The first weekend of spring brings loads of live music, theater, comedy, and more. Here are some local highlights.
Whiskey Treaty Weekend at The Word Barn
Singer-songwriter Billy Keane is pulling double duty at The Word Barn in Exeter this weekend. Massachusetts-based Americana quintet The Whiskey Treaty Roadshow, which Keane co-founded, performs on Friday from 7-9 p.m. ($30). His own band, Billy Keane & The Waking Dream, follows on Saturday from 7-9 p.m. ($20). Learn more here.
Local bands perform at The Dance Hall
The Dance Hall in Kittery is hosting some great local musicians. A new trio with Taylor O’Donnell (above) on keys and vocals, Chris Klaxton on drums, and Jim Clark on bass plays covers and originals on Friday from 7:30-9 p.m. ($17-$22). Elroy brings some friends to an acoustic show on Saturday from 7:30-9 p.m. ($17-$22). Learn more here.
‘Million Dollar Quartet’ at The Music Hall
The Music Hall in Portsmouth invites you to travel back to Dec. 4, 1956, to celebrate one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll jam sessions of all time, held at Sun Records in Memphis. “Million Dollar Quartet,” featuring rock hits by Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash, is on stage through April 9. Tickets are $45-$99. Learn more here.
‘Dreaming Again’ at N.H. Theatre Project
Playwright Genevieve Aichele interviewed more than 40 refugees and immigrants in New Hampshire and wove their stories into “Dreaming Again,” which returns to New Hampshire Theatre Project in Portsmouth this weekend. Show times are Friday and Saturday from 8-10 p.m. and Sunday from 2-4 p.m. Tickets are $26-$30. Learn more here.
RAQ (and glasswork) at The Stone Church
Burlington-born jam band RAQ is playing two shows at The Stone Church in Newmarket — with Squeaky Feet on Friday at 8 p.m. and with Swimmer on Saturday at 8 p.m. ($30). Also at the Church, Acadian Glassworks presents “A Starry Night,” a showcase of local glassblowing artists, on Saturday from 5:30-10 p.m. ($20-$100). Learn more here.
‘A Doll’s House, Part 2’ at STAR Theatre
Threshold Stage Company’s production of “A Doll’s House, Part 2,” Lucas Hnath’s comic sequel to Henrik Ibson’s groundbreaking play “A Doll’s House,” remains on stage at STAR Theatre in the Kittery Community Center through April 2. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25. Learn more here.
Two comedians at McCue’s Comedy Club
Boston comic Steve Scarfo (above), who has worked with David Coulier, Jeff Dunham, Lenny Clarke, and Bob Marley, headlines McCue’s Comedy Club in Portsmouth on Friday from 8-9:30 p.m. ($20). Corey Manning, who has headlined The Apollo and streamed on Amazon Prime, follows on Saturday from 8-9:30 p.m. ($20). Learn more here.
Live concerts at The Press Room
The Press Room’s weekend begins with a set from regional tribute act Crush, who will play the music of Dave Matthews Band on Friday at 9 p.m. ($20). Local favorites Truffle (above), who have been playing New Orleans-style funk, soul, rock, and blues for more than 35 years, return to the Portsmouth venue on Saturday at 6 p.m. ($15-$20).
Third Eye Blind at the Casino Ballroom
In a sure sign of spring, the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom opens for its first concert of the year this weekend. San Francisco-based alt-rock legends Third Eye Blind, who put out a new album during the pandemic, will take the stage on Saturday at 9 p.m. Tickets are sold out, but keep an eye out for more Ballroom shows. Learn more here.
Regional rock at the Button Factory Stage
It’s a Northeast rock showcase on the Button Factory Stage at WSCA Portsmouth Community Radio on Sunday from 8-11 p.m. Burlington rockers Greaseface headline, with support from local garage band Dog Lips, as well as Portland-based post-punk band Plant Fight and New York City’s Balaclava. Tickets are $10. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.