The abi Innovation Hub will prove that business doesn't have to be boring as it hosts a concert at Arms Park this Thursday. The Party at Arms, as it's being called, is a fundraiser for the Innovation Hub, a local non-profit organization that helps small businesses get their start with the help of work space and resources.

Arms Park, overlooking the river, is a beautiful resource. We're glad more organizations are using it for events. For this Thursday's soiree, organizers have rented a big tent where they will entertain and feed attendees from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. for $35 a person. Eats include treats from Mint, T-Bones, Queen City Cupcakes, and more. Beverages will be available at a cash bar and entertainment will be provided by the Boston band the WANDAS performing with Ryan Lee Crosby.

Since this is all part of Manchester's Second Annual Small Business Week, there will be some business involved. Noah Everett will talk to the crowd about how he built Twitpic, a high growth company based in Charleston, S.C. Its technology lets Twitter users share photos and videos.

Small Business Week has a bunch of programs and events aimed at helping new and existing small business owners succeed. You may have seen a commercial running that features Dyn CEO Jeremy Hitchcock and Pubali Campbell, owner of Bikram Yoga Manchester. A full list of events can be found at www.yourmanchesternh.com/smallbusinessweek.

Cause hits “Real” close to home

Former Alderman Real Pinard is used to talking in front of an audience. But last weekend he just couldn't make it through his speech.

Pinard, whose wife, Joanna, recently lost her sight to macular degeneration, was a featured speaker last weekend at a showing at the Palace Theatre of “Going Blind,” a movie about the realities of losing one's sight. The local event also featured the film's producer and director, Joseph Lovett.

On stage, Pinard expected to give a speech about supporting the New Hampshire Association for the Blind and what it's like to be personally affected. “But when I got to the part about being married 54 years, I broke down,” Pinard said, noting the movie accurately portrayed what it's like to have a loved one lose their sight. “It's exactly the way it is in the movie,” he said.

We know Pinard has done his fair share of volunteering for various organizations — we recall him being our go-to guy to get ice for the American Heart Association's Heart Walk when we hosted it at the New Hampshire Union Leader — and now he's trying to spread the word about a cause that's hitting close to home. You can join Pinard at the New Hampshire Association for the Blind's 3K Walk for Sight on Saturday, June 2, in Concord.

The group has a goal of raising $100,000 — for its 100th year — and has offered a special incentive to fellow non-profits who want to join them. The Association for the Blind will split donations 50/50 with any non-profit team that raises more than $1,000. For more information on the event or to register, visit www.sightcenter.org or call 224-4039.

Following her heart

Speaking of the Heart Walk, Audra Burns has rejoined the American Heart Association as director of communications just in time for the annual event. Burns has left her role as marketing and sales director at Kriss Cosmetics and followed her heart back to the AHA, where she began volunteering at 17 when she chose childhood obesity awareness as her platform in the Miss New Hampshire program. After her year of wearing the crown in 2005, she was hired as the American Heart Association's youth market director and held that position for more than four years.

Burns had her heart set on staying with the organization and one day becoming its communications director. But that job was eliminated in a reorganization, and she eventually decided to try the cosmetics opportunity. When she found out the position was being reintroduced she jumped at the chance to work at the AHA again.

“I believe so deeply in the mission, building healthier lives free of cardiovascular disease and stroke. I am privileged that every day I go to work I am in some way helping to better the health of New Hampshire and save lives,” Burns told The Scene.

Kriss Cosmetics clients are still in good hands. Burns' assistant, Cathy Beauchesne, has moved into her role.

At Kriss Cosmetics, Burns was a social media superstar, keeping the business' Facebook fans engaged and up to date. We know we'll see similar results as she takes on the Heart Association's social media programs. The 2012 Heart Walk is scheduled for Saturday, June 2, at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. For more information visit www.centralnhheartwalk.org

NH365.org event of the week

Cirque Du Soleil is in town May 30 - June 3. Eight performances of Dralion are scheduled for Wednesday through Sunday at Verizon Wireless Arena. We've seen quite a few Cirque shows and are never disappointed with the beautiful music and acrobatics. Sometimes it's a little weird, but it's always entertaining. Tickets range from $37 to $147. For more information on this event and many more, visit www.nh365.org.

If you have an interesting item for Scene in Manchester, email it to scene@unionleader.com.