Here are a dozen great ways to spend the last weekend of May.
Live music at The Press Room
Soulful Boston-bred vocalist Jen Kearney gets the weekend started at The Press Room in Portsmouth with a gig featuring opener Brad Dubay on Friday at 6:30 p.m. ($20-$25). Later that night, Maine-based DJ abnr and guest KVNT!E host an EDM dance party at 10:30 p.m. ($10). Rootsy local favorite High Range follows on Saturday at 5 p.m. ($20-$25). Alt-rock band DUUNES headlines with opener New Norde on Sunday at 7 p.m. ($15-$18). Learn more here.
Drag and cabaret at Millspace
Head to the Newmarket Millspace for a fabulous evening of drag, glamour, and performances on Friday at 7 p.m. ($15-$20). Then head back for the next installment of the Millspace Mainstage Cabaret Series, titled Young (or Old) at Heart, with host Haley DeValliere on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ($15). Learn more here.
“Mean Girls” at the Seacoast Rep
Straight from the mind of Tina Fey, the hilarious and high-energy musical “Mean Girls” is on stage at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre in Portsmouth through June 28. Show times this weekend are Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $47-$81. Learn more here.
Two live shows at WSCA Radio
Brace yourself for a night of noisy experimentation at WSCA Radio in Portsmouth when This Is Not OK shares the Button Factory Stage with guests Homemade Firearms and Spare Rooms on Friday at 7 p.m. ($10-$15). Folk and Americana singer-songwriter Simon Elijah follows on Saturday at 8 p.m. ($10). Learn more here.
Music in The Word Barn Meadow
Summer unofficially begins when The Word Barn in Exeter moves its concerts outside to the Meadow. That happens this weekend, starting with two-time JUNO award winner William Prince on Friday from 7-9 p.m. ($25). North Carolina roots duo Chatham Rabbits then takes the outdoor stage on Sunday from 7-9 p.m. ($28). Learn more here.
“Emma” at The Players’ Ring
Playwright Kate Hamill infuses Jane Austen’s classic novel with razor-sharp humor and contemporary energy in her theatrical adaptation of “Emma.” It’s on stage at The Players’ Ring in Portsmouth through June 21; show times this weekend are Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $29-$32. Learn more here.
Cosmic Gardens Music Fest
The Somersworth Shopping Plaza will be filled with live music and performances, food trucks, artists, vendors, interactive activities, live demos, classes, and more during the Cosmic Gardens Music Fest on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Our Earthship at Green Acre
As part of its “Migration” art theme, Green Acre in Eliot is hosting an immersive dance performance this weekend. Created and directed by Jeff Jean-Philippe of OneLove and The Expressive Movement dance company, “Our Earthship” will be performed on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $5-$30. Learn more here.
Safe Haven Ballet at STAR Theatre
Safe Haven Ballet’s annual Student Showcase, featuring both students and company dancers, comes to STAR Theatre in the Kittery Community Center on Saturday at 4 p.m. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Voices 21C at St. John’s Church
Boston-based vocal ensemble Voices 21C will present Walls Come Tumblin’ Down, a powerful program centered on sanctuary through poetry, spoken word, song, and movement, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth on Saturday at 4 p.m. Tickets are $15-$40. Learn more here.
Le Freak at The Rockingham Ballroom
Dance through the decades at The Rockingham Ballroom’s disco dance party in Newmarket on Saturday night. DJ Chad Banks will start the party at 8 p.m. with timeless classics of the 1970s, then move into modern interpretations from nu disco to disco house and beyond. Tickets are $10-$15. Learn more here.
Writers in the Round Spring Concert
Each year, a group of musicians and writers gather on Star Island to generate new work and share it with others. They’ll perform some of their latest pieces at the Writers in the Round Spring Concert at the Kittery Art Association on Sunday from 4-6 p.m. Tickets to the fundraising event are $25. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.
