CLAREMONT, N.H. – Internationally-renowned, award-winning guitarist Ana Popovic and her six-piece band will hit the stage on Sept. 29, 2023, at 8 p.m., at the historic Claremont Opera House, 58 Opera House Square in Claremont, N.H. The live performance helps to kick off the venue’s 2023-2024 performance season. Audiences rave for Popovic, a nominee for eight Blues Music Awards, and featured on covers for Vintage Guitar and Guitar Player magazines. Her songs have been highlighted on “Pick-of-the-Week” by USA Today, and receive prominent airplay on NPR and radio stations worldwide.
Ana Popovic was born in Serbia in 1976. The blues music introduced to her by her father was the catalyst for Popovic’s impressive guitar skills. Upon completing her studies of blues and jazz guitar at The Conservatory of Music, Popovic recorded a second studio album, and has since toured internationally. She now showcases multiple albums in her repertoire. Her albums have continuously climbed to the Top Five ranking in the Billboard Blues Charts.
The musician emerged as one of the most thoughtful, dynamic, and committed performers in modern songwriting and guitar. In a 2014-2018 All Star Experience tribute to Jimmy Hendrix, Ana Popovic joined instrumental icons such as Buddy Guy, Eric Johnson, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd.
Breast cancer reared its ugly head toward Popovic in 2020, and she faced the same illness that took her mother just three years prior. Continuous treatments and flights across continents incited a fire in Popovic to write material for her new album, “Power.” In a May 2023 interview shared by Rock & Blues Muse, Popovic expressed, “This record brought my spirit the salvation it needed, and ultimately, the music and my 64 Fender Stratocaster saved my life. I’m convinced now more than ever that guitars can save lives.”
“It has taken me almost 10 years to book Ana Popovic at the Claremont Opera House, because timing, funding, and opportunities just didn’t line up in the past,” said Scott Hagar, executive director of the local performing arts venue. “Fortunately, this year was different. The opportunity came up, and I sprung into action. Our team secured The Meyer-David Community as our show sponsor, reserved hotel rooms, and locked in a date within three days of getting the call.” Hagar elaborated on upcoming programs by announcing, “We are excited to kick off the month of September, and the start of our 23-24 season with comedian Bob Marley on Sept. 16, and guitar powerhouse sensation Ana Popovic on Sept. 29.”
The late September concert introduces internationally-recognized Popovic to the Claremont community, while also launching a new partnership with Meyer-David Community, who will begin sponsoring annual music events at the Opera House. With the closure of their Temple in 2022, the remaining community members wanted a way to maintain the positive impact of the Jewish community in Claremont; support of arts and culture was selected as the preferred approach.
“The Meyer-David Community grew its Claremont roots in the 1940s, when many of our members were retailers on Pleasant Street, workers in local industry, and involved in local politics,” says Roselyn Caplan, president of Temple Meyer-David and Claremont’s Century 21 Highview Realty agency. “They all had a love of the city, and sponsoring and supporting the Claremont Opera House is our way of giving back to the community.”
Scott Hagar appreciates the thoughtfulness behind the Meyer-David Community decision to support the arts in Claremont. Hagar notes “I am excited that our board president was able to develop this new partnership. The Opera House is certainly grateful for the generous sponsorship. Without the support of the Meyer-David Community, this concert would simply not be possible.”
Ana Popovic performs at the Claremont Opera House on Friday, Sept. 29, at 8 p.m. Doors will open at 7 p.m. Purchase tickets www.cohnh.org, or visit the box office at 58 Opera House Square in Claremont, N.H. An additional convenience fee will be applied for tickets purchased through the box office. Concessions, including beer and wine, are now available at a majority of Claremont Opera House events, and served after doors open as well as during intermission. Cash and credit cards are accepted.
Additional information on Ana Popovic can be found at www.anapopovic.com/home.