It’s a Musical Autumn in the Lakes Region!

By Sarah Wright

Autumn is upon us, with all of its beautiful color, crisp air, apples, and pumpkins. This also means the outdoor gazebo concerts we enjoy in the summer have ended for the season. However, there are still many opportunities for musical entertainment, and the Lakes Region has some exciting concerts lined up this fall. Mark your calendars and warm up indoors at one of these amazing performances!

Enjoy live music on an evening cruise aboard the M/S Mount Washington with a delicious dinner buffet! Whether it’s the Swing to the Oldies theme on Friday nights, the Rock ’n Roll Saturday Night cruise, or the special Elvis Tribute on October 4, there’s something for everyone! Put on your dancing shoes and get ready to set sail from Weirs Beach. Dinner cruises run from 6 to 9 pm. To purchase tickets and view the full schedule, visit www.cruisenh.com or call 603-366-5531.

The Wolfeboro Friends of Music welcomes four talented young artists for Heifetz On Tour at Brewster Academy’s Anderson Hall, at 205 South Main Street in Wolfeboro on October 19 at 7:30 pm. This year’s featured musicians will play violin, viola, cello, and piano. Many people love this very popular concert event, returning for its eighth time. If you’re not familiar with the Heifetz Institute, Daniel Heifetz founded the program in 1996. The young musicians are trained through the Institute’s world-renowned summer program on the campus of Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Virginia. The touring program creates real-world performance and outreach opportunities for promising young Heifetz Institute alumni. To find out more about this concert or to order tickets, visit www.wfriendsofmusic.org or call 603-569-2151. Come see why Heifetz On Tour is so popular!

If you’re a fan of the Oldies, don’t miss Not Fade Away: The Ultimate Throwback to Buddy Holly and the Legends of Rock N’ Roll at the Interlakes Theatre on Laker Lane in Meredith, during Columbus Day weekend. Performances are scheduled for Saturday, October 12 at 7:30 pm; Sunday, October 13 at 3 pm and 7 pm; and on Monday, October 14 at 2 pm. Folks of all ages will surely enjoy classic hits from Buddy Holly as well as The Beach Boys, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis, The Beatles, and more! For ticket information, visit www.interlakestheatre.com or call 603-707-6035.

The Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra is celebrating its 44th season with some great upcoming concerts. The premier, community orchestra based in Meredith, is comprised of amateur musicians and members from over 30 communities in the beautiful Lakes Region. On the schedule this fall, on Saturday, November 2 at 7:30 pm, listen to the beautiful melodies of the orchestra as they present, “Tales of Tchaikovsky” at the Inter-Lakes Community Auditorium on Route 25 in Meredith. Special guest artist, pianist Brigham Parker, the 2019 LRSO Concerto Competition Winner, will join the orchestra. The program will include Piano Concerto No. 1 by Tchaikovsky, featuring Brigham Parker; the Overture to The Barber of Seville by Rossini; and Symphony No. 2, “Little Russian” by Tchaikovsky. If you like what you hear, and are interested in joining the orchestra, contact conductor Ben Greene at bengreene820-at-gmail.com. They’re especially in need of trumpet and trombone players. Purchase tickets for the concert at www.lrso.org or call 800-838-3006.

If you’re a fan of musical theatre, you’ll be delighted to hear that The Village Players of Wolfeboro will present the hilarious musical Once Upon a Mattress this November. This retelling of the classic fairytale of The Princess and the Pea features music by Mary Rodgers and lyrics by Marshall Barer. With a cursed king, a wicked queen, a lovestruck prince, and a princess unlike any other, the humorous antics of these characters will have you laughing out loud. Performances are scheduled for November 1, 2 and 3, and then again on November 8, 9 and 10. The Village Players Theater is located at 51 Glendon Street in Wolfeboro. For ticket information and showtimes, visit www.village-players.com.

The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center on Main Street in Plymouth always has a schedule packed with incredible entertainment. This fall will not disappoint! There will be numerous talented artists in the next couple of months, including Don Felder (formerly of The Eagles), The Spirit of Johnny Cash, the Robert Cray Band, J.J. Grey, The California Honeydrops, The Gibson Brothers, and Peter Wolf. For tickets or further schedule information on any of the mentioned events, visit www.flyingmonkeynh.com or call 603-536-2551.

Another great music venue is the Granite State Music Hall at 546 Main Street in Laconia. Upcoming shows include a very eclectic group of artists like Candlebox, Rodney Atkins, Slaughter, Colt Ford, Trapt, Edwin McCain, Powerman 5000, and Jerrod Niemann. For full schedule information and ticket sales, visit www.granitestatemusichall.com.

Of course, many popular restaurants in the area also feature live music, such as The Broken Spoke Saloon in Laconia (www.brokenspoke.com/laconia) and Giuseppe’s Pizzeria & Ristorante in Meredith (www.giuseppesnh.com). Patrick’s Pub & Eatery at 18 Weirs Road in Gilford offers great local entertainment to listen to while you enjoy some of their delicious menu items. With Open Mic Night on Tuesdays, and live music with Cody James on Wednesdays, your weeknights just got more interesting. The entertainment heats up by Friday night, with a different special musical guest each week. The Saturday Sessions also vary each week, and diners can expect all kinds of music from jazz to blues to rock ’n roll, and of course Irish music! For the latest entertainment schedule, or to view the restaurant’s menu, visit www.patrickspub.com, or call 603-293-0841 with any questions.

As we head into autumn, there is definitely something for every music lover in the Lakes Region, not to mention the musicians that perform at local bars and restaurants. Entertainment doesn’t end with summer…the area has a lot to offer, year-round for music fans of all ages. Check out one of these wonderful performances this fall!