The first weekend of October brings art, music, theater, comedy, burlesque, and other festivities to the Seacoast. Here are some highlights.
“Unspoken” at the N.H. Art Association
A highlight of this month’s Art ‘Round Town gallery walk in Portsmouth is the New Hampshire Art Association’s newest member exhibition. “Unspoken” centers on works that incorporate handwriting, text, or letterforms as a visual or conceptual element. The show opens with a reception on Friday from 5-8 p.m. Learn more here.
Django by the Sea at The Dance Hall
The Django by the Sea Festival, named for jazz guitar great Django Reinhardt, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this weekend at The Dance Hall in Kittery. The loaded lineup includes Rhythm Future Quartet on Friday at 7 p.m. ($25-$30), The EarRegulars with openers Atla + Matt DeChamplain on Saturday at 7 p.m. ($35-$40), and Django’s Campsite All-Star Jam on Sunday at 2 p.m. ($15). Package deals are available. Learn more here.
“Rocky Horror Picture Show” at Millspace
Director Jordan Formichelli has promised that Dive In Productions’ upcoming presentation of “The Rocky Horror Show” will be very sweet and very spicy. Richard O’Brien’s beloved musical will be on stage at the Millspace Center in Newmarket from Oct. 3-11 — and costumers are encouraged. Tickets are $25. Learn more here.
Darwin’s Waiting Room at the Ring
Feel like you could use a few laughs? You’re in luck.:The Players’ Ring in Portsmouth is hosting a weekend of sketch comedy with local troupe Darwin’s Waiting Room. Directed by Tomer Oz, performances are on Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $22. Learn more here.
Quadruple bill of punk at WSCA Radio
Get ready for a night of raw, high-energy punk spirit at WSCA Portsmouth Community Radio. Punk and emo band K.C.U.F., underground punk group Lesser Devils, indie act Cool Parents, and raucous rockers Grub Lord will share the Button Factory Stage on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10-$15. Learn more here.
Apple Harvest Day in Dover
For the last 40 years, the first Saturday of October has brought Apple Harvest Day to downtown Dover. Some 300 vendors will be spread across eight city blocks on Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. There will also be two entertainment stages, two food courts, a 5K road race, children’s amusements, and more. Learn more here.
Workshops at the Kittery Art Association
Local artist Christopher Volpe will present a lecture at the Kittery Art Association on Saturday at 6:30 p.m., providing “Ten Steps to Working in Series – and Why You Might Want To” ($20). Then, on Saturday from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., painter Margaret Dwyer leads a workshop on The Fall Garden in Watercolor ($125). Learn more here.
Comedy Night at The Rockingham Ballroom
The Rockingham Ballroom in Newmarket will be filled with laughs and surprises during its monthly Comedy Night on Saturday from 7-11 p.m. Following an opening set from musical act Jam Tomorrow, comics Jody Sloan (pictured), Andrew Della Volpe, and Justin George will perform standup. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Lady Luck Burlesque at 3S Artspace
Local performers practiced in the art of seduction will take to the stage this weekend in support of the Portsmouth Halloween Parade. Former parade grand marshal Bunny Wonderland will join Lady Luck Burlesque at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth on Saturday from 7-9 p.m. Tickets to the benefit event are $20-$50. Learn more here.
Amy Grant at The Music Hall
Over a career that spans more than 40 years, pop star Amy Grant has sold more than 30 million albums, garnered more than 1 billion global streams, and earned the title “The Queen of Christmas.” She’ll perform live at The Music Hall in Portsmouth on Saturday from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Tickets are $65.50-$109.50. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.