Year in Review 2023 — 12/28/23

frontcover of Hippo Year in Review 2023

In this week’s issue, we consider the year that was with a discussion about the economy in New Hampshire (page 6), a look at the art scene (page 12), a taste of the food scene (page 20) and a look at the local music scene (page 32) as well as some of the year’s best picks in books (page 26) and movies (page 28). And along the way we take a peek at some events coming up in 2024.

Also on the cover Mya Blanchard looks at a new year of cooking classes at the Culinary Playground (page 21). Find live music before, on and after New Year’s Eve in the Music This Week (page 34). And Michael Witthaus talks to Taylor Goldsmith of the band Dawes (page 30), which is playing a pre-New Year’s Eve show.

A graphic the shape of the state of New Hampshire, filled in with the New Hampshire flag made up of the crest of New Hampshire on a blue field.
Storm clean-up In the aftermath of a massive storm system on Dec. 18, 2023, which brought heavy rainfall and strong ...
headshot of man with beard wearing suit
A snapshot of New Hampshire’s economic climate Mike Skelton, President and CEO of the Business & Industry Association of New ...
Photo of assorted sports equipment for football, soccer, tennis, golf, baseball, and basketball
The Big Story – As the year closes, it’s time to look at the biggest stories of 2023 and to ...
Four person band holding their instruments
Big Events December 28, 2023 and Beyond Thursday, Dec. 28 Recycled Percussion begins its multi-show run today at the Palace ...
Holiday window display with toys inside
Toys! The 12th Annual Tower of Toys initiative in Manchester marked another successful year by collecting approximately 1,100 gifts and ...
teen actors rehearsing in large room, wearing pink shirts with words Mean Girls
Experts talk about their 2023 achievements From musicals, festivals, murals and new exhibitions, 2023 was an eventful year for the ...
The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities Brass to the Max Symphony NH will team up with the ...
Family fun for whenever Everybody entertainment • Catch the family-friendly magician Ben Pratt, whose show is described as “high energy ...
vintage 45 albums laid out on wooden floor
Dear Donna, Found these 45 records and about 100 more. I think some were my parents’ and mine too. Can ...
headshot of long-haired woman
Director of Rehabilitation, Fitness andOccupational Health Services Kristen Glennon is the Director of Rehabilitation, Fitness and Occupational Health Services for ...
Red round icon that reads Weekly Dish
News from the local food scene • Futuristic new year: 815 Cocktails and Provisions hosts a futuristic, sci-fi themed New ...
woman wearing glasses standing in front of wall with photos, holding up large plate piled with cookies
A look back at the dishes of 2023 We asked some local food experts to talk about their year in ...
young children gathered around table in cooking lesson, rolling vegetables into strips of dough
The Culinary Playground offers new cooking classes Looking to eat healthier, save money by eating out less, or just pick ...
tall cocktail glass with stem, on table under lamp
New Year’s Eve is supposed to be a romantic holiday. In my experience, it’s a little over-hyped. The best New ...
album covers
Morbid Saint, Swallowed By Hell (HR Records) Still a lot of metal in the pipeline, folks, so let’s look at ...
book cover for Class by Stephanie Land
Class, by Stephanie Land (Atria, 272 pages) Stephanie Land’s dream of becoming a writer came through in a big way ...
assortment of book covers
Books that earned “A”s from Hippo reviewers in 2023 Fiction Life on Delay, by John Hendrickson Hendrickson writes movingly of ...
Ryan Gosling as Ken wearing sunglasses, a headband and a fur coat in Barbie
Considering the many facets of the cinematic landscape in 2023 Barbie is my favorite movie of 2023. Why pretend otherwise? ...
Local music news & events • Alchemistic: Randy Roos leads the free jazz Hall of Mirrors for an early evening ...
Man with scruff playing an acoustic guitar
Dawes returns to New Hampshire By Michael Witthaus mwitthaus@hippopress.com When Dawes steps on the Music Hall stage Dec.30, it will ...
Three women with matching outfits sitting on a couch surrounded by greenery
Looking back on 2023 By Michael Witthaus mwitthaus@hippopress.com 2023 was an eventful year for the state’s music and comedy scene ...

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