Well, winter has officially arrived. Many of us have spent the last week shoveling driveways, clearing our cars and dealing with power outages due to the amount of snow we have received. Now that we have dug ourselves out, we can spend the weekend engaged in more enjoyable activities like catching a jazz show, laughing with (or at) a comedian and learning rules to create music.
Toronzo Cannon at Jimmy’s Jazz and Blues Club
What: Toronzo Cannon, blistering guitarist, soulful vocalist, singular songwriter and city bus-driver fuses muscular, rock-inspired blues guitar playing with his original, keenly detailed slice-of-life songs.
When: Friday, Jan. 27, at 7 p.m.
Where: Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, 135 Congress St., Portsmouth
Cost: $10 to $45
More info: jimmysoncongress.com
Reed Foehl at The Word Barn
What: Born in a small country town in New England and into a musical family, street singer- turned songwriter- Reed Foehl’s music tells stories of the human condition with a lyric and voice that push the boundaries while paying homage to tradition.
When: Friday, Jan. 27, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Where: The Word Barn, 66 Newfields Road, Exeter
Admission: $15 to $25
More info: thewordbarn.com
DJ Fridays at the Governors Inn
What: Boogie down to the best of pop and rock dance hits at the Winter Rock Club.
When: Friday, Jan. 27, doors open at 7 p.m. Dancing from 8 to 11 p.m.
Where: The Governors Inn, 78 Wakefield St., Rochester
Cost: Free
More info: governorsinn.com
Mitch Stinson at McCue’s Comedy Club
What: Mitch Stinson is a former US Naval Aviator who, as a pilot, made over 200 carrier landings during his military career. His original material offers a unique insight into the transition from hot shot Navy pilot to everyday civilian life.
When: Friday, Jan. 27, from 8 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: McCue’s Comedy Club, 580 Portsmouth Traffic Circle, Portsmouth
Cost: $20
More info:mccuescomedyclub.com
Chris Smither at 3S Artspace
What: More From The Levee is the 18th album from iconic bluesman Chris Smither. Smither effortlessly delivered the other half of his signature sound on Still on the Levee: the back porch feel of intricate acoustic blues picking accompanied by his own boot heel on wood rhythms.
When: Saturday, Jan. 28, from 8 to 11 p.m.
Where: 3S Artspace, 319 Vaughan St., Portsmouth
Cost: $30 to $40
More info: 3sarts.org
Jon Nolan & Good Co. at Book & Bar
What: Jon Nolan explores the dreamier, pop-infused parts of his Americana sensibility in his solo material.
When: Saturday, Jan. 28, at 8 p.m.
Where: Portsmouth Book and Bar, 40 Pleasant St., Portsmouth
Cost: $12
More info: bookandbar.com
‘Triangle of Sadness’ at The Music Hall
What: Celebrity model couple, Carl (Harris Dickinson) and Yaya (Charlbi Dean), are invited on a luxury cruise for the uber-rich, helmed by an unhinged boat captain (Woody Harrelson).
When: Saturday, Jan. 28, from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: The Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth
Cost: $15 adults; $12 seniors 60-plus, students, and military/veteran/first responder; UNH students free with ID.
More info: themusichall.org
‘Salvatore: Shoemaker of Dreams’ at The Music Hall
What: In Salvatore: Shoemaker of Dreams, Academy Award-nominated and BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Luca Guadagnino (Call Me by Your Name, A Bigger Splash, Bertolucci on Bertolucci) tracks Ferragamo’s life from humble beginnings to California and to a storied studio in Florence, Italy.
When: Sunday, Jan. 29, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Where: The Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth
Cost: $15 adults; $12 seniors 60-plus, students, and military/veteran/first responder; UNH students free with ID.
More info: themusichall.org
‘The 39 Steps’ at NHTP
What: Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have The 39 Steps, a fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theatre.
When: Sunday, Jan. 29, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Where: New Hampshire Theatre Project, 959 Islington St., Portsmouth
Cost: $26 to $30
More info: nhtheatreproject.org
Workshop: Making Rock by the Rules
What: Sometimes having no limitations can feel overwhelming! Learn about setting rules for yourself to get the creative gears turning and follow through the process of building a song within those rules.
When: Sunday, Jan. 29, at 4:30 p.m.
Where: Online workshop with Jacob Cherwick at rpmchallenge.com/live
Cost: Free
More info: rpmchallenge.com