Choir auditions being held in Newcastle
NEWCASTLE — St. Cecilia Chamber Choir is holding auditions for all voice parts. St. Cecilia is an auditioned community chorus that rehearses Wednesday evenings at St. Andrew’s Church in Newcastle. The group will resume rehearsals on Jan. 16 in preparation for concerts on May 4 and 5.

Sopranos and altos should be able to sing with a straight tone, and all singers should have a finely tuned ear and be eager for a challenge, according to a choir official. Practice materials are provided for learning music at home.

For more information or to schedule an audition, contact director Linda Blanchard at 380-2768 or visit ceciliachoir.org.

Tree Appreciation Walk planned for Thorne Head
BATH — The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust and Beth Israel Congregation invite kids, adults and families to a Tree Appreciation Walk at Thorne Head Preserve in recognition of the New Year of the Trees, a Jewish ecological holiday named Tu Bishvat celebrating the importance of trees and environmental stewardship.

The family-friendly walk, beginning at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 20, will be a walking exploration and appreciation of trees—how they grow, what species of trees are native to Maine and the many ways in which trees benefit our lives.

Cheri Brunault will lead participants through the forest, stopping to talk about the different species and ages of trees on the property. Brunault will share information about the history of trees in Maine, facts about tree biology and communication and how trees support woodland animals.

For more information, call 442-8400 or visit kennebecestuary.org/upcoming-events.

Call to artists for upcoming abstract show
BOOTHBAY HARBOR — “What’s Nude in Boothbay Harbor?: A Celebration of the Human Form,” a show of paintings, paper work, sculpture and photography will open at Studio 53 on Friday, Feb. 10. The Valentine’s Day weekend show will run through Sunday, Feb. 12, and an opening reception will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Feb. 10.

Exhibiting nudity can be challenging in a traditional and conservative New England, but this third exhibition of “What’s Nude” will endeavor to once again present through a variety of interpretations, the beauty and shape of the human form through paintings, paper work, sculpture and photography, according to a press release from the studio.

Artists are invited to submit two pieces of work to the show. The submission deadline is Jan. 25.

For more information, call 633-2353.

Healthy Kids retires Chocolate Fest
DAMARISCOTTA — After 17 years, Healthy Kids will retire its community Chocolate Fest fundraising event and launch its first annual Cabin Fever Reliever on Saturday, March 30, at the Central Lincoln County YMCA.

Kids activities will include playing in a tent, sitting around a battery-operated fire pit eating s’mores, playing games, face painting and more. Adults will be treated to local beers and wines, snacks, folk music, indoor carnival-type activities, music and a silent and live auction.

Chocolate Fest has featured local chocolate, auction items donated by hundreds of local businesses and artists, support from business donors, music by local musicians, service by local restaurateurs and student service clubs. It has raised thousands of dollars to support children and families in Lincoln County.

Adult tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Teen tickets will be $5 and children 12 and under are free.

For more information, call 563-1818 or visit healthykidsmaine.org.

Edgecomb church hosting fundraiser on Super Bowl Sunday
EDGECOMB — The Edgecomb Community Church will be holding a fundraising event featuring submarine sandwiches on Sunday, Feb. 3.

For $7, guests can pre-order an 8-inch white or wheat sub roll, along with ham or vegetables with various cheeses and toppings. Chips and a drink will be included. The subs will be available for pick up at the church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Home delivery is also available.

All proceeds will be used for the church’s mission work. Orders must be placed by Wednesday, Jan. 30. For more information, call Marjorie Di Vece at 882-6338.

Unplugged Celtic music coming to Chocolate Church
BATH — Richard Wood and Gordon Belsher will present Prince Edward Island Celtic in the Annex of the Chocolate Church Art Center on Friday, Jan. 18. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.

The duo will perform jigs and reels, strathspeys and hornpipes and airs. performed by this dynamic duo.

For more than two decades, Wood, an award-winning fiddler from Prince Edward Island, has performed for audiences all across Canada, as well as in the U.S., Europe, Japan and Australia. He’s made TV appearances with Shania Twain on “The Late Show with David Letterman” and “Good Morning America,” played at Carnegie Hall with The Chieftains and was a featured performer on CBC’s Canada Dayon Parliament Hill.

Belsher, a vocalist, has played before large festival crowds, in the courts of royalty and in intimate folk club settings.

Tickets are on sale for $20. For more information, visit chocolatechurcharts.org or call 442-8455.