Local music news & events
• Funny dad: Quintessential New England comic Juston McKinney holds forth for an evening of standup in Derry. His secret sauce is an ever-changing set of material, a keen observer’s eye for regional foibles, and relatable self-deprecation, along with a skill for illuminating life’s absurdities with smiling kindness. His latest comedy special, On the Bright Side, was filmed in Manchester. Thursday, July 25, 8 p.m., Labelle Winery, 14 Route 111, Derry, $40 at labellewinery.com.
• Maine man: The Cocheco Arts Festival continues with Toby McAllister & the Sierra Sounds. Maine-based McAllister is a singer and guitarist who came to prominence as the founding member of Sparks The Rescue. That band’s rhythm section backed him on last year’s solo effort Autumn Skies. Friday, July 26, 6:30 p.m., Henry Law Park, 1 Washington St., Dover; tobymcallister.com.
• Smoke show: A barbecue benefiting a veteran support group has music from four bands. 61 Ghosts is singer/guitarist Joe Mazzari and drummer Dixie Deadwood, a roots rock effort inspired by John Hiatt, Link Wray and others. Rounding out the bill are Burn Permit, Sumwhat Lucky and Corduroy. The Operation Up In Smoke event includes a pig roast, brisket and ribs. Saturday, July 27, noon, American Legion, 232 Calef Highway, Epping, $30/plate, fishingforthemission.org.
• Summer night: Performing an extended set, Train appears in the Lakes Region, as the pop rock band takes a brief break from its co-headlining tour with REO Speedwagon. They will have support from Yacht Rock Revue, who have covered songs such as “Ride Like the Wind” and “So Into You” since 2007. Train is carrying on after losing a founding member in May. Sunday, July 28, 8 p.m., BankNH Pavilion, 72 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford, $38.50 and up at livenation.com.
• Song pull: Continuing its support of original music, a Meredith winery hosts Songwriter RoundUp. The monthly show is hosted by Katie Dobbins, who also plays a few of her own songs. The evening’s lineup has country performer Lexi James, and Charlie Chronopoulos, whose LP Chesty Rollins’ Dead End was a stark look at life in his home state of New Hampshire. Wednesday, July 31, 5:30 pm., Hermit Woods Winery, 72 Main St., Meredith, $10 to $15 at hermitwoods.com.