Marvelous art, excellent music, and some early holiday shopping are among your weekend entertainment options.
New exhibits at the NHAA
The New Hampshire Art Association will open four new shows at its Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery in Portsmouth during Art ‘Round Town on Friday from 5-8 p.m. “Portals” is the theme of the 22nd annual Joan L. Dunfey juried exhibition. “Wavism” features paintings by Debra Grubbs. “Abstracts, Full of Color and Texture, Signifying Nothing” features paintings by Joe Flaherty. “Places Imagined” features paintings by Alan Shulman.
‘The Fireworks Series’ at Buoy
Works by late local artist Tim Beavis are on display at the Buoy Gallery in Kittery through Dec. 3. An opening reception for “The Fireworks Series” takes place Friday from 5-8 p.m. According to Buoy founder Al Mead, the series features paintings that “explode with luscious fields of color and incorporate newspaper collage.” Learn more here.
Jeffrey Foucault at The Word Barn
Internationally touring artist Jeffrey Foucault will bring his distinctive voice to The Word Barn in Exeter for an intimate concert on Friday from 7-8:30 p.m. The singer-songwriter, whose music is regularly covered by Don Henley in his live set, plays a Midwestern blend of blues, country, rock ‘n’ roll, and folk. Tickets are $28. Learn more here.
Concerts at Jimmy’s
Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club is bringing a killer lineup to Portsmouth this weekend. Grammy-nominated jazz drummer Nate Smith plays an early show at 7:30 p.m. and a late show at 10 p.m. on Friday. Legendary guitar virtuoso Stanley Jordan performs on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Blues master Walter Trout takes the stage Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
EHKM at The Dance Hall
Keyboardist Mike Effenberger, saxophonist Duncan Hardy, bassist Scott Kiefner, and drummer John Mettam will join forces as EHKM at The Dance Hall in Kittery on Friday from 7:30-9 p.m. They’ll play the music of some jazz greats, along with traditional Klezmer, Middle Eastern, and original compositions. Tickets are $15. Learn more here.
Art Up Front Street Open Studios
The Art Up Front Street Studios and Gallery in Exeter will host its fifth annual Open Studios event on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Resident and guest artists will display collage, paintings, digital art, quilts, prints, cards, journals, photography, watercolors, and more, all available for sale. Learn more here.
Concerts at The Stone Church
As usual, The Stone Church in Newmarket will be alive with music all weekend. First up on Friday at 9 p.m. is Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia Band tribute A Band Beyond Description ($15). Then on Saturday from 7-11 p.m. Vermont-based Americana group Saints & Liars splits the bill with local guest Old Hat String Band ($20). Finally, on Sunday, fusion band Kick the Cat, featuring Umphrey’s McGee drummer Kris Myers, takes the stage from 6-8 p.m. ($40).
Wrong Brain Holidaze Bizaare
Art collective Wrong Brain will present its 10th annual Holidaze Bizaare alternative craft fair on the patio of Chapel + Main in Dover every Saturday in November from 12-6 p.m. (A fifth edition takes place at the Millspace in Newmarket on Saturday, Dec. 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) About 50 vendors will share their work. Learn more here.
Mallett Brothers at The Press Room
Maine-based alt-country rockers The Mallett Brothers Band has been a regional favorite since 2009. Known for blending hard rock, classic country, and rootsy Americana, they’ll play a pair of shows on two consecutive nights at The Press Room in Portsmouth on Saturday at 9 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $17-$20.
Lettuce at The Music Hall
Despite the pandemic, 2020 was a big year for Boston-born funk band Lettuce. They released their sixth full-length studio album, “Resonate,” while also garnering a Grammy nomination for their previous album, “Elevate.” They’ll perform at The Music Hall in Portsmouth on Sunday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $32-$52. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.