About the bluegrass band Chicken Wire Empire, a reviewer said, "These musicians must enjoy what they do because their joy translates through their instruments." Hailing from Wisconsin, the band has partnered with dozens of artists from all corners of the bluegrass genre, from Sam Bush and Peter Rowan to Vince Herman and Keller Williams. Their forthcoming album features guest appearances from Grammy-winning artists Jerry Douglas and Kyle Tuttle.

On Saturday, Sept. 12 Heartwood Regional Theater Company will hold low key auditions at the Poe Theater, 81 Academy Hill Road, Newcastle, from 10 a.m. to noon.  

The Waldo welcomes comedian Forrest Shaw to the stage on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. The former marine biologist turned comedian, gives a voice to the ocean—and trust us, it has some things to say. "The Ocean Hates You!" dives straight into pollution, overfishing, climate change, plastic, and all the many ways humans have managed to trash the most important ecosystem on Earth.

Long Branch headlines the Wiscasset Art Walk on Thursday, Aug. 27, along with live music in galleries and pubs, and so much more to entertain visitors. Making a repeat sidewalk performance, the country/bluegrass/rock n’ roll sounds of Nanci Stein, Bill Donovan, and John Fabreau, playing as Long Branch, create the outdoor ambiance for a great evening of active strolling.

Want to hear fascinating stories, see exquisite 18th century furnishings and objects that will make you smile? Come to Historic New England’s 1762 Bowman House in Dresden for this special extended tour Aug. 27 from 10 a.m. to noon. Whether you are new to the house or have already taken the regular tour, here is your opportunity to take it slower and really get a chance to look at things and ask questions. Join Site Manager Peggy Konitzky for a leisurely, two-hour tour of this stunning house.

The Waldo is excited to have DakhaBrakha (pronounced “da-ha bra-ha”) a world-music quartet from Kyiv, Ukraine performing on Sunday, Aug. 2 at 7:30 pm.

The name DakhaBrakha is original, outstanding and authentic at the same time. It means “give/take” in the old Ukrainian language. DakhaBrakha was created in 2004 at the Kyiv Center of Contemporary Art by the avant-garde theatre director, Vladyslav Troitskyi. Theatre work has left its mark on the band performances — their shows have never been staged without scenic effects.

Preservation Party, Lincoln County Historical Association’s annual gathering for food, fun, and good-natured bidding at the Pownalborough Court House in Dresden, takes place on Sunday, Sept. 13. This year’s event celebrates America’s 250th anniversary with a menu inspired by colonial dinners that might have been served in the historic courthouse tavern.

The 7th annual Maine Book Festival will be held on Saturday, Aug. 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Thomaston Public Library and presented by Maine Authors Publishing. Meet over 110 talented authors from across Maine, representing a wide range of genres ready to sign and sell their books. Complete list available from www.MaineBookFestival.com.  

Rizza’s Kitchen food truck will be serving fresh and authentic Asian food. Find them on Facebook and Instagram @RizzasKitchen

In the early 19th century, Wiscasset was an important shipbuilding port on the U.S. East Coast. In 1808, President Thomas Jefferson commissioned a series of blockhouse fortresses to protect important American port cities from British attack.

The Lincoln Arts Festival (LAF) Art Show has been held since 1995, and almost always at a shipyard. For many years now, Hodgdon Yacht Services, at 100 Ebenecook Road, Southport has generously provided the perfect space for this show, Art for Art’s Sake.

This year’s opening reception/sale is Friday, Aug. 21, 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22 (Art Interaction Day) hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and the final day, Sunday, Aug. 23, is 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Salt Bay Chamberfest’s 32nd season, Music Unearthed, wraps up this weekend with concerts at Lincoln Theater in Damariscotta and free events throughout Lincoln County.

On Friday, Aug. 14, a concert titled "Unearthed: Uprooted" features composer and cellist Karen Ouzounian exploring her family’s Anatolian-Armenian and Lebanese roots and the significance of old music in a new world.

Defying meteorological science, Saturday, Aug. 8 was a stellar weather day for the 2026 OBD Williams-Fossett 13th annual Vintage Car Show. Forty-five fascinating vehicles competed for six trophies determined by popular vote.

The first-place trophy was awarded to Jim Olson of Nobleboro for his 1952 Ford Customline sedan. Second place went to the Williams family from New Harbor (Williams-Fosset Vintage Car Show) for their 1930 Ford Model-T Woody and third to Nobleboro’s Greg Olson for his 1960 Austin-Healey (Bugeye) Sprite MK-1.

Our thanks to Wiscasset's Owen Whitney for sharing these images from "Alive on the Common" Aug. 6. First National Bank and Davison Construction sponsored Murky Water Band's rock and country concert.

Wiscasset Creative Alliance sponsors the last "Alive" concert this season, Pan Fried Steel, at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13. 

A vivid memory of Passamaquoddy basket designer/maker Debora Nicholas’ youth was the sound of male family members pounding ash logs of 8-12 feet with a mallets or the back of an axe to split the wood and separate the growth rings that would be reborn as “splints” for basket making.

"Spider-Man: Brand New Day" - (PG13; 2 hours, 25 minutes) - With the world no longer remembering who Peter Parker is, Spider-Man finds himself more isolated than ever. As his closest friends move on with lives that no longer include him, Peter throws himself into protecting New York—until a mysterious new threat emerges that challenges everything he thought he knew about being a hero.

"Lights, Ladies, Legends!" opened  at the Carousel Music Theater this week.  If you like the music of the 1960s, this production is for you. The script was created by new playwright Elena Tarpley, featuring music from the fabulous ladies of the '60s.

The Boothbay Region Art Foundation (BRAF) invites Maine artists to submit work for ARTinME 2026, our fourth annual juried exhibition celebrating the power and presence of large-format art. This highly anticipated exhibition will be on view Sept. 30 through Nov. 7 at the BRAF Gallery, located at 1 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor.

One of the Midcoast’s favorite summer traditions is back! The 54th annual North Nobleboro Day will take place on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the North Nobleboro Community Hall on Upper East Pond Road. Now in its fifth decade, this lively community celebration continues to draw crowds of locals and visitors with a winning mix of food, music, and community spirit.