Lots of music, theater, and hot sauce coming up this summer weekend. Here are some highlights.Preview (opens in a new tab)
Concerts at The Stone Church
Big shows this weekend at The Stone Church in Newmarket! Iconic folk-rock group Aztec Two-Step (above), who just learned they will be inducted into the New England Music Hall of Fame, takes the outdoor stage on Friday from 6-9 p.m. ($25). Soulful funk-rock trio The Nth Power returns on Saturday at 9 p.m. ($20). String duo Jim Prendergast and Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki play an “Irish Night” Matinee on Sunday from 4-6 p.m. ($20). Learn more here.
Concerts at The Word Barn Meadow
It’s a packed weekend at The Word Barn Meadow in Exeter. Mass.-based Americana collaborative The Whiskey Treaty Roadshow (above) plays in the open air on Friday from 7-8:30 p.m. ($20). Saturday brings a triple-bill concert featuring post-country artist Dylan Earl with regional favorites Tiger Saw and Carrie & Dani & Ed from 7-10 p.m. ($15). Brooklyn-based bluegrass trio Damn Tall Buildings follows on Sunday from 7-8:30 p.m. ($20). Learn more here.
The Dance Hall presents…
The Dance Hall is presenting a variety of events in Kittery this weekend. Traditional quartet the Pine Tree Flyers shines a light on the tunes of the Northeast on Friday from 7:30-9 p.m. ($15). Jazz group the Russ Gershon Trio delivers a fresh take on a surprising repertoire at John Paul Jones Park on Saturday from 5:30-7 p.m. ($15). Peggo Horstmann Hodes presents a Sound Meditation Experience on Sunday from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. ($15). Learn more here.
Theater on the Seacoast
It’s a big weekend for theater on the Seacoast, with several beloved musicals opening at local venues. The Seacoast Repertory Theatre in Portsmouth presents “Rent” from July 28 to Sept. 10 ($32-$52). The Rochester Opera House presents “The Sound of Music” from July 29 to Aug. 21 ($19-$32). And The Hackmatack Playhouse in Berwick, Maine — entering its 50th and FINAL season — presents “Smoke on the Mountain” from July 29 to Aug. 20 ($20-$30).
New England Hot Sauce Fest
Time to get spiced up. Local business The Spicy Shark is hosting the first ever New England Hot Sauce Fest outside the Smuttynose Brewery in Hampton on Saturday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. There will be sauce samples from more than 20 companies, live music, food trucks, contests, bouncy houses, and more. Tickets are $10-$15. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.