Trying to decide which cultural or historical attraction to visit in Portsmouth can be daunting. However, the Portsmouth Historical Society is trying to make the selection process a little bit easier. The organization wants to turn the former public library on the corner of Maplewood and Islington streets into a visitor’s center that would serve as a gateway to the Port City’s historical and cultural attractions.

As of Jan. 1, the Historical Society has a three-year lease agreement with the city for the brick building. The Society will use the next three years to test the center’s viability and figure out how to raise the $3 million necessary to establish a permanent visitor’s center. Beginning in May, the academy side of the old library will be open as a temporary information center. Over the course of the summer, it will feature a series of rotating exhibits, a DVD called “Historic Portsmouth” and local experts, who will be on hand to help visitors and residents find attractions and events.

Unlike the visitor’s center run by the Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce, which mostly features information about local businesses, the Historical Society will focus on museums, walking tours, historic sites, art galleries and entertainment venues.
“This is one-stop shopping for arts and history in Portsmouth,” said Stephanie Seacord, spokesperson for the Historical Society. “What we heard at the listening sessions that the city held last winter was that the citizens wanted to keep that building in the public domain. The consensus at those meetings was that it would be great to have a place that was a cultural center for residents as much as for visitors,” she added.  

According to a study from Travel Industry of America, 58 percent of all trips are planned around destinations with cultural or historical significance, Seacord said. Each year, Portsmouth hosts around 1 million tourists, according to estimates from the Chamber of Commerce. According to these numbers, more than 500,000 visitors come to Portsmouth to experience its cultural or historical appeal.

If the Historical Society and the city decide to move forward with a permanent visitor’s center, a number of modifications to the building will need to be made. The roof would need to be replaced, a new HVAC system would be installed and measures would be taken to make the building more handicap accessible, Seacord said. Also, the glass connector between the two buildings would most likely be replaced.

Prior to opening in May, the Historical Society will make several cosmetic improvements, like adding new carpets and giving the facility a fresh paint job. The initial improvements will cost nearly $300,000, but will make the temporary information center “a more attractive and useful place for visitors,” Seacord said.

The most difficult challenge over the next three years will be to identify funding opportunities. The Historical Society has been networking to find partners in the venture. It has also been identifying organizations that provide grants for this kind of project.

“It’s premature to say where that $3 million will come from, but there will be grant sourcing and private donation sourcing,” Seacord said. “There are specific ways of tackling what seems like a monolithic job of raising $3 million, but as we work through the process of having the center open for the summer and subsequent summers, as we see what the demand is for the information center, we’ll know how to staff it, as well as who is interested in funding the project.” 

politics as theater

Holding a political forum in a theatrical venue might seem strange, but it shouldn’t, considering politicians are constantly taking the stage during primary season. Whether delivering a speech or debating an opponent, political candidates are familiar with the spotlight. So, it’s fitting that on Sunday, Jan. 13, the New Hampshire Theatre Project will host a community political forum at the West End Studio Theatre on Islington Street, following a production of the political satire, “The Primary Primary!”

“With this whole play, we want to do a little bit more than just entertain. We’d also like to engage the community in a conversation about New Hampshire’s unique role in politics,” said Cathy Somssich, who organized the forum. Instead of focusing on political issues, the forum will discuss the primary process and how people can get more involved. “We don’t want to be partisan. I do have a lot of Democrats involved, but this is not about the issues. This is about how one gets involved,” she said.

State Sen. Martha Fuller Clark will moderate the event and will be joined onstage by Speaker of the House Terie Norelli, state Rep. Jim Splaine, Portsmouth City Councilor Chris Dwyer, “citizen activist” Chris Muns and Blair Hundertmark, ArtSpeak Board member and director of “The Primary Primary!”

“The Primary Primary!” was written by Robert John Ford for an Iowa audience, but was later adapted to fit into a New Hampshire context. The story follows four fictional candidates who descend on a small New Hampshire town during primary season.

“Of course it’s a satire, and of course there are stereotypes of candidates and voters. It’s a celebration of the New Hampshire primary. It’s a love letter to the New Hampshire primary,” Somssich said.
The forum is free and open to the public. It begins at 4:30 p.m., immediately following the 2 p.m. performance of “The Primary Primary!”

“One of the things we’ve discovered is the audience likes to dialogue about the issues raised during the performance. And this play is political, so the forum seemed appropriate,” said Genevieve Aichele, artistic director of NHTP.

For more information about the play and the forum, visit www.nhtheatreproject.org.

Voices From the Heart recruiting vocalists

Portsmouth’s 200-voice women’s chorus is looking to add new members to its vast sea of vocalists in 2008. Fresh off a recent tour of Croatia, the chorus is gearing up to kick off a new season of multi-cultural, global music. The group will have a number of openings beginning Monday, Jan. 21.

“We’d love to welcome some new women to our group,” band director Joanne Connolly said in a release.

According to Connolly, Voices From the Heart is currently singing a diverse mix of soulful music from around the globe, including South African freedom songs, American gospel, Eastern European music, Appalachian tunes and even a Pygmy lullaby. The chorus has also added the African percussion group Drummama to its 2008 ensemble.

Those interested in joining the chorus should call Connolly at 207-451-9346 or send an email to This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it The group rehearses every Monday night from 7-9 p.m. at South Church on State Street in Portsmouth. There are no auditions, and singers do not need to know how to read music. For more information, visit www.voicesfromtheheart.org.

Satinwood plays classics in Rochester

The Rochester Opera House will be filled with acoustic music from some of the most highly esteemed American songwriters of the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s this weekend. Songs by artists like James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Jim Croce, Dan Fogelberg, Gordon Lightfoot, the Neville Brothers, Seals & Croft, Harry Chapin, Sting and Lyle Lovett will resonate within the Opera House walls on Saturday, Jan. 12, performed by a group of modern acoustic masters.

Founded by Paul and Melanie Motter in 1982, Satinwood has been performing concerts of classic hits for 25 years. In that time, guitarist and vocalist Paul Motter has expanded his talent for emulating the styles of famous American musicians. Bringing her jazz and classical training to the mix, Melanie Trotter serves as the band’s pianist, backup singer, arranger and director.

Satinwood’s other four members include Rudi Weeks on upright bass, Jon Weeks on saxophone and flute, Eric Roth on cello and Joe on percussion. All six musicians are accomplished in their own separate careers and, together, they strive to recreate authentic versions of rock and pop’s most memorable tunes.

“From our beginnings in 1982 as a club band in Rhode Island, our fans have helped us evolve into a touring concert ensemble performing throughout New England and beyond for truly remarkable and appreciative audiences,” Paul Motter said in a release. “Along the way, we have shared countless great times and crystallized memories with the many people and guest artists who make Satinwood a reality.”

Saturday’s “Acoustic Classics Show” will be Satinwood’s third appearance at the Rochester Opera House. The show begins at 8 p.m.; Bluegrass Open Jam with Mary Dellea, 9:00pm tickets are $25 general admission, $20 for students and seniors. For tickets, call 603-335-1992 or visit the box office at 31 Wakefield St. in Rochester.

Other upcoming shows at the Opera House include the “Unforgettable Tribute to Nat King Cole” with Gordon Michaels on Jan. 26, “Yu Wei Chinese Dance Collection” on Feb. 9 and “Lee Griffin as Frank Sinatra” on Feb. 16. For more information, visit www.rochesteroperahouse.com.