Portsmouth Singer Songwriter Festival: The lineup for the inaugural Portsmouth Singer Songwriter Festival runs the spectrum from legendary stars to rising local acts. The three-day event takes place April 20 to 22 at The Music Hall and The Loft.

Bookending the event are headlining performances by Merle Haggard and the Strangers on Friday night at 8 p.m., and Rosanne Cash on Sunday night at 7:30 p.m., both in the main theater. Former Seacoast resident Elsa Cross will open the Haggard show.

A number of other performances will take place throughout the weekend, which is themed around Americana music. The Felice Brothers, O’Death and The Farthest Forests will play in the main theater on Saturday night at 7 p.m. At the same time, starting at 7:30 p.m., Elsa Cross and Lucy Wainwright Roche will perform in The Music Hall Loft.

A Round Robin celebration of the Seacoast singer-songwriter scene will take place on Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. at The Loft, featuring Mary Dellea, Stu Dias, Ryan Flaherty, Dan Walker, Dave Talmage and others. Passholders will also have access to several pre- and post-show receptions in the Founders Lobby.

Weekend passes range from $110 to $185. Tickets to individual shows are also available, with prices ranging from $10 to $78, depending on the event. For more information, call 603-436-2400 or visit www.themusichall.org.

Ballroom announces first shows of 2012: With a history dating back to the turn of the 20th century, the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom has long been a pillar of Seacoast entertainment. That tradition continues as the venue announces its first shows of 2012.

Australian vocal group Human Nature is launching their first-ever U.S. tour this spring, and they’ll bring their “Motown Show” to Hampton Beach on Thursday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m. Presented by Smokey Robinson, the show has been performed regularly at the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas for several years. Tickets are $30 to $58.50.

The Ballroom will announce other spring and summer concerts soon. For tickets or more information, call 603-929-4100 or visit www.casinoballroom.com.

“Rompetition” comes to the Brick House: Dozens of aspiring bands will compete for the spotlight during UNregular Radio’s fifth annual No Contracts Needed Rompetition. This year’s multi-round contest begins at the Dover Brick House on Saturday, Feb. 4. 

Judged by industry professionals, the competition is meant to highlight up-and-coming musical talent in all genres. The grand prize this year is an opening slot for headliners Ghostland Observatory and Conspirator at the Lift Festival, held at Whaleback Mountain from Friday to Monday, March 9 to 12. 

Among the bands performing in the opening round at the Brick House are East Is East, Jacks & Aces, JZAC, The Lynguistic Civilians, Northern Stone, Potsy, and Rob Carlton. The event begins at 7 p.m. at 2 Orchard St., Dover, 603-749-3838.

Rompetition finals will be broadcast live from McGann’s in Boston on Saturday, Feb. 25. For more information, visit www.unregularradio.com.