With Halloween lurking right around the corner, the weekend is crawling with events that span the spooky spectrum. Here are some of the weekend highlights. And don’t forget about the Portsmouth Halloween Parade on Tuesday, Oct. 31, starting at Peirce Island at 7 p.m.
The Winter’s Tale
For a fresh, original take on Shakespeare’s work, look no further than Seven Stages Shakespeare Company. Up next for the local theater group is the romance “The Winter’s Tale,” which is on stage at The Millspace in Newmarket through Nov. 4. Directed by 7SSC co-founder Dan Bealieu, the show also features renowned UK Shakespeare scholar Ben Crystal. Show times are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are by donation; seats can be reserved here.
Collection of Curiosities
The Players’ Ring in Portsmouth embraces the Halloween spirit with “Dr. Van Nostrand’s Collection of Curiosities,” opening tonight (Oct. 27) and running through Nov. 5. Presented by the performance art group Full Time Fools, the carnival-style show features circus, acrobats, burlesque, dancers, and flow artists performing beautiful (and grotesque) feats. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m., with a special performance after the Portsmouth Halloween Parade. Tickets are $18; learn more here.
Walking on the Wild Side
This fall art sale at Buoy Gallery in Kittery benefits two Maine nonprofits: the Center for Wildlife in Cape Neddick and the Heartwood College of Art in Biddeford. There will be 100 pieces for sale at “Walking on the Wild Side,” ranging from $200 to $300. The event is Friday, Oct. 27, from 6-8 p.m., with a $25 preview party from 5-6 p.m., during which guests can get first dibs on the artwork. For more info, click here.
Dover Zombie Walk
Another disgraceful display of putrefying flesh and brain-obsessed shambling plagues downtown Dover on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 2-3:30 p.m. The 12th annual Dover Zombie Walk gathers outside the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce before setting off on a ghastly promenade down Central Avenue to Adelle’s Coffeehouse, where Jell-O brain-eating and costume contests ensue. It’s a family-friendly event, and all are welcome to dress up and march — but be prepared for loads of zombie gore. For more information, click here.
Halloween at Sue’s
Elliott Smith emcees this Halloween cover show at Sue’s, located in the Salmon Falls Mills in Rollinsford. Presented by Salty Speakers, the all-ages show features music by Dinosaur Jr., The Strokes, Pavement, and The Cure, with proceeds benefiting Sue’s. Before the music starts, there will be a training on how to administer the anti-overdose medication Narcan. It takes place Saturday, Oct. 28, with the training at 6:30 p.m. and music from 8-11 p.m. For more information, click here.
For a full calendar of local events, click here.