Fine wine, fresh food, live music, new theater, and stand-up comedy are available this weekend at local venues. Here are some highlights.
Hampton Beach Seafood Festival
More than 50 area restaurants will serve delicacies all weekend long at the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival. There will also be live music, chef demonstrations, craft vendors, local merchants, and daily highlights such as fireworks on Saturday and a Lobster Roll Eating Competition on Sunday. Admission is $10 per day. Learn more here.
Local music at The Stone Church
Local music abounds at The Stone Church in Newmarket. On Friday, “mountain-rock” group The Kenny Brothers Band (above) joins Marjorie Senet & The Broken Home Boys on the outdoor stage from 6-9 p.m. ($20). On Saturday, indie-folk band Sneaky Miles gets support from Small Pond and Kate Possi at 8 p.m. ($10). On Sunday, acoustic duo The Fretbenders play a CD release show with special guests from 4-6 p.m. ($15). Learn more here.
‘Seminar’ at the Ring
The Players’ Ring in Portsmouth kicks off its 2022-’23 season with award-winning playwright Theresa Rebeck’s hit comedy “Seminar,” about a group of aspiring writers and a domineering instructor. It’s on stage Sept. 9-15; show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $24-$27. Learn more here.
Funk & Jam Out Fest
Burlington-based “rotten roll” band Swimmer headlines this year’s Funk and Jam Out Festival at Newburyport Brewing Co. on Saturday from 12-9 p.m. Also on the bill are local favorites Freevolt, Fiesta Melon, and Shantyman, plus food trucks, games, face painting, and loads of fresh beer. Tickets are $10 (free for kids). Learn more here.
Concerts in the Meadow
The Word Barn Meadow in Exeter hosts a special benefit concert for the Continuum Arts Collective on Saturday from 3-7 p.m. The [Mini] Revel in the Meadow features local acts The Reconstructed (above), The Kenny Brothers Band, Marjorie Senet & The Broken Home Boys, and Ashlyn Bard ($20). On Sunday from 7-8:30 p.m., acclaimed singer-songwriter Caitlin Canty shares the outdoor stage with local artist Dean Harlem ($25). Learn more here.
Crows’ Feat Farm Dinner
What better way to spend a September evening than dining on farm-fresh food while watching the sunset? Crows’ Feat Farm in Kensington hosts a five-course community dinner on Saturday from 6:30-8:30 p.m., featuring food sourced at the peak of freshness and served family-style at a table by the fields. Tickets are $75. Learn more here.
Laugh Riot Comedy Show
Three stand-up comedians and one musician will perform during Laugh Riot’s next comedy show at The Rockingham Ballroom in Newmarket on Saturday from 7-10 p.m. Veteran comics Mark Riley and Mike Prior headline, while newcomer Dave Decker opens, following a set from guitarist Tim Daley. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Concerts at The Dance Hall
Local band the Soggy Po’ Boys will bring the beauty of New Orleans music to The Dance Hall in Kittery on Saturday from 7:30-8:30 p.m. ($15). On Sunday from 3-4:30 p.m., the Aliento Chamber Players present The Collective, a circle of wind and string musicians, for a unique musical program titled “Permutations” ($15). Learn more here.
Jimmy Tingle at McCue’s
Comic Jimmy Tingle has appeared on “The Tonight Show,” “Larry King’s Weekend,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn,” “The Late Late Show with Tom Snyder,” and more. He’ll be at McCue’s Comedy Club in Portsmouth with guest Andrew Donnelly on Saturday from 8-9:45 p.m. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Punk show at WSCA
Two of Pennsylvania’s hottest bands will headline a night of punk music on the Button Factory Stage at WSCA Portsmouth Community Radio on Sunday from 8-11 p.m. Grunge and shoegaze band Slughead joins Philly punk act Wonderglu, with support from local rock bands Doug. and Pond Scum. Tickets are $10. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.