Walker Lecture Series Announces 2024 Spring Season

Since 1896, the Walker Lecture Series has brought stimulating speakers and performers to Concord. The tradition continues. This spring’s offerings range from a new documentary about President Calvin Coolidge to silent film comedies starring Harold Lloyd. Musical events include the Freese Brothers Big Band, Man on the Hill, and country music from the Shana Stack Band.

In the Walker tradition, all performances are free with no tickets or reservations required. Doors open at 7:00 and programs start at 7:30 PM at the City Auditorium on Prince Street.

Visit walkerlecture.org for details.

Spring 2024

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

The Freese Brothers Big Band, Celebrating the swing era and The Great American Songbook

The Freese Brothers Band will play the Count, the King, the Duke, the Chairman and the Sentimental Gentleman of Swing. That’s Basie, Goodman, Ellington, Sinatra and Dorsey, along with updated arrangements of classic hits.

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Man on the Hill

What if you took the simplicity of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” and crossed it with the musical intensity of the rock opera “Tommy?” The result would be “Man on the Hill”, a two-act performance that intertwines a heartwarming story with powerful music. Your soul will be captivated as an old man shares his journey with each turning point punctuated and enhanced by song. The cascade of musical styles will have you smiling, crying, clapping, dancing, and singing along.

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Tropical and Exotic Asia, a travelogue by Marlin Darrah

Set sail with the world’s most traveled filmmaker, Marlin Darrah, on a journey to many of Southeast Asia’s most intriguing, alluring and lovely countries. The adventure begins in Hong Kong, then travels south to the exciting back streets of old Hanoi, the dramatic beauty of the ancient karst limestone mountains rising out of Ha Long Bay, the temples and markets of Nha Trang, and to Saigon, the dynamic and hustling city on the great Mekong. Next are highlights of Angkor Wat, the 1000-year-old marvel that is the largest complex of religious temples in the world. Then we travel to the Thai paradise isles of Similan, Ko Phi Phi, Phuket, Phang Nga Bay and to Bangkok, for a look at exotic Thailand, “The Land of Smiles.”

Marlin Darrah will be with us at the City Auditorium for questions and conversation.

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

An Evening of A Cappella with Tonehenge and The Afternotes

The seven men of Tonehenge have been entertaining audiences throughout New England since 2009 with their blend of popular and traditional music. Their tag line, “rock solid a cappella” is a play on the group’s name as well as their repertoire, with a focus on familiar tunes from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. In 2018, and 2019, Tonehenge appeared on WGBH’s popular talent show “Sing That Thing.”

The Afternotes is a women’s a cappella group made up of UNH alumnae. They bring a fun style and varied repertoire to their performances, with sets that include songs by Pink, The Bangles, Fleetwood Mac, and Billie Eilish.

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Jeff Rapsis presents Harold Lloyd in “Kid Brother” (plus a short!)

He was the bespectacled young man next door whose road to success was often paved with perilous (and hilarious) detours. Harold Lloyd and his fast-paced comedies made him the most popular movie star of Hollywood’s silent film era. See for yourself why Lloyd was the top box office attraction of the 1920s in “Kid Brother,” one of his best comedies. Jeff Rapsis will improvise a musical score for both films.

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Why Calvin Coolidge Matters Today

A century after taking office, Calvin Coolidge stands as perhaps America’s most misunderstood and underappreciated president. Caricatured as “Silent Cal,” Coolidge is often dismissed as an accidental, do-nothing president. But a more careful study of history reveals a leader of remarkable substance who offers urgent lessons for our own age of inflation, exploding debt, and partisan rancor.

Join us for a feature presentation of the new documentary film: Coolidge: Rediscovering an American President. Following the film, Matthew Denhart, president of the Calvin Coolidge

Presidential Foundation will share his thoughts on “Why Calvin Coolidge Matters Today.

Wednesday 4/24/24 The Shana Stack Band

Named the Independent Country Music Association's Country Band of the Year, the Shana Stack Band focuses on modern country hits and original music. The band has opened for Reba McEntire, Sugarland, Rascal Flatts, Chuck Wicks, Travis Tritt, Little Big Town, Craig Morgan, Aaron Parker, Toby Keith, and the Marshall Tucker Band.