Category: This Week

Thursday, Oct. 24

Ailey II will perform at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St, Nashua, 800-657-8774, nashuacenterforthearts.com) tonight at 7:30. This year marks the dance company’s 50th year of presenting the country’s finest early-career dancers with emerging choreographers. Tickets start at $49.

Thursday, Oct. 24

It Can’t Happen Here, a play by Sinclair Lewis, will be presented in an enhanced staged reading by the Community Players of Concord today and tomorrow, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. at the West Street Ward House (41 West St., Concord, 225-8690). In 1936, as fascism was taking hold in Europe, Sinclair Lewis wrote It Can’t Happen Here, a satiric novel that imagines the rise of a demagogue who becomes president of the United States. Admission is free and donations to support the Community Players will be gratefully accepted. Seating is limited. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 25

The New Hampshire Coin and Currency Expo (nhcoinexpo.com) will take place at the Doubletree Expo Center (700 Elm St., Manchester) today from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is the biggest multiple-day coin show in New England. Visitors are encouraged to attend the show early to be able to see the most dealers. Tickets are $7 each day of the Expo; a two-day pass is $13. Children under 18 get in free. Veterans and active military get in free with ID.

Friday, Oct. 25

Iconic band 10,000 Maniacs will perform tonight at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St., Nashua, 800-657-8774, nashuacenterforthearts.com) at 7:30 p.m. This live show embraces the band’s entire catalog, and the lineup is anchored by four of the six original members. Tickets start at $39 through the Center’s website.

Saturday, Oct. 26

The Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St., Nashua, 800-657-8774, nashuacenterforthearts.com) will host Jesus Aguaje Ramos and his Buena Vista Orchestra tonight at 7:30 p.m. The Buena Vista Social Orchestra, under the direction of Ramos and featuring key players from throughout the history of The Buena Vista Social Club, continues the legacy of the legendary group with an exciting new stage production and a repertoire pulled from the greatest hits (many of which Ramos composed) and deep-dive cuts. Tickets start at $49 through the Center’s website.

Wednesday, Oct. 30

Join Kenneth Gloss, internationally known rare book specialist and appraiser, for a Rare Book Discussion at the Derry Public Library (64 E. Broadway, Derry, 432-6140, derrypl.org) today, beginning at 6 p.m. Ken will talk about the “improbable finds” of his decades-long career and discuss the value of old and rare books. Register at derrypl.org or call 432-6140.

Save the Date! Saturday, Nov. 2
Classic ’80s band Duran Duran will play the SNHU Arena, 555 Elm St. in Manchester, Saturday, Nov. 2, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The band’s hits include “Hungry Like the Wolf,” “Ordinary World” and “Rio.” Tickets start at $46.50 and are available at SNHUareana.com.

Featured photo: Ailey II.

Thursday, Oct. 17

As part of the Nashua Community Lecture Series, Jane Pauley will appear at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St, Nashua, (800) 657-8774, nashuacenterforthearts.com) this evening at 7:30 p.m. In addition to her current role as host of CBS Sunday Morning, she is known as an advocate for mental health awareness, using her personal story to encourage and motivate others. Pauley will be introduced by Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess. General admission tickets are $66, $29 for students, seniors and those requiring ADA seating.

Saturday, Oct. 19

“Life’s a Drag,” billed as a fun and hilarious 21+ drag show, will take place tonight at Chunky’s Cinema Pub (707 Huse Road, Manchester, 206-3888, chunkys.com) at 9 p.m. Tickets are $25.

Saturday, Oct. 19

The ninth annual Great New England Fall Craft and Artisan Show will be held today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hampshire Dome (34 Emerson Road, Milford, 673-8123, hampshiredome.com). There will be 150 indoor/outdoor booths, food trucks, door prizes and live music. See gnecraftartisanshows.com.

Saturday, Oct. 19

Manchester City Library (405 Pine St., Manchester, 624-6550, manchesterlibrary.org) will hold its Fall Book Sale today from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hardcover books can be purchased for $2 each, with most other materials available for $1 and a full grocery bag’s worth of materials available for $10. Proceeds from the book sale will go to the library’s museum pass program.

Saturday, Oct. 19

Saint Mathew’s Episcopal Church (5 N. Mast St., Goffstown, 497-2003, stmattsepiscopal.org)will hold its Annual Fall Yard Sale today from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the grounds of St. Matt’s Church across from Sully’s in Goffstown Village.

Sunday, Oct. 20

New England-based baroque ensemble Brandenburg and Beyond will perform in concert today at 3 p.m. at Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church (3 Peabody Row, Londonderry, 437-8333, stpeterslondonderry.org). The concert will include classic baroque works by Vivaldi and Telemann, among others, as well as new music written in this century. This event is free and open to the public.

Wednesday, Oct. 23

Great Cities of Europe with Marlin Darrah, a Walker Lecture Fund Travelogue, will be presented at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St., Concord, 228-2793, theaudi.org), beginning at 7:30 p.m. Join Marlin Darrah as he recounts journeys through Northern Europe visiting fjords, fish markets, art museums, cathedrals, canals, bridges, palaces and parks from Norway to France. Darrah will be at the City Auditorium for questions and conversation. This event is free and open to the public.

Save the Date! Saturday, Oct. 24
Sinclair Lewis’ It Can’t Happen Here will be presented in an
enhanced staged reading by the Community Players of Concord on Oct.
24 and Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. at the West Street Ward House (41 West St,
Concord, 225-8690). Admission is free and donations to support the
Community Players will be gratefully accepted. Seating is limited.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Featured photo: Jane Pauley.

Thursday, Oct. 10

Read2Me3 (167 S. River Road, Bedford, 494-3849) will host an informational meeting for parents about cursive writing skills tonight from 7 to 8 p.m. There will be a discussion about the advantages of learning cursive handwriting and why the state of New Hampshire has mandated its teaching. Join the discussion and share your thoughts. Read2Me3 is developing plans for a six-week instructional workshop and welcomes feedback.

Saturday, Oct. 12

The Derry October Jam Fest will be held today on the grounds of Fody’s Tavern (187 1/2 Rockingham Road, Derry, 404-6946, fodystavern.com) from noon to 10 p.m. For children this free event will feature a bounce house, a 35-foot slide, an obstacle course, horse rides, crafts and a karaoke contest. For adults there is a stein-hoisting contest, craft beer and wine tastings, and more. There will be food, drink, crafts, vendors and more for the whole family.

Saturday, Oct. 12

Today, tomorrow and Monday, there will be a Fairy and Hobbit House Festival at Bedrock Gardens (19 High Road, Lee, 659-2993, bedrockgardens.org). Come in costume, get a personalized fairy or hobbit name, pick out some natural building supplies to build a fairy house along the entrance trail, fill a sachet with herbal fairy dust, have your face painted, taste honey, and meet the grande dame of the festival, Bedrock’s very own Fairy Godmother. Advance registration on Bedrock Garden’s website is required.

Sunday, Oct. 13

New Hampshire Fashion Week (nhfashionweek.com) will start today at The Venues at the Factory (252 Willow St., Manchester, 691-2662, thevenuesatthefactory.com) tonight from 6 to 10 p.m. with a runway fashion show, preceded by a cocktail hour at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $65 and are available through the Fashion Week website. Proceeds will go to support Positive Street Art (48 Bridge St., Nashua, 589-9003, positivestreetart.org).

Sunday, Oct. 13

Texas guitar, vocalist and songwriter Willie J. Laws and his band will perform at the Andres Institute of Art (106 Route 13, Brookline, 673-7441, andresinstitute.org) from 6 to 8 p.m. . Tickets cost $25.

Monday, Oct. 14

Author of more than 100 books, including the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, Alexander McCall Smith will appear at the Chubb Theatre (Chubb Theatre at CCA, 44 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com) tonight at 7 p.m. as part of the Capitol Center for the Arts Authors on Main series. Tickets start at $62.75.

Wednesday, Oct. 16

Legendary reggae group The Wailers will perform at the Dana Center (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, tickets.anselm.edu) tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $40.

Save the Date! Saturday, Oct. 19
Koo Koo is a dance party for the senses, with high-energy music, infectious positivity and an interactive live show. See it Saturday, Oct. 19, at 1 p.m. at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St., Nashua, 800-657-8774, nashuacenterforthearts.com). Tickets cost $29. A limited number of VIP tickets are available.

Featured photo: Oktoberfests.

Thursday, Oct. 3

John Ondrasik, the songwriter and performer known as the platinum-selling Grammy-nominated Five For Fighting ( “100 Years,” “The Riddle,” “Chances,” “World” and “Easy Tonight”), will perform, accompanied by a string quartet, at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St., Nashua, 800-657-8774, nashuacenterforthearts.com) tonight at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $49. Can’t catch the show tonight? See Five For Fighting on Friday, Oct. 4, at Colonial Theatre in Laconia.

Friday, Oct. 4

The custom cabinet makers at Aubin Woodworking (359 River Road, No. 15, Bow, 224-5512, aubinwoodworking.com) will hold an open house Manufacturing Day today from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be guided facility tours, live demonstrations of cabinetry making, master craftsmen and engineers on hand to answer questions, hands-on activities and more.

Saturday, Oct. 5

The Grace Food Pantry (Mercy Hill Church, 750 Pine St., Manchester) will have an Indoor Flea Market fundraiser today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be food, items to buy, raffles and more. Admission to the flea market is one shelf-stable food item to help the pantry.

Saturday, Oct. 5

The Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains will host a Girl Scout Expo today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the NH Sportsplex (68 Technology Drive, Bedford, 641-1313, nhsportsplex.com). The Expo is open to the public and includes performances, hands-on exhibits, giveaways and more. There will be more than 100 activities and exhibitors. Admission is $10. Food trucks will be on site for lunch.

Saturday, Oct. 5

The Concord Community Music School (23 Wall St., Concord, 228-1196, ccmusicschool.org) will hold its sixth Fall Fiddle Festival today from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a concert at 7:30 p.m. Fiddlers from the Celtic, New England and Franco-American fiddling traditions will join forces in a day packed with workshops and group playing for fiddlers. The Festival, open to teens and adults, will include workshops on a variety of topics at the novice, intermediate and advanced levels. In the evening all four fiddle faculty members, along with their musical collaborators, will present a concert of fiddle music open to the public. The cost for workshops and the concert is $120. The concert by itself is $25, or $20 for students and seniors.

Saturday, Oct. 5

The Second Annual Boscawen Pumpkin Ride and Walk is today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Located at the entrance of the Northern Rail Trail in Boscawen at Boscawen Town Park and Jamie Welch Field, Depot Street, Boscawen, this event offers an opportunity to enjoy the fall colors and embark on the Boscawen Challenge, a scenic 12-mile loop (bike or walk) along the Rail Trail, starting at 10 a.m. See boscawennh.gov.

Save the Date! Saturday, Oct. 12
Brookford Farm (250 West Road, Canterbury, 742-4084, brookfordfarm.com) will host a Pumpkins and Puppets event Saturday, Oct. 12, at 10
a.m. and Monday, Oct. 14, at 4 p.m. Enjoy picking pumpkins, building
scarecrows, hay rides, feeding pigs and more. General admission
tickets are $10 online and $15 at the door. Children’s tickets (3
to 12 years old) are $7 online and $10 at the door. Children under 3
attend free. No pets. Visit brookfordfarm.com/events.

Featured photo: Five for Fighting.

Thursday, Sept. 26

Balin Books (Somerset Plaza, 375 Amherst St., Nashua, 417-7981, balinbooks.com) is starting a new Book Club. The first meeting will is tonight at 6:30 p.m. and will be an informal get-together to discuss books readers would like to read and decide what direction the Book Club will take, according to an update from the bookstore. There may also be a discussion of the Nashua Reads book for 2024, The Ride of Her Life by Elizabeth Letts. (Elizabeth Letts will be discussing this story and her work at the Nashua Public Library on Sunday, Sept. 29, at 2 p.m.)

Friday, Sept. 27

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier will perform at the Rex Theatre (823 Amherst St., Manchester, 668-5588, palacetheatre.org) tonight at 7 p.m., with special guest Jaimee Harris. Tickets are $29.

Friday, Sept. 27

Saint Anselm College’s Geisel Library (100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, 641-7300, anselm.edu) will host its 34th annual book sale Friday, Sept. 27, through Sunday, Sept. 29, featuring thousands of books across academic disciplines and genres including art, religion and theology, literature and drama, cookbooks, history and politics. Also for sale are DVDs, VHS tapes, music CDs, board games and puzzles. Hours are Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 27

The Hop Knot (1000 Elm St., Manchester, 232-3731, hopknotnh.com) will hold a Fancy Fifth Masquerade tonight from 8 p.m. to midnight to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Hop Knot. Arrive dressed in your finest along with a mask of your choosing.

Saturday, Sept. 28

The Halcyon Club (11 Central St., Derry, 432-9704) will host its first ever Antiques Appraisal Day from 1 to 4 p.m. today. TV personality and appraiser John Bruno will offer verbal appraisals of antiques, collectibles, toys, art, books, ephemera and memorabilia. Admission is free; a fee of $5 per item will be collected for this service, with all proceeds donated to The Halcyon Club Community Projects.

Sunday, Sept. 29

The seventh annual Great Massabeseek family scavenger hunt will take place today at New Hampshire Audubon’s Massabesic Center (26 Audubon Way, Auburn, 224-9909, nhaudubon.org) from 1 to 4 p.m. to raise money for the Global Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders (thegfpd.org). The Great Massabeseek invites participants, individually or in teams, to use clues to locate hidden objects along the trails of the Audubon. Register for $20 per person. Register at thegreatmassabeseek.org.

Sunday, Sept 29

The Busch Lumberjack Championship at the Biergarten at Anheuser-Busch Brewery (221 DW Highway, Merrimack, 595-1202, anheuser-busch.com/breweries/merrimack-nh) will run from 11 a.m to 5 p.m. and feature food, kid activities and music from The Slakas. Watch competitors vie to become the Top Lumberjack. Tickets cost $15 online or $20 at the door; kids 12 and under are free.

Save the Date! Saturday, Oct. 12
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party will come to the SNHU Arena in Manchester on Oct. 12 and Oct. 13. The show will feature legendary monster trucks, including Big Foot and Skelesaurus, jumps, crushing competitions, and a demolition derby, according to snhuarena.com. Shows will be Saturday at 12:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets start at $35.50.

Featured photo: Mary Gauthier.

Friday, Sept. 20

Tonight the Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com) has a treat for Spider-Man fans. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse in Concert will feature the movie of the same name showcased on a colossal HD screen and complemented by a diverse ensemble of musicians and instrumentalists performing the film’s iconic score and soundtrack, live including a full orchestra and a skilled scratch DJ on turntables, as well as percussion and electronic instrumentalists, according to the website. The show begins at 7 p.m. and tickets start at $37.75.

Friday, Sept. 20

Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St, Nashua, 800-657-8774, nashuacenterforthearts.com) will host Gimme Gimme Disco, a DJ-based dance party playing ABBA hits plus other disco hits from the ’70s and ’80s., tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $17.60.

Saturday, Sept. 21

The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire (blackheritagetrailnh.org) and the Manchester Historic Association (129 Amherst St., Manchester, 622-7531, manchesterhistoric.org) will dedicate a new marker today, recognizing and honoring enslaved people’s contributions to Manchester’s textile industry. The unveiling ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. The marker will be located on the south end of the Mill #3 building at 200 Bedford St., also the home of the Millyard Museum. The location of the marker is the site of a three-story picker house where bales of raw cotton were delivered.

Saturday, Sept. 21

The New Hampshire Reptile Expo will be held at the New England Sports Center (7 A St., Derry, 537-9663, nesportscenter.com) today from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The show provides everything attendees need to properly care for their reptiles, from high-quality reptile equipment to friendly vendors who assist in reptile husbandry and adoptions. General admission tickets are $10 and VIP tickets are $15 at showmereptileshow.com.

Wednesday, Sept 25

The Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St., Concord, 228-2793, theaudi.org) will present A Feast of Words with Richard Lederer tonight at 7 p.m. Lederer is a former Concord Monitor columnist and the author of 60 books including his best-selling Anguished English series and his current title, A Feast of Words. Free and open to the public.

Wednesday, Sept. 25

The Derry Public Library (64 E. Broadway, Derry, 432-6140, derrypl.org) presents “The Language of Leaves: The Not-So-Secret Science Behind Fall Foliage” this evening at 6:30 p.m. There will be a lecture as well as hands-on activities.

Wednesday, Sept. 25

The Red River Theatres (11 S. Main St., Concord, 224-4600, redrivertheatres.org) will hold a behind-the-screens community event tonight from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Learn how community support keeps the Theatres going. There is no cost to attend this event but attendees should register on the Red River website by Monday, Sept. 23, to reserve a seat.

Save the Date! Sunday, Sept. 29
The Busch Lumberjack Championship comes to the Biergarten at Anheuser-Busch Brewery (221 DW Highway, Merrimack, 595-1202, anheuser-busch.com/breweries/merrimack-nh) Sept. 29, 11 a.m to 5 p.m. Enjoy a day of music, food, kids activities and more. Watch competitors vie to become the Top Lumberjack. Tickets are $15 online, $20 at the door; kids 12 and under are free.

Featured photo: Oliver at the Palace Theater.