The Thing in the Spring

From Thursday May 16th through Sunday May 19th, the Thing in the Spring will be unfolding at Nova Arts in Keene NH; it's the 16th Thing, and the 3rd since it moved to Keene. Both weekend passes and single day tickets are available now at thethinginthespring.com and at Brewbakers / Terra Nova Coffee.

As usual, the Thing's programming offers audiences an eclectic curation of performances throughout the four day festival, as well as within just a single day. This way, no matter what someone is able to attend, there is a unique opportunity awaiting them. Each day on its own is an exciting combination of world renowned artists and regional acts; string four days of this together and what you have is a truly special resource for the Monadnock region.

This year's festivities begin with a kickoff party hosted by the folks at Cooper's Hill - they'll be making the trip to Keene and emceeing the show which features eight performances from groups spread all around New England. The evening is headlined by the region's own Modern Fools.

Friday has a lean toward jazz and avant garde music, featuring jazz trumpet legend Wadada Leo Smith, pioneering hiphop producer Prefuse 73, and capped off my avant garde guitar maestro Marc Ribot, as well as the Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis. The Messthetics feature the rhythm section of Fugazi, and Lewis is the biggest name on tenor sax currently, as well as a former MacDowell fellow.

Saturday will see the very first New Hampshire appearance by stoner / doom innovators Earth, as well as composer and master violist Jessica Pavone, favorites the Huntress and Holder of Hands, and psychedelic lifers Sunburned Hand of the Man. There will also be a deep poetry review and a book event with Chelsea Granger at Toadstool.

Sunday features Big Thief songwriter / guitarist / singer Buck Meek, as well as singer/songwriters Nina Nastasia, Jolie Holland, and Song Exploder helmer and the One AM Radio himself, Hrishikesh Hirway. There will also be a city bird walk led by the Harris Center, and celebration of the new book of Dan Blakeslee's rock posters!

This all amounts to around 35 bands on 2 stages all at 48 Emerald St, with backdrops by Nathaniel Russell, and a tap takeover by Post and Beam Brewing! We hope to see you there.

URLs:
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/2388758-0?pid=176 
Facebook: https://go.evvnt.com/2388758-2?pid=176 

Price:
General Admission: USD 40.00

Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM