Category: Art & Theater

The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities

• Open studios: Art Up Front Street Studios & Gallery (120 Front St., Exeter), an artists’ collective consisting of eight working artist studios, will host its Spring Open Studios event on Saturday, May 7, and Sunday, May 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., each day. Browse a variety of small and large art pieces, prints and originals, handcrafted jewelry, assemblages, cards, metal sculpture, industrial quilts and more. There will also be live music, free drawings and light refreshments. Call 418-6286 or visit artupfrontstreet.com.

• Art raffle: Tickets are on sale now for the Currier Museum of Art’s 2022 signature raffle. The winner will receive an art piece from Roberto Lugo, a Philadelphia-based potter, painter, social activist, spoken word poet and educator. Lugo’s pottery, which was featured in a special exhibit at the Manchester museum last summer, reimagines traditional forms and techniques with inspiration from urban graffiti and hip-hop culture. Tickets cost $100 each. The drawing will be done on Saturday, May 14. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.

• Veteran reflections: The Wright Museum of World War II (77 Center St., Wolfeboro) will host a lecture and book signing with author Andrew Biggio on Tuesday, May 10, from 7 to 8 p.m. In his book The Rifle, Biggio chronicles his journey as a 28-year-old U.S. Marine who, after returning home from combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, set out to document the stories of surviving World War II veterans. Seating is limited, and reservations are required. Admission costs $5 for museum members and $10 for non-members. Call 569-1212 or visit wrightmuseum.org.

• Spy music: Symphony New Hampshire presents a concert, “The Music of James Bond,” at the Keefe Center for the Arts (117 Elm St., Nashua) on Saturday, May 7, from 7:30 to 8:50 p.m., featuring music from five decades of James Bond films by iconic songwriters like Shirley Bassey, Paul McCartney, Carly Simon and Adele. The performance will begin with “Themes from 007, a Medley for Orchestra,” which includes the themes “Goldfinger,” “You Only Live Twice,” “For Your Eyes Only” and “From Russia with Love,” followed by themes from other spy film favorites, including Mission Impossible, The Pink Panther and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Tickets cost $20 to $60 for adults and $18 to $55 for seniors age 65 and up. Children are admitted for free with a paying adult. Visit symphonynh.org or call 595-9156 for more information.

Last Gas
The Community Players of Concord present Last Gas at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St., Concord) on Friday, May 6, and Saturday, May 7, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, May 8, at 2 p.m. A Red Sox-loving dad and convenience store manager must make a choice when he gets a chance to rekindle a romance with an old flame. Tickets cost $18 for adults, $16 for youth ages 17 and under and $16 for seniors age 65 and up. Visit communityplayersofconcord.org or call 224-4905.

• “The worst play ever written:” There’s still time to catch a performance of The Producers at The Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester). The musical comedy, based on the 1967 Mel Brooks movie of the same name, runs through May 15, with showtimes on Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at noon. Tickets range from $39 to $46. Call 668-5588 or visit palacetheatre.org.

• Multimedia exhibit: Two Villages Art Society (Bates Building, 846 Main St., Contoocook) has an exhibition, “Echoes & Reflections: From Abstract Painting to Modern Quilting and Beyond,” on view now through May 14. It features the works of four painters, four quilters, four poets and two musicians. Visitors can listen to the poems and music, with comments from the artists, by scanning QR codes with a smartphone. “This blend of artistic mediums is something we haven’t tried before,” exhibit curator Rick Lugg said in a press release. “We hope this will enhance the exhibit and highlight the connections and resonances among these works.” Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, from noon to 4 p.m. Visit twovillagesart.org or call 413-210-4372.

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ART

Fairs and markets

• CRAFTSMEN’S FAIR The annual nine-day outdoor craft fair hosted by the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen features hundreds of craftspeople with vendor booths, plus special craft exhibitions, demonstrations, hands-on workshops and more. Sat., Aug. 6 through Sun., Aug. 14. Mount Sunapee Resort, 1398 Route 103, Newbury. Call 224-3375 or visit nhcrafts.org for more information.

• CONCORD ARTS MARKET The juried outdoor artisan and fine art market runs one Saturday a month, June through October, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Market dates are June 11, July 30, Aug. 20, Sept. 17 and Oct. 15. Rollins Park, 33 Bow St., Concord. concordartsmarket.net. The first market will be held on Saturday, June 11. Visit concordartsmarket.net/summer-arts-market.html for more information.

Special events

• SPRING OPEN STUDIOS Art Up Front Street Studios & Gallery, 120 Front St., Exeter. The artists’ collective features seven working artist studios. Sat., May 7, and Sun., May 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 418-6286 or visit artupfrontstreet.com for more information.

Workshops and classes

• “BLACKSMITHING BASICS” Beginner level workshop. Sanborn Mills Farm(7097 Sanborn Road, Loudon). Fri., May 20, through Sun., May 22, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The cost is $375. Call 435-7314 or visit sanbornmills.org for more information.

• “INTRO TO 3D PRINTING” Port City Makerspace (68 Morning St., Portsmouth). Wed., June 8, from 6 to 9 p.m. The cost is $25 for members of the makerspace and $45 for nonmembers. Call 373-1002 or visit portcitymakerspace.com for more information.

• ART CLASSES Art classes for teens and adults, including Pottery, Stained Glass, Intermediate Watercolor and Clay Hand Building. Studio 550 Art Center (550 Elm St., Manchester). Five-week sessions. Classes met for two hours a week. Call 232-5597 or visit 550arts.com for the full schedule and cost details.

• DRAWING & PAINTING CLASSES Art House Studios, 66 Hanover St., Suite 202, Manchester. Classes include Drawing Fundamentals, Painting in Acrylic, Drawing: Observation to Abstraction, Exploring Mixed Media, and Figure Drawing. Class sizes are limited to six students. Visit arthousestudios.org or email arthousejb@gmail.comfor more information.

• GENERAL ART CLASSES Weekly art classes offered for both kids and adults of all skill levels and cover a variety of two-dimensional media, including drawing and painting with pastel, acrylic, watercolor and oils. Classes are held with small groups of three to eight to five students. Diane Crespo Fine Art Gallery (32 Hanover St., Manchester). Kids classes, open to ages 10 and up, are held on Thursdays and Fridays, from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m. Adult classes are held on Thursdays, from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Tuition is pay-as-you-go at $20 per student per class, due upon arrival. Call 493-1677 or visit dianecrespofineart.com for availability.

THEATRE

Shows

• THE PRODUCERS A mainstage production of the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester). Now through May 15, with showtimes on Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at noon. Tickets cost $39 to $46. Call 668-5588 or visit palacetheatre.org.

• AN INSPECTOR CALLS Presented by New Hampshire Theatre Project. West End Studio Theatre (959 Islington St., Portsmouth). May 6 through May 22, with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $30 ($33.26 with fees) for general admission, $26 ($29 with fees) for seniors, students and veterans and must be purchased in advance. Masks are required in the theater. Visit nhtheatreproject.org or call 431-6644.

• THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG Presented by the Manchester Community Theatre Players. Manchester Community Theatre Players Theatre, located at the North End Montessori School (698 Beech St., Manchester). Showtimes on Fri., May 13 and May 20, and Sat., May 14 and May 21, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $20 and must be purchased in advance. Masks and proof of vaccination are required to enter the theater. Visit manchestercommunitytheatre.com or call 327-6777.

• CHILDREN OF THE GRIM Presented by Bitter Pill. Players’ Ring Theatre (105 Marcy St., Portsmouth). May 13 through June 5, with showtimes on Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets cost $28 for adults and $25 for seniors age 65 and up and students. Masks and proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test are required. Visit playersring.org or call 436-8123.

• THE BALD SOPRANO Produced by the Community Players of Concord. The Hatbox Theatre (located inside the Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord). Fri., June 17 through Sun., June 26. Showtimes are on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $22 for adults, $19 for students, seniors and members and $16 for senior members. Visit hatboxnh.com or call 715-2315 for more information.

• TRUE TALES LIVE Portsmouth-based storytelling showcase. Monthly, last Tuesday (no shows in July and August), from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Shows will be held in person (Portsmouth Public Media TV Studio, 280 Marcy St., Portsmouth) starting in April, and returning to the Zoom format for the winter, starting in November. Each month’s showcase is centered around a different theme. The series is free and open to all who want to watch or participate as a storyteller. Pre-registration for attendees is required for Zoom shows but not required for in-person shows. Visit truetaleslivenh.org and email info@truetaleslive.org if you’re interested in being a storyteller.

The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities

• Wizard spoof: Cue Zero Theatre Co. presents Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic at Granite State Arts Academy (19 Keewaydin Drive, No. 4, Salem), with showtimes on Friday, April 29, and Sunday, May 1, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, May 1, at 2 p.m. The show is a parody about a certain wizarding school. “It’s a familiar story with a unique twist,” actor Anna Mae told the Hippo earlier this month. “While new stories are always fun, it’s nice to sometimes return to what is familiar and find appreciation for it in new ways. People will recognize many of the major plot points, and I think they’ll really enjoy seeing it from this new perspective.” Tickets cost $15 ($16.25 with online fees). Masks and proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test taken within three days of the performance are required for admittance. The show is also available to livestream for $15. Visit cztheatre.com or email cztheatre@gmail.com.

Dreamcatcher workshop
Head to Canterbury Shaker Village (288 Shaker Road, Canterbury) for a Make Your Own Dreamcatcher workshop on Saturday, April 30, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Native American artist Lenny Novak will instruct the workshop and discuss the history, meaning, stories and lore of dreamcatchers before teaching participants how to create them in the Ojibway web tradition using natural wood hoops, webbing, beads and feathers. The cost is $25 for Village members and $40 for non-members. Registration is required. All materials will be provided. Call 783-9511 or visit shakers.org.

• ’60s gala: Get your tickets now for the Currier Museum of Art’s (150 Ash St., Manchester) Gala Celebration, happening on Saturday, May 14, from 6 to 10 p.m. The event will include live music, gourmet food, a sponsored cocktail hour, live auction and fundraising program, all inspired by the museum’s current special exhibition, “Warhol Screen Tests.” In the mid-1960s, American multimedia artist Andy Warhol had shot more than 400 short, silent, black-and-white films of his friends at his studio in New York City. He referred to the films, which were unscripted and played in slow motion, as “film portraits” or “stillies.” The exhibition, which is on display now through July 3, features 20 of those films, provided by the Andy Warhol Museum, played in loops across four large-scale projections. Gala attendees must be age 21 or older. Wearing 1960s attire in the spirit of the exhibition is welcome. Tickets cost $350 per person. A limited number of tickets is available for admittance to both the gala and an exclusive pre-gala reception at the Chandler House; those cost $500 per person. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.

Iron Melt
There’s still time to register for the Andres Institute of Art’s Remote Spring Iron Melt; registration is open now through Saturday, April 30. Traditionally, the public created custom designed iron tiles onsite. For the remote event, participants pick up a mold from the Institute (106 Brookline Road, Hollis) — pickup dates are Thursday, April 28, and Saturday, April 30, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Drop-off dates are the same as pickup dates, plus Thursday, May 5. Designs will be poured at Green Foundry in Maine on Saturday, May 7, and available for pickup on Thursday, May 12, and Saturday, May 14. The cost is $40 per mold, or $30 for AIA members. Visit andresinstitute.org or call 673-7441.

• Ceramics by hand: The League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery (279 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith) will host a two-part ceramic hand-building class on Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to noon, and continuing on Sunday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Xavier Ceramics studio in Center Harbor. At the first session, participants will hand-build a planter, vase or container, which the instructor and studio owner Ann Xavier will fire in her kiln. Then, at the second session, participants will glaze their pieces, which will be fired again and ready to take home. The cost is $70, plus a $35 materials fee paid to the instructor on the day of the first session. Space is limited, and registration is required. Call 279-7920 or visit meredith.nhcrafts.org/classes.

Surreal paintings
A special exhibition featuring the work of Arghavan Khosravi is on view at the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). The artist’s surrealist paintings explore themes such as exile, freedom and empowerment, and allude to human rights issues, particularly those affecting women and immigrants. They’ll remain on display through Monday, Sept. 5. Admission is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17, and is free for children age 12 and under and for members. Hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.

• Fiddles for a cause: The New Hampshire Fiddle Ensemble will perform at the Exeter Town Hall (9 Front St., Exeter) on Saturday, April 30, at 7 p.m. to benefit the New Hampshire Children’s Trust. The group consists of more than 100 musicians between the ages of 9 and 89, playing fiddles, guitars, banjos, mandolins, basses, harps, cellos and horns, and singing. Tickets cost $16 for adults, $14 for seniors and students and $12 for children ages 13 and under. Masks or proof of vaccination are required for admittance. Visit nhfiddleensemble.org.

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ART

Exhibits

• “IMPACT! ABSTRACT! Exhibition featuring the abstract work of six local artists, including Ann Saunderson, who works in acrylic, mixed media, oil and cold wax and monotype; Daniela Wenzel, who does oil painting, assemblage, ink drawing, driftwood pyrography and improvised quilt-making; Kate Higley, who does printmaking; Ethel Hills, who works in acrylic; and Grace Mattern, who does mixed media collage. Twiggs Gallery (254 King St., Boscawen). On view now through May 28. Gallery hours are Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Visit twiggsgallery.wordpress.com or call 975-0015.

• “APPEAL OF THE REAL: 19TH CENTURY PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD” exhibition features photographs taken throughout the Mediterranean to record the ruins of ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). On display now through June 12. Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17 and is free for children age 12 and under and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org for more information.

• “WARHOL SCREEN TESTS” In the mid-1960s, American multimedia artist Andy Warhol had shot more than 400 short, silent, black-and-white films of his friends at his studio in New York City. Warhol referred to the films, which were unscripted and played in slow motion, as “film portraits” or “stillies.” The exhibition will feature 20 of those films, provided by the Andy Warhol Museum, in loops across four large-scale projections. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). On display now through July 3. Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17 and is free for children age 12 and under and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org for more information.

• “ARGHAVAN KHOSRAVI” Artist’s surrealist paintings explore themes of exile, freedom and empowerment; center female protagonists; and allude to human rights issues, particularly those affecting women and immigrants. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). On display now through Sept. 5. Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17 and is free for children age 12 and under and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org for more information.

• “ECHOES: ABSTRACT PAINTING TO MODERN QUILTING” exhibition features abstract paintings inspired by the bold colors, asymmetry, improvisational layout, alternate grid work and negative space in composition of modern quilting. Two Villages Art Society (46 Main St., Contoocook). On display now through May 14. Visit twovillagesart.org or call 413-210-4372 for more information.

“NATURE AT NIGHT: PAINTINGS BY OWEN KRZYZANIAK GEARY” Two Villages Art Society (46 Main St., Contoocook). On display from May 27 through June 18. Visit twovillagesart.org or call 413-210-4372 for more information.

• ART ON MAIN The City of Concord and the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce present a year-round outdoor public art exhibition in Concord’s downtown featuring works by professional sculptors. All sculptures will be for sale. Visit concordnhchamber.com/creativeconcord, call 224-2508 or email tsink@concordnhchamber.com for more information.

Call for Submissions

• SCULPTURE SUBMISSIONS The City of Concord and the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce’s Creative Concord Committee are seeking sculptors for the city’s fifth annual “Art on Main” Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, a year-round outdoor public art exhibit set up in Concord’s downtown. Professional sculptors age 18 and older (with preference for New England-based sculptors) are invited to submit up to two original sculptures for consideration. The selected sculptors will receive a $500 stipend, and their sculptures will be on display and for sale from June 2022 through May 2023 (30 percent commission taken by City of Concord). The deadline for entries is Friday, April 29. To apply, visit concordnhchamber.com/creativeconcord, call 224-2508 or email tsink@concordnhchamber.com.

Fairs and markets

• CRAFTSMEN’S FAIR The annual nine-day outdoor craft fair hosted by the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen features hundreds of craftspeople with vendor booths, plus special craft exhibitions, demonstrations, hands-on workshops and more. Sat., Aug. 6 through Sun., Aug. 14. Mount Sunapee Resort, 1398 Route 103, Newbury. Call 224-3375 or visit nhcrafts.org for more information.

• CONCORD ARTS MARKET The juried outdoor artisan and fine art market runs one Saturday a month, June through October, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Market dates are June 11, July 30, Aug. 20, Sept. 17 and Oct. 15. Rollins Park, 33 Bow St., Concord. concordartsmarket.net. The first market will be held on Saturday, June 11. Visit concordartsmarket.net/summer-arts-market.html for more information.

Special events

• REMOTE SPRING IRON MELT Participants may pick up a mold from the Institute, scratch their design at home, then drop off their scratched molds back at the Institute. Andres Institute of Art, 106 Brookline Road, Hollis. Pickup dates are Thurs., April 28, and Sat., April 30, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Drop-off dates are the same as pickup dates, plus Thurs., May 5. Online registration is required and is open now through Sat., April 30. Designs will be poured at Green Foundry in Maine on Saturday, May 7, and available for final pickup on Thursday, May 12, and Saturday, May 14. The cost is $40 per mold, or $30 for AIA members. Visit andresinstitute.org or call 673-7441.

• SPRING OPEN STUDIOS Art Up Front Street Studios & Gallery, 120 Front St., Exeter. The artists’ collective features seven working artist studios. Sat., May 7, and Sun., May 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 418-6286 or visit artupfrontstreet.com for more information.

• CURRIER MUSEUM OF ART GALA CELEBRATION Event will include live music, gourmet food, a sponsored cocktail hour, live auction and fundraising program, all inspired by the museum’s current special exhibition, “Warhol Screen Tests.” Currier Museum of Art’s (150 Ash St., Manchester). Sat., May 14, from 6 to 10 p.m. Gala attendees must be age 21 or older. Wearing 1960s attire in the spirit of the exhibition is welcome. Tickets cost $350 per person. A limited number of tickets is available for admittance to both the gala and an exclusive pre-gala reception at the Chandler House; those cost $500 per person. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.

Workshops and classes

• “BLACKSMITHING BASICS” Beginner level workshop. Sanborn Mills Farm(7097 Sanborn Road, Loudon). Fri., May 20, through Sun., May 22, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The cost is $375. Call 435-7314 or visit sanbornmills.org for more information.

• “INTRO TO 3D PRINTING” Port City Makerspace (68 Morning St., Portsmouth). Wed., June 8, from 6 to 9 p.m. The cost is $25 for members of the makerspace and $45 for nonmembers. Call 373-1002 or visit portcitymakerspace.com for more information.

• ART CLASSES Art classes for teens and adults, including Pottery, Stained Glass, Intermediate Watercolor and Clay Hand Building. Studio 550 Art Center (550 Elm St., Manchester). Five-week sessions. Classes met for two hours a week. Call 232-5597 or visit 550arts.com for the full schedule and cost details.

• DRAWING & PAINTING CLASSES Art House Studios, 66 Hanover St., Suite 202, Manchester. Classes include Drawing Fundamentals, Painting in Acrylic, Drawing: Observation to Abstraction, Exploring Mixed Media, and Figure Drawing. Class sizes are limited to six students. Visit arthousestudios.org or email arthousejb@gmail.comfor more information.

• GENERAL ART CLASSES Weekly art classes offered for both kids and adults of all skill levels and cover a variety of two-dimensional media, including drawing and painting with pastel, acrylic, watercolor and oils. Classes are held with small groups of three to eight to five students. Diane Crespo Fine Art Gallery (32 Hanover St., Manchester). Kids classes, open to ages 10 and up, are held on Thursdays and Fridays, from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m. Adult classes are held on Thursdays, from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Tuition is pay-as-you-go at $20 per student per class, due upon arrival. Call 493-1677 or visit dianecrespofineart.com for availability.

THEATRE

Classes/workshops

• STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS Monthly workshop series hosted by True Tales Live storytelling showcase. First Tuesday (except November), from 7 to 8:30 p.m., virtual, via Zoom. Registration is required. Visit truetaleslivenh.org for more information.

Shows

• THE PRODUCERS A mainstage production of the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester). Now through May 15, with showtimes on Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at noon. Tickets cost $39 to $46. Call 668-5588 or visit palacetheatre.org.

• PUFFS! OR SEVEN INCREASINGLY EVENTFUL YEARS AT A CERTAIN SCHOOL OF MAGIC AND MAGIC Cue Zero Theatre Co. presents. Granite State Arts Academy (19 Keewaydin Drive, No. 4, Salem). Showtimes on Fri., April 29, and Sun., May 1, at 7:30 p.m., and Sun., May 1, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $15 ($16.25 with fees). Masks and proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test taken within three days of the performance are required. The show is also available to livestream for $15. Visit cztheatre.com or email cztheatre@gmail.com for more information.

• LAST GAS Produced by the Community Players of Concord. Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince St., Concord. Fri., May 6, through Sun., May 8. Tickets cost $18 for adults, $16 for youth ages 17 and under, $16 for seniors age 65 and up. Visit communityplayersofconcord.org or call 224-4905 for more information.

• AN INSPECTOR CALLS Presented by New Hampshire Theatre Project. West End Studio Theatre (959 Islington St., Portsmouth). May 6 through May 22, with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $30 ($33.26 with fees) for general admission, $26 ($29 with fees) for seniors, students and veterans and must be purchased in advance. Masks are required in the theater. Visit nhtheatreproject.org or call 431-6644.

• THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG Presented by the Manchester Community Theatre Players. Manchester Community Theatre Players Theatre, located at the North End Montessori School (698 Beech St., Manchester). Showtimes on Fri., May 13 and May 20, and Sat., May 14 and May 21, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $20 and must be purchased in advance. Masks and proof of vaccination are required to enter the theater. Visit manchestercommunitytheatre.com or call 327-6777.

• CHILDREN OF THE GRIM Presented by Bitter Pill. Players’ Ring Theatre (105 Marcy St., Portsmouth). May 13 through June 5, with showtimes on Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets cost $28 for adults and $25 for seniors age 65 and up and students. Masks and proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test are required. Visit playersring.org or call 436-8123.

• THE BALD SOPRANO Produced by the Community Players of Concord. The Hatbox Theatre (located inside the Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord). Fri., June 17 through Sun., June 26. Showtimes are on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $22 for adults, $19 for students, seniors and members and $16 for senior members. Visit hatboxnh.com or call 715-2315 for more information.

• TRUE TALES LIVE Portsmouth-based storytelling showcase. Monthly, last Tuesday (no shows in July and August), from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Shows will be held in person (Portsmouth Public Media TV Studio, 280 Marcy St., Portsmouth) starting in April, and returning to the Zoom format for the winter, starting in November. Each month’s showcase is centered around a different theme. The series is free and open to all who want to watch or participate as a storyteller. Pre-registration for attendees is required for Zoom shows but not required for in-person shows. Visit truetaleslivenh.org and email info@truetaleslive.org if you’re interested in being a storyteller.

Classical

• “THE MUSIC OF JAMES BOND” Symphony New Hampshire presents. The performance will include Themes from 007, a Medley for Orchestra and themes from other spy film favorites, including Mission Impossible, Pink Panther and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Sat., May 7, from 7:30 to 8:50 p.m. Keefe Center for the Arts (117 Elm St., Nashua). Tickets cost $20 to $60 for adults, $18 to $55 for seniors age 65 and up, and free for children with a paying adult. Visit symphonynh.org or call 595-9156 for more information.

• SPRING POPS – BROADWAY AND MORE The New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra performs. Seifert Performing Arts Center, 44 Geremonty Drive, Salem. Sat., May 21, at 7:30 p.m., and Sun., May 22, at 2 p.m. Visit nhphil.org or call 647-6476 for more information.

The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities

• Molten fun: Online registration for the Andres Institute of Art’s Remote Spring Iron Melt is open now through Saturday, April 30. Traditionally, the public has been invited to the Institute’s studio space to create custom designed iron tiles; participants would scratch their design into a 6-by-6-inch sand mold and coat it with a liquid graphite, then watch as molten iron is poured into their molds on site. For the remote event, participants will pick up a mold from the Institute (106 Brookline Road, Hollis) — pickup dates are Thursdays, April 21 and April 28, and Saturdays, April 23 and April 30, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. — and scratch their design at home, then drop off their scratched molds back at the Institute; drop-off dates are the same as pickup dates, plus Thursday, May 5. Designs will be poured at Green Foundry in Maine on Saturday, May 7, and available for pickup on Thursday, May 12, and Saturday, May 14. The cost is $40 per mold, or $30 for AIA members. Visit andresinstitute.org or call 673-7441.

• Make way for … Ja’far?: Twisted: The Untold Story of a Royal Vizier, produced by the Actors Cooperative Theatre, will begin a three-weekend run at the Hatbox Theatre (270 Loudon Road in Concord; hatboxnh.com, 715-2315) on Friday, April 22. The show will run through Sunday, May 8, with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m and Sundays at 2 p.m Tickets cost $22 for adults ($19 for seniors and students). The play is described as a comic rif on the 1990s Aladdin story told from the perspective of Ja’far “a well-intentioned and hardworking official from The Kingdom,” according to a press release (which notes that the play contains “adult language, adult situations … drug references, sexual situations and partial nudity”). The musical is written by some of the same people behind parodies like A Very Potter Musical and The Trail to Oregon, the release said.

Sculptors wanted
The City of Concord and the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce’s Creative Concord Committee are seeking sculptors for the city’s fifth annual “Art on Main” Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, a year-round outdoor public art exhibit set up in Concord’s downtown. Professional sculptors age 18 and older (with preference for New England-based sculptors) are invited to submit up to two original sculptures for consideration. The selected sculptors will receive a $500 stipend, and their sculptures will be on display and for sale from June 2022 through May 2023 (30 percent commission taken by City of Concord). The deadline for entries is Friday, April 29. To apply, visit concordnhchamber.com/creativeconcord, call 224-2508 or email tsink@concordnhchamber.com.

• Abstract art shown: Twiggs Gallery (254 King St., Boscawen) presents a new exhibit, “Impact! Abstract!,” featuring the work of six local artists, on view now through May 28. The artists include Ann Saunderson, who works in acrylic, mixed media, oil and cold wax and monotype; Daniela Wenzel, who does oil painting, assemblage, ink drawing, driftwood pyrography and improvised quilt-making; Kate Higley, who does printmaking; Ethel Hills, who works in acrylic; and Grace Mattern, who does mixed media collage. “It showcases artists boldly approaching abstraction in completely different ways with a wide variety of media,” Twiggs gallery director Laura Morrison told the Hippo earlier this month. “Most of the artwork in this exhibit is on the smaller side, yet each piece really stands out on its own. It’s very powerful work.” Gallery hours are Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Visit twiggsgallery.wordpress.com or call 975-0015.

• Once trash, now fashion: The Upcycled Fashion Show, presented by Makers Mill and the Governor Wentworth Arts Council, will be held on Saturday, April 23, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Makers Mill (23 Bay St., Wolfeboro). The event invites designers of all ages to create wearable art with at least 75 percent of the materials being recycled, reused or repurposed. “Upcycled fashion is … a great way to experiment artistically and … experiment with style,” featured designer Amelia Bickford told the Hippo last month, adding that the show is “a great opportunity to draw further attention to the tremendous need the world has for recycling and reducing waste.” Tickets for spectators cost $5 in advance and $7 at the door. Visit makersmill.org/blog or call 569-1500.

• Music of love: Symphony New Hampshire presents a concert, “Love’s Dawn,” on Saturday, April 23, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Keefe Center for the Arts (117 Elm St., Nashua). The program will feature Claude Debussy’s Petite Suite, Richard Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll and Wolfgang Mozart’s Symphony No. 35 in D major, K.385 “Haffner.” Doors open at 6:15 p.m., and there will be a pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m. and a post-concert reflection approximately 15 minutes after the concert. Masks and proof of vaccination are required for all attendees. Ticket costs range from $20 to $60 for adults, and from $18 to $55 for seniors age 65 and up. Children are admitted for free with paying adults. Visit symphonynh.org or call 595-9156.

Wild Symphony
New Hampshire native and bestselling author of The Da Vinci Code Dan Brown will join the University of New Hampshire Wind Symphony for the world premiere of the wind ensemble version of his debut classical work Wild Symphony on Sunday, April 24, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., at the university’s Johnson Theatre (30 Academic Way, Durham). The work is based on the musical album, released in conjunction with a corresponding children’s book of the same name, which pairs short poems and illustrations of animals with classical music. Brown will narrate the book while the symphony performs the music. The event is free, but tickets must be reserved in advance. Visit unh.universitytickets.com.

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ART

Exhibits

• “IMPACT! ABSTRACT! Exhibition featuring the abstract work of six local artists, including Ann Saunderson, who works in acrylic, mixed media, oil and cold wax and monotype; Daniela Wenzel, who does oil painting, assemblage, ink drawing, driftwood pyrography and improvised quilt-making; Kate Higley, who does printmaking; Ethel Hills, who works in acrylic; and Grace Mattern, who does mixed media collage. Twiggs Gallery (254 King St., Boscawen). On view now through May 28. Gallery hours are Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Visit twiggsgallery.wordpress.com or call 975-0015.

• “APPEAL OF THE REAL: 19TH CENTURY PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD” exhibition features photographs taken throughout the Mediterranean to record the ruins of ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). On display now through June 12. Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17 and is free for children age 12 and under and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org for more information.

• “WARHOL SCREEN TESTS” In the mid-1960s, American multimedia artist Andy Warhol had shot more than 400 short, silent, black-and-white films of his friends at his studio in New York City. Warhol referred to the films, which were unscripted and played in slow motion, as “film portraits” or “stillies.” The exhibition will feature 20 of those films, provided by the Andy Warhol Museum, in loops across four large-scale projections. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). On display now through July 3. Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17 and is free for children age 12 and under and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org for more information.

• “ARGHAVAN KHOSRAVI” Artist’s surrealist paintings explore themes of exile, freedom and empowerment; center female protagonists; and allude to human rights issues, particularly those affecting women and immigrants. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). On display now through Sept. 5. Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17 and is free for children age 12 and under and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org for more information.

• “ECHOES: ABSTRACT PAINTING TO MODERN QUILTING” exhibition features abstract paintings inspired by the bold colors, asymmetry, improvisational layout, alternate grid work and negative space in composition of modern quilting. Two Villages Art Society (46 Main St., Contoocook). On display from April 22 through May 14. Visit twovillagesart.org or call 413-210-4372 for more information.

“NATURE AT NIGHT: PAINTINGS BY OWEN KRZYZANIAK GEARY” Two Villages Art Society (46 Main St., Contoocook). On display from May 27 through June 18. Visit twovillagesart.org or call 413-210-4372 for more information.

• ART ON MAIN The City of Concord and the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce present a year-round outdoor public art exhibition in Concord’s downtown featuring works by professional sculptors. All sculptures will be for sale. Visit concordnhchamber.com/creativeconcord, call 224-2508 or email tsink@concordnhchamber.com for more information.

Calls for submissions

• SCULPTURE SUBMISSIONS The City of Concord and the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce’s Creative Concord Committee are seeking sculptors for the city’s fifth annual “Art on Main” Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, a year-round outdoor public art exhibit set up in Concord’s downtown. Professional sculptors age 18 and older (with preference for New England-based sculptors) are invited to submit up to two original sculptures for consideration. The selected sculptors will receive a $500 stipend, and their sculptures will be on display and for sale from June 2022 through May 2023 (30 percent commission taken by City of Concord). The deadline for entries is Friday, April 29. To apply, visit concordnhchamber.com/creativeconcord, call 224-2508 or email tsink@concordnhchamber.com.

Fairs and markets

• CRAFTSMEN’S FAIR The annual nine-day outdoor craft fair hosted by the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen features hundreds of craftspeople with vendor booths, plus special craft exhibitions, demonstrations, hands-on workshops and more. Sat., Aug. 6 through Sun., Aug. 14. Mount Sunapee Resort, 1398 Route 103, Newbury. Call 224-3375 or visit nhcrafts.org for more information.

• CONCORD ARTS MARKET The juried outdoor artisan and fine art market runs one Saturday a month, June through October, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Market dates are June 11, July 30, Aug. 20, Sept. 17 and Oct. 15. Rollins Park, 33 Bow St., Concord. concordartsmarket.net. The first market will be held on Saturday, June 11. Visit concordartsmarket.net/summer-arts-market.html for more information.

Special events

• REMOTE SPRING IRON MELT Participants may pick up a mold from the Institute, scratch their design at home, then drop off their scratched molds back at the Institute. Andres Institute of Art, 106 Brookline Road, Hollis. Pickup dates are Thurs., April 21 and April 28, and Sat., April 23 and April 30, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Drop-off dates are the same as pickup dates, plus Thurs., May 5. Online registration is required and is open now through Sat., April 30. Designs will be poured at Green Foundry in Maine on Saturday, May 7, and available for final pickup on Thursday, May 12, and Saturday, May 14. The cost is $40 per mold, or $30 for AIA members. Visit andresinstitute.org or call 673-7441.

• UPCYCLED FASHION SHOW Presented by Makers Mill and the Governor Wentworth Arts Council. Designers of all ages are invited to create fashion pieces composed of at least 75 percent recycled, reused or repurposed materials. Sat., April 23, from 7 to 9 p.m. Makers Mill (23 Bay St., Wolfeboro). Registration for designers is free and open now through the end of March or until participation is full. Visit makersmill.org/blog or call 569-1500 for more information.

• SPRING OPEN STUDIOS Art Up Front Street Studios & Gallery, 120 Front St., Exeter. The artists’ collective features seven working artist studios. Sat., May 7, and Sun., May 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 418-6286 or visit artupfrontstreet.com for more information.

Workshops and classes

• “BLACKSMITHING BASICS” Beginner level workshop. Sanborn Mills Farm(7097 Sanborn Road, Loudon). Fri., May 20, through Sun., May 22, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The cost is $375. Call 435-7314 or visit sanbornmills.org for more information.

• “INTRO TO 3D PRINTING” Port City Makerspace (68 Morning St., Portsmouth). Wed., June 8, from 6 to 9 p.m. The cost is $25 for members of the makerspace and $45 for nonmembers. Call 373-1002 or visit portcitymakerspace.com for more information.

• ART CLASSES Art classes for teens and adults, including Pottery, Stained Glass, Intermediate Watercolor and Clay Hand Building. Studio 550 Art Center (550 Elm St., Manchester). Five-week sessions. Classes met for two hours a week. Call 232-5597 or visit 550arts.com for the full schedule and cost details.

• DRAWING & PAINTING CLASSES Art House Studios, 66 Hanover St., Suite 202, Manchester. Classes include Drawing Fundamentals, Painting in Acrylic, Drawing: Observation to Abstraction, Exploring Mixed Media, and Figure Drawing. Class sizes are limited to six students. Visit arthousestudios.org or email arthousejb@gmail.comfor more information.

• GENERAL ART CLASSES Weekly art classes offered for both kids and adults of all skill levels and cover a variety of two-dimensional media, including drawing and painting with pastel, acrylic, watercolor and oils. Classes are held with small groups of three to eight to five students. Diane Crespo Fine Art Gallery (32 Hanover St., Manchester). Kids classes, open to ages 10 and up, are held on Thursdays and Fridays, from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m. Adult classes are held on Thursdays, from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Tuition is pay-as-you-go at $20 per student per class, due upon arrival. Call 493-1677 or visit dianecrespofineart.com for availability.

THEATRE

Classes/workshops

• STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS Monthly workshop series hosted by True Tales Live storytelling showcase. First Tuesday (except November), from 7 to 8:30 p.m., virtual, via Zoom. Registration is required. Visit truetaleslivenh.org for more information.

Shows

• THE PRODUCERS A mainstage production of the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester). April 22 through May 15, with showtimes on Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at noon. Tickets cost $39 to $46. Call 668-5588 or visit palacetheatre.org.

•​ THE RULE OF THREEAn adaptation of Agatha Christie’s one-act murder mystery series, presented by the Majestic Studio Theatre (880 Page St., Manchester). Showtimes are on Friday, April 22, and Saturday, April 23, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, April 24, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $15 to $20. Call 669-7469 or visit majestictheatre.net.

The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities

• Artistic exploration of the White Mountains: Writer Howard Mansfield and composer Ben Cosgrove present “A Journey to the White Mountains in Words and Music” at the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord) on Thursday, April 14, at 7:30 p.m. The show, which is based on a chapter from Mansfield’s recent book Chasing Eden: A Book of Seekers and on Cosgrove’s landscape-inspired music, explores the impact that the discovery of the White Mountains has today. “Pioneering artists in the 19th century taught Americans how to look at the wilderness,” Mansfield said in a press release. “Americans were eager for the lesson and … followed the artists. Their art created a market for the views, filled hotels with tourists, and laid the bounds for national parks across the country.” Tickets cost $24. Visit ccanh.com.

• Diverse female authors panel: The New Hampshire Writers’ Project will present a virtual panel discussion, “Speaking Of: Women of Color,” on Saturday, April 16, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Six female authors of diverse origin and culture will discuss their work and how their backgrounds led them to start writing as a form of self-expression and education. The authors include Brinda Charry, an immigrant from India to the U.S., fiction writer and specialist in British literature with a focus on English Renaissance literature and Shakespeare; Christine Nih’shaw Almstrom, children’s book author of Blackfeet/Onondaga Iroquois descent; Gledè Browne Kabongo, an author of psychological thrillers, originally from Dominica in the Eastern Caribbean; Hanh Bui, a children’s book author who came to the U.S. with her family at age 8 as a refugee escaping war-torn Vietnam; Loretta LC Brady, an author and a licensed clinical psychologist, professor of psychology and the director of the Community Resilience and Social Equity Lab at Saint Anselm College; and Masheri Chappelle, a playwright, novelist and intuitive consultant of African American and Native American descent. Rosa Marie Bell, Afro-Panamanian educator, multicultural moderator and executive producer of a weekly broadcast “Cafecito Cultural,” will moderate the panel. The event will take place over Zoom and is free for New Hampshire Writers’ Project members and $20 for non-members. Visit nhwritersproject.org to register.

• Ancient photography: The Currier Museum of Art(150 Ash St., Manchester) has an exhibition, “Appeal of the Real: 19th Century Photographs of the Ancient World,” on view now through June 12. It features photographs of the ruins of ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, taken prior to when tourists could take their own photographs, often at the request of wealthy European and American tourists. Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17, and is free for children under age 13 and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org.

• Opportunity for teen writers: Under the Madness, a new New Hampshire-based teen creative writing magazine, is accepting submissions now through Friday, April 15, for its second issue. The magazine is designed and managed by an editorial board of New Hampshire teens under the mentorship of New Hampshire State Poet Laureate Alexandria Peary. It features creative writing by teens ages 13 to 19 from all over the world, including poetry and short fiction and creative nonfiction. “It speaks to the confusing whirlwind faced by teenagers [due to the] pandemic, political polarization, global warming, inequity and unrest,” Peary told the Hippo earlier this year, “[and to] writing and creative expression as a way to set a foot on the ground when the adult-made sky seems to be spinning.” Submissions are open for future issues on an ongoing basis. All writing must be written in or translated into English and must be previously unpublished. Visit underthemadnessmagazine.com for full submission guidelines and to read the first issue.

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ART

Exhibits

• “STITCHED TOGETHER – ELEMENTS OF NATURE FROM TEXTILE FRAGMENTS” New Hampshire Art Association exhibition features the textile collages of Cheryl Miller, inspired by the colors in nature. On display now through April 15. Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center. Regular gallery hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. All work is for sale. Visit nhartassociation.org or call 431-4230 for more information.

• “APPEAL OF THE REAL: 19TH CENTURY PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD” exhibition features photographs taken throughout the Mediterranean to record the ruins of ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). On display now through June 12. Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17 and is free for children age 12 and under and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org for more information.

• “WARHOL SCREEN TESTS” In the mid-1960s, American multimedia artist Andy Warhol had shot more than 400 short, silent, black-and-white films of his friends at his studio in New York City. Warhol referred to the films, which were unscripted and played in slow motion, as “film portraits” or “stillies.” The exhibition will feature 20 of those films, provided by the Andy Warhol Museum, in loops across four large-scale projections. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). On display from March 31 through July 3. Admission is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 to 17 and free for children age 12 and under and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org for more information.