Shakespeare Day in Portsmouth

Shakespeare Mark A. Hicks, illustrator MARK YOUR CALENDAR

To celebrate William Shakespeare's birthday on April 23^, Seven Stages Shakespeare Company has lined-up a full day of bard-related festivities. Come for one event or the whole day. There’s something in Shakespeare Day for everyone, and all events are free. (Continued below)

Shakespeare’s Day schedule of events:

-- 10:30am-3:30pm:
Sonnet-a-Thon at Portsmouth Book & Bar, 40 Pleasant Street, Portsmouth, NH

We’ll read aloud all 154 of the Bard’s sonnets, and invite you to join us. Want to read a sonnet? Stop by any time during the Sonnet-a-Thon and you can hop in to read. Each sonnet-reader will be given 90 seconds (we’ve got 154 to get through, so we’ll keep it fun and tight.)

-- 4pm-6pm
Busking with the Bard in Market Square

Do you play or sing? Write a song using lyrics from any of Shakespeare’s scripted songs and join us in Market Square for some busking. Not a musician? come enjoy the tunes. (This event is weather dependent.

-- 7pm-8:30pm
Examining Shakespeare’s Poetry at RiverRun Bookstore, 142 Fleet Street, Portsmouth, NH

We’ll listen to a reading of Shakespeare’s lesser-known poetry, and have an open dialogue on the subject guided by a panel of experts including Dr. David Richman of UNH, Portsmouth Poet Laureate John-Michael Albert, and Hope Jordan, the first official poetry slam master in New Hampshire.

-- 8:30pm-10pm
Bard Beat Night at The Press Room, 77 Daniel Street, Portsmouth, NH

In Press Room Beat Night tradition, we’ll wrap up the Shakespeare Day festivities with an evening of poetry and spoken word, accompanied by live music, inspired by William Shakespeare. The first 30 minutes will be a presentation of invited performers works, and the remaining time will be an open mic for all. Share your creativity with us. And oh yeah- there will of course be birthday cake for all.