TODAY
APRIL 1
‘Acadia Sessions’ Showcase
“The Acadia Sessions” – a new, local documentary music TV program which will be broadcast on MPBN – was slated to begin last fall, but that didn’t happen. The new start date is May 8. To get a buzz going, the folks who create the TV show are holding a concert tonight in Portland showcasing some local bands: Dark Hollow Bottling Co., Olas! and Peepshow. This is an 18-and-older show. Tickets at Bull Moose stores and at www.space538.org.
When: 8:30 p.m.
Where: Space, 538 Congress St., Portland
How much: $7
FRIDAY
APRIL 2
Modern Dance
Student dancers and choreographers present two modern dance programs Friday through Monday. The first program takes place on Friday and Sunday. The second program takes place on Saturday and Monday. Go to www.batestickets.com for tickets.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Monday; 5 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Schaeffer Theatre, Bates College, 305 College St., Lewiston
How much: $6; $3 for seniors
Playhouse Disney Live
The characters from the Playhouse Disney TV shows “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” “Little Einsteins,” “My Friends Tigger and Pooh” and “Handy Manny” are headed to Mickey’s clubhouse for a party. This musical adventure is interactive, so expect to be doing some singing and dancing. Call 775-3458 for tickets.
When: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Cumberland County Civic Center, Spring Street, Portland
How much: $15 to $45
Graham Parker
Graham Parker was hired to write some TV theme songs, but they didn’t work out, so he decided to write his own theme songs for TV shows that don’t exist. You can hear those songs on his newly released album, “Imaginary Television.” Call 761-1757 or go to www.onelongfellowsquare.com for tickets.
When: 8 p.m.
Where: One Longfellow Square, State and Congress streets, Portland
How much: $22 in advance; $25 at the door
The Fabulous Thunderbirds
More than 30 years ago, the Fabulous Thunderbirds got started as a blues band. Through various member changes, the group has incorporated a lot of musical styles, taking on more of a rock edge. Go to fabulousthunderbirds.com to stream audio. This is a 21-and-older show. Call 730-5511 for tickets.
When: 8 p.m.
Where: The Landing at Pine Point, 353 Pine Point Road, Scarborough
How much: $27.50 to $50
Egg Hunts
Every year, Topsham holds two egg hunts: one in the dark and one in the daylight. Friday’s hunt is the after-dark one. Bring your flashlight and a container for your eggs. The flashlight egg hunt is for ages 8 to 10. On Saturday, an egg hunt for 2- to 4-year-olds begins at 10 a.m., and one for 5- to 7-year-olds begins at 10:15 a.m. The 2- to 4-year-olds may bring baskets, but the older kids may not. For all egg hunts, dress warmly and wear boots. Hunts are rain or shine. Go to www.topshammaine.com for information.
When: 8 p.m. Friday; 10 and 10:15 a.m. Saturday
Where: Foreside Recreation Area, Foreside Road, Topsham
How much: Free
SATURDAY
APRIL 3
Community Talent Show
Rockport’s community talent show, Turnin’ Up the Heat, has a bit of everything – from comedy to dance to music. The event benefits the Knox County Home Energy Committee. Go to turninuptheheat.weebly.com for information.
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Rockport Opera House, 6 Central St.
How much: $8; $5 for seniors and ages 18 and younger
Michelle Willson
Blues and jazz singer Michelle Willson has received awards and nominations for her powerful singing, has hosted jazz and blues radio shows, and has had her music featured in compilation albums and TV programs. Go to www.myspace.com/michellewillsonevilgal to listen to audio. This is a 21-and-older show. Go to venuemusicbar.com for tickets.
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Venue Music Bar and Bistro, 5 Depot St., Freeport
How much: $15
Book Character Party
Colby College’s annual children’s book character party takes place Saturday at the college’s bookstore. This year, the featured guest is Geronimo Stilton, the editor of New Mouse City’s Rodent Gazette in Elizabetta Dami’s popular book and TV series, “Geronimo Stilton.” The event also has storytelling, cookie decorating and more. Tickets are required. Call 859-5400.
When: 1 to 3 p.m.
Where: Colby Bookstore, Cotter Union, Colby College, Waterville
How much: Free
Sole
Rapper Sole, co-founder of the Anticon label and known for abstract hip hop, released his latest album, “Plastique,” last year. With the Skyrider Band, he headlines a hip-hop show at Space in Portland Saturday night. Also scheduled to appear are Dark Time Sunshine, Ceschi, Blak Madeen and Brzowski. This is an 18-and-older show. Tickets at Bull Moose stores and at www.space538.org.
When: 9 p.m.
Where: Space, 538 Congress St., Portland
How much: $8 in advance; $10 day of show
SUNDAY
APRIL 4
Singalong
Father-and-son duo, the Roberts, lead a sing-along at Byrnes Irish Pub in Bath, but it’s not just any singalong. The duo leads folks in singing favorite traditional Irish tunes. For those who aren’t so sure of the lyrics to the songs, the pub has them on printed sheets. Call 443-6776 for information.
When: 6 to 8 p.m.
Where: Byrnes Irish Pub, 35 Centre St., Bath
How much: Free
MONDAY
APRIL 5
Shakespeare Smackdown
Naked Shakespeare, Acorn Productions’ Shakespearean ensemble, presents its annual Shakespeare Smackdown Monday at the Wine Bar in Portland. Receiving cues from the audience, pairs of actors will face off, each using the same texts but with different takes. Go to www.nakedshakespeare.org for information.
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Wine Bar, 38 Wharf St., Portland
How much: Free ($5 suggested donation)
Celebrate Dead Writers
The University of Southern Maine’s annual Celebrate Dead Writers runs Monday through April 8. Things get started Monday with a chance for folks from the community and from the university’s faculty, staff and students to read excerpts from the work of deceased writers. Participants need to sign up. Other events include poetry readings and readings by the university’s writing students. Go to blogs.usm.maine.edu/publicaffairs for information.
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: University Events Room, Glickman Family Library, University of Southern Maine, Forest Avenue, Portland
How much: Free
TUESDAY
APRIL 6
Portland Symphony Orchestra
The Portland Symphony Orchestra’s Tuesday Classical concert features works by Beethoven, Ravel, Masson and Duddell and the Maine premiere of Joseph Schwantner’s “Chasing Light ” Percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie is the guest performer. Schwantner and guest conductor, Alfred Savia, lead a pre-concert conversation at 6:15 p.m. A Q&A follows the concert. Call PortTix at 842-0800 or go to www.porttix.com for tickets.
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland
How much: $26 to $76
‘Mary’s Wedding’
In the award-winning drama “Mary’s Wedding,” two lovers face separation and loss during World War I. Portland Stage Company’s production of the play runs Tuesday through April 25. Call 774-0465 for tickets.
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and April 6 and 20; 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays;
2 p.m. Sundays and April 22
Where: Portland Stage Company, 25A Forest Ave., Portland
How much: $13 to $36
Sea Dogs Welcome
Welcome back the Sea Dogs on Tuesday during the annual welcome back dinner benefiting Youth Alternatives Ingraham. In addition to the ball park-style meal, attendees can meet members of the baseball team, have their photos taken, listen to live entertainment and win prizes. Go to www.yimaine.org/seadogs for tickets.
When: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Portland Exposition Building, 239 Park Ave.
How much: $20; $10 for children under age 12
WEDNESDAY
APRIL 7
Tom Goss
Pop/rock singer/songwriter Tom Goss doesn’t shy away from taking on love in his music. His last album, “Back to Love,” and his new EP, “The Politics of Love,” are musical reminders to his listeners that love has power. Go to www.tomgossmusic.net to stream audio. Go to www.myspace.com/slainte winebar for information.
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Slainte, 24 Preble St., Portland
How much: $12 in advance; $15 day of show
Snowmakers’ Ball
As the snow sport season draws to a close, the folks at Sugarloaf are holding their annual Snowmakers’ Ball in honor of all the folks who make and take care of the snow at the resort. You can look forward to live music and the Snowmakers’ Ball video. The snowmakers will be in tuxes, but formal attire is not required. This is a 21-and-older event. Go to www.sugarloaf.com.
When: 9 p.m.
Where: Widowmaker Lounge, Sugarloaf, 5092 Sugarloaf Access Road, Carrabassett Valley
How much: Free
‘Anne Frank’
The story of the young girl Anne Frank and her family’s struggle to hide from the Nazis during World War II is known throughout the world, yet her story never grows old. The Theater at Monmouth presents the play “The Diary of Anne Frank” Wednesday through April 18. Go to www.theateratmonmouth.org for tickets. Shows are sold out on Wednesday and April 8, 9, 11 and 15.
When: 7:30 p.m. April 10, 16 and 17; 10 a.m. April 14; 2 p.m. April 18
Where: Michael Klahr Center, University of Maine, 46 University Drive, Augusta
How much: $12; $10 for students and seniors
Musekiwa Chingodza
Zimbabwean mbira (thumb piano) player Musekiwa Chingodza performs mbira music of the Shona people at Bowdoin College in Brunswick on Wednesday. He will be joined by Bud Cohen and Tony Perman. Call 798-4141 for information.
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Kanbar Auditorium, Studzinski Recital Hall, Bowdoin College, Brunswick
How much: Free
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