Here are a dozen of the top local events coming up this late-spring weekend.
Music and dance at The Music Hall
The Seacoast Civic Dance Company presents its 67th Annual Dance Concert at The Music Hall in Portsmouth on Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 5 p.m., and Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ($20-$35). Also on Sunday, the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra presents its Spring Concert, featuring works by Tchaikovsky and Dvorak, at 3 p.m. ($25-$35).
Allman Brothers tribute at Jimmy’s
Rock and roll lost one of its great guitar heroes when Dickey Betts died last month, but you can celebrate his music at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club in Portsmouth. Trouble No More, a tribute to The Allman Brothers Band (of whom Betts was a founding member), performs on Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10-$125. Learn more here.
Countdown 2 Canibus: Artist Showcase
Want to open for legendary rapper Canibus at a New England show this summer? Then enter the Countdown 2 Canibus: Artist Showcase at 603 Bar & Lounge in Dover on Friday night. Tickets are $30 for performers, or $10 to just enjoy the show (including a special performance by King Sekou). Doors open at 7 p.m. Learn more here.
Three concerts at The Dance Hall
The Dance Hall kicks off a busy weekend in Kittery with a performance by Sardinian guitar phenom Paolo Angeli on Friday from 7:30-9 p.m. ($20-$25). Portland-based folk quartet Pine Tree Flyers follows on Saturday from 7:30-9 p.m. ($17-$22). The weekend wraps up on Sunday with the next edition of the Jazz Casual series, featuring a record release show by the Charlie Kohlhase Explorers Club from 5-6:30 p.m. ($10-$15). Learn more here.
‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at Millspace
One of William Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies is on its way to Newmarket. Dive In Productions will be staging “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Millspace Center from May 31 through June 9. Show times are Fridays and Saturday from 7:30-10 p.m. and Sundays from 4-6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. Learn more here.
Two big gigs at The Stone Church
Start the weekend with Boston’s favorite instrumental dub-reggae band Dub Apocalypse at The Stone Church in Newmarket on Friday at 9 p.m. ($15-$20). Then follow that up with a triple-bill hard-rock show featuring local acts Wizzardess, Ez Cheef, and Kong Moon on Saturday from 7:30-11 p.m. ($12-$15). Learn more here.
WOKQ Chowder Festival at Prescott Park
The Prescott Park Arts Festival will kick off summer with the annual 97.5 WOKQ Chowder Festival in Portsmouth on Saturday from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Local restaurants will serve up bowls of mouthwatering chowder — and this year guests can pre-order oysters from Virginia Oyster Company for $2 a pop! Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Voices from the Heart Spring Concerts
For its spring concerts this year, local women’s chorus Voices from the Heart will sing praise to the elements. Celebrate the earth, the air, the fire, and the water during two performances at South Church in Portsmouth on Saturday, a matinee from 4-5:30 p.m. and an evening concert from 7:30-9 p.m. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Safe Haven Ballet Student Showcase
Safe Haven Ballet is a touring professional ballet company that offers performances and classes for survivors of sexual and domestic violence and trauma. They’ll present their end-of-year student showcase at STAR Theatre in the Kittery Community Center on Saturday from 4-6 p.m. Tickets are $15-$20. Learn more here.
Tony V at McCue’s Comedy Club
Maybe you’ve seen him on late-night shows with Conan O’Brien or Colin Quinn. Or maybe you’ve seen him on sitcoms like “Seinfeld” or “Boston Common.” In any case, you can see comedian Tony V in the flesh at McCue’s Comedy Club in Portsmouth on Saturday from 8-9:30 p.m. Andrea Henry opens. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
McCue’s Comedy Club
Live music in The Word Barn Meadow
Toronto-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Abigail Lapell has won three Canadian Folk Music Awards, hit number one on Canadian folk radio, and garnered more than 40 million streams on Spotify. She’ll play an album release show at The Word Barn Meadow in Exeter on Sunday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $22. Learn more here.
Old Hat Stringband at the KAA
Did you know the Kittery Art Association hosts live music? Well, where ya been kid? As part of its new music series, the gallery in Kittery Foreside will present beloved local group Old Hat Stringband for an evening of old-time folk, bluegrass, and country tunes on Sunday from 7-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.