new england bipoc fest
The fourth annual New England BIPOC Fest moves to Strawbery Banke Museum this year

Top things to do: Aug. 16-18

A roundup of weekend entertainment on the Seacoast

Boy oh boy is there a bunch going on this weekend. Here’s a smattering of the highlights.

‘Each Has Their Grief’ at 3S Artspace

peter bruun 3s artspace

Five years after his daughter died from an overdose, Peter Bruun turned to art for solace. His new exhibit, “Each Has Their Grief,” is on display in the gallery at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth from Aug. 16 through Oct. 16. Visitors can meet the artist during an opening reception on Friday from 5-8 p.m. Learn more here.

‘Give My Regards to Portsmouth’ at Prescott Park

regards portsmouth prescott park

As its 50th anniversary season continues, the Prescott Park Arts Festival will host a special celebration of 50 years of musicals this weekend. Featuring tunes from past musicals in the park, “Give My Regards to Portsmouth” will be staged on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7 p.m., plus a Saturday matinee at 1 p.m. There’s an $8 suggested donation; table, blanket, and food reservations are available. Learn more here.

Todd Hearon Album Release at The Word Barn Meadow

todd hearon

Award-winning local poet and songwriter Todd Hearon will release his third studio album, “Impossible Man!,” with a live concert at The Word Barn Meadow in Exeter on Friday from 7-9 p.m. Hearon will perform with a full band on the outdoor stage after an opening set from Tiny Dog Fight. Tickets are $25. Learn more here.

Music and dance at The Dance Hall

boston dance theater

Local roots-based chorus Rock My Soul will raise the rafters at The Dance Hall in Kittery on Friday from 7:30-9 p.m. ($12-$25). On Saturday from 7-8:30 p.m., the Boston Dance Theater will present “Strong Women of Today,” featuring a playlist of some of the nation’s hottest female choreographers ($20-$25). Learn more here.

New Works Festival at N.H. Theatre Project

new works festival portsmouth

Playwrights of all experience levels shared their work and got feedback during Dive In Productions’ DIVE IN-cubator workshops. The resulting plays will come to life during the two-day New Works Festival on Friday and Saturday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at New Hampshire Theatre Project in Portsmouth. Tickets are $15-$28. Learn more here.

The Peelers and guests at The Stone Church

peelers stone church newmarket

Born in 1999 in North Glengarry County, Ontario, and now based in Montreal, The Peelers have evolved into one of the most acclaimed Celtic punk bands in the genre. They’ll headline a rowdy show with guests The Pourmen and The Rebel Collective at The Stone Church in Newmarket on Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15-$20. Learn more here.

Hampton Beach Comedy Festival

hampton beach comedy festival

The annual Hampton Beach Comedy Festival got underway this week at McGuirk’s Ocean View Hotel & Restaurant, and the laughs will continue right through the weekend. Presented by Boston comedian Jimmy Dunn, the festival features a lineup of regional comics every night from 8-9:40 p.m. through Sunday. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.

Reggae Fest at Newburyport Brewing Co.

reggae fest newburyport brewing

Kick back and enjoy some cold beer, good food, and live music at Newburyport Brewing Co. on Saturday from 12-9 p.m. Soul Rebel Project headlines this year’s Reggae Fest with support from openers Mellow and the Dis n Dat Band. There will also be food trucks, craft beer, cornhole, and kids’ games. Tickets are $10. Learn more here.

Neil Young tribute at The Press Room

stray horses ragged glory

Get ready for a night of Neil at The Press Room in Portsmouth. Portland-based tribute act The Stray Horses will play “Ragged Glory,” the 1990 studio album by Neil Young and Crazy Horse (a live recording of which came out this spring), along with some hits and deep cuts, on Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $18-$23. Learn more here.

Save Ferris – Live Under the Arch

save ferris music hall

The next concert in The Music Hall’s Live Under the Arch series is a doozy. Legendary ska band Save Ferris, led by powerhouse vocalist Monique Powell, will perform outdoors on Chestnut Street in Portsmouth (in front of the historic theater) on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $37.50-$42.50. Learn more here.

Casey McNeal at McCue’s Comedy Club

casey mcneal comedy

For a taste of Casey McNeal’s humor, check out his Amazon Prime special “Highly Disordered.” The Boston comic, a former finalist on the “NBC Tonight Show Comedy Challenge,” will be at McCue’s Comedy Club in Portsmouth with Liam Hales, Greg Boggis, and Jim Mccue on Saturday from 8-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. Learn more here.

Portsmouth Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival

portsmouth food truck festival

Feast and sip in style at the 10th annual Portsmouth Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival on Sunday from 12-5 p.m. Cisco Brewers Portsmouth will host more than 20 local food trucks. There will also be lawn games, music, and family-friendly activities, plus beer and cocktails from Cisco Brewers. Admission is $5-$10. Learn more here.

New England BIPOC Festival

new england bipoc festival

An array of performers, artisans, and food vendors will gather at Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth on Sunday, all with the goal of cultivating equity and social justice. The fourth annual New England Black, Indigenous, People of Color Festival takes place from 12-5 p.m. There is a $10 suggested donation. Learn more here.

See the full calendar for more local events.