Ready For A Mac & Cheese Bake Off This Weekend?

1. Cheesy! The Macaroni and Cheese Bake Off is happening at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord on Saturday, Jan. 19 from 2-5 p.m. Contestants can enter into one of four categories; best traditional, most creative exotic, best restaurant/café or best NH made. Contestants entering the NH Made category must use 100% NH made milk and cheese in their dish. Each category will have 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes. The winner of each category will move on for their chance to be crowned the “2013 Grand Champion of Macaroni and Cheese.” The Grand Champion will receive a customized cutting board and a Henckels Pro, 6pc knife block set. The knife set, valued at $299, is donated by Things Are Cooking in Concord, NH. For those who would like to taste and not bake, tickets will be sold at the door for $10. Children 10 and under are free. 

2. One play to rule them all. Lord of the Rings: A Very, Very, Very Short Journey will be playing at UNH Manchester tonight at 7 p.m. A play based on the Hobbit and the trilogy of Lord of the Rings. A self-written parody, this is sure to include something for all ages. Since 2009 the performing arts groups at the university have raised over $10,000 for charities across the state. This year, 30 students will grace the stage for a performance to benefit the Liberty House. Tickets are $3.00 for students, senior citizens (60+) and Military and $5.00 for other adults, Tickets for kids under 5 are free. Purchase your tickets at Manchester.unh.edu/arts or reserve your tickets by emailing unhm.studentactivities@unh.edu, or call 603-641-4395.

3. Politics! Join CATCH Neighborhood Housing for a hilarious evening with the Capitol Steps’unique brand of musical political satire in the Capital Center For The Performing Arts in Concord Friday night at 8 p.m. Most cast members have worked on Capitol Hill: some for Democrats, some for Republicans, and others for politicians who firmly straddle the fence. No matter who holds office, there’s never a shortage of material. Says Steps founder Elaina Newport, “Typically the Republicans goof up, and the Democrats party. Then the Democrats goof up and the Republicans party. That’s what we call the two-party system.” All proceeds from the show benefit CATCH Neighborhood Housing.

4. Hot dog! The Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley’s Riverbend Youth Company is proud to present Disney’s 101 Dalmatian Kids! Just like the Disney classic movie, this stage production includes Cruella and her henchmen, the lovable Roger and Anita, and of course puppies galore! The cast of over 160 youth ages 5-13 come from the communities of Hollis, Amherst, Nashua, Mason, Merrimack, Mont Vernon, Milford, Brookline, Temple, Wilton, and even Pepperell MA.Show dates are January 18th at 7:30, 19th at 2:00 and 7:30, and the 20th at 2:00. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, available at the Toadstool Bookshop Milford in advance or at the door.

5. Beer! Join Incredibrew in Nashua for their Dark and Stormy Night Brewfest. IncrediBREW's darkest, thickest and heaviest brews will all be made at these two featured brewfests. Participants will make: Black Satin, Big Boy Stout, Smoked Porter, 99% Stout, Irish Dry Stout, Big Black Mariah and Robust Porter. This is not for the entry level beer drinker! This festival is for the advanced placement class who wants their beverage opaque and full of flavor. In two weeks these beers will be ready for you to bottle, take home and enjoy as you hunker down for the long winter nights. The brewfest will be on two evenings; January 17 and January 18 from 6pm-9pm. For only $60 receive two mixed cases of these fantastic winter brews (bottles not included)