During her Feb. 13 budget address, Gov. Kelly Ayotte announced “a landfill moratorium and a revamped regulatory process for approving these projects going forward, to ensure that our beauty as a state is not compromised,” according to text of the address available at governor.nh.gov. New Hampshire has six large landfills including “two private mega-landfills” in Bethlehem and Rochester and “roughly half of the waste buried in New Hampshire landfills comes from out of state,” according to a press release from the Conservation Law Foundation. “For too long, our state has been burdened with out-of-state waste, leading to harmful pollution,” said Tom Irwin, vice president of Conservation Law Foundation, in the statement. “While this is a significant first step, more work remains. It’s essential that we prioritize waste reduction and implement innovative solutions to ensure that waste disposal is only a last resort.” For more on that organization, see clf.org.
More from Ayotte
In her address presenting her recommended budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, Ayotte said, “In comparison to our last budget, we are spending $150 million less in General Funds. This adjustment in General Funds was undertaken smartly and thoughtfully, with a scalpel, not a shovel. It does so without across the board cuts and prioritizing those who are depending on services provided by the State,” according to the text at governor.nh.gov. Ayotte highlighted aspects of the budget including that: “This budget … ensures that our education system has the resources it needs. We are making a $98.8 million investment in special education, nearly a 50% increase from the previous biennium.” Ayotte’s address also highlighted that the budget “sends more money to the local level,” “begins the overhaul of the Group 2 retirement system,” “expands education freedom to all public school students,” “will help get cell phones out of the classroom,” and “continues the tuition freeze at our community colleges” among other points. In discussing cuts, Ayotte said “We focused on making our government more efficient and ensuring tax dollars do more with less. We cut bloated contracts with out-of-state vendors, took a hard look at how our agencies operate and worked with commissioners to dial in spending. … We brought our adult Medicaid eligibility back in line with pre-pandemic levels and joined our neighbors in requiring nominal copays for those receiving these benefits.”
See the full address at governor.nh.gov/news/2025-budget-address. You can find the text of Ayotte’s recommended budget at gc.nh.gov/lba/budget/fy2026_2027_budget.aspx.
Chamber prez retires
Tim Sink, president and CEO of the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, will step down from his position on Sept. 30, according to a Chamber press release. Sink has been Chamber president for nearly 33 years. “I have had the privilege of serving this dynamic chamber through some challenging and exciting times. It has been an incredible and fulfilling opportunity and I am beyond grateful for the hundreds of talented and generous volunteers and staff that have helped build this organization into what it is today,” Sink said in a statement in the release.
Tech support
United Way of Greater Nashua has expanded its Digital Navigator Program, which provides tree technology assistance at locations throughout the community, according to a press release. Find digital navigators available to the public at Rodgers Memorial Library in Hudson (on Tuesdays from 1 to 2 p.m.) and navigators available for clients, congregants and residents at Nashua Presbyterian Church, Coliseum Residence, AHEPA 35 and H.E.A.R.T.S. Peer Support, the release said. The United Way of Greater Nashua is looking for additional Digital Navigator locations as well as volunteers for the program; contact [email protected] for details. See unitedwaynashua.org.
Homeownership
New Hampshire Housing, “a self-supporting public corporation that promotes, finances, and supports housing solutions for the people of New Hampshire,” according to its website, will hold a Homeownership Conference on Tuesday, March 18, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord. Tickets cost $50 and include breakfast, according to an email about the event. The agenda for the conference includes: “Housing Market & Policy Update,” “AI and Digital Innovation in Real Estate & Lending,” “Economic Outlook: Market Trends & Interest Rates” and “Housing Solutions Panel: Innovation in Action,” the email said. See nhhfa.org.
For the dogs
Salem Animal Rescue League (4 SARL Drive in Salem; sarlnh.org) is holding a Pot of Gold raffle through March 17, according to a press release. The League is selling 350 tickets for $50 each with the big winner taking home $5,000, the release said. The next early bird drawing, for $200, will be held on March 3, the release said. All proceeds from the raffle will support the animals at the League, the release said.
Every Little Thing (NR, 2025), a documentary about a woman who cares for hummingbirds in Los Angeles, will screen at Sweeney Hall auditorium at NHTI in Concord as part of the NHTI Friday Night Film Series on Friday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. Admission costs $10 at the door, cash or check.
The Pembroke Historical Society’s presentation of “Vanished Veterans: An Illustrated Introduction to NH’s Civil War Monuments and Memorials” by historian George Morrison was delayed due to weather and now you can catch it on Thursday, March 6, at 7 p.m. at the Pembroke Town Library, 313 Pembroke St. in Pembroke. The event is free and open to the public. Call 566-1031 for info.
Local Street Eats, 112 W. Pearl St. in Nashua, will host a Boozy Book Swap on Tuesday, March 4, at 6 p.m. Bring up to 10 gently used books with “a little note on a sticky note sharing what you loved about each book and stick it to the cover,” according to the event description. A $25 ticket comes with a glass of wine and a personal charcuterie plate (a full menu is available for purchase). Browse others’ offerings and take up to as many books as you brought. See local-streeteats.com.
Students from Rochester’s Spaulding High School designed and painted a new mural for Max the Moose, New Hampshire’s mascot who is housed at the New Hampshire Department of Education. Max’s new background is a mural showcasing the White Mountains and created with paints and paint markers, according to a department press release.
The Nashua Garden Club will host a program on “Groundcovers: What are They and How to Use Them” presented by Kathie Skinner, lifetime master gardener, on Wednesday, March 5, at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 121 Manchester St. in Nashua. The event is free and open to the public. See nashuanhgardenclub.org.
10 Whether you’re planning a date with your sweetie for Valentine’s Day (which is, like, now — Friday, Feb. 14), an outing with a buddy or a get-to-know-you activity with someone new, we’ve got some ideas (86 of them) for places and happenings that can offer you new experiences, fun activities for two or even a little adventure.
Also on the cover
Have you voted? Vote now for best ice cream, best spa and best bookstore! Voting is open in Hippo’s Best of 2025 readers poll now through Feb. 28. See hippopress.com.
In this week’s food section, John Fladd finds out about the new Manchester eatery, Rock n Roll Meatballs (see page 20).
• Check out two new exhibits at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St. in Dover; childrens-museum.org) that will be unveiled to the public on Saturday, Feb. 15, during the morning (9 a.m. to noon) and afternoon (1 to 4 p.m.) sessions. “Little Farmers,” an exhibit designed for children ages 0 to 5, features farm-themed activities “curated specifically for this age,” according to the museum website. “Play Loft” is an open space for active play, such as games like Floor Is Lava, according to the website. Also on Saturday, Lindsey and her Puppet Pals will perform at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Admission costs $14.50 for everyone over 12 months old, $12.50 for 65+.
Winterfest
• Squam Lakes Association, 534 Route 3 in Holderness, will hold its Winterfest on Saturday, Feb. 15, from noon to 3 p.m. The free event will include ice skating, sledding, mini golf, scavenger hunts and more, according to a press release (BYO skates and sleds). See squamlakes.org.
Kids on stage
• Londonderry High School will presentFootloose! The Musical at the Derry Opera House (29 West Broadway in Derry) on Thursday, Feb. 13, and Friday, Feb. 14, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 15, at 1 and 7 p.m. TIckets cost $15 for adults; $10 for seniors and students. See derryoperahouse.org.
• Franklin Middle School will present Shrek Jr. at the Franklin Opera House (316 Central St. in Franklin; franklinoperahouse.org) on Friday, Feb. 14, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 15, at 2 & 7 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 16, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for adults and seniors, $8 for students and children.
• Palace Youth Theatre will present Big Fish, the small cast edition performed by student actors in grades 2 through 12, at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org) on Wednesday, Feb. 19, and Thursday, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $19 for adults, $16 for ages 6 to 12.
For kids on stage
• Look Both Ways: A Tale Presented in 10 Blocks, part of the Cap Center’s educational series, will be on stage in the Chubb Theatre of the Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com) on Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 10:30 a.m. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. The show is 63 minutes with no intermission and is suggested for kids in grades 5 and up and families, according to the website. “10 blocks. 10 unique tales. There’s something for everyone across these 10 vignettes about identity, compassion, fear, and friendship — as told through puppetry, dance, music, projections, audience participation, kamishibai (paper theater), and more,” according to the website’s description. Tickets cost $8.
For kids on screen
Chunky’s Cinema Pub (707 Huse Road in Manchester; chunkys.com) has two special kid-friendly screenings on the horizon. On Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 11:30 a.m., catch How to Train Your Dragon (PG, 2010) as part of the Little Lunch Date Series.
On Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 11:30 a.m. Dog Man (PG, 2025) will screen on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 11:30 a.m. at a sensory-friendly screening with lights up and sound down.
Save the date
• Dartmouth Health Children’s Battle of the Badges, a hockey game featuring firefighters, police officers and first responders, will take place Sunday, March 16, at 1 p.m. at the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St. in Manchester; snhuarena.com). Presented by the Elliot Perry Foundation, the Battle of the Badges “proceeds are used to help kids with critical services such as support when they are in pediatric intensive care and management of chronic illnesses, as well as patient and family support services,” according to Dartmouth Health Children’s website, childrens.dartmouth-health.org, where you can find Battle of the Badges information under events. Tickets cost $16. Find more about the Elliot Perry Foundation at elliotperry.org.
Planning a first date, a date night with a longtime sweetheart or just a “let’s do something different” outing with a friend? Here are some ideas for places to spend time together. (Most information comes from the locations’ websites or social media pages. Call or otherwise get in touch to check on specific days before heading out.)
Dinner and a movie
Dinner and a movie is a classic outing but there are ways to give it a little extra oomph.
At Red River Theatres (11 S. Main St. in Concord; redrivertheatres.org) offers a dinner-and-a-movie package: $40 gets you two regular movie passes plus a $25 gift card to Concord restaurants Revival Kitchen & Bar, Hermanos or Dos Amigos.
At Chunky’s Cinema Pub (707 Huse Road in Manchester; chunkys.com) and Smitty’s Cinema (630 W. Main St. in Tilton; smittyscinema.com) you can order dinner while you watch your movie. Both theaters also offer non-movie-based events. Smitty’s GameLab offers arcade games and axe-throwing and the cinema hosts comedy nights — next up is a Boston Comedy Festival show on Friday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m. (tickets cost $20). At Chunky’s, offerings include Thursday night trivia weekly at 7:30 p.m.; scratch ticket (Friday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m.) and theater candy (Sunday, Feb. 23, at 1 p.m.) bingo; Feud Gone Wild (Friday, Feb. 21, at 8:30 p.m.); Paint Night (next up is Valentine’s Day paint night on Friday, Feb. 14, at 7 p.m.) and regular comedy shows (catch Frank Santorelli on Friday, Feb. 14, and Saturday, Feb. 15, at 8 p.m.).
The Flying Monkey (38 S. Main St. in Plymouth; flyingmonkeynh.com) has two movies most weeks on the February and March schedule including a G or PG movie on Wednesdays and a movie on Thursdays. On Thursday, Feb. 13, catch 2024’s Wicked at 6 p.m.; on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 6 p.m. catch The Lego Batman Movie. The Flying Monkey has a movie night dinner menu as well as a selection of beer, wine and cocktails.
At O’neil Cinemas Brickyard Square (24 Calef Highway in Epping; oneilcinemas.com) you can get a glass of chardonnay with your bucket of popcorn and enjoy a production from The Metropolitan Opera, which are broadcast live and in encore screenings to theaters including O’neil. Next up is Fidelio, Beethoven’s only opera, which is broadcast live on Saturday, March 15, at 1 p.m. (with an encore screening on Wednesday, March 19, at 1 p.m.).
Find other theaters screening the Met Opera as well as other theatrical productions, anniversary screenings of older films, concerts and more via Fathom Events. Starting with 2001’sHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone on Thursday, Feb. 13, Fathom has upcoming screenings of the first four Harry Potter films Thursday, Feb. 13, through Sunday, Feb. 16, and Thursday, Feb. 20, through Sunday, Feb. 23.
Like a movie, but live
A theatrical production checks that same box of a shared experience and a story you can discuss over drinks afterward. Some shows on the schedule in the next few weeks:
• The Community Players of Concord (communityplayersofconcord.org) will present The Gods of Comedy Friday, Feb. 14, through Sunday, Feb. 16, at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St. in Concord). Tickets cost $20, $18 for 65+.
• The Majestic Studio Theatre (880 Page St. in Manchester; majestictheatre.net) presents the Neil Simon comedy The Last of the Red Hot Lovers Friday, Feb. 14, through Sunday, Feb. 16. Tickets cost $15 to $20.
• The Nashua Theatre Guild (nashuatheatreguild.org) will present An Evening of One-Acts at the Court Street Theatre (14 Court St. in Nashua) Friday, Feb. 21, through Sunday, Feb. 23. Tickets cost $20; $18 for 65+.
• Theatre Kapow’s Every Brilliant Thing spent a weekend at the BNH Stage in Concord and is now headed for the Winnipesaukee Playhouse in Meredith Friday, Feb. 21, through Sunday. Feb. 23, where tickets cost $25 to $30. See Michael Witthaus’ story about the production on page 14 of the Feb. 6 issue of the Hippo (which you can find in the digital library at hippopress.com).
• Cue Zero Theatre (cztheatre.com) will present The Wild Party, a musical set in the 1920s, Friday, Feb. 28, through Sunday, March 2, at the Arts Academy of New Hampshire (19 Keewaydin Drive in Salem). Tickets cost $20.
• Escape to Margaritaville, a musical comedy featuring Jimmy Buffett classics, is the next multi-week theatrical production at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org), running Friday, Feb. 28, through Sunday, March 23. Tickets cost $39 through $53.
• Bedford Off Broadway (bedfordoffbroadway.com) will present the comedy Boeing Boeing on the weekends Friday, March 7, through Sunday, March 16, at the Bedford Town Hall (70 Bedford Center Road in Bedford). Tickets cost $15, $12 for seniors.
Go dancing
Whether you have been dancing together for years or you are looking to try out something new, there are several dance-related events, many of which will teach you the basics before you hit the floor in earnest.
Looking to learn how to swing dance? Henniker Brewing Co. (173 Centervale Road in Henniker; hennikerbrewing.com) will hold a Valentine’s Sip and Swing on Friday, Feb. 14, at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $30 per couple, which includes two beverages and a lesson in dancing from The Hidden Door Studio, according to a post on Henniker Brewing’s website. (Other fun at Henniker Brewing? Thursday night trivia weekly at 6 p.m. and Wednesday night weekly disc golf putting in their factory at 5:30 p.m., through March 26, as well as live music and more.)
Rockingham Ballroom (22 Ash Swamp Road in Newmarket; rockinballroom.club) will host a Valentine’s Day Dance Party with the New Legacy Swing Band on Friday, Feb. 14, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $25 in advance, $30 on the day. The evening will start with a dance lesson at 7:15 p.m. followed by the band at 8 p.m. The event is BYOB with a light menu and beverages available for purchase.
The New Hampshire Jazz Orchestra will play the Valentine’s Swing Dance on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 6 p.m. at Murphy’s Taproom & Carriage House in Bedford. Get the dance lesson at 6:30 p.m. and be ready when the band plays starting at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $33.85. See nhjazzorchestra.com/upcoming.
In March, you can head to the BNH Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com) for Swing Dance Night featuring New Hampshire Jazz Orchestra on Saturday, March 22, at 6:30 p.m. (for a dance lesson; the band starts at 7 p.m.). Tickets cost $30.75.
Paper Moon Dance Studio (33 Depot St. in Merrimack; papermoondance.com) will hold a Mardi Gras Social Dance on Saturday, March 8, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Call 943-1106 for details on this event and the studio’s other offerings.
For something a little spicier, check out the It Takes Two To Tango Workshop from Royal Palace Dance Studio (5 N. Main St. in Concord; royalpalacedance.com) on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. The cost is $45 per person and no experience is required. Royal Palace Dance Studio, which also has a Manchester location, offers private lessons and group classes in a variety of dance styles including swing, ballroom, salsa and more.
Or heat things up with salsa dancing. Bella Vita Dance Academy (Eastside Plaza, 859 Hanover St. in Manchester; bellavitadance.com) will hold its 603 Salsa & Bachata Social: Valentine’s Day Edition on Friday, Feb. 14, with a lesson at 8 p.m. and a dance from 9 p.m. to midnight. Tickets cost $20 for solo admission and $35 for a couple, plus fees.
Feeling a little bit country? Most Sunday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. 603 Line Dance (603linedance.com) brings country line dancing, with a lesson, to Bonfire (950 Elm St. in Manchester; bonfiremanch.com).
603 Line Dance also brings line dancing to The Goat (50 Old Granite St. in Manchester; goatnh.com/manchester/calendar) on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7 to 10 p.m.
603 Line Dance will also bring country to the Lakeport Opera House (781 Union Ave. in Laconia; lakeportopera.com) for Cozy & Country Line Dance Night on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15.
Line Dance with Ginger has Saturday socials slated for Feb. 22, March 1 and March 22 at the Old Town Hall in Bedford at 7 p.m. The cost is $10 and includes a quick lesson. See linedancemax.com.
Country fans can also head to the Freddie and the Freeloaders Country Band and 603 Line Dance on Saturday, March 8, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15 and include line dance lessons, which will kick off the evening with Kim Carpentino from 603 Line Dance, followed by guided line dancing during band breaks, according to the Rockingham Ballroom website, where you can find other upcoming country line dance events.
Or check out one of the many DJed dance parties on a theme on the schedule at area venues. Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St. in Nashua; nashuacenterforthearts.com) will host a Gimme Gimme Disco ABBA-themed disco dance party on Friday, Feb. 28, at 8 p.m.; tickets cost $21 to $24, plus fees. The Lakeport Opera House in Laconia will host a Taylor Swift Inspired Dance Party on Saturday, March 1, at 7:30 p.m.; tickets cost $20.
Get physical
Dance isn’t the only active outing idea.
Remix Skate & Event Center (725 Huse Road in Manchester; skateremix.com) offers another way to enjoy music and movement. The all-ages Friday Night Roller Remix runs from 8 to 11 p.m.; the cost is $20 for a two-hour skate, $30 for a three-hour skate. On Saturday, Feb. 15, from 9 to 11:30 p.m. it’s Heartbreak Night: Music of Taylor & Friends for 18+; tickets cost $20. On Saturday, Feb. 22, from 9 to 11:30 p.m. it’s Laraland Roller Disco Presents: Millennial Mixtape with DJ Diedre Dagata; event is $20, 18+. On Saturday, March 1, from 9 to 11: 30 p.m., it’s March into the ’90s with Shawn Caliber & DJ Myth; the event costs $20 per person and is 18+.
More fun on skates? The Everett Arena in Concord (15 Loudon Road) has public ice skating Sundays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with $6 admission, $6 skate rentals. See concordnh.gov or find the arena on Facebook. Public ice skating at the JFK Memorial Coliseum (303 Beech St. in Manchester) is available most Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., as well as some Monday and Wednesday mornings, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m., all through the end of March. See the schedule at manchesternh.gov. Skate rentals cost $5.
Another new challenge you could try together: Indoor climbing. NH Climbing & Fitness (10 Langdon Ave. in Concord; nhclimbinggym.com) offers a trial package for beginners for $50 which includes an introduction to climbing class, rentals and more. Vertical Dreams (250 Commercial St., Manchester, 625-6919, 25 E. Otterson St., Nashua, 943-7571; verticaldreams. com) offers a beginner lesson package for $40. See the websites for hours and additional information.
SkyVenture New Hampshire (100 Adventure Way in Nashua; skyventurenh.com) also offers rock climbing ($20 per person) as well as indoor skydiving, surfing and fishpipe. The “Surf, Pipe, Fly & Climb” package costs $130, and you can inquire about individual activities.
Or, just break stuff together. Rage Cage NH (37 E. Hollis St. in Nashua; ragecagenh.com) offers a two-person smash room for one hour for $120 ($60 per person). Or book a Glow Paint Splatter Experience (with a canvas that’s yours to keep) for $25 per person. Or do both for $80 per person.
The Break Room (843 Hanover St. in Manchester; thebreakroomnh.com) offers 10-minute (Lunch Break, $25 per person), 20-minute (Case of the Mondays, $40 per person) and 30-minute (Rage Quit, $50 per person) breaking sessions.
Fun and games
Enjoy a challenge together with dates that focus on a game or puzzle.
At a brewery, bar or restaurant somewhere there is trivia most nights of the week. Make it a multi-couple date (teams seem to consist of between four and eight players), join another team or compete as a team of two, depending on the rules of each location. Find a listing of trivia nights most weeks in our Nite section.
Or play a game with just your partner. Escape rooms provide puzzles usually based on a theme — Heist of the Moon Diamond, for example, at 102 Escape in Londonderry — and are booked usually for about an hour. Check the websites of the escape rooms for booking procedures. Area escape rooms include:
• 102 Escape 123 Nashua Road, Unit 32, in Londonderry; 102escape.com
• Break Free Escape Games 10 Main St. in Nashua; breakfreeescapegames.com
• Escape Room Concord 240 Airport Road in Concord; escaperoomconcordnh.com
• Granite State Escape 795 Elm St. in Manchester; escapenh.com
• Key To Escape 3 Bud Way, Unit 21, in Nashua; keytoescape.com
• LOK’d! Room Escape 1500 S. Willow St. in Manchester; lokdrocks.com
Compete one-on-one at Boards & Brews (941 Elm St. in Manchester; boardsandbrewsnh.com), where you can choose from their more than 2,000 games (reserve a table for $5 per person) and order from their menu, which includes starters, salads and sandwiches, entrees and desserts.
Or try bowling. Boutwell’s Bowling Center (152 N. State St., Concord; boutwellsbowl.com) is open Sundays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Mondays 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursdays 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
King Bowling Lanes (751 Mast Road, Manchester; kinglanes.com) is open for public bowling Sunday, 1 to 6 p.m.; Monday, 3 to 9 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 1 to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 1 to 10 p.m.
Lakeside Lanes (2171 Candia Road in Manchester; lakesidelanes.com) has open bowling Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.; Monday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday, noon to 10 p.m.
Leda Lanes (340 Amherst St., Nashua, ledalanes.com) is open Monday, noon to 10 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Thursday, noon to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Merrimack Ten Pin (698 DW Highway in Merrimack, merrimacktenpin.com), which also has an arcade, opens every day at 10 a.m. See the website for the breakdown of hours, cost and lane availability.
Strikers East Bowling Center & Function Room (4 Essex Drive in Raymond, strikerseast.com), which also has an arcade with 20+ games, is open to public bowling Tuesdays 5 to 9 p.m.; Wednesdays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays 5 to 9 p.m.; Friday, 2 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Yankee Lanes (216 Maple St. in Manchester; yankeelanesentertainment.com) is open Sundays from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Mondays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to midnight.
Or throw an axe. These area axe-throwing locations, as well as Block Party Social, whose offerings include axe-throwing, offer food and drinks so you can make a night of it. Axe Play (142 Lowell Road in Nashua; axe-play.com) is open Monday from 4 to 9 p.m.; Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m.; Friday from 4 to 10 p.m.; Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m.
Axl’s Throw House (4 Bud Way in Nashua; axelsthrowhouse.com) is open Wednesday and Thursday at 5 p.m. (until 9 and 9:30 p.m., respectively); Friday from 4 to 11 p.m.; Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. Axl’s also hosts Thursday night karaoke and occasional comedy shows.
Block Party Social (51 Zapora Drive in Hooksett; blockpartysocial.com) offers axe-throwing as one of its attractions, which include arcade games, laser tag, rope course and zip line, cornhole and billiards, Krazy Darts and climbing walls.
Par 28 (23 South Broadway in Salem; par28.com) offers axe-throwing as well as indoor golf simulators and is open Monday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Thursday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
RelAxe Throwing (157 Gay St. in Manchester, relaxethrowing.com), which also offers splatter paint, is offering Valentine’s specials for prebooked axe-throwing time (one hour for two people is $40) or splatter paint time (one hour of splatter paint for two people is $35 or $45, depending on the paint) or both ($75 to $85 for two people) or axe-throwing and knife throwing (two people, one hour, $65).
The Rugged Axe (377 S. Willow St. in Manchester, theruggedaxe.com) offers 20 percent off for February Thursday theme nights booked in advance including for Galentine’s Day (Feb. 13), Date Night (Feb. 20) and National Kahlua Day (Feb. 27).
Cheap dates
You can have a good time without breaking the bank. Here are a few date ideas that are free (or, you know, with transportation and perhaps a pre- or post-date meal, have a free element).
The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St. in Manchester; currier.org) offers free admission for New Hampshire residents on the second Saturday of each month. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Extend the date by using that money you’ve saved to eat at the museum’s Winter Garden Cafe, which is open Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The museum is also kicking off a new “Art off the Walls” evening event series on the third Thursday of each month, starting with Thursday, Feb. 20, from 5 to 8 p.m. when admission is free, the band Pickleback Jack will perform and gallerist Bill Stelling will discuss the 1980s New York City art world, inspired by the Jean-Michel Basquiat and Ouattara Watts exhibit, according to the museum’s Facebook page.
First Fridays also offer a good walk-around outing without a specific admission charge. The Center for the Arts in New London hosts that town’s First Friday Gallery Stroll — the next event is slated for Friday, March 7, which will feature a program at the Tracy Memorial Library from 6:30 to 8 p.m. called “Fierce Females: Women in Art.” See centerfortheartsnh.org.
When the warm weather returns so will Intown Concord’s “First Fridays” events, which usually feature a seasonal theme, stores open until 8 p.m. and food trucks. The first First Friday is slated for Friday, May 2. See intownconcord.org.
Get classical music concerts for free via local community music schools that offer regular programming open to the public.
At the Manchester Community Music School (2291 Elm St. in Manchester; mcmusicschool.org), you can attend faculty performances for free with preregistration. On Thursday, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m., see “The Flute: At Play.”
Concord Community Music School (23 Wall St. in Concord; ccmusicschool.org) offers a Bach’s Lunch series on some Thursdays from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. Next up, “Love Heals” on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 12:10 with the Hodes Family and Kent Allyn, and “Making Magic with Ken Burns” on Thursday, Feb. 20, featuring pianist Jaqueline Schwab, who has played in Burns’ documentaries.
Walker Lectures, some of which include musical performances, are free at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St. in Concord; theaudi.org). Up next is “A Walk for Sunshine: Lessons from the Appalachian Trail with Jeff Alt” on Wednesday, March 12, at 7:30 p.m. The NH Ukeladies will perform at a Walker Lecture on Wednesday, April 2, at 7:30 p.m. See walkerlecture.org.
The William H. Gile Community Concert Series presents free musical performances via the Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com). Next up is Yes Indeed! featuring Metta Quintet plus special guests “celebrating the great American blues tradition,” according to the website, where you can reserve seats for the event.
Make stuff
In addition to looking at art together, you can also make art together.
You’re Fired, which has locations in Bedford (25 S. River Road), Concord (133 London Road) and Salem (264 North Broadway; all at yourefirednh.com), is a walk-in studio where you can pick from a wide selection of ceramic items to paint.
At The Canvas Roadshow (25 S. River Road in Bedford; thecanvasroadshow.com), pick a project from the calendar — upcoming events with openings as of last week include Resin Art Ocean Wave on Saturday, Feb. 15, 6 p.m. and 3D Liquid Glass Art on Friday, Feb. 21, at 6:30 p.m. with prices varying based on project. (For example, a Cozy Knit Blanket project on Tuesday, March 4, at 6:30 p.m. costs $85.)
Studio 550 Art Center (550 Elm St. in Manchester; 550arts.com) offers one-day workshops including Date Night in the Pottery Studio, a “one-hour crash course on the pottery wheel” where each person gets a pottery wheel and can make a creation. The cost is $35 per person. About one date night is offered per month; the next one up is Saturday, March 29, at 6 p.m.
Art Alley Cats (46 N. Main St. in Concord; artalleycats.com) offers a variety of weekly and month events and workshops, including its own First Friday Art Market (at DIY Craft and Thrift, also at 46 N. Main St. from 4 to 8 p.m.). Weekly events include Let’s Get Sketchy Fridays from 6 to 8 p.m., when you can drop in and learn basic drawing skills, and Watercolor Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. that include guided watercolor tutorials. Both have a suggested donation of $15 per person.
Creative Ventures Gallery (411 Nashua St. in Milford; creativeventuresfineart.com) offers one-day workshops such as “Springtime Quilling Workshop” on Saturday, March 8, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. ($35 per person).
Make food
Or make and explore food together.
LaBelle Winery offers craft-, art- and food-related events at both its Amherst (345 Route 101) and Derry (14 Route 111) locations (see labellewinery.com). Upcoming food events that aren’t yet labeled as sold out include Decorate Focaccia Bread in Amherst on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 6 p.m. ($50 per person) and Wine Blending in Derry on Wednesday, March 5, at 6 p.m. ($40 per person).
Vine 32 Wine & Graze Bar (25 S. River Road in Bedford; vinethirtytwo.com) offers wine and also charcuterie board workshops. On Thursday, Feb. 13, for example, a Galentine’s Day Charcuterie Workshop will allow you to construct a board of meats and cheeses and more (with a wooden board to take home) and let you build your own bouquet at a flower bar; the cost is $103.22.
The Culinary Playground (16 Manning St. in Derry; culinary-playground.com) has a line-up of Date Night Couples Cooking classes for $165 per couple, BYOB. Upcoming classes include Vegetarian Dining with classes at 6:30 p.m. on April 4 & 5 and April 11 & 12 and Cinco De Mayo with classes at 6:30 p.m. on May 2 & 3 and May 9 & 10. See the menus on the website.
At Dancing Lion Chocolate (917 Elm St. in Manchester; dancinglion.us), classes focus on chocolate and croissants. A Thursday, May 8, hands-on class teaching croissant-making costs $135 per person and you can take home what you make. The “Down & Dirty Truffles” class on Thursday, June 12, will include making chocolate ganache, tempering chocolate and making truffles, according to the website ($135 per person).
Enjoy music together
Though you probably won’t be heading to a big concert for a first date, ticketed shows — which we list every week in our Concert listings — make a good treat for a friend or longtime significant other whose musical taste you are acquainted with. For example, Ladysmith Black Mambazo will play the Dana Center at Saint Anselm College in Manchester (tickets.anselm.edu) on Friday, Feb. 14, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $45.
At the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St. in Derry; tupelomusichall.com) you’ll find a menu of flatbreads, sandwiches, snacks, desserts and more as well as the line up of music and comedy. On Thursday, Feb. 13, at 8 p.m. catch Dueling Pianos (tickets cost $22). Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Catch an up-and-comer in the local and regional music scene at the smaller venues in the area. Michael Witthaus looked at a few in the Jan. 16 issue of the Hippo (which you can find in our digital library at hippopress.com; see page 10). For example, catch Low Lily, a Vermont-based American roots band, on Sunday, March 2, at 6 p.m. at the Andres Institute of Art in Brookline (andresinstitute.org).
Enjoy music and a local beer or music and a meal with the gigs listed in our Music This Week, which runs each week in our Nite section. Here you can find performances at area bars, breweries and restaurants — as well as upcoming karaoke nights, another date idea for the musically inclined.
Laugh
As with music, comedy offers you the opportunity to go big, keep it casual or fall somewhere in between with your outing.
Get weekly laughs at spots like Strange Brew Tavern (88 Market St. in Manchester; strangebrewtavern.net), which holds its weekly Laugh Attic comedy open mic every Thursday at 9 p.m., and at Shaskeen (909 Elm St. in Manchester), which hosts Ruby Room Comedy every Wednesday at 9 p.m. — next up is Alex Giampapa with Casey Watson and Avery Quinn on Feb. 19.
Or check out Headliners’ line-up of comedy most weekends at Chunky’s in Manchester (chunkys.com) as well as at Headliners Comedy Club at DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown, where next up is Kyle Crawford on Friday, Feb. 14, and Saturday, Feb. 15, at 8:30 p.m. (tickets cost $20 plus fees), and other locations around the state. See headlinersnh.com for the schedule and to purchase tickets.
Many Fridays you can also find comedy at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org). The upcoming schedule includes New York Comedy Night on Friday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m. with Tom Daddario and Chris Roach (tickets cost $39).
The Tupelo Music Hall in Derry (tupelomusichall.com) also offers a monthly Tupelo Night of Comedy — next up on Friday, Feb. 14, at 8 p.m. featuring Harrison Stebbins, JJ Jones and Andrea Henry (tickets cost $25).
Find these and other comedy shows, including nationally touring comedians like Nikki Glaser (Wednesday, March 26, at 7 p.m. at the Cap Center in Concord) and Sebastian Maniscalco (Thursday, March 6, at 7:30 p.m. at the SNHU Arena, 555 Elm St. in Manchester; snhuarena.com) in our Comedy This Week listings, which run each week in the Nite section.
Learn how to hand-sew a small notepad in the traditional Japanese Stab Binding style and personalize it with assorted papers and embellishments in a class by paper artist Mindy Mitrano tonight at the Nashua Public Library (2 Court St., Nashua, 589-4600, nashualibrary.org). Space is limited. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. This class is open to adults 18+.
Friday, Feb. 14
Legendary South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo will perform at the Dana Center (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, anselm.edu) tonight at 7:30 p.m. This a cappella vocal group has embodied the intricate rhythms and harmonies of their native South African musical traditions and has continued to engage global audiences for over 60 years while garnering five Grammy Awards and 19 nominations. Tickets cost $45.
Friday, Feb. 14
Symphony NH will perform Illuminated Ensembles: HeartStrings – A Night at the Regency Ball, featuring musical highlights made famous by Bridgerton, at the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com), tonight at 7:30 p.m., with a pre-show reception at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $37 through the Capitol Center website.
Friday, Feb. 14
Brandy Wells, aka “The Breakthrough Medium,” will take the stage at Chunky’s Cinema Pub (707 Huse Road, Manchester, 206-3888, chunkys.com) tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30.
Saturday, Feb. 15
Humorist and state treasure Rebecca Rule will present a book talk and signing about her new book, New Hampshire Trivia and More: Facts and Fancy, at the New Hampshire Historical Society (30 Park St., Concord, 228-6688, nhhistory.org) this afternoon at 2 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 17
The Community Players of Concord (435 Josiah Bartlett Road, Concord, 224-4905, communityplayersofconcord.org) will hold auditions for their upcoming May production of Thornton Wilder’s Our Towntonight and tomorrow night, Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 6:30 p.m. Auditions will consist of readings from the script (sides will be available at auditions). For questions about auditions contact Cindy Dickinson at [email protected] or call 924-1925.
Tuesday, Feb. 18
Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St., Concord, 224-0562, gibsonsbookstore.com) will host a panel discussion by horror authors and book signing this evening at 6:30 p.m. Horror Authors Eric LaRocca (At Dark I Become Loathsome), Clay McLeod Chapman (Wake Up and Open Your Eyes), EK Sathue (youthjuice) and Dennis Mahoney (Our Winter Monster) will appear as part of their whirlwind New England Tour to chat all things spooky. This event is free and open to the public.
Save the Date! Friday, March 14 After you watch the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, use that knowledge at Red River Theatres’ Oscar After Party Trivia Night on Friday, March, 14 at 5:30 p.m. at Pembroke Pines Country Club (45A Whittemore Road in Pembroke). Tickets cost $125 per person and include dinner, trivia and two movie passes to a future screening at Red River Theatres in Concord. The evening will also feature a silent auction and funds raised from the event support Red River Theatres. See redrivertheatres.org/2025oscarafterparty.
Brigid the Terrier has been tapped to compete at the most prestigious dog show in America. As reported in a Feb. 6 online article by Manchester Ink Link, Brigid, whose formal name is Kilkenny’s Smiling Face, was scheduled to compete at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden on Feb.11. The Manchester Glen of Imaal Terrier was judged on how well she conforms to breed standards, racing a 100-yard dash, and performing tricks to accumulate points toward winning the competition for Best in Breed, and — hopefully — Best in Show.
QOL score: +1
Comment: Brigid has been competing since she was 6 months old, and carries the distinction CGCA, which stands for the title of Good Ganine Citizen, Advanced, the article said.
You could be at home taking a nap
In a recent study of how workers use their available Personal Time Off, New Hampshire workers were rated eighth in the nation for not using all the time off they were entitled to last year. In a survey by internet gaming company Solitaried.com, New Hampshire workers left an average of 4.18 days unused in 2024, and 55 percent of them didn’t use all their personal time off.
QOL score: -1
Comment: Workers in Maryland, Massachusetts and Hawaii had the most unused vacation time in 2024, while Kansas, Missouri and Michigan workers had the least. See the complete survey results at solitaired.com/where-americans-left-the-most-pto-unused.
Too much lead
As reported by WMUR in a Feb. 4 online article, “A new report shows that the number of children in New Hampshire with elevated levels of lead in their blood is creeping up to the highest point since 2019.” The study examined lead exposure in children 5 years of age and under. It found more than 1,100 young children with lead levels high enough to meet the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s standards to recommend quick action to find and remove the source of any lead in the children’s environment.
QOL score: -2
Comment: According to the WMUR article, “Health experts said the numbers are higher because more children are being tested…. Nationwide, the biggest source of lead exposure is old paint. Health officials said New Hampshire homes are at an especially high risk because more than half the homes statewide were built before 1980, around the same time lead paint was banned in the United States.”
The end of an era
WMUR reported on Feb. 4 that the Portsmouth Police Department has retired its last Crown Victoria. For decades, the “Crown Vic” was the car of choice for police departments across North America, until production was slashed, beginning in 2006. Portsmouth’s last Crown Vic has been donated to the “Crown Victoria Museum, a nonprofit organization near San Francisco that showcases police cars from across the country,” according to WMUR.
QOL score: +1, for contributing to history
Comment: According to the WMUR story, “Portsmouth’s Cruiser 18 will be displayed with its original markings and emergency equipment.”
QOL score last week: 54
Net change: -1
QOL this week: 53
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