Spontaneity: Weekend of November 17 – 19, 2023

Check out what's going on this weekend (and this weekend only) across the Granite State

Are you itching to get out and try something new, but aren’t sure where to look and what to do? Have no fear, “Spontaneity” is here! In this series, we provide a region-by-region breakdown of events and activities from across the Granite State that you won’t want to miss. From arts and crafts, to hole-in-the-wall music venues, our short list will have something for everyone, no matter what you’re looking to do. If you see something you like, make sure you act fast- we’re only looking at what’s going on this weekend.

Seacoast:

Souls A’Gathered in Freedom
Nov. 18, 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
South Church
292 State Street, Portsmouth

Celebrate the fall with Voices from the Heart! Spend your evening with singing, dancing, songs of freedom, peace, joy and of course, love!

“We can’t stop singing these terrific songs from South African, Gospel, and Native American traditions. We’re singing songs that keep us dancing, moving, and moved!,” exclaims Voices’ Director, Joanne Connolly. “We’ve also dug into some terrific songs by young women singer-songwriters from California to Canada…. great music and inspiring lyrics! And, dancing! There’ll be some great African dance, choreographed by Liz Fowler, and inspired by South Africa’s Soweto Gospel Choir.”

Great New England Holiday Craft and Artisan Show
Nov. 18 and 19, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.
The RIM Sports Complex
311 Winnacunnet Road, Hampton

At The Great New England Craft & Artisan Shows, they’re passionate about finding the high quality affordable handmade products. Their shows offer a unique shopping experience with food, music, raffles, door prizes, samples, cocktails and thousands of handmade wares and specialty foods. The best part? Everything is made by the hands and with the heart.

Merrimack Valley:

The Hunger Games Nerf Battle
Nov. 18, 2 p.m.- 4 p.m.
The Chester Public Library
64 Chester Street, Chester

The Multi-Purpose Room will become the arena for an epic Nerf battle inspired by The Hunger Games! Are you ready to channel your inner Katniss or Peeta? Grab your friends and Nerf guns, and get ready to battle it out in a thrilling and action-packed event. Whether you’re a fan of the books or movies, this event is perfect for all Hunger Games enthusiasts. Test your skills, strategize, and show off your aim as you compete against other tributes. With various challenges, this Nerf battle is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to experience the thrill of The Hunger Games in real life. Mark your calendars and get ready to bring your A-game. May the odds be ever in your favor!

*Bring your own nerf gun. Please label your nerf darts with your name. Extra darts will be provided. Safety goggles must be worn and will be provided. Parents must sign a waiver at the event. This event is for ages 10-18.

Genealogy Workshop: Tracing Ancestors on the Move
Nov. 18, 1 a.m.- 4 p.m.
New Hampshire Historical Society
30 Park Street, Concord

Our ancestors moved near and far seeking economic opportunities, religious freedom, and connections with friends and family. These mobile ancestors, however, are notoriously difficult to track. We might have an ancestor in our sights and then—poof!—they’re gone. Or we may have an ancestor for whom we have no idea where they came from. Genealogist Ann G. Lawther of the New England Historic Genealogical Society offers context and motivations for migrations across America in the 17th through 20th centuries, strategies for discovering ancestral origins and movements, and provides tools, including go-to sources, to help track your family on the move. The cost of this workshop is $35 for members of the New Hampshire Historical Society or the New England Historic Genealogical Society; $50 for nonmembers. Space is limited and registration is required.

Monadnock:

NH Fiddle Madness
Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
The Monadnock Center for History and Culture
19 Grove St., Peterborough

New Hampshire Fiddle Madness returns to Bass Hall with an enchanting and energetic program of Celtic and New England fiddle music. The band features the best of New Hampshire’s traditional musicians: Skip Gorman, Jane Orzechowski, Sarah Bauhan, Randy Miller, Nat Backes, and Gordon Peery. The Bass Hall programs are predictably fun and engaging, but always with some surprise! This year, New Hampshire Fiddle Madness offers two shows on Nov. 17 and Nov. 18. Fiddle Madness always sells out, so get your tickets ASAP!

Studio Two: Beatles Tribute
Nov. 18, 8 p.m.
The Park Theater
19 Main Street, Jaffery

Unlike other Beatle Tribute acts that try to deliver the entire Beatles catalog in single two-hour show, STUDIO TWO concentrates only on the most exciting and fun time in The Beatles career: The club and touring years. These are the years where people actually saw them play. The years where The Beatles crafted their sound, and their stage performance-and the years where they took the world by storm, and changed everything.

Lakes:

12^th Annual Meredith Community Craft Fair
Nov. 18, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Meredith Community Center
One Circle Drive, Meredith

The premise of this craft fair is homemade/handmade crafts, foods and items – we are looking to help local crafters while stimulating the economy and giving back to our community! This craft fair has provided many local, as well as non-local crafters with the opportunity to share their talents with the general public, and it is a wonderful opportunity to browse all the amazing, unique handmade items that make for great gift giving ideas for loved ones! Over the last 11 years, Meredith Parks & Recreation has had the pleasure of various artists participating including woodworking, knitters, painters, crafters, jewelers, bakers, photographers and musicians as well as many others, and we look forward to many more this year! The Afterschool Program through the Parks & Recreation Department has a crucial role in all of our craft fairs from helping set up, making baked goods to sell, selling raffle tickets, making crafts to sell to raise money for special events and trips, greeting patrons as they arrive and offering coffee to all of our vendors. Once again this year they will be helping out with the baked goods sale as well as some small savory items such as soups and crop pot items! Come enjoy all the crafts and handmade items, enjoy a bowl of soup or a few cookies and coffee, browse the raffle table to see what you would like to try to win! We have a full line up of over 30 vendors with some amazing handmade products! We are looking forward to another fun Community Craft Fair and can’t wait to spend it with you, whether you’re a vendor or a patron!

Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band
Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m.
The Flying Monkey
39 Main St., Plymouth

Dartmouth/Sunapee:

Dice Goblin Festival
Nov. 19, 3 p.m
The Fourth Place
3 Lebanon Street (Second Floor), Hanover

It’s official— The Fourth Place’s dice goblins now have their own monthly event! All dice games are free to play and all dice sets 10% off. If you donate a 7-dice set, you’ll receive a day pass for free. Dice goblins from far and wide are invited to bring your favorite dice to show-and-tell, and your less-favorite dice to Swap And Smell.

Survive and Thrive Book Event with Bill Fulton
Nov. 19, 1 p.m.- 4 p.m.
Books-A-Million
200 South Main Street, Lebanon

Come join us for an exciting book event with acclaimed author Bill Fulton! Discover the secrets to surviving and thriving in today’s fast-paced world. With his insightful book, Bill Fulton provides practical tips and strategies to help you navigate life’s challenges and achieve personal success. During this in-person event, you’ll have the opportunity to meet Bill Fulton and hear him speak about his latest book. Get inspired as he shares his personal experiences and offers valuable advice on how to overcome obstacles and reach your full potential. Whether you’re seeking motivation, guidance, or simply a chance to connect with like-minded individuals, this event is perfect for you. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn from a renowned author and gain valuable insights that can transform your life.

White Mountains:

North Country Chamber Players presents “European Treasures- An Exploration of Mozart, Brahms and Shostakovich”
Nov. 18, 3 p.m.- 5 p.m.
The Omni Mount Washington Resort
310 Mount Washington Hotel Rd, Bretton Woods

Join the The North Country Chamber Players as they take you  through compositions from Mozart, Brahms, and Shostakovich. Players from across the country will make their way back to the North Country for this special performance weekend. Recognized as one of New England’s finest musical ensembles for over 45 years, the North Country Chamber Players combines the talents of principal players from internationally renowned orchestras and chamber groups. Their world-class performances of old and new classics have made them a fixture of northern New Hampshire.

Dylan Patrick Ward’s Lovable Losers with Trevor Robinson and Ian Galipeau
Nov. 18, 8 p.m.
The Loading Dock
35 Mill Street, Suite D, Littleton

Dylan Patrick Ward is a folk misfit for our absurd times. Equal parts compassionate and irreverent, his songs use catchy melodies and blunt, storytelling lyricism to weave tales of outcasts, oddballs, and people on the brink. Trevor Robinson… Folk Music. Folk Not Music. Ancient Sanskrit Instruction Manuals Translated in Sign Language. Transcriptions of Songs of Trees. Radio Static. Wool Sock Static. Matter. Anti-Matter. Does it Matter? The Mating Calls of Extinct Insect Species. Whispered Recitations of Unrecorded Holland-Dozier-Holland Compositions. The Last Will And Testament Of The Last Android Pressed to Acetate Played Backwards. Ian Galipeau is an indie-rock songwriter for hopeful cynics. If you cry at It’s A Wonderful Life, despise every TV news channel, and have a moderate-but-not-crippling sense of anxiety about climate change, there’s a good chance you’ll appreciate his lyrics. And his lyrics are where his obsession lies – he is not an artist who can just write a simple love song, or a breakup song. He’s compelled, for better or worse, to use songs to explore something out-of-the-ordinary.

Great North Woods:

Live Music at the 1840 Restaurant
Nov. 17 and Nov. 18, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
8 Back Lane, Pittsburg

This weekend, stop by the 1840 for some delicious pizza, and live performances by Garrett Smith and Dakota Smart.

Tom DiManna sings Gordon Lightfoot
Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m.
Court Street Arts
75 Court Street, Haverhill

Come get your friends together and experience a night of Gordon Lightfoot’s classic tunes performed by Maine-based singer/songwriter, Tom DiMenna. The evening will be packed with nostalgia, storytelling, and fun music. You may even be moved to sing along, or at least hum! DiMenna’s impressive vocal range and guitar style have been perfected with decades of stage performances. He has been entertaining audiences with his tribute show up and down the Maine Coast and now he’s coming to you. Now is your chance to see what all the buzz is about. The legend lives on!

Have an event we should know about or that should be considered for the next edition of “Spontaneity”? Shoot me an email at EGonzalesVerdi@nhmagazine.com