LINCOLN, NH — North Country Center for the Arts (NCCA) at Jean’s Playhouse is turning up the volume this February with the return of CRANK THE HEAT: Winter Band Series, a high-energy concert lineup featuring premier tribute bands, paired with the launch of an exciting new winter event, the Fire & Ice Festival. Now in its second year, CRANK THE HEAT builds on the overwhelming success of its inaugural season and kicks off NCCA’s 40th Anniversary celebrations with the hottest music during the coldest month in the White Mountains.

February transforms Jean’s Playhouse into an intimate concert venue featuring powerful sound, dynamic lighting, atmospheric haze, and an electric live-music experience that has quickly become a winter highlight for locals, second homeowners, and vacationers alike.

The 2026 CRANK THE HEAT: Winter Band Series lineup includes:

  • Saturday, February 7 at 7:30 PM – The Great Escape (Journey Tribute Band)
    Formed in 2008, The Great Escape delivers the timeless music of Journey with precision, passion, and high energy, earning a rapidly growing fan base throughout New England and beyond. Their performances leave audiences energized, nostalgic, and singing along from start to finish.
  • Saturday, February 14 at 7:30 PM – Crazy On You (Heart Tribute Band)
    New England’s premier Heart tribute, Crazy On You has been captivating audiences for over a decade with powerful vocals and faithful renditions of classics like “Barracuda,” “Magic Man,” and “Alone.” Performed by six exceptional musicians, the show celebrates the legacy and influence of Ann and Nancy Wilson with style and authenticity—making it a perfect Valentine’s Day concert.
  • Friday & Saturday, February 20 & 21 at 7:30 PM – Wooden Horse (Music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and America)
    Wooden Horse is the nation’s leading dual tribute to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and America, renowned for stunning vocal harmonies and intricate arrangements. Backed by a six-piece band featuring acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards, percussion, and rich multi-part vocals, the group delivers a deeply inspiring concert experience.
  • Saturday, February 28 at 7:30 PM – Little Lies (Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band)
    Hailing from Boston, Little Lies is a high-energy, eight-piece tribute band that recreates the classic sound and youthful spirit of Fleetwood Mac. Featuring soaring harmonies and a powerful rhythm section, the show spans the band’s 50-year catalogue—from early blues favorites to iconic hits like “Dreams,” “Go Your Own Way,” and “Rhiannon”—and has sold out theatres across New England.

Returning by popular demand, Wooden Horse anchors the most ambitious weekend of the series, paired with the debut of NCCA’s brand-new Fire & Ice Festival on February 20 and 21.

Perfectly complementing CRANK THE HEAT, the Fire & Ice Festival is an immersive après-ski winter celebration designed to elevate the concert experience beyond the stage. Guests are invited to wander through glowing ice sculptures, enjoy dramatic outdoor lighting, sip specialty cocktails at ice bars, try the ice luge, and enjoy curated appetizers beneath the winter sky—all while the music of Wooden Horse is projected live outside to keep the energy flowing throughout the grounds. Inside the theatre, guests can warm up and enjoy the band live with full concert-style lighting and sound. Sponsored in part by Loon Mountain, the Mountain Club, Woodstock Inn & Brewery.

Fire & Ice Festival tickets include access to the outdoor festival area, three tokens redeemable for drinks and hors d’oeuvres (with additional tokens available for purchase), and a reserved seat inside the theatre. Guests who wish to attend only the Wooden Horse concert may also purchase standard concert tickets.

Whether wrapping up a day on the slopes or looking for a one-of-a-kind winter night out, the Fire & Ice Festival promises to be the hottest event during the coldest months of the North Country.

Tickets for all CRANK THE HEAT performances and the Fire & Ice Festival are on sale now. For tickets and additional information, visit http://jeansplayhouse.com/crank-the-heat

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About North Country Center for the Arts
North Country Center for the Arts (NCCA) is a nonprofit performing arts organization based in Lincoln, New Hampshire, dedicated to inspiring, educating, and entertaining audiences through professional theatre, concerts, special events, and arts education programs. With a legacy spanning over 40 years—from the historic Papermill Theatre to Jean’s Playhouse—NCCA continues to serve the White Mountains region with high-quality live performance while fostering community connection and artistic growth year-round.

Media Contact / Interviews:
For press inquiries, interview requests, or additional information, please contact:
 

Joel Mercier
Executive Artistic Director
North Country Center for the Arts