Community Calendar

Saturday, December 6th at 2:00pm - Sanford Performing Arts Center
Saturday, December 6th at 7:00pm - Sanford Performing Arts Center
Tuesday, December 16th at 7:00pm - Featuring the Portland Ballet Orchestra at Merrill Auditorium
Saturday, December 20th at 11:00am - Westbrook Performing Arts Center
Saturday, December 20th at 5:00pm - Westbrook Performing Arts Center
Sunday, December 21st at 2:00pm - Westbrook Performing Arts Center

Join Portland Ballet this holiday season for its gorgeous production of the beloved classic, in which a young girl travels through her dreams to the Land of the Sweets alongside her favorite gift—a Nutcracker. This version is unique to Portland, with the first act drawing upon the Victoria Mansion's own history and characters. Don’t miss the chance to see this lush holiday production, perfect for the whole family.

https://www.portlandballet.org/vicnut25

A Winter’s Evening with Ryanhood is an evening of songs and storytelling, heartstrings and laughter. Holiday audience members can anticipate the high-energy, big-harmony, dueling acoustic guitar approach that Ryanhood fans across the country have come to expect. Featuring a blend of original holiday compositions, wintry covers, and reworked classics woven together with holiday stories and memories, Ryan David Green and Cameron Hood invite you to experience the joy, depth, intimacy, and excitement of the holiday season by sharing A Winter’s Evening with Ryanhood.

Our second symphonic concert will be a wonderful experience for adults and children alike. Maurice Ravel’s orchestral suite Le Tombeau de Couperin will fill the concert hall with neoclassical orchestral color, and animals will spring to life in Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, narrated by Colby’s own John Ervin. The vibrant Concerto for Concert Marimba, Vibraphone and Marimba de Chonta, by award-winning Colombian composer Raúl Esteban Ardila Pineda and highlighting soloist Alejandro Ruiz, adds a thrilling new work to the program.

After dropping the slinky new single “Strange Hours,” 18x RIAA Gold and Platinum-certified country hitmakers Eli Young Band are back for more, launching a new era with the announce of their Strange Hours album and headline tour. Set for release August 1, Strange Hours finds the trailblazing group returning to the bold creative defiance of their independent roots – and to Panhandle House Studio in their hometown of Denton, Texas, where their debut album Level was born. Reviving the raw, grassroots energy and emotional sting of their early work, a brand new batch of country-rock anthems feature Eli Young Band’s signature live-band philosophy, and their chart-topping sound. Along the way, frontman Mike Eli continues to wield one of the most distinctive voices in modern country, leading a band of brothers who write the majority of their fan-favorite tracks. Featuring 13 songs – all co-written by Eli Young Band members and produced by Jimmy Robbins and Eric Arjes – Strange Hours includes title track with its grooving tribute to a black-magic romance, plus the songs off their Nothing On the Wild EP. A fearless batch of all new tunes join the previously released “Home In Hometown,” “What Do Lonely People Do,” “I’m Yours Amen” and “Nothing On the Wild.” Looking back over the course of their 25-year career, the band members say they still feel the magnetic pull of sold-out country music crowds. And it still has them keeping Strange Hours. “This is a full circle moment for us. Going back home to Denton, Texas to record the album that is our first independent release in years,” shares lead vocalist, Mike Eli. “It was just us in the studio with our producers and a couple of old friends making music that we love! These songs are special to us and this record is the start of a whole new chapter for EYB!” Since their formation as college classmates more than two decades ago, the Associated Press has celebrated Eli Young Band as “a smart, relevant antidote” to overdone clichés in Country music. Featuring Mike Eli, James Young, Jon Jones and Mike Thompson, the musical band of brothers has charted 14 singles on Billboard, including four No. 1 hits with the aforementioned “Crazy Girl,” “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” 2x Platinum “Love Ain’t” and Platinum “Drunk Last Night.” Additionally, Eli Young Band has earned multiple GRAMMY, CMA, CMT, ACM, ACA and Teen Choice Award nominations

Join us for the Downcast Community Dance, a recurring gathering designed to bring movement, music, and connection to Bar Harbor. Hosted at ArtWaves, this inclusive event welcomes dancers of all levels to come together and share in the joy of creative expression.

The dance takes place on Sundays from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays of the month, offering a rhythm to your week and a space for both beginners and seasoned dancers to feel at home.

$10 suggested donation.

For questions or more information, please contact susan.sassaman@pronton.me

Testimonies draws from personal stories, historical documents, and academic revival, inviting the listener to engage with themes of heritage, home, and remembrance. Charlton Singleton’s Testimony evokes Gullah traditions and the music of the African Methodist Church, while Derrick Skye’s American Mirror reflects on American multiculturalism more broadly. Jerod Impichchaachaaha Tate’s Pisachi (Reveal) draws on Pueblo and Hopi traditional music, and Shelly Washington’s Middleground meditates on home as both physical and emotional refuge. Testimonies encourages reflection on identity and cultural legacy.

Palaver Strings is a musician-led string ensemble and nonprofit organization based in Portland, ME. Their mission is to strengthen and inspire community through music. In their musician-led model, Palaver’s musicians share artistic and administrative leadership, guided by a passion for engaging new audiences, addressing social justice issues, and amplifying underrepresented voices. Equally committed to performance and education, Palaver presents a full season of live concerts and serves hundreds of students each year at the Palaver Music Center in Portland.

Musicians
Violin: Maïthéna Girault, Grant Houston
Viola: Elizabeth Moore
Cello: Matthew Smith

Let it Snow features a new variety of festive classics from Frank Sinatra and Chuck Berry to Burl Ives and Brenda Lee, including a stunning multi-media finale by the Trans Siberian Orchestra. The soundtrack is visually enhanced with thematic animation and is an entertaining experience for all ages, especially families.

Scottish Country Dance is the ballroom dance of Scotland, done in longwise sets of several couples. We meet weekly to learn and enjoy the dances. All dances are taught. We recommend soft soled, flexible shoes. Bring a water bottle. There is a beginner/preview session at 5 p.m. by request. Note, we do not dance during the month of December.

Join the Downeasters and our Holiday Chorus for our annual Holiday Benefit Show at the beautiful First Parish Saco UCC, supporting the Saco Food Pantry.

This is sure to be an evening of holiday cheer, and festive four-part harmony! This year’s show features a mix of timeless classics, a special set inspired by Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and featured songs performed with our 2025 Holiday Chorus participants. It’s the perfect event to spice up your holiday season!

Bring your friends and family, and let the Downeasters Chorus fill your hearts with music and holiday spirit!
Tickets available at the door, $12 suggested donation. Proceeds go to support the Saco Food Pantry.

Mixed Level Belly Dance:

Authentic Belly Dance, or raks sharqi, is an ancient form of dance. Raks sharqi means “dance of the east” in Arabic. Belly dance celebrates every body type and every stage of life. The dance is proud and powerful and soft and sinewy with elegant and isolating movements emanating from the core. It’s the Pilates of dance. And so much fun! In this Mixed Level (Beginner through Intermediate/Advanced) class, we will work with improvisation and group choreography, as well as continually working with subtleties of technique at whatever level you are.

Please wear comfortable clothing, similar to what you might wear to a yoga class that will allow for free movement and the ability to see your movement. Hip scarves make it even more fun. You can dance barefoot or in a pair of comfortable dance shoes. Zils (finger cymbals) and veils will also be used in class and are available for purchase from the instructor.

Fall 2025 & Winter 2026 Session I (Beg/ML)

10-week Session: 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 6-7:15pm
9-10 & 24, 10-8 & 22, 11-12, 12-10-25 & 1-14 & 28, 2-11 & 2-25-25
$150 per person for the 10-week session; $20 drop-in rate per class.

@ People Plus, 35 Union Street, Brunswick, ME

Register through Merrymeeting Adult Education for the current session.