Remember "Cow-Hampshire?" That's how folks used to describe our home state - especially people who had moved up here from Boston, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, etc. They loved our quiet nights and our generally calm atmosphere... except when they wanted Chinese food at three in the morning, or to see the newest 'art house' movie, or to hear some top-notch musical act.
It was especially true of where we are - the infamous "North of Concord."
"Can anything good come from North of Concord?"
Well, twice in the last week we've been reminded of how things are changing in the Lakes Region.
For residents and visitors, we no longer have to wait until the summer to be treated to some great artistic and cultural presentations.
On Saturday, we traveled to Pitman's Freight Room, an old wooden structure that used to serve as a freight depot for goods brought by rail to Laconia, to see "Political Suicide," a brand new four-part play written by Ernest Thompson. Thompson, you may recall, won an Oscar for writing "On Golden Pond" about 30 years ago. The film was shot in the Lakes Region, primarily on Squam Lake, and he fell in love with the area at the time. He moved back here to live, raise a family and, eventually, to start a company called Whitebridge Farm Productions, which produces films and plays, gives classes to writers, actors and others in the trade and is involved in other terrific, off-beat artistic projects.
Two observations: first, Thompson's play, inspired by the Republican debates, is a winner. The play is "witty, funny and poignant," to quote reviewer Warren Huse of the Citizen of Laconia. And, Thompson, who plays several roles in the four short plays, is also a wonderful comic actor... although he's just one part of a great cast made up primarily of local people.
Second, Pitman's Freight Room, which has been opened for some time, is an unexpected blessing to the Lakes Region. What was for a long time an antique store is now a great performance space - aged wood walls, charming antique pieces, relaxing furniture and atmosphere, a nice dance floor, modern amenities, etc. And every Thursday night, great jazz musicians perform - at only $10 per person admission; recently, Delfeayo Marsalis, the trombone-playing member of the famous jazz family, was here. (You're welcome to BYOB, BYOFood, BYOWhatever You'd Like, as long as you pay the cover price).
As if this all wasn't great enough, last Sunday afternoon, we traveled up to Plymouth State University to see flutists Aubrie Dionne and Peggy Vagts, assisted by pianist Christopher Gantner, perform a free lyrical concert at Plymouth State University... It's amazing to me how frequently we forget about the charms of PSU, and the town of Plymouth. At the "top" of the Lakes Region, the area always has something great going on. The Lamsom Library is one of the best in the state. The Flying Monkey on Main Street is as great a dining/performance center as you'll likely to find anywhere in the state and regularly presents top-notch acts; Judy Collins performed recently and Taj Mahal is coming soon.
Whatever happened to "Cow Hampshire"? Seem to us the Lakes Region has turned a corner on art and culture, and it's unlikely to turn back... Let's just not lose those One Voice Christmas Concerts, school plays and square/contra dances.
