Make your plans for the long weekend. Thanks to all who have served!
Small Talk, Big Ideas at Millspace
Hear from some local visionaries at Newmarket Millspace this weekend. Small Talk, Big Ideas: An Inspiring Evening of Microtalks takes place on Friday at 8 p.m. The talks immediately follow an opening reception for “State of Mine,” an exhibit challenging artists to capture the spirit of the Granite State. Tickets are $15-$17. Learn more here.
Live music at The Word Barn
Comedian Danny Jordan, magician Joel the Wizard, and indie band Tiger Saw will perform at the Burst & Bloom Variety Show at The Word Barn in Exeter on Friday from 7-9 p.m. ($22). Return on Memorial Day to catch Nebraskan upright bassist and singer-songwriter Melissa Carper with Todd Day Wait from 7-9 p.m. ($25). Learn more here.
Improv Comedy at N.H. Theatre Project
Portland-based sketch-comedy troupe Hey Party People! is presenting a Pre-Tourist Takeover at New Hampshire Theatre Project in Portsmouth. The inclusive, welcoming, absurd, and, of course, hysterical live sketch comedy show takes place on Friday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20. (Recommended for ages 14-plus.) Learn more here.
Five-act rock show at The Stone Church
It’s gonna get heavy at The Stone Church on Friday night. Five premium New England rock and metal bands will join forces in Newmarket — TRAWL, Eight Foot Manchild, Dust Prophet, Hobo Wizard, and Novakoi — to fill a massively funky, heavy, and doomy bill beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10-$15. Learn more here.
Folk music at The Dance Hall
A pair of fantastic folk shows are coming to The Dance Hall in Kittery this weekend. Local favorite Old Hat Stringband draws from old-time, bluegrass, and country traditions on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ($10-$22). Folk multi-instrumentalist, pianist, and step dancer Neil Pearlman (pictured) follows on Sunday at 5 p.m. ($10-$22). Learn more here.
“A Safe Passage” at STAR Theatre
“A Safe Passage” tells the tale of a grieving lighthouse keeper who races to the rescue of a young woman about to leap into the sea. The play is on stage at STAR Theatre in Kittery May 23 to June 1; show times this weekend are Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20-$30. Learn more here.
Regional acts at WSCA Radio
Loads of local and regional acts are taking the Button Factory Stage at WSCA Radio in Portsmouth. On Friday at 8 p.m., indie folk-pop band Peregrine Dream headlines with Subtle Places and Time Eater ($10-$15). On Saturday at 8 p.m., DJ Automobile Enjoyer shares the bill with trixx, SLOVO, and This Is Not Okay ($10-$15). Learn more here.
Avi Kaplan at 3S Artspace
Fresh off the release of his latest EP “Move Our Souls,” roots, country, and soul musician Avi Kaplan is on his way to Portsmouth. The singer, who won three Grammy Awards as a member of vocal group Pentatonix, will perform with guest Guthrie Brown at 3S Artspace on Saturday from 8-11 p.m. Tickets are $25-$30. Learn more here.
Wild and Weedy Wellness at Tuckaway Farm
The next edition of Alison Magill’s herbal foraging workshop series will focus on identifying, harvesting, and preparing plants like chickweed, nettle, dandelion, elderflower, clover, and self-heal. The Wild and Weedy Wellness walk and workshop takes place at Tuckaway Farm in Lee on Sunday from 1-5 p.m. Tickets are $30-$65. Learn more here.
Haggard & Cashed at The Press Room
An all-star ensemble of New England musicians will converge on The Press Room in Portsmouth for an evening of honky-tonk, country, and Western swing on Sunday. Led by singer and fiddler Erica Brown and multi-instrumentalist Matt Shipman, Haggard & Cashed will perform starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $18-$22. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.