More venues are cautiously reopening, more performances are returning to physical stages, and more people are enjoying live entertainment with each passing week. Be careful, wear a mask, stay safe, and enjoy!
3S Artspace Gallery Reopens
After a months-long closure, 3S Artspace in Portsmouth is finally reopening its doors on Friday, July 24. Two exhibits will be sharing the gallery space through Sept. 6. Abstraction features work by four painters who explore the role of abstract art in our culture, perception, and psyche. And Rachel Burgess uses drawing and monotype to create iconic Maine landscapes in 50 Shades of the Piscataqua.
Obama: An Intimate Portrait
Photojournalist Pete Souza served as official White House photographer under former president Barack Obama for eight years. An exhibit featuring 50 of his photos of the president is on display at the freshly reopened Seacoast African American Cultural Center — located within the Discover Portsmouth Center — from July 24 to Dec. 19. Viewing is by appointment. For more information, click here.
2020 Sunflower Festival
Every summer, the Coppal House Farm in Lee invites the public to tour its breathtaking sunflower fields before the fall harvest, when the flowers’ seeds are pressed into culinary oil. This year’s Sunflower Festival kicks off on Saturday, July 25, and continues through Friday, July 31. A portion of proceeds from the event will again go to the New Hampshire chapter of the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Learn more here.
Comedy Night w/ Shawn Jackson
This past week, The Word Barn held the 17th edition of its online comedy series. This weekend, the venue is bringing comedians back to the live stage in its meadow in Exeter. Shawn Jackson, a finalist at the 2019 Boston Comedy Festival, headlines the show on Saturday, July 25, from 8-9:30 p.m. Also performing are Emily Ruskowski, Matt Barry, Dan Gilbert, and hosts Josh and Sara Day. Tickets are $30. Learn more here.
Stories of Portsmouth’s LGBTQ Community
Tom Kaufhold will recount the hidden history of local LGBT clubs, organizations, and individuals during a walking tour of Portsmouth on Sunday, July 26, from 3:30-4:45 p.m. The walk will pass a number of historic sites and include details about important people, places, and events. Presented by the Portsmouth Historical Society, the tour departs from Discover Portsmouth. Tickets are $12-$15. Learn more here.
For a complete calendar of local events, click here.