Author: The Hippo Press

Movie Night

Movies in the Park returns to Manchester starting this Friday, Aug. 7, at 8:15 p.m. in Veterans Memorial Park featuring The Wild Robot(PG, 2024), according to a post on the Manchester Parks & Recreation Facebook page. The next movie will be Zootopia (PG, 2016) on Friday, Aug. 21, also in Veterans Park at 8:15 p.m., the post said. Two movies will then be screened in Derryfield Park: on Friday, Sept. 18, at 8:15 p.m. catch Inside Out 2 (PG, 2024) and on Friday, Oct. 16, at 8:15 p.m. catch Hocus Pocus 2 (PG, 2022), the post said. BYO chairs, blankets and snacks, the post said.

Walk the Millyard

The Manchester Historic Association will host a Millyard Walking Tour on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 11 a.m. “exploring the history of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company and the district it built,” according to an Association press release. “There’s so much history packed into this stretch of the city — from the origins of the canals to the effects of the great 1936 flood and even the outbreak of anthrax in the ARMS textile mill,” Jeff Barraclough, MHA Executive Director, said in the statement. “The 90-minute, mile-long tour examines the Millyard’s rise, decline, and rebirth following the bankruptcy of Amoskeag, while also exploring the Merrimack River, the Amoskeag Falls, and the history of individual mill buildings,” the release said. The cost is $20; register at manchesterhistoric.org.

Franco Fest

The Franco-American Centre will hold its inaugural Franco Fest on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St. in Concord, according to facnh.com/franco-fest, where you can purchase tickets. “This vibrant, family-friendly festival brings together music, food, art, culture, and community for a day of discovery and celebration. … Spend the day exploring artisan vendors, savoring delicious international cuisine, enjoying live entertainment, discovering cultural exhibits, and connecting with community organizations that celebrate the many cultures of the International Francophonie,” according to the website, which listed singer-songwriter Josée Vachon as slated to perform.

Green city

The Manchester Parks and Recreation department will hold “Growing a Greener Manchester” on Friday, Aug. 21, from 3 to 6 p.m., at Sweeney Park on South Main Street in Manchester, according to a post on the department’s Facebook page. “Come out to the park and enjoy family-friendly activities, meet local partners, and learn how you can get a free tree planted in your neighborhood or on your private property,” the post said. The event will feature community tree planting, free saplings, “Growing a Greener Manchester” grant updates and free ice cream, the post said.

Catch Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (PG-13, 2003) on Friday, Aug. 7, at 8 p.m. in Eagle Square in downtown Concord at a free outdoor screening, according to a post at Red River Theatres’ Facebook page. The screening is part of the First Friday events in the downtown. See firstfridayconcord.com.

Seth Meyers returns to New Hampshire to perform Friday, Aug. 7, at 6 p.m. at the SNHU Arena, 555 Elm St. in Manchester, in a show that benefits CASA and Granite State Children’s Alliance, according to snhuarena.com, where you can purchase tickets.

Learn to grow garlic on Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Educational Farm at Joppa Hill in Bedford. The cost is $25. See jhef.org/event/growing-garlic.

Tours and scavenger hunts from the Nashua Historical Society will take place Sunday, Aug. 9, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Abbot-Spalding House, 1 Nashville St., and the Florence H. Speare Memorial Museum, 5 Abbot St., both in Nashua. according to a press release. The Abbot-Spalding House is a “Federal revival-style house Museum [that] has previously served as the home to a succession of prominent Nashua citizens including Daniel Abbot, the father of Nashua. A special 1940s era collection will be on display,” the press release said. See nashuahistoricalsociety.org.

Blood need

There is an immediate need for blood donors, according to a July 27 press release from the American Red Cross Northern New England region. “For only the second time in history, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis — and patients may already be feeling the impact. Donors are asked to act immediately to help save lives,” the release said. “Blood donations have fallen to a four-year summer low, worsening this season’s emergency blood shortage. All blood types are needed, but the situation is especially dire for type O blood as the Red Cross is now limiting distributions of these blood products to hospitals. The supply of type O positive blood has now dropped below a one-day supply,” the release said. To donate, see redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Those who donate by July 31 will receive a Fandango Movie Ticket via email that will pay for up to $15 ticket price and fees, the release said. Those who give in August will receive an emailed $20 Amazon Gift Card, the release said.

101 objects in 130 years

The Manchester Historic Association will celebrate its 130th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the Millyard Museum with the release of a new book, 101 Objects: Celebrating 130 Years of Collecting, Preserving and Sharing Manchester’s History, according to an MHA press release. “I think readers will learn new things about Manchester’s history and be fascinated by some of the interesting things that the MHA has collected in its 130-year history, ”said Jeff Barraclough, MHA Executive Director, in the release. “Some of these objects include artwork by prominent Manchester artists and furniture owned by the family of John Stark — the Revolutionary War figure who grew up in what was then Derryfield — as well as everyday items like a hotel key tag and a container for ground beef from a Manchester business,” the release said. A book launch will be held on Thursday, Aug. 13, at 5:30 p.m.; the book is available to purchase at the museum, 200 Bedford St. in Manchester, and at the Association’s Research Center for $60, the release said. See manchesterhistoric.org.

Senior ed

Rivier Institute for Senior Education will hold a Fall Information Session on Friday, Aug. 14, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Rivier University’s Dion Center, 16 Clement St. in Nashua, according to a press release. “RISE offers a variety of courses for individuals aged 55+…. Fall 2026 classes are offered on-campus, at off-campus locations, and online. Courses span a range of topics including literature, history, writing, technology, art history, personal enrichment, science, health, exercise, music, and more. There are no grades, no tests, and no credit for courses taken,” the release said. See rivier.edu/academics/rise. Registration for the fall semester runs Aug. 17 through Aug. 28, the release said.

Be not afraid

Queerlective will hold its annual Not Afraid to Fail Fest, described as a “benefit and variety show” which “brings together first-time performers, emerging artists, and community members willing to step outside their comfort zones,” on Sunday, Oct. 11, at 1 p.m. at BNH Stage in Concord, according to a press release and queerlective.com, where you can find a link to apply to perform (stand-up comedy, poetry, storytelling, music, drag and more). Performances usually run 3 to 10 minutes, and no experience is necessary, the website said. Tickets cost $27 in advance, $30 at the door at ccanh.com.

You can also find an open mic on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at the BNH Stage in Concord at 6:30 p.m. (for signups, music starts at 7 p.m.) when Andrew North & the Rangers present Highway to the Rangerzone, an open mic show where they will be your backing band if desired. See ccanh.com.

Musicians, poets and storytellers are all welcome to perform at the open mic with the Contookuleles on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hopkinton Town Library, 61 Houston Drive in Contoocook, in the Community Room, according to a post on the library’s Facebook page. Signups begin at 5:45 p.m.

There will be a comprehensive free coffee tasting with the specialty coffee team from Critical Mass Cafe at Bookery, 844 Elm St., Manchester, on Friday, July 31, from 4:15 to 5 p.m. See bookerymht.com.