Get in the spirit at the FEZtival of Trees in Lewiston

LEWISTON — The Kora Shrine Temple’s annual FEZtival of Trees fundraiser opens to the public Friday, Nov. 21, and runs through Saturday, Nov. 29. 

Over 60 dazzling, decorated trees will be on display inside the beautiful and historic Kora Shrine Temple at 11 Sabattus St. Visitors will be treated to a feeling of Christmas like no other, with a craft fair featuring local artisans, a silent auction full of holiday gifts, and a Burnt Ends barbecue and cash bar.

For more information, go to korashriners.org/feztival-of-trees.

The Kora Shrine Temple is at 11 Sabattus St.

Christmas craft fairs everywhere

It’s that time of year: Church fairs are happening throughout central and western Maine. Among those scheduled in the next week are fairs at St. Philip Church in Auburn, the 1st Universalist Church in Auburn, Trinity United Methodist Church in Farmington, and St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Auburn. All of them are taking place Saturday, Nov. 22, starting at 9 a.m.

For more information go to the church’s website or to the Sun Journal calendar of events here: sunjournal.com/events

Go your own way to the Franco Center

LEWISTON — Crystal Vision, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, will perform at the Franco Center at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, and will play songs from the albums “Fleetwood Mac” and “Rumours” in their entirety.

According to organizers, “Crystal Vision provides an authentic experience of the iconic music and energy of Fleetwood Mac, complete with outfit changes and multimedia graphics. The special two-album concert will include bonus tracks of other Fleetwood Mac hits.

Doors and cash bar open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door day of show. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.francocenter.org, by phone at 207-689-2000, or in person at the Franco Center’s box office, which is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

The Franco Center is at 46 Cedar St.

Feel like a winner before that big dinner

AUBURN — The YMCA of Auburn-Lewiston will hold its fifth annual Mash Potato Mile, a free Thanksgiving morning family walk/run, from 8:30-10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 27, at the Y Outdoor Learning & Education Center, 151 Stetson Road in Auburn. 

“Have your family lace up those running shoes and wobble before you gobble!” organizers say. This is not a timed event. Warm up after the course with hot cocoa and doughnuts. All children participating will receive a medal.

For more information and to register, go to alymca.org.

Go under the sea with ELHS’s ‘Little Mermaid’

AUBURN — The ELHS Drama Club will present Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” at the Donald M. Gay Performing Arts Center at Edward Little High School on Nov. 21 at 7 p.m., Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. and Nov. 23 at 2 p.m.

Based on the classic animated film and the Hans Christian Andersen tale, this Broadway show features music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and a book by Doug Wright.

Cast members will perform all the showstopping numbers including “Part of Your World,” “Under the Sea,” and “Kiss the Girl.” “This dazzling production celebrates big dreams, brave choices, and the power of finding your own voice. Perfect for all ages,” organizers say.

For tickets and information, go to elhs.auburnschl.edu. The performing arts center is at 77 Harris St.

Hear Poranqui live in Bath

BATH — On Thursday, Nov. 21, musician, healer and storyteller Poranguí will bring his World Bridging Tour to Maine, performing live at the Chocolate Church Arts Center.

“Known for his mesmerizing live looping and improvisational sound journeys, Poranguí masterfully weaves ancestral rhythms, indigenous instruments, and soulful voice into an experience that transcends language and culture,” organizers say. “Each concert becomes a ritual of sound, movement, and connection—inviting the audience into co-creation and collective healing.”

The performance is at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. For tickets and more information, go to www.chocolatechurcharts.org. The Chocolate Church Arts Center is at 804 Washington St.

Come and drum at Maine MILL in Lewiston

LEWISTON — On Friday, Nov. 21, the Museum of Innovation, Learning and Labor will offer an African drumming session from 5- 6 p.m. taught by Eric and Barbara vanBok. They will teach a drumming tradition from the Malinké people of Guinea, West Africa, on djembe (hand drum) and dunun (bass drum). 

Everyone, including beginners, can join in on the fun, and will get an opportunity to play each type of drum. “We start out slowly and build the complete, layered rhythm until the magic of the African melody is revealed,” organizers say.  

For more information, email [email protected], call 207-333-3881 or go to mainemill.org. The museum is at 35 Canal St.

Take in UMF’s spirited version of ‘A Christmas Carol’

FARMINGTON — The University of Farmington will present a festive production of “A Christmas Carol” from Nov. 20-23 that includes original folk dance, a 12-year-old fiddler, a chorus of carolers, and a cast of 30 university students and community members as young as 7.

Adapted for the stage from Charles Dickens’ original manuscript, the perennial favorite will be directed by Jayne Decker, award-winning director and playwright and UMF theater faculty member.

Performances take place at the Emery Community Arts Center on Academy Street on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for UMF students with I.D. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling Shari Witham with the Division of the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at 207-778-7425.

Have a Hallmark improv holiday in Bethel

BETHEL — Bethel Area Arts and Music will present Capital City Improv’s “Hallmark Holiday: Unscripted” on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 7 p.m. at The Gem Theater.

For ages 18 and older, the 90-minute improvised comedy show features audience interaction, story sharing, and unpredictable moments.

“We all know the classic Hallmark holiday plots — the small-town romance, the big-city executive rediscovering the spirit of Christmas — but this time, Capital City Improv will create a brand-new holiday movie with your input. It’s never been seen before, and it will never be seen again!” organizers say.

Social hour is at 6 p.m. The show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are Pay What You Can. All proceeds support BAAM programming.

The Gem Theater is at 48 Cross St. For more information call 207- 824-8248 or go to bethelareaartsandmusic.com.

Then bring the kids for Rock and Roll Playhouse

BETHEL — On Sunday, Nov. 23, from 1-2 p.m., Bethel Area and Music will present The Rock and Roll Playhouse: Music of Taylor Swift + More at The Gem Theater.

The Rock and Roll Playhouse is a family concert series hosted at music venues across the country that allows kids to “move, play and sing while listening to works from the classic-rock canon,” according to organizers.

Targeted for parents, and children 10 and younger, this concert will share the music of Taylor Swift. The concert is not associated with or endorsed by the artist. All children must be accompanied by a parent or adult caregiver.

For more on The Rock and Roll Playhouse, go to therockandrollplayhouse.com.

Social hour will start at noon. The show will start at 1 p.m. Tickets are Pay What You Can. All proceeds support Bethel Arts and Music programming.

The Gem Theater is at 48 Cross St. For more information call 207- 824-8248 or go to bethelareaartsandmusic.com.

Go ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’ in Oxford

OXFORD — Oxford Hills Christian Academy, in conjunction with Merely Players Theatre Troupe, will host a dinner theater Saturday, Nov. 22, at Hosanna Church, 109 Schoolhouse Road.

This year’s one-act play is “Around the World in Eighty Days” by Mark Brown. The worldwide romp is based on the Jules Verne classic. The dinner will feature entrees from India, Japan, England, the American West and New York.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for dinner; show is at 6:30 p.m. Tickets at the door are $20 for dinner and the show.

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/#!