Did you know those little styrofoam-looking beads in potting soil are actually volcanic glass?
You may not have the time and energy to weed and maintain lovely perennial flower beds, or even to grow a few tomatoes, carrots and beans. But if you love flowers you can have a window box or a big pot of flowers on your deck. They can add a punch of color all summer long. And it’s not too late to start now.
Before you get too excited about planting flowers at this time of year, visit your local garden center, farm stand or other source for plants. Some places sell out by the end of June. Others keep nice annual flowers coming all summer long. And some are already selling chrysanthemums and fall asters, which will provide nice color for the weeks ahead.
I recently visited Caroline Storrs of Cornish, New Hampshire, to look at her window boxes as she told me hers were in their full glory now. Her husband, Peter, is a retired building contractor who built her window boxes for her. He used a synthetic material made from PVC plastic for the window boxes. That material is more expensive than wood but does not rot, warp or splinter. There are several brands available, and from what I can see synthetic wood costs from $10 to $15 per square foot of material.
Caroline explained that their window boxes were made wider and deeper than most commercially made window boxes. She said the more space there is available to the plant roots, the bigger the plants will grow, whether in pots or window boxes. She also pointed out that window boxes should be mounted so that there is an air space behind the boxes to prevent rotting of the wood siding or clapboards.
The potting mix is also important. Caroline’s boxes run all the way across the garage beneath upstairs windows — for perhaps 30 feet. They are about 10 inches deep and 8 inches across, which means that a huge amount of potting mix is needed to fill them all. She makes her own potting mix instead of buying it in bags, which would be more expensive.
Caroline makes a planting mix of one third peat moss, one third perlite and one third compost (which she gets by the pickup truck load), mixing it in a big wheelbarrow. She also adds a slow-release fertilizer as the basic ingredients of the mix do not provide enough of the needed nutrients to sustain the plants all summer.
Not all annuals do well with high-nitrogen mixes, as they can grow tall but delay flowering. Plants grown for their foliage do well with lots of nitrogen but may need pinching back to control size. If you do not use a slow-release fertilizer, you may need to use a liquid fertilizer every week or two to keep your plants happy.
Perlite is the white fluffy stuff in potting mixes that looks like bits of Styrofoam but is actually volcanic glass that is superheated until it pops like popcorn. It helps keep a planting mix from compacting. And although it does retain some water in its nooks and crannies, it does not absorb water.
Vermiculite is another material used in some potting mixes, and this does absorb water and holds it much better than perlite. It holds on to minerals, too, which perlite does not do. That’s important if you use liquid fertilizers, which can wash away quickly.
I’ve read that too much vermiculite can lead to a constantly wet mix, leading to root rot. From my experience a mix of perlite and vermiculite is good, particularly in dry summers. Perhaps one part vermiculite and two parts perlite would be good. Vermiculite is mica that has been heated to a high temperature. Both products have a neutral pH.
In each window box Caroline planted geraniums, chartreuse-colored sweet potato vines and coleus, a foliage plant. Coleus now comes in both sun and shade varieties, and some that will grow in either sun or shade. It does not appear to bloom but has multi-colored leaves that can be striking. The sweet potato vine hangs down and out of the box, while the coleus grows up and the geraniums add bold color in the middle of each box. She repeated the pattern all the way across the front of the garage to great effect.
Watering is important. Because her plants are so big and leafy, they require lots of water. Caroline told me that she waters every day — which means they do not travel in the summer. Peter told me that he drilled lots of holes in the bottom of the boxes to prevent the soil mix from staying soggy in rainy times. The holes can leak soil mix, so it is important to put landscape fabric or screen in the bottom.
I built a cedar window box more than 20 years ago and although it is starting to show its age it is still sturdy. I did not treat it with anything. I recently made another similar box also using 6-inch-wide cedar boards.
My new planting box is made for morning glories. I have a blank wall to which I attached a nice wood trellis and wanted to break up the tedium of the wall. And although 6-inch boards do not provide the depth of Caroline’s boxes, the vines have already reached the top of the 6-foot trellis.
Gardening really is for everybody, even those with limited time, energy and space. Grow a few flowers in a window box or pot and they will reward you with their beauty — and that of the butterflies they attract.
Featured photo:This small cedar window box is fine for a few morning glories. Photo by Henry Homeyer.
The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities
• After work and outdoors: The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St. in Manchester; currier.org, 669-6144) is taking its live music during its Thursday Art After Work (5 to 8 p.m.) outside for the next few weeks, weather permitting. Bring chairs or a blanket to enjoy the performance, which this week is slated to feature Luna Trio, according to the website. Art After Work programming is free.
If you’re interested in spending more time at the museum, the Currier is currently holding a sale on its household-level membership (which gives members unlimited free admission for two adult cardholders and all family members under 18, two additional free general admissions for accompanying guests with each visit and other perks). Usually listed as $80, household level currently costs $60 through Thursday, Aug. 31, according to the Currier newsletter.
• Final weekend of Educating Rita: A production of the new professional theater company Creative Ambitions Performance Studio of NH, Educating Rita, a comedy-drama set in early 1980s Liverpool, will run through Sunday, Aug. 20, at the Hatbox Theatre (Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road in Concord; hatboxnh.com) with show times on Friday, Aug. 18, and Saturday, Aug. 19, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 20, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $22 for adults, $19 for seniors and students.
‘Salon de Cinq, So Long’ “Salon de Cinq, So Long,” a show paying tribute to a 20-year gathering of a group of artists, is at Two Villages Art Society (846 Main St. in Hopkinton; twovillagesart.org) through Saturday, Sept. 2. “Salon de Cinq was started by Pat Palson, a nationally famous weaver and fashion designer. Joining in the exhibit are her husband, realist painter Eric Palson; polymer clay artist Kathleen Dustin; textile artist Annie Frye; wood turner Steven Frye; and potter Nancy Brown. The original members all lived in Hopkinton and met in Palson’s studio,” according to a press release. The gallery is open Thursdays through Sundays, noon to 4 p.m.
• Show opening: Concord-based painter Pamela R. Tarbell will have her works exhibited in the show “Reflections,” which also features the works of sculptors Andy Moerlein and John Weidman and opens at the Jaffrey Civic Center (40 Main St. in Jaffrey; jaffreyciviccenter.com) Friday, Aug. 18, and runs through Saturday, Sept. 23, with an opening reception on Thursday, Aug 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. See pamtarbell.com for more on the artist.
• A weekend about poetry: The Frost Farm Poetry Conference will take place Friday, Aug. 18, through Sunday, Aug. 20, at the Robert Frost Farm (122 Rockingham Road in Derry; 432-3091, frostfarmpoetry.org. The weekend features keynote speaker Alfred Nicol, a choice of workshops on poetry, a one-on-one meeting with an instructor, poetry readings, breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday plus dinner on Saturday and networking with other poetry lovers, according to the website. The cost for the weekend is $435; register online in advance.
• Screen printing: Learn about screen printing from Dover artist William Mitchell at the League of NH Craftsmen Meredith Fine Craft Gallery (279 Daniel Webster Hwy. in Meredith; nhcrafts.org, 279-7920) on Sunday, Aug. 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuition costs $110 with a materials fee of $10. Call or go online to register.
Old Home Week at Twiggs Gallery Twiggs Gallery (254 King St. in Boscawen, TwiggsGallery.org, 975-0015) will celebrate Boscawen’s Old Home Week with free events. On Saturday, Aug. 19, check out the community art project “Flashy Flock” celebrating Boscawen’s agricultural roots with residents decorating and presenting on Saturday 55 blank chicken shapes; find a link to the map of the chickens on Twiggs’ website, according to a press release. Also on Aug. 19, from 1 to 3 p.m., the gallery will host a free make and take activity with wooden eggs, the release said. On Sunday, Aug. 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Granite State Draft Horse & Pony Association will do plowing demos and competitions outside next to Twiggs, the release said, with wagon rides offered. The day will also feature hot dogs sold as a fundraiser and another make-and-take at the gallery from 1 to 3 p.m., the release said.
On Wednesday, Aug. 23, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. catch a performance of “The New Consort” by a vocal chamber ensemble from the Avaloch Music Farm Institute.
On Sunday, Aug. 27, from 1 to 3 p.m. catch the poetry reading Poetry & Pie featuring the Percheon Poets on the theme of “NEST,” the gallery’s current exhibit. After the reading, there will be pie, the release said.
The Nashua Area Artists’ Association presents the Greeley Park Art Show in Nashua on Saturday, Aug. 19, and Sunday, Aug. 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with this year’s event marking the show’s 70th anniversary.
Each year thousands of visitors attend the show. Here is a sampling of some of the talented artists who will be exhibiting this year under tents in the park.
• Tina Gagnon uses colored pencils to make vivid drawings. It started about 16 years ago when she unearthed a long-forgotten box of colored pencils in a desk drawer and decided to try her hand at using them. She has a penchant for detail, she said, and the pencils can deliver the outcome she desires.
Although Gagnon’s art is extremely time-consuming, taking approximately one hour to cover an inch of space, she loves the results. She has dubbed herself a “hyper-realistic artist” and one could surely attest to that after viewing some of her pieces, especially two of her patrons’ favorites, her owls and onions. They have been quoted as saying her work evokes emotions of wonder. Gagnon will be doing “Art in Action” at the show, so visitors can watch her work.
• Tracy Levesque is passionate about her lifelong journey of creating luminous works of art that echo a kind of stained glass look. She enjoys integrating texture with color to produce what she calls “fairy tale realism.” She gains a lot of her inspiration from “nature, itself … the changing light, the sparkling water” and calls nature “purely a gift.” She said that “when we open our eyes, and use our senses, there is an endless fountain of inspiration to draw from.” She enjoys using acrylics with a pallet knife or brush to create texture that enhances her work.
Levesque has participated in the Greeley Show for approximately 10 years and has shown her work up and down the East Coast for more than 20 years.
• Lisa Ciaccia has the ability to take what we think of as fall décor and transform it into a variety of incredible creations. Yes, we are talking about gourds! Growing them on a friend’s land, she harvests her Apple, Martin and Bottleneck gourds, and takes them back to her studio. They sit in her space until they speak to her with their wish for what they would like to be turned into, she said. Ciaccia renders them into vases, birdhouses or bowls. She hollows them out, saving the seeds for another year of planting, and gets to work on the final product.
She has participated at the Greeley four times and has been an artist since she was 8 years old. Her claim to fame was In September 2021, when a good friend who was part of the SpaceX Inspiration4 orbital space flight took along one of Ciaccia’s pieces with her. Stop by Ciaccia’s booth to see her piece floating in space.
• Sandra Peters, a mixed media artist, will tell you that the more materials she uses the more inspiration she gains. Her work can have a kind of “collage” effect that comes from an emotional exchange and could perhaps be the result of being given a beautiful bouquet of flowers from her special friends. Peters spoke of her first time participating at the Greely Show in the mid 1970s, when she sold her first work of art. She has been active in the fundraising aspect of the show and enjoys connecting with local patrons to gain support that ultimately benefits high school students who are pursuing art education.
The show also features a art competition — one for adults and one for ages 6 to 18 — as well as a raffle and silent auctions that raise funds for scholarships for local high schools, according to the event’s website. The day will also feature a coloring tent, instrument petting zoo and more kid-friendly activities, the website said.
Greeley Park Art Show Where: Greeley Park, 100 Concord St. in Nashua When: Saturday, Aug. 19, and Sunday, Aug. 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: Free More info: nashuaarts.org
Your guide to Martial arts, Sports, Dance, Music and More spectacular extracurriculars
Soccer practice, theater rehearsals, painting class, guitar lessons, pointe — fall can present a packed schedule. As kids go back to school, their after-school activities also kick off a new season. Looking for something new to get your kid excited about the new school year? Or a place to build on skills? Or a sport to keep them active? Here are several area after-school activity offerings. Information is according to the organizations’ websites and social media. Registration has already begun or will begin shortly for many of these activities. Know of some fall fun not mentioned here? Let us know at [email protected].
ART
• Creative Ventures Gallery (411 Nashua St., Milford, 672-2500, creativeventuresfineart.com) has an after-school class for the 8-to-12 age group called “Painting Fun for Children and Tweens”; the class meets on Thursdays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. See the website for details.
Kids workshops at the Currier Museum. Courtesy photo.
• Currier Museum Art Center (180 Pearl St., Manchester, 518-4922, currier.org) offers weekly classes for kids and teens Wednesdays afterschool and Saturdays. The first fall session starts Sept. 20; registration opens Monday, Aug. 21.
• Kimball Jenkins School of Art (266 N. Main St., Concord, 225-3932, kimballjenkins.com) offers youth classes and teen classes in various art forms.
• Let’s Play Music! (145 Hampstead Road, Derry, 425-7575; letsplaymusic.com) offers art classes (grouped by age) for kids ages 6 through 12 as well as classes for teens. Classes have open enrollment for students to join any time there are openings in a class.
• Paint pARTy (135 N. Broadway, Salem, 898-8800, paintpartynh.com) A stop-motion animation film class for ages 8 to 16 will run Tuesdays, 4 to 5:30 p.m., from Sept. 12 through Oct. 24. The cost is $140. Other classes in painting, drawing and art lessons in other media run continuously (for children as well as for teens and adults). Home-school and toddler-and-me classes are also available.
• Studio 550 Art Center (550 Elm St., Manchester, 232-5597, 550arts.com) The 10-week fall session begins Tuesday, Sept. 5. Clay classes for kids 9 to 12 years old run Monday or Tuesday afternoons at 4 p.m. (the cost is $175 for a nine-week session on Mondays or $185 for a 10-week Tuesday session); a teen (ages 13 to 18) clay class runs Thursdays at 4 p.m. and costs $200. Classes for home-school students can also be scheduled (for six or more students); contact the studio.
DANCE
Note on dance classes: In addition to monthly tuition, many dance classes also have registration, performance and costume fees. Many studios also offer discounts for siblings and for taking multiple classes per month.
• Alicia’s School of Dance (Fox Pond Plaza, 58 Route 129, Suite 201, Loudon, 406-0416, aliciasschoolofdance.com) The new season of classes begins Tuesday, Sept. 5. Offerings include a creative dance class for 2- to 3-year-olds, tap/jazz/ballet combo classes for 4- to 10-year-olds (grouped according to age), hip-hop, gymnastics and teen classes. Classes cost $60 per month for one class a week plus $20 per class for extra classes and $35 per class for siblings and parents.
• Allegro Dance Academy (100 Factory St., Nashua, 886-7989, allegrodancenh.com) offers a variety of classes for several age groups, starting with ages 1.5 to 2.5 and up to ages 14 and older. Classes must have a minimum of six dancers to run. Classes include ballet, tap, hip-hop, tumbling, boys’ intro to hip-hop, acro, jazz, lyrical & contemporary, and performance team & technique. Pricing is per family; preschool registration is $69 per month, other pricing is tiered, depending on number of classes per week, and there is an annual registration and recital fee of $65 per student or $80 per family.
• Ameri-kids Baton & Dance (Candia Youth Athletic Association, 27 Raymond Road, Candia, 391-2254, ameri-kids.org) offers baton-twirling and dance in recreational and competitive programs for kids ages 5 and up, September through May. Classes start at $65 for a 45-minute session, plus an annual $30 registration fee.
• Bedford Dance Center (172 Route 101, Bedford, 472-5141, bedforddancecenter.com) Classes start in September; tuition costs between $59 and $74 per month, based on the hours per week of class, and a $315 per month pass allows for unlimited classes. Classes are available for ages 3 through 18 with subjects including ballet, acro, jazz, tap, modern dance and ensemble for different age and skill levels.
• Bedford Youth Performing Company (155 Route 101, Bedford, 472-3894, bypc.org) Classes begin the week of Aug. 28 and run through June 8, 2024. Dance classes include preschool ballet (starting at age 2) as well as ballet, acro, jazz and tap (for ages 5 through 18). Prices vary based on class and age and are charged monthly. BYPC also offers music and theater classes.
• Broadway Bound Performing Arts Center (501 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 429-8844, broadwayboundpac.com) Classes start the week of Sept. 11 and include preschool classes (ages 2 through 5), ballet, hip-hop, jazz, lyrical, tap, tumbling, musical theater, theater arts and competition classes as well as special needs classes. The center also offers adult ballet and tap. Most classes are $65 or $70 per month.
• The Cadouxdle Dance Studio (297 Derry Road, Hudson, 459-4392, thecadouxdledancestudio.com) Classes start Sept. 5. Classes start at age 3 and beginner-friendly classes are available for elementary and middle school-aged kids. Cadouxdle also offers private lessons and beginner-friendly adult classes. Offerings include tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical and more.
• Concord Dance Academy (26 Commercial St., Concord, 226-0200, concorddanceacademy.com) Classes start Sept. 18 and include tap/ballet/jazz combo classes (for ages 2 to 4 and 5 to 7), ballet, tap, hip-hop, jazz, contemporary (for ages 13+), pointe (also age 13+, by invitation) and karate. Tuition starts at $80. Adult classes in several subjects are also available.
• Creative Dance Workshop of Bow (1355 Route 3A, Unit A & B, Bow, 225-7711, nhdances.com) Classes start Sept. 11 and include Tiny Dancers (for ages 18 months through 3 years), Dance Kids (for ages 3 to 4), combo classes (tap/ballet/jazz or tap/jazz) grouped by age, and single-subject classes — ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater, acro, lyrical/contemporary and hip-hop. There are also dance teams (auditions required) and adult classes. Tuition per class is $70 per month.
• The Dance Company (130 Route 101A, Amherst, 864-8374, thedancecompanyonline.com) Classes begin in September. Offerings include preschool (grouped by age, from under 3 through 5) classes (ballet, tumble, tap) as well as acro, ballet, hip-hop, jazz, tap and theater for ages 5 through 18. Lyrical/contemporary and power clinics are also offered for ages 6 and up. Monthly tuition starts at $60 and is based on length of class.
• Dance Connection Fitness & Performing Arts (8 Rockingham Road, Windham, 893-4919, danceconnectionnh.com) The new season begins Sept. 18. Combo classes, grouped by age, are available for ages 2.5 through 8 (combos include ballet/tap, ballet/tap/jazz, hip-hop/gymnastics) as well as a cheerleader/gym class for ages 7 to 10. Single-subject classes include hip-hop (starting at age 5, including an all-boys class), contemporary (starting at age 8), gymnastics (starting at age 6) and company classes (which perform and compete).
• Dance Visions Network (699 Mast Road, Manchester, 626-7654, dancevisionsnetwork.com) Classes begin after Labor Day and are geared toward age 7 and up. Subjects include ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop and tumbling. Monthly tuition is based on length of class.
• The Dancing Corner (23 Main St., Nashua, 889-7658, dancingcorner.com) Classes for the fall/winter/spring begin after Labor Day. Tuition is based on classes per week and charged at the beginning of five seven-week sessions. Classes range in age from 3 through adult with pre-dance classes (grouped by age) available for kids ages 3 through 6. Class subjects include ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, lyrical, musical theater and more.
• Dimensions in Dance (84 Myrtle St., Manchester, 668-4196, dimensionsindance.com) Classes begin Sept. 5. Classes are available for ages 2 through adult and focuses include ballet, acro-jazz, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, modern, tap, theater dance and more. Monthly tuition is based on class length and starts at $48.
• Happy Feet Dance School (25 Indian Rock Road, Windham, 434-4437, happyfeetdanceschool.biz) Classes start at age 2 and are available through teens. Dance classes for ages 2 through 5 include Tiny Tots, Creative Dance and Kinder Kids classes. Offerings for ages 6 and up (grouped by age and skill level) include ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, contemporary and more. Monthly tuition is based on length of class and starts at $64.
• Highland Dance of NH Scot (nhscot.org) is accepting new students for its classes which will run in four sessions during the 2023-2024 school year, starting with the first session on Oct. 9. Eight-week sessions take place on Monday at 25 Triangle Park Drive in Concord, divided by ages with the youngest group (ages 4 to 6) dancing from 4:30 to 5 p.m. through a beginner class for ages 16+ at 6:15 p.m.
• Kathy Blake Dance Studios (3 Northern Blvd., Amherst, 673-3978, kathyblakedancestudios.com) Classes begin Sept. 6. Classes are available for kids as young as 1 (walking) and classes for older preschoolers include ballet, tap & ballet and AcroDance. Classes for ages 5 through 18 (grouped by age and skill) include jazz, musical theater jazz, hip-hop, lyrical contemporary, AcroDance, ballet, tap and more. The studio also offers dance teams (grouped by age) and adult classes. Monthly tuition is based on class length and starts at $60.
• Londonderry Dance Academy (21 Buttrick Road, Londonderry, 432-0032, londonderrydance.com) Class offerings include ballet (starting at ages 2), jazz, tap, contemporary, hip-hop, acro and triple threat prep (open to ages 8 through 17). Tuition is billed every two months and is based on class length.
• Martin School of Dance (288 Route 101, Bedford, 488-2371, martinschoolofdance.com) Classes include ballet, hip-hop, tap, acro and jazz. Classes are available for ages 2 through 5, ages 5 to 7 and ages 7+, including a program focused solely on ballet. (Adult fitness classes are also available).
• Melissa Hoffman Dance Center (210 Robinson Road, Hudson, 886-7909, melissahoffmandancecenter.info) Classes begin Sept. 11 and include offerings from babies through teens. Dance focuses include ballet, tap, hip-hop, tumble, modern, lyric and jazz.
• Miss Kelsey’s Dance Studio (2626 Brown Ave., Manchester, 606-2820, mkdance.com) Classes include acro, ballet, breakdance, lyrical/contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, tap and musical theater as well as a series of classes for preschool (as young as 1.5 years) students.
• Nancy Chippendale’s Dance Studios (49 Range Road, Building 2, Suite A, Windham, 458-7730, chippswindham.com) The studio will have open house events on Tuesdays, Aug. 22, Aug. 29 and Sept. 5, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. The studio offers Babysteps (ages 1 to 4) programming as well as recreational (ages 2 to 19) and competitive (entering grades 3 through 12; audition required) offerings. Recreational classes (grouped by age) include combo classes featuring ballet, tap, jazz and hip-hop (the mix of styles is based by age). Monthly tuition is based on length of class/number of class hours and starts at $80.
• New England School of Dance (679 Mast Road, Manchester, 935-7326, newenglandschoolofdance.com) offers a variety of classes that range from an hour or two per week for younger students to classes for students hoping for a career in dance or theater (students in the pre-professional track, for example, take 6 to 10 hours of dance per week). Dance styles include ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical and acro. Monthly tuition is based on class length/number of class hours.
• New Hampshire Academie of Dance (1 Action Blvd., No. 4, Londonderry, 432- 4041, nhadance.com) Classes start Sept. 11 with classes that range from babies (Dance and Play With Me, starting at 8 months) through teen. Dance classes include ballet, aerial, hip-hop, jazz, acro, lyrical and tap. Monthly tuition is based on length of class/number of class hours and starts at $57.
• New Hampshire School of Ballet (183 Londonderry Tpke., Hooksett, 668-5330, nhschoolofballet.com) Class offerings include ballet (for kids starting at 2.5 years), tap, jazz, tumblers and lyrical. Students perform in two shows a year. Monthly tuition is based on class level and number of classes per week.
• N-Step Dance Center (1134 Hooksett Road, Hooksett, 641-6787, nstepdance.com) Class offerings include preschool offerings (tiny tots for ages 1.5 as well as pre-dance), as well as multiple levels of ballet, lyrical, musical theater, jazz, hip-hop and tumbling. Monthly tuition varies by level and number of classes per month.
• Palace Theatres Dance Studio (palacetheatre.org) offers 11-week sessions starting in September, teaching technique and choreography in jazz, tap, contemporary and more. Classes are held at Forever Emma Studios, 516 Pine St., Manchester. Intro to Dance is for ages 3 to 5; a tap/jazz/ballet hybrid class is offered for grades 1 and 2, and for grades 3 to 5. Classes in hip-hop and contemporary dance are offered for grades 4 to 12, and for grades 6 to 12 there are three levels of classes in tap, jazz, and dance technique. Classes cost $220 with some categories offering additional courses for $165.
• Rise Dance Studio (125 Northeastern Blvd., Nashua, 402-2706, risedancenh.com) Class offerings include pre-dance as well as ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary and hip-hop. The studio also features by-invitation ballet, hip-hop and contemporary companies.
• Showcase Dance & Performing Arts Center (5 Executive Drive, Hudson, 883- 0055, showcasehudsonnh.com) offers dance classes starting at 12 months as well as cheerleading, a competitive dance team, tumbling classes and music and voice lessons. Graded technique classes include ballet, tap, acro, hip-hop and jazz.
• Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater (19 Harvey Road, Bedford, 637-4398, snhdt.org) Open house days are scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 23, from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 26, from 9:30 a.m. to noon for prospective dancers ages 18 month to adults (see the website for the specific window to try out specific dance classes). Classes are offered in divisions — preschool (ages 18 months to 6 years), youth (ages 7 to 18), pre-professional (ages 10 to 18) and adult. Youth classes include ballet, modern, jazz, tap and hip-hop. There is also a student company.
• Turning Pointe Center of Dance (371 Pembroke St., Pembroke, 485-8710, turningpointecenterofdance.com) Monthly tuition is based on number of classes and starts at $65. Classes include ballet, jazz, lyrical and hip-hop/tap.
• Unbound Dance Academy (237 Londonderry Tpke., Hooksett, 714-2821, unbounddanceacademy.com) An open house will be held Saturday, Aug. 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; find the academy on Facebook to see a schedule of classes offered for tryout (starting with a pre-ballet class for ages 3 to 5). Classes begin Wednesday, Sept. 7. Class offerings start with parent and tot (ages 2+) through pre-dance classes (grouped by age to 6 years old). Classes for older students include ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern/contemporary, tap, hip-hop and musical theater.
GENERAL
• Beaver Brook Association (117 Ridge Road in Hollis; 465-7787, beaverbrook.org) offers preschool as well as home school (with a class for 1st through 6th grade and one for 7th through 9th grade) programming, beginning the weeks of Sept. 5 and Sept. 11.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America (555 Union St., Manchester, 625-5031, mbgcnh.org; 1 Positive Place, Nashua, 883-0523, bgcn.com; 3 Geremonty Drive, Salem, 898- 7709, salembgc.org; 56 Mont Vernon St., Milford, 672-1002, svbgc.org; 55 Bradley St., Concord, 224-1061, nhyouth.org; 40 E. Derry Road, Derry, 434-6695, derrybgclub.com) offers a variety of before- and after-school programs that include homework assistance, sports and recreation, arts and crafts, leadership development, life skills and more. Programs and costs vary at each location and based on age. The Union Street Clubhouse has a teen center (for grades 9 to 12).
• The Culinary Playground (16 Manning St., Suite 105, Derry, 339-1664, culinary-playground.com) offers one-time classes for mini chefs (ages 3 to 6) and older kids (6 to 10 and 10+) as well as six-week series that meet for an hour once a week. There are also one-time kid-with-adult cooking classes. See the website for upcoming classes.
• Daniel Webster Council Scouts BSA (625-6431, nhscouting.org) is the center of information for Scouting in New Hampshire (formerly the Boy Scouts of America). Contact them for information about joining a local pack. Packs and Dens set their own start dates, meeting days and times and meeting locations. Many Packs hold fall activities where potential new members can learn more about Scouting.
• Franco-American Centre (100 Saint Anselm Drive, No. 1798, Manchester, 641- 7114, facnh.com) Children’s Beginner French is offered for ages 6 to 11 for 10 weeks, Tuesdays, Sept. 19 through Nov. 28. The classes run from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. and operate over Zoom. The cost is $150 plus a French workbook.
Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains. Courtesy photo.
• Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains (1 Commerce Drive, Bedford, 888-474-9686, girlscoutsgwm.org) offers programs for girls in kindergarten through grade 12, focused on leadership-building, community engagement, STEM and nature. Visit their website or call to learn how to join a local troop or join as a solo Girl Scout. Troops set their own start dates, meeting days and times, and meeting locations. The council also offers programming and events.
• Girls at Work (200 Bedford St., Manchester, 345-0392, girlswork.org) offers after-school workshops for ages 8 to 13 where girls can learn building skills. Some classes are specifically offered for students of certain Manchester schools and some are open to all schools; see the website for details.
• Girls, Inc. of New Hampshire (340 Varney St., Manchester, 623-1117; 27 Burke St., Nashua, 882-6256, girlsincnewhampshire.org) Girls are picked up by bus at Nashua and Manchester schools to go to a Girls, Inc. center where they can participate in a variety of classes. The program runs from 2 to 6 p.m. (or 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on full days) with a snack and dinner provided. The cost is $75 per week; financial assistance is available.
• Granite YMCA (30 Mechanic St., Manchester, 623-3558; 116 Goffstown Back Road, Goffstown, 497-4663; 206 Rockingham Road, Londonderry; 437-9622; 15 N. State St., Concord, 228-9622; 35 Industrial Way, Rochester, 332-7334; 550 Peverly Hill Road, Portsmouth, 431-2334; 35 Bartlett Ave. in Somersworth, 692-2081; graniteymca.org/child-care) YMCAs offer before- and after-school programs for kids and teens. Programs vary at each location; call the local branch. The Ys also offer athletic programs that can include, depending on the location, swimming, climbing, tennis, gymnastics, dances and a variety of sports. These programs run on sessions, with the first fall session running Sept. 5 through Oct. 23 (registration opens Aug. 21) and the second fall session running Oct. 30 through Dec. 17 (registration opens Oct. 16).
• Hampshire Hills Athletic Club (50 Emerson Road, Milford, 673-7123, hampshirehills.com) offers classes, events and activities for children as well as adults.
• Manchester Police Athletic League (409 Beech St., Manchester, 626-0211, manchesterpoliceathleticleague.org) offers aikido, boxing, skateboarding and wrestling, as well as occasional cooking classes. MPAL is open to kids ages 5 to 18 who are attending school; membership is free.
• Mathnasium (257 Daniel Webster Hwy., Nashua; 1 Bicentennial Drive, Manchester; mathnasium.com) offers math classes for kindergarten through high school as well as test prep. Students are recommended to attend Mathnasium two to three times a week.
• YMCA of Greater Nashua (24 Stadium Drive, Nashua, 882-2011; 6 Henry Clay Drive, Merrimack, 881-7778, nmymca.org) offers before-school programs at Amherst Middle School and at the Merrimack YMCA (with transportation to schools included) and after-school programs at Amherst Clark-Wilkins Elementary School, Merrimack YMCA, Mont Vernon Village School and Nashua YMCA. The Ys also offer swim, dance, arts, music, sports, ninja, teen classes and more; fall programs start Sept. 5 with registration starting Aug. 28.
GYMNASTICS
• A2 Gym & Cheer (16B Garabedian Drive, Salem, 328-8130, a2gc.com) Classes in gymnastics and tumbling start the week of Sept. 5 and registration is open now.
• Flipz the Gym for Kids (Flipz Gymnastics, 14 Chenell Drive, Concord, 224-3223, flipzgymnastics.com) offers classes for ages 12 months through 5 years, with ongoing openings as space is available. Classes are 45 minutes long with tuition based on number of classes taken per week. Classes are Mondays through Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. Starting Oct. 1, the schedule will also include classes Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
• Gymnastics Village (13 Caldwell Drive, Amherst, 889-8092, gymnasticsvillage.com) The school-year schedule begins Wednesday, Aug. 30. Gymnastics classes are offered for preschoolers and as after-school sessions (hour-long classes grouped by age). The studio also offers ninja challenge classes and boys’ and girls’ competitive gymnastics teams.
• Gym-Ken Gymnastics (184 Rockingham Road, Windham, 434-9060, gymkengymnastics.com) offers classes starting with walkers and preschoolers through a competitive girls team. Offerings include tumbling, gymnastics and parkour.
• Impact Gymnastics (301 River Road, Bow, 219-0343, impact-gymnastics.com) Classes start Tuesday, Sept. 5, and offerings include a preschool program (with classes for walking through 3 years old and 3 through 5 years old), a girls’ recreational program, a coed home-school program, a boys’ recreational program, a girls’ pre-competitive program and trampoline/tumbling.
• Noha’s Gymnastics Academy (200 Perimeter Road in Manchester, 518-7660; 30 Pond St. in Nashua, 880-4927; ngacademy.us) offers recreational classes as well as a team.
• Palaestra Gymnastics Academy (8 Tinkham Ave., Derry, 818-4494, pgagym.com) offers preschool, recreational and team gymnastics as well as cheer/tumble. Fall classes start Sept. 5.
• Phantom Gymnastics (142 Route 111, Hampstead, 329-9315, phantomgymnastics.com) Fall #1 session starts Sept. 11. The studio offers gymnastics for preschool and school age as well as a competitive team. Parkour and CPR education are also offered.
• Sky High Gymnastics (185 Elm St., No. 2, Milford, 554-1097, skyhighgym.com) offers classes and open play.
• Southern New Hampshire Gymnastics Academy (4 Orchard View Drive, No. 11, Londonderry, 404-6181, snhga.com) Fall session begins Aug. 28. There are classes for ages 18 months through 18 years as well as a team program.
• Spectrum Gymnastics (26 Buttrick Road, Londonderry, 434-8388, spectrumgymnast.com) offers preschool and school-age classes grouped by age (including boys’ classes for grades 1 to 5). There are also two competitive teams.
• Tumble Town Gymnastics (444 E. Industrial Park Drive, No. 10, Manchester, 641-9591, tumbletownnh.com) offers preschool and school-age recreational and advanced classes as well as team programs. The new school year starts Sept. 5.
MARTIAL ARTS
• Al Lima’s Studio of Self Defense (28 Lowell Road, Hudson, 765-5753, alssd.com) offers year-round classes for children and adults.
• Amherst Karate Studio (Salzburg Square, 292 Route 101, Amherst, 672-3570, amherstkaratestudio.com) offers classes for kids as young as 4 through adults.
• Bedford Martial Arts Academy (292 Route 101, Bedford, 626-9696, bedfordmartialartsacademy.com) offers classes for mini masters (ages 3 through 6), as well as for school-age kids and teens and adults. The academy also operates the Elite After School program at Bedford elementary schools and on site at the academy.
• Central Tae Kwon Do Academy (222 Central St., Suite 8, Hudson, 882-5617, central-tkd.com) offers tae kwan don and taerobics (a self-defense class).
• Checkmate Martial Arts (200 Elm St., Manchester, 666-5836, checkmateselfdefense.com) offers youth martial arts for ages 5 to 13 as well as adult classes.
• Chung’s Tae Kwon Do Academy (115 Northeastern Blvd., Nashua, 883-2577, chungs-tkd.com) offers classes for ages 4 through adults.
• Empowering Lives Martial Arts (542 Mast Road, No. 15, Goffstown, 978-414- 5425, martialartsnewhampshire.com) has programs for ages 4 through 6 and 7 through 12 as well as teen and adult programs and special abilities programs (for children and adults). There is also a cardio kickboxing program open to teens and adults.
• Eric Menard’s Complete Martial Arts Academy (220 Innovative Way, Suite E, Nashua, 888-0010, cma-martialarts.com) offers classes for kids and adults.
• Family Martial Arts of Pelham (122 Bridge St., No. 6, Pelham, 635-8323, familymartialartsofpelham.com) offers classes for tots through teens.
• Golden Crane Traditional Martial Arts (46 Lowell Road, No. 6, Windham, 437-2020, goldencranenh.com) offers classes grouped by age for age 5 through teens as well as a variety of adult classes.
• Granite State American Kenpo Karate (290 Derry Road, No. 5, Hudson, 598-5400, gsakenpo.com) offers programs for kids as well as teens and adults.
• Inner Dragon Martial Arts (77 Derry Road, Hudson, 864-8756, innerdragonma.com) is enrolling beginner kids’ martial arts programs in August. There is also an after-school program.
• Inspired Martial Arts (58 Range Road, Windham, 893-7990, inspiredmartialartscenter.com) offers martial arts classes for kids as well as adults.
• Kaizen Academy (17 Freetown Road, No. 6, Raymond, 895-1545, raymondkarate.com) offers a juniors program for ages 6 through 12 as well as teen and adult programs.
• Kenpo Academy of Self Defense (40 Manchester Road, Derry, 437-9900, kenpo-academy.com) offers preschool, kid and teen programs (as well as adults).
• Manchester Karate & Gracie Jiu Jitsu Center (371 S. Willow St., Manchester, 625-5838, manchesterkarate.com) offers a kid program (for ages 4 to 12) and adult programs (13+) as well as self-defense programs for ages 14+.
• The Martial Arts Zone (31 Auburn St., Manchester, 206-5716, themartialartszone.com) Beginner kids’ classes are enrolling in August. Classes (grouped by age) run for ages 5 through 15. There are also a variety of adult classes.
• Merrimack Karate (534 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 424-7458, merrimackkarate.com) has kid programs for ages 5 through 12 as well as teen/adult programs for 13+.
• Neil Stone’s Karate Academy (22 Proctor Hill Road, Hollis, 672-8933, neilstoneskarate.com) offers programs (grouped by age) for ages 2 through 12 as well as teen/adult programs for 13+. There is also a home-school program.
• New England Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy (30 Henniker St., Unit 9, Concord, 369-4764, nebjj.com) offers a program for ages 5 to 8 and ages 9 to 13.
• Phoenix Fire Martial Arts (79 Plaistow Road, Plaistow, 234-8665, phnixfire.com) offers Shotokan martial arts for ages 3 and up as well as teen/adult krav maga classes.
• Professional Martial Arts Academy (15 E. Broadway, Derry, 434-7995, pmaderry.com; 501 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 429-0008, pmamerrimack.com; 37 Plaistow Road, Plaistow, 974-2455, pmaplaistow.com) offers kids’ martial arts and jiu jitsu as well as adult programs.
• Spero’s Martial Arts Academy (31 Westville Road, Plaistow, 275-7111, speromma.com) offers kids MMA for ages 8 to 13 and kids jiu jitsu.
• Tiger Black Belt Academy (11 Kimball Drive, Unit 121, Hooksett, 627-7744, tigerblackbeltacademy.com) is offering a start-up special for the fall of $99, which includes a uniform and a month of classes. Classes start at age 3½ and are available for all ages and levels of training.
• Tokyo Joe’s Studios of Self Defense (85A Northeastern Blvd., Nashua, 889-4165; 20 Hammond Road, Milford, 672-2100, tokyojoes.net) offers programs, grouped by age, for kids starting at age 3, including a teen group for ages 13 to 17. There are also adult classes.
• Tokyo Joe’s Studios and Team Link NH (1338 Hooksett Road, Hooksett, 641-3444, tokyojoeshooksett.com) offers youth programs including kempo karate for ages 3 through 12, Brazilian jiu jitsu for ages 5 to 15 and kickboxing for ages 5 to 12. Adult programs start at 13 or 15, depending on the discipline.
• The Training Station (200 Elm St., Manchester, 505-0048, thetrainingstationnh.com) offers programs for kids, grouped by age, starting at age 3 with a teen class for ages 12 to 14 and adult and fitness programs starting at 15+.
• USA Ninja Challenge (locations at Gymnastics Village, 13 Caldwell Drive, Amherst, 889-8902, gymnasticsvillage.com; Flipz Gymnastics, 14 Chenell Drive, Concord, 224-3223, ninjaconcordnh.com; 17 Friars Drive, Unit 18, Hudson, 417-6820, ninjahudson.com; and 444 E. Industrial Park Drive, Manchester, 935-7100, ninjamanchesternh.com) offers ninja classes starting at age 4. The Concord location offers a teen fitness class and a class for 13- to 17-year-olds. Hudson’s classes start at 2½, as do Manchester’s. There are also team programs for ages 6 and up.
• World Class Martial Arts (25 Nashua Road, Unit D3, Londonderry, 845-6115, londonderrymartialarts.com) offers classes for ages 3½ and up.
• Zenith Martial Arts (40 Thorndike St., Concord, 513-9993, zenithmartialarts.net) offers kung fu classes grouped by age, starting at age 3, as well as kickboxing for ages 14+. An after-school program for 6+ is offered, with transportation from some Concord schools.
MUSIC
• Amy Conley Music (102 Elm St., Milford, 249-9560, amyconleymusic.com) offers programs for families/early childhood and special needs; ukulele classes for teens and adults, and private guitar, ukulele, piano and banjo classes for ages 7 and up. Early fall classes start Sept. 12.
• Bedford Youth Performing Company (155 Route 101, Bedford, 472-3894, bypc.org) offers musical programs for as young as infants and toddlers as well as lessons for older kids in guitar, voice, piano, drums and percussion. BYPC also offers musical ensembles, including rock bands (by audition) for ages 10+. Fall lessons start Aug. 28.
• Concord Community Music School (23 Wall St., Concord, 228-1196, ccmusicschool.org) offers private lessons for voice, banjo, bass, bassoon, cello, clarinet, composition, double bass, fiddle, flute, French horn, guitar, mandolin, oboe, percussion, piano, recorder, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, ukulele, viola and violin. There are also group classes and ensembles for kids and teens (including, for teens, folk, rock and jazz bands). Tuition is based on a 16-week semester; financial aid is available. The fall semester for private lessons and choral ensembles begins Sept. 11 and two weeks later for all non-choral classes and ensembles.
• Let’s Play Music! (2626 Brown Ave., Unit A2, Manchester, 218-3089; 145 Hampstead Road, Derry, 425-7575; 136 Lowell Road, Hudson, 882-8940; letsplaymusic.com) has choral groups and musical theater programs and rock bands as well as private lessons in piano, guitar & bass, stringed instruments, singing, drums, horns and reed instruments, ukulele, banjo, mandolin and accordion. Kindermusik classes are available for newborns through 4 years old and Kidzrock classes are available for 4- to 7-year-olds.
• Lidman Music Studio (419 Amherst St., Nashua, 913-5314, lidmanmusic.com) offers lessons in piano, violin and viola, with individual instruction and yearly recitals, for children as well as adults.
• Manchester Community Music School (2291 Elm St., Manchester, 644-4548, mcmusicschool.org) offers group programs, including a jazz ensemble, orchestras and choirs. Private lessons are offered in woodwind, brass, percussion, strings, voice, music theory, composition, piano, guitar, harp, ukulele, mandolin and more. Early childhood classes are also available.
• Manchester Music Mill (329 Elm St., Manchester, 623-8022, manchestermusicmill.com) See mmmlessons.com for the lessons-related landing page. Lessons include guitar, bass, drums, saxophone, clarinet, flute, trumpet, trombone, piano and voice.
• Merrimack Music Academy (1 Bryce Drive in Merrimack; merrimackmusicacademy.com, 493-9214) offers customized private music (including guitar, bass guitar and piano) and voice lesson for children and adults, according to their Facebook post.
Classes at Nashua Community Music School. Courtesy photo.
• Nashua Community Music School (2 Lock St., Nashua, 881-7030, nashuacms.org) offers private lessons in piano, guitar, voice, violin, cello, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone and percussion. Fall session starts Sept. 11. The school also offers musical therapy for all ages, a group music class and ensembles including a rock band for current students. Introductory classes for kids include Mini Musicians (for ages 4 to 7) and Broadway Star Search (ages 7 to 10). Take a free trial lesson or try out a group class demo at the open house on Tuesday, Sept. 19, at 5 p.m.
• NH Tunes (250 Commercial St., No. 2017, Manchester, 660-2208, nhtunes.biz) offers lessons in voice, guitar, piano, ukulele, drum, banjo/mandolin and band instruments. There are also music discovery lessons (where a student can try multiple instruments) and music production.
• Palace Theatre Voice Studio (palacetheatre.org) offers private vocal coaching each month, in person at Forever Emma studios in Manchester and via Zoom with professional performers from around the country, for grades 2 through 12, $30 per half hour. Email [email protected] for information.
• Ted Herbert Music School (Majestic Studio Theatre, 880 Page St. in Manchester; majestictheatre.net, tedherbert.com) offers lessons in brass, drums, guitar/bass, piano/keyboard, strings, theater/dance, voice and woodwind. Instrument rentals available. The school also holds open mic nights for musicians of all levels; the next one is scheduled for Nov. 9.
SPORTS
• Amherst Soccer Club (amherstsoccerclub.com) Programs include tots (birth year 2019 to 2021), non-travel (birth year 2014 to 2018) and travel (birth year 2005 to 2015). In addition to a fall season, there is also winter skill training and a spring season.
• Bedford Athletic Club (bedfordac.com) Registration for fall is open now with recreational programs for pre-K and kindergarten (which start Sept. 9) and 1st through 6th grade (starting Aug. 28). (Grades 1 through 4 has separate girls’ and boys’ teams.) An adaptive program is also listed. Tryouts for the travel program (open to birth years 2009 through 2016) were in the spring; the travel program runs in the fall with a spring option.
• Bedford Cannons Youth Lacrosse (bedfordcannons.org) offers teams for boys, 1st-graders through 8th-graders, and girls, 1st-graders through 6th-graders. Registration for lacrosse opens toward the end of the year (usually in early December). In previous years, indoor skills clinics take place starting in January with outdoor team practices and games beginning in April. Lacrosse for pre-K and kindergarten is outdoors only and starts in April.
• Bedford Little League (bedfordll.com) Fall baseball runs Sept. 5 through Oct. 30 with one game per week for five weeks and two weeks of playoffs. Teams are open for ages 12-13, 10-12 and 8-10. A six-week clinic is open for ages 5 to 7. The Challenger Division (adaptive baseball) runs for ages 4 to 18 (or up to 22 if the player is still in school).
• Cannons Baseball Club (Concord, cannonsbaseballclub.com) offers year-round baseball and softball. A fall baseball season runs Sept. 9 through Oct. 29 for 9U-12U, middle school and high school.
• Conway Arena (5 Stadium Drive, Nashua, 595-2400, conwayarena.com) Registration for fall skating opened Aug. 9; there are two eight-week fall sessions, one starting Sept. 6 and the other starting Nov. 1 open to ages 4 and up. A fall “Learn to Play Hockey” session for ages 5 to 9 runs from Sept. 26 through Dec. 19, and a winter session runs Jan. 2 through March 24. Registration is also open now for the Junior Hawks Hockey 2023-2024 season.
• Derry Diamond Athletic Association (derryll.org) offers baseball (ages 6 through 13) and softball (ages 6 through 14) fall programs; registration closes Aug. 25.
• Derry Soccer Club (derrysoccerclub.org) offers recreation, intertown and travel leagues. Recreational programs are open for ages 2.5 and up with fall and spring seasons. The fall season begins in September.
• Girls on the Run New Hampshire (137 Water St., No. 3, Exeter, 778-1389, girlsontherunnh.org) is offered for girls in 3rd grade through 8th grade. Registration for the lottery for a spot in Girls on the Run NH opened Aug. 7. See the website for locations, which set their own weekly meet-up and run schedules, or to start a team. The fall season culminates in a 5K on Nov. 18 in Concord.
• Granite Base Camp (300 Blondin Road, Manchester, 617-615-0004, experiencebasecamp.org) offers programming in archery, STEM, fishing, hiking, arts and crafts, environmental studies and more for ages 6 to 17.
• Granite State Kids N.H. Junior Team Tennis (granitestatekids.com) offers fall and spring programs in Bedford and winter junior team events at the YMCA in Goffstown. Fall tennis meets Mondays and Wednesdaydays and begins Wednesday, Sept. 6. Classes are available for kids as young as 5 through kids 11+, with beginner, advanced beginner and intermediate levels.
• The Icenter (60 Lowell Road, Salem, 893-4448, icentersalem.com) offers competitive and recreational figure skating, learn to skate and learn to play hockey programs (which start Sept. 16) and Top Gun Hockey.
• Londonderry Soccer Club (londonderrysc.org) offers fall and spring recreational programs as well as a travel program. Recreation programs are available for ages 2.5 through 18. There is also a Unified Top Soccer program for grades K through 8 for “athletes who need physical or emotional assistance in order to participate,” open to kids in Londonderry, Litchfield and Hudson.
• Longfellow New Hampshire Tennis & Swim Club (140 Lock St., Nashua, 883- 0153, longfellownh.com) offers junior tennis clinics for ages 5 through 18 of all abilities, starting Wednesday, Sept. 6, through Sunday, Oct. 29.
• Manchester East Soccer League (mesl.org) offers soccer for ages 4 through 18 (with interleague play for ages 12 through 18). Registration for fall costs $60 per player, $140 max per family.
• Manchester North Soccer League (mnsl.org) offers recreational soccer for kids ages 5 through 19 ($90 per kid for the season) and for younger kids ($55 per player).
• My Gym Children’s Fitness Center (410 S. River Road, Bedford, 668-7196, mygym.com/bedford) offers classes for infants starting at 3 months old through preschool with a few classes for older kids (up to 10 years old according to the website) including ninja training and gymnastics.
• Nashua Cal Ripken Baseball (multiple field locations in Nashua and surrounding towns, nashuacalripken.org) offers fall ball for ages 4 through 12 (with ages 4 through 6 playing tee-ball). The fall season starts in September and runs through October.
• NE Inferno Baseball (noreastersbaseball.com) operates in regional facilities including in Nashua (3 Progress Ave.) for 10U to 16U.
• NH Climbing and Fitness (10 Langdon Ave. in Concord; 715-9171, nhclimbinggym.com) The 10-week fall session begins Sept. 11 with climbing classes for ages 3 to 5, 6 to 8 and 9+.
• New Hampshire Junior Roller Derby (nhjuniorrollerderby.com) teaches roller derby to any gender ages 8 to 17. See the website for future sessions and events.
• New Hampshire Spartans Youth Basketball (nhspartans.com) offers three tryout dates for Seacoast and Derry AAU teams starting Aug. 20 for grades 2 through high school for a season that starts Sept. 18.
• New Hampshire Sportsplex (68 Technology Drive, Bedford, 641-1313, nhsportsplex.com) offers youth flag football (grouped by ages) for ages 5 through high school and youth recreational soccer. During the past summer, the Sportsplex also offered 3X3 basketball leagues for high school and adults. An 8-week session of soccer for ages 18 months through 7 years begins Sept. 16. A Lil Dribblers basketball session for ages 3 to 12 starts Sept. 12. Tee-ball/baseball for ages 3 through 7 begins on Sept. 6. An introductory lacrosse program for ages 4 to 8 begins Sept. 9.
• Salem Youth Baseball (salemyouthbaseball.net) has a fall ball season that opens Sept. 9 and runs through Oct. 28. Tee-ball is available for 4- to 6-year-olds; baseball is available for ages 7 to 14. A challenger division (adaptive baseball for children of all abilities) may also be open for fall 2023, based on player interest, and would be open to ages 4 through 22 (for players enrolled in school).
• Seacoast Fencing Club (271 Wilson St., Manchester; 261 N. Main St., Rochester, 428-7040, seacoastfencingclub.org) offers group lessons for as young as 7, as well as competitive training starting at ages 7 and private lessons.
• Tri-Town Ice Arena (311 W. River Road in Hooksett; tri-townicearena.com, 270-1024) is accepting registrations for its learn to skate, learn hockey and hockey league programs. The hockey league season begins Sept. 23; the Mini Mountain Kings/Wildcat Cubs program (for ages 4 to 10) begins its first 2023/2024 session Sept. 6.
• Vertical Dreams (250 Commercial St. in Manchester, 625-6919; 25 E. Otterson St. in Nashua, 943-7571; verticaldreams.com) offers a Youth Climbing Club, a 10-week session for kids aged 6 to 12 who are beginning climbers. The session starts on Sept. 26 in Manchester and Sept. 27 in Nashua, both running from 4 to 6 p.m. A Youth Climbing Teams is for experienced climbers ages 12 to 18 at both locations (starting Sept. 27 in Nashua; Sept. 28 in Manchester). The 10-week sessions run from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on either Wednesdays or Thursdays (depending on location). For either age group, the cost is $285.
THEATER
• Actorsingers (Nashua, actorsingers.org) amateur community theater group holds auditions for Teen Actorsingers productions in spring with show dates in summer.
• Bedford Youth Performing Company (155 Route 101, Bedford, 472-3894, bypc.org) Classes begin the week of Aug. 28 and run through June 8, 2024. BYPC offers several classes in performance and acting starting at age 4 through high school as well as by-invitation musical theater classes. Students can also participate in fall, Christmas and spring productions.
• The Community Players of Concord (communityplayersofconcord.org) offer winter and summer vacation camps and workshops as well as audition opportunities through their Children’s Theatre Project. The current show being auditioned is The Sound of Music, with auditions Sunday, Aug. 13, and Monday, Aug. 14, for 16+ and Sunday, Aug. 20, and Monday, Aug. 21, for 15 and under. See the website for details and requirements.
• Kids Coop Theatre (Londonderry, [email protected], kids-coop-theatre.org) is open to kids ages 8 to 18. To audition for a show, membership to Kids Coop costs $30. The next show is the SpongeBob Musical, with auditions Aug. 20 and performances Nov. 17 through Nov. 19. See details about auditions and rehearsals on the website.
• The Majestic Academy of Dramatic Arts (880 Page St., Manchester, 669-7469, majestictheatre.net) privdes performing opportunities in community theatre productions year-round. The fall youth production is Zombie Night; see website for audition dates.
• Palace Youth Theatre (Forever Emma Studios, 516 Pine St., Manchester, 688-5588, palacetheatre.org) The Palace Youth Theatre is open to performers in 2nd grade through 12th grade. The Palace Teen Company and the Palace Teen Apprentice Company are open to students ages 12 through 18 interested in pursuing theater beyond high school. Dance classes are offered (grouped by age) for ages 3 through 18+ beginning Sept. 10 and running for 11 weeks, culminating in a student showcast at the Palace Theatre on Sunday, Nov. 26. There will also be acting classes this fall. There are also several upcoming auditions for shows and for the teen companies; see palacetheatre.org/pyt/pyt-auditions.
• Peacock Players (14 Court St., Nashua, 886-7000, peacockplayers.org) offers vacation camps as well as productions for youth (ages 6 to 14), teens (ages 14 to 18), crossover (ages 6 to 18) and all ages. Upcoming auditions include James and the Giant Peach Jr. on Aug. 23 and Aug. 24 (for ages 6 to 14) and Beauty and the Beast on Aug. 27 and Aug. 28 (for ages 14 through 18).
• Riverbend Youth Company (Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley, The Amato Center for the Performing Arts, 56 Mont Vernon St. in Milford, amatocenter.org/riverbend-youth-company) presents mainstage plays and musicals with performers ages 6 to 18. The Company will hold auditions for High School Musical on Aug. 21 and Aug. 22.
Featured photo: Tri-Town Ice Arena. Courtesy photo.
Enjoy a little “yes, and” at the Queen City Improv performance today at 7:30 p.m. at the Hatbox Theatre (Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road in Concord; hatboxnh.com). Tickets cost $22 for adults, $19 for seniors and students. The event is byob or w, according to the website. Find more places to do some serious chuckling in the Comedy This Week listing on page 41.
Saturday, Aug. 19
Arts Alive invites local artists and art enthusiasts to the renovated mill building at 71 Main St. in Harrisville to learn about the history of the town and the building from local history experts and artists in an event that runs from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost is $10 per person. See monadnockartsalive.org/artist-field-trips to register.
Saturday, Aug. 19
So good! So good! Catch Cherry Cherry, a Neil Diamond tribute band, today at 8 p.m. at Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St. in Derry; tupelomusichall.com). Tickets cost $35. Find more concerts this weekend and beyond in the Concert listings on page 42.
Saturday, Aug. 19
The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road in Londonderry; aviationmuseumofnh.org, 669-4877) will hold PlaneFest! today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside of the museum. The day will include cake at 1 p.m. to celebrate Orville Wright’s birthday, flight- and airplane-related activities and crafts (geared at elementary and middle school-age kids), an opportunity to meet aviation-related professionals, airplanes on display and more. Admission to the fest is free; admission to the museum costs $10 per person, $5 for ages 6 to 13 and seniors and veterans (free for children 5 and under). Rain date is Saturday, Aug. 26.
Tuesday, Aug. 22
A six-day stretch of games between the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies starts today at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in downtown Manchester with a 7:05 p.m. game. Games on Thursday, Aug. 24, and Saturday, Aug. 26, will feature post-game fireworks. Friday, Aug. 25, will feature a free hat giveaway, and the game on Sunday, Aug. 27, at 1:35 p.m. will feature a pencil pouch giveaway and a Princess Brunch at 10 a.m. for $26. See milb.com/new-hampshire.
Save the date for monsters: Saturday, Aug. 26 Studio 550 Community Art Center (550 Elm St. in Manchester; 550arts.com, 232-5597) will hold its 11th annual Monster Hunt in downtown Manchester on Saturday, Aug. 26, starting at 11 a.m. until the monsters are found — which happens pretty quickly, according to a press release. Studio 550 makes and hides 100 monster medallions in the downtown with each monster finder asked to keep only one monster to spread the monster-finding fun to as many people as possible, the release said. Bring the medallion to Studio 550 to trade in for a red clay monster. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Studio 550 will also host several low-cost hands-on activities, the release said. There will also be a kids-only hunt at DoubleTree Hotel at 10:30 a.m. for kids 5 and under with 25 monsters available and monster stickers for all kids who search, the release said. See 550arts.com/about/monsterhunt. Photo courtesy of Studio 550.
Featured photo: A vintage PT-23 training plane will be on display by the New England Wing of the Commemorative Air Force during this year’s PlaneFest! Courtesy photo.
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has issued a press release warning against consuming any flavor of “Soft Serve On The Go” ice cream cups produced by Real Kosher Ice Cream of Brooklyn, N.Y., following a national listeriosis outbreak linked to these products. Although no related illnesses have been reported in New Hampshire, other states have identified cases. The US FDA, in partnership with the CDC, is investigating these Listeria monocytogenes infections. Real Kosher Ice Cream has cooperated with the FDA by recalling all 8-ounce cup flavors distributed across multiple states and halting production temporarily. Listeria is particularly harmful to young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. It can cause symptoms ranging from fever and muscle aches to severe neurological effects but is treatable with antibiotics. The DHHS advises consumers to either discard the product or return it for a refund.
QOL score: -1
Comment: According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Listeria monocytogenes can survive and even grow in colder temperatures.
Explaining with comics
The Preservation Alliance has unveiled a new comic book centered on the Concord, N.H., Gasholder, drawing extensively from the architectural illustrations present in the Historic American Engineering Record (HAER). According to a press release and the Preservation Alliance website, this dual-purpose publication serves as an informative tool and a coloring book. Within its pages, readers can explore the intricate workings of the Gasholder, delve into its historical roots in Concord, and ponder potential future plans for the expansive two-acre gasworks site. Additionally, the comic provides insights like the reason behind the tilted cupola on the Gasholder’s roof. By disseminating this material, the Preservation Alliance seeks to educate the public on the relevance and story of this architectural gem.
QOL score: +1
Comment: The Gasholder recently received international recognition when experts from Europe congregated at the Industrial Gas Museum in Athens, discussing gasholder preservation and reuse.
More scholar athletes
The University of New Hampshire (UNH) showcased academic excellence in sports during 2022-23, according to a number of press releases. The women’s cross-country team reported that 88 percent of its members made the America East Academic Honor Roll, with three achieving a 4.0 GPA. Similarly, the UNH men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams had members achieving high academic distinctions, with Jon Willeman and Aina Roque Sucarrats each recording a perfect 4.0 GPA. The men’s soccer team saw 23 of its members being recognized, with 79 percent of the team earning academic honors. Furthermore, the women’s lacrosse team had 26 members recognized, of which three recorded a 4.0 GPA. Across all America East-sponsored sports, 77 percent of student-athletes achieved Honor Roll recognition, with 2,694 making the Academic Honor Roll in 2022-23, marking the 18th year the student-athletes averaged a GPA of at least 3.0.
QOL score: +1
Comment: The 2023-24 UNH men’s basketball season is set to begin on Nov. 6 with an away game at Syracuse University.
QOL score: 82
Net change: +1
QOL this week: 83
What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire?Let us know at [email protected].
