Those seeking to indulge in the arts this weekend have diverse options to choose from all over the Seacoast, with events in Portsmouth, Lee, Eliot, and Dover making our top-five list. Get the details below.
7SSC presents Hamlet
Seven Stages Shakespeare Company is utilizing yet another unconventional space to stage a play by William Shakespeare. This time, the local company is presenting “Hamlet,” the Bard’s most iconic work, at the Wentworth Lear Historic Houses in Portsmouth. The show, featuring a blend of local and international actors, runs from April 27 to May 5; show times are Fridays, Saturdays, Sunday, and Thursday at 7 p.m. Admission is “free for all, or pay what you will.” Learn more here.
Transcend
A new exhibit of work by artist, designer, and muralist Rae Senarighi features a series of vibrant portraits depicting transgender individuals from all over the world. Senarighi will be at the opening reception for “Transcend” at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth on Friday, April 27, from 5-8 p.m. Guest DJ LeahV will be on the turntables, and there will be snacks and refreshments. The show is on display at 3S through May 20. For more information, click here.
International Sculpture Day
Bedrock Gardens is bringing attention to an obscure holiday on Saturday, April 28, at Flag Hill Winery & Distillery in Lee. The site will host a celebration for International Sculpture Day from 3-7 p.m., featuring work by Bedrock Gardens co-founder Jill Nooney, along with a dozen other sculptors from around the region. There will be art tours, refreshments, a cash bar, and live bluegrass music from The Chickenshack Band. Tickets are $10; learn more here.
Big Easy Roots & Gospel Fest
ProjectMusicWorks, a local nonprofit dedicated to uplifting those in need through music, is bringing the spirit of New Orleans to the Seacoast for the annual Big Easy Roots & Gospel Fest, taking place at the Regatta Room in Eliot on Sunday, April 29. The event begins with a reception at 3 p.m., followed by a concert featuring the Soggy Po’ Boys, The RMS Five, and the Rock My Soul choir and band. Tickets are $20-$25; learn more here.
The Poets Corner
The Art Center opened this year in the Washington Street Mills in Dover, offering artist studios and exhibits. Now the space has a new offering: The Poets Corner. The inaugural event takes place on Saturday, April 28, from 6-9 p.m., with Shane Morin hosting. The evening unfolds in two parts, the first showcasing nine featured readers, followed by an intermission and then an open mic. Chapbooks by the featured readers will be available for purchase. Learn more here.
For a full calendar of local events, click here.