NORWAY — Norway Downtown and the Western Maine Art Group announce the kickoff dinner for the Norway Arts Festival will be held April 8.

“Let the Dough Fly” will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 479 Main St. in Norway. The menu will consist of pasta with homemade sauce, meat or vegetarian, focaccia, salad and dessert. Tickets are $10, children under 10 accompanied by an adult eat for free. Kale and Ezra Churchill will entertain during dinner.

Dinner-goers are also invited to extend their evening with a show by the Oxford Hills Music and Performing Arts Association, “Run for Your Wife,” at 8 p.m. at the Norway Grange on Whitman Street. See http://ohmpaa.org for more information.

The Norway Arts Festival also announces this year’s focus figure is Tony Montanaro (1927-2002), an internationally acclaimed mime artist, director and teacher. Montanaro was a world-class performer who founded the Celebration Barn Theater in 1972. He made South Paris the location where performers from around the world can refine their skills in mime, storytelling, acting, physical comedy and puppetry. The Celebration Barn Theater will mark its 40th anniversary in July, making this year’s focus figure a perfect choice, festival organizers said.

Tony’s wife, Karen Montanaro, will hold a special performance on Thursday, July 7, in honor of Tony and his effect on her work. This will be preceded by a special showing of “Tony Montanaro: The Miracle of Inspiration,” presented by Leland Faulkner, co-director of the film.

The Celebration Barn will be combining its intensive residency that week with a theater workshop on Friday, July 8, and a performance during the festival on Saturday, July 9.

The 2011 Norway Arts Festival will also feature a street dance Friday night and more than 100 fine artists at the 44th Annual Norway Sidewalk Art Show on Saturday. Myriad  events and performances will be held that day along Norway’s historic Main Street.