PERUSING THE LANDSCAPE “American Spring,’’ an exhibition of 15 landscape oils by Peter Lyons, is at Trident Gallery in Gloucester through May 30.
Lyons, a native of New Zealand now living in Natick, uses a painting technique that approaches photographic realism, but also includes surreal and otherworldly elements. With the absence of human figures, the narrative is expressed through light, sky, and bodies of water. Scenes range from coastal New England to the American West and South America.
The gallery is at 189 Main St. Call 978-491-7785 or visit tridentgallery.com.
A FISH TALE “Urashima Taro,’’ inspired by a Japanese myth about a fisherman and an ocean princess, will be part of a show called “Planted’’ presented by Exit Dance Theatre (above) Friday and Saturday, May 13-14, at the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport.
When the fisherman saves a tortoise from torture, the princess offers him love, beauty, and immortality. But the story takes a turn when the fisherman returns home to visit friends and family.
The original score was composed by award-winning artist Jay Reise.
The 20-minute dance piece premiered last summer in collaboration with the Newburyport Chamber Festival. This show also includes several new pieces.
Exit Dance Theatre, a modern dance company, was founded in 1987 to go beyond traditional styles and allow new ways to express images and stories.
Part of The Dance Place in Newburyport, it recently was certified as a nonprofit.
The performances begin at 8 p.m. at the Firehouse in Market Square. Tickets are $19; $17 for students, senior citizens, and Firehouse members. Call 978-462-7336 or visit firehouse.org.
SAGAL TELLS ALL Peter Sagal (below), host of National Public Radio’s “Wait, Wait . . . Don’t Tell Me,’’ hosts a fund-raising concert with Symphony by the Sea at The Cabot in Beverly on Saturday, May 14.
Sagal presents an original theater and comedy piece, “A Personal Journey Through and to the Constitution.’’ The piece is based on a documentary in which he traveled across the country by motorcycle.
“I’ll talk about the people I met and some of the experiences I had while making the documentary, and the questions I had about how the Constitution actually works, how it has survived, and the answers I arrived at,’’ Sagal said.
He also provides poetic narration for Camille Saint-Saëns’ “The Carnival of the Animals,’’ performed by members of Symphony by the Sea. He’ll also lead the symphony players in a piece from the Broadway show “Gigi’’ called “The Night They Invented Champagne,’’ while the audience receives some bubbly for the celebration.
Sagal has been host of the NPR quiz show since 1998. It since has become one of the most popular shows on public radio, heard by nearly 3 million listeners on 520 public radio stations nationwide, and by a million people every month via podcast.
Symphony by the Sea is an all-professional chamber orchestra performing classical symphonic music ranging from Baroque to contemporary for audiences north of Boston. It is celebrating its 35th anniversary.
The performance begins at 8 p.m. at 286 Cabot St. Tickets are $60 and $75. Proceeds benefit Symphony by the Sea. Call 978-927-3100 or visit thecabot.org.
HITTING ALL THE NOTES Two up and coming singer-songwriters — Matt Nakoa (above) and Rachael Kilgour — take the stage at the Me & Thee coffeehouse in Marblehead on Friday, May 13.
Growing up on a goat farm in upstate New York, Nakoa discovered music as a means of teenage escape. He trained to be a concert pianist, then was accepted as a vocalist to Berklee College of Music.
After school, Nakoa became part of New York City’s vibrant piano bar scene. He has released several albums and he tours internationally.
Kilgour began writing and performing her own songs 10 years ago and built a devoted following in her home base of Duluth, Minn. She’s currently spreading her musical wings in the Northeast.
Doors open at 7:30 p.m. with the show beginning at 8 p.m. The coffeehouse is in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead, 28 Mugford St.
Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door; $10 for students. Call 781-631-8987 or visit meandthee. org.
Wendy Killeen can be reached at wdkilleen@gmail.com.
