There’s a tremendous variety of local entertainment available this weekend, including music, storytelling, film, dance, art, comedy, and more. Here are some highlights.
PMAC Spring Fever for the Arts
The Portsmouth Music and Arts Center’s annual Spring Fever for the Arts fundraiser takes place on Friday from 6-10 p.m. at The Envio at AC Hotel Portsmouth. The $100 ticket includes a drink coupon, hors d’oeuvres, live and silent auctions, music from PMAC students, and a performance by local band Crown Jules. Learn more here.
Concerts at The Dance Hall
A night of swing and a night of strings at The Dance Hall in Kittery. Local violinist Jason Anick and his acoustic Gypsy jazz ensemble Rhythm Future Quartet perform on Friday from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Boston-based string quartet Corner House (above) follows on Saturday from 7:30-9 p.m. Tickets to each show are $15. Learn more here.
NHTP Storytelling Festival
New Hampshire Theatre Project’s sixth annual Storytelling Festival takes place in Portsmouth on Friday from 8-10 p.m. This year’s performers are Anne Jennison, Gwendolyn Quezaire-Presutti, and Megan Wells. Ben Baldwin and Kent Allyn will provide music. Genevieve Aichele hosts. In-person tickets are $30; livestream is $15. Learn more here.
Concerts at The Stone Church
The Stone Church in Newmarket hosts two stellar shows this weekend. Steel pannist Jonathan Scales brings his Fourchestra to the stage on Friday from 8-10 p.m. Vaudeville-inspired folk-punk band Bella’s Bartok will be joined by Kendall Street Company and Pressing Strings on Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15. Learn more here.
Kilnerry Day in Portsmouth
The mayor has decreed that April 9 will henceforth be known as Kilnerry Day in Portsmouth, celebrating the locally-filmed comedy “Love in Kilnerry.” There will be special screenings held at Portsmouth High School on Saturday at 1, 3:10, 5:30, and 7:40 p.m., with cast meet-and-greets all day. Tickets are $9.75-$13.25. Learn more here.
Seacoast Environmental Film Festival
The Kittery Land Trust presents the fourth annual Seacoast Environmental Film Festival at the Kittery Community Center on Saturday. Four films will be screened, including “The Long Coast” at 9 a.m., “Eating Our Way to Extinction” at 11 a.m., “Inhabitants” at 2:30 p.m., and “I Am Greta” at 4:30 p.m. There will also be coffee, lunch, and discussions. There is a $5 suggested donation per film, or a $50 VIP day pass. Learn more here.
Dance for Ukraine at Spinnaker Point
The Spinnaker Point Recreation Center in Portsmouth will host a special event to benefit victims of the war in Ukraine on Saturday from 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Fluere Dance Company team members will teach beginner-friendly classes in a number of dance styles, including zumba, salsa, bachata, and kizomba. Tickets are $30. Learn more here.
‘Artist in Residency’ at The Art Center
Seven artists each spent four months in The Art Center’s Artist in Residency program, and the resulting exhibit is on display in Dover. The show features several different styles of printmaking, as well as photography, watercolor, oil painting, and drawing. An opening reception takes place Saturday from 6-9 p.m. Learn more here.
Comedy & music at The Word Barn
The Word Barn in Exeter will be filled with laughter and music all weekend. Boston comic Kenny Rogerson headlines Comedy Night with Emily Ruskowski, Krister Rollins, Hanna Evensen, and host Josh Day on Saturday from 8-9:30 p.m. ($25). Indie-folk singer-songwriter Kaiti Jones performs on Sunday from 7-8:30 p.m. ($15). Learn more here.
Club d’Elf at The Music Hall
Eclectic area band Club d’Elf blends Moroccan trance influences with jazz, hip-hop, electronica, prog-rock, dub, and more. They’ll perform with guest keyboardist John Medeski (Medeski Martin & Wood) at The Music Hall in Portsmouth on Sunday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Vapors of Morphine opens. Tickets are $25-$32. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.