Wrap up April break with some poetry, film, music, art, cabaret, comedy, baby animals — and Ninja Turtles!
Beat Night with Jennifer Militello
Beat Night will be hosting a very special featured reader this weekend. Acclaimed poet Jennifer Militello, New Hampshire’s newly crowned state poet laureate, will join The Beat Night Band for a poetry reading accompanied by live, improvised music at The Press Room in Portsmouth on Friday at 7 p.m. Learn more here.
Film, dance, and jazz at The Dance Hall
The arts abound at The Dance Hall this weekend. The Kittery venue hosts a screening of Maine-based indie film “Nice People” on Friday from 7-9 p.m. ($5-$10). Danza Organica offers the free workshop Dance for Social Justice on Saturday from 1-2:30 p.m., followed by a live performance from 7-8:30 p.m. ($10-$20). And the Jazz Casual series presents the Clifford Cameron Quintet on Sunday from 5-6:30 p.m. ($10-$15). Learn more here.
RabbJazz at Foundation Art Space
Foundation Art Space in Exeter continues to celebrate its new exhibit, “MURMURATION: A Collection of Figuratively Abstract Art,” with a live performance by trumpet player Marcus Rabb and his RabbJazz Quartet. Part of the After Hours for the Arts series, the show takes place on Friday from 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Music and arts at WSCA Radio
WSCA’s Radio’s weekend begins with indie artist Analise (above) on the Button Factory Stage in Portsmouth on Friday from 8-9 p.m. ($10). The station’s first monthly Arts Market is on Saturday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. ($10). Sunday brings a hard-rock triple-bill of Parachute Club, Wotelle, and Lacquerhead from 8-10 p.m. ($15). Learn more here.
Three concerts at The Stone Church
Maine’s notorious rapper Spose and rock band Rigometrics share the stage at The Stone Church in Newmarket on Friday at 9 p.m. ($15). Singer-songwriter and violinist Joyce Andersen follows on Saturday from 4-6 p.m. ($15). That night, vintage rock acts The Gravel Project and The Chops split the bill at 8 p.m. ($15). Learn more here.
Baby Animals at Strawbery Banke
Strawbery Banke Museum’s popular spring festivity Baby Animals: Heritage Breeds is returning to Portsmouth for 10 full days from April 27 through May 5. The family-friendly, educational event takes place daily from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. under a heated tent ($12), with a special children’s program before and after ($25). Learn more here.
Portsmouth Mini-Con 40 at Cisco Brewers
In 1984, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crawled out of the sewers and into popular culture. Four decades later, Cisco Brewers is hosting Portsmouth Mini-Con 40, an intimate boutique celebrity show featuring classic and modern TMNT creators and associates, on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday is sold out; Sunday tickets are $124.99 for the full day ($15 for kids) or $64.99 for a half day ($7.99 for kids). Or, get access to the Turtle Tent only from 12-6 p.m. for $19.99 on Saturday ($9.99 for kids) or $14.99 on Sunday ($7.99 for kids). Learn more here.
Spring Celebration at Throwback Brewery
Seacoast Eat Local is kicking off the growing season with its first ever Spring Celebration at Throwback Brewery in North Hampton on Saturday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The free event features live music, local food and drinks, and activities for all ages, plus the latest edition of the Seacoast Harvest Local Food Guide. Learn more here.
It’s Lit! at Newmarket Millspace
As part of the Newmarket Millspace’s cabaret series, Dive In Productions is presenting “It’s Lit!” on Saturday from 7:30-10:30 p.m. The literature-themed cabaret will feature songs from fan favorites like “Les Mis,” “Fun Home,” “Big Fish,” and “Be More Chill,” plus new musicals like “EPIC,” and “Death Note.” Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Rodney Norman at McCue’s Comedy Club
One of the region’s most beloved comedians is returning to McCue’s Comedy Club in Portsmouth. Rodney Norman, whose off-kilter humor and viral videos have earned him a worldwide following, will headline a stand-up show with host Liam Hales and other guests on Saturday from 8-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.