So many festivities to enjoy this weekend! Here are some of the highlights.
Concerts at The Stone Church
There’s a whole lotta music going on at The Stone Church in Newmarket. All-star funk band Duochrome plays outside on Friday from 6-9 p.m. ($15). Grateful Dead tribute act Stone Dead performs on Friday and Saturday at 9 p.m. ($20). Local favorites The Reconstructed and The Kenny Brothers Trio play a benefit for the Continuum Arts Collective on Saturday from 6-9 p.m. ($15). Acoustic group Borscht plays on Sunday from 4-6 p.m. ($10). Learn more here.
Two shows at The Word Barn Meadow
The Word Barn is hosting two great shows in its idyllic meadow in Exeter. Fresh off the release of his new album, “I Hope I Know,” revered Americana artist Seth Walker performs on Friday from 7-8:30 p.m. ($22). Electro-folk duo Tall Heights, who earlier this year released “Juniors,” follows on Saturday from 7-8:30 p.m. ($30). Learn more here.
‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at the Ring
The last show of the season at The Players’ Ring in Portsmouth is presented by Seven Stages Shakespeare Company, which will stage “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” from June 10-19. Show times are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. (plus 2:30 p.m. this Saturday). Tickets are $22-$25. Learn more here.
Dance Hall concerts
As usual, The Dance Hall is hosting a variety of music in Kittery this weekend. Local tribute act Rigor Mortis plays instrumental music by The Meters on Friday from 7:30-9 p.m. ($15). Jazz and blues band Annie & The Fur Trappers (above) performs at John Paul Jones Park on Saturday from 5:30-7 p.m. ($15). The Aliento Chamber Players present “The Power of Four, featuring works for quartets, on Sunday from 3-4 p.m. ($15). Learn more here.
Heather Maloney at The Music Hall
Mass.-based “writer song-singer” Heather Maloney will play tunes from her new album, “Soil in the Sky,” during a release show outside The Music Hall on Friday at 8 p.m. Part of the Live Under the Arch series, the concert takes place on Chestnut Street in Portsmouth. Tickets are sold by the table ($25 per person). Learn more here.
Juneteenth Celebration 2022
The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire kicks off its annual Juneteenth Celebration this weekend, with events around the state through June 20. First up is a screening of the Pixar film “Soul” at Prescott Park on Friday at dusk. There will also be tours, panel discussions, performances, community art, and more. Learn more here.
A Band of Killers at The Press Room
The Press Room in Portsmouth will be filled with psychedelic funk and rock on Friday at 9 p.m. A Band of Killers, featuring regional stars Johnny Trama (Dub Apocalypse, The Silks) and Tim Gearan (Toni Lynn Washington, Susan Tedeschi), will share the stage with guests Twyn and PX3. Tickets are $15-$20. Learn more here.
Market Square Day Festival
The Market Square Day Festival returns to downtown Portsmouth on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Presented by Pro Portsmouth, the event features live music and dance performances on outdoor entertainment stages, craftspeople, businesses, and food vendors, plus the annual Market Square Day 10K Road Race. Learn more here.
Newburyport Brewing Co. Birthday Bash
The Newburyport Brewing Co. is turning 10! They’ll be celebrating with a birthday bash on Saturday from 12-10 p.m. Four great regional rock bands will perform — headliner Entrain, along with Freevolt, Das Pintos, and Still on the Vine. There will also be food trucks, face painting, kids’ games, and lots of beer. Tickets are $10. Learn more here.
‘Coming Together’ at The Art Center
A new partnership between two local arts organizations has resulted in a cooperative exhibit in Dover. Members of The Art Center and the New Hampshire Art Association contributed works in a variety of mediums to “Coming Together,” which is on display all month. An artists’ reception takes place Saturday from 6-9 p.m. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.