Earth Eagle beer party, The Dolly Disco, Festival of Trees: 13 things to do this weekend
This weekend it definitely feels like the weekend before Thanksgiving. You'll spend some time getting ready for the holiday, cleaning the house if you're hosting and baking your family's favorites. But take some time for yourself and think about the things you're thankful for - like living in a region with so many arts and cultural events to enjoy. Then make a plan to enjoy one of these theatrical productions, musical performances, culinary celebrations and early holiday season openers. This weekend really does have something for everyone.
Earth Eagle celebrates 10 years of brewing
On Thursday, Nov. 17, Earth Eagle Brewings will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a new beer release and party in Portsmouth. Established in 2012, the craft brewery has two locations, the original spot in downtown Portsmouth and a second in Somersworth.
In celebration of the milestone, the brewery is releasing a special anniversary brew: an old ale boasting a rich amber color and malty flavors. This winter warmer will be tapped with fanfare by owner and brewer Alex McDonald on Nov. 17 during the 10th anniversary party at the Portsmouth location at 175 High St., from 5 to 10 p.m.
Local band Clandestine will perform from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Commemorative 10th anniversary merchandise will be available for purchase including beer steins and T-shirts. Party-goers are encouraged to wear vintage Earth Eagle Brewings merchandise for a chance to win prizes. Information: eartheaglebrewings.com or find the business on Instagram and Facebook.
Original work debuts at The Players' Ring
This weekend, writer, performer, and pianist Rene Pfister will present the original comedy cabaret "What I Learned From Years of Therapy ... If Anything" at The Players' Ring in Portsmouth. The production dives into one man’s journey of relationships, healing, and self-discovery through original songs like “Note to Self,” “Demons,” and “Going to the Therapist.” The show will be performed Friday, Nov. 18 and Saturday, Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 20 at 2:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $27 and $24 for students and seniors. Iinformation and tickets: playersring.org.
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Festival of Trees at Portsmouth’s Urban Forestry Center
One of the Seacoast’s longest-standing holiday traditions returns when the 24th Festival of Trees takes place Nov. 18 to 20 at the Urban Forestry Center in Portsmouth. Local garden clubs, historic homes, businesses, garden centers, artisans and other groups from across the region will celebrate by decorating the Center’s Forestry Learning Center and grounds with dozens of full-size and miniature trees, wreaths and more.
The festival is presented by Portsmouth Garden Club and the Urban Forestry Center, which is part of the N.H. Division of Forests and Lands. Proceeds from the festival benefit the Garden Club’s Festival of Trees Scholarship Fund, environmental and local historical garden projects, and conservation grant program.
The festival takes place Nov. 18 to 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Urban Forestry Center, located at 45 Elwyn Road in Portsmouth. Admission is $10; children ages 12 and under are admitted free. Tickets are not sold in advance but instead are purchased at the ticket booth on site. For more information, visit portsmouthnhgardenclub.com or call the Urban Forestry Center at 603-431-6774.
NH Theatre Project presents 'A Thousand Doorways' this weekend
Based entirely on true events, "A Thousand Doorways" tells of Diane Edgecomb’s journey to gather the folktales of the last Kurdish storytellers. A storyteller herself, she is swept into a world of oppression and silenced voices where even the simplest cultural expression is forbidden.
Author of "A Fire in My Heart," the first collection of Kurdish folktales to be published in English, Edgecomb, also one of America’s leading storytellers, will perform "A Thousand Doorways" on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18 and 19 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 20 at 2 p.m. at 959 Islington St. in Portsmouth. Tickets are $30 general admission, $26 students, seniors, veterans. Tickets for the Sunday Nov. 20 livestream performance are $20. Information: nhtheatreproject.org/onstagenow
Moffatt-Ladd House celebrates the holidays
The Moffatt-Ladd House and Garden will host a fun, family-friendly holiday event on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. “An 1850s Christmas at the Moffatt-Ladd House” will see the house donned in its gayest apparel, looking as it might have looked in December in the mid-19th century.
After talking with members of the household, listen to classic holiday stories such as “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” inside the stunning main hall. Then, our warehouse will be open with sweet treats, fun crafts, festive music, and the one and only Santa Claus. Advance tickets are encouraged and can be purchased online at moffattladd.org/upcoming-programs or by phone at 603-430-7968. Tickets will be available at the door as well.
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Portsmouth Holiday Arts Tour features open studios
In its 22nd year of offering visitors a glimpse into the lives and homes of artists, the Portsmouth Holiday Arts Tour will take place Saturday, Nov. 19 and Sunday, Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Individual studio guidelines may vary, but social distancing and masks are encouraged.
For information and updates on the artists and their studios or to download the Portsmouth Holiday Arts Tour map, check out www.PortsmouthArtsTour.com and follow the tour on Facebook at facebook.com/events/1767153010051460.
Amare Cantare to perform 2 concerts
The Seacoast vocal chamber chorus Amare Cantare will perform two concerts this weekend, one on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in Dover at St. Joseph Church, 150 Central Ave., and the other on Sunday, Nov. 20 at 3 p.m. in Portsmouth at South Church, 292 State St.
All tickets are $18 and are available at amarecantare.org. There will be limited ticket availability at the door. All members of Amare Cantare are fully vaccinated and self-test before concerts. Per CDC guidelines, masks are optional for all attendees. Information on the concert and past recordings: amarecantare.org.
Starry Night fundraiser to feature Isaac Fitzgerald
Star Island’s annual Starry Night fundraiser will take place on Saturday, Nov. 19, in downtown Portsmouth. The in-person event is the largest fundraising effort for the nonprofit organization. The evening will feature a talk by New York Times best-selling author Isaac Fitzgerald, who wrote the acclaimed memoir "Dirtbag, Massachusetts." Starry Night will also include live music by Seth Gooby, a silent auction and refreshments. It will be held at Discover Portsmouth Center, 10 Middle St., in Portsmouth from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
The event is open to the public. Tickets cost $45 for adults and can be purchased online at StarIsland.org. The Starry Night fundraising auction features over 100 items, including gift certificates, theater tickets, hand-made crafts, and original artwork. All proceeds benefit Star Island.
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Voices from the Heart to perform
“We’re back in, and we’re going to 'Shine On!'” said Voices from the Heart Director Joanne Connolly. Voices from the Heart, Portsmouth’s world music women’s chorus, presents its first in-person, and in-place concert since 2019. Voices will sing their “Shine On!” concert on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at South Church, 292 State St., in Portsmouth. Tickets are $20 each and on sale at voicesshineon.brownpapertickets.com. Any left will be available at the door.
Check out 'The Dolly Disco' at the Press Room
The Dolly Disco: The Dolly Parton Inspired Country Dance Party will take place on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Press Room in Portsmouth. Country-disco dancers will find themselves in Rainbowland where you’ll dance with somebody to the music of Dolly Parton, Kacey Musgraves, Orville Peck, Shania Twain, Miley Cyrus, Cher, Whitney Houston, The Chicks, Madonna, Tina Turner, Sheryl Crow and more. Doors open at 10 p.m. for this 21-plus show. Tickets are $15 to $20 and available at pressroomnh.com.
Somersworth Festival Association to host Penny Sale
Get a jump-start on your holiday shopping and support the Somersworth Festival Association (SFA) at its annual Penny Sale Fundraiser at Somersworth High School on Sunday, Nov. 20. Prizes include a TV, quilts, small appliances, tools, tech items, gift certificates to area restaurants and other businesses and much more. Doors open at 11 a.m., with hourly series raffles. Penny sale items will be drawn starting at 3 p.m. You do not need to be present to win. Food will be available in the cafeteria for purchase all day. For more information, call (603) 692-5869 or email sfachild.festival@gmail.com.
UNH Youth Symphony to present concert
The UNH Symphony Orchestra will combine forces with the UNH Youth Symphony Orchestras on Sunday, Nov. 20 to present a concert at 7 p.m. in the Johnson Theatre on the University of New Hampshire's Durham campus. The performance is free and open to the public, and will also be live-streamed. For more information, call the UNH Music Department at (603) 862-2404.
Suite Sundays continue at The Dance Hall
The Suite Sundays series at The Dance Hall in Kittery continues on Sunday, Nov. 20 at 3 p.m. with Franz Schubert’s piano trio in B flat major, Opus 99. Mary Towse-Beck, piano, Zoia Bologovsky, violin, Karen McConomy, viola, and Dorothy Braker, cello, will perform fine chamber music from the beginning and end of the 19th century. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door, and available at thedancehallkittery.org.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: '1,000 Doorways' and The Dolly Disco: 13 things to do in Seacoast NH
