Tag: 250807

Acres of sunflowers

Find food, music and of course flowers at local farms

August is sunflower season and Greg and Amber Pollock, the owners of the 20-acre sunflower farm SunFox Farm in Concord, will host a Sunflower Blossom Festival for the next two weekends, Aug. 9 and Aug. 10, and Aug. 16 and Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. to 8:45 p.m.

Greg said he and his wife Amber were inspired to grow sunflowers by a trip to Italy.

“We were driving through these vast sunflower fields that were all past bloom,” he recalled. “Part of me just wanted to see that in all its glory. And then another part of me wanted to learn this new crop and new style of farming.”

The first year the Pollocks planted sunflowers, “as soon as they bloomed I was just blown away,” Greg said. “I threw a post out on Facebook and we had hundreds of people come through. That was the birth of our Sunflower Festival. It’s just grown ever since. This is our seventh year growing sunflowers.” From a simple invitation for friends to come look at the sunflowers, he said, the festival has grown quite a bit. “We just try to make it better and better every year.”

“Each day, we’ve got live musicians and food trucks and artisan vendors,” Greg said, “and paths through the field. We’ve got viewing decks to get you up high above the flowers. You can cut your own sunflowers as well and you’ll be surrounded by 500,000 blooms.”

“We’ll have over 20 vendors each weekend,” Amber added. “[Guests] can cut their own flowers. A lot of people will purchase lunch or dinner and hang out at some of our picnic tables. We set up yard games. So it’s sort of just a family day. You can go right into the field. We have the paths that are cut into the field that will get you right out into the middle of the farm. And we’ve got a nice big bridge that gets you 10 feet up, so you’re way above the flowers looking out, taking it all in and, you know, it’s truly an immersive experience.”

Ten miles away, in Canterbury, there will be a second sunflower celebration. Brookford Farm will host its annual Sunflower Soiree from Aug. 9 through Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

According to farm owner Luke Mahoney, this yearly event is a way to celebrate the short period between planting and harvesting crops.

“Every year we plant two and a half acres of sunflowers,” he said, “and we invite folks to come to the farm and enjoy the most beautiful time of the year. They can pick their own sunflowers and there is a sunflower stroll where we cut a path right through the field. There will be lots of photo opportunities and there is an observation tower that we built out of a shipping container where people can come up on top of. They’ll be standing 12 feet in the air, overlooking the sunflower field. And really, they’ll be overlooking the whole farm. We’re a 600-acre organic farm and the sunflowers are planted right in the middle of it. So from the tower you really get a good view of the whole farm.”

There will be farm-to-table food available, Mahoney said — both from the Brookford farm store, and hot prepared meals — as well as live music on the weekends, hands-on craft activities for children, a vendor market, and two cow parades daily. At 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., guests can watch the farm’s cows “marching” to and from their barn. “On the way out to pasture, and when they come back in for milking in the evening, they walk again through the event grounds,” Mahoney said.

And then, he pointed out, there is always a chance for an unexpected, value-added experience. “Last year, we had three or four calvings, live births happening during the event.”

SUNFLOWER FESTS
Coppal House Farm (118 N. River Road in Lee, 659-3572, nhsunflower.com) has ended its festival but is holding its Sunflower Variety Garden through Sunday, Aug. 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admision costs $6 per person 5+.

SunFox Farm’s (Gully Hill Road, Concord, 244-9888, sunfoxfarm.org) Sunflower Bloom Festival will take place Aug. 9, Aug. 10, Aug. 16 and Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Adult admission is $12 per day. Children 10 and under are free. Cut your own flowers, $2 per stem. Visit sunfoxfarm.org/sunflowerfestival.

Brookford Farm’s (250 West Road, Canterbury, 742-4084, brookfordfarm.com) Sunflower Soiree will take place Aug. 9 through Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. General admission tickets are $12.51 and children’s tickets are $9.31 through eventbrite.com. Visit brookfordfarm.com/store/product/sunflower-soiree.

Featured photo: Brookford Farm (courtesy).

The Weekly Dish 25/08/07

News from the local food scene

• More markets: The new Dunbarton farmers market takes place Fridays through Aug. 29, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Stark Farm (30 Stark Lane, Dunbarton). It will feature fresh produce, baked goods, handcrafted items and more.

• Charcuterie board building: Vine 32 Wine and Graze Bar (Bedford Square, 25 S. River Road, Bedford, 935-8464, vinethirtytwo.com) will host an interactive charcuterie workshop Sunday, Aug. 10, at 2:30 p.m. Each participant will receive a handcrafted wooden board to take home, three cheeses, two meats, crackers, spreads, nuts and more, as well as a $10 wine credit toward the self-pour wine machines, to use during the workshop. You can also bring a guest to share in the board-building for no additional charge. Tickets are $90 per board.

• Nashua Burger Month: August is Nashua’s third annual Burger Month. Featured burger makers for Week 2 include Fody’s Great American Tavern (9 Clinton St., Nashua, 577-9015, fodystavern.com) and The Hidden Pig (53 Main St., Nashua, 402-9640, thehiddenpig.com/nashua) until Sunday, Aug. 16, and Surf Seafood (207 Main St., Nashua, 595-9293, surfseafood.com) until Monday, Aug. 17. The Enjoy Nashua page on Facebook (from the city) will highlight and describe each week’s specialty burgers. Customers can snap a photo of their burger from a participating restaurant and post it with the tag #NashuaBurgerMonth (privacy set to Public) for a chance to win a $100 gift card to one of many Nashua establishments.

• Spice-lover’s dinner: LaBelle Winery Amherst (345 Route 101, Amherst, 672-9898, labellewinery.com) will host a Spice-Lover’s Four-Course Dinner on Friday, Aug. 8, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Each spicy course will be paired with one of LaBelle’s wines. Tickets are $109.86.

• Mousaka making: Join Ya Mas Greek Taverna & Bar (275 Rockingham Park Blvd., Salem, 635-4230, yamasnh.com) to learn how to make mousaka from Ya Mas’ secret family recipe. This class will include a detailed recipe and a hands-on lesson to make your own 9-by-14-inch pan of mousaka to take home and bake. Tickets are $108.55.

Kiddie Pool 25/08/07

Family fun for whenever

Rx for Teddy

• The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St., Dover, childrens-museum.org) will hold its annual Teddy Bear Clinic on Friday, Aug. 8, from 9 to 11 a.m. Kids can bring stuffed animals in for a checkup and learn more about what happens at the doctor’s office, according to the website. Admission costs $14.50 for everyone over 12 months, $12.50 for 65+ and free for kids under 12 months, the website said.

Family fun fests

• Hudson’s Old Home Days will take place Thursday, Aug. 7, to Sunday, Aug. 10, on the grounds of the Hill House (211 Derry Road, Hudson). There will be carnival games, live music, food, vendors, a craft fair, kids’ activities and more. Event times are Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m., Friday from 5 to 11 p.m., Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. See hudsonoldhomedays.com

• Salembration!, a celebration of the 275th birthday of Salem, New Hampshire, will take place on Geremonty Drive on Saturday, Aug. 9, from noon to 5 p.m. The event will feature food trucks, craft vendors and more, according to salemnh.gov/1096/salembration.

Kids beach week

• The Hampton Beach Children’s Festival is Monday, Aug. 11, through Friday, Aug. 15. The week features a slate of performances and activities every day. Some highlights: for Monday, wildlife encounters (2 p.m.), Blue Ocean Society Scavenger Hunt (3 p.m.) and a screening of Mufasa: The Lion King (7:45 p.m.); on Tuesday, free Buc’s Lagoon Mini Golf for ages 12 and under (12:30 p.m.), and a touch-a-truck with local first responders (3 p.m.); on Wednesday, “Ellen Goethel explores the ocean world” (11 a.m.) and fireworks (9:30 p.m., weather permitting), and on Thursday, balloon story telling (10 a.m.), Foo Family Band (1 p.m.) and ice cream with the lifeguards (3:30 p.m). The week wraps up on Friday with a parade at 10 a.m. (byo costume and participate) and a performance by Mr. Aaron at the Seashell at 11 a.m. All activities are free and open to the public. See the full schedule at hamptonbeach.org.

Treasure Hunt 25/08/07

Dear Donna,

I picked this platter up. I am aware it is ironstone and has some value. It is very discolored. It doesn’t have any damage I can see, though. My question is, can I use it and is it better just for decorative purposes?

Ashley

Dear Ashley,

Ironstone has been around since the early 1800s. It’s an earthenware, which is porous. If the original glaze finish has a slight crack or even a pin hole, moisture from using, washing etc. can get under the glaze and create what you’re seeing as discoloration.

Can you use it the way it is? Yes! It’s been used for many many years most likely in that condition. There are collectors who like that look and ones who won’t have them with any discoloration or damage. So you can decide which way you prefer it, Ashley.

But there are also ways you can get them whiter again. Not sure of exactly the mix but I know it’s peroxide and sunshine. I don’t find long-term it works if you continue to use it. Remember even though your platter looks not damaged, somewhere the glaze is.

Comedians, assemble!

Annual comedy festival brings together 31 local comedians for six days of laughs

Since it began in 2010, two constants have endured at the annual Hampton Beach Comedy Festival. Every night, two comedians contributed to the festivities: Jimmy Dunn, who created the six-night laugh fest as an excuse to have his friends come, hang out, eat barbecue and tell jokes; and ace booker Dave Rattigan.

This year, however, Dunn won’t be at the festival, because of a dream gig he did Aug. 1. Along with Jimmy Cash he co-headlined Casino Ballroom, a hometown venue where he’d once stood outside as a teenager, too young to get in, listening to legends like Richard Pryor and imagining a career of his own in comedy. So while its founder basks in the afterglow, the festival will carry on. Rattigan, for his part, anticipates a great time, with a few new faces appearing and a solid return lineup. His certainty is rooted as much in the mojo of the event as it is in the talent appearing at McGuirk’s Ocean View.

“Yes, there are great comedians and it’s a great lineup, but also just the vibe of the place is unlike any show I’ve been on,” he said recently. “There’s a really good connection between the audience and the comedians, and all of the comedians who come up want to come next year, and the next year, and the next year.”

Rattigan is looking forward to audiences seeing Tyler Hittner, a mobility-challenged comic who uses a walker.

“He’s incredibly likable, and really funny,” he said. “He uses his disadvantage to his advantage by making it funny, by including everybody in the joke. He laughs at the challenge, and we laugh with him.”

Kristy Kielbasinski, who was a late addition to last year’s festival, will host on Aug. 17. “She had these high heels,” Rattigan recalled. “It’s an outdoor event and she had to get up the steps at night. I kept thinking, I hope she doesn’t get one of those heels caught in the grooves between the planks on the stage. She didn’t, and had a great set.”

First-timer Jim Ruberti is another comic to be excited about. “He hosts a lot for me down the Cape,” Rattigan said, something he’ll do on Aug. 14. “We’re trying to put really good hosts on … they won’t be Jimmy, but they’ll be good. Jim Ruberti’s a really funny guy and a great host.”

Hampton Beach Comedy Festival
When: Tuesday, Aug. 12, through Sunday, Aug. 17, 8 p.m.
Where: McGuirk’s Ocean View Hotel, 95 Ocean Blvd., Hampton
Tickets: $23.18 per show at Eventbrite.com

Tuesday, Aug. 12
Jeff Koen hosts
Paul Gilligan, Will Noonan, Karen Morgan, Dave Rattigan, Ken Rogerson
Wednesday, Aug. 13
Brian Glowacki hosts
Carolyn Plummer, Nick ‘’Fitzy’’ Stevens, Dave Rattigan, Steve Scarfo, Jim Colliton
Thursday, Aug. 14
Jim Ruberti hosts
Kelly MacFarland, Mike Donovan, Paul D’Angelo, Paul Nardizzi, Dave Rattigan
Friday, Aug. 15
Steve Bjork hosts
Nick Gordon, Courtney Cronin, Mitch Stinson, Dave Rattigan, PJ Thibodeau
Saturday, Aug. 16
Jody Sloane hosts
Tony V, Dan Miller, Dave Rattigan, Tyler Hittner, Ryan Gartley
Sunday, Aug 17
Kristy Kielbasinski hosts
Dave Rattigan, Andrew Della Volpe, Ryan Ellington, Jason Merrill, Frank Santorelli of The Sopranos

Festival performers

Can’t catch them at the Festival? Many of these performers also have shows scheduled locally in the coming months.

• Steve Bjork (Friday, Aug. 15) is one of Boston’s best observational humorists and a big fan of his home base. He is known for his clean and funny style.

• Jim Colliton (Wednesday, Aug. 13) Married and raising three kids in the Boston suburbs, Jim keeps his comedy focused on dad life. Along with fellow comic Karen Morgan, he performs the theater show Lawn & Order. His DryBar Comedy special is “Please, Take the Lunch!”

• Paul D’Angelo (Thursday, Aug. 14) An ex-assistant district attorney and criminal-defense trial lawyer, D’Angelo is a fixture in A-list comedy clubs with nearly four decades of standup under his belt.

• Andrew Della Volpe (Sunday, Aug. 17) has appeared at Boston’s Comedy Attic as well as Manchester’s Shaskeen Pub and the Rex Theatre. From 2021 to 2023 he co-hosted a podcast, The Soft Boys, with HBCF favorite Will Noonan. Catch him Saturday, Aug. 9, at the Brook Showroom in Seabrook.

• Mike Donovan (Thursday, Aug. 14) is a mainstay in the Boston comedy world who’s also written several books, including one on U.S. history. “He’s not a normal guy, his head is not a casual head,” Steven Wright once said of Donovan. “He’s got like 18 Harvards up there.”

• Ryan Ellington (Sunday, Aug. 17) The new kid at last year’s festival, Ellington has a white mother and a Black dad, and he’s pale with curly red hair. He wins crowds with lines like, “I don’t look biracial, I look like I have a very complicated order at Starbucks.”

• Ryan Gartley (Saturday, Aug. 16) Gartley’s comedic style is characterized by quick, critical observations and dry, family-friendly humor. He’s appeared from Las Vegas to New York to Bangor, Maine.

• Paul Gilligan (Tuesday, Aug. 12) , aperennial Boston headliner, likes to riff on family life and his pale Irish heritage. “On summer vacations,” goes one joke, “I hide under the deck in a ski mask with 68 sunblock, wrapped in a towel.”

• Brian Glowacki (Wednesday, Aug. 13) has a secret weapon: a face that telegraphs mischief. When he pauses with a sly smirk during a joke setup, it’s like watching a Mento dropped into a bottle of Coke; audience laughter builds, then explodes.

• Nick Gordon (Friday, Aug. 15) has performed at Nick’s Comedy Stop in Boston, as well as the Vermont, the Bricks and Bridges and the Portland, Maine, comedy festivals. He’s a founding member and frequent performer at the Great Falls Comedy Club in Lewiston, Maine.

• Tyler Hittner (Saturday, Aug. 16) Suffering from viral meningitis and relying on a walker has never stopped the Rhode Island-based comic from lighting up stages. His charisma, charm and likability allow him to connect with all types of audiences.

• Kristy Kielbasinski (Sunday, Aug. 17)“Worcester’s Funniest Mom” draws from her life as a stay-at-home parent — she even wrote a children’s book. Her humor, she said a few years back, “is based on an exaggerated version of a desperate housewife who’s sick of her kids, sick of her husband, and it’s a little dark and twisted.”

• Jeff Koen (Tuesday, Aug. 12) regularly supports Juston McKinney at his shows, and performs throughout New England. Koen’s self-deprecating humor lands well with audiences. He had the role of Uncle Rick in the 2011 cult film Heavy Times.

• ​Kelly MacFarland (Thursday, Aug. 14) She’s opened for Kathleen Madigan on several occasions and launched the all-female Mother of a Comedy Show with Kerri Louise and Christine Hurley.

• Jason Merrill (Sunday, Aug. 17), a native of Lawrence, Mass., became a comedian at age 41. Getting on the bill at a few of Dave Rattigan’s Scamps shows accelerated his rise, and now he’s a regional favorite, with an act described as “one part Saturday-morning cartoon character and one part pro-wrestler.”

• Dan Miller (Saturday, Aug. 16) Boston native Miller was “born a comedian but made it official in 1992.” He’s shared stages with local and national headliners like Lenny Clarke, Dane Cook and Dave Attell.

• Karen Morgan (Tuesday, Aug. 12) is a former trial attorney who got her start as a finalist on Nickelodeon’s Search for the Funniest Mom in America. She has two Dry Bar Comedy specials and frequently can be heard on SiriusXM Radio.

• Graig Murphy (Friday, Aug. 15) began in comedy using his impressions of sports and television personalities but has now grown into a national headliner with a quick-witted act of everyday humor.

• Paul Nardizzi (Thursday, Aug. 14) A winner of the Boston Comedy Festival, Nardizzi has appeared on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Comedy Central, NESN and on Fox Sports’ Best Damn Sports Show Period. He offers observational humor about his family life, sports and more.

• Will Noonan (Tuesday, Aug. 12) Noonan, whose Live In Boston YouTube special dropped in 2024, made an impression on festival organizer Dunn at his initial HBCF appearance, and now he’s a regular. “The first time Will came up, he was wearing a suit,” Dunn recalled. “I was like, ‘Oh, I like this kid’s style already.’”

• Carolyn Plummer (Wednesday, Aug. 13) appeared at Denis Leary’s annual Comics Come Home benefit in 2022. A New Hampshire native — she grew up in Wolfeboro, a minister’s daughter — Plummer got into comedy after responding to an ad.

• Dave Rattigan (all nights) “He looks like a cross between a semi-hip banker and your mild-mannered father-in-law,” blogger Ralph Fatello once said.

• Ken Rogerson (Tuesday, Aug. 12) is a veteran of Rescue Me as well as When Standup Stood Out, a great documentary about Boston’s comedy heyday in the early ’80s. He’s a favorite of Dunn’s, who said, “I legitimately find him one of the funniest people on the planet…”

• Jim Ruberti (Thursday, Aug. 14) has appeared with headliners such as Lenny Clarke, Steve Sweeney, Paul Nardizzi, Mike McDonald, Dave Rattigan and Steve Bjork.

• Frank Santorelli (Sunday, Aug. 17) Best-known for playing the recurring role of “Georgie the Bartender” in The Sopranos and acting in numerous movies, including No Reservations, Meet the Parents and Crooked Lines.

• Steve Scarfo (Wednesday, Aug. 13) came up in the Boston club scene and once took part in a funny mashup of Survivor and Last Comic Standing that still gets YouTube hits. He started doing standup almost 30 years ago and was noticed by The Boston Globe on his first performance.

• Jody Sloane (Saturday, Aug. 16) is a regular at Headliners throughout New England, Gotham Comedy Club in New York City, Nick’s Comedy Stop, plus roadhouses, Elks Clubs and dives from Portland to New York.

• Nick “Fitzy” Stevens (Wednesday, Aug. 13) Well-known for his drive-time show on WEEI Sports Radio in Boston, Stevens’ passion for his teams, comedy and seeking the approval of strangers led him to create an alter ego named, Fitzy, a satire of and love letter to the foul-mouthed fans he attended Boston sports with growing up.

• Mitch Stinson (Friday, Aug. 15) Ex-Navy jet pilot with more than 200 carrier landings during his career, he’s now a comedian. He appears at venues all over New England.

• P.J. Thibodeau (Friday, Aug. 15) Rhode Island-based comedian known for quick wit, blue-collar charm and sharp observational humor.

•Tony V. (Saturday, Aug. 16) A national headliner who’s appeared on late night television and shared the stage with everyone from Steven Wright to Adam Sandler, he’s a Boston comedy legend, and also Jimmy Dunn’s best friend. Catch him Saturday, Aug. 9, at the Brook Showroom in Seabrook.

Season of laughs

Where to find inland comedy

Thursday, Aug. 7
R-Rated Hypnotist Frank Santos Jr. LaBelle Derry, labellewinery.com

Friday, Aug. 8
Jerry Seinfeld at BankNH Pavilion in Gilford, banknhpavilion.com)
Brad Williams (2 shows) at Capitol Center in Concord, ccanh.com

Saturday, Aug. 9
Steve Sweeney & Friends at Beans & Greens in Gilford beansandgreensfarm.com

Saturday, Aug. 16
Vic DiBitetto at Nashua Center for the Arts in Nashua, nashuacenterforthearts.com

Friday, Aug. 22
Tom Cotter at Chunky’s in Manchester, chunkys.com
Jody Sloane, Rob Steen & Greg Boggis at Peterborough Community Theatre, headlinersnh.com

Saturday, Aug. 23
Ken Rogerson & Friends at Averill House in Brookline, averillhousevineyard.com
Jody Sloane at Headliners in Manchester, headlinersnh.com

Saturday, Sept. 6
Steve Hofstetter at Rex Theatre in Manchester, palacetheatre.org

Saturday, Sept. 13
Matt Berry at Chunky’s in Manchester, chunkys.com
Bob Marley (2 shows) at Flying Monkey in Plymouth, flyingmonkeynh.com
Tim McKeever at Headliners in Manchester, headlinersnh.com
Queen City Improv at Rex Theatre in Manchester, palacetheatre.org

Wednesday, Sept. 17
Jody Sloane, Pat Napoli, Rob Steen at Stark Brewing (500 Commercial St., Manchester, headlinersnh.com)

Friday, Sept. 19
Nurse Blake at Capitol Center in Concord, ccanh.com
Piff the Magic Dragon at Nashua Center for the Arts, nashuacenterforthearts.com

Saturday, Sept. 20
Lenny Clarke & Tim McKeever at Chunky’s in Manchester, chunkys.com
Mark Scalia at Headliners in Manchester, headlinersnh.com

Friday, Sept. 26
Matt Friend at Capitol Center in Concord, ccanh.com
Peter Lui & Rob Steen at Liquid Therapy in Nashua, headlinersnh.com

Saturday, Sept. 27
Stand Up Dads – Mike Koutrobis & Steve Bjork at Averill House in Brookline, averillhousevineyard.com
Kevin James (2 shows) at Capitol Center in Concord, ccanh.com
Funny Women of a Certain Age w/ Carole Montgomery, Leighann Lord and Julia Scotti at Flying Monkey in Plymouth, flyingmonkeynh.com
James Dorsey at Headliners in Manchester, headlinersnh.com
Kerri Louise, Christine Hurley, Kathe Ferris at Rex Theatre in Manchester, palacetheatre.org
Mark Riley at Chunky’s in Manchester, chunkys.com

Saturday, Oct. 4
Jimmy Cash at Flying Monkey in Plymouth, flyingmonkeynh.com
Mark Riccadonna at Chunky’s in Manchester, chunkys.com

Saturday, Oct. 11
Steve Bjork at Headliners in Manchester, headlinersnh.com
Jody Sloane at Chunky’s in Manchester, chunkys.com

Friday, Oct. 17
John Cleese of Monty Python at Capitol Center in Concord, ccanh.com

Saturday, Oct. 18
Frank Santorelli at Headliners in Manchester, headlinersnh.com
Juston McKinney (2 shows) at Palace Theatre in Manchester, palacetheatre.org
Mark Scalia at Chunky’s in Manchester, chunkys.com
Christopher Titus at Tupelo Music Hall in Derry, tupelohall.com

Friday, Oct. 24
Tim McKeever & Pat Napoli at Liquid Therapy in Nashua, headlinersnh.com

Saturday, Oct. 25
Brian Beaudion at Chunky’s in Manchester, chunkys.com
Joey Carroll at Headliners in Manchester, headlinersnh.com
Emily Ruskowski & guest comedians at Averill House in Brookline, averillhousevineyard.com

Thursday, Oct. 30
Craig Ferguson at Nashua Center for the Arts, nashuacenterforthearts.com

Friday, Oct. 31
Tim Hayes/Teddy Smith at the Rex in Manchester, palacetheatre.org

Saturday, Nov. 1
Steve Bjork at Chunky’s in Manchester, chunkys.com

Saturday, Nov. 8
Bob Marley at Capitol Center in Concord, ccanh.com
Will Noonan at Chunky’s in Manchester, chunkys.com

Saturday, Nov. 15
Frank Santorelli at Chunky’s in Manchester, chunkys.com

Friday, Nov. 21
Matt Berry & Shawn Ruiz at Liquid Therapy in Nashua, headlinersnh.com

Saturday, Nov. 22
Joe Carroll at Chunky’s in Manchester, chunkys.com

Saturday, Nov. 29
Juston McKinney at Flying Monkey in Plymouth, flyingmonkeynh.com)
Carolyn Plummer at Chunky’s in Manchester, chunkys.com

Saturday, Dec. 6
Jim Gaffigan at SNHU Arena in Manchester, snhuarena.com

This Week 25/08/07

Thursday, Aug. 7

The New Hampshire Antiques Show, hosted by the New Hampshire Antique Dealers Association, returns to the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown (700 Elm St., Manchester) today through Saturday, Aug. 9. Nearly 60 professional antiques dealers will exhibit their collections of antique furniture, art, jewelry and more. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $15 on Thursday, and $10 on Friday and Saturday; return visits are free. Visit nhada.org.

Saturday, Aug. 9

The Friends of the Library of Hudson, New Hampshire will hold an “Everything Must Go” Second Hand Prose book sale today, and tomorrow, Sunday, Aug.10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Hills Library Building (18 Library St, Hudson). There will be books for all ages, from 25 cents to $2, as well as CDs and DVDs for $1. Cash or checks only. Find them on Facebook.

Saturday, Aug. 9

It’s the Second Saturday, which means free admission at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester for New Hampshire residents today 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. See currier.org.

Sunday, Aug. 10

Today is the final day of the League of NH’s Craftsmen’s annual fair at Mount Sunapee Resort in Newbury. The fair is open daily through today, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. See nhcrafts.org/annual-craftsmens-fair or see our story on the fair in last week’s (July 31) issue of the Hippo. Digital issues of the paper are at hippopress.com; the story is on page 10.

Sunday, Aug. 10

Check out Studio Two, a tribute to the Beatles’ early career, when this quartet plays the Stark Park bandstand (550 River Road, Manchester) today at 2 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

Monday, Aug. 11

There will be an information night this evening from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for anyone interested in auditioning for an upcoming production of The Addams Family Musicalby the Community Players of Concord (435 Josiah Bartlett Road, Concord, 224-4905, communityplayersofconcord.org). Auditions will be held on Aug. 17 and Aug. 18. Visit the Community Players’ website.

Tuesday, Aug. 12

Iconic rock foursome Stryper will take the stage at the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St., Derry, 437-5100, tupelomusichall.com) tonight at 8 p.m., on their 40th Anniversary Tour, celebrating the release of the band’s 16th studio project, When We Were Kings. Tickets are $55.

Wednesday, Aug. 13

Londonderry’s Old Home Days kick off today and run through Saturday, Aug. 16. Tonight’s happenings include Senior Night Bingo & Barbecue at Lions Hall Pavilion and, fresh from Sunday, a performance by Studio Two at 7 p.m. at the Town Commons. See londonderrynh.gov for a full schedule

Save the Date! Sept. 19
The Granite State Comic Con is just a little more than a month away but you can get tickets (as well as merch, such as a Back to the Future-style Back to Granitecon shirt) now for the event, which kicks off Friday, Sept. 19, with a preview night and an 8-Bit Karaoke Bash at Strange Brew followed by the convention itself Saturday, Sept. 20, and Sunday, Sept. 21, at DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown and the nearby SNHU Arena. Guests for the event include actors, comic creators, game creators, cosplayers and more. Find vendors and exhibitors covering all things comic book and pop culture. Advance tickets include single day admission for Saturday or Sunday, weekend admission, Friday preview only and a VIP that comes with a swag bag. See granitecon.com to purchase tickets, see the line-up of guests and to see a layout of the convention.

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