“Invasive Plant Patrol-Plant Paddle,” Bickford Pond, Porter

July 11-14, Thursday-Sunday, 7pm/Thurs.-Sat, 5pm/Sun, “Singin’ in the Rain,” the “Greatest Movie Musical of All Time” is faithfully and lovingly adapted by Broadway legends, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, from their original award-winning screenplay in Singin’ in the Rain. Each unforgettable scene, song and dance is accounted for, including the show-stopping title number, complete with an onstage rainstorm! Hilarious situations, snappy dialogue and a hit-parade score of Hollywood standards make Singin’ in the Rain the perfect entertainment for any fan of the golden age of movie musicals, see site for ticketing details, Schoolhouse Arts Center, 16 Richville Road, Standish. FMI: 207-642-3743, schoolhousearts.org.
July 11, Thursday, 7pm, “Bennett and Perkins,” From the White Mountains of New Hampshire comes a unique blend of harmonies and guitars from the duo of Kathy Bennett and Thom Perkins. The pair performs a startling array of original songs with powerful lyrics and melodies, coupled with exceptionally strong vocals and guitar playing. Backing up Bennett & Perkins is Taylor Whiteside, a talented musician with an impressive command of many instruments, including guitar, mandolin, fiddle and accordion. The three together, they’re a powerhouse of folk sure to resonate on both a physical and emotional level, $10/adult, $5/15 and under, Lovell Brick Church, 502 Christian Hill Road, Lovell. FMI: lovellbrickchurch.org.
July 11, Thursday, 7:30pm, “Ghost Stories: ‘Things that go Bump in the Night’,” what could be more chilling fun then an evening of ghost stories by master storytellers in the dark at a historic theatre in the woods of Maine? Prepare yourself to be entertained, challenged, surprised, and even frightened at Deertrees for a very special evening this summer ” ThingsThat Go Bump in the Night.” Flashlights and blankets are highly recommended…if you dare!, $12, Deertrees Theatre, 156 Deertrees Road, Harrison. FMI: 207-583-6747, www.deertrees-theatre.org.
July 12, Friday, 8pm, “The Fretless,” you may recognize fiddler Ben Plotnick from Oliver the Crow that thrilled our audiences in August. Here with The Fretless…a super Canadian folk music group, winning the Juno Award for Instrumental Album of the Juno Awards of 2017. This Canadian fiddle foursome playing an essential part in the emerging movement mainstreaming traditional Irish folk music. The group consists of violinsits Trent Freeman, Karrnnel Sawitsky and Ben Plotnick, and cellist Eric Wright, $20pp/+ $4/handling fee, Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dugway Road, Brownfield. FMI: 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com.
July 13, Saturday, 10am-1pm, “Invasive Plant Patrol-Plant Paddle,” the Plant Paddle is a 3-hour guided exploration that takes place on shore and on the water. This is a fun, informal way to learn about Maine’s native aquatic plants, as well as the invasive aquatic plants that threaten these beautiful and ecologically-important habitats. Participants will each receive a free “Quick Key to Ruling Out Maine’s Eleven Most Unwanted Invasive Aquatic Plants,” and will the practice skills needed to spot suspicious plants while out recreating on the water, pre-registration is required, free, Bickford Pond, Porter. FMI: 207-783-7733, www.lakestewardsofmaine.org/invasive-plant-patrol-workshops/plant-paddle-registration.
July 13, Saturday, 7pm, “Julian Loida-A Percussive Experience,” a Boston-based percussionist, composer, and producer. Loida’s musical curiosity and open-mindedness has propelled him towards a wide-range of sounds, genres, and artistic endeavors. He’s performed jazz, folk, and classical, collaborating with dancers, visual artists, songwriters/composers, and musicians of all stripes. The thirst to participate in and experience this range of sounds is partly a product of Loida’s synesthesia. Music is a full- body experience for him, with sounds often invoking involuntary sensations of color, texture, or even taste. Loida often writes and arranges for his projects and ensembles (the Cuban/Brazilian band INÃ, jazz quintet Mojubá, chamber-folk band Night Tree), and his music has been featured in film. His interdisciplinary projects aim at breaking down artistic barriers. The evening-length solo-project Recital of Dedications incorporates speech, visual media, and music into a series of dedications to individuals, historical moments, and more. In 2018, he released the album Bach LIVE!, featuring J.S. Bach’s music arranged for percussion. Loida’s upcoming 2019 release, Wallflower, marks his solo-album debut, and also provides the clearest distillation of his voice as a composer to date, 7pm, Denmark Arts Center, 50 W Main Street, Denmark. FMI: 207-452-2412, www.denmarkarts.org.
July 13, Saturday, 7:30pm, “Happenstance Theater’s Preposterous,” this pocket-sized clown circus is family-friendly but sophisticated take on the traditional Circus. In Preposterous!, these charming vintage clowns play circus animals, sing as a human calliope, perform live music, and execute a very satisfying slo-mo number involving a pie, $16/adult, $14, $8, Celebration Barn Theater, 190 Stock Farm Road, South Paris. FMI: 207-743-8452, www.celebrationbarn.com.