It’s a special weekend on the Seacoast, full of magical music, theater, and community.
SeaCHANGE at Green Acre
Green Acre: A Baha’i Center of Learning in Eliot is teaming up with Theater for the People and Kinship to present a three-day conference titled SeaCHANGE: Promoting the Health & Wellbeing of the BIPOC Community through the Arts. Highlights include an evening with Portsmouth Poet Laureate Diannely Antigua on Friday from 7:30-9 p.m. and A Night of Live Art, Dancing & S’mores on Saturday from 7-9 p.m. Tickets are on a sliding scale. Learn more here.
Concerts at The Stone Church
As usual, The Stone Church’s weekend is packed with live music in Newmarket. On Friday, regional favorites Club d’Elf headline a concert featuring Screaming Headless Torsos, SixFoxWhiskey, Squeaky Feet, and The Chops, beginning at 6 p.m. ($12-$30). On Saturday at 10 p.m., hip-hop acts Wax and ¡Mayday! bring their “Do America” tour to town ($20). Sunday brings an “Irish Night” matinee to the outdoor stage from 4-6 p.m. ($20). Learn more here.
Pontine Theatre: ‘Migraciones’
Pontine Theatre kicks off its 45th season with three weekend performances of Paradox Teatro’s “Migraciones,” a poignant meditation on the global migration situation and refugee crisis. Show times are Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. at The Plains School in Portsmouth. Tickets are $26-$29. Learn more here.
‘The End of All Flesh’ at the Ring
The Players’ Ring in Portsmouth has a special surprise in store for fans of theater and music this weekend. Two-time Tony Award-winning author Greg Kotis will perform three readings of his post-apocalyptic fable “The End of All Flesh,” with musical accompaniment from members of local band Bitter Pill. Show times are Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 5 p.m. A meet-and-greet follows each performance. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Ted Leo at The Press Room
An indie-rock icon will be in Portsmouth this weekend. Ted Leo will perform at The Press Room on Friday at 9 p.m. Leo is known for his New York punk band Citizens Arrest, his ’90s power-pop group Chisel, his indie-rock outfit The Pharmacists, his collaborations with Aimee Mann, and his solo work. Tickets are $20-$25. Learn more here.
Two shows at The Word Barn Meadow
Vermont-based vocalist Kat Wright will bring her trio, with Bob Wagner on guitar and Josh Weinstein on bass, to The Word Barn Meadow in Exeter for an outdoor performance on Friday from 8-9:30 p.m. ($30). Local New Orleans-style rock and soul band Truffle follows with an electric show on Saturday from 7-9 p.m. ($20). Learn more here.
Ripe at Cisco Brewers Portsmouth
One of Boston’s hottest bands headlines a multi-act concert and celebration at Cisco Brewers Portsmouth on Saturday from 4-11 p.m. Funk-rock band Ripe will be joined by supporting acts Chance Emerson, The Samples, and Danny Godinez on the outdoor stage during the Cisco Summer Squeeze. Tickets are $35-$40. Learn more here.
The Dance Hall presents…
As part of The Dance Hall’s Concerts by the Bridge series, local folk duo Peggo & Paul will perform with Kent Allyn and guest singer Ariana Hodes at John Paul Jones Park in Kittery on Saturday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. ($15). New York’s Noree Chamber Players then perform at The Dance Hall on Sunday from 3-4:30 p.m. ($20). Learn more here.
Tommy Gallant Jazz Festival
Acclaimed vocalist Carmen Bradford will perform with the Seacoast Big Band at the 39th annual Tommy Gallant Jazz Festival at Prescott Park in Portsmouth on Sunday from 12:30-8 p.m. Also performing are Quartet Assante, Gray Sargent and Friends, Soggy Po’ Boys, Rebecca Cline Trio, and Greg Hopkins Quintet. Learn more here.
‘The Anxiety Piece’ at Jimmy’s
Articine’s annual Sip & Support fundraising event will feature the premiere of a brand new production at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club in Portsmouth. The nonprofit art and health organization will stage “The Anxiety Piece” on Sunday at 7 p.m., with cocktails before and a reception after. Tickets are $25, plus a $50 donation. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.