All posts by Harry Wakefield, Correspondent

Cabaret creates musical memories

A musical exposition hosted by both the NECC Choral and Music Club
Cast of NECC Cabaret
NECC’s Cabaret team Photos by Harry Wakefield

They’re creepy and they’re kooky; mysterious and spooky; they’re altogether ooky… They’re the performers of the27th annual fall Cabaret at NECC.

Oct. 23 marked the date of the fall Cabaret, a musical exposition hosted by both the NECC Choral and Music Club, as well as the NECC music department.

Something eye-catching those who attended may have noticed — aside from the various instruments and bits of overlapping conversation strewn about the conference hall TC103 — was a new addition to the funding goals for the event.

In addition to all cover fees contributing towards future trips and activities for the Choral and Music Club, this year’s Cabaret profits would also be split with the new memorial scholarship fund for the late Bonnie Suroweic, a 2009 graduate of the music program at NECC.

“She would always make the effort to come to these events, and it’s what I know she would have wanted.” said Alisa Bucchiere, the coordinator of the NECC music program and one of Suroweic’s former professors.

The show began a few minutes past 7 p.m. and marked a night full of many different genres of music and performances ranging from original compositions (“Liminality” by Joni Silva), to classical sonatas (CPE Bach’s Sonata in C Major), and even showtunes (“My Days” from The Notebook).

At about 8 p.m., the event was put on hold for a brief intermission as the one-man crew prepared for the following number of performances. “Usually I account for overtime when I work night events on campus, but things like this? I’m always happy to donate my time,” says Rick Ingham, the night’s lone crewman, NECC alumni and an IT technician for NECC in his 13th year as a staff member.

Exactly 10 minutes later, the show resumes with an energetic performance of They Might Be Giants’ “Instanbul, Not Constantinople,” perfectly placed to bring the attention of each guest back to the stage after the short break.

Cast of NECC Cabaret perfoming
Photos by Harry Wakefield

The acts that followed were all nearly equally energetic, and the second half of the event was marked by show tunes, blues, and Latin.

The night’s penultimate performance of “No Me Queda Mas” by student Angely Gabriel perfectly wrapped up the night’s activities, and was followed quickly by a raffle drawing (proceeds of which also went to both NECC Music and the Bonnie Suroweic scholarship fund).

The night ended with a passionate quartet performance of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “The Schulyer Sisters” of Hamilton fame, a perfect way to cap off the festivities and serving as both an energetic send-off and culmination of months of work from both students, staff, and alumni.

“I’ve been coming to this for the past three or four years, it’s always a fun time and the last song was a great way to wrap it up” said Kathy Godin, a retired member of the local community.

Kimball Farm hosts Vintage Bazaar

People strolling around Kimball Farms
Photo by Harry Wakefield

Oct. 5 marked the beginning of the annual Fall Festival at Haverhill’s Kimball Farm.

The festival is held annually by Vintage Bazaar, a traveling event company known for hosting similar events across the east coast, garnered much attention and a lively crowd composed of families, couples, and even pets as it does each and every year it has been held on the 300 acre field in rural Haverhill.

The field, full of white tents and the smell of barbecue, is host to local artists, thrift outfits, and charity organizations as well as an array of food trucks, coffee shops, and live music.

All of whom were eager to share their talents and skills to the local community.

Robotic statues made of metal
Photo by Harry Wakefield

One artist, David Dawson of Shrewsbury commented on his experience attending the event through the past four years.

“It’s validating, you know. Seeing the look on somebody’s face when they see your art… it’s one of the best feelings,” he said.

Dawson has been producing art for nearly a decade in his Shrewsbury studio/warehouse, where he scavenges estate sales, flea markets, and junkyards for anything that might catch his eye. He then repurposes his findings as miniature — or occasionally quite large — robotic statues.

Dawson is not the only artist grateful for the opportunities afforded to him by the festival, however. Kelly Stuck, a wildlife illustrator from Nashua, New Hampshire shared her thoughts on attending for the fifth time.

“I like building my relationships with the other vendors when I can, it’s good to have support,” she said.

Wildlife illustrations and art at Vintage Bazaar Kimball Farm
Photo by Harry Wakefield

Networking and accomplishment were not the only topics the artists were drawn to, and many commented on how strong they felt the sense of community present within the fenced-in field.

Jeff Whittum, a welding artist with eight years of experience out of East Kingston, New Hampshire, commented on his very first experience attending as a vendor and the pleasantness of the event as a whole.

“With the weather and everything this weekend, the atmosphere just… works. It works.”

Whittum was not alone in his experience, as it only took a brief walk through the festival grounds to see that most, if not all guests and vendors alike felt the same.

The infectious cheeriness of the crowd guaranteed an unforgettable experience for all who visited the farm throughout the weekend, and was sure to bring back many more for years to come.