Author: Michael Witthaus

Pizzastock benefit showcase at Tupelo

By Michael Witthaus

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orst nightmare of any parent and harness it toward helping others avoid a similar experience. Pizzastock began with a spring music festival followed by a winter battle of high school rock bands. It’s since grown to include open mic nights and, in an upcoming concert at Tupelo Music Hall, a multigenerational music showcase.

The organization is focused on assisting families and individuals with mental health issues. The effort was born from what Doug and Danielle Flood endured when their son died by suicide in 2016. Jason Flood was by all appearances successful. He was a recent and newly employed high school graduate, but the 18-year-old had a history of dealing with depression.

His parents did what they could to help. “He wasn’t a typical kid with the typical signs,” Doug Flood said in a recent joint interview. He’d talked with Jason about facing suicidal thoughts, telling him “even though you’re having a good day today … you still need to learn how to cope with the feelings when they come up.”

Danielle took another approach. “I’d ask, ‘When you go to bed and you wake up, what’s tomorrow?’ and he’d go, ‘It’s usually better,’” she recalled. “I thought that it was more of an environmental thing, not as much chemical or an actual disease. I thought he could control it that way. Those are mistakes I think I made.”

During his life, Jason was an avid musician, performing in bands with his Pinkerton Academy schoolmates. When he died, Doug and Danielle created the Jason R. Flood Memorial 501(c)(3) with a mission of “healing through music, connecting with community” and held its first festival in August 2017.

Jason’s band MKAO headlined, along with members of his other band, Floody & the BPs. Several other young performers were also there that day. “It was a bittersweet moment,” the Floods wrote on the organization’s website, “but also a joyous occasion, as Pizzastock raised over $2,200 for the Sonshine Soup Kitchen.”

After seven years of toggling between a festival and a battle of the bands, the format will change for 2025, a reflection of Pizzastock’s universal message. “Each generation has a different mental health challenge,” Doug said. “I thought if [each performer] took a few minutes to describe what mental health meant to them, it might resonate with each and every person in the audience … that’s kind of where this show started from in my mind.”

The show is also musically inclusive. Playing solo, Eddie Sands opens. “He’s been using a lot of high school and middle school kids to open for him in restaurants and bars,” Doug said, noting that Sands is in his 60s. “He’ll bring up one of the kids who’s off in college right now; she’s performed several times with us.”

Heavy metal cover band Oxidized follows for a reunion set. “I’ve been friends with the lead guitarist for many years, and I asked them if they’d get back together for us,” Doug said. “The next band is Lockjaw Smile, which is ’90s adult alternative, like Train or Three Doors Down; they’re all in their 30s.”

The Hand Me Downs follow with ska. They are a core band with a changing cast of musicians. “Our son always wanted to be part of a ska band, that was his favorite music,” said Doug. “His math teacher from middle school, someone we went to concerts with all the time, he’s the one that’s put this together … they’re just off-the-charts good.”

Vermilion closes. The young punk rock band is new to Pizzastock. “They started coming to our open mics last year,” Doug said. “I felt this was a really good way to reward them. Besides, they’re a punk rock band. It’s more my style and what I really like, with a sound somewhere between Hole and the Pixies.”

The Floods are pleased to hear about Pizzastock’s many positive outcomes, but also reluctant to take any credit for them.

“Doug and I, we just think that that’s weird, we’re not used to that,” Danielle said. “Parents of kids tell us, ‘You helped my son or daughter immensely.’ We’re like, ‘We didn’t do anything.’ We have these things, we tell our story, we provide some information. But helping them find their passion and giving them a reason to work through some of their struggles … we appreciate it, we just don’t know how to accept it.”

Editor’s note: If you or someone you know needs help, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or going to 988lifeline.org.

New Year’s Eve parties with music, dancing and more

By Michael Witthaus

[email protected]

There are many ways to mark year’s end and ring in 2025, from an early dinner with music to a full-scale bash that ends with confetti blasts at midnight. Here’s a list of options available.

815 Cocktails & Provisions (815 Elm St., Manchester, eventbrite.com) 8 p.m. $140 — Rodeo Ball is this year’s theme, with cowboy boots, fringe, and bedazzled attire encouraged for a night filled with music, passed hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, Siren of the Circle burlesque, Magic by Benjamin, unlimited photobooth and more.

Alan’s (133 N. Main St., Boscawen, 753-6631) 8 p.m. $30 — Freddie Partridge Band plays dance music, preceded by a special NYE menu.

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 4 (797 Court St., Keene, 352-9703) 7 p.m. $25 — MV19 rocks in the new year, includes hors d’oeuvres, sandwich station, midnight toast and party favors.

American Legion Post 47 (551 Foundry St., Rollinsford, 742-5833) 7:30 p.m. $10 — Aunt Peg Band plays the hits at this party. Bring an appetizer to share; pizza will be served.

American Legion Post 6 (96 Islington St., Portsmouth, 436-7575) 8 p.m. — Karaoke with DJ Darlene.

American Legion Post 8 (640 Central Ave., Dover, 742-9710) 8 p.m. — Live music by Dancing Madly Backwards, full bar, food and snacks, dance floor.

Artisan Hotel at Tuscan Village (17 Via Toscana, Salem, tuscanbrands.com) 6 p.m. $300 — Four-course dinner with Pear Burrata Salad, Surf & Turf and Chocolate Espresso Torte for dessert, followed by Dueling Pianos with The Flying Ivories, dinner kicks off at 7 p.m. (seating begins at 6 p.m.).

Ash Cigar Lounge (92 Route 125, Kingston, eventbrite.com) 7 p.m. $50 — Red Carpet Hollywood Glam New Year’s Eve Celebration with Frank Sinatra tribute singer, cigar specials and midnight toast. Dress code: Hollywood Glam — red carpet elegance encouraged.

Ashworth by the Sea (295 Ocean Blvd., Hampton, 926-6762) 8 p.m. $30 and up — Choose the laid-back Breakers Party or get dolled up for the Masquerade Gala with plated surf & turf dinner.

Auspicious Brew (2 Washington St., Dover, 953-7240) 9 p.m. $15 at the door — all-ages house party with Citizen Kane and Liz Ridgely. Vinyl sets, dance hits, performance art and a community ritual to mark the end of the year.

Averill House Vineyard (21 Averill Road, Brookline, exploretock.com) 7 p.m. $89 — Celebrate the new year on Brazil Time with a complimentary wine pairing and five-course Brazilian dinner.

Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord, eventbrite.com) 8 p.m. $50-$70 — Moulin Rouge meets Bourbon Street as the Catnip Junkies perform in the lounge while DJ BegBlack spins a range of hits. Aerialists, drag performers, and a confetti blast at midnight.

Belknap Mill (25 Beacon St., Laconia, 524-8813) 8 p.m. $201 per pair — Mayor’s Ball to support Belknap Mill with speakeasy theme, hors d’oeuvres, music, dancing and open bar.

Birch on Elm (968 Elm St., Manchester, eventbrite.com) 7:30 p.m. $200 — an evening of elegant indulgence with unlimited hors d’oeuvres, raw bar, two drinks and bubbly when the ball drops.

BLEND603 (82 Fleet St., Portsmouth, eventbrite.com) 7 and 9 p.m. $30 — Underground Comedy Club has two shows, each with a Champagne toast.

Brickhouse Restaurant & Brewery (241 Union Square, Milford, 672-2270) 7 p.m. — Recently reopened with a new name and theme, with beloved cover band The Slakas welcoming the new year.

Bridgewater Inn (367 Mayhew Turnpike, Bridgewater, 744-3518) 8 p.m. — Classic rock band Horsepower performs downstairs, with DJ Di upstairs spinning all night long. $55 per person includes buffet (8:30-10:30 p.m.) and party; hats and tiaras, noisemakers, beads and Champagne toast.

Buckey’s (240 Governor Wentworth Hwy., Moultonborough, 476-5485) 9 p.m. — The tradition continues with the Red Hat Band performing.

Cercle National Club (550 Rockland Ave., Manchester, 623-8243) 7:30 p.m. — Potluck dinner and appetizers with Mixtape Heroez playing rock covers at this members club. Champagne at midnight.

Chop Shop (920 Lafayette Road, Seabrook, 760-7706) 6:30 p.m. — The AC/DC Experience tribute band performs at this party.

Chunky’s Cinema Pub (707 Huse Road, Manchester, 232-4794) 7 p.m. $30 — at 7:30 and 9 p.m. it’s a comedy show starring Steve Scarfo, Kyle Crawford and Dan Crohn. Separately, there’s a drag show hosted by Karisma & Larissa Montes at 10 p.m. for $30.

City Hall Pub (8 Hanover St., Manchester) 8 p.m. Party with The Trio.

Common Man (88 Range Road, Windham, 898-0088) 6 p.m. — Singer-songwriter Karen Grenier performs an early set.

Copper Door (15 Leavy Drive, Bedford, 488-2677) 3 p.m. — Clint Lapointe plays from 4 to 7 p.m., and the restaurant stays open until 11 p.m., with a special menu: two-course $76, three-course $86 and four-course $96.

Copper Door (42 S. Broadway, Salem, 458-2033) 3 p.m. — Jodee Frawlee plays from 4 to 7 p.m., and the restaurant stays open until 11 a.m., with a special menu: two-course $76, three-course $86 and four-course $96.

Derryfield (625 Mammoth Road, Manchester, 623-2880) 7 p.m. $30 — once again the Chad LaMarsh Band, a high-energy dance combo with male and female lead vocals, entertains with tunes from the ’60s to now, with Champagne toast at midnight and party favors.

Doubletree by Hilton Manchester Downtown (700 Elm St., Manchester, headlinersnh.com) 6 p.m. $35 and up — Headliners Comedy with Will Noonan, Dan Crohn, Amy Tee, Tim McKeever, Annie Powell, Joe Espi and Dave Decker, also separate Dueling Pianos show, dinner/hotel packages available at headlinersnh.com.

Eagles Club (36 S. Main St., Concord, 228-8922) 8 p.m. — Dave Graham performs, prime rib $15 per person and chicken cordon bleu $12 per person, full bar, 50/50 raffle.

East Side Club (786 Massabesic St., Manchester, 669-1802) 9 p.m. — NYE party with DJ Keith.

Flying Monkey Movie House (39 Main St., Plymouth, 536-2551) 7:30 p.m. $35 and up — Cathedral offers the only tribute to Van Halen that performs both Roth & Hagar material in their setlist.

Fratello’s (155 Dow St., Manchester, 624-2022) 5:30 p.m. — Tim Kierstead plays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Governors Inn Hotel & Restaurant (76 Wakefield Road, Rochester, 332-0107) 8 p.m. $95 includes four-course dinner with prime rib buffet, along with dancing to classic rock and pop cover band Bad Penny.

Gusto (18 Main St., Center Harbor, eventbrite.com) 5:30 p.m. $25 and $45 — Italian dinner includes wild boar, pappardelle and filet mignon with a dessert buffet and glass of Moscato to close the night. Ring in the new year early live from Italy.

Hen House (85 S. Main St., Newton, 382-1705) 9 p.m. — New Year’s Eve Bash w/ Stumpy Joe Band again hosting the party, along with Diamond Edge and The Moonlighters.

Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery (72 Main St., Meredith, eventbrite.com) 7 p.m. $95 and up — begin with passed appetizers, then enjoy jazz singer Ashley Warwick, accompanied by Paul Bourgeois, CJ Poole and Rick Erwin.

Homestead (641 DW Highway, Merrimack, 429-2022) 5:30 p.m. — Jeff Mrozek performs.

Kama Fly Fitness (250 S. Commercial St., Suite 3007, Manchester, eventbrite.com) 6:30 p.m. — New Year’s Eve ceremony and sound bath to begin the new year with clarity, purpose and peace.

Keys Piano Bar (1087 Elm St., Manchester, 836-7796) 7 p.m. $50 — Sequin Party with DJ music, on-stage dance and limbo contests, karaoke and other games. Ticket includes two premium drinks, hors d’oeuvres and a Champagne toast at midnight.

L Street Tavern (17 L St., Hampton, 967-4777) 9 p.m. — There’s a party here, but details aren’t available.

LaBelle Winery (345 Route 101, Amherst, 672-9898) 9 p.m. $120 — three-course plated dinner, followed by dance music from Freese Brothers Big Band, in its 42nd year of keeping the sounds of swing and classic Big Band music alive.

Lakeport Opera House (781 Union Ave., Laconia, 519-7506) 7:30 p.m. $20 — Eric Grant Band plays top 40 hits, themed cocktails and midnight ball drop.

Loon Mountain (60 Loon Mountain Road, Lincoln, 745-8111) 6 p.m. $40 — Grateful Dead tribute band Alligator Wine hosts this party, with hors d’oeuvres and a midnight toast included.

Lynn’s 102 Tavern (76 Derry Road, Hudson, 943-7832) 8 p.m. — Rock Junk the stage with special guests Ken Stiles and Bill Janiero.

Martingale Wharf (99 Bow St., Suite W, Portsmouth, 431-0901) 6 p.m. $20 special event fee for reservations after 8 p.m. as Michael Troy Trio and special three-course NYE menu served and late night bar food from 10 p.m. to midnight.

McCue’s Comedy Club (580 Route 1 Bypass, Portsmouth, portsmouthnhtickets.com) 8 p.m. $30 -— Standup from Nick Gordon, Sara Poulin, Liam Hales and Jack Lynch.

Murphy’s Taproom & Carriage House (393 Route 101, Bedford, eventbrite.com) 8 p.m. $40 — Comedy show with Mark Riley, Jody Sloane, Bill Douglas and Jolanda Logan.

Murphy’s Taproom (494 Elm St., Manchester, scampscomedy.com) 10 p.m. $30 — Comedy show in the back room with Eric Hurst, Klia Ververidis, Bryan Muenzer and Tyler Hittner.

Music Hall Loft (131 Congress St., Portsmouth, 433-3100) 7:30 p.m. $42 and up — After outdoor First Night festivities, high-energy string band Rockspring performs, with a midnight Champagne toast.

Nan King Restaurant (222 Central St., Hudson, 882-1911) 5 and 8 p.m. Patty’s Energizer Karaoke rings in the new year. Have dinner and sing your favorite song.

Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St., Nashua, etix.com) 7 p.m. $39 — Juston McKinney’s Year in Review returns to bid a laughing farewell to 2024.

Nova Arts/Brewbakers Café (48 Emerald St., Keene, eventbrite.com) 3 p.m. $20 — Hug The Dog, a four-piece Granite State band, plays a unique fusion of indie rock, soul and lyrical rock.

Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester, 668-5588) 6 p.m. Recycled Percussion is again home for the holidays. Ring in 2025 with junk rock — two shows, 3 and 7 p.m.

Pats Peak Ski Area (686 Flanders Road, Henniker, 728-7732) 7 p.m. — New Year’s fireworks at 9:20 p.m., ski, ride and tube (lifts open until 8:45 p.m.) and dancing to Dave & Wally in the Sled Pub from 6 to 9 p.m. No traditional NYE party this year.

Pembroke Pines Country Club (42 Whittemore Road, Pembroke, eventbrite.com) 9 p.m. $125 — live music from Taylor Hughes, laughter with comedians from Mike’s Comedy Club.

Penuche’s Ale House (9 Pleasant St., Concord) 8 p.m. $10 at the door — Power pop from Donaher, with New Norde, Lovewell and Jay the Barber.

Portsmouth Gas Light (64 Market St., Portsmouth, 430-9122) 9 p.m. $50 and up — Midnight Masquerade party on the third floor, passed hors d’oeuvres, Champagne toast, late night buffet, giveaways, with VIP packages available.

Press Room (77 Daniel St., Portsmouth, 431-5186) 8:30 p.m. $20 and up — New Year’s Eve Ski Party w/ DJ Chad Banks, D-Rowe Beatz & DJ Tuggboat.

Red’s Kitchen & Tavern (530 Lafayette Road, Seabrook, 760-0030) 8 p.m. Masquerade party with live music from DNA.

Remix Skate Center (725 Huse Road, Manchester, skateremix.com) 8 p.m. $30 — all-ages party hosted by DJ Darrey Roy, with unlimited skating, swag bags, bar specials and confetti countdown.

Revo Casino (1279 S. Willow St., Manchester, revocasino.com) 9 p.m. — George Cox hosts karaoke, with free party favors and a Champagne toast at midnight, late night menu, casino open until 4 a.m.

Revo Casino (887b Central Ave., Dover, revocasino.com) 7:30 p.m. — Madhouse Party Band performs.

Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St., Manchester, 668-5588) 8 p.m. $30 — Comedian Jimmy Dunn takes the stage for end-of-year laughs.

Rockingham Ballroom (22 Ash Swamp Road, Newmarket, eventbrite.com) 9 p.m. $40 — With a theme of Fantasy Formal, it’s dancing all night on the area’s largest dance floor. DJ host Johnny B Groovy and Soul Sister Pam. Party favors, healthy late-night food and dessert table, midnight glass of Champagne.

Rooftop at The Envio (299 Vaughan St., Portsmouth, eventbrite.com) 8 p.m. $110 — ticket includes a selection of passed hors d’oeuvres, an iced seafood raw bar, and a variety of appetizers to savor throughout the evening. Plus, enjoy two sparkling toasts — one to kick off the celebration as you arrive, and another at midnight. DJ Darwin Almonte from Get Down Tonight Entertainment will be on hand to keep you dancing all night long.

Rumors Sports Bar & Bowling (22 N. Main St., Newmarket, eventbrite.com) 8 p.m. $10 — Multiple live performances, pizza, calzones and snacks, midnight toast.

Saddle Up Saloon (92 Route 125, Kingston, 369-6962) 9 p.m. $80 — three-course dinner included (6 and 7:30 seatings) at this event, with All That ’90s playing memorable hits and a pizza buffet as midnight approaches.

Salt hill Pub Lebanon (2 West Park St., Lebanon, 448-4532) 9 p.m. $10 — The Gully Boys, local legends playing the music of the Grateful Dead, Little Feat, Phish and other legendary acts.

Salt hill Pub Newport (58 Main St., Newport, 863-7774) 10 p.m. — 19th annual NYE party with the Loonz playing classic rock.

Sawtooth Kitchen (33 South Main St., Hanover, toasttab.com) 8 p.m. $15 — psychedelic debauchery from Canopy, ticket includes a Champagne toast at midnight.

Shaskeen (909 Elm St., Manchester, 625-0246) 6 p.m. $60 — DJ Myth hosts an all-inclusive Epic New Year’s Bash with 200 tickets sold covering a dinner buffet, midnight Champagne toast, live DJ and open bar (no shots). The club will be closed to anyone without tickets (21+ only).

Sheraton Hotel (2 Somerset Parkway, Nashua, eventbrite.com) 9 p.m. $60 and up — Dueling Pianos provide entertainment with NY strip steak or roasted farm chicken dinner, one of two big events presented by Headliners Comedy Club.

Side Bar (845 Lafayette Road, Hampton, thecommunityoven.com) 6:30 p.m. $10, $15 at the door — live DJ, Champagne toast, all-night drink specials at this party.

Sky Meadow Country Club (6 Mountain Laurels Drive, Nashua, headlinersnh.com) 7 p.m. $25 — Bash in the Grotto with a la carte food and complimentary Champagne toast.

Smitty’s Cinema (630 W. Main St., Tilton, smittyscinema.com) 9 p.m. $20 — comedy show starring Rodney Norman.

Soho Bistro (20 Old Granite St., Manchester, 222-1677) 6 p.m. $10 — masquerade ball at this downtown spot.

South Church UUC (292 State St., Portsmouth, portsmouthnhtickets.com) 6 p.m. $25 — Last Blast NYE concert with The Reconstructed and Natalia Rothwell.

Stone Church (5 Granite St., Newmarket, 659-7700) 7 p.m. $50 — Neighbor closes out a three-night run with a NYE party.

Stoned Wall Bar & Grill (37 Manchester St., Manchester, eventbrite.com) 8 p.m. $50 ticket includes two drink tickets, glass for midnight toast, appetizers at this New Year’s Eve party. $20 cover after 8 p.m.

Strand Ballroom (20 Third St., Dover, 343-1899) 6 p.m. $45 and up — Comedy with Scott Marcoux, followed by The Dancing Yetis playing classic rock, blues, funk and disco, with finger foods and midnight toast.

Sweeney Post #2 (251 Maple St., Manchester) 7:30 p.m. — Live music from Stray Dogs, with a potluck dinner, so bring an app, favorite dish or dessert to share.

Tenney Mountain Ski Resort (151 Tenney Mountain Road, Plymouth, 238-9567) 9 p.m. $90 — Charcuterie station at 6 p.m., buffet with carving station from 7 to 9 p.m. Fireworks show with DJ entertainment and dancing starts at 8 p.m. Party favors and Champagne toast included, with the 2025 countdown ball drop playing live from Times Square! Cash bar.

The Brook Casino (319 New Zealand Road, Seabrook, eventbrite.com) 9 p.m. $40 and up — Ring in the new year with Doug Ferony and the best of Frank Sinatra.

The Goat MHT (50 Old Granite St., Manchester, 603-4628) 5:30 p.m. NYE Party with Seven Day Weekend is reprised.

Thirsty Moose (21 Congress St., Portsmouth, 427-8645) 8 p.m. Woodland Protocol performs downstairs with DJ Millzy spinning upstairs.

Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St., Derry, 437-5100) noon — Adam Ezra Group and opening duo dynamo Sirsy play with a four-course dinner at 5:30 p.m. for $95; 9 p.m. show only is $45, and all tickets include a Champagne toast.

Tuscan Market & Village (9 Via Toscana, Salem, tuscanbrands.com) 9 p.m. — Ring in the new year at The Veranda with a DJ, exclusive views of the midnight fireworks show, and special featured entertainment.

Twins Smoke Shop (80 Perkins Road, Londonderry, 421-0242) 8 p.m. — Welcome the new year with cigars and cocktails in the shop’s 7-20-4 Lounge.

Wally’s Pub (144 Ashworth Ave., Hampton, 926-6954) 7:30 p.m. — Fast Times plays music from the 1980s.

Winona Social Club (168 Manchester St., Manchester, 623-9248) 8:30 p.m. — Music from DJ Joe with potluck food and Jell-o shots.

WSCA Radio (909 Islington St., Suite 1, Portsmouth, 430-9722) 8:30 p.m. $45 — NYE with Adrienne Mack-Davis, 32 French, Sound Around Us, DJ Skooch, & DJ Mam, includes food, Champagne toast 21+.

Recalling 2024, and looking ahead to next year

By Michael Witthaus

[email protected]

New Hampshire’s music and comedy scene had a robust year. From start to finish, here are some of the highlights, along with some sad notes, followed by a peek at the year ahead.

In January, blues singer Bobby Rush came to Concord’s BNH Stage for a concert. At 91 years old, Rush is a one-man rebuttal to ageism. He got his start as a thigh- and chest-slapping hambone performer, and the first record he released was a 78 RPM shellac disc.

The vibe continued in February at Manchester’s Rex Theatre, as the annual Winter Blues Festival featured local harmonica player and singer Nick David’s band celebrating a new album with support from some of his Texas label’s other acts. Over in Portsmouth, embattled comic Kathy Griffin played the Music Hall in Portsmouth.

Blending elements of alt-country and harmony-rich classic rock, Slim Volume brought a breath of fresh air to the local music scene, releasing a trio of EPs and playing listening room shows like one in early March at The Livery in Sunapee. On St. Patrick’s Day the rousing Rebel Collective inclusively played Celtic rock in an Italian restaurant.

Four days later, Mike Koutrobis filmed a special at Nashua’s Center for the Arts, a high point for the hometown comic.

The laughs continued in April as Daniel Sloss brought his edgy act to Laconia’s Colonial Theatre. Few can challenge an audience like the British comedian.

Carole King’s Beautiful ran through most of May at Manchester’s Palace Theatre, continuing a year-long theme, musicals centered on pop and the classic rock era. The Palace also had the ABBA/Disco revue Dancing Queens in January and the gritty Jersey Boys (also done by two other theater companies) in November.

Bike Week roared back to the Lakes Region, along with music, as karate-kicking blues rocker James Montgomery’s band played during the June event. The summer shed season got in gear at Bank of NH Pavilion, highlighted by Hootie & the Blowfish and Collective Soul bringing a ’90s vibe.

Badfish played its traditional Fourth of July concert at Casino Ballroom in Hampton Beach. In the wake of a Sublime reunion at Coachella, they’re mixing more original songs into the tribute act. Nantucket comic Brian Glowacki brought standup to Beans & Greens in Gilford for the first time.

Yoga, sustainability and music returned to Hillsborough in August as the Barefoot Festival’s second iteration happened. Jimmy Dunn’s Hampton Beach Comedy Festival is in its second decade; Dunn hung with his comedian pals and also celebrated his second season with the Frasier reboot.

Triptych, a collaboration between guitarist Stephane Wrembel and pianist Jean-Michel Pilc, brought instrumental mastery to UNH in September, while percussive guitarist Senie Hunt played acoustic and electric tunes on a short tour and then headed back to Nashville.

In October, Everclear sold out the Music Hall with fellow ’90s stars Marcy Playground and Jimmy’s Chicken Shack, and Todd Rundgren explained why he’s indifferent to his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame prior to a Nashua show. Hell Beach made one of the year’s best albums, Beachworld, and played it during a raucous Shaskeen show.

November began with Beatles disciple Moon Walker at BNH Stage and continued with Willie Nile rocking the Rex while showing that he’s every musician’s favorite musician for a reason. A year to the day after he headlined Nashua Center for the Arts for the first time, Drew Dunn was back. Later, the Nashua native hit the road with Dane Cook — again, again.

“I have learned a lot watching and working with Dane over the past few years,” Dunn wrote on Facebook. “I am feeling more inspired and motivated than ever in this comedy pursuit. We always have a great time on tour, and I am lucky to call a guy I grew up listening to my friend.”

December began with a reminder of New Hampshire’s wealth of talent, as the winners of a talent contest sponsored by New Hampshire Music Collective performed a showcase at BNH Stage. The venue was good to NHMC all year long, with a few sold-out shows and regular crowds for its monthly series in the venue’s lounge.

Overall highlights in 2024 included the opening of Pembroke City Limits, a listening room, bar and restaurant launched by music maven Rob Azevedo. Six months in, it’s doing great. “We have been blown away by the response,” Azevedo said in December, “Not only to the incredible talented musicians, but our dedicated audiences have exceeded our expectations.”

Another new venue on the scene is Milk Street Studio in Dover, launched by musician and entrepreneur Kurt Eddins, with help from reggae guitarist/songwriter Sebastian Franks and custom guitar builder John Ayer. Shows began there during the summer and several are scheduled in the New Year.

Finally, the regional music community was stunned by the death of Brooks Young at age 42. The blues rock guitarist was in the middle of a string of successes, including tours with George Thorogood, Sammy Hagar and other rock greats, when his car was hit head-on in Alton on the morning of Nov. 8.

In other sad music news, beloved singer/songwriter Dave Mallett passed away on Dec. 17; he was 73. The Maine native performed regularly in New Hampshire. His “Garden Song (Inch By Inch)” was covered by Peter, Paul & Mary and Pete Seeger. Marty Stuart, Kathy Mattea, Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris, and Hal Ketchum also recorded his songs.

LaBelle Winery’s lights display glows with holiday cheer

Created during the pandemic as a way to provide socially distanced family fun, LaBelle Lights enters its fourth year bigger and better. Newly added is The Treehouse, a big glowing box that looks like twisted birch branches made of spun sugar. It’s a beacon for the Derry location of LaBelle Winery and a great Instagram photo spot that’s located right at the holiday trail’s start.

Along with other new display pieces like the caterpillar-shaped Blizzard Bend and more glowing evergreens dotting the Forest of Trees are new events and attractions to carry the holiday spirit into the new year. Perennial favorites like the twinkling giant teddy bear and ornament-shaped Proposal Ball still remain.

There are expanded food options.

“People like to eat along the way,” Michelle Thornton, the winery’s Marketing Director, said recently. “We have Santa’s Snack Shack, which is grab and go, and LaBelle Market, which looks like a French market all decorated for Christmas. They have cookies that are the size of a human head, I mean, they’re huge.”

Themes change weekly, and as Christmas passes the soundtrack moves from “Here Comes Santa Claus” to “Sleigh Ride” and “Winter Wonderland.” Upcoming is Crazy Holiday Hats week, where guests are encouraged to show off wild, wacky and holiday-appropriate headgear.

Frozen Costume Week happens Dec. 26 through Dec. 29 and includes a ticketed event on the first day. Ice Princess Party is a dress-up affair for youngsters that offers a dance party with cocoa and characters such as Snow Sister and Ice Boy, live story time and a puppet show. A meet and greet at the end provides ample photo opportunities.

A stroll through the glowing displays after is included with the $44 ticket ($34 for ages 2 through 10). “What’s so fun about this,” Thornton said, “is after kids are done engaging with characters, they can go right over to LaBelle Lights and walk through it in their costumes.”

Grown-ups will enjoy Flannel Week, which starts on New Year’s Eve, followed by ’80s Ski Week with retro winter gear encouraged. The final week of the attraction has WinterFest, celebrating all things related to the season, before LaBelle staff takes down everything and begins planning for next time.

Winery founder Amy LaBelle came up with the idea of transforming their golf course for winter, and nurtures it like it’s her own Disney World. “That’s Amy … anything that brings joy and makes memories, those things are part of her personal mantra,” Thornton said. “When she presented it to our leadership team, we all went, sure, we can do that, and then we had to figure out how, [but] we’re really good at taking a concept and bringing it to life.”

Thornton mentioned that families on a budget should be aware of Twinkle Tuesday. “That’s half price for everyone,” she said. “That was also Amy’s idea; she wanted it to be affordable for everyone. If someone was concerned about pricing for any reason, we created a whole night for them that’s the same exact experience — but it’s half price.”

Anyone looking to extend the experience can reserve an age-specific swag bag while booking tickets, but they’re quite popular. “They sell out,” Thornton said. “We’re making them constantly.” For the kiddos, the canvas tote bag has a light-up bulb necklace and holiday wand along with light-enhancing 3D glasses. Adults get a logoed winter beanie and a set of hand warmers, a glowing holiday ornament and a $5 market voucher.

For a few more days, attendees can also book a Santa Photo Experience. “Instead of getting your photo at the mall, you can get it in this environment, which is probably a lot less crazy,” Thornton said. “It’s very festive … you’re seeing Santa and then the kids get to let loose and go through the lights.”