Don’t let the cold stop you from having a good time. We are New Englanders. We put on long johns and we endure. And whether you crave music, poetry, theater, comedy, film, or some combination thereof, the Seacoast has something to offer this weekend. Here are a few of the highlights.
Winter words in the barn
Jerome Daly and Hope Jordan read at The Word Barn tonight. courtesy photo
It’s cold outside, but it’s warm and cozy at The Word Barn in Exeter. The Silo Series presents its final poetry reading of the year tonight, Dec. 16, at the barn on Newfields Road. The two featured readers are local poets Hope Jordan and Jerome Daly. Jordan’s poetry and fiction have appeared in several publications, and her first chapbook, “The Day She Decided to Feed Crows,” will be published in the spring. Daly, an MFA candidate at the University of New Hampshire, is a teaching fellow and, fittingly, managing editor of Barnstorm Journal. The reading takes place from 7-10 p.m. on Friday; for more information, click here.
Local holiday jazz
Taylor O’Donnell’s vocal jazz trio performs at The Dance Hall tonight. courtesy photo
Holiday harmonies will echo through Kittery tonight, Dec. 16, when local vocalist Taylor O’Donnell brings her trio to The Dance Hall. Accompanied by Portland-area singers Alicia Phelps and Emma Duplisse-Cyr, O’Donnell will present inventive arrangements of jazzy Christmas tunes, influenced by the likes of the Emmylou Harris Trio, the Andrews Sisters, and the Boswell Sisters. Backing the vocalists will be Chris Klaxton on piano, Rob Gerry on bass, and Les Harris Jr. on drums. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. on Friday; tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. For tickets and more information, click here.
“The Ragpicker’s Dream” awakens
Kent Stephens’ The Ragpicker’s Dream comes to The Music Hall Loft for two nights. courtesy photo
Seacoast theatergoers mourned last fall when Kent Stephens’ announced he would be shutting down his independent theater company, Stage Force. But at least one Stage Force tradition lives on, as Stephens will present his annual holiday play reading, “The Ragpicker’s Dream,” on two nights at The Music Hall Loft in Portsmouth. Without the aid of sets or costumes, top local performers will theatrically read works by Robert Frost, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, David Sedaris, and others. Show times are Saturday, Dec. 17, at 1:30 p.m., and Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15; for more info, click here.
Laughs at the Church
Tony V. headlines the comedy series at The Stone Church on Saturday. courtesy photo
Local comic Josh Day’s comedy series at The Stone Church in Newmarket features a distinguished headliner on Saturday, Dec. 17. Boston-bred comedian Tony V. has appeared in such shows as “Seinfeld,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “Rescue Me,” and “Louie,” as well as films like “The Town” and “The Heat.” Supporting acts at the Church include Casey Crawford, Collen Doyle, Dylan Krasinski, CJ Browne, and Zachary Brazao. The event starts at 7:30 p.m.; tickets are $6 in advance or $8 at the door. A performance by Phish tribute band 7 Below follows at 9 p.m.; tickets are $10. For more information on both events, click here.
Silent film & loud music
Buster Keaton stars in The General, which will be screened at 3S Artspace on Saturday with a live score from the Alloy Orchestra.
Seacoast audiences have developed a keen fondness for silent films with live scores, and they’re in for a treat at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth on Saturday, Dec. 17. That’s when the Alloy Orchestra offers a live performance during a screening of Buster Keaton’s 1926 classic, “The General.” Featuring percussionist Ken Winokur, keyboardist Roger C. Miller, and multi-instrumentalist Terry Donahue, the Alloy Orchestra uses unexpected objects to create unusual sounds. Roger Ebert has called them “the best in the world at accompanying silent films.” The show begins at 8 p.m.; tickets are $15. For more information, click here.