The Harbor Coffeehouse, a new, volunteer-run community-building effort, will launch Saturday, Sept. 27, at 6 p.m. at the Peterborough Unitarian Universalist Church at 25 Main St. in Peterborough.

“We’re hoping this will be like a 1960s-style coffeehouse. It’s not a formal performance; it’s much more a way to bring people together, which is something we all need right now, with our country so divided, ” said organizer Mike Lambert. “Every little bit helps.”

According to Lambert, the name “Harbor” reflects the sentiment: “Like a harbor in the storm, this will be a safe haven for all.”

The inaugural Harbor, which will include live music, storytelling, poetry and conversation, was created around the theme “Planet Earth: It’s All We Got.” The coffeehouse is part of Peterborough’s Sun Week event supporting renewable energy. The coffeehouse will include snacks and beverages, and is free and open to the public. No registration is required.

The Harbor will include several musical acts, including a set by the Peterborough-based “No Planet B Band,” which writes and performs songs to inspire people to take action on climate change.

According to Stephanie Hurley of Peterborough, a member of the”No Planet B,” the folk-rock band will lead the audience in singing songs about the Earth’s climate/biodiversity crisis and sustainability.

“Performing on acoustic and electric guitar, bass and percussion, our songs will energize and uplift members of your community, welcoming audience participation and collaboration.  Music can set the mood for any event and inspire people to come together to work for a sustainable future. ‘No Planet B’ will help keep your spirit in the fight,” Hurley said in a statement on behalf of the band.

According to Lambert, Saturday’s event is the first of a series of Harbor coffeehouses, which will be organized around different themes and social issues.

“The Harbor is going to keep on going, and we’ll have different locations, different artists, even some pop-up events,” Lambert said. “We want to play at different places in the community, attracting all different types of people, and meeting different people every time.”

Lambert says he has been thinking about launching a coffeehouse ever since the 2024 election.

“After the elections, our country just felt so divided, and it keeps getting worse, but no one knew what we could do about it. A lot of us felt that reaching across to diverse populations was something sorely lacking. We may not have a ton of racial diversity in our area, but we have other kinds of diversity–we have age and background and political outlook. We really want to appeal to everyone; here is a space where people can come together and not be divided by what’s in the national news,” Lambert said.

Lambert said he and his fellow organizers have been working with people of all ages to create the Harbor.

“I’ve been consulting with young people in setting this up, and people in their 20s and 30s just don’t feel as comfortable connecting to strangers. Teenagers spend so much time on their phones. People don’t make those casual connections as often anymore, where people just start talking to one another,” Lambert said. “We’re all addicted to our phones; we all miss opportunities to meet new people and just connect spontaneously. With the Harbor, we want to create an opportunity for people to do that.”

Other Sun Week events ‘

Sept. 25, 5 to 7 p.m., “Becoming Vegetarian – Pot Luck Dinner with Lisa Murray.” Learn about being a vegetarian with Monadnock Ledger -Transcript columnist Lisa Murray at the Peterborough Unitarian Universalist Church, Main Street. The event is free. Participants should bring a vegetarian dish. For details, visit newhampshire@thirdact.org. 

Sept. 25, 8 p.m., “Monitor Your Electric Use with a Smart Panel.” A video presentation with Joanna Sharf, a NH/VT master electrician. Request link at newhampshire@thirdact.org.

Sept. 26, 4 to 7 p.m. “Restore Nature Now” rally and New Hampshire environmental legislation update with music by “No Planet B” and “Choose to Refuse!” at the Peterborough UU Church, front lawn. Free. The public is invited to bring posters and signs supporting conservation and the environment

Sept. 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monadnock Clean Energy Fair, Peterborough Elementary School, High Street. “No Planet B” will play from 11:30 to 1 p.m.

For information about Peterborough Sun Week visit uupeterborough.org/sun-week-schedule-september-20-28-2025.