Category: This Week

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.

Big Events February 23, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, Feb. 23

LaBelle Winery (345 Route 101, Amherst) is bringing Takin’ It To The Streets, a Doobie Brothers tribute band, to perform today at 8 p.m. The performers will do all of the Doobies’ great hits as well as a few deep tracks. Tickets start at $25 and can be bought at labellewinery.com.

Friday, Feb. 24

Today, the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord) is hosting a Black History Month Unity Concert. The show will feature Martin Toe and Destin Boy Official, two New Hampshire based hip-hop and Afro-beats artists. Both artists have recently released their debut albums. Showtime is 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are free and can be reserved at ccanh.com.

Friday, Feb. 24

Join the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester) for Songs of a Natural Woman: A Carole King Tribute tonight and tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 25, at 7:30 p.m. The show will feature the hits of Carole King, highlighting her 1971 solo album Tapestry, which won four Grammy awards. Tickets start at $30 and can be bought at palacetheatre.org.

Saturday, Feb. 25

Join Balin Books (375 Amherst St., Nashua) for a launch party for local author Elaine Isaak’s newest novel, A Wreck of Dragons. Isaak, who was featured in the Jan. 26 edition of The Hippo, specializes in fantasy and science fiction. Her newest book combines robots, dragons and outer space exploration as characters try to find a place for humans to live. For more information about this event, call 673-1734

Saturday, Feb. 25

The Concord Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1631 (6 Court St.) is hosting its 15th annual blues bash today starting at 6 p.m. There will be food, refreshments, raffles, items for sale, and, of course, live blues music. For more information about this event visit vfw1631.org.

Sunday, Feb. 26

Today is the first day of the Nashua Nor’Easter Run/Walk/Drive race organized by the United Way of Greater Nashua. There will be 5k, 10k, half-marathon and marathon routes available for racers to choose from. The event is self-timed, and money raised by racers will benefit nonprofits in the Gate City. Register to run or view maps and starting locations at tinyurl.com/uwnano23.

Save the Date! April 1
Celebrate the new season and warming weather at Springfest 2023 at Goffstown High School (27 Wallace Road) on April 1. There will be a kids’ carnival with a bouncy house, activities, slides and face-painting, plus food, 70 vendors, and a lot of fun. Tickets are $5, free for children 12 years old and younger. For more information email [email protected].

Featured photo. Author Elaine Isaak.

Big Events February 16, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, Feb. 16

Join the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road in Londonderry; aviationmuseumofnh.org, 669-4820) for a program about the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II today at 7 p.m. Bob Sheppard will speak about his father, James Sheppard, an aviation mechanic assigned to the 100th Fighter Squadron, based at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama, according to a press release. He was reassigned to the 301st FS and shipped to the European theater, where he was promoted to crew chief, and was honorably discharged after the war as a staff sergeant, the release said. Bob Sheppard will show part of his video Reflections of a Tuskegee Airman and answer questions, the release said. Tickets (which can be purchased at the door or reserved by calling 669-4877) cost $10 per person.

Thursday, Feb. 16

Anheuser-Busch (221 Daniel Webster Hwy. in Merrimack) is hosting a beermaster tour today starting at 11 a.m. The tour will give visitors a chance to see behind the scenes how Budweiser is made, as well as enjoying a brew of choice. Tickets cost $40 and can be purchased at budweisertours.com.

Friday, Feb. 17

Tonight is the opening night for Leading Ladies at the Majestic Theatre (880 Page St., Manchester; majestictheatre.net, 669-7469). The comedy follows two Shakespearean actors as they try to lay claim to the inheritance of a recently deceased old lady. The catch? The men must disguise themselves as her precious British nieces, according to the website. Tickets start at $15 and curtain time is at 7 p.m. The show also runs Saturday, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 19, at 2 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 18

The Derry Frost Fest will take place today from noon to 3 p.m. with free family-friendly events throughout Derry including ice sculptures on the patio at Sabatino’s; a puppet show at the Parks and Recreation office (31 W. Broadway) at noon and 1 p.m; food trucks B’s Tacos and One Happy Clam at Benson’s Lawn, and Frosty the Snowman walking along West Broadway, according to derrynh.org/parks-recreation. Find more ideas for family fun in our Kiddie Pool column on page 21.

Saturday, Feb. 18

The Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org) presents Who’s Bad: Michael Jackson Tribute tonight at 7:30 p.m. All of the king of pop’s greatest hits will be performed at this high-energy show, according to the theater’s website. Tickets start at $35.50.

Sunday, Feb. 19

The World Was Yours, a play by William Ivers that includes bickering artists Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol and Bob Ross watching three living artists vying for a grant, will finish its run at the Hatbox Theatre (270 Loudon Road in Concord; hatboxnh.com, 715-2315) with a show at 2 p.m., according to Hatbox’s website. The show will also run Friday, Feb. 17, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 18, at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $22 for adults and $19 for seniors and students.

Save the Date! Saturday, March 18
Pick a side, police or firefighters, at the annual Battle of the Badges Hockey Championship on Saturday, March 18, at 1 p.m. at the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St., Manchester). The two sides will battle it out on the ice, with proceeds from the game being donated to the kids and families of Dartmouth Health Children’s. Online game tickets cost $15 for ages 6 and up, day-of game tickets are $20 for ages 6 and up, with kids 5 and younger free. Visit getinvolved.dartmouth-hitchcock.org.

Featured photo. 1944 photo of James Sheppard preparing to fly reconnaissance mission with the British Royal Air Force from Italy as a flight engineer. Courtesy photo.