Fall in New England is more than just foliage season—it’s a cultural celebration! In this episode, we take you on a tour of the region’s top arts, music, and theater events for the 2025/2026 season. From world-class Broadway tours at the Providence Performing Arts Center and the Portland Symphony Orchestra’s 101st season, to inspiring exhibits at the Norman Rockwell Museum and the Farnsworth Art Museum, there’s something for every art lover.

We’ll also highlight vibrant local events like Bread & Puppet Theater’s Fall Circus Tour, the Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival, and performances from the Opera Company of Middlebury. Whether you’re a fan of live music, visual art, dance, or cultural festivals, this guide will inspire you to explore New England’s thriving arts scene this fall.

📍 Featuring highlights from:

Rhode Island: Providence Performing Arts Center, RISD Craft 2025

Maine: Portland Symphony Orchestra, Farnsworth Art Museum

Connecticut: New England Ballet Theater, Bruce Museum Arts Festival

Massachusetts: Norman Rockwell Museum, Groton Hill Arts Center

New Hampshire: Nashua Center for the Arts, Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival

Vermont: Bread & Puppet Theater, Opera Company of Middlebury

✨ Why listen?

Plan your fall arts and culture adventures in New England

Discover historic venues, acclaimed performances, and unique festivals

Support local artists, theaters, and cultural institutions

🎧 Hit play now, subscribe, and get inspired to experience the arts this fall!

📌 Show Notes & Resources:

🔹 Episode Sources, References & Featured Links

💙 Support Notable New England:

Join our Notable New England Patreon community for a dedicated space to connect, explore New England history, hidden gems, and local stories without the distractions of traditional social media! Get early, ad-free episodes and exclusive perks starting at just $2 a month. Your support helps cover production costs and keeps engaging episodes coming! Or, sign up for free and connect with other lovely listeners. 👉 Join here

To make a one-time donation to Notable New England, head over to buymeacoffee.com/notablenewengland

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On this episode of Notable New England, we’re talking about the power of music, community, and showing up for one another in times of crisis. Fair warning, there is a curse word used to describe the theme of a song at 30:58 and 31:12.

My guest, Janet Feld—a beloved New England musician with deep ties to Kerr County, Texas—has organized a benefit concert at Club Passim in Cambridge to support flood relief efforts in Central Texas following the devastating July 4th floods. She’s bringing together fellow New England musicians for an unforgettable night of music and generosity, proving that community has no borders.

We also talk about her upcoming new album dropping this September, the stories behind her songs, and why acts of kindness, near and far, matter now more than ever.

If you love folk music, community stories, or learning how artists use their craft for change, this episode is for you.

📌 Show Notes & Resources:

🔹 Episode Sources, References & Featured Links

💙 Support Notable New England:

Join our Notable New England Patreon community for a dedicated space to connect, explore New England history, hidden gems, and local stories without the distractions of traditional social media! Get early, ad-free episodes and exclusive perks starting at just $2 a month. Your support helps cover production costs and keeps engaging episodes coming! Or, sign up for free and connect with other lovely listeners. 👉 Join here

To make a one-time donation to Notable New England, head over to buymeacoffee.com/notablenewengland

📢 Follow Notable New England:

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🎙️ Podcast Website: https://notablene.podbean.com/ 

New England isn’t just known for lobster rolls and chowder. It’s also home to some of the best ice cream in the country, and yes, we eat it year-round! In this deliciously cool episode, we’re dishing up a scoop-by-scoop tour of beloved ice cream shops across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. From old-fashioned ice cream stands to organic maple creemees and innovative flavors like “Breakfast” and “Chocolate Lace,” we’ve got your summer (and winter!) cravings covered.

Whether you're a local or planning a visit, discover hidden gems like Ilsley’s in rural New Hampshire, farm-fresh treats from Kingdom Creamery in Vermont, and iconic classics like Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream in Connecticut. Plus, hear the heartwarming stories behind these family-owned businesses, many of which have been delighting communities for generations.

🍦 Share your favorite ice cream spots with us on our social media channels or join our community chat at patreon.com/notablenewengland. Let’s help fellow sweet tooths find their next frozen fix!

Featured Ice Cream Destinations:

Massachusetts: Bedford Farms, The Ice Cream Barn at Baker Farm

New Hampshire: Hayward’s Homemade Ice Cream, Ilsley’s Ice Cream

Vermont: Lilac Ridge Farm, Kingdom Creamery of Vermont

Rhode Island: Powder Mill Creamery, Clementine’s Homemade Ice Cream

Connecticut: Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream, Dr. Mike’s Ice Cream

Maine: Big Daddy’s Homemade Ice Cream, Beals Old Fashioned Ice Cream

📌 Show Notes & Resources:

🔹 Episode Sources, References & Featured Links

💙 Support Notable New England:

Join our Notable New England Patreon community for a dedicated space to connect, explore New England history, hidden gems, and local stories without the distractions of traditional social media! Get early, ad-free episodes and exclusive perks starting at just $2 a month. Your support helps cover production costs and keeps engaging episodes coming! Or, sign up for free and connect with other lovely listeners. 👉 Join here

To make a one-time donation to Notable New England, head over to buymeacoffee.com/notablenewengland

📢 Follow Notable New England:

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🎙️ Podcast Website: https://notablene.podbean.com/ 

Ready to hit the road and discover the most delightfully weird, wonderfully kitschy, and totally unforgettable roadside attractions in New England? In this episode of Notable New England, we're packing the car and mapping out a quirky journey across Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, highlighting 12 legendary stops you won’t want to miss.

From a giant blueberry dome in Maine to a mysterious herd of rocking horses in Lincoln, MA (aka Ponyhenge), a carousel museum in Connecticut, and America’s oldest topiary zoo in Rhode Island, this episode is your ultimate guide to the region’s most offbeat, charming, and photo-worthy destinations. We’ll stop at places like the world’s largest PEZ collection, an arcade museum filled with retro games, and even a heartfelt mountaintop chapel dedicated to dogs.

💬 Got a favorite roadside gem in New England? Share it on Patreon at patreon.com/notablenewengland or find us on social (links below). Let’s crowdsource the quirkiest road trip map ever!

🧭 Featured Attractions Include:

Wild Blueberry Land (Columbia Falls, ME)

Eartha: The Rotating Globe (Yarmouth, ME)

Chutter’s Candy Counter (Littleton, NH)

American Classic Arcade Museum (Laconia, NH)

Ponyhenge (Lincoln, MA)

The Paper House (Rockport, MA)

Dog Mountain & Dog Chapel (St. Johnsbury, VT)

Bread & Puppet Museum (Glover, VT)

PEZ Visitor Center (Orange, CT)

The Carousel Museum (Bristol, CT)

Green Animals Topiary Garden (Portsmouth, RI)

Big Blue Bug (Providence, RI)

🚙 Hit play, plan your next quirky detour, and remember: half the fun of road-tripping is the unexpected stops along the way.

📌 Show Notes & Resources:

🔹 Episode Sources, References & Featured Links

💙 Support Notable New England:

Join our Notable New England Patreon community for a dedicated space to connect, explore New England history, hidden gems, and local stories without the distractions of traditional social media! Get early, ad-free episodes and exclusive perks starting at just $2 a month. Your support helps cover production costs and keeps engaging episodes coming! Or, sign up for free and connect with other lovely listeners. 👉 Join here

To make a one-time donation to Notable New England, head over to buymeacoffee.com/notablenewengland

📢 Follow Notable New England:

🔹 Patreon

🎙️ Podcast Website: https://notablene.podbean.com/ 

Beat the heat this summer with a refreshing dip at some of New England’s most beautiful swimming spots. In this episode of Notable New England, I take you on a sun-soaked journey to the region’s best beaches, waterfalls, ponds, and swimming holes—from Vermont’s Buttermilk Falls and Maine’s Ogunquit Beach to Rhode Island’s Goosewing Preserve and Connecticut’s hidden gem, DuBois Beach.

Whether you’re craving the soft sands of Cape Cod, the crystal-clear waters of Crystal Lake, or the magical cascades of Diana’s Falls in New Hampshire, there’s a perfect place to cool off waiting for you.

I'm sharing local favorites, quiet escapes, and historic beaches with tips for swimming, picnicking, hiking, and birdwatching. Some spots are perfect for families; others are off-the-beaten-path wonders with fascinating history and natural beauty.

☀️ Have a favorite New England beach or swim hole? Join the conversation! Head to patreon.com/notablenewengland and chime in on the community chat, or connect via our social channels (linked in the show notes).

📅 New episodes every two weeks—next one drops July 20.

🔹 Episode Sources, References & Featured Links

💙 Support Notable New England:

Join our Notable New England Patreon community for a dedicated space to connect, explore New England history, hidden gems, and local stories without the distractions of traditional social media! Get early, ad-free episodes and exclusive perks starting at just $2 a month. Your support helps cover production costs and keeps engaging episodes coming! Or, sign up for free and connect with other lovely listeners. 👉 Join here

To make a one-time donation to Notable New England, head over to buymeacoffee.com/notablenewengland

📢 Follow Notable New England:

🔹 Patreon

🎙️ Podcast Website: https://notablene.podbean.com/ 

Summer is finally here, and it's time to take advantage of the sunshine and longer days! In this episode of Notable New England, we’re exploring incredible summer events happening across all six New England states—from coastal festivals in Maine to classical music in Vermont, seafood feasts in Rhode Island, historic reenactments in New Hampshire, renaissance flair in Connecticut, and star-studded concerts in Massachusetts.

Whether you're into live music, local art, blueberry pie-eating contests, schooner races, or just looking for a fun weekend road trip idea, this list is designed to inspire you to try something new and experience the charm of New England this summer.

🗺️ Events featured include:

Windjammer Days in Boothbay Harbor, Maine

Vermont Symphony’s Summer Festival Tour

Newport Folk, Jazz & Classical Festivals in Rhode Island

Chocolate Fest in Waterville Valley, NH

Podunk Bluegrass Festival in Connecticut

Tanglewood concerts in the Berkshires, MA

I’ll be sharing links to every event in the show notes, so be sure to check those out if something piques your interest.

Let’s make the most of summer in New England—one event at a time!

📌 Show Notes & Resources:

🔹 Episode Sources, References & Featured Links

💙 Support Notable New England:

Join our Notable New England Patreon community for a dedicated space to connect, explore New England history, hidden gems, and local stories without the distractions of traditional social media! Get early, ad-free episodes and exclusive perks starting at just $2 a month. Your support helps cover production costs and keeps engaging episodes coming! Or, sign up for free and connect with other lovely listeners. 👉 Join here

To make a one-time donation to Notable New England, head over to buymeacoffee.com/notablenewengland

📢 Follow Notable New England:

🔹 Patreon

🎙️ Podcast Website: https://notablene.podbean.com/ 

On this fresh and flavorful episode of Notable New England, we'll uncover some of the best farmers’ markets across New England. Whether you’re a lover of heirloom tomatoes, sweet corn, or just enjoy wandering through open-air stalls of homemade breads, fresh flowers, local meats, and artisan crafts, this episode is your perfect summer guide.

We’ll spotlight standout markets like:

Brattleboro and Burlington Farmers’ Markets in Vermont

Coventry and Guilford’s historic markets in Connecticut

Block Island and Tiverton in Rhode Island

The Blue Hill Peninsula and United Farmers Market of Maine

And more, including community gems in Keene, Portsmouth, Copley Square, and Nantucket

Each market offers more than just food—it’s a celebration of community, sustainability, and regional pride. Tune in for tips, local insight, and a taste of the vibrant culture that makes New England summers so unforgettable.

📌 Show Notes & Resources:

🔹 Episode Sources, References & Featured Links

💙 Support Notable New England:

Join our Notable New England Patreon community for a dedicated space to connect, explore New England history, hidden gems, and local stories without the distractions of traditional social media! Get early, ad-free episodes and exclusive perks starting at just $2 a month. Your support helps cover production costs and keeps engaging episodes coming! Or, sign up for free and connect with other lovely listeners. 👉 Join here

To make a one-time donation to Notable New England, head over to buymeacoffee.com/notablenewengland

📢 Follow Notable New England:

🔹 Patreon

🎙️ Podcast Website: https://notablene.podbean.com/ 

In this episode of Notable New England, we dive into Boston’s lesser-known corners—the ones locals whisper about and visitors often miss. From kayaking the Charles River to sipping tea at the Boston Public Library, I’ll share some of my favorite off-the-beaten path spots to explore. Discover the stunning stained-glass globe at the Mapparium, stroll the historic Black Heritage Trail, and more! 

These are places where Boston’s spirit quietly shines.

🎧 Whether you’re a longtime local or just visiting, tune in for insider tips and fresh ideas for rediscovering the city.

💬 Got a hidden gem of your own? Share it in the community chat section at patreon.com/notablenewengland.

📌 Show Notes & Resources:

🔹 Episode Sources, References & Featured Links

💙 Support Notable New England:

Join our Notable New England Patreon community for a dedicated space to connect, explore New England history, hidden gems, and local stories without the distractions of traditional social media! Get early, ad-free episodes and exclusive perks starting at just $2 a month. Your support helps cover production costs and keeps engaging episodes coming! Or, sign up for free and connect with other lovely listeners. 👉 Join here

To make a one-time donation to Notable New England, head over to buymeacoffee.com/notablenewengland

📢 Follow Notable New England:

🔹 Patreon

🎙️ Podcast Website: https://notablene.podbean.com/ 

I kick off the podcast with Wicked Lite Bites—lighthearted, community stories and happenings from each New England state. Then, I sit down with Zoë Knight, Boston-based singer, songwriter, pianist, and music educator to talk about her latest project with her band Mythical Beasts: Love Cycle. This five-part, 19-minute psychedelic art rock journey explores the deeply human shift from hyper-independence to finding strength in community.

Zoë shares what inspired the album, how the band crafted its sound, and why Love Cycle is both deeply personal and universally resonant. We talk about vulnerability, the myth of self-reliance, and how music can be a lifeline for connection, especially when we feel most alone.

Whether you're into indie music, concept albums, creative process deep-dives, or just love hearing artists talk about what drives them, this one’s for you. Come join the conversation.

📌 Show Notes & Resources:

🔹 Episode Sources, References & Featured Links

💙 Support Notable New England:

Join our Notable New England Patreon community for a dedicated space to connect, explore New England history, hidden gems, and local stories without the distractions of traditional social media! Get early, ad-free episodes and exclusive perks starting at just $2 a month. Your support helps cover production costs and keeps engaging episodes coming! Or, sign up for free and connect with other lovely listeners. 👉 Join here

To make a one-time donation to Notable New England, head over to buymeacoffee.com/notablenewengland

📢 Follow Notable New England:

🔹 Patreon

🎙️ Podcast Website: https://notablene.podbean.com/ 

In this episode of Notable New England, we’re celebrating the heart and soul of New England’s literary scene: independent bookstores. 📚

Join me as I take you on a tour of some of the region’s most beloved indie bookstores, where books meet community, creativity, and connection. You'll hear about:

The Book Barn in Niantic, CT — a sprawling bibliophile’s dream with over 350,000 used and rare books.

The Flying Pig Bookstore in Shelburne, VT — a family-friendly bookstore focused on children’s literature and a stop on the Vermont Bookstore Passport challenge.

Frugal Bookstore in Roxbury, MA — Boston’s treasured Black-owned bookstore and vibrant community hub.

The Big Chicken Barn Books & Antiques in Ellsworth, ME — a unique spot blending books, antiques, and cozy reading nooks.

Riffraff Bookstore & Bar in Providence, RI — where you can sip craft cocktails while browsing indie presses and underrepresented voices.

Sheafe Street Books in Portsmouth, NH — a charming, cozy bookstore with a literary cat and a curated selection of counterculture classics.

Plus, I spotlight the inspiring documentary Hello, Bookstore, a heartfelt story about the resilience of indie bookstores during the pandemic, featuring The Bookstore in Lenox, MA.

🎧 Whether you’re a lifelong book lover or just love supporting local gems, this episode will inspire your next New England literary adventure!

📌 Show Notes & Resources:

🔹 Episode Sources, References & Featured Links

💙 Support Notable New England:

Join our Notable New England Patreon community for a dedicated space to connect, explore New England history, hidden gems, and local stories without the distractions of traditional social media! Get early, ad-free episodes and exclusive perks starting at just $2 a month. Your support helps cover production costs and keeps engaging episodes coming! Or, sign up for free and connect with other lovely listeners. 👉 Join here

To make a one-time donation to Notable New England, head over to buymeacoffee.com/notablenewengland

📢 Follow Notable New England:

🔹 Patreon

🎙️ Podcast Website: https://notablene.podbean.com/