This weekend’s festivities include the annual Juneteenth Celebration, which is more relevant or significant than ever. Also coming up are a wildflower workshop, a comedy show, an album release, and a live concert. Here are the details.
Virtual Wildflower Workshop
The Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire originally planned to host a wildflower walk at Burley Farms in Epping, but the pandemic forced them to scrap those plans. Rather than canceling, though, they’re going virtual. Phil Auger, Nathan Roe, and Celia Abrams will lead an interactive Zoom workshop on Friday, June 19, from 10-11 a.m. It’s a chance to learn more about the blossoms popping up in your yard and neighborhood. Learn more here.
2020 Juneteenth Celebration
On June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, the last remaining American slaves learned they had been emancipated. Juneteenth celebrates the anniversary of this date, and the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire has a full slate of events scheduled this weekend. Among them is Music to Celebrate our Ancestors on Friday from 1-4 p.m., Songs that Feed the Soul on Friday from 7-10 p.m., and The Diet of our Ancestors on Saturday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Word Barn Comedy LIVE Online
The 12th (!) online edition of Word Barn Comedy features L.A.-based headliner Eric Owusu, who tours nationally and has written for the Disney Channel. Joining him on Zoom are Tooky Kavanagh, Terence Pennington, Srilatha Rajmani, and EJ Edmunds. As always, local comics Josh and Sara Day host. A portion of proceeds from donations goes to the Grassroots Law Project, aimed at reforming policing and the justice system. Learn more here.
Ambistellar Album Release Pop-up Market
Local jazz ensemble Sojoy and Seacoast singer Stu Dias have teamed up to record a stunning new album called “Ambistellar.” Since they’re unable to play a release show, they’re hosting a pop-up market outside the Portsmouth home of Sojoy leader Jonny Peiffer’s parents. You can purchase a physical copy or a digital download, as well as prints of the cover art by Sara Argue. And the music will be playing over speakers. Learn more here.
Ellen Carlson and Steve & Whitney Roy
There are still some tables open for the next outdoor concert at The Stone Church in Newmarket! Local fiddler Ellen Carlson and multi-instrumental duo Steve and Whitney Roy will be playing folk, bluegrass, and old-time tunes in the beer garden on Saturday, June 20, from 5-8 p.m. Tickets are sold by the table to ensure proper social distancing, with tables of four ($30) or six ($40) available, as well as food and beverages. For more information, click here.
For a complete calendar of local events, click here.