As usual, the Seacoast boasts numerous options for live music, theater, visual arts, food, and more this weekend. Here are a few of the highlights. For a complete calendar of events, click here.
Two big concerts
Parsonsfield unveils its new album with two shows at The Stone Church Friday night.
The Prescott Park Arts Festival’s River House Restaurant Concert Series wraps up this evening with a set from blues legend Taj Mahal. The two-time Grammy Award winner last performed at the Portsmouth park in 2014 and is still going strong at age 74. While there are several events taking place at the park this fall, this is the last big concert of the year. The show begins at 7 p.m. on Sept. 9; click here for details.
Another musical highlight taking place this weekend is Massachusetts-based Americana band Parsonsfield’s double-header at The Stone Church in Newmarket tonight. The band is celebrating the release of their new album, “Blooming through the Black,” with a pair of shows on Sept. 9 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Visit stonechurchrocks.com.
Seacoast premiere of “Sorry”
Left to right: Peter Motson, Donna Phofolos, James Kennedy, Kate Braun, and Kristan Curtis star in Sorry at Star Theatre. photo by Monica Bushor
Perhaps you’ve seen the flyers around town with a Shepard Fairey-esque illustration depicting a sad-looking bearded man. The flyers promote the Seacoast premiere of Richard Nelson’s play “Sorry,” which kicks off tonight at Star Theatre in Kittery, Maine.
Presented by Threshold Stage Company, the play takes place on the morning of the 2012 presidential election, when the Apple family grapples with a number of personal and political issues. It runs through Sept. 18, with show times at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Click here for details.
New art shows
Detail of Empty Nest by Robin Cornwell, which is on display at Emporium Framing.
Several new exhibits are opening at area galleries this weekend, including Emporium Framing and Gallery in South Berwick, Main Street Art in Newfields, the Franklin Gallery at RiverStone Custom Framing in Rochester.
Emporium Framing introduces “Following the Thread,” on Saturday, Sept. 10, featuring work by fiber artists Wen Redmond, Susann Foster Brown, and Robin Cornwell. The show runs through Nov. 12; click here for more info.
Main Street Art hosts a reception for its latest show, “Windows: Picture This,” on Friday, Sept. 9, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The annual show highlights the work of Seacoast photographers. It runs through Oct. 15; click here for details.
The Franklin Gallery held a reception last night for “Our Paper Quilt,” which runs through September. The show features work from the 660 Central Avenue Art Studio and MindsEye Designs artists. Click here for more about the gallery.
New series at NHTP
Steven Hancoff performs at the New Hampshire Theatre Project on Saturday.
The New Hampshire Theatre Project is kicking off its new Guest Artist Series with “From Tragedy to Transcendence: Bach, Casals & the Six Suites for Cello Solo.” The multimedia performance, featuring master guitarist Steven Hancoff, takes place Saturday, Sept. 10, at 7:30 p.m., at West End Studio Theatre in Portsmouth. Click here for reservations.
Good eats around the region
The Hampton Beach Seafood Festival takes place all weekend long. courtesy photo
The 26th annual Hampton Beach Seafood Festival opens this afternoon and continues through the weekend, offering food and beverages from dozens of area restaurants, as well as arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment, children’s activities, fireworks, and more. The festivities take place Sept. 9 from 4-9 p.m., Sept. 10 from 10 a.m.-9 p.m., and Sept. 11 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Learn more here.
Several other food-centric events hit the Seacoast this weekend. Jackson Hill Cider Day takes place Sept. 10 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the historic Jackson House in Portsmouth. The event features seasonal refreshments, activities, and demonstrations. Click here.
The First Congregational Church of Eliot, Maine, hosts a Blueberry Festival on Sept. 10 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m., featuring food, kids’ activities, and live music. For directions to the church, click here.
Also, next week, a night of fine wine, dining, and discussion takes place at One Harbour Place in Portsmouth. Hungry for Hope takes place on Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 6:30-9 p.m. The event is a fundraiser for Safe Harbor Recovery Center, a local resource for people struggling with drug and alcohol addictions. Several area restaurants are participating; learn more here.