The last weekend of April (and of New Hampshire’s spring break) features live music, wildlife, comedy, and other springtime festivities. Here are some highlights.
Wildlife and music at The Word Barn
Tailwinds educators will bring live owls and raptors to The Word Barn in Exeter to discuss Spring Wildlife on Friday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. ($25). Irish singer Lisa O’Neill, who has received five BBC Folk Award nominations and won The Guardian’s Folk Album of the Year in 2019, follows on Sunday from 7-9 p.m. ($20). Learn more here.
Shawn Carter at the Rio
Shawn Carter came up through Boston’s booming comedy scene in the early 2000s and later moved to Bristol, Tenn., where he founded the Blue Ridge Comedy Club. He’s done standup at clubs and festivals across the country, and he’ll be at the Rio Tequila Cantina in Portsmouth on Friday from 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Music and dance at The Dance Hall
The Nor’east Roots Music Association will showcase its developing artists with 16 performances and a big finale at The Dance Hall in Kittery on Friday from 7:30-9 p.m. ($17-$22). Local band The Bulkheads will perform R&B, funk, and hip-hop on Saturday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. ($17-$22). On Sunday, percussionist Julian Loida and dancer Scott McPheeters will offer a workshop at 1 p.m. and a live performance at 3 p.m. ($15-$30). Learn more here.
UPDATE: The workshop and performance on Sunday, April 30, have been postponed. New date TBD.
Will Dailey at The Music Hall Lounge
Singer-songwriter Will Dialey has won eight Boston Music Awards and has shared the stage and studio with the likes of Eddie Vedder, Willie Nelson, Roger McGuinn, Steve Earle, and others. He’ll bring his “$10 Song Tour” to The Music Hall Lounge in Portsmouth for a performance on Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20-$30. Learn more here.
Live music at The Stone Church
Another music-filled weekend at The Stone Church in Newmarket begins with The Frank White Experience paying tribute to The Notorious B.I.G with live instrumentation on Friday at 8 p.m. ($20). Dead Archer Records then presents 11 area bands at the Bones & Arrows ’23 festival on Saturday starting at 2 p.m. ($30). Learn more here.
Marco Benevento at The Press Room
Not only is keyboardist Marco Benevento playing back-to-back concerts at The Press Room in Portsmouth on Thursday and Friday; he’s also playing an all-ages kids show (like a regular show, but with the volume and lights toned down a bit) at the same venue on Saturday at noon. Tickets are $25 (free for kids age 6 and under). Learn more here.
Cisco Portsmouth Spring Carnival
In another welcome sign of the season, Cisco Brewers Portsmouth will present its annual Spring Carnival on Saturday from 12-3 p.m. The festivities include games, food, craft beer, cocktails, petting animals, local vendors, live music, and more, all on the brewery’s spacious grounds at Pease Tradeport. Admission is free. Learn more here.
‘The Spirit’s Heavenly Homecoming’
The Rockingham Choral Society is presenting two spring concerts this weekend. “The Spirit’s Heavenly Homecoming,” with works by Beethoven and Brahms, will be performed at Sanborn Regional High School in Kingston on Saturday at 7 p.m., and at Christ Episcopal Church in Exeter on Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Pinback at 3S Artspace
Formed in San Diego, Calif., a quarter-century ago in 1998, indie-rock band Pinback (helmed by Armistead Burwell Smith IV and Rob Crow) is still touring the nation. They’ll be at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth for a concert featuring special guest opener Disheveled Cuss on Saturday from 8-11 p.m. Tickets are $27-$35. Learn more here.
Benefit Show for WSCA
Five of the Seacoast’s favorite up-and-coming rock bands will be performing at a huge live music show to benefit WSCA Portsmouth Community Radio. Monsoon, Palana vs. The Man, Plant Fight, Grublord, and Ratland all will share the Button Factory Stage in Portsmouth on Sunday from 8-11 p.m. Tickets are $10. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.