Walker Lecture Series Announces 2024 Fall Season

CONCORD, NH — Since 1896, the Walker Lecture Series has brought stimulating speakers and performers to Concord.

The tradition continues. This spring’s offerings range from language maven Richard Lederer to Paul Doscher’s travelogue about New Zealand. Musical events include a Johnny Cash Tribute and the Thoreau Piano Trio.

In the Walker tradition, all performances are free, with no tickets or reservations required. Doors open at 7 and programs start at 7:30 p.m. at the City Auditorium on Prince Street.

Visit walkerlecture.org for details.

Fall 2024

Wednesday, Sept. 18: A Tribute to the Man in Black with Counterfeit Cash

When Rodney Brunelle heard the lyrics, the voice, and the stories of the man in black, he decided to keep the legend of Johnny Cash going through his tribute band, Counterfeit Cash. With songs like “Ring of Fire,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” and “Hurt,” you will swear that Cash is in the house.

Wednesday, Sept. 25: A Feast of Words with Richard Lederer

After more than 60 years of loving labors in the language vineyards, Richard Lederer will serve up a veritable banquet of words, from a hymn of praise to English to rib-tickling bloopers and puns. Lederer is a former Concord Monitor language columnist and the author of 60 books about language, history, and humor, including his best-selling Anguished English series and his current title, A Feast of Words. He is a founding co-host of “A Way with Words,” broadcast on public radio. Lederer has been named International Punster of the Year and is a Toastmasters International Golden Gavel winner.

Wednesday, Oct. 2: Lori Diamond and Fred Abatelli with Anelise

This dynamic duo will share their soul-stirring original songs wrapped in heavenly harmony. Award-winning songwriters Lori Diamond and Fred Abatelli deliver a musical flavor that will appeal to fans of Norah Jones, Carol King, Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell and more. Along with their radiant and talented daughter Anelise, they will delight you with nostalgia as they share your favorite hits from the 70s with style, skill, and joy. This inclusion-loving family will lift your spirits with soulful harmonies.

Wednesday, Oct. 23: Great Cities of Europe with Marlin Darrah

Join Marlin Darrah as he journeys through Northern Europe. Sample fjords, fish markets, art museums, cathedrals, canals, bridges, palaces, and parks from Norway to France. Marlin will be with us in the City Auditorium for questions and conversation.

Oct. 30: Faith in the Seed with The Thoreau Piano Trio

Drawn together by a shared spirit, violinist Susan Jensen, cellist Darry Dolezal and pianist Paul Jacobs created the Thoreau Piano Trio with a mission to cut through tradition, engage with audiences, reveal unexpected connections in music of different styles and periods, transform conventional viewpoints, and explore links between music, art, literature and philosophy. The trio will present “Faith in the Seed,” inspired by Henry David Thoreau’s essay, “The Dispersion of Seeds” and featuring music composed by Leonard Bernstein, Dietrich Buxtehude, Dmitri Shostakovich, and Felix Mendelssohn.

Wednesday, Nov. 6: A Visit to New Zealand with Paul Doscher

For the nature-oriented traveler, there is much to see in New Zealand. From pristine beaches to glacier-filled mountains, active volcanoes, fjords, mangrove swamps, and unique plants and animal species, you can experience a range of landscapes from tropical to frozen in a country the size of Colorado. This program will cover the major natural and cultural attractions, as well as many of the lesser known but fascinating destinations around both the North and South Island.

Paul and Deb Doscher have traveled to New Zealand more than a dozen times and visited nearly every part of the country.

Saturday, Nov. 30: Open rehearsal at St. Paul’s Church at 10 a.m.

Sunday, Dec. 1: Performance at St. Paul’s Church at 7 p.m.

Handel’s Messiah

A musical rite of the holiday season, this Baroque-era oratorio still awes listeners more than 250 years after the composer’s death. Concord’s performance, conducted by Benjamin Greene, will include professional soloists and a community chorus.

Submitted by Jon Kelly.