It’s another summer weekend full of art and entertainment on the Seacoast.
Tribute bands and DJs at The Press Room
Tribute bands Bikini Whale and Hey Blondie will celebrate the music of The B-52s and Blondie, respectively, at The Press Room in Portsmouth on Friday at 6 p.m. ($15-$20). Later that night, DJ Ladi Dre hosts JUNGLE SAUCE at 10 p.m. ($15). DJ D-Rowe Beatz takes over the turntables on Saturday at 10 p.m. ($10). (There’s also a whole lotta jazz happening at The Press Room this weekend; more on that later.) Learn more here.
New Works Festival at N.H. Theatre Project
Dive In Productions presents the third annual DIVE IN-cubator New Works Festival at New Hampshire Theatre Project in Portsmouth on Friday and Saturday from 7-9 p.m. Playwrights of all experience levels will share their work and receive feedback from fellow writers. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
A concert and jazz fest at Prescott Park
The Prescott Park Arts Festival continues with indie folk-rock band Fantastic Cat performing on the outdoor stage in Portsmouth on Friday at 7 p.m. The 43rd annual Seacoast Jazz Festival follows on Saturday from 12-6 p.m., featuring the Yoko Miwa Trio, Soggy Po’ Boys, Nick Grondin Group, Salsa Secrets, Kristalis y Las Nenas del Swing, and the Seacoast Big Band. There’s a $20 suggested donation; table and blanket reservations are available. Learn more here.
Comedy Competition at the Millspace
Aspiring comics and seasoned performers alike will take the stage before a panel of funny judges at the Newmarket Millspace on Friday at 7 p.m. Sign up to perform in the Lamprey River Comedy Competition or just laugh along as competitors vie for cash prizes. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Acoustic music at The Word Barn Meadow
Acoustic bluegrass band NewFound Road will play a lively show at The Word Barn Meadow in Exeter on Friday from 7-9 p.m. ($42). Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers, Jefferson Hamer, Steve Roy, and Wendy Sassafras Ramsay then join forces in Dead to the Core, an acoustic celebration of The Grateful Dead, on Sunday from 7-9 p.m. ($25). Learn more here.
Live shows on the Button Factory Stage
Cryin Caleb (aka the Blues-Punk Prophet of Doom) and fellow rocker Lynda Mandolyn will share the Button Factory Stage at WSCA Portsmouth Community Radio on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ($10-$15). Tribute band Jar of Flies plays an acoustic set of music by Alice in Chains on Saturday at 8 p.m. ($20). Learn more here.
Gaskell’s Greatest Hits at The Players Ring
Local playwright and actor G. Matthew Gaskell will host three performances of his best short works at The Players Ring in Portsmouth this weekend. Performances of a half-dozen short plays will take place on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $22-$24. Learn more here.
Music and dancing at The Rockingham Ballroom
The Rockingham Ballroom is hosting yet another weekend of music and dancing in Newmarket. The next Ballroom Social Dance on Friday starts with beginner-friendly dance lessons at 7:45 p.m., followed by a mix of danceable music ($10-$15). An all-ages Karaoke Night with DJ Dave follows on Saturday at 8 p.m. ($10). Learn more here.
Morgan Wade: Love’s Insane Tour at 3S
Country musician Morgan Wade brings her Love’s Insane Tour to Portsmouth for a concert at 3S Artspace on Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40-$45. The pre-show “Stories Behind The Songs” VIP upgrade includes unreleased music, a Q&A, a photo with Wade, and special merch ($103, sold separately). Learn more here.
Two shows at The Music Hall Lounge
Two talented regional singer-songwriters will take the stage at The Music Hall Lounge in Portsmouth this weekend. Award-winning Portland-based musician Connor Garvey performs on Friday at 8 p.m. ($19-$29). Massachusetts-based teen pop-rock artist Ava Valianti follows on Saturday at 8 p.m. ($18-$28).
Portsmouth Jazz Weekend
After the Seacoast Jazz Festival ends, the jazz music keeps going. The Seacoast Jazz Society is hosting Portsmouth Jazz Weekend at The Press Room, featuring the Ed Saindon Quartet on Saturday at 6 p.m., the Artie Bakopolus Quintet on Sunday at 11 a.m., and Anick – Klaxton – Effenberger – Connors on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $32-$38 per concert. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.
