The first weekend of February features lots of art and music, plus a black history “Tea Talk” and a dose of comic political theater. See our select highlights below.
‘Wayfaring Stranger’ at 3S Artspace
In the new exhibit at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth, art students and alumni from the University of New Hampshire explore the theme of getting lost. “Wayfaring Stranger, on the Way to the Lost and Found” features multi-media work inspired by Rebecca Solnit’s book “A Field Guide to Getting Lost,” a collection of essays about the challenges of living with uncertainty. The show runs through Feb. 24, with a reception on Friday, Feb. 1, from 5-8 p.m. Learn more here.
Lily Raymond: ‘Apophenia’ at Nahcotta
Among the many highlights of this month’s Dover Art Walk and Art ’Round Town is a new solo show at the Nahcotta gallery in Portsmouth. “Apophenia” features oil and gouache paintings by local artist Lily Raymond. The show’s title references a psychological term denoting the tendency to perceive connections between unrelated things. In her works, Raymond links together seemingly random common objects in poetic and magical ways. The opening reception is Friday, Feb. 1, from 6-8 p.m. Learn more here.
Lowernine Benefit with Soggy Po’ Boys
The Soggy Po’ Boys are known for bringing the musical stylings of New Orleans to New England. On Friday, Feb. 1, they’ll give back to the city that helped shape their sound. The Po’ Boys will play a benefit concert at The Dance Hall in Kittery from 8-11 p.m. Tickets are $12-$15, with all proceeds going to Lowernine, a charity dedicated to the long-term recovery of New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Learn more here.
The Capitol Steps at The Music Hall
In today’s political climate, sometimes all you can do is laugh. The Capitol Steps will help you get a hearty chuckle when their “Make America Grin Again” tour comes to The Music Hall in Portsmouth. The Washington, D.C.-based comic troupe is comprised of former congressional staffers who lampoon the headlines in a bipartisan fashion. They’ll perform two shows on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 5 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $29-$45. For more information, click here.
Elinor Williams Hooker Tea Talks
The theme of the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire’s sixth annual Elinor Williams Hooker Tea Talk series is “That Which Divides, That Which Unites.” This year’s series kicks off on Sunday, Feb. 3, with a discussion titled “Land, Wealth, and Policies of Marginalization,” featuring presenters Meghan Howey and Woullard Lett. The free event takes place from 2-4 p.m. at South Church in Portsmouth; subsequent Tea Talks occur every Sunday through March 10. Learn more here.
To see a complete calendar of local events, click here.