TODAY

APRIL 22 

David Knopfler

David Knopfler co-founded Dire Straits with his brother, Mark, but left the band in the early 1980s to pursue a solo career. He’s released several solo albums since; his latest is “Ship of Dreams.” Professor Louie opens tonight at the Venue Music Bar and Bistro. Go to venuemusicbar.com for tickets.

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Venue Music Bar and Bistro, 5 Depot St., Freeport

How much: $25 

Piano Festival

The fourth annual Elizabeth Dunaway Burnham Memorial Piano Festival runs today through Sunday. Tonight’s guest performer is Michael Arnowitt. The guest performer on Friday is Leslie Hitelman, and on Saturday, Quynh Nguyen. Sunday’s concert features local young pianists. Call 646-6170 for information.

When: 8 p.m. tonight, Friday and Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday

Where: Dunaway Center, 23 School St., Ogunquit

How much: $12 each on Friday, Saturday and Sunday or $30 for the series. Free admission for students ages 18 and younger. Free admission for all on Sunday. 

Children’s Theatre

The Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine presents “The Rabbit Who Wanted Red Wings” today through May 2. Children ages 9 to 16 tell the tale of a young rabbit who wishes he could be something other than what he is. The play is appropriate for children as young as age 3. Reservations are recommended. Call 828-1234, Ext. 231, for reservations.

When: 4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 1 and 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays

Where: Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine, 142 Free St., Portland

How much: $8. Tickets are $4 for today’s performance. 

FRIDAY

APRIL 23

Fishermen’s Festival

Boothbay Harbor’s annual Fishermen’s Festival is a fun event designed to celebrate the local color. The festival gets going Friday with the Shrimp Princess Pageant. Weekend events, most of which take place on Saturday, include a cod fish relay race, a bait shoveling race, lobster crate running, music, lighthouse tours and a Blessing of the Fleet. Go to www.boothbayharbor.com for a complete schedule.

When: Various times Friday through Sunday

Where: Various locations, Boothbay Harbor

How much: Most events are free. 

Gaither Homecoming Tour

The Gaither Vocal Band performs Southern gospel and contemporary Christian music. Performing with the band on Friday are Buddy Greene, the Isaacs, Charlotte Ritchie and Russ Taff. Go to www.gaither.com and click on “media” to watch videos of some of the performers. Call 775-3458 for tickets.

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Cumberland County Civic Center, Spring Street, Portland

How much: $29.50 and $39.50 

Cherish the Ladies

The Irish-American all-female band Cherish the Ladies is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The band currently has six members performing Celtic music. For tickets to the show on Friday, go to www.rocklandstrand.com. For tickets to the show on Saturday, go to www.stonemountainartscenter.com.

When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Where: Strand Theatre, 345 Main St., Rockland on Friday; Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dugway Road, Brownfield on Saturday

How much: $30 Friday; $45 Saturday 

Richie Havens

Folk icon Richie Havens has been performing in Maine a lot in recent years. Given that his concerts keep selling out, it seems he’s as popular as ever. His show on Friday in Brownfield is sold out, naturally, but there is limited seating still available for his show in Bath on Saturday. Call 442-8455 for ticket availability.

When: 8 p.m. Friday (sold out); 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dugway Road, Brownfield on Friday; Chocolate Church Arts Center, 804 Washington St., Bath, on Saturday

How much: $40 Friday; $35 Saturday 

The Low Anthem

Rhode Island-based the Low Anthem returns to Portland Friday night. The band opened for Ray LaMontagne when he performed two sold-out shows at Merrill Auditorium last spring. Go to www.lowanthem.com and click on “music” to hear audio. The local band Brown Bird opens. This is an 18-and-older show. Tickets at Bull Moose stores and at www.space538.org.

When: 9:30 p.m.

Where: Space, 538 Congress St., Portland

How much: $10 

‘Guys and Dolls’

In the musical “Guys and Dolls,” one high roller takes a bet he just may lose, but it may turn out to be one he’ll be happy not to win. The award-winning play features songs such as “Luck Be a Lady,” “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” and “I’ll Know.” Lyric Music Theater’s production of “Guys and Dolls” runs Friday through May 8. Call 799-1421 for tickets.

When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays

Where: Lyric Music Theater, 176 Sawyer St., South Portland

How much: $19.99 

SATURDAY

APRIL 24 

One-Act Plays

The 13th annual Maine Association of Community Theaters’ One-Act Play Festival takes place Saturday in Rockland. Workshops in the morning are followed by performances open to the public in the afternoon. There are two performance sessions. Go to www.lincolnstreetcenter.org for information.

When: 1:30 p.m. (set one), 3:30 p.m. (set two)

Where: Lincoln Street Center for Arts and Education, 24 Lincoln St., Rockland

How much: $12; $10 for seniors and students 

Maia Sharp

Singer/songwriter Maia Sharp not only has four solo albums to her credit, she has had her songs recorded by some of the music industry’s biggest names, including Bonnie Raitt, Trisha Yearwood, the Dixie Chicks and Cher. Go to www.maiasharp.com to launch the audio player. Seth Glier joins Sharp on Saturday in Portland. Call 761-1757 or go to www.onelongfellowsquare.com for tickets.

When: 8 p.m.

Where: One Longfellow Square, State and Congress streets, Portland

How much: $15 in advance; $18 at the door 

Kites, Bikes, Trikes

Children are invited to bring their kites, bicycles and tricycles to the annual Kites, Bikes and Trikes Family Festival at Owls Head Transportation Museum. There will be kite-building workshops, bike safety checks and a bike parade. Author Chris Van Dusen will sign copies of his book, “If I Built a Car,” at 1 p.m. Go to www.ohtm.org for information.

When: Gates open at 9:30 a.m.

Where: Owls Head Transportation Museum, Route 73

How much: $10; free for youths under age 18 

’70s Dance Party

If the disco beat takes over and you just have to dance it out of your system after you go to the Portland Symphony Orchestra’s Pops concert with Motor Booty Affair on Saturday, head to Space, where the folks there will have ’70s music. There will be a ’70s costume contest at midnight. This is a 21-and-older event. Go to www.space538.org for information.

When: 9 p.m.

Where: Space, 538 Congress St., Portland

How much: $5 

SUNDAY

APRIL 25 

Stormy Weather

Lena Horne is celebrated in words and music in Camden on Sunday. Vocalists Rebecca Parris and Paula West re-create Horne’s hits while James Gavin, author of “Stormy Weather: The Life of Lena Horne,” provides narration. Gavin will sign copies of his book at Natalie’s restaurant after the concert. Go to www.camdenoperahouse.com for tickets.

When: 4 p.m.

Where: Camden Opera House, Route 1

How much: $22.50 and $25; $22 for children under age 12 

Elan Sicroff

Pianist Elan Sicroff performs the music of George Gurdjieff and Thomas de Hartmann in Portland on Sunday. The Gurdjieff-de Hartmann collaboration of the early 1900s was a creation of spiritual music combining traditions from Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. Go to www.sicroff.com/tours_events.html for information and to watch videos.

When: 3 p.m.

Where: First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 425 Congress St., Portland

How much: $15; $10 for students 

MONDAY

APRIL 26 

Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou is a world-renowned poet, author, educator, civil rights activist and performer. She has worked with some of the world’s most-recognized people, including dancers Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey and activists Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., and has read her poetry at presidential inaugurations. She will speak in Augusta on Monday. Go to uma.edu/mangelou.html for information.

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Augusta Civic Center, Community Drive

How much: $25 

TUESDAY

APRIL 27 

William Gay

Southern gothic author William Gay has been compared to William Faulkner. The Tennessean’s work includes the novels “The Long Home” and “The Lost Country.” Gay will do a reading at Colby College on Tuesday. Go to www.colby.edu for information.

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Pugh Center, Cotter Union, Colby College, Waterville

How much: Free 

WEDNESDAY

APRIL 28 

The Escapists

Portland-based sketch comedy and improv ensemble the Escapists make a daring move Wednesday evening. The improvisers will mix their comedy with a film noir-style story line. Call 699-2994 for information.

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: North Star Music Cafe, 225 Congress St., Portland

How much: $5

 

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