Category: This Week

Big Events May 4, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, May 4

Get ready for tacos! Taco Tour Manchester returns to Elm Street downtown today from 4 to 8 p.m., featuring more than 90 participating restaurants, food trucks and other businesses selling all-you-can-eat creative takes on tacos for $3 apiece (cash only). Visit tacotourmanchester.com to download the recently released Taco Tour map, and be sure to vote on your favorite taco by the end of the event.

Thursday, May 4

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats continue their home stand tonight at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium (1 Line Drive, Manchester) against the Harrisburg Senators — first pitch is at 6:35 p.m., and a special Atlas Fireworks show will immediately follow the conclusion of the game. The team has other games scheduled from Friday, May 5, through Sunday, May 7, before they hit the road next week to take on the Reading Fightin Phils. See nhfishercats.com for the full schedule and to purchase tickets.

Saturday, May 6

Join the Nashua Historical Society in welcoming author Andrew Noone, who will present his book Bathsheba Spooner: A Revolutionary Murder, today at 3 p.m. at the Florence H. Speare Museum (5 Abbott St., Nashua). The talk will explore the saga of New England’s most notorious crime of the American Revolution, according to a press release. Admission is free and open to the public. See nashuahistoricalsociety.org for more details.

Saturday, May 6

Registration is now open for the second annual Run the Rail Trail 5-Miler road race, taking off from the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road, Londonderry) today at 9 a.m. The course includes a 1-mile forested path through undeveloped land and a scenic stretch of the newest portion of the Londonderry Rail Trail, according to a press release. Race day registration is $35, with proceeds benefiting the museum’s youth education programs. Visit nhahs.org/events to register.

Sunday, May 7

The New Hampshire Fiddle Ensemble makes a stop at the Derryfield School (2108 River Road, Manchester) today at 2 p.m. — the community orchestra of fiddles, guitars, banjos, mandolins, basses, harps, cellos and even some horns is backed by professionals delivering “a heartwarming and energetic performance,” according to a press release. Advance tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for seniors and students and free for kids ages 8 and under. Tickets are $2 extra on the day of the event. See nhfiddleensemble.org.

Wednesday, May 10

New Hampshire Humanities presents Storytelling on Film: A Screening of Lost Boundaries, tonight at Red River Theatres (11 S. Main St., Concord) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Based on the true story of Dr. Albert Johnston, a Black man and his family who passed as white in early 20th-century Keene, Lost Boundaries “illustrates New Hampshire’s complicated history of racial passing,” according to a press release. Lawrence Benaquist, Professor Emeritus of Keene State College, is a featured presenter at the screening. Admission is free, but registration is required. Register online at redrivertheatres.org.

Save the Date! Saturday, May 20
Grease up those bike gears and get ready to pedal through the back roads of Francestown and nearby towns on Saturday, May 20. The Tour de Francestown is a recreational bike ride that offers 25-mile and 50-mile options of mostly gravel roads. The online registration deadline is 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 18, and there is a total registration limit of 200 riders. The registration fee — $45 for the 25-mile, $60 for the 50-mile — covers entry, beverage stops, and post-ride eats; extra family and friend meal tickets are available for $5 or $10. Proceeds will go toward preserving the Francestown Old Meeting House. Helmets are required. For more information and to register, visit www.bikereg.com/the-tour-de-francestown.

Featured photo. 2022 Taco Tour. Photo courtesy of Ethos & Able Creative.

Big Events April 27, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, April 27

Today is opening night for Cirque Alfonse-Animal at the Dana Center (100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester) at 7:30 p.m. The show reimagines Quebec folklore with a troupe of performers that include acrobats, musicians and a former ski champion. Tickets cost $45 and can be purchased at anselm.edu.

Friday, April 28

This is the last weekend to see the art exhibit “Love Our Planet” at the Massabesic Center (26 Audubon Way, Auburn). The exhibit features works of art celebrating the beauty of the natural world and wildlife. There are more than 30 pieces of artwork in various media including oils, watercolors, acrylics, pastel, mixed media, pen and ink, pencil, and photography. For more information visit nhaudubon.org.

Friday, April 28

Get spooky at Fright Kingdom’s (12 Simon St., Nashua) Halfway to Halloween haunted house today from 7 to 10 p.m. and Saturday, April 29 from 6 to 10 p.m. The haunt will have all five unique scary experiences open for people to wander through, with characters outside providing spooky entertainment. Tickets cost $35 and can be purchased at frightkingdom.com.

Saturday, April 29

Concord’s Giant Indoor Yard Sale is back today from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Everett Arena (15 Loudon Road, Concord). There will be thousands of items on sale for visitors to choose from, as well as food and drinks to keep up shoppers’ energy. Tickets cost $5, children ages 12 and younger are free. Email [email protected].

Saturday, April 29

The Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St., Manchester) is hosting Beatles cover band Beatlejuice today at 7:30 p.m. The group, which has been performing for more than 20 years, matches the original foursome note for note so audiences can feel like John, Paul, George and Ringo are performing their greatest hits. Tickets cost $29 and can be bought at palacetheatre.org.

Sunday, April 30

Join the Chubb Theatre at Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St., Concord) for Swing into Jazz tonight at 4 p.m., doors open at 3 p.m. The concert will feature guitarist John Pizzarelli, who has collaborated with Paul McCartney and Michael McDonald. Tickets start at $33.25 and can be purchased at ccanh.com.

Save the Date! May 6
Celebrate all things theater at the Broadway Rave at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St.) today. Dress up like your favorite Broadway show character, and belt along to the various cast albums at this event. There will be some surprise guests for theater lovers. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $19. Visit nashuacenterforthearts.com to order tickets or for more information.

Featured photo. Highlights from past Concord’s Giant Indoor Yard Sales. Courtesy photo.

Big Events April 20, 2023 and beyond

Friday, April 21

The beloved rock opera Rent is opening tonight at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester) at 7:30 p.m. The show, loosely inspired by the opera La Bohème, follows a group of artists and friends as they try to survive in New York’s Alphabet City while the HIV/AIDS epidemic rages around them. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased at palacetheatre.org. The show runs through Sunday, May 14, with shows Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. as well as Thursday, May 11, at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, April 21

Girl Named Tom is coming to the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St.) today at 8 p.m. The band is siblings Bekah, Joshua and Caleb Liechty, and is the only group to ever win NBC’s The Voice. Tickets to the show are $29 to $69 and can be purchased at nashuacenterforthearts.com.

Saturday, April 22

See the ’80s glam rock cover “hair band” Mullet today at the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord) today at 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m. The band is known for putting on shows covering classic rock ’n’ roll artists like Van Halen, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Journey and Poison. Tickets cost $30.75 and can be purchased at ccanh.com.

Saturday, April 22

Celebrate all things Scottish with the New Hampshire Indoor Scottish Festival at Salem High School (44 Geremonty Drive) today from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The festival will have competitions in Highland dance, bagpipes, Scottish snare, tenor and bass on stage. There will also be history talks, clan registrations, vendors, food trucks and more. Visit nhssa.org for more information.

Sunday, April 23

Shop for special antiques at the Spring Vintage and Collectibles Sale at the Timeless Toy Box (25 Elm St., Peterborough) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Vendors will be set up to sell vintage toys, collectibles and more. Visit facebook.com/TimelessToyBox for more information.

Wednesday, April 26

Today is the opening day of the Manchester Spring Carnival at the JFK Arena parking lot (303 Beech St., Manchester), with the gates opening at 5 p.m. The carnival will run through April 30 and will have a variety of tasty food, exciting games and thrilling rides. Entry costs start at $30 online, $35 on site. Visit fiestashows.com.

Save the Date! Thursday, April 20
The Concord Multicultural Festival Latin Night is tonight at the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com) at 6 p.m., doors open at 5 p.m. The show, presented by Barranquilla Flavor and the Concord Multicultural Festival, will have performances, dance demonstrations and South American cuisine. Tickets cost $50 per person.

Featured photo. Rent.

Big Events April 13, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, April 13

Prop comedian Tape Face has come a long way since his early days as a busker on the streets of Timaru, New Zealand. He’s played at the BBC Comedy Proms and placed in the finals of America’s Got Talent. Don’t miss his appearance at the Capitol Center for the Arts’ Chubb Theatre (44 S. Main St., Concord; 225-1111, ccanh.com) today at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $33.75 to 53.75, plus fees.

Thursday, April 13

Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken will take the stage tonight at 8 p.m. at the Nashua Center for the Arts, the Gate City’s newly opened performing arts center. Katelyn Sahagian spoke to Ruben and Clay as part of her coverage of the new center in the April 6 issue of the Hippo. Find that Q&A on page 11 and more about the Nashua Center for the Arts in the story which starts on page 10. See hippopress.com to find the e-edition.

Friday, April 14

The Lend Me a Theatre production of Don’t Talk to the Actors begins its final weekend tonight at the Hatbox Theatre (270 Loudon Road in Concord; hatboxnh.com, 715-2315) at 7:30 p.m. Other shows this weekend include Saturday, April 15, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 16, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $22, $19 for seniors and students.

Saturday, April 15

The 11th Annual Woman’s Service Club of Windham Spring Craft Fair will run today from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Windham High School and feature more than 100 artisans from New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine presenting arts and crafts including ceramics, glass, jewelry, bird houses, spring wreaths, home decor, textiles, handbags, scrapbooking, doll clothes, rag dolls, woodwork, garden sculpture, soaps and lotions, candles, photography, fine art and more, according to a press release. The day will also feature raffles and sale of artisanal food. Admission is a suggested donation of $2 per person. See WomansServiceClubofWindham.org.

Saturday, April 15

Win items for pennies at the St. Patrick’s Penny Sale today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Parish Center (12 Main St. in Pelham). Drawings will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and pickup will be Sunday from noon to 2 p.m.

Saturday, April 15

The Palace Theatre in Manchester will hold a Casino Night tonight from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. to benefit the Palace Youth Theatre Campaign. The evening will feature drinks, music, blackjack, Texas hold ’em, craps, roulette and a chance to win prizes including a Southwest Airlines gift card, according to a Palace email. The event will be held at the Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St. in Manchester. Tickets cost $35; call 668-5588.

Sunday, April 16

The Windham Swing Band will perform today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Andres Institute of Art’s Welcome Center (106 Route 13 in Brookline; andresinstitute.org, 845-9174) as part of a concert series to benefit Andres. Tickets cost $25 for general admission seating; front-row tables that seat five cost $200. The show will feature concessions and a cash bar as well as a raffle and AIA merch, according to a press release.

Save the Date! Thursday, April 20
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. Tape Face. Courtesy photo.

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.