Category: Visual Arts

Concord’s Market Days converted to a month-long festival

The annual Market Days Festival returns to Concord this summer with a twist. Instead of the traditional three-day event, Market Days will become Market Month, a series of “Mini Market Days” held every weekend in August.

“People will be able to get outside with their families and enjoy games and activities, live entertainment and shopping — all the things they haven’t been able to do for a while — for a whole month,” said Haylie Stoddard, event coordinator for Intown Concord, which hosts the event.

From Thursday, Aug. 6, through Sunday, Aug. 9, there will be a Sidewalk Sale, where downtown businesses will expand their storefronts outside on the sidewalks, talk with customers and promote special items.

Market Month will highlight downtown restaurants during Restaurant Week, happening Thursday, Aug. 13, through Sunday, Aug. 16.

Then, from Thursday, Aug. 20, through Sunday, Aug. 23, Concord will celebrate its diverse cultures with International Arts Week. That Saturday will include a full schedule of multicultural music and dance performances, arts and activities.

Market Month will conclude with another Sidewalk Sale from Thursday, Aug. 27, through Sunday, Aug. 30.

Visitors can also play Market Month Bingo, where for each day on the bingo board they can do an interactive activity to learn about a participating business. If they complete the task, the business will stamp their bingo card. Completed bingo cards can be entered for a chance to win a prize at the end of the month.

“A lot of our downtown businesses are struggling right now, and they need the hype to get people to come spend their money at downtown businesses and support the livelihood and culture of downtown,” Stoddard said.

Plans for Market Month have been mostly “up in the air” and made “week by week” due to the various uncertainties posed by the pandemic, Stoddard said, so it’s likely that events and activities will continue to be added throughout the month. Intown Concord will announce new additions to the schedule on its Facebook page as they are confirmed. Intown’s hope, Stoddard said, is to secure approval for use of the Statehouse lawn to feature more entertainment.

“If we get that approval, we’ll be able to book more musicians, performers and dance groups and have more days with events going on,” she said.

Under normal circumstances the Market Days Festival is central New Hampshire’s largest free community event, attracting tens of thousands of people each year. The shift from the three-day festival to Market Month was made, Stoddard said, “to enhance and ensure the safety and health” of downtown visitors and businesspeople.

“It’s a way to spread things out,” she said. “There will be smaller groups coming into downtown in increments rather than mass crowds of several thousands of people coming into downtown at one time.”

Face masks and hand sanitizer will be provided to attendees, and social distance markers will be set up at performances and other events and activities where a number of people would gather.

Market Month
Where: Downtown Concord
Schedule:
• Week 2 (Thursday, Aug. 6, through Sunday, Aug. 9) — Sidewalk Sale
• Week 3 (Thursday, Aug. 13, through Sunday, Aug. 16) — Restaurant Week
• Week 4 (Thursday, Aug. 20, through Sunday, Aug. 23) — International Arts Week
• Week 5 (Thursday, Aug. 27, through Sunday, Aug. 30) — Sidewalk Sale
Cost: Free admission
More info: facebook.com/intownconcord

• Audio art tours: Great American Downtown, a nonprofit organization that promotes activities and businesses in downtown Nashua, has partnered with other community and arts organizations, including Freedom’s Way Heritage National Park, City Arts Nashua, Nashua International Sculpture Symposium and Positive Street Art, to create the city’s first self-guided audio tour of the public art in downtown, according to a Great American Downtown press release. The audio tour, available in English and Spanish, is offered through the Distrx app for free and is accessible on Android and iOS on demand. Using Bluetooth iBeacon technology, the app automatically displays photos and text and provides audio descriptions at each stop on the tour as tourists approach the works of art. There are two types of tours — sculptures and murals — with 10 to 15 stops on each. “We are thrilled to provide this free and fascinating tour of Nashua’s incredible art scene, to locals and visitors to Nashua,” said Paul Shea, executive director of Great American Downtown. “With the current challenges of finding fun things to do while maintaining social distancing, we think this at-your-pace walking tour is a perfect opportunity for folks to get outside and enjoy some time in Downtown Nashua.” Visit downtownnashua.org/nashua-art-tour.

• Back to the movies: Cinemagic Theaters (1226 Hooksett Road, Hooksett, 644-4629; 11 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, 423-0240; 2454 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, 319-8788; cinemagicmovies.com) will reopen on Friday, Aug. 21, according to a press release. Social distancing will be in effect, and masks will be required throughout the facility except while seated in the theater.

• Art in the garden: The Eastern Ballet Institute of Concord will begin holding its classes at the Kimball Jenkins School of Art (266 N. Main St., Concord) in the fall, according to a press release. To raise funds for the installation of a new dance floor and mirrors, the Institute will host a Summer Garden Masquerade at the School on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 6 p.m. The evening will feature an outdoor print exhibition of art inspired by dance and a pack-your-own picnic with a short performance by the dancers. Tickets cost $15. Visit kimballjenkins.com.

• Craftsmen’s Fair goes virtual: The 87th annual Craftsmen’s Fair, hosted virtually by the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, continues on the League’s website through Sunday, Aug. 9. The virtual fair has links to the online shops of more than 140 League members working in a variety of contemporary and traditional crafts, such as baskets, blacksmithing, hand-blown glass, functional and decorative ceramics, framed original prints, metal sculptures, vibrant folk art, modern and traditional furniture, elaborate quilts, wearable art and jewelry. Additionally, there is a virtual exhibition tour and exclusive video content including demonstrations by the artisans, musical performances and guided craft projects for all ages. “We’ve tried to create an environment of engagement and excitement — not just another website — that mirrors the live event, where you can shop, learn about crafts and talk to the artists,” League executive director Miriam Carter told the Hippo last month. “The only thing that’s different this year is that, instead of being on the mountain, we’ll be on your monitor.” Check out these live virtual demonstrations, workshops and tours happening this week:

Thursday, Aug. 6

• Basketmaking demo with Peggy Thrasher (Facebook Live) – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

• Work along with potter Erin Moran (Zoom) – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Hanga printing demo and talk with Matt Brown (Zoom) – noon to 1 p.m.

• Throwing on the potter’s wheel with Steve Zoldak and Maureen Mills (YouTube) – 1 to 2 p.m.

• Jewelry demos, talks and a gallery tour with Lucy Golden (Facebook Live) – 1 to 2 p.m.

• Learn about looms with weaver Dena Moses (YouTube) – 1 to 2 p.m.

• Studio visit with Barbara Smith McLaughlin (Facebook Live) – 2 to 2:30 p.m.

• Open demonstrations of turned wood tools for sewing and fiber arts with Cynthia Ellis (Zoom) – 2 to 5 p.m.

• Colored clay pottery demo with Naomi Lindenfeld (Zoom) – 4 to 5 p.m.

• Building monumental pots with Stephen Procter (Instagram Live) – 4 to 5 p.m.

• Pottery demo with Lori Rollason (Instagram Live) – 6 to 7 p.m.

• Dan Dustin Spoon Tales (Facebook Live) – 6 to 6:30 p.m.

• Concert with Caroline Cotter (Facebook Live) – 7 to 8 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 7

• Pottery demo with Lori Rollason (Instagram Live) – 10 a.m. to noon

• Open demonstrations of turned wood tools for sewing and fiber arts with Cynthia Ellis (Zoom) – 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 2 to 5 p.m.

• Basketmaking demo with Peggy Thrasher (Facebook Live) – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

• Glassblowing demo with Aaron Slater (Facebook Live) – 11 a.m. to noon

• Studio visit with Barbara Smith McLaughlin and Diane Louise Paul (Facebook Live) – 11 a.m. to noon

• Work along with potter Erin Moran (Zoom) – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Jewelry demos, talks and a gallery tour with Lucy Golden (Facebook Live) – 1 to 2 p.m.

• Art talk with Matt Brown: “The Energy Theory of Color” (Zoom) – 2 to 3 p.m.

• Glazing a face jug with Paul Haigh (Facebook Live) – 2 to 4 p.m.

• Favorite Things Friday with Molly Harper of Soul Pine Pottery (Facebook Live) – 2 to 3 p.m.

• Woodturning with Claude Dupuis (Zoom) – 3 to 4 p.m.

• Colored clay pottery demo with Naomi Lindenfeld (Zoom) – 4 to 5 p.m.

• Building monumental pots with Stephen Procter (Instagram Live) – 4 to 5 p.m.

• Dan Dustin Spoon Tales (Facebook Live) – 6 to 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 8

• Wood turning with Claude Dupuis (Zoom) – 10 to 11 a.m.

• Open demonstrations of turned wood tools for sewing and fiber arts with Cynthia Ellis (Zoom) – 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 2 to 5 p.m.

• Basketmaking demo with Peggy Thrasher (Facebook Live) – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

• Pottery demo with Lori Rollason (Instagram Live) – 11 a.m. to noon

• Glassblowing demo with Hethre Larivee (YouTube) – 11 a.m. to noon

• Studio visit with Barbara Smith McLaughlin (Facebook Live) – 11 to 11:30 am

• Work along with potter Erin Moran (Zoom) – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Hanga printing demo and talk with Matt Brown (Zoom) – noon to 1 p.m.

• Throwing on the potter’s wheel with Steve Zoldak and Maureen Mills (YouTube) – 1 to 2 p.m.

• Flameworking demo with Jocelyn Brown (Facebook Live) – 1 to 3 p.m.

• Jewelry demos, talks and a gallery tour with Lucy Golden (Facebook Live) – 1 to 2 p.m.

• Glassblowing demo with Aaron Slater (Facebook Live) – 2 to 3 p.m.

• Colored clay pottery demo with Naomi Lindenfeld (Zoom) – 4 to 5 p.m.

• Building monumental pots with Stephen Procter (Instagram Live) – 4 to 5 p.m.

• Pottery demo with Lori Rollason (Instagram Live) – 6 to 7 p.m.

• Dan Dustin Spoon Tales (Facebook Live) – 6 to 6:30 p.m.

• Concert with Dave Richardson (Facebook Live) – 7 to 8 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 9

• Studio tour and pottery demo with Lori Rollason (Instagram Live) – 10 a.m. to noon

• Studio visit with Barbara Smith McLaughlin (Facebook Live) – 10 to 10:30 am

• Open demonstrations of turned wood tools for sewing and fiber arts with Cynthia Ellis (Zoom) – 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 2 to 5 p.m.

• Basketmaking demo with Peggy Thrasher (Facebook Live) – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

• Jewelry demos, talks and a gallery tour with Lucy Golden (Facebook Live) – 10 to 11 a.m.

• Glassblowing demo with Hethre Larivee (YouTube) – 11 a.m. to noon

• Work along with potter Erin Moran (Zoom) – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Woodturning with Claude Dupuis (Zoom) – 1 to 2 p.m.

• Glassblowing demo with Aaron Slater (Facebook Live) – 2 to 3 p.m.

• Glazing a face jug reveal with Paul Haigh (Facebook Live) – 2 to 3 p.m.

• Colored clay pottery demo with Naomi Lindenfeld (Zoom) – 4 to 5 p.m.

• Building monumental pots with Stephen Procter (Instagram Live) – 4 to 5 p.m.

• Dan Dustin Spoon Tales (Facebook Live) – 6 to 6:30 p.m.

Visit nhcrafts.org/virtual-craftsmens-fair.

Featured Photo: Nashua public art, “Bird Dreaming” by Jocelyn Pratt. Courtesy photo.

For more than 300 artisans in and around the Granite State, the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s annual Craftsmen’s Fair — traditionally held for nine days in August at Mount Sunapee Resort in Newbury — is the highlight of their year and their biggest opportunity to display, demonstrate and sell their crafts. Drawing more than 20,000 paying attendees, the fair also provides 80 percent of the League’s yearly operating income, executive director Miriam Carter said, so when Covid-19 made it impossible to host the fair in person, organizers had to think outside the box.

From Saturday, Aug. 1, through Sunday, Aug. 9, the public will be able to “attend” the 87th annual Craftsmen’s Fair virtually through the League’s website, where there will be links to more than 140 League members’ online shops, plus a virtual exhibition tour and exclusive video content including demonstrations by the artisans, musical performances and guided craft projects for all ages.

“We’ve tried to create an environment of engagement and excitement — not just another website — that mirrors the live event, where you can shop, learn about crafts and talk to the artists,” Carter said. “The only thing that’s different this year is that, instead of being on the mountain, we’ll be on your monitor.”

A variety of contemporary and traditional crafts will be represented at the fair, such as baskets, blacksmithing, hand-blown glass, functional and decorative ceramics, framed original prints, metal sculptures, vibrant folk art, modern and traditional furniture, elaborate quilts, wearable art and jewelry.

Potter and longtime League member Andy Hampton of Chichester specializes in pottery with a Japanese aesthetic, using Japanese production and firing techniques. He will have 150 unique pieces for sale at his online shop during the fair, including dinnerware, bonsai pots, sculptural vases and wall hangings. He has also recorded a video for the fair, demonstrating how he creates a teapot.

“I will actually have a much larger presentation of my work [at the virtual fair] than I could have had at the live craft fair,” Hampton said. “It gives us [artisans] the opportunity to expand and show more of a variety of items than we could physically.”

Another longtime League member, Lauren Pollaro of York, Maine, will present more than 150 pieces of her mixed media art and jewelry, including earrings, brooches and pins, pendants, necklaces and wall hangings. She also made a video for the fair, giving viewers a tour of her studio and showing some of her works in progress and finished works.

“After a spring and summer of disappointments, art shows being canceled and fear about how I’m going to stay afloat, it’s great to have this event,” Pollaro said. “I know it won’t be the same [as the live fair], but I’ve been preparing the same way that I do for the live event, and the same energy is there.”

The virtual fair model has pushed League members, many of whom have had a limited or nonexistent online presence, to expand their use of technology for marketing their products and interacting with their customers. To facilitate, the League provided classes for members on how to create a website and engage on social media.

“We’ve been encouraging members to be more active online for years, so this [virtual fair] has been a huge opportunity for them to finally take the time to do that,” Carter said. “It’s definitely been a challenge for them, but I think they are grateful that we could still move forward with the fair this year using this virtual model.”

Hampton said he contracted a website builder to build him a new site and has been promoting his work on social media, and Pollaro said she updated her website with a new online store.

“I already had a website, but it was just informational and explained my work, like a portfolio. Purchasing pieces wasn’t an option on the site,” she said. “I was always reluctant to [sell online] … but now that I am, I have a feeling this is going to be a new mode of business for me.”

While the League hopes to bring the live Craftsmen’s Fair back to Mount Sunapee next summer, Carter said, all future fairs will have a virtual component.

“The beauty of the internet is that we can build on the 20,000-plus people coming to the live event,” she said. “We can expand our reach in the arts community to be nationwide and even worldwide.”

87th annual Craftsmen’s Fair
Where: Online at nhcrafts.org
When: Saturday, Aug. 1, through Sunday, Aug. 9
Cost: Free to access; donations appreciated

• A look at Manchester’s ponds: The Millyard Museum (200 Bedford St., Manchester) presents a new exhibit, “Manchester’s Urban Ponds: Past, Present, and Future: A Celebration of the Manchester Urban Ponds Restoration Program’s 20^th Anniversary,” on display now through Nov. 28 in the museum’s State Theater Gallery. Through its cleanup efforts, the Manchester Urban Ponds Restoration Program has helped restore the city’s ponds to their historic uses. “Although ponds may not be the first thing one thinks about in Manchester, the Queen City has several ponds that have played an important role in the area’s history,” program coordinator Jen Drociak said in an email. The exhibit provides a look at the history of some of those ponds, including Crystal Lake, Dorrs Pond, Maxwell Pond, Nutts Pond, Pine Island Pond and Stevens Pond. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission costs $8 for adults, $6 for seniors age 62 and up and college students, $4 for youth ages 12 through 18 and is free for kids under age 12. Call 622-7531 or visit manchesterhistoric.org/millyard-museum.

• Environment-conscious kids books awarded: Local author Sarah Woodard received honorable mentions in the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, presented by Story Monsters Ink for two of her children’s books, she announced in a press release. The books, The Little Lost Bee and Leila’s Goal, were entered in the Green/Environmental awards category and are suitable for kids ages 5 through 9. The Little Lost Bee teaches kids about bees and how to help protect them through the story of a bee named Bitsy, who gets lost, then rescued after being sprayed by chemicals. Leila’s Goal also encourages nature-friendly practices through the story of a fairy named Leila, who gets sprayed by chemicals and gathers her fairy friends to show humans the negative impact that using chemicals has on the environment. In April, Woodard released her 10th and newest book, Bart’s New Home, which tells the story of a donkey named Bart and the family that raised him. When the family can no longer care for Bart’s special needs, it considers euthanizing him, but ultimately finds a farm sanctuary where he can live out the rest of his life. “[I’m] on a mission to create a world in which all beings are respected and honored,” Woodard said in the press release. “One way I do this is with books. I believe books change the world one reader at a time.” The author is also a Reiki Master Teacher, Certified Shamanic Practitioner, animal lover and communicator and a chemical-free beekeeper. Visit facebook.com/sarahwoodardauthoress.

• The show goes on: Phylloxera Productions’ Copenhagen continues at the Hatbox Theatre (Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord) through Sunday, Aug. 9, with performances on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. (See Hippo’s story about the product in the July 23 issue on page 10.) Tickets cost $18 for adults; $15 for seniors and students. Call 715-2315 or visit hatboxnh.com.

Featured Photo: “Manchester’s Urban Ponds: Past, Present, and Future” exhibit at the Millyard Museum. Courtesy photo.

• Handcrafted ornament: The League of NH Craftsmen has announced its 2020 annual holiday ornament, “Midnight Clear,” designed by Ken Kantro, who also created the inaugural ornament in 1988. The design is a scene inspired by the beauty of New Hampshire’s mountains in winter. Each pewter ornament is handcrafted, dated, numbered and signed by Kantro. You can purchase a gift-boxed ornament for $25 online or at a League craft shop (36 N. Main St., Concord; 530 W. River Road, Hooksett; 279 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith; 98 Main St., Nashua). Visit nhcrafts.org.

• Online watercolor and collage workshops: The New Hampshire Art Association has three upcoming online art workshops. On Thursday, July 9, from 10 a.m. to noon, learn to paint allium flowers with watercolor. Impressionist watercolor artist Dustan Knight will demonstrate splattering watercolor paint with an old toothbrush to create a variety of patterns and values with an air brush style. The cost is $55, and registration is required by Tuesday, July 7. On Sunday, July 12, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., create a visual “journey collage” with mixed media and handmade paper artist Angie Follensbee-Hall. The cost is $35, and registration is required by Thursday, July 9. Rejoin Knight on Thursday, July 16, from 10 a.m. to noon, to paint a New Hampshire sunset with watercolor and learn how to keep colors soft and blended. The cost is $55, and registration is required by Tuesday, July 14. Visit nhartassociation.org.

• Calling Black writers: New World Theatre, a New Hampshire-based theater company and playwright collective, has announced an open call to Black writersto submit “monologues that reflect their personal experience of living while Black,” according to a press release. Selected works will be published in an anthology titled 08:46. “Through the power of writing and theatre, we can do our part to amplify the stories of systemic racism and raise the level of awareness and understanding to effect meaningful change in the human heart,” the press release said. Profits from the sale of the publication will be split between the contributing writers and nonprofits committed to dismantling systemic racism, the release said. The deadline for submissions is Jan. 1, 2021. Visit newworldtheatre.org/08m46s.

• Movies are back: The Wilton Town Hall Theatre (40 Main St., Wilton, 654-3456, wiltontownhalltheatre.com) will reopen on Friday, July 3, with Irresistible (R, 2020) and Never Rarely Sometimes Always (PG-13, 2020), showing through Thursday, July 9. Regular showtimes will be different than they were pre-Covid, according to the movie theater’s Facebook page: nightly at 7 and 7:30 p.m.; plus Sunday matinees at 2 and 2:30 p.m.; and the Saturday Afternoon Classic at 2 p.m. Check the website for film updates. The Silent Sundays series featuring silent movies with live musical accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis will continue with The Three Musketeers (1921) on July 26.

• Cello on the lawn: Canterbury Shaker Village (288 Shaker Road, Canterbury) presents a Concerts on the Green series every Sunday in July from 4 to 5 p.m. The series features Concord cellist Jan Fuller, who will perform works by Bach, Beethoven and Brahms, accompanied by the recorded music of pianist Chaeyoung Park. Fuller’s musical programs will also feature guest artists, including cellist Harel Gietheim on July 5, NH Poet Laureate Alexandria Peary on July 12 and NH Artist Laureate Amanda Whitworth on July 19. Attendees should wear masks and follow the social distancing guidelines by sitting within the painted circles on the lawn. Seating is first-come first-served. The concerts are free, with a suggested donation of $10. Call 783-9511 or visit shakers.org.

• In-person glass and pottery workshops: Studio 550 Art Center (550 Elm St., Manchester) is now offering in-person one-day workshops, including stained glass every Saturday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. for $45 per person; clay every Saturday at 3 p.m. for $45 per person; build-your-own succulent terrarium on Saturday, Aug. 1, at 6:30 p.m. for $35 per person; clay for families most Fridays at 12:15 p.m. and most Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. starting on July 11 for $30 per person; clay-sculpting for families every Saturday at noon and every Monday at 2:30 or 4 p.m. starting on July 11 for $20 per person; and pottery date nights every Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. for $30 per person. Register online in advance. Call 232-5597 or visit 550arts.com.

• Jewish Film Fest goes virtual: In place of its traditional festival, the New Hampshire Jewish Film Festival will present a virtual summer film series featuring five international films that would have made their New Hampshire premieres. The films include Love in Suspenders, an Israeli comedy, on Thursday, July 9; My Name is Sara, a U.S. drama, on Thursday, July 23; Futures Past, a U.S. documentary, on Thursday, Aug. 6; Shooting Life, an Israeli drama, on Thursday, Aug. 20; and Paris Song, a Latvian historical drama, on Thursday, Aug. 27. My Name is Sara, Futures Past and Paris Song screenings will include a post-movie discussion with the filmmakers on the following Sunday at 7 p.m. All screenings are free, with a suggested donation of $18 to support the festival and future programming. Advance registration is required. Visit nhjewishfilmfestival.com/2020-virtual.

• Author series on Zoom: The Tory Hill Author Series, presented by the Warner Historical Society, will be held virtually over Zoom this year. The series features local and nationally known authors who read from and discuss their books and personal experiences. This year’s lineup includes graphic novelist Joel Christian Gill on Saturday, July 11; feminist historian Susan Ware on Saturday, July 25; nature and biology writer Bernd Heinrich on Saturday, Aug. 8; and storyteller Rebecca Rule and middle-grade and young adult novelist Adi Rule on Saturday, Aug. 22. All events begin at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $25 and can be purchased online. Visit toryhillauthorsseries.com.

Featured Photo: A detail of Allium flowers watercolor by Dustan Knight. Courtesy photo.

• Author discusses women’s suffrage: The Tory Hill Author Series will feature feminist historian and biographer Susan Ware on Saturday, July 25, at 7 p.m. on the video conferencing platform Zoom. Ware will discuss her book Why They Marched: Untold Stories of the Women Who Fought for the Right to Vote (2019), which looks at some of the lesser-known icons of the women’s suffrage movement. Ware is currently the Honorary Women’s Suffrage Centennial Historian at Harvard University’s Schlesinger Library and is the general editor of American National Biography. The Library of America will publish her edited volume American Women’s Suffrage: The Long Struggle for the Vote, 1776–1965 this summer. Tickets cost $25 and can be purchased online. Every year the Tory Hill Author Series, presented by the Warner Historical Society, features local and nationally known authors who read from and discuss their books and personal experiences. Other authors being featured will include biology writer Bernd Heinrich on Saturday, Aug. 8, and storyteller Rebecca Rule and middle-grade and young adult novelist Adi Rule on Saturday, Aug. 22. Visit toryhillauthorsseries.com.

• Forest inspiration: Twiggs Gallery (254 King St., Boscawen) presents a new art exhibit, “Tree & Twig,” from July 25 through Aug. 23, with an opening reception on Saturday, July 25, from 1 to 3 p.m. It features 10 local artists — Debra Claffey, Richard Gombar, Susan Lirakis, Laura Morrison, Katy O’Gorman, Adele Sanborn, Jean Stimmell, Pam Tarbell, Dave Therrien and Arielle Van De Water — whose work focuses on their deep and personal connections to New Hampshire forests. There will be paintings, photography, sculptures and other media. Gallery hours are Thursday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Call 975-0015 or visit twiggsgallery.wordpress.com.

• Reopening pushed back: Cinemagic Stadium Theaters in New Hampshire (1226 Hooksett Road, Hooksett, 644-4629; 11 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, 423-0240; 2454 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, 319-8788; cinemagicmovies.com) has pushed its reopening date back to July 31 because of changes to theatrical release dates, according to a press release. All locations will feature classic movies for $5, as well the premiere of Unhinged (R), starring Russel Crowe. Moviegoers are required to wear face masks while moving around the facility but can remove them while seated in the auditorium, observing social distance at all times. Contactless ticket and concession purchases are encouraged and can be made via the Cinemagic app. A limited-time buy-one-get-one-free popcorn special will be available, and beer, wine and specialty drinks can now be purchased at the concessions stands, according to the release.

• Jewish Film Fest continues virtually: In place of its traditional festival, which was canceled due to Covid-19, the New Hampshire Jewish Film Festival is presenting a virtual summer film series featuring international films that would have made their New Hampshire premieres. The next film is My Name is Sara, a U.S. drama, on Thursday, July 23, followed by Futures Past, a U.S. documentary, on Thursday, Aug. 6; Shooting Life, an Israeli drama, on Thursday, Aug. 20; and Paris Song, a Latvian historical drama, on Thursday, Aug. 27. My Name is Sara, Futures Past and Paris Song screenings will include a post-movie discussion with the filmmakers on the following Sunday at 7 p.m. All screenings are free, with a suggested donation of $18 to support the festival and future programming. Advance registration is required. Visit nhjewishfilmfestival.com/2020-virtual.

Featured photo: Art by Pam Tarbell featured in “Tree & Twig” at Twiggs Gallery.