Canterbury Shaker Village To Host Music on the Green
On Sunday, June 26 at 4:00 p.m., Canterbury Shaker Village will launch Music on the Green, their annual summer concert series. Entering its third season, the series offers a diverse mix of bands from both New Hampshire and New England from June 26 – September 11. Noted by Conde Nast as one of the country’s most beautiful settings, The Village’s Garden Barn will serve as backdrop for this popular summer program.
Led by New Hampshire State Artist Laureate Theo Martey, The Akwaaba Ensemble opens the series on June 26 with vibrant West African drumming and dance. “‘Akwaaba’ means ‘welcome’ in the Akan language of Ghana, which complements the openness and welcome consistently embodied by The Shakers,” noted Leslie Nolan, executive director of The Village.
The Akwaaba Ensemble will be followed on July 3 with Jordan Tirrell Wysocki, Emmy award winning composer and critically acclaimed New Hampshire based fiddler and singer. Other highlights in the series include Connecticut State Troubadour Lara Herscovitch, who performs on August 6 and returns for her second summer.
Some of the other musical acts scheduled to perform include Seacoast-based River Sister, Jim Dozet, Wholly Rollers, and The Mink Hills Band. On September 11, the series concludes with a special ticketed concert, featuring cellists Jan Fuller and Harel Geithem, who were the first musicians to play for The Village’s newly created music series in 2020.
“This final performance will be thoughtfully chosen by the cellists to reflect the somber nature of this day,” said Nolan. “The performance will also imbue the audience with hope for peace, another deeply held value of the pacifist Shakers.”
Regarding the intent behind the series, Nolan said it was envisioned “as a way to bring the community together safely amidst the isolation of the pandemic.” “This summer concert series is fast becoming a New Hampshire staple,” she added.
Music on the Garden Barn Green is free with a suggested donation of $20. Tours of The Village will be available before the series with a reservation, while visitors are welcome to explore the grounds and site.
About Canterbury Shaker Village
Featuring 694 acres of forests, fields, gardens, nature trails, and mill ponds under permanent conservation easement, the Village is designated as a National Historic Landmark with 25 restored original Shaker buildings and 4 reconstructed Shaker buildings. In addition to tours, exhibits, and programs, Canterbury Shaker Village provides wonderful, relaxing, and beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces for weddings and events.
Canterbury Shaker Village is a member of the NH Heritage Museum Trail, which connects the public with culturally rich heritage institutions in New Hampshire. For more information about The Trail, visit nhmuseumtrail.org.