With Scissorfight at The Press Room, Rick Rude at Sue’s, and the Portsmouth Jazz and Blues Festival, there will be an excess of great local music on Seacoast stages this weekend. Plus there’s the Seacoast Half Marathon and a new play at The Players’ Ring. Here are some more details.
The Gift of the Magi
Based on the early-1900s tale, “The Gift of the Magi” showcases a unique medley of local talent. David J. Mauriello adapted the story into a musical with lyrics by Robert Johnson, and director Deborah Barry assembled a cast that includes a blind man, a transgender woman, and a man with cerebral palsy. It runs Nov. 9-25; show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. (with some additional times). Tickets are $18; learn more here.
Scissorfight and Watts
Ah, it’s good to have The Press Room back. After finally reopening on Halloween night, the downtown Portsmouth pub welcomes some long-time veterans of the local punk scene this weekend. Scissorfight, who reemerged in 2016 after a 10-year hiatus, headlines the concert on Friday, Nov. 9, at 9 p.m. Regional rockers Watts, who have opened for the likes of Joe Perry and Cheap Trick, open the show. Tickets are $7-$10; for more information, click here.
Rick Rude release show
Indie rockers Rick Rude have established themselves as one of the best things the local music scene has going. For evidence, check out the excellent Slow Cooker, off their new album, “Verb for Dreaming.” They’ll unveil the full album during a release show at Sue’s in Rollinsford on Saturday, Nov. 10, at 8:30 p.m. Also on the bill are Washer, High Pony, and Notches. Skimmed Milk hosts the evening. There is a $5-$10 suggested donation; learn more here.
Seacoast Half Marathon
Since 2006, the Seacoast Half Marathon has contributed more than $1 million to local nonprofits. This year’s race, taking place on Sunday, Nov. 11, from 8-11:30 a.m., benefits the Birchtree Center, which supports children with autism. The 13.1-mile course begins at Portsmouth High School and travels through Rye and New Castle, with stretches along the coast and the Piscataqua River, before returning to Portsmouth. Registration is closed, but you can still cheer on the runners. Learn more here.
Portsmouth Jazz & Blues Fest
The Portsmouth Jazz & Blues Festival made its debut in 2017, and it returns this year with more than a dozen local and regional acts performing on eight stages around Portwalk Place. The festival is on Sunday, Nov. 11, from 12-10:30 p.m., concluding with an evening concert featuring Combo Sabroso and Roomful of Blues. The evening show, a benefit for Veterans Count, takes place at the Portsmouth Harbor Events & Conference Center. Festival tickets are $30-$40; learn more here.
For a complete calendar of local events, click here.