The Commonheart
2023-08-10 19:00 (America/New_York) | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
$15/Members
$18/Non-Members
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“This band is therapy for me to bring myself back to being a better person, and I hope people come along with me,” says powerhouse singer Clinton Clegg of The Commonheart.
Clinton didn’t grow up in a Baptist church, and his soul machine of a band isn’t pushing religion. Live and in the studio, the Pittsburgh-based collective is offering feel-good positivity, Golden Rule messaging, and sweat-soaked performances that nimbly ease through blues, vintage soul, and rock.
The nonet is bonded by familial-like ties and a desire to foster spiritual uplift. Among its ranks are female backup singers, drums, bass, guitar, a horn section, and keyboards. Out front is Clinton, a lightning bolt charismatic front man with dynamically expressive pipes that effortlessly traverse bluesy pleading, and honeyed balladeering.
The Commonheart’s sophomore album, ‘Pressure’ (Jullian Records), is both rugged and refined. The 10-song album showcases raw-nerve soul musicianship pristinely recorded. It’s an album by a band on a mission. “We are willing to take risks and to go at any lengths for this band,” Clinton says affirmatively. “We are ready to spread positivity and make a stretch of this thing.”
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An Evening with Charles "The Lord" Shaughnessy
2023-08-28 19:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
$25/Minimum Donation
ALL LEVELS OF SUPPORT ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED
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Enjoy a fun evening with Charles who will be sharing stories of his life and career and how he truly became a “lord” all while helping to support 2 great non-profits & “partners in the port” – Turning Point, Inc. and the Firehouse Center for the Arts.
Charles was born to a showbiz family in London and educated at Eton and Cambridge University, where he tried to “do something sensible” by getting a degree in Law.
It didn’t work.
Performing in the celebrated Footlights Revue was a lot more fun than Torts and Land Law so he decided to join the family business after all. After a few years of gainful employment in England, Charles pursued a gorgeous American actress to Los Angeles, married her and raised two equally gorgeous daughters, who are the light of his life. He made his professional U.S. debut on this very stage in 1984 in Howard Brenton’s “The Genius”. He went on to a successful and multi-faceted career on stage and screen that took him from exotic locations like Hawaii and Paris to stages on Broadway and The North Shore Music Theatre. He considers himself extremely lucky to have made a living in this crazy business and has enjoyed every second. You might recognize him from his roles on some beloved TV shows like The Nanny and Mad Men, but then again….you might not .
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John Gorka
2023-08-30 19:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
$30/Members
$35/Non-Members
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From New Jersey, John Gorka is a world-renowned singer-songwriter who got his start at a neighborhood coffeehouse in eastern Pennsylvania. His rich multifaceted songs full of depth, beauty and emotion gained attention from critics and audiences across the country, as well as in Europe . In addition to his 11 critically acclaimed albums, many well known artists have recorded and/or performed John Gorka songs, including Mary Chapin Carpenter, Nanci Griffith, Mary Black and Maura O’Connell. John has graced the stage of Austin City Limits, Mountain Stage, etown and has appeared on CNN. His new song “Where No Monuments Stand” is featured in the upcoming documentary Every War Has Two Losers, about activist and Oregon Poet Laureate William Stafford (1914-1993).
John Gorka lives in Minnesota and when not on the road, he enjoys spending time with his wife and children. He continues to tour, playing festivals, theaters and clubs all over North America and Europe.
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Improv at the Firehouse
2023-08-31 19:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
$12/Members
$15/Non-Members
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Presented by Stranger Than Fiction
The Granite State’s premier improvisational comedy troupe
Established in the spring of 2004, Stranger Than Fiction strives to provide audiences with shows that rival improv clubs around the world. The cast is a diverse collection of talented actors and comedians, united by the shared passion to make the world a funnier place.
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Chicago Total Access
2023-09-07 19:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
$18/Members
$20/Non-Members
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Chicago Total Access is a music group made up of 10 talented musicians which all grew up listening to the music of the 60s and 70s. Our group is dedicated to the music of the American rock band “Chicago”. There is no other American Rock n Roll band with horns that has influenced more musicians, is loved by millions of people worldwide and has become such a deep part of Americana as the band Chicago. Since 1967, 46 years of sold out concerts, millions of record sales and legions of cheering fans worldwide Chicago is still going strong in 2019. The members of Chicago Total Access have attempted to recreate a slice of the timeless musical catalog of Chicago as well as stay true to the spirit of the original recordings. We hope you enjoy our efforts! The liner notes of their first recording titled “The Chicago Transit Authority” still inspire us and I hope you as well.
“The printed word can never aspire to document a truly musical experience, so if you must call them something, speak of the city where all save one were born; where all of them were schooled and bred, and where all of this incredible music went down barely noticed; call them CHICAGO.”
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The Firehouse Celebrates
2023-09-08 18:00 | MA
In 2023, the Firehouse Center for the Arts celebrates 200 years since our Marketplace opened. In those 200 years, the building has transformed from a single level marketplace to adding the second story, first as a chair factory and then followed by a Lyceum where the likes of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Daniel Webster enlightened mid-19th century Newburyport residents. In 1864, the Marketplace was transformed into the Central Firehouse of Newburyport where it remained until 1979 when a new Fire Station was built. For nearly a decade, the former Firehouse sat unused until the Society for the Development of Arts and Humanities of Greater Newburyport proposed transforming the building into cultural center for the City. Construction began in 1987 and in 1991, the Firehouse Center for the Arts opened its doors.
This year, we celebrate our past while looking forward at our future. Our goal is to raise $200,000 to commemorate our 200th Anniversary. Join the celebration!
SILENT AUCTION LIVE NOW

HOSTED BY BILLY COSTA
What: Our Annual Gala
Where: Black Swan Country Club, Georgetown, MA
When: Friday, September 8 at 6:00pm

M.K. BENATTI RAFFLE - Single Ticket

M.K. BENATTI RAFFLE - Three Tickets

Taylor Ashton
2023-09-10 19:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
$18/Member
$20/Non-Members
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Recorded over the course of a 4,000-mile cross-country roadtrip, Taylor Ashton’s gorgeous new album, Stranger To The Feeling, is a sonic odyssey through the heart of America, one that works its way chronologically and geographically from coast to coast as it meditates on the meaning of closeness and connection. The performances are warm and inviting, anchored by Ashton’s deft guitar and banjo work and rich, easygoing melodicism, and the recordings—helmed by producer Jacob Blumberg and captured with a broad range of collaborators including Courtney Hartman, Big Thief’s Buck Meek, Lake Street Dive’s Rachael Price, Vulfpeck’s Theo Katzman, Late Show bandleader Louis Cato, and Mipso’s Jacob Sharp—are alternately sparse and lush, with arrangements often serving as aural reflections of their physical environments. From a blanket in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park to a spiritual vortex in Sedona, AZ, the settings are inextricable from the songs, and the result is a moving collection that manages to evoke both the gentle virtuosity of Nick Drake and the buoyant wit of Paul Simon.
Born and raised in Canada, Ashton got his start fronting the beloved Vancouver five-piece Fish & Bird. After moving to NYC, he teamed up with Courtney Hartman for 2018’s Been On Your Side, which Rolling Stone proclaimed “packs a punch,” and two years later released his solo debut, The Romantic, earning widespread praise alongside dates with the likes of Sarah Jarosz, Madison Cunningham, The Wood Brothers, and more.
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Peter Yarrow
2023-09-14 19:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
$35/Members
$40/Non-Members
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Peter’s talents as a creative artist—both with Peter, Paul & Mary and as a solo performer—are frequently directed at using music to convey a message of humanity and caring. His gift for songwriting has produced some of the most moving songs Peter, Paul & Mary have recorded, including “Puff, the Magic Dragon,” “Day is Done,” “Light One Candle,” and “The Great Mandala.” As a member of the renowned musical trio, he has earned many gold and platinum albums, has been awarded numerous Grammys, and nominated for several more. More important to Peter, however, is the acknowledgment of the central role that he and his partners have played in bringing the folk renaissance of the 1960s to the hearts and homes of the American public.
Peter Yarrow’s life and work, culminating in the founding and leadership of Operation Respect, embraces the premise that if each person finds a way to articulate his or her own voice and joins with others, together they can become a powerful force for the transformation of society.
Peter is not about to give up the demanding path he’s chosen. “We’ve lived through a time in which people have felt they could forge their own future and make a better world,” he said. “We may not have achieved our dreams in the time frame that we once believed was possible, but the magnitude of what is yet to be achieved only confirms the importance of our commitment. Knowing this,
we can’t stop now.”
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Newburyport Documentary Film Festival
2023-09-15 15:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
The 2023 Newburyport Documentary Film Festival, running September 15-17, will include events held at the Firehouse. Please note that tickets will be available for sale at the Firehouse starting on Friday, September 15th. Prior to the 15th, please purchase tickets online through the NDFF website.
‍NDFF Tickets HERE

Annisquam
2023-09-22 20:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
$40 All Tickets
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*A LOCAL COMMUNITY PRODUCTION*

Something strange is going on in the tiny seaside community of Annisquam. Dr. Wendell Petit, a well respected Psychologist, has not been showing up for work. He has been drinking way too much and his daughter has noticed some very erratic behaviors coming from the man she once idolized. Rumor has it that the good Doctor might be romantically involved with a woman less than half his age, and the neighbors are starting to talk.
That is the premise of Lawrence Hennessy’s darkly disturbing, sometimes comic, always tragic play, Annisquam. Directed by Tim Diering, Annisquam stars Jim Manclark as the troubled Dr. Petit, with Katie Makem Boucher as his daughter, Emma, and Emily Colwell as his former patient, Allison. The play includes adult themes, and may not be suitable for children under the age of 16. Tickets: $40.00; Seniors and Students: $35.00.

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Tom Chapin
2023-09-24 19:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
$27/Members
$30/Non-Members
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In a career that spans six decades, 26 albums and three GRAMMY awards, Hudson Valley Troubadour Tom Chapin has covered an incredible amount of creative ground. In addition to his work as a recording artist and concert performer, Chapin has acted on Broadway, as well as working extensively in television, radio and film. As a music-maker, the multi-talented singer/songwriter/guitarist has maintained two long and productive parallel careers, both as a highly respected contemporary folk artist and as a pioneer in the field of children’s music.
In both roles, Chapin has established a reputation for insightful, heartfelt songcraft and effortlessly charismatic live performances. He continues to engage the hearts, minds and imaginations of young listeners with witty, life-affirming original songs delivered in a sophisticated array of musical styles. In either format, Chapin’s infectious songs, sterling musicianship and personal warmth consistently shine through, whether he’s performing on record or in a concert hall, an outdoor festival, a school, in front of a symphony orchestra or in an intimate coffeehouse. The New York Times called Chapin “one of the great personalities in contemporary folk music,” while Billboard called him “the best family artist around” and described him as “totally captivating.”
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Randy Edelman
2023-09-29 20:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
$18/Members
$20/Non-Members
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Randy’s music is not of an ordinary world, but rather from an other dimension …one that has no time for things that have no soul. Cascading wildly through infinity his music brings joy, an ephemeral spark, a firefly’s ethereal glow, the feeling of running against the wind, a quicksand of shadows and an echo of memories, the darkness of bitter coffee, the light of a madness that shines. His symphonies embody all of those emotions and more…sensitivity is his strength, romance his poetry…music his passion and predestination….

It’s never safe to think we are done in life. When we imagine we have finished our story destiny steps on turning the page and showing us another chapter. Randy’s career dances with change. From conducting orchestras in the pits of Broadway to Clive Davis and Columbia Records, to a pop career in the UK on Elton John’s Rocket record label, Randy wrote songs covered by icons including Patti LaBelle, Olivia, Newton-John, The Carpenters, Nelly, Willy Nelson, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Dionne Warwick, and even Bing Crosby. He opened arena and stadium concerts for The Carpenters, and even the legendary Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention….
Suddenly serendipity stepped onto the threshold of success and Randy went on to become one of the leading soundtrack architects for over 100 motion pictures and television themes. Some of those include “My Cousin Vinny”, “Ghostbusters ll”, “The Bruce Lee Story”, “Dragonheart”, “While You Were Sleeping”, “Kindergarten Cop”, “Twins”, the theme for the hit series “MacGyver”, the theme for the Olympics, and the monumental film “Last of the Mohicans” which earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
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The Jungle Book KIDS
2023-10-05 19:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
$20 for Adults
$16 for Students/Seniors
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Produced by Acting Out Productions
Directed by Deirdre Budzyna
The jungle is jumpin’ with a jazzy beat in Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS. Banished by the ferocious tiger, Shere Khan, a human boy named Mowgli and his panther friend, Bagheera, are on the run in the deepest parts of the jungle. On their journey, the two meet a sinister snake named Kaa, a herd of elephants and a giant bear named Baloo, who teaches them the swingin’ musical rhythms of the jungle. After surviving a dangerous encounter with a band of monkeys led by King Louie, Mowgli and Bagheera are forced to run for their lives. When Shere Khan returns, our heroes must rally their fellow animals into battle and restore peace throughout the jungle. Join a local cast of student actors who are playing multiple parts in multiple shows.
Click here to check when your favorite actor is playing your/their favorite role!
OCTOBER 7 Costume Contest: Come dressed as your favorite Jungle Book character or jungle animal and get your picture taken with the cast! Prize for best costume and goody bags for everyone!
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Fuente Grande
2023-10-07 20:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
$25 for Adults
$23 for Students/Seniors
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A tribute to Federico Garcia Lorca
By John Tavano
Directed by Marc Clopton
Featured artists Rhina Espaillat, Alfred Nicole, and John Tavano.
His poetry awakened a nation… brutal ignorance silenced him.
The feel is 1936 Granada, Spain, on the brink of civil war. It was a time of great social upheaval and people were being intimidated and, in Lorca’s case, murdered.
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The Actors Studio of Newburyport is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation

Best If Used By
2023-10-12 19:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
$20/All Seats
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A chorus girl kicks up her heels — an actor jumps around on furniture — no big surprise. In the theatre, these things happen.
But usually, the chorus girl and the table-hopper aren’t senior citizens. This fall, they will be.
A new bittersweet stage comedy, Best If Used By, will be performed by two North Shore actors in the range of 80 years old.
The biting and sometimes surprising humor of the story focuses on issues of aging and ageism — topics of growing concern to increasing numbers of Americans.
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Soggy Po Boys
2023-10-20 20:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
$15/Non-Members
$12/Members
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The Soggy Po Boys, native to New England, have quickly become an institution. They are spreading the good news of New Orleans music across the northeast and beyond, playing at concert halls and street corners; music festivals and burlesque festivals; bars and libraries; wherever the party requires. Part of the beauty of New Orleans music is that it’s celebrated and appreciated wherever it goes, from the street to the theater.
The Po Boys formed in 2012 to shake the walls of a local club on a Fat Tuesday but have honed their sound and become more than a Mardi Gras centerpiece. Exploring the vast musical traditions of New Orleans and expanding their repertoire to look beyond NOLA jazz, the band includes traditional Caribbean tunes (it’s been said that New Orleans is the northernmost city in the Caribbean), as well as Meters funk, soul, and brass band / street beat music. There are a myriad of traditions that flow into New Orleans culture just as there are tributaries that feed the Mississippi, and the Po Boys are eager to explore what makes the music of New Orleans so damn special. You’ll hear the heavy influence of the New Orleans sound across the band and in the stories told by their original tunes. Despite the scope of its sound, the outfit is only seven people, and thrives on the interplay and group dynamics that bring this music to life.
The Soggy Po Boys are:​
Stu Dias- Vocals / Guitar
Eric Klaxton- Clarinet/Sop. Sax
Nick Mainella- Tenor Sax
Josh Gagnon – Trombone
Mike Effenberger- Piano
Scott Kiefner- Upright Bass
Brian Waterhouse – Drums/Percussion
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Spookley the Square Pumpkin
2023-10-21 11:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Non-Members: $15 for adults/$10 for children
Members: $13 for Adults/$8 for Children
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Spookley The Square Pumpkin: The Musical tells the story of a square pumpkin living in a round pumpkin patch on Holiday Hill Farm. Shunned by the other pumpkins, Spookley is befriended by Edgar, Allan and Poe, three hilarious spiders who convince him that, square or not, he has a right to be the Pick of the Patch. Encouraged by kindly Jack Scarecrow, Spookley tries his best, but he isn’t sure he has what it takes until a mighty storm threatens Holiday Hill Farm. Spookley realizes it is up to him and his square shape to save the day. As a result, all the pumpkins in the patch learn that the things that make you different make you special.
Length of show: ~55 minutes
Great show for ALL ages!!
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Grace Kelly
2023-10-25 19:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Members: $40/$50/$60
Non-Members: $45/$55/$65
SOLD OUT

“…broad tone and tenacious flow on the alto saxophone, clearly in possession of virtuoso talents… impressive singing voice, flitting among a range of styles.” – NY Times
An unequivocal musical prodigy, singer-saxophonist-songwriter-composer and band leader Grace Kelly has rocked the jazz world with sold-out concerts, 14 acclaimed albums and a resume that includes performing at the Hollywood Bowl as well as being part of the house band for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” – all before reaching her mid-twenties. As of Oct 2022 she has become the youngest member of the Board of Trustees of Berklee College of Music.
Kelly was named the winner of “Song of the Year” for her single “Feels Like Home” in the 2018 John Lennon Songwriting Contest, and has been named nine times consecutively in the Annual Downbeat Magazines Critics Poll “Rising Star Alto Saxophone” from the age of 17 in 2009 and winning the poll in 2017 (Youngest ever named to Downbeat critics poll in 2009.). She has also won multiple ASCAP Composer Awards, Boston Music Awards, and International Songwriting Awards. She has also appeared as a featured performer in films and television, including acclaimed documentary “Sound of Redemption: The Frank Morgan Story”, Amazon’s Emmy-nominated original series “Bosch”, and featured in the 2017 Emmy-winning Yamaha production “The Right Note”
SOLD OUT

The Jay Psaros Band with Special Guest Francoix Simard
2023-10-26 19:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
$15/Non-Member
$12/Member
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What type of songwriter is Jay Psaros? That’s a question Psaros has been asking himself for years. With his new Album “Long Time Coming,” Psaros touches on many themes found within a coming of age. The impact of distance, reflections of a time since passed, and the human spirit which rings hopeful in times of hard earned growth. Pen and paper surrounded by the sound of beautifully crafted Folk, Rock, and Americana.​
This album is a celebration of a career high for Psaros, spending the past two years touring extensively with Gordon Lightfoot, Three Dog Night, Collective Soul and a variety of music’s most recognizable names spanning dozens of genres and decades. “Long Time Coming” is a subtle nod to the bright moments, and a warm embrace to the lessons learned along the way.
Psaros has always been a committed live performer. Jay and his guitar are warm, inviting and connective. When with The Jay Psaros Band, bigger energy prevails, covering a wide range of musical influences set to the backdrop of Psaros’ own brand of New England Folk/Rock. It is through these shows, nearly 15 years of them, that Psaros has been earning recognition and opportunity in places far beyond his New England Roots.
Psaros has shared the stage with: Gordon Lighfoot, Styx, Three Dog Night, Collective Soul, Lisa Loeb, Ziggy Marley, Little River Band, Third Eye Blind, Peter Cetera, Anders Osborne, Tower of Power, Eddie Money, REO Speedwagon, Daughtry, The Mavericks, Billy Currington, Foreigner, Grand Funk Railroad, Brett Eldredge, Los Lonely Boys, Boz Scaggs, Joe Nichols, Rusted Root, Donovan Frankenreiter and many more.
The Jay Psaros Band is:
Jay Psaros
Sam Chase: Guitar/Vocals
Matt Heisler: Drums
Steve Davis: Bass
Brad Goff: Keys
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Madeleine Peyroux
2023-10-27 19:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
$125/Members
$145/Non-Members
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*Due to the special nature of this event, Member COMP Tickets and I Believe Passes will not be accepted*

Much like songbird Edith Piaf, Madeleine Peyroux spent her teenage years busking the busy streets of Paris. Just like the ‘little sparrow’, Madeleine befriended the city’s street musicians and made its Latin quarter her first performing stage. Years later, Peyroux would cite iconic Piaf as an influence on her music and record a rendition of the classic La Vie En Rose, soulfully capturing the tune’s romanticism and melancholy.
Born in Athens, Georgia in 1974, Madeleine “grew up in a house filled with music” and from an early age “instinctively realised music’s soothing power” but it was her teenage years in the French capital that turned the childhood notion into an all-consuming vocation for life.
Young Madeleine moved to Paris with her mother in 1987 following her parents divorce. “To soothe me during the upheaval”, she recalls, “I was given a guitar and took to playing in the streets almost immediately.”
The curious teenager started skipping school to frequent the city’s Latin Quarter where street musicians dwelled, keen to learn about their music and way of life. At 16, the fearless teen joined the Lost Wandering Blues and Jazz Band with whom she toured the streets of Europe, discovering Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday while “voraciously picking up all the songs and all the guitar playing” she could.
The two-year touring adventure set Madeleine on a creative path for life and proved to be a gateway to greater things. In 1991 the band travelled to New York where Madeleine’s unique talents were spotted by Atlantic Records’ Yves Beauvais. The young singer declined the music executive’s initial record deal offer but relented several years later and in 1996 her breakthrough album Dreamland was released.
Dreamland sold a striking 200,000 copies and Madeleine’s dusky voice was likened to that of Jazz greats Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. Featuring top musicians Marc Ribot, Vernon Reid, Cyrus Chestnut, Charlie Giordano, Greg Cohen, Kenny Wollesen, Regina Carter, Leon Parker and James Carter, the album included Madeleine’s renditions of Holiday’s Gettin’ Some Fun Out of Life, Bessie Smith’s Lovesick Blues, and I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter.
Dreamland cemented Madeleine Peyroux as a ‘classic’ musical talent that was here to stay, and the soulful singer found herself touring the world, singing with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and opening for Cesaria Evora.
Thirty years after her formative busking days Peyroux is the proud curator of nine beguiling albums and an accomplished performer with sell out worldwide tours under her belt. Her atmospheric version of Serge Gainsborough’s La Javanaise was used in the soundtrack of Oscar Winner The Shape of Water and her countless accolades include the coveted BBC International Artist Of The Year honour.
Madeleine’s thirst for creative exploration is unfading and her willingness to face creative challenges remains as solid now as it was three decades ago.
With endearing passion and great curiosity the unstoppable genre-defying virtuoso continues her search for the good and examines life with the treasured William Congreve belief that Music has charms to soothe the savage beast.
Madeleine might attribute her success to “mostly luck” but to the industry and loyal fans alike, it is the immense talent and utter dedication to her craft that shines through. “Peyroux is a tremendous talent and almost a total intuitive” reflects Larry Klein, “she has the capacity to get the magic. When she sings and plays her guitar, great things happen.”
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Portal to Laughter - Seven 10-minute plays by the playwrights of Group
2023-10-29 14:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Tickets: $5
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From a man who knows way too much about grilled English muffins and isn’t afraid to publicly curse about it, an aging couple desperately trying to stay connected, a hypochondriac in search of an illness, and a lonely woman in love with an internet fraudster, the playwrights from Group offer seven insightful looks into the complicated and hilarious journey of being human.
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DOC OF THE DEAD - A Documentary Film
2023-10-29 18:00 | MA
Presented by NBPT Docu Fest
$12/General Admission
$10/Student & Seniors
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As part of the Newburyport Arts Collective’s spooky slate of Halloween events, the NBPT Docu Fest is chilled to the bone to show DOC OF THE DEAD, a film about zombie culture that premiered some years ago on Epix (and has rarely been seen since).
Join us at 6pm Sunday, October 29, for Alexandre O. Philippe’s bloodthirsty look into the undying significance of the zombie genre, which includes appearances by the late filmmaker George Romero, the Hollywood makeup genius Tom Savini and the writer Max Brooks, among others. The filmmaker certainly knows his stuff — he has also made documentaries about “The Exorcist,” the making of Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” and David Lynch.
Be there if it kills you!
Tickets are available on-line or by calling 978.572.0993
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Shemekia Copeland
2023-11-03 20:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Members: $35/$45/$55
Non-Members: $40/$50/$60

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“Shemekia Copeland is the greatest blues singer of her generation.” –The Washington Post

Award-winning blues, soul and Americana singer Shemekia Copeland possesses one of the most instantly recognizable and deeply soulful roots music voices of our time. She is beloved worldwide for the fearlessness, honesty and humor of her revelatory music, as well as for delivering each song she performs with unmatched passion. Copeland — winner of the 2021 Blues Music Award for B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year— connects with her audience on an intensely personal level, taking them with her on what The Wall Street Journal calls “a consequential ride” of “bold and timely blues.” NPR Music says Shemekia sings with “punchy defiance and potent conviction.” The Houston Chronicle describes her songs as “resilient pleas for a kinder tomorrow.”

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Million Dollar Quartet
2023-11-17 20:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
$35/Members
$40/Non-Members
Introducing “Pay What You Can Saturday Nights” presented by Matter Communications. At the Firehouse, we’re committed to removing the financial barrier for audience members to enjoy a high-quality performing arts experience. We’re grateful to Matter Communications for making this program possible!

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The Tony® Award-nominated musical MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is set on December 4, 1956, when an extraordinary twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together at Sun Records in Memphis for what would be one of the greatest jam sessions ever. MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET brings that legendary December night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations that is both poignant and funny.
Relive the era with the smash-hit sensation featuring an incredible score of rock ‘n’ roll, gospel, R&B and country hits, performed live onstage by world-class actors and musicians. Showcased hit songs include “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Walk the Line,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Hound Dog,” and more.
Book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrix
Original Concept and Direction by Floyd Mutrix
Inspired by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins
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The Wizard of Stars
2023-11-19 20:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Multi-impressionist Gary Leavitt with special guest Paul Nardizzi
Non-Member: $15
Member: $12
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Gary Leavitt teams up with his favorite comedian and good friend Paul Nardizzi for a night of incredible entertainment.
Leavitt who has been a radio talent for the past 37 years has been called the top celebrity voice impersonator/impressionist in the country. To date he has over 6000 different voices as part of his repertoire. They include Hollywood actors and actresses, famous musicians, the most well-known, comedians, cartoon characters, professional athletes and politicians.
Nardizzi, who has had guest appearances on Conan O’Brien and Comedy Central is considered to be one of the best comedians in New England.
This 90 minute show will leave you wanting for more.
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Winter Wonder Neverland!
2023-12-01 19:30 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Presented by Joppa Dance Company
Adults: $15
Students/Seniors: $13
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Joppa Dance Company will be presenting, Winter Wonder Neverland! at the Firehouse Center December 1st-3rd. This dance-theater production follows Peter Pan, Wendy, Tinker Bell and friends as they try to rescue Christmas back from Captain Hook. It’s full of Pirates, Lost Boys and Fairies. Choreography is by Joppa directors, Fontaine Dubus, Jen Steeves, and Erin Staffiere, and also features pieces by Rebecca Maikels, and Joppa seniors, Lilly Brunnick, Simone Chabot, Ava Maglio, and Addie Varay. It’s great fun for the whole family! The program runs about an hour.
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Full Moon Story GRAND Slam
2023-12-03 19:00 | MA
In Advance
$25/Adult
$23/Students and Seniors
Day Of
$28 for all audience members
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When I Said YES!
Join The Actors Studio of Newburyport for their end of the year celebration where the top winners of 2023, compete for the title of “Full Moon Grand Slammer”, but anyone in the audience will also have the opportunity to tell a two (2) minute story. It can be based on the theme, or it can be about any subject they would like to talk about.
This is the eighth season of true-life stories told without notes or props on themes ranging from synchronicity to pronouns. The Studio’s Full Moon Story Slam is modeled after NPR’s Moth Radio Hour. It is a story telling competition with a few simple criteria for both the official judges and the audience to vote for their favorites.
It has been a consistently popular event since its inception, so much so that, during Covid restrictions, it expanded nationwide as a Zoom event.
The Slam is your chance to gather as friends and share true stories from your lives. Simply put, a story slam is a competition based on the art of storytelling. It puts a dual emphasis on content and performance, encouraging storytellers to focus on what they’re saying and how they’re saying it. It is an exercise in crafting stories within a set time limit.
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A Cinderella Panto
2023-12-08 19:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Presented in partnership with Theater in the Open
Non-Member Adults: $20
Member/Student/Senior: $18
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Come celebrate the holidays with everyone’s favorite soot-stained step-sister, as Cinderella shows her selfish, scroogey step-siblings the true meaning of Christmas, falls in love with a charming prince, and melts a lot of frozen hearts along the way! Cinderella is perhaps the most popular perennial panto across the pond, and we’re proud to present this classic to you at the Firehouse Center for the Arts this December with our own TitO twist! Get ready to cheer the goodies, boo the baddies, sing some carols and sling some snowballs as Theater in the Open and The Firehouse Center for the Arts present Cinderella in December: A Frozen Fairytale Panto!
What does Panto mean? Pantomime (informally, panto)— not to be confused with a mime artist, a theatrical performer of mime. Panto is a musical-comedy theatrical production traditionally performed in the United Kingdom, mostly during Christmas and New Year season.
About Theater in the Open: The mission of Theater in the Open is to transform the magical tradition of storytelling into theater. Using puppetry, pageantry, music, movement, and acting, TITO presents and explores myths, classic literature, original scripts, and modern dramas that reflect the diversity of cultures around us. TITO embraces their audiences and invite the community to create with them from seed to flower, enjoying the beauty of art and nature in an affordable, accessible, and educational manner. TITO develops the talent and range of abilities of their unified company through a disciplined work ethic, fun, and a desire to grow. For more information about Theater in the Open please visit their website at www.theaterintheopen.org
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A Sinatra Christmas
2023-12-12 15:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Non-Member: $30
Member: $27
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Rich DiMare is an American jazz singer who specializes in the Frank Sinatra songbook. “A Sinatra Christmas” is coming to the Firehouse! With all your Holiday favorites like “Jingle Bells” & “White Christmas.” Mixed in with Frank’s icon and beloved songs that include “My Way” and New York, New York.”
Rich has 20 years of experience in providing entertainment across America. Along with being a talented singer, he also DJs at Red Sox games throughout the season. Rich spent 15 years live on-air at Boston’s highest-rated morning show, KISS 108’s Matty in the Morning, and as a host on Boston’s Fox25 TV. Because of this experience in media and music Rich is a seasoned showman.
This Holiday season, Rich is joined by Ron Poster and the Sinatra Ambassadors. Ron Poster is the organist for the Boston Bruins and has played at-home games for the past 20 seasons. Rich and Ron’s understanding of the Sinatra songbook, coupled with their interactions on stage; makes this Old Blue Eyes experience something Rat Pack lovers won’t forget!
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Martin Sexton
2023-12-14 19:00 | Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
$45/Members
$50/Non-Members
*TWO SHOWS – 7pm & 9pm*
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The real thing, people.” –Billboard
Martin Sexton returns with what RollingStone calls his “soul-marinated voice,” acoustic guitar, and a suitcase full of heartfelt songs.
The 2023 Tour takes Martin across North America in support of his latest ep 2020 Vision (produced by 3-time Grammy nominee John Alagia (Lukas Nelson, John Mayer, Dave Matthews) as well as reinventing his own classics for these critically-acclaimed solo performances.
Still fiercely independent and headlining venues from The Fillmore to Carnegie Hall, he has influenced a generation of contemporary artists. His songs have appeared in television series such as Scrubs, Parenthood, Masters of Sex, Sprung, and in numerous films, though it’s his incendiary live show, honest lyrics, and vocal prowess that keep fans coming back for a new experience every time.
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