Arts and Recreation

Dueling Pianos Live Goes Romantic for Valentine's Day at Park Theatre

Audience favorite performers celebrate the songs of love for Valentine's Day at Jaffrey performing arts center

JAFFREY, New Hampshire (February 6, 2026) New England's favorite dueling pianos show returns to The Park Theatre in Jaffrey with a Valentine's Day edition. Dueling Pianos Live will be presented at The Park on Saturday, February 14 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. Also available are VIP table seats (in front of stage) which include snacks and a drink voucher (alcoholic drinks require ID). The Dueling Pianos show is a multi "Best of Boston" winner.

It's a perfect Valentine's evening of love songs for lovers and would-be lovers! Cupid just might make an appearance.

What are dueling pianos? It has been said that a dueling piano show is quite literally "the most fun one can have with one's clothes on!" We think you will agree. It is a massive "to the top of your lungs" sing-along with all your friends! Two pianos are center-stage with a team of outrageously talented pianists who seem to know every song ever written, including spirited Irish tunes. Each show is different because it's all request and you or your friends might even get called up on stage for a bit of good-humored fun and some unforgettable TikTok moments.

Dueling piano shows are request-oriented, interactive sing-a-long shows wherein two piano players sit across from each other and trade songs. The dueling piano audience is used for the dueling aspect of the show. Audience members are pitted on one side against the other.

This dueling piano interactive concept has grown rapidly over the past few years and shows no sign of letting up. Why? One very simple reason: people love to interact and have fun.

Dueling Pianos Live - Valentines's Day will play in The Park's award-winning 330-seat Eppes Auditorium.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The Lounge bar will also be open for beer, wine and canned cocktails (ID required)

Tickets can be purchased online at parknh.org or at the box office. Any questions about the show can be answered by calling the theatre's box office at (603) 532-8888.

The Park Theatre performing arts center is located at 19 Main Street in downtown Jaffrey, New Hampshire, just 90 minutes from Boston. The facility is fully accessible.

Award-winning "Kinky Boots" Musical Screens At Park Theatre

Audience beloved musical won 6 TONY® Awards & 3 Olivers

Photo courtesy of The Park Theatre

JAFFREY, New Hampshire (February 9, 2026) The Park Theatre in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, is thrilled to present a special cinema screening of the award-winning musical Kinky Boots as part of its popular ArtsCinema Stage2Screen Series. The screening is scheduled for Sunday, February 22 at 2:00 p.m. with tickets selling for $18. It will be shown in The Park's award-winning 330-seat Eppes Auditorium, featuring a giant screen and immersive 17-speaker surround sound for a truly "you-are-there" experience.

This dazzling filmed version captures the London West End production live at the historic Adelphi Theatre, bringing the Tony, Grammy, and Olivier Award-winning show to the big screen. With music and lyrics by pop icon Cyndi Lauper, book by legendary playwright Harvey Fierstein, and direction and choreography by Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell, Kinky Boots is a high-energy, feel-good celebration of acceptance, empowerment, and fabulous footwear. Inspired by true events (and the beloved 2005 film), the story follows a struggling shoe factory owner and a fierce drag queen who team up to create a bold new line of boots--and change lives along the way.

Tickets available now at theparktheatre.org/kinky or by calling the box office at 603-532-8888. Also available at the door on day of show. Doors open at 1:30 p.m.

Critics and audiences have hailed this production for its infectious energy, powerful performances, and heartfelt message. The filmed West End version has been praised as a "freshest, most fabulous, feel-good musical of the decade" (The Hollywood News) and earned four stars for its vibrant staging and emotional impact (Musical Theatre Review). Lauper's catchy, uplifting score--blending pop anthems like "Just Be" and "Raise You Up/Just Be"--pairs perfectly with the show's bold choreography and themes of unity and self-acceptance.

Don't miss this opportunity to experience the sparkle, heart, and high kicks of Kinky Boots on the big screen in Jaffrey! Whether you're a longtime fan or discovering the magic for the first time, this screening promises an unforgettable afternoon of joy and inspiration.

Tickets are limited--secure yours today at theparktheatre.org/kinky or at the box office. Join us for a strut-worthy event that celebrates individuality and the power of stepping out in style!

The Park Theatre performing arts center is located at 19 Main Street in downtown Jaffrey, New Hampshire, just 90 minutes from Boston. There is a bar lounge, and the facility is fully accessible.

Coming Up at Nova Arts in Keene

Valentines Art Market and Mardi Gras Party February 13 and February 14!

Friday, Feb 13: Get Lucky Valentine Makers' Market

Looking for a cozy night out with your special someone, your best gals, and all the loves in your lives? Come check out Brewbakers Cafe for the first annual Valentine's Day Makers Market. Look no further for a host of romantic gifts and delicious treats. From beeswax candles to beaded jewelry, intricate embroidered decor to stunning painted canvases, vibrant ceramics to heartwarming scarves; all handmade with love and skill and ready to go to a happy home.

Alongside our happy vendors you'll see a stage transformed into a photo booth bursting with color, created by the talented Gnome Studio. Grab your loved ones and pose for a photo with all handmade props and you'll take your very own polaroid to commemorate the night. Head to the makers' space for crafts with WakaDoodles, and make your own bouquet at a Billies + Tilli flower bar.

To complete the night, have your pick of delicious specials from the Brewbakers pastry case and stroll the market with a cozy latte. Stop in before (or after) your dinner reservation, or sit and relax with a glass of wine. Either way, you won't want to miss this cozy night out!

This is a FREE event happening from 5:00-9:00 p.m.

Saturday, Feb 14: Mardi Gras with Folksoul Band and Celebration Brass Band

American music and New Orleans Mardi Gras culture have been inextricably linked for 200 years, ever since the imported, enslaved African people, mixing with a similarly oppressed native American culture, found free expression on Congo Square in New Orleans, where they were permitted to congregate for one day a week, two centuries ago.

The spirit and rhythms expressed by this new American culture evolved into the Jazz and and Rock'n'roll of the 20th century. This American history has inspired the Folksoul Band, which came together to create a Mardi Gras party, which we have done every year since, as our repertoire has expanded to include offshoots and branches. We try to bring this original source of American music to the New England audience in as pure a form as we can manage, allowing for our own inspirations and creativity. We always make room for that.

We have a long and varied history that includes street performing and second line parading for both princes and paupers around the country in addition to many clubs, fairs and festivals. It's a tradition we hope to keep alive.

We are:
Richard Doherty - Guitars, vocals
Tara Greenblatt - Drums, vocals
Fred Simmons - Trombone, tambourine, vocals
Ramsey Thomas - Stand-up bass
Leslie Vogel - Piano and accordion, vocals
Walden Whitham - Saxophone, flute, rubboard, vocals

The Celebration Brass Band is Southern VT's signature ensemble for the distinctively vibrant music that we know as the New Orleans Brass Band sound!

Since 2009, under the leadership of New Orleans native and Langdon NH resident Peter Simoneaux, the Celebration Brass Band has become familiar to Brattleboro area audiences through their performances at numerous Gallery Walks, the Strolling of the Heifers, 4th of July parades, and a host of other local community events. With band founder and director Simoneaux on bass drum and vocals and spouse and partner Linda Simoneaux on sousaphone, vocals and parade marshaling duties, CBB features a dynamic cast of Brattleboro area musicians, including co-directors Walter Slowinski (Woodpeckers, Butterfly Swing) and Ron Kelley (Hot Noodles, Bread & Puppet) on saxophones, Dan DeWalt (Simba, Creacion, Mambo Trio) on trombone, Anders Burrows (Alafia, Aura Shards) and Sam Johnson on trumpets, Tim Ellis on sousaphone and various players on snare drum or kit.

Traditionally, since the late 1800s, New Orleans Brass Band music has been the music of jazz funerals and street parades in New Orleans, the style that gave birth to the careers of Buddy Bolden, Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, and countless other musicians who have helped define the history of Jazz. Over the past 25 years, the New Orleans brass band revival has exploded in popularity, to the point where it has become the dominant musical force in the city, embracing both tradition and innovation, old forms and new. It is the mission of the Celebration Brass Band to bring this joy & energy to weddings, funerals, and other private & public functions throughout northern New England, to represent both the traditional and contemporary strains of the New Orleans brass band sound, and to discover the common threads between the New Orleans brass band genre, and those of modern jazz, and the wider Afro-Creole musical diaspora.

Doors open at 7:00 p.m., and music begins at 7:30 p.m.

Access For All tickets available thanks to support from Savings Bank of Walpole. (Note: To purchase more than one Access For All ticket, each must be done in a separate transaction.)

Shows are all ages and seating is first come first served.

Tickets and more info available at novaarts.org/events.

Nova Arts is located at 48 Emerald St, Keene, NH.

Regional News

Gov. Healey files Comerford Tax Credit for Farmers Along with Significant FY27 Funding for Key Programs

Legislation and Spending Support Farms and Food Security in MA

(Boston, MA) - Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton) is celebrating three major statewide gains for farms and food security - with a special acknowledgement of the positive impact in western and north central Massachusetts.

Record funding for key anti-hunger, pro-farm programs On January 28, Governor Maura Healey filed her Administration's budget proposal for fiscal year 2027 (FY27). The Governor included a record $29.7 million for the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) and a record $55 million for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP).

"HIP and MEFAP are two of the most critical anti-hunger and pro-farm food programs in the Commonwealth. Each has been a focus of our team's sustained advocacy for the entire time I have been in office. HIP ensures that Massachusetts residents who are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are able to purchase local, nutritious produce from local farms, while MEFAP bolsters regional food banks through the MassGrown program within MEFAP, which purchases fresh produce, dairy, and protein from local farms," noted Comerford.

New farm tax credit

Also at the end of January, Governor Healey filed a supplemental budget, H.5033, which included a new refundable tax credit of up to $5,000 for farms in Massachusetts. This policy has been filed as legislation (S.1043/H.4373) over the past four legislative sessions by Comerford and Representative Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury). The tax credit would support farms that donate produce and products to food banks and pantries, strengthening food security and reducing food waste. In Governor Healey's FY27 budget proposal, she has earmarked $5 million for the first year of this inaugural program.

"A resilient, just food system begins with farms and reaches every individual, every family," said Comerford. "With rising costs and growing food insecurity, these investments matter. By proposing a new tax credit for farmers and fully funding HIP and MEFAP, these investments affirm our shared responsibility to support those who grow our food and our shared responsibility to ensure that everyone in Massachusetts can put healthy, local food on their table."

Financial Focus®

Love languages can help you enjoy Valentine's Day on a budget

Valentine's Day doesn't have to break the bank. In fact, the most meaningful expressions of love often cost little to nothing. The key is understanding your partner's love language and tailoring your approach accordingly. When you know what makes your partner feel truly valued, you can create memorable experiences without the financial pressure that often accompanies this holiday.

The five love languages--words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time and physical touch--offer a roadmap for showing affection without overspending. Here's how to express your love while staying financially smart this Valentine's Day.

Words of affirmation: For partners who value verbal expressions of love, heartfelt words matter far more than expensive gifts. Write a letter expressing what you appreciate about them, create a personalized playlist with songs that remind you of your relationship or record a video message. All are free but carry immense emotional value. For this love language, thoughtful expression surpasses financial investment every time.

Acts of Service: If your partner feels loved through helpful actions, Valentine's Day is about sweat equity, not spending. Cook their favorite meal, tackle chores they've been dreading or, for those who have expressed frustration with budgeting, create a simple budget tracker or spreadsheet tucked into a decorative folder. Your time and effort demonstrate your love. The beauty of acts of service is that they cost little to nothing but demonstrate care and attention.

Receiving Gifts: Even gift-oriented partners don't need expensive presents to feel valued. Focus on thoughtfulness and personalization over price tags. Try DIY crafts that show you put time into creating something. Explore thrift stores for vintage treasures or consider giving stock in a company your partner loves--a retail store, a tech brand or a coffee chain. Many platforms offer fractional shares, so you don't need a huge budget. Remember: A $10 item chosen with care can mean more than a $100 generic gift.

Quality time: For those who value undivided attention, experiences often cost less than gifts. Check for free museum days, plan a scenic hike, go stargazing or create a cozy home movie night with homemade popcorn. The key is being fully present without distractions. For a longer-term outlook, consider a future fund jar for shared goals, like a couples massage or a trip. Make the first deposit and pair it with a handwritten note about building dreams together.

Physical Touch: Intimacy and affection are inherently free, but small comfort investments can enhance closeness. Create an at-home spa experience with inexpensive bath products, invest in cozy blankets for cuddling, or clear space in your living room for dancing together. These minimal purchases amplify connection without requiring significant spending.

There's no wrong way to celebrate Valentine's Day, and overspending isn't necessary. If you're diligent about budgeting, you'll know what you can afford to spend. Understanding your partner's love language empowers you to express affection in ways that resonate deeply--without the financial stress. The best Valentine's celebrations come from the heart, not the wallet.

Gardening

Bulbs with Season Long Color and Pollinator Appeal

North American native Blazing Star (Liatris spicata) provides nectar for a variety of butterflies.
Photo courtesy of Longfield-Gardens.com

by Melinda Myers
Boost the beauty and pollinator appeal of your gardens and containers with flowering bulbs. A combination of spring- and fall-planted bulbs can provide season-long color and nectar for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators.

Include a few dahlias known for their excellent pollinator appeal. The award-winning Collarette Pooh grows 24" to 30" tall and features cherry red and yellow daisy-like flowers. Light up your gardens with Kelsey Sunshine collarette dahlias. The pale-yellow outer petals make a nice backdrop for the frilly white inner petals. Add even more color with the HS Date single dahlia with burgundy leaves and melon-colored flowers. Grow these and other dahlias in a sunny location with moist well-drained soil.

Add vertical interest and color to flowerbeds and containers with gladiolas. Start planting batches of the corms in spring and continue every week through early summer. You and the hummingbirds will enjoy the longer bloom time. Select from a wide range of colors, including white, pink, orange, yellow, red, bicolors and more. Once flowering begins you may need to provide some support. Just slide a bamboo stake next to the plants and secure the stems with twine to keep top-heavy plants upright.

Enjoy the bold foliage, showy flowers and visiting hummingbirds and other pollinators by including cannas in the full to part sun areas of your landscape. Select dwarf varieties for containers and grow cannas where you can easily view the visiting birds.

Consider growing a few begonias in containers and hanging baskets. Most tolerate some shade and many bloom from spring through frost.

Grow a few containers of some of the lesser-known bulbs. Hymenocallis, also known as Peruvian daffodil or spider lily, has large, lightly fragrant white flowers. The blooms attract butterflies, moths, and other pollinators while deer and rabbits tend to leave them be. Pineapple lily (Eucomis) has spikes of blooms topped with a small cluster of leaves. The flowers attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

Provide some late-season nectar for a variety of butterflies by growing blazing star (Liatris spicata). This North American native plant produces spires of fuzzy purple flowers and combines nicely with rudbeckias, asters, dahlias and other late-season bloomers.

Plant pre-chilled lily bulbs in spring or fall with other spring-flowering bulbs that need a winter chill to bloom. Either way, you'll enjoy their color throughout the summer by planting various early-, mid- and late-season lilies. See Longfield Gardens' Bloom Times for Lilies article at longfield-gardens.com for help with your selection. Ensure success by planting them in full sun and well-drained soil and protecting them from rabbits and deer.

Support early visiting pollinators with fall-planted spring-blooming bulbs. Look for opportunities to add these to your landscape. Make a list and note in your calendar so you are sure to get them planted in fall.

Plan for months of spring color starting with early-blooming crocus, snowdrops (Galanthus), glory of the snow (Chionodoxa) and grape hyacinths (Muscari). Include early-, mid- and late-spring blooming tulips, daffodils and hyacinths. Add a few uniquely flowered fritillarias, bearded iris in a rainbow of colors and a few showy alliums.

Use Longfield Gardens' Bloom Time Chart for Spring and Summer Bulbs (longfield-gardens.com) to help you plan for months of beauty and pollinator appeal.

Melinda Myers has written over 20 gardening books, including The Midwest Gardener's Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses "How to Grow Anything" instant video series and the nationally-syndicated Melinda's Garden Moment radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Longfield Gardens for her expertise to write this article. Her website is www.MelindaMyers.com.