Our above photos of the week are the 2020 winners of the Meri Goyette Arts Awards: from left, Keith Weirich, Peacock Players; Tiffany Josslin, YMCA of Greater Nashua; and Rich Lannon of The Lannon Company. And that’s our favorite champion of the Nashua arts community herself, Meri Goyette, left.
Read all about the awards and the full schedule of ArtWeek events below! We love you, Meri!
Do you have some great pictures of our vibrant Downtown you’d like to show off? Post them to our Facebook page, or send them to us by email! We love to share images that capture the beauty and excitement of Downtown Nashua.
Nowâs your chance to bid on items like a weekend Porsche rental, round trip tickets from Southwest Airlines, a 2-night stay at Nashuaâs Homewood Suites, two golf packages, and more â not to mention raffle tickets for a Peloton bike!
Hosted by NH Radio’s Mike Morin!
Live Music ⢠Online Auction ⢠Watch Parties
Register below and start bidding NOW!
Then join the event LIVE with Mike and follow the results!
Televised week of celebrating Nashua’s art and artists!
Oct. 17â25
City Arts Nashua, in collaboration with Access Nashua, have created ArtWeek Nashua 2020. It will combine two annual events â this year’s 7th annual Meri Goyette Arts Awards and Champagne Luncheon; and the 16th ArtWalk. They will become a weeklong televised event: ArtWeek Nashua 2020
City Arts Nashua transformed its two biggest in-person, signature events into this virtual celebration during the ongoing pandemic, to keep all participants safe while still highlighting and celebrating the continuing artistic endeavors of working artists and the important ongoing support from patrons of the arts.
ArtWeek Nashua 2020 at a glance:
ArtWeekâs programs will be hosted by Sid Ceaser, a longtime Nashua photographer, who also was a part of City Arts Nashua when it was a fledgling arts organization.
City Arts Nashua and Access Nashua will present in-depth interviews with a variety of area artists in a variety of genres and mediums, as well as in-depth conversations with the Meri Goyette Arts Awards winners for 2020, each day during Oct. 17-25. These profiles will be with:
Ruth Boland, Ruth Boland Basketry
Sid Ceaser, Sid Ceaser Photography
Melissa Coppola, Vibe Yoga
Kathleen and Mark Frank, Renaissance Glassworks
Roy Goodman, author
Don Higgins, Don Higgins Illustration
Rich Lannan, Lannan Company â Arts Award Winner
Madeleine LaRose, painter
Sarah Lemansky, Sarah Lemansky Photography
Robert Lembree, RD Lembree Photography
Gail Moriarty, Colibri Designs
Nashua Community Music School
Kate Pritchard, Kate Pritchard Art
Sunflower Fusion Trio
The Picker Artists Collaborative
Keith Weirich, Peacock Players â Arts Award Winner
Sarah Woodward, author
YMCA of Greater Nashua’s Tiffany Josslin â Arts Award Winner
Throughout the week, and each day on City Arts Nashuaâs social media, there will be profiles of other area artists and their works. Posts will be displayed on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn as well as on their website.
There will be a video tour of downtown Nashuaâs public art, narrated by Nashua Ward 4 Alderman Tom Lopez.
A slideshow of the City Arts Nashua #CITYheARTSNASHUA project will also be displayed during the week, showing some of the ways in which contributors expressed themselves through the arts during the pandemic between March 2020 and now.
KidsWalk 2020:
KidsWalk, which was a popular component of last year’s ArtWalk, will be taking place on TV, social media and in person, with a downtown scavenger hunt, and a showcase of artwork and videos made by area kids, and crafts.
KidsWalk 2020 will be a virtual space for kids to find inspiration, connect with their artistic community, and share their own creative expressions during this unprecedented time. Children of all ages are submitting pictures and videos to our Showcase Art-acular, sharing what they have been doing creatively during the pandemic, as well as our friends at various local organizations and businesses, who will also be sharing fun content and tutorials.
It will also feature an exciting citywide Scavenger Hunt, where families can safely search for and locate mini art kits, which will be âhiddenâ in various locations around Nashua. Clues will be posted via Facebook and Instagram social media pages, as well as on Access Nashua and the City Arts Nashua website.
PLEASE NOTE: Precise programming times for Access Nashuaâs airing of these programs and activities should be confirmed by visiting the City Arts Nashua website.
Meri Goyette Arts Awards
The grand finale of ArtWeek Nashua 2020 will highlight and profile the great and longtime work of the 2020 recipients of the 7th annual Meri Goyette Arts Awards â and to celebrate the one and only Meri Goyette herself.
The winners are:
Keith Weirich, artistic director, Peacock Players, Individual of the Year
YMCA of Greater Nashua, represented by Tiffany Josslin, Non-profit Organization of the Year
Rotary Club of Nashua West invites you to join them in Downtown Nashua at the Main Street Bridge for the “quacktivities” of the fun-filled annual event, the Nashua Duck Derby!
Nashua Duck Derby 2020 is a fun-draiser that supports many fine programs that help kids and families throughout Nashua. All kinds of family fun will start on Saturday, October 17, at 11 am on Main Street â numerous art classes, exhibits and demonstrations, local food, and music. The ducks will be launched down the water and begin racing at 2 pm. The first three ducks through the finish line win the race!
Adopt your duck online today for only $5 for a chance at winning cash prizes!
One duck: $5
A “six-quack” for $25
A “quackery dozen” for $50
Or a flock of 25 for $100
Winning Duck: $2,500
2nd Place: $1,000
3rd Place: $500
Register and get more information on their site â CLICK BELOW!
Help kids not fall behind in these difficult times:
Two ways to help!
United Way of Greater Nashua is looking for YOUR help to ensure our remote learners and returning students are able to have some sense of normalcy and achievement during this difficult year. Here’s how you can help!
VOLUNTEERING:
United Way of Greater Nashua is looking for volunteer tutors to work with Nashua school children in grades 1 to 11 in Math or Literacy for all grades, or Science for grades 9 to 11. Tutoring will take place primarily during after school hours and may be virtual or in person depending on the needs of the student. Volunteers are expected to be available for two to three hours per week, for the duration of the 2020-21 academic year; tutors will be expected to pass a background check. Volunteers will usually be working with one student at a time, but may be assigned to small groups if there is a group of students who needs help in the same subject.
Interested volunteers should register below.
DONATE:
The Learn United endeavor is a three-part collaborative program of educational supports for students in need of additional learning assistance because of the COVID shutdown. It includes:
supplying free hotspots to connect low income kids to the internet
school supplies and refurbished technology; many families only have one Chromebook but multiple students
free tutoring from vetted volunteers, predominantly retired teachers and honor students.
United Way needs donations of to their Learn United tech pantry â donate your old laptops, monitors, keyboards, etc. They will refurbish them for students!
DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT! Monetary donations have never been more effective or important than right now. The program has received an anonymous $20,000 Challenge Grant; for every dollar donated by the community, the donor will double that donation! Time is limited for this match and the need is very real, right now. Click below to donate!
Thank you for supporting Nashua students and LEARN UNITED!
It’s a win/win for you as a donor: You could win a golf foursome just for your generosity to Learn United!
CLICK ABOVE TODAY!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
SEASON FINALE FARMERS MARKET IS THIS SUNDAY!
THIS SUNDAY IS YOUR FINAL MARKET!
Nashua Farmers Market
Sunday, 10 amâ2 pm
DON’T MISS OUT! Sunday is your last opportunity to visit the incredible vendors of the Nashua Farmers Market, before the close of season.
Vendors and visitors alike are having fun mingling and checking out all the offerings at the Sunday market at City Hall â won’t you join us? From farm-fresh produce, to enticing baked goods, local wines, honey and maple syrup, to clothing and other locally made items, the Nashua Farmers Market has lots to explore. Come meet the friendly faces of your neighbors, and support their endeavors!
Fresh Start Farms NH is a statewide collective brand for immigrant and refugee farmers participating in the New American Sustainable Agriculture Program, a program of the Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success. They work alongside new-American farmers, enabling them to grow food and share it at neighborhood farm stands, farmers markets, through CSA programs and more.
Formed in 2011, Fresh Start Farms NH creates an opportunity for immigrants to grow affordable and culturally appropriate food with an eye toward soil health, environmental well-being and consumer happiness.
ORIS/Fresh Start Farms is the largest and longest running ethnic community-based nonprofit in New Hampshire. Its staff and board represent at least 7 countries and speak over 13 languages. Their mission is to aid in the resettlement of refugees and immigrants in the state, by providing assistance, training, resources, and opportunities that promote self-sufficiency.
They have several programs, from casework to youth leadership to food access to farmer training. Their New American Sustainable Agriculture Program (NASAP) program and its collective brand Fresh Start Farms provides land access, market entry, and training for new American farmers.
‘WITCH’ QUESTIONS DO YOU WONDER ABOUT?
Tangled Roots Herbal invites you to
‘Ask a Witch’ live virtual event
7 pm Monday, Oct. 19
Join Tangled Roots Herbal and a small panel of esteemed guests to answer all your questions about the practice of witchcraft and magick, at their “Ask a Witch” virtualevent on Monday.
Panelists will have various beliefs, paths, and experience levels, to offer a wide array of viewpoints, and while topics will be prepared, they will be ready and willing to answer your questions LIVE!
The shop writes “Now more than ever, people are turning to personally empowering and manifesting practices to make the world a better place. We understand that with all the good, witchcraft comes with a host of stereotypes and assumptions that can make it seem scary and daunting. With Halloween right around the corner, witches and their magickal practices are in the spotlight, so letâs run with it!”
You will need to pre-register to be sent your virtual access link. Only $5 to attend.
For more information on this event, or the shop in general, visit their website or follow them on Facebook.
How would you like a job where you always brightened someone’s day? Our friends at Fortin Gage Flower & Gift Shop are seeking delivery persons to do just that! Contact the store and let them know you’re ready to work!
YOUR INPUT REQUESTED ON PUBLIC TRANSIT
Nashua Transit wants to hear from you!
Nashua Transit is in the midst of changing bus service around to better serve the community, and are trying to get as much input as possible. âââââââ
Nashua Transit System wants to know what you think about the current bus service in Nashua. Comment on what you like, and where there is room for improvement, by taking a quick survey!
Click on the button below, or text: SURVEY to 73224
Have you been craving live music and crisp autumnal evenings with an adult beverage and a few friends? Us, too! We’re beginning to see our Downtown Nashua restaurants and pubs offering outdoor entertainment, and we encourage you to go down and support them!
Martha’s Exchange Restaurant at 185 Main Street has entertainment 9â11 pm Fridays and Saturdays. Call to confirm.
Saturday â Matt the Sax
Fratello’s at 194 Main Street has music 6â9 pm MondaysâThursdays and 6â9:30 pm Friday and Saturday. This weekend:
Friday â Tim Kierstead Saturday â Paul Lussier
Peddler’s Daughter at 48 Main Street generallyhas musicians Fridays and Saturdays, 8â11 pm. Call to confirm.
Stella Blu at 70 E. Pearl Street has musiciansSundays outdoors from 3â6 pm.
Tostaos at 170 Main Street has live music 7â10 pm Thursdays.
ARE YOU A DOWNTOWN VENUE PRESENTING LIVE MUSIC?
LET US KNOW!
Please email us at [email protected] with your upcoming musicians, so we can share the info with our readers!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Thank you for being a subscriber to The Downtowner!
Great American Downtown is a Nashua based 501c3 Nonprofit Corporation that provides coordination, collaboration and partnerships that unify the entire Nashua community around a common vision for an attractive downtown that is vibrant, viable and truly reflects the character of our city. Learn all about our wide variety of programs here.
We’re happy to share information about your upcoming event in and around Downtown Nashua! If you would like to submit an event to be featured in The Downtowner, or are interested in any other sponsorship and marketing opportunities through Great American Downtown, contact our Downtown Marketing Coordinator at [email protected].
