Bess the Book Bus
BANGOR — On Tuesday, Aug. 9, the mobile literacy program Bess the Book Bus will visit Kev-Lan Corner CITGO station at 1110 Broadway.
The stop is part of Bess the Book Bus’ nationwide “Success in Sight Tour” to promote childhood literacy. It is being coordinated by a Bangor-based CITGO station and its supplier, Dysart’s Fuel.
From 3 to 5 p.m., Bess the Book Bus founder Jennifer Frances will stop at Kev-Lan Corner CITGO to meet with employees and customers and hand out brand-new books to children. Local children’s book author Angeli Perrow will attend, signing copies of her books for local families.
Bess the Book Bus also will visit Bangor Public Library 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Aug. 9 so that Book Bus volunteers can read aloud to children and give away brand-new books.
Organizers said that the events show how a nationwide charity and local business can join forces to help local children.
FLASH! In the Pans
BANGOR — Downtown Bangor Partnership will bring summer favorites FLASH! In the Pans back to the Cool Sounds Stage 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4, in Pickering Square.
Based in Blue Hill, Maine, FLASH! is one of the largest community steel bands in the United States. For more than two decades in 1990, members of FLASH! have found as much joy in playing the steel drum — known as pan — as they do in sharing their music with enthusiastic audiences of all ages.
Some 35 members, many of whom have little or no musical background, range in age from teens to over 70. In their “other” lives, they are students, retirees, teachers, farmers, carpenters, business owners and professionals. Band members donate their time, energy and talents for the sheer fun of spreading the joy of pan.
Pan offers musicians and audiences the opportunity to participate in the growth of a musical style that evolved from a crude folk drum that rose out of repression into the finely tuned and respected orchestral instrument of today. The repertoire includes an eclectic mix of traditional calypso, pop, swing, blues and classical pieces.
The Outdoor Market will be held 5-8 p.m., with 35-40 vendors selling Maine-made fine arts, crafts, food items and produce in West Market Square and along Broad Street. The last Cool Sounds concerts will be on Aug. 11, The BArSTuARDS, rock-folk with Celtic influence.
In case of rain, the concert moves under Pickering Square garage.
Bangor State Fair
BANGOR — The Bangor State Fair will continue through Sunday, Aug. 7, at Bass Park.
New this year are different musical actions at 8 p.m. daily on the Pepsi Stage in front of the grandstand.
The musical acts are:
• Thursday, Aug. 4: Big Band Night, with special guest “1 Lady, 3 Legends.”
• Friday, Aug. 5: Draw the Line, an Aerosmith tribute band.
• Saturday, Aug. 6: The Carter Twins, contemporary country.
Also new this year are daily performances of the Sea Lion Splash, the West Texas Rattlesnake Show and Michael Griffin, America’s Escape Hero. There will be arm-wrestling contests and the usual 4-H shows and contests.
Other highlights are: Buffalo and Brandy (magic, music and group drumming), daily; Backyard Circus, daily, sponsored by Bangor Daily News; EMRBA Rabbit Show, daily; Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, daily; Eastern Maine Camera Club photography show, daily.
Tickets are $10. For information, visit http:// www.bangorstatefair.com.
‘Hamlet’ at Fort Knox
PROSPECT — Ten Bucks Theatre invites patrons to attend Shakespeare Under the Stars’ “Hamlet,” directed by Julie Arnold Lisnet, at 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 4-7, at Fort Knox in Prospect.
Bring blankets, folding chairs and a picnic. Tickets are $10, cash or checks only. The box office opens one hour before showtime. For tickets, call 469-6553.
Summer music series
BANGOR — Bangor Public Library’s Summer Music Series features free concerts at 7 p.m. Wednesdays in Peirce Park next to the library.
• Aug. 10, 7 p.m. Amanda Gervasi, a Maine-grown artist. With folk-rock roots and appreciation for blues, her songs reveal a blend of her influences and originality. After moving to Portland, Gervasi joined Gypsy Tailwind and recorded two albums.
• Aug. 17, 7 p.m. Jonee Earthquake, a walk on the wild side with an energetic and enjoyable punk band. Irreverent and fun, the band retains its joy of sharing punk and rockabilly music with audiences of all ages.
• Aug. 24, 7 p.m. Heart of Maine Chorus of Sweet Adelines International, local women sharing their love of singing in four-part harmony, barbershop a cappella style.
• Aug. 31, 7 p.m. Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Maine, performing the works of Gilbert and Sullivan since 1976. The singers share their love of the operettas from the 1800s.
The series is sponsored by Gross Minsky and Mogul Law Office. For information, call 947-8336.
Intertribal Pow-wow
Maine Forest and Logging Museum will sponsor an Intertribal Pow-wow 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 13-14, at Leonard’s Mills in Bradley.
Admission is $5, $3 children. For more information, call 974-6278 or email info@leonardsmills.com
Trombone concert
BUCKSPORT — The 26th annual “Mostly for Fun” Trombone Concert will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, at Elm Street Congregational Church, 31 Elm St.
Trombonists from Maine, Massachusetts, Washington, Virginia, Florida and Canada will bring their talents together to perform a variety of music ranging from classical to pop and jazz. This annual concert raises funds for the maintenance of the historic E&GG Hook organ that is displayed in the church sanctuary.
‘Dead of Wynter’ talk
BANGOR — Spencer Seidel, author of “Dead of Wynter,” will speak at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8, at Bangor Public Library.
Set in the bitter cold of a Maine winter, the story follows Alice Wynter as she returns to bury her alcoholic father. Her twin brother’s disappearance compounds the mystery of her father’s murder. As she explores her former hometown, Alice discovers dark secrets of her past.
Seidel’s realistic dialogue and believable characters bring the book to life, building suspense. He enriches the tale through the use of several viewpoints and the characters’ authentic voices. The overall tone of the book perfectly elicits small-town life in Maine.
Seidel used his firsthand knowledge of Maine to ensure accuracy. With a lifelong love of learning that began as a child after discovering Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” Seidel graduated with honors from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
He draws inspiration from authors such as Stephen King, Peter Straub and Jack Ketchum, who continue to influence his dark novels and short stories. “Dead of Wynter” is his debut novel. “Lovesick,” his next suspense thriller, will be published in April 2012.
Talk on Lyme disease
BANGOR — Emily Bracale, author and artist of “In the Lyme-Light: Portraits of Illness and Healing,” will read from her book and discuss the symptoms, treatment and prevention of Lyme disease at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9, at Bangor Public Library.
This book shares the author’s life with Lyme disease, but it speaks to all who have had similar contact with this illness.
Bracale emphasized, “Until recently, I, like many people, did not realize that Lyme disease could be so serious. Aware or not, anyone who plays outside in nature, gardens, hikes or sits out in grassy fields painting, as I often used to do, is a potential candidate for Lyme.“
After years of sickness, Bracale found she was a “poster child for Lyme disease” and began the mentally and physically exhausting process of treatment and recovery. A former teacher and artist, she used paintings and writing to express her feelings and ideas about the disease.
Bracale created 28 paintings and collages with accompanying text. Each piece covers a different aspect of Lyme disease, from the confusion before diagnosis to the disease’s symptoms, such as fatigue, decreased concentration, memory disorders, muscle spasms and sleep disorders. Bracale will share her personal journey to help educate the public about the growing epidemic.
Chords for the Cure
BANGOR — On Saturday, Aug. 6, Eastern Maine Medical Center orthopedic oncology surgeon Dr. Ian Dickey will lead the rock band The Stone Doctors at Chords for the Cure at My Fork Restaurant and Lounge at 268 Odlin Road. Proceeds will help support EMMC’s Cure Kids Cancer project.
This year marks the fifth year The Stone Doctors have been performing to raise funds for pediatric oncology at EMMC. The group is known for covering classic Rolling Stones songs, even playing with an amplifier used by Keith Richards. Dickey will lead the group.
“We’re proud to use our music to promote awareness and raise money to help kids with cancer,” he said. “This event continues to grow year after year.”
Dickey is known for the innovative care he provides. Most recently, he gained attention for the leading-edge technology used in the treatment of 11-year-old Brandon Morris of Bangor. Four years ago, Brandon was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare bone cancer that targets children. Because of the care provided by Dickey and the staff at EMMC, Brandon has been able to avoid the loss of his leg.
Five bands will play throughout the day, beginning at 1 p.m. The other four are Juicebox, Mudseason, Riverbottom Funk and Oversoul. The Stone Doctors are the closing act of the event. Admission is $10 a person to help support EMMC’s Cure Kids Cancer project.
Tickets are available at My Fork. For more information, contact Harold Brownell at 942-3811.
‘Sweeney Todd’
ORONO — The University of Maine Summer Music Theatre Festival will present Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s macabre musical masterpiece, “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 5-6 and 12-13; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7 and 14, at Hauck Auditorium, Memorial Union, University of Maine.
Returning to London from a long exile for a crime he didn’t commit, barber Sweeney Todd finds only broken fragments of his once happy life. Pitted on vengeance and aided by an eccentric meat pie vendor, Sweeney resumes his barber business, offering his victims the last shave they’ll ever have.
Tickets are $14, $7 students. The play is for mature audiences.
Photography workshop
HOLDEN — Professional photographer Andy Anderson will present “From Camera to Print — Secrets of the Pros,” a photography workshop, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17, at Fields Pond Audubon Center.
A basic working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop or Elements is recommended, but not required. Bring a few photos (on a card), and lunch. All levels of expertise are welcome.
The cost is $35 for Fields Pond members, $40 others. Advance registration and payment are required. Call 989-2591.
Children’s Day
HAMPDEN — The Hampden Children’s Day Committee invites everyone to attend the 32nd annual Hampden Children’s Day on Saturday, Aug. 20.
The day will start with a pancake breakfast 7-9 a.m. at the Kiwanis Civic Center. There will be road races, a bike decorating contest and the parade at 11 a.m.
After the parade there will be events happening behind McGraw School and in the gymnasium with plenty of food and games for kids of all ages. To end the day there will be spectacular fireworks. The Children’s Day program will be available soon at several locations in Hampden, so mark your calendars.