Top Events In New England
Top Events -- January 28 presented by Yankee Magazine
JAN. 22-31: PAWTUCKET, RHODE ISLAND "Postmortem." Rhode Island's longest-running community theatre begins its 2010 season with Ken Ludwig's thriller at Jenks Auditorium. 401-726-6860; thecommunityplayers.org
JAN. 28-30: LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS2010 Colonial Classic. Bring the whole family to Tsongas Arena to witness beauty and perfection on ice, first for the Junior World Qualifier contest and then for the Eastern Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships, presenting some of the brightest rising stars in the Northeast. 978-459-6150; colonialclassic.org
JAN. 28, 30: CRAFTSBURY COMMON, VERMONT U.S. National Masters Championship Races. Cross-country skiers converge on Craftsbury Outdoor Center for a 10-kilometer freestyle Nordic race (Thursday), followed by the 25- or 50-kilometer classic-technique TD Bank Craftsbury Marathon (Saturday). 802-586-7767; craftsbury.com
JAN. 29-31: HYDE PARK, VERMONTJane Austen Weekends. Literary-inspired diversions on two weekends, focused on Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, respectively. Book discussions, movies, informative talks, a sleigh ride, afternoon tea, quiz over brunch with prizes, all at The Governor's House, an elegant old mansion. Advance reservations required. 866-800-6888, 802-888-6888; OneHundredMain.com
JAN. 29-MAR. 21: LENOX, MAASSACHUSETTS "Les Liaisons Dangereuses." Nominated in 2008 for a "Best Revival" Tony award, this risque play by Christopher Hampton, now a Shakespeare & Company stage production at the Bernstein Theatre, premiered in 1872. 413-637-3353; shakespeare.org
JAN. 30: NORWICH, VERMONT Astronomy Day. Montshire Museum of Science hosts a roster of celestial activities for all ages. Meet an astrophysics researcher, identify winter constellations, observe the sun, make a star chart, and more. 802-649-2200; montshire.org
THROUGH JAN. 31: OLD LYME, CONNECTICUT "Call of the Coast: Art Colonies of New England." The Florence Griswold Museum, in collaboration with the Portland (Maine) Museum of Art, presents a showcase of American Impressionist and Modernist works by the artists of Old Lyme, Cos Cob, Ogunquit, and Monhegan. View 73 paintings by Edward Hopper, Childe Hassam, Everett Warner, Robert Henri, George Bellows, Rockwell Kent, and more, and learn how New England's coastal art colonies helped create our regional identity, from Connecticut's quiet beauty to Maine's dramatic vistas. 860-434-5542; flogris.org
THROUGH JAN. 31: LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS"Fabuloso." Merrimack Repertory Theatre presents a screwball comedy of living life to the fullest, by John Kolvenbach. Teddy and Kate are living a quiet existence in their one-bedroom apartment when Teddy's long-lost friend, Arthur, appears out of the blue, with his fiancee in tow. 978-654-4678; merrimackrep.org
JAN. 31: KEENE, NEW HAMPSHIRE "Mad Science Presents: CSI Live." An exciting and interactive family show at The Colonial Theatre. Audience members become part of the CSI team on stage, re-creating and analyzing the crime scene and evidence to solve the case. 603-357-1233; thecolonial.org
FEB. 5-6: MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE New Hampshire Farm and Forest Exposition 2010. A fun approach to learning all about the state's agriculture and forestry industries. Center of New Hampshire Radisson Hotel hosts commercial exhibits, workshops, demonstrations, an auction, and more for all ages. 603-271-3788; nhfarmandforestexpo.org
JAN. 7-FEB. 7: CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS "Gatz." Avant-garde theatre company Elevator Repair Service brings this new work, based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's Great Gatsby, to the American Repertory stage, for the first offering of the venue's ambitious trilogy America: Boom, Bust, and Baseball, exploring American life in the 20th century. 617-547-8300; amrep.org
JAN. 26-FEB. 21: PORTLAND, MAINE The Mystery of Irma Vep. Charles Ludlam's hilariously exaggerated spoof of a Victorian "penny dreadful" at Portland Stage: An unsuspecting woman marries a mysterious lord, only to discover that the presence of his first wife still haunts the manor house. 207-774-0465; portlandstage.org
FEB. 6: CARIBOU, MAINE Andy Santerre Sno-Run. A charity ride for Aroostook Mental Health Services featuring the NASCAR star and 2002-2005 Busch North Series champion, beginning at Caribou Inn and Convention Center. 207-498-6431; amhc.org
FEB. 6: PORTLAND, CONNECTICUT Midwinter Chocolate Fest. Indulge in this event's famous "Chocolate Mousse Cafe," a baked goods sale, Valentine gifts and crafts, and children's games, all at First Congregational Church. 860-342-1111; firstchurchportland.com
FEB. 6: BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS "From the Top." Join the live studio audience at New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall for a taping of NPR's hit showcase of America's best young musicians, all under the age of 18. 617-585-1260; fromthetop.org
FEB. 6: CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE Marc Cohn and Suzanne Vega. Singer/songwriter, pianist, and acoustic guitarist Marc Cohn performs with Suzanne Vega, a leading figure of the folk-music revival, at Capitol Center for the Arts. 603-225-1111; ccanh.com
FEB. 6: JAFFREY/PETERBOROUGH, NEW HAMPSHIRE Monadnock Arts Auction. Greet the artists at the opening reception at the Jaffrey Civic Center and bid during the silent auction; then attend a black-tie-optional live auction at Noone Falls. 603-532-4549; jaffreychamber.com
FEB. 6-7: HAMPTON BEACH, NEW HAMPSHIRE Penguin Plunge. Support Special Olympics New Hampshire with a leap into the frigid Atlantic Ocean at this 10th annual event. Daredevils garbed in themed costume come from near and far, and all for a great cause. 800-639-2608; hamptonbeach.com/annualbeachevents.html
FEB. 6-7: GREENVILLE, MAINE 100-Mile Wilderness Sled-Dog Race. 100-mile and 30-mile races take canine athletes from Inland Fisheries and Wildlife headquarters through the mountains and woods surrounding Moosehead Lake, while spectators enjoy free demonstrations, educational talks, and dogsled rides. An evening bonfire welcomes the mushers home. Legion Hall hosts the Sunday-morning "Mushers Breakfast" and awards ceremony. 207-695-2421; 100milewildernessrace.com
FEB. 9-14: PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND "Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast.'" The smash-hit Broadway musical comes to Providence Performing Arts Center in an eye-popping spectacle of song and dance for the whole family. 401-421-2997; ppacri.org
FEB. 10: NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT"Romeo and Juliet." The Acting Company and The Guthrie Theater present Shakespeare's great tragic romance, directed by James Kerr, on stage at Connecticut College's Palmer Auditorium. 860-439-2787; onstage.conncoll.edu