Phew, there is a lot to do this weekend. Concerts, comedy, art, theater — you name it. Here are some highlights.
Music & poetry at The Word Barn Meadow
The Word Barn Meadow in Exeter hosts two concerts and a poetry readying this weekend. On Friday from 7-9 p.m., Peter Muller & The Kindred Souls play a benefit show with the YellowHouse Blues Band and Meraki ($20). One-man band The Suitcase Junket returns for a performance on Saturday from 8-9:30 p.m. ($22). Sunday brings a Silo Series poetry reading featuring Kyle Potvin, Kevin King, and Chris Locke from 4-5:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Happenings at Green Acre
Green Acre: A Baha’i Center of Learning hosts two unique events in Eliot this weekend. A free listening party for “The Conversations We Should Be Having,” a new podcast with Black Lives Matter Seacoast co-founder Tanisha Johnson and Eliot police chief Elliott Moya, takes place Friday from 7-8:30 p.m. A Green Acre Picnic featuring an art show, historic tours, lawn games, and more takes place Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. ($10-$15). Learn more here.
Concerts at (and near) The Dance Hall
All-star local tribute band Powermoneycake will play music from throughout Steely Dan’s catalog at The Dance Hall in Kittery on Friday from 7:30-9 p.m. ($15). Then, on Saturday from 5:30-7 p.m., Dance Hall favorite the Soggy Po’ Boys take part in the venue’s Concerts by the Bridge series at John Paul Jones Park ($15). Learn more here.
Two solo acts at WSCA
Two regional solo acts will split the bill on the Button Factory Stage at WSCA Portsmouth Community Radio on Friday from 7:30-10 p.m. New England-based acoustic performer Sean McCarthy will be joined by Ryan Levasseur, a member of popular local rock bands New Norde and The Minus Scale. Tickets are $12-$15. Learn more here.
Concerts at The Stone Church
Four shows in three days at The Stone Church in Newmarket! First up is the Dan Fallon Band, which hosts a dance party on Friday from 8-11 p.m. ($10). Illinois bluegrass greats The Way Down Wanderers play the outdoor stage with Sneaky Miles on Saturday from 6-9 p.m. ($20). Newmarket Night follows at 10 p.m. with Tower Brothers, Doug, and Proelium ($10). The Chickenshack Bluegrass Band performs Sunday from 4-6 p.m. ($17). Learn more here.
American Independence Festival
The American Independence Festival in Exeter features military demonstrations, reenactments, an artisan village, fireworks, and more at the American Independence Museum on Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. ($5-$10). Concurrently, TEAM presents an Independence Jam with music, art, and food in Swasey Parkway from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Samples at Newburyport Brewing Co.
The band will be jamming and the suds will be flowing when iconic Boulder-based rock-reggae group The Samples takes the outdoor stage at Newburyport Brewing Co. on Saturday from 5-9 p.m. Maine’s own Jason Spooner Band opens. There will also be food trucks and lots of great beer. Tickets are $40-$45. Learn more here.
Jimmy Tingle at The Music Hall
Comedian, commentator, and actor Jimmy Tingle, founder of Humor for Humanity, will be in Portsmouth for two stand-up performances at The Music Hall on Saturday at 6 and 8:30 p.m. The “Surgeon General of political humor” will riff on the good, the bad, and the ugly of the pandemic. Tickets are $30-$50. Learn more here.
Dustbowl Revival at Prescott Park
American roots orchestra Dustbowl Revival has performed thousands of shows in 10 countries over the last 13-plus years. The band will perform an energetic outdoor concert in Portsmouth on Sunday at 7 p.m. as part of the Prescott Park Arts Festival’s River House Restaurant Concert Series. Tickets are by donation. Learn more here.
Good Times Sunday at Book & Bar
Portsmouth Book & Bar hosts three great duos on Sunday at 7 p.m. Singer-songwriter and ukulele player Jocelyn Mackenzie will perform with Harry Bolles, while local icon Guy Capecelatro III offers a record-release performance with Mike Effenberger and a separate set with Charlotte Moroz. Tickets are $8. Learn more here.
BONUS: Jocelyn Mackenzie will also perform at The Grant Lot in Bath, Maine, with Tan Vampires front man Jake Mehrmann on Saturday from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $10. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.