Another weekend packed with festivals, concerts, and other notable events has prompted us to take an unprecedented measure: instead of our normal top five, a top-15 events roundup! Here’s what we’ve got.
‘Once’ at the Seacoast Rep
Based on the 2007 film of the same name, “Once” is the only musical ever to feature songs that have won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Olivier Award, and a Tony Award. It runs Sept. 12 to Oct. 12 at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre in Portsmouth. Tickets are $22-$44. Learn more here.
Ameranouche at Haley Art Gallery
Guitarist Richard “Shepp” Sheppard and upright bassist Michael K. Harrist of local “gypsy flamenco swing” ensemble Ameranouche will return to the Haley Art Gallery in Kittery for a live concert on Friday, Sept. 13, from 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $15; last year’s show sold out. For more information, click here.
Session Americana Album Release
Folk-rock band Session Americana will play a release show for their new album, “Northeast,” at North Church in Portsmouth on Friday, Sept. 13, from 7:15-9:15 p.m. — a couple of weeks before the band embarks on a European tour. Part of the Soul Café music series, the show is $15. Learn more here.
Drawing in Time: Music of John Cage
UNH Prof. Rob Haskins will perform a special concert of music by John Cage at the Portsmouth Music and Arts Center on Friday, Sept. 13, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Joining Haskins will be local performers Laurel Karlic Sheehan, Eric Klaxton, and Ethan Giles. Tickets are $5-$10. For more information, click here.
Friday the 13th Outdoor Screaming
Portsmouth Halloween Parade fundraising season gets underway at Liars Bench Beer Company in Portsmouth, which will present an outdoor screening of “Friday the 13th” on Friday the 13th of September from 8-10:30 p.m. There will be beer, raffles, and PHP hoodies for sale. Bring a lawn chair. Learn more here.
Matty Cardarople in Exeter
Actor Matty Cardarople returns to his hometown for an event at Krypton Comics in Exeter on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Cardarople, who appears in “Stranger Things” and many other series and films, will sign autographs and pose for selfies, with 10 percent of proceeds going to TEAM. Learn more here.
Westival 2019
Among the highlights of the fifth annual Westival are yard games, ninja obstacle courses, a pop-up escape room, crafts, a bouncy house, live music, food, beer, and more. The festival celebrating Portsmouth’s West End takes place Saturday, Sept. 14, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Frank Jones parking lot. Learn more here.
Takedown Ten
The 10th annual Takedown festival will feature live music, a potluck, aerial story performances, and a multimedia performance by Ben Troy titled “Black and Blue 2.” It takes place at Rock Maple Woods in Strafford on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 12-10 p.m. There is a suggested donation of $20. Learn more here.
Southern NH Music Festival
The Dover Elks Lodge will host an outdoor concert featuring 10 bands on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 12-10 p.m. The musical acts encompass jazz, rock, gospel, R&B, soul, swing, blues, funk, and honky-tonk. There will also be food and beverage service. Tickets are $10-$12, with free overnight camping available. Learn more here.
Stone Church Oyster Festival
Virgin Oyster Company, Fox Point Oysters, and Cedar Point Shellfish will be on hand for this annual festival at The Stone Church in Newmarket on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 2-6:30 p.m. There will also be Bloody Mary specials and live music from The Ferret Brothers. For more information, click here.
Passport Craft Beer & Food Pairing Tour
Local brewers and chefs join forces for this annual craft beer and food pairing event at Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth. Presented by NHPBS, it takes place Saturday, Sept. 14, from 5-7 p.m. (VIP admission starts at 4 p.m.) Tickets are $75, or $130 for VIPs ($35-$55 for designated drivers). Learn more here.
Ultimate Amorphous Band Show
The Amorphous Band has been laying down soulful grooves on Seacoast stages for a quarter-century. The group will celebrate its 25th anniversary (and band leader Chris O’Neil’s 50th birthday) with a show at The Stone Church in Newmarket on Saturday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m. There is a $5 cover. Learn more here.
GatherFest at Cisco Brewers
The Mallett Brothers Band, Martin England and The Reconstructed, The Kenny Brothers Band, and The Suitcase Junket take the main stage at the third annual GatherFest concert to end hunger at Cisco Brewers Portsmouth on Sunday, Sept. 15, from 12-6 p.m. Tickets are $20-$25; proceeds benefit the Gather food pantry. Learn more here.
True Tales Live Onstage
ACT ONE’s 2019 festival draws to a close with True Tales Live Onstage at West End Studio Theatre in Portsmouth on Sunday, Sept. 15, at 2 p.m. Local storytellers will share anecdotes based around the theme of “Rising to the Challenge.” Tickets are $18-$20 ($14-$16 with a festival pass). Learn more here.
Underground Writers Book Release
The Underground Writers Association is set to release “The Best F-ing Poets You’ve Never Heard Of,” featuring work by Myles Burr, Joel Carpenter, Nicholas Coulombe, and Elsbeth Willis. Each poet will read select pieces during a book-release event at Portsmouth Book and Bar on Sunday, Sept. 15, from 7-9 p.m. Learn more here.
For a complete calendar of local events, click here.