Summer is in full swing this weekend on the Seacoast. Here are some of the most happenin’ happenings.
Art ‘Round Town in downtown Portsmouth
Art ‘Round Town was pushed back this month to accommodate the holiday last Friday, but the downtown Portsmouth gallery walk is coming up this Friday from 5-8 p.m. Among the highlights is an opening reception for “Freedom to Be” at the Kennedy Gallery, featuring new works by painter Ann Trainor Domingue. Learn more here.
Family fun at the Prescott Park Arts Festival
In addition to staging the summer musical Disney’s Freaky Friday from Thursday through Sunday at 7 p.m., the Prescott Park Arts Festival is presenting Camp ENCORE! in Junie B. Jones Jr. on Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m., as well as Grammy-winning Latin bilingual act Mister G and Missus G on Sunday at 4 p.m. All events are free with a suggested donation; table and blanket reservations are available. Learn more here.
Welcome to Holland!? at The Dance Hall
Originally from Cádiz, Spain, Laura Sánchez is an award-winning flamenco artist, creator, choreographer, and educator. She’ll present “Welcome to Holland!?,” a multidisciplinary flamenco performance, at The Dance Hall in Kittery on Friday from 7-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $12-$25. Learn more here.
Live music and art at The Word Barn
The fireflies are out in The Word Barn Meadow, making for some magical nights in Exeter. Folk-rock favorites The Wolff Sisters perform on Friday from 7-9 p.m. ($30). Indie-folk singer-songwriter ZG Smith follows on Saturday from 7-9 p.m. ($25). And the Jordan TW Trio wraps the weekend on Sunday from 7-9 p.m. ($25). Also this weekend, Paint Your Peace with Jennifer Jarvis on Saturday from 10-11:30 a.m. ($65), and get into the blue with a Cyanotype Workshop on Saturday from 12-3 p.m. ($95). Learn more here.
A Splash of Improv at The Players’ Ring
The second leg of Stranger Than Fiction’s summer series at The Players’ Ring in Portsmouth is coming up this weekend. The local improv and comedy troupe will present A Splash of Improv — a night of unscripted comedy where anything can happen — on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15-$17. Learn more here.
“The Little Mermaid” at the Rochester Opera House
The first of two summer productions at the Rochester Opera House opens this weekend. Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” is on stage July 11 to Aug. 2; show times this weekend are Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 5 p.m. Tickets are $26-$32. (And stay tuned for “The Producers” in August.) Learn more here.
603 Line Dance at The Rockingham Ballroom
Learn how to line dance at The Rockingham Ballroom on Friday night and then put your new skills to use on the 4,000-square-foot dance floor. Instructors from 603 Line Dance will offer their monthly lesson in Newmarket at 8 p.m., followed by DJ music with song requests and open dancing. Tickets are $15. Learn more here.
Rob Glassman Band at The Stone Church
High-energy classic rock act the Rob Glassman Band has been jamming around New England for about as long as anyone can remember. Fronted by accomplished Hartford native Rob Glassman on lead guitar, the group will perform live at The Stone Church in Newmarket on Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15-$20. Learn more here.
Two live shows at WSCA Radio
Folk-punk act Matthew W Charles (pictured) and country-punk band Them Dewlap Boys will share the Button Factory Stage at WSCA Radio in Portsmouth on Friday at 8 p.m. A double-bill of hot indie-rock follows on Saturday with The Croaks and Double Libra at 8 p.m. Tickets to each show are $10-$15. Learn more here.
Top-shelf jams at The Press Room
Calling all jam fans: Go to The Press Room in Portsmouth this weekend. Rock band Canopy (winners of the 2023 Battle of the Dad Bands) performs with opener Andrew North & The Rangers on Saturday at 6 p.m. ($12-$15). Diamond Blues, a tribute to the Jerry Garcia Band and Trey Anastasio Band, follows on Sunday at 7 p.m. ($12-$15).
Loading Dock Concert at 3S Artspace
It’s been 10-years since the folks at 3S Artspace decided to turn a loading dock into a makeshift outdoor stage in Portsmouth, and the summer series returns on Saturday at 7 p.m. The first Loading Dock Concert of the year features acclaimed local jazz vocalist Taylor O’Donnell. There’s a $10 suggested donation. Learn more here.
The Seasmoke Trio at the Kittery Art Association
UPDATE: This event has been cancelled.
Some hometown favorites will perform live in the Kittery Art Association’s gallery space on Saturday evening. The Seasmoke Trio — featuring David Graf on guitar, Peter Braddock on drums, and Douglas Green on bass — will play jazz, swing, blues, and traditional American songbook tunes from 7:30-9 p.m. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Wild and Weedy Wellness at Tuckaway Farm
This month’s Wild and Weedy Wellness event is focused on plants like comfrey, clover, mullein, raspberry, blueberry, and purple loosetrife. Alison Magill leads the herbal foraging walk and workshop on Sunday from 1-5 p.m. Tickets are $30 for the walk only or $65 for the walk and workshop, with bundle deals for families. Learn more here.
Gnarly Darling at Crows’ Feat Farm
Local Americana and roots-rock band Gnarly Darling will perform out on the lawn at Crows’ Feat Farm in Kensington on Sunday from 3-5 p.m. The show will be preceded by a Crows’ Feat Community Picnic featuring farm-fresh food from 1-2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10-$20 for the concert, $30 for the picnic, or $40 for both. Learn more here.
David Sedaris at The Music Hall
Best-selling author and humorist David Sedaris returns to Portsmouth fresh off the release of a new book of short stories (“Happy Go Lucky”) and his first ever children’s book (“Pretty Ugly”). He’ll be at The Music Hall on Sunday for a reading at 7 p.m., with a pre- and post-show book signing. Tickets are $48-$78. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.
