Merrimack Valley Magazine

Mistral Music Artistic Director Announces Debut Memoir

September 9, 2021 by Kristin Cole

Julie Scolnik, the artistic director of Mistral Music, a chamber music group that performs a regular series in Andover and Brookline, announced that her debut memoir, “Paris Blue,” will be published by Koehler Books on Oct. 5, and is available now for pre-order.

Scolnik is an American flutist who has performed as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral flutist. She founded founding Mistral Music with her husband in 1997, and since the series has been known for its “virtuosic performances, imaginative programming, and the deep personal rapport [Scolnik] establishes with her audiences.” Scolnik currently lives in Boston with her husband, children — who are also musicians — and their two cats.

Visit here to pre-order Scolnik’s new book.

#NowSpinning: Melvern Taylor

September 8, 2021 by Doug Sparks

#NowSpinning is a regular feature in which we ask local musicians what’s up next on their playlist! Stay tuned to meet more local artists and find more songs for your library.

If you know the Lowell music scene, then Melvern Taylor needs no introduction. For those who who don’t, Taylor’s catchy but sophisticated pop songs with a surf flavor should be on your next playlist. You’ll also want to check out his work with Pinto Loco, an L.A. supergroup. Lowell Area, that is. You can read a profile of Taylor in Merrimack Valley Magazine here.

If you want to see Pinto Loco live, head to Jamaica Plain on Oct. 27 when they storm the Midway Cafe. Or, follow them on Facebook to get gig updates and learn more.

Taylor sent us five records he’s currently digging, in no particular order.

Frank Sinatra: At the Sands (live)

1966. Count Basie Orchestra. Quincy Jones arrangements. Sinatra and the band are on FIRE. I think the place held a crowd of like 345 people. What???? Great stage banter. It’s unlikely that anyone who was there ever witnessed anything as good again in their lifetime. One of the best live albums ever.

The Panturas: Mabuk Laut

Indonesian surf/garage/indie? I heard about them through one of the surf rock groups I belong to on Facebook (dork alert). This album is spectacular. A couple of songs are in English but most of it is Indonesian (I presume). Turns out that totally doesn’t matter. People who whine that there is no good new music just don’t bother to look. This album makes me super happy. They’ve got a new one coming out soon. And they are KIDS. So we have so much future stuff to look forward to. YAY!

Peter Frampton: Somethin’s Happening

One day during lock down I heard “Frampton Comes Alive” and realized I had never listened to any of his pre- “Comes Alive” albums. I assumed there must have been a reason the record label decided a live album was in order. JIMINY CRICKETS. The pre-_”Comes Alive” records are FANTASTIC. My favorite of these is “Somethin’s Happening.” Great songs. Great sound. And, of course, FRAMPTON. “Sail Away” is awesome.

Summer Salt: So Polite

I randomly discovered Summer Salt on Spotify. They are super good. Super chill. Great songs. I love the sound of their records. I picked this one because it’s the one I’m digging right now, but ALL their stuff is great. I think they are from Seattle maybe. Check them out.

The Figgs: Shady Grove

Again, all The Figgs stuff is awesome. This is just the one I’m digging the most right now. I’ve played gigs with The Figgs (I think) and I kinda know Mike, the guitarist, but I had never really dug into their records. During lockdown I checked them out and became totally obsessed. They are one of the best bands there is. ALL OF THEIR RECORDS ARE GREAT. You can just pick any Figgs album at random and put them on and be bombarded with rock and roll awesomeness.

Eight Great Things To Do This Labor Day Weekend – 9/2/21

September 2, 2021 by Kristin Cole

ONE: Join St. Anthony Maronite Church in Lawrence for the 49th annual Lebanese Mahrajan Festival taking place from this Friday, Sept. 3, through Sunday, Sept. 5. The festival will feature cultural meals including stuffed grape leaves, kafta, beef and chicken kabobs, vegetables, homemade bread and more, as well as a Mahrajan raffle, basket raffles, and more exciting activities. Click here for more details.

TWO: The 37th annual Bread & Roses Festival will take place on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 6. Taking place in the Campagnone Common, the event will honor Lawrence’s multicultural roots and rich labor history, commemorating the 1912 Bread and Roses Strike. There will be live performances, a tribute at the 1912 Textile Workers’ Strike Monument, a literary lounge, Lawrence History Live speakers’ tent with Aviva Chomsky, and a community forum discussion on essential workers. Visit here for more on the festival.

THREE: Head over to the Newburyport Art Association and check out one of their latest exhibits “Flowers – Near & Far” featuring the work of local photographer Sam Davis. According to Davis, quarantine offered an opportunity to experiment with the geometrical beauty and color in flowers using normal and macro photography. The gallery will be open on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Hurry, the last day to view this exhibit is this Sunday! Visit here to learn more.

FOUR: This weekend’s Lowell Summer Music Series line-up features talented acts you won’t want to miss. On Friday, catch singer-songwriter John Hiatt, “long celebrated as a skilled storyteller and keen observer of life’s twists and turns.” Saturday’s concert will feature Rhiannon Giddens and friends. Giddens is a musician who is known for using her art to reveal truths about the past and present. Both concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. Click here to purchase tickets and be sure to take note of COVID-19 guidelines before heading to the show.

FIVE: Looking for a great date night idea? Head over to Tupelo Music Hall this Saturday for Tupelo Night of Comedy. The comedians of the night will be Jim Colliton, Jason Merrill, and Jeff Koen, and the show begins at 8 p.m. Click here to get tickets.

SIX: Kicking off this weekend, Haverhill’s Multicultural Festival will take place virtually every Sunday throughout September. Each week’s programming will feature music, cooking, dancing, storytelling, and information about the various cultures that make up and surround Haverhill. Cultural foods presentations will include recipes for Italian, Jamaican, Moroccan, Puerto Rican and Greek cuisines. Access the online festival through HC Media, YouTube, Facebook, and by following the Multicultural Festival’s other social media channels. Visit here for more details.

SEVEN: Support a local cause by participating in the Newburyport Lantern Festival for Ovarian Cancer Awareness this Sunday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Participants will decorate and light floating GNOCA lanterns and release them over Frog Pond. Money raised for the event will support local women undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer and funding for ovarian cancer research. Click here for more info.

EIGHT: Looking to enjoy the summer weather before we transition to fall? Join the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge for a tour of Plum Island by boat. Attendees will not only enjoy gorgeous views, but learn the history of Plum Island and the Great Marsh and how important they are as the world’s second most productive ecosystem. The tour is happening this Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Visit here to reserve your spot.

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BONUS: The Luna is back! The Luna Theater, located in Lowell’s Mill No. 5, announced that they will be reopening on Wednesday, Sept. 8. Popular programs such as Luna Sessions, Mondo Comedy, and UML Philosophy and Film are all returning as well as a new Secret Satellite Society Movie Night. September’s film line-up includes new movies like “The Green Knight” (2021) and “The Year of the Everlasting Storm” (2021); as well as classics such as “Alien” (1979), “The Fifth Element” (1997) and more. Visit their website here for more details.

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Happening in Haverhill

In this special section, we bring to you the latest happenings from in and around the Haverhill area. Stay posted to learn about fun events happening in the coming weeks.

Team Haverhill’s River Ruckus

Join Team Haverhill for this annual festival featuring live music, a classic car show, kids zone, beer and wine garden, local eats, and spectacular fireworks over the Merrimack River. Follow River Ruckus on Facebook for the latest news and announcements about the band lineup and set schedule. Click here to learn more.

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Get Ready for Labor Day

This year, there will be plenty of events on Labor Day weekend, including three venerated Lawrence traditions.

The Bread and Roses Heritage Festival takes place Sept. 6 on Campagnone Common and honors Lawrence’s multicultural roots and labor history, commemorating the 1912 Bread and Roses Strike. There will be music performances, speakers, and a community forum. For more information, visit BreadAndRosesHeritage.org.

Friday through Sunday, visit St. Anthony Maronite Church for the 49th Annual Lebanese Mahrajan Festival, which features cultural meals including stuffed grape leaves, kafta, beef and chicken kabobs, vegetables, and homemade bread. To learn more, visit StAnthonyLawrence.org/annual-mahrajan-festival.

And, of course, Lawrence hosts the annual Feast of the Three Saints. This year’s event is abbreviated to Saturday and Sunday, and will still present the processionals, live music and fireworks that keep visitors coming back every year. Head over to ThreeSaintsInc.org for a full schedule.

Not enough? How about a Sunday night fireworks celebration at Hampton Beach? Find out more at HamptonBeach.org.

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Farmers Market Spotlight

Farmers markets provide perfect ways to support local, independent producers while getting out into the community. Here are some we know you’ll enjoy. If you’ve been reading our weekly Wellness Wednesdays newsletter, you’re aware of the benefits derived from eating fresh produce.

Know of a farmers market that didn’t make our list? Shoot us an email: editor@mvmag.net.

Andover Farmers Market

The Andover Farmers Market, open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is a vibrant event that connects local farmers and artisans with the surrounding community through the joy of local food. Featured vendors include Andover Bees & Honey, Daisy Jane’s Flowers, Pleasant Valley Gardens, Willow Spring Vineyards, Craic Sauce, and more. Click here to learn more.

The Farm Market

The Farm Market outside Mill No. 5 in Lowell is now open on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vendors include North of Boston (veggies, fruit, beef, pork), Neighbor’s Acre (microgreens & mushrooms), Bread Obsession, Samira’s Homemade (Lebanese hummus & spreads), Grateful Tastes (jams, jellies & spreads), KRM Chocolates and more. Visit here for details and directions.

Groundwork Lawrence

From June 16 through October 30, the Groundwork Lawrence market is expanding and will be open in Lawrence and Methuen locations on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. For more information, click here.

Haverhill Farmers Market

The Haverhill Farmers Market opens on Saturday, June 26! Located at 51 Merrimack Street in Haverhill, the market is celebrating their 43rd season in providing the Merrimack Valley with fresh and local fruits, vegetables, baked goods, local wine, handmade soaps and lotions, maple syrup, and much more. The market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday until October. Visit here for more information.

Downtown Manchester Farmers Market

In addition to fruits and veggies, flowers, maple products, baked goods, meat, fudge and certified organic products, the Downtown Manchester Farmers Market also features weekly demonstrations, music, children’s events and cooking. The market is open through October on Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Visit here for details.

Methuen Groundwork Farmers Market

Visit the Methuen Groundwork Farmers Market at Nevins Memorial Library to find fresh and local produce, baked goods, honey, eggs, and crafts. The festive market celebrates the community with concerts, cultural and educational activities, and more. The market is open on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. through October. Click here for directions.

Mill City Grows

Based in Lowell, Mass., visit Mill City Grows throughout the summer at any of their outdoor markets, which take place at the Lowell Community Health Center, the Lowell Boys & Girls Club, the Lowell Senior Center and more. Visit here for details on market dates and locations.

Nashua N.H. Farmers Market

Visit the local farmers and vendors at the Nashua N.H Farmers Market, located at Nashua City Hall. Spend time outdoors and peruse fresh produce, meats, seafood, honey, and much more. The market is open Sundays from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. through Oct. 17. Visit here to learn more.

Newburyport Farmers Market

The Newburyport Farmers Market, located at the Tannery Marketplace on Water Street, is open every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market features products from local farms, fine food purveyors and artisans, with vendors including Heron Pond Farm, Farmer Dave’s, Simple Sips, Cookie Jar Kitchen, Everything Alpaca, Curious Owl, and many more. Visit here to learn more.

North Andover Farmers Market

This year, the North Andover Farmers Market has over 20 vendors, including Farmer Dave’s, Botanical Alchemy, Everything Alpaca, Happy Cat Gourmet Granola, Purple Carrot Bread Co. Red Antler Apothecary, and much more. The market is open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Click here for details and directions.

Salem N.H. Farmers Market

The Salem, N.H., farmers market opens up Sunday, May 16, in the new Tuscan Village on South Village Drive. They will be open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Click here for contact information and to learn more about the vendors involved.

Tewksbury Community Market

The Tewksbury Community Market is open every Thursday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. through Sept. 30. The market features 30 vendors including Gaouette Farm, Green Hollow Orchard, Mill City Cheesemongers, Tewksbury Honey, and more, plus dessert food trucks, artisans, crafters and more. Visit here for more information.

Wilmington Farmers Market

The Wilmington Farmers Market features fun for the whole family, with a children’s craft table, dance and musical performances, hula hoops, ring toss, cornhole and more. The market includes local New England farmers, bakers, meats and seafood, prepared foods and artisans including Lowell’s own Red Antler Apothecary. The market is open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit here for more information.

Looking for other ways to get fresh, local produce this year? Click here for a list of CSA programs you can join throughout the Merrimack Valley.

Art! Culture! Feasts! Festivals!

July 10, 2021 by Digital Manager

Your Summer Guide to the Merrimack Valley

Expect a surge of people exploring the Valley, eager to enjoy summer and recover from the stresses of life during the pandemic, but be prepared for last-minute changes. Always call or visit the webpages of the following organizations to make sure you have the most up-to-date information.

It would be impossible to put together a complete list of all the great things happening in the Merrimack Valley during the warm months — a number of local event organizers were still developing plans for the 2021 summer season at the time of publication. The best way to keep track of everything noteworthy going on in the Merrimack Valley is to follow Merrimack Valley Magazine on social media, click here and subscribe to our free, weekly art and entertainment newsletter, Eight Great Things To Do This Weekend.

ART, MUSIC, CULTURE

Learning to Look: The Addison at 90
Addison Gallery of American Art, Andover
Through Dec. 31
Addison.Andover.Edu
Filling the Addison’s first floor galleries, “Learning to Look: The Addison at 90” features celebrated favorites, lesser-known gems, and new acquisitions that bring to life the Addison’s storied history and ongoing commitment to groundbreaking artists. With an installation that allows objects to speak across time and media, this exhibition includes masterworks by artists such as Winslow Homer, Thomas Eakins, Georgia O’Keeffe, Jackson Pollock, Donald Judd, Agnes Martin, McArthur Binion, Carrie Mae Weems and Jaune Quick-to-See Smith.

Lowell Summer Music Series
Boarding House Park, Lowell
Through mid-Sept.
LowellSummerMusic.org
Nationally known artists such as Tower of Power, Richard Thompson, Rhiannon Giddens, Ani DiFranco and Los Lobos perform at Lowell National Historical Park’s Boarding House Park throughout the summer.

New Hampshire Music Festival
Various locations, N.H.
Through July 31
NHMF.org
Enjoy a collection of concerts focused on the Granite State’s cultural richness and diversity. Chamber music and family concerts abound both indoors and out. Patrons will again have the chance to enjoy the festival’s “From the Heart” livestream performances from their own homes or attend these chamber concerts in person.

Newburyport Chamber Garden Concert and Lecture Series
Various locations
Through Aug. 15
NewburyportChamberMusic.org
A series of intimate chamber music concerts, lectures, open rehearsals and family programs in and around the city of Newburyport.

Prescott Park Arts Festival
Prescott Park, Portsmouth, N.H.
Through mid-Sept.
PrescottPark.org
Visitors can enjoy food, music, films, children’s entertainment and theater at Prescott Park, which overlooks the scenic Piscataqua River in downtown Portsmouth.

Old Crow Medicine Show
Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, Hampton, N.H.
July 9
CasinoBallroom.com
Known for their high-energy, punk-tinged take on bluegrass and folk, OCMS is much more than “Wagon Wheel” — their catchy song made famous by Darius Rucker and in pre-pandemic karaoke bars across the nation. If this show sells out, and it probably will, head over to the Casino Ballroom website to see what else lies ahead this summer: Buddy Guy, Aaron Lewis, George Thorogood, Joss Stone, and more are on the calendar.

Buster Keaton Films With Live Music
The Rex Theatre, Manchester, N.H.
July 15
PalaceTheatre.org/Rex-Theatre
Relive the golden age of silent film at the Rex. “Sherlock Jr.” and “Our Hospitality” star one of the greatest Hollywood comic actors of all time, Buster Keaton. Live music is provided by Jeff Rapsis, a New Hampshire-based musician and composer who specializes in creating live music for silent film screenings. Over the past 15 years, he has accompanied more than 1,000 screenings in New England, around the nation, and in Europe.

Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes
Blue Ocean Music Hall, Salisbury
July 30-31
BlueOceanHall.com
The Jukes have more than 30 albums on their resume, thousands of acclaimed live performances across the globe and a vibrant legacy of classic songs that have become “hits” to their large and dedicated fan base. Last year, the Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes released the acclaimed “SOULTIME!,” their first new studio recording of all original material in five years. The record celebrates the transformative power of ’70s soul music and represents a return to — as Southside sings — “just letting the music take us away.”

Nicole Keller
Methuen Memorial Music Hall
Aug. 4
Methuen, Mass.
Streamed live on MMMH’s YouTube channel, the show features works by Sowerby, Price, Hampton, Shearing and Wilson, performed by Nicole Keller. Keller is a solo and chamber music recitalist, adjudicator and clinician on the organ and harpsichord. She specializes in eclectic programs suited to instrument and audience with a desire to expand the listener’s horizons, pairing familiar sounds and genres with less familiar ones. She has concertized in the United States and abroad in venues such as St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, Notre Dame in Paris and The Kazakh National University for the Arts in Kazakhstan.

Godspell
Firehouse Center for the Arts, Newburyport
Aug. 13-29
Firehouse.org
The Firehouse presents “Godspell,” live at Smolak Farms, in which a small group of people help Jesus Christ tell different parables by using a wide variety of games and storytelling techniques. An eclectic blend of songs, ranging in style from pop to vaudeville is employed as the story of Jesus’ life dances across the stage. Dissolving hauntingly into the Last Supper and the Crucifixion, Jesus’ messages of kindness, tolerance and love come vibrantly to life.

Maudslay Arts Center Summer Concert Series
Maudslay State Park, Newburyport
Aug. 8-29
MaudslayArtsCenter.org
Whether you’re sitting under the stars on a moonlit evening or lounging on a blanket on a Sunday afternoon, the Maudslay Arts Center Summer Concert Series provides the perfect setting for your entertainment pleasure. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner and their own chairs. Performers this year include New Black Eagle Jazz Band, Amanda Carr and Donna Byrne.

Theater in the Open
Maudslay State Park, Newburyport
Date TBD
TheaterInTheOpen.org
Due to ongoing efforts to current pandemic guidelines, Theater in the Open is reimagining its 2021 season to allow for smaller groups to gather to see live performances. They will open this season slightly later than usual, but as of press time, opening day yet to be announced. Visit their website for more info.

FEASTS & FESTIVALS

Summer Fun 2021
Nashua, N.H.
Through Sept. 10
NashuaNH.gov
Enjoy outdoor concerts, fireworks, live theater, children’s entertainment and the annual Fairy Tale Festival.

Yankee Homecoming
Downtown Newburyport
July 30 – Aug. 8
YankeeHomecoming.com
Since 1958, this old-fashioned festival has offered a chance to reminisce about times past. At the time of publication, organizers were still unsure what this year’s celebration will be like. Past year’s activities included a brewfest, fireworks, art exhibitions and more.

Haverhill Restaurant Week
Haverhill, Mass.
Aug. 20-26
HaverhillsRestaurantWeek.com
The Greater Haverhill Chamber hosts its annual Haverhill Restaurant Week. Past participants have included Barking Dog Ale House, Peddler’s Daughter, The Hidden Pig and many more. To find the latest information on this year’s event, visit their webpage or follow the Destination Downtown Haverhill page on Facebook.

Feast of the Three Saints
Common Street, Lawrence
Sept. 4-6
ThreeSaintsInc.org
Don’t miss this lively Italian street festival in honor of Sts. Alfio, Filadelfo and Cirino. Events include free concerts, a torchlight parade and a procession of the saints.

The Bread & Roses Heritage Festival
Campagnone Common, Lawrence
Sept. 6
BreadAndRosesHeritage.org
While plans for this festival are still in the works, if it happens in 2021, this free, family-friendly event will feature live music, dance performances, drama and poetry. The Bread & Roses festival presents an opportunity to learn about the 1912 Bread and Roses Strike and to celebrate Lawrence’s diversity.

The Joy Nest

May 15, 2021 by Emilie-Noelle Provost

“I love things that transport me to a different time and place,” says Caroline Jolliffe, the owner of Newburyport’s newest, and possibly coolest, restaurant. “The Joy Nest reminds me of my experience in Thailand.”

Jolliffe, who lived in Thailand for more than two years in the early 1990s, is no stranger to the hospitality business. For the last nine years she has been the owner of Brown Sugar by the Sea, a popular Newburyport restaurant that also serves Thai cuisine. But, she says, the two establishments are very different.

“Brown Sugar is more about Thai comfort food, the dishes that everyone expects at a Thai restaurant,” she says. “The Joy Nest’s menu was inspired by Thai street food.”

Another inspiration for The Joy Nest was Jolliffe’s love of beautiful things, which is hard to miss when you walk into the restaurant. Sophisticated yet earthy and comfortable, The Joy Nest’s speakeasy-inspired decor emits a cozy, jazzy vibe meant to evoke a simpler, more joyful time. It’s an atmosphere that makes you want to put on your best suit, even if it’s a bit wrinkled from your last night out.

According to Jolliffe, the restaurant, which opened this past Valentine’s Day in the space formerly occupied by Glenn’s Food & Libations at the Tannery Historic Marketplace, has been very well received in spite of the pandemic. “Everyone is starved for fun and excitement,” she says.

The Joy Nest’s stylish interior is dominated by bird imagery, most notably the large pink peacock created by a local artist. “Even last February, before the pandemic, I felt like we were in a dark place,” Jolliffe says. “Peacocks are elegant, flashy and positive. I felt like Newburyport needed a place with a little more pizzazz.”

Although The Joy Nest’s menu was inspired by street food, the plates coming out of its kitchen are anything but. Jolliffe and her staff have reimagined dishes like moo ping, street-style pork skewers served with a chili-vinegar dipping sauce, giving them a stylish aesthetic, something she hopes will make people want to try menu items not often found locally.

Craft cocktails, which Jolliffe describes as being mostly “gin-forward,” are another key ingredient in The Joy Nest’s happiness elixir. One of Jolliffe’s personal favorites is “The Nest,” a combination of gin, Lillet Blanc, Cointreau and lemon finished with a splash of absinthe. “People like experimenting with different cocktails depending on their mood,” she says. “Sometimes they’ll order the same drink all night, and other times they’ll mix it up.”

And let’s not forget the jazz. Jolliffe has been booking live musicians to play in The Joy Nest’s upstairs lounge since mid-April.

Jolliffe’s post-pandemic plans include more tables and adding dishes to the menu that are inspired by cuisine from other Asian countries. “I’d love to get more people in here,” she says.

Over and above everything else, Jolliffe says it’s important to her that The Joy Nest’s customers come away with a sense of the Thai culture’s legendary hospitality and love for food.

“The Thais’ level of love for food is different than ours — almost like the Italians’,” she says. “When you go to someone’s house in Thailand, the first thing they ask is, ‘Have you eaten yet?’ Even if you say no, you still get something, even if it’s just some fruit or a glass of orange juice. It’s one of the most appealing parts of their culture. I want people to feel like we are happy they are here and that we want to feed them.”

Jolliffe recently appeared on our podcast, The 495. Click below for the full interview:

The Joy Nest
Newburyport, Mass.
(978) 572-1615
TheJoyNestRestaurant.com