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News & Notes 22/01/06

Covid-19 update	As of Dec 27	As of Jan 3
Total cases statewide	194,470	203,749
Total current infections statewide	8,026	8,785
Total deaths statewide	1,907	1,973
New cases	7,792 (Dec. 21 to Dec. 27)	9,279 (Dec. 28 to Jan. 3)
Current infections: Hillsborough County	2,408	2,953
Current infections: Merrimack County	790	863
Current infections: Rockingham County	1,728	1,863

Information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

Covid-19 news

On Dec. 27, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention issued a statement updating its recommended isolation period for certain populations that have been infected with or exposed to Covid-19. According to the statement, the recommended time has been cut from 10 days to five days, a change the CDC says was “motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of … transmission occurs early in the course of illness.” Additionally, the CDC is now recommending those who are unvaccinated or are more than six months out from their second vaccine dose and not yet boosted to quarantine for five days, followed by strict mask use for another five days.

The New Hampshire Hospital Association is now issuing its own daily Covid-19 update, according to a Dec. 28 report from WMUR. The data shows that about two-thirds of all Covid-related hospitalizations in the state are in unvaccinated patients, but the Association notes that the actual proportion could be higher. According to the report, booster doses are not taken into account, so it is unknown how many patients may have received that extra shot.

A total of 658 licenses were issued to nurses in New Hampshire between Dec. 1 and Dec. 20, according to a Dec. 29 press release from Gov. Chris Sununu’s office, following an executive order that was issued a month before to address surging Covid hospitalizations. “We are breaking down barriers to ensure our health care system has the staffing needed to respond to this winter surge,” Sununu said in a statement announcing the new licensees.

Also on Dec. 29, Sununu and Department of Health & Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette announced that the state has received confirmation from FEMA to receive three teams dedicated to administering monoclonal antibodies. The teams were scheduled to be deployed on Jan. 3 to Concord Hospital, Elliot Hospital in Manchester and Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital in Lebanon. But due to an overwhelming demand across the country, Sununu announced in another statement that day that their arrival has been delayed until next week.

On Dec. 30, Sununu announced that New Hampshire would be receiving a 17-person team of active-duty service members from the federal Department of Defense. On Jan. 3, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration authorized booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds, according to a press release. Additionally, the recommended time between the completion of the primary vaccination series and the administration of the booster dose has been shortened to five months for the Pfizer vaccine. In New Hampshire, signups are now available for the state’s second “booster blitz” event on Jan. 8. Go to covid19nh.gov/booster-blitz to make an appointment at a fixed vaccination site.

SOS retires

On Jan. 3, longtime Secretary of State William Gardner announced that he will be retiring in the coming days, after arrangements are made for Deputy David Scanlan to assume the office. In his announcement, Gardner wrote that he took his first oath as a New Hampshire Constitutional officer as a state representative on the same day in 1973 at age 24. “I have worked inside this Statehouse building during each of the past 50 years … [and] have served with 11 governors, 17 Senate presidents, 13 speakers, 14 attorney generals [and] 7 treasurers,” Gardner wrote. He said he is stepping down at a time that allows for the smoothest transition for the office.

Laurie List

A list of the names of police officers throughout the state who have possible credibility issues was released by the attorney general’s office last week. According to a report from WMUR, the “Laurie List” tracks current and former police officers whose credibility might be questioned during trial because of previous conduct, and it was made public because of a new state law that was put in effect after media outlets and the ACLU sued to get access to the list in 2018. “This legislation was a result of a 2020 Supreme Court decision ruling that the Exculpatory Evidence Schedule was not categorically exempt from disclosure under the State’s transparency laws,” the New Hampshire Association of Police Chiefs wrote in a press release. The list released last week includes 80 names, the officers’ departments and the reason for the credibility issues, which include truthfulness, criminal conduct and falsifying records. There are more than 20 people not on the list who are contesting the release of their names, and another group of names is expected to be released in the coming months, according to WMUR. “The members of the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police will continue to support the highest levels of transparency and accountability for the policing profession,” the association wrote in its press release.

Mental health help

The state’s new Rapid Response Access Point is now operational. As of Jan. 1, anyone having a mental health or substance abuse crisis can call or text 833-710-6477 to access immediate help and will be connected to local mental health crisis teams. According to a report from NHPR, the access point is an effort to reduce the number of people who go to emergency rooms for mental health crises. As of Dec. 30, two children and 23 adults were waiting for emergency room beds for psychiatric treatment, the report said. The unit teams are still looking for more staff, and Jay Couture, president and CEO of Seacoast Mental Health Center, told NHPR that because these mental health centers are launching crisis response units at the same time, they’re often competing for staff. “[I’m] a little daunted about the reality of trying to fill these spots and wanting to make sure that we continue to have the best services possible so that nobody falls through the cracks,” she told NHPR. More information and resources are available at NH988.com.

Abortion law

A provision prohibiting abortion after 24 weeks of gestation, with exceptions for the mother’s life or physical health, that was part of the budget passed in June by Gov. Chris Sununu took effect Jan. 1, and, according to a report from WMUR, Democrats have already drafted legislation that would repeal the new restrictions and establish state-level protection for abortion access. “Effective Jan. 1, the State of New Hampshire will be denying a woman the dignity to make personal, private decisions and instead inserting government into medical choices,” Rep. Marjorie Smith, D-Durham, said at a December news conference, according to WMUR.

Tyler Shaw’s Law

Also going into effect Jan. 1 was Tyler Shaw’s Law, which will allow judges to hand down longer prison sentences to repeat drunken drivers who kill or cause harm to others. The law was named for a 20-year-old Concord man who died in 2018 after a repeat drunken driver sped off Exit 1 on Interstate 89 South, went through a stop sign and hit Shaw’s truck, according to a report from WMUR. Now someone with one previous drunken driving conviction who kills or seriously injures another person in a car crash can be sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison, and those with two or more previous convictions can be sentenced to 15 to 30 years, the report said.

Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig was scheduled to take her third oath of office at The Palace Theatre on Jan. 4. According to a press release, the ceremony also included the swearing-in of aldermen and members of the Board of School Committee, and following the ceremony Craig was scheduled to preside over meetings of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and the Board of School Committee.

Toll collection at the Exit 10 northbound and southbound ramp of the Everett Turnpike in Merrimack officially ended at 9 p.m. on Dec. 31. According to a press release, the toll elimination is part of the 2021 budget, and the plazas will be removed at a later date this year. Motorists are being guided to the far right lane and are advised to proceed slowly through the toll plaza area.

Though its fundraising events were canceled this year, the Nashua Garden Club was still able to donate to several local charities during the holiday season. According to a press release, the Humane Society of Greater Nashua, 68 Hours of Hunger, the PLUS Company and the educational association Regenerative Roots each received $125.

Grateful for the magic

Our family has always enjoyed stories. Car rides, since the time my daughter was very young, have included listening to fables, fairy tales and fantastic fiction from the time we first heard New Hampshire-based Simon Brooks in person and then purchased his CDs. And our lives have revolved around musical theater since my daughter was enthralled by a Manchester Community Theatre Players production at age 4 and she left the auditorium filled with wonder, singing the words. Our home has been filled with song ever since!

As we watched the Harry Potter 20th Anniversary special I realized there was something different about this particular story centered on three children at the wizarding school of Hogwarts. Sure, my husband and I had seen every movie as soon as it was released. And he had read all the books. However, once our daughter was old enough to be introduced, things took on a different character.

My husband began by reading her the first five books. Being the Ravenclaw that I am, we followed age-appropriateness guidelines for watching the movies. As she grew, my dyslexic daughter was able to ear-read by listening to the stories herself. Soon she had completed the whole series and was listening to it again, for a second and then a third time. Listening to the stories, little by little, at bedtime, provided a comforting touchstone for my Hermione-inspired daughter, up through middle school. We lost count of how many times she heard the whole series and suspect she could place in the Guinness Book of World Records if we only knew.

The highlight of many Christmases included Potter-themed clothes, gear and games, including our Hufflepuff, Gryffindor and Ravenclaw “letter-sweater” jackets for my daughter, my husband and me, respectively, that we then wore to an interactive HP-themed Christmas show in Portsmouth! We once left a family reunion in Sarasota and drove across Florida to spend less than 36 hours at the new (second) Universal theme park and experience the train ride between parks. Most memorable was her 8-year birthday party, an all-out HP-themed extravaganza complete with a “run-through” train station wall, a sorting hat, a Quidditch game, a car in a “Whomping Willow,” adults in character — my husband was Rubeus Hagrid and I Professor McGonagall — and a trek through the Forbidden Forest to save the unicorn by all the children in their Hogwarts regalia!

We have mourned the death of Alan Rickman and other cast members. And watching the retrospective, I got misty realizing the cultural phenomenon that Harry Potter has proven to be — inspiring millions of children, youths and adults, to not lose hope, to fight for good, and to understand and trust the transformative power of love. Now that’s true magic.

2021 Year in Review – 12/30/21

View entire selection throughout the years here

2021 Year in Review – 12/30/21

Some of the hopes we had for 2021 played out (vaccines!), and others (life going back to normal!), not so much. Find out what went down in arts (p. 18), food (p. 38), movies (p. 48) and nightlife (p. 56) in 2021, and take a sneak peek at what’s to come in 2022.

Also on the cover, walk through a wonderland of lights at LaBelle, p. 26. Make some simple sweets, p. 42 & 44. And ring in the new year with a cocktail (p. 44) or try a new brew (p. 46).

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Dear Donna, I am sending you pictures of a bracelet that my mom has given to me. My dad gave ...

Lighting up the night

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LaBelle Winery creates a winter light show By Paula Constance [email protected] Decorative lights continue at LaBelle Winery’s Derry location with ...

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This tree peony had 10-inch-wide blossoms. Photo by Henry Homeyer.

Little snow means more work in the garden Although we had a little snow on the ground for much of ...

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On The Job – Keith McDonald

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The Weekly Dish 21/12/30

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In the kitchen with Josie Lemay

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Shaking things up

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Take the beer less tasted When someone asks me what kind of beer I like, I usually say something along ...

Album Reviews 21/12/30

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Music this week – 21/12/30

Thursday, Dec. 30

Bedford

Copper Door: Jordan Quinn, 7 p.m.

Brookline

Alamo: Jeff Mrozek, 4:30 p.m.

Concord

Hermanos: Brian Booth, 6:30 p.m.

Derry

Fody’s: music bingo, 8 p.m.

Epping

Telly’s: Justin Jordan, 7 p.m.

Exeter

Sawbelly: Max Sullivan, 5 p.m.

Goffstown

Village Trestle: Jennifer Mitchell, 6 p.m.

Hampton

CR’s: Don Severance, 6 p.m.

The Goat: Alex Anthony, 8 p.m.

Wally’s: Chris Toler, 8 p.m.

Whym: music bingo, 6 p.m.

Hudson

Lynn’s 102: karaoke w/ George Bisson, 8 p.m.

Kingston

Saddle Up Saloon: karaoke with DJ Jason, 7 p.m.

Laconia

Fratello’s: live piano, 5:30 p.m.

Londonderry

Stumble Inn: Rob & Jody, 7 p.m.

Manchester

Angel City: open mic, 8 p.m.

Currier: Kevin Horan, 5 p.m.

Fratello’s: Joanie Cicatelli, 5:30 p.m.

KC’s: Jessica Olson, 6 p.m.

Merrimack

Homestead: Clint Lapointe, 5:30 p.m.

Tomahawk: Chad LaMarsh, 6:30 p.m.

Milford

Stonecutters Pub: Blues Therapy, 8 p.m.

Nashua

Fody’s: DJ Rich Karaoke, 9:30 p.m.

Fratello’s: Austin McCarthy, 5:30 p.m.

Newmarket

Stone Church: Bearly Dead, 9 p.m.

Salem

Copper Door: Pete Peterson, 7 p.m.

Seabrook

Red’s: Pete Massa, 7 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 31

Amherst

LaBelle: Freese Brothers Big Band, 9 p.m.

Auburn

Auburn Pitts: Stuck in Time, 7 p.m.

Bedford

Copper Door: Jordan Quinn, 6 p.m.

Boscawen

Alan’s: Stray Dog, 8 p.m.

Bow

Chen Yang Li: DJ Kenny, 8 p.m.

Brookline

Alamo: Brian Weeks, 4:30 p.m.

Chichester

Flannel Tavern: Dave Graham, 6 p.m.

Concord

Area 23: Faith Ann Band, 7 p.m.

Penuche’s: Felix Holt, 9 p.m.

Derry

Fody’s: Pop Rox, 9 p.m.

LaBelle: The Freese Brothers Big Band, 6:30 p.m.

Dover

603 Bar & Lounge: DJ Deja and Pete Vitello, 9 p.m.

Exeter

Sawbelly: Christopher Voss, 5 p.m.

Goffstown

Village Trestle: Paul Lussier, 5 p.m.

Hampton

Ashworth by the Sea: live band, DJ, 6:30 p.m.

CR’s: Rico Barr Trio, 6 p.m.

The Goat: Alex Anthony, 8 p.m.

L Street Tavern: Craig LaGrassa, 8 p.m.

Wally’s: Down 5th, 9 p.m.

Henniker

Pats Peak: The McMurphys, 6 p.m.

Hillsborough

Hillsborough Moose Lodge: Cellar Dwellers, Superbug and Probably Cause, 6 p.m.

Hudson

Backstreet Bar & Grill: DJ Bobby Lane, 8 p.m.

Lynn’s 102: Sindicate, 8 p.m.

Nan King: Patty Shock’s Energizer Karaoke, 8 p.m.

Kingston

Saddle Up Saloon: Bite the Bullet, 8 p.m.

Laconia

The Big House: Back in the Day, 8 p.m.

Fratello’s: live piano, 5:30 p.m.

High Octane: EXP Band, 8 p.m.

Tower Hill Tavern: DJ Kadence with karaoke, 8 p.m.

Londonderry

Coach Shop: Pete Peterson, 6 p.m.

Stumble Inn: Swipe Right, 9 p.m.

Manchester

Angel City: Everybody Wants Some (Van Halen tribute), The Hellion (Judas Priest tribute) and Calienta Pistolas, 7 p.m.

Belmont: DJ Hustle Boy, 7 p.m.

Bonfire: Martin & Kelly, 9 p.m.

Breezeway: Drag Roulette, 8 p.m.

Cercle Club: Plan B, 6 p.m.

Derryfield: Chad LaMarsh Band, 9 p.m.

Farm Bar & Grille: DJ Sammy Smoove and DJ Real Ace, 8 p.m.

The Foundry: Tyler Levs, 6 p.m.

Fratello’s: Clint Lapointe & Phil Jakes, 6 p.m.

The Goat: Those Guys, 8 p.m.

Murphy’s: Dancing Madly Backwards, 9:30 p.m.

Shaskeen: DJ Myth, 8 p.m.

South Side Tavern: Cox Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Strange Brew: One Big Soul, 8:30 p.m.

Sweeney Post: The Lexi James Band, 8 p.m.

XO Bistro: Acoustic Moxie, 6:30 p.m.

Merrimack

Homestead: Ralph Allen, 6 p.m.

Milford

Pasta Loft: Fatha Groove, 9 p.m.

Stonecutters Pub: DJ Dave O with karaoke, 9 p.m.

Moultonborough

Buckey’s: Red Hat Band, 9 p.m.

Nashua

Boston Billiard Club: The Apathetics, 9 p.m.

Fody’s: Joe Wedge, 10 p.m.

Fratello’s: Justin Jordan, 6 p.m.

Peddler’s Daughter: live DJ, 5 p.m.

Stella Blu: Austin McCarthy, 8 p.m.

New Boston

Molly’s: Joe Birch, 7 p.m.

New Market

Stone Church: John Medeski, 9 p.m.

Northfield

Boonedoxz Pub: karaoke night, 7 p.m.

Plaistow

Crow’s Nest: DJ Golo, 9 p.m.

Portsmouth

Gas Light: Sean Coleman, 9:30 p.m.

Gibb’s Garage Bar: Elijah Clark, 7 p.m.

Grill 28: Dave Gerard of Truffle, 6 p.m.

The Goat: Chris Toler, 9 p.m.

Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues: Eddie Palmieri & La Perfecta Big Band, 7 p.m.

Statey: Max Sullivan, 8 p.m.

Thirsty Moose: Mattson, 9 p.m.

Rochester

Elks Lodge: Vill Vendasi, 9 p.m.

Governors Inn: Dueling Pianos Bash, 7:30 p.m.

Salem

Copper Door: Jodee Frawlee, 6 p.m.

Jocelyn’s: Brian Walker, 8 p.m.

Tuscan Village: The Deviant, 8 p.m.

Seabrook

Chop Shop: Band, Inc., and Leaving Eden, 7 p.m.

Red’s: Undercover, 7 p.m.

Stratham

Tailgate Tavern: Alan Roux, 7 p.m.

Windham

Castleton: Joey Dion, 7 p.m.

Common Man: Karen Grenier, 6 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 1

Brookline

Alamo: Justin Jordan, 5 p.m.

Concord

Area 23: Blues Brothers, 8 p.m.

Epping

Telly’s: Brian Johnson, 8 p.m.

Goffstown

Village Trestle: Acoustic Moxie, 6 p.m.

Hampton

The Goat: live music, 9 p.m.

Kingston

Saddle Up Saloon: Ryan Palma, 8 p.m.

Laconia

Fratello’s: live piano, 5:30 p.m.

Londonderry

Coach Shop: Clint Lapointe, 6 p.m.

Stumble Inn: Zach Newbound Duo, 8 p.m.

Manchester

Derryfield: The Far, 8 p.m.

Fratello’s: Joanie Cicatelli, 6 p.m.

Merrimack

Homestead: Chris Powers, 6 p.m.

Nashua

Fratello’s: Dave Zangri, 6 p.m.

Portsmouth

Gas Light: Lewis Goodwin, 9:30 p.m.

The Goat: Mike Forgette, 9 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 2

Alton Bay

Dockside: Chris O’Neill, 4 p.m.

Bedford

Copper Door: Phil Jakes, 11 a.m.

Brookline

Alamo: live music, 4:30 p.m.

Laconia

Fratello’s: live piano, 5:30 p.m.

Manchester

The Goat: Mike Forgette, 10 a.m.

Strange Brew: jam, 7 p.m.

Northfield

Boonedoxz Pub: open mic, 4 p.m.

Portsmouth

The Goat: Rob Pagnano, 9 p.m.

Salem

Copper Door: Jodee Frawlee, 11 a.m.

Seabrook

Red’s: live music, 8 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 3

Hudson

The Bar: karaoke with Phil

Gilford

Patrick’s Pub: open mic w/ Paul Luff, 6 p.m.

Laconia

Fratello’s: live piano, 5:30 p.m.

Londonderry

Stumble Inn: Lisa Guyer, 7 p.m.

Manchester

Fratello’s: Phil Jacques, 5:30 p.m.

The Goat: live band karaoke, 8 p.m.

Merrimack

Homestead: Chris Cavanaugh, 5:30 p.m.

Nashua

Fody’s: karaoke night, 9:30 p.m.

Fratello’s: Ryan Williamson, 5:30 p.m.

Portsmouth

The Goat: Alex Anthony, 9 p.m.

Press Room: open mic, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 4

Concord

Tandy’s: open mic night, 8 p.m.

Hampton

Shane’s: music bingo, 7 p.m.

Kingston

Saddle Up Saloon: line dancing, 7 p.m.

Laconia

Fratello’s: live piano, 5:30 p.m.

Manchester

Fratello’s: Jeff Mrozek, 5:30 p.m.

The Goat: Rob Pagnano, 9 p.m.

KC’s Rib Shack: Paul & Nate open mic, 7 p.m.

Strange Brew: David Rousseau, 7 p.m.

Merrimack

Homestead: Jae Mannion, 5:30 p.m.

Nashua

Fratello’s: Josh Foster, 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 5

Brookline

Alamo: live music, 4:30 p.m.

Concord

Area 23: open mic, 6 p.m.

Tandy’s: karaoke, 8 p.m.

Hampton

Bogie’s: open mic, 7 p.m.

Wally’s: Chris Toler, 7 p.m.

Hudson

Lynn’s 102: Chris & Paul Belley, 7 p.m.

Kingston

Saddle Up Saloon: Musical Bingo Nation, 7 p.m.

Laconia

Fratello’s: live piano, 5:30 p.m.

Manchester

Fratello’s: Austin McCarthy, 5:30 p.m.

The Goat: country line dancing, 7 p.m.

Stark Brewing: Cox Karaoke, 8 p.m.

Strange Brew: Howard & Mike’s Acoustic Jam, 8 p.m.

Merrimack

Homestead: Doug Thompson, 5:30 p.m.

Milford

Stonecutters Pub: open mic, 8 p.m.

Nashua

Fratello’s: Chris Cavanaugh, 5:30 p.m.

Newmarket

Stone Church: The Quahogs w/Faith Ann, 7 p.m.

Rochester

Porter’s: karaoke night, 6:30 p.m.

Somersworth

Speakeasy: open mic night, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 30

Bedford

Copper Door: Chad LaMarsh, 7 p.m.

Brookline

Alamo: live music, 4:30 p.m.

Concord

Hermanos: live music, 6:30 p.m.

Derry

Fody’s: music bingo, 8 p.m.

Epping

Telly’s: Pete Peterson, 7 p.m.

Exeter

Sawbelly: Chad Verbeck, 5 p.m.

Goffstown

Village Trestle: Jeff Mrozek, 6 p.m.

Hampton

CR’s: Steve Sibulkin, 6 p.m.

Goat: Alex Anthony, 8 p.m.

Wally’s: Chris Toler, 6 p.m.

Whym: music bingo, 6 p.m.

Hudson

Lynn’s 102: karaoke w/ George Bisson, 8 p.m.

Kingston

Saddle Up Saloon: karaoke with DJ Jason, 7 p.m.

Laconia

Fratello’s: live piano, 5:30 p.m.

Londonderry

Stumble Inn: Charlie Chronopoulos, 7 p.m.

Manchester

Currier: Alli Beaudry, 5 p.m.

Fratello’s: Ted Solovicos, 5:30 p.m.

KC’s: Jodee Frawlee, 6 p.m.

Strange Brew: Becca Myari, 8 p.m.

Merrimack

Homestead: Chris Lester, 5:30 p.m.

Tomahawk: Joanie Cicatelli, 6:30 p.m.

Milford

Stonecutters Pub: Blues Therapy, 8 p.m.

Nashua

Fody’s: DJ Rich Karaoke, 9:30 p.m.

Fratello’s: Justin Jordan, 5:30 p.m.

Salem

Copper Door: Dave Zangri, 7 p.m.

Seabrook

Red’s: live music, 7 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 7

Brookline

Alamo: live music, 4:30 p.m.

Concord

Area 23: Lucas Gallo, 8 p.m.

Derry

Fody’s: Joe Macdonald, 7 p.m.

Epping

Telly’s: Mica Peterson, 8 p.m.

Goffstown

Village Trestle: Rose Kula, 6 p.m.

Hampton

CR’s: Bob Tirelli, 6 p.m.

The Goat: Alex Anthony, 8 p.m.

Shane’s Texas Pit: Brian Walker, 8 p.m.

Wally’s: 7 Day Weekend, 9 p.m.

Whym: Sean Coleman, 6:30 p.m.

Henniker

Pats Peak: Justin Cohn, 6 p.m.

Kingston

Saddle Up Saloon: Bite the Bullet, 8 p.m.

Laconia

Fratello’s: live piano, 5:30 p.m.

Tower Hill Tavern: DJ Kadence with karaoke, 8 p.m.

Londonderry

Coach Shop: Chris Powers, 6 p.m.

Stumble Inn: Jordan and Clint, 8 p.m.

Manchester

Bonfire: Isaiah Bennett, 9 p.m.

Derryfield: Almost Famous, 9 p.m.

The Foundry: live music, 6 p.m.

Fratello’s: Dave Zangri, 6 p.m.

Murphy’s: Chris Fraga, 9:30 p.m.

South Side Tavern: Cox Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Strange Brew: Ken Clark Organ Trio, 9 p.m.

Merrimack

Homestead: Austin McCarthy, 6 p.m.

Milford

Pasta Loft: Horizon, 9 p.m.

Stonecutters Pub: DJ Dave O with karaoke, 9 p.m.

Nashua

Fratello’s: Doug Thompson, 6 p.m.

New Market

Stone Church: Jamie Saft Trio, 8 p.m.

Northfield

Boonedoxz Pub: karaoke night, 7 p.m.

Portsmouth

Gas Light: Pete Peterson, 9:30 p.m.

Goat: Chris Toler, 9 p.m.

Thirsty Moose: Dave Alves, 9 p.m.

Salem

Copper Door: Dave Zangri, 6 p.m.

Seabrook

Chop Shop: White Noiz, 8 p.m.

Red’s: live music, 7 p.m.

Stratham

Tailgate Tavern: The DUO, 7 p.m.

Shows

• Recycled Percussion Wednesday, Dec. 29, 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 31, 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 1, 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Palace Theatre

• Bearly Dead Thursdays Thursday, Dec. 30, 9 p.m., Stone Church

• Adam Ezra Group Friday, Dec. 31, 5:30 & 9 p.m., Tupelo

• Club d’Elf Friday, Dec. 31, 9 p.m., Stone Church

• New Year’s Eve Champagne Pops with the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra Friday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m., Music Hall

• Dueling Pianos Friday, Dec. 31, 10 p.m., Chunky’s Manchester

• Purging Sin/King’s Petition Thursday, January 6, Bank of NH Stage in Concord

• Brooks Young Band Friday, Jan. 7, 8 p.m., Bank of NH Stage in Concord

• Jamie Saft Trio Friday, Jan. 7, 8 p.m., Stone Church

• Fortune Friday, Jan. 7, 8 p.m., Tupelo

• Livin’ on a Bad Name (Bon Jovi tribute), Jan. 8, 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre

• Recycled Percussion Saturday, Jan. 8, 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Palace Theatre

• Get the Led Out Saturday, Jan. 8, 8 p.m., Cap Center

• 1964: The Tribute (Beatles Tribute) Sunday, Jan. 9, 7 p.m., Palace Theatre

• Walter Trout Sunday, January 9, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey

• Ronan Tynan (Irish Tenor) Friday, Jan. 14, 7:30 p.m., Palace Theatre

• EJ Oulette and Crazy Maggie/Carol Coronis Friday, Jan. 14, 8 p.m., Stone Church

• Blood, Sweat & Tears Saturday, Jan. 15, 2 & 7:30 p.m., Palace Theatre

• Recycled Percussion Saturday, Jan. 15, 4:30 & 7:30 p.m., Music Hall

• Dueling Pianos Saturday, Jan. 15, 7:30 p.m., Franklin Opera House

• Morgan James Saturday, Jan. 15, 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre

• Beau Sasser Trio/Slack Tide Saturday, Jan. 15, 9 p.m., Stone Church

• Beatlejuice Saturday, Jan. 15, 8 p.m., Tupelo

• Dave Gererd and Tim Theriault Thursday, Jan. 20, 7 p.m., Stone Church

• An Evening with Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals Friday, Jan. 21, 7:30 p.m, Palace Theatre

• Red Hot Chili Pipers Friday, Jan. 21, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey

• The Dave Matthews Tribute Band Friday, Jan. 21, 8 p.m., Tupelo

• Amulus/The Chops Saturday, Jan. 21, 9 p.m., Stone Church

• Who’s Bad (tribute to Michael Jackson) Saturday, Jan. 22, 2 and 7:30 p.m., Palace Theatre

• Beechwood & Boomsoss Saturday, Jan. 22, 8 p.m., Bank of NH Stage in Concord

• The Gilmour Project Saturday, Jan. 22, 8 p.m., Tupelo

• The Skunk Sessions Saturday, Jan. 22, 8 p.m., Stone Church

• Citizen Cope Tuesday, Jan. 25, 7:30 p.m., Music Hall

• Bearly Dead Thursday, Jan. 27, 9 p.m., Stone Church

• Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives Friday, Jan. 28, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey

• Keb’Mo’ Friday, Jan. 28, 8 p.m., Music Hall

• The Bulkheads/Adrienne Mack-Davis/Villains Row Saturday, Jan. 29, 8 p.m., Stone Church

• Rachel & Vilray Saturday, Jan. 29, 8 p.m., The Historic Theatre/Music Hall

• Blitzkid The Reunion Kickoff Tour Wednesday, Feb. 2, 7 p.m., Jewel

• Foreigners Journey (tribute to Foreigner and Journey) Thursday, Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m., Palace Theatre

• Enter the Haggis Thursday, February 4, 8 p.m., Bank of NH Stage in Concord

• Phil Vassar Friday, Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey

• Cowboy Junkies Friday, February 4, 8 p.m., The Historic Theatre/Music Hall

• Tusk (Fleetwood Mac Tribute) Friday, Feb. 4, 8 p.m., Tupelo

• Cash Unchained — The Ultimate Johnny Cash Tribute Saturday, Feb. 5, 7 p.m., Cap Center

• Mike Giradis’ Big Swingin’ Thing Saturday, Feb. 5, Flying Monkey

• Jethro Tull’s Martin Barre — Aqualung 50th Anniversary Tour Saturday, Feb. 5, 8 p.m., Tupelo

• Mike Dawes and Yasmin Williams Saturday, Feb. 5, 8 p.m., Bank of NH Stage in Concord

• Pink Talking Fish (Pink Floyd/Talking Heads/Phish tribute band) Saturday, Feb. 5, 8 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 6, 1 p.m., The Historic Theatre/Music Hall

• Moondance: The Ultimate Van Morrison Tribute Concert Thursday, Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m., The Rex Theatre

• The Highwayman Live — A Musical Tribute (tribute to the band featuring Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings) Thursday, Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m, Palace Theatre

• Croce plays Croce Thursday, Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey

• Andrew North and the Rangers Thursday, Feb. 10, 8 p.m., Bank of NH Stage in Concord

• Taylor O’Donnell Friday, Feb. 11, 6 and 8 p.m., The Historic Venue/Music Hall

• Bruce in the USA (Bruce Springsteen tribute band) Friday, Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m., Dana Center

• Livingston Taylor Friday, Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey

• Kat Wright Saturday, Feb. 12, 6 and 8 p.m., Historic Venue/Music Hall

• Ali Beaudry’s Song Fest Saturday, Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre

• Big Blues Winter Warmer: Roomful of Blues & Joe Louis Walker Saturday, Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey

• Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison Tuesday, February 15, Bank of NH Stage in Concord

• Eaglemania (World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute Band) Friday, Feb. 18, 8 p.m., Tupelo

• Dark Desert Eagles (The Ultimate Eagles Tribute Band) Saturday, Feb. 19, 8 p.m., Granite State Music Hall

• Jazzical Saturday, Feb. 19, 7:30 p.m., Franklin Opera House

• Rose Tattoo with Stevie Ramone Band, Sunday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m., Jewel

• Sara Evans Sunday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m., Tupelo

• Natalie MacMaster and Donal Leahy Tuesday, Feb. 22, 4 p.m., Dana Center

• Alan Doyle with Chris Trapper Thursday, Feb. 24, 8 p.m., Bank of NH Stage in Concord

• Rick Springfield “Stripped Down” Thursday, Feb. 24, 8 p.m., Tupelo

• Natalie MacMaster Friday, Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey

• Soggy Po’ Boys Friday, Feb 25, 8 p.m., Bank of NH Stage in Concord

• Big Band of Brothers (jazz tribute to the Allman Brothers) Friday, Feb 25, 8 p.m., The Historic Theatre/Music Hall

• Lotus Lan Friday, Feb. 25, and Saturday, Feb. 26, 8 p.m., Tupelo

• Damn the Torpedoes (tribute to Tom Petty) Friday, February 25, 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre

• Almost Queen (tribute to the band Queen) Saturday, Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey

• Another Tequila Sunrise (tribute to the Eagles), Saturday, Feb. 26, 8 p.m., Music Hall

• Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy Sunday, Feb. 27, 4 p.m., Music Hall

• David Wax Museum Sunday, Feb. 27, 7 p.m., Word Barn

• Aoife O’Donovan/Yasmin Williams Tuesday, March 1 7:30 p.m., Music Hall

• Tower of Power Thursday, March 3, 8 p.m., Tupelo

• Michael Ray Friday March 4, 6 p.m., Granite State Music Hall

• Talisk Friday, March 4, 8 p.m., Bank of NH Stage in Concord

• The Tallest Man on Earth Friday, March 4, 8 p.m., Music Hall

• Talisk Friday, March 4, 8 p.m., Bank of NH Stage in Concord

• Laurie Berkner Solo! “The Greatest Hits” Show Saturday, March 5, 11 a.m, Tupelo

• Celtic Angels Ireland Saturday, March 5, 7:30 p.m., Palace Theatre

• Neon Wave and Lovesexy Saturday, March 5, 8 p.m.,

• The Brit Pack Sunday, March 6, 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre

• Arrival from Sweden (The Music of ABBA) Tuesday, March 8, and Wednesday, March 9, 8 p.m., Tupelo

• The Psychedelic Furs Wednesday, March 9, 7:30 p.m., Bank of NH Stage in Concord

• Big Mountain and Mighty Mystic Thursday, March 10, 8 p.m., Bank of NH Stage in Concord

• The Outlaws Friday, March 11, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey

• Jake Clemons Saturday, March 12, 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre

• Stephen Marley Saturday, March 12, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey

• Ye Vagabonds and Kalos Saturday, March 12, 7:30 p.m., Dana Center

• Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra Sunday, March 13, 3 p.m., Music Hall

• Teddy Thompson and Jenni Muldaur Sunday, March 13, 7 p.m., Music Hall

• Memphis Jookin’ ft Lil’ Buck Tuesday, March 15, 7 p.m., Cap Center

• Wishbone Ash Thursday, March 17, 8 p.m., Tupelo

• Edwin McCain Saturday, March 19, 8 p.m., Tupelo

• Ms. Vee and a Badass Band Saturday, March 19, 8 p.m., Bank of NH Stage in Concord

• Postmodern Jukebox — The Grand Reopening Tour Wednesday, March 23, 8 p.m., Cap Center

• Max Weinberg’s Jukebox Thursday, March 24, 7:30 p.m., Rex Theatre

• Orleans Thursday, March 24, 7:30 p.m., Dana Center

• Kesha Friday, March 25, 8 p.m., Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom

• The Dirty Knobs with Mike Campbell Friday, March 25, 8 p.m., Tupelo

• The Four Phantoms Friday, March 25, 8 p.m., Bank of NH Stage in Concord

• String Fling Saturday, March 26, 7:30 p.m., Franklin Opera House

• Top of the World — A Carpenter Tribute Sunday, March 27, 7 p.m., Tupelo

• Tommy Castro & the Painkillers Sunday, March 27, 7 p.m., Bank of NH Stage in Concord

• One Night with Queen (Queen tribute) Wednesday, March 30, 8 p.m., Granite State Music Hall

• Celtic Women Celebration Thursday, March 31, 7:30 p.m., Cap Center

• River Sister Friday, April 1, 8 p.m., Bank of NH Stage in Concord

• Al Stewart Friday, April 1, 8 p.m., Tupelo

• Heart by Heart (featuring original Heart members Steve Fossen & Michael Derosier) Saturday, April 2, 8 p.m., Cap Center

• Joe Nichols Saturday, April 2, 8 p.m., Tupelo

• Cole Swindell/Travis Denning/Ashley Cook Sunday, April 3, 8 p.m., Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom

• Straight No Chaser Wednesday, April 6, 8 p.m., Music Hall

• Bela Fleck & The Flecktones Thursday, April 7, 7:30 p.m., Cap Center

• Colin Hay Friday, April 8, 8 p.m., Cap Center

• Tony Emmauel with special guest Yasmin Williams Saturday, April 9, 8 p.m., Tupelo

• Adam Ezra Group Saturday, April 9, 8 p.m., Bank of NH Stage

• The Queen’s Cartoonists (Gile Concert Series) Sunday, April 10, 7 p.m., Cap Center

• The Bacon Brothers Thursday, April 15, 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey

• Gary Puckett & the Union Gap Friday, April 15, 7:30 p.m., Palace Theatre

• Peter Noone & Herman’s Hermits Friday, April 15 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey

• The Sixties Show Saturday, April 16, 8 p.m., Tupelo

• Melissa Etheridge Thursday, April 21, 8 p.m., Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom

• New Hampshire Fiddle Ensemble Saturday, April 23, 7 p.m., Franklin Opera House

• Glenn Miller Orchestra Saturday, April 23 7:30 p.m., Flying Monkey

2021 all done

Looking back, and forward

In the parlance of performance, 2020 wasn’t a hard act to follow — anything would beat a year of livestreams and solo shows. So the year began hopefully, and it got better as vaccines became available and venues were able to ease capacity restrictions.

Area supergroup Marble Eyes, for example, was Zooming from the Press Room in January; by July they were playing to a packed Prescott Park in Portsmouth.

Tupelo Music Hall returned in the spring with more drive-in shows but was able to head back indoors at summer’s end. Manchester’s Palace and Rex Theatres reopened in June, while the Capitol Center and Bank of NH Stage in Concord waited the summer out, running local-flavored shows in nearby Fletcher-Murphy Park.

On the Seacoast, Portsmouth’s Music Hall split the difference, offering outdoor shows and socially distanced events at its indoor Historic Theatre. The Casino Ballroom in Hampton Beach endured several close-to-the-wire cancellations before it returned to a semblance of normal in mid-July.

Creatively, 2021 was a great year. Several area performers released albums, including Liz Bills & The Change. The band’s self-titled record was rewarded with multiple NEMA nominations, including a win for Pop Act of the Year at the awards show in October.

Andrew North & The Rangers made a highlight reel of an album, Phosphorescent Snack. Among the best tracks were the Phish-adjacent “Aditi,” the buoyant, upbeat “Dig Deep” and “Epiphone” — the latter a guitar-free romp, even if it shared its name with a famous six-string.

April Cushman’s debut album, The Long Haul, dropped in July. The title song perfectly captures the struggle for success in the music business, particularly for women. Cushman sings about the “10-year turnaround” she faces as “just another girl among a thousand crowns … in a working man’s town,” the latter a reference to Nashville, where the disc was finished.

After a March 2020 release show was cratered by Covid-19, Married Iguana waited a year to make its hometown debut in Manchester, and their debut EP includes one of the best songs to come out this year. “Go With The Flow” chugs along like a rolling party bus, punctuated by scorching guitar licks from band leader and principal songwriter Brett Higgins.

All three bands have plans to start 2022 with a bang. Cushman will perform with her band on Jan. 13 at Bank of NH Stage in Concord, a venue Andrew North & The Rangers will also appear at, on Feb. 10. Married Iguana will headline a local showcase with The Humans Being and Earthmark on Jan. 22 at Shaskeen Pub in Manchester.

Comedy provided relief to a pandemic-weary region, first with socially distanced shows at places like Chunky’s Cinema Pub, with multiple locations, as well as Newmarket’s Stone Church and Kathleen’s Cottage in Bristol. Maine funny man Bob Marley played an April Fool’s Day show at Saint Anselm College’s Dana Center, while Juston McKinney did several small-capacity socially distanced sets at area venues.

By summer Wednesday night comedy had returned to Shaskeen Pub, accompanied by word that the weekly event would be taken over by Ruby Room Comedy. Longtime promoters Nick Lavallee and Dave Carter announced plans for a handoff with an eight-weekend run of shows. Standup popped up in some new spots, like Backyard Brewery and Yankee Lanes in Manchester, Concord’s Area 23, and Saddle Up Saloon in Kingston.

Sadly, 2021 ended with a series of losses to the music community. Billy Conway, drummer for Morphine and Treat Her Right, and former Concord resident, died on Dec. 19, the same day that David Surette, who for decades was a fixture on the area scene and Concord Community Music School faculty member, also died.

Granite State native Bill Staines lost his battle to prostate cancer on Dec. 5, and singer, songwriter, activist and provocateur Chelsea Paolini died at age 32, also on Dec. 5. She was a firebrand, whether lighting up the fretboard of her Gibson SG or dressing down perceived ignorance wherever she found it.

Finally, the death of drummer and bandleader Chucky Tester shocked the rock community. A memorial dubbed Rock In Peace happens Jan. 16 at A-Brews in Dracut, Mass. On the bill are Manchester prog rockers Mindset X, Prospect Hill, blindspot and A Simple Complex. For the latter band, it’s an early comeback, their first live performance in over two years.

“We saw the grief in the music community,” A Simple Complex frontman Mark Ingoldsby said recently, “so we decided to break our silence and come off hiatus early to organize a tribute benefit show in honor of Chucky.”

2022 shows to get excited about

Rex Theatre
Morgan James, Jan. 15 (rescheduled from December)
Max Weinberg’s Jukebox, March 24

Palace Theatre
Seth Meyers, Feb. 9
Celtic Angels, March 5

Capitol Center for the Arts
Juston McKinney, March 26 (recording a comedy special)
Heart By Heart, April 2 (featuring original band members)

Bank of NH Stage
Enter the Haggis, Feb. 3
Andrew North & The Rangers, Feb. 10

Tupelo Music Hall
Corey Rodrigues, Kyle Crawford, and Alex Giampapa, Jan. 14 (Comedy)
Martin Barre, Aqualung 50^th Anniversary Tour, Feb. 11

The Music Hall
Rachael Price (Lake Street Dive) and Vilray, Jan. 29
Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy, Feb. 27

SNHU Arena
JoJo Siwa, Feb. 22
KoRn & Chevelle, March 19

Bank of NH Pavilion
Ringo Starr & Avett Brothers, June 4
Jack Johnson, June 21

Featured photo: Chelsea Paolini. Courtesy photo.

News & Notes 22/01/06

Grateful for the magic

2021 Year in Review – 12/30/21

2021 Year in Review – 12/30/21

Music this week – 21/12/30

2021 all done

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