FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 27, 2015
CONTACT:
Rebecca Bailey, Publicity Coordinator/Writer
Hopkins Center for the Arts, Dartmouth College
rebecca.a.bailey@dartmouth.edu
603.646.3991
Free series of Thursday concerts and films at the Hop this summer
Photos (L-R): First row: Plena Libre, C.J. Chenier, Gordon Webster. Photos courtesy of the artists. Second row:
Still images from Toy Story and Mary Poppins.
HANOVER, NH—The Hop is throwing a free, all-ages party of music, dance and film this summer in a new
series called “Free For All,” part of the Hop’s Community Venture Initiative (CVI). Since April 2014, CVI has
been piloting programs to make the arts barrier-free for all ages, engaging more than 1,600 people throughout
the Upper Valley.
From June 25 through August 13, assorted Thursday evenings feature three contagiously danceable concerts
on the Dartmouth Green (the rain location is Spaulding Auditorium), with pre-concert dance lessons on a
special outdoor dance floor; and two family-friendly films on the big Spaulding Auditorium screen.
The concerts are by renowned Latin, zydeco and swing dance bands, and the films are family classics:
June 25, 5:30 pm: The “sizzling Latin jazz and salsa grooves” (Los Angeles Times) of Plena Libre combines
world-renowned musicianship with the fun of a Caribbean street party. Expect driving, ecstatic Puerto Rican
plena, bomba and more from this four-time Grammy-nominated band, with horns, percussion and lush fourpart vocals. The concert is preceded by free Latin dance lessons with the band at 4:30 pm.
July 9, 5:30 pm: C.J. Chenier (“the heir to the Zydeco throne, an unparalleled party starter”—Billboard) and
the Red Hot Louisiana Band rock the dance floor, whether burning up contemporary tunes or simmering on
traditional country waltzes. Son of “King of Zydeco” Clifton Chenier, C.J and his masterful accordion, soulful
voice and funky original songs update his father’s snapping Louisiana music style. The concert is preceded by
free zydeco dance lessons at 4:30 pm.
July 23, 6:30 pm: Toy Story (1995) is back for its 20th anniversary, with Pixar’s revolutionary animation and
peerless storytelling, and A-list actors giving voice to Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and
more.
August 6, 5:30 pm: “One of the most exciting swing-style pianists and bandleaders on the current scene” (Wall
Street Journal), New York pianist Gordon Webster’s exuberant love of dance and his tremendous chops on a
smorgasbord of jazz styles have made him the number-one bandleader for a new generation of swing dancers
from Manhattan to Istanbul. Webster performs with his septet, preceded by free Lindy Hop lessons at 4:30
pm.
August 13, 6:30 pm: Mary Poppins, winner of five 1964 Oscars and one of the most beloved movie musicals of
all time, features Julie Andrews as the dream nanny and the lovable Dick Van Dyke as her chimney sweep
consort.
Hop Community Venture Initiative (CVI) projects are new opportunities for Upper Valley residents of all ages
to create, access and explore the arts. CVI projects are pilot programs intended to identify opportunities for
future community engagement and partnerships. CVI builds on the Hop’s commitment, over its 53-year
history, to community-oriented programs involving a strong network of local organizational partners, as well
as ideas generated by the Hop’s Class Divide Project, a three-year initiative that examined socio-economic
class via the arts.
Other CVI programs include the ongoing Community Ticket Program and Claremont HopStop series, and such
past endeavors as Radical Jewelry Makeover, Bash the Trash and the Halloween-o-thon film slam. The project
is funded by a challenge grant from Jane’s Trust, with major matching gifts from Jane and Peter McLaughlin,
The Jack & Dorothy Byrne Foundation, the Neda Nobari Foundation, Nini and Rob Meyer, Jenny and Stan
Williams and Norwich Partners.
RELEVANT LINKS
https://hop.dartmouth.edu/Online/plenalibre
http://www.plenalibre.com/
https://hop.dartmouth.edu/Online/cjchenier
http://www.cjchenierandtheredhotlouisianaband.com/CJ_Chenier/Home.html
https://hop.dartmouth.edu/Online/gordonwebster
http://www.gordonwebsterswings.com/home.html
https://hop.dartmouth.edu/Online/communityventure
Download high-resolution photos:
https://hop.dartmouth.edu/Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScont
ent::loadArticle::article_id=A14ACB33-679C-469F-9E075A08469894E7&sessionlanguage=&SessionSecurity::linkName=
CALENDAR LISTINGS:
Plena Libre in concert
Plena Libre combines world-renowned musicianship with the fun of a Caribbean street party! Driving,
ecstatic Puerto Rican plena, bomba and more by this caliente Grammy-nominated band, with horns,
percussion and lush four-part vocals. Pre-show Latin dance class at 4:30 pmon the Green (rain location: Hop
Garage). No experience necessary!
Thursday, June 25, 5:30 pm
Dartmouth Green (rain location: Spaulding Auditorium, Hopkins Center)
Free
Information: hop.dartmouth.edu or 603.646.2422
C. J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band
Whether burning up contemporary tunes or simmering on traditional country waltzes, the Red Hots
aim to make you dance. With his masterful accordion, soulful voice and funky original songs, C.J.
updates the snapping Louisiana music style of his father, Clifton “King of Zydeco” Chenier. Pre-show zydeco
dance class by expert Alice Kenney at 4:30 pm on the Green (rain location: Hop Garage). No experience
necessary!
Thursday, July 9, 5:30 pm
Dartmouth Green (rain location: Spaulding Auditorium, Hopkins Center)
Free
Information: hop.dartmouth.edu or 603.646.2422
Toy Story
It has been 20 years since Pixar revolutionized animated family films, bringing to the big screen an
answer to every kid’s question: What do our toys do when we’re not around? Woody (Tom Hanks), a
happy-go-lucky cowboy doll, and Buzz (Tim Allen), who thinks he’s a “real” space ranger, are rivals turnedfriends in this groundbreaking comedy full of humor, heart and unforgettable characters. D: John Lasseter,
US, 1995, 81m
Thursday, July 23, 6:30 pm
Spaulding Auditorium, Hopkins Center
Free
Information: hop.dartmouth.edu or 603.646.2422
Gordon Webster Septet
From Manhattan to Istanbul, New York pianist Webster’s exuberant love of dance and his tremendous
chops on a smorgasbord of jazz styles have made him the number-one bandleader for a new generation of
swing dancers. Feet don’t lie! Pre-show Lindy Hop lessons by expert Faye Grearson at 4:30 pm on the Green
(rain location: Hop Garage). No experience necessary!
Thursday, August 6, 5:30 pm
Dartmouth Green (rain location: Spaulding Auditorium, Hopkins Center)
Free
Information: hop.dartmouth.edu or 603.646.2422
Mary Poppins
Fifty years ago, audiences eagerly swallowed the “Spoonful of Sugar” that is Mary Poppins, and the film
became one of the most beloved movie musicals of all time. Julie Andrews delivers a star-making title
performance, alongside Dick Van Dyke as the lovable jack-of-all-trades Bert. Winner of five Academy
Awards, Mary Poppins mixes toe-tapping tunes with lessons about compassion and patience. The result: an
enduring family classic. D: Robert Stevenson, US, 1964, 139m
Thursday, August 13, 6:30 pm
Spaulding Auditorium, Hopkins Center
Free
Information: hop.dartmouth.edu or 603.646.2422
* * *
Founded in 1962, the Hopkins Center for the Arts is a multi-disciplinary academic, visual and performing
arts center dedicated to uncovering insights, igniting passions, and nurturing talents to help Dartmouth and
the surrounding Upper Valley community engage imaginatively and contribute creatively to our world. Each
year the Hop presents more than 300 live events and films by visiting artists as well as Dartmouth students
and the Dartmouth community, and reaches more than 22,000 Upper Valley residents and students with
outreach and arts education programs. After a celebratory 50th-anniversary season in 2012-13, the Hop
enters its second half-century with renewed passion for mentoring young artists, supporting the
development of new work, and providing a laboratory for participation and experimentation in the arts.