American Independence Festival in Exeter, MerryMac Regatta: 16 things to do this weekend
This weekend is shaping up to be another picture-perfect one on the Seacoast. Make the most of these beautify summer days by taking in some of the outdoor events the Seacoast has come to treasure — from musicals and music in our parks, oceanfront and riverfront concerts, and dancing in the middle of a downtown street. Don't let summer pass you by.
Music by the Sea at Odiorne Point
The Atlantic Grill Music by the Sea concert series continues on Thursday, July 14 in Odiorne Point State Park with U2 tribute band Joshua Tree. Concerts are held under a tent on the center's lawn, rain or shine. Bring a beach blanket or chair, pack a picnic, or purchase dinner and beverages on site. Concert-goers can also enjoy the Center's exhibits free with concert admission. No alcohol or dogs can be brought in but adult beverages will be available for purchase. The music begins at 6 p.m.; gates open at 5 p.m. for dining. Tickets are $20 for non-members and $15 for members; under 3, free, and available at seacoastsciencecenter.org. Tickets are limited and walk-ins are subject to availability. Proceeds from the concert series support the Seacoast Science Center.
More: Atlantic Grill Music by the Sea Concert Series kicks off July 7
'The Crossword Show' to feature local celebrities
On Thursday, July 14, Zach Sherwin (of "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" and "Epic Rap Battles of History" fame) will host a panel of guest players as they solve an actual crossword puzzle live onstage in front of an audience. Solving the crossword will be Portsmouth Assistant Mayor Joanna Kelley and comedian Will Smalley. The puzzle is displayed on a giant screen so the audience can follow along and each time the solvers decipher a clue, Sherwin takes the show down a rabbit hole of comedy, music, wordplay and trivia inspired by the answer words. The all-ages show starts at 7:30 p.m., doors open at 6;30 p.m. at 3S Artspace, 319 Vaughan St., Portsmouth. Tickets are $12 for members, $15 for general admission, and available at 3Sarts.org.
This weekend at the Prescott Park Arts Festival
The Prescott Park Arts Festival will present four performances of "Footloose" Thursday through Sunday this week in Portsmouth. Thursday show is at 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday's is a matinee at 1 p.m.
Later on Sunday, the festival's concert series will present Dustbowl Revival with David Austin at 7 p.m. in the park. The Monday Night Movie this week is "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back."
Cochecho Arts Festival concerts
The Cochecho Arts Festival in Dover continues on Friday, July 15 with reggae band Los Sugar Kings at the Rotary Arts Pavilion in Henry Law Park in Dover. The show begins at 6:30 p.m. so bring your blanket, chair and dinner to stake out a spot. The concert is free, but donations are welcome. You can even buy a festival button for $10 to support the arts festival, get a few perks and wear when you attend festival events. Learn more at dovernh.org/cochecho-arts-festival.
More: Cochecho Arts Festival 2022: Here's lineup of concerts, kids shows and more this summer
Continuum Arts Collective benefit at the Word Barn
On Friday, July 15, it’s a special multi-act festival featuring Pete Muller & The Kindred Souls, YellowHouse Blues Band, and Meraki. Outside of featuring incredible music, all proceeds are going to the Continuum Arts Collective (who provide art supplies, instruments and lessons to local kids in need ) and Big Brothers, Big Sisters of NH. For $20, come spend the evening in the Meadow, enjoy great music, and support the cause. Tickets available at thewordbarn.com.
Piano concert to benefit Strafford Homeless Center
Pianist William Ogmundsom will entertain with his usual pizzazz, combining old favorites with new classics, at a benefit piano concert for the Strafford Homeless Center on Friday, July 15 at 7 p.m., at the Madbury United Church of Christ, 18 Town Hall Road, Madbury. Ogmundsom is known for his humor as well as his virtuoso shows. Freewill donations will be accepted. All ages welcome.
Sean McCarthy & Ryan Levasseur at WSCA
The Button Factory Stage will feature Sean McCarthy, a New England-based solo acoustic artist, and Ryan Lavasseur, of New Norde and The Minus Scale, on Friday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets re $12 in advance; $15 day of show. Doors open at 7 p.m. The Button Factory Stage is located at 909 Islington St., Portsmouth. Tickets available at portsmouthnhtickets.com
More: A Southern Girl Bakery: Pop-up opens at Short Sands Beach in York
American Independence Festival in Exeter
The 32nd annual American Independence Festival will take place on the grounds of the American Independence Museum in Exeter on Saturday, July 16 from 10 a.m. on. Activities will include a reading of the Declaration of Independence, first-person re-enactors, military camp life and Revolutionary era cooking demonstrations, an Artisan Village, beer garden and military demonstrations. Tickets are $10 per adult, $5 for children 4 to 18. Under 4, free. Members of the military and of the museum are also free. Visit independencemuseum.org.
Independence Jam at Swasey Parkway
On Saturday, July 16 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Independence Jam will take place on Swasey Parkway at 316 Water St in Exeter. This July edition of the 2022 Exeter Arts & Music Festival is in conjunction with the Independence Festival. There'll be live music, artist vendors, dance performance, food trucks, kids' activities, cultural exhibit. Suggested donation is $10; $20 per family. Tickets available at portsmouthnhtickets.com.
The Coming Storm at Wentworth House
Step back in time to July 1775, and experience a New Hampshire household preparing for war with the British at The Coming Storm, a living history event at the Colonel Paul Wentworth House on Saturday, July 16. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., historical re-enactors in 18th century attire will portray members of the Wentworth family and their neighbors as they go about domestic chores such as hearth cooking, sewing, gardening, and child care; share the latest news of the fighting; and gather supplies for the troops around Boston at this living history event. The Wentworth House is located on Water Street in Rollinsford. For more information, visit the ARCH website at paulwentworthhouse.org.
More: First New England Hot Sauce Fest set for July 30 in Hampton
MerryMac Regatta sails again
Great Bay Yacht Club of Dover announced a historic MerryMac Regatta will be held on Saturday, July 16 at Hilton State Park, Dover. Over the years, GBYC has been working with local sailors to keep the spirit of the historic sailboat alive in the Great Bay area. Previous regattas have been held with much success. The regatta is also open to Oyster River Cats.
GBYC is located on Wentworth Terrace, Dover Point, a very short walk from Hilton Park. Registration officials will be at Hilton Park by 10 a.m. and the Skippers Meeting will be held there. The entry fee is $40 ($20 for skipper and crew under age 17) Register at: merrymac.brownpapertickets.com.
Contact GBYC at greatbayyachtclub@gmail.com or Tom Brown, principal race officer, at tacheson.brown@gmail.com for a full version of the Notice of Race.
Kate Bush 'Wuthering Heights' Day in Somersworth
Kate Bush is having a moment this year since her song "Running Up That Hill" was featured in Netflix's hit series "Stranger Things." This Saturday, Teatotaller will host its seventh annual Too Hot Too Greedy Kate Bush Flash Mob. The flash mob is one of many that happens on "The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever," the day each year groups around the world recreate the music video for Bush's 1978 song "Wuthering Heights." The Somersworth event will take place at Teatotaller at 69 High St., with practice at 10 a.m. and the performance at 11 a.m. There will also be an event at the new Teatotaller in Concord, 2 Capital Plaza, with practice at 9:30 a.m. and performance at 11 a.m. If you'd like to dance, no experience is necessary, "just enthusiasm and a red dress."
Next up in Summer in the Street
The Summer in the Street music series continues on Pleasant Street in Portsmouth with a free concert by Vital Tones on Saturday, July 16 at 5:30 p.m. Pleasant Street from Porter Street to Market Square will be closed from 4 to 9:30 p.m. Vehicular traffic and parking on that section of Pleasant Street will be prohibited. Bring your own chair, dinner and beverages (no alcohol). For more information, visit proportsmouth.org.
Madbury Church Ham and Bean Supper
Madbury United Church of Christ, 13 Town Hall Road in Madbury, will hold a Ham and Bean Supper on Saturday, July 16 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Guests will enjoy baked ham from George Calef’s Fine Foods in Barrington, a variety of homemade baked beans, hot dogs, coleslaw, potato salad, assorted breads, salad bar, and beverages. We regret that due to price increases from vendors we must raise the cost for the supper to $12 for adults and children age 12 and older. Kids under 12 are $6 and families are $28. All are welcome.
Soggy Po’ Boys at John Paul Jones Park
The Soggy Po' Boys will perform at John Paul Jones Park in Kittery on Saturday, July 16 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance; $20 at the door. Tickets are available at portsmouthnhtickets.com. The park is on Hunter Avenue in Kittery.
Sundays in the Garden series continues
On Sunday, July 17, Marjorie Senet and the Broken-Home Boys return to the Sundays in the Garden series with classic honky-tonk and American roots music. They will perform at the Hamilton House in South Berwick. Bring a blanket, chairs and picnic basket for the concert, which will run 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at historicnewengland.org or at the gate. General admission is $10 adults, $9 seniors, and $7 youth. Concert is free for Historic New England members. In the event of inclement weather, Sundays in the Garden concerts will be held at Berwick Academy's Patricia Baldwin Whipple Arts Center Theater.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: American Independence Festival, MerryMac Regatta: Events this weekend
