Category: This Week

Big Events April 6, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, April 6

New Hampshire Craft Beer Week, an annual 10-day celebration of the Granite State’s craft brewing industry, returns today and will continue through Saturday, April 15. The campaign is presented by the New Hampshire Brewers Association and is meant to coincide with National Beer Day (April 7). Among this year’s happenings is the inaugural downtown Nashua craft beer tour, with chances to win prizes. Visit nhbrewers.org or follow Craft Beer Week’s Facebook page @nhcraftbeerweek for details on ongoing events and happenings.

Saturday, April 8

Catch Grammy- and Emmy-nominated Celtic violinist Máiréad Nesbitt for a special show with the New Hampshire-based Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki Trio tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St., Manchester). Nesbitt is a founding member of the all-female worldwide traveling music phenomenon Celtic Woman, which has released several multi-platinum selling records. Tickets are $35, plus fees. Purchase them online at palacetheatre.org, or call the box office at 668-5588.

Saturday, April 8

Join the Derry Public Library (64 E. Broadway) today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Derry Author Fest — the event features a full day of lectures, panels and networking opportunities for aspiring writers and storytellers, as well as a book sale in the children’s room courtesy of Gibson’s Bookstore. This year’s keynote speaker is Ann Davila Cardinal, author of the 2022 novel The Storyteller’s Death. Derry Author Fest is free and open to the public. See derryauthorfest.wordpress.com for the full schedule of this year’s events.

Saturday, April 8

Don’t miss the Boots & Brews car show, happening today from noon to 6 p.m. at Anheuser-Busch Tour Center & Biergarten (221 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack). All vehicle makes and models are welcome in the show, which is being held in support of Heroes in Transition, a nonprofit assisting New England veterans and their families with service dogs, prosthetics and home modifications. Food trucks will also be on site, and the Biergarten and gift shop will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are requested. See biergartenevents.com.

Tuesday, April 11

Play ball! The New Hampshire Fisher Cats play their home opener of the 2023 season tonight at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium (1 Line Drive, Manchester) against the Portland Sea Dogs. First pitch is at 6:35 p.m., starting a six-game homestand that continues through Sunday, April 16. Single-game tickets start at $12, and the first 1,000 fans through the gate for tonight’s game also receive a free Frisbee. See nhfishercats.com for the full schedule of games, which runs through mid-September this year.

Wednesday, April 12

Vermont authors Rebecca and Sallyann Majoya will be at Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St., Concord) tonight at 6:30 p.m. to present their shared memoir, Uncertain Fruit: A Memoir of Infertility, Loss and Love, released in November. Admission is free, and for those who can’t make it, signed copies of the book may be ordered from Gibson’s Bookstore’s website. See gibsonsbookstore.com.

Save the Date! Friday, April 29
Saturday, April 29, is Independent Bookstore Day, a nationwide celebration of independent bookstores and the book-lovers who frequent them. Participating bookstores sell merchandise released exclusively for that day, which may include special-edition books, signed art prints and covers and literary-themed novelty items. Some may even host additional festivities, such as author visits, readings and book signings, live music, food, activities for kids, contests and giveaways and more. Visit indiebookstoreday.com to see a list of this year’s featured merchandise and to find a bookstore near you that is participating.

Featured photo. Fisher Cats. Courtesy photo.

Big Events March 30, 2023 and beyond

Friday, March 31

The 48th Annual NH Camping & RV Show is today from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Hampshire Dome (34 Emerson Road, Milford) and will continue Saturday, April 1, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The show will have the latest RVs, trailers, pop-ups, tents and camping equipment on display. Tickets cost $15 for adults, $10 for ages 13 to 17, and free for ages 12 and younger with an adult. Visit nhlovescampers.com for more information.

Friday, March 31

The Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord) is hosting the Wild & Scenic Film Festival today. The doors will open at 5 p.m. and movies start at 6 p.m. The festival will show movies that use the art form of film to inspire activism. Tickets range from $15 to $60 and can be purchased at ccanh.com.

Saturday, April 1

Today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Capital City Craft Festival is back at the Douglas N. Everett Arena (15 Loudon Road in Concord). The event will have 125 artisans selling arts and crafts including folk art, candles, apparel, metal art, fiber arts, personal care items, jewelry, glass and more as well as specialty foods, according to castleberryfairs.com. Tickets will be sold online and at the door. Price is $8 for adults, under 14 get in free; one admission is good for both days.

Saturday, April 1

Balin Books (375 Amherst St., Nashua) is having three local poets do a reading and discussion today at 1 p.m. for National Poetry Month. The poets, Meg Kearney, Charles Kell and Kevin McLellan, will read some of their recent works, discuss their processes and do a book signing. For more information, call 673-1734.

Sunday, April 2

See the American jazz fusion band Spyro Gyra today at 7 p.m. at Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St., Derry). The band, with more than 40 years of experience, 30 studio albums, and 5,000 shows performed, is bringing its brand of soul, jazz, and rhythm and blues to New Hampshire audiences. Tickets start at $50 and can be bought at tickets.tupelohall.com.

Wednesday, April 5

The epic silent science-fiction movie Metropolis is being shown at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St., Manchester) tonight at 7 p.m. The movie, from 1927, will be a remastered screening, including footage that was rediscovered in Argentina in 2007. Jeff Rapsis, who specializes in scoring silent films, will provide live musical accompaniment. Tickets cost $10 and can be purchased at palacetheatre.org.

Save the Date! Friday, April 14
Join the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester) for its annual gala and art auction today at 6 p.m. The event’s theme is inspired by spring and all things floral, as well as the bloom of new perspectives at the museum. Artists, including Chris Gustin, Al Jaeger, Richard Haynes Jr. and Carl Hyatt, will present and discuss the artwork for auction. Individual tickets cost $350 with tables of eight available for purchase. Visit currier.org for more information.

Featured photo. RV Camper.

Big Events March 23, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, March 23

Join Owen Lowery at tonight’s Art After Work at 5 p.m. as he recounts his time as the Currier Museum’s (150 Ash St., Manchester) Artist in Residence. Lowery, who is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, will discuss the projects he has worked on with the Manchester community. See currier.org.

Thursday, March 23

The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road, Londonderry) is having a humanities series presentation by Mary S. Build, seaplane pilot and memoirist, today at 7 p.m. Build will discuss how she found freedom in flying and will be signing copies of her book, Finding Myself in Aviation. Admission is $10 and registration can be completed at aviationmuseumofnh.org.

Friday, March 24

The Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester) is hosting Queen cover band Killer Queen: The Music of Queen tonight and Saturday, March 25, at 7:30 p.m. The group celebrates the hits of the classic British rock band and its front man, Freddie Mercury. Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased at palacetheatre.org.

Friday, March 24

Catch Will Noonan, Lauren Severse and John Baglio at the Tupelo Night of Comedy tonight at 8 p.m. at the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St. in Derry; tupelomusichall.com). Tickets cost $22. Find more place to get some laughs this weekend in our Comedy This Week listings on page 31.

Saturday, March 25

The Bank of New Hampshire Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord) is welcoming Souled Out Show Band tonight at 8 p.m. The veteran band has been spinning pop songs into soulful renditions for the last two decades. Tickets cost $24 and can be purchased at ccanh.com.

Sunday, March 26

Come to Balin Books (375 Amherst St., Nashua) for a book signing event with Nathan Guardian for his debut novel Wicked Womentoday at 2 p.m. The book tells the story of three young women and how they’re brought into the dark world of charming and mysterious Bonnie Buckingham and New England witches. For more information, call 673-1734.

Monday, March 27

Today is the first day of the Spring Cleaning Sale at Studio 550 Art Center (550 Elm St., Manchester). Items for sale will include projects worked on by studio members, a clay fund for kids, and pottery for a purpose, whose proceeds will benefit the International Institute of New England. Most items will cost less than $25 and the sale will be during studio hours, noon to 8 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday through Saturday. Visit 550arts.com for more information.

Save the Date! Friday, March 31
See Scotland-born fiddler Louise Bichanperform her project “Out of My Own Light” at the Word Barn (66 Newfields Road, Exeter) today at 7 p.m. The show tells the story of Bichan’s grandmother and her traveling from islands in Scotland to Canada to visit relatives and make a tough decision. The show is told through traditional-style Scottish music Bichan composed. Tickets start at $15 and can be bought at thewordbarn.com.

Featured photo. Spring Cleaning Sale at Studio 550 Art Center. Courtesy photo.

Big Events March 16, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, March 16

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Intown Concord St. Patrick’s Day Celebration today at the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord) beginning at 5:30 p.m. The show will have performances from step-dancer group In the Field Irish Dancers and folk-rock Irish pub band The Penniless Jacks. There will also be a pot-of-gold raffle, and the ticket includes an Irish-themed dinner at Twelve 31 Café. Tickets cost $45, or $40 for Intown Concord supporters. Visit intownconcord.org. Looking for more St. Pat’s happenings? See the March 9 issuse of the Hippo for a rundown of special meals (page 25). In this week’s issue, find some upcoming Irish music performances listed on page 19 and find live music at area pubs, restaurants and more on Friday, March 17, in the Music This Week on page 36.

Friday, March 17

The Black Ice Pond Hockey Championship begins today at 9 a.m. and continues Saturday, March 18, at 7 a.m. The matches will rotate between six different brackets and 56 teams in total competing to see who is the best in each group. Matches will be at White Park (1 White St., Concord) and Everett Arena (15 Loudon Road, Concord). Visit blackicepondhockey.com.

Saturday, March 18

Today at 1 p.m. is the Battle of the Badges, a hockey tournament between police officers and firefighters to benefit Dartmouth Health Children’s, at the SNHU Arena in Manchester. General admission costs $16, kids ages 5 and younger are free. To purchase tickets, visit getinvolved.dartmouth-hitchcock.org.

Saturday, March 18

Head to McIntyre Ski Area (50 Chalet Way, Manchester) for their end-of-the-season Pond Skim and Hawaiian Festival today. The competition starts at 1 p.m. with awards going out to people with the best skim, biggest splash and best costume. Entry is included in half-day or season pass for the lift. Visit mcintyreskiarea.com for more information or to reserve a lift time.

Sunday, March 19

Today is the last chance to see Little Womenat the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester). The show follows the lives of Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy March and their Marmee as they grow into independent women in post-Civil War America. Tickets start at $25 and the curtain goes up at 2 p.m. Visit palacetheatre.orgn.

Wednesday, March 22

See Composer Amy Beach, a documentary film by John Gfoerer, at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St.) at 7:30 p.m., followed by a discussion with Gfoerer. Beach was commissioned to write a choral piece for the opening of the Women’s Pavilion at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago when she was 25 years old. Four years later, her Gaelic Symphony was premiered by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the first symphony composed and published by an American woman. Visit walkerlecture.org.

Save the Date! Saturday, April 1
It’s the first day of the annual Capital City Craft Festival at the Everett Arena (15 Loudon Road, Concord). There will be more than 125 vendors selling everything from soy candles and handmade soap to iron works and hand-carved wooden utensils. Tickets cost $8 and customers 14 and younger get in free. Tickets are good for both days. The show will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 1, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 2. Visit castleberryfairs.com.

Featured photo. In the Field Irish Dancers

Big Events March 9, 2023 and beyond

Saturday, March 11

It’s a day of hockey games at SNHU Arena (555 Elm St. in Manchester; snhuarena.com) with NHIAA High School Hockey Championship games at 10 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 5 p.m. Tickets for each game cost $10 ($8 for ages 6 to 18 and 65+).

Saturday, March 11

Concord eatery Georgia’s Northside and Area 23 (254 N. State St. in Concord; 552-0137, thearea23.com) are holding a Chili Throwdown today at Area 23 from noon until 5 p.m. or when the chili runs out. A $20 ticket gets you access to the chili bar featuring four different chilis, according to an Area 23 Facebook post about the event.

Saturday, March 11

Mike McCarthy headlines Miked Up Comedy at Millyard Brewery (125 E. Otterson in Nashua; millyardbrewery.com, 722-0104) tonight from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets cost $20. Find more laughs this weekend in Comedy This Week on page 34.

Sunday, March 12

Start your Oscar Sunday with a screening of Little Old New York, one of the top-grossing movies of 1923, at the Wilton Town Hall Theatre (40 Main St. in Wilton) today at 2 p.m., according to a press release. This silent film starring Marion Davies will feature live musical accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis. A $10 donation per person is suggested.

Sunday, March 12

The New Hampshire Scottish Music Club will hold its monthly gathering today from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at Concord Community Music School (23 Wall St. in Concord). The group will play a “member tune” and a tune written by a guest at the last month’s meeting and also rehearse for upcoming spring concerts, according to nhscottishmusicclub.org.

Sunday, March 12

As Billy Crystal used to sing, it’s a wonderful night for Oscar. Watch the 95th Academy Awards at home (broadcast starts at 8 p.m. on ABC) or with a crowd at the Red River Theatres (11 S. Main St. in Concord; 224-4600, redrivertheatres.org) Academy Awards Watch Party, which starts at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $50; play Oscar games and watch the ceremony on the big screen. Amy Diaz talks about what she’s rooting for on Sunday night in a story in the Film section, which starts on page 32.

Monday, March 13

Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord is holding a virtual book event with Sen. Bernie Sanders discussing his new book It’s OK To Be Angry At Capitalism today at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $32 and include a hardcover copy of the book. Register at gibsonsbookstore.com.

Monday, March 13

It’s the greenery you don’t want to see return in the spring. The Milford Garden Club is holding a program today called “Poison Ivy — What You Need to Know” at 10:30 a.m. at First Congregational Church Parish House (10 Union St. in Milford), according to a press release. Presenter Helaine Hughes of Poison Ivy Removal Co. based in Greenfield will discuss how to identify poison ivy in all seasons and distinguish it from other plants as well as how to clean clothing, tools and skin, the release said.

Save the Date! St. Patrick’s Day — Friday, March 17
In addition to the traditional Irish eats (see a rundown of area offerings starting on page 25), next Friday will feature loads of Irish tunes. Two shows to consider: The Spain Brothers will play the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org) from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets cost $29. Or catch the Glengarry Bhoys at 8 p.m. at the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St. in Derry; tupelomusichall.com). Tickets cost $35.

Featured photo. Marion Davies stars in Little Old New York (1923).

Big Events March 2, 2023 and beyond

Wednesday, March 8

The high-energy a cappella group Ball in the House is performing tonight at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St.) at 7:30 p.m. The Boston-based group has won several championships, including Boston Harmony Sweepstakes, and headlined the 2018 and 2016 China International Chorus Festival in Beijing, according to a press release. This event is free to attend. Visit walkerlecture.org.

Friday, March 3

The characters from Louisa May Alcott’s famous novel come to life inLittle Women, opening today at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., in Manchester) at 7:30 p.m. Follow the life of the four March sisters (Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy) and their mother the girls grow up and find love and happiness in Civil War and post-Civil War New England. The show will run Friday, March 3, through Sunday, March 19. The shows are on Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $25 to $46. Visit palacetheatre.org.

Friday, March 3

The Hatbox Theatre (270 Loudon Road in Concord) will present the playVanities beginning tonight at 7:30 p.m. The play is a comedy-drama that focuses on three Texan women who began as best friends in their high school cheerleading years, went on to be sorority sisters, and eventually became incompatible due to the trials of adulthood, according to the website. The show will run through March 19. Tickets range from $16 to $25. Visit hatboxnh.com.

Friday, March 3

The monthly Super Stellar Friday program today at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Drive, Concord) will look at an experiment sent to the International Space Station by Team Cooke of UNH Manchester to study novel methods of antibiotic discovery in space. The experiment looked at what happens to bacteria in soil when sent to space. It was brought back down to earth in January, and the group will let the public know their findings thus far, according to starhop.com. Tickets to the presentation cost $12 for adults, $11 for seniors and students and $9 for kids.

Saturday, March 4

Head to the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St. in Manchester) for a concert by Yung Gravy tonight at 7 p.m.Called a trend-setting rapper, Yung Gravy got his start in 2017 after dropping hit song “Mr. Clean.” Doors to the show open at 5:30 p.m. Ticket prices start at $35. Visit snhuarena.com.

Wednesday, March 8

The Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord) is hosting Pure Prairie League today at 7:30 p.m., doors at 6:30 p.m. Pure Prairie League, a country-rock group on its fifth decade, brought the popularity of the subgenre to the forefront of the music scene, according to ccanh.com, where general-admission tickets cost $53.75 (plus fees) in advance.

Save the Date! Saturday, March 18
Head over to Funspot (579 Endicott St. N. in Weirs Beach) for the Fun for Paws triathlon on Saturday, March 18. Groups will participate in candlepin bowling, minigolf and games (paintball, skee ball, and darts) to benefit Funds4Paws. The group with the highest score will win prizes and awards, as well as the people with the most fundraising. Registration fees start at $200. Check in time is 9 a.m., and the games will begin at 10 a.m. Visit funds4paws.org to register.

Featured photo. A cappella group Ball in the House. Courtesy photo.