Jazz Festival, Pride celebration and Back to Shul Fest: Things to do in Seacoast
The last weekend of August is upon us. Wrapping up an entertainment-filled month, there is an evening of Beatles music at Prescott Park, as well as the 40th annual Seacoast Jazz Festival, plus Rochester invites the LGBTQIA+ community for a Pride celebration, and Temple Israel is holding its Back to Shul Fest.
Read on for a look at 10 things to do this weekend. Plus, looking ahead, Prescott Park Arts Festival presents the Hear Me Roar Festival with Kaitlin Butts next week.
An evening of Beatles music with Spencer and the Walrus
What: Spencer and the Walrus is a consortium of Portland, Maine-based musicians who come together through a shared love of Beatles music, including solo material.
When: Friday, Aug. 25 at 7 p.m.
Where: Prescott Park, Portsmouth
Cost: Free
More info: prescottpark.org
SeaChange Conference 2023
What: The premise of this event is our community, country, and the world need artists’ contributions to heal and build something new. SeaChange conference explores how to make that vision real with Theater for the People, Green Acre, and Kinship discussing the arts, healing and social change.
When: Friday, Aug. 25 through Sunday, Aug. 27
Where: Green Acre: A Baha’i Center of Learning, 61 Green Acre Dr., Eliot, Maine
Cost: $80 to $225
More info: greenacre.org
Rose Alley at The Stone Church
What: Rose Alley celebrates the music of Jerry Garcia and JGB. Made up of Maine music scene veterans Kevin Roper, Aaron Nadeau, Neil Carroll and Drew Wyman, Rose Alley tows the line of Garcia Band authenticity while adding flair from their combined experiences.
When: Friday, Aug. 25 at 9 p.m.
Where: The Stone Church, 5 Granite St., Newmarket
Cost: $15
More info: stonechurchrocks.com
40th annual Seacoast Jazz Festival
What: Prescott Park Arts Festival, in partnership with Seacoast Jazz Society, is featuring a host of local, regional, and international talent, amplifying the different styles of jazz.
When: Saturday, Aug. 26 from 1 to 8 p.m. (Rain date, Sunday, Aug. 27)
Where: Prescott Park, Portsmouth
Cost: Free, donations accepted
More info: prescottpark.org
Rochester NH Pride Day
What: Volunteers of the Rochester Pride committee invite the LGBTQIA+ community to downtown Rochester for a free public pride celebration.
When: Saturday, Aug. 26 from noon to 3 p.m.
Where: Hanson Street, downtown Rochester.
Cost: Free
More info: rochestermainstreet.org
Night of Fire at New England Dragway
What: This fan favorite event will feature Alcohol Funny Cars, Alcohol Dragsters, Nitro Injected Dragsters, Jet Funny Cars, Jet Dragsters, Wheelstanders and more.
When: Saturday, Aug. 26 from 3 to 9 p.m.
Where: New England Dragway, 280 Exeter Road, Epping
Cost: Free to $38
More info: nedragway.com
Rodney Norman at McCue’s Comedy Club
What: Rodney Norman's videos have garnered millions of views worldwide.
When: Saturday, Aug. 26 from 8 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: McCue’s Comedy Club, 580 Portsmouth Traffic Circle, Portsmouth
Cost: $20
More info: mccuescomedyclub.com
Temple Israel Back to Shul Fest
What: Temple Israel of Portsmouth presents the second annual event celebrating Jewish music, food, values, and culture for the entire community to enjoy.
When: Sunday, Aug. 27 from noon to 3 p.m.
Where: Puddle Dock Field at Strawbery Banke, 14 Hancock St., Portsmouth
Cost: Free
More info: templeisraelnh.org
Portsmouth Athenaeum Chamber Music: The Balourdet Quartet at The Dance Hall
What: The Balourdet Quartet, composed of violinists Angela Bae and Justin DeFilippis, violist Benjamin Zannoni, and cellist Russell Houston, is based in Boston, and is currently in residence at the New England Conservatory’s Professional String Quartet Program.
When: Sunday, Aug. 27 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Where: The Dance Hall, 7 Walker St., Kittery, Maine
Cost: $10 to $30
More info: thedancehallkittery.org
Community-Created Portrait Painting with Eric Gold at 3S Artspace
What: Growing Up Portsmouth is a series of community-created large-scale portraits of people, chosen by artist Eric Gold, as part of Portsmouth’s story. People of all abilities and backgrounds are invited to paint a small segment of a portrait. Each segment takes 30-60 minutes to complete. Participants will sit in groups and make art, have conversations and a unique experience of community, layered with themes and stories of Portsmouth and the subject we are painting.
When: Sunday, Aug. 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: 3S Artspace, 319 Vaughan St., Portsmouth
Cost: Free
More info: 3sarts.org
And here's an event coming next week:
Hear Me Roar Festival with Kaitlin Butts
What: Kaitlin Butts is a country musician billed as "full of reflection, daydreaming contemplation, sharp wit, tough decisions in the midst of dire situations, rosy love, and beaming growth."
When: Thursday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m.
Where: Prescott Park, Portsmouth
Cost: Free, donations accepted
More info: prescottpark.org
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Jazz Festival, Pride celebration and Back to Shul Fest: Things to do
