Out and About for the Belgrade Lakes Regions of Maine Feb. 9-15

Out and About for the Mid Coast Lakes Region of Maine Feb. 9-15
February 8, 2017
Out and About for the York/Sanford Lakes Region of Maine Feb. 9-15
February 8, 2017

Out and About for the Belgrade Lakes Regions of Maine Feb. 9-15

“Footloose, the Musical,” Gardiner Area High School, Gardiner

Feb. 9-11, Thursday-Saturday, 7pm, “Footloose, the Musical,” the story of Ren McCormack, a teenage boy from Chicago. He and his mother move to the small town of Bomont after his father abandons them. Upon arriving, Ren finds himself at odds with most of the town, including the Reverend Bomont. The Reverend has convinced the town to outlaw dancing, which Ren finds unbelievable. With the help of the Ariel (the Reverend’s daughter) and Willard (a country hick who becomes his best friend), Ren convinces the Reverend to let the teenagers dance, and in the process helps the town to heal from a tragedy that affected them all, $10, $5/seniors/students, Gardiner Area High School, 40 West Hill Road, Gardiner. FMI: 207-581-3150, ext. 3027, www.msad11.org/gahs.
Feb. 9-12, Thursday-Sunday, 7:30pm/Thurs.-Sat, 2pm/Sun, “The Crucible,” The 1953 play, written by American playwright Arthur Miller, is based on historical people and the real events of the 1692 Salem witch trials. Miller demonstrates just how destructive a power socially sanctioned violence can be. The Tony-Award winning play is often thought to be an analogy for the anti-communist McCarthyism of the 1950’s. The story of mass hysteria and the self-centered using fear, violence and ignorance as a way to gain power is both tragic and an important reminder of what mankind is capable of. The Crucible will be directed by Kay Warren, see site for ticketing details, L/A Communty Little Theatre, 30 Academy Street, Auburn.  FMI:  207-783-0958, www.laclt.com.
Feb. 10, Friday, 6pm, “Full Moon Walk: A Moon and Torchlit Adventure,” Join the Sebasticook Regional Land Trust for torch-making, nighttime awareness skills, and a magical walk under the full moon peppered with songs, stories, and signs of animals. Arrive at 6pm to learn how to make mullein torches, then head out into the night on the new woodland trail to visit natural springs, deer beds, coyote scent posts, and ancient maple trees. We’ll walk a loop and warm up again inside by the woodstove with hot cocoa and snacks. All ages are welcome; total walking distance is less than a mile. Snowshoes may be helpful if snow is deep, free, Carlson Woods Conservation Easement, Waning Road (meet inside at 573 Waning Road), Unity. FMI: 207-948-3766, www.sebasticookrlt.org.
Feb. 11, Saturday, 10am, “24th Annual Polar Bear Dip,” What’s the best way to prove your love the weekend before Valentine’s Day? Take the Plunge. Not into wedded bliss, but into the icy waters of Snow Pond at the 24th Annual Polar Bear Dip. The event is again hosted by the three-day Maine Pond Hockey Classic, which gives the Saturday afternoon Dip a great Winter Festival atmosphere. Sixty teams in six divisions compete in the fun, fast-paced and fiercely competitive sport starting Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday finals from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Spectators can cheer on their teams from the on-ice Players’ Lounge, complete with bar food and drinks, ice candles and fire pits, blanketed benches and music. Available throughout the tournament is a Community Free Skate Rink, Up For Whatever Games of corn-hole toss and hockey skills competitions in speed and accuracy. Don’t forget to commemorate the fun with some MPHC swag from our pop-up Skate Shop in the Snow Pond Lodge. Not only can dippers prove their love by taking the plunge into Snow Pond, they can win a present for their sweetie. Our very generous Prize Sponsor, Day’s Jewelers is providing some beautiful jewelry for our top dippers. Awards will be given for most money raised, best costumes, and most amusing dips as judged by the adjacent Beer Garden’s spectators. Everyone who dips enjoys free coffee and hot chocolate. 92 Moose’s Matt James will be in attendance, DJ Chris Lothridge will provide the tunes to dive for, and Snow Pond is providing a nice warm building for changing out of those wet costumes before attending the Prize Ceremony. Budweiser is sponsoring the Player’s Lounge and Camden National Bank is sponsoring the Tournament, free, Snow Pond Center for the Arts, 8 Goldenrod Lane, Sidney. FMI: 207-872-7092, www.clubayc.org/polar-bear-dip.
Feb. 11, Saturday, 1pm, “NTL: Amadeus,” Lucian Msamati (Luther, Game of Thrones, NT Live: The Comedy of Errors) plays Salieri in Peter Shaffer’s iconic play, broadcast live from the National Theatre, and with live orchestral accompaniment by Southbank Sinfonia. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a rowdy young prodigy, arrives in Vienna, the music capital of the world – and he’s determined to make a splash. Awestruck by his genius, court composer Antonio Salieri has the power to promote his talent or destroy his name. Seized by obsessive jealousy he begins a war with Mozart, with music, and ultimately, with God. After winning multiple Olivier and Tony Awards when it had its premiere at the National Theatre in 1979, Amadeus was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film, $15/adults, $13/seniors, Waterville Opera House, 93 Main Street, Waterville. FMI: 207-873-7000, www.operahouse.org.
Feb. 11, Saturday, 5pm, “Murderous Dinner Mystery Theater, ‘The St. Valentine’s Day Mascara,” February 14th, 1929. A date that will live in infamy: Chicago, Prohibition, Bugs Moran, Al Capone. North Side versus South Side. Irish against Italian. Tommy guns against… well, you know! Seven of Moran’s men massacred, Capone’s crew walk calmly away from the scene dressed as cops and prisoners and straight to the top of America’s Most Wanted. February 11th, 2017. Your date with infamy. Get your glitziest glad rags on as we head down to the Speakeasy for an evening of glamour, illegal gin, and goodness knows what might happen. One thing is sure – long memories, scores to settle, femmes fatale and fated star-crossed lovers all add up to a powder keg of explosive entertainment as tensions rise and bodies fall in Hallowell Open Theater Troupe’s murderous dinner mystery, $50, Unity College for the Performing Arts, 42 Depot Street, Unity. FMI: 207-509-7132, www.unity.edu.
Feb. 11, Saturday, 7pm, “Mid-Winter Blahs Concert: Ellen and John Gawler,” Accompanying themselves on fiddle, guitar and banjo, John and Ellen pull songs from their extensive collection of dance tunes in the Scots-Irish and French Canadian traditions. With their infectious spirit and sparkling musicianship, the Gawlers have earned a beloved place in the delighted hearts of varied audiences across the Northeast. What a wonderful way to get the feeling back in your frozen toes in the middle of winter. As always, there will be wonderful baked goods, and fresh coffee, tea, and lemonade for you to enjoy while you listen to the music. And don’t forget the serendipitous group of performers who show up for the Open Mic hour following the Gawlers, $5, Union Coffeehouse, Union Church, 67 Main Street, Belgrade Lakes. FMI: 207-495-3599, www.unionchurchmaine.org.

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