Local actors, directors and more will be honored at the New Hampshire Theatre Awards
Granite State stages were quite busy last year, and the ballot for the upcoming New Hampshire Theatre Awards is proof. There are 236 semifinalists from 80 productions done by 25 youth, community and professional companies on a list of 31 categories. Additionally, three special awards will be presented at the ceremony, on Jan. 30 at Concord’s Capitol Center.
There’s more to the event than who wins, however. Attendees are promised a night of entertainment, with an emphasis on comedy. It will be provided by an ensemble directed by Ro Gavin, whose eponymous company’s production of Seussical! is up for three awards. Breanne Aria Battey serves as Musical Director.
Winning is rewarding, but it’s not everything, Irene Cohen, President of the New Hampshire Theatre Alliance said in a recent phone interview.
“The feeling in this gigantic room, with over 800 people participating, is one of community and collaboration and support,” Cohen said. “We have something so special.”
That said, a few companies stood out on this year’s semi-finalists list. Actorsingers, Arts In Motion and Ovation Theatre Company each had four productions that received multiple nominations. Andy’s Summer Playhouse, Barnstormers, and Theatre Up each had three. Several companies had a dozen or more individual nominations.
Special award winners include Dr. Alan Kaplan, founder and outgoing artistic director of Manchester Community Theatre Players. He’ll receive the Francis Grover Cleveland Award for Lifetime Achievement. “He’s created this legacy,” Cohen said. “It’s an example of people doing it for the love of theatre, and the benefit of what it can bring to the community.”
Ryan Kaplan, also a nominee this year for his supporting role in Ovation’s Spamalot: Youth Edition, will be recognized for Special Achievement in Youth Theatre. “He started a theatre group when he was 12 years old, which has evolved to producing plays,” Cohen said. “He does it for the love of it, and it’s extraordinary what he has inspired among his peers.”
An award will also be presented for Excellence in Playwriting. “For an original play or script,” Cohen said. “That’s not given every year, because there isn’t always a work that gets submitted, but we had three this year. It’s exciting to honor the efforts of people producing original work.”
A handful of professional companies, those whose actors are paid for their roles, are up for awards. They include The Barnstormers Theatre, whose founder Grover Cleveland is the namesake for the NHTA’s Lifetime Achievement Award, along with Peterborough Players, Firelight Theatre Workshop and Weathervane Theatre.
The majority of semi-finalists are in it for their passion for acting, but that does not discount their efforts, Cohen believes.
“There’s a thought that you only get quality with professional productions, and that’s just not true,” she said. “There are some extraordinary actors and actresses and youth performers in this state who participate in a production and deliver a performance that is very believable and convincing and artistic and individualized.”
She further urged folks who’ve thought about attending in the past consider coming to this year’s event.
“We’re infusing a little more humor in it, so it’s a good time to give it a try,” she said, adding both levity and solidarity are good responses to 2025, a year that was filled with challenges. “We’re at a juncture where, especially in this state, we need to speak loud and clear about the role of the arts in life and in our state.”
21st New Hampshire Theatre Awards When: Saturday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. Where: Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord Tickets: $54 at ccanh.com
Featured photo: New Hampshire Theatre Awards. Photo by Chuck Swierad.
Goodbye “Corporate Gala,” Hello High-End Dinner Party
For decades, the wedding industry operated like a well-oiled machine, a “wedding factory” that churned out white linens, chicken-or-beef options, and a predictable four-hour reception window. But as we move through 2026, consumers are looking for other options. In its place is a movement led by a generation of couples who prioritize authenticity over tradition and personality over performance.
If you’ve been lurking on Reddit wedding planning communities lately, you know the vibe: the “anti-wedding wedding.” Couples are no longer hosting events for their parents’ coworkers; they are hosting immersive, high-end dinner parties that happen to include a vow exchange. Here is how the 2026 landscape is being redefined.
The most significant trend this year is the rejection of the traditional ballroom. Couples are seeking out spaces with “soul” — locations that carry a narrative before a single flower is placed.
Museums and Curated Galleries
A museum wedding isn’t just about the art; it’s about the architectural drama. In 2026, couples are leaning into the “gallery chic” look. This involves minimalist decor that allows the venue’s permanent exhibits to take center stage. Imagine a cocktail hour among fossils or a first dance under a 19th-century dome. The goal is a curated gala vibe that feels sophisticated and timeless.
The Backyard-Luxe Movement
The home wedding has evolved. It’s no longer a casual DIY affair; it’s a private estate experience. Couples are transforming family properties into high-end residential retreats. The secret to this trend is “interior design” decor — using floor lamps, velvet armchairs and vintage rugs to make an outdoor lawn feel like a cozy, expensive living room.
The Adventure Elopement
For the true non-conformists, the “hiking trail” wedding is peaking. These are intimate ceremonies held at summits or in deep meadows, often followed by a “luxury pop-up.” Think five-star catering and chilled Champagne served at the end of a mountain path.
Aesthetic Identities
In 2026, the color palette is a personality test. We have moved past the era of “neutral and safe.”
• Dopamine Decor (m aximalism): This is for the couple who wants their wedding to feel like a shot of espresso. It’s a riot of clashing patterns, mismatched antique china, and vibrant “sunset” hues like cobalt blue and spicy orange.
• Regency Revival: Thanks to the enduring love for period dramas, “Regencycore” is still a powerhouse. It’s all about wisteria, corsetry, and “old money” elegance, but with a modern editorial twist.
• Inox & Industrial Minimal: For those who prefer a sleek, “Matrix-meets-Met-Gala” look, stainless steel (Inox) is the new gold. It’s sharp, monochromatic and incredibly cool.
The Guest Experience
The authentic wedding puts the guest at the center of the story. It’s no longer about watching a couple from a distance; it’s about participating in a shared memory.
Progressive dining is a major 2026 staple. Instead of sitting at a round table for four hours, guests move through the night. You might have appetizers in a garden, a long family-style feast at a single continuous table, and an after-party in a “supper club” lounge.
Furthermore, high-touch personalization is replacing generic favors. We are seeing handwritten notes for every single guest at their seat, audio guestbooks where friends leave voicemails on vintage phones, and even on-site social media content creators who capture raw behind-the-scenes footage so the professional videographer can focus on the cinematic art.
The “anti-corporate” wedding of 2026 is a celebration of the specific. It’s about the couple’s favorite vinyl records playing during dinner, their favorite late-night street food being served at midnight, and a venue that reflects their history rather than a package deal. It’s less about the perfect wedding and more about the perfect night out.
Plan a spring wedding
Spring offers its own natural beauty. The warm weather opens up the possibility of an outdoor wedding or reception. Blossoming flowers complete the gorgeous setting, adding pops of color and fresh scents to your special day.
There’s something special about an outdoor wedding, especially if you’re planning a gorgeous, romantic destination event. But even if you are planning on having your nuptials in the backyard, no spring wedding would be complete without a few other necessities.
Outdoor receptions
Look for venues with space for outdoor dancing, so you can celebrate your new union in the warmth of a starry night. Setting all of this up can add another layer of logistical issues, considering you’ll need both power and lights. Discuss where the band or DJ will need to set up, and ensure the facility has everything needed. Of course, the best venues are old pros at this and will have a detailed plan ready to share. Be sure to update them on the number of guests who are expected to ensure there’s room for everyone.
Drink options
Spring brings warmer temps, and that creates the need for shade and hydration. Dancing and drinking alcoholic beverages also tend to make people thirsty during your reception. Be sure there are plenty of drinks on hand to quench their thirst, both non-alcoholic and alcoholic.
Spring is the perfect time for eye-catching libations, from lemonade and margaritas to iced tea and fruity drinks. Use clear glass pitchers to show everything off.If the venue can accommodate it, consider making separate stations for different kinds of drinks.
Light desserts
Don’t forget that desserts are about more than the wedding cake. Spring-themed cakes are always a hit, and you can also have lots of fun with cupcakes. Or create something that makes use of in-season fruits and berries to garnish colorful cookies, pies and cheesecakes. If you’re looking for a low-carb or gluten-free alternative to traditional desserts, try a charcuterie board with cheese and fruit for a light after dinner course. Top it all off with a Champagne toast.
Alternative location
If you’re planning an outdoor wedding or reception, the biggest risk of any kind, of course, is bad weather. Your wedding will be planned out months in advance, meaning there’s no way to check the forecast for rain. Create a backup plan just in case. Tour suitable alternate venues or look for outdoor sites that have nearby buildings so everything can be quickly transferred.
Floral Arrangements
You want to get the most out of the bounty of spring, so splurge on an expert in floral arrangements. A florist will help create centerpieces, fun accents and your bouquets, adding pops of color and intrigue. When you meet, explain your expectations and color palette in as much detail as possible. This is a particularly important hire if you have booked a destination wedding, since you’re likely unfamiliar with the local varieties and when they are at their peak.
Memorable Favors
Giving plants as a wedding favor is hip and eco-friendly, and they’re especially attractive if your wedding is being held in an outdoor setting. Match with local flora or fauna, and you’re literally allowing your friends and family to take a piece of your wedding home with them. Succulents are on trend, and also easy to care for. Stop by a local nursery to ask for specifics, keeping in mind that some native plants may not transfer well when brought back home.
This year the Appalachian Mountain Club marks its 150th anniversary as the country’s oldest outdoor hiking group. It’s worth noting that the club’s first trip was to New Hampshire’s White Mountains. The state is both beloved and feared among hikers, with terrain rugged enough for aspiring Mt. Everest climbers to train on.
There are 48 peaks over 4,000 feet in the state, but it’s also a magnet for casual hikers seeking bracing air and brilliant vistas. The organization serves both constituencies, and AMC New Hampshire chapter’s Chair, Diana Moore, equally enjoys strenuous and relaxing hikes.
Moore recently talked about AMC NH’s efforts and more.
A schedule of classes and activities offered by the organization is available at the outdoors.org website. The AMC NH Winter School happens Feb. 27 through March 1 at their Cardigan Lodge facility in Alexandria, with instruction in winter mountain travel, backcountry skiing, and snowshoeing for all levels.
“You get to stay at the lodge, meet a bunch of really cool people, and learn something,” Moore said. Classes in introductory, intermediate and advanced winter hiking, and classes in leadership, are included. “It’s really an amazing experience that I would recommend for anybody.”
Organized hikes are also offered, like a snowshoe journey up Mt. Crotched in Francestown on Feb. 17 rated as moderate. Indoor activities, like a monthly Climbing Social at NH Climbing & Fitness in Concord, are also available. They offer a chance to network and climb away from the elements. The next one happens Feb. 19.
Moore grew up in Philadelphia and first hiked in the Poconos, though her first trip there she recalls asking, “where are the mountains?” After living in South Florida for a few years, she moved to New Hampshire in 2012. “I really missed the four seasons,” she said. “I wanted to go someplace where winter was winter.”
While in a relationship with someone who’d done not only the New Hampshire 48 but all 111 in the Northeast in winter, Moore hiked up Mt. Liberty, her first in winter conditions (it was November, so it wasn’t official — that requires a calendar winter date). She was awestruck when they arrived at the peak.
“I couldn’t believe how amazing it was, and she said, ‘welcome to my world.’ That was the turning point for me, I just never looked back,” she recalled. “I learned as much as I could about winter hiking, and became a hike leader for the AMC. That’s pretty much the story.”
Easy to moderate hikes like those listed below can usually be done with regular footwear.
Kenard Trail to Martin Trail. Courtesy photo.
“It depends on the terrain,” she said. “If there’s no snow on the trail, you can just use your bare boots. If there’s a packed snow, you’d use your micro spikes, which are really easy to carry in a little day pack.”
Moving to snowshoes may be necessary, she continued, “if you find that your feet are starting to post-hole, where you sink down really deep and make a big footprint. You don’t want to do that. You can hurt yourself. You could twist your ankle, but it also ruins the trail for everybody until it all melts in late spring.”
Before heading out, consult the AMC Winter Hiking Essential Gear List, at bit.ly/4a5J2uh.
Moore likes hiking around the Massabesic Lake Watershed, run by Manchester Water Works. “Hiking out to Audubon Center there, that’s probably one of my favorite trails,” she said. “About 4 miles … just a lovely little hike. Another is Tower Hill Pond, a 3-mile loop right outside of Manchester.”
Finally, Moore highlighted AMC NH’s inclusion efforts. “I did want to plug in LGBT Outdoors, we have a New England chapter for that, and I am one of the ambassadors,” she said. “There are other groups out there as well for people who want to hike in a place where they feel safe to be their authentic selves.”
One of hikers’ favorite apps
Before planning a hike it’s a good idea to consult alltrails.com. Since launching 15 years ago, the path-finding app has grown to the world’s most popular tool for getting out in the wilderness (there’s also a website). Its database reports on length, terrain, difficulty and average completion time for more than 450,000 trails.
One of the most valuable aspects of AllTrails is its community of hikers, diligently documenting conditions so folks are prepared for a muddy bog born from a rainstorm, or a hike that requires crampons instead of microspikes. Trail reviews are added daily, and checking them before venturing out is very, very useful. A “freemium” app, AllTrails base plan has trails with photos, reviews, and basic details, GPS navigation (when a cell signal is available), and the ability to save lists of favorites. At $36 per year, the ad-free Plus plan adds offline maps and features like 3D preview and criteria-based search. AllTrails Peak is $80 a year, with more customization and a built-in plant identifier
Resources Appalachian Mountain Club – outdoors.org AllTrails – alltrails.com New Hampshire State Parks – nhstateparks.org State of New Hampshire Fish and Game Department – wildlife.nh.gov New Hampshire Family Hikes – nhfamilyhikes.com Interest- and lifestyle-centric Facebook groups include Hiking Buddies NH 48 and Belknap Range Hikers, and there are more than a few subreddits to search, including r/NH4K and r/newhampshire (with 144K members).
20 winter hikes
Here are 20 local hikes that are favorites of AllTrails users, which they have rated as easy to moderate. The trail information and hikers reviews and notes here are from AllTrails trail descriptions.
• Bear Brook, Cascade, Sentinel PIne, Hayes Farm, Big Bear Loop
Location: Bear Brook State Park (Deerfield Road / Podunk Road, Deerfield). Length: 4.1 miles with 305-foot elevation gain. Difficulty: Moderate, 1.5–2 hours. More at nhstateparks.org. This route combines a series of trails within Bear Brook State Park. AllTrails calls it “a delightful, shaded trail through secondary forest along wide and well-maintained paths.” The trail features a mix of rolling hills and flat sections, and a portion meanders alongside a river.
• Benson Park Hiking Trail
Location: Benson Park (Kimball Hill Road / Bush Hill Road, Hudson). Length: 3.2 miles with 249-foot elevation gain. Difficulty: Easy, 1–1.5 hours. More at hudsonnh.gov. Located on the grounds of Benson’s Wild Animal Farm, a zoo opened in 1924 and since abandoned, this is a fascinating place to hike, even in the snow. Highlights include attractive mixed trails, well-maintained paths, and sections featuring old zoo remains.
• Blodgett Hill and Rocky Trail Loop
Location: Horse Hill Nature Preserve (Amherst Road between Lester Road and Tomaslan Drive, Merrimack). Length: 3.4 miles with 328-foot elevation gain. Difficulty: Moderate, 1–1.5 hours. More at merrimackoutdoors.org. This preserve, once the home of early Merrimack settler Captain Spalding, offers sweeping views of lush valleys and rolling hills, along with some steep and rocky sections. One recent winter hiker reported well packed trails, however, with most sections offering a clear path for walking.
• Bow Woods Loop
Location: Bow Bog Brook (Robinson Road / Vaughn Road, Bow). Length: 2.4 miles with 144-foot elevation gain. Difficulty: Easy, 0.5–1 hour. More at bownh.gov. Maintained by local volunteers, this conservation area is a habitat for all kinds of wildlife. In better weather there are ducks on the pond and woodpeckers in the trees. This simple, charming trail showcases Bow’s natural beauty and is an ideal destination for a refreshing break outdoors.
• Dorrs Pond Loop
Location: Livingston Park (Hooksett Road / Campbell Street, Hooksett). Length: 1 miles with 13-foot elevation gain. Difficulty: Easy, 0.5–1 hour. More at manchester.gov. A kid-friendly walk in the park with lovely views. It loops around the perimeter of Dorrs Pond. This is another favorite of AMC NH’s Chair Diana Moore. Weather permitting, Dorrs Pond is also open for ice skating.
• Eagle, Life, Esker, and Weeblo Trail Loop Location: Hammond Nature Preserve and Walker Forest (Dunbarton Center Road / Woodhill Road, Bow). Length: 3.8 miles with 380-foot elevation gain. Difficulty: Easy, 1.5–2 hours. More at bit.ly/4jUlWKB. An old sawmill site in the Hammond Nature Preserve, this is a mostly wooded trail that winds through brooks, past swampy areas, and through open fields. Though easy to navigate with well-marked trails and scenic views, it has icy sections and potential for muddy areas, so use micro spikes.
• Eastman Meadow Trail and Beaver Brook Trail Loop
Location: Beaver Brook Association (Worcester Road / Irene Drive, Hollis). Length: 2.5 miles with 118-foot elevation gain. Difficulty: Easy, 0.5–1 hours. More at beaverbrook.org. A popular warm-weather hike for fans of wildflowers, this one’s pleasant and quick, but in winter it can get icy, so pack micro spikes. Begin from the parking area on Worcester Road and follow Eastman Meadow Trail north into the woodlands to reach Spatterdock Pond. Then walk clockwise around the pond. Return to the parking area via Beaver Brook Trail.
• Foster’s Pond and Dave Dunn Trail Loop
Location: Foster’s Pond Conservation Area (Park Street / Nashua Road, Windham. Length: 1.6 miles with 42-foot elevation gain. Difficulty: Easy, 0.5–1 hour. More at windhamnh.gov. This walk through a nature preserve with terrific pond views is a quick and easy way to get the blood flowing, but micro spikes are recommended nonetheless. Be on the lookout for five fairy houses placed by Girl Scout Troop 22200 a while back.
• Kenard Trail to Martin Trail
Location: Pulpit Rock Conservation Area (Chestnut Hill Road / New Boston Road, New Boston). Length: 3.1 miles with 374-foot elevation gain. Difficulty: Easy, 1–1.5 hours. More at plcnh.org/pulpit-rock-trails.The end of this hike features Pulpit Rock, which AllTrails calls “an amazing mini canyon/waterfall feature that is smack dab in the middle of this wildlife preserve.” Lots of variety in the terrain, but it’s easy walking throughout.
• Lake Massabesic Trail
Location: City of Manchester Water Works (Audubon Way / Spofford Road, Manchester) Length: 3.7 miles with 170-foot elevation gain. Difficulty: Easy, 1–1.5 hours. Find more at nhaudubon.org. This route offers beautiful winter scenery, peaceful trails, and birdwatching opportunities (fewer in winter, but still…). Challenges may include icy and muddy sections. AllTrails reviewers recommend using traction aids like microspikes and getting an early start.
• Marion Davis Trails
Location: Miller State Park (Route 101, Peterborough). Length: 2.7 miles with 800-foot elevation gain. Difficulty: Moderate, 1–1.5 hours. More at nhstateparks.org. Offers a steady climb through hardwood forests, leading to a summit where on clear days hikers can see as far as the Boston skyline. Due to spots of heavy icy, mushy and packed snow, leaves and mud, a recent AllTrails hiker put on spikes “almost immediately and didn’t take them off.”
• Mine Falls Green Trail
Location: Mine Falls Park (Stadium Drive / Riverside Street, Nashua). Length: 2.1 miles with 75-foot elevation gain. Difficulty: Easy, 0.5–1 hour. More at nashuanh.gov. One of many trails in this urban park, it’s well maintained and perfect for beginners or those seeking an undemanding hike. Bordered by the Nashua River and the Mill Pond canal system, its 325 acres include forest, wetlands, and open fields.
• North Mountain Loop Trail
Location: Pawtuckaway State Park (Reservation Road / Tower Road, Nottingham). Length: 5 miles with 859-foot elevation gain. Difficulty: Moderate, 2.5–3 hours. More at nhstateparks.org. Though rated moderate by AllTrails, this can be especially challenging in winter, with steep sections and icy terrain. A recent New Year’s Day hiker needed both micro spikes and poles for stability. For the hardy, though, it’s a great hike and can be combined with the equally intense Boulder Trail Loop.
• Old Rail and Red Pine Trail
Location: Mast Yard State Forest (Blackwater Road / Horse Hill Road, Contoocook). Length: 4.2 miles with 85-foot elevation gain. Difficulty: Easy, 1–1.5 hours. More at hopkintonconservationland.org. A loop hike that can be buggy during warmer times, it offers nice flat terrain. Some frozen water crossings may force hikers off trail at least once, but this trek can be done without microspikes or snowshoes; good traction boots are usually enough.
• Overlook, Landing, Deer, and Porcupine Ridge Trail Loop
Location: Musquash Conservation Area (Hickory Hill Drive / Chestnut Hill Drive, Londonderry). Length: 3 miles with 262-foot elevation gain. Difficulty: Moderate, 1–1.5 hours. More at londonderrytrails.org. Located in Londonderry’s largest conservation tract, this hike has well-maintained trails but can get a bit boggy during transitional weather, with a few tripping hazards along the way. Great views of open fields and quiet solitude are worth it.
• Spencer Smith Trail
Location: Center Strafford (Parker Mountain Road, Center Strafford). Length: 2.8 miles with 623-foot elevation gain. Difficulty: Moderate, 1.5–2 hours. More at nhfamilyhikes.com. Lots of rocks and roots; the trail starts gradually but becomes steep as it continues uphill. “The first bit of climbing is pretty legit,” said one AllTrails contributor. The summit is rewarding, with a spectacular view of Bow Lake.
Wildcat Falls via North Loop Trail. Courtesy photo.
• Tower Hill Pond Loop
Location: City of Manchester Water Works (Tower Hill Road, Manchester). Length: 3.9 miles with 170-foot elevation gain. Difficulty: Easy, 1–1.5 hours. More at nhaudubon.org. Recommended by AMC NH Chair Diana Moore, this hike has little elevation change and a few rocks in the path. It can get icy, so while micro spikes aren’t essential, they can help.
• Van Loan and Anne and Pic Trail
Location: Van Loan Preserve (across from Benedictine Park, Bedford). Length: 1.6 miles with 134-foot elevation gain. Difficulty: Easy, 0.5–1 hour. More at plcnh.org/van-loan-preserve-trails. <ade possible by a donation of a conservation easement to Bedford Land Trust by the Van Loan family in December of 2000, this easy hike offers lovely scenery, easy navigation and lots of flat, open sections. An opportunity for sledding at the end might also be of interest.
• Weir Road Trail
Location: Boscawen Town Forest (Weir Road / Elm Street, Bow). Length: 2.7 miles with 377-foot elevation gain. Difficulty: Moderate, 1–1.5 hours. More at boscawenconcom.org. This moderate hike offers a serene atmosphere, beautiful vistas and well-marked paths. Challenges include icy and mucky spots, especially in shaded areas. A recent AllTrails hiker noted that the trail was “fairly well packed down, with few people” and called it “nice and peaceful.”
• Wendy’s Loop
Location: Silk Farm Wildlife Sanctuary (Silk Farm Road / Clinton Street, Concord). Length: 0.4 miles with 6-foot elevation gain. Difficulty: Easy, 0.5–1 hour. More at nhaudubon.org. New Hampshire Audubon maintains this short, easy trail around a harvested pine forest. It’s perfect for youngsters.
• Wildcat Falls via North Loop Trail
Location: Wildcat Falls Conservation Area (Currier Road / Hemlock Street, Merrimack). Length: 1.6 miles with 65-foot elevation gain. Difficulty: Easy, 0.5–1 hour. More at merrimackoutdoors.org.This is a nice mostly flat loop through the woods and along the Souhegan River leading to Wildcat Falls. Highlights are gorgeous views, lovely wooded trails, and beautiful waterfalls, but challenges include icy conditions and narrow paths, according to AllTrails.
NH Fish and Game Department’s 10 Essentials for Winter Hiking “Hiking in the winter demands more. More preparedness and more planning. More outdoor experience and ability, and — perhaps most easily overlooked — more time. The cold months require better decision-making and a more cautious mindset. The same trail you hiked in summer six months ago is a different world now. Just as a wind chill intensifies the cold, winter has a way of magnifying mistakes.” —NH Fish & Game Department
Ten Essentials for Winter Hiking: Map Compass Warm Clothing: Sweater or Pile Jacket, Long Pants (wool or synthetic), Hat (wool) Extra Food and Water Flashlight or Headlamp Matches/Firestarters First Aid Kit/Repair Kit Whistle Rain/Wind Jacket and Pants Pocket Knife
Female-fronted funk will be in the spotlight when Fox and The Flamingos perform at BNH Stage on Jan. 23, with additional grooves provided by opener Pocket Drop, a music collective that includes a few familiar Concord faces. The showcase is the latest high point for a band approaching its fifth anniversary.
Released in September, “Nowhere But Up” is Fox and The Flamingos’ most recent single, with a title that well describes the Milford quintet’s current trajectory. The upbeat, danceable track is anchored by a solid rhythm section, tasty guitar licks and swirling keyboard, with the soulful voice of front woman Maizy Rae at its heart.
Maizy is a lifelong singer who honed her craft at local gatherings. “A lot of my friends would throw these parties, and it was always in a basement,” she said. “Just basically a big party that would turn into a big jam session.” At one of those, she met a bass player who invited her to audition for a funk band he and some friends were forming.
She was the first and last singer to audition. The bass player, it turned out, wasn’t a good fit; he only lasted a month. Gary Smith, a veteran on the scene who’s played with Roots of Creation among other acts, was recruited to fill the vacancy. The other band members liked his affinity for what he termed “weird stuff” in a Zoom co-interview with Maizy.
“I’m a jazz nerd,” he said. The interview happened as Smith and Maizy were about to perform a duo set at Forum Pub in Concord as Vaudeville Vixen, their duo side project. “I do looper stuff with my eight-string guitar, and she sings. We do reinterpretations of more modern songs in the jazz vein — ‘Santeria’ and things like that.”
When Smith joined, Fox and The Flamingos included guitarist Tyler Moran, Ryan Pratt on drums, keyboard player Ryan Bossie and Maizy. Bossie left last summer, and Zach Sweetser, who also plays in the Dave Matthews Tribute Band, took his spot. Saxophone player Derek Adams began sitting in last year and is now a full-time member.
The band played its first gig in 2021 at Concord’s now-shuttered Area 23. Smith recalled Maizy as tentative that night, but that didn’t last. “Now, she’s bouncing around on the stage doing whatever,” he said. “Displaying that confidence helps us in getting gigs with the bigger bands. They see us and they’re excited to play with us.”
The group has been gathering fans steadily. In 2024 they beat out five other groups at StrangeCreek Battle of the Bands, and won a cabin set at the festival.
“That was really huge for me personally,” Maizy said. “I’ve been going to StrangeCreek for 10 years…. I think that was crucial to getting our name out there.”
The band released their debut album last year, Spirit Animal. It’s an axiom that a first record takes four years to make and the second takes four months; that looks to be true with this flock. To follow “Nowhere But Up,” the band recently began playing a new song at shows, “Can’t Blame You.” It’s an absolute banger, with more in the works.
“Songs come together pretty quickly,” Smith said. “It’ll either be Maizy saying, ‘I have this melody’ or someone will have a chord progression or a riff. Usually we can get a song together in a rehearsal. It takes us a couple hours to shape them up. We’re getting better at utilizing our time in the studio, but it’s a learning experience for sure.”
Maizy takes inspiration from Betty Davis, a mid-’70s soul singer with a cult following who mixed Tina Turner’s brashness with the style of David Bowie. A key moment happened when she saw Harsh Armadillo, now called Harsh, at their final Wild Woods Festival on a Croydon farm in 2018.
At the time, Harsh was led by Andrea Beladi, who left when the pandemic hit. “It changed everything,” she said. “I’d always been a singer, but it really put it into perspective — like … that’s a thing you can do? I hadn’t really thought about it, because I was just getting into the local live music scene.”
Fox and The Flamingos w/ Pocket Drop When: Friday, Jan. 23, 8 p.m. Where: BNH Stage, 16 S. Main St., Concord Tickets: $18 at ccanh.com
Featured photo: Fox and The Flamingos. Courtesy photo.
• Bon voyage: There are changes ahead for Concord jamsters Andrew North & the Rangers. With drummer Dale Grant moving to Colorado, the band gives him a sendoff show. A Facebook post expressed gratitude for Grant’s “eight years of friendship, music, and fun,” calling him “an essential and integral part of our sound” and welcoming him back on the kit anytime he visits. Thursday, Jan. 22, 7 p.m., Pembroke City Limits, 134 Main St., Suncook, pembrokecitylimits.com.
• Prize laughs: Three comics from the New York City-based Ladies of Laughter (LOL) contest showcase their talents — Apollo Theater veteran G.L. Douglas; Ellen Karis, who’s opened for Sebastian Maniscalco, and Maine native Cathy Boyd, Friday, Jan. 23, 8 p.m., Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, $40 at palacetheatre.org.
• Heavy music: Hardcore punk fans felt like it was 1994 all over again when Tree released their first new music in 25 years in early 2024. The band formed in the Boston suburbs in the late ’80s and their first three albums were considered staples among the locals. Catch them with The Negans, Black Hatch and Robotic Hawks. Saturday, Jan. 24, 7 p.m., Shaskeen Pub, 909 Elm St., Manchester, facebook.com/treebostonhardwood.
• In triplicate: One of the more unique tribute acts around is Pink Talking Fish, exploring the possibilities of mashing up three classic bands — Pink Floyd, Talking Heads and Phish. They look for commonalities, doing things like dropping Phish’s “You Enjoy Myself” in the middle of Floyd’s “On the Run,” and occasionally segueing music from all three bands together in one wild song. Saturday, Jan. 24, 8 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St., Nashua, $40 at nashuacenterforthearts.com.
The Grand Kyiv Ballet Company was forged through the crucible of two crises. In 2014, Russia occupied Eastern Ukraine, forcing dancer Oleksandr Stoianov and his ballerina wife Kareryna Kuhkar to move to Kyiv. Once there, Stoianov formed a ballet company consisting solely of his fellow countrymen and women.
“Before this we worked with the Russian companies, promoting the Moscow Ballet or the Russian Ballet,” Stoianov said in a recent phone interview. “Many people didn’t know that they were about 50 percent Ukrainian. It was my main idea to create the Grand Kyiv Ballet with a Ukrainian name, and with Ukrainian dancers.”
In 2022, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine forced another turning point. When the war began, Stoianov and Kuhkar were performing across Europe. They quickly put together a solidarity tour in France and Scandinavian countries, along with working to get dancers and students to safe places.
Government officials, including Scandinavian royalty, attended performances. Ballet became a voice for grief, resistance and national identity.
“We did speeches from the stage about weeping for our country,” Stoianov recalled. “It was a most difficult and terrible time.”
Theaters in Ukraine were closed. Jobs disappeared overnight, and for dancers, life without rehearsal and performance is unimaginable. Many were young, only in their teens, and forced to start from zero in foreign countries. Others were caring for children or elderly parents. Homes were destroyed, and stability vanished.
Some paid a much higher price. Oleksandr Shapoval, who’d danced with Stoianov and Kuhkar, volunteered for service and died in September 2022. Artem Datsishin, another principal dancer from Ukraine’s National Opera, died from injuries sustained from Russian shelling.
In response, larger and more frequent tours were created to provide work, income and purpose for displaced performers. Its scale has grown steadily and adapted to shifting challenges. The company is now a global presence, appearing across Europe, Scandinavia, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and more recently China.
Each tour and performance reinforces the visibility of Ukrainian culture on the world stage.
Stoianov, Kuhkar and their two daughters now live in Seattle. Stoianov oversees Grand Kyiv Ballet’s many projects, like two upcoming New Hampshire stops. Giselle, with principal dancers Victor Tomashek and Ekaterina Malkovich, will be performed in Nashua on Jan. 22, and Swan Lake is at Portsmouth’s Music Hall Jan. 25.
These days, the two dance infrequently. An injury stopped Stoianov in 2024, but he hinted, “perhaps a grand return is still ahead” on the company’s website. In the interview, he shared that a world tour of the ballet Carmen will happen next year. “We’ll start class and rehearsals this summer, and then in 2027, we’ll say goodbye to everybody from the stage.”
Giselle is a tale of love, deception and betrayal. Malkovich said in a late December Instagram post that it’s among her favorites to perform.
“When the curtain falls, you leave the stage not tired, but drained,” she wrote. “It’s a ballet after which you don’t want to say anything because there’s nothing left to say.”
Stoianov agrees, adding that its themes resonate with audiences. “All people feel sometimes in their lives in a situation like Giselle, a young girl who was in love, was betrayed and became crazy,” he said. “I’ve seen this ballet a thousand times and my eyes still become wet — but they are happy tears.”
Grand Kyiv Ballet presents Giselle When: Thursday, Jan. 22, 7 p.m. Where: Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St., Nashua Tickets: $46.75 and up at etix.com Sunday, Jan. 25, 4 p.m. Grand Kyiv Ballet presents Swan Lake at The Music Hall, Portsmouth, themusichall.org.
Featured photo: Giselle. performed by The Grand Kyiv Ballet. Courtesy photo.
