When you're looking for a funky arts experience or a great morning radio show, where do you go? To this Best of NH winners list, of course!
Looking to soak in the woods of New Hampshire and art at the same time? in Brookline is your spot. New England’s largest outdoor sculpture park, the cultural hub offers over 10 miles of trails over 140 acres, over 100 sculptures representing over 40 countries, self-guided hiking, workshops and events. As Marc Chagall says, “Great art picks up where nature ends.” andresinstitute.org
You could call an extension of co-owner Rob Azevedo’s “Granite State of Mind,” a radio show he launched in 2012 with friend and former co-host Dave Cummings on 95.3 WMNH that features local musicians. See those rock, jazz and blues acts live at the venue that Azevedo opened in Suncook Village with friend Eric Klesper last year. The pub features beer and wine, plus food conceived by Kelley-Sue Leblanc, owner of The Sleazy Vegan food truck and catering service. pembrokecitylimits.com
The Keene school, helps learners connect their minds with their hands through courses on basketry, jewelry and wire wrapping, wood carving and other traditional crafts. They also offer custom workshops for team building, leadership training and private functions. Want to bond with your crew? Try building a boat together. millhollowworks.org
, led by singer and keyboard player Yamica “Mica” Peterson, have been dazzling audiences around New England for more than a dozen years, performing original music that incorporates soul, R&B and jazz. For evidence, visit YouTube to catch the Portsmouth native leading her band at the Salem Jazz & Soul Festival in Massachusetts in 2019. The Groove Train rolls into Lee on June 26 for the Best of NH Party at Flag Hill Distillery & Winery. micasgroovetrain.com
Hampton’s features 35 local vendors who offer their wares on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 356 Lafayette Road. The small-business showcase presents themed events throughout the year, such as a nine-week summer market that runs through Aug. 10 designed for shoppers to check out after a day at the beach. Find that special outfit or unique handmade craft from one of the dozens of pop-up stores. livefreelynh.com
MudCity Clay
in Colebrook has an admirable mission: “We partner with groups and organizations to bring clay into spaces that otherwise may not have access to this incredible healing and community building arts medium.” The Rochester studio, located in the historic Gonic Mill, offers memberships, classes and programming for children and adults. Book a birthday party where everyone can feel the magic of clay spinning on a potter’s wheel. mudcityclay.com
OK, so “psychedelic” is only one way to describe , which was honored as a “Rising Star” in the 2024 New England Music Awards. The band’s twin lead guitar attack — they have two lead singers, too — recalls the Allman Brothers Band, the Black Crowes and their brethren on the FM dial. But, hey, Led Zeppelin got lumped in that bag, too. rumboatchili.net
A few years ago, wildlife photographer Raymond Lacasse opened on Main Street in Pittsburg, where he provides gallery space for artists and crafters along with a selection of his own photographs. Take home a handcrafted sign celebrating the North Country or bring your pickup and haul away a new picnic table. Facebook
Ruby Shabazz
Nashua native , lead singer of The Evolutionists, was awarded the 2024 New England Music Award in the Soul/R&B category, marking the singer’s first nomination and win. It was a long overdue accolade for New Hampshire’s queen of R&B and hip-hop, who has been entertaining audiences in New England for a quarter-century. @rubyshabazz on Instagram
The New England Irish Harp Orchestra
is “many harps and harpers with a shared vision of playing great music and having fun doing it.” Summer performances for the group, which toured Ireland in 2023, include stops in North Conway and Lee
(at the Sunflower Festival at the Coppal House Farm). neiho.org
This “purpose driven” arts and craft supplies thrift store, on 46 North Main St., in Concord, offers supplies, studio space, classes, meet-ups and parties, and partners local nonprofits. “When you donate to you are spreading supplies through the local community and helping us build the kind of ethical, affordable, transparent, and welcoming business that we want to see in the world.” diycraftandthrift.com
3S Artspace
Portsmouth
www.3sarts.org
WMUR TV
www.wmur.com
Manchester
www.currier.org
Gilford
www.banknhpavilion.com
Derry
www.tupelomusichall.com
Rock 101
www.morningbuzz.com
Manchester
www.palacetheatre.org
WMUR TV
www.wmur.com
WMUR TV
www.wmur.com
Mike Cronin
WMUR TV
www.wmur.com
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