Community Calendar

“Keeping the music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn alive and swinging…” Novel Jazz is a group of Maine-based musicians with over two centuries of collective musical experience performing swinging jazz from the Great American Songbook. This year, 2025, marks the 21st anniversary of the band. Through regular trips to the Duke Ellington Collection at the Smithsonian Museum as well as the Strayhorn Collection at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., the band has collected and arranged selected works from these two prolific composers. Concerts include both the music plus the rich history behind each piece and Novel Jazz audiences include jazz lovers of all ages, dancers, classical music enthusiasts, big band/traditional jazz lovers, and people interested in the history of jazz. Come support some of Maine’s finest musicians tonight! The band is under the leadership of Barney Balch.

Lyric Music Theater presents Next to Normal. Weekends September 5-21, 2025, with ASL-interpreted matinee on September 14.

Next to Normal, an intimate exploration of family and illness, loss and grief, is an emotional powerhouse. Dad’s an architect; Mom rushes to pack lunches and pour cereal; their daughter and son are bright, wise-cracking teens, appearing to be a typical American family. And yet their lives are anything but normal because they are coping with crisis and the unpredictability of a mother’s worsening bipolar disorder. With book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Brian Yorkey and a thrilling and original rock score by Pulitzer, Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award winner by Tom Kitt, Next to Normal explores how one suburban household copes with crisis and mental illness. Winner of three 2009 Tony Awards, including Best Musical Score and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize, Next to Normal was also chosen as "one of the year's ten best shows" by critics around the country, including The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone and The New York Times. Next to Normal takes audiences into the minds and hearts of each character, presenting their family’s story with love, sympathy and heart.

Next to Normal explores complex emotional themes and includes moments that may not be suitable for all viewers such as substance use, grief, mental illness and self-injury. Recommended for ages 14+ with parental discretion.

Get ready for Hooray for Hollywood! 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12 and Saturday, Sept. 13.

Show 7:30 p.m. Doors & Cash Bar open at 6:30 p.m.

Glam up and step into the spotlight as we kick off our 2025-26 season in true Hollywood style! Enjoy iconic hits from Titanic, Mary Poppins, Frozen, Grease, The Greatest Showman, Dirty Dancing, 9 to 5, The Wizard of Oz, and Disney favorites — performed by a talented local cast.

Sing along to timeless classics, walk the red carpet, snap star-worthy photos, and sip themed cocktails from our cash bar. This unforgettable night of music and magic will have you feeling like a star!

TICKETS Advance (before Noon on show day): Adults: $30 | Seniors (65+)/Youth (<18): $20. At the Door: Adults: $35 | Seniors (65+)/Youth (<18): $25. Box Office Info and Tickets:

Call (207) 689-2000 | FrancoCenter.org

46 Cedar Street, Lewiston, Maine

Blues harmonica master James Montgomery has spent over five decades cementing his place among the genre’s greats. A former member of the Johnny Winter Band, Montgomery’s fiery playing earned praise from The Nashville Tennessean, who described both Winter and Montgomery as “blues masters of the first and highest degree.” Whether collaborating with Kid Rock, jamming with Mick Jagger, or fronting his own band since 1970, Montgomery brings undeniable energy and authenticity to every performance. Raised in Detroit, he learned directly from legends like James Cotton and John Lee Hooker, and quickly rose to prominence in Boston alongside Aerosmith and J. Geils Band, eventually landing a multi-album deal with Capricorn Records.

Throughout his career, Montgomery has shared stages with blues and rock royalty including B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen, and the Allman Brothers. He’s also been part of the Blues Brothers Band, Commander Cody, and recorded on Grammy-nominated projects with Johnny Winter. Known for assembling powerhouse supergroups for charity, Montgomery has worked with Steven Tyler, Alice Cooper, Huey Lewis, and many more. He continues to tour with a stellar band, remains active in social causes, and is currently co-producing two documentaries—including one on his mentor James Cotton, a finalist for the Library of Congress Ken Burns Prize for Film.

Calling musicians of all levels! Please come and join us on the second Saturday of each month from 1:00 to 3:00 pm for a community - based open mic session. All levels and musical genres are welcome as are individuals, duos, groups, whatever. This will be an all - acoustic session but there will be a small Fishman amplifier and microphone available on an as needed basis.

Our open mic group shall endeavor to provide a fun and judgement free opportunity to share our musical offerings with others. Original compositions as well as covers are welcomed. Please pass the word to friends and let's create a community where we can gather to play, sing, laugh, learn and get to know our neighbors. The event shall be by donation ($2 suggested) with all proceeds going to The Gatherings.

Thanks and we hope to see you at our first open mic on Saturday, January 14 at 1:00 pm. Should you have any questions or need for additional information please feel free to email Joe Bruno at jbruno56@gmail.com.

This Tony Award-winning musical tells a poignant love story set in Dublin, where two musicians connect deeply through their shared love of music. Featuring a cast of talented actor-musicians, Once celebrates the power of love and community through an intimate and moving story of connection.

Shows run Thursday through Saturday at 7:30pm with select Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2pm. more information and tickets can be found at www.hackmatack.org

Pat Colwell and the Soul Sensations bring down the house with a powerful mix of Motown/Memphis Soul Music that’s guaranteed to get the party started! This is a 100% Old School Soul Revue complete with outstanding female singers, a full horn section, and a show that that will knock your socks off! The band covers Soul Classics from Sam and Dave, the Supremes, Wilson Pickett, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, The Staple Singers and The Queen of Soul – Aretha Franklin! When Pat Colwell and the Soul Sensations hit the stage, it’s an instant Soul Train dance party and a History of Soul Music all wrapped up in a single package of FUN! Their numerous CD’s also provide a wealth of original R&B music to their sets.

http://soul-sensations.com/

https://www.facebook.com/PatColwellandtheSoulSensations

This Tony Award-winning musical tells a poignant love story set in Dublin, where two musicians connect deeply through their shared love of music. Featuring a cast of talented actor-musicians, Once celebrates the power of love and community through an intimate and moving story of connection.

Shows run Thursday through Saturday at 7:30pm with select Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2pm. more information and tickets can be found at www.hackmatack.org

Lyric Music Theater presents Next to Normal. Weekends September 5-21, 2025, with ASL-interpreted matinee on September 14.

Next to Normal, an intimate exploration of family and illness, loss and grief, is an emotional powerhouse. Dad’s an architect; Mom rushes to pack lunches and pour cereal; their daughter and son are bright, wise-cracking teens, appearing to be a typical American family. And yet their lives are anything but normal because they are coping with crisis and the unpredictability of a mother’s worsening bipolar disorder. With book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Brian Yorkey and a thrilling and original rock score by Pulitzer, Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award winner by Tom Kitt, Next to Normal explores how one suburban household copes with crisis and mental illness. Winner of three 2009 Tony Awards, including Best Musical Score and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize, Next to Normal was also chosen as "one of the year's ten best shows" by critics around the country, including The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone and The New York Times. Next to Normal takes audiences into the minds and hearts of each character, presenting their family’s story with love, sympathy and heart.

Next to Normal explores complex emotional themes and includes moments that may not be suitable for all viewers such as substance use, grief, mental illness and self-injury. Recommended for ages 14+ with parental discretion.

Get ready for Hooray for Hollywood! 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13.

Show 7:30 p.m. Doors & Cash Bar open at 6:30 p.m.

Glam up and step into the spotlight as we kick off our 2025-26 season in true Hollywood style! Enjoy iconic hits from Titanic, Mary Poppins, Frozen, Grease, The Greatest Showman, Dirty Dancing, 9 to 5, The Wizard of Oz, and Disney favorites — performed by a talented local cast.

Sing along to timeless classics, walk the red carpet, snap star-worthy photos, and sip themed cocktails from our cash bar. This unforgettable night of music and magic will have you feeling like a star!

TICKETS Advance (before Noon on show day): Adults: $30 | Seniors (65+)/Youth (<18): $20. At the Door: Adults: $35 | Seniors (65+)/Youth (<18): $25. Box Office Info and Tickets:

Call (207) 689-2000 | FrancoCenter.org

46 Cedar Street, Lewiston, Maine