Top-five things to do

Lifestyle, Music, Stage
A roundup of Seacoast entertainment for the weekend of Sept. 23

The first weekend of fall brings options for live music, theater, food, and more to the Seacoast. Here’s our weekly roundup of entertainment highlights coming to a venue near you.

Press Room jazz turns 35
Jazz singer Chris Humphrey

Jazz singer Chris Humphrey is among those performing at The Press Room’s 35th anniversary bash. courtesy photo

For four decades, The Press Room has served as a second home to many Seacoast residents. The downtown Portsmouth bar and restaurant is where locals go for live music, conversation with drinking buddies, and a cold pint of craft beer. The PR celebrates the 35th anniversary of its Sunday jazz series with live music from the Press Room Trio, Chris Humphrey, Fred Haas, and special guests on Sunday, Sept. 25, from 6-9 p.m. Tickets are $10; find out more by clicking here.

New comedy at the Ring
Bob Porzio (right) as God and Jim Esson as his attorney in "Omega.

Bob Porzio (right) as God and Jim Esson as his attorney in Omega. courtesy photo

What would happen if God lost all his omniscience and had to navigate a world where he had no powers? We don’t know, but it sounds pretty funny. And that’s the premise of Omega, the new show opening at The Players’ Ring in Portsmouth this weekend. The play was written by Eric Doucet, creator of the Darwin’s Waiting Room comedy troupe. It’s directed by Michael Towle (in his directorial debut) and stars Bob Porzio as God and Jim Esson as God’s attorney. Opening night is tonight at 8 p.m.; get tickets here.

Concert to end gun violence
Elissa Margolin

Elissa Margolin and her band River Sister will perform in the concert at 3S.

The Concert Across America to End Gun Violence takes place Sunday, but the nationwide event kicks off right here in Portsmouth tonight (Friday) at 3S Artspace. Martin England and the Reconstructed headlines the local show, with support from The Look Backs, Chris Guzikowksi & The Grim Brothers, River Sister, and DJ Skooch. Several of the performers told The Sound why they’re participating, which you can read here. For tickets, click here. For more on the national event, click here.

Hierloom barn dinner
Heirloom Harvest Barn Dinner

The eighth annual Heirloom Harvest Barn Dinner takes place Sunday in Stratham. photo by Enna Grazier

When you give some of the Seacoast’s best chefs heirloom ingredients to work with, delicious things happen. Area chefs will prepare locally grown and raised heirloom and heritage breeds at the eighth annual Heirloom Harvest Barn Dinner on Sunday, Sept. 25, at Meadow’s Mirth Farm in Stratham. Presented by Slow Food Seacoast, the event also features live music from local acts Fox & Fern and Old Hat. Tickets are $100, with proceeds benefiting the Heirloom Harvest Project. Click here.

Jazz with the Brubeck Bros
The Brubeck Brothers Quartet

The Brubeck Brothers Quartet performs at the Firehouse Center on Sunday. courtesy photo

Dan and Chris Brubeck hail from one of the most accomplished jazz families in the world. Sons of the great pianist and composer Dave Brubeck, Dan is a percussionist and Chris is a bassist, trombonist, and composer. The Brubeck Brothers Quartet, also featuring guitarist Mike DeMicco and pianist Chuck Lamb, will perform at the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport, Mass., on Sunday, Sept. 25, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $42, available here. Find out more about the band here.