Hear the voices of water in Lewiston

LEWISTON — The Maine Music Society Chorale, directed by Richard Nickerson, will present its May concert, “Reflections on Water,” on Saturday, May 9, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 10, at 2 p.m. at the Franco Center in Lewiston.

The year’s May concert “flows through the currents of history, tradition, and popular culture — all inspired by one powerful force: water. From the crashing waves of the open sea to the quiet lapping of a lakeshore, water has long stirred the imagination of songwriters and sailors alike,” organizers say.

The program will span centuries and genres, from sea shanties, to maritime folk ballads, and even to modern pop hits that explore water’s symbolism, beauty, and mystery, organizers say.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.mainemusicsociety.org or by calling the office at 207-333-3386. 

Follow Grandma Gatewood on the AT in Lewiston

LEWISTON — The Public Theatre will present “Grandma Gatewood Took a Walk” for an eight-day run starting Friday, May 8, to Sunday, May 17.

In 1955 at the age of 67, Emma “Grandma” Gatewood told her children she was “going for a walk” and set out with her duffel bag, shower curtain (to keep dry) and a pair of Keds sneakers to walk the Appalachian Trail. Two thousand miles later, she became the first woman to solo hike 14 states from Georgia to the top of Mt. Katahdin in Maine.

The New England premiere of Grandma Gatewood’s inspiring adventure at the Public Theatre will include special pre- and post-show events on several of the performance dates.

Tickets range from $15-$35. For tickets and more information, go to thepublictheatre.org or call the box office at 207-782-3200.

The theater is at 31 Maple St.

Listen to John Prine’s brother sing his praises in Bath

BATH — Musician and storyteller Billy Prine, younger brother to John Prine, will appear at the Chocolate Church Art Center on Saturday, May 9, to present “Billy Prine: The Songs & Stories of John Prine.”

“During these concerts celebrating John’s life in song, Billy will tell stories about or surrounding some of John’s most beloved songs and timeless masterpieces. As an example, fans will get to hear the first time John played his classic song ‘Paradise’ for their father as the family sat around the kitchen table,” organizers say.

Special guest will be Scarlett Egan.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $36-$45. For tickets and more information, go to chocolatechurchats.org or call (207) 442-8455.

The center is at 804 Washington St.

Open the season at the Lewiston Farmers Market

LEWISTON — The Lewiston Farmers Market opens for the season Sunday, May 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 75 Lincoln St.

The market will offer live music, family friendly activities, and a raffle basket for moms.

As with last season, the market will offer rotating guest vendors that make the market unique each Sunday, along with returning and new vendors offering farm fresh vegetables, seasonal fruit, beef, pork, chicken, eggs, homemade baked goods, maple products, mushrooms, small batch cheese and milk, sourdough bagels, fresh cut flowers, perennial plants, handcrafted soap, crafts and mor.

The market will operate every Sunday, May through November, rain or shine. 

For more information visit lewistonfarmersmarket.com, www.facebook.com/lewistonfarmersmarket or contact the market at [email protected].

See the stage version of ‘Amelie’ in Farmington

FARMINGTON — “Amélie the Musical” will be presented by the Sandy River Players over the next two weekends at the University of Maine at Farmington’s Emery Community Arts Center.

The production celebrates the 25th anniversary of the beloved French film “Amélie,” giving it a fresh musical take on the movie. The story explores the life of a lonely young woman who experiences tragedy in childhood, but who suddenly has a change of heart and begins to practice small acts of kindness.

The production will run May 8, 9 and 10, and May 15, 16 and 17, with evening and matinee performances.

Tickets are $20-$25. For tickets and more information, go to: www.facebook.com/SandyRiverPlayers/

The center is on the UMF campus at 111 South St.

See the Pontine Theatre’s ‘Flat Iron Lot’ in Norway

NORWAY — The Friends of Norway Memorial Library will host the Pontine Theatre for its spring 2026 production of Alice Brown’s short story “The Flat Iron Lot” at the library on Thursday, May 7, from 6:30-8 p.m.

The Portsmouth, New Hampshire-based Pontine Theatre searches out rich, historical, literary gems and brings them to life. Its shows often feature antique stage techniques, including rolling panoramas, puppetry, and toy theater, according to organizers.

“The Flat Iron Lot” is set in the fictional town of Tiverton, New Hampshire, and chronicles a rural New England community’s celebration of its 250th birthday. “With fits and starts, contention and compromise, the residents organize historical reenactments, a grand parade, and speeches from civic leaders and the town’s beloved, unofficial historian. In the end, the townspeople enjoy a reinvigorated sense of civic pride and appreciation for their shared heritage,” organizers say.

This event is free to attend, though donations are welcome. For more information, call 207-743-5309 or visit www.norwaymemoriallibrary.org.

The library is at 258 Main St.

Enjoy all musical genres at the Cafe Shalom Variety Show in Auburn

AUBURN — The Temple Shalom Synagogue Center will be the site for its popular Café Shalom Variety Show on Saturday, May 9, from 6-9:30 p.m.

According to organizers the show will start off with wine, cheese and dessert at 6 p.m., followed by music at 7 p.m. by some of Maine’s finest performers. The music will include Scottish, Irish, French, Broadway, Americana, rock, Klezmer and more, and will conclude with special songs of peace.

Admission is $10. Call 207-786-4201 for more information.

The center is at 74 Bradman St.

Dig this movie on ‘canoe dancing’ in Bethel

BETHEL — Get a “comedic glimpse into the eccentric world of freestyle canoeing” at a screening of “Canoe Dig It?” with writer, director and actor Sam Dunning at The Gem Theater on Friday, May 8, at 6:30 p.m.

Hosted by Bethel Area Arts and Music, the film is a mockumentary comedy about a fictional canoeing competition in northern Maine for the nonfictional sport of “Freestyle Canoeing.” It’s a form of performative canoeing best described as “canoe dancing,” according to organizers. Competitors paddle out and spin, dip and “dance” in circles in perfect synchronization with the music of their choice.

The film follows some of the country’s top “canoe dancers” as they travel to northern Maine for the fictional Moosehead Lake Regional Finals to compete for the ultimate title: Top Paddler.

Dunning is originally from Brunswick and now based between New York City and Los Angeles.

The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with a social hour and live music from Kale Churchill. Dunning will introduce the film at 6:30 p.m. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Dunning.

Tickets are pay-what-you-can, with proceeds benefiting BAAM programming.

For more information, go to bethelareaartsandmusic.com or call (207) 824-8248.

The Gem is at 48 Cross St.

Give Mom the gift of improv in Monmouth

MONMOUTH — Capital City Improv will present “Mother Knows Best!” a Mother’s Day-themed improv comedy show at Cumston Hall on Saturday, May 9, from 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Using audience suggestions and stories, Capital City Improv will create “an improvised night of comedy everyone’s mother will love!” according to organizers.

The show is intended for ages 18 and older. A part of the show’s proceeds will benefit The Friends of Cumston Hall to protect and preserve the historic building.

Tickets are $20 and $25. For tickets, go to capitalcityimprov.com.

Cumston Hall is at 796 Main St.

Enjoy Busking 2.0 on Lisbon Street in Lewiston

LEWISTON —The second of three weekly busking festivals will take place Friday, May 8, on Lisbon Street from 4-7 p.m.

There will be performer stations, vendors, a food truck and fun on Lisbon Street between Ash and Main streets.

“On May 8, the vibe will be more relaxed,” organizers say, “but still offer a lively evening, with music, performers, and a chance to enjoy downtown at a different pace while keeping the momentum going. Three Fridays. Three distinct experiences. One downtown coming to life.”

The third and final busking festival in the series will take place Friday, May 15.

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/.