UPDATES: The two Gibson Brother Shows at The Word Barn scheduled for Saturday, March 14, has been canceled. The Percy Hill show at The Stone Church that same night has been postponed.
Although some venues have canceled or postponed events, many others are taking necessary precautions and continue to offer topnotch entertainment. They could all really use your support. Here are some of the highlights.
Bluegrass in the Barn
Two celebrated bluegrass acts are playing live shows on consecutive nights at The Word Barn in Exeter this weekend. Grammy Award-winning multi-instrumentalist Tim O’Brien and vocalist Jan Fabricius take the stage on Friday, March 13, from 8-10 p.m. (tickets are $40, available here). The Gibson Brothers — two-time Entertainers of the Year, according to the International Bluegrass Music Association — play two shows on Saturday, March 14, from 5-7 p.m. and 8-10 p.m. (CANCELED).
RPM Challenge Listening Party
For 15 years, the RPM Challenge has been inspiring musicians to create original albums during the month of February. And, every year, the results are celebrated with a listening party, during which select tracks from finished records are played. It’s a chance for RPM participants to mingle and discuss their creative processes, and for non-participants to join the fun. This year’s party is at The Press Room in Portsmouth on Saturday, March 14, at 7:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Rustic Overtones at the Brickhouse
One of Maine’s most celebrated rock bands returns to The Dover Brickhouse for a live concert on Saturday, March 14, at 8 p.m. Indie heroes Rustic Overtones have been a regional favorite since the early ’90s, helmed by lead singer Dave Gutter (also of Paranoid Social Club). Their latest studio album, “Self-Titled,” came out late last year. Fellow Maine-based rockers Chrome Roses open the show in Dover. Tickets are $20. For more information, click here.
Saint Paddy’s Comedy Spectacular
We could all use a good laugh right about now, and laughs will abound in Portsmouth this weekend. The Boston Comedy Festival presents the annual Saint Paddy’s Comedy Spectacular at The Music Hall on Saturday, March 14, at 8 p.m. The lineup features headliner Jim McCue, host Jack Lynch, and comics Joey Carroll and Erin Maguire, as well as dancers from The Murray Academy led by former “Riverdance” cast member John Grimes. Tickets are $32-$37. Learn more here.
Percy Hill Vinyl Re-Release – POSTPONED
The Stone Church in Newmarket continues to celebrate its 50th-anniversary year with a special performance by a legendary local group. Jam band Percy Hill — a Stone Church staple throughout the 1990s — takes the stage on Saturday, March 14, at 9 p.m. The concert also celebrates the vinyl re-release of Percy Hill’s iconic 1998 album, “Color in Bloom,” which helped cement their status as one of the region’s top acts. Tickets are $15-$20. For more information, click here.
For a complete calendar of local events, click here.