This weekend, punks play a benefit show, The Look Backs release a CD, Santas go out drinking, Delicate Steve comes to town, and Charles Dickens haunts numerous local stages. Find out more below.
Punks 4 Tots
Every year, a bunch of goody-goody punk do-gooders get together in Dover to throw a raucous concert and support a good cause. This year’s Punks 4 Tots event takes place at the Dover Brickhouse on Friday, Dec. 8, at 8 p.m. Presented by Dirty Olde Town, the show features area bands Genuine Rust, Meanmugg, Martians NR, and Step 13. The cost of entry is a new toy or canned food item, which will be donated to a local charity.
The Look Backs CD release
After years of performing in the area, local folk-rock band The Look Books are set to release their debut album. The trio, featuring singer-guitarist Jonathan Blakeslee, bassist Zach Smith, and drummer Eben Hearn, will celebrate with a show at Portsmouth Book & Bar on Friday, Dec. 8. Originally an RPM Challenge project, “Music on the Radio” was recorded at the Electric Cave by Marc McElroy, who opens the show in Portsmouth at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $5.
Portsmouth SantaCon 2017
To get into some holiday spirits, join Portsmouth SantaCon on Saturday, Dec. 9. The concept is simple: Dress up as Santa or Mrs. Claus (or reindeer or elves) and go barhopping downtown. The schedule includes the Thirsty Moose at 6 p.m., The Wilder at 7 p.m., The Goat at 8 p.m., Martingale Wharf at 9 p.m., and the Clipper Tavern following a group photo in Market Square at 10 p.m. Organizers will also collect food donations for Gather.
Christmas theater
This time of year, you can see holiday classics on almost every stage on the Seacoast. Here’s a partial roundup: “A Christmas Carol” is at The Players’ Ring in Portsmouth, Rochester Opera House, and Exeter Town Hall (presented by Prescott Park Arts Festival). “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” is at The Music Hall in Portsmouth, “Winter Wonderettes” is at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre in Portsmouth, and Pontine Theatre’s “A New England Christmas” is at the Seacoast Science Center in Rye.
Delicate Steve
Despite his “Delicate” moniker, Steve Marion plays slide guitar with a fiercely beautiful, uniquely expressive style, which has earned him collaborations with David Byrne, Dirty Projectors, Paul Simon, Mac DeMarco, and others. Touring in support of his latest studio album, “Cowboy Stories,” he’ll perform at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth on Sunday, Dec. 10, at 8 p.m., following an opening set from regional band Hammydown. Tickets are $12-$14. For a sample of Delicate Steve’s music, see the video below.
For a full calendar of local events, click here.