Event Descriptions
2009-2010 Arts Alive at the Rogers Center for the Arts
The Rogers Center for the Arts 2009-2010 Season brochure will be available soon at the Rogers Center at Merrimack College. If you are not on our mailing list and would like to receive a brochure, please forward your mailing address to RogersCenter@merrimack.edu or call the Box Office at 978-837-5355.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
"The Apartment"
6:30 PM commentary 7:00 PM screening
A man tries to advance in his company by letting the executives use his apartment for trysts, but complications and a romance of his own ensue. Staring Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, and Fred MacMurray. Directed by Billy Wilder; Black and White; Not Rated; 125 minutes; 1960
FREE of charge
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
"The Mouse That Roared"
6:30 PM commentary 7:00 PM screening
An impoverished backward nation declares war on the United States of America, hoping to lose. Staring Peter Sellers, Jean Seberg, and Timothy Bateson. Directed by Jack Arnold; Not Rated; 83 minutes; 1959
FREE of charge
Thursday, July 23, 2009
MONUMENT SQUARE BRASS
7:00 PM
Enjoy big brass sound beneath the stars of the early summer sky. Monument Square Brass kicks off the Rogers Center Summer Concert Series and provides the perfect accompaniment for enjoying a beautiful July evening outdoors.
FREE of charge
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
"Dr. Strangelove"
6:30 PM commentary 7:00 PM screening
An insane general forges a path towards nuclear holocaust that a war room of politicians and generals frantically try to stop. Staring Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, and Sterling Hayden. Directed by Stanley Kubrick; Black and White; Rated PG; 93 minutes; 1964
FREE of charge
Thursday, August 13, 2009
GERRY JOHNSTON
7:00 PM
The Rogers Center welcomes back Gerry for another rousing night of classic guitar music with Broadway favorites and other popular tunes. His cool performance is a great way to spend a hot summer night.
FREE of charge
Thursday, August 27, 2009
JON SHAIN
7:00 PM
Jon Shain is a veteran singer-songwriter who's been turning heads for years with his words, his fiery acoustic guitar work, and his evolved musical style - combining improvised piedmont blues with bluegrass, swing, and ragtime. Piedmont style finger picking and Jon’s great vocals are sure to make this a wonderful evening.
FREE of charge
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra Tenth Annual “Pops Concert”
2:30 p.m.
Enjoy an exciting afternoon filled with your favorite classical and pop music only as the M.V.P.O can do. This family concert is a great way to introduce young people to the marvelous world of orchestral music, but it will also thrill people of all ages. Join us for an energetic program featuring a performance by student violinist Gergana Haralampieva and festive marches to Broadway selections.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Loretta LaRoche presents “Lighten Up! The Authentic and Fun Way to Lose Your Worries”
7:30 p.m.
Loretta, public television’s own original stress expert, returns to the Rogers Center with cutting-edge information which audiences of any age will want to incorporate into their life. With her contemporary wit and a hearty dose of old-world wisdom, Loretta brings a breath of fresh air for everyone who’s suffocating in our technocrazed, germ-phobic, “go-go-go” world.
Friday, October 16, 2009
The Kingston Trio
7:30 p.m.
Come for a trip down memory lane with this golden oldies super group.
In 1957 America was ready for a new style of music. Just out of college, Bob Shane, Nick Reynolds and Dave Guard took dormant folk music and gave it a comic twist irresistible to the college crowd (and just about everyone else). The music was rooted in American popular culture, but performed with a refreshing style that now seems timeless. Like the Beatles, The Kingston Trio created a national audience for their new style of music, causing a ripple effect on the entire music industry. When Tom Dooley went gold in 1958, the folk revival was born. In no time, The Limeliters, The Brothers Four, Chad Mitchell and The Smothers Brothers all found an audience. It was this "folk revival" that set the stage for Bob Dylan; Joan Baez, Peter Paul & Mary; The Byrds, and the protest movement of the 60s.
The Kingston Trio was the number one vocal group in the world, a musical and cultural phenomenon whose record sales and concert draws were matched only by the Beatles. Don’t miss out! See them right here at the Rogers Center for the Arts.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
The Glenn Miller Orchestra
7:30 p.m.
The Glenn Miller Orchestra swings into the Rogers Center for this special engagement.
The legendary Glenn Miller was one of the most successful of all the bandleaders back in the swing era of the 1930’s and 40’s. The orchestra enjoyed an unprecedented string of hit records, including “Chattanooga Choo-Choo,” “Moonlight Serenade,” “Tuxedo Junction,” and many others.
The world famous Glenn Miller Orchestra is the most popular and sought after big band in the world today for both concert and swing dance engagements. With its unique jazz sound, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is considered to be one of the greatest bands of all time. The present Glenn Miller Orchestra was formed in 1956 and has been touring consistently since, playing an average of 300 live dates a year all around the world. Trombonist Larry O'Brien is the orchestra's present musical director.
Join us for an exciting evening!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
8:00 p.m.
Friday, November 13, 2009
8:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
The Onstager’s Dramatic Society of Merrimack College presents
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
The Onstagers, Merrimack College’s student-run drama organization, is pleased to present this Shakespearian tale of love, magic and mischief.
This classic comedy has entertained audiences for over 450 years. This production promises to be fresh and exciting! The story of mixed-up love, magic potions, characters based on Greek myths and English country folk lore, and pure slapstick, all combine to ensure a rollicking grand night in the theater!
Friday, December 4, 2009
Cherish The Ladies presents “A Celtic Christmas Extravaganza”
7:30 p.m.
Returning to the Rogers Center this holiday season is one of the most sought after Irish-American groups in Celtic music history.
For nearly two decades the name of a time-honored Irish traditional jig has become equally well-known as the name of the most engaging ensembles in Irish music: “Cherish The Ladies.”
When describing Cherish The Ladies – the critics say it best…“It is simply impossible to imagine an audience that wouldn’t enjoy what they do”( Boston Globe), “An astonishing array of virtuosity”(Washington Post), “Expands the annals of Irish music in America…the music is passionate, tender and rambunctious”( New York Times) and for the past 22 years, Cherish the Ladies have proven themselves worthy to live up to these accolades and in doing so have become one of the most engaging ensembles in the history of Irish music.
This concert will put you in a great mood for the rest of the holiday season.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
National Marionette Theatre presents
“Hansel and Gretel”
2:00 p.m.
The National Marionette Theatre returns to the Rogers Center for a new production of a classic fairy tale. The National Marionette Theater has established a 30-year reputation based on its excellent craftsmanship, superb story telling ability and we are pleased to welcome them back for their tenth performance here at the Rogers Center. Join us for an afternoon of great family entertainment.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Eighth Annual A Cappella Night
7:30 p.m.
The fabulous acoustics of the Rogers Center complement the excellent vocals that will entertain us once again with classic a cappella arrangements featuring two of the Boston areas greatest a cappella groups. This year we are pleased to welcome back Boston Jazz Voices as the host of the evening. Boston Jazz Voices will be joined by Syncopation.
Boston Jazz Voices is a mixed a cappella chorus of 18 singers. It was founded in the mid 1980's (as The New England Close Harmony Ensemble) for the pleasure of singing harmonically complex arrangements made famous by the Singers Unlimited. The arrangements were written by Gene Puerling, who sang with the Hi-Lo's, an all-male, close-harmony group popular in the 1950's and 60's.
Boston Jazz Voices has since extended its repertoire to include other published and original arrangements. Most songs are from the American songbook, with jazz harmonies and swing rhythm. Boston Jazz Voices performs throughout New England, and took its sound to Paris in the mid 1990's. Boston Jazz Voices has also performed live on 88.9 WERS Boston.
Syncopation is a hot and spunky jazzy vocal group that just won 2008's 24th Annual Boston Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival! The Boston Globe calls “Syncopation” the "Manhattan Transfer of the 21st Century," and it is easy to see why. Like that legendary vocal group, “Syncopation” performs jazz and pop music that is both timeless and up-to-the-minute. They feature four excellent vocalists: soprano Aubrey Logan (who also double on trombone), alto Christine Fawson (who doubles on trumpet), tenor David Thorne Scott and bass Tsunenori "Lee" Abe (who also is the group's arranger/composer).
Friday, February 26, 2010
“Come Together” a Tribute to the Beatles
7:30 p.m.
The Beatles at the Rogers Center? Come and see!
"Come Together" presents a Tribute to the Beatles that you won't want to miss. This energetic group, consisting of James Willaman as George Harrison, Chad Saylor as Paul McCartney, Stephen Marks as Ringo and Bill Kropinak as John Lennon, portrays the Beatles from 1964-1966 and has recreated the early Beatles concerts with incredible detail to the costumes and equipment.
You will relive those years with songs such as Hey Jude, Band on the Run, Jet, Juniors Farm, It Don't Come Easy, Photograph, No No Song, Back Off Bugaloo, Something, Here Comes the Sun, My Sweet Lord, All You Need Is Love, Come Together, Instant Karma.....just to name a few.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
The Makem Brothers with Mickey and Liam Spain
7:30 p.m.
Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day at the Rogers Center.
Every generation has a few acts that define where a musical genre is going, performers so confident in their chosen field that they are able to completely embrace the genre and yet introduce something new to it. In Irish folk music today, that act is the Makem and Spain Brothers.
Not in the past 30 years has a group taken the international stage with such vocal power and stage presence, capturing the essence of their genre, while standing out as something unique. A host of various instruments and five male vocalists, using precise three-part harmonies, blend perfectly for what many have described as “a wall of sound.” The Makem and Spain Brothers are at their best on stage where their talent and enthusiasm draw in fans who have never experienced the joy of folk music.
The Makem Brothers, Shane, Conor, and Rory, were born in Drogheda, County Louth, about an hour north of Dublin. They continue the lineage of one of Irish music’s dynasties, begun by their grandmother Sarah Makem, who was sought after by song collectors for her store of traditional Irish songs. Their father is Tommy Makem, the modern-day “Bard of Armagh.” Now considered an icon, he helped to bring Irish music out of the corner and into the international spotlight, where it has remained ever since.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Forbidden Broadway
7:30 p.m.
The side-splitting savagery known as Forbidden Broadway is on the road again with their newest edition! Now celebrating its record-breaking 25th year in New York, this year’s special victims include the puppets of “Avenue Q,” the witches of “Wicked”, “Billy Joel’s Movin Out”, and new looks at old favorites “La Cage aux Folles”, “Little Shop of Horrors”, “Les Miz”, “Beauty and the Beast”, and “Chicago”. Rounding out the laughs are Mel Brooks’ “The Producers”, Abba’s “Mamma Mia” and “Thoroughly Modern Millie”; with lots more Broadway past and present.
Forbidden Broadway returns to the Rogers Center with an hour and a half of non-stop musical hilarity. It will have you rolling down the aisles while you’re humming along.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
8:00 p.m.
Friday, April 9, 2010
8:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
The Onstager’s Dramatic Society of Merrimack College presents
“Rent”
Merrimack College’s Onstagers return to the Rogers Center with their spring production of “Rent.” Jonathan Larson's Pulitzerprize-winning Broadway musical is based loosely on Puccini's opera “La Bohème”. It follows a year in the lives of seven friends living the disappearing Bohemian lifestyle in New York's East Village. The Onstager’s production of this Broadway smash will certainly be one of the highlights of their long and storied history.
Friday, April 23, 2010
The Merrimack College Jazz Band presents its Sixth Annual
“An Evening of Jazz”
7:30 p.m.
Over the past six years, the Merrimack College Jazz Ensemble has established itself as a perennial crowd pleaser. This big band comprised of Merrimack College students, faculty, and alumni, under the direction of Charlie Collins, continuously brings fun and excitement to the campus and surrounding community. With a constantly changing repertoire of classic, standard, and contemporary jazz tunes of all styles, each listener is guaranteed to find their foot tapping. Accept no substitutions, and join the Merrimack College Jazz Ensemble for an unforgettable Evening of Jazz, because 'it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing.'
Saturday, May 1, 2010
“A Tribute to ol’ Blue Eyes”
7:30 p.m.
Our tenth anniversary season wraps up with the music of the legendary entertainer Frank Sinatra.
Rob Zappulla takes the Rogers Center stage to perform a show that spans the five decades of classic Sinatra, from the days with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra to the Las Vegas show rooms.
Rob’s tribute emulates a cabaret setting in the show rooms of the 50s and 60s, where Sinatra gave some of his most memorable performances.
This show moves non-stop with excitement, as Rob performs all of the popular songs made famous by Frank Sinatra.
And when Rob is not singing, his sense of humor will keep you amused throughout his performance.
Sit back and enjoy the timeless music of Frank Sinatra!
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OTHER EXCITING EVENTS COMING TO THE ROGERS CENTER: