Enjoy some ‘Misery’ at Lewiston’s Public Theatre

LEWISTON — The Public Theatre is underway with its production of Stephen King’s “Misery,” running through Sunday, Nov. 9.

“Truth is stranger than fiction when a famous romance novelist veers off the road in a winter storm and wakes up incapacitated in the home of his ‘number one fan.’ A heart-pounding life-or-death game of cat and mouse ensues as unexpected events turn his number one fan into his number one enemy,” according to promoters.

The Lewiston professional theater’s production is based on King’s best-selling novel.

Shows are evenings and some matinees on select dates, with some shows featuring pre-show beer and wine tastings that are part of the ticket price. According to the theater, “Public Theatre policy requires you to pay for your entire seat — even though you’ll only be using the edge.”

For tickets, show times, season subscriptions and more information about the show or The Public Theatre, visit www.thepublictheatre.org or call (207) 782-3200. The Public Theatre is at 31 Maple St.

Get a ringside seat for the Battle of the Blends in Lewiston

LEWISTON — The Maine Music Society will present its 30th annual Battle of the Blends on Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Franco Center, bringing together the area’s best a cappella groups for one night.

The music will range from Renaissance staples, to Motown classics and rock anthems, and lots in between. The groups will include the Maine Music Society Chamber Singers, Any Given Tuesday, The Crosstones, The Fairwinds and the Windham Chamber Singers.

For more information and tickets, visit mainemusicsociety.org or contact the business office at (207) 333-3386. The Franco Center is at 46 Cedar St.

Experience the updated story of Lewiston

LEWISTON — Beginning this Thursday, Oct. 30, and running for six more shows through Nov. 9, Lewiston-Auburn Community Little Theatre will present “A New Home,” a revival and update of the groundbreaking “Lewiston: A New Home” performed 30 years ago.

The original production received acclaim for its musical score and the heartwarming authenticity of its personal stories, which blended to tell the overarching story of Lewiston. “A New Home” updates Lewiston’s story, with new music and lyrics written by Director Paul G. Caron.

“A New Home” is a musical production that tells the rich and complex history of Lewiston. … In the 30 years since the original production, major events — both good and tragic — have occurred in Lewiston and are now represented in the musical’s revival to enhance its relevance and historical significance,” according to promoters.

 All performances will be held at the Lewiston Middle School auditorium, 75 Central Ave. For tickets, show dates and time, and more information on the production, go to laclt.com.

Party at the Lewiston library with a mythical theme

LEWISTON — Join the staff at the Lewiston Public Library for “Unicorns, Dragons, and Mermaids, Oh My!” a mythical creature party from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at the library’s Callahan Hall.

The party will feature free face painting for kids and a variety of activity stations where kids can create their own fairytale skirt, design a magical egg, craft buildable pens, decorate lanterns and bookmarks, and enjoy free snacks. You can also have your picture taken with our unicorn and dragon friends.

The event is a fundraiser for READy to Grow: LPL’s Campaign for Kids to renovate the Children’s Department. The event is free and open to the public with a suggested donation of $25+. All supplies are provided, and no registration is required.

The Lewiston Public Library is downtown at 200 Lisbon St. More information is available by contacting the Lewiston Public Library at 513-3133 or email [email protected].

Have a Haunted Ragtime time in Bath

BATH — On Nov. 1, the Chocolate Church Arts Center welcomes back a favorite homegrown event, Haunted Ragtime Halloween, featuring musical performances and immersive activities in the playfully spooky spirit of Halloween.

After last year’s success, the second annual Haunted Ragtime Halloween raises the bar with returning favorites Ragtime Destroyers and Doctor Gasp plus new acrobatic acts and eats from Black Salt food truck. Art Director Jeremy Eaton’s immersive DIY “photo booths” will enable guests to decorate and animate themselves using old-school overhead projectors, shadow puppets, masks, costumes, puppets, and more. 

Visit www.chocolatechurcharts.org or call the Chocolate Church Arts Center at 207-873-7000 to purchase tickets to Haunted Ragtime. The center is at 804 Washington St.

Take a ‘tragic’ and ‘twisted’ cemetery tour

LEWISTON — On Thursday, Oct. 30, take a tour of storied Riverside Cemetery and “discover the compelling stories of lives marked by mystery, misfortune, and unexpected endings.”

Tragic Ends & Twisted Tales: A Riverside Cemetery Fundraiser is a “guided cemetery tour that explores the strange and somber chapters of the past. As we walk among the headstones, we’ll share the histories of individuals honoring their lives while reflecting on the twists of fate that brought them here,” according to organizers.

Guests will have access to the cemetery’s vault, which is only open once a year. Warm beverages will be available for purchase.

Guided tours will be at 5 and 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $15. An “extra-spooky” guided tour with a spiritual medium will be held at 6 p.m.: tickets are $25

This tour is not recommended for children under the age of 10. Attendees are strongly encouraged to wear suitable footwear.

Riverside Cemetery is at 192 Summer St. For tickets go to: tinyurl.com/cemeterytourboo. For accommodation requests email: [email protected]. The event will take place rain or shine.

Sit in on a ‘musical séance’ in Lewiston

LEWISTON — “Spectre: A Musical Séance” will take place at Bates College’s Olin Arts Center on Thursday, Oct. 30, from 7:30-9 p.m.

The event is an “exploration of the ghost story in its many forms, from the tragic to the mystical to the macabre. This program is an interdisciplinary reimagining of the classical music recital, combining art song and piano solo repertoire with original composition, haunting visuals, and audio recordings of Maine residents recounting their personal ghost stories,” according to organizers.

The free event will feature Jazmin Derice and Morgan Lee.

Olin Arts Center is at 75 Russell St. For more information go to www.bates.edu/music/events/

Fall for the autumn UMF Craft Fair

FARMINGTON — The Annual UMF Fall Craft Fair will take place on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Olsen Student Center, 111 South St.

Handmade products such as jewelry, woodwork, candles, stickers, farm products, quilts, and knitwork will all be available. All proceeds will support the UMF Giving Tree during the holiday season.

Listen to spooky tunes and tales from Scotland in Bethel

BETHEL — Bethel Area Arts and Music will be at The Gem theater Saturday, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m. to present “All Hallows’ Eve, a night of spooky tunes, songs, and tales from Scotland’s own Louise Bichan.”

Louise Bichan is a USA-based Scottish musician and photographer who uses both mediums to tell stories old and new. She will be joined by guitarist Conor Hearn, mandolinist Ethan Setiawan, and cellist Brendan Hearn for an evening of Halloween music and fun from the Celtic isles, including Samhain traditions, folk tales, and songs of trowies, sea serpents, and selkies.

Organizers are encouraging attendees to come disguised in their best costumes to fool the evil spirits, and “bring your most frighteningly carved neep (turnip) or pumpkin to win a prize.” (Fake candles will be available.)

The Gem Theater is at 48 Cross St. Doors open at 6 p.m. The show is at 7 p.m. The cost is “pay what you can” with all proceeds benefiting Bethel Area Arts and Music. For more information, go to thegemtheater.com.

Bebop over to Olin Arts Center for top Maine jazz

LEWISTON — The Portland Jazz Orchestra, one of Maine’s premiere jazz ensembles, will play at Bates College’s Olin Arts Center on Sunday, Nov. 2, from 3-4:30 p.m.

Presented by Olin Arts Center Concerts, the free event will feature Larry Williams, director of the Bates Jazz Ensemble, and be directed by Dr. Chris Olberholtzer, director of Jazz Studies at the University of Southern Maine.

Olin Arts Center is at 75 Russell St. For more information go to www.bates.edu/music/events/

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