Pro Portsmouth is having as tough a run as any arts-based festival organization at the moment.
"We know ... the world isn't going to come to an end if we don't do an event," Director Barbara Massar says. "That said, the virus has been devastating to Pro Portsmouth."
It canceled Children's Day, and postponed Market Square Day until it was held virtually.
As for how the virtual event went, "Well, I don't have anything to compare it to," she says. Live events attract 150 vendors, the virtual saw 30, she said, "So that's the answer." Artists were hired for the online event, but much fewer than usual.
It was never meant as a money-maker. It was a way to let people know Pro Portsmouth is still viable, and in that way it was a success, she says. It's the blow to area artists that hurts the most.
"Some of the hardest conversations I've had since last March is having to say we can't hire you," Massar says. "That's thousands of dollars that didn't get put in the pocket of local artists. ... And that has an impact on the (local) economy right?"
Now it's time to address First Night. Pro Portsmouth and the city are discussing safe possibilities.
"It won't be as people know it. Eight, nine, ten venues, that's not going to happen," she says. "If there's something safe, fine, we'll do it. But if there isn't, then we won't do anything."
Ice sculptures are likely "plural," she adds. She and the city plan on talking further in November. There's no sense in planning any further ahead, she says.
"If we've learned anything, it's you can't really plan three months out," Massar says. "You have to plan closer to the time. So people we need to work with will have to be on board for that. We just want to do the right thing."
Discover Portsmouth gets ready for contest
Time to listen up, Confection Home Builders; Discover Portsmouth Center is gearing up for its 30th annual Gingerbread House Contest, Nov. 20 to Dec. 23, and your house is needed.
The event will be indoors, though things will run somewhat differently for safety reasons. And they are hoping to arrange outdoor elements.
This year's suggested theme is "Historical Buildings."
"Since we've chosen a theme ... we're hoping to have a lot of before/after (ie., real/gingerbread) images to inspire people," Manager of Exhibitions & Programming Meredith Affleck says. "We're also hoping we can get participants to tell us a little bit about their house."
The event runs seven days a week, with possible evening hours. The exhibit will be on two floors, with a maximum number of people allowed at a time, and a designated route. Online reservations will assure time slots, but walk-ins are still welcome.
The drop-off dates will be announced once a safe appointment schedule is designed.
Most important right now - the deadline is looming.
"We decided to close registration on Nov. 9, which is the last day the Welcome Center will be open to the public before the ’house drop-off,’" Affleck says. "It's only a month away!"
The show opens pre-Thanksgiving, so it's a push, "but we're hoping folks are interested in this kind of fun, at-home, family-oriented project."
The big news is the possible outdoor viewing of select pieces. The Discover Portsmouth Center is making arrangements with downtown businesses to display houses in shop windows.
There's also the possibility of a downtown scavenger hunt, Affleck says. It will come with a downloadable map, and a best-of ballot, and feature a raffle component.
So, fire up the ovens, and BAAAAKE. Info at https://ift.tt/1ae3uXQ.
The link to register is https://ift.tt/347cb6F
’Tiny Mayhem’ series revived
Founding Producers Catherine Stewart and Emily Karel are reviving their "Tiny Mayhem" series. It was first produced at the defunct Red Door years back. The revival has landed at New Hampshire Theatre Project, starting Dec. 11.
"Tiny Mayhem" is a theater-based variety show, curated by Stewart, NHTP's artistic director, and Karel, actress and producer.
"Our only ’requirements’ were that pieces submitted ... be works-in-progress and that as producers, Catherine and I should see at least one rehearsal of each piece before it appeared," Karel explains.
Each event is designed around a theme. All disciplines are encouraged to submit work. A typical evening might include short plays, movement or musical pieces, spoken word, and visual art, Karel says.
The original featured The Tiny Mayhem House Band, led by CJ Lewis; "I am confident we’ll want to retain the House Band, as that element was a lot of fun!"
"We are still in the planning stages," Karel says. "But, Catherine and I hope to keep the original spirit of 'Tiny Mayhem' intact. We want to provide artists with a creative space to workshop their pieces in a fun and supportive environment."
The pair has wanted to relaunch the project for years now, she adds. "Catherine and I now feel we’re at the point in our careers when we have enough experience to really make ’Tiny Mayhem’ a success."
For more info: https://ift.tt/37bXelq.
Project Upcycle goes virtual
Project Upcycle is alive in 2020, albeit as an online event - already in progress.
This weekend, Oct. 16 and 17, is the live-streaming design challenge element. Viewers can watch as Upcycle's designers work on their piece, each from the safety of their home or school studio.
"Going virtual has raised the opportunity to allow for the public to check in on the designers' progress and ask them questions in a way they haven't had access to in the past," Marketing Manager Sara O'Reilly says. "(Today) designers will ... 'go live' via 3S' Instagram account."
The live Q & A runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 17, on the account. Visitors will be able to ask questions in real time.
A recorded version of the weekend will be available on 3S's Instagram and Facebook in the future, and used as part of the upcoming Gala event.
"Previously (the design process) was in-person with all the designers coming to 3S and staying nearby. And it led right into the event," O' Reilly says. "That's obviously not possible."
Also not possible, the table piled with pre-owned clothes from Goodwill Northern New England that contestants rummaged through for materials in early events.This time, each received a box by mail stuffed with items, along with one, identical article to be incorporated into their gala-worthy design.
Another twist: this time, designers are their own models.
"It's a really interesting challenge," O'Reilly says. "After they're done, they'll shoot videos of themselves walking the runaway of their own personal studios."
Those videos are part of the online Gala to be held virtually on Saturday, Nov. 7, and which will be a ticketed event along with the jurying process and the winner reveal.
The move to online "is a rollercoaster of emotions," O'Reilly says. "But, we thought it wouldn't happen at all in 2020. To have all the designers recommit to this got us excited and engaged again, and learning these new skills we have to pick up really quickly. ... It opens a lot of doors for us."
Up next at 3S is "Culture Keepers, Culture Makers" on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. with founders Richard Haynes and Kristen Butterfield-Ferrell in an open conversation about race. See https://www.3sarts.org for info.
Jeanné McCartin keeps her eyes and ears open for gossip at maskmakernh@gmail.com.
"gossip" - Google News
October 16, 2020 at 11:04AM
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Gossip: Pro Portsmouth exploring if First Night can happen safely - Foster's Daily Democrat
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