New Hampshire Brewfest
The New Hampshire Brewfest comes to Cisco Brewers on Saturday. photo courtesy of WHEB

Top five things to do: Oct. 13-15

A roundup of weekend entertainment on the Seacoast

October brings some cherished traditions to the Seacoast, including the New Hampshire Brewfest, the New Hampshire Film Festival, and all kinds of Halloween festivities. Here are some of the highlights coming up during the weekend of Friday the 13th.

NH Film Fest

New Hampshire Film Festival

The 17th annual New Hampshire Film Festival kicked off last night and continues through the weekend, bringing more than 100 films and special events to venues around downtown Portsmouth. Feature films, documentaries, and shorts will be screened at The Music Hall, The Music Hall Loft, the Moffatt-Ladd House, and 3S Artspace, while after-parties, discussions, and ceremonies take place at those and other locations. For a look at some festival highlights, click here. For tickets and more information, click here.

Fright Night

Among the many spooky events leading up to the Portsmouth Halloween Parade is a double-dose of classic film at the Smuttynose Brewery in Hampton on Friday, Oct. 13. The first ever Fright Night Double Feature will present “Ghostbusters” (2016) at 6 p.m., followed by the original “Friday the 13th” at 8:30 p.m. There will also be a Friday Night Happy Hour starting at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 (free for kids under 13). For more information, click here.

Weird Turn Pro

Weird Turn Pro

It’s hard to keep track of all the area bands to which Mike Effenberger has lent his keys. Weird Turn Pro serves as an outlet for the pianist’s original music, featuring members of Soggy Po’ Boys, OurBigBand, and Bing & Ruth. They’ll release their debut record with a show at The Dance Hall in Kittery on Friday, Oct. 13, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. For more information, click here.

NH Brewfest

New Hampshire Brewfest

photo courtesy of WHEB

The Redhook Brewery in Portsmouth plays host to the ninth annual New Hampshire Brewfest, a fundraiser for the Prescott Park Arts Festival, on Saturday, Oct. 14. Upwards of 50 brewers will offer samples of more than 150 beers, and there will also be food and live music. The festival unfolds in two sessions, from 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Tickets are $35 ($50 for a VIP session from 12-4 p.m.). For tickets and more information, click here.

100 Years of Monk

Thelonious Monk

Late jazz great Thelonious Monk was born Oct. 10, 1917, which means he would have turned 100 this week. The Portsmouth Music and Arts Center is marking the occasion with the first of four planned “Jazz Language” lectures. Local saxophonist and PMAC faculty member Eric Klaxton will lead the free lecture, titled “100 Years of Monk,” on Sunday, Oct. 15, at 3 p.m. He’ll discuss the pianist’s work, influences, and contributions to jazz. For more information, click here.

For a full calendar of local events, click here.