“Capital City Improv,” Governor Hill Mansion, Augusta

Mar. 3, Friday, 11:45am, “Lyric Time II: Ballades Acoustic & Electroacoustic,” the University of Maine at Farmington is excited to present a unique series of Prism Concerts titled “Lyric Time: Chopin’s Ballades and John Keats’ Odes.” Curated by Kristen Case, UMF associate professor of English, and Steven Pane, UMF professor of music, these concerts feature a collaborative performance of classical and contemporary music combined with informal literary discussion, donations appreciated, Emery Community Arts Center, UMF, Academy Street, Farmington. FMI: 207-778-7081, www.umf.maine.edu.
Mar. 3-5, Friday-Saturday, 7:30pm/Fri. and Sat, 2pm/Sun, “The Chalk Garden,” an elderly woman hires a governess, Miss Madrigal, with a mysterious past to look after her disturbed, deceitful, and self-centered teenage granddaughter who has seen off many previous governesses, $12, $10/seniors and students, Gaslight Theater, Hallowell City Hall, 1 Winthrop Street, Hallowell. FMI: 207-626-3698, www.gaslighttheater.org.
Mar. 3, Friday, 7:30pm, “Michael Dease Quartet,” a member of the historic first class of jazz students at The Julliard School, trombonist Dease is known as a brilliant soloist, sideman and leader. He’s touring in support of his fourth album for “Posi-Tone: Jazz With All These Hands,” comprising 12 original pieces representing the major destinations and “homes” of jazz music in the early 20th century, Olin Concert Hall, Bates College, 75 Russell Street, Lewiston. FMI: 207-786-6135, www.bates.edu.
Mar. 4, Saturday, 6am/start time, “4th Annual Unity Pond Ice Fishing Derby,” There will be a food and drink concession stand on site at the weigh-in station on Unity public boat landing at Kanockalas Beach where you can get breakfast, lunch, snacks, drinks, as well as a mobile food cart on the ice from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will also be a campfire on the beach at the weigh station to get warm if needed. We have several door prizes, adult derby prizes, and also a separate kids derby for anyone younger than 16 years of age. There are more than $4,000 in prizes. All children must be accompanied by an adult, $10, Unity Pond, Kanokolus Lane, Unity. FMI: 207-660-3526, www.state.me.us.
Mar. 4, Saturday, 7pm, “Capital City Improv,” a fast-paced comedy show using audience suggestions and stories, games, songs, interactions, and stories all made up, on-the-spot. Cash bar opens at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30, $10/with reservations, $15/at the door, Governor Hill Mansion, 136 State Street, Augusta. FMI: 207-619-4LAF, www.capitalcityimprov.com.
Mar. 4, Saturday, 7:30pm, “Muddy Ruckus,” a nationally touring americana-rock duo from Portland, Maine. The stripped down power duo features guitarist Ryan Flaherty and percussionist Erika Stahl. Muddy Ruckus blends haunting male/female vocals, rootsy guitar and edgy percussion on a suitcase drum kit. The band seasons their music with the salt of the eastern old ports and the mud of the Mississippi River where Flaherty grew up, creating an epic blend of bluesy folk rock, foot stomping rhythms and haunting vocal melodies. The New York Music Daily calls Muddy Ruckus “Darkly Inventive Americana”. In April 2016, Muddy Ruckus was dubbed “Best in State of Maine” by the New England Music Awards, $16, $14/seniors, $5/students, Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center, 280 Water Street, Gardiner. FMI: 207-582-7144, www.johnsonhall.org.
Mar. 5, Sunday, 2pm, “Choro Louco,” based in Portland, Maine, the ensemble Choro Louco is dedicated to the century-old tradition of Brazilian choro music. Choro is known for beautiful melodies, complex harmonies and syncopated rhythms, combining elements of European folk and classical, ragtime, jazz, Latin, and African music. Come and learn about music that is uniquely Brazilian and rarely heard in the US., $10, $5/students, Jewett Hall Auditorium, UMA, 46 University Drive, Augusta. FMI: concertsatjewett.com.