The first full weekend of fall brings a full slate of events to the Seacoast. Here’s a dozen highlights.
Benefit Comedy Show at Millspace
Have a few laughs and support a great cause in Newmarket on Friday night. The Millspace Center is hosting a Benefit Comedy Show featuring local improv troupe Stranger Than Fiction from 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $25; proceeds support the Connections Peer Support Center, a local nonprofit mental health organization. Learn more here.
Two concerts at The Word Barn
The forecast is calling for lovely weather on Friday evening, so The Word Barn in Exeter is reopening the Meadow for one more outdoor concert before the music moves inside. Nebraska-bred folk trio The Wildwoods will take guests on a musical journey through the soul of American roots on Friday from 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $25. Learn more here.
Music & dancing at The Rockingham Ballroom
The region’s biggest dance floor will be bumping all weekend long. The Rockingham Ballroom in Newmarket hosts line-dancing lessons with 603 Line Dance on Friday at 7 p.m., followed by live music from outlaw-country band The Innocents ($15). On Saturday, East Coast Swing starts the evening with beginner lessons at 7 p.m., followed by live swing, pop, funk, and Latin favorites from the 15-piece Bedford Big Band ($25). Learn more here.
Lots of live music at The Stone Church
Four bands (The Whole Loaf, The Grip Weeds, Horsefly Gulch, and Hotel Saturn) will share the stage for a raucous night of 1960s- and ’70s-influenced rock ‘n’ roll on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ($15-$20). Then, tribute band Echoes of Floyd (pictured) plays tunes from Pink Floyd’s catalog on Saturday at 8 p.m. ($25-$30). Learn more here.
Theater, film, and jazz at The Dance Hall
The diversity of The Dance Hall’s artistic offerings will be on full display this weekend in Kittery. Shakespeare arrives on Friday for the Pop-Up Bar(d) Crawl from 7-9 p.m., when guests will choose between a performance of “Twelfth Night” or “Much Ado About Nothing” ($8-$20). A screening of the comedy-drama “Hangdog” takes place on Saturday from 7-9 p.m., followed by a Q&A with filmmakers Matt Cascella and Jen Cordery ($10-$15). Then, on Sunday, The Josie Lawrence Collective takes a turn in the Jazz Casual series from 5-6:30 p.m. ($10-$18). Learn more here.
Live from the Button Factory Stage
Two tribute acts will join forces for The Joni Cat Show – A Tribute to Joni Mitchell and Cat Stevens at WSCA Radio in Portsmouth on Friday at 8 p.m. ($15-$20). Saturday brings a hard-rock triple-bill to the Button Factory Stage featuring MercuryBurnsFirst with the Forest Forgets and Super Bug at 8 p.m. ($10-$15). Learn more here.
Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival
Downtown Portsmouth will be filled with folk songs and sea chanteys this weekend as the Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary. There will be live music in various locations throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, with a feature concert at North Church on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Festival in the Field at Tuckaway Farm
Proceeds from the annual Festival in the Field will support The Freedom Cafe’s mission to end human trafficking and exploitation. The family-friendly event features live music, artisans, activity stations, food vendors, craft beer and wine, and more at Tuckaway Farm in Lee on Saturday from 12-7 p.m. Tickets are $12.50-$16. Learn more here.
PMAC Jazz Night at The Music Hall Lounge
Faculty from the Portsmouth Music and Arts Center’s Jazz Institute will reimagine classic songs from the 1980s through the lens of jazz during two performances at The Music Hall Lounge in Portsmouth on Saturday. The PMAC Jazz Night: 1980s Songbook shows take place from 7-8 p.m. and 9-10 p.m. Tickets are $35. Learn more here.
Music all day long at The Press Room
There will be live music all day long and deep into the night at The Press Room in Portsmouth on Saturday, starting with a Firefighter Band Showcase to benefit the Portsmouth Firefighters Charitable Association from 12-3 p.m. ($35). Diaspora Radio presents A Night of Bob Dylan Reimagined at 8 p.m. ($15-$20), before DJ Ryan Obermiller takes over the turntables from 10:30 p.m. until closing time ($10).
Sunday Morning Jazz Brunch in Kittery
The Easy Like Sunday Mornings Jazz Brunch series returns to STAR Theatre at the Kittery Community Center this weekend. The catered concert on Sunday from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. will feature live music from trumpet player Edward Mitchell and guitarist Hunter Leferbre. Tickets are $25 per person, which includes brunch. Learn more here.
Oktoberfest at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club
Ease into beer season at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club. The Portsmouth venue will host a themed dinner celebrating Oktoberfest on Sunday from 6-9 p.m., featuring live music from the Eastern Sound Polka Band and a crafted menu with flavors from Germany, festive brews, and seasonal cocktails. Tickets are $15-$20. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.