SUMMER FUN from the SUN

A Solar-Powered Stage in Warner, NH

The Stage. Photos courtesy of Katherine Nevins, Main Street Bookends, Warner, NH.

By N.R. Mallery

The Jim Mitchell Community Park, in Warner, New Hampshire, opened to the public on October 10, 2010, through the efforts of the non-profit MainStreet Warner, Inc. This Park was inspired and initiated by Jim Mitchell and his legacy to give back to a town he so loved. Mitchell, who died unexpectedly in 2008, was the brother of Katharine (Mitchell) Nevins, and who along with her husband, Neil, opened the solar-powered bookstore, MainStreet BookEnds in 1998. Together they co-founded MainStreet Warner, Inc. in 2000. The MainStreet Warner Stage is located in the amphitheater of the park, and is adjacent to MainStreet BookEnds.

Nevins said her brother became an ambassador for Warner, and coined the phrase, “Something wonderful is happening in Warner.” Those words are inscribed on the ground in the park and in the hearts of this community.

A 13th-century post-and-beam barn design, the stage was designed and built by the community – by local carpenters, volunteers, and with funds raised from the community, as well. It is run on four solar panels, installed by Harmony Energy Works of Hampton, New Hampshire. The park is irrigated by a stored rainwater system installed by Greenleaf Irrigation, and includes an “edible landscape” garden. The stage officially opened in October, 2013.

The Stage.

While the events scheduled for the 2015 season started on May 23, there is a summer full of fun that is powered from the sun, scheduled for 2015. Here is what they currently have lined up:

• June 19 6-9 pm. Jake Davis and the Whiskey Stones is a string band playing soul-filled American music. Seacoast, NH. http://jdavismusic.com/.

• June 26 6-9 pm.The Tenderbellies blend Americana, bluegrass, new grass, jazz and rock. Burlingtonbased string band. https://soundcloud.com/tenderbelliesbluegrass.

• July 7 5:30-8pm. Etna Old Time Association is a new-old-time duo rooted in Etna, NH. Traditional and newer tunes of bluegrass and folk. http://etnaoldtime.com/ http://etnaoldtime.com/#/#video.

• July 10 6-9pm. Beechwood is an acoustic duo/trio, playing a mix of originals and covers blend of Old Folk, Bluegrass, Country, Rock, Blues. http://beechwoodacoustic.wix.com/beechwood

• July 1h 5:30-8pm. “BEAT FEST” drumming event. You are invited to bring your own drums and rhythm instruments. http://kathylowemusic.com.

• July 17 6-9pm. Pat & the Hats is an original award-winning, modern rock band from Central NH. http://www.patandthehats.com/

• July 18 5:30-9pm. DIG – feat. The DoBros. Ranging from jazz and soul to funk and psychedelic rock.”Soulfunk rage-jazz”. https://www.facebook.com/dig.grooves?fref=photo

• July 28 5:30-8pm. Tim Fischer & Brad Myrick. http://timfischermusic.com/

• July 31 6-9pm. Questionable Company. A folk-funk trio from Burlington, Vt. http://www.questionablecompany.com/

• August 10 6-9pm. Beechwood.

• August 15 4-10pm MainStreet Warner Film Festival. https://filmfreeway.com/festival/MainStreetWarnerFilmFest

• August 18 5:30-8pm. Tom Pirozzoli’s music is rooted in a broad tradition that uniquely combines jazz, classical and pop for a truly original sound. http://pirozzoli.com/.

• August 21 Bradford Bog People. Fiddle, banjo, guitar… http://www.bradfordbogpeople.com/

Additional events as they are confirmed can be found at www.mainstreetwarnerinc.org and through the bookstore website at www.mainstreetbookends.com/park-stage-events.

Something wonderful is happening in Warner!