Get outside to celebrate Earth Day this weekend, and enjoy some great local events.
Singer-songwriters at The Word Barn
Friday’s co-bill show with Anna Tivel and Jeffrey Martin is sold out, but you can still nab tickets to Brian Dunne at The Word Barn in Exeter. The New York-based singer-songwriter, fresh off the release of his new album, “Loser on the Ropes,” will perform with guest Al Olender on Saturday from 7-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Standup comedy in Portsmouth
Steve Bjork, called “one of the top names” in New England standup comedy by The Boston Globe, will headline at Rio Tequila Cantina in Portsmouth on Friday from 7-9 p.m. ($20). That same night, he’ll open for comedian, musician, and actor Chance Langton at McCue’s Comedy Club in Portsmouth from 8-10 p.m. ($20). Learn more here.
Groove and boogie at The Dance Hall
Jazz pianist Matt Savage has performed with Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, Steve Earle, Jackson Browne, and others. The Matt Savage Groove Experiment plays The Dance Hall in Kittery on Friday from 7:30-9 p.m. ($17-$22). Latin bugalu band Lookie Lookie, a Dance Hall favorite, follows on Saturday from 7:30-9 p.m. ($17-$22). Learn more here.
Stone Dead at The Stone Church
The Stone Church is so Deadicated to the Dead that it has its own house tribute band. Composed of an all-star assemblage of local musicians, Stone Dead returns to the Newmarket venue to play the music of The Grateful Dead on back-to-back nights on Friday and Saturday. Both shows start at 9 p.m.; tickets are $20. Learn more here.
‘Ghost’ at the Seacoast Rep
Based on the 1990 hit movie, “Ghost: The Musical” is on stage now at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre in Portsmouth. Part romance and part fantasy thriller, it runs through May 14. Show times are generally Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $37-$62. Learn more here.
Concerts on the Button Factory Stage
Local singer-songwriter George Barber will celebrate his new record with a show in support of Nashville’s Afton Wolfe and guest Rachel Berlin on the Button Factory Stage in Portsmouth on Friday from 8-11 p.m. ($10). California’s Walter etc. follows with openers Watson Park and Ezra Cohen on Saturday from 8-11 p.m. ($10). Learn more here.
Baby Animals at Strawbery Banke
It’s become an annual springtime tradition to visit with adorable baby animals on the grounds of Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth. From April 22-30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., guests can learn about heritage breeds of livestock typical of coastal New England farms from the 17th century to today. Tickets are $5-$10. Learn more here.
Live bands at The Rockingham Ballroom
The Rockingham Ballroom in Newmarket will host a night of regional rock on Saturday featuring four live bands. Indoor Friends, Marvel Prone, The Turbo Cats, and The Jerritones will share the stage from 8-11 p.m. The BYOB event offers ample space to move around on the 8,500-square-foot dance floor. Tickets are $10. Learn more here.
Nate Smith at Jimmy’s
One of the leading names in progressive, genre-bending music will be at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club in Portsmouth for two concerts on Saturday. Three-time Grammy-nominated drummer/composer Nate Smith and his trio (Jason Lindner on keys and Tim Lefevbre on bass) perform at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $15-$65. Learn more here.
Whose Live Anyway? at The Music Hall
The current cast members of Emmy-nominated TV show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” are coming to Portsmouth. Joel Murray, Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, and Jeff B. Davis star in the touring improvisational comedy show “Whose Live Anyway?” It’s at The Music Hall on Sunday from 7-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $45-$65. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.