drika overton dance hall

Top 10 things to do: May 19-21

Books, Music, Stage, Top Weekend Events
A roundup of weekend entertainment on the Seacoast

This weekend is full of special celebrations on the Seacoast. Here are a few.

Music & celebration at The Dance Hall

gina red eye flight crew

Spend the weekend celebrating the scene Drika Overton created at The Dance Hall, and cap it off by celebrating her. North Sea Gas, one of Scotland’s most popular folk bands, performs in Kittery on Friday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. ($17-$22). Portland-based supergroup Gina & the Red Eye Flight Crew, led by soulful singer Gina Alibrio, follows on Saturday from 7:30-9 p.m. ($17-$22). On Sunday from 3-5 p.m., The Dance Hall fetes its founder, who’s retiring after 12 years. “The Joint is Jumpin’,” will feature live performers, food, and drink (by donation).  Learn more here.

A birthday and a tribute at Book & Bar

blakeslee family

Local musician Jonathan Blakeslee will celebrate his birthday at Portsmouth Book & Bar with a Blakeslee Family Birthday Bash featuring his brother Dan and dad Dave on Friday at 8 p.m. ($15). Also at Book & Bar, an assemblage of regional poets will honor former N.H. poet laureate Walter E. Butts, who died 10 years ago, by reading his poems and sharing personal stories during a 10th anniversary tribute on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. (free).

Supergroups at The Stone Church

north village stone church

Newly formed supergroup North Village, helmed by local songster Martin England, is influenced by acts like The Band, The Allman Brothers, and The Grateful Dead. At work on a debut EP, they’ll play at The Stone Church in Newmarket on Friday at 8 p.m. ($15). Saturday is a Day of the Dead, starting with Jerry Garcia Band tribute Sans Souci from 6-9 p.m. ($20), followed by Grateful Dead tribute Not Fade Away Band at 9 p.m. ($15). Learn more here.

Halfway to Halloween at Dwyer’s Pub

I know, I know. You’re looking forward to summer. But it’s not too early to start thinking about Halloween. In fact, we’re halfway there, and the Portsmouth Halloween Parade crew is celebrating with a fundraiser at Dwyer’s Pub featuring special cocktails, prizes, and more on Friday at 8 p.m. Costumes are encouraged! Learn more here.

‘Gen-erations!’ at NH Theatre Project

gen-erations new hampshire theatre

There’s one weekend left to celebrate New Hampshire Theatre Project cofounder and executive director Genevieve Aichele, who is stepping down after 35 years. In “Gen-erations!,” a who’s-who of local theater talent performs scenes, scripts, and songs Aichele has written, directed, and performed over the years. It’s on stage in Portsmouth on Friday and Saturday from 8-10 p.m. and Sunday from 2-4 p.m. Tickets are $25-$30. Learn more here.

Weekend Singing Workshop in South Berwick

kathy bullock singing workshop

Acclaimed vocalist Dr. Kathy Bullock is leading an uplifting weekend singing workshop focused on vocal techniques from the African American tradition. Presented by ProjectMusicWorks, it takes place on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at First Parish Federated Church in South Berwick. Tickets are $100. Learn more here.

Das Pintos at Newburyport Brewing Co.

das pintos funk

The folks over at Newburyport Brewing Co. really know how to party. The key ingredients are live music and delicious beer, and they’ll be serving up plenty of both when horn-heavy, seven-piece funk band Das Pintos (fronted by brewery cofounder Chris Webb) performs live on Saturday from 8-11 p.m. Tickets are $10. Learn more here.

Velvet Dreaming headlines at WSCA

velvet dreaming wsca portsmouth

WSCA Portsmouth Community Radio is hosting a very special show on the Button Factory Stage on Saturday from 8-11 p.m. Queer electro-pop band Velvet Dreaming headlines, with support from fellow Boston acts Bright Boy and Tiefling, plus Spriggan, a darkwave synth-pop band hailing from… Hell. Tickets are $10. Learn more here.

Scissorfight at The Press Room

Scissorfight was a metal mainstay of the Seacoast in the 1990s, and they reemerged around 2016 to great rejoicing. They’ll headline a raucous rock show at The Press Room in Portsmouth, also featuring legendary Boston rock band Tree and local punk outfit Doug., on Saturday at 9 p.m. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.

Three Poets in May at The Word Barn

three poets word barn

The Word Barn in Exeter will host a special Silo Series poetry reading with three fine New England poets on Sunday from 4-5:30 p.m. Portsmouth Poet Laureate Diannely Antigua will be joined by acclaimed writers Sarah Audsley (of Vermont) and Max Heinegg (of Medford, Mass.). There’s a suggested donation of $5. Learn more here.

See the full calendar for more local events.