There are some great events coming up this weekend featuring storytelling, music, dancing, comedy, and a bit of history. Here are some of the highlights.
Long Story Short: Never Have I Ever
After going virtual for several months, the Long Story Short storytelling series returns to a live outdoor stage this weekend. Presented by 3S Artspace, the event takes place at PopUp NH in Portsmouth on Saturday, Sept. 5, from 1-3 p.m. Featured storytellers Kit Lyman, Paul Doncaster, Katie Maggio, Jessica Bacon, Beth LaMontagne Hall, and Erin Laplante will share true tales around the theme of “Never Have I Ever.” Learn more here.
Seacoast West African Dance & Drum
As part of its Concerts by the Bridge series, The Dance Hall presents Seacoast West African Dance & Drum at John Paul Jones Park in Kittery on Saturday, Sept. 5, from 3-4 p.m. Led by Guinean drummer Namory Keita (now a Portland resident) and local dancer Liz Fowler, the group has been holding classes and performances in the area for the last eight years, including at The Dance Hall. There is a suggested donation of $15. Learn more here.
Portsmouth Peace Treaty Day Bell-ringing
Every year, at 3:47 p.m. on Sept. 5, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard sounds a memorial salute and the bells of Portsmouth ring. The annual tradition commemorates the 1905 signing of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty, which ended the Russo-Japanese War. On Saturday, a group will gather in Market Square for this year’s bell-ringing ceremony. (Another Portsmouth Peace Treaty Forum event follows next weekend.) Learn more here.
The Midnight Wrens at The Stone Church
Boasting a lineup packed with veterans of the local music scene, The Midnight Wrens are a veritable Seacoast supergroup. The band includes guitarist Tom Powley (Percy Hill), bassist Joe Kenny (The Kenny Brothers), guitarist Bryan Killough (Groovechild), drummer Steve Ruhm (Say Zuzu), and keyboardist Duncan Watt. They’ll play an outdoor show at The Stone Church in Newmarket on Saturday, Sept. 5, from 6-9 p.m. Learn more here.
Word Barn Comedy Live
Headlining The Word Barn’s next comedy night is Boston-area comic Christine Hurley, a former contestant on “America’s Got Talent” and a featured act at Comics Come Home at TD Garden in 2018. She’ll take the outdoor stage in Exeter on Saturday, Sept. 5, from 8-9:30 p.m., alongside Sam Ike, Rob Greene, and hosts Josh and Sara Day. Tickets are $30, and guests can order poke bowls from Ohana Restaurant in advance. Learn more here.
For a complete calendar of local events, click here.