A Bright New 2026-27 Season for the Reimagined Hopkins Center
A follow-up: A City of Lebanon engineer speaks out about public benches. And, care to tango?
And so, after much anticipation, we have arrived on the cusp of what will be the first full season at the newly renovated and reimagined Hopkins Center, one of the region’s premiere arts venues. It’s a rich array of offerings from the many worlds of the performing arts. Make sure to click just below to review the entire schedule. From our friends at the Hop:
“The Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth announced its 2026/27 Season with a wide-ranging lineup of performances that makes full use of the building's new and reimagined spaces and reflects the enduring power of the arts to connect, challenge and inspire. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, June 9, and the full season is now available at hop.dartmouth.edu.
******************
The season is curated to bring audiences a broad range of artistic experiences—from dance and music in multiple traditions, to groundbreaking theater, to immersive experiences—with a lineup that prizes both tradition and discovery. Highlights include performances by acclaimed artists such as Billy Childs (2/3), Brian Stokes Mitchell (9/27), Kronos Quartet (10/23),Complexions Contemporary Ballet (1/8 & 9), Ragamala Dance Company (1/28 & 29) and more.”
Can’t wait until the fall? No problem. Summer is just beginning! Free concerts on the Green on July 8 (Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers) and July 15 (The Ida Mae Specker Band, includes optional square dancing lessons); Rhiannon Giddons, formerly and founder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, will appear on July 19; the New York Theater Workshop launches on July 24; and Exhibition on Screen (a series of filmed and fabulous visual art exhibitions) is featuring Turner and Constable—their lives and the recent show at London’s Tate Britain—on July 29.
—-——————————————————
FOLLOW-UP ON THOSE WEST LEB BENCHES: ENGINEER ROD FINLEY SPEAKS
In a recent post (here) about the placement of new benches as part of the West Lebanon Revitalization Project, I mentioned that I had reached out to the City of Lebanon for an explanation of why benches had been oriented away from a view of the street. Engineer Rod Finley, City of Lebanon, Department of Public Works, promptly and graciously replied. A part of his explanation I had anticipated. But I was particularly moved by his eloquent description of the benches in front of the library/bus stop. Here is what he said:
“The arrangement of the public benches along Main Street was intentionally designed to balance safety, social connection, and overall comfort. By placing benches at right angles at the bus stop, we aim to create an inviting atmosphere that supports both group interactions and quieter moments for those who prefer to sit alone but still want to feel like they are part of community interaction.
Positioning benches along the sidewalk edge and facing away from traffic serves several purposes: it enhances views of storefronts, landscaping, and pedestrian activity; reduces exposure to traffic noise and exhaust; and provides a sense of shelter. Additionally, this orientation creates a natural buffer between pedestrians and vehicles, improving safety for everyone using the space (pedestrians are not required to step out in the direction of oncoming traffic).”
Thank you, Rod. Much appreciated, both the thoughtfulness of the work and the response.
—-———————————————
On a different note: $52.50 will get you an introductory tango dance lesson with a following dance at Artistree in Pomfret, VT. Or for less money, you can choose one or the other—the lesson or the dance. Sunday, June 14 starting at 4:00 pm. More info and tickets here.
—-———————————————
Thank you! You’re reading Artful, a blog about arts and culture in the Upper Valley, and I hope you’ll subscribe (still free) and then share this post with your friends and on your social media. We now have over 3250 subscribers.
And in case you are wondering . . . Susan B. Apel shuttered a lifelong career as a law professor to continue an interest (since kindergarten) in writing. Her freelance business, The Next Word, includes literary and feature writing; her work has appeared in a variety of lit mags and other publications including Art New England, The Woven Tale Press, The Arts Fuse, Next Avenue, Image Magazine, and Persimmon Tree. She connects with her neighbors through Artful, her blog about arts and culture in the Upper Valley. She’s in love with the written word.