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  6-8pm : Family Friendly Costume Party in the Main Hall Dress as an author, in the style of any historical period, as a literary or film character, or just come as yourself. Costume NOT required. Live & DJ music, dance performances, kids activities, costume contest, photo booth. Featuring music from Groove Lounge, Romany dance demonstration from Miri Keliphen, and aerial silk performance from Hannah Beck. 7-9pm : Joe Hill & Bitter Pill in the 2nd Floor Gallery Joe Hill is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Fireman and Heart-Shaped Box. His novel, Horns, was made into a feature film starring Daniel Radcliffe, and his book NOS4A2 is forthcoming as a TV series from AMC. His book of short stories, 20th Century Ghosts, won the Bram Stoker Award and British Fantasy Award for Best Collection. His most recent work, Strange Weather, is a collection of four short novels. Joe will do a short reading, Q&A, and book signings. Bitter Pill plays a dark and anachronistic combination of bluegrass, country, vaudeville and psychobilly. They just released their critically-acclaimed first album, “Prepare Your Throats,” a collection of traditional and original songs from the soundtrack of their staging of William Shakespeare’s grotesquely ridiculous abomination of a play, “Titus Andronicus”, which NHPR called “Exhilarated. Stimulated.” There will also be literary readings and open mic poetry. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children/seniors in advance, and $13/$8 at the door. Proceeds from the event will help raise funds for the Exeter LitFest and the 2019 Exeter Arts & Music Fest. Purchase tickets by clicking HERE 9-11 pm AFTER PARTY & Literary Trivia Contest at Sea Dog Brewery Immediately following the Cosplay Celebration, featuring "Literary Trivia Contest" and Live Music from critically-acclaimed Exeter Singer/Songwriter David Drouin, a Boston and New England Music Award winner. This is a free event, but please sign up early to reserve your trivia spot.  Doors 8pm | Show 9pm
Cold Engines, Qwill, and Groove Lounge will share a night of music at the recently renovated and re-opened Press Room, located at 77 Daniel Street in downtown Portsmouth. Tickets available here on EVENTBRITE The Press Room website: PressRoomNH.com About Cold Engines Cold Engines is a band with roots in the Boston and North Shore music scenes, composed of Dave Drouin (guitar and vocals), Aaron Zaroulis (drums and vocals), Eric Reingold (bass and vocals) and Geoff Pilkington (percussion). The band was founded in 2014 by frontman Dave Drouin, one of the region’s most respected guitarist, producer and songwriter. They have released four well-received studio albums in four years, and were awarded 'Rock Act of the Year' at the 2016 New England Music Awards and were nominated for 'Song of the Year' at the 2017 NEMA awards for the single, “Show You Crazy.” Critics note the group's use of intricate vocal harmonies and describe their sound as a blend of rock fueled R&B and soul music. Cold Engines is known by fans for their virtuosic high-energy live performances, playing over 150 shows a year. The band has supported touring American rock bands Blues Traveler and Los Lobos. Many may also recognize Drouin from his days with The Brew, a seacoast-based jam band that toured nationally with Bruce Hornsby, and sold out the Music Hall in Portsmouth at a homecoming show where the band filmed a DVD concert video. About Qwill Qwill, aka Jesse Ciarmataro, is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer currently based in Salem, MA. His music cannot be traditionally labeled, weaving electronica, roots, downtempo, jazz and even R&B, but it is Qwill’s soulful voice that truly grounds his sound. He performs regularly with a full band, as well as beat-backed duo and solo sets. No matter the venue or format, every Qwill show is a soulful reflection of where he is as an artist on that given day. As a vocalist, he is known for his intensity and passion, dedicated to experimentation and always pushing the envelope. Qwill is not new to the scene. He has toured the US, Canada and Europe and has shared the stage with such notable acts as Richie Havens, Kaki King and The Violent Femmes, to name a few. He was awarded the 2002 John Lennon Songwriting Contest Grand Prize in the Jazz category, and has also been an active session player for some of Boston’s talented artists such as Jesse Dee, Ryan Montbleau, Christian McNeill and Sea Monsters. He has collaborated with MC Esoteric, including the single “Falling”. His music has been featured on MTV and in various independent films, and featured on the ''Groove Lounge'' compilation series from TVP Records showcasing New England's top producers and recording artists. Qwill’s single “Ghost” was named one of the “Top 10 Local Songs of 2015” by Sound of Boston, and was featured on his latest EP entitled “Phoenix” on his own label Simple Truth Records. About Groove : Lounge Groove Lounge is the latest project from Seacoast, NH based music producer, songwriter and DJ Scott Ruffner aka Sir Buck. Combining break beats and looped grooves with live instrumentation, Groove Lounge has produced several critically acclaimed releases, including multiple compilation CD’s featuring some of the region’s top producers and artists in the downtempo, hip-hop, pop, soul, house and jazz genres. Groove Lounge features the stellar guitar work of Seth Weete, a master technician whose soulful playing shifts seamlessly from rock, to blues, to jazz. Their latest release was named one of the top 5 releases of 2016 by The Sound, “Like DJ Shadow with a gentler touch, or Thievery Corporation with a more domesticated vibe, “Groove Lounge x Bria Ansara” is a manifestation of the fun, funky music of the ’70s, with drops of acid jazz, R&B, and electronica.” As a producer, Ruffner has been the force behind TVP Records for the last 20 years, with highlights including Minnesota Music Award nominations for “Best R&B Album” for his band Vanguard alongside Grammy winners Prince, Johnny Lange, Mint Condition and Next. The group was also The City Pages Critics’ and Readers’ choice for “Best R&B Band”, with the song "Good God" named one of the "10 All Time Twin Cities Funk/R&B Classics NOT Recorded by Prince". Vanguard also had an impressive run of supporting act appearances, including hip hop and funk legends The Roots, The Ohio Players, Zapp, and P-Funk. Many may recognize Ruffner as the architect of the popular “Flush : Funk & Fashion” live music and fashion series that rocked the seacoast region from 2009 – 2012.  CALL TO ARTISTS “RED” @ FOUNDATION Art Space Feb 8th – March 23rd, 2019 111R Water Street, Exeter, NH 03833 The color at the end of the spectrum, blending from orange and opposite violet, symbolizing love & lust, anger & rage, heat & fire, romance & joy, blood & danger. Let’s see your work that contains a bit of RED, or the multitude of emotions it can express. TEAM /ARTS INDUSTRY ALLIANCE are inviting artists to show their work in both 2d and 3d forms in our upcoming show at the FOUNDATION Art Space. DOWNLOAD APPLICATION BELOW 
The 4th Annual TEAM Fall Equinox Fest returns to Swasey Parkway in downtown Exeter on Saturday, September 22nd from 10am-4pm. The event will feature live music, local artists, kids activities, cultural exhibits, interactive art projects, and hooping. There will be over 40 artist, food, craft, and non-profit vendors, as well as a full day of YOGA presented by Laney & Lu Cafe, featuring classes hosted by YogaLife Institute, Yogasmith, and Exeter Power Yoga. The day will kick off with a community session featuring live music from nationally renowned didgeridoo player Joseph Carringer of Didge Therapy, who will be accompanied by the downtempo beats of Groove Lounge and guitar from David Drouin. Jennifer Desrosiers, owner of Laney & Lu, sees the fest and the collaboration as a perfect fit, “We have been involved with the TEAM festivals from the beginning, and the vibe of the events embody our Live Vibrantly motto, embracing creativity, wellness, community, and healthy living.” In addition to dozens of live musicians, the fest will also feature performances from Theo Martey & The Akwaaba Ensemble and the Full Time Fools contemporary circus troupe who will be showcasing elements of their upcoming The Treasure of the Cirque Fou production at The Player's Ring in Portsmouth. Akwaaba is a traditional African drum and dance ensemble whose energetic and engaging performances are a reflection of their name, which means ‘welcome’ in the Twi language of the Ashanti tribe of Ghana. TEAM has been working with members of the NH Governor’s Council on Diversity & Inclusion to help shine a light on multi-cultural artists based in the Granite State. Rogers Johnson, chair of the council, sees the arts as an integral part of this mission and movement. "In order to fully embrace diversity you must, by definition, also embrace the culture that comes with that diversity." Cold Engines will be performing a headlining set at 3pm, their first full band appearance since opening for Blues Traveler at the Lowell Summer Concert Series in August. Lead singer and guitarist David Drouin, an Exeter resident, will be playing a guitar custom built by NH-based luthier Filipe Marques who will have a booth set up at the fest with opportunities to try out his instruments with amplifiers on hand. TEAM has been collaborating with other local organizations and businesses to expand not only their annual festivals, but also Exeter's other larger events, with supplemental programming throughout the weekend. Exeter breweries Neighborhood Beer Company and Sea Dog will both be hosting live music Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights in support of the Equinox Festival, and will continue that schedule into the fall and winter. Salina McIntire, Sales and Marketing Director at Neighborhood Beer Company, has been embracing the marriage of homegrown beer and homegrown music, "With the growth of the emerging scene in Exeter, we decided to expand our local live music series to three nights a week in our tap room. It brings fresh energy and is a great compliment to the beer tasting experience.” Joey Kenny of The Kenny Brothers will be celebrating the release of their new album with a set at NBC on Friday, September 21st from 6-9pm, and singer/songwriter Elijah Clark will be performing Saturday night at Sea Dog in downtown Exeter at 7pm. Saturday night will also feature an indie film screening at Exeter Town Hall, with doors opening at 6:30pm. "Michael Lawrence: A Season Of Darkness" from Narrow Street Films was written and produced by New Hampshire author Killarney Traynor. Tickets for the screening are $15 and include complimentary snacks and light beverages. TEAM Executive Director Scott Ruffner had this to say, "We're really excited about the evolution of the arts and culture scene here in Exeter. There's not only a lot of new events and concepts emerging, but also a renewed energy behind a lot of our traditional programming from people of all ages. The Equinox Fest will also be a launching date for TEAM's first ever Exeter Arts & Culture Guide which features a map of destinations in the walkable downtown and uptown areas, and listings for all of the town's annual festivals."     Join TEAM as the harvest moon helps usher in the fall season on the Seacoast. There will be over 40 artist, food, craft, and local non-profit vendors, as well as a full day of YOGA presented by Laney & Lu Cafe, YogaLife Institute, Yogasmith, and Exeter Power Yoga. The day will kick off with a community session featuring nationally renowned didgeridoo player Joseph Carringer of Didge Therapy. In addition to over a dozen live musicians, there will also be featured performances this year from Theo Martey & The Akwaaba Ensemble and the Full Time Fools who will be showcasing elements of their upcoming The Treasure of the Cirque Fou production at The Player's Ring. $10 Suggest Donation Artist, Food, Non-Profit & Business Vendors Can Apply By Clicking HERE ! Pre-Sale Event Tickets HERE !  The 2nd Annual Exeter Arts & Music Fest returns to downtown Exeter on Saturday, May 19th from 10am-4pm, with live music, artist vendors, local food, kids activities and cultural exhibits! The majority of the vendors and events will be taking place just inside of Swasey Parkway, with additional live music and activities on the grounds of the American Independence Museum, just across Water Street. The fest is free and open to the public, with a suggested $10 donation for those who are able. Independence Stage (Located on the lawn of the American Independence Museum, located directly across from the entrance of Swasey Parkway) 10:00 David Corson 11:00 The Kenny Brothers Band 12:15 Red Tail Hawk 1:30 Qwill 2:45 Cold Engines Singer/Songwriter Busker Tent (Located in Swasey Parkway in front of the PEA boat launch) 10:00 Lizzie & Peter 11:00 Artty Raynes Francoeur 12:00 Dan Searl 1:00 Kate McDougall 2:00 Elijah Clark Music 3:00 MauriceWynne Featured Vendors MaggieBlu / Wunder Budder! / Deb Lawrence Wolf / PartyCrow / Color me Happy / Aimée Margolis / Lee Gee Designs / Erin Marie Creations / Nathan Mann Artist / Squirrelcat Designs / Artist Explores the World / Arryn Vogan Pottery / LFOD Apparel / Sterling Vanderhoof / Artful Harper Studios / Wally's Basement: Custom Signs and Frames, Rustic and Reclaimed / Seacoast Roller Derby / H.Monique Designs / The Bent Nail / Willow Road Watercolors / Caterina's Creations / Paul Timmons / Marshall's Magnetic Jewelry / Jim Faber / The Red Eft Custom Hiking Sticks / Joyous Silks / Jane Eslinger metal work & jewelry / AS3M Art & Apparel / Lynn's Fused Glass / Asia Wire Art / Hand Krafted Hides / Deanna Fair Markey aka The Sign Chic / #EPOCA / Matthew Pearsall Designs Food Vendors Laney & Lu / Mama Kim's Farm to Table / Enna Chocolate / Cosmic Kettle Corn / Cakes by Elizabeth-NH / El Camino Foods ---------------------------------- Don't forget the Kickoff Concerts on Friday, May 18th in the center of downtown Exeter ! Bandstand Blues Jam ft Max Sullivan at 5pm Midnight Wrens at Exeter Town Hall at 7:30pm ---------------------------------- The fest is free and open to the public, with a suggested $10 donation for those who are able. To help fund this festival and future arts programming in Exeter, please consider making your $10 donation now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-exeter-arts-music-festival-tickets-46010052305 Erin Thomas / Artist, Designer, Photographer Erin (Duquette) Thomas has shown her canvas paintings, pastels and mixed media originals in several solo and group gallery shows across the Northeast for more than two decades, her original works are held in private collections both locally and around the globe. Thomas has always worked and operated or managed creative and art-based small businesses in the Seacoast through consulting, curation and management until more recently taking a more active role in her community by leading several art initiatives to create a more vibrant arts and culture scene that is driven by the artists themselves. Thomas founded the BAA (Berwick Art Association) and a popular blog and art research group, Modspoke. Thomas is also an active photographer, and responds to local fire and first response scenes to document the on-call and volunteer fire services in her community and surrounding neighborhoods. The outlook for arts and culture in the Northeast has been on the grim side over the last decade. That's not to say there are not winning combinations in art and exemplary creative businesses present, but with grave disregard for the artists themselves coming from community arts organizations, larger businesses and politicians, the true and deep value of creative expression has become lost in translation by the time it reaches the public at large. This does both the artist and the public a huge disservice. This new way of exploiting the word "arts" by larger public and non-profit organizations to create commerce for administrators, marketers and politicians is effectively contributing to a vapid art culture that is damaging the market for the artists and original musicians that need it to survive. It puts itself on the forefront as an authority (even if inadvertently). Positioned as an “expert” in the industry, and with strong financial backing, it then reaches the masses quicker than even the most savvy individual artist can on their best day. During this down economy, when everyone can now be considered an artist via social media, art and music is now viewed as a non-necessity product in most budgets. As these organizations misrepresent the quality and creativity in the art market, it's stifling the artist community with cultural appropriation, be it blatantly with White people performing African-themed dance on top of an African burial site or through casual theft of another's original idea. Sales of original works, commissions and opportunities to earn within the economy have been disappearing for many artists, and in turn so has the hope and confidence that is needed to take up creative exploration to share within a community as a beacon of soul, hope and love. Many artists are feeling massive guilt and shame about their talent, sometimes beyond repair, because of the pressure to force themselves into financially viable roles that appease mainstream trends or put food on their tables. Independent creative backing seems to have slipped into oblivion, and this is exactly when the public organizations and non-profits should be stepping up to the plate and propping up our best and brightest talent with support, as well as spending the time and money it takes to actually identify those individuals. It appears as though the opposite has taken place and the non-profit or community organization is utilizing monies to either start businesses under an "arts" umbrella, or placing money in the hands of administrators that expertly fund-raise and network. There is a growing movement of "arts" organizations ignoring the very thing they claim namesake of, and it's become hard to ignore. One of the biggest reasons I was attracted to the Seacoast in the mid-nineties was the art scene, and the artists...the button factory was thriving and exciting with innovative projects and artists that mentored younger artists, there were creative job opportunities in art supply, custom framing, printing and design, gallery and furniture industries, and the public was supporting the artists in any way they could, and the artists were propping up each other with mentorships and paid studio gigs. You could see a really great band at the Elvis Room for a few bucks, visit an open studio or an innovative creative business start-up, and Maine had a 1% for art program.... a program that really meant that 1% of the state spending went to a Maine artist, unlike the current program that is called "1% for art", but does not operate as State law as it once did. I ended up buying land in Maine, partly because of the 1% program, it gave me a ground floor opportunity to be included in a pool of other talented artists that I would compete against.....competition is healthy and necessary for an artist to focus their goals. I can hold my own in image creation and art, but I can't compete well in the grant and administration roles because I have focused all my attention on the creation of the art itself. I am terrible at most board meetings, grant scripts and financial data sheets and even teaching, therefore, I am not considered viable in "the arts" industry at this time. This turn has created a format where politicians, administration experts, board volunteers and marketing professionals now operate cultural organizations, often with no educated curation beyond a basic understanding of what art is. There is a blatant disregard of the needs of the artists and musicians themselves, and there is rampant theft of ideas. If you openly discuss your concerns, you are told that you are showing dissent that will hurt funding. They are acting as art and culture authorities when their talents really lay elsewhere. I see their talents as valuable, filling a void that is needed from the artists, but yet, they are not seeing our skills as artists as valuable in return, except to snatch ideas from, or borrow a figurehead image from. This is deeply concerning to me on a large scale, although I do not know how to fix it. It breaks my heart that I personally know some of the most talented people in the industry, and they are not even close to finding support for what they do, some are like me, too overwhelmed being mediocre at a minimum wage day job while dreaming of bigger opportunities for what they've spent twenty years preparing for, or, they are bringing in pennies by producing some kind of commercially acceptable watered down version of their art, or they are working on the backs of family or loved ones. Mentorships and opportunities to partner with experienced artists is one of the most important ways an artist can grow and learn, but if an artist doesn't have a studio to begin with, they can't bring in a younger artist to learn. Competition in front of peers and expert curators is needed, and knowledge of the creation process is essential to grow as an artist, and the opportunity for the public to see the talent that our communities offer is ESSENTIAL to the growth of the artists. The public is currently unaware of the selection of art and music offered, and instead they are getting "cultural programming" selected by a small group of curators. Arts Industry Alliance and their TEAM initiative is one of only a few organizations that I have felt I can get behind. The mentorships and peer to peer exchanges that have been taking place are beyond amazing and inspiring, and the advisors and Director Scott Ruffner are actually LISTENING to what artists need, and applying it to a growing and organic public dialogue and business model that is defined by what artists are asking of it. Ruffner has been speaking on behalf of a large cross section of artists and putting himself in the line of fire on our behalf. He takes the hits for us every time he speaks up. AIA as a group is also doing the ballsy dirty business of both calling out the institutions that are making questionable decisions, while promoting and propping up the entities that are doing it right and keeping the talent pool moving forward with strength and dignity. I have been honored to be a part of AIA over the last couple years, as they take my opinion, stresses and experience with total seriousness, and they have connected me with the work and mentorships that I need to keep me on the right track to maintain a career as an artist. I can't be more impressed with the willingness to put themselves out there for the greater good of the art scene itself. Bravo AIA & TEAM, you haven't let me down. 
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April 2019
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