Dar Williams brings her greatest hits to Portsmouth
Pop-folk singer-songwriter Dar Williams, fresh off the release of her new double-disc compilation “Many Great Companions,” is on her way to Portsmouth. Williams will perform at South Church on Friday, Nov. 5, along with opener David Surette.

Since releasing her debut recording in 1993, Williams has released seven studio albums, one live disc and a DVD, and she’s toured with such greats as Joan Baez, Patty Griffin, Ani DiFranco and Shawn Colvin.

The first disc of “Many Great Companions” includes 12 revised acoustic tracks, featuring guest appearances by Mary Chapin Carpenter, Patty Larkin, Gary Lauris (of the Jayhawks), and Sara and Sean Watkins (of Nickel Creek). The second disc consists of 20 greatest hits spanning Williams’ recording career.

In Portsmouth, Williams will perform tunes from “Many Great Companions” and other songs from her wide repertoire. Surette, a Seacoast singer, guitarist and songwriter, will perform tunes from his new instrumental album “Sun Dog.” (He’ll also be at The Dolphin Striker in Portsmouth on Sunday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m.)

The show begins at 8 p.m. on Nov. 5 at South Church, 292 State St., Portsmouth. Tickets are $39. Call 603-436-4762 or visit www.mktix.com.

fingerpicking wiz Stephen Bennett in York
Wanna see a crazy looking guitar? Wanna hear remarkable music performed masterfully on that crazy guitar? Then you’ll likely want to be at the Remick Barn in Old York, Maine, on the evening of Sunday, Nov. 7.

The Seacoast Guitar Society will present Stephen Bennett, an expert on both traditional six-string and harp guitar. The latter instrument has 13 strings, six of which extend across a normal guitar body, and seven more attached to a large neck extension. The extra strings allow for a fuller sound with more bass and the capacity to perform more complex pieces. Bennett has helped rescue the centuries-old guitar from extinction.

He’s also the only player to win both the national flatpicking and fingerpicking contests in their 30-year history. In addition to original compositions, he is well versed in Scott Joplin rags, bebop and swing jazz and traditional fiddle tunes, and has arranged “The Nutcracker Suite” for solo guitar.

The show begins at 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 at the Remick Barn, at the Museums of Old York, 207 York St., York, Maine. Tickets are $15 for the general public or $8 for students. Call 207-363-1886 or visit www.seacoastguitar.org.

fiddler Lissa Schneckenburger releases new CD in Portsmouth
Lissa Schneckenburger has emerged as one of New England’s premiere traditional fiddlers, and she’ll demonstrate why during an upcoming gig in Portsmouth. Schneckenburger will play a CD release show at The Dolphin Striker on Saturday, Nov. 6.

A graduate of the New England Conservatory, Schneckenburger was born in Maine and now lives in Vermont. Her new CD, titled “Dance,” is an instrumental compendium of traditional New England dance tunes. It’s a follow-up to her previous release, “Song,” which consisted entirely of traditional vocal songs.

The show begins at 7 p.m. on Nov. 6 at The Dolphin Striker, 15 Bow St., Portsmouth, 603-431-5222. Tickets are $15. Schneckenburger will host an informal session after her performance.