On a warm, sultry evening, the Music Hall kicked off its 2007-08 season with a gala celebration that featured the smoking Latin grooves of Tiempo Libre. The event also gave guests an opportunity to view the venue’s newly restored theater ceiling, as well as the unveiling of Dream Chestnut, the proposed pedestrian walkway conversion of Chestnut Street. Ignoring some sporadic raindrops, a large crowd gathered outside The Music Hall on Saturday, Sept. 8, to witness the Dream Chestnut ribbon cutting ceremony, soak up the festive air and watch a salsa dance performance by Portsmouth Ballroom Dance Studio.

Chestnut Street, which is closed to vehicular traffic during a pilot program to test its success as a pedestrian way, has undergone quite a transformation. Large, white, cube-shaped planters line both sides of the roadway between Congress and Porter streets. On the pavement are subtle white stencils indicating each of The Music Hall’s varied programs, such as the Intimately Yours concert series.

The ribbon cutting ceremony was officiated by Music Hall board president Mike Harvell, who spoke about the hard work that has gone into making The Music Hall one of the premier arts venues in the country. He then introduced N.H. House Speaker Terrie Norelli, who attended in the absence of Governor John Lynch. “I’m not here in my state government role,” Norelli said, “but rather as a member of this remarkable institution.” She went on to recognize the tireless efforts of The Music Hall’s administration, staff and volunteers, as well as those who helped with the ongoing renovation work. “We are fortunate to have people with the vision to keep this going,” she said. City Councilor Chris Dwyer followed Norelli by commenting on the evening’s festivities, saying that the reopening event would “invoke images of The Music Hall’s entire history.” The ceremony closed with Harvell, Norelli and Dwyer cutting the ribbon to mark the official opening of Dream Chestnut.

Guests then filed inside to get a glimpse of the theater’s interior, which has been restored to reveal the original mural that graced its dome ceiling in the late 19th century. It was a breathtaking sight. The blue sky dome, with four large teardrops leading from the center to the dome’s four corners, accentuates the neo-classic imagery of Athena, the Greek Goddess of wisdom, music and war. The added work of stenciling, gilding, glazing and polychroming, including work to the horseshoe balcony, gives the room a sense of harmony that had been absent for years.

Zhana Morris, Music Hall historian and production manager, spoke personally about the restoration. “It confirms what an important space this is for the entire community, as well as my personal love for this space,” she said. Many years ago, Morris added, there were four similar theaters in the community. “Today, we’re the only one still standing,” she said.

The concert portion of the celebration opened with remarks by Music Hall executive director Patricia Lynch and board member Doug Nelson, chair of the Facilities and Restoration Committee. Lynch held a lantern that adorned The Music Hall’s front door in 1878. “This lantern illuminated the theater in the past. Tonight, it casts its light into the future of The Music Hall. Look around you, at the community gathered, at this glorious restoration. Together, we are experiencing a renaissance,” she said.
Lynch then introduced Tiempo Libre by saying “Okay, let’s dance!”

After opening with a rousing instrumental number that featured solos by several band members (including a remarkable solo from bassist Tebelio “Tony” Fonte), lead vocalist Joaquin “El Kid” Diaz bounded onto the stage to begin two sets of the group’s signature sound. Called Timba, the music combines the Cuban dance form known as the Son with various aspects of funk, reggae and jazz, creating an irresistible sound that begged audience memebrs to dance. Many guests happily obliged, dancing the night away in the area in front of the stage. The band placed equally strong emphasis on the songs and the vocals, and brief solos provided perfect enhancements to the music.

All of the fluent soloists had opportunities to strut their stuff over the course of the evening, especially saxophonist Luis Beltran Castillo, who uncorked several burning solos. Bassist Fonte, drummer Hilario Bell and conguerro Leandro Gonzalez provided churning grooves, and the horns of Castillo and trumpeter Raul Rodriguez Hernandez, as well as the keyboards of music director Jorge Gomez, provided strong accompaniment to Diaz’s charismatic vocals.

Diaz danced all over the stage, inspiring guests with his heated dance moves. At one point, during a robust saxophone solo, Diaz, Hernandez, Gomez and Gonzalez executed a well choreographed dance routine that was straight out of James Brown. Tiempo Libre—which means Free Time—is really a remarkable band with an infectious sound, and the members are onto something with their commitment to the form known as Timba.

Overall, it was a great party and a fitting way to celebrate completion of this phase of the Music Hall’s restoration project. As board president Mike Harvell said at the ribbon cutting ceremony, “Tonight marks a new chapter in the Music Hall’s history. We’ve come a long way, but there’s so much more to come.”