Category: This Week

Big Events October 20, 2022 and beyond

Saturday, Oct. 22
Manchester native and Central High School graduate Adam Sandler returns to the Queen City for a show tonght at the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St., Manchester; 644-5000, www.snhuarena.com) at 7:30 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m. Sandler’s Manchester appearance is part of a fall tour, according to the arena website where, on Tuesday, Oct. 18, available tickets started at $75 plus fees.

Thursday, Oct. 20
Gather at the Concord High School auditorium (170 Warren St.) to hear the Marine Band National Concert Tour, a free concert being offered tonight at 7:30 p.m. The band, which according to its website is America’s oldest continually active professional musical organization, will play traditional band repertoire and marches as well as instrumental solos. Up to four tickets for this event can be reserved at marineband.ticketleap.com/concordnh22.

Thursday, Oct. 20
The Dropkick Murphys are playing the Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com) tonight at 7:15 p.m. Tickets begin at $39.50 plus fees.

Saturday, Oct. 22
Join Woodman Museum for voices from the cemetery today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pine Hill Cemetery (131 Central Ave., Dover). The event is a guided tour of the cemetery that will introduce local historical figures, like the first Dover woman to climb Mt. Washington. The event costs $20 for adults and $10 for children. Purchase tickets at woodmanmuseum.org.

Saturday, Oct. 22 Learn about the Celtic holiday that came before Halloween at Celebrate Samhain today at Doubletree Hilton in Nashua (2 Somerset Parkway) beginning at 10 a.m. The festival will ha ve authors of popular wicca and pagan books speaking, divination readings, live music, vendors selling witchy goods, and more. Tickets are $10 and can be bought at celebratesamhain.com.

Wednesday, Oct. 26
The lecture “Turkey, the Cradle of Civilization” is happening today at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St.) at 7:30 p.m. The event will feature Marlin Darrah, who is known as the world’s most traveled filmmaker, and show the 8,000 years of Turkish history, art, architecture and archeology. Darrah will be taking questions after the lecture. This event is free to attend.

Save the date! Saturday, Oct. 29
The New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival is back in Laconia to spread fall festivities beginning at 9 a.m. with the 5K/10K at Opechee Park. The day will feature events ranging from a craft and artisan show, Hanover Street happenings with axe throwing, pumpkin bowling, face painting and more, as well as historic train rides and showings of Halloween movies. The jack-o’-lantern lighting starts at 4:45 p.m. Visit nhpumpkinfestival.com for a full list and itinerary of events.

Featured photo. Next to Normal. Courtesy photo.

Big Events October 13, 2022 and beyond

Friday, Oct. 14

Majestic Theatre is putting on a limited production of Next to Normal starting tonight at 7 p.m. at the Derry Opera House (29 W. Broadway, Derry) The show follows the life of a normal suburban family as they deal with mental illness, loss and family trauma. Because of the adult themes in the show, the Majestic said that the show isn’t recommended for audience members younger than 17. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $15 for seniors. Visit majestictheatre.net to purchase tickets.

Saturday, Oct. 15

The 25th anniversary of the Aviation Museum is today, with a celebratory fundraising gala from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Executive Court Banquet Hall (1199 S. Mammoth Road, Manchester). The gala will have a gourmet dinner, the 18-piece Bedford Big Band, auction items, raffle prizes and more. Individual tickets cost $75; a table of eight costs $500. Reserve tickets at aviationmuseumofnh.org.

Sunday, Oct. 16

The New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra opens its 118th year with an orchestral showcase, “Nature & Myth,” featuring music by Beethoven, Walker, Grieg and Sibelius, today at 2 p.m. at the Seifert Performing Arts Center (44 Geremonty Drive, Salem). The showcase will also run on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $30 for adults, $25 for seniors and $8 for kids. Visit nhphil.org to purchase tickets.

Tuesday, Oct. 18

The Canterbury Village is holding a showing of the movie Holy Ground tonight at the Peterborough Community Theatre (6 School St.) at 7 p.m. The movie explores the history of the Shakers, a religious group that spanned from Maine to Kentucky. Tickets for the event are free and popcorn and wine will be included for the showing. After the showing, local author Howard Mansfield will read from his book Chasing Eden. Contact Rae Easter at [email protected] to reserve tickets.

Wednesday, Oct. 19

Jeff Belanger is telling ghost stories from across New England at the Derry Opera House (29 W. Broadway) tonight at 7 p.m. Belanger, an author known for writing about the paranormal, UFOs, folklore, ledged and ghosts, is a host on the Emmy-nominated series New England Legends and is a co-host on the New England Legends podcast. Tickets can be reserved through the Derry Public Library at derrypl.org.

Save the date! Thursday, Nov. 3
The ninth annual Distiller’s Showcase is on Thursday, Nov. 3, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton (700 Elm St, Manchester). The showcase will have dozens of distillers from across the country and around the world. It’s part of New Hampshire Distiller’s Week, which begins on Nov. 1. Tickets to the showcase start at $60. For more information about the Distiller’s Showcase and more events happening during Distiller’s Week, visit distillersshowcase.com.

Featured photo. Next to Normal. Courtesy photo.

Big Events October 6, 2022 and beyond

Thursday, Oct. 6

The 20th annual New Hampshire Film Festival kicks off today and runs through Sunday, Oct. 9, at several locations around Portsmouth including the Music Hall, the Lounge, the Press Room, St. John’s Church and 3S Artspace. Today’s events include a screening of God’s Country, which stars Thandiwe Newton, at 7:15 p.m. at the Music Hall, as well as several NH Shorts blocks. Festival day passes are available ($30 for Thursday and $50 for each day afterward) or you can buy a pass to the entire four-day event, which in addition to the screenings of features and shorts features panels and other happenings. See the full schedule and buy tickets at nhfilmfestival.com.

Friday, Oct. 7

The Milford Rotary and Lions Clubs are once again working on presenting a lineup of vendors for two nights of beer, wine and spirits tastings during the annual Milford Pumpkin Festival, on Friday, Oct. 7, and Saturday, Oct. 8, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the Community House Lawn (Union Street, Milford). More than a dozen local and regional brewers, distillers and other beverage purveyors will be pouring samples of their offerings throughout each evening. Returning vendors will include Steadfast Spirits Distilling Co. of Concord and Averill House Vineyard of Brookline, and there are also a few newcomers to the festival, like Long Blue Cat Brewing Co. of Londonderry, Liquid Therapy of Nashua, Canteen Spirits and Buena Gave Canned Cocktails. The cost is $20 per person for 10 tasting tickets, and each ticket holder also receives a commemorative glass — tickets are redeemable for a three-ounce beer sample, a one-ounce wine sample or a ¼-ounce spirit sample. Visit milfordpumpkinfestival.org/bws-tent.

Saturday, Oct. 8

The Nashua Historical Society will hold an exhibit of 150 years of Nashua bridal fashion today and tomorrow (Sunday, Oct. 9) from 1 to 4 p.m. at Abbot-Spalding House (5 Abbott St. in Nashua). Admission costs up to $12 per person.

Saturday, Oct. 8

The Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com) hosts “An evening with Paula Cole” tonight at 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $55 plus fees. Known for hits “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?” and “I Don’t Want to Wait,” Cole released the album American Quilt in 2021 and in September 2022 a two-song collection with Jason Isobell and John Paul White called For the Birds.

Wednesday, Oct. 12

Chunky’s Cinema Pubs (707 Huse Road, Manchester; 151 Coliseum Ave., Nashua; 150 Bridge St., Pelham, chunkys.com ) will hold a 21+ screening of Clue (1985) at 7:30 p.m. tonight. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and attendees are encouraged to bring board games to play in the hour before the movie starts. Tickets cost $5.99 (you know, one plus two plus one plus one … plus .99).

Save the date! Saturdays, Oct. 15, and Oct. 22
The Canterbury Shaker Village (288 Shaker Road in Canterbury; shakers.org) will host 5K cross-country races that are part of the Delta Dental XC Series on the Shaker Village grounds, according to a press release. Registration costs $25.

Featured photo. Milford Pumpkin Festival. Courtesy photo.

Big Events September 29, 2022 and beyond

Friday, Sept. 30

Public speaker, author, center of the Netflix docuseries Pretend It’s a City and occasional Law & Order judge Fran Lebowitz will appear at the Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com) on Friday, Sept. 30, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $45 to $65, plus fees.

Saturday, Oct. 1

Everything apple is celebrated at the Sullivan Farm (70 Colburn Ave., Nashua) today and Sunday, Oct. 2, for the annual Applefest. There will be hayrides, pony rides, apple pie, crafts, games and more for the whole family to enjoy. Tickets are priced at $1, and various things cost a different number of tickets — a hayride is three tickets, and a game is one ticket, for example. Visit nne.salvationarmy.org/nashua/applefest for more information.

Saturday, Oct. 1

The latest show by Symphony New Hampshire is “Winds of Time,” with performances today at 7:30 p.m. at the Keefe Center in Nashua (117 Elm St, Nashua) and on Sunday, Oct. 2, at 3 p.m. at Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St., Concord). The concert will feature Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 4, Du Puy’s Quintet for Bassoon and Strings in A minor III, Weber’s Clarinet Concertino in E-flat and Dvořák’s Serenade for Strings. Tickets cost $10 for youth from 13 to 17 years old and for full-time students ages 29 and younger, $20 to $60 for adults 18 and older, and $18 to $55 for seniors ages 65 and older. Visit symphonynh.org to order tickets.

Sunday, Oct. 2

The family fun event Toscana Fest is back today at the Tuscan Village (Route 28, Salem). The festival starts at 10 a.m. and will have pumpkin painting, gelato, carnival games, live music, popcorn and raffles with all proceeds going to the Lazarus House Ministries. More information can be found at tuscanvillagesalem.com.

Tuesday, Oct. 4

The YMCA of Downtown Manchester is starting up the second year of its Chess Club, with the first meeting today at 6:30 p.m. The club welcomes everyone at all ages and skill levels to come and practice and learn more about the game of chess. The group meets every Tuesday night. October will be a month of practice and training, and throughout November and December there will be competitions both within the club and outside of it. For more information, contact Kathy Raiche-Stephens at [email protected].

Tuesday, Oct. 4

Renowned legal scholar, civil rights advocate and former judge Margaret A. Burnham is coming to the Music Hall Lounge (131 Congress St., Portsmouth) today to present her book By Hands Now Known: Jim Crow’s Legal Executions. The book event will start at 7 p.m. Ticket cost $47 and include a signed copy of Burnham’s book. Tickets can be purchased at themusichall.org.

Save the date! Saturday, Oct. 8
The Warner Fall Foliage Festival is back for the 75th anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 8, and Sunday, Oct. 9, when there will be live music and entertainment, a kids’ fun run, a 5k for adults, an ice cream eating contest, and vendors selling homemade goods from fruit jams to handmade wax candles. Visit wfff.org for more information or to register for the races.

Featured photo. The Flying Gravity Circus. Courtesy photo.

Big Events September 22, 2022 and beyond

Friday, Sept. 23

Join 603 Forward and the Forward Foundation for the Forward Fest today at the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester) at 5:30 p.m. The event will celebrate young leaders of New Hampshire. The event will have live music, arts, community building and food. Ticket prices for adults start at $50. For more information about this event, visit 603forward.org.

Friday, Sept. 23

Mel’s Funway Park (454 Charles Bancroft Hwy, Litchfield) has undergone its annual transformation into Spooky World as of today at 7 p.m. The horror-themed amusement park will have a haunted hayride, a maze filled with a new breed of monster, a 3D nightmare attraction called Dream Scape, and a chance to escape Asylum 47. Tickets start at $54 and can be purchased at nightmarenewengland.com.

Saturday, Sept. 24

The Beaver Brook Association (117 Ridge Road, Hollis) is hosting its annual Fall Festival and Art Show today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event features artwork by regional artists, children’s art, live music, animal and birds of prey presentations, guided hikes and herbal and flower products and refreshments for sale. Amy Conley will offer children’s songs and a puppet show (at 11 a.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday), and the Flying Gravity Circus, a children’s circus troupe, will perform at 4 p.m. on Saturday. The event is free to attend and more information can be found at beaverbrook.org.

Saturday, Sept. 24

Today is the opening reception for the The New Hampshire Potters Guild’s biennial exhibition, “Storied in Clay,” at the exhibition gallery at the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen headquarters (49 S. Main St., Concord). The exhibition will open on Sept. 26 and run through Oct. 27. The reception is free and takes place during the two-day Capital Arts Fest (today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) happening on Main Street in downtown Concord. Visit nhpottersguild.org for more information on the exhibit and nhcrafts.org for more on the fest.

Saturday, Sept. 24

Millyard Brewery (25 E. Otterson St., Nashua) is hosting an Oktoberfest today from 1 to 8 p.m. and tomorrow, Sunday, Sept. 25, from 1 to 6 p.m. The festival will have live music, games, traditional German food, a beer stein holding contest and more. Visit millyardbrewery.com for more information.

Sunday, Sept. 25

The annual Merci train ceremony is today at 1 p.m. at the boxcar’s permanent location, on Reed Street in Manchester. The ceremony commemorates the soldiers from New Hampshire who fought and died in France during World War II, liberating the French people. The ceremony is free to attend, and more information about it is available at facnh.com.

Save the date! Saturday, Oct. 22
Adam Sandler is coming to the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St., Manchester) on Saturday, Oct. 22. Sandler will be performing a new stand-up comedy routine. Doors to the event will open at 6:30 p.m., and the show will start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $39.50 and can be bought at snhuarena.com.

Featured photo. The Flying Gravity Circus. Courtesy photo.

Big Events September 15, 2022 and beyond

Friday, Sept. 16

The New Hampshire Highland Games and Festival start today at 9 a.m. There will be traditional Scottish events, like sheepdog trials, Scottish heavy athletics and highland dancing, as well as different demonstrations and the clan village. Ticket prices range from $30 to $55 per day for adults, are $5 for children 5 years old to preteen, and are free for children younger than 5. There are bundle options available. Visit nhscot.org to purchase tickets and for a full listing of events. Other happenings include activities for kids, Try It classes, Scottish living history, Clan Village (where you can learn more about specific families), music and food (meat pies, bridies, haggis and Scotch eggs are all mentioned on the website). Special events (requiring separate tickets) include the Whisky Master Classes, beer tasting, a harp contest and Highland Brews & Bites, the website said.

Friday, Sept. 16

Celebrate Halloween early with the Fisher Cats today with Halloween Night, the theme at tonight’s game against the Harrisburg Senators at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in downtown Manchester. Game time is 6:35 p.m. Tonight’s game comes in the middle of the regular season’s final run of home games, with the Thursday, Sept. 15, and Saturday, Sept. 17, games both featuring post-game fireworks (both games start at 6:35 p.m.) The Sunday, Sept. 18, caps the season’s home schedule with a game at 1:35 p.m. where the theme is fan appreciation and there is a winter hat giveaway. Ticket prices start at $12. Visit nhfishercats.com.

Saturday, Sept. 17

The New Hampshire Old Graveyard Association is holding its fall meeting today at 9 a.m. at the Merrimack Historical Society (10 Depot St.). The group works to restore and preserve old graveyards across New Hampshire. This is the annual fall meeting where members and non-members can attend. The meeting is free to attend; see nhoga.com.

Saturday, Sept. 17

Nashua Library (2 Court St.) is holding the last library pop-up book sale today from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on its library plaza. The sale will have used books, movies, music, games, puzzles and more for all age ranges costing from 25 cents to $2. In addition to the used items, there will be newly published books and gift cards that will be priced differently. Find out more at nashualibrary.org.

Saturday, Sept. 17

The Manchester Citywide Arts Festival, which started Sept. 12, culminates this weekend with events including a free street fair today (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and tomorrow (Sept. 18; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at the opera block on Hanover Street. Find more information on all the Festival’s events at manchesterartsfestival.com and in our festival pullout in the Sept. 8 issue of the Hippo, starting on page 25 (find the e-edition at hippopress.com).

Wednesday, Sept. 21

Red River Theatres’ (11 S. Main St. in Concord; redrivertheatres.org, 224-4600) on-going “Hitchcock … and Trains” film series will feature the classic Strangers on a Train (1951) tonight at 6 p.m. A discussion will follow the screening.

Save the date! Friday, Sept. 23
Majestic Theatre’s 17th annual auction and performance, called Majestic-Opoly, is today and Saturday, Sept. 24, at the theater’s studio (880 Page St., Manchester) starting at 6:30 p.m. In addition to silent auctions and raffles, there will be performances by Majestic’s adult, teen and youth actors. Proceeds benefit the Majestic Theatre and the Ted Herbert Music School. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at majestictheatre.net.

Featured photo. New Hampshire Highland Games and Festival. Courtesy photo.