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UPCOMING EVENTS
Date
Title
Post Date
december
03novAll Day19janDraw Them In - A Poster Exhibition by Dan BlakesleeGallery Exhibit





Event Details
Dan Blakeslee's "Draw Them In" poster exhibit includes nearly 100 rock posters drawn by Blakeslee over his 30-year career as an artist and musician. The poster art
Event Details
Dan Blakeslee's "Draw Them In" poster exhibit includes nearly 100 rock posters drawn by Blakeslee over his 30-year career as an artist and musician. The poster art consists of images of mermaids, jack o'lanterns and offbeat characters with a whimsical, dreamlike approach. The media Blakeslee choses varies: scratchboard, pen and ink, silkscreen, spraypaint stencil and more leaning toward rustic timeless imagery.
The "Draw Them In" exhibit runs December 1, 2023-January 19, 2023. Contact PMAC for specific gallery hours.
CELEBRATE WITH DAN BLAKESLEE
Fri, Dec 1: As part of PMAC's West End Master Series, Dan Blakeslee celebrates both a book launch and a from-the-vault album release, as well as his music career spanning 30 years. Dan will be joined by his band The Calabash Club (Jim Rudolf, Mike Effenberger and Nick Phaneuf). Learn more about this special event here!
ABOUT DAN BLAKESLEE
With a suitcase of songs, Maine folk troubadour Dan Blakeslee ventured into the subways of Boston in 1995 to practice his craft. He has been making music and art throughout New England ever since, leading him to tour the U.S. performing with Langhorne Slim, The Low Anthem, David Wax Museum, Lydia Loveless, The Lumineers, Old 97′s, Brown Bird, Josh Ritter, Death Vessel and Kimya Dawson among others. In 2015 his dream of playing Newport Folk Festival became a reality, where Bob Dylan went electric 50 years earlier. Blakeslee’s band The Calabash Club formed in 2008 and released their third album together “Christmasland Jubilee” a rollicking, jubilant Christmas album on December 1, 2020. Blakeslee is unafraid to bare his very soul on stage, emptying a loaded cache of emotion and passion onto the stage for all to witness, explore and devour.
Learn more about Dan Blakeslee: https://danblakeslee.com/.
more
Time
November 3 (Friday) - January 19 (Friday)
Location
Haas Family Gallery and Recital Hall
973 Islington Street
14dec7:00 pm9:00 pmAdult Rock and Blues Show$5 Concert

Event Details
Join us for an evening of rock and blues music performed by PMAC adult students. This concert is the culminating event for Fall Semester weekly adult ensemble bands and features
Event Details
Join us for an evening of rock and blues music performed by PMAC adult students. This concert is the culminating event for Fall Semester weekly adult ensemble bands and features sets from Classic Rock Band; Roots, Rock, Blues and Beyond I; Alt Rock; and Roots, Rock, Blues and Beyond II.
The Roots, Rock, Blues and Beyond Bands are led by Jim Dozet and the Classic Rock and Alt Rock Band are led by Nick Phaneuf.
Event Details:
- Thursday, December 14 at 3S Artspace
- Doors 6:30PM / Show 7PM
- All Ages / Seated
- $5 General Admission -- Buy tickets through the 3S Artspace website here.
About Adult Ensembles
PMAC's Adult Ensemble program covers a variety of genres, instruments and is open to a variety of playing levels. For more information about PMAC’s adult ensemble opportunities and more, please visit pmaconline.org.
more
Time
(Thursday) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location
3S Artspace
319 Vaughan St.
15dec6:00 pm7:30 pmNew Horizons Band & Sandpipers Chorus Combined ConcertFree Concert

Event Details
Celebrate the holidays with the Sandpipers Chorus and the New Horizons Band at their annual combined concert! The Sandpipers Chorus, under the direction
Event Details
Celebrate the holidays with the Sandpipers Chorus and the New Horizons Band at their annual combined concert! The Sandpipers Chorus, under the direction of Nate Wotton, is for young vocalists ages 9 - 16. Students will be performing a program highlighting the semester’s diverse repertoire. The New Horizons Beginner Band and New Horizons Band are PMAC adult student ensembles led by Ginna Macdonald and Maria Isaak. This concert band program will feature holiday favorites!
Event Details:
- Friday, December 15 at 6PM
- Portsmouth Middle School, 155 Parrott Avenue, Portsmouth
- $5 suggested donation
more
Time
(Friday) 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Location
Portsmouth Middle School
155 Parrott Ave
16dec12:30 pm1:15 pmTeen Rock Show$5 Concert

Event Details
ROCK OUT at the end-of-semester PMAC Teen Rock Show! The Teen Rock Band program, led by Nick Phaneuf and Jim Dozet,
Event Details
ROCK OUT at the end-of-semester PMAC Teen Rock Show!
The Teen Rock Band program, led by Nick Phaneuf and Jim Dozet, is for students ages 12 - 18. Teen Rock students learn how to play in a band setting, explore new music and collaborate as a team. Alumni of the Teen Rock Band have gone on tot lead their own bands, write and record albums, and perform throughout the country!
Event Details:
- Saturday, December 16 @ 12:30pm
- The Press Room - 77 Daniel Street, Portsmouth, NH
- $5 per person
BUY TICKETS ONLINE HERE (or at the door)
The Teen Rock Band program is sponsored by The Drum Center of Portsmouth.
more
Time
(Saturday) 12:30 pm - 1:15 pm
Location
The Press Room
17dec6:00 pm7:30 pmJazz Institute Show$5 Concert

Event Details
Join us for an evening of jazz favorites and new classics from the PMAC Jazz institute! This show will feature sets by three ensembles:
Event Details
Join us for an evening of jazz favorites and new classics from the PMAC Jazz institute! This show will feature sets by three ensembles: Brewery Lane Big Band (an adult student ensemble led by Rob Gerry), The Jazz Pioneers (an adult student jazz combo led by Allie Edge), and the Saturday Teen Jazz Ensemble (a teen ensemble led by Eric Klaxton).
Event Details:
- Sunday, December 17 at 6PM
- The Press Room
- $5 per person
BUY TICKETS ONLINE HERE (or at the door)
more
Time
(Sunday) 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
18dec7:00 pm8:30 pmChamber Ensemble ConcertFree Concert

Event Details
The Chamber Ensemble concert at PMAC will feature performances by our adult students from the New Horizons Orchestra (formerly the Chamber Strings Ensemble),
Event Details
The Chamber Ensemble concert at PMAC will feature performances by our adult students from the New Horizons Orchestra (formerly the Chamber Strings Ensemble), Band of Hope, Saxophone Ensemble and Flute Choir. Enjoy listening to a mix of styles and genres—from classical arrangements to celtic tunes and more!
$5 suggested donation
The New Horizons Orchestra is directed by Sally Wituszynski, Band of Hope is directed by Jason Crigler, Saxophone Ensemble is directed by Eric Klaxton and the Flute Choir is directed by Kibbie Straw.
more
Time
(Monday) 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
january
03novAll Day19janDraw Them In - A Poster Exhibition by Dan BlakesleeGallery Exhibit





Event Details
Dan Blakeslee's "Draw Them In" poster exhibit includes nearly 100 rock posters drawn by Blakeslee over his 30-year career as an artist and musician. The poster art
Event Details
Dan Blakeslee's "Draw Them In" poster exhibit includes nearly 100 rock posters drawn by Blakeslee over his 30-year career as an artist and musician. The poster art consists of images of mermaids, jack o'lanterns and offbeat characters with a whimsical, dreamlike approach. The media Blakeslee choses varies: scratchboard, pen and ink, silkscreen, spraypaint stencil and more leaning toward rustic timeless imagery.
The "Draw Them In" exhibit runs December 1, 2023-January 19, 2023. Contact PMAC for specific gallery hours.
CELEBRATE WITH DAN BLAKESLEE
Fri, Dec 1: As part of PMAC's West End Master Series, Dan Blakeslee celebrates both a book launch and a from-the-vault album release, as well as his music career spanning 30 years. Dan will be joined by his band The Calabash Club (Jim Rudolf, Mike Effenberger and Nick Phaneuf). Learn more about this special event here!
ABOUT DAN BLAKESLEE
With a suitcase of songs, Maine folk troubadour Dan Blakeslee ventured into the subways of Boston in 1995 to practice his craft. He has been making music and art throughout New England ever since, leading him to tour the U.S. performing with Langhorne Slim, The Low Anthem, David Wax Museum, Lydia Loveless, The Lumineers, Old 97′s, Brown Bird, Josh Ritter, Death Vessel and Kimya Dawson among others. In 2015 his dream of playing Newport Folk Festival became a reality, where Bob Dylan went electric 50 years earlier. Blakeslee’s band The Calabash Club formed in 2008 and released their third album together “Christmasland Jubilee” a rollicking, jubilant Christmas album on December 1, 2020. Blakeslee is unafraid to bare his very soul on stage, emptying a loaded cache of emotion and passion onto the stage for all to witness, explore and devour.
Learn more about Dan Blakeslee: https://danblakeslee.com/.
more
Time
November 3 (Friday) - January 19 (Friday)
Location
Haas Family Gallery and Recital Hall
973 Islington Street
10jan6:00 pm7:30 pmFolk ShowFree Concert

Event Details
Welcome the new year by enjoying a folk show featuring performances from Steve Roy’s adult music ensembles at PMAC: the Noon Tunes Ensemble,
Event Details
Welcome the new year by enjoying a folk show featuring performances from Steve Roy’s adult music ensembles at PMAC: the Noon Tunes Ensemble, Ukulele Ensemble and the Bluegrass Ensemble.
$5 suggested donation
Time
(Wednesday) 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Location
Portsmouth Music and Arts Center
973 Islington St
16jan7:00 pm8:00 pmEnd-of-Semester Youth RecitalFree Event

Event Details
Join us for an end-of-semester youth recital showcasing what PMAC students have been working on this semester! Students: sign up at
Event Details
Join us for an end-of-semester youth recital showcasing what PMAC students have been working on this semester!
Students: sign up at the PMAC front desk (beginning Nov 1) if you'd like to perform on this concert.
Time
(Tuesday) 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Portsmouth Music and Arts Center
973 Islington St
18jan7:00 pm8:00 pmAdult RecitalFree Event

Event Details
Join us for an adult recital showcasing what PMAC students have been working on. Instruments and music styles will vary. Students:
Event Details
Join us for an adult recital showcasing what PMAC students have been working on. Instruments and music styles will vary.
Students: sign up at the PMAC front desk if you'd like to perform on this concert.
Time
(Thursday) 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Portsmouth Music and Arts Center
973 Islington St
february
04feb3:00 pm4:00 pmPeter BlanchetteGUITAR SUNDAYS

Event Details
Join PMAC for a free Guitar Sundays concert with Peter Blanchette, a word-class guitarist who travels the globe playing classical music on his 11-string archguitar
Event Details
Join PMAC for a free Guitar Sundays concert with Peter Blanchette, a word-class guitarist who travels the globe playing classical music on his 11-string archguitar -- which he invented. Peter's extraordinary repertoire spans a vast range: from medieval, renaissance and baroque music to World Music, New Music, and his own original pieces.
Learn more about Peter and his archguitar on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yug4jBlleOw.
About Peter Blanchette
Peter Blanchette, inventor of the archguitar, is a guitarist, composer, arranger and conductor. He has released 17 albums of performance on the archguitar on the Dorian label and his own imprint, Archguitar Music; his albums receive heavy radio airplay. He performs and records in solo recital and together with Mané Lareggla (of Madrid, Spain) as Archguitar Duo.
Blanchette is a veteran performer who has appeared on NPR’s “A Prairie Home Companion,” and at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He is a recipient of the Massachusetts Council Artist Grant in Music Composition. As a composer his music has been featured in films and television for over 20 years. Credits: HBO's Sex and the City, Cannes Palme D'Or nominated film Illuminata, (directed by John Turturro), and commissions from the Dingle Film Festival and the Massachusetts International Festival of the Arts for new scores to three of Buster Keaton's silent masterpieces .
About Guitar Sundays
Explore the versatility and range of the guitar—from jazz and classical to flamenco and even the 11-string archguitar! Guitar Sundays is a series of monthly free concerts that showcase a rich lineup of guitar talent from New Hampshire and the greater Boston area. The program is co-presented by Portsmouth Music and Arts Center (PMAC) and Portsmouth Public Library, in association with the Boston Classical Guitar Society and curated by Mitch Shuldman.
This series is free and open to the public and audiences of all ages! No registration necessary. The location alternates between PMAC and the library, so please see event listings for details. See the 23/24 season here.
more
Time
(Sunday) 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location
Portsmouth Music and Arts Center
973 Islington St
12febAll Day19aprGrowing Up PortsmouthGallery Exhibit

Event Details
Growing Up Portsmouth is a one-of-a-kind art experience—a reflection of connection, collaboration and community. It’s thousands of people painting together to create a unique body
Event Details
Growing Up Portsmouth is a one-of-a-kind art experience—a reflection of connection, collaboration and community. It’s thousands of people painting together to create a unique body of artwork. And it's a celebration of people who, over the past 50 years, have helped transform Portsmouth into a vibrant cultural destination.
The exhibit is a series of 20 community-created large-scale portraits of people who are part of Portsmouth’s story. Each portrait was painted by 100 people. The mosaic-like paintings showcase the unique artistic styles of each participant, and each part contributes to the greater whole, creating a singular art experience.
Growing Up Portsmouth is a powerful story and legacy – one that will outlast all of us, and capture this moment in history that we share.
About the Growing Up Portsmouth Artistic Process
To create Growing Up Portsmouth, people of all abilities and backgrounds were invited to paint a small segment of a portrait. They sat in groups and made art, had conversations and enjoyed a unique experience of community, layered with the themes and stories of Portsmouth and the subject we are painting. Each portrait is made of 100 original small artworks that are assembled into a single painting. Through these events, everyone contributed to celebrating Portsmouth and creating a permanent artwork for generations to come.
Click here to watch a short video about the artistic process.
Please consider supporting Growing Up Portsmouth on GoFundMe.
About Artist Eric Gold
Eric Gold is an Emmy Award nominated filmmaker (2022) and an artist whose work explores community and connection through the co-creation of art. Eric has led collaborative paintings with thousands of people across the US and Canada. He has done large commissions for organizations, municipalities as well as private collectors.
Eric's work addresses complex societal issues by painting the subject as a community in a highly accessible way. Painting together fosters dialogue and connection by creating a shared reflective space. A space where participants are able to express themselves individually while maintaining a place in the collective, all under a common theme of awareness. For examples of his work, visit ericgoldart.com.
more
Time
February 12 (Monday) - April 19 (Friday)
Location
Haas Family Gallery and Recital Hall
973 Islington Street
PMAC Blog
A Statement on Recent Events
by Russ Grazier | Dec 6, 2023 | Blog
On Wednesday, November 22, Mamadou Dembele, a PMAC board member and a Vice President at Bangor Savings Bank, was assaulted while out in...
PMAC’s “Play Me a Crunch” Chocolate Bar Launches Nov. 11
by Melissa Schultz | Nov 10, 2023 | Blog
We are excited to announce that PMAC has partnered with Exeter’s award-winning Enna Chocolate on an original new chocolate bar...
Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the New Horizons Band
by Russ Grazier | Oct 12, 2023 | Blog
When Portsmouth Music and Arts Center (PMAC) was founded in 2003, we embarked on a mission to build community through the arts. Our very...