More summer kick-off festivities this weekend on the Seacoast. Here are some of the top highlights.
G. Love & Cisco Adler at Cisco Brewers
The Press Room is again teaming up with Cisco Brewers Portsmouth to present a summer concert series at the brewery. It kicks off with singer and rapper G. Love (who released a new single last month) and Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer Cisco Adler on Friday from 7-10 p.m. Tickets are $30-$40. Learn more here.
Caitlin Canty at The Word Barn
On Thursday, folk singer-songwriter Caitlin Canty put out a new single. On Friday from 7-9 p.m., the Vermont native with the “casually devastating voice” will perform live at The Word Barn in Exeter. (The show was scheduled for outside in the Meadow, but might be moved inside depending on the weather.) Tickets are $30. Learn more here.
Strings ‘n’ things at The Dance Hall
UPDATE: The EJ Ouellette & Crazy Maggy show on Saturday has been canceled.
The Dance Hall’s weekend begins with fiddler Erica Brown & The Bluegrass Connection (above) in Kittery on Friday from 7:30-9 p.m. ($20-$25). String wizard EJ Ouellette & Crazy Maggy follow on Saturday from 7:30-9 p.m. ($17-$22). Brazilian trio Choro das 3 joins Maine’s Choro Louco on Sunday from 5-6:30 p.m. ($15-$18). Learn more here.
‘Live After Death’ at Wrong Brain
New York City-based comedian Ben Wasserman (Comedy Central, MTV, VICE) lost his dad, grandad, uncle, and four friends within a three-year span. His new show “Live After Death” is a hilarious yet moving journey through grief. He’ll perform with opener Alex Ptak at Wrong Brain in Dover on Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12. Learn more here.
Concerts at The Stone Church
Jazz Is Phish mashes up Phish songs with works by jazz greats at The Stone Church in Newmarket on Friday at 9 p.m. ($20). Ska legends Mephiskapheles (above) play with El Grande and The Outsiders PBR on Saturday at 8 p.m. ($15). Blues singer and harmonica player Tony Holiday follows on Sunday from 4-6 p.m. ($15). Learn more here.
Marked Square Day 2023
The 46th annual Market Square Day celebration (and its accompanying 10K Road Race) returns to downtown Portsmouth on Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Presented by Pro Portsmouth, the festival will feature live entertainment on two stages, plus products and food offered by regional artists, crafters, and merchants. Learn more here.
Exeter Arts & Music Fest
Rescheduled from last month due to weather, the Exeter Arts & Music Fest will instead take place this Saturday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Presented by TEAM (Town Exeter Arts Music), the event will offer live music, food trucks, and kids’ activities at the Town House Common, with an outdoor artist market set up in Swasey Parkway. Learn more here.
Newburyport Brewing Co. Birthday Bash
The Newburyport Brewing Co. turns 11 this weekend, and they’ll celebrate with a rocking, frothy Birthday Bash at the brewery on Saturday from 12-10 p.m. The family-friendly party will feature four live bands, food trucks, face-painting, games for kids, and lots of delicious beer and hard seltzer. Tickets are $10 (free for kids). Learn more here.
Leslie Odom Jr. at The Music Hall
Multi-faceted, award-winning vocalist, songwriter, author, and actor Leslie Odom Jr. — best known for playing Aaron Burr in the hit Broadway musical “Hamilton,” and for his role in the acclaimed 2022 movie “Glass Onion” — will perform live at The Music Hall in Portsmouth on Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $85-$145. Learn more here.
World Ocean Day at the Seacoast Science Center
Meet local scientists, divers, artists, and conservationists at the annual World Ocean Day Celebration at the Seacoast Science Center in Rye on Sunday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. There will be educational activities and demonstrations, games, tide-pooling sessions, a beach cleanup, food vendors, and more. Tickets are $5-$20. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.