There are so many worthwhile events coming up this weekend that it’s hard to choose which to attend — which is a good problem to have. Here are some of the highlights.
Music at The Word Barn
The Word Barn’s Come On Up To The House songwriting showcase continues in Exeter on Friday from 7-9 p.m., when host Mark Erelli is joined by guests Dinty Child and Lisa Bastoni. Songwriters Melissa Ferrick and Sarah Walk split the bill on Saturday from 8-10 p.m. Tickets to each show are $25. For tickets and more information, click here.
Say ZuZu at The Press Room
Legendary Seacoast alt-country band Say ZuZu called it quits in 2003 after 10 albums and more than 2,000 shows. But they’re putting the band back together again for a pair of back-to-back reunion shows this weekend at The Press Room in Portsmouth. They’ll perform Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20-$25. Learn more here.
Concerts at The Stone Church
Another big weekend at The Stone Church in Newmarket kicks off with Pink Floyd tribute act Echoes of Floyd on Friday at 9 p.m. ($15). On Saturday beginning at 2 p.m., local label Dead Archer presents Bones & Arrows: A Skelebration of Music and Arts, featuring live music on two stages, vendor booths, and a DJ set ($30). Learn more here.
Tall Granite Big Band at the Ballroom
Based in Concord, the 15-piece Tall Granite Big Band is dedicated to swing and danceable jazz, making it an ideal act for The Rockingham Ballroom in Newmarket. The band will invite guests to take the Ballroom’s 4,000-square-foot floating wood dance floor during a performance on Saturday from 6-11 p.m. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Portsmouth Brewery 20th Anniversary
Both The Portsmouth Brewery and local rockers Heavens to Murgatroid turn 30 this year. Thus, HTM is headlining two special shows at the Brewery. On Saturday, they join Jupiter 2 for a 30th Anniversary Party from 7-11 p.m. On Sunday, they join The Olives for a Mimosas & Murgatroid Brunch from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
The Pine Tree Flyers at The Dance Hall
UPDATE: This show has been postponed. New date TBD.
Four of the finest voices in New England’s traditional music scene unite in The Pine Tree Flyers, featuring Portland residents Katie McNally on fiddle, Emily Troll on accordion, Owen Marshall on guitar, and Neil Pearlman on piano. They’ll play at The Dance Hall in Kittery on Saturday from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $15. Learn more here.
Angelique Kidjo at The Music Hall
Angelique Kidjo has been dubbed “Africa’s premier diva” by Time Magazine and was ranked as the first woman on Forbes Magazine’s list of the Most Powerful Celebrities in Africa. The three-time Grammy Award winner will perform live at The Music Hall in Portsmouth on Saturday from 8-10 p.m. Tickets are $48-$62. Learn more here.
13th Annual Cycle the Seacoast
The American Lung Association presents the 13th annual Cycle the Seacoast on Sunday, starting at Cisco Brewers Portsmouth. Participants can choose between routes of 25 miles (9 a.m. start), 50 miles (8 a.m. start), or 100 miles (7 a.m. start). Registration is $35-$45, plus a $200 fundraising minimum ($100 for ages 7-17). Learn more here.
May Day Festival in Kittery
The Kittery Community Market will celebrate spring with a special May Day Festival on Sunday. The parking lot outside Tributary Brewing Co. and the Blue Mermaid will be filled with more than 30 vendors offering food, seedlings, artisan crafts, and other products from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will also be music and kids’ activities. Learn more here.
Big Easy Roots & Gospel Fest
Local nonprofit ProjectMusicWorks celebrates its 18th anniversary at the Big Easy Roots & Gospel Fest on Sunday at The Regatta Room in Eliot. A reception begins at 3 p.m., followed by a concert featuring local acts Soggy Po’ Boys and Rock My Soul. There will be a silent auction, raffles, and sales. Tickets are $25-$35. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.