Mid-winter offerings on the Seacoast include theater, film, music, comedy, and more. Here are some highlights.
Winter Film Weekend at The Dance Hall
The Dance Hall is hosting a special weekend of film screenings in Kittery. It begins with Family Night on Friday from 6-8 p.m., featuring Disney + Pixar’s “Soul.” “The Alliance,” a documentary about a team of scientists encountering conflict in the Arctic Ocean, screens on Saturday from 7-8:30 p.m. Sunday brings two dance films from 3-4:30 p.m., plus a Q&A with dancer Ali Kenner Brodsky and a movement workshop. Tickets are $5-$15. Learn more here.
Music and wildlife at The Word Barn
Boston-based singer-songwriter Ali McGuirk returns to The Word Barn in Exeter with a full band on Friday from 7-9 p.m. ($22). Canadian roots duo Gunning & Cormier (above) follows on Saturday from 7-9 p.m. ($22). Rescheduled from Jan. 7 due to weather, Winter Wildlife arrives on Sunday from 3-4 p.m. ($0-$25). Learn more here.
Bobby Rush at Jimmy’s
How’s this for a résumé: two Grammy Awards, six Grammy nominations, 14 Blues Music Awards, and 56 Blues Music Award nominations. Blues Hall of Famer Bob Rush boasts all this and more, and he’ll show you why when he returns to Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club in Portsmouth on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $7.50-$75. Learn more here.
‘In the Garden of Z’ at N.H. Theatre Project
Russian-Latvian immigrant Jelizaveta Robinson shares her perspective on how the War in Ukraine came to be in “In the Garden of Z,” on stage at New Hampshire Theatre Project in Portsmouth through Feb. 4. Show times are Friday from 7:30-9:30 p.m., Saturday from 4-6 p.m., and Sunday from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Tickets are $28-$32. Learn more here.
‘The Poor Rich at The Players’ Ring
For one weekend only, The Players’ Ring in Portsmouth is presenting an interactive, unadulterated examination of Mother Greed from the mind of award-winning local playwright and performer Gemma Soldati. “The Poor Rich” is on stage Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25-$28. Learn more here.
Christoper Titus at The Music Hall
Stand-up comedian, writer, actor, and producer Christopher Titus has written and starred in numerous TV shows and comedy specials, and has performed for sold-out crowds across the country. He’ll bring his new special, “Carrying Monsters,” to The Music Hall in Portsmouth on Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $28-$38. Learn more here.
Live music at Portsmouth Book & Bar
Portsmouth Book & Bar recently shared the sad news that it will be closing at the end of the month, but the downtown café, bookstore, and venue will continue hosting live music until the very end. This weekend’s loaded lineup includes Tourist Attraction on Friday at 8 p.m. ($10), the Taylor Marie Band with Andrew Kavanagh on Saturday at 8 p.m. ($12), and The Lion Sisters (above) with Jim Prendergast on Sunday at 7 p.m. (suggested donation).
Two concerts at The Stone Church
Local funk and soul collective The Bulkheads (above) will bring some special guests to the stage of The Stone Church in Newmarket on Friday at 9 p.m. ($12-$17). On Saturday at 9 p.m., eclectic jam quartet The Trichomes play a hometown show after an opening set from the Good Trees River Band ($15-$20). Learn more here.
Murder Mystery at the Rochester Opera House
An outrageous R-rated musical comedy with a 23-year history in the Lilac City is returning to the Rochester Opera House this weekend. “The Mystery of the Murder at the Murder Mystery,” aka “Tantrum at the Opera,” is on stage from Jan. 20-Feb. 24. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $44. Learn more here.
Mitch Stinson at McCue’s Comedy Club
After making more than 200 carrier landings during his military career, former Naval aviator Mitch Stinson turned his attention to landing jokes. The standup comedian will perform at McCue’s Comedy Club in Portsmouth with support from Jessica Baade and E.J. Murphy on Saturday from 8-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.