Chicken and smashburgers

The food crowd discusses the yummiest parts of 2024

I asked area food professionals to look back at 2024 (in terms of the best thing they ate all year) and look ahead at 2025.

• Emma Stetson, owner, Wine on Main, 9 N. Main St., Concord, 897-5828, wineonmainnh.com: “The best thing I drank was a bottle of Kistler Sonoma Coast ‘Les Noisetiers’ Chardonnay. … [T]hey only make about 300-400 barrels of it each year. It’s perfectly round and creamy with flavors of ripe green apple, citrus, and hints of baking spice. The best thing I ate was all of the fresh seafood in Northern Portugal! We visited for a week this summer.

“I’m most looking forward to getting new wines from Quinta Nova, an estate in Portugal that we visited this past August. …”

• Julie Lapham, CEO and co-founder of Popzup Popcorn (Canal Street Mill, 22 Canal St., Suite 358, Somersworth, 314-8314, popzup.com): “The best thing I ate last year was the Wild Mushroom Toast at the Carriage House Restaurant [in Rye]. In 2025, we are really looking forward to our new 70-calorie-size popcorn snack bag in Butter Me Up and Cheddar Head flavors.

• Angie Lane, Director of Red River Theatres (11 S. Main St., Concord, 224-4600, redrivertheatres.org): “I love the Crown Tavern and I love their fries. And they have really great pizza. But if I’m staying in Concord, I think the overall best thing I had this year was this really great fish dish at Revival Kitchen and Bar, but I think it was a special … The broth was so delicious”

“[In the next year] we’re changing up our concessions a lot, trying to especially carry something for younger kids … it’s really fun to discover what they love, like gummy worms. ”

• Tee Hoang, co-owner, Poké BonBon, 1000 Elm St., Manchester, inside across from Hop Knot, 232-2464, pokebonbon.com: “My favorite new chicken place is USA Chicken and Biscuit [in Manchester]. I go there and just get their chicken wings, just basic chicken wings. They are salty and beautiful. They’re crispy on the outside but so juicy on the inside. They’re the best chicken wing place.”

• Sean Hallinan, co-owner of The Burstin’ Kernel Kettle Corn, facebook.com/theburstinkernel: “I’d have to say the smashburger from the Gravy Train food truck.”

“We actually started a food truck this fall so that will be our next adventure this coming year; it’s called Chew ‘N’ Screw (facebook.com/chwnscw). We have licenses in Manchester and Nashua and we’re getting up and running so that’s kind of our thing.”

• Lin Theth, Chef, Street, 76 N. Main St., Concord, 333-2125, streetfood360.com: “I would say honestly the rice cake on our menu, just because it’s so simple, but the crispiness of the rice is just such a satisfying texture to eat. So you get crispy and chewy…”

plate with round patty of white rice covered in orange sauce with sliced avocado arranged to the side
Crispy Rice Cake at Street. Courtesy photo.

“In 2025, food-wise, I think for myself, I just want to have a little bit more fun with food. I think after Covid a lot of people kind of lost that. I don’t really see too many people in the industry getting as excited as they used to. I’m hoping to find that for myself as well.”

• Richard Tango-Lowy, Master Chocolatier, owner, Dancing Lion Chocolate, 917 Elm St., Manchester, 625-4043, dancinglion.us/cacao: “I would say the Tranquilidad Estate beans … are making insane chocolate. And I was fortunate to be with a gentleman who discovered those wild in the rainforest in Bolivia in 2009 or so. And he tasted it and he said it was the best … that he has ever tasted. It made our hearts warm.”

[“In 2025] I am looking forward to some amazing new cacao beans that we’ve got coming in. There’s a lot of it, really rare. We’re working with a small farm in Vietnam that’s growing heirloom cacao.”

• Mara Witt, owner, Honey Cup Cafe & Tearoom, 150 Bridge St., Manchester, 836-6008, honeycupnh.com: “Our chef Amanda made a waffle out of our day-old croissants. She made a waffle! It was amazing.”

“Next year, I want to try more teas … I’ve been going through my own tea list and I’m starting to really get into the different flavors.”

• Dave Hood, co-owner, Old Boy’s Butcher Shop, 707 Route 101, Merrimack, 699-8014: “The best food has always been Buckley’s Great Steaks [in Merrimack] to me. We always go there on our anniversary and it’s just so meaningful. I always get rib-eyes.”

“[During the next year] I’m hoping for prices to go down. Inflation has been through the roof. Buying wholesale beef is very, very expensive; we’ve got to get thrown a bone somewhere.”

• Stephanie Errett, owner of Dutch Epicure Bakery, 141 Route 101A, Amherst, 879-9400, dutchepicurebakery.com: “…I did have a lavender gin martini. I do not remember where it was from, but I have to say that that was a delicious drink that I really enjoyed and I’ve also tried to recreate numerous times and just haven’t been able to do it. “

“Next year, I’m interested in seeing more herb-infused items. … You have lavender scones now, rosemary things and things like that. I’m always excited to see how we cross over the savory and the sweet sides of everything.”

• Tom and Leah Bellemore, owners of Vine 32 Wine and Graze Bar, Bedford Square, 25 S. River Road, Bedford, 935-8464, vinethirtytwo.com: “What’s fresh now is In Sheep’s Clothing. … It’s a cab [cabernet sauvignon]. … It’s super-smooth; it’s got some like vanilla notes at the end. It’s a ’22 from the Columbia Valley.

“Next year, we’re really looking forward to doing more wine and food pairings.”

• Lauren Collins-Cline, owner of Slightly Crooked Pies, slightlycrookedpies.com: “We had decided to treat ourselves, and we went to Bricco in Boston. My husband and my sister both ordered braised wild boar with pasta. … I ended up picking off both their plates all night.”

“I’m trying to decrease my sugar intake in general, so this next year I want to … get to the point where I look forward to a salad as much as dessert.”

• Michael and Rachel Mack, owners of Loon Chocolate, 195 McGregor St., No. 121, Manchester, 932-8887, loonchocolate.com: “[The best thing I ate last year was] our Maple Crunch Bar. It’s craft chocolate that still reminds you of that homey feeling of the chocolate that you get as a kid, plus it was a collaboration with Ben’s Sugar Shack…”

“[For 2025] I really look forward to the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen and the Deerfield Fair. Those two events are always just super fun. In fact, it’s the whole fair season; it’s so quintessentially like New England.”

• Omar Abuzaid, owner, Al Basha Grill, 379 S. Willow St., Manchester, 391-5613, albashamedgrill.com: “Just last week a friend of ours invited us to Surf Restaurant [in Nashua]. It’s the second on the top of their menu. [Lobster Kristina] … It was really good!”

“[In 2025] I’m definitely looking forward to a Moroccan dish, pastilla — a seafood pastilla. My wife makes it but it’s very time-consuming.”

Food trends noted in the past year’s Chef Spotlights

Jillian Bernat, Bar Manager at Greenleaf (54 Nashua St., Milford, 213-5447, greenleafmilford.com): “I think gin and agave spirits are still holding strong…”

Emilee Viaud, Executive Pastry Chef of Greenleaf and Ansanm in Milford and Pavilion in Wolfeboro, owner of Sweet Treats by Emilee (facebook.com/EmileesSweetTreats): “Croissants stuffed with chocolate chip cookie dough. I haven’t had one yet but hope to get one soon; almost every bakery has jumped on making them.”

Corey Fletcher, Chef and owner of Revival Kitchen and Bar (11 Depot St., Concord, 715-5723, revivalkitchennh.com): “Supporting small/micro producers — from honey, baked goods, coffee roasters, restaurants, for example. Consumers continue to be selective about where their money is spent and they want to support people’s dreams and stories, rather than spending it at chains, etc.”

Andy Day, Chef and owner of Cask & Vine (1 E. Broadway, Derry, 965-3454, cask.life/cask-and-vine): “Scaling back. It’s been weird in the restaurant world for a while, and everyone seems to be trying to deliver the most bang for your dollar, or doubling down on fresh, local at a higher price. Two very different approaches.”

Erika Follansbee, food photographer at Parker Street Food and Travel (715-7027, parker-street.com): “There is an emphasis on authenticity in food photography, which can mean a less staged and not over-styled approach that doesn’t hide imperfections…. ”

Griffin Star, Bartender, 815 Cocktails & Provisions (815 Elm St., Manchester, 782-8086, 815nh.com): “There’s been an increase in people who have been hopping on the mocktail train, which has been cool to see. … I have definitely seen bartenders around the state upping the quality and care they put into their mocktails, because everyone deserves to have a good time out.”

Addie Leader-Zavos, Pastry Chef and co-owner ofEden’s Table Farm (240 Stark Highway North, Dunbarton, 774-1811, edenstablefarm.square.site): “I’m really impressed with how New Hampshirites are coming together to improve opportunities for small farms and home-based food businesses right now. Last year HB 119 was passed, making it easier for small farms to have certain types of meat processed locally. … HB 1565 was passed, which makes it possible to sell pickles made in a home kitchen. …This trend of creating more opportunities for people who want to participate in the local food economy really benefits everyone who loves good food, so I hope we’ll see more of it”

Keith Sarasin, chef and cookbook author: “People are seeking out quality restaurants and food. From pizza to Indian, people are seeking to try new things and it is really encouraging. “

Joe Savitch, owner/operator of Creative Kones Food Truck (301-5182, creativekones.com): “Authenticity — and freshness. With so many restaurants cutting back staff in favor of digital tablets and ordering, I see many customers just looking for an authentic interaction and ordering experience. On top of that, they are looking for fresh ingredients. Most customers are interested in hearing where we get our various products — the ice cream, maple syrup, soda, etc.”

Eric Alexander, Chef de Cuisine, Unwined (1 Nashua St., Milford, 213-6703, unwinednh.com) “Hyper-local sourcing is a trend that I am seeing. A lot of restaurants are trying harder to support their local farmers.”

Evan Lang, co-owner/Baker, Dishon Bakery (915 Elm St., Manchester, 600-1773, dishonbakery.com): “There is a big push to use local ingredients here. I see local eggs, meat, dairy and beer in a lot of eateries. I think that’s really commendable”

Denise Nickerson, owner of The Bakeshop on Kelley Street (171 Kelley St., Manchester, 624-3500, thebakeshoponkelleystreet.com): “Doughnuts are one of the biggest food trends that’s been around in New Hampshire. People are getting very excited as we go into the fall flavors of pumpkin, spice and apple cider. “

2025 food events
Here are some food events slated for the new year:

New England Winter Wine Spectacular (nhwineweek.com) The culmination of New Hampshire Wine Week is the New England Winter Wine Spectacular, which features hundreds of wines for tasting. It will take place this year on Thursday Jan. 23.

Steel Chef Challenge (nhfoodbank.org/steelchef) Chef Marcus Samuelsson will return as host on Saturday, March 15, at 6 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown Manchester. The event benefits the New Hampshire Food Bank. Tickets cost $150 general admission, $250 VIP.

Maple Weekend 2025 (nhmapleproducers.com) Visit sugarhouses throughout the state and taste the sweet harvest on Saturday, March 15, and Sunday, March 16.

Taco Tour (tacotourmanchester.com) This is Manchester’s biggest food event of the year. Tens of thousands of hungry taco fans descend on downtown Manchester each May to eat tacos prepared by local restaurants and businesses.

NH Poutine Fest (nhpoutinefest.com) This event takes place at the Anheuser-Busch Biergarten in Merrimack in October but sign up for their updates to find out when tickets go on sale in the summer as they sell out within hours.

The Weekly Dish 24/12/26

News from the local food scene

• More tequila for Manchester: Vallarta Tequila Bar (827 Elm St., Manchester, 836-3106, vallartamexicannh.com) has opened on Elm Street in Manchester, in the former location of XO Restaurant. This is the newest venture from the family that owns the Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta Mexican restaurants. In a Facebook post, the family said the new bar/restaurant will boast more than 100 tequilas.

• Two new Brazilian markets: Via Brazil Market Place (42 Bridge St., Manchester, and 419 Amherst St., Nashua) has just opened a new store in Manchester, and will open one in Nashua within the next week or so. The stores will carry Brazilian grocery items, chocolates, household and beauty products, and more.

• Meatballs: Rock ‘n Roll Meatballs (179 Elm St., Manchester) will have a pre-opening party Saturday, Dec. 28. It is the latest venture from Kevin Cornish, the operator and owner of KC’s Rib Shack (837 Second St., Manchester, 627-7427, ribshack.net). In a press release, Cornish wrote that “guests can expect a variety of flavors, from classic Italian to spicy and exotic, six different meatballs all served with a selection of delectable sauces and sides.” The restaurant will open formally in January.

• Farewell: What The Pho! (836 Elm St., Manchester), an Asian fusion restaurant and Tiki bar, has closed after just a few months of operation. During its short time on Elm Street, it gained a reputation for inventive cuisine and outstanding cocktails.

• A new location for Silk City: The historic Silk City Diner has a new home. As reported by WMUR in a Dec. 11 online article, the diner was transported by truck on Tuesday, Dec. 9, to its new location at 24 S. Main St., “next to the Concord Food Co-op and the Bank of New Hampshire Stage.” According to a Dec.16 online story in the Concord Monitor, it has an anticipated opening date of July 1.

• Library Mocktails: The Goffstown Public Library (2 High St., Goffstown, 497-2102, goffstownlibrary.com) will host a mocktail tasting, Saturday, Dec. 28, from 11 a.m. to noon. Participants will be able to sample a selection of handcrafted, batched non-alcoholic drinks. Each guest will take home recipe cards. Registration is required.

Kiddie Pool 24/12/26

Family fun for whenever

New Year’s Eve, family-style

• Cowabunga’s (725 Huse Road in Manchester, cowabungas.com) will hold a family-friendly New Year’s Eve bounce party from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a confetti countdown every two hours. Tickets for kids cost $20 for a two-hour playtime. Cowabunga’s will also be open New Year’s Day and offer a special New Year’s craft, according to the website.

• Altitude Trampoline Park (360 DW Highway in Merrimack; altitudemerrimack.com) will hold a New Year’s Eve party on Dec. 31 with a balloon drop at noon plus prizes and giveaways, according to the website. Altitude will close at 3 p.m. on Tuesday; see the website for admission options.

• The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St., Dover, 742-2002, childrens-museum.org) will help parents, children and extended families “ring in 2025 together while the sun is shining” at the Museum’s Family New Year’s Eve Celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 31. The countdown to “midnight” will be held at 10:30 a.m. during the morning play session and at 2 p.m. during the afternoon play session. Tickets are $13, free for kids under the age of 12 months. The museum will be closed the following day but open Thursday, Jan. 2, through Sunday, Jan. 5, for regular hours.

• The Concord Public Library (45 Green St., Concord, 225-8670, concordnh.gov/1983/Library) will host a Noon Year’s Eve Party on Tuesday, Dec. 31, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Ring in the new year at noon and celebrate with light refreshments and a special toast. Recommended for newborns to elementary school-age kids. RSVP via the Library website.

• First Night Portsmouth will feature fireworks at South Mill Pond on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at 7:30 p.m. See proportsmouth.org for maps with parking and street closures and other information.

• Remix Skate and Event Center (725 Huse Road in Manchester; skateremix.com) will hold an all-ages New Year’s Eve party from 8 p.m. to midnight. Single tickets cost $30 and include skate rentals, a swag bag for the table and a confetti countdown, according to a post on Remix’s Facebook page, where you can find a link to purchase tickets.

A NH legend

• In partnership with NH PBS, the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Drive, Concord, starhop.com, 271-7827) will be showing the documentary film Christa in the planetarium theater daily Thursday, Dec. 26, through Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 1 p.m.. General admission cost applies but no additional fee is required for the showings. The 27-minute film celebrates Christa McAuliffe’s legacy. “Through interviews with former students, New Hampshire dignitaries, and educators, she is remembered as a teacher who believed that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things. As the first woman and educator to be commemorated with a statue on the New Hampshire Statehouse lawn, Christa remains an inspiration to the next generation of dreamers and achievers,” according to the Center’s website. The center is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on these days. Admission costs $13 for adults, $12 for 62+ and ages 13 through collage, $10 for ages 3 to 12 and free for kids 2 and under.

Games and glow

• In addition to your Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Moana 2, Wicked (sing along screenings start on Thursday, Dec. 26) and Mufasa screenings, Chunky’s (707 Huse Road in Manchester, chunkys.com) has some family fun on the schedule. On Friday, Dec. 27, at 6:45 p.m. it’s family-friendly theater candy bingo. Tickets cost $10 plus fees and include a $5 food voucher plus a box of candy that goes in the pot. On Sunday, Dec. 29, at 4 and 7 p.m. comedy illusionist Ben Pratt will perform (Chunky’s gives the show a “PG-13” rating).

• Krazy Kids indoor playground (60 Sheep Davis Road in Pembroke; krazykids.com) will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from Thursday, Dec. 26, through Wednesday, Jan.1, expect for Friday, Dec. 27, when the playground closes at 5:30 p.m. and then reopens from 6 to 9 p.m. for Glow Night. Tickets for Glow Night cost $20 for kids, $5 for adults. See the website to purchase tickets in advance.

Treasure Hunt 24/12/26

Dear Donna,

Before we replace our TV stand. I would like to know if there is any value to it. It came from my uncle’s camp. We’ve had it for many years. Now renovating and seem to have no space for it.

Any information would be appreciated.

Bob

Dear Bob,

Your sweet three-drawer cottage pine dresser from the late 1800s looks to be in great shape. It must have been really taken care of.

Most cottage pine dressers were painted with floral designs at one point. Or some were even given more elaborate designs. Then they were stripped down to the pine as time went on.

The three-drawer piece was most likely part of a larger set including bed, chest with mirror, nightstand etc. For now, though, Bob, I think you still have a piece that could be useful almost in any room today. Such charm and warmth to it.

The value is in the range of $150+ but for usefulness it’s priceless to me!

I hope this was helpful and maybe you can find another use for it in your home or find a new home for it.

Thanks, Bob.

Donna

The Art Roundup 24/12/26

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

• Still time for Carol: Head to the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org) to catch the last few shows of A Christmas Carol, which will still be running there through Sunday, Dec. 29, with showtimes at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays.Tickets cost $39 to $45.

• Cook and Kettner exhibit: “Caterpillar,” featuring works by Emma cc Cook and Em Kettner, will be on display at Outer Space (35 Pleasant St., Concord) through 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. Visit outerspacearts.xyz. The gallery is open Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to its Facebook page.

• Are you choral curious? Join the Granite State Choral Society for their 50th anniversary season as they are recruiting new members throughout January for the spring concert season. No audition is required and all are welcome to join who have an interest in singing and learning, according to a press release. The current members have a range of ages and are based in New Hampshire and Maine, according to the release. On Sundays, Jan. 12, and Jan. 19, prospective members may stop by to meet members, ask questions, and express interest in joining, and new members are welcome to attend rehearsals starting at the beginning of each season on Sundays from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at First Church Congregational (63 S. Main St., Rochester). Visit gschoralsociety.org.

A year of exhibits and performances

Local arts experts talk about 2024 and what’s getting them excited for 2025

Compiled by Zachary Lewis
[email protected]

I asked members of the local arts community what they were most proud of in 2024 and what they were looking forward to in 2025.

• Fallon Rae, co-founder and owner of Pillar Gallery + Projects,205 N. State St., Concord; pillargalleryprojects.com, 657-8111: “We are so proud of our last juried open call exhibition, “NANO’”… where we included over 60 artists and over 100 works of art in our 200-square-foot space…. We worked on showcasing our maximalist curatorial approach with concurrent themes that reflect, express and relate to the larger conversations in artists’ worlds and how they mirror one another….”

“The next exhibition we are excited about is “Currents” (Feb. 9-April 2, with a reception on Feb. 23). This show focuses on contemporary interpretations of the ocean, waterways, and reflections on the changes we are facing as a collective. … Some of the artists include Mary Mead, Jackie Brown and Hannah Perinne Mode, amongst others, with 5 percent of sales going to Blue Ocean Society…”

• Dan Pelletier, Artistic Director, Cue Zero Theatre Company, cztheatre.com:“Personally, most proud work this year had to be our June production William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged). We were blessed with three incredibly talented performers taking on over 12 characters each, a wonderful costumer, a fanatic stage crew, and we created something truly special. We had a rehearsal environment of everyone wanting to give better than their best, and audiences left dying of laughter.”

“Assuming my upcoming wedding doesn’t count as a production, then I’ll have to say my 2025 production which I am most excited for is People Like To Be Scared: an Exploration of Fear. This piece is scheduled Oct. 3 through Oct. 5 and will be our third main stage devised piece. The actors will come into the beginning of the rehearsal process with no script, only a concept of wanting to explore fear from many different angles …”

• Zackery Betty, Artistic Director, NSquared Dance, nsquareddance.org: “NSquared Dance’s The Lavender Scare, June 27 at The Rex Theatre. This was a pinnacle moment to share the story of The Lavender Scare, a mass firing of federal government workers due to their sexual orientation as a threat to America in the 1950s. …We paired with New Hampshire Dance Collaborative and Manchester True Collaborative for this performance.”

“[For 2025,] NSquared Dance’s return to The Rex Theatre on May 4, 2025!”

• Elizabeth “Betsy” Craumer, Creative Ventures Gallery,411 Nashua St., Milford, creativeventuresfineart.com, 672-2500: “The performance I’m most proud of is our ability to get the students into the right class to start or continue their art journey. This includes networking with others in the art field to help with their next step. I’m also proud to help students progress in their artwork.”

“For 2025, I guess my goal is to get a little more involved with town activities …”

• Jen Sakash, Member of the Granite State Choral Society (20 Allen Street, #1431Rochester; gschoralsociety.org): “We are currently celebrating our 50th anniversary of the choir. This December we had our first concert as part of that year-long celebration: “Winter’s Embrace: Celebrating 50 Years of Peace and Joy.” …

“ In the spring (May 2025) we will complete our anniversary year by performing more popular pieces from over the years, such as Broadway show tunes and patriotic pieces.”

• Matt Cahoon, Artistic Director, theatre KAPOW,66 Hanover St., Suite 101, Manchester, tkapow.com: “While 2024 has been a very productive one for theatre KAPOW, I think the show we are most proud of is our September production of Aaron Posner’s play Life Sucks. …Our cast was full of longtime collaborators and that made every rehearsal feel extra friendly and comfortable.”

“I am really excited for Every Brilliant Thing. I love that play and all of Duncan Macmillan’s plays! It’s a one-person show that we will be presenting in February at the BNH Stage and the Winnipesaukee Playhouse. I think it is exciting for theatre KAPOW fans because it is probably the most audience-interactive piece we have ever produced and we are doing it with two of theatre KAPOW’s most stalwart performers, Carey Cahoon and Peter Josephson. …”

• Meme Exum, owner, Glimpse Gallery,Patriot Building, 4 Park St., Concord, theglimpsegallery.com, 892-8307: “Each exhibit is special in its own way so that’s a super hard question to answer. Tied six ways for favorite, of the six shows we had in 2024.

“I’m looking forward to the Feb. 9-March 9 show.”

• Irene Cohen, President, New Hampshire Theatre Alliance,nhtheatrealliance.org: “We had our first Awards show after the pandemic with over 800 people in attendance!”

“We are gearing up for our 20th Anniversary award show for Saturday, Feb. 1!”

• Jason Hackler, manager and co-owner, New Hampshire Antique Co-op,323 Elm St., Milford, nhantiquecoop.com, 673-8499:“So my favorite exhibit of 2024 is this one [‘Light & Brush: Luminous and Tonal Paintings from the 19th Century ​to Present’].”

“In 2025 we are going to be working on an exhibit called ‘Selections 25,’ which will be 25 works that will showcase the curated collection of 25 paintings and sculptures spanning the 19th through 21st century. We believe it’s going to probably launch in June.”

• Amy Fortier, Director, Ballet Misha, 84 Myrtle St., Manchester, balletmisha.com, 668-4196: “Ballet Misha really enjoyed our collaboration with theatre KAPOW last July for an outdoor performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream as part of the Dana Center’s Shakespeare on the Green Series at Saint Anselm College. It is always fun to perform outside, and the performances coincided with a stretch of really lovely summer weather. The experience gave my dancers some unique challenges as some of them had lines, and typically dance is an artform that expresses itself without spoken words. Theatre KAPOW was really great to work with and I loved watching the dancers and actors get increasingly comfortable with each other…”

‘In 2025, Ballet Misha will start its 17th year of bringing professional dance in New Hampshire. We are bringing back our March concert after a one-year hiatus, so I am excited about that. It will be at the Audi in Concord on Saturday, March 29, and I love that theater. “

• Margherita Giacobbi, Executive Director, The Players’ Ring, 105 Marcy St., Portsmouth, playersring.org, 436-8123: “I think the production I will pick as the one that has made us most proud is America America, written and directed by Joan Bigwood. It’s the story of a Colombian house cleaner, Modesta, who enters the life of the wealthy (but dysfunctional) Porter family in Palo Alto and creates an unexpected and all but straightforward friendship with the other female character, Jane Porter…. the playwright realized how critical it was that the play be written in two languages, English and Spanish (as Modesta speaks barely any English and a lot of the misunderstandings, humor and drama indeed come from this linguistic and cultural disconnect), … we embarked in the thrilling experiment of incorporating subtitles in the play, which ended up looking almost like operatic supertitles projected on the walls of the stark and fancy Porters’ house.”

“For 2025 … I am very excited about Gruesome Playground Injuries by Rajiv Joseph, running Feb. 28 through March 16.”

• Elizabeth Pieroni, Volunteer Executive Director, Mosaic Art Collective, 66 Hanover St., Suite 201, Manchester, mosaicartcollective.com, 512-6209: “My favorite show from 2024 is a tie between our ‘Full Circle Speed Of Light’ in September and our Halloween show ‘Spellbound.’ Both of these two shows exceeded my expectations on the quality work that came in and really knocked my socks off from a curatorial perspective. All of the work spoke to each other in such incredible ways.”

“I’m most looking forward to our next show in February, titled ‘Illusions.’ It’s going to be a different show for us in general because it will be art that deals with optical illusions or blacklight reactive glow. But also further out we have a really exciting show planned for the summer called ‘Pallets to Palates’ that I’ve been working on in the wings with John Fladd from the Hippo. It should be a tasty treat for the eyes and the tummy!”

• Amy Regan, owner and operator, See Saw Art, 66 Hanover St., Suite 201, Manchester, seesaw.gallery:“In 2024, See Saw Art produced 13 exhibitions, worked with 140 artists and exhibited 668 pieces of art. I am really proud of ‘Heatwave,’ our February 2024 exhibition, which featured both regional and international artists and was a really beautifully installed and interactive exhibition. ‘Group Effort,’ our annual August community-focused open call, … Lastly, ‘Threads,’ our July exhibition focusing on textile artworks, was very well-received and very fun!”

“In 2025, I am excited to continue to produce monthly exhibitions that highlight local talent and bring incredible fine art to Manchester … January will feature selections from Brunswick, Maine-based artist Ian Trask’s ‘Strange Histories,’ which are vintage slide viewer artworks — simply stunning!”

Featured image: Ryan Swedenborg Winks Series from See Saw Art. Courtesy photo.

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