This weekend’s event highlights include comedy, music, performance art, and commentary on important topical issues, including racial division and violence against women. Here’s our weekly roundup.
Comedy Xxtravaganza
Mike McDonald, a staple of Boston-area comedy for decades, brings his 16th annual Comedy Xxtravaganza to The Music Hall in Portsmouth tonight (Feb. 10) at 7:30 p.m. Joining McDonald will be Wendy Liebman, a finalist on “America’s Got Talent”; Joe List, who once opened for Louis CK at Carnegie Hall; Ken “The Viper” Rogerson; and Tony V. A portion of proceeds benefits Seacoast Family Food Pantry and Cross Roads House. Tickets are $38-$42, available here.
Stunt Queen Tour
Writer, activist, and international performing artist Mykki Blanco has been capturing attention since the release of the “Cosmic Angel Mixtape” in 2012. Currently at work on a solo album, Blanco will be at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth tonight (Feb. 10) at 9 p.m. as half of The Stunt Queen Tour. Joining Blanco will be rapper Cakes Da Killa, the author of several acclaimed mix tapes. Tickets to the all-ages event are $20, available here.
New England Winter Blues Festival
The eighth annual New England Winter Blues Festival brings a lineup of top regional acts to the Blue Ocean Music Hall in Salisbury, Mass., on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m. Duke Robillard, named Best Blues Guitarist four times at the Blues Music Awards, headlines the show with his band. Also performing are Matthew Stubbs & the Antiguas, Mr. Nick & the Dirty Tricks, Dennis Gruenling, the Delta Generators, and Brian Templeton. Tickets are $28, available here.
Healing Racial Divisions
In the next installment of the Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail’s Elinor Hooker Williams Tea Talk lecture series, a panel of speakers will share personal stories aimed at healing racial divisions. The topic of the free presentation is “The Unreconstructed North: Assimilation, Apartheid & Reconciliation”; presenters include Prof. Jason Sokol, Eleanor Dunfey-Freiburger, Penthea Burns, Sheila Finley, and Woullard Lett. It takes place Sunday, Feb. 12, from 2-4 p.m. at Discover Portsmouth. For more information, click here.
One Billion Rising
New Hampshire’s professional dance community will come together as part of a mass action to end violence against women and girls on Sunday, Feb. 12. The “One Billion Rising Gala: An Evening of Dance” takes place at The Music Hall in Portsmouth at 7 p.m. Presented by the Neoteric Dance Collaborative, the event also features student performers from Arts in Reach. All proceeds go to Haven NH, which supports victims of violence. Tickets are $35-$75, available here.