Ride the heat wave right into the weekend with some killer local events.
Truffle at Newburyport Brewing Co.
What better way to spend a steamy summer eve than with hot music and cold beer? Soulful local rock band Truffle, who’ve been bringing New Orleans-style parties to the Seacoast region for over 35 years, will play an outdoor show on the grounds of Newburyport Brewing Co. on Friday from 6-9 p.m. Tickets are $10. Learn more here.
Concerts at The Word Barn Meadow
Two great concerts take place this weekend in the open air of The Word Barn Meadow in Exeter. Progressive string band The Steel Wheels take the stage on Friday from 7-9:30 p.m. ($25). Songwriter Laura Veirs, fresh off the release of her new LP “Found Light,” follows on Saturday from 7-8:30 p.m. ($20). Tix going fast! Learn more here.
Concerts at The Music Hall Lounge
Newly unveiled venue The Music Hall Lounge hosts two outstanding local acts in Portsmouth this weekend. First up is “rhythm and bluegrass” band Bitter Pill, which has a gig on Friday night. Then, prolific jazz and R&B vocalist Taylor O’Donnell performs on Sunday night. Both concerts start at 8 p.m. Tickets to each show are $28-$38.
Concerts at The Stone Church
It’s another jam-packed weekend at The Stone Church in Newmarket. On Friday at 9 p.m., Grateful Dead tribute act Bearly Dead plays its monthly gig ($15). On Saturday from 6-9 p.m., the Bow Thayer Band plays the outdoor stage with guests Jake Davis and John Webb ($15). On Saturday at 9 p.m., Them Coulee Boys split the bill with Mama Said String Band ($12). On Sunday from 4-7 p.m., Forest Sun performs with Derek Russell Fimbel ($25). Learn more here.
Raptors of New England at Raynes Farm
Owls, falcons, vultures, and hawks are among the birds of prey on the agenda for Raptors of New England at the Raynes Farm in Exeter on Saturday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Educators from On The Wing will give a presentation and introduce some of their non-releasable ambassadors. Tickets are $25 (free for kids). Learn more here.
Concerts by the Bridge: Crazy Maggy
The Concerts by the Bridge music series continues this weekend in Kittery. Presented by The Dance Hall, string wizard and songsmith EJ Ouellette will bring his band Crazy Maggy to John Paul Jones Park for an outdoor performance of rootsy fiddle-driven tunes on Saturday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15. Learn more here.
Country Nite at The Rockingham Ballroom
Kathleen Crocker of 603 Line Dance will return to The Rockingham Ballroom in Newmarket to host another Country Night event on Saturday from 7-11 p.m. Crocker will lead a line-dance lesson, followed by song requests and open dancing on the Ballroom’s 4,000-square-foot dance floor. Tickets are $15 (BYOB). Learn more here.
Taj Mahal at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club
Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club keeps bringing legendary acts to Portsmouth. Eighty-year-old bluesman Taj Mahal, who has been nominated for 14 Grammy Awards and won three, released a new album this spring with Ry Cooder, titled “Get On Board.” He’ll take the stage at Jimmy’s on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. (update: sold out). Learn more here.
Suite Sundays at The Dance Hall
The Suite Sundays series continues at The Dance Hall in Kittery with a special collaborative event on Sunday from 3-4:30 p.m. Musicians from the Aliento Chamber Players will pair with dancers from the Annex Contemporary Dance Company to present a program of contemporary chamber ballet. Tickets are $22. Learn more here.
Marjorie Senet album release at The Press Room
Local band Marjorie Senet and the Broken Home Boys are ready to celebrate the release of their second full-length album, “Break the Habit.” Front woman Senet and her twangy, rocking, classic-country group will play an album release show at The Press Room in Portsmouth on Sunday at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10-$15. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.