Balloons taking over Lewiston-Auburn

The Rise of the Balloons is the theme of this weekend’s Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival, which among the many balloons taking to the air will include Yoda and Darth Vader from the “Star Wars” franchise.

Hot air balloons are the central attraction of the three-day festival that starts Friday at Lewiston’s Simard-Payne Memorial Park, but the three days will also be filled with food, live music including Motor Booty Affair, attractions including Pups in the Air canine stunts, a parade, a medieval presentation, tethered balloon rides, vendors, carnival rides and more.

It all begins with the rise of the balloons at 6 a.m. Friday, with action continuing through Sunday evening.

Simard-Payne Memorial Park is at 46 Beech St. For more information, including tickets for balloon rides, schedule of events and parking information, go to laballoonfest.org.

Headless Horseman, Beatles converge in Greene

The Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers will present it’s lighthearted version of the classic tale “The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow” on Thursday, Aug. 14, at 2 p.m. at the Araxine Wilkins Sawyer Memorial in Greene.

In this comedic version of the tale, schoolteacher Ichabod Crane helps the Headless Horseman find a new head and a spookier image. Meanwhile, a jealous Brom Bones tries to run Ichabod out of town as they both vie for the affection of Katrina Van Tassel.

Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers is a troupe based in Bar Harbor and comprised of three siblings: brothers Erik and Brian Torbeck and sister Robin (Torbeck) Erlandsen.

Founded in 2000, Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers has performed at festivals, schools, libraries and theaters in the United States and Canada. They write and create all the shows they perform and have received three Citations of Excellence from UNIMA-USA, the highest national award in puppetry.

And like you needed more, the Araxine Wilkins Sawyer Memorial will present the well-known Beatles tribute band Studio Two for two shows Friday, Aug. 15, at 2 and 7 p.m.

The headlining band features Berklee College of Music alumni who focus on the most exciting, energetic period of The Beatles, the early years 1962-66. Choosing from a catalog of No. 1 hit songs from the band’s club and touring performances, Studio Two captures the excitement and danceable ’50s and ’60s rock ‘n’ roll songs that The Beatles helped popularize. All of this is done with period-correct attire and equipment.

All offerings at the Araxine Wilkins Sawyer Memorial are free. The venue is at 371 Sawyer Road. For more information call 207-946-5311, go to www.sawyer-foundation.com or email [email protected].

Mirah and Footings playing in Bath

Brooklyn-based songwriter and producer Mirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn and New England folk-rock group Footings will be on stage Thursday, Aug. 14, at the Chocolate Church Arts Center in Bath. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.

 

Mirah blends folk roots with orchestral, percussive and indie rock textures. Since the late ’90s, she’s released acclaimed solo and collaborative albums on labels including K Records and Kill Rock Stars, touring internationally with her ever-evolving band.

Footings, led by Eric Gagne, is a New England folk-rock band that is said to craft stripped-back yet lush songs shaped by life’s fits and starts.

The Chocolate Church Arts Center is at 804 Washington St. For more information and tickets, call 207-442-8455, go to www.chocolatechurcharts.org or email [email protected]

All things butterflies in Lewiston

Throughout the month of August, there will be a series of free butterfly-themed programs and passive activities for all ages in the Lewiston Public Library’s Children’s Department.

There will be live monarch caterpillars in the Children’s Department that patrons can watch develop through metamorphosis. Regular social media posts will feature the caterpillars’ progression through their release as mature butterflies. And there will be a host of activities and crafts planned throughout the month.

Check the library’s website at lplonline.org/kids/childrens-programs/ for a full list of upcoming butterfly events. There is no registration required for the programs and all materials will be provided.

The Lewiston Public Library is at 200 Lisbon St. More information contact the library at 207-513-3133 or [email protected].

Family art and music celebrated in Denmark

The Denmark Arts Center will host its annual Dam Jam Revival on Sunday, Aug. 17, from 3-8:30 p.m. The outdoor festival focuses on the family, with kids’ art, stilt-walkers, traditional craft artisans, food trucks and lots of music.

For the music, the Pihcintu Multinational Chorus & Burundian Band will open the festival, followed by Boston-based, award-winning band Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light, followed by headliner and multiple award-winning The Wolff Sisters. In other entertainment, Jack Gentempo will knit together performances with his original vaudeville skits that will keep young and old laughing.

In addition to all the musical entertainment and food, there will be a kids’ area featuring a variety of craft making, as well as roaming artists, the Neveah Dance Circus and more.

For tickets and information, call 207-452-2412 or go to [email protected]. The Denmark Arts Center is at 50 West Main St.

 

Jane Austen in 80 minutes in Monmouth

There are only four performances left to catch The Theatre at Monmouth’s “The Complete Works of Jane Austen, Abridged.”

Described as a “funny, fast-paced frolic through the masterpieces of Jane Austen,” the play presents three actors who take on all of Austen’s beloved heroines, friends and love interests — and her incisive social satire — in just 80 minutes. With, of course, a twist.

The presentation is in its final days, with performances Thursday, Aug. 14, at 1 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 16, at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Aug. 21, at 1 p.m.; and Saturday, Aug. 23, at 7:30 p.m.

The theater is wrapping up its summer season of other shows as well, including “Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2,” Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” and “Cymbeline.”

For information on remaining dates, tickets and general information call 207-933-9999, go to theateratmonmouth.org or email [email protected]. The Theater at Monmouth is at 796 Main St.

Garden touring in New Vineyard

The Mt. Blue Area Garden Club will offer a free garden tour of the Laflin gardens and grounds in New Vineyard on Tuesday, Aug. 19, at 5:30 p.m.

Set on 24 wooded acres, the property features perennial gardens, stonewalls and whimsical sculptures made from salvaged materials. A new elevated vegetable and herb garden offers lessons from a dry summer, and guests can explore the couple’s off-grid tiny house, “The Bird’s Nest,” built entirely from reclaimed items. A woodland path to the house showcases native ferns, mushrooms and mature trees. Please bring a folding chair for your comfort.

The Laflin gardens are at 24 Herrick Mountain Road.

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

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