“We’re excited about our 6-concert schedule,” said Cindy Russell Executive Director for the non-profit music festival. “The three indoor concerts will not be weather dependent, and will provide the opportunity to offer specific genres that our audiences will truly enjoy.” Because Cranmore has offered the venue as a gift, Russell explained, there will be a great opportunity to provide some very special, additional entertainment with the potential of helping to keep the Arts Jubilee budget in a healthy state. “Seating is limited to approximately 350,” Russell said, “and as a result, thesethree concerts will be ticketed events. The outdoor concerts remain free with donations requested, a long-time tradition with Arts Jubilee, she emphasized.

The 2006 season begins and ends with indoor concerts presented at Cranmore’s new air conditioned 10th Mt. Pavilion, a beautiful white sprung structure, an annex to Zip’s Pub, which will accommodate a stage and audience of 350. On Saturday evening, June 24th, Arts Jubilee will launch its expanded season with “Jazz in June”, featuring Brent LaCasce and the Midnite Jazz. Since seating is limited, admission to this concert will be by ticket which will be available at several locations in the valley. This evening of jazz is becoming a traditional kick off to the season for the concert series.

The Outdoor Series schedule of free, outdoor concerts re-located for 2006 to the base of the north slope at Cranmore Mountain, begins on Thursday evening, July 13th, with The Hills Are Alive With The Sounds of Acoustic Music featuring the best in acoustic music by New Hampshire singer - songwriters Tom Dean, Cormack McCarthy and Joyce Andersen. Special guests include Tom Yoder (mandolin and fiddle) and Teg Glendon (bass guitar). Tom is a veteran of the singer songwriter scene as well as a long-time resident of the Mt. Washington Valley. The list of artists he has shared the stage and recorded with looks like a who's who of the music business. Tom possesses the perfect voice and guitar style to bring his character rich songs to life in an intimate performance setting. And, added to all those qualities, he is a gracious and enthusiastic host working to bring a true “sound of acoustic music” to the Arts Jubilee stage by presenting his friends, Cormac McCarthy and Joyce Andersen along with special guests Tom Yoder on mandolin and fiddle and Teg Glendon on bass guitar. Cormac was nominated for both Outstanding Folk/Acoustic Act, and Outstanding Folk/ Acoustic Album by the Boston Music Awards. He writes and sings of a heartfelt, sometimes funny, sometimes desperate, sometimes glorious world of common people, struggles, hope, relationships, madness, and love. He sings the poetry of real life with a silky baritone voice and just enough grit. Andersen has made a name for herself as a sought-after fiddler and session player in the Northeast for the last ten years, and has played in bluegrass, country, rock, jazz & celtic groups. Her fiery fiddling has run the gamut from Nashville country, alt rock, swing, bluegrass, celtic and folk, to various traditional fiddle styles. Now Andersen, a returned native of the Maine/New Hampshire seacoast, is getting attention for her songwriting emphasizing her own sound that is at once rooted in traditional and contemporary. Her clear and powerful vocal/fiddle duets are a style that is all her own. The night promises to be a night of true New Hampshire musical talent.

On Thursday, July 27th, Arts Jubilee presents the annual Symphony Pops Concert Under the Stars, featuring the Northeast Symphony Orchestra, followed by spectacular fireworks. Under the baton of Musical Director, Clayton Poole, we'll be treated to a classical pops performance for everyone to enjoy. This concert is the area's most popular outdoor concert and has been enjoyed by a diverse audience of kids to great-grandparents for 24 years. In additional to familiar classics, the audience will find many opportunities to sing along with many pops favorites. This is the concert that is traditionally ended with the 1812 Overture, Stars and Stripes and awesome Fireworks! Our Symphony Pops Concert is truly a musical classic – a gem – set in the framework of the scenic slopes at Cranmore, a star-lit sky, and the thrill of hearing a 50 member symphony orchestra making magnificent music – LIVE – right before our very eyes and ears. This is a treat for all of us and an opportunity to provide a special experience for anyone who has not yet attended this Arts Jubilee Signature Concert.

The third outdoor concert in the 2006 summer series on August 10th festures the Wicked Smart Horn Band - unlimited mix of rhythm and blues, swing and rock . The Northern New Hampshire based Wicked Smart Horn Band is a collective of veteran and highly musically- inclined players. They feature the Wicked Smart Horns, three lead vocalists, harmonies, bass, drums, keyboard, and guitar. Their musical mix is a recipe for fun, dancing and audience participation which has endeared the band to many fans of all ages. Whether it's jazz, blues, swing, rock, funk or the Motown sound, the W.S.H.B. has it all. Entertainment and fun are first on the band's list, and that sentiment goes even deeper than the music. Good company and good music is what motivates and inspires this talented group. The genuine fun that they have making music together is the source of the magic that their audience feels. They promise they will provide ‘as much fun as you can handle’!

Outdoor Concerts are held on Thursday nights located this year at Cranmore Mountain, North Conway Village. They are FREE and you can't beat the view! Travelers will find easy access to Cranmore with convenient parking nearby. There are really two different performances each night with an early concert presented by area local performers beginning at 6 PM followed by the Main Concert. Arts Jubilee’s summer concerts are designed to enhance the quality of life found in the Mt. Washington Valley by both our residents and the many summer guests who vacation here.

In addition to the main concerts described above, Arts Jubilee has historically begun each evening with an early concert designed to showcase some of the valley’s local talent and to greet the audience as they arrive to spread out their blankets and enjoy a picnic supper. Each of the early concerts during the summer begins at 6 PM and is a gift from the performers who show their support of Arts Jubilee by giving their early concerts to enthusiastic audiences who arrive early just to hear them and enjoy their picnic suppers.

The final concerts of the season will be presented inside at Cranmore’s air-conditioned pavilion and will feature two events that will end on an energetic and upbeat note!

Most residents and frequent visitors to the Mt. Washington Valley recognize the names of Dennis O’Neil and Davey Armstrong of “Four Feet Two Shoes” as two talented instrumental/vocalists who entertain with their Celtic/folk Pub Act in many venues in the area. Beyond recognizing their names, a great percentage of those actually have heard parts or all of their pub performances. Over the years, Arts Jubilee audiences have also heard Dennis and Davey as they kindly donated their talents to provide the early concert slot at one of the Schouler Park performances each summer. Who can forget the kids lined up in front of the stage - growing in number with each verse - singing and dancing “The Unicorn Song”? Or, the warm, rich voice of Dennis as he sings his native Irish folk music, or the site of Davey in his barefooted splendor playing the bass pedals while simultaneously piping the melody of an Irish gig! So, what’s new, you ask? On Thursday night, August 17th, Dennis & Davey will take the Arts Jubilee stage once again, but this time accompanied by some of their very gifted friends, and together they will present a full stage show that, while retaining some of the favorites from the Pub Act, will also present some new material and provide a foot-stomping, upbeat and lively time for everyone.

The final concert on Saturday, September 16th is a presentation of a traditional form of music: the Big Band era! Arts Jubilee takes pleasure in presenting the Freese Brothers Big Band who will present the ‘classics’ of the big band era music which has become a part of our American music culture. It will be a great opportunity to enjoy this all-time favorite music in a setting that will offer dancing, refreshment and a climate-controlled atmosphere.

An important note: While the tradition of the past years has taught our enthusiastic audiences to look for the outdoor concerts in Schouler Park, North Conway, the decision has been made to locate our entire summer series at Cranmore Mountain Resort for this summer. The indoor series will be presented, as last year, inside the air-conditioned 10th Mt. Pavilion right at the main base. The outdoor series will be located at the main base also, just behind the Eating House at the base of the mountain’s scenic North Slope. Arts Jubilee has had the opportunity to locate some of our concerts in this location in the past, and it is a most beautiful pastoral and inspiring setting with the convenience of ample parking within a few feet of the concert. Be assured that the outdoor concert series will happen in full splendor and plan to join us to experience the peaceful ambiance that Cranmore offers. We look forward to enjoying a summertime of great musical entertainment with everyone.

As always, Arts Jubilee outdoor concerts are free but in order to help with expenses, the famous American Airlines Raffle tickets will be on sale. The best buy for this Arts Jubilee cumulative fundraiser is at the first concert, giving ticket holders three chances to win a total of over 50 prizes over the summer. The Grand Prize at the final concert is a pair of American Airline tickets to any destination American Airlines flies in the contiguous 48 states! The raffle tickets are available now from Arts Jubilee Directors or may be purchased under the Arts Jubilee concession tent at the concerts. All proceeds are used to help Arts Jubilee cover expenses of the summer concert series and to fund our Artist in Residence programs presented in the area schools annually in the spring.

Arts Jubilee is grateful to the many generous sponsors from the region who help underwrite the cost of the concerts giving the opportunity to our audiences to attend the concerts free of charge. The series Season Co-Sponsors this year are Coca-Cola of Northern New England and American Airlines, and the Primary Sponsor, White Mountain Oil & Propane along with host sponsor, Cranmore Mountain Resort is joined by Principal Sponsor, StoryLand as well as numerous Major, Supporting and Community sponsors. For more information call 356-5701, ext. 350 or visit the Arts Jubilee webpage at www.mwvevents.com .