Concerts feature bird song and Brahms; a percussion extravaganza with a world premiere, and free music at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay.

Salt Bay Chamberfest’s “Music Unearthed” festival is in full swing, continuing with a concert titled “Unearthed: Earth & Sky” at the Lincoln Theater (2 Theater St., Damariscotta) on Friday, Aug. 7 at 7:30 pm. This performance captures birdsong and the spirituality of the skies through Haydn’s "String Quartet in C major, Op. 33, No. 3," “The Birds”; Messiaen’s “Abyss of the Birds,” from Quartet for the End of Time; and Brahms’ late-period Clarinet Quintet. Nipmuck flutist Hawk Henries plays his own works honoring the Earth and his Native American heritage. Performing with him are Romie de Guise-Langlois, clarinet; violinists Aaron Boyd and Susie Park; violist Maiya Papach; and cellist Wilhelmina Smith.

On Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 7:30 p.m., the Grammy-winning ensemble Sandbox Percussion joins composer and steel pannist Andy Akiho for “Unearthed: Created,” an intense, high-octane performance of works written especially for the group. Featuring commentary by group members, the concert includes the world premiere of Akiho’s SBC-commissioned work, "Pentalateral I." This energetic performance also takes place at Lincoln Theater.

This weekend also includes numerous free outdoor musical events designed for all audiences. SBC continues its popular collaboration with the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, presenting two concerts at the Gardens, 105 Botanical Drive, in Boothbay. On Saturday, Aug. 8 at 4 p.m., “Birdsong with Birds” finds SBC musicians summoning and singing with local birds in a performance of Haydn’s “The Bird” Quartet, plus original music evoking birdsong written and performed by Henries. On Sunday, Aug. 9 at 4 p.m., in “Heartbeat of Nature,” Sandbox Percussion energizes the Gardens with rhythms of nature in a unique and interactive percussion jam. There is free access to the Gardens for concertgoers starting an hour before the performance.

Also on Sunday, Aug. 9 at 4 p.m., violinist Aaron Boyd will give a short outdoor recital as part of Music on the River at 39 Glidden Street, Newcastle. On Monday, Aug. 10 at 2 p.m. at Keyes Woods Preserve, there will be a special Maine listening adventure called “Harvesting the Sounds of Nature.” It will feature Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust’s Director of Community Science and naturalist Sarah Gladu alongside SBC Artistic Director and cellist Wilhelmina Smith.  On Wednesday, Aug. 12, cellist and composer Karen Ouzounian will present a lecture/demonstration at Rutherford Public Library in South Bristol at 1 p.m.

For tickets a more information, visit www.saltbaychamberfest.org, e-mail contact@saltbaychamberfest.org, or call (207) 522-3749. All programs and artists are subject to change.

SBC 2026 Season at a glance through Aug. 11:

Thursday, Aug. 6 at Noon - Wabanaki & SBC (Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness Cultural Center, Bangor)

Friday, Aug. 7 at 6:30 p.m. - Pre-concert talk and 7:30 p.m. Concert 2 (Lincoln Theater, 2 Theater St., Damariscotta)

Saturday, Aug. 8 at 4 p.m. - SBC at the Gardens 1 (Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay) and again on Sunday, Aug. 9 at 4 p.m.: SBC at the Gardens 2.

Sunday, Aug. 9 at 4 p.m. - Music on the River (39 Glidden St., Newcastle)

Monday, Aug. 10 at 2 p.m. - Nature Listening Adventure (Keyes Woods Preserve/Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust)

Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 3 p.m. - Lecture/Demo (Skidompha Public Library, 184 Main St., Damariscotta)

Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 6:30 p.m. - Pre-concert talk and 7:30 p.m., Concert 3 (Lincoln Theater)