Though there’s more rain in the forecast, the weekend also offers a flood of art, music, comedy, film, dancing, and more at local venues. Here are some highlights.
Seacoast Artist Association: ‘Looking Back at Landscapes’
In the Seacoast Artist Association’s first exhibit of the New Year, Durham-based artist Anita Freeman looks back on two decades of painting in the area. Her retrospective, “Looking Back at Landscapes,” is on display in Exeter through Jan. 28. An opening reception with music and refreshments takes place Friday from 5-7 p.m. Learn more here.
Maurice Brown Quintet at Jimmy’s
Grammy Award-winning trumpet player and composer Maurice Brown has recorded with the Tedeschi Trucks Band, toured with Anderson .Paak, and released six critically acclaimed albums of his own. He’ll perform live with his quintet at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club in Portsmouth on Friday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7.50-$45. Learn more here.
603 Line Dance at The Rockingham Ballroom
Learn to dance and then dance all night at The Rockingham Ballroom. The Newmarket venue is teaming up with 603 Line Dance on the second Friday of each month from 7-11 p.m. The evening begins with a dance lesson and continues with requests and open dancing to country, pop, rock, and funk songs. Tickets are $15. Learn more here.
Celebrating Burst & Bloom at The Dance Hall
The Dance Hall’s weekend begins with a celebration of indie label Burst & Bloom, which has now been supporting the local music scene for 15 years. Tiger Saw, Jim Rioux, and Guy Capecelatro III will perform on Friday from 7:30-10 p.m. ($17-$22). The weekend concludes with The Essex Piano Trio presenting “Conversations Among Friends” as part of the Aliento Chamber Players series on Sunday from 4-5:30 p.m. ($20-$25). Learn more here.
‘Guitar Head’ Album Release at The Stone Church
Guitar virtuoso Marcus Rezak is bringing an all-star band to The Stone Church in Newmarket to celebrate his new album, “Guitar Head.” The lineup for the show on Friday at 9 p.m. includes members of Twiddle, Trey Anastasio Band, and others, plus an opening set from special guest Max Chase. Tickets are $15-$20. Learn more here.
The A-Beez at The Press Room
Keyboardist Amy Bellamy and bassist Aaron Bellamy have worked with artists like Sam Kininger, Chaka Khan, G Love, Nth Power, Club d’Elf, and many others. They’ll bring their own Boston-based soul, funk, and R&B band The A-Beez to The Press Room in Portsmouth for a show on Friday at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10. Learn more here.
Rug Hooking and Reed Foehl at The Word Barn
Local artist Isabel Ardito Lebo will guide guests through a special Rug Hooking Workshop for all skill levels at The Word Barn in Exeter on Saturday from 12-1:30 p.m. ($45). That night, Grammy Award-nominated musician and songwriter Reed Foehl will take the stage with guest Putnam Murdock from 7-9 p.m. ($25). Learn more here.
Rollercoaster Dance Party at 3S Artspace
A monthly family-friendly dance party is returning to 3S Artspace in Portsmouth. Next up on Saturday from 2-4 p.m., Rollercoaster features music both parents and kids can get into, like Run DMC, Taylor Swift, ABBA, David Bowie, Prince, and others. Plus, there’s a full bar (and snacks for the kiddos). Tickets are $5-$10. Learn more here.
Ace Aceto at McCue’s Comedy Club
Comedian Ace Aceto has been rising the ranks of the Boston-area comedy scene for 35 years. He’ll headline the next standup show at McCue’s Comedy Club in Portsmouth (within the Roundabout Diner & Lounge) on Saturday from 8-9:30 p.m., with support from fellow comics Liam Hales and Joe Flynn. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Pints! Camera! Action! at The Music Hall Lounge
The Music Hall Lounge in Portsmouth is introducing a new film series/social gathering that encourages conversation, beer-drinking, and loud banter. First up in Pints! Camera! Action! is Adam Sandler’s 1996 comedy “Happy Gilmore.” The free screening is on Sunday at 7 p.m. Stay tuned for other cult and classic movies. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.