It’s the first official weekend of summer and there’s oh so much to do. Here are some of the highlights.
Concerts at The Stone Church
Toronto-based band The Human Rights bring their Reggae Strong USA Tour to The Stone Church in Newmarket on Friday at 8 p.m. ($20). Classic rockers The Petty Thieves play a special birthday show on Saturday from 3-6 p.m. ($10), and Maine-based Jerry Garcia Band tribute Rose Alley follows at 9 p.m. ($15). Learn more here.
‘Little Shop of Horrors’ at Prescott Park
A sure sign of the season is the arrival of the Prescott Park Arts Festival’s summer musical. This year it’s the comical sci-fi smash “Little Shop of Horrors,” featuring the 2003 Broadway orchestrations. It runs in Portsmouth from June 23 through Aug. 13; this weekend’s show times are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7 p.m. Learn more here.
Music & more in The Word Barn Meadow
Friday is Vermonter Kat Wright‘s birthday, and the sultry singer is celebrating with an outdoor show at The Word Barn Meadow in Exeter from 7-9 p.m. ($28). On Sunday from 1-2 p.m., Tailwinds educators will return to the Meadow with live owls and other local raptor species for Raptors of New England ($25, free for kids). Learn more here.
Jason Anick & Ian Coury at The Dance Hall
The Django by the Sea Festival is not until September, but the same group of Gypsy jazz fanatics are presenting a show at The Dance Hall on Friday. Local violinist Jason Anick and bandolim virtuoso Ian Coury will bring their quartet to Kittery for an evening of Brazilian choro and swing from 7:30-9 p.m. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Remain in Light at the Casino Ballroom
Representatives of two legendary rock bands are teaming up to play a tribute concert at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on Friday at 8 p.m. Keyboardist and guitarist Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads and singer and guitarist Adrian Belew of King Crimson will play hit songs by Talking Heads. Tickets are $25-$49. Learn more here.
Seacoast Comedy Showcase at Book & Bar
Portsmouth Book & Bar is partnering with Seacoast Comedy Fest to present some of the top stand-up talent from around the region on Friday at 8 p.m. Round One of the Seacoast Comedy Showcase will feature Awais Hussain, Derek Zeiba, Brian Rojas, Josh Bilodeau, Dana Fuller, and Tom Shaw. Tickets are $10-$12. Learn more here.
Fill the Hall Food Drive 2023
The community is again coming together to help those in need with the Fill the Hall Food Drive. People are asked to bring donations to The Music Hall in Portsmouth between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., with the goal of filling every seat in the historic theater with a bag of food to support Gather’s Meals 4 Kids program. Learn more here.
Music and art at Millspace
The Newmarket Millspace will host An Evening of Music and Art on Saturday. The event begins with a gallery reception for an art show titled “The Eyes Have It,” featuring musical guest Teething Veils, beginning at 6 p.m. A concert follows from 7-10 p.m. with headliner The Tower Brothers and guest Proelium. Tickets are $15. Learn more here.
Sarah Shook & The Disarmers at 3S Artspace
North Carolina-based band Sarah Shook & The Disarmers play a uniquely dark and passionate brand of country and Americana, blending classic and contemporary. The quintet, which put out a new album, “Nightroamer,” last year, will perform at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth on Saturday from 8-11 p.m. Tickets are $17-$20. Learn more here.
The Scotch Bonnets at The Press Room
Wrap up your weekend with some Sunday ska at The Press Room. Baltimore-based punky reggae rockers The Scotch Bonnets, who have opened for the likes of The English Beat, Fishbone, The Slackers, The Toasters, and many others, will be in Portsmouth for a concert on Sunday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.