Category: Featured Content

Craft Season

From now through December, the weekends will be filled with craft fairs.

Whether you’re looking for unique gifts or locally made, handmade items for yourself, these fairs offer a chance to shop items you won’t find in big box stores and maybe even meet the people who made them.

In this week’s cover story, we offer a list of upcoming fairs and artisan markets (let us know if we missed any at adiaz@hippopress.com). And, for those who don’t just enjoy shopping crafts but also want to make some themselves, we take a look at some area shops catering to those who sew. From those who can make a quilt or a full outfit to those who are just learning, these businesses help you find community and a new outlet for artistic expression.

Art & community

Sewing offers an outlet for creative expression and a reason to get together

By Chelsea Spear
news@hippopress.com

At first glance the poster-sized portrait of a woman hanging in Jeeni Criscenzo’s studio looks like a photo. The eyes sparkle and the grayscale looks like the many shades of gray you’d see in a vintage photograph. Take a closer look: All those different shades of gray are individual pieces of fabric, arranged like halftone dots across the surface of the quilt. Criscenzo designed and sewed together a quilt portrait as a loving tribute to her mother.

“I created a technique using something called ‘wonder under wear,’” Criscenzo said on a recent Zoom call, gesturing toward the quilt. “It’s almost like making a mosaic with fabric and then quilting over it so you can push the envelope to express things creatively as well as using it in a sustainable way.”

Over the past few years, shops and community centers like DIY Craft and Thrift in Concord, where Criscenzo volunteers as a sewing and quilting instructor, have increased in popularity across New Hampshire. While knitting and crochet had gotten a boost in popularity at the start of the 2000s, with books like the bestselling Stitch & Bitch series, shop owners noticed a renewed interest in sewing in the spring of 2020.

“I really think it started with the pandemic people wanting to learn to sew,” said Carol Lawrence, the owner of Angels Sewing & Quilting in Salem. “We repair all brands [of sewing machines]. You should have seen these old machines we had coming in the store. It was pretty cool. Lots of old featherweight Singers and stuff like that.”

For other sewists, learning to sew allowed them to make some pandemic necessities at home. “During the pandemic, a lot of people were making masks,” Criscenzo said. “I took the time to research what would make a good mask that would actually protect you … I found a very high thread count fabric, then I put a raw silk backing inside, and then another fabric on the back. Based on the testing of those fabrics, I was providing people with something that I felt protected them. And I started selling that online. So then that got me into sewing to make a little money.”

For other business owners, the pandemic offered them an opportunity to reflect on the kind of work they’d like to do.

“A little over six years ago now, I was getting very burnt out from my career,” said Paula Bowen, co-owner of Night Owl Quilting Studio in Goffstown. “I was a director of nursing, and this was right before Covid, and I was getting just tired of the stress of the job. I was looking for a creative outlet, [and I] wanted to own my own business.”

A late-night call inspired Bowen to move forward with her idea.

“I called my mom at 11 p.m. and … I said to her, mom, do you want to start a quilt shop with me? And she’s like, ah, what are you saying? So we just got this idea to just do it for fun,” Bowen said. The shop opened a few nights a week in Goffstown, “and it just exploded. And within a year of being open, my mom retired from her job in the corporation.”

Both Paula Bowen and Jeeni Criscenzo learned to sew from their mothers. For those who didn’t learn to sew as kids or for those looking to pick it back up, communities have formed around sewing, weaving and spinning in New Hampshire and beyond.

Thinking back on a recent trip to a craft store, Criscenzo said: “Wolfeboro Makers Mill had a long-arm quilter that was donated to them. I had to go to a class and get [approved] to use it, but now I can go there. And what I found is they have weaving looms. They have dozens of Janome sewing machines. They have an embroidery machine and even an industrial machine for sewing heavy things. And the people that are there, I found myself driving home just smiling. I don’t know what politics they have, but they certainly have a politics of cooperation. I would love to duplicate that energy of integration.”

A recent New York Times article looked at the growing interest in sewing and pinned some of it to the need to mend ripped or worn clothing. That aspect doesn’t appeal to Lawrence. “Us sewists, we don’t like to mend,” Lawrence says with a laugh. “I don’t even mend my husband’s pants. I’ll cut off with pinking shears. I won’t even hem them.”

“Sewing is no longer just about making garments; it’s about art, it’s about creative expression, and the combination of the craft of sewing and the art is very exciting to me because I’ve always been interested in expressing my creativity through sewing. And it’s a wonderful combination of right and left brain because you can be creative and yet you have to pay attention and think logically about how you’re constructing something,” Criscenzo said.

That creative flair is spreading to areas these crafters wouldn’t have predicted. “Benson Boone had a quilt vest thrown to him in the audience,” Paula Bowen said. “He wore it and it was the thrill of the whole night and everyone’s talking about it.”

Makers in 2025 are seeing the benefits of sewing and are adapting the craft for their own interest. “People gathering to support one another in a craft have something so strong in common that they can let the rest of it go away and they can re-experience that good feeling of working with other people and then hopefully translate that into other parts of their lives,” Criscenzo said. “There’s a mental benefit to sewing in community. There’s a brain benefit in sewing on your own. And then there’s the sustainability, the fact that most of us these days have to struggle to make ends meet. We don’t have these thousand-dollars-a-month clothing budgets that some people have. And so we have to figure out how to make what we have work and last.”

Paula Bowen says succinctly: “The craft world is not going away.”

Sewing shops
Angels Sewing & Quilting 236 N. Broadway in Salem, 898-0777, angelssewing.com
DIY Craft and Thrift 46 N. Main St. in Concord, diycraftandthrift.com
Night Owl Quilting Studio currently 4 Main St. in Goffstown, 384-2557, nightowlquiltingstudio.com. The shop is moving to Amherst soon, according to the website.

Hand crafted

Local fairs offer shoppers a chance to meet artists

Compiled by Amy Diaz
adiaz@hippopress.com

November and December are full of craft fairs, arts markets, artisan fairs and other events where you can find handmade works and probably meet the person who made them. Here are some slated for the coming months. Know of events not mentioned? Let us know at adiaz@hippopress.com.

• The Craftworkers’ Guild shop in Bedford (3a Meetinghouse Road, down the hill in the Library parking lot) will hold its Hearts & Home Shop through Sunday, Nov. 23, open Thursdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and its Holiday Shop Friday, Nov. 28 through Sunday, Dec. 21, open Thursdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. See thecraftworkersguild.org.

• The Concord Arts Market will be at Intown Concord’s First Friday event on Nov. 7, from 4 to 8 p.m., when the theme is Art Walk, according to firstfridayconcord.com. Find them on Capitol Street, according to concordartsmarket.org.

• First Church of Nashua, 1 Concord St. in Nashua, will hold its Holiday Fair and Silent Auction on Friday, Nov. 7, from 4 to 7 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring homemade sweets, food to go, gift baskets, craft items, puzzles and more, according to an email from event organizers. Kids can visit with Santa on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., dinner will be available Friday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., lunch will be available Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the email said.

• The Merrimack Knights of Columbus will hold their 25th annual Fall Craft Fair on Friday, Nov. 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mastricola Upper Elementary School, 26 Baboosic Lake Road in Merrimack. The event will feature more than 40 crafters, a bake table, meals and snacks, an auction and more; admission is free, according to an email from event organizers.

• The United Church of Penacook (Community Drive and Canal Street in Penacook) will hold its Christmas Fair and Bake Sale Saturday, Nov. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring holiday decorations, home decor, knitted items and more, according to ucpnh.org.

• St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church (300 Route 25, Meredith, stcharlesnh.org) will hold its Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to the church website.

• Main Street United Methodist Church, 154 Main St. in Nashua, will hold a Fall/Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring baked goods, crafts, a cookie walk, handmade items, breakfast and lunch items, Christmas and winter crafts and more. See mainstreet-umc.org.

• St. Elizabeth Seton Church(190 Meetinghouse Road, Bedford, stelizabethsetonchurch.org) will hold its Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring 50 crafters and artisans, baked items, lunch and more, according to the church website.

• The Granite State Choral Society will hold its Fall 2025 Shop Till You Drop Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center, 150 Wakefield St. in Rochester. The event will feature works by local artisans, a selection of homemade soups, chilis and stews starting at 11 a.m. and more, according to a press release. See gschoralsociety.org.

• The Seacoast Artisans Holiday Fine Arts & Craft Show will take place Saturday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Great Bay Community College, 320 Corporate Drive in the Pease Tradeport in Portsmouth, according to seacoastartisansshows.com. Admission costs $7; ages 14 and under get in for free, the website said.

• Manchester Memorial High School, 1 Crusader Way in Manchester, will hold its annual Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. according to memorial.mansd.org. Admission costs $2 per person, to benefit the Booster Club, and the event features more than 200 tables of crafts as well as raffles, according to information from the event organizer.

•The Nashua YMCA of the YMCA of Greater Nashua, 24 Stadium Drive in Nashua, will hold its Fall Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 8, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature concessions, kids activities, local vendors and more, according to nmymca.org/fall-craft-fair.

• The Capital City Holiday Craft & Artisan Show will take place Saturday, Nov. 8, and Sunday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Capital City Sports & Fitness Club, 10 Garvins Falls Road in Concord. The fair will feature 100 exhibitors, speciality foods, live music and an appearance by Santa, according to GNECraftArtisanShows.com. Admission costs $5, valid both days; ages 14 and under get in for free.

• The Bedford Handmade Fair takes place Sunday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bedford High School, 47 Nashua Road. See sites.google.com/bedfordnhk12.net/bedfordhandmade for a map of the fair and a listing of all the vendors. Admission and parking are free and Santa is scheduled to appear at the fair for photos, the website said.

• St. Paul’s United Methodist Church (335 Smyth Road, Manchester; stpaulsumcnh.org) will hold its Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring crafts, a cookie walk, a bake sale, a children’s table, a white elephant sale and more, according to a post on the church’s Facebook page.

• The 2025 Craft Fair at Manchester Community College will take place Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the college’s all-purpose room, 1066 Front St. in Manchester, according to a Facebook page for the event. The event will feature more than 50 vendors, and admission is free, the post said.

• The Pembroke Academy DECA will hold a Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pembroke Academy, 209 Academy Road in Pembroke, according to the Spartan Market Facebook page.

• The Lil Iguana’s Craft Fair & Raffle will be held Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Nashua High School North, 8 Titan Way in Nashua, according to liliguanausa.org/craft-fair. The event will feature more than 200 crafters, vendors and area businesses as well as raffles and more, according to the website. Admission is free.

• The Pelham High School Craft Fair, 87 Marsh Road in Pelham, will be Saturday, Nov. 15, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and feature 40+ vendors, according to the event’s Facebook page.

• Bow Mills United Methodist Church, 505 South St. in Bow, will hold its annual Snowman Fair on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day will feature an appearance by Santa, crafts to make for kids, holiday crafts for sale, baked goods and a cafe, themed gift baskets and more, according to an email from event organizers. See bowmillsumc.org.

• St. Patrick Church (34 Amherst St. in Milford, stpatrickmilfordnh.org) will hold a Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring crafts, a cookie walk, penny sale baskets, frozen apple pies, concessions and more, according to an event organizer.

• The United Methodist Women of Hampton United Methodist Church, 525 Lafayette Road in Hampton, will hold their annual Christmas Fair on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring lunch, homemade pies by the slice, attic treasures, bake and treat shop, photos with Santa, a silent auction and more, according to an email from fair organizers. See hamptonnhumc.org.

• The PTO at New Searles Elementary School, 39 Shady Lane in Nashua, will hold a Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring crafters, raffles and more, according to the PTO’s Facebook.

• Holiday Fine Craft & Artisan Show on the Seacoast takes place Saturday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Rim Sports Complex in Hampton, according to GNECraftArtisanShows.com. The event will feature 145 exhibitors, food trucks, a juried show, an appearance by Santa and more, the website said. Admission costs $5, valid both days; ages 14 and under get in for free.

• The Picker Artists, 3 Pine St. in Nashua, will host its annual Holiday Open House on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. See pickerartists.com for a listing of artists.

• The Milford 3rd Annual Holiday Fair, hosted by New England Vendor Events, will be held Saturday, Nov. 22, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at VFW Post, 99 VFW Way in Milford, according to New England Vendor Events’ Facebook page. Admission is free, as are photo opportunities with Santa, the post said.

• The Great New England Holiday Crafts Show will take place Friday, Nov. 28, and Saturday, Nov. 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at LaBelle Winery, 14 Route 111 in Derry, according to GNECraftArtisanShows.com and labellewinery.com. Parking and admission are free and the show will feature 65 exhibitors, a juried show, food and more, the website said.

• Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St. in Concord, kimballjenkins.com, will feature a “pop up holiday showcase of locally made fine art and craft items featuring local artisans” called The Artisans Nook, according to the website. The shop will be open starting Nov. 29 in the lower level of the Carriage House Mondays through Saturdays from 1 to 8 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m. as well as Friday, Dec. 5, from 1 to 9 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 7, from noon to 6 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 13, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday, Dec. 19 (closed Dec. 11), the website said.

• The Contoocook Artisans Holiday Fair is set for Friday, Dec. 5 , from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at American Legion Post No. 81 (E.R. Montgomery Event Center, 169 Bound Tree Road, Contoocook), according to the Contoocook Artisans Cooperative Facebook Page.

• The UNH Maker’s Expo will be held at the MUB Granite State Room on Friday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring “cool & creative stuff made by UNH students, staff, and faculty. Engineers who knit! IT folks doing scratch prints! Jewelry from biologists!” according to unh.edu/mub/events/unh-makers-expo.

• The Winter Giftopolis by the Concord Arts Market will take place on Friday, Dec. 5, from 5 to 11 p.m. in the Eagle Square Atrium in downtown Concord during Intown Concord’s Midnight Merriment. See concordartsmarket.org.

• High Mowing School (77 Pine Hill Drive, Wilton) will host its annual Pine Hill Holiday Fair on Friday, Dec. 5, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. (for adults only) and Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for all ages, according to pinehill.org.

• The First Baptist Church (121 Manchester St., Nashua, 882-4512, fbcnashua.org) will hold its Old-Fashioned Christmas Fair & Raffle Saturday, Dec. 6, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to the church website.

• Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Milford, 20 Elm St. in Milford, will hold its Holiday Fair on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature crafts, gifts, a cafe for breakfast and lunch and more, according to event organizers.

• The St. Nicholas Fair at Grace Episcopal Church, 30 Eastman St. in Concord, will be held Saturday, Dec. 6, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will feature hand-crafted items, second-hand jewelry, baked goods, used books, and white elephant items, according to an email from an organizer.

• Arlington Street United Methodist Church (63 Arlington St., Nashua) will celebrate its Holly Town Fair on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fair will feature handmade items, candies, baked goods and a cookie walk, with lunch available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit asumc.org or call 882-4663.

• The PTO at Broad Street Elementary School, 390 Broad St. in Nashua, will host a Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to sites.google.com/view/broad-street-pto.

• NHSS Athletic Boosters Annual Craft Fair will take place at Nashua High School South, 36 Riverside St. in Nashua, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 9 a.m. to 2p.m., according to the Boosters’ club Facebook.

• The Holiday Craft Fair at Brookline Event Center, 32 Proctor Hill Road in Brookline, will take place Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free. See brooklineeventcenter.com/our-events.

• The Somersworth Festival Association will host its Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Somersworth High School (11 Memorial Drive, Somersworth), according to nhfestivals.org.

• Saint Patrick’s Parish (12 Main St., Pelham, 635-3525, stpatricks-pelham.com) will host its Annual Christmas Craft Fair in its Parish Center, Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring local crafters, food, a homemade baked goods table and raffles, according to the church website.

• The 36th annual Christmas in Strafford, featuring more than 50 artists and craftspeople across about 30 locations (stores, studios and other locations), is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6, and Sunday, Dec. 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days (some stops are open Saturday only), according to christmasinstrafford.com.

• The Unitarian Universalist Church of Manchester (669 Union St. in Manchester) will hold its Holiday Fair on Saturday, Dec. 6, according to uumanchester.org, where you can check back for updates.

• The Animal Rescue League of NH (545 Route 101, Bedford, 472-3647, rescueleague.org) will hold a Holiday Fair Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring pet photos with Santa or the Grinch (by appointment), craft vendors, tree sales, a bake sale and more, according to rescueleague.org.

• Sanborn Mills Farm (7097 Sanborn Road in Loudon) will hold its Winter Market on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Fifield Hall, according to an email from the farm. The Market will feature local artisans and craftspeople, farm made lunch and refreshments and festive music, the email said.

• The Nashua 10th Annual Holiday Fair, hosted by New England Vendor Events, will be held Saturday, Dec. 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Birch Hill School, 71 Amherst St. in Nashua, according to New England Vendor Events’ Facebook page. Admission is free, as are photo opportunities with Santa, the post said.

• Chapel + Main, 83 Main St. in Dover, chapelandmain.com, will hold Arts & Drafts on Sunday, Dec. 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to the website.

• Concord Arts Market and Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St. in Concord, kimballjenkins.com, will host the Gingerbread Marketplace at Kimball Jenkins on Sunday, Dec. 7, from noon to 6 p.m. featuring “sweet treats and gifts for your holiday shopping” as well as Kimball Jenkins’ The Artisans Nook of fine arts and crafts items, according to the website.

• The NH Audubon’s Annual Holiday Craft Fair is Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the McLane Center (84 Silk Farm Road in Concord; nhaudubon.org) featuring more than 30 local crafters, raffles and more, according to the website.

• The PTO at Main Dunstable Elementary School, 20 Whitford Road in Nashua, will host a Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring crafts by local artisans, baked goods, raffles, silent auctions, kids’ activities, a Santa meet and photo opportunity and more, according to mdespto.com.

• Concord Arts Market will host the Concord Holiday Arts Market at Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St. in Concord, kimballjenkins.com, on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to the website.

• Caya Reiki and Healing (caya-healing.square.site) will hold its Winter Wonderland Craft Market & Psychic Fair at the Hooksett American Legion on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Find CAYA on Facebook for updates.

• Wrong Brain will hold its annual Holidaze Bizaare on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Community Campus, 100 Campus Drive in Portsmouth, according to Wrong Brain’s Facebook page. Billed as an “alternative craft fair,” the Holidaze Bizaare “will take place in the gymnasium, 2 lobbies, AND we have the art room for workshops & activities,” according to a post.

• The New Hampshire World Market will take place Saturday, Dec. 13, and Sunday, Dec. 14, at the Anheuser Busch Brewery, 221 DW Highway in Merrimack, featuring music, photos with Santa, food, crafts and more, according to nhworldchristmasmarket.com, where you can purchase tickets.

• The Holly Jolly Craft Fair will be held at the DoubleTree Hilton (2 Somerset Plaza, Nashua) on Sunday, Dec. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature items from more than 75 artisans, according to joycescraftshows.com. Items will include holiday decor, country folk art, soy candles, gift baskets, wood art, artwork and more, the website said.

• Wrong Brain will hold its Night Bizaare on Monday, Dec. 22, from 6 to 10 p.m. at Chapel + Main (83 Main St. in Dover), according to Wrong Brain’s Facebook page.

This Week 25/11/06

Friday, Nov. 7

Tonight’s First Friday event from 4 to 8 p.m. in downtown Concord wraps up the season with the theme Concord Art Walk. A map of all locations and stops for a trolley that will run between Art Walk locations will be provided prior to the event. Visit firstfridayconcord.com, where you can find the events planned at the art walk and business locations. Food trucks slated to appear include Deadproof Pizza Co. and Teenie Wienes, the website said. The music lineup includes The Wandering Souls Band slated to play in Bicentennial Square from 6 to 8 p.m. The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Headquarters’ Exhibition Gallery, 49 S. Main St., will hold a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. for its new exhibition “Mentors + Apprentices: Work from the 2025 Craft Apprentice Program.” Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St., will celebrate the closing night of its exhibit “The Art & Craft of Photography: An Exploration of Analog Photography by Contemporary Artists” and offer workshops (see kimballjenkins.com to sign up in advance for the evening’s workshops).

Friday, Nov. 7

The Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St., Nashua, 800-657-8774, nashuacenterforthearts.com) presents Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox tonight at 8 p.m. as part of its Magic, Moonlight and Mistletoe Tour. Tickets start at $54.

Saturday, Nov. 8

New York’s Metropolitan Opera will perform La Boheme today at 1 p.m., shown live in high definition at the BNH Stage (16 S Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com). General admission tickets are $32.

Saturday, Nov. 8

There will be a primitive skills workshop today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Graylag Nature Preserve (320 Clough Road, Pittsfield, graylag.org). Learn about fire building, creating shelters from natural found materials or tarps, and rope making. Bring a lunch to enjoy after the workshop around the fire you helped build. This is a free event. Registration is required; register at graylag.org/programs/primitive-skills.

Saturday, Nov. 8

Hard rock band A Day to Remember will perform at the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St., Manchester, 644-5000, snhuarena.com) as part of its Yellowcard Tour tonight at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $54.

Saturday, Nov. 8

New England comedian Bob Marley will perform two shows at the Chubb Theatre (Chubb Theatre at CCA, 44 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com) today at 5:30 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $48.50.

Sunday, Nov. 9

The Manchester City Marathon takes place today starting at 8:50 a.m. at Veterans Park in downtown Manchester. There will also be a half-marathon and a 5K run. Visit millenniumrunning.com/marathon.

Save the Date! Thursday, Nov. 13

The Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St., Nashua, 800-657-8774, nashuacenterforthearts.com) will host 360 Allstars Thursday, Nov. 13, at 7:30 p.m. Featuring BMX, basketball, breakdancing, acrobatics, drumming and more, this is a physical performance exploring all forms of rotation. Boasting a stellar cast of world champion and world record holding artists and athletes, 360 Allstars is a spectacular fusion of the extraordinary artistry that emerges from street culture. Tickets start at $20 through the Nashua Center’s website.

Featured Photo: Concord Art Walk. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 25/11/06

More food news

The New Hampshire Food Bank “is intensifying its fundraising efforts to address the anticipated statewide rise in food insecurity as the federal government shutdown persists,” as the shutdown has impacted funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), according to a Food Bank press release on Oct. 31 at its website, nhfoodbank.org. “The New Hampshire Food Bank has already increased food distribution by 26% year-over-year to meet the growing demand.” The NH Food Bank has a webpage — nhfoodbank.org/govshutdown — with information about SNAP, a food map of partner agencies throughout the state and links to information on mobile food banks and SNAP-recipients-specific mobile food banks. The page also features links on donating to the NH Food Bank.

Veterans Day parade

Manchester’s Veterans Day Parade will kick off changes to the city’s parade route, according to a press release from the Manchester Emergency Operations Center. “Beginning with the Veterans Day Parade on November 11, 2025, and all parades moving forward, the parade route will start at Bridge St and Elm St continuing south on Elm St and concluding at Elm St and Central St,” the release said. The parade steps off around 10:45 a.m., according to the police department.

To celebrate Veterans Day the city is also offering free parking to anyone with a Veteran plate at metered spaces in downtown Manchester, according to The MEDO Minute, the newsletter of the city of Manchester Economic Development office.

At the DMV

The New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles is fully appointment-based as of Nov. 3, according to a press release from the state’s Department of Safety on Oct. 27. Go to dmv.nh.gov to make an appointment at one of the state’s 14 locations. “DMV staff will assist walk-in customers with finding appointments, including at other DMV locations if necessary,” the release said. “The busiest DMV locations in Concord, Manchester, Nashua and Epping will also offer appointments during extended hours until 5 p.m., twice a week. Additionally, a limited block of same-day appointments will be made available each day for customers with urgent transactions,” the release said. This new system is designed to reduce waiting times in DMV lobbies and manage customer flow more effectively, the release said.

The new exhibition “If You Had to Choose: Patriots and Loyalists in Revolutionary New Hampshire,” which “presents the stories of New Hampshire colonists in 1775 and 1776,” is on display now at the New Hampshire Historical Society, 30 Park St. in Concord. Also on display is “Lafayette’s Visit to New Hampshire,” about the Marquis de Lafayette’s 1825 visit to the state, according to nhhistory.org. The Society is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Hive Mind: Nature Inspired Group Art” from the New England-based artist group NAV Arts will be on display through Dec. 27 at the New Hampshire Audubon’s Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way in Auburn. An artists’ reception will be held Saturday, Nov. 8, from noon to 3 p.m. See nhaudubon.org.

The Friends of the Newfields Public Library will hold an antique and vintage item appraisal event called “What’s It Worth?” on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Brook Casino in the Showroom, 319 New Zealand Road in Seabrook, according to an email from organizers. The event is 18+, with no firearms allowed, up to three items per person and a fee by donation, the email said. See newfieldslibrary.org/whats-it-worth-2025

Frightful fun

A weekend’s worth of adult Halloween choices

Without a doubt Halloween is the greatest deal in history. Dress up, knock on doors and demand candy — what could be better? Alas, youth is wasted on the young, but adults can still have fun on Halloween. This year there are a bevy of bashes, most on the official day. Here’s a day-by-day rundown of area gatherings.

Thursday, Oct. 30

Ash Cigar Lounge (92A Route 125, Kingston, 285-5174) 6 p.m. Smoke & Shadows: Halloween costume party, costumes encouraged, cocktails flowing, and cigars smoldering.

Bridgewater Inn (367 Mayhew Turnpike, Bridgewater, 744-3518) 8 p.m. Karaoke with Christine and cash prizes for best male and female costume.

LaBelle Winery ( 345 Route 101, Amherst, 672-9898) 7:15 p.m. Halloween disco party with Booty Vortex Band. Disco attire is encouraged. $40 at labellewinery.com.

The Word Barn (66 Newfields Road, Exeter, 244-0202) 7 p.m. All Hallow’s Eve: Spooky Tunes, Songs and Tales From Scotland. $25 at thewordbarn.com.

Friday, Oct. 31

Arts Alley (20 S. Main St., Concord, artsalleyconcordnh.com) 7 p.m. Alley After Dark party with DJ music, specialty cocktails, costume contest and giveaways, $30.

Auburn Pitts (167 Rockingham Road, Auburn, 622-6564) 6 p.m. DJ Chris hosts karaoke, with a bonfire and costume contest; gift cards first $100, second $50 and third $25.

Auspicious Brew (1 Washington St., Dover, 953-7240) 8 p.m. 5th anniversary weekend includes Halloween house party with a drag show from Raya Sunshine + friends at 8 p.m., two DJ sets w/ DJ MAM and DJ XO from 9 p.m. to midnight, face and hair glam by Tease Salon, a costume contest and more, $17 advance, $20 day of.

Beanie’s Bar & Grill (58 Route 129, Loudon, 961-0372) 8 p.m. Wacko Magnet, an area trio, performs at this Halloween party.

Big House (322 Lakeside Ave., Laconia, 366-9100) 9 p.m. 7th annual Big Stage karaoke Halloween party with host DJ Tim.

Bogie’s (32 Depot Square, Hampton, 601-2319) 7 p.m. Michael Troy performs with drink specials and prize for best dressed costume.

Bonfire Country Bar (950 Elm St., Manchester, 2017-5600) 7 p.m. Halloween costume party with Lexi James performing.

BrickHouse Restaurant & Brewery (241 Union Square, Milford, 672-2270) 8 p.m. Hell On Heels plays rock covers.

Bridgewater Inn (367 Mayhew Turnpike, Bridgewater, 744-3518) 8 p.m. Halloween party with Stray Dog playing covers and cash prizes for best male and female costume.

Cercle National Club (550 Rockland Ave., Manchester, 623-8243) 7:30 p.m. Dancing Madly Backwards plays rock covers and originals at this social club’s party. Costume contest, with first-, second- and third-place winners.

Chop Shop (920 Lafayette Road, Seabrook, 760-7706) 8:30 p.m. 16th Birthday Halloween Bash with Casual Gravity and prizes for most original, couple, sexiest and king & queen. $20.

Crotched Mountain (534 Mountain Road, Francestown, 808-0174) 5 p.m. Blue Bear Halloween Party with buffet 5-7 p.m., costume contest and DJ music, $30 adults, $12 kids under 12.

Exeter Brewing (156 Epping Road, Exeter, 686-7253) 8 p.m. 21+ Halloween social with costumes, prizes and DJ dancing.

Flannel Tavern (345 Suncook Valley Road, Chichester, 406-1196) 6 p.m. Dave Graham plays music at this party.

Forum Pub (15 Village St., Concord, 565-3100) 8 p.m. Rabbit Foot plays at 7:30 p.m. at a party featuring a costume contest and hosted by Maizy Rae that concludes with an open jam session.

Front Four Cellars (13 Railroad Ave., Wolfeboro, 633-5433) 6 p.m. Dakota Smart plays music from 6 to 9 p.m. at this Monster Mash & Merlot Halloween costume party.

Fury’s Publick House (1 Washington St., Dover, 617-3633) 9 p.m. Jam stalwarts Superfrog perform at a party including Frenzie and Roots, Rhythm & Dub along with a costume contest.

Haluwa Restaurant (44 Gusabel Ave., Nashua, 864-8348) 8 p.m. Bush League rocks at this Chinese stalwart.

Henry J. Sweeney Post (251 Maple St., Manchester, 623-9145) 7:30 p.m. Mugshot Monday performs with a costume contest, prizes for scariest, funniest and sexiest.

Hop Knot (1000 Elm St., Manchester, 232-3731) 7 p.m. DJ Ctrl F spins at this party hosted by Cabana Love. No cover, costume contest and great pretzels.

Lafayette Club (34 High St., Nashua, 889-9860) 8 p.m. Mighty Colors perform, $8 in advance (available at the bar) or $10 at the door.

Lost Cowboy Brewing (546 Amherst St., Nashua, 600-6800) 7:30 p.m. Justin Federico plays country songs.

Lower Level Lounge (North End, Nashua, facebook.com) 6 p.m. Spooky Speakeasy, cocktails & bites, and costumes are encouraged.

Luk’s Bar & Grill (142 Lowell Road, Hudson, 889-9900) 7 p.m. Johnny Roberts plays acoustic music.

Makris Lobster & Steak House (3544 Sheep David Road, Concord, 225-7665) 8 p.m. Stray Dog Band returns to Makris Seafood for a highly anticipated local show and Halloween party.

Music Hall (28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, themusichall.org) 8 p.m. Space Oddity, the Quintessential David Bowie Tribute Experience. Costumes encouraged. $30 and up at themusichall.org.

New Nan King (222 Central St., Hudson, 882-1911) 7 p.m. Maestro’s Music Karaoke and a costume party.

Newfound Lake Inn (1030 Mayhew Turnpike, Bridgewater, 744-0911) 6 p.m. BOOOOOs Fest featuring DJ music and “horror d’oeuvres” along with specialty cocktails. Costume contest. $25 at eventbrite.com.

Par 28 (23 South Broadway, Salem, 458-7078) 8 p.m. DJ Styles spins with a costume contest and specialty cocktails.

Peddler’s Daughter (48 Main St., Nashua, 821-7535) 9:30 p.m. Magnificent Bastards play high-energy rock covers at this event promising ghosts, ghouls and questionable costumes.

Pembroke City Limits (134 Main St., Pembroke, 210-2409) 7 p.m. Haunted by Humans performs with a costume contest.

Polish American Club (15 School St., Nashua, 889-9819) 8 p.m. Karaoke with Kelly, private club, guests need to be signed in.

Porkbarrel Productions (107 Moose Mountain Road, Brookfield, eventbrite.com) 6 p.m. Backyard Boulderdash with The Boneheads. Costume ball and contest with cash prizes, 15 and under free admission, $20.

Portsmouth Gas Light (64 Market St., Portsmouth, 430-9122) 8 p.m. Halloween party in the third-floor nightclub with costume contest, prizes and music from DJ Koko P, and a Day of the Dead party the following night.

Press Room (77 Daniel St., Portsmouth, 431-5186) 9 p.m. Dan Blakeslee’s alter ego Doctor Gasp performs with his band the Eeks, the 23rd Annual Halloween Special begins directly after the Portsmouth Halloween parade.

Red’s Kitchen & Tavern (530 Lafayette Road, Seabrook, 760-0030) 6 p.m. Ignite Band rocks at this party, with a $500 gift card for the costume contest winner.

Reed’s North (2 E. Main St., Warner, 456-2143) 7 p.m. Spooky Halloween Party with music by Randy Hawkes. Costumes encouraged but not required. Ghoulish cocktails and pub menu.

Rooftop at The Artisan (19 Via Toscana, No. 550, Salem, 458-3028) 7 p.m. Boos & Brews at The Rooftop offers DJ dancing, spooky sips and more, $15

Saddle Up Saloon (92 Route 125, Kingston, 347-1313) 8 p.m. Bite the Bullet plays rock covers, with costume contests and specials.

Salona (128 Maple St., Manchester, 624-4020) 7 p.m. DJ, karaoke, raffles, and a prize for best costume.

Salt hill Pub Lebanon (2 W. Park St., Lebanon, 448-4532) 8 p.m. Local rockers the Conniption Fits provide the music for this party, with prizes for best costumes.

San Francisco Kitchen (133 Main St., Nashua, 885-8833) 8 p.m. DJ Triana spins with a costume contest, $100 cash for first place, $50 gift card for second, two complimentary drinks for third place.

Shaskeen (909 Elm St., Manchester, 625-0246) 9 p.m. Annual bash with DJ Myth spinning, costume contest and Guinness promo.

Spice Restaurant & Bar (300 Main St., Nashua, 417-7972) 8 p.m. DJ Daryl spins with a costume contest, $100 cash for first place, $50 gift card for second, $25 gift card for third place. Drink specials and giveaways.

Stark Brewing Company (500 Commercial St., Manchester, 625-4444) 9 p.m. The Cats — Andre LeClair and Jimmy Croons — perform at this party.

Stone Church (5 Granite St., Newmarket, 659-7700) 7 p.m. Two-day Grateful Dead party with Stone Dead, a collaboration of New England musicians with roots and associations going back to the Stone Church scene of the ’80s and ’90s, from acts such as Percy Hill, Groove Child, Thanks to Gravity, Trade and others. $25 advance, $30 day of show, $45 two-day pass.

Strange Brew (88 Market St., Manchester, 666-4292) 6:30 p.m. Lisa Marie offers blues rock and boogie.

Sun Bar & Grill (586 Nashua St., Milford, 633-6012) 8 p.m. DJ John spins with a costume contest, $100 cash for first place, $50 gift card for second, $25 gift card for third place. Drink specials and giveaways.

Village Trestle (25 Main St., Goffstown, 497-8230) 8 p.m. Halloween costume party with Bob Pratte.

Wally’s Pub (144 Ashworth Ave., Hampton, 926-6954) 6 p.m. Prospect Hill 16th annual Halloween party with Above Snakes and Major Moment. 21+, tickets $25 at ticketmaster.com.

Wolfeboro Inn (90 N. Main St., Wolfeboro, 569-3016) 6 p.m. Drinks, games and music in Wolfe’s Tavern to benefit the Justin Hartford Scholarship Fund, $15 advance, $20 door.

Zorvino Vineyards (226 Main St., Sandown, 887-8463) 6 p.m. Hallowine with themed trivia 6-8 p.m., all-day costume contest on the final patio dining night of the season.

Saturday, Nov. 1

Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St., Concord, ccanh.com) 11 a.m. Mr. Aaron’s Halloween Bash, a kid-centric show.

Hare of the Dawg (3 E. Broadway, Derry, 552-3883) 7:30 p.m. DJ Dave the Rave provides the music, with prizes for most creative, funniest, worst and group costumes.

Loaded Question Brewing (909 Islington St., Suite 12, Portsmouth, 852-1396) 8 p.m. Halloweeen Party happens a day late, but it’s still the weekend.

Paddy’s American Grille (27 International Drive, Portsmouth, 430-9450) 8 p.m. Bad Breath Microphone performs with prizes for best costume.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.

Two restaurants, one kitchen

Bravo is home to two concepts

“The original plan was just to open up a fine dining restaurant,” Rhonda Duhamel said, “seven days a week from 4 to 10 p.m. at night.”

But, as boxer Mike Tyson once famously said, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” For Duhamel, co-owner of the recently opened Bravo Restaurant (73 Hanover St, Manchester, 854-8139, bravonh.com) and its sister business, Café at Bravo (85 Hanover St, Manchester, 854-8089, cafeatbravo.com), the metaphorical punch was the need for more kitchen space, which led them to open a second, lunch-centered restaurant two doors down from the fine-dining one. Both use the same kitchen.

“Because we connect in the back, we are able to prep in the back for the restaurant and also make signature sandwiches for the cafe side along with homemade soups, pastries and salads; everything is made in house,” Duhamel said. “So that’s why we now have the Café at Bravo.”

This double business model has allowed Duhamel and her partner, Robert Singer, to serve two different types of clientele with little additional staff and minimal disruption to the fine-dining restaurant. The café is open until the early evening. The restaurant opens at 4 p.m., and there is little overlap between the two, Duhamel said.

The Café at Bravo focuses on sandwiches, salads, pastries and soups, she said.

“We make homemade soup — a special soup every day, and a specialty sandwich each week. We also just added a big catering side to the cafe, so that’s really ramping up now. People are ordering our signature sandwiches for their parties — businesses and Sunday football get-togethers. It’s a self-serve cafe. We do have a counter where people can come up and order their food, but we encourage people to use our kiosks.”

The kiosks are automated stations located at the front of the café, where customers can order and pay for their food before picking it up at the counter in the rear.

“We wanted to have very little overhead here on this side,” she said, “so we figured we would offer the kiosks…. We would rather pay our staff more and let the consumer not tip them.”

Two doors down, the Bravo Restaurant focuses on upscale American cuisine, Duhamel said. “We have everything from salmon, sea bass, seafood casserole — I actually had that last night — haddock, sole, and then we go into some nice chicken dishes. We have a nice rib-eye. Our tomahawk pork chop is very popular, and our short rib has been spectacular. And then we have filets and a [pasta] bolognese. We also do have a burger on the menu.”

The restaurant has the flexibility to meet several types of white-tablecloth-dining needs, Duhamel said.

“We have 101 seats. We have a regular bar and then we’ve added a wine bar here in our dining room. It’s a seated bar where you can have your meal. We’re very much into wines. We have 24 seats outside on the patio. We also have a private dining area with 16 seats, so we can rent it out for a family party to a business party. In this wine bar, we also have the ability to use audio if we have a chef’s tasting here. If we have upcoming special events, like a Valentine’s Day event, we can advertise on the screen here for our guests to see.” She pointed at a large abstract painting over the bar. “That isn’t a painting; it’s a video screen.”

Duhamel said that the two Bravo restaurants are a good fit for downtown Manchester.

“We complement the other restaurants in the city,” she said. “Hanover Street is the happening street, downtown. And now we have it filled — Hanover Street has no empty spaces.”

Café at Bravo
Where: 85 Hanover St., Manchester, 854-8089, cafeatbravo.com
Hours: open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Bravo Restaurant
Where: 73 Hanover St., Manchester, 854-8139, bravonh.com
Hours: open seven days a week, 4 to 10 p.m.

Featured photo: Cafe at Bravo. Photo by John Fladd.

Murder most fried

Interactive mystery show at Majestic Theatre

Last year the Majestic Theatre staged Murder’s In The Heir, a comedic mystery about a billionaire, a will and an untimely demise, with the audience voting via secret ballot to name the perpetrator. The show was a hit, so when time came to pick a show for the 35th season, Majestic director Robert Dionne looked for another work from that play’s writer, Billy St. John.

He found Southern Fried Murder. It hews to the idea of “where there’s a will, there’s a play,” but with a difference. The story centers on a dinner party in a hotel dining room organized by a matriarch named Magnolia Capote. She’s devised a sort of scavenger hunt that’s detailed on the last page of her will. It will reveal who gets her money.

Magnolia dies early, killed with her walking stick. The so-called fourth wall dissolves as cast members wander through the audience to look for clues, about the money, and her murder. Interactions begin when patrons are seated by actor/ushers; in character, they begin dishing on fellow cast members.

That back-and-forth continues throughout the performance, as the cast veers away from the script into a blend of improv and standup crowd work that includes accusing audience members of committing the crime. Occasionally, they wander into the crowd, looking for clues and asking for input.

At the end, there isn’t a vote to name a killer; the deed-doer’s identity is already known. The challenge for the audience is to guess it correctly. One other twist not in last year’s production is that someone from the crowd will be drafted into the cast and given a script to play the small but important role of Terry, the hotel’s manager.

It’s directed by Becky Rush, who also helmed Murder’s In The Heir. In a recent phone interview, Rush explained that it’s a choose your own adventure show that can be done as dinner theater or something else. Majestic chose the latter, more or less.

“We’re passing out recipes and serving refreshments, bottled water, after-dinner mints and whatnot,” she said.

An observant person will be able to glean a clue or two while they quaff, but Rush was careful to withhold any details.

“Billy St. John always has some really interesting audience twists,” she said. “So this is another way that he gets them involved with his shows.”

Four actors from Murder’s In the Heir are returning this year: Natasha DaCunha Lund is Maggie St. Lawrence, Matthew Davis plays Ben Parker, the lawyer, Ilana Pete is Stump, and Katie Davis is Magnolia Woods. “They just really enjoyed the Billy St. John last year,” Rush said.

Other performers include Krystal Timinski, Chad Boutin, Aimee Baker, Jordan Gagan and Jeff Caron, who’s a veteran of the company.

“He’s been around The Majestic for many, many years; I actually was in a show with him in February, Last of the Red Hot Lovers,” Rush said. “So Jeff is no stranger to The Majestic stage.”

Boutin is, Rush continued, “sort of a surprise, playing both the role of the mother who gets killed and the son, Lou. So he’s doing some really cool stuff. We’re trying to get some nuance to this character, where the mother stands a certain way and then Lou stands in the exact same way, but with a little twist …mirroring those two characters.”

Rush has been with the company for 30 of its 35 years and is enjoying the current anniversary season.

“I’m so proud to be affiliated with The Majestic,” she said. “Even though we’ve lost our space a couple of times, we just keep getting back up and fighting the good fight and being an active part of the community. I believe 100 percent in this organization and what we do for the community.”

Southern Fried Murder
When: Friday, Oct. 31, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 1, at 2 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 2, at 2 p.m.
Where: Majestic Theatre, 880 Page St., Manchester
Tickets: $15 to $20 at majestictheatre.net

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