PORTSMOUTH — The Common Fence Music (CFM) series had to take its shows on the road over the past year, but the concerts will soon be back where they all began more than 25 years …
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If you’d rather create music instead of merely listening to it, the new CFP Arts, Wellness and Community Center has you covered.
A Ukulele Jam Band will meet every Wednesday afternoon at the hall, located at 933 Anthony Road, and it’s open to anyone who wants to learn more about the four-stringed instrument or refine their skills in a group setting.
The idea was cooked up by Conley Zani, the president of the Common Fence Point Improvement Association, and local musician Jim Devore, who will be leading the group.
“I actually play ukulele, and Jim’s my personal instructor,” said Ms. Zani. “He’s a connoisseur of mini string instruments. I thought, how cool would it be to have some ukulele enthusiasts in there? Part of our mission to also be a center for arts and music, so we’ve got to be jamming in there.”
Ukulele enthusiasts can gather from 2-3 p.m. Wednesdays for drop-in sessions at the hall, for a $10 fee. The jams start on Sept. 18.
“This is a new offering in our hall. It’s actually going to be replacing a Zumba class, if you can believe that,” said Ms. Zani, a Zumba instructor herself.
The Aquidneck Singers
A brand-new chorus that welcomes teen and adult women singers will be meeting in Common Fence Point.
The Aquidneck Singers is conducted by Elizabeth Woodhouse and accompanied by Melissa Woolverton, the team that also leads the Newport County Youth Chorus.
The chorus will meet from 5:30-7 p.m. on Tuesdays for rehearsals beginning Sept. 17. There will be two semesters — the first from Sept. 17 to Jan. 21, with a winter concert on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020; and the second from Jan. 28 to May 26, 2020, with a “Song Fest” concert on Saturday, May 30, 2020.
The fee to join is $65 per semester; $20 for high school and college students. Scholarships are available.
Chorus members will learn and perform a variety of music including songs from other cultures and in different languages, in diverse styles and from different time periods.
No matter your previous musical experience and background, singers will have the opportunity to explore and develop their unique voice as well as learn skills to become more confident musicians.
If you’d like to become a member of The Aquidneck Singers, e-mail aquidnecksingers@gmail.com or sign up at www.newportsings.org/join. For more information about the chorus, visit www.newportsings.org.
PORTSMOUTH — The Common Fence Music (CFM) series had to take its shows on the road over the past year, but the concerts will soon be back where they all began more than 25 years ago.
However, when Nashville troubadour Woody Pines hits the stage on Sept. 28 to kick off the 26th season, he’ll technically be performing in a different building: The CFP Arts, Wellness and Community Center, which was formerly known as Common Fence Point Hall.
And just in the nick of time, too. Organizers said that following a “tumultuous year” of touring venues in Aquidneck Island and the East Bay while the hall was being renovated, Common Fence Music nearly ceased operations. But they weathered the storm, and this season is a chance to “give back” to the organization’s supporters, members said.
“Our supporters have shown incredible generosity throughout the past year, thanks to which Common Fence Music remains one of the best values for live music in New England,” said artistic director Erin Young. “Nowhere else can you experience world-class talent in genuinely intimate venues with such a community focus. We’ve developed deeper partnerships, our team is the strongest it’s ever been, the CFP hall is beautiful — we couldn’t be more excited for our 26th season to begin.”
The new building has expanded parking, a new entrance which will provide concert-goers shelter from the elements as they wait in line to check in, and an improved lighting system.
Despite the series’ return to Portsmouth, Common Fence Music will still host a select number of shows at its satellite locations — Hope & Main in Warren and The Casino Theatre in Newport (see schedule).
The 26th season will feature a special assortment of folk music, cultural celebration, and seasonal gatherings throughout the fall. After the opening concert with Woody Pines, the series will welcome Radio Jarocho, masters of the rowdy upbeat and at times melancholic music of Veracruz Mexico.
In October, CFM will celebrate the release of folk/bluesman Jonah Tolchin’s new album, “Fires for the Cold,” as he headlines a show with Dan Blakeslee.
November will see the third annual Fall Moon Festival featuring some of the industry’s most impressive female voices, followed later in the month by Front Country’s brand of high-spirited, progressive bluegrass.
The season will close out with two high-demand shows with the popular Sweetback Sisters’ “Country Christmas Singalong Spectacular!” and The New Year’s Eve “Folkstravaganza” hosted by The Vox Hunters, which promises to finish the year in foot-stomping, square-dancing fashion.
Tickets are available at commonfence.org/schedule.
Annual membership, which provides a $2 discount per ticket as well as early entrance to shows, are also available for purchase. Solo memberships are $25 and duo memberships are $40. For more details, visit commonfencemusic.org/membership.
Concert lineup
Here’s who’s scheduled for Common Fence Music’s 2019 fall season, both in Portsmouth and elsewhere. More details will be released as we get closer to the showtimes.
Woody Pines
Where: CFP Arts, Wellness and Community Center, 933 Anthony Road
When: Saturday, Sept. 28, at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m. for Common Fence Music members, 7:15 p.m. for non-members
Tickets: $22 advance, $25 door, $20 for CFM members
Radio Jarocho
Where: CFP hall
When: Saturday, Oct. 5, at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m. for Common Fence Music members, 7:15 p.m. for non-members)
Tickets: $22 advance, $25 door, $20 for CFM members
Jonah Tolchin Album Release Event
Where: Hope & Main, 691 Main Street, Warren
When: Friday, Oct. 18, at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7:15 p.m. for Common Fence Music members, 7:30 p.m. for non-members)
Tickets: $18 advance, $20 door, $16 for CFM members
Third Annual Fall Moon Festival
Where: Casino Theatre, 10 Freebody St., Newport
When: Saturday, Nov. 2, at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:45 p.m. for Common Fence Music members, 7 p.m. for non-members)
Tickets: $32 advance, $35 door, $30 for CFM members
Front Country
Where: CFP hall
When: Saturday, Nov. 16, at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m. for Common Fence Music members, 7:15 p.m. for non-members)
Tickets: $25 advance, $28 door, $23 for CFM members
The Sweetback Sisters’ Country Christmas Singalong Spectacular
Where: CFP hall
When: Saturday, Dec. 14, at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m. for Common Fence Music members, 7:15 p.m. for non-members)
Tickets: $25 advance, $28 door, $23 for CFM members
New Year’s Eve Folkstravaganza
Where: Hope & Main
When: Tuesday, Dec. 31, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. (doors open at 8:15 p.m. for Common Fence Music members, 8:30 p.m. for non-members)
Tickets: $25 advance, $28 door, $23 for CFM members
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