This is shaping up to be one of the most eventful weekends of the summer. Here are some of the highlights.
Live music at The Stone Church
UPDATE: The Kat Wright show on Friday night has been postponed.
The weekend begins with a special show at The Stone Church in Newmarket; Vermont singer Kat Wright and her quartet will be joined by Pete Bernhard of Devil Makes Three on Friday from 6-9 p.m. ($25). Russian surf-rock band Messer Chups follows on Saturday with guest Los Tiki Phantoms at 8 p.m. ($20). Learn more here.
49 Winchester at Prescott Park
Virginia-based alt-country folk-rockers 49 Winchester will headline the next show in the Prescott Park Arts Festival’s summer concert series. They’ll be joined in Portsmouth by local legends Say ZuZu on Friday from 7-9 p.m. There’s a $10 suggested donation; table and blanket reservations are available. Learn more here.
Concerts at The Word Barn Meadow
Award-winning multi-instrumentalist, singer, and ethnomusicologist Jake Blount returns to The Word Barn Meadow in Exeter on Friday from 7-9 p.m. ($22). Local Celtic group the Jordan TW Trio plays a special Farewell to Summer Concert full of dynamic fiddle tunes in the Meadow on Sunday from 6-8 p.m. ($22). Learn more here.
Jason Anderson at The Grant Building
The Grant Building in Bath, Maine, will host award-winning indie-folk artist Jason Anderson on Friday. Presented by local label Burst & Bloom Records, the New Hampshire-born, New Brunswick-based singer and guitarist will showcase his heartfelt songwriting and showmanship from 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $15. Learn more here.
Gas Light Nightclub Barbie Party
You don’t have to be plastic to be fantastic. So get dolled up and head to the Portsmouth Gas Light Co. for a Barbie Party in the Third Floor Nightclub on Friday starting at 8 p.m. There will be themed cocktails, a costume contest with prizes, swag giveaways, a promo team, and beats from DJ Koko P. Tickets are $25-$45. Learn more here.
Punk rock and tap dancing at The Dance Hall
Regional bands Monsterwatch, Spoon Benders, Greaseface, and Dog Lips will unite for an evening of punk and garage rock at The Dance Hall in Kittery on Friday from 8-11 p.m. ($15). If that’s not your thing, the Off Beat Tap Company, led by choreographer Ryan P. Casey, follows on Saturday from 8-9:30 p.m. ($17-$22). Learn more here.
Rye Day 2023 at Parsons Field
Portsmouth is not the only community marking its 400th birthday this year. Rye celebrates its 400th anniversary at Rye Day 2023 in Parsons Field on Saturday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. There will be live music, food trucks, crafters, a dunk booth, games, magic, a photo booth, character appearances, a cake walk, and more. Learn more here.
Revel in the Meadow in Dover
In the summer of 1973, around 600,000 fans attended the Summer Jam at Watkins Glen. Fifty years later, Revel in the Meadow will recreate the concert at the Dover Elks Event Grounds on Saturday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Local bands will perform sets of music by Little Feat, the Allman Brothers Band, The Band, and The Grateful Dead. There will also be more than 50 artisans, a second stage with student and local acts, food, adult beverages, kids’ activities, and more. Tickets are $35-$40; proceeds benefit the Continuum Arts Collective. Learn more here.
Maddoc Johnson Band at The Press Room
Jazz and hip-hop group the Maddoc Johnson Band has quickly become a fixture of the local music scene. They’ll play a special album-release show at The Press Room in Portsmouth on Saturday at 6 p.m. The gig is also notable because it’s the last before trumpeter Maddoc heads off to college! Tickets are $10-$12. Learn more here.
Rock My Soul Summer Concert
Local choir Rock My Soul will play a special summer concert with guest pianist Mike Effenberger on Saturday from 7:30-9:15 p.m. at the Second Christian Church of Kittery. The roots-based group will perform spirituals, Civil Rights songs, soul, blues, pop, gospel, Americana, and more. Tickets are $5-$22. Learn more here.
Acoustic Nomads at South Church
Formed in 2019, the Acoustic Nomads blend contemporary improvisation and newgrass with folkloric traditions from North and South America, with influences from Appalachia to Argentina. The group of rising stars will perform live at South Church in Portsmouth on Saturday from 8-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Jim Colliton at McCue’s Comedy Club
In addition to TV appearances on Comedy Central, NBC, and Fox, comedian Jim Colliton runs the podcast “Lawn & Disorder.” He’ll headline a night of standup at McCue’s Comedy Club in Portsmouth with support from Greg Boggis, Jessie Baade, and host Liam Hales on Saturday from 8-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Calexico at 3S Artspace
Tuscan-born indie-rock band Calexico, known for their musical explorations on the American Southwest, is celebrating the 30th anniversary of their acclaimed 2003 album “Feast of Wire.” They’ll perform with guest Brian Lopez at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth on Saturday from 8-11 p.m. Tickets are $38-$42. Learn more here.
Rockspring at Crows’ Feat Farm
Local folk-rock and bluegrass band Rockspring is up next in the summer concert series at Crows’ Feat Farm in Kensington. They’ll perform on the lawn on Sunday from 3-5 p.m. Tickets are $10-$20. A community picnic featuring fresh produce precedes the music from 1-2:30 p.m. Picnic tickets are $30. Learn more here.
Childhood Dreams at Millspace
Local performers young and old will play some of your favorite Broadway tunes and more during a special fundraising cabaret at the Millspace in Newmarket on Sunday from 3-5 p.m. Proceeds from the Childhood Dreams event will support the Millspace Mainstage series. Tickets are $10, or $25 for a family of four. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.