Do you suspect the Covid quarantine has driven live performance off the New England stage? Not so! Many places are presenting outdoor music and other entertainments in socially distance settings, with safeguard such as online ticket purchases and limited or timed admittance. Take a look at the Events calendar at VisitNewEngland.com to see some of the public events happening now and through the fall. (See, also, the individual Events pages for the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.) Here are a few highlights, listed by state:
Connecticut
Pumpkin Patch Trolley at Connecticut Trolley Museum in East Windsor, CT — Through October 31. Ride a trolley car through the fall forest to the pumpkin patch field. Great fun for families. Halloween decorations, arts and crafts, and the the Fire Truck Museum will be open. Map.
Walktober: Reading the 18th-Century Landscape at Nathan Hale Homestead, Coventry, CT, October 2 — Enjoy a one-mile stroll into history at this beautiful historic home, right next to the Nathan Hale State Forest. 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Free. Map.
New Hampshire
Great Bay Sailor in Concert at Music Under the Arch outside the Music Hall in Portsmouth NH — October 8. Great Bay Sailor is an eclectic folk band in Portsmouth, performing maritime, Irish/Scottish, British, and old time music. This concert is one of a series happening in the brick-lined alley outside the Music Hall, where guests sit at separate tables and are welcome to bring their own refreshments. Map.
Rhode Island
Duke Robillard Band at Pump House Music Works in Wakefield RI — September 27. Pump House Music Works is hosting a series for an outdoor performances on the green. Coming up September 27 is Duke Robillard, who has built one of the most illustrious legacies in blues performance. Full outdoor bar and food trucks on site. Map.
Latin Jazz Percussionist Jesús Andujar at the boat house lawn at Roger Williams Park in Providence RI. September 27. This is one of a series of pop-up concerts at beautiful Roger Williams Park this fall. The September 27 concert features Latin percussionist Jesús Andujar. Also coming to perform at this locations at dates TBA are Magnolia Cajun Band and by jazz musician Lee Mixashawn Rozie. Map.
Massachusetts
New England Harvest Feast 2020 at Plimouth Plantation in Plymouth MA. Through November 27 (see website for dates). An evening of 17th-century entertainment and hospitality awaits you as you sit down to a meal at this historic site. Enjoy oddities (to the modern taste) like cheate bread, mussels seeth’d in parsley and beer, sauc’d turkey, cabbage and leeks pottage, sweet corn pudding, a chine of roast’d pork, and more. Map.
The Garcia Project: Drive-In Live at Payomet Performing Arts CenterBall Field in North Truro MA. October 10. This is one of several outdoor concerts at the ball field outside the performing arts center. The Garcia Project faithfully channels and projects the feelings, emotions and music that propelled the Jerry Garcia Band and the fans through many years of musical bliss. Map.
Vermont
Art Walk in downtown Montpelier, VT, on October 2. See artwork, meet the local artists, and explore downtown shops, restaurants, and galleries. Safely enjoy art at indoor and outdoor venues throughout town. Next Art Walk is Dec. 4. Map.
Harvest at Billings Farm & Museum, 69 Old River Road, Woodstock, VT. Through October 31. Harvest-themed activities, demonstrations, and crafts take place every weekend. See and take park in drying herbs, hand threshing grain, finding hidden pumpkins in a scavenger hunt, taking a story walk around the pastures, and making your own seed packet. Fun for kids. Map.
Maine
GoldenOak performs at Owls Head ME in Owls Head, ME, October 3 — This is a live outdoor show at the Owls Head Transportation Museum, itself a fun place for families to visit. GoldenOak’s music arises from the natural landscape. The Maine band has built a fan base with its intimacy and love of nature. Rain date is October 4.
