"Two singer-songwriters sit on the edge of a cliff…” With these words, we are drawn into the world of "Both Sides Now" - a theatrical concert that explores the music and lives of long-time friends and one-time lovers, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen - being staged at the Waldo on Oct. 11.

Local author Kay Tobler Liss will sign copies of her second novel, “Coming Home,” at Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Store, 5 Commercial St., Boothbay Harbor on Saturday, Sept. 13 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Lincoln Arts Festival presents Krista River, mezzo-soprano and Stephen Porter, piano on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor at 125 Townsend Avenue.

This year's fundraiser of The Friends of the Wiscasset Public Library, Bands for Books, was held Labor Day and was dedicated to the memory of Linda Winterberg. She is remembered for her years as president and secretary of the library’s board of trustees, and was instrumental in launching the popular Bands for Books annual fundraiser.

The event was held at Lakehurst Lodge in Damariscotta.

Maine’s Novel Jazz Septet features the talents of musicians with over two centuries of collective musical experience performing swinging jazz from the Great American Songbook. They are celebrating their 21st year together this season, and bring the music of the great Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn to the historic Boothbay Harbor Opera House on Friday, Sept. 12.

Crimsons, ochres, burnt umbers, cadmium reds and cerulean blues make up the palette for the Boothbay Region Art Foundation’s (BRAF) Fall Member’s Show, which is also the final member’s show of the 2025 summer season. Featuring works by more than 100 BRAF member artists the Fall Member’s Show will be on view through Sunday, Sept. 21.

Artists are being sought for the 3rd annual juried, Large Format exhibition by the Boothbay Region Art Foundation (BRAF), ARTinME. The show, which will be on view from Oct. 1 until Nov. 8 will be held at the BRAF Gallery located at 1 Towsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor.

The ARTinME exhibition is open to all full or part-time Maine artists working in large 2D format in various mediums and styles. Small sculptures are also welcome.

Prizes will be awarded during the Opening Reception which will take place on Saturday, Oct. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Historic New England’s 1762 Bowman House in Dresden is set in a landscape that has seen many changes over the past 263 years. The only constant is the Kennebec River. Experience the beautiful setting and hear stories of the people whose lives and work made history here. Join Site Manager Peggy Konitzky on a walk around the grounds of this historic estate on Sept. 11 from 10 to 11 a.m. Tickets are $15/Historic New England members, $25/nonmembers Buy at https://my.historicnewengland.org/23829/life-along-river.

A moody oil painting of a double-masted schooner at rest near a wharf under a sunset sky of orange and yellows broken up by dark clouds ... Another takes the viewer into a lighter scene, perhaps from the viewpoint of the sailor(s) just behind the rocks being sprayed by ocean water. You can hear the soft sound of the water lazily lapping against the sides of the sailboat as your eyes drift across the ocean to the homes on the island beyond …

The Waldo presents the retrospective exhibit “Multiples of Three: Paintings, Drawings and Sculptures” by the late Suzanne Cooney Phillips (August 1943 - March 2025), opening on Sept. 7.  The exhibit is in the theatre’s Alfond Gallery at 916 Main St. in Waldoboro and runs through Sept. 30.  

It was quite an enjoyable Art Walk Thursday afternoon. No rain! The street was very busy with vendors of all types on the sidewalks on both sides of the street. The shops and galleries were all doing good business. One of the highlights was the faculty of The Maine Youth Circus performing tricks and trying to teach people how to juggle and demonstrating balloon art with the kids.

Southport Memorial Library is hosting author Matt Cost Thursday, Sept. 11 to speak about his latest novel in the Clay Wolfe series, "Glow Trap." This program begins at 6:30 p.m.

Matt Cost will talk about the six hats worn by an author with a focus on this latest publication set in Port Essex - based on Boothbay Harbor!

River Arts'  annual all “Abstract” show features a spectacular array of abstract art by artists from across the state. This show captures the energy of the thriving contemporary abstract art scene in Maine. “Abstract”  runs through Saturday, Sept. 27. 

Juror Barbara Brady selected works by 68 artists. Brady said two themes came to mind as she selected the show: pattern and a sense of colorful playfulness spoke to her. She was struck by the sense of movement captured in the artwork and an energy in the show that "lifts the spirit."

A year-round South Bristol resident, Sally Loughridge has a selection of expressive oil paintings at Lincoln Hospital (35 Miles St., Damariscotta), formerly Miles Hospital, during September and October 2025.

Saturday, Aug. 30 is International Play Music on the Porch Day, and the Skidompha Strummers, the ukulele ensemble of Skidompha Public Library, will mark the day with a public concert under the portico at the library’s front door. 

Their program will begin at 10:30 a.m. It’s free and open to all, and will include a variety of familiar popular songs. The library is located at 184 Main St. in downtown Damariscotta.

A workshop, Sept. 17-19 at Ocean Point, Boothbay, will be led by Susan Newbold - printmaker and Illuminated journal artist, and Eliza Wing - Mindfulness teacher, life coach and journalmaker - for three days of creative exploration and mindful connection in a stunning coastal setting. This immersive workshop invites you to create your own richly layered journal using a vintage book. Limited to eight participants.

Three time winners of Scotland’s ‘Live Act of the Year’ award, Skerryvore have evolved from their humble beginnings to become one of the country’s leading forces in a thriving live music scene. At the forefront of a movement that has reinvented and reignited a traditional Scottish scene for a modern, multicultural audience, the band have brought their high energy performances to audiences across the globe. On Thursday, Sept. 4, the 7-member band arrives in Boothbay Harbor to play the historic Opera House as part of their 20th anniversary tour.

Cordula Mathias, administrator of the Bettinson Art and Literary Trust, will present a PowerPoint presentation slide show with information about the genesis of the Brenda Bettinson Ravensbrück Series at Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, 4 Oak St. in Boothbay Harbor on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 5:30 p.m. The talk will take approximately 45 minutes with time for a Q & A portion afterwards.

"The Bikinis" - This Lincoln County Community Theater (LCCT) beach party musical production opens Aug. 28 and runs through the 31st. See the article elsewhere in this arts section for details!