Community Calendar

BRENDAN B BROWN: Born and bred on an island as densely populated as Montreal just without any of the culture, Brendan B Brown did what Andrew Carnegie did, he beat the odds. Taking the unprecedented decision of forming a band in New York City at the age of 22, Brendan took his father’s nickname of “wedus” and his mother’s penchant for rare fabrics and formed Wheatus. Wheatus became known in some circles as the greatest band to play the Mercury Lounge and eventually signed to Columbia Records who released the first two Wheatus records, kinda. After the major label life and the success of Wheatus’s debut single “Teenage Dirtbag,” Brown continued Wheatus and released five more records before the band’s renaissance would take place after “Teenage Dirtbag” was covered by One Direction. Since then, Wheatus, still led by Brown, has enjoyed a renewed interest with their songs covered by the likes of Phoebe Bridgers, Sza, Jax, Ruston Kelly and touring with such acts as Dashboard Confessional, Living Colour, Everclear, and many more. Brendan B Brown has taken the success in stride and wants you to join the ride. Get in. Join the Dirtbag.

GABRIELLE STERBENZ: Americana singer-songwriter (and longtime member of Wheatus), Gabrielle Sterbenz, was born into a house filled with Patsy Cline. At school, she sang in a Gospel Choir, hoping to sound like Aretha Franklin. In the evenings, Gabrielle would come home and drown her sorrows in Ella Fitzgerald. When this could sustain her no longer, she hatched a plan to graduate early, headed to New York City, and began working as a backing vocalist on late night television, for Robbie Dupree, Mike Doughty, Lorde, and most notably, Wheatus (of Teenage Dirtbag fame), a band she’s been a member of since 2011. Last year, Gabrielle performed her own music in every state in the lower 48, as direct support on Wheatus’ US acoustic tour, while also serving double-duty in the band. She is currently releasing music from her second record of original music.

This is the 16th season of Concerts at Norcross Point, a free concert series on the shores of Maranacook Lake. This year's schedule is as follows:
July 6 - The High Spirits
July 13- Norwood Pearson (and friend(s?))
July 20- Keiyana Marie Trinidad
July 27- Winthrop Heritage Days
August 3- LQH
August 10 - Calypso Soldiers
August 17- Bella Anne
August 24 - Katie Daggett and Ed Desjardins

Parking is free but limited, public restrooms available, bring a flotation device or anchor your boat offshore and join the flotilla!

Join us for a free family-friendly community concert and resource fair at Payson Park! The annual Rally 4 Recovery celebrates recovery in Maine, connects people with local organizations, and shares hope.

Enjoy an unforgettable afternoon featuring live music, food trucks, kids' activities like a bounce house and face painting, the annual recovery countdown, and more! Local, statewide, and national organizations will be onsite, offering valuable resources, information, and support. This event is created by people in recovery, allies, friends, and families, all coming together to celebrate and uplift our recovery community.

September is National Recovery Month—a time to educate, inspire, and spread the message that recovery is possible. This year’s theme remains — ✨ Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community! ✨

Funds raised from the Rally 4 Recovery support Portland Recovery Community Center (PRCC) groups, wellness, recreation activities, education, and advocacy efforts. PRCC is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization.

This weekly “backyard party” makes the most out of the easy Sundays afternoons of summertime!

Bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy an afternoon at the farm! Come and listen to live music, have a pint of a local beer, snack on a bison hot dog, visit the farm store and bring the kiddos to meet our friendly farm animals.

Each week features a concert of local musicians from diverse genres: rhythm & blues, jazz, Americana and more. Each open-air concert is the perfect backdrop for family and friends to lounge in the late afternoon sun and soak up the remaining moments of a Maine summertime weekend.

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.

Bailey’s Mistake is a neo-traditional Celtic-inspired folk band playing ancient songs of the sea, Newfoundland, the auld sod and their home state of Maine. Their highly danceable music invites merry hearts to sing along and feel the power of ancient tradition as it transitions into the 21st century.

Bailey’s Mistake features singer and frontman Troy R. Bennett on guitar and Travis Cote on bagpipes and tin whistles. The band’s rhythm section is rounded out with Dean Clegg on drums and Rob Babson on bass.

Celebrating its 5th year, Sounds by the Sea began in 2021 to foster community and enjoyment of live music in our cherished park. This free, family-oriented six-week summer concert series occurs on Mondays at 6:00 pm, starting after Independence Day. Concerts rotate between the Bandstand and the Picnic Shelter, made possible by the generous support of local business sponsors.

The occasional series of free performances in Camden Opera House’s intimate third-floor listening room welcomes Chris Ross back for a solo performance, after he opened for the Mallett Brothers this spring. The award-winning Maine singer-songwriter is a native of Hancock and past winner of the New England Music Awards’ Songwriter of the Year award. Known for his cinematic lyrics and sharp humor, Ross’ wit matches his musical talent. Elevator lobby doors at 29 Elm St. open 7 p.m. Free admission to all. Donations to the sponsoring Community Arts Fund are welcomed.

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

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