There’s a chance of rain on Friday, but after that the weekend forecast looks fantastic. Here are some things to do.
Concerts in The Word Barn Meadow
There’s more great music in the Meadow this weekend. The Word Barn in Exeter will host acclaimed singer-songwriter Lucy Kaplansky on Friday from 7-9 p.m. ($30). Chadwick Stokes & The Pintos will follow on Sunday with an afternoon show from 4-6 p.m. and an evening show from 7-9 p.m. ($39.50). Learn more here.
Neil Young tribute at The Press Room
An all-star assemblage of local musicians will pay tribute to folk icon Neil Young at The Press Room in Portsmouth on Friday from 7-9 p.m. Marc McElroy, Seth Warner, and The Seldom Playrights will perform Young’s classic 1969 album “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere” in its entirety. Tickets are $15-$20. Learn more here.
Live music at The Stone Church
The Stone Church in Newmarket will present a night of rock and metal on Friday at 8 p.m., featuring Proelium, The Melodies from Ghost Road, and The Jerritones ($10). Hartford, Conn.-based sibling rock band Balkun Brothers — voted “Best Rock Band in New England” in 2017 — follows on Saturday at 9 p.m. ($10). Learn more here.
Club 3S: Hip-Hop Hooray
Celebrate 50 years of hip-hop at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth on Friday from 8 p.m. to midnight. Marking the 50th anniversary of the birth of hip-hop in the Bronx in August 1973, DJ Skooch and guest DJ MAM will lead a dance party featuring hot hip-hop jams from across the decades. Tickets are $12. Learn more here.
Reggae Fest at Newburyport Brewing
Jamaican roots-reggae band Earthkry headlines Reggae Fest at Newburyport Brewing Co., with support from Reggae Lou & The Kind Budz (Key West), JahRiffe & Jah-N-I Roots Movement (Jamaica/New York), and Mellow (Boston). There will also be food trucks, games, and beer on Saturday from 12-10 p.m. Tickets are $10. Learn more here.
SOME Summer Fest at The Dance Hall
Celebrate arts and community at SOME Summer Fest at The Dance Hall in Kittery on Saturday from 12-10:30 p.m. The festival features a dozen musical acts, including regional heavyweights like Pile, The Huntress & Holder of Hands, and Kal Marks. Plus, Wrong Brain will curate an art market and pop-up gallery ($15 for a half-day, $25 for a full-day). Also, Jazz Casual presents the Jamie Saft Trio on Sunday from 5-6:30 p.m. ($15). Learn more here.
Camp Encore: ‘Into the Woods Jr.’
In addition to its ongoing production of “Little Shop of Horrors,” the Prescott Park Arts Festival will stage “Into the Woods Jr.” on Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. in Portsmouth. The show features teenaged performers and artists from the festival’s Camp ENCORE! program. There is a $5 suggested donation. Learn more here.
Dover Artists: Celebrating 400 Years
The Art Center is celebrating Dover’s 400th anniversary with a special exhibition in its new Backstage Gallery. “Dover Artists: Celebrating 400 Years” showcases work by artists residing or working in the city of Dover. There is an artists’ reception on Saturday, Aug. 5, from 6-9 p.m. The show is on display through Aug. 31. Learn more here.
Karen Morgan at McCue’s Comedy Club
Former trial attorney Karen Morgan began her professional comedy career as a finalist on Nickelodeon’s “Search for the Funniest Mom in America.” Since then, the Maine-based comic has performed all over the country. She’ll be at McCue’s Comedy Club in Portsmouth on Saturday from 8-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Old Hat Stringband at Crows’ Feat Farm
Next up in Crows’ Feat Farm’s lawn concert series is Eliot-based trio Old Hat Stringband. With Whitney Roy on guitar and vocals, Steve Roy on mandolin, fiddle, and vocals, and Amanda Kowalski on bass, the group will play folk and bluegrass at the Kensington farm on Sunday from 3-5 p.m. Tickets are $10-$20. Learn more here.
BONUS: Little Italy Carnival
It’s already sold out, but still worth noting: The first ever Little Italy Carnival is coming to Granite State Minerals Park on Sunday from 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. A signature event of the Portsmouth NH 400 celebration, the festival features Boston Circus Guild performers, family activities, live music, and food for purchase. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.