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:
HOGAPALOOZA
Feb. 3, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
The Seabrook Library
25 Liberty Ln, Seabrook
Join the Seacoast Ukulele Players for a gala celebration of Groundhog Day and World Ukulele Day! This is a free event open to the public and will feature a ukulele raffle, snacks, and more! Come by and enjoy the music!
Art ‘Round Town
Feb. 2, 5 p.m.- 8 p.m.
Downtown Portsmouth
On the first Friday of every month, downtown Portsmouth celebrates its inspired, intimate urban community with big city style by presenting its Art ‘Round Town gallery walk. Head downtown to see new work, libations, and more!
Club 3S: Stupid Love, a Lady Gaga Dance Night
Feb. 2, 8 p.m.
3S Art Space
319 Vaughan St., Portsmouth
Get ready to unleash your inner Little Monster at Club 3S: Stupid Love. If you’re caught in a BAD ROMANCE, have trouble keeping a POKER FACE when you’re around your crush, or have a broken heart and feel like you’ll NEVER LOVE AGAIN, this is the Valentine’s Day party for you. DJ Skooch will be mixing and mashing up Lady Gaga videos all night long with a slew of other love-themed jams that’ll get your blood pumping and your heart racing.
Merrimack Valley:
Sensual Bachata Dance Bootcamp
Feb. 4, 10 a.m.
Bella Vita Dance Academy
849 Hanover St., Manchester
Sensual Bachata Bootcamp is a 4-hour intensive workshop that will solidify and/or teach you the fundamentals of Sensual bachata through body movement, connection methods, partner-work patterns and more. Throughout the 4 hours you will learn to lead moves from multiple connections, execute technically correct body waves, rolls and isolations and reinforce challenging partner-work combos.
Shut Up and Write!
Feb. 3, 9:30 a.m.- 11 a.m.
Hosted at The Brothers’ Cortado
3 Bicentennial Square, Concord
Shut Up and Write! hosts free in-person and online writing events for writers all over the world. Our goal is to ensure that every writer, regardless of genre or skill level, has access to the community, accountability, and resources they need to be successful in their personal writing goals.
Monadnock:
Keene Ice and Snow Festival
All Weekend
Main Street, Keene
The Keene Ice and Snow Festival is an annual winter event for all ages. Typically taking place in early February, Main Street is linked with artists creating snow and ice sculptures. Live music and festive food make this a can’t miss winter event. The 2024 festival will host 10-12 ice carvers alongside many events and activities including; a children’s train, scavenger hunts, ice princesses, abominable snowmen, campfire s’mores, sugar on snow, roaming performances and lots more!
Let Love Grow: Partner Paint and Sip
Feb. 2
Everglow Wellness
50 Central Square, Keene
Grab your gal-, pal-, or valentine and create a two-canvas painting that can be displayed separately or side by side! We will be working on a smaller canvas of your choosing perfect for displaying on a gallery wall or in your workspace.
Lakes:
15th Annual New England Pond Hockey Classic
Feb. 2-4, All day
Waukewan Lake, Meredith
Each year since 2010, we unite to celebrate a sport in its most authentic form. We lace up our skates and hit the ice for three days of outdoor hockey and cold beers. Over 275 teams compete in 500+ games across 26 rinks, bringing our sport back to the basics.
The Winter Woolly
Feb. 3, 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Highland Mountain Bike Park
75 Ski Hill Drive, Northfield
The Winter Woolly is our annual downhill fat biking event. We’ll shake the snow off the lift for one day only of groomed DH riding, a DH fat bike race, guided rides, and more. It’s about to be your favorite day of the winter!
Dartmouth/Sunapee:
Winter Quilter’s Retreat
Feb. 2- Feb. 3, All Day
First Congregational Church of Lebanon
10 South Park St., Lebanon
Try your hand at an easy quilt project and enjoy exclusive time set aside just for you! The registration fee includes patterns, basic instruction, admiration of fellow quilters, and Saturday lunch. Patterns are available upon request. UFO: Bring an “Un-Finished Object” (or two) that you’ve been wanting to finish and actually finish it!
The Boy and the Heron
Feb. 2, 7 p.m.
The Loew Auditorium
22 Lebanon St., Hanover
Perhaps more than any other filmmaker alive today, master animator Hayao Miyazaki has been able to transport audiences to dreamlike worlds that have a distinctive, hand-crafted look and strange logic of their own. Yet, they speak to audiences everywhere because their main characters experience the full spectrum of emotions and experiences. The lead characters of the director’s 12 movies, which include the Oscar-winning Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro and Princess Mononoke stumble upon ethereal worlds and supernatural characters, but they are bound by human feelings of joy, love, fear and grief.
White Mountains and Great North Woods:
Mount Washington Valley Ice Fest
Feb. 2- Feb.4, Times Vary
Ledge Brewing Company
15 Town Hall Rd., Intervale
Going on its 30th year, the Valley Ice Fest is dedicated to the love of climbing. Ever since it started in 1993, it’s been bringing together climbers of all abilities to share in the reverence of the rock — or, in this case, the ice. Avid rock and ice climbers, and those just starting out in the sport, come together to collaborate, learn from one another, share skill sets and forge friendships. This year’s event features clinics that range from “Ice Climbing 101”, and progress to more nuanced courses such as a two-day learning to lead clinic, an alpine-style climb and much more. There will also be an opportunity to register for a guided one-day ascent of Mount Washington. All clinics (unless otherwise noted) meet at 8 a.m. at Ledge Brewing Company.
Colebrook’s Got Talent: Talent Show and Charity Auction
Feb. 3, 6 p.m..
The Tillotson Center: The Kaufmann Theater
14 Carriage Lane, Colebrook
Head on over to the Tilly to raise money for charity, while enjoying local talent! There’s no better way to spend a Saturday!
Have an event we should know about or that should be considered for the next edition of “Spontaneity”? Shoot me an email at [email protected]