Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Joan Didion Coming to City

The Music Hall just announced two additions to the 2011-2012 season at The Music Hall, an Intimately Yours concert, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Friday, June 15 and Writers on a New England Stage: Joan Didion, Tuesday, June 19.

According to Patricia Lynch, executive director of The Music Hall, “We are thrilled to have engaged these two class acts for the Historic Theater in June. It’s all part of our desire to more fully bring our signature series – like Intimately Yours concerts and Writers on a New England Stage – to our summer audiences – mixing these live shows with the hottest ‘of the moment’ films. It makes for dynamic entertainment choices in one of the most vibrant seasons in downtown Portsmouth! Watch for more announcements about our summer offerings.” 

Named for the venerable music venue in the heart of the French Quarter, this “quintessential New Orleans institution” (NYTimes) has traveled the world since the early 60s perpetuating the art form of New Orleans Jazz. Whether performing at Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center or for British or Thai royalty, their music embodies a joyful timeless spirit.

“It only takes a few opening notes for the Preservation Hall Jazz Band to transport listeners to 1950's New Orleans. With members ranging from 20-somethings to octogenarians, these musicians play the indigenous, traditional Crescent City jazz in a way that might make fans believe the saints are really marching in” – New York Times

Author Joan Didion, one of today's most powerful writers, joins us with her national bestseller, "Blue Nights," a work of stunning frankness about losing a daughter. Don't miss this celebrated winner of the National Book Award, a "master of American prose," and her "breathtaking follow-up to The Year of Magical Thinking" (Newsweek).

Submitted by Kathleen Soldati, director of marketing, The Music Hall, Portsmouth