The 10 Best Free Events Happening in March

Tired of looking outside and seeing only white, gray and brown? Change your scenery and check out Patio Life at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth. Photo by James Collins/Courtesy of Organizer Carrie Lederer, Curator of Exhibitions, Bedford Gallery Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, California

Cut Up/Cut Out, Exeter, March 1-4

From an excavated comic book to a hand-cut decorative rubber tire, the works in this exhibit use historical techniques of paper cutting to reflect contemporary concerns in transformative ways. It features over 50 artists working across the United States and internationally who repurpose items such as leaves, Tyvek, maps, plywood and cash register rolls to reimagine the world. Artists, including Charles Clary and Nikki Rosato, use a variety of methods to produce their work, from cutting shapes by hand to creating intricate, large-scale works with computer-aided design software and plasma cutters. exeter.edu

Patio Life, Portsmouth, March 1-29

At this unique exhibit, explore the world of insects. All of the photos were taken outdoors on artist James Collins’ backyard or front porch as a way to remember that “you don’t have to travel far to find neighbors if you look close enough.” Patio Life features over 20 large-format reproductions of macro life, an overhead map showing the locations of where the insects were photographed, identification guide and his fun fact photo book. (603) 766-3330; 3sarts.org

“Semicolon”, Concord, March 2

Gibson’s Book Club will be reading “Semicolon: The Past, Present, and Future of a Misunderstood Mark” by Cecelia Watson for the month of March. The book club is open to all, and it will be democratically run by the participants. Join the club for every meeting, or deal yourself in as the spirit moves you.  (603) 224-0562; gibsonsbookstore.com

Songs of Emigration: Storytelling Through Traditional Irish Music, Rye, March 4

Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki relays some of the adventures, misadventures and emotions experienced by Irish emigrants. The focus is on songs about leaving Ireland, some are about the reasons for leaving (a man who is driven from his land by English persecution), sometimes they reveal what happened upon arrival (an immigrant drafted into the Union army during the Civil War) and sometimes they explore the universal feeling of homesickness of a stranger in a strange land (a factory worker in London missing his home in County Clare). The presenter discusses the historical context of these songs, interspersing their stories with tunes from Ireland that made their way into New England’s musical repertoire, played on his fiddle or guitar. nhhumanities.org 

Ann Steuernagel, Bethlehem, March 6-29

This exhibit features the works of experimental filmmaker and sound artist Ann Steuernagel. It consists of films, sound, nonelectric movies and small sculptures that explore the frailty of the human body, subtle human gestures and the aural world. 42maple.org

The Making of Strawbery Banke, Bow, March 16

Local legend says Strawbery Banke Museum began when a Portsmouth librarian gave a rousing speech in 1957. The backstory, however, is richly complex. This is a dramatic tale of economics, urban renewal, immigration, and historic architecture in New Hampshire’s only seaport. J. Dennis Robinson, author of an award-winning “biography” of the 10-acre Strawbery Banke campus, shares the history of “America’s oldest neighborhood.” nhhumanities.org (Editor’s note: Check out J. Dennis Robinson’s March issue feature story on the history of The Music Hall. We best even its most loyal patrons don’t know all 10 of these facts.)

NH Maple Weekend Open House, Tamworth, March 21-22

It’s maple month here in New Hampshire, and the 25th annual NH Maple Weekend takes place March 21-22. While there are a number of fantastic open house events happening this weekend, we are partial to the open house at the Remick Museum in Tamworth. Head to this beautiful town and learn about the historic maple sugaring process as well as modern day techniques. While you’re there, be sure to pop in and say hello to the farm animals and enjoy the grounds. remickmuseum.org.

Canterbury Maple Festival, Canterbury, March 21-22

Enjoy a weekend in Canterbury celebrating the sweetest month of the year. Tour sugar houses, artisans’ shops, and visit the Canterbury Shaker Village for a weekend of historic and modern activities. You also have the option to stay the night and enjoy warm hospitality. Participants will include Hill’s Corner Shack, Lamb’s Maple Syrup, Canterbury AleWords, Fox Country Smoke House LLC, Brookford Farm and many more.  canterburymaplefestival.com

St. Patrick’s Parade, Manchester, March 29

When Irish eyes are smiling … it’s usually because they’re having fun for free. This longstanding Queen City tradition celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with bagpipe bands, parading fire and police brigades, and more men in kilts than you’ll see all year. Pull up a lawn chair and enjoy — and if you indulge in a Guinness-fueled brunch before the noon kickoff, your secret’s safe with us. saintpatsnh.com

 Take a hike!

Spring is here! Pick a sunny day this month — there are bound to be a few scattered between mid-March clouds and the last gasps of snow — and celebrate the season with a hike on one of New Hampshire’s mountain or flatland trails. Here are a few of our favorite trails to try, and here are some tips for getting the whole family ready for a day in the great outdoors.