Get yourself and your kids some very heavy duty ear protection (we’re not kidding – the severe noise can cause permanent hearing loss). And bring plenty of water and food (the concession lines last year were horrendous). Lather on the suntan lotion and prepare to spend a lot of time in your car getting out after the show (we waited three hours to exit the parking lot). And wear a hat. Oh, and make sure you’ve paid up your insurance policy and filed your will, because -- oh boy -- the Thunderbirds are coming to down again. (Continued below)

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A slide lecture by printmaker and University of New Hampshire alum Sean Hurley will be presented by the Museum of Art, UNH on Wednesday, February 16 at noon in Room A219, Paul Creative Arts Center, UNH. Hurley’s lecture is offered as part of the Museum’s ArtBreak: Brown Bag Lunch Series of programs. His work is included in the Museum of Art’s current exhibition. Both are open to the public free of charge. (Continued below)

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A program presented by historical re-enactors Adam and Mary Spencer will be held Thursday evening, February 24, starting at 7:30 pm. Sponsored by the Old Berwick Historical Society, the program will be held at Berwick Academy's Jeppesen Science Center on Academy Street, and the public is invited.  Refreshments will be served by volunteers. (Continued below)  

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Portsmouth Historic House Associates, Inc. will be holding its sixth annual symposium on “Life and Death in the Piscataqua” on Saturday February 12, 2011, from 10 am to 3:00 pm at the Masonic Temple at 351 Middle Street in Portsmouth.  Experts will focus on portrait painting, a disgraced Civil War soldier, samplers, and a PBS reality history series. (Continued below) 

Local historian, photographer and nationally known collector of photographica, Thom Hindle, will share a collection of camera-related Valentine's Day cards, some dating back to the early 1900s, during the month of February in a special exhibit at the Children's Museum of New Hampshire in Dover. (Continued below)  

Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Joyce Maynard Writing Workshops on a beautiful, unspoiled island off the New Hampshire seacoast.  From August 6-13, bestselling author Joyce will be hosting a weeklong writing workshop on Star Island, just ten miles by boat from beautiful, historic Portsmouth, NH. (Continued below)

The NH Philharmonic continues its 106^th season with an upcoming concert featuring a renowned New Hampshire musician and Beethoven’s Symphony Number Five. The concert is led by music director Anthony Princiotti, now in his 11th year at the podium of the Philharmonic and featuring native cellist Bonnie Thron. (Continued below)  

The Music Hall has just announced the latest installment in its SRO series Intimately Yours – The Wailers, slated for Saturday February 19, 2011 at 8pm. The greatest living exponents of Jamaica’s reggae tradition, the Wailers will bring to the stage their trademark relaxing, peaceful tunes in the spirit of faith and rebellion and highlighting social issues. (Continued below)  

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An illustrated lecture by Rick Hamelin, co-presented by the Salem Athenaeum and Historic Salem, Inc.. This Tuesday, January 25 at 7:00 p.m. at the Salem Athenaeum.  $15, $10 for members, Free for students  (Continued below)  

According to Film Coordinator Chris Curtis, “There’s literally something for everyone this month. If you’ve been following the Met shows then there’s two for you coming up as well as yet another NT Live show. If you’re a hopeless romantic then the Valentine’s Day film Love Actually is perfect for you. Comedies, kids movies, documentaries, true stories, award winners, you name it: it’s all here on our big screen for everyone to enjoy.” (See complete schedule below)