Category: This Week

Friday, May 31

The curtain rises tonight at 7:30 p.m. on 42nd Street at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org, 668-5588). The musical runs through Sunday, June 23, with shows Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. and Thursday, June 20, at 7:30 p.m. The play celebrates Broadway and the magic of showbiz with wit, humor and pizzazz and takes place at the height of the Great Depression, following aspiring chorus girl Peggy Sawyer to the big city as she lands her first big job in the ensemble of a glitzy new Broadway show. The score is chock-full of Broadway standards, including “We’re In the Money,” “Lullaby of Broadway” and “Forty-Second Street,” according to the press release. Tickets cost $28 to $49.

Saturday, June 1

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church (7 N. Mast Road, Goffstown, 497-2003, stmattsepiscopal.org) will hold its annual Spring Yard Sale today from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Church.

Saturday, June 1

In honor of Black Birders Week, NH Audubon (nhaudubon.org/event) and the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire (blackheritagetrailnh.org) are partnering for a guided tour in Portsmouth, at 222 Court St. in Portsmouth, today from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Learn about the rich and often forgotten African-American history of New Hampshire while keeping an eye out for birds and other local wildlife. Participants should arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of the trail tour. Free parking is available at the Parrott Ave. Parking Lot and along streets nearby. All ages are welcome. Tickets are $20; space is limited and registration is required.

Saturday, June 1

See the results of the three artists participating in this year’s Nashua International Sculpture Symposium at 1 p.m. as the pieces, which will become part of Nashua’s townwide exhibit of sculptures, will be unveiled in their installation locations. This will involve participants driving from Picker Studios over to where the pieces are to be installed, according to nashuasculpturesymposium.org.

Saturday, June 1

The Goffstown Rotary Club’s (Parsons Drive) Car Show is returning for its 11th year today from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include goodie bags for the first 50 registrants, along with food trucks, raffles and trophies given in 16 classes. Admission is free, and the cost to participate as a registrant is $20 per car, with all proceeds benefiting local charities. Visit goffstownrotary.org.

Saturday, June 1

Milford’s third annual Pride Festival will take place today from noon to 4 p.m. at Keyes Park (45 Elm St., Milford) and will feature live music, food and more. “See Milford NH PRIDE” on Facebook.

Save the Date! Tuesday, June 11
Red River Theaters (11 S. Main St., Concord, 224-4600, redrivertheatres.org) will host the first annual Creative Guts Short Film Festival on Tuesday, June 11, from 6 to 9 p.m. The Festival will present short films by independent filmmakers from New Hampshire and beyond. The spirit of this festival is to celebrate the creativity, voice and collaboration of filmmakers. These films are not rated. Some films contain adult themes, language and violence, and may not be suitable for children. All films will be open captioned. Tickets are $12 and available through Red River’s website.

Featured photo: 42nd Street at the Palace Theater.

Thursday, May 23

The Nashua Public Library will conduct an Adult Field Trip to Mine Falls Gatehouse and Hydroelectric Dam at Mine Falls Park in Nashua today from 10 to 11 a.m. Participants will learn how the hydroelectric dam supplies clean, renewable energy to Nashua, and might see migrating river herring using the fish elevator. Deb Chisholm, Sustainability Manager for the City of Nashua, and Paula Lochhead, Vice Chair of the Mine Falls Advisory Committee, will lead this program. Participants should meet at the Mine Falls Gatehouse. There is limited parking at the dam and gatehouse, so parking and walking in at the Mine Falls Gatehouse Entrance across from the David W. Deane Skateboard Park on Stadium Drive is recommended.

Thursday, May 23

Catch the NBA Eastern Conference Finals on the big screen at Chunky’s in Manchester (chunkys.com). Reserve a seat for tonight’s Celtics game at 8 p.m. with a $5 food voucher. “Chunky’s will be showing all games as long as they continue on during the 2024 NBA Playoffs,” according to the website.

Friday, May 24

Senior performing troupe Silver Stars will perform a cabaret-style show at The Rex Theatre (823 Amherst St., Manchester, 668-5588, palacetheatre.org) today at 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 25, at 2 p.m. They will share stories and memories paired with songs. The Silver Stars are a 55+ performance group based at The Palace Theatres. Tickets start at $12.

Saturday, May 24

The New Hampshire Arms Collectors will hold their annual Gun Show at Everett Arena (15 Loudon Road, Concord, 228-2784, concordnh.gov/496/Everett-Arena) today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Admission is $10; children 12 and under are free, with an adult.

Friday, May 24

The Nashua Silver Knights will play their season opener at Holman Stadium (67 Amherst St., Nashua, 718-8883, nashuasilverknights.com) tonight at 6 p.m. against the Vermont Lake Monsters, featuring a fireworks show. Tickets start at $12.

Saturday, May 25

The Massachusetts Area Blaster Club will hold its May 2024 Nerf Battle Event at Greeley Park (100 Concord St., Nashua, 589-3370) today from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit the Club’s facebook page.

Monday, May 27

The Memorial Day Parade in Concord will begin today at 9 a.m. at the Christ the King Church parking lot on Thorndike Street and eventually head to the City Plaza where there will be a brief ceremony, according to concordnh.gov where you can find the full route of the parade.

Save the Date! Sunday, June 2
The Palace Theatres’ Kitchen Tour (Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester, 668-5588, palacetheatre.org) will return for its 17th year on June 2. The event, a self-guided tour, will this year feature beautiful kitchens in Bedford, Goffstown and Hooksett. On the day of the tour, registration begins at 9:30 a.m. at Granite State Cabinetry (384 Route 101, Bedford, 472-4080, gscabinetry.com). Tickets are $55 if purchased in advance or $65 on the day of the event.

Thursday, May 16

The Riverwalk Trail connecting Hooksett and Allenstown is finally complete. There will be a grand opening ceremony today from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the trailhead (100 Merrimack St. in Hooksett), just past the Hooksett District Courthouse and the Hooksett Dog Park. There will be speakers and a chance to walk the new 1½ miles of trail. A golf cart will be available to transport anyone needing assistance to the end of the trail and back. For more information, contact Community Development at 485-4117.

Saturday, May 18

Canobie Lake Park (85 N. Policy St. in Salem, 893-3506, canobie.com) opens for the 2024 season today at 10:30 a.m. The Park features 85 rides and attractions, food, games and more.

Saturday, May 18

The Indian Association of New Hampshire will hold a Vasant Indian Cultural Festival starting at noon at Nashua High School South (36 Riverside St. in Nashua). There will be competitive and noncompetitive presentations of Indian dance, music and art. Tickets cost $10; children 5 and younger get in free. See ianh.org

Saturday, May 18

Plant sales continue: Get flowers, veggie starters and more (including a bake sale) today from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the plant sale at the corner of Clontin and Norwich St. in Concord (79 Clinton St.) from the Wesley Church (concordwumc.org). The Bedford Garden Club (bedfordgardenclubnh.org) will hold its annual plant sale today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Bedford Village Common (15 Bell Hill Road in Bedford). Find more plant sales this weekend in the April 25 issue of the Hippo in the story that starts on page 10; go to hippopress.com to find the e-edition.

Sunday, May 19

The latest Granite State Antique Show (Granite Town Plaza, 185 Elm St. in Milford, gsashows.com, 506-9848) is today beginning at 7 a.m. The event will showcase more than 40 vendors from around New England and feature a large range of antiques and vintage collectibles.

Sunday, May 19

The Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S Main St. in Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com) hosts this year’s Granite State Blues Challenge today beginning at 1 p.m. Tickets cost $15.

Tuesday, May 21

Rock artist and international singer-songwriter Debby Holiday will perform with her full 10-piece live band in a Tina Turner tribute at 7 p.m. at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester, 668-5588, palacetheatre.org). Tickets start at $49.

Save the Date! Sunday, May 31
Piff the Magic Dragon will perform at the Nashua Center for Performing Arts on Friday, May 31, at 8 p.m. Since breaking out on America’s Got Talent in 2015, Piff the Magic Dragon has won the heart of America through his Vegas residency, network television appearances and non-stop touring. For the past five years Piff has headlined the iconic Flamingo Hotel and Casino in the heart of the Las Vegas strip, with more than 250 shows a year in the Piff the Magic Dragon Theatre. Tickets begin at $39 and are available through the Nashua Center’s website.

Thursday, May 9

The 2024 Nashua International Sculpture Symposium at The Picker Artists’ studios (3 Pine St. in Nashua, 930-5080, pickerartists.com) starts today with an opening reception at 5:30 p.m. Four sculptors will work on new pieces of public art: Anna Korver from New Zealand/Benin, Hoyoung Im from South Korea, Evan Morse from the U.S. and KōV (aka Kevin Percevault) from France, according to nashuasculpturesymposium.org, where you can find the map of sculptures from previous years as well as a schedule for this year. See the artists work Monday through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 13 through May 30, the website said.

Thursday, May 9

The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road in Londonderry, 669-4820, aviationmuseumofnh.org) presents Ask the Airport Director, a presentation and Q&A session with Ted Kitchens, Director of the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, at 7 p.m. at the Aviation Museum. This event is free.

Saturday, May 11

The New Hampshire Audubon Society (nhaudubon.org) will host a birding outing at its Massabesic Center in Auburn (26 Audubon Way in Auburn, 668-2045) from 8:30 to 10 a.m. This is an informal outing to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day that begins at the Massabesic Center and explores the trails with local birder and Massabesic Center Advisory Committee member Joe Mahoney. The cost is $10; registration is required.

Saturday, May 11

Corey’s Closet (1329 Hooksett Road in Hooksett, 722-2712, coreyscloset.org) will host an ’80s Prom for special needs teens and adults from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Puritan Event Center (245 Hooksett Road in Manchester, 666-9893, puritanbackroom.com/events). Prom tickets are $50 and include a buffet. Tickets are available through Corey’s Closet’s website or at the store.

Saturday, May 11

Great New England Craft and Artisan Shows will host a Fine Craft and Artisan Show at the Merrimack Outlets from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., presented by NH Made (shop.nhmade.com). See gnecraftartisanshows.com.

Saturday, May 11

Canterbury Shaker Village (288 Shaker Road in Canterbury, 783-9511, shakers.org) opens for the 2024 season today, beginning at 10 a.m., with indoor guided tours, specialty lectures and a 5K race.

Saturday, May 11

The Amherst Garden Club will hold its annual plant sale today from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Wilkins School (80 Boston Post Road in Amherst). This year’s sale will highlight native plants. See amherstgardenclub.org.

Tuesday, May 14

“How Smart Is Our Electrical Grid” is the theme for Science on Tap presented by SEE Science Center. It starts at 6 p.m. at Stark Brewing Co., (500 Commercial St. in Manchester). This event is free and open to the public; sign up at see-sciencecenter.org.

Save the Date! Sunday, May 19
The Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S Main St. in Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com) will host this year’s Granite State Blues Challenge on Sunday, May 19, beginning at 1 p.m. Local blues musicians will perform to secure a slot at the 2025 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Tickets cost $15.

Friday, May 3

The 2024 New Hampshire Farm, Forest and Garden Expo starts today at the Deerfield Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and continues Saturday, May 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Consult with experts, run machinery, attend workshops and more. Tickets cost $10 for adults; children 12 and under can attend free. See nhfarmandforestexpo.org.

Friday, May 3

“Petals and Pedals” is the theme to this month’s First Friday in downtown Concord, which runs today from 4 to 8 p.m. Look for live music, a planting party, a roller derby meet & greet, a bike ride and a guided tour of bike fix-it stops in Concord, food trucks, yoga and more. See intownconcord.org.

Friday, May 3

See Wheatus, the band known for its 2000 release “Teenage Dirtbag,” at 7 p.m. at Jewel Music Venue (61 Canal St. in Manchester; jewelmusicvenue.com). Tickets cost $20.

Saturday, May 4

Doughnuts! Fresh produce! Locally made cheese! Doughnuts! The Concord Farmers Market returns for another season of outdoor offerings — including, did we mention, doughnuts? The market kicks off the season today from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Capitol Street next to the Statehouse lawn. Shop your way through the harvest season — the outdoor market runs through Oct. 26. See concordfarmersmarket.com for a list of vendors.

Saturday, May 4

The New England Racing Museum (922 Route 106 in Loudon, 783-0183, nemsmuseum.com) will host this year’s New England Racers Reunion from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will feature a variety of race cars and race motorcycles for outdoor display and showcase racing exhibits. Admission to view the outdoor event costs $5 per adult. Admission for the indoor museumcosts $15 for adults. Kids under 12 get in for free.

Saturday, May 4

The 3rd Annual Run the Rail Trail 5-Miler begins at the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road in Londonderry, 669-4820, aviationmuseumofnh.org) at 9 a.m. Participants can run or walk on a winding route through North Londonderry. Register through the Museum’s website.

Saturday, May 4

The Souhegan Valley ‘Happy Hour’ Rotary Club will host its annual Kentucky Derby party at 3:30 p.m. at the Gate City Casino (55 Northeastern Blvd. in Nashua, 943-5630, thegatecitycasino.com). ​Come dressed to the nines for a chance to win the Best Dressed Contest. Soel Sistas Food truck will be on site. Tickets are free, but donations are welcome.

Wednesday, May 8

The Rock and Race 5K in Concord start at 6 p.m. in front of the Statehouse at 107 N. Main St. and raises funds for Concord Hospital Payson Center for Cancer Care. The event includes live music from 12 bands. Registration costs $30. See gsrs.com/node/5071.

Save the Date! Saturday, May 11
The New Hampshire Renaissance Faire runs Saturday, May 11, and Sunday, May 12, and Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 80 Martin Road in Fremont. The Faire brings together education and fun for the whole family. Merchants are mainly local artisans with an emphasis on handmade items including costumes, jewelry, pottery, herbals, weaponry and more. Entry is $20 for adults and $15 for children 6 to 12; children 5 and under are free. See nhrenfaire.com.

Saturday, April 27

Today is Independent Bookstore Day! Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St. in Concord, gibsonsbookstore.com, 224-0562) will have bookstore bingo, a raffle, and give-aways of advanced reader copies of upcoming books, beginning at 10 a.m., while Bookery (844 Elm St., Manchester, bookerymht.com) will have a raffle, magic from Magic Man, and a performance by the Ukeladies at 3 p.m. Balin Books (375 Amherst St. in Nashua; balinbooks.com, 417-7981) has a list of special offerings on its website and will host New Hampshire author Maggie Thrash to discuss her novel Rainbow Black at 11 a.m. and singer-songwriter Sweet Harriet at 1 p.m. Toadstool Bookshop (12 Depot St. in Peterborough; toadbooks.com) will hold a 20 percent off new hardcovers sale. See indiebound.org for plans at more area bookstores.

Thursday, April 25

The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road in Londonderry, nhahs.org, 669-4820) hosts “Turtles Fly Too,” a presentation by local pilot David Dineen about a yearly mission to airlift misguided sea turtles out of cold New England waters at 7 p.m. Admission costs $10 per person for non-members. Tickets are available through the museum’s website. For more information, go to turtlesflytoo.org.

Saturday, April 27

The Great New England Spring Artisan, Antiques, and Vintage Market will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (and Sunday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) at the Hampshire Dome (34 Emerson Road in Milford, hampshiredome.com, 673-8123). There will be 150 exhibitors, food trucks, cocktails and live music. Tickets are $5 at the door and are good for both days. See gnecraftartisanshows.com.

Saturday, April 27

Hudson Lions will sponsor their semi-annual Psychic Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hudson Community Center (12 Lions Ave. in Hudson, hudsonnh.gov, 886-6003). This event will benefit Hudson Lions Charities. No credit cards will be accepted. Admission is free; there will be a fee for psychic readings.

Saturday, April 27

The Coppal House Farm (118 N. River Road, Lee, nhcornmaze.com, 659-3572) holds Open Farm Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is the kickoff event for the 2024 season, which starts the celebration of 20 years as Coppal House Farm. Animal barns will be open for visiting and there will be demonstrations of draft horse harnessing, ploughing, and glass flameworking, and more. Admission is free.

Sunday, April 28

Opera stars of the future compete in NH Opera Idol beginning at 3 p.m. in the Cantin Room at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage (16 S Main St., Concord, ccanh.com, 225-1111). Doors open at 2 p.m. Young opera singers compete for cash awards and performance contracts to a July 2024 production of “I Pagliacci.” The audience will choose the competition winners. Tickets cost $30.75 and are available through the Capitol Center for the Arts website.

Save the Date! Saturday, May 4
The Seacoast Cat Club will host its 45th Annual CFA Allbreed Cat Show, including feline agility competitions, Saturday, May 4, and Sunday, May 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Everett Arena (15 Loudon Road, Concord, concordnh.gov, 228-2784). Admission costs $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and kids under 12.