It’s spring, it’s almost Earth Day, and there are loads of things to do this weekend indoors and outdoors. Here are a few of the highlights.
Theater shows in Portsmouth
CJ Lewis in NHTP’s 2015 production of I Am My Own Wife. photo by Sofia Piel
Two local theater companies are opening new shows this weekend in Portsmouth. Veterans in Performing Arts presents the New Hampshire premiere of Robert Schenkkan’s political drama, “All the Way,” at The Players’ Ring from April 21 to May 7. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. (3 p.m. on May 7); tickets are $15, available here. And New Hampshire Theatre Project brings back Doug Wright’s one-man-show “I Am My Own Wife,” starring CJ Lewis, from April 21-30. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.; tickets are $28, available here.
Jumbo Circus Peanuts Spring Schwing
The Jumbo Circus Peanuts get into the schwing of things.
The Seacoast’s premiere party band, the Jumbo Circus Peanuts, holds its annual Spring Schwing concert at the Portsmouth VFW Hall on Friday, April 21, at 8 p.m. The event was originally scheduled for March 31, but the season was not ready to cooperate, as the show was postponed due to snow. The Peanuts are enticing guests with the promise of “hilarity, free snacks, cheap drinks, super funky dance music and high fashion.” Tickets are $10; learn more here.
Earth Day events
PS21 aims to add ecological design and permaculture elements to Portsmouth’s Vaughan Mall.
Saturday is Earth Day, and there are several ways to celebrate. In the second installment of PS21’s three-part event Vaughan Mall Green, planner and permaculture designer Steve Whitman leads a workshop at Discover Portsmouth from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Other Earth Day highlights: The Seacoast Science Center in Rye hosts a 5K Rescue Run: Race for Marine Mammals at Odiorne Point State Park at 9 a.m.; the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover holds a variety of Earth-friendly activities from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; and Eastern Mountain Sports in Portsmouth leads a roadside cleanup and clinic from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Marathon bombing book author
Michele McPhee shares her new book in Exeter this weekend.
Boston-based investigative journalist Michele McPhee will be at Water Street Bookstore in Exeter on Saturday, April 22, to present her new book, “Maximum Harm: The Tsarnaev Brothers, the FBI, and the Road to the Marathon Bombing.” The book explores the events leading up to and following the deadly Boston Marathon bombing of 2013. McPhee’s visit comes just days after this year’s Marathon, which took place April 17. The free event begins at 6 p.m.; learn more here.
Casino Ballroom season opens
Trace Adkins takes the Ballroom stage Saturday.
The Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom kicks off its 2017 concert season with a performance by country star Trace Adkins on Saturday, April 22. Adkins, who has sold more than 11 million albums and earned three Grammy nominations, is touring in support of his 12th studio album, “Something’s Going On,” which was just released on March 31. Each ticket order comes with a copy of the CD. The 18-plus show starts at 8 p.m.; tickets are $35.50-$52.50, available here.