THINGS ARE WINDING DOWN, BUT THERE’S PLENTY OF GOOD STUFF
Friday
Route 5 Jive at the Howe Library in Hanover. The swinging string ensemble in the style of Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli led by Jakob Breitbach will take over the New Books area for an hour starting at 3:30 pm. No charge.
SPONSORED: For a wonderful way to welcome in the holiday season F.H. Clothing Co. (aka Fat Hat) invites you to our HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE December 19th 2-5. Light drinks, delicious refreshments and a chance to win a $100 gift certificate. Bring a non-perishable food donation to receive 10% off your purchases. Wander through our big old “barn” to find trinkets and treasures, clothing for men and women, and of course…hats! Sponsored by F.H. Clothing Co.
"Hops & Harmony”: a community carol sing at Hoptimystic Brewing in Enfield. Hosted by Community Lutheran Church and led by Karen Liot Hill. Starts at 6 pm.
Seven Stars Arts in Sharon presents “Honky Tonk Christmas”. Vintage, classic country, bluegrass, rockabilly and western swing with Jim Rooney on guitar, Colin McCaffrey on electric lead guitar and fiddle, Danny Coane on acoustic rhythm guitar, Dave Rowell on electric bass, and Don Schabner on guitar. Starts up at 7 pm.
Upper Valley Ringers at the Enfield Shaker Museum. “Holiday Handbells” featuring familiar carols in bell-worthy arrangements. “A few selections will showcase the multiple talents of ensemble members on other instruments.” 7 pm.
The Conniption Fits at Sawtooth Kitchen in Hanover. The hard-rocking, party-making trio of frontman and guitarist Stevens Blanchard, bassist Jamie Hosley, and drummer Titien Tolbert and their covers of ‘80s, ‘90s, and contemporary songs. 9 pm.
Saturday
Norwich Farmers Market’s holiday markets. Produce, meat, prepared foods, crafts, and gift vendors from around the region will be in Tracy Hall in Norwich from 9 am to 1 pm both Saturday and Sunday this weekend.
Osher hosts Mohsen Mahdawi and David Bisno in conversation. Bisno, a veteran Osher instructor on subjects that include the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, will sit down with Palestinian grad student Mahdawi to talk about his life, his ICE detention and subsequent court case, and more. DHMC, Auditorium E at 9 am.
Revels North’s Midwinter Revels: “A Scottish Celebration of the Winter Solstice”. The troupe’s final production features longstanding Revels traditions, along with an adaptation created by Susan Cooper and Will Rowan, edited and updated by Alex Cumming, and lots of traditional Scottish music and dance. 2 pm and 7 pm Saturday, 11 am Sunday. Just a handful of tix left for each show.
Billings Farm’s Woodstock Film Series screens Prime Minister. Lindsay Uz and Michelle Walshe’s new documentary offers an intimate portrait of former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern over seven years, starting after she became prime minister at 37, and through crises including the Christchurch massacre, pandemic lockdowns, and waves of political unrest. 3 pm Saturday and Sunday.
Willem Lange performs A Christmas Carol at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Hanover. Bringing a close to his much loved, decades-long holiday tradition, the writer and storyteller does a candlelit reading of Charles Dickens' classic. Donations are welcome and will go to the Upper Valley Haven. 7 pm.
Dan Kennedy plays holiday tunes at Court Street Arts in Haverhill. The conservatory-trained solo pianist will mix up classics and holiday favorites in Alumni Hall, starting at 7:30 pm.
Winter Wonders Holiday Performing Arts Extravaganza at the Claremont Opera House. Headlined by Gerry Grimo and the East Bay Jazz Ensemble, the evening will feature a holiday concert with performances by local musicians and dance studios. 7:30 pm.
Sunday
High Drive at the Chandler. Beth Telford and Justin Park perform music from their Cape Breton repertoire along with holiday classics, in the Esther Mesh Room. 2 pm.
Messiah Sing at the First Congregational Church of Lebanon. Hosted by Upper Valley Music Center and directed by Mark Nelson, there’ll be solos by UVMC voice students, an orchestra featuring UVMC faculty and community musicians, and a full-on audience belting along with the choral parts. 3 pm. You’ll need tickets.
Annual Winter Solstice hike at Lyme Pinnacle. Hosted by the Upper Valley Land Trust, it’ll start out at 4 pm and reach the top of Lyme Pinnacle in time to watch the sun set on the shortest day of the year. UVLT staff will be on hand to lead the way and light a bonfire. Headlamps required: the descent will be in the dark. Meet at the Pinnacle parking lot on Highbridge Road in Lyme.
Sauropod Solstice at the Montshire. The museum will be open until 6pm—one hour later than usual—to usher in winter. “Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and warm ciders, from 4-6pm. Hear solstice stories, conduct deep-time-inspired investigations in the Science Discovery Lab, and meet our festive prehistoric herd at Dino Lights,” they write. Storytime reading at 5 pm.
Enchanted Night Before Christmas at Norwich’s Beaver Meadow Chapel. Michael Caduto, whose new book based in Sharon was inspired by a story he heard years ago while leading the annual Christmas service at the Beaver Meadown Chapel, will lead the annual Christmas service with a reading from the book. Carols and gingerbread-cookie decorating as well. 4 pm.
Cinnamon Blomquist at Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon at Eastman. The jazz flutist and improviser (and flutist in the Army Band in MA) will be performing in the Draper Room at 4 pm. You’ll need tix.
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