Open mic night planned

FARMINGTON — “Live at St. Joe’s,” an open mic night at 7-9:30 p.m. Thursday, at St. Joe’s Center, 133 Middle St.

Free; 207-778-2778.

The event will feature musicians drawing from many styles of music including bluegrass, country, folk, Americana, Celtic and contemporary. Professionals and newcomers are all welcome to listen, perform and collaborate.

Art show opens

River Arts plans to showcase the artwork of John Otterbein in a solo show, “The Whimsical Side,” in the River Room at River Arts Gallery Thursday through May 14. Photo by John Otterbein

DAMARISCOTTA — River Arts plans to showcase the artwork of John Otterbein in a solo show, “The Whimsical Side,” Thursday through May 14 in the River Room at River Arts Gallery, 36 Elm St.

Otterbein is known for his imaginative and whimsical approach and his show celebrates his playful humor and use of vibrant colors. Meet the artist at an opening reception from 2-4 p.m. Saturday; riverartsme.org.

Otterbein describes the show as an eclectic collection of his recent work. He has been enjoying exploring different artistic styles and materials. While Otterbein has predominantly painted with watercolor, he has recently begun experimenting with oil painting.

Tom Lott playing Christopher, surrounded by some of the ensemble cast of “Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time” rehearse a scene at the Basil Burwell Community Theater. From left are River Lombardi, Emily Leblanc McConnell, André Blanchard, Tucker Atwood, Jenny Hart and Sally Mills. Photo by Gwyneth Sauvage

Take in a play

BELFAST — Belfast Maskers is set to bring to the stage “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time,” Simon Stephens’ adaptation of the Mark Haddon Novel. The production will be staged at various times Thursday through May 4 at the Basil Burwell Community Theater, 17 Court St., Belfast.

Tickets cost $10-$18; belfastmaskers.com.

The story follows Christopher Boone, a teenager who finds comfort in numbers and logic, but finds human relationships far more difficult to navigate. When he discovers his neighbor’s dog has been killed, Christopher decides to solve the mystery himself.

His investigation pushes him far beyond the limits of his known world, forcing him to confront buried family secrets and take on challenges he never imagined.

Fleetwood Mac tribute band TUSK is set to take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Johnson Hall Opera House, 280 Water St., Gardiner. Submitted photo

Fleetwood Mac tribute set

GARDINER — TUSK: The Classic Tribute to Fleetwood Mac plans to perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday from the Reehl Stage at Johnson Hall Opera House, 280 Water St.

Tickets cost $50; johnsonhall.org.

Playing the hits and deep cuts spanning the careers of Rock ‘n’ Roll hall of famers Fleetwood Mac, Tusk has been criss-crossing the country since 2008 as The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute. Five musicians turned masters of their trade through decades of individual music study, live performance, creative risk, and devotion to the art.

‘Matilda The Musical’ to be staged

WATERVILLE — Roald Dahl’s “Matilda The Musical” will be staged at various times and days Friday through May 4 at the Waterville Opera House, 1 Common St.

Tickets cost $36-$38; operahouse.org.

The play features Matilda, a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and special powers. She’s unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher Miss Honey. During her first term at school, the two forge a bond as Miss Honey begins to recognize and appreciate Matilda’s extraordinary personality.

Matilda’s school life isn’t completely smooth sailing, however – the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves to punish those who don’t abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts and could be the school pupils’ saving grace.

Check out ‘Frances Floats’

WALDOBORO — “Frances Floats: From Broadway to Back River Road” will be performed at 7 p.m. Saturday at The Waldo Theatre, 916 Main St.

Tickets cost $20 in advance or $25 day of show; thewaldotheatre.org.

Frances Mercanti-Anthony, a Broadway actress from southern New Jersey, left the footlights behind, and followed a burly, bearded, wood-chopping man to Midcoast Maine, where she learned to love the rural life, and found her forever home in the great wild north. It’s exactly like a Hallmark movie, but with much, much more profanity.

Along the way Frances went from fat, to thin, to fat, and figured out what is really important to her. Hint: it’s not her dress size. She skewers everything from 1980s diet culture to Maine fashion to her own illustrious dating history. With compassion, humor and heart, Frances weaves her love story with tales from her time in NYC, and takes the audience with her on a journey of manifestation, self-acceptance, and gratitude.

MERCER — The Hippie Flea Market is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Mercer Community Center, 1015 Beech Hill Road.

The day will be filled with groovy vibes, funky finds, and good old-fashioned bartering. Explore an array of goods, from vintage clothing and handmade jewelry, tools, tie dyes, baked goods, household items and more.

Trade your treasures with like-minded individuals, soak in the laid-back atmosphere, and let your inner hippie shine. A blacksmith will give on-site live demonstrations, and there will be music and food.

For more information email hillkatz420@gmail.com.

A vernal pool at Freedom Forest Preserve. Photo courtesy of Sebasticook Regional Land Trust

Go on a vernal pool walk

FREEDOM — Sebasticook Regional Land Trust and Maine Master Naturalists Mary Ellen Dennis and Cyrene Slegona have planned a vernal pool walk at 9 a.m. Saturday to explore the series of vernal pools at Freedom Forest Preserve, one of its Forever Wild Preserves.

Participants can look for egg masses and larvae of the spotted salamander and wood frog — vernal-pool dependent amphibians that migrate during rainy nights in early spring to breed in these temporary but highly significant wetland habitats.

The group will also check out the new side loop trail that was built last year and seek out other signs of spring awakening. Meet at 9 a.m. at the trailhead on North Palermo Road in Freedom and anticipate completing the walk by noon.

To RSVP visit sebasticookrlt.org.

Stop in at The Playhouse at Waterville Station

WATERVILLE — A TAKAAT performance is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, at The Playhouse at Waterville Station, 17 Railroad Square.

Admission is $15 cash at the door; theplayhouse.me.

TAKAAT, pronounced “tuh-cot” and meaning “noise” in the Tuareg language Tamashek, features members of the renowned Mdou Moctar’s band. If you’re new to Tuareg music, think of it as a mesmerizing blend of desert blues, soulful improvisation, and hypnotic rhythms that echo the vast landscapes of the Sahara.

Special guest Iraqi American oud master Jawad Al Fatlawi will share his innovative approach to the oud — a traditional stringed instrument central to Middle Eastern music.

Sandy River Ramblers, from left, are Brendan Hickey, Stan Keach, Julie Davenport, Bobby St. Pierre and Bud Godsoe. Liz Keach photo

Catch a free concert

AUGUSTA — A Sandy River Ramblers concert is set for 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 1, at Lithgow Public Library, 45 Winthrop St.

Free; lithgowlibrary.org.

The folk-bluegrass band performs songs about Maine exclusively. Stan Keach, the band’s chief songwriter, is a nationally known bluegrass songwriter, and an inductee in the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame. The Ramblers also boast gorgeous 3-and-4-part harmony singing, and the lead vocals of Keach, Liz Keach, and bassist Julie Davenport, who Keach says is “the best bluegrass lead singer in Maine.”