HOT TICKETS

Dining and Drink: Get more Chebang for your buck

GET A HEAD START on the Fourth at the Chebeague Chebang, a big party that includes a booze cruise, lobster dinner and other food, lawn games, children’s activities and fireworks.

WHEN: 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday (ferry leaves at 3 p.m.)

WHERE: Cheabeague Island Inn

HOW MUCH: $25 general admission or $50 for a lobster dinner ticket. Island residents get a $5 discount. Children 10 and under free.

INFO: 956-3420 or brownpapertickets.com.

Et Cetera: See inside Maine writer’s den

TOUR THE stone home of a former Pulitzer Prize winner. This year’s Kennebunkport Historical Society’s Designer Show House opens the Kenneth Roberts Estate to the public.

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays; noon to 7 p.m. Wednesdays; and 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. every other day through July 14 (closed July 4) WHERE: Washburn Drive, Kennebunkport

HOW MUCH: $20

INFO: www.kporthistory.org

Art and Theater: Midori times two at Bowdoin festival

THE BOWDOIN International Music Festival continues with the violin virtuoso Midori, who performs a two-concert program of all of Bach’s sonatas and paritas.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Sunday and Monday

WHERE: Crooker Theater, Brunswick High School

HOW MUCH: $40 for each concert, or $60 for both

INFO: 725-3895 or bowdoinfestival.org

Music and Nightlife: Apple idles on over to the State

FIONA APPLE’S new album has a 23-word title that doubles as a poem: “The idler wheel is wiser than the driver of the screw and whipping cords will serve you more than ropes will ever do.” Apple gives fans more to ponder over in an album title than many singers do in a whole album.

WHEN: 8 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: State Theatre, 609 Congress St., Portland

HOW MUCH: $48 in advance, and $50 on the day of the show.

INFO: statetheatreportland.com; (800) 745-3000

 

CHEAP THRILLS

Dining and Drink: Chill out at Great American Ice Cream Fest

ICE CREAM GOES with the Fourth of July like peas go with carrots. Sample tons of flavors at The Great American Ice Cream Fest during the city’s Stars and Stripes Spectacular, then vote on Maine’s Favorite Flavor.

WHEN: 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday

WHERE: Cutter Street on Portland’s East End

HOW MUCH: $8 adults, $5 children 12 and under. Proceeds go to Share Our Strength and Mercy Hospital.

INFO: july4thportland.org or greatamericanicecreamfest.com, or call 879-3605.

Et Cetera: What’s Fido thinking?

HAVE YOU EVER wondered what your dog is thinking? For instance, why is he obsessed with squirrels and what does he have against the next-door neighbor? Find out with a free reading with animal communicator Sara Moore during Planet Dog’s Yappy Hour.

WHEN: 5:15 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: Planet Dog, 211 Marginal Way, Portland

HOW MUCH: Free

INFO: 563-7695

Art and Theater: Photo exhibition is all about Maine’s children

“EVERY CHILD MATTERS IN MAINE,” a new photography exhibition in Portland, draws attention to the needs of children. Ann M. Shumard, curator of photographs at the National Portrait Gallery, juried the exhibition, which will include a variety of events and children’s rally.

WHEN: Opens with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, on view through July 14; children’s rally from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July at Monument Square

WHERE: June Fitzpatrick Gallery, 522 Congress St., Portland

HOW MUCH: Free

INFO: 699-5083

Music and Nightlife: Connect with your roots on Friday

EVER GET INTO one of those accoustic/rootsy/folksy/banjo/fiddle moods? Well head on down to Blue on Friday for three bands who can give you what you need: Sorcha, The Potato Pickers and Pitch Black Ribbons.

WHEN: 6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Friday

WHERE: Blue, 650A Congress St, Portland.

HOW MUCH: No cover, but a minimum of one purchase is required.

INFO: portcityblue.com; 774-4111