Be moved by the Bates Dance Festival

LEWISTON — The Bates Dance Festival kicks off its 2025 public presentation Thursday, July 10, with a world-class mix of performances, installations, films, and works-in-progress on the Bates College campus and the L/A Arts Gallery at 168 Lisbon St.

Festival performances, which will include young dancers from the community, will be spread over more than three weeks and are open to the public, with all tickets ranging from $5 to $35.

The first performance Thursday will be Ragamala Dance Company presenting Ashwini Ramaswamy + Kevork Mourad: Invisible Cities.

For more information and the schedule of events, go to www.batesdancefestival.org/performances/. Tickets are on sale for all performances. For in-person sales, visit the box office Tuesday through Saturday from 1-5 p.m. at Pettigrew Hall, 305 College St., 1st Floor, Room 200; call 207-786-6161; or go to www.batesdancefestival.org/performances/.

Cruise Main St. Day in Norway

NORWAY — On Saturday, July 12, Main St. Day is set to bring the community together for fun, creativity and celebration of local heritage with a variety of activities, local food, entertainment and interactive tours for all ages.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a host of organizations and businesses, as organizers say, will “showcase the very best of our town’s diverse offerings, highlighting our dedication to community engagement, wellness, and the arts.”

There will be lobster rolls, smoothies, trolley rides and open house tours, a triathlon, art, tea and pie, dragon boats and more.

“We’ve got something for everyone, from the arts to history, food to fun,” event coordinator Scott Berk said of the annual community event. “We can’t wait to welcome everyone and show off what makes Norway so special.”

Laugh for days in Auburn

AUBURN — On Wednesday, July 9, the Great Falls Comedy Club kicks off four — count ’em — four days of laughter, including some trivia, a comedy workshop and national sensations Doug Key and Kathy Gilmour.

Located at 34 Court St., the club starts the festival Wednesday with a Festival Kickoff Comedy Showcase at 8 p.m. with a lineup of local favorites and fresh voices.

On Thursday, July 10, from 9-10:30 p.m. will be Comedy After Trivia: Showcase Night #2 right after Trivia Night with Nate at Craft Brew Underground. The trivia theme? Comedy. The showcase will feature rising stars and returning favorites.

On Friday, July 11, from 8-9:30 p.m. “sharp, hilarious, and clean” comedy headliner Kathy Gilmour will be live onstage, fresh from the Florida Keys; she also is a finalist in the New England’s Funniest competition. Organizers say Gilmour will bring her unique blend of dry wit and awkward charm. “This one’s for anyone who loves clean, clever comedy that hits just right,” organizers said.

Saturday will start with a comedy workshop with Doug Key from 3-5 p.m. Key is an internationally touring comedian, headliner and founder of the Rogue Island Comedy Festival. He was in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” has the No. 1 iTunes comedy album “Mother of the Year,” and will host the workshop, which is open to performers of all experience levels.

On Saturday from 8-9:30 p.m., Key will highlight and close out the festival. The comedian has toured Europe, been featured on Comedy Central, MTV and VH1, and also appeared in the Oscar-nominated “A Complete Unknown.” “Now, he brings his razor-sharp storytelling and laid-back charm to Auburn for a Saturday night blowout you won’t want to miss,” organizers said.

Tickets are needed for all events. For show prices, hours and more information, go to greatfallscomedyclub.com.

Discover the real magic of reading 

LEWISTON — The Lewiston Public Library will host Magic Wes and his show Reading is Magic in Callahan Hall on Thursday, July 10, at 5:30 p.m. for all ages. Books will come to life through magic, teachable moments and engaging storytelling.

The library’s 2025 Summer Reading program runs through Saturday, Aug. 23, with the theme Read, Make and Explore. Participants are being encouraged to not only read or listen to books, but also make a new craft or recipe or explore a favorite place in Lewiston or a new landmark in Maine.

“Come by and pick up a summer reading bookmark, fill it out and return it for your chance to win a prize. Bookmarks are for children, teens and adults,” reading program leaders said.

Reading is Magic is free, open to the public and no registration is required. The Lewiston Public Library is downtown at 200 Lisbon St.

More information on summer reading programs is available by contacting the Lewiston Public Library at 207-513-3133 or [email protected].

Get in the swim on Lake Day

WELD — The Webb Lake Association invites the community to attend Lake Day on Saturday, July 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mt. Blue State Park Headquarters, 299 Center Hill Road.

The day will start with the third annual Bernd Heinrich Raven Run at 9 a.m. Runners, walkers and anyone who wants to join in the fun will be treated to vendors selling their local products such as maple syrup and crafts, red hot dogs from the grill, snow cones and children’s activities such as the Lollipop Loop run along a mowed path through the meadow. Music will be by Doug Swann and friends.

Agree to contradance in Lewiston

LEWISTON — The Lewiston Contradance continues its second-Friday series July 11 at Trinity Commons, 247 Bates St. Local favorite Hannah Chamberlain will be calling the dance, with music by Moon and Willy Clemetson, known as the Clementines.

It will run from 7-10:30 p.m., starting with a short newcomers’ workshop, followed by the regular dance at 7:30. All are welcome.

Moon and Willy Clemetson, a sibling piano/fiddle duo from Belfast, Maine, grew up blending traditional and original fiddle music and improvisation into a unique sound that has only grown richer with time.

All dances are taught and led. No experience necessary. Bring clean shoes to dance in, wear comfortable clothes and bring a water bottle.

Admission to the dance is a sliding scale for adults, $15-$25; $5 for students and teens; children 12 and under free. For more information email [email protected].

For more events, go to www.sunjournal.com/lifestyle/encore/.

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