Day-long concert in Laconia celebrates Pause for Peace movement

LACONIA — Locals interested in spreading the transformative message of hope and peace will be in good company this Saturday, Oct. 4, during the Live Peace Global Concert at the Congregational Church of Laconia, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The concert is part of a larger initiative, the two-week-long Pause for Peace movement made up of thousands of concerts, performances and artist exhibits around the world.

Margie Kreitler believes in that global initiative, and she’s glad to celebrate Live Peace Day in the Lakes Region. As an advocate, she helped arrange the concerts.

Her press release to The Laconia Daily Sun said, “This global Pause for Peace Festival concert has been planned hoping to bring billions from around the world together through cultural music and to feel the transformative power of human connection.”

Locally, a variety of well-known performers and artists will be seen throughout the day and onstage, including Director of Music K. Robert Bengtson of Laconia Congregational Church. Along with Bengtson, the Jazz Sanctuary House Band with Rev. Emilia Halstead from Concord’s United Church of Christ will perform.

Joining in, Suzuki Children’s String Orchestra led by Sue Ann Erb will play alongside Bristol United Church of Christ's Joyful Noise ukulele band, led by Debbie Doe.

And finally, the Power Chords, Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative’s Broadway singing group, will perform. It’s a day the group is happy to be a part of.

“The Power Chords chorus is participating in the Pause for Peace day, because we know music is a powerful force for uniting people. We hope for a more peaceful and accepting world, and we want to contribute,” said Lorraine Barrows, director of the Power Chords. “As part of the Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative, we represent all the diverse peoples who come together onstage to entertain, challenge, teach and build communication through the arts. This day of performances seems like a perfect reflection of who we are and of how we’d like the world to be. We’re happy to share our music with the other participating groups from around the world.”

Concert donations will be accepted and used to defray the day’s costs, with a portion going to support the PEAC Institute, the leading organizer of Pause for Peace.

Also onsite Saturday will be Jaylene Bengtson, a Laconia-based artist who “explores the relationship between the layers of our lives as we connect to time and place.” She will tell of how visual arts can bring awareness and inner peace.

The retired arts educator works in painting, drawing and mixed media. Her current work is on display in Meredith at The Galleries at 30 Main.

The public is invited to attend for all or a portion of the day. Lunch will be available by donation.

For more information, visit peacinstitute.org/pauseforpeace.