Live music, poetry, food, and beer are among the festivities coming up this weekend. Here are some highlights.
Loading Dock concerts
Two more primo acts come to the outdoor stage at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth this weekend. On Friday, extraordinary local vocalist Taylor O’Donnell performs an early show from 6-7:15 p.m. and a late show from 8-9:15 p.m. On Saturday, folk and blues icon Chris Smither plays an early show from 6-7:15 p.m. and a late show from 8-9:15 p.m.
Concerts at The Stone Church
It’s another packed weekend of music at The Stone Church in Newmarket. Boston-based Americana act Liz Frame & The Kickers plays an outdoor show on Friday from 6-9 p.m. ($15). Two tribute acts take the outdoor stage on Saturday from 4-9 p.m. — Allman Brothers tribute Idlewild, and Black Crowes tribute Amoricans ($35). And, later on Saturday, local vintage rock band Liv N’ Brilliant performs at 9 p.m. ($15). For all Stone Church shows, click here.
Bright & Lyon concerts
Tickets are scarce, but if you can get your hands on them, Bright & Lyon Productions is bringing two great acts to The Word Barn Meadow in Exeter this weekend. Singer-songwriter Todd Hearon plays an album-release show with support from The Kenny Brothers on Friday from 7-8:30 p.m. ($20). On Saturday, Dispatch front man Chadwick Stokes plays an early show from 5-6:30 p.m. and a late show from 8-9:30 p.m. ($36). For all Bright & Lyon shows, click here.
Exeter Arts & Music Fest
Good times will be had at Swasey Parkway in Exeter on Saturday. The August edition of the Exeter Arts & Music Fest includes more than a dozen live music acts and more than 20 artist vendors, plus food, ice cream, and sweets, and a Kid Zone featuring balloon art and face painting. Presented by TEAM (Town Exeter Arts Music), it runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. There’s a suggested donation of $10 per person or $20 per family. Reserve tickets here.
Tribute to Van Morrison’s ‘Astral Weeks’
An all-star ensemble of local musicians will celebrate one of the finest records of the 1960s on Saturday from 6-7 p.m. Members of Elroy will be joined by special guests Jim Rioux, Jonathan Blakeslee, Leif Gerjuoy, Anna Powers, and Emma Booth to perform Van Morrison’s 1968 album “Astral Weeks” in its entirety. Presented by The Dance Hall, the outdoor show takes place at John Paul Jones Park in Kittery. Tickets are $15. Learn more here.
Under the Arch: Sharon Jones
The Music Hall’s Under the Arch concert series continues on Saturday, with a local legend performing two shows on Chestnut Street in Portsmouth. Blues and R&B singer Sharon Jones, a Portsmouth native, presents an early show from 6-7 p.m. and a late show from 8-9 p.m. Tickets are sold by the table at a rate of $35 per person.
Pokey Lafarge at Prescott Park
UPDATE: This event has been canceled.
Next up in the Riverhouse Restaurant Concert Series, singer-songwriter Pokey Lafarge will share his new album, “In the Blossom of their Shade.” Lafarge and his band will demonstrate their high-energy, old-timey, swinging folk at Prescott Park in Portsmouth on Saturday at 7 p.m. There is a suggested donation of $8. Learn more here.
Clandestine at The Press Room
Seacoast funk and soul band Clandestine will play a high-energy show upstairs at The Press Room in Portsmouth on Saturday night at 10 p.m. The group is known for its improvisational performances, feeding off the crowd as they play a mix of popular covers and original tunes. Tickets are $10. Learn more here.
Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival
Twenty-five food trucks and more than 50 craft brewers will be on hand for this year’s Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival at Cisco Brewers Portsmouth. From 12-5 p.m. on Sunday, there will be lobster, barbecue, burritos, ice cream, and more, plus lawn games and live music. Tickets are $5-$25. Learn more here.
Poetry in the Meadow
The next installment of Poetry in the Meadow will feature three prominent poets from around New England. Chard deNiord, who served as poet laureate of Vermont from 2015 to 2019, along with Massachusetts-based writer Kylie Gellatly and local author Samantha DeFlitch, will share their work at The Word Barn Meadow in Exeter on Sunday from 4:30-5:30 p.m. There is a suggested donation of $5; advance registration is required. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.