Live music, art, and theater are on tap this weekend at local venues. Here are some of the highlights.
Concerts at The Word Barn Meadow
Man, it’s going to be a helluva weekend at The Word Barn Meadow in Exeter. On Friday, Dar Williams introduces her new album with an early show from 5-6:30 p.m. and a late show from 8-9:30 p.m. ($42). On Saturday from 7-9 p.m., The YellowHouse Blues Band plays a show to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters ($27.50). On Sunday from 7-8:30 p.m., Burst & Bloom Records presents Bloom Country, with nine acts playing contemporary country songs ($15).
Exhibits at the N.H. Art Association
The New Hampshire Art Association opens three new exhibits at the Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery in Portsmouth during Art ‘Round Town on Friday from 5-8 p.m. The theme of the 42nd annual Jack Parfitt Juried Photography Exhibition is “Transitions” (above photo by Ralph Fletcher). “Body of Work: Series IV” features paintings by five local artists in a range of styles. Member artist Rebecca Klementovich shares ship paintings in “Women and Tall Ships.”
Loading Dock Concert: The Reconstructed
Next up in the Loading Dock Concert series at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth is local folk-rockers The Reconstructed. The Southern Maine-based band is led by singer-songwriter Martin England, with Sean Daniels on drums, Andrew Russell on bass, Jesse Dold on guitar, and Courtney Brocks Dold on acoustic guitar, banjo, and piano. They’ll play two sets on Friday, with an early show from 6-7:15 p.m. and a late show from 8-9:15 p.m. Tables start at $50.
Concerts at The Stone Church
It’s shaping up to be a wild weekend at The Stone Church in Newmarket. On Friday, Boston-based hard rockers The Quins and guests Paper Monsters take the outdoor stage from 6-9 p.m. ($20). On Saturday, progressive rockers Ghosts of Jupiter play an outdoor show from 6-9 p.m. ($18), and Pink Floyd tribute act Echoes of Floyd plays inside at 10 p.m. ($15). On Sunday, Jim Prendergast and Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki host an Irish Matinee from 3-5 p.m. ($15).
Dan Blakeslee at the Grant Lot
Although the venue is about an hour and a half from Portsmouth, a new live music series in Bath, Maine, is loaded with local connections. Presented by regional label Burst & Bloom Records, the Grant Lot Outdoor Summer Concert Series takes place every Friday night through Sept. 3 behind the Grant Building. Next up on Friday from 7-9 p.m. is local folk hero Dan Blakeslee and his all-star band, the Calabash Club. Tickets are $8.50. Learn more here.
‘The Spitfire Grill’ at Hackmatack
After a lengthy closure due to the pandemic, the lights are back on at the Hackmatack Playhouse in Berwick. In August, the theater is staging a production of the musical “The Spitfire Grill.” Based on the 1996 film of the same name, the show follows a young woman who gets a job at a failing diner after being released from prison. It runs Aug. 6-28; show times are Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., with Thursday matinees at 2 p.m. Learn more here.
Russ Grazier Quartet at PMAC
The Portsmouth Music and Arts Center’s outdoor concert series continues this weekend with a performance by PMAC co-founder Russ Grazier and his local jazz quartet. In addition to Grazier on saxophone, the band includes Jim Dozet on guitar, Nick Phaneuf on bass, and a few surprise guests. The show takes place on Saturday from 3-4 p.m. under the tent in the PMAC parking lot in Portsmouth. Tickets are $10 ($5 for kids under age 18). Learn more here.
Concerts by the Bridge: Mike Effenberger
With a list of bands almost as long as his beard, Mike Effenberger is a pillar of the Seacoast music scene. He’ll bring his Hammond B3 organ to John Paul Jones Park in Kittery on Saturday from 6-7 p.m. for a slot in The Dance Hall’s Concerts by the Bridge series. His quartet (Zach Lange on trumpet, Nihco Gallo on vibraphone, John Mettam on drums) will explore psychedelic rock and the great American songbook. Tickets are $15. Learn more here.
Under the Arch: Alice Howe w/ Freebo
Folk artists Alice Howe and Freebo have formed a powerful duo. Howe, who released her debut album in 2019, is an eloquent guitarist with a gorgeous voice. Freebo, Bonnie Raitt’s former bassist, is a folk-rock legend who has recorded with Crosby Stills & Nash, Ringo Starr, Neil Young, and many others. They’ll perform in The Music Hall’s Under the Arch concert series in Portsmouth on Saturday from 6-7 p.m. Tickets are by the table. Learn more here.
The Bulkheads w/ New Fame at The Press Room
Local funk-jam band The Bulkheads, who have been honing their sound for a little over two years, headline a show at The Press Room in Portsmouth on Saturday at 9 p.m. They’ll be joined by the female hip-hop duo New Fame, who have played more than 1,600 shows and opened for the likes of Rakim, KRS-One, Hannibal Buress, DJ Maceo, Kool Keith, and others. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 day of show. For more information, click here.
See the full calendar for more local events.