It will be a silent couple of nights this weekend for Christmas, so we’re shifting our weekly top-five list to the days in between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, when many lucky locals are on holiday break and looking for things to do.
Zest Fest
John and Rebecca Higby will perform The YoYo Show as part of Pontine Theatre’s Zest Fest at Strawbery Banke.
Pontine Theatre’s annual Zest Fest New Vaudeville Festival brings several fantastical acts to Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth from Monday to Friday, Dec. 26-30. Among the featured spectacles are Michael Trautman’s King Pong’s Ping Pong Rodeo, John and Rebecca Higby’s YoYo show, and Leland Faulkner’s World of Wonders. For show times, tickets, and more information, click here.
Recycled Percussion
Recycled Percussion plays two shows at the Rochester Opera House on Tuesday.
The homegrown heroes of Recycled Percussion have become a national sensation since appearing on “America’s Got Talent” in 2009. The Manchester-based junk rockers, now regular Vegas headliners, will play two shows at the Rochester Opera House on Tuesday, Dec. 27, at 4 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $29.50, available here.
Discovering Magic
Andrew Pinard performs his tricks at The Players’ Ring next week.
Andrew Pinard, a full-time magician for the last quarter-century, brings his absurd and humorous magic show to The Players’ Ring in Portsmouth for five performances over three days. Show times are 7 p.m. on Dec. 28, 3 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 29, and 3 and 8 p.m. on Dec. 30. Tickets are $15, available here.
Last Laugh 2016
Juston McKinney delivers laughs at The Music Hall on Thursday.
Maine-based comic Juston McKinney brings his annual Last Laugh show to The Music Hall in Portsmouth on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 29 and 30, at 8 p.m. Frank Santorelli, best known as Georgie the Bartender from “The Sopranos,” opens both nights. Tickets are $24, available here.
Young Americans
The Young Americans pay tribute to David Bowie on Thursday.
One of the great artists we lost in 2016 was David Bowie, who died just under a year ago. Bowie tribute band The Young Americans will celebrate the icon’s music with a free show on Thursday, Dec. 29, at 9 p.m. at the Thirsty Moose Tap House in Portsmouth. For more info, click here.