TODAY
APRIL 15
Additional Photos
Reggae Festival
Sugarloaf’s annual Reggae Festival has almost a dozen bands, including Inner Circle and Kenyatta Hill, playing outside and indoors. All outside concerts are open to all ages and are free. Indoor concerts have ticket fees and are for ages 21 and older. The festival runs today through Sunday. Go to www.sugarloaf.com/reggae for details.
When: Various times today through Sunday
Where: Outdoor concerts are outside the Base Lodge, and indoor concerts are at the King Pine Room and Widowmaker Lounge, Sugarloaf, 5092 Sugarloaf Access Road, Carrabassett Valley
How much: Outdoor shows are free. Individual concerts are $25. $50 express pass is sold out. $40 Good Vibes pass.
12 new plays at Maine Playwrights Festival
Twelve new plays written by local playwrights are the focus of this year’s Maine Playwrights Festival. Only one of the 12 is a full-length play. The plays will be shown in varying lineups over three weekends (today through Saturday, April 23-24, April 29-30 and May 1). You can see all the plays in one day on May 1. A free 24-hour play festival takes place on May 2. Go to www.acorn-productions.org for a complete schedule and play descriptions.
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and May 2; 5 and 8 p.m. Saturdays (with an additional 2 p.m. start on May 1)
Where: St. Lawrence Arts Center, 76 Congress St., Portland
How much: $15; $12 for students and seniors; free for all ($5 suggested donation) on May 2
FRIDAY
APRIL 16
Poetry Festival
The University of Maine at Augusta’s annual Terry Plunkett Maine Poetry Festival features 16 published poets, as well as student poets, reading their work. Additionally, there will be an open mic and musical performances during the two-day affair. Go to www.uma.edu/plunkett for information.
When: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
Where: Jewett Auditorium (Friday) and the Richard Randall Student Center (Saturday), University of Maine, 46 University Drive, Augusta
How much: Free
Philip Hamilton’s “Voices”
Vocal master Philip Hamilton has put together a “vocal tribe” of singers performing a cappella music combining singing styles ranging from Tuvan throat singing to beat boxing and from doo-wop to Gregorian chant. Call PortTix at 842-0800 or go to www.porttix.com for tickets.
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Hannaford Hall, Abromson Community Education Center, University of Southern Maine, Bedford Street, Portland
How much: $36; $10 for students
Patriots Day Celebration
Ogunquit celebrates our history with its Patriots Day Celebration Friday through Sunday. On the schedule for the weekend: a fife and drum concert; re-enactments of a Sons of Liberty meeting and Paul Revere’s ride; a historical figure treasure hunt; craft and book sales; a fireman’s cookout; food; children’s events and more. Go to www.ogunquit.org for information.
When: Various times Friday through Sunday
Where: Various locations, Ogunquit
How much: Most activities are free.
USM Youth Ensembles
The USM Youth Ensembles, made up of local student musicians, perform works ranging from contemporary to Shakespearean during the spring concert on Friday in Portland. Call 780-5555 for information.
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland
How much: Suggested donation of $6; $3 for students and seniors
Roy Davis
Local singer/songwriter Roy Davis and his band the Dregs released a new album earlier this year, but they are already getting pumped to release a live CD/DVD. You can be part of the CD/DVD when the group records its concert at One Longfellow Square in Portland on Friday. Go to www.myspace.com/roydavismusic to hear audio. Girls, Guns and Glory open. 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: $8 in advance; $10 at the door
Solaris
The U.S. Air Force Academy’s clarinet and percussion band, Solaris, performs three free concerts in Maine this weekend. The group is in Kennebunk on Friday, in Skowhegan on Saturday and in Boothbay Harbor on Sunday. Go to www.usafacademyband.com/Ensembles/solaris.html for information.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday; 7 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday
Where: River Tree Arts, 35 Western Ave., Kennebunk, Friday; Skowhegan Opera House, 225 Water St., Saturday; Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, 86 Townsend Ave., Sunday
How much: Free, all concerts
SATURDAY
APRIL 17
Contemporary Music Festival
Works by local contemporary composers — including Elliot Schwartz, Nathan Kolosko and Gia Comolli — will be performed during the Back Cove Contemporary Music Festival in Portland on Saturday and Sunday. Go to www.portlandconservatory.net for info.
When: 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 7:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Portland Conservatory of Music, Woodfords Congregational Church, 202 Woodford St., Portland
How much: Free
Southern Maine Symphony
Five student musicians who were winners of the Biennial Concerto Competition at the University of Southern Maine will be the featured soloists during the Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra’s concert on Saturday. The program includes works by Dvorak, Mozart, Ravel and Donizetti. Call 780-5555 for information.
When: 2 p.m.
Where: Gorham Middle School, Weeks Road
How much: $6; $3 for seniors and students
Vicki Genfan
In 2008, a rare thing happened: a woman won the top spot in Guitar Player magazine’s Guitar Superstar competition, judged by guitar superstars such as Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. That female guitarist was Vicki Genfan, who has been wowing audiences all over the world. Go to www.vickigenfan.com and click on “music” to hear audio. Call 633-5159 for tickets.
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, 86 Townsend Ave.
How much: $12 in advance; $15 day of show
Laser Mania
In time for school vacation week, the folks at the University of Southern Maine’s Southworth Planetarium are bringing back Laser Mania. Running Friday through April 25, you can see laser shows of the astronomical and musical varieties. Reservations recommended. Go to www.usm.maine.edu/planet for a full schedule.
When: Various times Saturday through April 25
Where: Southworth Planetarium, University of Southern Maine, Falmouth Street, Portland
How much: $5 per show
Ed Gerhard
Grammy Award-winning guitarist Ed Gerhard, said the Boston Globe, “does not write instrumentals. He writes songs only a guitar can sing.” Go to www.virtuerecords.com and click on “music samples” to hear audio. Tickets at Bull Moose stores or at www.kennebunkcoffeehouse.com.
When: 8 p.m.
Where: River Tree Arts, 35 Western Ave., Kennebunk
How much: $20 in advance; $25 at the door
Patty Larkin
This must be the weekend for amazing guitarists to be performing in Maine. David Grier (tonight at Venue Music Bar and Bistro in Freeport), Ed Gerhard, Vicki Genfan and Patty Larkin in Brownfield. Larkin is touring in support of her new album, “25,” which features 25 of her music friends, including Nerissa and Katryna Nields, who will join her in Brownfield. Go to www.stonemountainartscenter.com for tickets.
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dugway Road, Brownfield
How much: $23
SUNDAY
APRIL 18
Sonos
The Los Angeles-based sextet Sonos has been redefining what many folks imagine when they think of a cappella ensembles. The group combines ancient vocal techniques with modernity, performing a repertoire that ranges from hymnals to Radiohead. Go to www.sonosings.com to listen to audio. Go to www.stlawrencearts.org for tickets.
When: 7 p.m.
Where: St. Lawrence Arts Center, 76 Congress St., Portland
How much: $15
Richard Phillips
A year ago, Richard Phillips, captain of the cargo ship Maersk Alabama, found himself the hostage of Somali pirates. The world was riveted as the drama played out. Phillips has just released “A Captain’s Duty,” a book that recounts his captivity and rescue. On Sunday, he’ll talk about his book and experiences, sign copies of the new book and take questions from the audience. Call 775-6110.
When: 2 p.m.
Where: Borders Books and Music, 430 Gorham Road, South Portland
How much: Free
MONDAY
APRIL 19
Shrine Circus
The annual Kora Temple Shrine Circus takes place in three Maine locations during school vacation week. The circus will be in Lewiston at the Colisee on Friday and Saturday, in Portland Monday through Wednesday, and at the Augusta Civic Center on April 23-24.
Go to www.korashriners.org.
When: 2 and 7 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 9:30 a.m. and 2 and 7 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Cumberland County Civic Center, Spring Street, Portland
How much: $10; $5 for children under age 12; $12 for reserved seating
TUESDAY
APRIL 20
Kristen Britain
Maine fantasy writer Kristen Britain, author of the “Green Rider” series, talks about and reads from her books Tuesday evening in Dresden. Her best-selling series follows a young woman fulfilling a promise to a dying messenger of the king. Go to www.bapl.us for information.
When: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Bridge Academy Public Library, 44 Middle Road, Dresden
How much: Free
WEDNESDAY
APRIL 21
Heavy Trash
Coming from blues, rock, punk and folk influences, the duo of Jon Spencer and Matt Verta-Ray take rockabilly to some interesting places. Heavy Trash is touring in support of its album, “Midnight Soul Serenade.” Go to www.heavytrash.net and click on “music” to hear audio. Local rockabilly band King Memphis opens. This is an 18-and-older show. Tickets at Bull Moose Music stores and at www.space538.org.
When: 8:30 p.m.
Where: Space, 538 Congress St., Portland
How much: $8 in advance; $10 day of show
Mark Hummel
Award-winning harmonica player Mark Hummel and blues guitarist Rusty Zinn play in Freeport Wednesday night in support of Hummel and the Blues Survivors’ latest album, “Retroactive.” Go to www.markhummel.com to hear cuts from the new album. Go to venuemusicbar.com for tickets.
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Venue Music Bar and Bistro, 5 Depot St., Freeport
How much: $12
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