August 7, 2008

Back on the field
… and in the studio, on the stage, on the court and at the bar
By Sarah LaPlante listings@hippopress.com

Don’t tell the kids, but the first day of school is not too far off.

And, while a return to the classroom is only a few weeks away, the time to register for all of those accompanying classes and lessons and sports is now. Many organizations have their rosters of fall classes out now and slots will likely fill up fast. Whether your kid is looking to try something new or to improve existing skills, there are plenty of activities that can get children of all interests excited about, if not school, the coming fall season.

Here are a few of the classes and events your future artist or budding soccer star could fill some afternoons with this fall. Call to verify prices and class availability.

GET MOVING
Dance and yoga
• Moving Spirit, the Center for Yoga, Dance & Wellness (32 DW Hwy, Merrimack, 886-7308, www.movingspirityogadance.com) Afternoon classes in creative dance and yoga for children ages 4 to 11. Classes run from September to June. Year-long registration per student costs $20. Toddler classes cost $14 to drop in, or $52 per month.
• Paper Moon Dance Center (515 DW Hwy, Merrimack, 429-1100, papermoondance.com) Teen ballroom, Latin and swing programs available on Fridays, from 6:45 to 7:30 p.m. A new dance to work on each month. Cost is $8 per student per week; a full month is charged up front. Also offering ballroom classes for home-schoolers, ages 11 to 18.
• Majestic Academy of Dramatic Arts (281 Cartier St., Manchester, 669-7469, www.majestictheatre.net) Offering classes in dance, drama and music. Prices vary.
• YWCA (72 Concord St., Manchester, 625-5785) New dance, tumbling and cheerleading techniques for girls ages 8 to 12. These classes are free on Wednesdays, from 6 to 7 p.m., throughout the school year. E-mail sarahgpc@ywcanh.org.
• Yoga Sanctuary (25 Indian Rock Road, The Commons, Windham, 537-0588, www.yogasanctuary.com) Classes for kids ages 6 to 11 on Saturdays, from 10 to 11:15 a.m. Yoga for teens, ages 12 to 18, on Tuesdays, from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Cost is $15 per class.
• Yoga Balance (2 Arlington St., Manchester, 627-0008) Classes for ages 8 to 12 focusing on stretching, building strength and relaxation. Classes are 45 minutes of yoga and 15 minutes of sharing time and snack. Call for class prices and details.

Gymnastics
• Gymnastics Village (13 Caldwell Drive, Amherst, 889-8092, www.gymnasticsvillage.com) Gymnastics for ages 18 months to 18 years. Fees vary.
• Tumble Town Gymnastics (215 Canal St., Manchester, 641-9591)
• Flipz Gymnastics (134D Hall St., Concord, 224-3223, www.flipzgymnastics.com)
• Gheorghe Ghita Gymnastics (35 Londonderry Turnpike, Hooksett, 624-0308)
• Granite State Gymnastics Center (71 River Road, Bow, 228-8424, www.GSGymCenter.com)
• Gymboree Play Music & Art Program (211 Loudon Road, Concord, 225-0044, www.gymboreeclasses.com)
• Kelly’s Gymnastics (10 North Main St., Rochester, 332-9821, www.kellysgymnastics.com)
• Nashua School of Gymnastics (30 Pond St., Nashua, 880-4927, www.nashuaschoolofgymnastics.com)
• New England Gymnastics Training Center (5 Tracy Lane, Hudson, 880-8482, www.negtc.com)
• Spectrum Gymnastics Academy (26 Buttrick Road, Londonderry, 434-8388, www.spectrumgymnasticsacademy.com)
• Voter’s Gymnastics (13-15 Delaware Drive, Salem, 893-5190, www.votersdanceandgym.com)

Martial arts
• Academy of Health & Martial Arts (locations in Manchester, 626-KARATE, and Milford, 672-1333. academy-martialarts.com) Students can start classes at any age, depending on ability and inclination.
• Bujinkan Dojo (250 Commercial St., Manchester, 668-3181, Airyu@hotmail.com)
• House of the Samurai (28 Buttrick Road, Londonderry, 434-1445, www.house-of-the-samurai.net) Karate instruction for children as young as age 3. Pricing available upon request.
• Manchester Karate Studio (24 Bridge St., Manchester, 625-5835, www.manchesterkarate.com) Karate lessons for children of all ages. Prices vary. First class and uniform free.
• Manchester School of Tae Kwon Do (Manchester YMCA on Mechanic Street, www.mstkd.com) Based at the Manchester YMCA, offering affordable instruction to students of all ages.
• Masters Self-Defense Centers (166 North Broadway, Salem, 898-7504, http://connect.to/masters) Classes for students as young as 4.
• MLK Self-Defense Academy (323 South Willow St., Manchester, 625-4655, www.mlksda.com) Little Dragons, Little Ninjas and Kids’ Club programs available. Little Dragons meet Saturdays from 9:15 to 9:45 a.m.; Little Ninjas meet Monday or Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, from 5 to 5:30 p.m.; Kids Club meets Monday or Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, from 5:40 to 6:30 p.m.
• Paul Averill’s Martial Arts Academy (20 Pleasant St., Concord, 223-0300, www.averillsmartialarts.com) Instruction in Kung Foo, Aikido, Chin Na, Tai Chi and Qi Gong. Children’s programs are available. Call for class schedule.
• Sidekick Taekwondo, Inc. (Derry Plaza, Route 102, Londonderry, 434-4300, www.sidekicktaekwondo.com)
• Sifu West’s Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan (10 Northern Boulevard, Amherst, 483-1903, www.yangstyle.com) Offering private instruction.
• Terry Dow’s Academy of Martial Arts (999 Candia Road, Manchester, 606-5457, tdkimac@aol.com) Instruction in Jujutsu, grappling, kickboxing, kenpo, wing chun, combative street defense, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Kosho.
• Tokyo Joe’s Studios of Self-Defense (143 West Pearl St., Nashua, 889-4165, www.tokyojoes.net) Programs for Little Panthers (ages 3 and 4), Dragons (5 and 6) and Juniors (ages 7 to 12) in karate as well as various other martial arts disciplines.

Create
Art
• Beck’s Art Express, LLC (Concord, artsexpress.com, 781-910-3438) Lessons and art parties for children conducted by a certified art instructor and artist with more than 10 years experience teaching art to children.
• Talk, Paper, Scissors, Inc. (Willow Tree Plaza, 575 S. Willow St., Manchester, 669-8009, talkpaperscissors.com) Paper crafting classes for all ages. Journaling, scrapbooking, collages and more. A detailed list of classes is available online.
• Currier Art Center (180 Pearl St., Manchester, 669-6144, ext. 122, www.currier.org/artcenter) At press time, fall season not yet established. The Center offers art programs for children as young as 3 years old. Prices for classes vary, depending upon materials used and other factors. Details will be posted on the Center’s Web site as they become available.
• Kaleidoscope Children’s Museum (8 South Main St., Concord, 229-4526, www.kaleidoscopechildrensmuseum.org) Currently offering private and group art lessons. Private lessons cost $25 per hour lesson and includes materials. Small group lessons cost $15, including materials. Museum members receive 15 percent off all class prices. Class schedule available upon request.
• New Hampshire Institute of Art (148 Concord St., Manchester, 866-241-4918, www.nhia.edu) Offering pre-college art classes for high school students that earn college-level credits. Prices vary according to class and materials used. Updated information will be posted on the Web site as it becomes available.
• You’re Fired (Bedford, 641-FIRE; Salem, 984-KILN; Concord, 226-FIRE; www.yourefirednh.com) Camp Fired Summer 2008 includes “Under the Sea” camp during week of Aug. 18 at all studios, 8:30 to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday. Designed for ages 6 to 12; some exceptions allowed. Children make a take-home craft each day. $95 per week; discount for two or more sessions. Open studio hours also available, fee of $6 for children under 12, $8 for adults; full schedule online. Teen nights Friday nights.

Music
• Bordeleau Keyboarding Studios (48 Maple Drive, Bedford, 472-5566) Group and private lessons in keyboard, piano, organ and digital piano, for ages 5 through high school.
• Concord Community Music School (23 Wall St., Concord, 228-1196, www.ccmusicschool.org) Offering a variety of musical instruction for ages as young as 6 months, either group or private lessons. Prices vary.
• The Lidman Music School (419 Amherst St., Nashua, 882-5456, lidmanmusic.com) Private instruction in violin, viola and piano for students of all ages. Weekly 30-minute private lessons cost $95 per month. Weekly 45-minute lessons cost $140 per month. Weekly 60-minute lessons cost $185 per month. Parents are encouraged to attend lessons.
• The Little Private Music School (1 Bryce Drive, Merrimack, 424-4116, www.tlpmusicschool.com) Private and group instruction in voice, piano and keyboard, acoustic and electric guitar, bass guitar, woodwinds and brass. Half-hour private lessons and unlimited group classes cost $130 per month. Full-hour private lessons and unlimited group classes cost $240 per month. Special considerations made for multi-family-member participation.
• Manchester Community Music School (2291 Elm St., Manchester, 644-4548, www.mcmusicschool.org) Private and group instruction in various instruments as well as offering students learning opportunities in ensembles, orchestras and choirs. All ages and abilities welcomed. Tuition rates vary. Financial aid is available upon request.
• Manchester Music Mill (Stark Mill, 400 Bedford St., Suite 101, Manchester, 623-8022, www.manchestermusicmill.com) Private, semi-private and clinic lessons in drums and percussion, acoustic and electric guitar, bass guitar, woodwinds and brass. Lessons cost $20 per half hour. Jam nights offered for students and teachers on a regular basis.
• Mavro Music School (15 Olde Towne Road, Auburn, 483-5779) Lessons in guitar, piano, drums and electric bass, for ages 7 to adult. Half-hour lesson costs $16.
• Music Together (Locations in Milford, Amherst, Manchester and Bedford, 249-9560, www.musictogetherofmilford.com) 45-minute classes include songs, rhythmic chants, movement and instrument play for children as young as birth to 5 years old. Fall programs will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays in Bedford and Manchester, Tuesdays through Fridays in Milford.
• Nashua Community Music School (5 Pine St., Nashua, 881-7030, www.nashuacms.org) Lessons offered in flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, violin, viola, guitar, piano and voice. 30-minute private lesson costs $28 per lesson. 45-minute lesson costs $34 per lesson. 60-minute lesson costs $56 per lesson. Also offering opportunities in ensembles, jazz sessions and early learning programs.
• Ted Herbert Music School (922 Elm St., Manchester, 669-9191, www.tedherbert.com) Private instruction in brass, drum, guitar, bass, piano and keyboard, string, voice and woodwind. Group instruction in finger aerobics, harmonic ear training and notation, intervalic ear training and notation. $25 one-time registration fee required. Half hour lessons cost $22.
• West Brothers Music (Locations in Amherst, Londonderry and Tewksbury, Mass., 438-1903, www.westbrothersmusic.com) Private lessons in piano, drums/percussion, guitar, bass and voice, as well as courses in music theory, history, improvisation and ensemble performance. Total tuition for 12 months of weekly half-hour lessons is $1,140. Tuition for 9 months of weekly half-hour lessons is $900.

Theater
• The Acting Loft (516 Pine St. in Manchester, 666-5999,www.actingloft.org) offers several youth and teen acting, dance and vocal classes for kids as young as 3 years old. (Acting Loft also offers adult classes.) The fall session begins in September. Most classes cost $150 (the class for 3 to 5 year olds and a class on acting for the camera each cost $200).
• The Bedford Youth Performing Company (155 Route 101 in Bedford, 472-3894, www.bypc.org) offers classes in acting, musical theater, dance, instruments and voice, as well as jazz/blues combo and jazz and rock ensembles. The company also features a class on television work. Classes are offered for toddlers through teenagers, according to the group’s Web site. Tuition for the school-year-long sessions varies according to the classes.
• The Majestic Theatre (281 Cartier St. in Manchester, 669-7469, www.majestictheatre.net) offers classes in music and drama.
• The Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester, 668-5888, www.palacetheatre.org) holds workshops for kids as young as 2 and as old as 18 throughout the year. Fall classes include daytime classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon for kids age 2 to 6 p.m. ($85 per month session) and classes for kids ages 7 to 13 focusing on singing (Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m.) or drama (Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 3 to 5 p.m. for $75).
• The Peacock Players (14 Court St., in Nashua, 889-2330, www.peacockplayers.org) offers classes for kids age 5 and up. Classes for older kids with experience culminate in shows in December. Tuition for the most recent session of classes was $165 per student. Check the Web site for this semester’s classes.

Afterschool learning
Recreation
• Concord Boys & Girls Club (55 Bradley St., Concord, 224-1061, www.concordkids.org) After-school program available for ages 6 to 12. Programs also available in Hopkinton and Suncook. Applications available on Web site.
• Concord Family YMCA (15 North State St., Concord, 228-9622, www.concordymca.org) First fall session runs from Sept. 8 to Oct. 25. Most programs run 7 or 8 weeks. Programs are on a first come, first served basis. Programs range from karate to youth weight training. Full schedule and program list online.
• Greater Manchester YMCA (locations in Manchester, Goffstown, Londonderry and Rochester, www.gmfymca.org) After-school care for preschool and school-aged children in all locations. School’s Out Program offering healthy snacks, homework support, activity times and some new program structures. Prices vary depending upon program and location.
• Manchester Boys & Girls Club (555 Union St., Manchester, 625-5031, www.mbgcnh.org) Largest and most affordable after-school program in the greater Manchester area. Includes the Keystone Club, Learning Center and Power Hour homework help. After-school care available in various locations.
• Nashua Boys & Girls Club (47 Grand Avenue, Nashua, 883-0523, www.bgcn.com) Serving boys and girls ages 5 to 18 through programs centered around five core program areas. Various locations in the greater Nashua area.
• Souhegan Valley Boys & Girls Club (56 Mount Vernon St., Milford, 672-1002, www.svbgc.org) Various programs for school-aged children. Participants learn life skills among their peers in engaging and affordable programming.
• YMCA of Greater Nashua (Merrimack location: 5 Henry Clay Drive, Merrimack, 881-7778; Nashua location: 17 Prospect St., Nashua, 882-2011; www.gmfmyca.org) After-school care and home-schooler gym time available year round. Cost depends on program participation and location.

Nature
• Amoskeag Fishways (6 Fletcher St., Manchester, 626-3474, www.amoskeagfishways.org) Currently offering a River Ecology Series for home-schoolers as well as educational and entertaining programs for learners of all ages. Full, up-to-date schedule is available at the Fishways Web site.
• Daniel Webster Council of Boy Scouts (McIninch Service Center, 571 Holt Avenue, Manchester, 625-6431, www.nhscouting.org) Scouting program serving nine geographical areas of New Hampshire. The Boy Scouts of America were created to educate, build character, develop citizenship and develop personal fitness for boys.
• Girl Scouts of Swift Water Council (One Commerce Drive, Bedford, 627-4158, www.swgirlscouts.org) Serving New Hampshire and portions of eastern Vermont. Committed to building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.
• Massabesic Audubon Center (Audubon Way, Auburn, 668-2045, www.nhaudubon.org/sanctuaries/massabesic.htm) Located on Lake Massabesic, this Audubon center offers hands-on animal courses, wilderness surveys and discovery walks. Full schedules available online.
• McLane Audubon Center (3 Silk Farm Road, Concord, 224-9909, www.nhaudubon.org/sanctuaries/silkfarm.htm) Formerly Silk Farm Center, offering animal presentations, courses and field trips. Full schedule available online.
• Seacoast Science Center (570 Ocean Blvd., Rye, 436-8043, www.seacoastsciencecenter.org) After-school programs for children ages 18 months to 7 years. Programs for older children will be posted as they become available. Visit the Center’s Web site for up-to-date schedules.

SPORTS
Basketball
• Bedford Basketball League (PO Box 10351, Bedford, 488-1161, www.bedfordbl.com) Recreational basketball teams for boys in grades 2 to 8 and girls in grades 2 to 8. Travel basketball teams for boys and girls in grades 3 to 8. Biddy basketball available for boys and girls in grades 9 to 12. Registration fees for recreational and biddy leagues are $55 and include a uniform t-shirt. Travel teams require an additional $175 after team selection.
• Concord Sports Center (2 Whitney Road, Concord, 224-1655, www.concordsportscenter.com) Currently offering youth leagues in indoor winter baseball (ages 8 to 10 and 10 to 12), flag football (ages 8 to 11 and 12 to 15), outdoor baseball (ages 5 to 8) and soccer. New leagues will begin in September. Prices vary depending upon program and duration of participation. Private baseball lessons offered year round. Cost for half hour of private instruction is $35 per student. Group instruction costs $30 per student for one-hour session, for three or more students only.

Ice sports
• Conway Ice Arena (8 Riverside St., Nashua, 595-2400, www.conwayarena.com) House hockey leagues for various ages as well as learn-to-skate classes, recreational skating camps, skills clinics and freestyle skating opportunities. Prices vary depending on the program. Downloadable registration forms online.
• Manchester Regional Youth Hockey Association (PO Box 4958, Manchester, www.mryha.org) Hockey programs for boys and girls of all ages. Tryouts take place during the latter half of August, before the school year begins. Prices vary depending on the age of players. Midget (for ages 15 and older) and Bantam (ages 13 & 14) division teams cost $625 for the 2008-2009 season. Peewee (11 and 12) and Squirt (9 and 10) teams cost $600 for the season. Prices do not reflect a $20-per-player fee for those living outside Manchester. $100 due at registration. Visit www.mryha.org for registration documents.
• Tri-Town Ice Arena (311 West River Road, Hooksett, 485-1100, www.tri-townicearena.com) Official training facility of the Manchester Monarchs offers travel, developmental and casual hockey leagues for all ages as well as programs for figure skating, learning to skate and freestyle skating. Programs are offered year round though team availability will vary. Refer to Web site for current position openings.

Horseback riding
• Apple Tree Farm (49 Wheeler Road in Hollis, 465-9592, appletreefarm.homestead.com.)
• Autumn Hill Farm (56 Sanborn Road in Concord, 224-1971)
• Kilkenny Horse Center (183 Silver Lake Road in Hollis, 465-7470)
• Just-In-Time Farm (191 Litchfield Road in Londonderry, 432-6262, justintimefarm.com)
• Lucky Seven Stables (254 Litchfield Rd. in Londonderry, www.lucky7stables.com)
• Oak Rise Farm (371 Shirley Hill Road in Goffstown, 656-9730, www.oakrisefarm.com)
• Ponemah Acres Farm and Riding Center (13 Veterans Road in Amherst, 672-3552)
• Rock Hill Stable (104 Pelham Road in Hudson, 577-8822, www.rockhillstable.com)
• Star Riding Academy (Amherst, 672-3552, hometown.aol.com/Starriding/Academy.htm)

Soccer
• Amherst Soccer Club (PO Box 853, Amherst, www.amherstsoccerclub.com) Program dedicated to developing the skills of players ages 3 to 18 and older.
• Bow Soccer Club (2 Mountain Farm Road, Bow, 224-4079, www.bowsoccerclub.com) Offering coed U8 and U9 teams and separate leagues for boys and girls, U10 to U14. Fall schedules posted online as they develop.
• Derry Hawks Soccer (216-2700, www.derrysoccerclub.org) Recreational teams for ages 5 to 16. Now accepting registration for all age groups. Registration closes on Aug. 24, cost per player is $70 with $30 multiple-player discount at final registration. Registrations received after Aug. 24 are subject to a $30 fee. Register online.
• Fieldhouse Sports (12 Tallwood Drive, Bow, 226-4646, www.fieldhousesports.com) “Little Strikers” soccer clinics for ages 5 to 6, “Mini Strikers” soccer clinics for ages 4 to 5, “Jeff Pill’s Soccer Skills” for ages 9 and older. Recreational programs available for various age groups, up to adult.
• Manchester East Soccer League (PO Box 4233, Manchester, 626-7833, www.mesl.org) Teams range from U6 to U19. Practices start the first week of August. Game schedules start at the beginning of September. Registrations received after July 1 are subject to a $25 fee.
• Manchester North Soccer League (647-1766, mnsl.org) Teams range from U6 to U19, cost per player is $45, $90 fee per family. Fall schedule will be posted online as it becomes available.

General athletics
• Milford Community Athletic Association (26 North River Road, Milford, www.mcaa.us) Programs in baseball, basketball, soccer and softball. Drop-in soccer registration remains open until Oct. 30. Winter softball registration will open on Dec. 23. Fall softball registration opened July 31; season starts Sept. 1. Fall soccer registration remains open until Aug. 16, season starts Sept. 1. Fall baseball registration opened July 24, season starts Sept. 8. Tryout dates listed online. Prices vary depending on league participation.
• NH Sportsplex (68 Technology Drive, Bedford, 641-1313, www.nhsportsplex.com) Offering league play in soccer, flag football, baseball, softball and field hockey. Most league play is limited to middle-school-aged students and older.