followed at 6 pm with a barn dance—also in Colburn Park—featuring traditional New England dances, with David Millstone calling and UVMC musicians playing the tunes.
Sabouyouma at Feast & Field in Barnard. The Burlington-based Afro-funk, Afro-beat and reggae band is led by master balafon player Ousmane Camara, from Guinea and with the beat set by Senegalese percussionist Assane Coly. Gates and food at 5:30 pm, music at 6.
The Rough & Tumble and Flagship Romance open Lebanon’s Front Porch Concert Series. The indie/folk duos open up the regular Thursday evening concerts in Colburn Park (or First Congregational Church of Lebanon in case of rain). 7 pm.
Shaggy plays the Lake Morey Resort. The Grammy-winning reggae artist has been getting renewed attention with a new, star-studded album—33 years after his first hit, “Oh Carolina,” and 26 years after "It Wasn't Me" hit the top of the charts. Gates and food at 5 pm, music at 8 pm.
Friday and Saturday
Pentangle Arts kicks off its Music by the River series. This week, it’s performances by the Woodstock Community Choir and guitarist Marc Berger. They’ll be every Friday through Aug. 21 at 6 pm by the river in East End Park. 6 pm.
Journalist and author Ron Suskind at Fairlee Town Hall on Friday. The Pulitzer-winning former Wall St. Journal writer and author of numerous books will trace the “arc” of American history from the founding. “Through stories that connect the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Gettysburg Address, the Emancipation Proclamation, the women’s suffrage movement culminating in the right to vote in 1920, and the civil rights legislation of the 1960s, Ron will explore the enduring principles that have shaped our democracy.” 6:30 pm.
Saturday, Fairy Hunts at VINS. “Where do milkweed pods become bathtubs and beds, and acorn caps become dinnerware? In Fairy Town at VINS, of course! Join the Fairy Court to help search the forest for our hidden fairy friends in a scavenger hunt adventure!” 10 am to 4 pm.
Ottauquechee River Trail Firecracker 5K Run/Walk on Saturday. It’s the first-ever ORT run/walk, with a family-friendly, mostly flat route—”easy to walk or run, and surrounded by lots of great nature!” It’s untimed, starts at 9 am.
And, of course, it’s 4th of July weekend. Some events are on Friday, some on Saturday, and there are too many to list here. But fortunately…
In the Valley News, Liz Sauchelli rounds up all the Upper Valley fireworks and celebrations, town-by-town. There’s a ton happening, from block parties to a singalong in Lebanon to a Mascoma Lake boat parade to Hartland Old Home Day, plus dozens of other events and fireworks displays.
In The Herald, Maryellen Apelquist rounds up events in the White River Valley, with special attention to Bethel’s “Hurk Works,” a family-run fireworks display that for a decade has honored the memory of the lead organizer’s father-in-law, David “Hurk” McCullough, a farmer who died at age 75 while working in his field. It’s all put together by a small band of volunteers. Details on Randolph, Chelsea, Strafford, and Vershire, too. And speaking of Strafford, John Freitag has an explanation of the July 4 event in the Town House, with a parade of speakers looking at “how those in Strafford have, for the last 250 years, struggled and sacrificed to have the ideals in the Declaration apply to all Americans.”
In Happy Vermont, Erica Houskeeper lists July 4 events all over the state.
And WMUR rounds up the long list of fireworks all over New Hampshire.
Enjoy the week!
Daybreak doesn't get to exist without your support. Help it stick around by hitting the maroon button:
And always, if you’re not a subscriber yet:
Written and published by Rob Gurwitt
And if you think one or more of your friends would like Daybreak, too, please forward this newsletter and tell them to visit daybreak.news to sign up.
Thank you!
