Enjoy these warm weekends while they last! Here are some local entertainment options.
Bill Childs retrospective at the SAA
The Seacoast Artist Association is celebrating local painter Bill Childs’ 90th birthday with a special exhibition in Exeter. An opening reception for “Bill Childs at 90: A Retrospective,” featuring more than 40 paintings, takes place from 5-7 p.m. at Exeter Town Hall. The show will be on display for two weekends through Sept. 14. Learn more here.
Onyx at Pilots Cove Cafe
A few things you might not know: 1) Legendary hip-hop group Onyx has a new album out, “Ghetto Anthems.” 2) Sanford Regional Airport has a restaurant and music venue, Pilots Cove Cafe. 3) Onyx is performing at Pilots Cove Cafe (just 30 miles from Portsmouth) on Friday night! Tickets are $30-$40, or $80 for VIP access. Learn more here.
Shows at The Word Barn Meadow
The Word Barn is making the most of these last warm summer nights with some fantastic shows out in the Meadow. Singer-songwriter Haley Heynderickx returns with guest LePonds on Friday from 7-9 p.m. ($28). Bluegrass group Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road follows on Saturday from 7-9 p.m. ($25). Boston’s indie-folk favorite Darlingside plays twice on Sunday — an early show from 3:30-5 p.m. and an evening show from 7-9 p.m. ($35). Learn more here.
‘Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike’ at the Ring
The Players’ Ring kicks off its 2024-’25 mainstage season with a deliriously funny Tony Award-winning comedy. “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” is on stage in Portsmouth Sept. 6-22; show times are Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $26-$29. Learn more here.
Live music at The Stone Church
The Stone Church in Newmarket gets the weekend going with Brooklyn-based future jam quartet Space Bacon and opener Lee Ross on Friday at 9 p.m. Local vocalist and violinist Joyce Andersen keeps the music coming with an afternoon gig on Saturday from 4-6 p.m. Tickets to each show are $15-$20. Learn more here.
SOME Fest at The Dance Hall
The second annual SOME Fest brings an eclectic lineup of regional acts to The Dance Hall in Kittery for 10 hours of music on Saturday. Connecticut-based rockers Ovlov headline following sets from 10 other bands from 12-10 p.m. There will also be an art market, games, and kids’ activities. Tickets are $15-$25. Learn more here.
Saturday night stand-up comedy
Have a few laughs on Saturday night. New York’s Carmen Lynch will do two sets at The Music Hall Lounge in Portsmouth from 6-7:30 p.m. and 8:30-10 p.m. ($24-$34). Matt Barry, Chris D, and Dave Decker share the bill at The Rockingham Ballroom in Newmarket, with musical act Andy Klosenski opening at 7 p.m. and an after-party till 11 p.m. ($25). New York’s Janelle Draper headlines at McCue’s Comedy Club in Portsmouth from 8-9:30 p.m. ($25).
Fortune House at WSCA Radio
Earlier this summer, local supergroup Fortune House released its debut album, “Deeper Meaning,” introducing fans to its retro rock style. They’ll take the Button Factory Stage at WSCA Portsmouth Community Radio after an opening set from local duo Farewell Drugs on Saturday from 7-10 p.m. Tickets are $15-$20. Learn more here.
The Mallett Brothers at Crows’ Feat Farm
One of the best bands in all of Maine will swing down to Kensington for a gig in Crows’ Feat Farm’s lawn concert series on Sunday. Country-rock group The Mallett Brothers Band will perform from 3-5 p.m. Tickets are $10-$20. A farm-fresh community picnic precedes the show from 1-2:30 p.m. (tickets sold separately for $30). Learn more here.
Bob Mould at 3S Artspace
You know Bob Mould, whether you know it or not. He fronted ’80s punk band Husker Du and ’90s alt-rock band Sugar, released 15 solo albums, and wrote the theme song for “The Daily Show.” He’ll play a solo electric show at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth with opener J. Robbins on Sunday from 8-11 p.m. Tickets are $35-$50. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.