Alive at Five
Portland’s free Alive at Five concerts begin tonight in Monument Square. This year’s series kicks off with the Eric Bettencourt Band and The Lucid. The shows are on Thursdays through Aug. 5. Go to www.portlandmaine.com.
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WHEN: 5 to 8 p.m. July 8
WHERE: Monument Square, off Congress Street, Portland
HOW MUCH: Free
Lakeside Concerts
Bates College in Lewiston begins its summer concert series tonight with the Pan Loco Steel Band, a New England-based steel drum band. The shows take place on Thursdays through Aug. 12 at the college’s outdoor amphitheater next to Lake Andrews. Go to www.bates.edu for the schedule.
WHEN: 6 p.m. July 8
WHERE: Florence Keigwin Amphitheater, Bates College, Lewiston
HOW MUCH: Free
Norway Arts Festival
Norway has a full weekend of events celebrating the arts. There will be art on display and up for auction, music performances, a street dance led by Taina Asili and her band, poetry readings and more. Go to www.norwayartsfestival.org for a schedule of events.
WHEN: Various times July 9-10
WHERE: Various locations, Norway
HOW MUCH: Free
Fairy House Weekend
Ogunquit Playhouse is ready to be inundated by fairy fanatics Saturday and Sunday during its Fairy House Weekend. On offer are tours of a fairy house village, performances of the children’s play “Fairy Houses: The Musical,” a book signing with Tracy Kane, author of “Fairy Houses” and more. Go to www.ogunquitplayhouse.org for information.
WHEN: Play is presented at 10 a.m. and noon on Saturday, July 10 and 10 a.m. Sunday, July 11. Fairy house village tours and associated activities are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 10 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, July 11.
WHERE: Ogunquit Playhouse, 10 Main St.
HOW MUCH: $10 (play); $8 (tour); $16 (play and tour)
Hidden Gardens
Take a self-guided tour of 11 gardens around Portland’s Munjoy Hill on Sunday afternoon. While you’re walking around the area, check out the open studios of the artists of the Society for East End Arts. Go to www.friendsofeasternpromenade.org and www.seaportland.org.
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 11, both tours
WHERE: Munjoy Hill area, off Congress Street, Portland
HOW MUCH: $15 in advance, $20 day of tour (Hidden Gardens tour). Free, open studios.
Exploring Fort Gorges
When not operating as a lobster boat, the Lucky Catch carries folks on special excursions. One of those excursions is out to Fort Gorges in Casco Bay. Once at the fort, passengers may wander around. The Fort Gorges trips take place on Sunday and Aug. 8. Reservations required. Go to www.luckycatch.com.
WHEN: 10:30 a.m. to noon Sunday, July 11
WHERE: Departs from Long Wharf, 170 Commercial St., Portland
HOW MUCH: $15 to $25
Dance Party
Head to the quad at North Yarmouth Academy in Yarmouth on Monday evening for a dance party led by the Pan Fried Steel Drum Band. The event is a benefit for Safe Passage. Go to www.safepassage.org.
WHEN: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 12
WHERE: North Yarmouth Academy, 148 Main St., Yarmouth
HOW MUCH: $2
Fins and Flippers
Children in grades two and up are invited to join some folks from Chewonki to learn about marine mammals. The kids will reconstruct a real 16-foot pilot whale skeleton. Reservations required. Call 725-5242, Ext. 225.
WHEN: 10:30 a.m. to noon (first session) and 1 to 2:30 p.m. (second session) Monday, July 12
WHERE: Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant St., Brunswick
HOW MUCH: Free
Bandstand Series
The Portland Jazz Orchestra performs big band music from the height of its era, as well as contemporary styles. The orchestra’s performance on Tuesday is part of the Saco River Festival’s weekly bandstand summer concert series. Bring your own seating. Refreshments will be for sale. Go to www.cornish-maine.org.
WHEN: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 13
WHERE: Cornish bandstand, Maple Street
HOW MUCH: Free
Chocolate Factory Tours
Learn about chocolate and how chocolate treats are made by taking a tour of Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Confections’ factory in Freeport, Tuesdays and Thursdays through Sept. 2. Count on plenty of samples. Call 865-4071.
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 13 and Thursday, July 15
WHERE: Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Confections, 174 Main St., Freeport
HOW MUCH: $3.50
Brown Bag
On Wednesday, the Portland Public Library presents author James Hayman as part of its Brown Bag Lecture series. Hayman released his latest thriller, “The Chill of the Night,” — set in Portland — last month. Go to www.portlandlibrary.com for information.
WHEN: Noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 14
WHERE: Rines Auditorium, Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Square
HOW MUCH: Free
Authentic New Orleans
Bay Chamber Concerts is bringing the sounds of New Orleans to Rockland Wednesday night. The Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble will perform jazz standards and more. Go to www.baychamberconcerts.org for tickets.
WHEN: 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 14
WHERE: The Strand Theatre, 345 Main St., Rockland
HOW MUCH: $30 to $40; $8 for ages 18 and younger
The Humble Farmer
Maine humorist Robert Skoglund, known as the Humble Farmer, is taking the stage at St. Lawrence Arts Center in Portland on July 15 to benefit local community radio station WMPG (90.9 and 104.1 FM). Expect to hear Skoglund’s trademark dry wit and social commentary and maybe even some old jazz. Go to www.stlawrencearts.org for tickets.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. July 15
WHERE: St. Lawrence Arts Center, 76 Congress St., Portland
HOW MUCH: $15
Midori
Internationally acclaimed violinist Midori performs the music of Beethoven, Brahms and others on July 15. She’ll be joined by pianist Ozgur Aydin. A reception follows the concert. Go to www.baychamberconcerts.org for tickets.
WHEN: 8 p.m. July 15
WHERE: Rockport Opera House, 6 Central St.
HOW MUCH: $50; $8 for ages 18 and younger
Clam Festival
The Yarmouth Clam Festival runs from July 16 to 18. The annual festival boasts lots of clams for eating, performances, competitions, an arts and crafts show, a lengthy parade, fireworks and more. Go to www.clamfestival.com for the full schedule.
WHEN: Various times July 16 to 18
WHERE: Various locations, Yarmouth
HOW MUCH: Free
The Graceful Pig
Gwendolyn dreams of being a ballet dancer. The only problem is — she’s a pig. Find out how her dreams come true when author David Rottenberg reads “Gwendolyn the Graceful Pig,” accompanied by Maine State Ballet School dancers. Call 775-6110.
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 17
WHERE: Borders Books and Music, 430 Gorham Road, South Portland
HOW MUCH: Free
Food Festival
As part of L.L. Bean’s Summer in the Park series, the retailer is presenting a Food Festival on its Freeport campus. The festival, on July 17, will feature sampling opportunities, music, a battle-of-the-chefs and a chance to learn about making whoopie pies. Go to www.llbean.com.
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 17
WHERE: L.L. Bean, Route 1, Freeport
HOW MUCH: Free
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