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! Every week, 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:
Club 3S: Wintery Mix -All Request Dance and Karaoke Party
Dec. 1, 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
3S Artspace
319 Vaughan Street, Portsmouth
The weather forecast this December at CLUB 3S is a Wintry Mix in this all-request dance and karaoke party! You are driving the sleigh. Or should we say slay?! Get here early: 8 – 9pm, DJ Skooch will spin a flurry of chill holiday tunes, while taking your song requests and sign-ups for karaoke! 9 – 12pm, lose the hat and gloves and build a toasty fire on the dance floor! Karaoke performances from those who signed up will drift in throughout the night. This event is 21+.
Brutal Death Metal in Dirty Dover
Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m.
Flight Coffee House
478 Central Ave., Dover
Head on over to Flight Coffee House for a hardcore night of death metal and slam. Get ready to rage (while respecting each other and the space) with Permanent Disfigurement, Wretched Inferno and Respitory Secretion.
Merrimack Valley:
Indigo Girls
Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m.
The Chubb Theatre at CCA
44 S. Main St., Concord
Released in 1989, Indigo Girls’ eponymous major label debut sold over two million copies under the power of singles “Closer to Fine” and “Kid Fears” and turned Indigo Girls into one of the most successful folk duos in history. Over a thirty-five-year career that began in clubs around their native Atlanta, Georgia, the multi-Grammy-winning duo of Emily Saliers and Amy Ray has recorded sixteen studio albums, sold over 15 million records, and built a dedicated, enduring following across the globe. Rolling Stone describes them as the “ideal duet partners.” Committed and uncompromising activists, they work on issues like immigration reform (El Refugio), LGBTQ advocacy, education (Imagination Library), death penalty reform, and Native American rights. They are co-founders of Honor the Earth, a non-profit dedicated to the survival of sustainable Native communities, Indigenous environmental justice, and green energy solutions. Their latest record, “Look Long” is a stirring and eclectic collection of songs that finds the duo of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers reunited in the studio with their strongest backing band to date.
Buffet and Meat Raffle Benefit for Toys for Tots
Dec. 1, 6 p.m.
Hudson Memorial VFW Post 5791
15 Bockes Road, Hudson
Traditionally, Hudson VFW Post 5791 holds a Toys for Tots Dinner Dance benefit each year. However, because of a scheduling conflict, this year we are holding a special Meat Raffle on Friday, Dec. 1 that will actually be a combination of our normal Meat Raffle, a buffet dinner, and a raffle for donated prizes! In the past, this hugely popular event has raised over $10,000 yearly for Toys for Tots from ticket sales for raffle prizes donated by local businesses. This promises to be a fun evening! Not only can you win Meat Raffle prizes, but an exciting prize as well when you buy tickets for the prize raffle. A cash bar will be available throughout the event.
Monadnock:
Fabric and Fiber Art Support Group
Dec. 3, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
United Church of Christ
23 Central Square, Keene
You know who you are – you have a bazillion fiber and/or fabric-based projects in various stages of completion. You love crochet, knitting, mending, spinning, and all things fiber and fabric based. This club is for you! Looking to sew a patch or replace a button? Lots of fabric swatches & buttons available on location for you to mix and match, along with needles, thread & embroidery floss. Whether you’re struggling with a project, pattern, lacking motivation or just need some time to work in like-minded company, this space is here to support YOU. Coffee, tea and conversation amply provided the first Sunday of the month.
Poetry Open Mic at the Root
Nov. 30, 6:30 p.m.
The Root
93 State Route 101, Temple
Come to Poetry at The Root to read poems and listen to great poetry at a feel-good venue. Read your own poems, read poems by other people, or just listen and absorb! All are welcome, whether you want to read or just enjoy The Root’s amazing food and drink—and there’s always a fun, homely mood. We hope you’ll come join us!
Lakes:
Hobbs Tavern and Brewing Co. Charcuterie Class
Dec. 2, 4p.m.- 6 p.m.
Hobbs Tavern and Brewing Company
2415 White Mountain Hwy, West Ossipee
Make salami roses, kiwi flowers, salami ribbon, cut and arrange cheeses in different ways, and learn about all these local NH charcuterie products we will be using on your boards and get even more samples of local NH products too! Hopefully you can get some laughs in and enjoy the informative, yet fun, evening! When we are done, you may enjoy another beer and enjoy your board, or wrap it up and take it home to enjoy.
Holiday Stroll
Dec. 1, 3:30 p.m.- 8 p.m.
Various locations, Franklin
The Holiday Stroll returns with a trip to Santa’s Workshop at Bessie Rowell Community Center, a parade with Santa, Christmas Caroling and Tree Lighting at Marceau Park (6:30pm), Holiday Wagon Rides and more. Following the Tree Lighting, walk down to the Unitarian Church for the opening of the Festival of Trees.
Dartmouth/Sunapee:
Holiday Craft Fair
Dec. 2, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Webster Town Hall
945 Battle St., Webster
Come join us for this spectacular holiday event! With several vendors upstairs and downstairs there should be something for everyone including a raffle. There will also be refreshments, baked goods and lunch.
Celebrate the Season: Hands-on Art-Making
Dec.1, 4 p.m.- 6 p.m.
Hood Museum of Art
6 E Wheelock St., Hanover
Stop by the Russo Atrium anytime during the program to participate in art making and enjoy cookies and cider as part of Hanover’s annual Celebrate the Season event! Galleries are open as usual!
White Mountains:
Live Music at the Woodstock Inn
All weekend, 8:30 p.m.- 11:30 p.m..
The Woodstock Inn
135 Main Street, North Woodstock
Every weekend, the Woodstock Inn puts together a musical lineup that will lift your spirits and get you on your feet! On Friday, stop by the Inn to see Fatback, and on Saturday swing by for Granite 5.0!
‘Tis the Season Gnome, a Paint & Sip event with Lisa
Dec. 1, 6 p.m.
Littleton Studio School
23 Ammonoosuc St., Littleton
All supplies are included in the ticket price: 12X16″ canvas, paint, brushes, etc. Just bring yourself (and a friend or 2) anything you’d like to drink or snack on! Alcohol is permitted on premises. Want to paint in a relaxing environment with full support from your instructor? Come join Lisa for a 2-hour painting event that’s more than just step by step instruction! Learn techniques and painting basics for each painting and walk away knowing more about painting than when you first arrived. Feel free to express yourself by being creative if you want. Enjoy relaxing popular music with the instruction. Lisa welcomes people of all experience levels and wants you to have a peaceful and enjoyable experience!
Great North Woods:
Micromassé, Katie Matzell, Cilla
Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m.
The Loading Dock
35 Mill Street, Suite D, Littleton
Katie Matzell is a singer/songwriter from Portland, Maine who released her self-titled, debut EP in 2018. MaineToday called it “fierce and dazzling,” adding that Matzell’s vocals are “sweet, full and gorgeous” with a “richness to them that make the songs burst all the more.” The Deli Magazine said “Matzell’s voice, both effortless and simple, floats above a sea of washy keys and pocket grooves, calling comparisons to not only her influences of the past (Bonnie Raitt and Aretha Franklin), but to her contemporaries — Norah Jones and Emily King immediately come to mind.” Matzell was nominated by the New England Music Awards in 2018 for Female Performer of the Year. She has both performed and collaborated with notable regional and national acts while touring the Northeast in support of her debut release. You can expect new music from Katie in the coming year.
Micromassé is a trio of accomplished musicians offering a fresh new sound that is nostalgically analog, worldly and explosively modern. Combining the classic sound of the Hammond Organ with dynamic electric guitar and infectious drums; Micromassé strives to bring instrumental music to new frontiers while maintaining a positive groove and a fun vibe.
Cilla is a working bass player, singer and songwriter. Over the past 15 years she’s played, toured and recorded in numerous projects from Maine to Los Angeles. In 2020 she released her fourth recording project, ‘August’ with her bandmates Emmett Harrity (keys) and John Suntken (drums). Cilla Bonnie’s music is a blend of R&B-inspired groove and structure similar to Radiohead. In addition to her solo project, Cilla currently plays bass for the 2022 NPR Tiny Desk Contest Winner, Alisa Amador and Boston-based soul artist Ali McGuirk. Check out Cilla’s most recent recording project ‘August’ and follow her on Instagram @cillabonniemusic to keep up with her performances and upcoming recording projects
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