This week’s round-up of live entertainment in and around Manchester is brought to you by A. Robert Dionne of Ted Herbert Music School & Rentals. Email your entertainment events to rob@majestictheatre.net for consideration. Be sure to add your events to the InkLink community calendar for possible inclusion in the live radio report on WMNH 95.3 (The Morning Show with Peter White – “World of Entertainment” LIVE every Thursday at 8 a.m.)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20th
- Doug Thompson / Fratello’s (Manchester) / 5:30pm
- Justin Jordan / Homestead (Merrimack) / 5:30pm
- Jodee Frawlee / Elm House of Pizza (Manchester) / 6pm
- NH Music Collective Artists Showcase / Area 23 (Concord) / 7pm
- 603’s Duo / Stumble Inn (Londonderry) / 7pm
- Dave Zangri / Copper Door (Bedford) / 7pm
- Chad Lamarsh / Copper Door (Salem) / 7pm
- Steve Prisby / City Hall Pub (Manchester) / 7pm
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21st
- Austin McCarthy / The Hill Bar & Grille (Manchester) / 5:30pm
- Phil Jacques / Luna Bistro (Salem) / 6pm
- John Chouinard / Gaucho’s (Manchester) / 6pm
- Kimayo / San Francisco Kitchen (Nashua) / 6:30pm
- Zak Trojano / Over The Moon Farmstead (Pittsfield) / 7pm
- Neon Rodeo / Derryfield (Manchester) / 8pm
- The Drift Duo / Telly’s (Epping) / 8pm
- InsideOut / The Goat (Manchester) / 9pm
- Kings and Liars & Inverter / Shaskeen Pub (Manchester) / 9pm
- FatBunny / Bonfire (Manchester) / 9pm
- Frankie Boy & The Blues Express / Strange Brew Tavern (Manchester) / 9pm
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22nd
- Queen Tribute / Canobie Lake Park (Salem) / 4:30pm (Sunday as well)
- Amanda Adams / Over The Moon Farmstead / 2pm
- KOHA / The Wild Rover (Manchester) / 5pm
- Casey Roop / The Hill Bar & Grille (Manchester) / 5:30pm
- Sean Coleman / Coach Stop (Londonderry) / 6pm
- Matt The Sax / Backyard Brewery (Manchester) / 6pm
- Ariel Strasser / The Foundry (Manchester) / 6pm
- Lucas Gallo / Chen Yang Li (Bow) / 7pm
- Open Mic with Jonny Friday / Angel City Music Hall (Manchester) / 8pm
- Lexi James / Bonfire (Manchester) / 9pm
- Off the Map / Strange Brew Tavern (Manchester) / 9pm
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23rd
- David Newsam / The Foundry (Manchester) / 10am
- Mike Forgette / The Goat (Manchester) / 10am
- Steve Aubert / Copper Door (Salem) / 11am
- Steve Prisby / Copper Door (Bedford) / 11am
- Sam Hammerman / Concord Craft Brewing (Concord) / 2pm
Always be sure to check a venue’s website or social media for last minute changes.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT:
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20th
ALTAN / Rex Theatre (Manchester) / 7:30pm
The spirit and sound of Altan comes from the deep and rich musical tradition of their native Co. Donegal. On one of his many visits to the Donegal Gaeltacht of Gaoth Dobhair, Belfast-born flute player Frankie Kennedy met fiddler and singer Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, sparking off a deep musical connection, marriage in 1981, and a journey that took them all over the world. Their vision was to bring the unique repertoire of Donegal music to the world and that mission is still as strong as ever. “THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE CELTIC REALM” – The Boston Globe www.rextheatre.org or (603)668-5188
DROPKICK MURPHYS – ACOUSTIC / Capitol Center (Concord) / 7:15pm
Some songs are timeless. We can all think of songs that fit every era, every life event. Tear jerkers and kids’ songs, thought provokers and rally cries. But what about lyrics that were written about the people and issues of the author’s time – then put away, never to be seen until almost a century later, when a band pulled them out of the archive and were floored by how vividly those lyrics describe the news of their day? There’s an answer to that question – and it’s contained on This Machine Still Kills Fascists. In the 10 songs that make up this album, Dropkick Murphys bring Woody Guthrie’s perennial jabs at life – many of which are from the 1940s and ‘50s – into the time of their lives. The resulting music is eerily relevant to today’s world. And they’ve done it all without their usual arsenal of electric guitars. In fact, not a single amplifier was used to animate Woody’s words in these songs. But make no mistake: this is NOT your grandfather’s folk album. DKM harnessed all of their trademark power to craft these songs and bring Woody’s lyrics to life. www.ccanh.com or (603)225-1111
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21st
NEXT TO NORMAL / Majestic Theatre (Derry Opera House) / October 21-23
Next to Normal explores how one suburban household copes with crisis and mental illness. Winner of three 2009 Tony Awards, including Best Musical Score and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize, Next to Normal was also chosen as “one of the year’s ten best shows” by critics around the country, including The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone and The New York Times. Dad’s an architect; Mom rushes to pack lunches and pour cereal; their daughter and son are bright, wise-cracking teens, appearing to be a typical American family. And yet their lives are anything but normal because the mother has been battling manic depression for 16 years. Next to Normal takes audiences into the minds and hearts of each character, presenting their family’s story with love, sympathy and heart. This deeply moving piece of theatre features performers who will explore the dramatic material while showcasing their vocal talents through an energetic pop/rock score. Visit the website for a content warning. www.majestictheatre.net or (603)669-7469 / Tickets also available at the door.
FNC: COREY RODRIGUES / Rex Theatre (Manchester) / 7:30pm
Corey is a highly sought-after national touring college, club and corporate performer. He was the winner of The Catch a New Rising Star, The Funniest Comic in New England and the 2017 Big Sky Comedy Festivals. Rodrigues has been featured on the hilarious Gotham Live, Laughs on Fox and True Tv’s Laff Mobbs Laff Tracks. In 2018 he released his Dry Bar comedy special, was voted “best of the fest” at the Big Pine Comedy Festival and was picked as one of TBS’s Comics to Watch at the New York Comedy Fest. In 2019 Rodrigues made his late-night TV debut on the Conan O’Brien show. He currently can be heard daily on Sirius XM. “His comedy is honest and fun”, constantly peppering in stories from his life and the lives of those around him. Mix that with a hilarious point of view and he’s able to talk about just about anything. www.rextheatre.org or (603)668-5588
WONDERLAND! / Majestic Theatre (Manchester) / October 21-23
Wonderland! is an unabashedly silly adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass. With hip-hopping music, it is an upbeat, coming-of-age story that audiences of all ages will adore! You’ll recognize some of your favorite familiar characters of Alice’s Wonderland along with meeting dozens of new ones: a baseball team, a gospel group called The Responsibilities, a train conductor, star-struck tourists, plastic light-saber wielding knights, and much more. An eclectic mix of music that ranges from gypsy swing to doo-wop to bluegrass will have you grinning like a Cheshire cat! Presented by the Majestic Academy of Dramatic Arts. www.majestictheatre.net or (603)669-7469 / Tickets also available at the door.
GREASE / Palace Theatre (Manchester) / 7:30pm – Through November 3rd
Grittier and more electrifying than ever before, the world’s best-loved musical returns to the Palace. After a whirlwind summer romance, leather-clad greaser Danny and girl next door Sandy are unexpectedly reunited when she transfers to Rydell High for senior year. But can they survive the trials and tribulations of teenage life and find true love once more? With a hip-shaking rock n’ roll score featuring hits Summer Nights, Greased Lightning, and We Go Together, Grease celebrates Rydell High’s class of 1959 in all their duck-tailed, bobby-socked, gum-snapping glory. www.palacetheatre.org or (603)668-5588
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22nd
NH FOLK FIDDLE FESTIVAL / Rex Theatre (Manchester) / 7:30pm
Featuring The Spain Brothers, The Hanneke Cassel Band, Green Heron
-Liam and Mickey Spain are second-generation singer/songwriters from the mill town of Manchester, NH, concentrating on original compositions as well as traditional and contemporary folk songs. Their father, Mike Spain, was a well-known folk singer performing Irish and American Folk songs throughout the New England area.
-Effervescent and engaging, Boston-based fiddler Hanneke Cassel’s fiddle music fuses influences from the Isle of Skye and Cape Breton with Americana grooves and musical innovations. The Hanneke Cassel Band features Boston-based fiddler and bandleader Hanneke Cassel on fiddle, Jenna Moynihan on 5-string fiddle/vocals and Keith Murphy on guitar/vocals.
-The music of Green Heron stretches across the entire folk landscape. Old-time, folk, bluegrass, country, Irish and blues are all represented as the band brings the back porch to the stage. Featuring Betsy Heron (formerly Green) on fiddle, banjo and vocals, and Scott Heron on guitar, banjo and vocals, the duo has been sharing New England stages together since 2016. www.rextheatre.org or (603)668-5588
JUSTON McKINNEY – PARENTALLY CHALLENGED / Palace Theatre (Manchester) / 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Comedian Juston McKinney has multiple appearances on the Tonight Show, 2 Comedy Central Specials and 2 Amazon Prime specials, but in this show, he shares his biggest achievement and challenge of his life…being a PARENT! Using a multi-media presentation, he takes you on his hilarious journey of raising kids in today’s world. This show is PG-13, so you can bring your teen or your 30-something that’s still living with you! www.palacetheatre.org or (603) 668-5588.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23rd
UNFORGETTABLE FIRE / Tupelo Music Hall (Derry) / 8pm
Unforgettable Fire was born on New Year’s Day in 1995 as one of the very first U2 tribute bands to ever perform in America. After twenty years of playing in some of the most prestigious venues on the East Coast, UF has formed a reputation among many to be one of the closest experiences to being at an actual live U2 show. The members of UF are also very dedicated fans of U2, and will not settle for anything less than complete authenticity. In addition to performing a very impressive array of U2 material from pre-Boy to the most recent Songs of Innocence and beyond, the band does everything in their power (from wardrobe to lighting) to recreate the live U2 concert setting for their audiences.. www.tupelomusichall.com or (603)437-5100
YESTERDAY ONCE MORE / Rex Theatre (Manchester) / 2pm
Yesterday Once More – A Tribute to The Carpenters, captures The Carpenters concert experience with amazing accuracy. The look, the voice, the sound and the great songs are all on display as the 1970s reappear and The Carpenters take the stage. Some of the timeless songs that are part of this outstanding performance are Close To You, We’ve Only Just Begun, Top of The World, Rainy Days and Mondays, Yesterday Once More, Superstar, Please Mr. Postman and many more! www.rextheatre.org or (603)668-5588
Be sure to visit The WEEKENDER for more featured events out and about town this weekend!
