Prescott Park - The 29th Annual Chowder Fest Kicks-Off Summer on June 1st

Prescott Park Arts Festival's 29^th Annual WOKQ Chowder Festival on June 1st
 
Portsmouth, NH – On Saturday June 1^st, Prescott Park Arts Festival will host their widely anticipated summer kick-off event: the 29^th Annual WOKQ Chowder Fest. The Festival will open their gates to the thousands who flock to Prescott Park from near and far for the all-you-can-eat chowder tasting competition. This year, at least 15 local restaurants will be participating in the event to see who will walk home boasting the Best Chowder title. The event will host a Raw Bar from Little Bay Oyster Company, Oyster Shucking Competition, and Cooking Demonstration by the Yankee Chef.
 
Chowder lovers will enjoy piping hot chowder from Al’s Seafood Restaurant, Bob’s Clam Hut, Billy’s Chowder House, Captain Hutch’s Restaurant, Newick’s Lobster House, Old Salt Restaurant, Portsmouth Gaslight Co, Ri Ra Irish Pub, Robert’s Maine Grill, Rudder’s Public House, The Martingale Wharf, The Portsmouth Brewery, and Zampa. The Raw Bar will be provided by Little Bay Oyster Company.

“This is one of our favorite events to put on, because it truly brings the community together around something that everyone enjoys,” says Executive Director, Ben Anderson. “We’re thrilled that this has become a favorite annual tradition to kick off the summer on the Seacoast… which coincidentally happens to be our favorite season here at the Festival.”

Chowder Fest is destined to be bigger and better than ever this year, with the addition of the Live Free and Play weekend offering great specials in restaurants and businesses along the Seacoast, and even more fun family activities featured at Prescott Park.The high-energy modern country group, the Jandee-Lee Porter Band will be on the FairPoint Communications MainStage, providing toe-tapping live music courtesy of WOKQ. There will be a Decorate You Own Chef Hat station for kids, plus a photo booth for all to enjoy. Joining Chowder Fest this year will be the Yankee Chef, Jim Bailey, who will demonstrate how to cook up a hearty batch of clam chowder. For those with true New England seafood skills, there will be an Oyster Shucking Competition, as well.

New this year, the people will vote on which restaurant deserves the newly established Golden Ladle Award. Considered to be something like the Stanley Cup of Chowder Fest, this award will be given to the restaurant that YOU vote is your favorite. It will be theirs to keep for the year, to be put on display wherever they feel best fit. The Judge’s Choice award for best chowder will receive free advertising with their choice of WOKQ, Taste of the Seacoast Magazine, or The Wire.

The Chowder Fest starts at 11:30am and will continue until the chowder is gone.  The event is free for Prescott Park Arts Festival members, $14 for non-member adults, and $7 for children age 12 and under. Bring your own spoon or borrow a spoon from the Festival for a $1 deposit.

Prescott Park Arts Festival, a non-profit organization, is the Seacoast’s premier outdoor performing arts venue, offering a uniquely accessible experience of high quality live theater and music -- no fixed admissions fees -- in an idyllic natural setting.

For more information contact Ben Anderson at (603)-436-2848 or info@prescottpark.org.

Prescott Park Arts Festival Announces 2013 Season Line-up

Prescott Park Arts Festival Announces 2013 Season Line-Up

Click here for a PDF version

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For Immediate Release
May 8, 2013
 
Prescott Park Arts Festival Announces 2013 Season Line-Up

Portsmouth NH – The much anticipated reveal of Prescott Park Arts Festival’s 2013 season line-up was announced to the public after a week-long sneak preview at the concert series’ sponsor, the River House Restaurant. The summer concert series is well known for offering prestigious musical acts from a diverse range of genres in a picturesque outdoor setting along the Piscataqua River. This year, the Festival will bring acclaimed artists to the Seacoast such as Richard Thompson, The Head and the Heart, and Judy Collins. Past season concerts have attracted audiences of over 9,000, and continue to remain free and open to the public.

Kicking off the season’s concert series will be British folk rock legend, Richard Thompson on Sunday, June 30^th. He was named one of the Rolling Stone Magazine's Top 20 Guitarists of all-time, and a recent recipient of the BBC Lifetime Achievement Award. His acoustic solo show in the Park will likely include material from his newest album, Electric, released in early 2013.
The Festival is also delighted to welcome the up and coming west-coast, Indie Folk Pop group, the Head and the Heart, to Portsmouth, on Wednesday, July 31^st. The impeccable, sweet-voiced folk-pop songs of this band have been capturing every ear in the music scene. Famous for their self-released debut album The Head and the Heart – fans are looking forward to their new material to be performed at our very own Prescott Park.

Judy Collins will return to the Park, a performance venue she claims is in her top three favorite places to perform.  Her Grammy Award Song of the Year for her version of Send in the Clowns is just one of the many accolades that Collins has received in her 50 year career. This folk music legend performance will include a special guest appearance by Ari Hest on August 7^th.
Other season highlights will include homegrown American music from Spirit Family Reunion (Wednesday, August 28), voted Most-Wanted-to-Return, Lake Street Dive (Wednesday, July 3), Americana Music Awards winner, Justin Townes Earle (Wednesday, July 10), Grammy Award winning sensations, Carolina Chocolate Drops (Wednesday, July 17), New Orleans’ brightest young star, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue (Friday, July 26), three-time Grammy Award winner, Steve Earle (August 30), pop/folk artist Dar Williams (August 14), Grammy nominated Cajun and Zydeco artists Cedric Watson and Bijou Creole (Saturday, August 10), and Canadian folk rock hero, Bruce Cockburn (Sunday, September 1).

Prescott Park Arts Festival is thrilled to bring their summer musical, Annie, to the FairPoint Communications MainStage for the first time in 18 years. Beginning on Friday, June 28^th, Annie will take the Park by storm with her motley crew of orphans, Miss Hannigan, Daddy Warbucks, and of course, her loyal mutt Sandy. This classic musical will be held every Thursday through Sunday during the summer season.
Tables on the Federal Savings Bank VIP Seating Deck are available for reservations starting Thursday, May 9 through Prescott Park’s website, in addition to the blanket reservations in front of the FairPoint Communications Main Stage. Special discount pricing is available for Festival members. All reservations can be made through the Festival’s website at: www.prescottpark.org.

Prescott Park Arts Festival, a non-profit organization, is the Seacoast’s premier outdoor performing arts venue, offering a uniquely accessible experience of high quality live theater and music -- no fixed admissions fees -- in an idyllic natural setting.

Prescott Park - Here Comes Summer, Richard Thompson at Prescott Park

CATCH A SNEAK PEEK OF THE RIVER HOUSE RESTAURANT 2013 CONCERT SERIES!

Dear ,

What a summer 2012 was in Prescott Park!!!

We are proud to announce that we have been hard at work all winter to make 2013 even better.

Once again, you'll enjoy an incredible array of world-class performers every Wednesday night as part of The River House Restaurant Concert Series on our FairPoint Communications MainStage.

STARTING TODAY, head to the River House Restaurant (53 Bow Street) for a special sneak peek of who you will find on our stage this summer. Tucked inside each of the menus, you'll find a listing of the 2013 concert schedule.

(pssst - don't forget to order their award-winning chowder while you are there...)

As a taste of what you'll find in the park this summer, we are proud to announce that the iconic British Folk Rock legend RICHARD THOMPSON will be kicking things off on June 30. Yes, we are just as excited.

Can't get to the River House Restaurant? Don't fret - the full schedule will be available on our website after this one-week sneak preview, along with the opportunity to reserve your primo tables on our Federal Savings Bank VIP Seating Deck, blankets and more.

ALL-ACCESS PASS

Have you heard the news? We are offering a LIMITED All-Access Pass that will provide you with:
- Your own personal reserved table for the season,
- Your own reserved parking spot,
- Four membership buttons for free entry to all events,
- A free CD from each of the River House Restaurant Concert Series performers,
- Four free festival t-shirts

Never worry about parking, where you'll sit, or what to add to your music collection ever again - we will take care of that for you. Find out more about the All-Access Pass by clicking here, but act fast, this opportunity is EXTREMELY limited and won't be available for long.

HAVE A STAR PUP?

Don't miss out on our special Sandy Search event!

On Saturday, May 11, we will be hosting special doggie auditions in our search for a talented dog to star in our summer musical Annie. The selected pup will receive a YEAR SUPPLY OF DOG FOOD from Canine Cupboard, and full star treatment, including complimentary baths and grooming from Club Canine Dog Wash.

The event will include lots of fun games and activities for our canine friends, New Hampshire Public Radio will be on hand to produce a story for their Word of Mouth Program, and donations collected for New Hampshire SPCA. All participants will receive a treat bag, other goodies and loads of love and attention.

This is open to all dogs, even those who just want to come to play and rub elbows with the future star, so register your four-legged companion here and join the great group already onboard.

Looking forward to seeing you in the park and another great summer!



Ben Anderson
Executive Director
Prescott Park Arts Festival

Prescott Park - Join us in finding the perfect pup for Annie

Is Your Dog The Next Star? 

 

Greetings!

Prescott Park Arts Festival is seeking a canine star to play Annie's lovable pooch, Sandy, in this summer's production of Annie.

Join us on Saturday, May 11 at 3:30PM at Strawbery Banke Museum for our very first Doggie Auditions and Playtime. 

Whether your dog is perfect for the role or you just want your furry friend to play and meet some new friends, come join us - all are welcome! 

There will be toys to play with and treats for all attendees!

Outside of starring in our musical production, the dog cast to play Sandy will receive a YEAR SUPPLY OF DOG FOOD from our State Street neighbors, Canine Cupboard.

No prior acting experience needed. Learn more here, or sign up by clicking here.

 

Help support the Festival this month!

  

There's only a couple of weeks left to head up to The Fabulous Find Thrift Shop in Kittery and shop to support both Prescott Park Arts Festival and Prescott Park!

Each month, this thrift shop chooses a worthy non-profit to donate their monthly proceeds to, and we are thrilled and honored to have been selected!

Shop their great selection of clothing, jewelry, and furniture (or donate your own!), and enjoy knowing that all proceeds are going back to the park.

Find them at their brand new location, 139 State Road in Kittery.

And, leapin' lizards, don't forget your membership this year!! It is a great deal and fantastic way to show your support. Click here to join the family with a season membership today!

See you in the park before long! 

  

Ben Anderson

Executive Director

Prescott Park Arts Festival

  

 

Prescott Park is Supported by these
Partners who Proudly Invest Back in their Communities:   

  

Youth Theatre Program Returning to Prescott Park Arts Festival

Portsmouth, NH - Prescott Park Arts Festival has announced that it plans to revive its acclaimed youth theatre academy program as part of its 2013 summer offerings. As a special partnership with Camp CenterStage, this unique opportunity for young, aspiring actors will offer a three-week, full day camp, from July 15 to August 4, culminating in two performances of Seussical, Jr. on the FairPoint Communications MainStage.

The youth theatre program, Camp ENCORE!, will offer sessions in music, singing, dancing, acting, visual arts and technical theater while rehearsing the fully produced show, Seussical, Jr. The three-week session will also include guest artist teachers, specialized focused workshops and community outreach experiences.

"Each camper will have to opportunity to grow, learn, explore, have fun and perform on the Festival's stage," said Camp Director, Lisa Forsley. The collaboration with Camp CenterStage brings with it a well-developed camp program, and a full staff of professional teachers and artists to lead the summer session.

"We had to place this camp on hiatus five years while we reorganized in order to put the festival on the wonderful path it has enjoyed over these last few years," explained Prescott Park Arts Festival Executive Director, Ben Anderson. "Still, we were inundated with requests to revive the program each year, so we're proud to finally have that opportunity. It is an experience that kids will treasure for their entire lives."

Offered during most of the Festival's thirty eight year history, the youth academy once reached between 70 and 85 children and was held over the full eight weeks of summer.

"Getting the next generation of creative types involved and developing their talents at a young age is something that the Festival is very proud to offer again to the community," explained Prescott Park Arts Festival Executive Director, Ben Anderson, of his decision to go forward with the camp. The camp is open to aspiring youth performers, artists, and technicians ages 8 to 17. Campers will receive a total of 120 hours of learning, rehearsing and creative fun. 

All classes and rehearsals will be held at Prescott Park Arts Festival, providing a beautiful outdoor setting with full artistic and technical support for the final show.

Camp ENCORE! will be held July 15 to August 4 with performances of the final cumulating production of Seussical Jr. The camp will be Monday - Friday from 9:00 - 5:00 with an early drop off program available. More information about Camp ENCORE! can be found on the Festival website, www.prescottpark.org/camp.cfm or by contacting the Festival office at 603-436-2848.

About Camp CenterStage:

Camp CenterStage (CCS) was started by a core group of experienced arts educators who have a shared vision of creating a top-notch camp experience. Camp CenterStage promotes a judgment free environment where youth are encouraged to explore and share their talents, and provides a camp experience that combines the performing arts and traditional camp experiences as a way to teach positive life and leadership skills.

Prescott Park Arts Festival, a non-profit organization, is the Seacoast's premier outdoor performing arts venue, offering a uniquely accessible experience of high quality live theater and music -- no fixed admissions fees -- in an idyllic natural setting.

For more information, contact Ben Anderson, Executive Director, at 603-436-2848 or at ben@prescottpark.org .