Another winter weekend will be filled with music, comedy, and theater on the Seacoast. Here are some of the top events coming to local venues.
Stand-Up Comedy on the Seacoast
Two acclaimed comics have local gigs this weekend. John Poveromo, who has opened for the likes of Jimmy Fallon and Drew Cary, performs at Curlies Comedy Club in Rochester on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 25 and 26, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15-$20 ($150 for VIPs). Chris Franjola, co-host of the Juicy Scoop podcast and former writer for “Chelsea Lately,” performs at Cisco Brewers Portsmouth on Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 6 and 8:15 p.m. Tickets are $20.
‘Opening Night Mutiny’ at the Ring
Hopefully a new play opening in Portsmouth this weekend goes more smoothly than the play within the play. “Opening Night Mutiny: A Fiasco in Two Acts” runs Jan. 25-Feb. 10 at The Players’ Ring. The original comedy by Alex Pease and Michael Freitag depicts a series of mishaps plaguing the premiere of a seemingly doomed show at a fictional playhouse. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $14-$18; learn more here.
Jaw Gems at The Press Room
The young producers that make up the Jaw Gems collective use samplers and synthesizers to create an intricate wall of electronic sound. The Portland-based band, who in 2017 released their second album, “Heatweaver,” produce instrumental music that features repeating beats and warped samples. The result is an experimental sound that blends elements of hip-hop, indie rock, and electronica. They’ll perform at The Press Room in Portsmouth on Friday, Jan. 25, at 9 p.m. Tickets are $7-$10; learn more here.
Live Free and Sing in Portsmouth
An upcoming concert in Portsmouth will showcase some of the region’s top a cappella talent. Portsmouth Pro Musica’s second annual “Live Free and Sing” festival features Not Too Sharp, The Afternotes, The Hilltoppers, The Stairwells, The RMS 5 (of the Rock My Soul Gospel Choir), and The Overtones. The show takes place at St. John’s Church on Saturday, Jan. 26, from 4-6 p.m. Tickets are $10-$12, with proceeds benefiting Portsmouth Pro Musica. For more information, click here.
Gear Up! An RPM Kick-off Afternoon
The 14th annual RPM Challenge — a local initiative that encourages people to record a full album of original music in one month — begins on Feb. 1. Participants are invited to get prepared during a gear swap and kick-off event at Portsmouth Public Library on Sunday, Jan. 27, from 2-4 p.m. Recording engineers and long-time RPMers will be on hand to answer questions. It’s one of several RPM-related events coming to the library over the next few weeks; learn more here.
For a complete calendar of local events, click here.