Community Calendar

The Shiretown Singers are thrilled to announce their Summer Sing, a series of public singing sessions held on Wednesdays throughout July and August. These gatherings will occur at the Thompson Free Library Pavilion, beginning July 9, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm.
This summer event is an open invitation to everyone, regardless of musical experience or ability. No prior note-reading skills are required, as artistic director Allison Aldrich Smith will teach all the songs during each session. Song sheets will also be provided.
The Shiretown Singers, a community choir established in October 2025, held their debut concert in May, which was warmly received by an enthusiastic audience. Inspired by the joy shared during their performances, the choir now invites the community to sing together simply for the love of it, without the pressure of preparing for a concert.
Each week will feature a theme, ranging from folk songs, rounds, popular songs of the 60s, and more. There will also be a chance each session to request songs from previous weeks. Whether you come to every session or drop in occasionally, you are welcome to sing along—or simply listen if you prefer.

Suggested donation $10 per session. Under 18 free of charge, no one turned away for lack of funds.

The LC Bates Museum of Natural History and Culture is thrilled to be hosting a special guest this Wednesday, July 9th, 6-8 pm, for a talk and reception. Andrew Garn is an author, writer, and photographer of urban ecology (pigeons, trees, wildflowers). He's been photographing and studying pigeons for decades. Andrew is the NY Pigeon guy!

Please join us for a talk, reception, and book signing with Andrew Garn, in the Audubon Room in the Museum. The Museum will also be open after the talk, and admission is free. Donations gladly accepted.

Three seasoned, professional Maine musicians join talents for this show, merging Lynn’s original folk-blues-gospel-tinged songs with your favorites.
Maine singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist Lynn Deeves honed her stage skills on the New England high energy, rock club circuit. Her soulful vocals, wit and easeful presence have since captivated audiences around the Northeast and beyond. Deeves has released 4 independent CD’s and shared stages with Cheryl Wheeler, Janis Ian, Ellis Paul, America, Catie Curtis and many others. Portland Press Herald says of her live show “…5-star stage presence…this gals’ got a set of pipes…”).
Guitarist Robby Coffin has as soulful voice and diverse, tasteful guitar style that (over a 40-plus year career) has garnered him gigs with such notables as Peter, Paul and Mary, Devonsquare, Dave Mallett and Don Campbell Band.
Alfred Lund is a percussionist who loves playing instruments of his own creation, from his custom cajon made from a Klipsch speaker box to ashiko drums fashioned from local woods. He performs with many Maine-based musicians and songwriters and also maintains a thriving healing arts practice in Hallowell Maine.

A long awaited return of this cult classic. On a stormy night, the newly engaged Brad and Janet find themselves out of gas and on the doorstep of one Dr Frank-N-Furter. They could never imagine the night in store, with a cast of creepily alluring characters who will test their boundaries, take their innocence and teach them to do The Time Warp.

A long awaited return of this cult classic. On a stormy night, the newly engaged Brad and Janet find themselves out of gas and on the doorstep of one Dr Frank-N-Furter. They could never imagine the night in store, with a cast of creepily alluring characters who will test their boundaries, take their innocence and teach them to do The Time Warp.

"Wrong Turn at Romance" by Alice Holton, April 8th - 24th. Chaos erupts when opposites attract in this funny love story with a twist. Two different hearts come together at a rustic retreat for one unpredictable weekend of hilarious banter and heartwarming discovery. Starring Pam Mutty and Michael J. Tobin

Maine's First Ship's new Executive Director, Alicia Witham, shares photos and tales from a recent transatlantic voyage.

The 2025 MFS Summer Lecture Series is held at 7pm on Wednesdays in June and July at the Bath Freight Shed. Donations are gratefully accepted. Learn more at mfship.org/events.

We’re moving all the seats out of the theater to make room for a “soul-bending” dance party with The Soulbenders, a multi-generational group from downeast Maine that aim to translate the grit, grace, and greatness of the American dance and jazz music of the 60’s and 70’s into something that can root itself into the hungry soil of the present.

Nora Krug is a German-American author and artist. Her books were published in 20 countries, and her illustrations have been recognized with gold and silver medals by the Society of Illustrators and the NY Art Directors Club. Among her many accolades, Krug is a recipient of fellowships from Fulbright, the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, the Pollock-Krasner Foundation, the Maurice Sendak Foundation, and others.

Her books are included in the Library of Congress and the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Columbia University. Her graphic memoir about WWII and her German family history, Belonging, won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Best Autobiography. Diaries of War, her book of graphic journalism that chronicles the contrasting experiences of a Ukrainian journalist and a Russian artist, both grappling with the realities of Russia’s renewed invasion of Ukraine in 2022, won the Overseas Press Club’s Best Cartoon Award runner-up citation. Diaries of War and On Tyranny, her collaboration with U.S. historian Timothy Snyder, were named one of Germany’s Most Beautiful Books. Krug is Associate Professor of Illustration at the Parsons School of Design in New York City

Wednesday, July 9 at 7:00 PM (doors 6:30 PM), approximately 90 minutes including Q&A.

Free to the public, registration is required.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATION INSTITUTE

Illustration Institute's mission is to raise appreciation and awareness of illustration in its many forms. ii seeks to provide people of all ages the opportunity to learn directly from master artists and working professionals through exhibitions and workshops provided at public libraries, museums, schools, and other community venues.

PARKING & TRANSPORTATION

The Greater Portland Metro’s Congress & Casco Street Stop is directly in front of our building, served by routes 1, 7, 8, and 9B.

Parking is available at the Arts District Garage, which has entrances on Casco and Brown Street, with a rate of $5 per hour. Metered street parking is available on Congress, Casco, Cumberland, Free Street, and other nearby streets. Free hourly street parking is available between Parris and Alder Street.

ACCESSIBILITY

To enter our building, patrons will need to navigate a single step. There is a wheelchair-accessible elevator and a ramp available upon request.

If you need accessibility accommodations/questions please contact us at programming@mainemechanics.org or 207-773-8396.

Maine Public is pleased to be a media sponsor of Maine State Music Theatre’s production of Tootsie.

Tootsie is a hilarious and heartwarming musical comedy about actor Michael Dorsey, who disguises himself as a woman, Dorothy Michaels, to land a role in a Broadway show.

Based on the iconic Dustin Hoffman film of the same name, Tootsie explores themes of identity, gender roles, and the challenges of navigating personal and professional life. The show delivers laughter and insight. As Michael’s new persona takes on a life of her own, he learns valuable lessons about honesty, love, and self-acceptance.

Maine State Music Theatre’s Tootsie will be performed at the Pickard Theater in Brunswick from June 25th through July 12th.

Click HERE to view the full schedule