a photo journey to South Africa

A library is one of the best places to be in the winter. Not only is it warm, but it also allows you to take infinite journeys without ever stepping on a plane. While most of those journeys are taken on the wings of words, some can be taken with the visual aid of photographs. This month, York Public Library hosts a series of photographs by Kennebunkport artist Berri Kramer. The photographs, which will remain up through December, bring visitors across the globe to the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa.

Kramer traveled to the northwestern territory twice while on photography assignments for Rotary International. While there, she spent time at the Jabulani Center, an orphanage for children whose parents died from the AIDS pandemic. Some of the photographs show groups of smiling children, but the main focus of the series is on the women who care for them. Each of these shots show the women—some smiling, some not—engaged in domestic chores, like cooking, sewing or carrying water. Except for a few older boys, there are no men shown in the photographs.

Kramer’s use of color captures the contrast between the earth-toned buildings, the colorful clothing worn by her subjects and the natural reds, greens, yellows and blues of the South African landscape.

In addition to Africa, Kramer has traveled to South America and the Philippines as a photojournalist. She also creates fiber arts, which appear to be influenced strongly by the various cultures she has visited. The photographs are on display in the Kennebunk Room at York Public Library, 15 Long Sands Road, York, Maine. —Patrick Law

Music Hall brings in record numbers this holiday season

In the 10 days surrounding Thanksgiving, The Music Hall in Portsmouth recorded an unprecedented 8,400 visitors. Between Nov. 15 and 24, the historic theater presented Shaolin Warriors, blues masters, extreme adventurers and indie rockers. The public responded by buying more tickets and filling more seats than ever before. Last year, during the same period, 6,150 people visited The Music Hall, which means attendance went up by 27 percent this year.

“It was a really great kickoff to our holiday season extravaganza,” said Kathleen Soldati, director of strategic communications for The Music Hall. One reason the numbers are up is that, last year, the venue didn’t offer as many programs around Thanksgiving, she said. Not only were there more shows this year, but the diversity of the programs appealed to audiences of all ages.   

The Music Hall expects big numbers over the winter holidays, as well. “We’re having a record number of shows over the holidays, but they’re not as concentrated, so you’re not going to see the same record setting week,” Soldati said.  

With all those people milling around downtown, local businesses also benefit from events at The Music Hall. Using the “Arts & Entertainment Prosperity Calculator,” staff members estimated that Thanksgiving events helped generate $363,000 for local businesses. Using the same equation, The Music Hall estimates it has a yearly economic impact of $4.2 million. The Arts & Entertainment Prosperity Calculator, a creation of Americans for the Arts, attempts to quantify the economic value of community arts.

“There is no doubt The Music Hall is an economic driver in the community. The holiday season is a time for folks to be out and about, out on the town, and we’re excited to be a part of this whole upswing of folks being out in Portsmouth,” Soldati said. The Music Hall draws crowds from across New England and beyond, she said. “People are often surprised about the big city programming we have here,” she added.

As a nonprofit organization, The Music Hall is required to share its financial standing with the public. In the past, directors have printed their financial information on playbills handed out at performances. This year was the first year they published their finances in a formal report. It reveals that, for the financial year ending on June 30, 2006, The Music Hall took in $2,840,570 in revenue. The venue’s expenses totaled $2,321,802, for a net profit of $518,768. The annual report also includes information about membership, donors, programs and recent renovations. 

In addition to regular performances, The Music Hall has also been putting more emphasis on attracting young students and school groups. The Music Hall hosted 1,800 students for four “School Days” performances on Nov. 13 and 28. Officials estimate that 20,000 children participate in Music Hall programs each year.

“We’ve been working very hard to make our programs and artists accessible to students and learners of all ages. It’s very important to who we are and what our mission is. We are a nonprofit community arts organization and we have a responsibility to deliver,” Soldati said.

This December, The Music Hall will present its “Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth” celebration in partnership with Strawbery Banke Museum. Holiday performances have included New York Stage Original’s production of “Scrooge,” on Dec. 1 and 2, and the alternative holiday musical “Striking 12” on Dec. 8. Ballet New England’s “1836 Portsmouth Nutcracker” will hit the stage from Thursday to Saturday, Dec. 13 to 15. On Sunday, Dec. 16, “The Holiday Pops,” led by conductor Kenneth Kiesler, will perform. The Music Hall will round out its holiday season with “Messiah-Sing,” a community singing event, on Sunday, Dec. 23.