As summer comes to an end before our eyes and the warm weather peaks one last time, take the next couple weekends to try something new and manifest the summer vibe you’ve wanted since the end of May. In between trips to the beach or reading in the park, spend some time in the Concord area with these fun upcoming opportunities. It’s now or never!
This Saturday is chock-full of niche activities for everyone to enjoy, including options for photographers, chair enthusiasts, music lovers and anyone who loves either shopping or a show. Then, on Sunday, there’s a clothing swap for anyone and everyone trying to find their style with the help of strangers and soon-to-be new friends.
Below is a list of the festivities happening this weekend:
Saturday, August 16
If you’re a furniture enthusiast, make your way to Canterbury Shaker Village to learn how to tape a shaker chair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dick Bennet has been an instructor at the village for over two decades and will lead a class on this historic practice, including the process of how to prepare the chair frame, weave the pattern and properly tape the chair.
The course requires you to bring your own chair frame with round-seat rails, but if you happen to not have a frame, they welcome you to help them retape the reproduction chairs for the village. Chair tape will also be needed, which you can order online in preparation for the class.
Once you’re done, you’ll have the permanent knowledge of how to tape a chair, a chair and a tool kit to take home with you. Registration costs $200. More information can be found on their website: https://www.shakers.org/
Then, head over to the Kimball-Jenkins School of Art in Concord to attend a Photo Flea Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. hosted by the NH Center of Photography. People with every level of expertise, including none, are invited to enjoy the free event.
At the same time, you can pop into the Second Annual FotoFest in the same building to capture more of the world of photography. The Vermont Center for Photography and Photo Retro NH will be there, along with the NH Center for Photography’s famous “Make me an offer” table. This part of the event costs non-members $35 and members $25.
Looking to continue the party into the evening? Head over to the Fall After Dark Market in downtown Concord at 45 North Main Street from 6-11 p.m. The DIY Craft & Thrift welcomes anyone 18 years old or older to explore the sex-positive event with local vendors, tarot readings, raffle prizes, art demos and drag performances taking place all night. Presale is $5 and entry is $10. Here’s the link to preregister: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=diy%20craft%20%26%20thrift
When you’ve made your way through all the vendors and bought a ticket for each raffle, join the fun at Penuche’s Ale House for a performance by the John Spignesi Band at 9 p.m. And there are no excuses, the restaurant is only a three minute walk from the night market.
All are welcome to enjoy the band’s music, which encompasses all genres and loves to follow the mood of the crowd. With performances of original music and fan-favorite covers, anyone with a bedtime past 7 p.m. will have a blast at the bar.
Sunday, August 17
After a night living it up in downtown Concord, take Sunday morning to sleep in before heading out to a clothing swap hosted by Fat & Habitat and Nasturtium Studio at Table Bakery on Eagle Square.
All you need to bring is clean clothes, shoes and accessories you are ready to trade and a bag for your new back-to-school or fall wardrobe. The clothing drop off will be at 11:30 a.m. and swapping will begin at noon.
Enjoy the weekend! See you next week!
Kiera McLaughlin can be reached at kmclaughlin@cmonitor.com
