This sunny weekend brings cinema, theater, music, comedy, and more. Here are some highlights.
Telluride by the Sea Film Festival
Seven feature films, fresh off their premieres at the Telluride Film Festival in Colorado, will be screened at The Music Hall during Telluride by the Sea in Portsmouth. The three-day festival begins on Friday at 7 p.m. and continues with screenings through Sunday night. Tickets are $23 per film, or $120 for a weekend pass. Learn more here.
Concerts at The Word Barn Meadow
The nights are still warm and inviting at The Word Barn Meadow in Exeter. Jake Swamp & The Pine and Harrison Goodell unite for a powerhouse co-bill on Friday from 7-9 p.m. ($25). Then, on Sunday, Appalachian band The Wildmans performs with special guest Rachel Sumner from 7-9 p.m. ($22). Learn more here.
Live music at The Dance Hall
It’s going to be a loaded weekend at The Dance Hall in Kittery. The Jazz Casual series presents the Matt Pavolka Band (pictured) on Friday from 7:30-9 p.m. ($12-$25). Transatlantic-style fiddle duo Hannah O’Brien and Grant Flick follow on Saturday from 7:30-9 p.m. ($10-$22). Trem das Cores, a tribute to influential Brazilian singer-songwriter Caetano Veloso, performs on Sunday from 5-6:30 p.m. ($12-$25). Learn more here.
‘Avenue Q’ at Newmarket Millspace
Tony Award-winning comedy “Avenue Q,” an adult parody of “Sesame Street” with a cast of puppets, will be on stage at the Millspace Center in Newmarket through Sept. 22. Directed by Geehae Moon, showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays from 7:30-10 p.m. and Sundays from 4-6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. Learn more here.
Anniversary party at WSCA Radio
WSCA Portsmouth Community Radio marks its 20th anniversary this weekend, and they’ll celebrate with a rock show on the Button Factory Stage featuring Kal Marks (pictured) with Ezra Cohen & The Big City Band and Kill Kinnie on Friday from 8-10 p.m. ($10-$15), followed by a free open house on Saturday from 12-4 p.m. Learn more here.
Jamming out at The Stone Church
Let’s get weird on Friday the 13th. Tribute act Wolfman Jack plays primal Grateful Dead music (1965-’72) at The Stone Church in Newmarket on Friday starting at 9 p.m. ($15-$20). World-renowned guitarist David Fiuczynski (pictured) follows with local opener Amorphous Trio on Saturday at 9 p.m. ($15-$20). Learn more here.
Somersworth Indonesian Festival
Experience the vibrant culture of Indonesia during the 11th Somersworth Indonesian Festival on Saturday from 12-4 p.m. There will be music performances, traditional dance displays, cinematic tourism features, and street food, plus Indonesian fashion, arts, crafts, souvenirs, and more at Somersworth High School. Learn more here.
Sock hop party at The Rockingham Ballroom
The Rockingham Ballroom will go 1950s retro during a sock hop party in Newmarket on Saturday from 7-11 p.m. There will be hula hooping, an old-fashioned soda fountain, phone booth stuffing, jukebox photo opps, party favors, and live music from ’50s cover band The GemsTones. Period dress is encouraged. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Radical Healing Festival at Throwback
An array of alternative healing practitioners will share their techniques during the Radical Healing Festival at the Throwback Brewery in North Hampton on Sunday from 12-5 p.m. Workshops and demonstrations will include sound healing, biomagnetism, energetic healing, herbalism, intuitive coaching, and yoga. Learn more here.
Gnarly Darling at Crows’ Feat Farm
NOTE: This event has been canceled.
Crows’ Feat Farm’s final lawn concert of the year brings Maine-based roots-rock band Gnarly Darling to the outdoor stage in Kensington on Sunday from 3-5 p.m. Tickets are $10-$20. As an end-of-season special, Crows’ Feat is offering a package that includes a pre-concert community picnic at 1 p.m. and the live show for $35! Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.