Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end of summer and the start of fall. To kick off the weekend, there are a variety of activities to ensure entertainment for all. Head to the Rochester Opera House to hear bagpipes and fiddles with Skerryvore (I’ll be there!), get ready for an extraordinary experience at the 2024 Exeter UFO Festival, laugh the night away with Kathe Farris at McCue’s Comedy Club, or end the summer with a screening of “Casablanca,” the final performance of the Movie Night Series at the Prescott Park Arts Festival.
Read on to find out details about the activities:
Skerryvore at the Rochester Opera House
What: Skerryvore plays a fascinating mix of bagpipes, fiddles, accordions and fifes, complemented by guitar and vocals, with a driving rhythm section. It is contemporary traditional Scottish music – a fusion of folk, traditional, pop and rock.
When: Friday, August 30, 8 p.m.
Where: Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St., Rochester
Cost: $38 to $42
More info: rochesteroperahouse.com
West Coast Swing at Rockingham Ballroom
What: Monthly dance with teacher Anne Fleming. Meet dancers from stumbling to showing off.
When: Friday, August 30, 7:30 p.m.-11 p.m.
Where: Rockingham Ballroom, 22 Ash Swamp Road, Newmarket
Cost: 15$
More info: rockinballroom.club
Joe Bonamassa at the Casino Ballroom
What: Joe Bonamassa’s Blues Deluxe Tour features his critically acclaimed albums, including 2003’s Blues Deluxe and the current Blues Deluxe Vol. 2.
When: Friday, August 30, 8 p.m.
Where: Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, 169 Ocean Blvd., Hampton Beach
Cost: 91 to 201 US dollars
More info: casinoballroom.com
Exeter UFO Festival 2024
What: The Exeter UFO Festival features panel discussions with eight UFO experts, an alien costume competition, food and tram rides to the site where the UFO was first sighted.
When: Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Exeter Town Hall, Town House Common and the entire city centre of Exeter
Cost: Free
More: Exeter UFO Festival 2024: What you need to know before you go
Summer Sham 3 at Newmarket Millspace
What: On August 31, Summer Sham returns to Millspace, presented by Stranger than Fiction. Improvisers from our community come together to compete for the championship belt in this theatrical experience.
When: Saturday, August 31, 7.30 p.m.
Where: Newmarket Millspace, 55 Main St., Newmarket
Cost: 12 to 15 US dollars
More info: millspace.org
Brandy Clark at Prescott Park
What: Grammy and CMA Award winner Brandy Clark is one of the most respected songwriters and musicians of her generation.
When: Saturday, August 31, 7 p.m.
Where: Prescott Park Arts Festival, 105 Marcy St., Portsmouth
Cost: Suggested donation of $5-15 at the entrance.
More info: www.prescottpark.org
Kathe Farris at McCue’s Comedy Club
What: Kathe Farris is a Boston-based stay-at-home mom, stand-up comedian, and snack cake enthusiast who has served as resident comedian at The Comedy Studio and was a finalist at the Boston Comedy Festival.
When: Saturday, August 31, 8 p.m.
Where: McCue’s Comedy Club, 580 Portsmouth Traffic Circle, Portsmouth
Cost: $25
More info: mccuescomedyclub.com
Green Lion Crew in the press room
What:Zeke Stern and Dana Knowles of the Green Lion Crew are connoisseurs of the sounds of Caribbean culture. After a decade of producing in Jamaica, St. Croix and the USA, their list of collaborations includes some of the top acts in reggae music.
When: Saturday, August 31, 10 p.m.
Where: The Press Room, 77 Daniel St., Portsmouth
Cost: 12 to 15 US dollars
More info: presseraumnh.com
‘Casablanca‘ in Prescott Park
What: End the summer with a screening of “Casablanca,” the legendary romantic drama set in World War II.
When: Sunday, September 1st, 8.30pm
Where: Prescott Park Arts Festival, 105 Marcy St., Portsmouth
Cost: Suggested donation of $5-15 at the entrance.
More info: www.prescottpark.org
Work for Love: Jazz on Labor Day Evening in the Press Room
What: In the footsteps of some of the greats such as Tina Turner, Jim Morrison, Eartha Kitt, Abbey Lincoln, Dexter Gordon, Phil Woods, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Stan Getz, Nina Simone and many more, plus some original material
When: Sunday, September 1st, 6pm
Where: The Press Room, 77 Daniel St., Portsmouth
Cost: 12 to 15 US dollars
More info: presseraumnh.com
Stanley Clarke at Jimmy’s
What: NEA Jazz Master and five-time Grammy winner Stanley Clarke is considered one of the most famous acoustic and electric bassists in the world.
When: Sunday, September 1st, 7.30pm
Where: Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, 135 Congress St., Portsmouth
Cost: $22.50 – $157.50
More info: Show more
