a 501c3 non-profit with a mission centered around economic and cultural vibrancy in Downtown Nashua, NH
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The Downtowner
Your Source For All Things Local!
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For more Downtown information, visit DowntownNashua.org
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Our photos of the week were taken by photographer Chris Boncoddo, of a new mural created on the visual barrier between Surf Restaurant at 207 Main Street, and the adjacent work zone for the upcoming Performing Arts Center, in Downtown Nashua.
Positive Street Art â there’s PSA
Artist In Residence and Co-Founder Manny Ramirez creating another masterpiece â has again added their deft touch to yet another plain, ordinary barrier, creating art and a cheerful vibe.
“This is a cultural and mythological blend of ancient stories and works made by old masters. This piece is inspired by Hokusai’s ‘The Great Wave Of Kanagawa,’ mixed with a modern version of the Greek mythology’s Poseidon. In this version, Poseidon is represented in female-form,” PSA says.
Another #DowntownNashua enhancement well-done!
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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.
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
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THURSDAY: MOLA FOODS GRAND OPENING!
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Mola Foods official grand opening
4 pm Thursday, May 20
Mayor Donchess to cut new-business ribbon
Come celebrate Mola Foodsâ grand opening ribbon cutting at 4 pm today, at their storefront located at 9 Simon Street. The store is offering 10% off on all products purchased Thursday.
Mola Foods offers the flavors of the world, with spice mixes and hand-crafted foods â spice blends, chili relishes, marinades, sauces, breading mix, plantain chips, golden milk tea, hibiscus tea… All inspired by cuisine from Cameroon, Ethiopia, France, Ghana, India, Morocco, Nigeria, Somalia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. Experience a taste transformation!
Two of our Nashua Farmers Market vendors have joined up to offer you their wares, as Mola Foods welcomes Averill House Vineyard as a product line in their store.
The event is hosted by The Greater Merrimack-Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce.
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THURSDAY: SCULPTURE SYMPOSIUM OPENING!
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14th annual Nashua International Sculpture Symposium
Opening ceremony
5:30 pm Thursday, May 20
Meet three invited artists from around the U.S., who will create complementary sculptures on this year’s theme of “Introspection.” The artists will work for several weeks, until a closing ceremony on June 12, held at 14 Court Street. The three completed sculptures will be left there to become part of Nashua’s vibrant public art offerings.
Key Dates:
The Opening:
Thursday, May 20
Picker Artists building
3 Pine Street, Nashua
Visit the Sculptors:
The Picker Artists
3 Pine Street, Nashua
May 24 â June 4
10 amâ 4 pm, Mondays through Saturdays
Closing Ceremony:
Saturday, June 12
14 Court Street, Nashua
The opening and closing ceremonies will also be streamed on Access Nashua Community Television, Channel 96 and viewable following the event, with time(s) to be announced, and the programming to be rebroadcast several times during the duration of the Symposium. It will also be available on NISSâs Facebook page and the NISS YouTube channel.
· An artists’ talk during the first week of the Symposium and special activities for children, both to be held outdoors, are being planned, with more information to follow on exact dates and times.
· Ongoing now through the end of May, NISS is holding its “1,000 Cranes for Nashua” project. NISS intends to have 1,000 paper cranes made which will be on display at St. Joseph Hospital in Nashua. To participate, come to the Picker Artists studios to pick up prepared kits, return completed cranes there. Details of how to participate are on the NISS website.
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FRIDAY: DEADLINE FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
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Nashua Area Artists’ Association
scholarship opportunities
DEADLINE IS THIS FRIDAY!
Each scholarship is for $750. Students can be from anywhere in the NH/northern MA area, not just from Nashua.
Deadline for submission of requested information and materials is this Friday.
Qualified applicant must be a graduating high school senior who has been accepted to and will be enrolled in college full-time, with a focus in the arts. Applicants must not have been a recipient of a scholarship from NAAA in the past. Scholarships are open to all New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts residents.
This application will qualify you for one of two scholarships presented by the NAAA â one sponsored by Enterprise Bank, the other the NAAA/Robert E. LeRoy Scholarship. Each are for $750. The specific scholarships will be determined by the scholarship selection committee.
The applicant is responsible to ensure that all elements of the application are received by NAAA before the deadline. The requirements listed on the website are mandatory and constitute a complete submission. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
CLICK BELOW to visit the NAAA website with submission requirements and more details:
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
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SATURDAY: FARMERS MARKET POP-UP PREVIEW â
WITH FRESH-CAUGHT LIVE CRABS!
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Nashua Farmers Market pre-season pop-up event
Nashua City Hall Plaza
Noonâ5 pm Saturday, May 22
EXCITING NEWS! Great American Downtown is thrilled to welcome new vendors Viktoriya and Joel, the couple behind “Lobstah Lady” and “Farmers Market Lobsters.” Joel’s been a New England based commercial fisherman for over 20 years. They’ll be part of our 2021 Nashua Farmers Market family, and we couldn’t be more happy to offer their fresh, locally caught, LIVE Jonah crab and lobster.
This Saturday, grab your coolers and head to City Hall Plaza, 229 Main Street, for fresh off-the boat Jonah crabs, harvested in the clean waters off the coast of Maine. Jonah crabs are a cousin to famous Dungeness crabs. It’s one of the sweetest of the crab family! While stone crab claws get all the headlines, Jonah crab claws are delicious in their own right; they are very meaty, with a flaky texture and sweet flavor. It’s rare to find fresh, live crabs available at the public level!
In addition to this new and delicious addition to our market, you will also be enjoying one of our Saturday Sidewalk Sessions, with musicians Switch House Ramblers! The Switch House Ramblers is a trio that plays songs from Sinatra to Stevie Nicks, Ray Charles to Eric Clapton, and several jazz, fusion, southern jazz instrumentals.
Great American Downtown will also be on hand to offer our sought-after #DowntownNashua swag! Stop by our table from 2â5 pm to purchase your own hometown pride shirts:
- Nashua signature Skyline sweatshirt hoodies: $40
- Nashua signature Skyline t-shirts: $25
- Other Great American Downtown programming t-shirts â Plaid Friday, New England Roots Festival, and more; variety of styles: $20
Stop by and say hello to Jenn! Cash is preferred, but we can take credit cards. All purchases help us continue our events and programming for Downtown Nashua! Thank you!
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SATURDAY: ‘BE MORE CHILL’ CONCERT
OUTDOORS AT NASHUA PUBLIC LIBRARY
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Peacock Players’
Songbook Concert Series
at Nashua Public Library
2â4 pm Saturday, May 22
Peacock Players invites you to attend a free outdoor concert on the grounds of Nashua Public Library, at 2 Court Street this Saturday afternoon.
Peacock Players‘ all-new Songbook Concert Series allows students the opportunity to train and develop their talents while working on their favorite musical theatre repertoire.
This Saturday, students will perform musical selections from the score of new Broadway hit, Be More Chill. This exciting new theatre training program will culminate in this free outdoor showcase concert.
Please note that all in-person rehearsals and outdoor showcase performances will follow strict COVID-19 safety practices and protocols. Weather permitting.
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SATURDAY: FREE ICE CREAM WITH NPD!
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‘Cone with a Cop’
free ice cream fun day for kids
Noonâ3 pm
Hayward’s Ice Cream
Nashua Police Athletic League (PAL) invites kids ages 12 and younger to have a “cone with a cop” this Saturday at Hayward’s Ice Cream Stand, 7 Daniel Webster Highway (near Rivier University at the south end of Main Street).
Stop by for a free scoop of ice cream, and meet the men and women of PAL! Pat a police comfort dog, try your hand at the dunk tank, and meet our Nashua police officers, firefighters and EMTs.
Nashua Transit is offering free bus rides for the event! More information by clicking below!
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SUNDAY: ‘HAIRSPRAY’ DANCE WORKSHOP
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‘Hairspray’ dance workshop, ages 10â14
Two sessions: Sunday, May 23
You can’t stop the beat! Come dance and have fun!
Peacock Players invites your youngster, age 10â14 to a high-energy dance workshop this weekend! Due to increased social distancing practices, they are strictly limiting in-person workshop capacity. There are two sessions to choose from: 10 amânoon; or 1â3 pm.
Join âthe coolest kids in townâ and Peacock Players Resident Artist (and NH Theatre Award Top Three Finalist for Best Choreography) Cristina Cummings as she shares her energetic and engaging choreography from the company’s highly acclaimed mainstage production of Hairspray.
Workshop participants will learn two different dance combinations and discover first-hand that âyou canât stop the beat!â Sharpen your dancing skills, while enjoying safe, in-person time with your friends â and maybe even make a few new friends in the process!
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
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MONDAY: NASHUA’S NEW RENTAL SCOOTERS ARE HERE!
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City of Nashua launch event
for new scooter rental program
1:30 pm Monday, May 24
Next Monday, Mayor Donchess and the City of Nashua will hold a launch event on the steps of City Hall, 229 Main Street, to announce its new Bird Scooters rental program. All are welcome to attend and learn.
The City is partnering with shared electric scooter company, Bird Rides, to bring electric scooters back to Nashua. Similar to the VeoRide scooters that were here in 2019, Bird scooters will be available through a smartphone app which allows riders pay to use the scooter per minute.
There will be 125 scooters available for rent from 5 amâmidnight. The scooters have a maximum speed of 15 mph and riders are required to be 18 years of age or older to access them.
Learn more about Bird HERE; download the app HERE.
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TUESDAY: Q-and-A FOR UPCOMING WINE TRIPS
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WineNot Boutique
answers your questions about
upcoming France, Portugal trips
6â8 pm Tuesday, May 25
“Travel with us to France and Portugal this Fall” ~ Q&A Event
WineNot Boutique, 221 Main Street in Downtown Nashua, invites wine and travel aficionados to join them for an info session on an exciting wine trip they’re planning for this fall.
Europe is reopening! Travel with Svetlana Yanushkevich of WineNot to France and Portugal this fall! Curious? Join her for a Q&A event next Tuesday to discuss these fabulous trips!
As has been widely reported in the last week, the European Union is finalizing its plans to reopen to American travelers later this summer. We expect to learn more about the COVID protocols and plans in the next month. Once the EU officially opens, we expect demand to surge.
If you are considering traveling with WineNot this September, please contact them as soon as possible. They will add your name to their âInterested to travel with us listâ without the final commitment until the official reopening announcement is made by authorities.
The trips they are planning are:
⢠WineNot Boutique Culinary & Wine Tour to France: Secrets of Bordeaux and Cognac, September 4â11, 2021
⢠WineNot Boutique Wine and Gastronomy Group Tour to Portugal 2021: Porto and Douro Valley, September 11â18, 2021 or September 18â25, 2021
On Tuesday May 25 at 6 pm or 7 pm, WineNot Boutique will be hosting Q&A sessions to discuss these fabulous trips with Svetlana and Michael Green from Navigo Tours.
This event will be available both in person and as a live event on Zoom. Limited in-person event of 25 people to follow recommended Covid protocol and create a comfortable and safe seating.
This info session is free to attend. RSVP for either in person at the shop, or for Zoom, by clicking below.
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
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WEDNESDAY: BEER LAUNCH, FUNDRAISER
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Craft beer launch fundraiser
for Lil’ Iguana’s Children’s Safety Foundation
at Odd Fellows Brewery
4â10 pm Wednesday, May 26
The MCJEEL Entertainment Inc brand Smokin’ Iguana is launching its beer, Smokin’ Iguana CHILL, on Wednesday, May 26 at Odd Fellows Brewery. This craft beer is a Belgium style wheat beer brewed with orange peel, coriander and a secret spice, to create a prominent citrus flavor that is accentuated with a dash of fresh lemon puree.
The release party will feature music, raffles, silent auctions, food, friends, the new beer, and some great swag!
Your $35 ticket includes dinner and one Smokin’ Iguana Chill beer. Dinner will be served 4â7 pm and includes Caesar salad, caprese skewers, mac & cheese, pulled pork sliders, jalapeno cornbread, shrimp & grits, and baby back ribs.
This fundraiser will help nonprofit Lil’ Iguana continue its mission to educate and keep children safe.
More information by clicking the event page below.
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Did you catch Fritz Wetherbee talking about our Soldiers and Sailors memorial at the top of Main Street, for a recent segment on New Hampshire Chronicle?
You can also watch a video Fritz did on the history of our town, from its original name of Dunstable, to its New Hampshire-versus-Massachusetts ownership, to its modern-day name change.
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
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LIVE MUSIC IS BACK IN DOWNTOWN NASHUA!
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As the weather improves and more outdoor dining happens, our local spots are again offering live entertainment. Whether it’s musicians, comedians, trivia night or more, the options for a fun night out are increasing, as we all try to add a bit of normalcy again.
More establishments will be adding live music in the weeks ahead. If you know of a bar or restaurant featuring live music, shoot us an email so we can promote them here every week!
Here are some of the artists slated for performing this weekend. Call to confirm times and musicians.
(live music Mon.âThurs. 5:30â8:30 pm; Fri.âSat. 5:30â9 pm)
Thursday â Mark Lapointe
Friday â Tim Kierstead
Saturday â Jodee Frawlee
(live music Fri.âSat. 8â10 pm)
Friday â Joe McDonald
Saturday â Jim Cain
(live music on the outdoor patio, Sat. 4â6 pm)
Saturday â Bradley Copper Kettle and Friends
(live music outdoors, weather permitting, Sun. 3â6 pm)
Sunday â Wooden Soul
(live music outdoors, weather permitting, Fri.âSat. 9 pmâmidnight)
Friday â Vere Hill
Saturday â Connor Coburn
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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!
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Thank you for being a subscriber to The Downtowner!
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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].
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