History and great musical talent is on the offering this weekend
It's already August. Time to take in all the summer fun you can before it's gone. Enjoy some of the Seacoast's history and great musical talent this weekend.
Twilight Tour of Portsmouth historic sites
For the first time since 2019, the Portsmouth Historic Sites Association will hold its popular Twilight Tour this year, on Friday, Aug. 5, from 4 to 8 p.m. See what’s new at each organization—including new exhibitions, new displays, new acquisitions, and new research. Among the highlights are “Heavy Metal: Base Metal Ware in America, 1550–1850,” a major loan exhibition at Warner House; a treasure trove of John Paul Jones memorabilia recently given by Dr. and Mrs. James C. Bradford at the John Paul Jones House; a newly restored parlor of the 1760s-1770s at the Moffatt-Ladd House & Garden; at the John Langdon House, learn about new research focusing on Gov. John Langdon, Cyrus Bruce, and other members of the Portsmouth community. At the Black Heritage Trail of NH, an exhibit about Rock Rest, the famous summer guest house for Black travelers operated by Hazel and Clayton Sinclair in Kittery; The Portsmouth Athenaeum will open a new exhibit about maritime painter and writer George S. Wasson (1855-1912) of Kittery; and much more.
Tickets, which include admission and discounts at member sites for the remainder of the season, are $20 in advance ($25 day of) for adults and $10 for children. For tickets, go to portsmouthhistoric.org/events or call Stephanie Hewson at (603) 430-7968, or Andy Goodell at (603) 433-9505.
Art 'Round Town
It's the First Friday of August so that means it's Art Round Town in Portsmouth and surrounding communities. Local galleries and arts organizations welcome visitors from 5 to 8 p.m. Visit artroundtown.org for information.
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Jazz in the Streets
During weekends in July and August, the Seacoast Jazz Society will hold its second annual "Jazz in the Streets" performances. On Saturday, Aug. 6 from 12:30 to 2 p.m., : John Hunter & Friends will perform in Vaughn Mall near the Worth Lot in Portsmouth. In the park near the tugboats on Ceres Street, Windsong will perform.
This weekend at the Prescott Park Arts Festival
Unfortunately, the Prescott Park Arts Festival has cancelled this weekend's four performances of "Footloose" due to COVID-19 cases among cast members. On Saturday and Sunday morning at 10 a.m., there'll be a performance of "High School Musical 2 Jr." and at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday only, dancers from Sole City Dance will perform. The Monday Night Movie is "Grease: The Singalong," which sounds like a ton of fun on Aug. 8.
Performances are free, but there is a suggested donation of $10 per person at the gate or online at prescottpark.org. Bring your own chair, blanket and dinner or you can reserve one from the festival online at prescottpark.org.
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Rockingham Groove headlines Cochecho Arts Festival
The Cochecho Arts Festival in Dover continues on Friday, Aug. 5 with Rockingham Groove but there is a catch. Due to predicted inclement weather, the concert has been moved indoors. The local favorite band will perform in the air-conditioned comfort of the Dover High School's state-of-the art auditorium located at 25 Alumni Drive in Dover. In addition to great music, attendees will enjoy free parking, raffle prizes and indoor bathrooms (no porta-potties!). The performance will take place at 6:30 p.m. The concert is free, but donations are welcome or you can buy your Cocheco Arts Festival button for $10 and get a few perks when you attend festival events. Learn more at dovernh.org/cochecho-arts-festival.
Bucket List to perform outdoors in Kittery
The Dance Hall presents Concerts By The Bridge at The John Paul Jones Park in Kittery, which on Saturday, Aug. 6 at 5:30 p.m. will feature Bucket List, a jazz-fusion band based in Kittery. Tickets are $15 and available at portsmouthnhtickets.com. In the event of inclement weather, concert will move inside The Dance Hall.
Fireworks to celebrate Kittery's 375th
On Saturday, Aug. 6 at 9 p.m., there'll be fireworks and a non-perishable food drive to celebrate Kittery's 375th birthday and the Coast Guard's 232nd birthday. The festivities are sponsored by the Wood Island Lifesaving Station Association. Prime viewing from New Castle Common or Fort McClary. Footprints Food Pantry will be at Fort McClary in Kittery, Maine, to collect contributions, while Gather will be located at Great Island Common in New Castle to collect donations. Gather's most needed items: condiments, baking items and soap. Footprints' top needs are olive oil, canned chicken, laundry detergent, maple syrup and pancake mix, toilet paper, unsweetened almond milk (shelf, not refrigerated), black tea, coffee regular ground.
Songwriters Live Under The Arch
The Music Hall's Live Under The Arch series will present Songwriters in the Round on Saturday, Aug. 6. The concert takes place outside on Chestnut Street in front of the Music Hall. The concert will feature Dan Blakeslee, Kate Redgate and Chad Verbeck. The concert is set up cabaret style and each table is exclusive to the ticket buyer. No tables are shared. Tickets are available at themusichall.org.
Juice at Cisco Brewers Portsmouth
The Press Room is presenting a Summer Concert Series this year at Cisco Brewers in Portsmouth. On Sunday, Aug. 7 at 7 p.m., Juice will perform outside on the brewery's patio. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 on day of show, and available at portsmouthnhtickets.com. Doors open at 6 p.m. for this 21-plus show. Cisco Brewers is located at 35 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Art 'Round Town, Twilight Tour, concerts: Things to do this weekend
