Show mom a good time this weekend with a live local event. Here are some options.
‘Keeping it Inn’ at STAR Theatre
Shortly after dying at age 93, Nancy looks back on her six decades as a mother, wife, and innkeeper in rural New Hampshire in Cindy Pierce’s solo show “Keeping it Inn,” which is on stage at STAR Theatre in the Kittery Community Center for two nights on Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25. Learn more here.
Rock and raptors at The Word Barn
Brooklyn-based trio Damn Tall Buildings returns to The Word Barn in Exeter for an evening of bluegrass, blues, roots-rock, and vintage swing on Friday at 7 p.m. ($29). Then, on Saturday at 3 p.m., Tailwinds educators return to present Owls of New England and other live raptors ($25; free for kids 10 and under). Learn more here.
‘The Moon-Spinners Mystery’ at the ROH
A young detective grieving the loss of her mother travels to a Greek island and has an unexpected adventure in Sole City Dance’s latest production, “The Moon-Spinners Mystery.” It’s on stage at the Rochester Opera House for one weekend on Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets are $17. Learn more here.
Stranger Than Fiction Alumni at Millspace
Improv comedy troupe Stranger Than Fiction has been making locals laugh for 20 years, and they’ll continue the celebration with an Alumni Extravaganza at the Newmarket Millspace. Current cast members will join esteemed alumni for a night of improvisation on Friday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12. Learn more here.
Jay Leno at The Music Hall
Late-night legend Jay Leno continues to tour relentlessly as a stand-up comedian, and he’ll soon drop jokes in Portsmouth. The former long-time host of NBC’s “The Tonight Show” — and current host of “Jay Leno’s Garage” — will perform at The Music Hall on Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $107.50-$173.50. Learn more here.
All that jazz at The Dance Hall
The Dance Hall in Kittery gets the weekend going with local New Orleans-style favorites Soggy Po’ Boys on Friday at 8 p.m. ($18-$22). The music continues on Saturday at 1 p.m. with a PMAC Jazz Institute Show featuring the Brewery Lane Big Band, The Jazz Pioneers, and the Saturday Teen Jazz Ensemble ($5). Learn more here.
Live music at WSCA Radio
WSCA is bringing more and more music to Portsmouth. Portland’s Rascal Van, fronted by 19-year-old Scottish songwriter Aedan McDougall, joins Five Feet and Moon Snails on Friday at 8 p.m. ($10). Local rock band Kill-Kennie celebrates a new EP with Sponge Head and Planet Parlor on Saturday at 7 p.m. ($10). Learn more here.
Concerts at The Stone Church
The Stone Church hosts three concerts in Newmarket this weekend. Regional rock and funk legends Moon Boot Lover (above) return on Friday at 8 p.m. ($15). On Saturday, local songwriter Cormac McCarthy plays upstairs at 4:30 p.m. ($12), and local band Trade performs the music of Stevie Wonder at 9 p.m. ($12). Learn more here.
‘Seeing with New Eyes’ at Green Acre
Learn how to use a camera to look at the world differently during a hands-on photography workshop at Green Acre in Eliot. Inspired by the work of Harold Feinstein, whose photographs are currently on display at Green Acre, Carla Kimball will lead Seeing with New Eyes on Saturday at 10 a.m. Tickets are $10-$50. Learn more here.
Cisco Portsmouth Spring Carnival
Celebrate the peak of the season at the Cisco Brewers Spring Carnival in Portsmouth on Saturday from 12-3 p.m. The festivities will include games, food, craft beer, cocktails, petting animals, pony rides, a variety of local vendors, live music, and more, all on the grounds of the brewery at Pease Tradeport. Learn more here.
Stand-up comedy shows
New England’s comedy scene is alive and thriving. Boston favorite Joey Carroll will return to McCue’s Comedy Club in Portsmouth with host Liam Hales on Saturday at 8 p.m. ($25). Up in Bath, Maine, Burst & Bloom presents Comedy Night at Mae’s with Dan Boulger, Mo Awale, and Sarah Mather onn Saturday at 8 p.m. ($15).
Mother’s Day morning on the Seacoast
Why not take mom out on Sunday? The Honey Bees Trio will perform during a Bluegrass Brunch at The Blue Mermaid in Kittery at 11 a.m., and Bees Deluxe will play at The Press Room’s Mother’s Day Blues Brunch in Portsmouth at 11 a.m. ($10). Then swing over to the Mother’s Day Weekend Craft Festival in Hampton Falls. Love ya, ma!
See the full calendar for more local events.