New Ripley Chapel concert season gets underway in Winchester

If you’re looking for a lovely way to spend an evening locally, Rev. Jane Ring Frank hopes you consider Ripley Presents, the monthly arts and music series held in Ripley Chapel at First Congregational Church.

Frank, the minister of Worship and the Arts at the Church Street church, called the series a lovely reason to grab dinner and see a concert right in Winchester.

“It’s a lot of fun and it seems to be working for us,” she said.

The program kicked off Sept. 27 with Late Night Thoughts, an indie pop duo who first met at Brandeis University.

Ripley what?

Tucked behind the main church, Ripley Chapel wasn’t always the open, airy, welcoming space it is today.

Frank said some six years ago, it was an old, dusty, outdated chapel with terracotta floors, a lot of paneling, and heavy oak pews and wasn’t really being utilized. That changed in 2018 when parishioners teamed with a local designer to renovate.

Today, the wooden floors reflect the beams that crisscross the ceiling, stained glass windows once covered by dark mahogany paneling glow in the natural light and large windows behind the altar look out over a pond. Chairs replaced the pews giving a certain freedom to the space and the room is light, ethereal. And at least once a month, on Fridays, it’s filled with music.

“We wanted to create a sacred space, but also a space where we could hold events for the community,” Frank said.

Ripley Presents was launched in 2019 – then in 2020 it was almost scuttled when COVID-19 came to town.

Frank said during that time, they tried to be creative. One show had the musicians in the chapel and the performance live-streamed to an audience in the parking lot. In 2022, they cautiously came back, spacing audience members appropriately as was the rule.

“We did pretty well to keep afloat during the pandemic,” Frank said.

Now back to a full schedule of concerts, Frank is clearly excited. The shows are held once a month, always on a Friday, but not necessarily the same week each month. All performances are also live streamed.

Frank said they have a small but loyal following on live stream so they’ve continued to do it post pandemic. Details to live stream are on the church website

Frank added Ripley Presents tries its best not to conflict with other town and or school events. And while some of the acts have a Winchester connection, it’s not a requirement to land the gig.

“We try to have quality,” she said.

The offerings run wide and deep from classical, to a blues to a Balkan duo with a haunting marimba and a cabaret of love songs — and heartbreak.

“I’m excited about all of them,” Frank said. “I think I wouldn’t bring them here if I weren’t. I want people to be happy about it.”

The tickets are $20 for each show unless you’re a student. In an attempt to add a younger element to the audience, Frank said they’re offering $5 tickets for anyone with a student I.D.

She said she’s tried to work with local student musicians in the past, but it’s hard to pin the always busy kids down. They even tried an open mic night/talent show aimed at kids.

“But we couldn’t find a way through it,” she said, adding she’s not giving up and continues to be open to finding a way to engage the younger set.

It’s not just about the music

Although musicians dominate, particularly this year, it’s not always a music only series. In the past, Frank said, they’ve had poets and novelists reading their works. There are also several non-musical events planned for 2024/2025 and while they fall outside the Ripley Presents Series umbrella, they will still take place in Ripley Chapel.

In November, for example, the space will be used for Winchester Open Studios. Frank said three artists that rent studio space at the church will show their work in the chapel during the open studios event.

“We also do contemplative services in here,” she added.

The Taize Chant service is held several times a year. It’s a guided meditation that includes reading, voice, violin, cello, guitar, piano and chants. Frank is also a trained facilitator in SoulCollage, a spiritual art practice where participants create collages “rich with meaning and messages.”

“We’re really trying to turn this into a spiritually creative space,” she said. “A palace where art and creativity can find a home. We’re lucky this congregation has been so supportive.”

The series

The Ripley Presents series opened with Late Night Thoughts.

“They performed for us a couple of years ago,” she said. “They’re indie-pop, creative singer-songwriter types.”

See below for the rest of the series and head to Ripley Chapel Arts & Spirituality — First Congregational Church in Winchester for ticket information and more on the offerings at Ripley Chapel.

The line up

• Oct. 25, 2024 — 7:30 p.m.: Boston Saxophone Quartet; Classical to swing, ragtime to jazz — they offer a unique blend of saxophone, flute, clarinet, oboe and bassoon.

• Nov. 15, 2024 — 7:30 p.m.: You Are Welcome Here: Syldason; A shared Balkan background this duo hits all folk and classical traditions from Balkan composers through the ages.

• Dec. 20, 2024 — 7:30 p.m.: Songs for the Waiting; From Renaissance motets to vocal jazz harmonies four Boston vocalists celebrate the holiday season.

• Jan. 24, 2025 — 7:30 p.m.: Willie J. Laws Band; A notable blues act with a modern funky style with genre bending sounds.

• Feb. 14, 2025 — 7:30 p.m.: Scott Nicholas and Friends; A cabaret evening of musical theater’s best love songs and heartbreaks.

• April 11, 2025 — 7:30 p.m.: Hank Wonder; A favorite Winchester-based trio with an infectious blend of classic country and southern soul.

• May 9, 2025 — 7:30 p.m.: Aryaloka String Quartet; Four musicians and an evening of “stunning and diverse” classical music.

• June 13, 2025 — 7:30 p.m.: Triton; A trio who bring piano, accordion, bagpipes, fiddle and nyckleharpa to Ripley Chapel.

Other Ripley Chapel Events

• Nov. 23, 2024 — 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Winchester Open Studios; sponsored by the Winchester Cultural District, the chapel will be a part of the celebration of artists and craftspeople.

• Oct. 30, March 5, June 11 — 7:30 p.m.: Taize Chant Service; Contemplative services of prayer, poetry, silence and candle lighting mark the seasons of the year and of lives.

• Nov. 11, March 15, May 3 — 9 a.m.-12 p.m.: Soul Collage; an artistic process for accessing intuitive wisdom and anyone can do it!