LEWISTON — The public is invited to enjoy an evening of old-time French Canadian and Irish jigs-and-reels music at Governor’s Restaurant on Sunday, Aug. 17, from 5 to 8 p.m.

Performing will be an ensemble of seven local youths ages 9 to 17, who will be appearing the following weekend at the American Folk Festival in Bangor. To assist the young musicians with their travel expenses, Governor’s Restaurant has agreed to donate 10 percent of Sunday evening’s food and beverage sales to the ensemble.

“Governor’s Restaurants have always supported the American Folk Festival in what ever way we can,” Governor’s marketing director Jason Clay said. “The opportunity to support some talented, young Maine musicians make the trip to Bangor to perform at the 2014 festival was one that we couldn’t pass up! We’re sure that our guests will be delighted to hear a performance while they dine and help us raise money to help defray the cost of the trip.”

Billed as the Dirigo Rising Stars, the youngsters will appear on the festival’s Maine Folklife Stage at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24. In between, they will be entertaining the Sunday breakfast crowd at the Governor’s Restaurant in Bangor, where, once again, 10 percent of the proceeds will be earmarked for the young musicians.

The Dirigo Rising Stars was formed under the auspices of the Maine Folque Co-op as part of its youth enrichment program. Cindy Larock, artistic director for the Maine Folque Co-op, said “We’re thrilled to be able give these kids a chance to expand their musical horizons by participating in the American Folk Festival, along with some of the folk world’s most noted traditional musicians and dancers from throughout the U.S. and beyond.”

For more information on the Dirigo Rising Stars and other Maine Folque Co-op initiatives, go to www.MaineFolqueCo-op.com or call 782-0386. For more information on the American Folk Festival, including a schedule of events, go to www.AmericanFolkFestival.com.