There’s an awful lot of great music coming to the Seacoast this weekend, not to mention film, comedy, art, and more. Here are some of the highlights.
Live music at The Word Barn
Get ready for four straight nights of live music at The Word Barn in Exeter. The weekend starts early with a double-bill featuring powerhouse folk duo Rakish and singer-songwriter and bassist Nate Sabat on Thursday from 7-9 p.m. ($22). Canadian roots duo Gunning & Cormier follows on Friday from 7-9 p.m. ($25). Local favorite Soggy Po’ Boys returns on Saturday from 8-9:30 p.m. ($25). Will Evans wraps things up on Sunday from 7-9 p.m. ($25). Learn more here.
Tribute acts at The Stone Church
Get a head start on your weekend at The Stone Church with Grateful for Biggie: Where Grateful Vibes Meet Hip-Hop Flow — a mashup tribute that blends The Grateful Dead’s grooves with Notorious B.I.G.’s lyrics — on Thursday from 8-11 p.m. ($20-$25). Come back to the Newmarket venue on Saturday to see regional tribute act Reprise recreate a Phish show in its entirety from 8 p.m. to who knows when ($20-$25). Learn more here.
Local bands at The Press Room
Get your fix of reggae-rock when local bands Slack Tide and Superfrog join DJ Green Lion Crew at The Press Room in Portsmouth on Friday at 6 p.m. ($12-$15). The next night, local “mountain-rock” group The Kenny Brothers Band shares the stage with the Seacoast’s folk and soul supergroup Foxglove on Saturday at 7 p.m. ($15-$20).
Film and music at The Dance Hall
The Dance Hall in Kittery will host a special screening of the documentary film “Far Out: Life On & After the Commune,” followed by a panel Q&A, on Friday from 7-9 p.m. ($12-$22). Then, on Saturday, Kotoko Brass demonstrates its improvisational style of West African dance music from 7:30-9 p.m. ($17-$22). Learn more here.
Comedy and music at The Rockingham Ballroom
The Rockingham Ballroom starts its weekend with a Special Comedy Show featuring Boston icon Steve Sweeney with guest Matthew P Brown and a musical opener on Friday from 7-10:30 p.m. ($25). The Bedford Big Band headlines a Winter Swing Dance at the historic Newmarket site on Saturday from 8-10 p.m. ($20). Learn more here.
Songwriters at The Music Hall Lounge
Two of the nation’s top touring singer-songwriters are headed to The Music Hall Lounge in Portsmouth this weekend. Former Grammy nominee (and Vermont resident) Reed Foehl performs on Friday at 8 p.m. ($25-$35). Former “American Idol” winner Lee DeWyze takes the stage twice on Saturday, at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. ($23-$33).
Two concerts at WSCA Radio
Loads of live local music at WSCA Radio in Portsmouth: DJ Chad Banks brings friends Kirk at Work and Siborg to the Button Factory Stage for a night of house and electronic music on Friday from 8-10 p.m. ($10-$15). Alternative rockers Mother Nimbus follow with Mango Catch Collective on Saturday from 8-10 p.m. ($10-$15). Learn more here.
Dave Rattigan at McCue’s Comedy Club
Comedian Dave Rattigan has performed everywhere from Japan to Ireland, Fenway Park to The Music Circus, a lumberyard to a library, and he’ll perform at McCue’s Comedy Club in Portsmouth with a lineup of guests including Cher Lynn, Mike Gray, and Wayne Russell on Saturday from 8-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. Learn more here.
Rollercoaster at 3S Artspace
Parents and kids, rejoice: Rollercoaster returns to 3S Artspace in Portsmouth this winter! The family-friendly dance party features music that all ages can agree on, with a full bar open for adults and healthy snacks available for the wee ones. The first installment of 2025 is coming up on Sunday from 2-4 p.m. Tickets are $5-$10. Learn more here.
“Cabin Fever” at the Kittery Art Association
A new exhibition at the Kittery Art Association reflects the restlessness and creativity that often arises from winter confinement and isolation. “Cabin Fever,” featuring works by spotlight artist Nancy Morgan and others, will be on view from Jan. 23 through Feb. 16, with an opening reception on Sunday from 5-7 p.m. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.