Martha Wainwright headed to the Firehouse

Martha Wainwright released her second full-length album this year, following her self-titled 2005 debut. “I Know You’re Married But I’ve Got Feelings Too” further establishes Wainwright’s place in a musical lineage that has defined her family for generations. The singer and guitarist will flaunt her silk-laced voice at The Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport, Mass., on Friday, July 11.

Wainwright’s heartfelt but scathing brand of folk-rock has earned her a glowing reputation in her own right, but she is inevitably weighed against the other members of her musical family. She is the daughter of Kate McGarrigle and Loudon Wainwright III, and the brother of Rufus Wainwright.

In addition to releasing two full-length albums, Martha Wainwright has performed and recorded with acts including Neko Case, Snow Patrol and her brother Rufus. The 32-year-old’s gig at the Firehouse comes in between two shows opening for the legendary Leonard Cohen, to whom she paid vocal tribute in the 2006 documentary, “I’m Your Man.” The upcoming show in Newburyport will be her first at the Firehouse.  

Wainwright’s $25 show on Friday begins at 8 p.m. at the Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport, Mass., 978-499-9931.

hip-hop night at Dover Brick House

As further proof that the Seacoast’s hip-hop scene is continuing to evolve, the Dover Brick House is holding Thursday night hip-hop shows this summer. Co-hosted by Mike Dionne and Seth Gagnon, better known as Eyenine and Nobody Cares, the second hip-hop night of the summer will be held on Thursday, July 10.

Gagnon, a heavy metal influenced hip-hop artist based in Dover, has been gigging in New Hampshire and Massachusetts for a couple of years. Having developed a network of contacts in the area hip-hop scene, he decided to join forces with Dionne and bring guest artists and DJs to Dover. Hip-hop night builds on a similar series that Eyenine hosted with Pharos last year. 

The first hip-hop night was held at the Brick House on June 26, and Gagnon said the event was well attended. The shows are designed to have an old-style hip-hop feel, with freestyle rapping and dancing. In addition to Nobody Cares and Eyenine, area artists Citizen Raw and Outwrite will perform at the show, and audience members are welcome to take the mike.

Gagnon said his lyrics are focused on a blend of societal issues and personal frustrations. The name Nobody Cares is a reference to the way people destroy the environment and engage in corrupt behavior, he said. Gagnon believes the audience for live hip-hop on the Seacoast is growing.

“I’m just trying to gain the right crowd and find those people that want to come to hip-hop shows, and this kind of hip-hop show,” he said.

The $3 show on Thursday night begins at 8 p.m. at the Dover Brick House, 2 Orchard St., Dover, 603-749-3838. Future hip-hop nights are scheduled for Thursdays, July 17, July 24, Aug. 14 and Aug. 21. Nobody Cares also makes monthly appearances on Tuesday nights at The Red Door in Portsmouth.

Good Mem’ries in Dover

The Cochecho Arts Festival continues in Dover this weekend with a performance from The Good Mem’ries Big Band on Friday, July 11. Hailing from North Hampton, the 16-piece band performs music by the kings of the big band era of the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s, including Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and others.
Directed by Warren Muchemore, of Portsmouth, Good Mem’ries is now in its 15th concert season. The band performs shows year-round but is busiest in the summer months, when it is invited to play at bandstands and concert halls all over the Seacoast. Five of the band’s members, including Muchemore, are music teachers in the area, and many are active musicians in other groups. In addition to playing old jazz standards, the band plays songs from hit musicals and shows from later periods.

The Good Mem’ries Big Band takes the stage at 7 p.m. at the Rotary Arts Pavilion in Henry Law Park. Other upcoming acts in the Cocheco Arts Festival’s Friday Night Series include the Makem and Spain Brothers on July 18, Pondering Judd on July 25, the Don Campbell Band on Aug. 1, James Montgomery on Aug. 8, All Together Now on Aug. 15 and Entrain on Aug. 22. For more details, visit www.cochechoartsfestival.org.