Get in the spirit with ‘A Christmas Carol’ in Lewiston

LEWISTON — The Public Theatre will present evening and matinee performances of “A Christmas Carol” on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12-14.

The show, adapted by The Public Theatre’s Christopher Schario and staged across the country, includes six actors and a fiddler performing the Charles Dickens’ classic “told in a way you’ve never imagined and will never forget,” organizers said.

Performances are at 7 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday; and 2 p.m. Sunday.

For tickets, go to ThePublicTheatre.org or call 782-3200. Children 18 and under $15.

The theater is at 31 Maple St.

Sing in the holiday with the MMS Chorale in Lewiston

LEWISTON — The Maine Music Society Chorale will present its holiday concert, Beneath the Winter Stars, on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m. at the Franco Center, 46 Cedar St. in Lewiston.

Featured works this year are John Rutter’s “Magnificat” and “Stars” by Ēriks Ešenvalds, as well as a blend of timeless holiday music, all performed by the chorale’s 80-plus volunteer singers.

As part of the celebration, the audience will be invited to join the chorale in a traditional holiday singalong.

Tickets are available online at www.mainemusicsociety.org or by calling the MMS office at 207-333-3386. Buying tickets in advance is encouraged. For more information, visit www.mainemusicsociety.org.

Enter a Time Warp at Auburn’s Community Little Theatre

AUBURN — Community Little Theatre is collaborating with Rocky For Equality to present “The Rocky Horror Show” on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12 and 13, at 7:30 p.m. with 19 local performers, a live rock band and the high-energy choreography you would expect of the cult classic. A late-night show Saturday evening at 10:30 p.m. is also planned.

The adults-only show embraces audience participation — costumes, callbacks, and uninhibited celebration included. Each performance will feature a mobile bar provided by Burnt Ends BBQ, a costume contest, a photo booth, and traditional “virgin” ceremonies for first-time attendees. Haze, strobe, and theatrical fog effects will be used. Outside props will not be permitted for safety reasons.

General admission tickets are $25 and are available online at rockyforequality.com/the-show/tickets. Online ticket sales remain open until the day before each performance. While tickets will be available at the door, advance purchase is strongly encouraged.

For more on Rocky For Equality visit rockyforequality.com.

The theater is at 30 Academy St.

Visit the Live Nativity in Otisfield

OTISFIELD — The third annual Live Nativity will be presented Saturday, Dec. 13, at 5 p.m. hosted by Field of Faith at 437 Bean Road in Otisfield. It is open to the public and free of charge.

The cast will include the biblical characters of Joseph, Mary, Jesus, shepherds, angels, King Herod and the Magi in and around the large lighted barn. Near the manager scene will be sheep, goats, a tiny horse and a cow.

Traditional Christmas hymns will be sung by attendees. A group of carolers will sing around a fire pit in the field by the barn before and after the pageant.

Organized by the Spurrs Corner Church, East Otisfield Baptist Church and Field of Faith, the 20-30-minute presentation will be followed by a buffet of chowders, soups, desserts and mulled cider.

Parking will open at 4:30 p.m. For information contact Spurrs Corner Church at 207-627-4886.

Get Celtic with Coig (times two) and Screaming Orphans

FARMINGTON — Nova Scotia-based Celtic supergroup Coig will be in Farmington on Friday, Dec. 12, and then will head to Bath and perform Saturday with Ireland’s chart-topping, all-sister folk-pop powerhouse Screaming Orphans for even more holiday musical entertainment.

Coig’s appearance in Farmington will be at Old South First Congregational Church, UCC, 235 Main St., starting at 7 p.m. It will be the 11th year that the world-renowned Celtic band returns for the annual ECU Heat Share Fuel Assistance Fund Christmas Concert that benefits Franklin County residents.

Coig brings various influences to their Celtic holiday mix ranging from folk and classical, to swing, giving favorite carols a fresh and original sound, organizers said. 

Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. for ticket holders/reservations, otherwise doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20-$25.  It is strongly suggested to purchase tickets online through the Old South Church website www.farmingtonucc.org/events or reserve by calling/texting 207-491-5919 or emailing [email protected].

On Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7: 30 p.m. at the Chocolate Church Arts Center in Bath, Coig will join the Screaming Orphans, who are renowned for their signature four-part harmonies and high-energy performances.

“From quirky new Christmas songs to timeless classics, they’ll have you singing along and dancing in the aisles,” according to organizers.

For tickets to the double bill of holiday musical merriment, go to chocolatechurcharts.org, call 442-8455 or email [email protected].

The art center is at 804 Washington St.

Meet up at La Rencontre for a holiday lunch

LEWISTON — A holiday-themed La Rencontre will be held Thursday, Dec. 11, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Franco Center offering music, food and holiday spirit.

La Rencontre is a regular series of cultural luncheons held at the Franco Center open to the public and meant to celebrate Franco-American heritage and other cultures through music, food, and socializing. 

The holiday luncheon will feature a pianist, a holiday lunch and Christmas joie de vivre. Online tickets for the event are no longer available. However, organizers say that does not mean the event is sold out. Those interested are encouraged to call the box office at (207) 689-2000 to check on availability. There might be tickets available at the door as well. Doors open one hour before the performance.

The Franco Center is at 46 Cedar St.

Promenade to Lewiston for some contradancing

LEWISTON — Trinity Episcopal Church will host a contradance on Friday, Dec. 12, from 7-10 p.m.

Beginners’ lessons start at 7 p.m., with dancing from 7:30-10 p.m. No experience or partner needed. All dances are taught and led.

For more information, including this month’s band and caller, go to the group’s website at www.lewistoncontradance.org. The cost is $15 to $25; teens/students $5, kids 12 and under are free; or pay what you can. The church is at 247 Bates St.

Catch Rory Scovel and Ben Roy at Cumston Hall in Monmouth

MONMOUTH — Touring comedians Rory Scovel and Ben Roy will take the stage at Cumston Hall on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 7-9 p.m.

Presented by the Friends of Cumston Hall, the two comedians are veterans of the stand-up scene and both starred in TruTV’s “Those Who Can’t.”

Tickets for those 18 and older are $30. For tickets and more information, go to www.cumstonhall.com or call 207-481-9400.

The hall is at 796 Main St.

Attend a Christmas radio drama in Farmington

FARMINGTON — On Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. New Hope Baptist Church will present a Christmas musical drama by Ron Hamilton titled “Christmas on the Air.”

For the free family event, radio actors portray the nativity scene from the perspective of “The Animals Round the Manger” and experience a modern-day lesson in giving and receiving, according to organizers.

Christmas carols including “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “Silent Night” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” as well as several original songs, will be sung by the adult and childrens choirs.

The church is at 268 Perham St.

Take time for a tuba concert in Byrant Pond

WOODSTOCK — Whitman Memorial Library will offer its annual holiday concert on Thursday, Dec. 11, from 2-3 p.m. tuba style.

The free concert will be presented by the Low Commotion Tuba Ensemble. The public is encouraged to attend for the fun, refreshments, music, and a holiday raffle.

The library is at 28 South Main St. in the village of Bryant Pond.

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