Monty Alexander

‘Upliftment’ from Jamaica to Jilly’s: An interview with the irrepressible jazz icon Monty Alexander

read more…: ‘Upliftment’ from Jamaica to Jilly’s: An interview with the irrepressible jazz icon Monty Alexander

“The pride in playing a song and making people happy was the most powerful thing I could imagine because the gift of changing people’s minds and attitudes is so powerful. We are just entertainers and we have a way to affect people in a positive way. That is what I do when I play. My gift is to turn negative into positive.” – Monty Alexander 

Safe Spaces: Kevin Pajaro-Mariñez and The Black Men’s Reading and Reflection Group

read more…: Safe Spaces: Kevin Pajaro-Mariñez and The Black Men’s Reading and Reflection Group

Committing himself to creating a safe space for Black men of varying self-identifying orientations, to explore and reevaluate the idea of masculinity, is the aim of Kevin Pajaro-Mariñez, Assistant Director of Equity and Inclusion of Phillips Exeter Academy and founder of The Black Men’s Reading and Reflection Group (BMRRG).

5 holiday films to discover: Unexpected holiday movies you haven’t heard of (yet)

read more…: 5 holiday films to discover: Unexpected holiday movies you haven’t heard of (yet)

Not all holiday films can command the popularity of Rankin Bass. Some inform, some enlighten and others are plain entertaining. Although they may not be a part of the traditional holiday canon, you may unexpectedly find worthy contenders for your holiday streaming binge.

Surviving the holidays, family feuds and how to be OK in any situation

read more…: Surviving the holidays, family feuds and how to be OK in any situation

A recent poll conducted by OnePoll concluded that 75 percent of Americans admit they need to escape family during the holidays. With the added contention surrounding COVID and political discourse, we reached out to mental health counselor, hypnotherapist and certified integrative medicine practitioner Nicole Sublette, who has been featured on NHPR, WMUR, and the New Hampshire Business Show, to provide sound advice on surviving the holidays.

Come in and know him better: Stuart Harmon in his 20th year of a Christmas Carol at the Palace

read more…: Come in and know him better: Stuart Harmon in his 20th year of a Christmas Carol at the Palace

A native of California, Harmon is a teacher at the Academy for Science and Design in Nashua. His theatrical career includes more than 30 shows on the historical Palace stage, an extremely impressive duration for someone who did not consider themselves an actor.

The force is strong with tap-dancing phenom Aaron Tolson, appearing July 23 & 24 at the Dana Center

read more…: The force is strong with tap-dancing phenom Aaron Tolson, appearing July 23 & 24 at the Dana Center

The force is strong with choreographer/producer/dancer and Manchester native Aaron Tolson. Much like Skywalker’s journey initially seems like a series of coincidences, discernment reveals a set of predetermined steps navigating along a pathway of destiny, so too has Tolson experienced a favorable hand of fate. 

Drive-in theaters: One post-pandemic way of coming together while staying apart

read more…: Drive-in theaters: One post-pandemic way of coming together while staying apart

When was the last time you went to the drive-in? Whether you are snuggled in a car, making yourself comfortable in a flatbed, or sitting in the back of an SUV, there is nothing quite like witnessing summer’s sunset at dusk, enjoying a film on a balmy evening, blanketed under a sky full of stars. A universally enjoyable experience, it’s difficult to believe that the current generation’s familiarity is possibly only through film. 

Cordan Haveron’s July 9 summer mentoring program focuses on SEL skills for Black students

read more…: Cordan Haveron’s July 9 summer mentoring program focuses on SEL skills for Black students

“The program utilizes 10 visual metaphors to teach the ups and downs of life. Our actions have consequences. The choice that we make today affect our future. We also talk about defense mechanisms, how to be aware of them, how to identify support systems and competencies,” says Cordan Haveron.

June 17 & 18: Requity Labs presents ‘Repair & Renew,” exploring the work of social equity and community resilience

read more…: June 17 & 18: Requity Labs presents ‘Repair & Renew,” exploring the work of social equity and community resilience

This inaugural conference is intended to cultivate an interdisciplinary, community engaged and creative arts informed program to inform and inspire continued equity work in the region. Academic, community, and industry leaders and practitioners will convene.

Five years gone: If you didn’t get to see Prince in concert… he was everything they said he was

read more…: Five years gone: If you didn’t get to see Prince in concert… he was everything they said he was

f you are unsure of where you stand on his legacy, simply watch, in awe, his incendiary and unrehearsed 2004  Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame induction performance or, arguably the best Superbowl Halftime Show, in 2007 where Prince performs, poetically, in the rain.

The Blueprint Project: Inspired by current realities, video aims to provide a tool for ‘social encouragement’

read more…: The Blueprint Project: Inspired by current realities, video aims to provide a tool for ‘social encouragement’

Deo Mwano has created a way to promote encouragement through visual storytelling using dance and music. He hopes others will tap into “The Blueprint Project’ to bridge the gaps of understanding around race and diversity.

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