bucket list jazz band
The Dance Hall presents the Bucket List Jazz Band in John Paul Jones Park on Thursday.

Top five things to do: June 4-6

A roundup of upcoming entertainment on the Seacoast

Early June brings fresh music, comedy, and art to local venues. Here are some of the highlights.

Concerts by the Bridge

john paul jones park
The Dance Hall kicks off a summer-long slate of outdoor entertainment in Kittery this week. The Bucket List Jazz Band, an energetic jazz-fusion ensemble founded by tenor saxophonist Stefan Vittori, will perform as part of the Concerts by the Bridge series on Thursday. The open-air event takes place in John Paul Jones Park (above), with views of Memorial Bridge in the background. Ticket sales have ended, but look for other Dance Hall shows here.

Art ‘Round Town

(above painting by Catherine DiPentima)
The New Hampshire Art Association will hold a virtual opening reception on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. for three new shows: “Transformations,” “Body of Work: Series II,” and “Who We Are.” Additionally, during Art ‘Round Town on Friday from 5-8 p.m., the Kennedy Gallery hosts a reception for “Dreamscapes,” featuring acrylic paintings by Carlyn Janus. And the Ceres Gallery presents “Poetic Views,” featuring paintings by Dennis Sheehan.

Stone Church concerts

john papa gros tour

The Stone Church in Newmarket continues its stellar music lineup this weekend with three outdoor shows. Boston-based rock-reggae favorite Soul Rebel Project performs on Friday from 6-9 p.m. Maine-based Jerry Garcia Band tribute act Rose Alley plays on Saturday from 6-9 p.m. New Orleans-style pianist and organist John “Papa” Gros brings his world tour to the Church on Sunday from 5-7 p.m. — and there will be a crawfish boil!

Comedy at the Roundabout

steve bjork

If you didn’t know already, the Roundabout Diner & Lounge has become a bastion of stand-up comedy, with local comic Jim McCue curating regular shows at the Portsmouth venue. Steve Bjork, who the Boston Globe has described as “one of the top names” in New England stand-up, headlines two performances on Friday and Saturday from 8-9:30 p.m. Also on the bill are Jack Lynch, Joey Carroll, and host Dave Decker. Get tickets here.

PMAC Jazz Night

Jazz faculty from the Portsmouth Music and Arts Center will perform trumpet great Wynton Marsalis’ latest album, “The Democracy! Suite,” in its entirety during their annual Jazz Night performance. Guest artist Kendall Moore will join the band for two shows under the arch on Chestnut Street (outside The Music Hall) on Sunday from 6-7 p.m. and 8-9 p.m. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire. Learn more here.

See the full calendar for more local events.