Category: Visual Arts

The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities

• Twiggs closing: Twiggs Gallery will celebrate its art instructors with its final exhibition. The exhibition, “GLOW,” marks the gallery’s “farewell after an inspiring 10-year run,” with their doors closing on Dec. 14, according to a press release. The show “spotlights the diverse, heartfelt work of its dedicated art instructors,” the release said. The artists’ reception is on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Twiggs Gallery (254 King St., Boscawen; TwiggsGallery.org). In a statement, gallery owner Laura Morrison said, “This last exhibition is truly bittersweet. Our teachers have offered so many wonderful classes over the years, and we wanted to celebrate them by giving them an opportunity to show their favorite pieces of art. … It’s a beautiful and heartfelt exhibit.” Twiggs is open Thursday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.

• Ghosts before Christmas: On Friday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m. the Derry Opera House presents “The Fright Before Christmas,” a program exploring the many Yuletide monsters and legends that have almost been lost to the ages. The program is based on years of research by storyteller Jeff Belanger, looking at the history of the holiday and ghostly traditions such as the stories of Krampus, the Belsnickel, Tomtens, and Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, according to the website. Belanger is the Emmy-nominated host, writer and producer of the PBS and Amazon Prime series New England Legends and the weekly New England Legends podcast. Belanger does not recommend this program for a young audience. Participants will need to register via the Derry Public Library atderrypl.org. Visit derryoperahouse.org.

• Exhibit in Concord: Outer Space Arts (35 Pleasant St., Concord; outerspacearts.xyz) is showing an exhibit of work by Emma cc Cook & Em Kettner titled “Caterpillar” until Saturday, Jan. 18. Emma cc Cook graduated with a BFA in painting from University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and studied at the Angel Academy in Florence, Italy, according to the event page. Cook often combines dark paintings on canvas with abrupt insertions of walnut sticks, textural variations, and intriguing thematic ventures that are inspired by rural American West landscapes and the broad discourses surrounding identity, history, environment and erasure, according to the website. Outer Space will donate 5 percent of its profits from any sales of her work to a nonprofit of the artist’s choosing, according to the same website. The gallery is open Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to its Facebook page.

• Jazzing it up: Symphony New Hampshire and the Capitol Center for the Arts are teaming up for a three-part series of Illuminated Ensembles. American Standards is the first of the series; it will take place on Sunday, Nov. 17, at 4 p.m. at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord) and will feature Symphony New Hampshire’s Jazz Ensemble. This intimate and immersive experience will bring the Great American Songbook into a whole new light, according to the press release. Tickets are $37. Call the Capitol Center for the Arts box office at 225-1111 or visit ccanh.org.

• Wood and fiber: The Wood & Fiber Art exhibition featuring the works of Jim and Peg Doyle is open to the public during Gafney Library (14 High St., Sanbornville) hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 7 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Peg works with fabric and fiber art and Jim enjoys working with natural wood such as tree stumps, branches and burls, according to a press release. An artists’ reception woill be held on on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m. to noon.

• Beethoven: Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra Family Matinees Chamber Series’ next installment is “Adventures with Beethoven” on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 3 p.m. with the Essex Piano Trio to perform ‘The Archduke’ and other masterful works for piano, violin and cello at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, according to a press release. Admission is a suggested $15 per family donation at the door. Visit portsmouthsymphony.org.

The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities

• On stage: The Anselmain Abbey Players will present 12 Angry Jurors this weekend at the Dana Center at Saint Anselm College in Manchester. The show will run Friday, Nov. 8, and Saturday, Nov. 9, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $8 to $15. See tickets.anselm.edu.

• Murder on stage: Lend Me a Theater will present Mandate For Murder, a political satire murder mystery with audience interaction, at Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St., Derry, tupelomusichall.com) on Saturday, Nov. 9, when dinner is at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 10, when dinner is at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. “It’s election night and all the friends and supporters of mayoral candidate Matthew Kensington are throwing him a surprise birthday/campaign party. But there’s one surprise no one suspects. An aide is found stabbed in the back with the birthday cake knife! ,” according to the description on the Tupelo’s website. Tickets are available for dinner and a show ($55) and just the show ($25). See lendmeatheater.org for more on the theater company.

• Small pieces with big ideas: The Mosaic Art Collective (66 Hanover St. in Manchester; mosaicartcollective.com) will present its new show “Small Wonders Miniature Art Show” Friday, Nov. 8, through Sunday, Dec. 22. The exhibition is described as “celebration of small-scale art that packs a big punch,” according to the website. A opening reception will be held Saturday, Nov. 9, from 4 to 8 p.m.

• More with the maestro: Symphony New Hampshire will present “Beethoven’s Third: Exploring Eroica,”on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 7:30 p.m. at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St., Nashua, nashucenterforthearts.com). “I’ll dive into it and share insights into what made it so revolutionary and groundbreaking,” music director Roger Kalia told Michael Witthaus for the story in the Oct. 24 issue of the Hippo “We’re also going to play short pieces from other symphonies of Beethoven, some Mozart … works that inspired the Eroica,” he said in the article on page 14; find the issue in the digital library at hippopress.com. Tickets to Saturday’s show cost $32 to $67. See symphonynh.org.

• Count of Concord: Glen Rodgers, emeritus professor at Allegheny College and author of Traveling with the Atom: A Scientific Guide to Europe and Beyond, presents a lecture titled “Traveling with Count Rumford”on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 2 p.m., recounting the scientific, economic, diplomatic and military accomplishments of the American-born Benjamin Thompson while tracing his footsteps across the United States and Europe, according to the website. “When he was ennobled by the Holy Roman Emperor in 1792, he chose to be named Rumford after one of the early names for Concord,” the website said. The lecture will be given at the New Hampshire Historical Society (30 Park St., Concord). Admission is $7. No registration required. See nhhistory.org.

• Beethoven and Liszt: On Thursday, Nov. 7, from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. Kyra Zhao will give the lecture “From Page to Performance: The Literary Influences in Beethoven and Liszt’s Iconic Piano Works”at the Concord Community School (23 Wall St., Concord). The talk willdelve into the intricate relationship between literature and music, highlighting how renowned composers such as Beethoven and Liszt drew profound inspiration from iconic literary works, according to the event website. Visit ccmusicschool.org.

—Zachary Lewis

The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities

• A drive with art: The Route 3 Art Trail will run Saturday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and feature “open studios, art and craft demonstrations, a free raffle” and more in towns running from Concord through Franklin. To participate, see route3arttrail.com to get the trail map and passport listing 17 locations combined in Concord, Penacook, Boscawen and Franklin. Visit at least five locations and get them stamped on the passport to participate in the raffle.

• Folk cafe: The Wilton Folk Cafe will present Anayis “AJ” Wright at the Wilton Collaborative Space (21 Gregg St. in Wilton) on Friday, Nov. 1, at 7:30 p.m. Wright is described as “distinctive voice in the traditional folk genre who captivates audiences and scholars alike with their connection to maritime music, English folk, shape note, and early music,” according to a press release. Admission to the show is free (doors open at 7 p.m.); reservations are suggested via Sandy Lafleur at [email protected] or 654-1245.

• Hello! My name is Inigo Montoya: A Conversation with Kathryn Grody & Mandy Patinkin will take place on Friday, Nov. 1, at 7:30 p.m. at the Capitol Center for the Arts (ccanh.com) at the Chubb Theatre (44 S. Main St., Concord). Tickets cost $58 through $95. Mandy Patinkin is a celebrated film and theater actor known for his range of characters and famously played Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride among many notable roles. Grody is a writer and actress whose screen credits include 1981’s Reds and 1990’s The Lemon Sisters. According to People magazine and the Hollywood Reporter, the couple, who married in 1980, gained Covid-lockdown era fans from videos posted by their son. See a video called “Movie Night” of them watching, commenting on and dealing with their dog during a movie (possibly Aquaman) on the Cap Center’s website. Tickets cost $58 through $95.

• Artistry of beading: Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum (18 Highlawn Road in Warnter; indianmuseum.org, 456-3600) will host BeadStock, which celebrates Native American beading “traditions with bead and beadwork vendors, demonstrations, speakers, and more” on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., according the website, where you can find the schedule of workshops and lectures. Tickets, which include museum admission, cost $18. Tickets include the lectures but workshops are extra and can also be purchased online.

• Art show: The Hollis Art Society will hold its 2024 Art Show & Sale on Saturday, Nov. 2, and Sunday, Nov. 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lawrence Barn, 28 Depot Road in Hollis. See hollisartssociety.org.

• In the beginning: Retired news reporter David Tirrell-Wysocki will give a lecture titled “The New Hampshire Primary: A Light-Hearted Look at the Long Shots” on Saturday, Nov. 2, at 2 p.m., offering a nonpartisan look at New Hampshire’s presidential contest. Admission is $7. No registration required.

• Meet the artist: Dan Dailey, the New Hampshire glass artist whose work is currently on display at the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St. in Manchester; currier.org), will talk with exhibit curator Kurt Sundstrom at an ARTalk on Sunday, Nov. 3, from 2 to 4 p.m. Tickets are available via the Currier’s website and cost $30 for adults, $20 for 65+ and students and $10 for ages 13 to 17 (children under 13 get in for free) and include museum admission, according to the website. The exhibit, “Dan Dailey: Impressions of the Human Spirit,” is on display through Sunday, Feb. 2.

• Meet the artists: “October 9th – November 9th Show” will display the unique work of local artists Sharon Boisvert, Darren Taylor, Mark Ruddy, Pamela Tarbell, Kevin Kintner, Paul Gilmore and Robyn Whitney Fairclough as well as the art of curator Christina Landry-Boullion at Glimpse Gallery (Patriot Building, 4 Park St., Concord, theglimpsegallery.com, 892-8307). The final reception for the exhibit will be held Saturday, Nov. 2, from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

• Art, eats and music: Join artist Carmen Verdi for a solo exhibit titled “Daydreamer,” which will showcase his newest works at Cucina Toscana restaurant in Nashua (427 Amherst St.) on Monday, Nov. 4, from 6 to 9 p.m. Participants will enjoy appetizers, live music, raffles and a bar while they view his latest creations. Free admission. Visit carmenverdi.org.

—Zachary Lewis

The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities

• Dracula comes alive: PUSH Physical Theatre, described as displaying “intense athleticism, gravity-defying acrobatics, and soulful artistry,” will bring its adaptation of Dracula to Stockbridge Theatre (5 Pinkerton St., Derry, pinkertonacademy.org/stockbridge-theatre) on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15 to $35. “PUSH Physical Theatre’s adaptation of Bram Stoker’s 1897 horror novel Dracula is like nothing audiences have ever seen. By combining PUSH’s speechless artistry with traditional dialogue-driven theater, the collaborators have created a ground-breaking, thrilling, and unforgettable ride into the warped world of one of literature’s most famous villains,” according to a press release. Get a look at the show at pushtheatre.org.

• All about the kids: Disney’s Descendants is presented by Epping Community Theater (38 Ladds Lane, Epping, eppingtheater.org) on Friday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 26, at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 27, at 2 p.m. “Based on the popular Disney Channel Original Movies, Disney’s Descendants: The Musical is a new musical jam-packed with comedy, adventure, Disney characters, and hit songs from the films!” according to the website. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $17 for seniors and $15 for ages 12 and under.

• 10 years of theater: [title of show], presented by Cue Zero Theatre on Friday, Oct. 25, through Sunday, Oct. 27, at Arts Academy of New Hampshire in Salem, is a metamusical about artists creating musical theater, and its production marks a celebration of 10 years of Cue Zero, according to a press release. The play is “a love letter to the musical theater — a uniquely American art form — and to the joy of collaboration,” according to cztheatre.com. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets cost $15 (plus fees) and are available at cztheatre.com or at the door.

—Zachary Lewis

The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities

• Terrific & radiant: The Children’s Theatre Project at the Community Players of Concord will present Charlotte’s Web on Friday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 19, at 2 p.m. at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St. in Concord;theaudi.org). Actors ages 6 to 16 will tell the story of the pig Wilbur, his dear friend Charlotte the spider and other animals at the farm, according to a press release. See communityplayersofconcord.org for tickets and details on the play.

• Harmonious history: Jersey Boys, a musical about the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, opens Friday, Oct. 18, at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org). The show runs Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. as well as Thursday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m. through Sunday, Nov. 10. Tickets cost $45 through $59.

• Organ concert: The Young Organist Collaborative will host a Fall Faculty Concert on Friday, Oct. 18, at 7:30 p.m. at Christ Church, 43 Pine St. in Exeter, featuring a range of works for the pipe organ, according to a press release. “The Young Organist Collaborative encourages and supports young people ages 11-18 in learning to play the pipe organ by awarding scholarships that cover the cost for 16 organ lessons with a qualified local organist in the tri-state area of northern Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and southern Maine. The fall concert features five of the faculty currently working with YOC students,” the release said. The concert is open to the public and has an at-the-door suggested donation of $10 per person. See youngorganistcollaborative.org.

Celebrating 5 years
The Two Villages Art Society (846 Main St. in Contoocook; twovillagesart.org) will celebrate its fifth birthday and open its 47th exhibit with an event on Saturday, Oct. 19, from noon to 3 p.m. according to a press release. The event will feature live music, light refreshments and a raffle as well as the opening of “My Artistic Legacy”, a group show featuring works artists would like to be remembered by, according to the website. The exhibit will be on display through Saturday, Nov. 16, and the gallery is open Thursday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
“We have a high caliber of artists proposing shows of their work,” says Larry Morgan, TVAS board president. “We offer as much variety as possible in our calendar, and continue to present two member shows each year. These shows support local artists and they help us meet expenses to run our nonprofit gallery.”

• Weekend outing: Deerfield Arts Tour takes place Saturday, Oct. 19, and Sunday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 20 artists are slated to participate, according to deerfieldarts.com, where you can find a map of the studios. Find our coverage of several area arts tours in the Oct. 10 issue of the Hippo; go to hippopress.com to find our digital library. The story is on page 10.

• Staged reading: The Community Players of Concord will present an enhanced stage reading of the play It Can’t Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis on Thursday, Oct. 24, and Friday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. at the West Street Ward House, 41 West St. in Concord. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and admission is free. “In 1935, as fascism was taking hold in Europe, Sinclair Lewis wrote It Can’t Happen Here, a dark satire that imagines the rise of a demagogue who becomes president of the United States. Presented first by the Federal Theatre Project, and adapted in 2016 by the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, this enhanced staged reading features theatrical lighting, audio effects, and projections of photographs that help set the stage for a compelling, and frightening, tale of the fall of American democracy,” according to a Community Players release. See communityplayersofconcord.org.

• Seasonal painting: Creature your own picture of the Sanderson Sisters at Hocus Pocus Paint Night on Friday, Oct. 25, at 8 p.m. at Chunky’s (707 Huse Road in Manchester; chunkys.com). The cost is $45.

—Zachary Lewis

The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities

• Welcome to Cicely, Alaska: Pembroke City Limits (134 Main St. in Suncook; pembrokecitylimits.com, 210-2409) will present “Music of Words: A Dramatic Reading of Northern Exposure” on Thursday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. The production will feature eight dramatic actors reading from a third-season episode. The event starts at 7 p.m. and admission is free.

• Harvest Fair: The Craftworkers Guild, based in Bedford, is open through Monday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Get a look at some of the items in the shop — including woodwork, fiber craft and more — on their Facebook page.

• Paper pumpkins: Twiggs Gallery (254 King St. in Boscawen; 975-0015, twiggsgallery.org) will offer a Halloween paper pumpkin make-and-take activity on Saturday, Oct. 12. The gallery will provide all materials for the project, which will be ongoing from 1 to 3 p.m.

Meet the artist
The exhibit “Things on Tabletops: Paintings by Bruce McColl” will open Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Sullivan Framing & Fine Art Gallery (15 N. Amherst Road in Bedford; sullivanframing.com) and be on display through Saturday, Nov. 23. Sullivan will hold a reception for the show on Oct. 10 from 5 to 7 p.m. Head to the gallery on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 4 to 5 p.m. for an artist talk, according to a Sullivan email. Sullivan Framing is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to its Facebook page.

• Wool arts: The New Hampshire Wool Arts Tour takes place Saturday, Oct. 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with happenings on five farms — Spinner Farm in Deering; Glory Be Farm in Bennington; Windfall Farm in Antrim; Ten Talents at La Bergerie Dumas in Greenfield, and Maple Lane Farm in Lyndeborough. See woolartstournh.com for the demonstrations, artists, food and more slated to be at each farm.

• Photography show: “From Here to Everywhere,” an exhibit featuring “some of Ethan Abitz’s most cherished photographs, capturing life from his hometown in the Monadnock Region to faraway destinations like New Zealand,” is on display at the Jaffrey Civic Center (40 Main St. in Jaffrey; jaffreyciviccenter.com, 532-6527) in the Auditorium Gallery and Display Cases through Saturday, Nov. 9.

—Zachary Lewis