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We encourage everyone to attend the live music series, whether it is your favorite genre or not. Selection of the concert series bands is curated to present high-quality artistry spanning musical styles to provide the musicians a paid gig and to provide audiences the opportunity to broaden their musical horizons. Join us on this melodic journey that also raises funds to support the art and mission of the Andres Institute of Art.

Scroll down to find the link to secure your concert tickets. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Some shows may be at higher prices.

For questions about the Andres Institute of Art Concert series at our Welcome and Event Center/Big Bear Lodge in Brookline NH, please contact [email protected] or call 603-732-0216.

Concerts are upstairs at the AIA Welcome Center on the Dream Trax Stage in Big Bear Lodge in Brookline NH. We are located at #106 Route 13 in Brookline NH – across from the Alamo BBQ restaurant. The room is rustic with resonant acoustics. It features all table-seating with the audience limited to about 130 guests. Beverage sales (wine, beer, soda, water) are available and part of the fundraising effort. Bringing-in of outside beverages is not allowed. We do not offer food service. There are several local eateries to dine before, or bring along your take-out meal or bring in snacks from home. An elevator is available from the first floor art gallery. Be sure to visit the Gallery at Andres Institute of Art to catch the latest show and the Welcome Center to learn about the history of the AIA and Pontanipo hill. Arrive early to hike the sculpture trails before the show.

Upcoming Concerts –  Act II  July – December 2026

Be sure to Like, Follow and Subscribe to our Facebook Pages for Andres Institute and Big Bear Lodge Performance center as well as our YouTube Channel to see clips from each concert!

Led by guitarist Nick Spencer, the Blues Express stands out with their high energy shows. Recent winners of the Granite State Blues Challenge, they are not to be missed! Sample their sound: https://www.youtube.com/@The.Blues.Express

“Rooted in tradition but fueled by pure joy, they channel the spirit of
Chicago and Memphis blues with big sound, bold vocals, and rhythms you can’t sit still to.”

— Better Way to Help

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The Bruce Mattson Band plays jazz, R&B and centers around Hammond B3 player Bruce Mattson. Join us for the CD Release party to celebrate “Vintage Modern” Check out video and sound samples: www.brucemattson.com/. 

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Alexander’s Jazz Time Band is an eleven-piece ensemble modeled on the “hot dance bands” of the 1920’s and early 1930’s. Historically informed performances of well-known standards and forgotten gems. Sample their sound at their website: www.jazztimeband.com. 

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Join us for a stellar night of live music headlined by The Modern Fools, delivering their distinct brand of cosmic Americana and vintage grooves. Blending classic roots rock with psychedelic country undertones, their high-energy set promises to keep the crowd vibing all night. Kicking off the evening is local singer-songwriter Brother Seamus and his trio, bringing captivating storytelling and a rich, soulful folk-rock sound to the Dream Trax stage. Don’t miss this must-see showcase of premier local NH talent—grab your friends and settle in for a perfect night of music!

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Mix one part New Orleans Jazz to equal parts Caribbean tunes, Meters funk, soul, and brass band. Shake well and you have an unforgettable night of music with the Soggy Po’ boys! Put them on your “Favorites” playlist on Spotify, Bandcamp or YouTube. Sample some tunes on their homepage www.soggypoboys.com/.

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Get ready for a massive night of music! Etch and the Youngs hit the stage with huge originals and covers, featuring high-energy classic rock and pop support from The Straight A’s. 

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Through a shared love of R&B, funk, soul, and jazz, The Diplomats of Funk create a new voice for the classic organ trio. With nods to the past and eyes to the future, this trio simply grooves. Give them a listen at their website www.diplomatsoffunk.com/.

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The Far Out is a funk and soul pop band from Boston. They engage their audiences with high-energy grooves, lush vocals, and funky horn lines, supported by undeniable chemistry of a group of lifelong friends. 

In 2025, they secured the awards for Live Act of the Year and Video of the Year (for “Laurel”) at the New England Music Awards. In addition, their debut album, Greetings from The Far Out, was nominated for Album of the Year at both the NEMAs and Boston Music Awards. Sample their sounds on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. 

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The Folksoul Band creates new music from old traditions, combining horns, vocals, wild rhythms, and New Orleans Mardi Gras spirit to create music for celebration and dancing.  

Drawing new impulses from old traditions–it is the living tradition of Mardi Gras dance music and New Orleans that is celebrated here–the city that gave us Louis Armstrong and Fats Domino–the fathers of jazz and rock’n’roll. We go back to the roots to find the spirit that has its source Down There, and we follow its branches of Motown, Soul, and R&B.

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Local favorite rock band! Don’t miss out – their triumphant return in 2025 sold out quickly. The Ballou Brothers Band was formed around 1975 by Matt and Dave Ballou with Mark “Bird” Partridge, Shawn Bosquet and Ben Chandler. Adding Deane Ballou around 1979, Gary Young 1982 and Gary Blaisdell 1990 the current line up was formed. Performing in the area for fifty years, this band is dialed in, providing a great night of tunes.

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This well-known 19-piece big band, plus a stellar vocalist, brings a balanced selection of both familiar and progressive jazz charts. The Holiday book is always popular and will have you feeling jolly in no time! Just enough seasonal tunes to be festive, wide-ranging Big Band standards to round out the evening. Experience the musical magic made by Compaq Big Band, backed by their 50-year history. 

This show always sells out – get your tickets early! 

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Previous Concerts in the Series

Be sure to Like, Follow and Subscribe to our Facebook Pages for Andres Institute and Big Bear Lodge Performance center as well as our YouTube Channel to see clips from each concert! 

Join us for blues legend Bobby Rush as he brings his iconic “folk-funk” show to the Dream Trax stage at Big Bear Lodge in Brookline, NH on July 11th at 7:00 PM!

With a storied career spanning over seven decades, Bobby Rush is the ultimate storyteller and a masterful entertainer of the blues genre. Rush captured his very first Grammy Award in 2017 at the age of 83 for his critically acclaimed, chart-topping album, Porcupine Meat. Now a multi-Grammy winner and a revered Blues Hall of Famer, Bobby Rush continues to deliver high-energy, soul-stirring performances that bridge the gap between traditional blues, funk, and modern showmanship. This is a rare opportunity to see a living piece of American Blues music history command the stage right here in Brookline NH — grab your tickets now before they sell out

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SOLD OUT!  Join us on July 7th at 7pm for Hejira as they kick off their first ever North American tour with us at Big Bear Lodge in Brookline NH.

The Andres Institute is proud to welcome Hejira: Celebrating Joni Mitchell for an unforgettable evening of live music — and a very special occasion. This is Hejira’s first ever US appearance, timed to mark the 50th anniversary of Joni Mitchell’s landmark 1976 album.

Formed in Oxford, UK and fronted by the remarkable vocalist Hattie Whitehead — winner of the Emerging Talent competition at Glastonbury Festival — Hejira brings together seven world-class musicians to celebrate Joni Mitchell’s richest creative period. Led and arranged by guitarist and composer Pete Oxley, the ensemble draws from the landmark albums Court and Spark, Hejira, and the iconic live recording Shadows and Light, with original arrangements that honor the spirit of Mitchell’s music while bringing something entirely their own. Their performances have sold out rooms across the UK and Ireland for three consecutive years, amassing over 1.5 million YouTube views worldwide. Now, for the first time, they bring that extraordinary music to America. This will no doubt be an intimate evening of music that will stay with you long after the last note. 

Two amazing Jazz acts in one great show!  We are thrilled to welcome back Sad Bastards, Loose Standards and look forward to hearing the supporting act The Gary Smith Trio on the Dream Trax Stage at Big Bear Lodge, Andres Institute of Art.

Sad Bastards, Loose Standards is a unique trumpet and piano duo featuring Chris Klaxton and Mike Effenberger. Their music is a blend of jazz, spirituals, and rock, creating a “gospel noir” sound that is both unexpected and cathartic. They delve into the great American songbook, as well as sacred melodies, and reinterpretations of artists like Nirvana, Elliott Smith, and Black Sabbath. They have two albums out, give a listen on YouTube, BandCamp or Spotify.

Joining them will be the Gary Smith trio, with Mike Walsh on drums and Nick Phaneuf on bass, the 3 of whom have been playing with Effenberger and Klaxton for 25 years, this is a combo that can play the traditional tunes or go a little funky and off the rails with Gary leading the way on guitar At the end of the night, we’ll have both bands up to jam together for an unforgettable Big Bear Jazz Superjam!

SOLD OUT – The Compaq Big Band returns to the Dream Trax Stage at Big Bear Lodge, Andres Institute of Art. This will be their fifth show on the Big Bear Lodge stage. Their concerts always captivate audiences with a nineteen-piece ensemble plus a vocalist. The Compaq Big Band excels in concert and nightclub settings with a balanced selection of both familiar and progressive jazz charts, swing hits, Latin rhythms and Big Band standards. Music selections for their gigs come from an extensive sheet music library of well over 2,000 songs. There is always room for dancing when Compaq Big Band is in the house! Sample this video from a previous show at Big Bear Lodge – then grab tickets because they always sell out!

SOLD OUT – Just Announced!  – The legendary Tom Rush is set to grace the Dream Trax Stage at Big Bear Lodge in Brookline, NH, bringing his signature blend of folk, blues, and storytelling to one of the region’s most unique performance spaces. Tom is a New Hampshire native and he is a recent inductee into the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame. He is known for a career spanning over six decades as a pioneer of the folk revival and is credited with introducing the world to the works of Joni Mitchell and James Taylor.

His performances are more than just concerts; they are intimate journeys filled with masterfully crafted guitar work, a warm baritone voice that has only grown richer with age, and the kind of wry, New England humor that makes every member of the audience feel like an old friend. Tom will be joined by folk musician Brendan Cleary

We are proud to welcome amazing local band Cosmic Blossom to the Dream Trax Stage at Big Bear Lodge, Andres Institute of Art. This will be their first show at Big Bear Lodge. 

The Cosmic Blossom music collective stands at the intersection of countless genres, creating a sound that is as intellectually stimulating as it is irresistibly danceable. They deliver a kaleidoscopic blend of Psychedelic Rock and complex Progressive Jazz, deep Soul grooves, Rock ‘n’ Roll, and sharp bursts of feel-good Funk. Their live performance is a journey: expect intricate, dynamic songwriting laced with expressive vibraphone melodies and soaring instrumental jams.

Check out their amazing sound on Facebook reels or their YouTube channel, then grab tickets for you and your friends!

The Mighty Colors and Jamdemic return for the 3rd Annual AIA Earth Day show. They will be back on Saturday evening, April 18th from 7-10pm and will be performing in Big Bear Lodge on the Dream Trax stage. These two great local NH bands helped us formulate the idea for this amazing Earth Day Benefit show which helps both Andres Institute of Art and Beaver Brook Association raise funds.

Jamdemic is a New Hampshire-based band focused on Classic Rock and Jam Band covers and originals, aptly named for rising to prominence post-pandemic. Find out more at https://Jamdemic.com or on their YouTube channel at https://YouTube.com/@Jamdemic

The Mighty Colors Band, based out of the greater Nashua area, has been playing music as a band for over 30+ years.  Find out more about the Mighty Colors on their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/themightycolors

The local legends are back! Nashua’s own Aces & Eights are making their triumphant return to the historic Big Bear Lodge, and you won’t want to miss the homecoming celebration. Known throughout Southern New Hampshire as a powerhouse of gritty, high-energy rock, Aces & Eights delivers a thrilling blend of classic rock n roll. The music takes place on the Dream Trax stage at Big Bear Lodge, famous for its incredible acoustics and history of hosting rock greats. Get ready for a night of pure rock and roll swagger, incredible musicianship, and a guaranteed good time as Aces & Eights proves once again why they are a Nashua area favorite. Catch them on YouTube.

This will be the first appearance by Adam Ezra group at Big Bear Lodge and performing on the Dream Trax Stage. Hailing from Boston, Adam Ezra Group isn’t just a band—they are a movement. Known for their soul-stirring blend of Americana, folk, and rock, they’ve spent the last two decades building a community one song and one hug at a time. Whether they are playing to thousands at a festival or in an intimate venue like the AIA, their mission remains the same: to connect, to inspire, and to create a moment we’ll all carry with us long after the final note. This show will be more than just a setlist; it’s going to be a conversation. With Adam Ezra leading the way on vocals and guitar, accompanied by the incredible Corinna Smith on fiddle, Poche Ponce on bass, and Alex Martin on percussion, you are in for an evening of heartfelt storytelling with a high-energy performance with fusion of folk intimacy and rock-and-roll power. So, grab a seat, lean in, and let’s get lost in the music. 

We welcome a special musical event to the Dream Trax Stage at Big Bear Lodge, Andres Institute of Art – A Psychedelic Sound Journey with Three Dragon Alley, Hyponova, SeiDurVin, Bosey Joe and Chris O’Neill – 100% of all proceeds from this show go directly to benefit the Andres Institute of Art – special $10 ticket price!

Stretch out with a pillow and blanket for a psychedelic journey of the mind with four different ambient music performances. Hyponova and SeiDurVin combine saxophone with looped synthesizers in immersive soundscapes drawing from jazz, post-rock, and classic ambient genres. Three Dragon Alley is a performance troupe of ambient journey soundscapes featuring Mitch Rosenberg on digeridoo and John McCusick on harmonium and sitar. Chris O’Neill, an accomplished guitarist, combines fluid eBow with looped guitar. Bosey Joe takes listeners on a deep dive into live, improvised electronic music fusing analog synths, live sampling, and living plants in transportive and interactive performances. Psychedelic light shows and a collaborative ambient jam finale round out this special pop-up event.

Portrait In Jazz is a highly regarded, long-standing New England jazz ensemble founded in 1993 by guitarist and composer Brad Ellenberg. The group’s name pays homage to the seminal Bill Evans album, reflecting their goal of creating a democratic and harmonious musical conversation where every player contributes equally to the sound. This amazing jazz ensemble has grown from an initial trio to a versatile sextet featuring guitar (Brad Ellenberg), trumpet/flugelhorn (Gary Bohan), saxophone (Chris Hildebrand), bass (Bob Abruzese), drums (Grant Smith), and vocalists.Their approach emphasizes collective process and sophisticated arrangements, making them a popular fixture in clubs, festivals, and concerts across New England. Catch them on Soundcloud or select videos at their website.

See More Previous Concerts in the Series (click here)

Be sure to Like, Follow and Subscribe to our Facebook Pages for Andres Institute and Big Bear Lodge Performance center as well as our YouTube Channel to see clips from each concert!