Tag: 241114

The Weekly Dish 24/11/14

News from the local food scene

• New poké: Poké BonBon (232-2464, pokebonbon.com) has opened in Manchester at 1000 Elm St., inside across from Hop Knot. Focusing on Asian- and Pacific-inspired dishes, it is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

• New tea: On its website, the new Honey Cup Cafe & Tearoom (150 Bridge St., Manchester, 836-6008, honeycupnh.com) describes itself as “Manchester’s first and only tearoom, dedicated to offering delicious bites, a wide variety of tea and coffee beverages, as well as innovative non-alcoholic cocktails and soft drinks.” It is open Tuesday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Happy birthday wine: LaBelle Winery (345 Route 101, Amherst, or 14 Route 111, Derry, 672-9898, labellewinery.com) announced the release of a special limited-edition wine to commemorate the 90th birthday of the New Hampshire Liquor Commission (50 Storrs St., Concord, 230-7015, gov.liquorandwineoutlets.com). As part of the Commission’s “90 Years of Cheers” campaign, LaBelle Winery has created Granite Anniversary Red, an artisan red blend that offers fruit-forward flavor with blackberry notes, a rich tannin structure and a smooth, dry finish. It has been crafted by winemaker Amy LaBelle. It is available in New Hampshire State Liquor Stores, where it retails for $24.99 a bottle.

• Gnocchi and vino: Learn how to make ricotta gnocchi from scratch and pair it with wine. Chef Jarret will teach a hands-on class at Tuscan Market (Tuscan Village, 9 Via Toscana, Salem, 912-5467, tuscanbrands.com) Sunday, Nov. 17, from 10 a.m. to noon, which will also include a demonstration on how to make the perfect sauce to pair with your gnocchi. Tickets are $70 and are available through the Tuscan Market website.

• Cleaner, greener beverages: In an Oct. 31 press release, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that New Hampshire has been selected to receive $265,000 in grants. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (des.nh.gov) “will provide technical assistance to New Hampshire’s craft beverage sector with an emphasis on reducing environmental and health impacts for businesses and disadvantaged communities,” the press release read. The goal, the EPA said, will be “implementing environmentally friendly practices which save energy, conserve water, minimize wastewater, avoid toxic or hazardous chemicals, and reduce greenhouse gases.”

• Brunch: The Hop Knot (1000 Elm St., Manchester, 232-3731, hopknotnh.com) will host a drag brunch Sunday, Nov. 17, beginning at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. A diverse cast of performers from the New England area will put on show-stopping performances as you eat. Tickets are $25 through eventbrite.com.

Treasure Hunt 24/11/14

Hello, Donna.

Can you shed some light on these paintbrushes? Possibly for stenciling. They belonged to a member of my family who was a painter. They seem to not have much wear.

Any information would be helpful. Thank you in advance, Donna.

Linda

Dear Linda,

Your brushes are actually not for painting. They are antique Shaker clothes brushes, made to dust off clothing and coats. They are from the early 1900s and a lot of them made it through to today.

Possibly your family member used them for a purpose related to dust removal in painting. Being made of horsehair, they could be easily used for many purposes.

Most are used today for decorative purposes. The value on them is in the $50 range each to collectors. Thank you for sharing, Linda.

Donna Welch has spent more than 35 years in the antiques and collectibles field, appraising and instructing. Her new location is an Antique Art Studio located in Dunbarton, NH where she is still buying and selling. If you have questions about an antique or collectible send a clear photo and information to Donna at [email protected], or call her at 391-6550.

Kiddie Pool 24/11/14

Family fun for whenever

Bubbles!

• The Stockbridge Theatre (44 N. Main St. in Derry; stockbridgetheatre.showare.com, 358-5210) will present BubbleMania on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 2 p.m. This is a live experience where Casey Carle “will transform the theater into a whimsical wonderland, blending high-energy bubble performances with hands-on fun” in an immersive journey that’s perfect for kids and adults alike, according to the press release. “Featuring world-class bubble artists, BubbleMania is designed to mesmerize with tricks like giant bubbles you can stand inside, bubbles stacked like towers, and more unexpected twists that allegedly defy the laws of physics,” the release said. Tickets cost $20.

See a show

• The Bedford High School Theatre Company will present Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella at Bedford High School (47 Nashua Road in Bedford) this weekend on Friday, Nov. 15, and Saturday Nov. 16, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 17, at 2 p.m. and next weekend on Thursday, Nov. 21, and Saturday, Nov. 23, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 24, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $5 for students, $10 for seniors and $15 for adults. See seatyourself.biz//bedfordhigh for tickets and find the Bedford Theatre Co. on Facebook for more about the show.

• The Peacock Players will present their fall teen mainstage production of Mean Girls: High School Version, at Janice B. Streeter Theatre (14 Court St., Nashua) Friday, Nov. 15, through Sunday, Nov. 24. Shows are 7 p.m. on Fridays, 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets cost $15 and $18 for adults; $12 and $15 for students and seniors. See peacockplayers.org.

• Save the date for an early Nutcracker — The Nutcrackerwill be presented by Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater at Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org) Thursday, Nov. 21, through Sunday, Nov. 24. Zackery Betty-Neagle will reprise his role as the Nutcracker Prince and is currently the Artistic Director of NSquared Dance. Lori Mello, a regular guest artist with SNHDT and former Radio City Music Hall Rockette and Theater Artist, will join the cast as Mother Ginger, according to the press release. See snhdt.org for more about the dancers.

Be in a show

• Palace Youth Theatre will hold auditions for performers in grades 2 through 12 for its January production of Grease: School Version at Forever Emma Studios (516 Pine St., Manchester) on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 4, 5, 6 and 7 p.m., according to a press release. Audition participants will learn a dance and be asked to sing (a short section of a musical theater or Disney song), the release said. Rehearsals are typically on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays with some Monday rehearsals that will occur early in the rehearsal process, according to the press release. Performances at the Palace Theatre occur on Wednesday, Jan. 22, through Thursday, Jan. 23, and Wednesday, Jan. 29, through Thursdays, Jan. 30. To schedule an audition time, email [email protected] with performer’s name, age and preferred audition time.

Candy & games

• Chunky’s Cinemas (707 Huse Road in Manchester; chunkys.com) will host Movie Theater Candy Bingo on Friday, Nov. 15, at 6:30 p.m. Billed as family-friendly, the game will feature prizes for each round (boxes of movie theater candy) of at least eight rounds of bingo, according to the website. Doors open one hour before the start time. Bingo lasts about 90 minutes. Reserve a space for $10 and receive a $5 off virtual food voucher good for this event as Chunky’s food and drink menu will be available, according to the same release. One bingo card per customer.

Fundraising for the rest of us

The Junior Service League of Concord celebrates Festivus early

By Zachary Lewis
[email protected]

The 7th Annual Junior Service League of Concord Festivus: Backwoods Black Tie Edition takes place on Thursday, Nov. 14, at 6 p.m. at the Barn at Bull Meadow in Concord.

Ashley Miller is the President of the Junior Service League of Concord.

“We are a group of all-volunteer women. Most of us work full-time. Most of us are moms with careers. So we are a group of all-volunteer women who do this in our free time. We operate out of our homes, and we support women and children in crisis throughout the greater Concord area, and we do that via volunteer projects and fundraising,” Miller said.

One of those fundraising events is their Festivus event. “That’s one of our biggest fundraisers of the year. It’s held at the Barn at Bull Meadow…. It’s a huge silent auction. We’re sitting at, right now, over 80 silent auction items,“ she said.

Attendees will have a chance to win some enchanting items. “We’ve got a pair of Celtics tickets. We have plumbing services. We have tree removal services. We have a weekend away at an Airbnb up in Lincoln. We have our famous Junior Service League bucket of booze, which is exactly what it sounds like. We’ve got gift cards to local businesses. We’ve got gym memberships. Anything you can think of, we’ve got it,” Miller said.

Each Festivus is unique. “And this one is Backwoods Black Tie Edition. We always have a theme. So it’s denim on denim theme,” Miller said. Any type of denim combo or ensemble is welcomed. “We do have a prize for the most creative denim on denim outfit, so I don’t want to limit anyone.”

“I’ll give a speech about what we’re about, some of the things we fundraise for. You’ll hear from some of our grantees that we’ve granted to in the past about the work we’ve done with them. So it’s a really good time. But yes, there’s music, there’s dancing, there’s food, there’s drinks. We sell rum cakes,” she said.

These are no ordinary rum cakes. “We do make them. … They’re our famous JSL rum cake recipe, which has been around for a while,” Miller said. Those interested in the rum cakes must attend to receive them. “They’re great, and they’re great for the holidays. You can freeze them. Or if you’re like me, you can eat them over the weekend, because they’re that good.”

The music is a draw as well.

“We have live music. We have two performers. One is Ryan Williamson music and the other is the Eric Reingold Has Friends band and they both performed last year and were phenomenal.”

Even if all the rum cakes are gone, other options to eat exist.

“We have all of our food donated by local businesses and then there are beer, wine, and alcohol pours, again, all donated by our community partners.”

If you can make it, bring a buddy. “$30 for one ticket or two for $55. So grab a friend and save five bucks,” she said.

Those who can’t attend can still support the JSL and what they do.

“If you can’t make it to the event but you’re interested in supporting us, you can donate. We are on Venmo. We can take a card via our website. We have a donate button. If you’d like to join us out in the community, we do regular service projects, so feel free to reach out. We are happy to be involved and to get to know people and serve our community,” Miller said.

7th Annual Junior Service League of Concord Festivus: Backwoods Black Tie Edition
When: Thursday, Nov. 14, at 6 to 9 p.m.
Where: Barn at Bull Meadow, 63 Bog Road, Concord
Tickets: $30 or two for $55
jslconcord.org

Featured image: Courtesy photo.

The Art Roundup 24/11/14

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

• Twiggs closing: Twiggs Gallery will celebrate its art instructors with its final exhibition. The exhibition, “GLOW,” marks the gallery’s “farewell after an inspiring 10-year run,” with their doors closing on Dec. 14, according to a press release. The show “spotlights the diverse, heartfelt work of its dedicated art instructors,” the release said. The artists’ reception is on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Twiggs Gallery (254 King St., Boscawen; TwiggsGallery.org). In a statement, gallery owner Laura Morrison said, “This last exhibition is truly bittersweet. Our teachers have offered so many wonderful classes over the years, and we wanted to celebrate them by giving them an opportunity to show their favorite pieces of art. … It’s a beautiful and heartfelt exhibit.” Twiggs is open Thursday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.

• Ghosts before Christmas: On Friday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m. the Derry Opera House presents “The Fright Before Christmas,” a program exploring the many Yuletide monsters and legends that have almost been lost to the ages. The program is based on years of research by storyteller Jeff Belanger, looking at the history of the holiday and ghostly traditions such as the stories of Krampus, the Belsnickel, Tomtens, and Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, according to the website. Belanger is the Emmy-nominated host, writer and producer of the PBS and Amazon Prime series New England Legends and the weekly New England Legends podcast. Belanger does not recommend this program for a young audience. Participants will need to register via the Derry Public Library atderrypl.org. Visit derryoperahouse.org.

• Exhibit in Concord: Outer Space Arts (35 Pleasant St., Concord; outerspacearts.xyz) is showing an exhibit of work by Emma cc Cook & Em Kettner titled “Caterpillar” until Saturday, Jan. 18. Emma cc Cook graduated with a BFA in painting from University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and studied at the Angel Academy in Florence, Italy, according to the event page. Cook often combines dark paintings on canvas with abrupt insertions of walnut sticks, textural variations, and intriguing thematic ventures that are inspired by rural American West landscapes and the broad discourses surrounding identity, history, environment and erasure, according to the website. Outer Space will donate 5 percent of its profits from any sales of her work to a nonprofit of the artist’s choosing, according to the same website. The gallery is open Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to its Facebook page.

• Jazzing it up: Symphony New Hampshire and the Capitol Center for the Arts are teaming up for a three-part series of Illuminated Ensembles. American Standards is the first of the series; it will take place on Sunday, Nov. 17, at 4 p.m. at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord) and will feature Symphony New Hampshire’s Jazz Ensemble. This intimate and immersive experience will bring the Great American Songbook into a whole new light, according to the press release. Tickets are $37. Call the Capitol Center for the Arts box office at 225-1111 or visit ccanh.org.

• Wood and fiber: The Wood & Fiber Art exhibition featuring the works of Jim and Peg Doyle is open to the public during Gafney Library (14 High St., Sanbornville) hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 7 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Peg works with fabric and fiber art and Jim enjoys working with natural wood such as tree stumps, branches and burls, according to a press release. An artists’ reception woill be held on on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m. to noon.

• Beethoven: Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra Family Matinees Chamber Series’ next installment is “Adventures with Beethoven” on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 3 p.m. with the Essex Piano Trio to perform ‘The Archduke’ and other masterful works for piano, violin and cello at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, according to a press release. Admission is a suggested $15 per family donation at the door. Visit portsmouthsymphony.org.

Handmade treasures

Early holiday shopping at Form + Function Artisan Fair

By Michael Witthaus
[email protected]

For anyone shopping for a special gift and looking to bypass Amazon and big box stores, the upcoming Form + Function Artisan Fair at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth is the perfect choice. The sixth annual event will include an evening market for the first time, on Friday, Nov. 15, as well as an all-day affair on Saturday, Nov. 16.

The event brings together more than 20 artisans offering everything from pottery to jewelry, textile products such as scarves and winter caps, even cosmetics, handmade in New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts. As the name implies, it’s usable art for sale, with care and craftsmanship that should impress most gift recipients.

Artisans include Donna Pioli, whose Claypio coffee cups, vases, colanders and bowls have unique glaze profiles and fanciful touches such as flowers that resemble melted ribbon candy. Amy Vander Els makes jewelry; her Lottie Necklace is a gold chain with a pale yellow serpentine turquoise stone dangling from it.

The clothing offered by Larkin & Larkin can be hippie-inspired — its proprietor began selling her art in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. For example, there’s a denim jacket with an embroidery of a melding sun and moon as the centerpiece, but another has a country vibe, with Dolly Parton’s photo sewn on it.

Items vary in cost, 3S Arts Marketing Manager Sara O’Neill said by phone recently.

“It’s curated specifically to have kind of breadth in both the type of craft that people work on and also in price points,” she said. “In the ceramics category, we’ll have something in the $40 range, and it could go all the way up to $300. That swath also applies through jewelry. We have some glass-blowing crafts happening, and there’s range between those.”

There’s something for everyone, even those not interested in another cup or necklace, like Holmes and Hudson’s skincare products. “We actually carry them in our shop year-round, but I’m assuming they’ll bring some special things that normally we don’t carry,” O’Neill said. “Natural body products like soap and toners and hand creams, all of that kind of stuff.”

O’Neill is a fan of Off Menu Pots, a company that’s based in Portsmouth’s Button Factory. “I spend all of my money there every year at their booth,” she said. “I really love their large platters, and they do some small cups…. They have really great colorways, like a very terracotta kind of a blushy blue, and they draw florals and skulls, so it’s a little bit sweet and salty.”

The event provides an easy path to supporting the arts, O’Neill said.

“It focuses on the maker space versus what you might traditionally think of as visual arts, which we reserve for our exhibits in the gallery and the yard sale where artists submit 2D works,” she said. “This is more handmade categories versus painting, charcoal, that type of thing.”

It’s underwritten by 3S Arts’ five lead sponsors — AC Hotel, Katzman Contemporary Projects, MacEdge and Raka, all in Portsmouth, and The Brook Casino in Seabrook. “This is the third year in a row where they’ve chosen 3S as a beneficiary of their charitable gaming,” O’Neill said of The Brook, “and Katzman is a wonderful supporter of the arts, they have their own gallery… AC, MacEdge, Raka — it’s a wonderful group.”

Their support is vital, particularly at this moment.

“In this past year, hearing all of these stories of the art museum at UNH and the Mona Gallery, which has transitioned into another art gallery, but as a nonprofit going under. It’s a critical time if you don’t want to see these arts organizations go away,” she said. “It’s a critical time for us, for sure.”

Finally, the fair is a great way to keep giving local, and give back to the community. “Shopping for your loved ones this holiday season overrides that Black Friday feeling,” O’Neill said. “You’re getting something much more wonderful and original shopping at Form + Function. It’s Small Business Saturday — we kind of fall into that category.”

Form + Function Artisan Fair
When: Friday, Nov. 15, 5 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 16, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 3S Artspace, 319 Vaughan St., Portsmouth,
More: Free admission, details at 3sarts.org

Featured image: Courtesy Photo.

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