Cuzin’ Richard Entertainment Associates (CREA), based in Portsmouth, has been the Seacoasts’ premier, full-service music and event planning agency since its inception in 1976. Founder and owner, Richard ‘Cuzin’ Smith, has a long history of representing musicians and entertainers, having first thought up the idea when he was asked to DJ a UNH fraternity party. CREA has since become renowned as the region’s number one entertainment consulting, planning and management company. First Night Celebrations in Portsmouth, Portsmouth Jazz Festival, and White Mountains Jazz and Blues Festival are just a few of the many top quality events produced by Cuzin Richard over the years.

Richard is known in and around the Seacoast not only for his involvement with events and festivals; but also for his commitment to many local charities and environmental organizations. Richard is currently co-chair of the Pierce Island Commission, helping to protect the small island off Prescott Park in Portsmouth, and hopes to one day see a wind turbine erected on the island to help power local homes and businesses.

Until recently, Richards’s business and environmental interests have been separate entities, but he is determined to bring the environmental and sustainable outlook into his business practices. Not only has the CREA office taken steps to reduce its waste, recycling whatever it can whenever it can, but they’re also educating their artists and clients to do the same. By partnering with businesses such as Clay Hill Farm, who recycle, compost, and use alternative energy sources, and by signing artists such as Liquid Blue (www.liquid-blue.com) and Entrain who are committed to reducing their dependence on fossil fuels and their carbon footprint, CREA is well on its way to greening its business. By donating a percentage of the proceeds from the annual Comedy Extravaganza at the Portsmouth Music Hall to the Green Alliance, CREA is aligning itself with the key local businesses at the forefront of the green movement.

Whether you are planning a corporate function, a wedding, a family gathering, a graduation party, or simply need to book a band or entertainer, CREA offers artists for any occasion. There are clowns, magicians, DJs, dance bands, local and national musicians, and many, many more artists on the CREA roster. The artists listed on the CREA website (www.cuzinrichard.com) reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of local and national performing artists – a testament to Richards dedication and commitment to providing the best service possible. The small office on High Street in Portsmouth belies the big heart and passion that Richard and his staff have to bring to their clients and their artists.

GREEN DREAMS: through Richard’s vision and passion, CREA hopes to be producing green events and festivals throughout the Seacoast region very soon. For starters, Richard is investigating suitable venues for a green music festival with the assistance of the Green Alliance. A venue with the ability to capture solar and wind energy to power artists’ equipment, lighting, caterers, and the like is not an easy venture, but persistence and determination will prevail and the Seacoast will have its very first environmentally conscious and sustainable green event. Another possible project is the potential development of a Seacoast agricultural fair, bringing Richard back to his roots of promoting the protection of open space and local farms for the greater benefit of the Seacoast community.