Bringing the Holiday Fun: Holiday theater

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Dickens & Tchaikovsky

Get your A Christmas Carol and The Nutcracker

The classic holiday season productions of A Christmas Carol and The Nutcracker fill the calendar through Christmas. Here’s where to catch a show:

• The Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester) presents A Christmas Carol from Nov. 25 through Dec. 23, with showtimes on Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m., with an additional show on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $25 to $46. Visit palacetheatre.org or call 668-5588.

• The Methuen Ballet Ensemble performs The Nutcracker at the Dana Center (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester) on Saturday, Nov. 26, at noon and 4 p.m. Tickets cost $35. Visit anselm.edu/dana-center-humanities.

• Northeastern Ballet Theatre presents The Nutcrackerat the Kingswood Arts Center (396 S. Main St., Wolfeboro) on Saturday, Nov. 26, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 27, at 2 p.m. Tickets purchased in advance cost $25 for adults and $15 for youth and seniors. Tickets purchased at the door are an additional $5. Visit northeasternballet.org.

• New England Dance Ensemble presents The Nutcrackeron Saturday, Nov. 26, and Sunday, Nov. 27, at 4 p.m. at the Seifert Performing Arts Center (44 Geremonty Drive, Salem). Tickets cost $40 to $55. Visit nede.org.

• Sole City Dance presents The Nutcrackerat Rochester Opera House (31 Wakefield St., Rochester) on Thursday, Dec. 1, and Friday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 3, at 2 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 4, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $28 for adults and $24 for students and seniors. Visit rochesteroperahouse.com.

• Gerald Dickens, the great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens, brings his one-man performance of A Christmas Carol to the Dana Center (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester) on Friday, Dec. 2, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for youth and students, $35 for seniors and $45 for adults. Visit anselm.edu/dana-center-humanities. Dickens will also do two shows in Nashua on Saturday, Dec. 3. The first, Mr. Dickens is Coming, will be at the Nashua Senior Center (70 Temple St.) at 12:30 p.m. Tickets cost $20. The second, A Christmas Carol, will be at Nashua Community College (505 Amherst St.) at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $40. Visit fortingage.com/dickens2022.

• The Hatbox Theatre (Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord) presents Dickens’ A Christmas Carol from Dec. 2 through Dec. 18, with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $22 for adults, $19 for students, seniors and members and $16 for senior members. Visit hatboxnh.com.

• The Players’ Ring Theatre (105 Marcy St., Portsmouth) presents A Christmas Carol from Dec. 2 through Dec. 22, with showtimes on Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m., with additional shows Monday, Dec. 19, through Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $30 for adults, $27 for students and seniors age 65 and up and $17 for kids under age 12. Visit playersring.org or call 436-8123.

• Bedford Dance Center presents The Nutcracker Suite on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m. at the Dana Center (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester). Tickets cost $23. Visit anselm.edu/dana-center-humanities.

• Portsmouth School of Ballet presents The Nutcrackeron Saturday, Dec. 3, at 5 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 4, at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., at the Exeter High School auditorium (1 Blue Hawk Drive, Exeter). Tickets cost $25. Visit psb-nh.com.

• The New Hampshire Theatre Project presents a one-woman theatrical performance of A Christmas Carol by Jennifer Munro at the West End Studio Theatre (959 Islington St., Portsmouth), with showtimes on Friday, Dec. 9, and Saturday, Dec. 10, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $30 for adults and $26 for students, seniors and veterans, with a livestream option also available for $20. Visit nhtheatreproject.org.

• The Rochester Opera House (31 Wakefield St., Rochester) presents A Christmas Carol from Dec. 9 through Dec. 17, with showtimes on Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 5 p.m. Tickets range from $22 to 28. Visit rochesteroperahouse.com.

• Turning Pointe Center of Dance presents The Nutcrackeron Saturday, Dec. 10, at 2 p.m. at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St., Concord). Tickets cost $20. Visit turningpointecenterofdance.com.

• Dance Visions Network presents The Nutcracker Suite Acts I & IIon Sunday, Dec. 11, at 12:30 and 5 p.m. at the Dana Center (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester). Tickets cost $22 plus a $4 surcharge. Visit anselm.edu/dana-center-humanities.

• North Country Center for the Arts at Jean’s Playhouse and Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative present A Christmas Carol: The Musical Ghost Story at the Colonial Theatre (609 Main St., Laconia), with showtimes on Friday, Dec. 16, and Saturday, Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 18, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $18 for youth and students, $20 for seniors and $22 for adults. Visit belknapmill.org/powerhouse-theatre-collaborative.

• Safe Haven Ballet presents The Nutcracker at the Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St., Concord) on Saturday, Dec. 17, at 4:30 p.m. Tickets cost $34.50 to $44.50. Visit ccanh.com.

• Ballet Misha presents The Nutcrackeron Saturday, Dec. 17, at 1 and 6 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 18, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., at the Dana Center (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester). Tickets cost $34. Visit anselm.edu/dana-center-humanities.

• New England School of Dance presents The Nutcrackeron Saturday, Dec. 17, at 6 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 18, at 3 p.m., at the Stockbridge Theatre (Pinkerton Academy, 5 Pinkerton St., Derry). Tickets cost $32.25. Visit newenglandschoolofdance.com.

• The New Hampshire School of Ballet presents The Nutcracker Suite at Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St., Concord) on Sunday, Dec. 18, at 2 p.m.; and at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester) on Sunday, Dec. 27, at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $25. Visit nhschoolofballet.com.

The Elf and the Grinch

Holiday fun on local stages

It’s not all Nutcracker. Here are some of the other holiday-themed shows on local stages.

• The Seacoast Repertory Theatre (125 Bow St., Portsmouth) presents A Christmas Story: The Musical Nov. 25 through Dec. 23, with showtimes on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $25 to $44. Visit seacoastrep.org.

• Pontine Theatre presents A New England Christmas at Plains School (1 Plains Ave., Portsmouth) on Saturday, Nov. 26, at 3 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, Dec. 3, at 3 p.m. Shows can also be livestreamed. Additional showtimes that are sold out in person but can be livestreamed are on Friday, Nov. 25, at 3 p.m., and Sundays, Nov. 27 and Dec. 4, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $29 for adults and $26 for youth and seniors age 65 and up. Visit pontine.org.

• The Ogunquit Playhouse presents Elf The Musical at the Music Hall Historic Theater (28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth) Nov. 28 through Dec. 16, with showtimes on Wednesday and Saturday at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. (no 1:30 p.m. show on Wednesday, Nov. 30); Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m., with an additional show on Thursday, Dec. 1, at 1:30 p.m.; and Sunday at noon and 5 p.m. Tickets cost $50 to $101, with youth tickets starting at $45. Visit themusichall.org.

• The Bedford Youth Performing Company presents Best Christmas Pageant Ever at Derryfield School (2108 River Road, Manchester) on Friday, Dec. 2, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 3, at 1 p.m. Tickets cost $17.50 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. Visit bypc.org.

• Break a Leg Legally presents a holiday murder mystery, Who Killed Santa Claus?, at The Strand (20 Third St., Dover) Dec. 2 through Dec. 11, with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $18 for the Sunday shows and $20 for the Friday and Saturday shows. Visit breakaleglegally.com.

• See Amahl and the Night Visitors at the Dana Center (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester) on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 4 p.m. Tickets cost $15. Visit anselm.edu/dana-center-humanities.

• The Franklin Footlight Theatre presents Holiday One-Acts at the Franklin Opera House (316 Central St., Franklin), with showtimes Thursday, Dec. 8, through Saturday, Dec. 10, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $18 for adults and $16 for seniors, students and youth. Call 934-1901 or visit franklinoperahouse.org.

• The Majestic Theatre presents Best Christmas Pageant Ever at the Derry Opera House (29 W. Broadway, Derry) on Friday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10, at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $12 to $20. Visit majestictheatre.net.

• The Garrison Players present Inspecting Carol at the Garrison Players Arts Center (449 Roberts Road, Rollinsford) Dec. 9 through Dec. 18, with showtimes on Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for students and $20 for adults. Visit garrisonplayers.org.

• The Peacock Players present A Charlie Brown Christmas at the Court Street Theatre (14 Court St., Nashua) on Friday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 17, at 2, 4 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 18, at 2 and 4 p.m. Ticket sales are TBA. Visit peacockplayers.org.

• Safe Haven Ballet presents The Grinch at the Colonial Theatre (609 Main St., Laconia) on Friday, Nov. 25, and Saturday, Nov. 26, at 4:30 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for youth and $30 for adults. Visit coloniallaconia.com.

Featured photo: The Palace Theatre presents A Christmas Carol. Courtesy photo.

Bringing the Holiday Fun: Races and runs

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Race through the holidays

5Ks on Thanksgiving and beyond

Lace up those sneakers Thursday morning — there are about a dozen Turkey Trot road races to wake you up Thanksgiving morning. And if that puts you in the holiday running spirit, check out the races hitting the streets the rest of this season.

Thanksgiving Day races

Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 24.

• The 14th annual Bow Athletic Club – Bow PD Turkey Trot 5K has an 8 a.m. start time for adults, teens and kids. Advance registration costs $35 for adults, $25 for ages 13 to 19 and $15 for 12 and under (plus $5 on the day). The race location is Bow High School (55 Falcon Way); see totalimagerunning.com/events.

• The Rotary Club of Merrimack’s 5K Turkey Trot starts at 8 a.m. at Merrimack Middle School (31 Madeline Bennett Drive), where on-location race-day registration will run from 7 to 7:30 a.m. and costs $25 for adults and $15 for children 13 and under. See merrimack5k.com.

• The Dover Turkey Trot starts at 8:30 a.m. and is described as a 5K race for runners and walkers of all ages and abilities, according to doverturkeytrot.com. The start and finish is Garrison Elementary School in Dover and registration on the day costs $30, $15 for fourth-graders and younger.

• The Free Fall 5K starts at 8:30 a.m. and begins and ends at the Rochester Community Center (150 Wakefield St. in Rochester). Registration costs $25 for adults, $20 for ages 13 to 17, $15 for ages 7 to 12, and is free for 6 and under (plus $5 to register on race day). See freefall5k.com.

• The Hampstead Turkey Trot, a 5K, starts at 8:30 a.m. at St. Anne’s Church (26 Emerson Ave. in Hampstead). Registration costs $20 for 18+ and $15 for 62+ and ages 5 to 17. Same-day sign-up is from 7 to 8 a.m. See hampsteadnh.us/recreation.

• The Seacoast Rotary’s 5K Turkey Trot starts at 8:30 a.m. in Portsmouth. Registration costs $35 for ages 20+, $25 for ages 13 to 19 and $15 for ages 12 and under. See seacoastrotary.org.

The Dartmouth Health Fisher Cats Thanksgiving 5K starts at 9 a.m., beginning and ending at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in downtown Manchester. Lil’ Turkey Trot, a kids fun run, will be held in the stadium at 8:30 a.m. Registration for ages 12 and up costs $35 in advance or $40 on race day (if available); for kids 11 and under it’s $15 in advance or $20 on race day (if available). See millenniumrunning.com.

The 15th annual Gilford Youth Center Turkey Trot 5K Race and Family Walk will start at 9 a.m. (8:45 a.m. for walkers) at the youth center (19 Potter Hill Road in Gilford). Registration costs $26 per person or $90 for a family of up to five people. See gilfordyouthcenter.com.

• The 16th annual Lake Sunapee Turkey Trot, a 5K where costumes are encouraged, starts at 9 a.m. at the Sunapee Harbor gazebo with a 1K Chicken Run for kids starting at 8:15 a.m. and going down Lake Avenue. Registration costs $30 for ages 13 to 64, $15 for ages 65 and up and $10 for ages 12 and under (kids 12 and under running in the Chicken Run are free). See sunapeeturkeytrot.com. The event and a pre-registration event from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23, will feature a pie sale; pies are $10 each.

• The 28th Annual Windham Turkey Trot, which offers 1-, 3- and 5-mile options, starts at 9 a.m. at 74 Blossom Road in Windham. You can pre-register but you can also just show up on the day; registration costs are by donation with proceeds going to Shepherd’s Pantry. See windhamturkeytrot.org.

Thanksgiving weekend

Races Friday, Nov. 25, through Sunday, Nov. 27.

• The Amherst Junior Women’s Club will hold its Trot Off Your Turkey 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run on Saturday, Nov. 26. The fun run starts at 9 a.m. and the 5K starts at 9:30 a.m.; both runs start and end at the Congregational Church in Amherst. Registration costs $25 for the 5K and $10 for the fun run; register in advance or register before the race on the day. See ajwcnh.org.

• Bishop Brady High School (25 Columbus Ave. in Concord; bishopbrady.edu) will hold its Galloping Gobbler 4-mile race on Saturday, Nov. 26, at 9:30 a.m. Registration costs $30 for ages 16 and up and $20 for ages 15 and under. Bib pickup is 8 a.m. on race day.

More holiday races

• The BASC Santa Claus Shuffle, a 3-mile race where Santa costumes are included and stations along the way offer Santa’s favorite food groups (milk & cookies, maple syrup, chocolate and candy), takes place Saturday, Dec. 3, at 3 p.m. in downtown Manchester, starting and ending in Veterans Park. The Stonyfield Organic Lil’ Elf Runs (a 100-yard race) is held at 2:30 p.m. and the Manchester Christmas Parade starts at 4 p.m. Registration in advance costs $30 for ages 21+, $25 for ages 12 to 21 and $10 for ages 11 and younger and for the Lil’ Elf Run (plus $5 to register on race day, if available). See millenniumrunning.com.

• The 2022 Jingle Bell Run, a 5K where festive costume dress is encouraged, will be held Sunday, Dec. 4, at 9:30 a.m. at the West Side Ice Arena in Manchester. Day-of registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The event will include ornament and cookie decorating for kids, according to events.arthritis.org, where you can register for the event. Registration costs $45 in advance, $50 on the day for timed runners; $40 in advance and $45 on the day for untimed runners (both include shirt and jingle bells), the website said.

• The Greg Hill Foundation’s Jingle All the Way 5K at Cisco Brewers in Portsmouth will take place Saturday, Dec. 10, at 10 a.m. Dig out your ugly sweaters or favorite holiday outfit for the post-race celebration with live music, food and a post-race beer for 21+, according to ghfjingle5k. Registration costs $30 for 21+ and $10 for 20 and under.

Yule Light Up the Night, a 2.1-mile race through the Gift of Lights display at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, will start at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11. Registration costs $25 for ages 12+, $15 for ages 4 to 11 and $10 for ages 3 and under (plus $5 to register on race day, if available). See millenniumrunning.com.

• The Tito’s Ugly Sweater 4 Miler, to benefit Second Chance Ranch Rescue, Humane Society of Greater Nashua and the Salem Animal Rescue League, will take place Saturday, Dec. 17, at 9 a.m. The race begins and ends at Backyard Brewery (1211 Mammoth Road in Manchester) and features a post-race party with a Tito’s Handmade Vodka beverage. See hsfn.org/uglysweaterrun.

New Year’s Day races

New Year’s Day is Sunday, Jan. 1, in the year 2023 if you can believe it.

• The Apple Therapy and Derry Sports & Rehab Millennium Mile, a one-mile downhill race on Mammoth Road in Londonderry, starts at a forgiving 2 p.m. Registration costs $20 for 12+ and $10 for 11 and under, with the first 1,250 registrants getting a winter hat (if available, registration on race day costs $5 more). See millenniumrunning.com.

Featured photo: The Jingle Bell Run. Courtesy photo.

Bringing the Holiday Fun: Drinksgiving

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Wobble for a landing

This year’s pre-Thanksgiving options

The night before Thanksgiving is often called Drinksgiving. It’s Friendsgiving for the sober and sober-curious, the Pre-Gobble Wobble for others (OK, maybe the last one is an invented term). Historically for most watering holes, the day before Turkey Day (Wednesday, Nov. 23 this year) is the second busiest of the year, after New Year’s Eve. Whatever one chooses to call it, the evening offers a chance to meet up with old friends and contemplate a four-day weekend of overeating and familial bonding.

Here are a few options to consider, from concerts to karaoke, song pulls and serenades, with or without adult beverages.

American Legion Post 69 (45 Washington St., Somersworth, 692-9898) Acoustic Radio plays. Tickets $8 at ticketleap.com.

Amphora (Hood Commons, 55 Crystal Ave., No. 3, Derry, 537-0111) Eddie Sands is a versatile singer and guitarist who plays a variety of familiar songs.

Area 23 (State Street, Concord, 881-9060) Open Mic Wednesday starts at the appropriate time of 6:23 p.m.

Bonfire Country Bar (950 Elm St., Manchester, 217-5600) Nashville by way of New Jersey country singer Nikki Briar performs.

Boston Billiard Club (55 Northeastern Blvd., Nashua, 943-5630) Drop some bucks on poker and dice, or play it safer at the weekly trivia.

Canterbury Shaker Village (288 Shaker Road, Canterbury, 783-9511) During the annual Holiday Stroll, get into the Christmas spirit with a light show choreographed to classic holiday songs, enjoy professional carolers or sing a few yourself at the Carol-aoke stand.

Castaways Boat House (209 Ocean Blvd., Seabrook, 834-6030) High School Reunion Karaoke with DJ.

Castro’s Back Room (972 Elm St., Manchester, 606-7854) Boo Boo Groove plays jazz and blues at this downtown cigar bar.

Chapel + Main (83 Main St., Dover, 842-5170) Dan Blakeslee loves the sweet spot between Halloween and Christmas, so his show in Dover should be a treat.

Chen Yang LI Riverside Lounge (520 South St., Bow, 228-8508) DJ Kenny P hosts karaoke at this beloved Chinese eatery’s downstairs bar.

Chop Shop (920 Lafayette Road, Seabrook, 760-7706) Karaoke with DJ Manny starts at 7:30 p.m.

Chunky’s Cinema Pub (707 Huse Road, Manchester, 206-3888) Thanksgiving Homecoming Comedy Show stars veteran standup Kenny Rogerson.

Club Victoire (111 N. Main St., Rochester, 332-9753) Enjoy rock covers from area band The Side Gig.

Copper Door (15 Leavy Drive, Bedford, 488-2677) In what’s becoming a tradition, area favorite Chad LaMarsh sings and plays guitar.

Copper Door (41 S Broadway, Salem, 458-2033) As this location celebrated its fifth anniversary, Jodee Frawlee plays for diners and imbibers.

Copper Kettle To Go (39 Main St., Wilton, 654-2631) Singer-songwriter Paul Driscoll performs for customers picking up treats for tomorrow’s feast.

Crow’s Nest (181 Plaistow Road, Plaistow, 974-1686) Bite The Bullet rocks the house.

Davignon Snowshoe Club (218 Wilson St., Manchester, 623-8239) Jennifer Mitchell performs with her band at the show, which is open to the public.

Defiant Records & Craft Beer (609 Main St., Laconia, 527-8310) Mike Loughlin brings his original rock tunes and this unique hybrid of vintage vinyl and craft beer.

Derryfield Country Club (625 Mammoth Road, Manchester, 623-2880) D-Comp Band is a regular favorite at this Manchester restaurant and bar.

Dwyer’s Pub (96 Bridge St., Portsmouth, 319-6770) David Corson, a singer-songwriter praised for his personal lyrics and personable performing skills, plays an evening set.

Fody’s (9 Clinton St., Nashua, 577-9015) There’s trivia between music from Joe McDonald at 6 p.m. and Ben Harris at 10 p.m.

Fody’s (187 Rockingham Road, Derry, 404-6946) Two area musicians perform: Kevin Hopkins at 5 p.m. and Brian House at 8:30 p.m.

Fratello’s (155 Dow St., Manchester, 624-2022) Singer and piano player Jordan Quinn performs covers and originals.

Fratello’s Italian Grille (799 Union Ave., Laconia, 889-2022) Piano music from Richard Cumming.

Getaway Lounge (157 Franklin St., Manchester, 627-0661) Mugshot Monday plays classic rock hits with Wally Nichols on drums.

Giuseppe’s (312 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith, 279-3313) Harmonizing husband-and-wife duo The Sweetbloods perform soothing cover songs.

Granite State Music Hall (546 Main St., Laconia, 884-9536) Country singer Jodie Cunningham returns with Close Range. DJ Tim Parker hosts karaoke, along with mechanical bull rides.

Hawg’s Pen Café (1114 Route 11, Farmington, 755-3301) Barrington rock cover band Daisy Cutter 6 plays favorites.

Hermanos (11 Hills Ave., Concord, 224-5669) Brian Booth plays covers.

Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club (135 Congress St., Portsmouth, 888-603-5299) The James Montgomery Band is joined by Blues Music Hall of Famer Christine “Beehive Queen” Ohlman. Tickets $10 to $45 at ticketmaster.com.

Lithermans Limited (126 Hall St., Unit B, Concord, 219-0784) Not music, but four music-themed taproom releases: One Hit Wonder, Keep On Keepin’ On, Soul Doubt and Cosmic Bakers.

Lynn’s 102 Tavern (76 Derry Road, Hudson, 943-7832) Sindicate plays its final show.

Michael’s Flatbread & Grill (8 Stiles Road, Salem, 893-2765) The Regular Gents are an eclectic acoustic duo playing fun versions of songs spanning the decades.

Music Hall Lounge (131 Congress St., Portsmouth, 436-2400) Pre-holiday comedy as former Fallon writer headlines Midweek Comedic Relief, with support from Alex Giampapa, John Balgio and Izzy da Rosa. $10.

Nashua Garden (121 Main St., Nashua, 886-7363) Three bands share the stage, beginning with Tumbletoads kicking off the night, followed by The Faith Ann Band, and then The Humans Being.

Pasta Loft (220 E Main St., Milford, 378-0092) Plan B plays a special Thanksgiving Eve show.

Pipe Dream Brewing (40 Harvey Road, Londonderry, 404-0751) Reggae rock stalwarts Supernothing play a free show.

Portsmouth Gas Light (64 Market St., Portsmouth, 430-9122) Amanda Dane Band performs in the nightclub.

Press Room (77 Daniel St., Portsmouth, 431-5186) Get funked up and family-ready with Harsh Armadillo and The Bulkheads with a portion of the $20 and $25 tickets going to the Gather NH charity.

Rage Cage (10 W. Hollis St., Nashua, 402-4196) Get the angst out of your system by smashing a few things in advance of the family gathering at this specialty venue dedicated to stress reduction through destruction.

Riley’s Place (29 Mont Vernon St., Milford, 325-2177) Bat Magoon Band performs at a restaurant offering comfort, Cajun and barbecue.

Saddle Up Saloon (92 Route 125, Kingston, 347-1313) Have fun, win prizes and enjoy classic rock, soul, blues and modern sound while playing games with Musical Bingo Nation.

Sea Dog Brewing (9 Water St., Exeter, 793-5116) Dyer Holiday, duo from Lowell, Mass., play a mix of classic rock, country and folk music.

Stark Brewing Co. (500 Commercial St., Manchester, 625-4444) Two options on tap, Cox Karaoke and F.O.L.D. Glow Night ($10 event charge) with dancing lessons under black light. For the adventurous, wear white and neon colors, paint your face or bring light-up bracelets.

Stone Church (5 Granite St., Newmarket, 659-7700) A show celebrating Ape The Grim’s new release i Deal, Too includes support from The Perceptionists (Mr. Lif & Akrobatik), Bakari JB, Rayel, Bugout and DJ Clashious Clay. $20, 21+.

Strange Brew (88 Market St., Manchester, 666-4292) First Responders’ Night with Jake Pardee & Friends at this favorite downtown restaurant and tap room.

Stripe Nine Brewing (8 Somersworth Place, Somersworth, 841-7175) Dancing Madly Backwards is back at a Somersworth microbrewery.

Stumble Inn (20 Rockingham Road, Londonderry, 432-3210) Small Town Stranded, a longtime favorite area band, performs.

Telly’s (235 Calef Hwy., Epping, 679-8225) The 603s duo holds forth on Thanksgiving Eve.

The Goat (50 Old Granite St., Manchester, 222-1677) NEMA Best Country Artist Winner April Cushman and free line dancing get things going at 7:30 p.m., followed at 9 p.m. by Sugah Rush — the Eric Grant Band sporting a dancier vibe.

The Goat (142 Congress St., Portsmouth, 590-4628) Alex Anthony returns.

Thirsty Moose (21 Congress St., Portsmouth, 427-8645) Hijacked plays rock ’n’ roll.

To Share Brewing (720 Union St., Manchester, 836-6947) Back to the ’90s party in the taproom from 3 to 9 p.m.

Tower Hill Tavern (264 Lakeside Ave., Laconia, 366-9100) Trivia Night in the Lakes Region.

Village Trestle (25 Main St., Goffstown, 497-8230) Live music with Bobby and Amberly performing.

Wally’s Pub (144 Ashworth Ave., Hampton Beach, 926-6954) Eric Marcs released his solo debut Hope in 2020, a collection of indie rock; he performs with his band Solid Ground.

Featured photo: Chad LaMarsh. Courtesy photo.

Bringing the Holiday Fun

Your Guide to the 2022 Season of Festive Events

Welcome to Hippo’s Holiday Guide — our annual listing of fun happening from Drinksgiving (a.k.a. the night before Thanksgiving) through New Year’s Day.

Looking for parades, tree lightings, Nutcracker productions or cookie-related events to get you in the seasonal mood? We’ve got that as well as Turkey Day road races, holiday comedy, arts markets and so much more.

Know of a bit of holiday cheer we missed? Let us know at [email protected]. Now get out your calendar and start filling your season with fun!

There’s so much to do this season it won’t all fit into one post. Link to the stories here:

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.

This Week 22/11/24

Big Events November 24, 2022 and beyond

Friday, Nov. 25

Shops across the Granite State are participating in Small Business Saturday, including Bookery (844 Elm St., Manchester), Toadstool Bookshop (375 Amherst St., Route 101A, Nashua) and Double Midnight Comics (245 Maple St., Manchester). Downtown Nashua will be handing out plaid bags for Plaid Friday at The Telegraph (110 Main St. in Nashua) while supplies last; visit downtownnashua.org.

Saturday, Nov. 26

The Fools, a Massachusetts rock band that has traveled the world performing and has had record-breaking radio playtime of their music, are coming to Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St., Derry) today at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $35 and can be purchased online at tupelohall.com.

Sunday, Nov. 27

The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester) is screening the documentary The Eagle Huntress (2016) today at 2 p.m. The documentary follows the story of a 13-year-old girl in Mongolia who is trying to become the first female eagle huntress in her family. Tickets are free for members of the museum and included in the price of admission for visitors. Visit currier.org.

Sunday, Nov. 27

The Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord) is welcoming Sophie B. Hawkins today at 4 p.m. Hawkins, a Grammy award winning artist, has performed in films and television, sold out concert venues, and played Janis Joplin in the critically acclaimed national tour of the play Room 105. Ticket prices start at $55 and can be bought at ccanh.com.

Sunday, Nov. 27

Saint Anselm College has a men’s basketball game today at 1 p.m. against Franklin Pierce University at Stoutenburgh Gymnasium (73 College Road in Manchester). Saint Anselm is 1-2 this season, while Franklin Pierce is 1-1. Tickets cost $10 per person and can be bought at the gym’s ticket stand. See saintanselmhawks.com.

Wednesday, Nov. 30

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) has men’s and women’s basketball games today against Adelphi University. SNHU’s women’s game will be at The Stan Spirou Field House (2500 N. River Road, Manchester) at 5:30 p.m.; the men’s game will be at 7:30 p.m. Visit snhupenmen.com.

Wednesday, Nov. 30

Marek Bennett, New Hampshire based author of several graphic novels, will discuss his new graphic novel The Civil War Diary of Freeman Colby Volume 3 (1864), the third book in a series about a New Hampshire school teacher based on primary sources, today at Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St., Concord, 224-0562, gibsonsbookstore.com) on at 6:30 p.m. See Bennett’s work at marekbennett.com, where you can find more about the Freeman Colby series as well as videos about making comics.

Save the date! Thursdsay, Dec. 1
Legally Blonde, the award-winning musical, is coming to the Chubb Theatre (44 S Main St, Concord) on Thursday, Dec. 1. The show, based on the Reese Witherspoon movie of the same name, follows Elle as she attends Harvard Law to win back the man who broke her heart. Tickets cost $76 and up and can be purchased at ccanh.com.

Featured photo. Courtesy photo.

Quality of Life 22/11/24

Scouting for Food

Scouts from the Daniel Webster Council – Boy Scouts of America participated in the recent Scouting for Food event, collecting an estimated 100,000 food items from across New Hampshire to support more than 60 agencies, food pantries and soup kitchens, according to a press release.

QOL score: +1

Comments: A total of 109 troop units participated in the two-weekend event (with the kids putting up door hangers the first Saturday of November and retrieving food the next week), the press release said.

Public safety award

A New Hampshire public safety leader has been awarded the Chief Harlin R. McEwen Public Safety Broadband Communications Award by The First Responder Network Authority, according to a press release. FirstNet Authority named John Stevens the recipient of the award, which honors leaders in public safety who have contributed to the advancement of broadband communications for public safety personnel, the release said Stevens has served as the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator in the Office of the Commissioner and the Division of Emergency Services and Communications for the New Hampshire Department of Safety for nearly a decade. In his position, he is responsible for coordinating a variety of statewide public safety communications, including broadband planning and the deployment of FirstNet, the nationwide public safety broadband network.

QOL score: +1

Comment: As of 2017, all 50 U.S. states have opted in to a plan to have FirstNet deployed in a public-private partnership with AT&T, according to the FirstNet website.

A rough winter

New Hampshire advocacy groups are predicting homelessness rates in the state to rise this winter as a result of the growing costs of rent, fuel and gas, WMUR reported. According to the article, the latest housing report also predicted a greater risk of homelessness among New Hampshire residents; state officials said they are expecting the number of homeless youth to be around 14,000 this year; and mortgage rates are just short of 7 percent, which is the highest they’ve been in two decades.

QOL score: -2

Comment: In October, New Hampshire Housing announced that it would be forced to put its NH Emergency Rental Assistance Program on pause after the U.S. Treasury announced that New Hampshire will not receive any additional resources to continue the program beyond Dec. 29.

QOL score: 86

Net change: 0

QOL this week: 86


What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire? Let us know at [email protected].

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