It’s the first weekend of 2024. Celebrate the year to come with some local entertainment.
Art ‘Round Town in Portsmouth
Portsmouth’s downtown gallery walk returns on the first Friday of every month throughout the year. The first Art ‘Round Town of 2024 takes place this Friday from 5-8 p.m., featuring opening receptions with snacks. A new participant this year is the Regina Piantedosi Modern Art Gallery, located on Congress Street. Learn more here.
Sugar Ray and the Bluetones at Jimmy’s
Led by Grammy-nominated harmonica player and vocalist Sugar Ray Norcia, Sugar Ray and the Bluetones have garnered five nominations for “Album of the Year” and four for “Band of the Year” at the Blues Music Awards. They’ll perform live at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club in Portsmouth on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Learn more here.
‘You, Me, and the Woodsmoke’ at the Ring
Two friends hope a campout will help rekindle their lost connection in Catherine Stewart’s surrealist drama “You, Me, and the Woodsmoke.” It’s on stage at The Players’ Ring in Portsmouth from Jan. 5-14. Showtimes are Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $25-$28. Learn more here.
Scottish Fish at The Word Barn
Armed with four fiddles and a cello, the five young members of Scottish Fish present a fresh take on traditional and contemporary Scottish and Cape Breton music. The band — formed when its members were still in elementary school — will perform at The Word Barn in Exeter on Saturday from 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $22. Learn more here.
Laugh Riot at The Rockingham Ballroom
The funny folks at Laugh Riot are presenting a Comedy Night on the first Saturday of each month at The Rockingham Ballroom in Newmarket. The lineup for this Saturday includes New England comics Mike Koutrobis, Matt Brown, Jen Howell, and musical opener Timbear. It takes place from 7-11 p.m. Tickets are $25. Learn more here.
The Brother Brothers at The Music Hall Lounge
Identical twins Adam and David Moss comprise The Brother Brothers, an indie-folk duo that has toured with the likes of Big Thief, Lake Street Dive, Shakey Graves, and others. Their cross-country ramblings will bring them to The Music Hall Lounge in Portsmouth for a concert on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25-$35. Learn more here.
Tony V at McCue’s Comedy Club
Whether you’ve seen him on talk shows with Conan O’Brien or Colin Quinn, on sitcoms like “Seinfeld” or “The Single Guy,” or on a standup stage, you’ll probably recognize Boston comic Tony V. He’ll perform with guest Andrea Henry at McCue’s Comedy Club in Portsmouth on Saturday from 8-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Emo Night at The Press Room
Relive some of your favorite and most intimate tunes of the 1990s and 2000s when Covering New England presents another Emo Night Portsmouth with headliners The White Belts at The Press Room on Saturday at 9 p.m. A yet-to-be-announced local band will open the show with a set of original songs. Tickets are $20-$25. Learn more here.
Winter Wildlife at The Word Barn
Tailwinds educators will introduce guests to some local owls and raptors during an environmental education event at The Word Barn in Exeter. Learn about these remarkable birds’ unique adaptations and survival tactics at Winter Wildlife on Sunday from 3-4 p.m. Tickets are $25 and include a complimentary beverage. Learn more here.
Air Space Record Release Party at WSCA
Local keyboardist Mike Effenberger and percussionist Brian Shankar Adler engage in a captivating sonic dialogue in their duo, Air Space. The band will celebrate the release of a new album, titled “Cricket Cipher,” on the Button Factory Stage at WSCA Portsmouth Community Radio on Sunday from 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $12. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.