kenny brothers
The Kenny Brothers take the stage at PopUp NH on Friday night.

Top five things to do: Aug. 21-23

Art, Top Weekend Events, Stage, Music, Books
A roundup of weekend entertainment on the Seacoast

Plenty of live music, theater, art, and spoken word performances are coming up this weekend. Here are some of the highlights. Stay safe, wear a mask, and enjoy!

The Kenny Brothers & Kong Moon

kong moon

PopUp NH in Portsmouth is presenting two nights of al fresco rock ‘n’ roll this weekend. Local jam band The Kenny Brothers take the stage on Friday, Aug. 21, from 8-10 p.m. Local garage rockers Kong Moon follow on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 8-10 p.m. Tickets for both shows are sold by the table, with seating for two people available for $40, or four people for $80. (Also check out the Portsmouth Academy of Performing Arts’ “Getting to Know Footloose.”)

The Last Five Years

Performance artists Raquel Jennings and Shaina Shwartz star in “The Last Five Years,” on stage at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre in Portsmouth Aug. 20 through Sept. 13. Written and composed by Jason Robert Brown, the musical follows two 20-something New Yorkers who fall in and out of love over the course of five years. Show times this weekend are Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $30-$48. Learn more here.

Pop Up Exeter Arts Fest

There have been some stops and starts, some changes to the date and location, but TEAM (Town / Exeter / Arts / Music) is moving forward with a mini arts and music festival on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Now taking place outside Sawbelly Brewing in Exeter, the event features live music, artist vendors, food, beer, ice cream, and children’s activities. Tickets are by suggested donation of $10 per person or $20 per family, available here.

Water, Water, Everywhere

The Kittery Art Association unveils a new all-member show this weekend exploring the theme of a life-sustaining element. “Water, Water, Everywhere” is at the Kittery Point gallery Aug. 20 through Sept. 13. On the Spotlight Wall are works from member artist Maryse Newton’s “Beach Stones” series. There is no opening reception, but the gallery will be open Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (advance appointments recommended). Learn more here.

Five Years of Word (Barn)

word barn meadow exeter

The Word Barn in Exeter celebrates its fifth birthday with a special open-air reading on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Part of the Silo Series, the outdoor event in the spacious meadow features six writers, including poets Jessica Purdy, Matt W. Miller, Todd Hearon, Lily Greenberg, Maggie Dietz, and Rhosalyn Williams, along with fiction writer Tim Horvath. Masks are required; bring your own chairs and blankets. Tickets are $10. Learn more here.

For a complete calendar of local events, click here.