The Hippo: May 25, 2017

FEATURED NEWS

Tick, Tick, Boom

Black-legged Tick Carrying Even More Diseases

Written By Ryan Lessard (news@hippopress.com)

Images: Courtesy/Stock Photo

Though tick numbers may have been threatened by dry weather conditions from last summer, their arsenal of pathogens has expanded with a serious virus called Powassan.

According to Alan Eaton, an entomologist with the UNH Cooperative Extension, tick populations likely suffered high mortality last summer during extreme drought conditions in southern parts of the state.

But ticks are still around. Earlier this month, Eaton searched for a few black-legged ticks for a demonstration he was giving later that afternoon and found a handful in a short span of time.

Black-legged ticks, also called deer ticks, are the kind that transmit Lyme disease, among other diseases. Adult ticks, unlike mosquitos, aren’t restricted by seasonal breeding cycles. They hibernate under snow cover during the winter but emerge to find a blood meal whenever that snow cover melts away and air temperatures rise above 40 degrees.
And before the recent drop in population, tick numbers were in a period of rapid growth. So, Eaton said, the recent drought may have just reduced populations back down to normal.

“Populations … are close to what would be normal,” Eaton said. “They’re out there.”

And this time of year is the high-risk time for tick bites, according to Eaton. Depending on how hot and dry it gets, the height of tick season tends to last until about mid-July.

Powassan Et Al

While Lyme disease is still the No. 1 concern among public health officials, emerging diseases are starting to appear in New Hampshire and other New England states.

“Speaking nationally, it seems like every couple of years something new comes along in regard to tick-borne disease,” said state public health veterinarian Abby Mathewson.

Lyme tops the list of tick-borne diseases of concern, followed closely by anaplasmosis, a bacterial disease, and babesiosis, a microscopic parasite.
Mathewson said reported cases of both anaplasmosis and babesiosis are increasing each year in New Hampshire. That follows a similar national trend.

Other diseases that are close cousins to Lyme, such as borrelia mayonii and borrelia miyamotoi, are starting to appear in other states, including in the Northeast, but have yet to be reported in New Hampshire.

The latest addition to the tick arsenal in the state, which presents the greatest concern for public health officials, is Powassan virus, named after Powassan, Ontario, where the disease was first identified decades ago.

Mathewson said Powassan causes symptoms similar to serious mosquito-carried diseases such as Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile virus. Those who become seriously ill from Powassan can get an infection of the brain’s membrane (meningitis) or of the brain itself (encephalitis).

There have been two reported cases in the state so far — one in 2013 and another in 2016.

Of those who experience serious symptoms, 10 percent succumb to the disease and about 50 percent exhibit permanent neurological damage, Mathewson said.

“Symptoms related to Powassan usually begin with onset of acute fever and they include headache, muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, you can have a stiff neck, fatigue, confusion, paralysis, speech difficulties, memory loss,” Mathewson said. “It can be very, very severe or it can be mild.”

Right now, there’s much that remains unknown about the disease, such as how it manifests in mild forms and how prevalent it is among tick populations.
Mathewson said there are two strains of Powassan. One exists in woodchucks and skunks and both animals have their own species of ticks that feed on them, neither of which bite humans.

The second strain of Powassan, which is sometimes referred to as deer tick virus, exists in white-footed mice and is transmitted by black-legged ticks. That’s the same reservoir species that transmits Lyme, anaplasmosis and babesiosis.

Unlike Lyme, which requires a tick to be attached to a person for 36 to 48 hours to transmit according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Powassan can be transmitted in as little as 15 minutes.

Prevention Strategies

Entomologist Alan Eaton suggests performing regular body checks for ticks, especially after walking in the woods or grassy areas. Use repellents that use DEET and throw clothes in the drier and run it on high after a hike.

If you find a tick attached, the CDC advises grabbing as close to the skin as possible with fine-tipped tweezers and pulling upward with steady pressure. Do not twist or jerk. If mouth parts remain on the skin, pull those off as well with the tweezers. Then, thoroughly clean the bite area with a sanitizer like rubbing alcohol, soap or an iodine scrub. To kill the tick, do not crush it in your fingers. Instead, drown it in alcohol in a sealed bag or container before disposing of it, or flush it down the toilet.

FEATURED ARTS

Two Decades of Sculpture

Mill Brook Gallery celebrates 20th Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit

Written By Kelly Sennott (ksennott@hippopress.com)

Images: Courtesy Photo

The Mill Brook Gallery & Sculpture Garden is not your everyday gallery.

It sits alongside a rural road, at the end of a long, dirt driveway decorated with trees, flowers, wooden fences and sculptures. The building itself holds smaller pieces — paintings, prints, photographs, jewelry — and behind it, nestled next to a small pond and pasture of grazing horses, stand more than 20 outdoor-friendly pieces courtesy of New England artists.

They’re all part of the gallery’s 20th Annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit, on view May 26 through Oct. 15, with an opening reception Sunday, May 28, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Before owner Pam Tarbell started the gallery in 1996, her property housed after-school art programs, teaching kids the media they might not learn in school due to time or budget constraints. But while she taught these classes, she realized there were other gaps in their art education.

“I realized I didn’t see a lot of art history in their art classes,” Tarbell said during an interview at the gallery, a week before the show’s start. “Maybe some had gone to the Currier. Maybe one had been to Boston. … But mostly, people do not take their kids to see art.”

So Tarbell took action and went to the zoning board three times before obtaining permission to start the gallery on her property. It was important to her she open the space up not only to local painters and printmakers but also to sculptors, who at the time didn’t have a lot of avenues to sell work.

“Twenty years ago, it was like sculptors were dying to get their pieces out and exposed because there were no places to exhibit,” Tarbell said.
Since then, things have changed. The medium has found its way into “sculpture walks” in universities and downtowns. Sometimes it’s actually hard to get ahold of enough pieces for a show.

“There’s a lot more competition for sculpture now,” Tarbell said. “All of a sudden, everybody decided it was cool, and there were lots of calls for sculptures.”

Even so, Tarbell, an artist herself, was able to collect many new pieces to become part of the landscape of her grounds, from the tiny painted metal “Cardinal” by Dale Rogers to the slim, elegant “Flute Player” looking over the water by David Borrus.

Two of the pieces are by Hopkinton, Mass., artist Michael Alfano: “We Two Together,” a bronze resin piece depicting two people holding hands and creating a third, larger face, and “Evolution,” made from stainless steel and granite.

“The thing I really love about sculpture is it’s really hands-on, both in the making and the enjoyment of it. Children and adults can walk around the sculpture, and feel it, and touch it,” Alfano said. “Pam provides a wonderful venue, both for the community to come in and see cutting-edge art, and for artists to be able to show their larger pieces that may not fit in indoor galleries, and pieces that are a little more thought-provoking.”

Husband-wife team Lindley and Jeffrey Briggs each have a sculpture at the gallery — his “Gryphon,” inspired by the statue overlooking the Philadelphia Museum of Art, is made of fiberglass resin, and so is her “Sanctuary,” depicting a hand holding a tiny figure.

“I love hands. To me, they symbolize nurturing,” Lindley Briggs said via phone.“I’ve been an artist for many, many years. … I’m always fascinated by looking at people’s hands. I think there’s symbolism in what they evoke.”

The Newburyport, Mass., couple have been professional artists for decades. Past clients include Disney, Eddie Bauer, L.L. Bean and Timberland. Recently, Jeffrey Briggs was commissioned to create the Greenway Carousel for the Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston. Their work has seen many outdoor exhibits, most commissioned by schools or organizations, but few galleries.

“[Tarbell] is one of the few gallery owners with such a huge sculpture show in New England. In your traditional gallery, sculpture is minimized because sales for paintings are so much better. People can always buy paintings and put them on the wall, but sculpture is a lot more difficult to sell,” Lindley Briggs said.

20th Annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit

Where: Mill Brook Gallery & Sculpture Garden, 236 Hopkinton Road, Concord
When: On view May 26 through Oct. 15; opening reception Sunday, May 28, from 2 to 4 p.m.; hours are Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment
Contact: 226-2046, themillbrookgallery.com

FEATURED MUSIC

Bad Man

George Thorogood Comes to Concord

Written By Michael Witthaus (music@hippopress.com)

Images: Courtesy Photo

George Thorogood and The Destroyers’ June 4 show at Concord’s Capitol Center is part of their Rock Party tour, named for his forthcoming album, Party of One. Due for summer release, it’s Thorogood’s first solo effort and marks a return to the label that launched his career in the 1970s, Rounder Records. Thorogood called the mostly acoustic LP “long overdue” in a recent phone interview, saying it “should have been the first record I did, because a lot of people start that way — Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen — then move into the electric scene.”

A recent interview touched on a range of topics, from early success with obscure songs by American rock and blues heroes, to how many of his own hits were written with others in mind, including the career-defining “Bad to the Bone,” and why he stays energized entering his fifth decade of performing.

How are you motivated to keep playing; what makes it exciting?
Numerous things — No. 1 is that it’s still fun. When that ends, you should hang it up, because that’s why you do it to begin with ... I always go with the three Ds: desire, demand and delivery. Do people still want to see us? … Are you still delivering as good as ever? Have you seen The Who or Tom Jones lately? Unbelievable! Roger Daltrey and Pete Townsend couldn’t come up for air. As long as there is delivery there — you don’t want to rip people off, do you?

Early on, you put your own stamp on overlooked songs you felt fans should know. What was your selection process?
The Rolling Stones, John Hammond, Butterfield Band [and] people like that … did the same thing I did, or I did the same thing they did, I should say. What they did in the ’60s, I was doing in the early ’70s. But the list was kind of picked over and I found 20, 25 songs that I felt were good ones. I thought it would be great if other bands had done some of these songs — I would have loved to have heard Tom Waits or Elvin Bishop do “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer” … when the first two albums came out, we made a lot of noise, because no one had ever heard those songs. Even some of the people who recorded them originally, they never remembered them. They said, “That sounds like me,” and I said “It is you — you did it back in ’61, don’t you remember?”

What are your memories of making the video for “Bad to the Bone?”
MTV was jumping all over the place and I just hooked up with a major label. This was my chance; the demand was bigger than the supply …I wanted to make it a card game, not a pool game — like Cincinnati Kid with Steve McQueen, and they said, no, we want to do pool like The Hustler with Paul Newman. I said, well one or the other is cool, it’s got that tongue in cheek macho thing … but I can’t shoot pool. You can fake it with cards. … A director gives you four aces, a close up and you’re done, but with pool it’s not quite that easy.

How did Bo Diddly end up participating — was that your move?
I can’t remember if I or the record label suggested him, but we wanted to make a mini movie [like] Magnificent Seven or Good, Bad and the Ugly, that kind of thing; the guy with the big reputation, the bad guy. Then the kid comes to town and shoots him down. Bo’s really into that thing and he totally ran with it, he loved the whole idea, wearing the sheriff’s hat and all that, western clothes. Bo Diddly is a gunslinger, right?

Many of your own songs were envisioned for others — “I Drink Alone” for George Jones, “Bad to the Bone” for Muddy Waters or Bo Diddley — why did you try to give your best stuff away?
I like my material to have an air of familiarity when people hear it ... I heard another artist when I was putting it together; a lot of people do that. ... When the Beatles wrote “All I Gotta Do,” they were probably thinking the Everly Brothers, because it sounds like ‘em. I wrote “Oklahoma Sweetheart” and said, “we gotta get this to Merle Haggard.” That never happened — not any of them. I thought, “don’t people know I exist?

You’ve said only a few people are left doing what you do, naming ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons. Do you still feel that way?
Billy Gibbons and I have a mutual understanding … we are from the same school. Johnny Winter, Billy and I did the same thing — we went crazy over Bo Diddly and Muddy Waters and formed a guitar style around those dudes. The thing that Billy’s got that I haven’t got is “LaGrange” and a beard … the farthest I ever got was “Move It On Over” and “Bad to the Bone,” which isn’t too bad [but] people will say, why didn’t I become as big as Billy Gibbons, and I’ll say, because “Legs” sold 15 billion records. It’s that simple, it’s not a mystery … but we stretched five songs over 40 years, and that in itself is a miracle. Everything has its place.

FEATURED FILM

Film Review

Alien: Covenant (R)

Written By Amy Diaz (adiaz@hippopress.com)

Images: Movie Screenshot

Humans headed out to colonize a new world make some bad life choices in Alien: Covenant.

“Let’s follow that strange transmission to the uncharted planet and then explore it without any equipment that could protect us from contamination!” — that collection of iffy decisions sums up what the crew of the Covenant does after it is awakened some seven years too soon while on a trip to start a human colony a new planet.

Unlike in Passengers, which also starts this way, some crew members die horribly right away, including the husband of Daniels (Katherine Waterston). He was the ship’s captain, a responsibility that now falls to Oram (Billy Crudup), whose wife Karine (Carmen Ejogo) is also a part of the crew. Also awake and looking to get the ship repaired and back on track are married couples Tennessee (Danny McBride) and Faris (Amy Seimetz), Lope (Demian Bichir) and Hallett (Nathaniel Dean), and Ricks (Jussie Smollett) and Upworth (Callie Hernandez). And then there’s Walter (Michael Fassbender), who, like David (also Fassbender) before him in Prometheus (and who we see, or at least see some version of, in the movie’s opening scene), is an android who had been running the ship while the humans slept.

When Tennessee encounters a fragment of a strange transmission while making repairs outside the ship, Oram decides that they should check out the promising-looking planet from which it emanates.

Once they get to this planet, which is covered in storms that interfere with signals and is notable for the appearance of wheat and the lack of animal noise, the humans don’t have to bumble around for long before people start to get infected with alienitis. Symptoms? Slime-covered stage prop bursting from your internal organs shortly after exposure. Prognosis? Not great.

I’ll admit that I have no dog in this particular franchise-revival fight. I didn’t come in to the Alien movies until the end of the original run and have not had the will to go back and revisit with more than a casual viewing of the original few movies that won so much acclaim. Faced with such eye-roll-y fare as Alien: Resurrection and Prometheus, I find myself thinking rather fondly of Alien Vs. Predator. I know, I know, I’ll get around to the 1979 original some day. But this movie is not making that desire to catch up any stronger.

Even without having seen the first two movies, I know exactly what is going to happen at all points in this movie. From its opening scene of David talking with his creator/Weyland corporation founder Peter Weyland (Guy Pearce) through the world’s most obvious reveal in its final moments, this movie doesn’t veer from a well-worn path. Age down the crew by 15 to 20 years and replace “space ship” with “an old fishing cabin in the woods” and this movie becomes indistinguishable from, like, 50 percent of horror movies. And, sure, this is because Alien is a formative horror film from which so many films take direction. But this Alien movie doesn’t do anything new with the genre, with the continuing story or with the general form. And sure, one could probably make a similar argument about Star Wars: The Force Awakens, another continuation of a 1970s sci-fi property. But my counter would be that at least that movie is, on its own merits, a fun adventure with moments of both levity and nifty action. I can judge Alien: Covenant pretty much only on its own merits — and it really doesn’t have many of those.

Grade: C

FEATURED POP  -  * COVER STORY *

2017 Summer Guide

A Season of Fun

Written By Hippo Writers (news@hippopress.com)

Images: Courtesy & Stock Photos

Be sure to visit our events page or check out or app Hippo Scout for complete summer happenings!

Fairs & Festivals

Don’t miss the 60th annual New Hampshire Antiques Show on Thursday, Aug. 10, and Friday, Aug. 11, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, Aug. 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel (700 Elm St., Manchester). The show is presented by the New Hampshire Antiques Dealers Association and will feature more than 60 exhibitors from all over the country offering a wide range of items from folk art to fine porcelain, country and formal furniture, paintings and prints, metalware, glassware, pottery and more. Admission is $15 on Thursday and $10 on Friday and Saturday. Visit nhada.org.

The Alton Bay Boat Show will be held on Saturday, Aug. 12, at 9 a.m., when the wooden boats will arrive at the Alton Town Docks on Lake Winnipesaukee. The show is part of Alton’s annual Old Home Day and is presented by a partnership between the New Hampshire Boat Museum and the Town of Alton. It is an informal, non-judged boat show where people get to vote for their choice for the best. Visit nhbm.org.

The annual Belknap County 4-H Fair returns on Saturday, Aug. 12, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 174 Mile Hill Road in Belmont. The festival features live entertainment, animal shows, food, demonstrations, exhibits and more. Admission is $10 for kids and adults ages 10 and up and free for kids under 10. Visit bc4hfair.org.

The annual Hampton Beach Children’s Festival will be held the week of Monday, Aug. 14, through Friday, Aug. 18, and will kick off with a magic show by B.J. Hickman on Monday on the Hampton Beach Seashell Stage at 10 a.m. Other festivities will include a giant costume parade across Hampton Beach on Friday, and opportunities to win prizes. Visit hamptonbeach.org.

Hillsborough’s annual Living History event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. across various locations in Hillsborough. The event features historical re-enactments, food, live music and more. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $5 for kids and teens ages 6 to 17, and free for kids 5 and under. Visit livinghistoryeventnh.com.

Join the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St., Dover) for the fifth annual Dover Maker Mini Faire on Saturday, Aug. 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is a day for invention and creativity, featuring more than 60 local artisans, scientists and garage tinkerers. Visit dover.makerfaire.com.

A Labor Day weekend tradition, the Hopkinton State Fair returns to the fairgrounds (392 Kearsarge Ave., Contoocook) on Friday, Sept. 1, and Saturday, Sept. 2, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 3, and Monday, Sept. 4, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Enjoy local vendors, classic fair food, live music and entertainment, carnival rides and games, agricultural exhibits and more. Visit hsfair.org.

This year’s Exeter UFO Festival will commemorate the 52nd anniversary of the Incident in Exeter and will be held in downtown Exeter on Saturday, Sept. 2, and Sunday, Sept. 3. Features include a variety of educational lectures, intergalactic children’s games, food and more. Visit exeterufofestival.org.

Cruising Downtown returns to the streets of downtown Manchester on Saturday, Sept. 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature more than 800 cars on display on the streets, in addition to several entertainers. Visit cruisingdowntown.com.

Food Fests & Parties

The three-day Mahrajan Middle Eastern Food Festival hosted by Our Lady of the Cedars Melkite Catholic Church (140 Mitchell St., Manchester) takes place on Friday, Aug. 18, from 5 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 19, from noon to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 20, from noon to 5 p.m. The menu will feature specialties, like lamb kabobs, shawarma, mamoul cookies and more, as well as live music, children’s activities, games, a gift bazaar and hookah rentals. Visit bestfestnh.com.

The fifth annual Gate City Brewfest & Wing Competition takes place on Saturday, Aug. 19, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Holman Stadium (67 Amherst St., Nashua). Enjoy craft brews, a wing competition, live music and games. Tickets cost $25 in advance, $30 the day of the event, $10 for designated drivers or persons under 21, and are free for kids age 12 and under. Visit gatecitybrewfestnh.com.

Enjoy a variety of authentic Southeast Asian foods at the 21st annual Lowell Southeast Asian Water Festival, happening Saturday, Aug. 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Pawtucket Boulevard in Lowell, Mass. In addition to the food, the festival will feature vendors, boat races, music, dancing and more. Visit facebook.com/LSEAWF.

Taste authentic Latin American, Caribbean and African cuisine at the annual We Are One Festival happening Saturday, Aug. 19, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Veterans Memorial Park (889 Elm St., Manchester). In addition to the food, the festival will feature music, dance, crafts, vendors and more. Visit ujimacollective.mysite.com.

Don’t miss the Fire on the Mountain Chili Fest hosted by the Henniker Rotary Club on Sunday, Aug. 20, from noon to 5 p.m. at Pats Peak Ski Area (686 Flanders Road, Henniker). There will be a chili competition featuring chili from 40 amateur and professional chili makers, plus New Hampshire food and craft vendors, beer, live music and more. Admission is $12 for adults, $6 for children 10 and under and free for infants and toddlers and includes chili samples and giveaways. Visit chilinewhampshire.org.

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church (111 Island Pond Road, Manchester) will host its annual Greekfest on Saturday, Aug. 26, and Sunday, Aug. 27, starting at 11 a.m. each day. The festival will feature a variety of Greek specialty foods as well as music and other activities. Visit assumptionnh.org.

Tours, Tastings & Brew Events

Out of the Box Tours of Manchester will host a Sip of Southern NH Brew Tour on Saturday, July 8, from 2 to 5 p.m. The tour will make stops at three local breweries or distilleries and feature samples of up to 12 different beverages. It departs from and concludes at the Park and Ride bus terminal parking lot at 4 Symmes Drive in Londonderry. The cost is $55, and registration is required by Monday, July 5. Call 660-8427 or visit traveladventureswithtammy.com.

The NH Brewers Festival will be held on Saturday, July 22, from noon to 4 p.m., at the Kiwanis Riverfront Park (15 Loudon Road, Concord). Nearly 40 breweries will showcase their craft brews in what is the largest single collection of New Hampshire breweries at an event in the state. Tickets cost $50 for VIP, $40 for general admission and $15 for designated driver. Visit granitestatebrewersassociation.org/events/nhbrewfest.

The fourth annual Manchester Brewfest takes place on Saturday, July 29, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Arms Park in Manchester. There will be more than 100 unique local and regional craft beers as well as local food and non-alcoholic beverages. General admission costs $40. Visit manchesterbrewfest.com.

The American Independence Museum will hold a Beer for History tasting on Thursday, Aug. 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Folsom Tavern (164 Water St., Exeter), featuring brews from the Neighborhood Beer Co. in Exeter. Tickets are $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Visit independencemuseum.org.

Fulchino Vineyard (187 Pine Hill Road, Hollis) will host its fourth annual Sinatra Wine Pairing Dinner on Sunday, Aug. 13, starting at 3:30 p.m. The cost is $149. Call 438-5984 or visit fulchinovineyard.com.

Nature & Outdoor Adventures

The New Hampshire Astronomical Society will host an eclipse workshop on Tuesday, Aug. 8, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Merrimack Public Library (470 Daniel Webster Highway), ahead of an expected partial solar eclipse on Aug. 18. The workshop will include a presentation on how to safely observe an eclipse, plus a craft session for kids. Admission is free. Visit nhastro.com.

Join The Little Nature Museum (18 Highlawn Road, Warner) for Becoming a Woods Ninja on Saturday, Aug. 12, from 10 a.m. to noon., a workshop featuring instructor and survival expert Rudy Bourget on how to properly get close to and observe wildlife. Visit littlenaturemuseum.org.

Learn all about turtles at the Massabesic Audubon Center’s (26 Audubon Way, Auburn) next Nature Cafe series event on Friday, Aug. 18, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Turtle expert Chris Bogard will share her knowledge of threatened and endangered turtle species in New Hampshire. Tickets are $5 general admission. Visit nhaudubon.org.

Join The Nature Conservancy for What Scat is That? Tracks, Scat and Finding Signs of Mammals When You Can’t See Them. Dr. Dave Patrick will introduce participants to some of the approaches used by wildlife ecologists to detect mammals based on the signs and traces they leave behind. The workshop will be held on Saturday, Aug. 19, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Manchester Cedar Swamp Preserve (Countryside Boulevard, Manchester). Visit nature.org.

Sports & Running Events

During the Color Vibe Run on Sunday, Aug. 27, you will be blasted at every color station. The race is held at Pheasant Lane Mall, 310 Daniel Webster Highway, Nashua. The race starts at 8 a.m. Registration is $65 for adults and up to two kids age 1 through 12 run free with a registered adult if they register online. Day-of price for kids is $10. For more information visit thecolorvibe.com/nashua.php.

Join the 40th annual Atkinson 5K Road Race on Thursday, Aug. 31, at Woodlock Park Lane, Atkinson. The race starts at 6 p.m. and registration is $12 to $15. The first 180 to register get a free T-shirt. Visit running4free.com or contact Sandy Cannon at 362-8329 or sandy-cannon@comcast.net for more info.

Fight back against Lyme disease by running in Lois’ Race Against Lyme 5K on Saturday, Sept. 2, at Mine Falls Park, Nashua. The race starts at 10 a.m. and registration is $25 for ages 11 and up, $15 for children age 10 and under. Visit lightboxreg.com for more info.

The New Hampshire Open hosted by the New Hampshire Golf Association is scheduled for Wednesday, July 26, through Friday, July 28, at the Manchester Country Club (180 S. River Road, Bedford). The tournament is 54 holes stroke play and the field is limited to 144 players.

The New Hampshire Golf Association is hosting its 56th Parent-Child Championship on Tuesday, Aug. 1, at Candia Woods Golf Links (313 South Road, Candia) with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. Lunch and cart are included in the entry fee of $130 per team. Parents and children on each two-person team take turns making alternate shots. Visit nhgolfassociation.org for more info.

The 18th Stroke Play Championship, a 72-hole stroke play tournament hosted by the New Hampshire Golf Association, will happen from Tuesday, Aug. 8, through Thursday, Aug. 10, at the Rochester Country Club (94 Church St., Rochester). It’s open to male members of a New Hampshire golf club, and the entry cost is $125 per player. Visit nhgolfassociation.org for more info.

Another event organized by CHaD is the Battle of the Badges Baseball Classic on Friday, Aug. 11, at the Northeast Delta Dental Stadium (1 Line Drive, Manchester). Police officers and firefighters from across the state have volunteered to play in the game. Last year, it raised $70,000 for the children’s hospital. Visit chadbaseball.org for more info.

Art Exhibits & Galleries

Twiggs presents “Eternal Summer,” a summer photography exhibition inspired by Celia Thaxter’s quote, “There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart,” July 8 through Aug. 27, with an artist’s reception Thursday, July 13, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the gallery, 254 King St., Boscawen, 975-0015, twiggsgallery.wordpress.com.

Studio 550 hosts “UNITED: States of America” at the gallery, 550 Elm St., Manchester, July 20 through Aug. 15, with an opening reception Thursday, July 20, from 5 to 8 p.m. The exhibit will contain art following themes of diversity, unity and commentary about the current political climate, that are meaningful and thought-provoking; artists are welcome to submit until June 29. Visit 550arts.com or call 232-5597.

Studio 550 hosts “Ch-ch-ch-Changes: Bowie Tribute” at the gallery, 550 Elm St., Manchester, featuring work about climate change Aug. 17 through Sept. 12, with an opening reception Thursday, Aug. 17, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the gallery. Artists are welcome to submit by July 27. Visit 550arts.com or call 232-5597.

Studio 550 releases its now-annual “Monsters on the Loose” Saturday, Aug. 5; to participate, scour downtown Manchester for tiny hidden clay monsters between the hours of 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. that day. Stop at Studio 550 and Dancing Lion Chocolates to claim prizes. Visit 550arts.com or call 232-5597.

The Greeley Park Art Show is Saturday, Aug. 19, and Sunday, Aug. 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Greeley Park, 100 Concord St., Nashua. Artists from the New England area come to this landmark downtown Nashua park and set up their artist stand or booth to display work to thousands of visitors. Visit nashuaareaartistsassoc.org.

Theatre & Musicals

The Windham Actors’ Guild’s youth summer production of The Emperor’s New Clothes is at the Windham High School theater, 64 London Bridge Road, Windham, on Friday, July 28, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, July 29, at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, July 30, at 7 p.m. Visit windhamactorsguild.com for ticket information.

The Palace’s Children’s Summer Series presents The Little Mermaid Tuesday, Aug. 1; Wednesday, Aug. 2, and Thursday, Aug. 3, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester. Visit palacetheatre.org or call 668-5588. Tickets are $9.

Impact Children’s Theatre presents Momotaro on Tuesday, Aug. 1, at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord. Tickets are $7.50. Visit ccanh.com or call 225-1111.

The Palace’s Children’s Summer Series presents Aladdin Tuesday, Aug. 8; Wednesday, Aug. 9, and Thursday, Aug. 10, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., at the Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester. Visit palacetheatre.org or call 668-5588. Tickets are $9.

Impact Children’s Theatre presents How the Rainbow Was Made Tuesday, Aug. 8, at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord. Tickets are $7.50. Visit ccanh.com or call 225-1111.

Andy’s Summer Playhouse produces Musical: Posted! Thursday, Aug. 10, through Saturday, Aug. 19, at the theater, 582 Isaac Frye Highway, Wilton. Visit andyssummerplayhouse.org or call 654-2613. Tickets are $16.

Impact Children’s Theatre presents Humpty Dumpty Tuesday, Aug. 15, at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., Concord. Tickets are $7.50. Visit ccanh.com or call 225-1111.

The Palace’s Children’s Summer Series presents Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs Tuesday, Aug. 15; Wednesday, Aug. 16, and Thursday, Aug. 17, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester. Visit palacetheatre.org or call 668-5588. Tickets are $9.

The Riverbend Youth Company presents High School Musical Friday, Aug. 18, through Sunday, Aug. 20, at the Amato Center for the Performing Arts, 56 Mont Vernon St., Milford. Tickets are $12. Visit amatocenter.org.

The Palace’s Children’s Summer Series presents Pinocchio Tuesday, Aug. 22; Wednesday, Aug. 23, and Thursday, Aug. 24, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester. Visit palacetheatre.org or call 668-5588. Tickets are $9.

The Palace’s Children’s Summer Series presents Alice in Wonderland Tuesday, Aug. 29; Wednesday, Aug. 30, and Thursday, Aug. 31, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester. Visit palacetheatre.org or call 668-5588. Tickets are $9.

The Riverbend Youth Company Alumni present The Wedding Singer at the Amato Center for the Performing Arts, 56 Mont Vernon St., Milford, Friday, Aug. 4, through Sunday, Aug. 6. Tickets are $12. Visit amatocenter.org.

The Peacock Players presents Heathers Friday, Aug. 11 through Sunday, Aug. 20 at the Janice B. Streeter Theater, 14 Court St., Nashua. Visit peacockplayers.org or call 889-2330 for tickets.

The Nashua Actorsingers presents Wild Party Friday, Aug. 25, through Sunday, Aug. 27, at the Janice B. Streeter Theatre, 14 Court St., Nashua. Tickets and times will be available as the event draws near; visit actorsingers.org.

The Palace Silver Stars presents Silver Stars: The Senior Prom Friday, Sept. 1, at 7 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 2, at 2 p.m. at the Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester. Visit palacetheatre.org or call 668-5588. Tickets are $10.

Music & Comedy

The Nashua library also hosts a Summer Concerts on the Plaza series, at which attendees are invited to bring a blanket, pack a picnic and chill out to free music on the library lawn (or inside if it rains) at 7 p.m. The Marc Berger Band performs Thursday, July 13; the Branches Steel Orchestra (a steel drum band) performs Thursday, July 20; the Veronica Robles Mariachi Band performs Thursday, July 27; the Heather Pierson Acoustic Trio performs Thursday, Aug. 3; the Jason Anick Gypsy Trio performs Thursday, Aug. 10, and Low Lily performs Thursday, Aug. 17. Call 589-4600 or visit nashualibrary.org.

The annual Lowell Folk Festival returns to the city for a 31st year from Friday, July 28, through Sunday, July 30. The festival features live music in downtown Lowell, Mass., plus food, crafts, children’s activities and more. Admission is free. Visit lowellfolkfestival.org.

Christian rock festival SoulFest returns to Gunstock Mouncochetain Resort (719 Cherry Valley Road, Gilford) from Thursday, Aug. 3, through Saturday, Aug. 5. Headlining acts include Jars of Clay, Ryan Stevenson, Aaron Cole and several others. Ticket prices vary. Visit thesoulfest.com.

Join the Granite State Blues Society for the 15th annual Barnful of Blues Festival on Saturday, Aug. 5, from noon to 7:30 p.m. at at the Hillsborough County Youth Center (15 Hilldale Lane, New Boston). Performers include The Michael Vincent Band, Veronica Lewis, The Chris Fitz Band, Skip Philbrick and several others. Tickets are $20 before June 15 and $25 after June 15. Visit granitestateblues.org.

Don’t miss the 3rd annual New England Country Music Festival at the Redhook Brewery (1 Redhook Way, Portsmouth) on Sunday, Aug. 6, from 1 to 9:30 p.m., featuring performers like Frankie Ballard, Michael Ray, William Michael Morgan and others. Tickets range from $15 to $85. Visit ne-countrymusic.com.

Mark Scalia takes the stage again at Headliners Comedy Club on Saturday, July 22, at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.

The Greg and the Morning Buzz Comedy Series presents Tom Segura at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on Thursday, July 27, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $26 to $50.

Improv comic stars Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, co-stars of the Emmy-nominated Whose Line Is It Anyway?, appear at the Historic Music Hall on Thursday, July 27, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $28 to $52.

See Jackie Flynn at Headliners Comedy Club on Saturday, July 29, at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.

Comedian Stephanie Peters takes the stage at Headliners Comedy Club on Saturday, Aug. 5, at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.

See Comedy Central comedian Tim Krompier at Headliners Comedy Club on Saturday, Aug. 12, at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.

The Greg and the Morning Buzz Comedy Series presents comedian Ron White at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on Saturday, Aug. 12, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $32 to $79.

The Greg and the Morning Buzz Comedy Series presents Brian Regan at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on Friday, Aug. 18, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $33 to $65.

See Johnny Joyce at Headliners Comedy Club on Saturday, Aug. 19, at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.

Comedian Jody Sloane takes the stage at Headliners Comedy Club on Saturday, Aug. 26, at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.

Movie & Film Events

Red River Theatres, 11 S. Main St., Concord, continues its “Bring Your Own Baby” series throughout the summer, in which new parents can enjoy a movie in a baby-friendly theater, complete with brighter lights and lower volume. Upcoming screenings are Saturday, June 10, at 10 a.m.; Saturday, July 8, at 10 a.m.; and Saturday, Aug. 12, at 10 a.m. Tickets are $8. Visit redrivertheatres.org.

Prescott Park hosts its movie screening series presented by the Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, including Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Monday, July 10; The LEGO Batman Monday, July 17; Ghostbusters Monday, July 24; Finding Dory Monday, July 31; Monty Python and the Holy Grail Monday, Aug. 7; Moana Monday, Aug. 14; Willow Monday, Aug. 21; Dirty Dancing Thursday, Aug. 24; La La Land Friday, Aug. 25; and Spaceballs Thursday, Aug. 31. Visit prescottpark.org.

Nashua Summer Fun, presented by Parks and Recreation, hosts a Pics in the Park series, with films starting at dusk. Flicks include The LEGO Batman Friday, July 14, at Greeley Park, 100 Concord St., Nashua, and Rogue One Friday, Aug. 4, at the Nashua Airport, 93 Perimeter Road, Nashua. Visit nashuanh.gov.

The TD Bank and Intown Manchester Summer Fest hosts Free Movies in the Park, with Trolls on Thursday, Aug. 17, from 7 to 9 p.m., and The Goonies Thursday, Aug. 24, from 7 to 9 p.m., both in Veterans Park. Visit intownmanchester.com