It’s the final weekend before summer, and a number of upcoming events mark the start of the season, including a sand-sculpting competition at Hampton Beach and Prescott Park’s first concert of the year. There are lots of other musical and spoken-word performances coming up; check out some of the highlights here.
Master Sand Sculpting
Ten of the world’s top sand sculptors will carve their masterpieces during the 17th annual Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Classic this weekend. Beachgoers can watch the artists at work, then vote for their favorites from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, June 17. An awards ceremony takes place Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Seashell Stage, followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m. The sculptures will remain on display through June 28. Learn more here.
Foreside Music Festival
Kittery Foreside has become the hipper, less-crowded alternative to downtown Portsmouth. This weekend, The Foreside Music Festival presents around 20 local acts, plus readings from area writers. It begins Friday, June 16, at 7 p.m. and continues through Sunday, with most events at Folk and The Dance Hall. It’s part of the Kittery Block Party, which is Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more on the festival, click here; for more on the block party, click here.
Wanderkook live
The second studio recording from local jazz septet Sojoy is more than an album. “The Adventures of Oliver Z. Wanderkook” is also an interactive live experience that combines words, art, music, dance, and animation to follow an adventurer’s fantastical journey. The show is on stage at New Hampshire Theatre Project in Portsmouth from June 16-25. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 ($10 for kids); learn more here.
Twin Peaks
photo by Daniel Topete
Not to be confused with the recently revived David Lynch show, Twin Peaks is a Chicago-based indie-rock band that sounds like a touring party. The group will be at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth on Friday, June 16, at 8 p.m. for an all-ages concert. The rapidly rising band released “Down In Heaven” in 2016, and they’ve been unveiling new singles every month this year. Area bands Hammydown and The Green Bullets open. Tickets are $15, available here.
Lake Street Dive
The Prescott Park Arts Festival is about to get noisy. The River House Restaurant Concert Series kicks off on Sunday, June 18, at 7 p.m., with Boston-born band Lake Street Dive. The rock, jazz, indie-pop quartet is in the midst of a summer-long national tour. They released their latest album (their first on Nonesuch Records), “Side Pony,” in 2016. Suitcase Junket opens the show in Portsmouth. There is a suggested donation of $8-$10; for more information, click here.