There are so many events and things to do on the Seacoast that sometimes it helps to have your options filtered down a bit. Below are some of the most notable events coming up this weekend and over the next week.
Closing weekend for “The Little Mermaid”
While there are several concerts, films, and other events still to come in the Prescott Park Arts Festival, there are only five shows left for Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.” The park’s summer musical, which began back in June, will be staged for the last time on Sunday, Aug. 21.
As part of the final sendoff, several of the show’s cast members will participate in a meet-and-greet lunch on Saturday, Aug. 20, at 11 a.m. Ariel, Prince Eric, Sebastian, Flounder, and other characters will be on hand for an afternoon of activities. Tickets for the meet and greet are $15, or $50 for a family four-pack.
There are also three big concerts coming up next week at the seaside park in downtown Portsmouth, including Judy Collins on Aug. 24, Mavis Staples on Aug. 26, and Lucinda Williams on Aug. 27.
Remaining show times for “The Little Mermaid” are Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 1 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 7 p.m. For more information, visit prescottpark.org.
General Petraeus in Portsmouth
Gen. David H. Petraeus courtesy photo
It’s not every day you get to hear a former CIA director share details about his career. But guests at The Music Hall will have that opportunity on Friday night when General David H. Petraeus takes the stage.
The event is being presented by the Seacoast chapter of Veterans Count, a program of Easter Seals NH that provides emergency assistance and services to military members and their families. Jack Heath of New Hampshire Today will moderate a discussion with Petraeus about his military and public service career. U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte will introduce Petraeus.
Gen. Petraeus served 37 years in the U.S. Military, serving as commander of the U.S. Central Command and commander of the International Security Assistance Force before leading the Central Intelligence Agency. He resigned as CIA director in 2012 following a scandal in which he allegedly provided classified information to his biographer, who was also his mistress.
The event at The Music Hall in Portsmouth takes place at 7 p.m. on Aug. 19. Tickets are $25 to $35, or $50 for VIP seating. All proceeds go to Veterans Count. For tickets and more information, click here.
Jamaican Appreciation Day
For several decades, Jamaican natives have been part of the community in North Hampton. Some Jamaican employees of Applecrest Farm Orchards have been on the seasonal staff for as long as 40 years, according to Applecrest owner Peter Wagner.
Now, the Friends of the Hampton Falls Bandstand Concert series is collaborating with Applecrest to recognize the local Jamaican community during the inaugural Jamaican Appreciation Day on Thursday, Aug. 25.
The event includes a concert featuring local reggae and calypso band Islandside, followed by a meet and greet at Applecrest. The concert takes place at 6:30 p.m. at the bandstand in the town common at the corner of Routes 1 and 88, with the meet and greet following from 7:45 to 8:45 p.m.
For more information, contact TJ Wheeler at tjwheeler7@yahoo.com.
20th annual Hookfest
Houndmouth courtesy photo
It’s August. Sit in the grass, have a cold beer, and listen to some live music. The Redhook Brewery in Portsmouth is hosting its 20th annual Hookfest event on Saturday, Aug. 20, from 3 to 10 p.m.
Indiana-based band Houndmouth will headline the festival, following sets from Maine-based group Ghost of Paul Revere, singer-songwriter Jon King, and Seacoast favorites Gretchen and the Pickpockets. They’ll all take the stage on Redhook’s giant lawn, where guests are invite to set up blankets or folding chairs.
Tickets are $25, available here. Of course, there will also be cash sales of beer and food on the premises.
Get your Po’ Boys for free
You don’t need a ticket to see one of the Seacoast’s favorite bands live in concert this weekend. The Soggy Po’ Boys are playing a free show at the Portsmouth Music and Arts Center on Friday, Aug. 19, at 7 p.m.
For those not familiar with the Po’ Boys, they describe their sound as “New Orleans jazz served messy,” with a repertoire of standards, spirituals, swing tunes, and contemporary music.
The show takes place in PMAC’s Haas Family Recital Hall. For more information, click here.
“Almost, Maine” at Hackmatack
The cast of Almost, Maine. photo courtesy of S&W Bradley Photography
A cast of just four actors plays a total of 18 characters in “Almost, Maine,” a romantic comedy now on stage at the Hackmatack Playhouse in Berwick, Maine. The show opened last night and continues through Sept. 3.
First staged at the Portland Stage Co. in 2004, “Almost, Maine” consists of nine vignettes written by John Cariani. Hackmatack’s production is directed by Genevieve Aichele, founding artistic director of the New Hampshire Theatre Project in Portsmouth. The show stars local actors Monique Foote, Adam LaFramboise, Jennifer Henry, and Josh Gluck.
Show times are Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Thursdays. Ticket prices vary; for more info, click here.