Dover Adult Learning Center birthday party, Poetry Hoot: Community events this week

Portsmouth Herald
·6 min read

Drop costumes off for Costume Swap

DOVER — All this week, you can drop off your gently used costumes to the Dover Public Library. Then families can pick out a costume anytime on Friday, Oct. 7 and Saturday, Oct. 8 to wear this Halloween. More info at dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/library/events.

Seacoast Jewish Center offers services Oct. 4 and 5

PORTSMOUTH —  Seacoast Jewish Center is offering friendly and welcoming services for individuals of all ages in the Seacoast Jewish community at the Best Western Hotel in Portsmouth on Oct. 4 and 5 for Yom Kippur..

For more information about The Seacoast Chabad Jewish Center services, or to reserve a space, visit JewishSeacoast.com/HH5783 or call 603-584-4111.

Dover Adult Learning Center celebrates 50 years

DOVER – On Tuesday, Oct. 4 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., The Dover Adult Learning Center will celebrate its 50 years at 61 Locust St. The Dover Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony. Bring plenty of business cards for networking and to be entered to win the door prize raffle. Refreshments will be provided.  Register at dovernh.org

Artist talk on the history of American quilts

Bisa Butler portrait
Bisa Butler portrait

RYE — Ellen Burke, artist and art educator, will present "Visual Jazz: The History, Beauty and Identity of the American Quilt" at the Rye Public Library on Tuesday, Oct. 4 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Burke will examine quilts as art and the often-unheralded artists who lovingly created them.

The discussion will highlight the Pilgrim Roy collection, the largest private quilt collection in the country, along with pieces from Gees Bend, Susana Allen Hunter, Bisa Butler, storyteller Faith Ringgold, radical projects of Rosie Lee Tompkins and the AIDS Memorial Quilt NAMES project. For more information, contact MJ Keane at mjkeane55@gmail.com or 603-502-8440.

Civil rights activist Margaret Burnham to talk in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH - The Music Hall's Talks and Interconnections series will present renowned legal scholar, civil rights advocate and former judge Margaret A. Burnham talking about her new book, "By Hands Now Known: Jim Crow's Legal Executioners on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. at The Music Hall Lounge.

Renowned legal scholar, civil rights advocate and former judge Margaret A. Burnham will talk about her new book, "By Hands Now Known: Jim Crow's Legal Executioners" on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. at The Music Hall Lounge.
Renowned legal scholar, civil rights advocate and former judge Margaret A. Burnham will talk about her new book, "By Hands Now Known: Jim Crow's Legal Executioners" on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. at The Music Hall Lounge.

The book is an in-depth investigation into Jim Crow era violence, the legal systems that sustained it, and its enduring legacy in 21st century America. The event includes an author discussion moderated by Joanna Kelley, Portsmouth’s assistant mayor, followed by an audience Q&A.

Tickets are $47 and include a signed copy of "By Hands Now Known," reserved seat, beverage, author discussion, audience Q+A, and post-show meet-and-greet. Tickets can be purchased online at TheMusicHall.org, over the phone at 603-436-2400, or in person at the box office at the theater at 28 Chestnut St. The Music Hall Lounge is located at 131 Congress St., Portsmouth.

Poetry Hoot at Book & Bar

PORTSMOUTH - The next Poetry Hoot will take place at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 5 and will feature Susan Justiniano of Rescue Poetix, and Willie Perdomo.

Justiniano is the first Puerto Rican woman Poet Laureate of Jersey City, NJ (2020-2022) and State of New Jersey Beat Poet Laureate (2022-2024). She is a bilingual, globally published, performing poet, advocate, spoken word artist, recording artist and teaching artist. She established her professional artist brand RescuePoetix and is an arts advocate who serves on the boards of several arts organizations throughout the country.

Perdomo is the author of "Smoking Lovely: The Remix" (Haymarket Books, 2021), "The Crazy Bunch" (Penguin Random House, 2019), "The Essential Hits of Shorty Bon Bon" (Penguin Random House, 2014), and "Where a Nickel Costs a Dime" (Norton, 1996). The recipient of many awards, he is co-editor of the anthology, Latínext, and his work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Poetry, Washington Post, The Best American Poetry 2019, and African Voices. He teaches at Phillips Exeter Academy.

The reading and the open mic are free and open to anyone.

Native American storytime with Anne Jennison

DOVER — Celebrate the rich and diverse cultural traditions of Native Americans with Anne Jennison. On Wednesday, Oct. 5, at 6:30 p.m., listeners will be taken on virtual spell-binding and entertaining journey through a series of traditional stories from “How Turtle Flew South for Winter” to “The Great Battle Between Chipmunk and Bear.”  The program is virtual and suited to all ages. Sign up to receive a link to the program. This program is free and open to the public. For more information or to sign up, visit the library’s website at library.dover.nh.gov or call 603-516-6050.

Vulture Culture with On The Wing

PORTSMOUTH — On Thursday, Oct. 6 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. join On The Wing educators to learn about the undervalued, underestimated, and misunderstood Turkey Vulture. Meet Turkey Vulture ambassadors up close and in person and see why they are one of the most impressive birds in our ecosystem at the Forest Society Education Center at Creek Farm, 400 Little Harbor Road in Portsmouth. Learn how the Forest Society is helping to protect habitat and territory for these impressive birds and how you can help too. To sign up, visit forestsociety.org/events or email tripley@forestsociety.org with registration questions.

Curbside pick-up turkey dinner in Hampton

HAMPTON — Hampton United Methodist Church, 525 Lafayette Road, Route 1 is hosting a curbside pickup turkey dinner “with all the fixings,” on Saturday, Oct. 8, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sign up can be done either through the church website at HamptonnhUMC.org or contact the church office directly at 603-926-2702. Last day to place your order is Thursday, Oct. 6. Cost is adults, $15; seniors, $12; and children 12 and under, $6.

Classic car show in Gonic

GONIC— Join First City Cars and Trucks for a classic car show at 4 Flagg Road, in Gonic, on Saturday, Oct. 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is a free event; however, First City will be accepting non-perishables to benefit its annual Thanksgiving food drive during the show. The Pink House food truck and a DJ will be on site during the event. For more information. visit fb.me/e/6F10HHy1p.

Learn to make Needle Felted Mushrooms

DOVER — On Saturday, Oct. 8 at 1 p.m. at the Dover Public Library, create whimsical wool mushrooms with needle felting. Explore various needle felting techniques, including color blending, through this simple project. You’ll come away from this workshop with a basic understanding of needle felting and a decoration for your home. This program is open to participants ages 10 and up. Space is limited and sign up is needed to participate at dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/library/

All Levels Yoga Oct. 8 at library

DOVER — On Saturday, Oct. 8 at 9:30 a.m. at the Dover Public Library. A class designed to give beginners a safe, welcoming space to try yoga and for experienced individuals to find a new place to continue their growth. Plan to bring your own mat and any props of preference. Visit dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/library/ for more info.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Dover Adult Learning Center party, Poetry Hoot: Community events