a 501c3 non-profit with a mission centered around economic and cultural vibrancy in Downtown Nashua, NH
 
 
The Downtowner
Your Source For All Things Local! 
 
 
 
            
 
 
Dear –FNAME–, 

Spring is in the air this week, and Downtown Nashua is ready to welcome it with open arms! Here at Great American Downtown, we are looking forward to brighter days ahead, and thinking a lot about some great programming that we will be rolling out for you this spring. We’ve also been thinking a lot about a long term vision for Nashua, partnering with a great group of folks and the City of Nashua on the Imagine Nashua long term planning exercise.
In case you missed it, the City has a great tool online where they are collecting public feedback as we build this vision together. This crowd sourced map where you can contribute your ideas and, and add your support to ideas that neighbors have offered that you believe will be great for Nashua, can be explored at Imagine.NashuaNH.gov 

Also, mark the date on your calendar now – the next public meeting as part of this effort will be on March 2nd at 6pm. You can find the agenda and Zoom link here – and join in the conversation virtually. We love to see everyone’s ideas, and having more and more people taking part in this community conversation. If you haven’t dialed in yet, we hope you’ll take a little time to offer your valuable insights as we work together to plan for where Nashua goes next. 

Have a great week! 

Paul Shea
Executive Director
Great American Downtown Inc  
 
 
 
 
 
For more Downtown information, visit DowntownNashua.org
 
 
Explore our website
 
 
Photo of the Week
 
 
 
 
Our photo of the week comes to us from Dorothy Perrucci. She saw these kayakers out on the Nashua River on Wednesday, Feb. 24. A warmer day for sure, but still, hardy souls! Thanks for the great shot, Dorothy! You can follow along with her adventures on her blog, The Frog and PenguINN
 
 
 
 
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. 
 
 
 
 
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
 
 
 
 
 
 
FREE COVID-19 POSTERS FROM CHAMBER
 
 
 
 
Chamber of Commerce offers poster bundles for business display
The Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with six other state chambers, encompassing 45 towns, to offer a unified message of #MaskUpNH through a beautiful package of eight posters.
The free bundles give local businesses the opportunity to present consistent messaging and a clean design. You won’t need handmade signage anymore! Plus, it shows a united front as businesses stand together for the safety of their staff and their customers.
Contact the Chamber for your free poster bundle by email at [email protected].
 
 
 
 
 
HOLMAN STADIUM’S ROLE IN AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY
 
 
 
 
‘Remembering African-American History
at Nashua’s Holman Stadium’
3:30 pm Thursday, Feb. 25
February is African-American History Month and to celebrate, Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess and special guests will recall the Nashua Dodgers, Nashua Pride, Don Newcombe, Roy Campanella, Holman Stadium and the special role these players and the Dodgers played in racial integration.
“Remembering African-American History at Nashua’s Holman Stadium” will air on local access channel 16 on Thursday, Feb. 25, at 3:30 p.m., with remarks from Mayor Donchess, Reverend Bertha Perkins, Minister Ray Ealy, Glenn Murray, former Nashua Pride Captain and more.
The program will also feature a slideshow of photos and news clippings of Newcombe, Campanella, Holman Stadium, Nashua Dodgers and notable moments in local African-American history.
In addition to watching the program live on channel 16, it can also be viewed on the channel 16 livestream on the City of Nashua website, HERE.
If you miss the live broadcast, don’t worry! The program will be recorded and posted onto the City of Nashua’s YouTube channel. A link to the program will also be shared on city social media pages.
 
 
 
 
 
DISNEY DANCE WORKSHOP SATURDAY
 
 
 
 
Peacock Players offers
“Disney on Broadway” Dance Workshop
– two sessions, Saturday, Feb. 27
10 am – noon
1–3 pm

Ages: 10 – 14
Tuition: $50
Peacock Players youth theater organization invites you to come dance and have fun in a safe space this weekend! Due to increased social distancing practices, they are strictly limiting in-person workshop capacity for your choice of two sessions. As of presstime, the afternoon slot is waitlist only.
Join Peacock Players Resident Artist (and Disney Aficionado) Cristina Cummings as she shares her energetic and engaging choreography from three different Disney on Broadway musicals. Workshop participants will shake of the winter blues learning specific musical theatre combos from Disney’s Aladdin, Disney’s The Lion King, and Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
Culminate your NH February school vacation week sharpening your dancing skills, while enjoying safe, in-person time with your friends – and maybe even make a few new friends in the process.
More info on the Facebook event HERE. Register by clicking below!
 
 
REGISTER
 
 
 
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
 
 
 
 
 
FREE CONCERT THIS SUNDAY
 
 
 
 
First Music Concert Series
3 pm Sunday, Feb. 28
FIRST MUSIC CONCERT SERIES at The First Church, 1 Concord St., will offer Franz Schubert’s beautiful 1827 song cycle “Winterreise” (Winter Journey) in a complete performance by acclaimed bass-baritone Mark Andrew Cleveland, joined by Eliko Akahori on piano. Join them for a winter afternoon in the beauty of this Romanesque-revival space.
Poet Wilhelm Müller’s introspective writings set to music by Schubert are considered the pinnacle of the “Lieder” (Art Song) movement of the 19th century. The intimacy of this salon-style of programing is a rare musical treat for concertgoers.
Entry to the church building is through the sole entrance currently used, in the courtyard between the old and new buildings at the rear. Wearing masks is a requirement inside the church building for all attendees. FIRST MUSIC operates with full social-distancing principles and air exchange in the Sanctuary, for the safety and comfort of our patrons.
FREE ADMISSION. All are welcome!
This in-person concert is made possible through the generosity of the Friends of First Music, and is the fifth program on the 2020/2021 FIRST MUSIC season.
First Music has brought the Joy of Music to the Gate City since 2008.
More information about the Series’ concerts may also be found under www.first-music.org, by sending an e-mail to [email protected] or by calling (603) 882-4861.
 
 
 
 
 
SHOP LOCAL THIS WEEKEND!
 
 
 
 
Spend and win in Downtown Nashua!
Heading downtown to do some shopping this weekend? Each time you spend $10 at a participating locally owned small business, they’ll stamp your “Passport” (you can grab one at the shop). Collect three or more stamps and submit it to one of the store owners, and you’ll be entered to win a prize from Great American Downtown.
This month’s program ends Sunday, so get those passports stamped! Find our participating shops in the info blog by clicking below.
 
 
PASSPORT ME!
 
 
 
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
 
 
 
 
 
TWO GREAT NEW NASHUA BUSINESSES
 
 
 
 
Mola Foods opens storefront
Mola Foods has been a part of our Farmers Market for years now. We’re happy to report that they now have a storefront at 9 Simon Street, in addition to their other booming business avenues.
Mola Foods’ founder Jeannette Bryant creates seasonings, sauces, tea, chips and marinades from tastes and flavors from around the world with the first being Mola Chili. Relishes are made from authentic ancient Cameroonian tribal recipes that have survived by being passed from mother to daughter.  Their tagline is “culture in a bottle,” and you’ll believe it when you taste it! You’ll find dynamic flavors from Cameroon, Ethiopia, France, Ghana, India, Morocco, Nigeria, Somalia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.
Mola Foods also offers a Tasting Club, a cookbook, and lots more perks to frequent buyers. Check out all there is to explore, on their extensive website, HERE, and on Facebook.
 
 
TASTE THE WORLD!
 
 
Rage Cage NH
Rage Cage NH at 10 West Hollis Street wants you to get your frustrations out – safely and cathartically! To that end, owner Tedd Cherry and his staff (shown below) will pile up smashable objects, give you the tools to destroy them, and set you loose! 
This fun and unique new venture offers several options that are affordable and exciting. 
Check out our interview with Tedd and then reserve your time for mayhem and merriment! We KNOW you have something pent-up that needs to be released!
 
 
RAGE BLOG!
 
 
 
 
Vibe Yoga downtown has new schedule beginning next week
Owner Melissa Coppola of Vibe Yoga at 182 Main Street has some changes to her class schedules starting in March. Vibe offers several types of yoga; especially cool are their hip-hop and live music, and other related-interest events. Classes for all ages and levels. Definitely check Melissa’s unique “vibe” out!
Website is HERE, and also on Facebook.
 
 
 
 
 
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
 
 
 
 
 
BOOK CLUB CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
 
 
 
 
Join the Mayor and panelists to discuss
‘The Warmth of Other Suns’
Mayor Jim Donchess invites you to read “The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration,” by Isabel Wilkerson, and join in a virtual discussion in March.
“The Warmth of Other Suns”relays the true story of three African-Americans fleeing the south at different points during the 20th century heading north and west, in what is known as the Great Migration. Wilkerson tells the story of what motivated their journey, as well as that of others along the way and what challenges they faced in their new world.
At 7 pm Thursday, March 4, local panelists, along with Mayor Donchess, will hold a virtual discussion of the book, with each offering a perspective on the book and then opening it up to questions from registered participants. Panelists scheduled include:
  • Harvey Keye, community activist;
  • Fran Keenan, Library Director at Nashua Community College; and
  • Irving Scales, chairperson of Southern NH Outreach for Black Unity.
A limited number of copies of the “The Warmth of Other Suns” are available at the Nashua Public Library for anyone interested in participating in the event. The book is also available for purchase on Amazon, in-store at Barnes & Noble in Nashua and at barnesandnoble.com.
Register by Monday, March 1st to attend the virtual event, by clicking the button below. Event login information will then be sent to those who register.
In addition to “The Warmth of Other Suns,” Isabel Wilkerson has also authored “Caste: The Origins of our Discontents.” She is an American journalist and is the first woman of African-American heritage to win the Pulitzer Prize in journalism. More about the author and her books HERE.
 
 
REGISTER
 
 
 
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
 
 
 
 
 
GRAB A BITE DOWNTOWN!
 
 
 
 
#TakeoutTuesday this week:
Casual classics on the go
We’ve been sharing suggestions with you in our weekly blogs on where to grab-n-go your meals in Downtown Nashua. Now that we’ve grouped them by proximity, we thought it might be helpful to share those names with you grouped by restaurant type.
This week we show you where to grab a quick bite of classic casual fare. From the famous sandwiches at The Nashua Garden (shown above – yum!), to a slice of hot pizza at Espresso, to juicy burgers at Martha’s, we’ve got ideas for you!
Why not commit to #TakeoutTuesday (or whatever day works for you and your family) every week, and expand your culinary horizons? Affordable and delicious options await you, with easy curbside pickup or delivery, and no grocery shopping and cooking for you!
Read our blog below, and check our website weekly for more suggestions!
 
 
HUNGRY?
 
 
 
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 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].
 
 
 
 
DowntownNashua.org    â€¢   [email protected]   â€¢   603.883.5700