Celebrate the summer solstice with joy and pride this weekend!
Legally Blonde The Musical
The Prescott Park Arts Festival’s 2024 summer musical opens this weekend in Portsmouth! “Legally Blonde The Musical” runs most Thursdays through Sundays at 7 p.m. from June 21 to Aug. 11 ($8 suggested donation). Also, the festival kicks off Josie’s Family Jams, a new series of special events for kids and their families, with RGC Theatre: A Prescott Princess Party on Friday from 4-5 p.m., and award-winning children’s musician Mr. Aaron on Sunday from 4-5 p.m. ($5 suggested donation). Table and blanket reservations are available. Learn more here.
Portsmouth Pocket Gardens Tour
Explore the enchanting gardens of the Little Harbor neighborhood at the 35th annual Pocket Gardens of Portsmouth Tour. Presented by South Church, the self-guided walking tour features nine gardens and some educational opportunities on Friday from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets are $30. Learn more here.
Sarah Borges at MrSippy BBQ
From her breakthrough 2004 debut “Silver City” through her pandemic-born 2022 album “Together Alone,” Boston-based songwriter Sarah Borges has been earning fans all over New England. She’ll bring her band to Rochester for a show on the truck stage outside MrSippy BBQ on Friday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10. Learn more here.
Lee Ritenour & Ravi Coltrane at Jimmy’s
Two legendary jazz musicians take the stage at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club in Portsmouth this weekend. Grammy-winning guitarist Lee Ritenour performs on Friday at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ($17.50-$132.50), and Grammy-nominated saxophonist Ravi Coltrane (above), son of John Coltrane, plays on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ($17.50-$82.50).
Sunset Lighthouse Cruise
Hop aboard the M/V Granite State and enjoy narrated views of three local lighthouses as the sun goes down. Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses presents the first of two Sunset Lighthouse Cruises on Friday, departing Rye Harbor at 6 p.m. and returning around 9:30. (The second cruise is on June 28.) Tickets are $40. Learn more here.
Two big shows at The Dance Hall
Local Berklee professor and fiddle phenom Jason Anick kicks off The Dance Hall’s weekend with a group of his musical friends on Friday from 7:30-9 p.m. ($10-$25). Treasured New Orleans trombonist and vocalist Glen David Andrews (above), who has collaborated with the likes of Galactic, Trombone Shorty, Rebirth Brass Band, and many others, follows on Saturday from 8-9:30 p.m. ($15-$25). Learn more here.
Marcus Rezak at The Stone Church
Harken back to Phish’s heyday in the mid-1990s with a tribute show at The Stone Church in Newmarket this weekend. Regional rock guitarist Marcus Rezak returns to the venue with a full band for another round of his famed Phish jams, this one titled “Gumbo,” on Friday at 9 p.m. Tickets are $15-$20. Learn more here.
Fill the Hall at The Music Hall
With the 10th annual Fill the Hall event, local food pantry Gather aims to collect over 25,000 pounds of food to provide meals to more than 600 children and families. Bring your nonperishable food items or monetary donations to The Music Hall in Portsmouth on Saturday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Learn more here.
Portsmouth Pride 2024
March in the parade to Strawbery Banke Museum and then join the Portsmouth Pride celebration on Saturday. The parade starts at 12 p.m. and the festivities continue until 5 p.m. on the grounds of Strawbery Banke, where there will be 100-plus vendors, live performances, speakers, a KidZone, a beer tent, and more. Learn more here.
Two nights of Canibus in Maine
Legendary rapper Canibus headlines two shows in Maine this weekend, each presented by 9 Ways Entertainment, and each featuring an all-star lineup. Kali Ranks and others support Canibus at Free Street in Portland on Saturday at 6 p.m. ($20-$100) and at Pilots Cove Cafe in Sanford on Sunday at 6 p.m. ($15-$100). Learn more here.
Millspace Showcase in Newmarket
Come out and see some of your community’s top talent during the second annual Millspace Showcase on Saturday from 6:30-9 p.m. The first installment of the new Millspace Mainstage Cabaret Series will feature local singers, dancers, comedians, and others performing live at the Newmarket Millspace. Tickets are $10. Learn more here.
PSO Brass Quintet at The Orchard Chapel
In the next edition of The Word Barn’s Chapel Concert Series, the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet will offer a jazzy tribute to some of your favorite Broadway musicals. The special summer solstice concert takes place at The Orchard Chapel in Hampton Falls on Saturday from 7-8 p.m. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.