Help the Lewiston library and have a ‘sleuthin’ good time’

LEWISTON — A murder mystery that’s fixin’ to offer “a rootin’ tootin’ sleuthin’ good time” will take place at the Lewiston Public Library, at 200 Lisbon St., at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 11.

The library’s Wild West Murder Mystery is a fundraiser for its READy To Grow campaign to renovate the Children’s Department. Tickets are $50 for one and $90 for two.

The program will include dinner, raffle prizes, and a team-based competition to solve a fictional Western-themed murder. “This is sure to be a night of fun for aspiring amateur sleuths. Western attire is encouraged, and an award will be presented to the team that solves the murder the fastest,” organizers say.

This is the library’s second such event. Last year’s Garden Party Murder Mystery sold out.  Tickets are limited. To reserve, go to givebutter.com/lplwild. To learn more about the fundraiser, go to givebutter.com/DONATE2LPL.

More information about the Wild West Murder Mystery is available by contacting the library at 513-3134 or email [email protected].

Enter the Secret Garden in Auburn

AUBURN — “Step into a world of mystery, hope, and transformation” when Community Little Theatre presents “The Secret Garden” from April 10-19.

The stage adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic novel starts when young Mary Lennox is sent to live with her reclusive uncle in a gloomy Yorkshire estate. There she discovers a hidden, neglected garden — and the power it holds to heal hearts and awaken spirits.

Tickets are $25, $22 for seniors and students, and $17 for children. For tickets go to laclt.com. For more information, go to the website, call (207) 783-0958 or e-mail: [email protected]

The theater is at 30 Academy St.

View expert wood carvings and soak up the outdoors at the Kora Temple in Lewiston

LEWISTON — The 6th Annual Kora Shriners Outdoor Expo will take place at the Shrine Temple on Saturday and Sunday, April 11 and 12. It will feature professional wood carvings, vendor booths, a youth hunter safety course, and educational seminars/presentations. 

New this year will be the Maine Wood Carvers Association Spring Show and Competition on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — a chance for more than 110 competitors to show off their carvings and vie for Best in Show.

On Saturday from 5-9 p.m. the Shriners will have their first “Bangs for Your Bucks” live raffle & auction featuring 20 products ranging from vacation trips, spa packages, purses/bags, outdoor gear, firearms, gift certificates and more for attendees to bid on. 

Admission is free to the expo. Admission to the live raffle and auction is $35 a person. Expo hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, go to korashriners.org/. The Shrine Temple is at 11 Sabattus St.

Get more great outdoors at the RV & Camping Show in Auburn

AUBURN — The Maine Campground Owners Association is presenting its 22nd Annual Vacationland RV & Camping Show at the Norway Savings Bank Arena on Saturday and Sunday, April 11 and 12.

Visitors can browse information from at least 50 Maine campgrounds and local businesses. The show will also feature five large RV dealers. The show will offer prizes and giveaways.

The show is open to the public Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Regular admission (can only be purchased at the door) is $10 a person. Veterans receive a $2 discount. Children 12 and younger are admitted free of charge.

The Norway Savings Bank Arena is at 985 Turner St.

Contra dance in Lewiston

LEWISTON — Greg Boardman & Friends will present a contra dance Friday, April 10, from 7-10 p.m. at Trinity Commons. Callers will be Ellen Hodgkin and Jae Zimmermann.

A beginners lesson will go from 7-7:30 p.m. No experience or partner are needed. All dances are taught and led. 

Cost: adults $15-25, teens and students $5, kids 12 and youngers free. Or pay what you can. For ticket prices and more information go to lewistoncontradance.org.

Trinity Commons is at 247 Bates St.

And dance some more in Gardiner

GARDINER — Johnson Hall Opera House will be the venue for a three-week class called Beginner Line Dancing to Rock/Pop Songs starting Monday, April 13.

The sessions are for beginners/slightly intermediates, do not increase in difficulty, and focus on everyone meeting for community and fun, according to organizers. It will be led by Dorothy Anne Sirois.

The cost is $47 a for the three one-hour sessions April 13, 20 and 27. Doors open at 5:45 p.m.; sessions start at 6 p.m.

For tickets, go to www.johnsonhall.org. The opera house is at 280 Water St.

Laugh with national comedian Juston McKinney in Lewiston

LEWISTON — Maine and New Hampshire’s own Juston McKinney, who has appeared several times on “The “Tonight Show,” “Comedy Central,” two Amazon Prime specials and more, will  perform at the Franco Center from 7-9 p.m. Saturday, April 11. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Called “destined for stardom” by The New York Times, McKinney was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, grew up in Kittery, and spent seven years as a York County deputy sheriff before trading it all in for a microphone to pursue a career in comedy.

His television credits include appearances with Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien, a Showtime special alongside Rob Gronkowski, and performances at TD Garden as part of Denis Leary’s Comics Come Home. His acting credits include “The King of Queens”, “100 Centre Street”, “The Zookeeper,” and “Here Comes the Boom.”

He lives in New Hampshire with his wife, kids and dogs.

Tickets are $35. Go to francocenter.org for tickets and more information.

Have an event you’d like to get in? Email details to [email protected] to be considered for inclusion in the weekly listing. And add your event to the Sun Journal calendar here: www.sunjournal.com/events-calendar/.