As local venues and organizations adjust (as best they can) to statewide stay-at-home orders, more and more virtual events are popping up online. Here are some of this weekend’s highlights.
New Work Online at Nahcotta
Normally, the first Friday of the month brings Art ‘Round Town to the streets of Portsmouth. Although we can’t visit galleries in person right now, Nahcotta is making new artwork available to view and purchase online. The gallery’s featured artists for April are Jake Messing, Jeremy Miranda, and Shae Warnick. Their collection can be viewed here from April 3-26; any purchases made will help support both the gallery and the artists. For more information, click here. Above: “Red Knots” by Shae Warnick
Shakespeare Happy Hours
If anyone can help us through these turbulent times, it’s the Bard himself, William Shakespeare. Seven Stages Shakespeare Company is teaming up with New York-based outfit Rude Grooms to present Shakespeare Happy Hours every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5 p.m. A rotating cast of 40 actors will perform Shakespeare’s works live online. Up next on Friday, April 3, is “Cymbeline.” And, if you miss the livestream, you can catch every installment archived. For more information, click here.
PMAC’s Spring Gala Fundraiser
Rather than canceling its biggest fundraising event of the year, the Portsmouth Music and Arts Center is turning its annual spring gala for the arts into a virtual celebration. The event will include an exclusive video premiere featuring performances by PMAC students and faculty, as well as interviews with students, parents, and donors. The organization’s spring auction is also moving online. It all takes place Friday, April 3, at 7 p.m. on Facebook and YouTube. For more information, click here.
Dorks in Dungeons: Online
Though the pandemic is keeping them at home, these dorks will not be deterred. In fact, a fantasy comedy improv show seems oddly well-suited to these times. So it’s good that the Dorks in Dungeons troupe is temporarily moving its live series from 3S Artspace to the virtual world of the internet. The next improvised adventure takes place Friday, April 3, from 7-10 p.m. As always, the cast will make up everything on the spot, and now viewers can stream their comments live. For more information, click here.
Word Barn Live Online
More than ever, we need the healing power of laughter and music. The Word Barn is offering both in a virtual format this weekend. Word Barn Comedy – Live Online takes place Friday, April 3, at 8 p.m. with headliner Sergio Chicon, host Josh Day, and guests Rob Greene, Sara Day, and Colby Bradshaw (a portion of proceeds goes to Exeter Hospital). Then, on Saturday, April 4, at 7 p.m., Word Barn Live Sessions presents a concert with Green Heron and Todd Hearon. Both events are by donation.
BONUS: The Dance Hall Favorites
Maine, too, has now imposed a stay-at-home order. Until it can reopen its doors for new events, The Dance Hall in Kittery is reliving highlights from its past. The nonprofit organization has created a video compilation of performances by some of the acts that played there in 2019. You can find a YouTube playlist of Dance Hall favorites here.
For a complete calendar of local events, click here.