Another weekend full of art, music, theater, and comedy awaits. Here are some of the highlights.
Button Factory Artist Show at PMAC
Ten area artists have work featured in the eighth annual Button Factory Artist Show, on display at the Portsmouth Music & Arts Center through April 21. Many of them will be on hand for a reception with wine and light refreshments on Friday from 5:30-7 p.m. Learn more here. (There will also be an artist panel on March 17 at 5:30 p.m.)
Two Boston comics in Portsmouth
McCue’s Comedy Club is bringing some of Boston’s top comics to Portsmouth. Dan Crohn headlines two shows on Friday, first at the Rio Tequila Cantina at 7 p.m. and then at McCue’s at 8 p.m. Jim Colliton follows at McCue’s on Saturday at 8 p.m. with openers Greg Boggis and Jessie Baade. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Dharma Down at The Dance Hall
Local quartet Dharma Down plays tunes by jazz greats like Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, Bill Frisell, and others, mixed with some traditional Klezmer and Middle Eastern music, as well as original compositions. They’ll be at The Dance Hall in Kittery for a concert on Friday from 7:30-9 p.m. Tickets are $17. Learn more here.
‘Putnam County Spelling Bee’ at the Ring
A beloved musical comedy is coming to the stage of The Players’ Ring in Portsmouth this month. Drive In Productions is presenting “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” from March 10-26. Show times are Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $17-$30. Learn more here.
Two concerts at The Stone Church
The Stone Church goes from Doom to Dead this weekend in Newmarket. Doom Night features regional metal bands Dust Prophet, Proelium, Pink Blazer, and Grub Lord on Friday at 8 p.m. ($15). Singer and guitarist Johnny Lits’ star-studded Jerry Garcia tribute act Jerry Duty follows on Saturday at 9 p.m. ($15). Learn more here.
April Macie at Cisco Brewers Portsmouth
Comedian April Macie’s resume includes being a finalist on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” being named “Funniest and Hottest” on the Howard Stern Show, and appearing on Snoop Dogg’s “Bad Girls of Comedy.” She’ll perform at Cisco Brewers Portsmouth on Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 6 and 8:15 p.m. Tickets are $24. Learn more here.
Great New England Specialty Foods & Artisan Show
More than 130 exhibitors of handmade foods and artisan wares will be a The Rim Sports Complex in Hampton on Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Great New England Specialty Foods & Artisan Show will also have live music, Irish dancers, food trucks, and more. Tickets are $5. Learn more here.
Dance Northeast at the Rochester Opera House
Celebrate dance at the Rochester Opera House this weekend. Sole City Dance will present its annual community dance showcase, Dance Northeast, in two installments on Saturday. Junior companies and student choreographers perform at 2 p.m., while senior companies take the stage at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10-$16. Learn more here.
The Suitcase Junket at The Press Room
Vermont native Matt Lorenz — aka one-man band The Suitcase Junket — has become a fan favorite on the Seacoast, with frequent visits to local venues. Based in Mass., the singer, guitarist, and percussionist will next play his folk-rock songs at The Press Room in Portsmouth on Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25. Learn more here.
PSO Winter Concert at The Music Hall
The Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra’s 2023 Winter Concert will feature works by Beethoven, Jean Sibelius, and William Grant Still. It takes place at The Music Hall in Portsmouth on Saturday at 3 p.m., following a pre-concert discussion titled Inside the Music at 1:45 p.m. Tickets to the concert at $25-$25. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.